Diaspora
From the oral history of Major General Vlailolo (Duke) Tosi, USMC (Ret.) (Continued)
May, 2010: The LAGOONION REUNION, the gang called it, and we all got monogrammed swimsuits with that silly name on the butt. Nö is the only UP (YOU-pee) still at the Lagoon, but it's now the Navy Cetacean Research Center, and she's the Director (and creche manager). Three generations came from all over the world to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the landing, and to honor Nö. I was honored just to be invited.
The Lagoon was a de facto cetacean research center almost from the beginning. As soon as the UPs were interned, I asked the Navy to move some dolphins from its marine-mammal program to the Lagoon. The delighted UPs were able to establish a pidgin similar to the one they shared with their orca pets and hunting partners on Europa. A secret research program was quickly established with such astonishing results that maintaining secrecy became impossible. In 1980, the Europans were freed, and nearly all Europan information was declassified. (Still no word on the mining ship’s propulsion, though there are persistent rumors of some kind of gravity drive.)
A bidding war ensued. Some of the gang accepted positions to lead or initiate ocean science programs at major universities and aquariums. All were in demand as consultants. A few were always available to care for babies and young children in the creche, as well as work with the dolphins. But eventually, every permanent resident but Nö was an air-breather.
I know the moment when I realized that we'd done our best for my friends: It was when Nö excitedly told me, "The men are singing again!" She explained that the males sing an intricate chorale together to attract the females and initiate sex. Nö said they were finally feeling happy in their new home. I've been lucky enough to stay involved in my friends' lives, be the silly 'Uncle Duke' to their kids and grandkids, and even pull a few strings when I could. It gives me great satisfaction to watch these people become accepted and accomplished citizens of the world.
