By Bob Ellis
After resting on my oars in the lifeboat, I watched the ferry sink beneath the waves of the Luzon Strait. The lost included a crew of twelve—not counting the ship’s sole white officer—and three hundred passengers. The waves quenched the blazing light.
I had spotted the flames belching from the engine room during my midnight watch. Instead of sounding the alarm, I quietly lowered the only sea-worthy lifeboat and rowed away.
Now persona non grata in the civilized world, I am forced to find a new ship with a Sultan in the Malay States. A captaincy is possible.
Well done! This is about one of the best historical fiction pieces that I have seen. I like how everything connects together.
On no, Mr. Ellis. Survival of the fittest — or at least those awake whilst others slumber — is what makes the civilized world go round!
At what price survival of the self? Turn the Jews in to the Nazis? Shoot first in Florida? It is the most horrible and human decision one could ever be forced to make.
Thanks for commenting.
People with that attitude of mind are often called (in England) “Thatcher’s Children” but you may be right in thinking they have been around much longer than that.
Well done, Bob!
Unexpected – but logical and believable. Good stuff
A terrible main person. Yet, it is human to want to save one self.
A terrible act, still.
Good story.
Derived from Conrad’s “Lord Jim”?
Absolutely, but without the 3/4 of book relating to atonement. Plus, I wanted to make the person horrible in the extreme, a careerist. “Tuan Jim” was “perhaps” a mistake in judgement; this person is amoral.
Chilling … and good. Well done!
captaincy awaits
Awesome! Chilling.