The next morning in the rust bucket, the kids overheard Max talking on the phone. His voice was lower than usual, as if he didn't want them to catch on to whatever he was planning. Every now and then, his tone shifted to excitement as he seemed to be finalizing arrangements for something. The kids waited outside, eager to see what he was up to. As soon as Max spotted them, he quickly wrapped up the call, pocketed his phone, and plastered on a warm, slightly mischievous smile.
"Big surprise for you kids," he said cryptically. That was all the hint he gave, but it was enough to set their curiosity ablaze.
Even breakfast felt suspicious. It was perfectly ordinary, which only heightened their awareness—because let's be honest, when everything's normal with Max, it's usually hiding something big. Then, just as they finished their meal, the distant sound of rotor blades caught their attention. Soon after, a helicopter descended into the parking lot, raising eyebrows all around.
"Grandpa, what's going on?" Gwen asked with a tone that betrayed her mounting intrigue.
Max clapped his hands, his excitement clear. "What do you guys think about checking out the world's first underwater hotel before it opens to the public?" He couldn't even finish the sentence before the kids looked at each other in disbelief, their eyes wide.
"You're serious?!" Ben exclaimed, his voice practically a squeal.
Max nodded, visibly pleased with their reactions. "Dead serious."
As one of the helicopter attendants approached, introducing herself and confirming that she'd be flying them, the kids didn't waste a second. They bolted toward the helicopter, their earlier skepticism forgotten, while Max chuckled to himself and followed behind them. He activated the rust bucket's maximum security mode before climbing in, ensuring everything would be safe while they were away.
Fred plopped down next to Ben, looking unimpressed despite the high energy around him. "After taking the rust bucket airways, I doubt flying in a helicopter for the first time will feel that special now," he said, resting his chin in his hand.
"I can't believe this is actually happening," Gwen said joyfully, practically glowing.
---
The helicopter took them to a private jet hangar, where they boarded an elegant aircraft reserved for the ultra-rich. Max explained on the way that he was friends with the hotel's owner, Donovan Grand Smith—a name that left the kids completely stumped.
"I can't believe I'm flying in a billionaire's private jet," Ben said, settling into the plush seat with wonder.
"I'm more looking forward to the whole underwater hotel thing," Fred replied, flipping through his sketchbook absentmindedly as he doodled some designs.
---
After a short flight, the jet landed at what appeared to be a sleek office building, standing tall in the middle of the ocean. Donovan Grand Smith himself awaited their arrival, accompanied by his grandson Edwin.
As the gang stepped out of the jet, their excitement peaked, their curiosity matched by the opulence surrounding them. Donovan greeted Max like an old friend, their handshake firm and full of familiarity.
"Max!!! It's been way too long," Donovan said with a hearty laugh.
"I guess it has, huh? How've you been, Don?" Max replied, grinning.
"Well, with sixteen resorts worldwide, I'd say pretty good," Donovan remarked, his confidence glowing.
Max gestured toward the kids. "These are my grandkids—Gwen, Ben, and Fred—along with Fred, the grandchild of a friend of mine."
"Hi!" Ben and Gwen said eagerly.
"Nice to meet ya," Fred added, extending his hand for a handshake.
Edwin, Donovan's grandson, looked at Fred's hand and then shrugged indifferently. "Yeah. Whatever," he muttered.
Fred raised an eyebrow and withdrew his hand with a smirk. "Ri~ight," he said, sliding his hands into his pockets.
"Ready to take the plunge?" Donovan asked cheerfully as he led them to an elevator.
Fred, always the multitasker, pulled out his sketchbook—a thick, blank tome he carried everywhere. Donovan noticed and raised an eyebrow. "Are you an artist, Fred? You wanna sketch you experience on this tour?"
Fred chuckled. "Something like that. You never know when inspiration's gonna strike."
They stepped into a larger lift that would take them down to the actual underwater hotel. Everyone settled into their seats as the ride began, excitement buzzing through the air.
As the lift descended further into the depths, the sea outside began to come alive. Schools of shimmering fish glided effortlessly past, a manta ray drifted elegantly, and even a curious sea turtle stopped to inspect the moving structure. Gwen pressed her face eagerly against the glass, her amazement palpable, while Fred observed the intricate oceanic dance with a calm curiosity.
Max, however, seemed less entranced. His brow was furrowed, and a subtle unease flickered across his face. "Hmm. Are you really sure this is the safest place to build a resort?" he asked Donovan, his tone carrying genuine concern.
"Huh!? You mean the fault lines?" Donovan asked, though his response was more dismissive than worried.
"More so, this place seems to be right in the middle of the Bermuda Triangle," Max said pointedly.
Donovan laughed heartily, waving it off. "Oh, come on, Max. You're not really buying into that wonky stuff, are you? This place is perfectly safe—state-of-the-art tech, the best engineers in the world. You've got nothing to worry about."
Max sighed but let the conversation drop. "Uh, we're here," Donovan announced as the lift slowed to a stop and the doors slid open. The group stepped out into the hotel's main lobby, a sprawling space walled in glass with the ocean stretching endlessly in every direction.
"So far, this looks like something Steam Smythe would've built," Fred muttered under his breath, noting the design's industrial, almost steampunk-like aesthetic. Pipes ran along the walls, and the structural materials didn't quite scream "modern luxury."
Fred tilted his head, glancing at the structural supports. "Are you sure using reinforced iron alloy and traditional rivet-and-bolt construction was the best choice? I mean, don't get me wrong, it holds up, but I think something like hydro-fused polycarbosteel paired with phase-link lattice frameworks would've made the interior way sleeker. Not to mention, it'd reinforce the structure more efficiently against underwater pressure."
Fred's remark brought the group to a brief standstill. Donovan turned to him, chuckling as he scratched the back of his head. "Well, well, Fred, aren't you a clever one? That's a pretty impressive observation. I'll have to make a note of that—next project, maybe?"
Fred gave him a half-smile and shrugged. "Just throwing it out there."
They approached a massive glass wall, where a worker was outside cleaning the surface. The ocean backdrop was mesmerizing, but the serenity was short-lived. A sudden jolt shook the wall, and the turbine that cycled water for the building sputtered violently. The worker outside screamed as he was pulled toward the turbine's current.
Before anyone could panic further, Fred discreetly acted. Raising his hand slightly, he cast a spell. The water's turbulence calmed instantly, and the worker was gently lifted out of harm's way and placed safely back on a platform. The other staff quickly brought him inside, shaken but unharmed.
Donovan sighed in relief, clapping the worker on the shoulder before turning back to the group. "I'll need to look into that turbine. For now, Edwin, why don't you take them through the rest of the tour while Max and I catch up?"
The kids shared a collective frown, clearly not thrilled about being left alone with Edwin. He exuded the air of a classic, cold, unfriendly rich kid—disinterested and far too composed for their taste. But with little choice, they nodded and followed him.
"Let's just get this over with," Edwin muttered, leading the way with as much enthusiasm as one might have for a root canal.
Fred trailed slightly behind, flipping through his sketchbook absentmindedly. Despite Edwin's frosty demeanor, the allure of the underwater hotel kept their spirits high. The shimmering aquatic views and the novelty of walking through a building submerged beneath the sea made it hard to dampen their excitement—even if their guide was less than welcoming.
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