"Attention all passengers, the ship departs in 10 minutes. Find your cabin, keep your luggage, and get comfortable for the voyage." The female cruise director announced with a warm smile as she glanced at her watch.
Richard slumped into the leather chair in the control room while he stared at the vast blue ocean right in front of him, replaying the words his father had spoken to him earlier.
"I was a notorious pirate Richard, but your mother..." he paused, "Your mother was a powerful mermaid. I met her on one of my voyages, it was love at first sight."
Richard's thoughts swirled like the ocean currents. "If my mother was a mermaid, that makes me... a half Mer." He whispered the words
His eyes widened, " I'm a fucking mermaid??"
"Merman is the right word sir, mermaid is feminine and yes, you really look like a merman, you're very handsome." The lady said with a sheepish smile, having overheard Richard's words.
Richard's face flushed, his eyes snapping back to reality. " Uh, thank you, i didn't see you come in."
"I didn't mean to startle you Captain." Her face looking nervous. "My name is Samantha, and i'm your new chief officer."
"Nice to meet you Samantha." His eyes lingered on her features. " You look lovely by the way."
He couldn't help but notice her striking blonde hair and captivating curves, his weakness for beautiful women momentarily distracting him from his merman predicament.
Just then, five other crew members walked in, their faces etched with worry and discouragement.
"What's going on?" Richard asked as he shifted his gaze to them.
One of the them, a muscular man with a grave expression, spoke up, "We have reason to believe our ship has been compromised. We found two security officers dead in the engine room, with signs of a fierce struggle."
Another aged man picked up from where the first speaker left off,
"We are also receiving multiple reports of strange creatures attacking various regions in the country. Eyewitnesses describe them as unnatural, with razor sharp claws, yellow eyes and big dicks "
Samantha cut in, "What do we do sir? The country is on the bring of war, and we're sailing into the unknown, we don't know what dangers await us on the high seas or what's happening back home."
"Alright, listen up mates!" Richard voice rang out, firm and resolute. "I understand your fears, but difficult times calls for extreme courage. The country might be in a mess but my duty, our duty, right now, is the safety of the passengers. So let's bury our fears deep into the ocean floor and set sail for snake island. is that clear?"
In unison, they chorused, "Yes sir."
"Samantha, resume command of the control room immediately."
"Yes sir." She swiftly took her seat at the helm, her eyes scanning the instruments and screens before her.
Richard continued, "I need two mates to investigate the murders, get the doctors on board, have time examine the dead bodies and do not disclose this to anyone, we don't want the passengers to panic."
"Captain, I'll lead the investigation," said a tall, imposing figure, his voice firm and confident. "i'll take Joe with me, he's got a keen eye for detail."
"We'll get to the bottom of this and keep it under wraps till you give the word."
Richard walked away from the control room, into a passageway where he encountered a chef and crew members.
"Captain, I have prepared a special dish. One that will make this voyage unforgettable."
"That's great, i'm quite famished, i'll just head straight to my cabin and feast."
Richard hastened his steps, heading straight for his cabin. He walked past the ship's grand bar, where the sound of laughter and clinking of glasses filled the air. He turned back towards the entrance of the bar with a new plan forming in his mind.
"Ah, why not" he thought to himself, " I'll just grab my favorite wine and head back to my cabin to enjoy my meal. A hungry captain can't sail properly."
His attention was suddenly captivated by a stunning young woman seated at the bar, her slender fingers wrapped around a champagne glass. Her radiant smile illuminated the place, and her red gown sparkled with intricate crystals that seemed to dance in the light. The dress hugged her curves perfectly.
He smiled as he recognized her. "Kate" he exclaimed.
Richard's eyes shifted from Kate to the person she was conversing with, and his expression changed from warmth to astonishment.
"Agent Caroline?" he whispered, his mind racing with questions. "What is the FBI agent doing here? and how does she know Kate?
The pair seemed engrossed in a conversation.
Kate, sighting him first, "Hi Richard, agent Caroline here has some concerning news. She believes your life might be in grave danger." Her eyes flicked momentarily to the agent before returning to Richard's face.
Caroline's expression was stern, " Captain, it's good to see you again, but i'm afraid this isn't a social visit, your life is in danger.
Richard sat down,his expression nonchalant despite the tension in the air.
"Let's start with the basics, how do you guys know each other? Kate, I had no idea you were acquainted with agent Caroline."
Kate's eyes darted from Richard's nonchalant face to Caroline's stern expression, her gaze lingering on the agent as if urging her to reveal more.
Agent Caroline cleared her throat, " Uhm, well, after our conversations that night you were attacked at the hotel, i couldn't shake off the feeling that you were hiding something, so I did some extra digging into your movements and the people you'd spoken to. That led me to Kate."
She kept her gaze on Richard, anticipating his reaction.
Richard curled his lips in a disappointed scowl. "So much for let's work together huh?" he shook his head, "I should have known better than to trust an FBI agent."
Caroline's eyes pleaded for understanding, "I didn't mean to snitch on you Richard. I just had to make sure your story checked out."
Kate teased him in a playful tone. "Come on soldier boy, don't be sassy, she was just trying to be thorough."
Richard shifted his gaze slightly to Kate, "Hmmm" he whispered. Then his gaze snapped back to Caroline, "So what have you found? why do you think my life is in danger?"
"I checked the CCTV cameras at the hotel where you were attacked, and i found something interesting."
Richard's eyes flashed with impatience
"Go on."
Caroline's voice dropped to a whisper. "The assassin didn't come through the gates, nor from the rooftop. He came out of the ground."
Richard's eyes narrowed, his hands folding across his chest as if daring Caroline to explain the impossible. A faint smile of disbelief crept onto his face, " Okay, how? How did he manage to create an entrance in the middle of a heavily guarded hotel?"
Kate's eyes widened, " Aliens, Richard. It all makes sense now."
Caroline continued, "Remember, Skullers sent the assassin after you, why? because you've been making it difficult for their pirate ships to operate successfully, but here's the catch: Skuller's ships haven't been smuggling drugs or oil. They've been smuggling Aliens."
Kate's brow furrowed in concern, "We're already hearing reports of alien attacks, skullers already have what they want, so why are they still after Richard?"
Richard's expression turned thoughtful, "That's a good question, Kate." He turned his gaze to Caroline, as though expecting answers."
"You killed one of their finest assassins Richard. No one has ever done that, so I'm guessing they're really pissed and will do everything they can to kill you."
Just as Caroline finished speaking, the ship's loud alarming sound of danger interupted the moment.
"Warning, warning, warning." A voice boomed over the intercom. "All hands on deck, we're under attack."
A massive sound of gunshots echoed across the deck.
pandemonium erupted as people scrambled to flee, screams filling the air. The intercom crackled to life, a calm voice attempting to reassure the panicked passengers.
"Attention everyone, all passengers are advised to remain calm and return to their cabins. All military personnel should report to the deck immediately."
"They're here." Caroline said, with fear on her face.
A fierce determination burned in Richard's eyes, his jaw clenched in fury. The memory of his mother's tragic fate ignited rage within him.
"They're here to meet their death." He growled, his voice low and deadly