Anchored, page 19
But we couldn’t let him go with them. His barking would jeopardize their safety.
Once they were a distance away, I held onto Boots with one hand and the wheel with
the other. Takumi raised the sails and then blew up a small inflatable raft we’d had in storage. It was bright yellow and old. I wasn’t sure it would hold air, but we hoped that if the Mexican Navy saw a dinghy, they’d think everyone was still on board.
Takumi tied the little rubber boat to the stern, watched it bounce behind us, then took
the wheel.
We stared at one another. I was at a loss for words. This was not what I imagined being alone on Whistler with Takumi would be like.
Finally, I said, “I’ll put Boots in the closet. He feels secure there, and it’s the safest place on the boat. For a while, at least.”
When I came back, Takumi took me in his arms. I leaned on him and we steered
together.
“Should we keep heading out to sea?” he whispered.
I checked the shoreline. “No. We’re far enough. If we have to swim, we don’t need to make it any harder.” I stepped away, and brought in the mainsail so Takumi could change direction. Soon, we were headed North and I let out the sail. “I wish Kevin would call.”
“Angelina took the last handheld radio, didn’t she?” Takumi studied the sail.
“No. There’s still one. I told her we’d leave our radio on.”
“That’s good. They’re going to be okay.”
“Yes. They are.” I stepped back into his embrace. We watched the dinghy’s progress. They were almost a quarter of a mile away. The tide was taking them out to sea. When the tide changed, I hoped it would bring them back to shore just as quickly.
An hour passed. Takumi held me close as we sailed. It was perfect. I was in his arms and on my boat. I never wanted the journey to end. But we were running out of time, and we both knew it.
“We need a plan, Toni,” Takumi said, his voice melancholic.
“Kevin shows up, and…”
“If Kevin left right after you talked to him, it would take him almost a day to get to us.”
“I know. I wish I could see a way out of this.” I snuggled closer and closed my eyes,
hoping to hold on to the moment.
Takumi handed me the binoculars. “Sorry, but we need to check on the sailors.”
I sighed and climbed up on the stern. “Their boat has sunk. They’re floating on boards. Looks like maybe ski or paddle boards.”
I handed back the binoculars. “That makes sense. They were on a civilian boat. I hope they stay alive. If we haven’t killed their guys, maybe the Mexicans won’t shoot us. So, how do we defeat the next wave of sailors?”
“If it’s just one boat, we ram it again,” Takumi said with conviction.
“And if there’s more?”
“We show ourselves, shoot a few rounds at them, then jump in the water.”
We were at least five miles from the beach. I was a strong swimmer … but this was a stretch. “Better than being shot, I guess. At least the water is warm.”
“I’m worried about Boots. They won’t keep him. What if we put Boots in the inflatable when we know we’re outnumbered, and let it float away? I don’t think they’ll care about a dog. We could swim underwater for as long as we can and get far from Whistler. They’ll shoot at us when we come up, but maybe they’ll give up when they have the boat.”
“And then what?” I tried not to sound skeptical.
“Then the best part. We swim to the inflatable and hang on the side, away from the sailors’ view, until they leave. When it’s safe, we climb aboard, and paddle with Boots to Cabo.”
“That’s quite a plan.” I stepped away. “I’m going to radio the base for news.”
Takumi frowned. “Wait. Don’t you like my plan?”
“Let me think about it.”
I went below and radioed the U.S. Naval base. The female operator said Kevin wasn’t available. She couldn’t tell me where he was. I pleaded with her. I told her our situation. But she just kept repeating that we weren’t military, and she couldn’t give me any information. I finally gave her a message to pass on to Kevin and stood looking around the cabin.
Memories of our time on the boat flowed over me. I grinned at the vision of Makala cutting out butterfly pictures at the chart table, and then at Jervis’s sisters hiding in the tent he’d set up in the middle of the floor. I recalled Zoë, standing in her cabin doorway, decked out in an evening gown for their wedding. Even the bathroom held memories. Takumi had kneeled on the shower floor and asked me to go with him to prom.
We’d suffered loss and storms, but we’d also had happy times. Throughout it all, Whistler had been our refuge. There had to be a way to save the boat and our lives. Why couldn’t I see it?
I thought for a moment about Takumi’s plan. Sending Boots out in the inflatable sounded awful for our little dog. If we didn’t make it to the raft, he’d float out to sea.
As I left to check on Boots, Takumi yelled. “Toni! We’ve got company.”
“This is it!” I kicked off my shoes and leapt up the steps.
Takumi handed me the binoculars. In the distance, three powerboats were heading around the tip of Cabo, and speeding our way.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Takumi and I stared at the direction the boats were coming from. Without the binoculars, they were just small specks in the distance.
“Three of them,” I mumbled. “Of course, there’d be three boats.”
“Does the number three really matter?” Takumi asked.
I nodded. “If there was just one boat, we might be able to ram it like we did the last time. With two boats, we could ram one, and shoot out the other. But three?”
“What do you think of my idea? I’ll get Boots. We don’t want to let the dinghy with Boots loose until the Mexicans are closer. But we need them to see it shove off, and know we aren’t on it, for our plan to work.”
I put my hand on his arm. “Takumi, with three boats, we aren’t going to outswim them. At least one of the boats is bound to see us every time we come up for air. We’ll drown or be shot. And then Boots will float out to sea. It’s inhumane to do this to Boots. A quick death is kinder.”
Takumi thought for a moment. “What if we hide under Whistler with snorkels? We could watch for the boats under water, and come up when they have passed by.”
“You’ve swam with snorkels. We’d have to blow out the tube to get air. And they’d see that too.”
Takumi frowned. “Okay then, I’ll stay and fight. You jump in and swim for help.”
I almost chuckled. “Where do you think I’d find help?” I gestured at the miles of open ocean.
“I don’t know.” Takumi threw his arms in the air. “We just need to last until Kevin or the Navy get here.”
“I’ll try the radio again. Maybe someone will tell me where Kevin’s people are? And if they’re even coming.
Before I left, I checked the progress of the Mexican Navy boats. I could make out the three boats without the binoculars, now. I pointed. “How long until they get here?”
“I’d guess fifteen, maybe twenty minutes. They’re really moving.”
“Okay!” I raced to the radio. It was still on.
“San Diego Naval Base, come in please. Over!” My voice cracked.
The same woman I’d spoken to earlier came on. She told me to get off the military channel. She could not help me. However, when I asked to speak to Sergeant Sassy, there was a silence for what seemed forever. I worried she’d disconnected me.
Finally, the woman came back on. She said she could not locate Sergeant Sassy. “All I can tell you is that she is on a special mission.”
“So, is she coming to rescue us? Over.”
“All I can tell you is that she is on a special mission. Over.”
“So, she might be coming to rescue us. Over.”
“They are on a special mission. Over.”
“They? Kevin and Sassy are together? Over.”
“This is a restricted frequency. Do not use it again. This is the U.S. Naval Base operator at San Diego. Over and out.”
“No! Wait,” I cried. “We need to know how far away they are.” All I heard was static. I hung my head. They were coming, but Takumi was right. Even if they’d left right after I called, they’d be hours away. And we didn’t have hours.
I hurried up top. Now I could see the people in the boats. Two of the boats held three Mexican Navy sailors. The larger, third boat, held five. We were in major trouble.
“What did they say?” Takumi asked when I returned.
“The operator hinted that our Marines are coming, but she wouldn’t tell me how far away they are.” I scanned the Northern waters with the binoculars. There was no sign of any U.S. boats. “Doesn’t look like they’ll be here in time.”
“We should still try to hold the Mexicans off for as long as we can. We know they want Whistler intact, so they won’t shoot it up too badly.”
“I agree. Did you give all the flares to Angelina?”
“No! There are about six left.” Takumi adjusted the wheel and Whistler sped up.
But not fast enough.
“How’s your throwing arm?” Takumi asked me.
I smiled. “I pitched softball.”
“The cockpit is our best cover and place to shoot from. We’ll have to raise up to see, but when we do, we can see in all directions.”
“Okay,” I said. “You have the rifle. How good of a shot are you?”
Takumi shrugged. “I’ve never shot a rifle in my life. Only a handgun. But, how hard can it be?”
“I wouldn’t know. I’ve never shot one either.” I giggled nervously.
“That’s why I love you.”
“Now you tell me. I thought it was my chlorine-green hair.”
“Yeah, that too.” He pulled me close. “I wish we had more time.” We touched foreheads. He mouthed, “I love you.” We kissed and held each other close.
My racing heart slowed. It beat in time with his. A stillness came over me. I didn’t want to die, but we were doing the right thing. And no matter what happened, we would be together.
The magical spell was broken by the roar of boat engines.
They were closing in on us.
“Get the flares,” Takumi said calmly as he kissed me one last time. He leisurely moved to the floor of the cockpit and rested the rifle on one of the seats. He tested shooting from different angles, and crouched down.
I found the flares and the handgun. I squatted beside him. “Tell me when and where.” I was ready.
The roar of the engines grew louder and louder. They were close.
Without any warning, rapid shots rang out. “Stay down!” Takumi yelled. Fiberglass bits flew in all directions where the bullets hit. We had no chance to shoot back. We were pinned down.
The gun fire stopped. The boats began gunning their engines. The roar was thunderous.
Takumi aimed his rifle at the direction of the boats. He said something to me, but the engines were so loud, I couldn’t hear him.
I raised up so I could peek over the seat. The three boats were floating about fifty feet from Whistler. I had no idea why they’d stopped shooting.
“What are they doing?” I cried as I covered my ears. The engine noise was deafening. It seemed to be all around us.
A shadow darkened the deck. I glanced up. A sleek looking helicopter was dropping out of the ski, directly above us. Ladders with Marines in wet suits were hanging from it.
“Sorry we’re late.” A voice bellowed over a loud speaker.
I grabbed Takumi. We cheered and clutched one another. We bounced up and down, and cheered some more.
“Drop your sails. My men will come aboard,” the voice said.
It was Kevin. He’d done it. He’d come to the rescue.
And then, a lone shot rang out. It pinged off the helicopter. We ducked for cover in the cockpit.
Return fire blasted out from the helicopter. It hit the water and across the bows of the Mexican boats.
“Anyone hurt?” Kevin asked over the speaker.
The Marines dropped into the water behind us. One by one, they signaled thumbs-up.
“Toni and Takumi?”
We thumbs-upped, too. Takumi dropped the sails. I ran to the wheel, and took Whistler into the wind to slow it down.
Kevin yelled down at us: “Be right back.”
The massive helicopter with torpedo looking weapons and barrels of automatic weapons sticking out everywhere, turned on the boats that had been attacking us.
Kevin’s voice boomed over the sea. “Mexican vessels. You are in international waters. This sailboat, Whistler, is the property of the United States Navy. Any attack or damage to it, is an attack on the United States. A company of Marines will accompany Whistler to San Diego. Do not attempt to follow. Return to your base. Now!”
Takumi and I glanced across the boat at one another. We grinned from ear to ear as the three Mexican Navy boats roared away.
Chapter Thirty-Three
The first Marine to make it to Whistler climbed onto the swim step. In one smooth move, he hoisted himself up and onto the deck. He leapt over the rails and made his way to where I stood at the wheel.
“I’m First Lieutenant Banks. I’ll take it from here, Miss.” He wore a wet suit that dripped all over the deck.
“Take it?” I didn’t comprehend what he was saying.
“The wheel, Miss. I’ll take the wheel, from here on.”
I stepped away and watched as three more Marines boarded Whistler. From the helicopter, two sailors dropped into the choppy sea while holding onto a large duffel bag. The bag had orange floats attached.
The duffel was taken below. It held clothing and multiple weapons. The Marines changed and returned to Whistler’s deck. They examined the sails. They laid on their stomachs and leaned over the side to check out the hull. They inspected the instruments, and asked questions.
Takumi answered them. I just stood at the rail and watched.
“Toni!” A woman said my name. I looked around.
Sassy pulled herself up out of the water. “Toni!”
“You’re here too?” I helped her up and over the rail.
Behind her, Kevin hoisted himself onto the deck. “You asked us for help, remember?”
“Thank you! Both of you. So much.” I stood back as they shucked off the tops of their wet suits. “You saved our lives.”
“Glad we got here in time.” Kevin went below to change.
I hugged Sassy. “I can’t believe you made it.”
“And now you’re soaked.” Sassy grinned.
I looked around for a towel for Sassy, but they had all been used. “I thought you were out of diesel? How did you manage to find enough fuel for a helicopter?”
Sassy grabbed the rail. The sea was growing rough. “The base is out of gasoline and short on diesel. But you were too far away for us to make it to you, in a boat, anyway. We had to come up with a plan B.”
I held onto the dodger and waited.
“You saw the airport in San Diego. All the coastal airports and planes were destroyed by the tsunami. But, there are still huge supplies of aircraft fuel in underground tanks. The tsunami didn’t touch any of the coastal tanks.
“When everything started to freeze, we cleared a couple of runways in Santa Barbara, and flew in planes and helicopters from the frozen north. We can’t drive a jeep, but we can keep our planes and helicopters in the air. For a while, anyway.”
“That’s amazing. So, why don’t you just rescue your people trapped at sea with your helicopters? Don’t they hold a lot of people?”
“Helicopters fly fast, but not a long distance. This helicopter we rescued you in flies the furthest. And, it can only travel eight hundred miles round trip. The ships that are in trouble are out farther than that. We’ve been airdropping supplies from planes to keep the crews alive, but it’s not enough.”
“So, you still need my sailboat? But, we can’t get more than ten or so people onboard Whistler.”
Kevin had changed and now came back on deck. Sassy gestured for both Takumi and Kevin to join us. “Takumi, you need to hear this too. Major Conrad has a plan. He’s been taking life pods off cruise ships and equipping them for a long voyage. The pods are light weight, fully enclosed, and can carry forty people. He wants to send out a flotilla of sailboats. Each sailboat will tow a pod.”
“That’s some plan!” Takumi stared at me. His eyes sparkled with enthusiasm.
“It is. You guys are amazing. It’s hard to let Whistler go, but at least she’ll be used for a good cause. But I need to ask one more favor.” The boat lurched. “We have to find and rescue Nick, Angelina, and Makala.”
“What? Where are they?” Sassy was surprised at the news.
I explained.
“I need to use your radio,” she told Kevin. He handed her a hand-held device, and she radioed the helicopter pilot.
The pilot quickly radioed back the coordinates of the dinghy.
I got on our radio and spoke to Angelina. She said her grandfather was about a half an hour away. I told her we’d pick them up, pass Boots over, and wait for her grandfather. I told her to tell her grandfather to hurry. It felt like a storm was coming.
Sassy gave the Marine at the wheel the coordinates of the dinghy, and Whistler changed direction. Without Takumi or my help. It felt strange to stand around and do nothing. But we were alive. I reminded myself of that, over and over again.
Soon, were reunited with our friends. Makala raced past me to the closet where Boots was still hidden. She didn’t seem to notice the strangers who swarmed over the boat. Angelina and Nick smiled and told us how worried they’d been. We told them about the helicopter rescue, and they demanded details.
When I finished, Nick shook his head. “Darn. We should have stayed onboard. I would have loved to have been here when that helicopter showed up.”
I told them about Kevin’s ultimatum to the Mexican Navy, and they high-fived him.
Takumi and I followed Nick and Angelina below deck. Takumi asked Nick what his plans were.
