“Some humans plan to speak to the fishers regarding changes to the oceans and changes to rules next week. They will fly here and speak of these matters in the Fisheries camp. We should attend, and take the time to question the human visitors closely. Perhaps we can avoid a trip to Perth.” Vanessa’s words took me by surprise. She had limited our contact with humans, after the incident with the deckhand.
Maria’s surprise was no less than mine, but she spoke first. “You wish us to attend? You understand the human terminology best, so you should be the one to question the humans.”
“If we all attend, we will recall more,” Vanessa explained. “However, I can ask all of our questions if you feel your human vocabulary is too limited. There are other changes to rules. The fishers I have spoken to suggest that fishing rules will change so that I must live on land in this camp more frequently than heretofore. I may have to fish one year in five, in order to retain our facilities here.”
I spoke up. “In that case, I recommend you look at engaging human crew. The young human fisherman we saved the other night is capable.”
Vanessa laughed. “I would like to see how capable the man is, before I engage his services, or trust him with anything belonging to our people. This includes our properties on land and our vessel.”
“The humans believe he is very capable at maintaining human buildings. You, yourself, indicated you were impressed by his assistance in repairing the generator for your land camp,” I replied defensively.
Vanessa smiled. “But I do not know how he handles a vessel, nor how careful he is. If I must employ a human, I must be entirely satisfied that the human can be trusted.”
Maria was impatient. “Enough of the human. Undoubtedly, you will have opportunities to observe his performance, before any such decision must be made. Is this not true?”
Vanessa’s smile grew more pronounced. “It is. I will make sure such opportunities arise. So, we are agreed that we will all attend the human speeches at the Fisheries camp next week?”
I answered her question, buoyed by the hope of soon seeing my daughter. “Yes, we are agreed. Do you think the humans will give us enough information for us to return home next week, after the speeches?”
Vanessa considered before she replied. “Perhaps. I doubt it. I suspect further communication with the humans will be necessary. If we had better communication with the mainland, it might be possible to leave in two weeks. I will speak to Joe tomorrow regarding the communications technology. He ordered it some time ago and indicated it should arrive this week.”
I made a suggestion as it came to me. “You can perhaps observe his performance in installing the communications technology.”
“I intend to observe his performance closely.” Her tone held a meaning I could not fathom.