Ivan stared out at the sea as it was illuminated by the evening sun. Despite being on this very ship so many different times, the view never ceased to amaze him. He took a glance at his watch and saw that it was about time he headed towards the meeting room. All the scientists and other people aboard wanted to have a quick meeting to get to know everyone on board. Ivan wasn?t much for these kinds of social gatherings but he figured he might as well show up. With a sigh he forced his gaze away from nature?s beauty and made his way across the ship and inside.
Ivan was actually a bit surprised at how few people were actually here. Usually these scientists traveled in huge crowds but he saw only two white coats in the room. Also in the room was the captain, Ryan, Gill, and a handful of other swabbies that didn?t ever seem to socialize with anyone.
Awkwardly, but politely, Ivan gave a firm nod to everyone. ?Hello there everyone. I?m Ivan, the engineer.?
Everyone waved courteously and Gill laughed to himself silently, knowing full well how awkward Ivan was with new people. One of the scientists then gave a broad smile and took a step forward to address everyone.
?I?m Jessica the lead scientist on our research trip and this is my partner Lisa. We?re heading towards Southwestern Pacific, near New Zealand and Australia, to study giant squid. A number of specimens have been recovered from that area and we are wishing to find out exactly what kind of habitats and depth ranges the giant squid prefer.?
Typical, these trips always had something to do with giant sea creatures. Why was it such a big deal to study these things anyways? They?re big and mean just leave them alone and let them do their own thing. Whatever, it wasn?t Ivan?s decision and besides, he was getting paid to keep this ship running for the entire voyage so what did he care what the passengers were up to?
?Sounds like a typical enough voyage. We shouldn?t have any problems while we?re out. The plan is to first make port in Nelson, New Zealand to refuel and resupply before setting out on the actual research voyage. I assume there?s no objections??
Ryan spoke like a true leader and captain when it came to his voyages, it was one of the things Ivan admired about him.
?Yes, that sounds like a good plan. It?s been a pleasure to meet everyone and I look forward to spending these few months with you all,? Lisa said with a strangely huge smile. Ivan enjoyed living on the ship but he wondered if these scientists had any idea of what it was like to be out at sea for such a long time.
?With that, I advise we all get some sleep. If all goes well, we should arrive at New Zealand tomorrow night,? Gill gave a quick yawn as he spoke. Ivan was equally as tired after the mayhem of that morning.
?Oh! One more thing. We?d like to stop at a certain point and get some quick sonar data before we arrive at Nelson if that?s alright,? Jessica said excitedly.
?Sonar data eh? That shouldn?t take long? sure we can swing that. I?m gonna head up to the wheel for the night. Sleep well passengers.?
With that Ryan was out the door. Ivan was right behind him to head to his own room.
?Just hope you don?t piss off any giant squid with that sonar data.?
Though he hated to use such a clich? phrase, it was smooth sailing after the mayhem from the storm. The sun hung high in the air and Ivan leaned against the side railing of the ship, watching the waves. He had just finished his second round of inspections for the day and had nothing to do but enjoy the fine weather around them. Normally they would have many more passengers and he wouldn?t have so much free time, he kind of enjoyed it. The sound of the intercom snapped him out of his daze however.
?Attention crew. This is where we will be stopping to collect our sonar data. Remain on standby in case of emergency.?
?Heh? suits me just fine. I?m on standby anyways. I just hope them white coats are quick with this sonar crap.?
That was wishful thinking. It was a full hour before they were once again on their way. Quick indeed? damn white coats have a skewered perception of ?quick?. At this rate it would be well into the night before they would arrive at port. This voyage just didn?t seem to want to go on without kinks. Ivan let out an annoyed sigh as he walked back down to the engine room to do his last inspection of the day. As expected, everything was still in top condition. At least the ship itself wasn?t having any problems, that fact alone comforted Ivan.
?I figured you?d be hiding down here. Damn if you aren?t the most dedicated person on this ship.?
?I knew it was too quiet for once? and right on queue it?s Gill the quiet breaker,? Ivan said with a hearty laugh as Gill walked in and took a seat on the stairs next to Ivan.
?You call this quiet man? I can barely think with those engines roaring.?
?Ah whatever. How?s life up on deck? You having as easy a time as I am this voyage??
?I barely have anything to do what with only two actual passengers on board. This has to be the cushiest voyage we?ve ever had. Almost feels as if it?s too easy.?
?I hear ya man? after the chaos of trying to get everything prepped for leaving port it?s just been quiet as ever. Heck, if it wasn?t for them white coats taking an hour to get data we?d be arriving at port soon.?
?It?s funny how you dislike science so much and yet all we usually get are research trips. Ah well? we?ll be arriving soon anyways so no worries.?
With that Gill stood up to head back up to the deck. As he departed Ivan called out with a sarcastic tone, ?With their conception of time we may be out here all year.?
Gill gave his trademark hearty laugh and continued out the door. Was it bad that Ivan wouldn?t mind being out here all year?
The sound of the intercom jostled Ivan awake with a jolt. He had gone to his room to rest a bit before they arrive at port and must have dozed off.
?Attention crew and passengers, we have arrived at Nelson. We will remain here until tomorrow morning at 8 o?clock.?
Ivan scratched the back of his head and let out a large yawn. Taking a look at his watch, it seemed he had only been out for about forty-five minutes.
?I guess Gill was right, we did get here sooner than I thought we would??
He shrugged it off and jumped out of his bed, landing with a soft clunk on the metallic floor. Since they were at land he would take to his second favorite hobby, locating the best local bar and putting down a few. He had to admit that even if he did love being out a sea, finding bars in new areas he had never been to was equally as enjoyable.
As he opened his door and walked out he very nearly collided with Gill, who was just about to knock on the door that suddenly had opened.
?We both have the same plan don?t we??
Ivan gave Gill a look as if to ask what kind of question that was, ?Of course, it?s our tradition isn?t it??
He plopped a hand on Gill?s shoulder as he shut his door behind him. This would be a fun night after the hell they had been through trying to get here.
?And I do believe it?s your turn to take the bill good sir,? Gill said happily, perhaps enjoying that fact a bit too much.
?Yeah, yeah? but I?m not dragging you back here like the last time it was my turn to pay. I won?t feel bad about leaving you, you know.?
Gill waved as if to shrug off the very idea of his friend abandoning him and almost sprinted towards the stairs.
?Well what are you waiting for? Let?s get to it!?
Ivan shook his head and laughed a bit to himself. Gill was always so enthusiastic in contrast to Ivan?s? lack thereof. Maybe that?s why they were such good friends. Oh well, time to make the night good. Ivan ran after his friend and they would soon be having a night of exploring and drinking. He just hoped that the citizens of Nelson didn?t think too badly of them by the time they were done.
It wasn?t long before they had found themselves at a local pub called ?Ally Cat?s?. It was filled with locals all casually drinking and conversing. In the back was a pool table where a number of men where laughing loudly and playing what looked to be a very close game of cut throat. Ivan and Gill walked up to the bar and took a seat, making sure they were comfy since they?d be there awhile. A tall red-headed woman was behind the counter and she smiled warmly at them, her teeth almost glowing the dim lighting of the bar due to how white they were.
?Ah, a couple of sailors I would guess. What can I get you boys tonight??
?Whatever the locals are drinking,? Ivan said with a smile. He always loved to try something new when he was in another country.
?Aye, same for me beautiful,? Gill said with a wink. They weren?t even there for five minutes and already he was starting with the relentless flirting. It would only get worse as more drinks found their way into him.
?Comin? right up handsome.?
She immediately conjured up two bottles of Speight?s Gold Medal Ale. Ivan and Gill looked at each other with a smile and clinked their bottles together in a toast.
?Here?s to the next few months being as great as tonight!?