Richard looked at him as though he had just said something absurd.
"Are you telling me what I can and cannot do with my own yacht?"
"I'm telling you what I can safely authorize as its captain."
For several seconds, neither man spoke.
The surrounding crew members suddenly became very interested in their work.
They had seen disagreements between Richard and Marcus before.
But this one felt different.
CHAPTER 2: THE CAPTAIN WHO REFUSED TO OBEY
Richard placed his briefcase on a nearby bench.
"Listen carefully, Captain. I hired you to operate this vessel, not to question every decision I make."
Marcus nodded.
"I understand, sir."
"Then get the engines ready."
"The engines are ready. The navigation issue remains unresolved."
Richard stepped closer.
"Do you know how many people are waiting for me?"
Marcus answered respectfully.
"Yes, sir. I have the passenger manifest and the departure schedule."
"Do you know what this meeting represents?"
"I know it is important."
"Then act like it."
Marcus looked directly at him.
"I am acting like a captain."
Richard laughed bitterly.
"A captain?"
He glanced at the uniform.
"You wear a nice shirt, you stand on my boat, and suddenly you believe you're in charge?"
Marcus took a slow breath.
"I don't believe I'm in charge of your business, Mr. Blackwood. But when this vessel leaves the marina, I am responsible for the lives aboard."
Richard's jaw tightened.
"You're an employee."
"Yes, sir."
"An employee who can be replaced."
Marcus nodded.
"That's your decision."
Richard seemed surprised by the response.
He expected an apology.
He expected nervousness.
He expected the young captain to back down.
Instead, Marcus stood perfectly still.
Richard pointed toward the yacht.
"I want this vessel ready in twenty minutes."
Marcus opened the navigation folder.
"I need the engineering team to complete its inspection first."
"You're wasting my time."
"I'd rather waste twenty minutes than risk twenty lives."
Richard's expression changed.
"Don't lecture me."
Marcus closed the folder.
"I'm not lecturing you, sir. I'm doing my job."
A deckhand standing several feet away lowered his eyes.
Another crew member quietly stepped behind a storage container.
Nobody wanted to become involved.
Richard reached out and placed a hand on Marcus's shoulder.
The gesture looked almost friendly from a distance.
But his voice was cold.
"You have forgotten who signs your paycheck."
Marcus looked down briefly at the hand.
Then he looked back at Richard.
"I haven't forgotten."
He gently stepped away.
"But I haven't forgotten who is responsible for everyone aboard either."
Richard removed his hand.
"You're making a serious mistake."
Marcus said nothing.
Richard picked up his briefcase and began walking toward the yacht.
Then he stopped.
"One more thing."
Marcus turned.
"If that vessel isn't ready when I return, you won't be working here tomorrow."
Marcus looked at him.
"Understood, sir."
Richard walked away.
But Marcus knew the situation was more complicated than an angry billionaire demanding an immediate departure.
The navigation problem was not an ordinary malfunction.
And he had discovered something the previous evening that made the situation far more dangerous.
CHAPTER 3: THE WARNING HIDDEN IN THE SYSTEM
Three days earlier, Marcus had noticed an unusual discrepancy in the Silver Horizon's navigation records.