[center][u][b]Lower Deck One[/b][/u][/center]
The [i]Garrloch[/i] neared the top of the wave, engines howling in effort as they neared the top. The curly haired woman looked at him, grinning wildly as they began to level out. [b]"Well, it certainly seems like I am, but what does that matter?'[/b] She ducked her head, preparing for the wave, [b]"We must all be a little mad to be here"[/b]. Armas couldn't help but agree with that statement as they finally crested the wave. For a single frozen moment they were at the top of the wave. Then they were barrelling down the other side and all hell really broke loose.

The angle of the passageway reversed in an instant and all the water collected down the aft-end came surging back with a vengence. There was nothing to do but to hold on for dear life, knuckles white with the strain of holding on. Gallons of freezing saltwater poured over him, instantly soaking him to the bone and making his already bruised body cry out in protest. He kept his head down, trying to press hi body into the floor as the water rushed over, catching at his clothes, trying to tear him away from the ship. It went on for what seemed like an age, the roar of the ocean in his ears.

Then all of a sudden it was over. The deck returned to a normal angle, the water draining away to pool sedately around them. Armas just lay there for a few seconds, breathing deeply. His ears were ringing and his heart felt like it was going to do a drumroll right out of chest. He picked himself up, a feral grin stretching across his features as the truth started to sink in - they'd broken through! The others were also picking themselves up, various expressions of shock and relief on their features. The PA sounded, confirming that they'd broken through and summoning the Captain away. [b]"Bloody Drop's got nothing on that!"[/b] he said.

Edward came up to them, eyes alight as he spoke, and Armas returned his grin. His firefighting partner was laughing in relief, her hair standing on end from where she'd tried to shake herself dry. [b]"Thanks again. I'm Luna. Ah, I'm one of the medical staff"[/b] She smiled, [b]"A pleasure to meet you. Ed, I'm going to go see if anyone needs medical attention, save me a plate okay?"[/b]. She turned back towards him [b]"It probably won't be the last time I use you as an anchor. Or anyone else, for that matter. So...I hope that doesn't bother you"[/b].  His grin grew even wider; he'd just been doing his job, but if a pretty lady wanted to give him a kiss he certainly wasn't going to argue about it. [b]"Name's Armas!"[/b] he called as she darted off towards the medbay. 

Armas followed the journalist and the industrialist up the ladder to the main deck. He'd always wondered what it would be like outside of the Ring, and he certainly wasn't going to pass up the chance to see now, after they'd gone through all of that. Besides, it would give him a chance to inspect the damage to the [i]Garrloch[/i] from the outside. 



[center][u][b]Main Deck[/b][/u][/center]
He emerged onto the fordeck and stopped and stared in awe at the wide expanse of blue sky that was stretched out before them. Above and to  the aft the Geralt storms thundered in their eternal fury, but the sea outside was calm in comparison as the ship steam away  the United Isles. He spent a minute just staring out, letting his eyes adjust to the bright unfiltered sunlight that streamed through.

But there was still work to be done and he shook his head to clear it as he walked towards the jagged hole torn in the deck of the ship. The thick steel deckplating had been peeled backwards by the force of the strike, metal reach up into the sky. Armas gave a low whistle as he carefully circled the hole. There was definitely plenty of work to be done before the ship would be back in top condition again.

[b]"Fetch us a canvas and rope!"[/b] He called out to a crewmen, who darted away to a storage locker, returning a minute later with a folded sheet and several rope bundles. [b]"Come on,"[/b] Armas said, [b]"Let's get this bloody hole covered until a repair crew can fix the damn thing"[/b]