fastback08
Veteran Member
Do you really think it would be impossible to bring nuclear material across the border. All this and more will be addressed shortly.
Story Sailor Sam
- Thread starter fastback08
- Start date
Do you really think it would be impossible to bring nuclear material across the border. All this and more will be addressed shortly.
fastback08
Veteran Member
Chapter 9
“We should be in sight of Cancun by this time tomorrow,” Sam told Irene, “If the wind remains good.”
“I thought it would take much longer.” said Irene, “How far is to Cancun from Home?”
“About 900 miles in a straight line. We have been running about 16 knots per hour and we have been under sail almost constantly since we left. I propose we replenish our supplies and go on down into the Caribbean for a while and see if we can find out what is going on. That will determine where we go from there.”
“You're the captain,” Irene said with a mock salute, “we will go where you lead.”
“I almost forgot,” Sam added. “Welcome to the tropics, according to my figures, we have crossed the Tropic of Cancer.”
The morning light brought the first sight of land. Sam dropped all the sails and brought the boat to a halt.
“Why are we stopping,” asked Irene, “I can see the shore.”
“With everything that is going on,” said Sam, “I think it may be smart to try the radio first. I have a couple of connections down this way that I may be able to contact.”
Sam turned the radio dial to 14.300 MHz and listened for the Intercon net. Smiling broadly, he tuned to Irene and said, “It's Rooney.”
“Who is Rooney,” she asked?
“Rooney is one of the net controllers of the Intercom Net. He is the self proclaimed 'voice of the island',” Sam explained. “The band seems to be in much better condition, let me see if I can reach him.”
Sam quickly gave his call sign and waited for acknowledgment. It only took a couple of tries before Rooney cam back to him. Sam gave his approximate location and asked Rooney, if he could explain what was going on.
“It is a sad thing,” Rooney began in his accented voice, “The government on the island has shut down all radio traffic, except for this net, and we are limited on what we are allowed.”
I see,” Sam countered, “Can you tell me if it is safe to go ashore in Cancun?”
“It is as safe as anywhere else,” Rooney replied, “Keep your wits about you and do not go back North.”
“'73, Rooney and thanks,” said Sam as he signed off.
“OK,” Irene started, “Why are they on the air and no one else is allowed, and what is 73?”
Sam laughed, “First of all, the Intercon Net is allowed to stay on the air because it is a Mobile Maritime Net. It's primary function is to monitor a specific frequency for distress traffic from maritime mobile stations, such as boats. Secondly, telling someone '73, basically just means have a good day. It comes from the old telegraphers who would end their transmission with '73. It is easy to send, because seven and three are opposites in Morse code. Seven is dah dah dit dit dit, and three is dit dit dit dah dah.”
“If you say so,” Irene smiled, “but I don't think I could ever learn all that.”
“Well, if you change your mind, we have plenty of time,” Sam said.
“Does this mean we are not going ashore,” Irene asked?”
“Of course not,” Sam replied, “but it does mean we are going to go discretely armed and we are going to be very very careful. We are almost certain to find many displaced Americans that were here on vacation. We need information, and there is no better place to get it than a bar. Just mind how much info we give out, and do not mention to anyone, that we have food or money.”
Sam hailed the Harbor Master on the VHF marine radio and was guided into a slip that he could easily get into. Sam slipped a healthy tip to the guard on the dock and was promised that his boat would be safe. Irene was quick to notice that after a week on the water, the dock seemed to be rocking. Sam told her she would lose her sea legs in a day or so and everything would be fine.
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stjwelding
Veteran Member
Thanks for the new chapter fastback, looking forward to more if your story.
Wayne
Wayne
steamroller
Contributing Member
Very much enjoying this story, please continue as you are able.
fastback08
Veteran Member
Chapter 10
The beach side cantina, which would normally be packed with tourists, was almost empty. There were plenty of seats available at the bar. So after conferring with Irene, she and Sam sat a couple of seats away from what appeared to be a fellow American.
“What can I get you two,” asked the friendly bartender?
“Ginger ale for both of us,” answered Sam, “We have had a long trip and we would kind of like to start slow.”
“No problem,” said the bartender, “sometimes alcohol is better when you have rested a bit.”
“Any news on what is going on in the word,” asked Sam?
“Well, I guess you heard about the nukes going off all over the US,” the bartender began, “seems like somebody wanted it to happen.”
“What do you mean,” Sam asked?
“The nukes were brought in by container ship in lead lined containers, some of them were brought in by submarine and brought ashore by divers, and some were were walked across the border, both from Canada and Mexico. Some of the radiation had to have been monitored, but no alarms were raised. All of the explosions went off within five minutes of each other and all were within one hundred miles of a border or coastline.”
“Surely you don't think the government was involved,” Sam asked incredulously?
“Why not, it is the government's responsibility to monitor the borders and keep an eye out for this sort of thing,” said the bartender.
“But what would the government gain by allowing this,” asked Irene?
“Look at who's in charge, and follow the money,” said the bartender, “That is how you answer most questions.”
“I am going to close early tonight, If you want to order anything from the kitchen, better order now,” suggested the bartender, “wanna look at a menu?”
“Just fix us a couple of burger plates with fries,” said Irene, “we will be at the table over there by the door, and bring us a carafe of house red wine.”
“Be about ten minutes,” said the bartender as he turned to give the order to the kitchen.
Seated at the table, Sam and Irene had a conference about the new information.
“I have never trusted our President, and I have always had doubts about his intentions, but what can he possibly gain from this,” Irene asked Sam?
“Money and power,” said Sam, “it's what motivates people like him. Some organization or country or group, wants a foothold in the USA and they bought a chance to do as much damage as they could. By destroying the ports and refineries, they will cripple America's oil industry. We will be forced to buy oil from other countries, and I assure you the price will skyrocket. We will also be vulnerable to attack due to the military bases being destroyed. This bombing could be a game changer.”
freshPotatoes
Contributing Member
Thank you ! Great story !! I've been thinking of ways out of South africa if the SHTF, and I've been thinking a yacht is a great option !!
fastback08
Veteran Member
Chapter 10 B
Sam and Irene, were sitting on the deck of the boat when they heard someone coming down the dark boardwalk.
“Stay here,” Sam whispered to Irene, “I am going to get behind them.”
Sam quickly moved to the bow of the boat and hid while the visitor walked by by toward Irene on the stern.
“Can I help you with something,” Irene acknowledged the visitor.
“I was looking for your husband. I have some information that he might find useful,” the stranger replied.
“Let's hear it,” said Sam, who had moved to a position directly behind the visitor.
Startled, the stranger spun around, but quickly relaxed when he saw Sam's palm resting on the butt of his pistol.
“Why don't we just all have a seat and we can find out why you think this is so important,” said Sam.
The visitor said, “first of all, my name is David, I am an ex-pat living here by choice. I wasn't running from anything, it just seems like my money goes a lot further here than it did in the US. Secondly, I mean you know harm. I just have heard a lot of talk lately and I thought you might could benefit from it. Sort of one Yank helping another.”
“Just so you know,” Sam said, “We are both armed and given the current state of affairs, I will shoot first and ask questions later. We can get along, but we don't have too.”
“Fair enough,” David replied, “I would be armed as well, it it were possible. The government down here frowns on citizens owning weapons. Especially foreigners. The info I have been able to scrape together is this. This area is being used as a jump off point for terrorists. They are buying or building or stealing boats and sailing to the US. They are heavily armed and the local constabulary are easily bribed. I am not sure where they are going or what their intent is, but, if I were you, I would get back on the water and stay out of the direct path. In all likely hood, some of the bombs came through here.”
“Wow,” exclaimed Sam, “I never had a doubt they were coming across the border, but I never thought of coming across the Gulf.”
“The border is much more direct, but if you are bringing in weapons and explosives, it is much more dangerous for the illegals,” David explained. “I am too old to run, but I do have something I think you can use, if you want to trade that pistol for it.”
“I am pretty fond of this pistol,” Sam said, “but, we might be able to come up with something. What do you have?”
“I was planning to do just what you two are doing, but I never followed through. I sold my boat, and bought a small house. I kept a lot of the supplies off the boat though, hoping that one day I might buy another. I have a twelve volt 11 gallon per hour, desalination system and three extra reverse osmosis membranes. I will trade it to you for a pistol and some ammunition.”
“Come by in the morning, and we will go take a look at it,” said Sam, “if it is what you say it is, we can make a deal.”
stjwelding
Veteran Member
Thank you for more of your story fastback. Great story, looking forward to more of it.
Wayne
Wayne
fastback08
Veteran Member
Chapter 11
“Don't we already have one of those,” Irene asked Sam?
“We do,” Sam replied, “but ours is a hand pump operated desalinator and it requires a good bit of work to produce a gallon of water. This will allow us to concentrate our labor in a more productive direction. I think I am going to climb in the rack, I am pretty tired and we have a big day ahead of us. I want to replenish anything we may have used. If you can think think of anything we need that we didn't pack, make a list and we will try to fill it.”
“I guess I will turn in as well,” said Irene, “I am more tired than I thought. Let me sleep on a list and while you are busy fixing me breakfast in bed, I will compile the list.”
“Wow,” exclaimed Sam, “I have never seen anyone dreaming, before they went to bed.”
The next morning, Sam got up first and started preparing breakfast. Since they were in a locale the had a lot of fresh produce and fruit, Sam took advantage. Breakfast was fresh orange juice along with bacon and eggs.
“If you want to eat breakfast, you had better roll out,” Sam called to Irene.
“I'll be there in just a minute,” came the reply.
Sam set the table and produced a couple of cups of coffee to help wake them up and took a pan of biscuits out of the oven. By the time Irene made it to the deck top table, Sam had the meal ready.
“Good morning, sleepy head,” said Sam reaching over to give Irene a peck on the cheek, “I hope you slept well.”
“I don't know if its the rocking of the boat, or the fresh air, or just being with you, but I have never slept better than I have since we started this trip.”
“It was likely the wine from last night,” Sam teased, “Eat up, we need to hit the ground running today.”
Irene and Sam finished the breakfast and quickly got the crowded galley cleaned and organized. Irene presented Sam with her list of needs and wants and after leaving a note for David, telling him where they would be, they left for the open air farmer's market.
“How fresh are these eggs,” Irene queried the lady running the small stand?
“I picked them up this morning, just before coming here. I just got them cleaned and sorted,” the lady offered.”
“All we have is American money, we haven't had time to convert anything.”
“No worries,” said the saleslady, “The bank isn't open yet, but I will take the American dollars and I can exchange them later.”
They quickly made a deal and Irene bought 4 dozen of the large brown eggs and an assortment of fruit and fresh vegetables. Sam doubted the bank would give a favorable exchange rate in light of what was happening so he whispered to Irene to leave a very generous tip. Irene paid the lady and gave her an extra twenty dollars.
“No Senora, you have given me too much,” the lady protested.
“It is for the excellent service ad for your trouble at the bank.. I insist you take it,” said Irene.
“Well done,” said Sam, as they walked away with their purchases. “I would like to get back to the boat and put this away, but first, let's stop by the pharmacia and get a bottle of mineral oil. If you can think of any meds we need, let's load up. Most antibiotics and even a lot of pain relievers are over the counter here. If you think we may need it, get it. I am going on over to the boat, and put this away. When you finish, come to the boat and we will wait for David.”
Ordinarily, Sam wouldn't have left her alone, but, he could see the pharmacia, from the dock and he knew Irene was armed. She had spent a good amount of time practicing with her pistol on the boat and Sam was confident she could handle herself.
stjwelding
Veteran Member
Fastback08 thanks for the new chapter, I don't think that I would have left Irene alone, a lot can happen it the time it takes to cover the distance you can see. Love this story and am waiting for more.
Wayne
Wayne
fastback08
Veteran Member
Chapter 11 (continued)
Sam was in the galley, wiping the eggs down with the mineral oil to help them stay fresh longer, when he heard a blood curdling scream. He ran to the deck and looked to the pharmacia where he saw a crowd gathering. He ran to the scene and saw a man lying prone and Irene standing over him with her pistol aimed at the man's head. Sam quickly caught her arm and raised her point of aim away from the man to a more skyward position. He put his knee in the man's back and asked Irene what was going on.
“The bastard tried to rob me,” she yelled, while re holstering her pistol. “I reached into my bag to get money to pay the pharmacist and this man grabbed my wallet. I was able to trip him and he hit the floor and I pulled my pistol.”
“Has anyone called for the Policia,” Sam asked the assembled group?
“The Policia all left after the explosions in the US,” explained one of the locals. “We are doing our own law enforcement now.”
“What are you going to do to my wife for carrying a pistol and stopping the robber,” asked Sam?
“Nothing, Senor, now that the federales are gone, a lot of the people that have kept their guns hidden are finding them again. We will lock this man up until we can figure out what to do with him. Please do not think we are all thieves. This one has a long history of bad behavior, but his brother in law was the policia chief.”
Sam told the man were the boat was moored and explained they would be there at least for the rest of the day if he had any more questions. Gathering all the merchandise that had fallen when Irene went for her pistol, Sam guided a still somewhat stunned Irene toward the dock.
“Sam, I cannot believe I actually pointed my gun at him. It seemed like a natural response. I really don't even remember drawing it. I just knew the SOB wasn't going to take my money,” she said.
“Baby, I am proud of you,” said Sam. “You handled yourself perfectly. You reacted in a totally appropriate manner. One question though, Why did you scream like that. It scared me half to death.”
“I didn't scream,” Irene replied, “That was him. He really thought I was going to shoot him, and I would have Sam. So help me God, I would have shot him.”
“I believe you. I could see how serious you were. We need to get with David and make our deal and get out of here before the locals decide we are a threat,” said Sam.
Texican
Live Free & Die Free.... God Freedom Country....
Oh yes..
Many more will discover that they will be able to respond when confronted by evil....
Great story FB....
Like the boat get away....
Keep up the great work....
Texican....
stjwelding
Veteran Member
fastback08 thanks for more of your great story, I pray all is well for you and yours, Have a great day.
Wayne
Wayne
fastback08
Veteran Member
Thanks Wayne, and thanks to everyone that takes a few minutes to read this story and thank you for your comments. It gives me incentive to keep trying.
fastback08
Veteran Member
Chapter 12
“Make everything secure below deck while I get ready to set sail,” Sam told Irene, “If David isn't here by the time we get ready to go, we will make do with what we have.”
“Why the urgency,”Irene questioned?
“I am certain the miscreant that tried to rob you will be let go out of fear of reprisal. He will no doubt call in his family and they will be down here to get some measure of revenge for your embarrassing him in front of the towns folk,” explained Sam.
Irene set to work securing all the items in the galley while Sam store all the loose chairs and tables on the deck. He had refilled the water tank from the faucet on the dock and emptied the head tank and added new chemicals to the holding tank. Just as he was getting ready to get Irene on deck for the departure, David drove up in a dilapidated truck.
“Fixing to leave,” David asked Sam?
“There was some trouble in town and we thought it best if we left while the leaving is good,” Sam told David without going into too much detail.
“I have the desalinator. It took a while to find all the filters but it's all there. Would you like to try it out?”
“David, I am going to take your word for it,” Sam replied, “I have a Springfield 1911 in forty five, three spare magazines, and 250 rounds of ammunition. If you want to trade, bring the desalinator on board and I will go below and get the pistol.”
David went to the back of the truck and started moving the boxes while Sam went to retrieve the box he had put the pistol in. When David had the boxes on the deck, Sam opened them and made sure everything was there. He handed the pistol box to David and told him to be careful with it and forget where he got it.
“Wait a minute,” said David, “I wanted a full case of ammo.”
Sam took the box from David's hand and invited him to take his desalinator and get of his boat.
“I don't have time to haggle,” said Sam. “You can take it or leave it, but do it quickly, whichever you choose.'
David reached for the pistol and thanked Sam and he jumped over the railing to the dock.
“Which way are you guys headed,” asked David?
“Not sure yet,” Sam replied, not wanting David to know exactly where they were headed. “You can catch me on the Intercon Net, or leave a message with Roonie, he will make sure I get it. Irene, come on up and let's get under way.”
Irene took the wheel while Sam released the lines and pushed the boat away from the dock. The little diesel engine was slowly turning the boat toward the harbor entrance while Sam was preparing to raise the sails. As soon as the forty footer cleared the breakwater, Sam was raising all the sheets and Irene was steering the boat toward the open ocean.
“Set a Southeasterly course,” Sam instructed Irene, “I want to have a few miles of International water between us and them by sunset.”
stjwelding
Veteran Member
Great story fastback08 thank you for another chapter. I am always checking for more.
Wayne
Wayne
fastback08
Veteran Member
Chapter 13
Sam consulted his charts and came to the conclusion that they had made it to International Waters, he told Irene to make a turn to the East. Sam's plan was to try and make the Cayman Islands.
“Hey, skipper lady,” he called to Irene, “Have you ever wanted to go to the Caymans?”
“I am somewhat familiar with them and I would like to see them. They say the water is so clear that divers from all over go there.”
“That is likely because there is no heavy industry there, but I have another reason for going,” Said Sam. “There is a huge banking operation in the Cayman Islands and a lot of very high rollers have money secreted away there. I am pretty sure this bombing thing is related to money and the people behind it would be loathe to destroy the banks in the Caymans,” Sam explained. “We are going to arrive as if this was our vacation plan, and whatever is going on in the states can be handled after we get home. We are going to be carefree tourists for a while. After we can find out all we can, I know a place where we can spend a little down time and relax.”
As darkness approached, Sam took down the sails and turned on the twelve volt LED lamps. The deck was bathed in a soft glow form the dimmed lights.
“Hopefully, we will look like a fishing boat from a distance,” Sam told Irene. “Why don't we have a little dinner and make an early night of it. I would like to get on the way by daybreak.”
“You won't get any argument from me,” said an exhausted Irene, “I had no idea how tiring sailing can be.”
“Well, if you can talk the wind into blowing the direction we need it to, then we won't have to tack our way across the Caribbean,” Sam smarted off.
The couple had a light dinner of soup and salad, and left the running lights on but killed the lights that they had used for deck illumination. Down Sam turned on the Ham radio and listened for a while. There seemed to be nothing on the radio so Sam decided to turn it off and try again in the morning. Twenty meters always worked better in the daylight hours.
stjwelding
Veteran Member
Thanks for the new chapter fastback08 looking forward to more of your story.
Wayne
Wayne
Sneaker 11
RECONDO
FB08..........I too will add my kudos to the list. I, being a life long landlubber appreciate your nautical tale.
fastback08
Veteran Member
I am working on something. I just want to make sure my facts are straight.