STRANDS OF ETER: The Eternidad Cup

CHAPTER 10: Jasper's Plight

CHAPTER 10
OPEN WATERS, WESTERN OCEAN
50 MILES OFF THIRAKHON KINGDOM'S ECONOMIC ZONE
OCEAN REALM OF IDARA

"Man Overboard!" The Captain's in-ear phone buzzed, interrupting the serene atmosphere of the Cruiseship's grand ballroom. Engrossed in the performance, the Captain swiftly stood up, careful not to disturb the VIP guests enchanted by the lightweaving dance.

"Flotation device already thrown?" The captain inquired urgently through the radio as he made his way towards the bridge. "Yes, Captain," came the swift response from the personnel on the other end. "Lookouts are already stationed as well, Captain," they continued.

"Good. I am almost there," the Captain replied, moving efficiently in a high-speed elevator toward the bridge. "Deploy the lifebuoys and a rescue team before we initiate the Williamson Turn," he commanded with unwavering authority, his voice projecting decisiveness as he exited the elevator onto the bridge.

"Update?" The captain's voice, filled with urgency and command, resonated throughout the entire bridge.

"A rescue team has been deployed as of the moment. Our Second Officer was quick with the response... But we have a problem, Captain," the First Officer anxiously responded, pointing at the marine radar holoscreen.

The captain focused on the screen, observing a glow rapidly approaching the ship's location. "Naekna Prota," the Parnish Captain whispered to himself as he absorbed the information displayed on the holoscreen.

"We've been trying to keep it at bay since entering these coordinates, but it seems the disturbance made it interpret the man overboard as an offering, a sacrifice for our intrusion," the First Officer explained.

"It might as well be. We might be in bigger trouble if it finds out, it is not an offering" the captain replied, his tone carrying a hint of fear. The captain's acknowledgment of the potential danger emphasizes the seriousness of the situation and the uncertainty surrounding the approaching glow. The dialogue captures the tension and concern present on the bridge as the crew grapples with both the man overboard emergency and the unforeseen threat on the horizon.

—----

Jasper's panic surged as the low, guttural sounds emanated from beneath the ocean. His desperate cries for help were drowned out by the thunderous waves, tossing him mercilessly as he utilized his physical Parnish strength to stay afloat.

The ominous guttural tones reverberated, sending waves beneath him as several floaters were seemingly hurled in his direction but fell short. This felt like the end, he thought, his strength waning as the menacing waves drained him. Then, the foreboding sound echoed again. Perhaps, Jasper mused, he should be thankful because each appearance of that sound snapped him out of the desire to give up. Yet, the fear it instilled was overwhelming. It boiled down to a choice between death by the relentless waves or unraveling the mystery behind the ominous sound.

Fear was now Jasper's sole companion. Not a trace of sadness for those he'd leave behind, nor anger for the classmates who thrust him into this perilous situation, not even a hint of self-pity. Fear consumed him entirely as the ominous sound grew louder and more haunting with each passing moment.

—-----

The commotion of the cruise's guests grew louder as well. One by one, different races could be seen gathering by different balconies, including those that came from the grand ballroom. There were sounds of curiosity, some were of worry, seeing a young man, or atleast who appears to be a young man being tossed by the waves.

They were screaming for the crew to do something while the staff were assuring everyone that things will be alright, and that assurance was affirmed as they saw a rescue boat finally hitting the water.