From the Deep Read Free Page A

way over the rail.
    Smoke billowed out of the stairwell leading below deck, and from between the boards, flames licked at their feet as they were fed by the wind.
    “My dad…” Rainwater said quietly, as Mackay pulled the ring to inflate the circular ten-foot rubber boat.
    “He’s gone,” Mackay yelled as he dropped the lifeboat into the water. The vessel was now dipping, its stern dropping below the water line as the bow started to lift.
    “I can save him, I—”
    Mackay grabbed Rainwater by the shoulders of his survival suit and shook him.
    “They are all gone, now get in the fucking raft!”
    Rainwater hesitated, staring into the billowing black smoke.
    “Come on dammit! When it goes, it’ll go quick.”
    Rainwater hopped into the raft. Mackay followed, and the pair clung on as they were tossed about the ocean. They watched in silence as the Red Gold slipped beneath the waves, taking three of its crew with it.
     

     
    Aboard the Neptune , Andrews hurried through the narrow corridors towards the bridge. Smeet was listening to the radio as he tried to pilot the huge ship through the storm.
    “Why have we changed course?”
    Smeet glanced at Andrews and was barely able to hide his disgust.
    “We picked up a distress signal from a crabber a few miles from here. They need our assistance.”
    “This is a private charter. Let someone else attend to it.”
    “There are potentially people in the water, and we’re the nearest ship for fifty miles.”
    “If some fool was stupid enough to get his ship sunk, I don’t see why my time and money should pay for them to be plucked out of the sea.”
    “They could die from hypothermia if they have fallen into the water. I don’t want that on my conscience.”
    “I don’t care what you want. What I want is for you to stick to the course I instructed. ”
    Smeet glared at Andrews, who took a compensatory step back.
    “Well, in that case, let me tell you how it will go. We’re going to pick up these people who need our help, and then I’m going to turn this boat around and take you back to port, where I want you off my ship.”
    “You were paid, in full, and in advance I might add,” Andrews sneered.
    “Oh, you will get your money back. Every damn penny. As of now, consider yourself an unwelcome guest on board my ship.”
    “Do you know who I am?” Andrews said, glaring at the captain as the colour flushed his cheeks. “This mission is too important to deviate from.”
    “Maybe to you,” Smeet said with a disgusted smile, “but not to me.”
    “You can’t do this, I’ll talk to my superiors, they will—”
    “Look, asshole, you might be some big shot government stooge, but frankly, I don’t give a shit. This is my ship. I’m the captain, and I say we are going to help these people. If you don’t like it, you can either start swimming or spend the rest of the trip confined to your quarters. It’s up to you.”
    Andrews glared at the captain, his cheek twitching as he processed the information.
    “Okay, captain, I suppose you seafaring folk are compelled to stick together. I won’t cause any trouble.”
    “Glad to hear it.”
    “I do wonder if we would be wise to venture into seas that have already capsized one vessel.”
    Smeet shook his head. “You didn’t seem too concerned about dangerous conditions earlier. Besides, it sounds like it might have been contact with another ship.”
    “Why do you say that?”
    “The radio message said something hit them.”
    Andrews gave Smeet his full attention.
    “Where did this happen?”
    “A few miles due east of here. Coast Guard is grounded due to the weather so it looks like we’re their best chance.”
    Andrews nodded, his mind already racing with possibilities.
    “The message was clear, and it couldn’t have been one of these rogue waves you mentioned earlier?”
    Smeet shook his head “No, they were clear. They said something big hit them broadside. My guess is another boat got too close,