The ocean at night was far beyond what I had expected.

It was nothing but darkness. A pitch-black shadow that swallowed all else but the pale moon's light.

I didn't care though.

I had embarked on the journey I'd dreamt of for the past four years. This was the culmination of every penny I saved, of every day I trained. The moments where my years of sleepless nights would finally bear fruit.

This was my destiny.

"Callum?"

"What..." I sighed.

"Ryan's started to 'go-green.' Literally," said Kate, leaning over the railing.

I was having a moment here... Never mind.

"Just get him some meds from the first aid kit. It's on the main sail," I replied, walking over to the back end of the yacht. Sounds of laboured breaths and viscous gurgles echoed above the gentle crash of waves against the boat. The scent however, by God's grace, had been carried off by the sea breeze.

Maria was rubbing Ryan's back, trying to provide as much comfort as she could while he wheezed and coughed.

Kate sighed in relief when he finally stopped.

"Hold on for a few more minutes kid. We'll make a stop at the forty-kilometre radius," said Samuel, never once taking his eyes off the steering. His boating licence was one of the reasons why I had nominated him onto Tier 1. I had no idea he'd be this inexperienced though.

"My son liked it the first time we went boating, so I bought a yacht. We used to have a driver for a while, but I thought it'd be more fun if I learned to drive anyway."

Thinking back on his words, I guess I should have expected this after all.

Rich people...

"How far out are we Sam?" I asked.

"Ask Kate, she's got the GPS."

I turned towards Katelyn, lifting an eyebrow as our gazes met.

"Forty-two kilometres," she said, looking at her Cloud 9. "Callum, I-uh, need to have a word with you."

We walked back to the upper deck, leaning against the railings as our gazes wandered over the sea of obsidian waves.

"Sam can see us from behind. Just saying," she said, trying to maintain her facade.

"What do you want to speak of Katelyn?" I asked.

"I think it's high time we start thinking about those HazMats. Once we enter the thirty-kilometre range, the radiation levels are gonna be off the charts."

"Like I said, I need you to trust me."

"Callum, don't get me wrong, but we've only known you personally for one week. And in that short time, you've given us an impression that you're unpredictable, bipolar, and near psychotic. I'm pretty sure all of them are thinking of throwing you into the sea after we cross the thirty-five-point radius. Give or take a few kilometres," she said. Even I was amazed how she managed to do that with a straight face.

A hollow thud from below startled both of us.

I guess the tranquilizer's beginning to wear off.

I bent down, tucking my fingers into a gap between the floorboards. With a shallow click the board came loose. Katelyn watched in terror as I pulled out an 'inflated' Hazmat suit from the trunk.

"I painted it black so it wouldn't be easy to spot," I said, sporting my best grin yet.

At least, that's what I thought it was.

I wonder why Katelyn didn't move a muscle when I threw the big black balloon into the ocean.

I knew it. I should've worked more on my smile.

"What the hell did you throw overboard?" asked Samuel, locking the wheel as he walked over to us.

Well, he was watching us after all.

"Do me a favour and keep quiet about it," I said rushing to the lower deck where Ryan and Maria waited.

"Callum! What the hell is wrong with you!" Kate yelled.

"I've had about enough of thi-" I grabbed Samuel's hand before he could even touch my shoulder.

"If they ask about the noise, tell 'em you were gonna toss me into the ocean," I whispered, walking over to the centre of the deck.

"Guys. There's something I need you to know."

Soon, the members of Tier 1 had gathered around me.

"I know I haven't told you a single thing, but I have a reason for it. Think of this as a final test. A crazy trust exercise if you will."

"You're asking me to trust you? Callum, you brought us on a yacht near an island that is said to be as radioactive as fucking Chernobyl. This is the absolute limit of how far I can trust you. You better spill the beans Professor. Now!" Ryan bellowed.

"I'm afraid I can't do that yet."

"This has gone far enough!" Maria snapped, pulling away from the group. She grabbed her pistol from the back of her utility belt.

Too slow.

As soon as the pistol came into view, I dashed towards her. I slipped one palm behind her wrist, wrapping the other over the gun's barrel. In one deft rotation, I had the weapon trained on her.

"All I'm asking you to do is hear me out," I said, stepping back from her. Maria's face went pale as I tossed the weapon into the depths of the ocean.

"Now. Let's have a proper discussion," I said, looking at the faces around me. All I saw was fear.

I sighed, throwing my arms up in defeat.

"I have a plan. I really do. And Maria. You'll thank me for this later."

"You better get me new gun," she hissed.

"Yes, I will. Now, can all of you please listen to me."

The team nodded hesitantly.

"Okay. What I can tell you now is limited, the main reason being that we absolutely cannot afford the first step failing. I'll tell you everything once the first stage is dealt with. I'm sure it's a plan you'll find to be fool proof. You've trusted my site and the theories in it so far, so I'm sure you can do the same for me."

Now, for the moment of truth...

"I'll stand with you. But remember that this is the last time you pull a stunt like this, Mr. Wight," said Samuel.

"It's a test Mr.Reyes. The final one. Thank you for understanding," I answered, turning to look at Maria.

"I just want a new gun," she sighed with a light grin.

"I'll buy you an armoury Ms. Thomson. What about you Ryan?"

"I'm in. Out of fear of course. You might toss me into the ocean if I wuss out now," he replied.

"I guess I probably would." I'm pretty sure my words rubbed him exactly how they were meant to.

"Kately-"

Kate flinched as the bright rays of a spotlight illuminated our yacht. She crawled into my shadow, rubbing her eyes while she slowly peeked through.

In the midst of our little gathering, we had failed to notice the weak hum of a speedboat coming our way. With the spotlight trained on us, all I could make out was a vague silhouette.

I was sure of one thing though.

"I think they've got a turret guys," I chuckled as I held my arm over my brows.

"Halt! You are under arrest for trespassing into government territory!" boomed their speakers, followed by the deafening wail of their sirens.

"These guys are the real deal!" I said, sniggering as I watched the rest of my team cower in fear.

"Why the fuck are you laughing Callum!" Kate bellowed.

Only if I could tell you...

"Hands above your heads!"

We bent down on our knees as the soldiers locked our arms with cuffs, dragging us onto their boat one by one. One of their officers got into the driver seat of our boat, turning it around as the Government's speed boat revved to life.

We were at gunpoint, standing on our knees with our hands cuffed behind our backs. Katelyn stood across me, her skin pale from terror.

I winked at her.

Guess it all worked out after all.

Stage 1 complete.