Getting ready
The wind was blowing into their faces and Epps and Ceilí had to push back strands of hair more than just a few times. It was already dark and hard to see, although both headlights were running at full power. Santos had just spotted a strange anomaly on the radar, and Murphy thought it could be the ship that they have been searching for.
The mist grew thicker and it started to rain heavily, and suddenly Santos screamed from the lower deck. They hadn't even time to react before the Arctic Warrior collided with something that just hadn't been there a second ago. Dodge, who was standing near the left headlight, was thrown overboard by the impact and could catch a towing rope just in time. His head was knocked against the planks and suddenly felt all-dizzy. There was no real pain but he knew that he couldn't hang on any longer. Ceilí sprinted over to him, not caring about the movement of the ship to help him. She stumbled over a metal can and hit the plank hard. But she didn't care, as well. With a split lip she ran over to Dodge and caught his arm to tuck him back aboard. It was quite a hard thing to do, for he was a well-built and sturdy man. But in her fear she managed to grab him and pull him over the reeling.
He was angry and frightened, it showed quite obviously on his face when he now rubbed his throbbing head. But it lasted only a moment, for when he saw Ceilí's injuries, he quickly pulled her into his arms and led her back to the others. The girl didn't refuse to be held that close and seemed to enjoy his warmth.
Epps was shocked to see the girl in this state. Her face and shirt were soaked and already stained with blood. Yet the cut on her lower lip wasn't bad and she was already grinning again.
"Damn, Santos, why didn't you stop before we hit this piece of shit?" Ceilí squealed and slapped him on the shoulder. The spanish man looked at her.
"Sorry, hun!" he panted and tilted his head to the side.
"What is this..." they heard Murphy draw in breath harshly.
Dodge had gone over to the headlight again and let the light trail over the metal rump of the huge ship. There it was, the name of the ship. Murphy slowly read it.
"Antonia Graza..." he whispered.
"Antonia what?" Munder spoke out aloud what all the others thought.
""These Italian liners, they couldn't compete for speed, so they built these floating art palaces instead. She was reported missing on the 21st of May, 1962 off the coast of Labrador. Funny thing is, there was no distress signal, no contact...she just disappeared, she was gone. Ever since that day, every captain and his mother's been looking for her, hoping that she hasn't gone down."
~*~
Ferriman was extremely excited to see the ship, but none yet wondered about this excitement. Epps and Murphy both gaped in awe at the ship, Munder and Dodge were a little disgusted.
"She doesn't look like one of those pretty babes..." Munder muttered, being nudged by Dodge who pulled a face.
"You know what? I can even remember the headline in the newspaper. My dad showed it to me when I decided to buy my first tugboat. He said that I should keep my eyes on a ship like that. 'Built in 1954, the majestic ocean liner Antonia Graza was the pride of the Italian Line. A vision of modern, sleek sophistication, the ship was nothing less than a work of art. Amenities provided for her passengers ensured that they would enjoy unrivaled luxury during their stay at sea; when guests were not unwinding in their spacious staterooms, they could socialize in one of the stylish lounges, enjoy sports and relaxation atop the liner's broad decks, or take a refreshing dip in the stately swimming pool. The centerpiece of the Antonia Graza was its opulent grand ballroom, where couples would dance the night away to the romantic strains of a live orchestra. Chefs labored night and day in the galley preparing superb Italian cuisine to be served in the ship's elegant dining room, and attentive crewmembers were always available, eager to provide their guests with anything they should desire. It was truly the journey of a lifetime.'"
"Ah..." mimicked Munder. "So then why is she here? I mean, it's been 40 years since she disappeared, isn't it? And why is she right here, more than a thousand sea miles off any navigation route?"
"If only I know..." Murphy sighed and went inside.
Munder, Dodge and Ceilí followed him. Epps and Ferriman lingered on outside, she being fascinated by the ship, he being fascinated by her. Becoming more daring, he stepped in close and offered her a cigarette, which she gratefully took. Her eyes were tied to the eerie ship, only being a little aware of the staring eyes of Ferriman who read her thoughts like words in a book.
The wind was blowing into their faces and Epps and Ceilí had to push back strands of hair more than just a few times. It was already dark and hard to see, although both headlights were running at full power. Santos had just spotted a strange anomaly on the radar, and Murphy thought it could be the ship that they have been searching for.
The mist grew thicker and it started to rain heavily, and suddenly Santos screamed from the lower deck. They hadn't even time to react before the Arctic Warrior collided with something that just hadn't been there a second ago. Dodge, who was standing near the left headlight, was thrown overboard by the impact and could catch a towing rope just in time. His head was knocked against the planks and suddenly felt all-dizzy. There was no real pain but he knew that he couldn't hang on any longer. Ceilí sprinted over to him, not caring about the movement of the ship to help him. She stumbled over a metal can and hit the plank hard. But she didn't care, as well. With a split lip she ran over to Dodge and caught his arm to tuck him back aboard. It was quite a hard thing to do, for he was a well-built and sturdy man. But in her fear she managed to grab him and pull him over the reeling.
He was angry and frightened, it showed quite obviously on his face when he now rubbed his throbbing head. But it lasted only a moment, for when he saw Ceilí's injuries, he quickly pulled her into his arms and led her back to the others. The girl didn't refuse to be held that close and seemed to enjoy his warmth.
Epps was shocked to see the girl in this state. Her face and shirt were soaked and already stained with blood. Yet the cut on her lower lip wasn't bad and she was already grinning again.
"Damn, Santos, why didn't you stop before we hit this piece of shit?" Ceilí squealed and slapped him on the shoulder. The spanish man looked at her.
"Sorry, hun!" he panted and tilted his head to the side.
"What is this..." they heard Murphy draw in breath harshly.
Dodge had gone over to the headlight again and let the light trail over the metal rump of the huge ship. There it was, the name of the ship. Murphy slowly read it.
"Antonia Graza..." he whispered.
"Antonia what?" Munder spoke out aloud what all the others thought.
""These Italian liners, they couldn't compete for speed, so they built these floating art palaces instead. She was reported missing on the 21st of May, 1962 off the coast of Labrador. Funny thing is, there was no distress signal, no contact...she just disappeared, she was gone. Ever since that day, every captain and his mother's been looking for her, hoping that she hasn't gone down."
~*~
Ferriman was extremely excited to see the ship, but none yet wondered about this excitement. Epps and Murphy both gaped in awe at the ship, Munder and Dodge were a little disgusted.
"She doesn't look like one of those pretty babes..." Munder muttered, being nudged by Dodge who pulled a face.
"You know what? I can even remember the headline in the newspaper. My dad showed it to me when I decided to buy my first tugboat. He said that I should keep my eyes on a ship like that. 'Built in 1954, the majestic ocean liner Antonia Graza was the pride of the Italian Line. A vision of modern, sleek sophistication, the ship was nothing less than a work of art. Amenities provided for her passengers ensured that they would enjoy unrivaled luxury during their stay at sea; when guests were not unwinding in their spacious staterooms, they could socialize in one of the stylish lounges, enjoy sports and relaxation atop the liner's broad decks, or take a refreshing dip in the stately swimming pool. The centerpiece of the Antonia Graza was its opulent grand ballroom, where couples would dance the night away to the romantic strains of a live orchestra. Chefs labored night and day in the galley preparing superb Italian cuisine to be served in the ship's elegant dining room, and attentive crewmembers were always available, eager to provide their guests with anything they should desire. It was truly the journey of a lifetime.'"
"Ah..." mimicked Munder. "So then why is she here? I mean, it's been 40 years since she disappeared, isn't it? And why is she right here, more than a thousand sea miles off any navigation route?"
"If only I know..." Murphy sighed and went inside.
Munder, Dodge and Ceilí followed him. Epps and Ferriman lingered on outside, she being fascinated by the ship, he being fascinated by her. Becoming more daring, he stepped in close and offered her a cigarette, which she gratefully took. Her eyes were tied to the eerie ship, only being a little aware of the staring eyes of Ferriman who read her thoughts like words in a book.