fbiblond (fbiblond) wrote in oblivionrp, @ 2009-04-21 09:38:00 |
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Sean got some answers, eventually, through intimidation, and some old fashioned bullying. Not very diplomatic or nice of him, but he’d had enough.
He’d simply gone through a few doors labeled ‘Crew Only’. He found himself in a stark white corridor considerably narrower than the main halls. A set of stairs led down to another area full of pipes. Water and electrical conduits by the markings. Damnit, it smelled of lilacs down here. Maybe it was a cleaning product. At least here it was faint.
“Hey, you’re not allowed down here.” A kid barely old enough to have five o’clock shadow moved quickly, towards him.
“Actually, I’m allowed anywhere.” Sean showed his badge and spoke with absolute authority. Authority he didn’t have on sea, and on land he’d need a warrant to conduct a search. But it was time to bastard up.
The young man paled a little and looked up at him, his grey eyes wary. “Um, sorry sir. We’ve been told you’ve been asking a lot of questions, and you need to talk to the… Purser.” Sean could see the kid was almost quaking in his shoes.
“Last time I was told to talk to the Cruise Director who was always conveniently unavailable. We have missing passengers who are American citizens. The gloves are off,” He looked at the kid’s name tag, Thomas, “Tommy. We both know there’s gonna be an full scale investigation once we get to port, and I’m starting to take names of everyone obstructing now. You wanna be one one of those hauled into an interrogation room, or facing charges?” Sean’s voice was pitched low and held menace.
Tommy boy went white. “Look, I’m under orders…”
“Just following orders is an old excuse that never holds up, kid. It doesn’t cover your ass. Especially if it’s clear you know the orders are questionable.” Sean made sure he was placed so he almost filled the corridor so there was no moving past him. He was too big for the skinny kid to move, which only left him retreat, a bad psychological position.
“The Captain is a good man, sir. His orders are best for everyone.” The kid had a bit of courage. Sean might even admire it under other circumstances.
“We’re up to fifteen people missing. That’s hardly best, is it? Things are not under control as much as you people try to project and it’s becoming more and more clear as the crew are visibly frightened. You’re scared shitless, son. You have guts, so it’s gotta be considerable.” Sean used the face saving technique. “You can’t be expected to handle it on your own” play the card he’d gleaned, have him confirm guesswork, “especially shorthanded.”
Tommy’s adam’s apple bobbed and he closed his eyes. “Most of the medical staff is missing and quite a few security.” His voice was quiet making it a secret shared. A guilty secret. “Nina… the Cruise Director… she’s missing, too. There are more missing passengers. We’ve looked everywhere, sir. Including the fuel tanks, septic system and water tanks. Anywhere possible someone could,” he gulped again, “stash a body. They aren’t on the ship.”
Good God, it was worse than he’d suspected. “I’m sorry, son. I’m sure you knew some of the missing. Did they seem upset? Depressed?”
“No, sir. The two guys I knew… know… they weren’t suicidal or anythin’. Look, I gotta go, and you have to get out of here.” Retreat or not, the kid scampered away, back the way he’d come.
Sean ran a hand over his face. What the hell was going on?