Ch-24: Fear is the Mind killer

James Falsworth and Ethan started moving through the ship's corridors, the thrum of the RMS Queen Mary's engines providing a steady backdrop.

Ethan, despite being a skeleton, felt a twinge of excitement. After all, this was the first time he had met a Marvel Superhero and was on a mission with him. He couldn't help but feel a bit starstruck.

"Where do we start?" Ethan asked, his tone steady but with a hint of eagerness.

James glanced at him, his expression serious. "The spies'll be disguised, mate. We can't just go around checkin' everybody to see who's who. Best thing to do is focus on their objective: sabotagin' this ship. To do that, they'll likely target critical areas – engine room, navigation systems, communications. And they could be disguised as crew members for easier access."

Ethan nodded, his mind racing. "So, the first thing to do is check the crew's identity?"

"Exactly," James replied, his voice carrying the weight of experience. "We'll have to take it one by one. Fortunately, we've got some time. The Hydra spies won't sabotage the ship near America – it'd make them an easier target and the people could be rescued easily. Same goes for near England. They'll likely try somethin' in the middle of the journey. We've got seven days of travel left, so we can expect sabotage in about two to three days."

Ethan processed the information quickly. "Maybe they have an escape vehicle. If we can find that, it might help."

James paused, considering the suggestion. "Or they're mad enough to sacrifice themselves for their cause. You know their slogan? 'Cut off one head, two more shall take its place.' Fanatical blighters, every one of them."

Ethan nodded in agreement. "True, but it's still worth checking for any hidden lifeboats or unusual equipment. It could give us an edge."

James grunted, a sound of reluctant agreement. "Aye, you might be right. We'll start with the crew and work our way through the ship. Keep your eyes sharp and your wits about you. This lot won't make it easy."

The two continued their walk, slipping past the occasional passenger and crew member. Ethan used {Shadow Meld} whenever someone passed by, before reappearing silently at James's side.

Meanwhile, James walked with the confident stride of a seasoned operative, his eyes constantly scanning their surroundings.

The interior of the RMS Queen Mary was a sight of opulence and functionality. Ornate chandeliers hung from the ceilings, casting a warm glow over the polished wood paneling and plush carpets. The hallways were lined with elegant art deco fixtures, indicating the ship's grandeur.

Passengers moved about, some dressed in fine evening wear, others in more casual attire, all contributing to the lively atmosphere of the ship.

As they neared the crew quarters, the ambiance shifted. The corridors became narrower and more utilitarian, the decorations giving way to practical design.

The walls here were plain, the lighting stark, and the floors were bare metal, designed for efficiency rather than comfort. The hum of the ship's engines was more pronounced, making it slightly uncomfortable.

James turned to Ethan, his expression serious and his voice low. "Stay close and be ready. We're about to stir the hornet's nest. These Hydra blokes are sly, but they're not invincible. We'll catch 'em with their pants down if we're smart about it."

Ethan nodded, his eyes glinting with the blue flames of his determination. "Alright."

They moved into the crew quarters, where the lighting was stark and unadorned, casting long shadows that Ethan expertly used to his advantage.

He melted into the darkness, becoming a silent wraith, while James strolled in confidently, his attire making him go unnoticed. The crew members they passed looked slightly weary but focused.

But any of them could be the enemy.

As they navigated the narrow hallways and functional spaces of the crew quarters, James's eyes were sharp, his instincts honed from years of experience. "First thing we do is find out who doesn't belong here. Hydra likes to slip in unnoticed, but anybody leaves a trail if you know where to look."

Ethan nodded, then asked, "And if we find them?"

James's grin was grim, his eyes flashing with determination. "Then we send them straight to hell, mate. No second chances."

Ethan's flames flared brighter for a moment, "Agreed. Let's get to work."

With that, they plunged deeper into the heart of the RMS Queen Mary.

As they advanced, James's sharp gaze caught the subtle signs of potential subterfuge. He stopped suddenly, pointing to a crew member whose name tag was slightly askew, as if it had been recently adjusted.

The collar of their white jacket was slightly rumpled, and the gold braid on their sleeve was slightly frayed, a tiny detail that seemed out of place among the crew's otherwise immaculate attire.

Ethan glanced over, his blue flames flickering. "Got it. What's the plan?"

James's expression was steely. "We follow him. If he's Hydra, he'll lead us to the others. If not, we apologize and move on."

They shadowed the suspect, moving with practiced ease. The crew member turned a corner, heading into a dimly lit storage area. James and Ethan exchanged a glance, then slipped inside after him, their movements silent and deliberate.

Inside, the suspect was rummaging through a crate, clearly nervous. James stepped forward, his voice a low growl. "Oi, what's in the crate, mate?"

The crew member jumped, spinning around. "Just... supplies. For the kitchen.", he said as he leaned back on the crate, his hands low.

Ethan emerged from the shadows, the eye slits on his mask shrinking as he said, "Supplies, eh? Let's see."

The crew member's eyes widened in surprise at the sight of the newly emerged figure clad in black.

Meanwhile, James moved forward, his tone hardening at the man. "Step aside, chum. Let's have a gander at those 'supplies'."

Instead of complying, the crew member hastily put his arm in the crate and pulled out a silenced pistol and aimed it at James.

But by then, Ethan had vanished into the shadows. In an instant, he reappeared behind the man, his gloved hand clamping over the man's mouth and prying it open, preventing him from biting down on a cyanide capsule hidden in his teeth.

While his other hand caught the man's wrist and lifted it up, causing a shot to go off at the metal ceiling.

In the next moment, Ethan disarmed him by twisting his wrist and breaking his arm in the process. The man's muffled screams were stifled by Ethan's grip.

James moved in close, his voice a harsh whisper. "Listen here, mate. You're gonna tell us everything, or I'll let my friend here continue his handiwork. Understood?"

The man's eyes were wide with pain, his breathing ragged, but he remained defiant. As he stared into James's eyes, James understood that breaking the spy wouldn't be easy. He glanced at Ethan. "Keep holdin' him. I'll make sure we're not interrupted."

James looked around and outside the storage room, ensuring no one else was nearby. Seeing nobody, he closed the door of the storage room and turned on the lights, making the spy squint to adapt to the sudden brightness. He then took out a stick of gum, unwrapped it, and flicked it into his mouth. "Fancy a chew?" he asked Ethan, who declined with a slight shake of his head.

James turned to the spy. "How about you, mate? Want one?" The spy remained silent, his eyes full of defiance. James smirked. "Here, take it," he said, before punching the spy hard in the gut.

The spy nearly keeled over but couldn't because of Ethan holding him from behind. His breath escaped his open mouth, now dripping with saliva due to being pried open for so long. Ethan, without a moment's hesitation, broke the spy's other arm. Tears welled up in the man's eyes from the uncontainable pain. He wanted to scream but couldn't, Ethan's hand firmly stuffing his mouth.

James crouched down to the spy's eye level, his voice icy. "You're gonna spill, mate. You can either talk now and save yourself a world of hurt, or we can keep goin'. Your choice."

The spy's eyes flickered with desperation, but he still resisted. James's eyes narrowed as he continued, his tone unwavering. "Look, Hydra's done for. You lot are just speed bumps on the road to victory. Make it easy on yourself. Where are the others?"

The spy managed a muffled, defiant grunt, his eyes filled with stubborn resolve.

James sighed, pulling out another stick of gum and offering it to Ethan with a wry smile. "Sure you don't want one? Good for the nerves."

Ethan shook his head again, his grip on the spy unwavering as he said in a serious voice, "Let's get this over with."

James nodded, putting the gum back in his pocket and turning his attention back to the spy. "Alright, have it your way." He leaned in close, his voice barely above a whisper. "We've got all night, mate. And my friend here? He's not known for his patience."

The spy's eyes darted frantically, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. The pain and fear were beginning to break through his resolve. James watched closely, waiting for the telltale signs of a crumbling will.

Ethan leaned in, his skeletal grin hidden behind the mask but evident in his tone. "Last chance. Tell us where the others are, and this ends now."

He released his aura slightly, ensuring it didn't reach James but enveloped the spy. The effect was immediate; the man trembled, a chill shooting up his spine as if death itself loomed over him.

The fear he felt was so primal that it clouded his mind, wasting away the methods to fight it engraved in his mind from years of training. It was like an instinct that couldn't be overcome.

Finally, his resistance cracked, his eyes filling with resignation and fear. He mumbled something incoherent through Ethan's hand.

James nodded to Ethan, who eased his grip just enough for the spy to speak, as he reeled in his aura.

The spy spoke quickly, stumbling over his words, the after effects of the aura evident in his voice. "I don't know much... there are four more... I don't even know their faces. We boarded at different times."

James's eyes narrowed. "How do you communicate then? Can't just be whispers and winks."

The spy swallowed hard. "We use a communicator. We can't initiate conversation, only respond. The leader starts it... a woman, I think. Her voice sounds like one."

James's gaze sharpened. "And what's the plan? What's the target?"

The spy's eyes darted nervously. "Just a few minutes ago, we were notified to get weapons from the cache. The others will be coming here soon."

James looked at Ethan, his expression grim. "We've got company coming. Right, mate. We'll deal with this lot as they arrive."

James turned towards the spy, his gaze icy, "Any other details you're keepin' from us?"

The spy shook his head vehemently. "I swear, that's all I know. Just... don't kill me."

James's voice turned cold. "That depends on how useful you stay. Mate, secure him. We'll set a trap for the others."

Ethan nodded, his blue flames flickering with intensity as he rendered the spy unconscious again. With swift, efficient movements, he tied the man up securely.

James glanced around the dimly lit storage area. "Right, we'll use this place as our hunting ground. When they come for the weapons, we'll be ready."

Ethan's voice was calm but firm. "Agreed. We should hide and wait."

James moved to a shadowy corner, his eyes never leaving the door. "Let's make sure none of these blighters get past us. Remember mate, we need at least one of them alive to get more intel. Ready?"

Ethan nodded, his hands clasping the handle of a dagger. "Ready."

They settled into their positions and the room filled with a tense silence. Time passed slowly, each second stretching out as they waited for the arrival of the Hydra agents.

The ship's faint creaks and the distant hum of the engines were the only sounds that accompanied their vigil.

Soon, footsteps echoed down the corridor, growing louder with each passing moment. Ethan and James exchanged a glance, the hunt was about to begin.