[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/190924/544c85ab5c75bc61a4bb5ce40dc0caa6.png[/img]
[color=salmon][i]Mission EXP: +10[/i]
Word Count: 656 (+1 exp)[/color]
[color=salmon][u]Level[/u]: [b]7[/b] - [u]Total EXP[/u]: 67/70
[b]Location:[/b] Edge of the Blue - The Maw[/color][/center]
The whole escape from boat to couch to vent was a whirlwind. Almost literally, taking the boost via Nadia's fan into account. Once it was his turn to get out of the Belly, Ace Cadet pressed himself against one of the vent walls. Other children passed him by, and after they'd pulled Nadia up and she scurried off it was just he and Geralt left. Seems the two boys had the same idea. He returned the future Witcher's nod with a jittery smile attached. 

It felt really satisfying, sinking his makeshift weapon into Bongo Bongo's squishy eye. As much as he may have wanted to, the Cadet wasn't planning to take his garden pole through the vent into the next area. It would have been a hassle to drag through the small space. His little dartboard was still gripped tightly in one hand, but the other let go of his pretend-lance when it ruptured the monster's weak spot alongside Geralt's scissors. He scampered off after the other boy, giddy at being able to [i]something[/i] to their harasser. When he jumped down from the vent and landed in the next room, it was just in time to be caught in one of Sakura's hugs - which he returned just as tightly. 

[color=salmon]"That was Kut-ku[i]razy[/i],"[/color] he said aloud once Sakura moved off to her next target. Everyone made it through in one piece though, so he counted that as a win. 

He might have written any hunger off as just the usual. The Cadet had always had a big appetite, not that that was unusual in his world. He frowned as more of their group began bringing it up though. A [i]curse[/i] of hunger was just awful. Add to that not being able to eat to even try to sate it - double awful. The Cadet let out a long suffering moan of discontent. [color=salmon]"That lady said this was our best bet, I'm starting to wish we tried taking on that giant thing."[/color]

After the group pushed any obstacles out of the way and ventured through the door, the redhead was surprised to see that the next room was completely flooded. The water was deep, more than enough to sink a ship he thought. Was the Maw different because it was a submarine? Since it was already underwater, more water inside didn't really matter? He glanced over at Nadia. [color=salmon]"If there's sea monsters at least we'll actually be able to [i]see[/i] the [i]monsters[/i]... eventually, when they come toward the surface."[/color] 

The room seemed like a dead end, but Peach discovered that wasn't quite the case. The Cadet looked up at the catwalks overhead. If he'd heard her right they'd have to get into some room, then into a submarine within a submarine to lower the water level. If he'd heard [i]Bella[/i] right then they'd be crossing the suspended walk ways as the first step in this plan.

Nimbleness wasn't exactly his thing. Not even as a kid really. He could duck, dive and dodge with the best of them, side step and roll, but he was no Kamura hunter. He happily let Mirage lead the way, followed soon by Sakura and anyone else that wanted to get a head start. The Cadet was fine giving the other kids a boost up to the first or second dart and bringing up the rear. 

[color=salmon]"If we were adults we wouldn't even need to go up there,"[/color] Ace Cadet pointed out with a laugh. [color=salmon]"We could skate or grapple or fly across. Maybe even swim too, we could probably take whatever it is that showed up."[/color] 

Actually... one them could still fly, couldn't they? The Cadet turned to Blazermate, his eyes scanning her once-damaged head part that now looked nearly as good as new. [color=salmon]"Do you think it's safe to fly across? You could help the others get back down when they cross over,"[/color] he suggested. [i]Or catch anyone that falls,[/i] he thought.