The ship groaned as the engines roared, the crew working feverishly to outmaneuver the attackers. For a fleeting moment, hope flickered—perhaps they could outrun the pirates. But then, a third boat appeared, almost as if from nowhere, and rammed into the side of the ship.
The pirates threw grappling hooks and started climbing up. Nathan felt the cold weight of reality settle in—they were boarding. Nathan turned to the captain, urging him to make an announcement. The captain’s voice crackled over the ship’s intercom, urging passengers to seek shelter and lock their doors.