Chapter 22: Sea King
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As the submarine smoothly navigated the dark waters, Emi took a moment to unwind under a hot morning shower. Steam filled the room, cloaking everything in a calming mist. It was a perfect moment of peace for her. But, of course, it didn't last long.
Suddenly, an alarm blared through the submarine's speakers, shattering the tranquility. Jean Bart's deep voice echoed through the confined space:
"Sea King incoming!" The urgency in his tone left no doubt about the seriousness of the situation.
Panicking, Emi quickly shut off the water and grabbed a towel, wrapping it around herself as she rushed out of the shower, cursing the terrible timing. She knew that during a Sea King attack, every second mattered, and the submarine needed to make immediate evasive maneuvers.
As she opened the bathroom door, Penguin, racing to his combat station, sprinted down the corridor. When he saw Emi with just a towel wrapped around her, his face turned bright red, and a thin trickle of blood ran from his nose.
Before they could exchange a word, the submarine made a sudden sharp turn to the right, sending Emi crashing directly into Penguin. In the chaos of the movement, Emi's chest landed awkwardly on Penguin's head, causing his nosebleed to worsen.
Realizing the embarrassing and chaotic position they were in, Emi, blushing with both embarrassment and anger, reflexively punched Penguin to free herself.
"Get a grip, for crying out loud!" she yelled, while Penguin, a bit dazed but suddenly energized by the incident, shook his head to clear his thoughts.
"Yes, yes! Sorry, Emi! I'm on it!" stammered Penguin, hurrying off to his station, his motivation now doubled.
Emi, quickly adjusting her towel and shaking her head at the absurdity of the situation, rushed back to her cabin to get dressed.
After changing quickly, she emerged ready to help, though she wasn't exactly sure what to do in this kind of situation. Law's orders echoed through the submarine's speakers, giving clear instructions:
"Engage the thrusters, shut down all external and internal lights!"
Emi's heart pounded as she moved through the submarine's corridors. The lights were shutting off one by one, plunging the submarine into near-total darkness, leaving only the emergency lights to guide her way. Her mind was on high alert, with every sound and vibration of the submarine amplifying her anxiety.
As she passed by a porthole, something outside caught her eye. What she saw froze her in place: the massive eyes of a Sea King staring directly at her, its pupils dilated in the deep sea darkness. The creature's eyes seemed to glow with a sinister light, reflecting a nearly intelligent curiosity.
Terrified but determined not to give in to panic, Emi gritted her teeth and forced herself to look away from the nightmarish sight. She knew she couldn't afford to be paralyzed by fear, not when the crew was depending on every member to stay focused and effective.
Regaining her composure, Emi made her way to the navigation room, where she knew she would find Law and the rest of the crew working to steer the submarine through the threat. With each step, she tried to summon her courage, reminding herself of the many stories she had covered in the past where calm and determination had made the difference between life and death.
Upon entering the navigation room, Emi found a tense but controlled atmosphere. Law was at the helm, his face etched with concentration, while Jean-Bart and Bepo worked diligently at their stations, monitoring the systems and preparing countermeasures.
"Law, what can I do!?" Emi asked firmly, ready to contribute however she could. She knew she wasn't trained in navigation, but her determination to help and support the crew was unwavering.
Law looked at Emi seriously, quickly assessing the situation. He knew she didn't have the experience needed for the more technical tasks involved in navigation, but there was still something she could do to contribute.
"Join Jean Bart and help him monitor the radars. We need to keep a precise track of the Sea King," he instructed quickly, pointing to the radar screen where the massive silhouette of the sea creature was visible.
As Emi moved toward Jean Bart, Law turned to Sachi. "Prepare the cannons and torpedoes," he ordered with authority.
Sachi nodded and rushed to the weapons room, where Penguin had already taken position. There, he quickly got into place as well, loading the cannons and making sure the torpedoes were ready to fire.
Meanwhile, Bepo was steering the submarine into the best possible position relative to the Sea King. Emi and Jean Bart kept a close eye on the radar, calling out every movement of the creature to Bepo, who adjusted their course accordingly.
"Ready, Captain!" Bepo shouted from his station, having lined the submarine up to face the threat.
Law, with a look of steely determination, studied the instrument readings, timing the perfect moment to strike. The tension in the command room was palpable; everyone knew how much was riding on the next few seconds.
"Hold on... hold..." Law murmured, his eyes glued to the screens.
Suddenly, the Sea King began its charge toward the submarine, ready to attack. Law lifted his head, his gaze sharp and commanding.
"Fire!" he ordered.
The roar of cannons and the whoosh of torpedoes filled the submarine, shaking it as the weapons sped toward the monstrous target in the ocean's depths.
Everyone aboard held their breath, hoping their strike would be enough to fend off—or take down—the menacing Sea King.
Law, with a smirk on his face, watched the radar screen to confirm the creature's retreat. But before the tension could fully ease, another alarming signal appeared out of nowhere.
Suddenly, a rapid movement emerged from beneath the submarine. A deep thud echoed through the vessel, shaking every wall and panel. Alarms blared, signaling a critical emergency. On the screen, Jean Bart and Emi could see that the right side of the submarine had been damaged—likely by another Sea King, much larger than the first—possibly a mother protecting her young.
Emi stared at the radar, trying to stay focused despite the rising panic within her. Her eyes widened as multiple red dots suddenly appeared on the screen.
"Uh, Law, we have a bit of a problem!" Emi exclaimed, pointing to the screen with a trembling finger.
Law clenched his teeth as he saw the display showing several Sea Kings closing in. They had stumbled into a nest, and this was not a good sign.
He immediately ordered, "Fire up the thrusters, we need to move away from the nest—now!" His voice cut through the chaos of alarms and the crew scrambling to respond to the crisis.
Emi, stationed near the radar and control screens, noticed that the collision had caused a breach where part of the wing had been damaged. Water was starting to seep into the submarine, threatening to flood it if they didn't act quickly.
Panicked but trying to stay functional, she shouted, "There's a breach! Water's coming in through the right wing!"
Without wasting a second, Law, maintaining a calm exterior, responded with authority, "Jean Bart, check the breach. Seal off the lower level to contain the water from spreading to other compartments"
Jean Bart, quick to understand and react, rushed to carry out the orders, grabbing emergency repair gear on the way. Meanwhile, Law continued coordinating efforts to stabilize the submarine and bring it to the surface. He directed his crew with a precision and authority that, despite the critical situation, reassured everyone of his ability to lead them to safety.
Emi, though shaken, couldn't help but admire Law's ability to stay focused and effective even under the most stressful circumstances. She remained at her station, ready to help however she could, while anxiously watching the screens showing the water's progress inside the submarine and the Sea Kings closing in dangerously.
After the quick repair of the breach and ensuring the submarine could still maneuver, Law redirected the vessel to face yet another Sea King. He coordinated the team to prepare and launch another torpedo. The entire crew held their breath as the weapon shot through the dark depths.
The torpedo hit its target with precision, causing an underwater explosion that slightly rocked the submarine. Through the sensors and external cameras, they could see the Sea King, likely injured or frightened by the assault, quickly retreating, disappearing into the dark depths of the ocean.
In the command room, a tense silence settled after the attack. Every passing second was filled with anticipation and uncertainty. Emi, standing in front of the radar screens, wiped the sweat from her brow, her eyes fixed on the signals that might indicate the Sea King's return or the emergence of new threats.
Minutes passed—long and heavy—but no new signs of the sea creatures appeared on the screens. Slowly, the tension in the command room began to ease. Law, who had maintained an intense command posture throughout the crisis, now allowed a slight relaxation of the pressure to show on his face.
A collective sigh of relief was heard in the command room. Emi, feeling the adrenaline begin to subside, leaned against a wall for a moment, letting her emotions settle. Even though she wasn't new to crisis situations, each confrontation with the dangers of the deep sea left its mark.
Although the submarine had survived the encounter with the Sea Kings, the situation remained critical. The damaged wing severely limited the submarine's ability to navigate effectively underwater, making it essential to carry out full repairs to ensure the crew's safety and the vessel's functionality for the remainder of their journey.
Once they surfaced, Law consulted the maritime charts to find a suitable spot for a technical stop. The priority was to locate a piece of land, even a small one, where they could anchor the submarine and carry out the necessary repairs.
After a few minutes of searching, they identified a small, isolated island that seemed to fit their needs. This little archipelago, though part of a larger habitable island, offered a perfect balance between accessibility and isolation. The location allowed the crew to work on the repairs without drawing attention, while still providing the option to travel to the main part of the island if they needed additional resources.
"Set a course for that island," Law ordered Bepo, who was handling the navigation controls.
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As they neared the island, the submarine anchored close to the shore. The island was deserted, just a small piece of land with a few shrubs and a coarse sandy beach. It was far from ideal, but it would suffice for their immediate needs.
The crew disembarked to assess the damage and organize repairs.
Law decided to use his Devil Fruit power, the Ope Ope no Mi, to streamline the process. With remarkable focus, he activated his ability, creating a translucent bluish sphere around the submarine. Within this zone, he manipulated objects with surgical precision, carefully tilting the submarine to expose the damaged wing at an optimal angle for easier assessment and repair.
Emi watched, impressed by how expertly Law wielded his power. His ability to control space and manipulate objects within his operational sphere allowed him to move and secure sections of the submarine as if he were handling a model, every action carried out with incredible calm and precision.
Feeling that she was no longer needed for the repairs and leaving Law to handle the situation, Emi sat back on the sandy beach. The morning sun was already spreading its soothing warmth across the sand. She buried her feet in the warm sand and closed her eyes to better feel the sun's gentle touch on her face.
As she drifted into her thoughts, her personal Den Den Mushi began to ring with its familiar sound. Pulled abruptly from her daydream, Emi straightened up and answered the call.
"Emi, it's Ambre! I have news about the sample you sent me," the researcher announced excitedly.
"Ambre! What did you find?" Emi asked, her interest immediately piqued.
"Well, it's quite fascinating. The chemical substance you found contains a formula I've never seen before. It seems complex, and its properties are... let's say, atypical. The second thing, and this is what worries me, is that the sample contains Lineage Factors from a wide variety of animals... I need more time to identify its exact function and potential applications. But it doesn't look good..." the scientist explained, her voice tinged with concern.
Emi was taken aback by this discovery. Why on earth did this substance contain animal DNA? What could the implications be?
"Do you have any idea what it could be? Something dangerous, or maybe something useful?" she asked.
"I'm not entirely sure what it implies, but if you give me a bit more time, I might be able to figure out the reason behind this strange composition," the researcher replied, determined.
"Understood. Let me know as soon as you have more information. And take care of yourself," Emi concluded, the weight of responsibility settling on her shoulders. She knew that any discovery, no matter how promising, always came with its share of risks.
"Actually, it should be me asking you that, Emi. What have you gotten yourself into this time?" Ambre asked with a hint of teasing in her voice.
Emi smiled, despite the seriousness of the situation. "Don't worry, Ambre. I'm... in good hands," she replied, carefully avoiding any direct mention of who she was with.
Ambre let out a small laugh. "Oh, I see… 'Good hands,' huh? Just be careful, okay? It seems like you're always in the middle of some incredible story."
"I'm being careful, I promise," Emi assured with a smirk, though Ambre's concern wasn't entirely unwarranted.
Emi set down her Den Den Mushi, her thoughts already swirling around the possibilities of that mysterious substance. Even though she didn't fully grasp all the scientific terms, she understood the significance of these findings. She knew she'd have to talk to Law about it, but decided to wait until the evening. The news could wait a few more hours, and she wanted to enjoy the calm of the morning a little longer.
Sachi, having finished his part of the checks, turned around and spotted Emi sitting alone on the beach. A smile crept onto his face as he grabbed two cans of beer from the supply bag. Without saying a word, he quietly walked over to her, careful not to disturb the tranquility of the moment. As he got closer, Emi sensed his presence and opened her eyes.
"What do you want, Sachi?" she asked, raising an eyebrow suspiciously when she saw the beers in his hands.
Sachi stopped right in front of her and offered a can with a broad, innocent grin. "I thought you might be thirsty. How about a nice cold beer?"
Emi narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing Sachi. "You do realize it's not even noon yet, right?"
Sachi shrugged, his face showing complete nonchalance. "Well, it's noon somewhere in the world. Besides, after all this work, don't you think we deserve a little break?"
Emi couldn't help but smile, shaking her head. She took the can he offered before he sat down next to her. He popped open his can with a fizzy sound, followed shortly by the hiss of Emi's can opening.
She took a sip, enjoying the refreshing taste of the beer under the increasingly warm sun. For once, Sachi seemed to genuinely want to share a quiet moment with her, savoring the well-deserved break after their efforts to save their precious submarine.
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Thank you for reading this chapter !
See you soon for more action!