Chapter 3

"What?" questioned Kevin, on his phone, and lying on his bed. He was ready to shoot himself after all he went through. He had gone through more things in his career in a week than most experienced meteorologists have in 10 years. He already felt close to retirement, and he hadn't even received his doctorate yet. "What do you mean, you want me to leave?"

"Kevin, how do you know that storm isn't going to slam into the island while you're on it? I swear your so into wanting your doctorate that your willing to die for it!" screamed Allison on the other line. Part of her didn't know why she was practically begging him to come home. It wasn't like she loved him in that sense. Well, yes she loved him as a friend loves a friend; it had nothing to do with romance. But still, they had known each other for a good 10 years, and other time like that, a person isn't quickly forgotten. And after Australia's devastating hurricane, she didn't want to risk the loss of a good friend from what she heard about Sydney.

The city of Sydney was caught unaware of the speed and ferocity of the hurricane that shot it. The Hawaiian University's Weather Lab was amazed at the damage done, and how the storm functioned. It had seemed that every storm rule nature had bent to a destructive result. While Sydney remained a functional city by the storm's end, over two-thirds of it was leveled. The famous "Coathanger" bridge over Sydney Harbor had collapse during the storm under the weight of the heavy ice coating that formed over it, effectively sealing off the harbor, and clogging the routes out. The terrible surf that rose up from the storm had grown to enormous feat, and adding to the wave that occurred then when the bridge collapsed, towered over the Sydney Opera House, destroying it with such a tremendous force that pieces were found scattered all over the downtown area. Australia's Southeastern and Eastern ports and harbors were completely destroyed. The storm had enough strength to even cross the Great Dividing Range, flooding the desert outback. New Zealand was buried in snow completely, and the Great Barrier Reef that had made Australia such a beautiful country was completely gone.

And now all eyes were starting to watch north. The experts believe that do to the direction of the prevailing winds that the now Hurricane Noelani couldn't possibly hit Hawaii, since it was too far east. Allison didn't believe it one bit. After Australia and Supertyphoon Max, which had hit Japan, it was obvious that something was out of place, and that there was no telling what could happen with the storm.

"Alli, please calm dow-"

"No, your not doing that old shit you said in high school. This isn't some boy or anything like that. Damn it Kevin, this is your life were talking about! I have lost way too many of the people I care about in my life. I am not gonna lose you. Forget your doctorate…. ok? I want you in LA now. Dr. Hal would understand, ok?

Tell him I said so."

"Alright, I'll talk to him, ok? I should in LA when I can go, ok?"

"First available flight, ok?"

"Yes, yes, I'll do it. In fact, he's right here, I'll talk to you later."

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Dr. Hal had just walked into Kevin's dorm as he hung up the phone. He could see the bags out and starting to become packed. Kevin started putting things away.

"You wanted to see me?" asked Dr. Hal.

"Yeah, I have a problem. I just got hounded by Allison."

A chuckle came to Hal's face. "And how is that different from anything else she does to you? You know, for someone who thinks they couldn't survive the dating process and have no deep feelings for each other… you two act like a perfect couple quite a bit."

It was Kevin's turn to smile. "Yeah, but still, she wants me home now, for some reason Hawaii isn't safe in her mind to Noelani. I know you need me here, but well, I was suppose to leave a while ago."

Hal just looked at him, and nodded. "I know, get your things together, and I'll drive you. And I already sent your equipment to your home. Very smart."

Kevin walked over to his teacher, his mentor, his advisor, and his friend, and held out his hand. "Thank you."

"O please, you might be a mainlander, but you are still a Hawaiian. You are 'ohana, your part of my family, treat me like one, eh braddah?"

Kevin laughed, and gave him a hug, and then packed as Dr. Hal got his car ready.

Three hours later Kevin was in the vehicle, staring at the airport to the right of him. It was overcast, and a light rain was falling, but nothing in part was due to the hurricane. He turned to face Hal, as he got out of the truck. "You've been a great help to me, and I thank you for it. Well, I guess this is goodbye, then"

Hal just looked up at him, and for the first time in Kevin's time with him, he looked tired, older. "Yeah, I guess this is it. Take care, Kewine, Kevin."

"Yeah, thanks for everything, goodbye, Dr. Hauloakianoa"

Kevin turned away and headed for the terminal, ticket in hand, before being stopped by Dr. Hal yelling for him. Kevin returned to the vehicle, and was thrusted a brown box.

"I almost forgot, this is for you, and please, wait to open I until you get on the plane."

And with that, Kevin smiled, and watched his truck disappear down the road. The last time he would ever see Dr. Gary Hauloakianoa again.

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"Alli, I'm on the plane, I'll be in LA in about 3 hours or so. Ok, I will, well, I'm gonna go, I'll talk to you later. Ok, bye."

Kevin hung up the phone as the plane took off, and soared into the air. As the plane went higher, Kevin took that opportunity to look out the window into the direction of Hurricane Noelani. There, a sight that he had never seen before seemed to take up the entire window. Only about tens to twenties of miles out to sea, there is was, larger than anything he had ever seen. The clouds seemed to go up into the upper atmosphere. It was a giant monster churning the ocean south of the Big Island, and it seemed to suck the ocean up into her eye. Kevin closed the cover to the window, and turned forward again. If that thing ever did hit the islands, there wouldn't be anything left. Finally, he turned his attention to the box on his lap, the gift from Dr. Hal. He decided now was the time to open it, and did so. Kevin was speechless. Inside there was a note from Hal. You are always Hawaiian here, thanks for your help; hope you enjoy your gift. Kou hoa aloha, Dr. Gary Hauloakianoa. Under that, a file of job offerings specifically for Kevin. Then, a picture of him and Hal in Hawaiian shirts and grass skirt holding some sort of drink. Lastly, his graduation cap, gown and doctorial tams, and under that, his framed diploma of doctor status. He left Hawaii as a mister, and would be arriving in LA as a doctor. Kevin leaned back into the chair and whispered, Thank you.

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Dr. Hal had just walked back into the lab, and stood over Kevin's empty chair. He was so absorbed in his thoughts about Kevin, though, that he at first didn't hear the shouting going on.

"Dr., the storm, Hurricane Noelani, it coming this way! It's actually coming this way!"