Page 1 of Wet and Welder

CHAPTER ONE

MALLORY

“Move it over to the left again for me, Gene,” I ask my new crew member as he obeys by

moving the sub-sea camera across the vast ocean floor ahead.

“Nothing, as I said,” he replies as the monitor on the rover camera only displays clouds of

sand.

“Let’s call it a day, Mallory. Everyone’s tired. We’ve been at it for twelve hours

straight,” Duncan, my right hand on this mission, chimes in.

“Which only means we’re that much closer,” I reply, not looking away from the monitor.

“Keep going.”

Gene follows my command as Duncan sighs in exhaustion. I know the crew is tired, but

history wasn’t made by the weak. Only the strongest and most determined leaders succeed, and

I’m my parent’s daughter after all. Still, after another hour, I’m rethinking my position while

falling asleep standing.

“Let’s call it a day, guys. We made progress, so I’m not apologizing. Go get some sleep.”

“We’re close to land, boss. Any chance we can stop for a much needed break?” Duncan

asks bravely.

“No.” Is my response as I leave the control room and head out onto the deck for fresh air,

ignoring his crestfallen expression.

The crisp morning air is icy against my sweltering skin, and I watch the fog dance onto

the boat. The deck lights are still on as the sun continues to rise. Giving us the light of a new day

with all the possibilities of treasure. The deckhands bring the million-dollar sub-camera out of the ocean. Steel rattles with the wind, and the boat rocks with the ocean waves. I remember

getting seasick as a kid, tagging along on another one of my parent’s adventures, and I smile,

knowing they would be proud of me.

A heavy sigh escapes my lips as I lean against the ship’s railing. The gray clouds above

part revealing beams of golden sunlight that paint the sea in shimmering hues. Gasps erupt from

my crewmates as they spot something emerging from the fog bank. Squinting, I just make out the

silhouette of another ship, its steel reflecting against the shining sun.

Is this real or a hallucination from lack of sleep?

After six long months at sea searching for the Ocean Stallion, with her billion dollars’

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