Follow The Current

Chapter 25

When nightfall came, no one dared go to bed. Tanya waited by the radio for some kind of sign. She was getting signal, and that gave her hope because he would then be able to contact them if he was alive. Muris stayed where he had been standing when he saw the explosion. He dared to not take his eyes off the island incase there was a flare.

Then everyone's ears picked up on something coming from Tanya's radio. "What the fuck happened," Lance muttered on the radio. "Lance where are you," Tanya asked as Muris climbed up the stairs two at a time to the upper deck. "On one of the Marine ships," Lance answered. "Water is filling the ship, the door is blocked, and the containers of poison are spilled into the water." They then heard the ship groan from water pressure meaning the ship had sunk fast. "I'm guessing the ship is already fully submerged," Lance said. Lance gave a humorless, "I can tell you, I didn't blow that lab up unless one of the plants I lit on fire spread to something explosive I didn't see." He then let out a harsh cough. "Are you injured," Muris asked him. "Badly," Lance said. Lance gave a humorless laugh as he sniffled, "I'm not gonna get off this ship." 

Lance released the radio button as he looked down at the wound in his stomach. A metal rod had pierced straight through him. If he removed it, it would be a miracle if he didn't bleed out in minutes. 

 "Don't talk like that Lance," Scarlet said while taking the radio. "I'm sorry Scar, but I'm pierced with a rod. We remove this rod, then I'm lucky if I don't bleed out in minutes," Lance said to them. "Where are you pierced," Kin asked him. "In the side," Lance said. "Near my stomach. I think it missed anything vital, but it is of decent size and the rod goes all the way through." "If he's talking like he is now and isn't in and our of consciousness, then there is a good chance he isn't bleeding internally," Kin told the others. "If Brian and Laya can retrieve him without removing the rod, then we have a chance. Lux can make the rod extremely hot to cauterize the wound as Dio slowly pulls it out." Lance had to admit, the kid knew his stuff. "I see someone has been paying attention," Lance said with a soft smile. "If I don't make it I know the crew is in good hands." 

"Is there any way to know which ship he's on," Igiel asked everyone. "I can hear underwater," Brian said. "Lance, do you think you can bang on the ship to let us know where you are?" Lance looked around and saw another metal rod in his reach. He grabbed it and tested it. It made a decent sound. "Laya and I will get to the ship. "Laya, you'll keep water from rushing in. Lance, how much poisoned water is in the room?" "Just a little. This room isn't filling very fast," Lance said. 

Tanya grabbed something for Brian to cut the side of the ship with and they jumped into the water. "Keep talking to us Lance," Sunny said. "The silence scares us." "I honestly don't know what to say. I can't even figure out how it happened," Lance said. "There weren't explosives in the rooms with the plants. I checked before I lit everything on fire. I was going to blow it up after I made everything harmless. I was surely going to give myself enough time to actually get out of the blast range." "Someone must've blown it up. Maybe a marine knocked something into the flames during the chaos," Pince suggested. They couldn't say though since they weren't there. 

"Muris, if I don't make it. There is something I want you to have. It's in the top right drawer of my desk," Lance said. "Sorry if I can't give it to you in person." As Lance spoke, he tapped the wall with the rod, praying their insane plan worked. If he did die, he didn't want to be alone with bodies of his enemies when it happened. 

Brian lead Laya to the sound and she quickly used her ability to create a large air pocket to keep water from getting in, and Brian was able to cut a hole in the ship. Brian let the piece of wall fall towards him, then drop into the ocean. Brian stepped in and saw Lance. "Man doc, you're a sight for sore eyes," Brian said and everyone felt relief at hearing Brian. "I thought you told us we can't become pin cushions," Brian asked as he helped Lance to his feet, while doing their best to not move the rod. "What can I say? I'm a hypocrite," Lance said softly. Brian stepped on the platform of water Laya had made. Laya sealed the bubble behind them, then used her water ability to shoot them to the surface. 

Sunny, Trish, Tanya, and Scarlet cried tears of relief when they saw him. The guys got him on the ship carefully. "Muris and Igiel, keep him up while Lux and Dio work at getting the rod out," Kin instructed. Muris and Igiel did as he said while Kin grabbed a block for Lance to bite down on and Pince cut away Lance's shirt. When they were ready, Lux used his fire breath to heat up the rod and Lance let out a muffled scream of pain. Dio made his palms freeze before he began to slowly pull the rod out. Kin watched the wound closely, ensuring blood didn't start coming out of the wound. Once the rod was no longer sticking out of his back, he was happy to see the wound cauterized closed on his back. As they pulled out the rod entirely, they were relieved it actually worked. 

Muris let Lance sagged against him entirely. Muris rested his head against Lance's, "We did it." Lance was panting on the verge of passing out. "Fuck that hurt," Lance whispered before completely falling unconscious. Muris picked him up and took him to their room so he could get some rest. 

"Let's get to the closest island for supplies," Lux instructed Dio. Dio nodded, "Yes Captain." 

Later Scarlet sat on the bed in their room. "I don't think it was the marines that blew up the island," she confessed to him. "I was thinking the same thing, but we have no way of knowing," Lux said while running a hand through his hair. Lance was far to careful to have caused the explosion. There had to be a third party they didn't know about. 

Muris went to Lance's office to get some pain meds for when Lance woke up and as he was grabbing them, his eyes went to Lance's desk drawer. He opened it and saw a small black box. He pulled it out and opened it. Inside was a set of rings, a small one for Lance and a larger one for Muris. Tears burned Muris' eyes. They couldn't get married legally, but they're pirates, so who gives a shit about laws. Muris slipped his on as he felt tears burn his eyes.  

Muris carried the box below deck with the meds and some water. He saw Lance's eyes were cracked open. Muris sat on the edge of the bed, "The answer is yes." Lance smiled softly, "I love you Muris." Muris kissed him as he slipped Lance's ring on his finger, "I love you too Lance. Get some rest." Lance let his eyes fall close and Muris looked at their rings, the tears now falling. Lance was home and he was safe. That's what mattered.