Work Text:
7th March
As is usual for these sorts of jobs, I'll be keeping a daily log of any happenings with the rig's construction and eventual operation—the good, the bad, and the ugly. This isn't my first time on one of these, of course. Doubt old Ironhaven would have put me in charge of running the show if it was!
Fact of the matter is, I've been at this a good long while. You learn a few things if you're working long enough. I'm not fool enough to think like some of the men and a few of the more experienced foremen around that, so long as everything goes as it's meant to, no one's ever going to read these words. Someone always does. Now, whether anyone will CARE about what I've written here? That's going to depend on whether I do a damn good job, or a piss-poor one, or something in between. Hell, if I do a good enough job as foreman, maybe they'll promote me. If I do a bad enough job, I'll be a cautionary tale for the foremen who come after me.
I happen to like my job the way it is, so I’ll be striving for mediocrity. Not too good, not too bad. Just right there in the middle.
Initial crew's arrived with the first load of materials. We start construction tomorrow.
8th March
Construction's proceeding according to plan and on schedule. One minor injury from operator error.
I've some concerns about inventory, but so long as the supply ships keep arriving on schedule, we'll manage with what we've got.
12th March
Ahead of schedule—and out of construction materials. Supply ship's not due until the morrow. Granted permission to some of the men to pay the locals a visit. Not back yet at time of writing.
13th March
Locals are VERY SUPERSTITIOUS. The men have been laughing and joking about their tales all day. Ghost ships, noises from the deep, waterspouts out of nowhere when the weather’s not suited for them…
Scheduled supply ship didn’t arrive today, which isn’t helping.
14th March
Supply ship arrived. It’s a day behind schedule and with half the construction materials promised. The crew couldn't leave fast enough, but refused to explain why. Promised the next ship will have double.
They'd damn well better. I'm a foreman, not a miracle worker.
20th March
Supply ship not arrived yet. Construction’s slowing and crew morale is at a low. Three minor injuries, two from operator error and one the men collectively refuse to elaborate on. I can only assume drinking was involved.
21st March
Supply ship still not arrived yet. Men have stopped joking about local superstitions and started refusing to venture too close to the water after nightfall. Have never known a group of working men to stick so religiously to curfew.
Took a look outside myself, out of what I can only call morbid curiosity. Pleased to report there’s nothing to worry about. It’s foggier out there than it was the night before, but it’ll clear up once the sun rises, and I’d be more surprised if the rig DIDN’T creak at night.
22nd March
Supply ship arrived nearly 72 hours behind schedule. Had the promised double supplies so I can’t complain too much. In even more of a hurry to leave than the last crew—they nearly left one of their men here with us!
26th March
One of the men went to the highest point we've built so far and jumped. He might have survived the impact if it wasn't the middle of the night. Only found what was left of him the next morning.
Poor man. What drove him to this?
27th March
Supply ship arrived on schedule this time. Again, crew couldn't leave fast enough, and did the single sloppiest unloading job I’ve seen in years. The Scientist arrived with them, he seemed unaffected by the superstitions. Will enjoy working with someone reasonable.
30th March
Four minor injuries, one major—all operator error except the one. Hopefully he’ll recover with time, as he’s too badly hurt to be moved far. We're behind schedule but can make up the time later but with the men on edge enough as it stands, I had to end the workday early or risk further decreases in morale.
It’s that damned fear of the water again. There is, for the last time, NOTHING IN THE WATER. Nothing that’s not meant to be there, anyhow.
3rd April
No sign of the next supply ship. Scientist suggested sourcing construction materials from the locals. Did not have time or desire to explain why that was a terrible idea.
The crew are superstitious enough as is. The man who jumped was the last one back when they went out to visit the locals.
4th April
Supply ship not arrived yet. Crew claiming there's something in the water again, but refuse to specify or agree on what. Scientist agreed with them, but claimed it was nothing to worry about. Did not reassure the men. Will keep him away from them in future. He doesn’t need to give them more bad ideas.
5th April
STILL no sign of the ship. Construction’s stalled. Even if we could source materials from the locals—I have my doubts anything in the region would be specialized enough—none of the men are willing to go near a boat. Scientist would be, but company regs insist he can't go out alone. I'm the only one who would be willing to accompany him, and I'm required to stay with the rig until construction's complete and we're fully operational.
Starting to wonder if we’ll ever be.
6th April
Scientist did something last night with the water. Didn't sleep a wink and I'd bet the men didn't either. Five minor injuries from maintenance alone.
Will be strongly encouraging the man to keep to his lab from here on out.
7th April
Where the hell is that ship?
8th April
As of today, the supply ship’s a week overdue. Nothing else that I haven’t covered already in some form or another.
9th April
Scientist attempted to enlist some of the men to assist him. Ignored my orders to stay away from the crew. Fortunately the men know better than to ignore my orders to stay away from him.
I put little stock in rumors, but with how long he's been with Ironhaven, there's all sorts going around involving him. Rapidly losing my patience and beginning to wonder if there might be a reason for that.
They say he destroyed his best student’s life over her research. That he’s more ruthless than anyone else with Ironhaven. I’m beginning to see why.
13th April
There's something in the water.
14th April
Supply ship not arrived yet. I have no memory of writing the previous entry. Don't know why I would have bothered. We're on a rig in the ocean. It would, as I think I said before, be more noteworthy if there was NOTHING in the water.
15th April
Supply ship not arrived yet. Last supply ship arrived three weeks ago. Food stores dwindling and none of the men are willing to go fishing. We’ll have to unless they'd rather starve out here.
Crew is beginning to realize that, too, and I’d like to think none of us want to die out here. If they ask me… someone’s going to have to.
16th April
I remain a foreman and not a miracle worker. Ironhaven's never done so badly by me before, so my current theory is that the supply ships have been sent off on schedule. Something's happening to them in transit, because the crews of those that did arrive were scared shitless of SOMETHING.
Something's in the water. Something that doesn't want us here. The things I hear at night… I’ve been telling myself for over a month now that it’s just what the night sounds like here. But what if it isn’t?
I'm not a superstitious man. I may be by the end of this.