The officer replies, "Good morning Captain, gentlemen, please come aboard." You are led up to the ward room at the aft of the ship. It is a nice airy room with some large windows open; however you note heavy shutters are available. The room is somewhat more feminine that is the norm for such things. While there are some momentos on the walls of ships past and even some weapons, the colors are lighter and the furniture softer. A couple of rubber tree plants and an elaborate 'bonsi' tree are also in the room. A table has been set for four. A young messboy stands by. Soon Captain De Grassie enters flanked by her executive officer. She is a woman in her early sixties, but aging gracefully. She is thin, but as she greets each of you and shakes hands her grip is firm and an agile musculature is evident. She is perhaps 5'6" in her deck shoes and wears a white uniform with a long fitted skirt. She kisses Finn on the cheek as she welcomes you. "A pleasure to meet you all. I was out early this morning and had a look at your ship. Most unusual, but somehow it doesn't surprise me since Mr. Hunter is involved with your enterprise. Please have a seat and I'll have them start the meal." She takes a larger seat at the head of the small table and motions to the other chairs. Soon a fruit punch with a modest amout of rum in it is served and a salad of chopped cabbage and assorted baby vegetables with a spicy yet sweet dressing is placed before you. "Thank you for the gift Finn, most interesting to be sure and not something most people would give a woman of my age. I suppose I am flattered." The each course is accompanied by a wine, first a light white wine with the salad and a heartier rose with the soup. The food is excellent and the mess boys very proper. As the salad is replaced by a bowl of thick rich chowder with clams, potatos and leeks she says, "We need not stand on ceremony and await the end of the meal. I hope you'll not take it as rude if we get down to business. I must confess I'm quite curious to know what is going on."