As the group entered the camp, the atmosphere was thick with tension, mixed with relief. It was an odd reunion, with the backdrop of a makeshift camp, distant mountains casting long shadows, and fires crackling sporadically.
"Wah," Mei Ling murmured as they approached, her eyes darting over to Hffyl, "Look who's back from their little adventure."
Hffyl, catching her sarcasm, snapped, "It's not like we planned all this, you know."
"Yeah, but you didn't have to drag yourself into it either," Priya chimed in, her tone dripping with exasperation.
Omar, trying to ease the situation, said, "It's done. We're here now. Let's figure a way out of this kelam kabut (chaotic) situation."
Captain Ajwad stepped forward, his authoritative presence drawing everyone's attention. "Alright, let's gather around. We need to talk."
Everyone sat in a rough circle, the firelight flickering on their faces. The Captain sighed, "First, I'm glad you lot are okay. But," he paused, eyeing Hffyl, "we've got ourselves into a fine mess. Our priority is to get the MV Sirena crew safe. And that includes everyone," he said, a pointed glance at Hffyl and Kadir.
Kadir, sensing the crew's frustration, spoke, "Listen, none of us planned for this. But these people," he gestured towards the insurgents, "they're fighting for something they believe in. We may not agree, but they've helped us."
Captain Ajwad rubbed his temples, "I get that, but we're sailors, not soldiers. Well, formally yes, but not now. We need to get back to our ship and out of this loop."
Hffyl, his voice low, replied, "I know what I'm doing. These people need our help. We've got the skills and means to assist."
Rizal chuckled, "Skills? Yeah, singing and sailing are really gonna scare off AASOC."
Hffyl rolled his eyes, "It's not about fighting. It's about strategy, networking."
Aini interjected, trying to calm the situation, "Enough. We can argue all night, but we need a plan. So, what's it gonna be?"
Captain Ajwad nodded, "Aini's right. For now, we stay put. Tomorrow, we discuss our next steps."
Hffyl led Liv to a small, rudimentary hut at the edge of the camp. The night air was chilly, and the soft sounds of crickets filled the silence between them.
Liv, her arms folded tightly across her chest, broke the silence. "So, this is where you're keeping me, huh?"
Hffyl turned to face her, his expression stern. "Just for the night. You're a risk, and I can't have you wandering around."
Liv scoffed, "A risk? You're locking me up because you don't trust me."
Hffyl's hostility seeped into his words, "You're one of them. A foreigner. I've seen your kind before."
Liv's eyes narrowed, "My kind?"
Hffyl, refusing to back down, continued, "Colonizers, invaders, oppressors. You people come to our lands and think you can do as you please."
Liv sighed, her frustration evident, "Look, I get it. The world's a messy place, and history is full of mistakes. But I'm not here to colonize or oppress anyone. I'm here to help, just like you."
Hffyl didn't respond immediately, his gaze locked onto Liv's. After a moment, he finally spoke, his voice softer, "I've heard those words before, from people who brought nothing but pain."
Liv, her tone earnest, replied, "I can't change the past, but I can try to make things right now. Please, just let me prove myself."
Hffyl hesitated, then gestured to the cot in the corner of the hut. "You can sleep there. We'll see in the morning."
Just as Hffyl was about to step outside, Liv spoke up, her voice echoing slightly in the confined space. "Why are you so hostile?"
He paused, not looking back at her right away. "You really have to ask?"
She took a deep breath, sounding genuinely puzzled. "Yes. What have I done to you?"
Hffyl turned slowly, his eyes cold. "It's not just about what you did. It's about what your kind have always done. You Brits... always thinking you're the world's saviors. Everywhere you go, it's for your gain. Always for yourselves."
Liv, looking taken aback, responded defensively. "We're not all the same. That's like me saying everyone from... where you're from... is the same."
Hffyl scoffed, "Typical. Always making it about the individual when it suits you, and about the country when it doesn't."
Liv paused, clearly trying to choose her words carefully. "Look, I get it. You've got trust issues, especially with Brits. But I can't help or even understand if I don't know the reason."
Hffyl stared at her for a moment, trying to decide how much to share. "Your people have always been untrustworthy. You come, you take, and then you act like you're doing us a favor. We've seen it, felt it, for generations."
Liv nodded slowly. "I won't pretend I know exactly what you've been through, or that all Brits are saints. But I'm here, now, to help. Not to take or harm."
Hffyl grunted, not entirely convinced. "We'll see." And with that, he stepped outside, leaving Liv with her thoughts in the dimly lit room.
The morning sun bathed the camp in a soft, golden hue. Inside one of the tents, Karim had rolled out some blueprints and was animatedly discussing a plan. The atmosphere was tense filled with hope.
He looked around at the gathered group and began to list out the materials they'd need. "Alright, we'll need high-density metals, some circuitry, and explosives. Not to mention fuel."
Rizal raised an eyebrow. "That sounds... ambitious. What exactly are we building?"
Karim smirked, "Something that'll give us an edge."
Hffyl walked in, his face still guarded, with Liv trailing behind him. The group turned to look at them, eyebrows raised. Hffyl spoke, "She's here to help. That's it."
Liv added, "I've worked on similar projects before. I can be of assistance."
Karim nodded, appreciating her forwardness. "Alright, then. The more hands, the better."
Omar spoke up, his tone slightly teasing, "Didn't think you'd let her out so soon."
Hffyl shot him a warning glance. "We need all the help we can get. But remember, she's still on watch."
Liv rolled her eyes but remained quiet, looking down at the blueprints with keen interest.
Azura added, "We've got a contact in the city who can get us some of the stuff. The rest, though, we'll have to scrounge or improvise."
Karim nodded in agreement. "It won't be easy, but nothing ever is. We've got the element of surprise on our side."
Captain Ajwad, leaning against a tent pole, sighed, "We're really doing this, aren't we?"
Kadir smirked, "Looks like it, Captain."
Everyone nodded, a silent agreement passing through them. They were in it together, for better or for worse. With their plan starting to form and materials to gather, the crew and the insurgents got to work.