Floating Lies and Sinking Truth - P1 COMPLETE

Chapter Fifteen - July 1980

The Purser was still groggy from his run in with Ray Reid but with help from another man he managed to stagger down all the steep stairs to the Brig. He was not in a fit state but the realisation that his fellow crewmen might die if he didn't get there drove him on in a herculean effort.

When Dave arrived in the Brig the Chief Engineer had laid both bodies out and put them into the Recovery Position. There were deep scorch marks on Neil Farmers neck and a deep gash on the side of Eliot Blacks head.

Dave checked their pulses and they were both alive and breathing. Dave was confused by the burn marks on Neil's neck, why would Ray burn him?

The good news is neither of them was dead, that bad news is they weren't guaranteed to stay that way.

*

Dave called the Captain up in the Purser's Office. 'Is it too late to get a medi-vac?' Dave asked the Captain.

'How badly are they injured?' the Captain responded.

'Well Eliot has had a bang on the head and has a gash on the side of his head. He's breathing ok but is unconscious. He could come around any minute or slip into a coma and die of a bleed on the brain. There is no way to tell. Neil has strange burns on his neck and is also unconscious but I don't know why.' Dave responded grimly and frustrated at his poor medical training.

'I see, well we can radio the Canadians and find out what they have available. I will get back to you after I talk to Mark Chelmsford' the Captain informed Dave and then summoned Mark Chelmsford to the Pursers Office. Mark Chelmsford was the Radio Officer.

The Captain made his way up to the Bridge and looked grimly out the vast expanse of windows at the deck which stretched over 250 metres in front of him, ploughing through the Atlantic Ocean. The Captain felt a pang of guilt at having increased to Full Speed and thus increased their distance from help. The Captain could tell the wind was picking up as the ocean's surface was becoming more of a mix of blue and white as the waves were breaking under the onslaught of the increasing winds. The weather conditions were going to get worse before they got better the Captain felt which only made rescue and help harder to come by.

The Captain was in control of a vast ship with hugely powerful engines pushing along over 250,000 tonnes of ship and iron ore cargo but at that very moment the Captain felt small and out of control. The chance two more crewmen may die plus the weather and power of the sea overwhelmed him and the Captain had to steel himself because the fate of the crew relied on him being a strong and calm leader.

*

Dave picked up the phone in the Guard Room after walking in from the cell where he was monitoring Neil and Eliot's vital signs.

'Any improvement?' the Captain asked concerned.

'Afraid not, what's the news from the Canadian Coastguard?' Dave responded.

'The nearest working Helicopter is in Labrador as the one in Nova Scotia is being serviced. The alternative is we turn around and head full speed toward Halifax, Nova Scotia and they will send out a Coastguard ship to meet us. What do you think Dave?'

'A ship to ship transfer in the Atlantic...it will be dark by the time we meet up as well. It's too risky and also will take too long. I think it best we move the two of them to the Medical Centre and hope they recover.' Dave responded despondently.

'Very good Purser. I will inform the Canadians' the Captain responded.

*

The two prone bodies of Eliot Black and Neil Farmer were moved to the Medical Centre and placed in two clean beds. Dave Clough monitored them and Simon Sparks, the ships electrician, was pressed into service to help him. Whilst Simon was not medically trained as an electrician he was used to coping with fiddly wiring and the potential for death if he got something wrong.

Chief Officer Eliot Black started to stir and Dave lent over him ominously hoping he was going to come around. After a few minutes of shifting about in the bed Eliot opened his eyes and looked around confused. He moved his lips but didn't speak...Dave thought he might have brain damage.

Eventually after much struggling on Eliot's part he made a croaking sound from his throat and his eyes started to focus more and he looked deep into Dave's eyes. The depth and power of his penetrating stare sent a shiver down Dave's spine. It was clear that Eliot was trying to speak but his brain wasn't working properly.

'Keep calm and relax Eliot. You're safe and so is Neil' Dave said not really knowing what to say.

There were more croaking and gurgling noises from Eliot as he continued to struggle on. Dave had a moment of inspiration.

'Simon fetch me some water!' he called out over his shoulder and he could see the look in Eliot's eyes shift to a happier expression. He wanted water; of course he did as his mouth would be terribly dry.

Dave supported his neck and Eliot lent forward and sucked some water through a straw.

Eliot then collapsed back into a dazed sleep as if the drinking of water had exhausted him. Dave felt hopeful but then frightened that Eliot might have brain damage. He started to doubt his decision not to head back to land as every minute they continued on this course they were further from land. The eastern coast of the United States was a sharp diagonal heading on a north east to south west line which meant it stretched away from them. As they were heading directly south every minute of travel they moved at a rapid rate further from the coast.

Neil remained unconscious but except for the burn mark on his neck looked as if he were sleeping restfully.

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