From Under the Sea (MT - Open to All)

[East Moreland]

OOC - This RP is for anyone who wishes to take part regardless of Region, please keep it Modern Tech though. The map is of our region, the The Independent Order but as you see only shows part of the world, if you want to assume your from off the map thats great.



The Royal East Moreland Navies science vessel Queen Matilda was making its way back towards the Illumic having been working just off the coast of the Supreme Empire of the North. It had been, as usual a long pointless cruise, they were about 2000km North of the Coral Coast when one of the ships monitors picked up a load of seismic activity, a young science analysit ran onto the bridge, "Captain we've picked up some strange readings about 300km North of us, any chance we can take a look?"

Captain Reynolds checked the charts and schedule, "We can sneak in a quick peek" He changed the ships course and headed North. It took the best part of a day to get there. "You seeing this?" the captain said with surprise.

"Erm....yeah." his executive officer said glancing at the map and then back at the scene in front of him a large rocky plateau had risen above the sea. It wasn't marked on any chart that they'd got. They radioed back to the East Moreland HQ and explained what they saw in front of them, after much mocking the HQ received the images.



A voice came over the radio, it was East Moreland's representative to the Cultural Exchange Treaty Organisation (think UNESCO) "Captain, this is Prof Marcus Merriman, erm....legend had it that there was a island nation in that vicinity that sank beneath the waves, we need to investigate it, we're releasing it's location to the world, expect guests, we need to investigate as much of the island as possible, but be careful our experts here think that within three weeks it could sink back into the ocean, when it does get the hell out of there."

"Roger that Professor, we'll see what we can do"

That evening on the World Service the discovery of the island was announced, it was now just a matter of time until the island gave up its mysteries.

[Union of Nordic People]

The Union of Nordic People's research vessel had been in the Northern Sea monitoring whale populations as usual, Carsten had been stood on deck watching a particularly active group of whales when Captain Sorensson approached. "Carsten, sorry but we're changing course, it appears the Morelanders have discovered some kind of island that has appeared after an Earthquake, the Riksdag have put us under the Universities authority, their flying out a team and we're to make for the island at full speed."

"But we've not finished here?"

"I know Carsten but the island is only going to be there a short time, the whales aren't going anywhere for a while." he tapped his colleague on the shoulder and headed back to the bridge. Soon they'd changed course and under full steam where heading towards the location the Morelanders had confirmed.

[Morheim]

"A new island you say" the University of Peresa's Head of Geology said listening on the phone, "This we have to see, where is it?"....."The Great Northern Sea, why thats thousands of miles away."......"Yes, I suppose that would work, hire us a flying boat and I'll get a team of students together, we'll set off as soon as its ready."

The opportunity to see the planets most newly formed landmass in person was an opportunity Professor Kanhem couldn't pass up, he picked up the phone and dialled one after another five of his top students.The following morning the island came into view as the pilot put the flying boat down on the sea just a few hundred meters from shore. They unpacked their equipment into the kayaks and paddled the short distance to the islands rocky beach. After pulling the boats up the beach they stood at the edge of a forest ready to plunge in and explore. "Now keep together, make sure to keep everyone in sight and don't wander off."

[Meche]

Furik'tik University, Department of Earth Sciences

Professor Rada Vasilyev glared at her graduate student incredulously. "You're telling me, that a whole island emerged from the Great Northern Ocean by seismic uplift of unprecedented speed without any noticeable large earthquake or tsunami? I know that there has been unusual seismic activity there recently, but do you seriously expect me to believe this wild tale? Is this some kind of joke? It's nowhere near April and..."

In'am Afolayan held up her tablet to show the professor the news article. Vasilyev stared at it in wordless shock for more than minute before she began to speak again. "...Must have been a deep earthquake without surface waves though how that managed to cause this sort of uplift, and without destructive water displacement... perhaps some other and wholly new phenomenon? Quickly In'am, we need to get together an expedition as soon as possible! This island is the find of a lifetime!"

[Achkaerin]

Achkaerin University of Arts and Culture, Avalon

Doctor Donna Steele the current chair of the CETO, sat in her office she'd spent a fair bit of time gallivanting around the world lately so the paperwork had accumulated on her desk she had pile upon pile of coursework assignments, draft research papers and dissertations her good friend in East Moreland Marcus Merriman would probably make some whimsical remark if he saw her like this, then there was a knock on her office door.

"Come in." Donna said, the door opened and in walked one of her students a girl named Melissa.
"Compliments of Professor Merriman." Melissa said handing Donna an electronic tablet which then played the announcement of the islands discovery.
"Well what do you know?" Donna asked smiling now getting up to look out of her window it was so strange at times to think that Avalon was a city built on an artificial island it just felt so natural with the atmosphere.
"It gets better, the Imperial Navy's got the INS Angel waiting for us down at the marina." Melissa said, Donna raised an eyebrow the INS Angel was an Angel class cruiser one of the most advanced ships in not only the Imperial Navy but possibly the whole of Mundus "We've learned from the Qa'Hirin dig."
"That explains it." Donna said "Is everyone packed?"
"Everyone except you." Melissa said
"I'll be ready in an hour, meanwhile you guys get the equipment loaded up that includes the remote control for Apollo." Donna said "Let's go."

[Algonquian Nations]

[Having heard the news reports of the formation of a new island across the sea to the east, the Sachém Council of the Federation met in emergency session at the Federation Headquarters in Ság Harbor. All four tribal Sachéms - Uióndánš of the Šíníqóqs, Quín of the Nárígánsóqs, Uídís of the Áqínóqs, and Noeáq of the Ságípónóqs - met in Council on the First Day of the Full Beaver Moon...Uióndánš opened the Council....]

"Gentlemen, I have called this council as a result of the recent news reports that a new island has emerged in the eastern seas. While this normally would be of significant scientific interest, our Natural Resources Director, Dón Mélánšín, has contacted me with some urgency concerning this issue. I have invited him to speak to you all about the concerns he has...Dón?"

"Thank you, Sachém. Gentlemen, I don't know how much you have heard about this event; it is relatively recent, but already the nations are gathering to send scientific explorations on the new island..."

Uídís interrupted, "Are you concerned that there will be pillaging of the new island? Plants, animals, the earth itself?"

"Yes," responded the Director, "but even worse. There are stories among our people that go back for generations of an island nation that once existed in that area. They were a First Nations People, who worked the sea as we do. There are any number of inconsistent legends as to what happened to the nation, but all end the same way: somehow, the island simply sank below the surface the ocean, never to be seen again."

"Were they Algonquian Peoples? Were they distant ancestors of our own people?"

"Again, we don't know; the legends all suggest that they were, but there were no physical artifacts left behind to say so with conviction. But I would say it is certainly a possibility. And that means that if this newly risen island is the same as the one that disappeared years ago, then buried beneath the surface may lie the key to knowing the answer to your question. Shell middens, tools, writings, fabric - all would provide us with clues. But even more important . . . if the island disappeared as quickly as we all believe, it means that the graves of our ancestors may be located on that island. If the world descends on it to perform scientific research, it means that once again our people's very bones will be stolen and treated as exhibits in museums and curiosities passed from one lab to another. We can not permit the raiding of the island; we can not permit the nations to plunder what lies within its lands and waters."

"This is deeply troubling," added Noeáq. "We must do all we can to stop them. We need to appeal to the Council of International Antiquities to oversee any . . ."

He was cut short mid-sentence by Quín.

"Nonsense! I am tired of begging international agencies to safeguard our people! They talk and talk and delay and compromise and nothing ever gets done - except we lose again. We need to act, and we need to act NOW!"

"What are you suggesting?"

"I am suggesting that we immediately call upon our Warrior Society to set sail for this island, and set up an encampment. We are the only ones who have ever safeguarded our people, and we need to take direct action..NOW."

The Sachéms looked at each other in silence. The gravity of the situation was dawning on each of them.

"Are we in agreement on this course of action, gentlemen?" Uióndánš finally asked.

The Sachéms nodded in agreement.

Very well then. I will summon the Warrior Society. And I will accompany them in the encampment as the leader of our People. Quín, I will ask you to rally the people to organize supply shipments, as we may be encamped for a while. We will need water, food, and clothing ferried to us on a regular basis, for however long this lasts."

"Of course," answered Quín. You can count on the Nárígánsóqs."

"Noeáq, you have the closest relationships with the Coast Guard of the Kingdom of Scow Creek. You lease them a base among your people. Request an escort - or better yet, transport - for our men.

Done. I don't see any difficulty there.

This council is adjourned, gentlemen.

[Meche]

The Island

In'am shivered in her bulky coat and life vest as the cold ocean spray splashed upon her face. She sat near the front of the Zodiac raft, loaded with surveying equipment, helping to keep it level as it sped across the water's surface toward the island.

The expedition had been thrown together hastily, Professor Vasilyev had gathered gathered an assortment of graduate students to haul a medley of equipment from storage to the port of Venterat and onto the research vessel Wegener, owned by the University. The motley mix of students, the ship's current crew, and the Professor set off north as quickly as possible, guzzling fuel in the process. So now that they were at the Island, they were to disembark from the Wegener with their equipment and supplies, set camp, and begin surveying while the ship sailed west to refuel in the Supreme Empire of the North. In'am was riding in the last ferrying trip from the ship.

The watercraft slowed as it approached the southern rocky beach, a sloped mass of black and gray stones, where the expedition had made landfall. Normally a rocky beach was a sure indicator of strong wave activity, but in this case, they weren't quite so certain. A tentative petrological profile for the beach had already been established, primary a mixture of moderately worn andesites and not so worn basalts, with a smattering of moderately worn sedimentary rocks, mostly turbidites. While the Zodiac's pilot turned the motor of and tilted its prop out of the water, In'am sprung onto the beach alongside a third student and the pair began to haul the boat ashore. Some more students, already onshore, ran up to assist. Out away from the island, the Wegener was already drawing up its anchor to leave.

It was going to be a long four days before the ship returned.

[Scow Creek]

[location: Scow Creek Coast Guard Base, Ság Harbor]

"Commandant, we have a troubling request that requires your approval," began the Base Commander. "Noeáq has requested our assistance in transporting the Algonquian federation's warriors across the sea to the east. It all sounds very cryptic and mysterious - something about setting up an encampment on a mysterious island."

"Would this be the island that suddenly rose out of the sea? I'm not surprised. There is world-wide attention on this event right now."

"Well, yes, and that's why I am concerned. With students and scientists from all over the world preparing to investigate this phenomenon, the Algonquians appear to be...well...less than 'cooperative' in these ventures. From what Noeáq tells me, they are interested in setting up an encampment to block scientific investigation. They suspect that an ancient Algonquian settlement existed on the island, and they fear grave and artifact robbing. They are organizing a hostile party - and they are asking our assistance in transporting them there."

"This does put us in a difficult situation. Our Coast Guard has been adamant about being a defensive force, a force for good...and this places us squarely in the position of appearing to support hostilities. On the other hand, the entire reason that this base exists is because of the Ság Harbor Accords. Let me get my copy...."

[the Commandant disappeared into his office, and soon returned with a copy of the Accords, signed on 24 Green Corn Moon / 03 September of the previous year.]

"...here is how section II reads," the Commandant explained,

"The Alliance previously existing between the Šíníqóq Nation and the Kingdom of Scow Creek, established for the mutual protection of Lands, Waters, and Peoples, shall henceforth be deemed to exist between the entire Federation of Algonquian Nations and the Kingdom of Scow Creek;

The Kingdom of Scow Creek is requested by the Algonquian Federation to establish a defensive Coast Guard presence along the coastline of the Ságípónóq Nation for mutual protection of the Nations; and

To carry out the above, the Kingdom of Scow Creek shall, with the approval of the Ságípónóq Tribal Council, establish and maintain a defensive Coast Guard Base in the Port of Ság Harbor, which property shall be the Sovereign Soil of the Kingdom of Scow Creek."

The Commandant paused, and then thought aloud...

"Our very base here is a result of these Accords, and it has worked well for us. But it was also awarded to us in return for providing a defense to the land and waters of the Algonquian Nations. If they feel that a scientific inquiry on this island constitutes an assault on the Algonquian peoples, then we would be remiss not to assist them. I am in part heartened by the fact that they are not asking us to engage any of the arriving scientific expeditions - they are only asking for Transport for their own warriors. I think on that basis, we can comply. We will transport them to the island, and then return to port, and we will have upheld the request to come to their defense without sullying our reputation with the rest of the world.

Radio Noeáq and let him know that of course we will assist in the transport of their warriors. Try and move him along and get this done quickly before an entire flotilla of scientists sees us arrive....tell him the tides are favorable, or the winds won't be, or something - I don't care - let's just get this done and put it behind us as quickly as we can."

"Yes, Commandant. Right away, sir!"

[Algonquian Nations]

The Algonquian Nations Warrior Society arrived at The Island, a bit harried and rushed. The Scow Creek Coast Guard, which agreed to transport them, had accelerated the departure schedule, requiring the Society to cut back on the planned supplies and equipment. Nonetheless, the hastily thrown together materials provided a spartan but functional campsite.

The Warriors departed the Coast Guard vessel in shallow waters, and made their way to the low-lying flatlands on the western edge of the Island. Sparse tufts of rough saltgrass had begun to spring up in between the sand, mud, and rock deposits that would normally characterize a seabed. The now exposed landform had dried in some places, while other spots were impossibly wet and sloppy. The encampment was erected, and the Algonquian Nations flag set upon a makeshift pole made of a tree limb.

No other humans had apparently landed yet, or, if they had, they were on the far side of the Island, out of view of the two dozen warriors. The warriors immediately put their hands to setting up shelters, creating a cooking circle....and identifying appropriate lookout sites surrounding the encampment. As the sun set, the warriors passed the time singing traditional songs and imploring the Gods of the Sea and Sky to watch over their efforts.

[Meche]

In the morning twilight, Livusel Kualid trudged through the muddy ground with a surveying pole in hand. While the coast was rocky, once they passed over a tall coastal ridge, that land gave way to a flatter expanse of mud, though another rocky ridge to the northeast obscured further vision of the island's topography. She stopped suddenly when she saw something white and long jutting from the muck out of the corner of her eye. She turned and directed her flashlight towards it.

"Livusel, what are you doing?" In'am shouted. "We need to finish this area and move on, we've wasted enough time already with you constantly getting stuck!"

Livusel stared aghast at what she saw, human bones half-submerged in mud mixed in with a variety of badly decayed... plant material? "In'am, I found something, I'm going to radio it in." With that reply yelled back, Livusel pulled her radio out of her pocket.

"Base Camp, this is Livusel, over."

"Base Camp reads you Livusel, over."

"Get the Professor, I found human remains, over."

[Algonquian Nations]

Chápaqu, an Algonquian warrior, came bounding up the camp after a week scouting mission of the island, breathless and eyes ablaze...

"Sachém! [pant, pant...] Our worst fears have been realized! In scouting the Island, I came to the other side which is crawling with students and scientists and media. It is widely reported that some thieves from the nation of Meche have unearthed human remains. They are collecting them and preparing to remove them from the island. We must act quickly."

"This is just as I feared, " replied the Sachém. "Quickly, let us all gather what we can and head to the east side of the island. Chapáqu, can you take us directly to the Meche encampment?"

"Yes. If we take the coastal route around the south, they will be the first camp set up on the eastern side of the island."

"Then let us go and defend our people."

[Algonquian Nations]

As the Warriors made their way around the Island by foot, the marvels of modern technology kept them in touch with the rest of the world...a cell phone rang...

"Sachém Uióndánš, it's for you......it's Dón Mélánšín, from natural resources..."

He handed the Sachém the phone.

"Yes, Dón...what have you found?"

"Sachém, I have finally heard back from our brothers on Šéltr Island."

"The Mánánsóqs?"

"Yes...from Sachém Euqo. He confirms what we have suspected all along. According to Euqo, the Mánánsóqs were the original inhabitants of the Island. They called themselves the People of the Sunrise, as they were the furthest east of our people. He said that tribal records show that while many of the men were out on a traditional whale hunt, a great earth-shaking occurred. To the east, the island was overcome by a great wave, and never appeared again. The women, children, and older men were helpless and drowned almost immediately under the force of the wave. The Whalers lost some men in boats that capsized, but several others were pushed westward to the current day Šéltr Island. When they realized that the island no longer existed, they rebuilt their settlement on Šéltr Island, just north of us. It was uninhabited, and the tribe was rebuilt through intermarriage with women who were brought in from surrounding Algonquian nations."

"I suspect," interrupted the Sachém, "that there is more to this intermarriage than simply 'bringing in women." We have been estranged from the Mánánsóqs for several hundred years, and most of our historians date the estrangement back to raids they conducted on our shores. I suspect those raids involved kidnapping girls to re-establish the nation."

"That may well be, Sachém. In any event, it would appear that this newly-formed island was barely beneath the surface of the water for a very long time, and..."

The Sachém cut him off. "Call Euqo. Tell him that human remains have in fact been located, and student 'researchers' are desecrating the graves. Tell him that we are here prepared to defend his people...see if you can secure his assistance. We may, after all these years, work together again and reconcile our nations."

"Yes sir! I think he will be eager to join you - he expressed the same concerns we did when we first learned of the island's reappearance."

"Good. Thank you for your work on this. If he comes to help, tell him that our encampment is on the west side of the island, but most of us are heading to the east where the remains have been discovered. Tell him to send his men directly to the east."

"Will do! I'll get right on that! I will report later."

"Thank you Dón. Talk to you later."

[East Moreland]

The team of experts from Northfort University finally arrived with transport having been provided by the East Moreland Royal Navy vessel REMNS Queen Matilda, the scientific vessel had all manner of sensors and gadgets onboard. The team where put down in a small bay on the west side of the island and made there way ashore. Jessica Norris was a PhD student studying Geology and began managing the camp. They walked around half a km inland and began putting up tents, once the housekeeping had been done she began directing her students to place sensors around the camp. "We have no idea how long this place will stay here, first sign of massive seismic activity the Matilda will get us off using helicopters if need be." the group of twenty people working with her nodded in agreement. "Now split into your teams of four and begin surveys of the rock types and note any geological features of interest, keep in radio contact."

Jessica and her team had been at things about an hour photographing and marking the various features they'd found, what suprised her though was that there seemed to be evidence of human activity on the rock, like someone had chipped away at various sections. The team had found a long shallow ditch that seemed to be too regular to be natural. As they followed it, filming as they went, they noticed something odd. "Zoom in on that" Jessica said pointing to a feature about half way up the side of the ditch, it was about 20 meters ahead and at around head height. "That look like a doorway to you?" Tom her recorder nodded. Walking over and being given a boost by Robert, one of her undergraduate colleagues she could wiggle into the front of the gap. "It's full of silt. Mark it and we'll come back later with some shovels, get Dr.Merriman on the radio, he's going to want to see this."

[Fatatatutti]

"Looks like a convention of research vessels," Lieutenant Joanne Vucetich muttered to herself. She took one last leisurely look and called out, "Down periscope."

As temporary acting commander of the Flying Fish she was new to the Atlantic Flotilla and unused to operations in such cold northern seas. She reached for the microphone on the overhead. "All hands, all hands, stand by to surface. Shore party to the main hatch. Security team to the bridge." 'Security team' was a euphemism for 'machine-gun crew', which would probably not be needed but one couldn't be too careful in a hostile world.

She hung up the microphone and turned to the First Officer, "Mr. Price, break out the battle flag." 'Battle flag' was also a euphemism for the large Fatatatutian flag that was draped over the side of the tower when a submarine was on the surface; it meant, ironically, 'We come in peace.'

"Sparky, better fire off a message to FlotCom to let them know what we're up to." The Flotilla Commander was more than half an ocean away and commanded the flotilla in name only. At sea, individual submarine commanders were essentially autonomous. However, it was common courtesy to keep him in the loop.

"Shall I mention the seismic activity?" the radio operator (customarily known as 'Sparky') asked.

"Sure. Why not?" Lieutenant Vucetich barely associated the sonar contacts with the congregation of international vessels. Her interest was more in them than in any new island.

She reached for the microphone again. "All hands, all hands, surface, surface."

[East Moreland]

The REMNS Queen Matilda had just completed dropping off the research team as one of their supply helicopters spotted a strange object a few miles off the port side of the research vessel. "Captain this is Helo One, unknown object at bearing 208 distance approx 5miles, going to check it out over."

"Roger that Helo One, keep us posted."

The helicopter passed over what appeared to be a surfacing sub. "Tom, you recognise the type or ensign?" the pilot asked his navigator.

"Not from this height no. Better let the folks back on the Tilly know" Tom responded to the pilot who reported the sight of the submarine.

"Thanks for that" Captain Dempsey replied. He picked up the radio handset, "To the unknown sub surfacing this is the Royal East Moreland Naval Ship Queen Matilda, we are a naval research vessel from East Moreland, please state your purpose here. We have people on the rock and ask that you keep their safety in mind with your own activity. Over." he replaced the handset and waited for a response, this was turning into quiet some gathering.

[Fatatatutti]

"Queen Matilda, this is submarine Flying Fish of the Fatatatutian Navy. We come in peace." Lieutenant Vucetich thought that sounded a bit pompous so she added, "We were just wondering what all the hubbub was about."

"Shore party away," The First Officer reported.

---

The bottom of the rubber inflatable grated on the pebbly beach and the boatswain, a short, stocky man, stepped out. "Watson, take a look down the beach to the left; Niemeyer, to the right. Kalikimaka, stay with the boat. The rest of you, follow me." He hadn't done any tracking since he was a Cub Scout but the trail of the other landing parties was not difficult to follow.

[Algonquian Nations]

At first light the following day, the Sachém and his party of Warriors crested a knoll, and laid out before them was the assault on the island's grounds. Pick axes, shovels, tents, lights, crates, and tools of every shape and size littered the ground. And no more than 200 feet ahead, a group of young people - college aged, perhaps, huddled around a depression in the ground. The Sachém called out in a clear, unmistakable voice:

"People! We are the Warrior Society of the Federation of Algonquian Nations! We have come to protect our ancestral lands and our People. We request an immediate Council with your leadership."

The students turned and stared as the Warrior Party approached. They appeared to be quickening their pace as they got closer....

[Scow Creek]

"Now who the hell is that?," exclaimed the Commandant.

It was bad enough that he had to get involved in this quixotic gold rush for a rocky outcropping the first time, when he dropped off the Sachém. Now he was once again involved, having been roped into ferrying a second group of Warriors, the Mánónsóqs, to the island as well.

"You'd think they'd have found a damned diamond mind or something. Look at this! Is that....?"

His voice trailed off and he grabbed the binoculars. After squinting and adjusting them, he dropped them to his side.

"Fatatatutti is here. I am not pleased."

"Who are they, Commandant?," asked the coxswain.

"Probably one of the few navies in this sea than can kick the crap out of us if they choose to. This is not good."

Then, after a few moments, he added,

"Coxswain, set your course for three-five-five. We're changing course. We're heading around the far side - the north side - of the island. Drop the Mánónsóqs off at the first safe landing on the north side...I've got to find out what the hell is going on here...."

[Meche]

OOC: Hey Algonquian Nations, I'm in the process of moving right now, so I'm not going to be able to give a good post in reply to your stuff any time for the next week, at least. To try and keep things moving though I will point out the students and what-not are a geology expedition, they're there to study the rocks, the land, and other related things. They wouldn't know what to do with human remains, it's completely not their field. At most, what they' would've done is mark the remains' location so they can figure out what is to be done with them later.

[East Moreland]

"Queen Matilda, this is submarine Flying Fish of the Fatatatutian Navy. We come in peace." Lieutenant Vucetich thought that sounded a bit pompous so she added, "We were just wondering what all the hubbub was about."

"Shore party away," The First Officer reported.

---

The bottom of the rubber inflatable grated on the pebbly beach and the boatswain, a short, stocky man, stepped out. "Watson, take a look down the beach to the left; Niemeyer, to the right. Kalikimaka, stay with the boat. The rest of you, follow me." He hadn't done any tracking since he was a Cub Scout but the trail of the other landing parties was not difficult to follow.

Captain Dempsey picked up the mic, "Well Flying Fish, I'm sure your aware if you check your charts this rock shouldn't be here, we picked up seismic readings, came to investigate and now everyone's here." He looked through is binoculars as he spotted a shore party leaving the now surfaced sub. "Might I suggest if your party get ashore they look up Dr.Merriman, he's our lead investigator. Over." he put the mic back on its position. "Tom, better get Northfort raised, tell them we're beginning to get company here, they might want to get someone from the diplomatic office out here or something."

---

Back home in the royal Palace the King was briefed on what was happening, "Seems the potential for a mess up, loads of boats no sovereignity , thing expected to be there another few days" King David was reading the notes. "OK.....my sister is on detachment with the 1st Royal Scouts, have her select a four man team and fly them out, she can represent the Kingdom if anything needs doing."

Freya was just returning from a training exercise when one of the admin corporals handed her an envelope. "Major Ironside, your leaving in two hours." Freya opened the orders and read them, they were simple, represent the Kingdom in any diplomatic issues and keep an eye on the team ashore. She could handle that. It took them eight hours to reach the deck of the Matilda.

[Algonquian Nations]

The Sachém and the warriors engaged in lengthy dialogue with the now-frightened students, who claimed to be from the land of Meche and undertaking geological research. They insisted that they had no interest in bones or grave-robbing, though it took some time before the Algonquian party was convinced...

"Very well," summarized the Sachém, we will accept your explanation. Notwithstanding your intentions, however, you have unearthed our people's remains, and we can not permit this. We will be re-interring these remains in a ceremony that honors our ancestors, and filling in this hole you have created. In other words, you are free to go - but we are assuming control of this site."

The Warriors moved forward, and surrounded the open dig.

"You may leave. Your work here is ended. Tell your leaders to leave our people at rest."

[Fatatatutti]

Captain Dempsey picked up the mic, "Well Flying Fish, I'm sure your aware if you check your charts this rock shouldn't be here, we picked up seismic readings, came to investigate and now everyone's here." He looked through is binoculars as he spotted a shore party leaving the now surfaced sub. "Might I suggest if your party get ashore they look up Dr.Merriman, he's our lead investigator. Over." he put the mic back on its position. "Tom, better get Northfort raised, tell them we're beginning to get company here, they might want to get someone from the diplomatic office out here or something."

Charts? What charts? We can find a continent in this foreign ocean. Everything else is sonar and depth sounder. Lieutenant Vucetich paused before speaking aloud. "Queen Matilda, we're here because sonar activity indicated many vessels where there shouldn't be any." It was uncertain whether the activity was any of Fatatatutti's business but it shouldn't take long to find out. She added, "I'll pass your advice along to the shore party. Flying Fish out."

---

"Boats!"

The boatswain looked over his shoulder.

"Message from the 'Fish, Boats: Look for Dr. Merriman."

"Look for Dr. Merriman," the boatswain repeated. "Thanks, Sparky. Dr. Merriman. What's a Dr. Merriman when he's at home?"

"Apparently he's in charge."

"Who's in charge? I'm in charge," the boatswain chuckled to himself. "Let's have a look up that hill." Though the slope was gentle, it seemed steep to the submariners who were used to flat decks. "Dr. Merriman, where are you?"

[Algonquian Nations]

The Mánónsóqs had been dropped on the north side of the island by the Coast Guard Cutter Tamaroa, and began their journey across the island under the leadership of Sachém Euqo. Having been alerted to verified human remains, the Sachém decided to attempt to cross over the island, rather than take a long circuitous route around the coast. Making their way over rocky outcroppings, they found themselves face to face with an expedition party from East Moreland, diligently digging away at a wall of silt. The Sachém spoke first.

"Hello. We are the Mánónsóqs from the west, and I am their leader, Euqo. Our ancestors inhabited this island before it disappeared under the sea, and we heard that it reappeared. We also heard that researchers were digging into the island, disturbing our ancestor's resting places. Can you tell me exactly what you are doing here?"

The East Moreland party exchanged nervous glances with each other before responding...

[East Moreland]

Marcus had only recently arrived himself at the point at which the Geology team had found, as he was examining the footage that they'd gathered a group of people emerged over the ridge, they'd expected to find others carrying out research but not a party like this. As their leader spoke Marcus stepped forward.

"Now that is interesting" he responded, "we had no idea that anyone had lived here, in fact we've only just found signs of human activity. As for what we are doing here....well research, so far we've found nothing indicating human activity until we found that." he pointed up at what looked to be a doorway in the rock face. "As for disturbing resting places we've found this as the only sign of human activity we've found, as for your civilisation you'll have to forgive me, its not one we're familiar with back in East Moreland."

[Fatatatutti]

Because of the number of helicopters in the area, the machine-gun crew had been moved from the bridge down into the tower, where they would be less obtrusive but still ready in case of an emergency. On the leeward side there was a swimming party in the water - though "swimming" was an exaggeration since most Fatatatutians can't swim and there were a fair number of inflatable sharks and ducks to add buoyancy.

In the control room the two midshipmen were busily tracking the movements of every ship, aircraft and shore party, though they believed it was intended more for their own education than anything else - and they half expected to be asked to track the sea birds next. In the sonar "nest" the sound signatures of every vessel were being recorded and filed away for future use by Fatatatutti Intelligence.

In her "cabin", which was a bunk with a curtain, Lieutenant Vucetich was sipping a cup of coffee and pondering her next move. The Flying Fish was near the end of her "ellipse" - that is, the distance that she could travel and still have enough fuel to return to her tender was very small. To save fuel, she was lying dead in the water, starting her diesels only now and then to keep from drifting into the shallows. Even a small submarine is a deep-water boat.

The Chief Torpedoman knocked on the bulkhead. "All tubes are loaded, Captain."

"Thank you, Chief," she nodded.

---

"What's everybody diggin' for? Gold?" the boatswain said, mostly to himself.