A small map was projected from Talon's forearm. A miniature version of the already small Spanish galleon floated in a 3D ocean. Even the waves crashing against the hull and producing foam were visible in a synthetic red hue.
"She had some kind of Scan with 3D mapping capabilities, but it probably doesn't go beyond a 15-meter radius." Talon cleared Simon's doubt and quickly turned around. He needed to sleep and rest. The demand of staying alert for so long was taking its toll.
But apparently the gods of the seas didn't quite agree with the ex-sailor...
Beep!
His heart froze for a brief moment. His instincts screamed so loudly that Talon didn't even need to see it with his own eyes to know.
"Old man! Find the fucking ammo for these cannons and get ready to fire!" his voice grew thick and loud, the desperation almost tangible.
"Kids! Support the shooter! Nerd, take the ship's wheel and make sure we don't sink!" he quickly barked his orders and ran to the bow of the ship.
His two daggers gleamed under the silver moonlight. The few lanterns on the upper deck flickered, and fear spread throughout the entire ship.
The galleon was so simple it didn't even have a figurehead like most ships. So Talon was using a pole that projected forward like a horn at the bow for support.
And it didn't take long.
Illuminated by the full moon, in the middle of the dark waters that Talon himself knew all too well how cold they were. A face broke the water's surface.
The thing didn't have skin, but something like a dark, furry leather like oil. Its head was rounded and it sliced through the water like a jet ski, charging at the ship.
"Turn starboard! Get ready to fire!" Talon knew that with the speed it had, even with just a few meters of momentum, if it wasn't stopped, the hull would burst on impact.
The nerd moved the helm with everything he had, and the teens were already passing cannonballs to the sailor. Thirty years ago, some ships used ammunition similar to cannons and Talon was praying the old man had trained on old ships during his time.
"What the hell am I supposed to shoot at??? What are we fighting???" the old man's voice echoed loud across the deck and Talon's eyes sharpened.
He pointed at the creature with one of his daggers.
It was already just a few meters away. As soon as it entered the poorly lit area of the ship.
Talon shouted.
"The fucking sea lion the size of a van! It's huge, don't miss, old war buddy!" Talon knew he couldn't subdue that thick sea crust with brute strength alone, he needed respect and to be respected.
The old man moved the cannon and aimed. Talon didn't see when the iron ball had been placed or if they had used gunpowder. The only thing he saw was a flint sparking at the bottom of the cannon and the sound of hell that followed.
BOOOOOOMMMM!
The flash of fire lit up the entire deck in a strong orange tone and the cold left the shooter's bones.
Roooohhhoouuuu!
A roar made the very white sails of the galleon tremble and silence followed the darkness.
Several seconds passed with tension rising more and more, until the familiar notification sound reached Talon's ears. With a quick glance he barked more orders.
"Turn the ship port side, move the fucking cannons, that creature passed under the ship!" as soon as Talon's crew heard it, they began to move.
The teenagers looked like monkeys jumping on ropes and moving the sails. The nerd was shouting requests to them and the big old man was handling the cannons with the wisdom of a war veteran.
But it didn't seem like enough, not against that creature. It was way too fast and the old man was alone handling too many steps of the cannons. They weren't like modern automatic weapons.
Talon saw the water stir and explode upwards, forming a wave that washed over half the upper deck. The old man had to hold on to the stair railing that led to the wheel area or he would've been swept off the ship.
"We're not gonna make it in time!" Talon started running. His feet moved masterfully along the wet ship's edge and the ex-sailor's thoughts sharpened.
The eyes of the entire crew widened in fear as a pair of tusks as big as the cannons threatened to bite the ship's edge.
When the ivory was about to break through the wood, Talon arrived with his blades.
His hands gripped the daggers tight and he jumped to drive them into the beast. But its hide was as tough as its flesh. Talon only managed to slash the surface, causing blood to spurt all over the port side of the upper deck.
As a result of the reckless action, he rolled up the stairs of the stern leading to the upper level where the wheel was.
Even with the pain, it had been worth it. A massive gash opened across the creature's cheek and half its snout. And most importantly, he'd bought time.
The flash lit up the ship again, and this time, it was point blank. The old man wouldn't miss from that close.
BOOOOOOOOM!
The kinetic force launched the big old guy several meters toward the center of the upper deck and the rocking of the ship made dozens of items fly everywhere.
But the blood that sprayed all around was the clear sign that it was over... Along with, of course, the whole ship leaning from the weight of a part of the creature's body that had fallen onto the deck.
Rising with terrible pain in his leg, Talon began barking orders.
"Boys, drop the ropes and use your daggers! I want those two fucking tusks as a prize for the kill! Big guy, help me tear as much meat from this creature as we can. If we manage to dry it, we'll have food for a while. Let's move fast! This much weight will make the ship capsize and we'll go down!" Talon barked orders while offering his hand for the old man to lean on and get up.
Only someone that size could stay standing with the recoil from those cannons.
And finally, they all shouted in one voice.
"Yes, Captain Talon!"