Chapter 30: Life Returns To Normal.

I gave the girls their welcome-to the ship lecture. They seemed to understand the gravity of the situation. Everyone on board had a job, including them!

We began taking on shipments for delivery again. We steamed about the Med, the Emirates and the Black Sea. Occasionally we were sent to India or South East Asia, or as far as Australia. We never were sent to New Zealand, for some reason that I could not fathom. The Indian Ocean became our back yard. We became a familiar sight in the various ports. We never stayed long: there was a quick cargo exchange, a bag of Kruggerands was taken in payment and our tanks were serviced. Next, we were off to our next port of call.

I rose with the sun and Julie followed me. We went out on deck and stretched, then did Tai'Chi. It was the same every day. Before long I taught her Shotokan punches, leg sweeps, kicks and joint locks. Before long she was learning submission holds and combination moves. Soon after came katas. I knew that she thought that I was being an evil bastard, but that was a painful lie. One never appreciates their drill sergeant until one has to apply that which has been so painfully learned.