Joey Cloudy online

 Isaiah Jones vs the Sea (a 21st Century Odyssey)

 The Panama Canal.***

Aeon sat at the helm of the Exodus as they continued to sail west towards Nicaraguas Miskito coast. There was a SOZ British military base there in Bluefield. She figured that would be the closest place to get Isaiah an MRI and X-ray to see if he had a hairline skull fracture.

Isaiah usually took theses late night watches, but she kept him out of the rotation since he had been hit in the head with an axe handle and knocked unconscious in Kingston. The wind was holding and they were able to maintain a steady 7 knots since the night they fled Jamaica.  

Sybil, her business in Cuba finished had already flown in and messaged that she was was waiting for the trio in a bungalow she rented near the coast. Aeon had been too distracted to wonder what her reason was for staying behind when they set sail from Havana.

The trip to the SOZ bases hospital in Bluefield was just a precaution since Isaiah regained consciousness the morning after the fight in Kingston, he seemed fine and was not exhibiting any symptoms of a concussion.  Penny came up the companionway from below deck with coffee and handed a cup to Aeon as she sat one hand resting on the wheel while her eyes quickly checked the map and radar.

“Thanks, Aeon said before taking a sip. What, are you doing up at this hour?”

Penny sat on the bench seat next to Aeon and sighed.

“I can’t sleep she confessed, I’m still worried about Izzy.”

Aeon tried to smile. But she was still angry with her about the melee in Jamaica.

Don’t worry we’ll be in Bluefield by morning and I’ve already contacted the doctor at the British base hospital. So, go on and try to get some sleep. Sybil is already there, her flight landed yesterday and she has rented a bungalow just off the coast.”

Penny noticed that Aeon was wearing her hair in braids instead of her usual Afro that was her I mean business go to hair style before putting on a helmet to ride her sport bike, putting on her flippers to go diving or stepping into the dojo to fight. The first thing she did was tie her hair into a half dozen thick braids. Her hair was in braids since they left Kingston.

Penny reached over and gave Aeon a hug before disappearing below deck.

She headed to the main cabin to check on Isaiah as he slept with Mau Mau curled up on the bed beside both resting comfortably as they slept.

Aeons knowledge as a marine biologist had proved to be invaluable Penny had come to realize that she was as knowledgeable about triage as any medical doctor. Aeon held a doctorate in Marine Biology the key words were Doctor and Biology. She had spent a most of the last 5 years in remote locations doing field research and was usually the closest thing to a real doctor within a hundred miles. Locals would call on her for everything from a breach birth in a hut to help delivering a calf, she was accustomed to this sort of thing. Penny looked down at Isaiah as he slept her face worried as she gentlemen rested her hand on his forehead while he slept. His temperature felt normal and she felt relieved.

She decided that she would go shopping with Sybil tomorrow while Aeon and Izzy were at the hospital they would take this opportunity to get some provisions mostly fresh vegetables and fruits.

Mau Mau opened an eye but didn’t move from his spot next to Isaiah. The dog yawned closed his eyes and went back to sleep. Penny decided that he had the right idea and tiptoed out of the room climbed into her bunk and fell asleep thinking about Sybil.

She had missed her over the last few days and was looking forward to seeing her.  I wonder why they call it the Miskito coast.  From here it was just 350 nautical miles to Colon a few days sailing until they reached the Panama Canal.

When Penny awoke in the morning it was almost noon. They should have arrived in Bluefield hours earlier, but it was obvious that they were still at sea. Isaiah and Aeon were both sitting at the chart’s table staring intently at the maps.

Morning sleepyhead there’s a fresh pot of coffee in the galley Penny yawning and stretching as she padded barefoot in her crimson and green bikini to get herself a cup.

Mau Mau knowing she was a softie followed her into the galleys and waited for her to share the bacon plated for her breakfast.

She sat at the table dropping a small piece of bacon for the dog before she began to eat. After wolfing down half her food she placed her plate on the deck letting Mau Mau finish the remainder of her bacon and eggs. Penny topped off her coffee and took a seat on the bench next to Izzy and Aeon.

Anyone want to tell me what’s going on?

Isaiah looked up from his maps. We got a message from Ghanas Chief of NIB and head of the secret service Mister Virgil Boatengs last night warning us not to go to the British SOZ base because Jamaica is a British commonwealth and they were instructed to detain us for extradition and trial if Kingston.

Will they send ships after us? Penny asks failing to mask her fear. Penny was fearless but after being institutionalized as a teenager she was terrified of going back to prison.

Isaiah smiles as he answers confidently. No, the Brits are allies with the US and Israel on paper but the truth is they want good relations with the AUA/African United Alliance. If we had come to the base their hands would have been tied and they would have had no choice but to arrest us. But they are not going to send anyone after us. 

Aeon laughing, I think they are more relieved than we are now that we have changed course. They don’t want an international incident anymore than we want to be arrested. It’s a win win.

It’s going to add at least another two days but there’s a town, Poza Azul a few hundred miles farther north up the coast that has a good hospital and excellent hotels. Sybil will already be there by the time we dock.

-JD Cloudy