Warrior Women Island

PLEASE NOTE: This episode assumes the reader has previously finished Episode 01.

Thirty-seven days later, I sailed into San Francisco harbor. I had to take some chances along the way and learn to trust my auto pilot system. That's a lot of open sea to cross alone. I had to sleep sometime but you can't just pull over at a rest stop while sailing. I really missed my two best friends. We were supposed to be doing this together. The grand adventure was over and they were dead. I should sell the Hornblower and forget all about a life afterward.

The constant thoughts of helping those people on the island I'd landed on mixed with the loss of my friends kept me awake on the calmest nights at sea. There was a lot that needed to happen to help those people. There was nothing I could do to help my friends. At this point, I was barely holding my own life together. I had no idea what would happen to me legally either. There was sure to be some sort of legal incident review and possible severe penalties.

Sailing into my home marina, I found a vacant slip and slowly steered into it on engine power. I'd figure it out with the Harbormaster. I tied up the Hornblower, closed and locked the hatch, and walked on wobbly legs to his office. Once inside, I got his attention at the counter. "Sir, I'm afraid I have to report the loss of two lives from my craft at sea." There was no other way to say that.

The crusty, sunburned Scotsman looked me straight in the face, sucked on his Meerschaum pipe and blew a puff of smoke. "What's your name and the name of your boat, young captain?"

"My name is Jackson. The name of the boat is Hornblower. I lost my two best friends -- swept overboard in a storm -- about three days' sail south of Oahu. I've been on the return trip alone ever since."

"How long ago did you say this happened?"

"About six weeks ago. I was injured and some natives nursed me back to health enough for the return trip."

The harbormaster blew more smoke and thumbed through his logbooks. "You say your boat is the Hornblower and you lost two men overboard and presumed drowned?"

"Yes, sir. That's correct."

"What did you say their names were?"

"I didn't say, but their names are Reynolds and Harper. Richard Reynolds and Geoffrey Harper."

The harbormaster looked over the top of his eyeglass frames and down his nose at me, the young skipper. Then he walked over to the filing cabinet and pulled out two file folders and dropped them on the countertop in front of me.

"Well, Captain Jackson. You and your shipmates are lucky sons of sea dogs."

I opened the first file folder to read the incident report. Copies are automatically filed electronically with the port or harbor the ship was registered with. As I struggled with putting together the pieces of the story from spaces filled in on the forms, the harbormaster interrupted.

"It says, young captain, that your repeated Maydays were heard by Air-Sea Rescue out of the Philippine's. They trained their radar in that general direction and picked up the radio signal from your friends' PLBs. (Personal Locator Beacons) As you know, those beacons are registered with their names and other information in a worldwide computer database. After hearing your Mayday, they were quickly located in a life raft. They claimed its case had worked loose from its storage place on deck and they were attempting to lash it down, when a wave slapped them overboard. Reynolds had the wherewithal to hang on to that case and worked fast to enable it while floating in rough seas. Once they had the raft inflated, they climbed in and activated their PLBs. Still, that water was mighty cold. It was good that you purchased the better quality USCG Approved Coastal Life raft model. It's rough to abandon such an expensive piece of gear as that in the middle of the Pacific Ocean like that, but it saved the lives of both of your friends. When most of the storm passed and it was safe to fly, Air-Sea Rescue picked them up. They were checked out at the base hospital and arrangements were made to fly them back to San Francisco. In fact, when they landed, they reported to authorities that you and the Hornblower were lost in the storm. They have been worried about you all this time."

"That's quite a story."

The harbormaster took a big tug on his pipe and blew smoke saying, "Lucky sons of bitches says I."

"I pulled my boat into L22 slip. I hope that's okay."

"Should be fine if you pay the fees. How long will you be staying?"

"I'm not sure."

"Well, captain. Not sure can be a long time."

"Okay, well, how about my credit card for a month of wait and see."

"Sounds good. I'll keep your receipts on a clipboard for you."

"Did your reports indicate where I might find my friends now that they're back home?"

"You like old movies, young captain? Try rounding up the usual suspects."

"Ah. A Casablanca fan. I noticed your Scottish accent."

"Name's Fraser and don't ever call me Scotty if we be friendly."

"Right you are, Mr. Fraser. Thanks for everything. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted."

"Since you've paid, you can go ahead and connect to shore power now if you wish. Good day to ya, young captain."

I had given a lot of thought to what I had to do when I arrived home. Now that my friends were safe and sound, much of my fear had been alleviated. I phoned my father. He arranged to have his driver pick me up at the marina.

Once at home, I phoned my two friends and shared my relief they were alive. They were likewise glad I was also. We arranged a lunch meeting the next day. Right now, I was knackered. We had our stories to tell, but I would have to lie to them about mine. I hated doing that, but I promised Elder First Smith and the women of the island I'd keep their secret. It's been longer than three days and I have not forgotten my promises to them. I especially could not forget First Miller and the way she looked that night by the glow of seven torches representing the Pleiades Constellation and their beliefs that ancient visitors from there seeded their race here on earth. They all were beautiful and special people, but I never met the men or even women from other villages.

I went up to my room, showered, put on clean pajamas and fell into bed. Tomorrow I would have to reorganize everything I had planned over the last 30-days of the trip home. I didn't wake up until late morning the next day. Father and mother were working. That never stopped. I left a note on the kitchen counter that I would be home for dinner so we could all catch up.

I drove my car over to the Pub where Reynolds, Harper and I were to meet. That first beer went down fast. Our waiter kept us well supplied.

"So, how much did you two lie on the official statement to the authorities. I read the summary of your rescue in the harbormaster's office. If you knew what I'd been through after I lost you guys at sea."

"Quit whining, Jackson. We had a grand adventure. No pictures for our office walls, but a great story to tell."

"I strapped myself to the steering wheel, got knocked out by the boom arm and woke up days later beached on an unknown island. The natives were friendly and had some herbal medicines to help with my concussion. As soon as I was able, I set course for home. I even put my faith in the auto-pilot system to get some sleep."

Harper asked, "Did you get all that down in the boat's logbook?"

"Nope, that was your job, Harper, and you bailed out."

"Nice. Real nice."

"I figure we can resupply, buy a replacement life raft, and be ready to set sail within the next ten days. What do you say?"

"Well, that sounds like fun, Jackson, but maybe we should try white water rafting instead. As grand as our trip might have been, perhaps our plans were too ambitious."

"Maybe you're right. All I could think about on the trip home was how much I could get for selling the Hornblower. I'd either give the money back to my father or use is for law school. We ARE still planning on law school, aren't we?"

"Damned right we are!" We all raised our glasses and downed the rest of our beers. Then we ordered lunch. We separated after that. Of course we were still friends, but something was different about our relationship. They had been through their experiences without me, and I had experiences without them during the same trip. It was as if the Universe was separating us. That was something that Elder First Smith had said right before I left their island. It couldn't have been a self-fulfilling prophecy because it happened before I even landed on their island. We no longer shared the common bonds of college friendships.

We had a good time today, but I got the feeling inside that it might be the last time. None of us came out of the experience in the same way. Our relationship had changed, and so had we.

The next thing on my list was to determine toxicity of the food stuffs that were possibly shortening the lives of the island people and doing something to the men. I also had to find out what that "medicine" was that kept me in near constant hard-ons for the duration of their ceremony. Imagine having that in a capsule or pill form ... if it was safe for human consumption. It was totally herbal, but that didn't mean it wasn't toxic in the long term.

I made appointments with professors in biology and in chemistry departments.

At dinner that evening, I told my father the whole story of my last six weeks -- including my close association with First Miller and in the ceremony of fathering the Jackson legacy generation with the village women of the island.

He wanted to know, "What was that so-called medicine they gave you?"

"I have no idea, father, but I can guarantee you whatever it was, it works. I didn't notice any after-effects either, but when I slept, I was a log to the world. I brought home samples. I was going to show it to a chemistry professor tomorrow, along with some plants and food stuffs the people regularly eat. Father, their life expectancy is very short. I mean like under 45-50 years. And the women report that the men are forbidden to mate because they produce weak and unviable children. Their minds aren't right. They don't have reasoning powers. The women run the island as warrior-protectors. Whatever the reason, the women don't seem to be affected. I thought there might be something in the water or food supply causing this. They are a beautiful race of people. I think modern science could help them. They say that others in the past have offered to help them, but they never returned to their island."

"Do me a favor, son. Cancel your appointments with your college faculty and bring your samples to my office in the morning. I'll have my people do the analysis in-house. That way, there will be no publicity that could ruin the secret existence of your island people after their scientific papers are published all over the internet."

"That's a very good idea, father. Thank you."

"Besides, your professors could only work on the project part time between their other university duties. My research department experts can work on the problem full time and get solid results with a much quicker response time."

"I knew I was right bringing this to you, father."

"So otherwise, how did your boat handle in open seas?"

I was glad he changed the subject. My father was a multi-tasker to the maximum. He discussed the Hornblower, recalled his youthful days sailing and was happy I was also interested. I told him we'd have to replace our life raft, but the Hornblower should pass Coast Guard inspection after that. We talked about taking short trips from time to time -- maybe down to Catalina - but I knew the 30-foot Catalina boat was too small for him. If we ever took a trip together as he suggested, it would be a charter flight with accommodations in the best hotels.

Mother wanted to know about the lovely island girl, First Miller. After all, he now had the close association with her. I explained their system, the meanings within their customs as I knew them. Also, I would be the father of a new generation of islanders -- the Jackson generation and father to potentially 15-children.

"My, weren't you the busy boy on that island," mother laughed. "You know, if those women are having your babies, they should have proper pre-natal care and vitamins while following a healthy diet -- especially since it will be the Jackson Generation. Don't you agree, father?"

"Yes, of course. We should supply them with what they need to produce healthy children."

"How could we supply them secretly father?"

"We can't. Someone will have to know. It's too big of a job for your boat and sailing that far would take another month, minimum. Besides, after what you've already been through on your first high seas adventure, I'd think making a return trip on the Hornblower would be detrimental to you. Think about it. Another month alone on the open ocean would drive a sane man into madness. Don't you think?"

"Father, I can't allow just any other ship to approach their island. They know my ship. I will be welcomed. It's the only logical choice. I'll have to load the Hornblower to capacity and make the journey alone. Reynolds and Harper won't go. In their minds, they've already downsized their life goals in favor of white water rafting instead of another sea voyage. I can't say that I blame them."

"I only hope your mind is clear on these issues, son. You have been told by their leader that your responsibility ended after the ceremonies were concluded. Did they not say so?"

"Not in those exact words, but the Elder's meaning was quite clear."

"Then why do you persist? Aren't you afraid you're interfering where you don't belong?"

"I'm not sure, father. I only know I feel compelled to try. They would never admit it, but they need me to do what they cannot do."

"I can see mother has given you good council in life. I have tried to be supportive. But, what about law school? Don't you feel an obligation to yourself and your future?"

"Of course, father. It's just that this situation is much more immediate in my mind. I am the only one, at this time in the history of their people who can help them. I am fully invested. Therefore, I am compelled to follow through. Haven't you and mother always taught me that?"

"I see you have matured, my son. You're using our own arguments against us now. Well done."

"Then you will help me?"

"Of course. When have I not when confronted with such elegant logic? Law school can wait for you only a little while, so please keep that in mind, also. This is your life, son."

The next morning, I took my botany samples and other food stuffs from Hornblower's on-board refrigerator to my father's office building. We met in a small, private conference room. I also handed him a jar of each of the two medicines I was given while I was there. Labeled X and Y, I explained how each was administered and their effects on me to the research doctor. He took notes as I explained their diets and that their men were adversely affected by something, but only the men. I assumed diet may be the primary cause. My thoughts ran to some type of interference with male DNA caused by diet. I was pre-law in college, and this was totally out of my realm. The doctor was aware that some diets deficient in certain vitamins can cause disruption in DNA functions. His research could verify a few things.

A medical doctor was called-in to advise and make a list of the best possible pre-natal supplies and diets necessary for healthy mothers and their unborn babies.

"I could offer a better plan if I had DNA samples from these women."

"I'm afraid that isn't possible, Doctor. Just assume they are normally healthy Pacific Islanders who experience shorter lifetimes than what we might consider normal. Surely, there are other populations that have been previously studied that could offer some assistance. Perhaps you know of an anthropologist who could help.

While father's research teams went to work, I decided to inject a little of our culture into the next generation of Jackson children. Perhaps they would all like to have bedtime stories read to them around campfire light. They could learn a little about astronomy when they were older, since part of their customs surround the constellations of the nighttime skies. Of course, the women would raise them in their own traditions.

I would not want to interfere with those. From what I learned while there, they are a peaceful, inciteful, and caring people that seem connected to their environment and their cosmos. I decided I would initiate a library for our village. I think the village elder might allow a certain amount of cultural influence for my children, after all. Nothing too specific to American culture, per se, but displays of typical human nature type stories.

Weeks had gone by and still no results from father's research scientists. Of course, the list of pre-natal items was completed. Father had other experts calculating how much actual cargo my boat could safely handle. The next step would be to load the Hornblower in secret.

At dinner that evening, we discussed the possibility of satellite communications with the island once I had returned there. Under what circumstances would it be necessary. The island received lots of sunshine, so a solar battery charger might be sufficient for a while, should an emergency arise. Of course, it would give away our position, so we tabled that discussion for the moment.

"Can one send digital images via satellite phones as we do with our cell phones? I would dearly love a picture of my son and his family of 15 native children from that unknown island."

"Mother, are you being facetious? This might seem outlandish to your social groups."

"Don't forget, they will be my grandchildren ... every single one of them. How many other mothers can say that?"

"Mother, it's one thing in private among us and quite another for everyone to know that their son has, essentially, fifteen wives and a child by each. It's not socially acceptable here."

"I know, but if you leave here, I worry I'll never see my son again if he sails away to another world. All mothers dream of becoming a doting and spoiling grandmother. You would surely not deny me that pleasure. Would you?"

"Now that we've thought of it, having a laptop computer, linked to a satellite account would give the village access of advance weather warnings, health and safety issues, and an entire library of general information. To ensure a better future for them, they will need a proper education, even if I should become their teacher."

"Aren't you getting ahead of yourself, son? I mean it takes a good six weeks to confirm a pregnancy. Doesn't it? The women will only now be beginning to realize they carry a child."

"All the better reasons to take action now, father. Don't you think?"

"Let's wait and get all the facts first. It's a long trip and you will have much to carry. Let's be sure about the right mix of cargo to support your goals and a tolerable weight for your boat to carry."

"Yes, of course. I understand."

The last two weeks had been agony, for me. I wanted to get back to the island as quickly as possible with aid and to the native people. Proving Elder First Smith incorrect would be proof of his sincere and honest resolve to help her people. Finally, everything was arranged. The new life raft had been delivered and his ship passed Coast Guard Inspection.

One of his father's staff had taken the boat to another location to have it properly loaded -- away from prying eyes and wagging tongues around the marina. I would sail from there. Cargo included liquid protein/vitamin drinks and other food, everyday medicines, pre-natal vitamins, an expanded medical kit, survival tools, and books. There was so much, in fact, that I had to pray for warm weather since below decks was stuffed with only an aisle that he had to walk sideways to get to the V-berth in the bow to sleep.