Joshua stood among the bow of the Fangelisi ship. It was his first shift as mechanic and tech engineer, and he dared not mess it up. He didn't want to forfeit his freedom, and he wanted to make an impression for the leaders of the ship; especially Marshall Kemp.

As mechanic and tech engineer, Joshua spent most of his time operating the controls of the ship. He worked alongside the captain, the chief engineer, and the rest of the crew inmates who worked with him.

Joshua's position was second to the chief engineer, so he always reported to him. The chief engineer also worked as translator to the other crew inmates, since Joshua was still trying to learn the language.

The only words he understood was "skipstjóri", which was the captain, and "herra Dun", which was what his crew inmates called him.

As Joshua stood among the bow, he could see where the ship was going. He noticed the ice glaciers that scattered across the ocean, and the ice mountains that surrounded their land.

In Reykjavik, it was all valleys and rivers, but now, the journey to Husavik was nothing but ice and bitter snow.

Right before he could observe more of the ocean, Joshua was called into the bridge by the captain. The chief engineer was also there to translate.

The boy walked in and stood before the captain.

"Já, herra skipstjóri?" He said.

The captain faced Joshua. He looked old, with grey hair and a beard. His blue eyes were vibrant, and he spoke in his thick Icelandic voice.

"Pú skalt vera á boganum." The captain said. "Fylgstu meo stjórntækjunum."

Joshua looked to the chief engineer, who began to translate.

"The captain wishes for you to remain on the bow, and watch the controls."

Joshua responded to his command, then returned to the bow. The captain also ordered the chief engineer to stay near Joshua and make sure he did his duty.

Despite the rank and status he received from Kemp, the captain still saw Joshua as a newbie, and kept watch over him.

Once he was on the bow, Joshua got to work; keeping watch of the signals and the direction of the ship. As he worked, the chief engineer came to his side.

"The skipstjóri expects a lot from you." The man said. "You have a lot to learn."

Joshua became frustrated.

"I spent three months training back in Reykjavik." The boy replied. "This position was promised to me, and I earned it on the condition that I would be free someday."

"You believe freedom comes so easily?"

The chief engineer's question confused Joshua. He was told that the mission would parole him, but he didn't think that he would start to question it.

But, he would not let himself be fooled.

"I was brought in to speak with the assistant head officer three months ago." Joshua said. "He promised me that if I completed this mission, I would be free and pardoned from my crimes."

"And, you believe that you'll be granted that?" The chief engineer asked.

"Yes, and I'm not going to give up, and I wish the captain could see my potential."

The chief engineer crossed his arms.

"Well, you'll just have to prove it, before the skipstjóri and Aron Kemp."

The chief engineer walked over to another area of the bow, which Joshua time to process what he was told.

He remembered what Eloise told him, and it was very clear that he was not trusted. It frustrated Joshua that his rank didn't prove the captain anything, but that didn't stop him from quitting.

This position was going to reward him, and exonerate him.

~

After a few hours of working, Joshua reported to the captain, who expressed his displeasure but gratitude for the boy's efforts. Even the chief engineer was impressed.

Perhaps he had proven to them he could do it.

But, unfortunately...

"Akkerisvalkt!"

The captain pointed to Joshua.

"Ég parf pig hér!"

The chief engineer translated, and told him that he will be doing anchor watch.

Joshua is livid at the fact that his first task was still not enough to give satisfaction to the captain, but he agreed to the order.

Before reporting to the bridge, Joshua returned to the bow to collect his equipment. As he did, the chief engineer returned to his side to help him. He could see that Joshua was still not happy, and wanted to give him some encouragement.

"Don't be upset, herra Dun." He said. "There will be more opportunities, and this anchor watch will surely be one of them."

Joshua did not respond. He just continued to gather his equipment and put it in his bag.

But then, he wanted to tell him.

"Will I ever be useful, even if freedom can't be granted?" Joshua asked.

"As I said, herra Dun, you have to prove it."

As Joshua looks at the chief engineer, he catches a glimpse of somebody behind him. When he looks further, he sees what looks like a young child sitting on top of the bridge deck.

"Chief engineer, sir, I think there's someone on the bridge deck." Joshua said.

"Hvao?" The man asked.

When he turned around to see what Joshua was pointing out, the supposed young child was no longer there.

"I don't see anyone."

"I thought there was a little boy sitting over there."

"Well, you're wrong, herra Dun." The chief engineer said. "Nobody is there."

Joshua wasn't so sure, but the boy looked so real, it was impossible not to see him.

But, the sun was setting, and it was only a matter of time before the captain would grow frustrated that he was not in the bridge, so Joshua gathered his things and went into the bridge, where he began his anchor watch shift.

But, at the same time, Joshua was curious of the little child that sat in silence on the ship.