The rest of the crew came from the merchant navy and fisheries and formed the core of people for deck, bridge, and engine departments.
Pablo and Gabi had decided to follow a procedure similar to the one Reyes had used with them. First, they had sought people to fill the positions of warrant officers and then had delegated them to find their own people, with supervision, of course. Grease had brought two of his mechanics for engineering. Damage Control4 was covered by retired Chief Petty Officer Manuel. That took care of Engines. For the bridge, besides the boatswain José, they had signed Alfonso who after fifteen years fishing in Newfoundland had been unemployed.
They had also found a commis chef, who had convinced them that he could be the cook after preparing them a meal; and an unemployed accounting assistant looking for adventure. These two would work under the accountant Reyes had promised them.
Apart from the gunner, also they had an electronics specialist, a radioman, and another former non commissioned officer for the CIC.
These eleven gentlemen had been entrusted with the mission of finding three subordinates each. Within a few weeks, they had a crew of forty men and women, all selected by their superiors and all approved by the commander and executive officer.
Pablo knew that his people were all motivated, each one in his own way, and you couldn’t ask for more. Upon joining, the mission of the ship had been made clear to them and also that things would run as they did on military ships. Discipline would be much stricter than what they were used to. Pablo had informed each one about this personally and no one had seemed surprised. Everyone had accepted the non-verbal contract. What no one had expected was that immediately after, they were asked to sign a contract outlining in detail the set of rules on board, from dealings with crew members to the behavior expected of them and including corresponding disciplinary action. In this regard, Pablo and Gabi had opted for financial penalties because that’s where it would hurt people the most. The contract also established the commander as an omnipotent judge.
Pablo sighed. Each time he stopped to think, his mind led him to how lucky he was, rather, they were. And occasionally, he pondered the enormous responsibility that was coming. He had never had so many people under his command, neither such a big ship nor such an important mission.
At such times, Pablo would look at Gabi and could not help wondering if Gabi would have been better than him for the position. During the previous days, Gabi had already demonstrated what a valuable asset he would be, always treating Pablo with the utmost respect and subordination.
And that would always bring Pablo back to thinking about how lucky he was.
He came back from his thoughts remembering a saying he had heard years earlier that said, “luck only accompanies those who do not count on it in their plans.” He went to the center of the bridge and called Gabi over. Together, they crossed the small CIC (just aft of the bridge). They went two decks down and headed aft to stand under the poop deck.
At the same time, Reyes was coming up the gangway accompanied by a small entourage that was inspecting the boat curiously. Reyes had said he was busy and could not go to the trials. What Pablo didn’t know was that Reyes had decided not to go so as not to take away the limelight from Pablo on his first day in front of his new crew.
After shaking Pablo and Gabi’s hands, Reyes introduced his companions to them.
“This is Ana Molinos and Esther Rodriguez; accountant and doctor, respectively.”
The seamen managed to hide their surprise. The two had expected both to be men.
Reyes looked amused.
“Now, for my surprise gift,” he said turning to the rest of his companions. “This gentleman,” pointing to a man in his forties who was over six feet tall, “is Paco Díez. Paco was a SWAT member in the police but left to start his own training academy for security personnel. After much insistence, I managed to get him to leave his pseudo-retirement and become head of our boarding team. His companions are a couple of former teammates. He has also brought with him outstanding students, former rivals in shooting contests and some former soldiers. Unless you have any problems or suggestions, they will make up the boarding team.”
Dumbfounded, all they could do was nod their heads in awe.
“Did you think you were the only ones working, huh?” Reyes smiled. “And that’s not all. Paco’s Academy gave me an idea, so I decided to take some flying lessons.”
Gabi couldn’t help it, “Flying lessons?”
“Yes. And that’s how I met Joseba Gaztañaga,” Reyes said pointing to the oldest of his companions, a man of about fifty. “But I'm not going to lie to you. I already knew who Joseba was. However, when I learned that after being a Coast Guard pilot and winning several stunt contests he had set up a small company that makes trips between Ceuta and mainland Spain besides recreational flying, I just had to meet him. And incidentally, I suggested he became our pilot. Thank God he said yes. So far everything was going according to my plans, but then he tells me he is bringing a chopper, another pilot, support, and maintenance staff!” exclaimed Reyes as he gestured with his arms to indicate the rest of the people who had come aboard with him.
Reyes waited a few seconds and continued.
“The first one to come out of his state of shock,” he smiled, “may be asking about the chopper. It’s an Agusta Bell 412, marinized of course, and will be here tomorrow morning. Joseba knows the technical data better than I, but I think you will see that it more than meets our needs. What do you think Pablo?”
“Well, Mr. Reyes,” Pablo managed to answer, “perhaps recalling that it was you who gave me this job in the first place, I should have guessed something like this. Today has demonstrated that you are my fairy godmother. And now, if it’s all right with you, we will introduce the new members of the crew,” with that he turned to Gabi. “Everyone to the hangar.”
Gabi nodded and walked away. A few minutes later, Pablo introduced the newcomers to the rest of the crew. When everyone had left, some to settle down and the others to finish up some of their work before leaving, it was only Gabi and Pablo.
Pablo said, “Gabi, would you like to join me for dinner to celebrate today?”
Pablo didn’t know what it was, but he was having trouble enjoying being in charge. Although he had been a captain in the Merchant Navy, he had never had such an important project or one in which so much depended on him. In Albatros most of the defining parts of the project hinged on his decisions. He needed to clear his mind.
#
“Well, Captain, I must say, it’s been a while since I’ve eaten such a good meal.”
“Gabi, I’ve told you already that when we’re not on the ship you can call me Pablo,” he said for the seventeenth time.
“Okay, okay, Pablo, then.”
They had gone to El Faro, a very famous restaurant in Cadiz located right in the La Viña neighborhood. It was frequented by high-profile customers such as the members of the National Basketball Team.
They took advantage of this dinner time to get to know each other better since the last few days had not given either one a chance to relax. They didn’t talk about Albatros. They both knew they needed to forget about work for a while.
Still, as sailors and as passionate as they were about their work, most of their conversation had revolved around past experiences at sea. Of course, they had also touched on some personal and family topics, but what really interested one about the other was their seafaring adventures. Pablo listened intently to Gabi’s stories of his missions in the Indian Ocean and Gabi discovered through Pablo a facet of the Merchant Navy he didn’t know.
After three hours and a hearty dinner, the two seamen were as tight as if they’d known each other their whole lives. In the past, Pablo had become that close to some of his subordinates, and that type of familiarity