Tuesday June, 10th 1941
Eisen[spoiler]
Taking first shift assured a good night's rest of uninterrupted sleep-- that was one way of looking at it.
Eisen patrolled the deck and his two hours went by relatively quickly. Occasionally he stopped by the brothers, who were still playing cards. The language barrier prevented anything meaningful from being said, but the two men nodded and smiled in Eisen's direction when he did pass. Eventually, one of the times he came by the two had finally gone to bed. Sleeping right on the deck, but under the aft oiled-tarp roof.
Pingo had crawled into his hammock and was asleep nearly immediately. While walking the decks, Eisen passed the sleeping native countless times. He couldn't help but think upon what Max had said earlier in the day... about the possibility of demonic possession. Could it be true? Could Pingo be a host for a strange demonic entity that desired their destruction? Then again, Max had said that both Sgt. Kestrel and himself could easily be in possession by this... entity. But Pingo didn't stir. He slept soundly. The only sound that competed with the native's tongue-less snoring was the droning of the jungle rains which carried through the whole of his shift.
When Eisen last checked his watch it was nearing 0100. He discovered Sgt Kestrel downstairs in the Lounge where the man had apparently fallen asleep on the second of the two couches. Russo, had curled up on the rounded couch and didn't stir when Eisen nudged Kestrel awake. Kestrel nodded, and went to the upper deck, leaving Eisen downstairs.
Eisen settled upon a chair in the connecting Galley. He had found crackers and canned food in the cabinets here earlier, and the chair would serve his purpose of supporting him while he slept... but it guaranteed that he wouldn't sleep too soundly. No one wanted to wake up with their throat slit. He set his weapon on the galley table, and soon nodded off...[/spoiler]
Kestrel[spoiler]
John must have fallen asleep on the couch, because that is where he was when Eisen found him for his shift. Russo had fallen asleep first that evening and was still asleep over on the other couch.
John made his way out into the hall, then knocked lightly on the door to Bones' cabin. Bones answered it, wearing a pair of boxer shorts. He said that he'd be up to help watch in a minute. Kestrel climbed to the upper deck, and found that it was drizzling. It was always drizzling though. It had a way of affecting a man's mood after awhile. At least, while you traveled on the boat, you were able to keep dry, even if it was always too warm and humid for comfort.
The night was alive with crickets and frogs, and the sounds of other creatures John couldn't even imagine. The jungle certainly was something he hadn't really had a chance to encounter before, and it's unfamiliar strangeness helped keep him on his toes.
Bones came up after a few moments, he was dressed now, wearing a clean pair of pants and shirt, He settled his hat upon his head before he stepped out into the drizzle so he could take a leak of the side of the boat into the river. The two men made small talk, Bones telling him a story or two from his days when he himself had first come down here.
He had lived in Philly, then in Chicago. He claimed to have known ten or so years earlier before the man was sent to prison for tax evasion. He talked about meeting the Kid in Tijuana when he had traveled south through Mexico. The boy had been living off the streets, and legitimately didn't know his own name. Most had just called him Pepito or kid. Bones took him under his wing, and the Kid had been like a little brother ever since.
Bones hit the sack again right around the time Kestrel went to wake up Richard for his shift, the Kestrel to joined him in slumber, once again returning to the couch in the lounge. Russo still slept soundly, and Eisen could be seen sleeping in the galley, propped up in his chair.[/spoiler]
Richard[spoiler]The rains came down, and the heat dragged the sweat from every pore. It ran down your face, and salt stung your eyes. You were dirty, tired, and sick. Somehow you had all been poisoned. You vaguely remember that the priest that had traveled with your group had killed off the rest of them. Once you had reached the city it had only been a matter of time.
You knew the priest was evil, and you doubted that he was even human at this point. Looking down you saw that you had a grievous injury. Claw marks. Deep, and inflamed from infection. Jungle flies had been laying eggs in your wounds, and you could feel their larva squirming around just beneath your skin.
You felt an overwhelming sense of sadness. Of loss. You thought about your mother and how you would miss her.
Fever raged in your body, and you collapsed more times than you could keep track of, but you knew you must continue-- knew you must go on. You couldn't die like this, not out here in the jungle where none would mourn nor even know of your passing, save perhaps a carrion feeding animal. Or the worms.
You stopped once more to catch your breath-- it wasn't supposed to be for long-- but you suspect that you may have passed out again. You had a map that you had created-- one of the city, and another one that you had begun to create during your flight through the days in the jungle. This map could lead you to safety, if only your could manage to follow the trail that had brought you and your group out here...
Richard awoke with a start-- rain continued to fall, and the sky was still black. Sergent Kestrel stood next to him, though he seemed to have been taken aback by Richard's gasp at awakening. It had been just a dream. Vivid. The memories of it still fresh within his head. It had felt very real.
Kestrel gave over the shift, and by the hands on Richard's watch it was within the 3AM hour. Kestrel left him to his post, and went below deck. Presumably to sleep himself.
Pingo woke up during Richard's shift, and he brought out a canteen of water. The two of them shared it in silence, though thoughts of poisoning were still fresh within Richard's head. However neither men had any ill effects from the water. It was just water, after all.
All was well in the night, and Pingo's presence was comforting, even if Richard would never admit it to anyone. The jungle was filled with its evening chorus of frogs and insects. Bats continued overhead as they dined upon the veritable smorgasbord of bugs that filled the air.
Eventually it came time for Richard's watch to end. He found Max in the room with the bunks. He quietly rocked him awake-- Dr. Loder and the Kid were both asleep in this room as well.
Richard returned to the upper deck, and once again laid down to sleep.
[/spoiler]
Max[spoiler]
Sleep had come easily. Max had spent many a night traveling on El Halcon with Bones in the past. It was a familiar feeling and a comforting one as well. The days events continued to lay heavily on Max's mind. Of Muta. Of the villagers. Of the bomb.
He made his way to the engine compartment and retrieved the explosive device. It's teeth had been taken away by Kestrel earlier while you confronted the entity that was controlling Muta like a marionette puppet.
All aboard were asleep except Max, including Pingo who had gone to bed shortly after Richard had. This gave the man plenty of time to think about things, and to work on re-wiring the bomb. Max successfully rigged it with a timed detonator, and it was added to Max's possessions (as
Nazi Bomb).
The morning rays of sun began to filter through the treetops, and birds begun to sing and call loudly at around 6:30 to 7AM.
[/spoiler]
Coffee was made, and so was a breakfast of oatmeal that Bones cooked up in the Galley. Soon though he took control of the helm, and once the boiler had heated up, and the anchor raised El Halcon was once again moving through the river waters.
The rain had let up by dawn, and a heavy fog settled over the waters giving the river an eerie look and feel.
"Hey Russo. Go ahead and set up those guns of yours. You never know if they'll come in handy." Bones said from over a cup of black coffee.
"Kid, Pingo-- Why don't the two of you grab some fishing poles and see about catching us some fresh fish for lunch? Any one who wished to join them, go ahead to stern. If any of you can out fish that tongueless bastard, you're a better man than me!"