by G. E. Stills
“Goddamn, Nolan. You look like shit.” He groaned when he remembered all the beers he had downed the day before. “No wonder.”
After reaching the galley, he poured himself a glass of orange juice and slid into the bench seat at the table. He shoveled the aspirins in his mouth and chased them with a large swig. Dazed, he sat there until he noticed the deck throbbing against his bare feet, a sensation he quickly identified as diesel engines running.
“Oh, shit.” He leapt to his feet. “The boat has been running unattended all night.” Racing up the stairs and scrambling up the ladder, he dashed to the pilot station. Quickly, he disengaged the autopilot, moved the throttles to neutral and shut the engines down. The boat glided to a halt. It came back to him that he had set the autopilot shortly after the Hawaiian Islands had dropped below the horizon.
“I’ve been cruising all day and all night without even checking on it. Fuck!” he exclaimed, making his throbbing headache worse.
Glancing up, he saw a small island off the port bow. He began the process of determining his location, hoping he wasn’t off course, but fearing he was. In his haste to leave Hawaii, he had failed to become thoroughly familiar with the workings of the GPS system.
****
“Our transport has arrived,” Jar’san informed Kat’sar.
Leaving the jungle, Kat strolled across the sandy beach to the shore. Wading into the surf and shading her eyes with her hand, she peered out over the water. She spotted the small object about, a kilometer off shore.
“That?”
“Yes. I recommend we fly out there before they leave.”
Scrambling back to the beach, she said, “Wings.”
With a few flaps, she took to the air, soared high and flew toward the boat, landing lightly on the rooftop. Her wings folded out of sight. Remembering Jar’san’s warning, she slipped on her still dripping wet dress and dropped silently to the floor behind a man.
He studied a piece of paper he held in his hands, unaware she was onboard. “Shit, I need more aspirins.” He froze when he saw her. “What the hell? Who are you? Where the hell did you come from?”
“I don’t know what this hell is you speak of, but my name is…Katrina. I came from that island over there.”
“But, how the hell did you get here? I don’t see a boat.”
“Don’t tell him you can fly, Kat,” Jar’san warned.
She did not answer his question; instead, she asked one of her own. “Are there others on board with you?”
His eyes narrowed. “Maybe. Why? Are you alone?”
“Just wondering. I wanted to ask for transport from everyone onboard. And yes, I’m alone.”
The man visibly relaxed. “Name’s Nolan. Are there others on the island?”
“No, just me.”
“How did you come to be stranded here? Shipwreck?”
“Say yes,” advised Jar’san.
“Yes.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. I’m alone, too.”
“I do have belongings on the island, though. Will you give me transport?” She let her gaze rove over him. Other than her father and his associates, this was the first male she had seen close up. Unlike the hairy ones, the man had a smattering of brown curls on his chest and a light dusting on his arms and legs. Short stubbles covered his face but the bulk of his hair was restricted to his head, like hers. His eyes were green, and he had a rugged-looking face, although she did not find it displeasing. His midsection and upper legs were covered with clothing.
“Shorts,” Jan’sar supplied.
“Yes,” Nolan said, “I’ll take you to the next port. We’ll get your belongings.” His gaze drifted over her wet dress. “You won’t have to swim this time. Not sure how close I can get to shore, but I do have an inflatable raft on board. We can use it to go the rest of the way.”
“I appreciate your generosity.”
A look of confusion spread across his face, and he mumbled something about being a sucker for damsels in distress.
“What?”
“A simple thank you will suffice.”
“Thank you.”
“You speak English very well. Where are you from originally? I know you’re not from the states. You’re not even familiar with the term ‘hell’.” He chuckled and then groaned, cupping his hand to his forehead.
English. What is English? What are States?
She saw the look of pain in his eyes before his hand covered them.
“Are you in pain?”
“I’ll be fine. Just a headache is all. So…where are you from?”
She blurted, “Tran’ort.”
“Tran’ort? I’ve never heard of it.”
“It’s a small place. I’m not surprised you haven’t heard of it,” she said, attempting to cover her blunder.
“Wow, you’re the only survivor of a shipwreck and you managed to swim to this island. Notwithstanding that your boat sank, you’re a fortunate lady.” He glanced up, viewing the island. “How long have you been here?”
“Two days.”
“Then you’re very lucky because there’s no island matching the appearance of this one on the course I charted. If my autopilot hadn’t malfunctioned, I wouldn’t be anywhere near here. I’m betting I’m way off course.”
He indicated the chair across the aisle. “Take a seat. We’ll get your belongings.”
CHAPTER FOUR
Kat slid gracefully into the proffered seat. Nolan started the engines and cruised slowly toward the island. While he did, he gazed at her from the corner of his eye. Her silvery-blue hair did not surprise him, not in this day and age. Women dyed their hair most every color, and yet, her eyebrows and long eyelashes matched the color perfectly.
That you don’t see often.
He had never seen eyes that color either and her oblong-shaped pupils, reminded him of cat’s eyes. Her pouting lips were deep red. Although her dress was loose and drying quickly, it was still wet enough to cling to her curves. The bulge on her chest told him, she was well endowed, though not huge. His gaze drifted to her well-tanned, muscular legs. It traveled upward from small feet to her calves, and finally, to her thighs. When she’d taken a seat, her dress slid up, exposing gorgeous legs.
Katrina is a real looker. Nolan, you just got out of a bad relationship. You certainly don’t need to get involved with another woman. Not right now, for sure.
The scabbard strapped to her leg ended his musing. He could not see the knife, but from the size of the casing, it had to be big, like a large hunting knife, or maybe even a survival knife.
Oh shit. What the hell have I gotten myself in to? Katrina, were you shipwrecked here, or were you intentionally marooned?
“There, over there,” Kat said, interrupting his thoughts. He followed the direction of her finger as she pointed at something in the distance and saw the wide mouth of a river that emptied into the ocean. “My belongings are just up that river a-ways.”
If I do as she says, perhaps I can get my gun before she realizes I know she’s armed.
“Not sure how far up that river I can get before it becomes too shallow, but we can anchor there and go the rest of the way in the raft.”
Watching his depth gauge carefully, he inched up the river and dropped anchor before it got too shallow. To his disappointment, she stayed with him while he unpacked the raft, affording him no opportunity to get his gun.
After inflating it, he attached a small electric motor to the raft She helped him lower it into the water. Following her directions, he cruised up a smaller feeder stream and soon entered a lagoon. Pausing after they dragged the raft ashore, he glanced up and saw the Mil’ort for the first time.
He forgot about the deadly knife attached to her hip. “Your things consist of this? A fricking coffin? Lady, you are damn strange.”
&nbs
p; She glanced at him. “I am not familiar with fricking, damn or coffin. What do those words mean?”
“Where the hell are you from, woman?” Her confusion seemed genuine. “Fricking and damn are expletives, cuss words. A coffin is something you put dead people in before you bury them in the ground.”
“Oh. Then my Mil’ort is not a fricking, damn coffin.”
“What?” He hesitated. “Do you picture yourself as some kind of vampire?” He pointed at it. “Do you sleep in it?”
“Vampire? I do not know what vampire means.” She paused. “I do sleep in it, though.”
“Never mind,” he said. “There’s no way the two of us can lug that thing onto the boat.”
“We won’t have to . . .lug it. The Mil’ort is self powered.”
Stepping forward, she pressed some buttons mounted on the lid. The coffin rose from the sand. Turning, she marched back toward the raft. He spun to join her, but not before he noticed the coffin gliding six inches above the ground, following her.
When she helped him push the raft into the water, her dress hiked up, and he saw the holster strapped to her other leg.
Shit! Not only a knife but a gun, too. Nolan, you really screwed up when you came to this lady’s assistance.
Cruising back to the boat, the coffin followed behind. They stowed the raft and he watched in amazement as the casket rose higher and then settled on the rear deck. Pulling up anchor, he returned to deep water and turned off the engines.
Although every fiber of his being screamed for him not to, he turned his back to her. She doesn’t know I know she has weapon. If Katrina simply wanted me dead to take my boat she could have shot me long ago. I think the best course of action for me at this point is to get her to the nearest port and hopefully get her off my boat.
He studied his chart while trying to ignore the fact she was armed. He did not want to think about the discoveries he had made regarding this strange, beautiful woman, but he could not help but wonder what other surprises were in store.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
Without turning to face her, he said, “Well, I’m trying to determine our location by using the GPS system. I need to find the nearest port so you can get home. I’m not certain where we are. Um…I kinda fell asleep and let the boat cruise all night unattended. I don’t suppose you happen to know where we . . .”
He stopped mid-sentence when he turned to face her. He did not recognize the model, but she held a pistol. The barrel was pointed straight at him. Clearing his throat, he spoke calmly in spite of what he felt. “I guess this puts our relationship in an entirely new light. Instead of your rescuer, I’m your hostage? So, what do you want from me, Katrina? If it’s money, I don’t have much.”
“I require your assistance and the usage of your boat in order to accomplish my mission.”
“What mission?”
Ignoring his question, she offered, “Perhaps I can be of help in determining our location if you explain to me what you mean by GPS.”
While standing before her at gunpoint, he explained the location system and indicated the equipment. To his amazement, she seemed to comprehend everything he said.
Sliding gracefully to her feet, she slipped the gun into the pocket of her dress, returning it to its holster.
“Please do not attempt to overpower me. Besides the use of weapons, I have other ways to protect myself. I don’t wish to harm you, but I will if need be.”
Taking a few strides, she halted next to him and studied the chart and the equipment.
****
“Jar’san can you?”
“Yes. I can access the GPS system and provide you the data required.”
“Do it.”
Instantly, information flooded her mind. She quickly performed mental calculations and pointed to a location on the chart. “We are here.”
“Wow.” He looked at her in awe. “Impressive. You didn’t even operate the transceiver.” He stepped away from her. “So, my question is, who the hell are you?”
“I’m a woman.” Her tone had softened. “Besides, I don’t think you would believe me even if I told you my story.”
“Try me.”
When she did not offer an explanation, Nolan, under her watchful eyes, started the boat and headed in the direction she had indicated. “We have just enough fuel to get here.” He pointed to an island on the chart. “Then we must take on more.”
“Then, we will go there first.”
As he steered, he said, “So, are you going to tell me your story? You’ve got a captive audience.” His smile was charming. “Besides, I really am curious.”
“I may share my story with you, but first things first. I’m hungry. You must be, too. Neither of us has eaten since we first met this morning.”
“Well, there is food to cook below in the galley. I need to stay here to make sure the autopilot doesn’t malfunction like it did last yesterday. I remind you that’s why I’m here.”
“It never malfunctioned,” Jar’san advised.
“It will work the way it should,” she said
Nolan looked at her strangely. “How would you know that?”
“You’ll have to trust me.”
“Yeah, right. Trust my captor. Like that’s going to happen,” he scoffed.
“Nolan, I understand electronics. I know many things technical, but there is much I don’t know. I’ll give you this to think about, it wasn’t by chance you came to this island. I intentionally brought you here.”
She watched his mouth drop open.
“How?” He stuttered. “I mean . . . how could you . . .”
“I’m not willing to share that at this time. Now if you don’t believe me about the autopilot, then I want you to teach me quickly how to operate this boat. Then you can go below and fix us something to eat.”
He scoffed. “And what if I refuse? Are you going to kill me?”
She so wanted to stamp her foot in frustration but she resisted. It’s as if he can see right through my bluff. As if he knows I have no intention of shooting him. My first experience with a man is not going well. Maybe if I’m truthful. . .
“I don’t wish you any harm. As I said, there is much I do not know. I need you to teach me.” She hung her head for a moment, her long blue lashes veiling her eyes. After rechecking her demeanor, she looked at him. “I don’t know how to cook or how to prepare food. I’m sure I could figure it out, but that would take time. Therefore, I’m asking you nicely. Please fix us something to eat.”
“Oh, well the lady said please.” He grumbled under his breath. “By all means hop to it Nolan. Get the princess something to eat.” He went on scornfully. “After all, she has a gun and can make you do most anything she wishes.” Stomping to the ladder, he climbed down and went below heading for the galley.
On the surface Nolan’s words were kind, even complimentary but all the same she could detect a tone of insincerity in them.
“Sarcasm,” Jar’san identified.
Her eyes narrowed when Jar’san explained the meaning of the word. She glared at the top of his head as it disappeared when he climbed down the ladder. I wonder if all men are this aggravating? Hesitating for a moment to swallow her anger, she then followed.
“You could always shoot him and then heal him,” Jar’san suggested.
“I guess I could do that. That would show him. But no, then he really would be frightened of me. For some reason, I don’t want him to fear me. Besides, I would have to reveal my power to heal to him. The thought of shooting him in the leg is improving my mood though. Thanks, Jar’san.” She smiled and stepped onto the ladder to follow Nolan.
Once in the galley, she watched every move he made, asking him the name of each appliance he used.
Nolan said, “These are called hot pockets” Stuffing four of them in
to the microwave, he started it. “If you learn to cook from me, you won’t starve, but you sure won’t be winning any culinary awards.”
“Culinary?”
“Never mind.” He rolled his eyes. “Jesus, lady, do you know anything besides technical stuff?” He took two sodas from the fridge and popped the tops. “Coke,” he said, and slid one across the table to her.
The timer chimed on the microwave. He put the hot pockets on two paper plates and shoved one of them in front of her. “They’re hot, so you need to let them cool before you eat one.”
When he took a bite of his, she picked up hers and brought it to her mouth. Hesitantly, she took a tiny bite. The next was larger. “This tastes fantastic. So much better than tanshu. Hot Pocket, it’s called?” She took another bite, then drank from the can. “This is called Coke? It’s…different. It fizzes and tickles my nose.”
Looking at her, he shook his head. “It’s a Philly Steak and Cheese Hot Pocket, if you want to get technical.”
She ate every last morsel and drank hurriedly. She belched repeatedly, each time watching Nolan stifle his laughter.
“The Coke,” he explained. “That’s what’s making you burp. I suppose you never had Coke before.”
“No. This is my first one.”
He shook his head again, amused. “Well, lady,” he said, smacking the table before he stood to his feet. “I need to go back up top. I still don’t trust that autopilot, even though you told me you’re the reason I ended up here.”
“I’ll accompany you.”
He smiled and waited for her to get to her feet. “Now, why am I not surprised you’re joining me?”
****
Nolan regretted his scathing outburst. He knew the derisive comments were born of the frustration and helplessness he felt. Leah broke up with me and now I’m a hostage on my own boat, which I may very well lose. To say nothing of the chance Katrina might kill me. No, Katrina doesn’t impress me as a killer. Time to dispense with my foul mood.
In a more pleasant voice, he said, “Katrina, I hope you don’t take this the wrong way, get pissed off, worse yet, shoot me, but you seem to have an extensive knowledge of electronics, actually technology in general. At the same time you seem to be totally ignorant about most other subjects. You don’t even know what a Coke is.” He eyed her suspiciously. “Where are you from? Have you been living under a rock all you life, and studying nothing but technology?”
