2
Less than an hour later they were lying off the Akutan volcano, loading one of the longboats with its deadly cargo. Robert and George had conferred with each other and prepared the charges that they hoped would set off the volcano. Rain took George aside and gave him detailed directions as to where the lava tube was located, describing the landing site in great detail. Still a little in awe of this remarkable youth, George listened carefully to all his instructions, the truth slowly dawning on him.
When they were finished he looked at Rain for a moment and then asked the youth in a soft voice, “I won’t be returning, will I?” Rain was surprised that this little bespeckled man had seen thru to the truth so fast.
“No George, I don’t believe that will be possible,” he told him in a voice devoid of feeling. “When you get to the island you will see that there is no way to ‘set’ the charges; you will have to carry them down into the volcano yourself and set them off.” Rain watched in amazement as George shook his head in agreement. He continued gently, “You are the one who can buy us the time we need. You, and only you, will see that when you get on the island. That charge has to be set just so, and we must be in the Amchitka Pass when it goes off. You’ll have to look inside yourself, George. You have to freely choose to stay and see that it is done.”
George thought about what Rain was saying and realized that that was what his dreams had been trying to tell him all along.
“Thank you for being honest with me, Rain.” The little man placed his hand on Rain’s forearm and squeezed it lightly, “Is Robert aware of this change yet?”
“No, his son is going to tell him.” Rain stared at George with new respect and smiled, “you will have to convince him George; he won’t want to let you go alone. He’s that sort of man; which is why we need him with us.”
George patted Rain’s arm, “I see, I see; mmm… well, don’t you worry dear boy, I’ll take care of it.” He looked about the room and said in a low voice, “I should have liked to have seen how this all turns out.” Then he looked at Rain and eyes dancing, he asked smiling, “The dreams I had of you riding on a large Orca; were they true?”
Rain’s head snapped up quickly, “That part I don’t know about,” he answered in surprise. “But if you say it is so George, then I believe you. Apparently you’ve been given more of the picture than I have at this point.”
“All right then, let’s get this show on the road,” he said picking up a headset and trying to put it on. “My hands are shaking so bad,” he looked at Rain with tears in his eyes, “can you help me with this silly device?” Rain stepped forward and put the headset on him and positioned the mike for him. George wiped his eyes and took a deep breath, “all right then, lets go.”
For the first time in his short life Rain actually felt emotionally conflicted.
“You must keep in constant contact with us George. We’ll let you know when we begin to go thru the pass.” For no reason he could think of Rain suddenly hugged the little man to him and whispered to him, “I think you are the bravest man I ever met George!”
George disentangled himself and wiped his eyes quickly. “Always wanted to be hero,” he said under his breath, but Rain had heard him. As George made his way to the waiting group, he saw the look on Robert’s face and knew he had been told. Summoning all his courage he approached with a smile on his face.
“Cheer up Robert; I know exactly what I’m doing.” Taking his hand they shook and George leaned in and whispered to his life long friend, “Take the children and make for the pass, I have seen what is coming Robert; it’s monstrous! You have to get them thru the pass before I blow the damn thing.”
Robert had tears in his eyes for his friend, “George… I wish ... I… I,”
George interrupted quickly, “No Robert, no-no! You must remain here for the children. I have enjoyed our friendship Robert; you’re a good friend and a good man. These children need you right now, and I am best qualified to get this job done. Take them and go, go quickly my friend!”
Taking a deep breath Robert pulled himself together, “Right you are George, the best man for the job. All right then, lets get you in this damn boat, careful of your step.”
Robert helped his friend into the boat and they checked his headset to make sure it was working. The boat was lowered and George waved once and then started the outboard motor and headed off towards the island and his fate. The children lined up all along the railing and watched as he raced across the water towards the island. Each was sending him their love and their thanks for his sacrifice.
As George approached the island he found himself suddenly filled with a sense of well-being. He wasn’t afraid anymore, in fact he felt very calm; he knew he was doing the right thing. He knew, with a certainty, that he was giving them a chance at a possible future. He approached the rocky shore and sailed around the shoreline looking for the area that Rain had described to him. Not thinking about the headset he wore he began to talk to himself, oblivious to the fact that the men in the radio room back aboard ship were hearing him.
“Ah, there it is; just like Rain described. My, my, that boy is truly remarkable. Let me see, ah, here we go, right up this narrow way. Yes, there’s the lava tube. Oh my, this is going to be a bit tricky.”
An hour later George had dragged the boat to the top of the lava tube, he stood there looking downward; it appeared to go all the way down the volcano, ending in a reddish glow. “Mmm…, let me think for a moment here; well, … ah yes, I can sort of ride it down into the damn thing. Yes, yes, this would do just fine!”
Back on board the ship they were well underway, headed towards the Amchitka Pass. Ian was kept informed of George’s progress. Robert had stationed himself in the radio room; listening to his friend with mounting dread.
Amanda kept the younger children busy helping her prepare sandwiches for everybody. Little snack trays she called them; each filled with a sandwich, a coke, chips, and a pickle.
The children went about the ship passing them out to the crew.
Rain and Josh were busy for the rest of the day preparing for the journey thru the pass and into the Bering Sea. They had discussed the ramifications of the eruption and the ensuing effects it would have on the sea. With all of the older charges helping, they kept them busy so they wouldn’t think of George. They were making ready for rough seas, storing lose items, putting everything away. The children would all be placed in the lounge, the safest place for them during this part of the journey. Some of the older children were sent below to the staterooms to fetch all the blankets and pillows and bring them above. Everyone would sleep in the lounge together this night.
Both TJ and Ruby were fitted with headsets, as was Rain and Josh; they were in constant communication with each other. The two young ‘seers’ were given explicit instructions; any visions or ‘feelings’ were to be relayed to the older boys. Ruby was keeping them abreast of George’s progress.
They arrived at the entrance to the Pass just as dusk was settling in. Rain and Josh made their way to the radio room to let George know they had arrived. Rain spoke to him in a calm and soothing voice.
“All right George, your journey is almost finished now. We are beginning to pass thru the Amchitka Pass and into the Bering Sea. You’ve done very well George, we are all so proud of you.” Rain’s voice shook as he continued, “I only wish I had had you for a father George, you would have been the best.”
George’s voice was also choked up as he answered, “I would have been proud to have had you for a son, young man. You are truly remarkable.” There was some static breakup and then they heard George warning them, “It seems that our large friend knows I am here; he’s stirring up some trouble for me. Are you thru the pass, I can’t hold on much longer.”
Rain looked beyond the door of the radio room, searching for the captain, “are we through the pass yet, Captain?” A short nod confirmed that they were now in the Bering Sea.
Robert took the radiophone from Rain and answered, “We made it George, we are thru the pass and in the Bering Sea. You can let go now; God’s speed my friend and thank you for your sacrifice.” This last said with tears in his eyes.
They all listened as George bade them farewell, “it’s been a pleasure and a privilege to know all of you. Do not cry for me, I do this of my own free will; I do this for the children!” Nothing but static filled the radio room.
“Robert, you and the boys go below,” the captain ordered. “When that monster goes off there is no telling what kind of seas I’ll be facing.” Ian watched them leave the bridge and then barked out a series of orders. He called the engine room and prepared them for rough seas; all watertight doors were closed and locked.
George had positioned the long boat at the top of the lava tube. The pathway led straight down into the volcano itself. He was balanced at the top and all he had to do was kick off and slide all the way down into the volcano. He planned on setting off the charge when he couldn’t stand the heat any longer. He took a deep breath and was surprised at how calm he felt. Knowing the end was coming allowed him to enter a state of profound peace. He pushed off and began his descent down the lava tube at a pretty good clip. If anyone could have heard above the loud roaring, they would have picked up the words to the Lord’s Prayer being said in a calm even voice. George’s last thought was; please Lord, protect them, then he pressed the button.
Rain and Josh ran to the starboard railing and looked back towards where Akutan was located. Suddenly a low rumbling could be heard all around them; it seemed to grow and fill the very air; louder and louder it became until it like a living thing. And suddenly a bright flash of light and the night sky was illuminated. They could see the explosion way off in the distance. Several minutes later the sound caught up with them; it was deafening.
They returned to the lounge just as the ship began swaying back and forth violently. Rain sat down next to Ruby, and Josh beside his brother TJ. The next hour was one of absolute terror for everyone in the room. There were many screams, and several had started to pray. Robert made his way to the lounge and was literally propelled thru the door towards them. Josh reached out and caught his father before he plowed into a wall. He settled himself beside Amanda and held her to him. They were all in the grip of terrible fear, and panic was not far behind when the ship suddenly lurched up in the air, slammed down, and all the lights went out. Lightening was crackling about them with several strikes on the ship itself. There were loud shrieks from several of the children.
In the midst of this pandemonium Ruby’s little sing song voice could be heard clearly. She began to allay their fears, calming them. “Don’t be frightened, it’s going to be just fine. This part of our journey is almost finished. Close your eyes and listen and see. There will be peace, and a new world to explore. The Dolphins and Orcas will come to teach us and protect us.” Her voice was soothing, putting them all into a deep sleep, where new dreams were sent to prepare them for a new world.
And while they slept, the Glacier Queen made her way thru the Bering Sea under cover of a thick black cloud of soot and ash. She sailed along at a fast pace slicing thru the waters and finding no resistance. Unknown to all she was shadowed by two very large shapes deep below her.
Rain and Josh woke at the same time; the others still in a deep sleep. They rose quietly and went outside to have a look. As they stepped outside they saw Ruby and TJ at the railing and joined them. Far below they could see two giant Orcas keeping pace with the ship.
“They came to greet us!” Ruby said excitedly. “Aren’t they beautiful? Oh Rain, they are here for us!” She was obviously overjoyed at the sight of the two great beasts.
Rain leaned over and looked below to get a better view. He had to admit that they were magnificent to watch. The larger of the Orcas came closer to the ship and began leaping out of the water, apparently checking them out. His black and white colors wrapped about his muscular body giving him a regal bearing. They came together on his massive head with a pattern that appeared to be a crescent. Rain watched him in fascination with growing excitement.
Suddenly the Orca propelled himself out of the water and was, for a split second, eye to eye with Rain. In that split second recognition and contact was made. Rain was startled, but held his ground as something passed between them. Rain wasn’t sure what was going on, but suddenly he had an overwhelming urge to be in the water with the large mammal. He spun around, eyes wide, searching for Ruby.
“Ruby, what’s happening?” He grabbed her by the shoulders, “I know him! I’ve seen him before… in…” memory dawned “… in my dreams!”
“Yes,” she reassured him, “he’s for you Rain. You will ride him, as all of us will ride the other Orcas; but you and he will lead.”
TJ turned to Josh, “We are not of the Soldier Pods Josh; we will ride the Dolphins; the Teachers and Planners. Oh, it’s so exciting; I can hardly wait till we get there.”
Josh and Rain stared at each other, each just now aware of what Ruby was saying and how it applied to them. The clouds parted and a beam of sunlight shone down on the two youths; knowledge began to flow and fill their minds. Both gripped the railing to keep from falling.
Rain suddenly shouted, “Of course! God I can be so thick sometimes!” He slapped the side of his head and raised his hand to Josh’s shoulder and squeezed, “No offense, but you’re not a fighter Josh, not like us. We’ve all been through stuff you couldn’t even begin to understand. You wouldn’t know how to fight dirty. All that’s happened up to this point, it was all in preparation for this; I can see it now. If the Orcas are the soldiers of the sea, who is better fit to ride them then us?”
“Yes, I understand Rain, I see it all now. My God, all of us, we’ve all been prepared to play a part in something. The dragons are destroying our old world; pretty soon nothing will be left.” Josh sat on the deck and held his head in his hands shaking it back and forth. “The world we knew is gone; a new world about to begin and we, somehow, are part of all of it. Damn Rain, this is too much to take in all at once! How can you be so glib at a time like this? Aren’t you the least bit scared?”
“Scared? Listen up pretty boy; you’ve lived in a little cocoon all your life; nicely insulated from the real world. I’ve lived with fear as far back as I can remember; it’s get tough or die. That’s how I’ve managed to survive all these years; that’s how we all have managed to survive. You’re just gonna’ have to get tough and pull it together; the real world doesn’t give second chances. You have been shown the same as I have, that we are to be leaders….” Rain explained giving no quarter.
Josh cut him off quickly, “I am no leader, Rain; I barely know what’s going on. I think that they may have made a mistake there…they have the wrong guy. You are more suited to leadership than me. Damn, I wish I knew more.”
“I don’t have all the facts either,” Rain began, “but I do know one thing for sure, and that’s that the Man upstairs has plans for the both of us. So get off your pity pot and snap, man!”
Rain shouted, and then continued, “Look, ya got it in you; you just got to find the right password to turn it lose. We just have to wing it from here till we find out more.” Rain stood above Josh and extended his hand smiling; Josh took it and he pulled him to his feet.
“We’re in this together Josh, like it or not. Maybe we can help each other over the ‘hump’ till we find out more.” He extended his hand and they shook, both laughed and hugged each other as equals. “Good!” Rain said throwing his head back and letting out a loud whoop. “Come on,” he said patting Josh on the back, “let’s go see the captain and tell him to follow the Orcas.”
They headed off towards the bridge with Josh in the lead. Rain looked at this young man walking before him and remembered his dream; the dream that showed Josh as his leader.