The Deliverance did not enter Havana harbor until later in the afternoon, giving the cyclonic winds time to dissipate without much help from Frack or Harry. Frick carried Foster down to the big bed to sleep off his efforts. Fran brought the drone back and downloaded the video to the computer, for distribution to Maasvlakte. Tina reloaded the rifles, and Frick had the chore of carrying the poison joke bombs to their storage unit on the fly bridge and locking them securely in place. He had a key, Fred had a key, and Foster had a key. It also keeps a curious kitten out.
Fred had the conn as they cruised down the Canal de Entrada. “Damn, this city got off lucky!” Frieda said to Tina as they prepared some chickens up on the bridge.
“That they did. That creature must have had poor depth perception. All the damage I can see is on the seaward half of the canal. Nothing made it to the inner harbor,” Tina marveled, looking around.
“Still doesn’t explain why we could not raise anyone on the radio or the phone,” Frieda said as she checked over the two roasting chickens, basting them some before sliding them back in.
“I think we’re going to have an answer very soon,” Tina said, pointing ahead.
Frieda looked forward and saw two Ornithians, a red and a green, heading for the boat. “Let me open the netting!” she squawked in Spanish as she did just that on the forward section.
The two Ornithians came in and landed on the bridge, Tina and Frieda making space for them. “This be the Deliverance, si?” the red one asked in Spanish.
“Si, this be the Deliverance. I’m Frieda. Is that you, Raul? Where’s Hernando?” Frieda asked, Tina watching and listening, but while she knew the language was Spanish, she didn’t speak it. Other than English, the only language she had any fluency in is Magyar, or Hungarian.
The two Ornithians hung their heads. “Hernando did not survive the first bombardment. That makes me Harbormaster now. Well, me and Luis, here,” Raul said. “You say you bring a doctor, yes?”
“We do. Many hurt?” Frieda asked.
“Not so many, but many from the fort are hurt. Irma is doing all she can, but she is just one cleric,” Raul said mournfully.
“We have a doctor and a healer aboard. Guide us to a dock so we can off-load. Why didn’t you answer the radio or the phones? We’ve been calling for a while!” Frieda snapped at the now-Harbormaster.
“Radio tower and cell repeater fell due to the winds. Radar antenna was the first target of the sea monster. You can help fix it before Fugro gets here, yes?” Luis asked.
“We can try. First, go let the city know we’re coming with help. Raul, you’re our harbor pilot. Get us to the dock nearest to your hospital!” Frieda snapped with all the authority of a city librarian with a room full of first-graders. Raul turned to look at the controls while Luis went aft to take off from the stairs, so as to not tangle his wings in the bridge netting.
Frieda turned on the intercom to the saloon. “Frick, Malala, get up to the bridge. Paw, we have a harbor pilot. Switch controls to the bridge,” she said. “Also, you come up too, Paw. You’re going to be busy.”
“Control switched to the bridge. We’ll be right up, Maw,” Fred said through the intercom. Raul took the controls and skillfully guided the little boat that could through the harbor.
It wasn’t long before Frick, Fred and Malala trooped up to the bridge. Raul repeated the story, with Frieda translating. “Of course we’ll help with repairs! Give me a chance to look at the damage, and I can get to rebuilding the antenna.” Frick said quickly. “Right now, once we moor, we can get you in touch with Maasvlakte with our radio.”
“Point me to the hospital and I’ll get started. Hope you have enough supplies,” Malala added. She then went back to English. “Fred, you’re with me. We’re going to be rather busy, but such is the life of a doctor.”
“No problem with that, Malala. Those that can, do. I can, so let me do. Once we tie up, of course,” Fred said with a slight smile.
“Let me go down and report to the WSU about your current status. I’m so damn glad we took a day off yesterday, otherwise we would have been on the wrong side of the critter,” Frick said, with Frieda translating.
“You do that, Captain. Right now, I get you to dock safe,” Raul said with help from Frieda.
“Let’s do it. Don’t let the chickens burn, Frieda!” Frick said before heading downstairs, aided by a playful wing-slap from the griffin.
Later that evening, Frick, Frack, and Fran met with the leader of the Havana colony, an Ornithian named Eduardo Quiros. Fran was there as a translator, because Eduardo did not speak English.
“The first clue we had of something going wrong was when the skies started clouding and the wind started blowing harder,” Eduardo reported through Fran. “One good gust, and our main radio antenna fell. Shortly after, lightning struck at the fort, taking out the primary fire-director. It also killed the Harbormaster on duty. Most of the Guard Force there were trying to take cover. Of the ten total there, three killed, the rest wounded. We were fortunate that it did not get into the inner harbor. Just what was that thing, anyhow?”
“We can show you, Eduardo. We have it all on video,” Fran said, picking up her tablet and pointing at the saloon big-screen. Eduardo watched the whole tape, from start to finish.
When the video ended, Eduardo looked at the three, slightly shell-shocked. “Just how did you manage to get that all done?” he asked, with Fran translating.
“We just used what tools we had at hand. Two Mark Seventeen rifles on remote mounts, a 50cal long gun, a unicorn with connections, two dotty pegasi, a supply of poison joke and a daredevil bomber pilot,” Frick said brightly.
“Add in one screwball captain, shake well and pray,” Frack added. Once Fran translated, Eduardo laughed.
“Are they like this all the time?” Eduardo asked Fran once he managed to settle some.
“Constantly…” Fran groaned in reply, generating more laughter.
“Cornhusker Two to Cornhusker Base. Casualties have been tended to, and are recovering. Malala is going to remain here with the cleric to monitor the wounded. I’m heading back to the boat. Any leftovers?” Fred asked over the radio.
Frick selected a radio in his glow. “Quite a bit, Fred. We got some fresh greens and fruits in, so you don’t have to heat up porridge. Come on back and get some rest,” Frick advised, Fran translating for Eduardo.
“I’ll be there soon. Cornhusker Two out.”
“Cornhusker Base clear.” Frick put the radio back in its charger.
“One thing I want to ask you, bro. Why didn’t you pull out the Chalk Gun?” Frack asked.
Frick looked thoughtful for a moment before answering. “I didn’t think about it. Range was long, anyhow. All I could see through the window were bumps and dots.”
“Chalk Gun?” Eduardo asked. Fran explained that it was an object Frick had found, which appeared to key off his magic and reduced a cragadile to purple chalk dust.
“Only usable by unicorns?”
“As far as we know, Eduardo. We found it a couple of days ago. Not much time to experiment.” Fran explained.
“True, that. Now, if I remember right, the doctor is staying here, right?” Eduardo asked, changing the subject some.
“Yes. She is fluent in Spanish, volunteered in Little Havana in Miami, and has a desire to avoid cold weather at any cost. I will become Michie’s foster mother, and we will go on to WSU headquarters,” Fran explained.
“Why not stay here? You speak Spanish well, and your skills will be put to good use,” Eduardo suggested.
Fran just gave Eduardo a long Look. “Eduardo, birds and cats living together? Really?” she said in tones so dry, the tide went out.
Eduardo looked thoughtful, then nodded. “You do have a point.” he conceded gracefully.
Fred soon arrived, and between bites of fresh fruits and foliage, explained about the casualties being treated. “All will be back on their feet in a week at the most. Many were banged and cut up, but if they weren’t dead when they got to us, they will live and recover. Irma’s a good find. Treat her well,” he advised Eduardo, with Fran’s help. After Eduardo’s agreement, they talked into the night, debating what should be fixed first and how. At midnight, they called Maasvlakte and dictated to DJ WSU a complete report as to what happened and results thereof, complete with video.
“Let me boil this down and forward it to Lorelei. Expect a call from us in about twelve hours, asking for clarifications,” Sandra told the group on the Deliverance.
After some words from Eduardo and a nod from Frick, Fran spoke for the crew. “We will be ready and waiting, Sandra. Talk to you in twelve hours!”
“Sounds good to me! DJ WSU out!”
Early the next morning (okay, eight o’clock, but many of the movers and shakers were up late) Frick and company set out, with guides, to survey the damage done to the community. He, Frack, Frieda and a couple of locals headed for where the radio tower was. It was obvious why it came down. It was just a spidery mast that was apparently bolted onto the roof of a tall building. “Now I see why it came down,” Frick said as he viewed the wreckage.
“Do you know how to repair this, senor Frick?” asked one of the locals, a hippogriff named Elisa Rodriguez, who was nominally in charge of maintaining the radio systems in Havana only because she had enough tech knowledge to make sense of the electrics and electronics involved, not because she is a radio engineer.
“Yes, I do, Elena. We’re going to have to do this in two ways, first to get this back up so we can have comms back, and second to build a better, sturdier antenna. I’ll do my best to teach you what you need to know, okay?” Frick told the taller hippogriff.
“I like that idea, senor Frick,” Elena said with hope and optimism.
“What can we do here, Frick?” Frieda asked.
“First, check the transmitters and relay systems to see if they are intact. If so, I have an idea on how to get the antenna back up today. If they are not, it’s going to take longer,” Frick admitted.
“This way,” Elena said, leading them inside. There, they found a room that had the transmission equipment and telephone system relays. Frick went over them one by one, using his testing gear and using Frieda as a translator when needed with Elena and Rodrigo, an Ornithian who claimed to have computer skills. They stayed until eleven-thirty, when Frick had to go back and receive the call from Maasvlakte. “Meet back here at two. With any luck, we’ll be up by nightfall.”
Back at the Deliverance, Frick, Eduardo and Fran got in a conference call with Lorelei, the captain of the Rhine Forest, and Captain Skinner of the Fugro Symphony. “How long do you think it will take to repair the antenna, Captain Frick?” the little pink unicorn filly asked from the split-screen with the hedgefog captain of the Fugro.
“If not tonight, by tomorrow noon at the latest. The equipment is undamaged, it’s just the antenna that needs remounting. With your help, Captain Skinner, when you arrive, we can start work on a replacement that will be far sturdier than the spiderweb I can do on my own,” Frick said honestly, looking at the camera. Fran quietly translated the words for Eduardo.
“How can I be of any help in that, Frick?” Captain Skinner asked.
“By helping lay coax cable to a former high-tension tower. I can build an antenna out of materials here, and mount it with the help of a couple of unicorns and pegasi. Plus, after we leave, Havana is going to have a backup communications system right here aboard the Deliverance. I plan on leaving Havana with TWO fully functioning comm systems behind me. This I so swear!” Frick said dramatically, his horn flickering bright purple. The two other captains exchanged looks, sharing similar thoughts. This guy may be somewhat bonkers, but he has done an outstanding job just getting his crew to where they are and all the help they have given in the past six months. Lorelei and Skinner both decided to ignore the antics and get to the heart of the matter.
“So, no real damage to Havana?” Skinner asked.
Eduardo, with Fran translating, handled that answer. “Fire control at the fort is out. Lost the radar there with the first lightning bolt. Minimal lightning damage, three dead, six injured. Double-checking of radar repairs requested. No damage to port facilities. Other than that, God smiled on us.”
“That it did,” Lorelei said. “Now, Captain Frick, how many immigrants are you asking to bring along to Maasvlakte aboard the Fugro?” she asked.
“Ten of us from Deliverance, thirty-one from Pensacola, two from Tarpon Springs and one from Saint Petersburg, a total of forty-four. Captain Skinner, what I would like is to know how long before you get here, how long you want to stay here, and your best estimate on how long it will take to pick everyone up and start heading back to Europe. Letting us know quickly will enable all stops to load up on provisions and medical herbs to help pay for passage,” Frick reported, all impishness leaving his voice.
“Ye know we no be charging survivors passage to get to safety, Captain,” Skinner said, his Scots burr showing some.
“We know that, and so do they. Each group WANTS to, to assure themselves they are not freeloaders. Pensacola can contribute what produce they can grow, Tarpon Springs can provide goat meat, goat milk, and if space can be arranged, four goats to bring to Maasvlakte. Saint Petersburg has access to Sunken Gardens, which is a floral treasure trove, offering medicinals, vegetables and fruit. I’m sure we can get a good wagonload of supplies from there alone,” Frick said.
“I have read the report on the medicinals available from Florida, as well as the amounts you have brought from Kansas City. Getting them will boost our medical potion production up by a very large fraction. Can Saint Petersburg bring intact poison joke plants as well as leaves?” Lorelei asked.
“From what I saw, that will not be a problem. By giving Joan some help in the harvesting, we can pull in, harvest, load up, and be out in under a day. There is a pier close to Sunken Gardens, and we can bring our folding wagon to help. The only hold up is the travel time, and if we radio ahead, we can minimize stoppage time,” Frick explained.
“You seem to be well prepared for the questions we have, Captain Frick. Captain Prateek has been made aware of what happened in Havana yesterday, and extends his thanks for the help you and your team has rendered. Your arrival here in Maasvlakte will be a very good day indeed for the WSU,” Lorelei said with as much gravity as a young unicorn filly could deliver.
“We should be there in about eight days, then spend another eight days in Havana before setting out. We will pick up the largest group first. We should be back in Rotterdam by the first of August. Can ye have the groups ready for pickup when the Fugro arrives?” Skinner asked.
“I don’t see any difficulty, Captain Skinner. I will phone them later today to let them know roughly when to expect pickup. They will be ready,” Frick promised.
“Good. Now, Governor Quiros, we have some questions for you,” Lorelei said.
Frick took his leave of the conference, heading back to the radio building. Once away from the Deliverance, he called Frack, Frieda and Elena to meet back at the radio building. Once there, he explained his plan to restore the antenna.
“Elena, you check the wiring from here to the roof. Hopefully, all we’ll have to do is to replace a segment up where it broke. Frack, Frieda, you two are going to guide the antenna back to the roof while I lift it. Once it is set there, I’ll come up and see if we can upright it and fasten it down better,” Frick told his cohorts.
“Why not fix the antenna down here, before lifting it up?” Frack asked.
“It’s in several pieces down here, and smaller pieces will be easier to lift. Once everything is up on the roof, we can find some portable welding gear and have Bernie put everything together. Then we can upright the antenna and re-mount it,” Frick explained.
“I can see the sense in that,” Frieda squawked. “You provide the up, we just make sure it doesn't sideslip on the way.”
“Right. Step one, clean-up and check on the wreckage here. We may have to replace the cell phone receiver,” Frick said as he lit his glow and started separating antenna pieces. Elena headed inside to check cabling.
By nightfall, the antenna was placed back on the roof. It would not be fully fixed until tomorrow, but Frick was pleased with their progress. He now knew what would be needed, and he was confident he could get the necessary repairs made the next morning, with a little help. He was right.
The entire Deliverance crew spread out through Havana, lending a hand (or wing, or hoof, or paw) in various repairs, salvage, or general assistance. Foster helped the guard force commander organize and develop an airborne ‘community watch’ system, using hand-held radios with the command center being at the old Fort. That way, the ‘eyes in the skies’ could call down to the ground forces, telling them where to go. Such an idea, when demonstrated to the guard force commander, a hippogriff by name of Lucia Hernandez, led to an offer to Foster to take charge of the force. He respectfully declined, saying he had another duty to fulfill. Lucia was part of the police force of Havana, but a very low rank. In the two weeks there, Foster tutored Lucia in police procedures, and got her to work closer with the new Harbormaster in keeping a sea watch going as well.
By the twenty-ninth of June, when the Fugro Symphony arrived in port, much of the damage the Creature had inflicted on Havana had been repaired, save some checks a tech crew from the Fugro could quickly complete. The ship’s arrival was cause for a party to be celebrated that evening at the Celtic temple, a party many in town attended. Midway through the night, the F4 group, plus four, gathered in a corner of the dance square, many with drinks in hoof.
Fred led off the conversation. “Frick, you did it. Against all odds, you got us to Havana and the WSU. Got us all here, with some additions to the original group,” he said, waving a hoof at Fran, Foster, Bernie and Michie.
“Just remember, Fred, I did not get us here, WE made it here, under God’s good graces. It was a team effort,” Frick reminded the group.
“A team effort and unbridled unselfishness,” Frack added, a wing around Bernie. “How many times did we stop and help other places get up on their feet?”
“Quite a few times,” Fran said, one hand on a sleepy Michie. “Kansas City, Saint Louis, Memphis, Vicksburg, North Point, Pensacola, Tarpon Springs, Saint Pete, Fort Myers and Key West before here, making friends each step of the way. Something we all can take pride in doing.”
“If we didn’t have a skill, we improvised until we learned,” Frieda pitched in with. “Who would have thought we could make a wagon that would fold up for storage? Or I can learn to make saddlebags and harnesses?”
“Or that Her Majesty would decide to reach out from her domain to other groups? Ah wouldn’t have thought it possible, until she made me her rovin’ ambassador,” Foster said, one hoof absently brushing the green emerald pendant he wore constantly.
“Or I could move on from where my life had come to a stop and begin again, learning from past mistakes,” Bernie put in.
“Just remember, we’re only halfway to our goal. We still have to pick up our friends, and make it to Maasvlakte. Only then will I consider the first part of our quest complete, and the rest of our lives begin,” Frick said, raising his glass high before sipping from it. (Whiskey and water, 10% whiskey, 90% water)
“Amen to that, Frick,” Fred countered, raising his drink.