Her gray paint scheme looked shiny and new from the rain that was currently falling. There was no movement on her decks save the ensign on the fantail that fluttered in the breeze. Though tied to the pier with large hawsers, Missouri’s gangways were not deployed. The ship appeared to be deserted if not for the steam rising from one of her stacks and the muffled rumble from below decks signaling life. A secure mechanism spun and a hatch opened on her main deck. A large form exited, covered in a black poncho that did little to conceal girth and height but hid facial features in the shadow cast by the hood. Behind this figure, several more exited with the last one closing the hatch while the others swept fore and aft before meeting at one of the gangways facing the pier. Using hand gestures, some of the work crew began lowering the walkway while others watched the area. One more form exited the ship, this one slower and made its way to the now lowered gangway. This figure motioned over the larger of the first group and they put their heads together in quiet conversation.
