"Seats locked. Engine reporting no faults." The young captain muttered doing his pre-dive checks, now clear of the rapid drum beat that was muffled by thick glass and metal. "Marina you set-?"
"Um, Troy..."
"Leave off Phones, force of habit. Release injector tubes."
"I know I know, releasing injector tubes. I keep looking round for her too. Close number one hatch?"
"Number one hatch. Tower from Stingray Pen 3, Ready for launch."
"Standby, opening tunnel door one," Atlanta's voice replied on the radio. "Stingray, you are clear to go."
"Thanks hunny. Release elevators."
"
Releasing elevators." Phones answered doing so, hissing to his captain. "And are you just deliberately trying to wind the commander?"
"No-"
"He is Phones, stage one complete." the Lieutenant cut in. "Opening ocean door. Proceed at acceleration rate three to patrol area."
"P.W-OR. Entering the tunnel now. Sounding test one two three echo." Phones agreed. "Say, Troy shall I ask about Marina?"
"Not now Phones. But I thought the same. We'll ask right after we're seaborn."
"Great thanks Troy. I don't like not knowin. Adjusting exit pressure." he said, as they entered the open sea. "I'm sure she's okay. Shore's probably nagging her ear off as we speak."
"Yeah, I hope she is alright. And I hope Atlanta doesn't mind us asking... Tower from Stingray;" the captain radioed in, "Sea born... any news from Marina?"
They got a shock however when they got the wrong Shore line.
"Captain Tempest you will head to position four degrees south west as ordered let us deal with her if and when she decides to show up while you get on with your job!"
"Yes sir! Over and out." Troy sharply turned off the radio and let out a whistle while Phones pulled a face. "Yikes. If and when? I didn't he'd be up at control that fast."
"Yeah. And I guess Marina's still not been seen yet. I hope she hasn't run off again."
"Hmm agreed. Wait till we pass the island of Lemoy then switch to automatic bosoun." Troy shrugged. "How about this? We'll get our shift over and done with then head over to her place in the break and see if she's alright? Till then let's make sure everything's alright down here..."