"Attention!" the fishing captain called out to the crew. "As you may be aware, we recently took on a new passenger. He is in dire need and so we are cutting this trip short for the sake of his health."
A mixed reaction came from the crew.
"Now, now, we'll have no moaning," the captain told them. "This is a fishing boat. This isn't a kindergarten. I know many of you are disappointed that we can't get our regular catch this time. But we have a fragile life in our hands and I believe that that is far more important."
"Aye!" One of the crew agreed, rallying others to him. "Human life is far more important than some fish."
"But it's not human! It's a kitten!" another pointed out.
"All the more reason to get it back to shore," a third argued. "A kitten that small and fragile cannot fend for itself."
"Exactly," the captain said. "We will be back ashore in a few hours. Hopefully our furry friend will survive that long."
The rain finally stopped as the ship reached the dock and the captain handed the kitten to the boatswain. "Bring our friend to the nearest vet," he said.
The boatswain gave a nod as he accepted the frail little bundle. With a sense of urgency, he hailed a taxi and gave the driver instructions to drive to the nearest veterinarian.
Although loose animals were technically not allowed in cabs, unless it was a service animal, the driver was a softy and saw that this was a tiny sick kitten who needed help. So, taking pity on the boatswain, he drove to the nearest vet as requested and wished the boatswain luck on the kitten's recovery.
Examining the kitten the veterinarian frowned.
"Where did you find her?" he asked.
"Out at sea," the boatswain explained. "She came aboard with our catch."
"She's lucky to be alive," the vet said, a dark look in his eyes. "Although I would like to curse the bastard who probably threw her overboard."
Although too weak to open her eyes, the kitten Imaginos could hear the voices of the boatswain and the veterinarian. Something they kept saying troubled the mariner-turned-kitten. Her? Why was that so troubling? Indeed, why did she care about anything they were saying? She just wanted to be fed and warmed up and taken care of. Right now, those things were all that mattered.