28. Impassable (I)

Kius Solani used his tactical knife to pry up a bent, rusted metal panel, revealing a pipe running across the space beneath it. Like a gigantic silver python, it passed impassively through the hollow beneath this section of deck.

It divided the hollow into three spaces of varying sizes. A black satchel and a glass jar filled with banknotes had been crammed into two of them, while the smaller remaining space held a stack of photographs taped in place.

Kius rose to his feet and glanced back at the man standing behind him with his head lowered, his legs trembling uncontrollably. He suddenly extended the hand holding his knife and pointed to the middle of the pipe, where a conspicuous dark-red stain lay.

"What is this?"

The man stammered out a few trembling sounds and lowered his head even further. The pipe chose that moment to let out a deafening bang, making him jerk violently. Then he collapsed to the floor, shaking his head without seeming to realize it. After quite some time, he covered his face and finally gave an answer.

"Blood."

Inside the cabin, a woman let out a scream. If not for the pair of large hands that suddenly reached out to support her, the poor mother would likely have collapsed to the floor, her fate unknown.

Those hands were encased in purple armor, broad and sturdy. Their owner wore no helmet, revealing a face so young it was almost boyish. He looked at the woman with concern and did not release her until she had straightened herself.

"You monster!"

The mother screamed at the man, tears streaking her face. Her voice was deafening, so desperate it seemed as if she were crying out with her life.

Kius raised a hand to her shoulder, stepped back, and