Familiar Vessel
The MV Sirena swayed gently on the open waters, a rhythmic, almost hypnotic motion that belied the tension felt by its crew. A thick, eerie fog enveloped the ship, reducing visibility to a few meters and giving the sea an otherworldly, ghostly hue. There was no sound but the distant call of unseen seabirds and the creaking of the ship.
Captain Ajwad groaned, lifting his head and trying to shake off the dizziness that clouded his thoughts. As he pulled himself to his feet, he realized he wasn't alone. All around him, crew members were slowly waking up, their expressions filled with confusion and fear.
Rizal stumbled to his side, his usually stoic face etched with concern. "Captain, what happened? One minute we were being attacked, and the next... this."
Mei Ling, still dazed, adjusted the communications set on her head. "All systems are offline, Captain. I can't send or receive any signal."
Dollah, still perched in the lookout, called out, "There's nothing but fog as far as the eye can see. No land, no ships... nothing."
Faiz approached, holding a compass that spun wildly. "Our navigation tools are useless. We're completely off the charts."
Hffyl, looking more confused than ever, whispered, "It's as if we've been transported to another world."
The crew gathered on the bridge, trying to piece together what had happened. The eerie silence, punctuated only by the sound of the ship cutting through the calm waters, was unsettling.
Captain Ajwad, ever the voice of reason, addressed the crew. "We need to remain calm. Whatever happened, we're still afloat, and we're still together. Our primary objective is to find out where we are and how to get home."
Suresh, ever practical, added, "We should also do a headcount, ensure everyone's accounted for and check our provisions. We don't know how long we'll be out here."
Captain Ajwad nodded in agreement. "Good idea, Suresh. Mei Ling, try to get the communication systems up and running. Dollah, keep a sharp lookout. If there's anything out there, I want to know about it."
As the crew split up to carry out their tasks, Captain Ajwad approached Hffyl, who was gazing at the ancient coin he had with him. "You know what's going on?"
Hffyl gazed out at the vast expanse of water before them, the thick fog making it difficult to discern any distinguishable landmarks. However, there was something about the quality of the air, the gentle motion of the waves, and a distant, subtle aroma that seemed hauntingly familiar.
He took a deep breath, letting the salty sea air fill his lungs. "Mediterranean," Hffyl murmured.
Captain Ajwad looked surprised. "How can you tell? We could be anywhere."
Hffyl walked towards the ship's railing and gestured towards the water. "Look at the color and texture of the water. The Mediterranean has a distinct hue, different from the waters around Indonesia or Malaysia. And the salinity..." He moistened his lips, tasting the salt in the air. "It's different here."
"There's also a particular scent in the air," Hffyl continued. "A blend of salt, distant olives, and some kind of earthiness. I can't explain it, but it's unmistakable."
Captain Ajwad, while still skeptical, couldn't deny the certainty in Hffyl's voice. "Alright, let's assume you're right. But the Mediterranean is vast. Where exactly are we?"
Hffyl squinted against the thin veil of mist, trying to discern any hint or sign that could provide a clue. "We're heading north," he finally asserted with quiet confidence.
Rizal, overhearing the conversation, arched an eyebrow in surprise. "North? Towards Europe? But how can you be sure, kid?"
Hffyl motioned towards the position of the sun, barely visible through the fog. "Even in this fog, you can sense the direction of sunrise and sunset. Based on its current position and the time of day, we're definitely moving north."
Captain Ajwad considered Hffyl's words carefully, weighing them against the present situation. "If we're in the Mediterranean and heading north, we might eventually encounter one of the coastal countries. Greece, Italy, perhaps even Spain. But it's going to take time, especially without functional navigational tools."
Mei Ling chimed in, "If we can get closer to any land or major shipping routes, we might be able to pick up radio signals or even mobile networks. We just need to stay on course."
Faiz, having overheard the conversation, added with a grimace, "Speaking of staying on course, our engines are not in great shape. I did what I could down below, but they're acting erratic."
Captain Ajwad's face deepened with concern, "What's the damage? How long do we have?"
Faiz wiped a smear of grease from his face. "Hard to say, Captain. But if we push her too hard, we might be looking at a complete breakdown."
Hffyl, looking around, suggested, "We should make sure no lights or sounds give away our position. If someone brought us here, they might be looking for us."
Rizal scoffed, "Come on, lad. You make it sound like some kind of spy thriller."
Hffyl, unshaken, replied, "Those vessels attacking us weren't playing games. We have no idea who they were or what they wanted, but if they're still around, we don't want them finding us."
Captain Ajwad nodded thoughtfully. "Hffyl has a point. Until we know more, we play it safe. Faiz, work on the engines, but keep it discreet. Mei Ling, let's keep radio activity to a minimum. And everyone, stay vigilant."
As the crew sprang into action, Dollah whispered to Rizal, "Never thought I'd be taking advice from a kid."
Captain Ajwad squinted through the thick fog, his grizzled features etched with surprise. "Well, I'll be damned. What in the world is that?" He scratched his head, baffled by the sight of a centuries-old sailship emerging from the mist in the middle of modern waters.
Rizal, binoculars in hand, couldn't contain his amazement. "That there looks like one of those old Malay warships, Cap. But it's way out of its time and place."
Suresh, gripping his rifle, spoke up with a mix of caution and curiosity. "Should we be worried, Captain? This could be some kind of trap or a ghost ship."
The crew shared bewildered glances as Hffyl, with a commanding gesture, signaled them to hold their fire.
Captain Ajwad nodded in agreement. "Hold on, everyone. Let's not jump the gun. Let's see what this kid's up to."
As Hffyl descended into the waiting
Dollah chimed in, his eyes glued to the mysterious vessel. "Either he's got one heck of an imagination or there's more to him than meets the eye."
Hffyl didn't offer any explanations as he boarded the ancient sailship, leaving the crew of the MV Sirena in a state of bewildered anticipation.
Hffyl moved stealthily across the deck, his movements almost hesitant. He turned to address the crew of the MV Sirena, his voice carrying through the fog, filled with both wonder and disbelief. "Just stay put. I need to check something out."
Captain Ajwad exchanged bemused glances with his crew. They remained on the dinghy, rifles at the ready, their minds racing with questions and uncertainty.
Hffyl stepped into what should have been his captain's quarters, and his eyes widened in disbelief. Everything was exactly as he remembered it – the king-sized bed, his meticulously organized desk, and the array of weapons that had accompanied him through countless battles.
He couldn't help but run his fingers over the familiar items: the finely crafted keris and parang lading, his cherished match-lock rifle, and the special wheel-lock pistol gifted to him by the artisan. There was the karambit from Pak Rahim, designed to fit him perfectly, a trusty tomahawk, and the jambiah bestowed upon him by the Laksamana himself.
His gaze shifted to the antique cabinet that held the traditional clothes he'd worn during his extensive travels. Everything appeared untouched by time, preserved in a state of perfect preservation.
As he stood there, lost in memories, some of the curious crew members couldn't resist the urge to follow him into the captain's quarters. They stared in astonishment at the unchanged room, their confusion evident in their expressions. They couldn't help but ask, "What are you doing in this strange ship?"
Hffyl's gaze lingered on familiar corners of the room, and he whispered, almost to himself, "This is... or was... my ship," he didn't bother to elaborate further, brushing past the crew members and making his way out of the room.
The crew members, lingering awkwardly in the ornate captain's quarters, exchanged puzzled glances. Rizal, ever the skeptic, couldn't help but scoff, "Your ship? Come on, mate, you must be dreaming."
But then, something caught Dollah's eye. He stumbled upon an old scroll tucked away in a forgotten corner. Carefully unfurling it, his eyes widened in surprise. "Hey, guys! Take a look at this!" He pointed to a seal and signature at the bottom of the scroll, an uncanny resemblance to Hffyl's own. "This... this mentions Hffyl!"
Faiz, always practical, reached for the scroll, his skepticism showing. "It could be just a coincidence," he mumbled, though doubt crept into his voice. "I mean, there might be others with a similar name somewhere."
Aini chimed in, her skepticism fading, "There can't be too many people with a name as unique as his. I mean, c'mon. 'Hffyl'? In this ancient script? That's a bit too specific for a coincidence. It's even written in Roman letters while the rest are in Jawi."
Without waiting for further reactions, Hffyl made his way to the lower deck. His steps were purposeful, and the crew hesitated for a moment before deciding to follow, curiosity overpowering their caution.
The ship's larder was next on Hffyl's checklist. He examined barrels of rice, salted meats, and fruits, all miraculously free of any signs of rot or decay. Faiz couldn't contain his awe, whispering, "It's as if everything's been preserved perfectly."
Suresh, ever the chef, couldn't resist sneaking a taste. He plucked a fruit, giving it a wary sniff before taking a small bite. "This is... fresh! How is that even possible?"
Continuing his exploration, Hffyl eventually came across an old wooden chest. The intricate carvings on its surface seemed oddly familiar. With a deep breath, he unlatched it and slowly lifted the heavy lid. An immediate gleam of gold caught everyone's attention. The chest was filled to the brim with ancient gold coins, shimmering in the dim light.
For Hffyl, the sight was nothing extraordinary. It was simply part of his maritime adventures. However, the crew's reactions were a mix of astonishment and disbelief.
Rizal let out a low whistle, "That's... a whole lot of gold!"
Suresh, eyeing the coins with fascination, joked, "Hffyl, mate, you never mentioned you were this loaded! Planning a retirement anytime soon?"
Even Faiz, usually so pragmatic, seemed taken aback. "How... how is this even possible? Coins from the 1500s, and they still look brand new!"
Hffyl, looking up from the chest, simply replied with a nonchalant shrug, "It's just some savings from my travels." He then proceeded to close the chest, seemingly uninterested in the hoard of gold.
Dollah, scratching his head, exclaimed, "Savings? That could buy a whole fleet of ships!"
The atmosphere grew thick with curiosity, and a barrage of questions followed. But Hffyl, ever mysterious, decided to leave them in suspense. "Let's focus on our situation and how we got here. There's much to do and explain."
Hffyl's keen eye quickly gauged the condition of his old sailship, and he hatched a plan. "I think I have a way to get us moving," he announced with an inspired grin.
Rizal raised an eyebrow, "Using this old ship? You've got to be kidding."
Hffyl pointed at the unfurled sails which, despite the ship's apparent age, seemed pristine. "The MV Sirena's engine is down, and our communications are jammed. But this ship," he said, patting the wooden railing, "is still very much seaworthy."
Faiz was skeptical, "Even if we did decide to go along with your idea, none of us know how to operate a sailship. It's not exactly common knowledge."
"Then it's a good thing I do," Hffyl replied confidently. "But I'll need some help. Sailing isn't a one-man job."
Captain Ajwad, ever pragmatic, weighed the options. "We're sitting ducks out here. I say we give it a shot."
Mei Ling chimed in, "But tying our ship to this ancient one? Are you sure it will hold? What if it snaps?"
Hffyl reassured her, "With the right knots and positioning, we should be able to manage it. We have no other option. We either drift aimlessly or try to get out of this fog with some direction."
After a quick discussion, the decision was unanimous. They would attempt to tow the MV Sirena using the sailship.
As Hffyl started instructing the crew on basic sailing techniques, Rizal whispered to Dollah, "This is mad! Absolutely mad! But if it gets us out of this mess, I'm all for it."
The crew quickly got to work, with Hffyl directing them on how to hoist sails, adjust riggings, and fasten the MV Sirena securely. As the sails filled with wind, the two ships began to move forward.