Resonance

By Kenton Kephart

In the not too distant future, Scott Vause and his diving team run a nonprofit organization, called the Meso-American Reef Restoration Initiative and Surveillance Association, MARRISA. Scott Vause is excited about the newest addition to their fleet, a 16 meter (52ft) catamaran of his own design. Unfortunately, he’s not the only one who wants his new yacht. And he’s afraid it might have something to do with his past that’s been haunting him in his nightmares. . .

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kenton Kephart
• Release date: May 6, 2020
• ISBN: 9781370804306

Kenton Kephart

The writer, known as Kenton Kephart, was born in Southern Texas. He and his wife married in 2004, and moved to Austin for several years before setting out on their sailing adventures.Kenton grew up with his sister, and had 12 female cousins. Before the age of 25, he had been shipwrecked, served as a volunteer firefighter, worked as a zookeeper, and learned sign language which came in handy for his diving adventures.After his father died, 5 months before the COVID-19 outbreak, his family sat around telling stories about the adventures that his “crazy” father lived through. Kenton decided to gather some stories from his family and friends and use them as the inspiration to write some adventure novels. His motivation for creating these stories is to share his interests, as well as his concerns for our planet’s oceans.

Book preview

Prologue

It was getting late in the day.  The dreary late spring weather was letting up, and for the first time in three days, the sun was penetrating its beautiful rays through the clouds.  The waters of Matagorda Bay were as smooth as glass.  They weren’t going to get another window for a while.  So Scott, his father Eugene, his best friend Jake and his father Mike, decided to head out to check the crab pots, which were about a kilometer and a half out past Matagorda Island.  Scott and Jake were about nine years old.  Their fathers had been good friends for a long time.  Mike’s eight meter bay fishing boat was really meant for fishing in the shallows, but Mike knew the waters well, and this trip, they were determined to bring back more than hardhead catfish.  They already had two crab pots back on the boat, and the last one would only take ten minutes to retrieve. 

The afternoon sky was almost completely clear and it was setting up for a gorgeous sunset.  Then, in an instance, they were bathed in a greenish blue flash of light that seemed to come from the North.  The air was suddenly cold and the fishermen could feel every hair follicle on their body stiffening up.  Scott and Mike’s eyes adjusted quick enough to notice strange sparks flying off the aluminum frame of the bimini.  Then, almost out of nowhere, the clouds started building and getting dark.  It seemed as if the Gulf weather was making a liar out of the weather-man again. 

Those clouds are looking really ominous! Mike shouted over the motors. 

Scott and Jake, who were sitting in front of the helm, looked at each other.  The hairs were standing up on their necks and arms.  The air was warm again but their shoes were sticking to a centimeter thick layer of ice that had formed on the fiberglass deck. 

Eugene shouted, Yeah.  We should probably leave the last pot for another …

As Mike was turning, a wave slammed over the starboard side of the bay boat. The boys were trying to recover and get back to their seats.

Jake grabbed the forward side of the bimini, and jerked his hand back. Ouch 

The aluminum frame was hot.  Eugene grabbed the flashlight to look for the next marker.  They just saw the marker, when the next wave hit.  All Scott could see was blackness.  His eyes burned from the saltwater.  He had to find up.  There was distant, but sharp, burning pain on his right shin from where one of the kleets had hit him.  His dad grabbed the back of his life vest and pulled him to the overturned vessel.  All four of them got a hold of the now upward facing keel of the bay boat.  They only had seconds to catch their breaths before the next wave would hit.  Scott threw his head back in order to brace for the wave and to prevent his head from hitting the keel.

It was that sudden jerk that woke Scott from his nightmare.  He woke up in the damp cold sheets of his bed.  Over his head, deep sea-green eyes were staring at him in concern.  Her long, red hair was hanging down beside his ears. His wife, Jane, was already lying over him with the bedside lamp on.  She had been trying to wake him. 

Are you okay, babe?  Her voice was soothing, but he could hear her concern.  She could tell the dream had really upset him by his eyes. She always thought he had the coolest eyes she’d ever seen.  Normally they were so dark that they almost looked black, but in the moonlight or when he was stressed, they had an iridescent deep blue color to them.  Tonight, he was both stressed and the moon was bright.  His eyes had a deep blue shimmer to them. 

It took a couple of seconds for Scott to realize that it was just a dream.  Yeah, I’m okay.  He was out of breath. 

Jane rubbed his chest as she laid back down beside him with her head on his arm.  As if she was asking if he was sure he was okay, she stated, You’re all clammy!

He turned his head to follow her stare.  Yeah, sorry.  I’m okay.  I’m okay. 

She moved her hand to his cheek and moved her thigh over his.  He winced slightly when her cold foot touched the burn scar on his shin.  No need to say sorry.  I’m just worried about you.  she said.  In 20 years of marriage, she had never seen him wake up so startled. 

In an attempt to reassure her, he pressed her bare body closer to him.  I was just dreaming that I was treading water.  I would have waited longer to wake up, if I knew that it might lead to some mouth to mouth from you.

She kissed him softly.  He was joking, which meant she’d have to get him to talk more about it in the morning, since she wasn’t getting anymore conversation about it tonight.  She could tell that he had already switched moods. So she looked into his dark blue eyes with a smile as she kissed him.

Chapter 1

fullsizeoutput_1207.jpg

The Vause Family

…a perfect combination of heart and brains...

Monday 20 November - 0700 Hrs

    The sun was shining through the windows.  Scott sat up and put his feet down on the cool tile. 

    Why can’t they leave the clocks alone?  he thought.

    It had only been a couple of weeks since the clocks rolled backwards.  He looked down at the scar on his right shin.  It reminded him of his recent nightmare.  Actually, it was a memory from his childhood.  One that he hadn’t thought about in a really long time.  They spent 12 hours clinging to the keel of that boat, until the Coast Guard found them.  His and Jake’s mothers knew something was wrong when the guys hadn’t returned after four hours.  It was a wrenching thought that they had in their guts after they, too, saw the strange lightning.  The Coast Guard said they got lucky.  The women had an idea of where the crab pots were, and the currents and wind patterns cooperated just enough to narrow down their search area.  There were a few other boats out there, . . . that were less fortunate that night. 

The newspapers said that there was a freak tropical storm that night caused by the warm waters of El Niño and that their boat must have gotten hit by lightning.  The guys were pretty sure that it wasn’t lightning that struck them.  They never heard any thunder from it.  And there never was any explanation for the sudden rogue waves.  They all had minor burns from where they had touched some metal part of the boat.  But, strangely, Mike and Eugene also had minor frostbite on their feet from the frozen deck since they were barefoot when it froze over.  There was too much adrenaline that night and not enough proof of anything to contradict the media, so eventually, the guys just believed what they were told.  Scott was still never fully convinced of the media’s version.

That had happened years ago, and Scott was wondering why he even started thinking about it again.  Scott Vause was 39 years old and a well built man.  At 188 centimeters (6’2") tall, 141 kilograms (310lbs), he was a good mix of tall, muscular, broad, shouldered German from his father and copper brown, Samoan skin from his mother.  Both of his parents had a love for anything that involved the ocean. 

His wife, Jane, was a mix of German and Cherokee from her father and Scottish-Irish from her mother.  At 175 centimeters (5’9") tall, 64 kilograms (140lbs), she was a fit, medium, athletic built woman.  She generally took after her mother, but Scott teased that, every so often, he could see her Cherokee roots showing.  She gave up asking what he meant by that, since he also teased that he married her because he was a pyromaniac that liked to live on the edge.  She loved him because his humor always made up for his innate desire to get under her skin.

Jane knew most of the story when Scott spent the night in the water.  In fact, they had a good relationship and told each other pretty much everything.  The only thing Scott hadn’t told her, was the parts that he really couldn’t figure out himself.  He had never subscribed to any UFO conspiracies and frankly thought anyone who did, was just plain out of their mind.

Scott went to the kitchen and got out everything to make the morning shakes for everyone and make Jane’s coffee just the way she liked it.  He took his time because he knew what questions she was going to ask after she sipped enough coffee to start processing the world.  He knew how to answer the ‘what’, but had no idea as to how to answer the ‘why’.

  While he waited for the coffee to brew he fed the corals in his reef tank.  He wondered if his dream had something to do with his new career adventure.  He was a marine biologist, with a special interest in corals and sponges.  He had built a company that he and Jane named after her Aunt who gave him the courage to get it started.  MARRISA or Mesoamerican Reef Restoration Initiative and Surveillance Association was a nonprofit organization that focused on restoring the reefs and monitoring the health of the reef systems all over the Gulf of Mexico and the Western Caribbean.

  They recently got a 16 meter (52’) sailing catamaran that he designed with a lab for testing water and coral frag samples in the forward section of the starboard side, on his and Jane’s side.  His daughter and son would be on the port side along with the washer and dryer.  Scott told the kids that every family member was now a crew worker and that they would have to earn their rations.  The family was going to be surveying and taking samples from the reef systems all over the Caribbean for the next two years.  Scott wanted a 22 meter catamaran but knew a bigger yacht required additional crew just to manage the maintenance on the vessel.  At 14 and 12, he felt comfortable with letting the kids help with reef samples and ship maintenance on a 16 meter cat, but knew a 22 meter cat would require too much.  He was nervous about the upcoming adventure, but he wasn’t scared.  He was worried Jane might think that, and start imagining the worst possible situations they could get into.

  Jane was actually very level headed and knew that Scott was the worrier.  Jane rarely worried about the ‘what if’s’, and just handled any crises when they happened, as they happened.  When she was 16, she was a caregiver for her grandmother, niece, and mother, who at the same time was battling cancer.  Her life, now, was nothing compared to that stress. 

  Scott smiled in satisfaction as the corals in his tank took in their oyster eggs and plankton.  In a week, he’d have to leave the tank in the care of automation and one of the newbies in the organization who’d be living in their house while they were gone.  Scott washed and dried his hands. Then frothed some coconut milk for Jane’s coffee. 

  They had been living on a plant based diet lifestyle for the last ten years.  It was a decision they made for health reasons. . . And because meat was expensive in the Caribbean and the kids were always eating as if their stomachs were bottomless pits.  Tobias could eat two baked sweet potatoes in one sitting and while Allyssa didn’t usually eat as much, when it came to carbs and sugar, Scott was pretty sure she could eat her own body weight in pancakes.  But, the main reason was because they could dive longer and deeper when they weren’t eating meat.  Scott would occasionally cave in to his shellfish cravings, and the next day, Jane would tease him and swim circles around him.  They also joked that if the world was going to perceive them as ‘activists’, they might as well eat like activists. 

Scott thought he would try to be fancy and tried to draw a dolphin in her foam.  The result looked more like a retarded sunfish.  It’s a good thing you have no intentions of quitting to become a barista, he thought to himself. 

Good morning, dad,  Allyssa said cheerfully.  Do you want me to finish breakfast, so you can take that to mom?

Sure.  Thank you, Allie-Bear

Daaad,  She said it almost embarrassed.

As Scott walked away, he thought, First she demotes me from daddy to dad, and now I can’t call her Allie-Bear. What’s next!?!  Calling me Father, then Scott, possibly even Mr. Vause?

Allyssa was 14 years old.  She was as tall as her mother at 175 centimeters tall.  She inherited her mother’s curls but her hair was a darker red, and her eyes were more olive colored.  Both of his kids got his skin tone.  She was at that stage where ‘graceful’ was just not an option for her.  Thankfully, she also got her mom’s easy going personality and her dad’s sense of humor.  Her bust was developing slower than she hoped, but she was not overly anxious for them to come in.  She would just be happy to go a single day without stubbing her toe, banging her knee, or tripping.  Her grandpa told her she was just like her mom and nicknamed her ‘Bobber-Booper’.  She hated that name.  Scott was just all too thankful that he was moving his family onto a boat before these awkward years came to an end — with no boys around for miles.  He still couldn’t believe his baby girl had gotten so tall.

He shook his head in disbelief as he opened his bedroom door.  Good morning, beautiful!  Do you want to drink your coffee out on the balcony?  He handed her the cup after she sat up.  She usually needed at least a sip before she would agree to leave her bed.  Your daughter demoted me, he announced. 

Are you no longer the top barista? She was looking down at his foam creation in her cup.  So...What is this creature?

It’s a shark attack victim. I didn’t have any red foam for the full effect.  I’ll draw his new prosthetic tail tomorrow.  He smiled as he slid the glass door open to invite her to the balcony. 

You’re so gross, Jane snickered as she put her cup down on the night stand.  She grabbed her robe and tied it close.  She took another sip of her coffee, before she followed him outside. So are you nervous about next week? She sat down on their patio swing and propped her long lightly freckled legs on the railing.  She was hoping he’d sit next to her.

He shied away, grasped the railing and looked down towards the piers. I didn’t think I was.  I’m actually kinda excited about it.

The air was moist and cooler, about 21°C, and the wind was gentle at that time of the morning.  It seemed that summer was finally starting to give way to winter.  South Texas rarely gets to enjoy more than a couple of weeks of autumn or spring. 

Scott looked down the coast line toward the MARRISA Marine Center.  He and Jane had worked hard to build their Organization.  They started their mission in Florida, but there were a lot of other organizations with the same cause.  And, those organizations were more established than they were.  They also knew the overall cost of living in Texas would allow any funds, donated to their cause, to go further and do more good.  By building in Port Mansfield, they also had access to well over 97 kilometers of raw natural beach shores from the Padre Island National Seashore.  This allowed them to collect samples and get a more accurate idea of the type and amount of trash that was being dumped into the gulf.  The Port Mansfield Channel runs directly between the North and South Padre Islands.  It was also more protected from hurricanes and provided a good launching site for long-term research missions to the Great Mayan Reef.  Hurricane season was also shorter for Texas, since the West side of the Gulf of Mexico and that part of the Caribbean only had to worry about hurricanes from August thru November.

Scott understood more about the science and the world’s dependence on the reefs better than most of his colleagues.  For him, it was more than just a feeling of being drawn to the ocean, it was as if he instinctively knew and understood the biological and chemical processes that supported the reef ecosystems.  However, his passions often focused so much on the need to save the corals, sponges, and bivalves, that he had difficulty coming up with the means to support his work.  Jane, on the other hand, had more of the ‘street smarts’, and a better understanding of how the fiscal world worked.  It was her idea to take on the contracts to help establish more oyster reefs for the oyster market.  She also did the campaigning among the fishing markets to get the contract for the ciguatera ¹ crisis.  Scott and Jane really made a perfect combination of heart and brains in more than just the business world.  They complemented each other’s personalities as well.

From their balcony they had a perfect view of everything they built.  This time of year gave them a rare view of the entire MARRISA Fleet.  The Marine Center had three concrete piers extending out in front of it.  Two of the piers formed a C to create a small harbor for the loading dock.  Hurricane season was almost over and they were loading the boats for the beginning of their season.  There were seven 10 meter (33’) bay boats and four 12 meter (40’) power catamarans that they used year round for building and monitoring the oyster reefs, and taking samples from the nearby oil platforms.  Two Gemini 105MC catamarans were also docked and being loaded up for their trip to Isla Contoy, where the Mesoamerican Reef started and ran south, before turning toward the Northwestern point of Honduras.  And, in six days, their latest and most advanced addition would be arriving. 

  Excited...and really nervous, Scott admitted as he acquiesced to her invitation to sit down next to her.  We’re heading out there, and leaving the team on their own.

Jane smiled.  We’ve put together a good crew.  They will be fine.  I figured you were just so nervous about me, finally meeting your mistress.

You’re gonna love her, and you know it!  he retorted. He started describing her every detail again.  Jane just smiled.  She just listened, as he went on and on, about all the specs and tech details.  This project made him happy, and she thought he looked so cute when he went into one of his techno-babble nerd trips.

The ‘other woman’ she was referring to, was Merida , a 16 meter (52’) sailing catamaran.  She was designed for performance and long term cruising.  Merida was Scott’s own Frankenstein of ideas creation.  He had spent the last year, consulting with a design company that built performance catamarans in Australia.  The firm had the catamaran built in Florida.  If Jane hadn’t been more familiar with Scott’s obsessive nature, she would have been convinced that there really was another woman.  His obsession started with him ‘drooling’ over pictures of catamarans.  Then his time spent on the phone and his laptop increased.  She went with him on the first trip to Florida, when they had to sign the initial paper work.  From that point on, she decided to stay home most of the time to keep their company running, while his trips to Florida increased from monthly to weekly.  She never really had any doubts, especially after he told her the name of the new ship.  He had named the bay boats after Snow White’s seven dwarfs.  The power-cats were named after the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.   He even painted the sides of the hulls green, then chose the bimini colors according to the Turtles ’ mask colors.  And, then, when the Geminis became a necessary purchase, but were chosen by their budget limit, he, of course, named them after Cinderella’s Ugly Step Sisters - Anastasia and Drizella.

Merida , on the other hand, was a culmination of a lifelong dream to design and build his own ship.  She was a prototype and mix of several different recent technologies.  The firm he was working with made the comment, That it was a brave new design for a brave new world.  Thinking of Jane, Scott replied, Redheads usually are.  Jane actually found it flattering, so she was actually really eager to see the new ship, as well. 

Scott finished his rambling and after staring out at the docks, finally said to Jane, You’re still my favorite wife, though.  He laughed as he jumped out of his seat in anticipation of her next move.  She swung her legs at him, but missed.  So she chased after him.  She could tell he really was feeling okay.

Fine! Just know that I’m also demoting you, . . . from lover to husband, she said as she jabbed his side.  Now go get the kids started with their homeschooling, while I get in the shower.

His eyes lit up.  Ooo! After I line them out, can I join you?!?

Nope.  You had your fun last night, now you’ll just have to wait until Merida arrives.  She raced toward the bathroom hoping to get the last word by closing the door before he could say anything.  Instead he opened the door, poked his head in and said, So, I’ll take that as a ‘yes!’  He said it just to mess with her, then quickly closed the door again, and bolted out of the room.

She threw her hair back and turned on the water.  Ugh! That goofy man is such a pain!

Scott returned up front, to the kitchen.  He grabbed his shake off the island counter and asked Allyssa, Where’s your brother?

She rolled her eyes.  He’s trying to figure out which of his most precious possessions needs to go on the boat with him.

Yeah, that sounds about right. He looked at her, and before he could utter another word, she grabbed her workbook and held it up, to show him she was getting started. 

Dad if I do my school work straight through Thanksgiving and Christmas break, can I have a longer spring break?

Sweetheart, if you finish all your books, and show me some practical applications of your math and science, I’ll let you have the rest of the year off. He paused then added, But you’re staying with us. 

But daddy! All my friends are here .

Scott let that soak in for a moment. He got his badge of honor again.  Then in a low soothing voice he asked, Sweetheart?  What do you and your friends usually do even when they are here at the house?

She knew where he was going with it, so her shoulders slumped and her voice trailed as she responded, We talk. . . And text?

He leaned over her, and kissed her head.  I’m gonna let you think about that.  Then he straightened up and started walking towards Tobias’ room. 

Allyssa straightened up and replied in a more puny voice than usual, Yeah, but it’s not the same.

Scott knocked on the door before entering Tobias’ room.  Whatcha doin’ there Bubba?

Tobias was sitting, legs crossed, between two boxes.  I know you said there wasn’t a lot of room on the boat, but what if we need something that I could possibly build with my K’nex?

Scott could tell the anxiety was causing the kids to revert from their usual, almost annoying teen and pre-teen behaviors, to young children again.  Tobias wanted to design and create things just like his dad.  So, Scott sat down in front of Tobias and looked at him. 

As if he was giving Tobias permission to bring all his stuff, Scott just said, Hmm. Yep. . . What if? 

Tobias immediately started gathering his K’nex back into his ‘ Take ’ box. 

Hey? Scott got his attention.  I’ll tell you what.  After , you get your school work done, we’ll go through your stuff, and figure out what would be most useful to the trip, and what would most likely survive the salty atmosphere.

Tobias’ eyes lit up.  They both got back on their feet.  While Allyssa’s body was taking its time at a comfortable level for Scott, Tobias was shooting up like a weed.  His shoulders weren’t as wide as Scott’s, but Scott was sure that Tobias would grow to be taller than him.  Jane had two brothers that were tall, and both of Tobias’ grandfathers were tall.  Tobias had never been chubby, but he had also never been described as ‘ lanky ’ either.  Peoples’ jaws would drop every time they realized this kid, who was almost 180 centimeters tall, was only 12 years old.  Scott called him ‘Baby Hughie’ but neither of the kids had any idea of what he was talking about. 

Tobias ran to the kitchen to irritate his sister.  "Six more days, and I’ll be your only friend."  His voice cracked as he jeered at his sister. 

She shot back.  Great…Now all my conversations will be with a crackling radio voice.

Hey! Tobias looked at his dad for help.

Scott snickered. Sorry, but she burned you pretty good and it was funny.  You should be considerate of your sister.

Tobias grabbed his shake and his books in defeat.

Scott’s phone started singing Living On The Edge by Aerosmith.  He picked it up.  This is Scott. . .  No problem.  Jane and I will walk over there in about an hour.  We’ll assemble it when I get there. . . Go ahead and sign for them and then start loading the towers on the Turtles, and get Racheal to help you when Amy gets through with her. . . See ya’ll soon!

He put the phone down, and looked at the kids.  When ya’ll are done, you should come help Racheal at the docks. He started heading down the hallway to his bedroom. And bring your wetsuits!

2

fullsizeoutput_1207.jpg

The Marrisa Team

Oysters accomplish more in groups.

    Racheal looked at the time on her phone.  She was there 15 minutes early and the butterflies in her stomach were going nuts.  She was a 20 year old, grad student doing her internship while she continued her studies online with some help from her soon-to-be bosses, Todd and Amy.  She was getting her major in Acoustical Engineering.  Racheal was petite and was the traditional Tejano mix of Mexican and German.  Both of her parents worked at a car manufacturing plant in San Antonio.  She was the youngest of four, and her parents wanted her to do anything, but work in the industrial field.  They even