“I thought I could handle seeing it again,” Cate whispered. She wiped her mouth and nose, but continued to stare at the deck.

Regina stood. “We’re fucked,” she yelled. Her jaw jutted as she stared at the remaining Earthpeace crewmembers that sat huddled together, hugging their knees or each other.

“Ease up, Ginny,” Vincent said. “We’re safe here. We can call in one of the long-range Coast Guard choppers and lift us all off. Then tow this big lug into harbor.”

Mironov turned to click his fingers at Drago. “Get the whale carcass in. No use just feeding the Megalodon.” He looked over the side. “Not while we’re dead in the water.”

“Thanks a fucking lot!” Regina yelled at the crew, then stormed to the railing.

Cate exhaled with a judder. “We just need to get out of here.”

One of the dinghy crew got to his feet, and cleared his throat. “Excuse me, who’s in charge here?”

Eyes turned towards the silver haired, bedraggled looking figure. He smoothed his soaking pullover.

“My name is Olander Blomgren, Captain Olander Blomgren, and it seems you have put us, and yourselves in danger. That whale you killed and dragged here has obviously attracted some sort of massive shark-like predator. I can’t tell you of the trouble you’ll be in when we get back home.”

Mironov stood smiling with arms folded. He looked like he was enjoying the show.

“Piss off.” Regina took a few steps towards him, but Vincent grabbed her and hauled her back to talk quietly with her.

Olander’s teeth were grit, and he took several quick steps towards Vincent and grabbed his shoulder. “Do you have any idea—”

Vincent spun and took him by his collar, pulled him close for a moment so their noses almost touched, and then pushed him back hard. “Get away from me, asshole.”

Olander was a big man, but he staggered back, now looking a little wild-eyed. He balled his fists, spluttering. “That’s, that’s assault. You’re an American and I’ll fucking sue you back to the Stone Age.”

There was a small click, and Olander’s mouth snapped shut.

Sonya had a small, dark pistol pointed dead center at the man’s temple, her eyes calm and unblinking.

“Sonya,” Jack warned.

“Little man, you – just you – have stranded us. Just you with your stupid little protest. You have managed to get your own people killed, and now, just you, dare to make demands on our boat?” She stepped in closer; her gun now pressed to his skin. “Please tell me why I shouldn’t have you put back over the side?”

Olander gulped, eyes darting. “I’m an American citizen, and you can’t.”

Jack helped Cate to her feet. “I’m okay,” she said and swiveled her head on her neck for a few seconds. “Let him go, Sonya. He’s guilty of being an asshole, that’s all.”