The Trench was AWESOME; I'm a sucker for action of any kind (though I also wish the critics would lighten up). A little tag-along because I love practicing my character moments and development. Enjoy you guys!

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They all jarred at the resounding bang against the metal walls. Jonas waited, tense with the rest... until it came again. Harder against the side, causing everything to shutter and stagger. Which was not needed! The explosions had knocked everything from walls, stairs, wires, and machines askew, water coming menacingly up from the bottom of the lab. While even more water leaked from above. At this point, their choices were drowning or spontaneous combustion from the pressure. Jonas felt as much in his ears and he knew Rigas and Jiuming did too.

"Do they... know we're in here?" Rigas fought the tremble in her voice. Was she contemplating the uselessness of her speargun, same as Jonas?

"Something must have rattled them." Jiuming dared a step farther out of the chamber, eyes flicking back and forth. Likely applying math on top of science on top of aqua-physics- Jonas didn't know and didn't care. He could think about megalodon pet peeves once they were topside. He looked back to order Meiying forward; only to find her backing into the counter. Arms wrapped around her stomach, she glanced every which way as hyperventilating became evident.

"Something's weakening the structure," Rigas kept talking, shaking her head in disbelief. "Even if Mana One mounts a rescue, they can't get here in time."

He heard her, but so did Meiying. She stayed pressed to the counter, fighting-and losing- to panic which always set in, no matter how seasoned the diver. Jonas passed his weapon to Jiuming, stepping outside her earshot. "Give us a minute?"

Jiuming gazed at his niece, then nodded Rigas over. "We will scout ahead... be sure to grab samples."

"Right behind you." Jonas assured him, with gratitude. Tag teaming with him in guardianship had become easier since the first tender months after Suyin's death. Long as they agreed that Meiying came first there were no issues. Jiuming's initial distance from Dr. Zhang maybe helped with that. He cherished tradition, but not so much that Jonas had been cut off. Things would've gotten bloody if he'd tried.

"Meiying." Jonas approached slowly, hoping she didn't retreat farther. There came another BAM, causing her to shudder. "I messed things up."

"You causin' landslides behind my back?" Jonas forced a light shrug. She didn't react, making his heart bleed a little. "You complicated it a bit. That's all."

"I don't want to die, Jonas." Meiying looked like she might vomit. Jonas shook his head adamantly. "That's not happening."

"You can't promise that!"

Her outburst froze them both. Dredging memories neither liked dwelling on; though apparently she had. Jonas knew this wasn't the time, but he was learning teenage brains prioritized things differently. So he watched Meiying's hesitation, as she shivered from more than the damp temperatures. Finally, words fought to come between fearful breaths. "I just... wanted... I needed to be close to Mom."

"I know." Jonas rubbed at her arms, letting her hear his calm, even voice. They needed to move to the escape pods, but she had to be thinking clearly as they did. If something happened to him-

"You remind me of her every day." Jonas cut that thought short, studying his daughter's face. "Didn't need to come all the way down here to prove it."

Meiying looked at a loss, wiping her eyes with her damp sleeve. "I'm not being her brave girl at all."

So much tough and underneath it all was just innocence- and stubbornness. Jonas had to chuckle. "You're plenty brave. And smart. But nothing's wrong with just being a kid, Meiying."

"Only I want to be like Mom." Meiying explained this frustration, holding back more tears.

"That doesn't mean doing everything she did." Jonas told her. He spotted the closest case of pointless rocks and moved to close it. "Your life's your own path. She'd be the first to say so."

The banging hit again, closer, rattling everything within the already toppled lab. Meiying grabbed his arm, nails digging in. Instinct screamed at Jonas, as well as suspicion... what was causing the megs- or any other prehistoric killing monsters- to attack? Was it going to be a problem for them later? How do I get her safely to the surface?

Jonas straightened Meiying up, watching the ceiling for any loose debris. "Jiuming and Rigas have the pods ready for us. So, what're we gonna do?"

He held the case out and it didn't take long for Meiying to take it. "Whatever's in front of us. Then the next thing."

He nodded proudly, indicating the door leading out through the narrow, deep-sea death trap they needed to walk. Meiying grabbed his hand as they started out. One step at a time; just like always. Jonas kept his eyes forward, but sensed her tension ease. "Ho-How long am I grounded?"

"Life." he stated, testing the gangway to the other side of the murky water.

"I believe that's up for negotiation." Her steps became quicker, keeping at his side. He grinned, squeezing her hand. They only had 25,000 feet to talk it over.

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