Day Four Hundred Forty Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

A lot of prep today to receive the new containers for shipment. I dealt with the challenging puzzle of arranging the stowage so that those shipments last off will go under those off first.

Emil was very helpful in this matter. He has everything arranged on shore to that end. What may hold up things is waiting on the Captain’s final approvals as to what will go.

By end of day we had the ship ready to receive the new cargo. In our cabin after dinner, Elijah and I talked over our days. He had wandered off into the city to look around. He senses a great loneliness and dispiritedness in all whose path he crossed.

I shared about Emil.

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Day Three Hundred Eighty Six late morning #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Elijah writes:

The Captain has finished offloading this port’s cargo and is now loading containers for future ports.

He is convinced that his family did not come this way, so he will look elsewhere. So, he wants to get underway as soon as his freight is aboard (with or without Enoch’s party). To that end he is seeking permission to leave. So far the answer is in the negative.

We have re-evaluated at which gate to look for our travelers. The southern one seems the more likely.

Day Three Hundred Seventy Seven late morning #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Elijah writes:

The Captain got us to sea with only a short delay. His plan had been to take aboard as many containers as possible, but curtailed that notion in favor of a few select ones with foodstuffs.

Once underway and with our course set southward, Tomas and I brought the government guard up for questioning.

Tomas doubts his truthfulness, but I thought him quite forthcoming. He had held up all alone at a barracks outside the city. There he found the communications that pulled him back to the ship. That marks the limit of his knowledge.

I know more. The container transferred to the warship was a weapon resupply.

Day Three Hundred Seventy Six late morning #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Elijah writes:

I again have the onerous chore of chronicling my activities. I miss Enoch.

My arrival at the ship added greatly to the confusion then embroiling the crew. They had just completed offloading the cargo designated by the Captain, when that gentleman discovered a list of containers at this port slated for transport. In the midst of this new task, the runaway guard turned up with dire news. Somehow he came across the prophecy about this place and urged our immediate departure. I confirmed the dilemma.

Now Captain and Purser have important decisions.

Day Three Hundred Seventy #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The Captain has made his decision. He will offload those containers invoiced for this port under two criteria, those not filled with foodstuffs and those with no possible future use.

With this decision which will place the ship in port for the immediate future, Elijah felt moved to approach the Captain with his request. He asked permission of the Captain for us to go on shore.

When he asked why, Elijah told him we must seek out followers of Hamashiach. Though reticent the Captain gave his assent.

We met with the Purser to talk about his family and how to find his home. He gave the information whole-heartedly.

We made our way through the empty streets to his home.

Day Three Hundred Sixty Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

A double watch was set over night. Even the government guard joined in. But he went missing some time after he was relieved.

Volunteers queued up to go after him upon the discovery, notably those from this port, but the Captain wouldn’t allow it. At least not until he can decide what to do next – be on his way, or stay and figure out what to do with the containers slated for this port.

Elijah has decided opinions as to what needs to be done, but he won’t broach the subject until the proper time.

I agree as to the main detail – we need to go ashore, but I believe it should be now not later.

I acquiesced to Elijah.

Day Three Hundred Forty Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The unloading of containers continues. Only about a third of our total, according to the Purser, is being offloaded. We will be able to take on more than we delivered since the ship has been running under capacity. This knowledge gave Elijah hope that we may have a reasonable amount of time ashore.  We went in search of the Captain to ask if he had made up his mind yet.

We found him dealing with a knotty problem, finding a misplaced container. However, he put that task aside to talk with us.

He thinks that by tomorrow we can all go ashore.

I felt the need to replenish so I passed the remainder of the day in the sanctuary cabin.

Day Three Hundred Eighteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The sun shining and the sea mild today. It made it easy for walking about. To that end, we climbed down from the bridge to the deck and skirted the containers to the bow.

Almost too much fresh air in our faces there.  Before we ducked out we did see islands ahead, but not ours. And we saw a porpoise alongside racing the ship, leading several others. We kept them in view on our walk back to the superstructure and the bridge. It was a magnificent sight.

The Captain was present so Elijah stayed to converse with him. I continued to the cabin set apart for quiet contemplation.

I must be getting old. For I had a series of dreams.

Day Three Hundred Fifteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

More than the scheduled containers were waiting to be loaded, including two that are billed for the island not originally on the planned port of calls. The Captain is pleased with this development, as he now has an economic reason for his course change.

Elijah and I went ashore while the loading process was underway. The look was the same as the great city before it was taken down, with new structures rising from the ruins, but a whole different feeling emanated from the people in the streets.

Elijah questioned a passerby who directed us to a meeting hall whose entrance was marked by the sign of a fish.

We returned to the ship, confident that here all is well.

Day Three Hundred Twelve #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We have acclimated our daily routine to that of the ship. We eat when they eat, and sleep when they do. Or to be more precise, with the day crews. As a consequence we have little to no contact with the night crew.

The Captain thinks we will touch at the island in a week and a half, provided all goes smoothly. The main unknown factor being how long we will be at the next port of call. Nothing is scheduled for delivery there, but we will be taking on another hundred containers.

From conversations on other topics Elijah has learned that none aboard belong to or have an affinity for the world government. They are tolerated for their services.