Free Doomsday Warrior 13 - American Paradise by Ryder Stacy Page A

and went off with his bride to the wedding hut.
    The next day the Americans began outfitting the huge dragon boat for the journey. The native ship was a replacement for the Muscle Beach which would stay at the island undergoing repairs. The Dragon was twice its size, and despite its fierce ornate bowsprit, Murf pronounced it a “marvelous vessel.”
    Rockson had to admit that Leilani had logic on her side when she insisted that she come along in the search for the crystal. As a result, Leilani was the only woman aboard.
    She would use her psychic gift, her link with the crystal she called Gnaa, to help guide the expedition to the right location.
    Rockson tried not to appear glum, but inwardly he believed the whole venture was likely to fail. Even if they found Killov, it was twenty-five lightly armed men—and one woman—versus a reported five hundred well-armed KGBers.
    The Dragon rode next to the heavily-laden Surf City in the bay. At noontide the ships put up their sails. Rockson leaned down over the side of the Dragon and shook Umauu’s hand as the chief stood at the raised bow of his canoe.
    “We go mess up Killalowee, you betcha, Chief.”
    The chief let out a war cry in response. It nearly blew out Rock’s eardrum, but he smiled a thanks.
    Hohannah had to be forcibly pried from Archer!
    The Americans, plus eighteen sturdy native men set sail. Other Islanders, banging on drums and shouting, accompanied them for miles in their outriggers before turning back.
    “How does it feel to be a married man, Archer?” Rock asked as Archer sat on deck looking dazedly at the horizon.
    All he got in response was a low growl.
    “Easy pal, easy!” Rockson tempered Archer. “It ain’t so bad. You like Hohannah anyway—right?”
    Archer nodded glumly.
    “Sorry for the forced marriage, old pal,” Rock said, messing the giant’s hair, “but you were the key to getting the Dragon, supplies and men. Your bravery made this voyage possible. If we succeed in stopping Killov, it will be you we have to thank.”

Ten
    R ockson laid next to Leilani on deck that night, listening to the rigging creak, watching the stars. God, how he wanted to make love with her—he couldn’t sleep. He tried to hold her once, but she pushed him away.
    Just before dawn, there was a persistent slapping sound near the boat, like giant oars. Yet Rockson saw nothing in the water when he got up to look over the side. He shook Leilani awake. “Do you hear that?”
    “Yes, of course—don’t worry,” she assured.
    “What is it?”
    “That’s just our friend Mirogoga—the sea turtle god. He will help us find our way.”
    “Can you—speak to him?”
    “In a way—like the Gnaa, he gives off feelings. But I don’t depend on Mirogoga alone to find way. The crystal calls, sometimes faint, sometimes strong. The course is still correct. The Gnaa tell me it stand still now, but far, far, away. I always show you way.”
    “I’ll keep us on exactly that course with the navigation devices—the sextant and charts and gyrocompass.”
    She laughed, “No silly. No outer-world ways are necessary. I know traditional ways. I navigate this way.” She touched her nose and looked at the sky. “At night I see three stars—Mira, Depa and Taani. They parade like fire-gods across the sky, always splash down in water at right hand of the moon-god. Of course, the always-stay-still star helps.”
    “The North Star, Polaris,” Rock said, “yes, it always stays still.”
    “But this is not all my people’s pointing-way,” she said proudly. “You see the waves? They are different colors whenever they change direction. The season is summer, so, a blue-green means they come from straight north. A foaming blue on the very top of wave means it is come-from-south wave. I see with the mind’s eye, not the head’s eyes!”
    “Yes,” he said, “the Glowers taught me that way.”
    “Who are they? They are wise men?”
    “It’s—a long story.”
    That first day