The scientific assembly was wrapping up. Some were extending their stay to either charter a fishing boat or vacation in Kalara, the only tourist town on the island. It was nestled in the hills below NORC. A few others were staying to participate in some post conference workshops.

Jejliard prohibited any military vessels in Novaland during the conference. It was to reinforce the neutral sharing of scientfific knowledge. He did not want it to degenerate into a parade of nations flaunting naval superiority of one over another. He feared Novaland may soon have to take sides against this new threat from the Theopians.

General Colberton was a board member of an international civilian organization, Beldora Trade Partnership (BTP), which contracts with various governmental bodies to oversee peaceful commerce and trade treaties. It also contracted with private security forces when requested by smaller nations without a strong military.

Colberton and the committee members from the Security Division of BTP were preparing to leave on their military transport vessel anchored in the harbor. It was powered by the new combustion engine design developed by NORC and much faster than the sluggish steam powered passenger ships and cargo vessels usually seen in these waters. A couple of small, motorized skiffs were transporting people and luggage from the docks.

Colberton waved at Jejliard and motioned for him to come over. “I’d like to speak with you,” he said when they were in ear shot. “Alone.”

“Come up to my office if you like.”

“I don’t want to miss my ride."

“Why not catch another ride home on one of the passenger ships, General? It wouldn't hurt to take a few days off. You might be interested in some local news I wasn't inclined to share with your cohorts."

“You have piqued my interest now, Jejliard. I suppose I could stay a while longer.”

They worked their way past the throng of people and the maze of corridors to the office.

“May I offer you a drink?” Jejliard offered going to his wet bar.

“Nothing strong. It affects my blood pressure."

“Theopian tea?”

“Perfect. It's very rarely seen these days.”

“They haven’t produced any more since the last uprising, but we managed to get some plants and grow our own supply now. It thrives in the mountains here.”

“Excellent. I really should spend more time in Novaland and take in your whole operation.”

“Well, if you can stay a few days Tajlon’s putting on a private exhibition of our nuclear sub. I think you’d enjoy that.”

“Indeed, I would,” Colberton said and settled into a chair. He propped his feet up on a low windowsill overlooking the Sora Sea. “Quite a view you have.”

“The best. The mountains really light up with the sunsets. Simply beautiful. “

Jejliard put on some water for the tea and joined Colberton by the window. “So what’s on your mind?”

“War. I know you said to speak freely in front of your son, Tajlon, but I downplayed it. Rumor is they have already tested a weapon underwater.”

“Where?”

“Over in the Rassel Glades area. We don’t keep scouts there and they know it.”

“What are you thinking?”

“Well, if in fact they did set off a weapon, there should be residual radiation, evidence of some sort.”

“And we’re the only ones with the technology to investigate. I get it.”

“You send scientific teams everywhere. It wouldn’t arouse much suspicion if a few lay scientists formed an expedition and went looking for some endangered species in the Glades. No prominent figures you understand.”

“I’ll see what I can put together. I appreciate your discretion around Tajlon actually. He’d want to lead the team.”

“He comes by that honestly," Colberton said. "I wanted your response before bringing him into the picture. After listening to Tajlon's reaction earlier, I believe he would be happy to stay here and work with you on a nuclear defense program."

“I'm sure he would, and I like the idea of keeping a closer watch on my son," Jejliard said. "The clouds are starting to catch fire over in the distance. Take a look through my telescope if you like.”

Colberton stood up and gazed through the scope for several minutes. Jejliard poured them each a hot cup of tea. Theopian tea was a practiced art in both the growing conditions and timing of harvest. The manner of preparation was critical as well. It had a strong, robust flavor which was an acquired taste for most. Drinking the tea had a variable effect depending on soil condition, the age of the leaves at harvest, the temperature of the water and length of time one allowed it to steep. Tepid tea from young leaves could be diluted with milk and given to a baby as a sedative, but when brewed extremely hot it was a stimulant and mild hallucinogen due to the additional compounds released. More mature leaves could be lethal if steeped too strong and historically had been used as an abortifacient.

“I see why you like it here, Jejliard.” Colberton stopped to enjoy a sip of his tea.

“Yes. I never get tired of this.”

"What mountain range is that to the far northwest of here? ”

“They’re called the Lost Mountains, a string of domed volcanic islands actually that lie near the center of the Wayless Sea. We haven’t found a good enough reason to explore them yet. That area is very dangerous.”

“I’ve heard stories about them." Colberton settled back in a chair and recalled Jejliard had alluded to some significant event so disquieting he didn't want to share it with the Security Division. "Now what's the local news have I missed?"

***

Security problems were growing rapidly on Beldora and though he was needed elsewhere, Colberton was convinced to stay after Jejliard filled him in on details of the wreck they'd discovered plus the strange experience with an alien life form on board. He also wanted to speak with Tajlon in more detail about his new submarine, the aeronautics experiments and developing a nuclear detonation device. Novaland was a goldmine of technology for a man in Colberton's position, a high-ranking military man, whose activities were cloaked in a civilian operation.

Jejliard suggested Colberton should rent a room for the week from Mara. She ran a bed and breakfast in Kalara near the complex. She occasionally would toss in lunch or supper if she wasn't too busy helping with NORC projects. A meal could always be found if you were hungry. It was the perfect place to relax.

Tajlon had been planning a submarine demonstration for weeks and had promised his dad it would be special. Getting to perform for Colberton would certainly add to his birthday celebration. Jejliard was eager let Tajlon know but hadn't seen him at the conference all day. He happened across Hal on his way out that evening.

"How did the tow job go yesterday?"

"Smooth. We have her pulled up a little to keep water from getting back through the hole in the hull. The sumps are working fine. We need to firm up projections for the cost of this project tomorrow."

"Sure. Whatever it takes. Have you by chance seen Tajlon today?"

"Didn't he tell you? He skipped the conference and went back to Turodey to find Nova and pick him up."

"What's Nova doing on Turodey?"

"He rode over with me when we towed the wreck over, then refused to leave."

"Any idea why?"

"I don't speak leopard. Maybe he decided to go native on us."

"Unlikely. He's spoiled to Mara's kitchen."

"Oh yeah, Tajlon took your yacht, the Loca Luna."

"Of course he did. I'll check in with him on my radio."

"He'll be fine, Jejliard. Probably planning a moonlight sail."

"I'd like to believe that, but it sounds entirely too tame."

"I promised Greyla I'd meet her for dinner this evening at Mara's. Call if you need me." Hal said as he exited the center.

"Thanks. I will."

Jejliard went back to his office and radioed the yacht. When there was no answer, he told himself to quit being so protective. Tajlon was almost eighteen, knew his way around the islands and wasn't a little boy anymore. If Jejliard would admit it, Tajlon never was a normal child after the operation. The chip in his own brain was more advanced than the one in Nova. Even more refinements were made before Tajlon received his. That plus having the chip placed at such a young age allowed Tajlon to grow up with a fully integrated supercomputer for a brain. Tajlon could glance over a technical document in only a few minutes, digest it, catalog it and recall it perfectly years later. He had created something new in Tajlon and realized he had little control over the outcome.

Jejliard decided to wait at his office and keep trying to contact Tajlon.

”Note to file, I need to develop a tracking device for that boy.”

***

They were relaxing on the front porch of Mara's Place chatting. Hal sat next to Greyla across from General Colberton and Captain De'Marc. They had finished a quiet dinner with Mara and her other guests. The bed and breakfast was a rambling bungalow located on the main road running through the NORC complex. Mara lived in the small second floor quarters over her dining and kitchen area. The bungalow had been remodeled and expanded by the addition of two side wings coming off the central cottage. The simple structure blended with the island milieu and belied its modern facilities.

"Nice place you have here," Colberton said to Mara through the open doorway. "Thank you for an excellent meal."

"You're welcome General. You should visit us more often."

"I will, good woman. I most certainly will." He turned to Hal. "What a grand life you islanders enjoy. Where exactly do you live, Halston?"

"I share a duplex with Greyla and Dane right down the slope behind Mara's. The Castonea home is a quarter mile farther and built on the little rise of ground you see above the dock."

Colberton looked over at the dock attached to a long pier jutting into the harbor. He could make out the shape of a boat.

"Is that your boat I see docked there, Captain?"

"It is," De'Marc answered. "I keep the Casgora Wind docked here most of the year. We're all regular company at Mara's table."

Jejliard approached the group on his way home after finally leaving the office.

"You should have called, I'd have given you a lift," Colberton said.

" I prefer to walk, weather permitting," he replied.

"Jejliard, you missed a good dinner," De'Marc called to his friend. "Shall I ask Mara to heat you up a plate?"

"No thanks. I had a sandwich left over from the conference."

"We've been filling the General in on current events. The Raemolles were exhausted or perhaps tired of my peerless conversation and called it an early night." Hal said. "Did you get in touch with Tajlon?"

"I did." Jejliard climbed the step to the porch and pulled up a chair.

"Everything okay?" Greyla asked.

"He's fine."

"I knew he would be," Hal said.

"You're not going to believe this, but I think Tajlon's found a girlfriend."

"Really?" Greyla asked. "Where did she come from?"

"Evidently she's the reason Nova stayed on Turodey. Tajlon is bringing her here tonight. I'll get the whole story then."

Mara walked out on the porch to join them. "I heard part of that. A girl? On Turodey?"

"Yes. He said she'd been stranded there for a while. Months."

"Oh, the poor thing. Is she in bad shape?" Mara asked.

"Not so bad as to prevent her from taking sailing lessons all day."

"Interesting. She must know how to live off the land," Colberton mused.

"Oh, there's more." Jejliard raised an eyebrow and cast a glance toward Mara. "She's your sister."

"My sister? Most of my family died in the tsunami. I was told all of my brothers and sisters were drowned along with their children."

"Adopted sister. Her family was killed also, but Lokanne apparently took the girl in and raised her, She's Tajlon's age, so you'd be more of auntie to her I suppose."

"Why, that's incredible. I can't wait to meet her," Mara looked toward the harbor. "Let me know the minute they arrive. I'll get a room ready."

"Let me help you, Mara," Greyla said getting to her feet. "You've had a long day and I know your staff have all left for the evening."

"Can this week get any stranger?" Jejliard asked no one in particular.

"What I want to know is what I can possibly get Tajlon for his birthday. I mean come on. He has a submarine," Hal said. "And a now a girl friend who likes to sail? I'm jealous. I can't even get a kiss."

Greyla gave Hal a poke in the shoulder at the reference to their relationship followed by a peck on the cheek.

"Poor Hal. I only lead him into sunken spaceships and demon infested waters," she said before following Mara inside.