Chapter 13. Adios Mexico

By Tony

Once my jeep was out of sight of the Aztex camp the command team would watch the progress of the sacrifice and the clock until it was time. Then they would give the tank the order to go through the bus gate. The ground troops and Jambo would form up on the tank as it rumbled down the path to the jail building. At this point the crowd noise should cover the sound on tank’s movement. Once they dialed in the big gun for the range, they would call “Set.” Watching the screen, Irene would call “Drop.” That command from the ship watching the sacrifice would trigger the death storm of flaming metal shot from above on the pyramid and the field.

The jeep was too noisy for conversation, but it ran smooth as we drove. The Sister thought she heard thunder in the distance and wondered if it might rain. After a fashion, it would, she heard the sound of 8 mortars firing almost together. Then the tank fired, closer and louder, like thunder that “cracked.”

When we slowed down the Sister told me that she and Chantal had no idea where on earth they were, however given how much time they spent in a ship and an airplane getting here plus the climate she figured South America. What confused her is that, based on the stars, we were headed south toward what smelled and sounded like water. That did not seem right. I said she knew her stuff, they had not gone that far, but they were still a long way from home, someplace they did not want to be.

At the coast we pulled into the brush. There was a small Zodiac that I said we could use to get away, “it was provided for us by friends, others may be close behind us so we must hurry.” There was a central steering position where the operator could stand under a cover that extended to the stern. A single outboard motor drove the boat. After moving the food and water from the jeep I pushed out from the shore, turned toward the horizon and opened up the throttle.

The Sister went along with the transfer but she wondered about it, she felt the land was better. “Sister, in this land the slightest bit of information can be given, purchased, or taken from anyone who sees us pass. Your clothing would surely be noticed. Soon this place may be crawling with the folks who held you and your friend with bad intent, plus the natives who would sell you back to them after doing things first,” I spoke in Spanish, I knew the Sister understood, but I hoped the girl did not. I glanced at her, she had been fighting fear since they were taken and she did not feel good about the sea at night. “Even the authorities are not to be trusted. We are in a land where many are in the drug trade, many more who hope to be drug dealers, and there are few believers. We will be more fortunate trusting in prayer and the sea.”

“Aren’t they likely to follow us?”

“They are certain to seek us. On land we would leave a trail ... the roads ... gas stations ... people will see us ... but they have no boats close and this sea is trackless save for those who seek fish and keep secrets. They have a plane, but at night it is useless.”

Well, she could not argue with that. I knew there was a full fuel tank, warm blankets and a compass but no charts or maps. I set the course and speed to get out-of-sight as fast as possible. Once we were far enough from shore I slowed to an economical speed and dug out the blankets. Without the bouncing I suggested that the women get some sleep. I would stay at the wheel.

“Also, Sister, from this point we must trust strangers. A bit of extra help from above would be appreciated.”

She agreed, “That is always true my son ... and I must also give thanks for you...”

“If you are praying, the one who hears knows my name. If you don’t know it, you can never tell my enemies. I have a family, but those people killed my wife.”

She was satisfied with that.

In the morning, looking around the boat in the light, we found new coveralls which fit surprisingly well.

“Do you know where we are?” the Sister asked.

“Only roughly, our path rests on the kindness of strangers. But I have faith.”

I saw in the Sister’s eyes an understanding that this was not just providence. She and her charge were alive, with thoughts of what had happened on the pyramid Saturday and Sunday nights behind them, so she allowed it to continue.

“Herbie” and “King” were both tracking the Zodiac, out of sight but in radar range. Around 10:00 in the morning the Zodiac ran out of fuel. According to plan I picked up the small handheld radio and sent a short SOS, but after repeating it once the battery seemed to expire.

The idea was for “Herbie” to position itself with the Zodiac directly between them and the nearest fishing boat. “Herbie” would then broadcast a strong SOS using a directional antenna, “casting a line.” With a bearing the fishing boat would turn towards the Zodiac - on not.

The cousins were tracking fishing boats in the area and were in touch with “Herbie” and “King.” One boat named “Tropic Maria” out of Colon, Panama with a crew of 5, was heading back to port with a full load of fish. It was well positioned, less than 40 miles from the Zodiac. So “Herbie” sped to a position where both the Zodiac and the fishing boat where on the same bearing, all three in a straight line. When “Herbie” broadcast the SOS I got a faint crackle on the radio. The fishing boat responded and changed course toward the SOS signal, which led them directly to the Zodiac in a few hours.

When the fishing boat drew close to the Zodiac, “King” launched the ultralight amphibian aircraft. We knew not all fishing boats are manned by good hearted sailors, some were smugglers in disguise with no charity in their black hearts. When the Zodiac was in sight the ultralight found a cloud to hide in. I could not see it, but it was there. If I hit the switch on the “dead” radio they would drop in silently, surprising “Tropic Maria” with death from above. The LAW was enough to sink a fishing boat, and their lightweight FN P90s with AP military rounds could penetrate the hull and body armor.

But no intervention was required.

The men on the fishing boat were in good cheer with full holds, singing in the sun. They were all Catholic so they were on their best behavior for the Sister when they pulled alongside, kneeling and asking for her blessing. Those who make a living at sea are aware they need all the help they can get.