A taste of freedom

Chapter 10

Noah flips...

Noah smiled as the scout in front of him asked for an extra hash brown and slipped one surreptitiously onto his plate. “Don’t tell everyone,” Noah said in a stage whisper, then proceeded to give the next couple of guys in the queue an extra hash brown each to buy their silence. By his side, serving up grilled tomatoes and fried eggs, Nat slipped a couple of extra tomatoes onto their plates too and grinned at me. “It’s just like having a little tribe of Travises lining up for breakfast.”

We’ve been serving breakfast for about fifteen minutes, and we’re slicker at it than the servers over in the other chow line. That’s not gone unnoticed: scouts in that line are beginning to drift over to our line as they see it moving faster, and we’re dishing out bigger portions too. There’s no shortage of food, so why be miserly with it? The scouts are allowed to come back for a second helping if they want to, but if we fill them up first time around we can shut down the line faster, clean up the servery and get on with the day’s other tasks. Efficiency. Everyone pulling together. It’s what drives an army.

“Boots, once we’re done here, we’ll head up on deck and make a couple of quick calls back to my pop and your pop. Fill them in on what Will wants to do and get them squared off to sign the paperwork for us to authorise the rental of that frequency analyser thing. Noah, you okay to head back up to the cabin and get everything up there tidied up? Not like we’ve left a mess or anything anyway. Me and Boots will come and join you, pick up our bags and we can be shoreside by 9 o’clock. You okay with that?”

Noah smiled and nodded, concentrating on dishing up the hash browns as fast as he could. “I’m good with that, Nat.”

* * *

Half an hour later, after bolting down our own breakfasts and then giving the counter top a quick wipe down, and more importantly, being seen to wipe it down, me and Nat were able to slip away from the galley. We’d already detailed Noah off to head back to our cabin and check it was tidy. It doesn’t take three of us to rub a cloth and some hot soapy water over the counter tops and Noah was happy to avoid that chore. Actually, Nat had made sure we were not only seen wiping down the servery area but that one of the staff had photographed us doing it, just like he’d earlier ensured he appeared in a couple of photos dishing up the food to a long line of scouts. “The pictures will go on the battleship’s website, Boots. But they might get picked up by the mainstream media one day, that could be useful publicity for pop’s campaign somehow.”

As we headed down from the signal bridge after making a call back to Nat’s pop and passed the dining area again, we bumped into Jed, the Chief Noo Yawker as we’d labelled him.

“Hi, guys. You heading back to the cabin? So am I, assuming I can remember the route. I’m trying to track down Sean and Cole. They should have been down here right after breakfast to help with more cleaning. It’s the chore we agreed to do but they don’t seem keen on it.”

Nat smiled. “They don’t seem too happy about lots of things, Jed. How did they get to be Eagle Scouts? They don’t exactly have a friendly, helpful attitude and eagerness to serve…”

Jed hesitated as we rounded a corner and stepped through a hatchway. And not just because he wasn’t sure whether we should be heading up the next ladder or dropping down the companionway to the deck beneath.

“Sean and Cole aren’t actually Eagle Scouts. Me and Lukas are, and we got chosen to come on this trip. Sean and Cole kind of gate-crashed it. They are just acquaintances from our senior year at school rather than true friends.  I didn’t grass then up because I thought coming here and seeing how we try to help and lead younger scouts might genuinely inspire them to do some good for once. I guess I was wrong. They’re probably up in the cabin laughing at me and Lukas doing all the hard work, or out skulking on deck somewhere smoking.”

“This way, Jed,” I said, leading the way downwards. “I know where I’m going.”

Nat’s giving me his “Are you sure?” look.

It doesn’t matter if I don’t know where we’re going, exactly. At least I’ve made a decision, not stood hanging around and dithering. Dithering never does any good. Anyway, if we get to the end of the passageway on the deck below and it doesn’t end at the Admiral’s Staff Quarters, we just go back up the ladder there. It’s definitely near the stern end of the ship so we’re heading in the right direction. We can refine it to a precise location later.

We’re definitely on the right deck. I just recognised one of the information boards outside the Master-at-Arms’ office. It’s on the same level as the Staff Quarters. We’ve come this way before on our way to and from our cabin. Little details like that matter, to be filed away in memory. We’re not far away at all now.

“Boots!” gasped Nat with alarm. “You hear that? Sounded like Noah shouting for help.”

It bloody did. And like something crashing down on the deck. A metallic clang, then a yelp of pain.

“Keep up, Nat!”

I was first into the cabin, pushing the hatch wide and leaping over the raised coaming at the lower edge that serves to help control flooding if the ship takes battle damage. “What’s going on, Noah?”

Noah’s tussling with one of the Noo Yawkers, the pair of them tight hold of each other, bouncing around between the bunk rack and the bulkhead. Noah’s trying to kick the legs from under the Yawker, who’s equally busy trying to free a hand to punch him. Noah’s having none of that. He’s keeping the pair of them moving, body-slamming the Yawker against the bulkhead. I told you he was a little battle-rat. The second Yawker, the one called Cole I think, is slumped in a corner, nursing a cut above his eye. There’s blood on the corner of the table, and on the lockers. He’s not involved in this anymore.

I’m putting an end to this.

Wham! Wham!

The Yawker staggered as my punches jabbed hard into his ribs, knocking the wind, and the fight, right out of him. I don’t think he even realised I was there. He was too busy concentrating on Noah. Bad mistake.

Noah’s broken free.

“Get behind me, Noah, get to Nat.”

I’ve got the Yawker covered. He’s up against the bulkhead, gasping for air. Trying to figure out what’s going on. The other one is still down on the floor, feeling sorry for himself. Nat’s piling in behind me now, pushing Noah further back. Jed’s coming in to the cabin. I need to keep tabs on everyone, make sure I know who’s where and what they are up to. Where’s the fourth Yawker? Still back mopping the heads?

“Stay put and you won’t get another.”

The Yawker is staying put. Both of them are. I’m keeping my fists up. Making a point. Keeping both Yawkers in plain view. Nat’s got his hand on my shoulder. Letting me know where he is.

“What happened Noah? Are you okay?” That’s Nat’s voice. I’m not looking round. I’m keeping my eyes on the threat axis. Nat will be keeping an eye out in the other direction. Back towards the door and Jed. That training Christian gave us has kicked in. Nat’s following the drills.

Noah took a second to gather his breath, his thoughts, then spoke. Quietly but confidently.

“I came back via the shop, Nat, bought a couple of postcards to send to Ella-Marie. So, I was only just ahead of you and Craig. When I got here, these two were searching through your bag. I told them to stop. Then they got aggressive.”

The Yawker that was fighting with Noah when I burst in, Sean, it’s definitely Sean, scowled and gingerly rubbed his ribs. If they aren’t broke I can always remedy that. 

“We weren’t doin’ no such thing. He just turned up and went for us. He’s weird. Shouldn’t be...”

I stepped a fraction closer. “Shut up.”

Nat’s leather bag is over on the floor, stuff spilled out of it. When we left for breakfast, it was in his locker. Mine too. Now it’s also on the floor, at the other side of the cabin.

“Go on, Noah,” said Nat quietly.

“He tried to hit me,” said Noah, pointing to Cole, the Yawker on the floor. “I ducked under him and flipped him. I had to. There’s two of them.”

I couldn’t help sniggering. I’ve seen Noah do that to opponents when they have that face-off thing at the start of a lacrosse match. He just sort of dips a shoulder, lunges forward, gets under his opponent and then stands up fast, just like a rocket, unbalances them, flips them over. Travis probably coached him on it.

“That’s okay, Noah,” said Nat, “We know you didn’t start this.” Nat’s obviously seen the bags too. He’s still got his hand on my shoulder. He’s staying put where we are. “Step back a way, Noah, into the doorway. Keep an eye out down the passageway. Let me know if anyone comes along. You good there, Boots?”

“I’m good, Nat. Got these two covered.”

“Jed, step up here. Go look over Cole. I don’t think he’s badly hurt. Just a little surprised and stunned. Don’t get too near Craig, or block his view.” Nat’s got that authoritive tone in his voice. It doesn’t matter that Jed’s older by a year or two. Nat’s taking charge here. He’s going to make a good Sergeant-Major.

Jed’s helping Cole to his feet, steering him to sit down on a bunk. He’s not badly hurt. A tiny bit of blood goes a long way. Especially from a cut to the head. I read the scalp’s got more blood vessels per square mile than any other bit of the body. Something like that anyway.

“Step back over here, Jed,” said Nat.

“Sit down next to your buddy, Sean. NOW!”

Sean knows I’m serious. He’s moving. Sitting down alongside Cole. Neither of them looking so cocky anymore. That’s good. They are close together, and sat down. We’ve taken the initiative from them. Limited their scope for action. I can flatten them before they stand up, if I have to. Nat’s relaxing his grip on my shoulder a little, but still keeping his hand there. He knows I am not going to take my eyes off the Yawkers yet.

“They probably thought you had money,” said Noah quietly from the doorway. “After hearing you talk about spending $90,000 last night. We should call the police.”

Nat’s thinking. I can almost hear the cogs whirring inside his head.

“Boots, I’m going to let go and pick up our bags. I’ll keep in your sight. Noah, keep a look along the corridor. Jed, you just stay put.”

“Okay, Nat.”

Nat’s putting our bags down just to the side of me, looking through his, putting his discarded clothes back inside. “I don’t think anything is missing from mine, Boots. There wasn’t anything valuable in it to start with. Just clothes mainly, and my music player. That’s still here. My phone and wallet were with me. My car keys are still here.”

Nat’s music player. That’s an A&K jobby. it’s not an iPod so the Yawkers either didn’t see it tucked inside Nat’s shirt pocket or didn’t realise how expensive it is. I’m sure they’d have nicked it if it had been an iPod.

“Mine’s good, you look through yours now, Boots. I’ll watch over Sean and Cole. They’re not going anywhere, are you?”

The two Awkward Yawkers didn’t say anything, just sat on the bunk, Sean glaring at us and Cole looking pretty sorry for himself. That first noise we heard must have been him hitting the lockers or table when Noah flipped him. I wish I’d seen that!

It doesn’t look like anything’s missing from my bag. The main compartment, with my clothes in, doesn’t even appear to have been opened. The top pouch is partly unzipped but everything that should be there is still there. Notebook. Pen. Baseball cap. Sun screen. Bag of mints. A small packet of cable ties. Now that’s useful! Dad says if you zip tie somebody’s thumbs together that’s as good as handcuffs.

“Looks good, Nat, I don’t think I’m missing anything either. I’ll just check the main part to be sure. Maybe they’re the kind of perverts who get off on nicking used shreddies. Was that what you were after, Sean, my underwear?”

“I never touched your fuckin’ bag, Limey! I…”

Sean almost looked as though he was about to stand up but Nat just smiled and spoke quietly. “I’d just keep sitting there quiet if I were you. I might not be a violent man but Boots here, well, I think you already know how he can be.  ‘Controlled aggression’, I think they call it in boxing circles. That right, Boots?”

“That’s right, Nat. Controlled aggression. For sporting purposes only, of course.”

“See,” said Nat, “Sporting. That’s how I’d describe Boots. You might have a sporting chance against him. Not a very good chance, I’ll agree, but a chance none-the-less. But that’s a lot more than the judge will consider you gave Noah. Two of you, both adults, assaulting a minor. Pretty much guaranteed jail time I think.”

“We never touched him,” snorted Sean.

“He went for me,” said Cole, “He tried to grab the bag. I was just tidying up. You left the bag lying around.”

“Our bags were in the lockers when we left,” said Nat flatly.

“It’d be their word against yours,” said Jed, uncertainly. “We didn’t actually see what happened before we got here. Just saw them wrestling when we got here.”

Noah doesn’t look the least bit concerned by this. He’s told us what happened and as far as he’s concerned that’s all there is to it. Nat’s not looking too bothered either. I can tell he’s going somewhere. Got a plan. Nat always seems to have things thought through. He looks like he’s got Sean and Cole worried. Reminding them Noah’s a minor has them rattled. They’re just assuming me and Nat are adults. Probably best to let them keep thinking that.

“Yup,” said Nat. “Noah’s word against yours. Our word against yours. You want to see how that goes, Sean? You either, Cole? A minor being set upon by two adults? Us coming to his defence? I think our lawyers will have a real field day with that. How good are your lawyers? Are they anybody we might have heard of? Or are you going to be relying on a public attorney?” Nat paused. “Some public defenders are pretty good. Do it out of a genuine commitment to see everybody gets a fair trial. You might be lucky and get one of those, rather than a third rater just going through the motions to pick up an easy pay check. I’m sure the cops will do their best to try and find you a good lawyer when they book you in.”

“Noah,” said Nat. “Step back in here and check your bag too. Make sure nothing is missing. Especially your phone. It’ll be best if you make the call to the police anyway.”

Noah doesn’t look hurt. He’s not walking stiff or anything. Recollecting it, it was him that was knocking Sean against the steel bulkhead and the corner of the bunk racks. Had Sean’s hands trapped in kind of bear hug. I don’t think Sean actually go to hit Noah with any force. He was trying to, and he would probably have been able to use his strength to break free from Noah given a bit more time, but we got here before that could happen. Or before Cole could pull himself together and re-join the scrap. Noah got off lucky.

“My stuff’s okay, Nat,” said Noah, sliding his bag back into the locker after quickly looking through it and taking his phone out of the small end pocket.

“It did say on the instructions we got sent that everybody should bring a padlock to secure their locker,” ventured Jed, hesitantly. “And not bring anything valuable. And to leave stuff like laptops with their adult supervisors.”

Nat’s right on to that.

“That’ll sound good in court, trying to make out it’s our fault. That we shouldn’t have anything valuable and, if we do, it’s our fault if someone steals it. Blame the victim, huh? Maybe try and set it up as a prelude to a claim that Noah shouldn’t have told you to stop stealing. I like your thinking boys. A public defender might try and run with that… Okay, so it’s not much of a defence and the judge will laugh it out of court, but, you know, it’s a start. You haven’t got much else to run with.”

“Nat, you’ll know this better than I do. Pennsylvania is on the other side of the river, right? And New Jersey on this side, right?”

“That’s it, Boots.”

“But we’re on a ship. On water. Between the two places. So maybe the captain has jurisdiction here. Like we’re not actually in either Pennsylvania or New Jersey, so the captain has the power here. He could settle this. Make these two walk the plank or hang them from the mast or something like they used to do with pirates in the old days.”

“I like your thinking, Boots. Quick and easy, cheaper than trial.” Nat’s got this. He knows I’m only joking, but Sean and Cole don’t. “Slight flaw in your argument though, Boots. At least, I think there might be. It would depend on where the boundary is. If the state line stops at the shoreline on either side, then this would be Federal Territory. That could be worse for these two. They’d be tried for a federal offence and not under state law. End up in a real tough prison. Guantanamo Bay maybe. Still, we can get an answer to that right away. Noah, where’d your grandpop draw the line?”

Noah paused for a second, looking really serious. “Right down the middle of the river, Nat.”

“Ah, that’s kind of better for you guys.” Nat’s looking hard at Sean. “Sort of, anyway. It means we’re in New Jersey right now. Outside my pop’s jurisdiction. So, I can’t get him to have the courts go easy on you. Or grant a pardon. Not his state.”

“I don’t think they know, Nat,” said Noah. “We didn’t get a proper introduction last night. They were late onboard.”

Noah’s got this too.

“Gentlemen, I am so sorry,” said Nat theatrically. “I’m forgetting my manners. You’re from out of town, so you wouldn’t know me. Allow me to introduce myself. Nathan Bauer, at your service. Well actually, not. I can’t do anything for you this side of the river. My pop’s the deputy Governor over in Pennsylvania. Can’t help you here. We’ll just have to leave you to the local cops to deal with.”

“I‘ll probably sound hurt and frightened when I make the call, Nat,” said Noah, mischievously turning his phone over in his hand. “There are two of them, and both of them bigger and older and stronger than me.”

“Perverts, too, Noah, don’t forget that bit. Searching through our underwear.” That’s got Sean seething, but he’s resisted the urge to stand up and take a swing at me. He’s learning. Cole’s just looking scared now.  Jed’s not too happy. He’s worried how this is going to affect him. It shouldn’t, he’s probably a pretty decent guy, but he’s thinking he’s going to get tarred with the same brush.

“Jed,” said Nat, “What duties did you get for the rest of the morning? Helping cleaning the kitchens and washrooms, wasn’t it?”

“Ye, yes,” stuttered Jed, caught off guard by Nat’s sudden question and the change of tone in his voice.

“And you were coming back here with us to get Sean and Cole to help you, weren’t you? It doesn’t seem right to have Lukas doing all that work on his own.”

“Err, yes. That was before…”

“Yes, I got that,” said Nat, “Before this, err, unfortunate problem arose. Look, I can see you and Lukas are decent guys, you wouldn’t get to be Eagle Scouts otherwise, so I think we can keep you two out of it. Maybe you ought to go and join Lukas, leave us to sort this out when the police get here.”

Jed’s looking like the weight of the world has just been lifted from his shoulders.

“Still here, Jed?” asked Nat sharply when Jed didn’t immediately turn and leave.

“Well, I…”

Jed’s looking at me. Looking at Sean and Cole. Back to me.

“I think I ought to stay until the police arrive.”

Nat’s on that in a flash. He’s got this. I’ve not quite figured out yet where he’s going with it all but he’s definitely got a plan. He always does. He’s turning to look right at Sean and Cole. Drilling right through Sean with his wolf eyes. Frying him on the spot. Go, Sergeant-Major.

“That’s what you call a friend, Sean. A decent friend. He’s worried to leave you alone here with me and Boots. Especially Boots.” He left the point hanging in the air for a moment, like the Sword of Damocles hovering over them, then turned slowly to Noah.

“Noah, you genuinely sure you aren’t hurt too bad?”

Noah nodded. “I think I’m going to live, Nat.”

Nat looked to be deep in thought, then slowly turned to Jed.

“Jed, look, I think we can work something out. We were planning to go back ashore right about now, there’s stuff we have to do back over in Pennsylvania. Business stuff. I don’t want to see your friends thrown in jail. Give me some time. We can take Noah to a doctor, get him checked out properly, talk to his parents. Maybe if there’s nothing serious, I can get Noah and his folks not to press charges, or at least just go for a theft charge and drop the assault. That might keep them out of prison.

“We didn’t steal nothing!” said Sean sullenly, “I told ya, we were just tidying up.”

Nat’s on a roll. I think the Awkward Yawkers are walking right into whatever trap Nat’s setting for them.

“Look, Jed, it seems Sean and Cole here might actually be quite keen to contribute to the running of this liveaboard experience for the scouts. Maybe you can take them down to the ship’s office with you and speak to the staff there, explain how they’re going to help out with the remaining tidying up and any other tasks. There are bound to be plenty of tasks that need a grown up to handle. Stuff that will release the younger scouts to get on and earn their merit badges.”

Nat paused and let the idea begin to sink in before continuing.

“Whilst you are all busy this morning, we’ll take Noah back over to Pennsylvania and get him checked out. If he’s fine, maybe me and Boots here can ask him if he’s really sure Sean and Cole weren’t tidying up. It’d help clear up any confusion in his mind if the ship staff provided a note, maybe a few photos too, of how useful Sean and Cole were this morning.”

“That’s a good idea, Nat,” said Noah. “Some fresh air might help me see things straight.”

“How’d you all get here?” asked Nat, throwing them all completely off track.

Jed was the first to reply. “We all came down in my car. Took us hours to drive here through the traffic, all the way across New York State and then Delaware too.”

“I guessed as much,” smirked Nat. “So, this is what is going to happen. The three of you are going to go down to the office and you two will volunteer for some extra duties. Jed will make a note of what you do, take a few pictures for us. Plus, Jed’s going to hand over his car keys to me. Once you’ve finished all your tasks at lunchtime, Jed can pop over on the ferry and meet us on – Noah, what’s the name of the ship with the restaurant?”

“It’s the ‘Moshulu’, Nat.”

“We’ll met you on the Moshulu. If Jed vouches that you worked hard and redeemed yourselves, Noah might think again about pressing charges. Jed gets his keys back and you can all go home…”

Sean and Cole are looking at each other. Weighing up the options. Working to tidy up after a couple of hundred scouts doesn’t look an attractive option to them, but it’s better than the alternative. Even they can see that. There isn’t a flat refusal writ on their faces.

“How do we know you’ll keep your word?” muttered Cole.

“How do we know we’ll get the car keys back?” grumbled Sean.

“I trust them,” said Jed, fishing in his pocket for his keys. “They trusted us, didn’t lock their bags away. I’m prepared to trust them. They’re military cadets. We’re Eagle Scouts, remember? Trustworthy. Now, come on, let’s get down to the ship’s office before Nat changes his mind.”

* * *