The Secret - Book One of the Marcus II Series

by Bonnie Somerville

  When Steph finally reached the top she climbed through a hole in the floor of the shelter. She collapsed on the floor panting. When her legs finally stopped shaking and her breathing once more became normal she looked around. This was not your everyday observation platform but a genuine tree house. Not like a tree house children used to play in when she was a child, this was a serious house. In the main room there was a table and chairs, a couch and lounge chair with a coffee table. On the other side of the room was a counter with shelves above for food stuffs, plates and a few mugs. Through a doorway she could see another room with a full size bed. When she stood Steph could see out the kitchen window to a porch with seating and a hammock. It was truly amazing… if you liked heights.

  When Steph was finally able to dispel the vertigo she was feeling from looking out the kitchen window her attention went to Sara who was sitting beside Kaley on a two-seater chair in front of the living room window. Sara was looking very closely at Kaley not even trying to be discreet. Sara was a scientist and Kaley was a very interesting and unique looking young woman. Finally she spoke. “Kaley, if you don’t mind me asking, you look very different than others in the community. Why do you think that is?” Sara asked. Kaley looked at her and smiled. “I’m from the community to the North by the sea. I look like the rest of my family.” She said. Sara knew she was being deliberately evasive but she continued. “Do all in your family have white hair and violet eyes?” She prodded. Sara had never seen any human with violet eyes and she was having difficulty reconciling that fact with what her experience told her. She had seen some very strange color eyes like sea green, ice blue and even a light brown but this was very strange indeed. While Sara pondered this Kaley continued. “My Grandmother has white hair, my Mother has white hair. My sisters are mixed with some blonde and some white. I don’t know what else to tell you Doctor.” Kaley relayed. Sara looked at her more closely and couldn’t see anything in her features that suggested she was anything but human. Perhaps she was a mutation and her coloring was a natural but rare occurrence like being albino.

  “What about your eye color is that common in your family as well?” Sara persisted. “No my family members have all different eye colors, blue, green, brown, hazel and a few like me.” Kaley answered politely. Rachael came over looking a little annoyed. “I thought you were here to see the Pendek?” She said a little harshly. Steph saw the situation was starting to break down so she changed the subject. “I love your tree house! Is this where you live?” Steph asked. Rachael turned to her and said. “We live in Cambridge Landing but we like to come out here regularly. This is our home away from home where Kaley can relax. It’s like our vacation home.” Rachael explained. Steph smiled. “I can see why, this place is gorgeous and peaceful.” Steph said. Sara interrupted. “So where are the Pendek?” Rachaels’ expression changed instantly. “Come with me.”

  Everyone went out onto the balcony and sat down very quietly. Shortly there was a rustling in the nearby branches. Quiet hooting noises could be heard but other than the odd shaking of leaves Sara couldn’t see anything. “Come here my friends.” Kaley stood and climbed over the railing to a small platform in the nearby branches. She took a few nuts out of her shirt pocket and placed them on a shelf. She went back into the house and brought out some fruit and seeds and brought them out and placed them on the shelf as well. She came back and sat on the balcony with her legs dangling over the edge.

  Shortly a particularly brave Pendek moved closer and when it finally came into full view of Sara she almost gasped. This was not like any primate species she had ever seen on Terra. The creature was the size of a chimpanzee and had less hair on its body and face. Like many primates on Terra the Pendek had comical facial expressions. She couldn’t take her eyes off the creature and was in complete awe leaving her speechless.

  One by one the entire troop came down to join the original Pendek. They came in a variety of colors ranging from tan, silver, gold, to an almost yellow and white. The humans sat quietly for some time watching the family group eating, playing and teasing each other. Kaley motioned for the humans to stay still and quiet. She stood partially and ducked under the balcony railing. She leaned out and took a large branch and swung over to the platform. She immediately crouched down near the edge. “Is this safe?” Sara whispered to Rachael. “It is safe for her, it’s what she does.” Rachael said with a huge smile on her face.

  As Kaley sat a large female Pendek moved closer. Kaley turned her back to the newcomer and the Pendek moved closer. Kaley watched it out of the corner of her eye. When the creature inched closer still, Kaley reached out and offered it some fruit and nuts from her pocket. Sara had seen other Pendek do the same thing to younger members of the group. The Pendek reached out and took the fruit from her hand very gingerly.

  Rachael watched Kaley with obvious pride. “This is what she was doing when I first met her. I was in awe like you are Sara. I’d never seen anything like it either. I think that was when I fell in love with her.” Rachael continued the love in her eyes was unmistakable. “She had left her home settlement and had come to Cambridge Landing. She told me she missed the forest and animals. She found this area and built this place. One day she invited me out here, I saw her do her Pendek whisperer thing and we have been together ever since.” Rachael giggled.

  As they watched Kaley and the Pendek interacting another primate came into view. This one was much different than the first group. It was clearly a different species but one that seemed to coexist easily with the Pendek. In the first group the individuals were mostly white while this new specimen was brown and reddish, its stature slightly larger with limbs more in proportion to its body. Its arms weren’t overly long and its legs were longer and straighter. “Wow, what is that?” Sara asked excitedly. Kaley had climbed back over to the balcony smiling. She looked completely in her element. “Those are Kubu. They are distant cousins of the Pendek. I’ve not been able to ascertain if they were brought over from Marcus I as well or they are native to Marcus II. They seem to get along well, eat on the same platform, share food and have been known on occasion to interbreed.” Kaley explained.

  The evening was spent talking and laughing. They talked about the diverse animal life on Marcus II and had an incredible meal of fruits, nuts and edible flowers. In the morning Steph and Sara were awakened by the sound of a commotion outside the tree house. Sara walked out onto the balcony where Kaley already sat with a steaming mug of tea. “There’s some tea in the pot.” Kaley said. Sara went into the kitchen and poured herself a cup and went back to take a seat beside Kaley. “I wanted to thank you for showing me the Pendek. I can see why you love this place it’s magnificent.” Sara said sincerely. They sat back and sipped their tea. Shortly the Pendek and Kubu returned munching on leaves and fruit. Kaley hadn’t put any food out for them, it seemed the primates had brought their own and were seeking out the companionship of the humans. Kaley put down her empty mug and climbed back over to greet them. “Hello my friends” She said as she sat down beside them. The Pendek from the day before who Kaley had fed went over to her and offered her some leaves. Kaley pretended to eat the leaves. She knew how to make them feel comfortable with the presence of the new humans. They sat close to her touching and smelling her hair. When she came back over the rail Sara had so many questions. “They like you. Will they do that with anyone?” Sara inquired. “They will if they feel comfortable.” Kaley responded. “I would love to do some genetic testing on them to see if they are actually related.” Sara said. Kaley looked at her very seriously. “I would never do anything to hurt them and I would never allow anyone to do that either.” Kaley confided. Sara realized that she had made a very serious mistake. She didn’t want Kaley to think the reason she wanted to see the Pendek was to exploit them. That was the last thing she wanted to do, she liked and respected Kaley. “Kaley I’m so sorry, please forgive me. I just meant that I would like to know more about them, they’re fascinating and beautiful.” Kaley looked hur
t and confused. Sara went over to her. “I mean it! I don’t want to do anything to hurt them I promise. I love what you do here, it’s wonderful.” Sara said apologetically.

  The Pendek started making a ruckus, yelling and hooting. They ran into the trees obviously afraid of something. The Kubu on the other hand stood their ground. They were not only standing their ground but seemed to be standing between the intruder and the Pendek. They obviously had a symbiotic relationship. Kaley apparently forgave her because they spent two more days observing the Kubu and the Pendek. When they finally parted Kaley invited Sara to come back and visit anytime.

  After Kaley and Rachael escorted the scientists back to the town they started back to their tree house. As they followed the meandering path that only they seemed to be able to see Rachael broached the subject. “Kaley, do you think it was wise to bring them out here to see the Pendek and Kubu?” Rachael asked. Kaley continued walking. “We didn’t really have a choice. It was your Aunt Kitty who asked us… remember?” Kaley responded. Rachael took hold of Kaley’s arm. “I know but we could have taken them on a wild goose chase for a few days and then told them we couldn’t find any.” Rachael suggested. “There’s no harm done they came to see the Pendek and they have. They’re happy and they will do their research and return to Terra none the wiser.” Kaley offered. “Still, what if they find out the truth?” Rachael asked her brow creased with concern. This time Kaley stopped and looked reassuringly into her partners eyes. “If that happens all of our lives will never be the same. More ships with scientists will come back and Marcus II will no longer be ours.” Kaley said matter-of-factly. Rachael sighed and shook her head in disgust. ~

  Chapter Five

  Over the next few weeks Jaaza did exactly what her sister suggested. She worked with Sara and some of the other team members and for the most part avoided Steph as much as she could. It seemed to be working, her mind seemed to slip into the familiar routine. Lunches were brought from the cookhouse and shortly before it was time for dinner Jaaza would excuse herself and go down to the communal showers and wash the sweat off and have dinner with Viva and her Mother. The showers were the only place in the village where hot water was abundant. There were two rows of showers separated by a center wall, one for the women and the other for men. Most were open locker room style showerheads with pull chains so as not to waste the precious hot water that had to be heated by a wood fire. A couple of teenagers were responsible for starting the fire earlier in the day for the laundry and later in the evening it was diverted to the showers. It was a place where people could wash the dirt from their days labor away, where they could talk and gossip. Everyone used the communal showers from Catherine on down to the smallest children. Fresh towels were brought down from the laundry and handed out. This was how the original settlers had set up the community and this is how it remained with the exception of adding a second designated shower time at the noon hour. Many people showered when they came in from the fields.

  As she entered the showers Jaaza saw her sister Viva and went to the showerhead next to her. “Hi little sister, how was your day?” Viva asked. “Viva we’re only a year apart so little sister barely applies. My day was terrific, I’m learning so much. I wish the equipment could stay when the scientists leave.” Jaaza explained. “Why don’t you talk with Mother. Maybe something can be worked out.” Viva said just before sticking her head back under the stream of water to rinse the homemade Littlewood scented soap off. It was a lovely hypoallergenic fragrant flower named after one of the botanists from the original landing party. It was found to have anti-bacterial properties perfect for washing. “I’ve mentioned it in a roundabout way, I don’t want to seem…greedy.” Jaaza responded. “I’ll bring it up if you like. It could come in handy in my work as well.” Viva was a Medical Doctor and it was her responsibility to keep the human population healthy. Jaaza was pleased Viva always knew what to say to elicit a smile from her.

  The picnic tables were under a shelter of a straw and grass roof to keep the majority of the sun’s hot rays from the heads of the people. Dogs and small children roamed from person to person begging morsels of food. Everyone no matter their family affiliation hoisted the children onto their laps and allowed the children to eat from their plates. This was done in such a relaxed and natural way it was a wonder to watch if you weren’t from Marcus II.

  At dinner Viva brought up the subject of the equipment, Catherine said she would think about it. There would have to be some sort of compensation given to the team. That kind of state of the art equipment didn’t come cheap. The People really didn’t have much in the way of material wealth but she would see what she could come up with. With that small piece of business concluded the conversation slipped into the usual dinnertime “What did you do today?” family questioning and friendly teasing. Across the tent Jaaza saw Steph enter, her hair freshly washed, her skin still pink from the hot water of the shower and shining from being recently exfoliated. Steph hadn’t noticed her yet so she took the opportunity to take a good long look. She noticed ever detail, movement and gesture. Smiling she turned back to her dinner but as she started to bring a spoonful of veggie stew to her mouth she saw Viva looking at her, damn she had caught her staring at Steph.

  Viva stood up and waved Steph over. Steph held up a finger and motioned toward the food line. She would join them after she loaded up her tray. “What did you do that for?” Jaaza scowled at Viva. “I thought this would be the perfect opportunity for Mother to have that chat with the good Doctor. Besides, you know the old Terran saying…” Viva responded. “The early bird gets the worm or no time like the present.” Jaaza offered. “No… She who hesitates masterbates.” Viva responded playfully. Jaaza’s face went pitch red and she elbowed Viva as hard as she could in the ribs. “Ouch! What did you do that for? I’m doing you a favor.” Viva chuckled.

  Steph retrieved her veggie stew, warm biscuit and glass of milk and headed for the Queen’s table. She nodded a greeting to each member of Catherine’s party as she took a seat across from Jaaza. “The stew smells heavenly. I don’t know how Cook does it. The food here is always delicious and hearty.” Steph commented. Viva actually knew Steph fairly well from her work at the teams’ tent during the examination of the indigenous plants that had medicinal properties. Fortunately those plants seemed to be the least affected by the climate. “Jaaza has been telling us how much she’s been enjoying her work with you and your equipment.” Catherine commented. Jaaza continued to eat her stew and biscuit, not looking at Steph, her jaw clenching and unclenching. “Jaaza’s assistance has been invaluable Catherine. She is a credit to you.” Steph replied. “Thank you.” Catherine smiled, she had always been especially proud of Jaaza. “That brings me to my next question. I’ve heard that there is another village upriver. Do you know if vegetation has been equally affected there? I would like to take a few of my team to collect samples to compare.” Sheph asked politely. Catherine nodded. “That would be fine, take Jaaza with you she can introduce you around. You can stay with her cousin Romi.” Queen Catherine suggested. Jaaza took a deep breath and rolled her eyes. “Thank you Catherine.” Steph said before turning to Jaaza saying. “Would it be possible to leave first thing in the morning? Does that leave enough time to assemble the necessary supplies?” Steph inquired. Jaaza nodded. “Good! I look forward to seeing you bright and early.” She winked at Jaaza. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to see about the availability of ponies and supplies.” Jaaza said as she gathered her dishes and scraped her plate into the compost bin. Jaaza patted her sisters’ arm and said her goodbyes to her Mother. ~

  Before sunrise Jaaza gathered some pack horses, a few riding horses and a shay. The shay was a more primitive form of carriage and would be the perfect vehicle to carry their supplies and rugged enough to easily handle the rough terrain. Jaaza drove the shay to the teams’ quarters where she would be personally escorting Steph to Arklow. This secondary community was established when the community expanded. The town w
as still on the Murray River (named after Moira Murray) sporting particularly fertile soil, a pit with suitable clay for their earthworks, plenty of natural resources and stood in the shadow of a mountain range which sheltered it from strong winds. A temple of sorts was constructed around a naturally hot mineral spring added to its appeal. The Temple itself was named after the Greek Goddess Aphrodite and was a place to cleanse the responsibilities and worries of life away, soak, meditate and rejuvenate rather than having any actual religious significance.

  Steph came out of the house carrying a small duffle with her personal belongings and a shoulder pack with supplies she might need along the way. “Your crew is loading their horses and the rest of the sample containers. We’ll meet up with them on the way out of town.” Jaaza informed Steph. Steph nodded and threw her gear in the back before climbing aboard the shay. “Will we be seeing any dangerous wildlife on the way?” Steph asked. Jaaza turned to Steph to answer. “There are very few indigenous species that would be a danger to us. If we come across any mutant species that frighten you just hide behind me. They’ll take one bite and spit me back out, I don’t imagine I would be very appetizing.” Without missing a beat Steph replied. “I don’t know about that I would bet you’re delicious indeed.” Steph smiled and turned her attention back to the road. This was going to be a very long trip Jaaza thought as her face reddened.

  The trip would take the better part of a day. The convoy followed the winding main road that generally followed the path of the river. Steph could see lush forested areas interspersed with open meadows. She could hear more than see the presence of wildlife. They saw a variety of strange looking antelope called Bluebuck, and a medium sized mammal Jaaza called Miacis. This animal looked like a cross between a dog and a cat so it had been named after the ancient and long extinct Terran cousin.