Dead Sea

Chapter 14

     The broadcast remained on loop for what seemed like forever before the captain seized the plug and ripped it from the wall, dropping the room into an immeasurable silence. The captain sat in one of the barstools and starred at the floor, clearly thinking.

     Taking a deep breath, he stood up and took in the people around him. "Okay everyone. At this point we are on our own out here. I will try to contact the mainland to check status, but with the broadcast I think it is safe to assume the worst.

     "Our biggest issue is going to be crowd control. If we saw that broadcast, I'm sure the majority of the ship saw it too. We do not, I repeat, do not want to have a full blown panic on our hands. That's the last thing this ship needs.

     "Charles, I know you may feel this is a prime time for you to share the Lord with the terrified mass, but that is not the case. If I hear of you or any of your followers trying to scare people and 'lead them to God', there will be Hell to pay. Understood?"

     Charles nodded, appearing in shock from what he saw on the broadcast.

     "Good. Josh, as first mate I need you to get all the staff together. Every last one. And see if you can find the emergency manuals and see if there's any suggestions for anything of this variety."

     "I... I think I can do that. Yes."

     The captain walks over and places a hand on his shoulder. "Good man." Turning his attention to Elena he notices that she is just staring at her lap, tears streaming down her face. "Alright little miss, I know you've just been through the ringer. I can't even imagine what you're going through, but if you're up for it I need you to come with me."

     Elena looked up at the captain, wiping away her tears. "What do you need a suicidal orphan for?"

     The captain walked over to her and helped her get unsteadily to her feet. "You've just been through all this and still haven't cracked, I'm going to need good help in the coming days. I think that's you."

     This brought the faintest of smiles to her face. So this was what it was like to feel needed.

     "Alright everyone, you all know your duties. Let's get on with it." He reaches into one of the cabinets and pulls out a walkie talkie, tossing it to Charles. "Let's keep them tuned to channel 4, always on, always listening in case someone needs help."

     As they begin to file out of the room, the captain pulls Josh aside. "I know I said to get all crew together, but before that I want you to stop by the infirmary and see Nurse Chase. With everything going on, I doubt she has had time to watch the news. Fill her in. Anyone feeling these symptoms may go straight to her, she needs to be informed." With a nod, Josh left the room, leaving the captain and Elena.

     "Alright Elena, we've got to get moving. We are going to the main deck. How's your knowledge of radios?"

     "If it's electronic, I'm sure I can figure it out."

...

     Charles pretended to be in shock, when in reality he had been waiting his whole life for this. The end times had come, a plague had fallen to end mankind. The worthy would rise while the sinners were punished. The cleansing was upon them.

     Charles could barely hold back the smile that threatened to escape him. He would preach, no foolish captain could stop him from doing that. He would share the love with all who would listen.

     Charles would rise!