Sunday Photo Fiction Challenge – An Island Out of Nowhere (Part 1)

Submitted for Sunday Photo Fiction

The Assignment: The idea of Photo Fiction is to write a story of around 100-200 words (which is also called Flash Fiction) based on a photo as a prompt. In this particular photo fiction, the story must be based on the photo below.  I am going to write another serial story.  This is the first part.

Copyright: Al Forbes

Captain David Wonder of the US Coast Guard brought his cutter alongside the other vessel and instructed a Lieutenant to take control.  The captain along with Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Michaels boarded what appeared to be an abandoned commercial vessel.

“Permission to speak?” said Michaels.

“Permission granted,” authorized the Captain.

“There doesn’t appear to be anyone on board.  As you noted earlier, this island is not on our maps.  The crew must have gone ashore and oddly left no one on board,”  said Michaels.

Captain Wonder leaned over the map station and looked for any information that may have been left.  “I see no ship’s log.  We’ll return to our cutter and organize a shore expedition.”

Back on the cutter, ten men were selected to join the shore expedition.

“Men.  This is an uncharted island.  I’ve radioed Command and research is being conducted; however citizens may need our help.  We cannot wait.  Prepare your packs assuming a week ashore.  I don’t have to remind you to include sufficient weapons and ammunition and to check your radio equipment.

After briefing the remainder of the crew, Captain Wonder and the shore expedition boarded a near shore lifeboat and approached the unknown island.