***** Vol.1 Chap.24 Another visit to the captain *****
“Come in.”
The XO stood at the door.
“Yes?” She hardly looked at him and resumed her packing.
“The captain wants to see you.”
“I am packing.”
“The captain wants to see you. NOW.”
“He can wait.”
“That is not wise.”
“Just a minute. I am almost done with the packing.” Kristin threw her stuff into the suitcase and closed it.
“What does the captain want?”
“I don’t know. Shall we go?”
“If you insist.”
They walked silently to the bridge. She dragged her feet while the XO tried as best as he could to hurry her along. Turning the corner, the XO showed her the way to the captain’s quarter.
“Captain?” The XO knocked.
“Come in.”
The door opened and Kristin was shocked to see a man in a bright uniform decked with medals sitting in his chair.
“Thank you, XO.”
The XO nodded and quietly left, closing the door behind him.
“Why do you want to see me now? More punishment?” Kristin said in a sarcastic tone with a sour face.
“Kristin, Kristin. Brighten up!”
She did not trust her ears. Was this the same Jonas actually being nice to her as the one who confined her to her quarters?
“I have called for a press conference to announce the rescue operation upon arrival. I like you meet me at the control room as soon as the ship is docked and cleared for disembarking. This would be announced over the PA. Pack all your bags and leave them in the room. Don’t worry about them. I will have one of the crew members come and get them for you.”
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Wow! Is he civil to me? Something is going on that he is not telling me. She thought to herself.
“Sure.” She was baffled.
“Don’t forget, finish your packing now. As soon as we are docked, come straight to the control room and wait for me there.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Dismissed.”
She walked out without saying another word, wondering why the change in Jonas’s attitude. His tone was neither friendly nor harsh, just business-like. Still, she could not shake off the thought that something sinister might be going on behind that mask on Jonas’s face. She tasted the hypocrisy in her bones. Something major was going to happen, and she was totally blind-sided.
Maybe the captain reconsidered her actions? Nah, not in my lifetime. She answered herself, perplexed.
She walked back to her cabin, deep in thought, and finished packing the rest of her clothes and belongings. She wanted to go above deck to watch the docking with the rest of the passengers. On the way, she stopped by the mess hall and said goodbye to George.
“George, thanks so much for your excellent care the past few days, well actually for the entire trip.”
“It is no problem at all. Be careful out there.”
“Will do. I look forward to being on the ship with you again.”
“I am always here.”
“I will miss your coffee.”
He just smiled as she bounced upstairs.
“Come visit me now and then.” He shouted after her.
She climbed up the spiral staircase and entered the control room after the ship had docked. Jonas stood at the door waiting for her impatiently. Two other strangers were in the control room, one in a wheelchair, talking to Jonas. She figured they must be the two rescued boaters. She was glad to know that they seemed to have recovered from their ordeal. To be sociable, she headed in their direction to introduce herself but was intercepted by Jonas.
Without saying a word, he motioned for her to follow him. They took the elevator down to the main deck and headed to the connecting bridge on the port side. A great crowd had gathered already at the bottom of the bridge, waiting for them on the dockside. Cameras flashed as soon as Jonas, the two rescued boaters, and Kristin came out.
What a welcome! We looked like honored guests. Kristin thought to herself. Now this is a hero’s welcome! Though she was not sure who the hero was here.
Suddenly, she grew very conscious of herself. Everyone appeared to be well dressed, especially the captain and the two strangers; while she wore her jeans and everyday work clothes.
Why didn’t Jonas tell me to dress properly?
“Don’t mind the reporters and don’t speak to anyone,” Jonas commanded.
“Why?”
“Just wave and smile,” Jonas whispered sternly in between waving and smiles.
The captain took his time walking down the connecting bridge, striding as slowly as possible, turning around to make sure the two guests behind him were following, and also, Kristin thought, to make sure she did not talk to anyone. Clearly, Jonas delighted in this hero’s welcome and basked for the moment in the limelight. He had always enjoyed being the center of attention.
Kristin followed him like a subservient puppy dog and waved and smiled as well. She was extremely uncomfortable, especially when she noticed that reporters from the national television stations were there as well. Then she noticed that the video cameras followed her every move. No doubt her every move would be broadcasted tonight at every television station in the nation during the evening Newshour. That thought terrified her, and she shuddered involuntarily.