Loks Island

After more than a decade in the United States Navy as a SEAL, I had been honorably discharged. I decided to explore some contract work before committing to a long-term career. That’s where my old friend, Victor, was able to help. Vic had setup a small but successful private security company and, not for the first time, was quite glad to offer me a job. So, he came over to my place to discuss the job and enjoy a dinner arranged by my wife, Sarah.

Vic “The job I have for you requires immediate attention. Have you heard of the Loks Island off the coast of Sierra Leone?” Me “I don’t think so.” Sarah spoke up “I’ve read about it. It is facing natural disasters like storms and floods, thought to have been caused by climate change. The people living there will have to be evacuated. I also read that the U.N. are sending in a team to oversee the evacuation. I feel sorry for the people there. Having to leave your home, many countries refusing to take in refugees, even if they are afforded temporary asylum, there’s a good chance the storms will destroy their villages.”

Vic “That’s not all, there have been reports of attacks, of threats from neighboring countries trying occupy the island once the residents leave. And because of the political setup of that region, the State Department are not willing to send in U.S. troops there.”

Me “So what is US’s interest there?” Vic “Purely humanitarian. Senator Hayes has visited Sierra Leone a few times and is friendly with their President. So, during this crisis, their President has asked for help from several countries. U.N has agreed to send in a team, including doctors, engineers and construction workers. The problem is with security and transportation. The government of Sierra Leone is already dealing with a civil war, so all their assets are engaged. Taking advantage of this, there have been some attacks on the U.N. team and the villagers. The U. N’s team is afraid to proceed without protection. So, Senator Hayes has used her contacts to get some funding from the State Department, but I also think she’s has used some of her personal fortune. She has contracted my company to provide protection and assistance during the evacuation and help with the rehabilitation. I have a team prepped and ready.”

Me “You know what, I’ll take it.” Vic “I had a feeling you would. Meet me tomorrow at the airport. The team will already be there when you reach Sierra Leone. Ripley is going to be your Second in Command.” With that Vic handed over a folder. That evening, after Vic had left, I went through the files.

Loks Island was about twenty squared kilometers in area, about three hundred kilometers from the mainland and had five villages with no more than two hundred inhabitants. Fishing was the main economic activity. Coconut products and tourism contributed to the income. There was some basic agriculture was well. Loks Island was a victim of rising sea levels due to climate change and global warming. Impacts included increased coastal erosion, storm-surge flooding, increased loss of property and, most pertinently, of life.

I arrived at the Sherbro International Airport, located outside the town of Bonthe on Sherbro Island, and took the car Vic had arranged to the rendezvous point. Vic’s guys were already there and prepped. My second in command was Staff Sargent Ripley, an ex-Marine. He was younger than I, but he was quite an experienced and skilled soldier.

I asked Ripley about the latest reports. Ripley “It has been raining pretty heavily for last couple of days. The waters around the island are unsafe so, we are flying people out to the cruiser on choppers but that is also taking time coz choppers can’t fly in the inclement weather. The prediction is that it is going to get worse, and we have two days at most to get everyone off that island. The meteorologists say the worst of it will last for three or four days. Then it should die down. After that, they think the sea water will subside in another few days. Then a team of scientists will go over to the island to inspect and determine whether it is inhabitable again. If they give the go-ahead, a team of engineers and construction workers will begin rebuilding. Then we will start to take the people back there.”

Me “What about the recent attacks?” Ripley “From what I’ve learnt so far, there have been two attacks on the island already. Nothing too serious, no fatalities but a few injuries. The attackers landed on the island, armed with AKs. The islanders themselves carry small firearms and were able to defend themselves but they will struggle if such attacks continue.” Me “Reason for the attack?” Ripley “Before the civil war started, the island was doing quite well, in terms of fishing and tourism. They have quite a nice resort there. Also, the inhabitants are predominantly Christian. So, take your pick, it could be religiously motivated, could be political or could be just plain piracy.”

Me “When are we going over to the island?” Ripley “Tomorrow morning.” Me “What about the U. N’s team?” Ripley “They are holed up in a hotel, a bit scared, but many of them have experience in working in hostile areas. If they believe we’ll protect them, they’ll do their job.” Me “Good. What about translators?” Ripley “We have a couple of locals. Besides, I’ve been learning the language for two days now.” As a Navy SEAL, we were taught to learn the basics of the local languages. It was dangerous to rely only on local translators. Many teams had faced problems, even betrayals, during missions, especially in the Middle East.

We had been evacuating the villagers throughout the day. It had been raining heavily and it wasn’t letting up. It appeared the heavens had opened up and intended to drown us all. We estimated that all the people had been accounted for. Ripley and I were taking a walk along the coastline line in our full gear, rifles, waterproof coats and caps. Me "I love the sea and the oceans, but I find rivers a bit creepy." Rip "Why is that?" Me "The rivers are usually infested with crocs! I hate crocs and gators!" Rip laughed.

Me "Did anyone check out that fishing village there?" Rip "Which one?" I pointed Rip to look towards a bunch of shacks and huts about a hundred meters away. Rip brought out a map on his iPad, checked and said "I don’t think anyone did. It doesn't appear to be marked in this map." Me "Maybe this was setup after the map was published." As soon as we reached the settlement, some local guys jumped out of the shacks brandishing pistols and machetes. We had no choice but to raise our rifles as well. They started screaming and cursing in their native language, which I didn't understand. Rip tried his best to diffuse the situation with his limited grasp of the language. The summary of their message was "Get off our land! We are not leaving!"

That's when an old lady came forward. She first spoke in their native language to them, then to us in English. She "Please lower your weapons. They will not attack." I remembered reading about her. Me "Ms. Grant?" She smiled and nodded. Me "Ma’am, we are here to get the villagers to safety. We have evacuated most of the population off the island and you and your folks are the last remaining ones. I implore all of you to please come with us to the choppers." Grant "These people are never going to leave this island and will fight and die if needed." Me "These people, you, will die and you won't get a chance to fight either. You've been here for a year now and you must have noticed the water levels rising. You know it's a matter of days before the flood comes."

Grant stood there without commenting but I could see the wheels turning in her head. Me "Ma’am, I can tell that you don't trust us, is there anyone I can connect you with who can change your mind and in turn you can convince these people?" She "Well, son, that would have to be the President." Me "I can't get the POTUS, but if you'd invite us in, I can get you in touch with the Senator Kate Hayes." Grant scoffed and said "Sonny, even if you ask for an appointment now, by the time you do get the opportunity, it would have become a moot point." I smiled and said, "What if I could get her on the phone in ten minutes?" Grant "Well, in that case, please come in." We entered the large shack, placed our weapons down, took off our raincoats and caps and found couple of wooded chairs to sit on. Grant instructed one of the villagers to bring us coffee and some food.

I dialed Kate’s personal number. She picked up after a couple of rings. Kate "Who is this?" Me "My name is Tom Archer. You probably don’t know me, but I'm with the Santa Rosa Security Company, currently on Loks Island, helping with the evacuation." Kate paused for a couple of seconds then said "Yes, of course. Please tell me, is everything fine?" Me "Well, we seem to have hit a bump on the road. You know of Ms. Grant?" Kate thought for a few seconds then said "Ms. Grant? She the retired professor and environmentalist who went to Sierra Leone about a year ago and settled there. She had been quite vocal about how pollution from countries like United States are causing havoc to the global climate resulting in rising sea levels."

Me "Yes that's the one. And as it turns out, she has become somewhat of a leader to the people here on this island. I just met with her, and she says that she and her people, around twenty or so of them as far as I can tell, are not willing to leave. She says she doesn't trust us." Hayes "What do you mean, 'does not trust you'?" Me "She believes that once they leave this island, they will never be allowed to return, and the government will sell this land to private companies and other such conspiracy theories." Kate "Did you tell her about the dangers currently facing the island?" Me "She knows, but these people have this 'born here, die here' philosophy." Kate "Is there any way to convince them?" Me "She wants assurances, guarantees." Kate "And?" Me "From you." Kate "Oh!"

I got up from the table and handed Grant the phone. She looked at me skeptically. She spoke tentatively "Hello?" Hayes "Ms. Grant, I'm Senator Kate Hayes." I walked back to the table. Hot coffee and snacks had already arrived. I could see Ms. Grant was having an animated discussion with Kate, but I was confident she would be able to convince Ms. Grant. After around fifteen minutes, I saw Ms. Grant disconnecting the call. I walked up to her and took my phone back. She looked at me and asked "Be honest, how did you get her on the phone so quickly? I can't imagine a Senator answering to anyone asking to speak with her without appointment." Me "Well, we know each other from before." Ms. Grant smiled. She spoke slowly "We are going to move. I’ll speak with the people here. We will reach the evacuation zone tomorrow morning." I said, "Thank you ma’am. And thank you for the coffee and the snacks." As promised, about twenty people led by Ms. Grant arrived at the base ready to say goodbye to their homes, temporarily of course.