The Olympus Device: Book Three (39 page)

Mitch, his family, and Andy sat around the television, watching as the President of the United States approached the podium.

“My fellow Americans,” the chief executive began, “It is with a saddened and heavy heart that I come before you. At 9:53 PM two days ago, a distress call was broadcast from the recently launched cargo ship,
Parthenon
. During that short broadcast, the captain reported that his vessel was under attack by unknown forces. The word, ‘pirates’ was used. Two Coast Guard cutters were dispatched immediately to the scene, as well as numerous aircraft. Over the past 48 hours, an extensive search has been conducted. No survivors have been found.”

The president paused, looking into the cameras with a dejected expression before continuing to speak. “This tragedy at sea effects all of us, as the
Parthenon
was carrying Durham Weathers and his invention. Our experts now believe that some rogue element discovered our attempt to protect the Olympus Device by keeping it at sea. They tried to take control of the ship and its precious cargo, which held such promise for the future of mankind. Orbiting satellite data indicates that Mr. Weathers discharged his device, most likely in an attempt to fight off the pirates. While there’s no way of being sure, this brave act may have resulted in the vessel’s demise and subsequent disappearance.”

“In addition to the unfortunate deaths of the crew, the entire world has suffered a great loss. The Olympus Device held great potential, and at the stalwart insistence of its inventor was to be developed for the benefit of all of earth’s citizens.”

The Commander in Chief’s expression then lightened, his voice changing to a tone of optimism. “The best scientific minds in the world will now be undertaking the task of reproducing what Mr. Weathers had created. While it may take time, I’m confident that eventually we will uncover the secrets and benefits of his invention. My heart and prayers go out to the families of the captain, the brave crew, and Mr. Weathers. God bless America.”

Mitch reached for the remote, no longer interested in what the television had to say about his brother. The reality that Dusty might actually be dead was finally setting in, the pain and remorse in the professor’s core growing by the second.

His thoughts then turned to Andy, the young man sitting nearby, quietly staring at the television as if he expected to hear better news any moment. When his nephew closed his eyes and started shuddering with tears, Mitch moved to his side and pulled him close.

“I guess dad doesn’t have to worry about being hunted down anymore,” Andy finally managed between bouts of weeping. “I hope Grace and he can finally rest in peace.”

“They’re together in a better place now,” Mitch responded, but even he was struck by the hollow echo of his words.

Something was different… the ocean’s rhythm and sound had changed.

Dusty forced his eyes open, quickly regretting the move as the bright sunlight added to his already pounding head.

They had consumed the last of their water two… or was it three days ago? Dehydration was making them both lethargic, Grace spending most of her time sleeping in the limited shade offered by the lifeboat’s damaged canopy.

Dusty’s first thought was that he’d been dreaming again, his ears reaching out to seek what had caused him to wake. There it was… a change in the sound of the waves.

Squinting with pain, the Texan managed to raise his head and peer over the side. He had to blink several times before he realized the vision was real.

There were mountains in the distance, each covered with a brilliant emerald green canopy of tropical lush flora. He could make out the white sand of a beach just on the horizon.

Another bolt of pain surged when the Texan smiled, his blistered, dry lips pulling on sun-crisped skin.

“Grace! Grace! Land! There’s land out there.”

Moaning at being disturbed, she tried to ignore his voice, but he wasn’t going to let her. “Come on, lazy bones,” he croaked. “We’re going to be okay… there’s land out there.”

With his help, she managed to sit up, the effort requiring all of her almost-depleted resolve. “Oh, Dusty, you’re right! Oh, God… it’s a miracle.”

The couple watched, the current seemingly taking forever to wash them towards the shore. Charged with adrenaline, Dusty finally slid over the side, finding himself able to stand on the sandy bottom.

He pulled them ashore, the effort taking nearly all the strength he had left. Grace had trouble standing, her legs weak and unsure from lack of use and a shortage of water.

Dusty spotted a small structure just down the beach. “You stay here,” he ordered. “Let me go check it out.”

He found a spigot on the building’s exterior, the fitting and valve looking just like any other he’d seen, ready to accept a garden hose. He twisted the knob and was thrilled when clear, clean smelling water rushed out.

Dusty filled his cupped hands three times before turning off the priceless resource. The liquid gave him strength, and he stumbled back to the beach, waving for Grace to join him.

He drank some more while he waited for her to make the journey. Pointing toward the godsend, he said, “It’s fresh and cool. Be careful. Not too much too quick though.”

While Grace drank her fill, Dusty ventured around the small building’s exterior, now strong enough to be curious where they’d washed ashore. He didn’t have to go far for his answer.

“Hanauma Bay Nature Preserv
e
,
” the sign on the door stated. “Oahu, Hawaii, Ranger’s Office.”

Dusty started laughing, the irony of it all making it difficult for the Texan to control himself. Grace, unsure if her mate had finally gone insane or had actually seen something funny, rounded the corner to see what was happening.

Dusty pointed to the sign, waiting until she read the words.

After the initial surprise wore off, Grace just shook her head. “Of all the places for the ocean to deposit us. What are the chances?”

Recovered from his outburst, Dusty continued to scout around while Grace stayed close to the water source. “I peeked inside the window and looked at the clock. The sign says they open at 8AM, and it’s only 6:30. We’ve got a little time before the park opens.”

“I’ve made it this long,” she said. “Another little bit won’t matter.”

“Actually, I was thinking about something else,” he replied, staring down the beach at their lifeboat.

“What?”

“Well, nobody knows we’re here, right? They probably all think we’re dead. I’m wondering if that isn’t the best solution to this entire mess.”

Grace frowned, wondering if Dusty had finally succumbed to sunstroke. “I’m not following.”

“We have those papers and documents Monroe gave us back in Seattle. We have money, new lives, and new names. Why not let everyone think we’re dead, and then they’ll stop looking for the rail gun and us, too? We can start fresh and not have to be looking over our shoulders.”

It took a moment, but Grace finally nodded and smiled. “Does this new life include a hotel room, bath, meal, and a real bed? If so, then I’m in.”

But then Grace started having second thoughts. “What about Mitch and Andy? They’ll think we’re dead, too, and I’m sure both of them will suffer for a long, long time.”

“I know. I was thinking about that. After things cool down a little, and we’re set, I’ll figure out some way to contact them and let them know we’re okay.”

She didn’t like it, but after what they’d been through, Grace couldn’t come up with a better solution. If they announced their survival and the rail gun’s reappearance, the drama would all start over again. The violence. The running. The deaths. She smiled her agreement.

Dusty grinned, “Okay. One problem though, we have to do something with that lifeboat. If anyone finds it, they will start looking on this island for us.”

“Maybe it just washed ashore?” Grace countered. “I’m sure sea junk washes up all the time.”

Dusty thought about it for a minute, and then shook his head. “Let’s not chance it. This is an opportunity of a lifetime, and I don’t want to mess it up.”

She followed him back to the raft, helping him drag it across the sand to a patch of thick undergrowth. “I’ll come back later with a rental and haul it off to a landfill. For right now, that’s the best we’re going to be able to do.”

The sound of an engine drew their attention, a bus pulling into the distant parking area. The sign on the side advertised, “Hanauma Bay Snorkeling – Free Shuttle Service.”

They approached the bus, waiting for the final tourists to depart. “Excuse me,” Dusty inquired, realizing Grace and he both looked like death warmed over. “I had a little too much to drink last night… and well… I ran my car off in a ravine. We’re okay, but could we get a ride back to the city without the… errr… police getting involved?”

The man driving the bus looked at the couple with a knowing expression. He’d been working the tourist trade long enough to have seen much, much worse.

“Hop on,” the driver responded with a smile worthy of the island’s famous hospitality. “I’m heading back to Honolulu. You can hire a wrecker there.”

The End