A Series of Unfortunate Events On The Ocean.

[Optimism is my Phil-osophy]

Thanks! Your comments are what encourage me to keep going!

[MisterM]

I haven;t been commenting anywhere near as much as I would like, mostly because i'm a fair few 'pages' behind, but this is truely excellent stuff.

[Optimism is my Phil-osophy]

Page 32 Cont.

I tried to normalize my breathing to avoid raising any undue suspicion. I said I had urgent matters to attend to on the ship and asked Captain Widdershins to lead the other captains in the meeting in my absence. I went to the reception area and soon found Okoro and Quagmire.

"We need to get back to the Henry VIII quickly," I explained to both of them.

"What happened?" Quagmire asked.

"I can't tell you here," I whispered to them, making sure no one was listening. "But we need to go quickly to the bridge of the ship before it's too late."

They obeyed me. We walked quickly, without being distracted by the port. We practically ran up the gangway, and once inside the ship, I asked my companions to climb the companionway ladder to the bridge first. It would only be the three of us there.

"I need to show you two something in my captain's drawer. It's something I noticed a few minutes ago during the meeting with the island's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It's confidential, and the subject cannot leave this room," I said as I locked the door behind me and put the key in my pocket.

Both of them looked curious. I went to the drawer I mentioned and found what I needed: my flint pistol. I quickly pulled the gun out of the drawer and pointed it at the person I hated most at that moment.

"Okoro... hold this man down and tie his hands behind his back."

Quagmire was caught off guard by me. I could see the horror in his facial expression at being caught as a traitor, but he quickly recovered.

"What are you talking about, Madame Captain?" he feigned innocence.

"You'd better confess, Quagmire, or I'll feed your flesh to the fishes in ten minutes."

"This is a big misunderstanding, Madame. What do you think I did?" he asked, trying to act innocent.

"You passed on confidential information to the people on this island. They couldn't know what our language was just by watching us from a distance. Those who spoke to Captain Widdershins also spoke English. Even the pilot who served us knew our language perfectly."

"It was probably just a big coincidence, Captain. There are people here who speak several languages."

"The map they gave us... had information in English. They produced exactly 13 maps. Do you know why 13? Because you gave them the information that there were 13 captains. Now we're only 12, but you betrayed us before the sinking of the Charles II, while Captain Cloe Brown was still with us."

"I understand your concern, and I agree that all of this suggests there is a traitor among us. But how could I have spoken to them? We were miles away, and..."

"It was in Panama City. You were among those who went to Panama City. But you didn't get sick. That's because the plague must have been in something that the men ate or drank. But you weren't with them. Someone from this island must have contacted you in Panama City."

"Captain, I hardly ever get sick. You can't assume that's evidence that I..."

"And the map itself... You couldn't resist, Quagmire. You prepared the model of the map they were going to give us here. And it was you who brought us to this island, even though our nautical charts were wrong. You brought us to the lion's den. Confess, or I'll kill you now."

"Captain... Let's say I confess, Captain, just so I don't die... What will happen to me?"

"You will be judged tonight by the other captains on the deck of the Henry VIII."

"Judged? You mean executed, don't you? They'll blindfold me, give me a cigarette, and then a firing squad will send me to the other side, right?"

"If you're found guilty, yes."

"I'll never convince them. But I can try to convince you, Captain."

"Convince me?"

"Have you ever stopped to think why our ship hasn't been attacked by monsters since I started as the navigation officer? The last monster attacked the Dutch, but not our ship. Our men died because they were close to their ship, not ours. But if it weren't for the information I received, we'd all be dead. I saved hundreds of lives by following the instructions they gave me to avoid direct confrontation with the monsters, Captain. Also, I brought the fleet to a safe harbor."

"Don't be hypocritical, Quagmire! If your interest was in our mission, you would have reported your encounter with the island people as soon as it happened. If you didn't tell, it's because they offered you something in return for keeping quiet. Give it to me now!"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"I'll shoot you if you don't give me what they gave you!"

Quagmire looked me in the eye. He knew I was serious. He said to Okoro:

"It's in my jacket, on the left side."

Soon Okoro pulled out a black cloth tied with a string, containing 13 translucent pink gems. They were quite large, and I couldn't even imagine their value.

Quagmire tried to apologize:

"Captain, I'm sorry. I wouldn't have accepted it if I thought my actions could jeopardize our mission. And in the end, everything worked out. I saved hundreds of people's lives. That's undeniable. Even with motives that weren't so dignified, I saved those people."

"You saved yourself, Quagmire, and got rich in the process. If the inhabitants of this island were trying to kill us, you wouldn't have cared. In fact, that explains why Feint was the only survivor of the last mission. And why his information was so poor, and how he managed to reach the Panama Canal to be rescued. You and he must have been molded with the same type of black water, and only serve as fish food."

I put the sapphires in my pocket. I seriously thought about shooting him at that moment.

"Okoro, take Mr. Quagmire to the brig. And don't tell anyone about this. Check if he has any kind of weapon on him."

I handed her my gun.

Okoro was visibly angry. But she knew she wouldn't kill him without my consent. We left the bridge, and I watched Okoro with Quagmire as she helped the traitor down the stairs. Soon she was leading him towards the brig. Meanwhile, I went to the kitchen and had a little rum. I realized that this island wasn't what it seemed. Nothing there was what it seemed, and the island elders were not to be trusted, no matter how kind they seemed. I needed to organize a trial. I needed to choose the best time to confront the elders.

I looked more closely at the landscape. They tried to camouflage it well, but I noticed at least two coastal fortresses, one on each side. At first glance, they looked like civilian structures, but I knew they weren't. Our ships were ready to be bombarded if necessary.

I really needed to be careful. 

That time... well, maybe just a little... I really thought it would be nice to talk to you, my sister. It was just a thought... It doesn't mean that I forgave you or that I empathized with you! I just thought, "how does she handle this kind of thing?"

[Optimism is my Phil-osophy]

Page 33


While I was still drinking rum, the medical officer Ananias approached.

"Captain, are you drinking rum alone?" he asked.

I don't remember at which point in the journey he and I started treating each other as equals. Because of the plague and because of the last monster attack, Ananias and I witnessed a lot of pain and suffering together, and we saw each other crying or holding back tears. And we were able to comfort each other a few times by drinking together.

"Do you value confidentiality between doctor and patient, doctor?"

"I value confidentiality between friends, Captain. You're not my patient."

I smiled. "I feel foolish. And I feel betrayed. And I'm scared."

"I understand, Cintia. But you need to have confidence in yourself and in the crew you chose. Otherwise, how can you lead them?" Ananias replied. I don't know why, but I appreciated hearing my given name spoken aloud by him.

"Yes, I know. But things are getting complicated. I can't believe we're in such a paradisiacal place, but with so much hidden danger," I replied.

"You know I'm here to listen if you want to go into detail. But if you don't want to, I won't press you."

I told him everything.

Ananias listened attentively as I poured out all my fears and suspicions. I told him about the traitor, about the elders of the island and their dubious intentions, and about how lost I felt in the midst of it all. He listened without interrupting, offering words of encouragement and comfort when I needed them.

"It's normal to feel this way, Cintia. Leading is not an easy task, especially in a situation like this. But remember, you are not alone. You have me and the rest of the crew to help you," said Ananias.

"I know, but still, it's hard to trust anyone in this situation. Even myself," I replied.

"Trust your instincts, Cintia. And trust those who have proven to be loyal so far. If there is another traitor among us, they will be discovered and punished. As for Quagmire, he will have a fair trial tonight. You did very well in holding back. You are truly a noble person. For now, we need to work together and stay calm," said Ananias with conviction.

I took a deep breath, feeling a little more secure in his words. "Thank you, Ananias. You always know what to say," I thanked him. "But I still don't know what the best course of action is."

"I think your doubts are related to the true intentions of our 'hosts.' We can talk and try to make assumptions. Or you could try to go back to the meeting where you left off and..."

"I can't go back there. I won't be able to keep a level head looking at those hypocrites who were spying on us."

"Cintia, try to see things from their perspective. We are an armed foreign fleet with declared objectives of conquering foreign peoples and territories. I think, from their point of view, we are the hypocrites here."

Those words took me by surprise. He continued:

"From what you've told me, we can conclude that this people have experience in naval warfare. They know very well that they don't stand a chance against us. They do need information to know whether it's a good idea or not to ally with us, or to try and kill us by surprise. We can't be angry with them just because they are trying to survive."

"I already told them our intention is not to attack them," I replied.

"Well, you only said that now. And I'm sure Quagmire also told them that. But to what extent can our words be trusted by them? And we don't know what their relationship with the people on the mainland is like. If they are so interested in precious metals, it's because there is some kind of trade. I don't think those leather clothes were made here... I doubt there are many herds of cattle around here. And such a large and developed port... They certainly have some kind of commercial relationship with the mainland and not just with those other little islands around."

"That actually makes a lot of sense, Doctor. But are you suggesting that I do?"

"Try to play fair with the elders even though they played dirty with you. We are in the advantage with our military force... And they know that. They know that we could try to destroy the island if we get angry. But in compensation, they know that if we become allies, there could be a good gain for both sides. Everything indicates that this is their intention. To become our allies."

"I don't know... They might be trying to keep our cargo and our ships."

"There is that possibility... But I think it's very small."

"Why?"

"If they planned to steal from us, why would they be trying to take every penny from us through services, as you told me?"

I paused to think... Doctor Ananias is truly wise. And a great friend. Men like Kianu are nice to look at, while men like Ananias make great company. It's a shame he would never look at me as a woman. My mission involves killing people, while his involves saving them. If I tried to approach him romantically, I'm sure he would reject me. But it's good to have him as a friend, at least. Okoro doesn't have a chance either... She's killed many more people than I have.

I'm glad I had that conversation. If it weren't for Ananias, I might have acted rashly. With a renewed spirit and a clear head, I went to the place where Quagmire was being held. I spoke from behind the door:

"Quagmire, be honest. Did anyone else help you with your acts of treachery?"

"Does it make a difference for me to speak to you, ma'am?"


"Maybe." I replied.

"I wish I could say yes. That way, I could demand my forgiveness in exchange for information. But the answer is no, madame. I acted alone."

I couldn't be sure, but I decided to believe him. After a few minutes, I was walking towards the building where I had left the captains and the foreign ministry elders. When I arrived, it seemed like the meeting had just ended. The captains were arriving in the reception area.

"Where are the elders?" I asked Widdershins.

"They should be leaving the room right now, captain," he replied.

I ran down the hallway to the room, and I managed to arrive just in time to find the three elders near the door.

"Can I speak to you in private?" I asked.

We went back to the room. I was about to take a risky and completely unilateral action. A decision that could lead to a bloody battle and the death of some of the most important men in the fleet. A difficult decision, but one that needed to be made without hesitation. I decided to lay my cards on the table in front of the elders.

"I know what you did. You hired one of my men to provide information to you. Why did you do that?"

[Optimism is my Phil-osophy]

Page 34:

My sister,

I know that if you happen to be reading this letter, you must be questioning my sanity right now. For some reason, you trust my judgment, and that's why you chose me as the leader of the fleet. That's why I can say there was nothing else to be done at that moment but this. The days that followed were truly full of activities.

When I confronted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kaimana said, "I'm very happy to see that you managed to catch all the obvious clues we left for you..."

That introduction caught me off guard. "What do you mean by leaving obvious clues for us?" I spent a lot of my neurons and mental sanity deducing everything that happened!

That horrible speech continued. "First of all, Captain Mallahan, we have to say that we acted this way to protect our island. We couldn't know what your true intentions were, and we were concerned that there might be a threat to our security. We obviously understand that this practice could undermine the bond of trust we intended to create with you. But we were at an impasse: our representatives who contacted one of your sailors promised, through a contract, that we would never reveal our agreement to the rest of your fleet. For the people of our island, and especially for the elders, fulfilling contracts is fundamental. Our dilemma was, 'how could we establish a relationship of trust with the captains of your fleet, and at the same time, fulfill our agreement with the sailor who gave us the information?' The best way we found was to leave obvious clues so that you would notice that there was someone who gave us the information. We're glad that you noticed our clues. And I hope that the fact that we provided such clues while still fulfilling our agreement with the sailor demonstrates how trustworthy we are, and how we really care about you and want to help you."

I took a deep breath. That answer made my head spin. I said that I needed to talk to my men about some urgent issues regarding our situation, and they said we could contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in this building to inform them of our decisions or request additional information.

Sister, you know I don't like to have meeting after meeting. I'm not a politician. That's your thing, not mine. I'm a captain in the royal navy, and what is expected of me, in general, is to travel and fight, usually leading others who are doing the same. It's a risky service, but usually simple in terms of knowing what needs to be done. The question is always whether we can do it or not. But at that moment, I realized that everything was different. In a few hours, I felt like I was in a physical fight against several men, taking a beating.

Those elders were masters of manipulation. If they wanted to convey a sense of trust, they actually made me think, "If they were really able to deliver Quagmire without breaking their contract with him, how much could we trust them to help us?"

In fact, it was me who was in a dilemma! I realized that they could be strong allies, without whom we apparently had no chance against the sea monsters. On the other hand, I couldn't help but think about what they would demand in exchange for this cooperation. In fact, the advantage was all theirs: they knew the place, they knew the sea, they knew the enemies, they had time to plan, and finally, our ships were in their port. They were offering accommodation in the houses of their population. And they were openly greedy bastards!
If we fought against them, we would have no more help to deal with the monsters, which is our mission. And if we didn't fight, we would have to play by their rules. We would become their lackeys. I really needed my men's help to deal with this. And I only had one week.

[Optimism is my Phil-osophy]

Page 35.

I decided to attach to my notebook where I am writing these letters to you, my sister, some of the report I received throughout the week. So I hope that if we die, at least it won't be just my voice that will resound in your nightmares.

Annex 1 - Captain William Wordsworth's Report

My dearest Captain Mallahan,

I hope this report finds you well,

Carried by my most trustworthy man,

For this information I'm compelled to tell.

As agreed, we proceed with the Henry VIII,

Its mast and sails must be replaced,

And changes to fuel will soon be in sight,

The engineer's plans are already traced.

My crew is housed nearby the yard,

And locals work alongside us each day,

But their conditions we found quite hard,

Unjust treatment and child labor in play.

The buildings in the west show a different style,

Compared to the eastern port where we reside,

Security guards patrol every mile,

Uniforms of various companies they abide.

The yard's owner sits on the council board,

Perhaps explaining the lack of oversight,

I witnessed a worker's injury ignored,

Fired on the spot with a callous slight.

Our doctor Ananias tended to the man,

Who cried he couldn't afford the bill,

But Ananias promised to care for him,

And provide the needed medical skill.

Despite the harshness of this place,

The streets are kept tidy and neat,

There's a cozy diner with a cellar space,

Where fifty people can comfortably eat.

I hope this report is of use to you,

And provides a clearer view,

Of the challenges we face,

And the need for our joint embrace.

Yours truly,

Captain William Wordsworth

[Optimism is my Phil-osophy]

Page 36

Annex 2:

Captain Dickens of the George IV,

Commissioned to find Quagmire, a traitor.

Surprised to learn of the villain's reveal,

But pleased to hear Mallahan had him in steel.

Alas, our joy was short-lived indeed,

For we soon learned Quagmire had been freed.

Our crew dispersed throughout the island's land,

Searching high and low, with maps in hand.

We fanned out across the isle, our search began

Hunting for the traitor, every woman and man

At first, the elders hesitated and wavered

But when we insinuated they aided his escape, they caved and favored

On the first day, we searched the financial center,

Buildings tall, with gears a-whir and a-clatter.

The well-to-do milled about with their wealth,

While the poor begged for scraps, in dire health.

We asked about Quagmire, but got little in return,

Though the barbers spoke with tongues sharp and firm.

A few leads, but nothing to chase,

So we moved on to the next day's race.

The second day saw us scouring the hospital,

Glimmering metal and pipes, and the smell of alcohol.

Sick and dying, they lay in the beds,

While doctors and nurses tended to their heads.

We spoke with patients, and listened to their woes,

Some claimed to have seen Quagmire, but no one knows.

Again, we asked the barbers, for any clue,

And they gave us hints, but nothing true.

On the third day, we searched the supermarket,

A bustling bazaar, where the goods were all synthetic.

Clerks stacked cans and jars, and bags of grain,

While the shoppers jostled, with coupons in vain.

We spoke with the workers, and listened to their tales,

Some claimed to have seen Quagmire, but to no avail.

Again, the barbers had more to say,

And one of them mentioned a boat that sailed away.

An escaped slave claimed to have seen,

A man with Quagmire's description, on the beach serene.

He rented a rowboat and paddled away,

Towards one of the islands, where he might stay.

We searched the nearby islands, but to no avail,

Quagmire had vanished, like a ship in a gale.

But we shall not give up, our search will go on,

For Quagmire must be caught, justice must be done.

"Let sails be raised, eyes sharp and bright,

May courage guide you day and night."

Captain Dickens

[Optimism is my Phil-osophy]

PAGE 37

ANNEX 3 - CAPTAIN TURNER'S REPORT.

PART A:

As Queen Catalina's captain, Turner is my name
On a mission for two days, undersea is our game
Our crew, with oars in hand, move us forward in time
The complaints of exhaustion are halted by a view sublime

Four warships of old, their hulls now on the ground
Their construction and design, each unique and profound
One may resemble China, with a dragon on the bow
Another could be Russia, with an eagle as its show

The third is Japan, a red sun rising high
And the fourth, the Philippines, with their flag in the sky
Sea life swarms, embracing the ships as their own
Our divers descend, bringing back relics unknown

A Chinese teapot, a Russian sword with a sheath
A Japanese fan, a Philippines badge, beneath
Each treasure preserved, in its own rightful way
Memories of the past, now brought to light and on display

But alas, our first day ends, with more to explore
Excitement fills us, for what's to come and what's in store
May this message reach our leader, with the news of our finds
For the Queen Catalina and her crew, have made history in these waters combined.

PART B:

In the midnight hour, we found a creature strange
A leech-like beast with a size quite deranged
Our chaplain feared it was a bad omen to see
While our cook saw a potential meal for our tea

Our biologist cut it open with knife
And found four brains, a most curious life
Its stomach was acid, its teeth could rend
Through metal, and it measured a meter end-to-end

Suddenly a swarm of these beasts appeared
With drummer drumming, our crew we steered
The steersman evaded, the rowers strained
But still those leeches our vessel gained

Then we fired a torpedo, it exploded loud
And shook our vessel, tearing metal proud
With systems damaged and navigation awry
We feared that home we could not spy

But still we press on, for the mission's sake
Through Pacific depths, our course we'll make
And hope that our message, to port will be sent
A warning of beasts in the ocean, relentless and bent.

PART C:

Underwater we dove, the Queen Catalina and I,
To reach the distant island, a mission we couldn't deny.
The sanguine monsters lurking, we knew they were near,
Their sharp teeth and many rows, brought a sense of fear.

PART D:

Their attack was sudden, the crew sprang into action,
The hull of the submarine under fatal traction.
Through breaches they came, their numbers unending,
Our metal shell crumbling, their strength unrelenting.

We were attacked by the monsters of the deep,
Those wretched leeches, that did not let us sleep.
Our hull has been breached, and the water's rushing in,
And we know our fate, is to meet a watery end.

The Queen Catalina struggling, the men fighting on,
The damage too severe, the end soon to dawn.
We sent the message, a pigeon to carry,
Our "black box" aboard, our hope not to tarry.

As I write this report, the sanguine fiends swarm,
Our fate sealed, our sacrifice not forlorn.
May our loss not be in vain, our knowledge gained to assist,
And the message sent out, the importance not to be missed.

Dear Captain Mallahan, forgive me for not rhyming,
As I write this final report, with tears in my eyes shining.
Our submarine, the Queen Catalina, is lost at sea,
And with it, my brave crew, who fought alongside me.

But before we go, I want to say to you,
It was an honor to serve, with a captain so true.
Please tell my children, that I was thinking of them,
And that I died doing my duty, to the very end.

With a heavy heart, I bid you farewell,
And hope that this report, may serve you well.
May the Queen Catalina, and my crew, rest in peace,
And may their sacrifice, never be forgotten, and never cease.

[Optimism is my Phil-osophy]

Page 39

My sister,

I intentionally removed the previous page from the notebook, but I did not discard it. I left the page in Ananias' hands. He told me that I should never look at the words I wrote there again, but that I needed to know that they existed and that they were written by me. He said that I need to realize what I am capable of doing to myself if I don't learn to deal with the guilt.

I am writing to you at night from a beautiful inn in the south of the island, near a beautiful beach that the locals call Punalu'u. Today was a beach day for me. The sands are dark and hot, contrasting perfectly with the crystal-clear waters that gently lap at the shore. The sun shone brightly, making each grain of sand seem to twinkle. The scenery was wonderful... I know Ananias just wanted me to... to try and cool off and relax, but the only thing I could think about all day was that I don't deserve any of this. Oh, my sister! I don't deserve it! Ananias and Okoro spent the day with me... I know they were just watching over me... I explained that I needed to write to you. When I write to you, my sister, I... I don't know... I just know that I need to.

Tomorrow morning is the meeting with the entire council of elders. Everyone is counting on me. So, I really need to tell you about what has happened in the last four days still today.

I sat at the table that had been given to me. I ran my fingers over the last page of Captain Turner's report. My eyes scanned the words, but my mind couldn't fully process what I was reading. My heart beat hard in my chest, while my hands trembled. I felt a lump in my throat and a weight in my stomach, as if I had been hit by a wave over 15 meters tall. Everything around me started to spin.

I said to the officer in front of me:

"Okoro... please, call Okoro here, quickly."

I was alone in the office. I took a deep breath, and tried to focus on the report again. I needed to be strong. I always managed to be. After all, I was the captain, and it wasn't me who decided that this mission as a whole should be carried out. Yes, the guilt was yours, as always, my sister. I swallowed hard and started reading again. The death of those men couldn't be in vain. I needed to fully understand what had happened. Maybe then I could...

"IF YOU HADN'T DONE ANYTHING, THEY WOULD STILL BE ALIVE."

I looked to the side, but I was still alone. I looked at the wall and saw your face in an imposing oil painting. You love these oil paintings, don't you? You were there, watching me with your cynical face, with that pompous dress you only wear once a year. I could hear your smile behind that serene expression.

"It's your fault," I said to the painting.

"YOU REALLY ARE MY SISTER. YOU SENT MEN TO AN UNKNOWN TERRITORY EVEN KNOWING THAT THERE WERE MONSTERS OUT THERE."

Tears came to my eyes. I turned my back on you. I needed to be technical. There were 4 brains in one of those leeches. And if most of the enemies were high-mobility underwater monsters, the submarines wouldn't be very useful. They may have firepower against a single gigantic enemy, but against several enemies of about 1 meter in length...

"STOP THINKING OF THEM AS LESS THAN HUMAN. THE CAPTAIN ASKED YOU TO TALK TO HIS FAMILY, REMEMBER? EACH ONE OF THOSE MEN HAD A FAMILY TOO. YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO TALK TO ALL OF THEM. YOU WON'T EVEN REMEMBER ALL OF THEIR NAMES FROM THAT SUBMARINE."

"Shut up!!" I yelled as Okoro walked into the office.

"Captain, who are you talking to? What happened?"

Seeing Okoro brought mixed feelings. First, I felt a void in my chest. For a moment, I didn't know what to say or do. I realized my knees were shaking. I fought to keep tears away from my eyes.

"We need to lead a rescue mission immediately."

I told Okoro as I handed her the report pages. She quickly read them and held onto my arm before I could walk out the door. Okoro knows me well. She looked into my eyes and calmly said:

"Cynthia, I'm sorry. This isn't your fault."

I hugged Okoro and began to cry on her shoulder. She held me tight as I couldn't utter a single word. She waited until the intensity of my tears subsided and said:

"I don't think it's a good idea to send more men to the area where the attack happened, captain. Those monsters might still be there."

"Then I'll go alone, Okoro. I'll take a boat and row there. I need to know if anyone survived."

"Captain, no. You can't go. Nobody can go, and you know that, captain. See, we could only go there if someone from the trusted locality could explain to us what those monsters are. But only the council of elders has that information. The Captain Windershins and I haven't presented our mission reports to the island yet, but I can tell you that this is a state secret. So, captain, you're not going there and you're not sending anyone there... And I've said it before and I'll say it again, it's not your fault. Come, I'll take you to the mess to drink and eat a little."

Soon we were in the Queen Anne's mess, which, like everything else on that ship, was gigantic.

Okoro had to be right.

It couldn't be my fault.

I tried to focus on the environment. The ship's mess was a spacious room, with walls and ceiling painted in light colors to maximize natural light. The windows were small, and curtains were used to control the amount of light entering the room. The floor was wooden, polished to maintain a clean and shiny appearance. Tables and chairs were arranged in a regular pattern, with enough space for sailors to move comfortably around the tables. These areas of the ship were really good.

The server brought my drink. A large cup of rum. I had started drinking on this mission. And I was drinking more and more, and for some strange reason, I never really got drunk. I quickly turned the mug to my mouth and felt the burning in my esophagus. A little pain, yes... that helped me.

I returned to focusing on the environment and thought about how good it was to be on a ship. There were paintings on the walls of the mess. Some oil paintings depicting many ships, many passages, and several of our war heroes and monarchs throughout history.

And of course, my sister, you were there too.

"THE ONLY THING CAPTAIN TURNER ASKED OF YOU, MY SISTER, WAS A FEW DAYS OFF FROM THE SUBMARINE FOR HIS MEN."

"Okoro, I'm not hungry." I said. "I need to get out of here. . I need to talk to the other captains about what happened. Call an emergency meeting. And ask to cover all the paintings in respect to the captain... And get a list of everyone who was in the submarine."

" 

[Optimism is my Phil-osophy]

Page 40

We stood in mourning for the lost souls,
Captain Turner and his brave crew,
Taken by the sea, devoured by the shoals,
Sacrificed for the mission they knew.

As I spoke of honor and sacrifice,
A vessel approached, led by Quagmire,
And to my surprise, all the survivors arise,
Rescued from the submarine's dire.

The captain came bearing a gift,
Wrapped in black cloth, to my surprise,
With one swift move, he revealed a shift,
A giant leech that brought me despise.

I tried to back away, filled with dread,
But the leech came closer to my face,
And just as I thought I was dead,
I woke up, in a different space.

That was so strange. I don't know if I was dreaming or awake, my sister. When I realized, I had already written this report to you about the dream I had. But I don't remember lying in this inn's bed. I was sitting at my desk writing and imagining that I had had a dream, or did I dream and wrote this while I was asleep?

I just reread what I wrote. I'm missing the conclusion:

"It was a dream, so vivid and real,
I still feel the rush of emotion,
But now I know that it wasn't ideal,
To find comfort in a mere illusion."

I feel exhausted. The day before yesterday was full of activities, and I received more reports and information in preparation for my meeting with the elders. I made sure that everyone was informed about the Catalina disaster. I asked Captain Rogers, from the Queen Anne, to organize the ceremony.

And after that... I walked towards one of the ship's boats. After getting in, I asked the assistant to lower the boat into the water. Captain Rogers soon realized what I intended to do. But he is a sailor who respects the Navy's hierarchy, so he did not try to stop me. Okoro was not around, so I could try to find survivors alone. In addition to the reports, the carrier pigeon that served as the black box also brought the last registered location of the submarine. And with an astrolabe and a stopwatch, I was confident that I could guide myself alone to the location. After all, I did not become a captain without mastering navigation methods. My supplies were in the backpack I was carrying. So I believed I could make it there.

But before I could even start, while I was still talking to the assistant, Ananias entered the boat.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"Are you going to look for survivors from the Queen Catalina?"

I realized that Okoro had spoken to him.

Before I could give him an answer, he said:

"I'm a doctor. If someone is injured, I can help."

I was paralyzed, staring at him.

Furthermore, "How do you expect to use the astrolabe and row at the same time?"

I just looked at him while he sat down. I looked at the assistant and asked him to take our boat to the water.

It was around 3 pm. At first, I was silent in the boat, while Ananias started rowing. The waves were low, and the sea was quite calm. The port should have been about 4 kilometers away when he stopped rowing and looked at me.

"You're a terrible liar, Cintia."

I looked at him, surprised.

"I didn't say anything to you, how could I lie?"

"You were trying to lie to yourself. How were you planning to use the astrolabe before the sun sets?"

"It's perfectly possible to use the sun to guide yourself."

"Possible, yes, but not easy, especially in an unstable boat like this. Tell me the truth, did you intend to get lost at sea?" He asked.

I started yelling at him:

"What are you insinuating? If I didn't want to stay alive, would I have brought food?"

"The information Feint left... he mentioned something about those leeches, didn't he?" He asked me, already knowing the answer.

"Feint wrote that they were seen further north, near the land of Endless Ice. Everything he wrote is useless."

"And from what he wrote, what attracts these leeches?" I realized where he was going with this and so I remained silent, looking at my backpack.

"Answer me, Cintia, what specifically attracts these monsters?"

"You read Feint's reports too?" I asked.

"I'm one of the mission officers. I had to read them."

"Then you know the answer," I said to him.

"Yes, I do. According to Feint, these monsters are attracted to the smell of food. They can even smell the food inside you." Ananias replied.

"Nothing in that report can be trusted," I retorted.

"Cintia... I understand how you feel. Do you know how many patients I have lost over the course of my life? Do you know how many I lost on this mission? They and their families counted on me, but I couldn't save them."

"But you were trying to save them!" I shouted.

He then shouted back at me.

"You were trying to save everyone as always, you fool!!" - I realized he was almost crying. - "You were trying to prevent us from having an end like the Exploration mission, where everyone died except Feint!"

I was silent for a moment. Then I said:

"Thank you for warning me about the danger of the leeches. Now that you've drawn my attention to this detail, I think it's best if we return to the ship." I said, sulking.

More reports arrived in the evening. Anyway, I retired to the office that Rogers had lent me. But apparently, I was not doing well.

The memorial service was held yesterday morning.

The crew of the Queen Anne gathered on the deck to pay their respects to Captain Tunner and the other deceased crew members. The entire crews of the Albert and Sofia, the other two submarines, attended in force.

The ship's bell rang solemnly as they stood in silence, dressed in their best uniforms. The flag of the Kingdom and the flag of the Queen Anne were lowered to half-mast, and the men removed their hats in respect.

I had prepared a beautiful speech. After the chaplain's words, I stood up to deliver my eulogy, feeling a lump in my throat. I knew it was important to honor the men who had lost their lives, but I couldn't shake the feeling of fear that accompanied me.

"We gather here today to honor and mourn,
The valiant men who never shall return.
Captain Turner and his crew of brave,
In service to their country met their grave.

I began to speak, and as the words flowed from my mouth, I felt my heart racing. The palms of my hands were sweating, and I felt that my whole body was shaking.

Each of them played a vital role,
In this submarine's mission and its goal.
The biologist who studied the sea,
And the cook who fed the crew with glee.

We also had our navigator Jack,
From the shores of Barbados, he kept us on track.
And engineer Singh, from Calcutta's land,
Kept the engines running with his skilled hand.

Our quartermaster, O'Reilly from Dublin town,
Made sure we never had a shortage to go down.
And Able Seaman Lee from Singapore,
Patched up the ship when leaks sprung galore.

As I continued to speak, my symptoms only worsened. I felt suffocated, as if the air wasn't circulating properly. My vision started to blur, and I felt like I was losing control of the situation.

These are just a few of the many,
Who served with honor and died aplenty.
We'll never forget their sacrifice,
Or their families left behind to agonize.

And though we mourn their untimely fate,
Let us also celebrate their lives, so great.
Each one a valued member of our crew,
Their loss deeply felt by me and you.

To the families left behind to mourn,
We offer our deepest condolences, so forlorn.
May they find solace in their memories,
Of the heroes who served with bravery.

I cannot help but feel the weight
Of sorrow pressing down on me,
For every man who met his fate
Was once a comrade, friend to me.

And in each passing day and night,
Their absence fills my heart with dread,
A nagging ache that will not quite
Release me from the grip of dread.

I tried to focus on the words of the poem, but they seemed so distant, so empty. All I could think of was the feeling that something was terribly wrong. I wanted to run away, but I knew I couldn't. I was trapped there, in front of all those eyes.

Suddenly, I felt like everyone was closing in on me. The people in the audience seemed threatening, as if they were closing in on me. I was terrified, not knowing what to do.

I interrupted the poem, feeling the need to describe what was happening. I wanted everyone to know that something was wrong, that I wasn't okay. But I couldn't speak, I couldn't move.

All I could feel was the fear consuming me, sinking me into a darkness that seemed to have no end. And then, everything went black, my sister.

[Optimism is my Phil-osophy]

Page 41

My sister,

I'm glad I decided to write to you about what happened in the last four days. Within two hours, day will break and I'll meet with the council of elders. I've been thinking a lot about everything that's happened, and after writing to you, my thoughts have become clearer.

I believe the Exploration Troop was intentionally destroyed five years ago with the approval of the island's elders. And now I understand the meaning of Quagmire Sapphires, the four brains, leather clothes, shipwrecks, long queues, the destruction of Catalina, and the crane in the harbor. All of this together can only mean one thing. And knowing this, I've made a plan. A dangerous plan, but one that might save most of us.

My sister, this might be my last letter. I've left Okoro as captain of the Henry VIII and commander of the Task Force in case I don't survive. In fact, I've ordered the captains not to follow any of my orders for the next 24 hours. Ananias insisted on staying by my side. I'm glad he was with me during my worst moment and kept me alive for at least a few more days to meet with the elders. For the first time since we left home, I feel that if I have to die, it won't be in vain. I'm feeling something I haven't felt in a long time, my sister: I'm proud to be in the Royal Navy.

If I don't write to you again, and you want to have a painting of me, paint me surrounded by several men over 50 in some sort of room. There won't be the sea in the background, but it's okay. And that's the moment I want people to think of when they remember me.

And just to be clear, I don't forgive you.

Goodbye.

[Optimism is my Phil-osophy]

Page 42

Dear sister of Cintia Mallahan,

My name is Ananias Rodrigues, I am the ship's Medical Officer of the Henry VIII. I am writing in this notebook because your sister asked me to write to you in case something bad happened. She refused to tell me your name and asked me to write to you in this same notebook but under no circumstances should I read what she had written previously. So, I am respecting her wishes, even though one of the previous pages is already in my hands, as I witnessed the exact moment when horrible words were written on it.

I don't know exactly what kind of content she was writing to you. From the page I have with me, she was writing to you about the events involving our mission. Under normal circumstances, this information would be confidential, but I will turn a blind eye in order to respect my friend's wishes. I ask that you keep this information confidential and the fact that I have sent such information to a stranger. If my superiors were to find out, I could face a military trial. And depending on who you really are, I could end up being convicted of treason.

I am not very good with words, so I apologize in advance for the probably not-so-exciting reading experience you must be having so far. And I apologize even more for being the bearer of bad news. I hope you can understand my writing, as it is a doctor's affliction to have difficult-to-read handwriting.

So, I really don't know where to start because I don't know how much you already know. I think I will attach some reports here that I found in Cintia's pockets. I hope they can provide context so that you can understand how things really work here on the island. These reports were written in the days leading up to the meeting with the Council of Elders by Captain Widdershins and Helmswoman Okoro.

Sincerely,

Ananias Rodrigues

[Optimism is my Phil-osophy]

Page 43 - Widdershins' Report

[Optimism is my Phil-osophy]

Page 44: Okoro's Report

[Optimism is my Phil-osophy]

Page 45.

I hope the reports I attached can help you understand what Lady Mallahan did on that day of the meeting with the Council of Elders. I woke up when the day was dawning, with her knocking on the door of my room in the inn where we were staying. I found out that she had ordered Okoro to return to the Henry VIII, which was already fully operational. In fact, throughout the night, Cíntia had sent several messengers, asking all sailors to return immediately to their ships.

"It will be just the two of us against the entire council of elders," she said to me as we walked towards the nearest train station.

We were wearing our official blue uniforms. Our medals, earned through years of hard work in the Royal Navy, were emblazoned on our uniforms. We wanted to make a good impression on the council.

The streets were empty. As we walked through the almost deserted streets, I could see the peculiar beauty of that city on the island. It was a unique mixture of ancient and modern elements, creating a peculiar feeling of nostalgia and innovation. The buildings were tall, with structures made of metal, brick, and glass, and the streets were paved with cobblestones, creating an interesting contrast between the old and the new. Looking up, I could see the clock towers, one of the most striking features of the city. With visible gears and large hands, the clocks displayed the time in an exaggerated way, almost as if they wanted to show the power of the advanced technology that had been developed there.

"The shops would normally be open at this time of day," Lady Mallahan noted. She was right. Everything on that island was about money, and merchants started their work early. Probably the day of the council meeting was a kind of holiday.

As we walked, I could see the first rays of the sun beginning to illuminate the streets and buildings, creating long and interesting shadows. The cool morning breeze whispered in my ears, bringing the salty smell of the sea. At times, we could see the ocean waves breaking against the rocks on the horizon.

"Did you notice that there are no religious temples around here?" Cíntia asked.

"I hadn't noticed," I replied. I felt relieved with those two comments. That was the Cíntia I knew, attentive to things around her and thinking about things that are right in front of our eyes but no one else could see. I looked at her right hand as we walked, and for some reason, at that moment my heart raced.

"Why did you smile suddenly, Doctor?" she asked.

I looked at her with an even bigger smile. I'm 50 years old. Cíntia is 34. She is the captain. I don't know why that thought so typical of my adolescence passed through me.

"I'm glad you woke up well." I said.

"Far from it, Ananias. I didn't wake up because I didn't sleep. And I'm not okay. I have to tell you something. The elders killed almost everyone in the exploration troop 5 years ago. And if we take a wrong step today, they can kill everyone in our troop. We're going to meet Kianu at the next corner. He'll serve as a translator for us. I have a plan to save everyone. But I can't guarantee my own safety, or yours. So, after meeting Kianu, I'm going to ask you again to leave for any of the ships. And thank you for your company and help. I really appreciate it, and I fear that I may never be able to express my gratitude properly."

During the night she had called me and said something similar. Something about needing to go back and leave her alone. At no previous moment had she addressed me as if she was giving me an order about this like she was doing now. I thought she was just a friend who needed help.

I had already realized that there was a lot of my late wife in Cintia. Someone who says one thing but feels another. How many times did we argue unnecessarily because of this, until I better understood the words that were not spoken. A few minutes before she had said something about it being the two of us against the rest of the world. But apparently my smile made her want to protect me. And that made her treat me like a subordinate and tell me to leave.

I looked at her and said, "Are you worried about me? You're going to do something risky and you don't want me there?"

She stopped walking: "That's exactly what I said. You don't need to pretend like you're guessing what I'm thinking when I was extremely clear. You're always like this! So annoying! Do you want me to say that I don't want you to die? I'll say it, without fear. You're annoying, but you're a great friend. I don't want to put you in danger, Ananias. I was already going to take you to the worst place on this island. I don't know what I was thinking."

I finally understood.

"Cintia, you can't do this. Are you thinking of bombing the Council of Elders while the meeting is happening?"

She looked away. "Only as a last resort. The Albert submarine came equipped with a Polaris missile. But I'm confident that won't be necessary."

"I assume the missile was intended to kill monsters, not attack urban centers!"

"If there's a risk to our existence, Ananias, it's my obligation to protect the fleet. And I left Okoro with the responsibility of making that decision, if necessary. This is the only time of year when the elders are gathered in one place. They control the leeches. So...if as a last resort..."

"Cintia, stop being foolish!!" I shouted. "It's so like you to come up with a plan that involves your own death!"

"I already said. This is just the last resort. If they want to kill all of us, they have the capability to do it. In that case, I'll die anyway. If I can do something to save you, even if it means killing myself in the process... And not showing up to the meeting is also very dangerous. If I don't go there, they can kill us for not showing up... Ananias, I'm sorry. I'm a warrior. I kill people to live. Look at your medals: you're a doctor. They represent people you've saved from death. My medals represent victories in combat. In other words, I've killed a lot of people and I was very good at it."

She walked away from me, and with her back to me, she said:

"I thought this mission was like hunting animals. It would be my last mission, one that wouldn't involve fighting against humans. But in reality, we're at war. Our country isn't invading an uninhabited land. There's a complex society here, can't you see? Look around!

Cintia sadly turned her body with a 360º spin. And then she continued.

"Everything on this island tells a story: There's a harbor with a crane. That means there was maritime trade on this island. Who did they trade with? It could only be the people from the mainland. There are no ships of theirs in the port. Where are the ships? Are they all on trade routes? None have appeared here in a week? Why does the shipyard only have Henry VIII and none of their own ships?"

I didn't answer.

"Because they were destroyed. All of their ships were destroyed. And by whom? Certainly by some nation from the continent. The island, which thrived on maritime trade, is now in need. The rich, afraid of economic collapse, hoard their money. This only increased the speed of the collapse on the island. People are starving, but they have leather clothes to wear. Do you know why?"

"No, I don't know."

 "Because somewhere on distant islands, there is a livestock farm and a leather factory. Leather is very cheap because there is so much meat produced. But the meat is very expensive, and that's why people are hungry. Do you know where most of the meat goes? It goes to feed the leeches. They have 4 brains, which makes their daily food needs very high. They surround the farthest island because that's where the meat is served. But besides that, they defend the islands against enemy nations for a long time. That's why there were so many ships wrecked in the same region according to Captain Turner's report."

"Where are you going with this speech, Cintia?"

 "They can be controlled, Ananias!. And if they can, then all other sea monsters can too. We're not fighting animals. We're fighting organized nations with defined maritime territories. That's why the elders were able to inform Quagmire how to get here without encountering monsters. That's why in the last attack, only Dutch ships and our jet skis were victims of the monster. We were close to the border: the monster attacked the invaders. And do you know what else is on that distant island, besides a livestock farm? A production of sapphires and maybe other precious gems. That's why they built this grand metropolis: they were rich. But there is no true wealth without trade. Without ships, they are in an economic blockade. And that's why our arrival can mean salvation or destruction to them. They're judging us. And they believe they have the advantage."

I didn't know what to say. It was clear that I understood what it was like to be at war. I'm a Medical Officer of the Royal Navy, a sailor before a doctor. And I know what it means to have to kill a human being who is as human as I am but has been given the title of "enemy." But the elders of the island were not soldiers.

"The elders are civilians, Cintia. There is no army on the island."

She turned to me.
"That's where you're wrong, Ananias. If the leeches are the armed forces of the sea, the elders are the armed forces of the land! We're used to our war, not theirs! Do you know why things revolve around money here? It's because there are no taxes on this island! There is no central government!"

"They have the council of elders that functions as a government."

"You don't understand! It's not a government! It's a mafia! An armed militia! A gang! Call it whatever you want. The first thing they asked was that we didn't disembark armed. They know very well what firearms are. And they quickly established a way to check if we were obeying that guidance or not. Thank goodness we decided to comply, otherwise we would probably all be dead by now. I thought they were genuinely peaceful people. People who didn't think about war. But in reality, the people here are oppressed. And do you know why they don't revolt? Because they accept being in poverty while the elders flaunt their wealth. Why don't they just invade and take what they need? Because the elders have firearms with them. And they are many. And they are everywhere. They are always listening, and that's why people are afraid to help us. They can be punished with dismissal, or worse, they can simply die."

Kianu crossed the corner. He must have heard us shouting at each other. The content of our conversation must have attracted him. Well, at least he was well dressed. Although I didn't know what bothered me more: seeing him flaunting his muscular chest or wearing that black leather pants and jacket with a white shirt and dress shoes.

"Not all the elders are like that," he said. "Please help me bring peace and love to this island, captain."