Cyberlink Cove

Chapter 16

*ONE MONTH LATER*

CYBERLINK COVE (REEF’S HEAD)-2078

((Dedicated to  -XXIV- for cover to the side!)

 

Eli scrunched his brow in frustration, rifling through sheaves of paper regarding the departure and arrival time of various cargo shipments. He grunted and set the thick packet aside, rubbing his eyes. It was around two in the morning. Eli yawned wearily, then stood up and grabbed a light jacket from the back of his chair.

 

Stepping out into the shadowy streets, Eli took a deep breath. The weather was starting to warm up, though there was still some teeth left to the cool but muggy air. An almost nonexistent breeze futilely attempted to stir the stifling blanket, barely shuffling the blades of grass under the soles of Eli’s worn out boots. The clouds hung low, the atmosphere oppressive like a moist black velvet. Humidity permeated into every crack and crevice.

 

Eli started walking at a brisk pace, trying to clear his head. His head ached, but he couldn’t sleep. Eli had always needed something to occupy his mind, and just the simple action of putting one foot in front of the other eased his stress.

 

Turning his head towards the silent harbor, Eli watched as a bulky freighter pulled into the island. He strolled casually onto the docks, the noise of the freighter becoming louder and louder as Eli entered the proximity of the boat.

 

The sounds of animated conversation and the crew unloading cargo filled his ears, rowdy guffaws and cheerful shouts turning the previously silent night into a hectic frenzy of amplitudes.

 

As he watched the chaos engulf the landing dock, the beginnings of a plan started to develop in Eli’s brain. He chewed his lip thoughtfully. Yes, that would work. Hopefully. 

 

CYBERLINK COVE (SKYHOOK ISLE)-2078

 

The morning dawned in a haze of blue and watercolor pink, gradually thinning out into a clear, breezy day. Tina pushed open the door to Smugglers Tavern, the ungreased hinges squealing noisily in protest. She had been busy slipping the last of the wads of credits the pirates had acquired from the Plat Fest operation under doors in the poorest sectors of Skyhook Isle.

 

“We all out?” Francie asked as Tina walked in.

 

“Yeah, we are. How much are we gonna give to Isla, Danny, and Eli?”

 

Francie mulled over Tina’s inquiry. “Well, we’ve got about three thousand left, right? So split it four times, that’s around seven hundred fifty for each of the islands-us, Isla and Haven, Glenn and Coral, Eli and Reef.”

 

Tina sighed. “I hope they don’t start expecting too much of us now,” she muttered under her breath.

 

Francie grimaced. “What do you mean?” she snapped irritably. The effects of a severe lack of sleep were getting to Francie. Her attitude these days had turned increasingly snarky.