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Two of the cruise ship's well-dressed spokesmen were not listening to the words being exchanged as they watched the bruised attractive Chloe with undisguised lust. She had distanced herself from the unkempt survivors while she attempted to gain the wealthy ability-users attention. This was the reason for Ronan's anger. The remaining man who appeared to have the most authority was currently intently listening to a report from Theodore, who was presently whispering into his ear. The gentleman tilted his ear to listen before taking a sip from his crystal goblet.
Noah noticed as he arrived that from among the crowd of survivors from the sunken ferry, a few were missing that did not make it after they took the opportunity to follow Ronan and Sophie as they swam for the cruise ship. They had planned to use the weak and least likely to survive as bait while they took advantage of the sacrifice to swim for safety. All of the survivors that remained on board the ferry while Noah and Alex pushed the boat made it safely to the cruise ship.
"My man Theodore has just finished telling me that you had both survived. Your name is Noah? My man has also told me that the giant is deaf, but that his lover speaks for him." The gentleman who had been listening to the crewman spoke as Noah, and the couple arrived.
"That's right," Noah warily replied.
"Let me introduce myself and my companions. My name is David, the gentleman to my far right is John, and the man on my immediate right is Stuart. We are in charge of The Poseidon after the death of the captain. I hear that there are many ability-users among you. We can offer you all to become passengers in exchange for your aid in keeping the ship safe from attacks. Both human or otherwise, the other refugees must join the crew under my man Theodore to earn their keep. I believe these terms to be more than satisfactory." David introduced himself and his companions as he took another sip while observing Noah's reaction from over the glass.
"I can only speak for myself, but I'm willing to earn my keep," Noah replied.
"What about the rest of them? I was under the impression that you were in charge of this ragtag group. We don't need any useless mouths to feed. If they are not willing, we can supply them with two lifeboats which they can do with as they please" Stuart took his eyes away from Chloe to speak down to Noah.
"How did the captain die?" Noah asked David as he chose to ignore the gentleman, causing him to stiffen in affront. Ronan let out a satisfied grunt at the arrogant businessman's reaction. There was also a sideways smirk from the silent John as he finally took notice of Noah.
"Excuse my companion. He has had a little too much to drink and has forgotten his manners," David subtly reprimanded Stuart before he was able to speak again.
"The captain was killed when he ordered the crew to rescue a castaway floating in a life jacket. The captain led the crew in hauling the castaway from the water. As it was about to be pulled over the railing, we could see that it was no longer a man. The other passengers and I objected to it being brought on board. We demanded that it be released back into the ocean. The captain refused, which proved to be a mistake on his part. Once he reached to offer the castaway his hand, the thing hoisted itself up to latch onto his throat." David paused before glancing at Craig, standing with the ferry survivors.
"Craig here didn't hesitate to tip the captain overboard with the creature as he was the nearest to him. His actions were admirable and saved all of our lives if the creatures are infectious" David attempted to win favour with Craig to bring him back to their side as their ability-users were outnumbered by the new arrivals from the ferry.
"Bullshit, you think it was admirable. You three were at the lead of the charge demanding my head. Until I awakened my second ability, then learned to combine them into the [Ice Harpoon] ability. Making you all too chicken shit to try me." Craig sneered, causing David to slightly turn down the corners of his mouth.
"For that, I apologize. At that time, we did not know that the apocalypse had happened," David calmly apologized.
"It's too late now. You all had your chance! There's a new order where we ability-users are the chosen people, all those blanks should be serving us as their wealth means nothing now. But instead, you all still pretend to be better than me. Ronan understands how the world works now. He's told me about the Fallen, who are the new upper class. You should be giving him the respect he deserves instead of lusting after his woman!" Craig rejected his apology.
Upon hearing what he said, the three gentlemen's faces changed as they changed their focus to Craig. Craig stepped backward to stand slightly behind Ronan, who was looking at the well-dressed men with a satisfied smirk. The blanks on both sides looked at the ability-users with a mixture of uncertainty and contempt. David took a deep breath as he contained his boiling annoyance before handing his glass to Theodore.
"Not long ago, it was not us who could not control his lust," David responded, Craig shifted nervously as he looked worriedly at Sophie.
"You were found forcing yourself on Mistress Deville as her husband is no longer on board. I'm sorry for bringing up painful trauma, Mistress Deville. Still, he must be reminded of his place among his betters."
David turned to address a beautiful wavy-haired brunette woman, wearing diamonds and a tight backless red dress that displayed her slender athletic body.
"I understand, David. No need to apologize. He must be punished for what he did." Mistress Deville stared hatefully at Craig.
"She was asking for it! She's only a useless blank anyway, what does it matter what I do?" Craig was sweating now. Sophie let out a snort upon hearing his weak excuse.
"We only tolerated your presence after Theodore found you. Holding down Mistress Deville with your pants around your knees as you tried to tear at her clothes, due to the fact that you saved us from that demonic creature that bit the captain. We will no longer be requiring your services." For the first time, John spoke as he continued what David had said as they united against Craig upon learning of his new loyalties.
"Trash like you should be thrown overboard, but we'll let you leave with one of the lifeboats," Stuart added as Craig grit his teeth while clenching his fists.
"He'll be going nowhere. I don't think you lot understand. You're no longer in charge here. We are." Ronan interrupted. Ronan stepped right up to the three cruise ship ability-users as the crew surrounding them stepped back. His hands had begun to glow with yellow-lifeforce.
Seeing Ronan speak up for him, Craig grinned and puffed out his chest before hurriedly following him. Lifeforce flowed into his hands, summoning an [Ice Spear]. He stood beside Ronan as he eyed the three gentlemen mockingly. Sophie flicked away her cigarette before placing the hand she had been holding onto the cruise ship's wall. Orange-lifeforce flowed out from her palm to spread across the surface of the walls.
Two of the gentlemen retreated as red and blue-lifeforce appeared under the respective surface of each of their skin. Only David stood his ground without retreating as he stepped in front of Ronan while narrowing his eyes. Theodore stood nervously, waiting for instruction behind David's back. Surprisingly, no lifeforce appeared on David as he looked into Ronan's eyes before speaking confidently to Ronan, who stood a head taller than him.
"You may believe that there are more ability-users among you. But from where I stand, you are divided. The pair of you abandoned your people. Whereas the others performed their duty and stayed. Noah, our offer still stands, what will you do?" David glanced sideways at Noah and Alex.
Alex made to step forward towards Ronan but was stopped by Josh. David noted his actions as he patiently waited for their response. Ronan restrained himself as he waited to hear Noah's reaction. Craig frowned as he became impatient.
"What does it matter what he does? We can take them easily, even if they interfere!" Craig spoke impatiently to Ronan.
"Quiet!" Ronan commanded him as he watched Noah warily.
"Perhaps we should all have a break then speak about this after we have all calmed down." Mister Kim attempted to diffuse the tension, but everyone ignored him and the elderly man sighed in defeat.
