Swamped

"That'd be me, sir," Florentine says, stepping forward and tripping. You let out a sigh.

"You're also the most accident-prone, Greenbags."

"Not when I'm running, sir. Instinct takes over. Don't know how else to describe it."

You feel unsure, but that's why it's good to get a second opinion.

"Grey. Your thoughts?"

"He's not lying. We were cadets in Lanzen together. They'd never seen anyone take the obstacle course at his speed, and he didn't stumble once. Until they called him over to congratulate him on his record, that is."

"I'll trust your judgement, then. Greenbags, lure those pests off the barge while we get the controls. And then warn anyone you can find."

"Yes sir!" He salutes. "I know just the thing, too. I've got an excellent rat call. Just get ready to board."

You all duck behind a crate near the gangplank, as Florentine cups his hands to his mouth and makes a rat call. The rats rush off the ship in search of food, and Florentine takes the opportunity to fling his knife at one of them.

It hisses and growls, and the other two follow its lead. Florentine rushes off, with the rats in pursuit, leaving you free to man the barge.

Assuming there aren't more rats in the hold, that is. You assign Grey to keep watch while you take the wheel and drive out towards the breeding grounds.

The trip is thankfully quiet; there's no noise from the hold. However, as you approach the breeding grounds, you spot some Marshguards on a walkway not far off.

They don't seem to be preparing an ambush, but a fight would slow you down. Fortunately, they don't seem to have spotted you yet. In fact, it looks like two of them are having an argument.

Still, the barge is hardly stealthy. They're likely to spot you as you draw closer, and even if you were to get past them now, they might be waiting for you on the way back.

How are you going to handle this?