Union Shores Pt 4 Ch 9

After experiencing the worst loss I ever endured at the game of cribbage - well played, Nauridia - I had resorted to getting low in the boat and trying to keep any food that remained in my stomach there.  The waves had gradually diminished since we found the little cove on the southwest corner of San Nicolas Island, but I was still reeling a little from the motion of the ship.  
Shelly and Nauridia were playing cribbage alone together.  Both were much more alert and hale than I was, perhaps because they were both used to the motion of the waves from underwater currents.  Either way, they were doing good, sitting upright, and even a little happy.  
"How are you feeling, sweetheart?" Shelly asked me.
I gulped down a swallow of water and mumbled something quietly.
"What's that?" Naury asked.
Another swallow.  "Fine."
"You sure?"
I nodded.  "I don't do ocean of the motion."
"Should I blame that on your dyslexia?" Shelly said with a giggle.
I hesitated.  "Sure."
"What time is it, anyway?" Nauridia asked.
"Maybe a quarter to eight," Shelly said.  "I want to get a look at the sunset outside."  She turned to me again.  "Care to join me?"
"In a moment, Fishkins."
Shelly went ahead.
"I'm surprised, Greg.  You always seem so steady on your feet."
"I have flat feet," I confessed.
Naury giggled.  "Is that an excuse?"
"Back home, even in a small boat, we go ashore when it rains like this.  Here, there's no good place to dock."  If you want an excuse, Nauridia, that's it.  "This is a much larger boat, and it's still nowhere near as steady as a cruise ship might be."
"Well, if it's any consolation, I suppose I can keep you both company tonight, as long as I'm not distracting you.  I know it's your honeymoon and all, and that the doc let you both use this boat together."
"No distraction at all," I said with a stifled smile.  "You're more than welcome to stay here.  I don't want to send you home during a typhoon."
"Maybe I'll take off after breakfast, if that's all right.  What did you pack for food?"
"There's a quiche in the fridge along with a loaf of cranberry bread."
She perked up.  "Oooh!  I love cranberries.  They're so tart and tangy."
I hate to admit it, but I might've coughed up a little.  I quickly sipped from my water bottle and kept it down.
"You sure you're okay?"
I gulped again and nodded.  "Maybe I should take another of those motion sickness pills."
"The bottle says no more than four.  How many have you had?"
"One."
"Greg?"
"Okay, two."
"I'm cutting you off at three.  Maybe it would help if you tried to rest?  That bed in the other room is close to the wall, try leaning against it if you can't handle to motion, okay?"
I nodded.  "Tell Shelly I'll be right up."
Naury made her way to the stairs carefully, as she may have been comfortable with the motion but not as comfortable on feet as she would have liked.  Standing on the bottom step, she stopped suddenly.  "Greg, you've got to see this."
"See what?"
"Just come up here already."
Wondering what the hubub was about, I scraped myself off the floor and made my way over to her, holding onto the ladder before climing up.  Naury was standing near the helm as Shelly leaned onto the booth area, looking off the stern and towards the west.
"Greg, there you are.  Look out here, isn't it wonderful?"
I joined Shelly around the table and steadied myself as I took in the surroundings.  It was still raining, but at a more even pace than earlier.  The winds were calming, and the clouds covered the point of the island like a fog.  Beyond, however, the undergrowth of the frontal boundary was cloaked in a gradiant of orange, red and purple hues.  
"Where's your camera, Greg?" Naury asked.
"On the bow area down there," I said.
She went to get it.  I let the image savor a moment or two before leaning over and giving Shelly a soft kiss on the cheek.
"I'm going to try and rest a bit, Fishkins."
"Don't apologize," she giggled.  "I think we'll finish our game and then I'll join you, okay?"
"Sounds good."

A few hours later, I woke up in a dark bedroom to discover I was alone.  The motion of the boat had all but ceased, and the soft rhythm of the falling rain had gone silent upon the hull above.  Everything was quiet.
Tossing on a shirt, I went into the other half of the cabin to find that Naury wasn't sleeping on the front bow area, as I anticipated.  Shelly wasn't in the head, nor was anyone else.  
A moment later, I headed to the deck to check for the girls.  I left the lights off and looked around, discovering that the waters in the cove were now incredibly calm.  The zippered door to the swim dock was open.
Shelly was sitting with her tailfin in the water, looking out at the calm ocean and the starscape above us.  She was wearing a sweatshirt.  Nauridia was standing while leaning against the stern of the boat, wearing a jacket but otherwise quite human.  
"Can't sleep?" I asked.
Shelly almost jumped into the water.  Nauridia was less surprised, but still startled.
"Did we wake you, dear?" Shelly asked, turning.
"Not at all."  I joined her, putting my bare feet into the water.  "Just getting a bit lonesome."
Nauridia yawned.  "This is incredible, Shelly, but I should go back to bed.  Long swim tomorrow."
"Good night, Naury."  
"Night," I added.
Shelly moved closer to me and put her head on my shoulder.  "This is the closest I have gotten to the night sky in a long time."
"You mean, your night sky?  At home, over Undarra?"
"Yeah.  That's it exactly."
I held onto her hand.  "It's no wonder you love the stars so much."
"For me, growing up, this was the world," Shelly replied as she gave my hand a pat.  "There was no access to family, no access to the mainland, nothing else but the water below me and this."  She gazed upward in wonder.  "I mean, what else is there than this?  Really?"
"You," I said quietly.  
She leaned in warmly.  "Why did I ever leave you?"
"I was up to me to find you," I replied.  "There was no other way."
"You know, that Ariel girl always wanted to be part of your world.  I guess when it comes down to it, I'm glad to part of yours."
I chuckled.  "Screw the world.  You're my universe."
We sat there together for a moment, just staring out into the sky.  To my surprise, Nauridia used the camera and took a long exposure of us.  I guess we were good subjects, for we must not have moved for at least ten minutes.  While I didn't want to leave, I decided it was time.
"Shall we?"
She yawned softly.  "Okay."
Even though she was a little wet, she crawled into my arms and I picked her up, tail and all.  She really wrapped into me closely, wrapping her tailfin around me like a coiled naga.  
You have no idea how awesome it was to be with Shelly just then.  Even though we might have just gone to sleep afterwards, that was the most magical evening I spent with my wife.  Ever.  
At least until tomorrow.

* * *

A few hours earlier, Michelle, Raine and Megan all had arrived at Chase Labs to meet with Dr. Chase.  Summer drove into the lab space after honking twice, the same way she'd done for almost twelve years.
Megan and Raine climbed out once Dr. Chase closed the security door.  "Good, I'm glad you could come right away, Summer."  He addressed Megan and Raine.  "Good to see you again, Raine."  He shook her hand.
"Thomas," Raine replied.
"Boss, do I have any messages?" Megan asked.
He chuckled.  "No, pretty quiet day.  Except for the fellows in the conference room."
Raine looked longingly at the Molecular Transfer Ray.  "This is what made it happen, Michelle?"
"Yes," Summer replied.  "Raine, you saw this before, didn't you?"
"Oh, I didn't really look at it before," she replied.  
"It's always ready, Miss Tenn, should you wish," Dr. Chase said.
She smiled polietly but didn't say anything else.
Dr. Chase then waved a hand.  "Dr. Bennit's already inside.  I'll have to change you back, Summer.  The windows to the conference room are covered, and I can close the door."
"I'd appreciate that," Summer replied.
"Megan?" Dr. Chase asked.
She was about to go inside.  "Yes?"
"The door?"
Megan nodded and closed it.  That left Raine and Summer alone with Dr. Chase.
"Should I use more ice, Summer?"  Raine reached into Summer's back seat and removed the small cooler, as her roof was retracted.  
"Actually, you shouldn't have to," Dr. Chase said.  He went over to the wall and unlocked a small metal cabinet that was embedded and made of heavy steel.  Inside were three of the heat and cold beams that Dr. Chase had invented.
He took one of the beams and adjusted the settings before firing, striking Summer in the fender.  He held down the trigger for only a moment before releasing it as Summer began to shrink.
"Thanks Doc," Summer replied as her window panels and blue fenders retracted and decreased in size, soon forming into arms, legs, hips and shoulders.  Still kneeling on four tires, soon these shrank into hands and tennis shoes as Michelle became fully human again.
Raine helped Michelle to her feet.
"Thank you."  She brushed off her knees.  "Who's inside?"
Dr. Chase motioned to go in.  "Raine, it's up to you if you want to come in.  I don't have to introduce you if you don't want to be."
"Who are they, Thomas?"
"Men from the Department of the Army.  Brigadier General Arthur Nolanson, and Lieutantants Ian Larson and Geoff Terrell, all from the Special Forces Initiative.  Unofficially, that is their department.  Of course unofficially-"
"They run Ghost Mountain," Michelle said.  "And oversee Morpheous Squadron?"
Dr. Chase nodded.  "And I'm sure they would love to know that mermaids exist, just in case their buddies at the navy are looking for new recruits."
"Do you need me, Michelle?" Raine turned to her.
Michelle put her hand on Raine's shoulder before giving her a hug.  "I think I'll be okay if you want to sit out on this one."
"Is the lobby to the left and down the hall?" Raine asked.
"Actually, just across the hall you'll find the Auxilliary Lab.  We've been using it as a break room and lounge, so there's a kitchenette, a tv and a fish tank in there.  You shouldn't need a code to get in.  If it prompts you for one, just hit 0 four times."
"You'll come find me when you're finished?"
Michelle nodded.  "Don't worry about me."
"Help yourself to anything in the vending machine."  He then told her a secret code.  "That'll let you put it on my account."
"Thanks."  She gave a smile and left.
Dr. Chase then turned to Michelle.  "You ready?"
"Let's do this."

Inside, the three military men wearing full dress uniforms were sitting on one side of the table.  The Brigadier General sat in the center, and was the eldest of the three.  He had his hat on the table in front of him, revealing an elegantly balding hairstyle reminiscient of Captain Picard.  His two lieutanants had their hats on the table as well, and both were younger with full military crew cuts.  The projector was on and active displaying a graphic of the United States Army.
Seated on the other side were Megan and Dr. Bennit, with two chairs for Dr. Chase and Michelle.
"Gentlemen," Dr. Chase said as he entered first followed by Michelle.  Dr. Chase allowed Michelle to sit in the center, but she opted to sit on the outside.
"Miss Peyton, it is an honor to meet you at last."  The General rose to reach across the table and shake her hand.  The two lieutanants also stood.
"Sir," Michelle said as she shook his hand in return.  
“As one of the pioneers of Dr. Chase’s molecular fusion technology, I must say your data file does not do you justice.”  The general sat, and only then did his lieutanants do the same.
Michelle and Dr. Chase joined them at the table.  “In what way do you mean, may I ask?”
“Your photo.  You’re even more beautiful in person.”
She returned a modest smile.  “Anything else in my file that you admired, General?”
“For now, that’s really all I’m interested in.”  
“May I begin, General?” the man on the left, Ian Larson, stood up.  He held a remote in his hand.
The general nodded.
“Miss Peyton, esteemed men of science, honored guests.  The following meeting is not to be discussed officially in terms of the United States government, the Department of the Army, or in any publication or record of media beyond these four walls,” Larson began.
“We’re all of a high security clearance here, Lieutanant,” Michelle said.
“Actually miss, your security clearance outranks me,” the general replied with a smirk.
Lieutanant Ian moved onto the next slide.  It showed an exterior photograph of a two-story glass office building of sorts alongside a narrow road that entered a heavily reinforced tunnel.  The tunnel was open.  
“What you are seeing here is the exterior of Ghost Mountain, a secure facility located northeast of Las Vegas.  While I cannot reveal the actual location, I can report that is located within a protected region of government territory that is isolated from the general populous and, due to our agreements with Google, Nasa and other internet agencies, is completely invisible from satellite photography.”
“We really dropped the ball with the Groom Lake facillity,” the general said.  “This time we got it right.”
Ian clicked to the next slide.  It displayed a genome, superenlarged to a massive detail.  It was a mass of ions, strands of DNA, positrons, quarks, nucleotoids and everything that makes up an atom.  Though it made little sense to Michelle or Megan, it made perfect sense to Dr. Chase and Dr. Bennit.
"What is that?" Megan asked.
"This is the genetic map of Genome #5779, also known as the DeLesi genome, named by Dr. Chase after the man who discovered the human genome."
"In 1972, I discovered the genome, but I could not identify what it was.  I actually completed my Ph.D on it," Dr. Chase replied.
"But you didn't discover its full potential until you discovered the means to combine matter, using that ray in the other room," General Nolanson said.  "In doing so, you discovered synthetic genomes."
"Genome #6792, also known as the morpheous genome.  The biogenetic maps that cause you to transform," Dr. Chase replied.
Michelle nodded.  She gave Megan a nod, who simply nodded in return with complete understanding.
"The discovery of this genome," Lieutanant Ian continued, "took many years to understand, and frankly, Dr. Chase, I'm sure you would agree that we're still not completely finished with that project."
Dr. Chase nodded.  "There's not enough time in the world as far as I'm concerned for such a completion.  Likewise, to complete that project would also complete the genetic code for life itself."
"However, our testing revealled another discovery.  That the fusion of two forms could be achieved and even swapped on the fly, once we learned how to remove the need for a cataylst, such as temperature," Ian said.  "Thus, Morpheous Squadron was ready."
"Except for one thing," Michelle said.  "How much testing did this study require?  How many people were subjected to these experiments?"
"Michelle," Dr. Chase began.
"How many?" she asked again.
General Nolanson cleared his throat.  "Twelve."
"Twelve."  Michelle gave him a cold stare.  "Twelve failures?"
"Four failures," the general replied.  "Eight successes."
"Really."  Michelle took a deep breath.  "I wonder about your definition of success, General."
"Dr. Chase, we're not here to debate the past," the general began.
"Of those four failures, how many lives were affected?  More than four, I trust?" Michelle asked.
"Let's just calm down," the general began.
"Yes, please, Michelle," Dr. Chase sighed and looked towards the table in defeat.  "Please."
"Fine," the general gave a nod to Lieutanant Terrell.  "Give your report, son."
Lieutanant Terrell stood up, giving his coworker a chance to sit.  "Next slide, Ian."  
Ian hit the button.  An image of a man with greying brown hair and a confused expression came onto the display.
"This is Lazus, one of the last test subjects.  He became fused with a C130 Hercules cargo plane."  Lieutanant Terrell paused for a moment.  "His current wherabouts are..."
"Proceed, Mr. Terrell," the general gave a nod.
"In a cemetary in Texas," Terrell replied.  "Lazus was subjected to psychiatric treatment after failing the infusion technique.  Though he later succeeded in stealing a genetic manipulator potion - a batch of infused genomes in liquid form - Lazus was later removed of the genomes and put into an observation chamber.  He never recovered and was unstable.  After several months of psychotherapy and shock treatments, he committed suicide."
"Lazus was the first test for the Morpheous Squadron, but it was not an official test," General Nolanson replied.  "He had broken out of Ghost Mountain and reached Area 80, the training base for the squad.  If not for his capture, it's impossible not to believe that the operation and the project would have made national news and ultimately would have to been revealled, even partially, to the public forum and the government at large."
"But it wasn't," Terrell said.  "And as a result, all merged beings were allowed to remain as they were.  Free, living under their own secrets, left to their own devices."
"That's a fine way to justify testing on humans like they were guinea pigs," Michelle said.
"And that's a fine way to say thank you," Nolanson replied.
"Shall I continue, sir?" Terrell asked.
"No," Dr. Chase said.  "I do not see us gaining anything by doing so."
"At any rate," General Nolanson rose and pointed at Lazus's portrait.  "It should be noted that Lazus was not an ideal canditate to begin with, as he was a condemned criminal who chose life.  Perhaps we only delayed his mortal sentance, but that's not up to us to debate."
"For once I agree with you," Michelle said.
"This man's death did answer some of our questions, most of them ethical.  Any future testing, volunteer or otherwise, was immediately suspended.  Along with that act came the end of the Morpheous Squadron.  The team disbanded."
"And their abilities?  Their power to transform?"
The general shook his head.  "Regrettably, my superiors have not shared that information with me.  As far as I know, they are still living among the general populous, and could be anywhere.  I have been asked not to attempt to track them down, as it is believed that if their cover is blown, their abilites could be used against our country, against other countries, against whomever our enemies might choose."
"That's awful," Megan said.
The general gave a nod.  "Keep in mind, Agent Archer was equipped with sidewinder missiles as a standard armament.  Even one of those missiles aimed at a civilian target, like a building-"
"Like the new World Trade Center tower one," Lieutanant Larson said.
"Could spell out countless lives lost," the general concluded.  "And though I have been given assurances that the four members of the squad are alive and well, their identities remain a closely guarded secret, even from me and my staff.  Only those who worked closest with them, in the Area 80 facility-"
"Which is not unlike Ghost Mountain," Lieutanant Terell said.
"Yes.  None of my team, their partners, nor anyone at Dynamite Labs and on Dr. Archuleta's staff, have any knowledge of the four members today, and they're not telling anyone about them.  Nobody."
"Still," Michelle said, rising.  "What about the Dais Twins, if I may?  They were a product of your department, were they not?"
"I thought you'd bring that up," Nolanson muttered.  He gave Terrell a nod.  "Go ahead."
"As you know, the Dais Twins were originally models who stole for a living," Larson replied.  "They were brought in with the understanding that the testing would become a platoform for the eventual creation of the Morpheous Squadron, and in all fairness, the girls completely exceeed their expectations.  So much so, that when the twins escaped from the facility in 2006, that we were unable to track them."
"And nowadays?" Michelle asked.
"They have managed to remain completely off the radar.  You'd think two buxom blondes like that would show up in social media or something, but no, not a peep," Terell said.  "They're the best."
"Their ability to switch between forms is immaculate," Lieutanant Larson said.  "Our tracking teams thought they had a lead in Germany several years ago, but the trail has since gone cold."
Michelle gave an optimistic shrug.  "I've hidden well enough in parking lots myself.  There's no reason to suspect a car might be alive, why not a helicopter, or a C130, or a motorcycle and jet ski?"
"Why, not, indeed," the general said.  "Which brings us to you, Miss Peyton.  If we were to grant you the use of this technology, we'd want to have a fairly good idea of where you were at any given time-"
"No," Michelle replied.  "I'd never agree to that."
"I told you she wouldn't go for it," Dr. Bennit said.
"Agreed," Dr. Chase said.  "And I made it perfectly clear that I would never allow the use of my genomes by the government ever again, General Nolanson, should that restriction be imposed."
"I should transform right here and show you exactly what I think of that plan, gentlemen."  Michelle held up her hands and made fists.  "Anyone want to see my parlor trick?"
"No," the general quickly replied.  "There's no need for that."
"Agreed," Dr. Chase said with a reassuring smile delivered towards Michelle.  "You know I've had this table since before you were born."
"Right," Michelle said, sitting down.  "And I owe you too much for that to occur, besides."
"Perhaps we should just get to it, then?" The general folded his papers and cracked his knuckles.  "The bottom line here, ladies and gentlemen, is that the decision has come from the senior staff at Area 80, and they have ruled that because Genome #5779 belongs to Dr. Chase, it is his technology to do with what he pleases, provided there remains no direct threat to the United States government, its people, its property, or its immediate holdings, territories, populace and ideals."  He stood again, and this time, the two lieutanants stood as well.  Larson pulled a thumb drive from a server in the corner, disrupting the presentation and displaying the blue screen of death on the projector.  "Ultimately, the decision is yours, Miss Peyton.  Should you choose to work with us, however, we hope you will be able to stand up for your country someday.  Much in the way your friend Collette Simmons has stood up for the CIA."
"I have stood up for my country, many times," Michelle said confidently.  "But not necessarily for her sake, at least not in the way you know it," she paused.  "Everything I have done, I have done for my friends, and while the country has benefitted, I never thought of the United States when I saved their lives.  Or my own.  Everything I did, I did it for them."
The general gave a slow nod.  "Funny, when I joined this man's army in 1966, I thought I was joining the army to take the place of a friend of mine who was drafted.  The funny part is, he still got drafted and was shot through the head in Vietnam.  Fifty years later, I'm still wearing this uniform and trying to explain to people who weren't there just what we were fighting that war for."
"Not for people like me," Michelle said.
The general shook his head.  "For everyone."  He gave a nod to his assistants.  "I think we're done here."  He turned and walked towards the door, followed by his team.  
Dr. Bennit followed them out.
"That went well," Dr. Chase muttered.
"I'm sorry, Doc," Michelle replied softly.  
"They're probably going to call me in a few days, wondering what became of you," Dr. Chase said.  "They know I have the device, they know that it works, they know everything about you, Michelle.  And I have the right to tell them that you refused the treatment, and still perform it, if you wish for me to do so."
Michelle slowly nodded.
"What shall I tell them?" he asked.  "Or are you about to transform?"
Michelle sighed.  "Yes.  To the second question.  Her hands turned into tires.  "Excuse me."