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“Actually, you don’t,” Julia said “The bullet missed the bone So all we’ll do is wash and dress the wounds regularly Stitches would just keep foreign contaood as new in a couple of months”

Julia handed Juan a cup of water He was parched froulped it down

“How’s the crew?” he asked Max

“Everyone’s safe and accounted for We even found Gomez”

Juan dreaded asking the next question “Alive?”

“Oh, yeah,” Max said “Sorry I didn’t mention that part He sent up a flare, and the Deepwater hoe drone Seelacier Eddie and Linc were able to fly down fro, and they’re on the way there now in the Gator with the Hoverbike so they can retrieve him”

“Any survivors from the Portland?”

Max shook his head “Seeot out of this alive was Li Quon Linda has him under lock and key on the Deepwater Apparently, the authorities in Singapore will be very happy to get their hands on him”

“And the valuables? Did Maurice get them out?”

“I did indeed, Captain,” said a soothing British voice behind Juan

Juan edged around to look at the rest of the Noe pile of boxes and a dozen rolled-up paintings

“Good to see you back from the brink, Juan,” Overholt said

“Glad to be here Thanks for your help, Maurice I knew I could count on you”

“Although I didn’t relish the iaveto do We couldn’t let the Oregon go doithout rescuing our dearest possessions Mr Overholt and I were able to collect the Corporation’s valuables from your safe, as well as the ed all of the artwork on board”

Maurice knew more about the ship and the people on it than anyone else, so he had been the perfect person for the job