Popov.

Popov Ch9 Death ship

Chapter 9 Death ship

 ‘Vhat are you doing on the deck of my ship and vhy hef you a clip board?’

‘Health and safety inspection.’ Was the imperious reply. ‘I expect to be shown all over this vessel, I need to see your log, navigation charts, your seaworthyness certificates, the accident record books, the ships surgeon’s facilitites and equipment. I also will be studying the working hours of the crew and the risk assessment of the ship, if you would be so kind Captain Fokke.’

‘Rreally, ve are undervay. There is no reason for this inspection at this time.’ The captain placed his hands on his hips and stood square on to the man with the clipboard. ‘I have more important things to attend to.’

‘I understand, I can see there is a storm brewing, however..’

‘However nothing.’ The Captain stuck his face right into the inspector’s. ‘You vant to bring me into port eh? Vell, that is never going to happen. You want to hef me lose money, my hands to idle their time away ashore, is that it?’

‘No, indeed. There is no need for histrionics Captain,’ The inspector took a step backwards from the Captain, who towered over him. ‘There have been some complaints from those who are crew aboard and..’

‘Complaints! Complaints!’ The Captain turned round to glare at the group of crewmen who had gathered on deck to watch the altercation. ‘Who has dared to complain?’ Captain Fokke bellowed. The crew all looked down at their feet.

‘Actually it was all of them.’ Beamed the inspector.

‘All?’ Captain Fokke swung back to face him.

‘Yes Bernard, I may call you Bernard mayn’t I?’ The inspector put a hand on the tall Captain’s shoulder in a conciliatory manner. ‘I understand the pressures of running a ship like this. The long hours, the loneliness. A Captain’s role is a solitary position, no matter what size of crew he has. This ship, as I understand it, should have a crew of fifty shouldn’t it? The Captain’s shoulders went down and his head dropped.

‘Ya.’ He said in a defeated tone.

‘And it only has six, excluding yourself doesn’t it Captain?’

‘Ya. Come, I vill take you to my cabin, vhere ve can talk. You, you idlers! Return to your duties!’ Captain Fokke bellowed at the crew as he led the inspector down below.

            The two men stood looking over charts on a broad oak desk, with only the sound of the creaking of the vessel as it outran the storm to break the silence. The inspector looked up.

‘These all seem to be in order.’

‘You hef been looking at them upside down.’ Said Fokke in a quiet voice.

‘All the better to see if they are in order.’ Was the smiled response. ‘How long is it since any of your crew had contact with their families Captain?’

Captain Fokke looked at him in surprise.

‘They told you that? Ve hef tried to get other vessels to take the crews letters home, but they von’t.’

‘The crew told me that too. In fact no other vessel will come near you will they?’

‘No.’

‘I think I can change all that. I think I can get you some new crew Captain. I believe that I can change the fortunes of this vessel of yours. It could play a huge part in the leisure market, cruising you know and I would like to promote it. If you are willing to work with me?’ smiled the man.

‘Really? I vould be so grateful.’ Hope gleamed in the Captain’s eyes.

‘How would you like to have a Captain’s table of guests, instead of this empty cabin? People strolling the decks, enjoying the sea air, instead of rows of impotent cannons? A full crew, all happy in their work?’ the inspector asked.

‘Ya. It sounds good. So, mister inspector, if ve are to vork together I must know your name.’ He stepped forward with his hand out.

‘Popov,’ said Popov and shook Captain Fokke’s hand. ‘I believe I can turn the Flying Dutchman around. I have a ready supply of thrill seekers all dying to get on a vessel like this. They’d sort out the rigging in no time. I have a plethora of deceased volunteers who are still keen to do their bit for the good of heaven’s community. They would overhaul the cabins in no time, put in all the necessary comforts and, voila, Flying Dutchman cruises will be born. No longer will you be aimlessly sailing the seven seas trying to escape the permanently oncoming storm. You will have passengers enjoying the spectacle of that storm and the thrill of the chase. You will have a route of places to visit for their delight and full canvas to do it with. What do you say?’

‘And vhat do you get?’ the Captain asked.

            ‘Now if you don’t mind answering a few questions so I can find out where to place you.’ Popov said to the young woman who was standing beside him, looking back at her body on the hospital bed.

‘You don’t know all about me already?’She said without looking at Popov. She leant forward and tried to stroke the head of her husband who had his head buried into the pillow beside her body’s head.

            ‘He won’t feel it you know.’ Popov said.

‘I guessed that, but he’ll know. He will know.’ Her smile was sad and full of longing as she looked at him.

‘Now I can offer you a choice. Firstly the good news is you are booked in for upstairs – so no worries there. You are entitled to become one angel, sit on a cloud and play a harp all day. Sounds great eh?’

‘Sounds – boring. Is that all there is in the afterlife then, harps?’ She looked at Popov for the first time.

‘Well now, as it happens -’ Popov looked around and leant closer to the woman. He lowered his voice.

‘If you were collected by any other operative in this department that would be all you would be offered. But I, being a senior manager, can offer you alternatives. For example – how about the opportunity to have the after life changing experience of sailing a tall ship? Climbing the rigging, running up the flags. Hauling up the anchor. Seeing the world and working in harmony with the elements?’

‘Now that’s more like it. Where do I sign up?’

‘First you have to go to arrivals, when you get to check in ask for Popov’s working Cruise option. It will cost you one harp string. Your harp will be issued to you after check in by the way, along with the uniform. Then Captain Fokke of the Flying Dutchman will ..’

‘Oooh the Flying Dutchman. Wow. What a chance, to stand on the fabled ghost ship as one of the crew. I can’t believe it. Darling, Darling.’ She bent to speak to her husband. ‘Darling I’ll miss you but I’m going on the Flying Dutchman. I’ll be happy there. You must be happy here. We will meet again soon enough I expect. Won’t we?’ She turned to Popov, who nodded.

‘The arrivals hall.’ He said and he pointed to the end of the que. ‘Please stand in line, you won’t be long, and remember to ask for Popov’s working Cruise option. Captain Fokke will meet you on the other side of the desks. Enjoy!’

‘Oh I will.’ She said and she marched over to join the end of the line of people.