Two Tamas In Paradise; Episode 7, Escape

  This is the seventh episode of the novel Two Tamas in Paradise. It is the fourth novel in the Trace Troy South Pacific Adventure series. It will be posted in episodes. The plan is for two or three a week. There are fifty episodes. It has not been published yet. The reader is given a sneak preview. 

It suffices to say that because this is one novel in a series, there may be things not understood unless one knows what has taken place in previous novels from this series. Here is a link to the first novel in the series: The Big Gamble in Paradise, paperback or Kindle.

Escape

Trace and Sage watched until Sean and Chuck disappeared down the street and amid the houses, buildings, and local pedestrians. 

“They were good deckhands,” Sage said. “They taught me a lot.”

“Yep they were,” Trace said, “but once the cancer of discontent starts, it’s best to cut it out. Otherwise, it only gets worse and spreads.”

“I was thinking more like gangrene,” Sage said. 

“That was my second choice,” Trace said. “Kidney stone was in third place.”

“Now what, Captain?” Sage said.

“Go to the store and tell Makani we can do with forty percent less,” Trace said. “I’ll stay here and guard the boat. Sean and Chuck may regroup and decide to mount a counterattack. I’ll top off our fuel and water while you’re gone.”

“You’re sure we can sail this back to Suva on our own?” Sage asked.

“The only time we need a full crew is docking, loading, hoisting, and trimming,” Trace said. “And even then, we can get by on what we have.”

Sage climbed onto the dock and headed toward the store. 

“Hey, Sage,” Trace called out.

Sage stopped and turned around.

“When’s the last time you had a moon pie?” Trace said.

“I had one just before I came here,” Sage said.

“I haven’t had one in years,” Trace said. “See if you can find them, buy ‘em out. If you can’t find any, get some graham crackers and marshmallows. Tell Makani what they are like. Don’t take too long. I want to shove off in forty-five minutes. I don’t want to be around if Sean and Chuck try to conjure something up.”

“They probably headed to a bar,” Sage said. “Liquor has a way of stimulating crazy thoughts and mock courage.” Sage waved and jogged away.

Trace stepped onto the dock and walked to the fuel pump. He unraveled the hose and pumped fuel into the tank. Then he grabbed a water hose and began filling the water tanks aboard The Tramp Islander. He then went to the marina’s office and paid for the fuel and water.

Trace stood watch on the foredeck. He checked his watch. Only ten minutes remained before the hour expired. He saw a Volkswagen van slowly approaching the dock where The Tramp Islander was moored. Inside the van was the driver, Sage. and Makani; with the supplies.

The supplies were quickly placed onboard. Trace tipped the driver, sent him on his way, and hopped aboard. 

Sage stood on the foredeck and lifted his head. “Look there,” he called out. “It ain’t peasants with pitchforks, but it’s a mob coming our way with clubs.”

Trace and Makani lifted their heads to see the sight. 

“Sage! Makani!” Trace yelled, “Get the lines!”

Sage ran forward and Makani aft. They hurriedly untied the lines and tossed them onboard. 

Trace turned the key and pressed the starter. It chugged. The mob got closer. 

Sage and Makani grabbed the gangplank and pulled it onboard.

“There’s six of ‘em!” Sage yelled. “One’s a cop!”

“Halt in the name of the law!” Came a yell from the mob.

After a couple of sputters the engine fired away. They slowly pulled away just as the mob reached the dock. They yelled obscenities. One of them made an attempt to jump aboard but The Tramp Islander was too far from the dock. The man fell into the water.

Trace advanced the throttle and pulled away from the shore. The mob of men stood on the dock waving their clubs and shaking their fists.

Trace grabbed the mic. “Prepare to hoist the sails.”

Sage and Makani immediately began to untie the sails of both masts. 

Trace held the mic to his mouth. “Let’s not panic. Hoist one sail at a time. Nice and easy. Let’s not get hurt.”

Sage and Makani hoisted the sails. The Tramp Islander caught a northwest wind.  They set the sails at a close reach. Trace switched off the engine. The sails bloomed full and tight.

Trace steered at 260 degrees to gain maximum speed. He continually looked aft, worrying they might be followed by law enforcement or thugs.

Sage and Makani made sure the booms were secure. They gathered in the pilothouse.

“Good job,” Trace said.

“Thanks,” Sage and Makani said.

“We lucky,” Makani said.

“Those guys were the lucky ones,” Sage said. 

“There were at least six of them,” Makani said.

“Not enough,” Sage said. 

“Better be careful, Sage,” Trace said. “Makani might want a demonstration.”

“Remember the six guys in Laredo?” Sage said. 

“Two were women and the other four were too drunk to stand,” Trace said. 

Sage smiled. “You remember it your way and I’ll remember it my way.”

“What that all about?” Makani asked. 

“Sean and Chuck must have found some island thugs and a crooked cop; promised them a share and pointed them in our direction,” Sage said.

“We hope it doesn’t morph into us resisting a lawful order from a police officer,” Trace said. “I’d hate to see a police boat or coast guard on our trail.”

“How long before we are in international waters?” Sage asked.

“An hour to an hour and a half,” Trace said. “At least an hour and a half to be sure. Some of these island countries have been known to drag boats back into their waters.”

Two hours passed. Trace took a reading with the sextant. He put the mic to his mouth. “We’re a little more than twenty miles from Bora Bora.”

The Tramp Islander freely sailed on. It was as if she enjoyed the adventure. Trace and Sage shared time at the helm. Makani continued work in the galley. On occasion, Makani manned the helm. After five days, Trace decided to steer south and put in at a small island, Palmerston. 

Two Tamas In Paradise; Episode 6, Surprise Surprise

This is the sixth episode of the novel Two Tamas in Paradise. It is the fourth novel in the Trace Troy South Pacific Adventure series. It will be posted in episodes. The plan is for two or three a week. There are fifty episodes. It has not been published yet. The reader is given a sneak preview. 

It suffices to say that because this is one novel in a series, there may be things not understood unless one knows what has taken place in previous novels from this series. Here is a link to the first novel in the series: The Big Gamble in Paradise, paperback or Kindle.

Surprise Surprise

Trace switched off the engine and cautiously navigated The Tramp Islander tight against the dock. Sean stood near the bow and Chuck was astern. They tossed the lines and jumped ashore. They tied the lines and walked to the middle of the boat yet still on the dock. They stood on the dock and talked privately.

Makani jumped ashore and sprinted away.

Sean called out to Makani, “Where ya goin’ in such a big hurry.”

Makani didn’t stop or look back. “Very busy. Must hurry.”

They made amusing remarks and laughed.

Trace stood at the companionway and called below. “Hey, Trace, you got everything?”

“Just about,” Sage shouted back.

Trace grabbed the mic, “Hey, Sean and Chuck, stay where you are. I’ll be out in a minute.”

Sean and Chuck flashed a thumbs-up and continued their private conversation.

Trace hurried down the companionway. He checked the shelves and under the benches of the salon for anything belonging to Sean or Chuck. He found two videos and tossed them in the two bags of gear that Sage had placed in the hallway.

Trace went into his cabin, counted out some money, and placed them in two envelopes. 

Sage stood at the doorway of Trace’s cabin and asked, “Final pay?”

“And severance,” Trace replied.

“Their rooms are empty except for the smell,” Sage said.

Trace grabbed one bag of gear and Sage the other. They made their way through the quarters and up the forward companionway. 

Sean and Trace stood on the dock talking, oblivious to Trace’s and Sage’s presence until the gear was tossed at their feet. They looked at the bags as if dropped from heaven. Unbelievably, they looked heavenward. Then they turned, surprised again, to see Trace and Sage.

“What’s this all about?” Chuck said.

“If this looks like what I think it looks like,” Sean said, “you can’t do this.”

“You’re both fired,” Trace said.

“Where’s our share of the gold?” Chuck demanded.

“You have no share,” Trace said, “you did have it but you decided to open up negotiations. In other words, that makes the previous offer, my offer invalid. It’s that simple.”

“You're a thievin’ crook,” Sean protested.

“We’re getting the police,” Chuck said.

“You have nothing,” Trace said. “In each of your gear is an envelope. There is money that pays for this entire trip and severance pay.”

“This won’t be the last you hear from us,” Chuck said.

“I hope it is,” Trace said. “From this moment on you are not welcomed aboard The Tramp Islander. I never want to see you on her again. You men have been good and diligent deckhands. I appreciate it. I can’t put up with what you men have done recently. You are unappreciative and disloyal. If either one of you falls on hard times, I’ll give you what I can, but you can’t board The Tramp Islander ever again.”

Chuck slowly grabbed the handle on his bag of gear and walked away. 

Sean stood for a moment staring at Trace. “You cheated us,” he said.

“You cheated yourself,” Trace said.

Sean picked up his gear and walked away.

“That was quick and easy. Do you think we’ll ever see those two again?” Sage said.

“Not on The Tramp Islander,” Trace said. 

Two Tamas In Paradise: Episode 5, The Decision

This is the fifth episode of the novel Two Tamas in Paradise. It is the fourth novel in the Trace Troy South Pacific Adventure series. It will be posted in episodes. The plan is for two or three a week. There are fifty episodes. It has not been published yet. The reader is given a sneak preview. 

It suffices to say that because this is one novel in a series, there may be things not understood unless one knows what has taken place in previous novels from this series. Here is a link to the first novel in the series: The Big Gamble in Paradise, paperback or Kindle.

The Decision

A little more than half a mile from the marina, Trace was at the wheel. He grabbed the mic and put it close to his mouth. “Let’s drop the sails and prepare to dock. We’ll motor in the rest of the way.”

Sean’s and Chuck’s conversation stopped. They slowly moved from leaning against the roof of the forward cabins. Trace eyed their movement. They were casual and slump-shouldered. They moved reluctantly and with scorn. It did not set well with Trace. They appeared ungrateful.

‘Three hundred years ago,’ Trace thought, ‘those men would have been flogged.’ 

Trace hung the mic on the hook. And Sage came up the companionway.

“You don’t look so good,” Sage said.

“I’m fine,” Trace replied.

“I saw you talked with Sean and Chuck,” Sage said. “How did it go?”

“They want the gold split three ways, them and Makani,” Trace chuckled. “They claimed you and I already have enough and I’m holding out on them.”

“I was in the forward cabins’ hallway, listening to them,” Sage said. “They were right above me. I heard every word. They think because you gave in so easily that you do know where more gold is.”

“That’s what I wanted them to think,” Trace said.

Trace started the engine and steered toward the marina.

He grabbed the mic. “Makani, pilothouse.”

Makani climbed up the companionway immediately. “Yes, Captain.”

“You got a list of rations we need?” Trace asked.

“Sure do,” Makani said.

“The moment we dock, I want you off the boat,” Trace said. “Can you get everything in an hour?”

“Sure, Cap,” Makani said. 

“Go and make sure of what we need,” Trace said.

Makani gave an affirmative nod and slipped down the companionway.

“What have you got for me to do?” Sage said. 

“In one way, I hate to do this,” Trace said, “but in another way, it will be best for the ship.”

“Hard decision?” Sage asked.

“Yeah,” Trace said. “Go below and pack all of Sean’s and Chuck’s gear.”

Sage paused and said. “That is quite a decision.” 

“Makani, you and me will be sailing The Tramp Islander back to Suva,” Trace said. “We all know enough about what to do to get us there.”

“Do they have any clue?” Sage asked.

“Until a moment ago, I didn’t wasn’t sure,” Trace said.

“What about the gold?” Sage said.

“What about the gold?” Trace replied.

“Do they get their share?” Sage said.

“I made an offer weeks ago,” Trace said. “I have to assume they agreed to that offer. They sailed and worked under that assumption.”

“So do you want me to split up the gold and give them their share?” Sage asked.

“They reopened negotiations with me,” Trace said. “They could have said they were getting off at Bora Bora, and I’d given them their share; no questions. I’ve tried to justify sharing with them but I can’t. Ever since I won The Tramp Islander, I’ve paid them back wages I didn’t have to pay. I gave them extra pay when it came my way. I’ve improved their conditions on this boat at my expense. I can’t hate them but I can’t trust them or reward them.”

“I better get busy,” Sage said and hurried down the companionway.

Two Tamas In Paradise; Episode 4, Negotiations

This is the fourth episode of the novel Two Tamas in Paradise. It is the fourth novel in the Trace Troy South Pacific Adventure series. It will be posted in episodes. The plan is for two or three a week. There are fifty episodes. It has not been published yet. The reader is given a sneak preview. 

It suffices to say that because this is one novel in a series, there may be things not understood unless one knows what has taken place in previous novels from this series. Here is a link to the first novel in the series: The Big Gamble in Paradise, paperback or Kindle.

Negotiations 

Trace decided to speak with Sean and Chuck before docking at Bora Bora. He had everything in mind about how to proceed. No exceptions to the final plan came to mind, though. Much depended on their reaction. He feared for the worst. He tried to force it far from his thoughts. He wanted to think the best of them, but the information from Sage and Makani, along with the change in their attitudes seemed predictable.  

He turned in the captain’s chair to the chart desk. After glancing at the clock, he made a quick calculation. He used the compass to approximate how far to Bora Bora. “Two hours,” he murmured.

He leaned back, grabbed the mic, and pressed it. As his mouth opened he saw Sean and Chuck moving along the side deck toward the pilothouse. Trace returned the mic to the hook. They came around to the aft door and walked in.

Sage cocked his head and squinted, “What’s up?”

“We want to talk,” Chuck said.

“Sure,” Trace said. “Have a seat.”

They sat on the bench like stone statues. Chuck rubbed his knees. Sean twitched his mouth. 

Trace’s eyes roved from Sean to Chuck several times. He could see and sense hostility. They were ready for confrontation. Trace appeared relaxed. 

Trace thought, ’It is never good to allow your opponent know how willing you’re ready for the fight. Surprise them and suddenly you will be on the offensive. They know there will be a counterattack. Faked surprise and weakness is like having all your buddies behind them—holding clubs.’

“What’s on your mind,” Trace said smiling and unassuming.

“Nobody has worked harder than me and Chuck,” Sean said.

Trace smiled and thought, ‘Wow, I can see where this is going already.’

Then Trace spoke, “Yeah, I’ve never worked with better men. You two make this whole thing purr like a kitten.’

“I’m glad you agree,” Chuck said. 

“In fact, I was looking at my books and I think you two and Makani can have a raise. Business has been real good. Oh wait, I forgot about the gold. You two probably are telling me you want to quit. I’m right there with you. If I was in your shoes I’d do the same thing. But can you a least stay on until we get back to Suva.”

Their heads quickly turned toward each other. Confusion flashed on their faces.

Trace thought, ‘You two are on your heels.’

Each had looks on their faces as if one was coaxing the other to speak. Neither seemed to have the nerve. 

Finally, Chuck cleared his throat. “Ahem, Sean and I don’t feel right about things.”

“Oh,” Trace feigned interest, “We can talk about anything.”

“Okay,” Sean said, “For one thing, we think we should have a larger share of the gold. We did most of the work.”

“Well,” Trace appeared agreeable, “let’s talk. What do you think is fair? We got to start somewhere.”

 They both swallowed and their eyes bounded around like a pinball. 

Trace smiled. “I guess you haven’t got that far yet, so let’s talk. Like I said, start with a number. You two are getting twenty percent each; together that’s forty percent. Where do you want to start, forty-five percent, fifty percent, twenty-five percent each? ”

They both had looks on their faces that this was easier than they thought. They sat back and relaxed.

“Well,” Sean said, “basically Makani is a cook. He hardly did any work at the site.”

“So cut him out or you two take his share?” Trace said.

They quickly glanced at each other. They appeared surprised Trace followed their reasoning.

“We do have some other concerns,” Sean said confident he would be heard favorably.

“Hey,” Trace said, “I’m here to help and listen. We’re a team. We always have been.”

Trace changed his expression to serious. He lowered his eyebrows. ‘I’m appearing too eager,’ he thought. Then he said seriously the them, “Keep in mind we had an agreement.”

“But we had no say in it,” Chuck said.

“Maybe you should have spoken up,” Trace said.

“There was little reason to,” Sean said. “All of us thought deep down there was no gold. We were making a deal based on a dream.”

“I see your point,” Trace said. “So you want to renegotiate.”

“No,” Sean said, “we just want to negotiate for the first time; knowing what we’re dealing with.”

“You know, if we found nothing, I’d have still paid you,” Trace said. “Looking at it that way, it was all one-sided. I got paid for the charter but not enough for all my expenses.”

“You see,” Chuck said, “we never had a chance to dig around where you did. There may be more there and you’re holding out on us.”

“Have I ever held out on you?” Trace said.

“No,” Sean said, “but this kind of money can make a man think differently.”

“You should look at yourselves in the mirror,” Trace said. “I think the amount of money has changed you two more than changed me or anybody else on this boat.”

“You could be holding out on Makani and your buddy, Sage,” Chuck said.

“Look,” Sean said, “you have the boat, you have land, and we have nothing. It’s about time we get a break in life.”

“You will each have over a hundred and thirty thousand dollars worth of gold when it’s all divided,” Trace said. He paused and studied Sean and Chuck. “You think it should all be yours.”

“We figure we should get two-thirds,” Sean said, “Me and Chuck and you can divide the other third any way you like to.”

“So if I was to split what’s left evenly between me, Makani, and Sage that would be a little more than ten percent each. That’s still a lot, Trace said. “But you’d be happier if you had it all?

“You two have plenty already,” Chuck seemed to plead with his hands open.

“And you guys did nothing,” Trace said. 

“We did all the work,” Chuck again seemed to plead a case.

“But you found nothing,” Trace said. “I—I’m the one who found the gold and could have kept it for myself—never said a word about it.”

Sean’s and Chuck’s planning had not even remotely considered that sort of counterargument. Their eyes looked to the heavens for some sort of imaginative intervention. 

Trace nodded and smiled. “You know what, let’s get this thing docked at Bora Bora. We’ll talk this over. Keep in mind, I should have something.”

Their eyes tried to look at each other without moving their heads. 

“Well,” Trace said, “that looks as if that’s about it for now.”

They stood and left the pilothouse through the aft door. They walked around to the foredeck and leaned against the roof of the forward cabins. 

Trace murmured, “There’s two guys who have never negotiated for cattle with a Texan.”