True Love Waits

Chapter 437 A Rescue To Remember

Kasie nervously tugged at Wesley's sleeve before he left for the rescue. "Colonel Li, please. Make sure they come back safe and sound. Please!" she begged, her voice shaking. Wesley broke free from her grip and assured her, "Don't worry. I will." And that was when Kasie realized she was being a bit foolish. She withdrew her hands, and looked down.

After the search and rescue team left, Blair sat on a bench, chin propped up in her hands as she watched the ship sail away. She prayed in her mind, 'Dear God, please bring all of them home safe..." Half an hour later, the rescue ship that Wesley was in began to slow a little when they were some miles from the coastline.

Wesley carefully observed the area through a set of binoculars, hoping to find an island or anything from Carlos and Debbie's yacht. He knew he could only see about 3 miles out due to the curvature of the earth, but the digital magnification and enhancement were what he was after. No sign of a yacht or his friends, but he did spot a killer whale leaping out and diving into the sea some distance away. It was common to see killer whales around here, so he paid it no mind. He continued to focus on searching for what he wanted.

Time passed quickly. Still, nothing-nothing but the endless sea that stretched to the horizon. Wesley listened to the reports from the rescue team in the helicopters. "One klick south by southeast, nothing. Over."

"Two klicks northeast, no sign. Over."

Still no good news. Wesley was beginning to think this might be a fool's errand.

Wesley continued to look into the distance through the binoculars. The killer whale came into view again, but this time, it was much closer to the boat. 'I hope that big guy's careful. He doesn't need to get caught by our propeller.'

When he was about to shift his gaze away from the whale, something on its mouth caught his eye. 'Is it hurt, or is that just some fish?' He zoomed in for a closer look, but it dove again before he could figure ou what that was. When the thing surfaced again, he got another chance.

Wesley quickly directed the lens towards the killer whale again. It swam closer and closer to them. He got a better look. It was dark blue, and seemed as if it were a torn piece of cloth. Wasting no time, he told the captain to bring the cutter alongside the killer whale.

When he was close enough to observe the orca without the help of the binoculars, he asked the captain to stop the ship. Magically, the killer whale instantly sprang up, breaking the surface of the water, and made sounds, like it was trying to communicate. It sounded like someone was letting air out of a balloon, deliberately making it squeak.

The whale leapt up, and Wesley was able to pull the piece of cloth from the whale's mouth. 'Did it eat someone? That doesn't sound right. They don't do that, usually, ' he thought. He examined the shred of clothing carefully. 'There! That tag! Mazu Resortwear Classic Swim Shorts! That's what Carlos wears!' he thought excitedly.

Next to Wesley, Niles also recognized the piece of cloth. He looked at the killer whale with excitement in his eyes. "Are they alive, though? He keeps swimming in one direction, and then wheeling back to us!" After another squeal, the killer whale dove into the sea and swam towards the northwest.

Wesley radioed the rescue team in the helicopters, telling them to fly northwest.

Carlos washed his hands and passed the recently shelled lobster to Debbie. "Sorry there's no

never mind." Debbie grabbed the slice of lobster and took a bite. 'It's not bad.

some off and lifted it to his lips. "Take a bite.

shook his head. "I'll

don't

when we get back, we can..." Carlos stopped mid-sentence. After a little pause, he corrected, "If you like it, eat as much as you want. It's cheaper if we catch it

while

looked her in the eye. He grinned.

the slice of lobster flesh in front of his lips again, this

she looked content. She was really a

to get her back home,' he

the lobster, they heard a loud sound

vigorously. "Over here! Hey!" she shouted to the helicopters in English. The lead one dropped lower. She could see it was one of the S-76Ds that this country had gotten from their contract with Sikorsky. ZL Group oversaw

food debris off his hands. Looking into the distance, he grinned and

asked in doubt, "Didn't you say that it would be better to speak English

in

the big guy? Look, Carlos! It

We're safe." He said it somewhat wistfully. While they hadn't had the easiest time of it, there was the fact that he didn't have to sit in the office all day, working his fingers to the bone. When he was exhausted on the

prevent running aground, they lowered a motorized inflatable life raft into the water, and Wesley and Niles zoomed over. When they got to shore, Niles ran up to them, leaving his brother to haul the raft onto the beach. He rushed up to Carlos and Debbie. He arched an eyebrow as he took in the bonfire behind them. "Here we were, worried about you,

fist bump and a hug. "Thanks, man!" That was all he said. But

up to her chest, but she didn't mind. She bent over, kissed it and said sincerely, "Thank you so much, big guy! You saved us." The killer whale let out a cheerful sound and rubbed against her body, just

raft. When they were finally safely aboard, Carlos pulled off Niles' shirt and put

but Carlos shot him a

a safe distance from the ship, but close enough to be seen. Seeing its dorsal fin cutting through the