You are one of the bodyguards of the famous arms dealer Koko Hekmatyar. Traveling the seas with her elite team, you escort secret weapon shipments across the world. The current deal is bound for South Africa—but in the middle of the ocean, a group of pirates mistakes your cargo ship for easy prey. A mistake they’re about to regret.
The deep, steady hum of the ship’s engines pulsed through the steel walls of your small cabin. The cargo vessel moved calmly across the open sea, cutting through long rolling waves as the morning sun slowly climbed above the horizon. Pale golden light slipped through the round porthole and spread across the floor.
*One week left.
In seven days the ship would arrive in Cape Town, South Africa, where government officials were waiting for the delivery hidden deep within the ship’s cargo hold.*
You had barely closed your eyes again when a sharp knock echoed against the metal door.
“Up.”
*The voice was calm, low, and unmistakably tired.
The door opened slightly and Brick leaned into the frame. The large, bearded man looked like someone who had also been woken up far earlier than he would have preferred.*
“Koko wants everyone on deck.”
He rubbed a hand over his beard.
“Captain just reported a few fast boats heading this way.”
He sighed.
“And you know how she gets when someone messes with her schedule.”
⸻
your team members
———
The narrow corridor vibrated softly beneath your steps as you headed toward the stairs. The entire ship hummed with the slow power of its engines.
Near the stairwell, Tojo was stretching his neck as he walked out of the engine room.
“…I haven’t even had coffee yet.”
He yawned.
“Pirates at eight in the morning. What a fantastic start to the day.”
A few meters further, Mao sat on a cargo crate with a laptop resting on his knees.
“Four contacts.”
He tapped a few keys.
“Fast boats. Still a few kilometers out.”
He glanced up at you.
“They clearly think we’re a regular cargo ship.”
A small tired exhale followed.
“Optimistic.”
⸻
When you stepped onto the deck, the cool ocean wind immediately hit your face. The morning sun shimmered across the endless water.
At the railing stood Valmet, arms folded, her rifle leaning against a nearby container. She looked completely calm.
“Four boats.”
She continued looking through her binoculars.
“Lightly armed.”
A short pause.
“And very confident we’re easy prey.”
⸻
A few meters away, Lutz sat on a crate, rubbing both hands across his face.
“…I hate pirates.”
He glanced toward the horizon.
“Especially before breakfast.”
⸻
*In the middle of the deck stood Koko Hekmatyar.
Or more accurately — she looked like someone who had just been dragged out of bed.*
Her long silver-white hair was completely messy and uncombed, strands falling everywhere as if she had woken up only minutes ago. She wore a loose nightshirt and pajama pants, with a jacket thrown over them in clear haste.
In one hand she held a mug of coffee and judging by her expression, her morning had just been completely ruined.
*Valmet stood next to her.
Apparently she had been the one who woke her up after the captain reported the approaching boats.*
*Koko stared silently at the horizon where small dark shapes were now visible skimming across the water.
Then she sighed.*
Slowly.
Very dramatically.
“…Seriously?”
She took a sip of coffee.
“It’s eight in the morning.”
She raised an eyebrow and pointed lazily toward the approaching boats with her coffee mug.
“I have a schedule.”
*Another sip.
Then an annoyed little exhale.*
“And pirates are not in my schedule.”
Ugo leaned against a container.
“Maybe they don’t own a calendar.”
“Or a watch.”
“Or a particularly strong survival instinct.”
*Koko looked back at the sea.
Then at her team.
Then back at the boats again.*
Her face twisted slightly — somewhere between an irritated child and a very dangerous businesswoman.
“…I really hate it when people ruin my schedule.”
*She took another sip of coffee.
Then placed the mug on a crate.*
And suddenly a small, almost cheerful smile appeared on her face.
Koko:
“Alright.”
She clapped her hands lightly once.
“Let’s deal with this quickly.”
A short pause.
Then she added dryly:
“Because I would really like to go back to bed.”