The Ghosts of the Maria Doria (The Tatyana Paranormal Series) by Scott M. Baker

Author:Scott M. Baker [Baker, Scott M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, horror
Publisher: Schattenseite
Published: 2022-08-18T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Although he maintained his professionalism, a look of concern washed across Fletcher’s face. “Are you certain about that?”

“Yes, sir.”

Giselle looked out over the bow of the cruise liner. “Then why are we turning?”

“I’m not doing that, ma’am. The ship has set its own course fifteen degrees to starboard. The same heading as before.” She tried to turn the wheel and resume course, but it would not budge. Angelina looked up at Fletcher. “The rudder won’t respond.”

“Which is exactly what happened on our first voyage.” Fletcher moved in front of Campbell. “What type of ship is to our port?”

Campbell checked the radar. “It’s the Amyntas, a ULCC tanker.”

“Captain,” began Angelina. “We were passing a tanker last time when the ship refused to respond and changed course on its own.”

The crew focused on the fire indicator light, expecting it to glow. It did not. Fletcher toggled the security cameras until he located the one in the staff mess. Nothing went on in the area.

Giselle raced over to Tatyana. “Do you sense anything?”

“Let me check.” Tatyana closed her eyes and cleared her mind of all thoughts, concentrating on any spectral presence. The dull background hum she detected earlier remained, only now slightly more intense.

“I don’t feel any significant change in the ship’s aura,” offered Nick, who stood a few feet behind her.

Tatyana opened her eyes. “I’m not getting anything.”

The captain joined them. “If it was a ghost taking control of the ship, would you detect it?”

“I should be able to.”

“That settles it,” said Fletcher. “We’re looking at an internal malfunction.”

Tatyana forced a smile. “Sorry.”

“No need to apologize, ma’am. You just confirmed that the problem is mechanical, not spiritual.”

“Should I stop the ship?” asked Angelina.

“Not yet. Decrease speed to twelve knots. And send out a message that we’ve lost control of the vessel.”

“Decreasing speed to twelve knots.”

Fletcher picked up the phone and dialed the engine room. “Engineering, this is the captain. We’ve lost control of the ship again.”

“Damn it,” replied Sprague. “I was hoping the other time had been a fluke.”

“It doesn’t look like it. What’s your status?”

Fletcher heard Sprague cover the phone with his hand and yell something to one of the other crew members. A moment later, the chief of engineering came back on.

“Like last time, we have no indications anything is wrong with the rudder. Do you want me to try and set course manually?”

“Please. Reset course to bearing 152.”

Fletcher waited a few minutes for Sprague to come back on. “Not surprising, the rudder isn’t responding. I’ll have my men check on it.”

“Keep me posted.” Fletcher hung up the phone and turned to Angelina. “We’ll maintain a speed of twelve knots until we either fix the rudder or—”

Nostradamus jumped up from the deck and whined. His ears folded back against his head and his tail wrapped underneath his body. Suddenly, the dog moved closer to Tatyana and howled.

As he did, the fire indicator light glowed red.

“Captain,” said Angelina. “We have indications of a fire.”

“Let me guess. The staff mess.”

“Yes, sir.”

Fletcher stepped over to the console and checked the video feed of the staff mess.

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