The Atlantic Via Bathtub CH 15

'Well, good news and bad news,' said Pete, as he entered the kitchen next morning.1

The others were all up now, and breakfast was cooking.2

'Well, don't keep us in suspense, tell us the news,' said Charles impatiently.3

'The good news is: I've worked out roughly where Le Charlotte is. The bad news is: Because I we don't know where Le Charlotte is making port, I can only get a very rough area, of about 500 square kilometres. And that means it'll take a day, at least, to search the area, and by the time we have, they could be a whole new area. Unless... You remember the name of the port John, then I can narrow down their location to almost a pinpoint.'4

John's face dropped about a mile at the news. 'I have no idea where the ship is going, they didn't tell me.'5

'I see. Well, don't worry to much, I'm sure we'll find them,' said Pete, forcing a smile.6

'I think I have an idea...' said Charles slowly, 'What if... We flew straight to America, and went to all the ports along the east coast, and got them to look out for Le Charlotte, and John's parents.'7

Pete thought about it for a long minute, then, reluctant to admit that Charles had actually had a good idea, said, 'You know, that might actually work.'8

'It might?' Charles seemed rather surprised at the thought.9

'Yeah. If we can convince the ports to do so.'10

'Even if a few don't, zer aren't zat many major portz, zomeone could ztay at zee port and zee if zey arrive zer. Zer are five of uz, zo leave John in zee zeppelin with Ericzzon, zat meanz zree of uz can look over zree portz. And hopefully zee rezt will keep an eye out for uz.'11

'Mmm, true that. But all this is banking on us getting to the port before them,' said Pete doubtfully.12

'Not really, even if we get there second, do you think John's parents would go far from the port without leaving someway of contacting them if/when John did turn up?' asked Charles.13

'It'd be just like them to do that,' commented John.14

'I mean they're probably worried sick about him, so I doubt they'd go straight to their new home without leaving anyway for him to find them, or even going back and searching if they could,' said Charles, he was just saying most of that to cheer John up, he personally thought anyone who'd forget their only son was probably a pretty careless sort of person.15

'So basically staying up half the night trying to workout just where Le Charlotte is was a waste of time then?' said Pete, somewhat annoyed.16

'No. Iz not a wazte of time, if vee fly over zee area which you verked zeem out to be in, zen we might zee zem. Zat vould mean ve don't have to go to portz and look for zem.17

'Right. I'll go tell Ericsson.' Pete turned to go, but paused. 'Oh, and I want some breakfast ready when I get back.'18

'Ya know, I don't think he appreciated my idea after he'd geared up for his,' commented Charles.19

'Zat vould hardly zurprize me,' said Baldwin, 'he zeemz rather proud of hiz ideaz, and doezn't like people coming up wiz new onez once he haz zpent all zat time on zem. Vich iz fair enough.'20

'He does seem to work so hard on his ideas, it's such a shame to burst his bubble,' said Charles, his face showing he thought exactly the opposite.21

Hours later.22

'Ok, we're nearing the start of where I worked out Le Charlotte might be,' said Pete.23

Pete and Charles were cramped in the cockpit with Ericsson, Pete was about to fire up the radio, and keep sending out a signal, which hopefully Le Charlotte would pick up. Charles was keeping an eye on the ocean, looking for some sign of a ship anywhere.24

John and Baldwin were in the assault room, keeping an eye on the ocean as well.25

Pete switched the radio on, and after a moment of changing settings, he lifted the mic to his mouth. 'Le Charlotte, come in Le Charlotte, this is Peter Hayward, do you read? Over.'26

Everyone waited with baited breath, would Le Charlotte pick up the signal.27

There was nothing.28

Peter tried again, 'Le Charlotte, come in Le Charlotte, this is Peter Hayward, do you read me? Over.'29

Still silence.30

They all knew it was a pretty slim chance that they'd get Le Charlotte, but hopes had still been built.31

'Well, I'll keep trying...' began Pete, but broke off.32

The radio crackled, and a faint voice came through the speakers, 'This is Le Charlotte. We read you, just, the signal is very faint. Over.'33

Peter smiled to himself and lifted the mic up. 'We got you, at last, I wish to speak to your captain, Doupree, at once. Over'34

'Please state your name an business.'35

Pete frowned, stupid radio operators, always get stuck on the minor things well people are dying. 'Name: Peter C. Hayward. Business: With Doupree. Over,' he replied somewhat curtly.36

A different voice came faintly over the radio, 'No need to get touchy Pete, they are only doing their job. Over'37

'Doupree? Is that you? Thank goodness, I need to know what port you are going to. Over.'38

'Port? Over.' Doupree's voice was getting fainter.39

'Yes port! Tell me quickly, before the signal goes. Over,' snapped Pete, afraid that after all this they were going to lose the signal.40

'New Yor–' Doupree's voice faded into fuzz.41

'We lost them. But not to worry! We now know the port, which means I can work out almost exactly where they are,' said Pete happily.42

John stuck his head through the door, his face pensive. 'Did you get them? I heard some of it...'43

'Yes, we did get in touch, briefly, but long enough to find out which port, and that means I can work out almost exactly where they are.' Pete smiled cheerfully at him. 'Don't worry lad, we'll have you home soon.44

A look of pure relief swept over John's face. 'Oh thank goodness.'45

'I think this calls for a celebration,' Charles said. He stood up, and walked swiftly to the kitchen.46

'Oh goodness, what's he up to now?' moaned Pete, as he pulled out the charts, and set about re-plotting the location of Le Charlotte.47

Soon he was done. 'Ah-hah! I have it. Ericsson, take us here.' He handed the charts over and jabbed a spot on them.48

'Will do. It'll take us about an hour to get there,' Ericsson replied.49

Charles returned carrying a bottle.50

'Brandy?' exclaimed Pete. 'Where the heck did you find brandy?'51

Charles grinned broadly, 'In the cupboard, with everything else.'52

'And just when were you planing on telling us?' Pete asked.53

'Oh, when the occasion arouse for celebration,' Charles replied. 'Like now.'54

Pete grunted. 'Did you get glasses?'55

Frowning, Charles asked, 'Glasses? What for?'56

'Drinking out of of course,' snapped Pete.57

'That's what the bottle's for.'58

'Glasses...' growled Pete.59

'Fine, glasses then!' pouted Charles, he put the bottle down, and then on a second thought, picked it back up, and walked back to the kitchen for glasses.60

'Viy are you zo hard on him?' asked Baldwin.61

' 'Cause he stole my ship from me once,' growled Pete.62

'You don't like him becauze he stole Bootle?'63

'No. He, in a way, gave me Bootle, he stole my other ship, then crashed it.64

Baldwin frowned, but couldn't be bothered asking what he meant.65

Charles arrived back with the brandy, and glasses. 'Happy now?' he asked Pete sullenly.66

'Yes, yes I am,' declared Pete.67

'Good! You get the honour of having last glass.'68

Pete rolled his eyes,69

Charles unscrewed the cap of the brandy, and took a sniff. 'Mmm, a nice bottle. Sir Eric certainly has a taste for fine drink.'70

'Heh, zat vaz Hexter's private zupply actually.'71

'Oh. Well... Hexter had great taste in drink then, shame he died, we could have compared notes on best drinks,' said Charles somewhat mournfully as he poured a glass, and took a sip. He swished it round his mouth a bit, letting the flavours soak in, he swallowed. 'Oh, this is beautiful,' he said blissfully. 'You know how long it's been since I've had a nice brandy?' he asked.72

'No, don't really care either, just pour the stuff,' grumbled Pete.73

Charles ignored him. 'About two years I reckon. It is good to be in luxury again. He poured a splash into another glass, and handed it to John. 'Here,this'll put hairs on your chest kid. Just drink it slowly.'74

John took the glass, well Charles poured the others. He took a sip, it burnt, quickly he swallowed, and instantly regretted it. He coughed violently.75

'Bit strong for you eh?' asked Pete with a smile.76

'It burns!' he gasped between coughs.77

'Heh, sure does, makes you feel warm and toasty inside,' said Charles, grinning at him.78

John's coughing fit slowly subsided. 'Oh boy...'79

'Ever had brandy before?' asked Charles.80

'No. I've had a bit of wine, but never brandy,' said John, he took another sip. And broke into another coughing fit.81

The others sipped their brandy and watched him in amusement.82

Once he'd finished coughing again, he asked, 'How can you people drink this stuff? It burns like crazy!'83

'Practice kid,' said Charles.84

'Lots and lots of practice in his case.' Grinned Pete.85

'Shut up.'86

'Lad, you should have seen the first time he had brandy.' Pete laughed loudly at the memory. 'Oh, that was a funny sight.'87

'Like I said, shut up,' growled Charles.88

Pete grinned at him. 'Never thought I'd see you embarrassed about anything.'89

'Everyone's entitled to be embarrassed about somethin',' muttered Charles.90

'Yez, I agree,' said Baldwin.91

'Really?' Charles seemed surprised that someone had agreed. 'So what are you embarrassed about then?'92

Baldwin laughed loudly. 'Az if I'd tell you.' 93

'Well, you never know, it might have worked,' Charles said, as he took another swig of his brandy.94

John had another go at the brandy. This time, he didn't choke, or even start coughing. He just fell, like a log.95

'Heh, well, someone can't take his liquor,' commented Charles.96

'Better take him to his bunk,' Pete said, as he put his glass down, and lifted John up, and carried him to the sleeping quarters.