Captain Roxas nodded to the elongated triangle of land Aldabra atoll The explorers had learned about Aldabra in Professor Ishikawa’s class The atoll was made up of a series of small islets that formed a reef around a lagoon Part of the Seychelles outer islands Aldabra was among Earth’s largest coral reefs No wonder the ship had dropped anchor here It was an explorer’s paradise Approaching Orion Cruz could see the Explorer Academy flag It flew high above the bridge a rippling beacon to welcome him home Request helicopter Academy One to Orion permission to land said Captain Roxas Request granted crackled the answer Orion standing by As they hovered above the helipad Cruz tried to see into the oval roost on the ship’s weather deck He wondered if anyone had come up to meet him Maybe his best friend Lani had not traveled with Cruz to visit her own family in Kauai over the break A new recruit with only a few weeks at the Academy under her belt she had decided to stay behind to catch up on schoolwork and complete her required survival
training with Monsieur Legrand Captain Roxas set the skids square in the middle of the giant EA on the pad so gently Cruz barely felt it The pilot cut the engine and the blades spun to a stop Cruz flipped off his headset unbuckled his seat belt and hopped out of the aircraft the second the captain opened his door Thanks for the ride Anytime The pilot handed Cruz his duffel bag Cruz had barely set foot inside the roost when a fluffy white blob came hurtling toward him He went to his knees and opened his arms Woof Hubbard’s pink tongue practically licked off his earlobe Laughing Cruz fell over on the fall leaves rug He’s missed you Taryn Secliff was standing behind one of the olive green chairs I’ve missed him too It may have only been two and half weeks but to Cruz it felt like ages Cruz rolled to his knees He glanced around the empty room It was a bit weird that none of his friends had come up to meet him He hoped nothing was wrong Don’t worry His adviser saw his frown You won’t be in trouble for missing the mission
Mission Cruz gulped Already That would explain why nobody was here The teams are exploring the reef around Aldabra in Ridley Team Earhart went this morning Cousteau is next She glanced at her watch If you hurry you might make it Holding Hubbard Cruz scrambled to his feet He planted a quick kiss on the dog’s head before handing him off to Taryn He sprinted for the door then spun back My gear I’ll take care of it Taryn waved her free arm Go Woof barked Hubbard Cruz didn’t need to be told again Aquatics was on the lowest level of the ship six decks down He flew down flight after flight the soles of his shoes squealing at every corner He smacked his comm pin Cruz to Marisol Coronado You’re here came the enthusiastic reply I was just coming up to meet you Hungry Kind of You want to swing by and we can Wish I could can’t You sound out of breath Are you running Team mission Ridley Do me favor Call Dad Tell him I’m back Sure Have fun Thanks Tía Cruz out He flew off the bottom step of the last flight of steps onto B deck Swinging around a post Cruz catapulted himself into the maze of corridors that led to aquatics His lungs were heaving by the time he reached the outer door of the submarine bay Planting his palms on each side of the round window Cruz peered through the glass Nooooo The compartment was filled with seawater Through the greenish blue haze he could make out the tip of Ridley’s tail moving through the opening in the ship’s hull He was late Again Panting Cruz could do nothing but watch the bay door close behind the sub 8
Missed your ride huh Fanchon Quills was coming up behind him The science tech lab chief was carrying fins and a diving helmet Her caramel curls the tips dyed sunset orange spilled out of a black and pink striped head scarf Wearing an MC camera headset the lens flipped up Fanchon looked like a butterfly with one antenna My team went to check out the reef in Ridley Without me So Cruz gave her a puzzled look What was he supposed to do Swim after them Give em a shout she urged You think they’d come back Fanchon smirked I’m no pilot but I’m pretty sure the sub can turn Cruz hit his comm pin Cruz Coronado to uh He had no idea who to ask for Orion didn’t have a sub pilot not since Tripp Scarlatos Jaz prompted Fanchon Huh Dr Jazayeri is the new aquatics director Came in over break Goes by Jaz He got it Cruz Coronado to Jaz Jaz here replied a woman I’m on Team Cousteau I got back a few minutes ago I saw you leave I know it’s probably too late but He gave Fanchon a helpless look There was a long silence We’re coming about now Cruz said Jaz Meet us at the aft deck of aquatics Cruz rocketed into the air I’ll be right there Cruz out Hold on said the tech lab chief when Cruz would have taken off Fanchon removed her MC camera and placed it on Cruz’s head You’ll need this Thanks Fanchon Cruz hurried down the corridor A minute later he was on the port stern watching the giant bubble that was Ridley rise 9
