Chapter Three

"Whoa, that dude is crazy!"

"He doesn't even look tired! What the hell?"

"Is he… human?"

The whispering and wondering annoyed the man who was attracting attention. It wasn't intentional, but he made no effort to hide. He was currently maxing out all the weight machines with ease in the fitness center.

Power is no problem with me… I am strong! I have stamina! But what I don't have… speed. I am cursed with always being the slowest. No matter how hard I have worked on it, I've hit my wall. But this weakness! I cannot have any weaknesses! I must be invincible! Until my "project" is complete… I must be careful. Train… his speed is godlike. I wouldn't be able to touch him! What good is all the power in the world if I can't even get one hit in? Also, there are those Chronos numbers in hiding that are stronger and also faster than me. So what must I do? I must collect orichalcum! To make an armor out of the strongest metal on earth! I will become invincible! True, it will be heavy, but that is where my power and stamina come in! I will rise above all!

On the other side of the fitness center, he saw a bunch of snotty rich teenage boys trying to show off their puny strength because a good-looking girl was nearby. She wasn't even that good-looking.

"Uh, sir? I mean… Captain Varok? It's time to set sail and… ?"

The man looked at his assistant.

"Ah, I apologize for not telling you earlier, we are modifying the course just slightly and setting sail for Roika City Port, instead of Charon Beach. We shall be there on the night of the second day but put 'three days journey' on the news bulletin."

"Yes Captain!"

"You may go."

The man, Captain Varok, turned back to see whether or not the teenagers were still there. They were still at it. A group of girls were talking to them but most of them seemed uncomfortable.

Heh… I could use a little fun…

He traveled across the fitness center and strolled up to the group.

"Excuse me, are you done with that machine?"

The teenage boy on the machine turned his head towards him.

"Go hit the steam room, old man. Bet you can't even lift a hundred"

Such impudence! Ha! Even the girls are starting to feel dislike at the arrogant little prick.

Captain Varok asked, "If I can lift more than you, will you get off this ship?"

"Haha! Are you serious?! You are on! But, if you can't, then you will get off this ship!"

The group of guys around were laughing and started jeering at Captain Varok not knowing that he was the Captain and he did indeed have the power to kick every one of their sorry asses off the ship. Legally and physically.

"You can go first." Captain Varok said.

"Hah, don't wuss out when you see my strength!"

The teenager put the machine on 250 lbs and pumped it twelve times with some but not much difficulty.

"How's that? Here, I'll be generous… if you can at least do 150 lbs twelve times, I'll let you off."

Captain Varok chuckled. He sat down on the machine and put it on the very bottom.

"You gone senile old man?! It's heavier at the bottom! Haha what a chump… the hell?!"

Up, down, up down, it was 330 lbs and Captain Varok had long passed twelve.

"Phew. Pity it only goes up to 330. I lost count after twenty-five."

The group was silent now. Especially the boy.

"Uh…"

"Little brat, here, I'll be generous… if you can at least do 300 lbs, I'll let you leave this room in one piece. Oh, I'm only 30 by the way. I was born with white hair."

"Aren't you… Captain Varok?"

One of the quieter girls had finally spoken up.

"It is you! Your picture was on the information pamphlet!"

"Oh shit…" The arrogant boy had lost his cool. "Oh shit… please, sir, Captain Varok I mean… I'm so sorry… Uh please… please spare me?"

"There is plenty of work for you in the kitchen washing dishes. Get over there now. You will work until we reach Roika. Move!" Captain Varok ordered.

The other guys had wisely disappeared and the girls were still lingering. Captain Varok sighed and headed back to his room on Residential floor 2. Then, he stopped, turned around, and headed up to the Captain's Cabin.

~*~~*~~*~

When evening arrives, all the workers for that shift begin cleaning the lunch tables and folding them up. Quickly sweeping up the trash in an almost unified formation, they then proceeded to lay out the dining tables. Candlelit, white-clothed, and dimmed lights, the mood was enough to make any couple romantically fall in love all over again or for the first time. Train, Sven, Eve, and Rinslet were a little bit early so they got to watch the whole process. Train was looking off into the distance. Eve leaning against Sven and Rinslet was studying the map of the ship on one of the bulletins nearby.

"So, first stop they have here is Roika City Port. That place is famous for their magic shows! We need to go watch one!" Rinslet exclaimed.

Suddenly, Train perked up from his daze.

"It's time." He announced seriously.

"Huh? For what?" Sven asked.

"To eaaaaat!" Train replied and made for the buffet since the first round of dishes were being brought out.

"Sheesh… same old Train…" Rinslet muttered.

Eve looked at Rinslet for a moment and then started towards a table that was located not too far from the buffet but in a suitable position for privacy. Sven followed and pulled Eve's and Rinslet's seat out for them.

"Thanks, Sven." Eve said.

"Aw, such a gentleman! Thanks!" Rinslet commented.

Train, meanwhile, had just gotten back to the table with his first decked out plate of crab legs, sushi, and something else that looked good but mysterious.

"Train on the other hand… hopeless…" Eve critiqued with no mercy.

The evening went by smoothly and all thoughts of danger and fearful events were temporarily washed away. There was a karaoke getting started some ways down and Eve looked interested.

"What are they doing?"

"Oh, that's karaoke! You pick a song and sing along with it. It's fun! But embarrassing if you aren't good at singing." Rinslet said.

"What do you think? Want to try, Eve?" Sven asked.

"Um… nah, I'll pass. I want to go listen though."

Sven and Eve started towards the karaoke. Rinslet suddenly announced that she had to go to her room.

"Uh… Sven? I'm gonna go too… Rinslet… invited me to her room?" Train weakly said.

"………….."

"It's not what you think! Or at least I think it's not what you think? Okay, gotta go!" With that, Train sped off after Rinslet.

Sven and Eve stood there for a bit.

"Sven?" Eve asked.

"No idea."

~*~~*~~*~

Rinslet's heart was pounding. She had no idea why. It wasn't from fear. Her heart stops pounding and starts booming when it's fear.

So what exactly is it that is making me feel so nervous? Not because Train's coming to my room right? I mean, I made it look like I was seducing him in case… that man was watching. I know he's watching. That creepy man would be. But this room is safe at least… I already spent hours searching every nook and cranny… that's why I was late meeting the Train and them… ugh when is he going to get here? I need to tell him! I'm actually scared right now! What the heck? I thought I was the fearless professional man-seducing and manipulative thief, Rinslet?! What's going on? And Jenos… this cruise lasts three months! How can I be here having fun while he is captive somewhere suffering?

Ever since the fall of Chronos, the numbers, whom were the sole survivors, went into hiding. Jenos contacted her and they become fast friends though Jenos always found some way to flirt with her. Though he was an idiot… she still liked him nevertheless. Maybe not enough to date him… yet… but then again, now Rinslet discovered she just might… just might be feeling for another too. Maybe not. She always was a fickle girl.

Where are the other numbers? Wonder if they are doing okay…

Two knocks came from the door.

"Um… Rinslet?"

It was Train's voice.

"Coming." Rinslet replied and opened the door.

"Hey."

"Train… I need your help! Here, sit down."

She pointed to her bed, which was the only place suitable for sitting. Her chair was swamped with her luggage which was mostly still packed. Train hesitated for a moment.

"Uh… about that…"

"Oh! I'm sorry Train! I know what it seemed like I was asking but don't worry! It's not that. Okay! Sit down." Rinslet quickly said and lightly pushed Train towards the bed. He sat down.

Rinslet began pacing the room.

"Okay… um where to begin… okay… so you got a letter from me, right?"

"Yeah."

"Okay… I didn't actually send that. You see I didn't know where you guys were at."

Train nodded and was listening attentively.

"This man… entered my house and attacked me… well not really attacked but threatened me."

Train had shifted and crossed his arms.

"He… remember Jenos? He-he had his…" She couldn't help bit but her watered a bit. Something that rarely happened due to emotion for her. "The man had his glove weapon and it was bloody."

"What did he want?" Train asked.

"He forced me to start packing and he sat there with a gun at me. Okay, he wants me to seduce you and steal your gun after I gain your trust! I didn't know what to do and I gave in because I want Jenos to be alright but its killing me that I even thought to betray you and-"

His body just moved on its own. Train stood up and was hugging Rinslet tightly in less than a heartbeat.

"Hey, relax a bit. It's alright." Train said the words that Rinslet needed to hear the most from the man she thought about betraying at one point. "We will figure this out. But first, you relax."

He picked her up and sat back down on the bed. Train gently put her down next to him and then fainted.

"Uh… Train? You okay?"

"Huh? Ah, yeah… okay. So I want to ask you… Did that man give you that bruise?"

"Yeah…"

"Okay. And also, earlier today, I saw someone suspicious watching Sven, Eve and I at the pool. That might be the guy. White hair but young-ish looking?"

"That's him!"

"Hm… I will pay him a visit… don't worry," He added when he saw Rinslet was about to protest. "I won't give anything away. Also, act like this conversation and meeting never happened. You will keep on 'seducing' me and I will slowly 'fall' for it. I will figure something out, so just keep yourself safe. Okay, Rins- whoa!"

It was now Rinslet's turn to hug Train and she did with a passion involving gratitude, relief, and perhaps more?

"Hey… stop that Rins… I didn't mean seduce me for real… oh whatever…" Train smiled.

*Grrrowwwlll*

"Um…" Train started.

"What? We just ate!" Rinslet exclaimed while laughing.