CHAPTER 3
REUNION
Gavin smiled with pride as the SMII moved swiftly over the data sea. On the distant horizon sat a mist-enshrouded landmass.
Matrix and Enzo stood on either side of him, looking as eager as he. Gavin ordered Mr. Christopher to call ahead and advise Verdana that they were coming.
"It's good to be home, lads," Gavin commented. He turned for the wheel. He wanted to guide his men home. Mr. Andrew nodded his understanding he stepped back and relinquished the old girl to Gavin.
"Looks like we have a welcoming committee," Matrix called as he nodded towards shore. The sight of a large group of people gathered at the dock came courtesy of his cyber-eye.
Gavin nodded. "All right me heartys prepare to dock!"
Again the deck was alive with a cacophony of movement and sound. As the SMII ate up the distance, Gavin could make out the figures on the dock now, and there was Verdana at the forefront of them.
A cheer went up, both on board and on the dock as the people of Primus Isle welcomed them home. The crew poured from the ship, finding friends, relatives and loved ones. Gavin motioned for Enzo and Matrix to go before him. As Captain, he was always the last to disembark.
The citizens of The Green Isle didn't know what to make of the Enzo's. Their relationship became apparent to many. Some boys gathered around Matrix, 'oohing' and 'ahhing' at the sight of Gun which Matrix un-holstered and allowed each one to examine. Others (mainly, the young girls) flocked to Enzo.
Gavin frowned as he stepped onto the aged wood of the dock. Something wasn't right. First off, there weren't very many people here, at least not as many as usual when he was greeted and where were all the young men and women? There were some faces he didn't recognize and their look disturbed him. Also, there seemed to be many a forced smile and surreptitious glance. Was he just imagining it? He didn't think so.
Verdana, the buxom purple sprite approached him, threw her massive arms around him and embraced him, "Gavin! Welcome home, my captain!"
"Aye, Verdana, tis good to see ye as always," Gavin grinned at her. "We've been away too long."
"Yes you have," Verdana scolded. "But I'll wager you've brought us some fine goods to make up for your lapse of courtesy?"
"Men!" Gavin called, "There's work ta be done. Unload the provisions and leave them in the care of our lovely Verdana here! Tonight, we supply the makings of the grandest feast yet!"
Another cheer rose. Gavin pulled Verdana aside, "Verdana me lovely, is all well?"
Was that a slight averting of the eyes on her part? "Why yes, my captain. I'll admit things have been a little rough. Hunting has not been as well as last season."
"My apologies for staying away so long, lass," Gavin smiled. "Are ye sure there's nothing else? Seen a few strangers hereabout."
"We've had people come for a visit and decide to stay," Verdana seemed evasive, "You'll meet them all later. You always said our little island could be home to any restless wanderer."
"That I did, me dear, Verdana." Again, something didn't quite seem right in the old captain's gut. As soon as he got a moment alone, he'd enlist the aide of the very large, Enzo Matrix.
***
Although one to never admit it aloud, Matrix did like children, especially when they were looking at him with pure awe. The group of boys ranging from about five to eleven pleaded for one last look at Gun. Matrix promised them one of his tales of game hopping if they behaved later and that seemed to satisfy them for now.
He needed to speak with Gavin as soon as the supplies were unloaded. Something wasn't right on this tiny island and Matrix was certain they'd find out what it was soon enough.
***
It only took Enzo a nano to realize what was wrong with the .jpeg.
First off, there were no people his age. The oldest child he saw was about eleven. There were no teenaged boys or girls. There were also no older men around Matrix's age.
He could do a scan, but what would that prove? He had no idea what to look for. Still he could ferret out any weapons or explosives. He would do it after the cargo was unloaded. He needed to talk to Gavin.
***
The knock came at the door of the cabin. Gavin looked up and Mr. Christopher ceased reading from the ledger.
"Come in," Gavin said.
Both Enzo's entered but it was Matrix who spoke first, "You wanted to see us, captain?"
"Aye lads, close the door. Mr. Christopher, I want ye to record this, then send a copy to Mainframe and make daily logs until we're ready ta leave, understand?"
"Aye, Captain."
"Have a seat lads, make yerselves comfy, I need yer help on a matter that's been brotherin' me since we arrived," Gavin said.
"You mean what's going on, on this island?" Matrix asked.
Gavin couldn't help but laugh, "Aye, ye are smart lads, what have ye noticed?"
Matrix looked at Enzo and nodded once.
"Well," Enzo began, "The total absence of men between the age of twelve and thirty-five. I take it that's not normal?"
"No lad, not at all."
"And there are no women between the ages of twelve and twenty-five," Enzo went on. "Also, people seem nervous and uncertain when they're speaking – like what they're saying is rehearsed."
"Good deductive reasoning lad," Gavin said. "I asked Verdana if anything was amiss, but she denied it. Said things were rough because of the poor hunting."
"The young men would do the hunting," Enzo said, "So where are they?"
"I haven't asked Verdana yet," Gavin said, "I want to catch her alone during the feast. I'm going to get some answers out of her if it takes me all night."
"Enzo and I can do some discreet investigating of our own," Matrix said.
Enzo then tapped the button on his belt, accessing his organizer, "I can do a scan, but it probably won't do any good, the range is very limited. I would suggest one from the Mare."
"A good idea lad," Gavin said, "But what be we lookin' for?"
"That's the problem," Enzo mused over his organizer, "We don't know. Everything seems normal – no ships besides us in the vicinity, no large gathering of people on the island anyway. Nothing out of the ordinary."
"Or so we may be led to believe," Gavin muttered, more to himself. "Well nothing can be done at this point. Now, let's get this finished and be on our way. I don't need to tell ye ta keep a watch out and report anything suspicious. First sign of trouble ye come and get me, agreed?"
"Agreed," both Enzo's said.
"I want to get up to me lodge and make sure everything's well," Gavin said.
"We can't wait to see this place," Enzo said.
"I think ye'll be pleased," Gavin smiled. "It's me home and there's plenty of room for all."
***
Once the cargo was unloaded the crew of the Mare and those from the crowd who stayed to help with the work (mostly older men) trooped up the grassy hill, through a wooded area which opened to reveal the quaint village of log structures and sitting atop a hillock not so far removed from the village was the grandest lodge Enzo had ever seen.
From out of the village the people gave them a greeting once again. They stopped there and Gavin reacquainted himself with the shopkeepers and citizens. But everyone could tell the captain was eager to be home. It was dusk by the time they made their way to the lodge.
Of course it was difficult to tell in the darkness what the place looked like, despite the line of cheerfully burning torches. The windows were also ablaze with welcoming light. Music wafted from within those walls along with the hearty scents of roasting meat and vegetables.
The double entrance doors were thrown wide open and Verdana greeted them with a flourish, "Welcome home, captain!"
As the weary group of sprites and binomes entered the warm comfortable atmosphere especially took in Enzo. The entrance hall was immense, with a high exposed ceiling. Thick tapestries hung on the rough wood walls. An immense staircase, wide enough for three men to walk abreast, led to a mezzanine, which sported many closed doors.
Directly to their left, was the dining room and they caught a glimpse of a cavernous room with the biggest fireplace Enzo had ever laid eyes on. It was cold now, since it was so warm out but Enzo could well imagine many a cozy winter night in front of it with a good e-book.
Another door, to the left and underneath the staircase apparently led to the kitchen, as various binomes ran back and forth bearing platters of food. There were other doors closed, encompassing the room, but the tired, hungry men and women were only interested in the feast that awaited them.
"We'll show you to your rooms first and you can wash up," Verdana said, "Dinner should be ready when you're done."
"Thank ye, kindly, Verdana," Gavin said, aloud, then leaned in and whispered something to her.
To Enzo's surprise, Verdana went first pale then green. She muttered something to the captain that Enzo couldn't hear, then forced a smile, "Well what are you all lollygaging about for? Dinner is almost ready. Go and clean up. I'll not have filthy hands and bodies at my table."
***
Two rectangular tables ran the length of the dining room, their surfaces covered with various platters, bowls and flagons. Several warm plush chairs were spaced about the room as well. Matrix was lounging in one next to the fireplace with Mr. Andrew and Mr. Christopher. The group of boys, who were admiring Gun earlier, was at the colonel's feet, staring at him in rapt attention as he spoke.
Enzo caught sight of Gavin at the head of the table, Verdana to his left, and a pretty young woman with a little five-hour-old girl on her lap to his right.
Surprisingly, the crew of the SMII showed remarkable table manners. Obviously, Verdana allowed no carousing in the lodge. That didn't mean, however, that the men didn't make a little noise.
Enzo approached Gavin and greeted him first, "Good evening captain, Verdana," Enzo nodded to the woman, "Miss."
"Enzo," Verdana motioned to the woman, "This is my niece Luna and her daughter Kai."
"Hello," Luna smiled at him. Kai, hid against her mother's arm, obviously shy.
"I'm pleased to meet you, Luna," Enzo smiled. "Hello Kai."
The girl looked at him with wide eyes, then turned away again.
"She's very shy," her mother explained.
"Really?" Enzo knelt before Luna's chair, "A pretty little girl like you, shy?"
Enzo's compliment caught the girl's interest; she peeked out from behind her mother's sleeve.
"I'm shy myself to an extent," Enzo continued to try and coax the girl out, "I spend a lot of time by myself in my lab."
Now Kai was looking at him, "You do?" She said in a soft voice.
"Um hm," Enzo said.
"What's a lab?"
Enzo chuckled, "I'm a – well I want to be – a scientist."
She blinked at him.
"And my lab is where I go to do my experiments," Enzo leaned forward in a conspiratory fashion, "Actually, it's just a storage closet in the basement of my sister's house, but I like to pretend."
That elicited a giggle from the girl.
"Sometimes," Enzo went on, "It helps to be friends with someone who is as shy as you are. Will you be my friend, Kai?"
Kai nodded vigorously, "Okay."
She slid from her mother's lap. The woman smiled gratefully at Enzo.
"By the code," Gavin smiled.
"Now, I'm hungry Kai, would you help me pick out what's good?"
"Okay," she smiled up at him and Enzo took her tiny hand in his.
Enzo smiled back at them and winked as Kai pulled him along.
***
Matrix approached the table to refill his mug and caught the tail end of the conversation between his brother and Kai.
"That was sweet of him," Luna said.
"Aye, the lad has a way about him," Gavin said.
"That's my brother," Matrix remarked with a smile, "Children and animals love him."
"He has a good core-com," Verdana said, "Well everyone it is getting late and I'd like to retire now."
"Verdana love, before ye do, could I have a word with ye?"
The glance that Luna and Verdana exchanged wasn't lost on Matrix.
"Of course, my captain."
"Matrix, if ye would see that the men are assigned to their duties and that the Mare is secure?"
"You got it, Gavin," Matrix said.
"Then I'll need ta see ye meself," Gavin nodded to Luna and held out his hand to Verdana who hesitantly took it.
Matrix watched them walk off. Gavin was doing his investigating; Matrix decided he should start his.
"It must be nice living here," he remarked to Luna.
"What? Oh – Luna tore her attention away from the retreating couple --, yes it is."
"And you've been here most of your life?" Matrix reached for a flagon and refilled his mug.
"Since Kai was born," Luna said. "When my husband passed on I brought my children here."
"Children?" Matrix picked up on that immediately, "You have more than one child?"
Luna paled considerably, "Um yes, I have a son. He's – sick."
"I'm sorry," Matrix said, "How old?"
"What? Oh, he's thirteen."
Within the age bracket, Matrix thought, "Are a lot of the children sick? I noticed there aren't many around past the age of twelve. Is there something going around? My brother knows medicine maybe --,"
"Kai!" Luna came abruptly to her feet. "It's late, you should be getting to bed."
"But mommy – can't I stay up and talk to Enzo some more?"
"No sweetie, it's already way past your bedtime."
Matrix watched as Kai pulled Enzo over, "Can I take him to see the shrine tomorrow?"
"Well --," Luna glanced at Enzo, then Matrix, "If Mr. Enzo wants to see it you can take him."
"He said I could call him Enzo, thank you mommy."
Luna turned back to Matrix. There was something in her eyes that Matrix couldn't quite fathom. They were wide and pleading like she wanted Matrix to protect her from something. Then Luna looked pointedly at Kai. Not only did she want protection from something for herself but for her daughter.
The question was, protection from what?
***
Gavin took a long drag on the pipe, enjoying the flavor of the pungent tobacco. His hopes that the feeling of wrongness would diminish after his talk with Verdana but on the contrary it had increased.
Gavin had led the woman into his study. Here is where he rested and contemplated, or went over the ledgers with Mr. Christopher. It was comfortable furnished. There were once tapestries on the walls, but Gavin had taken them down in favor of pictures of his extended Mainframe family.
*
"Have a seat, Verdana lass," Gavin said, "Cognac?"
"Yes," Verdana surprised him. She seldom drank, if at all.
Gavin poured them both glasses of the smooth aged liquor and sat down across from each other in the comfortable chairs by the laid hearth. "No one can hear us in here, Verdana love. Why not tell me now what's going on?"
"What do you mean, Gavin?"
"Ye know very well what I mean," Gavin said. "Half the people in the lodge and the village are missing. Mostly the young men. And every person seems a tad uptight, including you."
Verdana sighed, "I told you Gavin, it's been rough. As for the men, didn't I tell you they were out hunting?"
"No ye didn't."
"Well they are," Verdana took a healthy wallow of the drink, "As for being uptight, yes we are. We didn't know if we'd have enough to survive the winter."
"My apologies for staying way for so long, me dear," Gavin said, "It won't happen again. We'll fix things for sure."
Verdana gave him a long assessing look, "I hope so, Gavin."
"So all the men are out hunting eh? Why not call them back since we're here?"
"You didn't bring enough supplies for all of us for the winter," Verdana said, "We still need to hunt. You know that."
"All right, Verdana, I'll except yer words for now."
"For now? Don't you believe me, Gavin?"
"We've been friends for a long time Verdana," Gavin said, "Let's just say, I know ye."
Verdana didn't reply and the two binomes finished their drinks in silence.
*
A knock came at the door, bringing The Crimson Binome from his musing. "Enter."
As he expected it was the Enzo's. "Thank ye for comin' lads, is all secure aboard the Mare?"
"Yes sir," Matrix replied.
"Have a seat and help yerselves to a drink," Gavin said, "Have ye learned anything?"
"That there are a lot of sick people here," Matrix said, "Whenever we find out someone has a son or a husband, they're either out hunting or sick."
"And the scans revealed nothing?" The question was directed at Enzo.
"Well --," Enzo opened his organizer, "I saw nothing unusual besides some power fluctuations offshore on the east side of the island, but that just could have been from the tidal changes in the data sea. Kai is going to take me to see this shrine tomorrow. I'll get a closer look then. It's near there."
"Shrine?" Matrix asked.
"Aye yes, an ancient building that was on this island when me ancestors first arrived here," Gavin said, "No one knows where it came from or who put it there but it's been quite an oddity of our little home. I thought it would be of some scientific interest to young Enzo here."
Enzo grinned, "A bit."
"Tell Mr. Christopher to come here. Then men are to be on full alert until we find out what the problem is. Ye two continue yer investigation and report back to me every two micros."
"Yes Gavin."
Once he was alone again, Gavin sighed and took another sip of the calming liquor. After a time, he got up and walked to the fireplace. He pressed a hidden switch on the mantle and a rectangular section of the wall faded to reveal the secret hiding place. Inside was a polished wooden box, which Gavin unlocked and opened.
Inside was a precious belonging of his great grandfather.
The dueling pistol was ancient yet in perfect condition. Unlike the ones he and his crew carried, this one did not file lock, it could delete. Gavin prized it greatly, but not above life itself so he never used it. Most of the time, it never left the niche.
He checked it; made certain it was loaded and the safety was on and in good condition, before replacing it back into the box and returning it to its place.