My head was throbbing when I woke up the next morning. I’d had tea with grandfather last night, where I begged him to let me be part of the mission. He refused. It was settled then and there: I wasn’t going no matter what. I’d show them. I would… but then I woke up with the headache. I dressed slowly. The house was really quiet for some odd reason. I knocked on Helga’s door. “Helga? Are you there?” No answer. I searched the mansion for Helga and grandfather. Neither of them were to be found. Then I remembered: The expedition! They must have left by now! I ran down the halls. I had to catch up to them. Port was only a few blocks from grandfather’s mansion. I could make it. Helga had made a mistake by getting me into perfect shape. I left the house and began to run. Running had never tired me much, and this time I ran faster than ever. Finally I reached port, completely out of breath. I gaped at the huge ship before me. That was the ship…I was really going to do this? Yes, I decided. They couldn’t leave me that easily. I saw a group of soldiers loading the last of the cargo into the ship. This was my chance. I snuck over to the boxes and quietly hid among them. Before I knew what was happening, I was lifted onto the ship. This was it! I had an exciting feeling in my stomach. This was great! The ship left port shortly after I had stowed away. Once I was sure that we were far enough away from port, I left my hiding place. The size of the ship took me by surprise. It was huge! How was I ever going to find anybody? My question was answered sooner than I expected. I had only been walking for a few minutes when I found none other than Milo Thatch…puking over the side of the boat. Disgusting!
“Milo Thatch?” I asked.
He almost jumped out of his skin. It was like déjà vu all over again. “Adrienne!” he shouted, once he got the chance to look at me. “It’s good to see you. Urk…could you hold this?”
He shoved his bag into my arms and leaned over the side again. I had to look away. “Are you all right?” I asked once he recovered.
“Yeah…it’s just…I don’t really have sea legs…” And he was over the side again.
“You know, you should watch yourself,” I advised.
“You might get dehydrated, you know.”
“I know.” He took his bag back. “I think that I’ll be ok for now.”
“Good. I don’t mean to be rude, but there’s someone I have to meet with. Good luck on your mission!” I called and began to walk swiftly down a flight of stairs.
“Yeah!” he called back. “Um…see you around!”

I stopped short when I heard an announcement over the intercom. “All personnel report to the loading dock. Launch in ten minutes.” Ten minutes? There was no time! I began to run again. Suddenly I found myself on a huge loading dock. A grand submarine stood before me. I was stunned. Grandfather was really serious about this. I scanned the dock. Soldiers and crew members filed into the submarine. I saw grandfather talking to Commander Rourke. I didn’t even bother to go over to them. Rourke still frightened me after all of this time and I was rather angry at grandfather. Milo joined them and they became lost in a conversation. What else… A man with a cart full of explosives was boarding the submarine. That was rather amusing. A girl, younger then me and a big man boarded behind the demolition man. I would later find out that the demolition man was Vinny Santorini, the girl was Audrey Ramirez (the mechanic) and the other man was Joshua Sweet (the doctor). Everything had me in awe, but I snapped back to reality. I need to find Helga! I looked around for a few more minutes. Then I spotted her! She was shouting orders and looking frustrated, but I didn’t care.
“Helga Sinclair!” I shouted.
Her expression was one of shock when she realized that I had just called her. She looked at me in disbelief. “How did you? When…?” she sputtered.
Without thinking, I ran to her and hugged her. She returned the hug. “I can’t believe that you’d go without saying good-bye!” I said. Tears welled in my eyes.
“I’m sorry,” she finally said. “I didn’t want to upset you, but I couldn’t help…it.”
“I won’t follow you,” I told her firmly. “I won’t act silly and childish.”
She smiled at me. “Well, don’t cry then.” I frowned. “And don’t make that face. It might freeze that way.”
“Helga! I’m going to miss you! I wish you didn’t have to go! What if something happens? What if you don’t return?”
“I’ll return.”
“But I had this crazy dream about a month ago. Rourke was in it. You…”
“Hush,” she said sternly. “I don’t want to hear another word of it. I’m going and that’s final. I had a dream once and it shattered.”
“I…I’m sorry.”
“Let’s think positively. I’ll be back before you know it.”
“My birthday is in two weeks. Will you be back by then?”
Her face became sad. “I won’t promise you, Adrienne. Helga Sinclair keeps her promises. I don’t want to disappoint you.”
“Oh!” I hugged her tighter. “Please stay! Please! You’re like a sister to me! Like family!”
“We’ve been through this. I’m going.”
“All hands prepare for launch!” the voice over the loudspeaker called.
“I have to go,” Helga told me. I bit my lip to keep from crying.
“If I don’t return,” she whispered. “You go on and become the greatest archaeologist the world has ever known. Always be true to yourself.”
“If you don’t return…” I choked. Then she turned to board the submarine. “Thank you Helga. Safe journey! And please…come back home.”
She waved over her shoulder. “Adrienne Whitmore, we will meet again!” she called.
And then she was gone. “Adrienne!” shouted grandfather’s voice. I turned and found him standing behind me. “How did you get here?” he asked.
“I have my ways,” I answered matter of factly.
He shook his head. “That sounds like something that Helga Sinclair would say.”
I shrugged. “I guess so.”
“Final launch!” came the voice over the loudspeaker.
The submarine broke free from the ship and began to descend into the ocean. Grandfather waved and crossed his fingers for luck. I watched the submarine. A silent tear slipped down my cheek. I wiped it away. For Helga’s sake, I would not cry. I glanced around the loading dock once more. It was silent now and very few people remained. And I could not help but notice another woman standing, not too far from grandfather and me. She was a young Japanese woman and she looked as if her world had just left with that ship. What could be making her so sad? I wondered. But that was none of my business. “Let’s go,” grandfather said to me.
“I’ll be right with you.” Once again I looked where the submarine had just been. They were really gone. But I had my hopes up. Helga would return before I knew it.