The Lifeguard © A European Story

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THE LIFEGUARD

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Dedicated too, and inspired by the Lifeguard’s wife.

The master at rescuing her man’s soul.
To find passion, love and life as to what you’re really good at, is always inspired. And I have been.
Thank you my Angel, I always believed it was true. There were times it took time to really see you. You taught me so much. You stood by me in those days when I was blind. Helped me stand up again and point me in the right direction. I learned how the play again. It’s only you that sees and knows, I’m only a simple boy trapped in a man’s body. And every day in love with you.   
I have been blessed in more ways I could ever imagine.

THE LIFEGUARD (PROFILE):

Dirk Jennings, or “DJ” the nick name that stuck with him for life. Captain of the Lifeguards and Chief of the water rescue services for just over 10 years. Thanks to his best mate from the SAS, the Malta Police Chief Constable, a born and bred Maltese-Brit, that convinced DJ’s wife, this is the job for him. Thinking back it saved his soul from the rat race he was locked into.

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The past is the past. A former Life Guard on the South Coast of England, Royal Marine, a decorated SAS officer with 8 years of service, wounded three times in action, third time wheel chair bound for almost a year. Rehabilitation, the endless bureaucracy fighting for government benefits, back to university and working a bland boring bank internship to arise as a top International London wealth management- Private Banker, only to be thwarted by the fall out of the financial crises, new bank regulations, private clients with exposed dark backgrounds that used to be papered over by bank compliance officers and rated as VIP customers. 

It all capsized. Name brand banks that denied everything blaming their market traders and private bankers for tainted accounts, stock trades and deals the banks approved. 

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Government bailouts, downsizing, mergers - acquisitions. The aftermath of regulator inquires, lawsuits, criminal investigations, legal fees, license suspensions, their only child that died from some strange staph infection contracted in hospital, another miscarriage and then the depression, alcohol and drugs. Those dark days are over now...

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Malta is now fully complaint with EU international banking laws. There might be a few old school money managers that DJ recognizes from the old days that are slow to change. But they’re on the extinction list like the dinosaurs……………… It’s a new world now. 

Malta, the beautiful Mediterranean archipelago that has preserved thousands of years of history, architecture, art, traditions, legends and folklore. Tourist hot spot and laid back international business center.  

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There are three things DJ loves every day; the wife that saved his soul, his best mate Police Chief Ryan that saved his life and his job. 

DJ’s best mate Chief Constable Ryan, saved his life several times in combat on clandestine missions in some of the worst and cursed places on earth. The two have to team up again for a Maltese rescue of a different sort. Chief Ryan and a few handpicked trusted Police officers and Lifeguards will learn from DJ and Ryan to operate stealth, under cover and will be forced to work out of the box, at times bending the law and risking their lives as they all band together to confront an evil not of their world trying to establish its self on their shores of the beautiful Mediterranean Archipelago.

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THE SON OF A SON OF A SAILOR.

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DJ’s pedigree is a fourth generation Seaman, a lineage of Navy, Coast Guard and Merchant Navy.

Most middle aged men will boast about what they did, where they have been, who they know and revel about the good ol’ days gone bye. For DJ it’s all about the comeback story, not the past. And now it’s about quality of life, love, staying fit and doing what he loves to do. Back to the basics, back to his roots.  

“A man of the sea I was meant to be and the sea will always be in me”.  

The motto of his forefathers, the motto when he was a young Lifeguard in South England and the motto now.

During the dawn recovery as the police officers scan the coast line for clues in the dawn light, as bodies are being loaded in the ambulance, instinct directs DJ to turn his binoculars away from the water to the plush villa’s on the hill side overlooking the cliffs and pristine clear water where just for second he sees a long nautical telescope looking back at him and the recovery operations and then a shadowy figure folds it up and disappears behind the shadows of the well-manicured garden hedges. 

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It becomes clear the two victims were dropped off from a passing cargo ship at night.

On closer inspection of the bodies, DJ and Chief Ryan notice a faded tattoo on the inside arm of one of the victims. Later, post autopsy, the tattoo is digitally enhanced; it appears to be the insignia from India- Special Forces. An insignia long forgotten by the two best friends. A past connection to their clandestine Military operations. A link to one of their former key  counter intelligence assets that would be better off forgotten.

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Questions and clues start unfolding a dark picture…

Why and how did the professional swimmers drown?

Who’s watching them?

Could it be a connection to one of their past brutal counter intelligence sources that was involved in war crimes and profited from conflict in some in some the most god forsaken parts of the world?

Is there a connection to their former Commanding officer that he never disclosed or maybe tried to communicate before his recent death?

Or could it be a clue to one of DJ’s notorious former private banking clients?

Is it all connected?

Why the Island nation of Malta?

The Resurrection of Deep Sea Ghost, as the two best mates call it.

THE MAKING OF A PROFESSIONAL TEAM AND TEAM LEADERSHIP

DJ leads a team of twenty fulltime, year around Lifeguards for the Island Nation. To qualify for the Nations Sea Rescue teams as a Full Timer, Aka; The (A-Team) has to pass a grueling military style test for fitness, certified rescue swimmer, classes in theory, equipment training, crowd conflict and de-escalation, boat certification, helicopter rescue training, marine environment classes and all of them are certified Paramedics and on the job work experience counts. 

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The Lifeguard qualification course DJ has created for Malta is famous all over Europe and then some. Other countries, militaries, Police and other international rescue services will pay to send their Lifeguards and rescue staff to pass the course. It’s legendary and you’re part of a legend if you can qualify. 

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The (A-Team) elite Malta Lifeguards-Rescuers are awarded and the only ones allowed wearing the coveted rescue Poseidon-Trident insignia with the Maltese cross. The entire Island nation knows any man or woman with this insignia on their uniform and kit is the best of the best. And they have to keep fit, gym passes are included, mandatory swimming time, free diving test are all part of the on the drill, on the job. Even the local shops, eateries and taxi services will comp a member of the teams when in uniform (on duty) with the prestigious Maltese Cross Rescue Trident.

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During the high season the rescue staff number doubles and more, with part timers (seasonal) and Lifeguard volunteers and Jr. Lifeguards from the water rescue association are recruited as needed during peak season. For the basic qualified part timers, Jr. Life Guard and rescue volunteers, if they hang in there, a season or more, schools and the University education system will give them on the job training work credit towards graduation. If the rookies can survive a full season with DJ’s team, they can put it on their CV (resume) with a stellar letter of recommendation. Every employer knows; if you cut it with DJ and the crew, you’re employable. As a result, there’s no shortage of young people trying out, full time, part time or volunteers. It’s how to keep the top certified Pro’s and experience that counts. 

DJ’s summery on this; “I’m surrounded by political agendas, bar room critics, social media rescue experts, wana-be’s, and parents trying to push their youngsters in the system for social status reasons. It’s like there’s them and us. Inspiration comes from the rescue team, not overzealous parents and critics in background who have never done it nor never tried.  

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The Back Office

DJ gives credit to the back office. As head of the National Sea Rescue and Lifeguard Captain DJ is on the front lines every day. But it won’t work without the back office staff of colorful characters that manage the bureaucracy, budgets, endless paperwork, lobby the politics, procure equipment from the most unlikely of sources and have connections from the Parliament, sanitation union workers, police, military, financial institutions,  public utilities, casinos, Posh Yacht Clubs and even a notorious biker club who back up DJ and his lifeguards in an odd, unofficial alliance, as one rescue is bonded by another in a silent code of honor. 

Offically DJ has “No Comment” on how this works. But he does issue a cautionary advisory to his Lifeguard team. “Please do not attend any back office parties for safety reasons”.

Go-Deep Live-It Feel-It:

DJ’s rescue of the soul is centered on his wife and best mate Police Chief and a few good Maltese friends and DJ’s core Lifeguard team that believe in the greater good and honor of the Island nation. Salvation and survivability will come from a deep engrained set of values in Maltese culture that few know or see but the clues to the Islands honor, loyalty and perseverance are enshrined in the country’s flag that is commonly over looked and taken for granted . The story exposes true grit, human qualities of fortitude, integrity, tenacity, loyalty. Average people arising to the occasion and doing extra ordinary services, beyond the call of duty

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Moving Story Line:

The story line moves as DJ leads the team in charge of the coastal safety of an Island known for finance, posh yachts, designer fashion, tourist party scene, pristine natural surroundings, international film destination and thousands of years of Mediterranean history and several million tourist a year. Or as the Lifeguards say; “we rescue them all, the good, the bad, the ugly and the stupid”.

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Even though some of DJ’s professional rescue team and are at times unruly and colorful souls with a reputation that proceeds them, police complaints, social media scandals, the subject of political debates and moral criticism from the all mighty leaders of the Church,  it all works.

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DJ will tell you with a grin and gleam in eye, “I have some high risk souls working for me. But then again, We’re in the high risk management business”……”all good”.

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It’s all about the team work, “The Team” safety and survival. DJ learned it as a young Lifeguard on the South coast of England, learned it again in the special forces, again in international business and for sure his personal life. The days of the lone cowboy, go it alone, are over……. Well…. Kind of…… 

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Demons From The Past:

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Before his former commanding officer died some years before, he wrote a personal note, words of wisdom.  A prophesy of sorts. Hanging on the wall at the side of DJ’s desk next to the stunning view of the ever changing aqua hues and shades of grey sea, he glances at those words every day. 

Turns out, the death bed note written some years before holds clues. What did he know? What kind of prophesy is this?

DJ and Chief Ryan dive into their military past, resurrecting memories and piecing together events as to what they saw and remember and what they really meant as to the clues of the present.

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What’s the connection to a network of high end foreign asset managers and private bankers coming and going meeting these people when Malta has its own world class financial network?

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As for the other intelligence agencies, they fail to realize, there are two pros on the ground, in action with a historical link to one of their top suspects and ring leader of an ancient dark trade with state sponsors. But in the end, the so called secretive intelligence agencies will trade information with DJ and Ryan for clues and answers, in exchange for a favor.

How it Ends?

Or does it really end?

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It’s been a long season; mind boggling twist and turns, allot of great rescues, some losses, betrayals by those who they thought were friends, day to day action, death, love, overcoming unsurmountable odds of survival, old and new friendships are solidified and new love found for the team. 

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The Lifeguard crew and a few police meet up; a group therapy session is sitting around an evening beach fire with food and drink. Reflecting on the season’s events, an emotional download bond fire session of sorts ……… One question remains unanswered?……. And there may never be an answer, even though there may be clues. At end of the season the team is overwhelmed with exhaustion, fatigue and the desire just to get back to normal, or maybe no one really wants to know, enough is enough.

The story concludes around the beach fire. But does it end?

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 Or is it, maybe, no one wants to resurrect another ghost? 

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