A gentle warmth spread over the whole bay. The only movement was that of the swell and tide dissipating into the stillness. Dozens of draw boats lifting together on the peaks of the swell and settling back into the troughs.

They all appeared poised and ready to jump at the sound of a starting gun. But with no sails and not a trace of a mechanical engine, there was no visible way to see what drove these sleek spirits of the ocean. Each and every one of them looked built for speed and endurance — but unless you had seen one in action, you would have no idea how they harnessed the power of the sea.

I had read about them and held a keen interest in the power they carried, but it was now time to slide through the heads and drive through the swells — out and beyond the horizon.

Gary and our two cheeky deck hands spent the next few moments straightening up the supply area and ensuring our quarters were in order. We had all that we needed — hopefully! Gary called out orders with Max and Pei dancing all over Hi-Sun, carrying out dozens of rapid tasks like little lightning beavers.

Gary held us both in his gaze and assured us there was nothing needed from us. His warm smile gave us confidence, but also carried an air of excitement and exhilaration for what we were about to experience. He gave out his last orders to Max and Pei, then giggled to himself with his own quiet sense of pleasure.

"All in!" Gary called loudly — and on the tip of his command, Hi-Sun lifted and, curving through the water, drove smoothly and swiftly away from the wharf. The lifting motion and thrust forward felt absolutely incredible. Mila and I both lost it, laughing together with pure excitement.

"Wow! What an incredible feeling!" Mila just smiled and smiled.

Gary was riding Hi-Sun from the drive deck, holding two control rods and timing his turns smoothly with the rhythm of the light swell in the bay. Hi-Sun drew long easy turns toward the heads and within what seemed like seconds we were thrusting past them, driving long sleek strides directly through the larger ocean swells.

An initial feeling of slight fear combined with exhilaration filled us both — but we were quickly reassured by Gary, Max and Pei as the three of them simply went about their tasks. Our speed multiplied and the land behind us fell away, becoming the horizon within minutes. Gary carved the length of Hi-Sun at an optimum angle, taking full advantage of the clean lines of ocean swell.

Why we were not pitching up and down with the peaks and troughs of the waves at first confused me. Then it dawned on me — we were lifted clear of the water, our hull steadily placed atop a lower, horizontal driving keel. Gary could read my question. He waved me across to the port side and gestured down to the clear blue water below.

Beneath us I could see a sleek, motionful length — somewhat like that of an eel — bending and driving and holding the line of power as it passed through each rising swell. We were structured above its midsection, which held a clean driving line with effortless ease.

We may as well have been gliding on the back of an albatross. We were fast — fast enough to feel like we could outrun anything imaginable across the water tops of this great ocean. Hi-Sun was breathtaking.

The last dusk of orange glow turned into clean sparkling night, with deep clusters of starry universes stretched out far and wide.

"Now we eat," called Gary. Somehow — and completely unnoticed by Mila and myself — Max and Pei had prepared a feast for our eyes. We ate and laughed and ate plenty more.

Gary gave his orders for sleep. "Eat well, my friends — for tomorrow always brings more than we are ready for. You will need your energy and I will need your assistance. So if you thought you were along for a pleasure cruise, I am sorry to have led you astray. Sleep now, my youthful adventurers. Max and Pei will have breakfast aplenty for you in the morning."

Gary checked the drive of Hi-Sun and assured himself that everything was in order for the night. Mila and I snuggled in and dozed off to the smooth, gentle motions of our floating friend.

The peaceful skies showed nothing ahead but clean sailing.

What could this tiny and unarmed team possibly be heading for? Tomorrow would bring a new day.