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EARTH TOURIST

~ Chapter 1 ~

First Contact

❦

Day three of darkness on planet Earth. Tension hangs in the air straining the limits of humanity as mass hysteria starts to boil around the world. Finally, light breaks with the fourth day’s sunrise.

Global communications and all media have been taken over by beings more powerful than us, to emphasize that we are not in control. They have been observing us since before we were able to write down our history. It took the verge of World War III for them to reveal themselves… and for those in power on Earth to see reason in not having a world-ending war.

When there were no alternatives left to avoid a nuclear apocalypse, the Terra Watchers used their advanced technology to block our sunshine and push Earth’s leaders to the peace table. To keep our sun’s light they all had to sign the unprecedented World Peace Agreement, stipulating that the Terra Watchers monitor global peace.

Out of gratitude for saving us from annihilation the newly formed Whole Earth Council granted our saviors the right to visit planet Earth to advance our evolution, make friends, and vacation in the beauty they could only appreciate from space.

Who are these champions of all that we hold dear? They are the military division of Androloo’s Security Force, orbiting Earth for millennia. Androloo is a senior member of the Interplanetary Union, an organization of interstellar planets formed to ensure peace for its members. And, rarely, to accept advancing planets into their amicable ranks.

The Androloos saved us from ourselves because they are more than advocates of altruism. They have loved and protected our people, our planet, and its history for over twenty-five thousand years.

What are the Terra Watchers protecting us from? From extraterrestrials like the Anunnaki, who posed as gods and enslaved the ancient Sumerians to mine gold for them thousands of years ago, among others.

Thanks to their recent efforts, Earth’s creatures are still breathing in the year 2050.

Now, only two months after the history making peace agreement, we are welcoming our first Earth Tourists, to the sunset facing beaches of Maui, Hawaii. Here they can swim with spinner dolphins, explore coral reefs, and see dozens of humpback whales majestically leap out of the waters of Maalaea Bay.

From the moment I saw them disembark the shuttlecraft that brought them to our beautiful island I was captivated. The Androloos were clearly more refined than us, even though we who greeted them were privileged compared to most people in our world.

The welcoming committee included Whole Earth Council VIPs, Hawaii dignitaries, and the finest island musicians. Hula dancers swayed like royal palms in the offshore breeze as they welcomed our first Earth Tourists with Alohas, and placed plumeria and orchid leis on them.

Oh yes, and I was invited too. I am Anna Oberlyn, a Well-Being Expert now retired from the international lecture circuit and living as a permanent guest at the world-renowned Grand Wailea Resort—aging has its benefits.

As the resort’s in-house Well-Being Advisor, I was asked to be at the disposal of Asteri, the only daughter of the presidents of her homeworld. Like Earth, Androloo is what Star Trek refers to as a Class M Planet in the Andromeda Galaxy, two and a half million light years away.

Surprisingly, she looked very much like us. I admired her exotic beauty, her five-foot, ten-inch stature, and her wavy golden brown hair. She had pale skin with what appeared to be a ribbon of small, tan-colored, giraffe spots gently meandering from her temples down to the outside of her ankles.

She was representing Androloo and the Interplanetary Union along with other of her planet’s dignitaries. They traveled here with their families and staff to build relationships and enjoy their first Earth vacations.

I was impressed by how comfortable they all appeared to be as they met their Earth welcomers face to face. In all fairness, they have been watching over us for a very long time and probably know us as well as we know ourselves.

After our official introduction by Whole Earth Council President Tshering, of Bhutan, I walked Asteri to her room by way of the resort’s fragrant Tropical Garden. To open a conversation, I started with, “I’ve always loved your name because it means ‘star’ in Greek. I’m half Greek and half Hawaiian, and I’ve been a Greek myth fanatic since I was a child.”

She smiled and said, “My parents feel the same way; that's how I got the name. Both my mother, Loriza, and my father, Ricsar, did their military tour as Terra Watchers. They spent a lot of their off-duty time accessing the ship's library learning as much as they could about the history of the world they were observing.”

She smiled, then added, “They loved making Earth dishes they learned by watching cooking shows accessed from your satellites orbiting below them. Both returned to Androloo with a rich Earth education and a longing to return to enjoy its spectacular beauty up close.”

After a few moments of reflection she confided, “Unfortunately, their first priority is addressing an urgent situation our planet is facing at this time.” Not wanting to burden her with my overly curious nature, I suggested, “Perhaps you can bring them here in the future and act as their tour guide.” “That is my fondest hope,” she responded, smiling at the thought.

On arriving at her suite, I asked if there was anything I could bring her for when we met again at the Grotto Bar for cocktails and a sunset swim. “Yes, please,” she replied. “I would like the most detailed map available of Haleakala.”

To say this was the one of last things I expected her to say would be a solid truth. Still, it was her vacation and my duty to do everything in my power to make her requests happen, no matter how surprising they were. “Don't worry darling, I'll take care of it,” I assured her, adding, “See you soon.”

Fortunately, my old friend, Jillie, has been a cartographer since we were kids running wild in Maui’s Upcountry woods. Jillie Kama'aina (child of the land in Hawaiian) took her last name seriously and had always been called to make maps. By the time she was in her thirties, Jillie had become the best map maker in all of the Hawaiian Islands.

As children, we’d spent a lot of time playing on the slopes of the dormant volcano called Haleakala. Now that we are both elders, or as the locals like to call us as a sign of respect: Auntys, we enjoy reliving our childhood antics over a glass of wine while watching the sunset from the balcony of my suite.

How does a seventy-something, retired, Well-Being Expert afford to live year-round in this renowned, five-star hotel? Well, I have my husband, Bruce, to thank for that.

He was the pediatric endocrinologist that was the last hope for saving the extremely ill, only child of one of the resort’s biggest stockholders. When the little girl regained her health, her father offered Bruce anything in his power to give out of gratitude.

At this same time, we were looking to retire, so he chose an ocean-view suite at The Grand Wailea to live in for the rest of our lives. The little girl’s father was actually relieved when Bruce chose something that was so easy for him to give.

With only two hours left to get the map, I called Jillie and asked her to lend me her most detailed map of the great mountain over coffee at Loulu, the resort’s wellness-focused cafe. “Absolutely, as long as it’s going on your tab!” she replied, chuckling.

Thirty minutes later we were enjoying iced mochas and roasted veggie wraps while speculating with amusement about my Earth Tourist. “What in the world do you think the daughter of their planet’s leaders wants with the most detailed map you could find of The House Of The Sun?” Jillie asked. To which I replied, “Treasure hunt?” with a grin, then added, “Your guess is as good as mine.”

We talked for an hour, remembering our adventurous youth and how we almost needed rescuing from an innocent hike up the great mountain when we were twelve. We barely made it back to our Makawao neighborhood in the evening drizzle before hypothermia set in, much to the dismay of our mothers.

They were both about to go into panic mode when we finally got home in the gloom of twilight. Jillie and I gained great respect for Haleakala’s power that night when they told us how many people had died hiking it.

As we finished our afternoon snack, I thanked her for bringing the map of the great mountain. With a broad smile, she said, “You’re welcome, it’s a gift from me to our young visitor. I would love to meet her. She must be a very interesting person based on her local map desires.”

“She’ll be here for a month, and I’m sure she would like to meet some colorful locals… a category you definitely fit into,” I replied truthfully. Jillie is a striking auburn-haired, Hawaiian-Irish, seventy-something year old, outdoors woman with a fun-loving, adventurous spirit. We giggled, hugged, and parted ways promising to have more adventures together before they were beyond our abilities.

Right at four o’clock, with the shimmering Pacific as a backdrop, Asteri appeared at the Grotto Bar with several other lady Earth Tourists. They all sported flowing cover-ups, and stunning one-piece swimsuits featuring laced-up, open sides that showed off their entire body patterns.

I thought they might be shy about displaying features about themselves that people on Earth don’t possess. However, this was not the case. They each seemed proud to display their own unique patterns flowing down the sides of their bodies. Androloos are a beautiful race, indeed.

Since they were here to enjoy themselves they removed their cover-ups and sandals, gracefully stepped into the pool, and swam up to the bar where they ordered umbrella drinks for the first time. Oh, they had done their research to be sure, and all ordered Mai Tais.

They were quite discerning and didn’t hesitate to ask the bartender to enlighten them with the recipe he would use. Wanting to please his guests he recited, “1½ ounces aged rum · ½ ounce orange liqueur · ¾ ounce lime juice · 1 ounce orgeat syrup.”

Smiling from ear to ear, they all nodded approvingly and he began to do his magic for them. He did not disappoint. The Grand Wailea made sure that their most celebrated mixologist was on duty to make their cocktail dreams come true. By the time he was done doing his Cirque du Soleil, bottle-slinging, Jedi mind tricks on them they were giving him an enthusiastic ovation as if their favorite rock star had just given them a private performance.

Needless to say, everyone experienced bliss with their first Earth swim and cocktail as the ball of fire slowly made its way down to the watery horizon. Just before six o’clock they got out of the pool, dressed in tasteful casual attire, and we all walked to the Luau… a stone’s throw away.

EARTH TOURIST

~ Chapter 2 ~

Saving Her World

❦

Saying that the resort's Luau is a treat would be a huge injustice. It is a spectacle of dazzling performances that showcase the myths and legends of Maui, and the food is beyond sensational. And that night, the Chef had created intricate dishes to honor our first Earth Tourists.

Asteri chose a private table for two at the farthest corner of the outdoor space by the beach, where we ate Chef’s creations and island delicacies to our heart’s content. Afterward, we had a chance to talk again. Her face became serious as if something was weighing on her mind, and she asked, “Were you able to procure the detailed map of Haleakala that I requested?”

“Yes, my dear friend Jillie is the state’s finest cartographer, interestingly enough. We met for coffee after I left you and she gave me her best detailed map. She asked me to give it to you as a gift from her,” I replied while digging the map out of my beach bag.

Asteri’s facial expression changed to one of gratitude, and she said, “Thank you both so much.” But, it only lasted a few seconds, then she became serious looking again. In an attempt to uplift her, I said, “We both enjoyed wondering what you would use it for. Jillie couldn’t think of what you would do with it. I speculated that you would use it for a treasure hunt, and then we giggled.”

She looked keenly at me with big, olive-green eyes and said, “You are not far from the truth.” With surprise in my voice, I exclaimed, “Really? Can I help?” To which she smiled and asked, “Do you think Jillie would be willing to join us?” I felt like jumping up and down, not a very dignified way for a respected elder to react, so instead I grinned and replied, “You have no idea what it would mean to both of us.”

Because we were at the furthest table from the entertainment she felt confident that our conversation would not be overheard. However, she leaned toward me to speak in a hushed voice anyway. The story she shared was not anything I could have imagined, even with all of the science fiction movies that I have seen over my seven decades of life.

After swearing me to silence she divulged the details of her top-secret mission. She explained how two hundred years earlier their sun had grown too big causing Androloo to become dangerously hot. Their scientists came up with a stopgap plan to project a partial light absorption beam in front of the star to keep their planet safe until they could fix the problem. It was the same technology they used to completely darken Earth and save us from extinction.

Their final solution was to suspend a screen door like barrier between their planet and sun. However, the screen required an element that neither they nor their smaller sister planet, Androlee, possessed. Since the Androloos had been watching over Earth for tens of thousands of years they knew there was enough iridium here to fill their need, even though it’s one of the rarest elements on our planet.

Her parents had told her that iridium is very high in density and melting point, as reflective as a mirror, and the most corrosion-resistant material known. Asteri told me how in 1875 her people covertly came to Earth's surface to mine and transport it back to Androloo through a well-established wormhole.

After a hundred and twenty-five years of mining and building the sectioned screen to block some of the powerful rays from their sun, Androloo was saved. However, Androlee was left in shadow, due to the angle the Stellar Screen needed to be set at. And, no solution has yet been found to correct the problem.

Androlee thrived because of the richness of its minerals, providing wealth to both planets. But, their good relationship with Androloo declined as the Androlees' resentment for being victimized by the screen grew. Until one of their military scientists advised their president that he had found a solution to get back their stolen sunlight. His plan was to place a spy in Androloo’s Security Force to sabotage the precious screen.

Authorities posited that about the time that Earth was heading towards World War III, a spy from Androlee infiltrated Androloo’s Security Force by killing the officer he was made to look like, and taking his place. This stolen identity gave him access to Solar Screen repair ships that kept it operational.

He hijacked a repair ship preparing to depart on assignment, killed everyone aboard, and replaced them with a crew of Androlee mechanics. Their orders were to remove the corner anchors that held the screen sections together without being noticed.

The anchors were small, easy to unlock, collect into sacks, and load onto the repair ship. Since repair crews rarely had to go out to maintain the screen the spies were confident that the theft would go unnoticed for a long time. What they had not anticipated was an unexpected blast of solar wind that began to move the now unanchored screen sections.

Within a week Androloo Sky Observer Scientists noticed something was amiss. Their Stellar Screen light and heat meters started to subtly move higher as the screen sections drifted apart… and they didn’t stop.

Asteri looked down to hide the fear in her eyes, “My mother and father were alerted and ordered the entire Security Force to find out what had happened. All of the repair ships were in their assigned bays, but when they went to account for the last crew to go out on repair duty they were not to be found. Hoping that they were out on extended duty, their families finally learned the awful truth… that they were all lost.”

She paused, trying to recover from her sadness, then said, “The mapping system of the repair ship they used revealed no abnormalities, but the culprits had not adjusted all of the vessel's meters properly and one showed more time in space than usual. As well, the thieves had dropped an anchor that remained hidden behind a beam in the ship’s hold. It became clear that our life-preserving shield had been sabotaged.”

She composed herself for a few moments and continued, “Space monitoring programs for that day confirmed that an Androlee transport had departed our solar system heading for the Milky Way Galaxy wormhole.”

Our Earth orbiting space station, Terra, followed its engine signature to the back side of your moon. Then, they found an Androlee shuttlecraft signature through your planet’s atmosphere to the southeast corner of Haleakala. The rest of the time since then was spent setting up a covert plan for me to visit here under the pretense of initiating the Earth Tourist Scheme.”

I was aghast. My mouth hung open in disbelief at such treachery. The only sounds to be heard were that of faint chitchat and the waves lapping on the nearby beach as the next act of flying fire torches was being set up. After a minute I asked her if she was planning to track down the stolen booty with the map herself.

She gathered all of the courage she could, and with glistening eyes, she answered, “That is my plan. Are you up for helping me to save my world?”

With all of the determination I could muster, I replied, “It’s because your people were willing to help us that there is anything still alive on this big blue marble. It’s the least I can do, and I’m sure Jillie will feel the same way.”

Relief washed over her face. And, unlike the proper way she had been raised, she spontaneously hugged me saying, “Oh Anna, thank you with all of my heart. I cannot tell you how much it means to me and my people.”

I hugged her back, then after a few moments I advised, “We’re going to need muscle, wilderness experience, and a big four-wheel drive vehicle to help us accomplish this quest.” I paused, then asked, "Do you have any idea how you are going to locate the anchors?”

She smiled, opened up her beach bag, and took out what looked a lot like the cell phone in my beach bag. Then she disclosed, “This is a Universal Device with an element detector much like the metal detectors beachcombers here are so fond of. And like them, you have to be near the element cache it’s set to detect.”

“How near?” I asked. “Twenty-five feet,” she replied, “and it doesn’t matter if it is through solid rock.” The gears of my mind started spinning. Ideas came faster than flashcards in Miss Halia’s second-grade math class.

After a minute I declared, “It’s clear that we need the help of my nephew, Paoa Hana. He's named after Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, the gold-medal Olympic swimmer who made surfing popular, and he's just as athletic. He’s the island's most sought-after Wilderness Adventure Guide, and he has more firsthand knowledge of Maui's topography than anyone I know.”

I left out the part about him having light hazel eyes that sparkle when his full lips flash an easy smile. And, how he keeps his shoulder-length, sun-streaked hair pulled back in an elastic band. And, the part about his six foot, four inch muscular frame being an award-winning surfer and a black belt in Aikido.

And, that with his manly good looks, he could easily be cast as the demigod Maui if Sony Pictures was looking for a good character representation. Needless to say, this all helped his touring business, as female tourists from around the world booked well in advance to ride shotgun with him for a day of wilderness adventuring.

I continued, “My sister, Irene, told me over lunch that he was taking a month off from work starting this week. She said that he began his vacation by trekking the old route to Kipahulu that ancient Maui chiefs used to send runners on to bring back breadfruit. When they returned the fruit was ripe, so the chiefs named that area Ulupalakua, which is Hawaiian for breadfruit ripened on the back.”

Good luck trying to find him, I thought, as his trek was over many miles of wild country, much of it with no cell signal, and no one would know where he was on the route. Then I remembered his love of waterfalls and the freshwater pools beneath them.

After a pause, I said, “He’ll probably spend time exploring the edge of the Hana Forest. He loves the soaring, four hundred foot high Waimoku Falls and the great Banyan Tree on the path down to the ocean. Then I think he’ll finish hiking down Haleakala to the Seven Sacred Pools. And, I'm sure he'll spend a couple of days with his brother, Kane (kah-neh), who manages the Kipahulu Visitor Center nearby for the Haleakala National Park Service.”

“All we have to do is drive to the south shore of the island’s eastern side and wait. He’s already been gone for a few days and is likely to be close by the time we set up camp at the Visitors Center.”

“Tomorrow morning I’ll call my cousin, Ned Akana, who manages the National Park Service Headquarters in Kula, and after swearing him to secrecy I’ll explain the urgency of our mission. He can issue us a special permit to camp wherever is best and access any location in his jurisdiction for as long as we need.”

Asteri, filled with gratitude and hope for the future of her people, hugged me again and said, “Thank you so much. Please let me know if you need anything.” After a sigh of relief she added, “It’s been a very long day for me, I need to get some rest for tomorrow's adventure.”

To the good luck chirping of geckos, we walked to the wing that housed our suites to rest for our urgent mission.

Promptly at eight-thirty the next morning I called cousin Ned’s office. After swearing him to secrecy, I described our needs and he was more than happy to issue the permit I’d requested. He even offered us the use of his new motor coach so our distinguished guest could be comfortable while we waited for Paoa to descend the sacred mountain.

As well, he alerted the local National Park Service Security Patrol to follow his motor coach’s GPS as their top priority, and discreetly guard us throughout our stay in his jurisdiction.

Next, I called Jillie, who jumped at the chance to help us. I suggested that she bring her camping gear so we wouldn’t disturb Asteri’s rest as we giggled about our childhood memories from the comfort of our sleeping bags and camp beds.

EARTH TOURIST

~ Chapter 3 ~

Initiating the Plan

❦

The Whole Earth Council had arranged for The Grand Wailea to fulfill all of the desires of the first Earth Tourists as a way of thanking Androloo for saving us all. Whatever they wanted was theirs at no cost. After meeting for pineapple-coconut scones, fresh squeezed orange juice, and cappuccinos, Asteri and I went to see the resort’s Head Chef who was coordinating lunch for the Earth Tourists in his kitchen office.

He was pleased to have his crew stock the motor coach with everything needed to keep the three of us happy for several days. On leaving his office Jillie and Ned found us, and after introductions Ned handed over the keys to his RV.

Now we just had to be sure Asteri had protective clothing to explore the cave and hike the sometimes challenging slopes of Haleakala. We asked her if she had brought climbing gear, and she told us that she’d packed the outfits she wears when hiking Androloo's Alps.

Then I asked, “May Jillie and I help you pack so we can be sure to pick up any essential items you might still need on our way out of town?” She was pleased by this offer to help her prepare for this paramount mission and invited us to accompany her to her suite. Through her pretty bracelet, she called ahead and asked her staff to place her hiking clothes and accessories on the dining table as we made our way to her suite.

Ah, the many advantages of being the daughter of your planet’s leaders. Of course, she had a Personal Guard, Solden, who was really good at keeping invisible. As well as a Personal Attendant, Yali, to tend to the needs of a VIP on an interstellar vacation.

A few minutes later Jillie and I were both wide-eyed with envy over her gear's quality and craftsmanship. She obviously knew what she was doing, which saved us from having to forage the local sporting goods stores hoping to find the missing items she would need to be comfortable and protected.

The only thing left was to add our gear to Jillie’s which was already loaded in the RV thanks to Ned picking her up on the way. Then off we went, hoping that Paoa would feel our energy looking for him and find us soon.

The drive from Kihei to the Seven Sacred Pools would normally take a long time because you have to take the main highway all the way north to Kahului. Then, you have to backtrack through Pukalani on Highway 37 which takes the southern route past the pools to Hana.

But, since Jillie and I know the shortcut from Kamaole Beach Park II in Kihei to Sun Yat Sen Park on Highway 37 we saved a lot of time. And, it ensured that we would make it there by evening, which is really good as the southern part of Highway 37 is very dark at night… and there can be cows on the road!

Ascending the lower slopes of Haleakala allowed Asteri to see the panoramic view of the island’s south shore, its north shore, and the sugar cane field valley between them. Farther up the mountain she could see the partially sunken volcanic cone of Molokini Crater just off of Makena Beach and the islands of Kaho'olawe and Lanai.

The entire ride fascinated her. She remarked that she knew Maui had deserts with cactuses, but even as she looked at them they were hard for her to believe after the lush green of Kihei.

A couple of hours later we were in Kipahulu. The most logical place to park the motor coach was where the trails ended at the Visitor Center since Paoa always stops to visit his brother there before leaving the area.

Just as we arrived, my nephew, Kane, came out to greet us with a basket loaded with bottles of kombucha, local fruit, and his wife’s to-die-for, fresh banana bread. It smelled like heaven and we couldn’t help eating a slice of it while we chatted with him. Cousin Ned had contacted Kane after we talked and he was waiting for us.

Kane filled us in, “I’ve been looking for Paoa to show up since yesterday. But, knowing my brother's inclination to explore new places, he’s probably found yet another heaven on earth and decided to soak it in before coming back to civilization.”

“He usually visits for a couple of days and my wife, Kadie, always makes his favorite Kalua Pork. When she knows he’s in the area she gets everything ready, so that when he shows up she just has to put it all into her instant pot and then join us,” Kane added with a smile.

My nephews are both very handsome, indeed. They are a striking blend of half Hawaiian, one-quarter Southwest Hispanic, and one-quarter Greek. Their grandmother, Andrea, came to Maui when she was twenty-five on vacation from Texas. When their grandfather, Dukey, met her there was a magnetism that couldn’t be denied.

By the end of Andrea’s two-week vacation, they had wed and she only returned to see her family occasionally. They were in love, married, raised four kids, and happily lived by the beach for fifty-one years.

It was a sublime dream

they never had to awaken from.

“Don't worry ladies,” Kane reassured us, “I believe he’ll be here by tomorrow, and I'm rarely wrong.” Pointing toward the East he said, “He usually hikes down this trail headed for the Visitor Center. If you park next to the northeast corner of the center you’ll probably see him before he sees you. There's a picnic table there and a fire ring that you're welcome to use.”

He paused, then said, “After I close up for the night, the National Park Service Security Patrol has been ordered to guard you at a distance for your entire stay. If anything frightens you, just call my cell phone and I’ll be here in a few minutes. You’re welcome to come in and take whatever information you like, and I'm always happy to answer any of your questions.”

Just then, the hair on the back of my neck stood up in anticipation of Asteri asking him her most pressing question. Right on cue, she enquired, “What is the largest cave on this side of the Haleakala, and have you ever been there?”

Kane looked at her with interest, smiled and said. “Miss, I’ve answered a lot of questions from lovely ladies like yourself, but this is the first time anyone has ever asked me that one!” he said with a look of appreciation on his face. “You look refined, but you must have an adventurous spirit. Good for you!”

He thought for a few moments, then replied, “Well, I’d have to say that Mahiehie Cave has some of the largest cave passages on the island, although there may be other larger caves that I don’t know about.”

“And yes, when we were teenagers Paoa and I decided to go check it out. Believe me when I tell you I was really glad to get out of there… once was definitely enough for me. It’s kind of an eerie place, not well explored, and strange things go on there.”

Asteri thanked him and we went inside the visitor center to pick up some literature that might give us a clue if we were getting close to our goal. Meanwhile, Jillie, being the outdoors woman that I wish I could be, set up camp and lit the fire ring. Kane had been kind enough to stack firewood like a teepee so all she had to do was light the newspaper at the base to get it going.

When we were done inside I set up Jillie’s tabletop bar-b-que grill. Asteri brought out a foil package with skewered local mahi mahi, lobster, and vegetables to barbecue. As well we heated up banana leaf packets filled with steamed rice on the grill. And, the Chef had provided fresh broccoli, dried cranberry, and pumpkin seed salad, along with thermoses of hot organic ginger turmeric tea.

After sunset, we watched the fire crackle and pop while introducing our guest to s’mores, the way we were taught to make them as Girl Scouts sixty years before. It was love at first bite. “Mmmm, there is nothing that compares to this on Androloo!” she exclaimed. “Thank you, my friends, for making these delights, and for giving of yourselves to save my people and planet.”

“Believe me, you are most welcome,” Jillie said, adding, "May I ask you a question, Asteri?” “Of course,” she replied.” Jillie inquired, “When we do find the stolen anchors how will we ever get two tons of them out of the cave?”

Asteri looked steadily at both of us sitting across the fire ring from her, and after a long moment, she said, “You must swear never to disclose what I am about to share with you. Do you both swear on your honor?” We looked at each other with curiosity on our faces and nodded before looking back at Asteri and saying, “Yes, absolutely!” in unison.

With a look of relief, as if she was glad not to have to keep this secret anymore, she checked to make sure the security patrol couldn’t see us. She pulled out the same Universal Device she showed me the night before, pointed it at the motor coach, and pressed a corner of it. Slowly the RV rose, then she pressed it again and it hovered three feet above the ground. We gasped.

She walked toward the RV and it moved ahead of her at the same speed that she approached. When she stopped, it stopped. When she backed up, it followed her. Then Asteri pressed the corner again and it gently descended into its original spot.

If she had gone to the motor coach and picked it up with just one hand we couldn’t have been more astonished. After a minute to absorb what we had just witnessed we composed ourselves enough to ask her how this was possible.

She smiled and said, “Our technology is thousands of years ahead of yours. This device accumulates energy from sound waves that are always present and stores it for when it is activated. Then it transforms that energy into powerful, inaudible waves capable of lifting multiton stones, like those used to build pyramids all around your world.”

She paused, then added, “It’s no wonder that the ancients of your planet thought we were gods. With this kind of power, what else could they think? That is why my people love your planet's ancient myths and legends. They tell the history of both your ancestors and ours.” This was an insight we could have never imagined.

“Why would your people want to build huge structures like the pyramids in the first place?” Jillie asked. Asteri replied, “Before we had sound wave and solar recharging capabilities for our ship’s engines, we tapped into the inherent energy flowing through the Earth’s crust.”

“Energy flowed naturally through a system of connecting underground water tables, which was collected and amplified through the open channels within the stone structures. These channels also directed that energy up to Terra, our orbiting space station. Some of the stone blocks in the Giza pyramids weigh over eighty Earth tones and ancient man had insufficient technology to move them back then.”

We listened intently, then sat quietly staring into the ever-changing flame dance before us. There was a lot we needed to process. It had certainly been one of the most surprising days any of us had ever experienced.

And so it was with great anticipation of what tomorrow would bring that we turned in to sleep, not knowing what kind of experiences were in store for us with the first rays of the morning sun.

EARTH TOURIST

~ Chapter 4 ~

Wilderness Adventure Guide

❦

Just as the new day was dawning, a booming male voice woke us up with a foreboding warning, “Attention inside the tent, you are trespassing on government property. If you leave right now I won’t have to testify against you!”

Not really completely awake, I yelled back, “Attention outside the tent, if you leave right now I won’t have to turn you into my nephew who runs this place!”

I certainly wasn’t expecting the next thing I heard as the same male voice asked in a soft confused tone, “Aunty Anna, is that you?” Jillie was the first one to stick her head out of the tent and in a spry voice ask, “Do you have a couple of kisses for your old Auntys?” Now Paoa was completely taken aback because the last people he expected to be camping in this restricted area were his favorite aunt and her lifelong best friend.

Moving to the end of my camp bed too I stuck my head out of the tent and with all the liveliness I could come up with, while still being mostly asleep, I said, “Good morning darling. Surprised to see me?” He replied, “Aunty, I couldn’t be more surprised if the Loch Ness monster had emerged from this tent and said the same thing.” He dropped to one knee and gave us both a big bear hug and a couple of cheek kisses.

Then he asked, “Why aren’t you two sleeping in this great RV that obviously brought you here?” As if being beckoned, the door of the motor coach swung open and there stood Asteri in an alluring and very short negligee. She looked alarmed and was aiming the Universal Device right at my nephew.

“Don’t shoot!" he shouted as he stood up, not really seeing what she was holding.

Jillie and I scrambled to get outside of the tent, as fast as two seventy-somethings can scramble that is. Then, in as dignified a voice as I could manage, I announced, “Asteri, I am pleased to introduce you to my nephew, Paoa Hana.” Realizing that she was not dressed for this introduction, she said a quick hello and slammed the RV door shut as she rushed back inside to get dressed.

To say Paoa was both gobsmacked and stimulated by the sight of this stunning, mostly naked, woman with unusual body patterns would be an understatement. Yet, it was obvious from his body profile that this was the case.

To bring him back down to earth, literally, I said in a louder voice, “Be a sweetie and make a fire for us, would you please, the ocean breeze is a little brisk at this early hour.” After a pause I added, “And, close your mouth darling, it’s not a good look for you.” He shook off his trance, nodded, took off his backpack, and went to get firewood from the other side of the Visitor’s Center.

Kane had just arrived and met him in front of the building's entrance. They exchanged breath with a honi ihu (traditional Hawaiian nose-touching greeting), embraced, and both said, “Aloha, howzit brah! (Hello, how’s it going brother!)” It had been too long since they'd had a chance to visit and they were invigorated to be with each other again.

As they gathered firewood and talked, Asteri descended the RV looking like a female Indiana Jones, ready for whatever may come her way. Jillie and I were also ready for a day of exploration, although we looked nothing like her… she made this look good.

Within minutes Paoa and Kane joined us. After a reintroduction and a few good mornings, Kane set down a basket of more fresh banana bread, local fruit, warm scrambled egg with bacon cups, and latte-making supplies.

He explained, “Kadie wanted me to bring our espresso machine so you wouldn’t have to drink the swill we make inside the center for tired drivers. Fortunately, she made extra food in case Paoa showed up for breakfast. She’s really looking forward to visiting with you all, and apologizes for having to get our kids ready for school.”

With the sun rising, and the fire warming us, we enjoyed breakfast surrounded by deep blues on the ocean side and a thousand shades of green on the mountain side. Asteri was beguiled. She had seen pictures of Hawaii of course, and movies, but none of them compared with actually being surrounded by the natural beauty of this wonderous landscape.

The Terra Watchers were able to access every Earth video they wanted to see from satellites orbiting below them. This helped them to learn Earth languages and it enabled her parents to show her the sweeping film based on James A. Michener’s epic book, Hawaii.

Asteri became obsessed and promised herself that one day she would visit this island paradise to live out her adolescent dreams. Looking out at the verdant scenery and the Pacific horizon, she knew that her dreams were finally coming true. What she had not anticipated was the electricity that thrummed through her entire being when she was within arm's length of Paoa.

Kane joined us for a half hour before he had to open the Visitor’s Center. The conversation over breakfast was lively. Paoa shared the story of his brush with a huge boar as he approached Waimoku Falls. The predator chased him, intent on making him its next meal. He ran a hundred feet at top speed and was barely able to drop his backpack on the ground before plunging into the pool at the base of the falls to escape the hungry monster.

Kane frowned and said, “You know how freaked out Mom gets when anyone goes swimming alone, ever since that neighbor kid drowned when we were in grade school. But, since it saved you from being eaten by a four hundred pound pig I won’t tell her.” They both laughed so hard that they almost fell off of the picnic table.

This was Asteri’s introduction to live human humor. I’m not sure what she thought at first, but laughter is contagious and she couldn’t help laughing out loud with the rest of us. This spontaneity was quite unlike anything she was used to. However, it was something that she eagerly embraced. These new experiences could very well turn out to be even better than her adolescent dreams—she hoped.

Soon afterward, Kane left us to open the visitor center. As we finished our meal, we finally had a chance to let Paoa in on the details of Asteri’s crucial mission. It was easy to convince him that his skills were needed to save Androloo from impending danger. Asteri pulled out the map that Jillie had gifted her and laid it out on the picnic table.

She filled Paoa in on the situation and finally said, “From the intel my father received, we are fairly certain that the anchors are hidden in a cave somewhere around the southeast corner of Haleakala. Sixty-six million years ago a meteor impact caused a cloud of dust to deposit iridium all over your planet. This layer would hide the anchors from being detected by Terra, our orbiting space station.”

She gathered her thoughts, then continued, “The cave would have to be quite large to hide all the sacks of anchors that they stole, equalling about two Earth tons. Yesterday, Kane told us that Mahiehie Cave has some of the largest passages on the island. It sounds ideal to float two tons of anchors into a hiding place. What do you think, Paoa, is this the best place to start?”

Paoa looked at her with big eyes and replied, “Float?” in astonishment. I looked at Asteri from the corner of my eyes and raised my eyebrows, she nodded to go ahead. “Darling,” I informed, “Asteri’s people developed an anti-gravitational device thousands of years ago that is also able to detect when it is within twenty-five feet of a cache of iridium.”

“Wow!” he exclaimed, “This is a real Journey To The Center Of The Earth adventure!” Which inspired a big grin on Asteri’s face. She couldn’t conceal her excitement, “I love that book! It’s one of the reasons I love mountain hiking so much!” Paoa smiled, and replied, “It’s one of my favorites, and why I wanted to become a Wilderness Adventure Guide, like my dad.”

In that moment they looked into each other's eyes and saw the other for what they really were… perfect. Jillie and I leaned in and elbowed each other joyfully. It was a match made in heaven, we hoped.

Asteri added, “I know that it could be challenging, but I am ready. On my planet technology has freed us to pursue our individual interests, and physical health is highly prized. Most Androloos use this advantage to excel in sports as a way to stay strong all of our lives.”

We listened intently while she told us how fifteen years earlier, when she was thirteen Earth years old, she won the first place prize for her gender and age group in a mountain hiking race during their popular Alps Games.

“I’m much stronger than I look,” she said with pride. “That’s good to know,” Paoa responded. “It may be useful on this quest, and I won’t have to worry about you going beyond your physical limits.”

“That won’t be a problem,” Asteri replied. “I am nothing if I am not up for a challenge. That’s probably why my parents sent me on this most important mission. Plus, they had to be absolutely certain that they trusted the person they sent with a mole among us.” She paused then continued, “Getting back to the point, since you and Kane have been to this big cave, do you think that it’s a good place to start?”

“Yes, I do,” he replied, “I was planning to go there anyway because my friend is a horseback guide nearby, and he told me that there had been some strange things going on in that area. He thought it would be interesting for me to check it out during my trek. And better yet, my rig is parked at Unko (uncle to Hawaiians and a sign of elder respect) Jim’s house in the Hawaiian Homelands just down the highway from the cave.”

Jillie rolled her eyes but didn’t say why.

Standing up, Paoa addressed us all, “What do you say, ladies, are you ready for a wilderness adventure? Because, as the Duke that I’m not named after famously said, ‘We’re burning daylight!’” To which a beaming Asteri exclaimed, “I love that movie, The Cowboys! I have always loved the rugged men of the west.”

To which I remarked, “Well then darling, you’re going to love this adventure, because you can’t get further west, and they don’t get more rugged than my nephew.”

As we girls were packing up to depart, Paoa returned the baskets and espresso machine to his brother with our thanks. He told Kane an urgent situation had come up that needed his expertise and he promised to bring us back for Kadie’s Kalua Pork if at all possible.

Knowing that Paoa was a man of his word Kane pulled him in for a hug and quietly said, “Be careful brah, because if anything happens to you I’ll have hell to pay from both Mom and Kadie for letting you go.” They bent over in laughter and elbowed each other as they’d done when they were kids.

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