Three days after the events of Zun-Taka...

The crew rested, the injuried got healed and treated, the tired slept. The island was gone for good. The Kingston was traveling at a steady rate, far out a sea, no land in sight. After the three days of rest, Captain Adrian Warner decided to gather the crew so we could all talk, eat good food, and drink nice wines.
I thought it was probally his way of making up for going to Zun-Taka, although it wasn't his choice alone, we all decided to go their for a break. A holiday, if you will. But the island was tainted, and it brought noting but trouble. It seemed like everywhere we travelled in these unchartered waters, there was always trouble waiting, or even seeking us.
Personally I had not spoken to anyone for the three days, not even Olivia. But now everyone was out on the second deck, drinking and talking, it was a calm evening, the sea gently fluttered beneath the Kingston as she journeyed into the unknown.

Sat down and looking out to see, I drank my own brandy, and talked to no one. At least I didn't need the doctors pills anymore, from leaving the island I no longer went into trances. It seemed like the island itself had been affecting me. I was glad to be away, yet I still felt slightly betrayed by Adrian. He had set sail without me and Olivia. He would have never normally done that.

I wondered briefly the whereabouts of the baby Olivia named Timothy. He had a rapid growth rate the exceeded any living thing I had ever seen. He was probally still on Zun-Taka, I still had no idea what really happened to Adrian. I heard brief that he met Darren Blank, but no more then that.

People laughed and joked, almost forgetting what had happened. I let out a long low breath, at least we were all still alive.

"Pete?" A familiar voice asked...

"How are you feeling?"

I had a tankard full of ale and was drinking happily. Pete seemed to be lost in thought so I had come over to talk to him.

"The island was strange wasn't it?" I asked, "I have never heard of anyhting like that place before!"

My own experiance had been a hard one. I had fallen into the river and dragged down stream. I had felt my life slipping away from me as I drowned. We had even gone down a giant waterfall!
Luckily the tanks full of the water from the Healing Srpings had healed my injuries.

"Hmmm," I said in thought, "the water from the Healing Springs... its very much like that liquid we found at Salt Station... the liquid insode those canisters... I wonder if it is the same liquid?"

I liked Boulder and we got on the moment I saw him. He was a very strong guy, not just on the outside, but on the inside too. We had faught many fights against our enemies together on the Kingston, that got us good friends.

"Aye, the island was very strange. To be honest I'm still getting over it, I think it might be my age catching up." I chuckled. "Yes, I over-heard a little about the healing springs water. It intrigues me Boulder, it does. The properties seem very much alike between that of the canisters, I agree." I nodded to confirm the point, "Perhaps we should get the science team on it?"

It was refreshing talking to someone at last, but deep down I still felt quite angry with Adrian. I should talk with him, later; I thought.

I sighed and sat down by the side of the ship, watchnig the waves splashing agianst the hull of the Kingston.
Everyone onboard seemed so happy to be away from Vincoo, to be free from the curse of Zun-Taka. And, though I was happy to be alive and safe, I was not a happy man.

In fact this was possibly the saddest I had ever been. I just could not shake off my saddness and join the others in celebration.

I let out a loud sigh and closed my eyes.

I looked at one of the containers of spring water. "I shall go to the science labs at once! See if it can be tested! You never know, we could be able to replicate this stuff! It would be mighty handy!"

As I turned to leave I saw Julian who looked very sad.

"Pete," I said, "do you know what is wrong with Julian? I would speak to him but I don't really know him that well... besides, he seems to look up to you."

I patted Pete on the back and headed off towards the labs...