by Michael Bray
CHAPTER 15
The Ocean Mist
18 miles off the coast of Hawaii
The 48-foot long humpback launched itself out of the ocean, its 70,000 lb. body crashing down in an eruption of spray. The passengers on board the Ocean Mist gasped, cheered, and took photographs as one.
“Did you get it, Herb?”
Herbert Keller looked at his wife of forty years, and scowled.
“Of course I did. You don’t have to ask me every damn time.”
His wife, Maude, nodded. Although it could be easily mistaken as an argument, this was the way they normally spoke to each other, their interactions mostly a series of irritable swipes. Both in their seventies, they had decided post retirement to see a little of the world. Herb had suggested Hawaii, hoping the warm temperatures might make the arthritis in his elbows and knees a little easier to bear. He had spent many years in the Navy, and so whales were something he had seen before, but he was a younger, stronger man back then, and the black hair and sharp eyes he had last time he was out at sea, had long since become grey and dull respectively. It wasn’t the kind of trip he had imagined, but knew the whales were a spectacular sight for Maude, who apart from the occasional visits to see family in Texas, had never really seen the world. His joints were starting to ache, and the overcrowded boat was doing nothing to help his mood. He was looking forward to getting back on to dry land and sitting by the pool, soaking up some sun and sipping a nice cold beer.
“Make sure you get some good ones,” Maude pressed, looking over the top of her glasses. “I want some shots for the photo album to show Alice and the grandchildren.”
Another whoop erupted from the fellow passengers, and both Maude and Herb looked out to see the white wake on top of the water.
“See, Herb? You missed it!”
“God damn it, woman, will ya get off my case? I got the damn picture first time around. It’s not as if you are gonna see anything different.”
“Did you get a video of it?”
“No,” Herb sighed, “not yet.”
“Switch to the video camera and get one before we miss it.”
Herb let the camera hang loose around his neck as Maude handed him the Sony camcorder.
“Make sure you zoom in. Oh and-”
“Maude, please. Give it a rest. I know how to work the damn thing.”
“Well make sure you pay attention, it will be up again in a minute.”
Herb shook his head, knowing well enough that to argue was fruitless. He caught the gaze of one of the other passengers, a man who like him was complete with nagging wife. They shared a silent moment of kinship, a look which said ‘buddy, I feel your pain.’ Feeling the dagger like glare from Maude, Herb hit the record button on the camera and turned back to the ocean, awaiting the arrival of the next breaching whale. He didn’t have to wait long, and as they watched, the humpback once again soared majestically out of the water, turning in mid-air as it began to crash towards the ocean.
Herb recorded, sure the footage might be enough to give his hearing aid a rest from the constant abuse, when he saw the second breach. The crowd gasped as the creature emerged, directly below the humpback. It came out of the water, a flat, wide mass of barnacle encrusted grey flesh. The beast’s snout hit the humpback in mid-air, sending the animal spinning off course as it smashed into the water. The crowd gasped as the creature continued to rise from the water. Its body was lined with tentacles much like a squid, but these were the size of tree trunks. It turned in mid air and reached its array of tentacles towards the dazed humpback, which had just impacted the water. The tree-trunk tentacles enveloped the stricken whale, as the creature came down on top of it, sending a huge thirty foot wake racing away from its impact point. The wave reached the Ocean mist in seconds, sending the vessel into a sickening, lurching roll.
Now, the people who had been gasping and cheering were screaming and clinging on as the boat came perilously close to capsizing. Herb grabbed Maude’s hand, and hooked his free arm around the guardrail that ran around the edge of the boat. He was sure they would go over, and for a moment, all he could see was the crisp, blue Hawaiian sky as he clung on to both the rail and his wife. He heard people falling, sliding, and screaming. Just when it seemed they wouldn’t be unable to stay upright, the wave passed underneath them, and the boat righted itself, rocking and lurching as it slammed back into the ocean.
Gasping, Herb sat on the bench, his arm in agony from the effort of clinging to the railing. Maude sat beside him, staring out into the ocean at the white wake where the creature had slammed back into the water. Of the whale and its attacker, there was no sign.
“Herb, what was that?” Maude asked, unable to keep the tremor out of her voice. “Herb, answer me. What was it?”
“I don’t know,” he croaked, then looked at the camcorder, still gripped in his hand. “Whatever it is, we have it on video.”
CHAPTER 16
344 Chestnut Drive
Freeport,
Kodiak, Alaska
Rainwater stood out back on the decking, enjoying the quiet as he smoked a cigarette. He looked over the lush trees that sloped uphill behind the house, and closed his eyes as he tried to calm his nerves. The last few days had been a whirlwind of activity, and in less than an hour, they were scheduled to head out to sea. The only problem was now the day had arrived, Rainwater still wasn’t sure he could go through with it. He wondered as he listened to the seagulls in the distance and felt the bite of the wind at his face, if he had done the right thing. When it was just going to be him, he could accept the risk. Now things had escalated, and the one-man trip that had been in his head initially, had become a four-person voyage. Mackay had been good on his word.
His hunter friend had been flown in, and to say he wasn’t what Rainwater expected was an understatement. He had been sure the man would have been a square jawed, tobacco chewing silent type, but he couldn’t have been more wrong. Instead, Richie Morrison was a tall, gangly man, who was bald apart from a ring of black hair around the back of his head. Rainwater thought he looked more like an accountant or banker than an ex-army hunter. The only thing that gave any indication of his true nature was his eyes, which were dark brown to the point of appearing black, and seemed to stare through you rather than at you from behind thick glasses. Morrison was a man of few words who had a methodical approach to working. During the last two days, he had barely said a word to anyone. Mackay and Rainwater had given him a full account of what had happened on the boat, each telling it from their individual point of view. He didn’t speak or interrupt to clarify anything. He simply made notes in his journal, occasionally casting his thousand-yard stare on Rainwater when he spoke. When all was told, Morrison stood, tucked the journal under his arm and told them he would work out the best place to start looking. Earlier that morning, he had arrived at the house with a rolled ocean chart and told them to be ready to sail to the location he had marked.
Rainwater glanced at his watch.
It was time.
He finished his smoke and went back inside the house.
Valerie was waiting in the sitting room, wringing her hands as she watched him check his bag of clothes and supplies.
“It’s not too late to change your mind,” she said as he pulled on his orange rain slicker.
“Let’s not go over this again, please.”
“Look, I don’t want to fight with you. I think on some level that I understand why you’re doing this. There’s no shame in staying.”
He didn’t answer. Instead, he pulled on his beanie hat, and picked up his rucksack, slinging it onto his shoulder.
“Just be careful, okay?”
Rainwater paused, and turned to her.
“I’m scared, I won’t deny it.”
“Then don’t go.”
“I’ll regret it if I don’t.”
“You might regret it if you do. You’re your own man, Henry. You aren’t your father, or your uncle. Don’t do this be
cause you feel you have to.”
“This isn’t some ego trip, it’s something I have to do. I have to see it with my own eyes.”
“For what? What good can it do?”
“I don’t know, and that’s the truth. I just have to know once and for all.”
“Even if you die?”
He lowered his head, and then turned towards the door.
“I have to go. Mackay will be at the dock by now.”
“Call it off. There’s been enough death in this family already.”
“We both know I can’t do that.”
“What am I supposed to do whilst you’re gone?” she said, fighting to keep her composure.
“Stay strong. We’ll be fine.”
“You sound like your father.”
He adjusted his bag on his shoulder, and jogged down the porch steps.
“Look after yourself, Val. Remember what I said. Stay strong.”
As he made his way away from the sanctuary of the house, he felt his stomach roll at the first sight of the ocean and the boat that would carry them to whatever fate awaited them.
***
“Ah, here he is,” Mackay said as Rainwater approached the boat. At the stern, Morrison was making the final adjustments to the harpoon gun that had been installed, the cannon like device bolted to the deck on a steel framed tripod. “Top of the range harpoon gun, acquired by our hunter friend.” Mackay said. “If this fuckin’ fish of yours is out there, we will drag the son of a bitch right into the bay.”
Rainwater knew he should have stopped Mackay, told him that both the harpoon and the boat were vastly unequipped for the task ahead. Instead, he forced a smile and nodded.
“I want you to meet our engineer,” Mackay said, then shouted into the boat.
“Hey, Ox, get up here.”
The man who came out of the cabin better fit the picture of how Rainwater imagined Morrison to look before he met him. He was short and broad, with muscular arms. His skin was so dark it had a purple sheen. His head was completely bald, which was complimented by a thick beard. The man paused to wipe his oily hands on a rag, and then climbed onto the dock.
“Ox, this is Henry.” Mackay said.
Ox and Rainwater shook hands, and the short man flashed a wide white grin.
“Mac here tells me we are going fishing for something big.”
“Yeah, you could say that,” Rainwater replied, noting with dismay that nobody on board seemed to appreciate the magnitude of the task ahead.
“Well, wherever we need to go, this boat of yours is fit to get us there. She was in pretty bad shape if you don’t mind me saying so. I managed to fix her right up. She’s ready for anything.”
“Then I guess we are too.” Mackay said. “Hey, Morrison, you ready to go?” Mackay shouted.
Morrison looked at the three of them on the dock with his dead man’s stare and gave the briefest of nods, then returned to examining the harpoon gun.
“Man, that guy don’t say much does he?” Ox said quietly.
“It’s just his way. He’s actually a really funny guy when he ain’t working.” Mackay said.
Rainwater couldn’t imagine the word ‘funny’ could ever apply to someone so perpetually miserable and uptight as Morrison.
“We might be wise to get moving before this weather turns.” Ox said as he eyed the clouds that were rolling towards them.
Mackay nodded. “Aye, best if we make a move.” He said, and then followed Ox on board. Rainwater stayed where he was. His feet felt like lead weights, and he wasn’t sure he would be able to move. The engines spluttered to life, as Mackay shoved his head out of the wheelhouse window.
“Come on, Cast us off and let’s get the hell out of here.”
Rainwater unhooked the bow and stern lines, and with a tremendous force of will, hopped over onto the boat and stood by the rail. Mackay began to maneuver out of the harbour. As Rainwater watched the town of Freeport begin to shrink away from him, he wondered if he would ever see it again.
CHAPTER 17
Russo walked down the corridor of another one of the governments many un-named, non-existent buildings, and regarded the file in his hands about the people he was about to interview. He looked at their photographs, and read the hand written notes alongside them.
Herbert and Maude Keller. Both early seventies & retired. The notes said the pair had been reluctant to give over much information, not knowing the little they had given, names and dates of birth had been enough. Russo had in front of him their entire lives on paper, pulled in seconds from the thousands of databases the world over to which he had access. He had everything about them from social security numbers, employment records, bank account information, even the details of the couple’s children and grandchildren. A lot of it he hoped he wouldn’t need, especially as long as the conversation remained pleasant. Russo always found if the questioning had to take a more interrogatory feel, throwing in a barely veiled threat using specific details of a close family member to those being questioned was invariably successful. Russo noted as he approached the holding room that the Man, Herbert, had a military record. He had served in Nam, and hopefully, would recognise the importance of maintaining national security. Russo closed the file and paused outside the holding room, fishing a roll of mints from his jacket pocket. His stomach quivered, and he opened the package quickly and popped a mint into his mouth. Taking a few seconds to compose himself, he entered the room.
The Keller’s were seated on one side of a stainless steel table. The room was windowless, and apart from the overhead strip light and air conditioning unit, was empty. They watched Russo as he closed the door, smiled, and sat opposite them.
“It’s about god-damn time,” Herb said, scowling at Russo. “We have been here for hours, and my damn joints are playing up and I—”
“I apologise, Mr Keller. I was unfortunately delayed. I’m special agent James Russo. I’m in charge here.”
He shook hands with Herb, while Maude only offered him an icy stare.
“I don’t know why you’re keeping us here.” She said, narrowing her eyes at Russo.
“Mrs Keller, I really do apologise for the way you have been treated. The men responsible have been reprimanded, however, as you may appreciate, this a highly sensitive situation.”
“See, Herb, I told you. It's aliens!”
“Shut up Maude, it’s not god-damn aliens.” Herb hissed, and then turned back to Russo.
“I’m ex-military, Mr Russo, so I certainly know the drill.”
Buddy, you don’t know shit.
Russo smiled. “Well, sir, I’m happy to converse with someone who provided such a great service to our country.”
Herb swelled with pride, straightened in his chair, and pushed his chest out.
“Now, Mr Keller—”
“Herb. You can call me Herb.”
“Well, Herb, as I’m sure you’re aware, this is a matter of national security. We have suspected the existence of this creature for some time, although we are yet to see it in the flesh.”
“We have video footage if you’d like to see it?” “You have video?” Russo said, feigning surprise.
“Sure,” Herb said with a wide, proud grin. “Maude, give me the camera.”
“No Herb, you don’t know who this man is.” “God damn it woman will you give me the camera. This isn’t just some guy, he’s from the government.”
“Well, I don’t care if he’s Abraham Lincoln, he ain’t getting the camera.”
“Maude just give me the camera!”
Russo watched the exchange, the friendly smile still etched onto his lips as he thought about how to proceed if the old bag didn’t hand over the footage. He was debating between either dropping in one of those veiled threats to a close family member, or because time was of the essence, taking his government issued sidearm from the holster under his jacket and putting a bullet in-between the old crow’s eyes. He was spared from making either call when Maude handed
the camera over to Herb, folded her arms, and scowled at both of them. Herb powered on the camera and handed it to Russo.
“There you go, just press the playback button on the side.”
Russo took the camera, and played the footage. The clip lasted less than half a minute. As Russo watched, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of adrenaline and excitement. He watched the footage again a second and third time.
“This is remarkable.”
“Ain’t it just?” Herb said with a grin. “It’s big huh?”
“I wonder if you would mind if my colleague made a copy of this footage? As I said, it’s a matter of national security.”
“I understand, sir,” Herb said, reverting to full military protocol.
“What do we get out of it?” Maude spat.
“Shut up, Maude.” Herb hissed, shaking his head and flashing an apologetic look at Russo
“No, Herb, we discovered the damn thing. Surely, we should get a reward, or get to name it or something?”
“Maude,” Herb said with a sigh, and looked about to resume their argument when Russo stepped in.
“Mrs Keller, I do appreciate your concern, however, this goes far beyond anything I’m able to tell you. I would appreciate your cooperation in this matter. As I said, it’s a matter of national security.”
“Don’t mind her, sir,” Herb said with a shrug “She’s been in a bad mood all day. You go ahead and make a copy if that’s what you need to do.”
“Thank you, sir, you have made a valuable discovery and assisted in a matter which concerns the safety and security of this country. You should be proud.”
“I might be retired, but I’ll always be a soldier, sir.”
“I can see that, “Russo said with a smile. “ I’m sure you were a real asset to the service. If you two would excuse me for a moment, I’ll have my colleague make a copy of this footage, then have one of my men drive you wherever you wish to go.”
