Lured (Klance)

3: Getting a Lead

Song Of The Chapter
Six Billion - Nothing But Thieves

"What's the progress?"
Admiral Zarkon came striding through the doors to the lab.
"It's health levels are decreasing, I'm afraid," spoke the scientist standing near the tank, clipboard in hand.
"And what do you propose we do about it, Acxa?"
She looked up, completely unphased by the Admiral's cold stare.
"Increasing the amount we feed it for starters. We also should change the water out more frequently. But more importantly, we need to stop taking so many blood draws. It is weakening the poor thing."
The Admiral walked forward, before leaning close to her face.
"And who, might I ask, will do that? It's good that it is weakened. He doesn't fight as much."
Acxa barely flinched, even at the close proximity. If anything she met his glare.
"You will end up killing it if we continue at the rate we are at now. It needs proper care, just like any other person."
The man pointed a finger at her. "But this thing is not a person."
"He still is a living being with a mind and soul!"
There was a half sneer.
Acxa was getting angry.
"Maybe it's because you're too selfish or something, but as long as we keep it alive, we need him to be in the best condition possible. Or maybe you're forgetting the purpose of our studies?"
"I hope you know who you're talking to," Zarkon warned.
Acxa folded her arms. "I'm pretty sure I do. You don't even have to find someone else to do the tasks I mentioned. I can stay extra hours to make sure he gets what he needs to survive. You don't have to do anything."

There was a tense moment of silence, and Acxa could almost read Zarkon's mind, trying to decide whether or not to agree and listen to a mere 20 year old's lectures about the right way to handle a foreign creature.
His rejection was clear on his face, but the moment he opened his mouth to disagree, a sound cut him short.
The sound, it seemed, of a person singing.
But not a person. No. The sound was too silky, too languid for a human voice.
The siren was awake, it's piercing blue gaze fixed on the man, and it's tranquil voice drifted through the room.

Zarkon immediately turned from the conversation attention directed toward the sound. He found himself slowly walking toward the tank, captivated by the melody.
Acxa stood still, watching as the man drew close to the glass, fascinated by the song.
It was questionable on why she wasn't affected, or why the creature started singing at that particular moment.
But those were questions to be answered later.

Zarkon placed his hand on the glass, and the merman's lull faded away, replaced by a soft hiss and the baring of teeth.
The man seemed to have to nearly physically pull his mind back to reality, because when he turned back toward the female, his eyes were glazed in a dazed state.
"Very well," he said slowly. "You will see to it that the fish gets what you think he needs. But do know, if you get killed like that other doctor, it will be your fault."
"I am aware."
"Good." He nodded. Blinked again, then straightened his posture before walking toward the door.
"I am counting on you," was all he said as he left.

Acxa stood in place for a moment, processing.
What just happened...?
She turned back to the tank, where the siren floated in the water, eyes alert but somewhat quizzical.
She walked over to the tank.
"You helped me," she said. "You changed his mind."
She laughed, bringing a hand to her forehead in realization.
"No, wait. You didn't help me. You helped yourself by making him agree to better treatment."
She turned back to him.
"You're smart creatures, aren't you?"
Looking into his blue eyes, she could see a dark sadness, a longing drifting around his gaze, but she could also see how knowledgeable he was.
"Definitely smart," she murmured. "I do wonder if you know what I'm saying."
If he did understand, there was no movement to signal he did.
It was reasonable, in Acxa's opinion.
Why share the fact that he might be able to understand human speech, nevertheless speak it? It would put him in even more danger than he was already in.