Amnesty Bay Docks - 2022

"...You're forgetting one tiny little detail: we're going under the sea and you can't breathe water."

"Oh shit-" Right, that was a factor, wasn't it. "But I thought you said you had to go see this contact first."

"Yeah, under water."

"Crap."

"Yeah."

"Well, I take back my offer then."

"Thanks though, I appreciate it."

"Yeah, anytime."

Then he perked up. "Hey, wait a minute-"

"What?"

In a couple of long strides he was at the edge of the boat leaning over. He cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted, "Hey Topo!"

Almost instantly a large blue head poked out of the water.

"Topo?" cried Claudia. "No way!"

"Yeah! Hey To, remember Claudia?"

The bulbous head gave a happy-sounding gurgle.

"Whoa! Hey Buddy, you look great - you cute octopus!"

"He's a cephalopod." Orm had joined them and was quick to correct her.

"He's an octopus."

"Cephalopod."

"Octopus!"

"Cephalopod!"

"Octopus!"

"Hey!" Arthur cried, cutting in. "Not the most important thing right now." He turned back to Topo who was staring up at them. "Can you please go get something from Atlantis for me? Ask Mom, she'll know what I mean." He then turned to his brother. "Got anything special you wanna tell Mom?"

Now Orm seemed surprised. "Um, no, thank you."

Topo made some gurgling sounds and slipped back under the water and disappeared.

Arthur stood back up, grinning from ear-to-ear.

"Uh oh," said Claudia, knowing full well that that smile meant something. "What?"

"You can come with us."

"No," Orm broke in. "What help would a Surface Dweller be in the ocean?" He had a point. "She cannot breathe water."

"Yeah Bro, we've been through this already and I'm way ahead of you." Arthur turned back to Claudia and resumed grinning. "With my intention to one day open up Atlantis to the Surface World-" Orm opened his mouth to protest this vehemently, but Arthur shut him up with a glare. "-I've been developing a suit that allows humans to safely descend to the depths where Atlantis is, basically a high-tech diving suit."

Orm crossed his arms over his - broad, very broad - chest. Don't stare Claudia. "This is a waste of time. Do you want to find David Kane or not?"

"Of course I do, but I also think Pipsqueak here would be a valuable asset to our team."

Orm scoffed. "We are not a team."

"Unwilling allies for the moment."

"Better."

Arthur turned to her. "What d'ya say Claudie?"

"Has this suit been tested yet?"

Topo was back in a surprisingly short amount of time, dragging a package behind him.

"Thanks Squidward." Arthur said, lifting the package up onto the decks of Melody. He opened it up to reveal a sleek suit of blue that was less chunky than any diving suit she had ever worn.

"Okay, put it on and we'll try it out in the shallows here," Arthur said.

"Okay, but if I drown, that's on you."

"You're not going to drown."

"She's going to drown." This was Orm.

"Shut up!"

Claudia picked up the suit, piece by piece. "Can I just put it on over my clothes?"

"Yeah, that's the idea," Arthur confirmed. "No need to strip."

"Oh, I bet you'd like that, wouldn't you." This was directed at Orm, who furrowed his brow and blushed madly, quickly looking away, making the others laugh.

With some help from Arthur, Claudia shrugged on the suit and was soon covered from head to toe - no water was going to get past this seamless suit, that was for sure.

She struck a pose. "How do I look?"

"Ridiculous," Orm said without missing a beat.

"No more ridiculous than any other suit from Atlantis," Arthur said.

"Yeah, not as ridiculous as you looked with that mop on your face and head," Claudia shot back.

Arthur snorted with laughter. "Roasted!" Orm just glowered. "How does it feel?"

"Surprisingly light but durable. And easy to move around in." She gave some practice movements. "Very comfortable, honestly."

"Awesome! Now get in the water."

"I hope she's a good swimmer," Orm muttered.

"Oh I'm a great swimmer."

She splashed around in the shallows for a little bit with success. "All's feeling good so far!"

"Excellent. Now let's go deeper. Don't worry, we'll be right here to help if you need."

"When you need," Orm added unhelpfully.

"Lay off, Bro! Now get in the water and help!"

The three sank lower, all with ease. So far so good.

"Claudie, can you hear me?" Arthur called.

"Loud and clear!"

"Good. How's the movement?"

"Fluid - no pun intended."

He chuckled. "And are you warm enough? Cool enough?"

"It's very comfortable."

"And how's the mask part? Can you see clearly? Is it fogging up at all?"

"Yes and no!"

"Yes!" He gave a fist-pump of victory. "Think you can throw some of your signature punches if the occasion arises?"

"Oh yeah, definitely!" She turned to Orm. "Shall I test that out?" He immediately shrunk away.

Arthur laughed. "And breathing feels natural?"

"Yeah."

"Good, cause that's kinda important."

"Just a little bit, yeah."

"Hell yeah! I think it's gonna work! Okay Claudie you can take back your offer - you're coming with us!"

"Awesome! Let's roll, boys! Wait - do I get to see Atlantis?"

"No," said Orm.

"Hell yeah!" said Arthur. They spoke almost in perfect unison.

"Sweet! This is awesome!"

"Yeah it is!" Arthur cheered. The two high-fived. "And I haven't even told you the best part yet."

"Huh?"

That signature Arthur Curry grin was back on his face. "It enhances your movements, so gives you extra strength and durability."

"What, seriously? No way!"

"Way! Not quite to the same level as an Atlantean, but close."

"Holy shit - now I really do have to test it out." She felt like she had terrorized Orm enough - at least for now - so instead she drew back her fist and punched Arthur, sending him flying way back. "Amazing!"

Orm just rolled his eyes. But Claudia caught him laughing, even if just a little.

In the Aquaman: Undertow book, Claudia helps Arthur rescue Topo from a fisherman :) I'm currently reading it!

Thank you so much for reading and I hope you enjoyed! :)