The dock hummed with the vibration of submarine engines as the Consortium vessels settled into their berths. Steam hissed from pressure vents, and the air thickened with the smell of hot metal, salt water, and something older—the ancient resin that coated the facility's surfaces.
Bianca stood at the edge of the dock, both arms waving over her head like signal flags in a gale. Her grease-stained overalls flapped around her floral-print blouse, and her magnifying goggles bounced against her forehead with each enthusiastic jump.
"Emmet!" she shrieked, her voice echoing across the bay. "It has been like forever!"
Emmet Pascal emerged from the nearest submarine's hatch, his unruly red hair defying gravity as always. His sharp green eyes swept the dock with that characteristic calculating gaze before landing on Bianca. A genuine smile cracked his usually composed features.
"Bianca! You look—" He paused, clearly searching for the right word. "—like you've been busy."
Master Gaius Vesper climbed out of another submarine, his long silver hair secured in a high bun. His kiseru pipe trailed a curl of smoke as he nodded toward the dock.
"Hey, kid!" he called out, his voice carrying that warm, raspy quality that made everyone feel like they were being welcomed home.
Bianca bounced on her heels, her waist-length black hair whipping around her face. Her eyes went wide when she spotted the figure emerging from a third submarine—tall, impeccably dressed in a bespoke Marine uniform that was entirely too fancy for the occasion, silk cravat perfectly arranged, leather gloves pristine.
"PROFESSOR!" Bianca's voice cracked with excitement.
Jean Bart and Ikkaku stood beside Bianca, their expressions hovering somewhere between bewilderment and amusement. The massive former slave turned pirate leaned toward Galit, his voice low.
"She's a little excited."
Galit's long neck arched in that constant S-curve, his emerald eyes tracking the new arrivals, assessing their capabilities. "It is my understanding that she has not been home since she was sent out to find Marya and bring her back."
Ikkaku looked over her shoulder, her brow furrowed. "Bring her back?"
Galit nodded slowly. "Yes. Marya spent a great deal of time with this organization. That is where she acquired a large portion of her education—outside of her father."
Clione crossed his arms, his nose wrinkling with skepticism. "Are you sure about that? She never mentioned that to us."
Galit raised an eyebrow, his neck coiling slightly. "She is not one to overshare."
Uni nodded in agreement, his voice carrying that characteristic matter-of-fact tone. "That's true."
---
The submarines finished berthing with a series of metallic groans. Hatches cycled open, and the Consortium contingent filed onto the dock in an organized chaos of personalities.
Annabell Ellis emerged first, her oversized round glasses glinting as she adjusted the satchel across her shoulder. Her chestnut-brown hair began to frizz, and her hazel eyes swept the facility with professional curiosity.
Celeste Tenko followed close behind, her sleek silver bob perfectly in place, her violet letterman jacket pristine. Her doe-like eyes held that familiar hesitant expression, and her hand rested on Ame-no-Murakumo's hilt with unconscious reverence.
Emmet Pascal strode forward with the measured confidence of a man who had already calculated every variable in the room. His multi-tool timepiece glinted on his wrist.
Jax Boone brought up the rear of the advance group, his scarred face set in that perpetual expression of serious observation. His dark red hair was cropped short, and his three-sectioned staff hung at his hip, the Seastone tips gleaming.
Riggs Cohen stumbled out of the hatch behind him, his shaggy blond hair falling into his eyes as he tripped over his own sandals. His Hawaiian shirt was untucked, and his katana—Gullwing—slipped dangerously in its rope belt.
"Whoa!" Riggs caught himself, striking an impromptu pose. "And that, my friends, is how you make an entrance!"
Zola Newton followed, her vibrant pink hair a chaotic nest of mechanical pencils and loose strands. Her violet eyes sparkled with that familiar manic energy as she took in the ancient facility.
"Fascinating!" she breathed, her finger already pointing skyward. "The thermodynamic properties of this space are—"
Master Gaius Vesper stepped past her, his pipe trailing smoke. "Later, Zola. We've got work to do."
Emily Aoi Zoku emerged last, clutching her notebook to her chest like a shield. Her dark brown eyes darted around the dock, taking in the unfamiliar faces with a mixture of excitement and terror. Her cheeks were already flushing pink.
Alistair Reginald Finch descended the ramp with theatrical grace, his bespoke Marine uniform immaculate, his silk cravat perfectly arranged. He adjusted his leather gloves with unnecessary ceremony.
"Splendid," he announced, his crisp posh accent cutting through the dock noise. "Absolutely splendid. The structural integrity of this facility is—" He paused, squinting at a support beam. "—well, it's certainly there."
-----
Aurélie led the group as they rounded the final corner to the dock, a corner of her mouth qairking upward as he eyes landed on the Consortium Contingent.
Jelly bounded into view from the corridor, his translucent blue body wobbling with each bounce. "New friends! Bloop! So many new friends!"
Ember skipped beside him, her neon-pink space buns bouncing, her mismatched eyes gleaming with manic joy. "Friends! Josiah, look at all the friends!"
Vesta followed at a more sedate pace, her rainbow hair swaying, Mikasi slung across her back. "I can't wait to sit down," she moaned. "My feet are killing me."
Eliane flew overhead, her dark wings beating in steady rhythm. "Sandwiches! Who wants sandwiches?"
Sanza raced beneath her, his red hair a chaotic mess, his practice sword bouncing against his hip. "I want peanut butter and jelly!"
Eliane scoffed, executing a mid-air roll. "You always want peanut butter and jelly."
"Of course I do! It's the best sandwich combination ever!"
"It is not!"
"Is too!"
"Not!"
"To!"
Jelly bounced between them, his voice carrying that infectious cheer. "Bloop! Buttery peanuts and sugary grapes! Bloop!"
Penguin and Shachi rounded the final corner, their clothes still damp from their impromptu swim.
Charlie's eyes locked onto Emmet and Zola, and his face split into a grin so wide it looked painful. Without waiting for a response, he rushed forward, his shoulder ramming Penguin's arm.
"Emmet! Zola!"
Penguin stumbled back, throwing his hands in the air. "Hey! Watch it!" He called after the departing archaeologist.
Aurélie placed a hand on Penguin's shoulder, her silver hair swaying. "Please excuse him. It has been a long time since he has seen his friends."
Penguin rubbed his shoulder, still grumbling. Shachi leaned in, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "So he does have friends."
Aurélie's glare could have frozen magma. She walked away without another word.
Shachi shivered, rubbing his arms. "That gave me chills."
Ember skipped past, her voice bright. "It's lunchtime!"
Jelly bounced after her. "Snacks!"
Vesta's groan echoed through the dock. "I just need a chair!"
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