Circumnavigation (99+48) Echos of War

[C James]

A very interesting chapter.

 

I was hoping Bridgette wouldn't figure out where they were. Even though she has an idea it was enough to spook anyone. Trevor definitely needs to get out fast before anything can happen. He's probably going to wonder why he hasn't heard from his uncle, hopefully he will remember to insert the battery.

 

Great Chapter Mark!!!

 

Potatoes Away!!!

 

Bridget got lucky this time... the background voices let her figure it out. And now Xavier is on his way.

 

The Spud is mightier than the sword?????

 

Oh, it may be.

 

Trevor is a bit of a scatter brain, I think. I guess the potatoes are to see if there's actually anyone on duty on the patrol boat. I'm not sure what would be gained in alerting the crew.

 

Trevor did goof in forgetting the battery was out of the phone, but... under the circumstances, leaving it out is a good idea anyway.  

 

I find myself loving this story more with every chapter posted. I know we were told to expect only a few more chapters, and I can't wait to read them, but I am also completely not ready for it To End!! AARGHHH!!!

 

I'm going to miss it too.

 

Quite a chapter. Can't wait for the next one , seems to be getting a little heated hope Trev and Shane make it out of there safe and sound. Great Chapter. Jim

 

They do have a few minor conundrums at the moment, don't they? Don't worry though... in a week or two, we'll look back at this nice, relaxing chapter and smile.

 

Potato salad sounds better than the Argentinian beet salad I had once.

Another Great Chapter! 

The Google map links and photos are deceiving though. 

They don't show the true height  of the "cliffs" surrounding Ushuaia, Argentina. 

Hmmm.

 

Did you ever try the pickled beef that's common in Argentina? I did while I was there, not to my tastes at all. The flame-cooked beef though... wow, that was awesome! I loved the emanadas too. 

 

As for cliffs... well, as we all know, there can't be any in Circumnavigation.

 

 

I guess I am gonna be the wet blanket once again but I found this chapter to be pretty much a total waste. Yes I said a waste. CJ had an opportunity to give us an exciting chapter instead he gives a boring history lesson. I said it before and I will say it again you have gone way overboard on the details that do nothing to enhance the story but only serve as mundane filler when you dont seem to have any idea where you are going with the story and only offer a few little teases as to where things might be heading. I am seriously doubting that you will end this ??????? in the next two or three chapters as you had said. I am sure you are asking yourself if I am so dissatisfied why am I still reading, I am asking myself the same thing. I guess when you have invested several years of reading you hate to just stop without some sort of closure. At least that is what I keep telling myself but to be honest I am at the point where I am not sure I want to continue. I have read most if not all of CJ's stories and have found them to be interesting and exciting but this one is by far the longest and seems to be falling flat for me in comparrison. So there you have my thoughts and feed back CJ, you asked for it you got it. I will let those who worship at your feet heap thier praise upon your ramblings and I will go off and sit in my corner as a minority of one and contemplate what a good story this could have been.

 

The history lesson was less than a third of the chapter. Some people liked it, some didn't. Why not do what I do as a reader? I happen to dislike sex scenes in stories, so when reading I skip them.

 

I received these sort of complaints during Let the Music Play too, due to going into detail on the inner workings of a nuclear warhead. However, many more liked that I included it. I did it there for the same reason I did it here; the plot called for it. Without the historical background, some coming events make no sense. They only work because of the history. 

 

I've said, many times, that the story ends in August 2007, story time. It's currently June 2007, and the sea passages (long runs at sea) tend to be covered in a few paragraphs. I do know where this is going and how it ends, I always have, and yes, it's ending. I drafted the final two chapters and epilogue three years ago. Has it taken a hell of a lot longer to get here than I thought? Absolutely yes. no arguments there. Is it too long? Yes. 

 

However, in spite of the speculation you raised in this post and your one other post, no, I'm not going to do a "book2" or any sort of sequel or ongoing version of this story. This story is ending. 

 

And yes, I did ask for feedback, good or bad, so I thank you for weighing in.

[C James]

.....After spudding the gunship, is Trevor planning to board her and perhaps disabling the engines?   That is almost a bigger risk then rounding the cape.  One thing is for sure they have to get out of there tonight and head for Chile. Bridget having contacts with the customs  people in Argentina, they might send out more then one boat for Trevor after their gunship fails. It would be fitting that Trevor's action results in an International incident between Chile and Argentina!     Then they will be in the papers again!!   That will be great publicity for the book! I'll take a stab at next weeks title The Chase

 

Great chapter CJ!

 

One problem; though the Chilieans would not take kindly to an Argentine incursion, they might also not take kindly to Atlantis charging into their waters. Just getting to Chilean waters might not be a good haven.

 

We are all getting a bit testy waiting for the safe return of Trevor and Shane, and for the slow, painful demise of Bridget. 

 

Speaking of Bridget, early on in this chapter she described herself, "I freely admit to being no angel, though I am to a large degree utterly misunderstood, as well as being wrongly accused of some things. So you see, I am very much a victim of awkward circumstance." 

 

Those words just jumped out at me!  Was this Bridget speaking or was it CJ speaking of himself?  Can't you hear CJ say, "I freely admit to being no angel, though I am to a large degree utterly misunderstood, as well as being wrongly accused of some things."  Such as accussed of cliffhanging and the liberal adjustment of the calendar.  So the truth has finally emerged in the author's subconscious.  Aha!

 

Thanks for getting us all around the world and back to the Americas.

 

Oh come on now; when have I ever claimed to not be an angel?

 

As for Bridget, there can be no argument; we've seen her, time and again, do the very things she's claiming she didn't.

 

As for me, we all know I'd never, ever use cliffhangers. I'm not just misunderstood by some in that, I'm downright persecuted and libeled!

 

Being from a potato growing state, I fear I must denounce the author for abusing potatoes...    Okay, enough of that!  What is Trevor up to now?  He's pretty smart, but I ain't, so I can't really figger dis out...    Whatever is going on I hope they give the Argentine Customs a black eye and maybe point out some of their (Argentina's) graft.  CJ, make Trevor remember to put the battery back in the phone!  

Another great chapter, CJ...even if it does feel a little bit like a hanger of the cliffy type...

 

Argentine graft: I was struck by how widespread it is. On my trips there, I frequently ran into many attempted scams and rip-offs. To name just one, the counting scam. Say you owe a cab driver 50, and you hand him two twenties and a ten. He then skillfully palms one of the twenties, replaces it with a one, and tells you you miscounted. I had the majority of the cab drivers I encountered try that on me, plus even a hotel manager at a large resort.

 

I found the majority of people to be honest and friendly (And for example, there's almost no crime in the far south, through it's endemic in the north), but a sizable minority were corrupt as hell. I've never encountered such a high rate of scams and attempted rip-offs anywhere else. The contrast between Chile and Argentina in this regard was drastic.

 

 

I LOVE this story. Bridget will get and I'm happy about that. You are throwing me a bit with the potatoes.

 

Maybe they just want to make potato salad?

 

 

Sorry about that TR.  It's a wonder I beat you to it; I had several interruptions and thought I would never get that posted.  The history bit is essential.

 

 

Chile?  I've been thinking they are going to the Falklands.  Wasn't the Falklands capital, Port Stanley, mentioned earlier?

 

 

Yep. The airport code was in the story, and I think it was explicitly named as well. That's where Fowler sent the encryption gadgets.

 

I've been thinking Falklands too but there is an interesting spot in Chile not far from where the boys are... "Cabo des Homos"   Um... not sure what the exact translation is....

 

That's a typo; it looks that way though, so sometimes it gets typed that way. It's Cabo des hornos. (the r and the n kind of look like an m). That's Cape Horn.

 

Uum isn't Chile in the wrong direction? I am afraid at the rate we are progressing the end will be that one of these growlers is going to fall on Atlantis and the story will end.... I miss the sailing adventures and fear we will not get to see much more of that due to the time restraints. Ah I fear that I am just trying to come to grips with not having this story appear(more or less)every tuesday for all this time. Without these regular cliffhangers perhaps I will need to take up paragliding. Pax Steve S/V Gandalf

 

Now now, there are no cliffhangers.

And from Ushuaia, Chile is west, northwest, southwest, south, and southeast.  

As far as we know, the history included in the chapter is not actually relevant – we could simply have been told that Argentine immigration and customs procedures are open to corruption. However, it may be that we’re about to find out that getting into Chilean water is (or is not) a safe place for Atlantis.

 

It seems to me, though, that sabotaging an Argentine warship is a lot further up the “likelihood to piss off the authorities” scale than not completing the customs forms completely. More than likely, I’d have thought, it would be sufficient to provoke the Argentine navy to violate the border – as we know they’ve done in the past.

 

You could say that quite a lot of the “travelogue” scenes aren’t necessary either but I, for one, have thoroughly enjoyed them. I’ve been following them around on Google maps and vicariously enjoying their various stops.

 

I can’t think of any purpose to the potato-throwing other than to establish whether the patrol boat is manned or not but what the boys do with that information is still a mystery. I’d have thought their safest option if she’s unmanned is to slip away quietly and get over into Chilean waters ASAP and thence out to the open Atlantic. It’s debatable whether the Argentine authorities would bother chasing after a single yacht.

 

Chasing after a single yacht that left port illegally, and plus they have orders from on high to stop her.

 

How far would they go? This is the same Argentina that responded to a fishing boat fishing just inside what they claim is their exclusive economic zone by opening fire and sinking her, killing two aboard the Taiwanese ship. And that's just one incident.

 

So, nothing to worry about for Trevor and Shane.

[C James]

Ack, forgot to post the coming chapter title.

 

It's The End of the World and False Hopes

 

I hope that doesn't sound ominous, so just in case, in order to reassure everyone, I'll post the name of the following chapter too: Countdown to Doomsday

[Low Flyer]

Ack, forgot to post the coming chapter title.

 

It's The End of the World and False Hopes

 

It's called False Hopes and The End of the World in the version you sent me...

[MikeL]

It's called False Hopes and The End of the World in the version you sent me...

 

LOL.  Same here.  Poor goat. 

[C James]

Oops.

 

It's False Hopes and The End of the World

[jacksf]

I just knew it. Knew that Bridget would figure they weren't in the Panama canal. And now all this intrigue with the Argentinians. And the Falklands. And the potatoes.... that threw me for a loop. I wonder what he read online that gave him that idea. Should I search potatoes and Argentina? Was it truly to find out if the boat was actually occupied? The mysteries continue. I hope they can get out of there..... the next chapter should be exciting!

[Benji]

............ I have two guess's here, one Trevor is seeing if anyone is on board the gunship and maybe boarding it to sabatage the engines. Another is if he feels that no one is there then to set sail away as quickly as he can and call Fowler for help. That would put him on course to the Falkland Island, Chile would be a quicker escape, but still being a Cartel held area it would be to dangerous to go there. The title of the next chapter False Hopes and The End of the World seems to indicate that Bridget will fail in the false hopes part, not sure about the end of the world part unless it points to the demise of the persuing antagonists after Trevor and Shane. Then it is a guess that Trevor would do the former then the latter because unless he can get backing by th British in time he would have to fire upon the gunship, creating a big problem. The latter leaves a chase scene where he has no choice, I think this parodox can be solved with a phone call and get the British going towards Trevor's position before the gunboat catches up, I don't think Bridget's people could catch up in time and that venture will come later.

[wildone]

A couple of things came to mind whilst reading this chapter and then brought up in this chapters discussion:

 

I am of the belief that they will make it to either the Falklands or Chile. Probably the former. Being a British Territory with a 200 mile nautical limit, if for any reason Bridget where to enter the waters she would be subject to arrest and deportation to the US. How Trevor and Shane can keep Xavier and his goons away long enough to piss Bridget off and draw her down there and be part of a mission is beyond me. BTW, the US does have a extradition treaty with Chile dating back to enforcement in 1902.

 

As far as the potatoes, I remember them buying a bag of them. Much more than a couple that were tossed to get the awareness of anyone on board or nearby. I think back to when Trevor disabled the pirates boat by putting sugar in their engines. I think the potatoes could do the same. I searched it and found a 1969 documentary on British Railroaders called 'Engines Must Not Enter the Potato Siding', which was because the potato siding was above ground and had a wooden floor. Then there were many comments about bio fuel, but nothing about disabling an engine with uncooked potatoes. I wouldn't put it past the goat though.

 

So based on these, I'm thinking that Trevor and Shane disable the gun boat with potatoes. Then they make a beeline for the Falkland Islands which is just across the Argentine Sea. Looking at the South side of the Beagle Channel there appears to be no real population to help the guys out. The North Shore and the Argentinian Coast line looks equally isolate with the nearest city to Ushuaia being Rio Grande. Not sure who would win a boat race to the Falklands though.

 

Lastly, Bridget's 'Im just misunderstood' line is a common one for CJ. It first appeared in For the Love with the unsung hero Eric being misunderstood. Followed by what's his name ( ) in Let the Music Play and Changing Lanes. CJ has said it many times about himself too.

 

Looking forward to Tuesday

[Low Flyer]

So based on these, I'm thinking that Trevor and Shane disable the gun boat with potatoes. Then they make a beeline for the Falkland Islands which is just across the Argentine Sea. Looking at the South side of the Beagle Channel there appears to be no real population to help the guys out. The North Shore and the Argentinian Coast line looks equally isolate with the nearest city to Ushuaia being Rio Grande. Not sure who would win a boat race to the Falklands though.

 

If they've disabled an Argentine Coastguard boat, I should imagine that the Argentine government would throw anything necessary at them, including aircraft so the outcome of the race would be a foregone conclusion.

 

Given the history between the two countries, I'm not at all sure that getting into Chilean waters would be any protection and, in any case, there's at least 200nm of Argentine sea on the direct path to the Falklands. That's at least 12 hours at maximum speed and they'd have to be awfully lucky for the sabotage not to be discovered before then.

 

I do like the idea of them luring Bridget to British territory where she might be arrested. Even if it was just Xavier and his goons, it would be something. I don't suppose what police they have in the Falklands, though, are actually armed so I don't envy them the job of making the arrests...

[Benji]

If they've disabled an Argentine Coastguard boat, I should imagine that the Argentine government would throw anything necessary at them, including aircraft so the outcome of the race would be a foregone conclusion.

 

Given the history between the two countries, I'm not at all sure that getting into Chilean waters would be any protection and, in any case, there's at least 200nm of Argentine sea on the direct path to the Falklands. That's at least 12 hours at maximum speed and they'd have to be awfully lucky for the sabotage not to be discovered before then.

 

I do like the idea of them luring Bridget to British territory where she might be arrested. Even if it was just Xavier and his goons, it would be something. I don't suppose what police they have in the Falklands, though, are actually armed so I don't envy them the job of making the arrests...

 

 

.............. But what if the engines don't seize up until 6-8 hours later after leaving in pursuit? Trevor and Shane may have a ten hour start and The British will meet them just outside of the claimed territory, or will they go in if they see Trevor's boat getting attacked?

 

As much as I like the idea of Bridget and her goons getting arrested in British waters it is not likely going to happen.  I think the scenerio would be after Trevor and Shane leave British waters, maybe they will get a sheilded escort part of the way.

[wildone]

I believe that after the Falkland's War, and the recent sabre rattling from Argentina to repatriate the islands, the British have a much larger force stationed on the islands. Checking the Wiki article on the Falkland's Military I see this:

 

Part time resident based Falkland Islands Defence Force.

Royal Navy has a port at Royal Air Force Mount Pleasant. Has a frigate, a RFA vessel and a patrol boat permanently assigned to the area.

Royal Navy can deploy, and has, nuclear class submarines to the area.

British Army has a 1200 personnel at the garrison on the Islands.

Rapier Missile Stations and other anti air equipment deployed on the Islands.

Royal Air Force has four Typhoon fighters and services the islands with TriStars.

One Vickers VC10 and one Hercules C3. VC 10 for refueling, Herc for air drops and air patrols of the island.

Two Sea King HAR3's.

 

It sounds like the Brits have enough to put up a bit more than a little defence of the islands and their 200 mile limit. Not sure what the difference between 200 nm and 200 miles

[Red_A]

One nautidal mile  n.m. is one minute of arc at the earth surface which is roughly 6080 feet, one mile (land statute, us) is 5280 feet 15% different

[TalonRider]

Just to correct one thing that the Wildone said. It wasn't sugar that Trev put in the pirates engines, it was valve grinding powder.

[Benji]

Just to correct one thing that the Wildone said. It wasn't sugar that Trev put in the pirates engines, it was valve grinding powder.

 

 

...............But sugar would do the same thing wouldn't it?

[MikeL]

 I think back to when Trevor disabled the pirates boat by putting sugar in their engines

 

 

Just to correct one thing that the Wildone said. It wasn't sugar that Trev put in the pirates engines, it was valve grinding powder.

 

 

...............But sugar would do the same thing wouldn't it?

 

Sugar would not do much damage to an engine or transmission, but put sugar in the gas tank?  Look out!  It's why ethanol should never be added to gasoline.

[C James]

Sugar would not do much damage to an engine or transmission, but put sugar in the gas tank?  Look out!  It's why ethanol should never be added to gasoline.

 

Ethanol is murder on engines not designed for it, and it can be trouble for ones that are designed for it, even at the 10% concentration normal at the pump these days. Aside from reducing vehicle's miles per gallon (it has a lower energy density than gasoline) it can play havoc with seals, and it also often introduces water into the fuel: Water and gasoline don't mix, but water and ethanol do, even when the ethanol is mixed with gasoline. This includes absorbing moisture out of the air. 

 

Sugar, if introduced to the engine oil, wound not be a good thing.

[Low Flyer]

Ethanol is murder on engines not designed for it, and it can be trouble for ones that are designed for it, even at the 10% concentration normal at the pump these days. Aside from reducing vehicle's miles per gallon (it has a lower energy density than gasoline) it can play havoc with seals, and it also often introduces water into the fuel: Water and gasoline don't mix, but water and ethanol do, even when the ethanol is mixed with gasoline. This includes absorbing moisture out of the air. 

 

Sugar, if introduced to the engine oil, wound not be a good thing.

 

There's an episode of Mythbusters where they poured loads of sugar into the petrol tank of a car. It made no difference whatsoever to the engine - it ran smoothly throughout.

[C James]

There's an episode of Mythbusters where they poured loads of sugar into the petrol tank of a car. It made no difference whatsoever to the engine - it ran smoothly throughout.

 

Interesting!

 

I'm willing to bet that was a fuel-injected car. If was a carburator, I think a significant amount of sugar would have built up in it over time, leading to the engine conking out. Or, maybe they used pure gasoline to add the sugar to. Sugar in that case will clog a fuel filter, because it does not dissolve in gasoline. It does, however, dissolve in ethanol.

 

Sugar in the engine oil though, would cause issues with lubrication as well as clogging the filter up. Not a fast kill, but more of a slow problem. Water in the oil is bad too; the sludge it makes clogs the filter, plus causes other trouble. 

 

Even Trevor's grit in the engine oil took hours to cause failure. Engines aren't as easy to kill fast as most people think.