The next morning, Jack woke up to an empty bed. Only the lingering scent of Anna served to remind him of their night of passion as the far-from-innocent brunette had already made her getaway. Jack looked down at the floor to where his clothes were still piled up and began to get dressed once again. However, he received a little surprise when he went to grab his jacket.

A sexy, black lace thong dropped out from the fold of his jacket. Jack grinned at the sight and leaned forward to pick it up. A small note was attached.

Now you know I won't be wearing any today.

Jack felt his cock stir at reading her notes. He nearly laughed for thinking that she might be the innocent sister. He finished getting dressed for the day and quickly ran over the dispatch notes from the evening. He had several messages from the commanding officers of all the ships, and it seemed like the Destiny wasn't alone in their insubordination problem. Jack put a mental note together to talk with each commanding officer to formulate a plan to address it and grabbed his service cap to make his way topside just as the sun was coming up over the horizon.

Instead of heading to the bridge, Jack found himself walking all the way to the bow of the ship, coming to a stop right next to the front railing. Just below him, he could watch the elegant steel bow of the ship cut through the ocean waves like a hot knife through butter. Turning to face the rest of the ship, a grim smile pierced his lips as his gaze took in the forward guns and the imposing superstructure of the majestic cruiser. Sometimes he had to remind himself that it was really his. The Destiny was his to command, as was the Valiant sailing just off to port and the Tiger just off to starboard.

Jack turned to face the front railing once more and squinted out to the horizon. Still no sightings of land. With their course, they should be getting close to the Vector, and it was only a matter of time until the first landmass came into view. Jack took a deep breath and then exhaled. Was he ready for it?

After a few more minutes at the bow, he turned around to walk back to the superstructure. Climbing up the several flights of stairs to the bridge, he took a step inside. As was usual for an early morning, there was only one officer on the bridge and he wasn't surprised to see his head of operations division, Lt. Stephanie Pierce.

The short-haired brunette cracked a smile as soon as she saw him and beckoned for him to come sit next to her at her command station.

"Good morning, Jack," she said brightly while patting the seat.

"Morning, Stephanie. How's the morning treating you so far?"

She shrugged. "It's been rather quiet, but that was to be expected. What were you doing at the bow just now?"

Jack looked out the front window, remembering it was high enough to see the entire front of the ship. "Just an early morning ritual. Nothing like standing right up on the bow early in the morning. Something about watching the ship cut through the first waves of the morning is eerily calming for me. Helps to make me relax."

"Most people turn to alcohol to help them relax," said Stephanie with a laugh. "Or sex."

Jack laughed along with her but otherwise kept his mouth shut. Stephanie didn't need to know he had the sex part recently covered and with her fellow officer.

"To each his own," said Jack with a twinkle in his eyes. "Anyway, how is the crew under your command?"

Stephanie pursed her lips. "Restless, to say the least. I'm sure you heard about some of the issues we've been having?"

"I did—Abigail briefed me. Vicky Carter from the Tiger said she's having some issues as well. Nothing so much on the Valiant just yet," said Jack, remembering the morning brief.

"I think the worst part is just the not knowing portion. Maybe it'll be better once we actually arrive but all these days at sea in between aren't helping," said Stephanie.

"You're exactly right. I just hope the crew can hang in there a little longer. We should be there any day now," said Jack. "Maybe once they see simple sand and surf, they'll realize it's just another place."

Stephanie nodded and then chewed on her lip for a moment. She opened her mouth several times before closing it just as quickly. Finally, Jack heard her speak up. "Jack, do you mind if I ask you something?"

"Of course not. What's up?"

Stephanie cracked one of her knuckles nervously. "I'm really scared that we're not going to see home again."

Jack leaned in closer. "Why's that?"

She nodded her head toward the horizon. "Because of what's out there. I've heard the stories. All I can think about some days is the day we left Aberdeen back in Java. Like that's the last time I'll get to see my home and everyone I grew up with."

"Oh, Stephanie, you know that—"

"Does that make me a bad officer, Jack?"

"Why would that make you a bad officer?"

She shook her head. "I don't know. That I'm not confident enough? That I'm afraid of dying a long way from home for a cause that I know nothing about? That this war is just going to sweep us all up in it and spit us out?"

Jack smiled gently. "That sounds like it makes you human."

"I know but look at Abigail. She's so strong and so confident. I'd follow her anywhere. Even her sister is amazing too. And Lt. Abrams is masterful at the guns. I feel like all the officers on this ship are something special but sometimes I feel like I'm just out of place," said Stephanie as her head fell slightly.

"I think what you're feeling is entirely normal. And I think you aren't the only one that feels that way," said Jack.

"What do you mean?"

"It sounds like you've been listening to that little voice of reason in your head a little too much. That one tries to get you to doubt yourself. That forgets what you're capable of. Not just anyone in the world can be a naval officer, Stephanie. To have undergone grueling years of training and academics and to come out in one piece on the other side is the very definition of strength to me."

She finally looked up at him with misty eyes. A quick swipe of her cheek and her eyes fixed back at him.

"Stephanie, you were chosen to command this ship for a reason. You're the head of the entire division because of your intelligence, your abilities, and your courage. Don't ever forget that. We're all scared to take on this mission and every time that voice tries to pop back up in your brain and tell you that you don't belong here, squash it right back down where it came from. You deserve to be here," he said while putting his arm around her and pulling her in for a hug.

She came willingly and crushed against his side. "Thank you, Jack. I was so afraid to tell you about this and find out what you might think about me. That maybe I wasn't fit for this role or that you might send me back in disgrace."

"Quite the opposite," said Jack. "I think it makes you a better officer for being so in tune with your feelings."

Stephanie sniffled a little and then broke out into a small smile. "You're a good commander, Jack."

Jack chuckled. "Some days it's hard for me to believe that, but thank you."

She looked back up at him. "Don't listen to your internal voice, Commander." She followed it up with a wink.

Before he could respond, the door to the bridge was slammed open, the noise loud enough to make the both of them jump. It was Abigail.

"Jack, I need you right away," she said with a breathless tone. It was obvious she had practically ran to the bridge to deliver the message.

Jack was up in an instant. There were few moments when Abigail was being deadly serious and this was one of them. Before he followed the brunette out of the bridge, he turned to look back at Stephanie.

"Sorry, Steph," he said with a cheeky smile. "We'll have to get back to this conversation."

She giggled. "It's okay, Jack." She gave him one last look before turning back to her workstation. "You know, it's true what they say about you. All of it."

He didn't have time to ponder that for very long as he quickly descended the stairs out of the bridge. Abigail was waiting for him at the bottom.

"What's up? Anything going on?" he asked her as she gestured toward the stern of the ship.

"I just got word from Lt. Commander Ravencross. The search that you ordered from the ships has turned up three intruders in the stores of the ship. He's had them apprehended and requested that all the commanders meet with him at once."

Jack picked up a little more speed in his stride. "Let's get moving at once then."

The both of them hurried along the railing until they came to the stern where some of the small boats were hung for immediate use. One of them was held up with chains against either end of the boat and a small engine hung off the rear for quick transportation.

With the help of some of the nearby crew, Jack and Abigail got into the small craft and had it lowered into the ocean waters below. Starting the engine, Jack began to steer them in the direction of the Valiant.

"Did Luke say if they were Occitanian?" Jack asked as they neared the light cruiser.

She shook her head. "It sounds like he hasn't questioned them yet. But if there's three of them and three missing Occitanians from Quiller's Cove, it kind of adds up, don't you think?"

Jack nodded. What was worst of all was that they went undetected for three days. That gave them a whole lot of time to do an unknown amount of sabotaging to the ship. Jack just hoped that they got them before they got up to anything too nefarious.

Soon enough the small boat managed to pull against the side of the Valiant where there was a small dock on the ship's starboard side hull. Tying up the craft, Jack stepped out first and helped Abigail next. The two of them made their way up the stairs and found Lt. Cory Renner waiting for them at the top near the railing. Jack gave a crisp salute to the newest division commander of the Valiant, having just promoted him before they left Quiller's Cove.

"Cory, good to see you. Where is Luke?" he asked.

"He's got the men secured down on the first deck's main messroom, sir. I've already sent Lt. Commander Carter from the Tiger down just a few minutes before," said Cory.

"Thank you, Lieutenant," said Abigail with a smile. Jack pointed the way to the superstructure and after a few minutes, they emerged in the mess room.

It almost looked like a one-sided standoff was taking place inside the mess. Lt. Commander Ravencross was sitting in the chair closest to the door, watching each of his three prisoners closely while holding his service pistol in his lap. Vicky Carter was standing a few feet from him, eyeing each of their prey in turn with a disapproving look and crossed arms. In front of them stood three men dressed in Javan naval uniforms but their faces wore blank expressions.

Jack looked over each man in turn. They were all quite on the tall side, not usual for the Occitanian people who had renown for being one of the larger height races. The one right in the middle was the tallest, with dark hair and rapidly blinking eyes that suggested to Jack his nervousness at the situation. To Jack's right, the men on the end also had dark hair but he had considerably more weight and looked to have skipped a few weeks of the mandatory naval physical training sessions. Lastly, the man on the left had more auburn colored hair. He simply stared straight ahead, making full eye contact with the wall in front of him. Each of the man wore a pair of wrist restraints to prevent them from trying anything.

Jack stepped right up to Luke who managed to step out of his chair. "Is this them?"

"Aye, sir. They were found down in the storage compartments. They had sneaked into one of the open containers for our dry food supplies when discovered by the men. Managed to eat enough of it too, although I'd say most of it was eaten by that man on the right there."

Jack watched the man on the right flinch at being disrespected but he did nothing more.

"Who are they?" asked Jack.

"We don't know," answered Luke. "They refuse to give me names or ranks. Refuse to talk at all to be honest. They stole those uniforms from the crate of spares we have in an attempt to fit in but they were missing all the accouterments of a real sailor that they were easy to pick out."

Jack stepped up to the man in the center. The man had several inches on him but Jack still got right into the man's face. The prisoner's eyes focused on Jack and a subtle sneer appeared on his face.

"What's your name and rank, sailor?" Jack asked in a serious tone.

The man didn't answer. He kept wearing the same sneer as a deliberate attempt to challenge the commander. Jack continued to stare him down hoping to possibly break the man, yet he held his tongue.

"I know you're Occitanian," said Jack quietly. "Do you know it was me that blew up your cruiser? My crew and I had the perfect shot so we took it and blasted your asses to smithereens." Jack stepped up to the man on the left. "Was that your ship?"

The man continued to stare past Jack at the wall, but Jack could pick up some slight twitching in the muscles under the man's face. Whatever he was saying was affecting the prisoner.

Jack continued by walking up to the last one. "And finally we land with you, pudgy. Been eating too many of my sweets, hmm? Did you lose any friends in that explosion? I certainly hope you did. Painful death, I'm sure, getting roasted to death. Too bad it missed you. Roasting your ass would have provided enough meat to feed my entire ship."

The man flinched and opened his mouth but shut it quickly. Jack shook his head as his attempts to antagonize the enemy sailors wasn't bearing any fruit. He'd have to come up with something else. Thankfully, another method quickly rooted in his head.

"Luke, you know the easiest way to pick out Occitanian scum?"

Luke raised an eyebrow at Jack as he walked over to the mess kitchen. "What's that, Jack?"

Jack ducked in through the door and entered the kitchen, searching for something that would help him make his point. Spotting just the right tool, he grabbed a rolling pin and brought it back out into the dining cabin. "Their accent. That thick, Occitanian accent is one of the easiest ways to pick them out."

Luke gave him an odd lock. "And how are we supposed to do that when they won't talk?"

Jack centered himself right in front of the center prisoner and watched the man's sneering gaze look back down at him. "That's simple. They just need a little encouragement."

With that last line, he pulled back the rolling pin and struck the prisoner's knee as hard as he could.

The prisoner went doubling down and clutched his knee as the other two quickly separated from his side.

"Yee son of eh 'ore! Zat fuckin' 'urt!" the prisoner roared, his Occitanian accent thick and heavy.

Jack turned around and glanced at his officers who were all beaming at him in return.

"Sounds like we just landed in Occitania," said Luke with a chuckle. Order was restored as Jack put down the pin and the nearby guard of sailors pushed the three men back into a lineup.

"That it does! I want these men locked up in the brig and I want them under guard until I figure out what to do with them. They are to be given minimal rations—enough to keep them alive. They've ate enough of our food as it is. Luke, do you have room in your brig to take them?"

The commander of the Valiant shook his head. "Negative on that, Jack. Our brig is currently full with the excess supplies from Quiller's Cove. I don't have enough room."

Vicky stepped forward. "I can take them, Jack. I have room in mine."

Jack nodded. "Excellent, let's get them moved over. Please make sure they are guarded at all times. I don't want them cooking anything up between them." He then turned to Abigail. "When we get back to the Destiny, I want you to get a message over to Commodore Lucas. Let him know we found the men and that we'll figure out a way to get them back to base in due time. It's too late to turn this task force around."

"Aye, sir," said Abigail with a sultry smile.

The armed guards began to escort the three prisoners away at once. The one that he'd hit with the pin limped toward the door, but not before turning around to address Jack.

"You'll be sohrry. Mark my wurhds, Comman-derh!"

He was smacked by the cudgel of the guard for his outburst and soon enough the three men disappeared from sight to be escorted over to the Tiger.

As soon as they were out of sight, Luke stood and walked over to Jack. "I'm sorry, Jack. I had no idea they were on my ship."

Jack held up his hands to his old comrade. "Not your fault, Luke. I'm not sure how those bastards got onboard, but the big thing is that we found them. They'll be safe down in the brig."

Luke took a deep breath. "I should have had more security out. We could have caught them before we sailed. We could have—"

"We could have done a lot of things in hindsight," Jack interrupted. "But it's in the past. I don't blame you. You're one of the best men I have. Don't fault yourself for this. Let's just focus on the mission at hand."

Luke watched him for several moments before he gave a small nod. When he didn't speak up again, Jack turned to address the rest of the officers.

"Vicky, let me know if those clowns cause any trouble. I want reports every few hours to make sure they're still in place. Sound good?"

Vicky smiled. "Aye, Jack. Good to see you again." She winked before she slipped out of the mess to make her way back to her ship.

"Luke, I want the stores where they were found inspected, and I want to know if you find any evidence of tampering. Let me know as soon as you can, and we'll see you in a little bit," said Jack as he and Abigail walked to the door. "Keep me up to speed of anything that happens on the ship."

Luke nodded. "Will do. Thanks for coming over so quickly, Jack."

With a subtle nod, Jack and Abigail made their way topside and began the journey back over to their own ship. As they untied their boat, Jack dipped the motor into the water and began to steer his way over to the Destiny.

"Thank god we found them," said Abigail about halfway to the ship. "At least we can let Lucas know we found them."

Jack nodded. "I'm still concerned about sabotage. I don't think I'll be able to rest until I know the crew is safe."

"At least that's over with now. Right?"

Jack shot her sideways look. "Hopefully."

*****

The next two days passed by without any further incidents. There still remained no sightings of land as the ships drifted ever further on their westerly course. Thankfully, the investigation on the Valiant about the ship's stores produced no evidence of tampering. Despite the supplies that the Occitanians went through, everything else looked to be in order.

One afternoon, Jack found himself back in his headquarters dealing with yet another mention of insubordination of the crew, this time on the Valiant herself. The ship had two sailors who refused to do their duties unless the task force immediately sailed back to Java. Of course, they were thrown in the brig like the other dissidents but Jack wished they could put this episode truly behind them. All the disobedience from an ordinarily loyal crew was starting to put him on edge.

A moment later there was a knock on his door and Jack called out for the person to enter. Innocent, dark eyes soon peeked at him through his doorway and with quick movement, Anna slipped her way into his quarters and rapidly shut the door.

"Hey, Anna," said Jack casually as the brunette pushed up against his closed doors. "Did you need something?"

She grinned. "Just a protein shake. Hope you don't mind."

Before Jack could figure out what she meant, she quickly crossed the distance between them and slipped between his legs. Sinking to her knees, Anna hurriedly undid his trousers and pulled his cock out from his pants.

"Anna!" he hissed. "It's the middle of the day. Are you nuts?"

Her eyes flashed as she giggled. "I thought it would be rather fun."

Before he could speak another word, she slipped the tip into her mouth and began to suck. Jack's head rolled back at feeling the wet sensation against his manhood. This was starting to become a common occurrence with her. After the first night they slept together, she not only slipped into his bed the following night but proceeded to reach for a quick grab of his cock throughout the day on the bridge. She only seemed to be getting more bold, and each day brought something new. It was getting to the point that he was becoming concerned the rest of the crew would find out, least of all Abigail.

Anna let his cock slip out with an audible pop. "I love how you taste. I can't wait to have you fill my stomach with your cum. I even skipped lunch just so I could feast on you, sir. Will you please cum down my throat?"

Jack would be more mad if her dirty talk wasn't one of the most arousing things he'd ever experienced. The little minx with the innocent eyes was one of the dirtiest girls he'd ever met and he loved every minute of sex with her. The only thing he could do was push his cock deeper down her throat making her moan with delight.

Anna carried on blowing him for several minutes, thoroughly coating his entire cock with her saliva. He watched as her hand began to slip inside her own trousers and she was soon pleasing herself as well as him.

"I love how you fill my mouth so well. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to take it all, Jack, but watch this." Anna then proceeded to take his entire erection down her throat as her nose touched the base of his cock.

"Goddamn, you do that so well, Anna," Jack grunted as he watched the girl's cheeks puff out every time she went deep.

"Just trying to be a good subordinate," she said with a wink. Anna next teased each of his balls in turn, flicking them with her tongue which produced quite the pleasurable sensation. After she finished with his balls, she alternated between sucking the tip and going down all the way in a deepthroat.

Jack began to feel his balls tighten when there was another knock on his door. Jack shot up in an instant, almost pushing Anna off his dick.

"Quick, hide!" he hissed as he struggled to pull his trousers up.

"Who could it be?" she asked while making no other movements to disguise her actions.

"Does it matter? They can't find us like this!"

Anna let slip a far-from-innocent smile. "I have an idea, Jack."

Her hands went down to his trousers and firmly pushed them back on the floor. She crawled into the space under his desk and then began to pull his chair to her. Jack's eyes widened as he caught on to what she was trying to do.

"You've got to be kidding," he said.

"Don't worry about me. No one will be able to see me. You just focus on your concentration," she said with a wink as she disappeared from sight.

Jack pushed his chair all the way in to disguise the fact that he was bottomless and getting his cock sucked under the table. With an unsure voice, he called out, "c-come in."

Abigail poked her head in and held up her hand showing a set of folders. "Ordnance report from this morning. Thought you'd like to see it."

Jack tried to control his face from displaying the horrified expression he felt on the inside. "Sounds good. Just leave them here," he said with a remarkably calm demeanor.

Abigail dropped the folders right on his desk but then stopped to look at him. "You all right? You look like something's troubling you."

Jack gulped hard. It didn't make matters any better that Anna picked that time to really ramp up her sucking, applying eye-rolling pressure to his cock. Jack struggled to pretend to be normal.

"Never better. Thanks for bringing me the files," he managed.

Abigail shot him a weird look before heading to the door.

Please keep walking. Please keep walking, Jack prayed.

She pulled the door open and stopped to look back at him. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you needed some stress relief." Anna started to go full service at the mention and Jack began to go over the edge. He fidgeted in his spot trying to remain still as his orgasm began to hit with full force.

"Is that right?" he asked, feeling his balls begin to unload.

"Mm-hmm. Let me know if I can be of any service," she said, wearing her trademark sultry grin as she stepped out of his quarters. Jack felt his cum start to squirt into Anna's mouth as Abigail's dark eyes watched him from the door. As soon as she appeared, she was gone just as quickly.

When the door was finally shut, Jack pulled out from his desk to find Anna wearing an impish smile. "See what I mean, Jack? She wants you. At least I got you first! You taste so yummy that I can't help myself."

The brunette was soon wiping her mouth of any cum that had slipped out. She took a small bit that had landed on her chin and delicately scooped it up with two fingers. With her eyes fixed on him, Anna began to suck her fingers dry.

"You do that so well, Anna. It was amazing, don't get me wrong, but that was really risky. We shouldn't do that again."

Anna giggled. "Risky? That's part of the fun!"

"Not when you're the commanding officer," said Jack with a small smile.

Anna moved to sit down in his lap, resting her arms against his shoulders. "When you're the boss, you get to make all the rules."

Jack chuckled. "I don't think the Admiralty would see it the same way."

"Besides," started Anna again. "I want to fuck you on the bridge. I want to sit in Abigail's chair and have you take me from behind. Would you like that, Jack? How about if I let you fuck my ass while we do it? I wonder if I could take all of you in my ass. Would you like that?"

Jack could only smile at the mischievous little brunette in his lap. He could definitely tell now that she was related to Abigail but Anna seemed to take everything one step further. Perhaps a lot of that had to do with constantly growing up in her big sister's shadow.

"One step at a time, okay?"

Anna faked a pout. "Unless you're getting tired of sleeping with me?"

Jack rolled his eyes. "Don't you dare start with that."

Her pout dissolved into the most adorable giggle. "I'll take that as a no. Now, do you think I could get you ready again quickly? I want you to pick me up and fuck me against the wall right there."

She quickly slid off his lap and once again began to suck at his cock. Jack was about to argue with her but found himself responding to her attention yet again. As much as he wanted to dial it back, the young woman was incredibly arousing.

Once he was at full mast, Anna leapt up from the ground and sashayed over to the wall. She slipped her fingers into the trousers and pushed them to the floor. Like the previous couple days, she wasn't wearing anything else underneath. Bending over slightly and resting her hands against the wall, she called back to him.

"I'm ready for you, sir." Her head turned back to face him as she began to shake her butt.

Jack didn't need to be told twice. With cock in hand, he slipped in behind the naughty brunette and then penetrated her in one full stroke.

"Mmm fuck! I love that feeling," Anna purred as she began to push back at him against the wall. "This time, don't stop until you fill me with your cum."

Jack did the only thing he could do in this case—he began to ram home into the small brunette until her chorus of moans started to echo across his quarters.

*****

Lt. Commander Victoria Carter hustled down the passageway from her quarters on the Tiger. It had been two days since the Occitanians were captured and thrown into the brig on her small destroyer. At the time, she thought it had been the most significant thing to happen since they left port, but the message she had just received suggested otherwise.

She hustled through one of the hatches and continued to head topside until she came to the first deck. Her stomach still growled from lack of food—she had just sat down to eat when the message arrived but it was too important not to be addressed right away. Something as serious as this needed nipped in the bud as quickly as possible.

Vicky came to a stop right outside the operations division headquarters of Lt. Brian Xavier. Without so much as a knock, she threw open the door and stepped inside. Several officers rose at once to greet her with the standard salute before Brian came striding up to her.

"Ma'am, thank you for coming so quickly," said Brian.

"Who was it? Who were the sailors?" she asked.

"These two," said Brian while gesturing to the two sailors that were being restrained against the far wall. Vicky recognized them both instantly. Both of them worked in the boilers and had served the ship for many deployments. While not the brightest bulbs in the bunch, they were usually dependable.

"What happened exactly? Tell me the whole story."

Brian gestured for another officer to come forth. Vicky recognized this one, 2nd Lt. Zachary Magby, as having authority over the same section of the boilers as the two restrained sailors. Magby had a cut below his right eye and looked severely pissed.

"Go on, Magby. Tell her what happened," said Brian.

Zachary took a deep breath and then started. "It's real simple, ma'am. I was working my shift in the boiler room this afternoon. We had just switched to the evening shift, and I noticed I was two men short. Well, I always have the same sailors so it wasn't hard to figure out who was missing." Zachary pointed to the two men near the wall. "Jarvis and Reyes were found in their quarters. They were noticeably unoccupied and when I told them to report to the boilers, both of them just shrugged at me."

Zachary took another breath. "Well, I told them I'd write them up for dereliction of duty if they didn't report with me at once. Now in the hold it was only the three of us. It was at that point that Jarvis hopped up from his bunk and got in my face. 'What are you going to do about it?' he said."

It was Reyes turn to stand up next. 'We're not doing nothing until we can get off this ship. I'm not going to die due to some Fourthie asshole!'"

"Nor will we! We're not serving no more until we turn around—" began Jarvis, yelling over his shoulder. His outburst earned him a quick jab to the back and he swiftly shut up.

Vicky looked back over at Jarvis and Reyes and then turned back to Zachary. "What happened next?"

"Before I had a chance to argue any further, Jarvis popped me! That ring that he wears on his finger was what cut my face," said Zachary while pointing to the dried blood beneath his eye.

"So they hit you? Then what?"

Zachary nodded his head. "That's right, ma'am. Thankfully, their commotion served to alert three sailors just walking by the compartment. They sprang into action immediately and helped me restrain the two. I ain't never seen anything like it, ma'am. I've served for over five years on this ship and I've never heard of an enlisted man popping an officer."

"Some officer," sneered Reyes, earning him his own jab in the back. The blow forced him to his knees.

Zachary shot a look full of daggers at the man before looking back to Vicky. "That's about it, ma'am. Once they were under control, I sent the message off to Lt. Xavier here."

"And I called for you immediately, ma'am," interrupted Brian. "What do you want to do with these two?"

Vicky shrugged. "What else can we do? Throw them in the brig. As soon as we get back to port, I want them court-martialed and discharged. There's no room on my ship for anyone who would assault another member of the crew, especially an officer. Take them to the brig and lose the key."

There was a small amount of shuffling as the two sailors were led out of the room and taken below deck to the brig. As soon as the men were safely out of the room, Brian spoke up.

"Ma'am, we are running out of room in the brig. There's currently eighteen men locked up in there. Most of them will be released and back to duty soon but several will be discharged once we get back to a friendly base. A lot of this behavior is being caused by mission to the Vector. The men are more scared with each passing day. I'm afraid of what's going to happen once we get closer."

Vicky took a deep breath. "I know, Brian. It's been on my mind as well. We're not alone in this either. I've heard reports from the Valiant and the Destiny as well. The crews are restless."

"Ma'am, what would we do if the crew turns even more . . . restless? I'm afraid we might have the making of a mutiny at hand," said Brian in a near hushed tone.

"Mutiny? Do you really think it would come to that?" she asked.

"I don't know, ma'am. It just doesn't feel right. There's so much tension on the ship. And every day we sail closer to the Vector and it just doesn't feel right," said Brian.

"Is that your gut impression? You interact with the sailors a lot more than I do. Is that what all of you think?" Vicky turned to face the remaining officers in the room.

Most of them kept silent but there were a few subtle nods as she looked around. It was more serious than she thought. She had to get a message to Jack immediately about the situation on the Tiger.

"Okay, I want you to hang tight. I'll talk with Commander Easterbrook and get this addressed immediately. In the meantime, keep a tight hold on your sectors. Let me know of any trouble as soon as you can."

There was another round of nods. Vicky offered a salute to the remaining officers and quickly dashed out the room. Her feet made quick work against the steel floor of the ship and she descended down another hatch to reach the second deck where her headquarters were. She burst into her cabin and shut the door loudly behind her. On her desk was her command radio and she picked it up and sent a message on the command frequency.

"Jack, this is Vicky. I have a real problem over here. Come in."

There was static for several moments before she heard his voice come in.

"Vicky, it's Jack. What's going on?"

"Jack, it's getting worse," she said as her voice cracked and proceeded to tell him everything.

*****

Jacques watched from the shadows of the brig as the cell across from his was pulled open with a heavy creak of the metal bars and two more sailors were deposited into it by an escort of two guards.

"I don't want to hear a word from you two. Keep your mouths shut, you hear me?" said the guard as he closed the gate with an audible pop.

"Why do you got to be such a dick to them, Reggie? I don't blame them for not wanting to go see Fourthies either," said the other guard as they began to walk back to their post.

Jacques tried to get a good look at the two men but the combination of darkness and his sleep-deprived eyes produced nothing tangible. Instead, the Occitanian slinked back to his bench and sat down. Across from him were two of his sleeping comrades, Benoit, formerly a mess cook on the heavy cruiser Témérité and the other, Andre, formerly part of the rear gun crew. He couldn't blame them for sleeping. There wasn't much else to do in the brig.

"Bloody fine mess you got us into, Reyes," said one of the new men as his arms rested against the metal bars of the ship's brig. The compartment was at the very bottom of the ship, where the only light was artificial and not wasted on non-essential parts like the brig. Shadows only illuminated this portion of the ship when the guards switched on their flashlights.

"I think you mean bloody fine mess you got us in, Jarvis. You're the one that had to slug that asshat. If you didn't, we'd might only be in here for a week until we were back in the boilers again," said the other man.

"I didn't like his tone," growled the one called Jarvis.

"Will zee shut zhe fuck up!" yelled Andre from their own cell. "Tryin' to sleep over 'ere."

"All this just for the bloody Fourth Vector," said Jarvis out loud. "I don't even know why the fuck they call it that."

"You really are a dummy, aren't you? Everyone knows that Java is the first vector, Occitania is the second, and Ruthenia is the third," said the one called Reyes. "The fourth was basically the only place left in the world that was unexplored."

"And for good reason," snorted Jarvis. "Now we'll sooner die down here when the cannibals take over the ship instead of just being discharged back at port!"

"Zee don't want to die, yes, Javan?" Jacques called out across the cell. With what little light they had, he soon saw that Jarvis's eyes were focused on him.

"Does anyone want to die, you Occitanian fuck?" growled Jarvis from across the way.

Jacques grinned as an idea struck him. "I don't mind dying zhe 'onorable way in combat. But I'm like you, Javan. I don't want to be eaten either."

"Get a load of this guy, Reyes. I never thought I'd have something in common with an Occitanian rat," said Jarvis.

Before Jacques could respond, Andre had moved from his sleeping slumber and came up to the man slowly. "Why are zee riling up the Javans? What game are you playing, Jacques?"

Jacques fixed the man with his gaze. "I have an idea." The Occitanian turned his attention back to the new arrivals. "Where are zee from, Javan?"

Jarvis sneered and then opened his mouth. "You already said it. I'm from Java. Or can't you hear worth a damn?"

"Well, what part of Java?"

"The capitol. Belfort," answered Jarvis.

"I bet zee have a lot of family there, eh? Want to see zhem again, right?" asked Jacques.

"Good luck ever seeing anyone worth a damn again," muttered Reyes as he laid down on the wooden bench.

"What about you, Reyes? Where you from?" Jacques called out.

"Same place as this genius," answered Reyes while pointing to his comrade.

"Ah, I see. I'm from Chambery on zhe Occitanian coast. Ever been?"

Before Reyes could answer, Jarvis interrupted. "Why the fuck are we talking to this Occie dipshit?"

Reyes leaned up. "I don't know about you, but no Occie's ever thrown me into the brig."

"They just fired on us last week, you moron."

"Whatever," huffed Reyes as he leaned back down. "Never been anywhere in your country there, Occie."

Jacques grinned. "I sure would love to see home again. To hold my woman again. See my parents. Stand on firm ground."

"Instead you're stuck here with us," shouted Reyes, earning a snicker from the rest of the inmates in the brig.

"Too bad," said Jacques with a shrug. "As is for me is the same for the rest of you. None of you will get to see your homes again. Never get to see your families. Never fuck a tight, wet pussy again. What a pity."

Reyes leaned up again. "I'm starting not to like this one now, Jarvis. Maybe you were right."

"Why's that, Reyes? Because he's speaking the truth?" asked Jarvis.

"He can at least humor me with what little life I have left," muttered Reyes.

"Zee boys don't seem like the 'umorin' types," said Jacques.

"Not anymore," said Jarvis.

Before Jacques could think up another response, one of the other men in the brig walked forward to press against his cell. "Why are you Occie's talking about home? You trying to make all of us miserable or something?"

Jacques rolled his shoulders playfully. "Oh, I don't know, Javan. It seems to be all of us men down here have one thing in common."

"What's that?"

Jacques fixed his glare right on the man. "That we're all going to die just because some men on this ship don't want us to live."

There was some light chatter following that statement as the inmates in the brig processed the Occitanian's words. It was at this point that Andre got up once again and gave a knowing look to his comrade. He too leaned up against the bars and seemed to figure out just the angle that Jacques was playing.

"I bet the rest of zee just signed up to fight some big, fancy war," said Andre. "Not to get killed on some worthless mission."

"Aye, but such is life," muttered Jarvis.

"It doesn't have to be that way," said Jacques quietly.

What was left of the chatter in the hold died down. For several seconds, all that could be heard was the sound of the water pressing against the hull.

"What are you suggesting, Occie?" asked another man, Barnaby, who had been quiet up until then.

"I'm suggesting that we turn this ship around and go back home," said Jacques before taking a deep breath. "By force if necessary."

Jacques's words produced another low chatter amongst the group. The Occitanian moved his head to look at the rest of the inmates in the brig, surprised to see most of them were nodding in agreement with him instead of dismissing him outright. That's when he knew his idea had legs.

"How we supposed to use force from all the way down here?" asked Reyes.

Jacques pointed his finger toward the lone guard on security detail. "We just need to get past that one, for starters."

Another man pressed his face against the bars. "What you're suggesting is called treason, you fuck."

Jacques scowled at the man. "What I'm suggestin' is going to keep us all alive."

"I may be a prisoner but I'm no turncoat," said the man, turning back away from the bars and walking back to his bench.

"Then zee will die a bloody death. Zee can stay on the ships and have zee organs feasted on by cannibals," said Jacques with a shrug.

"While the rest of us return to our homes. Our families," said Andre.

"I know which choice I'm going to make," said Jacques.

"What do we get if we help you?" asked Reyes before being swatted at by Jarvis. "What, Jarvis? Do you want to die or not? I'd rather keep my hide in its place instead of having my fingers used as toothpicks by some savages."

"You're talking about turning your back on your countrymen," hissed Jarvis.

Reyes scoffed. "They turned their backs on us the second they threw us down here." He turned back to face Jacques. "Anyway, Occie, I'm in. What's the plan?"

Jacques thought to himself for a moment while looking at the guard just along the way. It was only one of them on duty at all times, and the keys for the cells stayed around his waist. If only they could get a slight diversion.

"Watch this, Javan," said Jacques. "Andre, you know what to do."

The big Occitanian nodded his head and pretended to rest right next to the cell.

Jacques smiled one last time before using his fist to punch one of the iron bars. The pain was considerable and Jacques let out one hell of a scream.

"Guard! I need help! I'm being assaulted!" Jacques screamed at the top of his lungs and punched the iron bar one more time.

The considerable noise made by his screams coupled with the excited chatter from the inmates raised enough suspicion that soon the guards footprints could be heard echoing down the passageway. Andre took up a position to hover next to Jacques as the smaller Occitanian slunk to the floor in pretend fear. He held up his hands up to Andre as the big man pulled a fist back.

"Let go of that man," barked the guard as a small beam of light flashed into the cell.

"Or what," sneered Andre looking over his shoulder.

The guard let slip his baton from his waist holster. "Or I'll show you a lesson in manners," he growled.

The big Occitanian reacted immediately. With an instant, his hands had swung around and centered on the hapless guard in front of him. Reaching through the cell, he grabbed the smaller Javan guard by his jacket and gave a heavy pull towards the iron cells. The guard flatted against the cell, unable to use his hands or his baton to dislodge the grip of the heavier man.

The Javan yelped with pain as he was pressed into the iron. "Let go of me!" he roared with more bark than bite.

Andre sneered and extended his arms, loosening the pressure on the man before whipping them back in and slamming him against the iron. The Javan guard's eyes went wide in fear and panic at being so helpless as the inmates around him hollered at the action.

"Help!" The guard yelled as he struggled to free himself.

Andre waited until the smaller man exhausted himself before moving in for the coup de grace. A quick gesture to Jacques had the other Occitanian grab at the guard's torso to keep him pinned to the iron. This move allowed Andre to relax his grip on the guard and prepare for the final blow.

Help! Help me please!"

"Shut zee fuck up!" yelled Andre as he took the man's head in his palm and crushed it against the iron bar.

The screaming instantly stopped as the Javan guard crumpled to the floor beneath them. The excited chatter amongst the rest of the inmates died down immediately as well. There was no going back now. All of them were dead men.

"Easy enough," said Jacques while he scanned the belt of the dead guard. A small trickle of blood began to drip from the man's head, making a small pool against the metal floor. Jacques reached through the iron bars and rummaged for the keys that remained clipped to the guard's belt. Once unfastened, he held up the keys for all to see.

"Now we just have to find zhe right one!"

Several seconds went by as he located the right key and then popped open the locked cell door. It came open with a heavy creak of iron and in the next instant, the Occitanians were free men.

"Now, who else wants to go home?" Jacques asked of the remaining men. He jiggled the keys in front of all of them to entice them.

"Don't take his offer. You'll all be traitors," squeaked the same man from before with noticeably less confidence in his voice. The rest of them eyed the keys like they'd just been given a chest of gold.

"You're going to unlock us, right, Occie?" asked Jarvis.

"I'll unlock you on one condition, Javan. That you help me take over this ship. There's enough of us down here that we can move quickly and have a reasonable chance but only if we work together. We have strength in surprise and in numbers. It's either help me do this or die a horrible death. I know which option I choose," said Jacques.

"Fuck it, I'm in," said Reyes, struggling to his feet and pointing to the lock in front of him.

"Reyes," hissed Jarvis. "You're really teaming up with the Occies?"

"Better alive than dead," said Reyes. "I suggest you do the same."

"What do zee say, Jarvis? Come live with us?" asked Jacques.

Jarvis seemed to think it over for several moments. He turned to look around at the rest of the inmates and was surprised to find all eyes on him. Whatever he decided seemed to be their decision too. Jarvis took a deep breath.

"Open the cell, Occie."

Jacques grinned and produced the key to their cells, unlocking it and letting the two men free. Jarvis came out first followed by Reyes next, stepping into the space between the cells. Reyes reached down to the guard and grabbed his flashlight, baton, and service pistol.

"These might come in handy," he said, pocketing the pistol.

"We're going to need more weapons," said Jacques as more men began to clatter against the rails.

"Let me out next!"

"Yeah, I'll help you!"

"I don't want to die!"

Jacques handed the keys over to Andre who began to free the men one by one. After several moments, they had a full count of twenty-one men, including the three Occitanians, ready to try to take over the ship. The only man that remained in his cell was the one dedicated to not turning traitor.

"The lot of you will hang. You'll all be dead men soon," he quaked while pressed back against his own wooden bench.

Jacques sneered at the man. "Andre, go shut him up. We don't need him raising an alarm the second we leave."

The big Occitanian got to work, and with the borrowed baton from Reyes, he quickly knocked the loyal Javan unconscious.

"So what now, Occie? Are we supposed to take over a ship entirely with one baton and pistol?" Jarvis asked.

"Not at all. I need to know where the armory is. We need some real weaponry if we're going to do this. Remember," said Jacques before turning to exit the brig. "Keep quiet and use surprise. They won't know we're coming!"

*****

Lt. Commander Vicky Carter had finally yawned one too many times. She took a second to look at her watch, surprised it was already close to eleven o'clock. Outside of her quarters, the world was dark and the ship was largely silent apart from the noise from the boiler room.

As she put the finishing touches on her last entry of the ship's daily log, she put her pen down and yawned once more. There was no delaying sleep at this point—she was just too tired. As she rose from her desk, her eyes caught the latest order from Jack and the Destiny. After she had briefed him about all the trouble on the Tiger this afternoon, he had put together a plan for tomorrow to address the crew as they finally neared the Fourth Vector.

Vicky wasn't entirely sure if it would help but it was certainly better than nothing. Something needed to be done at this point. She crossed over to her bed and pulled down the blanket, preparing to slip inside the covers. Yet before she could crawl inside, a quick knock appeared at her quarters.

Who could be knocking this late at night, she wondered.

Vicky moved slowly to the door. Whoever was at the door was about to get quite the ass-chewing. She opened the door and her mouth for the barrage that was about to follow.

Instead, two sets of eyes greeted her immediately. She gasped as she realized they were the very same eyes she had consigned to the brig just hours ago.

"Hello, ma'am. Great night for a stroll, isn't it?" said Jarvis while shouldering an assault NT-11 rifle. To his side, Reyes wore a menacing grin.

Before she could even scream for help, the two men were on her. She stumbled back into her cabin to make a dash for the radio but was quickly grabbed from behind and spun around, landing into Reyes's outstretched arms. He cradled her against his chest, rendering her completely immobile.

"Help me! Help!! Someone he—"

Vicky fell silent as the butt of the rifle slammed into her stomach, taking the wind from her very chest. She struggled to regain her breath as Jarvis repeated the gesture. If it weren't for Reyes holding her up, she would've fallen to the floor.

"Now, now, there needs to be none of that! Let's go with you. Off to the brig with the others," said Reyes.

Jarvis was the one to lead the way out of her quarters while she was dragged along by Reyes. The two men made quick work through the passageway which was as silent as the night. As they carried her along the deck, her boots made a scuffling noise as she followed along helplessly.

"Someone will see you. Someone will . . . see me," she whispered, her breathing still seized up from the blunt force of the rifle butt.

"I'm afraid not, ma'am. You see, you were the last one to be captured here. Unfortunately, most of your crew is also under guard now too. We're in complete control of the Tiger," said Reyes cheerfully.

They passed a mess hall and stopped to allow Vicky to look inside. All she could see were the eyes of over forty crew members as they fixed on her. They were backed against one side of the wall and under guard by two men with NT-11s as well. Vicky recognized them as former inmates of the brig as well, and before that, sailors assigned to weapons division.

"How did you . . . ?" she asked quietly.

"You should really pay more attention to the morale on your ship, ma'am," said Reyes with a laugh. "It wasn't that hard to convince a few sailors that we'd rather stay alive than die. Isn't that right, Jarvis?"

Jarvis grunted as they took her to another empty room not far from the bridge. Emerging into the room, Vicky looked up and grimaced as soon as she saw the other division officer heads similarly restrained nearby. All of them had their hands immobilized and mouths covered to prevent talking.

"We're just going to put you right here next to Lt. Xavier," said Reyes as he slumped her down next to the other officer. Vicky looked into Brian's eyes only to find the same panic as she felt contained within them.

As both Reyes and Jarvis prepared her hands to be further restrained, another man came into view. One that had only recently been transferred to her ship. "Oh no," whimpered Vicky right before the tape went over her mouth.

"Oh yes, Lootenant Commander," said the Occitanian with a smile. "Thank zee for giving me command of zee ship!"