Ocean Blue

Chapter 5

Hunk moved towards yet another massive room with his broom. He sighed. Why did Governor Sandas need so many rooms? She rarely had anyone in them! But somehow, dust and dirt still managed to get in them.

He started to push open the door, but stopped when he heard Sandas' voice inside. She was talking to Iverson.

He should move on. He knewthat he should move on. And yet... something compelled him to stay.

"They're getting bolder. Getting closer. Taking sailors from so close." Iverson's growl.

"I know. But we cannot panic the people." Sandas. What were they talking about?

"Ma'am, we can't hide it for much longer. The foundling- Kogane- he already suspects the reason for his friend's disappearance. We can't keep it secret forever. He'll find out."

"Then get rid of him," Sandas snapped, "Keep him out of town. If he starts convincing everyone that we have a pirate problem—"

Hunk took a step back. Pirates?! He'd thought that the port was safe!

"You can banish him from town, but he can still get to the docks. He takes his boat out almost every day."

"The ocean is a dangerous place, Captain. Accidents... happen."

Hunk gasped, and Admiral Sandas bolted upright. "Who's there?!"

Hunk backed away as Iverson opened the door. "Uh- just- just came to clean," he squeaked.

"Get him," Sandas ordered.

Hunk bolted, sprinting away from Iverson. He crashed through the door, searching the streets- anyone, please- he spotted a short figure in a hat.

"Ka- Pidge!"

She looked up at him. "Hunk?"

"Gotta run," he gasped, sprinting past her. Behind him, Iverson dashed through the streets.

Pidge ran next to him. "What happened?"

"Overheard them talking," Hunk gasped, "Pirates are getting closer. Sandas planning to kill Keith."

"Oh, boy."

They barged past the dock guards, Iverson bellowing the whole way, and jumped onto Keith's boat.

"Go, go, go!" Pidge shouted.

"What?" he sputtered, "What are you doing on my boat? Who's that? What—?"

"Garret! Gunderson!" Iverson roared.

"Keith, go!"

Keith untied the boat, pushing off as Iverson shouted. He bewilderedly steered them out of the harbor, leaving Iverson bellowing behind them. "What is going on?!"

Hunk panted for breath. "Disappearing- was pirates. Sandas doesn't want anyone to find out. Planned to get you killed on the ocean. Name's Hunk, by the way."

"They're coming after us!" Pidge shouted.

"Hold on!" Keith shouted, steering for the cliffs.

Hunk paled. "Oh, no. No, no, no!"

Keith grabbed firmly on the lines of his boat, his other hand on the tiller. "Yup!"

He steered expertly through the rocks, soaking all of them thoroughly. He slid into the cave, the boats pursuing him giving up.

Allura stood up in shock. "What are you doing here so soon?"

"No time to explain. We need to go. It's not safe here anymore."