"I don't mind action but swimming for my life wasn't in my day-plan!"
"I wonder why they just gave up?"
"We don't know if they have given up-!"
"Yeah but I don't see them anywhere and there isn't any sounding?"
The crew, although they stayed on alert and ready for action, began to feel the pickles of nervous exhaustion at their systems as the adenine wore off and after what seemed and eternity but only few minutes of nothing. The radio, which neither had realised to have been cut out, crackled back to life as Phones checked through the channels. It may have Static fuelled and somewhat panicked and scrambled, but Troy was greatly relieved to hear Atlanta's voice again.
"-ray from tower, come in Stingray!"
"Tower from Stingray, we're fine." Troy started but Atlanta's voice interrupted him again.
"Sting- -m tower, Stingray fro-"
"She can't hear us Troy; the radio must have been damaged!" Phones groaned, checking it, "The emergency one too. Both the output and the receivers: kuput. "
"Just our luck. Right surface and switch to the secondary system. I want a full scan of what is and isn't working as soon as you can." Troy ordered. The secondary radio was a back-up if ever there was trouble with both primary systems. Trouble was it didn't work to faraway from Marienville or when underwater, a rather big design flaw for a World Aquanaught Security Patrol Sub in the Captain's book.
"That wise Troy? They could still be about. We're vunrable if we serface."
"We're venerable now. I know it bothers me too but we have to let base know."
Phones agreed and they surfaced, using all means they could to keep an eye on their attackers. Troy was glad when static on the frequency was replaced by voices. Not just Atlanta's this time but Commander Shore as well. They were also relieved to hear back from Stingray and the duo began to explain what happened.
"It exploded?! Why the devil did you go out there in the first place you reckless coot?" The commander barked.
"If it looks like it's been built and attached quickly and not made to last long I think you should have gotten out their quicker than you did, you're lucky to be alive Troy!" Atlanta added. "What happened to procedure and self-preservation for goodness sake?"
Troy exchanged a worried look with Phones. The red head was normally calm and very collected but when het up she could as angry as her father with a touch of hysterical. But she continued in her usual tone, a total contrast to Shore's yelling into the microphone approach. "I'm glad you're safe. We had reports from the navy ship of a disturbance but we'd hoped it might have been the Stings."
"It was an ambush Sir, Lieutenant. We heard nothing in the area and I chose to investigate, no reason to suggest other craft where in the area but we hadn't counted on them simply swimming at us. Judging they came at me in the water I'd say they'd either hidden their subs and turned off the engine to avoid detection or they have a base in the area."
"And you say there were three of them?" Shore asked. Troy confirmed it. "I think captain rather than three verses you with Phones in Stingray they were expecting you and your two crew members to leave the ship and be blown to smithereens. Somehow they've been tracking your patrol patterns! What's the Damage report?"
"Aside from a new paint job and Relying on secondary radio-"
"This is no time for jokes Phones!"
"Both radio systems gone, Emergency lightings in play so something's gone in the circuitry; we've a dent in the hull, the first rotors jamming and two hyrogears are flooded."
"The diving equipment needs to be checked too." Troy added. "given the rips in my suit they're might be some damaged to the tanks. Commander I know we've another few hours patrol ahead of us but I feel we'll have to return to base. Stingray needs repairing asap before it can continue any of its duty."
Surprisingly it was the commander agreed. "Yeah, bring your ship around home, Tempest, but don't set off until I'll send an escort to make sure you're not bothered should those godsons of Godzilla still be lurking about Consider yourselves on standby and then shore leave until it's repaired."
"Yes Sir," Troy replied but his enfusiaum for hours off and his heart sank as he heard Shore address his daughter.
"You too Atlanta but I want you to head to the hospital. I want an update on what's happening."
"Yes father. Poor Marina."
"Marina? At the hospital?" Troy blanched. Phones was equally on edge.
"Is she okay?"
"What's happened?"
"I'm sorry boy but I don't know." The commander sighed not even telling them off for their impertinence. "She was found at home Troy by Fisher. Not long after you'd headed out but we'd only just got the message. We were about to call you when were ambushed. It's not good news…"