H is for Hawaii – Owhyhee

 For the sake of pairing some of these adjuncts to the novel alongside their respective chapters, I am taking liberties with the Alphabet for the next couple of days and so we come to H and not G…

My goal in the 2021 A2Z Challenge is to complete a novel I started a few years ago but which has languished for lack of love (writing!). Each Post, daily in April (Sundays excepted), will consist of some aspect of the novel plus a chapter from it. I hope that the Alphabetical items will give a bit of extra background, muse on the writing process, but most of all, help me develop certain ideas to improve the novel. Some 12 chapters are already written so I have a bit of a head start…
Please comment with any opinions good or bad – you have no idea how much I need feedback at this stage…

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In 1968, age 14, travelling back from Australia by ship (cheaper than flying for a family, in those days), we called into Wellington, New Zealand. I spent some pocket money on a book of Maori Hakas as well as the Pan book of Myths and Legends of the South Seas. One of the facts I gleaned and which has stayed with me ever since, is the story of the great Polynesian migration – eastwards out across the Pacific from the Far-East – hopping from island until, reaching the empty reaches of the eastern Pacific, the Polynesians turned south and westwards until they landed in New Zealand and became the Maori people. This is what it describes on the Frontispiece of “Train Wreck” and the reason why the planets settled by mankind following the destruction of old Earth, were called Hawaii 1 and later Hawaii 2.

Hawaii:- from the Polynesian word Owhyhee meaning homeland. As the Polynesian peoples spread out across the Pacific Ocean, each new island colonised was initially called Owhyhee, Once the numbers of settlers rose to a suitable capacity for the island, a new group would set out in search of the next Owhyhee.

In the following chapter, the “Doppelgänger” explains more of the history of Hawaii 2

Chapter 7
Recruitment.

“I owe you an explanation Jack.”
“At least you need to tell me your real name because you’re obviously not Inspector James so who are you!”
“My name is Stig Johannson and I am a descendant of Captain Johannson of the first settler party of Hawaii 2!” Jack knew that those who could claim descent from the first settler party on Hawaii 2 had a certain cachet that went against the otherwise egalitarian nature of society although nobody objected nor did the claimants seek to gain from the fact – it was just a matter of pride. With Stig it was clearly the case, Jack could hear it in his voice.“I am surprised!” Said Jack. “I was sure you were an off-worlder, your lack of suntan, the questions you asked…”
“I had to act the part I am afraid and I am sorry to have deceived you, As for the sun-tan, well I do spend quite a bit of time off-world and when I am here, well, home is on the Jarrisburg Peninsula. I prefer the cool north to this tropical heat. Though having experienced your airy home I could be tempted…But now, we must be quick, I can’t keep the dentist at bay for long. I am in a way a kind of Inspector, or rather a special kind of observer. I certainly command the security access of an Inspector of Police both off-world and as a Captain of the Rangers here on Hawaii 2. But my access to the systems on and off-world are by the back door, so to speak. I have been able to follow all the investigation into the bomb on the train to the highest level and I am privy to the communications of Inspector James although he is quite unaware of it or me. He has been in quite a state since last week as you might imagine. When I need to have physical sight of something, I have my contacts within organisations. Your phone for example. I had to get a clone made of it and used my contact in the Rangers to do that. Other contacts off-world gave me information about our Inspector James that meant I had to act quickly to see you first which I will explain in a minute.”
“So you are a kind of policeman?”“Not exactly, Jack. I do sometimes get involved with police investigations, pulling a few strings, giving a few pointers but always behind the scenes. Safer to say I use the police rather than they use me. No. My role is as an observer who looks out for the interests of Hawaii 2 as a society. As you know we have little crime and little chance for criminals to come in from outside and I probably spend more time away, taking care of the latter aspect than I do here. With barely a police force we certainly barely merit an intelligence service – but such as we do, well, I am it!”
“I see.” said Jack “What exactly does ‘the interests of Hawaii 2 as a society” mean Mr Johannson?”
“Because Hawaii 2 is so isolated, it was decided by the Pan Human Federation to conduct an experiment here to see if certain utopian ideals could be achieved and sustained. Of course, half the trick with experiments involving humans is not to let them know they are being experimented on so nothing was said in advance but a lot of careful selection of settlers and equally careful social construction was done alongside the physical structuring of the settlement. My role is to keep an eye on that society and if necessary, to act to protect it. Though invisible to most, I do report to the highest authorities both here and off-world and the bomb on the train is the biggest threat I and the authorities have ever had to deal with. We really don’t know who is behind it and why – that much is absolutely true. I would like to explain more to you but not here – there is not enough time. Also, I believe you might be able to help. Would you consider taking a trip to your mother’s home for a few days? Your mother and Chloe could come too and we can get the chance to meet properly without detection…”
“I guess that would be possible. I know my mother needs to collect more things but she can’t bear to leave us alone yet. Yes, I am sure that would work. When?”
“As soon as possible! Don’t contact me, I will know when you get there and I will text you on the clone phone. I am glad you agreed Jack, this is more important than you can imagine!” With that Stig shook Jack’s hand and departed through the side door as quickly as he had come. 
Jack lay back, his head reeling from this unexpected turn of events – though in truth he had had no expectations, but within a few minutes, the dentist returned and after inspecting Jack’s mouth pronounced that the hospital had done a good job of looking after Jack’s teeth as well as the rest of him.

¤ ¤ ¤ ¤

A few days later, Jack sat with Douglas on his knee with his mother beside him silently watching as Stig swept his mother’s house for bugs. Jack had warned his mother about Stig’s visit once they were on their way, and although she expressed astonishment, she was prepared to wait and see what the explanation was, she trusted Jack’s judgement. Chloe had stayed behind to look after the tree-house and was taking the opportunity to invite some friends over for a few days. Jack had not told Chloe the real reason for the trip – he could see that she was glad to have a break from baby, hospitals, the funeral and living with in-laws even though she did not find most of these things onerous per se, it would be good to catch up with friends of her own age. Jack was certainly not going to burden her with mysterious goings-on. 
Stig was dressed like a country man, as Jack’s mother said later, he could easily have passed for one of her neighbours. He seemed to have the ability to blend in to wherever he was. It didn’t take long for Stig to complete the bug sweep. “To be honest I didn’t really expect them to be one step ahead of us” he said “and I certainly hoped not because we need time to talk candidly. In the event we do have any visitors, I am an old friend of the family come to pay my condolences, agreed?”Jack and his mother both nodded. “It’s okay for you both to speak now!” Stig beamed. “Let me start by introducing myself properly Mrs. Gulliver – Stig Johannson.” and he proffered his hand to Jack’s mother. “Jack good to see you again! You know my family have had some sort of “role” – call us guardians if you like, of the society of Hawaii 2 since the very start of the colony. Every child is taught how my ancestor, Captain Johannson, founded the settlement here without waiting for authorisation. He justified it on the grounds that without someone taking a chance, none of the data collected from space could be confirmed without the acid test of an actual landing. In fact, when the proposals for the settlement finally came through, he couldn’t have been more pleased. We don’t consciously think of ourselves as a ‘Utopian society’ here on Hawaii 2 but there was a plan to make it just that! The Federation wanted to see if it would be possible to have a self-sustaining society with no war and no growth beyond a certain size. Hawaii 2 was going to be effectively cut off and so with no Trans-Planet Corporations to mess things up it was the perfect opportunity for a social experiment. And by and large it has worked very well and been pretty easy to manage. My family have been privileged to be part of the oversight of Hawaii 2 behind the scenes and reported and been consulted by the government here, and by the Federation President and a few of his advisers on Hawaii 1. As I say, it has been a remarkably happy planet – until now… I am sure you can understand why I ask you to keep what I just told you between yourselves – as I said at our last meeting Jack, it is better not to be aware of being the subject of an experiment. I felt I had to tell you because of the dangerous situation you seem to be caught up in…”“You mean the bomb?” Asked Jack.“Exactly!”
“You said in New Orleans that I might be able to help with the investigation but once again, I can’t imagine how!”
“We’ll come to that all in good time Jack.” Stig smiled at Jack.
“What I don’t understand” said Jack’s mother “is how and why anyone would want to put a bomb on that train. I know it sounds pathetic, but nothing like that has ever happened here on Hawaii 2, it doesn’t make sense!”
“You’re right Mrs Gulliver, it doesn’t and because nothing like it has ever happened here that is why we are so concerned to get to the bottom of it. This will I am sure, be a painful suggestion, but there is a possibility it has something to do with Anna’s work.”
“Really? Anna? But that would mean…”
“Yes Jack, that someone wanted to kill her. When the initial investigation failed to turn up a computer, we thought maybe someone had stolen it and the explosion might have been to cover their tracks or even to allow them to go through your things. I don’t normally get hands on in investigations but this was a matter of such importance that I went to the university and talked casually to some of Anna’s colleagues. When one of them mentioned memory sticks, I had to act quickly. Inspector James had made his appointment to see you and to be frank, I didn’t want him getting his hands on it if indeed it was something you had found – because it had been looked for whilst you were both in a coma. It is only because it was disguised as a pendant that it was not discovered, as you know.”
“You don’t trust Inspector James?” asked Jack.
“I am not certain but let’s say that there are forces off-world who would love to see access to Hawaii 2 opened up in a commercially viable way and they have little chance to get their own hands on Anna’s work directly. A policeman sent to investigate has at least got opportunity and the fee on offer could certainly be construed as motive…”
“But surely he didn’t set the bomb?” said Jack.
“No! He didn’t arrive here till after the event. I’m not even sure that the bomb has anything to do with Anna at all but no other line of investigation has yielded anything at all.” Stig sighed.
“Why did you tell me her work had been classified? Inspector James said that most of what you told me about the investigation was true but that bit was not?”
“I was surprised that you did not grasp the importance of Anna’s work and I was trying to get you to take it more seriously. I thought it might make you a little more circumspect in your dealings with Inspector James.”
“What would be so terrible about Hawaii 2 getting better access to space and to the rest of the federation, anyway?”
Stig sat quietly thinking for a few moments before answering.
“How much did Anna tell you about her first research trip to Hawaii 1, Jack?”
It was Jack’s turn to think.
“Well she spent most of her time in the university studying the database. She talked about shops, a trip to New Niagara Falls, oh and about how stressed everybody seemed. She talked a lot about that!”
“Oh yes I remember that too!” Said Jack’s mother. “Wage slaves she called them. Working long hours but not enjoying their work. Obsessing about promotion to posts that they didn’t really want except for the increased salary. Surrounding themselves with status symbols and competing all the time!”
“Well put Mrs Gulliver!” Stig smiled at her. I have been many times to Hawaii 1 and I don’t think I could put it better. And then there are the other planets. Go to their capital cities and they look cultured enough but Arctane is only a few steps away from being a company planet – the Federation constantly fight to keep control in the hands of a legitimate government.”
“What does that mean? Asked Jack.
”Simply put, corruption!” replied Stig. The sense of common ownership that we take for granted here, the shared purposes – just look at the friends who came round to help you build your house – that would never happen on Arctane – everyone is too tired and too broke to spare the time. Not that they don’t earn well but they are persuaded to buy big vid screens and numb their brains in front of them when they finally get home from work. Everyone has a “healthy” level of debt that keeps them nose to the grindstone. If the Trans-Planet corporations gained access here of their own accord, they would rape this planet not just for its resources, but its society too. This is not a model they can work with and they would soon corrupt it!”
“I see what you mean… How come Anna didn’t see that I wonder.”
I haven’t had the chance to tell you yet but I was lucky enough to meet Anna – on her last trip in fact.”
“But how…I mean when?”
“Actually I was shadowing her – watching over her if you like. When she made the application to look into ram jets again, we were concerned both for the implications and for Anna herself whilst she might be the possessor of the information.”
“You keep saying ‘we’ but just who are ‘we’?” Said jack’s Mother.
“That would be the Council, we don’t have any more detailed name than that. We don’t officially exist, and if that makes us sound sinister, I can assure you we are not! It’s just that we didn’t want the people of Hawaii 2 to feel that they were being overseen in any way, either in the sense of government or as an object of study. When people are aware of being studied then they behave differently so we are merely discrete in our observations and in our extremely rare interventions. Even when we do intervene it is very slight, a word in an ear here, a suggestion there. The biggest protection for the planet’s social system has been its isolation, and unfortunately Anna’s work threatened that. Because this was a follow-up trip, we didn’t know if she had inadvertently let the cat out of the bag on her previous trip. We didn’t believe so because if the possibility of ram-jets and their commercial possibilities had made their way to the ears of interested parties, there was nothing to stop them applying to do research in the databases directly. Records are kept of all access to them and no records suggest that any such investigations have been made. Of course, that does not mean that covert investigations might not have happened – sadly, corruption in the form of bribes could possibly have been brought to bear, but no whispers of any kind have reached us as yet. We ourselves erased the records of Anna’s searches as soon as we could and I can tell, she was successful. We have secured the references she accessed but we assume she took a copy of all the work with her, that was the aim of her trip after all.”
“So when did you meet her?” Asked Jack.
“I approached her on the flight to Hawaii 1. It can be a dull journey with nothing to see so friendships can be struck up. Anna was a lovely young woman and having had the privilege of getting to know her a little, I feel greatly for your loss. She told me as much about you as she did herself so I already felt I knew you Jack, when I first saw you.” Stig paused for a moment to let everybody handle their grief privately. Then he continued. “Anna told me quite freely about her work, after all nobody had suggested she should not speak openly about it. She told me what she had previously found out and what she believed could be the implications for Hawaii 2. I became very grave and warned her that there could be unintended consequences and I spelt out what these could be. Anna was so shocked that she was tempted to give up the work but I told her she could hardly turn round and come back empty handed and that in any case, I was sure the authorities on Hawaii 2 would want to know the truth about the possibilities of ram-jets. I suggested she completed her mission but was just very circumspect about discussing it with anyone till she got home. I told her I was a kind of ambassador for Hawaii 2, that I would speak to the right people and that she would be contacted by the government once she returned from Hawaii 1. I didn’t see her again but I arranged to have operatives keep an eye on Anna, for her own safety and to make sure nobody else was taking undue interest in her. I had returned here before Anna however I did go out to the space lift and saw her greeted by you, Jack. I then sat in the front part of the train, luckily for me, I received nothing worse than a sprained wrist and a lot of bruises as a result of the explosion.”
“Okay,” said Jack thoughtfully, “so say that the bomb had something to do with Anna’s work, what was the point of it? Nobody knew we were going to go to the Buffet Car, and when we did, how did they know when to detonate it. If they were after the information then, as it happens, they could have destroyed it since it was round Anna’s neck. And as a way of getting to search her luggage it seems far too complicated not to mention dangerous for the thief too!”
“These are the things that I have been asking myself ever since the train wreck and I can see no more sense in it than you, Jack!”
“Why kill Anna at all?”
“Ah that would be money… Let’s say one of the Trans-Planet Corporations got wind of it, they wouldn’t want to have to share it with anyone else, not even Anna as its ‘re-discoverer’ and certainly they wouldn’t want it to be developed by any company on Hawaii 2. The ability to offer it to the planet from outside would give them huge leverage in negotiating trade treaties.”
“But wouldn’t it be obvious that they were implicated in the bomb once it came out that Anna was researching the same thing?” said Jack’s Mother.
“True Mrs Gulliver but hard to prove. The thing is, we think we had word of Anna’s work locked down pretty well both before she went and for the duration, plus we have heard no rumours about secret development work since, although that doesn’t necessarily mean anything… It could still turn out to be some random nut-case!”
“So where can the investigation go now and how can I be of any help?” said Jack.
“Okay Jack, so if Inspector James is compromised, and I’m not saying he is, then he believes you have given the memory stick to me but he doesn’t know for sure – you could have been lying. Now you are under no obligation to do what I am about to suggest but I can’t think of any other way to flush out the perpetrators of your wife’s murder.  If we let it be known that you still have the research, covertly, and we wait to see if anything crawls out of the woodwork. We would have you protected at all times – it goes without saying…”
“Of course I will!” said Jack immediately.
“Well you should think about it a little, Jack, it could still be dangerous despite our best efforts. Take a little time, won’t you?”
“Well I don’t know about you men but I am ready for lunch!” and Jack’s mother headed to the kitchen.
Later, as they drank coffee after a most excellent lunch from a woman clearly pleased to be back in her own kitchen, a silence settled over them as the earlier conversation returned to each of their thoughts. All except Douglas who having been the life and soul of the party during lunch had now fallen asleep in his high-chair.
The silence was broken by a Stig’s phone ringing, a quiet but insistent ringtone. “Yes Lars?” He listened briefly and then asked, “Are you expecting anyone to call?”
“No!” said Jack’s mother “We haven’t told anyone we are here. Why?”
“My brother has been keeping watch at the bottom of the road and a car has just turned up here with two men in it.” He spoke into the phone again. “Lars follow them up – don’t worry about being seen.”
“Have you got any hunting rifles here Mrs Gulliver?” Stig asked Jack’s mother.
“Yes! My late husband’s.” She was already on her way to fetch them.
Jack you watch from the window – make sure there are two men in the car.”
Jack’s mother returned with two rifles and handed them to Stig.
“A black car has just driven past slowly, two men in it and your brother is right behind them. He has stopped outside, they have gone on up the road.”
“It’s a dead end right?”
“Yes, there’s a clearing in the woods for logging lorries to turn round.”“Okay Jack, you and I will go out to my brother. Mrs Gulliver can you stay with Douglas please.” Stig handed Jack a rifle and went out the front door.Lars had climbed out of his pickup, a typical, battered, country car and was reaching out a rifle from a gun rack behind the back seat.“Stig! How in thunder are you?” Lars made a great show of bear hugging Stig in front of the car just as the black car came back down the track and seeing three men with rifles hesitated slightly and then accelerated past Lars’ pickup and disappeared down the road.“Still two on board.” said Lars.“Good!” Said Stig. “Jack, it looks like we don’t need to advertise the goods after all. Lars, will you make sure our visitors are well on their way, please. Let’s go inside Jack.”