From the Captain's Log Book...

   Something happened overnight that has led me to wonder whether I have taken leave of my senses. Truly things are not what they seem to be.
   One of my young officers requested time to speak with me about these odd new crewmembers and yes, even about my family members. He says that while I was absorbed with getting the voyage underway and with my chronometers, there has been much afoot — and that this goes beyond the day that the pig got loose.
   My officer told me that he feared he was losing his mind at first. He says that we had scarcely been out at sea when he was on one part of the ship and swore that he heard diembodied voices, followed by several thunks. It was then that our unusual crewmembers appeared.
   He thinks that there are spies among us for they used odd language that appears to be a code of some sort. "Stofer Interface", "Anchovy Pizza", "Playstation"—these were among the words uttered. I suggested that he try to remove the wax from his ears, for surely these phrases have little meaning. (Except for perhaps "anchovy pizza". I seem to recall that the Italians have a dish called "pizza" and should see if anyone on board is Italian and can make it. It would beat rat stew.)
   After the crewmember left, I found I was unable to put these thoughts out of my mind and went for a walk around my ship. It was late and with the sea being calm, most of the crew were either off duty or were taking it easy. This is good, since I believe the storm took a lot out of us. I was pleased to see that some industrious person had gathered up a cageful of rats and these were now being let go.
    I was about to assume that the strangeness was just in the mind of my young officer when I heard a strange noise from the storeroom. I decided to investigate it myself and that is when I saw a rope suspended in mid-air. Thinking that perhaps it was hanging by a thin thread that I was unable to see, I reached up toward it and unless it be a trick of the light, my hand vanished when I reached up toward it! When I moved my hand, it reappeared. Could this be a trick of the light or something more sinister?
   Who had been here last? I wondered. Had anyone else seen it? Perhaps I am the one losing my mind.
   As captain, I cannot share my concerns with my crew. If they thought for one minute that their captain had taken leave of his senses, the voyage would be a disaster. I thought for a moment of taking Philos into my confidence, however, his seasickness seemed worse today. Who then? A family member? Perhaps. I will seek out my nephew Matikhara and ask his advice.