Chapter Nine
Hide and Seek
Upon learning they were off the air the Admiral didn't skip a beat. "I assume we can see this bay from the old fort, is that correct?" he asked, turning to Kevin.
When Kevin nodded "yes," the Admiral turned to the submarine commander. "I'm going to permit you to return to your ship with the crew. You will submerge and sit on the bottom after we drag you a little closer to shore with your launch. We will contact you in a few weeks by tapping on the hull as we did before. The delfinians will finish the job of tying your ship propeller to the rudder with stainless steel cable we have on our craft. Can you do that?" he asked, turning to the delfinians.
"We'll weave it tight with my special knots and pad it with more old fish net and hard lava rocks," Cecric answered with a mischievous smile.
"Okay. Kevin, we'll give a little demonstration and then you take the commander's shore crew and bring the cable from the cargo bay to the launch. Bring five or six of the shorter ten meter lengths, they are plenty strong for the job, the fish net and stone padding Cecric suggested should delay the propeller from cutting them immediately." As the Admiral spoke to Kevin he was also turning on the radio he held in his hand. "Eddy, I want you to fire the thinnest possible joy beam into the water a safe distance from the ship for ten seconds on the count of three. Everyone cover your ears! Ready, one, two, three."
A single golden joy beam flashed outward from the space ship and entered the water one hundred meters starboard of the submarine. Smoke surrounded the beam as superheated air molecules combined with each other and airborne sea salt. A tremendous cloud of steam instantly erupted from heaved up boiling water that stretched in a straight line as far out as they could see. Thunder hit with a concussion everyone could feel and rolled into the distance when the beam turned off. Kevin turned to the wide-eyed sailors and wordlessly beckoned them to follow him to the spaceship and get the cable.
"Have Liz help with the cable, I want those sailors to hear her story," the Admiral called out as Kevin and the submarine crew sprinted away. Kevin waved agreement and the Admiral turned to the delfinians, "Go find a smooth place to set the submarine, look for a spot surrounded by ridges which will hide it from the sonar of search and rescue ships." The delfinians saluted and dove into the water. Admiral Castro turned to the submarine commander. "I want to talk with you as we walk to your shore boat," he said.
Kevin and the submarine shore crew were greeted halfway to the spaceship by Grace. "Mom and Dad left the moon and are coming here!" She said breathlessly, with a little dance of happiness.
"Our paradise hideout is turning into a Grand Central Station," Kevin feigned a grumpy tone and then he did a little dance copying his sister. "When will they arrive?" he asked.
"I don't know. How long does it take them to get here from the moon?"
"Not long. Eddy will be able to tell us. We're here to pick up some cable to tie up the submarine a little tighter," he said as they reached the space ship and climbed the ramp to the cargo bay. Kevin opened the storage locker and located the cable. Liz and Rima came aft from the cabin as Kevin was handing the coils to the submarine shore crew. Eddy relayed the Admiral's instructions to Liz. "He wants you to talk to the shore crew, Liz. I suppose because you can tell them we're not the bad guys. Help the crew take this cable down to the launch and I'll meet you there after I talk with Eddy about our parents."
"Will do," Liz said with a wink. She took a roll of cable Kevin handed her and turned to the shore crew, "Come on, guys. Let's get this cable to your boat."
They watched Liz waving her arms in animated conversation as she and the sailors carried the cable across the beach toward the launch. She set her roll of cable down on the sand and began using both hands, it was plain to see she was describing the way her jet fighter had been separated from the squadron and held at bay until it ran out of fuel. The shore crew surrounded her in a tight circle listening in rapt attention, none of them looked angry.
"It looks to me like Liz has already convinced those sailors they're on the wrong side," Grace said turning toward the pilot's cabin. "We should find out what we can do to help Mom and Dad get down on the ground in one piece." Rima was seated at the radio console next to Eddy when they entered the flight cabin. "We're still monitoring the frequency they used when they left the moon," she said.
Eddy looked up from the sensors. "We won't be able to see them until they are within forty or fifty kilometers. They're down behind the curve of the earth flying fast and low to avoid detection. We only have ten or twelve seconds to contact them before they go right on by and disappear over the horizon on the other side of us."
"They know where we are," Kevin responded. "The problem is that Dad is a scientist and not a pilot. How is he going to land without crashing? Can you help him from here?"
"He must have had some practice or they wouldn't have made it this far. We tracked their ship until it disappeared below the horizon headed for the south pole. If they didn't crash there, we should be able to talk him down to the ground safely here." Eddy spoke with a reassuring smile but he was more than a little worried about their parent's transition from space flight into the sink hole of earth's gravity. "It won't be long now. All we can do is wait and be ready to help if they need it."
"Okay." Kevin responded. "I'll go see if I can help with the submarine."
"I'll stay here with Eddy and Rima," Grace said, with a worried frown. She bent down to peer at the instrument panel so none of them could see her expression.
Kevin caught the tone on his sister's voice and placed one hand on her shoulder. "Think positive," he said turning toward the cargo bay door, "I'm sure they will make it." He patted her shoulder and then walked through the ship, down the ramp, and across the beach.
Liz and the shore boat crew were just reaching the sub as he arrived at the water line. Small tropical clouds drifted peacefully on warm trade winds that felt good on his face. He took a deep breath and admired the beautiful vista as he joined the Admiral and the sub commander, who were deep in conversation. The commander didn't look very happy. "I guess I don't have much choice at this point," the commander was saying. "We'll do what you are asking but you're going to pay dearly for this."
"Let me worry about that, your job is to park quietly on the bottom for a few weeks and concentrate on keeping your ship in good shape and your crew in good spirits," the Admiral responded, glancing in Kevin's direction before looking back at the sub commander. "We're going to do everything we can to return you to home port as quickly as possible."
Perko surfaced at that moment and stood up in waist deep water. "Admiral," he called. "We padded the cable with the old fish net, the propeller is tied to the rudder so well that it should completely jam the rudder before it cuts the cable. Cecric is finishing up with the knots. It was easy. We've also found a perfect little canyon with a sandy bottom to hide the submarine. It's between two reefs and only about a hundred meters toward shore from where the sub is now."
"That's good," the Admiral responded. "Liz is returning now, we'll take the commander back to his ship and find out if the launch can move it."
"Four of us were able to lift the anchor and move it about five meters in the right direction," Perko said. "If you get a long rope from the sub and we tie it to the anchor line from the launch, we should all be able to drag the anchor into position. Then the sub can pull itself."
"Great idea!" Admiral Castro exclaimed. "I want to get that sub out of sight as fast as we can. Here comes Liz, let's get going."
They all piled into the launch as soon as Liz pulled in close. She backed away from the shore, turned toward the sub and jammed the throttle to full speed. Though they reached the submarine in only a few minutes the Admiral was becoming anxious. "Hurry with that rope," he told the commander as he climbed aboard the submarine.
One of the submarine crew was reaching over the edge of the sub to help the commander. "We want a two centimeter rope about twenty five meters long," the Admiral said to the sailor. The commander nodded agreement and a rope was quickly handed down. Liz maneuvered to the anchor line at the bow of the sub. Kevin uncoiled the rope and handed one end to Perko, who immediately dove under water with it.
"The rope is tied to the anchor line," Perko said when he came back up. "You pull out more anchor line from the sub and follow me."
Admiral Castro signaled the submarine to begin letting out anchor line. Liz carefully moved to follow Perko, he was twenty meters ahead with one ear in the water listening to what the delfinians were doing with the anchor at the bottom and waving the launch forward. They made it about half way before the stern of the shore boat began lowering to water level from the weight of the anchor line. "We can't go any further," Kevin yelled. Liz backed off on the throttle and Kevin released the line. Four heads popped out of the water a moment later, they were all smiling broadly.
"They've set the anchor," Perko reported waving to the submarine, which began winching in the anchor line and slowly moving toward them. "I'll go down and help with the next move. When the sub stops, you pull out more cable. We'll be able to tell when you've gone as far as you can," he said. "Keep enough power going to help lift." All five delfinians dove to the bottom at the same time. They swam playfully even though they felt the pressing urgency to hide the submarine before it was spotted by Use satellites or search planes. Cecric chased a large octopus and Perko swam around her in loops. They were completely enjoying themselves while maintaining a direct route to the submarine anchor.
"This is as beautiful an ocean as on Delfinia," Dawn said as they gathered around the anchor and waited for the launch to pull out more cable.
"It's a shame the way some humans treat Earth so badly," Landra commented in response. "If they could somehow know how we feel after watching our planet destroyed, they might quit using Earth’s oceans as a place to dump their garbage."
"Nation Pacifica doesn't do those things," Sudor pointed out. "That proves it is possible for humans to adjust their way of life so it doesn't damage Earth."
"We definitely need to figure out a way to help Nation Pacifica," Dawn said.
Perko laughed. "I think we've made a good start with this submarine."
Sudor pointed to the bottom of the launch floating above them, "It look's to me like they have moved the anchor line about as far as last time. Let's move the anchor on the count of three."
They all bent over and easily picked it up when Perko counted to three. The launch almost pulled it out of their hands so they pushed off the bottom with their tail hand and then swam with it to extend their slow motion jump. The anchor was heavy even for five delfinians and the shore boat, but it didn't take long to cross the sandy bottom and find a stone ledge strong enough to hold the anchor. They swam to the surface as soon as they finished.
"The anchor is set," Sudor called to the Admiral, who waved for the sub to pull itself into position and begin submerging.
They all watched the submarine slowly submerging as it approached them, it was more than halfway under when it reached the shore boat, the submarine commander stood up top alone. Admiral Castro saluted him. "I know you are no more happy with this situation than I would be if I was in your shoes," He said to the commander. "Take your ship straight down and we will do everything we can to get you home in a few weeks."
The commander glared at the Admiral and then slowly looked each delfinian in the eye. "You are hostile invaders and will be dealt with as such," he said before descending into the sub and out of sight. They heard the hatch slam shut and a moment later the submarine disappeared underwater.
"Okay. Let's get a move on," the Admiral urged. "I'll drop Kevin and Liz at the beach so they can help hide the spaceship at the old fort and then follow you to the sailboat mooring in the launch."
Liz hit the power and they zoomed to shore. She and Kevin leaped from the boat and ran full speed toward the spaceship the moment they reached the beach. Admiral Castro jumped to the helm, backed from the shore, and turned out to sea, toward the west. He pushed the throttle to full power as soon as he spotted the delfinians waving to him from the surfing point.
He had a smile on his wind swept face, his mind and body thrilled as he maneuvered around and over the waves, swinging south at the surfing point. The shore boat became momentarily airborne as he sped over the shoulder of a great surfing wave and took position behind the delfinians, who occasionally glanced back to make sure they weren't swimming so fast as to leave him behind. Admiral Castro took a wide stance as he stood with the steering wheel in his hands and and turned easterly, he felt the ocean pounding beneath the hull and allowed himself to daydream along with the full speed hum of the engine. He was thinking about the the wonders of Delfinian medical science which had filled him with youthful vigor he hadn't felt in years when a tremendous boom made him jerk to a semi-crouch. He stood back up just in time keep control of the launch and to see the delfinians reflexively disappearing underwater.
Will and Leslie Berrigan had arrived. They were traveling too fast to stop but Will was able to turn in a long curve that brought their craft back around the island. Leslie spotted the spaceship sitting on the beach and could clearly see her son, daughter, and others standing next to it. "There they are! Can you see them?" she asked pointing out the window.
Will turned back around with his side view window aimed toward the shore. "Yep. I see them," he answered while calmly examining the flight controls with the detached manner of an observant scientist.
"Can you put the ship on the ground? Leslie asked, nervously watching him study the controls.
"I think so," he said turning in a long spiral toward shore.
Their conversation was interrupted by Eddy's voice on the radio. "Mr. Berrigan, can you hear me? Over."
"Yes. I can hear you."
"I'm Eddy McGregor, pilot of Admiral One. Do you require assistance? Over."
"As a matter of fact, I do," Will responded. "I've got this thing under control but I can't find the landing gizmos."
"It appears from here that you maneuver fairly well. Over."
"I can go in the direction I want," Will responded calmly even though beads of sweat were beginning to form on his forehead. He wiped sweating palms on his pant legs and circled the bay after looping back out to sea again.
"Okay. Stay where you are while we fly over to the landing area and show you where to go. Are you comfortable practicing your maneuvers for a few minutes? Over."
"I suppose so, but I'm sorry to report that my body may be approaching exhaustion. Over"
"Take a deep breath. Try to relax. Do a few circles and S curves, just for fun. Your ship flies perfect. Trust it. We're taking off now. The landing area is in the center of an old colonial fort less the three hundred meters from our ship. Over."
Eddy explained which controls to look for as he flew into position near the old fort. "Can you see the landing area?" Eddy asked.
"Sort of," Will answered. "It looks like a rock ledge sticking out of the mountain from here."
"That's it," Eddy said. "Fly in a straight line toward it. Your joy power changes to pure lift as you adjust your power lander control levers. It's no different than the automobiles you designed. You invented it, I assure you it works perfectly. Try and relax for your final approach and landing."
"Okay, here we come. I sure do wish they'd build these things the way I design them, though," he said, grumpily. Leslie laughed at him, then. Her laughter was so genuinely merry that she instantly dispelled all tension in the cockpit. Will looked over at her and smiled. "I can do it," he said.
"I know you can," she answered using her most reassuring professional medical voice.
"You're closing in on the landing area," Eddy said. "Ease more of your joy power to lift and cut it back some so you don't gain elevation. Don't try to maneuver around once you are over the landing spot, just set your ship down. I'll park it for you after you are out of the ship."
Will and Leslie slowly edged over the crumbled walls of the old fort. They were about twenty five meters up and descending slowly. "You're in good position," Eddy said over the radio. "Pull your landing levers all the way back and reduce power slowly. Watch the vertical velocity. One meter per second downward won't be too hard of a landing. Good luck. We are right behind you. Steady as you go. Fifteen seconds to landing. Cut power as soon as you touch down. Ten seconds. Leave the joy generator on so I can park you better. Five seconds, Cut power on impact. You are home! Cut power now."
Eddy landed within seconds, positioning the Admiral's frigate to keep watch on the submarine. Grace and Kevin ran to their parents spacecraft as soon as the door was open and the ramp was down. Leslie was first on the ground and immediately stepped into the waiting arms of her children. Will made it to the ground and collapsed.
"Dad!" Kevin shouted letting go of his mom and running to his father. "Are you okay?" He asked kneeling to check his father's pulse.
"Yeah, I'm alive," Will said. "My legs are shaking. Help me up."
Grace joined with Kevin and they pulled their father to his feet. Then all four of them melted into one big family hug.
Rima, Liz, and Eddy stood aside for awhile, then Eddy quietly mentioned it would be good to step outside the fort and let him park the ship a little better.
Will let go of his own kids and shook Eddy's hand. "Thanks for the help," he said. "I would probably have wrecked the ship without your help."
"You did fine, sir. Can you walk?"
"I think so."
"Okay. You all go over to the boat and check in with the Admiral. I'll stay here to park and camouflage our new ship. We still need to set an alarm monitor on the submarine location, too."
"I'd like to stay here and help," Liz volunteered. "Will you teach me how to park the new ship? I'm a good pilot, and now we have two spaceships."
Eddy looked at Liz thoughtfully, the others noticed and turned to listen. Eddy walked slowly to Liz with his eyes locked on hers. He reached up and placed his hand on her forehead.
"Yes," Eddy responded using melodian telepathic speech. "That thing is a serious fighter and we definitely need a fighter pilot. We can talk with the Admiral about an open space training program later. I won’t be surprised if he sends me back to Planet Pacifica for reinforcements." He stepped back and they all looked at Liz's wide-eyed expression.
"You heard my song?" Eddy said with his voice. It was more of a statement than a question.
"It was music in my head," Liz stammered. "I understood you perfectly."
"Star Song taught me Melodian speech before he gave me advanced flight training," Eddy responded, again without using his voice.
Everyone there heard his song. Eddy and Liz heard Leslie ask Rima about Star Song as they turned to go meet the delfinians and see their old friend, Inocente, the Admiral. Liz asked Eddy the same question.
"I'll tell you more while we work," he said, using his voice. "Star Song is interesting but we better stay focused here and now."