The adventures of John Storm and the Elizabeth Swann. John Storm is an ocean adventurer and conservationist. The Elizabeth Swann is a fast solar powered boat. During a race around the world, news of the sinking of a pirate whaling ship reaches John Storm and his mate Dan Hook. They decide to abandon the race and try and save the whale.

(Original Book Chapter 20) – Empty Ocean - 20⁰  N, 160⁰ E  (north pacific)

WHALING CHASE <<<

Coverage of the ‘Pirate Sinking’ story was extraordinary, being featured as a headline article, or near the front pages of almost every newspaper and popular magazine. By contrast the 'World Zero Carbon Challenge,' which only a few days earlier had been the leading article, had been relegated to deep within the inside pages and was no longer a daily featured update for television.

“Steve!” Yelled Charley, as she burst into their hotel room. Steve was standing on the balcony, taking in the panoramic view.

“You realise we’ve already more than trebled our investment in the solar boat race?”

“Never mind that, take a look at these papers.”

Charley spread half a dozen top papers on the marble floor. Steve came inside to a carpet of newspapers.

“Blow me down,” he puffed, “impressive stuff.”

There were full front page pictures of Humpback Whales broaching, and a couple of illustrations of ‘Moby Dick’ style artists impressions.

“Do you realise what the first pictures of this whale will command? What's it's name?”

"They've dubbed her Kulo-Luna," said Charley.

"Interesting name. Why?"

Because, the pirate boat she sank went down by the light of a full moon - hence 'Luna,' and her deciphered whale name from the IWC monitoring of cetacean populations is Kulo."

"Good call," said Steve.

The reporters spent a good hour looking over the copy to judge the reception of the story and to decide how best to aim the coverage to come. The anticipation made their blood and minds race. Then they checked on the internet editions. Nothing much was showing. Yet. Good, thought Charley. Not quite the same as the smell of good old fashioned hard copy anyway. But, the days of print were virtually over as an effective communication medium. They all knew it and had to move with the times, or drown

Steve decided to call Sky for feedback.

“Afternoon Tom, we’ve just read your latest networked editorials – bloody good, but the pressure is on us now to find this poor animal before anyone else, if you want authentic pictures.”

“That’s what I’m counting on,” said Tom. “Listen, this was your idea, not mine. I just agreed to help. You realise we’ve syndicated the story as a high priority rescue, to just about every press agency?”

“Yes, much appreciated, in fact I’m treading on a sample right now.

“Well, let us know of any clues, the moment you get them. Sorry old chum must dash; bye for now.” The line went dead. Tom was a very busy man. He wasn’t being rude.

Steve paced the room for a few seconds, and then put the phone to his ear again. The connection took a few minutes, so Charley knew who he was calling – ship to shore. Steve was about to ignite a spark. John Storm could find a needle in a haystack with a rusty magnet. They just needed to get his interest..

“Hi, John …… how’s the race going? ………”

John was way ahead of Starlight, and Starlight was way ahead of the pack, both boats enjoying cruising toward the Equator in ideal conditions.

Dan looked at John, “Who’s that?”

John mouthed “It’s Steve.” Then continued his conversation.

“Hey Steve, good to hear from you. Do you want a position report?”

“Oh yah, of course.”

“Were about two thousand nautical miles from Oahu and a few hundred in the lead. It looks like Starlight is also quite a bit ahead of the rest. Dan says hi.”

“Oh, hi back to Dan. John, I was wondering if you’ve spotted anything out of the ordinary in your travels?”

“No, should I be looking out for anything?”

Steve knew the news had not yet reached them. “No, but stay alert just in case. Catch you later.”

“Okay, later. Out.”

That worried John. He knew there was more to it than that. Damn, he hated it when that sort of thing happened. Stay alert to what? He checked the radar - nothing. He tuned to the international distress frequency – nothing.

“Steve says hi.” Dan could tell John was not entirely happy with that call, but said nothing. ……. It was kind of quiet. Dan was expecting contact from the media at more or less regular intervals.

“Dan, keep a listen out for any news, will you.”

“Is that what that call was about?”

“No, not really, but yes maybe. I’m not sure. I’ve a feeling something is up – a hunch.”

John’s hunches had a habit of being right, so Dan switched on the news channels and kept the radio scanning emergency channels.

$BILLION DOLLAR WHALE >>>

GRAPHIC NOVEL

The graphic novel translation omits many of the above chapters entirely, and condenses others for a lively visual read.

This story is a modern Moby Dick, the twist being that there is a happy ending for everyone involved with the $Billion Dollar Whale, even the whalers. Herman Melville would have approved.

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