by Saxon Andrew
“Mr. McCagg, I really don’t want to do this!”
“You’ll have to do many things in life you don’t like, Mrs. Hart. You’ll be on my left, Timmy on my right, and John will be on the other side of Timmy. We’re going to swim up to the yellow ball and stop there. Boats and swimmers are not allowed beyond that marker.” Dillon went down the ladder on the back of the boat and helped John pull his hose in behind him. Mrs. Hart moved to the ladder and Dillon helped her into the water.
“This is cold!”
“It’s about seventy eight degrees. You’ll get used to it in a moment.’ He helped Timmy into the water and said, “Everyone hold hands and swim together to the buoy.”
“What manatee lives here?”
“John, this is where one of the really old manatees normally hangs out. I’m hoping he’s finished grazing and is resting on the bottom of the river.”
They swam toward the large yellow ball and stopped five feet from it. Dillon raised his right hand and hit the water four times, then three, then two, then one. He waited but saw nothing ahead of them. He did it three more times and nothing appeared. Timmy said, “None of them are here.”
Dillon shrugged, “That sometimes happens. They make their own schedule. We’ll go to the next location. Dillon felt something tap him on the back and he looked over his shoulder. He gripped Timmy and Mrs. Hart’s hands more firmly and said in a very calm voice, “Listen closely. Make no sudden moves and everyone turn slowly around on the count of three. One, two, three.”
The four slowly turned and Dillon felt Mrs. Hart’s hand suddenly grab his arm with a death grip. “Oh my big bottom!” A foot in front of them had to be the largest manatee on the planet. It was staring directly into Dillon’s mask from about a foot away.
Dillon released Timmy’s hand and reached forward and rubbed the giant under his face. The manatee’s eyes actually closed in bliss. “Everyone, this is Jimmy. He’s the old man around these parts and he probably weights more than four thousand pounds.” Dillon took Mrs. Hart’s hand and forced it up against the side of Jimmy’s face. Her eyes were as big as saucers but after a moment she started rubbing the manatee’s face. It slowly left Dillon and moved directly in front of Mrs. Hart. She raised her other hand after a few moments and rubbed both sides of the manatee’s face. Suddenly, manatees began swimming in and Dillon saw John rubbing another large male. Timmy was rubbing a small female and all of them were silent. He looked at Mrs. Hart and saw her scowl was gone. She stared at the giant in front of her and slowly shook her head, “He’s amazing.”
“Yes, he is.” Dillon waited about fifteen minutes and said over the built in microphone, “Alright, stop rubbing them and start swimming toward the boat.”
Mrs. Hart shook her head, “Just a little longer.”
Dillon saw she was totally absorbed by Jimmy’s presence. He waited five more minutes, reached up and took her arm, and pulled her away from Jimmy. She resisted a moment and then started swimming. She kept looking over her shoulder as the giant followed them toward the boat. Dillon helped her up the ladder and she put her mask and hose down on the deck. She walked to the left side and Jimmy followed her and raised his face out of the water. Timmy and John climbed on board and Dillon shook his head, “It appears Jimmy has a thing for you, Mrs. Hart.” She smiled and nodded. This was going to be a problem. “Mrs. Hart, walk around to the bow of the boat.”
She looked at him, “Why?”
“I need to turn on the motor and I don’t want to injure Jimmy. When I crank the motor, I want you to lie down below on the deck.” She stared at him and Dillon shook his head, “If he can see you, he’ll probably follow us.” She blew out a breath and nodded. Dillon checked around the boat and raised the motor until the prop was barely below the surface. He cranked the motor and Mrs. Hart lay down on the deck. Dillon backed away and Jimmy remained where he was. He turned the boat fifty yards away and moved quickly away from the buoy. Good, Jimmy wasn’t following them. He looked at John, “Tell me how to get to the next marker.”
John sat down beside him, turned the map in his hands and pointed across the river, “Go that way.”
“Very good, John.” Dillon looked at Mrs. Hart and saw a different person. She went into the water a bitter, broken hearted woman who was old before her time. She emerged from the water a different person. Timmy sat in her lap and said, “Mom, he was a giant.”
Mrs. Hart smiled, “Yes, he was.”
• • •
Dillon took them to six more locations before he had Mrs. Hart and John steer the boat back to the marina. Scott was waiting for them and grabbed the ropes to tie the boat off. Mrs. Hart did a good job getting close to the dock.
Timmy looked at Dillon, “When are we going again!”
Dillon sighed, “This is the last time I’ll be taking you out.”
The three Harts looked at Dillon and Timmy said, “What’s wrong? You don’t like us?”
“No, it’s nothing like that.”
“Then what is it? I thought you liked us.”
Mrs. Hart looked at him, “If it’s me you have an issue with, I’ll not go next time.”
“I have no issues with any of you.”
“Then why?”
Dillon sighed and shook his head. He sat down and looked at them, “You know I’m a pilot in the Navy.” The two boys looked at their mother and then nodded. “I’ve been selected to go on a mission that, in all probability, I won’t be coming back.”
Timmy stared at him, “What do you mean not coming back.”
John said, “He expects to die.”
Timmy jerked his head toward his brother and then back to Dillon, “Is that true!?”
“It is.”
“Why were you selected?”
“I volunteered.”
“That’s dumb! Why would you volunteer to do something that would kill you?”
Dillon saw Mrs. Hart staring at him and, though he expected a scowl, it didn’t appear. He looked at Timmy, “Do you remember the first Manatee you saw?”
“Sally.”
“Do you remember how she moved to the left and right as moved toward her?” Both boys nodded. “Do you know what she was doing?” Timmy shook his head. Dillon smiled, “She was placing herself between us and her baby. Why do you think she did that?”
John tilted his head, “She wanted to make sure we weren’t a danger to her baby.”
“Did Sally have to volunteer to do that, Timmy?”
Timmy shook his head and looked at his mother, “No! Mothers always protect their babies. Right Mom?” Mrs. Hart’s eyes moistened as she nodded.
“Well, I joined the service to put myself between mankind and any threat to it. I didn’t hesitate to volunteer for this mission because it is to go out and determine if a threat exists that could harm our planet. A threat that could possibly harm all of you. It’s my chosen purpose in life to protect humanity from any threat to it. Can you understand that? Would Sally hesitate to get between her baby and danger?”
Timmy shook his head. “But I don’t want you to die.”
“And I don’t want to die. But this has to be done and I’m the best one to go out and do it.”
Timmy stared at the deck and after a moment lifted his head, “You might not die, right?”
Dillon smiled, “I might not die.”
“Then if you don’t, will you take us out again?”
“We’ll see. However, you don’t need me to take you out anymore.”
“Yes we do.”
“No we don’t Timmy.”
Timmy looked up at John, “Why not?”
“Because now we know all the locations to go to see the Manatees and Mom can drive the boat to get us there. He’s taught us how to do it ourselves.”
Mrs. Hart looked at Dillon, “Mr. McCagg, I can’t afford to rent a boat to take them out.”
“You won’t have to.”
“What?”
“Scott, why don’t you tell them?”
Scott looked at the three Harts and smiles, “Dillon owns this boat and he leases it to the marina. We service and repair it when needed and use it for our customers. However, anyone he approves can take it out at no charge.” Scott looked at Mrs. Hart, “He has designated you as one that is authorized to use it. Just call in advance when you want to take it out.”
“What about the breathing apparatus?’
“He owns those as well.”
Mrs. Hart looked at Dillon, “I can’t accept this, Mr. McCagg.”
Dillon shook his head, “Mrs. Hart. I was chosen for this mission because I have no living relatives. If you don’t use it, it will go to waste. If I don’t make it back, then I want you to use it as much as you choose. Will you please do that for me?”
She stared at Dillon and then looked at her sons. She could see their sorrow but also their hope that she would accept. She turned to Dillon, “You will contact us if you come back!”
Dillon smiled, “I will.”
“Then I thank you for your generosity. Boys, say good-bye to Mr. McCagg.”
The boys ran forward and hugged Dillon. John looked up at him, “Thank you for helping me remember my father.”
“It was my pleasure, John.”
Scott pulled the boys up to the dock and they ran toward the car to dry off. Scott helped Mrs. Hart out of the boat and she looked at Dillon, “Why did you do this, Mr. McCagg?”
Dillon looked toward the parking lot, “Because I see a lot of myself in your sons. I was just like them at their age, Mrs. Hart.”
She stared at him and smiled, “Call me Amy. Thank you again.” She turned and started walking up the dock. She pulled the tie out of her hair and allowed it to fall to her shoulders. She carried the wide brimmed hat and dress in her hand. She arrived at the car and turned around and looked at Dillon. He didn’t understand her expression. Then she got in the car and drove away.
Dillon heard a vibration in the boat’s console and he pulled his wrist unit out. He saw a Captain on the display, “Sir, your ship will be ready tomorrow. The Fleet Admiral has requested you return today.”
“I’ll contact the shuttle to come pick me up.”
“Sir, I’ve already dispatched the shuttle and it should arrive in fifteen minutes.”
Dillon looked at Scott, “Is what you told them true?” Dillon nodded. Scott pulled Dillon close and hugged him, “I’ll make sure they’re taken care of, Dillon.”
“Thanks, Scott.”
“Go and grab your things. I’ll check you out of the resort.” Dillon nodded and ran up the dock toward his room.
• • •
Amy stopped at a Dairy Queen on the main highway leading out of Crystal River and ordered ice cream cones for all. They were standing in line at the window when John said, “Mom, isn’t that a fleet ship?”
Amy turned around and saw the shuttle moving down quickly from high altitude toward the resort. “Yes it is.” She looked at John and saw his anxiety, “It’s coming for Mr. McCagg to go on his mission.” She looked at Timmy, who had his eyes closed and his head down, “What are you doing, Timmy?”
“Praying he comes back.”
John looked at his mother, “Our father was like him, wasn’t he?”
Amy heard a loud noise and turned to see the shuttle rising from the direction of the resort. She sighed, “Yes, John. He was very much like him.”
John nodded, “That’s who I want to be like, Mom. Will you be ok with that?”
Amy pulled John in her arms as her tears began, “It would be a great honor to me and your father.” She held him and watched the shuttle disappear. Mr. McCagg was right. Manatees could change you.
• • •
Dillon arrived at Fleet Headquarters and took the elevator to the sixty third floor. He walked down the hall to a room that had Fleet Benefits written on the door and he walked in and saw a Lieutenant stand up and walk over to the counter. The Lieutenant saw the star on his collar and stood up straighter, “How may I help you, Admiral?”
“I want to make a change in my benefit program.”
“Yes, Sir. What is your full name?”
“Dillon McCagg.”
“No middle name.”
“No.”
The Lieutenant looked at the computer terminal on the counter and frowned, “It appears you’ve not designated anyone to receive your benefits.”
“I want the widow of Lt. John Hart to be my beneficiary.”
The Lieutenant pressed several keys and said, “Are you referring to Lt. John Hart that died two years ago in a ship accident?”
“I am.”
“Sir, Fleet regulations do not allow you to leave your benefits to anyone but a member of your family.”
“Why is that?”
“You can read the book on why but I can’t do what you’re asking.”
Dillon stared at the Lieutenant and lifted his communicator. He scrolled down the list and he pressed the send button. Admiral Connor appeared on the small display. “Sir, please forgive me for interrupting your schedule. I was trying to reach Fleet Admiral Osborn.”
“Admiral Osborn has retired and I’ve replaced her for the moment. What’s the problem?”
“I’m at the Benefits Office asking that my death benefits be given to someone who is not a member of my family and I’ve been informed that I can’t do it.”
“Who do you want to leave them to?”
“One of our pilots died in a ship accident two years ago. I want to leave them to his widow.”
“Why do you want to do that?”
“She’s struggling to get by on a Lieutenant’s benefits and I want to ensure she and her sons are taken care of if something happens to me.”
Steve stared at him and said, “Ask the person you’re dealing with what his contact number is.”
The lieutenant was listening to the conversation and he was extremely uneasy. He gave his direct number to Dillon who passed it on to Steve. The phone on the counter immediately buzzed. The Lieutenant picked it up and moved it a few inches away from his ear. “Yes Sir! No, Sir. The regulations prohibit it, Sir. Yes, Sir, I do like being in the service. Yes, Sir. I’ll do it on your authority.”
Dillon looked at the Lieutenant, “I also want two thirds of my pay to be sent to Mrs. Hart starting immediately. Will that be a problem?”
The Lieutenant spoke into his handset, “Sir, he’s requesting two thirds of his pay be sent to Mrs. Hart immediately. I can handle that, Sir.”
Dillon looked at Steve on his wrist unit, “I didn’t know you were back.”
“I just arrived, Sir.”
“Report to my office when you finish there.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Dillon looked at the Lieutenant and he said, “Excuse me for just a moment.”
Dillon watched him walk away and enter an office on the other end of the large room. A minute later, the Lieutenant came out followed by a Naval Commodore. They arrived at the counter and the Commodore looked at him, “Sir, I know Fleet Admiral Connor has ordered us to do this but it is outside our power to do it.”
Dillon smiled, “Commodore, if I have to call Admiral Connor again I suspect you will no longer be serving in your current capacity.” She stared at him and he lifted his wrist unit.
“Wait.” Dillon stared at her and she sighed, “Have him sign form F-99B4.” The Lieutenant nodded and walked away. She looked at Dillon and said, “I will force this through the computer and make it happen. However, it will not appear in the normal data printouts and if I’m called out for this, I’m noting that I am following Fleet Admiral Connor’s direct orders.”
“You may use my name as well.”
The woman nodded as the Lieutenant came back and placed a form on the counter, “Please fill this out with the beneficiary’s name and sign it.”
“Look up her information from the benefits she’s currently receiving for her husband’s death.”
“Yes, Sir.”
&
nbsp; “I’ll sign it now and you may complete it.”
“Yes, Sir.”
The Commodore looked at him, “Why are you doing this?”
“Her husband died in an accident and she’s struggling to raise her family. It’s deplorable that those who die in the line of service are not taken better care of.”
She sighed and nodded, “Perhaps this is something that needs to be addressed.”
“It should have already been done, Commodore.”
“We’ve not lost a lot of servicemen and this is a rare occurrence.”
“It may not be so rare in the future. See what you can do about this, Commodore.” She nodded as Dillon signed the form and walked out of the office.
The Lieutenant looked at his commander, “Can we do this? Will the system allow it?”
“I’m going to override the protocols. I’ll make it happen.” She looked at the door Dillon had exited and knew this Admiral was one that was worth watching. He was something special.
• • •
Dillon went to the Fleet Admiral’s office and saw Connor on his communicator. Connor waved him to a chair and continued to talking. He finally ended the call and pressed a button on his console. “I had no idea how many times the communicator would activate when I accepted this position. It’s impossible to get anything done.”
“You should hire an assistant, Sir.”
“I probably should. But enough of my issues, your ship is ready to make the jump.”
Dillon nodded, “Sir, I’ve been wondering why we’ve waited so long to do this. We conquered the Traugh years ago and we should have gone through the black hole then.”
“What’s the first Death Prophecy, Admiral?”
“Never confront an enemy unless it’s absolutely unavoidable.”
“We decided that going through the black hole and possibly encountering a new enemy before the Grelk were handled in our galaxy was not a wise thing to do. We couldn’t do that until it became absolutely unavoidable. When they started gathering their warships to find us, that made it unavoidable. We decided that once they were neutralized, we would turn our attention to the black hole.”