Chapter Six
"Hah!" Julian thumped the table as he spread his cards out. A wide boyish grin split across his face, his eyes twinkling devilish delight as he watched Diego slump back, defeated by Julian's winning hand. The dim light above, the only light in the dark of early morning, only exaggerated the grin on Julian's face. Edwardo just sat there, huge bulk crammed into his chair and frowning into his cards, bushy eyebrows scrunched together. Looked like he was puzzling out the mystery of the universe.
Raoul leant against the door frame, watching Julian scrape his winnings towards him and sharing in the lads enjoyment. The look on Diego's face alone was enough, but Julian's infectious pleasure just made it impossible for Raoul not to grin through his beard at his crew.
The last few months he'd watched Julian's confidence grow. Must have been since that night they caught the fisherman and would be thrill seekers, returning them to port with Julian looking like he'd saved the day and couldn't be prouder. Which he had, and he was. From there, watching Julian had been like watching his son take his first steps, or his daughter come home from school with a new piece of information or song she'd learnt. Julian had just grown. A strength had formed, and he'd managed to muscle his way into the crew and earn his place, with a bit of guidance of course.
Diego had seen it too. The reluctant smile that was tugging at his face told Raoul everything. The respect was coming. Hell, it was already here. Julian had wrestled it from them all bit by bit over the last few months, again, with a bit of steering. And now here he was, winning at cards and revelling in it, gloating and making a show of his winnings, as if the notes of money and coins weighed more than they did and it was an effort to drag such a mountain to his edge of the table. Raoul chuckled, enjoying the swell of fatherly pride he felt. Made him look forward to getting back to port and seeing his children. Miguel and Nina were growing too, and he was missing them more and more. Maybe that was why he'd taken to mentoring Julian as closely as he had. That and it was a better, or more honest, distraction from other crew mates. Most of the time at least.
"Another game?" said Julian, clinking two coins together. Edwardo made some sort of rumbling noise in his chest.
"I can't afford it,'' he said, stretching his large arms above his head. "You've damn near broke me boy. Fucking American game, my children will be singing for their supper before long. How did you get so good?"
"That would be telling, old man,'' grinned Julian. Edwardo huffed, crossing his arms across his chest, nudging the straining buttons of his uniform as it held his considerable stomach in. "And you, Diego? Another hand?"
"Oh, I am in, Sapling. Don't you worry, or get attached to that money. Captain, you want in on this? Could use your help in shaking this kid down."
"Maybe next time," said Raoul, finding his wedding ring and giving it a twist on his finger. "And that goes for all of you now. Your watch starts in five minutes."
"Is that the time already?" sniffed Edwardo, rubbing at his gut. "I gotta shit then." He lumbered up and banged his way through the door towards the toilet, his grumbling and sniffing echoing though the cabin. The other two were up swiftly, knowing the explosive farting that was about to start. Julian shuffled out, pocketing his winnings and giving Raoul a knowing smile. The smile that said he appreciated the extra help in knowing when to bluff, when to go all in and when to spot Diego's tells. Raoul gave the slightest of nods and watched him stroll past towards the prow of the boat, the confidence even affecting how he walked.
"Don't know what you've done to that kid," said Diego, coming and standing beside Raoul, "but he's found his balls, no? Reminds me of me at his age. So sure of myself. Like I had the biggest cock going and wanted everyone to know." Raoul snorted.
"Not much has changed then?"
"Hah" chortled Diego, clapping Raoul on the arm. "Never." Diego tucked the chairs under the table and made for the stairs to the bridge. "I'll see how Elena's getting on." His footsteps echoed up the stairs as he vanished from view, the faint sounds of conversation starting from above. Raoul could already hear Elena telling Diego not to touch things. He smiled. Some things definitely don't change.
Raoul moved along the patrol boat deck on the port side, stopping in his usual spot to stare out to sea. He balled his fists and leant his knuckles onto the handrail, breathing in the sea air deeply. He always liked this time of morning, a few moments before sunrise. The world was so dark, so still. A place where your thoughts seemed to wait their turn for a change, instead of all yelling for attention. He took another breath, the salt tang tickling his nose whilst the waves rocked the boat on the small swells. Bit unsettled this morning, but not rough by any means. He quite liked it when the water was like this. Always felt like he was being rocked to sleep.
His eyes flicked to the island for a moment, the dark mass a silent and imposing creature as ever, and then he turned away, checking his watch and heading for the main cabin, twisting his wedding ring. Elena, Maria and Ricardo would be coming off shift soon, and he wanted to make sure of a smooth transition. They'd been on for the night, and things tended to be a bit clunky at handover this time of morning. No doubt Edwardo was still in the toilet. He'd have to give the door a thump to hurry the man up.
He made his way through a service door, threading his way passed the small cabin that served to house the few bunks, and back towards the main cabin where they played cards. He passed the toilet and heard the sound of sniffing and coughing, adding the noise of his thumps on the door.
"Two minutes big man,'' he called. "Then I want you on maintenance. Get a move on." Edwardo grumbled his acknowledgement as Raoul carried on, giving the cabin an appraising sweep. It was tidy, ready for the others if they needed to sit. He suspected they would head to the bunks though.
He turned and made his way back down towards the rear of the patrol boat, squeezing himself down a narrow corridor and down a small flight of steps towards the engines, the sounds and groans of the boat all sounding as they should.
A hand snaked around his mouth from behind and yanked him backwards, not giving him a chance to even squeak in surprise. He was pushed against the wall, the edge of a fire extinguisher digging uncomfortably into his side. It clanged slightly, sounding as surprised as he felt. And then her lips were on his. Soft, full and needy. Her scent, with that hint of rose petal, filled his nose and made his head feel light. Probably because the blood was rushing somewhere else. Always seemed to happen so quick. Maria nipped at his lips, grinning around her kisses, her hands pulling at him, placing his own on her ass or back, closing the space between them even more.
He began to kiss back, his hunger for her building rapidly. Just as quickly Miguel's and Nina's face flashed across his mind, and Sofía's, and the guilt washed up, dousing any heat he felt. He pushed against Maria, putting space between them. Needing to, or else he'd tumble down that abyss again. Just like he did before. Like he did so many times. Maria's eyes held that look that knew he'd give in, like he usually did. Trouble was, the longer he looked, the longer he knew it was true. He'd tried. God how he'd tried. He'd made every effort with Sofía, when he was home, to try and get that spark back, that fire they'd had when they met. When they were young. But it was different now. It had been different for a long time. Subtle changes, building slowly, taking the flames down a notch each time.
It only made the flames with Maria hotter. Only made him want to get back to the boat when their time ashore was over. He'd told himself it was to work, to provide for Sofia and the kids. And it was true. Only, it wasn't the only truth.
And now that truth was in front of him, lips pressing back in, hands running down his back, tugging at his belt buckle, undoing it, the various equipment on his belt wiggling down his thighs. The buckle clinked as her fingers worked deftly, pulling his zipper down, grazing against his swelling prick. He took a sharp intake of breath as she ran a sharp fingernail across him through his underwear, tracing a line of fire. His prick strained against his clothes, and he growled as he kissed her harder, his own hands seeking out her flesh now.
He flicked the buttons of her shirt open, sweeping a palm across the smooth skin of a breast, his thumb slipping beneath the lace edge of her bra and running across her nipple. He felt her shiver, felt her nip at his lip again. The heat was unbearable, stifling. He felt a drop of sweat course down his neck. He kissed her again, his hands squeezing at a tit, kneading the flesh.
She had pulled his cock free now, her hand wrapped around it, slowly pumping. He whimpered, fumbling with her own belt buckle now.
"You should be catching up on sleep,'' he gasped. "You've been up all night." She kissed him again.
"I think we both know I have time for this.'' She sank to her knees suddenly, trailing a hand down his stomach. Her face was inches from his prick, her mouth slightly parted. Her lips, full and red, the light catching them in the most pleasing way imaginable. He let out a steadying breath as she smiled wickedly up at him, her tongue curling up to touch her top teeth.
The lights went out. There was a moments stillness between them before the red lights came on. Red lights that meant only one thing.
"Shit,'' hissed Raoul, fumbling his suddenly wilting prick back into his pants and struggling to button his shirt in the correct order. "Shit shit shit!"
Maria was wiggling her way back to her feet, hastily buttoning her own shirt up and adjusting her hair, her breath coming short and sharp. Raoul was moving back towards the main deck, his own breath panting in and out with furious speed. He gave up with his buttons, ducking through a door and shoving his way past Edwardo as he appeared from the toilet.
"Out of my way!"
"Hey, mind yourself Captain!" grunted Edwardo, bumping a shoulder against a wall as Raoul barrelled past. He heard Edwardo muttering curses as he climbed the stairs to the bridge, the red lights guiding him up the steps in the near darkness. He had a sudden worry his dick was still hanging out as he burst onto the bridge, Elena and Diego looking round wide eyed at his approach. He hoped Maria had made herself look more presentable than he had.
"Report," he growled, knowing he looked and sounded more flustered than he should have been. This was not how a Captain should be conducting himself. Diego took a quick glance at his undone top buttons, the knob in this throat moving up and down as he swallowed. Diego held out the radio to Raoul.
"Sorna Five Two-Ski…Captain,'' said Diego. Elena turned to look back at the scanner on the control panel, almost deliberately averting her eyes from Raoul. Far too obvious. He snatched the receiver from Diego and held it to his mouth, noticing how much his mouth had gone dry of a sudden. He licked his lips, trying to find some composure. Any second now the nerves would kick in.
"Sorna Five come in, this is Sorna Two." The radio went static for a moment before it crackled and a voice garbled through from the speaker.
"Captain Vega? This is Captain Ramirez of Sorna Five. We require support. Three vessels detected and inbound, twenty minutes. Respond."
Raoul glanced at Elena who tapped a piece of paper, a series of numbers and letters written down in her handwriting.
"We have your co-ordinate's Captain,'' said Raoul. He worked out the distances, scanning the dark horizon through the windows. "We are on our way. Fifteen minutes. Out." He passed the receiver back to Diego. "Places."
Elena bent over the controls and began throttling the engines, her slender arms and hands moving at great speed as she began adjusting the course. Diego had already gone, vanishing into the darkness like a shade. Raoul could hear his keys jingling. The man would have the crew armed shortly.
"Keep me informed,'' said Raoul, following Diego down the stairs. "And get on the radio to Sorna Eight or whoever else is nearby." Elena nodded curtly. The sea air met Raoul with more force this time as he emerged on deck, the speed of the boat carrying them over the swells and the wind hissing past him. The sky was gaining some colour now, a bloody canvas seeping across the black and dark blue above, smothering the stars. Raoul wished he could smother his nerves which had come bubbling to the surface now. His stomach was lurching in between each wave, his mind racing with the million possibilities that could happen from this encounter.
Never got any easier.
Harder, even. Certainly, given how successful and quiet the past few months had been. Only two catches since the new year started, and those the usual by the numbers arrests. Australian tourists, the last time. He couldn't believe how far people would come to try and get a glimpse of these islands. And how far they'd come to get a criminal record.
The hum of the engines, mixed with the crash of the water as the boat cut through it, did little to steady his nerves. Probably worse this time round because of what he'd been doing moments before the alert lights came on. He could still feel the heat of Maria and the taste of her on his lips. He huffed, trying to shake those thoughts away. He needed to be focused now. Yet he couldn't resist a look up to the spotlights where he knew she'd be. There was a dark silhouette there, and he felt a yearning.
Julian appeared, rifle slung across his shoulder, his face serious. Ready for action and full of purpose. The look of someone sure of themselves. Raoul wondered if he looked the same. Probably not. But Julian seemed not to notice. He nodded at Raoul, taking a position against the railings, every movement now tuned to action. Hadn't taken him long to understand the seriousness of each potential catch. Raoul fingered his pistol at his belt, hoping it wouldn't be that serious. Julian stood beside him.
"Tourists again, Captain?" asked Julian, looking forward.
"Unknown yet. Only three vessels,'' said Raoul. He rubbed at his wedding ring, scratching at his beard at the same time. Three was a lot for tourists. "You ready?"
"Yes, sir," nodded Julian. Funny, he looked so like Miguel sometimes, despite nearly fifteen years between them. Just a boy still, but carrying himself like a man. Raoul frowned, knowing there was some advice in there somewhere. "Captain, I just wanted to say again, thanks. For everything, over the last few weeks. Months actually."
"No need to thank me,'' said Raoul. "Just keep doing what you're doing. You've earnt it. Not easy with this crew. God knows I had my fair share of it."
"You sir? No. We all look up to you." Julian's voice held not a single note of doubt. Raoul certainly felt it though.
"Give it time, you'll be calling me Two-Skins before long." Julian made a sort of soft snigger. Raoul clapped him on the shoulder, nodding towards the open sea. "Eyes open, easy hands easy heart eh. Just like always. Calm."
Julian nodded his head once. Raoul shook his own head in a kind of disbelief as Julian took up a position. For some reason, the lads calm was like a shot of Valium for his nerves. It should be the other way round, with him being the figure of masterful control. Maybe it was like that and he just couldn't see it. Not that he'd displayed much in the way of control recently.
Raoul swept a gaze around the patrol boat, seeing the slight signs of movement from the crew as they prepared and got into position. He spotted Edwardo, frowning in the half light of the red bulbs, rocking and swaying with the movement of the boat. Ricardo was perched up front, in Elena's usual spot, rifle couched in the crook of an arm. Diego and Julian had taken up position starboard side, opposite Edwardo. All of them set. All of them quiet.
Always so quiet, just before the action started. If the action started.
The minutes ticked by, the dark shape of Sorna on their left becoming more and more noticeable as the cool blue of the morning sky drove the night away. The darkest shade of green could just be seen in its mass, almost black. The island slid away behind them as Elena changed course, the bow of the boat swinging round due east. Ahead, the bloody golden light of the sun began to reflect off the water, a painful mirror to look at. Put them at a bit of a disadvantage, but it couldn't be helped. Raoul flicked out some sunglasses, shielding his eyes from the sun. The others were doing something similar, some donning caps as well.
The shape of Sorna Five appeared on their portside now, cruising towards them. Raoul waved as they approached, a series of return waves from their deck. Made him feel better. Strength in numbers always helped, even if they were still two against three. Hopefully Elena had Sorna Eight en-route by now.
Captain Ramirez was stood at the prow of his patrol boat, shielding his eyes as they swung round to sail parallel. The red bulk heads on their boat glowed dimly in the gathering light, and Raoul could see the same tense energy in the other crew. Unsure about what was coming. Ramirez gave him a nod, the chinless bastard, looking much more sure of things than Raoul felt.
He squinted forwards, his nerves coming flooding back when he saw the shapes approaching now. Black against the light behind, and small, but coming swiftly. He could see the foam from their wake, sweeping away into the ocean. He took a calming breath, turning and plucking his megaphone from its cradle, his thumb finding that familiar switch. His other hand had taken its place on his holster, the grooves in the pistol's grip feeling rough against his fingertips.
The approaching boats were slowing now, he could hear their engines changing in pitch, movement on their decks. Difficult to see what kind of boats they were yet, but they didn't look like the rugged and worn fishermen's boats. They were grey, with wide decks, and a high bridge. Not unlike the patrol boat. Looked like they could hold a fair bit of cargo if needed. Or people.
Their engines cut, the sound of the sea filling the space between them as Elena eased their own engines down. Julian shifted in his position, and Diego began to lean forward. Raoul could feel their anticipation. He glanced up at Maria, her rifle in her arms now, the spotlight no longer needed. She glanced at him, a twist to her lips.
The two approaching boats listed slowly on the waves as Sorna Five flanked them, Raoul's own boat mimicking it, sandwiching both vessels between the two patrol boats. He put a boot up on the railing, switching the megaphone on and growling into it.
"Attention! You are in restricted waters and in direct violation of Section Nine of the Gene Guard Act." He repeated it in English, and then switched back to Spanish. "All on board please step on deck with your hands up. You will be boarded and your vessels seized."
Ramirez was barking something similar, and already the people on board the far boat were appearing on deck, the crew of Sorna Five pointing and calling. Spanish and English voices began to mix in an increasing fight the be the loudest. Two faces appeared on the near boat now, timid and wide eyed. Raoul felt his chest relax slightly as he spotted the odd camera about their necks, the typical bad hats of tourists not used to the sun here. Raoul let out another long breath, Edwardo and Julian coiling lengths of ropes in their hands as Elena manoeuvred them alongside the nearest tourist boat. They worked quickly, securing the boats using the cleats. Diego was stood close, rifle slightly raised, looking stern.
Edwardo began to move aboard, his usual tactic of intimidation a second nature to them all. But Raoul held up a hand.
"Hold there Edwardo. Julian, this one is yours." The look of surprise on both Julian and Edwardo's face was almost identical, their eyebrows high up their foreheads. Edwardo shrugged, nodding at Julian and taking up the lads position.
Julian hopped aboard, speaking in Spanish and gesturing at the people, a man and a woman Raoul saw now, to move aboard the patrol boat. They seemed to get the gist, looking sour and very put out as they looked at the patrol boat. The woman looked backwards towards the climbing sun, shielding her eyes, drawing Raoul's attention.
The third boat was approaching now, he'd almost completely forgotten. This one was slightly bigger than the other two, and it was coming quickly, but its engines were decreasing in noise, its course slowing. It could obviously see what was happening. He shielded his own eyes now, the sun right behind it, his sunglasses doing little to help. He heard the bridge windows being knocked, and he glanced up. Elena was waving at him and pointing at the third boat. He raised his hand up, acknowledging that he'd seen it. She shook her head, waving frantically, and then she vanished from view. He heard her thumping feet, coming from inside.
He frowned, looking over at the two captive boats and then the third. Movement caught his eye, and the woman on the detained boat nearest took a bite from an apple.
"Hey!" called Julian, looking a bit confused of a sudden. Raoul watched as the woman tossed the apple away. It arced through the air and landed with a thump on the deck of the patrol boat. Raoul frowned at it, wondering why she'd thrown it. His guts cramped up as he gasped.
"Down!" he yelled, diving backwards. The grenade exploded, the bang sounding no louder than a cheap firework. Louder was the sounds of the shrapnel hitting the deck, the hull and walls of the cabin. People were screaming and yelling incoherently, and then the gunfire started.
Raoul cried out as the noise got worse, the clangs of bullets hitting metal and ricocheting all around him filled his ears, penetrating into his skull and making him scream louder. The hiss and whine of the bullets was terrifying as they flew over him like angry hornets, forcing his head down and making him crawl along the deck.
He glanced up, his sunglasses askew on his face. Diego was crouched down behind the panelling of the prow, blind firing over the edge. His eyes were almost jammed shut. Bit of wood and chunks of metal were exploding around him, smoking bullet holes appearing in the hull and deck. Ricardo was trying to drag Edwardo towards some cover, his face straining with the effort. Edwardo was roaring, one hand clutched to his leg and the other aiming a wobbling rifle towards the near boat. The occasional shot went far wide of any target. Raoul could see blood all over his leg, a few bits of metal stuck in his thigh.
Gunfire from above now, maybe Maria, firing down? He didn't know. Everything was utter confusion. The yelling stopped for a moment, as did the gunfire. A serene moment and awkward silence, and then it all started again. As if everyone were just taking a breath.
The noise of a revving engine grew noticeable, and Raoul glanced over his shoulder, seeing the third boat circling around them, three or four figures on its deck aiming and firing towards Raoul and his crew. He flapped a hand at his belt, trying to drag his weapon free. He realised he was still holding his megaphone and tossed it away, noticing a single hole in its cone, still smoking slightly. He scrambled for more cover, avoiding the shots of the passing boat.
Raoul fought his way to the doorway to the cabin, gaining his feet and dashing through to the other side, using the opposite door to shield his body. He peeped around it, seeing Julian and the man on the near boat towards the prow, locked in a wobbling and furious fight with Julian's rifle at the centre. They were yelling and spitting at each other. The woman was firing at Diego from the stern, trading shots. He saw her duck down, and then her arm appeared, tossing another grenade at them. He heard the dull bang as it exploded, more yelling and groaning from outside. Then more gunfire.
His heart was pumping so fast in his body it hurt, his chest tight with terror. He forced himself to lean around the door, testing a few shots at the woman. She kept her head down. Beyond, he watched as Ramirez appeared on deck of his patrol boat, bellowing, only to start twisting and juddering suddenly. Red holes appeared in his chest, and he dropped from view. People were swarming his boat now, automatic weapons blaring, screams as more people died. Raoul's mouth went dry. One of them fired down where Ramirez had fallen, and then moved on.
Raoul saw the woman dart from cover suddenly, running for the other boat and vaulting over the edge. She vanished amongst the cabin, and Julian appeared, his mouth bloodied but alive. Raoul darted out, waving at him. There was no sign of the man he'd been fighting.
"Julian! Back! Back!" Raoul's voice was hoarse in his throat. Julian looked round, wild eyed, the look of a man who'd just fought for his life. He nodded, scrambling along the deck of the boat and making for Raoul's boat.
More gunfire hissed around them, the circling third boat a constant threat now. Raoul saw movement on Ramirez' boat now, and in a few swift movements the assailants had cut the ropes tethering the boats and were pulling away, the foam from the ocean bubbling up behind them, churning into a pale pink as it mixed with the blood in the sea. The woman was amongst them, throwing a jerry can into the ocean. Raoul saw bodies in the water now, uniformed and face down. He felt sick.
The fleeing boat was twenty or thirty feet away when Ramirez' boat exploded, the cabin walls bursting apart with a tortured shriek of metal. The bang from this was far louder than any grenade, and Raoul had to shield his eyes from the fireball that rose into the air. His ears felt like they'd exploded as well, a painful throb inside them. He felt the blast, the force of it sending him back a step. Ramirez boat was already listing sideways, the ocean rushing in through unseen holes, claiming the vessel.
Raoul dashed out onto the foredeck, stepping around Ricardo who had managed to pull Edwardo inside. Elena had helped him, their faces slick with sweat and terror. Diego was still outside, still crouched behind the ruined panelling and taking shots at the circling third boat. Julian was doing something similar.
Raoul moved along the deck, and then caught sight of more jerry cans on the deck of the boat that was still tied to them. He frowned, seeing the shimmering reflection of liquid all over the deck boards. Then he caught the scent of the petrol.
The third boat appeared behind them, engines revving as it passed the tethered boat. Raoul watched as someone threw something onto the grey boat. It rolled and clanked amongst the jerry cans. Julian had seen it too, and was moving towards Raoul when the grenade detonated, igniting the petrol and god knows what else was on that boat.
There was another deafening blast and the patrol boat rocked violently sideways as the captured boat exploded. Pieces of metal flew past them, embedding into the patrol boat or landing in the sea, sizzling with a hiss as the waves doused them out, lost forever. Raoul staggered sideways, fighting for balance and trying to clear his head from the ringing in his ears. His pistol had tumbled from his grip, and he sank to a knee, coughing and shielding his face from the flames beside them. The sea seemed to boil around them with anger.
Julian was on his knees beside Raoul, a hand waving in his direction. Raoul caught his hand, and then he felt Julian's weight tumble against him. Half the boys head was missing, the remaining half of his face slack, a look of surprise in his one eye. Gristly flaps of meat and jagged edges of skull rubbed against Raoul's arm as Julian slid against him, crumpling in a pile on the deck. Raoul just stared at him, for some reason noticing that the edge of Julian's sleeve was on fire. He patted the small flame out, frowning. He rubbed his eyes, dragging a grit covered hand down his face, then frowned again. Couldn't seem to stop.
The noises around him were muted, the whine in his ears overriding the crackles of the fires and the hissing of the sea. The horizon, beyond the carnage, was beginning to tilt. Why was it tilting? Someone was grabbing at him. Diego. Face next to his and yelling, pointing madly. He looked over in the general direction, watching the boat that was tied to theirs leaning at a peculiar angle. Almost looked comical. Then he saw the water, spilling over its edges, pulling it down. Quenching the flames and wreckage and beginning to drag Raoul's boat with it. He put a hand out somewhere to try and hold onto something. Julian's body began to slide towards the edge, a smear of red trailing in his wake. His face looked at Raoul, that look of surprise still there, and then he slipped between the two boats, arms and legs flapping as he disappeared beneath the water.
Diego was suddenly moving along the edge, a machete in his hand. His arm was going up and down, and then the patrol boat jolted back the other way, the severed ends of the ropes on the cleats sagging and dancing as the boat heaved sideways, finding its buoyancy again.
Diego was in his face again, saying something, pulling him up. Raoul found he was being dragged into the cabin. Others were there. Elena was knelt by Edwardo, a first aid box open by her foot. She was running a bandage around his thing. Round and round and round. Edwardo had his eyes screwed shut, hissing. Maria was leant against the table, her chest heaving. Her rifle lay before her. Her hands were shaking. Diego was kneeling by Edwardo now. Saying something. It didn't matter. Raoul couldn't take his eyes off the scattered playing cards on the floor, some of them with crumpled edges where they'd been trampled.
He felt it. Felt it deep inside of him. The pain. The anger. The sheer agony of seeing that boy who'd worked so damn hard have half his head blown away. And for what? He dragged a sleeve across his nose, blowing spit into his beard. He saw Julian's face, in his mind, and he felt that something inside him snap.
He moved quickly, crossing the room and leaping up the steps to the bridge. Ricardo was there, looking as far from his usual half-asleep state that you could get. He was shouting into the radio in one hand whilst with the other he was operating the controls and spinning the wheel to bring the boat about. Raoul brushed him aside. Ricardo stuttered, radio frozen by his mouth.
"Captain, what are you…?"
Raoul took the controls of the boat, turning the boat back west. Away from the bright sun. Towards Sorna. He found the throttle and gunned the engines, feeling the reluctant vibrations of the boat as it obeyed him. He saw the white wake of the two boats that had fled, their direction still bound to Sorna. Raoul's teeth clenched together, ignoring the ache in his jaw. The sound of thumping feet came up behind them.
"What are you doing?" Diego's voice. "We need to radio in! We need to return to port! Captain? What is he doing!?"
"Damned if I know." Ricardo's voice held nothing but worry.
"Captain, we need to call this in. We aren't in any state to go after poachers like that! The deck alone is fucked after those grenades! Captain!"
"Then call it in!" Raoul growled at him, angry. "It won't change what just happened. And it doesn't change our job."
"Our job doesn't cover going to the island! We should be heading back! Captain, this isn't right!"
Raoul ignored them, coaxing more speed from the engines. He could feel the boat shuddering, struggling with the demands he was placing on it. Diego was right. The boat was damaged. Maybe dangerously so. Even from here he could see the blackened wounds left in its deck from the grenades. The countless bullet holes from the poachers weapons. He didn't care. Nothing much mattered anymore. He was only interested in putting things right. In balancing the scales. No matter what it looked like or what it cost.
Ahead, the island waited.