Midnight: the harbour docks are quarantined.

A mysterious ship autodocked. The ocean liner Orpheus, in from its last stop in scandinavia arrived unmanned reeking with such a stench of dead meat it can be smelt over the stink of the Thames. Groans can be heard aboard.

Something happened in the North Sea.

Undertakers wish to board her and destroy all on board, just to be sure. The local port authority want to task all available tug boats to move it out of the harbour before too many things on board escape.