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The two embraced happily, giggling and smiling widely. Their celebration was just enough to mask the strained breaths behind them, even as they closed in. Suddenly Liam was grabbed around the waist and yanked away, sent onto his back and pressed down by two feet. His shoulder sparked with pain, but he kept quiet, trying to figure out the situation. He could see a pair of sport shorts and a light colored T-shirt, but because of the angle he could not make out the assailant’s face. Akane exclaimed loudly and bolted forward, slamming her shoulder into the attacker. This toppled the attacker, freeing Liam, who rushed behind Akane, then turned. The person who had pinned Liam was male, with short, swept black hair and relatively pale skin. His eyes were darkly lined and the color of smoke, while his body deceivingly appeared to be not heavily built. He looked to be about 16. Akane stared him down and sank into what was clearly a martial art stance. Liam sputtered, trying to talk quickly, before they fought.

“H-H-H-hold on!” Liam said. “I-I-in this situation we n-need cooperation first and foremost.” Both parties looked at him. “If we can cooperate, we can potentially survive all this.”

The teen grunted.

“James.” He stuck his hand forward toward Akane.

“Ah-ka-nay.” She struggled, but took his hand with an blasé expression tainted slightly with anger. Liam noticed the clenched hands turning white between them, and interjected.

“I’m Liam.” He said.

“I apologize for attacking you.” James said in response, much to the surprise of Liam.

“Thank you. Do you have any… Companions?” Liam asked.

“No. I have a room.” James faltered, then continued “Was it you who started the engine?”

Liam nodded.

“It was all Akane here.” Akane, noticing the gesture, smiled.

“Really? How did you manage that?” James seemed generally interested. Akane looked back blankly.

“Um, did you hear me?” He asked. Akane blinked.

“Oh she doesn’t understand English” Liam interjected.

“Then how have you guys communicated?” He looked completely lost.

“I’m still not entirely sure how we ever get our messages across. It’s a bit of a gamble each time.” Liam said, then he laughed, and James quickly followed suit, and Akane even smiled in the background.

“Wait, wasn’t it just moments ago he was trying to kill me?” Liam thought. “How charismatic could someone be? Especially with this teen’s image, it was an absolute feat.”

Akane pointed upwards, then acted like she was steering a car.

“I think she’s saying the ship’s bridge is above.” Liam told James. “I guess it’s a constant game of charades.” Liam nodded to Akane, and started towards the stairs.

“James, do you have any idea where some useful supplies might be?”

“I might. I’ll meet you there.” James peeled off and went down a far corridor.

The door to the bridge was jammed shut, but a few hard kicks fixed that. Akane went in and looked hopelessly at the blank digital panels. Liam looked at the few functioning mechanical pieces. A compass, a fuel gauge, and one paper map. He pointed to himself and the steering wheel. Akane smiled and stepped back as he went to work.

“Japan.” Liam turned at the unfamiliar soft voice. Akane was staring him down.

“Japan?” Liam questioned.

“Japan.”

He nodded and pointed the bow in the right direction. Hopefully there were answers elsewhere in the world.