Sea Sick: A Horror Novel

The man seemed confused by the comment and the revolver lowered slightly. Jack decided to try and take control of the conversation while the man was unsure of himself. “Why do you have a gun, sir?”


The man’s smile was crooked. He repeated the word, “Sir? I like the sound of that. Makes me feel all respectable-like.” He pointed the gun closer to Jack’s face. “But I’m afraid I’m still going to have to insist you both mosey on out of here. This is my cargo and you’re trespassing, so could you kindly fuck off?”

Jack didn’t appreciate being sworn at. He still had questions.“What the hell are you guarding, anyway?”

“None of your business. Now get!”

Tally started backing away and Jack decided to follow her. They could force the issue and see where it led, but it would probably be better to take a step back and re-strategize. It was clear that the cargo of the ship was being used to transport something that they weren’t supposed to know about.

You don’t post a short-tempered cowboy to protect your goods unless they’re pretty valuable.

“Where are we going now?” Jack asked Tally as they headed back to the elevator.

“We’re going to see the Captain,” she said. “To let him know that there’s an armed man aboard his ship.”

***

Tally used her limited credentials to get herself and Jack inside the ship’s Bridge. It was clear by the reaction of the technical staff that a waitress was not welcome in that particular area of the ship, but her insistence – and possibly her beauty – eventually got her through. After convincing a young radioman that there was an urgent matter that needed to be brought to the Captain’s attention, she and Jack were finally led inside a small office. It was set up like a meeting room with an oblong table and leather-backed chairs arranged at its centre. Both Tally and Jack took a seat.

After a short wait, a white-uniformed man entered the room and observed them suspiciously. Each arm of his jacket was emblazoned by four horizontal stripes and an executive loop, while his white peaked cap featured a small emblem of an anchor on a blue oval background, which itself was encircled by a golden wreath of oak leaves. Jack knew from his days in the forces that this man was the ship’s commanding officer.

“I am Captain Marangakis,” he said, addressing them with the stern tone of a man who had little time to be wasted. “I understand you wish to inform me of something.”

“Yes, sir,” said Tally respectfully.

The captain remained standing, his back straight, looking down at them. “Well? What is it?”

“There’s a man with a gun in the cargo area,” said Jack.

The captain nodded very slowly and stared into Jack’s eyes curiously. He pulled up a chair and sat down opposite them both. Before he said anything, he removed his cap and placed it carefully down on the desk in front of him. His head was balding. “May I ask what exactly you were doing in my cargo area?”

Jack didn’t have an answer that would suffice, so he decided to ignore the question. “Did you hear what we said? There is a man with a gun down there. Does that not concern you?”

“That man is allowed to be there.” The captain sounded utterly calm about it all.“He is a member of BR Shipping’s maritime security force. He is here to protect their assets.”

Jack spluttered. “What? You’re telling me that you know that this cruise liner, full of children and families, is being used to transport dangerous cargo?”

“Who said it was dangerous?”

Jack sighed. “You don’t pay an armed guard to protect something benign.”

The captain bored a hole into Jack with his narrow brown eyes. “I assure you that the cargo in this ship is of no danger to anyone. It is merely BR policy to protect their possessions.”

“Okay,” said Jack. “Then tell me what is being stored down there?”

“Who are you to demand anything of me? This is my ship, may I remind you.”