Chapter Four

Seaview's men marched painfully back to the scientist's post at the Field Camp. Their uncomfortable journey helped along by the anthropology team there to study the natives. Kowalski groaned, the only thing he wanted to do was to curl up and lie down somewhere, but he knew that they needed to report to Seaview first.

"It's just up ahead," Walter urged as Ski hung heavily on his shoulder, while sweating profusely above the norm of what the jungle heat should produce.

Ski nodded, trudging one foot in front of the other; too tired, sick, and muddled-headed to converse. He hadn't even asked how the science team escaped or better yet, how they had managed to find the stricken men; and then there was the question of Mr. Morton. Just where was the Exec, and more importantly, just how were they going to get him back?

A moan from behind him reminded him that Pat and Ron were in a similar condition.

"I'm so tired," he breathed out.

"I know," Walter acknowledged, "but we're only going to be here long enough to contact your ship, then we're outta' here," he finished resolutely.

Ski sighed, too tired to even correct the science guy on calling Seaview a ship. Sometime later they broke the jungle into a clearing as Ski raised his head to see the camp.

"Just lay me down, if just for a few minutes," he practically begged.

"Only for moment," Walter urged as Jeremy and Patrick took their own much needed break, allowing Pat and Ron to rest while they gathered a few things.

Walter, Dr. Simon's assistant, moved immediately to the supply hut and wound the radio, charging its battery and bringing the unit to life.

"Seaview, this is Operation Longevity Field Camp, do you read me?" he asked, barely waiting for a reply before trying again and hearing the blessed sound of Seaview's radio operator answering promptly.

# # # # #

"Operation Longevity, this is Seaview," Sparks replied, his relief evident even through his professional even-toned response.

"Thank God," A relieved voice responded before hastily continuing on. "Requesting an emergency evacuation, do you read me?"

"Operation Longevity; Seaview. We read you," Sparks replied, listening while he switched to boat-wide communications to contact the Skipper.

"Captain Crane, please report to the radio shack."

The Skipper was quick to reply. "Crane here, what do you have Sparks?"

"Contact with the Field Camp, Sir."

"Very well, I'll be right there."

Sparks could hear the urgency in the Captain's voice as he replied. He switched back to the Field Camp, multi-tasking and not missing a beat.

"Do you read me, Seaview? Requesting emergency evacuation from the island."

"We read you Field Camp, please state the nature of your emergency," the communication officer probed just as Captain Crane entered the aft hatch, having obviously ran to close the distance. Admiral Nelson and Dr. Simon arrived shortly after as Lee immediately motioned for Sparks to switch to speakers while the researcher reported.

"I don't know what went wrong… the natives suddenly attacked. Our team is fine, but I have three of your men here who need medical attention."

Lee picked up the mic.

"This is Captain Crane, what kind of medical attention and what of our fourth man?"

Walter's voice was a bit shaky as he replied. "They've been drugged and we don't know about Mr. Morton, but we think he was taken by the natives."

Lee exchanged worried glances with Harry and Dr. Simon.

"The same drug?" Lee inquired of the scientist as he held the mic away.

"Most likely," Simons replied as Lee nodded his understanding and raised the mic once again.

"Very well, can you make your way to the Beach Camp?"

"Yes," came a hasty if not relieved reply.

"Do it, we'll be there to meet you. Pass along any other vital information to the communication's officer and then high-tail it out of there," Lee replied, glancing at his watch and calculating how long the mile-long hike would take with three incapacitated men. He handed the mic back to Sparks and then turned looking for Sharkey.

"Chief," Lee called.

"Aye Sir," Sharkey replied, crossing the deck quickly upon the Skipper's call.

"Ready FS1 for immediate departure."

Sharkey was off in a flash as Lee turned back toward Harry and Dr. Simon who were conversing about the situation behind him.

"It looks like the princess has made her choice," Dr. Simon stated with furled eyebrows.

Lee sighed and rubbed his forehead. "We'll have to take FS1, the sea overhead is too choppy to risk a zodiac ride."

"I agree," Harry replied. "Dr. Simon, what kind of resistance will we meet with the natives?"

Simon blew an incredulous breath out. "The whole tribe," he shrugged.

"I thought as much," Lee interjected. "Admiral I'm going to go in alone. We can't risk an armed conflict with these people, the best way to proceed is a quiet extraction."

"I agree, but there's no reason for you to go alone. I'll go with you, I do speak a similar dialect," Harry reminded his captain.

"All right," Lee agreed, knowing Harry was ever as capable at this sort of work as he, even though his first thought was to keep the Admiral safe and sound on board Seaview.

"And I can be of service as well," Dr. Simon chimed in. "I know these people well, and I think my knowledge of their customs and ceremonies may be invaluable."

"I have to agree with that," Lee added thoughtfully. "Very well, we'll leave as soon as the flying sub is ready."

Dr. Simon nodded in agreement as Harry and Lee moved forward making plans as they advanced on the Nose.

# # # # #

Chip woke finding himself alone this time as rolled his head to peruse his surroundings. He licked his dry lips then tried to rise, only making it up on his elbow as he reached with his free hand to cradle his head. He was still wearing the lava lava and pushed himself up to sit, his eyes searching for his uniform. The hut was completely empty, except for the rags and scented bowls the young woman had used to care for him. His mind was starting to clear enough to realize that he had no idea where the rest of his detail was, so he slowly made his way to his feet intending to look for his crew mates. He staggered to the bamboo door and opened it, only to be met by a rather muscular and fit man blocking his way.

"Where's my crew?" Chip asked, trying to find his command voice even though he was physically weak and barely able to stand. His question was met by silence as the guard stood his ground, folding his bulky arms in front of him to make the point that he wasn't going anywhere.

"I asked you where my crew is?" he repeated more forcefully this time when the young native woman who attended him earlier reappeared.

"You must lie down, Makana," she urged in accented English as the guard gave way to her, closing the door behind her once she entered. He stationed himself in front of the door; his big form easily seen through the slats of the bamboo door.

"Makana?" Chip questioned nearly falling forward as she wrapped his arm over her shoulder and guided him back to the mat. He offered no resistance as his body endured another round of the uncomfortable effects of the powerful drug administered in the dart.

"You are strong and enduring well, but the purge is not complete," Kanini explained, ignoring his question.

"Purge?" Chip repeated, his brain only partly working now and practically dropping to the mat, cradling his stomach and moaning.

"Soon all your impurities will be gone," she said placating his concerns with her voice and soft ministrations, while continuing to blot his skin as his body started the sweat factory again, purging toxins in the process.

"You must drink this," she said, raising his head once again to receive from her proffered cup.

He drank greedily, feeling the very real effects of fluid loss, then lowered his head back down heavily.

"My men?" he asked once again.

"You need not worry. The yellow turtle has returned to take them away," she said as he tried valiantly to stay awake, but failing miserably nonetheless as the drug continued its work, unknowingly purifying him for the presentation to the Fire Creature.

# # # # #

Harry surfaced FS1 and trolled the yellow craft to shore.

"There they are," Lee noted, pointing out the researchers on the beach just breaking the cover of the jungle, each laden with a stricken Seaview crewman hanging on their shoulder.

Lee unstrapped and headed to the back of the flying sub, opening up the storage cabinet and strapping on a laser pistol. He didn't intend on wiping out a tribe of natives with live ammunition, even though the attack was apparently unprovoked; all he needed to do was to incapacitate any aggressors and free his best friend. He felt the shudder as FS1 beached and motioned Sharkey back to the hatch, adjusting his hip holster.

"All clear, Admiral?" Lee asked.

"All clear," Harry replied to Lee's nod.

"Crack the hatch, Chief and stay with FS1. Be ready to shove off as soon as the men are aboard."

"Aye, aye, Skipper."

Harry joined Lee, strapping on his own laser pistol and then following Seaview's Captain out the vertical cargo hatch. They closed the distance with Dr. Simon following behind, each one taking up a shoulder and lightening the burden of the weary researchers. They hurried across the beach as Lee kept a watchful eye on the jungle around him, ready to defend their escape if needed. Fortunately, their retreat was met with no resistance as Sharkey met them at the hatch, helping to load Seaview's crew along with the scientists aboard.

Once the injured men were settled, Dr. Simon conversed with Walter while Lee and Harry spoke with Kowalski.

"I'm not sure what happened, Skipper," Ski breathed out, obviously uncomfortable as Lee took a knee beside him on the deck, placing a hand on his shoulder in support.

"Everything was fine… the natives were friendly enough… then they seemed to start corralling us together. It didn't feel right. They separated us from the research team and then we noticed they had posted guards with spears in the camp. These beautiful native girls appeared with bowls of something for us to drink and we got the feeling that it wasn't a request." Ski stopped to breathe in and then continued, knowing his report was important. "Mr. Morton gave us the high-sign to be ready. It just wasn't right; the drink smelled strange, more like a medicine then refreshments, anyway… we were getting the idea that something was up when the drums started up and the natives started dancing. We didn't drink it, instead, Mr. Morton found the weak spot in the perimeter guards and we made for the jungle. We high-tailed it out of there, but got on a wrong trail. We thought we'd lost the natives, but the next thing we knew we'd been darted." He stopped to swallow, offering sorrowful eyes of self-disappointment for not being able to help his commanding officer. "When we woke up, Walter and his team were there, but Mr. Morton… we think they took him."

Lee squeezed Ski's shoulder. "You couldn't have done anything drugged, Ski," he assured the rating. "We'll find him," he promised as Kowalski nodded, too sick and weak to talk further.

Lee stood, exchanging glances with Harry and then addressed Dr. Simon.

"We'd better get going."

Simon nodded, patted Walter's shoulder and then disembarked behind the Admiral.

"Get them back to Seaview, Chief, and await my signal for extraction," Lee ordered, the last to leave the flying sub.

"Aye Sir," Sharkey replied careful to keep his disappointment to himself at not joining the Skipper in the rescue operation.

Lee stepped away from FS1 wading through the ankle deep water to join Harry and Dr. Simon. They were exposed on the beach and quickly headed for the tree line to begin their search. Behind them, the sound of FS1's engines pushing off the beach filled the air. They reached the safety of the jungle in time to turn and crouched low, watching FS1 as it trolled out far enough to engage its engines. In no time, the yellow craft hit deep enough water to submerge as Lee blew a breath of relief out. He perused their position, determining they were safe for the time being and addressed Dr. Simon.

"Kowalski told us that the natives' behavior changed dramatically. They posted guards, were separated from your team, and were presented a very suspect brew to drink. That's when they broke free and ran into the jungle."

"Yes," Simon said, having heard the story from his own researchers. "Walter told me that he recognized the head dress of the medicine man and realized that things were spiraling out of control."

"What of the head dress?" Harry asked inquisitively.

"It is a ceremonial head piece made entirely of red feathers. It's used exclusively for the princess' coming of age ceremony. They tried to warn Morton," he continued, "but the natives had separated your men. Apparently, they were familiar with my team and weren't interested in any of them as candidates for Makana."

"Makana?" Harry asked with a raised eyebrow. "Gift?" he said, interpreting the name's meaning.

"Yes, the name given to the man who faces the Creature of the Fires. It is said to be a great honor among the other island folklore."

Lee scoffed. "But why choose a stranger if it's such an honor?"

"I don't know," Simon said, running a hand through his dark hair as he articulated. "I have wondered the same thing. Kanini, the Chief's daughter, has long since made her intentions known to Keanu, the medicine man's son."

"And just what are the odds of the Makana facing this mythical creature and returning victorious?" Harry asked.

"It is not a ceremony held often, it only occurs with the Chief's daughter and only if the volcano shows signs of unrest, but some men have survived and returned."

"And is the volcano in a state of unrest?" Harry asked with a raised eyebrow.

"It wasn't noted in the Voyage Parameters," Lee chimed in.

Dr. Simon raised his hands to dispel their concerns that he had held back important information.

"This island's volcano has been active for years, spewing and releasing its energy often, but not catastrophically, much like several volcanoes in the Hawaiian Islands."

Lee and Harry both listened intently as Simon continued.

"But I have been away for several weeks, and Walter mentioned several larger tremors in my absence. Now if the medicine man perceived a great threat, he may have initiated the Gift in order to appease what he thought was an imminent future eruption."

"But how would he know one way or the other if the volcanic activity is all but common-place to these people?" Lee asked.

"It could be anything, a dream perhaps or the result of his meditation. And you also have to remember, Captain, the natives have become experts in every hiccup or burp their volcano makes; they aren't unprepared either. They have an escape route planned out with a hidden cache of canoes should they be forced to escape into the sea, as well as an alternate camp site for their people should relocation become prudent. But I suspect it may be something more," he said, fading a bit in thought.

"Continue doctor," Harry urged.

"If the medicine man received word from Keahi, then he could immobilize the offering of the Makana, stipulating the desires of the creature."

"Is Keahi the name of the volcano?" Harry asked, recognizing the name to mean "fire".

"Not entirely, it is the mythical creature that guards the fires of the volcano; but according to jungle lore, the volcano and the creature are connected," Simon replied.

"So we're back to sacrificing the 'virgin' to the volcano?" Lee scoffed.

He really needed to get this rescue underway, but he also needed all the information he could glean to plan a rescue. The jungle wasn't the place to converse; they needed to keep their arrival stealth, so all this needed to be hashed out here.

"I don't know Dr. Simon, you've given me two scenarios," Lee said trying to figure out which it was. "The first one was a coming of age ceremony for the princess, but now you're telling me that the medicine man is trying to avert an imminent eruption by sacrificing one of my men."

Simon blew a breath out.

"I believe I may have overlooked a very real danger when your crew arrived to our camp," he said, finally airing what he had only now come to suspect.

Lee's eyes demanded further explanation as Simon sighed audibly.

"You asked why she would pick a stranger if the native men consider it an honor to be chosen as Makana?"

Lee nodded while Harry leaned in closer for the explanation as well.

"There is a legend, so buried in their lore that I barely recall it, but it involves one that will come and cease the unrest of the volcano forever."

"Continue doctor," Harry urged.

"The legend says that he will be special, exotic even at least in the native's eyes, with hair as yellow as the sun and eyes that burn as sapphires. He would be young, strong and pleasing to the eye; the ultimate Makana to face the Fire Creature."

"You've got to be kidding," Lee said, rubbing a hand through his hair. "Chip Morton is being offered to the volcano like some sort of Fay Wray?" he said, exasperated that his best friend had been pegged to satisfy some crazy jungle lore like Fay Wray's character to King Kong.

"It is more than a possibility, Captain. These people believe these stories; indeed, every Makana that has managed to return has verified the existence of the Fire Creature."

Lee exchanged glances with Harry, both men realizing that Chip's features fit the island legend perfectly.

"That was a vital piece of information you left out of your reports, Dr. Simon," Lee accused harshly.

"I'm sorry Captain Crane; the legend was buried as one of many myths I have learned about, even upon seeing Mr. Morton it had not occurred to me to warn you."

"Very well," Lee said blowing a breath out and checking his watch to determine that they had burned ten minutes coming to this conclusion. "Lead us to the village," he ordered.

"But you must promise that you will not harm these people. They are only acting upon their belief system as they know and understand it," Simon asked, fearful for the deadly force that could be used with their superior technology.

"It's not our desire to do so," Harry assured. "These weapons will stun; nothing more."

"Thank you, Admiral Nelson."

Lee stood as Harry and Simon did the same. "Once we hit the jungle we need to be as quiet as possible," he coached the scientist. "No talking unless absolutely necessary, and even then, only in whispers," he admonished.

"I understand," Simon replied, then pointed the way to the path that would take them to the native camp.