The Peddler Part II

The sun climbs higher as Skimmer paces the deck. He pauses near the helm, adjusting his cufflinks.

"Heard the strangest thing at port yesterday." He leans against the railing, studying Shiro's profile. "Four automated ships found drifting out in the middle of nowhere. Half-submerged."

Shiro keeps her eyes fixed on the horizon.

"High-end vessels too. Latest automated models. Strange part is, their systems were completely intact. No signs of mechanical failure, no damage from the chemical swells. Just empty shells floating in the middle of nowhere."

"Most interesting theory I've heard?" Skimmer's voice drops lower, conspiratorial. "Someone's hunting ships out there. Taking out the competition. Four vessels don't just sink themselves, after all."

Friend clucks softly, settling near Shiro's feet.

"You spend enough time on these waters, Captain. Ever run into anything... unusual out here?"

"..."

"No? Nothing at all?" Skimmer's smile widens. "Come now, surely you must have some thoughts on the matter."

Skimmer taps his fingers against the railing, undeterred by Shiro's silence. His eyes scan the helm.

"No Calidris? Most captains won't leave port without one these days. Yet here you are, navigating like you're a Calidris yourself. Care to share your secret? Some new tech I haven't heard about?"

"…"

"Speaking of tech, this vessel's quite the mystery." His hand traces the dark metal of the helm. "Can't place the model. Doesn't match any commercial designs I've seen. Custom build?"

"…"

"The hull configuration is particularly interesting. Almost military grade, but with modifications." He circles the deck, taking in every detail. "Who taught you to pilot something like this? Must have been quite the instructor."

"..."

"The engine sound - that's not standard issue either." He pauses, listening to the low hum beneath their feet.

"Quiet." Shiro's voice cuts through his observations like a blade.

Skimmer raises an eyebrow, that practiced smile still playing on his lips. "Not one for conversation, are you? I'm simply making professional observations about your fascinating vessel-"

"I said quiet."

The ship lurches without warning. Metal screams against metal as the deck pitches sideways. Skimmer stumbles, his briefcase sliding across the deck. He lunges for it, fingers catching the handle just before it hits the railing.

Friend flutters her wings in alarm, feathers puffed up as she scrambles for balance. Her claws scrape against the metal deck as she fights to stay upright.

"What's happening!?"

The ship rocks again, harder this time. Seawater sprays across the deck in sheets. Friend darts behind Shiro's legs, clucking in distress.

Shiro's grip remains steady on the wheel. Her eyes scan the churning waves, searching.

A massive shadow passes beneath the ship, darker than the polluted depths. The metal hull groans as something massive scrapes against it.

"That's impossible." Skimmer presses against the railing, staring at the water. "The weather reports..." His voice trails off as a serpentine form breaks the surface.

Scales like black iron glisten in the harsh light as a Leviathan rises. Its body coils around the ship, massive enough to crush the hull with a single squeeze. Water cascades from armored plates as it tightens its grip.

The creature's head emerges last - bigger than the ship's bridge, with teeth like jagged metal and eyes that burn with ancient malice. Its jaw opens, revealing an abyss lined with rows of serrated fangs.

Friend darts between Shiro's legs, her feathers slicked with sea spray. Metal screams under the pressure.

"You're hiding something." Shiro's voice cuts through the chaos.

Skimmer clutches his briefcase closer, knuckles white against the handle. "What? This isn't the time for-"

"Show me what's in there."

"Just Gulls, like I showed you." He backs away, water sloshing around his polished shoes. "Nothing more."

The Leviathan's scales scrape against metal, sending vibrations through the hull.

"Open it."

"We have bigger problems right now!" Skimmer gestures at the massive creature surrounding them. "In case you haven't noticed-"

"The case. Now."

"These are expensive pieces. I won't risk water damage-"

"Last chance."

"Look, I already showed you the contents. What more do you want?"

"The hidden compartment."

His fingers twitch against the briefcase. "There's no-"

"Under the Gulls."

Water crashes across the deck as the Leviathan shifts its massive coils. Skimmer stumbles, nearly losing his grip on the case.

"How did you-"

"Open it."

"No. This is worth more than your life." He clutches the briefcase to his chest.

"Then we die here."

"F-fine, I'll do it myself!" Skimmer’s fingers fumble with the latches. The briefcase springs open, spilling Gulls across the deck. He shoves aside the cybernetic limbs until he finds what he's looking for - a Gull with subtle weapon ports built into the joints.

Skimmer raises the Gull, and with a mechanical whir, panels slide back to reveal the concealed railgun.

"Die, you monster!" He pulls the trigger. The railgun's projectile tears through the air with a crack of displaced atmosphere. It strikes the Leviathan's armored hide, drawing an ear-splitting shriek from the creature. Black blood wells from the wound.

The Leviathan's burning eyes fix on Skimmer. Its massive head strikes like lightning, jaws wide. Teeth close around his leg.

Skimmer screams as he's lifted into the air, the Gull falling from his hands. Blood drips onto the deck as the creature dangles him above the churning waves.

The Leviathan's throat bulges as it swallows Skimmer whole, his expensive suit disappearing into the darkness of its maw. No screams escape the creature's gullet - only the sound of bones crushing beneath rows of teeth.