Title: Suspicion
Chapter: 9
Author: squeezynz@free.net.nz
Universe: Land of the Giants
Rating: PG
Archive: Sure, just let me know where, please.
Spoilers: only itty bitty ones
Feedback: craved and polished..
Disclaimer: all IA's, not mine, never will be, but its fun playing
in his sand box.

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They had just finished packing up the last of the gear, stowing what was left in the Windsifter passenger compartment. The passengers and crew of the spaceship were gathered around the remains of their fire, ready to bury it and check for anything missed, when a sound, like a massive roll of thunder, could be heard getting louder and louder, rumbling towards them. Steve yelled for everyone to get in the ship, Mark helping him to cover the fire, both men giving a quick glance around the clearing to check everything was clear. Mark leapt up the steps, Steve close behind, pulling in the stairs.

Dan was in the co-pilot seat, his hand still bandaged but out of the sling for now. Everyone else was strapped in and ready. Chipper yelped in his dog basket, anxious to get moving.

" All engines ready for lift off Steve."

" Okay Dan, lets turn this baby around and bring her up to full power."

Steve released the brakes and, using the manoeuvring jets, they swung the control stick to the right, swinging the nose of the Windsifter round to face the cleared runway. They had all worked late into the night to give the ship the maximum space, now they would find out if it had been worth the effort.

" Thrusters at maximum power Steve."

They started to roll, picking up speed quickly. Steve pulled on the control column, raising the nose of the Windsifter as she bumped her way down the runway, bushes whipping past the front viewport. They cleared the ground, brushing the tops of the weeds at the end of the strip. Steve banked sharply to the left as they gained altitude. Dan was manning the radar, trying to pinpoint the source of the noise that precipitated their hasty departure.

" It's that Giant flying boat again, to the south. We didn't leave a moment too soon."

" I'm going to keep the ship low, below the ridge of hills, I don't want us popping up on any airport radar's. Plus it should muffle our own jet noise from the Giants." Steve had opened the throttle and the little liner sped away, heading North.

They kept close to the shoreline for most of the trip that day. The sun was working its way overhead, the weather staying clear and dry. Around the late afternoon, thunderheads started to gather in the western sky, the threat of a storm nudging Steve to start looking for a landing spot for the night. He didn't like the thought of flying through a Giant thunderstorm. Despite their new transport, it simply wasn't worth the risk. The cloud bank was building rapidly, shutting out the sun, before he saw a likely spot. It was another cove but this time, more rocky and less bush clad. The beach was choked with mangroves making the waves sluggish. Steve circled once to check for any signs of habitation. There was a boat house at one end of the cove so he chose a spot as far from that as possible. As he swooped closer to the ground he saw an overhang that would provide excellent shelter if they were in for a storm. He and Dan brought the ship in for a safe, if bumpy landing on a strip of silty sand scattered with shells.

As he and Dan went through the power down and landing checklist Mark appeared in the cockpit doorway.

" I think we have a problem Steve....its Marna, she's running a high temperature and appears to be in alot of pain. Betty and Valerie are doing what they can but they're not sure what we're dealing with."

" Does she remember eating anything different from us ?" Asked Dan.

" She's barely conscious, but I don't think she has, atleast Fitzhugh didn't think so, and if anyone knows it's him." Said Mark.

" Just tell Val and Betty to do their best....Mark, did you notice if Marna was getting any sort of drugs or supplements from the Giants that looked after her ?" Steve asked.

Mark shrugged. " I suppose she might have. Her food was usually in the form of vitamin enhanced food cubes, artificially flavoured and coloured from what I saw. It's possible they were feeding her other stuff in her food and water."

" See if you can get an answer from her...it could be a form of withdrawal, or maybe a reaction to those test performed on her. " Steve rubbed his chin. " Have Val or Betty shown any signs of after-effects from those test ?"

" Not that they've mentioned. They were all very tired, and Val seemed to think they basically underwent the same battery of tests. Maybe Marna was just more susceptible ." Mark sighed. " Who knows what they went through, it was a miracle they escaped with their lives."

" Your right. I guess we'll just have to wait and see. Dan, take Fitzhugh and scout that overhang. The storm won't be far away and I want to make sure we're protected from the worst. Take Barry and Chipper as well, they'll need to stretch their legs." Dan nodded and got up to follow Steve's orders. There was a brief scuffle as the two men and the teenager, clutching his dog, exited the craft. Steve completed his landing routines then went back to see how the girls were coping.

Marna was stretched out in one of the passenger seats, the back folded completely down, almost flat. Betty had placed a blanket over the sick girl while Valerie had a cloth and basin, wiping Marna's face as she tossed and turned. Betty looked up as Steve entered, giving him a worried glance.

" I don't know what we can do, Steve, she's burning up."

" Just do what you can....is she conscious at all ?"

" Only occasionally, nothing really lucid, it started about an hour ago." Offered Valerie.

" How are the two of you feeling ?" Asked Mark.

Betty looked surprised, shooting Valerie a quick glance before answering. " We're fine, I guess...are you thinking this might be because of the tests ?"

" It's possible, but if you all went though the same process, it should affect you as well, not just Marna." Mark folded his arms and looked at the deck. He didn't want to think of the possibility of all the women, especially Valerie, falling sick.

" I feel fine, no symptoms so far." Stated Valerie. Betty nodded in agreement.

Marna moaned and tried to push the blanket off, her hair wet with perspiration. Betty made soothing noises as she held Marna's hand, trying to calm her.

Steve indicated to Mark to follow him out of the cabin.

" Mark, I need to you check around the ship, make sure it completely secure, we may be heading for a storm tonight. Dan should be back soon with a report on that overhang. If it gets rough we may need to leave the ship and shelter there. Gather together some packs with emergency supplies, get Betty to help. I don't think we should move Marna until it becomes essential."

" I agree, I'll get onto it right away. What are you going to do ?" Mark asked.

" I'm going to get Dan to monitor the radio and radar, to check that we got away clear. I'm also going to make sure we don't have any uninvited visitors from that boat house I saw when we came over the bay. I'm going to take one of those new sensors we found in those crates and place it ontop of that overhang. It should give us a wide sweep, and atleast some warning if anything bigger than a mouse approaches."

The men set out on their appointed tasks, Steve passing through the cabin to reach the tool room where the sensors were stored. Valerie was in the small bathroom, getting another bowl of water and a drink for Marna. Betty was talking softly to Marna, trying to sooth the restless girl.

Steve gathered together the sensor array, collected some rope, hammer and spikes and left the Windsifter, passing Mark outside as he continued to check the hull and landing gear. Steve met Dan and Fitzhugh on their way back from the overhang, they reported that it seemed a perfect shelter, dry and deep, and would provide ample cover from the storm if it broke. Steve told Dan what he wanted him to do. Dan gave him a salute with his uninjured hand and hurried off to monitor the radio. Barry had seen an easy way to reach the top of the overhang so Steve took him and chipper along to help.

Fitzhugh followed Dan back to the ship, looking nervously up into the grey clouds looming over the coastline, getting blacker by the minute.

He passed Mark. " I hope, Mr Wilson, that the ship is ready to take off at any time...and that its waterproof...I don't want another flood, like the last time." Fitzhugh hurried on, not waiting for Mark to reply, nearly jumping the steps into the ship in his panic.

Mark opened his mouth, then closed it as Fitzhugh disappeared. He couldn't argue with Fitz, they hadn't realised how corroded the Spindrift had become until the last downpour, when a hole had caused major flooding where their luggage was stored, almost creating a disaster. Fortunately they had discovered the leak before all their clothes and belongings were ruined, but it had just served to point out how unspaceworthy their old ship now was, and how unfit it was for re-launching if it ever happened. Mark, of course, had realised the full implications of the leak. If the rain had got through to the cabin closet, it certainly would have got through the outer hull, and into the wiring and systems in the walls. Causing more corrosion and eventually destroying what they were trying so hard to repair.

Steve and Barry reached the top of the bluff, looking out above where the Windsifter rested. From here the figures of Mark and Valerie looked like ants moving around a giant bug. Steve crouched down, hammering in the guy ropes to hold the sensor in place. Barry was throwing a seed pod for Chipper to chase, the area around them mostly bare ground, with only the occasional giant butterfly or distant bird to intrude on the peace. The gathering storm clouds loomed overhead. The wind started to pick up, whipping the bushes back and forth and straining the guy wires as Steve finished his setting up of the sensor.

They hurried back down the path, skidding on the gravel as the first patters of rain chased them back to the ship.

Chipper ran on ahead, barking, reaching the stair's first. Barry quickly followed and Steve close behind. Mark and Valerie had already gone inside so Steve shut the hatch as the rain drops became a deluge, drumming on the hull.

Steve put his head into the cockpit and could see Dan still scanning the radio frequencies, Mark had retreated to the engine room, on the pretext of checking their status. Steve looked into the cabin to see Fitzhugh hovering around Betty and Marna. Barry had settled into a seat with Chipper beside him, reading the previous Captains Log for the Windsifter. Steve went over to Valerie who was setting out something for them all to eat from the small commissary. " How's Marna doing ?" He asked.

Valerie glanced over her shoulder at Marna, then looked up at Steve. "She seems to have stabilised, as far as we can tell, which isn't a heck of alot. Betty managed to get some water into her an hour ago and Marna appears to have settled into a sleep." Val ducked her head, concentrating on the setting of the plates and cutlery. Steve tried to see her head by bending down.

" What's the matter, what are you hiding ?"

" Steve...I...maybe Betty should be the one to tell you, she heard what Marna said afterall." Valerie kept her voice low.

" Hey, what's the mystery...?" Steve spread his hands in bewilderment, Valerie wasn't usually so reticent.

" It's something Marna said when her temperature was at it's worst. She started to mumble all sorts of stuff, most of it not worth repeating, but then she sort of snapped out of her coma and grabbed at Betty. She started talking about the Giants that built that compound and house for her. Steve I think Marna is a spy for the Giants ." Valerie finished in a rush, biting her lip waiting for Steve's reaction.

" What are you saying ?" Steve grabbed Valerie's arm to get her to look at him. Valerie pulled her arm away just as Mark came out of the engine room. The tousle brought a frown to Marks face as he quickly came over to where Steve and Valerie stood.

" Would someone tell me what the hell's going on ." Mark hissed, glaring at Steve as Valerie rubbed her arm.

" Valerie thinks Marna's a spy for the Giants ." answered Steve, putting his hands on his hips and turning towards where Betty watched over the now unconscious Marna.

" Val what makes you say that ?" Asked Mark. Valerie looked back and forth between the two men, then she folded her arms and repeated what she had told Steve.

" You can't believe what you hear when someone's in a fever." Mark pointed out. Steve swung round to face him. " And what if its true, what are we going to do about it if she really is a spy for the Giants ?" Said Steve.

" Well we can't do anything 'til she's well enough to question." Mark stated.

" Your right, I thinks that's our only option at this stage, Valerie keep this under your hat, I don't want to prejudice Marna if this is all the ranting of a feverish woman." Steve looked to Valerie for her compliance. After a second Valerie nodded and turned back to see to their meal.

Mark followed Steve into the entrance corridor, then grabbed his shoulder and swung him round. Steve nearly stumbled in surprise at Mark's manoeuvre.

" Don't do that again Steve."

" What's the matter with you, do what ?" Steve pushed Marks hand off his shoulder, the two men standing toe to toe in the confined space.

" Don't manhandle Valerie again."

" Are you crazy, I didn't touch her...and if I did, that's between Val and me, she's not your property Mark." Steve was starting to get angry.

Mark positively bristled at Steve's comments, his fists bunching at his side. " Don't touch her again, that's your only warning ." Mark ground out. Steve put up his hands in surrender, backing into the cockpit away from Mark's obvious anger. This was neither the time nor the place for a brawl. Dan looked up as Steve entered, looking at his and Mark's set faces, wondering what had brought on this episode of testosterone stand off. Mark gave Steve one more glare then swung around and went back into the passenger cabin, closing the door behind him.

Steve flopped into his chair, letting out a big whoosh of pent up breath, giving Dan an amused smile as his friend gave him a questioning look.

" Don't ask Dan...I just wish those two would get on with getting on and give Mark an outlet for his pent up feelings. I don't fancy being in the way of Mark's frustration anytime soon, but he sure is pushing it ."

Dan smirked, thinking of the times Steve and Mark had gone at it hammer and tong, bare fisted and bloody in the early days. Betty had patched more injuries from their fights for supremacy than any caused by the giants. Now Mark's relationship with Valerie was unwittingly causing more conflict.

" Why don't you speak to Valerie about it...maybe it would just take a word from you and they'll decide to make whatever it is they have, a permanent fixture." Dan offered.

Steve appeared to consider what Dan said. " I think its more than just making it official. Valerie already wears Marks ring, I think they might be worried about the obvious consequences to their consummating their relationship, namely children."

" Aaaah, you may be right Steve. Not something I would want to have to worry about. We have quite enough just keeping alive."

Steve nodded in agreement, then decided to dismiss Mark and Valerie's problems for the time being. " Anything to report on the radio Dan ?"

" There was a bit of chatter, nothing specific, and nothing that indicated we were suspected as having anything to do with an explosion."

Just as Dan finished talking there was a loud bang as something hit the front view port. It had become progressively darker as they had sat in the cockpit. Steve had left the shields down, wanting to see how soon the storm passed. Sheets of water had been cascading down the windows, obscuring what was happening outside. Whatever had caused the bang had also scratched the outside of the viewport on Dan's side.

" I'm going to close up shop, don't want to run the risk of any further damage. " Steve toggled the switch and the shields closed smoothly. Just in time as a loud *bong* announced another missile hitting the ship. " Sounds like its getting pretty wild out there, Steve." Said Dan. He swivelled round and looked at the radar, checking the sensor placed on the outcrop above them. It was showing readings that indicated objects flying all around them. It was only the overhang that was protecting them from a severe battering from debris.

" It looks like a full blown tropical cyclone." Observed Steve. A gust of wind shook the Windsifter, making it sway and shudder under the impact. The door behind them opened and Barry entered, looking concerned but not scared.

" Mr.Wilson wondered if everything was allright ?" The boy asked.

Steve had to smile, Mark wasn't going to be talking directly to Steve for a while, certainly not until things had cooled off.

" We're fine Barry, just the wind knocking us around abit..." Dan smiled reassuringly at the worried boy. Barry returned the smile and turned to go back when the ship rocked violently to one side, at the same time a loud noise, like a freight train whistle, screamed outside.

" What the hell ?" Steve yelled. Dan had grabbed Barry to stop him being thrown to the floor. The door to the passenger compartment flew open and Mark staggered out as the ship continued to lurch to one side as if a Giant hand was rocking the ship.

" What's happening outside, can you tell through the view port ?"

" We just shut the windows to protect the glass from flying debris." Replied Steve.

" Well open them again. We need to see what's happening out there." Mark shouted over the noise outside.

Steve activated the switch and the shutters lowered revealing a scene of devastation. They all stared as debris made of twigs, leaves and dirt swirled madly around them in a vortex. The ship continued to shudder and shake as the swirling mass buffeted and pushed against the hull.

" It must be a mini tornado." Steve explained.

The rain was still cascading down the window and Dan was concerned where all that water was going.

" Can you see the ground from your station Steve ?" Dan had tried to lean over the control panel himself but his damaged hand made it awkward. Steve leaned over and managed to wipe a small circle of condensation off the inside to see the ground directly under the ship.

" The water appears to be all running away from us, there's no great puddle if that's what's worrying you." Steve told him.

Mark was watching the radar, trying to determine a weather pattern by adjusting the scanners' parameters. He had a fair facsimile of a weather pattern on the screen and the news didn't look good.

" We're in a bit of trouble here Steve." Mark pointed to the screen. "This swirling mass, nearly right ontop of us, is a hurricane. It appears to have been created faster than on Earth, maybe because of different wind patterns, I don't know, but it could mean disaster if we get caught up in it." A blinding flash illuminated the cabin like a black and white negative, making everyone cover their eye's in a reflex move. The following boom of the thunder made all their body cavities quake from the sound wave. The ship shuddered anew as the wind continued to assault the tiny craft.

Steve came over to where Mark stood, watching the swirls and shifting patterns of the hurricane as it swept along their bit of coastline. It was still a little way away, but if the current situation was any indication, they were in for a very rough ride indeed.

" Any suggestions on what we can do to help us survive this in once piece ?" Steve looked at both Mark and Dan, hoping one or the other would get a bright idea.

" We may need to consider evacuating to the overhang afterall." Said Mark.

" What about tying the ship down, like they do when airports are threatened by tornadoes." Dan suggested.

" Do we have anything that would be strong enough to do the job ?" Steve asked.

" We have that coil of wire cabling that we picked up ages ago and never got to use on the Spindrift. There should be enough to go right over the ship atleast once. We could use the metal rods I was going to melt down for tools, as stakes to hold it down, like guy ropes on a tent." Offered Mark.

Steve considered their ideas. " We don't have much time, the cable sounds like our best bet. Get the gear together, I'll check conditions outside, we may have to use tethers attached to the inside of the ship to avoid any of us getting blown away."

" We have some of that horse hair rope left, it's lightweight but strong, that should be sufficient. I'll get on it right away." Mark nodded to Steve and Dan and turned to go back into the passenger compartment. He looked over his shoulder and indicated to Dan to follow. Dan looked over at Steve who nodded his approval. " Go with him Dan, we may need to get Fitzhugh or one of the girls to help as well." Dan looked down at his injured hand, cursing to himself at how useless it made him.

Steve took pity on his agonised look and patted Dan on his good shoulder.

" Don't sweat it Dan, you can run things here in the ship. I need to know your here in case we get into difficulties out there." Dan gave Steve a small smile to acknowledge his support, then turned to follow Mark.

Steve took one more look outside the viewport before he shut the shields again. The wind appeared to have slackened a smidgen, as the debris was no longer swirling madly around the ship. " Let's hope it calms down abit" Steve thought.

Their preparations were accomplished in record time. Valerie had volunteered to help outside. Steve had looked to Fitzhugh but the older man flatly refused to have anything to do with their foolhardy idea. Steve suspected it had more to do with the mans fear of thunder storms. Mark had rigged three harnesses from the horsehair ropes. He fitted one on Steve and Valerie then himself. The lines attached to the harnesses would provide enough length to do their work unhindered outside. They gathered the rest of the tools and equipment, Steve and Mark carrying the coil of wire between them while Valerie held the steel rods together.

Fitzhugh, Betty and Barry had the job of keeping the tethers secured in sight the ship in the event of anyone needing pulling to safety.

Everyone, with the exception of Marna, squeezed into the entranceway. Steve thumbed the hatchway and it slid open smoothly, instantly letting in a howling gale carrying dust and leaves. Mark was the first to go out, pushing the coil of wire in front of him. He turned and reached back for Valerie's hand to guide her. Visibility was low as they tried to shield their faces from the onslaught of wind and rain. Steve jumped out after Valerie and they quickly turned their backs to the weather to survey the ship. The hull was peppered with leaves stuck on with the rain. Against the windside was a pile of debris, mostly leaves and sticks, some sea shells and seaweed. The noise was overwhelming. The maelstrom whipped their clothes about, buffeting them almost off their feet. Mark came close to Valerie and cupped his hand to speak directly into her ear. " You need to get to the other side with one of the stakes, Steve and I will attempt to throw the first rope over the ship from here. It'll have a weighted end so don't get in its way when it flies over." Valerie nodded that she had heard and set off round the front of the Windsifter, feeling her way along the hull to help keep herself upright. Steve waited until she had disappeared from sight then, together with Mark they laid out the cable, tying two grapnels to the end of another horsehair rope, helping to weight it, like a bolero. They were going to get the lighter rope over first then tie the cable to the rope and haul it over from the other side. Steve swung the grapnels a couple of times to gauge the weight then heaved it as high as possible. It didn't work first time but eventually the grapnels disappeared from view. Steve immediately ran off to join Valerie on the other side. Meanwhile Mark tied the free end to the cable, ready to start feeding it over the ship once Steve and Valerie took the slack.

Steve reached the other side to find Valerie standing in the lee of the ship clutching the horsehair rope, her teeth chattering with the cold.

" Hang in there Val,...we just need to pull the cable over, Mark will join us once it clears the ground." Steve shouted to be heard over the roar of the storm. Valerie just nodded and together with Steve got a good grip on the rope and started to pull, bracing their feet on the muddy ground.

They hadn't been pulling long when Mark joined them and stood behind Steve, adding his weight to the pull. They didn't have long to weight before the end of the cable came into view, sliding over the slick hull like a snake. Valerie wrapped her arms around it once it had been pulled far enough to prevent it slithering back over the ship. Mark and Steve got the metal stake and drove it into the ground with a sledgehammer that Mark had made only that previous month. The hollow rings of the blows competing with the whistling shriek of the wind as it whipped the bushes into a frenzy. Once the stake was deep enough Mark and Steve hauled the end of the cable over and started to weave the exposed wire ends around the stake. The wire's were thin enough for the men to bend with relative ease creating a knot that the wind couldn't undo. Mark had already bent the end of the metal stake over to form a hook so now the cable was secure. They stood for a moment in the relative calm of the lee side of the Windsifter, catching their breaths before tackling the other end of the cable. Steve signalled to Mark and Valerie it was time to move and together they worked their way around to the front, nearly getting knocked over when the full force of the wind hit them as they rounded the front of the ship. Valerie needed Marks help to get back to the main hatchway, the wind was so fierce.

The cable on this side was going to stand out further from the ship than on the lee-side, so the men dragged the remaining cable away from the wind side, leaning into the strengthening wind. Valerie clutched the metal spike waiting for Mark's signal to bring it over with the sledgehammer.

Mark finally waved to Valerie so she picked up the tools and slogged her way through the mud to where the two men stood, breathing heavily while the rain bucketed down on them all. They completed the same process as before with the stake and cable and finally they could turn back to the ship. Mark linked arms with Valerie to help keep her upright as the wind gained in velocity. They had nearly reached the hatchway when the harnesses Mark had made paid off. A particularly strong swirl of wind literally picked Steve off his feet and hurled him into the air, mud and water swirling round him. Mark and Valerie had been knocked of their feet by the force of the mini twister. Valerie scraped the mud off her face and gaped in disbelief as Steve appeared to fly about six feet off the ground. Mark made a grab for the tether, pulling with all his strength, Valerie adding her weight as well. Steve appeared suspended for a second then the wind lost its grip and he fell to earth with a splat, narrowly missing the cable. Mark pushed Valerie to the steps and got her inside, then turned and slogged his way over to where Steve lay inert. He dropped to his knees beside him, reaching over to turn Steve onto his back. Steve's eyes were closed, so Mark hooked his arms under Steve's armpits and started to drag him towards the ship, his feet slipping in the mire. He hadn't gone far when Fitzhugh appeared next to him, taking Steve feet. The two men carried Steve back to the ship and collapsed inside the entrance. Mark, soaking wet and gasping lay on his side next to Steve, trying to catch his breath. Valerie sat not too far away, covered in mud and shivering. Fitzhugh was relatively clean but his clothes were plastered to his body from the rain. Steve just lay there unconscious, Betty checked his pulse and sighed with relief, reporting it strong and steady.

" He may have been knocked out by the debris in the twister." Mark ventured. He was a covered with mud as Valerie, water running in rivulets from his hair and clothes.

" We'd better get you all out of those clothes and dry. We don't need you to catch your death." Fitzhugh clapped his hand over his mouth at the unfortunate choice of words, but Betty agreed with him and helped Valerie to her feet and into the cabin to get her cleaned up and changed. Dan had got a capsule of smelling salts from the first aid box, breaking it and waving it under Steve's nose to bring him round. At first it didn't seem to work, then with a jerk Steve coughed and batted Dan's hand away, pulling himself upright and sitting against the wall opposite Mark.

" Urrrgh what hit me....?" Steve put his hand to his head, feeling for bumps and abrasions.

" A twister...lucky you had the tether, you could have gone alot higher if I hadn't pulled you down." Mark explained.

" It felt like I was in a washing machine." Steve grimaced as he shook his head, trying to clear the dizziness.

" Lets hope the cable holds, I wouldn't like to be caught up in one of those while inside the ship." Mark added. He helped Steve to get to his feet and together the two men went into the cabin, trailing mud and water behind them. They found Valerie huddled in a blanket, most of the mud washed off her face and hair. She smiled when she saw the two men.

" You really should clean yourself up after mud wrestling, you look a sight." Mark and Steve grinned back at her, after looking at each others' mud splattered appearance. Betty clucked around them, ushering them to the back and the small bathroom where a change of clothes and towels were laid out for them.

Half an hour later everyone was dry and clean, clutching hot mugs of tea or coffee, listening to the storm rage outside the ship. The occasional lurch rocking the passengers as the wind tried to find a way in. The radar had shown the storm veering away to the east, away from their coastline. The cable appeared to be holding, keeping the worst of the buffeting from rocking the ship too violently. Marna appeared to have passed her crisis and slept peacefully as the rest of the company found corners to settle down in for the night. Dan offered to take first watch in the cockpit, keeping an eye on the radar and sensor arrays. Betty and Barry opted to stretch out in their chairs, while Valerie and Mark made a bed on the floor near the hull. Steve also decided to camp on the floor, Fitzhugh complained but decided to curl up on a pile of his clothes for a mattress, next to Marna's chair in case she awoke and needed something.

Sleep claimed the exhausted traveller quickly, only Dan remaining to watch the progress of the storm through the first part of the night before Barry took over, listening to the whistle of the wind and seeing the flashes of lightning grow weaker as the storm moved away. Eventually even the wind died away towards dawn as Fizhugh took over from Barry for the last shift.