psychic crystal 03 - killer cruise Read Online Free Page B

cruise, when we were in France, we had a medical emergency and had to medevac a passenger from the eighteenth deck. The chopper hovered around the ship, landed up here on the top deck, and then the crew rappelled down the side of the ship to get to the passenger and bring him back up to go on the helicopter to the nearest hospital, which was on Corsica.”
    “What if there was an emergency that required you to evacuate the ship?” Kate inquired.
    “We have twenty lifeboats—twelve hold 293 people each, and eight tender boats hold 267 people each, for a total of 5,652 people,” noted the captain. “Then we have two rescue boats, and two chute stations with nineteen life rafts, in total. Each life raft holds 158 people, so that’s a total of 3,002 people. We have 13,266 life jackets. Our maximum combined lifeboat and life raft capacity is 8,654 people.
    “We have six engines and can go a maximum speed of twenty-four knots,” he said, speaking from around the chart table and showing the electronic chart display indicator systems.
    “How deep is it here?” asked Juliette.
    “Fifty meters, in the shallow depth, to 2,000 meters down,” the captain answered. “There are two officers on watch at all times in the cockpit during navigation, the first officer and the second officer. They use binoculars and report to the officers of the ship. There’s a lookout, an experienced seaman.
    “Truthfully, the ship steers on autopilot—just follow the red line—but if the traffic or weather dictates, we can alter our course. We follow the traffic. Our bridge and Web camera shows a twenty-four-hour front view of the ship’s bow. Our maneuvering panel, located on the center of the bridge, controls the operations of the main engines and bow thrusters. This allows me to look down the sides of the ship as we pull into and away from a pier. We’re equipped with the most sophisticated telecommunications system available and a Navtex system that receives navigational warnings and weather forecasts.”
    The captain took his seat at the console in the captain’s chair. “First Officer Gonzalez will take you back on deck. I know this is a lot to absorb, but for now, just familiarize yourselves with the ship, relax, and we’ll have another meeting at dinner to go over the plan.”
    “I’ve never been on a cruise before,” said Juliette. “Well, I came over from Europe on a ship, but it was nothing like this, not a fancy cruise ship. This ship is huge.”
    “It’s made of seventy-seven million pounds of steel,” Alonzo pointed out. “Our electrical cables would cover 1,740 miles. We have the biggest outdoor TV screen at sea—323 inches; the longest waterslides at sea; and the largest crystal LED chandelier ever designed. There are sixteen passenger elevators and fourteen service elevators for the crew.
    “The ship’s registry is in Nassau, Bahamas,” he added, “and we have nineteen guest decks. And now, unfortunately, I must leave my most beautiful guest.” He kissed Juliette’s hand again, ignored Will, and inclined his head to Jack and Kate. “I hope you enjoy your cruise.” He turned to Juliette. “And I hope I have the pleasure of your company again during our sailing. Perhaps at dinner at the captain’s table?”
    Juliette blushed. “I would like that.”

Chapter Four
    Juliette walked onto the balcony of her cabin and stared mindlessly out at the ocean. A large black crow settled on the railing, perching in front of her, bringing her back to reality. The crow hopped up and down. Juliette extended her hand, and the crow lighted on her arm.
    Will followed her out onto the balcony and drew back when he saw her with the crow.
    “Holy cow, Juliette,” he shouted. “Is that a hawk?”
    Juliette laughed. “No, it’s a crow. He’s been following us since the ship set sail.”
    “Isn’t that bad luck or something? My mama had the sixth sense, and she always used to say, ‘Where the crow flies, bad luck