by Rick Lakin
Mia’s eyes began to flutter.
“Commander, are you with us?” Bob said.
Her eyes opened with a blank look and then focused. She looked at Dr. Dashman and then Dr. Ami. “Dr. Ami, am I human again?”
“Yes, Mia,” Dr. Ami said. “Just like always.”
“Did you operate, Dr. Ami,” Mia said. “What happened?”
“It was touch and go for a few minutes,” Dr. Dashman said. “Dr. Ami applied her super-speed hands and bailed us out.”
“Thank you, both,” Mia said.
“Take her to recovery,” Dr. Dashman said. “Dr. Ami, let’s inform the family.”
Dr. Dashman and Dr. Ami entered the waiting room. Chuck and Jeff stood next to the Senator who was already standing.
“We had some difficulty, but we got her through it. Dr. Ami provided her invaluable skills to get Mia through a rough patch. She’ll make a full recovery.
Jeff went over and hugged Dr. Ami.
Senator Curtwell tried to grab Jeff’s arm. “Don’t touch that thing. It’s not human.”
“Ramona, there’s more to humanity than not being different,” Chuck said. “We’re proud that Jeff has learned that from Mia and I.”
Ramona Curtwell turned and stormed out.
“Dr. Ami, Kalinda is in second place at Oceanside,” Jeff said. “She has one more chance to win.”
Chuck said, “The doctors are busy…”
“You have SurfTube up on your HoloPad?” Dr. Ami said.
“Yeah, it’s in 3-D.”
The two went to a table, sat, and watched.
“She’s a special physician,” Dr. Dashman said.
“StarCruiser Brilliant has given Jeff a new friend and me my wife back.”
34
Kalinda was sitting with her father in the sponsor tent surrounded by the other amateurs. She was munching on her second double-decker ham and turkey sandwich of the day.
Between them was a HoloPad and they were reviewing her waves on the third heat.
“The ocean is being mean to me,” Kalinda said.
“The waves keep crashing at the wrong times,” Anthen said.
Kalinda grimaced as they watched her final wave. “Too much speed and not enough wave.”
“Weather has updated,” Anthen said. “You may not have time to finish your heat.”
“I just need two good waves,” Kalinda said. “The monster waves are coming, but I'm worried about the others. The amateurs are not used to super-tall waves.”
The avatar on the HoloPad stopped the video. “Call from Chuck Rodriguez.”
Kalinda held her breath as she picked up.
Jeff and Chuck popped up on the table, all smiles.
Kalinda exhaled.
“Looks like everything went okay,” Anthen said.
“Mia is through surgery, and she’ll be fine,” Chuck said.
“Dr. Ami saved her again,” Jeff said.
“We are Brilliant,” Kalinda said.
“We’ll be watching on SurfTube,” Chuck said. “Good luck.”
“Thanks,” Anthen said. “We’ll see you on Saturday.”
Jeff and Chuck disappeared from the table top.
“Five minutes to the final amateur heat,” the announcer said.
“Got any tricks left?” Anthen asked.
“A couple,” Kalinda said. “Bondi is in first place on the pro scoreboard. I’m in twelfth.”
“You think you can win the amateur division,” Anthen said.
“More than that,” Kalinda said.
“You don’t have to win it all in your first try.”
“Dad, the waves right now are just like home. I remember what mother said. 'Make today your destiny and save your dreams for tomorrow.'“
“You’re gonna win it all,” Anthen said.
“Yes,” she said. “But after that, I’ll have another task.”
“Kalinda?”
“The waves are calling.”
Kalinda was out near the end of the pier where the swells were building twenty-foot waves. She looked at the black clouds bearing down on the beach. She knew that as soon as the safety master saw a lightning strike, he would sound two horns and clear the water.
Sage had just gone high above the lip to perform a perfect Superman. The scores gave her a solid lead in the amateur category.
Kalinda scanned the horizon, saw a set of swells approaching, and began paddling. These are my waves, she thought.
On SurfTube, Simone said, “Bondi Cooper is clearly in first place among the pros, Biff. The excitement is coming from the battle between amateurs Sage Enever and Kalinda Kelrithian.”
“Yes, Simone. Sage just improved her lead with a solid wave,” said Biff. “Here comes Kalinda. This wave is a monster.”
Kalinda dropped down on the face of the wave and went into the tube. She was combining the energy of the wave with her own to build tremendous speed.
She blasted out of the tube, climbed the over the lip, and went airborne to perform a Superman. But instead of throwing her legs back, she threw her legs forward and tucked.
“Look at her speed coming out of the tube,” Biff said. “It looks like a Superman. Simone, she got more air than any other surfer today. Up she goes, she throws her legs back…wait…”
Kalinda completed the reverse somersault, came out of the tuck and grabbed the rails.
“Kalinda has done a completely original version of the Superman,” Biff said. “She went up, did a reverse somersault in the tuck position, came out and grabbed her rail, and landed perfectly on the top of the wave.”
“Biff, you and I just finished the three- and ten-meter diving nationals,” Simone said. “A gainer or reverse somersault is one of the most difficult dives. Let’s look at the slo-mo for style points. She goes aerial above crest and throws her legs back. Stop right there.”
Simone uses the telestrator to draw a line from Kalinda’s highest elevation to the wave. “Biff, the graphic shows her elevation at 11.3 feet. That may be the record. She goes into the tuck. Perfect. She comes out of the tuck and grabs the rails. Freeze there.” Simone draws a line parallel to Kalinda’s body. “Her extension is superb, and her landing is solid. I’m running out of adjectives here.”
“Remember, the three judges observe the trick in real time,” Biff said. “Here are the results. Nine-point-eight. Nine-point-five. And the final judge. Ten.”
“Biff, that is the first Ten awarded on any level this season,” Simone said.
“That moves Kalinda ahead of Sage on the Amateur Board and into fifth in the open category. Sage has three waves remaining to top Kalinda, a difficult task to say the least.”
“Sage Enever is paddling into a monster wave,” Simone said.
“She drops into the pocket and starts pumping into the tube for speed. Up she goes, grabs the rails, and does a barrel roll. Sage lands a perfect rodeo flip.”
“The judges give her nine-point-two across the board,” Simone said. “That puts her and Kalinda in a tie for the amateur lead and tied for fifth among the pros.”
Kalinda had two waves remaining in her heat as she looked to the west. I’ll get one more wave before lightning strikes, she thought.
She watched Sage’s rodeo flip. I guess I’ve got to top that.
Here comes a monster wave. Into the tube. I need speed. She pumped as she went low and then extended as she bottom-turned. Rinse and repeat. Exploding out of the tube, Kalinda hit the lip at the best angle to retain her momentum. Airborne, grab the rails, and pull.
“Kalinda may have two waves remaining to win the amateur title,” Simone said. “If the storm doesn’t end competition for the day. Here she comes, Biff.”
“It's another thirty-foot monster. Kalinda stalls in the tube,” Biff said. “Look at her building speed. Up she goes, she's airborne and grabs the rails. Even higher. One … two backflips … she lands it … Omigod … a double Flynnstone Flip.”
“For the second time in this heat
, Kalinda has nailed an original trick,” Simone said. “Let’s see if the judges reward her. Ten-point-zero, ten-point-zero, and ten-point-zero. Biff that guarantees her the amateur title.”
Biff took over. “And, on the pro scoreboard, …”
In close order, a lightning strike hit an electric tower two hundred yards north, the scoreboards and monitors went dark, a massive thunderclap sounded, and two horns sounded from the safety boat.
Kalinda glanced back and then continued toward the beach. She ran to the nearest cover near the beach. Her father was waiting.
The lights and scoreboards returned.
“Simone, we’re in a lightning delay,” Biff said. “Based on the weather report, that could end today’s competition.”
“Sage Enever is still on the swells,” Simone said. “By rule, a competitor may still score on this wave. Here she comes.”
Kalinda saw the biggest wave of the day coming in carrying her friend and competitor. Be careful, Sage, Kalinda thought.
Sage dove into the tube and started to build her speed. A huge wind gust came over the wave, and it crashed. Sage wiped out.
“Simone, that was a very dangerous wave, Biff said. “Sage hasn’t popped back up to the surface.”
“Dad, I saw fishermen’s net stuck on the bottom where she went down,” Kalinda said as she looked at her father.
I want to say don’t go, he thought “Be careful,” Anthen said.
She ran to a TV electrician. “I need your folding knife,” she said.
“But…” he said. Then he opened the pouch and handed it to her.
“Sage Enever remains under water,” Biff said. “The safety boat is searching the area; lifeguards are running to the surf, and…Kalinda Kelrithian is running to the water as well.”
Kalinda hit the surf at full speed, went horizontal, and started swimming. The crew of the safety boat tried to wave her back as they moved away from the point where she was aiming.
“Biff, she appears to be swimming to a point away from where the safety boat is searching,” Simone said. “Kalinda has stopped and is waving to the boat. And now she's gone under the water. Sage has been under forty-five seconds.”
Kalinda dove to the bottom through the sandy water. She spotted the net and then she spotted Sage struggling to free her legs from the fouled nets.
Kalinda got to her friend, opened the knife and started cutting. Five seconds later, she freed Sage. She saw that Sage had passed out. Kalinda dragged her to the surface just as the safety boat arrived at the spot.
“She’s unconscious,” Kalinda yelled.
The first responders dragged Sage aboard, threw Kalinda a life vest, then pulled her aboard.
“Sage has been under for a minute and fifteen seconds,” Biff said. “Kalinda is under water too. The only sound on the beach is the wind and the surf. The spectators, transfixed by the drama occurring in the water before them, have moved to safety.”
“One-minute-thirty,” Simone said. “We’re hoping for the best.” Her voice broke.
Biff raised his binoculars. “I see two heads near the safety boat. They’re pulling one of the girls aboard. It looks like Sage, but she appears to be unconscious.”
A first responder extended a hand and pulled Kalinda aboard the safety boat.
Sage was on her back as Kalinda stood and watched. A first responder was performing chest compressions, and Kalinda could see water coming from Sage's lungs. The first responder performed mouth-to-mouth and delivered one more chest compression. Sage turned her head and coughed out a large amount of water.
“Pulse is good.” The first responder gave a thumbs up.
Sage continued coughing as they sat her up. She opened her eyes.
“Kalinda?” Sage said.
“Right here, Sage,” Kalinda said.
“You saved me,” Sage said.
“As you say, we're family,” Kalinda said.
On the surfer channel, “As the safety boat reaches the shore, they’re carrying Sage to the medical tent…Just a moment…We’re receiving word that Sage Enever responded to treatment and will be just fine. And so will Kalinda Kelrithian.”
“Kalinda is walking up the beach just as the rain is beginning,” Simone said. “The crowd is giving her hugs, high-fives and cheering for her heroism. Biff the scoreboard is updated as well.”
“On a day that epitomizes the excitement and drama of not only surfing, Bondi Cooper and Kalinda Kelrithian have won the 2067 Oceanside Pro-Am Surfing Tourney. No surprise there, Simone. Kalinda has won the amateur title as well.”
“No surprises so far, Biff.”
“And with a perfect score on her last wave, Kalinda passes Bondi for first place on the pro scoreboard.”
“We’ve found a true surfing superstar, Biff.”
“We’ll be back with interviews and a final note from Oceanside on SurfTube.”
35
The Sunday crowd on the flight line of Miramar Marine Corps Air Station exceeded seven-hundred-fifty-thousand San Diegans. The size crowd was much larger this year as there was a rumor that the show would feature an aircraft never before seen at an airshow. Also, there was a worldwide audience on The Airshow Channel. The Blue Angels were the traditional finale, and the military aerial demonstration team was twenty minutes into their show.
Jack Masing was in command of Brilliant circling at eight thousand feet off the coast of La Jolla, California. Before him, Jennifer was in the Operations seat to the right of David, the pilot. Tayla was to the captain's right on Communications and Riley was behind the captain on the engineering console. Jennifer's half-sister, Kalinda, was sitting at the science console next to her father, Anthen. In Jennifer's lap was the ship's cat, Dandy Lion.
“Three minutes to Diamond Barrel Roll Break,” Miramar Tower said. “Descend to two thousand feet on course zero-six-zero. At the apron, descend to five hundred feet at three hundred seventy knots. When the Angels Break, begin your roll,” Miramar Tower said.
“Starcruiser Brilliant,” Tayla said.
“That’s our cue,” Jack said. “Pilot, line up with six-right and begin your descent. We’ll do a slow barrel roll to a plan view at show center and then start our loop.”
“Yes, sir. Ready to rock and roll.”
“Feet dry over La Jolla at five thousand,” Jennifer said.
“Very well, ops,” Jack said. “Is your smoke trick ready, Riley?”
“Ready, Captain.”
“Two thousand feet at the apron,” Jennifer said. “One-half mile range to the diamond. One hundred knots closing rate.”
Jack signaled Tayla. “Blue Angels chatter on audio.”
"We're in front of the crowd, setting up the barrel roll break,” Munchkin said.
Fifi and Walleye acknowledged.
"Coming further right, a little more pull adding power,” Munchkin said. “We're in a right turn for the Barrel Roll Break."
“Roger,” Droopy said.
"Ease the pull, rolling out the barrel roll break, a little drive."
As they approach show center, "Smoke on. Up we go, a little more pull, adding power.... oooookay. A little more pull. Easing power, easing more power.”
To the left of the crowd, "Rrrready break!"
The Blue Angels split in four directions.
As the crowd focused on the Blue Angels to their left, Jack ordered,
“Smoke on. David, let’s show off.”
“Start your roll,” Jack said. Star Cruiser Brilliant began a lazy counter clockwise barrel roll showing the top profile of Brilliant to the crowd at show center.
“Roll complete,” David said. “Beginning the loop.”
The crowd screamed in awe as Brilliant completed its roll and the screaming continued as the smoke trail formed the words “STARCRUISER BRILLIANT” at show center. The crowd noise continued as Brilliant reached the top of the loop and began its descent.
“Sensor Alert,” Ani said. “A Hoclarth Fighter Drone is pursuing us.”<
br />
“What the hell?” Jack said. “Ops?”
“Fighter drone is firing plasma beams,” Jennifer said. “Recommend eastbound exit over the mountains. Ready to return fire.”
“Engineer, shields up. Pilot, ascend at sixty degrees over the mountains. Ops, can we steer clear of populated areas.”
“We're over mountainous areas extending to the Imperial Valley.”
Knowing things were getting dicey, Dandy jumped down from Jennifer’s lap and curled up nest to Kalinda.
“Very well, Pilot, evade, Ops, splash the drone.”
“Uncle Jack, please don’t shoot. It’s my tal’pa,” Kalinda said. “He needs our help.”
Jack turned his chair. “You knew about this, young lady? How have you been communicating with the Hoclarth?”
“Tal’pa has the internet and a SocNet account. He likes our movies. He wanted to make an entrance.”
“Kalinda is right. The beams the drone is firing are low energy beams,” Jennifer said.
“Very well, ops,” Jack said. “Take us up to the Karman Line, David. Let’s see if we can lose our tail.”
“Captain, we’re being hailed,” Tayla said. “It’s the Camdex.”
“On Screen,” Jack said.
Predex Kalea Kone, Kalinda's bearded grandfather, appeared the forward display.
“Nice entrance,” Jack said. “Your granddaughter tells me that you need our help.”
“Is she on your ship?”
The ten-year-old stepped up next to Jack. “Hello, tal’pa. Uncle Jack, may I go over to the Camdex?”
“You look well, dear one. We cannot meet together now,” Kalea said. “Captain, is it possible for us to speak in private?”
“Yes, Predex. Number One, take the center seat. I’ll be in my ready room.”
“You look well, Daughter of Kalim,” Kalea said.