Take Aim - Chapter 13 - Beyond Pacifica

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Waves rocked the small chartered boat pulling Del from a quiet slumber.  Sunlight shone brightly threw the clear portal above where she lay.  Del sat up slowly and glanced around the small cabin.  No one else occupied the small space but she heard Kira and Kyran arguing above her.  She rose, dressed in shorts and a tank top and went on deck.

 

“You should be in bed,” Kyran snapped when he saw her.

 

“I’m fine.  So where are they?” Del asked as she checked the headings and scanned the horizon.

 

“Several miles ahead of us.  We’re keeping our distance until we have a plan that doesn’t involve calling up a kraken while sharks circle their boat,” Kira said with a scathing glance toward Kyran.

 

“I’m leaning toward the kraken idea myself.  Wait, are there really krakens?”   Del asked.  She caught a sly wink from Kyran.  “Anyway, what’s the other plan?”

 

“They’re headed toward a small inlet farther down the coast.  I think we can sneak on board while the crew is off looking for prey.  We’ll recover your equipment and vanish before they realize it,” Kira said.

 

“I’m surprised, Kira, using poor defenseless animals as a distraction for our goals?”

 

“Hardly!”  Kira scoffed.  Let’s just say we have a few land connections and the prey they’re after have gone into hiding.  Those filthy poachers will find nothing but sand and rocks!”

 

“Someone is bound to be left behind to guard the boat,” Kyran said.  “What about them?”

 

“Ah, dear brother, I guess it’s time you earned your keep!”

 

“But they have guns, Kira!  You can’t send Kyran in there alone and unprotected!”

 

“Is that concern I hear, dear human?  Relax, I can handle ten of those guys.”

 

“And guns!  Can you handle ten guns, oh and bullets, you can handle those as well?” Del mocked.  Kyran glanced over his shoulder and winked again.

 

“Fine, well, what do you want me to do?” Del asked, still uncertain about the current plan.

 

“Stay here and out of the way.  Kira and I will go get your equipment,” Kyran said.

 

“I can’t let you do that.  I should go or at least help out in some way,” Del argued.

 

Kyran pulled into a small inlet and dropped anchor before he turned to face Del.  She saw no humor in his eyes.  He descended upon her with a slow sinewy gait that warned her to be afraid.

 

“You will remain on this boat and you will stay out of sight.  We’ve dealt with these guys before.  If they even suspect you are alive, they will not hesitate to kill you, or did you think they shot you by accident?  These guys are more than just poachers. They run guns and drugs as well and a witness like you is a liability.”

 

“But I didn’t see anything that would make them suspect that I know anything,” Del protested.

 

“You saw them near the islands, that’s all that matters.”

 

“I’m not completely helpless you know.  I do pretty well taking care of myself!” Del said.  Kyran moved so fast she didn’t have time to react.  He latched onto the back of her neck and forced her back downstairs.  Once below deck he pulled her flush against him.

 

“You can either stay in here on your own, or I lock the door.  We’re too far away from Pacifica now or any medical facility.  If you get shot again, you will die,” he said.

 

Del wanted to protest, throw the same argument back at him for their safety as well but his eyes burned the threat deeper and left her mute.  He finally released her and left the cramped room, shutting the door behind him.  A few minutes later she heard splashes and watched out the window as they swam away.

 

Del tried to relax but her nerves kept her pacing the small space for over an hour until she heard a loud thud hit the deck.  She rushed to the portal and saw Kira laying stunned on the deck, her breathing heavy and her clothing ripped and torn.  Soon she saw Kyran jump on deck throwing the boat into reverse and making for open water.  Gun shots split the air next and Del dove to the ground and crawled toward the cabin door.

 

“Kira!” she yelled as she made her way on deck.

 

“Stay down there, Delphina!”  Kyran shouted.

 

“But what about Kira?”  Del ignored him and rushed across to where Kira still lay.  Her face looked pinched in pain but otherwise she appeared ok but smelled heavily of gasoline.  “What happened?” Del asked.

 

“Don’t worry about me,” Kira said between clinched teeth.  “Really, I’ll be ok, you need to get below before they spot you.”

 

Del looked around and saw the poachers’ boat coming at them full speed.  Several men lined the deck with machine guns and high powered rifles.    Kyran manned the wheel and hadn’t noticed her.  Del scanned their deck and spotted her equipment duffle.  Del scrambled across to her duffle and wrenched it open.  She unzipped the side pocket and pulled out two 9mm hand guns.  She checked the magazines and pocketed two more in her back pocket.  Another round of bullets riddled the deck sending Del rolling for cover.  Bullets tore through her duffle and half the deck.  Kira still lay where she’d been, fortunately unscathed. 

 

The poachers’ boat seemed to be catching up with them.  Del watched the men as they cursed and yelled obscenities in Spanish.  One pointed to Kira who hadn’t moved and took aim.

 

Del pulled both guns to the ready, stood and fired.  She aimed for their hands  and knees and she didn’t miss.  Their shouts turned to screams until their guns were neutralized.  Another man appeared his gun at the ready but Del sliced a bullet so close he dropped it.  They made eye contact and stared at each other for several seconds before his eyes widened in recognition.  He retrieved what looked like a rocket launcher from the deck and took aim.

 

“Damn,” Del said.

 

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Take Aim - Chapter 13 - Beyond Pacifica