The Strange Adventures of Eric Blackburn

A young officer on his first sea posting finds himself aboard the brand‑new steamship Saturn, cutting a steady course between Cape Town and Melbourne. The vessel is packed with hopeful passengers—miners dreaming of gold, families seeking new lives, and a crew of seasoned seamen—while the night sky is clear and the sea calm, giving an illusion of safety.

In the dead of night, a blinding flash and a low humming herald an unexpected visitor: a massive, white‑hot fireball streaking toward the ship. The meteor slams into the hull, igniting a fierce blaze and sending a torrent of scalding steam through the decks. Chaos erupts as the crew and passengers scramble to understand the impossible disaster unfolding around them.

Amid the panic, the officer must rally those under his watch, confronting the terrifying unknown while trying to keep the ship afloat. The first act sets a stark stage for courage, mystery, and the desperate fight for survival.