THE LOVE BOAT
"S.O.S."
The air was cool and fresh in San Pedro, albeit overcast and slightly chilly. Stubing took in a deep breath of it, and looked on as the deck hands, stewards, cooks, and maintenance crew were onboarding the supplies needed for their departure in four hours. A junior officer approached and handed him a printout of the weather conditions.
"Thanks Joseph," Stubing said as he accepted the paper.
"Yes sir," Joseph replied as he retreated back into the communications area behind the bridge.
Stubing read the weather report and his face creased slightly. Hurricane season was always something to be concerned with, but the report confirmed the anticipation of a strong storm that would collide with their route to Mazatlán. Stubing frowned as he considered the possibility, and he turned abruptly and stalked onto the bridge.
"Wheeler," he barked at the navigations officer, "I want you to calculate three potential routes that avoid the worst of this impending storm."
"Aye-aye sir," Wheeler replied, as he picked up his equipment to figure out new routes.
"Johnson," Stubing barked at his first officer, "let's double check all safety equipment onboard, including communications equipment, flares, lifeboats, and life vests."
"Aye, Captain," Johnson replied.
Stubing turned to his second officer, "Macias, I'd like to see all hands in the dining room prior to passenger boarding at ten-hundred."
"Yes sir," Macias said crisply.
Stubing turned to look out the windows on the bridge. Was it his imagination or was it cloudier than it had been a few minutes ago?
Stubing stood in the center of the dining room, surrounded by the entire crew.
"The likelihood of us running into a problem is slim, ladies and gentlemen," Stubing continued, "but I want each department head to review safety and evacuation procedures prior to launch, is that clear?"
There was a consensus in the room that his instructions were indeed clear. Gopher exchanged a worried glance with Doc, but any potential comments were left unspoken.
Stubing's voice took on an edge that it only took on when he was irritated with an officer, or he was truly worried; but only those closest to him could discern the difference between the two.
"The safety of the passengers and crew are the primary concern of this ship. While it is highly unlikely we will ever need to evacuate, it is hurricane season, and only fools are not prepared." He glared slowly around the room to indicate his seriousness. "Dismissed."
The crew dispersed quickly, muttering amongst themselves.
"Julie, Doc, Isaac, Gopher, and Vicky," the captain called, "a moment please."
The five of them remained behind, and Stubing waited until the rest of the crew had cleared the room before addressing the remaining members.
"I would like you, Julie, to make sure that the passengers are familiar with the evacuation procedures, and how to don a life vest."
"Yes sir," McCoy replied, her frown growing stronger.
"Mr. Smith, I want you to keep a tallied and up to date list of all passengers on crew who are onboard at all times, including updating anyone who may disembark and not return in Mexico." His voice was a hard as steel, "And Mr. Washington, do me a favor and don't let anyone over-imbibe this trip."
Gopher and Isaac stared at each other but muttered, "Yes sir."
"Doc, please ensure that you have everything you need in the event we run into trouble." The doctor nodded, and Stubing looked at his daughter. "Vicky, you're with me this trip, understand?"
From the look on her face, she didn't, but sensing the tension in the room all she said was, "Yes, dad."
"Okay, dismissed. Vicky, I'll see you on the bridge in a few minutes."
Doc lingered behind, waiting until the others had left the room.
"Merrill?"
Stubing looked into Doc's eyes, his own sapphire blues boring into the doctor.
"Sorry Adam, the weather reports seem certain that a very strong storm is going to hit our route. The navigator is recalculating other routes, but I want to be sure we're ready no matter what comes."
Bricker assessed his long-time friend and colleague and noted an uncharacteristic weight on his shoulders.
"Okay, so if we can steer around it, what's the problem? Why is the weight of the world on your shoulders?"
Stubing looked down at his shoes for a moment, then back at Bricker.
"Not the weight of the world, Adam, just the weight of the ship and all the souls on board."
Bricker reached a hand on his friend's shoulder, "Merrill, what's got you spooked? I know you, you've sailed storms before, many times.:"
Stubing shook his head slightly, "It's more of a feeling, Adam." Merrill sighed, "They're predicting one of the biggest storms this route has seen in the last fifty years…"
"And?"
Stubing moved away from the doctor, as if he could shake free of all of it in such a simple movement.
"Captain?" Adam's voice was filled with concern.
Stubing finally replied reluctantly, "Call it a feeling, Adam. An old sea-dog's feeling. In the pit of my stomach."
Bricker moved next to Stubing and clapped him gently on the upper back. "I'm sure it will fine, Merrill. You're understandably concerned, but you have one of the finest crews afloat; we can handle whatever blows up our skirts."
Stubing's voice was tight with worry, but all he said was, "Yeah…"