c h a p t e r 9

VANCE.

I CAN'T believe Commander Atalia said that to Ryde. She told Ryde to eliminate Verity without hesitation or even remorse in her eyes.

I can't find any valid reason what made her think that way. I don't know if someone has brainwashed her to act as a criminal. I don't know if she's just really doing this for the sake of her reputation. . . as what Jake has perceived.

I was taken a back when Commander Atalia continued her narrative from the pre-recorded video.

"This is Nauticus Ship, an autopilot underwater vehicle from Classified Investigatory Unit. If conflicts may occur, you need to navigate it manually with two pilots. Push the red button from the navigation desk, and the pilot seats will appear from Nauticus compartment, beneath the ground level," she explained to us briefly.

I turned my gaze on the ground and there's a trace of the way to compartment. A rectangular lining that cannot be opened from the outside. It has no handle or any access button attached to it to be operated. Unless we follow Atalia's instructions about it.

"Illicit Task Force. . ." Atalia caught all of our attention, "You're almost half way there. We can't afford to fail this mission, that's why my team selected distinctive suits and weapons for each one of you. Check those out in the arsenal. Utilize everything you have inside the Nauticus ship as you like, that's your privilege." she then, leaned forward closer to the camera, "But privilege comes with great responsibility, so you must not fail me."

We must not fail her? Must not? Meaning to say, we have no choice other than fulfilling this crap mission?

I never thought that there would be someone more annoying than Colt.

The pre-recorded video ended and Atalia vanished from our sight too. With that, all of us were shocked when Ryde walked towards the arsenal.

He forcefully pulled up the cover and from my spot, I had a glimpse of the weapons and suits, just like what Atalia said awhile ago.

Ryde then, grabbed a weapon. He abruptly closed the cover steel, and it caused a deafening impact of a metal collision.

I slightly flinched. But my eyes got widened when Ryde immediately pulled the barrel and decocked the gun. With a glaring stare, he aimed the gun right straight to Verity's forehead.

I immediately stood up from the deck as I came closer to him. "Ryde? Seriously? You're gonna follow that woman?" I asked him as soon as I reached his spot.

He didn't answer me. He fixated his eyes at Verity. I can't seem to find any fear from her reaction. She's just throwing the same death stares with Ryde.

I heard footsteps coming towards us, it was Jade. She's back with her casual clothes. Boots paired with tight jeans and a faded denim jacket with her shirt inside.

"She was there last night," Jade said as she carefully walked towards our place. I reckon she's still recovering from the abduction.

When she reached our position, she continued. "Kasama siya ng mga lalaking nagpasok sa 'kin sa van," she added.

Agad na napatayo si Jake sa narinig mula sa kapatid. Lumapit siya sa pwesto namin at hinarap niya si Verity.

Bigla namang sumugod palapit kay Verity si Jake.

"You have my respect since that night when you helped us, but what you did doesn't sit right with me!" Jake thundered, his face turned red out of fury. He clenched his fist, seemingly wanting to hit the woman in front of us.

Jake tried to control his anger. He removed the tape from Verity's mouth. Verity groaned as the tape's adhesive scratched her upper lips.

"Who the hell are Vipers?!" Jake furrowed his brows as he furiously asked Verity.

Verity looked down, and when she turned up her gaze, she uttered, "You're too loud as an empty can, Ronin," she commented calmly as she plastered a small smirk.

Jake retorted back, "And you're nothing but a pathetic piece of trash, Verity!" He's already catching his breath.

"Hate me to death, I won't stop you," she softly chortled. "You will eventually heal in hell, jerk—"

"Enough!" Ryde intervened between the gap of the two. Jake stepped back with me.

I held both of his shoulders as I tried to make him still. "Dude, chill out! Verity won't cooperate with us if you'll treat her badly," I said.

He decided to stay quiet beside me. Good thing he considered my words.

As Ryde knelt down closer to Verity, he clicked something from his watch. "You have two minutes to narrate everything you know about the Vipers." he then, aimed the gun at her forehead again this time. "This is not a request, nor a command. But I don't mind pulling the trigger if you refuse to cooperate with us." Ryde gave her no other choice.

Verity took a deep breath before she speak. She gave each one of us a quick glance before she turned her eyes back at Ryde's gaze.

"I've been working for Vipers for six months." she paused as she gulped. "My two cousins went missing last year. As per why, who and how, the police never find any clues to track what's the reason behind their disappearance. Three months passed after the incident, they decided to close the case, and my Aunt lose her mind and took her own life right after." Verity disclosed to us, with furious eyes. As though she's numb about it.

This is beyond what I expected. She's really not a traitor, isn't she?

"Unknown disappearance of youths and several abduction happened last year," she continued, "I had a hunch that their targets are individuals whose ages between early twenties up to mid thirties, based on the records and cases from the news," Verity added and paused a little longer.

She looked down and continued her story. "That was my lowest point, but I can't grieve enough." she lifted her head heavenwards and rerouted her gaze at Ryde. Her stares are looking for an ounce of empathy.

"I was rushed into the hospital when my ulcer attacked. And when I was still recovering, I received a flyers from a random nurse that contains about the auction thing," she said and it all make sense to me now.

That was the same thing that happened to me back in the hospital! There was really a random nurse that distributes flyers. Then it means. . .

"As soon as I recovered from the hospital, I went to the auction house to find something that can lead to my cousins' justice." Verity cleared her throat, "That's where it all started. I met one of the dumbest Gorgons and he invited me to be one." a small smirk curved from her lips as she continued, "The prick trusted someone like me way too fast and he made a mistake when he disclosed every shits they do."

Oh man. What a great chance for her. All of us were unable to speak and been listening to her keenly. But Ryde is unmoving, he's still pointing the gun at Verity's head.

"Every lots they have presented in the auction house were the organs of those missing people from the news. I didn't hesitate to accept his offer and I have only one thing in my mind." she loses her gaze with Ryde and glance with our direction, "I will sue the Vipers, even if it will cost my life."

A long pause was followed.

"But for the past six months. . . I never had the chance to know who's behind the Vipers. I never met them even once, since I became part of their syndicate." Verity ended her narrative.

As soon as she gasped for an air, Ryde's watch alarmed.

Woah. She comprehensively discussed everything she had in mind right before her time is over.

But then, I heard a repetitive slow claps from Colt and Jake.

"What an incredible, life changing story!" Jake said on my side.

"Almost convincing but it'll never be enough," Colt butt in and their claps get even louder.

"A traitor and a story maker. What else you've got under your sleeves huh, Verity?" Jake mocked her as he stopped from clapping her hands as he tilted his head to his left side.

Jade was just listening to them beside Colt.

Verity looked away and as she scoffed, a little smirk formed from her lips.

I can't give my verdict right now. Jake and Colt were criticizing her, and now, I'm starting to doubt her story too.

Ryde moved from his place and inserted the gun between his lower back and his jeans.

"Stop the nonsense, Jake and Olivia, she's telling us the truth." Ryde joined the intense conversation and looked at our direction, "I knew her cousins." he stopped for about seconds, "But what I'm not sure about is her last statement." Ryde then, seek back his head to Verity. "Tell us more about the Gorgons and Vipers," he commanded her.

Verity closed her eyes hard as her lips formed into a thin line.

As she opened her eyes, she looked at us and gulped. "Gorgons were composed of twelve members, and I am the seventh Gorgon."

Ryde seems to have an interest with her words. He crossed both of his arms against his chest.

Jake and Colt gestured the same position as Ryde. They leaned their back onto the arsenal, but Colt kept tapping her feet.

As I observed her mannerism, I can't help but crimped my forehead.

"The other five Gorgons were the prisoners from the National Prison Camp," Verity slightly smiled, "Gonna tell you the truth, I was the insider who caused the big chaos back there. So, no hard feelings, it's just a job." she then, shrugged.

"Cut the chase, Locke," Ryde halted. "We're talking about the Gorgons and Vipers. Stop bragging about your job," he added.

Verity moved her arms uncomfortably behind her. Perhaps, her arms start to feel numb because of her position.

She slightly grunted as she found her comfort position on the ground of Nauticus ship. "Vipers were composed of three unspecified individuals. Next to their rank is the Cracken. He was the only one person we've been communicating since then," Verity continued.

"What's the Cracken's role in the syndicate?" Ryde queried.

"He is the host in every auction houses. Gorgons help him to distract the bidders. We often join the bidding process until the lot's price got fixed on a higher rate."

My mouth parted upon hearing Verity's explanation. We already met the Cracken. The masked guy in the auction house, that's him. Kaya pala tinatago niya ang identity niya dahil malaki ang ginagampanan niyang trabaho.

Dumungaw sa harap ko si Jake at Colt na pareho kong katabi. Sabay silang umismid nang magtama ang mga tingin nila tila may sariling lengguwahe ang dalawa. Napailang na lang ako at 'di na nagsalita.

Nakita yata ni Verity mula sa lapag ang ginawa ng dalawa kaya umimik siya.

"It's your choice to believe me or not. You don't trust me, I won't give a fuck about you either." she rolled her eyes agitatedly.

When Jade spoke up beside Colt, we all turned our sights at her. "Do you know where we can find the Vipers?" she asked Verity.

"Of course, I know," she proudly replied.

"What are you waiting, then? Tell us now!" Jade vehemently exclaimed. Napahilot siya sa noo niya matapos bulyawan si Verity.

"We have been there, actually," Verity uttered, with an awkward tone.

"What?!" is what I got able to say.

I hurriedly rushed onto the navigation desk to check the position of Nauticus from the hideout.

Oh, damn great.

"We're three hundred miles away from the hide out." I sighed hard as I glanced back at them.

I looked back at the navigation desk.
"We're almost coming near the shore, what now Ryde? We're not suppose to consume the power supply and waste it for nonsense," I said as I looked at the navigation screen from desk.

"You can't go back there without efficient plan. Because if you did, I assure you all. You'll be seeing death in no time," Verity said.

"The place where we crossed our paths? That is just a part of entrance," she stated, "No one seemed to enter the Vipers Den yet, not even the Gorgons," she added, almost whispering. "But I know how to get through it."

Agad na lumapit si Ryde sa pwesto ni Verity. "I'll spare your life for now, then," he mumbled.

Verity replied, "Thanks," she smiled.

Matapos siyang kalagan ng nylon cable tie ni Ryde, buong pwersa niyang inuntog ang kanyang noo sa ilong ni Ryde. "That's for hitting me hard, dipshit!" Verity complained.

She wiped off Ryde's blood that stained her forehead.

Sabay-sabay kaming napadampot ng maaaring armas na gamitin at itinutok kay Verity.

"Ayos ka lang, Harrison?" tanong ni Jake na nakadampot ng handgun sa kaliwang kamay.

Kalmado namang itinaas ni Verity ang dalawa niyang braso sa ere.

Mula sa pagkakatumba, dahan-dahang tumayo si Ryde habang hawak ang ilong niya. Nang humarap siya sa'min ay bumungad ang halos basag na nose bridge ni Ryde.

"That's alright, everyone," Ryde said, trying to catch his breath. "Put away— ah!" he groaned, "What the hell Verity, fuck!" he scowled as he touched the cut from his nose. "Put away your weapons, please."

"You sure, you're okay, Ryde?" Jade asked him as she handed him a piece of cloth to cover his wound.

"Yeah, I am fine." Ryde followed her to the deck. "We. . . often do that before, and I'm used to it." I heard Ryde added to his statement.

I hate to know that hurting themselves was a normal thing for them. They're brutal ex-lovers, really.

"Now. . ." Verity said from her direction, "Can we start our plan, shall we?" she wildly smiled and with that, we start to discuss our plan.

Ryde immediately recovered from the cut he gained. Jade helped him to get some remedies for his wound. She stitched his cut and I guess, it went well.

Sa ngayon, pinatay muna namin ang auto navigator ng Nauticus ship para hindi ma-consume ang power supply.

Ilang minuto na rin ang lumipas mula nang magtipon kami sa gitnang parte ng ship. Pinalilibutan namin ang arsenal na hinila namin para gawing patungan. May ipakikita raw sa 'min si Verity kaya kailangan namin ng magsisilbing lamesa.

Nang handa na ang lahat para sa pagpaplano, agad na may kinuha si Verity mula sa loob ng suot niyang leather jacket. Inilapag niya ang isang kuwintas na may bilugang pendant. Mas malapad ng tripleng beses sa sampum-piso ang laki ng pendant ng kwintas na pinatong niya sa ibabaw ng arsenal.

Medyo makapal ang pendant at kasing pula nito ang dugo kapag natuyo.

Mula sa kaliwang bahagi nito, may pinihit si Verity na maliit na ribbed knob. Kasing laki no'n ang crown na pinipihit sa mga wrist watch para i-adjust ang oras. Sigurado akong may winding stem na kadugtong ang munting knob na pinihit niya.

Matapos 'yon gawin ni Verity ay sabay-sabay kaming napaatras nang bahagya.

Lumitaw mula sa pendant ng kuwintas ang isang holographic map na kasing lapad ng one-eighth illustration board.

Bago pa man makapagsalita ang isa sa 'min, pinangunahan na kami ni Verity.

"Every Gorgons has this necklace. We called it the Lair pendant," she explained and we listened to her keenly.

Hindi ako makapaniwala sa sunod niyang ginawa. Ang holographic map ay pwedeng i-zoom gamit ang daliri!

Pinakita at tinuro niya ang parte ng mapa kung saan kami nagtagpo. At gaya nga ng sabi niya, na sa bukana nga lang ito ng hideout ng Vipers.

Muling ni-touch ni Verity ang hologram, lalo itong lumapad at malinaw na sa 'min ang bawat parte ng lugar. Ang buong hideout ng Vipers.

"This is the East route." she pinched the hologram and it immediately zoomed in. "The boundary of this route is the Vipers den." she zoomed out the map.

The map rotated swiftly in a clockwise motion when she switched it to the left side using her fingers. The map turned into three dimensional visual. The East route now is vividly presented in front of us.

"Whoa. . ." I whispered out of amazement.

She then gave us a quick glance, before she start explaining the location.

"Before we can reach the boundary, we need to pass through these." Verity touched the three dimensional map and she pinched it out. "Cell chambers. . ." she swiped the map, and other room was being presented. "The Quarter Laboratory. . ." she paused and swiftly turned down the three dimensional map. She's presenting the map as we viewed it through top's eyes view.

"Pay attention everyone," she continued, "The Quarter Labs, were divided into for units." Verity pinched the holographic map for us to see it clearly. "Units were composed of, Courneous, Lungen, Phaseolus Vulgaris, and last is the Heorte," she comprehensively explained to us.

"Sandali nga lang, teka!" biglang umimik si Jake.

Lahat naman kami ay napalingon sa gawi niya at hinintay ang sasabihin niya.

"Pwedeng umawat ka na sa kaka-speaking dollars mo?" reklamo nito kay Verity. Halos masamid ako sa narinig kay Jake. Siraulo talaga 'tong lokong 'to.

"Pambihira ka Jake, akala ko naman. . ." komento ko at halos mailing.

Sunod-sunod siyang kinalabit ni Colt sa braso niya. "J-jake 'yong ilong mo dumudugo!"

"Ha? Putragi— wala naman ah?!"

Tumawa si Colt na may pagpalakpak ng kamay at pagturo sa direksyon ng kausap. "Sana nakita mo 'yong reaksyon mo." tinukod niya ang kamay sa arsenal dahil sa hingal na napala sa pagtawa.

Bahagya siyang yumuko at nagkusot ng mata dahil halos naluha na siya sa kakatawa. Patuloy pa rin siya sa pagtawa pero mas mahina na kumpara kanina.

Napakunot ang noo ko at umiwas ng tingin. Her laugh was horrible. I hate the sound of her laughs.

Napayuko ako at bahagyang kinusot ang mata gamit ang dalawang kamay. Ano ba 'tong pinagsasabi mo Vance? Don't mind her.

"Okay na kayo? Masaya na?" imik ni Verity na nakasimangot at hindi na maipinta ang mukha.

"Sorry," Colt quickly apologised between her soft chuckles. She gestured her right hand, and bowed a bit to Verity.

Anong nangyari sa babaeng 'to? Ang weird. Epekto ba 'yan ng tubig sa loob ng tainga niya?

Pinagpatuloy na ni Verity ang pagpapaliwanag sa 'min ng mapa.

Muli niyang ni-swipe ang holographic map, pero this time, pabalik sa kanan. Naging three dimensional ulit ang mapa.

Verity cleared her throat. "Pagkatapos nating daanan ang Quater labs, kailangan natin dumaan sa dalawang Operating Atriums," paliwanag niya at ni-zoom in ang tinukoy na kwarto.

Maraming nakahilirang kama ang makikita mula sa three dimensional map na na sa harap namin.

Verity swiped the hologram to left and another room was being presented to us.

"Third to the last," she said, "Ito ang Mending Unit. . ." she swiftly slid the holographic map to the left. "Sunod dito ay ang Cracken Block, and lastly the real hell. . ." Verity reached the holographic map's boundary. "The Vipers Den."

"There's no alternative way we could use, Verity?" Ryde asked her. He laid his left arm close to his chest, and his right elbow was on his left fist. He kept on massaging his chin with his right hand.

Verity shook her head as she disapproved.

"Seryoso? Wala talaga? Kahit short-cut na long-cut wala? Mahabang oras kakainin niyan kapag 'yan sinundan natin," segundamano naman ni Jake sa kaliwang bahagi ng arsenal.

"I'm very sorry to disappoint the both of you, but no, nada, wala," paliwanag ni Verity. "Kinakailangan ng identification access bago makapasok sa lahat ng binanggit kong chambers at units na kailangan daanan."

"Eh 'di, it's your time to shine naman pala eh," sarkastikong komento ni Colt na may pagtaas pa ng kaliwang kilay.

Sinamaan lang siya ng tingin ng kausap at nagpatuloy sa pagpapaliwanag.

"I've never been into the Quarter Labs. That's quite difficult to get through." she paused, "Hindi kasi finger print ang kinakailangan sa identity confirmation sa bawat doorway."

"What do they need then?" Jade uttered beside Ryde.

"An accurate blood type and DNA," she replied as she looked at our eyes intently. "I signed the contract agreement with the use of abrupt blood ejection, from my thumb. Akala ko rin no'n, finger print lang ang kukunin nila, pero hindi."

Itinaas ni Verity ang kanang hinlalaki sa kamay matapos alisin ang suot na wrist-length glove. Nang maigi kong tinitigan, nakita ko ang maliit na pagkalubog ng daliri niya.

Gaano kaya kalaki ang karayom na ginamit sa kanya? Ang lalim naman ata ng peklat na iniwan. Kahit maliit at hindi pansinin. Sigurado akong hindi lang basta normal na karayom ang pinang-eject para sa dugo ni Verity.

"To pass through those chambers and units, a blood from my thumb needs to be eject for identification access," she said as though it won't hurt her.

"That's a lot," I can't stop myself but comment. "Can you endure that?" I asked her.

I want to make sure she's willing to do it. Dahil kung hindi, magsisimula na akong magplano kung paano ma-a-access ang bawat doorway gamit ang laptop na ipinadala ng team ni Atalia.

"Y-yes, definitely," she stammered. "Don't think about me. I can bare any pain, and besides I have two thumbs." she forced a smile as she showed me both of her thumbs.

Binigyan ko lang rin siya nang pilit na ngiti pabalik. Mabuti naman at wala na kaming problema sa pakikipag-cooperate niya sa 'min.

Matapos ang pagpapaliwanag ni Verity ay agad na nawala ang holographic map matapos niyang pihiting muli ang maliit na ribbed knob sa gilid ng pendant. Ibinalik niya ang Lair pendant sa loob ng kanyang black leather jacket.

Nang maibalik namin nina Ryde at Jake ang asernal sa tabing bahagi ng Nauticus, tumingin sa relo si Ryde.

"It's almost midnight, let's call it a night," he said and grabbed his stuff. "We'll proceed to our next plan by dawn, sleep tight everyone," Ryde added. He immediately hop into the upper deck at the right side.

Agad kong naisip na anim na kami ngayon. Ibig sabihin ang isa, walang mahihigaan.

Mabilis kong dinampot ang gamit ko sa kabilang deck sa baba. "Verity," I called her out. Agad naman siyang napagawi sa pwesto ko.

"You can use the deck," I told her, trying not to sound really way concerned. "Sa pilot seat na lang ako iidlip," paliwanag ko at hindi na hinintay ang sagot niya.

Agad kong tinulak ang red button sa navigator desk na mag-a-access sa navigation seat. Hindi naman nagtagal at bumukas ang compartment saka umangat ang dalawang upuan na sigurado akong inuupuan ng magiging piloto ng Nauticus.

"Awsome," I mumbled to myself as I touched it.

May nakakabit sa magkabilaang bahagi nito ang tig-isang clutch para pang-control sa ship. Sa ibabang bahagi naman ay may dalawang accelerator na nakakabit at konektado sa ilalim ng compartment. Kahugis nito ang gas at break sa mga normal na kotse.

Mabilis akong sumampa at nilasap ang lambot ng upuan. Mariin kong nilapat ang likod ko saka tinuon ang tingin sa harap.

Ngayon ko lang napansin, nakikita na ang labas! Kapag in-activate pala ang manual navigation, magkakaroon ng transparent water shield sa harap.

My eyes widened as I witnessed different creatures swimming under the sea.

Mas lalo ko pang nakita ang labas, nang aksidente kong masagi ang isang button sa arm ng pilot chair. Nagkaroon ng liwanag sa labas dahil sa ilaw na nagmula sa bukana ng ship.

Agad namang nag-dim light sa loob, pero hindi ko iyon pinagtuunan ng pansin. Nakatuon lang ang atensyon ko sa mga isda at iba pang lamang-dagat. Pero natigilan ako sa pagkamangha nang biglang may nag-abot sa akin ng beer in can.

Napatingala ako at sinuri kung sino ang taong lumapit sa'kin.

Si Colt pala.

Ayos rin ah, may kasamang beer sa mini fridge ng ship?

Pero teka, anong ginagawa niya rito? May higaan naman siya, ah? Wala akong nagawa kung hindi tanggapin na lang ang inaabot niya. Hindi ko maiwasang kumunot ang noo ko.

"Don't freak out," she said as she hopped onto the other pilot seat. "I can't sleep that's why I went here to see the view," she explained as she leaned her back comfortably and start sipping her beer.

I raised the beer she brought me. "What about this?" I asked her.

Hindi naman niya kailangang magdala ng kung ano para sa 'kin.

She's acting very weird lately, and I might freak out anytime soon.

Narinig ko siyang bahagyang tumawa. Ugh, ayan na naman sa tawa niyang nakakabanas.

"Uh, pampaantok?" sagot niya na hindi lumilingon sa gawi ko saka muling tinungga ang hawak na tin can.

I just nodded and have decided to stay quiet. I fixated my sight at the water shield.

A bustling silence won between us.

"I'm a hydrophobic," Colt suddenly said from my right side.

"I grew up here in Dezvouz Island." Colt paused, seemingly weighing the next words she'll say.

She let out a sigh, "When this Island was hit by a catastrophic hurricane, I acquired my phobia." slowly, she looked at my gaze.

I wanna smack my face for staring at her quite while since she came. Her almond eyes met mine, and I am froze in my seat. I can't move to look away.

I bit my lower lip, hoping that the unusual raging beats of my heart would stop. I tightened my grip to the arm of pilot seat. I'm terrified with her eyes, piercing my soul right this moment.

Look away now, Colt!

"I was four that time when it happened, and it took away the only bestfriend I had in my entire existence. . . my dog," she continued without even losing our eye contact.

"Why are you suddenly telling me those things?" flabbergasted, I asked her.

Even if she can't see my face clearly because of the dim light of the ship, I intentionally arched my brows.

"Nothing." she looked away, "I just feel like I need to--"

"You don't have to," I trailed off and mindlessly scoffed.

Shit, did I sound insensitive? Vance, the foul mouth of yours! Damn it!

"Y-yeah, I guess too. S-sorry." Colt got off from the pilot seat.

As she passed the aisle between the pilot seats, she handed me the jacket I have lend her earlier. I don't know why I felt quite offended by her not looking at my gaze that moment.

What. . . was that?

⚜⚜⚜

AKALA KO hindi na ako dadalawin ng antok matapos umalis ni Colt. Salamat sa beer na dinala niya.

Pero naalarma kaming lahat at agad akong napabalikwas mula sa pagkakatulog nang umalingawngaw ang boses ng auto pilot.

"Warning! Pressure on the west wing. Warning!"

Agad na binalot ng kulay pulang ilaw ang buong paligid ng Nauticus ship. Mabilis akong bumaba mula sa pilot seat at inayos ang suot na pang-itaas.

Lumapit sa pwesto ko ang iba kong kasama. "Anong nangyayari?" tanong ni Jake sa gilid ko.

In-access ko ang navigation desk para kompirmahin ang systems ng Nauticus ship.

Halos mawalan kami ng balanse nang yumanig ang buong ship. Buti na lang napakapit ako sa desk.

"Someone's aiming our ship!" Jake exclaimed and he's right. May tumatamang malakas na impact sa west wing ng ship!

Agad kong inalam mula sa periscope screen kung saan nagmumula ang impact. Pero nag-glitch ang screen nang muling manginig ang ship namin.

Ano bang nangyayari?

We turned our sight to Colt when
she gestured her finger to Verity. "Oh my, no way. . ." she said as she stepped back her right foot.

My eyes got widened when I rerouted my gaze at the person she's pointing at.

Damn shit, we're screwed.

"Your Lair pendant is glaring red, Verity!" Colt's hand trembled as she exclaimed.

It only means one thing.

Vipers traced us!