When A Plan Comes Together Read online

  “We didn’t need it for what we were doing. The few trades we set up, the other party had means of transportation.”

  Jay nodded in understanding. His eyes drifted to Antonio. Roxie was talking to him. “I think we many need to start making a few more plans…” Jay said.

  Kathy laughed. “Of course. You just aren’t happy unless you’ve got a plan in the works.”

  “Nah,” Jay said. “I’m only happy when a plan comes together.”

  The End

  AFTERWARD- JAY’S STORY

  Jay Jones always hated leaving his family when he had to go on a business trip. But this one was a career maker, if he could pull it off. The company had even agreed to his request for how the anticipated bonus he would receive should be paid to him. He smiled at the thought.

  But he quit smiling when the cab dropped him off at the airport. With the airline industry in distress, and the Department of Homeland Security upping security restrictions back to what they were shortly after the 9/11 terror attacks, after having eased them over the years, flying was a real pain.

  He felt naked without even a pen knife on him. And Japan had as many restrictions as the UK did about people carrying effective weapons, even if they weren’t guns. It was doubtful if he could get anything effective at all when he landed in Tokyo.

  “Nothing to do, but play it by ear,” he murmured, buckling the seatbelt around him. At least the company had sprung for a first class seat for the long flight. Settled in, Jay turned his thoughts to the job.

  The company had come up with an effective algae to use in an algae to biodiesel fuel conversion process. His job was to convince the Japanese oil industry leaders that it was a viable way to reduce their imports of oil.

  He had all his ducks in a row, with a detailed plan on how to go about the process of convincing those needed to get a contract signed. So he took out his flight pillow and wrapped it around his neck. Sleep came slowly, as he worried about his family, but sleep did come.

  Met at the airport by the company’s regular rep in Japan, Max Shepard, Jay was taken to the hotel that would be his base of operations for the trip. Max would act as his assistant, translator, and protocol advisor. Jay had a feeling the Japanese he would be dealing with would be able to speak and understand English, and understand any minor faux pas he might commit, but Jay understood the need to play by the rules.

  He took a day to acclimate to the time change, and then got busy with the plan. A parallel plan included contacting his wife, Kath, on a regular basis. For a country filled with state of the art electronics, it was frustrating to have so much trouble making a telephone call to the US. There were murmurs that it wasn’t accidental. It certainly wasn’t typical.

  The couple of times he managed to get her on the phone didn’t reassure him much. She sounded strained. Like she was keeping something from him. And that wasn’t typical, either. And then the bad news came. Though the Japanese were enthusiastic about the plan, they wanted some more hands on help in setting up the first algae ponds for a pilot project. Jay would need to stay in Japan for an unspecified length of time.

  Not happy with his inability to talk to Kath on a regular basis, he finally had Max locate an English speaking Amateur Radio Operator through his contacts. Jay got the message off to Kath of the requirement to stay longer and received notice back that she got the message.

  Jay, being the prepper he was, had been keeping up on the news. And it wasn’t good in Southeast Asia and the western Pacific. More and more satellite based systems were going offline, without any governmental information coming out as to why.

  Then the North and South Korean situation was heating up, but Jay didn’t think North Korea could be behind the electronics problems. China quite probably could, and they were beginning to beat the war drums, too.

  When China made the official announcement that the country was going to war with Australia, Jay talked to Max. Through the American Embassy, they were able to contact the offices in the states. There was no question about it. Jay and Max had the full resources of the company behind them to get Jay home to America in the most expeditious manner possible. Max was opting to stay in Japan with his Japanese wife and family.

  Jay packed a bag at the hotel and Max took him home with him. Try as they might, they couldn’t get Jay a flight out. The company didn’t have all that much pull. Max and Jay even less. Except for one thing. Jay’s bonus, a foregone conclusion, had been prepared to his specification.

  The fifty thousand dollars riding on the deal, as a bonus for Jay, was in Max’s small safe at his home. Max opened the safe and gave Jay thirty one ounce Gold Eagles. They were minted as fifty dollar face value gold pieces. Max added twenty one half ounce twenty five dollar Gold Eagles, twenty one quarter ounce ten dollar Gold Eagles, and fifty one tenth ounce five dollar Gold Eagles.

  At the time of purchase by the company, the gold spot price was still below a thousand dollars an ounce. Even with the slight premium, the company used somewhat less than fifty thousand dollars to provide Jay’s request of fifty ounces of gold in lieu of fifty thousand dollars cash. Paid as $2,450.00 face value, Jay would be able to save some on his taxes. He hoped. Taxes were the last thing on his mind at the moment, though.

  He’d wanted the gold as part of his prep plans in the States. “This may be the difference in getting home and not getting home,” Jay told Max. “But what about you, Max? Are you sure you don’t want to bring your family and come with me?”

  “No, my friend. My wife would never agree. Her ties to her family here are too great. And my ties to her and the children are just as tight. I wish I could have helped more. I’ve done all I know. We’re leaving for Mariko’s family’s compound up in the mountains in a few minutes. We’ll ride out whatever comes there.”

  Max went to the book shelf at one side of the safe and took down a book. “English-Japanese dictionary. Good luck.”

  Max and Jay shook hands and Max let Jay out, amidst the hustle and bustle of the family getting ready to leave. The weight of the gold rode lightly, almost a cushion, as Jay hailed a cab and headed for one of the private marinas on Tokyo Bay. The news had shown many people taking to sea in whatever craft they could beg, buy, borrow, or steal.

  Even in these times, Jay wasn’t about to try to steal a boat. If the locals didn’t kill him, he’d probably be locked up for the duration if caught. No. But gold still held plenty of meaning and value in this part of the world. He’d buy passage to the US on a ship.

  He tried the offices of the cruise ship lines. Either a berth wasn’t available, or the ship was going the wrong direction for Jay. One of those ships was an option in Jay’s mind, but it would make the trip a lot longer and more expensive.

  With the few basic words of Japanese he knew, and the dictionary, Jay was able to continue his inquiries. He actually found several ships that would take him on. But Jay simply didn’t trust the owners or operators of most of them. Jay was sure they’d just slit his throat and take everything he had. He moved on past the commercial fishing ships, leaving angry stares behind.

  Finally, just before dark, he came upon a group of Americans and Europeans cooperating in getting ready to leave together as a flotilla. Jay’s hopes picked up at the sight. He lifted his hands when a highly illegal shotgun was pointed at him from one of the boats.

  “Move on!” said one of the men loading supplies on one of large sail boats the group had.

  “Look,” Jay said. “I need to get home to my family in the states. I have a bit of gold. I’ll pay for passage.”

  Half a dozen men and women conferred as the shotgun wielding kept the shotgun pointed at Jay. A woman tossed a towel over the gun to hide it from easy visibility, but Jay knew it was still pointed at his belly.

  “We’re too full up,” said one of the men after the small group broke up. “However, there is another boat… There…” The man pointed to long single mast sail boat seven boats down from the group. “A couple of elderly folks.
German. They want to travel with us, but have neither the manpower to handle the boat, or wherewithal to stock up for the trip to Hawaii.”

  “If there are more here than needed, can’t some of you sail with them to help?”

  “A couple of us would, but without enough supplies… Better to be a bit crowded and be able to eat than starve two weeks out.” That was from one of the men still loading supplies on a trimaran.

  “If I can supply them, and myself, can we join your group?”

  Again there was a short conference. The same spokesman looked at Jay for a couple of seconds and said. “Okay. But you’re responsible for them. They can travel with us for as long as they keep up. We won’t slow down for them or supply any food, water, or help.”

  Jay frowned, but nodded. He went past the other boats and stopped at the beautiful white motorsailer. He saw the name on the stern. Fraulein Betta. “Hello the boat!” he called out.

  Again he was met with a shotgun. This one a double barrel where the other had been a shiny nickel plated pump action. Hands up slightly he looked at the young man holding the shotgun. He didn’t look old or German. And when he spoke his accent was European. Spain, Jay guessed.

  “Herr Hoffer,” the young man called into the cabin of the boat.

  “Ja?” asked the elderly German man that came out of the cabin.

  “Someone I think wants to talk to you.” His eyes had stayed on Jay as he spoke to Hoffer. Now his words were directed to Jay. “Isn’t that right?”

  “Yes,” Jay said. “Can I take my hands down?”

  “Ja! Ja! Of course. What is it you want?”

  “Passage to America, by way of Hawaii,” Jay said. “The group down the way said you want to travel with them, but had neither the manpower or supplies to travel with them.”

  “Ja. They demand much supplies. But is right. Will be bad trip. And Antonio and I cannot manage alone. My wife, Betta, can’t help with sailing. Only cooking. I am afraid what you could offer will not be enough. Money is almost worthless. I wait too long to try and get supplies.”

  Antonio was studying Jay, as Jay was studying Hoffer. “I know where there are plenty of supplies. Food. Fuel. Equipment. Will take a lot of money.”

  “How about in gold?” Jay asked, knowingly taking a chance. But the looks of the two on the boat encouraged trust. Even with Antonio holding the shotgun on him.

  Antonio’s eyes lit up. “For gold, it will be easy.” He lowered the shotgun. “Herr Hoffer. I think it is worthwhile to do this, if he has the gold.” He looked back at Jay. “Do you sail?”

  Jay shook his head. “No. But I am a very fast learner.”

  “I think we should do it, Herr Hoffer. It is a chance. I don’t think we have much chance here.”

  “Betta!” Hoffer said, speaking into the cabin.

  “Ja. We do it.”

  “Betta says Ja,” Hoffer said, turning back around. “Antonio. Go with this man. You know what is needed.”

  Antonio handed the shotgun to Hoffer and clambered up onto the dock and nodded toward the shore. “Let me do the talking,” Antonio said. “And do not show any money or gold until I ask for it. Okay?”

  “I’m in your hands,” Jay said.

  Jay was glad Antonio was guiding him, as they met with merchant after merchant. Antonio spoke adequate Japanese. Jay couldn’t follow completely, but as each deal was set, Antonio would whisper the amount of gold being asked. Each time Jay was able to nod, indicating he had the amount requested.

  After one transaction, Antonio asked Jay, “You have more?”

  “Yes.”

  Antonio shook his head. “Good thing I’m an honest person. We can get a few more things that will make things easier and more secure.”

  Five more stops and Antonio led the way back to the Fraulein Betta. “You think all of them are going to show up with the things you’ve ordered?” Jay asked.

  “They will. They want the gold. Some may try to short us, but I allowed for that. You’d better go get it. The first load should show up shortly.”

  “I have it.”

  “On you?” exclaimed Antonio

  Jay nodded.

  “You’re crazy man! I could have killed you and taken it all.”

  “No you couldn’t. You said it yourself. You’re an honest person.” Jay didn’t add that the purchases had added up to only a third of the gold he was carrying in various places on his body, which was only half of the total. The rest was in the bag he’d left on the boat.

  Antonio gave Jay a quick tour of the boat, indicating where he wanted everything put away. Hermann introduced Jay to Betta. She took the shotgun from Hermann when the boat was hailed. Jay watched as she placed herself by the cabin hatch and carefully looked out.

  “K, Hermann,” she said. “I will guard.”

  Antonio, Jay, and Hermann went out into the cockpit. Antonio confirmed the contents of the delivery and the amount of gold agreed upon. He nodded at Jay. Jay stepped into the cabin and took off the money belt he was wearing under his shirt and jacket. He counted out the correct amount of coins and went back to the cockpit. He handed the gold to Antonio, and Antonio handed it to the merchant.

  Working quickly, Jay, Hermann, and Antonio moved the goods from the dock to their storage points inside the boat. They made sure that at least one of them was in the cockpit at all times.

  They repeated the task time after time, until almost dark. “Last one, except for fuel and water,” Antonio said. “We need to motor over to the fuel dock. We’re paying a premium, so we should get in and out quickly.”

  Jay nodded, and then followed Antonio’s instructions to get the boat untied from the dock. Hermann started the engine and they motored slowly out of the slip and headed for the fuel dock.

  Antonio was on the bow of the boat and waved at someone loading fuel. There were some harsh words exchanged, in about seven different languages, the best Jay could tell, as Fraulein Betta was fuelled before the line of boats waiting.

  Antonio and Hermann had their own argument when several drums were rolled out and the dock hands started to load them onto the foredeck of the boat. Hermann didn’t like the idea, and let Antonio know it. But whatever argument Antonio used was effective. Hermann finally said, “Ja, Ja! Load. Secure as if lives depended on it.”

  Antonio looked at Jay and Jay jumped to help get the barrels placed just so. Antonio secured each one with multiple lashings. Jay didn’t think they’d come undone in a hurricane. Jay looked over the side of the boat. They were sitting deep in the water. But as they motored over near the group that was already setting sail, Jay saw that all the boats were. “Guess it’s worth the risk,” Jay said to himself.

  As soon as they were clear of the bay, all the boats lifted sail and cut their engines. Jay jumped to obey every command Hermann or Antonio gave him, making sure to note each thing he did, under what circumstances, so he’d know what to do in the future, without being told.

  With a lot of shouting back and forth, and constant radio exchanges, the flotilla was finally arranged to suit each of the captains. Speed was adjusted to match that of the slowest boat. It wasn’t the Fraulein Betta.

  As he learned more about the boat during the trip, he found out that Fraulein Betta was a sixty-five foot MacGregor, one of about one hundred built that were some of the fastest small motorsailer yachts in the world, under sail or under power.

  Life on Fraulein Betta fell into an easy, simple routine. Though the boat wasn’t equipped as a one handed sailor, the way some of her sister ships, she was still easy to work and handle. Jay quickly learned to handle the helm, during the day, and took that watch most of the time. Betta could work the helm when the sailing was smooth. Antonio and Hermann shared the night time watches. Betta cooked, keeping everyone fed.

  Things went very well, initially. Several of the boats, including Fraulein Betta, had state of the art electronics and were able to get satellite navigation information. But that suddenly stopped.

&n
bsp; The flotilla of boats closed ranks somewhat, with no one wanting to get out of sight of at least two other boats, even with the radios still working just fine. At least locally. The HF marine band radios weren’t picking up anything. Two days after the failure of the satellites, the clear blue sky slowly dimmed slightly, behind a thin layer of dust that Jay, and the others, all assumed was fallout.

  There was little falling, and all the boat crews were careful to wash down the decks and themselves regularly, to avoid any accumulation. But it seemed to panic several of the boat owners. The carefully orchestrated flotilla began to stretch out, the faster boats pulling ahead, leaving the slower behind, despite the agreement to stay together.

  Jay supported Hermann’s decision to stay with the slower boats. “We agreed. Hermann Hoffer honors his agreements,” Hermann said. The five slowest boats, plus Fraulein Betta, closed ranks. One of those five was the big trimaran. With lots of space, and lots of sail, very luxurious, it simply wasn’t very fast.