Allister was determined to find new land. Contrary to all rational thought, Allister believed that there had to be some question marked continent still floating around in the ocean. The world was too big to have been completely discovered. He constructed a ship of the finest oak and had the exterior carved into his favorite explorer, Vasco Núñez de Balboa. He subsequently named the ship The Vasco Núñez de Balboa. The following is an actual excerpt from Allister's log from the first night of the voyage:
-And like that, we are afloat in the unknown. Although it is known to many it is unknown to me. I vow to find a land unknown to all. Mark my words and remember them always. There is something beyond.-
Allister's first few days were uneventful. A crew of seven set sail with him. Seven experienced sailors that Allister won during a poker game. It has been truthfully remarked that Allister bluffed his way to a crew. Allister knew the names of three of the sailors: Otto, Patches, and Gunther. He did not know their last names and the other four would not even give him their first names. They swore their loyalty, but gave him no more than that. Allister accepted this and promised to grant them freedom once they finished their mission. The seven agreed that if this indeed did occur, they would give him their full names. Allister nodded simply and received seven simple nods in return.
Two weeks into the journey, Allister and The Vasco Núñez de Balboa spotted what was thought to be land. Allister's log read:
-As Otto shouted "Land!" from the top of the mast, all six of the remaining crew sprinted to the side of the deck where Otto's gnarly finger pointed. Tears streamed down my face, but soon were suctioned back into my ducts whence it became apparent that the "continent" we were looking at was nothing more than a bulbous rock poking out from the waves. To quell the men (and it should also be noted to quell my own devastations), I announced that if it came to pass that we found no continent, we would come back and claim this bulbous rock as ours.-
As days poured into months, Allister's men grew weary. Any veteran captain will tell you of the distress that arises in men when goals remain unmet. Allister tried to uplift his men's spirits. He sat Otto, Patches, and Gunther down for a talk. He kept the other four out of it because he felt that it would be more productive if he could address all present by their names. Allister asked of the men's condition. Patches was the first to respond, stating that the men had once shared the same dream as Allister, but that months of nothing but salty water left the men doubting. Gunther added that food was running low and Otto added a nod.
Allister left the meeting distraught and confused. This was his entry:
-I know not what to do this evening. I have consulted the stars and they give no answer. The men are in a grave condition and I wonder if I carry the power to uplift them again.-
The next day the stars answered Allister. It was, however, not the answer he was looking for. One of the four unnamed sailors was found that morning, a star lodged in his forehead. He succumbed to the injuries soon after. It would be the only case of death by falling star ever recorded. Allister's final entry read:
-Today, I received my answer. The heavens wish us to stop. Though I know this particular mission ends, I am also of the sound belief that something is out there. In all this distress, I have not lost that. It is what drives us all. Perhaps, it is not meant to ever be found. Tomorrow, we shall turn The Vasco Núñez de Balboa back toward the continent already discovered. On our way, we will stop at our bulbous rock, place our flag firmly in its center, and dub it Unnamed Sailor Number Four Rock. My only regret from this journey is that I will never know that man's name. -
-And like that, we are afloat in the unknown. Although it is known to many it is unknown to me. I vow to find a land unknown to all. Mark my words and remember them always. There is something beyond.-
Allister's first few days were uneventful. A crew of seven set sail with him. Seven experienced sailors that Allister won during a poker game. It has been truthfully remarked that Allister bluffed his way to a crew. Allister knew the names of three of the sailors: Otto, Patches, and Gunther. He did not know their last names and the other four would not even give him their first names. They swore their loyalty, but gave him no more than that. Allister accepted this and promised to grant them freedom once they finished their mission. The seven agreed that if this indeed did occur, they would give him their full names. Allister nodded simply and received seven simple nods in return.
Two weeks into the journey, Allister and The Vasco Núñez de Balboa spotted what was thought to be land. Allister's log read:
-As Otto shouted "Land!" from the top of the mast, all six of the remaining crew sprinted to the side of the deck where Otto's gnarly finger pointed. Tears streamed down my face, but soon were suctioned back into my ducts whence it became apparent that the "continent" we were looking at was nothing more than a bulbous rock poking out from the waves. To quell the men (and it should also be noted to quell my own devastations), I announced that if it came to pass that we found no continent, we would come back and claim this bulbous rock as ours.-
As days poured into months, Allister's men grew weary. Any veteran captain will tell you of the distress that arises in men when goals remain unmet. Allister tried to uplift his men's spirits. He sat Otto, Patches, and Gunther down for a talk. He kept the other four out of it because he felt that it would be more productive if he could address all present by their names. Allister asked of the men's condition. Patches was the first to respond, stating that the men had once shared the same dream as Allister, but that months of nothing but salty water left the men doubting. Gunther added that food was running low and Otto added a nod.
Allister left the meeting distraught and confused. This was his entry:
-I know not what to do this evening. I have consulted the stars and they give no answer. The men are in a grave condition and I wonder if I carry the power to uplift them again.-
The next day the stars answered Allister. It was, however, not the answer he was looking for. One of the four unnamed sailors was found that morning, a star lodged in his forehead. He succumbed to the injuries soon after. It would be the only case of death by falling star ever recorded. Allister's final entry read:
-Today, I received my answer. The heavens wish us to stop. Though I know this particular mission ends, I am also of the sound belief that something is out there. In all this distress, I have not lost that. It is what drives us all. Perhaps, it is not meant to ever be found. Tomorrow, we shall turn The Vasco Núñez de Balboa back toward the continent already discovered. On our way, we will stop at our bulbous rock, place our flag firmly in its center, and dub it Unnamed Sailor Number Four Rock. My only regret from this journey is that I will never know that man's name. -
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