"I'm sorry I'm so sorry you had to go through that," Atlanta mumbled (babbled even) in her ear, squeezing her tight. "You are something else Marina dear. I know you did it for Troy and I can't thank you enough. You were so brave. We were so worried- And I'm so sorry you were alone-!"
Marina stood shocked all the while. Shocked, and awkward. She felt undeservingly of the praise heaped on her. Plus, embraces weren't as commonplace in Pacifica as they are on land. Not with a pause to engage beforehand at least? Ones like this weren't really all that common in Marineville either. Or at least as far as Marina had previously been aware of? She'd certainly never had one like this from any WASP personal before.
Marina stood there on the tip of her fins, stunned; and squished to her friend. She was just able to see the boys laughing good naturedly over Atlanta's shoulder. Unsure of what else to do, Marina hugged Atlanta back. Or did as best she could. Atlanta's hug had her upper arms pinned to her sides so it was a little hard to move-.
"Seize them. Hold the girl!" Titan had yelled. And his aqua servants had bound her, arms pinned to her sides.
Marina wriggled, suddenly feeling suffocated. Atlanta got the hint and loosened her grip. She didn't let go entirely or step away though, her hands moving to the shoulders. But Marina felt she could breathe again at least. Poor Atlanta though. When Marina looked at her, Atlanta's eyes were wet and a great fat tear was about to leak at one corner.
"But don't you ever do anything like that again, do you hear me?" she said, voice hitching as she wiped it away sharpish. "You had us all worried sick Marina! No note, no warning?! We thought we'd never see you again! You were so brave to go, but my gosh, please do not go off on your own!"
Sorry- Marina started to say, shaping her fingers into letters. Although she fumbled on the R. It didn't matter.
"Oh no, none of that!"
Because Atlanta however forgave her easily. And hugged her tight a second time. This time Marina returned the squeeze. Even going so far as to gently bump her head to her friend's shoulder. And wrapping Atlanta up in her arms just as tightly at Atlanta was holding her. Phones clapped her back and Troy's hand patted both girls on the arm at once.
"I'm sorry too, I'm just glad you're alright-!"
"Yeah us too, Marina. What Atlanta said."
No, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
The Commander coughed and cleared his throat. Atlanta let her go and turned away to fix her makeup. And Marina reluctantly also untangled herself loose as Atlanta's father started to address her. Very formally. in his 'official orders' tone.
"I second that. The courage and self-sacrifice you displayed Marina was Nothing short of heroic." He said. "You saved Troy. and for that the team here, the whole organisation even, are very grateful."
And then just like that, Commander Shore changed his tune. And volume.
"But you know the law of the WASPs that governs this kind of situation! We do not deal with life for life trade-offs, nor do we negotiate with the likes of Titan! How DARE you let yourself be used as a pawn like that. You disobey my orders like that again and you are in real trouble, young lady!"
I had no choice. Marina snapped. Or she would have done, if she could. I chose to go. What else could I have done? You said yourself Troy Tempest must not die! He couldn't. I had to. I just – what else could I do?
Atlanta Phones and Troy also made 'doing what any of us would have done' noises, but it fell on deaf ears.
"And you certainly do not shoot off to face him on your own again without letting anyone know. Of all the impulsive stunts to pull! Just what in thunder were you thinking Marina? What would I have told your father-!"
"Wait! What happened to you?!" Fisher blurted, Interrupting his boss's tirade. Marina blinked confused and turned to him. only to find both him and Atlanta staring at her. Troy and phones exchanged worried stone-faced looks.
Oh no. No no no Marina then realised she could see them all clearly, without her fringe being over one eye. Which meant they could see her whole face clearly now. She must have accidentally flipped her hair out of the way when she and Atlanta hugged. And in turning toward the commander she'd given Fisher and Atlanta a full view of the bruise she'd tried to keep hidden!
"You're hurt!" Fisher said, looking at marina as if she'd grown another head. Phones looked at him as if about to cuff him upside the head.
I didn't want you to be worried too.
Marina blanched. She hurried to try and brush her fringe over the bruise again. But Atlanta was quicker, cutting back to her side and had a hand up to Marina's face, pushing back Marina's attempt at softening the damage.
"What?!" The commander asked. But was for once, ignored. Marina figured he might not be able to see it from the angle of his seat. "Marina, is that true?"
Unsure Marina nodded. Then flinched away when Atlanta's hand, gentle as it was, came too close for comfort into contact with the bump.
"Oh honey! Did that hurt you?" Atlanta was now checking her over much like Troy had. Marina could practically hear cataloguing the Arm and her face. Marina reached up Squeezed her hands back but looked down at her feet, not feeling so great or happy now. Atlanta tutted, before turning to the captain. "Troy, she's all bruised! Is this what you radioed about?"
"Yeah. And she didn't get them when we freed her." Troy scowled, folding his arms.
"Captain's right. It was just her arm and one of them scratches I think." Phones told them very seriously, and then to Shore. "Hey Commander, where's that first aider we ordered anyway?"
"I'd like the medic or the doc to check her over a-sap, sir." Troy agreed.
"Docs waiting for you all upstairs. Or will be." The commander said, with very gritted teeth. But Fisher shook his head.
"He's on his way." he reported. "He had to head back to the hospital. I mean we've first aiders but the doc has asked specifically to be the one to personoally oversees the crew."
"Well he should get back here then! Is it bad? We can take you to the sick bay if need be. You in any pain, Marina?" The commander asked her.
Marina shrugged it off.
"I don't like how that's not a straight no, missy." He scowled. "Alright, fine. What about you two? You fellas okay?"
"No." Troy said before glaring at his second. "Tell him, Phones."
"He's being dramatic! Couple of grazes each," Phones tried to play it down then admitted. "But… yeah I got skimmed."
Marina winced at the twin complaints of "What?!" and "Phones!" that suddenly echoed around the whole dock.
"What in white horses-?!" The Commander jabbed a finger at the officer. "You mean to tell me you got SHOT! And you didn't think to mention that before? Either of you!"
"I wasn't shot-shot, sir! Those chumps couldn't hit fish in a barrel." Phones said.
"And yet they still hit you." Troy complained.
"It's only a nick on my arm. Ain't deep." Phones argued.
You still got hurt. Marina herself shook her head frowning at her friend.
"Oh, come on, Marina! you saw it isn't."
"I am going to lock all three of you in the first aiders cupboard." Atlanta sighed. Then add, "Father, remember your blood pressure-?"
The Commander ignored her. "Fisher, punch him for me. on his good arm. That's an order."
"Yes sir!"
"Hey-!" Phones started. followed by an "ow!" Fisher had indeed backhanded him with a thump.
Marina winced again. Glad as she was to be 'home', she'd only been surface side for two marine minutes, and she already had a headache!