The Good Intentions of a Cyborg Werewolf

Fun in the Sun - XV

When Erin had heard of Mercer's "mobile lab," she was mildly impressed. Given how advanced the Lycan Assembler was and all the equipment he had at the apartment, she expected something fairly high tech. When she actually saw the old vanette with mismatched quarter panels she was less than enthused, and the sound its ageing engine made as he attempted to start it didn't fill her with much confidence either. Nevertheless the old wagon was running, though not smoothly, and they had just left the city on their way to Four Rock Bay. Erin sat in the front passenger seat, with Luke in the back. Mercer drove, evidently the only one of the two who had a license, and for Erin it was still a bit odd to see him out of the apartment. He didn't seem entirely comfortable either, and wore clip-on sunglasses and a hat to better hide his face.

"I haven't been to the beach since I was a grad student," Erin reminisced as they drove through the more open countryside. At certain times the road arched and she could already glimpse the ocean on the horizon.

"I always wanted to live on the coast," Mercer mused. "It was my plan to retire there, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Fresh air and blue skies."

"What about you, Luke?" Erin asked. "You ever been to the beach?"

"A few," he said from the back. "The circumstances weren't the best, though."

"Shame it seems that way now as well," Mercer sighed. "What do you know about merfolk? How would we go about finding them?"

"They need to be near water," Luke explained, "they're often fishermen, sailors, anyone who logically spends a lot of time at sea. They acclimate into human society well."

"I guess we can't just ask random passerbys about mermaids," Erin leaned into the window edge. "If Celestial is abducting them we could ask about missing persons, though?"

"We'll feel out the community," Luke shifted uncomfortably in the back. The equipment Mercer brough left little room for a passenger, and Erin realised she had taken Luke's spot up front. He didn't protest, though. "We shouldn't make ourselves too obvious. If they think we're here to cause trouble they may not open up to us."

"Mermaids are that distrustful?" Erin looked into the back. "I thought you said they acclimate well with humanity?"

"They do," Luke explained, "but just like the world isn't ready for werewolves, mermaids only reveal their true nature to a trusted few. Those are the people we need to be careful not to spook."

"So we'll just have to try and blend in," Mercer said as he turned onto one of the side roads. "There's a campground not far. We can park there and begin our search at the docks." It was only another fifteen minutes before they reached their destination, and already Erin could smell the sea air. The ambience of waves and seagulls was just audible in the distance, and she leaned against the side of the van as Mercer opened the rear doors.

"Any reason you brought so much gear?" Luke asked as Mercer began setting up a small workstation in the back.

"There's something I want to work on," he replied. Mercer turned to a small cooler and opened it, retrieving a handful of small vials for the Assembler. "I whipped up some more just in case."

"Never hurts to be prepared," Luke nodded, accepting them. Mercer didn't respond, but it was clear he knew the possible threat that may be here. Luke tucked the vials into his pocket as Mercer turned to Erin next.

"You two should do your best to look like beachgoers," he took out a small envelope from inside the van. He pulled out several bills and handed them to Erin, "this should enable you to pursue inconspicuously."