Tigger_MK4

September 8th

The next morning, the team discuss the mystery of the "red haired man" over breakfast, with no clear conclusions.

Starkweather stands up and gives a short speech in which he asks the expedition to organise their room mates for the voyage (apart from Harry who will share with the photographic equipment, and Charlie Whitsun, who will have a bunk to herself).

Fitzwilliam and Dr Dibden agree to room together, as do Romford and Ford. They finish their breakfast, and begin to transfer their gear to the S.S. Gabrielle, the expeditions ship.

As he heads downstairs to the hotel lobby, Harry runs into his friend Albert Priestly (who has now joined the Lexington Expedition). Albert warns Harry that there is "something wrong" with the Lexington expedition - she is having very secretive meetings where the rest of the team are not invited. The two friends agree to keep in touch, and wish each other luck.

"Whoever gets there first buys the other one drinks ?" suggests Harry.
"Agreed." smiles Albert.

At the docks, Ford is thanked by the new workers, many of whom have not worked for some time. It is mentioned that due to one of the workers' being absent due to his wife having had a baby (delivered by Dr Dibden in a previous session) , that Jerry Polk, another one of the workers, will have to work double shift tonight.

The team have a quick look around the ship as they store their gear, and meet Adam Henning, a crew member from London, who introduces himself as their steward for the voyage. "Anything you need lads, snacks, drinks, just ask, I'm here to help..."

Once they have stowed their gear, they decide to check out Lexington Expeditions ship, the S.S Tallahasse, hoping to speak to Acacia. They are rebuffed at the gate by a security guard, and after a short time watching the busy dock, they decide there is little more to be seen at present, and leave.

Chores complete and the afternoon free, they return to the boat, and relax on deck in the warm September sun. The team discuss a number of items - Fords relationship with Mandy, the potential for boredom on a long voyage, the tradition of "crossing the line" ceremonys. Much to their delight, Adam Henning produces some sandwiches and a bottle of brandy ; Peter 'Frankie' Sykes (the expeditions head polar guide), Dr Green and Halperin join them, and the group begin to swap stories.

As the group begin to get increasingly tipsy, Sykes challenges Dr Green to a good natured swimming competition. Bets are laid, Dr Dibden offers to be the referee, and the crew gather around to watch the entertainment. Amidst cheering from the crew, Sykes narrowly wins the race.

An impromptu party breaks out, carries on through dinner (where the team are introduced to the new ships Captain, a scandanavian named Vrendenburgh, and the first officer, Paul Turlow. ) and into the evening.

During the party, a scampering sound is heard and a crew member pursues a blur across the deck. The blur leaps for Romford, who discovers to his startlement that it is Mrs Chippie, his mothers missing cat. "Mrooow!"

"It looks like we have a ships cat". observes Dr Dibden.

BOOM !!! The revelry is rudely interrupted by an explosion and the sounds of shattering glass. A whooosh of flames from the warehouse is followed by screams within it. Cries of "FIRE ! FIRE !" ring out as fuels drums on the dockside erupt. Secondary explosions ring out as the flames run along the dock, steveadores running in all directions as they try to save materials,injured workmates, or just themselves.

As the winch operator flees, a cargo sling carrying fuel drums is left suspended over the blazing dock. Fitzwilliam clears the deck to make space for them, while Dr Dibden and Charlene Whitsun run to grab the medical supplies from below decks.

Braving the flames, Harry runs to the winch cab and Ford runs towards the warehouse.
Romford recruits Patrick Miles and Halperin, and they begin manning the fire hoses. Struggling with the high pressure, Romford accidentally soaks Fitzwilliam before he gets the hose under control, and begins spraying the fuel drums in an effort to keep them cool.

Ford reaches the warehouse, and begins dragging unconscious steveadores aware from the fire. Harry flings himself into the winch cab at which point he realises that he doesnt know how to operate the winch....ironically Ford does but he's too far away to help !

Panicked howling huskies add to the din, and choking black oily smoke begins to fill the air.
Fitzwilliam hauls drums for all he is worth as Dr Dibden rushes up from delow, medical kit in hand.

On the dock, Ford spots a figure moving amoungst the smoke. Could this be their saboteur ?
Its Jerry Polk, the guard, and he's busy splashing gasoline around the area !

As flames begin to lick the side of the winch cabin, Harry frantically pulls levers. The sling swings wildly through the air, nearly decapitating Romford.

Ford draws his pistol, and shoots at Polk. Wounded, the arsonist throws a small gasoline can at Ford, but misses. The grin on Polks face is unnerving as the fire begins to lick around them. Another "KA-BOOM !" echoes across the docks, as Polk tries to splash gasoline over Ford, but the engineer reacts faster and shoots him at point-blank range. Polk staggers back and collapses to the ground, dead.

In the rapidly heating Winch cab, Harry manages to find the right levers, and manages to lower the fuel into the ships hold. Job done, he leaps from the cab, his coat smoldering.

Dr Dibden narrowly avoids a crate of cooking ammunition, and starts rescuing and treating some of the unconscious steveadores on the dockside, assisted by Charlie Whitsun.

Inside the warehouse, an ominous creaking sound begins to come from above. Ford flings himself out from underneath the collapsing roof and onto the dockside, shaken.

The firehoses begin to make progress against the fire, and the fire brigade begins to arrive. As the first engines begin to attack the fire and the glare begins to abate.

Looking downriver, lights are moving. The S.S. Tallahasee, pulled by tugs, is moving out into the main flow of the river.

Acacia Lexingtons expedition is on its way to the Antarctic, one day earlier than expected...and the crippled Starkweather -Moore expedition can do nothing but watch it sail away....,