CHAPTER 10
Trip to Tureia
The Albatross hit a patch of turbulence, causing Jennifer to tighten her seat belt. Bill woke from his upright nap and gave a mighty yawn. Dawn crept from the ocean’s horizon beyond the plane’s windows. Because of the shark attack two days ago, Marty and his graduate students had spent the remainder of their time at Fangataufa measuring ocean conditions such as temperature, salinity, and currents as well as sampling flora and fauna. Mike and Marty each carried a bang stick to protect the sample gatherers. Alice and Jennifer had spent most of the day preparing Kai’s stalker for storage in the onboard freezer. The petite blonde seemed particularly eager for last night’s shark-themed dinner. While Jennifer was uneasy with everyone’s fascination to try shark steak, she kept her opinions to herself.
They left Fangataufa after a short sleep, taking off at about five a.m., flying through the night to arrive at their next destination just after first light. Peering out her window, Jennifer could see the outline of Tureia in the dawn light. Smaller than Moruroa, the rectangular strip of land would be their last stop before heading back to Tahiti.
Marty had told Jennifer that Tureia was essentially the capital of this regional area comprising Moruroa, Fangataufa and Tureia as part of the whole of French Polynesia. The atoll hosted a small population in a village on the northern tip called Hakamaru. Jennifer was growing comfortable with her newly-established identity—interacting with a small village would be a good test-run before mingling with the large populations she would face in Tahiti and Honolulu.
As they drew closer, the Albatross began its descent. From her vantage point Jennifer saw most of the atoll was covered in groves of coconut trees, split by roads leading to Hakamaru. She tightened her buckle again before the Albatross set down on the simple airstrip that delineated Tureia’s airport. The rest of the crew had awakened by the time the plane landed, came to the end of the runway and parked in the airport’s holding area. As everyone unbuckled and stretched, Marty came in from the cockpit.
“Right,” he started, pausing to drink from his coffee mug, “Mike and I will register with the local authorities and get our documentation in order. We’re on good terms with the resident gendarme, Teva Lemanu, so I expect it’ll go smoothly. Good news for you guys though, getting the permits signed to conduct sampling here will take most of the morning so you might as well take today to relax.”
“For real, Professor?” Bill asked, now fully awake.
“Everyone’s been doing excellent work, it’s well-deserved. Besides, we can all use some time off after Fangataufa.”
The graduate students gave a collective sigh of relief.
“Now that’s what I’m talking about! Finally, some R-n-R!” Kai cheered.
“You can’t be tired of this trip so soon,” Bill said.
“The trip’s fine, it’s the company that’s bumming me out,” she replied with a playful smirk. “Besides, it’d be nice to get some quality girl-time.” Kai nodded to Lacy, her eyes full of eager excitement. “Whaddya say, Lacy? Maybe see if there’s a local restaurant or a market to do some shopping?”
Bill mumbled “California girls” under his breath.
“Uhh…yeah,” Lacy answered. “We can buy some local fruit for samples.”
“Augh…no,” Kai said with disappointment. “No work—today we treat this like a real tropical vacation. How ’bout you, Jennifer? Let’s hit the town and help Lacy have some fun.”
“Of course, that sounds cool. I would enjoy seeing this island.”
The students discussed how to spend their unexpected day off while Marty refilled his coffee mug in the galley. Jennifer got out of her seat to aid Alice as she prepared fruit for breakfast.
“Hey, Alice,” Jennifer said, “Kai, Lacy, and I were going to visit the village today for ‘girl-time’—would you want to come as well?”
“Good oil, that,” Alice said as she cut a melon. “I’ve been meaning to buy a new hat—missin’ one from our fishing time on the Zodiac.”
“It’ll be good for you to meet new people, Jennifer,” Marty said. “Seeing the village might even stir up some memories, but I want you to enjoy yourself, too. You’ve been a great help.”
Jennifer struggled not to blush in response to Marty’s sincerity.
He set the mug down and reached for his pocket. “Here, so you can spend something on yourself when you visit the market.” From his wallet, he produced several thin pieces of paper. It took a moment for Jennifer to recall that physical currency was still popular in this century. Gingerly, she took the offering, recognizing one hundred and seventy francs.
“Thank you, Marty, this is incredibly generous.”
“Think nothing of it; you’ve earned it. Your fishing has saved us a bundle in provisions.”
After breakfast, the crew disembarked and headed north along a worn dirt road. The morning sun was bright and a cool wind blew in from the ocean, swaying the rows of coconut trees in the nearby groves. Just short of a kilometer down the road, they came to the village of Hakamaru, its whitewashed buildings peeking through myriad tropical trees. They passed a few friendly locals. Most were busy with chores around their houses and yards, though a few coconut farmers were preparing to go into the fields to check on Tureia’s most important crop. The center of town was marked by a brick-and-mortar pedestal holding a gently waving flag of French Polynesia.
Marty and Mike split off toward the nearby town hall while Bill and Ken headed out to explore more. Kai eagerly pulled the other ladies deeper into town toward the markets. It was busier than Jennifer expected. She saw both open-air booths and small stores full of local crowds carrying goods. Freshly caught seafood and fruits were stacked on tables and shelves, awaiting purchase. Other vendors had material goods, dress wear, cookware, bags, and sandals. Some goods looked handmade while others were clearly manufactured imports.
Jennifer had never seen so much color in her life. Pictures and holovids had not done justice to the movement and the sound. Vendors called out in a dialect of Polynesian and French with a sing-song cadence that matched the hip movements of the women carrying baskets on their heads. She grinned in wonder.
Kai stopped at a booth, picking through purses woven from hemp and green leaves. She held one aloft.
“You should get it,” Lacy said. “It’s pure you.”
“You think?” Kai asked.
Jennifer nodded. The bright green did remind her of Kai.
Lacy tried to steer them toward the fruit stands.
“Now I need a dress to match!” Kai said.
Alice and Jennifer looked at the nearby booths that carried jewelry and other accessories while Kai searched for the perfect dress.
Jennifer found a necklace that reminded her of Marty, a braided cord attached to a shark’s tooth. She held it up to the light.
“Who’s that for?” Alice asked.
Jennifer blushed and tried to think of an answer that didn’t make her sound stupid.
Alice grinned. “Marty, right? All of us are a little in love with him. He’s smart and kind and still fit for an old guy.”
“He doesn’t seem so very old,” Jennifer said, making Alice laugh.
“Old enough to have a teenage daughter. Just so you know, if you’re on the prowl, he’s divorced with kids, but he only has partial custody.”
Jennifer took this new information under advisement, though she did not yet grasp how marriage, divorce, and children from a broken union worked in this century. She bought the necklace and a hat similar to the one Alice purchased, glad to get away from the other girls’ scrutiny.
Alice continued shopping, finding local seasonings and cutlery to take back to the Albatross’s galley. Lacy eventually escaped Kai’s attempts to get her into beachwear. After Lacy picked up fruit and other produce, they all headed back to the center of town. En route, they spotted Marty and Mike approaching.
“Everything right, dear?” Alice asked.
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��Better than that.” Mike held up signed and stamped permits. “We all got invited to a rage tonight. Our mate Teva recently had a third ankle biter, ’n since Teva’s uncle is the chief ’round here—the whole town’s gettin’ together to celebrate.”
“A party?” Kai exclaimed. “Whoohoo! Can this day get any better?”
“A birth ceremony is a little more traditional than that,” Lacy said. “Girls must wear skirts and boys long pants.”
“Shoot! And I was this close to packing my tux before we left,” Mike said with a smirk.
Alice nudged her husband with her elbow.
Kai laughed and said confidently, “No problem, I actually did pack the perfect dress.”
“I can only imagine how Bill would react if he knew you packed a dress for a scientific expedition in the tropics,” Mike teased.
“Oh, let him think what he wants—it’s best to be prepared, this just proves it.”
“We’re very lucky to experience this cultural exchange,” Marty said. “And Teva’s a good friend. Everyone needs to be on their best behavior.” Pointing at Kai, he continued, “That means you and Bill need to control yourselves.”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever. Make sure he knows that, too.”
“Where are Bill and Ken?” Marty asked, only to be answered with shrugs.
While the others discussed looking for the boys, Jennifer turned to Lacy. “You made it sound like you are familiar with this kind of ceremony.”
“Kind of, I guess.” Lacy brushed back a strand of dark hair that had freed itself from her bun.
“Would you help me pick appropriate clothes?” Jennifer motioned toward her borrowed blouse and shorts. “I don’t have a wardrobe of my own.”
Lacy gave Jennifer a long glance before looking away, blushing. “Yeah, I’ll be glad to help. I saw some dresses earlier with Kai that will work.”
“Excellent! Lead on.” Jennifer offered her hand. Hesitantly, Lacy took it and they went back into the market while the others headed off in search of Bill and Ken.
Together they purchased local blouses and wrap-around skirts Lacy referred to as pareos. Afterward, they headed back to the Albatross. It was nearing noon as they walked along the same dirt road they had used that morning. The warmth of the high sun made Jennifer appreciate the cool wind that blew in from the ocean. To sate her curiosity, Jennifer asked Lacy more about the ceremony. Lacy proved well-versed on the topic, explaining how gifts were exchanged and how some of the dance and music might go.
Jennifer grew excited at the thought of experiencing such a cultural festivity. Her studies of this century had been in-depth with information on matters pertaining to politics, technology development, and economics, but she used to lament how empty it all felt. Numbers, names, dates, statistics—it all lacked a sense of “being human.” Topics that dealt with social interactions and festivities in cultures that existed nine hundred years before were never deemed important enough to be taught in a time where humanity itself was being replaced. But Jennifer wondered—births, parties, love, sex—wasn’t that what made humans different? Wasn’t any of the key to their survival in these ancient customs?
Arriving at the parked Albatross, they made a small lunch from the fruit left over from breakfast. Lacy put away the produce she’d purchased from the market and Jennifer went to the rear of the plane to try on her new clothes in the privacy of the showers. As she changed, she heard the others climb aboard the Albatross. Coming out, she saw Marty, Mike, and Alice—Kai and the boys must have still been out.
“Wow,” Marty said, looking her up and down. “You look really nice in island-wear, Jennifer.”
Jennifer held the sides of her skirt and gave a spin—partly to show off her new skirt, and partly to hide her reddened cheeks. “Thank you. I appreciate you giving me funds to purchase this.”
She handed him the change left over from the market trip, as well as the shark necklace she’d bought. “Hope this goes a little way toward paying you back.”
He picked up the necklace, admiring it for a moment before slipping it on. “You didn’t have to get me anything. Thanks though, it looks really nice. You’ve got a good eye.”
“Just something to celebrate the biggest catch,” Jennifer replied with a wink. “What’s the plan for the rest of the day?”
They all relaxed around the Albatross, waiting until evening to head back to the village for the ceremony. Kai, Bill, and Ken arrived sometime later, having spent most the day exploring the atoll and the village. They talked about their day, showing off seashells they’d found on the beach.
When the sun hung low in the western sky, the crew changed into appropriate wear and again set off toward the village. Jennifer was astonished how much the village had changed. The roads were lined with torches staked into the ground. The center of town had several large fires burning high into the starry sky. Banners hung above the road and paths, connected to adjacent rooftops. Drums played a steady rhythm alongside singers and dancers. Other locals sat on the torch-lit outskirts, cheerfully talking over mats of food.
Kai let out a whistle. “Now this is what I call a party! C’mon, let’s go see what grub they got.”
While the others went toward the food area, Marty went toward the center of the festivities with a gift in hand. He interacted with another man whom she guessed was the Teva he’d mentioned earlier. Alice had brought some of their tuna supply and cut fruit to add to the buffet. After they ate, Mike offered his hand to Alice and together they moved into the throng of dancers. Kai sparked up a conversation with some locals who knew English. Bill and Ken joined her.
Jennifer sat with Lacy over a platter of fruit. The main course for the night was turtle and live lobster. Jennifer controlled her flinch as she thought of the rarity of these animals in her time. Harvesting only what one needed to sustain life was a philosophy she had grown up with and still practiced, a large part of her home culture as a Natural human of the thirtieth century. Seeing the thoughtlessness of twentieth-century fishing practices up close wasn’t something she had truly prepared for, although she knew about it academically.
She turned to Lacy with the intent to strike up a conversation. Something about the young woman seemed off. Jennifer looked at Lacy—she was particularly well-dressed in her new outfit, and Kai had helped her earlier with her makeup and hair. Lacy looked radiant in the torchlight, though her mood seemed distant and quiet. Before Jennifer could say anything, a young teenaged girl walked by, dressed traditionally in a grass skirt and holding a platter of drinks. She offered the platter and Lacy took one of the coconut shell cups without hesitation. Jennifer followed her lead and took a cup for herself.
Lacy gulped down the draught while Jennifer hesitantly sipped hers. She found the drink to be rather pungent and bitter. Curiously, their teenage server deliberately turned her face away from them while they drank. Lacy placed her empty cup back on the platter and took another. The girl gave a shallow bow and walked off toward another group.
“What was that about?” Jennifer asked.
“Hmm…?” Lacy absently responded, still holding onto her second cup.
“That girl seemed rather formal compared to the excitement of the rest of the festivities. What is this drink?” Jennifer held up her cup for emphasis.
“Oh…it’s tradition,” Lacy said. “She turned away from us and bowed to show respect and honor. The drink is kava. It’s a very important cultural plant reserved for ceremonies like this.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever had anything like it.”
Lacy giggled lightly. “It’s a bit of an acquired taste, especially if you’re not used to it. Kava is slightly intoxicating, but has special natural compounds to alleviate social anxiety.”
“I’m impressed! You seem to really know a lot about these local traditions.”
Lacy sipped from her cup. “I was born around here—well, Tahiti.”
“I didn’t know that. How’d you end up in Hawaii and in Marty’s crew?”
“It wasn’t easy,” she said, taking another drink. “Growing up in Papeete, I learned how to speak French and Tahitian from the locals and Chinese from my parents. It was my parents’ idea to send me off. When I was fourteen, they sent me to live with my aunt Gigi in Honolulu to educate and Americanize me.”
At Lacy’s pause, Jennifer asked, “Did you know any English then?”
Lacy shook her head and took another drink. “No—at least not well at all. My old friends and I could speak a little Pidgin English. My aunt only ever spoke English around me and Punahou High School was all standard English. I had to work twice as hard to learn a new language and get through school.”
“I imagine that must’ve been rough,” Jennifer said, placing a hand on Lacy’s shoulder. She didn’t have to imagine; she herself was multi-lingual and had earned a few blushes from misspoken English when she was young.
“New language, new life—the hardest part was just trying to make new friends…”
“See how far you’ve come, Lacy! You speak excellently, you’ve made friends with Kai, Bill, Ken, and I, and you’re working on an advanced degree.”
The young woman looked up and smiled brightly at Jennifer. “You’re right! It was hard, but it was the right decision for my parents to make back then—every day I’m making them proud.”
“That’s right.” With a smile, Jennifer continued, “And let me offer you something—you mentioned that French was one of your native languages? If you’d be more comfortable speaking that instead of English, then we can talk in French together.”
Lacy reached over and embraced Jennifer. “D’accord.” They hugged for a moment, then broke apart, conscious of their bodies’ warmth against each other. They stared into each other’s eyes, and Jennifer knew they had made a true connection.
They continued talking into the night, Jennifer getting to know Lacy’s past while gently deflecting questions about her own upbringing by reminding Lacy of her “amnesia.” Jennifer found that the young woman was indeed more vocal in her native language, though she questioned how much was due to the second kava drink Lacy finished. Lacy was able to tell her more about the ceremony and even translated some of the songs for Jennifer. Kai had them join the others in the dance circle, and Jennifer was pleased to see Lacy come out of her shell and freely enjoy the festivities.
30th Century: Escape (30th Century Trilogy Book 1) Page 9