Chapter Text
Jack stared at the clipboard in his hand that held his assignment for today. Reading and re-reading it several times, flipping the paper over to double and triple check that there wasn't anything else on it.
All that was written was “Assignment for Jack Kennedy: Feed Specimen W_01”
That was it.
There was no further instructions, or any information regarding what this “specimen” even was.
Jack looked up from the clipboard, looking around the room. Everyone who was working today, or those just here for the coffee, had split up into their respective groups. Chatting among friends, or going over their assignments with other workers.
Off to the side, away from everyone else, Jack spotted his brother Peter, tiredly sipping from a cup of coffee.
Jack headed over to where he was standing, being his supervisor he had to know something about this, right?
Peter looked up from his drink watching Jack approach, clipboard in hand. “Yo Peter, you know anything about this?” Jack spoke, holding out the clipboard for his brother to look at.
He took the clipboard in his free hand, taking a sip of coffee as he looked it over. Then his eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
He shuffled the board around in his hands, unclipping the paper to flip it over a few times. Then re-clipped it, and handed the clipboard back.
“Yeah I have no clue.”
“What?”
“Yeah sorry bro, I'm just as clueless about this as you are.”
Jack groaned, dragging a hand down his face. “Okay, do you know anyone that would know about this?”
Peter hummed thinking to himself, taking yet another sip from his coffee. “You could try talking to Steven. He's been working on this ship longer than us so he's bound to know what this "specimen” is.” Peter said, holding up his hands to make air quotes around the word “specimen”, it was difficult given the cup in his hand.
Jack craned his neck, scanning the common area they were in, it was more of an employee lounge then anything else, “And where would he be?”
Peter joined him in looking around the room, then shrugged. "You could check the cafeteria? You could also ask Ronaldo, since you have to feed this thing, he might know something."
Jack nodded, that sounded, at the very least, like a half decent plan.
Jack glanced down at the clipboard in his hand once again before heading towards the door, giving Peter a quick “thanks” as he left.
Jack walked out into the hall, trying to remember where exactly the cafeteria was located in the maze of hallways that made up this ship.
He didn't like eating in the cafeteria, too many people. He usually just had Peter get his food for him; Who was less than thrilled about it, but since he had to get food for Dee anyways he didn't see what the fuss was about.
Jack walked around, occasionally sharing greetings with a few of the other sailors that walked by. Doing it more out of a feeling of obligation, considering they were people he had worked with on previous assignments. He had never bothered to remember any of their names though.
He followed several hallways hoping one would lead him to his destination.
He was honestly surprised by the size of this boat. When he had first found the job listing for working on this ship, he thought it was gonna be the size of a commercial fishing boat, not almost the size of a cruise ship. Though it explained why the flyer said “free housing”.
He didn't care all that much, it gave him, Peter and Dee a place to sleep, as well as half decent pay so he couldn't complain.
Jack walked until he reached a pair of doors where he could hear a bunch of people chatting behind it. That must be it. He pushed through the double doors and was immediately hit with the smell of disgustingly greasy pizza.
Why someone thought serving pizza on a boat, especially for breakfast, was a good idea, he had no clue.
That wasn't what he was here for so thankfully he could avoid it. Well, avoid eating it anyways.
He carefully scanned the cafeteria looking for Steven. He had met him a few times before, he was just hoping he could still remember his face.
He searched around for a couple of minutes, passing by tables, scanning the faces of the people sitting there. He eventually gave up and decided to ask Ronaldo.
Walking up to the food bar, the pungent smell from this ship's lousy excuse at pizza made him wrinkle his nose.
Ronaldo seemed to notice his presence and started to prepare a slice for him, making Jack raise a hand to decline.
“I'm not hungry… Uh, has Steven been down here yet?”
Ronaldo thought to himself for a few seconds before answering, cleaning off one of his utensils with a spare rag as he did. “I don't think so, probably still up in his room.”
Jack groaned again. “Well, I got this assignment,” Jack turned the clipboard over in his hands, holding out for Ronaldo to read, “And I was hoping he would know something… You wouldn't happen to know anything about it, would you?”
Ronaldo leaned forward, squinting his eyes as he looked over the document.
“Nope.”
The day had just started and Jack was already fed up with this shit.
“Well, would you know where his room is then?”
“Why do you think I would know that?”
Jack strained a smile. “Thanks, real helpful.” It was a valid question, but Jack just wanted to get this over with.
He had a routine before this. Same job every day, every other week. This messed that routine up. He just wanted to do what he normally did, finish his usual assignment, get paid, and sleep the rest of the day off. Maybe get a drink or two if he had enough money.
Jack stocked off, he wasn't in any mood for a wild goose chase today. Leaving the cafeteria, he took a deep breath of some kinda fresh, non-pizzey air, combing a hand through his hair as he thought to himself.
Would Peter know where his room is?
The two did seem to be closer than he was, he guessed, but then why not just suggest going there in the first place. It wouldn't hurt to ask right? Jack patted his pockets to-
Great.
No cell phone.
Today was turning out to be a fantastic day.
*
After some scrounging around, Jack had finally managed to find Steven’s room, 14_02. Conveniently next to Peter’s 14_03!
Jack had just about blown a fuse when he found that out. He would fuck with Peter later, but right now, he was knocking on Steven’s door for the 5th time.
Normally Jack wouldn't give two shits about something like this, but since these assignments were the only way of making money, and because he had to take care of his sister, he didn't have a choice.
Jack knocked again. Still no response.
He was about to lose it, deciding that it was better to walk away rather than beat the door down.
Just as Jack began to walk away from the door, who did he see but none other than the man himself, Steven Stevenson walking down the hallway towards him.
“You have to be fucking kidding me-”
“Oh, hey Jack.” Steven greeted him, ignoring the scowl on the other’s face. “You need something?”
Jack wordlessly handed him the clipboard. Steven looked over it, looking back up at Jack with a confused expression.
“Listen, I got that assignment today and I have no fucking clue what it means, neither does Peter. Please tell me you know something about it because there is literally no other information on what I'm supposed to do.” Jack huffed, crossing his arms.
Steven looked back down at the paper, it took a second before it looked like something clicked in his head.
“Ohh, so you’re the poor bastard that got assigned to taking care of this thing!”
“What?”
“Yeah, not a lot of people get this job, they either want to get rid of you, or really trust you, and I don't really see the latter.”
Jack clicked his tongue, letting out a sarcastic, thanks. “Wait, so you know what this thing is?”
“Nope, I've been lucky enough to avoid getting that assignment, never actually seen it.”
Jack glared in response.
“But, there's definitely supposed to be more on here though.” He said, turning the paper over, yet the rest of the instructions still didn’t appear.
Steven handed the clipboard back. “You could ask Harry, he’s been here the longest, I’m pretty sure, he’ll know something.”
Jack glared again, speaking through gritted teeth. “And where exactly would he be?”
Steven hummed, looking down at his watch, “Right now.. He’s probably in the cargo hold checking over supplies.”
Jack nodded, he at the very least knew where that was, and walked off, not even thanking him.
Steven watched him go, then turned to unlock his door.
“Good luck.”
*
Jack walked down the stairs and opened the door leading into the cargo hold, being greeted with the oh so lovely sound of creaking metal and dripping pipes.
Jack’s boots clicked against the metal floor as he walked forward, having to maneuver around several crates.
Finally making it into somewhat of an opening. He looked around, noting the several stacks of boxes, each labelled as to what their contents were.
It was way to damp down here for Jack’s liking. Not to mention the horrible lighting that made him feel like he was in a horror attraction of some kind.
He didn't want to be down here longer than he needed to.
“Harry, are you down here?” Jack called out, cupping his hands to his mouth to make his voice louder.
A few seconds went by before a voice responded. “Yeah, I’ll be with you in just a sec’.”
Jack followed the voice, squeezing past several boxes. Seriously, how was anyone supposed to move around down here?
He managed to get through, finding Harry placing a box on the floor, opening it up, checking the contents before writing something on his own clipboard and then closing the box back up and moving on to the next.
He must have heard Jack approaching, not like he could miss him with no one else around, because he looked up and greeted him.
“Oh, hey, Jack right? Yeah I’ll help you in a second just-” Harry picked up another box, placing it on top of the one he just checked, opening it to go through its contents. “-let me finish with this.”
“Okay, just- I got this assignment, and I have no clue what it even means, and Steven told me to ask you about it.”
Harry finished checking something off on his paper, turning to Jack, holding out a hand. “Here let me see.”
Jack handed over the clipboard, watching as the older man looked over it. A look that started out as confusion quickly turned to recognition as he handed it back.
“Tell you what, let me finish up with this and then I'll help you.”
Jack narrowed his eyes.
“I promise it won't take too long, I know how to help, I just need to finish this up first. You can go find somewhere to sit while you wait if you want.”
Jack let out a long sigh, turning around, scanning the area and finding a wooden crate to plop himself down on.
He really hoped Harry was telling the truth. He was hating how tedious this day was turning out already. He just wanted to get his assignment, in full, and be done with it.
Jack rested his chin in his hands, watching as Harry moved from box to box.
…
He must have dozed off at some point because when he zoned back in Harry was waving a hand in front of his face.
“Hello? Earth to Jack.”
Jack stood up, cracking his back as he stretched.
“We finally ready to go?”
“Yep.” Harry reached out a hand, gesturing for the clipboard which Jack handed over.
Harry looked over it again before he started walking. “Follow me.”
So, Jack followed, around boxes and up the stairs until they reached one of the upper floors of the ship. Jack had to take a second to catch his breath, his body not liking the workout that was walking up several flights of stairs.
They walked down the hall, Jack peering into the rooms they passed, each looked like a small office. About half of them actually had someone in them, working away on some paperwork.
Did a ship like this really need that much paperwork done?
That was a question he didn’t care to know the answer to.
As they walked Jack caught sight of a clock on the wall, reading just past noon. How long was he down in the hold for? He was up at what, eight o'clock at least?
He didn't have time to dwell on that question before Harry took a sharp turn, walking into one of the offices.
Jack followed him in, looking around. It was what you'd expect, a small desk with a rickety old computer on it, a few stray papers, a filing cabinet, and a few spare chairs. There was a name tag on the desk, the name on it reading “Jake Wilson''. Along with a photo on the desk too, turned just enough for him to see it. It was of a much younger Jake, with someone who Jack could only guess to be his son based on how young they were in comparison.
Jake was definitely younger than Harry, sporting a black suit, like everyone else working on this floor, but with a vibrant purple tie. Harry usually worked on this floor too, he wore similar attire but with a plain black tie instead. Speaking of which, why was someone in as high of a position as him doing a cargo check?
He didn't have much time to ponder that question, watching Harry as he handed Jake the clipboard.
“I- what the?” Jake’s face morphed into a look of confusion as he looked over the paper.
“Yeah, I know. You think one of the printers malfunctioned?”
“Well, you know how shitty these things are, so probably.” Jake said, moving in his chair to be sitting in front of his computer, beginning to type something.
“Ah, here we go,” a few more clicks and the printer whirled to life. “Hoorah.”
The three of them watched as the printer slowly began to print.
…
Very slowly.
“So… did no one think to double check the assignment before submitting it?” Harry was the one to cut through the silence, well as silent as you could get with a loud ass printer in the room.
“Well, we have to print out a bunch of these every day, don't really have the time to check them all.”
“I know, I mean while putting it on the clipboard.”
“Not everyone is as meticulous about their job as you are.”
“...”
The printer managed to finish just in time to save them from more awkward silence. Jake grabbed it, looking it over, making sure everything was in line before replacing the paper on the clipboard, tossing the old one into the trash.
“Superb.” Jake handed the clipboard over to Jack, who quickly glanced over it before looking back up.
“So, can I go now?”
Harry quickly looked over the paper from Jack’s shoulder before nodding, “Yeah, that should be it…”
“Wait,” Jake spoke, digging around in one of the desk drawers, and handing Jack a key. "You’ll need this.”
“Thanks” Jack only briefly studied the key before putting it in his pocket and walking out of the office.
“Catch you on the flipside!” Harry called out as Jack rounded the corner, leaving their sight.
“Geez, what's up with him?”
Harry shrugged in response, watching as Jake grabbed a pack of cigarettes from his suit pocket, taking one out and lighting it.
“Do you really have to do that?”
“My office, my rules.”
Harry sighed, bringing a hand to his forehead.
*
Jack didn't fully check over his assignment until he reached the stairwell, anything to delay taking that many flights again…
“Okay , let's see…” Jack mumbled to himself, his eyes scanning the paper.
Everything was laid out in great detail, that made him feel a bit better, at least there was no deciphering the meaning of certain text to do. He already had the key, that was one of the first things listed. Next was getting a bucket of fish from Ronaldo.
Jack glared at the paper when he read that. So the bastard did know, and just lied to him. Great. Jack continued looking it over. Apparently where he needed to go was on the same floor as the ship's hold, but in a completely different section of the ship, which he would need the key to enter.
Seemed easy enough. The rest was straight forward. Get down there, follow the lines to the room, feed the thing, and take the bucket with him when he leaves.
All this and yet the whole thing was still pretty vague on what the “specimen” was. He could go ask the other two about it, since they seemed to know, but he really didn't feel like talking to them again right now.
Jack sighed, stood up straight, slid the clipboard under his arm, and began walking down the stairs.
*
The bucket of fish and ice loudly hit the floor of the hallway as Jack smacked it down, leaning his back against the stairwell door, out of breath.
“It should be a crime to make anyone take that many stairs, while holding that fucking bucket.” Jack huffed, closing his eyes as he rested. When he finally opened them again, he was taken aback by his surroundings.
The corridor in front of him looked nothing like the ship’s hold. Its walls were white, the floors lined with linoleum tiles, a few coloured lines leading down the hall. It reminded him of a hospital. He scrunched his nose. The smell did too.
Jack stood, cracking his back a bit before grabbing the bucket. The gloves he was wearing, albeit not the best, cushioned his hand a little against the bucket's metal handle.
Jack went on his way, recalling that his assignment said to follow the purple line to the right until he reached a room labelled “W_01”. God now it really felt like a hospital.
There was a severe lack of people down here. The entire time Jack was walking he didn't see a single person.
Good to know that if he died down here, no one would know his whereabouts.
There were a few other rooms lining the hall. No windows on the doors to see in. but from what he could tell they were most likely empty.
Jack placed the bucket down for a second, letting his hand rest, when he noticed a pink line under his feet that turned sharply to the left, into a small hallway, before reaching a pair of double doors.
Against his better judgement, Jack left his bucket, approaching the door. He didn't hear anything behind it, nor did it have any light coming out from underneath it. Jack reached out and tried the handle.
…
Locked.
Figures.
Jack turned back around, returning to his bucket and continuing down the hall. He didn't know what he expected, nor what compelled him to even try opening it.
He walked for a while longer, finally seeing the purple line he had been following sharply turn towards a door. The small plaque confirmed it.
Yep this was it.
Next to the door, on the right, was a small supply closet, also locked.
Jack reached a hand forward trying the door for the “specimens” room.
“Ah, right” Jack dug his hands into his pockets searching for the key, before having to take off one of his gloves in order to do so. Unable to properly feel around with them on.
Successfully retrieving the key, Jack slid it into the lock, hearing a satisfying click as he turned it, unlocking the door.
He slid the key back into his pocket, put his gloves back on, and opened the door.
The view of the room was blocked off by a section of wall, due to the hall closet. Jack continued further into the room, closing the door behind him.
His boots clicked loudly on the hard tile, the sound echoing throughout the room. Past the small wall that had blocked his view, the room opened up, a counter with a sink to the left, and a… pool, to the right.
The room didn't smell of chlorine, not like those public pools found all over the place. It smelled more like the ocean, with a strong salty sent.
Jack tried to watch his step, avoiding puddles of water on the floor as he looked around the room. The pool was a decent size, not huge, but not like one you'd set up in your yard during the summer. It was in the ground, and had a good foot of air above the water so it wouldn't spill too badly when the ship rocked.
As Jack analyzed the water, he noticed a pair of glowing white eyes staring at him from below the water's surface.
“What the FUCK-”
As he spoke his foot landed in a puddle of water, sliding out from under him. Jack fell backwards, landing right on his tailbone, managing to stop himself before his head smacked against the floor. Hissing through his teeth, Jack sat, hunched over, rubbing his ass in an attempt to dull the pain.
He glanced back up, freezing when he made eye contact with, well whatever the hell that thing was.
Its eyes were peeking over the edge of the pool, watching him.
Although he couldn't see its entire face, he could tell it looked amused from the way its eyes crinkled at the corners.
From what he could see it looked almost human. Beside the obvious purple skin, and facial fins.
Its wet hair stuck to its face, its eyes had black pupils formed into thin slits, and surrounded by a glowing white iris, reminding him of a cat's eyes.
They stared at each other like that for a while, till the creature’s eyes began to dilate, flicking back and forth between Jack and the toppled over bucket.
In his fall, Jack had managed to spill the bucket and all its contents all over the floor. He cringed a bit when he realized he was sitting in fish juice.
That smell wouldn't wash out.
It finally clicked in his head what the thing in front of him was trying to signal.
Jack grabbed one of the fish near him, sticking his tongue out a little through the gap in his teeth and wrinkling his nose when he could still feel the slimy texture through his gloves.
Gross.
He came down here to feed something, and this thing was obviously hungry… so…
*Smack*
Jack tossed the fish, it landing right in the creature's face with a wet slap.
The purple figure sank below the surface, and Jack continued to sit there.
Should he throw another one?
Before he could grab another the figure reemerged, this time rising higher above the ledge, resting its arms on it, fish in hand.
“Wow, old sport, I gotta hand it to you, ya’ got a good throwin’ arm.”
Jack blinked a few times. What?
Maybe he did hit his head.
He had seen his fair share of crazy shit on this ship, hell he had the scars to prove it. But never once did anything talk back to him.
It took a bite of the fish, ripping off a chunk like it was nothing, not even caring for the bones or scales. “So you’re the newbie they got looking after me now.” They waved the half eaten fish carcass around as they talked. “So, how do ya’ like working on this shit hole?”
Jack blinked a few times before remembering to answer, still caught off guard, “Its.. fine”
“That’s good.” It nodded, finishing the rest of the fish in one gulp before continuing. “Listen kid, I’ll be straight with you, everyone who gets this job either begs for a new one, or dies trying to get of this ship with their dignity still intact.”
The creature snickered to itself.
They reached one hand forward, trying to grab another fish, upon realizing they're all too far out of reach, they pulled their hand back, resting their chin in their palm instead. “Guess I have that kinda charm to me.”
Their face turned from a cheerful smug look to a more serious one. “What I'm saying is, your days are numbered, old sport. From what I hear, those who beg for a new job get kicked off the ship, and they ain’t got enough money to support themselves. The way I see it, you're screwed either way.”
Pushing themselves up higher on the ledge they spoke again. “I’m curious to see how long you'll last.” they pushed themselves forward, offering a hand, “The name’s Dave.”
Jack leans forward, hesitantly taking their hand, once again grateful for his gloves, ”Jack.”
“Cool, anyway, can you push the rest of the fish over here? I haven't eaten in a few days.”
Jack nodded, begrudgingly sitting up, wincing a little as the pain from the fall came back. Tipping the bucket up right and filling it back up with the fish that spilled out, he kicked it over to where Dave was eagerly waiting.
“Whatcha’ scared of getting close for? I don't bite… much.” Dave winked, then immediately dug an arm into the bucket, pulled out a fish, and proceeded to unhinge his jaw like some kind of reptile, swallowing the thing whole. Jack gagged.
Dave continued to eat the rest of the fish like some kind of feral animal, leaving Jack to watch in a stunned silence. He wanted to leave, but the last part of his assignment was preventing him from doing that.
… He could try to leave and come back, but he wasn't exactly sure he trusted this thing to not eat the bucket as well.
And well, that would just be awkward, to have to come back in here after a few minutes.
Having finished the fish, Dave started eating handfuls of ice with a large shit eating grin, clearly sensing Jack’s impatience. He glared at him in response.
Seeming to have finally had his fill, Dave tipped the empty bucket on to its side, rolling it over to where Jack was still sitting, tapping against his boot, “Alright, alright, here's your damn bucket back, I've had my fun.”
Jack got to his feet, straining a bit before fully standing upright, bucket in hand.
Jack made his way to the door, looking back at Dave before exiting the room.
Dave was staring at him, with a grin that Jack could only place as menacing, plastered across his face showing off his sharp teeth. “See you tomorrow, old sport.”
And with that, Dave sank beneath the pool's ledge and into the water, no longer visible. Jack quickly exited the room after that, locking the door behind him and resting his back against it.
Letting out a long sigh, Jack stood there for a few minutes, processing everything that had just happened.
This… was a first, that was for sure.
He had never seen anything like that before, whatever that even was.
Was this really what he had to deal with for the rest of the week?
Jack checked his watch, all he had to see was the “6pm” before he let out a groan. That took way longer than he would've liked.
Christ this was going to be a long week.