Chapter 4~ Beat the Clock
The news was buzzing around the fleet that the season would end in just 48 hours. "What are we going to do?" Northwestern moaned. She was well off the crab and sought desperately to catch something before the season was out. "Well, there are two options. We can either set more pots and risk violating the law, or we can go far to the north to that string of pots we set earlier." Sig replied. "Long Tall Sally?" Northwestern asked. "Long Tall Sally." Sig agreed, nodding. "Alright, that's that then." She said and took off to the north.
While Northwestern more than prided herself on being the fastest boat in the fleet, she never actually thought that she'd really have to rely on it like she was now. Speed was everything at this point and the faster, the better. It seemed to take an eternity but it was really less than half a day before she reached the top of her first string here. "Please be crab. Please be crab." She whispered in a half prayer. The hook was thrown and the line was caught perfectly. It was hauled in and put in the block. The line started coiling around as the pot grew closer and closer and closer to the surface. "Please, please, please." Northwestern whispered, shutting her eyes. At last, the pot broke the surface and Northwestern, having no choice but to satisfy her curiosity, took a peak and at once gave a yowl of victory. The pot was nearly stuffed with king crab.
"Yes!" She yowled. "Yes, oh yes!" Sig laughed and thus began a last minute race to haul in all the pots before the season ended. "Get the coffee ready boys." Northwestern said. "It's gonna be a long night." She and the crew pulled another all-nighter, rushing to haul aboard all their pots with the crab before the season ended. With just a few minutes to spare, the last pot cleared the rail. "We've done it!" Northwestern cheered. Long Tall Sally had paid off and the bountiful crab had given her the King Crab Derby title. "I love it!" She laughed as the pots were stowed on deck and she turned south for Dutch Harbor.
She arrived there a few days later and was very surprised and flattered to see Big Valley waiting for her. He rushed forward, pressing his bow against hers. Shocked, Northwestern hesitated, then reprimanded herself for her behavior before purring and nuzzling him back. "You made it." He whispered. "So I did." She replied, brushing against him. Sig's furious yelling brought her back to her senses. "Um, Big Valley, maybe you should come back later before Sig uses the kitchen broom as a weapon." She said. The large gray male laughed. "Alright. I'll see you tonight." He replied and nuzzling her once more, he left.
Northwestern pulled up alongside the processor. "Did you have a good trip?" He asked. She nodded. "Yes." She replied. "I can see that. Goodness you caught a lot." He exclaimed. Northwestern grinned. "Comes with experience." She said with a shrug.
Later, Northwestern was resting at her berth. Sig and the others were off celebrating in town, presenting the perfect opportunity for Big Valley to appear again. Northwestern smiled at him. "You are more than welcome here Big Valley." She said. "Northwestern, you are one beautiful queen." He whispered, pressing against her. "Flatterer." She teased. "I can't help that you are so beautiful, young goddess." He said. She laughed softly, granting him a deep kiss which he returned happily.
When Sig returned late that night, he saw the pair curled up together and fast asleep. Both had several scratches on their lower aft hulls and keel. Chuckling, he climbed aboard his ship and said not a word as he turned out the lights.