Shipwrecked Hearts

Navigare 9

I can't believe what was actually happening. I was commanding a ship, a pirate ship! Ramdam ko ang paghampas ng malamig na hangin ng dagat sa aking mukha. I can feel it carrying the length of my hair behind my back. I smiled as I looked at the view. Blue, the pure color of the ocean, then other colors—silver, white, blue, red, gold, black, and more—they were the colors of the ships scattered around like floating ants.

All of these are Maximo's, I don't understand why he was still raiding. Hindi pa ba sapat ang lahat ng kayamanang ito? He seems to want the world for himself. Ah, ambitious.

"Captain, your walkie-talkie. Though it's only connected to one line, Maximo's." Tumingin ako sa lalaking lumapit. Hmm, his name is Charles if I'm not mistaken.

"What are you waiting for? Take it." Inip na utos ni Marco mula sa gilid ko.

I rolled my eyes and took the walkie-talkie, "thank you."

Tumango naman ang lalaki at saka umalis. Nakita ko siyang umakyat papunta sa sightseeing area, if I'm not mistaken, that is called the Crow's nest, as it is high and it gives you a bird's eye view of the ocean, mas mabilis ma-spot kung may kalaban. That'll give you more time to steer the wheels and maneuver, change course or direction. Or continue with a bloody fight, to sink or not to sink.

Saktong tumunog ang hawak kong walkie-talkie. "Starfish. Do you copy?"

"Yes, I copy."

"Starfish, do you copy?" Pag-ulit ni Maximo na tila hindi nakuha ang aking sagot.

"Stupid, press the button when you speak!" Marco hissed, tinuro niya ang button sa gilid. "Do you even know how a walkie-talkie works?"

"Wow ha. Stupid talaga? Ofcourse I know. Nakalimutan ko lang pindutin." Sinimangutan ko siya. I pressed the button and started to speak. "Copy, Maximo."

"Next time, answer faster." Halata ang pagkaseryoso sa kan'yang boses. "By now, I expect Marco to have explained to you the entire plan and all the details. You will be crucial with this operation."

"I know."

"Good. Keep in touch." Aniya at saka nawala. Mula naman sa malayo ay nakita ko ang Treasure Trove, I caught a glimpse of Maximo hanging on the sails of the fast ship. It was fast compared to Siren Steel. Well what can I say? That ship was made of light materials compared to this.

"Nick!" Sigaw ko.

"Yes, Captain?"

"Make sure we are going to the north direction. Always keep an eye on that." Sabay turo sa compass na ginawa niyang pendant. Tumango naman ito sa akin. "Charles!" Pagsigaw ko naman sa lalaking nasa crow's nest, "make sure to keep an eye on Treasure Trove and the entirety of the ocean floor!" He nodded at me and looked at his telescope.

"As for the rest of you," tinuro ko ang iba. "Mind the deck. Prepare the weaponry. The cannons, the balls, and explosives." Agad naman silang nagsikilos.

"As for you, Marco." Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay. I smirked, "watch me do how it's really done." I grinned and held the stirring wheel, turning it towards the northern direction.

Hour passed, I can feel the beads of sweat falling from my forehead. Meanwhile, Marco was taking his leisure time at the shaded part of the ship, smirking at me. "I'm watching you captain, just as you commanded."

Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga at pinunasan ang pawis. The clothes I was wearing were too tight, perhaps that's what made me feel too hot. Kaya naman hinubad ko muna ang tuxedo ko, I unbuttoned the first two upper buttons of my silky sleeves. Umiwas naman ng tingin si Marco.