Dockingboys

Chapter Eleven

Saint Morales wasn't hard to spot, because the sheer size of it would've stood out anywhere. Pitts just drove right up next to the ship's loading ramp and shouted to one of the boys that the container was scheduled for the ship.

You'd think the wonderful sight of a large truck with a machine gun mounted out back dragging a black Titan container would've been surprising for most teenagers, but as usual, the boys just gave them the occasional look and whispered and pointed.

Pitts opened the door to the truck and leapt out. "And now, we say farewell to this little devil and part our ways," he said, gesturing to the truck.

Xavier went around to the back of the truck and took out three dark green backpacks. Then he tossed two of them to Mack and Pitts. "Here're your packs. They got a change of clothes, five water bottles, and a revolver. Mack, go find Jaxon at the lighthouse and ask for your money. And hurry up. Jaxon bribed the supervisor here as well; we're gonna be a day early. This ship's about to hit the water."

"What about my ankle?" Mack asked.

Xavier handed him a towel. "Wrap it around the damn wound and take it like a man. Now go."

Mack did what he was told and started walking towards the lighthouse. Not all docks had lighthouses. For example, the West and South Docks both didn't have lighthouses, as they were older docks. The North Docks had one for a very practical reason: it was extremely foggy there. When you traveled from wherever in the city to the North Docks, you would first go through some rural areas with farms and barns, then gradually you'll see more the densely populated northern part of Oakton, where it always snows and is really foggy. Not many ships had radar yet, and newer arriving ships in the ocean wouldn't be able to see through the fogginess with radar, much less ones who did have the technology. So a big old lighthouse was constructed.

It was a pretty magnificent construct, with a brick-built outer wall and a spiraling staircase in the middle, as well as multiple rooms on the first floor. On the top floor was where a three-foot-by-three-foot spinning beacon was located, with a room to the side where a maintenance worker took care of things. Currently, a tall, handsome blond boy was fixing the beacon, his hands expertly switching from tool to tool. Mack stepped into the first floor of the lighthouse and walked into a makeshift cafe. It took him a few moments to locate Jaxon, who was clearly an expert and hiding in plain sight as he wore normal clothing; not too rich, not too poor either. Mack walked over to his table and sat down in the chair, relieving his ankle.

Jaxon smiled. "Did you get the container?"

Mack nodded. "Yeah."

"Good. Well, I'm guessing you're here for your forward payment?"

"Yes, sir."

"Here you go, then," Jaxon picked up a small silver suitcase and unlocked the lock, then pushed it across the table over to Mack. Mack peered into the box, and saw neat stacks of gold and silver coins. Mostly gold.

"Thank you, sir," Mack said, giving a sigh of relief and smiling.

Jaxon nodded slightly. "Yeah, no problem. You'll get more money once we pull this off."

Mack's grin widened. "Understood, sir."

Jaxon smiled, but he was sure Mack didn't notice the darkness beneath the suave and charming outside.

With that, Mack left the cafe with the suitcase tucked under this arm. When he made his way back to Saint Morales, Xavier was pacing on the loading ramp.

"Hey, Mack! Come on! The ship's about to go!" Xavier shouted.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah! I'm coming!" Mack quickened his pace, which wasn't an easy thing to do with his injured ankle. He walked across the loading ramp and onto the ship, with Xavier behind him. Pitts was sitting on top of the Titan container, legs hanging from the edge.

"This is it, guys!" He exclaimed, gesturing as the ship pulled away from the North Docks. "In a week, we'll all be rich!"

"Yes, yes, we know," Xavier said impatiently. "We still have an entire trip to endure."

Mack chuckled. "Endure? What, you can't take a little water?"

Xavier shook his head. "Have you ever been on a warship?"

Mack arched his eyebrows, then shook his head. Pitts just sat back and smiled; it was obvious he'd been asked this question a few times before.

"Well, it's not all fun and games," Xavier continued. "When you know that there's a possibility for you to get hit by a torpedo, a depth charge, or even simple bullets, you become paranoid. Scared out of your damn mind."

"Yeah, but it's not like this is a warship. This is just a cargo ship," Mack countered.

Xavier put his hand on the bridge of his nose. "Forget it. Just stay alert for any signs of trouble. Who knows what'll happen between now and next week?"

Mack nodded, then yawned. "Hey, guys, I'm a little tired. Wake me up when something happens."

~~~

Saint Morales arrived at the West Docks on the dawn of the third day after departure from the North Docks. Mack had woken up as the ship just began to dock. A young white boy and a two tall African boys were standing next to the loading ramp, waiting for the ship. Having been told by his son, Mack knew that Wayne, Marcus, and Kane were always stationed at the shipyard, where they were in charge of moving containers.

After a few moments, the ship docked with the loading ramp, and Marcus immediately climbed aboard.

"Hello, sir. Top of the morning to you," Marcus said in a polite voice.

Mack flashed a smile. "Hey there."

"Are you a crew member of this ship?"

"Um, no." Mack pointed to the cabin of the ship. "They are. If you don't mind, me and my colleagues will just be right over there." Mack pointed back at the black Titan container where Xavier and Pitts were sitting, sipping coffee, eyes raking their surroundings.

Marcus shrugged. "Yeah, no problem."

He then turned and yelled something at Wayne, who nodded and scurried off to get forklifts. Kane followed him as well, and Marcus went inside the cabin to talk to the captain. Mack looked out at the West Docks. It was the largest out of the three currently active docks in Oakton, but some folks say the in-construction East Docks would be even larger. He wanted to see his son so bad- the last time he'd seen him was two months ago, but he didn't want to risk anything. He was working with hardened criminals, not just any old pickpocket or cat burglar. But at least the three of them were pretty good friends. Mack thought when he finished the job he would go back to spend a lot of time with his son.

"Hey, Mack, can you come over here for a minute?" Pitts suddenly shouted.

Mack turned. "Yeah, sure. Why?"

"It's about the job," Pitts explained simply. "Someone betrayed us."