Deep Sea

Chapter 6: Deep Swim

Chapter 6: Deep Swim

"Well, look who's in outer space."

Joe turned away from the railing of the deck and smiled as Josh approached her.

"Just thinking."

"Nervous?" he asked leaning against the rail beside her. It was mid-morning and they had finally arrived at the sight. They weren't launching the subs yet. Instead, today was about moving the merfolk from the scuba room to the ocean. It was a laborious task because not all of the merfolk were on CBI's and therefore couldn't just walk up on deck.

They had to be loaded into long, coffin like boxes, filled with water that were then walked up to deck. Then they opened the hatch on the side and tossed the contents into the water. Getting the merfolk back into the tank would be pretty much the same operation but in reverse. Those who wanted to hitch-hike back on the ship, at least.

"A little." Joe admitted thinking about their mission. "I've worked criminal for a while. But its has always been murders and things like that. This screams of espionage and top secret something or other. Its the first time Jack's sent me on something like this."

"Oh, yeah?" Josh looked thoughtful.

"Yeah." Joe sighed. "And the thing is, I'm really kind of anxious about the subs. I'm a thinker. I think, that's pretty much the only thing I'm good at. Jack's forbidden me to do anything on criminal without a partner. Because I'm not really good at things. I can plan anything down to the tiniest detail, but when it comes to implementing it, I suck."

"Don't worry." Josh nudged her playfully. "You're going to have Kai there doing most of the steering on both the manned and unmanned subs."

"Really?" Joe asked, feeling a bit relieved.

"I insist on it." Josh said seriously making Joe laugh.

They both turned as a really big door to the lower levels opened up and a four men carrying, what looked like, a giant water cooler came out. Only the lid wasn't on top, it was on the end. Joe knew that there was a merperson in there, waiting to be reunited with the ocean.

"Those are expensive subs, Joe." Josh continued as they watched the parody of a funeral procession get close to the port side of the ship where a section of railing had been lowered for ease of access. "I don't want you breaking them."

The men reached the edge, one unlatched the side but held it closed. They pulled back, the threw the box forward. It didn't leave their hands, but the side opened and a merman came shooting out. He did a rather graceful dive into the water and the watchers cheered a bit.

"Hey, guys!" Ilia came running over to them from where the watchers stood. "I missed this last time, it's so much fun. Kind of like a show."

"Yeah, merman ballet." Josh laughed as four more men came up with another box.

"How you feeling, Joe?" Ilia asked, grabbing her arm and looping it between hers. "And why are you standing back here? You can see so much better a bit closer."

"I can see fine." Joe said and they paused as they released the next merperson. Joe thought she caught a glimpse of Flavian before he hit the water after doing a flip in midair.

"Woo!" Ilia cried with the others. "This is so much fun!"

Joe laughed at her excitement.

"Hey, sweetie, I've been meaning to ask you." Ilia said, changing the subject suddenly, "Why do you want to be called 'Joe'?"

"Because that's my name." Joe said. "Joanne, actually."

"Well, Joanne is pretty." Ilia said. "Why can't I call you Joanne?"