the lone sailor – part 9

he woke up from the surgery with a very sore face

they told him it would take three weeks to heal

during that time he listened to recordings about his new identity

his new name was Michael Fowler

once his face was healed he started an intense training program

there was a lot of physical training to build up his strength and stamina

he was amused by the hand to hand combat classes

desperately hoping he would never have to kill anybody

he was tested every day on his new identity

answering questions about his background, childhood and education

he was surprised how quickly he learned to embrace his new persona

he even liked the new shape of his nose and chin

his basic training was soon over

he moved onto training for his first mission

he was going to be a charter captain in the luxury island of St Barths

it was a playground for the very rich including the Russian mafia

he would mingle with the other charter boats

taking small groups on day charters around the island

eventually he would have some Russian passengers

whose conversations would be monitored by intelligence officers back in the US

he flew into St Martin on a regular commercial flight

then took a small plane onto St Barths

the small island runway requires a deep diving decent over the hillside

he was relived when the small plane landed without running into the sea

he was told he would be met by a second member of his crew

he heard somebody in the small crowd say hello Michael

a beautiful woman held out her hand my name is Melissa she said smiling

he knew he was going to enjoy this mission

she drove him in an open top jeep to a small villa on the side of a mountain

this is paradise he said looking at the stunning views

Melissa smiled and said remember we have to play the part of a married couple

she pulled him close and kissed him passionately

The Restless One

Chogan was a young Native American living on a reservation in California.

His tribe operated a casino which generated significant revenue but sadly most of the adults were alcoholics. Young tribal members suffered from depression and low self esteem and many drifted into alcohol and substance abuse. Chogan strongly resisted peer pressure to experiment with drugs or alcohol.  Having witnessed his father drink heavily and beat his mother, he desperately wanted to escape this abusive lifestyle.

When he reached the age of eighteen he took a DNA test and discovered he had origins with the Karipachi tribe in Arizona. They lived a traditional lifestyle and did not allow alcohol or gambling on their reservation. They performed traditional ceremonies and preserved their ancient language.   He felt drawn to the Karipachi tribe and decided to visit their reservation. 

Telling his parents he was going to visit a friend off the reservation for a few days, he set off to explore. He walked and took a few free rides over the next five days. Sleeping under the stars and drinking water from streams, he felt a strong sense of inner peace as the journey progressed.  Upon arrival at the Karipachi reservation he was surprised by the lack of development.  These people lived in simple dwellings and were close to nature.  

He wandered through a small village and saw a trail which led him to a hillside. He could hear music and insinctively followed the sound. Eventually he came across an elderly man playing a flute on an outcrop overlooking the reservation.  The man stopped playing and said welcome my son, we have been waiting for you.

How did you know I was coming? asked Chogan. I could hear you calling us on the wind and I felt your footsteps on the ground for the last five days.  This is your home now, come meet the rest of your new family. 

Chogan never returned to California and had no further contact with his parents. He was reborn and took a new name Ahoti – The Restless One.