"Scratch, scratch..."
The pen tip slid across the paper, leaving a streak of ink.
"One can of Starfish Canned Food, one Energy Paste, and two bags of purified water." Roman checked them off on the paper, then tipped her chin toward Carson beside her.
Carson nodded. He took out the food at an unhurried pace, bent slightly, and handed it with considerable elegance to Manhunter, who had come to collect his rations.
Manhunter snatched the supplies away and complained, "We're trying to survive on a lone boat, not dining at a banquet. Can you stop putting on an act?"
"Putting on a show of being crude is still putting on an act," Carson said evenly. "Now move along, Manhunter. The little girl behind you is still waiting in line."
Manhunter shrugged and carried his food and water over to a fairly large Green Box.
Xia Lun had brought the Green Box over and secured it with tape. According to him, it was just the right size to serve as a dining table.
The Submarine's engine had been shut off and its anchor dropped, so there was no need to worry about it drifting too far and encountering some unknown danger.
People had already gathered around the makeshift table, their stomachs growling. The floor still held some warmth from the engine, which mingled with their body heat and took a little of the damp chill out of the air seeping in from the deck.
Manhunter set his things on the table and dropped onto the floor. As it happened, he sat directly across from Xia Lun.
"Manhunter, you, the Oceanographer, and I will take watch tonight," Xia Lun said. "You two watch the inside of the boat. I'll keep lookout on deck."
As he spoke, he glanced toward the Storage Room