Rev's Odyssey by R. R. Kaufman (the reading list .txt) 📕

positioning a large metal object at the other end. There was a glass-partitioned room where Allie and Zhen stood.

 

Allie

Everybody in the protective booth.

 

The group entered the glass protected booth and put on safety glasses and hearing protection. Chloe initiated a countdown and pulled a switch. A loud bang emitted from the other end as the group watched as a thick piece of metal was blown apart leaving a big jagged hole. As the smoke cleared, the group left the booth and examined the metal piece.

Monique led the girls back to a table with a ships drawing and various numbers sketched out on a large piece of paper. As Monique turned to Rev, her expression looked grave.

 

Monique

Tonight, the Vulgaris goes down.

 

Chapter 51

 

 

Rev was speechless. Zhen approached her.

 

Zhen

We were on a mission to obtain these explosives. On our return we were shipwrecked. We salvaged the explosives and that was why we ended up on that island. You saved us Rev and now we are going to help you save your mother.

 

Allie

Unfortunately, we have no choice but to do it tonight. Our plans were delayed because of the shipwreck. This was supposed to happen weeks ago. Now Razor intends to pull up anchor and leave with your mother.

 

Monique

I’m sorry, Rev. It puts you and your mother in danger but with careful planning we’ve come up with a detailed course of action. It’s all about timing.

 

The group went over to the table with all the plans. Monique returned to Rev, her gold chip, locket, flexion and breather.

 

Monique

My technicians were able to duplicate your father’s invention. I hope he doesn’t mind. We definitely need them tonight.

 

Chloe tried on her breather.

 

Chloe

It fits perfect. What a great invention.

 

Allie

I can’t believe it. We don’t have to carry those cumbersome oxygen tanks. And what’s that other thing called?

 

Rev

A flexion.

 

Rev took hold of it and extended the metal tubes.

 

Allie

Wow. That’s some weapon. I never noticed that before when we were on the island.

 

Rev

You’re lucky. I was about to spank you with it when you started to get mouthy.

 

Allie and the other girls had a good laugh.

 

Allie

I don’t blame you. I was just messing with you, Rev.

 

Monique

Okay girls, let’s go over the plans.

 

Just then, a loud buzzer sounded and a red light flashed. Chloe went over to the phone. After listening to the message she returned to the group.

 

Chloe

Hiro has sent us a coded message from the Vulgaris. The citizens of Eagle Bluff have rescued professor Mars. Hiro will take Cyna and Rev to Gianthead Landing, just outside Eagle Bluff. Mars and his team will meet you there.

 

Rev breathed a sigh of relief and everybody erupted with a shout of joy.

 

Monique

Okay, Rev, if things go as planned, Hiro will guide you and your mother to Gianthead Landing.

But first, the Vulgaris. Everyone listen up.

 

Monique bent over the table and the group remained quiet as she methodically disclosed the plans to sink the Vulgaris.

After going over the plans for some time, they ate and rested. Nobody spoke as they gathered equipment and donned their swim gear. They did a group huddle. Then, Monique took Rev aside.

 

Monique

I’ve never met such a brave girl as you, Rev, but at the same time I wish I could talk you out of this. I honestly don’t know what else to say. I know in my heart we will meet again.

 

Rev

Thank you so much for your kindness.

 

They hugged and Rev joined the others. After a few steps, she turned around and saw Monique smile and wave goodbye. Crystal Falls shimmered in the background against a magnificent sunset.

 

Chapter 52

 

 

It was dusk as the group made their way through the woods towards Okay Bay. They reached the high cliffs and crouched down as they reached the final ridge overlooking the Vulgaris. Rev had never seen a metal ship this long and high before. When the moon shone through a gap in the clouds she noticed some high stacks of metal boxes on the flat deck. Large patterns of rust showed the ship’s deteriorating condition.

They went over the plans again. Rev would swim out to where the anchor was dropped. The other three would keep watch on shore. Every thirty minutes, a patrol boat with searchlights circled the large freighter. When Rev reached the anchor, Zhen would signal Hiro on the top deck. Rev would climb the big anchor chain and go through the hawse pipe to the deck.

Once Rev was topside, everyone would set his or her watch for an hour. They only had an hour before the tide went out which would reduce their chances of success. So, timing was everything.

With the help of Hiro, Rev should have enough time to rescue her mother. All three of them should make it back to shore before Chloe, Zhen and Allie detonate the three explosives. Hiro, Rev, and Cyna would make a quick getaway to Eagle Bluff and the other girls would return hastily to Crystal Falls to await the fallout.

They reached the shoreline. Rev attached her breather. There was no time for goodbyes. They wished Rev good luck and everyone raised two fingers in a V shape for victory.

The wind picked up and the waves crashed to shore. Within seconds Rev vanished below the surface. Her small flashlight penetrated the dark water for a short distance. But that was all she needed. No sense in giving away her actions to the patrol boat.

Water always calmed Rev’s fears. She focused on only the present, and that was to reach the big anchor chain without being seen by Razor’s men. If she thought of all the things that could go wrong, it would be too overwhelming and zap her energy. One step at a time. Any problem she must face, she would deal with it at that time and place. Anxiety and worry were her enemies. Focus at the task at hand, she told herself, and be prepared for anything.

Rev reached the massive anchor chain and slowly surfaced. She peeked her head around and noticed the signal flicker from shore. The chain was big enough that Rev could get a good toehold on the chain link. Half way up she heard the distant whine of a boat’s motor. She froze as a bright light swept by just missing her feet. Moving behind the big chain she stretched out to conceal as much of herself as possible. The boat chugged around the ship’s bow.

She continued to climb the anchor chain and went through the hawse pipe to the deck. It was dark and she didn’t want to risk using her flashlight. Someone whispered her name and stepped out of the shadows.

 

Hiro

Rev? It’s Hiro.

 

Rev stepped forward and breathed a sigh of relief. Hiro looked about the same age as her friends from Crystal Falls. They flashed a quick light in the direction of the shore and set their watches.

 

Rev

Where is my mother?

 

Hiro

She’s down below in the storage room. Keep in the shadows.

 

They crept silently towards the stairs leading to the hold below. Hiro led the way. As he was about to take his first step down, he heard the clank of footsteps ascending the steep stairs. He froze. In the bright light below he saw Razor staring right at him.

 

Chapter 53

 

 

 

Rev darted behind a metal structure in the shadows as Hiro climbed backwards up to the deck.

 

Razor

There you are. What are you doing on deck, cadet Hiro?

 

Hiro

I’m sorry ma’am. I was getting some fresh air. I was just returning to my station.

 

Razor gave him a long hard stare.

 

Razor

Nobody is allowed topside in the dark. You know better. Let this be a warning. You’re lucky I’m in a good mood tonight. Get back down to the engine room. Make sure everything is running smoothly. We lift anchor first thing in the morning.

 

Rev held her breath. She was within spitting distance of Razor.

 

Hiro

Thank you ma’am.

 

To avoid suspicion Hiro continued to descend the stairs. Rev watched Razor make her way towards the bridge, snaking around some stacked shipping containers. She waited a good minute before she quietly joined Hiro below deck.

They entered the engine room. A maze of pipes of all sizes wormed their way around the massive compartment. Huge metal machinery with heavyset bolts and wheels made for an obstacle course to maneuver around. The hum and rhythmic clank of the engines drowned out any conversation. The floor and guardrails vibrated to the beat of the machinery.

 

Hiro

Your mother is locked in the storeroom.

 

Rev hurried over to the door and tried the handle. Locked. She put her face close to the door and yelled.

 

Rev

Mom! Mom! It’s Rev. Hold on, we’ll get you out.

 

Hiro

We can bust the handle off. Let’s check the engine workshop.

 

The workshop was unlocked. They looked around and Hiro found a long solid metal pipe and screwdriver.

They returned to the storeroom door. They leveraged the pipe behind the handle, and with the long end they both leaned heavily on it. The handle made a loud snapping sound and clanked to the floor.

Rev used the screwdriver to move the exposed workings of the door lock. She slid the bolt to one side and the door opened. Anxiously she searched everywhere, moving big boxes aside and shining her flashlight into small spaces. Her mother was gone. Disappointed she looked at Hiro.

 

Rev

Are there any other rooms down here?

 

Hiro

Let’s check the food storage room.

 

They went down the passageway and opened the door. Nothing.

 

Rev

Where else on this ship could she be?

 

Hiro

There are a number of rooms on the bridge but that’s where Razor and her men are.

 

Rev

Let’s investigate.

 

Hiro

My sleeping quarters are there. I know how to get around.

 

They climbed the steep stairs to the top deck and found a hiding space behind the cargo containers close to the mooring bow. They peeked around the corner of them and studied the bridge at the stern of the ship. It was about five stories high with outside staircases running to the top. Only a few lights were on. Between the bridge and their hiding place behind the containers was a large empty space. Two large hatches were closed and empty of any cargo containers. It was partially lit and could easily expose them to any surveillance from the bridge.

 

Rev

How many men does Razor have on board?

 

Hiro

Two onboard and two on the security boat.

 

Rev

Do you…

 

A faint sound interrupted Rev.

 

Rev

Did you hear that?

 

A distinct tapping came from above them.

 

Rev

There it is again.

 

Hiro

It’s coming from one of the containers.

 

Rev grabbed hold of the long vertical bars on the end of the bottom container and secured her feet in the horizontal indentations that stretched across it. She kept climbing up until she honed in on the sound. She reached the third container stacked high.

She tapped on it. Three knocks came back.

 

Rev

Mom? Mom?

 

She heard a faint voice call her name. She quickly took out