Roy gripped the helm, uneasily glancing at the half-open cockpit door. The old Captain had rushed out to reason with his compatriots some time ago and still hadn't returned.
Why is it taking so long? Could a conflict have broken out?
At a table behind him, the equally white-haired first mate and Second Officer were whispering to each other, creating a strange atmosphere in the cockpit.
BANG! With a heavy thud, the door was abruptly shoved open from the outside. The Captain of the Narwhal, Roger, stormed in, visibly furious.
"Old pal, how did the negotiation go? Did you convince those amateurs to turn the AIS back on?" the first mate asked.
"Does this look like the face of someone who succeeded? Hmph! Those idiots claim it's their rule and it must be obeyed—they're completely insane!
"I've been sailing for decades and I've never heard of such a demand. If I had known these guys would pull something like this, I wouldn't have agreed, not even for ten times the pay!"
