30th Century: Escape (30th Century Trilogy Book 1)

by Mark Kingston Levin

  “Several years ago the Imperial Pigeon was down to fifty birds,” Eeva told her. “But it has come back to an estimated three hundred and thirty now. We were lucky to see one the first hours we are here on Nuku Hiva. There is a plan to introduce some to the neighboring island.”

  “Eeva, you really seem to know much more than the average person about these birds. Did you study that in school?”

  “No, I just read about these islands and its inhabitants because I was interested in doing something to protect the natural world.”

  “That is a very good reason,” Jennifer noted. “How did you start?”

  “My husband started my interest before we even got married,” Eeva said, smiling at Jules.

  Jennifer considered her former role in saving the world. While having set that ship a-sail without her, she saw no reason not to discover a field of study in this time that would allow her to make a difference in her adopted time.

  As they drove, the cliff peaks above Aakapa Bay come into view.

  “We should get some photos of this site,” Jules said, stopping the car. “There are several archeological sites near here but this place is off the normal path of your everyday tourist.”

  They walked over to the edge of the bluff overlooking the Aakapa Bay.

  Jennifer saw a few fins poking above the water. “Dolphins, look!”

  “Nature has been very kind to us today,” Jules said.

  Jennifer ran down the cliff to the black rocks below. She saw a broken piece of fishnet loose in the water about three hundred meters from shore with a dolphin caught in it.

  “Please throw down my flippers and mask,” she called to Eeva. She wanted to do something.

  Eeva threw the flippers and mask down, caught up in the urgency of the situation. Out here there were no activists to save these animals.

  Jennifer put on the flippers and mask in waist deep water before diving into the ocean. She swam out to where the dolphin was caught in the net while Eeva stood on shore, taking pictures of her daring rescue.

  Jules got out his Sony camcorder, filming as Eeva took pictures.

  Jennifer calmed the dolphin with her touch so that it stopped thrashing and she was able to untangle the dolphin’s tail because he did not struggle. The dolphin swam away as soon as it was freed, jumping above the water in a beautiful arc. She waved goodbye to her new friend before swimming back to shore. She tried to drag the net back with her to prevent another entanglement. The net was heavier than it looked and pulling the weight exhausted Jennifer so she let it go and came ashore enervated.

  Jules ran to help her. “Are you all right?”

  “Yes, just a bit tired from trying to pull the net through the water.” Jennifer surveyed her clothing. “And wet.”

  Eeva offered a towel for Jennifer to sit on in the car.

  “Let us go into town,” Jules said. “We might be able to rent a boat to rent to help us carry the net away from the water.”

  They found a small native village with several outriggers, canoes, and a fishing boat that they were told had just come in from a morning of lobster fishing. While Jennifer changed into dry clothes in the restroom, Eeva spoke with the captain, and he agreed to go get the fish net. She offered to pay the captain two hundred dollars if he could deliver the net to them where they were having lunch.

  They drove directly to Chez Yvonne’s and enjoyed a wonderful lunch of local lobster, asparagus, breadfruit, and desert of cooked bananas. The captain called Eeva’s phone as they were eating dessert. He met them outside in his truck with the huge net that Jennifer recognized. They put it on top of the car and tied it down.

  The restaurant owner, Yvonne, came out and asked in French, “What will you do with the fish net? You told me you were tourists so I’m curious as to why you paid my cousin so much for it?”

  “This net trapped a dolphin,” Eeva said, “and we don’t want it to happen again.”

  Jules brought out his camcorder to show Yvonne the video.

  “Wow this is a fabulous story,” Yvonne exclaimed. “Who is the girl in the video?”

  Eeva extended an arm around Jennifer’s shoulder. “You met Jennifer at lunch. She is a lover of dolphins and many creatures from earth and sea. This is her.”

  “My gosh! You showed no hesitation! I’m impressed. How did you calm the dolphin down?”

  “I don’t know,” Jennifer said.

  “She has amnesia,” Eeva said, shaking her head in sympathy.

  Yvonne tilted her head to assess Jennifer. “You remind me of a little girl I met ten years ago. She came in with her family and planned to sail around the world with them. We had a great party! Her name was Jennifer too and she had a way with dolphins. Her parents told me she swam with them ever since she was a toddler.”

  “Thank you for telling this story,” Jules said. “We’ve been trying to uncover Jennifer’s past and it seems you know a piece of it.”

  Jennifer shifted her stance, rubbing at goosebumps that broke out on her arms.

  “It’s getting late, so we must be going,” Eeva said.

  “What will you do with the fish net?” Yvonne asked again.

  “Probably throw it out,” Jules said.

  “I could use it to decorate my restaurant,” Yvonne said. After some discussion, the net was given to Yvonne, who promised them a free lobster dinner in exchange.

  Jules looked at his watch. “Our time went by quickly! To make our appointments, we should drive on without any more sightseeing.”

  On the ride to the hotel Jennifer thought about what she’d learned. Here was more evidence that this Jennifer, the one who belonged to André and Colette Heros, shared many of her characteristics. Many young girls loved dolphins yet few had any experience swimming or interacting with them. Jennifer and Past Jennifer seemed to have the same childhood quirks.

  As they were checking into the hotel, Eeva announced that they had only thirty minutes to get ready.

  The girl behind the counter gave Jennifer a sideways glance. She had Caucasian features with the soft caramel-colored skin that perhaps designated a child from a mixed couple. Her nametag read “Poe,” pronounced in Marquesan Po’ Ah.

  Jennifer spoke to her in French. “What’s the meaning of Poe?”

  “Pearl.”

  “Kotoa nui!” Jennifer said. “Maybe we can talk later, Poe. I must get ready for a dinner engagement. Au revoir.”

  The girl returned her salutation with a smile but stared at her face overlong, as though trying to place her.

  Jennifer made it to the dining room with only minutes to spare. She’d wanted to try on her new dress and makeup that Eeva had helped her purchase. She twirled as she walked, delighted at the way the dress moved.

  “You look so different!” Eeva said.

  “Beautiful,” Jules said.

  “Thank you! It feels lovely to let my hair down again,” Jennifer said. She looked around for the woman who was supposed to be joining them but didn’t see her.

  “Where is Ms. Kimitete?” she asked.

  “She called and said she was running about fifteen minutes late,” Jules said.

  “What are those little islands called near the opening of the Taiohae Bay?” Jennifer asked.

  Before anyone could answer, a Polynesian woman with graying hair and a few extra pounds approached their table. Jules and Eeva rose to greet her.

  “Amura! It’s wonderful to see you. Please have a seat,” Eeva said with a smile and an intense hug.

  Jennifer stood and offered her hand. “Comment allez-vous?”

  “Heureux de vous rencontrer,” Amura replied. Jules held her chair for her as she sat.

  Taking his own seat along with the women, Jules asked, “Jennifer wanted to know the names of the little islands at the opening to Taiohae Bay. Can you tell her?”

  Amura turned to Jennifer and said in a practiced instructor’s tone, “The two small islets on either side of the mouth of the bay are referred to as the Sentinels
. The sentinel on the west side of the bay is called Motu Nui, and the other is referred by local people as Mata Ua Puna.”

  “Merci beaucoup!” Jennifer said.

  “How high is Mt. Muake, which we crossed over in the rain this afternoon?” Eeva asked.

  “The mountain behind us, Mt. Muake, rises to about eight hundred sixty-four meters or two thousand, eight hundred thirty-five feet,” Amura said.

  “Amura was born here and has an enviable insight,” Eeva said.

  Amura shook her head. “No, actually I was born in Tahiti. I speak Marquesan and my parents were born here. They still live in Tahiti along with about eight thousand other Marquesan people. There are as many Marquesan people living in Tahiti as live in the Marquesas.”

  “That is very interesting,” Jennifer said, remembering the book she’d read. “I am interested in studying how these and other islands were settled over such a vast ocean.”

  Amura replied, “About two thousand years ago there was an expedition from Samoa but a thousand years before that Polynesians may have traveled from Fiji to Tonga and Samoa. We know this from linguistics, DNA, and archeological evidence.”

  Eeva leaned in. “Excuse me! I do not want to interrupt, but I am starving. I would like to order soon if you wouldn’t mind.”

  After everyone ordered, Jules added a bottle of French wine.

  The wine came first with a local appetizer known as poisson cru.

  Amura gestured to the plate. “This is truly a Polynesian treat. It consists of raw tuna marinated in lime juice and then diced cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes and also coconut milk.” She demonstrated how to eat it.

  After Jennifer had tried a bite and declared it good, Amura asked, “By the way, where are you from?”

  Jennifer looked down and paused for a time, remembering her cover story. “I am sorry…but I do not know. The last thing I can remember is waking up on Moruroa atoll about four months ago. There was a survival kit on my shoulder and a dive vest around my neck. The survival kit was tied to my vest.”

  “That must have been a traumatic experience. I am very sorry,” Amura said, with an apologetic look.

  Jules must have known that Jennifer was tired of telling the story repeatedly so he began to tell it for her.

  “Jennifer was found by an American researcher named Dr. Martin Zitonick, who came to study the recovery of the reef after forty years from atmospheric nuclear testing. Dr. Zitonick brought her to Tahiti and I brought her here to help her recover her memory. Do you remember teaching a girl named Jennifer Heros in fifth grade?”

  “Yes, she was the smartest child I ever taught,” Amura said.

  “Can you take a good look at Jennifer?” Jules asked.

  “Yes, I have been thinking about her and her family ever since I met Jennifer tonight,” Amura said. “She looks a great deal like her mother now. I remember Jennifer had a love for the sea and archeology when she was in my class.”

  Jennifer puzzled over resembling the mother too, Colette. Perhaps because they were both blonde?

  “Do you remember her parents had a large sailing yacht called Moana Nui?” Jules asked.

  “I did not remember the name but I remember André and Colette did a great deal to help the people of the Marquesas regain their pride and culture. He often spoke at dedications for new schools and clinics. He set up a fund that gives every student their very own notebook computer in all of the Marquesas.”

  “Do I look like the Jennifer you taught in fifth grade?” Jennifer asked.

  “Yes, you do look very much like her,” Amura confirmed. “You and your mother were the only blondes in Taiohae at that time.”

  “Do you remember any more since you arrived on Nuku Hiva?” Jules asked.

  Jennifer shook her head. “Nothing concrete but the incident with the dolphin stirred up something in me. I felt as though we may have met before.”

  “Dolphin?” Amura asked.

  Jules brought out his Sony again so that Amura could see Jennifer’s daring rescue.

  “Amazing!” Amura said. “How very brave of you!”

  Jennifer looked down at her hands. “I couldn’t stand to see the creature suffer. I did what anyone would have done.”

  They finished their dinner, talking about the rescue and the book Jules was writing to accompany their trip. Amura’s eyes starting drooping around the time Eeva contracted a case of the yawns. They all agreed it was time to go home.

  * * *

  Jennifer got up the next morning with a pit of anxiety in her stomach. She knew she’d have to visit what Jules and Eeva assumed was “her” childhood home. She dreaded intruding on the Heros’ home and their private lives. Jennifer feared her cover could be blown and she would be exposed with no explanation other than amnesia.

  They drove to a luxurious looking house where Jules unlocked the front door.

  “Do you recognize anything?” he asked.

  Jennifer shook her head. She walked through the home, noting the stylish furniture. Past Jennifer had lived a charmed life here.

  She explored Jennifer Heros’ room. The walls were painted a light shade of blue that made her think of ocean breezes. She paused to touch the seashells collected on the dresser and to flip through some photo albums. Strangers smiled back at her, along with a teenage girl who looked a lot like her. She shivered.

  Eeva and Jules gave her time to explore before Eeva interrupted her.

  “Do you remember anything?” she asked.

  “No, I cannot remember who I am or my past,” Jennifer said. “But I feel an emotional connection with the Marquesas that was absent before my trip.”

  “What do you mean?” Eeva asked.

  “I feel bad that the missionaries destroyed the Polynesian culture that existed for over three thousand years. But I feel worse that disease brought by my French ancestors killed ninety-eight percent of the Marquesan people. I read in the photo album that Colette’s ancestors were early missionary in Nuku Hiva. I feel guilty as though I was one of those people that caused such a holocaust.” Jennifer pressed her lips together. Her grandfather had been instrumental in the creation of the Syndos before their inherent problems were known.

  “Maybe you remember your father or mother talking about history with you. They were great believers in education and justice. Perhaps those ideals filtered down to you.”

  Jennifer wondered if her real parents’ ideals had been the same. They had been preoccupied with animal rights while around them the Syndos worked to stamp out Natural humanity. They had been cold about her enthusiasm to join the SS, disappointing her.

  Were they as concerned with justice? With history?

  The next couple of days were spent visiting archeological sites that had been turned into tourist spots. Jennifer saw firsthand some of the archeological sites she’d read about from the books Eeva had given her.

  Next they flew back to Tahiti and spent a quiet day at Eeva and Jules’ home reflecting on the trip, selecting photos, and editing in French so Jules could convey the right message of intrigue to entice the traveler to explore the islands.

  CHAPTER 15

  Touring Tahiti

  Outside Jules and Eeva’s house, a familiar white Chevy Suburban pulled up. A young boy and girl tumbled out, heading straight for Jules.

  “Grandpa!”

  Jules bent down, picked them up one at a time and laughed as they hugged and kissed him. He looked up to see his tall son-in-law exiting the driver’s seat. “Ian! Good to see you!”

  Jules looked down at the children. “Michael, Michelle—do you want some ice cream?”

  Michelle pulled away from his side and looked up at him. “And—”

  “Yes, and papayas. Go on in if you want some!”

  His grandchildren scrambled into the house, leaving the door open behind them.

  Ian laughed at the sight of his children romping like puppies, and came to greet his father-in-law. “Good to see you, Jules. Where’s Eeva?”

>   “She went to pick up Jennifer from the Hotel Tiare.”

  “Jennifer?”

  Jules smiled as they walked into the kitchen. “You’ll meet her soon. Anyway, would you like some too?” He gestured toward Michael, who strained to reach the freezer door. “It’s a long trip around Tahiti. You’ll probably get hungry before lunch.”

  “Sure.”

  “Grandpa, I can’t find the papayas!” Michelle shouted.

  “And I can’t reach the ice cream…” Michael said.

  “No worries, kids,” Ian said. “Grandpa and I to the rescue!”

  The kids wiggled on their chairs as the two men put together the treat, scooping vanilla ice cream into bowls and placing slices of papaya on top. Jules served himself and Ian papayas with fresh limes.

  “How’s the guidebook coming along?” Ian asked.

  Michael mashed together his papayas and ice cream.

  “Ah, it is good! I am considering some new photos. Would you like to see?”

  “Sure.”

  Pulling up the photos on his tablet, Jules asked, “How’re the stores, Ian? Still considering advertising with us?”

  “Yes! We’re looking to open another Black Pearl in Nuku Hiva next year. Soon you can get jewelry at one of our four local locations.”

  “I’m impressed! Kids, come take a look.”

  Jules flipped through the photos, pointing out his favorites for Ian and the kids.

  “What else do you have, Grandpa?” Michelle asked when Jules had reached the end.

  “Well, I do have this video…do you want to see?”

  “Yes, please!” she said.

  Michelle squealed over the dolphin and Michael watched Jennifer swim with wide eyes.

  “Is that Jennifer?” Ian asked.

  “Yes,” Jules said proudly. “They should be back any minute—”

  “Aloha!” Eeva said, entering the kitchen as if on cue. She bent down to kiss her grandchildren.

  Jennifer looked at Ian with curiosity, first greeting the children. “Hello there.”

  “This is Michael and Michelle,” Eeva said. “This is Jennifer. Tell her how old you are.”