A Weapon’s Serenade

Focalor marched onto the bridge of the Nemesis. Umbria and Nemesis’ image were both pondering a three-dimensional projection of the ocean around the chariot. There was a ship approaching them.

“Report.”

Nemesis looked up. “Executor, a ship belonging to the United States of America navy appears to have detected us. They changed course a few minutes ago.”

“Can they see us?”

“Not currently, but the tether to the observation dome is disrupting the stealth field. We will be visible once they close in to less than a hundred and fifty metres. I believe that their long-range detection equipment, something called radar, can penetrate the disrupted stealth field. We should have been invisible to that radar as well.”

“Could they have detected us in any other way?”

“Unlikely.”

“So, what do we do now? Anything to stop them from seeing us?”

“We can drop the tether.”

“Hm. I don’t like that, we are stabilizing the dome down there. Picking it up again out here will be problematic without the tether.”

“It stands to reason that they have ways to detect underwater objects, diving is also not an option.”

Focalor nodded. “At the very least, we can’t leave the portal behind. This is the only safe passage for the sirens. Humans can’t be in control of that.”

Umbria raised an eyebrow. “Maybe we can warn them away by revealing ourselves. Not fully but we have a code they can submit to their superiors. The humans will know we are here but the treaty demands that they leave.”

“I would prefer our presence to remain a secret but maybe we can convince them to keep it a secret. That seems like the best plan. Now, how do we give them the code?”

Nemesis tilted her head. “I have noticed human vessels of many kinds using radio waves. I assume they will contact us shortly, demand we identify ourselves. Once they do that, I can analyse their radio communication and create a way to respond.”

“Perfect. Let’s wait a moment then.”

It didn’t take long for the message to come. Nemesis perked up. “They are sending a signal. Analysing… it is an audio message.”

“Play it.”

It was the voice of a man. “This is the USS George Hammond to unidentified vessel. Respond with identification.”

Focalor looked at Nemesis. “Can you send a response?”

“I can send it the moment you speak, instant communication.”

“Do it.”

Nemesis nodded. “You may speak.”

“USS George Hammond, you are entering a classified operations area. You are ordered to turn away.”

The response was immediate. “This the USS George Hammond, I am Captain Harriman, who am I talking to?”

“I am Captain Focalor. Captain Harriman, please turn your ship around, this is a classified operation.”

“Classified by whom? Who are you working for?”

“That is all classified. You may submit the following identification to your superiors to confirm our claim. Delta Echo Mike Oscar November. I repeat, Delta Echo Mike Oscar November. Do not approach beyond five hundred metres until further notice. We are authorized to keep this operation secret by all means necessary.”

There was a moment of pause before Harriman responded again. “We will remain at a distance until we can confirm your claim. If you attempt to move your vessel, we will act without confirmation.”

“Understood, Captain.” Focalor gestured for Nemesis to cut the connection.

Nemesis’ eyes darted around for a moment. “The ship is slowing rapidly.”

“Good. Let me know when anything happens.”

It took a few hours for Captain Harriman to call again. “Unidentified vessel, this is the USS George Hammond.”

“Focalor here.”

“We have confirmed the validity of your claims and have been ordered to hold position. I have also been ordered to deliver the following message: Hold position and cease all activity. A specialist is being dispatched to negotiate all further action. Until the specialist arrives, there will be no further communication. I’m sorry, Captain Focalor. Harriman out.”

Focalor sighed. “Is that just me or did he sound like he didn’t like his orders and the message he relayed?”

Umbria nodded. “He was told more than he let us know. I don’t like this.”

“I don’t either, but it has gotten us some time to find a solution. Nemesis?”

“Executor?”

“Can you see about simulating some options to get the stealth field working properly?”

“Of course. If you would excuse me.” Nemesis’ image flickered away.

Isha had joined the orator to meet with the elder of her group and discuss the future of the sirens. The relatively young siren was circling nervously.

The old orator watched her young friend. “I am here with you. You are not facing the elder alone.”

“You know very well that no one at my side would be enough to assuage my doubts. Not even you, orator.”

“Will it help to know that I support your position?”

Isha stopped her circling and coiled around to face the orator. “Really?”

“Yes. I have thought much about the future and our past. The best way for us to preserve our stories, our culture, everything we are, is to change. I spoke to several demons while you played with your new friends, they will preserve what we give them. At first, I only wanted to provide all the stories I remember but the more I thought about it, the more your way has become the correct one. Those stories will live on even without me but I can collect more stories for others, spread them all among the demons and sirens for a long time. I will join you on your path among the demons.”

“Thank you, you have no idea how much that means to me.”

“Not only will I be there for you in the future, I will fight for your position now. Our future is not in the old oceans, it is in the world of the demons. Their oceans will be our oceans too. It is time we make new stories of hope, not just of survival.”

“Maybe you should speak to the elder in my stead.”

“No. My words flow too much, yours are hard. The truth is hard today, it does not flow. Your words are needed, not mine.”

Isha turned to look away. “I am afraid I can’t convince her.”

“What, my young friend, if you don’t need to? The elder knows the options, she has seen the oceans of Hell, faced the ordeals of our recent past. Change might not come naturally for her, but beauty, safety, acceptance all do. Trust in yourself and the world around you. The words you need will come, the currents of truth are in your favour.”

Isha glanced at the orator. “I will do my best.”

“That is all any of us can do.”

The elder arrived, she was a more muscular siren with bright white, nearly transparent, hair. “Young one, orator.”

Isha looked up at the elder and extended her hands. “It is an honour.”

The orator did the same gesture. “Thank you for coming to hear us.”

“I have not come to hear you. There is no need.”

Isha’s eyes widened. “You came to a decision?”

“Yes, the only possible decision. Our group will move to Hell, anyone who wishes to follow your example and be transformed is free to do so. You will be something new, both siren and demon, and we will accept you as one of us and as one of them. In the end, we will all become part of this new world in some way.”

“I… my apologies, I had prepared to try and convince you, but that is no longer necessary.”

The elder smiled. “I see the same world, the same truths as you, young one. I may not like it, but change is inevitable. Orator, I must know your path to choose mine.”

The orator was hesitant to answer. “I will follow her lead, become demon if it is possible. I can do my duties best as one of them.”

“As I expected. You will lead our people into this change. The time for elders is over, it is time we adapt to the ways of the demons. No more leaders, just guides who show the path when asked. Bring us into a new future. I shall return to the old oceans and spread the word. As the demons have said, any siren is free to join their world. I want to give them all that option.”

Isha was unsure about the elder’s decision. “And after that?”

“After that, I will likely join you. I am tired, young one, but not of life. I tire of leading, I tire of being your elder. When I was young, I wanted to see all the oceans had to offer. And eventually, I did. Now there are new oceans to see.” The elder smiled. “I will explore every corner of this new world. It is my final task to show the other groups the way. Then, I am free. Free to swim among currents unknown again. I must thank you, you have given us all a chance at a better future. When the humans want to harm the world, the world will lash out eventually, at least now we won’t be a casualty of that.”

“I… don’t know what to say now. I guess… thank you, elder.”

“It is my duty. Leading is serving your group and its needs. Now, shall we inform the demons?”

Isha nodded. “I suppose it’s time for that, yea.”

“Then all three of us shall meet with them. It is only right.” The elder started to swim around the island, to the observation dome to meet with Famine.

The orator smiled at Isha as she followed the elder. “I told you that your worries were unfounded. Trust the current of truth.”

Isha simply returned an accepting smile.