by Caney, Mark
Silent Waters went on, ‘We have a lot to discuss today. Amongst the more important; the environmental changes we are measuring in Ocean, the actions of the Walkers, and our relationship with the other zetii, particularly regarding the hunting quotas. As you know, exceptionally for this meeting, it has been decided to invite an ambassador from the Xenthos to join us later today, and our Voice of the Others has arranged it.’ She gestured towards Cloud Passing with her head as she spoke, but most of those present knew him. At fifty-two, he was the oldest present and his judgement was highly respected.
She went on, ‘Let us begin by hearing from one of the Ka-Tse’s best known Seekers: Always Counting’. An angular dolphin moved to the circle centre, his eyes darting about slightly nervously. Sky knew him mainly by reputation, and knew that from an early age Always Counting had preferred the sciences to social events. He was known as being uncomfortable speaking to large groups, especially non-Seekers as they used too much emotion and not enough logic for his taste.
‘Ahh, thank you Prime Mother Silent Waters,’ he began in a thin voice, ‘This zeta gives thanks to the Council for their consideration and reports that, ahh, our measurements of the environment show that the seasonally-adjusted mean thermal values for the representative sea-mass continue to increase in a non-linear fashion’.
Sky was quietly horrified — this was just as he feared. He did not understand anything and he was going to look completely stupid. However, Silent Waters interrupted Always Counting gently: ‘And what does that actually mean?’
‘Ah. That…that the seas are still getting warmer. And faster.’
‘Thank you, and can you explain — in simple terms — what this may mean for the zetii?’
‘Ahh. Well. Sea temperature changes are not new, they have happened over the millennia from period to period. But this time it is occurring much faster. Faster than ever before since our ancestors began keeping records. The ice caps are melting. We have reports from the northern clans of the glaciers breaking up at an unprecedented rate. There is a, ahh, huge amount of water in those ice caps and the sea will rise as they melt. Now this will cause major changes. For example, a coral reef that currently exists at a certain depth will not be able to exist in its current form if the water depth increases significantly.’ He looked about at his audience vaguely. ‘Large areas of the land will become submerged and, perhaps most seriously for us, the great ocean conveyor currents will become disrupted. We know this, as it has happened gradually in the past when the climate changed. These currents transport nutrients from one part of Ocean to another. Many species may not survive a major change in their flow. This will have a dramatic effect.’
‘Have the Seekers concluded why it is happening?’ Silent Waters asked.
‘Ahh. Yes, yes. We may be in the phase of a natural cycle where temperatures would naturally increase, but the evidence is that the Walkers are exacerbating the problem dramatically, if not actually causing it. We think that the fumes they have been releasing into the air for the past two hundred years are causing the unnatural heating of Ocean.’
One of the elders gestured for permission to speak and Silent Waters nodded.
‘It is obvious that the Walkers cannot realise the damage they are causing or they would surely get their foul machines to stop belching out their poisons at once.’
Always Counting looked doubtful. ‘I would have thought they must know. Their society seems so dependant on manipulating their environment, I would be very surprised if they have not felt the temperature rise and know what it must signify.’
The elder shook his head, ‘Then it must be as many believe. That the Walkers are not in control of their machines. They serve the machines, and the machines simply do not care.’
No one had an answer to that.
Silent Waters acknowledged another dolphin requesting to speak. North Wind moved forward, ‘We know that the Walkers are creating this catastrophe with their chemicals and devices. We can be sure that they must know it. They have so much power with their technology that they must be able to stop it if they want to — but they don’t. The reason is obvious: this is their plan; they want to disrupt Ocean and to wipe out competitive species!’
Another spoke, ‘This zeta finds it hard to believe that any species is that callous. The Walkers can’t be aware of the consequences of what they are doing. If they did they would do something about it.’
Always Counting spoke again. ‘That just does not fit what we know of their abilities. The Walkers obviously have Seekers and they must be measuring the temperature rise. Perhaps they know what is going wrong but they currently get such a value from their machines that they are prepared to sacrifice the future for whatever benefits they receive now.’
North Wind scoffed, ‘That is preposterous! That any truly intelligent being would squander the future for some petty short-term benefit!’
There was a lot of murmuring of agreement at this. It seemed inconceivable.
Silent Waters moved to the centre to restore order. ‘Let us move on with our agenda; we can discuss this further where time permits. It leads naturally to another subject that can be dealt with quickly I think. Several of you asked for a review of the guidance we have given concerning contact with the Walkers. In some cases there is occasional social contact and we have agreed in the past that this can happen at each Ka-Tse’s own risk and at their own choice. However, we also must allow for the situation where occasionally Walkers have captured Ka-Tse or other zetii. In some cases they have been treated well, in other cases…well, you have all heard the stories. The proposal is that the protocols for these situations remain the same: any zetii making contact with the Walkers may be friendly and respond to them but shall not allow the Walkers to become aware of the level of communication and intelligence zetii possess. Obviously, it also goes without saying that, in accordance to the Way, they shall not harm them, regardless of provocation.’
Green Wave Falling asked for permission to speak. Pointedly, he resumed the formal style of council address which had been rather ignored by some of the less aged dolphins. ‘This zeta gives thanks to the Council for their consideration and supports this motion. It is in the Walkers’ nature to exploit their environment. We should not forget that where they have suspected zetii abilities before they have apparently tried to exploit them. There are stories that they have even tried to use zetii to kill other Walkers. There is no reason to believe that this has changed.’
Sky continued to remain silent but listened closely. He had heard these stories before and thought they must be exaggerations. But here they were taking them seriously at the Grand Council! Why would the Walkers behave in such a way?
Cloud Passing came forward.
‘This zeta also believes that it is right and proper to keep the existing protocols. I would remind you though of the ancient legend that says that amongst the Walkers there are a few who will understand the Way. It says that one day the Ka-Tse will find those few and we will work together to respect and conserve Ocean, as it is said we did tens of thousands of years ago. Perhaps it is a myth, but we should not forget it. One day we may meet these Walkers, and if so we must be ready to recognise them.’
A few more opinions were expressed, but none were in favour of changing the guidance. Silent Waters asked if any objected to keeping the contact protocol unchanged. None did, so they moved on with their debate.
At almost midday, Silent Waters announced a break. ‘We thank the Grand Council for their efforts so far and will now pause so that you may refresh yourself. Green Wave Falling has information for you in this regard.’
He gestured thanks to her. ‘As you leave here you will find twelve members of our clan waiting to greet you. Please divide yourself amongst these guides and they will lead you to good foraging. They will take you to separate areas. The hunting is varied so you will have some choice in what you may eat; each guide can tell you what type of prey they will try to lead you to. Do not go far to the
south-west. I have been informed that the Walkers have lost one of their hunting devices in a gully there and it could be a deadly hazard for the unwary. We thank Senx for the bounty he may provide you with now; please return when he is at his zenith.’
Chapter 23
“Eat the young fish today and your young will eat no fish tomorrow”
- Traditional
Sky and his fellow Novices were among the guides assigned to take the Grand Council members foraging so he had to quickly change roles. He soon found Deneb and Muddy, who took delight in teasing him that it was improper for a Grand Council member to be acting as a lowly guide. Muddy dipped his head deeply as he passed.
‘It is truly noble of you to come amongst us common zetii, and share our simple lives for a day, oh great Touches The Sky-Jeii!’
Sky playfully snapped his jaws at him and took his own station. Soon nine of the elders assembled around him. After some inconsequential talk, one of them addressed Sky: ‘Tell me, young fellow, there are rumours that one of your females was found dead in strange circumstances in the last few days. What do you know of this?’
‘Her name was Wakes Softly. It happened just before the Gathering.’
Several of the elders gathered around in interest at this.
‘Some are saying that she had been attacked by other zetii! Can this be true?’
But before Sky could answer Green Wave Falling arrived.
‘That incident is being investigated. We are still gathering facts, but it is likely that there will be a simple explanation for what happened. None of you need be alarmed.’
He turned to Sky. ‘You are foraging towards the south west are you not?’
‘That is right, Jeii, earlier there were squid to be had in that direction.’
‘Then I shall join you. I wish to inspect this Walker’s artefact we have had reports of.’
The eleven dolphins set off, following the coast. As they exited the bay and left the crowds, a large shape fell into formation behind them, swimming just under the surface, but never surfacing to breathe as they did.
Green Wave Falling glanced at it briefly.
‘I see one of the Cleaners believes we shall do well.’
Sky said nothing; this was normal. Three or four sharks, this one a powerful oceanic white tip, had followed some of the clans in as they arrived. They often followed the dolphins at sea, as they led them to easy meals. They would gather up the remnants from the dolphins’ feeding and seldom bothered them. They would, however, be most interested in a lost calf or an adult that became too sick to keep up.
At a particular coral outcrop, Sky led them directly away from the shore, out to the deeper water. He used his sonar to judge the depth. When it was right, he turned the group parallel to the shore again. He read the Shades to himself; the Tonella Xhosii was dominant; meaning birth or fulfilment and the water clarity and quality suggested soon or nearby. That seemed as good an omen for the hunt as one could wish for; he was sure most of the elders with him would read it too.
He called out to them:
‘Honoured guests, the squid were at this point on the bank below us at this time yesterday, making their way deeper. May I suggest that you make a line abreast of me and we sweep the seabed nearer the bottom?’
They did as he suggested, diving down to within fifteen meters of the bottom and swam along line abreast, using their sonar to scan the seabed below them. Soon, one of the inshore dolphins cried out:
‘Here, below me now, lots of them! Thanks be to Senx for sacrificing these creatures to meet our needs!’
And they dived down, encircling the mass of small squid. As the squid became aware of the dolphins, they shot off in various directions. Many of them squirted clouds of ink to try and distract their predators. Although this did create a confusing picture, the dolphins’ sonar still gave them deadly accuracy. Some used more powerful blasts on the smaller squids, temporarily stunning them so they could be snapped up.
Sky ate a few squid, then watched the hunt in progress. Judging the moment, he called out:
‘Enough, please, honoured guests! We must leave the rest to breed and feed us another day.’
The remaining squid, about twenty individuals by Sky’s estimation and some quarter of the original group, shot into the safer darkness of the great depths. The feeding had taken less than two minutes, but the hunters were satisfied.
Green Wave Falling suggested that the other elders go back to the bay while he and Sky investigated the reported net. They happily did so after thanking Sky for their meal.
The two dolphins went further along the coastline and eventually came to a point where a small islet just off the shore created an underwater gully between it and the land. Sure enough, a fine net was draped across this opening, lost by fishermen weeks before.
They approached it cautiously. The net was torn in places, but its upper edge was still held up by a row of floats, which kept it just below the surface. Its lower edges were entangled in the coral at the bottom.
‘Have you seen one of these before, Touches The Sky?’
‘I have seen such Walker’s devices from a distance in the open sea, Jeii, but never this close.’
‘The Walkers use them to gather prey from the sea. They take some of what is caught and discard what they do not care for, dead into the sea again.’
‘Why would they kill what they will not eat?’
‘Who knows? They do not seem to care.’
‘When will they take this?’
‘I would guess that they will not. This seems to be abandoned to me, I have seen this before.’
As they closed on the net, Sky saw that it was still doing its deadly work. A number of reef fish were entangled in it, having swum into its nearly invisible fibres. In one upper corner a young turtle hung. Unable to reach the surface to breathe, it had drowned.
‘We will warn the Gathering,’ Green Wave Falling said. ‘Although most zetii would probably detect it, if one were not paying attention they could miss it and become entangled; with fatal consequences. Come, let us go.’
They swam back. As they arrived back in the bay, a group of females, all Starwriters, passed them. As they swam by he recognised Venus In Mist amongst them. Sky would have liked to stop and talk to her and tried to catch her eye, but she looked away at that moment, and the group moved on, talking to each other about the coming evening’s events. As he escorted Green Wave Falling back to the Grand Council’s meeting place, he felt disappointed and hurt, and hoped that perhaps she had just not seen him. He comforted himself with the thought that he should see her that evening when the Starwriters would be massing for an unlocking song. He would try to speak to her then and find out what was wrong.
Chapter 24
“We mistrust the strange.”
- The ‘Seer’ Stone Eyes (13,222 -13,264 post Great Alluvium)
The Grand Council came to the last points of discussion that day as the sun met the horizon. The onshore breeze had been strengthened by the heating of the land and a sharp surface chop diffused the light and created eddies of sand on the bottom. The dolphins swayed gently back and forth in the swell without noticing it and kept station in their circle. Sky still had not spoken but was feeling less uncomfortable than before. His attention had begun to wander while a senior Healer from one of the southern clans had given a long and detailed report. He had been thinking about Rain Ending and hoping he would come soon with news of his father. Suddenly he realised that the Healer was coming to a conclusion and that he must have missed something important.
‘…and until this warm season the algae was fairly plentiful but now it is almost non-existent. Something is getting into the river and killing it; we think it may be coming from a big Walker settlement that is on the riverside upstream. You have all traditionally sent your clan members to our bay when they fell ill, but I have to tell you that in the next year the supply may stop completely.’
Sky suddenly realised what she must be
referring to. For thousands of years the dolphins had gone to this bay to treat many forms of cancer. The unique species of brown algae had remarkable powers and nearly always resulted in a complete cure. Now it seemed that the only known source of it was almost gone.
Silent Waters spoke, ‘This could indeed have dire consequences. We have grown used to thinking of these diseases as unimportant as we had a ready and effective treatment for them. If that cure is now destroyed many lives will be lost needlessly. We must hope that other sources of the algae still exist that we have not yet found. This zeta suggests that the Healers meet separately and arrange a systematic search amongst the clans in the coming year. Please treat this as a priority.’
There was a general agreement to this, and Silent Waters thanked the Healer for her report. Then she addressed the meeting again.
‘And now to the final item for discussion today. You have heard much in the last days concerning the issue of the hunting quotas. As you know, normally we would have the perspective of other species represented by the Voice of the Others. At this Gathering, however, we have a unique chance to hear from an envoy of the Xenthos who has kindly agreed to represent his kind and explain their position concerning the prey shortages we are all experiencing.’
At her gesture, Cloud Passing politely indicated to a stranger to enter the circle. Smaller than the assembled bottlenose dolphins, the lone common dolphin looked quite unique. He was smaller than they, with a slender build. The grey of their backs gradually became lighter on their undersides, but his back, and indeed most of his body was a very dark grey, closer to black. In stark contrast, his flanks were yellow while his belly was white, and this colour extended up the sides of his body at the fore part. It also continued in a narrow band in front of his eyes, giving the appearance of a white mask. When he spoke, it was clear that he knew their language quite well, although his accent was strange. He bowed to them.