Mail Boat

Franklin Nathaniel Bean pulled his truck into the parking area of the public marina , in the town of North Bay Maine . He parked his 1965 Chevy pickup in the farthest parking spot from the pier that was available .

He set the parking brake , turned the drive switch to disconnect and got out of the vehicle . He unplugged the battery cable from the drive system and plugged it into the solar array that covered the bed of the truck which resembled a bed cover , It would typically fully charge the batteries in a few hours on a sunny day .

He walked to the back of his truck which he had converted himself to electric power , He opened the tail gate and pulled out a small three wheeled buggy and unfolded it , opening up the canvas cargo area that he then loaded with three tubs of mail , one of letters , one of parcels , and one of various magazines and catalogs . H grabbed a small back pack as well which he slung over his shoulder .

He made his way across the parking lot to the pier . several fishermen whom he knew by sight , waved and greeted him , he waved and greeted them back , and walked out to slip 29 where the mail boat sat waiting for him . He transferred the three tubs to a waterproof cabinet aboard the boat and then chained and locked the buggy to a metal ring on a post at the end of the slip , and covered it with a fitted tarp .

Frank entered a small enclosed cockpit that was the pilot area , set his pack down at the front of the cabin and pulled his keys from his pocket , found the one that went to the boat and inserted it into the ignition switch , he turned it to the right , the dash board of the mail boat came to life , Frank checked the dials and readouts , The batteries were fully charged , and the backup generator had a full tank of fuel , He fired up the radar , and then did a quick radio check , " MB 444 , requesting a radio check " .

" MB 444 , this is marine patrol , confirm radio check "

Most days he would have been ready to head out on his route at this point but today he would be taking a passenger , A trainee in fact .

Frank glanced at his watch , It was seven forty eight AM . He silently hoped that the trainee would be there on time , but at the same time he doubted it , they rarely were .

" Are you Frank ... Frank bean ? " came a voice from the pier . A distinctly female voice .

" I 'm Martie Miles , I'm supposed to meet you here for training on a water route ."

" I'm Frank " , he replied .

" Permission to come aboard ? she said .

" permission granted " , he replied .

She stepped deftly over the side of the mail boat and onto the deck , then strode into the cabin , she set her gym bag up near the front bulkhead and unslung her knap sack from her shoulder , which she set down next to her bag .

He extended his hand which she shook briefly .

" I'm , Frank " he said

" I know " she said with a grin , " Frank N Beans "

"It is actually , Frank N. Bean , no s "

" I know , I like Frank N. Beans better though " .

" Most people do "

" I'm M and M's to my friends "

They shared a brief look and laughed .

" M and M's it is then ."

" So let's get started "

" Let's " , she replied

He went through the use of the radio , which she already knew .

He went through the boats controls , throttle control , forward and reverse toggle , and radar .

" My dad was a lobster fisherman , I know boats "

" Okay then , Lets get underway "

" Get the aft line , and I'll get the fore "

" Aye "

They untied from the pier and Frank eased the throttle to one fifth , and they got under way .

Marty was surprised that there was no thrumming of a marine diesel , just a subtle whine of the electric drive .

They cleared the pier and and Frank edged it up to a quarter throttle .

Marty was impressed , they were doing a good fifteen knots and there was almost no engine noise . Just a steady hum that reminded her of a fan and the steady slapping of the waves against the hull .

Once out of the harbor and into open water Frank opened it up to just over two thirds throttle .

The craft easily planed out and glided over the calm morning waters with a quietness that Marty found amazing .

Frank pointed out the different buoys and markers in a voice that was nearly the same volume that one would use in a quiet room .

When they were forty minutes or so out . Marty went to the port gunnel , and leaned out to feel the wind in her face , she had always loved being out on the water and this job was a dream come true for her .

She looked to her left and toward the rear , and spotted a dark shape following them just below the surface .

It was about twenty feet off and just ahead of their wake , and it was huge , in fact it was a little longer than the boat .

And it was definitely following them .

It was the biggest shark that Marty had ever seen .

She looked back , she looked all around , there was no land in sight .

" Uh Frank , We have a big 'ol ' shark following us , A BIG SHARK "

Frank glanced back at the huge fish that was now just ten feet from the boat and cut the motor to a crawl .

" Don't worry , that is just Adolf Finn "

He said .

" that's not a dolphin ... that is the biggest shark that I have ever seen "

" No , not A dolphin , That is Adolf , Adolf Finn "

" He is our contact , or guide actually ."

Martie was a bit concerned about this development , was this guy even all there mentally , He seemed normal enough but what did she actually know about him . All she really knew about him was that he was a subcontractor for the Postal service . Not even an actual Postal employee technically .

Frank noticed her concern of course , " Don't worry it will all make sense when we make the rendezvous . " He assured her .

After a few more minutes the massive shark surged ahead of the boat and veered a little to the right . Frank adjusted their course to match and the shark , " Adolf Finn " fell back to his flanking position as before .

Martie glanced at the gauges , they were making just over 50 knots but the boat was very stable even at that speed . How long had it been since they left the harbor it must be nearly two hours now .

" It won't be long now . " said Frank . And almost on cue the shark shot out ahead again and began circling , Frank cut speed to just a few knots and then stopped altogether . right in the center of the circle that the shark was still swimming .

Frank flipped a switch near the top of the control panel .

" I just activated stabilizers , they are small water jets , two forward and three aft . They will keep us from drifting ." He added .

He reached into his pack and pulled out a single file folder .

" It says here that you were in the special forces ."

" Uh huh , What is that ? " She asked , already knowing the answer .

" This is your file of course , you don't think just anybody gets an interview for this job do you ? "

" Interview ? This is my interview ? out here ? "

" Well I consider this boat to be my office , so why not ? "

" Sure , why not "

" It says here that you served in central Africa as well as missions in Indonesia , and the middle East , several accommodations for outstanding service , and most importantly … you have Top secret security clearance ."

" I Don't see what any of … "

Frank held up his hand to stop her .

" From this point forward , any events that you witness , any individuals that you come into contact with , Including Adolf , are to be considered highly classified , " Frank paused for a moment to let it all sink in . " You do understand what I have just told you ? "

" Yessir , absolutely "

" Well then , you're hired , do you accept the job ?"

" Yes , I guess "

" Excellent "

Frank put his hand on the console and slid open a small panel revealing two buttons one red and one green , he pushed and held the green button for several seconds , released it and then shut the panel , It blended in so perfectly that Martie could not see it's edges .

A few moments later , the surface of the water around them began to swirl and recede as if it were draining away , which it fact it was , slowly what seemed to be an island of perhaps ten acres rose from beneath them and lifted them out of the water and onto the newly risen land .

" Welcome to Atlantis "

The sea water quickly ran off the edges of the island , and suddenly a square section of land immediately in front of them rose up on a metallic shaft which then opened revealing what could only be an elevator . And out stepped a tall figure with blueish skin , a long beard , and almond shaped eyes .

Frank grabbed his pack and stepped off the boat and onto a scaffold that was there alongside , and motioned for Martie to follow . Which she did .

They walked down a short ramp and met the odd man at its base .

" Martie Miles , let me introduce you to our contact . This is Nazz , Nazz This is Martie Miles , or M and M . She is my replacement .

The Individual called Nazz , bowed his head slightly and extended his hand in greeting , Which Martie shook with a sense of awe and excitement .

" An actual Alien ." she said

" No not an Alien ," said Frank " . An member of an ancient race that now lives below the sea ."

Two other Atlantians appeared and retrieved the tubs of mail and took Frank's pack for him .

" And now it is time for you to get back , " he pulled a small note pad from his jacket pocket , " Here are a few instructions regarding the boat and procedures . memorize it and destroy it . "

"Adolf will guide you back and meet you tomorrow , We can talk more then , Ill be staying here , the boat is now yours . Good luck Martie "

The next thing Martie knew she was back on the mail boat and the island sank back into the ocean and out of sight .

Adolf was there , and began to guide her back .

So many questions , but they would have to wait until tomorrow .