SI-9

The rescue craft contained three submarines for extreme depths in order to reach Angelo's egress pod. He was six miles underwater and the pod was pinned tightly by the earthquake debris. One of the subs was built only for exploration, while the other two were designed for transporting cargo and were equipped with powerful mechanical arms for lifting heavy loads. After Flurry had launched the craft from the Alicorn, the group journeyed to an area just above Angelo's tracking signal and landed softly on the water.

Gallus and Ocellus piloted the two cargo subs while Silverstream piloted the exploration sub, carrying Taylor and Lizzie in the back seats. These seats were equipped with a switch that tilted them back to allow the occupants to dive headfirst into the water through a hatch in the floor. After everyone told Flurry that they were fastened in their seats, she turned on a pump to flood the docking bay and then opened the doors.

"Launch sequence engaged.", said Flurry as she tilted the subs’ docking cage forward by 90 degrees.

The clamps opened and the subs were released. They quickly began descending into the dimly lit twilight waters. Everyone had put on their scuba gear, even Gallus, Ocellus, and Silverstream. When they reached the crash site, they instantly became worried.

"Oh man, this is far worse than we anticipated.", said Gallus.

True to his word, the pod was pinned tightly under two giant pieces of a coral reef and was slowly being crushed under the weight. Gallus and Ocellus sprang into action. They sped towards the coral shards and deployed the mechanical arms in order to lift them enough for Lizzie and Taylor to access the hatch. At that moment, Ocellus radioed Lizzie and Taylor.

"Ocellus here. Gallus and I are beginning to lift the coral shards. Get him out of there as soon as the pod is in the clear.", she instructed.

"We'll get him as quickly and as carefully as we can.", said Lizzie.

She and Taylor plugged their oxygen lines into their helmets and prepared to dive. Soon, the two heavy shards were lifted. However, they weighed more than anyone expected.

"Better hurry, you two. These coral shards are beginning to pull us down.", said Gallus.

"Diving.", said Taylor.

They initiated the dive sequence and splashed into the water. Simultaneously, Silverstream lowered a gurney fitted with a swiveling cage to brace whoever was placed on it. As they swam towards the smashed pod; Lizzie's heart sank.

"Oh Angelo, my dear sweet little brother.", she said sadly.

Once she and Taylor reached the pod, Lizzie broke out the windows to equalize the pressure and Taylor began cutting the hinges with a plasma torch. Through the window openings, Lizzie could see that Angelo's helmet was dented and the visor was scratched from being banged around inside the cockpit. Other than that, his waterproof suit was intact. Once Taylor had pulled the hatch off after prying it open with a small crowbar, Lizzie pulled out her dive knife and cut Angelo out of his seatbelts. Once Angelo was free to float, Lizzie grabbed his arms and pulled him backwards until Taylor could grab his legs.

"We have him!", said Taylor once he and Lizzie were far enough away from the two slabs.

Gallus and Ocellus acknowledged the report and released their hold. The coral shards dropped free and flattened the pod while Lizzie and Taylor gently laid Angelo on the gurney and rotated the cage over his chest. Once everyone was fastened, they radioed Flurry that they were ready for pickup. Flurry lowered the docking cage into the water and the three subs moved into place. After the subs were locked in secure, Flurry retracted the cables and pulled the dock back into the ship. Once the bay doors were closed and the water was drained, Lizzie and Taylor rolled the gurney off the sub while everyone else headed back to the cockpit. Upon reaching the craft’s medical area, Lizzie and Taylor prepared to take Angelo’s vital signs.

"Angelo is secure. We're beginning the medical scan.", said Lizzie after she opened the roll-cage and Taylor pulled Angelo's helmet off.

She began moving a handheld scanner over Angelo to transmit his status to both Flurry Heart and to Callie and Marie. When Flurry saw the results, she was wide-eyed. Callie put her hand over her mouth and Marie grabbed her heart.

"I could have him back to the Alicorn in less than 20 minutes.", offered Flurry Heart.

"Flurry, no. You may have delivered Angelo by c-section aboard your ship, but his injuries are serious. You need to get him to a hospital, STAT!", said Marie.

"She's right. We don't have enough equipment to treat all of his injuries.", said Gallus.

"Understood.", said Flurry as she set a course to fly to Splatsville Central Hospital.

Angelo's injuries consisted of a nosebleed, a severely bruised forehead and temple, whiplash, a wrenched left arm, and two badly torn ligaments in his right ankle. On the way to the hospital, Taylor pulled his cellphone out and called Takara again to tell her that Angelo had been successfully rescued, but he had a long road to recovery. Takara was grateful to hear this and said she would visit him in the morning.

Angelo was admitted as soon as the orderlies had a look at him and were given a list of his injuries. He was started on an intravenous line with saline to keep him hydrated, and his wounds were carefully bandaged and splinted.