"We're saved! We're saved!"
The thin man shouted wildly to the others aboard the boat. When no one answered, he struggled upright with nearly all the strength he had left and shook the person beside him.
"Hey, wake up! We found the Marines! Our country is saved!"
"Those damned mercenaries will be brought to justice soon!"
But his companions did not respond. As realization struck, his eyes filled with tears and grief washed over his face.
The Marines aboard the warship exchanged bewildered looks. What was going on with this man?
"Who are you, and why are you out here?" one Marine finally called.
"Huh?" The thin man snapped back to himself and turned toward Wuli and the others. He gave them a sorrowful smile and parted his lips, but before he could speak, his eyes rolled back and he fainted.
"Did he pass out from hunger?"
The ships had drawn close. Several Marines jumped onto the boat, which looked ready to sink at any moment. Two carried the unconscious man onto the warship, while the others checked whether his motionless companions were breathing.
They already suspected the others were dead, but they checked carefully to be sure.
As expected, none of them was breathing.
The thin man had numerous wounds, so the warship's doctor gave him some basic treatment.
"His injuries aren't serious. He's been without enough food or water for a long time, and the sudden excitement made him faint. You could say he passed out from hunger."
Wuli turned to several Marines. "Get him some water and food."
"Yes, Commodore Wuli!"
A Marine immediately brought the man water. Another hurried over to Bonney and Shangyang, who were eating heartily, to fetch him some food.
"Cough! Cough!"
A few minutes later, the water made the thin man cough