Chapter 10 Part I

After completing a thorough exploration of the seabed they returned to the laboratory where they enjoyed the rest of the day off.

Orlando and Lucia headed to the latter's cabin spending most of their time there and Chiara and Alice also wanted to be intimate by moving to the former's room leaving Leonardo alone but to tell the truth he didn't mind.

After seeing an angry white shark mother up close and being bitten by it, he longed for a bit of relaxation so he connected to the metaverse and with his avatar had fun competing on a robotic Formula 1 circuit.

His mockery was interrupted by a call from the Astronautical Headquarters, being the only one present in the room it was his turn to answer and never was a happier choice as it was Sofia.

<<Hi love, how are you?>> asked his hologram in the center of the common room.

Leonardo didn't answer her, he was so happy to see her that the words got stuck in his throat, he just couldn't bring himself to say anything to her.

<<Are you feeling well?>> he asked him starting to worry;

<<It's ok thanks even if I almost became shark food>> he revealed to her after finding the strength to utter a word

He told her about his vicissitudes since they set foot in the underwater laboratory, including Lucia's injury.

<< I hope you're well, the colonel granted me permission to make this call and I'm very happy about it, you don't know how much I miss you, life on the surface isn't the same without you >> said Sofia;

<< I can guarantee you that I miss you much, much more, I guarantee it >> he replied while a few tears ran down his face;

"Are you crying? >> noticed Sofia;

<< I must have something in my eye, it can happen with all the times I put on and take off my wetsuit >> he shamelessly lied to her;

<< I don't know how we'll manage to stay apart for another three weeks, I can't wait any longer. I hope to be able to have you back as soon as possible, preferably in one piece >> Sofia urged him, starting to get emotional too.

Behind that call was the hand of Leonardo's companions who, seeing him in obvious emotional difficulty, had sent a message to Sofia via the metaverse urging her to come in touch to encourage her boyfriend to move forward.

She wanted to do it but was afraid of distracting him from the exam however she didn't think twice about calling him to see him again even if only for a few minutes.

Leonardo wondered how he could bear her distance once he became an astronaut, during a mission in deep space he would remain distant from her for many months if not years without the possibility of embracing her again in the medium term.

<< It was really nice to see you again, my love. See you soon>> he said greeting her;

<<I'll wait for you here on the surface>> he replied;

<< I know that you are behind all this so I can only say thank you from the bottom of my heart >> Leonardo shouted as he saw his friends spying on him from behind the door that separated the common room from their respective accommodations.

He stayed on the sofa for a little longer then went to bed, well aware that another ordeal would begin the next day.

The following morning they woke up at dawn waiting for the general's communication which promptly arrived, the hologram of the woman's face appeared in the center of the common room but this time it did not take them by surprise.

<< I'm happy to see you awake and rested so let's stop talking and move on to the next test, you will have ten days to complete it so listen carefully.

You will have to leave the laboratory by going to the point that will shortly be indicated to you where there is a very rare coral reef, indeed unique in the world, your task is to collect a small piece of yellow coral, bring it back to the laboratory and examine it and then communicate the results to the undersigned obtained >> explained the officer;

<< Is that all? Nothing else? >> Orlando asked;

<< Only this, as soon as the call ends I will inform you of the coordinates in which to find the coral. Do you have any questions about it? >> asked the colonel without getting an answer;

<< Very good, good luck >> he added hanging up and in its place the hologram of the seabed appeared with a red dot indicating the place to collect the coral.

<<It's very far from the laboratory, if we encounter some unexpected events won't be able to run for cover like did with sharks>> Lucia noticed;

<< It is an area where the sea current is very strong and often contrary to the direction of swimming, there are many risks to face >> added Leonardo;

<<We have no choice, the test has already begun so let's not waste time and leave immediately>> Orlando urged them.

Once again the only one left behind was Lucia whose shoulder, although improving significantly, still did not allow her to make great efforts and at least one of them had to remain in the laboratory to guide them remotely.

The boys changed into their respective diving suits and left Aquarius headed for the point indicated on the map, the deepest in the entire Mediterranean.

<<Do you think we'll find sharks or something?>> Orlando asked as he swam;

<< I don't know but let's keep our eyes open, at the bottom of the sea the dangers are around the corner and I don't trust the colonel >> Alice replied.

<< You are going in the right direction, continue like this >> Lucia told them, following them from Aquarius on the holographic map

They swam for a few hours without encountering any obstacles other than some schools of fish but when they reached the halfway point they were blocked by a ridge of underwater rock which did not allow them to advance further, the only passage was a narrow and narrow cave which stood out dark and threateningly in front of them.

<< Lucy what can you tell us? Have we taken the wrong path? >> asked Leonardo;

<< You are doing well but to get to the coral reef you have to go beyond the rock ridge and the only way to do this is to go through the tunnel, from the holographic map there appear to be no other passages or shortcuts >> the girl replied;

<<I don't like it at all, we know how long or narrow is, furthermore there could be anything in there, even a white shark and that case would doomed>> said Orlando with the clear intention of going back;

<<If we want to pass this test have move forward, no other choice>> Chiara replied swimming in the direction of the cave;

<< I have to agree with you, we need that coral >> added Leonardo.

The cave allowed the passage of one person at a time and was so narrow that a shark would hardly have entered it, however, not knowing its characteristics, they did not know what trouble they were about to get themselves into.

<< Sir, but that's not... >> Tariconi's assistant asked his superior;

<<You guessed it, it's the Devil's Cave>> he replied in a satisfied tone.

The two were following the team's exercise via a robot fish which, disguised very well, followed the boys from a distance, transmitting images of the cadets in real time to the control room of the exercises on the island of Lampedusa.

<< They risk their necks, aren't we exaggerating with the difficulty of the tests? They are very far from the laboratory and have no shelter >> protested the young assistant;

<< Do you have a vague idea of what it means to face an interplanetary journey? Do you think setting foot on a moon of Jupiter or Saturn is less complicated? In comparison, here we are playing in the park >> Tariconi replied, giving her a dirty look;

<< I'm sorry, it's just that... >> the girl tried to justify herself without receiving a response.

The colonel placed great trust in that team and she was not the only one, the entire Agency was following the progress of the training with great attention as it urgently needed astronauts to send into deep space in search of new Helium-3 deposits seen that the known ones were running out much faster than expected.

For this reason, Carigge had set up a special office with the aim of increasing the recruitment of young aspiring space travelers but above all he asked the teachers of the training courses to be more rigorous in their assessments.

Carigge wanted the astronauts to be as qualified as possible and since no agency was able to find the Helium-3 necessary for energy supply, some nations, especially the smaller ones, were forced to reopen their mines and coal plants with catastrophic consequences on the environment.

The world's population was accustomed to decades of clean energy thanks to nuclear fusion and no one had the intention of returning to the previous situation in which the skies were grey, pollution caused cancer and the planet was suffocated by a patina of toxic dust. When the news became public that some states were returning to fossil fuels, there was chaos, millions of citizens took to the streets to protest against this government decision, massive demonstrations that were initially peaceful soon became violent.

The richest and most powerful nations feared suffering the same fate, therefore for some years a fierce race had begun to discover new deposits of the precious isotope, perhaps intercepting some large asteroid that had not yet been drilled but until then all attempts had been unsuccessful and this worried political decision makers.

Carigge was increasingly under accusation due to previous missions beyond Jupiter that ended badly, expeditions on which the Space Agency and the central government had placed great hopes and therefore their failure caused great concern in Rome.

Carigge exerted a lot of pressure on the directors of the various departments and Lucrezia herself received timely phone calls from her superior who wanted to be informed about the progress of the Helium-3 exploration and research program.

<<We are working on it but for now there is no news>> the woman constantly repeated to him, now on the verge of exasperation.

The way in which Leonardo's team had passed the training tests gave rise to hope that they could discover large quantities of Helium-3 in the solar system but to do so they had to be well prepared so this explains the great severity put in place by the colonel .

Everyone feared the moment when the news would arrive from the moon that even the last Helium-3 deposit was completely exhausted, this meant making very painful choices on energy supply but no government of any advanced nation was ready to give similar news rather, their citizens hoped that their respective space agencies would solve the problem.

The colonel's assistant was not aware of the great pressure to which the woman was subjected, for her part Tariconi did not show it but felt the weight of it and did not like anyone questioning her methods.

Meanwhile Leonardo and the other boys found themselves inside the cave, they swam very slowly fearing they would encounter some trap set up by the colonel but up to that moment everything had gone smoothly.

<<Maybe I was wrong>> Orlando thought incautiously.

Once they reached the halfway point, a strong current began to blow against their direction of travel, at the beginning it wasn't very annoying but as the seconds passed it became stronger and stronger until it prevented them from continuing.

<<It seemed too easy>> said Orlando, trying to advance further but with little success.

Leading the line was Chiara who had been the first to enter and was now the most in difficulty as she couldn't take shelter behind those in front of her.

<< Can you continue? >> Leonardo asked her;

<< I don't think so, we have to go back before the current becomes too strong or we will be trapped >> the girl replied.

Leonardo signaled to those behind him to reverse the direction of travel but to their great surprise they discovered that from the point where they had entered a second current had begun to blow, equally strong but in the opposite direction to the first.

<<I'm sorry to tell you but I can't get out of the cave>> announced Orlando who was bringing up the rear.

Without realizing it they found themselves stuck, they could neither continue nor retreat but the longer they waited the stronger the currents became trapping them there so their only hope was to be strong enough to get out of the cave.

<< Orly, get a move on, Chiara isn't there, she can't make it >> said Leonardo, urging his friend to do more to clear the passage;

<< I'm trying but I can't >> he replied in great difficulty;

<< Love, it's me, I know you're at your limit but we all have faith in you, you can do it, come on, don't give up >> Lucia urged him from the laboratory.

Upon hearing those words Orlando had a leap of pride, he couldn't show himself weak in front of his woman so he gathered all the strength he had, let out a big sigh and swam against the current in the hope of leading the way for his friends.

He was making his maximum effort and the others, seeing him so busy, encouraged him to give his all in an attempt to get out of the impasse they had found themselves in by slipping into the cave.

<< One last effort my love, you're almost there, come on >> Lucia from Aquarius continued to urge him in full emotional apprehension.

Orlando swam with all his strength and slowly began to see the exit of the cave.

<< Come on, come on! >> Leonardo shouted at him from behind.

The boy gritted his teeth, closed his eyes and threw his heart over the obstacle, finally managing to get out of the cave but his efforts were not over, there were still friends to get out so first he grabbed Alice's hand and gradually all the others by saving them.

<<It was a hair's breadth away>> said Chiara who had run out of breath;

<< Just a few more seconds and we would have been done for >> added an exhausted Leonardo.

<< Let's go back to the laboratory and develop a strategy, for today we have used up all the energy at our disposal>> proposed Alice.

It took them a long time to return to Aquarius, they were so exhausted that they had to stop several times during the journey and given how many hours they had been submerged they would have died if they had worn a traditional one instead of a graphene wetsuit.

<< We need a plan and quickly, how do we get through the cave? >> Orlando asked when they were all gathered in the common room of the laboratory;

<< The best thing to do is to observe the flows of the currents through satellite scanning, transform everything into holograms and understand what is the most favorable moment to enter and exit the cave.

I don't think it's always like this, in my opinion there are time windows during which it is possible to cross the cave without encountering the resistance of the currents >> proposed Lucia who, having remained in Aquarius, had begun to devise a plan to overcome that difficulty;

<< Suppose you are right, how long would it take before we had certain or at least reliable data? >> asked Leonardo;

<<A few days, maybe a week>> replied the girl;

<< Damn it! >> Orlando shouted throwing himself onto the sofa;

<< Let's not panic, we still have nine days to complete the mission and honestly I don't see any other solution, if we want to collect the coral we have to do as Lucia says >> Chiara defended her;

<< Entering the cave is equivalent to committing suicide if you don't know the flows of the currents, with just the strength of swimming it is impossible to cross it >> added Alice who had no intention of repeating that experience;

<< Okay then, during these seven days we will analyze the entire journey to get to the coral, I want to know all the obstacles to face because we won't have any other attempts available >> replied Leonardo;

<< We will do a three-dimensional scan of the entire seabed, we will know if there are further difficulties >> Lucia retorted;

<< Seven days from now >> concluded Orlando rather skeptical about the action plan.

He had full faith in his girlfriend's abilities but he felt that the situation was getting out of hand and he didn't like having just one opportunity to try to recover the coral, if further unforeseen events arose they would have no way of remedying it.

Lucia immediately got to work and, aided by Leonardo, began scanning the seabed. In reality, some holographic maps already existed and were available in the metaverse but they didn't trust their reliability so they started the process from scratch using some latest generation satellites that the Agency reserved for the exploration of the sea, equipped with laser beams they were able to map any environment with unparalleled precision.

<<Now we have to wait, when Pandora has finished it will transform everything into a map and at that point can move>> Lucia announced;

<<What will we do in these seven days of waiting?>> Orlando asked.

<< I propose to go on some underwater excursions to improve our swimming skills, we will also be able to enjoy this splendid landscape, we can't do anything if we don't have the map available first >> said Alice;

<<It seems like a good plan, let's just hope that unexpected complications don't arise>> Orlando said, sighing deeply;

<< We will keep the equipment in order and prepare it to examine the coral sample once collected >> added Chiara.

In the following days they remained vigilant about what Pandora was doing, not wanting to be caught unprepared if it finished processing the data early, and they made many underwater excursions, knowing better the surrounding environment that would host them in the following weeks.

They put the equipment to the test by collecting many samples of algae, coral and more. Those tests were used to understand how to analyze yellow coral as not all the machinery at their disposal was suitable for the purpose.

While the boys spent their days preparing for the mission, on the surface Sofia's team had to face a big problem related to Pandora who was struck by a real delirium.

He invented a new programming language using symbols never before seen in any human culture and then began using them to build a new alphabet, shocking the fifth level engineers.

Added to this were the increasingly frequent self-updates that Andrea and Sofia struggled to insert into the secret code deciphering algorithms.

Sofia did not tell her friend that she was performing a second independent analysis using Leonardo's quantum simulator even though Andrea began to have suspicions about what her friend did in her free time.

When the new Pandora alphabet made its appearance, an emergency meeting was called which was also attended by Carigge via video call from Rome who was not happy to hear yet another bad news

<< How serious is it? What the hell is happening exactly? This morning we at the Rome office woke up and as if by magic we found ourselves in front of all these damned incomprehensible symbols! >> shouted the man with his hands in his hair;

<<We are working to resolve the problem>> was the only answer that Lucrezia managed to provide as Sofia's team was stumbling in the dark.

That leap forward by Pandora also damaged Leonardo and his team, unable to use AI for their data analysis activity even if satellite scanning of the seabed was not interrupted.

The problem extended to all the Agency's space outposts but did not cause failures or malfunctions, it was as if Pandora kept the activities connected to it functioning by updating them using the new alphabet.

Sofia, Andrea and the rest of the fifth level divided the tasks: part of the team tried to decipher the new language by understanding whether it was taken or inspired by any human civilization, Andrea and Sofia worked to keep their deciphering algorithms up to speed with Finally, a third and final group tried to restore the original language to Pandora.

Since they had to work together Sofia revealed to Andrea the use of the quantum interface given to her by Leonardo and when her colleague saw it she was amazed by its complexity.

<<It would have been better if he had given it to you first>> said Andrea;

<<I thought we would have done it alone>> Sofia replied piqued;

<<Now there's no time to argue, we have give wings our deciphering algorithms otherwise goodbye hopes of understanding Pandora's consciousness>> Andrea exhorted her.

They worked at Sofia's house, unable to risk the rest of the Agency learning that the two of them had known about Pandora's problems for months, so Lucrezia granted them permission not to go to the Astronautical Headquarters.

<< I have never seen Lucrezia so upset >> Andrea began as he inserted another five updates into his algorithm;

<<Imagine the face Carigge made when he saw all those strange symbols, in my opinion his heart stopped>> Sofia retorted laughing;

<< I can already see him all white-faced sitting in his study on that beautiful armchair while looking at the new Pandora alphabet, he must have been one step away from a heart attack.

Many in Rome will have felt faint, after all, the importance of AI for our Agency is well known >> Andrea replied, imagining the scene in his head;

<< It was a mistake to rely on Pandora, in this way we have lost our freedom in the name of technological advancement, perhaps it is time to start rethinking this model >> proposed Sofia;

<< I find it hard to blame you, however Pandora has brought us to where we are now and I am sure that once its self-updating code has been deciphered it will lead us into the future >> Andrea retorted.

Sofia looked at her face and noted that she was fully convinced, hers were not simple phrases of circumstance but a real declaration of faith in the scientific and technological progress that was failing in her.

<< I hope you're right >> Sofia replied;

<< My algorithm is already working at maximum speed but at the rate at which Pandora updates I don't think it will change much, I can't do more than that >> replied Andrea, stretching in his chair;

<<We hope to make it in time>> said a worried Sofia.

While searching for a solution to that problem, all of the Agency's terrestrial and space facilities were alerted to Pandora.

The communication circulated claimed that the AI would be unusable until further notice due to unidentified failures.

The news was not received well by Leonardo and his team who feared seeing the analysis of the seabed undermined.

"We really didn't need this one," said Orlando;

<< For now Pandora is continuing the scanning so before we start to despair let's wait and see how the situation evolves >> Lucia replied.

On the surface they were not so optimistic and the more time passed the more pressure Rome put on the fifth level to bring things back to normal.

<< We can't waste any more time, do you understand or not? If our competitors knew what was happening to us it would be a disaster as well as a historical humiliation! >> shouted Carigge connecting from the capital to Lucrezia's office;

<<We are doing everything we can>> replied the woman but it wasn't enough for him;

<< The parliamentary committee chose her instead of Martoprete to lead a department that the whole planet envies us, you have the best minds so use them, damn it! >> the director of the Agency shouted before hanging up.

Lucrezia urgently summoned Sofia and Andrea to be updated on the progress relating to Pandora. She hoped they had found a solution but instead received a bitter disappointment.

<< I'm sorry to tell you but we're at a standstill >> Sofia began;

<<How could something like this happen? I'm speechless>> replied the director of the fifth level in a panic;

<< If I can say my opinion, we are doing our best and we will soon find a solution, the problem is understanding "when" >> added Andrea;

<< A little while ago I received a call from Carigge and he is not at all happy with the situation, furthermore our Jovian outpost is starting to encounter some critical issues which for the moment are minor but if they worsened it would be a catastrophe of epic proportions.

The first head to roll would be mine >> Lucrezia explained to them, bursting into tears.

No one in the entire Agency knew what to do but suddenly, as they were talking, another twist occurred.

<< Ma'am, come and see, something inexplicable has happened >> Jason began as he entered Lucrezia's office;

<<Explain yourself better>> replied the director;

<< Come with me, no one can provide a plausible explanation >> replied the boy.

The three women followed Jason rushing out of the room fearing the worst but, to their surprise, they discovered that Pandora had returned to normal.

T he "alien" language had disappeared into thin air just as it had come, leaving no traces.

<< Which one of you solved it? >> asked Lucrezia looking at all the scientists of the fifth level without getting an answer;

<<If I may say so, think he went away on his own, none of us are the creators this miracle>> Jason retorted.

Lucrezia couldn't believe it, what until a minute earlier seemed to be an announced catastrophe had turned out to be a storm in a teacup but the good resolution of the event didn't leave her at peace so she summoned Sofia and Andrea to her office again to encourage them to accelerate their work on the Pandora code.

<< We were very lucky, this time we took a big risk >> Andrea began, breathing a sigh of relief;

<< Do everything in your power to decipher the code, do we understand? I have the clear impression that sooner or later this accident will happen again and we will have to be ready because we won't be so lucky >> replied Lucrezia;

<<We will try not to disappoint you but now relax, we are safe for the moment>> Sofia advised her, who had been sweating cold since the beginning of that crisis;

<< We don't know when the problem will return but I don't want to be caught off guard so act, if I'm right this was just a dress rehearsal.

Next time it won't go so well >> Lucrezia dismissed her having to answer a call from Carigge who wanted to congratulate her for having sorted things out.

<<Do you think he's right?>> asked Andrea leaving Lucrezia's office;

<< I don't know but it's better to do as he says, we have to hurry up and decipher the code >> replied Sofia who still hadn't had time to enjoy the unexpected success.

If that short circuit recurred in the future then it was better to prepare an adequate plan B otherwise the entire Agency would have been paralyzed for days, weeks or perhaps years and no one could afford it.

Andrea was much more relaxed about it and her unshakeable faith in technology made her see the glass as half full.

The resolution of the Pandora problem also made Leonardo and his friends who were working hard on the yellow coral recovery mission breathe a sigh of relief. They were very happy when they saw the situation return to normal.

<< The scanning of the seabed has not suffered any damage so we will not have delays on the schedule >> Lucia communicated;

<<I was about to have a heart attack>> Orlando replied;

<<This time it went well>> added Alice;

<< On the surface they did an excellent job >> said Leonardo thinking about how much Sofia had to work to fix yet another Pandora problem.

In the following days the five cadets remained vigilant to any change that Pandora manifested, even the smallest one made them tremble but nothing happened and in the end they obtained the three-dimensional map in the hoped-for time.

<< There is no good news, come and see. The yellow coral is found right in the center of this coral reef located beyond the rock ridge but to reach it there is only one entrance and one exit, that is the tunnel inside which there are strong currents which go in both directions. direction except for a short nocturnal period, in fact from 1 to 2 the current inside it is placid, this phenomenon occurs once every 7 months.

Fortunately, the day in question is the day after tomorrow, which is the last day to complete the mission, so you will go, recover the coral and return after which we will analyze it and draw up the report, all in a short time >> Lucia communicated;

<< I wonder if it's feasible >> Orlando asked;

<< If you are unable to exit the tunnel in time you will be forced to turn on the beacon and be recovered by the Agency's rescue teams because the currents inside will be too strong to allow you to swim through it>> Lucia replied worriedly;

<< Added to this is the difficulty of acting at night so we will have reduced visibility >> Leonardo noted while staring at the map;

<< Unfortunately it's the only way we have if we want to move forward >> said Alice;

<< I would say not to think about it too much, we have to do it so we will try and if we fail at least we won't have regrets so I propose to start the preparations immediately >> Chiara began by closing the holographic map.

The team set in motion so over the next day and a half they went over the action plan several times, checked the status of the wetsuits and synchronized the watches, thoroughly reviewing every piece of equipment.

They knew they couldn't make mistakes, the slightest mistake would have led to the failure of the mission and no one wanted to be the cause of it, in fact even Orlando got busy in an unusual way for his character as he felt the weight of the pressure.

On the evening of the expedition they gathered in the common room doing team building in preparation for the night which promised to be quite eventful.

Nobody wanted to go and lie down, everyone wanted to be in company, huddling together to give each other energy.

The tension was cut with a knife but at a certain point the fatal hour struck.

<< We are ready, let's leave >> announced Leonardo after putting on his diving suit.

Lucia alone remained in the laboratory while the others left Aquarius heading towards the cave they had to cross.

To reach the cave it took them several hours to swim and, surrounded by the darkness of the night, they had to be careful not to encounter white sharks.

Even though they were afraid of having dangerous close encounters, everything went smoothly, arriving safely at the cave.

<< My watch shows two minutes to 1 >> Chiara began;

<< Now wait for me to go and then come in, there's no need for me to remind you how important the speed of execution will be so don't delay or everything will go to pieces >> Lucia reminded them.

They were two interminable minutes during which no one dared to say a word, the boys limited themselves to observing what seemed to be the mouth of a gigantic fish stranded there for thousands of years waiting for someone to wake it up.

<<Now guys!>> Lucia shouted.

The four divers entered the cave as quickly as possible and began to cross it, they knew they had a very narrow window of time available to get the coral and get out before the arrival of the currents.

<< Good, you should see the coral reef soon >> Lucia updated them.

Due to the malfunction that occurred during the analysis of the seabed, Pandora had not considered the tunnel in its entirety when drawing up the holographic map and therefore it turned out to be much longer than expected.

<<But when does it end? We should already be out by now>> Orlando complained;

<< There's no time to complain, let's hurry up and get out of here as quickly as possible >> Chiara continued.

The four accelerated their swim but as fast as they were they still couldn't see the exit and yet they couldn't do anything about it so they kept at it until, after twenty minutes, they found themselves on the other side of the tunnel and the spectacle that revealed itself before them eyes were the likes of which I had never seen before.

The rock ridge they had crossed formed a sort of donut with a hole in the center in which a beautiful coral reef had arisen, which had remained immaculate over the centuries and illuminated by the lights coming from their wetsuits, showed off all its varied colours.

Small animals were hiding there, including crabs and small fish, which had transformed that place into a refuge in which to live away from large predators whose size did not allow them to cross the cave.

<<It's wonderful>> said Leonardo as he swam;

<< Look for the yellow coral, it should be in the center of the clearing, then take a sample and go back, you only have forty minutes >> Lucia reminded them;