226: Chapter Two Hundred and Twenty-Four: Dizzy 226: Chapter Two Hundred and Twenty-Four: Dizzy The captain of the Cloldylin was an American of Spanish descent named Fernando Basco.
Of course, that name is a simplified one.
Spanish names are usually a long string of names, and no one could possibly say the whole series.
Fernando was already in his fifties, but he looked about in his forties, a very passionate and talkative person.
He had been somewhat nervous about the pirates’ arrival, but seeing Gao Yang and his crew’s relaxed faces, Fernando’s confidence also increased considerably.
“Skull Gang?
A name a bunch of pirates gave themselves?”
Antoncel picked up the binoculars and, while looking out at the sea, laughed, “Some fanciful pirates think they’ve found a new way to get rich, but I think they’ve found themselves a shortcut to hell.
Hey, Pierre, look at that speedboat, the second one from the right.
See the skull that man is holding?
That’s them, the Skull Gang.
You’ll soon find out what they’re here for.”
The Skull Gang’s five speedboats were already approaching the cargo ship, at a distance of about a thousand meters.
At this point, Fernando suggested with slight nervousness, “Should we fire the guns now to scare them off?
I don’t think we should let them get too close.”
Gao Yang chuckled, “We’ll fire the guns, but I must remind you they won’t be scared off.
However, don’t worry; they pose no threat.
No matter what they plan to do, I can guarantee they won’t bring any threat to this ship.
The usual drill, Rabbit first gives a warning shot.
If they still approach, Big Dog gives another warning shot.”
Everything was the same as yesterday.
After two rounds of warning shots, the Skull Gang’s speedboats still approached the Cloldylin, and then they started to shout at the ship through megaphones.
Of course, with Gao Yang and his team on board, the Skull Gang didn’t get a dime and left dejectedly.
Once the Skull Gang had left, Antoncel and Fernando started joking and laughing again on the deck.
After staying a while and confirming that the Skull Gang didn’t return, Fernando suddenly turned to Gao Yang with a smile, “Would you like to take a look inside the cockpit?
I heard you haven’t eaten for a day.
You could wait for your meal while touring the cockpit.
Soon you’ll be able to taste authentic Spanish seafood paella.
I personally taught the ship’s cook how to make it, and now he’s quite skilled at it.”
Gao Yang laughed and said, “Hearing this makes me even hungrier.
What are we waiting for then?”
A group followed the captain into the cockpit, which was spacious enough that it didn’t feel crowded despite the extra people.
With the captain returning to the cockpit, the first mate who was in command had to make way.
The ship’s first mate was named John, a man in his thirties, tall and muscular, always with a stern face that seemed to carry more authority than the captain’s.
In fact, from the surface, there seemed to be no difference in the first mate’s demeanor when facing Gao Yang and his team, but Gao Yang always felt hostility in his eyes, as if he greatly resented their presence on the ship.
Although the first mate’s hostile glances were fleeting, Gao Yang still caught his animosity.
After Fernando entered the cockpit, the first mate stood expressionlessly beside him.
Fernando then spoke in a serious tone, “John, go to the galley and tell them to prepare dinner for eight, with Spanish chicken paella.
I’ll be dining with our guests.”
The always serious-faced first mate finally cracked a slight smile and said, “I will personally go to the galley and tell our chef that the captain is hosting guests, so he’d better not slack off.”
After the first mate hurried out of the cockpit, Fernando said with a laugh, “Even though we’re at sea, as you know, the so-called seafood isn’t going to be very fresh on board.
So we can only offer you chicken paella.
Wait until we reach Suke.
Then I’ll personally cook a true seafood paella for you, a delicious dish that represents Spanish cuisine, my favorite.
I believe you’ll fall in love with it too.”
Fernando exuded the typical Spanish passion and enjoyed chatting with Gao Yang and his companions.
Cooking the chicken paella was also quite simple.
About forty minutes later, the first mate returned to the cockpit with a smile, “Captain, dinner is almost ready.
It’s time to go to the dining room.”
“You take over the command.
We’re in dangerous waters now, piracy is on the rise, so be vigilant.
Let me know immediately if anything unusual happens; I’ll be back soon.”
After giving a few instructions to the first mate, Fernando turned to Gao Yang and his friends with a hearty laugh and said, “Friends, it’s time to fill your stomachs.”
Gao Yang didn’t understand the nautical charts, but from his experience in multiple escort missions, he knew that the merchant ship was in dangerous waters.
Although he didn’t anticipate any risk, and the sea allowed early detection of dangers unlike land, he still decided to dine separately out of caution, thinking it would be better if someone always stayed in the cockpit, ready to respond.
“Let’s split up for meals.
You guys go first, Toad and I will go later.”
Gao Yang and his team had always dined separately in dangerous waters, and after a moment’s hesitation, Fernando too smiled slightly, acknowledging, “It’s great to see your professionalism.
I like cautious people.
Well then, we’ll go ahead to eat.”
Nobody had much to say, and Cui Bo’s group planned to eat as quickly as possible before coming to relieve Gao Yang.
However, as they were about to leave the cockpit to have their meal, the first officer frowned and said, “I suggest you all go eat together instead; once the stew gets cold, it won’t be good to eat.”
Fernando Basco frowned and replied, “Mind your own business; don’t worry about whether our food is hot or cold.”
The first officer shrugged and answered, “Indeed, that’s none of my business, but the dining area is limited, and our crew will soon be having dinner.
I think it’s better to cause less trouble for the chef and not disrupt our mealtime.”
Fernando’s face immediately turned sour.
Seeing that the situation was getting tense, Gao Yang shrugged and said, “There’s really nothing to worry about.
Let’s just go eat together, it won’t affect anything.”
Fernando, on the verge of saying something but stopping himself, glanced at the first officer and then made a gesture inviting them to go ahead, leaving the cockpit first.
Gao Yang and the others followed behind the captain, heading to the dining area together.
After sitting down in the dining area, a big bowl of chicken stew was quickly served in front of Gao Yang and his group.
Everyone, except for Fernando, was so hungry they could feel their stomachs clinging to their backs.
They grabbed their spoons and started eating right away, and even Antoncel was eating more ferociously than Gao Yang’s group.
Although Fernando wasn’t hungry, he still ate a good amount to keep them company.
The taste of the chicken stew was indeed not bad.
With delicious food in their stomachs and their mood slightly lifted from the first officer’s annoyance, after eating voraciously for a while, Antoncel wiped his mouth and said with a smile to Fernando, “Sorry for my manners, but I was starving, mate.
Forgive my bluntness, but it seems that your first officer is not quite fit for the job, is he?”
Fernando shrugged, his face betraying a sense of helplessness, “Just a fool who got promoted thanks to the higher-ups.
He was just recently elevated from second officer to first officer, and this is only his third voyage on my ship.
But it seems he can hardly wait to take my place.
Moreover, he has brought many bad habits onto my ship, including gambling and heavy drinking.
In short, he is a very poor fellow indeed.”
Antoncel responded with surprise, “And you can tolerate such a person on your ship?”
Fernando gave a wry smile and said, “He was forcibly placed by the company, while my previous first officer was transferred to captain another ship.
That was really a good fella, but I could not hinder his chance for promotion, so I had no choice but to accept this idiot as my first officer.
After this voyage is over, though, I’m going to have a showdown with the company.
Either he goes, or I will resign.
I can no longer tolerate such a fool on my ship; I would rather quit my job.”
Antoncel shrugged and commented, “That’s the inevitable decision.
No captain can tolerate a fool as his first officer.
Also, it seems your first officer is quite upset with our arrival.
I don’t get it; doesn’t he want some extra security?”
“He’s probably upset that I didn’t inform him about the armed guards boarding the ship.
This voyage wasn’t supposed to have armed guards, until I got the notice from the company.
But I didn’t tell him until we went to pick you up, and he only found out then.
He might be dissatisfied with that, but to be honest, I was at fault there too.
No matter what, I shouldn’t have waited until the last minute to let him know.”
Fernando had no intention of hiding his ship’s dirty laundry and candidly disclosed the problems aboard.
Although he and Antoncel were seated at a separate table from Gao Yang and his group, Gao Yang and the others still heard Fernando’s words, which helped them understand why the first officer was always wearing a sour face.
Antoncel waved the spoon in his hand and shrugged, “I think if you request a replacement, the company won’t refuse.
The higher-ups aren’t fools; they wouldn’t lose a good captain over a foolish first officer.
I think you…”
Before Antoncel could finish, Bruce suddenly stood up, his expression grave, “Do any of you feel dizzy?
Like you’re drunk, but without the nausea?”
Everyone was taken aback by Bruce’s sudden outburst, unsure why he would blurt out such a thing.
Gao Yang reacted quickly, “Yes, I do feel that way.
What’s the matter?”
Fernando appeared astonished, “I don’t feel that way; wait, no, I do feel a slight dizziness.
What’s the matter?
Could it be that our food has gone bad?”
Bruce, looking highly anxious, quickly opened his medical kit and urgently said, “Medication, strong sedatives or something of the sort.
I recognize this feeling; I’m absolutely certain.
Don’t move, everyone stay still!”
As Bruce spoke, Gao Yang felt his head spinning more and more.
Cui Bo, with a bewildered look on his face, stood up, attempting to speak but before he could start, he thumped to the ground.
Gao Yang’s head grew increasingly dizzy, and just then, he saw Bruce hastily taking out several pre-charged auto-injectors from a securely sealed case.
After whipping off the protective cap of an injector, Bruce staggered forward a few steps and injected it into his thigh.
When Bruce tried to open another pre-charged injector, he stumbled forward and collapsed at Gao Yang’s feet, the injector scattering across the floor from his hand.
Soon after, Gao Yang also saw darkness before his eyes and then knew no more.
(To be continued.
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