January 29
2355hrs CST
Distance from Galveston 470miles
Course- Adrift Speed: 1 knot
Location: Main Bridge
Geoffrey Crossthwaite stood toe to toe with the Captain. He repeated himself, the volume of his voice just below a full scream. "You can't be serious. This ship is a 700 million dollar investment. You can't let a malfunctioning AI send it to the bottom of the Gulf."
The Captain shook his head and calmly replied, "My crew and I cannot release the magnetic locks on the water-tight doors or the sea cocks. I remind you, Sir Geoffrey, that you approved the addition of the AI to the ship's design late in its construction. You gave it control of the vessel functions in an emergency that only the ship's senior officers could engage."
Crossthwaite opened his mouth, but the captain silenced him, presenting his hand with only his index finger raised. " Sir, I remind you, we have no propulsion, maneuvering, or communications. The Chief Engineer has sounded the ship. He informs me that the tank top is covered in three feet of water, rising two inches per minute. At that rate, the ship will become unstable in a little more than an hour from now. She will inevitably roll to her side and settle. Now, my priority is the passengers' and crew's safety."
Crossthwaite shook his head, "The hell it is. You are relieved of command." The bridge crew came up behind the Captain and stood in apparent defiance of the owner.
The Captain turned and looked at his men standing in support, "I could not be more proud of you all." Turning to Crossthwaite, he said, "Under maritime law on a vessel that has declared an emergency, I do not recognize your authority to relieve me." Turning away from Crossthwaite, he spoke to his crew, "Clear the bridge, gentlemen. Assist the lifeboat teams with loading. Our priority is the passenger's safety. All boats must launch within the next thirty minutes."
On duty as the bridge watch officer, the second officer nodded to his Captain. He snapped to and saluted, "I stand relieved, sir. It's been an honor serving with you."
The Captain smiled, "Thank you. I shall remember you, sir. A job well done. Now, off the bridge. Once passengers are loaded, I release you from duty--every man for himself."
Crossthwaite and Don Javier stood gawking as the men left the bridge. The Captain remained. Crossthwaite looked at him quizically and said, "Let me guess, you're going down with the ship?"
The Captain shook his head. "I suggest you and your friend go to your lifeboat stations unless you intend to go down with the ship. I must insist you leave the young lady in my care."
Don Javier appeared behind Crossthwaite, clearly unimpressed with the Captain's bearing. He drew a sidearm from a concealed carry holster in the small of his back. With a low growl he said slowly for effect, "No capitán, eres tú quien necesita cuidados." Then he raised his pistol and shot the Captain in the chest.
A look of astonishment appeared on the face of the ship's master, and he crumpled to the deck. Annie, still strapped onto the gurney, had raised her head and, through the door frame, watched the scene in horror. Shaking her head, she let loose an ear-piercing scream.
"Silencio, puta," the Communicado leader shouted. "Your future as one of my whores awaits you."
Crossthwaite had dropped to the deck. He desperately pressed his hand against the Captain's chest, trying to staunch the flow of blood. The wounded man coughed, and frothy blood surged upward. Crossthwaite turned him to his side to clear his airway.
Coughing more blood, the dying man said, "Don't let this be your defining moment, sir." Then he exhaled a final wheezing gasp and died. Crossthwaite was silent for a moment. He stood slowly, his hands covered in blood.
"It is over, Don Javier. Save yourself, Dr. Hansen stays with me," Crossthwaite said.
"No, Sir Geoffrey. Your plan has cost my cartel a significant investment that must be re-paid. We will both leave together, but not the way you think."
The inclinometer near the helm gave a distinctive click, indicating a growing list to starboard had begun.
Don Javier said, "Time to go." As he turned, gun still in his right hand, his chest exploded as four bullets erupted from him. As the Communicado leader fell dead, it revealed a very determined Seth Barksdale, his gun barrel still emitting a wisp of smoke.
Seth stepped to the side just inside the bridge. Dave Samuels entered behind him. "I've got this, Seth. Go find Annie."
Seth moved carefully past Crossthwaite. He turned and went inside the office door. He rushed to the gurney as he stowed his pistol. Annie was bathed in red emergency lighting.
She cried out in relief, "Uncle Seth, thank God. I knew you would come."
Seth undid the buckles across Annie and unsnapped the wrist restraints. She sat up and threw her arms around Seth's neck. Seth carefully lifted her off the gurney. Her face tilted, and she kissed him on the cheek. Then she nuzzled his neck, crying silent tears of relief.
Seth could smell urine and felt the wetness on Annie's bottom, "That son of a bitch can rot in hell. We need to get you cleaned up and off this ship."
The bridge lighting came on as Seth carried Annie onto the bridge. Dave had finished cuffing Crossthwaite after reading him his rights. The inclinometer ticked again, and the list now read at five degrees.
The speaker on the bridge activated, and Evangeline announced. "Four lifeboats remain to be launched. You will find the first officer walking the ship along with thirty crew members to ensure all passengers are accounted for. You need to meet the rest of the team at the midships helipad. They are in contact with the Spruance and the other ships in the task force. They will arrive on the scene within fifteen minutes to render aid. Main power will remain available until the electrical rooms flood."
Dave kept his gun in Crossthwaite's back and urged him out the wing door of the bridge, both following Seth. Crossthwaite winced as Dave poked his weapon into Geoffrey's back, urging him along.
"Easy with that," Crossthwaite complained.
Dave nudged him again, "You're so lucky most Western governments want a piece of you. If I had my druthers, I'd love to plug you in the head and throw you to the sharks. I can't thank you enough for your fucked up security force shooting my wife. Just doesn't set well with me."
Crossthwaite groaned and rolled his eyes. Common sense prevailed, and he kept his mouth closed from that point on.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Control set the maritime emergency frequency on the AN-PRC 152 radio and keyed the transmitter, "U.S.S. Spruance, this is Evergreen niner, two, whiskey, alpha, do you read, over." After ten seconds of silence, she repeated her call, still with only silence on her headset.
Bunty offered, "Give it a moment. Their CIC is probably scrambling to look up the authentication challenge." Despite the calm evening, there was a gentle roll to the ship, and Bunty saw that Control looked nauseated.
"Are you losing your sea legs?" Bunty queried.
Control nodded, noticeably green behind the gills. Nodding, she responded, "Yes, I wish I knew why, of all times to happen."
Bunty smiled, "With no headway or stabilizers, the ship is rolling with the swell. Hold on, I have some dramamine in my medkit."
Control forgot her nausea as her headset came to life.
"Evergreen niner, two, whiskey, alpha, this is the U.S.S Spruance. Authenticate, Charlie, Juliet, Sierra, two, seven, over."
Control replied, "I authenticate, zero, four, tango, Zulu, over." She waited for a brief moment.
"Stand-by for Spruance Actual."
Carla's heart jumped a beat, knowing her old flame, Commander Ted Sullivan, was the Captain of the Spruance. A calm, baritone voice triggered instant joy.
"This is Spruance Actual. Engage the secure channel on my mark in three, two, and one. Mark."
