Trinity Universe: The Lost Treasure of Sir Henry Morgan

[Heritage]

Not sure where Ms. Benson is in all the confusion, Roughneck bellows out, "Beth, run back to the others, see if there's some mystic somethin' to kill this monster!"

Though certainly more brawn than brain, Roughneck hopes his obvious subterfuge will still encourage the woman to flee the danger.

Bethany is more than willing to back away from the chaos, but can't bring herself to completely abandon her friends. She retreats to the doorway, lowering her revolver as she sees it might do far more harm than good in this situation.

I'm no Roughneck, she says to herself, but I'll be damned if I let this hell-spawned fiend past me without a fight. She empties her gun and drops the bullets down the front of her dress, and grips her revolver tightly, ready to pistol-whip the creature if it tries for the door.

[ProfPotts]

"Get th' wounded out o' th' room, fall back t' th' doorway!", barks the Captain, as he himself grabs the nearest wounded man & proceeds to haul him to (relative) safety. As he goes he can be heard muttering under his breath,

"Well, Princess, I gave him every chance..."

As the crew (hopefully) leap to obey Park's instructions, he continues,

"Shut off that steam! Don't let th' thing out o' this room!"

[Ayre el KaBeer]

*What can we do to stop this feind? Nothing in the texts, or is there? Think... That knife, there's something about that knife, but what?...*

David calls to the captain but makes sure he's heard by most of the others around him "Captain we have to get that knife away from it! It apears to be a sacrificial blade, it may be powering him with each life it clams!"

[Asbjørn]

The two sailors flung like ragdolls from the creature's arms fly screaming towards the group by the door, one narrowly missing David and crashing into the wall behind him as he moves to the side waiting for an opening, the other hitting the Captain, back first! Stumbling backwards from the impact Park still keeps to his feet and helps the shaken crewman stand. As they both regain their footing the undead warrior bears down on the pair - stone axe held high - and knocks them over. The young sailor's head smashes into the captain's face, and his own head hits the floor as the weight of the living and the dead man pin him down.

[Park is Injured with bashing damage]

Roughneck - too slow to stop the monster's charge - grabs its legs from behind and pulls back with all his might. There is not much weight in the old and dry body, but the old warrior holds on to the Captain's collar with a vice-like grip, and Roughneck pulls all three bodies with him, yelling

"Beth, run back to the others, see if there's some mystic somethin' to kill this monster!"

As Bethany moves to the door and empties her revolver, Minerva pushes past her and rushes after the creature attacking her grandfather, screaming "Let go of him!!!" at the top of her lungs, and drawing her knife! In a few quick strides she's on top of the mummy, plunging the knife into the shoulder of the offending arm, but the grip remains unbroken.

David spots the opening and is about to leap into action just as Min throws herself at the monster. Momentarily blocked from an effective attack he pauses while considering the enemy.

"Captain we have to get that knife away from it! It apears to be a sacrificial blade, it may be powering him with each life it clams!"

When an opening again presents itself he jumps forward, reaching for the dagger in the creature's belt, but the monster's movements combined with Min's kicking legs block his access to the weapon.

The Captain - after having had a crewman thrown in his lap, been knocked over by the mummy and dragged across the floor by Roughneck - finally gets his act together and shouts at the top of his voice

"Get th' wounded out o' th' room, fall back t' th' doorway!"

Already backing away from the undead warrior, the still standing crewmen get their wounded mates back on their feet and start moving towards the exit. As the crew leap to obey Park's instructions, he continues,

"Shut off that steam! Don't let th' thing out o' this room!"

Still on his feet, Chang directs the men. Barking specific orders to the lads, he - as always - sees to it that the Captain's orders are carried out while he himself approaches the group around the beast, swinging his sword.

[Archer21]

"Captain we have to get that knife away from it! It apears to be a sacrificial blade, it may be powering him with each life it clams!"

Holding on to the monster with one hand, Roughneck snatches at the sacrificial knife with his free hand, trying to tear it off the creature's belt.

[ProfPotts]

Maintaining perfect poise thoughout the chaos, Park continues to try his best to get his men out of harms way, & to get the wounded treated as quickly as possible. If by any fluke of chance he gets a clear shot at the creature he will, naturally, take it.

[Heritage]

Bethany helps move some of the wounded men out of the room, her eyes never leaving the foul creature.

[Asbjørn]

The monster momentarily releases his grip on the Captain's collar and lunges for the amulet. His grip closing around the chain, his dried-out old mouth grins triumphantly as he easily pulls it from Park's hand. ::devil

Holding on to the monster with one hand, Roughneck snatches at the sacrificial knife with his free hand, trying to tear it off the creature's belt.

Pulling the creature even closer to himself Roughneck leans forward, reaching for the stone dagger in a quick grasp. His fingers close around the hilt just as the creature - seemingly invigorated by its grip on the amulet - twists itself free of the englishman's grip and kicks hard backwards! The force of the impact pushes the big man a few meters back, but Roughneck's grip on the dagger is unbroken. ::sly

The monster throws Minerva off as Chang charges to her aid. Swinging his sword in a wide arc he cuts nothing but air, but forces the monster away from the girl and the Captain, who from his position lying on the floor can easily shoot the creature without worrying about hitting anyone else. The single shot echoes louder than the shouts and sounds of fighting, and the bullet goes through the mummy - taking with it some skin and bone, but apparently not really hurting it - and continues to imbed itself in a pipe somewhere in the darkness above as the old warrior leaps for the safety of the shadows between the various tanks and pipes surrounding the melee.

Meanwhile, Bethany and a few of the sailors escort the dazed, wounded and slightly steamed men out in the hall and away from the fighting.

[Ayre el KaBeer]

Finally seeing an opening David lunges forward with his knife, targetting the creatures hand containing the amulet.

(Hate spending WillPower in a fight but this is looking necessary. Spends 1 WP)

[ProfPotts]

[Oops - I'd thought that the bit about Park 'getting his act together' meant that he wasn't being held by the bad guy any more. My bad... So has the steam been shut off or not? How easy is it to move about the room? How many people are still in the room? What do the various tanks & pipes in the room actually do? Are there any other exits from the room?]

The Captain gets to his feet & brushes himself down - leaving his appearance as dignified as if nothing had happened. Looking at where the creature has fled to, he uses his incredible knowledge of his vessel & his well-practiced inspirational leadership to silently command his loyal men to surround the mummy & cut off it's escape - & also indicates that they should aim for the head & eyes.

[Asbjørn]

[Finally got my A! book back from a friend. Sorry for the delay, guys, but the word must be spread at all cost, right? Er... Right? ::unsure ]

Finally seeing an opening David lunges forward with his knife, targetting the creatures hand containing the amulet.

As the creature turns its back on David, the young academic hurries after it. Its incredible strength takes it in between the various tanks - that David at least has no idea of the purpose of - before he can launch his attack. Not one to give up easily, he keeps moving and catches up with the monster as it turns a corner into a narrow space between two warm metal tubes. A slice of his trusty knife tears a patch of dry, old skin off the back of the monster's hand, but the damage is not enough to break its hold on the treasure.

It does seem enough to catch the beast's attention, however, and it turns its evil, hollow eyes on the hapless academic. A backhanded swing from the very arm David tried to cut connects with his jaw and sends him crashing into the tank behind him. Shaking his head, David grits his teeth and is ready to keep going...

[David is hurt with bashing damage.]

While David clears his head, the undead warrior in front of him lifts the amulet and hangs it around his neck. The emerald green light glows brighter and grows to surround him, tracing the outline of a living, broadshouldered and well-muscled man. The light - like earlier in the lounge - grows to a blinding intensity, a flash that casts deep shadows everywhere in the engine room, and when David's vision returns moments later he's looking at a tall, handsome indian man instead of the dried out husk of a corpse he was fighting.

The indian holds an empty hand out towards David in the universal 'wait!'-gesture, while the other holds his war axe in a ready but not threatening manner.

"Lamaj! Lamaj...?"

His voice is deep and calm, and his dark brown eyes seek out David's as he speaks. The now weakly glowing amulet still pulses slowly on his chest.

Meanwhile...

Captain Park stands at the very centre of the engine room, surveying his crew's actions and the extent of the damages. The air is still hot and humid from the steam, but at least the leak has been momentarily stopped, if not fixed.

Most of the tanks, pipes and containers are part of the system that controls the diesel backup engines. Hydraulics, boilers, radiators, exhaust pipes and fuel tanks make a complicated maze in the otherwise quite spaceous room. Despite a few stray bullets, the damage doesn't look bad. Nothing has hit the fuel tanks or the high voltage cables from the core room, and since the engines aren't running at present there isn't any harmful pressure buildup to worry about.

Relieved that the Nausicaa at least is relatively unharmed, Park quickly turns to his crew and passengers who are being escorted out one of the two exits from the room. Apart from the dead sailor still lying on the floor not far from the Captain, and the man who was thrown across the room - who is being taken care of by his crewmates, there are only a few cuts and bruises and a few burns from the steam cloud.

The only other exit from the room - leading to a corridor connecting to the other engine - is already guarded by Tom King and two sailors, and the Captain immediately through signs and voiced commands positions the eight men still fit for fight - apart from Roughneck, Min, himself and Chang - around the tanks.

With a wary eye to the eerie green glow from in between the tanks they cautiously move to their posts, Chang taking personal command of one flank.

(Hate spending WillPower in a fight but this is looking necessary. Spends 1 WP)

[Willpower may be a nice way to increase your chances of success in most Storyteller games, but inspiration is a far better alternative... 1 inspiration point doubles your dicepool, while WP only grants one autosuccess. Just a tip for the next time you want to turn the tables... ::wink ]

[Archer21]

Grinning triumpantly at the dagger in his hand, Roughneck comes to when he hears the thump of David's body against the tank and the subsequent bright flash of emerald light.

Worry in his tone, Roughneck moves quickly to the tanks. "Davey? You alright mate?"

[ProfPotts]

In the moments while he waits for a report from his men on what the creature is doing, the Captain kneels next to the body of his crewman, casts a hand over it's face to close the eyes, & silently says a quick prayer. Standing again, with renewed determination on his heavily-lined face, Park strides towards where the men have the monster trapped, grip tight on his Webley, & moves to the front of the group to see for himself why the thing hasn't been shot yet.

[Ayre el KaBeer]

In a clearly confused tone David replies "Lamaj?" ::dontgetit hoping the man before him will realise David doesn't speak his tongue.

"Davey? You alright mate?"

Calling out to the others "I'm alright! Something's happening here! I suggest a slow aproach!".

[Archer21]

"I'm alright! Something's happening here! I suggest a slow aproach!"

Tucking the dagger into his belt at the small of his back, Roughneck moves carefully forward, following David's voice until he finds him.

[Heritage]

"I'm alright! Something's happening here! I suggest a slow aproach!".

Still hefting her revolver like a cudgel, Bethany creeps forward, her bare feet nearly noiseless on the deck.

[Asbjørn]

Park makes his way to Chang and his men who block the other end of the passageway David and the monster is standing in. He immediately sees that the undead indian is standing almost on top of one of the maintenance hatches giving access to the waterjet engine. A quick glance as he moves to the front of the group of riflemen confirms that the hatch is unlocked, but still shut.

Bethany moves silently forward to the group behind the Captain, doing her best to keep out of the way of the riflemen.

Roughneck squeezes his way between the tanks and pipes to take up position next to David, the two of them effectively blocking anybody else's approach or line of fire from that direction.

In a clearly confused tone David replies "Lamaj?" ::dontgetit hoping the man before him will realise David doesn't speak his tongue.

The Indian remains standing perfectly still in front of David. His eyes dart from side to side as the others make their way closer, but returns to David's soon enough.

In a slow and hesitant voice - as if repeating words he doesn't understand - he begins to speak. He positions himself with his back to the wall, glancing from one group to the other and speaking to whoever seems to understand him.

"We. Are. Going. Home. This body. Is. Crippled. But. Can. Swim. Take us. To. Hurakan's body. You live."

The words are heavily accented, and each syllable is tried out, as if never spoken before. The creature looks around at the group, seemingly waiting for some kind of comfirmation or sign of understanding.

Suddenly, there's a brief rain of sparks from above as the electricity returns to several broken lightbulbs. The floor trembles for a few seconds, then settles in a steady vibrating as the engines come back on. Meters and instruments all around start ticking, and somewhere in the distance a pump kicks into action.

Chang exchanges a brief, puzzled look with the Captain.

[ProfPotts]

"We. Are. Going. Home. This body. Is. Crippled. But. Can. Swim. Take us. To. Hurakan's body. You live."

The Captain (again) fixes the man with his steely gaze (for all the good it ever does him) & replies in a steady voice,

"Y' attacked m' people, murdered one o' m' men, & now y' threaten us? That is no way t' gain our help. Explain just exactly what is going on."

[Heritage]

Bethany creeps up closer to the Captain.

Obviously, this...person has caused much pain, death and mayhem, Captain, but I do like the part where he said 'we live' - it might be possible to get out of this situation without further bloodshed if we find out exactly what he wants. And it might not be possible to kill him, at least not with anything we have onboard.

[Asbjørn]

The Captain (again) fixes the man with his steely gaze (for all the good it ever does him) & replies in a steady voice,

Turning his attention more fully on the Captain, the indian warrior meets Park's gaze slowly.

"Y' attacked m' people, murdered one o' m' men, & now y' threaten us? That is no way t' gain our help. Explain just exactly what is going on."

His eyebrows furrow slightly and a puzzled look crosses his face. After a few seconds in silence he speaks again, his stare never leaving the Captain's eyes.

"You. Have. Crippled. A God. ::angry One Man's Life. Is. Nothing."

[ProfPotts]

"You. Have. Crippled. A God.  One Man's Life. Is. Nothing."

At soon as the warrior says that, Park (always one for a well-reasoned debate on the value of human life ::wink ) empties his pistol into the murdering git (hoping that the confined space they're all in is enough to stop it dodging this time). He'll also hope that his men catch-on & also riddle the thing with holes (being careful, of course, to not shoot the guys standing behind the warrior).

[Park will spend both a point of Inspiration to 'go heroic' & a point of Willpower on his attempt to (re)kill the warrior]

[Asbjørn]

The Captain's trusty Webley goes off, the sound of the shot voicing the anger evident on the old sailor's face. ::angry

The first shot hits the indian square between the eyes, and caught by surprise he staggers backwards. Black fluid seeps from the hole in his forehead, and the amulet on his chest starts glowing brighter. The second shot from the captain's gun would have hit the undead warrior in the chest, but the glowing aura stops it a few inches before it touches flesh. ::blink

The captain continues to empty his revolver into the indian, and moments later his crew join in. The passageway is riddled with bullets as all the riflemen who are in position to fire - without putting friendlies at too great a risk - do so. Gunshots, echoes, shouts and ricochets fill the air as bullets impact the indian's glowing forcefield. Some bounce off and hit the walls, ceiling and deck - one bullet even knocking the hat off the crewman beside the captain! Some penetrate and actually seem to do some damage. All push the monster backwards, staggering towards Roughneck and David.

[Archer21]

A bit startled when the first shot goes off, Roughneck quickly acclimates himself. "Right then. If that's how it's going to be..."

Glancing around, he looks for any weapons of opportunity: a wrench, piece of pipe, anything. Failing that, he flexes his massive hands and waits for an opening to grab hold of the monster and bash it against a wall.

"Davey, if you can, slice that bloody amulet off 'im. His head needn't be attached when you're done."

[Ayre el KaBeer]

Davey, if you can, slice that bloody amulet off 'im. His head needn't be attached when you're done."

"Consider it done!" Due to the severity of the situation and how close he is to getting shot by the crew, David makes his decision, palming his knife to Roughneck "Here take this!".

David draws his sword from it's scabbard "I may need to direct you from time to time so I don't strike you!" *Swordplay with demons now, Davey?*.

[Archer21]

"I may need to direct you from time to time so I don't strike you!"

With a friendly grin, Roughneck takes the knife from his companion. "Don't you worry 'bout me, lad. Just concentrate on that amulet!"

[Heritage]

When the bullets start flying, Bethany drops to the deck with a yelp. She then skitters back out of the room, careful to avoid ricochets glancing off the walls.

[Asbjørn]

As Bethany dives for cover and hurries away from the firing zone, more of the sailors join in the barrage of gunfire. David and Roughneck are forced to take their shouted converstaion and exchanging of weapons squeezed together around the corner to avoid being caught in the hail of bullets.

Park's and his crew's aim is true - despite the thickening cloud of gunsmoke obscuring their view - and most of the bullets hit their marks, forcing the creature another few steps backwards. Some are not that lucky, however, and a few stray bullets hit the tanks and pipes surrounding the monster. One punctures the tank next to Roughneck, causing diesel to trickle out and start gathering in a puddle by his feet...

The two men squeezed together have the best view of the situation, and see the warrior - now bleeding thick, black blood from multiple gunshot wounds - crouching down on the floor and reaching for a hatch of some kind. As he kneels the emerald green light seems to form into a glowing shield protecting him from most of the gunfire, but leaving his back exposed to them.

Adrenaline pumping, David instantly seizes the opening. Lunging forward - bullets whizzing past and narrowly missing him - he thrusts his sword at the undead's back. The instant he moves he knows the warrior is aware of him as the indian moves to the side to avoid the attack. But David has spent far too many hours practicing swordplay to be thwarted so easily, and whips the blade sideways, slashing it across his opponent's neck making him howl with pain and anger. ::devil It's a deep cut, and David's blade is trailing black blood as he pulls it back, ripping the amulet's chain with it. It clatters to the floor as the indian turns to face his attacker and sees Roughneck charging down the narrow passage. ::blink Casting one glance at the amulet he makes his choice and throws the hatch open and dives down the hole.

Roughneck - throwing himself past David - leaps forward to grab him, but is fractions of a second too slow. Looking down the hole that's barely wide enough for himself to go down he sees the indian at the bottom of a ladder, busily opening a second hatch in the wall three meters below the engineroom deck and looking oddly comfortable with the workings of bolts and hatches for a guy who's been dead a few hundred years...

Meanwhile, the Captain has emptied his gun, and realizes - while starting to reload - that visibility is too poor to be certain not to hit his own crew or vital machinery. His men also stop firing when they make out first David, then Roughneck leaping back out in the passage. He can also see the shimmering green light through the smoke, lingering even after the shadowy form of the indian disappears down the hole after David's attack.

[ProfPotts]

With a few quick words the Captain directs his men to start repairs on the damaged equipment & to make sure the area's secure. As he does so the old man himself finishes reloading, then strides into the smoke-filled gap, calling to Roughneck & David,

"Did y' see what happened? Have we slowed it down?"

Glancing down at the hatch the Captain frowns,

"It can only get out that way if it bashes it's way through a pressure-sealed hatch. That's one o' th' thrusters."

Looking to his crew the Captain calls out the question,

"Is th' turbine in this engine operational?"

[Edited thanks to the ST repeating info' to me that I really should have remembered in the first place. Oops. ::wacko ::wink ]

[Archer21]

Roughneck - throwing himself past David - leaps forward to grab him, but is fractions of a second too slow. Looking down the hole that's barely wide enough for himself to go down he sees the indian at the bottom of a ladder, busily opening a second hatch in the wall three meters below the engineroom deck and looking oddly comfortable with the workings of bolts and hatches for a guy who's been dead a few hundred years...

"Davey, keep this away from the blighter!" Tossing the ornamental dagger to David, the huge Englishman tears off his thick leather jacket while measuring the hole with his eye. "I'm not going to let him get away!" With a shout, Roughneck leaps down the hatch, squeezing himself tight to fit. Bypassing the opening, he shoots down the tunnel, trying to land on the ancient warrior with a powerful stomp!

((Piledriver please...))

[Heritage]

"Davey, keep this away from the blighter!" Tossing the ornamental dagger to David, the huge Englishman tears off his thick leather jacket while measuring the hole with his eye. "I'm not going to let him get away!" With a shout, Roughneck leaps down the hatch, squeezing himself tight to fit. Bypassing the opening, he shoots down the tunnel, trying to land on the ancient warrior with a powerful stomp!

Bethany pulls herself up off the deck, muttering to herself as she smoothes out the remains of her tattered dress.

You're supposed to be a brave and intrepid reporter, not a meek little thing that goes inmto hiding whenever things get a little dicey.

She heads over to the Captain, shoulders squared and head held high.

Sir, what can I do to help? I'm sick of being frail and useless.

She looks down at herself.

And I could use some pants.

[ProfPotts]

As Roughneck leaps through the hatch the Captain turns back - reaching a hand out with a cry of,

"No!"

... followed by some muttering under his breath. Luckily Beth's approach distracts the old man from further comment...

Sir, what can I do to help? I'm sick of being frail and useless.

Park smiles & places a reassuring hand on the reporter's shoulder,

"Thank you m'dear. A cup o' tea would do wonders." Turning to his crew he asks, "Th' lady's offered t' help out, who's for a cuppa?" ::tongue ::wink

[Heritage]

Park smiles & places a reassuring hand on the reporter's shoulder,

"Thank you m'dear. A cup o' tea would do wonders." Turning to his crew he asks, "Th' lady's offered t' help out, who's for a cuppa?"

Bethany looks like she was struck across the face with a cricket bat; eyes wide, her mouth works wordlessly as her face goes farther and father into the red zone. At last, she speaketh:

::crazy TEA??!!! You want a nice cup of tea??!!::crazy

Her hands knot up into claws, and she looks about ready to drag the Captain down to the lowest circle of Hell; then her eyes go steely, and she levels a withering glance at the older gentleman.

Fine - a nice spot of tea it is, then.

She turns to the nearest seaman.

You, there - your pants or your life.

[Asbjørn]

With a few quick words the Captain directs his men to start repairs on the damaged equipment & to make sure the area's secure.

The men leap to obey, checking pipes, tanks and hoses and adjusting pressure and temperature levels where necessary. One of the men is going over the instrument panel while getting hold of the bridge on the ship's phone, reporting that everything seems to be in working order.

Looking to his crew the Captain calls out the question,

"Is th' turbine in this engine operational?"

The seaman checks a few of the instruments before he calls back

"Aye, Cap'n! Looking good and ready to move, Sir!"

"Davey, keep this away from the blighter!" Tossing the ornamental dagger to David, the huge Englishman tears off his thick leather jacket while measuring the hole with his eye.

Peering down the hole the soldier sees the long dead warrior giving the hatch wheel the final spin. A dull, but menacing *clank* sounds as the doorway is unlocked.

"I'm not going to let him get away!" With a shout, Roughneck leaps down the hatch, squeezing himself tight to fit.

The indian spares the giant of a man who's coming down the opening just a momentary glance as he pushes the hatch open with a screech that echoes in the large, dark, waterfilled room beyond.

Bypassing the opening, he shoots down the tunnel, trying to land on the ancient warrior with a powerful stomp!

Roughneck holds his arms close to his body and lets himself half fall, half slide down the shaft, legs outstretched to give the old king a good kicking. The indian is already halfway out the opening when Roughneck's boots impact with the small of his back, pinning him to the floor! There's barely enough room for the two on top of each other - nowhere near enough for a decent fight - and the big englishman can feel his opponent already starting to push him off and squeeze his way toward the exit. Luckily, his weight and the added leverage from using the ladder rungs to push himself down is enough for Roughneck to keep the grip on the struggling indian. For now... ::devil

"Thank you m'dear. A cup o' tea would do wonders." Turning to his crew he asks, "Th' lady's offered t' help out, who's for a cuppa?"

The nearest sailor - the one who's checking the damage to the diesel tank - grins.

"That would hit the spot, Cap'n."

Turning a brilliant white smile from an equally black face to Bethany, he adds

"Two sugars, please..."

She turns to the nearest seaman.

You, there - your pants or your life.

::blink

The sailor glances briefly at the captain - seemingly unsure of what to do - then gives a little laugh ::biggrin that turns a bit nervous when it becomes evident Bethany isn't joking. ::unsure

"Er.. I'm sorry, miss. I didn't mean any offense..."

His voice trails off as it's interrupted by a shout from the instruments panel

"Captain!! The aft thruster hatch is opening!!" ::shocked

Down below Roughneck feels as well as hears a shudder run through the vast chamber he's halfway leaning out in, and hears the humming of engines opening the only obstacle between him and the deep blue sea. ::blink

[Archer21]

"CAP'N!!" Roughneck roars up the shaft. "I'm staring at the deep blue! I've got the bugger pinned 'neath my boots, but he's a bit squirmy. Should I let him go and be closing this hatch?

[ProfPotts]

"CAP'N!!" Roughneck roars up the shaft. "I'm staring at the deep blue! I've got the bugger pinned 'neath my boots, but he's a bit squirmy. Should I let him go and be closing this hatch?"

Park calls back,

"Just get out o' there, lad - th' engine'll take care o' him!"

Presuming that Roughneck will do as he's told, Park signals one of his crew to start the engine in question...

[Archer21]

"Just get out o' there, lad - th' engine'll take care o' him!"

"Be right out, Cap'n!" With a brutal parting stomp to his opponent below, Roughneck squats, and then launches himself towards the opening over his head.

Slapping his hand onto the highest rung he can reach, he quickly scrambles out of the tunnel, rolling out, then reaches back to slam the hatch shut!

[Asbjørn]

Presuming that Roughneck will do as he's told, Park signals one of his crew to start the engine in question...

The crewman at the controls pushes a few buttons and pulls the lever, and nothing happens. Working with fast and well-practised precision he repeats his movements once, then twice.

"Cap'n, there is no response from the engine! It could be a power failure, Sir!"

"Be right out, Cap'n!" With a brutal parting stomp to his opponent below, Roughneck squats, and then launches himself towards the opening over his head.

As the englishman launches himself upwards, his opponent rolls out of the opening and disappears beneath the dark water.

Slapping his hand onto the highest rung he can reach, he quickly scrambles out of the tunnel, rolling out, then reaches back to slam the hatch shut!

Two crewmen stand ready, and the moment Roughneck is clear of the hole, the hatch is closed.

But there is still no sound from the engine. Crewman Jenks at the controls is busy checking the power readings, and shouts over his shoulder

"The engine is dead, Sir. Got to diesel backup?"

[ProfPotts]

"The engine is dead, Sir. Got to diesel backup?"

Park's brow furrows at the comment, the old Captain not used to his crew being incompetant (after all, he was just told in no uncertain terms that the engine was 'looking good & ready to move'), but realises that there'll be plenty of time for reprimands later. The way the order is stated conveys to the crew that Park is in no mood for any more foolishness or delays,

"Get it done!" ::angry

[Asbjørn]

"Get it done!" ::angry

Not one to argue with his Captain, Crewman Jenks opens the exhaust valves somewhere at the back of the vessel, hits the ignition for the diesel engine and pushes the throttle.

With a series of coughs that quickly turn into a roar the engine jumps to life and causes the vibrations in the hull to increase. Even those not accustomed to life at sea feel the Nausicaa starting to turn slowly to starboard.

After a few seconds the ship's phone next to the instrument panel starts ringing, and Chang picks up the receiver. Listening to the person at the other end he nods, then replies

"Don't worry. Just flushing out a stowaway. No, just keep us clear of the cliffs. We'll cut the engine again pretty soon."

The roar of the engine increases even more as Jenks pushes the throttle to the max. Chang's voice is momentarily drowned out by the noise, until he shouts to the Captain

"Cap'n! Hastings says the main power is completely unpredictable. The readings they get on the bridge don't make any sense at all. He says it looks like it's working against the diesel-engine!"

[Heritage]

Bethany, fuming in the salon while she makes 'a spot of tea', feels the movement of the great vessel.

*About time we got moving - though why do I get the sense that something's still not right?*

Still wearing the seaman's pants to cover the lower half of her ruined dress, she sets aside the tea service and trots briskly back to the engine room (assuming she can still find it ::biggrin)