Page 116 of Rescuing Mia

CJ speaks up, his voice steady and commanding. “Alright, let’s break it down. We have dive gear, but we need to consider the logistics of an underwater extraction. How do we get Mia safely into the water and rendezvous with a submarine without alerting Red Phoenix?”

Mitzy’s fingers fly over her keyboard. “We’ll need to coordinate with the Navy for precise timing. The sub has to approach undetected, if there’s one that’s even operating nearby, which means avoiding shipping lanes and potential radar.”

Ethan nods, his brow furrowed in concentration. “And we need to ensure Mia’s safety during the dive. She’ll be with Charlie team, but the underwater conditions can be unpredictable.”

Mia’s eyes widen, her face paling at the mention of going into the water. She shakes her head vehemently, her voice trembling.

“No. I can’t… I can’t go in the water. There are sharks. I’m terrified of sharks. I can’t do it.”

I reach for her hand, squeezing it gently, trying to offer some comfort. “Mia, I understand your fear, but we have extensive training in underwater operations. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Her eyes lock onto mine, filled with a mixture of fear and determination. “You don’t understand. It’s not just the sharks. The water… The ocean… It terrifies me. I can’t swim in open water. I just can’t.”

Skye moves closer, her voice soft and reassuring. “Mia, Rigel will be right there with you. Every step of the way. This plan mightsound terrifying, but it also might be our best option to ensure your safety. Every one of these men has extensive training in underwater operations, and they’re trained in escorting those with no dive experience. They can even take someone who’s never swam in their lives before. It’s scary, but you can do this.”

Sam, always the voice of reason, adds, “We wouldn’t suggest this if we didn’t believe it was the safest course of action. Red Phoenix is a formidable enemy, but we have the skills and resources to outmaneuver them. Trust us.”

Mia’s breathing is shallow, her eyes darting around the room as if looking for an escape. I pull her closer, my arm wrapping around her shoulders.

“Mia, look at me. You overcame your fear and went snorkeling with me. This isn’t much different. And you went down that slide like a pro. You can do this.”

Her gaze meets mine, searching for the truth in my words. Slowly, she nods, though the fear doesn’t completely leave her eyes. “I-I’ll try. But you have to promise me… Promise me you’ll keep me safe. I don’t want to drown.”

I nod, my voice firm and unwavering. “I promise. You have my word. I won’t let you drown.”

Forest speaks up, his voice carrying the authority and confidence that defines him. “Alright, we have a plan. Mitzy, coordinate with our Navy contacts. Ethan, have your team prepare the dive gear. We move as soon as everything is in place.”

Mia stays close to me, her hand gripping mine tightly. The tiny tremors in her fingers tell me exactly how terrified she is and the silent battle she’s waging against her fear.

But in her eyes, I see her determination, a flicker of hope that we will succeed.

Chapter Forty-One

RIGEL

As preparationsfor Mia’s extraction off the trawler commence, I keep my focus on Mia, offering her quiet words of reassurance.

The team springs into action; each member focuses on their task. Ethan issues orders with the precision of a seasoned commander, and soon enough, everyone is moving with purpose. Ethan, Blake, Hank, Gabe, and Walt head off to prepare the dive gear while Mitzy dives into coordinating with her Navy contacts.

I stay with Mia, guiding her to a quieter corner of the galley. She’s still gripping my hand tightly, her fear palpable. I squeeze her hand gently, trying to offer some comfort. “We need to get you prepped on what to expect.” I keep my voice calm and steady.

She nods, though her eyes are still wide with anxiety. I lead her to a small bench and sit down beside her.

“Alright, let’s start with the basics. The dive gear. Remember when I took you snorkeling?”

“Yes?”

“You’ll be wearing the same gear, a face mask, which will cover your eyes and nose. We didn’t discuss what to do if your mask happens to flood.”

“Flood?”

“It can happen, but it’s no big deal.”

“To you, maybe.” She squirms in her seat. “I don’t think I can do this.”

“You can and you will. I’ll be right beside you. If your mask floods, stay calm and blow out forcefully through your nose to clear it. I’ll be right there to help you if anything goes wrong.”

Her fingers tighten around mine. “How will I be…?”