THE LAST SHIP 8

PANDEMIC

It was late in the evening and Bianca was sitting in her private quarters watching the news on the TV against the wall. On the screen were thousands of people protesting and police trying to contain them. "Since it's outbreak in the United States the ebola virus outbreak has reached several cities around Europe and now also Africa and Asia. The World Health Organization and the CDC has declared a global emergency. Countries around the globe have closed their borders to international travelers as the number of infected total increased by the thousands each day." She turned down the TV and fell back against the backrest of the couch she was seated on. "Dammit."

Mike was in the ward room galley leaning with his backside against the counter and was in a moment of thought when Bianca stepped inside. "Bianca?"

"I just came to get myself something to eat. I'm starving."

"Well so did I..." Mike replied still with a pondering look on his face.

Bianca noticed he wasn't himself. "Are you okay?" She asked concerned.

"Yeah. Don't mind me," he lied.

"Mike..."

"Did you see the news?"

"I did. Frankly it's scary."

"I hope Claudia and the girls are okay."

Bianca stepped closer to him and was about to put her hand on his shoulder when he stood up straight. "I have to go."

Bianca looked at him baffled as he left the galley. She opened the door of the fridge and took out some peanut butter and jam before she took a few slices of bread from the cupboard and made herself a evening snack. At that moment Sancha Chavez also stepped into the galley just after passing Mike on her way there. "What's up with him? He's been in a bad mood all day."

"He's worried about Claudia and the girls."

Sancha frowned. "But they broke up. Or that's what I thought."

"They did."

"Well he's clearly not over her yet." Sancha took the half loaf of bread Bianca just took 4 slices from and put them on the cutting board on the counter. "You're having peanut butter and jam?"

"That's all there is," Bianca replied before she took a bite from her peanut butter and jam sandwich.

"Oh well then it has to do then."

*****

Mike was seated in his chair on the bridge smoking on one of his Cubans when the OOD alerted the bridge crew of Bianca's presence. "XO's on the bridge."

Bianca walked up to the front of the ship and gazed out over the ocean at the sunrise in the distance. She then looked at Mike who still seemed to be in a contemplative mood. She didn't even get a good morning this time as usual. "It's beautiful, isn't it," Bianca said trying to strike up a conversation.

"Yeah," Mike replied enthusiastically before he killed his cigar. "I'll be down in CIC." He stood up from his chair and exited the bridge while Bianca kept her gaze on him and frowned.

As soon as Mike stepped into CIC Sancha alerted the CIC crew of Mike's presence. "Captain's in CIC."

Mike walked up to her. "Lieutenant Chavez."

"Captain Slattery," Sancha replied and looked at him.

"Anything on the radar?"

"No sir. Except for a couple of fishing boats and yachts."

"That's good," Mike replied and gave a slight smirk.

"Is everything okay captain?" Sancha asked concerned.