Stranded Read Online Free Page A

M.D.?”
    â€œWilliam, come on! The guy is hurt bad. It doesn’t take a doctor to—”
    â€œI don’t have time for this shit, Noah. I think you can see we’re in the soup here. I need to focus.”
    â€œYou do need to focus. You need to focus on the well-being of the crew. Felix needs a helicopter ride out of here.”
    Brewster turned in his chair and pointed a shaky finger at the communication center. Noah couldn’t tell if it was fatigue or caffeine that had the Old Man trembling, but whatever it was, he was glad it didn’t take a steady hand to steer. “Knock yourself out. Radio plants are all dead. Sat phone isn’t working, either. If you can hail anyone, order a fuckin’ pizza and a taxi out of here.”
    â€œCommunication is out? Was that the stack that caught fire?”
    â€œNo. According to Nevins, it was a propulsion system. Whatever it was, there’s a redundant system for both. I don’t know why communication is disabled, but it is. I can only assume it has something to do with this.” He jutted his chin toward the window, indicating the fog. “This shit rolled in as soon as the storm calmed down. Never seen anything like it.” He turned his head, half-looking at Noah. “Even if I could call in a helo for Pereira, they couldn’t find us in this. Best bet is to get him to the platform as fast as we can. At this point, it’s closer than land.”
    â€œHow can you tell?” Noah leaned closer to a window, struggling to see through the haze and the ambient glow behind it. The fog trailed in wisps over the forward end of the ship, making it hard to see even to the end of the prow.
    â€œI know where we were when the storm started.”
    â€œYou mean you don’t know where we are now?”
    Brewster stood. He shoved a gnarled finger in Noah’s chest and pushed. Although Noah tried to stand his ground, the pain in his sternum forced him back. A lifetime of hard work had left William Brewster a hard man both in body and mind. He didn’t like being challenged or second guessed. And he especially didn’t like his son-in-law. Of all the daughters’ fathers who’d threatened him with violence if he didn’t treat their “little girls” right, Brewster was the only one whose threats had seemed credible. The man did not crack wise and he didn’t say things he didn’t mean. If he threatened violence, it was on the horizon, if it hadn’t already arrived.
    â€œI have a bearing,” Brewster said. “And I know what our speed has been since I had us positioned by satellite. I know where we are. You, on the other hand, wouldn’t know your ass from your elbow if I grabbed one to help you have a seat on the other. Again, is there a reason you’re up here?”
    â€œNo. Just Felix. That’s all.”
    â€œThat is all. You’re relieved. Report to your cabin. You’re restricted to quarters and the mess room. I don’t want to see you again until we reach the Niflheim. Once we’re there, you can fly home with your pal and I never want to see you again. Period.”
    â€œYou’re firing me? After I saved the ship?”
    Brewster snorted with derision. “I’m firing you for disobeying orders. The bosun put you on the ice. You weren’t supposed to be anywhere near the deck or any of those shipping containers. And you sure as shit weren’t supposed to be in the instrument room.”
    â€œIt’s a good thing I was.”
    Brewster’s face clouded over. His white brows knitted over cornflower blue eyes and the muscles on the sides of his face flexed as he gritted his teeth. Noah tensed, awaiting the swing of a fist. If he could stand the first one, he might be able to hit back. If he could stand the first one.
    â€œYou don’t belong on this boat, Cabot.”
    â€œYou’re the one who approved my