Voices continue crackling through the speaker of the old radio, using several terms which cause the smile on my face to widen.
"They're scientists. Listen."
"...extract...our hypothesis...experiments..."
"It's like music to my ears."
"But what are they doing on Moku?"
"Probably researching the island's unique ecosystem. Just like me. We can't let our guard down though. For all we know, their use of scientific terms could be a trap to lure us in."
"You're the only person I know who that'd work on."
Kai reaches into one of the waterproof trunks and pulls out his atlas, turning to the map of Moku. He marks the places we've been with an X.
"Whoever they are, we've gotta figure out where they are."
"They can't be close, or else we would've seen signs of them by now."
He continues marking until only the far side of the island remains untouched.
"Mount Moku. They must be hidden in the valley on the other side of the volcano. This is the break we've been waiting for!"
"We'll see. I'd be surprised if they'd help us easily."
"We have to try. Don't sabotage this before we've even had a shot."
"(Y/N), I didn't—"
"Save it. I'm going to freshen up so at least one of us makes a good first impression."
After rinsing off in a pool of fresh water, I kneel down beneath the trees and pull some clean clothes out of my bag.
If there was ever a cool scientist club, this outfit would be my ticket in... And then I'll prove to Kai that I was right.
"Yeah, this'll do the job nicely. I already feel more in my element."
I hear rustling and glance up to see Kai parting the palms with one hand shielding his eyes.
"I swear I'm not peeking. I just wanted to talk to you."
"I'm dressed. You can open your eyes."
He does as instructed, jaw dropping as his eyes sweep over my form.
"Whoa. You clean up well."
"You sound surprised."
"Not surprised. Just...I like the look."
"I see you changed for the occasion too."
"You said to make a good impression. I listened. But they won't give me a second thought when they see you. Anyways...I just wanted to say sorry about earlier, Doc. I want to be excited about the people on the radio, but..."
"You've been burned before. I get it. But what other choice do we have? We don't have a whole lot of options for being rescued, and if they have a radio, I'm willing to bet they have more equipment at their base."
"You've got a point... Okay. Let's see if we can find them. But I swear, if they seem fishy, I'm out of there."
"I wouldn't begrudge you that."
After several hours of hiking through the mountain range, I take a seat on a large boulder to catch my breath.
"Wait...I need to...breathe."
Kai doubles back and joins me. He hands me a repurposed liquor bottle, now full of water.
"You ever wonder what we'd be doing if we left Moku like we planned?"
"I guess I'd be spending a night or two...with a certain captain."
"Oh? Even if we stuck to our original plan?"
"My charms would've worked on you regardless. And those nights...let's just say we'd be so busy we wouldn't see the sun for a few days."
"Or walk straight?"
"Something like that."
Kai chuckles, then takes my hand in his. His palm is firm, rough, callused from years at sea, but an instant comfort washes over me.
"What about you? Where'd you be if we were never shipwrecked?"
"Sailing far, far away from this godforsaken island."
"Is there room for a first mate on this voyage?"
"Hm...I could make an exception. Just this once."
Our eyes meet, and I feel an invisible thread pulling me toward him. We both lean in, pausing before our lips meet.
"(Y/N)..."
I close my eyes in anticipation as Kai closes the gap, kissing me deeply.
"Mmmm..."
His tongue sweeps across my bottom lip as I grab fistfuls of his shirt. My head spins from his intoxicating kisses. As quickly as the kisses come, Kai breaks away, both of us breathing heavily. I can't help but grin.
"And on that note...we should find this base before it gets dark."
Not long after, we start our descent down the other side. The mountains open up, giving us and unobstructed view of a hidden valley by the coast.
"Are my eyes deceiving me or is that...?"
I can't stop staring at the series of large tents, tucked away at the foot of the hill.
"The rainforest hides their base well."
"There are at least a dozen tents down there. We're saved!"
We hurry down the mountainside, but Kai calls out behind me...
"Wait, Doc! We don't know anything about them!"
But I keep bounding toward camp, heart racing with excitement. The damp rainforest clings to me as I step out into the clearing, taking in the sprawling camp before me.
"Wow... Their setup is amazing. They even have their own portable laboratory."
"Kai points to a tent with a long table inside covered in full serving bowls and glasses."
"Forget the lab. They've got food and water."
In front of me, a figure emerges from the dome-shaped lab, staring at me with a startled look across her face. After a moment, her expression smooths over into a wide smile.
"I can't say I was expecting guests here of all places, but I'm always up for entertaining."
"Hi, I'm Dr. (YF/LN). I'm an ecologist researching Moku's ecosystem."
"I should've guessed you were a field researcher from that outfit you're wearing, Dr. (YLN). You'll have to tell me where you shop. I can never find a jacket with enough pockets for all my samples."
"Ahem."
"Oh, and this is Huening Kai. My, uh...guide."
"Your guide? " Kai looks at me in confusion and hurt.
"It's a pleasure to meet you both. I'm Dr. Halani Hale, the lead researcher for an epidemiological study we're conducting."
"Wonderful. Perhaps our research has some overlap. I've been trying to catalog everything I find here, but there's so much. My field journal is bursting with observations."
"I completely understand. I couldn't believe how much untapped potential awaited me here."
"And here I've focused on how we're stuck on this rock. Halani, tell me you've got a way off—"
"Please, Dr. Hale, if you don't mind."
"Dr. Hale, do you have a boat, a plane, something to get off Moku?" Kai asks rolling his eyes.
"We've been stranded here for a little while and have been doing everything we can to get home."
"That's terrible. What happened?"
"Kai's boat was destroyed in the latest storm."
"Unfortunately, my ship was also lost in that storm."
"That's awfully convenient. Don't you have resources to call for help or something?"
"Kai, Dr. Hale isn't being interrogated here."
"It's quite alright, Dr. (YLN). Being trapped would push anyone to their limit. I'm confident we'll devise a solution to our situation. In the meantime, there's so much work to still be done. Let me show you my lab."
Dr. Hale gestures us to follow her toward the dome-shaped laboratory. I excitedly whisper to Kai.
"This is so cool! I've never seen such an advanced portable lab."
"Yeah...it's something."
As soon as we enter through the doors, I let out an audible gasp at the state-of-the-art equipment.
"Incredible. I can't believe you managed to set all this up here."
"My research requires it. How else could we conduct our research into the diseases of Moku's fauna?"
"You're studying diseases on Moku?" Kai asks.
"That's what I said. Don't make me repeat myself. This part of the island is a rainforest, which, as I'm sure you know, means a robust wildlife population."
Dr. Hale turns her back to us as she continues talking about her research. Kai whispers to me.
"I have a bad feeling about her."
"Let's play along...for now. I only trust her as far as I can throw her...but we should confirm our hypothesis first. I'd hate to be wrong and lose our only chance off Moku."
Kai silently nods as Dr. Hale turns to us, smiling warmly.
"I hope I'm not interrupting. Tell me more about what led you here, Dr. (YLN)."
"Well, I've been collecting samples of several endemic flora species... But I'd love to hear more about your work. What made you decide to go into your field?"
"Actually, I started in ornithology. In fact, it's still a hobby of mine."
"I didn't realize bird-watching was a career." Kai chuckled under his breathe.
"It's far more than simply 'bird-watching'. You can learn so much about an ecosystem's evolution from studying an area's avifauna. Here, let me show you something, Dr. (YLN)."
There's a glint in her eyes as she pulls out a book full of biological illustrations.
"Wow, this is fascinating."
I flip through the pages, taking a closer look at the carefully drawn sketches. Each one details the complete anatomy of a range of species.
"All of these are found on the island? You must have dozens here."
"Over a hundred, actually."
"This must have taken years to procure."
"Indeed. I've been working on this for quite some time."
"With this level of detail, I can tell."
As I trace my fingertip over the illustration of a gorgeous kingfisher, Manu points to a diagram of a fruit dove's anatomy.
"How do you know what it looks like inside? Did you cut it open?" Kai asks with a raised eyebrow.
"Kai, most scientist use more humane methods, like imaging." I tell him.
"They do. Though autopsies are far more reliable." Dr. Hale smiles
"So you killed every one of the animals in these drawings?" Kai questions her.
"No need for dramatic accusations. I collected the remains of the specimens that died of natural causes."
I turn the page, and the strikingly large wings of a familiar bird catch my eye.
That's Einstein before I rescued him from the trap!
"Are you alright, Dr. (YLN)? You look ill."
"I'm fine. I was just wondering why the internal musculature details are missing on this one?"
"Oh, that... it's so unfortunate. Some animal got the specimen before we could study it."
Dr. Hale returns the journal to the bookshelf. While she's distracted, I whisper to Kai.
"You were right. I was the one who freed that parrot from the trap Hale must have set. She would've killed it if I never came along. This must be why there are so few animals on Moku. Hale is setting traps for them on the island."
"Dammit. Sometimes I hate being right."
Kai steps forward, studying the laboratory with a focused intensity. He taps the center of a map pinned to the wall.
"Why Moku island?"
"Excuse me?" Dr. Hale asks as if getting caught
"I don't like to repeat myself either. You said you were studying diseases. Not animals. You could've done your research anywhere. Work in your field takes years, right? Why pick an island on the brink of volcanic extinction when you could've had more time someplace else?"
"I wouldn't expect someone like you to understand."
"Like me? 'Cause I'm not a scientist? Or not as educated? I don't need a PhD to know things aren't adding up."
"Or perhaps it's your lack of education that prevents you from seeing the holistic picture."
"Dr. Hale, Kai brings up an excellent question. After all, I'm sure someone like you can relate to wanting to find the answers you seek." I ask
Dr. Hale measures the two of us up, her brow knitted. She takes a moment to regain her composure.
"I suppose the foundation of science is asking why. Though you don't need to be so hostile."
I eye a door labeled RESTRICTED nearby. I take a step toward it to peer through the window, but Dr. Hale immediately blocks my path, glaring at me intensely.
"My reasons for choosing Moku are similar to yours, Dr. (YLN). There are things on this island that don't exist in other places."
I open my mouth to retort, but a deep voice calls from outside.
"Hale, new development. Your tent in five."
"Hmph. I think that's enough of the tour for now. Clearly I have other business to attend to."
Dr. Hale brusquely escorts Kai and I out of the lab, then plasters a thinly-veiled smile onto her face.
"Go ahead and grab something to eat or drink while you wait for my return."
She points us in the direction of the mess hall, then disappears into another tent. I immediately turn to Kai, keeping my voice low.
"Did you see how protective she was of whatever's behind that door in the lab?"
"Yeah. If she's lying about her research, I bet she's lying about a way off the island."
"She didn't even seem remotely concerned about not having an exit strategy."
"This whole place reeks. This is our only chance to sneak back into the lab and see what she's hiding. She'll never know. Don't you want to get some answers?"
"Okay, lets do this. You know, I've never spied on anyone before."
Kai quickly covers my mouth, then growls in my ear.
"Shh, not so loud. You wanna blow our cover? "
"Who's talking spy lingo now? "
"Just...follow my lead."
He releases me, then looks around before leading me behind one of the nearby tents. From here, I can see a guard now patrolling the lab's entrance.
"I guess Hale is really protective over her research."
"Or she has something to hide."
The sound of footsteps alerts us to another guard's presence.
"Hrm. Noah, have you seen the guests around?"
The guards approach our hiding spot from opposite sides. I look for somewhere to hide. There's just enough room to slip into the tent. I silently gesture to the tent. Kai nods and holds the bottom open for me to roll inside. He follows a moment later, rolling into me, so we're on the ground pressed together.
"Shhh..."
I lay there, feeling Kai's warmth against my skin as the searching guards' shadows pass over the gap in the tent.
"Did you check the mess hall?"
Kai grips my waist, holding me steady.
Please, leave... Don't check in here.
"For both our sakes, I hope they're there."
We wait for the silhouetted figures to move away before letting out the breath we'd been holding.
"I think they're gone..."
Kai doesn't remove his hand though. His lips brush my cheek, then tickle the skin beneath my ear.
"Maybe we should wait a bit to make sure..."
I find myself melting into the protective comfort of his muscular body... But the shake of my head, pulling myself out of my reverie.
"Come on, the longer we wait, the greater chance we get caught."
While the coast is clear, we hurry in the lab's entrance and slip inside.
"Hold up! "
Kai pulls me behind one of the desks. I carefully peek around the corner and see a scientist idling near the restricted door.
"Hm, these cells are decomposing at an accelerated rate..."
"What do we do? She's blocking the door."
"Easy. I knock her out, and we go our merry way."
"We can't do that. They'd catch us before we could say 'Moku Island'. Repeat after me... No violence."
"Fine. No violence."
He grumbles, then his eyes light up. He grins at me.
"Just remember, Doc...this was your idea."
"What's the supposed to—"
But Kai is gone. He slides over to the scientist and winks at her.
"Hey, babe. Are you hydrogen? Because you're number one in my books."
Is he flirting with her? Seriously?
"Ha, that's a good line. I don't think I've seen you around here before..."
"That's because you weren't really looking."
The scientist closes the distance between the two of them. She runs her hand down Kai's muscular chest.
"You know, you must be an alkali metal. One touch and I can tell you're highly reactive."
"Oh, uh...ha, ha?"
"In face, if you were a virus, I'd beg to be infected with your love."
That's it.
I charge over to the two of them across the room. The scientist immediately steps back when she sees me.
"There you are... I've been looking for you everywhere, sweetheart. You owe me a kiss."
"Yes. Yes, I do."
Kai surges forward, kissing me intensely. His tongue parts my lips, then tangles with my own.
"Oh, I... Er..." The scientist blushes in awkwardness
I slide my arms around Kai possessively. I pull him flush with my body, leaving no distance between us. His lips drift down to my exposed neck, peppering me with kisses. I let my head fall back as I moan.
"Yessss..."
The scientist awkwardly coughs beside us. Kai glances her way as he continues to lavish me with kisses.
"Ahem. I see I'm interrupting a private moment... I'll leave you two alone."
"Nonsense. We could always use a third."
Kai winks, and the scientist's eyes widen. Wordlessly, she shakes her head and leaves the lab as quickly as she can manage.
"I guess that's a no." I laugh.
"Fine by me. More for myself." Kai smiles.
He kisses me once more, then release his hold on me. The two of us head through the restricted door before the scientist can return. Kai's fingertips graze the top of my thigh as he grips the hard handle of the door, pulling it shut. Once it's tightly sealed, he trails his hand down the curve of my waist, stopping at my hip to drop it back down to his side.
"Damn. Is every lab like this?"
"More or less. We should get started. There's a lot of ground to cover."
We look around the lab. Reports and charts are scattered across every surface I can see. Kai picks up a stack of papers, trying to decipher them.
"I'm not sure I know what I'm looking at."
"Our best bet is finding Dr. Hale's lab results. They'll provide us with more definitive data about her research."
"So, documents with a bunch of numbers and figures?" Kai asks with confusion.
"We should also check the storage units for samples she's collected."
"I'll start there. It sounds more fun than reports."
After a few minutes of searching, I move over to study the liquid in a petri dish beneath a large microscope.
"I know we don't trust her, but she has great taste in equipment."
"it all looks pretty creepy to me. She's got syringes filled with blood in here."
"Let me see... Those must be the blood samples from the diseased animals. Though I don't know why she'd keep them in syringes... They should be cataloged."
"Your guess is as good as mine."
I lean over Kai's shoulder to get a better look inside the small fridge he's opened.
"Wait a second... Why does it say 'P. falciparum' on the label? That's the name for..."
I race to review the paperwork I scanned earlier, reading it more thoroughly this time. My stomach drops.
"Those aren't blood samples. That's a live strain of malaria."
"She's extracted these from sick animals?"
"No. These guns are used to inject substances. She's not curing the animals. She's spreading the diseases."
I show Kai the detailed observations of the infected animals. My stomach continues to churn.
"The methods she's using... They're barbaric. She's torturing these creatures with horrible diseases until they die."
"What sort of sick hell did we stumble into?"
"I think I'm going to be sick..."
"How can I help?"
"Just hold me for a minute."
Kai wraps his arms around me, rubbing my back soothingly.
"I've got you. I've always got you."
I focus on his heartbeat as I take long, deep breaths, waiting for the sick feeling to pass. Finally, I straighten up and face Kai.
"Thank you. I needed that."
Just then, we hear footsteps on the other side of the door. We quickly duck behind a desk as the door opens and the scientist from earlier enters...
"Thank God they're gone. I did not need to get involved with that."
While her back is turned, Kai and I slip out of he lab.
"What do you want to do, now that we know?" Kai asks.
"We should follow Dr. Hale's instructions for now... It's best we pretend like we don't know anything."
As we walk past Dr. Hale's tent toward the mess hall, the sound of raised voices catch my attention. I pause to listen, but can't make out what they're saying.
"Who do you think she's arguing with?"
"Only one way to find out."
Kai tiptoes over to the tent, then pulls the flap back just enough to sneak a peek inside. Before I can join him, he drops the canvas and tugs my arm.
"We need to leave. Now! I don't think they plan on letting us leave. Not alive anyway."
"What did you see to make you think that? "
There's a deep chuckle behind me in response.
"Me. He saw me."
Kai freezes, his eyes fixed behind me. My veins turn to ice as I turn to see an imposing figure a few feet away, grinning at me.
"You! Get the hell away from me."
"Wait, how do you know him?"
"This is the man who tried to kill me on the docks before you rescued me. He didn't want me coming to Moku."
"I tried to warn you. Pity you didn't listen when you had the chance. But lucky for me, you brought Huening Kai with you."
"Hold on...Kai, you know each other too?" I ask turning to Kai with worry.
"Go on and introduce us, Kai." The stranger smirks.
Kai grits his teeth in barely-contained rage.
"(Y/N), this is Tak Takone. My former business partner."
"The one who stole your boat and left you for dead?"
"The very same."
Tak holds out his hand to greet me.
"Lovely to meet you, (Y/N)."