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Professor Jacobs awoke on a cot.
He saw a low ceiling with gray pipes snaking above him and entering a wall. The smell of oil and grease was once again pungent. He turned his head and saw Della sitting on a chair.
"Professor, how are you feeling?" she asked.
"My head is pounding."
Della said, "I think you have been drugged."
"No," he said, "I just can’t hold my liquor."
The elf looked at him with sadness. "Professor, if you think so."
"Where are Erlick and the soldiers?"
"They are on board. They moved their supplies onto the ship."
"I don't think I have everything I need," Daniel said. He looked around and saw a sack of his clothes and other stuff next to his cot. His hand crept up to his chest and felt Merlin's Amulet still attached to the chain. It felt warm to his touch.
"They brought everything from our room. Even your manuscript," Della said.
The room they were in was small. It was only furnished with two cots, side by side, a small closet, one chair, and a small kitchen. Metal pipes ran up and down from floor to the ceiling.
Jacobs heard a humming noise. "Good. How long was I asleep?"
"One Earth day," she said. "I was worried about you. You were murmuring something about graduation day."
He hadn't thought about that for several years. "It's nothing."
Della grabbed his hand. "You can tell me anything. I thought we’d grown closer since I have become your protector."
"I don't want to talk about that yet. It’s nothing."
"Who is Rose?"
Professor Jacobs’ heart seemed to fall out of his chest. "Nobody."
A loud knock clanged on the metal round door.
"Come in," he said.
The door creaked open. Erlick's head popped around the door. "Oh, you're awake. Are you feeling oaky, Professor?"
"Just a small headache."
"Captain Jostler wanted to know if you’d like to join him on the bridge. He’s about to cast off."
He was about to say no, when Della spoke up. "Can we go up to the bridge? I always like watching ships fly off. I was always on deck when Captain Grendel flew into space. Please?"
Her eyes were so earnest Jacobs couldn't say no. "Okayay, let's go. But I need some water first."
"I brought you something," Erlick said. He took out of his pocket a small capsule. It was an aspirin. Della found a cup and filled it with water from the small sink’s faucet. He grabbed the capsule and drank the cool water. His throat hurt as if he hadn't drank anything for a long time.
He went to the closet and quickly dressed and placed his boots on. "Okayay, lead the way," he said.
They were guided along a narrow corridor. Lights glowed from the ceiling. It was a tight fit, and he was glad he wasn’t claustrophobic. At the end of the hallway was some stairs that led to an open doorway.
They entered the cockpit. It was not as nice as the Illuminati Ship. There were several chairs in front a few instruments and dials. Men and woman manned the controls, and Captain Jostler stood directing his crew.
Daniel noticed an elf stood next to the Captain. She looked at him and then at Della. Her eyes seemed dead, and her black hair was cut short as opposed to Della's long brown hair. They seem the opposite sides of a coin. He also sensed something emanating from this elf, some malevolence, or an evil force, though it was subtle.
Captain Jostler noticed him. "Ah, Professor, I'm glad you're awake. I will make sure you don't drink any rum on this journey. Are you ready?"
"Yes."
"This person next to me is Janelle. She is an elf, like your friend Della. I wondered if they knew each other. She is also from the Hive."
Della nodded to Janelle. She nodded back.
"Okayay, crew. Take us out."
The ship's engine grew louder. At the front of the cockpit was a wide screen that depicted a large square opening with a view of the huge crater. The ship lifted in a smooth motion and slid forward.
"Professor, we will head toward the Bermuda Triangle, and then you will direct us to the correct place."
Professor Jacobs nodded. He knew Merlin's Amulet would show him the way. But he didn't want to show Captain Jostler the jewelry. He knew why, but he didn't voice it. The professor didn't trust the Captain. He was a pirate. He hoped Erlick and his men could protect them. He also wanted to know about Janelle. There must be a story there.
"How long will it take to get there?" asked Erlick.
"Not long. But our sensors are showing a large magical storm is brewing close to Old Florida and might breach the Triangle. So, we might have to orbit the around the coast. What do you think, Professor?"
Jacobs said, "Whatever you think, Captain. This is your ship."
"Please sit," Captain Jostler said.
They sat at the furthest corners of the cockpit, as the ship slowly moved into the middle of the crater.
A voiced came from the intercom. "You are cleared to leave, Captain Jostler."
"Aye," he said.
The ship hovered over the crater and then flew upwards in a lightning streak. Professor Jacobs took a deep breath and looked away from the front screens. Della almost grabbed his hand, but she stopped.
He saw Janelle staring at them. The ship rose in an almost vertical angle. Unlike in the Illuminati ship, he felt the G-forces hitting him.
"Sorry," Captain Jostler said, "my crew likes the feeling of flight. Harlem, please use the force dampeners."
Instantly, the professor could no longer feel the G-forces hitting him, and felt the room pressurize.
"So, we would reach the East Coast in New America in just forty minutes, and will have dinner in about an hour," Captain Jostler said.
"Okayay," Professor Jacobs replied.
Della stood, and he followed her out of the cockpit.
