Day Five Hundred Eighty Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Though the port authorities signed off on our proposal, we did have one more hurdle to overcome. The commander of the warship, as the senior representative of the global government at this location, needed to grant his permission.

He kept us on tenterhooks all morning as he mulled over his decision. At last it came in the affirmative, with one proviso – we must carry some supplies for their ships at our next port.

The Captain agreed, and was happy to, as that meant taking on less ballast for the voyage.

Later, upon observing two containers being lashed to the deck rather than placed in the hold, I remarked to Elijah that it appeared we would be resupplying that robotic warship.

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Day Five Hundred Seventy Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Container after container have been lifted out of the hold. They were transported away as soon as they hit the dock.

By day’s end only the cargo meant for the port we skipped, remained below.

The Captain spent the day ashore chasing down leads for possible buyers for his ship. In so doing he learned that all the other ships at this port had been purchased by the transport service of the global authority, and are awaiting the arrival of their new owners.

This fact laid to rest everyone’s fear of an attack on the port.

Elijah kept out of sight in our special cabin in the daylight hours.

I entered after he emerged, in response to a growing dread.

Day Four Hundred Seventy Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Elijah tells me I worry too much. I had been explaining to him my concern about the mysterious container, and the fact that it is buried so deep in the hold that we cannot get at it while we are underway, that he stopped me mid-explanation and told me to forget about it until such time that I can do something.

Sage advice. But how to put it into practice. I feel such responsibility to the Captain, to the crew, and to the ship.

After expressing this sentiment, Elijah gave me a sterner talking to, but in the end let me down gently. I felt more peaceful afterwards. And I realize now I can last til the next port.