SOMBA 2006 - COMING SOON!

To all who have submitted their usernames in the 'Somba 2006 - be part of it!' thread in the coffee lounge...I salute you and thank-you. However, it's time for the usual disclaimer, well I wouldn't want to be sued for defamation of character etc...

Any persons mentioned, in what is likely to be a completely random work of fiction, are not true reflections of those whose names are being used (except PJ).

If a character bearing your username dies a less than heroic death it is simply because that's what happens in SOMBA Tales. If your character dies heroically then so be it...you are no more important to the writer than the one who died from slipping on effluent left by a hairy mammouth so don't go around the rest of the board gloating...afterall you are still as dead as the last guy/girl.

If by some unforseen miracle your name sake survives to the bitter end then horrah....but again I will not be going out to buy curtains with you or splashing out on an expensive meal for two....it simply happened and is not a reflection of my overwhelming love for you.

Obviously somethings have been a traditional part of the SOMBA Tales, alongside of course the mass death and destruction, so look out for them.....afterall it wouldn't be a SOMBA Tale without the odd aircraft crash or sex crazed maniac or two!

So here's to January 2006 and the start of a new adventure!

P.S. If you haven't put your name down yet there's still time in the coffee lounge! :wink2:

The official commencement date for SOMBA 2006 is....WEDNESDAY JANUARY 4th 2006....

You have until then to get your name on the list....after that the doors close and you will not play a role in the adventure of a lifetime!

Right...the final cast list is:

Patsy
PJ
Bella
Ils
Bob
Rob
Andrea
Mississippi Girl a.k.a.MissG
Minklemar a.k.a. Minks
Mazwad a.k.a. Mazza
Taffy
Flip
Nox a.k.a.Noxie
Secrets
Critique a.k.a. Crit
Kittencat a.k.a. KC
Bonsai a.k.a. Bonnie
Tigereye a.k.a. TE
Fee For All a.k.a. Fee
Mellors
Buzz
Cat
Jaycee
JakeyBoy a.k.a. JB
Me1968

''For those who are about to die...I salute you!'':sly:

And so it begins.....

The sun crept over the horizon as the final line was cast and the giant luxury motor yacht parted company with the dock. The passengers waved to loved ones as they watched them disappear from view; the joy of adventures to come echoing through their actions.

"Set course two three zero; seven knots" ordered Captain Buzz as she gazed forward through the bridge windows, her mind rapidly calculating what was required to get her vessel clear of the harbour restrictions and out into the open sea.

"Two four zero; seven knots, aye!" responded Fee as she delicately adjusted the power of the vessels huge twin engines to accomplish the task.

A young boy cheered as he watched the beautiful, sleek, blue and white hulled craft sail gracefully past him and out through the harbour entrance. He ran down to the shore and yelled "Go Somba...Go!". He smiled as the he smiled in awe as he continued to observe the 'Somba' as she vanished from view round a headland. "See you again some day!" he sighed as turning for home.

"Auto pilot on Captain" reported Fee.

"Thank-you. You can take your break now, I have the con" replied Capt. Buzz as she stepped over to observe the radar and plotting screen situated within easy sight of the helm.

Fee nodded her acceptance of the command and headed out through the door of the bridge and down the passageway towards her cabin.

Capt. Buzz rolled her neck and worked out the tiny knot that always formed there when she first left port. That done she was able to relax and start to enjoy the movement of the boat beneath her. Two other crew members stood ready to respond to any order their Captain may have. "Can you take the helm" requested Buzz of one of the two young men. He immediately stepped up allowing Buzz the freedom to move to the chart table. She stared at the planned rout which had been plotted with approximate timings notated. She smiled, happy that everything was indeed shipshape.

It was to be a three month long cruise taking in some of the most beautiful islands of the South Pacific and then some. The 'Somba' was the newest craft in the Haydon Lines fleet and it showed. Buzz had been selected to command this most desirable of vessels having served the company well over the last twelve years. Her maritime success however had come at a price. She had never married or even had a serious relationship for that matter and this was because her one true love was the ocean. It made her heart leap everytime she entered it's vast blueness and she had been known to weep when she was forced to step ashore for any period of time. Yes, if ever there was anyone to command the pride of the Haydon Fleet it was Buzz.

"Latest weather report ma'am" reported the other young crewman as he held out a printout of a synoptic chart and a typed forecast.

Capt. Buzz laid it out on the chart table and read. Her brow creased ever so slightly as the words on the page sunk in.

Bob and Rob watched as the last tip of land disappeared from view and then followed the majority of other guests down to the large horse shoe shaped bar. The sound of gentle jazz rippled from the quartet of assorted musicians in the far corner and any smoke was being sucked up and out through powerful vents almost as quickly as it was blown through the lips of those who puffed away on a mix of cigars and cigarettes. A lone pipe smoker sat quietly as he obsorbed the sounds and sights around him. He saw Bob and Rob enter the bar and seeing a young couple so in love brought a tear to his eye. He sighed heavily, this action followed by a slight splutter of a smokers cough, then he took a tiny sip of his double whiskey.

The music stopped and the piano player spoke into a microphone "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome aboard the 'Somba'. We hope you will enjoy your time with us and to get your holiday started with a real swing the crew are proud to present the southern belle, a true Mississippi Girl, MissG".

MissG stepped out from behind the curtain, which provided the backdrop for the band, and slinked up to the microphone stand. Men gasped and women bit the bullet of mild envy as, clad in a sparkling, tight fitting bright red dress, MissG smiled seductively and then began to sing in a voice that seemed made from gargling gravel, so smooth and yet so rough.

"Wow she's good!" highlighted Rob as he and Bob ordered their drinks and leaned against the bar to listen.

"Yeah, I guess" said Bob not wanting to admit her new husband was correct in his observations, afterall the singer had legs she would die for and the most beautiful long blonde hair with a front set that would shame Dolly Parton, basically she was a newly weds worst nightmare. "Tart" scoffed Bob inside her head.

PJ entered the bar as MissG finished her first song. The young, cocky spoilt child of a self made millionaire stank of money. His custom made suit and patent leather shoes would have made him stand out in almost any crowd but add to that two of the most gorgeous women on the face of the earth, one on each arm, and no-one missed his entrance. The gaggle of guests at the bar parted to allow the man and his women access. PJ smiled and whispered something into the ear of Crit, on his left arm, who giggled girlishly in response. He then turned and whispered into Maz's ear, who was on his right arm, causing her to blush then he oredered the predictable bottle of the best champagne. "In fact make that two bottles" he said before turning to find a seat. The trio found a vacant booth and wiggled in, PJ in the middle of the two women, an arm round each of their shoulders. The other men hid their gealousy well fearing reprucussions from their own partners should they admire the view. The other woman rolled their eyes in a way that suggested that PJ's two women had undone all the work of the womens lib movement from the last goodness knows how many years. PJ looked like the lord of the manor as Crit and Maz snuggled into their man and listened to the music as they all waited for their drinks.

It had been a long day already for Fee who had simply flaked out on her bunk after being relived from the bridge. She had fallen to sleep almost instantly and the dreams had started shortly afterwards. They always started. They always started as nice dreams, dreams in which she was free and enjoying life, dreams in which she knew no fear and had no responsibilities; yes that's how they started.

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Capt. Buzz looked at the words on the sheet again and then back at the synoptic chart. "Looks like we have a spot of weather coming up!' she confirmed to her two crew members who had already clocked this fact from her expression earlier on. "Make a course of two seven zero and make your speed twenty five knots" she ordered.

"Aye" was the immediate reply and instantly she began to feel the vessel obey the command also.

***********************************************

MissG finished her second song amidst raptous applause. In the same instant Bob downed the last of her first drink and ordered a second. Rob failed to catch himself in time and gave her a slightly dissaproving look; he only being halway through his drink. "What?" snapped Bob.

"Nothing" defended Rob as he looked away, slightly hurt at the sharp reaction he had just received.

Bob felt a tiny pang of guilt "Sorry!" she said accepting her large vodka and tonic from the hunky barman. "I'm just a little tired I guess. It's been a long day" she concluded as she took a sip of her drink through a slim, lime green straw.

"Yeah it has" replied Rob, feeling instantly repreived "Maybe we should finish these and call it a night!" he suggested, indicating to the drinks.

"That would be good" replied Bob closing in on Rob and performing a single handed hug "Afterall it is our wedding night" she added as she went up on tip toes and kissed him gently on the cheek.

"That it is" replied Rob, bending slightly and kissing Bob on the lips. The kiss lasted only a few moments but said all they needed to know. They were in love, so much so that should they ever be seperated they would simply wilt away and die.

"Shall I be mother" husked Crit as she reached for one of the large green bottles and without waiting for an answer began to pour the bubbly liquid into three tall glasses. Happy they were all filled to the correct level she took one and held it to PJ's lips. He took a sip and she placed the glass back on the table before leaning in and entering into a snog. Maz ignored the display of lust beside her and reached instead for her own glass of champagne. She downed the glass in a couple of seconds and poured herself another glass as PJ disconnected from Crit and turned towards her.

"Hey babe, let's not get to carried away just yet" he whispered as he leaned in and began kissing her neck. Maz leaned her head back and in the same action placed her glass on the table then it was Crits turn to drink whilst PJ stuck his tongue down Maz's throat.

"Let's go" said Bob gently tugging Rob's arm as she saw the lustfilled antics of PJ and his women.

"Yeah" said Rob following her lead like an obedient labrador.

They exited the bar and headed towards their cabin. It seemed to Rob that the nearer they got the faster Bob seemed to be travelling. By the time the flung open the door to their luxurious cabin their hearts were racing. Bob dragged him into the room and used his body to slam the door shut. Before long it was fingers and hands everywhere as the couple fought to disrobe each other.

"Poo poopy dop doop" sang Ils as she tottered precariously on five inch stilletos down a main passage way towards the dining room. She stumbled slightly, giggled drunkenly and then took a moment to compose herself before continuing her wobbly trek. She paused momentarily to adjust her thong, an action made easier by her very short skirt, and then swung through the doors. JB was setting the ten small round tables in the style of full silver service. He looked up as Ils burst into the room and watched as she tried to get her bearings before facing him. "Thissh is not the bar" she slurred before turning round and leaving JB alone to his task once more.

***********************************************

Flip closed the last of her oven doors and wiped her hands on her tea towel. "Okay people take a break and be back here in thirty!" she instructed her team of two assistant chefs. The pair didn't need telling twice and were out the door in an instant narrowly avoiding JB on his way in.

"All set chef!" JB reported.

"Excellent. Thank-you JB. Take your break now with the others and I'll see you back here at five" replied Flip as she flipped the button on the electric kettle.

"Yes chef!" replied JB and then he was gone leaving Flip to make herself a hazlenut coffee to be consumed alongside some fresh cream coated strawberries.

"What the?" queried the crewman at the helm. Capt. Buzz looked up to see what it was the young man was refering to. What she saw filled her with confusion and a touch of fear. She swung back round and checked her weather charts again then rushed to the printer to see if her crew had missed and updated weather warning.

She ducked round an open doorway and saw Bella at her post.

"Any reports of unsusual meteorological activity in the area?" asked Buzz.

Bella shrugged her shoulders "Negative ma'am. Radios been quiet most of the day."

"Well keep me informed should anything come up!" ordered Buzz as she turned back to look out of the bridge window. "What is that?" she asked beneath her breath.

For the forth time in as many hours Nox threw up into the toilet. Her features matched that of a lizard, green and gaunt. "What the heck am I doing onboard a boat" she cussed at herself as she lolloped back onto her bed. "Come away for a cruise with me. It'll be a blast! Bull to that!" she huffed as she felt her stomach roll again and then found herself back on her knees and praying to the porcelin God. "Butt head!" she scorned as a knock came to the cabin door.

"Honey it's me!" came the male voice from behind the wood. Nox fought the urge to tell him where to go instead she graciously stepped up to the door and unlocked it. She barely managed to swing it open before her head started to spin again and then she felt herself being lifted to the bed. "oh baby!" came the sympathetic tones of her lover. "I just wanted to check on you and see if you wanted dinner." The mere thought oi food set her off again and Mellors was knocked clear off the edge of the bed, where he had been seated, as she sprinted for the toilet once more. As he heard the sound of his lover retching he had to fight down a small build up of bile himself and was able to provide his best lop sided, boyish grin as Nox returned to the bed.

"I'm going to die. If not today, if not tommorrow then soon!" she gruffed through her dry throat and mouth.

"Can I get you anything or do anything to help?" asked her concerned companion.

"You can get me off this frigging boat" she said with as much venom as she could muster given her distinct lack of strength.

"Oh you'll be fine in a day or so once you've got your sea legs. See if I'm wrong". Nox simply rolled her eyes at him and groaned.

MissG finished another song and informed the audience she was taking a break for a few minutes. The band played on as she sashayed to the bar. The hunky barman served her a pink martini with tacky umbrella and cherry. She smiled suductively at him and turned back to the room. All the men where trying to discretely watch her every move whilst the women they were with fought to maintain their mans attentions. The single guys however had grouped together and were clearly daring each other to ask the singer one of a number of possible questions. MissG loved it. She loved the attention, she loved the fact that she could have any man in the room if she so wanted and she loved the fact that the women knew it.

Ils stumbled into the bar, her bosoms almost leaping from the top of her tight fitting top. She regained her balance and then tottered to the bar. "Oiy!" she called to the barman "Vodie and pineapple, here" she ordered indicating towards a spot on the bar in front of her. The bar man was a patient man and nodded his understanding before he began to expertly prepare the drunken womans drink. He was careful to ensure that the Vodka was only a single and that the pineapple was applied liberally. Ils did not object to the tall glass, with it's fruit on a stick, that was presented to her instead she said "Cheers love!" and then ensuring she had his attention asked the barman what he was doing when he got off. Again the barman applied his wealth of experience and gently informed her that he would be working till late and then had to assist the early crew. Ils sniffed in mild dissapointment and then turned to look down the length of the bar. She saw MissG and smiled at the singer who offered a tiny grin back realising instantly that this had been a mistake. Within moments Ils was perched on the bar stool beside her twittering away about life and all things she wasn't in the least bit interested in.

Flip threw a knife across the galley and into the dead centre of a circular chopping board. "Eat your heart out Steven Segal" she taunted as she stode over to retrieve her blade. She returned to her starting spot, downed another slurp of coffee and, after licking the cream off, she scoffed another strawberry. 'Shhwhack' she threw the knife again and hit the perfect bullseye. This time she did a little victory dance enroute to retrieve it.

***********************************************

"I'm sorry I have to go and sing again!" growled MissG. She left the bar without giving the very drunk Ils a chance to reply and retook her positoin at the mike stand. The band finished the last bar of what they had been playing and then leaving just the pianist and MissG they went of for a break of their own. "This ones for all you lovers out there!" husked MissG as the piano started up.

As she started singing PJ shifted his weight slightly as he felt himself become a little aroused due to the position of Crits hand. He fought it for a moment and then whispered into each of his floozies ears and the trio departed their booth and headed for the door. PJ had a hand on each womans bottom as the envious eyes of the other men watched him leave.

The walked the short distance from the bar to the steps which led up and along to the master cabin. The largest and most luxurious suite onboard. It didn't take long before they became a tangled, breathless mess upon the giant heart shaped bed.

"Slow to ten knots" ordered Capt. Buzz. The order was immediately obeyed and she felt the vessel slow beneath her feet. "Put all the deck lights on!" and on that the deck of the giant motor cruiser became eerily lit as the illumination from the deck lights bleed through and out a mysterious green fog. "What the hell is this?" she questioned beneath her breath once more.

***********************************************

Fee started to stir in her sleep. Her breathing became erratic and she started to kick the covers from her body. Her right hand lashed out striking the bulk head and leaving a tiny speck of blood behind and yet she did not wake; she continued to dream.

***********************************************

Bob and Rob held each other comfortably and contently both wearing a satisfied grin as they listen to the sounds of the waves breaking beneath the ship. "Let's stay like this forever" suggested Rob.

"Hmmmm" sighed Bob as she rolled over to be on top of him again. She kissed him gently and he moved to take her once more. She didn't resist.

Abridged Version 1

Well it's full steam ahead...the giant luxury motor yacht 'Somba' has left port with a bunch of cruising, boozing and loving passengers onboard. All is going fairly well thus far however, the vessel has just entered a bank of strange green fog!

We have seen the arrival of crew members:
Capt. Buzz
Fee - her second in command
Bella - ships radio operator
Flip - ships cook
JB - ships steward
MissG - jazz singer

and guests:
Bob & Rob - newly weds
PJ - millionaires spoilt son
Maz and Crit - PJ's floozies
Ils - drunken harlet
Nox - sea sick passenger
Mellors - Noxies lover


What next?

JB was first back at his post, followed by the return of Flips two kitchen staff shortly afterwards. A few minutes later after evryone else was good to go Bonnie walked in dressed in her waitress uniform a little shorter than was generally regarded decent. "Your late!" scolded Flip. "Not only are you late but you also failed to turn up earlier to assist in set up. I will tell you now Bonnie, I don't know what it was like onboard the 'Google' but, this sort of dilly dally nature wont cut onboard this ship!"

Bonnie took her ear bashing with a lethagic shrug and then went with PJ into the main dining room to await the arrival of the vessels 16 passengers who were permitted to attend for dinner between five thirty and seven thirty with cheese and biscuits in the lounge available there after.

Flip quickly got her galley crew to work again and as the first guests arrived bang on five thirty the food was ready to go.

The old pipe smoker took a table to himself towards the back of the dining hall and waited for JB to approach him for his order. "I'll have a glass of red wine for now and for my starter the mushrooms followed by the duck and finishing with the strawberries." he said with barely a glance at the offered menu.

"Very good sir" replied JB turning on his heel and taking his order to the kitchen.

Bonnie took the order of from an elderly couple who showed all the signs of having had a long and happy life together and openly declared they were celebrating their fiftieth wedding anniversary. "I'll get you some champagne then" suggested Bonnie, in her best 'oh how I love this job' bit of acting. The couple had agreed that this would be a grand idea and so Bonnie obeyed.

"Gosh I'm hungry now!" declared Bob rolling from beneath the covers and going to stand. Rob grabbed her waist and pulled her back across the bed for one last kiss before releasing his wife so she could go to the bathroom. Rob got up and started to sort their clothes from the pile across the floor.

He checked his watch. "It's six o'clock so the kitchen will be open for dinner."

"Great" came the response from Bob as the sound of the shower starting up reached Rob's ears. He smiled and slinked into the bathroom. Giggles and a splash followed shortly after.

***********************************************

"Right ladies a man has to eat!" announced PJ pushing Crit and Maz from his body. He strode to the bathroom like a man who had just achieved the greatest of conquests. His shoulders back he stood proud and naked infront of the toilet and urinated. "Get yourselves dressed and we'll go to dinner!" he shouted a little louder than neccessary. Maz and Crit quickly leapt from the bed like a pair of obedient lap dogs and started redressing themselves. Neither spoke as their lord and master returned rom the bathroom, slapping Maz on her bottom enroute, and went to the wardrobe. He swung the door open and looked in at several flash suits and loud shirts. "What to wear!" he asked himself as he thumbed through his designer gear. After a moment or two he selected a dark grey silk lined suit and deep red shirt. He fingered a couple of ties but decided against them. By the time he turned back to the room his women were sharing mirror space and slapping on the make up with one hand as their other sorted out their ruffled hair. PJ smirked at their backs as he started to dress; the wolf.

Fee woke with a start and bashed her head on the wall behind her head. "Shoot!" she cursed as she rubbed it better. It was dark in her cabin and it wasn't until she felt the sharp pain in her right hand that she realised something was wrong. She reached for her light switch. Flicking it on she was horrified to find blood over her and her bed clothes. The source was a huge gash across the back of her right hand. She looked about and saw the initial small dot of blodd on the bulk head and then noticed the bigger red mark on one of the large brass hinges of the door to her first aid box. She shook her head at the irony and then using her left hand she opened the door and sorted through her supplies. All this time her pulse was racing and sweat poured down the back of her neck and caused staining under her arms. The dream had started nice.

***********************************************

Capt. Buzz was never naive enough to think she had seen it all dispite spending nearly all her life at sea but this was beyond her imagination and something that she had never even heard about on the mythical sea farers tall story line. No this was something completely new and she didn't like it. She went again to Bella who reported that the radio had been silent for at least an hour now and that even the static noise had ceased the second they had entered the fog. "Captain!" yelled the young man at the helm.

Capt. Buzz rushed to his side and saw what he was looking at. The compass was spinning wildly. She looked to the Global Positioning System heads up display and at that precise moment the screen went blank. "Shoot!" she puffed as she returned to Bella. "Call for any other vessels within our vicinity. I want to know what the heck is going on and who else is out there...our navigation equipment has just gone u/s!" she informed Bella.

Bella took their last known position from her Captain and noted it then put out a call on vhf ch16 for any other craft in the vicinity. No responce. She tried again and again. "There's nobody out there ma'am" she reported after her third call.

"Okay try again in fifteen minutes" ordered the skipper.

I like how my character is progressing.

A Southern Belle Jazz Singer??? How did you know I lust after Harry Connick Jr. and wanted him to be my babies daddy??? Are you slipping into my thoughts???:mellow:

Bob and Rob, PJ and his floosies arrived in the dining hall at the same time. PJ stepped into the place and headed straight for the table Rob had momentarily had his eye on. Accepting defeat Rob led Bob to a table towards the back of the room, close to the old man who was just finishing up his desert. He smiled at them as the newly weds sat down and they both returned the gesture accompanied by a nod. They were all distracted by the exagerated laughter which errupted from PJ's table. Crit and Maz had moved their chairs so they were almost on top of PJ at the table and he was whispering in turn into each of their ears causing more forced laughter.

JB took a bottle of champagne from the ice bucket, instinctiveley sucked in his gut and went to the table. He popped the cork without needing invitation and filled three glasses. "And what would sir and the ladies like to eat this evening?" he asked placing the bottle of champagne in the tables ice bucket which was sunken into the centre of the table.

"I'll have the mushrooms followed by a bloody steak!" declared PJ to his womens amusement. "These two will have the melon followed by the salad" he ordered for them, squeezing them closer to him as a sign of his possesion over them.

"Very good sir" replied JB as he took the order through to the kitchen.

Bonnie took Rob and Bob's order and smiled sweetly as she also went to the kitchen.

Flip was busy cooking up excellence as the next orders came in. She read both aloud and her galley crew set to work alongside her as JB and Bonnie retreated back into the dining room. "Two more hours" reported Bonnie with a bored sigh. JB didn't give her the satisfaction of an agreement instead he went straight back to his side of the room and waited to answer the guests next request.

Capt. Buzz was become more uneasy and was only just able to hide this from her clearly nervous crew. "Reduce speed to five knots!" she ordered.

"Five knots, Aye" replied the crewman at the helm. At that moment Fee returned to the bridge.

"Good evening Fee" greeted Capt. Buzz without looking back at her second in command. Fee didn't respond and so Buzz looked round. The womans face was one of confusion and ill ease.

"What's going on ma'am?" she finally asked.

"Well...." and Buzz went onto explain the mysterious fog and the problems with the navigation equipment and radio.

"So what's the plan?" asked Fee getting straight to the point.

"Well I've reduced speed and we may have to go to anchor until this fog clears. However, the echo sounder is also on the blink so I have no idea as to the depth of water beneath us right now, although given our last known position it's still to deep" replied Buzz. Fee's brow furrowed as she began to work the problem in her mind.

MissG went to her cabin having sung her final number for the first part of the evening. She picked up a packet of cigarettes and headed for the foredeck. As she got to the hatch she noticed for the first time that something wasn't right. "What on earth?" she questioned. She tried to peer out past the thick green fog but it was impossible to see more than a few feet at the most. Concerned she decided to return to her cabin and smoke there.

***********************************************

"Have you posted a forward lookout?" asked Fee.

"No. I've posted crew members at each of the outer doors so they can advise people to stay inside for now. I don't want people going out there until I have some idea of what it is." replied Capt. Buzz.

"Makes sense" replied Fee "But surely it would be wise to have someone out there with a radio and listening for other ships!"

Buzz felt her hand was being pushed but since it was an option she had been playing around in her mind, since the fog had engulfed them, it didn't take much of a push. "Okay I'll get Lloyd to go out. He's already covering the lower deck hatch." She turned to Bella in the radio room. Bella had heard the exchange and passed the instruction onto the experienced crewman who was vigilantly guarding his post. The affirmation that order had been received and was to be obeyed came back almost instantly and the bridge crew watched as a sillohete of a figure appeared below them in the murk.

The old man finished his glass of red wine, nodded a farewell to Bob and Rob and JB and then departed the dining room. He felt into his jacket pocket for his pipe and drew it out. He placed it into the right side of his mouth and toyed with it intil he made it back to his single cabin, towards the back of the vessel. He opened the cabin door and stopped cold his eyes fixed on the porthole before him.

***********************************************

MissG changed into a comfortable two piece, stubbed out her cigarette and headed for the bar. She needed to clear her head before her next set and although she would have prefered to do this out on deck that strange fog had made her feel uncomfortable and so she decided the bar was the next best thing.

***********************************************

"Nothing!" reported Lloyd from his now invisible position out in the fog.

"Right tell him to call in every ten minutes with a report. We will continue at slow speed" ordered Buzz.

"Aye" replied Bella as she relayed the order but received no reponse "Foreward watch this is bridge did you receive my last? over." Still silence on the radio. "Lloyd do you receive? Over". Bella didn't have to inform her captain as Buzz was already right beside her, concern rippled across her brow.

"Keep trying" she ordered but after several more calls Lloyd still had not responded. The other three on the bridge were peering out into the fog desperate for a glimpse of their fellow crewman. Buzz looked to Fee and they both shared a look of mild panic. The Captain was the first to pull it together. "Right I want a two man team to go out there and find Lloyd."

"Aye" came the reply from Bella as she relayed the order to the ships chief engineer and head of the any rescue party.

Andrea took the call as she finished putting back together one of the electrical boxes that made up the engine room, alongside the giant deisel engines. "Aye I'll get right on. Can you inform the captain that I've checked everything and there doesn't appear to be any obvious fault with the electrics down here. I'll take another look at the bridge gear once I've sorted out the problem on the foredeck". Bella reported that the Captain had received the message and Andrea went to the locker just outside the engine room hatch. She pulled out a rescue bag containing a large halogen torch, a fluoescent jacket, two hand held radios and a safety line. She informed her deputy of the situation and headed forward.

Along the way she requested a crewman join her and the pair went to the hatch that Lloyd had last been seen exiting. "I'll go. You keep a hold of the line cheif" suggested the crewman. Andrea didn't argue and instead ensured the middleaged man was decked out in the jacket and that the torch was working.

"Do a radio check before going out" she suggested. He obeyed and received a crystal clear reply from Bella. "Okay lets get this line round you" Andrea expertly tied the safety line round the man and within a minute or so he was stepping outside and dissapearing into the fog. "Keep the radio on open transmit" Andrea reminded as she ensured she could her her crewman on her own hand set. She fed out the line and listened intently to the progress reports as the crewman kept the narrative running. Upstairs Bella, Capt. Buss, Fee and the other two crew were doing the same.

PJ wolfed down the last of his pate and signalled for JB to hurry with his main course. JB graciously complied although inside he was fighting the urge to pound the cocky up start to a pulp. So far PJ had clicked his fingers three times to indicate his desire for a refill and another bottle of Champagne. His women were obviously finding JB's humble obedience amusing and one of them had even pinched his bottom as he turned to collect a fresh glass after she had left thick red lip stick all over the rim of the first and complained that it was dirty.

Bonnie was fairing better with Rob and Bob who were being extremely polite, reflecting the fact that both had once been in the service industry them selves and knew what little things waiting staff appreciated. However Bonnie being Bonnie was not fully appreciating their efforts as all she could think about was finishing her shift and heading for the staff lounge where her beloved bottle of gin awaited and she hoped her latest man.

When the scream came no-one expected it and all those listening to the crewmans commentary jumped back. Capt. Buzz and Fee rushed to the windows and peered out into the gloom.

***********************************************

Andrea suddenly felt the line being pulled from her hands. She called out to the crewman who should have been at the other end but only heard another blood curdling scream echo in her radio as the line when slack. Slowly she began to pull the line back towards her. It felt incredibly light and she knew something was even more terribly wrong.

***********************************************

MissG took a long pull from her long island tea and relaxed against the bar as she watched her favourite barman, who had just started his shift, at work. She waited until he finished serving a customer and then headed back to talk to her. "So Secrets what's the latest?"

Secrets threw his tea towel over his shoulder and leaned in. "Well those two over there are celebrating their fiftieth anniversary" he said indicating to the elderly couple who had been in the dining room earlier, "and that bloke there is drinking away his blues because his lady friend is feeling sea sick and this was supposed to be a romantic trip away with a lot of you know what going on" he said pointing discretely to Mellors who was sat alone at a table slowly turning his glass round and round as he contemplated some deep thought his brain was concocting. MissG looked over at the tall dark handsome man who was slihgtly greying at the sides and liked what she saw.

"Hmmm so his lover has let him down eh?"

"Don't even go there G" caustioned Secrets as he turned to serve another customer.

MissG smiled conspiritorially to herself "Go where she giggled" as she picked up her glass and headed over to the lonesome mans table. "hi, I'm MissG. I provide the entertainment around here" she husked as she deliberately allowed Mellors a look at the high slit up the side of her skirt and moved her leg in such a way that he would notice her legs were beautifully toned.

"Oh" said Mellors as he caught himself and quickly looked from her thigh to her breasts and then to her face and her pouting lips. Mellors had hoped for a bit of misbehaviour after the 'Somba' had left port and with Nox being ill from that moment onwards he had been trying hard to control his desire. Needless to say MissG's seductiveness wasn't helping.

"So can I sing you a song or can I do something else to entertain you?"

Mellors gulped.

Abridged Version 2

Well....a crewman (Lloyd...no one from the site just a random star trek red jumper wearer) sent out on the foredeck to act as a look out has vanished in the green fog and so Andrea (the cheif engineer) set about a rescue and it would appear has lost another crewmember in the process....clumsy girl.

Nox is sea sick and so Mellors is alone in the bar...MissG is making her move on him.

PJ is with Maz and Crit enjoying their evening meal and upsetting JB the steward. Rob and Bob are being served by the miserable Bonnie.

All communications have been lost and all the navigation equipment has failed.......Fee has hurt her right hand after having a bad dream.


We have seen the arrival of crew members:
Capt. Buzz
Fee - her second in command
Bella - ships radio operator
Flip - ships cook
JB - ships steward
MissG - jazz singer
Andrea - Cheif Engineer
Secrets - Barman

and guests:
Bob & Rob - newly weds
PJ - millionaires spoilt son
Maz and Crit - PJ's floozies
Ils - drunken harlet
Nox - sea sick passenger
Mellors - Noxies lover

What next?

What next?

Well hopefully I'll get to punch the three annoying guests:kid:

Andrea stared at the end of the line. The rope had been violently snapped and was coated in a mix of blood and a green slimey substance. She shivered and quickly closed the door. After a moment or two she realised that Bella was calling her over the radio for a situation report. Hand shaking she took the hand held radio and told those up stairs what she had found. There was an immediate order for her to secure the door and make her way up to the bridge. She was on her way in seconds, her stomach leaping as her imagination applied flesh to the initial thoughts that filled her mind.

***********************************************

The old man leaned up and stared through the glass of the port hole; his brain trying to make sense of the green fog beyond. He went to his bag and withdrew an old leather bound book on which the title had been completely worn away. He opened it to reveal a hand drawn map of the area that had been displayed clearly on the charts on display on the bridge. In an old language on the next page was a short verse. The old man muttered under his breath as his finger ran along the lines. As he reached the end he gasped and tking the book with him he exited his cabin like a demon posessed.

Nox was dry gagging now and it was really starting to hurt. She decided that it was no good and she would have to go and find food and some fresh air. She checked her watch. Seven o'clock. She would go to the bar, collect Mellors and they would go to dinner. If nothing else at least she would have something to bring up!

***********************************************

Capt. Buzz was mildly surprised by the knock at the bridge door; so engrossed she had been in Andreas accont of what had happened to the man at the end of the rope.

She signalled for a crewman to open it and in tumbled a very breathless old man, leather bound book in hand. Buzz didn't have chance to ask what the intrusion was about as the old man got in before her. "My name is Taffy, I'm a historian from Oxford university and I have been studying mythology and this particular sea srae for most of my life. This is my fifth cruise and finally I have seen it for myself!" he declared laying the book on the chart table open on the page where the old language was displayed. It was only then that he noticed the mildly shocked expressions of the crew and noticed the thick green fog outside the bridge window and then the pale face of Andrea. "I'm sorry if I've startled you but you must know this!" he said indicating towards the words.

Capt. Buzz stepped over to the book and glanced at the alien language "What does it mean?" she asked allowing Taffy clear access to the book once more.

"It says "In the middle of the great warm sea you must beware the cover of the olive cloud for it will bring great tragedy," recited Taffy; his words failing to ease the anxiety of the crew.

"And what else?" asked Buzz as hungry as everyone around for more information about the deadly fog.

"Oh, that's it on this page. It goes on to say that only one vessel has survived and that when they recovered the crew, six years after it had vanished, they had all gone completely loopy....mad....totally whacked out!" came the animated reply from eccentric professor.

"And you have come to this area to experience this horror for yourself?" asked a disbelieving Fee.

"Well, in all honesty I have always found the story intriguing and came her initially to research it in my spare time but then I came back because this is such a beautiful place. Mind you I have always brought the good book with me" he concluded tapping the book fondly.

"We're all going to die!" said the already shocked Andrea who promptly passed out.

Im miserable and a slapper from the sounds of it :blush: Great work :w00t:

PJ ran his hand up Crits thigh causing her to giggle and blush. Maz whispered into his ear and then left for the toilets. She passed JB returning with another bottle of champagne; the tables third. He offered a pleasant nod and smile and she blew him a kiss as she dissappeared through the door. "Close your mouth!" came the abrupt message from Bonnie who caught the young steward with his mouth agape. JB responded immediately clamping his mouth shut and returning to his duties. Bonnie smirked after him as she took desert to Bob and Rob.

***********************************************

Mellors wasn't exactly clear how he had come to be in the tiny dressing room behind the curtain but here he was and more importantly her she was. MissG had closed the door and was currently walking her fingers up his body until she reached his chin. She ran her index finger around his lips causing a nervous swallow and involuntary lick of the lips. She smiled seductively and closed in on him her thick ruby lips connecting with his gently at first and then harder and more passionate.

Nox staggered quite litterally into the bar. She took a moment to compose herself at the door and swallow back the urge to vomit and then proceeded towards the bar. She almost made it when Ils came bouncing out of the toilet, totally hyped up and raring to go a small feathering of white dust just visible on her top lip. She spotted Nox and homed in. "Hi I'm Ils. I won the lotto last month and am spoling myself, what's your story?"

Nox turned towards the loud, brash stranger and dry retched once more before sprinting for the toilets leaving a shocked Ils at the bar. "Can I get you anything madam?" asked Secrets with a ready smile the instant Ils looked towards him.

"A large voddie and pineapple, oh and some pork scratchings if you have any!" came the hurried reply.

Ils - drunken harlot:laugh: :laugh:

you are a braver woman than me Coastie!

"Was there ever any information about how the crew of the one vessel that came through this stuff did survive?" questioned Capt. Buzz with all, bar Andrea who was being tended to by on the of the bridge crew, listening intently for a reply.

"No." replied Taffy and then it was as if for the first time the seriousness of the situation hit him. He had been so over excited before that he hadn't actually thought that this may well be the end of him and all those on board.

"Oh dear" chipped in Fee dryly.

"Right" said Buzz turning to Fee "I want no persons out on deck. I require you to relay this instruction to all crew and for the doors to remain guarded for the time being. I also want a full head count to ensure we haven't lost any pasengers prior to our knowledge as to how dangerous this situation was. Clear" she finished.

"Ma'am" replied Fee turning to head out of the bridge.

As Fee reached the door "Oh and if you can play it down as much as possible to the passengers and tell only what is required to the crew. I don't want a panic on our hands to cap it all off!"

"No problem ma'am" and Fee was gone.

"Oh dear oh dear" muttered Taffy, his hands starting to shake as his lips trembled.

"I'm sure we'll get through this" assured Capt. Buzz placing a gentle hand on the old mans shoulders and giving him a confident smile. Inside however a thousand rocks had just fallen into the pit of her stomach.

"I'm tellin' ya that aint normal!" explained Patsy to Cat as they both peered out through the porthole of the staff lounge.

"Weeeeaaaallll I guess I aint seen nuffin like that before" agreed Cat. At that moment Fee entered and the two women jumped out of their skin at the sudden noise behind them.

Fee waited until they had turned round and were paying attention before saying her bit "No one is to go outside. This fog is a little unusual and we are not one hundred percent sure it's safe at the moment so please remain below decks for the time being, that's captains orders!" finished Fee and then without waiting for an acknowledgement or the questions, which the two women were obviously dying to ask, she span smartly on her heel and left them be.

"Well I'll be. Told ya that aint normal dint I!" declared Patsy proudly as she took a long drag from her cigarette and then chased it with a pull from a bottle of budweiser.

"Yeah you said it" agreed Cat with complete disinterest as she concentrated on getting the top off her third bottle of cider.

Maz washed her hands at the sink and then took a glance out of the toilet porthole. She squinted at what she saw, shrugged and returned to the dining room.

Crit was now seated across PJ as she fed him strawberries. As Maz came to join them PJ dropped one of the strawberries into Crits ample cleavage and then dived in to, mouth first to retrieve it. Crit giggled gleefully and Maz held just short of a scowl as she retook her seat.

***********************************************

Mellors and MissG parted, breathless and very ruffled. "Gosh where have you been all my life big boy?" husked MissG as she closed in for another short kiss before she broke away completely and started to re adjust herself.

For his part Mellors simply looked mildly shocked and it took a few moments for his brain to kick into gear and for him to follow MissG's lead and recover his trousers and underpants from his ankles.

Nox returned from the toilets and headed straight for the bar once more, a very determined look on her face. Ils went to speak but was offered the 'Talk to the hand' gesture as Nox composed herself to speak directly to Secrets who came immediately to her attention.

"Can I help you miss?" he asked.

Accompanied with hand gestures where apropriate Nox asked her question "I was wondering if you'd seen my partner. He's about yay tall, has dark greying hair and was probably wearing a thin black roll kneck and a light grey suit."

At that exact moment Mellors and MissG came slinking out from behind the curtain. Secrets saw them first and then Mellors saw Nox at the same moment she caught the glance in Secrets eyes and looked round from the bar. To say looks could kill would be an understatement for what Mellors saw staring back at him from across the room. MissG sensed something was up and like a pro she smiled politely and returned to her dressing room. Mellors started the suicidal walk towards Nox who was still killing him slowly, like a paper cut being administered every second with a fixed glare. Ils and Secrets played the parts of innocent bystanders as they saw the drama unfolding. Mellors came to within two metres of Nox, whose expression hadn't changed, before he finally lost his bottle and sprinted from the bar. Nox had forgotten all about being sea sick and set off in hot pursuit.

It this your idea of a joke?

Bonnie cleared the last of the plates on Bob and Robs table. She politely asked them if there was anything else they would like to which the replied to the negative. Bonnie almost skipped from her last table of the night and took the last few bits into the galley.

JB was dying to get rid of his final table of the night but PJ and his floosies were taking their time and to make things worse every once in a while PJ would smirk at JB as if to remind him that he was a menial amongst men and would never have women like Crit and Maz. Insults rotated around JBs head as outwardly he showed nothing but calm, expressionless patience. He watched as Bob and Rob left hand in hand and hated Bonnie that she was off watch now. Then to his surprise PJ and his women leapt up from the table, nodded at him and followed Rob and Bob. As Maz got to the door she turned again and blew a kiss towards the young steward. JB felt his face grow red and quickly set about clearing the trios table.

***********************************************

Andrea had come round and was sitting proped up against the wall sippinmg on a bottle of water. Bella was listening intently for any sound on the seemingly forever silent radio and Capt. Buzz was chatting quietly to Taffy at the chart table, the book open in front of them while all the time the two crewman remained vigilant at the helm and radar.

Cat checked her watch "Guess they'll all be done eatin' now"

"Patsy checked hers "Yep they'll be done now. Guess we should get movin'"

With that the two slighlty larger than average ladies, wheezed their way out the door and headed towards the dining room.

JB wiped over the last table and went to the galley. Flip was just finishing up and the two galley slaves where washing the last of the pots. Bonnie was no where to be seen "She go already?" queried PJ.

"What do you think? I've a right mind to report her to the captain and have her dropped off at the next port. A total waste of space that girl, a total waste of space!" huffed Flip as threw her tea towel into the small washing machine in the corner of the galley. "When your done, turn the lights of and lock up for me plese guys and thank-you for all your hard work this evening". The kitchen help noded their understanding as their chef left, JB close behind. "So JB any plans for this evening?"

"Nope, you?" he asked as Cat and Patsy came huffing round the corner.

"Nothing special, fancy a drink in the bar and a game of crib?"

"Absolutely" smiled JB as the two heavy women came to squeeze past them.

"Evenin' ladies" said Flip and JB in unison.

"Evenin'" came the gutral reply from both women.

Flip and JB shook their heads in mild amusement and headed off to their cabins.

Cat and Patsy stepped into the dining room and headed straight for a cupboard at the rear of it. They quickly pulled out a vacuum cleaner and a bucket of cleaning supplies. "Rock, paper, scissors?" asked Cat as she sparked up a cigarette and lit another on the end of the first before offering it to Patsy, who gratefully took it and drew a long drag from it before replying.

"Yep" and so they commenced a best of three game of rock paper scissors.

"Shoot I swear ya can read me mind!" cussed Patsy as she took the cleaning supplies and headed for the toilets. Cat, smiling, pluged in the hover and started to clean the carpet.

Mellors dived into his and Nox's cabin and bolted the door before reinforcing his defence with his body weight. It took all of five seconds before the manic thumping of Nox rattled through the door and down his spine. "Open up you lousy pig!" came the ferocious order from outside.

"Not until you've calmed down" shouted back Mellors trying to sound confident and in control.

Nox heard the slight tremor in his voice and still wanted blood "If you don't open this door I swear I will bust it down, rip off your tackle and serve it to the gulls!"

"Now er lets be reasonable here...I mean it's not like were married or anything" the instant Mellors spoke those words he realised he had added high octane gas to the flames. The door splintered slightly as Nox charged like a rhino against it. Mellors was shaking and his palms were becoming sweaty. Nox had always had a temper but until now he had only seen her use it on other people. His mouth went completely dry.

PJ, Crit and Maz sauntered back into the bar whereupon PJ set eyes on Ils for the first time. He smiled to himself and led his women to the same booth they had occupied previously and sat them down before routing for the bar.

Ils was nursing her vodka and pineapple as she watched Secrets work. She jumped ever so slightly when PJ came up behind her and jabbed her playfully in the ribs. She spun round to see the face of very old friend. "Forgive me" said PJ in his usual soft, smooth voice "But you are Ils aren't you?"

Ils was captivated by the incredibly handsome young man before her and it was a few moments before she was able to answer. "Yes and you are?" she asked as she took a nervous sip of her drink through her straw.

"PJ. You were my nanny when I was about six or seven" he replied with a playful grin.

Ils almost chocked on her drink "Oh my goodness yes of course, PJ. My word you've grown up!" she stated before starting to feel a little awkward.

"Gosh you were only seventeen and I had the biggest crush on you" schmoozed PJ.

"Oh come on you were only six for goodness sake!" Ils played off.

"Ah but you were the centre of my universe then and I have never forgotten you" he smiled again and Ils thought she might melt there and then. "Would you care to join us?" he asked indicating towards his booth from which Crit and Maz were perched like meerkats as they took in the exchange from afar.

Ils saw the two beauty queens and instantly felt awkward "oh but you have such wonderful company already and I am a little tiddled. I wouldn't want to embarass you with stories from the past" said Ils starting to turn back to the bar.

PJ grabbed her shoulder gently and brought her back round "You could never embarass me Ils. Come on please join us."

Ils felt like she had no where else to go and so obliged. Soon she was sipping champagne with the rest of them and answering PJs questions, about what she had been upto over the years, at the speed of an express train.

Abridged Version 3

Okay this is the story so far....

Taffy has turned out to be the old man with the pipe and also a historian to boot. He is the only one with prior knowledge of the potential dangers of the green fog and has shared his knowledge with Capt. Buzz and her immediate crew. Andrea passed out at the news but is okay now and Fee is ensuring no one goes out on deck...Bella is still in the radio room doing radio stuff.

Ils it transpires is PJ's old nanny and they have just met up again after a very long break. Ils has joined him at the table of floosies.

JB, Flip and Bonnie have done their feeding of the 5000 or sixteen of so passengers and are off for the night now.

Patsy and Cat are the cleaners and are sorting the dining room out now.

Bob and Rob finished their meal.

Nox has chased Mellors back to their cabin after she caught him and MissG emerging from their naught interlude behind the curtain.

Secrets is doing his thing behind the bar

The cast thus far:

Crew:
Capt. Buzz
Fee - Buzz's number two
Bella - radio op
Andrea - cheif engineer
Secrets - barman
MissG - Jazz singer
Patsy & Cat - Cleaners
JB & Bonnie - stewards
Flip - Chef

Passengers:
PJ - Spolit millionaires son
Crit & Maz - PJ's floosies
Ils - drunken/drugged lotto winning ex-nanny of PJ
Taffy - eccentric historian
Nox - Mellors angry lover
Mellors - Noxies cowering lover
Rob & Bob - newly weds


What next?

Patsy donned her pink rubber gloves and grabed the bottle of bleach, a cloth and a loo brush before entering the first cubicle. She took one look at the loo and shuddrered "Eeeew". Taking the loo brush she poked gently towards a green slug like creature that had crawled up from the bowl and was now sitting pretty on the seat itself. As she poked it the tiny creature, no more than a couple of centermetres long, snapped at the bush showing a full set of sharp white teeth within its soft green mouth. Patsy squealed and then went back out side the cubicle where upon she lit a cigarette before entering again. When she got back inside the tiny room the green slug had vanished. "Wheredya go you little perisher?" she questioned, holding her ciggie in a way that would enable her to stab it onto the critters head. She scanned all round the loo and across the floor "Maybe ya should have laid off the Bulmers 'afore ya came ta do ya job" she cautioned herself as she began to think the whole thing had been a trick of her imagination.

Cat was oblivious to the eewing and squealing of her colleague as she buzzed round the dining room with the hover wailing above most other noises and she certainly didn't notice it when she sucked up an unusual bit of debris.

Nox's banging became less threatening as his foe began to tire so Mellors felt safe to step away from the door on which he had kept his entire weight pressed upagainst since the chase from the bar. He listened closely as Nox went quiet and ever so cautiously he placed his ear to the door. A rock filled his stomach as he heard the genrtle sobs of Nox through the door. Oh the guilt he felt. He summed up his options for a moment and then "Honey, I'm going to open the door to talk to you. Please don't hit me!" he pleaded as he reached for the handle and slowly turned it.

***********************************************

Ils was now past being simply drunk and was slowly slipping into a coma like sleep as she sat listening to the open dialogue rambling around her. PJ had turned out to be a very handsome young man but as she had always feared he had also turned out to be a male chauvanistic pig and she decided that she no longer wanted to be witness to his constant thigh, bum and boob pinching that Crit and Maz seemed so happy to endure. No she didn't want to see any more of that and so she decided to excuse herself and head for her cabin, unfortunately her mind was willing but her boozed up body was not and so she simply slumped back into the chair and closed her eyes.

"So you have no idea what these drawings mean?" asked Buzz of Taffy as she indicated to some roughly drawn pictures in the book. The pictures were of something resembling slugs.

"Nope, only that one of the crew from the surviving ship drew them all over his cell and anything else he could get his hands on. Apparently that's ll he did when they found him. He never spoke just drew these pictures."

"Hmmm there must be something in them. I mean to go that loopy over something as harmless as a slug is well loopy!" finished Capt. Buzz as she ran her fingers through her hair in exasperation.

Andrea was on her feet now and had apologised for passing out and been forgiven afterall she had witnessed at first hand the death of a colleague in the most unusual of circumstances. She had thanked them and was now ready to return to the engine room. "Is there anything else you would like me to do before I go?"

"Negative, just report back anything unusual, that is anything more unusual than the fog we already know about" replied Buzz.

"Ma'am" replied Andrea as she left.

She headed straight for the engine room and opened the sealed hatch to enter when she spotted something on the deck before her. It was a green slug like creature of about two to three centemeres in length. It stood out in stark contrast against the black of the deck and its body seemed to glow slightly in the dull lighting of the room. "How odd" said Andrea as she bent down to investigate the creature more closely.

Bonnie was disappointed to find that her crewman wasn't waiting for her and so went on the prowl of the decks. She found him stood guard at one of the outer hatches and after a brief explanation as to what he was doing Bonnie shrugged her shoulders and moved in anyway. At first the crewman tried to resist stating that he had a job to do right now but Bonnie was hungry and soon he decided that since most of the passengers would be mustering in the bar shortly and that his hatch was in a part of the vessel passengers rarely came anyway; why the hell not. He reached back and opened the door of a storeroom behind him and the couple fell inside.

***********************************************

JB and Flips cabins were across from each other. JB shared his with the two galley crew but Flip was alone in hers. JB changed into his casual gear and went to Flips door where he knocked three times and Flip responed by opening the door and inviting him in. She was just putting her lip stick on and would be good to go in a second she explained. JB waited patiently behind her as she focused on her lips in the mirror. She had a nice bum JB thought as he watched it swing gently with the movement of her upper body. "Done" she chirped jumping round and catching the level of JBs gaze a second to early for him. "You like" she teased. JB blushed and mumbled and apology as he opened the door for them both to leave the cabin.

Most of the guests were back in the bar now and the gentle jazz was playing once more as MissG stepped out from behind the curtain and prepared to sing. She looked to the piano player and gave him a nod and they began the opening number.

Secrets smiled as he listened to his favourite song and mixed the perfect Martini for a very atractive young blond at the end of the bar. He served the drink, received a very pleasant smile for his efforts and then took the next customers order. A pint of Stella was the prompt reply and so Secrets went to the tap and began to pull the handle. As he did he noticed a green slug like creature in the sink beside the taps. He frowned and watched the creature for a moment as it started to slide towards him. Secrets shook his head in disbelief and took the freshly poured pint to his customer. When he returned the slug had gone.

"Cap'n!" came the sharp alert from her young crewman at the helm.

Buzz looked round and in the direction indicated by him. "What the?" she flicked back several pages in the book and looked again at the drawings of the slugs. Taffy gulped and began to turn very, very pale.

***********************************************

"Ow there's no need to be so rough!" explained the crewman beneath Bonnie as the pair continued their coupling on the floor of the store room. Bonnie replied with a baffled huh before continuing her love making. "OW!" came the sharper retort from her lover this time causing Bonnie to sit up on him.

"What's your problem?" she asked forcefully as he winced in pain again.

"Somethings biting me. Ow! There it is again! he replied then suddenly he pushed Bonnie off and leapt to his feet. He jumped round so his back was to Bonnie and she screamed.

Mellors opened the door a crack and in that instant felt himself propelled back across the cabin as Nox charged the door. Nox flew in and slammed the door behind her, her face as red as a robins breast, her hands clenched at her sides and her breathing fast and furious. Mellors dropped to his knees "I can explain" he grovelled.

Nox was having non of it and instead she threw a perfect right onto his left jaw. Mellors wheeled back and collapsed unconscious on the floor. Nox huffed and felt the tension leave her body as she gave Mellors a final kick in the ribs and left.

***********************************************

Flip and JB entered the bar in the middle of MissG's first song and she gave them a discrete wave. They smiled in return and headed for the bar. Before they could even place an order the ever efficient Secrets had their favourite drinks lined up for them. Flip took hers with a nod to Secrets who had moved on to two more customers and JB followed her with his to the less crowded corner of the bar, towards the far side of the room from the band. They sat at a small table and enjoyed the music for a moment before each took a long and satisfying pull from their drinks. Flips was a vodka Martini and JB was a pint of real ale. He burped and apologised as there was a minor commotion at the bar.

"I want all check points to call in!" ordered Buzz and Bella obeyed immediately by calling each of the sentries in turn. They all responded on the first call until she got to the final check point, the one at the stern of the ship where Bonnies lover had been tasked. Bella called again and then again to no avail. She reported this fact to the Captain who frowned. "Get Fee to check it out but to be careful as she does so" came the order. So Bella called Fee and Fee reported she was enroute.

***********************************************

Bonnie slamed the door shut leaving her lover inside, his muted screams of agony causing her to shake in terror and for tears of shame to pour from her eyes. What had it been that she had seen on his back? She didn't know anything other than that she wanted no part of it. Her lover smacked repeatedly against the door and finally after a few more seconds went quiet and Bonnie welched back to the opposite wall and watched horrified as blood seeped from beneath the door.

Fe startled her as she came round the corner but other than the involuntary jump she was unable to move and as Fee fired questions at her she felt her mouth go dry and numb. It was like she was screaming the answers but no-one else could hear them. Her head began to spin and blackness set in.

Bella reported that all bar two of the sentries had reported in and declared nothing untoward. When asked further about the unresponsive pair she had replied that they were based at the rear two hatches of the vesssel. "Get onto Fee and tell her to check ..." at that instant Fee came up on the radio and reported Bonnie incident as far as she knew it. Capt. Buzz shuddered then turned to her helmsman. "Screw this. Full steam ahead!" she ordered of him before turning to Bella "Keep putting calls out on the radio warning craft we are at maximum speed moving through thick green fog, position unknown!" Bella gave a nod of understanding and before long she was transmitting blind the ships ever increasing speed and predicament.

***********************************************

The sudden increase in speed didn't go un-noticed by the guests or for that matter by MissG who almost lost her balance but for the microphone stand. Mummurs began to ripple through the bar area and one or two passengers decided to open the tiny port hole curtains a look outside. Soon all eyes were fitting for a view of the mysterious green fog beyond the glass. A few of the guests began to panic and others began deep discussions as to what it could be that had caused the strange phenomenon. Secrets maintained his station behind the bar but heard the whispers and translated the screams that indicated all was not well. He looked towards Flip and JB who simply shrugged their shoulders before JB signalled that he would go check with the bridge.

Nox pounded a path towards the rear of the vessel and bumped into Fee on her way back to the bridge, a very shaken Bonnie in tow. "You can't go back there!" rep[orted Fee.

"Why not?" queried the still slightly angry Nox.

"There's been and incident. Nothing to be alarmed about but all the same all passengers are to report to the bar are!" At that moment the announcment came over the ships tanoy ordering just thta action.

"I'm a police officer maybe I can help?" asked Nox now to intrigued to be angry any more.

"Well, maybe if you could assist in keeping the other passengers calm and in the bar area at this time that would be of great help!" replied Fee still blocking the path towards the rear of the giant cruiser.

Nox looked over Fees shoulder and down the passage way her investigative senses now hitting high alert. "Okay" she finally resigned and turned back towards the bar. Fee and Bonnie followed, their intention to get to the bridge as soon as possible.

c'mon c'mon c'mon!!!!!:shocking: .....................

It wasn't long before all sisteen of the high paying customers were mustered in the lounge. Most of the remaining twenty three staff were also there as Fee entered the room. Everyone went quiet at the appearance of the officer and she took centre stage and command of MissG's microphone. "Ladies and Gentlemen thank-you for your co-operation in coming here this evening. I have been requested by the captain to inform you of a situation which has been developing over the last few hours...." Fee went on to give a general, highly down played run down of the events that had past. Many passengers gasped, others commented that they had thought something was amiss and Mellors simply tried to keep out of Nox's way by hiding by the door. "Any questions?" finished Fee and watched as several hands went up and listened as several others simply blurted their questions out. Inside she gave a heavy sigh and then smiled sweetly before responding to the first hand that had been raised.

"Is it dangerous?" asked Rob as he hugged Bob a little closer.

"Let's just say that at this time we would prefer that no-one go outside as it is unclear what exactly has caused the fog".

"Does that mean we can't use the jacuzzi either?" asked PJ his hand on Crit's inner thigh as he spoke and a smirk across his face.

Fee was not in the mood for silly questions so she ignored him and moved on. PJ had had a few to drink though and demeanded centre court for a while.

"Oiy...I asked ya a question!"

Fee stared at him and answered through near gritted teeth "The jacuzzi is out on deck and so, no you will not be able to use that facility at this time sir."

"Guess I'll just have to fart in the tub then eh". Crit and Maz laughed loudly and falsely while PJ sat gloating. Oddly enough no-one else thought he was funny and Ils was infact steadily trying to distance herself from him. Unfortunately her path was blocked by a rather large American woman with thick slap make-up.

Bonnie finished explaining what had happened to her lover to Capt. Buzz and leaned against the consul to await further guidence. Capt. Buzz turned to Taffy who simply shrugged his shoulders and began muttering under his breath and shaking his head. "Ok" injected Buzz as she tried to compose a plan "The critters are inside and are deadly. We will have to warn everyone to be on the look out and report any sightings. Taffy!" Taffy's head snapped up and his gaze quickly moved from the fllor to meet the captains.

"Ma'am?"

"Is there any clue in that book of yours as to what kills them? I mean are they like a regular garden slug? Will salt do?" demanded Buzz in rapid fire.

Taffy grabbed the hair at the side of his head and gave it a puul from both sides while at the same time supressing a scream. He spun quickly several times before finally coming to a stop before the chart table and slamming his hands down upon it for support. "Right" he puffed "Let me take another look". With that he opened the book just past the pictures of the slugs and began reading again.

Buzz looked to Bonnie "You had best go join everyone else in the bar." At that moment a blood curdling cry came out over the radio. "What channel was that?" asked Buzz of Bella.

Bella simply said "Ours," and without prompting began to call the two remaining posts she knew of. Only one replied.

Abridged Version 4

Okay this is the story so far....

Taffy is helping Capt. Buzz with a possible solution to the slug problem which has already killed at least two crewmen onboard and obviously may have killed two others out on deck amongst the green fog...but that hasn't been confirmed yet!

Bonnies lover was taken by the slugs during a moment of lust filled passion.

Cat and Patsy are cleaning the dinning room and have unknowingly been in contact with the little critters. Well Patsy knew but didn't realise just how nasty they are!

Fee has just explained to all the passengers and remaining crew (well most of them) what's been going on. PJ is being a bit of a tinker, Crit and Maz love him for it while Ils is shrinking away from him.

Nox gave Mellors a good hard right and kick in the ribs and has just revealed herself to be a copper. Mellors has managed to make the bar and is hiding by the door.

MissG having had her moment with Mellors is kinda back singing (Fee stopped play..well the slugs did anyway).

Not much else...

The cast thus far:

Crew:
Capt. Buzz
Fee - Buzz's number two
Bella - radio op
Andrea - cheif engineer
Secrets - barman
MissG - Jazz singer
Patsy & Cat - Cleaners
JB & Bonnie - stewards
Flip - Chef

Passengers:
PJ - Spolit millionaires son
Crit & Maz - PJ's floosies
Ils - drunken/drugged lotto winning ex-nanny of PJ
Taffy - eccentric historian
Nox - Mellors angry lover and a police officer.
Mellors - Noxies cowering lover
Rob & Bob - newly weds

What next?

"I'm telling you sis this is going to go bad. Real bad!" whispered the middleaged, slightly frumpy, red headed Jaycee to her twin sister Tigereye aka TE.

TE placed a hand on her sisters before replying "It'll be fine sis, really it will".

The pair relaxed and refocused on Fee at the front of the room as she continued to answer questions.

***********************************************

"I have the con, you two go check all points and report back immediately from each one. Do not seperate!" ordered Capt. Buzz of her two crewmen on the bridge. Both nodded understanding and left the bridge. Torches and radios in hand. Bella looked nervously after them but received a "focus on your own job" look from Buzz. "Anything yet proffessor?" she asked as she took a stance at the vessels controls.

"No. It's all just so muddled. One minute they say use this the next that and that the previous suggestion doesn't work and then they go back to that and oh dear my head hurts" moaned Taffy.

"I don't give a flying fig about your head. All I care about is my vessel and all those upon it. Sort it out Professor and now!"

Bella heard the sharp attack on the old man and shrunk back into her chair a little more before she muttered a quiet pray.

Cat and Patsy finished their chores and headed for their cabin right at the back of the vessel. "Did ya see any snot like slug things Ca' " asked Patsy as she reached into her pocket for her packet of cigarettes.

"Eh? You been on the wacky backy again. If so where the heck is mine?" said Cat as she opened the door to their cabin. The Porthole had been left open as always inlight of the no smoking policy other than in the bar. A rule commonly broken by the vessels two cleaners who blew their smoke out the window. Both women paled at what they saw and following a scream from Patsy the door was slammed shut and the pair were off and running to the bar.

***********************************************

Nox saw Mellors tucked in behind the door frame. She smirked and then slowly and stealthily began to make her way to him. Fee was still answering questions and begining to sound more than a little exasperated as people repeatedly asked for clarification over certain matters. Nox made it to a position behind Mellors without him noticing and was smiling to herself as she watched him desperately trying to get a fix on her location. She crept right up behind him leaned in and whispered "Looking for someone?" Mellors jumped in a way that resulted in him bumping his head on the door frame.. He was just recovering enough to turn when the doors swung open and one of them caught him again straight in the face. His nose errupted in a bright red fountain display as he fell back into Nox's arms. She instinctively caught him then just as quickly dropped him, much to the puzzled looks of her fellow passengers. Before any more action could be taken Cat and Patsy were grabbing Fee from the stage and out the door. Curiosity flared like a match to kerosene and soone most of the passengers were filing out behind the trio of ships crew.

Capt. Buzz had heard the scream and had requested Bella call the two bridge hands for an update. The report came back that they had know idea what was going on but all the passengers were filing towards the back of the cruiser from the bar. Buzz immediately gave the order over the tanoy that everyone should return to the bar area in the hope that they would obey then she turned to Taffy, who was still scanning that pages of the old book "Got anything yet?" she asked.

Taffy simply muttered to the negative and turned another page in th book. He had read the book, cover to cover, a thousand times but unfortunately at times of high stress his brain would simply shut down and, like now, refuse to tell him what he needed to know. He had once been mugged and it had taken a six year old on a scooter to remind him of the emergency number for the police such was his affliction.

Nox had instinctively stepped into the doorway in an attempt to stop people from leaving the bar however, her efforts had resulted in her being smacked back against the bulk head and, after a moment to regain her composure, she had felt compelled to follow on. So no it was, along with all the oethrs from the bar, she found herself at the back of the group peering curiously around the door to Cat and Patsy's tiny cabin. "Everybody return to the bar now!" ordered Fee as she took one look at the mass of green on Patsy's top bunk. Cats lower bunk wasn't fairing much better and the critters were already covering the floor and heading out towards the passage way. One sprung up and attached itself to Fee's trouser leg as she yelled again for everyone to back up and return to the bar. The urgency in her voice was not lost on them this time and quickly panic began to replce curiosity and the mob started to push and kick its way back towards the bar.

"Ones on you!" shreiked Patsy to Fee, hands shaking violently as Cat pushed her away from the cabin.

Fee looked down at the same moment she felt a stinging sensation on her shin. The slug had eaten a hole in her trousers and was now chewing her flesh. Other slugs were advancing towards her so she slammed the door shut and quickly followed the others. "Ow" she muttered as the pain increased, but she dare not stop until she was well clear of the infested area.

TE and Jaycee were one of the first back in the bar having been one of the slowest to leave and therefore ahead of the rest on the return. They immediately ordered to large gin and tonics and gulped them down. Secrets suddenly found himself pouring orders faster than ever before as the passengers and many of the crew tried to regain some control. Some had bumps and bruises developing as a result of the rhino charge back down the narrow passage ways but all were attempting to drink through lips that were moving at the rate of a hummingbirds wings as they shared tales of what they had just witnessed. PJ and his women took a bottle of champagne and removed themselves from the throng that had formed around the bar and took a seat at their usual booth. Ils was tempted to follow, her legs feeling very wobbly but instead found herself being assisted to a bar stool by a particularly handsome young gent. She smiled and then promptly past out, head in a bowl of peanuts on the bar.

***********************************************

The two bridge crew had stepped into a staff cabin as the throng moved past them and then after watching Fee slip and hop past them without seeing them they moved off down the passage way to see for themselves what the fuss was all about. They stopped just before Cat and Patsy's cabin door and stared at the stream of green slugs that were slithering out from beneath the door. The door itself had been gnawed through along the bottom edge to allow this to happen and now both crewmen were backing away.

***********************************************
Below decks Andrea was staring at a green slug through the walls of a glass. She was unaware as to much of the commotion going on upstairs as the noise of the engines drowned most of it out so her she was alone in the engine room with a single green slug trapped beneath a beer glass. She thought about reporting it in but had found the batteries in her radio had gone flat so the thing was now on charge and the engine room to bridge intercom had also malfunctioned for some reason, a reason which annoyed her, afterall she knew how to fix everything on this boat and the fact that she could not put her finger on the course of the fault frustrated her. But that was for another time, now she examied the sharp toothed critter she held captive and wondered where on earth it had come from.

Wow!
I have no idea wha is happening though, don't even know if I am alive.
Coastie I have not had time to read this thread for a couple of weeks so today I copied the whole lot into word. 28 pages! I am going to see if my kind hearted neighbour will let me print them off.
Oh and I sorted out all the spelling mistakes too! :shutup:
Can't wait, should make a great bedtime read.

lol I just read it all again, hurry up! I wanna know if I'm dead

As things stood Captain Buzz, Bella and Taffy were safe on the bridge. Andrea was down in the engine room with one green critter trapped beneath a glass and everyone else was back in the bar aside from the two bridge crew who were still staring at the river of green slugs spilling out from beneath Cat and Patsy's door. Perhaps if they had been less curious and picked up on the panic of those they had seen flee the area moments earlier they might have stood a chance, as it was however their lives were very quickly over. The younger man who had previously been guiding the vessel went down first beneath the wave of flesh eating slugs his buddy followed his fate shortly after as he tried to rescue his friend. As their bodies were torn apart and their blood shed across the deck both men screamed until their mouths were filled with slugs hungrily heading down their throats and into their guts. Blood that was spilled was rapidly sucked up by the ever increasing number of creatures seeping through the port hole and out of the cleaners cabin. Within five minutes all that remain of the two young crewmen was gleaming white skeleton devoured of any flesh or blood.

***********************************************

Fee managed to scrape of the slug that was gnawing into her leg and stamped down hard on it. The creature took several heavy stomps before it finally ceased all movement, turned blue and died. Everyone else in the bar had watched on with morbid fascination and were quietly respectful as Fee limped to the microphone stand to deliver her orders.

Yuck!!!!!!

I'm a scarlet jazz singer and that's all right with me.....unless one of those nasty slug things eats me!! :unsure:

Captain Buzz had Bella call for any ships in the area every five minutes as she guided the craft blindly on its way at maximum speed. Taffy was still scratching his head and, to the disgust of Buzz, on occasions his groin. He also had an annoying habit of clearing his throat every few minutes as he turned the pages of the old leather bound book pondering the words writen within.

***********************************************

Nox took a slight nod from Fee to mean she should stand guard at the door to the bar and refuse anyone the right to exit the area. Fee tapped the mike to ensure she it was on and that she had everyones attention. 'Right then ladies and gentlemen. As you are now clearly aware we have a bit of a problem. I can assure you that everything is being done to contain the situation and that no one should panic. I will be around to keep you all apraised of the situation as it develops but in the meantime I would ask that in the inetrest of safety all persons remain within the bar area. Secrets will keep you in drinks and I'm sure the wonderful MissG will be more than happy to entertain you with a few more songs with the band whilst the situation is brought completely under control. I am sure this will not take long so please relax and enjoy the cruise.

At that moment the entire vessel shook violently and everyone was thrown first forward slighly then crashing backwards. Nox managed to grab the door frame to stop herself from falling but others were not so fortunate and struck tables, chairs, walls and the bar with various parts of their anatomy. Fee didn't stand a chance with her already gammy leg and quickly found herself face down on the carpet tiles close to the feet of the stricken trumpet player. He had smashed his skull open on the edge of the stage platform as he went down and now lay unconscious in an ever increasing pool of blood. Others were clearly injured as whimpers and cries for help began to echo round the room.

At the sudden jolt the glass containing the deadly slug fell over and rolled away amidst pipes and other engine parts. Unfortunately for Andrea she fell onto the sticky little creature and it quickly attached itself to her cheek and began chewing.

***********************************************

Captain Buzz had managed to stay upright thankful that she had been on the helm at the time. Taffy had fallen back and damaged his hip on landing but was otherwise ok. Bella had gone quiet in the radio room and so that was the first place Buzz checked. Her radio operator was unconscious on her desk, a large gash across the left side of her forehead. Buzz grabbed the first aid box from the wall and set about containing the damage.

***********************************************

Bob and Rob had been hugging when the mass disturbance occured and now lay slightly dazed in the corner of the bar. After ensure bother were otherwise well they assisted each other to their feet and went to check on some of the less fortunate passengers. JB was already helping an old lady who had become wedged in one of the booths. PJ was taking his time ensuring that Maz and Crit were well. Crit had taken a slight knock to the head but after a little TLC from PJ she seemed quite well again. Cat and Patsy were complaining at the developing stains on their tops caused by spilt vodka and cranberry drinks and had failed to remove the broken cigarettes from their mouths at this point. Bonnie had lost the plot completely and was simply rocking and sobbing to the side of the bar. Secrets had fallen back against the optics and had a piece of a broken bottle protruding from his neck but was still awake and attemtpting to reduce the blood lose by way of a bar towel. Ils looked in horror at the young man who had assisted her to a seat earlier. He had been run through by the leg of a bar stool and now lay dead on the floor before her. Mellors was struggling to his feet and heading for Nox, Flip was looking to aid Fee and MissG was simply slumped at the foot of the stage bewildered by it all. Tigereye (TE) and Jaycee stared vacantly at each other chairs still attached to their wide bottoms as they lay sideways on the floor. Basically it was all one huge mess for the time being.

Aren't I a gentleman?

Capt. Buzz completed the gentle bandaging of Bellas head and retruned to the helm. She had instinctively hit the engine shut of switch on impact and now took a moment to compose herself and focus her mind. The boat was not moving. She could hear the waves thumping rhythmically against the side of the vessel, thie impact barely rocking the boat they were so slight. The green fog was still ever present and she was still unable to see more than a few metres beyond the glass.

Taffy sighed heavily as he heaved himself into a seated position with his back against the chart table. He looked up at Buzz and simply shrugged his shoulders and allowed his head to drop.

Buzz heard a groan from the radio room and went to check on Bella again. She was slowly coming round so Buzz quietly encouraged her. 'Come on Bella it's okay you can wake up.' She felt guilty for lying but at the same time was desperate to have her crewmate back on the ball as soon as possible. Bella came too and groned again, her hand instinctively reaching to touch the part of her head that hurt. She felt the bandage and looked to her Captain. Buzz put on her most reassuring smile and received a groggy one in return.

Andrea grabbed at the soft, squishy creature that was devouring the right side of her face and tugged it ferociously from her flesh. No sooner had she forced it to release its grip on her face than it began work on her hand. At first she tried to flick it off as one would a bogie or something of equal stickiness but the critter hung on, its razor like teeth clamped shut within her thumb. Changing tack quickly Andrea put her thumb to the deck and attempted to get the creature laid out so she could stamp on it but it moved so fast and instead clamped onto her index finger and began chewing again. Filled with panic Andrea grabbed at her tool box and flipped open the lid. The pain she was feeling as the slug began to enter her body beneath the skin of her hand was unbearable. She grabbed a short handled mallet and swung it down onto the back of her hand with such force she heard every bone in her hand crack and snap. The critter beneath her skin stopped moving and she frantically saught a stanley knife from the box. With limited presicion she slashed across the back of her hand and scrapped out the remains of the now squished and very dead green slug. It's blood had mixed with hers and was starting to burn in a way that could only be matched by a branding iron. Andrea roared in pain but continued to scrap the waste from her body.

Abridged Version 4

Okay this is the story so far....

The vessel would appear to have run aground...this cannot be confirmed as the green fog is still severely restricting visibility.

Capt. Buzz has aided Bella back to consciousness following her radio ops bumping of head diuring the collision. Taffy has damaged his hip but is okay otherwise. The two other bridge crew are dead...they were Slugged!

Andrea is having a bit of a battle with a slug and is scraping away at her hand with a stanley knife!

Everyone else is in the bar coming to terms with the shock of the green slug invasion and the results of the very abrupt halt of the vessel. The main characters are okay...so far although Secrets has a bit of glass in his neck!

Not much else...
The cast thus far:

Crew:
Capt. Buzz
Fee - Buzz's number two
Bella - radio op
Andrea - cheif engineer
Secrets - barman
MissG - Jazz singer
Patsy & Cat - Cleaners
JB & Bonnie - stewards
Flip - Chef

Passengers:
PJ - Spolit millionaires son
Crit & Maz - PJ's floosies
Ils - drunken/drugged lotto winning ex-nanny of PJ
Taffy - eccentric historian
Nox - Mellors angry lover and a police officer.
Mellors - Noxies cowering lover
Rob & Bob - newly weds
Tigereye & Jaycee - overweight twins

What next?

Nox dragged Mellors to his feet and set him to work at assisting others with his medical knowledge. It had been several years since he had practiced emergency medicine, more recently he had been a pharmacutical rep earning a very grand salary. It took a moment for his old skills to kick in but gradually he started fixing people up.

Nox concentrated on delivering basica first aid and deliverying words of encouragement.

Tigereye and Jaycee had been assisted by JB from their seats and were now sitting upright holding hands for comfort as JB went on to help others.

Ils was led, shaking, from her position besides the impaled passenger to sit with PJ, Crit and Maz and the four were now endulging in a little theraputic champagne.

Secrets had been aided expertly by Flip who had not always been a cook. She had assessed his wound and pulled the shard of glass free before applying a large amount of pressure and easing, then stopping the flow. If she could have guaranteed that he would be able to attend a hospital soon she would have left the foreign object exactly where it was and applied pressure around the wound. In light of the circumstances she was beginging to wonder if the would ever find a safe refuge ever again.

Bella tried another call on the radio but all she received was static and then as she was about to try again the set went completely dead. Hand shaking and head pounding she replaced the handset and staggered through to the main bridge. Capt. Buzz was concerned at her radio operators report but had decided on a course of action. She needed to speak to the passengers and they were, supposedly, all in the bar. Not wanting to leave the old man alone she requested Bella stay with him and keep an ear out for the radio before she finally left the bridge.

***********************************************

Andrea was entering a state of shock but managed never the less to open the engine room door and head out into the passage way. As she struggled through another set of doors she was horrified to see the entire passage way heaving with green slugs. They were making a trail away from the entrance to Cat and Patsy's cabin and off towards the bar. Andrea quietly retreated back behind the doors and watched the invasion advance as she tried desperately to think of what to do.

Buzz moved rapidly down the passage way towards the bar. She caught a glimpse of green up ahead and immediately knew what was happening. She charged into the bar quickly securing the door behind her and through those actions alone alerted everyone to her presence and had their full attention as she turned to face the room. It was like a seen from a war movie. People with bandage legs, heads and arms lined the outer edge of the bar. Two people had been covered by their coats, one the dead guy from alongside Ils the other an old gentleman who had suffered a huge heart attack as a result of the stress of the situation. Bob and Rob were handing out bottles of water to everyone and offering reassuring words but stopped when Buzz entered the room.

'Ladies and gentlemen' called the captain unnecessarily as she already had everyone ready to cling on every word. 'It is with some regret I have to inform you that it would appear that we have run aground. For some time now we have been lost in this unusual fog and now it would appear we are under attack from an army of green flesh eating slugs.' Fee had made her way alongside her captain in a gesture of support. 'We are still trying to discover the means to deal with these critters but must warn all of you that they are quite dangerous and therefore everyone should be on the alert and report any sightings.'

'And then what? Smother them in salt?' came the sarcastic reply from non other than PJ. A few other passengers grumbled their disgust at the situation as Buzz tried to answer.

'Well that is an option we are looking at however in light of the fact they seem to have emerged from salt water this may not be a valid option.

'So what is?' demanded Mellors as he began to lose his patience, something he had always had very little of. Nox glowered at him but he simply shrugged and stared directly at the captain demanding an answer.

'Well like I have said we haven't really had chance to discover what does and does not work but we will do soon' replied Buzz, ever patient.

'Well you had beeter make it now cos the beggers are coming in right behind you!' jumped in PJ. Sure enough as Buzz looked round the first of the green army was oozing beneath the door and all could hear munching sounds as the creatures began to eat through the hard wood.

Bella heard the tiny chinking sound and instictively looked towards the forward window. A spiderweb like crack had appeared on the glass and a slug creature had been the cause. She could see it's tiny teeth jabbing at the hard glass working away to make it first crack and then break open. Bella slapped Taffy on the shoulder and informed him she would be right back as a revelation had hit her.

***********************************************

Panic was starting to grip those in the bar once more as more and more of the critters worked their way into the room. Nox had taken hold of a bar stool and was frantically beating the little suckers as they tried to advance. However for everyone she killed two more crept in and on more than one occasion she had flicked on of the beasts across the room causing and even greater commotion as it landed on the table before Crit.

It was Flip who came up with a possible solution but rather than share it she simply jumped round the back of the bar and rooted around the mess eager to find what tools she needed.

Andrea was fighting back the extreme panic welling up in the pit of her gut. She took two deep breaths and counted slowly to ten. 'Think, think!' she muttered bumping her head gently against the wooden door on which her back already rested. She looked to port and contemplated her options. Tentatively she stepped up to the secure hatch which led out to the deck. Pressing her bloody face against the glass she peered outside. The green fog was starting to clear and she could make out shadows beyond the side of the vessel. 'Where are we?'

***********************************************

Evryone had retreated to the far wall as far from the advancing creatures as possible. Flip had rallied Nox, JB, Buzz and Bonnie. Each had a bottle of spirits and a box of matches. Behind the bar Secrets, his neck heavily bandage and his movements woozy instructed Patsy and Cat as to the correct use of the soda sprays. Mellors continued helping the injured with the assitance of Bob and Rob. Jaycee and TE had gathered enough of their wits about them to go and join MissG by the stage and PJ, Crit and Maz had bundled Ils across to the side of the opposite side of the stage. Everyone waited for Flip to give the signal.

***********************************************

Bella struggled to lift the injured Taffy to his feet but once she had him upright he was able to put more weight than was expected on his injured hip and so her job immediately became easier. They had both been watching the green slugs slow progress through the glass and expressed concern through minute facial changes as they saw more critters heading up to join the most advanced. 'Come on, we need to get to the others!'

'What about the radio?' puffed Taffy as he hobbled, gently aided by Bella towards the door.

'I'ts broken. There's a hand held set in the emergency locker on the way out along with an EPIRB,' replied Bella forcing the old man forward now.

'A what?'

Bella didn't respond and just shoved him through the door. At that moment the creature managed to chip another bit of glass away and was able to slither through.

Andrea's gently head banging had been enough to alert some of the critters leaking in through Cat and Patsy's window that that she was onboard and so a few at first had changed direction and headed her way instead. Andrea could hear them chewing away at the foot of the door and quickly decided what she must do.

***********************************************

Taffy and Bella froze when they saw the steady stream of bright green slugs creeping in up the door of the bar. The began to back away down the passageway when suddenly there was a muted bang from inside the bar and a whooshing sound. A tiny flash of flame licked out from beneath the door via the gap that had been gnawed by the slugs. Almost as quickly as it had appeared it vanished again to be replaced by steam. The pair decided to wait, watch and seize any oportuinity the second it arose.

***********************************************

Thier first attack had seen the death of around a hundred sea slugs but there were still hundreds more flooding in from the passage way. Flip ordered Nox to prepare to fire. The police officer looked to Cat and Patsy who stood ready with their soda hoses and nodded. They nodded in return and then Nox threw her bottle of Famous Grouse and lit a match from her book of matches. Once it was alight she ignited the rest of the book and threw it onto the spilled alcohol which was plastered all over several square feet of slug. There was a huge whoosh of flame and an almost inaudible to the human ear squeal. Flip counted to ten and then signalled to Cat and Patsy who let rip with their soda sprays. The fire quickly went out and Flip and the others surveyed the damage. Still more critters were coming in but her plan of attack was working. They just had to remain careful to only burn the critters and not the vessel.

Andrea took a deep breath, grabbed the hatch lever and opened the door. Without any further thought she leapt outside and over the side of the giant cruiser. There was a splash and then silence as she vanished into the depleting yet still all encompassing green fog.

***********************************************

Bella and Taffy remained silent as more and more of the critters slimed along the passage way and into the bar only to meet a firey death. The trail seemed endless and the couple didn't know how to alert those inside as their presence and desire to enter in without being torched. Instead the simply watched while ever now and again checking over their shoulders for any sign of the creatures coming from the direction of the bridge. It wasn't long before they spotted the first one slithering down the steps towards them. They looked around for a means of escape and realised that their options were extremely limited.

***********************************************

'Fire' ordered Flip of her commanding officer. Buzz had accepted Flips authority since it was the chefs idea and swung her open spirit bottle onto the mass of green. Within moments a hundred more of the creatures was dead. Flip allowed the fire to burn longer this time satisfied that the surrounding floor was damp enough to prevent the fire spreading to far for the moment. Suddenly squealing and roaoring through the mass of green and flame charged Bella, dragging Taffy behind her. 'On them!' screamed Flip of Patsy and Cat who immediately turned their hoses on the two slighly flaming humans.

Ahem,................middle-aged,slightly frumpy, wide-bottomed & overweight!!

I told you not to tell anyone!! :bag:

Bravo Coastie - keep em coming.

Yes, do hurry up :kid:

Andrea spluttered and gasped as she re-surfaced and quickly swam towards what looked like the shore. It only took a few strokes and she felt the sharp edge of a reef across her thighs and beneath her propelling arms. Quickly she was up on her feet and running as fast as she could through the warm knee deep water. The fog was becoming more transparent with every step she took and she could make out shadows of rocks and trees before her. Suddenly she felt something wrap tightly around her ankle and drag her down. She screamed.

***********************************************

Bella explained through gasps for air that the green slugs were still advancing down the passage way beyond the door. Flip continued commanding her team of fighters to fire teir burning flames as Captain Buzz listened intently to the report of her radio operator.

Bob and Rob were helping Taffy to calm down and were trying to pick off the few slugs that had latched onto his legs and feets as Bella had pulled him through the slimey river and into the bar. Fortunately they hadn't managed to cause to much damage due to his heavy duty cordrouy trousers. Bella had had a few on her ankles but they had been swiftly dealt with by the twins, who feeling useless amidst all the excitement had leapt, or rather rolled, at the chance to help.

Buzz whispered into Flips ear as she heard the last of Bellas report. Flip counted quickly the number of spirit filled bottles they had left and realised that another plan had to be thought up soon or they all would perish.

PJ slid out from between Crit and Maz and went to one of the few port holes. He peered outside and was startled by what he saw.

Andrea wasn't sure what happened next but when her senses fired up once more she found herself laying flat on her back beneath the shade of a tall palm tree. The green fog that had once surrounded her was still visible as a thick low cloud enveloping the SOMBA within it's darkness. She could hear screaming coming from within the cloud and felt her body begin to shake uncontrollably.

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It was Mellors who had finally decided enough was enough and taking with him a blazing beer mat tied round the end of a pool cue and a bottle of Jamesons he ran for the door. His plan was simple. Cut a path through the critters with the spirit and flame and basically move as quickly as possible up and out onto the deck.

Before Capt. Buzz and her crew could stop them many of the remaining fifteen passengers were following Mellors example and before long a line of people screaming and roar through pain and fear were stre