Page 16 of A Perfect Disaster

“She pivoted because the group didn’t have a line of sight to the Charlie staircase. From their blind spot, they couldn’t see the exit.”

“That movement isn’t stipulated in the evacuation protocol,” I reply.

“No, but it’ll work better this way. You’ll see,” Maika insists.

I watch the closed-circuit monitor showing the simulation. Indeed, the human traffic jam begins to move forward. But the fact that she’s right doesn’t slow my racing heart.

“The safety points aren’t just guidelines, Maika. If the bridge is counting on her at a certain point, she has to be at that point.”

“I know,” she replies. “Just… trust me.”

Toward the end of the exercise, the technical team simulates a fire blocking one of the main corridors on the promenade deck. My team activates the alternate route immediately, but I notice that the entertainers, moving in a less rigid manner than my guards, manage to get the human mass to react to the change in direction immediately, without stopping to protest or hesitate.

I should be happy. But I’m not.

When the three beeps sound, signaling the end of the drill, the overall evacuation time is… impeccable. I gather the section chiefs on the boat deck for the debriefing as the sun begins to melt the asphalt at the port.

“The drill was conducted in accordance with regulations,” I announce, reviewing the metrics on my tablet. “But there is a serious lack of tactical discipline at the mobile checkpoints. The ship’s safety cannot depend on individual hunches that aren’t reported to the bridge. I remind you that we have superiors and rules to follow.”

Maika steps forward, physically placing herself between her subordinate and my official gaze.

“Those were my orders,” she admits, looking me straight in the eye. “I ordered them to adjust their movements in case of a blockade.”

“And I remind you that you don’t have the authority to alter an evacuation plan approved by the captain’s office,” I point out, fixing my eyes on hers. I’m starting to think the rest of the crew is going to end up charging admission to watch our back-and-forth.

“Don’t tell me the plan is sacred, Helen. Because plans don’t take the panic factor into account,” she protests, taking another step forward.

“Explain yourself, then. In front of everyone.”

Maika points toward the port lobby.

“The plan is designed for an empty hallway, but with real bodies, the exit signal disappears. If Lara stands rigidly in her corner, they’ll hear her, yes, but people need a visual cue. And by taking just three steps forward, the flow will turn without stopping.”

I process the impact of the argument.

Gonzalo, at my side, types with suspicious enthusiasm on his tablet, holding his breath. Everyone is waiting for my verdict. Maika first.

“All right. I’ll study the data,” I concede, keeping my voice even.

She raises an eyebrow, defiant.

“Does that mean you’re actually going to evaluate it, or is it going straight into a mental folder titled ‘nonsense Maika says to drive me crazy’?”

Someone in the back snorts to stifle a laugh, and I quickly shoot them a withering look.

“That means I’ll look into it. Period.”

“Understood.”

“Send me those modified parameters in writing,” I add, trying to regain control of the situation. “With their strict limits.”

Maika nods, her eyes sparkling.

“You’ll have it on your desk this afternoon.”

“Before six,” I specify.

“At five forty-seven, to keep up the routine,” she replies with a cheeky half-smile.