***

Joel landed back in Mariner Bay and made sure his plane was tucked safely away in her hangar. He sped off back to the AquaBase, committing more than a few speeding violations. The police he passed though, saw his Lightspeed Cycle and let him pass without a single siren. Being a Ranger had some privileges.

He drove down the tunnel, parking his cycle in its place in Ms. Fairweather's lab. The scientist was nowhere to be seen. But some of her assistants were working though, and glared at him when he squealed the cycle's tires as he stopped. He tossed off a wave as he ran past them and down the hallway.