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.

Advertisement

Day Five Hundred Eighty Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We have a solution to our quandary.

In our trip ashore last night we were able to track down Mr. Kagi and proposed a deal. We offered to sell the ship to him for an amount equal to the price of the transport of his goods and himself to the mainland port. He agreed.

This we brought back to the Captain. He and Mr. Kagi met this morning and after setting terms for the split of monies due after delivering the vessel, they consummated the deal.

They then both appeared before the port authorities. They were at first reticent, but Mr. Kagi’s status with the world government is such that his requests can not be refused.

We are all pleased.

Day Five Hundred Eighty Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Another surprise has surfaced after the Captain broached the topic of the global transport service. The port authority here has not even heard of it, and were at a loss how to advise him what he should do next. They promised to look into the problem.

So we may be here well after the unloading is finished.

The Captain handed the payments to Tomas for research.

He was astonished to discover that the monies were due Mr. Kagi.

Tomas informed the Captain, who turned the funds over to our passenger with an explanation. Mr. Kagi was bowled over. And greatly amused. For he was sure it all would have been confiscated by Stan in his take over of the islands.

Day Five Hundred Eighty Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We raised our next port of call mid-afternoon. It sits on a bay on the central island of another archipelago.

Neither the robotic warship nor any other ship of the global authority questioned our entry.

Our passenger kept to himself. Elijah tried to draw him out on two occasions to limited success. He thinks Mr. Kagi is cowed by fear of the future.

We’ve been welcomed cordially by the port authorities. Our wait will be minimal before unloading commences.

There have been some unlooked for developments. They report that the robotic warship had been here and will be returning. A packet had been left for us containing payment for the materials we had left at the tsunami stricken island.

Day Five Hundred Sixty Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We had difficulty leaving.  In fact we made it out by the skin of our teeth.

It all began when the Captain paid a call on the port authorities. He wanted to settle a few things.  There was no cargo for us to carry from here. That was understandable. But for those items due elsewhere, the Captain wanted some compensation for the owners. They wouldn’t hear of it.  They are of the opinion that the world government will take care of it. As they believe it will “take care” of us.

This sent a chill through the Captain.

They threw up roadblock after roadblock, but he got us out.

In our wake we saw a robotic warship enter their harbor.

Day Five Hundred Sixty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We were a long time getting into the harbor. And even a longer time finding a berth. Debris packed the waters beside the docks, human bodies making up a good proportion of said debris.

And just like the ship master it took some convincing to change the minds of the remaining port authorities to allow us entry. Then it seemed like an eon for them to assemble some dock workers to help. (Many had fled to high ground).

Our crew set about clearing a way in, and by the time the shore crew was ready, we had already accomplished that task.

I helped Tomas and P identify containers with medical supplies and offloaded those first.

Even some listed for elsewhere.

Day Five Hundred Fifty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

As the Captain foretold, we indeed did arrive at our next port of call today. But not to an empty harbor as I had predicted. There was one lone container ship moored to the sea wall as we passed by.

This port is situated at the mouth of a great, broad river. And our assigned berth was further up this river.

While Tomas and P met with the port authorities, the rest of us saw to other tasks. Elijah and I went ashore to discover and weigh the best options for setting the Hamashiachite contingent upon their path.

The Captain took it upon himself to traverse the city to the sea wall to pay a call on that other ship.

Day Four Hundred Eighty One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Elijah wants me to accompany him. Not just ashore, but to continue across this subcontinent and perhaps rejoin the ship at a port on the other side.

I want to go, but not before discharging my responsibilities.

Elijah will wait, but will wander around the waterfront in the meantime.

We have landed the cargo for this port and that of the prior one. Due to our status (i.e. No mark) we will not be allowed to take on any other business. That cuts our time short here. The Captain and I had to battle the port authorities for more time and space to get down to that mystery container.

They only relented, when we shared our suspicions of potential danger.