Russ
Aboard the Adelaide II
En Route to Hawai’i
JT and Kat appeared content to let sleeping dogs lie, as it were. Mack was another story. His mood darkened and his demeanor toward me turned hyper-professional since the boarding incident, and he spent most his time alone on the bridge. I’ve known Mack a long time and I trust him. I decided it was time to give him the background that precipitated these events.
“Mack, Mack. Russ,” I said over the radio.
“Go ahead, Captain.”
“When will we reach New Caledonia?”
“Less than a day at present speed, sir.”
Damn. I didn’t want to wait that long before talking with him. I decided to break my own rule.
Picking up the nearest intercom phone, I dialed our cabin. Glen answered.
“Captain’s cabin.”
“Put Alejandro on, please.”
After a moment of shuffling, Alejandro said, “Hey, what’s up?”
“I need you to go by the bar and grab a bottle of Crown and four cups; chasers if you want. Meet me on the bridge, and bring Glen.”
“Uh, are you sure that’s a good idea?” Alejandro wondered aloud.
“We need to bring Mack in on what’s happening to us, and I don’t want to wait until we get to Noumea,” I explained, then replaced the handset and headed toward the bridge. I was only a moment ahead of Alejandro and Glen.
Mack sat hunched over the computer console and looked surprised when we entered.
“Hey, Captain,” he started, then saw the whiskey in Alejandro’s hand. “Huh,” he grunted. “I take it we’re about to have the conversation.” I nodded. “It’s about time, Russ. I was worried,” but he sounded more relieved than worried.