A.N.: Happy Easter~ Honestly, I don't celebrate Easter, but I do enjoy taking part in Easter activities... Hold on, I guess what means I do celebrate Easter XD.

Oh yes, I finally remembered what I keep on forgetting to add in the ANs: I am featuring Wolf(James) as the medic in this story. Snake(Scott) will not be the medic and therefore having a very minimum and limited medical study and background. Other than that, I would say that everything else is pretty much understandable (I hope). This probably explained a little as to why Snake was never really there to provide medical care to Alex when he was wounded.

Onwards!

The ship cruised along the water smoothly. Alex leaned out over the side of the ship and gazed at the distant mountains. There was always a large body of uncharted or dangerous terrains between two kingdoms, dividing them and preventing them from interfering with each other easily unless they were closed related kingdoms like MI6 and SAS. The last kingdom that he visited was the CIA, and between SAS and CIA, there was a huge rocky mountain. It took him nearly a month to get across. Even though it was rough, there were still habitats and villages in the mountain. And that was where Alex and Jack while escaping, met Yassen a third time. The assassin was hiding out in the mountain from Scorpia and was not very pleased when he discovered his hideouts. Jack had died on the way down when a raging fever erupted after a venomous snake bit her. He had given her a proper burial, yet he still couldn't get used to the fact that she was gone. Forging ahead, he thought that he would get further away from Blunt, a man that had blackmailed him into working for him. His first impression of Blunt was a mere head of a rich family, but not the king of a kingdom. If he had known, he definitely would have declined the job and ran as fast as he could. Likewise, if he had known that the kingdom of MI6 laid ahead and that Blunt was the king of it, he would have turned back right then at the village. But he didn't, due to the lack of knowledge. At least Blunt had not interfered with him so far but Alex had no doubt that the man had spotted him already.

Absently, he heard footsteps coming up from behind him. It was soft but had a formal click to it.

"Your name is Rider, right?" Alex glanced sideways at the interruption.

It was Gabe, the bodyguard for Fox, "Yes, and you must be Gabe."

To his mild amusement, the man flushed slightly, "Gabriel, my name is Gabriel Frest. Prince Daniels has a habit of calling me Gabe."

"Would you mind if I call you Frest?"

The man looked surprised, "A bit formal, but, no, I wouldn't mind."

"Frest it is, then."

"May I know your full name?"

Alex blinked, "Rider."

"Rider what?"

"Just Rider."

"No family name?" Frest sounded curious.

It is my family name, "No."

"Oh," The man looked taken aback.

There was a moment of silence as they regarded each other, taking in their details and what they should be aware of each other. Alex remembered their first meeting; it hadn't gone too well. It was the first meeting with the prince of MI6 as well. It wasn't exactly a smooth and grand meeting, seeing how he nearly stabbed the prince.

"Are you an orphan?" Frest asked after a moment.

"No," Alex stared at the man.

"Where are your parents then?" Frest unconsciously took a step back at his tone then recovered quickly.

"Visiting my uncle," Alex stated, his tone clearly told him that he wasn't keen on elaborating.

"Oh," The man blinked but missing his tone this time, "Where does your uncle live?"

"I don't know."

"How can you not know where you uncle lives?" Frest snorted slightly.

"I just happen to be able to not know where my uncle lives," Alex's eyes flashed slightly in warning.

"I thought they were dead," Wolf spoke up, overhearing their conversation from the helm where he was manning the wheel.

Alex glared, "I never said that they were alive, to begin with."

"Then your parents visiting your uncle…" Gabriel started.

"I presume that they are talking with each other right now in the afterlife," Alex said as he turned away, sending a glare in their direction, "My apologies if a little fantasy is not to your taste."

With that, he left for his room, leaving the prince and the bodyguard staring after him. He hoped that his parents, Ian and Jack, wherever they are, were happy, that was the best he could hope for right now. Shaking his head slightly, he walked down the stairs.

Under insistence from the king for safety, there were only two rooms with three occupants in each. There must always be one bodyguard in each room to ensure their safety. Alex was secretly glad that he was in the same room as Eagle and Snake, for he wasn't entirely sure that he wanted to share a room with Wolf the easily-angered prince and Fox the stranger. There were only two beds, one for each prince, and a makeshift pile of blanket near the corner facing the door for the bodyguard. That suited Alex just fine. The space at the corner gave him a complete view of the room without moving. Spotting an intruder would be considerately easy.

The rooms were all below deck and were reinforced with steel behind the wood to make sure that the water does not get it. There were no windows and therefore no way to know what time of the day it was. The only way was to go above deck to check. Though if they keep the door of the rooms open, they could directly see the stairs that would lead them to the deck and with the lights streaming down from above, it wasn't that hard to guess what time it was. There was a tarp above the deck that was used to cover the stairs. It was originally a trapdoor but the hinge had broken down.

There was also a small kitchen below deck and absently, Alex had wondered who was going to cook. There was food stocked in a trunk in the kitchen. Some of them were just simple survival rations while some were wrapped in paper and by the smell, they were the rich food from the palace. There were also two fire pits in the kitchen for cooking. There was no fire and the kitchen was cold and empty.

Alex opened the door to his room and went inside. He hadn't brought a lot onto this mission, just his weapons and a spare set of clothing. Fentrail had reminded him to change his bandage every two days so he had a set of bandages in the small pack he had placed on top of the pile of blankets. He sat down. The blanket didn't do much to cover the hardness of the wooden floor. At least it wasn't a steel floor, or it would be cold during the nights.

He tensed as he heard footsteps outside then relaxed slightly. It was Snake, with Eagle following behind.

"Oh, Rider." Alex turned as they called his name once entering the room.

"Snake, Eagle."

They started then Eagle snorted, "I still can't get used to that. You can just call me Andreas, Rider. Andrey for short."

"And I'm Scottilan," Snake offered with a smile, "Scott for short."

"I must decline," Alex shook his head, "Eagle and Snake will be fine."

"I see," Alex detected a hint of slight disappointment in Eagle's voice, "What are you doing, Rider?"

"Unpacking," Alex said, "Getting used to the room."

"You know," Eagle suggested, "You can take the bed, Scott and I will share one."

Snake looked a little horrified at the suggestion, "No way am I going to share a bed with you, Andrey."

Eagle pouted, "But I don't want to let Rider sleep on the floor."

Snake glanced at Alex who blinked, "Rider, I will take the floor."

As if the king would even let him consider the option, a prince sleeping on the floor when a bed was present, "No," Alex shook his head, "I prefer the corner floor. I can see the room better."

"I see," Eagle smiled slightly, "Well, as long as you are okay with it."

With that, he threw himself on the bed with a grin, "I am tired!"

"It is almost evening," Snake said as he sat down a few feet away from Alex, "I wonder who is going to cook."

Alex stared, causing the prince to glance at him, "Yes, Rider?"

"You mean you don't know who is going to cook?"

Maybe it was because of his slightly panicking look, or his incredulous tone, the prince laughed softly, "Well, Father originally planned to have a chef come onboard with us."

"And?"

"But James declined it, saying that a chef would only drag us down." Eagle finished with a loud sigh, "I want food."

"Then is Ja-Wolf going to cook?" He mentally frowned at the near-slip of the name.

Eagle choked and Alex glanced at the prince, "If James cooks, I think we are all going to die!"

Alex was quiet for a moment, "That bad?"

"That bad," Even Snake nodded, his face all serious.

"Then who is going to cook?"

"James, Andrey and I can't cook," Snake said thoughtfully, "Perhaps Ben can."

"Can he?"

"I am sure he can," Snake nodded, "I heard that His Majesty Blunt of MI6 was rather strict on an all-criteria development for his son. I presume that that includes culinary."

"Let's hope so," Eagle muttered as he sat up, "I don't want to eat cold food."

"He def-"

"Hey," At that moment, Fox poked his head into the room before walking in.

"Ben," Snake and Eagle greeted the prince while Alex nodded in his direction slightly.

"I have something really important to ask you," Fox said seriously as he crossed his arms, leaning against the doorframe.

"What is it?" Eagle tentatively asked.

"Can any of you cook?" Fox asked.

There was a moment of silence then Fox hurriedly elaborated, "See, Gabe and I can't cook, so I presume that you can cook."

"Why would you think that way?" Snake asked with a small hint of amusement and slight horror at the prospect that Fox couldn't cook.

"I heard that your father gave you a strict all-criteria training. It must have included culinary, right?" Fox said, nodding his head as if he was a wise scholar.

There was a long moment of silence. Alex glanced at them, amusement flashing in his eyes. It was unusual, to see princes, people of a high order, arguing and getting frustrated over the simple task of who was cooking. It seemed almost childish and the action of a typical citizen or commoner. Alex couldn't help but laugh lightly. Instantly, all gaze turned toward him.

Alex blinked then cleared his throat.

"What?" He inquired after a moment.

"You laughed," Eagle stated, "I have never seen you laugh before. Can you laugh for me again?"

Alex stared at him blankly then opened his mouth, "Ha. Ha."

"That was so bleak and lifeless," Fox muttered then he glanced back at them, "So is anyone going to cook?"

"We can't cook, Ben," Snake explained.

"…" Fox seemed to be at a loss for words, "Then…cold rations?"

"No!" Eagle strongly opposed the prospect.

Alex sighed before he stood up, brushing down his tunic and his hands, "I will go see what I can do."

"You can cook?"

"I can manage," Alex responded to the earnest and full of hopes glances from the three princes. Was the prospect of cold ration that

James stood on the deck and glanced outward. The sun was setting and darkness would soon reign in. There were unlit torches alongside the side of the ship as well as the lower section of the mast.

"Gabriel," He called, the guard was the only guard in sight. The rest were all below deck in the rooms.

"yes, Your Highness?" The guard walked toward him from the helm.

"Light up the torches and lanterns," James said, "There should be lighter somewhere in the kitchen."

Gabriel nodded and descended, appearing a moment later with a small torch of fire and a small smile on his face as if he had seen something amusing. The flame whooshed to life and illuminated the previously darkened areas of the ship. There was a small cabin on the deck and they stored all the trunks inside. The trunks were mostly waterproof on the exterior, therefore, a little seawater wouldn't damage the trunk. Besides, there was no use in piling them up in the rooms downstairs.

After a while, Andreas and Scottilan joined him on the deck, taking in the lanterns and torches in a glance, "James."

James turned to look at his younger brothers, "Yes?"

"Guess what?" Andreas asked excitedly.

James narrowed his eyes with unease. Andreas and excitement were better off not mixing together, "What?"

"We are not eating cold rations today," Andreas smiled as he leaned against the side of the ship, enjoying the gentle breeze.

James started, "Who is cooking?"

"Rider," Scottilan supplied as he joined Andreas, "Rider is cooking."

"He can cook?"

"Judging by the smell, he can," Ben joined them at the moment, climbing up from the stairs.

James sniffed the air. True enough, the smell of food, hot, warm, roasting, wafted through the air and reached them. He did not know how he could smell the warmness of the food, but at the moment, he could. He took an appreciating sniff. Rider could cook. That was an added bonus. He had nearly begun to regret his decision on rejecting the chef that Father had offered.

"Let's set the table," Andreas said eagerly, "I am hungry."

Ben nodded, "Gabe, can you bring out the table from the cabin over there?"

The bodyguard nodded and headed off. James decided to head to below deck to check on Rider. The smell increased by folds as he walked closer toward the kitchen. Christ, what was the bodyguard cooking? Some sort of godly food? James reached the kitchen and leaned against the doorframe. Rider had set a small chunk of meat roasting slowly in the first pit of fire. There was also a pot set boiling on top of the burning fire and James could see the bubbling of the warm soup inside. The fire crackled beneath the pot and James couldn't help but be reminded of hearth inside the library and inevitably, the incident at the library. Rider was using his left hand mainly and only his right hand to support or push against something but never holding. At that moment, James felt a stab of guilt running through him.

"Oh, Wolf," Rider greeted him after a moment, clearly surprised at his presence.

James started. Rider could never be surprised, no matter when. It was as if the young man had eyes all around him, looking and seeing everything that was happening around him. Surprising him was rare. James wondered what the bodyguard was thinking before he had arrived.

"Anything I can help with?" James finally managed awkwardly after a few moments of silence.

Rider glanced at him. The fire illuminated his brown eyes and his pale face, casting shadows across his features and enhancing his dark brown eyes. James was slightly shocked when he saw the thin sheens of sweat that had broken out over the bodyguard's forehead. His whole right arm was shaking slightly. The wound, James realized.

"I can take over," James offered not knowing why.

Rider looked surprised at the suggestion then he shook his head, "No, it is fine, Your Highness."

Even though it was merely a simple title, it made James inwardly faltered. The simple address of 'Your Highness' spoke of the large distance between Rider and him like a fault line. It was as if they were strangers.

"Your shoulder is not completely healed yet," James argued, "You might stretch the wound again."

Something flashed across the young man's features but it was gone before James could put a finger on it, "I am fine, Your Highness. Just rest and I will set up the table as soon as I am finished."

"Andrey and the others had set it up already," James said with a small smile that he managed.

"Oh," Rider blinked, "I see. Then you can just take a seat. It will only take a few minutes more."

James reluctantly nodded, "Alright, if you require my assist-"

"Go, please just go," Rider said as he turned away.

"Alright," James said quietly and left for the deck.

There was no flames or anger in Rider's tone when he told him to leave. It was more like…pain? James shook his head. He shouldn't dwell on such trifle things too much. At least for now. He would find out everything about Rider later. Right now, the mission was the importance.

They sat down around the table. There were only five chairs, to James's dismay. The last one had one of its legs broken when the trunk smashed against it accidentally. Rider appeared a moment later, placing the plates of food in front of them without a word. Under the light of the torches and lanterns, James could see that Rider's gaze was far away as he moved around, handing out the hot steaming food to them before finally slicing out a small portion of a bread for himself.

"There are extras in the pot if you would like some," Rider stated quietly.

"Hey," James began as he saw the portion that Rider took, "You should eat more."

Scottilan glanced at Rider at that point and took note of his plate, "James is right."

"I am fine," Rider said as he shook his head. He glanced at the table, apparently looking for a place to sit. When he found none, he sighed and turned to leave for the helm where there was a rise between the deck and the helm, providing a natural sitting place.

"Hey um, Rider," Gabriel called out as he stood up and offered his seat, "You can take mine if you would like to."

"I wouldn't like to," Rider replied as he sat down and leaned against the side of the ship, "Thank you for your offer."

Gabriel looked at a loss for speech for a moment before he sat back down again, still glancing at Rider a little uncertainly.

"Just sit and eat," Scottilan instructed Ben's bodyguard, "Rider is stubborn like that so don't get bothered by it too much."

"Alright," Gabriel nodded slightly and dug in.

James glanced at Rider, who had got up to stand against the railing and facing the sea. The night breeze was soft and cool and it ruffled the young man's hair as he gazed out, his gaze once again far away. James wondered what he was thinking about. A moment later, a pigeon fluttered by and landed on Rider's shoulder.

"A message?" James asked the bodyguard who turned upon the question.

"No," Rider shook his head, "It is just Y-Gregorovich's pigeon. He allowed me to take it onto the mission."

James watched as Rider ripped parts of his bread off and fed it to the pigeon who nibbled them up quickly and cooed for more. It looked almost peaceful as the sun began setting down. Rider's figure covered the sun's rays at its final descent, drawing a long black shadow across the deck. Something about it seemed to sadden the atmosphere. Soon, Rider bid them a good night before disappearing below deck.

James would have thought that the bodyguard was tired if not for the small slip of paper that Rider slipped into his pocket from the pigeon. It was definitely a message, but why was Rider not telling them about it?

Alex couldn't sleep as he laid down, facing the wooden ceiling of the ship. It rocked gently on the water. Frest was steering at the moment and soon it would be his shift. They had agreed to switch every five hours while the princes were sleeping. Frest had taken the first shift and him the second. The night was quiet and he could only hear the sound of the waves slapping against the side of the ship. It was almost too quiet.

He couldn't help but be thankful for Eagle's soft snoring that disrupted the quietness. At least he knew that there was someone else out there with him. He was not afraid of the dark nor silence, Alex knew, but more of the chaos that dark and silence could bring. In the darkness, there was no light, unlike the busy streets of the cities that were illuminated by the sunlight where you could still see the light even in the shadows. Complete darkness unnerved him. But at least there was the slight light from the soft glowing lantern outside the door that brought a faint light through the small hole beneath the door. Getting out from the blankets, he pulled out the small piece of paper that Yassen had sent him through the pigeon. He unrolled it in the darkness and crept to the small hole before he started reading it.

R,

Captured and talked with one of them today. Alex didn't need to ask to know who 'them' were. Scorpia. Agents from Scorpia.

Asked about if they know about the mission or not. Of course they did. Be careful. I do not know what lies ahead and I am not going to make a prophecy. Alex snorted softly. Sounded exactly like Yassen.

But the least I can tell you is that you can trust everyone around you. I have done a complete background check. Rely on them when you need to because it will not be easy. Pay attention, and by that, I mean it. Any small overlooked detail might bring absolute elimination.

Reply back when you have time.

G.

"Still cheerful like always," Alex muttered under his breath as he slipped the paper back into his pocket.

The pigeon cooed softly next to him. Alex glanced at it, "I will name you Coo."

The pigeon cooed again and Alex smiled, "I wonder if he did a background check on you as well."

The pigeon had no response, not that Alex was expecting any. He placed the pigeon back on the pile of blankets. Its feathers were soft and silky as if groomed, "Rest well. I will be needing you to send a message soon."

At that moment, Frest knocked softly on the door and Alex headed out, exchanging their shift. Frest glanced at him then smiled, "Just man the helm, it doesn't require much energy. If you are cold, get one of the blankets up there."

Alex smiled slightly in return to the man's kind gestures, "Thank you."

"No problem." With that, Frest ducked into the room that he shared with Wolf and Fox and closed it behind him softly.

Glancing behind him at the door where Snake and Eagle were sleeping peacefully behind, he wondered if they would be safe during his temporary absence. Well, it wasn't as if something bad was going to happen as long as he guarded the deck and allow no one in. It was going to be one long night, he knew as he walked to the helm and glanced out. The stars twinkled at him as the ship sailed smoothly along the currents. At least there were lights.

There weren't many jobs on the shift, just the basics of turning the wheel when they were whirring off course and making sure that there were no pirate ships nearby. Alex didn't even know if there really were pirates or not.

Suddenly, the sky darkened and Alex looked up, startled. The clouds had covered over the stars and the moon, casting a dark shadow upon where the moon previously shine. Alex was instantly alert. Enemy? There was nothing above them. It was just clouds, but Alex was uneasy about it. Then the first drop of rain hit his nose and he flinched back, surprised. Rain? Then it started pouring. Startled, Alex scrambled to cover the stairs with the tarp so that it wouldn't be flooded by the rain. He sealed off the stairs as fast as he could before quickly scanned the surrounding, blocking out the rain with his hands. He squinted as he tried to look into the rain. The wind violently blew at the ship and Alex nearly stumbled as the ship heaved upward, the sail being pushed back in a quick jerk. He righted himself using the side of the ship and hurried toward the wheel. There was a large wave coming in from the right. He jerked the wheel toward the left before reaching out to trim the sail, pulling it up to a bare minimum. He was no expert in sailing and he had no idea what he was doing. But judging by the way the wind was blowing across the sail and directing it off course, pulling up the sail was the safest way to navigate at the moment.

The first wave hit past them, tossing the ship up before the ship fell down again against the rough waves. At least the wave hadn't gone onboard yet, but the deck was already slippery with the rain and the mist from the wave. He grabbed the wheel with his right hand as he nearly slipped and gasped out in pain. The storm drowned out his voice. His shoulder screamed in pain and Alex quickly grabbed on with his left hand, turning the wheel slightly to adjust their direction.

"Rider!" He thought he heard his name being called and turned. Someone was hitting on the tarp seal he had placed on top of the staircase. What were they doing? "Open up!"

Glancing at the second wave that was still rolling and storing up, he dashed toward the tarp and lifted it, all the while trying to stay on the slippery deck. It was Wolf.

"What are you doing?" Wolf shouted over the storm as he tried to climb out. Alex did not stop him.

"There is a storm," Alex said as calmly as he could and moved toward the wheel, bringing the ship around just as the next wave crashed down beside them, nearly sending the ship under.

Alex glanced back, making sure that the prince was still onboard and safe. Wolf had grasped onto the end of one of the ropes on the ship and was moving toward him even while the ship rocks, "Get back, Wolf!"

"Let me take control," Wolf snapped as he took the wheel from him and passed him the rope to secure himself.

"I—"

"Do you know anything about sailing?" Wolf snapped as he asked.

"No."

"Then let me take control," Wolf glared at him, "And get them up here, now."

Alex nodded and using the sleek wooden deck, he slid down to the stairway and rushed down, not bothering to keep it quiet. The princes, to their credits, were already awake and pulling on their clothing.

"What is happening?" Snake demanded as Alex entered into the room, not bothering with knocking.

"There is a storm," Alex said, "Wolf said to get up there as soon as possible."

Snake nodded and turned toward Eagle, "Andrey, come on."

The ship rocked beneath them and Snake grabbed him before he crashed into the wall, "Not used to the weather?"

Alex smiled grimly, "Not much of a sailor, I am afraid."

At that moment, Fox along with Frest, walked in, "What is happening?"

"A storm," Snake explained as he ushered them towards the deck, "Get up there."

Fox nodded without further explanation.

Wolf saw them as soon as they reached the deck. Alex took a glance around, shielding his eyes at the sudden blast of mist. Water was crashing down against them from all direction, he didn't know what to do. Wolf was signaling for them to grab hold onto something. The waves were constantly crashing into them, tossing the ship up and down like a toy in the vast ocean. The rain blurred out all sense of direction they had and Alex could almost feel the desperate groans of the ship.

"Take cover!" Wolf yelled as the ship heaved upward by the large waves crashing down, the storm drowned out his voice, "Tie yourself to the side of the ship or something or you will be swept away!"

Alex could see the distant wave that was starting to form, rolling up toward them in a ship-high height. If the ship sank… He swallowed. Someone grabbed him by his shoulder. He turned. It was Fox. The man jerked him toward the side of the ship, secured the rope on him before tying himself in as well. The other end of the rope was tied to the center, stabilized by the strong mast. Alex felt himself being pressed the side of the ship as the smaller waves crashed into the ship, pushing it further away. The large wave was still rearing toward them, slowly advancing. He felt the rain bristling upon them, drowning out all the voices and freezing their body. He felt numb.

"-lf! Wolf!" Distantly, he thought he heard Snake calling out.

Alex squinted into the rain. Wolf was still manning the helm, turning the wheel in a desperate attempt to steady the ship and turn it further away from the large incoming wave. But the wind was too strong and the waves were pushing them back, so much that his attempts were futile.

"One more time!" He heard Wolf calling back, his voice blurred and blotted out and Alex could only try to read his lips.

The wave was getting closer and closer. Wolf was not going to make it. Struggling out of his ropes, and shaking away Fox's hands, he ran toward his principal. The prince turned sharply and yelled, "What are you doing? Secure yourself!"

Without a word, Alex pulled the man away from the wheel, tied the rope onto the man the way Fox did for his, and rushed back to the wheel. The wind was blowing the same direction as the wave. Alex let down the sail and the wind violently jerked them away as it caught the sail. The wheel spun disastrously fast as Alex let go. The wind dragged them away. Alex glanced up at the sail and knew that it wasn't going to support for much longer but at least for the moment, the wind would bring them a little further away. He prayed that at least what he was doing was right and not something that would turn the situation into something worse. He trimmed the sail as the wave roared, finally descending on them. The large wave crashed onto the ship and Alex felt himself being flung away. Desperately, he reached out for something to grab onto but found nothing. Dimly, he felt someone grabbing him by his wrist.

A shout, drowned out by the sound of the wave and rain. "Rider!"

And then, nothing.

I am terribly sorry for any inaccuracy on the sailing terms (just realized after research that tiller and wheel are not the same things XD). At first, I wanted to make Alex a pro-sailor, but on second thought, I don't think Alex will be one since I don't want him to be invincible at everything. So I made Alex somewhat like me: an (almost) complete novice in sailing.

Thank you for all the reviews and supports I have received! I know that this story is kind of (extremely) weird and I hope that it was at least enjoyable. ^ ^ (Everything with K-Unit in it is amazing for me haha)