Location: Aboard Levi Wisdom
AK entered the ship's office after meeting with the cargo planner. He was feeling the weight of the multiple responsibilities now resting on his shoulders. As Chief Officer, his job wasn't just about overseeing the cargo operation; as a private agent, he had to keep his mind sharp and focused, ready to uncover every mystery lurking beneath the surface of Levi Wisdom. The ship had secrets, and AK was determined to unveil them.
He glanced at the ship's clock. It was already late for lunch, and his stomach growled in protest. Checking the time, he wondered if there was any food left. He walked toward the mess area, hoping to find something to eat, but when he arrived, he found it empty. The trays were cleared, and nothing was left on the tables.
Frowning, AK made his way to the galley. As he approached, he heard voices from inside.
"Give that quickly, we have to hide it!"
AK's curiosity piqued. He pushed open the galley door, and what he saw inside made him pause. Chief Cook and the Steward were hurriedly stacking bags of rice and flour against the walls, making the narrow galley even more cramped.
"What's going on?" AK asked, his voice calm but laced with suspicion. "Why are you stacking everything here?"
The Chief Cook wiped his hands on his apron, clearly flustered. "Sir, there's no more room in the provision room. It's already filled to capacity, so we've been forced to store rice and flour here. We know it's not ideal, but we don't have any other options."
AK eyed the bags piled high against the walls. It wasn't unusual to have some storage challenges on a ship, but the urgency in their movements made him uneasy.
"It's okay for now," AK replied, keeping his tone steady. "But once we set sail, I'll make sure to arrange proper storage. For now, just keep things organized."
The Chief Cook nodded, but AK could see the nervousness in his eyes. There was more going on than just overcrowded storage, but for the moment, AK let it slide.
"Is there any food left?" AK asked, his stomach reminding him of its empty state.
The Cook shook his head. "Sorry, sir. Food's all finished. But if you want, I can make something for you."
AK thought for a moment, his mind racing with possibilities. "Yes, please. I'll have egg noodles. That will be fine."
"Alright, sir. Where will you be? I'll bring it to you."
"Ship's office," AK replied, before turning to leave the galley.
The cook nodded. "Okay, sir. I'll bring it to you soon."
As AK made his way back to the office, his thoughts continued to swirl. The ship had an uneasy atmosphere, and the more he uncovered, the more it seemed like the crew was hiding something. From Anish's suspicious behavior to the strange activity in the galley, everything was beginning to feel like a tangled web. But AK knew better than to rush—he would take his time, piece together the clues, and expose the truth, no matter how deep it went.
The ship's mission might be clear, but AK had a feeling that Levi Wisdom wasn't just carrying cargo—it was carrying secrets that could change everything.