Deep Sea

Chapter 8: Rest Period

Chapter 8: Rest Period

Jack was busy reading a report from his daughter, Tina. She was in Romania, at the moment, studying dragons.

She was his only child and the only family he had left and she spent all of her time on foreign continents studying one mythical creature after another. None of the humanoid ones, those were interesting but not so much as the non-humanoid mythics. Dragons being one of those things.

Jack just considered himself lucky that her chosen proffession enabled him to keep in contact. Tina wasn't a very communicative person. Her reports, and the call on his birthday and Christmas, were the only time she contacted him. She loved him, she just didn't show it.

At all.

However, Jack loved her and respected her need to do what she wanted. Even if that meant he rarely saw her or even heard her voice.

The phone on his desk rang and he answered it without looking at the ID.

"Jack Cross." he said promptly.

"I'm disappointed in you, Jack."

Jack unconsciously sat up a little straighter and the report fell from his hand. "Mr. Ozera."

Victor Ozera was the leader of MCRC. He was the one who shook hands with the politicians, he was the face of the entire organization. A human dragon himself, he was renowned for always getting what he wanted.

"You've been keeping secrets from me again, Jack."

"No, sir." Jack said calmly. "I've told you everything in my reports."

"Don't lie, Jack. It's rude. Especially since we both know it."

"I have nothing to hide, sir." Jack said, confidant.

"Really? Tell me then, Jack, what are three MCRC Observer class ships doing in the mid-Atlantic?"

"They're on a merfolk-human relations mission." Jack said immediately. "Just like many Observers before them."

"Don't insult my intelligence, Jack. You don't need three Observers for one such mission. You also don't need three, one unmanned, subs for such a mission. Nor is the head of the oceanic criminal division, Kai Hudders, usually requested for such missions. And such missions are usually held around shipwrecks, known or suspected, not in a location that I know for a fact no ship is reported to be in."

"How did you-"

"Now, I'll ask again, Jack. What are three MCRC Observer class ships doing in the mid-Atlantic?"

Jack was astonished. "How did you find out?"

"I didn't get to where I am today by listening to what everyone told me and not checking myself, Jack. Don't make me ask again."

Jack hesitated but he finally gave in. He always did when it came to the director. "They're there doing some undercover research on something Kai's people found on the ocean floor."

"What kind of 'something'?"

"Lights." Jack answered. "That's all we know of it for now. I'll report in when Kai's people get more information."

There was a pause.

"Very well. But don't disappoint me again, Jack. There are others who could do your job just as well."

Mr. Ozera hung up, leaving Jack sitting at his desk cursing the air.

It was only a half-hollow threat. If there was someone who could do Jack's job better, Mr. Ozera would have them there and not Jack. And Jack himself made sure he was always giving his best for MCRC, it was his life right next to his Tina who didn't need him any more anyway.