The Last Ship~ Season 1

Chapter 4~ We'll Get There

I stared at the empty expanse around me. Sometimes I hated the solitude of the open sea. I longed to see my brothers again. "Arleigh," I whispered. I wanted so badly to turn around and sail for Jacksonville to see if my brother was still alive but I couldn't. It was too risky for one thing and that Russian ship still lurked out there, waiting to strike should I appear. I didn't even know her name but despite it all, I wanted her or maybe that was just the rush of testosterone talking. I couldn't tell anymore, not when it was breeding season. Every instinct I had was telling me to mate with someone. I shook my head, turning my thoughts away from her. I couldn't afford to be distracted, not when the fate of the world lay upon me and my crew. Instead, my thoughts then turned to Dr. Scott. She was a kind and caring woman, if not demanding but I like a lady with a sense of power. She fit in very well with the other woman in my crew. I had many 30 woman all together on board so why was I thinking about this particular one? Was she beautiful? Oh yes, definitely. Dr. Scott's physical features were quite impressive for a human. What of her personality? Dr. Scott came across to me as a no-nonsense kind of gal. She could be fun yes, she could loosen up but at the end of the day, her mind was focused on her work. But what really struck me was her curiosity. She shared the same fascination with biology that I did and also like me, viruses were her forte. I enjoyed the long hours we had together, where she showed me her samples and we discussed options for a vaccine. My thoughts were interrupted as said human came racing out on deck. "Nathan, Nathan!" She cried happily. "Rachel, what a surprise!" I said. "What brings you out here in such a happy mood?" "I did it!" She exclaimed. "I created a prototype vaccine." Excitement grew within he and I exclaimed "That's wonderful Rachel. Well done!" "I couldn't have done it without you, big boy." She said, patting me. I felt myself blushing and replied "Ah, you give me too much credit." She laughed. "It's true." She insisted. "I won't argue with you then." I surrendered, turning my head slightly to nuzzle her palm. She smiled. "Your muzzle is so soft." She said, stroking it gently. I purred. "Hmm, that's because I have little hairs there that match the color of my hull presently but as I get older, they'll turn white." I said. "Much like how my hair will get then." She said. "Or Chandler, if it wasn't for that hat covering his head all the time I'd say he's halfway there already!" I said. We both laughed. "Yes, he is old." Dr. Scott agreed. Suddenly I winced and dropped my head, closing my eyes. "Nathan, are you alright?" Dr. Scott asked, concerned. Forcing a smile, I nodded. "I'm fine, Rachel." I replied. "Just felt something in my engines is all. They're very sensitive and one person's hand in the wrong place doesn't feel very nice." "I imagine so." She said. "Does it happen often?" She asked. "No, they're usually very careful but sometimes, they do make a mistake." I replied. She nodded. "I better go tell the captain the good news, from the looks of things he'll need it." She said. I nodded. "He'll be delighted to hear it." I said and she said her farewells and left. As soon as she was gone, I groaned. The feeling wasn't coming from my engines necessarily but well within my propulsion system. It was to be replaced years ago as it was old and worn out but there was no chance of that happening now. I could feel that something was very wrong with it but I wasn't going to whine. Besides, I had a good engineering crew that could handle it so I just shoved aside the pain and kept going but it wouldn't go away. It only got stronger and stronger.

After several hours, I couldn't take it any longer and I cried out. Chandler and most of the crew heard me. "Nathan, what is it? What's wrong?" He asked. "My engines, gah, they hurt!" I replied. He stroked me. "Easy, now easy." He said. "Just close your eyes, rest. I'll see what's wrong." I nodded. "Please hurry." I moaned. He raced off down to the engine room. The acting chief engineer was standing by the number 2 engine. When he turned to face the captain, he had something red and sticky all over his hands, blood. My blood. "Oh, my god." Chandler whispered. "Sir, engines 1, 2, and 3 are down. They overheated because the coolant system isn't working." The chief said. "Can you fix it?" Chandler asked. "Yes sir, but it'll take time." The chief replied. "How long?" I groaned. "48 hours." He replied. "And we have no way to collect water, either. The system failed entirely." A shudder ran through me. No water, I and everyone else on board would be dead in three days. I'd probably be gone in less than that for the water not only provided me and everyone on board with something to drink, it also flowed into the fuel lines, keeping my blood from thickening so it could flow more easily. Without it, my veins would constrict, my blood pressure would drop and I'd die of cardiac arrest in 36 hours. "What about the number four engine?" I asked. "We can run it for about an hour then let it cool for about six." The chief replied. I nodded. "An hour then six to drift. Alright." I sighed. Having the engine run for a short amount of time each day would increase my chances of surviving as it would help keep my blood pressure steady but only for a little while. I'd still be likely to die before we found an island with water. Chandler patted me. "Don't worry Nathan, I won't let you die." He said. I nodded. "I know, captain." I replied. Dr. Scott stormed in and I heard a heated argument between her and the captain. Her samples and the prototype virus needed to be kept at a stable temperature of 41 degrees. While my engine would generate power throughout the ship, it wouldn't be enough. "Why not throw them overboard." I suggested. "What? This is the tropics the water's 70 degrees." Dr. Scott replied. "Not at the bottom." I said. "I don't know...." Scott began. "It's the only chance we've got." I said. She nodded bravely and replied "Alright, let's do it." Her case was strapped to a rope and lowered over the side. "Careful, careful." She and I said at the same time. "It's in." I reported as it vanished below the surface. The thermometer continued to drop. 65 degrees, 60 degrees, 54 degrees, 49 degrees, 45 degrees... "It's on the bottom." A sailor reported. I nodded. "Come on, come on." I whispered. 43 degrees, 42 degrees, 41 degrees... "40 degrees, we did it!" I cheered. Dr. Scott smiled and patted me gently. "Yes, yes we did." She said. "Thank you Nathan." She said. "Aw shucks, you're welcome." I replied.