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“What are you doing here?” My voice is guarded, laced with challenge.
Basil steps closer, silent. His eyes scan the table before settling on me.
BabyDoc, our resident healer and psychic, looks uncertain. “I can handle basic spells, maybe manipulate the inner chamber to match water and atmospheric pressure, but deep psychic infiltration isn’t my strength.”
I nod, acknowledging his honesty. “We’ll rely on your other skills then. Everyone has a role to play.”
“I need to join you.” Basil states his intent flatly, without preamble.
Crossing my arms, skepticism is evident in my gaze. “This isn’t a boardroom negotiation, Jenks.”
“My abilities are key to getting into that lab. You need me.”
His determination is admirable, but the thought of him in danger twists my gut. I can’t let him put himself at risk without knowing he’s ready.
Zara glances at me before speaking up. “He has a point, Cordelia. We need every advantage we can get.”
BabyDoc nods reluctantly. “His psychic abilities could tip the scales in our favor.”
I feel torn between my protective instincts and the undeniable logic of their arguments. Basil’s intense gaze holds mine, unwavering.
“Mr. Jenks… Basil, you are barely in control of your psychic ability and are untrained.”
“True. But BabyDoc and I had a lot of time to talk when I was stuck in the medical center. I’m here because I want to help.”
“Chief…” BabyDoc shifts nervously from foot to foot, and his voice wavers. “Chief, I can talk him through it. I know what to do, I just don’t have the ability. I believe Mr. Jenks is a fountain of untapped psychic energy.”
The room falls silent as everyone waits for my response. Trusting him isn’t easy—not with his history of deception and ruthless business tactics.
Basil’s expression hardens slightly before softening, almost to vulnerability. “Tell me what I need to do.”
I get how hard it is for him to ask, especially with the entire team looking on. Glancing around the room, seeing heads nodding. It’s clear he has their support.
“Alright. Welcome to the team.”
As I extend my hand, I caution, “But remember, you are a civilian, an executive. You may be a shark in your world, but in our world, you are fish food. If you jeopardize this mission or get yourself hurt—“
“There won’t be a second chance.” Basil finishes my sentence, a huge smile on his face and shakes my outstretched hand firmly.
I nod sharply before turning back to the team.
“Let’s go over this one more time.” Zara briskly pulls out another map section. “These detail escape routes from the lab once we complete our objective.
As she talks through each step methodically—outlining contingencies for every possible scenario—I glance at Basil again briefly; wondering if maybe there’s more depth beneath his confident exterior than I’d initially thought.
But now isn’t the time for doubts or distractions—we’ve got lives depending on us succeeding tonight—and nothing will stand between me protecting these waters I’ve sworn duty over ever since first discovering secrets hidden within their depths years ago...
Because ultimately it isn’t about survival—it’s about preserving magic woven into the fabric surrounding everything we hold dear.
“OK, people. It’s time to call it a night. No wardroom tonight, please. To your cabins and rest. 0400 will come too soon. We gather in the aft pool room. Don’t be late. We have 9 hours to swim to Lemesurier Island, break into a secure research lab, rescue our friends, and swim back to meet the ship before she sails out of the Icy Strait.”
“Piece of cake, Chief.” The team laughs and two of Hal’s crew wrestle in fun. I join the laughter and let them blow off steam before showing them the door.
“Out of here, you pollywogs. I want to see each of you rested and ready at 0400.” They file out, still in good humor. I reach out to stop Zara as she passes me. “Basil, Zara. Hold up for a minute, please.”
“We have a couple of logistical problems to solve before you can join the excursion, Jenks.” My mind races through the checklist of what’s needed. “First, scuba gear. And second, propulsion assistance. We shifters are fast in the water, and I don’t want you lagging behind.”
Zara, always quick on her feet, nods thoughtfully. “Scuba gear is available.” She casts a reassuring smile to both of us. “I can get him outfitted before we leave in the morning. As for propulsion, I have an enhanced scuba scooter that should do the trick.”
