Hidden in Paradise: A Rockton Treasure Novel

By Brandy Woldstad

Cam Ingram, her assistant bot, and her team of treasure hunters struggle to keep a low profile on La Moku, a lush planet rumored to have one of the seven treasure chests hidden by a billionaire one-hundred-and-seventy-five years ago.
 

The team receives an unfriendly reception on their arrival.
 

The clues they uncover lead the team to strange, mysterious places.
 

One secret may change the planet forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brandy Woldstad
• Release date: Jan 14, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201096540

Book preview

Chapter One

Agong reverberated around Cam Ingram and her team as they entered the rotunda of the Palao Historical Museum. The air felt as if Cam had stepped into a refrigerated storage unit on her ship, The Serendipity .

She shifted on her forearm crutches, wishing she had worn her temperature adjusting suit instead of her team’s uniform: a lightweight navy blue t-shirt and cargo pants modified for her single leg. Her left leg had been lost in a treasure hunting accident ten years ago.

Shiny black pedestals carved with artful animal spirits created a clear spiral walking path to see each item on display. The monitors on the walls displayed slideshows of old photos from significant events. Cam watched a slideshow for a picture with Michael Rockton, the billionaire who had hidden seven treasure chests around the galaxy nearly 177 years ago.

Eta Laghari and Hernando Rodriguez wandered the room, studying the other displays for clues that could help them find another Rockton treasure. They held handheld tablets to capture photos, videos, and thoughts about what they saw.

Her team had found one of Rockton’s treasure chests on the planet Cragglin. Their find had ignited a frenzy among treasure hunters. Her engineer, Hernando Rodriguez, had kept their ship hidden from any competitor’s trackers on their one-year journey to La Moku. As a small planet, the team expected that keeping their presence on La Moku a secret would be challenging, if not impossible. Hernando guessed that their ship’s registration at the Palao ship port would bring a group of treasure hunters in soon.

Dev 23, her assistant bot, wheeled over to her side. The multi-armed robot stood a foot shorter than her, but could adjust its height by raising its torso. A tiny blue beam shot out from the band that functioned as its eyes and highlighted a small rectangle that Cam hadn’t noticed. Cam smiled at the confirmation beep from Dev 23 that a copy of the slideshow now rested on their main computer back on The Serendipity.

Dev 23 moved to the next monitor to capture another slideshow, while Cam followed the walking path to the first pedestal on the spiral path.

The fading gong hum was replaced by the sound of bare feet slapping against the ceramic tile that echoed in a room near the rotunda.

Cam glanced at one of three doorways and, seeing no one, continued her search. Her auburn hair fell around her face as she leaned forward to examine a red stone sculpture of a woman the size of her palm wielding a sword. A small blue sign with white characters Cam couldn’t understand rested next to the stone. She didn’t bother to try to read the sign out loud to her translator pin. Dev 23 would scan the cards and translate them later.

Mason moved around Cam like a bodyguard and looked the part too, with his muscular build and balding head. Cam peeked at him when she smelled his subtle coffee scent as he came near. She smiled when he blew her a kiss as he walked by.

An orange woman, a Rohdowan, hurried into the room.

The Rohdowan appeared how Cam imagined Dev 23 would look if the robot lost one set of arms and was converted to a human double the height of Cam and much thinner. All Rohdowan had four arms, bald heads, and ears the size of fists. Their eye colors ranged from a deep purple to a light blue.

The Rohdowan woman approaching them wore a turquoise dress that swirled around her like waves as she moved. A silver circlet on her head with stones that looked like blue glass sparkled under the lights. Her earrings brushed her shoulders, and the bracelets lining her arms jingled softly. The woman’s beauty would be striking if it weren’t for what looked like an irritated expression on her face.

Cam gave a polite smile when she met the Rohdowan woman’s purple eyes, wishing she had read less about Rockton’s treasure hidden somewhere on La Moku and more about the culture of the Rohdowan. The woman’s eyes narrowed, and she jabbed a delicate finger toward Cam.

Cam pressed the button on her translator pin just as the woman spoke.

You. Out. The woman’s finger moved from Cam to the door.

Mason, Hernando, and Eta moved closer to Cam with puzzled expressions. Dev 23 continued to move from pedestal to pedestal, taking photos and collecting digital data.

Cam shifted her stance with her crutches so that she stood at her full height, almost a head taller than Hernando on her right and a foot shorter than Mason on her left.

Hernando folded his arms over his chest, which revealed the X of his treasure map tattoo. He glowered at the Rohdowan woman beneath his thick, dark eyebrows. Cam nudged him, and he shifted his expression to a neutral one.

I’m sorry, we can’t leave. We have a meeting with Gora Euando, Cam said.

The woman did something with her fingers in the air that reminded Cam of someone tapping on screens to type messages. A frown spread across the woman’s face.

I am Gora. I did not agree to meet with an outsider. The way Gora said outsider showed Cam that disdainful tones could cross cultural lines without translation.

Cam gave Mason a questioning look. She was unsure what to do. Mason moved closer and squeezed Cam’s wrist for reassurance. Earlier, the team had discussed ways to get information about Rockton’s treasure on La Moku. They had agreed that starting in Palao, the first settlement on La Moku, could be the fastest way to get the specific information they needed.

Gora’s gaze darted down to Mason’s hand.

That display of affection is inappropriate in public, Gora said.

But he’s my husband, Cam said.

Gora’s face twisted into one of disgust. Mason let go of Cam’s wrist, wondering if the people of Rohdowan dated and married as was common among the human populations on other planets. Cam’s crutches clicked as she moved back, afraid Gora would spit from her anger.

You did not disclose that you were a treasure hunter, Gora said. Your kind are not welcome here.

Cam steadied her rising anger. She hadn’t told Gora that they were treasure hunters because she thought it was implied by the fact that she wanted information about the Rockton’s treasure. She also didn’t want any information about her team’s whereabouts to get leaked onto the newsfeeds or travel records.

We are too welcome, Cam said. She pulled out a tablet from her back pocket and unfolded it. I have filed the proper documents for my team to be here legally. Any finds we make will be reported to the Center for Rohdowan Artifacts.

Gora didn’t look at Cam’s tablet. She turned away. Go.

Cam pressed her lips together in frustration. Hernando moved to let Eta slip next to Cam. Eta was the same height as Cam and had curves in all the right places. Cam smelled Eta’s soft ginger scent as she leaned close to Cam and whispered, Maybe I can help.

Go ahead, Cam said.

Eta not only helped the team with research and groundwork, but she also functioned as the medic. Her team joked that Eta’s sweetness could convince a hardened soldier to walk through a pit of poisonous snakes to give her their last chocolate cookie. Eta always insisted she would never do such a thing, but the team didn’t doubt her skill in diplomacy.

If Cam’s team could view the historical records that the museum stored from the days when Michael Rockton visited, it could help their search greatly. Eta was the perfect person to get the information.

Eta moved forward. She pressed her caramel-colored hands together in a praying position and bowed her head. Her dark hair fell around her face.

Honorable Gora Euando, keeper of wisdom and knowledge. I am honored to make your acquaintance, Eta said. She kept her head down as she spoke. My name is Eta Laghari, a trained physician for many races. Forgive us for not fully understanding your rules. We mean no insult. We are like children.

The anger on Gora’s face eased into what looked like one of humor. Cam glanced from Gora to Eta with wonder. Eta had a way of putting people and aliens at ease that Cam wished she possessed. Cam watched Eta carefully, wondering if diplomacy skills were learned.

Gora bowed her head at Eta. Your apology is accepted. A practitioner of medicine is always welcome on La Moku. Gora raised her head and narrowed her eyes at Cam. However, treasure hunters are not welcome in this building.

Cam struggled to maintain her silence. Dev 23 quietly moved about, taking scans of everything in the room without Gora noticing.

Eta raised her head and let her hands drop to her sides. As one who seeks answers, why not?

Gora’s face twisted into disgust. Treasure hunters are greedy. They take what does not belong to them. Gora waved her arms around the rotunda. All of these things are treasures found in honest ways by professionals who care for history and tradition. Not profit.

Eta gave Gora a sympathetic look. She pulled a small bundle of blue silk fabric from her pocket and held it out to Gora.

As a gesture of friendship and assurance that we are unlike any of the treasure hunters you have met, we’d like to give you this gift for the museum, Eta said.

Gora took the bundle and unwrapped it to reveal a La Moku coin. She tenderly took the edge of the fabric and used it to grip the edge of the coin. Her expression softened as she moved the coin closer to her face to examine it.

This is a rare Double Dragon, Gora said with awe. It is over two hundred years old.

It is from the first Rockton Treasure found, Eta said. The current treasure chest is on display at a museum on Cragglin for another three months. After that, we’d love to have it arrive here.

That is a generous gift indeed, Gora said.

Cam quietly let out a breath she held. She had hoped to offer the coin later in the meeting with Gora and arrange for the treasure chest tour once they received Gora’s assistance.

The treasure chest held other coins, stock certificates, and a diorama programmed with AI. The value of the treasure was enough to provide a comfortable living to Cam’s team for many years. But after the find, they all agreed that their treasure hunting careers were about the adventure of the find more so than how much money they’d make.

Gora wrapped the coin back into the fabric. Bits of fabric peeked through Gora’s lower left fingers when she wrapped her hand around it.

Eta clasped her hands in front of her. She gave Gora an appreciative smile.

With your help, perhaps, the treasure chest will have a second one on display at the same time, Eta said.

Gora’s arms stiffened. Cam cringed. Hernando took in a sharp breath.

Forgive me. I jumped too far ahead, Eta said. She bowed slightly. I’m afraid my team and I will make many other mistakes with protocol.

Gora relaxed. Her fingers rubbed the cloth bundle in her left hand. Gora looked over Eta’s shoulder at the front doors. She folded her lower right hand over the bundle to conceal it.

I, too, will make mistakes, Gora said. She waved her upper arms toward a set of dark wooden double doors in the back of the rotunda. Come, let us talk where there is privacy. Her voice took on a sense of urgency.

Cam looked over her shoulder. A male Rohdowan strode down the winding walkway to the door. His white beard touched the collar of his deep red shirt that was tucked into his white shorts.

Come, we must hurry, Gora said before Cam could ask if she knew the man. It is best if he does not recognize you.

Cam didn’t bother to point out that the fact they didn’t have multiple arms or a similar skin color, not to mention Cam’s one leg and crutches, meant her team couldn’t blend in if they wanted to. The urgency of Gora’s tone suggested that questions would be answered later.

Gora gestured for the team to enter through the double doors. Cam heard the main doors slide open just as Gora followed them into the hallway. The doors made a soft whumpf, followed by the click of the lock. Gora nodded in satisfaction.

Follow me, she said.

Who was that? Cam asked.

He is your competition, Gora said.

We’ve barely been here for three hours, and already the race begins, Hernando said under his breath.

Cam turned to look at the locked doors, wishing she could get a better look at her competition. She mentally kicked herself for not anticipating that people living on the planets with Rockton’s treasure chests would take a renewed interest in them. She certainly would have done the same.

What confused her was why Gora had led them away so hurriedly. What did it matter if Cam and her team met their competition?

Gora gave them no opportunity to ask any questions. She had disappeared from view around a bend in the hall.

Cam looked at her team. I guess if we want to find out any information, we better stick with Gora for now.

Mason frowned. I don’t like this. One minute she wants to kick us out, and the next, she acts like she wants to help us.

She accuses us of being greedy treasure hunters, but she took our coin without hesitation, Hernando snorted. Talk about double standards. My vote is we go back to the ship and find information a different way. Maybe through a library or in a different town.

I’m with Cam, Eta said. We should find out as much information from Gora as we can since we are here. Her people value truth. I don’t think she means us harm.

Cam looked from Mason to Hernando with one eyebrow raised. The men shrugged.

All right, I’ll go along, Mason said. But I’m going to give you a big I-told-you-so if we get false information or no information at all.

Me too, Hernando said. He shook his head. "At least we knew what Tierra Monty with Varigold Blue wanted when we found the treasure on Cragglin. Gora’s motives aren’t very clear."

At the moment, she wants to help us, Eta said defensively. She folded her arms over her chest and glared at Hernando.

Yeah, by whisking us out of sight of our competition, Hernando said.

The only way to put our minds at ease is to follow Gora and ask as many questions as we can, Cam said.

But not directly, Eta said. Their culture prefers discussions.

Cam gave Eta a curious look.

Dev 23 pointed to Cam. It is considered an insult to ask too many questions of Rohdowans, the robot said.

Of course it is, Mason said quietly in a sarcastic tone.

Cam shrugged. She turned and headed in the direction that Gora had gone. Somehow, they would find out the answers they needed, whether Gora provided them or not.

Chapter Two

The air grew warmer and took on a clean smell like the purified air in their environmental suits as Gora led them down a hallway that wound back and forth like a snake. Monitors hung next to side doors displaying characters grouped like words. Cam wanted to peek inside each room to find out what the signs meant. What if her team walked past a room labeled as the archives for Michael Rockton’s notes about the treasure chest?

She glanced at Dev 23. The robot would be the only one who would know it happened since he had the ability to translate languages.

Dev 23’s head moved about, scanning everything they passed. When they returned to the ship, Cam planned to review the footage of the man who entered the museum. If he was their competition, she wanted to find out everything she could about him.

Sometimes she felt as though her team had gotten a large X painted onto their backs, similar to an X marking the location of a treasure on an old treasure map.

The popularity of Rockton’s treasures had grown after Cam and her team discovered the treasure on Cragglin. Dormant user groups on the Internet came back to life upon the news that Rockton’s treasures were real and not some sort of publicity stunt.

Cam secretly hoped her team could find the remaining six treasure chests. She knew the chances of that happening were slim, considering her team couldn’t be everywhere at once. Other treasure hunters were bound to find the treasures now that confirmation they existed became common knowledge.

After walking for a few minutes in what felt like the circuits of a labyrinth, Gora waved a hand in front of a black door. She positioned her body to match the position displayed on the screen. Her arms stretched out to the sides, and she balanced on one leg. A green light shone onto Gora’s body, moving from her head down to her feet as it scanned her. The light blinked out, and the door slid open. Gora motioned for everyone to step inside.

The room was a trove of treasures. A narrow path cut between a variety of sculptures, cabinets with labeled drawers, and stacks of clear boxes displaying gems, coins, jewelry, and other small collectibles.

This place is like a museum inside of a museum, Mason said.

All of these items were graciously donated by supporters of the museum, Gora said. We do not have the space to display all the items to the public until we can expand.

The team followed her to a circular conference table surrounded by more artifacts. Gora gestured for them to take a seat on one of the molded stools around the table. Mason sat on one side of Cam, while Eta sat on the other, with Hernando next to her.

Dev 23 moved slowly around the narrow walkway, recording what it saw. Cam suspected that if Gora knew what Dev 23 was doing, she would ask that the robot remain in the hall. She doubted any details Dev 23 collected about the items in the room would prove useful, but the recorded conversation, whatever it revealed, would be.

Once everyone sat down, Gora placed her four hands on the table. She looked from one team member to another before she spoke.

Before you ask questions, I must tell you the truth, as is the Rohdowan way. You put me in a troubling situation. I would not have agreed to a meeting if I had known who you were, Gora said.

Why not? Cam asked.

Gora gave Cam an irritated look, as if she should be familiar with the Rohdowan ways.

I am paid not to help you, Gora said. But by agreeing to meet with you, I am duty-bound to honor my word and answer a few questions.

Hernando made a soft