by Saxon Andrew
Zeck looked at Steve and smiled, “I think he’s worth saving, Andy.”
Andy listened to the exchange and smiled. “One never knows when they’ll find salvation. It’s a brutal world we live in and finding meaning is difficult. What did you mean by saying you escaped?”
“I suspected the Commandant was going to order me to find out what happened to his fleets so I had my family and crew, along with their families, to already be on board while I was meeting with the Commandant. We immediately sailed out of the harbor while the soldiers were sent to take my family hostage. When they couldn’t find them they knew I must have taken them on board. The harbor cannons opened fire but fortunately, their first volley missed and we moved out of range.”
Zeck looked at him, “I’m surprised you survived the last storm. You had to be out in open waters when it hit.”
“We were and the ship was damaged along with a large percentage of our stores.”
Zeck tilted his head and then started shaking it, “I imagine the Commandant was rather upset by your escape.”
Steve nodded, “You know how he is. I’m sure someone died as a result. He’s about as paranoid as you can get with all the defensive fortifications he’s building.”
Andy looked at Steve, “You know what he’s doing to stop our invasion?”
“Yes, I’ve been watching him since I delivered your message. He’s really frightened.”
Andy smiled, “You are a gift, Admiral. I need you to meet with our Leadership Council to discuss what he’s doing.”
Steve nodded, “I’ll be glad to tell you everything I know, but I suspect we should get these two ships to safety.”
Zeck looked at him, “You think another storm is coming?”
“There might be two more.” Andy saw Zeck was startled by the statement. Steve said, “The pressures that cause these storms have not diminished. That last storm was too strong to be the last one. I suspect another one is coming rather quickly.”
Andy looked at Steve and said, “Get back to your ship and follow us to our harbor.”
“How far is it?”
“About fifty miles north of here.”
Steve licked his finger, held it up, and shook his head, “Is there somewhere closer we can anchor?”
Zeck shook his head, “Is it coming that quickly.”
“I believe it is.”
Zeck looked at Andy, “We’ll have everyone on his ship come over to this one. With a mast missing, he won’t make the cut in the cliff.” Andy nodded. Zeck said, “I’m moving this ship over to yours. Have everyone gather their personal belongings and get on board.” Steve nodded and Zeck began shouting orders. Andy saw that the fates had brought him an even more experienced fleet commander than Zeck. He smiled; Harmony was still taking care of him.
• • •
The transfer happened quickly and Zeck turned the ship north and felt the wind picking up. He looked at Steve, “How long do we have?”
“I would guess about three to four hours before it hits. How far do we have to go?”
“About ten miles to a pier we’ve built outside our community. The harbor is another thirty miles north of there.”
Steve looked up at the black clouds blowing overhead and frowned, “We’ll never make the harbor.” Zeck nodded and yelled instructions to the sailors in the rigging. Andy watched the sails fill and the ship picked up speed. He smiled, they would make it.
The ship arrived at the pier and Andy saw about a hundred people waiting for him to dock. The people on board gathered their personal belongings and were assisted by those on the pier. It took about two hours but finally everyone was safely on shore. Steve said, “I’m taking the ship out from this pier to prevent it being damaged.”
Zeck shook his head, “No you aren’t. I’ll do that.”
“Why?”
“Because you have information that they need. We can’t risk losing you. I’ll sail it out a mile and take a boat back in.”
Steve looked up, “You need to hurry!”
Zeck nodded and raised the anchor. The ship was untied and eight sailors went with him. They anchored the ship and lowered the sails just as the first squalls arrived. They lowered the boat and began stroking the oars as hard as they could. Zeck raised the small sail on the boat and it was the only thing that saved them. The wind blowing over the top of the cliff swept beyond them and then rushed back at the cliff. They arrived at the pier and scrambled up. Zeck released the rope holding the boat against the pier and ran toward land. He turned as he ran and saw the boat picked up in the wind and shoved toward the cliff wall. By the time he reached the end of the pier, the boat was blown into the stone wall. It was smashed into pieces just as the nine sailors scrambled up the cut in the cliff wall. The torrential rain hit and they were soaked before they arrived at one of the warrior’s barracks. Zeck found Steve waiting for him, “You cut that one pretty close.”
Zeck nodded, “This can’t be the last storm either.”
Steve nodded, “I’ve never heard of six but I think there will be another.” Zeck slowly nodded and knew he was right.
Chapter Three
The rain was still falling outside the Holy Cave and Andy saw Harvey was not in a good mood. “What’s bothering you, Harvey?”
“I’m over all this foul weather.”
“Well, get in line. You’re not alone. Steve tells me there’s still one more storm to go before it’s over.”
“Oh that’s just lovely. Do you have anything else to make my day?”
“Once the weather clears, we’re sending a ship to spy on the Destroyers.”
“YOU’RE WHAT?”
“Actually, it’s a raid to try and save a particular slave but while we’re doing that, we’re going to scout out what the Commandant is doing to prepare for our invasion.”
“Please tell me you’re not going on this mission!”
“No, I’m staying here. Rory, Johnathan, and Tyler have volunteered to go and do the scouting.”
“They are some of our best Fliers. Why would you allow them to run that risk?”
“The new Admiral we’ve got working with us suspects that the Destroyers are building defenses against attacks from the air.”
“WHAT?”
“He thinks they’ve figured out that the only way they could have lost their fleet was by a force that attacked from the air. He’s not certain about it, but some of the defenses being put on their remaining ships appears to be designed to stop anyone from landing on their ships.”
“Who is going to lead this expedition?”
“Zeck is going to be in command of the ship. Rory will command the Fliers.”
“How are they going to get a ship close without being seen?”
“You know we have several hundred thousand of the camouflage uniforms.”
“Yes.”
“We’re going to make sails out of them and cover the front and the rear of the ship in them. The only way they can be seen is from the sides. The plan is to sail the ship with what’s left of the Westerly wind just before it shifts. The ship will be sailed north of the Destroyers main city and the fliers will launch from there.”
“Andy, how are they going to land, grab this slave, and get out without being seen? You have no idea what kind of air currents exist around that city.”
“We’re going to send them with the new prop system our scientists have developed.”
“Is that wise? What if they’re captured?”
“Their glider packs have a self-destruct on them. They know the importance of not allowing that technology to fall into the destroyer’s hands.”
“And you’re comfortable with this?”
“No, I’m not. But Zeck has earned the right to try and we really need to know what we’re going to face when we attack. I don’t know if they’ll succeed but it’s worth the effort.”
Harvey stared at Andy for a long moment and said, “This won’t make Ophelia like him.”
“You’re probably right. But he says it is worth doing even if she doesn’t.”
“When are they leaving?”
“As soon as this storm clears.”
“I though those two said there was going to be another storm?”
“They did and they do expect another one in about three weeks. They hope to use it to get through the ships the Destroyers have out at sea. If they can get close enough before the next storm hits, the pickets will be called in to shore to ride out the storm and they’ll have a clear route.”
“There are a lot of ifs here. What if there isn’t another storm and what if it’s as bad as the last one?”
“They know the risks.” Andy shrugged, “They probably know them better than either of us but they think this is the best way to find out what’s going on.”
“Has Tamara agreed to this?”
“She’s not happy about it but she realizes that Rory has an incredible memory.” Harvey tilted his head and nodded. “Whatever he sees he’ll be able to remember and draw for us when he returns.”
“If he returns.”
“There is that.”
• • •
Ophelia ran down the pier and jumped over the ship’s gunwale. She looked around and rushed around the main deck. She heard someone yelling orders and she saw Zeck on the rear deck. She ran up the steps and grabbed Zeck by the shoulder and turned him around, “What is this I hear you’re doing?”
Zeck stared at Ophelia and saw she was angry, “I’m going to assist the community to scout out the defenses the Commandant is building to use against us.”
Ophelia stared at him for a long moment and then said, “So this rumor that you’re going to extract my younger sister isn’t true.” Zeck stared at her and remained silent. “IS IT TRUE!?”
“Ophelia, Steve tells us that when we invade, the slaves are going to be rounded up and placed in front of the Destroyer’s lines. There is a high probability that most of them will die.”
“What are you saying?”
“This mission is my idea and I’m going to make an effort to get her out before we invade.”
“WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS? THIS IS A SUICIDE MISSION!”
Zeck turned away from her and said, “I have work to do. We’re leaving shortly and you should go back on shore.”
“No, I’m going with you.”
Zeck turned around and Ophelia saw the sadness in his eyes, “No you’re not.”
Ophelia stared at him and then she understood what he wasn’t saying. “You don’t think you’ll survive this mission.”
“Ophelia, I don’t want the guards to be forced to carry you off this ship. You should leave.”
“Just tell me why you’re doing this and I’ll go.”
Zeck looked into her eyes and said, “I owe it to you. Now please go.” Zeck turned around and walked off the rear deck and went below ship. Ophelia watched him until he disappeared and she turned and ran to the main deck and off the ship. When Zeck emerged from below deck, Rory said, “She went back onshore.” Zeck nodded and went back to the rear deck. Rory shook his head and went to inspect the new glider packs. They were heavier than normal due to the electric motors used to power the small propeller. The three fliers had been practicing with them for a week in bad weather and needed more time but that was something they didn’t have. Rory saw Zeck’s expression and felt sorry for him. He really didn’t deserve Ophelia’s scorn.
• • •
Two hours later, the large ship moved away from the pier and headed out to sea. The rain was still falling but the worst of the storm had passed and the large ship followed it as it moved toward the east. Zeck realized that this was the first time he hoped another storm was coming. This was a different emotion for him. The ship set its sails and sped away from the pier. It chased the storm like a Raptor after a Cursor. They would come close but just couldn’t match the Cursor’s speed. Zeck set out after the storm but saw it pulling away.
Ophelia sat on the cliff and felt rain soaking her. She stared at the small figure at the steering wheel on the rear of the ship and felt a range of emotions. She wanted to hate him, she longed to hate him for what he had done to her…but she couldn’t drag it out. He had saved her life, but that didn’t excuse what he had done to her. Did it? She wept and felt despair followed by depression. He was going to die. She knew how dangerous the waters around the Destroyer’s City were and there was no chance he would live.
She hated and adored him simultaneously. She stayed at the cliff watching the ship until it disappeared. She was too weak to stand and continued to sit in the pouring rain. The community accepted her but kept their distance. Her brutality to him had made her a pariah. Everyone was nice and civil but they kept their distance. The only one that seemed to care about her had just sailed off trying to save her younger sister. She shook her head for an hour and then realized that he had done more than save her life. He had treated her better than he knew how. She forced herself to her feet and wished she had been able to thank him for all he had done. She stumbled up the hill and went to her quarters…alone.
• • •
The ship was flying and Zeck had several sails lowered to prevent the ship from catching up with the storm. The new sails were lighter than the cloth they replaced and they held the breeze better as well. The crew kept the sails trimmed and Zeck held the ship in the wind’s grip. He felt alive again. Sailing was something he did exceptionally well and he loved it. He was four weeks away from the land ruled by the Destroyers and soon the storm had out run them. The sky remained overcast with patches of blue peeking through occasionally and he kept looking for the next storm and one night it dawned on him: what if the next storm was also a violent one? If there had been five, why couldn’t there be seven? He began to worry that this voyage may be a big mistake. The ship continued heading east and he woke on the first day of the fourth week and saw the dark skies to the west. The next storm was approaching and it was coming fast. He rang the ships bell and roused the crew to the deck. “Get every sail out! We have to get close to land before this storm blows over!”
He looked at the horizon and saw the storm was not gaining on him once he had every sail out. The ship was flying over the water at a speed he had never approached before. He looked to the east and saw the sun moving above the horizon. He squinted and saw a large cloud rising high into the air. He shook his head and knew it had to be the volcano fifty miles to the east of the Destroyer’s main city. He turned the ship’s wheel and turned the vessel north. They had made the trip much faster than normal. They would be moving in close to land within twenty four to thirty six hours. He had to slow down and allow the storm to pass him. “Lower two sails.”
Rory came up on the deck and saw the dark skies in the west, “What’s going on?”
Zeck nodded behind Rory and said, “That cloud you see rising in the distance is a volcano fifty miles inland from the coast.”
Rory stared at it and said, “We’re almost there.”
“Yes we are and if we don’t wait for that storm behind us to pass, we may run into the pickets the Destroyers have anchored out from their domain. We also need to start moving north so we won’t be directly out from their city.” Rory stared at him and Zeck tilted his head, “I’ve never made this trip this fast. The new sails make a huge difference in speed.”
Rory nodded and leaned against the back rail. The ship slowed to eight miles an hour and the dark skies behind them began moving closer. The first black clouds were rushing overhead and they could hear thunder in the distance. Zeck kept glancing over his shoulder and watched for lightning. He began seeing occasional flashes lighting up the skies…but they weren’t as numerous as they would have been in a really violent storm. Thank the Creator this storm wasn’t going to be as bad.
The storm gained on them and it seemed it was on them faster than they expected. Zeck ordered the storm sails up as the first squalls blew up on them. The ship leaned but continued moving northeast.
The downpour arrived and Zeck blew out a breath. He knew the pickets wouldn’t take a chance of remaining out to sea. They would move to the harbor and wait for the storm to pass. Rory stood up to move below deck and looked at Zeck, “Does this ship have a name?”
Zeck smiled, “Her name is ‘Storm Chaser.’”
Rory chuckled, “Now that’s an appropriate name for her.”
Zeck laughed and steered the ship north. He felt incredibly alive. He kept the ship in the mist of the storm and rode the waves. The crew stared at their ship commander and saw the gleam in his eye and the determined smile. The ship rolled and rode a new wave as it crashed over the bow.
The Storm Chaser moved inexorably forward while the Destroyer picket ships ran for the safety of their harbor. Zeck moved through the rough waters like he owned them. He finally saw the distant cliffs and yelled for the sea anchors to be dropped. He whipped the ship around and had the rear facing land as the second anchor was dropped and played out. The storm blew over and past the ship that was rolling on the waves. Night fell and the winds continued to blow into the next morning. The next evening the winds diminished and the Destroyer picket ships moved out of their harbor. The picket headed north passed the stern of the ship and never saw its camouflaged rear deck. Zeck finally turned the wheel over to Jamison and told Rory he should start his scouting quickly. The winds were going to shift out of the east soon after the storm blew over. Getting their gliders over the Destroyer city was going to become difficult once that shift happened.
Rory nodded and said, “We’ll be leaving at nightfall, Captain.”
Zeck nodded and stumbled into his quarters and was asleep before he managed to get out of his soaked clothes. Three members of the crew put dry clothes on him and allowed him to sleep. Jamison knew he had to keep the Storm Chaser’s stern pointed toward the northern Picket. He had the rear anchor pulled and used the storm sail to keep the stern pointed toward the distant cliffs.