Stealth Journeys with the Steam Mapper

Chapter 16: Making a Stealthy Friend Less Lonely

As they had from the first, as they had become acquainted, in the early part of the voyage, MYKA and StLF, navigated around issues that came up to each separately.   Unbeknown to each other, observations and conversations and chance meetings popped up where they chose to not share the information.  MYKA may well have intended all along to be secretive, but Stef was faced with a new dilemma of keeping promises and secrets from a new best friend.

The first time it happened, Stef had vowed that the secret would be a short-term one.   "There's no way, this secret won't be exposed soon.   MYKA  will understand why I had to keep it.   It all happened out of the blue."   The weather conditions had contributed to the unexpected discovery.

Back then, the ship was making good time traveling southward past the California coast, Monterey Bay, and the Baja Peninsula.   NOAA reports of a tropical disturbance off the Pacific coast of Mexico had the attention of Captain Barnacle Bill.   The area produced a fetch that was far-reaching, and swells were noticed aboard the ship.   A new route to avoid gale force winds was underway.   The plan to continue south to the Galapagos Islands would entail only a slight delay.  Captain Bill's biggest concern was a chance of a rogue wave.  This was something that was always a remote possibility, but more likely to happen when a typhoon develops.   Captain Bill was having a sleepless night on the bridge.

Stef was also having a sleepless night.   The cruise along the coast had allowed free time to enjoy the company of MYKA.    There seemed to be a mutual pleasure of getting acquainted that caused the heart to soar in anticipation of good things to come.   A new friend with the ability to put Stef at ease, through humor, and charming banter, and similar interests, was the made-to-order relationship always wanted.

This excitement coupled with the secrecy of MYKA Cousteau connections, had Stef wondering, "Am I reading too much into these casual chats?  Am I jumping the gun?   Will I blow this good thing by doing something geeky?   Have I already been too geeky with my performance?   Can I for once follow Mom's advice and keep emotions in check, and not mess up by rushing a friendship that would grow better gradually?"   All of these confusing thoughts coming  to mind had to be quieted.   "Fresh air, a new focus, food from the break room. . . I need to get up and move around.   I know!   I'll check the results in the bio lab."   Cultures there were ever changing from specimens collected the day before.

Stef approached quietly into the hums and beeps and glowing data recorders of the marine lab. The trip up from the sleeping quarters had been surprisingly noisy.   The thrumming of engines going full throttle, combined with blustery winds jangling rigging and shifting equipment on deck sounded like the rhythm section of an exotic tropical band.   The quieter sounds inside the lab created a restful atmosphere.   The mind-weary scientist pulled out a padded stool and sat before a wall of meters registering the changes in water chemistry of samples from hydrothermal vents.   Head down on folded arms, and eyes closed, sleepiness was ready to overtake.   Just then, Stef heard light footsteps approaching.

In the doorway, a small figure backlit by the bright LED lined hallway stood uneasily, uncertain of what to say to the adult who was turning and rising to a great height.   Stef took a step forward.

"Who are you?" asked a quavering high-pitched voice.  "My code name is ROBN.   Will you please give me a tour?"

Stef took another step forward for a closer look.   A slender, curly-haired child just over four and a half feet tall gazed upwards solemnly.   The child was wearing a life preserver with a turtle tracer poking up in back.   A neatly printed sticky back paper name tag was askew on the preserver with ROBN, boldly drawn on.

"Hi ROBN.  My code name is StLF.   Where did YOU come from?"

"I was born in Tulsa but I have lived many places.   I was staying with my Uncle Bill.   My mom and dad promised to get me weeks ago.   They are missionaries.  They did not return to the United States. They are missing.   Uncle Bill sneaked me on the ship.   I am a stowaway.   There was no other place for me to stay.   I'm supposed to stay hidden.    Please don't tell.   You must keep me a secret.   I am not on the manifest."    This all was spoken very matter of fact and without pause.

Stef tried to take in the strange circumstances and the stranger named ROBN.    "How old are you?"

"I'm nearly a teenager, and I really like science and oceans but it is boring in Uncle Bill's cabin.   I sneaked out tonight because Uncle Bill said he'd be helping the ship avoid a big storm.   He went to the bridge but I couldn't go with him.   So, how about a tour of the lab?"

"You are pretty short to be almost thirteen.   You seem pretty smart and I get why you'd be bored.  Okay.   I'll show you some of the equipment."   Stef wanted to know more about the little stranger.   "I was lonely growing up, too.   Were you home schooled?"

"No.  I've gone to a lot of public schools.  Usually get in the GSP classes.  I've gone to magnet schools that stress STEM or STEAM programs.   And I make friends in those classes.   I'm just lonely here.   Why would you think I was home schooled?"

"Well, I was, until my freshman year of high school, and sometimes home school outings included missionary kids who traveled a lot."

At each station, Stef explained the purpose of the experiment and the data being collected.   And then before moving on, posed another personal question.    "So what countries do your folks visit as missionaries?"

"I'm not sure.   Some trips were on the eastern side of Africa.   Some in the Middle East.   And, some have been in Asia.  Smaller, not touristy countries, I guess.   I don't travel with them.   I usually stay with their best friends, because they stay stateside most of the time.   This time they traveled to join Mom and Dad for a few weeks.    We usually get emails at least every couple of weeks.  Nothing.   They promised to be back home with Mom and Dad by the middle of August and now it is way after Labor Day.   I really don't like to be interrogated."

"Whoa.   Interrogated!   That's a big word.   I'm just trying to be friendly.   Who has been interrogating you?"