A Drop in the Ocean

by James Cooke

  Billy-Ray squinted slightly.

  ‘Well maybe, how much are we talking about?’

  ‘Well, let’s say two thousand. How does that sound?’

  ‘How about three to keep really quiet?’

  ‘Okay Billy-Ray, I haven’t got time to argue. Three it is, half now, half when we get back. I trust I can rely on you, after all, I wouldn’t want it to spoil our friendship, yeah?’

  ‘Absolutely Sarah, you got it.’

  ‘Oh, and Billy-Ray, this goes no further, if I find out later-‘

  ‘Don’t sweat it, Sarah, I know when to keep my trap shut.’

  Sarah disappeared into her office only to emerge a minute later with a wedge of cash.

  Billy-Ray took the fifteen hundred dollars Sarah took out of her safe and left in a hurry.

  ‘Right, now that he’s out of the way, shall we plan our next move?’ Sarah asked.

  ‘Sure. You handled that well. Are you sure you want to do this?’ Brian asked.

  ‘Absolutely, I wouldn’t miss this for anything. Please, make yourself at home, I’ll fix you up with a bed for the evening, and we can talk more over dinner this evening. How does that sound?’

  ‘Sounds great to me, okay with you Lucy?’

  ‘Yes, it is okay, but we do not have that much time left.’

  ‘Don’t worry we’ll be on our way in the morning.’

  For the rest of the day, Sarah and Brian poured over several online maps and websites in connection with Marion Island. It soon became apparent just how small and remote the Island was. Roughly egg-shaped and ten miles across, it lay over a thousand miles from the tip of South Africa and nearly halfway to Antarctica. With no trees, only hardy grasses and lichens, this desolate, windswept land mass was about as remote you could get from the nearest continent. It seemed that the only practical way to get to Marion Island, hopefully without being detected, was by boat. ‘I’ll figure something out, Brian; I have a few ideas. Perhaps we could go over those in the morning. You seem tired.’

  Brian agreed, he wasn’t getting any younger, and he needed some sleep. He thanked Sarah once again before heading off bed, leaving Lucy alone downstairs with Sarah.

  The next morning, Sarah invited Lucy up into her bedroom.

  ‘Hey, come in. Now Lucy, how about if we try and make you blend in a bit more. You are gorgeous, but Brian is right, I suppose, we don’t want to attract any undue attention if we can help it. Maybe we could start by taking off your bodysuit if that’s okay?’

  Lucy nodded in agreement and took off her boots. Then she slowly peeled off her synthetic bodysuit until she was fully naked. Sarah noticed that Lucy wasn’t in the least bit shy and she couldn’t help but admire Lucy’s impossibly perfect body. She wondered how it was possible for the aliens to have created Lucy just so. ‘Oh my god, I wish I had your figure, Lucy.’

  Her skin was flawless without any blemishes, scars, moles anywhere and apart from the hair on her head, she was completely hairless. Sarah stood straight in front of Lucy and gazed straight into her vibrant green eyes; she appeared too good to be real. Sexually attracted to Lucy and out of curiosity, she couldn’t resist placing her hands on her breasts. They felt normal, human. Lucy found this to be strange behaviour on Sarah’s part and didn’t object outwardly, but inwardly, she tried to compute what Sarah was doing and why. So long as her mission didn’t come under threat, she wouldn’t have to kill Sarah.

  After grabbing some breakfast, Brian was keen to get going and wondered where Lucy and Sarah were. Eventually, after a quick search, he found them both upstairs, in Sarah’s bedroom and saw that Sarah was fondling Lucy’s breasts.

  Brian was shocked and at the same time, annoyed, that a relative stranger appeared to be taking advantage of Lucy. He coughed loudly and came straight to the point.

  ‘Hey, you two, what’s going on?’

  Sarah quickly let go, blushing profusely.

  ‘Oh Brian, I was just getting Lucy into some of my clothes. We want her to blend in with us after all, don’t we?’ Sarah replied, sheepishly.

  Sarah’s sapphic advances to Lucy came as a surprise to Brian; but then again, he thought why not, he knew it was naïve to make assumptions about anybody. He tried not to appear shocked and was keen to clear the air.

  ‘Yeah that’s a great idea, kinda makes sense. Lucy seems to be about your size. I really think we should get going though if that’s okay with you?’

  Sarah got the message.

  ‘Absolutely, of course. We’ll be right down,’ Sarah replied.

  Chapter 13

  ‘Okay, what do you have in mind, Sarah?’ Brian asked as they left the house and got into Sarah’s car.

  ‘That depends, how are you with flying? Sarah replied, driving away.

  Brian tried to imagine what exactly she meant. Was she referring to large passenger jets or something else? Could she be a pilot? He had the slightest angst of concern.

  ‘No problem, I take flights quite often up to the mine when working a shift. Light aircraft, that kind of stuff. Why do you ask?’

  ‘That’s great. Because that’s exactly what I’ve got in mind to get us across the lake and south as quickly as possible.’

  ‘Sounds like a plan, I take it you’ve done this before?’

  ‘Wait and see. We’re nearly there anyway.’

  Sarah pulled up in the parking lot near Frank’s float plane charter hire business which proudly advertised on a massive billboard that he could take you to any place on the lake, anytime.

  ‘Relax guys; Frank is an old friend of mine. We can trust him, I guarantee there’ll be no awkward questions asked, believe me.’ Sarah quipped as we all got out of her old beaten up Saab 99.

  Frank was busy cleaning the windows of a Cessna parked in the hanger when they all walked over. A veteran of the Vietnam war, Frank was an accomplished pilot who had used his training and experience to build a local business in his hometown. Now in his late sixties, he was still a fit and well man, with no intention of taking things easy. His rugged features and neatly cut silver hair and beard gave him an air of worldly wisdom. When he noticed Sarah and two strangers walking over, he climbed down from the wing of the Cessna.

  ‘Hi Frank, how are you, my old friend?’ Sarah asked.

  ‘Well hello Sarah, long time no see, good to see you.’

  He glanced briefly at Brian and Lucy, ‘Hello, I’m Frank,’ he replied, offering his hand to Brian.

  He had a firm handshake, and a pleasant smile seems okay, thought Brian.

  ‘Hi, I’m Brian, and this is Lucy.’

  Sarah was keen to get to the point and wasted no time.

  ‘Sorry to drop in like this Frank, but would you be up for some business today. My friends and I would like to get to Hay River, right now as it happens, that’s if you’re not too busy?’

  Frank squinted in surprise; usually, his customers made bookings in advance.

  ‘Well, let’s see. I’ve got a party to take up to Fort Providence at eleven. I guess if we went right now, I could be back in time.’ Frank explained.

  Sarah smiled with relief that her ad hoc plan was on track.

  ‘That’d be great, Frank, I owe you one. Brian, Lucy, shall we?’ Sarah said excitedly.

  ‘Okay give me ten minutes to get ready, you go ahead and wait for me down at the lake. It’s the red and blue Cessna that we’ll be taking.’ Frank replied. Shortly after boarding the floatplane, and Frank taxied out into the lake ready for take-off. Although Brian had been in many light aircraft, he’d never taken off from water, and it felt like the drag of the water was going to prevent them from taking off. But as they skimmed across the lake like a giant swan trying to get enough speed for liftoff, they were suddenly airborne and climbing.

  It would be a relatively quick trip across the Great Slave Lake, approximately seventy miles. Brian couldn’t help but admire the incredible views and thought to himself that less than four days ago if he had set off from the mine just thirty
minutes earlier, none of this might be happening. He thought it crazy to think that here he was two miles above Great Slave Lake, in the company of an eerily beautiful alien android and a conspiracy theorist; on the way to a remote island in the Indian Ocean. Three days ago, it wouldn’t have made any sense at all, and Brian shook his head, smiling at the bizarre situation he found himself in.

  The landing was equally a weird sensation as taking off from water, he couldn’t help but imagine the worse happening, toppling over and sinking, as stupid as it was. Frank seemed to be an okay guy on first appearances. Just as Sarah said, he didn’t ask any awkward questions; yet Brian did wonder how much of that was because of Sarah handing over what appeared to be a thick wedge of cash before they took off. After alighting the plane, Brian thanked Frank; who whispered back out of Sarah’s sight, ‘be careful son.'

  Brian had no idea what he meant, and he didn’t particularly want to ask why. So, he just shook his hand and thanked him.

  At the same time, back at the gas station, Billy-Ray was on shift again and had just served a customer. The local radio blared away in the background; it was the Ed Allen afternoon show.

  ‘Listen up folks, for those who might be interested, our local police department has offered a substantial reward for information leading to the arrest of two persons last seen at the Blue Lagoon Motel; believed to have been travelling from the err; let’s see now, the Lupin area it says here. Anyway, if you’d like to get your hands on ten thousand dollars and you have information that would lead to an arrest, then you know what to do. The number to call is 872-4555.’

  Later that day, Eghert and his crew surrounded Sarah Hoosiers house. In time-honoured tradition, the front door was smashed down and a dozen officers, armed to the hilt, charged in. Across the street, curtains twitched. A few minutes later, they walked back out one by one disappointedly, the house was empty.

  ‘See if you can find anything Foss,’ barked Eghert.

  It was evident to Eghert that they were on the right track judging by the amount of UFO paraphernalia in Miss Hoosiers office.

  ‘Over here sir, take a look at this,’ Foss shouted while pointing at the incriminating evidence.

  A large world atlas of the world was open at page two-forty-two, South America and Africa. Someone had drawn an arrow from the west coast of Brazil; it pointed to the tip of South Africa.

  ‘What do you think the arrow signifies sir, any significance?’ asked Foss.

  ‘Nothing, none at all Foss, it doesn’t mean anything.’ Eghert retorted.

  ‘Go and search upstairs Foss, let's not waste any more time’ he added.

  As soon as Foss went upstairs, Eghert tore out the page and made a call out of earshot of the other operatives in the room.

  ‘Eghert, Yankee Delta 42161. I think we may have a situation. Vela is back, make preparations. I’ll take care of Westlake this end.’ Eghert said and hung up.

  Moments later, Foss returned and said, ‘Sir there’s something else you should come and see.’

  On the bed was what appeared to be a wetsuit at first glance until they observed it carefully. Only then did they see that it was as if someone had shed a perfect whole skin, except that it was electric blue with a distinct hexagonal pattern. Eghert inspected the garment, holding it up by his fingertips.

  ‘Interesting, obviously female judging by the two cups. It’s not any material I recognise. Care to hazard a guess, Foss?’ Eghert asked.

  ‘Well it’s certainly odd, there are no zips or anything. I can’t imagine how you would ever get it on to wear, assuming it is wearable.'

  ‘Never mind, get it sealed up and back to the lab, I’d like a full report by nine a.m. tomorrow. We’ll continue our search, south to Edmonton, then Calgary.’ Eghert replied.

  Foss squinted slightly in confusion.

  ‘Sir, how do we know they’re headed south?’

  Eghert grinned smugly.

  ‘Intuition Foss, forty years’ experience. Something I doubt you’ll ever have.’

  Foss bit her lip. She knew not to ask any further questions; she already knew where they would be heading.

  Chapter 14

  After waving goodbye to Frank, Brian, Lucy and Sarah headed into the local town. Brian noticed a convenience store and thought it would be a good idea to grab a few items for the long trip ahead of them. While Sarah waited for Brian to finish paying, she quickly tapped away on her cell phone; Brian couldn’t help but notice and assumed she was texting someone from the rapid movement of her fingers. Then she waved frantically to Brian.

  ‘Brian over here, I’ve just had a message from a friend, it seems like Billy-Ray has been going on a spending spree big time since we left, something about coming into some money. That bastard has sold us out; he’s obviously reported us for the reward money.’

  ‘What reward money, what are you talking about?’ asked Brian.

  My friend posted it on facebook, seems like the local police have offered ten thousand dollars for information leading to the arrest of you two from the sound of it. Shit, that means they’ll be on to me as well sooner or later.’ Sarah grumbled.

  ‘Who the hell is “they”?’ Brian asked.

  ‘Well, not the cops for sure. NSA most likely, probably a sub-group within the main organisation. People we don’t want to mess with if you get my drift.’ Sarah replied.

  ‘Jesus H Christ, that’s all we need – anybody else, CIA, IRS, the Fed’s?’ Brian retorted.

  Sarah frowned in surprise.

  ‘Don’t be silly Brian, the IRS has no interest in the taxation affairs of alien visitors.’

  ‘You say that, but I wouldn’t put it past those bastards. Seriously, this is going from bad-to-worse. I’ve got my daughter to think about Sarah.’

  Sarah grabbed Brian’s arms and moved closer to him in a reassuring manner.

  ‘Brian, just relax. We haven’t actually done anything wrong as far as I can see, no crime has been committed, so far at least. They, that is whoever they are, can’t charge us with anything, to my mind. If they do catch up with us, the worst that would happen is that Lucy would probably be taken away.’ Sarah explained.

  Grudgingly, Brian had to admit she kind of made sense. Nevertheless, he wasn’t entirely convinced.

  ‘Okay, what next then?’ he asked.

  ‘Well I say we carry on, but we’ll have to be much more diligent from now on. I was planning on flying to Calgary, but I think they’ll be watching the airports very closely. I think our best bet will be to go by train. Once we get to Calgary, I can rent a car, so we can simply drive over the border and then make our way down to Houston,’ Sarah replied, with a degree of confidence that Brian felt comfortable with.

  They found their designated seats in business class, a good move on Sarah’s part – it was much quieter than standard class; fewer people to hide Lucy from, although she now appeared slightly less conspicuous dressed in some of Sarah’s drab clothes. The ten-thirty a.m. Viarail train to Calgary via Edmonton left bang on time. Brian asked Lucy if she wouldn’t mind sitting near the window, leaving himself and Sarah to spread out on the three remaining seats.

  ‘Might as well sit back and relax, it’s the best part of eight hundred miles,’ Sarah explained.

  That might be easier said than done, Brian thought, seeing as there are some shady characters in our coach. One, in particular, sat on the other side to the aisle and had hardly taken his eyes off Lucy since they had all sat down. Aged about thirty, he had a creepy opportunistic smirk that you instinctively knew spelt trouble. Brian caught Sarah’s attention and flicked his eyes over to towards the man opposite. Sarah frowned in return as if to say, chill out, don’t worry he’s the least of our troubles. Brian left it at that and soon fell asleep.

  A few hours later, he awoke to find Lucy and Sarah where gone, not only them but so was the shady character across the aisle. Brian tried to squash the urge to panic but then noticed that Sarah had left her backpack in the overhead storage.
He figured she couldn’t have gone too far and as far as he knew, the train hadn’t stopped.

  He asked an elderly couple sat diagonally across from him if they’d seen his companions leave.

  ‘Sure, they went that way about thirty minutes ago, probably to the dining car,’ the old lady replied.

  Brian had no reason to doubt her.

  ‘Thank you, ma’am. Hope you don’t mind but would you mind keeping an eye on our gear while I go and find them?’ he asked.

  The old lady smiled and replied, ‘Sure son, you go right ahead, and don’t worry about your stuff. Art and I will gladly keep an eye on it, won’t we Art?’

  It was only after walking through four coaches did Brian reach the dining car bar and was angry at what he saw. Lucy was standing near a window, and the shady man had his filthy hands all over her. The hackles on Brian’s back flicked up. Lucy meanwhile remained composed, her hands on her hips.

  ‘Hey, you there, get your filthy hands off her right now.’ Brian shouted.

  The man grinned back at Brian.

  ‘Fuck you! Me and the lady here are just getting acquainted.’

  Brian snapped back, ‘I said, leave her alone, I won’t ask you again.’

  The man ignored Brian and carried on groping Lucy.

  He just lit Brian’s blue touch paper, and he was ready to let rip. He’d given him a fair chance, but it was obvious he wasn’t going to cooperate as requested. Brian marched over and grabbed his left wrist, twisting it behind his back. Yelling in pain, the man let go of Lucy; but then with his other hand, he managed to pull out a ten-inch bowie knife from somewhere.

  When he let go of Lucy, crying out in pain, Brian released his grip.

  The man immediately spun around and waved the knife at Brian, snarling.

  ‘C’mon then you son of a bitch, you want a piece of me? You want to get sliced up?’

  It was at times like this, that Brian, thanked his father for making him go to martial arts training when he was at school and that he had carried on until just a few years ago. Without hesitation, Brian adopted a classic Ninjutsu stance and stared straight into the man’s eyes with a don’t say I didn’t warn you expression.