At Grubbs sunken spot.Kage, Kiara, and Sarah are checking the diving gear near the edge of the boat. John B stares out over the water, tension in his shoulders, anticipation in his eyes."You think he really found it?
Alexander strapping on gear."Yeah. Big chance. His disappearance... too much of a coincidence."
John B nods, barely containing his excitement. Alexander dives in with a clean arc. John B follows a beat later.
The curved hull of John B's boat floats above them like a ghost. The anchor chain snakes downward into the murky depths. Tied to it — a yellow T-shirt, fluttering gently in the current.
John B swims past it, descending fast. Alexander reaches the sunken wreck first. The cabin door is half-buried in sand. He grips it — and with a powerful jerk, yanks it open.
SUDDEN BURST OF BUBBLES
John B panics. The regulator slips from his mouth. He thrashes, eyes wide in fear.
Alexander quickly moves in, grabs the regulator, and shoves it back into John B's mouth. John B inhales sharply, gasping. He checks his gauge —
JOHN B'S POV – GAUGE:Just under a quarter tank left.
He flicks on his dive light. Hands it to Alexander.
Inside the SUNKEN HOLD.Alexander swims into the tight space, his light beam piercing the clouded water. Sand carpets the floor. It's eerily silent.
He opens a cabinet. A tennis ball floats out, bumps the ceiling, and drifts toward the exit.
Second cabinet — only sunscreen and bug spray.
He drops down, brushing away a thick layer of sand. A round hole becomes visible. He blows, clearing the last of the debris. Then from around his neck, he pulls the notchedbrass cylinder JJ gave him.
Fits it into the hole. Turns.
CLICK.
A panel in the floor lifts. Alexander pulls it open.
Inside: a single black bag. He quickly scans — nothing else. Just the bag.
He grabs it and swims out. Hands it to John B. Their eyes meet — John B nods and holds it tight.
They begin heading up—then stop. Both spot the yellow T-shirt again, still tied to the chain.
A soft, grateful expression crosses both their faces.
John B thought."Thanks, Kiara."
In the boat's deck.JJ, Pope, and Kiara stand casually, trying not to look nervous. A law enforcement boat approaches — Deputies Shoupe and Plumb aboard.
Pope forcing a smile and greeted."Hey there, Officer."
Deputy Shoupe scanning everyone on the boat and questioned."You know the marsh is closed, right?"
Pope playing dumb."Closed? Really?"
JJ nodding and said."Yeah, no. Totally unaware."
Pope added."We just came in from Mud Creek. Thought we'd hit some drum."
Shoupe eyes them, then glances at Plumb.
"Thought we blocked all the entrances..."
He then turns to them and continues."I'm gonna need you to clear out."
Pope smiled and said."Sure thing, officer."
JJ shoots Pope a side-eye. That "sure thing" came out way too confident.
Shoupe squinting questioned."We're looking for a boat that went down. You see anything?"
Pope frowned and answered."No, sir. Not a thing. No boats."
Shoupe narrows his eyes. Then questioned."
Where's your buddy? The one you're always with. He around?"
Kiara quickly answered."He's with his uncle today."
Pope stiffens. The three stand very still. Shoupe stares them down, suspicion thick in the air. Silence stretches.
John B rasps for breath. His gauge is almost on empty. Panic starts to set in. He wants—desperately—to surface.
But the deputies are still up there.
Alexander notices. He pulls out a compact, futuristic device—the Rebreather. The device resembles a triangular or manta ray-like structure, designed to fit snugly over the user's mouth and nose. Compact and ergonomic, it sits directly along the respiratory path. With bright yellow—high visibility. Black tubing and accents run along the sides like gills.
The center is a smooth, outward curve labeled vertically in black: "REBREATHER."
Side extensions flare out like mechanical fins—intake and exhaust valves for air recycling. The top has a small ridge, likely housing filters. The base is flared for a secure mouth seal.
John B doesn't understand, but Alexander gestures toward his mouth. He obeys.
The Moment he puts it on his mouth.Fresh air. Relief.
Deputy Shoupe checks over the Pogues' boat, eyes drifting toward Kiara and Sarah in bikinis. His expression lingers too long.
Kiara and Sarah glare. He's busted. Deputy Plumb notices.
Plumb noticed this and dryly questioned."Are you finished with your inspection?"
Shoupe was flustered and answered"Oh—yes. Yes, of course."
Kiara and Sarah pull on rash guards. Shoupe, now acting very official, walks to the edge of the boat.
Below the surface, the outline of their underwater boat glimmers. Shoupe leans over—but the sun comes out. The glare blinds him.
Underwater, John B and Alexander look up at the wavering silhouette of Shoupe.
Alexander remains calm. He can stay submerged for hours.
John B, now breathing through the Rebreather, plays it safe—descending slowly to stay out of view.
Shoupe get back at the prow spoke up."Let us know if you see anything on your way out."
Pope nodded and replied."Will do, officer."
The engine hums to life. Shoupe's boat motors away.
JJ mockingly muttered."Will do?"
After the Deputies Leave. John B and Alexander surface. The others rush to them.
John B removes the Rebreather. Alexander scans the horizon for the patrol boat.
Kiara questioned."Are you okay?"
John B holding up the device answered."If not for this thing, I'd be out of air. What happened?"
Pope eyeing the device."What is that?"
Alexander answered."Just an underwater breathing gadget."
Sarah curious questioned."Is it one of your Rewardist gadgets?"
Alexander shrugged and answered."You could say that."
Kiara confused."Shoupe didn't notice the boat right beneath him."
JJ was more excited and questioned. "Did you find anything?"
John B lifts the black bag.
JJ excitedly yelled."F*** yeah!"
He grabs the bag and tosses it on deck.
Pope nervously spoke up."Okay, fun's over. Lying to law enforcement is cool and all, but let's get out of here."
JJ nodded it was close call now and said."Agreed."
Alexander helps JJ pull up the anchor.
Kiara tenses, pointing said."Bogey. Ten o'clock."
They turn to see a fast, powerful boat approaching, the engine CHUGGING menacingly.
JJ had bad feeling yelled."Don't wait for me."
Alexander was the same."Those are the guys looking for your father!"
Pope rushes to start the engine. The boats near each other in the narrow channel. As they pass, it's Ratter and Cruz. They see John B removing his scuba gear. Their eyes catch the black bag.
The boat passes, slows. Cruz and Ratter look down into the water, then back at the Pogues. Beat. Then—
Their engines GUN. The boat swings around.
Alexander yelled."Move,They're coming!"
Pope was completely wreak."I'm trying!"
John B shoves Pope aside, takes the helm, and guns it.The fast boat is gaining.
JJ spoke up."He's got duelies, bro—we can't outrun him."
John B turns hard—a violent swerve that nearly throws them out.
JJ saw them getting closer."Gaining on us."
POP! POP!
Pope started panicking."Are they firing?! They're shooting at us!"
The marsh becomes a high-speed maze.
John B knows they can't outrun them.
He glances at Alexander.
Alexander pulls out marble-sized metallic beads, flings them into the air. They flatten mid-flight, self-guiding toward the enemy boat.
They land on the hood, then—
BZAAAAKT—!!!
A ripple of EM pulses shuts down Cruz and Ratter's boat.
The pursuing boat makes the hard cut and then the engine makes a crazy whine and dies.Silence. They're dead in the water.
Cruz yelled in frustration."Fuck."
As John B guns it races away, Alexander knew this was going to get more complicated.