Marya and Sabo stumble out of the fog at the forest's edge. Buckled over, Marya pants, catching her breath. Concerned, Sabo asks, "You, okay?"
Pushing herself up, "Yeah, this is the most I have ever used my power." She takes a labored breath, "It requires a lot of stamina."
Sabo's brow furrows. Surveying his surroundings, "Where are we?"
"I dropped us near where we are docked," Sabo rushes after Marya after she starts for the rocky shoreline. When he replies with a confused expression, "We need a plan. Two of our team are being held by the Navy, and we haven't heard from the other two." Marya becomes sheepish when her stomach emits a loud growl. "And I need to eat something."
Sabo smirks, folding his hands behind his head, "I can eat too."
Walking a well-worn trail, they zigzag through narrow, uneven terrain riddled with cracks and crevices threatening to trip the unwary. Each step requires careful consideration and balance as the ground beneath their feet shifts and wobbles. The sound of the waves provides a constant, rhythmic backdrop, a ceaseless reminder of the ocean's untamed power. Finally, reaching the bottom, Marya calls out, "Watch your step," as she jumps onto the sub's hull.
"Oh," Sabo pauses, staring, "It's a submarine."
"Yeah," Marya opens the hatch, "Come on."
Sabo doesn't know where to look first as he passes through the control room, a magical blend of glowing crystals and enchanted instruments. Holographic maps display shifting ocean currents while ethereal light orbs hover above intricate controls. "I have never seen anything like this."
Marya stops, awkwardly rotating to him. "Yeah," her eyes shift away as her smile twitches. I probably shouldn't let you be in here, but as long as you can keep it a secret, it won't be a problem." Before Sabo can reply, she points towards the refrigerator. "Are you hungry?"
Sabo watches Marya open the refrigerator door. Sitting on the stool at the counter, "I have so many questions." Marya becomes rigid, "But I know you can't answer any of them."
Placing an armful of condiments and ingredients down, "You want a sandwich?" Sabo nods, and she reaches for the bread. "The drinks are in that cooler," she gestures to the corner.
Sabo swings the lid, "Whoa," glancing at Marya, cutting bread, "There are so many options. What do you want?"
"Green Tea," she slices a tomato. When Sabo returns to his seat, "Do you think they found the Navy Base?"
Sabo twists the top of his drink, "Knowing Koala, I am sure they did."
Marya spreads the condiments, "I wonder if they were captured too."
Sabo taps his fingers against the bottle, "If they were, then they would be in the base."
Piling the layers of garnish and filling, she says, "That would be four people we would have to get out." She slides a plate to Sabo. "I am maxed out at two." She bites into her sandwich.
Sabo chews, "We may have to go in together."
Marya swallows, "What if one of us stays outside as a distraction? The other can get them out."
"That could work," Sabo licks his fingers, "but we need to find the base first."
Marya takes a drink, "Damn, good point. We need to do recon and find out where they are."
"We will have to go into town and follow one of them," Sabo drinks.
Mouth full, Marya nods, "They are probably on lockdown. We should let things cool off for a bit. Stay here for the night, and we can go into town tomorrow morning."
Marya reclined on a tree branch overlooking the first light of dawn as it pierced the horizon, casting a gentle glow over the Navy base. The sky transitioned from a deep indigo to a palette of soft pastels—lavender, blush pink, and the faintest hints of gold. The air was crisp, carrying the slight scent of salt. Seagulls began their morning chorus, their calls echoing as the gentle hum of activity slowly stirred. Sailors' silhouettes moved with purpose and routine. Sabo rested on an adjacent sturdy branch. His eyes scanned the horizon, contemplating profound thoughts as the gentle breeze rustled the leaves around him.
"I can take a look around," Sabo turns to Marya. "I can be back in ten minutes, then we can decide what to do."
"That," Sabo scans the increasing activity of the base, "is a lot of Marines."
"Hey, mister," they both look down at the tiny voice calling from below. "Are you trying to get into the Navy base?" A young girl in a group of four children asks.
Sabo swings his legs over, hopping down to them. Kneeling, "What makes you think that?" When Marya lands behind them, their eyes widen, and they huddle together, scurrying behind Sabo. Marya's golden gaze narrows as they cower. Looking over his shoulder, "What's the matter?"
"She's scary," the girl quivers, her voice barely above a whisper, as if afraid that Marya might hear her.
Sabo smirks, "No, she is my friend. I promise she is nice." Marya gives them distance, and with an annoyed eye roll, she finds a trunk to lean on.
"You sure?"
Arms crossed, Marya's tone is stern, "Sabo, we don't have time for this."
"But," the girl squeaks, holding a fist full of Sabo's shirt, "we know how you can get into the base."
"Oh," Sabo raises a brow, "and how is that?"
Putting a finger over her lips, "It's a secret." She whispers, "We can show you," her eyes shining with excitement.
Sabo ponders for a moment. Glancing between the base and the eager little girl, "Okay, show us the way." Marya groans, and he stands, "Come on. Let's see what they are talking about."
They follow the children while maneuvering a random footpath through the forest. Marya matches Sabo's stride, "You have noticed that we are moving away from the base."
"Don't worry," Sabo grins, "It will work out."
Marya sighs, and the children start running. One of them calls out, "We are here!"
Leaving the shrubbery, they stand in front of an imposing structure of weathered steel and concrete. Its exterior shows the signs of time and the elements. Vines and moss cling to its walls, weaving a tapestry of green that blends seamlessly with the surrounding foliage. The entrance, a massive steel door reinforced with complex locking mechanisms, offers no hint of the secrets contained within.
"Come on," one of the children waved. We have to hurry before they show up." Sabo and Marya communicate silently as they approach. "This way," the child crawled through a bent ventilation screen.
Once inside, it is an intricate labyrinth of aisles and storage units, each meticulously organized and cataloged. Dim lighting casts long shadows, giving the space an eerie, almost otherworldly feel. Rows upon rows of stacked wooden crates and industrial shelving stretch into the distance, their contents marked with cryptic symbols and codes. The scent of aged wood and metal permeates the air, mingling with an underlying hint of something indefinable.
"Hurry up!" One of the children snaps them from their stoic inspection.
"Sabo."
"Yeah," he turns to Marya, "I know."
"What are you doing?" one of the children scolds from behind a racking corner. "We have to go!" Marya and Sabo hurry after them through the maze of shelves and racks to a stairwell. The air cools as they descend, and the atmosphere grows dark. Dim light glows when they reach the last step. Gleaming steel outlines tracks on the ground that disappear in a large, arching tunnel.
"Come on," one of the children waves for them to get into an open-top train car.
Sabo waits, taking hold of the door. "This will take us to the base?"
"Yes," the girl tells him, "But you have to hurry. The workers will be here soon, and the car isn't big enough for all of us."
"Let's go," one of the other children tugged on her shirt, "this is scary!"
Sabo nods, "You better hurry. You don't want to get caught."
"Right," she turns, dashing into the shadows with her friends.
"You sure about this?" Marya hesitates before stepping in.
Sabo peers down the tunnel, "Not at all, but we are already here."
"Yeah," Marya sighs as she closes the door.
Gliding through the subterranean expanse, distant echoes of myriad activities can be heard as rushing cool air prickles their skin. Above, the open roof reveals the intricate web of lighting and piping snaking along the tunnel ceilings, casting a soft, ambient glow illuminating the path ahead.