I believe, but am often wrong about most things, that one of the main goals in life is to be able to say that, even for a definitive time, you served a purpose; well I guess we did that. However, when the time comes when you no longer serve a purpose and after a lifetime of being with people who can only be described as ‘characters’ all sorts of problems arise – how the hell do you go from a huge life to living in the suburbs next to people who think a big adventure is going on a two week holiday. Being a Master Mariner and having command of ships is a stupendous life but it doesn’t exact you train you for living in a bland, rather mindless and sheep like society once that time is over.
It would have been easier if my old crew (and friends) was still around but alas, due to the nature of our work, a heavy toll was taken and there are only 2, out of 14, of us left. You see, we were not always exactly, to the strict letter of the law, the good guys. The organization known as ‘The Sea Eagles’ but better known as ‘The Mucky Ducks’ was founded for the purpose of protecting the maritime industry. This included battling marine piracy, insurance fraud, plus drug and arms smuggling, we were kept well hidden from public and official eyes, clients came to us via many methods, we asked no questions and took all work that was to the betterment of life for those that work at sea – in other words we were really not much more than mercenaries.
I guess history will decide if we wore white or black hats, perhaps they were simply grey. In any case the time is now past and others must take up the challenge. I will continue with my writing as a second book about the Ducks has been requested by my publisher, the trouble is I’m not sure if the incentive to write another is there, the first was a labour of love, a second would not have the same purpose.
Oh well, that’s the way of things, one day at a time.
Harry Drake
It would have been easier if my old crew (and friends) was still around but alas, due to the nature of our work, a heavy toll was taken and there are only 2, out of 14, of us left. You see, we were not always exactly, to the strict letter of the law, the good guys. The organization known as ‘The Sea Eagles’ but better known as ‘The Mucky Ducks’ was founded for the purpose of protecting the maritime industry. This included battling marine piracy, insurance fraud, plus drug and arms smuggling, we were kept well hidden from public and official eyes, clients came to us via many methods, we asked no questions and took all work that was to the betterment of life for those that work at sea – in other words we were really not much more than mercenaries.
I guess history will decide if we wore white or black hats, perhaps they were simply grey. In any case the time is now past and others must take up the challenge. I will continue with my writing as a second book about the Ducks has been requested by my publisher, the trouble is I’m not sure if the incentive to write another is there, the first was a labour of love, a second would not have the same purpose.
Oh well, that’s the way of things, one day at a time.
Harry Drake
1 comments:
Good to see you again Harry.
Long time since we tangled with the Feds in Hong Kong - what a night. I wonder what happened to the bar girls with the killer hips
Joe the Mouse
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