Escape from Big Fe - Part 2

While catching her breath, O'hara stared at the path to the flooded tunnel. She started to have second thoughts, but those thoughts were gone the moment she realized she didn't have any other choices. O'hara pulled her radio again to contact van Zandt.

"Maria, you sure everything is okay right? The tunnel I mean--the light, the sealed door... Everything's okay right?"

"Heh, you sound like a wimpy kid that's going to have a swimming test tomorrow. Don't worry, everything's green. Even the cameras are functioning--I can monitor your every move from here. I can't give you any oxygen though, so deal with that yourself."

"Wow, so cruel," O'hara giggled cynically, then starting to take off her clothes--revealing a sporty underwear beneath. She thought, no way she's swimming fully clothed. She then untie her hair and started to control her breathing, when suddenly...

"Where are you going, O'hara?"

Surprised, O'hara turned around. There, stood a woman who O'hara always considered as a pain in the ass when she's trying to infiltrate the rebel's base. The bulky, blonde woman who never really had trusting eyes when she looked at O'hara. The one who seemed like she saw through O'hara's disguise--Ronnie Duvall.

What the?! She's really quick!

"Y-yo, Duvall... Ah, ahaha... I'm just, you know, it's around summer so I guess taking a short swim wouldn't be so bad... Hahaha, right?"

"Yeah, I like swimming. It's a good exercise. So, can I join you on your swim? I need to move my body a little bit too,"

Surprisingly, Duvall was cold-headed. She started to take off her jacket and pants, as if she's serious. Her muscly, toned body was uncovered.

With those arms, she'd snap me into two with ease...

"You know, this is getting reeeally awkward. So, I guess I'll go first, okay?"

"Be my guest," Duvall shrugged.

O'hara didn't waste any time and jumped into the water. She did not have time to get used to the water's coldness--she immediately started to swim as fast as she could. Not long after, a splashing sound could be heard from behind. O'hara knew what was it without turning around--on her mind, the only thing she could think of was 'swim!'

For this plan alone, O'hara underwent a special aquatic training. Swimming, freediving, and breatholding. After that training, her aquatic ability's improvement surprised even O'hara herself. She was pretty sure she could survive the tunnel. But nobody thought that someone would chase her in the tunnel--a really dangerous chaser.

I-I have to calm down! If I keep swimming this carelessly, I'll waste my air! B-but I don't want to get caught! Shit! What should I do...?

As O'hara struggled with everything she had, Duvall was swimming with ease, and even then she's definitely faster than O'hara. Her breath control was almost perfect, her expression looked very calm. It was like a child's play for her. She was sure in no time she would caught O'hara and broke her into pieces.

Three minutes passed and O'hara noticed she already passed the fourth gate. As van Zandt said, the tunnel was fully functional. The lights were on and the gates were opened. This way O'hara could know where was she right now and how far she had to continue swimming.

Two gates remaining... I can make it!... Ubh?!

It was a split second mistake--O'hara relaxed a bit without remembering who's on her tail--with tremendous swimming speed, Duvall was closing in on her. O'hara tried to turn around, but she knew it was too late. But then a metallic noise could be heard. As Duvall tried to pass through the fourth gate, it started to close! As a last resort, Duvall held the two sides of the gate with her arms. Meanwhile O'hara couldn't believe what she'd seen.

It's Maria, isn't it...! Hah, that girl!

Excited, O'hara gave the struggling Duvall a middle finger. Then she turned around and started swimming again, now with a more relaxed movement. A minute passed, O'hara almost reached the final gate as she heard a loud crashing sound. It was probably Duvall's body getting crushed into nothingness.

Sorry, Duvall, but I won!