Chapter 8

Will Englehorn stood in the back room of the wheelhouse, cigarette between his lips as his blue eyes scanned the charts of Atlantic currents and weather maps. Even though he was alone, the majority of his crew either sleeping, eating their dinner, or working on the decks were well away from his work area. To be honest, he was rather content with that. Despite the occasional deck hand working the radio, the German was rather well adjusted to working entirely on his own. With Hayes as his First Mate, he was content to allow him to handle the majority of the more personal supervision to allow himself some sense of privacy. Working alone was far more self satisfactory than most people gave it credit for. Sure, he wasn't a total loner. On more than one occasion, he went out for drinks with Hayes, Lumpy, and Choy, but when it came to actual work, he felt more competent….maybe more in control, if he was by himself.

Perhaps that's why his military career was rather short lived. It was a little ironic even. He grew up in a particularly overbearing environment, what with both his father and grandfather having served in the military all their lives. It wasn't that his own work in the armed forces wasn't fruitful or lacked its own excitement. He supposed that, well since his own childhood was spent under the constant tyrannical rule of his father, Will just had this instant distaste for authority. And now he was one, comically enough.

A knock at the entrance caught his attention and Englehorn turned around, a little surprised but then again he was rather focused on the charts before him. Seeing Hayes, he nodded for his First Mate to step forward as he ashed his cigarette.

Seeing Hayes' s expression, his eyes narrowed, "What is it?"

"We might have a problem," Hayes said with a heavy sigh. Folding his arms, the Captain could see the seriousness of the situation in his face.

'That's all we need,' Englehorn thought .

"I'm listening."

Sitting in the cargo hold next to the slumbering beast, Ashe watched in silence as Kong's chest rose and fell with ease passing breath. The chloroform was more than effective in keeping him unconscious. Having spent much of the past few days down here with him, she soon began to wonder what he was dreaming of. Did he dream of home? Of Ann? Kong was no mere animal, at least not in her eyes. He possessed a heightened sense of understanding that even most humans lacked. It was the humanity in him that Ashe found so intriguing.

Leaning against one the wall of the hold, she was seated in a patch of warm straw as she felt the waves of the sea rock the ship to and fro. She had learned from Jimmy that they were expected to run into a bad storm in the next few hours. Earlier that morning she saw the dark clouds looming on the horizon. From what information she gathered, it was expected to possess hurricane strength winds strong enough to make even Hayes and Lumpy a little hesitant.

However, it wasn't the storm that lingered in Ashe's mind day and night since she received that phone call from Cunningham so long ago.

"The Syndicate is back, Ashe", she recalled the old man's voice. She felt a gnawing in her gut that froze her very core. Ashe could tell in his tone this was no coy con to reel her back into a life she had long since abandoned.

She could only hope that they were wrong. Five years was a long time…but not long enough to forget about Skull Island. The only solace Ashe could muster from this current predicament was that their destination was not that godforsaken rock. She had long since come to terms with her sins, even if she was too cowardly to face them. Maybe Cunningham was right, at least when it came to her inability to face the past.

Her fingers fiddled with a small silver locket idly as she listened to the ape's deep rumblings of sleep when suddenly she heard the slightest bit of noise from the entrance. The footsteps were so quiet, most people would hardly even notice it.

"Back again, I see," Ashe spoke aloud without even looking back. The footsteps paused for a moment out of a mixture of hesitation and surprise before Ann Darrow stepped forward from the shadows.

"I'm sorry," she replied apologetically. "I wasn't prying, I just came to-"

"Check on the ape," Ashe interrupted. "I know, it's alright."

"You seem troubled, Ashe," the actress said, coming forward to take a seat next to her. Ashe looked to the fair haired beauty and shrugged.

"Just thinking of old times," she mused aloud.

"Bad memories?" Ann asked as she sat down.

Ashe replied with a slight shrug. The blonde looked to Kong quietly for a moment before she said, "I didn't take you for someone whose thoughts linger too often on the past. Looking up to her as she put the locket in her pockets, Ashe's expression seemed confused. Ann noticed her look and smiled sheepishly.

"Well…what I meant was…you seem so…" she struggled, as if the actress who can recite the most delicate and complicated soliloquies with ease, was attempting to find the right words, "I dunno….strong? Or…well, maybe just you act so confident, like you've got everything figured out. Do…you know what I mean?"

A small pause passed then suddenly, a chuckled erupted from Ashe that nearly startled Ann. Her amusement at her attempt at a compliment caught her off guard.

Ashe managed to garner up enough composure to spit out, "Sorry…It's not you….it's just…" She laughed again, "That's the first time someone has given me that much credit."

Ann found herself giggling as well, thinking out silly her pass at flattery was. But regardless of how poorly she said it, she did in fact mean it. Ashe was unlike anyone she ever met before. How she carried herself, how she spoke so directly as if she cared less who she was speaking to….they were just traits the actress was so unaccustomed to…and being in show business, that in itself was a stretch.

"Well," Ann said between giggles, "It's true. I mean…not that many people, especially women, are as independent or so…blunt…as you. You see that, right?"

After gaining more control, Ashe leaned back against the wall again, lighting up another a cigarette. She took a drag, then said, "It's funny you of all people should seem so surprised."

"I'm an actress, " she said as-a-matter-of-factly. "It takes a lot to surprise me."

Looking to Kong, Ashe smirked, "My point exactly."

She followed her gaze, her eyes settling on the sleeping giant. It was quiet for a while before she spoke up. "He likes it when you sing to him."

"Hm?" Ashe asked between drags.

"Kong," she specified. "He sleeps better when you sing to him."

"How did you…."

"Choy," Ann answered. "He said he heard you sing to him not too long ago. I think some of the sailors onboard mentioned you sang as a few speakeasies on the dock.

"Ah," Ashe said. "Well…whatever pays the bills."

"Umm…Ashe…is it okay if I ask, where you learned to sing?" she asked, a bit of hesitance in her tone. "Did you get it from anyone in your family?"

Silence was the immediate response, and Ann wondered if maybe it was a touchy topic. She looked to Ashe to get a read on her thoughts from her expression. She appeared pensive, almost to the point of being solemn. She wished she kicked herself before blurting out such a sensitive question. It was obvious that Ashe made little conversation about her past, especially her family. But Ann could hardly criticize. It took Jack weeks to get her to open up about her own personal history.

"I'm sorry…" she said finally. "I didn't mean to pry…."

"It's alright," Ashe said finally, taking a hit from the tobacco. "It's a fair enough question. "

Ann shook her head, "If you don't wanna talk about it, I under-"

"It's just…I'm not really accustomed to it. It's not your fault, so don't apologize."

"I see…well…then nevermind," Ann never felt so guilty…well, she had, but…it still didn't make her conscience any lighter.

The two continued to sit there for the longest time, each watching Kong sleep as his massive chest rose and fell systematically. Ashe had long since finished her cigarette, but she made no move to light another. Despite her insensitive prying, it wasn't awkward just to sit there without speaking. It was if they came to an understanding that looking into the past was hard…and never easy to speak about. After what seemed like hours, Ann finally rose to her feet.

"Well," she said as she stood, "Dinner is nearly ready. I'm sure Jack will be wondering where I'm at."

Ashe nodded but didn't respond verbally. Her gaze still rested on Kong. Sensing the woman might have little, if anything, further to add, she nodded quietly then turned and headed towards the exit.

"My mother," Ashe said suddenly. Ann turned, confused, but she continued speaking with her eyes still set on the ape. "My mother used to sing. I guess I picked it up from her."

The blonde's face lit up with a quiet, small smile. She wasn't sure why…but learning that made her feel closer to Ashe. "I imagine her voice was just as lovely as yours."

Turning, she exited the cargo hold yet Ashe remained still as ever. Her own expression was nearly incapable of being read, but if someone were to get a good look in her eyes, they would probably sense the dulling pain of regret and bitterness reflected in the irises.

"No….she was better," Ashe added in a solemn, hushed tone beneath her breath. With a heavy sigh, she looked up at the ceiling. There was a pit in her stomach that told her this journey would reopen old wounds she prayed could only be forgotten. But fate, if it ever existed, was not always on her side. And she knew such a prayer would never be answered.

Jack was waiting casually in the room, when Ann walked through the door. Sitting on the bed, he was just finishing writing some more ideas for a play he had imagined Ann would no doubt adore. It was hard not to appreciate the anxiety that swelled within him each time he wrote a new story. In truth, it was his attempt to please and impress the actress who stole his heart. However it was invigorating how she somehow manage to inspire and simultaneously challenge him to improve with each and every script he writes into reality.

"I'm sorry," she said softly as she entered. "I didn't mean to keep you waiting."

"No," he greeted her warmly. "I was just-"

"Writing," she smiled as she sat beside him, "I know. How's it going?"

"Good as ever. I have a muse now after all."

"Flattery? Well, a girl could certainly get used it."

Jack looked at her peculiarly, "You seem awfully cheery? What's got you in such a good mood?"

Ann gave a small laugh as she cuddled next to Jack, "I dunno. Just…speaking with Ashe, I guess it's just I-"

"Ah…..Ashe. And what did Miss coy-and-utterly-evasive have to say? Anything that makes this trip any less fishy?"

Ann gave him a cool, irritated look, "Don't be so hard on her. She's not as bad as you think."

"I just don't like not being given the full details. Look where it landed us the last time we were on this ship," he said defensively.

"Well," the blonde said as she closed the difference between him, "We met. It wasn't all that bad."

Jack rubbed his head timorously, setting aside his pen and paper, "True. But that's the only benefit I really see. Getting nearly eaten by or trampled by the native fauna…or the ceremonial sacrifice by the lovely natives hardly made it an ideal vacati-"

The actress chuckled softly," All right, all right. I see your point…All I'm saying is….Ashe isn't a bad person. I don't know what her role in all this is….I doubt even she knows to be honest. I do know…just from how she talks and acts…she doesn't want to be here anymore than the rest of us…but she is here. I think that…for whatever reason…she's here for some sense of closure. I know the feeling."

The writer sighed heavily, rising to his feet anxiously, "I know. I mean…it's not like I think she's some villainous, self-serving witch whose only here on some secret corporate mission but-"

Ann laughed, "You have had your nose in a book for far too long. You're reading too much into it."

His temperament somewhat humbled, Jack chuckled a little abash, "You know what I mean, Ann. She won't, or can't, tell us the full plan. I don't like it when I know there's some underlying scheme beneath the surface. It's not fair! We aren't pawns!"

"Even if we were," she added, trying her best not to ruffle his feathers, "You really think someone like Ashe is keen on the idea either?"

"What do any of us know about her?" he retorted. "Hell, what do any of us know about Cunningham or Marshall Industries? Rumors? What good does that do us. If this trip goes south, we're the ones who end up with the aftermath."

"Jack-….please."

"Ann," he cut in. "Look, I'm not saying she's a bad person. I just…don't know what her role in all of this either. I don't even know what our role is…It's…well I don't want to see you hurt. In any way! You mean to much to me to just overlook these things."

Ann rose from the bed and stood behind Jack. Wrapping her arms around his waist, his hands folded over hers.

"Jack, regardless of what Cunningham or Ashe or this 'Marshall Industries' have to do with this….they promised that Kong would be kept safe in a place where he won't be bothered. It's my fault after all-"

"Ann-" Jack started but her hold on him tightened.

"No, let me finish. Listen, please! You know I care about you. But Kong is in this because he was trying to protect me. He's all alone. I gave him more understanding than he knew existed. People look at him and all they see is a monster. All his life, he was treated differently. I'm not saying he is a human being but he has some sense of humanity in his heart! He risked his own life to protect me more times than I can count."

The writer's rising temper seemed to cool off as his companion added, "I'm not saying I don't have any doubts about this….but for Kong's sake, I'm more than willing to take a little leap of faith…because face it, Jack, that's all we have left. I don't know her…but Ashe is just as wary as the rest of us."

"What makes you so sure? "he asked after a deep breath.

Looking out the small port hole that acted as a window, Ann sighed, "Maybe it's women's intuition….maybe it's just me trying to see the good in people…I'm not sure. But I can feel it, Jack. This is a road we all have to tread, even if we don't want to."

Walking over to her, he grasped her hand in his, "What makes you so sure we can put our faith in her?"

The vaudevillian shrugged, "I'm not. But that's faith, right? Proof is…well… we can't have proof if we go on faith. Kinda defeats the purpose, you know?"

"I just don't want to risk losing you."

"I swear….you never will…"

It had been a few hours since Ashe last saw Ann. No doubt she had already had dinner and was probably in bed with Jack. The envy of her relationship was hard even for her to ignore. It had little to do with Jack. Personally, the lean, grounded bookworm was hardly her type…if she even had a type. But what she envied was the companionship.

She could barely recall the days before her work with the Order. Granted, she was nine so chances are, even if she could remember…what was there to remember?

Her thoughts continued to dwell on the latest conversation she had with Ann. It dumfounded her how she failed to respond to the actress's question. Usually, she was capable of maintaining a vivid, if somewhat fictional account of her past. Perhaps her years of inactivity made her soft, more uncertain. It nearly made her ashamed. She was far too rusty. There was a time when it came to passing a con off as the truth came as naturally as breathing. With so many aliases and backgrounds to fall back on, this was no time to slip up.

And if the Syndicate had genuinely resurfaced…her lack of professionalism was sure to come back and bite her in the ass.

Still… how could it have come to this. It took everything she had to bring it down….and still, it haunts her every waking moment. All that Ashe sacrificed to ensure a brighter tomorrow for this world…was it ever really worth it? Somehow, feeling cheated was an understatement . What could possibly provoke the Order to rehire her? She hated cleaning up her own messes…let alone the messes of other. In hindsight, maybe this was her mess. Destiny is a little fickle that way. Which made her hate it all the more.

"You haven't been down the galley?" a voice spoke from the shadows, making Ashe nearly jump out of her skin. She recognized the thick accent. She turned and low and behold, there stood the Captain.

"Damn, I must be getting rusty," she thought to herself. There was a time when she could sense someone's presence within moments of their entrance. Seeing Englehorn made her relax her defensive instincts, if only a little.

"You keep sneaking up on me, I'm gonna make you wear a bell. And besides, don't you have a ship to run?" she asked irritably

"You seem a little tense," he chuckled. "Nervous about the storm."

Ashe smiled, taking out her flask from her pocket before taking a quick sip, "I've weathered worse. Besides, the whisky helps dull any sense of foreboding."

"Really now?" Englehorn stepped closer.

"Well…in theory," Ashe added with a coy smirk.

The German finally came to a stop only a few feet away from Kong, dressed in his usual attire which was composed of a wrinkled navy shirt, his large overcoat, and essential captain's cap. He paused for a moment before lighting one of his cigarettes.

"Singing a lullaby?" he asked.

"Not in that sort of mood, I guess."

"What language would sing in if you were, I wonder," he wondered aloud.

"Depends on the mood. Why do you ask?" she added, rising to her feet.

"I just find myself curious to learn what languages you know."

Ashe laughed, "You could always ask."

Will Englehorn glanced at her, "Would you give me an honest answer?"

"Even if I were…would you really believe me?" she smiled as she now stood by his side. When he didn't respond, she smirked, "I thought as much. I'd say you were a fool if you did."

"Like you would really believe I'm anything less after what happened at the island," the Captain replied with a heavy sigh.

Ashe took a breath, lighting up a cigarette as stood even closer to Kong. Placing a steady hand on his head, her eyes stayed focus on his form while she spoke. "Oh, no, you were definitely a fool then…but I'm hardly in any position to lecture."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning….well…human is as human does. You just have to remember the flaws aren't what define you…just how to make amends for them, I guess."

The Captain stepped forward, "You seem so certain. What are you doing to make up for yours?"

Ashe was quiet for a moment before she replied, "I'm here…aren't I? I like to think that's enough."

"Is it?" he pressed.

Still focused on Kong, she shook her head, "I suppose….time will tell. Personally, as long as you and yours make it through alright…I might just have paid my own dues."

Will looked at her, concern and confusion were mixed in his icy blue eyes, "You make it seem so easy."

Seeing Kong's soothing slumber, Ashe took a drag. "In theory, anything can sound easy. Guess we'll find out." Putting her cigarette out and casting it aside, she turned to Englehorn, "So…small talk aside, what can I do for you?"

Folding his arms as he leaned against the opposite wall, he gave a small smile. Indeed she was perceptive. But the past few days he'd been noticing a few..well, peculiar occurences. Something on his ship was making him uneasy.

"There have been a few setbacks recently. Hayes came to me this morning and told me of some mishaps and odd occurrences," he said. "A few things are going missing- tools, coals, even some food and water. Also, some equipment appears to be tampered with."

"Straight the point," she said. She noticed his folded arms, definitely a defensive stance. She saw where this was headed. "So, you think sabotage?"

"Don't you?" he asked, eyeing her closely.

Staring back with cool, tempered demeanor, Ashe shrugged, "What reason would anyone have to spoil this little picnic?"

Taking a step forward, his gaze still fixated on her, "You tell me."

"You think I'm the saboteur?" she scoffed, Seeing the seriousness in his expression, her cleared her throat and nodded, "Yeah, I can see where I'm the likely suspect. I'm hardly the most forthcoming and my own moral compass doesn't always point due North…."

"You're not making the most solid case in your defense."

"Because I didn't do it, any of it. Well…I may have made a few midnight snack runs but I always gave Lumpy or Choy a head's up so-"

Englehorn sighed, irritably interrupted, "If not you, then who?"

Ashe suddenly sat up straightly, her eyes less focused as her mind seemed to wander, "Wait...I know...," She stopped as suddenly as she started and looked to the Captain. Rolling her eyes, she shrugged, "Sorry, my mistake...my clairvoyance seems to be a little off today." Her little joke seemed to have little effect on Will's demeanor...well, maybe the slightest hint of irritation but little else.

Smirking, she shrugged, "I dunno, one of the dozens of men on your crew perhaps?"

"Mr. Hayes hired all of them personally. He chose them specifically because he knew without a doubt they were reliable. I trust his judgment."

"You trusted Denham to pay you for your last little voyage. That turned out so very well," she shot back coolly.

The drop in temperature in the room was no doubt unnoticeable. Both of them had their gazes locked onto one another, as if studying one another to see what was being held back. Ashe could see the struggle in his blue irises. He was onbiously conflicted, but he did seem to genuinely want to trust her. Which, honestly was a little odd for her to see. Not in his case, per say. Just…well, in every case. But in her line of work, honesty is hardly the best policy.

With a deep breath and nostrils flaring to express his irritation, Will's eyes averted to anywhere but her, "Do you or do you not know who is behind it?"

"No."

Neither had timed to moments of awkward silence that passed between the two, and with the atmospheric distrust lingering in the air it was hard to think of what next to say. Finally, it was the Captain who took the high ground and continued.

"Does this have something to do with the ape?"

"I wouldn't rule it out," Ashe said, looking the slumbering primate. Though the very thought made her doubtful. It's an obvious decoy for some underlying plan. Sabotage of any category is an act that depends on immediate results or action. Not necessarily in all instances, but sabotage on a ship, especially one at sea, usually implies that those responsible that are intent on the full function of that ship are to not be carried out. That duty on this specific little picnic would be the relocation of Kong…at least to her knowledge it would be. Though in retrospect, the Order has hardly been very generous with revealing all of their plans, even on her more dangerous assignments. Information comes on a strictly need-to-know basis and if the job can be done with as little oversharing as possible, then so be it.

However, since Kong was the guest of honor on this trip, any act of malice would be logically perceived as an act to hinder the ape's relocation. Though Ashe felt Kong was not necessarily the target in mind but rather collateral damages that are subjected to on any given assignment. That damage in mind would be the Venture and its crew, at least in immediate terms.

His eyes returned to her, "What else would it be about?"

Facing him, she answered, "What do you think it might about?" It was too premature to voice her suspicions. There was little need to stir up more trouble with early guesses.

"Don't answer my question with a damn question," Will said, his patience wearing thin.

"Don't ask questions I don't know the answer to then," she rebounded instantly, quick as can be. She observed as the Captain's jaw tightened and his brows furrowed. He took a few more steps closer, standing mere inches away from her. Even so, Ashe stood her ground, her own eyes reflected a hint of defiance. She never backed down from anything, and he could see that willpower staring straight at him. With the distance between them short, each could see more distinguishing physical features of the other. Both carried the faint scent of tobacco, in their clothes and hair. He could smell the smallest ounce of whiskey on her breath while he smelled like the salty sea air from above deck.

"You're trying my patience, Miss Ashe," he warned.

"I have that effect on others, I'm told, "her voice was well composed, much like her posture. There wasn't the smallest hint that she was intimidated at all. In fact, it seemed quite the opposite. A small spark was glowing in her cool gaze that implied she was getting a rise out of his attempt to rile her.

Much like earlier, both stood their ground, staring at each other with unyielding force of will. Englehorn never came across that many people who got under his skin the way she was. She showed such disrespect for his authority and on his ship no less. Her know-it-all attitude and smug comments made his tolerance of her presence nearly as annoying as Denham.

"If I find so much as one ounce of proof you're involved," he broke the silence, "I'm throwing you overboard."

A tug at the corner of her lips formed a smirk, "I would like to see you try."

Knowing this was going nowhere, the Captain took a deep breath, catching a whiff of lavender. It must have been her perfume or shampoo. Trying to let what anger was rising cool off, he wheeled around and made his way to the door. He stopped for a moment and glanced over his shoulder.

"Don't try anything," he said, his tone still threatening, "I'm watching you."

Cocking her head to the side she chuckled, "Like I said, I'm putting a bell on you like a ferret." Huffing in frustration, the Captain turned back and continued to leave. She watched him until he was gone then turned back to the ape.

"I don't think you have to worry, boy," she sighed. "Somehow I don't think you're the target in all of this." That only left one other possibility. The Syndicate was involved, and likely had infiltrated the ship. If Cunningham was right, then there was definitely going to be trouble if they stepped onto the playing field. Ashe knew this was a game she might not win.

.