They made their way back to their room and opened the door. The group was pretty much exactly the way they had left them; Ansuya and Amanda were still sleeping on their cots, Katherine was awake but looking like she was trying very hard not to be, and Nicolas swung gently in his hammock snoring lightly.
William said quietly to Katherine, “We get head of the line privileges today, compliments of the Ship’s Engineer.”
Katherine raised her eyebrows in surprise, “And what did you two do to get in the good graces of the Engineer? You didn’t… you know, offer yourself for favors, did you?”
Charles snorted in mirth and William’s mouth opened and coughed out a single laugh. “Wow, I was not expecting that. I mean, even if I had, I don’t think I’m that man’s type.”
Katherine rolled over on her side looking at him evenly, “And just who’s type do you think you are?”
William was caught by the forwardness of the question and tried to smile it off. Katherine held his eyes in a steady gaze. If she was kidding, he couldn’t tell and all of a sudden, he was very uncomfortable.
Katherine’s lips spread in a smile as her eyes danced with evil, “Oh wow, I’m fucking with you! Sit down before you have a heart attack.”
William slumped down on his cot, smiling even though he was pretty uncomfortable by Katherine’s joke. Charles looked over and his smile reached ear to ear. “William’s had a hard day, Kat. We shouldn’t push him too hard too quickly.”
“Oh really? Pushed me too hard? Ha!” William kicked back on his cot and covered his face with his arm.
“So, seriously what did you two do?” Katherine asked in a much lighter, happier tone.
William looked up at her from under his arm and nodded to Charles. The black man shrugged his shoulders with an innocent look on his face, “What? I didn’t do anything except point out that I’m his favorite worker and I’ve done nothing but good work since we came on board.”
“Oh, I’m sure it was just that easy too,” Katherine laughed.
“Katherine, we do have something to tell you though. Nicolas! You awake up there?” William gently punched the bottom of the hammock.
“Hey! What the fuck man! I’m trying to sleep up here.” Nicolas swung his head down, looking pissed.
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William nodded to the angry Scout. “We think we’re on a ship of slavers. Or at the very least a ship that deals in human cargo for one purpose or another.”
Nicolas scoffed, “Oh please, next thing you know you’ll be telling me Captain Jack Sparrow is a real person and you just saw a ship with black sails.”
William pursed his lips, “I’ve never heard of Captain Jack Sparrow and no I haven’t seen a ship with black sails except on tobacco cans. But I’ll tell you what I haven’t seen. I haven’t seen a cargo manifest or a ship’s doctor, nor have I seen certain parts of this ship. Charles pointed out what should have and didn’t happen once they found us in the ocean. I believe him.”
Nicolas looked over at the Tracker who had a very serious look on his face. “You two aren’t joking, are you?” Charles shook his head.
Katherine looked grim but set her jaw, “Ok, so what happens now? Do we commandeer this ship and take her to the nearest American port?”
Charles nodded, “we could do that. It might be easier stealing this ship than trying to escape with our two unconscious companions.”
“When?” Nicolas asked simply.
“I think the sooner we move the better. The more time we waste, the more time our benefactors have time to plan what to do with us. I have to assume this is not the first time they’ve entertained guests here.”
“And what if nothing is going on? Just cuz they’ve enjoyed some free labor at our expense doesn’t mean they’re slavers.” Nicolas said.
“Unfortunately, you’re right Nicolas,” William answered. “We don’t really know anything. We only have Charles’ hunch and a feeling, hardly something that I would feel right about committing an act of international theft over.” No one in the room was more surprised than him to find himself agreeing with Nicolas.
Charles nodded his assent as well, “You’re both correct, all I have is a feeling. We need proof.” He looked over at Katherine. “Would you be up to assisting me in ‘borrowing’ some container manifests tonight?”
Katherine smiled and nodded, “This is gonna be fun.”
“Well, if we don’t want to rouse suspicion, you three had better go eat. I’ll stay here and look after these three.” William nodded to Aceso as well. The wolf flicked her tail in mild irritation. William knew that she hated being stuck in her wolf born form, unable to do much. William felt for her, being treated like a mere animal and restricted to the whims of the people around her in the ‘civilized’ world. But there was no getting around it. If she suddenly shifted into her werewolf form it would be enough to cause panic on the boat. Panic and surprise could be powerful weapons if used properly, but it could only be used once, and they may need all they get out of both before this little cruise was over.
Katherine stood up, “I don’t know about you guys but I’m starving. I’m going to be the first in line and I’m going to take three spring rolls tonight. If that fat ass mechanic doesn’t get any, too fucking bad. I still can’t believe what that little bastard said to me the other day.” William remembered and glanced over at Charles. Charles nodded once, in a hidden private gesture between the two. They didn’t need Katherine getting into a fight making their position here even more precarious. With Nicolas and Charles with her though, they should be enough to intimidate the more ‘forward’ seaman onboard into some semblance of respect.
William watched as the three left the room and propped himself up on his cot. He glanced at Aceso as she lazily rested her head on her forepaws. With Ansuya and Amanda both unconscious there was no noise in the room except for the sounds of the ship around them.