NationStates Jolt Archive

The sun was setting on day 3 of a long cruise. The deep ocean seemed to relinquish its feeble hold over darker shades of blue, offering their warmth to paint the horizon and gathering clouds in shades of pink and orange. The sea did not begrudge the night, but instead began to welcome it as blackness gradually seemed to well up from the depths.

Faith leaned with crossed arms against the aft rail, content to watch the colorful display as cool evening colors reigned both sea and sky. It would be dinner soon. Very soon. She had chosen a late seating because there were often fewer people, but that was only a secondary reason. She loved the night. The sea came alive at night in all its aspects. But more importantly, the ship came alive at night. Tourists and loving couples alike nursed their freshly earned sunburns in the casinos, bars, nightclubs, and theatres. Perfect for people watching.

A woman further down the rail was staring at her. Faith was, afterall, the only person enjoying the sunset in solitary. She waved curtly and the woman, caught, turned her attention back to the fiery horizon. Dark hair whispered around Faith's face with the breeze as she glanced over her shoulder to the ship's clock. Five minutes until dinner. She probably wasn't going. Her tablemates would wonder where she was, no doubt, having failed to appear after the first night.

Acting on impulse, she turned from the rail. She had decided to wander in the direction of the dining room. The decision on whether or not to enter was still up for debate. The luxury liner required semi-formal dress in the evenings, a fact which Faith adored. She took a handful of the skirt of her clingy black dress and lifted modestly, allowing an unhindered ascent of the stairs leading up from the viewing deck. Faith felt more eyes on her, but this time they were of a predatory sort. Men took note that she was unaccompanied, but for a different reason than their female counterparts. She smiled secretly to herself and left them without so much as a backward glance. Dinner was in five minutes.

(ooc: All ooc comments should be directed to the ooc thread (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=503371).)

Calara watched the horizon closely, enjoying the visual stimulation of a beautiful sunset that matched the dark red color of her eyes. She turned away from the gorgeous vista for a moment, and noticed another woman standing nearby, leaning on the railing. Her elegant garb and natural beauty made Calara look old and ugly by comparison, but that didn't bother her overmuch. She blinked, her vision disturbed. The other woman was moving away. Ah well. Not like I'm going to be talking to her anyway.

Calara moved away from the railing too, her blood red hair lifting somewhat, held up by a gentle breeze. Somehow, she doubted the delicate and elegant woman by the railing would be showing up for any of those sorts of activities. She smirked, opened the door to her bunk, and began preparing for the evening's festivities as well as the next day's activities. As the most experienced crew member in hazardous situations, she would be put on the safety detail tomorrow.

Fennel woke with the coming night, stretched his front paws, yawned hugely then quickly licked a paw and wiped his whiskers.

Night! His green eyes shone in the dark. People were around, food smells in the air. Excitement! Wakefulness! A new voyage!

He stood up, stretched his back and with a flick of his luxuriant tail sinuously slithered out of one of his regular day-time hideyholes. He felt adventurous and stood a moment seeing two women, one close and one further away. They moved away and he trotted briskly after the red haired one sensing purposefullness about her. She was 'us', not 'them'.

Red hair was 'us' and yet an unknown quantity...have a closer look but no physical contact yet...wait and see...still, adventure was in the air and as Red hair opened a door Fennel squeezed through giving a 'prrrrrou?' by way of greeting. Not particularly hungry he was up for anything which came along, provided it didn't involve getting wet.

He jumped with grace and ease onto the bunk, looking at the woman with his large green inquisitive eyes, tail in the air giving the greeting which so many humans seemed not to understand.

Fennel woke with the coming night, stretched his front paws, yawned hugely then quickly licked a paw and wiped his whiskers.

Night! His green eyes shone in the dark. People were around, food smells in the air. Excitement! Wakefulness! A new voyage!

He stood up, stretched his back and with a flick of his luxuriant tail sinuously slithered out of one of his regular day-time hideyholes. He felt adventurous and stood a moment seeing two women, one close and one further away. They moved away and he trotted briskly after the red haired one sensing purposefullness about her. She was 'us', not 'them'.

Red hair was 'us' and yet an unknown quantity...have a closer look but no physical contact yet...wait and see...still, adventure was in the air and as Red hair opened a door Fennel squeezed through giving a 'prrrrrou?' by way of greeting. Not particularly hungry he was up for anything which came along, provided it didn't involve getting wet.

He jumped with grace and ease onto the bunk, looking at the woman with his large green inquisitive eyes, tail in the air giving the greeting which so many humans seemed not to understand.

"Well now. Look who drug the cat in." Calara smiled softly, remembering her mother uttering those words when she as a child had come home one day with a pitiful-looking kitten in tow. "Howdy there, kitty." She slowly stretched out her hand to the cat and began stroking it steadily behind the ears. "I bet you want some dinner, don't you?" Calara knew she was regressing into a child-like mode of behavior because of her reminiscing, but didn't mind.

She stopped stroking the cute little beast for a moment and went to the cabinet where she kept her stash of treats. Hmmm. I hope the cat likes dolphin meat. Closing the cabinet, she walked back to the cat, noting the inquisitive look in its large green eyes. Calara dangled a strip of dolphin meat in front of those eyes, saw them watching it. Now to see if she would just eat it...

*A Young man walks onto the deck... he looks around with a puzzled expression on his face...then with a shrug, he walks back into the hatch.*

The dinner period was almost over, which meant that Ricky would soon be back on duty and at the beck and call of all and sundry.
He had to put the conversation he had had with the 'powers that be' behind him, but the words keep whirring through his brain.
For the first time in over thirty years he was not looking forward to facing his passengers.

Retirement! How can I retire, what will I do, and where will I go?
I don't feel any older, and I'm sure I can still do my job. Retirement!

He ran a comb through his hair and beard, then straightened up his uniform, ready to start the shift.

I sighed and leaned back in the chair. Lifeguard duty was slow, to say the least. Then again, almost everything was slow to me, comparatively speaking. My real job on the boat was the scuba and surf instructor. But as long as the boat was in motion, i wasn't really needed. So the company found some way to make me useful. I guess i shouldn't complain. Life guarding wasn't the worst job onboard. I get to work on my tan and enjoy being oggled by the girls. Maybe even flirt a little. Fraternizing with the clientel was frowned upon by the company, of course. But I had only done 1 cruise before this one, and even i knew that that was more advise than a strict rule. The sun was starting to set and dinner would be starting about now. Which meant that i would be off soon. I looked off to my right and my replacement, Kim, walked up to the chair.

"Speak of the devil."

I winked and dove off the chair into the pool. I did a lap or two, then climbed out and toweled off. Waving to Kim, i headed inside to get changed.

Day three already, and Karyn had ventured out of her stateroom for the first time.

She was sitting shyly eating at a table with several other people.
She was glad she had bought new gowns for the cruise, and although she was still in mourning for Bernice, was wearing a quiet apple green silk.

Every now and then she stole a look at her dining companions who were engrossed either in their meal, or their partners.

I wonder what Bernice would think if she could see me now.....probably something along the lines of wasting my inheritance, but I don't care, it's about time I had a life!

Her meal finished, she nodded good evening to the man sitting opposite to her, and walked to where she thought her stateroom was, only to find herself on one of the decks.

The moon looks much bigger than back home, and there are many more stars than I have ever seen before.

Walking along she found another corridor and quickly located her stateroom, and spotted another woman coming towards her. She ducked inside closing the door gently, avoiding a meeting that she didn't feel ready for yet.

OOC: First chance i got to jump in....

Alejandro Acosta and Anne Marie Costello sat at a table in the luxuary liners fine dinning room eating dinner, Acosta put his wine glass to his mouth then smiled at his beautiful girlfriend who sat across from him in a fine Gucci dress. Alejandro wore a tux with his hair slicked back, he liked to smile showing his perfect teeth.....

"This was not such a bad idea, im starting to enjoy myself.."

"Im glad to hear you being honest, i knew you didn't want to come at first"

Alejandro grinned,

"I had lots of buisness to attend to but now thats going to have to wait till i get back, im just going to make the best of this.."

They sat there and continued to dine while chatting back and fourth....

"Well now. Look who drug the cat in." Calara smiled softly, remembering her mother uttering those words when she as a child had come home one day with a pitiful-looking kitten in tow. "Howdy there, kitty." She slowly stretched out her hand to the cat and began stroking it steadily behind the ears. "I bet you want some dinner, don't you?" Calara knew she was regressing into a child-like mode of behavior because of her reminiscing, but didn't mind.

She stopped stroking the cute little beast for a moment and went to the cabinet where she kept her stash of treats. Hmmm. I hope the cat likes dolphin meat. Closing the cabinet, she walked back to the cat, noting the inquisitive look in its large green eyes. Calara dangled a strip of dolphin meat in front of those eyes, saw them watching it. Now to see if she would just eat it...


Purrrrrrrrrrrrr purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Fennel squirmed and rubbed round Red hair's fingers then rubbed round her legs as she moved across the cabin.

Sniff! Food! The green eyes disappeared briefly as Fennel blinked then raised one paw, claws extended and deftly twitched the meat from Red hair's fingers.

Fennel sniffed. Familiar. Yes. Good? Yes!
Purring Fennel daintily ate the piece, licked his lips, uttered a 'mrrrrrriouw' of thanks and scampered on his way, whiskers a-bristling.

Day three already, and Karyn had ventured out of her stateroom for the first time.

She was sitting shyly eating at a table with several other people.
She was glad she had bought new gowns for the cruise, and although she was still in mourning for Bernice, was wearing a quiet apple green silk.

Every now and then she stole a look at her dining companions who were engrossed either in their meal, or their partners.

I wonder what Bernice would think if she could see me now.....probably something along the lines of wasting my inheritance, but I don't care, it's about time I had a life!

Her meal finished, she nodded good evening to the man sitting opposite to her, and walked to where she thought her stateroom was, only to find herself on one of the decks.

The moon looks much bigger than back home, and there are many more stars than I have ever seen before.

Walking along she found another corridor and quickly located her stateroom, and spotted another woman coming towards her. She ducked inside closing the door gently, avoiding a meeting that she didn't feel ready for yet.

Faith was unusually alert. Her attentive gaze missed nothing that was going on around her, though she seemed to pay little interest. A woman not ten paces away shied immediately away from eye contact and almost seemed to bolt into her room. Another loner, it seemed. She took note of the cabin number as she passed. It might be useful to know later.

She continued along, treading lightly through the many halls and eventually crossing to the starboard side. She openly eyed a few of the crew members, smiling coyly to those who noticed her attentions. Her dining room was quite a grand affair. The high ceilings spanned at least two decks, with picture windows along the starboard wall revealing a stunning seascape. The decor was lavish and extravagent, offering passangers a rare view into what a weathly life must be like. For many, this was just one big game of pretend. Five course meals, formal dress, midnight buffets, it was all a wonderful escape from middle class life. For most.

She paused in the doorway eyeing the crystal chandelliers, the quickly filling room, but could not bring herself to enter. It wasn't fear of crowds or even a dislike of people that kept her away. She just preferred her own company. The Maitre D' was watching her patiently.

"Andre.. I'd like to take my meal on the Lido deck."
"Of course, Ms. Nicoletti."

She thanked him politely and headed for the grand staircase. Lido was two decks above, and it was here she could enjoy her dinner in peace, under the open sky. What a wonder it was how things could be arranged if one knew the right people.

*A.J. Finally stood infront of his office door. took a deep breath, and hopped on one foot as a large tabby pranced by with some food in it's mouth. After watching the cat continue down the hallway with it's prize, AJ entered his office and began making sure his meds were stocked.*

Malia hopped on one leg out the door with the other one flailing in the air as she tried to slip on a black stilletto heel. She eventually slipped and fell to the ground, her pouffy black and white polka-dotted sundress somewhat cushioning her fall. Her thick multi-colored bangles jingled the calamity on the way back up.

"Darn it! Late again!" she said outloud, to no one in particular.



She ran out of fancy golden-doored elevator into what she called "the big room" and almost stumbled into a women wearing a black dress standing at the landing of the Grand Staircase, which led into the elegant dining area.

"Oh, I'm sorry, ma'am! I'm a bit clumsy today." Malia said this with the most flashy of smiles a young girl could give. She also thought of how nice a painting this room would make, and filed that in her mind for future painting venues. She regathered herself, took a deep breath, and continued with all the poise she could gather down the stairs.

"Bueno noche, Senorita del Viento." said a short, balding man, grinning as he spoke the little Spanish he had picked up over the years working on the ship.

"Ah, senor Jahfi, solamente sobreviviendo." Malia smiles as Mr. Jahfi gives her a confused look. She smiles and says, "Only surviving."

"Haha, yes. But late again, I see." said Jahfi.

"Yeah, third times a charm!" she stated as she waved and hurried off to her table.

She had requested am empty seat to the left of her, seeing as she was left- handed and formal dinners always seemed awkward unless no one sat to the left. And because of her parents, the cruise line obliged her. She hastily sat in the chair and waited for the waiter.

*With his stomach growling, AJ makes his way to one of the restruants on board... grabbing a plate, he proceeds to fill it with a salad and some strips of meat. then he looks around and finds a small table in the corner and sits down to eat.*

A young woman racing out of the elevator nearly took her by surprize, a fact which slightly annoyed Faith. She fixed the girl with a disapproving gaze, her eyes a clear, wintery blue. The look, however, did not last more than a fraction of a second. She remembered herself almost as quickly as the agitation set in and corrected with an understanding smile.

"It's alright."

She watched evenly as the girl bounded off towards the dining room. Grinning as a brief memory surfaced from when she was that age, she continued to the staircase. A slender hand slid along the etched gold banister as she climbed, used as much for balance as social grace.

The Lido deck was nearly deserted. Most of the other cruisers were either at dinner or one of the early evening shows. The theater had boasted a well-known comedian as tonight's entertainment. Faith chose a table near the port rail where she could watch the sun continue to slip beneath the waves. The moon had already claimed the low skies to the east. Soon tiny stars would flicker into existance. At the far end of the main deck area, a few groups had already begun patronizing the bar. They would provide for some interesting sights, at least.

Lirano hated comedy. Unlike most people, he found it appalling. Also unlike most people, he often found funny that which others found appalling, a fact his ex-husband had frequently teased him about. Lirano pondered this. It was going to take time to grow accustomed to the idea of an ex-husband. The separation was still too fresh, the memories too close.

He knew he needed new memories, new priorities, and decided to start working on that tonight. He ordered a rather potent drink, Imperial Brandy from Clearwater, a beverage banned in eight nations, and for good reason. It shouldn't take long for him to start loosening up and making new memories with Imperial Brandy in his system. He got up from the stool at the bar, and wandered around what was known as the Lido deck, trying not to crash into anyone. He failed. The brandy was taking effect too quickly, and he ended up bumping into an attractive woman in a black dress as she topped the deck.

The second human barrage also caught her off guard. She had just arrived at her chosen seat, when the stranger nearly caused her to fall over her chair. She grabbed the deck rail to catch the potential fall, and righted herself quickly.

"What is it with people tonight?"

Her gaze was somewhat less forgiving this time. She could only tolerate so much clumsiness in one block of time. The man seemed intoxicated. She forced the calmness back into her voice, reminding herself to be happy she hadn't been carrying a glass of wine. Or anything else, for that matter. Turning, she caught his arm, helping to steady him as well.

"Are you alright?"

After stopping by my cabin to change, I grabbing a quick bite from the min-fridge by my bunk and headed back out. I could have gone to the dining hall for food, but the late meal was generally meant for couples and something about 'pool boy, party of one' didn't sit well with me. Granted, they didn't actually call those things out, but it was the principle of the matter. So instead I descided to wander around on-deck for awhile. The cool ocean breeze was nice, and when paired with the clear night sky, it was downright spectacular. I leaned over the railing and soaked up the atmosphere. The on-deck bar had opened since i left. I normally find suburbanites, like most of the tourists onboard, normally annoyed me to the point of wanting to pull my hair out. But drunken suburbaites tended to be rather entertaining. So I alternated between watching the stars and watching the dunks. One scene in peticular was providing some amusment. Up on the Lido deck across from where i stood a woman nearly fell off the railing. I'd have been worried if the same thing didn't happen almost every night.

The second human barrage also caught her off guard. She had just arrived at her chosen seat, when the stranger nearly caused her to fall over her chair. She grabbed the deck rail to catch the potential fall, and righted herself quickly.

"What is it with people tonight?"

Her gaze was somewhat less forgiving this time. She could only tolerate so much clumsiness in one block of time. The man seemed intoxicated. She forced the calmness back into her voice, reminding herself to be happy she hadn't been carrying a glass of wine. Or anything else, for that matter. Turning, she caught his arm, helping to steady him as well.

"Are you alright?"

"My apologies, madame." Lirano grinned sheepishly as he righted himself with her assistance, and then set about straightening out his tuxedo.

"The brandy is rather strong, you understand. But I forget myself. I am Lirano Erebus, and it is a pleasure to make your acquiantance." He employed his most winning smile, and offered to pay for any damages she or her dress may have sustained, as well as any drink she would like.

"Given a different set of circumstances, I'm sure it would have been a pleasure, Lirano. No harm done, it seems."

She dusted herself off reflexively, and seemed to brush away any agitation with the gesture. The table was still empty and clean, and suddenly she seemed to have lost her appetite.

"My name's Faith Nicoletti. I think I'll take you up on that drink offer. Amaretto sour?"

"Given a different set of circumstances, I'm sure it would have been a pleasure, Lirano. No harm done, it seems."

She dusted herself off reflexively, and seemed to brush away any agitation with the gesture. The table was still empty and clean, and suddenly she seemed to have lost her appetite.

"My name's Faith Nicoletti. I think I'll take you up on that drink offer. Amaretto sour?"

"Faith. A lovely name. And an excellent choice of drinks. I suspect we'll get on well."

Lirano got the drink for her and one for him as well, managing his walk rather better now that the initial wave of alcohol that had hit his system was subsiding. He handed Faith the sour and kept a dark beer for himself. He was in a mood for beer, despite the surroundings that seemed to call for fruity drinks.

"Forgive my forwardness, but I'm curious. What's your occupation?"

Purrrrrrrrrrrrr purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Fennel squirmed and rubbed round Red hair's fingers then rubbed round her legs as she moved across the cabin.

Sniff! Food! The green eyes disappeared briefly as Fennel blinked then raised one paw, claws extended and deftly twitched the meat from Red hair's fingers.

Fennel sniffed. Familiar. Yes. Good? Yes!
Purring Fennel daintily ate the piece, licked his lips, uttered a 'mrrrrrriouw' of thanks and scampered on his way, whiskers a-bristling.

She felt a slight surge of disappointment as the cat left. She could have used the companionship, especially since most of her peers on the ship were crew members who were considerably younger and far less mature. They also tended to be much less physically strong, but that was another matter, and she knew it was no fault of theirs that they were lacking her cyberchemical enhancements.

Calara shrugged, letting those thoughts fall away as her hair fell gently onto her shoulders, and continued preparations for the next day. Once her work was finished, she lay down on her cot, staring out of the porthole at the darkening sky.

The door closed just before the woman in the black dress passed her room, and Karyn felt relief mingled with a slight feeling of regret she hadn't been brave enough to speak.

The very next person I meet I'm going to say hello to, other wise what is the purpose of my being here.

She went through to the small balcony which led off from her stateroom and stood listening to the early evening sounds of the ship.
Somewhere in the distance she heard a woman laugh.

You are such a fool Karyn Peterson.....you could be out there now and enjoying yourself. And what are you doing? You are alone as usual, that's where you are!

She went back inside, and from the mini bar made herself a gin and tonic.
She was unused to alcohol, and as she sipped the drink, a warmth spread through her.

I shall go to a bar and try to be brave.

Having finished the drink, she slipped back along the corridor and out onto the deck once more.
There were a lot more people there now, and she almost panicked and ran back to the stateroom, but steeled herself to stay.
There was a bar at the other end of the deck, several people standing around it.
The woman in the black dress was there but she now had a companion.

Karyn motioned to a waiter and ordered another g & t taking a seat a little way away from the others.

The food was mediocre at best compared to some of the formal dinners Malia had consumed during her seemingly glamorous childhood. Her table was occupied almost fully by starry-eyed couples not interested in the lone girl they didn't bother to even acknowledge.

Maybe I can get in a sketch before the nights over, Malia thought, and decided to only eat her salad before informing the waiter of her early "retirement" and consequently her lack of a main course. Malia enjoyed using formal, often ambigous, language. She giggled inside her head as she exited the dining area, heading back to her stateroom in order to grab some charcoals and her sketch book.

She decided to find a table on the Lido deck to set up her artists station. There was a bar on that deck and sketching drunk folk was always amusing.

Malia arrived to an empty Lido deck, but she could see hustling and bustling in the bar and knew it was only a matter of time. She sat at a table near the bar entrance and began looking around at the architecture of this deck, so that she could start her drawing.

A few more people trickeled out onto the deck. Most headed to that bar, but a pair of women chose to sit more out of the way. Smart move on their part, at least in my opinion. Though the similaritied between the two seemed to end at their choice in seats. The first girl was quite shy from the look of her. She even hesitated to call over one of the drink runners. It might be fun to see how far out of the shell i could get her. The other, however, looked more likely to provide immidiate entertainment. She was younger then most of the other passengers. If she hadn't been the bomb-shell that she was, she probably would have been thrown out of the bar. Age limits, another 'rule' imposed by the company.
I can't believe I actually took this job.
I sighed. She looked around the room. I can't quite tell what she's doing, but it looks like she's examining the structure and decor. I don't see whats so interesting about it. But as she scanned her way across the room, her eyes met with mine. I gave a little smile, then turned back to look out over the open water, letting my hair fall over my eyes. I smirked slightly.
Let see if the fish are biting tonight.

As she sat watching the the other passengers come and go, a young girl took her attention.
She was everything that Karyn had always dreamed of being when she was younger. Slim and wearing slightly outrageous clothes, she seemed totally at ease with her surroundings and the other passengers.
A man about her own age entered the scene.
He looked a very athletic sort, and was soon staring at the young girl.
Karyn started to forget her own discomfort as she watched, wondering who these people were, and making little stories in her mind as to what their backgrounds might be.

"Faith. A lovely name. And an excellent choice of drinks. I suspect we'll get on well."

Lirano got the drink for her and one for him as well, managing his walk rather better now that the initial wave of alcohol that had hit his system was subsiding. He handed Faith the sour and kept a dark beer for himself. He was in a mood for beer, despite the surroundings that seemed to call for fruity drinks.

"Forgive my forwardness, but I'm curious. What's your occupation?"

While Lirano fetched a pair of drinks, a waiter had appeared with her soup and a bread basket. She politely informed him that there would be no need to bring out any of the courses. He seemed moderately annoyed at having taken a pointless walk, but demonstrated nothing but professionalism. She smiled apologetically, and he quickly made himself scarce.

The server was easy enough to dismiss, but Lirano would be another matter. She wasn't really in the mood for conversation, but conversation seemed inevitable. Perhaps she should give it a go. Faith sank gracefully into her chair, and motioned for Lirano to join her as she accepted her drink. With some surprize, she noticed that the shy woman who had ducked into her room had ventured out onto the deck. Here was a potential problem. She had seemed nervous upon sight of Faith, and now had followed her out to the deck. Not quite suspicious, but noteworthy nonetheless. An additional scan of the open space revealed the clumsy girl from earlier as well. Faith filed this information in the back of her mind, convincing herself it was just paranoia. It was probably just chance. Her gaze flickered back to Lirano. He was asking her a question.

"Occupation?" She stared at him for a moment, uncomprehending. "Ah, yes. I'm with an aquisitions company."

She smiled fluidly and took a sip of the amaretto. A little weak, but decent enough.

After examining the room, she finally decided to find a subject and begin her sketch. Her eyes landed on a young man, although seemingly quite a bit older than herself, that casually flicked her a grin.

Guys....she thought.

His physique was incredible, an obvious athelete, and slightly familiar. She stared at him intently, looking past his obvious features into his deeper contour. Then she pressed pencil to paper and made beauty. With every move of the pencil a new line was formed; a new shadow gave life where there was once blankness.

Malia often went into an altered state of consciouness while working and the chattering of the slightly tipsy crowd gave way to a musical narration in her head like no other. The crescendos and rhythms and arrangement were other-worldly. She tucked that into her mind for tonight, and continued with her present task. Her subject was brought to life in a monochromatic work of artistic genius.

Nothing could separate her from her work. She was attached.


It was quite a sight to see this 19 year old girl, sitting cross-legged and hunched over a sketch pad in order to be in a position where her left-hand could easily be used, tongue sticking out in obvious deep-concentration, and completely oblivious to anything but her subject.


Malia had always been "different". She didn't care of what other people thought and believed in "free expression". She wasn't shy or conservative, but had a certain level of moral decency. She abhored destructive behavior, and drank her first and last sip of alchohol on her 16th birthday. She preferred friendship to any other form of love and considered marriage a sacred ritual in which two people become one. For her, life wasn't something to take for granted, and she wanted to taste it, smell it, be immersed in it, be part of it. Art and humorous interpretation of almost any event was how she kept her sanity. Her fashion choices reflected her beliefs. Many of her choices reflected her hipster-ish attitude and love for anything undiscovered. Though they might have not been the "stylish choices", she was revered by many fashion designers for her obvious ingenuity and imagination, it also didn't hurt her mother had been and currently was one of the most popular supermodels in Freed Civilians.

Malia was defently "different", but hard not to love for all of her quirks and peculiarities.

While Lirano fetched a pair of drinks, a waiter had appeared with her soup and a bread basket. She politely informed him that there would be no need to bring out any of the courses. He seemed moderately annoyed at having taken a pointless walk, but demonstrated nothing but professionalism. She smiled apologetically, and he quickly made himself scarce.

The server was easy enough to dismiss, but Lirano would be another matter. She wasn't really in the mood for conversation, but conversation seemed inevitable. Perhaps she should give it a go. Faith sank gracefully into her chair, and motioned for Lirano to join her as she accepted her drink. With some surprize, she noticed that the shy woman who had ducked into her room had ventured out onto the deck. Here was a potential problem. She had seemed nervous upon sight of Faith, and now had followed her out to the deck. Not quite suspicious, but noteworthy nonetheless. An additional scan of the open space revealed the clumsy girl from earlier as well. Faith filed this information in the back of her mind, convincing herself it was just paranoia. It was probably just chance. Her gaze flickered back to Lirano. He was asking her a question.

"Occupation?" She stared at him for a moment, uncomprehending. "Ah, yes. I'm with an aquisitions company."

She smiled fluidly and took a sip of the amaretto. A little weak, but decent enough.

Lirano quirked a delicate eyebrow, and took a rather solid swig of the beer. "Acquisitions. A very interesting field indeed. My husband...excuse me, ex-husband and I used to do some work along those lines before working in athletics and health." He took another swig of the beer, this one rather longer, to drown out the thought of his former spouse.

"Any particular type of items that your company acquires?"

She quirked a brow at Lirano's mention of a husband, but quickly raised the glass to her lips. She hadn't intended her response to be rude, it was just surprize. Pure and simple.

"A little bit of everything it seems."

She shifted her position slightly and sipped again at the drink.

"I don't really like talking shop... You said ex-husband.. I don't mean to pry, but what happened?"

Unnoticed by most, due in part to his slight build and average height, and in part to they way he kept himself hunched over the bar and his drink, a man sat alone towards one end of the bar, slowly but steadily putting away a prodigious amount of vodka. His black hair hung down straight and ended in an uneven line that covered about half of each ear and dipped slightly lower at the back of his neck, stopping just short of his eyes in the front.

He tossed back another shot, and took a moment to look around at the other patrons that had appeared tonight. As the cruise got further along, people were becoming more familiar with the ship, and what had been an almost empty bar the first night, was becoming quite the gathering place. His eyes flickered quickly from person to person, the inevitable scattering of eligible bachelors and bachelorettes, a woman in a black dress he'd spotted once before chatting with a man whose movements were those of someone who may have had just one too many, not a lot, just one, and some kid scrabbling intently at a sketchbook.

Teppo's face was blank, but with a closer look, his eyes would have betrayed mild irritation with these outsiders for intruding on his peace. He frowned and turned forward again, signalling to the bartender for another drink.

I looked back over his shoulder at the girl. She had delved herself into what looked like a sketchpad. I quirked a brow slightly then went back to looking at the ocean.
And there's the end of that tale. I can't deal with artists. They're always either depressing or up-tight. Buzzkill.
I did my best to keep still so she could finish up whatever she was doing over there. I nodded to one of the passing servers and asked for a Dos Equies.

*With a sigh, AJ glanced at his pager that vibrated so annoyingly at his waist.*

Another passenger with a bout of seasickness...

*with a sigh, he grabbed his portable kit and made his way down to the cabins. after a few moments, he Knocked on the door.*

Ships Doctor, someone called?

*The door opened by one of the staff... *

Looks like seasickness doc. I can't understand anything they're saying, and unfortunatly, the only person who does is fast asleep.

*A worried gentleman stood by the door. he glanced at his wife who sat by the bed that held his patient. Their son, groaning and clutching his stomach seemed to be caught in a fever dream. next to the bed was the Ice bucket, only this time it wasn't filled with ice. Nodding to the crewman... Robert... according to his name tag, AJ enters the cabin.*

Ahh, so here is my patient, so, when did this nausea start?

*the worried mother glances at AJ and then lookes worriedly at her husband... then both started speaking in a language that AJ could not understand.*

great...
*with a smile plastered on his lips, he motiones the parents to calm down and to sit on the far side of the cabin. after a few moments, the boy's parents were at least a few feet away from the bed... watching AJ's every move. AJ looked at his sick patient and smiled... and even tho the child would not understand what was being said, he kept his voice calm and friendly.*

Ok son, let's see what is wrong.

*proding his midsection, AJ carefully watched the boy's reaction... when he lightly pressed upon his stomach, the boy immediatly winced and threw up onto the bed. the result was a spat of words from the worried mother and a sheepish look from the boy. Keeping his smile firmly in place, AJ nodded reassuringly at the boy and grabbed his electric thermometer, after showing the boy how it fuctions, he proceeded to take the boy's temp. *

Hmm... slight fever, nausea, but clear eyes, not seasickness, more like something he ate didn't agree with him... now how to convey what needs to be done to his parents...

*standing up and going to the sink, AJ filled a glass of water and studied the clock. no other choice... not if I need to be sure that they don't over dose him... Giving a dose of Asprin to the child, AJ then mimes coming back to look at the child, he motions that the parents should clean and change their son and when he's sure that they understood, he calls down to house keeping to get someone up here to clean up the cabin. and places a warning that this family does not speak English. He waits untill housekeeping staff finishes cleaning up and the son is properly dressed and back in bed. then he pantomimes him coming back to check on the boy. He smiles reassuringly to the family and bows and leaves. setting his PDA to beep in 6... 5 hours and 12 minutes now... and a reminder to check on the boy.*

*looking down at his vomit decorated uniform, he looked again at Robert*

Do me a favor, when the person who understands them is awake, have that person get in contact with me. I need to have them understand what's happened. ok?

*and with that, AJ made his way back to his cabin... to change.*
and another adventurous day starts on the High Seas...

She quirked a brow at Lirano's mention of a husband, but quickly raised the glass to her lips. She hadn't intended her response to be rude, it was just surprize. Pure and simple.

"A little bit of everything it seems."

She shifted her position slightly and sipped again at the drink.

"I don't really like talking shop... You said ex-husband.. I don't mean to pry, but what happened?"

Lirano's green eyes watched as she drank the sour, wetting her well-shaped lips. He started a bit when she asked about his ex-husband. That was really the last thing he wanted to think about, but at the same time, he knew it might help to tell someone and get an emotional release.

"I've always loved talking shop, myself. I'm a bit of a nerd, always have been. Hence the degree in biology and biomechanics." He smiled affably, then cleared his throat and worked up his confidence.

"As to my ex-husband, he decided to start a relationship with someone else and neglected to mention it to me. I took it rather badly, especially because it was with, well, a woman. I mean no offense to you by that. It just made the betrayal worse because it seemed that he had lied to me about other things as well. But now I'm gushing." He smiled apologetically, and took another swig from the beer.

*with a sigh (and wearing a clean uniform), AJ made his way to the bar, upon reaching it, he sat down next to another passenger who seemed to be concentraiting on people watching. *

Frank, a Diet Coke please.

*AJ sat at the bar, nursing his drink.*

The young girl sat cross legged sketching, which caught at Karyn's imagination. She resisted the urge to wander over and take a peek though.
The athletic looking guy seemed to lose interest in the girl and was now looking out to sea.
Black Dress (as she thought of her) was deeply engrossed in conversation by now.
Karyn lost interest in her fellow passengers for the moment, as she mentally made her plans for the next day.

I think after breakfast, I shall go to the gym. I need to exercise, but not swimming.
Never swimming.

Her mind wandered back to the day when she was about twelve, and Randy pushed her into the river. If it hadn't been for Larry, she would surely have drowned that day.
The memory made her shudder.

No, the pool is out.

Malia finished up her sketch and descended back into reality, at what she knew as reality. She scanned over her work and with satisfaction let out a small sigh. In the left corner she printed her name in her perfectly printed script.

She decided it would only be polite to give the man his picture, considering she could do another one for herself later.

She picked up her things and stuffed them in her large black bag before making her way over to the man she had just drawn.

She lightly tapped him on the shoulder and quickly placed the page in his face.

"It's you! Haha. Please, don't think I am a total weirdo just yet!.....Oh, where is my mind......I'm Malia del Viente, and you are?"

*He notices the passenger next to him briefly shudder.*

it's not too cold....

are you ok miss?

Realising that someone is speaking to her, she looked up to see one of the crew sitting beside her, looking at her with a little concern.
Had she spoken out loud? She thought not.

"Oh, yes. Thank you, yes I'm fine. I was just thinking......"

She suddenly felt at a loss as to what to say, she hadn't had much experience talking to men, and hurriedly took a long gulp of the drink she had been clutching onto.

"Um.....I see you are a member of the crew....."

She nodded at the uniform the man was wearing, and quickly looked away.

Realising that someone is speaking to her, she looked up to see one of the crew sitting beside her, looking at her with a little concern.
Had she spoken out loud? She thought not.

"Oh, yes. Thank you, yes I'm fine. I was just thinking......"

She suddenly felt at a loss as to what to say, she hadn't had much experience talking to men, and hurriedly took a long gulp of the drink she had been clutching onto.

"Um.....I see you are a member of the crew....."

She nodded at the uniform the man was wearing, and quickly looked away.[Probably her first cruise... then again, this is my first... civilian cruise.]

Yes Ma'am, Austin James, ship's Doctor at your service. *with a grin, he raises his glass in a mock salute.*

sorry, I didn't mean to pry. for a moment, I thought it was me... ;)

[Good thing I knew about the trick with the lemon juice...]

She looked at him with a puzzled look on her face.

"You thought it was you....sorry...I'm not with you."

All at once she realised he must have somehow sensed the horror she felt at her memories, and she smiled up at him.

"Oh...I see what you mean! No not you at all...just me!
Dr. James...I hope I shan't be needing your services at all."

The gin must be making her mind dim.....she felt she was gabbling and cast her eyes to the almost empty glass.

I think I'd better not drink anymore.....two in one evening....that's enough for any one.

With a trembling hand she placed the glass on the table, away from her.

She looked at him with a puzzled look on her face.

"You thought it was you....sorry...I'm not with you."

All at once she realised he must have somehow sensed the horror she felt at her memories, and she smiled up at him.

"Oh...I see what you mean! No not you at all...just me!
Dr. James...I hope I shan't be needing your services at all."

The gin must be making her mind dim.....she felt she was gabbling and cast her eyes to the almost empty glass.

I think I'd better not drink anymore.....two in one evening....that's enough for any one.

With a trembling hand she placed the glass on the table, away from her.*friendly smile*

well, I like to think myself as a first aid kit. something nice and comforting to have around, but everyone hopes they will never use it. ;)

*notices her trembling hands.*

er... *turns back to his soda* so... sorry for prying, but is this your first cruize Ms....?

"Peterson....Karyn.
To be truthful, this is my first anything.......I have been nursing my Mother untill recently you see...."

I suppose his being a doctor it's ok to talk to him...

"......since my Grandmother died when I was fifteen.
It is strange to be...free."

I felt a tap on my shoulder. When i turned to look, i found myself looking at, well, myself. I took it that art girl had finished and wanted to show off her work. I looked around the picture at the girl and offered a warm smile.

"John Sykes."

I then looked back at the sketch and looked myself over. It really was quite good.

"You're quite the artist it seems, Ms. Viente."

"Peterson....Karyn.
To be truthful, this is my first anything.......I have been nursing my Mother untill recently you see...."

"......since my Grandmother died when I was fifteen.
It is strange to be...free." Ahhh... my condolences.

it's good that you are stepping out. most people tend to turn into recluses after leading such lives.

I must confess that this too is my first cruise on board this ship. I still tend to get lost travelling between her many decks. ;)

since you seem to be moderating your drinking, always a good thing in my humble opinion, can I get you a cup of coffee?

*signals to the barman to bring two cups of coffee.*

"Oh, thank you! I dabble, kind of a small hobby to keep me from going insane, you know. Oh, and Ms. Viente is my grandmother, actually she is Sra. Viente, but anyways, just call me Malia." Her smile was luminous as she pushed her cascading bangs away from her eyes and fixed her dress.

She hands him the paper, "You keep it......You look familiar. Have I met you before?" At this she makes a slightly confused look, as if trying to sort out the countless number of faces she has seen in her lifetime.

"Thank you Dr. James.
I don't drink at all as a general rule.
And yes...the ship does seem rather large, from what I have seen of it."

Her hands are continually entwining around each other, and every now and then she gazes around at the other passengers, finishing briefly at the kind doctor, her eyes ending up looking down at her lap.

"How many other ships have you worked on, might I ask."

Lirano's green eyes watched as she drank the sour, wetting her well-shaped lips. He started a bit when she asked about his ex-husband. That was really the last thing he wanted to think about, but at the same time, he knew it might help to tell someone and get an emotional release.

"I've always loved talking shop, myself. I'm a bit of a nerd, always have been. Hence the degree in biology and biomechanics." He smiled affably, then cleared his throat and worked up his confidence.

"As to my ex-husband, he decided to start a relationship with someone else and neglected to mention it to me. I took it rather badly, especially because it was with, well, a woman. I mean no offense to you by that. It just made the betrayal worse because it seemed that he had lied to me about other things as well. But now I'm gushing." He smiled apologetically, and took another swig from the beer.

"None taken."

Faith smiled politely and finished her drink. She glanced casually out to sea, where the lights of another cruise liner twinkled, mere specks of light at the far horizon. The night was still in its infancy. Without diverting her attention from Lirano, she took quick note that the shy woman had found companionship at the bar. So had the girl, it seemed. She was talking to a man who looked the part of your stereotypical surfer. Attractive, but if his looks belied his prefession, probably interested in one thing only.

She laughed quietly as Lirano finished his piece, but found herself unsure how to respond.

"It's alright. I'm sorry for your hardship.."

Her head was beginning to spin, and there was a sick feeling starting in the pit of her stomach.
She stood to leave and swayed a little, steadying herself on the table.

"Thank you for the coffee Doctor, but I don't think my stomach will take it.
I shouldn't have had the alcohol and need to lie down...if you will excuse me..."

Slowly she made her way across the deck, staggered slightly as she turned into the corridor, then finding her stateroom took three goes with the key before she could unlock her door.

Just in time, she closed the door and found the bathroom......

"Thank you Dr. James.
I don't drink at all as a general rule.
And yes...the ship does seem rather large, from what I have seen of it."

Her hands are continually entwining around each other, and every now and then she gazes around at the other passengers, finishing briefly at the kind doctor, her eyes ending up looking down at her lap.

"How many other ships have you worked on, might I ask."

Her head was beginning to spin, and there was a sick feeling starting in the pit of her stomach.
She stood to leave and swayed a little, steadying herself on the table.

"Thank you for the coffee Doctor, but I don't think my stomach will take it.
I shouldn't have had the alcohol and need to lie down...if you will excuse me..."

Slowly she made her way across the deck, staggered slightly as she turned into the corridor, then finding her stateroom took three goes with the key before she could unlock her door.

Just in time, she closed the door and found the bathroom......

as a member of her crew.... this one is my first.


*he watched her leave, and thought about assisting her, but instead followed at a discrete distance. just to make sure she got back to her cabin. he then wandered the decks, making sure that there were no serious injuries.*

Teppo downed another drink and stood up, just a little unsteadily. He counted out several bills from a roll of money in his pocket and laid them on the bar before walking off. Anyone close to him at the time would have heard a quite noise of disgust as he strode quickly away from the area towards the rail at the edge of the ship.

Here it was somewhat more peaceful, the noise of conversation was absent, the only sounds were the wind, waves and the low rumble of the ship's engines. He sighed and leaned heavily against the cold metal railing, staring down many stories to the dark water rushing past the ship. This was somewhere he could relax, the press of humanity and buzz of voices in the bar bored him.

Always the same everyday people going about their everyday lives. The sea and sky were ever-changing, no two waves broke against the liner's side in exactly the same way, no two clouds looked exactly alike.

Teppo lost track of time as he stared out over the ocean.

I grinned. and took the picture.

"I figured you might say that Malia. But they make me say it all the same."

I nodded towards the people behind the bar.

"As for the familiarity, it could be one of several things. I was a professional serfer, until a few years ago when i messed up my knee. Barring that, i'm the scuba/surf instructor on-board. If niether of those does it for you, they keep me busy in-transit by sticking me in the life guard chair."

I flashed the grin again, then my beer arrived. I set the picture down on a nearby table and took it from the server, nodding a thanks.

"None taken."

Faith smiled politely and finished her drink. She glanced casually out to sea, where the lights of another cruise liner twinkled, mere specks of light at the far horizon. The night was still in its infancy. Without diverting her attention from Lirano, she took quick note that the shy woman had found companionship at the bar. So had the girl, it seemed. She was talking to a man who looked the part of your stereotypical surfer. Attractive, but if his looks belied his prefession, probably interested in one thing only.

She laughed quietly as Lirano finished his piece, but found herself unsure how to respond.

"It's alright. I'm sorry for your hardship.."

"I'm not." He grinned, his green eyes lighting up with mirth. "I'm glad I found out now rather than later. At least this way I can get on with my life, which there's still a fair amount of left." He shrugged and took one last, long drink from the beer, emptying the bottle.

"Have you not been content in the end with relationships that didn't work out, knowing that you were better off without them?" He smiled to indicate that he did not mean to pry any more than she had been.

Ha,ha.....surfer....., Malia thought dreamily.

"I don't keep up with professional surfing. So, I am pretty sure I saw you at the pool. Lifeguarding. Haha." She felt giddy. She remembered him, and his hot body, from the pool. She decided the play a game of cat and mouse with him.

He sat at a table with his beer and she followed, swaggering her hips all the way. She placed her large bag beside her and eased into her chair, making sure he saw her womanly physique.

She placed her elbow on the table and positioned her chin in her palm. She stared into his eyes as if she were beckoning him to say something, but she spoke first.

"Tell me more about this surfing accident." This was said with a sultry tone of a luxuriant manner. She said what she said, but it was really code for 'tell me about you life and how I can be in it'. She was ready for a little boy-toying, and she was an expert at it.

*while heading back to his office, AJ's PDA beeps at him. he reads the text scrolling across the screen and jogs the rest of the way to his office, grabbing his bag and some slats of wood. he then hurries out and down the Employee's corridor... down towards Engineering.*

Broken leg... damn

I took a sip from the beer. She was putting the flirt on pretty heavily, but he didn't mind.

"It was on the north shore of Oahu. Double overhead swells. I caught a narly wave. it closed down on me, snapped my board in two and sent me down about 30 feet. I hit the reef pretty hard. Tore my ACL and dislocated my shoulder, along with getting a few good cuts."

"I'm not." He grinned, his green eyes lighting up with mirth. "I'm glad I found out now rather than later. At least this way I can get on with my life, which there's still a fair amount of left." He shrugged and took one last, long drink from the beer, emptying the bottle.

"Have you not been content in the end with relationships that didn't work out, knowing that you were better off without them?" He smiled to indicate that he did not mean to pry any more than she had been.

"At least you have a positive attitude about the whole thing. I'll assume that isn't the drink talking."

She winked and smiled to show she meant nothing serious by the comment. Movement caught her eye and she watched Clumsy follow Surfer to a table. The girl was obvious in her advances. And while directness had its time and place, Faith was somewhat old fashioned in her thoughts about how a woman should or should not initiate. She shook her head slightly, then reminded herself the girl was only a girl afterall. Still learning the game. Hell, she herself was still learning the game. At least the girl had a good eye for attractiveness.

"Relationships," she resumed, having used the time spent observing the girl to also consider her response to his question. "Truth be told, I haven't been in many. My business keeps me traveling. Not much time for relationships.."

"Ouch! Sounds horrible. I've been surfing in Oahu. Loved it. But I would never go again." Malia stated in her luxurious voice.

Her accent was strange,to say the least. An ounce of High Southern belle speech, a pinch of her mother's Irish accent, and a dash of her father's Spanish heritage; all mixed with the traditional accent of any person from Freed Civilians. So that her above statement might be heard as "owl-chA! sOU-ndz ore-Able. ah've bean suh-fin' een Oh-a-who. Luved eet. Buh Ah wud nuhva guh-oo a-geen."

Much could be said about flirtatious women, but Malia's tactics were genuine and real, almost natural. Malia didn't usually flirt with men for real, or with any intentions. Flirting was a form of entertainment for her. And a way to flaunt herself in front of men; showing them what they couldn't have.

"You kidding? Oahu has some of the best swells in the world. Soon as i could i went back in. Course, i'd lost my sponsers by then, so it was just for me."

I sighed and took another sip of the beer.

"I could never give it up."

*In a few moments, AJ walks into the tight engineering section. one of the crew men was on the ground nursing his leg. after a quick examination, AJ was glad that this wasn't a compound fracture, and something that can be repaired relatively easily. Resetting the bone, he splints the leg together and wraps it tightly. *
Ok gents, if you don't mind carrying him to the crew quarters, I'll get him patched up.
*as the crewman sat nervously on the bed, AJ quickly rummaged through his supplies...*

ahh... just the thing.

*after a quick moment, the crewman is hobbling away, his leg in a cast and an order to his supervisor to keep him on desk jobs for the rest of the cruise.*


fun fun fun...

"At least you have a positive attitude about the whole thing. I'll assume that isn't the drink talking."

She winked and smiled to show she meant nothing serious by the comment. Movement caught her eye and she watched Clumsy follow Surfer to a table. The girl was obvious in her advances. And while directness had its time and place, Faith was somewhat old fashioned in her thoughts about how a woman should or should not initiate. She shook her head slightly, then reminded herself the girl was only a girl afterall. Still learning the game. Hell, she herself was still learning the game. At least the girl had a good eye for attractiveness.

"Relationships," she resumed, having used the time spent observing the girl to also consider her response to his question. "Truth be told, I haven't been in many. My business keeps me traveling. Not much time for relationships.."

Lirano laughed softly and politely at her comment and wink, not really sure what to say to that, then watched her face idly as she seemed to lose herself in thought for a moment, staring off at something in the distance. He continued to follow her movements as she shook her head and returned to the conversation.

"I see. Perhaps that is for the best. After all, relationships are a great deal of work and often cause more trouble than they're worth. Being alone is worth avoiding that kind of pain, yes?"

Lirano laughed softly and politely at her comment and wink, not really sure what to say to that, then watched her face idly as she seemed to lose herself in thought for a moment, staring off at something in the distance. He continued to follow her movements as she shook her head and returned to the conversation.

"I see. Perhaps that is for the best. After all, relationships are a great deal of work and often cause more trouble than they're worth. Being alone is worth avoiding that kind of pain, yes?"

She considered her words carefully before responding. The closest she had ever been to love was three years ago, before the business really took off. But she had allowed the opportunity to slip through her fingers and had regretted it ever since. There was always that nagging "what if," that lack of closure.

"I'm not so sure. I think it would be unwise to dismiss the prospect without having the experience. What's that old saying.. it's better to have loved and lost? Something like that."

She smiled faintly, painfully, and lowered her gaze to the empty glass. Luke had been an unexpected memory. Briefly, she wondered when the sense of loss would fade entirely.

She considered her words carefully before responding. The closest she had ever been to love was three years ago, before the business really took off. But she had allowed the opportunity to slip through her fingers and had regretted it ever since. There was always that nagging "what if," that lack of closure.

"I'm not so sure. I think it would be unwise to dismiss the prospect without having the experience. What's that old saying.. it's better to have loved and lost? Something like that."

She smiled faintly, painfully, and lowered her gaze to the empty glass. Luke had been an unexpected memory. Briefly, she wondered when the sense of loss would fade entirely.

Once again, Lirano watched as Faith seemed to lose herself in thought for a time. Clearly, she was someone who liked to think things through before taking action. Lirano could not help but remember that his ex-husband had always been that way too, and had to swallow to get rid of the sudden tightness in his throat.

"I do remember that being said. It's just that after having loved and lost, I'm not so sure it's true. Perhaps in time, when the wounds heal, I will come to see that it's true."

Lirano looked down, wanting another drink, but seeing only an empty bottle. Thinking another would not be amiss, he started to get up from the table, but looked back at Faith and asked, "Would you like another while I'm up?"

"Sounds like you really love surfing. I'm impartial to it myself. Like my mother always says 'you should try everything once, and if you don't like it, never do it again'. I guess it is because I'm not much of a thrill seeker. I would much rather sit down at the piano and play a long concierto or strum a nice ballad on my guitar. Music is thrill enough for me. Do you play any instruments?" At this Malia waved down a waitress and asked for a glass of soda. She need the caffeine.

"Not really. I tried my hand at drums long ago, but it didn't agree with me."

I shrugged and took another sip of the beer. I had pretty well expected that she wouldn't be much of an adrenaline junky. What I hadn't expected was that she was a musician too, though I shouldn't be suprised. It wasn't too big a stretch to see an artist playing an instrument. Even with this newly disclosed talent i was begining to get bored. Since she had come over and started the conversation, I had got a better look at her. Pretty though she was, she was at least 5 years younger than me, so conversation was about all that was going to be happening. Still, it was a bit of an ego stroke to have a girl take an interest.

Malia could tell the man was losing intrest, and she was getting bored playing with him.

She sat her soda on the table and leaned back in the chair. She decided flirting was out of the window and her expertise in conversations needed to kick in. All inhibitions and barriers disappeared from her eyes. She had been known to ask anything.

"All this only begs the question, why did a good-looking professional surfer-boy such as yourself take a job catering to middle-aged white burn-outs and starry-eyed unsuspecting newlyweds? Answer me that, por favor." Her natural cynicism kicked in and her voice returned to it's normal cadence and tone.

Once again, Lirano watched as Faith seemed to lose herself in thought for a time. Clearly, she was someone who liked to think things through before taking action. Lirano could not help but remember that his ex-husband had always been that way too, and had to swallow to get rid of the sudden tightness in his throat.

"I do remember that being said. It's just that after having loved and lost, I'm not so sure it's true. Perhaps in time, when the wounds heal, I will come to see that it's true."

Lirano looked down, wanting another drink, but seeing only an empty bottle. Thinking another would not be amiss, he started to get up from the table, but looked back at Faith and asked, "Would you like another while I'm up?"

The conversation seemed to be covering some rocky ground. She noticed his pause and change in demeanor.

"Yes, another would be wonderful."

She smiled reassuringly as he rose to fetch the next round. Faith seemed to loosen up perceptably once his back was turned. Converesation did not often come naturally to her, but she could carry one if the situation called for it. Besides, Lirano was kind and gentlemanly. And a pleasure to talk to. She hadn't intended to be rude, but situational awareness was a high priority for her. She watched her surroundings without even realizing it sometimes.

Faith was simply killing time for now. Tonight, when most of the patrons had turned in for the night she could prowl the decks. She could explore the ship undisturbed. She wondered if she could manage her way into the crew areas, and picked her own brain for ideas. The clinic was down there, but she had no intent of injuring herself for a reason like that. Reconstituting herself, she watched the dark horizon while waiting for Lirano's return. Distantly, a tiny navigational beacon bobbed on the horizon. No doubt, another cruise liner in the midst of its voyage.

I chuckled and finished off the beer.

"Good question. Mostly its because, like I said, I lost my sponsers after the accident. Plus, once the knee has been weakened, it's likely that it may happen again. So once I got through rehab, the companies still wouldn't touch me. Something about a risk to profit ratio."

I shrugged to cover the irritation and waved for another beer.

"Had to pay the rent somehow. So here I am."

Malia smiled.

"Paying rent to a house you aren't living in for the whole time you're getitng paid. Come on, you could've gotten a job teaching yuppie swimming classes or lifeguarding at a suburban public pool and still paid the rent. But you chose a cruise ship.....Why? What are you running from?"

Malia knew there were always two sides to every story; one you tell people, and the real reason. She meant to know the real reason to everything.

I quirked a brow.

"Running from? Don't tell me you're a shrink too."

I grinned and my second beer appeared. I twisted off the top and took a sip to buy myself a minute to think. I hadn't thought about why I had taken the job that much. She did have a good point though. I was scheduled to be at sea for 3 weekes a month for the next few months. So i just shrugged.

"Maybe i got bored of the mainland. Who knows."

The conversation seemed to be covering some rocky ground. She noticed his pause and change in demeanor.

"Yes, another would be wonderful."

She smiled reassuringly as he rose to fetch the next round. Faith seemed to loosen up perceptably once his back was turned. Converesation did not often come naturally to her, but she could carry one if the situation called for it. Besides, Lirano was kind and gentlemanly. And a pleasure to talk to. She hadn't intended to be rude, but situational awareness was a high priority for her. She watched her surroundings without even realizing it sometimes.

Faith was simply killing time for now. Tonight, when most of the patrons had turned in for the night she could prowl the decks. She could explore the ship undisturbed. She wondered if she could manage her way into the crew areas, and picked her own brain for ideas. The clinic was down there, but she had no intent of injuring herself for a reason like that. Reconstituting herself, she watched the dark horizon while waiting for Lirano's return. Distantly, a tiny navigational beacon bobbed on the horizon. No doubt, another cruise liner in the midst of its voyage.

After hearing Faith's affirmative response, he walked over to the bar, careful to maintain his balance and composure despite the alcohol working diligently to impair his faculties. In short order, he had another beer for himself and an amaretto sour for Faith, but he stopped for a moment and looked out over the sea that would be his entire world for a time. It seemed so calm and peaceful. He sincerely hoped that his own experiences would reflect that enviable state.

Gathering himself up along with the drinks, Lirano walked back to the table where Faith was once again staring into the distance. He set the sour down carefully in front of her, then set himself down in the chair opposite her, and enjoyed another swig of the beer. "It's so wonderfully peaceful out there," he noted, gesturing with his hand toward the open ocean.

After hearing Faith's affirmative response, he walked over to the bar, careful to maintain his balance and composure despite the alcohol working diligently to impair his faculties. In short order, he had another beer for himself and an amaretto sour for Faith, but he stopped for a moment and looked out over the sea that would be his entire world for a time. It seemed so calm and peaceful. He sincerely hoped that his own experiences would reflect that enviable state.

Gathering himself up along with the drinks, Lirano walked back to the table where Faith was once again staring into the distance. He set the sour down carefully in front of her, then set himself down in the chair opposite her, and enjoyed another swig of the beer. "It's so wonderfully peaceful out there," he noted, gesturing with his hand toward the open ocean.

She nodded quietly, a smile pulling at the corner of her mouth.

"Peaceful and beautiful. And also unpredictable. Ever since I was a little girl I've loved the open water. I'd spend my life there if I could."

She sipped the amaretto. The bartender seemed to have finally let up on his alcohol conservation, as the drink tasted more balanced and less weak.

"Do you sail, Lirano?"

"A shrink? Hardly. I just like to know the real reason behind things. And boredom certianly is quite an interesting reason."

Malia flicked a smile and flicked her eyes. She hated men who didn't know the real reason for things, as most of them didn't.

"What can I say. I have a short attention span."

I smirked and took a moment to look around the deck. It seemed that the bar had attracted as many people as it was going to tonight. A few patrons had left and those who where left seemed to have stumbled their way into a conversation. The other girl I had noticed earlier had left. Pity.

She nodded quietly, a smile pulling at the corner of her mouth.

"Peaceful and beautiful. And also unpredictable. Ever since I was a little girl I've loved the open water. I'd spend my life there if I could."

She sipped the amaretto. The bartender seemed to have finally let up on his alcohol conservation, as the drink tasted more balanced and less weak.

"Do you sail, Lirano?"

An interesting question. Lirano pondered for a moment before replying, his green eyes looking inward for a short span. "Only once before have I done any sailing. I was actually hoping to pick it up while on this trip."

He leaned forward, his arms resting more heavily on the table, those intense green eyes focused on Faith now. "I don't suppose you could teach me? Do you have experience with sailing?"

An interesting question. Lirano pondered for a moment before replying, his green eyes looking inward for a short span. "Only once before have I done any sailing. I was actually hoping to pick it up while on this trip."

He leaned forward, his arms resting more heavily on the table, those intense green eyes focused on Faith now. "I don't suppose you could teach me? Do you have experience with sailing?"

She responded to his apparant interest with a sip of her drink and a smile. His eyes were striking. They held a very direct quality Faith found intensely interesting, if only for their uncommon qualities. She fixed him with her own ice blue gaze, focused less on her surroundings for perhaps the first time this evening.

"I do, as a matter of fact. I have always lived near the water, so I've had plenty of time to learn. I've even done part of a Tall Ships duty, which was harder than I had thought it would be. I've found that I enjoy sails more than motors. If you'd like to learn, I could probably show you a thing or two."

She responded to his apparant interest with a sip of her drink and a smile. His eyes were striking. They held a very direct quality Faith found intensely interesting, if only for their uncommon qualities. She fixed him with her own ice blue gaze, focused less on her surroundings for perhaps the first time this evening.

"I do, as a matter of fact. I have always lived near the water, so I've had plenty of time to learn. I've even done part of a Tall Ships duty, which was harder than I had thought it would be. I've found that I enjoy sails more than motors. If you'd like to learn, I could probably show you a thing or two."

Lirano grinned. "That would be excellent." He focused on her clear blue eyes, enjoying the ocean-like tranquility reflected therein. "Do you think we would have an opportunity to do any sailing soon, tomorrow afternoon perhaps?"

"If you're not to busy, of course," he added with a deprecating wave of his hand as he leaned back and cocked his head to the side, waiting for her response.

"Tomorrow might not work. I don't think we reach our first port of call until the following afternoon. Two more days at sea or thereabouts. Maybe just a day and a half."

She shrugged indifferently.

"But I could teach you the fundamentals of working with sail. We wouldn't need to be on the water for that."

*As AJ walks back towards his cabin... a strange thought plays back in his mind...*

that's right...

*making a quick detour in the galley, AJ starts his own personal quest...

many of the ship's crew and passengers are treated to the sight of the ship's doctor... with a plastic wrapped bundle, wandering the halls, calling "Here Kitty, kitty, kitty..."

"Tomorrow might not work. I don't think we reach our first port of call until the following afternoon. Two more days at sea or thereabouts. Maybe just a day and a half."

She shrugged indifferently.

"But I could teach you the fundamentals of working with sail. We wouldn't need to be on the water for that."

Lirano listened to Faith intently, but shortly became pensive again, staring at the sky, but only seeing the next few days pass by in his mind. He wouldn't mind spending a few days working on learning to sail with Faith. It would take his thoughts away from less pleasant matters.

"That would be lovely." Lirano drank some more beer. "Shall we set a time to meet and start working on it tomorrow? The night is waning, and I'm getting drowsy from the drinks."

"I generally take my meals up here. Come find me around lunchtime. Does that work for you?"

The sky had lost all traces of sunlight during the course of their conversation, and the stars flickered brightly against the black. It was indeed starting to get late. After the Midnight Buffet, the crew would reduce to a skeleton staff, making her self-imposed task that much easier.

"I should head back soon as well. I'm beginning to get a headache."

She still had half a drink remaining, and was perfectly content to finish it alone.

"I generally take my meals up here. Come find me around lunchtime. Does that work for you?"

The sky had lost all traces of sunlight during the course of their conversation, and the stars flickered brightly against the black. It was indeed starting to get late. After the Midnight Buffet, the crew would reduce to a skeleton staff, making her self-imposed task that much easier.

"I should head back soon as well. I'm beginning to get a headache."

She still had half a drink remaining, and was perfectly content to finish it alone.

"That works quite well. I'll see you here again tomorrow, then." Lirano flashed Faith a smile. "Thank you, " he added warmly as he lifted his alcohol-laden frame from the chair. He held on tightly to the near-empty beer in his hand, considered for a moment, then took a final swig and placed it back on the table. One of the crew wuold doubless be coming by to clean up later.

"Have a good night, Faith," he said quietly as he walked off in the direction of his cabin, staggering a bit on the way.

Maggie, Jerome and Molly per all boarded the ship the day it departed. Maggie was a bit of a basket case dealing with sea-sickness of her first ocean cruise ever, fortunatley the weather had been calm, and she's been able to cope with the sea sickness. Maggie just relaxed in the cabin as the sun was setting, as Molly ran in from swimming with her father. "We're back ma'ma!"

"Hey sweetheart, did you have a nice swim?"

"It was the best, I beat papa in a swim race."

Maggie looked at Jerome.

"Hey it was in the kiddy section, of course she beat me."

"Jerome, you know she has my natural aquatic talent." Maggie boasted

"Sure honey, but she has my hardiness, your the only one who's been sea-sick this whole trip."

"Whatever." She replied. Molly took off her bathing suite, took a hot shower, and changed into her kitty P.J.'s.

"Okay Molly," Maggie said, "We won't be gone long, we just going to have dinner, you just watch the movie untill you fall asleep, keep the door locked."

"Yes ma'ma."

Maggie and Jerome gave Molly a kiss and walked out.

"You sure we should leave her?" Maggie asked

"She's not hungry honey, so let her just rest, she did beat me in the pool."

Maggie laughed a little. "She's still really young, and I've heard all thoes stories about kids disappearing on cruise lines."

"Very isolated incidents, things have gotten better, the cabin door is locked."

Irving sat at the bar. He held the glass of whiskey in his hand. As he raised it higher the lights turned the whiskey into a soft amber. Putting the glass down, he paused for a second. Irving looked around and saw people having fun. This was part of his "vacation". For the last week he had been on leave from the Black Jacks, a mercenary group. Irving was so used to be in combat that this all seemed so foreign to him. From underneath a sleeve he revealed a knife. He made so nobody else could see it. Near the hilt was the small ensign of the Black Jacks, a small black spade. Putting it back in its place he got the glass and drank the rest of his whiskey. Walking back to his cabin he noticed a man stagger off from a woman. He hid behind a pillar. Looking around he noticed that no people were around. Irving paused a moment to see what she did.

A wealthy business man and his young wife walk into the bar and sit some distance from everyone else and begin discussing the days events, most of which revolves around the businessman’s latest bid for a cargo company.

'We are set to make nearly 9 million if this goes through!'

'Danny darling, can we talk about the cruise' the young woman glances at her husband with eyes filled of boredom.

'What is there to say Elise, when we cruised aboard the Anastasia it was much larger and classier! I wouldn’t even dare to say this is a cruise liner!' The businessman chuckles to himself; His wife glances across the floor for a sign of freedom from her chauvinistic husband but finds no hope.

’Well dear I don’t think you can get much better than this cruise liner.’ Elise rose from her seat and headed out on deck.
As she walked down a drunken man barged into her;
'Well hi boot-full' The man wobbled slightly and fell against the wall. Elise unimpressed by the attitude of men pushed the drunken indiot away and continued to move down the empty deck. She craved this kind of solitude and silence and was glad that no one was about, though she had a scary feeling someone was watching her from a nearby pillar.

"Goodnight, Lirano."

She smiled and watched him walk off. It wasn't often she allowed herself to be engaged in conversation, but this had been a pleasant change from the ordinary for her. And the prospect of another sailing enthusiast excited her as well. It remained to be seen whether or not the opportunity would actually arise. She watched the tiny light of that other ship far off on the horizon while finishing her drink.

It didn't take long for her to become restless. Glancing surrepticiously to the small but growing crowd at the bar, she decided she had endured enough exposure and stood to explore more of the ship. Last night, she had stumbled onto the hallway housing the captain and ship's officers. How she had accidentally found herself on a crew deck was another matter. Being only day 2, it was easily enough explained away. Tonight another accidental find would have excuse in the alcohol on her breath. She certainly wasn't drunk, but who had to know? She grinned slightly, amused by the prospect, and headed for a nearby staircase. This wasn't as grand as the central stairs servicing the Promenade and dining rooms, but like everything else on the ship, proved grandiose.

Irving watched her finish her drink and get up. She watched something for a while, the leave. He slowly followed behind her. The smell of stale alcohol was in the air. 'Yep, this lady is drunk.' Something didn't feel right about this women. A cold chill went through his spine. As he followed her, he saw that she was going to up a pair of stairs. Irving quickly followed behind the mysterious woman.

As she reached the staircase, she had a choice to make. The bridge was two decks above. Although it could not be accessed by this staircase, she could get to an observation deck. The rest of the ship lay below. The Atlantic deck lay one deck below the Promenade, and was where the passengers had embarked on day 1. The purser, activities, and services desks all lay here scattered around a piano bar. A glass elevator traversed the central area and it's high ceiling. The aft end of the Atlantic deck housed a lounge featuring jazz music on most nights. Fore housed the lower end of the high price cabins.

The Promenade on the other hand, held enterances to the two main dining rooms, the casino, several bars, the theater, and another small lounge which often featured karaoke and open mic comedy. Not to mention duty free shopping and a barber.

The Promenade would still be busy this hour, so she decided to try her luck on the Atlantic. Lifting the edge of her dress again, she quietly descended the staircase.

Elise continued down the deck until she came to the rear of the ship where she stood glancing into the calm pearl blue ocean, so serene in the night sky. The stars glimmered down on to the quivering water as the ocean liner steamed further into the abyss.
Elise turned to look back on the cruise liner, its many shimmering lights hung so delicately above the busy ship decks. She turned once more to look back at the land she had left for the life she had received and a single tear slipped down her precious cheeks. How she wished someone would come to her, save her from this misery; but it appeared too many people enjoyed the cruise too many loved the sea too many were so different from her.
She closed her eyes, the single tear still trickling down to her chin, and whispered;
’God forgive me! God…’ Before Elise could finish she broke down into tears and fell to the rigid wooden deck of the Ocean Liner.

Irving tries to follow the mysterious woman, but got lost. He decided to give up his search and went up toward the top deck. Sighing for a moment he looked up toward the sky. The white moon shined brightly. He smiled and muttered something to himself. He his hands in his coat. It was starting to get cold outside. As he strolled down he made it to the rear of the ship. He stopped for a moment. Irving started to hear someone cry. Stepping forward slowly he, saw the outline of a woman. Approaching quickly he tapped her on the shoulder.

"Miss you have nothing to worry about, but why are you crying when it seems as though everyone aboard is having a good time?"

Irving tries to follow the mysterious woman, but got lost. He decided to give up his search and went up toward the top deck. Sighing for a moment he looked up toward the sky. The white moon shined brightly. He smiled and muttered something to himself. He his hands in his coat. It was starting to get cold outside. As he strolled down he made it to the rear of the ship. He stopped for a moment. Irving started to hear someone cry. Stepping forward slowly he, saw the outline of a woman. Approaching quickly he tapped her on the shoulder.

"Miss you have nothing to worry about, but why are you crying when it seems as though everyone aboard is having a good time?"

Elise looks up at the man and wipes hers tears out of her eyes;

'Just as one mans trash is anothers treasure, one mans prison is anothers paradise.' She rose and greeted the man in a formal manner, just as her strict mother had taught her. 'My Name is Elise Reddington. And what is your name kind sir?'

The conversation had staled, so I descided to take my leave. I moved to stand and grabbed my beer, then offered a quiet smile to Malia.

"It was lovely meeting you Malia. And you should put that in a portfolio or something."

I nodded to the picture.

"It would just gather dust in a corner somewhere if I kept it."

With that, i bowed shallowly, then excused myself. The bar was crowded now and the other two women I had spotted earlier where both gone. Having had my full of the bar sceen for the time being I wandered back inside. I caught one of the glass elevators and headed down. A couple was already in the elevator. I offered the obligotory smile and descided that i'd get off on whatever deck they did. A minute later the elevator dinged. As the doors opened, the soft sound of a piano driffed in. The couple got off and shuffled off in the direction the music was coing from. I stepped off myself, took note of the deck.

Atlantic. I wonder if the jazz group is any good this time.

I shurgged and headed aft.

The piano resonated beautifully in the high space. The music was smooth and soft, yet somehow avoided a sonorous quality. The sign of a talented musician.

Faith found herself in the lobby area, beside the currently unmanned front desk. Someone had carelessly left a door open behind the desk, leading off behind a wall. She remembered from her orientation that guests wishing to keep valuables safely locked up should bring them here. They had a safe in that room back there. She leaned her head in over the desk, investigating curiously. Occassionally she felt she should get a nice, high paying job with a security consultation firm. With her knack for finding herself in areas she probably shouldn't be, it would be a lucrative career. The phone was ringing behind the desk. Someone might come to answer it, so she decided to move on.

Elise looks up at the man and wipes hers tears out of her eyes;

'Just as one mans trash is anothers treasure, one mans prison is anothers paradise.' She rose and greeted the man in a formal manner, just as her strict mother had taught her. 'My Name is Elise Reddington. And what is your name kind sir?'

Irving was sadden that she was crying. He always hated it when a woman was crying. He gave a nice smile and found out her name.

"Ah...Elise is a very beautiful name. Oh...my name is Irving Morrel."

Irving gave a nice salute to her. In the back of his head the last name seemed familiar, but he didn't know where from. He shook it off from his head and gave his attention back to Mrs. Reddington.

Irving was sadden that she was crying. He always hated it when a woman was crying. He gave a nice smile and found out her name.

"Ah...Elise is a very beautiful name. Oh...my name is Irving Morrel."

Irving gave a nice salute to her. In the back of his head the last name seemed familiar, but he didn't know where from. He shook it off from his head and gave his attention back to Mrs. Reddington.

'Well Mr. Morrel it's very nice to meet you' Elise smiled faintly and began to walk down the deck with Irving. 'Mr. Morrel this may sounds some what unusual but there is an opera on tomorrow evening. My husband and I were meant to go but sadly he is preoccupied with various manners of business. Would you care to join me? I hear the orchestra is one of the grandest in the world.'
Elise tried not to look to desperate but still the glint of freedom shined from her deep blue eyes, without meaning to Elise was begging for some escape from her retched husband.

Slade stood at the rail, watching the tiny lights of another ship far off in the distance. He left the bridge in the capable hands of his first mate, who immediately asserted authority by barking commands to the helm. As if he had anything useful to say. The sky was clear, and the moon bright enough to read by. Good navigational conditions, but Slade scowled into the darkness. To the east, clouds were gathering in the low sky, blacking out the stars. There would be a storm soon. Before long, the winds would shift, and the tempest would broadside both ships. Straightening, he returned to the bridge, gruffly issuing a single command.

"2 degrees a-starboard."

I poked my head into the jazz lounge, only to find that the band was off tonight. Instead there was some lame mellow music coming from the speakers. I ducked back out of the lounge and headed back towards the elevator.

Faith glanced at the clock before deserting the front desk. It was a little after midnight, still early. Grinning slightly, she eyed the lobby area, briefly wondering what trouble she could get herself into. She was a bit surprized to see Surfer wandering out from the port hallway, and wondered quickly if she'd been caught. Shrugging it off, she decided he was probably just another passenger. In any case, her nosiness was easily explained to anyone who dared confront her about the issue. Sheepishly, she crossed the tiled floor to the piano bar for a daquiri.

As i passed into the main lobby, i caught sight of the girl who had nearly fallen over the railing up on the Lido deck.

Looks like I wasn't the only one who wasn't feeling the bar scene tonight.

I polished off the rest of the beer and tossed it into the waste bin behind the reception desk. I figured that as long as i was on the deck, i should pay a visit to my private locker. The door back into the vault was open. That was probably a violation of some regulation, but I didn't really care. What i had back in my locker was probably against a regulation too. I slid behind the desk and back into room. I slid me ID card in reader, stepped into the vault and went to my locker. I slid the card into the slot there and opened the door.

5 grams should be enough.

I withdrew one of the smaller packets of weeed, pocketed them, then closed and reset the lock. As i reentered the lobby, i made sure to shut the door behind me.

Keycard.. that was how the lock system operated. She had seen Surfer withdraw his before disappearing into that back room. The door behind the desk seemed to use a normal lock, with a manually keyed number for extra security. Nice to see the place had measures in place, at least. All the security measures in the world were no good without the basics of shutting a door. More importantly, he turned out to be an employee.

The keycard was far more interesting. That seemed to be a comman access card for the staff to get around within the ship. And it would be vital to her little excursions to procure one. Sipping at the frozen drink, she watched Surfer openly, almost invitingly.

Well, now I had my stash, but i was lacking of a drink. Fortunaly, if my memory served right, there was a bar on this level too. I took a second to marvel at the number of bars on this ship, then headed towards it. The girl had taken up a perch there and had apparently taken an interest in me.

Eh, what's one more ego stroke tonight.

I offered a casual smile and took up the seat 2 down from her. Not nearly as presumptuous that way, but since there was noone between us, it didn't hinder any conversation that might arise either. I turned to the barman.

"Can i get a Pina Colada?"

He nodded and went about making it. Meanwhile i let my gaze slip back to the girl. I smiled again, this time adding a wink.

She smiled coyly and lowered her gaze to her drink as she sipped the daquiri. The movement was almost shy, as if she had been caught in her openness and was almost embarassed by it. This of course, was not the case, but the game had to be played. She allowed the silence between them to linger for a short time, merely enjoying the sounds of the pianist.

"You making the rounds as well?"

She was admitting to having seen him upstairs. More, she was admitting to remembering him.

"Looks like it. Besides, it was getting a bit crowded up there."

The barman set my drink infront of me and tossed in one of the frilly tiny umbrellas. I nodded a thanks and took a sip. It wasn't the best, but then again, it wouldn't make sense to drag a whole bunch of cocoanuts out to sea when the pina coladda mix packs take up so much less room. Oh well.

She nodded in agreement, allowing the silence to linger again. She was beginning to remember why she usually avoided conversation. Twice in one night was something she hadn't done for a while.

"You work here, right? Know any place more interesting to hang out?"

It was a legitimate question. She still had not seen much of the large ship.

Maggie and Jerome finished their meal and walked on deck. "Ah look at that moon." Maggie said "Words can't describe how amazingly lovely it is."

"Yeah. Sure looks diffrent out here than back home."

"Ah look a shooting star."

"Well what did you wish for?"

"If I tell you it'll never come true."

"Nonsense, that's only with Birthday Candels."

"It's the same for shooting stars."

He leaned in to her playfully, and gave her a kiss.

"Jerome, there's people."

"Nothing they haven't seen before."

She laughed. "I'm sure Molly is asleep by now."

"She'll be fine for a while longer, let's take a walk around the boat deck."

They walked about chatting gleefully

"Depends on what you're looking for. The clubs are usually packed with loud bad music, but lots of people seem to like it. The casino is pretty much the same, exept the bad music is that annoying slot machine noise. As far as I'm concerned, the best parts of the ship aren't technically accesable to anyone but the crew."

I took the little umbrella out of the drink and twirled it around a bit before replacing it and taking another sip.

"Really.."

Her eyes glittered with the prospect of another trip into restricted areas. Sometimes she wondered if there was something fundamentally wrong with her brain that thrilled her to rule breaking so much. She played with her straw innocently, looking into the frozen surface of the drink for answers.

"What might someone have to do to.. say.. accidentally find themselves in one of these areas?"

She stared at the drink for a few more seconds, then shifted her gaze to him.

'Well Mr. Morrel it's very nice to meet you' Elise smiled faintly and began to walk down the deck with Irving. 'Mr. Morrel this may sounds some what unusual but there is an opera on tomorrow evening. My husband and I were meant to go but sadly he is preoccupied with various manners of business. Would you care to join me? I hear the orchestra is one of the grandest in the world.'
Elise tried not to look to desperate but still the glint of freedom shined from her deep blue eyes, without meaning to Elise was begging for some escape from her retched husband.

Irving was shocked to be approached like this. He looked into her blue eyes. They were a rich and deep blue. Irving thought they were beautiful. Pausing for a moment he regained his train of thought. He looked again at her and took a deep breath. Irving started to slow down and stopped.

"I would be honored to join you Mrs. Reddington, but I have no question for you. Why wouldn't you go with your husband and a stranger you know nothng about? You sure do have some guts."

A quick check over my shoulder told me that the barman was busy around the other side helping someone else.

"Oh nothing special. Just look like you belong there. It wouldn't hurt to have someone in the crew to vouch for you though."

I smirked shamelessly.

A quick check over my shoulder told me that the barman was busy around the other side helping someone else.

"Oh nothing special. Just look like you belong there. It wouldn't hurt to have someone in the crew to vouch for you though."

I smirked shamelessly.

"I see."

Inwardly she was grinning. Outwardly, it was a sly, hidden little smile. She toyed with the straw a bit more, playing with the frozen slush.

"Then I suppose really, one should warm up to a crewman. Perhaps find one willing to offer a tour of the ship..?"

I quirked a brow and nodded away from the bar, then collected my drink and slid off the bar stool.

Hook, line and sinker.

Hook, line, and sinker. She grabbed her drink and followed. Soon, Phase 2 would initiate. How exactly to accomplish the task would prove interesting. She glanced up at another clock before leaving the lobby. 1 am.

Once i was out of earshot of anyone at the bar, i slowed enough for her to catch up with me.

"So, what do you want to see first?"

They walked rearing around the starbord side, spotting the low hanging clouds.

"Oh my look at that."

"Looks like a storm's commin in soon."

They walked on back to their cabin.

They found Molly asleep, tucking her in and giving her a kiss goodnight.

Once i was out of earshot of anyone at the bar, i slowed enough for her to catch up with me.

"So, what do you want to see first?"

She strode steadily along with a graceful gait, amused with herself at the endeavor she was undertaking.

"Someplace quiet. With a view. Surprize me."

She smiled charmingly, willing to go with the tide for now. Afterall, it was only 1am. Plenty of time to finish her wanderings before the night was over.

1 am. Slade growled under his breath. The storm clouds were making him impatient. With another quiet, gruff command, he ordered his vessel another few degrees to starboard, directly into the storm.

"Quiet with a view. I think i can do that."

I led her to one of the glass elevators and pressed the 5th floor. To most of the guests on board it was just another floor of cabins, but if one paid close attention, they could see that the length of the deck was considerably shorter than its respective length on the outside of the boat. When the doors opened, I led her up one of the halls towards the bow of the boat. The hallway ended with a door that led back to a 'restricted area.' I swiped my card and it unlocked.

"After you."

Irving was shocked to be approached like this. He looked into her blue eyes. They were a rich and deep blue. Irving thought they were beautiful. Pausing for a moment he regained his train of thought. He looked again at her and took a deep breath. Irving started to slow down and stopped.

"I would be honored to join you Mrs. Reddington, but I have no question for you. Why wouldn't you go with your husband and a stranger you know nothng about? You sure do have some guts."

Elise smiles shyly 'Mr. Morrel my husband loves me, but he loves his money more. He is currently in the process of finalising a deal with a forigen trading company, will make him £9 million if he succeeds.' Elise glanced up at the smoke tower of the ship as they walked onto the promenade deck. 'Therefore he "can't" come due to business. And I would very much like to go.'

Elise wandered slightly from Irving leaving him a few paces behind, she always loved the thrill of the chase!

Elise smiles shyly 'Mr. Morrel my husband loves me, but he loves his money more. He is currently in the process of finalizing a deal with a foreign trading company, will make him £9 million if he succeeds.' Elise glanced up at the smoke tower of the ship as they walked onto the promenade deck. 'Therefore he "can't" come due to business. And I would very much like to go.'

Elise wandered slightly from Irving leaving him a few paces behind, she always loved the thrill of the chase!

Irving saw that she was a little in front of himself. He let it be this way. As he started to walk at a steady pace, he looked up toward the sky. The stars were bright in the dark sky. Looking at his watch, he found it was 1:45 AM. It was pretty lady. He noticed that it was starting to get colder. 'I'm lucky that I decided to bring this jacket.' Irving made his way up next to her. He looked at for a moment and felt the cold air slap his face.

"Will he be mad if I go with you? Your husband might see that I'm trying to take his wife away. Then things might pretty dangerous."

Irving saw that she was a little in front of himself. He let it be this way. As he started to walk at a steady pace, he looked up toward the sky. The stars were bright in the dark sky. Looking at his watch, he found it was 1:45 PM. It was pretty lady. He noticed that it was starting to get colder. 'I'm lucky that I decided to bring this jacket.' Irving made his way up next to her. He looked at for a moment and felt the cold air slap his face.

"Will he be mad if I go with you? Your husband might see that I'm trying to take his wife away. Then things might pretty dangerous."

Elise sighs 'My husband never took much interest in me! And anyway it will be just for one evening what harm can it do?'

Elise looked out over the new evening soon approaching the afternoon sun was slowly dipping into the Horizon but there was still plenty of left of the day.

'Looks if you want to come I would be more than happy to have you accompany me' Elise hands Irving a 'Royal Orchestra Of The _____ Cruise Liner. 'I will be there about 9:30 tonight, I hope to see you'

Before Irving could answer Elise strolled off toward the 'Atlantic Deck' and her cabin, a lavishly decorated room with it's own Baby Grand Piano and library of 150 books.

Despite the lack of ambient light, and the comforting sound of the ship's usual noises in the background, Calara found herself standing in her bunk, completely unable to sleep. Not that she really needed to. Her cyber-chemically enhanced body would compensate for a lack of sleep. She shrugged, stretched a bit, and walked out onto the deck.

The night air gently caressed the skin of her face as she made her way along the starboard side of the ship. As she walked, her dark red hair draped over her shoulders, she considered getting a drink. Without her crew uniform on, and being off-duty, the bartenders would probably give it to her. Might as well. Calara headed for the Lido deck, looking for some libations.

"Quiet with a view. I think i can do that."

I led her to one of the glass elevators and pressed the 5th floor. To most of the guests on board it was just another floor of cabins, but if one paid close attention, they could see that the length of the deck was considerably shorter than its respective length on the outside of the boat. When the doors opened, I led her up one of the halls towards the bow of the boat. The hallway ended with a door that led back to a 'restricted area.' I swiped my card and it unlocked.

"After you."
Deck 5. This was the longest level of the ship, in sheer stem to stern measurements. They would be near the bow. She recalled that most cruise liners did not allow passangers up onto the bow proper. Too many were inspired by "Titanic" and there were too many liabilities. The heavy chain house for the anchor lay on that protected metal and fiberglass deck, along with the massive stud like projections which served to moor the vessel and tie it off at pier. She stepped through the door gracefully and found herself outside. It was an exterior hallway much like those on unrestricted decks, except it lacked the wood finish the passanger areas had. They were on the port side of the ship.

"Wow.. look at that moon.."

The moon was bright. Very bright. She stared at it a moment, her expression drifting toward one of seriousness. A subtle and distant flash drew her attention to the horizon, where storm clouds seemed to be building. Occassionally, a bolt of lightening would light the clouds from within. The navigational lights on the horizon were still there. The vessel must be on a parallel course.

"Storms? I don't remember seeing that in the forecast."

"The weather changes pretty rapidly out at sea. Has something about drastic water temperature changes. I sort of skipped the seminar day that they explained it to us."

I looked out over the water. The other ship was still there, but it seemed to be moving the same direction as us and at about the same speed. I found that a little wierd as the cruise liners usually tried to stay out of the shipping lanes and rarely did cruises leaving from different ports run into each other and hold a parallel courses, even where they where heading the same place. It could have something to do with the storm. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to blow off that siminar day. Whatever. The captain knew it was there. Best let him worry about it.

Elise sighs 'My husband never took much interest in me! And anyway it will be just for one evening what harm can it do?'

Elise looked out over the new evening soon approaching the afternoon sun was slowly dipping into the Horizon but there was still plenty of left of the day.

'Looks if you want to come I would be more than happy to have you accompany me' Elise hands Irving a 'Royal Orchestra Of The _____ Cruise Liner. 'I will be there about 9:30 tonight, I hope to see you'

Before Irving could answer Elise strolled off toward the 'Atlantic Deck' and her cabin, a lavishly decorated room with it's own Baby Grand Piano and library of 150 books.

Irving could feel that Elise was alone. Her husband didn't care about her one bit. He just wanted to get more money. Before he could say good-by she was gone. Seeing the storm clouds in the distance he decided to go inside. Looking at his watch he saw that the time was 2:20 A.M. Irving had a lot of time before his meeting with Elise. Going down many pairs of stairs he ended back at his room. Opening the door he entered and looked out the window. He sighed for a moment and laid on his bed. His eyes started to close slowly until he fell asleep.

"The weather changes pretty rapidly out at sea. Has something about drastic water temperature changes. I sort of skipped the seminar day that they explained it to us."

I looked out over the water. The other ship was still there, but it seemed to be moving the same direction as us and at about the same speed. I found that a little wierd as the cruise liners usually tried to stay out of the shipping lanes and rarely did cruises leaving from different ports run into each other and hold a parallel courses, even where they where heading the same place. It could have something to do with the storm. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to blow off that siminar day. Whatever. The captain knew it was there. Best let him worry about it.

She seemed to consider this explanation for a moment, and eventually accepted it. Already the first wisps of cloud were hazing the light from the moon.

"Think it'll be a bad one?"

At this distance the formation seemed like a regular thunderstorm, if not a touch on the bigger side. The ship was large enough that it's stabilizers wouild account for waves under 10 feet. Already the calm water was working up a bit of a chop with the changing wind. It was hard to tell from their current height, but they seemed to have grown from the usual calm conditions of 1 to 3 feet, to about 5 or 6. Uneasily, she edged slightly closer to him.

I shrugged.

"Should be. I haven't had reason to worry thus far."

Of course, i had only been through 2 storms thus far in my short time on board. But there was no reason to tell her that.

"The captain is a dusty old man, so he has probably seen his fair share of storms and knows how to handle to handle them."

Feeling much better now that she'd found her 'sea-legs', Alizanna dressed quickly and neatly and went out on deck. She sniffed the air and grinned with pleasure as the wind blew her hair back.

"Mmmmmmmm...fresh air"

Ali looked up at the sky and realised that a storm was coming. She grinned again, fearlessly, and her green eyes crinkled and sparked with life.

"good thing i got used to the motion before that daisy hit us"

Well, let it blow, she was ok now. Feeling out of things after being confined to her cabin for so long Ali went exloring, setting off at a brisk pace.

I shrugged.

"Should be. I haven't had reason to worry thus far."

Of course, i had only been through 2 storms thus far in my short time on board. But there was no reason to tell her that.

"The captain is a dusty old man, so he has probably seen his fair share of storms and knows how to handle to handle them."

She nodded to herself, accepting the answer. She watched the ocean for a short time as the chop grew slightly. The wind held a chilling edge to it, making the sleeveless dress seem like it wasn't the best of decisions. She edged toward him slightly, using his body to sheild against the breeze.

"Well then. If an experienced sailor has nothing to fear, I suppose there's nothing to worry about."

"All the same, it might be a good idea to get back inside before it actually starts squalling."

The wind must have begun to shift. The ship itself was traveling at about 20 knots, but the wind sheer had the wind blowing in in their faces at a good 30.

"The view is just about the same up on the observation deck, and there's not many people there at night. Plus, there'll be about 2 inches of plexiglass between us and the elements."

"Sounds like a plan, mon capitan."

Gratefully but reluctant to show it, she retreated towards the door that would let them back inside. Time was creeping along, but at least she had been one place under somewhat covert means. It was a step in the right direction.

She opened the door and started walking back towards the passanger area. I smirked and grabbed her hand.

"It's faster this way."

I pushed through a swinging door and started walking down the side hall. A short way along there was a different set of elevators.

"Crew elevators. High speed, and with a few more stops."

I winked and pushed the call button.

"More stops?"

She arched a brow inquisitively. Relenting, she followed as a smile crept onto her face. She had not failed to notice that security was unconcerned with people leaving the crew areas. There were no protocols or access cards required to exit into the public areas.

"A few. But only certain people have access to them."

The elevator dinged and opened. As they entered he pointed at the deck select panel.

"Theres 2 maintance levels below deck 1, and, of course, the bridge. But my card doesn't work for those"

I swiped my card and the doors shut. I pressed the observation deck and the elevator started accending.

"A few. But only certain people have access to them."

The elevator dinged and opened. As they entered he pointed at the deck select panel.

"Theres 2 maintance levels below deck 1, and, of course, the bridge. But my card doesn't work for those"

I swiped my card and the doors shut. I pressed the observation deck and the elevator started accending.

"Interesting.. So, what do you do onboard?"

That he could not access maintenance or the bridge suggested he was not key personnel. Which was hardly surprizing. One fairly encountered those crew members off duty. They seemed always to be working. She glanced at the panel, already formulating plans on how to possibly attempt an excursion into engineering. The bridge wouldn't be too difficult if she put her mind to it. She would just have to charm the right people.

"Scuba and surfing instructor. But while we're at sea they stick me in a lifeguard chair."

I shrugged.

"It's not glamorous, but it beats doing some desk job back on the mainland."

"A lifeguard?"

She couldn't help but to laugh, albiet quietly.

"Somehow I don't have any trouble picturing that."

She smiled in amusement as the elevator slowed and finally came to a stop on their requested deck. The door slid open, revealing another crew hallway. The white paint was unmistakable.

"I don't know whether I should be offended by that."

I grinned and stepped out of the elevator and turned the corner. A few steps away I turned and pushed open a swinging door. We where behind the bar half a level above the observation deck. The bar was unmanned, which helped contribute to the deserted state of the deck. From the bar there where steps all the way down to the for wall, which was made entirely out of plexiglass. Along the way there where a few level, each a foot or two lower than the one above, and each housing a few small tables.

She examined the setup approvingly. It was a fairly unconventional layout, and one undertaken with an eye for the eyecatching. The waterfall effect of the levels was delightfully contemporary, yet retained a sense of grace and style. There were a few people on the observation deck proper, scattered here and there along the viewing area.

"It's fabulous up here."

She grinned, taking stock of the view. About half the sky was consumed by the clouds at this point, but no rain yet for all the storm's threatening.

"I like it. About the only people who ever come up here are the bird watchers, and birds are a bit hard to stop at night."

I stood aside and let her out from behind the bar, letting her pick a perch.

"I can't imagine you see many this far out to sea either."

She slipped out from behind the bar and crossed the room gracefully, chosing a spot slightly left of center. She tapped the plexiglass, as if testing its strength. The storm looked as if it would hit within the next hour.

I plucked a bottle of Dos Equies off the wall for myself.

"You want anything to drink?"

"I think I've had enough, thanks."

She eyed him as he rummaged behind the bar, contemplating her options. It was nearly 3am. Not much time left to finish what she had intended to finish tonight. Tomorrow simply would not present the same opportunities. Faith waited by the window.

I popped the cap and tossed it in the waste bin as i crossed over to her. She was either getting tired or losing interest. Niether was especially good for me, but i would rather think it was the first one. I came up on her and leaned against the window.

"You're not getting tired of me already, are you?"

It was drawing on H hour. 3am. Only an hour or so until the storm. Now or never. The observation room was deserted save them. Other areas of the ship could look up into the room, but the growing threat of a storm had driven most from the decks. And all she needed to do was get that ID card out of his back pocket.

"Tired of you?"

She smiled suggestively and stepped forward, closing the distance between them slightly.

"I do have a bit of a short attention span, but.."

She reached up and ran her fingers through his hair, tangling her fingers at the side of his head farthest from the window. Slowly curling her fingers to create a sort of grip, she gently but firmly guided his face down towards her. And with a sudden, swift motion, she violently and forcefully cracked his temple against the plexiglass. Certain that he would be dazed if not out cold altogether, she snatched his wallet with the skill of a pickpocket, and rooted for the ID even as she was stepping away.

"Ow"

Well this i didn't expect. My head was ringing, and not in the good, had too much to drink way. More of the i just got my head smacked against a window way. So now here i am, laying on the floor as the girl starts walking away. Probably had my wallet too. My eyes snapped open.

My wallet.

The wallet itself was meaningless. I didn't even care about the ID there in. But my little packet was safely stored inside it too. I fumbled my way to my feet. She was already making her way towards the exit.

Ah shit.

I started after her, leaving my beer undrunken and spilt on the floor.

Molly woke up, her parents were fast asleep and she didn't want to wake them, but she was hungry and wanted a snack. So she left the cabin, kitty pajamas and all. The ship was rocking a little, that must mean there was a storm comming. Molly didn't pay much attention she just wanted some food, and to go back to the cabin.

She heard him shuffling behind her, and glanced back long enough to see him scramble to his feet. Scowling, she broke into a faster pace, taking a set of stairs at the back of the room two at a time. The stairs led down to central Lido deck, where both large pools and three hot tubs were arrayed down the center of the deck. Pool chairs were arranged around them as if surrounding an alter. Briefly she wondered how it would look to the casual observer.. an employee chasing a female passanger. The implications favored her.

She continued searching the wallet as she ran, finally locating the ID card. She tossed the wallet, hoping it would land in the main pool and continued aft. The bar was up and down another small set of steps servicing a sort of divider between the two areas.

I was definatly getting out of shape. Years ago a big wave wipe out would barely have made me stagger. Now here i am not being able to keep a straight line after a girl pushed me against a window. Theres a reality check.
I lost track of her after she went down to Lido.

double shit.

There was no way i was going to find her. I went to the bar and took a seat. Jerry had started his shift. He came over.

'You look like shit man.'

"Ya, well i'd like to see how good you look after getting your ass kicked by a chick."

He gave me a look. Then he laughed.

"Shut up man, it ain't funny. She got my wallet. And my card."

He laughed again.

"She could be off emptying one of these rich kids safe deposit boxes."

He laughed some more.

'Dude, that card can only open your box. Wheren't you even at orrientation?'

Now it was my turn to shut up. And haul ass down to reception to make myself a new card and empty out he locker. I slid off the stool and ran towards the elevators.

She forced herself to slow to a walk before crossing the divider into the bar. She no longer heard footsteps behind her, so the risk seemed acceptable. Discreetly, she tucked the card into a secret pocket built into the inside of her bodice. There it should remain until she withdrew it.

Stepping into the bar on Lido, she was mildly surprized to see so many people still up and about. She was even more surprized to see a young child wandering the deck.

"Hello ma'am." Molly said encountering the woman. "Can you tell me where to find a food car, please?"

"Hello ma'am." Molly said encountering the woman. "Can you tell me where to find a food car, please?"

"Here, come with me, honey."

She blinked back surprize, and sooned realized the benefit of the situation. Gesturing for the girl to come, she led her through the bar to another area further aft. If memory served, there was a 24 hour pizza stand there.

I slid to a stop. There was the girl. She was escorting some little girl away towards the food court. No way i could confront her now.

Son of a...

Oh well. At least i knew where she was going. I hailed the elevator and caught a break. There was one already on the floor. I slid inside and hit the number.

Only so far you can run sweet heart. I just hope you dont look around the wallet too hard.

Molly walked with the stranger very trustingly. Back home, they were very isolated on their tiny farm, not a lot of strangers around, and they knew everyone in church.

Slade growled under his breath and checked the time for at least the third time in the past fifteen minutes. The clouds had finally swallowed up the moon. It was 3 am, and he was tired of patience.

"Cut the nav lights."

A second later, the ship was bathed in darkness. Even the navigational lights mandated by maritime law had been doused. The only lights still on were in the bridge. They were tactical lights, a special shade of dim red that was only bright enough to reveal their heading, speed, and position. It was designed such that it would not attract attention from outside the vessel.

"You know the route, boys."

The ship cut 45 degrees to starboard, running now on an intercept course with the other ship. With the sky blacked out over head, they should be totally unseen. The course took them conveniently on a path where the bow cut diagonally through the waves. It was an optimal and necessary position for the boat to avoid being rolled. Head on and the pitch would unseated the crew. If the waves were right, they could bury the bow in the slope of the next swell and capsize their vessel. Run parallel to the waves and you were asking to be laid out broadside. If their timing was right, they would intercept mere moments before the storm hit.

A moment later the doors opened and I calmly walked over to the reception desk and slipped behind it. I turned the computer on and logged in, then went about disabling my previous card and making myself a new one.

Here's hoping that they dont monitor this stuff too closely.

While I was at it I tried to get into the crew manifest and get a little info on little miss smash-and-grab. But of course, i didn't have the clearence. And just the fact that i tried probably set off an alarm somewhere.

aw hell.

I hit print, hit the power button, grabbed my card and walked away from the desk, prehahps a bit less calmly then i had approached it.

*Austin lies in bed... Staring at the ceiling...*
strange, I can't fall asleep...
*quietly, Austin gets up, dresses, and makes his way towards his office.*

It had been hours since Malia had seen life. Dinner, the bar, meeting the surfer, they all seemed like a lifetime ago. And she couldn't help but feel loss.

She arose out of the satin-sheeted bed and slipped on a long brown tunic over her bare body. She felt like going for a walk, maybe even make a wish upon a shooting star. She pulled on a pair of tight blue jeans and cozied her feet into furry boots. Pulling on a light green peacoat and tying her unruly hair back into a semi-ponytail, Malia set off on a early morning stroll.

Leaving her stateroom, she made her way down her hall and into an elevator, wanting nothing more than fresh air and a new start.

*Opening the door to the infirmary, Austin starts packin several bottles of anestesia, asprin, and other medicines and medical supplies in a large backpack... once full, he puts the pack in the closet and replaces the supplies he packed away from ones in storage.*

Maybe I'm just paranoid...

Faith led the little girl to an empty table out of the way of the more adult bar patrons. She pulled out the chair and instructed the girl to sit and wait patiently while Ms. Faith went to get her some food. It was such an odd happenstance. And a fortunate one at that. What kind of parents would let such a young thing wander the decks by herself at this hour? All manner of unpleasantness could happen.

The pizza bar had not been crowded, so it was only a few moments before she returned with a tray full of pepperoni and cheese pizza slices, some breadsticks, garlic bread, and a coke.

"Help yourself, hun."

She was certain it was too much food for the girl, but at least she had options. Besides, she could finish off the rest if nothing else.

The growing waves were making progress slow for Slade and his crew. They would have to be quick if they wanted to avoid the brunt of the storm. According to the closest NEXRAD, it wasn't an overly large storm, but it was vicious for its short duration. Besides, out on the open water these things came and went like lightening. What was a small storm now could blossem into a major squall in a heartbeat. Lightening illuminated the billowing clouds from within, looking like something from a bad educational science video.

They had closed the distance to that other ship by half. Another half hour and they should be there, assuming the waves didn't get any stronger. Slade continued scowling into the night.

"Thanks a bunch." Molly ate what she could. The thunder startled her "Oh no sounds like it's gonna storm, I should get back before mama and papa wake up."

Calara watched the flashes of light from her bunk, catching glimpses of an angry sky from the small vista offered by the porthole. She grimaced. I hate storms at sea. Most of these folks won't have the first clue about how to handle it. She hoped that the passengers would handle it passively and badly rather than hysterically and badly. Hell, that went for some of the crew as well. Cursing mildly, she jumped out of her bunk and started getting ready for the stupidity that was coming as sure as the storm, and quite possibly just as damaging.

"Thanks a bunch." Molly ate what she could. The thunder startled her "Oh no sounds like it's gonna storm, I should get back before mama and papa wake up."

"I'm surprized you managed to sneak out without waking them to begin with."

She smiled gently at the kid. Must be those maternal instincts kicking in, because she really did not care much for children in everyday life. She picked up a slice of untouched pizza and managed to eat it daintily.

"Do you know how to get back to your room, or do you want me to come with you?"

I wandered around the deck for a little while, then headed back towards the main lobby. I probably should have been heading to bed, but i had the day off. Prep Day, as i like to call it. Basically it was the day before we put in to port. Suposedly it was to give me time to get the class together. That was, of course, a load of crap. But the big-wigs bought it. I eventually found my way back to the elevator and hit the call button.

"Oh I rember how. Thanks for helping me get some food." She hopped off the stool, falling a little with the rocking ship. "You be careful; don't fall overboard." Molly said then she left, right back to her room. Her parents were still asleep, Molly looked out the window at the stormy sky and sea. She was feeling a little scared and she curled right up with her mother.

She watched the kid walk off, a little bewildered that she had left so confidently. Especially for her age. Briefly, she tried to remember if she had been that way as a girl. Faith could not remember. Her childhood had not allowed for many normal circumstances.

With a sigh she finished off the last of the pizza and breadsticks, then checked her watch. It was a little after 3:30. Her gaze rose to the stormy horizon growing ever closer. They had perhaps another half hour before the storm hit.

Lirano staggered into his cabin, wanting to sleep off the evening's libations. His bed looked like an inviting paradise for some reason, and he moved towards it, falling into its gentle embrace. Sleep had him in its grasp almost immediately, and he began dreaming about a storm coming and water rising. He was so tired, but kept swimming anyway, fighting the waves.

Karyn woke slowly, realising that she had the worst headache of her life.
It felt as though she had half a dozen or so imps with pickaxes, trying to break through her skull.
Looking at her clock, she groaned when it only read 3.35 and wondered if the clock had stopped.
She badly needed something to stop her headache, so she picked up the phone to call for the steward but changing her mind, wondered if she could find that nice doctor she had been talking to earlier and pulled on her housecoat.
Leaving her stateroom, she turned in the opposite direction from the one she had taken earlier, just in time to see a small child enter the cabin a few doors away from her own.
She came to a stairway and walked down the stairs, peering at the doors as she passed them.

As the storm rolled ever closer, so too did Slade close in on the cruise liner. He was at the big vessel's port side, slightly forward of midships. It was a carefully chosen location. One, it was extremely unlikely that anyone might notice them. Two, there was a cargo hatch currently standing open. Slade's men threw mooring lines to crewmembers standing in the hatch while also securing rubber bumpers over the starboard side of the much smaller vessel. These would prevent any collision between the two ships. The crewmen in bright yellow rain slickers lowered a rope ladder to Slade's crew.

It would have been impossible to approach the ocean liner undetected. Even though the passengers rarely noticed anything beyond the rail, there were watchmen in the bridge for just that purpose. Slade was sailing the NGS An Buile. She was registered as a fishing rig, doubling as light cargo transport. And with all her lights out, she was obviously out of power. The captain of the cruise ship had signaled the disabled vessel, of which the crew had to return signals with old style flags. The liner was graciously offering shelter to the sailors through the storm. Then they would tow the smaller vessel into their next port.

Slade, grateful for the generosity had instructed his signals officer to accept. He waited as his men ascended the ladder, leaving last, as a good captain should.

The corridor came to a dead end.

Apart from the cabins, there was one door marked 'crew only'.
The only other door was to a glass lift which stated that it went to 'all levels'.
Karyn had two choices. She could go back the way she had come, or take the lift.

Feeling rather self concious of doing either and realising that she was just wearing her housecoat over her nightdress, she stepped into the lift, grateful she had chosen night clothes that fully covered her.

She tried remembering the plan of the ship she had given a cursory glance at when she first boarded the ship, but couldn't remember which level the medical centre was on.
Her head was still pounding and she pressed the button for the lower deck, without giving too much thought to it.

The lift was very fast, and within moments she found herself stepping through the lift doors once more, with a long line of doors on either side of the corridor.

Obviously the cabins down here were much smaller than her stateroom, as the doors were quite close together.

The silence was almost deafening here and she tried to walk without making any sound, but her leather soled slippers made a kind of flopping noise.
The more she tried to be quiet, the louder her footsteps appeared to be.

Why am I worried, I'm not doing anything wrong.
I wish I had taken more notice of that plan....where is that medical centre....

The corridor took several turns, and Karyn was by now quite lost, and panic was setting in.

By the time Slade had reached the loading dock, the friendly crewmen in yellow slickers were strewn variously about the open space. He allowed the barest hint of a grin, adjusting his old sea coat about his frame. A few of his crew had already begun exchanging credentials with the bodies before stripping them of the slickers and tossing them into the oily black water three decks below. The sounds of the storm and crashing thunder would mask any possible sound.

This accomplished, he led a contingent of five men, all dressed now in crewmen's uniforms, out into the hallway. This deck was accessible to the ship's passengers, as they frequently used the cargo doors to lower gangways to some of the higher placed piers. With an officer's cap tucked under one arm and a pistol clenched firmly in one deep pocket of the sea coat, they could travel in relative safety. But they would still need to move. The crew for this ship was large so it would not be uncommon for other crewmembers not to recognize the group, but suspicion would only linger so long before some overzealous officer of the watch questioned them.

Slade glanced up and down the hallway, dismayed that a slightly panicked young woman blocked their way a bit down the corridor.

Looking up, Karyn saw a half dozen or so crew members standing in a group at the other end of the corridor.
Unsure why they were grouped together in such a fashion, she pulled her housecoat tightly around her body and hastily looked left and right.
The only way was either turn around and run, which seemed rather a silly girly thing to do, or brazen it out and walk onwards.
She took the latter option, walking with her head held high, her face burning, towards the men.
A smile fixed on her face she spoke as she neared them, addressing the leading man.

"Good evening maybe you can help me.
I seem to be a little lost, I was looking for the medical centre....."

One of Slade's men gently shut the door behind them, leaving the rest in the cargo bay. All eyes were on the woman as she approached, but not a single one of them tensed. They all knew their jobs, but Slade was the undisputed leader of the group. If he seemed unconcerned, they had no reason to worry. Likewise, if he wanted them to deal with her, he would say so. A few smiled easily, as if they had just been shooing the breeze for some downtime.

Slade watched the girl as she neared. When he spoke, his voice was soft, concerned. Like most crewmen, he had an accent. His was North Gaelic, and only slight.

"What's wrong, ma'am, that you need a doctor?"

When the man spoke, his voice bellied his rough looks, and as the others were smiling, at her maybe...after all she must look a sight....she felt a little more at ease, and her smile became less forced.

"Oh...silly thing I know, but I drank more alcahol than I am used to and I think I have a hangover..."

A picture of the doctor she had spoken to earlier came to her mind and she felt a little as though she were not telling quite the whole truth, making her blush even redder.

Despite everything, Slade was not a heartless man. The shy and slightly hungover woman drew a small bemused grin from him and several of his men. A few even chuckled, stifling the laughs politely.

"My dear, I think that must be the most common ailment of all passengers. People seem to come aboard and forget themselves."

Slade seemed to check her over, leaning forward slightly, checking her vision. Finally he straightened and offered her his arm.

"You don't seem very ill. We're headed that direction, if you would like us to show you the way."

"You are most kind, I never actually had a hangover before....but I have learned my lesson...fruit juice for me from now on."

She took the proffered arm shyly and trembling inside, allowed the men to lead the way.

"What is it you do here, if you don't mind my asking?"

She felt she had to hold some sort of a conversation with the man whose arm she was tentively holding on to, that made the second time in one night, some kind of a record for her.

Slade smiled kindly and led her down the hallway. His men followed behind them, but at a respectful distance. Quickly becoming uninterested, they fell into quiet conversation amongst themselves.

"I'm a petty officer. I see to some of the smaller tasks for the night crew. It's not a glamorous job, but still enjoyable."

He led her down a labrynth of twists and turns, seeming to know the deckplan better than his own house, perhaps. As they approached a crew door, he withdrew his access card, lifted off the generous petty officer in the cargo bay, and slid it through the scanner on the door. The light turned green, and he held the door for her. Within lay an elevator. He pressed the call button.

"The doctor is not usually in the passenger sick bay at night. Most passengers are asleep, so he spends his time in the crew facilities."

This was, of course, a blatant lie. But it was also something not common knowledge, so he didn't need to justify himself.

Karyn was a little reluctant to get in the crew lift, but she supposed that as she was with a petty officer all would be fine, so stepped inside as the door slid open.

It seemed a little strange that the doctor would not be at hand for any prospective patients, but she guessed that maybe they would use the phone if he were needed.

Oh what a fool she was!

She made to step out of the lift, but the door sllid shut before she had a chance.

"Perhaps I should just go back to my stateroom...my headache is much better now, and I think the good doctor shouldn't be disturbed at this time of the night just for a little hangover..."

"Nonsense, dear. That's exactly what he's here for. Besides, we'll be there in only a moment."

He smiled again at her, trying to be reassuring. Slade could sense she was becoming a bit distrustful of him. As the elevator rose, his men grew silent. Their hands were in the pockets of their deck coats modestly. As the elevator began to slow its ascent, he turned to the woman again, and made room for her near the door.

"Don't you worry about that headache now. Everything's going to be just fine."

As the elevator stopped, he stepped up behind her.

"And if you make a sound, I'll kill you."

Swiftly, he wrapped a thick arm around her neck and pulled her back against him. Simultaneously, he withdrew a silencer-equipped pistol from his pocket, and rested the muzzle against her temple. As the door slid open, his men rushed into the bridge, automatic weapons drawn from beneath their coats. The pockets had be cut open so they wouldn't have to remove the coats to fire. Every weapon was pointed at the bridge crew save Slade's. The startled crew stared at him dumbly for a moment.

"Get your arses on the ground, now! DO IT!"

*without really knowing why, Austin slipped several thin scalpel blades into his back pocket and a small bottle of cloroform into his forward one, then grabbing his traveling kit, sat down and waited....








for something unusual, yet expected, to happen.*

Faith checked her watch. 4am. Showtime. Yawning, she stood and vacated her table and strode off towards the central elevators. The ID card was still secured. As she neared the indoor area, the first drops of rain began to fall.

*leaning against the outer bulkhead, Austin quietly let the vibrations of the storm calm his stressed nerves.*

Why am I like a cat in a lightning storm?

*he let the rhythmic beat of the waves travel through the bulkhead and through his muscles and bones... *

wait a minute... that doesn't feel right...

*Putting his ear against the bulkhead, he feels a heavier beat... something heavy is being pushed against the bulkhead. the last time he felt this was when the tugs pushed against the ship to help her out to sea...

curious, he grabbed his kit and slowly made his way aft.*

Following his team, Slade lifted up on the girl's neck so she had no choice but to advance into the room with him. When he spoke, his voice was firm, but flat.

"I don't want to hurt anybody, but so help me, I will not hesitate to kill every last one of you in the slowest manner I can possibly concieve."

Shocked and dumbfounded, the first mate signalled to the bridge crew who slowly raised their hands and sank to their knees. Two of Slade's men rushed to either side of the bridge to secure the doors. Two others began securing the prisoners, pushing them down on their faces and securing their hands and mouth with duct tape. The fifth man yanked the first mate to his feet roughly. He spoke to the officer in harsh tones, reaffirming his point with jabs from the muzzle of his weapon.

"Tell da passengers to stay in der rooms. You cooperate, you live. Understand?"

The first mate nodded slowly, remaining remarkably calm despite a deer-in-the-headlights look to him.

"And we know dis ship. You hit the wrong button, call for help.. we sink th' damn t'ing."

Composing himself, the first mate picked up the intercom. A lovely little chime heralded his message throughout the ship.

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen, this is the first officer speaking. We are sailing into a heavy storm right now, and for the safety of all guests, we request that you stay in your cabins until further notice. We apologize for any inconvience."

He repeated his message in two other languages.

A loud clap of thunder awoke Maggie. Temporary forgetting where she was she scrambled for her rain coat and for the door, used to having to beat sudden storms from taking out their crops.. She quickly came to her senses however. She looked out the port window at the growing storm. Jerome also awoke and hopped off from the bed. Maggie gave Molly a kiss.

"sounds like the storm's here." Maggie said. "Glad Molly's sleeping through it."

"She's fine."

Maggie was still in her dinner gown as was Jerome. Both undressed and hung their cloths up. It wasn't long before Jerome was putting the moves on his lovely wife.

"Jerome, Molly's in the room."


"Well she's asleep."

"She could wake up any moment with this storm."

"She's sleeping a lot better now."

"Still she's never been at sea during a storm."

"She's sleeping like an Angel."

Maggie moved into the Bathroom along with Jerome, shutting the door. Molly just slept fine, while her parents, unknowing to her, showed their deepest love for each other.

"This is much better when everything isn't rocking backand forth, and there's more space."

"Well I try my best."

"Well maybe your best isn't good enough." She teased. "Its really late maybe we should go to bed, before Molly does walk in on us."

"Oh Maggie"

"Listen you, it's 4 A.M."

"It's early."

Maggie laughed a little more "I'm sure you can wait untill we have a room with a door we can lock, and a bed."

"Okay, five minutes?"

"Five minutes, but that's all."

The ship was rocking more violently now, Molly woke up then fell off the bead.

Maggie and Jerome heard her. Molly put her bra and panties back on, quickly, while Jerome struggled with his own pants.


"Molly, sweetie are you all right?"

"I fell off the bed."

Maggie picked her up. "This storm's getting worse. I don't like this."

Jerome spoke "These people are the best, they'll get us through this."

They all looked out the window at the raging sea and sky.

The announcement came while i was riding up in the elevator. The first mate came on and told everyone to go back to their cabins. I frowned slightly.

He sounds more panicy than usual.

The elevator slowed and reopened on the Atlantic deck. I pushed the warning from my mind. If the girl was still on the deck, then she would do one of two things; either head back to the elevators to go back to her room or stay put and wait until eveyone was gone. Given the nature of the way we had parted ways, i was guessing the later. So i started heading towards the food court.

Calara listened intently to the voice over the intercom. It sounded a little different than usual, but the words were clear enough. She continued to prepare for a long, hard night, gathering her gear and putting on the clothes suited for the approaching storm. She pulled out her walkie-talkie and tried to contact the first mate for orders. She generally knew what to do, but she had always thought that it was good to make sure before jumping in, which was part of the reason she had survived for so long.

Faith was nearly to the central elevators, when who should step out but Surfer. Quickly and quietly, she ducked into a hallway. She would have to take the stairs. That or find a place to hide until he went outside, then make a run for it to the glass elevators or the stairwell across. Hopefully the rain would not deter his motive, whatever that might be.

She had heard the general announcement and knew instinctively that it had begun. She had places to be, and no time for detours.

The first officer looked stricken as his brick crackled. He had left the radio on the gauge console, where it was easily enough accessed. He glanced to his direct handler, then to Slade as if searching for direction. Slade was stoic, and nodded to his man, who relayed the message.

"Answer it, an' give direction. But remember what I tell you."

The officer extended a decidedly steady hand for the radio. He was apparantly not allowing his stress to affect him. He seemed to prefer to remain clear-headed. Keying the mic, he instructed all crew members on duty or on call to prepare for normal storm procedures. It would be a fairly rough storm, but a short lived one.

I headed down the hallway towards the food court. I could have sworn i saw someone duck down the side hall, but it was empty. I shrugged it off and contenued on. i turned the corner to find the court empy.

damn.

I guess i shouldn't have expected her to stay put for that long. I sat down at a table against one of the windows and rested my head in my hands. I took a minute to gather my thoughts then got up to leave. Then i spotted another boat right along side.

what the hell? why did we make a floating dock?

Something wasn't sitting right. First i get worked over by a girl who gets ahold of my wallet and key card, and now theres a random boat floating along with us into the heart of a thunderstorm. I descided that it was time to get back to my cabin. Whatever was going on, it wasn't scheduled. And something unscheduled doesn't happen on private cruise liners. I turned and headed back towards the elevators.

She had seen him pass her position, and departed shortly thereafter. There was simply no time to be as cautious as she would have liked. She dashed out of her hiding place and towards the central elevators. Opting for the staircase instead, she took them two and three at a time in quick descent.

I arrived back at the elevators and hit the call button. For some reason, that floor must have liked me, because there was already one there again. i stepped in and hit my floor. The elevator started descending. A floor and a half down, there she was, walking down the stairs bewteen the two central elevators.

son of a...

I immediatly hit the next floor down, but the elevator was too slow on the reaction and dropped down below the point where i could see her. I cursed out the elevator until it opened on my floor, then i exited and headed for my cabin.

Funny, don't recall the storm being reported as that severe...

*Austin continues to make his way towards the rear of the ship... allaying fears and gently urging the passengers to stay in their cabins.*

Calara got confirmation to follow the SOP over the walkie-talkie, and did so, securing all the loose items in her designated area, moving quickly and efficiently, making sure to direct any wayward passengers back to their cabins, assuring them if necessary that they had weathered many a storm before on this fine ship.

The man had suddenly grabbed her around the neck and she felt what she instinctively knew to be the muzzle of a gun at her head, his grip around her neck tightening untill she felt she couldn't breath.
She was pulled roughly back against him and as he walked from the lift, she was forced to go in front of him.

Things happened very fast, and it all seemed muddled as the other men started to tape the crew members.
There was another gun waving around and someone made an announcement about a storm.

Karyn went from confused to scared witless, to angry by the time the announcement was finished.
She had never been so angry before, except for maybe the time that they had tried to put Bernice into a nursing home, but she knew that anger was a dangerous thing.

How dare he!
What am I doing here....I'm a total idiot.
Fancy letting yourself be duped like that Karyn Peterson....you are far too trusting and naive altogether.
Now calm down and think....you don't want to die yet...you haven't even lived...just do whatever you are told..

As the man barked out his orders, he released his grip on her neck, although the gun was still pointed towards her, and as her legs finally gave way she sank to the floor at his feet.

I wonder what they want!
Are they hi-jacking the ship? Why would they do that though?
Are there still such things as pirates in this day and age?
Maybe they are terrorists....that must be it...there must be a VIP on board or something...

She sat on the floor, staring at the mans shoes.

Down in the cargo hold, several of the men were keeping watch. The others were busy transferring artwork and other precious goods from the liner to their own vessel. Despite the rain and high seas, it was a quick and efficient operation.

----

"Alright boys, you know the drill."

The snarling first mate's handler snatched the radio from him, then forced him to the ground. He would give the radio back only if and when it became necessary. Another of Slade's men, finished securing the bridge crew picked up a phone and dialed the cargo hold. Brusquely, he conveyed a few words in Gaelic, waited a moment, and hung up.

Slade glanced to the woman at his feet. She was barely conscious, but that wouldn't last. Gently but lacking compassion, he lifted her slightly and half carried, half dragged her to where the other crewmen had been grouped. Another of his men began securing her as well.

"I'm sorry, luv. You were in the wrong place at the wrong time, I'm afraid."

Her arms and legs felt almost as they would burst open at any time they were bound so tightly, but by far the worst was the tape over her mouth.
She felt sure she would suffocate soon, she could barely breath and the smell of the tape was nauseating.
The imps inside her head were becoming frantic now, but there was nothing she could do except wait...for what she had no idea, but that's all there was.

Faith finally arrived at the Atlantic deck. The piano bar was emptying out as staff members directed them to their rooms. She stayed out of sight for as long as she could before venturing out to approach the reception desk. A bartender intercepted her.

"Ma'am, I'm sorry but you must return to your room."

"I know.. I lost my key. I need to get a new one."

She hadn't let him hinder her progress and strode purposefully towards the front desk. He seemed to struggle with the decision for a moment, before relenting and leaving reception to deal with her. He quickly scuttled off to usher other passengers in the right direction. The receptionist looked up as she approached.

"May I help you?"

"Yes.. I can't get into my room. I think I lost my key somewhere."

"I can print you up a new one. We can deal with the spend accounts after the storm. Is that alright?"

Faith nodded and the woman behind the desk busied herself with work on the computer. After a few moments, she bent down to retrieve a freshly printed room card. It was at that moment Faith decided to move. She hopped over the desk, landing on the woman's back and forcing her to the ground. She clamped her hand over the girl's mouth while withdrawing a small blade from a sheath at her thigh and bringing it to her neck.

"Shhh... do as I say now."

She directed the receptionist into the back room and kicked the door shut behind them.

Maggie held Molly tight in her arms, rocking her back and forth. Both were frightend by the increasing storm every thunder clap made them jump. "Jerome I don't think this ship is gonna take much more of this storm. I know I'm not an expert but this is rough." They could hear the wind howl between claps of thunder.

"Is the ship gonna sink Mama?"

"I hope not babe."

More thunder and lightning.

"IF there was a problem they would have announced it."

"Maybe you should find out."

"Maggie no sense in getting frightend over nothing."

Another thunder clap.

"You call this nothing?"

"Even so, the sea is too rough for evacuation."

"Jerome that makes no sense."

"Maybe because were farmers not sailors!"

"I don't pretend to be an expert, just common sense tells me something is wrong."

Maggie stroked Molly's hair.

Molly said "Maybe we should pray that God will calm the storm."

"I think that's a great idea babie."

Molly started to pray with the thunder crashing. Jerome was just as scared but he couldn't let his wife and daughter know it. A storm at sea was much diffrent than a storm on the farm.

Yes ma'am... everything is ok. it's just a precaution to make sure no one gets hurt during the storm...

no sir, the storm isn't dangerous to a ship this size, that was only a movie...

Don't worry. behind the door are emergency cards that explain where the Life Preservers are, read them and a phone call to the staff will answer any questions... no, do not put them on now... ok, you can put them on, but please don't infla... *sigh* I'll have a porter send up another one sir.

I'm only making my routine route... to make sure everyone is ok. you may have seen me walking around the previous nights. yes, I consider it a plus to be available to all guests...

please wait in your cabins... everything will be ok.

Yes, the Titanic did sink, but it ran into an iceburg... there are none in these tropic waters... yes, it would've melted away long before it reaches us...

Ahh... Crewman... perhaps you can help assist these people with their questions...

*after making his escape, he made his way down the passages... Austin reaches one of the cargo bays, he opens the door and looks around the hold... *

Nothing here... maybe I imagined it.

*he glances back and thinks about all the passenger filled corridors and shudders.*

maybe I should check the other holds.

*he makes his way down to another cargo hold, this one opens out to the sea... he remembers something about a launch and scuba lessions being held here... cautiously, he opens the door...*

After a few minutes and quite a bit of scrounging I exited my room, with a few additions. I had my wet-suit on under my clothing now, so going outside in the storm wouldn't cause any ill effects. Plus i had seen fit to retrieve my 8 in fixed blade.

I knew this thing would come in handy someday.

Technically it was a just-in-case tool. Like, just in case i came across a shark while surfing or just in case my ankle cord got caught on something. Oh well. I headed back towards the elevators. In the mad panic i had gone trough when the girl stole my wallet and the need to make a new one i had forgotten to empty the contents of my locker. Stupid move.

[snip]
*he makes his way down to another cargo hold, this one opens out to the sea... he remembers something about a launch and scuba lessions being held here... cautiously, he opens the door...*

12 men in yellow rain slickers looked up as the door slowly swung open. The guard closest to the door wrapped his finger around the trigger of his weapon, concealed beneath the rain jacket. He took the few steps seperating him from the actual doorway to intercept the stranger.

"Is there something I can help you with?"

The receptionist was trembling and shaking to the point Faith feared she might pass out. She sat her up against the wall, and with a stern look to show she meant business, kept an eye on her while turning the thumb lock on the door. She then picked up a wall mounted phone and keyed the extension for the bridge.

"Reception."

Then she hung up. She tried the key she had lifted off Surfer in the safe, not really expecting it to open, and not really surprized when she was correct. Stalking towards the terrified woman, she ordered her to her feet. The receptionist was whimpering and making small sounds of sheer terror. Soon she wouldn't have enough faculty to complete the tasks asked of her.

"I'm not going to hurt you as long as you do what I tell you. Now I know you have the codes. Open the safe."

12 men in yellow rain slickers looked up as the door slowly swung open. The guard closest to the door wrapped his finger around the trigger of his weapon, concealed beneath the rain jacket. He took the few steps seperating him from the actual doorway to intercept the stranger.

"Is there something I can help you with?"uhmm...damn, I wish I could remember every crewman here... *peers at the namebadge* Alex... I heard some unusal noises down here, and I thought I'd just pop in to check if everything is ok...

*hears the transport ship move against the liner's hull as he notices the cargo doors are open.*

Is there a problem here?

"We're taking on a few more. Some sailors had trouble and got caught in the storm. Captain's taken them aboard, and we're towing their ship to the next port."

He glanced over his shoulder, where mooring lines were obviously tied. The rain was absolutely pouring outside, soaking the first several feet of the hold.

"Storm like that.. lucky we ran across them."

----

The man handling the first mate was quickly establishing himself as the second in command. He was significantly younger than Slade, and with a harder look to him. He hung up the phone. While Slade had a voice which often sounded eerily calm and controlled, Santino's was strong.

"She's at reception."

Slade nodded. Shooting a glance to one of the three men guarding the prisoners, his message was understood at once. He left via the side door, securing it behind himself again. Faith would need assistance. She would need help finding where they docked if not carrying whatever loot she had found.

The entire ship was begining to look deserted. It was eerie. Something definatly didn't feel right. I impatiently tapped on the atlantic deck floor as the elevator rose.

Come on, come on, come on.

The elevator dinged. That was probably the 10th ding i had heard in the last hour and it was begining to be annoying. The doors parted and i stepped off.

"We're taking on a few more. Some sailors had trouble and got caught in the storm. Captain's taken them aboard, and we're towing their ship to the next port."

He glanced over his shoulder, where mooring lines were obviously tied. The rain was absolutely pouring outside, soaking the first several feet of the hold.

"Storm like that.. lucky we ran across them."
*nods in agreement*

Anyone injured or need of medical attention?

*starts to move around the crewman to check for anyone needing assistance.*

The receptionist was shaking. She was trembling so bad she dropped her access card twice trying to open the safe. Faith could not afford patience. She advanced on the woman, blade held out before her sharp and shining.

"Take a deep breath and open the damn safe."

She was speaking now through clenched teeth. She was running out of time.

*nods in agreement*

Anyone injured or need of medical attention?

*starts to move around the crewman to check for anyone needing assistance.*

"They all seemed fine. One of the petty officers set them up in those auxiliary cabins already."

He eyed the doctor, quietly shutting the door as the man advanced further into the room. Slade's crewmen watched him with concern, one of the other guards falling in near the doctor.

I crossed to the desk. She had left her post. Again. I suppose it was understandable, given the circumstances. I stepped behind it and made for the door. There was a muffled voice on the other side.

"Jill?"

I tenatively pushed through the door.

"Okay Maggie, I'll go see what to expect. You and Molly stay put."

Jerome put on a shirt and pants and kissed his wife and daughter.

He exited the cabin into the deserted hallway.

I crossed to the desk. She had left her post. Again. I suppose it was understandable, given the circumstances. I stepped behind it and made for the door. There was a muffled voice on the other side.

"Jill?"

I tenatively pushed through the door.

She heard the voice at the exact moment the receptionist popped the safe. As the door swung oh-so-slightly open, Faith grabbed the girl and spun behind her. The girl was far too upset to hope forcing her to convince the stranger to leave on her own, so Faith had no other alternative than to use her as a sheild and a hostage. She brought the blade so tightly against the woman's neck, a thin crimson ribbon appeared near the tip.

"They all seemed fine. One of the petty officers set them up in those auxiliary cabins already."

He eyed the doctor, quietly shutting the door as the man advanced further into the room. Slade's crewmen watched him with concern, one of the other guards falling in near the doctor.

*Austin looks at the crewmen as they went about their business.*

and no one's injured from the rescue? Great. I feared I had another fractured arm to repair this night...

*turns back to Alex*

were any of the rescued in need of medical attention?

*Austin looks at the crewmen as they went about their business.*

and no one's injured from the rescue? Great. I feared I had another fractured arm to repair this night...

*turns back to Alex*

were any of the rescued in need of medical attention?

He seemed to think this over for a moment, mentally recapitulating.

"I don't think so. Nothing obvious anyway. I wasn't really concerned with their general health at the moment."

As i passed through the door, i came upon the scene. Jill was being held hostage at knifepoint by the girl from earlier. I had already forgot her name. I held my hands open in front of me at shoulder level.

"Whoa. Take it easy girl."

As i passed through the door, i came upon the scene. Jill was being held hostage at knifepoint by the girl from earlier. I had already forgot her name. I held my hands open in front of me at shoulder level.

"Whoa. Take it easy girl."

"Away from the door. Get on the ground."

The receptionist was becoming hysterical again, but trying bravely to get ahold of herself. Faith was becoming swiftly agitated with the situation. Was a clean getaway really so much to ask?

"Ya that's not gunna happen. What is gunna happen is you're gunna let her go, then I'm gunna get her to the doc. Safe's open, I'm assuming that what you're here for."

The door shut behind me and i rested my heel against it to act as a doorstop. Just in case she wasn't alone, they wouldn't be able to push in unless i moved my foot.

"Ya that's not gunna happen. What is gunna happen is you're gunna let her go, then I'm gunna get her to the doc. Safe's open, I'm assuming that what you're here for."

The door shut behind me and i rested my heel against it to act as a doorstop. Just in case she wasn't alone, they wouldn't be able to push in unless i moved my foot.

"Don't test me. This isn't a battle of wills."

She slid the knife slightly, elicting a gasp from the receptionist, and a slightly wider trickle of blood down her neck.

He seemed to think this over for a moment, mentally recapitulating.

"I don't think so. Nothing obvious anyway. I wasn't really concerned with their general health at the moment."Captain should've contacted me about those survivors... somethings not right.

Great.

*turns and heads out the door, keeping a smile on his face.*

becareful, I hate to treat anyone here for slipping on the deck...

oh and if you see a cat, please let me know. she ran off again. :p

*begins walking briskly back towards the main decks.*

"True enough, but it is common sense. You kill her, you lose your leverage. You let her go, we leave, the safe is your's. Doesn't seem to be a hard choice."

"True enough, but it is common sense. You kill her, you lose your leverage. You let her go, we leave, the safe is your's. Doesn't seem to be a hard choice."

"Name one good reason I should trust you."

She was quickly surpassing irritation and boiling into pure anger. But she kept her emotions in check. Slade knew where she was. Worst case scenario he would want to know what was taking her so long.

"Well, first and foremost, because niether one of us what that girl dead. Second, because my being here is obviously pissing you off, and the only way I'm leaving is with her. And last, but definatly not least, that safe has a timer on it. If it's open for more than 10 minutes at a time it shuts automatically and only the captain's key can re-open it."

*making his way down the now empty corridors, Austin though about what he noticed.*

many of the cargo boxes were moved, and some appeared to be hastely closed... the captain not telling me about any rescue... and most of the crewmen knew about tonight's earlier injury... a broken leg... not arm... can't panic, think about the passengers...

should head to the Bridge. if the captain knew about the 'Rescue'

*Austin strides past the empty reception desk towards the elevators that lead to the bridge. he stops by the elevator.*

but if the captain knew about the rescue... he would've informed me... so he doesn't know... then he would be in his cabin....

*Turns to head towards the Crewman's quarters... passing the empty reception desk again.*

but if he doesn't know... why wouldn't he know... because no one told him? the first mate would know... and the first mate made the announcement about the passengers staying in their... SHIT!

*Austin pauses in the large reception area.*

Hostage? Hijacking? what is th.... theft, Piracy...

*Turning around Austin decides to head towards the Captain's Cabin.... on the slim hope that he's sleeping and not dead.*

Teppo couldn't sleep. He'd been awakened by the announcement telling him to do exactly what he'd already been doing. What kind of idiot wouldn't be staying in his cabin in a storm like this? he'd thought at the time. Now, with rain pounding against the window, he couldn't seem to drift off again. Frustrated, he stood and walked over to the window, peering out into the night. What he saw surprised and confused him.
{Katri, come look at this!}
{What's so important?}
{There's another ship tied up alongside ours.}
{What?}
{It looks like a fishing boat.}
Teppo's girlfriend Katri Laiho got up out of bed and shambled over to the window.
{What's another boat doing here?}
{I don't know.}


OOC: From this point on I will use {} to denote speaking in Finnish.

Irving woke up and rubbed his eyes for a moment. It was around 4 AM. He had slept for a good two hours. Back on the front lines he had to stay awake longer and sleep less. Getting up slowly he looked out a window. The ship was in a storm. He wondered how he slept threw some of it. Slowly walking to get his jacket he was still trying to wake up. Putting on his jacket he walked outside and down a hallway. Making his way a bunch of stairs he got to the main deck and sat down in a chair. He looked out toward the sea and the black sky. Taking out a piece of cloth he wiped his knife.

Jerome sturggled in the listing ship, the storm seemed to be getting worse instead of better. "Hello?" He called out searching for anyone. Deserted halls weren't the best sign in this weather.

Back in Cabin, Maggie and Molly still clung to each other, watching the rain and the lighting. Maggie was just as scared as Molly and she couldn't do much to comfort Molly, other than encourage her to pray.

Ricky had spent the last hour listening to the rich widow Mrs.Myers.
She had called for room service - a cup of tea because she couldn't sleep - so he slipped his pager into his pocket as he took the trolly along to her cabin.
She was about seventy and very fat, but he had dealt with her kind many times before, all they needed was an ear to talk into.
She had invited him in and started to tell him how she was missing her little 'Fru-Fru'. He listened with sympathy making the right noises at the right time.
He knew that if he played his cards right, at the end of the cruoise he would get a nice little gratuity....his wages weren't so good, but the Mrs Myers of this world had built up a choice little nest-egg for his imminent retirement.
Given the choice, he would have prefered to just work for the families, like the one a few cabins away, the Per family.
Nice kids those.
Ricky would have loved to have kids of his own, but somehow never had the time to meet the right woman to provide them.

He stirred the coffee and sat back in the staffroom to enjoy this well deserved beverage.
The shift would be over soon he noted, glancing at the clock.
4 already, and all was quiet.

The PA system gave out the crackle that it allways did just before it sprang to life.

The announcement was abrupt, and not quite in character with the first mate at all.
Looking out through the porthole, he watched the lightening flash a couple of times, and gazed at the swell.

It's not such a bad storm...we've ridden worse than this in our time...something must be amiss.

He opened the staffroom door and looked out into the corridor...all seemed fine, he would just wait here and see if any more instructions came through.

"Well, first and foremost, because niether one of us what that girl dead. Second, because my being here is obviously pissing you off, and the only way I'm leaving is with her. And last, but definatly not least, that safe has a timer on it. If it's open for more than 10 minutes at a time it shuts automatically and only the captain's key can re-open it."

Faith swore under her breath in Gaelic. Her brain worked feverishly at alternative solutions. Surfer had been easy enough to take down before, but she did not have the advantages of surprize or deception this time. She would have to find a different way to secure a favorable outcome. With her free hand, she reached onto the desk behind her, keeping the blade at the receptionist's neck and her gaze fixed steadily on the man.

"I have a better idea."

She located an empty sack on the desk, the kind normally used to transport cash and coin. She shoved the bag into the receptionist's hands and issued her directions.

"Fill up the bag. Once I have what I came for, I'll leave you two in peace."

Hands shaking, the receptionist nervously complied.

The man Slade had sent to track down Faith was called Sergei. He had crossed a span of slippery, restricted deck with catlike agility. And like a cat, he hated the water. More, he hated the rain. So finding a public enterence to the ship's interior was a welcome thing. Though irritated at being so wet, the mission came first. He carried the automatic weapon under the stolen raincoat, but always with a grip around the trigger guard. There were a few people wandering the various hallways, but he took little to no notice of them after a cursory glance. His stride was quick and purposeful. As he approached the central stairwell, he took note of his current deck. Verandah. Atlantic was three decks below.

The night had been drab to say the least. The blossoming storm and the ships insistance on staying in your respective rooms. The stately red walls seemed too confining at this early hour. Plus, Malia was naturely curious, a common characteristic in artists of her caliber. She aimlessly walked around the deserted piano bar, admiring the beautiful Steinway grand, so shiny and iluminous. Maybe she could play it one night.

She continued toward a reception counter, hoping to ask the receptionist about the condition of the storm and possibly about the piano.

Upon arriving at the marble counter, Malia noticed the door labeled "Crew Only" slightly ajar. And heard hushed voices in intent negotiation. A man, a woman, and slight whimpers. Three people.

Something didn't feel right.

Malia manuevred over the counter as quiet as a mouse slips under a door. She wanted to know what was happening. She crouched down near the door so that she would not be seen if the door were to be opened. She silently listened to their conversation.

A hostage crisis. A robbery. Apprently the woman wanted something, and the whimpering was her leverage. The Man's voice was somewhat strangely familiar, put utterly unplaceable. She heard the Man negotiating with the Woman, trying to save the Whimpering.

The Woman spoke Gaelic! Malia, for some reason, was relieved. Another crazy Irishwoman, she thought,like my mother.

That somehow eased the situation, Malia hadn't heard her native Gaelic or Spanish since leaving on the cruise ship. This relaxed her nerves. But she had to do something. Something to distract the Woman so the whimpering could escape. Maybe even save whatever the Woman wanted. What would any native Gael know. And pop! Malia started playing the languid tempo of "Griogal Cridhe" on her guitar. Then started belting out the winding and harmonic notes of the traditional Gaelic song. The words, of course, were in Gaelic. The song was about a mother telling her son of his father's execution and the hard life they await. A favorite ballad of her mothers, yet dark and very appropriate for the situation.

She hoped this might be of some distraction the the Woman.

Irving sat down at a table and drank some coffee. It noticed that it was too quiet. He drank his coffee. There was absolutely no people present. He looked behind his back and out toward the ocean. Closing his eyes, he thought back to his childhood. Sighing for a moment he finished off his coffee. Irving started to make his way back down to a library.

"Parodon me, sir maybe you can help me."

So far so good. Surfer hadn't done anything stupid despite her worries, and the receptionist was doing as she was told, if shakily. Faith calmed slightly, but did not allowed her adrenaline-heightned senses to dull. Just as the woman finished scooping the last of the safe's contents into the bag, the sound of music floated gently into the room. The source of the music was close by. Too close. But the song was also familiar. A voice accompanied the music as well, and Faith had to work hard to maintain a sense of composure. Inwardly, she madly puzzled out the situation.

What the hell? Someone else here from Gaeltach?

It did make sense. The ship had left from a border town, afterall. She grabbed the bag from the receptionist, and withdrew the knife from her throat only long enough to gesture at Surfer.

"Over there. Get away from the door."

She wouldn't release the girl until she was sure a clear avenue of escape presented itself. While waiting for his complience, she edged with the receptionist towards the door in tiny, crablike steps.

As Irving started to move threw the deserted halls he wondered where all the people were. He looked at his watch and it said 4:34 AM. Surely someone had to be up and about. He simply brushed it off and thought it as not his problem. Moving slowly he started to hear something, but thought it was just so people talking. Then he heard it again. Turning around, he saw nothing. He needed to get more sleep.

The singing voice behind me trough me off guard a little, but i tried not to let it show. Jill had finished bagging the safe and, thus far, the other girl hadn't shown any irrational behavior, so i descided to indulge her demands.

Well, thats about the best compromise im gunna get at the moment.

I edged out of the way of the door, then held a hand out for Jill to grab.

Malia stopped singing.

Nothing extraordinary happened, so her singing must not have affected the occupants of the room very much. She decided it was best to wait for someone to come out, then surprise them in whatever way seemed fit at that time.

Fennel came out of the galley area, where he'd begged a few juicy morsels, and trotted off towards the lounge area hopeful of some company.

As he went he became aware that something was different. He slowed and looked round, the fur along his neck raising an infinitesmal amount.

different...not good...what?...

Fennel stood for a moment, turning his ears this way and that, trying to catch sounds in the unnatural quiet of the now-empty public area. He drew air slowly into his nose

medicine man?...red hair?...

Fennel altered direction, his gait changing into a back-alley slink, melting into the shadows.
Wary, alert, street-wise and, in his own way, lethal.

Ali had been standing in a reasonably sheltered area toward the bows, revelling in the storm. Ignoring the request for passengers to return to their cabins she got her fill of fresh air denied to her for the days spent in her cabin.

Ali's growling stomach, protesting at the lack of food, decided her. She'd go in search of something to eat in spite of the early hour.

She passed into the ship, walked down the corridor and turned right into a wider throughfare.

Movement! Ah! A cat. She smiled and made a small cat-like noise. The cat paused, looked round at her and went on. Forgetting her hunger, piqued that the cat hadn't come over, because cats usually adored her, Ali followed.

Perhaps it was something about the way the cat was moving that induced Ali to keep to the wall and move more quietly than she would normally.

Her eyes wide open, focussed on the cat yet scanning the surrounding area, Ali's lips curved in a slight smile. There was something exciting about this...even a sense of danger?

The pair moved on...

Most of Faith's attention was locked on Surfer as she reached the doorway. She curled her finger around the edge of the door, aware the source of the music just a few moments ago was on the other side. Her best chance would be to run for it. She pulled the door open slowly and saw nothing in her periphery. Risking it, she shoved the receptionist towards Surfer, and dashed through the door, knife held ready for whomever was out there, but hoping she could escape before needing to use it.

The girl pushed Jill at me and took off. I caught her and she went limp.

Fainted. You did good Jill.

I sat her down against the wall and ran to the phone. I keyed in the extention to make a ship-wide announcement. This, of course, was something i should not have known how to do, but that was a problem for another time. The announcment noise chimed over the loud speakers and i did my best to keep my voice level.

"Doctor to reception, Doctor to reception."

Malia had very little time to react when the woman bolted out, but mustered all she could to raise her guitar and throw it at the woman. Wood splintered everywhere as the woman took the blow. The damage was minimal, yet shocking.

"Stop" Malia yelled in Gaelic. She was shaking and felt like crying.

Faith raised her arm defensively mere moments before impact. The gesture shielded her face and neck, but her arm was left a bit sore, to be sure. Snarling, she turned on the girl, realizing she had just dispatched with her only means of defense. She gestured with the blade threateningly, noting Sergei descending the stairs across the lobby. She managed to keep her voice low, if not a touch of harshness to it.

"Bitch. I should kill you."

But priorities were priorities. She kept the point of her blade between herself and the girl, and hoisted herself backwards over the counter.

"No, you shouldn't." breathed Malia in Gaelic.

She dangled the cash deposit bag that the woman had dropped during the assualt.

"Why do you need this?"

Malia didn't give her time to answer before she shoved the bag into her jacket and sprinted out from behind the desk, running down the nearest corridor.

If I can just get to my room, she tought. Her father had given her a gun for "protection". The rush of all that was happening felt exhilarating. She didn't care what was going on, just that it was real.

"No, you shouldn't." breathed Malia in Gaelic.

She dangled the cash deposit bag that the woman had dropped during the assualt.

"Why do you need this?"

Malia didn't give her time to answer before she shoved the bag into her jacket and sprinted out from behind the desk, running down the nearest corridor.

If I can just get to my room, she tought. Her father had given her a gun for "protection". The rush of all that was happening felt exhilarating. She didn't care what was going on, just that it was real.
Sergei had just lept down the last flight of stairs as a strange woman assaulted Faith with an instrument of some kind. He was not so quick to preserve life as Faith.. a difference in their upbringing. The big man sprinted the width of the lobby, stopping in the woman's line of travel. He opened his raincoat and leveled an M4 at her. The safety was off. The firing selector was set to three round burst.

"Stoi!"

His big frame effectively blocked her path to the hallway behind him, and access to the elevator/stairwell shaft branching off that. He was a good shot, and at this short distance, he would not miss.

"Drop the bag. Now."

Furious now, Faith stalked up behind the woman, waiting for her complience. She was at an angle, giving Sergei a clear, unhindered line of fire. She held the blade between two fingers, ready to throw if necessary.

Irving got lost and had no idea where he was. Wandering Irving decided just to keep on going until he found something he remember or familiar. He heard somebody yell something and started to walk slower. Irving looked and saw a flight of stairs. Keeping quiet he stayed were he was. All he could see was a large man with a M4.

Shit, thought Malia. Try to play the hero and I am about to die.

Malia tilted her head down slightly, and making a pouty expression, seductivly said in Gaelic, "Don't make the mistake of shooting me. That would be silly. I don't know what you're up to, but maybe I can help. Don't think I am so naive to believe you aren't up to no good. Whatever it is, I have ways that can open up any room on this ship, and don't think for a minute that I am a liabilty."

She took out the bag and dangled it. She lightly stepped toward him.

"Use me. I am yours." she whispered.

Malia didn't know what had came over her. One part of her felt what she was doing was wrong, but the other vicious part wanted whatever was possible to rip out of her body and become the enemy. Malia decided to roll with the punches.

I tore off a strip of my shirt and tied it gently but tightly around Jill's neck. She was propped up against the wall, so that would at least limit the blood flow until the doctor arrived. I descided to poke my head out the door and see if the girl had gone. Much to my suprise, she was still there, point her knife at... Malia?

What the hell is she doing here.

Then i spotted the big guy with the gun, and the bad that Malia now had in her possetion.

Stupid girl. Stupid ditsy rich little girl.

I reached around my back and lightly gripped my own knife, but i looked back at Jill.

Son of a bitch. Fine, we'll see how this plays out.

Shit, thought Malia. Try to play the hero and I am about to die.

Malia tilted her head down slightly, and making a pouty expression, seductivly said in Gaelic, "Don't make the mistake of shooting me. That would be silly. I don't know what you're up to, but maybe I can help. Don't think I am so naive to believe you aren't up to no good. Whatever it is, I have ways that can open up any room on this ship, and don't think for a minute that I am a liabilty."

She took out the bag and dangled it. She lightly stepped toward him.

"Use me. I am yours." she whispered.

Malia didn't know what had came over her. One part of her felt what she was doing was wrong, but the other vicious part wanted whatever was possible to rip out of her body and become the enemy. Malia decided to roll with the punches.

Sergei thumbed the firing selector from three round burst to single shot. He grinned darkly. Slade's crew was diverse, but they weren't all from Gaeltach. While Sergei had been with them long enough to recognize the language, he couldn't understand it. Her body language, however, seemed perfectly clear. She was daring him. Baiting him. Slade would rather they not fire any shots until business had been concluded, but the situation necessitated it. He fired a single shot, aiming close enough to the side of her head that she would not only hear, but feel the pressure wave of the round as it passed. Who knew. If she flinched, it might hit her ear. If she continued to advance, he would simply shoot her before she could get close enough to do anything any more stupid.

"That was your only warning."

*Austin ran towards the captain's cabin. however, just as the Door came to view, the PA crackled to life...*

Doctor to reception, Doctor to reception.

SHIT!

*looking back towards the reception area... he turned towards the Captain's cabin and paused.*

No choice. My hunch is only a hunch... someone could be seriously hurt.

*Gripping his bag, Austin turned around and headed back towards the Reception area.*

*as he neared the last turn, a sound he feared he would hear was barely camoflauged by the thunder and waves... *

Gunfire... single round... SHIT

*peering around the corner, he saw a woman facing someone he couldn't see... in the reception office, he sees Johnathan and Jill...*

He probably called for the medic... but the woman isn't armed, and neither is Jill or John...
Jill seems hurt, but not enough blood to indicate a gunshot wound... so who fired the shot?

*edging forwards Austin tried to take stock of the situation when from somewhere below him the distinct smell of a fired gun waifed up.*

Below me...

*Crouching down, Austin removes the wireless phone that all staff officers have and dials the bridge.*
we have a situation in reception... one armed unknown, crew member down, status unknown. Guest under threat.

Slade and Santigo were supervising a few minor changes to the ship's heading while another of the crew monitered the ship-board radar information. The fourth man had been watching the prisoners when the in-ship comm line began ringing. Slade nodded to Santigo. It may or may not be one of his men. The regular crew for the cruise had not been secured, not in the least. Santigo picked up the handset.

"Bridge, weather officer speaking."

It was a code. Slade's crew would know to whom they were speaking. There was a decent chance of fooling anyone else, especially if luck was on their side for another 10 minutes or so.