Mysterious Pirates of the Pacific: The Ricky Rayburn Chronicles, #2

By Ryan J. Pelton

The Rayburns must stop a group of mysterious pirates before they harm more sea life. 

Ricky Rayburn and his family are not your ordinary suburbanites. They're on a mission to stop evil wherever its found. But when their next adventure takes them to the middle of the Pacific Ocean—they're in for the ride of their lives. 

New Era Labs appears to be a harmless organization doing research in the ocean. But when Ricky and his dad do some snooping around everything changes. Niles Bartholomew and a group of mysterious pirates are up to no good and time is running out.

Ricky must come up with a plan to stop these monsters, save the animals from more harm, and prove he's a worthy adventurer. Not much to ask for a week long family vacation on a cruise in Mexico. 

Will Ricky show he's ready for the adventurer life? Or will the pirates win and prove middle school students aren't cut out for this kind of work?  

Join Ricky and his family for another installment of their action packed and funny adventures in saving the world. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rock House Publishing
• Release date: Feb 12, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386174196

Book preview

1

The Pacific Ocean is thousands of miles from Ohio. It was here I’d meet my first pirate. Not a real pirate with an eye patch and a wooden leg. More the stealing and conniving kind. Rogue sailors who harass unsuspecting boats and take their things.

Not only were these pirates interested in stealing money, fancy electronics, and jewelry. They had a second agenda. That’s what we found on a family vacation to Mexico.

The Rayburns aren’t your typical family. Visiting Mexico on a summer vacation is not strange for most people living in America. But we often have different reasons for visiting exotic locales. Like when we visited an ancient Egyptian burial ground on Spring Break.

Most families take time to rest and have fun. We do plenty of that. But Dad has work projects that are a family affair. Rosie is my older sister, and she’s annoying. Her goal in life is to make mine miserable. And to steal all the love and attention from my parents. Probably not true, but that’s how I see it.

Mom's a worrier and not always excited about Dad's next adventure. Especially when it involves the children.

I’m in sixth grade and soon to be seventh. My life is full of adventure and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Dad is the coolest man if you ever meet him. Knows just about everything.

Our summer quest began at the docks in Long Beach California. Dad grew up nearby but moved to the Midwest for graduate school. He met Mom there. Dad's a professor at Ohio State University and studies old relics, religion, and history. He’s like Indiana Jones.

Dad was doing research, like always, which led him on a cruise to Mexico. We were preparing to board The Ocean Princess, one of the largest cruise lines in the world. Mom and Sister had enough bags to open a store in the mall. Dad and I went light and compact, like men do. Apparently women need clothing options. Don’t get it.

I don’t know if they call it a bucket list, or wish list, or some kind of list, but Dad wanted to check this one off of things you do before you die. The dying part made me nervous as these adventures never went as planned. Like last summer when I got Dad kidnapped by a crazy cop. Story for another time.

Mom and Dad spent their honeymoon on an island near Mexico. A part of the world Mom described as, beautiful and breathtaking. While beauty might’ve been the reason for taking the family vacation in Baja, Dad had a side project in the works.

Rosie pulled a bright pink piece of luggage on wheels to the base of a long ramp which led to the massive boat. Water poured out of holes in the sides and seas of people shuffled up the ramp to enter the cruise liner. I was not excited about taking a slow boat to Mexico. I got seasick on the Bumper Boats at Golf n’ Stuff and couldn’t imagine what swaying on the Pacific Ocean would do to my stomach. Mom gave me some medicine. And Rosie told me to stop being a girl. Typical.

Dad flipped up his sunglasses which covered his prescription lenses. He gave a grin because family vacations were his favorite. Any excuse to leave the heat and humidity of Ohio a bonus. My stomach flipped in time with the swaying dock.

Isn’t this cool kids? Dad grew up right down the street. I sure miss this salty ocean air, he said, taking a deep whiff of the misty morning breeze.

We know Dad… you’ve mentioned it every five minutes since we left Ohio, I said, clutching my stomach.

Mom played with her giant floppy hat which drew unnecessary attention to the family. Rosie gave her a look like she was losing her mind and wanted to be on a different part of the boat. Mom, really? You can’t wear that hat when I’m around. You look like Grandma when she comes to family barbecues.

She snickered, You obviously don’t know fashion. These hats are all the rage.

Fashion for who? Forty-year-olds? Rosie said, staring back at the hordes of people climbing into the boat.

Mom placed her hands on her hips and rolled her eyes. Let’s keep the sarcasm to a minimum, missy. We will have a fun trip. Your attitude is not helping.

Rosie being Rosie, always an opinion about everyone and everything. A horn blasted in the distance and the crowds of people shuffled up the ramp carrying a variety of luggage and accessories. My stomach did a flip as I examined the large ramp leading to my doom.

I felt a push from behind and turned thinking it was Rosie messing with me. Excuse me, Ros… I turned to see a heavyset man wearing a Hawaiian shirt, with a woman on his arm, wearing a hat like Mom’s. I tried to hold in a laugh.

Sorry, little man. I didn’t mean to bump into you like that, he said, reaching out a hand, Felipe Juarez. My wife Juanita. Can’t wait to see Mexico again. You ever been? he asked, with a pleasant smile and tone.

Nope. And will be my last.

You have issues with Mexico?

No issues with Mexico. Stomach has the issues. Worst seasickness known to man. I’m sure this will be the longest week of my life.

He wrestled something out of his pocket. It was covered with lint and his hands were sweaty. I backed up and didn't want to look. What is that?

He combed out the lint and handed me a pill. Take one of these. Seasickness has no chance against this stuff.

It’s okay, I said holding up my hands, My mom gave me something. I’ll find you if I get desperate.

No harm, no foul. Nice meeting you kid. Hope your stomach feels better. Remember to not sit inside when you feel crummy. Take a breath of fresh air and keep your eyes pointed toward the ocean. It works for me.

I nodded. The heavyset man and his wife waddled up the ramp to the ship and disappeared into the masses of people. He glanced back and gave a wave which I thought was odd. Never trust people who are overly friendly. Dad always said the friendly ones are hiding something.

Dad wondered who the friendly dude was, Everything okay Son? Did that man hand you something?

I didn’t take it. He tried to give me seasickness pills.

Never take anything from someone you don’t know. You know the rules, right?

I nodded, Especially when they have sweaty palms. Gross!

Dad laughed and turned to the rest of the family. Here we go family. Time to have another Rayburn adventure. Ready?

Before the words could hit my ears. I slogged up the ramp with the other sweaty passengers and my family. The sweat and heat rose up my spine. I knew it was coming and nothing would stop it.

I leaned against the railing, paused hoping the nausea might cease. No luck. My breakfast spilled down toward the water below.

Maybe I should have taken the sweaty guy’s pills. This would be a long week at sea.

2

The puking hurt relations between Rosie and I. Rosie already believed she had a sister, not a brother. Not my problem. Dad says my weak stomach came from grandpa Joe. He served in the Navy many years ago. Didn't last long because riding ships on the high seas is not ideal when you can't keep your lunch down.

I could hear Rosie mocking me as we entered The Ocean Princess and found our rooms. I ignored her annoying comments, and waited for the right time to dig her about something ridiculous she'd done, or would do.

In my twelve-year-old brain, I assumed the accommodations on the boat would be like a motel room. Imagine a small motel room and then make it even smaller. Folded out bunk beds, a desk designed for a doll, and a tiny bathroom, and not much else. This would be a long week.

Rosie and I shared a room, and Mom and Dad had their own next door. I was happy about the arrangements because Dad snores like a freight train with a bad engine. He might wake up the entire ship on one of his bad nights. Mom wore ear plugs early in their marriage. Now she wears noise canceling headphones with music playing so she can sleep.

I tossed my duffel bag on the top bunk. Mine, I said, giving Rosie a tongue.

"Loser, you’re going to leave your sister on the bottom bunk so someone can steal me?

I hesitated and daydreamed for a moment, imagining Rosie gone, and having all of Mom and Dad’s attention. Yep. That would be nice. I wouldn’t have to hear you complain anymore.

Come on. I need the top bunk. You know I hate the bottom. I'll be scared.

I thought you were the tough adventurer. Dad seems to think so.

I am. But not with sleeping in strange places.

Like when we were in the desert and you had to sleep with Mom. Is that because you were scared, or still wet the bed?

Be quiet. I drink a lot of water before bed. That was a long time ago.

Christmas is not that long ago.

Whatever… Please let me have the top.

"If I sleep on the bottom, you know