Aquatica Earth Reborn - Chapter 3 Hide & Seek

The general stopped mid-track and turned back, and so did the woman. The General, with a sudden change in demeanor, ordered them to eliminate the escaping survivors. “Don’t come back until you do”. As they descended below. Some gunmen helped the General and the woman get onboard the small yacht. The yacht was beautiful to look at even in an apocalyptic time.

This sleek vessel seamlessly combined cutting-edge design now dull and splattered with blood stains, mold, and scrapes, The upper deck, bathed in sunlight, features a spacious sundeck with torn plush loungers and a moldy Jacuzzi that was now used to store supplies. Descending to the lower deck reveals an exquisitely appointed interior for the general, adorned with alcohol and canned food scavenged with a mix of land housing furnishings. The main salon was fitted with guns and harpoons mounted for a siege.

Some gunmen were seen standing on the yacht planting C4 explosives. As soon as they were done they signaled and the boats immediately moved away from the boat.? The big barge was still in motion heading forward. As the general and his men on board were away and the roaring of their motor engines began to dim. The captain on deck struggled against his bonds, desperately trying to free himself. Suddenly a massive explosion rocked the ship.

Smoke billowed on the horizon as the ship succumbed to the destruction. The surviving boats raced towards the distant landside, while the two remaining ones headed in different directions.

(A while ago before the general boarded the ship) chaos reigned as gunfire sprayed everywhere.) The dimly lit corridors of the ship echoed with the frantic footsteps of Jake and Sarah, their labored breaths betraying the fear that gripped their hearts. Gunshots reverberated through the metal walls, creating a symphony of danger that intensified with every passing second.

Jake, a ruggedly handsome man with piercing brown eyes, a rugged beard, and a disheveled mop of jet black hair, clutched Sarah's hand as they sprinted through the narrow passageways. The ship's alarm bells blared above, adding urgency to their escape. His strong jawline tensed with determination, and beads of sweat glistened on his forehead, accentuating his chiseled features.

"Keep moving, Sarah! We can't let them catch us!" Jake yelled, his voice tight with fear. His eyes darted around, searching for any sign of the gunmen chasing them.

Sarah, a Latina beauty with sun-kissed skin and cascading curly hair, held onto a green backpack containing the serum. Her lips, painted with a shade of dark reddish brown that matched the emergency lights flickering above, quivered with a mix of terror and determination.

"I'm trying, Jake! But they're gaining on us!" Sarah's voice wavered, her wide, expressive eyes revealing the depth of her anxiety. As she turned back hearing running footsteps in the distance.

As they turned a corner, a hail of bullets pierced the air, forcing them to duck behind a stack of crates that read cargo. The acrid scent of gunpowder lingered, and the metallic taste of fear hung heavy in the air.

"We need to get to those lifeboats. Once we're in the water, we can escape in the chaos," Jake suggested, scanning the surroundings for an escape route.

Sarah nodded, her curls bouncing with the movement. "I hope you're right, Jake. This serum could change everything. We can't let them get their hands on it."

The pair pressed forward, adrenaline pumping through their veins. The ship's deck loomed ahead, a distant promise of safety. Gunmen closed in from behind, their footsteps growing louder with each passing second.

As they burst onto the deck, the sun cast an eerie reflection over the chaos blinding their vision. The lifeboats, like tiny beacons of hope, awaited them at the far end. Two were already half way down and only the third one about to descend. No sight of any other boats along the side of the huge barge. They sprinted towards their salvation, the sound of gunfire and their own desperate panting echoing in the hot chaotic noon.

"Jake, look out!" Sarah shouted, and Jake instinctively pulled her behind a large container, narrowly avoiding another bullet that whizzed past them.

?

The lifeboats were within reach, but so were the gunmen. With their backs against the railing, Jake and Sarah faced the desperate decision of making a last stand or taking the plunge jumping onto the descending lifeboat.

"Ready?" Jake asked, a fake smile playing on his lips.

Sarah took a deep breath, her hand gripping Jake tightly. "Let's do it, Jake. Together. On the count of three."

Jake shouted – “One…two”. Before he could say three another set of bullets ricocheted past them. In fear, Jake just grabbed her hand and jumped down into the boat.

Jake and Sarah barely managed to settle in the corner and secure a spot as the boats sped away, leaving behind a gruesome sight of those who fell in the water and got sucked below the surface leaving them victim to the ship's propellers. Gunfire echoed in the distance as the three small speed boats tried to escape the clutches of the enemy.

The scene shifted to Jake and Sarah's boat, now pursued by the General's forces. Desperation and fear filled the air as the survivors clung to the boat, desperately trying to avoid the relentless gunfire and being catapulted out of the boat with the impact of every wave. The crew leader suggested splitting to increase their chances of escape and signaled the other boats with a hand gesture who were speeding parallel to them. Jake's boat headed south, while the pursuers closed in.

The leader steered the boat towards the Gulf Coast as they called it, hoping to exploit the heavily mined defense zone from the old war and dodge the mercenaries chasing them..? The survivors held on tight as the boat bounced through the waves, and a massive wave propelled them into the air. As they landed with a splash, two more unfortunate souls were thrown overboard.

Amidst the chaos, the leader shouted, "Watch the waves, hold on tight, we cannot stop anyone who falls over it is too risky!" The boat raced toward the perilous Gulf Coast, leaving behind the echoes of gunfire and the sinking remnants of the ship. The survivors, facing an uncertain fate, their screams drowned by the noise of the motor, the waves, and the bullets. They clung to hope and each other as they sped toward the danger that awaited them.

The Gulf Coast, once a strategic defensive zone during times of war, was a haunting landscape marked by remnants of mines set to sink enemy naval ships. The land, an artificial creation forged by diverting molten lava from the Earth's core, bore a sharp and metallic mix of elements, rendering it inhospitable for plant life. The rocky terrain, devoid of vegetation, resembled a desolate graveyard. The survivors, sandwiched between what remained of the mines, embarked on a thrilling chase as the enemy boats pursued.

Bullets peppered the water, triggering explosions that sent sprays of water soaring into the air. The domino effect of mine detonations, triggered by the shockwaves, created chaos, forcing the boats to zigzag through the perilous waters. As the boats skillfully evaded the pursuers, they found refuge behind a metallic rocky area, concealing them from their adversaries.

Amidst the suspense, the boat slowly approached, searching for any signs of the escapers. Gunfire echoed in the distance, revealing that other boats were still being pursued by the enemy. The survivors held their breath until the coast was clear, cautiously peeping over their hiding spot. The crew leader nudged the driver to start the engine slowly, directing the boat in the opposite direction. Jake and Sarah breathed a sigh of relief, with Jake checking in on Sarah's well-being. She assured him she was fine, tending to a couple of bruises and checking the bag of Remidium for any damage. “We are still in business.” – sighed Sarah as she turned to Jake's face.

A few hours passed as the sun began to set, showcasing the diverse group of survivors on the boat now heading at a moderate speed across the blue waters. As Sarah panned around to see what they were left with. She gazed at the crew leader, with a mustache and a torn crew grey shirt and jeans, he displayed a rugged appearance, his chest adorned with a heart pendant on a chain that was popping out.

The helmsman, steering the boat a timid short man with number tattoos on his fingers, wearing a grey shirt and a black pant, he had stubble and curly short hair that never moved an inch even with the win blowing on it. Behind him, a wounded couple, the man wore an open black shirt and denim blue jeans, the woman's jacket with a red shirt inside, and denim black jeans. The man with a bleeding hand, presented a stark contrast in size – the husband stocky, the wife pretty yet chubby. A malnourished, shattered kid with a sponge bob printed T-shirt that looked loose for his size and a pair of jeans that was torn not in the sense of fashion but with the sense of having been through rough days. His long, unkempt hair made him shabby but adorable with a puppy dog face.

Sat beside him a concerned lady with hazel eyes and brunette hair who had a poker face problem still in shock at what just happened.. Another woman, with curly red hair, mourned the loss of someone who fell overboard during the escape. As Sarah tried to remember all she recollected was a scream and when she turned back she saw a huge splash with the lady screaming and looking behind. She was too afraid at that time to even gather her thoughts.

The boat also carried an old man, trembling and scruffy adorning a torn green jacket, he reached into his pocket with some clinks he pulled out what looked like a miniature alcohol bottle of bourbon which he sipped in a hurry to calm his nerves. Beside him sat a tall, dark, and handsome man in a bright red shirt with coconut trees, it reminded Sarah of the good old days when cruises were a thing of vacations.

At the rear sat an old lady with short dark hair and Sarah's relief upon seeing Jake added to the varied mix of survivors. Suddenly, Jake stood up, his gaze fixed on a distant point. The others followed his gaze, and Sarah, noticing something in the distance, asked, "What is that Jake?" The horizon held the promise of both mystery and potential danger, leaving the survivors to wonder what lay ahead in their tumultuous view where they were coming close to a blurry object on the horizon. To be cont….