A Drop in the Ocean

by James Cooke

  It wasn’t enough to lose confidence in Sarah, Brian just accepted the fact that she was a competent woman. Two and a half hours later Brian and Sarah were asleep, aboard an express train heading south towards Houston.

  Lucy sat quietly by in low energy mode, her cybernetic Brian computing the day’s events and attempted to better understand the subtleties of human interactions. She wasn’t responsible for judging them, for forming opinions on them, but to simply allow them to assist her in carrying out her pre-programmed mission. That was all that she intended to do until such time when she would have to rely on other humans’ to assist her in succeeding in the Ultarian’s longer-term plans for this planet. For now, she would allow Brian and Sarah to guide her to Marion Island and the location of the Kel-Taire.

  Chapter 17

  While the train headed south, back at the derelict warehouse, one of Eghert’s guards had discovered that the captives were no longer in their holding cells and he was attempting to report the situation to Eghert.

  ‘What in god’s name are you talking about man?’ snapped Eghert, ‘you better not be fucking joking.’

  The blood vessels in Eghert's eyes bulged, ready to burst.

  The shaking Corporal repeated, ‘They’re gone sir, we’ve double-checked their rooms and searched the building, but there’s no sign of any of them.’

  Several items on the desk flew into the air as Eghert smashed his fists down hard. The Corporal flinched, he’d never seen a superior officer so angry before in all his twenty years’ service.

  Eghert paced around the room and then barked out an order, ‘Bring Foss here, immediately, under force if you have to, no excuses.’

  ‘Yes Sir, right away.’

  Foss was in the improvised kitchen making a coffee when the soldier burst through the door, breathing heavily.

  ‘There you are! Agent Foss, it’s the boss, Eghert. He wants to see you immediately in his office, right away.’

  ‘Calm down there soldier, what’s all the fuss about?’

  ‘Don’t you know, it’s the prisoners, they’ve escaped.’

  Foss coolly acted surprised and sipped her coffee.

  ‘Really, how did that happen?’

  The soldier imagined his army pension flying out of the window for this, as he tried to recollect his whereabouts since he had last seen the prisoners. The Corporal tried to think through what happened since he last saw the captives, he wanted to get his story straight, Yes that's right, shortly after the prisoners had been locked up for the evening, our entire unit was alerted to an explosion outside the building. One of the suburbans was in flames, and we were ordered to search the surrounding area for possible intruders. About half an hour later, after finding nothing, we inspected the smouldering suburban and put the fire down to a random electrical problem. It wasn't long afterwards that we resumed patrolling the warehouse basement, and that was when I discovered the prisoners were missing, yep that should do it.

  Snapping out of his brief trance, the Corporal replied, 'We don't know at the moment Mam, all I know is Eghert is well and truly pissed, and he demands to see you immediately.'

  Foss collected her thought's, this might be the most significant test of her career to date, failure wasn't an option, and she had no intention of letting her side down. She had the moral high ground after all.

  'Does he, well in that case Corporal, lead the way.'

  Eghert was sat at his desk, flicking through paperwork when the soldier and Foss arrived.

  'Ah thank you, Corporal, please close the door on your way out. Agent Foss take a seat if you would. I assume you know what's happened, what I want to know is how this has occurred on your watch and why I have only just found out about it from Corporal Denson?'

  Foss observed the beads of sweat trickling down over Eghert's face, which she thought odd given that it could only have been a couple of degrees above freezing. Her mind wandered momentarily as she wondered if Eghert was going to keel over with a heart attack, no doubt brought on through his anger.

  'Well let’s see now. After the prisoners' were locked in their interrogation rooms earlier this evening, I've been in the kitchen. I only found out when the Corporal came to fetch me, Sir.'

  Eghert rubbed his eyes and rolled his head.

  'Really, so you don't know about the fire outside as well then?'

  'Fire, what fire Sir? Like I say, I've been in the kitchen area making coffee and preparing for my report, Sir.'

  'Agent Foss, I shouldn't have to remind you that the prisoners are your responsibility at all times, not just when you feel like it. Why didn't you have guards posted outside their rooms?'

  This is going well, Eghert is just about to fall flat on his face thought Foss.

  'Guards were posted Sir, but I can only assume they were re-assigned to other duties; maybe after the fire broke out. What exactly was that, Sir?'

  Egherts eyes widened in horror as he dug his fingers into the arms of his chair.

  'Never mind about that. What I want you to do now is get off your ass and find those fucking clowns, use whatever assets are necessary. Co-ordinate with the Corporal Denson’s team and keep me informed every step of the way. I want your report on my desk by six a.m. tomorrow. And it had better be good, is that clear Foss?'

  Foss smiled self-righteously, adding salt to the wound.

  'Perfectly Sir, I'll see to it.'

  Foss thought she had succeeded in spinning Eghert a good alibi. After all, she was very good at her job; so, Baker had told her. With relative ease, she assumed Eghert was convinced that she knew nothing about the escape or vehicle fire. At great danger to herself and the Bureau, she had managed to put the bigger plan back on track and re-set the net to deal with Eghert and his associates in due course. What she didn’t appreciate was, the fact that Eghert wasn’t to be underestimated. He hung on to a shred of doubt after he had listened to Foss’s lies.

  Egherts innate cunning told him that something wasn’t quite right though, and he had his doubts about Foss’s alibi. But he too knew how to play games and chose not to give any reason to cause Foss to think that he knew she might have something to do with this. In the meantime, he would have to inform Director Westlake of the situation, and no doubt take both barrels in the process. He’d be lucky to keep his job after this he thought to himself.

  Chapter 18

  After three long days of hellish train travel, Brian, Lucy, and Sarah, finally made it to Houston. They spent the next twenty-four hours recuperating at a motel before making their way to one of the quieter airports where they took a small business flight to Caracas in Venezuela. Conveniently for Brian and Lucy, Sarah had done some advanced planning and managed to book everyone into the Renaissance Caracas La Castellana Hotel.

  It was a great idea on Sarah’s part Brian had agreed, and he suggested that they might stay a couple of nights seeing as though he was exhausted with the travelling so far and this would allow them to prepare for the even longer trip ahead, to yet another continent. Sarah agreed and agreed that it also provided them with an opportunity to buy some new clothes and other items, ready for the next stage of their journey. Throughout this time, Brian thought Lucy appeared to be just as alert and unphased as he had met her less than a week ago. She remained agreeable to everything so far and hadn’t to Brian’s knowledge, raised any undue suspicion from members of the public.

  ‘I booked us into two room’s Brian, is that okay?’ Sarah asked.

  ‘Yeah, sure. Two’s fine; Lucy can share with me.’

  ‘But, oh never mind, forget it,’ a flustered Sarah replied.

  ‘Forget what? Is there a problem with that?’ Brian asked, challengingly.

  Sarah tutted and rolled her eyes.

  ‘No, of course not. Here’s your key, I’ll see you both in the morning then for breakfast?’

  Sarah handed Brian the key and scurried off before he could say anything else. Brian wasn’t exactly sure what she was thinking or planning, but he had a v
ague idea. He felt strongly enough not to abandon Lucy from his care. He tried to forget about it, but it continued to nag away in his mind.

  In Brian’s mind, there was no doubt that Lucy was attractive, on the surface at least; and this inevitability triggered thoughts about his future love life. Up until a few days ago, he hadn’t given the matter a lot of thought, there just weren’t many women in his line of work.

  One thing he did know, he didn’t think he could remain single for the rest of his life, he needed companionship, someone to love and take care of, and be a mother to his daughter.

  He had met and dated Joanne the old-fashioned way, at a friend’s party and then dated for six months before marrying. He knew he was old-fashioned in his ways, but the thought that he might have to revert to internet dating filled him with a degree of trepidation. He thought it slightly ironic that the first two women he had met and spent time with since Joanne's death, would both be unsuitable insofar as a love interest was concerned. That was merely the way it was and couldn’t be changed. Acknowledging that fact, he pushed any further thoughts on the subject out of his mind; he had a far more critical problem to fix ahead of him.

  Two days later, after a much needed short stay, they all boarded a flight to Salvador on the Atlantic coast of Brazil. Sarah’s geographical knowledge continued to impress Brian, and he was back in full admiration mode; their earlier misunderstanding over Lucy having been forgotten about. They both agreed that they had had a good run on flights so far without any signs of Eghert’s circus. Later that evening all three of them sat down, and Sarah kindly explained to Lucy what she felt was the best way forward, namely, to carry on by flying to Cape Town, South Africa. Otherwise, it could be a week or more at sea with a very rough voyage by all accounts.

  ‘I understand and agree with you both. You should both remember that time is of the essence.’ Lucy answered.

  ‘Thanks, Lucy. We’ve all come a long way, but there’s still a long way to go yet. I’m afraid we don’t have the luxury of a spaceship to take us directly to the Island,’ Brian replied, jovially. ‘Don’t be silly, Brian, I’m sure Lucy understands that. She can see that we’re doing the best we can with the resources we have,’ Sarah added.

  That evening they all chatted and for the first time they were able to tell each other more about themselves, except Lucy, who instead told them everything she knew about her creators and their distant world. Sarah soaked it all up like a sponge and figured how significant and historic this encounter would be viewed upon in the future, that was assuming their mission would be successful. Brian was equally mesmerised by Lucy’s revelation’s but at the same time couldn’t help but wonder how Megan was getting along. He desperately wanted to call her at her grandparents home, but as Sarah reminded him, any long distance calls to their home were no doubt being monitored, and they couldn’t risk giving their whereabouts away even before they had arrived.

  Brian felt better when Lucy appeared to understand his concern, asking him questions about his daughter. Brian, a proud father, was only too happy to paint her a picture of Megan and his life. Sarah was equally attentive and acknowledged that he had a lot to lose, and it made her all the more determined not to let that happen, and she swore to herself she would do everything in her power to make the mission succeed.

  ‘I don’t know about you Brian, but I haven’t got the stomach for boats or any form of sea travel come to that, it just makes me so nauseous,’ Sarah said, changing the subject.

  ‘Yeah, I think I know what you mean. I can’t say that I’ve been on many boats or ships myself, but anyway, it shouldn’t be a problem if we’re all flying to South Africa, right?’ Brian replied.

  Once again, the following morning, they all went through the same airport routines, found more or less the world over, and settled down into a long fight over the south Atlantic. It was only when they had arrived at Cape Town that the normal routines they had encountered so far, seemed to go out the window. Brian was the first in line at passport control and handed the immigration officer his fake passport while trying not to appear guilty as best he could.

  Smile no, don’t smile you, idiot, just relax and try to exude confidence thought, Brian, why is he still analysing my passport, c’mon man, just let me through for god’s sake. Brian knew that something must be amiss seeing as the customs officer appeared to be taking an inordinately long time, causing Brian to become even more anxious. Just as the two halves of Brian’s mind were about to commence yet another slanging match, suddenly the immigration officer threw Brian a steely-eyed glance and said, ‘What is the purpose of your visit Mr Carson?’

  It forced Brian to snap out of his hesitation and respond to the officers opening serve.

  ‘Pleasure, I’m here on vacation.’ Brian replied, confidently.

  ‘Pleasure, what sort of pleasure Mr Carson?’

  The cogs in Brian’s Brain wouldn't turn fast enough, and he hesitated for a moment.

  C’mon Brian, keep it together, man.

  ‘All the usual stuff officer, you know, sightseeing, wildlife, that sort of thing.'

  ‘I see. And where do you intend to stay during your vacation, Mr Carson?’

  Oh, Christ here we go.

  ‘A hotel, a hotel in Cape Town, I haven’t actually booked one yet, but I guess that’s not a problem.'

  ‘Umm. What is your occupation, Mr Carson?’

  ‘I’m a truck driver, heavy haulage; you know that kind of stuff.’

  The officer regarded Brian with a puzzled expression.

  ‘No, I don’t know Mr Carson. I find it a bit strange actually that a truck driver from Canada would come all the way to Cape Town for a holiday.’

  Fair play mate, Brian admitted, he had a point, just when I thought things were going okay, now the bastard has sniffed a rat, and I can see this going pear-shaped very quickly. Brian knew that he had to gain the upper hand again and quickly. He spontaneously thought of Megan as he often did when under stress and that helped him to crystallise a powerful return.

  ‘Well sir, to be honest, a friend of mine back home told me about this wonderful country, and he said the climate and scenery were fantastic; so much so, that he’s planning on emigrating here later this year; sort of a fresh challenge if you like.'

  The officer nodded, 'Really Mr Carson, so how does that affect you?'

  'Well, the long and short of it is that I’m seriously interested in emigrating also, it’s the Canadian climate mostly; freezing cold for half the year. Anyway, I decided to come and check the place out for myself before bringing the family over.’

  God, I have to admit, even I wouldn’t fall for that crock, imagined Brian.

  ‘I see, quite a change Mr Carson.’

  Just then another officer came into the booth and said, ‘Mr. Carson, if you wouldn't mind following me please, we have a few more questions we’d like to ask you, somewhere a little more private.’

  Meanwhile, Sarah and Lucy had made their way to an adjoining booth. Sarah was busy informing the immigration officer that she was Lucy’s guardian. She explained that Lucy had a rare and unusual learning disability. To Sarah’s amazing credit, the rouse worked, and they were allowed to pass through without any further delay.

  Brian was taken to a side room and left alone for a few minutes before two immigration officers came in both smiling.

  ‘Mr. Carson, good news. It seems that everything is in order, after all, you’re free to go, we’re sorry to have detained you.’

  It wasn’t exactly what Brian had expected to hear, he’d had dramatic visions of them coming back in wearing rubber gloves, and he couldn’t understand what might have changed their minds so quickly. He wasn’t going to leave it be, he had to know.

  ‘How come, what’s going on?’

  The two officers stared at each other, one of them shook his head.

  ‘We can’t say. It seems that you have friends in very high places. That’s all we know, so I expect you’ll want to get goin
g. We don’t want to delay you any further. Goodbye Mr Carson.’

  It was just over an hour later, since first arriving at the gate, that Brian emerged through into arrivals, where Sarah and Lucy were waiting.

  ‘Jesus am I glad to see you two; you’ll never believe what happened to me. I thought that was it when they took me into a side room; I didn’t think I’d ever see you again.’ Brian explained.

  ‘We were wondering why you were taking so long, what did they ask you then?’ Sarah asked.

  ‘Not a lot really, just the usual stuff I guess; the purpose of my visit etcetera. I told them a crock of shit about wanting to emigrate here, can you believe it. When they didn’t appear to buy that, I thought I was going to get the full interrogation treatment. But then these two officers came back in and said I was free to go, just like that. When I asked him about the change of heart, he said something about having friends in high places?’

  Sarah squinted for a second and then the penny dropped, ‘Agent Foss! She must have cleared things for us in advance.’

  ‘Wow, how is that possible? That’s amazing. I guess she is deadly serious about this, after all.’

  ‘You’re damn right she is Brian, we’re more than lucky to have her on our side. C’mon let’s get out of this dump; I need a bath.’

  Brian only needed a day to unwind at yet another cheap motel. One night was more than enough seeing as he didn’t get any sleep after being awoken by a four-inch cockroach wanting to share the bed with him. While taking breakfast, Brian and Sarah discussed the next step and decided that they should head east straight for Port Elizabeth on the south coast. They figured it would be the last town before leaving the continent for Marion Island. This was Brian’s first time in Africa, and any pre-conceived idea’s he may have had about a hot climate were soon dispelled. He didn’t expect it to be so cold. Somewhat naively, he’d always imagined it to be either desert-like or full of steaming jungles. But nothing could have been further from his imagination; it had quite spectacular scenery, with snow-capped mountains in the background.