VOYAGERS! - The Voyager Chronicles
DISCOVERIES - BOOK 1
(The First New Adventure)
By DA Daugherty (VoyagersFan)
October 2006 (Revised 05/2009)
Previous disclaimers apply
Chapter 15 - THE DAY OF DISCOVERY
It had been some twelve long grueling weeks since Columbus and his crew had left the port of Palos. They had originally planned for a journey of this length, but now Columbus and his crew had become weary from being at sea for so long. They were tired, weak, and above all else their morale was dwindling. Columbus realized that if they didn't find the new world soon, he could have a major problem on his hands with the crew.
Bogg and Jeff were now in the Admiral's quarters, sitting around the table discussing the current state of affairs.
"Gentlemen, it's been twelve weeks now and still there's no sign of land." Columbus said impatiently. "By my calculations, we should have run ashore by now."
"Don't give up yet Chris. It will happen. You will find what you seek." Bogg reassured.
"I haven't given up, but the crew, that's another story. They are tired, weary, and ready to put their feet on land. I feel if we don't find some soon, I may have a mutiny on my hands."
"Is there anything we can do to help with the crew?" Jeff asked.
"No, my young friend. There's not much that can be done other than praying." Columbus replied.
Suddenly, Carlos could be heard yelling outside the Admiral's quarters. He came running through the door and almost knocked himself unconscious before he finally opened it.
"Admiral, Sir!" Carlos exclaimed as he attempted to catch his breath.
"Calm down, Carlos… and tell me what is happening."
"Come quickly. You need to see this." Carlos urged. Immediately he turned and ran back out onto the deck. At this point the whole crew was cheering.
Columbus, Bogg and Jeff rose from their seats and ran out onto the deck. Carlos pointed to the horizon and exclaimed. "Look there! I can see the tops of trees! It's land!"
Columbus began to peer off into the distance and then saw what Carlos was so excited about. "It's land… Gentlemen, It's land!!! We have finally made it!"
Columbus yelled up to Carlos, who by this time was back at the helm. "Carlos, signal the Nina and the Pinta and let them know of our discovery.
The crew by this time had begun to celebrate. Columbus walked up and stood next to his first mate to make an announcement to his crew.
Carlos yelled out to the crew. "Attention on deck!!" The crew immediately became quiet. "The Admiral has an announcement to make."
.
"Gentlemen, as you have by now realized, there is land in the distance." Columbus announced as he was suddenly interrupted by cheers from the crew. The crew quieted down and he continued.
"The sight of land has also been confirmed by the sight of birds flying overhead. However, we cannot begin to celebrate just yet. There are still a few more miles left for us to travel and much more work to be done before we go ashore. Congratulations to you all and thank you for all your hard work to this point."
The crew began to cheer and applaud their Admiral as he walked down from the helm. Afterward, they resumed their duties aboard ship. Columbus, Bogg and Jeff went back into the Admiral's quarters and sat down at the table.
"Gentlemen, I think this discovery calls for a celebration." Columbus stated with an overwhelming sense of accomplishment in his voice. "What would you two like to drink? I have rum, ale, and some wine."
"Just some water for the two of us, Chris." Bogg replied.
"Water it is…"
Columbus walked over to the cabinet, poured himself a glass of rum and his friends a glass of water. He brought the glasses over and set them on the table.
"Well, Chris, how does it feel to finally prove your theories?" Jeff asked.
"My young friend, words cannot describe how I feel at this time… I am just so happy. You know, this opens up many opportunities for both Spain and for me as well. I just can't wait to set foot on that land."
Bogg raised his glass and took a sip from it. "Just think, minutes ago, you were worried about the crew mutinying. It amazes me how in just a blink of an eye, things can change for the better."
"You are correct as always, Mr. Bogg. Things were looking rather bleak a little while ago. But now… It's the grandest day of my life."
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Later that day, the three ships closed in on their target and dropped anchor about a quarter mile from the shore. Columbus ordered the crew to get out the rowboats and prepare to go ashore.
Columbus, Bogg and Jeff set off in the first boat with Carlos and several other crewmen following closely behind them. Two other boats from the Nina and the Pinta were bringing up the rear.
After about 15 minutes of hard rowing, the three reached the beach. They got out of their boat and stood on dry land for the first time in weeks. Columbus was so excited that he knelt down and kissed the ground, in much the same way as the Pope does when he arrives in a new land.
"Gentlemen, look at all of this… We made it…By the grace of God, we have made it here." Columbus yelled as he began to wonder around, exploring the territory.
"Bogg?" Jeff prompted.
"Yea kid."
"Looks familiar, doesn't it?"
"Yea." Bogg acknowledged. "C'mon, lets walk over there and take a look around."
The two strolled over to the area where they had originally sat and waited for Columbus the first time.
"What gives here, Bogg?" Jeff asked in disbelief. "There is no sign of us ever being here…No footprints, nothing."
"Kid, what did I tell you about time. Remember, we went back in time prior to the time we arrived here and changed history. So when it comes right down to it, our first arrival here never really occurred."
"Oh, trying to understand this is giving me a headache."
"Don't try to understand it now kid. It will all will become clear in due time."
"And you just had to say that, didn't you Bogg?" Jeff quipped. "Like that is going to make my headache any better."
"Hey, what about the natives we encountered here the first time… Won't they be a threat to Chris and his crew?" Jeff asked.
"What do you think? Take a look over there…" Bogg said as he pointed to the opposite end of the beach. "Columbus has already made some new friends."
Jeff looked off in the distance and saw Columbus, Carlos and several other members of the crew standing and attempting to converse with a few of the local natives.
"Well Bogg, we did it." Jeff boasted. "We saved history yet again. Thanks to us, a whole new continent will be discovered."
"Yea, we did it and now it's time for us to go. There's lots of other places we need to visit and problems that need to be fixed. Ready kid?"
"I guess. It's sad to leave him here without saying goodbye." Jeff said sullenly.
"I know, but it's for the best."
Bogg opened the omni and set it. Jeff took hold of Bogg's arm.
"I'm ready, Bogg. I guess."
Bogg pushed the button and they were on the way to their next adventure.
---THE END ---