Run Silent, Run Deep

Screams and curses erupted around Ray. His head spun, and his eyes stung, but his time to act was running out. Lately, that seemed to be his new normal.

Ray squinted. Coral cowered behind him, fiercely rubbing her eyes and growling something incomprehensible. Lightly tapping her on the cheek, he put a finger to her lips to quiet her down, and tugged at her arm before leading her away.

"Stupid brat, I have no need for eyes, when you are already squirming in my hands," with a feral snarl, Ripley raised Marlin higher as the boy spit and wriggled violently, determined to plant a kick on his captor's face. His legs were unfortunately coming up a bit too short.

Ray rushed to help, turning around to ram into the man with his uninjured side.

Whoosh. A short harpoon sliced through the air and impaled the arm Ripley was holding Marlin with. The man gritted his teeth, smothering a cry. His grip weakened.

The boy dropped to the ground, failed to trip his assailant, ducked out of the way of his flying fists, and kicked him in the shin. Marlin, satisfied with this small revenge, beckoned for Ray. After the siblings joined him at the doorway, he took out another misshapen sphere and threw it at their feet.

A small, muffled explosion filled the room and part of the hallway with dark smoke. A strong, putrid smell followed. Ray suppressed a gag, but found the stench weirdly familiar.

Halfway to the exit, they caught up with Koi, who was reloading her gun.

"Why so slow? Waiting for him to crush my windpipe first?" Marlin pouted at the mechanic, his voice still a bit hoarse.

"There are two more goons left. Stay out of sight. Don't jump ahead of me," unperturbed, Koi checked the harpoon alignment inside the barrel and clicked the safety off.

"I know you heard me! I'll scream until I get my answer!" the boy bristled, stomping his feet.

"And don't talk to me. It takes a lot of concentration to line the shots. They took out tables to barricade themselves," she crouched next to the corner.

Ray patted Marlin on the shoulder. "Really sorry for that. I should have gotten to you faster."

"If you really mean it, make her sorry," the boy hectically shook his hand, pointing at Koi as she slid another harpoon inside the gun.

"Good idea, why don't you plot a devious scheme to get your revenge on Koi once we're back on the ship," he smiled at Marlin and turned to his sister. "How is your sight?"

"No good," Coral grumbled, her eyes red from constant rubbing. "So push me forward and tell me when to punch."

"That's rather reassuring actually. Means those bastards won't pursue us just yet. Don't forget to tell me the moment you start seeing again, even a little bit."

"The loving and caring brother I know," she swatted her hand in his general direction.

"All clear," Koi called out to them and darted behind the corner.

The rest of the crew swiftly followed.

***

A rowdy crowd gathered around their submarine. Sullen-faced men in blue and red uniforms were arguing in loud grunts, jostling to secure a better position around the craft.

Ray sighed. "I miss the times when we could just board the ship."

Surrounded by his friends, he squatted near the dock entrance, by the booth. There weren't many other vessels, leaving an open, vulnerable space in-between them and their goal.

"That is way too many people. I picked the harpoons back up when I could, but they won't be enough," Koi frowned, counting her ammunition anew. "With these numbers, they'll simply swarm us: a couple of casualties won't matter."

"A distraction then? I'm out of all the fun, explosive stuff," Marlin spread his hands in a shrug.

"How many of them at a time can you distract? That was the most inefficient idea you've ever suggested yet."

"Are you ranking them? Wanna fight?" the boy fumed and curled his fingers as if they were claws, ready to jump Koi and blow their cover.

"Let's get another ship. Give me a metal pipe, and I'll rip the door off," Coral smirked, her eyes in a persistent squint as her sight was gradually returning.

"We can't," Marlin shook his head.

"Why?!"

"The pets," Koi said in a monotone.

"The blobby trash", Marlin chirped at the same time.

"What? Who cares, Ripley and his guys can appear any minute now."

"Maybe that's a good thing!" the boy flashed a smug grin. "We'll hand him over to these schmucks as the real criminal."

"Right, they'll instantly believe it, and thank us for good measure," Coral grunted and wrinkled her nose. "They won't even listen. I'm ready to go plunder us a ship."

"Getting proof of the gang's connection to the sabotage would be ideal. You've spent a long time with them, do you have any ideas?" Koi turned to Coral.

"Useless," Ray emerged from his contemplation, finally joining in.

"What a bummer. Thought you sat down here and died on us," Marlin pouted.

"Ripley is most likely working for Neptune," after flicking the boy's forehead, he continued. "No matter what proof we get, the corporation will help him squirm out of this shit to protect themselves. I'm certain they've already presented Vulcan with some evidence of my guilt and promised to capture me in a show of good will."

"Slow down!" Coral shook her brother by the shoulder. "What kind of a wild fantasy is this?"

"They have too much money for a simple gang. Too much information. They don't seem to prioritize the profit," Ray closed his eyes, rubbing his chin. "Rumors about Vulcan discovering a new energy source have been swirling for some time. But who can take advantage of that?

"Taking it for yourself requires bankrupt-worthy investment into infrastructure. Selling it risks exposure. It might be troublesome to simply store the thing. Coral, did you have a chance to look at it?"

"No, I was given the role of a muscle and a bodyguard," she looked at the floor sheepishly. "I tagged along with some guy and followed his instructions: mostly knocking people down."

Ray nodded. "What's more, sabotaging the facility should be a waste of time for thieves. And not that easy. Vulcan would have tried to save face and present at least something. But they've not only completely canceled the announcement, they still haven't set a new date. The damage should be catastrophic. Far from what your home-made grenades can do," he nudged Marlin in the ribs.

"Whatever, does it matter?" the boy blinked his eyes sleepily. "What's the plan, boss?"

Ray sighed. "There is no plan."

"Huh?! You've given up? How dare you?" Marlin unfolded his legs and kicked Ray in the side.

"Thanks for worrying, but it's alright," he tussled the boy's hair. "As you already know, I'm a pro at distracting people. So I'll take them on. You find the right moment to get into the ship."

He stood up and dusted his hands off.

"Isn't there usually a hundred times more steps? And like, the whole alphabet of backup plans?" Marlin frowned.

"Do you still remember your arm is injured?" Koi stared at him. "The plan sounds foolish, by the way. You're welcome."

"I won't let you go alone," Coral scowled and extended her hand toward her brother.

"Come get me when you're done stealing back my ship," he waved at them.

"It isn't yours. And come get you where exactly?" Koi raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, Marlin, don't forget the gates — as usual," Ray jogged off, without an answer and without a smile.

***

While most of the guards kept shouting at each other, a couple of them turned at the soft crunch of Ray's footsteps.

"By now, I hope you all recognize my face," he winked at them.

Vulcan agents raised their cybernetic arms, taking aim. Neptune men took out radios and net guns.

A cacophony of barks and commands assaulted Ray's ears, ordering him to stop, come closer, step back, lie down, and maybe perform some other tricks, but he couldn't hear through the clamor. He shuffled away from them, toward the edge of the pier.

Ray raised his arms in surrender. Tipped back. And plummeted into the water.