Seeking Safe Harbor: Suddenly Everything Changed (The Seeking Series)

by Albert Correia

  “They look to me to be the same as the guys who stole my boat,” said Ron, “except these guys are scamming people instead of outright robbing them.”

  “I’d have shared food with them if they were in need,” Glen Arthur said, “but if that’s the kind of people they are, they’re not getting a blasted thing from me.”

  “Well, Dad, that’s the kind of people they are,” Zach advised him. “So is there another route we can take down to Gaviota?”

  “It’s the long way, but we can go west into Vandenberg. There are some back roads that will take us near the coast and then south. I’m not all that familiar with the roads, though, and if we run into trouble, we’ll have a tough time making your midnight rendezvous.”

  Zach glanced back at the men at the roadblock. Several had taken a few steps toward them and were watching them intently. Several others got in the cars and started them. “Expect trouble,” he said.

  “Okay, here’s what we’ll do. I’ll start my SUV and turn it around quick. You stay right behind me. If they come after us, they’ll have to stop to pick up their buddies, so we’ll have a good head start. The sun is going down, but I’m not going to turn on my lights. I’m going to be making a lot of turns, so keep alert.”

  “I’m with you, Dad.”

  “One thing first,” Glen said as he walked to the back of the Mercedes. He smashed the brake lights and then did the same to the SUV. “No point in our brakes giving us away on the turns.”

  “Great thinking, Dad,” the younger man beamed.

  They walked to their cars slowly so as not to give the men at the roadblock a warning that they were planning a quick getaway. As soon as everyone was in their cars, all their movement sped up. Glen started the SUV and in almost the same motion, he shot backwards across the highway, turned and was on his way north in seconds, Zach was right behind him.

  It took a few seconds for the startled road-blockers to react, but the cars moved forward to pick up the men who were standing, and then there were four cars in pursuit.

  Chapter 49

  STACEY, Glen, and Millie sailed the La Sirena to within one hundred yards of the beach off Gaviota State Park before eleven p.m. It was just shallow enough to anchor there with the extra length of chain and line they acquired for their summer cruise.

  They watched the beach anxiously for the flashlight signal. The plan was for the signal to occur at midnight. Stacey reasoned that the sailboat would be visible in the moonlight to anyone looking for it, so Zach would signal if he was there. There was no signal.

  A little before midnight, they saw the ghostly shadow of the cutter arrive and stop a thousand yards further out. They soon heard the soft purr of the skiff’s motor heading in their direction. A few minutes later, it pulled up alongside the La Sirena.

  “Permission to come aboard?” It was Captain Kotchel, himself.

  Stacey gave permission and put the boarding ladder over the side for the officer to climb aboard. The seaman piloting the skiff tied it to the boarding ladder and waited there.

  When he was aboard, the captain asked Stacey, “Has there been a signal?”

  “Not yet.” She looked at her watch. “It’s just now midnight, so it should come any minute now.”

  They watched the beach for a few minutes, and then the captain asked, “How was your day on the water?”

  “Oh, boy,” said Millie. “Tell him, Stacey.”

  “Oh, it sounds like there’s something to tell.”

  “There definitely is. Glen, you and Millie watch for the signal while I fill the captain in on what happened today. She told Kotchel everything, ending with what the Chinese submarine had done for them.

  “That’s really amazing, and it justifies our agreeing to supply them. Maybe Captain Wang was being truthful.” He thought for a second or two, and then spoke again. “To be honest, however, that container ship has more of my interest right now. Tell me more about it, and remember that even the smallest detail may be useful. We need as much information as possible.”

  “Glen looked it over thoroughly. Glen, can you tell the captain all that you saw?”

  Stacey kept her eye on the beach while Glen gave the Coast Guard officer a full report of everything he saw on board the ship.

  Kotchel nodded when Glen mentioned tanks and rocket launchers. It was apparent the captain was committing information to memory, but it also appeared that not all of it was news.

  “The rocket launchers… were they the hand held kind, or were they bigger?”

  “All I saw were the small ones like the bazooka they tried to hit us with. They had some bigger things, though. I thought those were for missiles, but they might have been for rockets. I’m sorry, but I’m not all that familiar with those types of weapons.”

  “Don’t worry about it, son. Until now, there’s been no reason for you to be.”

  “Now, though…” Glen’s voice trailed off.

  “Yes, now, though…” The captain knew what was in the teenager’s mind, and he put a hand on the young man's shoulder. “Keep in mind, son, that there are still lots of good people out there. In time, it will again be unimportant that young people know things like that.”

  Millie, who heard the entire conversation, added, “He’s right, Glen. There have always been nuts out there to cause wars. This last one was the biggest mess they have made so far. But we’ve cleaned up their messes before, and we’ll clean this one up, too.

  “Thanks, both of you,” said Glen. “Actually, I’ve been thinking the same thing.”

  “You have?” said Kotchel.

  “Sure. Most people don’t want to live in a world where everyone is shooting at everyone else, so it has to be fixed.”

  “Simple and logical,” the Coast Guard officer responded thoughtfully.

  “Absolutely,” Millie said, “and I’m sure it will happen in time. But first, let’s get back to something a little more current. Captain, I could tell that you were not surprised by much of what Glen told you about the big ship. Why?”

  “Even though most of our communications systems were knocked out, we still get snatches of information here and there by handheld transceivers – walkie-talkies is probably what you call them. There have been reports of that ship hitting both land targets and ships at sea. They don’t seem to have any specific target or goal, and they steal whatever they can find. It started in the Pacific Northwest several weeks ago. As near as we can guess, those people took over a container ship in a port up in that area. Seattle is completely gone, so maybe Portland, which still has a few facilities functioning – more or less. They stole most of the weapons from a destroyed army base in Oregon and probably got their missile launchers off an abandoned navy ship that foundered off the coast of Northern California.

  “We don’t know for sure that’s how they got their missile launchers, but I say that because we’ve taken a few off missile cruisers ourselves for use on our little ship, so it can be done.”

  Millie asked, “You have missiles on your boat?”

  “We’re the biggest U.S. Military ship around right now. The only other is a little boat the navy used for ferrying people around. It’s armed, too, but it’s smaller than our cutter. We don't have to tend buoys right away, so we borrowed some launchers and missiles, and now we’re a warship. Most of what we have are the kind designed to shoot down aircraft, few of which are in the air right now, but we managed to get some rocket launchers and a few guns, too. Not a lot, but we’re not unarmed.

  “Anyway, they used the weapons they stole to make a warship out of the cargo carrier. And, a lethal one at that. We heard that they hit Santa Cruz last week, killing dozens and stealing all the food and fuel that was still there. Now, they’re here.”

  “Do you think the people are military?” asked Millie.

  “No. Word has it that there are a couple of ex-merchant marines piloting the ship, but most of the others are dock workers, boaters, or petty thieves. They must have someone who can fly a he
licopter and a few who can drive tanks; otherwise, they don’t seem to have any military people. Not well-trained ones, anyway. From what we’ve heard, their aim is terrible. I hear they just point guns, rocket launchers, or whatever, in the general direction and shoot.”

  “That would be scary enough,” said Millie.

  “Yes, and when they’re in close, they have enough weapons to hit anything in their path just by the sheer volume of shells they unleash. Apparently, they stole tons of ammunition and have an almost unlimited supply. They sunk two ships that we know of, and Santa Cruz wasn’t the first land target they hit.

  “Now, for the part of the story that most affects you. They loaded more than a dozen small craft aboard and used one of them to attack you today. They needed a lot of help to load all that equipment and ammunition, so they made deals with the no-goods hanging around the docks. For their help, they are rewarded with the spoils they get off small boats. Three were hit before you, and one of those boats ran aground. As you can imagine, not all these guys are great sailors. We captured one of them. He says they drew lots and every time they spot a small boat, six guys go attack that target.

  “You were the only ones to get away, and that was because you had a guardian angel of sorts looking after you. You can’t depend on that luck holding out. You need to get to The Isthmus and out of harm’s way posthaste.”

  Stacey, who overheard most of the conversation while watching for the signal, said, “I’m with you on that. As soon as we pick up our people, we can be on our way.”

  “Right now wouldn’t be too soon,” said the captain. He looked at his watch. “Speaking of time, they’re almost half an hour late.”

  “I’m sure they’ll be here,” she said. Her eyes scanned the beach area hopefully.

  “It had better be quick,” said the officer. “We have a lot on our agenda, and you need to head for Catalina. With or without them… we’re leaving in an hour.”

  Chapter 50

  THERE was no way that Zach and the others would get to the beach within the hour. Stacey, Glen, and Millie waited near the beach at Gaviota, while Zach and his group hid behind the remains of a missile silo on what once was part of Vandenberg Air Force Base. That was at least an hour away in ideal conditions, even if they could leave immediately. The conditions were far from ideal, so in all likelihood it would be hours before they could get away.

  The senior Arthur’s tactic of heading for Vandenberg and keeping the vehicles’ lights off had worked well in getting away from their pursuers. By angling north off the main westerly road, then slipping unseen onto a side road he knew, they had ditched the four cars following them. They quickly slowed to a stop on the side road and heard the cars speed west on the main road. They knew there were still men and cars at the roadblock, so going back was not an option. Neither was going back to Santa Maria because it was almost certain the motorcycle gang would still have spies out.

  That left a single workable alternative. They stayed on the side road that led into Vandenberg near its northern border. They turned southwest on a utility road, and planned to follow it all the way south until they were back in civilian territory. If there were no hitches, they would have ample time to get to the beach long before midnight.

  But, of course, there were hitches. As they approached the southern border of the base, they saw lights on the road ahead. The men from the roadblock weren’t smart enough to turn their lights off, but they were savvy enough to guard at least one of the roads leading south.

  The crew from the La Sirena backtracked and checked another road. Again, there was a car waiting.

  “How many roads are there that go south from here?” Zach asked his dad after they once again backtracked and were out of earshot of the men blocking the road.

  “Three.”

  “And they have four cars to cover them.” Zach checked his watch. “Even if the motorcycle gang is gone from Highway 1, it’s too late for us to go that way and get to Gaviota on time.”

  “Maybe Stacey and the Coast Guard will wait,” Mae said, hopefully.

  “For a little while,” her husband replied, “but they can’t wait for long.”

  “Why not? What could they have to do that is more important than saving people?”

  “Mom, with the world in the condition it’s in right now, those people have more to do than they can ever get to. That includes saving people, by the way. Other people – hundreds, not just a few. Besides, they’ll be there again tomorrow night.”

  “You’re sure?”

  “I don’t have a doubt in the world.”

  “What will we do until then?”

  “Two very important things.”

  “What?”

  “First, figure out how we can get to Gaviota State Park on time.”

  “And, second?”

  “Stay alive.”

  * * * * *

  The people on the boat waited another hour, but saw no signal.

  “Okay,” said Captain Kotchel, “that’s it. We have to leave.”

  “They’re only an hour and a half late,” Stacey pleaded. “They’re still alive, I know it.”

  “Look, your husband and Ron are ex-military, Mrs. Arthur. If they…”

  “And grandpa,” Glen exclaimed.

  “What?”

  “My grandfather is also ex-military,” Glen said with determination in his voice.

  “Okay, so if he’s with them, there are three ex-military. They know how it works. We said if they couldn’t make it this night, we would try again in twenty-four hours. If they’re going to make it, it will be then. We, and by ‘we’ I mean my cutter and myself, will be here.”

  “And so will we,” said Stacey.

  “Mrs. Arthur, the longer you stay in open waters, the more dangerous it will be. You have to leave for Catalina, and you need to leave right now!”

  “I am not leaving without my husband and daughter.”

  “Mrs. Arthur, as far as I’m concerned, we are officially still in a state of war. I am ordering your boat to The Isthmus.”

  “The boat may go, but I won’t.”

  “Mrs. Arthur, you are going…”

  The captain watched in amazement as Stacey ran over to the side and dove into the chilly Pacific Ocean.

  He looked questioningly at Glen and Millie. “Is she going where I think she’s going?”

  “To go wait for her family on the beach would be my guess,” said Millie.

  Kotchel rolled his eyes. He walked over to the other side and climbed into the skiff. “Let’s go get her,” he said to the waiting seaman.

  They pulled around the sailboat, passed Stacey, and then turned the boat so they were between her and the beach. She stopped just short of the skiff

  “Mrs. Arthur,” Kotchel said, “we can’t let you go ashore like this. It would probably be suicide for you.”

  “I said I’m not leaving without my husband and daughter.”

  “I didn’t have time to tell you this before you fled, but that container ship tried to attack our people at Port Hueneme yesterday. When they met strong resistance, they retreated and headed south. They will no doubt look for targets between Los Angeles and San Diego. When they find that everything in that area is destroyed, they will come back. However, that will take a couple of days. It is the perfect chance – probably the only chance – you will have to get your boat and your son safely to Catalina.”

  Treading water, Stacey considered that. Relenting a little, she said, “Very well, the boat and Glen can go. There is plenty of fuel, so he can motor to Catalina with Millie’s help. It will be faster than sailing, especially if the roller furling is out of action. I, however, am staying.”

  “Mrs. Arthur, please be reasonable. I cannot let you go ashore.”

  “What I do is none of your business. Please get your skiff out of my way.”

  “Okay, okay, you win,” he said, the exasperation clear in his voice. “But I still can’t let you go ashore. You can stay ab
oard the cutter until we come back here tomorrow for our alternative pickup appointment. Maybe they’ll be here then.”

  “Th… they will be,” she assured him, her voice shuddering as she swam over to the skiff. The water, flowing down from Alaska, was icy cold.

  I really doubt it, he thought, but my life will sure be simpler if they are.

  Chapter 51

  AS sun rose, Mae prepared breakfast – cold sandwiches, which at that point tasted as good as the famed Eggs Benedict at Brennan’s in New Orleans.

  “The ice in the cooler has about melted,” she told the others. “I figure the mustard and mayonnaise will be a little less tasty by this afternoon.”

  “Maybe by then we can barbeque steaks on the beach instead of eating sandwiches,” George joked.

  “Wouldn’t taste any better than this,” was Denise’s opinion.

  “And,” Glen Arthur sighed, “we may have a difficult time getting to the beach by then. Those cars would have passed by that street over there if they left, and not a one did. If they keep blocking the streets all day, we’re either going to have to stay here, or fight our way through.”

  “I have no respect for those people,” said Zach, “but I don’t want to kill anyone I don’t have to.”

  “Maybe we can try Santa Maria and Highway 101 again,” Ron suggested. “It’s been thirteen or fourteen hours since we left our motorcycle friends. Those kinds of dudes aren’t exactly known for their patience, so they may be long gone by now.”

  “It’s a possibility,” Zach agreed, “but there are two problems with it. First, we add distance by going back, and there may not be enough diesel in the Mercedes to reach Gaviota if we go that way. Second, the motorcycle guys have us outnumbered ten to one. We could beat these locals if it came to a fight, but ten to one odds are too heavy to overcome.”

  “Your last shot at being picked up is at midnight, right?”

  “Yes, Dad.”

  “Then we have time. If those guys give up the roadblock sometime during the day, we just head south as planned and we’ll be in Gaviota hours ahead of time. If not, at mid-afternoon we decide whether we knock off a couple of guys on one of the roads south, or we take a chance the motorcycles are gone and double back to Santa Maria. If you run out of fuel, you can hop into the SUV and we’ll haul you the rest of the way.”