Seaflower - 4

 “Sir?”

Tye turned around, “How may I help you Spoons?”  He asked the officer using his nickname, hinting at the fact that he was in a good mood and didn’t need the formality.

“Who’s the girl for starters?”

“Not mine.” Tye replied with a smirk, “Have you heard of the ghost who cleans the ship? She’s not a ghost.  That was her.”

“Sure she’s not yours?”

“Spoons, I am not married, nor have I ever touched a woman in that way.”

“What? How is that possible?  Your telling me all the port calls, women throwing themselves on you, you’ve never…” Spoons was trying not to laugh, “Do you prefer men? If you don’t mind me asking, but it just doesn’t seem natural for an officer in your position to, uh, well.”

Tye laughed, “I do not prefer men at all.  I don’t care about anybodies sexual preference as long as they save the sex for ports. I have not touched a woman for personal reasons. A woman saved me once, after what she did, none have even caught my eye.”

“What did she do?”

“You’ll find out tomorrow, but is that what you really wanted to know?”

Spoons faltered for a second, “Oh, sir, what is this quarters about?”

“I believe it is time for a history lesson.  I don’t think there is anybody left on this ship who knows the story of the goddess last appearance, when we lost almost an entire crew.”

“The goddess is only prayed to the first night underway and then not spoken of again.  I’ve never heard why or anything about her.”

“Everybody is about to get a lesson, something is going to happen soon.  We are going to need all of the blessings we can get.”  Tye said.

Two bodies ran down a ladder well and would have flown right past Tye and Spoons, only Tye grabbed one and Spoons had to take a few steps before he got the other one.  Before the two guys could be questioned, an alarm went off.

“Man overboard, man overboard, man overboard port side.  All hands (I’m going to have to pay attention to the next man overboard to get the right information to put here. Stop laughing.)  A voice called over the 1MC.  Shivers ran down Tye’s spine, and he lipped a short prayer.  Men stopped working and everybody had started running to their muster locations.

“What…” Tye was cut off, a wave splashed impossibly through the two open bay doors of hanger three, taking the 2 jets that were parked and chained with it overboard.  When the water was gone Tye saw the girl, no longer a small child.  She looked 18 and was soaking wet, reminding Tye of a wet cat; the anger on her face reflected that of a wet cat.

Tye shot a look at Spoons who had a disbelieving grin. “Oh I wouldn’t smile Spoons, that look calls for blood and the last time she wasn’t too discriminating.”  Spoons looked at Tye. Realizing that he was serious, he stopped grinning.

The girl was breathing hard; she stomped over to the four men.  The two men that were being held started thrashing.  In the beginning it was only so they wouldn’t get caught for throwing someone overboard.  However, there is something about watching the person you just threw off of a very high area (I want to get the actual height, but at least you guys know what I’m talking about)  appearing with a wave and then storming toward you that makes you wet yourself and fear for your life.

Tye forced his captive to his knees, Spoons copied him.  Both Tye and Spoons took a few steps back.

The girl stood in front of the two men, shaking with anger, passing judgment on them.  “Brig, I don’t want to see them again.”

Spoons grabbed the two by their collars and left.

Tye fell to his knees, “You must be her.”

“I still can’t remember, its locked away. I have an idea on how I can find out.”

“Can I help?”

“I think you’re the only one who could.” She said thoughtfully “Good night.” 

She walked off leaving Tye on his knees.  Realizing this, Tye stood up feeling foolish.

“Man overboard time plus three.”

Well, I honestly can say that someone went overboard and was recovered in less than a minute… Tye thought to himself, getting ready for his speech as soon as it was over.