Captain Hertzog spent some time with Rolf on the bridge before reassuring him that everything was fine but he needed to go to the engine room to see if they'd made any progress with the electrical system. It was time to find out how serious things might be.

One engineer was on top of each of the malfunctioning engines. They were disconnecting and reconnecting the electrical circuits that connected the two engines. Sidney Peacock watched them work. each time they reconnected a circuit, he tried to fire engine three.

"Hit the starter, Sidney. I think I heard something," the engineer on top of engine three said. "Never mind. I kicked it lose when I stepped back. I thought it was trying to start. You want to do the harness connections next?"

"It's got to be done. May as well do it now," Sidney said.

"Main harness is disconnected. I'm reconnecting now. Try it again," the engineer on engine three said.

Sidney moved back to the electrical box.

"Hitting the start button now," Sidney said.

"Hold up a minute, Sidney. I'm disconnecting and reconnecting the main harness again," the engineer on three said. "OK, Sidney, hit it again."

Sidney hit the start button again. He held it for two seconds and released it before pushing it a second time. It was silent next to engines three and four. Engines one and two hummed away a few feet away. They sounded powerful and Captain Hertzog was glad.

"Anything at all?" Captain Hertzog asked.

"Nothing, Captain. Engine three isn't getting power. Our gauges say everything is fine. There's obviously a glitch in the wiring. I'd replace these harnesses if I had replacement harnesses. The problem is in the harness somewhere. I can't find it, Captain," the same engineer said with exasperation in his voice. "We'll need to put in at Honolulu. That way we'll have access to more sophisticated equipment and whatever we need can be on a plane to us in a matter of hours. That's my recommendation."

"I concur," the second engineer said. "I get no reading. Honolulu has better equipment. We need to go to Honolulu and track the problem down."

"Sidney?" Captain Hertzog asked.

"I have nothing to add. It'll take less than a day to locate the trouble. Two days tops in Honolulu. Run all four engines to where we're going and we'll pick up a day. We'll only be a day behind schedule that way and we won't be out here on a wing and a prayer," Sidney Peacock said.

"I'm returning to the bridge. Keep me posted if you come up with something that changes what you're telling me," Captain Hertzog said. "Oh, yes, there's a storm to the southwest. It's a developing storm but it looks as though we'll be getting a significant blow some time around dinner tonight."

"Captain," Sidney Peacock said.

"Yes, Sidney."

"I don't like to add anything to your worries but you do know that engines one and two are connected into the same electrical system as engines three and four."

"I understand that, Sidney. There is really nothing we can do about that at the moment. Wouldn't you agree?"

"Just pointing out the obvious, Captain. Sailing into a blow without power isn't my idea of a good time," Sidney said, predicting a future he didn't particularly like.

"I'll take that under advisement, Sidney. Keep me posted."

Captain Hertzog had considered that all four engines were plugged into the same electrical system while talking to Bill. There was no point in alarming the passengers if it wasn't necessary. For the time being he'd keep the probability of more trouble to himself.

Most voyages of the Horizon went without a glitch. The engines were four years old. Most of the systems went in place in 1979. It wasn't unusual for a system to fail but the Horizon was built and maintained to avoid system failures during a voyage. Its business was research. It wasn't possible to give the amount of time needed to do the planned research properly if you were in port for repairs.

As the day progressed Captain Hertzog watched the storm clouds building to the southwest. The Horizon and the storm looked as though they would meet at some point along their journey. Storms that developed fast could be powerful enough but it took time for a storm to build into a typhoon. That didn't mean they weren't in for rough seas and a stiff blow.

His instruments told him part of the story. He knew what he knew from watching those instruments and from the experience he had as a ship's captain. He was waiting for a more complete update from the Weather Service, but they were rather busy at the moment.

With his engine problems troubling him the captain didn't want to divert from the course that would take him directly to Honolulu. Sailing into a storm would give his passengers concern. The safe thing would be to turn around to avoid the storm. Once they turned around, they'd be forced to return to San Francisco to make repairs. Turning around would end the prospects of getting in a full summer's research done.

Bill nixed any idea of turning back, as Captain Hertzog knew he would, but the captain had a lot more knowledge than he gave Bill. With the luck they were having so far the storm could catch them even if he did turn the ship around.

Sailing directly into the storm at the speed they were currently maintaining would get them through it by morning. The prospects of losing engines one and two would mean they'd be at the mercy of the storm. That was a worst case scenario.

He would sail his ship to Hawaii to make repairs. Captain Hertzog never failed to get his ship to its destination. He wouldn't fail this time. Turning back wasn't in his nature.

"Report, Rolf," he said, stepping back on the bridge.

"Steady she goes, Pop. Winds are picking up at present. They're at ten knots. The storm is tracking east northeast. We're going to run right into it, Pop. We're sailing into its path if we continue on this heading. Barometer has stopped falling over the last few minutes."

"I'll take the helm. Go get some coffee. Don't talk about the storm. Let's not alarm anyone until it's necessary."

"Aye, aye, Captain,' Rolf said, stepping into the inside passageway to go to the galley. He needed a cup of coffee.

Captain Hertzog checked his instruments. He looked at the barometer for a long time. Switching on the monitors, he checked the rear, port and starboard, and he set the camera on the sky to the southwest. Keeping that monitor on he switch the other three off.

The clouds were thickening and growing blacker as they sailed west. The Horizon and the unnamed storm were going to meet somewhere along the line. Captain Hertzog switched that monitor off.

After a few minutes, the captain picked up the microphone for the intercom.

"Rolf," Captain Hertzog said. "Bring a pot of coffee with you when you return to the bridge. Some clean cups. Bridge, out."

An hour later Captain Hertzog stood at the helm looking at the churning seas ahead of him. Rolf and his brother Dolf stood off to the right of their father. All eyes were on the angry sea ahead.

They'd weathered many a storm together and they'd weather this one, but a storm you were sailing into was never any fun.

The darkest storm clouds were a few miles to the southwest as the afternoon passed. The Horizon had weathered more powerful storms and it would weather this one.

The captain looked at the sweep of the radar. He still wasn't sure how big the system was. It was big enough to fill the left hand corner of the screen without it all being visible yet. He looked back at the sea. He moved up closer to the wheel, turning the Horizon north by northwest. It would keep the storm to the south for a while longer.

The captain had two good engines under him and they were going to Honolulu come hell or high water. It was too late to turn back now and with each sweep of the radar the storm grew larger. The storm was moving east northeast at 11 knots the last report said. The Horizon was moving northwest at 12 knots. He wanted to stay on the northern edge of the storm if he could.

Rolf reached for something to steady himself as a bigger roll began to meet the ship. Radar showed them moving into the leading edge of the storm and it was getting darker. It wasn't three thirty yet.

"Dolf, go to the galley and have a cup of coffee or two. Let our passengers see that you are unconcerned. Can you do that, son?"

"Yes, Sir," Dolf said.

Turning to leave the bridge, Dolf approached the inside passageway as the ship tilted seriously to starboard. Dolf grabbed the first solid object he could find as the Horizon righted itself. He continued his trip to the galley. He practiced his smile as he walked. It shouldn't be too big but big enough for him to convey calm.

If only he felt calm, but he didn't.

Captain Hertzog wanted to speak to all the passengers at the same time. It was nearing the dinner hour and Greek would be working hard to get ahead of the storm. He wanted dinner over with by the time conditions made serving and eating hazardous.

The captain was sure Bill told his people there was a storm building. They wouldn't be that concerned for the moment. No one would come to the bridge for obvious reasons but they'd expect to hear from the captain before conditions got much worse.

He didn't want to rush down and alarm his passengers. He wouldn't leave the bridge until he did all he could to keep the Horizon out of the worst part of the storm with no name.

He could lesson their exposure to the most intense winds and roughest seas but that required he stay on the bridge for the time being. Dolf's presence in the galley where everyone would have gone by now would reassure them that it wasn't bad enough for all hands to be at the ready for any actions necessary as the storm built.

The Greek knew the routine and while he'd rush the evening meal, he'd do it with good cheer and a big smile. That was the advantage of sailing with men he knew. He didn't need to take care of everything by himself. Most of the ships crew knew what to do from the last time they needed to do it.

Just then, Logan appeared on deck below the bridge. He was wearing a jacket that flapped in the wind. Walking forward he filmed as he walked. Once he reached the bow he kept the camera filming straight ahead of the ship. He was sure footed and wasn't the least bit alarmed. That meant the other passengers were probably occupied in their daily activities.

Logan needed footage of the sea in all its phases. This was the first rough water they'd encountered. Naturally he'd want footage. The man who made movies wasn't about to miss an approaching storm. The affable filmmaker didn't miss much. As immature as Logan seemed at times, his timing today suited the captain just fine.

Turning to the southwest where the boiling clouds were darkest, he filmed for a long time, only side stepping twice as the ship rolled.

Once he got what he was after, Logan let the camera hang down against his right side. He stared at the approaching storm for several minutes before turning to go back into a drier part of the ship. His hair was plastered to his head from what was a sideways rain.

Logan would soon give the other passengers a weather report.

Closing the distance between himself and the center section of the ship, Logan's right arm shot into the air. He waved at the figures he saw behind the glass on the bridge, happily going on his way.

"All's well," Captain Hertzog said to himself.

When he heard someone stepping onto the bridge behind him, Captain Hertzog turned to see who was there.

Sidney Peacock was wiping his hands on an already dirty rag.

Captain Hertzog looked at Sidney waiting for his report.

"Yes," the captain finally said. "What is it now, Sidney?" Exasperation had entered the captain's voice.

"Engines one and two failed for approximately five seconds. Then, they came back on, Captain. I knew you'd want to know about any changes right away. I didn't want to use the intercom to make the report," Sidney Peacock reported.

"Thank you, Sidney," Captain Hertzog said through gritted teeth.

Sidney left the bridge.

"Dad," Rolf said.

"Give me a minute. I'm thinking, Rolf."

"Shouldn't we turn around while we can, Pop?" Rolf asked, looking for something they could do to head of disaster.

"We're in it now, Rolf. Turning back won't help. We'll probably be out of it by morning by the way it looks on radar," Captain Hertzog said. "I better go down and say something before it gets any worse."

"The engines?" Rolf asked.

"I'm going to go down and send everyone to their cabin. I'll tell them everything is under control and I'm praying that will prove to be true. I will not mention we may lose power. If we do, God help us all. Take the helm, Rolf. Steady she goes. I won't be long."

"Aye, aye, Captain," Rolf said without enthusiasm

He'd never had the helm in a storm before. He pulled himself tight against the wheel.

Captain Hertzog glanced at the clock. It was a quarter after six. Dinner would be over for the most part. He suspected everyone would still be in the galley. Few people on the Horizon could resist one of Greek's meals no matter the conditions.

Greek would have known to have dinner ready early. He could feel the rough seas. It's why he hadn't heard from his cook. Once Logan gave them his weather report, they'd have eaten holding onto their plates. Logan would have reassured them. He'd now give them the basic facts without alarming them.

He stopped while still in the inside passageway. He straightened his uniform and used his hands to smooth his hair back. It's the first storm on this trip. It won't be the last. The captain composed his speech as he walked out of the inside passageway, turning toward the galley entrance. The low clouds made the main corridor almost dark.

He'd casually appear in the galley, ask about the meal, to reassure everyone that everything was under control. They'd most likely be unnerved by the worsening conditions. He'd tell them all was well. They'd be out of the blow by morning if not sooner. That was his hope anyway.

Until the situation became more clear to him, he'd remain silent on the subject. Giving his passengers too much to be concerned about was never a good idea. His concern over the engine problem was added to the unexpected storm system, but a storm was a storm. Nothing new in that. They pop up all the time.

"Yes, they did," Captain Hertzog said to himself.

As he walked toward the galley entrance, Sidney Peacock emerged at the other end of the corridor.

This was not what he was hoping for.

"Not now, Sidney. I have work to do," the captain said.

"Going to alert the passengers, Captain?" Sidney asked.

"That's my intention. I'll tell them about the storm and nothing else. You are not to mention anything else. Are we clear on that?"

"Aye, aye, Captain. Mums the word, Klaus," Sidney said in his Down Under brogue.

Captain Hertzog heard guitar music and soft singing as he was about to step inside the galley. He'd pictured worried passengers that he'd send to their cabins with reassurances that everything was fine.

Logan Warren was playing the guitar and singing a sea shanty.

"Yo ho, blow the man down."

He strummed the guitar and used it for a drum to get the desired effect.

The mood was festive as Blow The Man Down came to an end. As the applause went on, Logan launched into his next shanty.

"We come on the sloop John B, My grandfather and me," Logan sang and happily played the guitar,

"Excuse me," the captain said, not wanting to wait any longer.

Logan stopped playing and he looked at the captain standing erect just inside the galley entrance.

Sidney Peacock stood directly behind the captain's right shoulder.

"Yea come to join the hootenanny, Captain," Greek said happily from the window that opened on to the kitchen.

"Go ahead, captain. I was just setting the mood for a blow."

"Thank you, Mr. Warren. I hate interrupting but as you all know by now a storm has developed and we are reaching the leading edge. I'd like you all to retire to your quarters and put anything that could fall on the floor on the floor. I estimate that we'll be clear sometime in the early morning. The storm isn't particular big or powerful but there is going to be a rough night ahead. Please stay in your cabin."

"Dylan, you mind giving the Greek a hand clearing the tables? I don't have enough dishes to break a set this soon in our journey," Greek said.

Dylan jumped up and began stacking the dishes the way he'd done more than once along the way. He knew he'd get a few extra cookies for his effort. The Greeks chocolate chip cookies were boss because he put walnuts in them.

"You say we'll be through it early tomorrow?" Bill asked.

"What we're seeing now indicates about twelve hours," Captain Hertzog said. "We should be nearly out of it by first light.

"I'd ask you to take the cookies to your quarters now, while there's still some daylight. I'll advise you if there is a change. It's eighteen thirty and we should meet again at breakfast and the conditions will be greatly improved by then," Captain Hertzog said.

"I hope so," Greek said. "I've got to be putting everything away tonight. I don't want to be wrestling with breakfast too."

"Not a problem, Greek. I'll guarantee calm seas for tomorrow."

"See to it, Captain," Greek said, carrying an arm load of dishes away from the tables.

The Greek swayed as the ship swayed to one side.

"I don't usually take orders from the cook," Captain Hertzog said. "I'll make an exception this evening. Stay in your quarters until further notice. You'll feel when the seas begin to calm. It will be safe to move around at that time. See you in the morning, gentleman."

Captain Hertzog turned around to leave. He came face to face with Sidney Peacock at the instant the lights went out.

It wasn't late but without lights it was pitch black in the galley.

"Shit!" Sidney Peacock could be heard to say.

"Greek, can you get to your lanterns? Where the hell is our auxiliary power, Sidney?" the captain roared. "Get lanterns in here now. Gentlemen, forgo my last order. Sit tight until you have a lantern in your hands. Then retire to your quarters. In the mean time, I'll go see what's about to go wrong next."

"Captain," Sidney Peacock said. "I was coming to tell you we have no auxiliary power. I was running a check to be sure we would have power if the electrical problem got worse. The generator did not fire. I suspect it's a victim of the same problem we're having with engines three and four. The entire electrical system is tied together by the same harnesses."

"Sidney, you make sure everyone has his own lantern. You will escort our passengers safely to their cabin. Do it one at a time until everyone is safely in his cabin. Do I make myself clear?"

"Aye, aye, Captain. Anything else?" Sidney asked in his unhappy voice.

"Yes, Sidney, get me some god damn auxiliary power or I'm going to put you over the side in one of our lifeboats."

"Aye, aye, Captain. I'm really not responsible for the electrical problem or the storm," Sidney said mournfully. "If you'd have asked me what to do when engine three went down, I'd have told you to turn around and get the problem fixed before we were in mid ocean."

"Thank you, Sidney, but you are on board because of your mechanical aptitude. Excuse me for losing my temper, gentlemen. I can't imagine this day can get any worse," Captain Hertzog said to no one in particular but everyone heard him.

The captain turned to leave in the dark. He knew his way around his ship even in the dark. He was in the passageway when he felt the significant shudder.

Engines one and two had shut down.

The Horizon lurched suddenly to starboard.

The captain was knocked off his feet and he collided with the interior wall and not at all softly.

Without power they couldn't steer the ship. Without power they'd slowly be drawn into the center of the storm, if they stayed afloat long enough.


Send Rick an email at quillswritersrealm@yahoo.com

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