The Amazon rainforest has died
People are farming in Antarctica
Karishma and Savani looking up at Galen
Click the puzzle piece to work a jigsaw puzzle
The Indigo Jewel
Chapter 10 - New Perth
Intro,
1,
2,
3,
4,
5,
6,
7,
8,
9,
10,
11,
12,
13,
14,
15,
16,
17,
Epilogue,
Afterward
Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. - Philo of Alexandria
The world in the twenty-second century is a fragile place, struggling to find balance in the wake of centuries of excess, conflict, and catastrophe. Recent decades are marked by economic collapse, environmental disaster, and war which have reshaped humanity in ways no historian of the past could have foreseen. The great equatorial rainforests have withered, their once-thriving ecosystems reduced to barren wastelands. What was once lush, vibrant landscapes teeming with life has been replaced by scorching deserts, uninhabitable by all but the most resilient creatures. The oceans have risen, swallowing coastlines and forcing massive populations to seek refuge inland. And yet, amidst this turmoil and death, there are signs of renewal.
New cities flourish in the northern and southern extremes of the planet, drawing in millions who have fled the devastation. The Arctic and Antarctic frontiers, once frozen and desolate, have become fertile lands where civilization can take root anew. Siberia, northern Canada, Greenland and Antarctica are the new frontiers. Nations that survive still cling to their sovereignty, though the borders of old are now more fluid, dictated less by lines on a map and more by where people can survive.
Savani and Galen are among the countless refugees who have fled their homelands in search of stability. Their journey from the burning continent of Australia is fraught with danger, as overcrowded freighters carry desperate passengers across the treacherous sea to Antarctica, one of the last remaining frontiers of hope. Unlike many others, they are fortunate—Savani’s expertise as a climatologist grants her passage not just as a refugee, but as a consultant sought after by governments eager to mitigate the damage done to the planet.
They arrive in the fledgling city of New Perth, a settlement carved from the once-barren ice, now lush with vegetation. Advanced geoengineering projects have transformed some parts of the continent into arable land. Areas not useful for farming are used for animal preserves or small manufacturing. Savani carries the Indigo Jewel, an object she has protected since her mother passed it down to her several years ago. Its presence in her life has always been a source of mystery and inspiration, though she kept its existence hidden from Galen for years. When she finally entrusts him with the secret, he is stunned, but not skeptical. He has seen the impact of the Jewel on her life. He has long been mystified by the extraordinary things she says.
Now, standing on the small plot of land they have been granted, they prepare for the second stage of their new life. Their twenty-acre homestead lies nestled between a glacial river and rolling fields of newly cultivated grain. In the summer, the days are long, the land bursting with life. In the winter, darkness and snow reclaim the land, and survival requires careful preparation. Galen makes a living through trade, exchanging surplus crops in the bustling markets of New Perth and the nearby metropolis of Singapura Baharu. Savani continues her work as a climate consultant to governments of the world. She is constantly in a video conference with them and has her own office in their small house. It is a life of quiet resilience, and one that suits them well.
One evening, as the cold winds of early winter creep across the land, Savani and Galen sit in their living area, speaking in hushed tones while their daughter, Karishma, sleeps in the next room. The indigo jewel lies on the table between them, its deep blue facets catching the flickering light of the flames.
“This place has given us a chance,” Galen says, his voice low. “But I can’t shake the feeling that we are being watched. Our communications are encrypted, but there's something that's not quite right.”
Savani nods, she picks up and cradles the jewel, her fingers tracing its beveled edges. “We carry something precious,” she admits. “Something that has survived for thousands of years. If the wrong people learn what it is—what it can do—our lives will be in danger.”
Galen sighs, leaning back in his chair. “I never imagined I would be part of a conspiracy like this. The jewel - the history it holds - it’s more than just knowledge, isn’t it? It’s a force guiding the world in ways we don’t fully understand.”
Savani gives him a quick, knowing smile. “It has always guarded its holders carefully. My mother trusted me to protect it, just as her mother trusted her. And one day, it will belong to Karishma.”
Galen glances toward their daughter’s room, concern flickering across his features. “She’s so young. How do we prepare her for this?”
Savani exhales slowly. “By teaching her patience, and her place in a larger plan. She will come to understand in time.”
On Karishma’s 14th birthday, Savani decided it is time to begin the transition. She sits cross-legged on the floor of their small home, the Indigo Jewel resting in her hands. Karishma sits across from her, her dark eyes wide with curiosity and a hint of apprehension. Outside, the wind is blowing, carrying with it the scent of hay and the sea.
“This,” Savani said softly, holding out the jewel, “is our legacy. For generations, the women of our family have carried it, protected it, and learned from it. It has saved many of our lives, and it holds the memories and wisdom of our grandmothers. It will guide you as it has guided me.”
Karishma hesitates, her fingers hovering above the jewel. “What does it do?” she asks, her voice barely above a whisper.
“It shows you the past,” Savani replies. “The lives of your grandmothers, their joys, their struggles, their triumphs. And sometimes… it shows you the future. Or at least, the possibilities of what the future might hold.”
Karishma’s fingers brush the jewel, and she gasps as a flood of images and emotions wash over her. She sees a woman standing under a starry sky, her hands raised in prayer. She feels the joy of a child’s laughter, the sting of a great loss, and the weight of responsibility. And then, as quickly as it began, the vision fades.
“It’s… incredible,” Karishma said, her voice trembling. “But why me? Why us?”
Savani smiles, and in her eyes is a hint of sadness. “Because we are the keepers of this knowledge, the guardians of this legacy. And one day, you will pass it on to your daughter, just as I will pass it on to you when you are ready.”
Looking down at the jewel, Karishma’s face has an expression of awe and curiosity. “Wow! That’s a lot to take in all at once. Do you think our grandmothers know we are holding it?”
“I don’t just think it, Karishma, I know it,” Savani says, her voice steady. “I have spoken with them many times. They are aware of us, they are aware of each other, and they say they have communicated with another being. One who is not of this Earth.”
Karishma’s eyes widen, “Another being? Like an alien?”
Savani hesitates, choosing her words carefully. “The jewel is not just a tool, Karishma. It’s a bridge—a connection to another world. Our grandmothers don’t know who this being is or where they come from, but it helps them in times of great need and guides them to safety. It guides the one who is holding it, as it guided those who held it in the past. It has been in our family for thousands of years. It has a purpose, one that stretches far beyond our lifetimes.”
Karishma squeezes the jewel. “Do you think… do you think it’s watching us now?”
Savani nods. “Always. But not in the way you might think. It’s not here to judge or control us. It’s here to help us and keep us safe. It is guiding humanity toward something greater.”
For a moment, the room is silent except for the sound of the wind outside. When Karishma speaks, her voice is soft but resolute. “I want to understand. I want to know everything.”
Savani reaches out and places a hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “You will, Karishma. In time. But remember, the jewel is not just a source of knowledge. It’s a responsibility. Treat it with care, and it will guide you well.”
Karishma nods as she hands the jewel back to her mother. “I will, Mother. I promise.”
Years pass, and Karishma continues to learn. By the time she is eighteen, she chooses to attend university on the far side of Antarctica, in the thriving research hub of Nueva Esperanza. She studies Political Science and Mathematics, her curiosity leading her to explore ways to shape the future of this changing world.
At university, she meets a young man named Elias, an ambitious planner who dreams of designing sustainable cities and fostering cooperation among the fractured nations of Earth. They spend hours discussing policy, sketching blueprints for the world they hope to see, and discussing the potential for technology to repair the planet. Karishma is drawn to his optimism and intelligence, though she keeps the existence of the Indigo Jewel a secret.
Over the years, it becomes harder and harder for them to imagine being apart. When they graduate, Elias presents Karishma with a simple yet elegant ring, a promise of their shared future. As she slips it onto her finger, she wonders how long she can keep her family’s secret from him. For now, she chooses to carry the weight of the jewel alone, communing with her grandmothers each day, learning everything they can teach her.
Copyright © 2025 Elton Smith