“Sweetie!” Ilia yelled happily as Joe left the chamber, Kai just a step behind her. As soon as she could, Ilia jumped forward and hugged Joe as hard as she could. “I'm so happy you're okay!”

“Good to see you too.” Joe grunted as Ilia just ran into her.

Captain Hughes was behind her. “Kai, the Dragon is about three hours out. Phoenix about a day behind them.”

“I'll go talk to their captains.” Kai ran his hand along Joe's arm in farewell then left the room.

Ilia was practically humming as she held onto Joe. It was a little odd having a girl taller then her cuddling her like a child.

“Joe, I think you should go file an official report with Jack.” Hughes told her.

“Doesn't he already have an official report?” Joe asked, a bit confused as she patted Ilia's head. The fea started nuzzling her like a cat, a smile on her face.

“You should probably give him one as well.” Hughes said, it wasn't exactly an order, but it wasn't a request either.

“Alright.” Joe shrugged.

Hughes hesitated a second then stuttered, “Glad y-you're okay.” then left the room, his limbs moving a bit stiff in embarrassment.

Joe smiled, it was a bit sweet, then turned to Ilia. “How long are you going to hang onto me?” she said it with a smile, no heat intended.

“A while.” Ilia admitted as she shifted so that she was hanging onto Joe's arm, her head on her shoulder. There was a peaceful smile on her face, like a child cuddling with their mother.

“Miss me that much, huh?” Joe couldn't help but feel loved.

Chapter 26: The Dragon

“Uh-huh.” Ilia beamed up at her. “You're probably the first female friend I've had that doesn't hate me just a little bit.”

“The curse of the fea.” Joe said dramatically.

“They don't understand!” Ilia played along just as dramatically. “So, we're going to give your report to Jack?”

Joe laughed. “Sure.”

Walking together, they turned to go to the comm. room. They started talking about nothing, just chatting like friends do.

When they reached the comm. room, Joe saw Kai wearing a pair of headphones talking to a man wearing an official uniform. She told the operator who she wanted to talk to, then she and Ilia were directed to their own seat.

A few minutes later, both of them wearing a pair of headphones, Jack's face came onto the screen.

“ Ilia. Joe.” he greeted. “Glad to see you're okay.”

“Hi, Jack.” Joe waved at the screen.

“Hey, Jacky!” Ilia waved energetically. “Look, Joe's okay!”

“I saw.” Jack's eye twitched at the word 'Jacky' but otherwise he ignored it. Like he was used to it. “Has the Dragon arrived yet?”

“No.” Joe shook her head. “Kai is talking to the captain.” She knew she was supposed to be giving a report, but she couldn't help but ask, “Jack, what's the plan here?”

“You are going to wait on the ship like a good danger magnet.” he told her with a glare to make sure she understood her role. “You know the rules.”

“I know.” Joe tried not to pout. “That wasn't what I meant.”

“Me and Josh are in charge of directing the resources of the Haltija, Siren, and Griffin.” Ilia told her. “But we still got to obey the Dragon if they order us to do something.”

“Can I trust you with that, Ilia?” Jack asked her.

“You wound me, Jacky-poo.” Ilia winked.

“You know the rules too.” he glared. “You can call me 'Jacky' if you drop the 'poo'.”

“You should be honored.” Ilia laughed. “You're the only guy's name I consistently remember.”

“Ooh, gee, thanks.” Jack rolled his eyes.

“Can we get back to my question?” Joe asked before Ilia could reply.

“You will be filled in once the Dragon arrives.” Jack answered. “I've already told them your limitations so you wont be sent down with the others.”

Joe wasn't going to argue. Her nerves were still a bit strained from last time. She wouldn't mind going down again, but not for a while.

“Now, was that all you needed?” Jack asked.

“Well, Captain Hughes told me I should give you my report on the incidence.” Joe smiled.

Jack blinked, then smiled. “That's not necessary, Joe. Tell Hughes I said thanks. I really do have to go though.”

The screen went black leaving Joe confused. “I don't get it.”

“Hughes wanted Jack to know you were alright.” Ilia smiled. “He's really nice once you get down to it.”

Joe smiled, “Yeah, I guess.”

“Come on.” Ilia stood up, draggin Joe up as well.

“Where are we going?” Joe asked as Ilia pulled her from the room.

“Dragon is coming in.” Ilia giggled. “I've always wanted to see that thing. And I bet the sailors on that big baby are some real hot guys.”

“You're celibate.” Joe reminded her.

“For now.” Ilia reminded her. “There's no law that says I can't collect phone numbers for that day when I'm not. I heard that the only people allowed to work on the Dragon are former Marines and SEALs and stuff like that.”

“Maybe.” Joe smiled. Knowledge about the inner workings of the Dragon was above her clearance.

“And the Phoenix has this cool thing that can just swoop down and pull entire ships off the ocean floor and bring them up.” Ilia continued. “I bet there are some pretty hot guys on that ship too.”

“Celibate.” Joe said.

“Fun sucker.” Ilia stuck her tongue out at her.

It was fun, it was easy, completely lighthearted. Yet Joe noticed that Ilia kept a firm grip on her arm the entire walk up. The fairy really had been extremely worried about her.

They were on deck for about an hour, talking and laughing, watching the horizon for the Dragon.

That was when Kai showed up, telling them that the Dragon should be appearing soon.

Soon after that, Josh came up to tell them that the submarine was back.

“It's back?” Kai asked.

Joe looked over the rail into the water, as if she could hope to see the deep sea craft from here.

“It just got in a few minutes ago.” Josh nodded.

“Good thing you two aren't down there.” Ilia said, looking down as well.

“Good timing.” Kai said thoughtfully. “The Dragon might be able to do something about it that we aren't.”

“I don't like it.” Joe disagreed.

“What do you mean?” Josh asked Kai, frowning. “The Dragon is already here?” he looked around as if he somehow missed a new ship besides the other two already with them.

“No, but it should be here soon.” Kai said.

“It's too coincidental.” Joe said aloud but Kai and Josh weren't really listening.

“Oh, well. Good.” Josh smiled. “I should probably get back down to the sub room.”

“I'll go too.” Ilia said finally detaching herself from Joe. “I really should get back to work.”

“It's okay, Ilia.” Josh waved her offer away. “You've been so worried about Joe. You should spend some time together.”

“Nah, I'm good for now.” Ilia smiled as she looped her arm through his instead and began leading him back under.

“What are you doing?” Josh asked.

“I'm giving those two some time alone.” Ilia sighed as if she were sacrificing a great deal. “The things I do for her. What can I say, I'm a romantic.”

Josh laughed with her but inside he was cursing.

Kai took Ilia's spot beside Joe and looked down at the water as well. “You were saying something?”

“That submarine shouldn't be here.” Joe explained her earlier words. “The last time it said it brought a new shipment, right? Supplies. It hasn't been nearly long enough for supplies to be used up completely. So why is it back?”

Kai pondered that, not having thought of that side of it.

“And it appears right before the Dragon shows up?” she continued. “Plus whoever pushed me off the ship. There's a spy, Kai.” She felt alarm growing in her belly. “And if there's a spy, that means they know we're about to take them out. They're trying to clean up anything they've done wrong!”

Kai cursed in Greek. “You're right, Kyma.”

“What was the plan with the Dragon?” she asked.

“We were going to go down later today.” he said. “Clear the place out.”

“You should probably do it ASAP.” Joe said. “If they know we're coming, they're going to be cleaning out that place as fast as they can. We need the information in that base, Kai.”

He nodded. “I'll tell Ilia and Josh we're moving now. Here.” he handed her his cell phone. “Call the last number dialed, it's the captain of the Dragon. Tell him the new plan.”

He turned and ran down below ran.

Joe pulled up the last number called and hit talk.

It was answered after only one ring. “Yes, Kai?”

“This is Joe, Kai's partner.” she started.

“Joe?” the man repeated skeptically.

“Kyma.” Joe corrected herself. Kai never called her Joe. “This is Kyma. We have a problem.”

“What seems to be the problem, Miss Kyma?” he asked.

“A submarine that frequently visits the base has appeared. I believe they are planning on clearing the base out of anything useful before we can get to them.” she explained quickly. “Kai has gone down to our sub room to change the plan. We're going down ASAP. How far out are you?”

There was a pause. “I understand, Miss Kyma. Where are you now?”

“I'm on the deck of the Haltija.” she said, wondering what he was getting at.

“Turn around, Miss Kyma.”

Joe looked at her phone, confused. She looked around, then turned and saw what he meant. The dragon was there, coming up on the port side of the ship. It was only about 200 yards out and it was slowing to a stop.

“Oh.” she said. “That certainly makes this easier.”

“Yes, ma'am. Tell Kai that we are going to begin implementing the strategy now.”

“Sure.” Joe said weakly. The Dragon was enormous. Easily twice the size of the Haltija yet it was also somehow quieter.

She walked over to the port side, watching the giant ship. “Um, quick question captain. Do I have a role in this operation?”

“No one has informed you?” he asked.

Joe shook her head, as if he could see her, then realized her mistake and said, “No. I was told I would be briefed when you arrived.

“Miss Kyma you are to be one of the leads on this mission.” the captain told her. “You have a better understanding of the base than we do. It would help tremendously if you would go to your comm. room so we can coordinate from there.”

“Yeah, of course.” Joe nodded again. “I'll see you in a second, I guess.

“Yes, ma'am.” she heard him reply and was certain she could hear him smiling.

She hung up then turned to run to the comm. room.

She didn't think that she was going to get so surprised by the appearance of the Dragon. She also didn't think that everything was going to happen so suddenly. She was still a bit disoriented from knowing she survived being at the bottom of the ocean.

But this was it, this was what it all led up to.

It was time to take out that base.

She quickened her step.

XXXXXXXXXX

Crispin was a bit worried.

Normally in his cell-like room, it was quiet. Especially since he was all alone now.

But, for some reason, he started hearing noises coming from the other side of the door. Running, shouts that he couldn't quite make out, and the moving of, what sounded like, various big objects.

It didn't seem like, whatever they were doing, they cared what happened with him.

What was going on out there?