123 Underwater (1/2)

Jun stared at the continously swarm of carriers falling into the water as they tried to catch the boat. Big splashes of water rhythmically rose up every other second.

Though they were safe for now, they actually don't know for how long.

Jun turned around and observed the boat they were on. It was a commerical wooden boat designed for public transport. Jun knew that there were several island in the Laguna Lake but haven't rode one. This would be his first time riding one.

”Anybody know how to operate this?”

Jun looked around and found someone shyly raising their hand.

”I-I don't know how to, but I saw the operators use a bamboo pole to navigate out of the docks.”

Jun pondered why would the boat operators use a bamboo pole to navigate when they could just turn the engine on. Then, reality struck him.

Boats can go in reverse but not the way a car does. Driving a boat in reverse require practice. Also, the boat must be a modern one with a good propulsion system.

But this is a wooden motorized-boat made for passenger transport. For the operators, it was enough as long as it can move.

Jun looked around and found a long soggy bamboo on the left side of the boat.

Jun picked up the bamboo pole and the surface felt rough on his skin. He plunged the end of the pole into the water and felt the end hit the bottom.

”Turn on the engine.” said Jun towards the man who raised his hand earlier.

The man ran towards the operators seat and felt baffled as he stared at the apparatus in front of him. There were only three things on the apparatus, a small switch, a black round button and a lever.

Jun forcefully pushed and caused the boat's slight turn.

With the momentum of the earlier push and this push, the boat was now turning adrift with its bow slowly facing towards the wide open waters.

At the same time, he heard the boat's engine came to life.

”Now if I do this, it should get us going.” said the man as he operated the lever.

The boat jolted and slowly moved forward. The man on the steering wheel shouted in glee as he successfully operated the boat.

”Is this you're first time driving a boat?” said Jun.

”Yes, sir! I live on Kalinawan, so I usually ride this, but this is the first time I'm driving one.”

”That's good then. You'll take this boat back to the Lakeside Marina after we got off later, okay?”

”Yes, sir!”

Jun strode towards the man and took over the steering wheel. Yes, a steering wheel. It was a common black steering wheel that could be found on almost every car. With the past experience of driving on land, he skillyfully got them out of the docking area.

On the distance, Jun could still see the boat where the woman who waved at them rode. He had no plans on following them, but it was nice to know that there are people alive on the islands.

The boat anchored down ten meters away from the docks. They have to move a bit further from the docks in case any Hunter got any funny ideas of jumping on board. Atleast with this distance, they have enough reaction time to react.

Jun stood in front of everyone and said, ”Here's the plan.”

He felt like a school teacher seeing that everyone looked up to him while they were seated. Also, having several masked men staring at him felt a bit weird.

”We'll wait until every last one of them to fall into the water. Afterwards, we rush to dock and sneak out of here. You can take you're masks off for now.”

All of the masked men nodded their heads and complied. Though this isn't the first time they took off their masks, this is the first time they were able to see each others real faces since there were two different batches of death slaves.

Jun turned towards the islander who had fairly white skin. ”Right after everyone gets off, you hurry and take this ship towards Lakeside Marina. Then, go back to the camp and tell Bernard about what happened here. Also, tell him to remind Marianne that I'll be a bit late for our dinner date.”

Jun was only allowed to venture out today since he plowed the paddies this morning and promised a dinner date on the evening.

The man slowly nodded his head even though he didn't understand what he really meant. In his head, he just have to follow his orders and everything should be fine.