“That… is troubling. Do you have any information about what exactly is there?”
“Not much. There is a rumor about a disease that kills with an unheard precision related to age. Sigma is tightlipped. I’ve even tried to trade information, but he outrightly said no. He’s afraid of the Government.”
Captain had everyone’s attention. Only the sound of waves crashing at the side of the ship accompanied him.
“We have no choice but sail there as fast as possible. Sigma will surely report us to his higher-ups. There is a good chance we will rendezvous a Government warship near the island. You know the drill.”
Pace didn’t. He was enthralled by the awaiting adventure, though stern faces of his officers nudged him a little.
“Pace,” Pembroke said shaking Pace out his withdrawal. “This is information is for you and Toggy Luc. If we see a black warship. The only option is to use lieutenant’s gift. We can’t outrun or fight such a powerhouse. So, beware of this for the future. And notify me instantly if you have a hunch, understood?”
Pace had nodded and left to tell Toggy the good news.
*
They arrived near the destination in the dead of the night. Pace hasn’t experienced any hunches, nor captain has inquired him about it anymore. He only wished that captain could let him sleep.
“Get your ass on the main deck… both of you,” lieutenant said with a grim grin.
Pace cursed, while Toggy has bombarded Mist with questions. Just for this moment, it was worth to get the orange-head on board.
“Pace and Toggy, you’re going with me,” captain said. He stood in his usual attire and watched the darkness, which coated the world around.
“Captain, can I say something?” Toggy asked sheepishly.
“Speak, marine.”
“I would like to opt out of this…”
“Impossible,” Pembroke cut him gently off. “I need you two. No one else. Don’t think much about this.”
“What about the rest?” Pace asked though he didn’t mean to take them with him. Their team of three suited him well.
“They have their jobs. Now, turn off the remaining lamps. We will sail the rest of the distance in the darkness.”
Pace was about to protest when Toggy had tugged at his sleeve and whispered when Pace bent. “They use the Soul Release to navigate.”
“What?!” Pace yelled with enthusiasm.
“Shut up,” Mist growled from the steering wheel. It seemed Kinson and Riss were allowed to get proper sleep. Purp turned off all the lamps with impressive speed. The man wanted to get back to his bed as well.
This suck. I like adventures, but night should be for sleeping.
Mist’s skill to navigate in the complete blackness was something to brag about. He managed to position the ship a jumping distance from the main pier. Before Pace knew, captain and Toggy were gone. A short shrilling squeal was quickly muffled by captain.
“Go ahead,” Mist growled from the quarter deck. “Jump.”
*
Pace
The ship silently sailed away.
Pembroke had to restrain Toggy or the orange-haired marine would jump into the water and swim after it.
“I have a friend on this island,” captain said. “If he lives, then we can learn details about the situation.”
Because Toggy hadn’t looked ready to calm down, Pembroke knocked him unconscious. They left the port and sneaked out of the town toward the forest.
After they found a dirt road, it was a matter of an hour before they arrived at the house. In time for the first light to break through. Pembroke stopped Pace from going inside.
“Stay here with him. We don’t know what the situation is here. He might be dead.”
Pace raised but said nothing. Suddenly, the gravity of the situation became apparent. In his two-day trip with crazy marines, he’s experienced nor much of a threat except Kinson’s fists. This here felt different.
“Do you have any hunch about this?”
Pace shook his face.
Before Pembroke approached the door, lights in the old house flickered to life. There was no way they heard them coming. Was this another example of the Soul Release or coincidence?
Captain knocked on the door.
Muffled voices and sound of bustling alarmed Pace and Pembroke. Captain didn’t wait, he pushed the door. The locks groaned, but under inhuman pressure, they gave up.
A gunshot.
Pace’s ears rang, while he tried to keep Toggy in place. The orange-head marine jumped to his feet. Expression of terror on his face. Pace had no choice but to slap his younger friend. Then he looked back toward the door.
Pembroke stood there. The bullet either missed him or he caught it again.
Pace heard some voice from inside. They were arguing about something, then captain had stepped outside and approached Pace and Toggy.
“What’s going on?”
“Give it a moment, Pace, and you’ll have your answers.”
Pembroke didn’t lie.
Three graying men walked out of the house. One of them held a gun pointed at Pembroke. They wore heavy aprons and gloves. Their costumes made no sense to Pace.
“Who are you?”
“They are marines, Balander.”
Balander cursed and steadied the hand that held the gun.
“Which of you is your friend, captain?” Pace asked. They didn’t even qualify for beating. The best course of action was to sort it out peacefully. Besides, Pace was curious about the situation.
“The oldest one,” Pembroke answered. “Falander.”
“Doctor,” Balander hissed. “Brats…” He started then it must have occurred to him who he was speaking to and he shut up.
Doctor Falander put his hand on Balander’s shoulder. “Bring the girl, I trust him.”
Balander made a shocked face. “These are marines. They work for the Government, doctor.”
Doctor snorted. “Didn’t you see what he did when you shot? Even if they weren’t allies, there is nothing we could to stop them. Now, go.”
Balander disappeared inside.
“Long time no see, kid,” doctor Falander said.
The third old man’s eyes narrowed on Pembroke.
“You too, old man,” Pembroke said with a smile. “Four years since his death.”
“Yes,” doctor nodded, but it was clear he wasn’t interested in pleasantries. “What business do you have here, Pembroke?”
“We’ve heard the rumors about a peculiar epidemy here in Blackport. I decided to investigate.”
“Did you meet anyone on your way here?”
“No.”
“Good. I established that this virus kills everyone twenty-one and older. I have a girl who is the only one that survived. I have a strong belief that the Government will come looking for her.”
The third man tensed. “Doctor, we can’t be sure if he isn’t one of their agents.” His attitude was similar to Balander’s. They didn’t know captain after all. Pace tried to convince himself that it was nothing, but then a hunch… more than that. A physical jolt ran through him. Something important was about to happen. Something…
A young raven-haired woman stepped out of the house. All three men gave her a wide berth as if she was a dangerous animal. Toggy and Pace gasped. Suddenly, all other girls in Pace’s life seemed to lose color. How could any woman compare herself to her? She was beyond beautiful.
“She came from Karu,” doctor, finally, said. Pembroke didn’t look to be under her spell, but Pace’s sanity was threatened. Her delicate, slightly larger eyes, toned skin, the perfect shape of her face and lips that seemed to kiss the air itself. All this only got better the longer Pace looked.
“Karu,” Pembroke repeated. “So, our suspicion was right. The Government is involved in that somehow.”
“She escaped from the island, Pembroke. Her story… ah, I don’t think you can stomach what the black bastards do there. It’s outrageous.” Pac
e sensed strong emotions coming from doctor. Almost, as if the old man opened himself to Pace. It helped Pace to get a grip.
He looked away.
“This is exactly the sort of things I do, doctor,” Pembroke said. “I make sure that the Government pays for their crimes.”
Balander snorted. “And how a marine can do that?”
“I have my ways. This will not go unpunished,” Pembroke focused on the girl. “What’s your name?”
“Ines.”
“Nice to meet you, Ines, my name is captain Pembroke. I’m here to help you, but there is something you all must know. The Government had prepared a certain protocol to deal with outbreaks they can’t contain.”
“What is it, Pembroke?”
“Complete annihilation of this island.”
No one said a word. Pace’s imagination worked on the highest speed, but he couldn’t accept it. How could they murder the entire population of Blackport? Pembroke must stop them; they must stop them.
The sun rose and the air warmed.
“Wouldn’t be the best if I leave the island and pull the Government’s attention away?” Ines asked. “I can’t accept more people dying because of me.”
She wasn’t only gorgeous, Ines possessed a good heart, too. Perfect. Now, how to get her attention?
“It’s not that simple,” Pembroke dropped a bucket of cold water on everyone’s heads. Not like him. “The virus already spread, and we should assume that everyone is infected. The Government has two options; they can seal off the island as they did currently, but it’s not feasible for the long term and there is a risk that someone will sneak out and escape. The second option is treatment. But this would mean the secret of Karu would be out. The public would learn that the Government created a disease that kills the second a person turns twenty-one.”
“Created?” Balander asked. His old body shivered.
“I’ve seen all the seven seas and traveled to the Frontier. I’ve never seen a natural virus that kills with such precision.”
Doctor Falander shook his head with resignation. He knew something. Pembroke noted it two. Toggy tugged at Pace’s sleeve, but Pace ignored him. Too many important revelations were going on.
“There is only one man who can create such a disease. Pestilence.”
“Yes,” Pembroke admitted.
Obviously, no one except doctor and Pembroke heard about him. It didn’t surprise Pace anymore.
“What do you suggest?” Ines asked. “If the Government has two options, which one they pick?”
“The third one I told you about. They will erase this place from the map. Blame it on a deadly virus that appeared out of nowhere. The stake is too high for them to risk exposure.”
“We can’t leave them…” Pace muttered.
The aura around them suddenly changed. Everyone, except Pembroke, noticed it. The temperature was continuously rising until now. At the moment, Pace saw his breath turn into a white cloud.
Was this a natural phenomenon or enemy’s doing?
No.
It was Pembroke. Captain tensed. He stared at the ground.
“There nothing we can do. Fighting the Government head-on is suicide. Transporting people out of the island is not possible. By now, the Government’s warship created a ring around Blackport. Not even a boat can sneak out of here.”
What the fuck…? Captain are you serious?
So, all this was for nothing? They had come here to find out what kind of shit the Government caused and when they learned it, suddenly there was nothing in their power? Was this how Pembroke meant to fight these fuckers?
“Not necessarily,” doctor muttered, he looked around and found only Balander beside him. Now, Pace noticed it two. The third old man was gone. Toggy kept tugging at him. He turned to him. “What do you want?”
“The third man left.”
“No shit.”
“Where is he?”
“On his way to tell authorities about us,” Pembroke said with calmness. “Nothing to do about him now. Leave him be. Tell me, doctor, what did you mean when you said, ‘not necessarily’?”
“There is a reason why this island is called Blackport. It used to mine coal. It had been a long time ago and now even the location of the mine is forgotten. Though I know where it is, and I don’t think that the Government has means to just make this island disappear. What I expect from them is a heavy bombardment. They won’t reach us underground. But you must take her with you, Pembroke. She still carries the virus. Find a way to save her.”
“I have More working on this for twenty-four hours a day until he finds an antidote. I have it delivered to you the moment he succeeds.”
“Is he still in your crew? I’m impressed. Once my brother was gone, I feared that his crew would disband. I’m pleased to hear it. Now go. We can’t stay here for long. I have kids to save.”
“Do you need a moment, Ines?” Pembroke asked.
“Thank you,” she only said, and her lips sealed because in the corners of her eyes’ tears pushed through.
“Good luck and remember it’s contagious, but it only spread through direct contact,” doctor called after them.
*
Pace
“What now?” Pace asked dragging Toggy behind him.
“We’re getting back on our ship.”
“Are you sure they are going to be okay?”
Obviously, this was a stupid question. These things were out of everyone’s control. Maybe, Pace lived in a small fishing village, but even he understood the power of the Government. Did he expect the three-four of them to fight the organization that ruled the world? Pembroke said he’s possessed ways to punish them. That should be enough for Pace. Three days ago, Pace didn’t know if the Navy would accept him or throw him into a prison for being reckless and stupid. Now, he dreamed of going against the Government. Wasn’t it a bit too quick?
“They’ll be fine,” Ines said. These were her first words since they left the house of doctor Falander. “We must trust him.”
Pembroke’s smile widened to the fringes of his face. Something else must have been on his mind. I hope he doesn’t think that she will fall for him. Sorry cap, but she’s mine.
“Where are we going, captain?” Toggy asked from behind Pace. Good thing that he was scrawny or Pace would leave him be.
“The ship will be waiting for us in a different port. Pace any hunches?”
“Not… really.” The truth was that since meeting Ines his intuition seemed to stop working. But best if captain didn’t know that.
Chapter 13
Marus
Marus stared at the dying abomination of a man. It defied the Inherited Codex. Karu weren’t supposed to survive the Last Birthday. He cursed seeing the boat disappear over the horizon. These two had it planned. This old man gave them so much trouble. Almost twenty of his guards, dead. Marus himself bore wounds that made him wince with pain. All this to buy time for her. And he succeeded.
“You won’t catch her…” the abomination’s head had lolled, and he dropped on the sand.
Marus failed.
He should get her before she left Karu.
“Noooooooooo!” A scream came out of depths of his lungs.
The wounded guards shifted concerned. They looked pale even in the noon’s sun. Something rustled in the bush. Everyone turned drawing their swords. Slower than usual. They were exhausted and required medical attention. Were there more abominations? If so then, they all were dead.
Four men in hazmat suits walked out from among the trees. They looked around. The guards muttered; some pointed their swords at the newcomers, but most remained paralyzed by fear. A good chance that none of them have ever seen the strangers in hazmat suits. They made Marus himself shiver.
“Where’s the girl?”
Marus jaw clenched. He failed. Hadn’t Hakima warned him that these men didn’t tolerate mistakes? They killed her after she had made one. He wasn’t coward, but… but he was afraid.
There was still so much life ahead of him. He didn’t want to die.
“Where’s the girl?” the man in the middle repeated. His voice sounded more urgent.
“Who’re you?” the murmurs came from the guards. Some of them showed a grain of courage.
A gun appeared in the hazmat suit man’s hand and then a loud bang stung Marus’ ears. One of the guards fell to the ground.
“Wait!” Marus shouted. “Wait! I’ll catch her. All I need is a boat.”
The hazmat suit men got their heads together, then after a silent exchange of words, they raised their guns and opened fire.
When screams of terror waned, the man in the middle pulled a clear sphere out of his pocket and tapped a pattern on it.
“We need to assemble the fleet. We need him.” These were the last words Marus had heard before the darkness took over.
Chapter 14
Ines
She sensed Pace’s eyes on her.
He clearly liked her. She only wished he would stop dragging that poor orange-haired boy. Captain impressed her. Something about him was magnificent. While he remained a good-natured man with a smile; deep inside him existed an entire sphere of emotions, which he didn’t reveal. Pace was… he reminded her of Marus before his betrayal. This stung even now. She couldn’t say much about the third one. He either complained or asked questions. But it looked like he hadn’t wanted to be here.
So, these three men were marines. A sort of guards that meant to fight bad guys. Their clothes looked fancy. Sure. And yet, the strange magnetism they possessed, escaped anything she has ever experienced.
Ines wondered about captain’s scars. For someone so young he had plenty of them on his neck and some on his face. He must sense her attention because his green eyes met hers and she shied away.
Instantly, an explosion of emotions in Pace brought her around. Wait, was he jealous of her? They didn’t even know each other! Though her sex itched for attention, she had survived for two years with sexual intercourse. She could do another two.
Strange that I think about sex when I look at Pace. Not even Pembroke evokes such thoughts and he is handsome.
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