Chapter 14
The bridge of the cruise liner was eerily empty, save for its captain and first mate, their presence much like that of mourners at a casket.
A long row of monitors reflected the view of the security cameras that were still online, the randomly placed black screens between them foreboding and strange.
The captain stood tall with his back to Cowboy, staring out the bridge windows to the thick gray sky beyond. “You’re telling me this is mutiny. My own men taking over my ship.” He turned around. “And they’ve done it so quietly I barely even noticed.”
He moved to the helm and touched some buttons.
“I’m afraid so, sir.” Cowboy hated to see him like this, the same man who’d appeared so confident and proud when they met in New York.
“This is my last voyage. Did you know that? One final sailing to top off a thirty-year career, and they gave me their flagship vessel to do it with. I was in the navy before that. A sailor. Not a frogman like you. All I ever wanted to do was sail boats.” He frowned. “She isn’t responding.”
“Who?”
“The ship. She isn’t responding. We’re off course and I’ve been trying to correct it manually, but it’s not taking the new heading.”
Cowboy moved to stand behind the captain and look over his shoulder. Sure enough, the captain was unable to make any changes to the ship’s course.
“They’ve taken control of this, too, haven’t they?” asked the captain. “A marvel of engineering stolen right out of my grasp.”
“There might be a way to get it back, but I need your help. I believe my men from HERO Force will try to intercept the ship.”
The captain turned around to face him. “Intercept the ship how?”
“You tell me. They need to board us. How will they do it?”
“If they’re coming by air, they will land on the helipad. If they’re coming by sea, they will need to get our attention somehow.”
The first mate stood. “We can’t slow down, much less stop. Landing a helicopter on a moving vessel is extremely challenging for the most highly trained pilots in the world.”
“Don’t worry. Our pilot is one of them,” said Cowboy. “If anyone can do it, Red can.”
The captain turned to the first mate. “Beaudreau, ready the cabling and clear the helipad.”
He turned back to Cowboy. “It’s usually open to visitors as an observation area, but we’re expecting inclement weather.” He turned back to the horizon. “Do you know when HERO Force is coming?”
“No.”
“Hopefully soon. This storm isn’t going to hold off much longer. Your friends might not be able to make it through.”