I hadn't heard or felt an explosion.
"Looks like we’re still here," Flynn said.
"Looks that way," I said, breathing a sigh of relief.
I wrapped a thermal blanket around me, and JD navigated the sub back to the moon pool. We climbed out of the sub, and the others waited for us with eager eyes.
They had managed to stabilize the leak at the porthole flange.
"What's the word?" Ross asked.
Flynn beamed with an ear- to-ear grin. "Looks like we’re going to live to see another day.”
There were cheers, hugs, and high fives.
I told Jack where I had stashed the quantum nodes and the CPM. “We also need to get rid of the bodies.”
“I’ll handle it.”
This was a covert CIA operation. I knew they would want those bodies to disappear, never to be found.
“What about their mini-sub?”
“Get rid of it too.”
Jack recruited Flynn for Operation Disposal.
I returned to my bunk room, peeled out of my wetsuit, and took a shower. Afterward, I toweled off, got dressed, then headed to the galley to get something hot to eat.
The others joined me in the mess hall. There were lots of questions. I told them what I could without violating security protocols, but at this point, they’d be read in and forced to sign NDAs. I told them about Trask and Wong and how they were responsible for Weyland’s death. By that point, it didn't come as a surprise.
Ross had been trying to contact the DSV to no avail. The storm was hitting its hardest at the moment, and we were completely disconnected.
It had been a long day, and I was tired. I finished my meal, then decided to hit the rack.
Judy approached after the mess hall cleared out. She looked shy and embarrassed. With eyes to the deck, she took a deep breath, then looked at me. "I just wanted to thank you for saving my life. I know you risked yours, and I feel terrible about that. I don't know what I was thinking. I was just so overwhelmed. The weight of everything felt unbearable." She glanced around to make sure no one was near. "I know Denver was having an affair with Quinn, but still. I loved that man. The thought of living the rest of my life withouthim seemed impossible. So many emotions, you know? It's hard to reconcile everything.”
"The important thing is that you’re alive and well and you have the rest of your life ahead of you. Make the most of it.”
She nodded, then her eyes found the deck again. She walked away as Elana entered. She watched Judy go as she approached. "Seems like we all owe you our lives.”
I gave a humble shrug. "Just doing my job.”
A thin smile tugged her plump lips. "Well, you're pretty good at it.”
"How are you doing?”
"I'm good. I'm still here. I expected some challenging moments when I embarked on this adventure, but nothing like this." Her smile widened. "After what we’ve been through, I think I can handle anything now.”
"I believe you can."
"Unfortunately, I think this mission is finally going to get canceled. We’re down three crew members so far.”
"Tristan seems dedicated to the project. I'm sure he'll regroup and move forward with another mission soon.”
"I'll be the first in line.” She paused and looked at me with those adorable eyes. "I just wanted to say thank you.” She gave me a hug. "Oh, you're still cold.”
“I’m thawing.”
