Asher and Max were about to head over to Melville's yacht, so Ben and Gwen would naturally follow. However, Captain Shaw looked puzzled when he saw all four of them approaching his boat.
"Are you sure you want to come? Aren't you afraid of being attacked by that sea monster again?" Captain Shaw asked anxiously, his weathered face wrinkled with worry. "We can't count on being rescued by XLR8 every time."
It's XLR8, not "running star," Asher corrected silently in his mind, suppressing a slight smile at the Captain's mispronunciation.
"Don't worry about it, Captain Shaw. My grandchildren are very interested in this situation," Max said, gesturing to Asher and the others beside him with fatherly confidence.
The three cousins cooperated in putting on fearless expressions, though Asher could see the nervous excitement in Ben and Gwen's eyes.
"I've never seen such brave children..." Captain Shaw shook his head after a moment, then decided to let them board his ship. He added a stern warning, "But if we get into any dangerous situations, don't expect me to stick around. I'll sail us out of it immediately."
"Don't worry, we won't cause any trouble," Asher assured him with a mature expression that seemed far beyond his ten years. He settled into one of the boat's benches with practiced ease.
Captain Shaw seemed to sense Asher's unusual maturity and did not continue his objections. After all four passengers were safely seated, he started the engine and steered the boat toward Jonah Melville's larger vessel.
As everyone expected, when their boat approached Melville's ship, there was no sign of the so-called sea monster anywhere in the vicinity. The Krakken had obviously been driven off by Melville and his crew using heavy weapons!
The evidence of their recent battle was clear, scorch marks on the yacht's hull and the lingering smell of explosives in the air suggested they'd used something as powerful as rocket launchers.
"Why are you here again?" Melville appeared at the bow of his ship, wearing his familiar false smile as he greeted them with practiced warmth.
For a moment, Asher thought he was looking at a completely different person from the hostile criminal XLR8 had confronted earlier!
I have to give Melville credit for his acting skills, Asher mused. Compared to him, Dr. Animo seems almost innocent in his villainy!
Instead of answering Melville's question directly, Asher asked bluntly, "Where is the sea monster? Why is it gone?"
"The creature left on its own, and we don't know what happened," Melville replied with a worried expression that looked completely genuine. "Even though it's gone for now, you should still be careful not to be attacked by it if it returns!"
"Is it really gone?" Asher didn't pursue this line of questioning, but continued with a more pointed inquiry. "That's good to hear. But I have other questions I would like to ask you."
"What would they be?" Melville kept his friendly demeanor perfectly.
"My friends and I saw the sea monster try to take the wooden crate from your ship," Asher said, playing up his identity as a curious child. His eyes were wide with innocent wonder as he spoke. "I wonder what's in your box that the monster wanted so badly?"
Despite his youthful appearance, there was something decidedly calculating in Asher's gaze.
Melville's smile froze for a moment, and a hint of coldness flickered in his eyes before he expertly hid it. His tone became overly gentle as he replied, "It's nothing important, just some personal belongings in that container. Kids shouldn't ask so many questions."
"Mr. Melville, you can just throw the box away if it's not important," Asher said with a worried look on his face, his voice filled with what sounded like genuine concern. "Nothing is more important than your personal safety!"
The performance was flawless, it truly seemed as if he cared deeply for the well being of Melville and his crew.
Captain Shaw was genuinely surprised by the performance. He knew Asher was precocious, but he'd never expected the boy to match Melville's acting skills so perfectly. The two of them were equally convincing!
"Child, it's none of your business. Stop asking," Melville's smile twitched as he struggled to maintain his facade, his tone becoming impatiently dismissive.
"Enough with the pleasantries."
Asher's demeanor suddenly changed dramatically, becoming razor sharp. His dark eyes seemed capable of piercing through any deception, and his voice carried an authority that seemed impossible for someone his age.
For a moment, Melville felt like he was staring at XLR8 again, feeling the same unwavering courage and determination in this child!
"We searched for information about you online and discovered that you are not a member of the Friends of Fish organization at all, you're a poacher!" Asher declared loudly, looking directly at Melville with unwavering conviction. He glanced at the Omnitrix on his wrist out of the corner of his eye.
Fully charged!
This meant that he no longer had to fear Melville's weapons, and his confidence soared accordingly.
Melville's expression immediately turned icy. His friendly mask disappeared completely, his pupils dilated, and his face became menacing. "So what if I am a poacher? You think you can do anything about it, boy? Get out of here before I lose my patience!"
His hostile attitude made it clear that negotiations were over.
"You bastard!" Captain Shaw's temper flared as he stepped protectively beside Asher. "Poaching is illegal, and you came here to harass the lake creatures, causing innocent people to fall into the water and nearly die! Are you completely without conscience?"
Asher watched Melville intently, studying his reaction to the confrontation.
The anger on Melville's face grew, and he shook his fist threateningly. "I'm telling you to mind your own business, this is your last warning!"
Bang! Bang! Bang!
His large crew of subordinates emerged from below deck, more numerous than during their previous encounter. There were thirty or forty armed men, creating an intimidating show of force as they surrounded their leader!
"I'll give you one minute to get out of my sight," Melville said coldly, his voice dripping with naked threats. "Otherwise, don't blame me for what happens next!"
Even after being threatened by a powerful alien creature like XLR8, Melville refused to back down in the face of what he saw as a group of children and two elderly men.
What could these people do to him?
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