Chapter 11
The H2OPE followedthe tail end of the storm as it swept through the Sierra Islands. A bank of clouds blustered and preened up ahead, looking mighty and terrifying, but Beckett tried not to look. Captain Aria aimed for the coordinates — where Luna might be. Possibly.
Dan explained that squalls in this area would sit on one spot and stir for three days. He called it “plaguing.” Which seemed apt. There would be a break of seven days, and three more days of squall again. The whole season.
Luna had picked the wrong week.
Her safety depended on how long it took her to get through this area. But also, no one should ever try to paddle board through the Sierra Islands. Not during squall season. Not without a backup plan.
Beckett was the backup plan, except there wasn’t a plan, just finding her again, in a different part of the massive ocean.
But Beckett was grateful the storm was gone. It would have sucked if the ship had been pitching and tossing in a storm that he asked the crew to sail into. But also, the storm was past. Had passed. If something had happened to Luna in the storm, it was probably too late. Probably.
According to the coordinates, Luna was near here, or had been on that last day. Possibly one of these (many) inlets.
The H2OPE anchored offshore in the evening and sent up a few flares.
Dan drove Beckett in the Zodiac to the two closest inlets, but Luna wasn’t to be found. Dark came on. They returned to the ship without her and the only thing to do was be patient. Morning. They would search more at first light.
Beckett and Dan sat in one of the booths in the galley and Dan asked, “Are you sure she’s worth it? I mean, I get that we have to save her life, but are you sure about the whole other part?”
Beckett said, “I’m sure. I’ve never been more sure.”
“But how do you know — you just met her, right?”
Beckett held a glass of water, feeling the now familiar pitch and roll of the ocean under him. “You know how the world feels tragically wrong, you’re following orders and trying to get through to your next duty? I met Luna and she made me forget all of that. I forget to be worried when I’m with her. But also, and this doesn’t make a lot of sense, I want to make sure she’s okay.”
Dan dropped into the booth. “Before Sarah, I was going to reenlist, ten more years because I had nothing, no family, no home. I figured I might as well go East and die in the war. At least I’d die with honor. Because I had nothing else. Until I met Sarah and her work, and now I’m a cook, saving the whales, waking up with her in my arms — now I have something.”
“Luna’s my something. And I have to find her.”
Dan nodded “Okay then, I ought to stop asking questions and help you.” And with that Dan went to bed and a few deep breaths later, Beckett followed him to the bunks.