Jess walked into the bridge, coffee mug in hand, to find Tony, Mike, and Theresa seated in front of the big monitor “whale watching” at twenty thousand feet. The songs had continued for almost thirty minutes as the pod circled their fallen comrade closely. Jess had a heavy sweatshirt on, her hair still damp from the long shower. Tony smiled when he saw her and stood up. He walked over and gave her a hug, not caring if Mike or Theresa saw.
“Hey, how are you holding up?” he asked softly.
She hugged him back, also oblivious to Mike and Theresa. “Rough couple of days. I was contemplating staying in the shower for the rest of the year.”
“What changed your mind?” he asked with a little smile as he pulled her closer.
“I needed hot coffee.” They broke their embrace, and she took the seat next to Tony. “I’ve been listening to that for fifteen minutes—it’s haunting,” she said.
Theresa turned and offered a smile. “Mike thinks they’re mourning their friend over there. I think he’s right.”
“Like I wasn’t depressed enough,” answered Jess. “How long will they keep that up?”
Mike swiveled in his chair. “Not much longer. They’ll need to surface. It’s a long way to the top. This is deep even for them. Honestly, I had no idea they could dive this deep or stay this long. I think the colder water slows their metabolism and gives them more bottom time.”
Theresa watched the screen. “If they don’t surface soon, they’re all gonna be whale carcasses.”
Tony leaned closer to Jess. “Don’t get me wrong—I’m happy as hell to see you, but I thought you had quarantined yourself?”
“Ted was in and out of the sickbay and he took Jim down to the lab. He didn’t follow any protocols. If Jim is infectious, than this whole ship is dead.”
Tony’s face fell.
“Yup. Simple as that. Either we’re all gonna be fine, or we’re all gonna die, but Ted just carted Jim through the ship with zero protection. Fucking idiot.” She spat the last comment out like it tasted badly.
Tony whispered, “How do you feel?”
“Fine, actually. I’ll probably be dead in an hour.” She forced a smile.
Tony leaned in closer. “I’m available later on,” he whispered.
“Jeeeezuz! Get a room, would ya?” groaned Mike with a big smile.
“We were just discussing that,” said Tony, which got him a punch on the arm from Jess. “You wish!” she snorted, trying to keep up appearances.
“They’re leaving,” interrupted Theresa.
And just like that, the largest creatures in the ocean disappeared with a push from their giant flukes. It was miraculous how animals that large could glide seemingly effortlessly through the water at such speeds.
“That was cool,” said Mike.
“Is that your scientific opinion, Doc?” asked Theresa sarcastically.
For the first time in what seemed like a long while, the mood was enjoyable on the bridge. It wasn’t lost on anyone that Ted wasn’t present.