5. Levi

Chapter five

Levi

T he sun is just beginning to rise as I stand on the deck of Island Dreamer, running through my mental checklist for the day. Normally, the rhythmic preparation calms me, but today I can't shake the lingering thoughts of my dinner with Maya last night. Seeing her again, hearing her laugh, even if it was strained, has thrown me off balance.

I try to focus. "Check the dive tanks, verify GPS coordinates, review the sample collection protocol..." I mutter to myself, but my mind keeps drifting back to her. The way her eyes sparkled when she talked about the turtles, the way her smile seemed both familiar and foreign.

Hank, my right-hand man, sidles up beside me, interrupting my thoughts. "You seem a bit distracted this morning, boss. Everything alright?"

I force a casual shrug. "Just a lot on my mind, Hank. Big day ahead."

Hank raises an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. "Uh-huh. If you say so." He gives me a knowing look before heading off to check the navigation systems.

I push my hands through my hair, frustrated with myself. This is important work. I need to keep my head in the game. Turning my attention to the equipment, I call out to one of my crew members. "Hey Adam, double-check the dive tanks and gear, will you? Make sure everything's in top shape."

Adam nods, giving me a thumbs-up. "Got it, Levi."

I try to refocus, running through the safety protocols in my mind. The water is calm today, perfect for diving. We'll be checking the reef conditions and collecting samples—standard procedure, but critical for the project.

A few minutes later, I see Maya approaching the dock, her enthusiasm evident even from a distance. She's flanked by her team, their equipment in tow. She looks professional, poised, and ready to tackle the day. But I can still feel the undercurrent of tension between us, a mix of unresolved past and the weight of the present.

"Morning, Maya," I call out, keeping my tone as neutral as possible.

"Morning, Levi," she replies, her voice steady. Her eyes meet mine briefly before she turns to her team. "Let's get everything loaded and ready to go."

As her team starts moving their gear onto the boat, I can't help but admire her focus and determination. She's always been driven, and it's clear that hasn't changed. But there's something else in her eyes, something guarded.

"Levi, where do you want the sampling equipment?" one of her team members asks, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Over here," I say, guiding them to the designated area. "We've set up a spot for all the sample containers and tools. Make sure everything's secure."

Maya joins me as we watch her team work efficiently. There's a charged silence between us, each of us aware of the other but maintaining our professionalism.

"All set for the dive?" she asks, her tone clipped.

"Yeah, Adam's just finishing up the final checks on the tanks and gear," I reply. "We'll be ready to head out shortly."

"Good," she says, nodding. "I'm eager to get started. The reef data will be crucial for our analysis."

"Agreed," I say, trying to match her professional demeanor. "Safety first, though. We'll go over the dive plan before we head out."

She nods again, and for a moment, there's a flicker of something softer in her expression, but it's gone as quickly as it appeared.

I feel a mix of emotions—excitement for the project, tension from our unresolved past, and a cautious curiosity about what the next few months will bring. But I push those thoughts aside as I turn to address the crew and Maya's team.

"Alright, everyone, gather around," I call out. "Let's go over the plan before we head out. Safety is our top priority, so I want everyone to be clear on their roles."

As I outline the day's agenda, I steal a glance at Maya. She's listening intently, her focus unwavering. Despite the tension, there's a sense of shared purpose between us. We're both here for the same reason—to protect and study the marine life we both love.

As we finish the briefing and prepare to set sail, I wonder what's going through Maya's thoughts. For now, all I can do is focus on the task at hand and hope that we can navigate the waters of our past as smoothly as we plan to navigate the ocean.

With everyone on board and the gear secured, I give the signal to untie the lines. Hank and Adam spring into action, and within moments, we're leaving the harbor. As we head toward the reef, the familiar rhythm of the engine and the salty breeze help settle my nerves.

I steer Island Dreamer past the breakwater, watching the turquoise sea stretch out before us. The color is vibrant, almost unreal, and I feel a surge of pride for this place I call home.

"Beautiful day for a dive," I say, trying to keep the mood light.

Maya stands beside me, her eyes scanning the horizon. "It really is," she agrees. "The visibility looks great. Perfect conditions for collecting data."

I glance over at her, catching a hint of excitement in her voice. It's contagious, and despite the tension, I find myself looking forward to this dive. "Let's hope it holds. The reef should be spectacular today."

As we continue our journey, Adam approaches, holding a clipboard. "All tanks checked and ready, boss," he says, his eyes flicking to Maya briefly before returning to me. "Anything else you need before we get there?"

"Thanks, Adam. Just keep an eye on things up here. We should be at the reef in about twenty minutes."

Adam nods and heads back to his post, giving me a moment alone with Maya. The silence stretches between us, filled with unspoken words. I clear my throat, deciding to break it. "So, you really followed through with your dream of being a biologist. What got you interested in marine biology, Maya? I mean, besides growing up around all this."

She smiles, a genuine one this time, as she looks out at the water. "Honestly, it was those summer days we spent exploring the ocean. You and your dad showed me a world I fell in love with. I guess I just never grew out of it."

I feel a pang of nostalgia at her words. "I remember those days. Seems like a lifetime ago."

"Yeah, it does," she says softly. "But here we are, back where it all started."

I nod, not trusting myself to say more. The memories are bittersweet, and I don't want to dwell on the past right now. "What about your team? Are they as dedicated as you?"

"They seem to be, but it's our first time together as a group," she replies. I'm looking forward to working with them on this project. Everyone's really passionate about the work we do, which makes a great team."

Just then, Hank joins us, pointing to a pod of dolphins leaping in the distance. "Looks like we've got company," he says with a grin.

The sight of the dolphins lightens the mood instantly. Maya leans over the railing, her eyes sparkling with delight. "They're amazing," she says, her voice filled with awe.

"They always put on a good show," I agree, slowing the boat to give everyone a chance to watch. The dolphins race alongside us for a while, their playful antics drawing smiles from the crew and Maya's team.

As the dolphins fall behind, I pick up speed again, and soon the outline of the reef comes into view. The water here is a brilliant turquoise, revealing the colorful corals and swaying sea fans below. "Alright, folks, we're almost there. Get ready to drop anchor," I call out.

Maya's team springs into action, prepping their equipment. I focus on navigating us into position, the familiar routine helping to center my thoughts. Once we're anchored, I turn to address everyone. "Alright, let's go over the dive plan one more time."

Maya steps forward, her professional demeanor firmly in place. "We'll be diving in pairs to collect samples and take measurements. Make sure to follow the buddy system and stay within sight of each other. Safety first."

Her team nods in unison, and I admire her leadership. She's grown so much since those days we spent dreaming about the future. I only hope I can match her dedication out here.

"Adam, Hank, you'll stay topside and monitor from here. Maya and I will be the first ones down, then Lori and Jim will follow." I instruct. "Everyone ready?"

A chorus of affirmatives follows, and I give the signal to gear up. As we strap on our tanks and check our regulators, Maya and I exchange a brief, tense glance. There's so much unsaid between us, but now isn't the time.

With one last look around, I give the thumbs-up. "Let's do this."

We slip into the water, the cool embrace of the ocean washing over us. As we descend, the reef comes alive with color and movement. Fish dart among the corals, and the distant song of a humpback whale echoes through the water.

Maya and I swim side by side, our movements synchronized. Despite everything, there's a familiar comfort in diving with her. We reach the first sampling site, and Maya signals to start collecting data.

We work in silence, the underwater world providing a peaceful backdrop. The vibrant corals and swaying sea fans are mesmerizing, but I force myself to focus on the task at hand. Maya points to a patch of seagrass, and I nod, swimming over to collect a water sample while she documents the site.

As we move to the next location, something catches my eye. A small, out-of-place metal container partially buried in the sand. I tap Maya's shoulder and point towards it. She narrows her eyes and swims closer, her expression puzzled.

I pull out my underwater slate and write, "Looks suspicious. Check it out?"

Maya nods, and we approach the container cautiously. It's definitely out of place, and when I brush away the sand, we see that it's marked with a logo that we don't recognize. It's a medium-sized metal container, the type that could be used to store and transport chemicals or other materials that need to be kept dry and secure underwater.

I write on my slate, "Chemicals? Poachers?"

Maya frowns and writes back, "Maybe. Could be for sedatives."

I nod, feeling a chill run down my spine. Poachers often use sedatives to incapacitate turtles or other marine life, making them easier to capture. Finding evidence of it here is troubling. We document the container with our underwater cameras, making sure to get clear shots from all angles.

As we continue our dive, the sense of unease lingers. Maya and I exchange glances, both of us aware that this discovery could be significant.

We push on with our data collection, but my mind keeps drifting back to the container. What else might be lurking down here?

At one point, Maya points out a juvenile green sea turtle grazing on seagrass. It's presence is a good sign, but it also makes me more determined to protect them. I snap a few pictures, feeling a renewed sense of purpose.

We swim on, and Maya signals me to another spot where the coral seems damaged. It's a small area, but the broken pieces are fresh. She writes on her slate, "Possible boat strike or something else?"

I shrug, taking photos and samples. Whatever caused the damage, it's another piece of the puzzle we need to solve.

As we finish the dive and head back to the boat, the significance of the container weighs heavily on my mind. If the poachers are using sedatives, it means they're likely capturing adult turtles, not just raiding nests. The implications are grim, and my determination to protect these creatures hardens.

Back on board, I brief Adam and the rest of the crew about what we found. "Looks like poachers are more active than we thought," I say, showing them the pictures of the container.

Adam frowns. "Sedatives? That means they're going after the adults too, right?"

"Exactly," I reply. "They could be capturing adults for meat, shells, or even the illegal pet trade. This goes beyond just protecting the nesting sites."

Maya, who has been reviewing our data, joins us with a grim expression. "We need to inform the authorities and take extra precautions. If they're capturing adults, the entire population is at risk."

I nod in agreement. "I'll contact the authorities when we get back to shore. In the meantime, we need to keep our eyes open and document everything."

***

The gravity of the situation hangs over us as we finish unloading the boat. The usual post-dive chatter is replaced by a tense silence. Maya and I both know that this project just became much more critical.

As we walk back to the OceanLife center, Maya's expression is a mix of concern and determination. "This project is about more than just studying the turtles now," she says quietly. "It's about protecting them from a real threat."

"Yeah," I reply, my mind racing with thoughts of how to proceed. "We'll handle it."

Her eyes soften slightly, and for a moment, the tension between us eases. "Thanks, Levi. I appreciate your passion for this project."

"No problem," I say, trying to keep my tone casual. "We should go over the data and plan our next steps."

We sit down with Sarah Scott, the center's director, to report our findings. Sarah's face hardens as we show her the photos of the container. "This is serious," she says. "We'll need to increase our monitoring and coordinate with local authorities to catch these poachers."

Maya nods. "We'll need to be vigilant during our dives and document any suspicious activity. This project is more important than ever."

I take out my phone and make the call to the authorities, explaining what we found and the potential implications. They promise to send someone to investigate further and increase patrols in the area.

Leaving the meeting, Maya and I agree to meet at the dock early the next morning. There's a lot to prepare, and we need to stay focused. The stakes have never been higher.