Adrian Smith - The Fourth Phase

Maggie squatted down and lifted the last box of bottled water off the jetty. Despite the chill of the early winter, she could feel the sweat dripping down her spine. She handed the box to the waiting soldier and wiped her brow with the back of a hand. She glanced over to the cabin of the catamaran. She had convinced Ben to allow her to scour Tauranga Harbour for a yacht. After rescuing Glasses from the Karapiro Lake, Ben had imprisoned him for his crimes. Maggie had visited him a few times. After finding out he was a seasoned sailor, she had asked him to sail her to America. He had readily agreed, especially if it meant not being locked up.

Glasses had gone with her to Tauranga. He had spotted the catamaran◦— he called it a Victoria 67◦— saying it was reliable and should get them across the vast Pacific. Together, they had plotted a north-easterly course, up through the islands of Tonga, Samoa, and Kiribati, before striking out for Hawaii. Maggie had tried to contact any American Naval ships, but to no avail.

She heard footsteps on the wooden jetty. Turning, she raised her hand, blocking out the sun. Alice stood next to her, looking at the sleek lines of the white hull.

“What do you think? Are we going to make it?”

“I hope so. I’ll keep going, or die trying.”

Alice wrapped an arm around her.

Maggie enjoyed the sign of affection. “We’re going to have to keep an eye on Glasses, though.”

“Do you think he’ll try something?”

“I really hope not, but let’s be prepared. Especially with Becs, okay?”

Alice nodded her head and smiled. “This is going to be an adventure. We have no idea what’s out there. But I’m happy to help you get home after what you did for us, Maggie.”

“Thanks, Alice. I’m glad you are here with me.”

Maggie broke the embrace and stepped over the gunwale. The boat rocked slightly with her weight. She was going to have to find her sea legs quickly. According to Glasses, the waves out in the Pacific could get huge. She was taking a big risk, but she needed to find out the fate of her Texan family. She and Alice had discussed the pros and cons of taking Becs. In the end, Becs had insisted on coming. Part of Maggie felt guilty for taking her from New Zealand, but she had grown attached to Becs, and although she could never replace Izzy, maybe, by saving Becs, she could feel like she was doing something positive.

Maggie walked up to the wheel and stared again at the nautical maps spread out on the table. It was going to be a hard, crazy time out there on the ocean. She knew she had another fight at home, out on the plains of Texas.

The sun’s strength surprised Dee as it beat down on her face. Even though the wind blowing off the Pacific Ocean was cold, the sun still had some kick to it. She glanced out over the bush-clad hills of the north side of Mayor Island. Apart from the bird life, she saw no movement. The other patrols had reported no signs of Variants in four days. Dee breathed deeply, waiting for the rotten fruit smell to invade her nose. Smelling nothing, she turned to Jack, who was standing a few metres away.

“I can’t see anything. Can you?”

“Nothing, thankfully.”

“Okay, I’ll radio it in. Let’s get back to see the girls off.” She watched Jack fiddle with his selector switch. “You okay?”

“Yeah, why?”

“C’mon Jack, I know when something is on your mind.”

Jack stared out at the view. Dee followed his gaze. She watched the distant waves smash against the volcanic rocks, frothing the water.

“I’m sorry, Dee. I just don’t know how to say this…”

Dee wrinkled her brow. A hint of worry crept into her mind. What was he going to say? Something bad? Jack never had trouble expressing his feelings to her. He was an up-front guy. She glanced up at him, doing her best to keep her growing worry out of her eyes.

“I guess, I’ll just come out and say it. I think we should try for a baby.”

A flood of relief washed over her. She squealed and bounded over to him, pulling him into a strong bear hug. “You bastard! You had me worried there for a moment.” She laughed at his stunned look. “Of course, I want a baby with you!”

Jack cast his eyes down and shuffled his feet. He looked back up at her and smiled. Dee hadn’t seen a smile like that since their wedding day. It was a smile full of love. Full of contentment. Full of joy. “I just wasn’t sure… how you would feel about it… with all this craziness…”

“Jack, I think it will be wonderful.”

Jack squeezed her tight. Dee lost herself in the hug, feeling like the weight of the last few weeks had lifted off her shoulders.

Dee pulled away and sighed. “C’mon. Let’s go and say goodbye to Alice and Maggie.”

Jack laced his fingers through hers and smiled. “All right then.”

Jack stood on the wooden jetty with Dee, Boss, Ben, Beth, George, Leela, and the kids. George and Leela hugged against his and Dee’s legs. Jack was sad to see Maggie go. She was a fine soldier, and they had chatted long into the nights about different movies. Jack had discovered that Maggie had read his favourite post-apocalyptic series too. He had discussed different theories with her for hours. He felt Dee nudge into him and he wrapped an arm around her. He watched as Glasses unhooked the painter from the bollard and Maggie started up the engine, pulling the catamaran away from the jetty. Ben had managed to contact an American outpost in Hawaii. They had promised to look out for the yacht.

Strangely, the yacht had no name. After much discussion, Maggie had christened it Samwise after her favourite character from Lord of the Rings . Jack thought that was an apt name, as Sam was strong of character. He watched as the catamaran moved out into the clear waters of the bay and head out into the Pacific Ocean.

George tugged on his hand. “C’mon Jack. Let’s watch from the rocks.”

“Okay,” he said, laughing.

Jack lifted Leela up and placed her on his shoulders. He pivoted and followed Dee, Boss, Beth, George, and Ben around the rocks, watching the catamaran grow smaller.

Jack stood on the rocks as the catamaran sailed into the setting sun before tacking north, and finally north east and around the tip of the island, slowly becoming a speck. He smiled to himself, a tear forming in his eye. He hated goodbyes. They seemed so final. He really hoped that he would see Alice, Maggie, and Becs again. Leela leant into him, sobbing. Jack crouched down and watched as Dee knelt down beside him.

“What’s wrong, Leela?”

“I wanted to go to.”

George turned around from waving off the catamaran. “It’s all right, Leela. You can live with us now. Because, we love you.”

Jack smiled as George hugged Leela. He glanced up at Dee. She wiped the tears from her eyes and joined in the hug.

Jack wrapped his arms around the three of them and smiled. In this new world, he was going to savour what he had and enjoy the little moments.

The stench made Captain Koto wrinkle his nose. He pulled his perfume-soaked buff up and covered it. He tried breathing through his mouth to escape the putrid smell, but to no avail. He hadn’t even entered the hold yet and the stench was threatening to overcome him. He moved over to the rail and breathed in some fresh sea air. He could taste the perfume on his buff.

Staring out at the twinkling lights of the village, he felt a pang of guilt. Colonel Mahana and the New Zealand people had been so welcoming. They had fed them, treated the sick, and given them land to settle on. They certainly didn’t deserve what was awaiting them in the hold. Koto had loved the festival of Matariki, had spent the evening enjoying the company of Colonel Mahana, listened to beautiful songs, and watched the captivating haka. It made his decision even harder to carry out, but the Colonel had been right. They had to fight back. Take back the land from the monsters called Variants.