Chapter 19

“You have a motor? This isn’t a little RIB ... it’s for a Seal team or several Operatives. A typical 9hp Yamaha or Johnson won’t push it.”

“Got time?”

“For what?”

“Come out to the boat and have a look,” I said.

So ... the conversation took an interesting turn.

“Where did you get that?”

“The Kiwi’s gave it to us. They found it on the bottom of Shoal Bay after an enormous explosion during a kidnapping attempt.”

“There’s no markings,” the captain commented... “Wait. Kidnapping attempt?”

“Yeah, Surprise saved us. There wasn’t enough left of the kidnappers bodies to identify.”

“Us? As in you and your sister?”

“Yes.” I said. “New Zealand Coast Guard is reasonably certain that the plot was American CIA.”

“What makes them think that?”

“After we claimed political asylum, the Marines invaded Auckland and tried to take us by force. If you people had have just asked, politely, Immigration would have given us up.” And here I mumbled, “Fucking bullies.”

“We people? Wasn’t us.”

“The accent was right, three witnesses and no markings on boat or motor. It takes a belligerent nation to try that shit. Anyway the RNZN determined that the motor must be ours ... since nobody else could afford it.” I said. Thinking about it, we could have been dead and here we are ... innocent. Poor Jones. He should be alive ... like us. “So ... you think it’s big enough to push the RIB.”

“Should be the fastest thing in the harbor. It won’t fit your davits though.”

“When it’s time to leave we’ll probably sell or give it away,” Zo said.

“Give?”

“You have no idea who my boyfriend is, do you?” Zoe grinned, “Look up Flintkote Industries.”

We had transportation from boat to shore. Transportation that wouldn’t wear out for the three years while I was learning to be heroic.

Odd ... I had no idea what that meant ... so ... I looked it up.

1. a person noted for courageous acts or nobility of character:
He became a local hero when he saved the drowning child.
2. a person who, in the opinion of others, has special achievements, abilities, or personal qualities and is regarded as a role model or ideal:
My older sister is my hero.
3. Entrepreneurs are our modern heroes.
4. the principal male character in a story, play, film, etc. Classical Mythology.

a being of godlike prowess and beneficence who often came to be honored as a divinity.

(in the Homeric period) a warrior-chieftain of special strength, courage, or ability.

(in later antiquity) an immortal being; demigod.

5. the bread or roll used in making a hero sandwich.

I haven’t saved anybody.

My younger sister saved me. She IS my hero.

My younger sister built all those boats. Does that make her an entrepreneur?

The only thing I fit is number 5.

I think I need to think this through.

I think I need Surprise.

I’ve been a pain in the ass to her.

Cynthia is NOT a decent role-model ... I have been allowing her to lead me around like a prize bull. All I’m missing is the nose ring.

<Aha! Growing up.>

What?

<You are thinking about being responsible. The first step of a hero.>

No!

<Yes.>