Day One Thousand One Hundred Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We all accompanied the Captain, Elam and Sy down to the docks to bid them Godspeed. Mr. Kagi received us with open arms and wanted to take everyone away with him right then. But we committed our friends to him and to the One who sees all.

And thankfully Mawuli heeded the call and gladly joined with them too. He told me of his realization that to ship out on his father’s former vessel had long been a desire of his heart.

The Captain for his part wanted to have Tomas along, but he joyfully knows that each has a part to play.

We watched from shore as the ship threaded its way through the other vessels in the harbor.

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Day One Thousand Ninety Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The Captain got his wish today. Tomas escorted him down to the dock area to visit their former vessel. I wanted to go along but Elijah decided our presence was more necessary here.

I’m looking forward to their return and to what news they will share.

Mei, Mawuli and Sy and Elam went out into the city at Elam’s request to look around. The guards accompanied them as an escort for their protection, not in the least restrictive.

Elijah found a room in the apartment for a set apart place and asked me to join him in a time for intercession. Consequently we missed the return of both parties, and hence did not learn about their news until much later.

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 Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

It was the same warship that loomed over us at the last port. Manned, not robotic. They brought instructions for how our ship is to be handed over.

The port authority briefed our Captain this morning. We are to sail to the mainland, the gateway to the East, and turn the vessel over to the global transport service, based there.

Elijah is elated. He says it is exactly where we need to be next.

However the Captain thinks we won’t be able to go right away. He refuses to make the trip without shipments, and currently there are none from this port. And then there’s the matter of our trading without the mark.

It may be the final stumbling block.

Day Five Hundred Seventy Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We have arrived near our destination, but though the way in is clear, we won’t rush.

The Captain put us on our guard earlier this morning. When we had the whole archipelago in view, certain areas glowed brightly in the dark. Very ominous.

The largest island and home to our next port of call looked normal.

We were still the only vessel plying the waters. On our first peek into the harbor, we could see several ships moored at the docks.  And no signs of activity.

The Captain ordered the anchor down in the roads. He wants to wait to see if a pilot boat comes out. He’ll send Tomas in tomorrow.

Elijah and I want to accompany him ashore.

Day Four Hundred Seventy Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We were detained crossing the mouth of the gulf that leads to the capital. A flotilla of warships is stationed there.

The latest patrol boat brought us alongside the vessel of the commodore of the flotilla. Evidently our clearances from the first two patrol boats had not yet made it through their systems.

It took a while for the Captain to sort out the issues with the commodore.

I was called upon to give a full accounting of everything on board and their destinations. We were helped along by two facts. They had records for the long ago transfer of weapons to the robotic warship, and for our most recent delivery.

They thanked us and sent us on our way.

Day Four Hundred Fifty Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We held our station until the robotic warship was out of sight. It was obvious to us that it was patrolling the route between the port cities. Perhaps on the lookout for us.

Then we immediately entered into the island’s port city. No other vessel was currently tied up at the docks. We had our pick of  berths and chose the one closest to Emil’s office. He wasn’t in, so we settled in for the night.

Elijah and the Captain went ashore this morning only to return almost immediately. Not only could they not find Emil, the dock was deserted.

There was a short debate as to what to do.

We decided to unload the three containers ourselves and wait.

Day Four Hundred Fifty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

A whirlwind of a day. At the crack of dawn the tug returned with our guests of yesterday. We were granted permission to enter the harbor.

The pilot took us in.

A berth had been cordoned off for our vessel, and as soon as we docked, Emil’s special container was offloaded. All the while the political officer kept Elijah and I under close observation.

If the three containers we were to take back had been ready we would have been out of there in no time. But they weren’t. Granted they had an excuse, they had not been expecting us.

So we had to wait.

Elijah asked permission to go ashore and was denied.

My request as purser was granted.

Day Four Hundred Forty Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I never thought I’d see disagreement between the Captain and Elijah. They argued upon Elijah’s return from the city last night and they took it up again this morning.

They were still at it when I went ashore. Emil wasn’t in yet, but I felt that was no excuse not to begin. When he did arrive he immediately asked me if a decision had been reached about his special container.

I told him that the main issue was still unresolved. As he suspected it would be.

The Captain is unwilling to go to their sister port for any reason especially with anything that could cause a forfeiture of his vessel.

I’m for the risk but no one is asking me.

Day Four Hundred Forty Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Loading the ship ran smoothly throughout the day. It was gratifying to have drawn up a plan that was servicing our needs so completely. That is, until a hitch cropped up. A crewman, with intimate knowledge of every nook and cranny of the vessel, brought it to my attention before it could blossom into a catastrophe.

It did slow us down a bit, so much so that by day’s end we only succeeded in filling the holds. We shall leave off securing our deck cargo until tomorrow.

There was another factor that impeded our progress. Elijah paid a call on Emil, and after a brief conversation they went off into the city.

I sensed a significant change upon their return.