Chapter 134

A wave of excitement flowed over Katya. They were in! There would be a lot to sort out before publishing, but they were keen to give her proposal a try.

"You mentioned legal safety?" Emma asked Katya.

"Y-yes," Katya gathered her thoughts. "We can meet with my lawyer Vera to draw up the relevant documentation, and we -Vera and I - can start working on approaching the appropriate organisations to help with giving mers a protected status – to cause serious legal consequences for exploiting or hunting mers. It is all a huge unknown, so the only thing I can promise is that I will try my best to keep you safe,"

The mers nodded.

"So what is the next step?" Lewis asked.

"For this research to be accepted by the academic community, we need robust evidence and to be able to defend it. It would be amazing if you could participate in a research study – as in depth as you consent to. I would need to get some additional researchers on board to add validity to the project. Vera would be able to draw up non-disclosure agreements to keep the information confidential," Katya replied.

"On that note, we have some ideas about who could join you to help research," Lewis commented.

Katya looked at him, interested.

"Alan and I are marine biologists – we would be happy to help with the research side, but we don't need to be listed as contributers based on the possible attention that might draw. Also, Dr Linda Denman,"

"Dr Denman? You would like Dr Denman to help?" Katya asked surprised. "I know she was briefly interested in the mythical many years ago, but she has been focused on regular marine biology for some time now…"

"We have a complicated history," Cleo replied. "But, we are on good terms now – she is Alan's aunt,"

"Oh, cool," Katya replied. "Well, it would definitely be great to get her onboard – she is a well respected researcher in her field,"

"I'll ask her this week," Alan offered.

"Great. If we do the research and gather all the information, then we can decide what actually gets published in the written research paper. We need to meet with Vera first," Katya said. "Would you be okay with me inviting Vera here to Mako? Or would you prefer to meet her on the mainland?"

"I think we'd prefer to meet her first on the mainland, if that's ok?" Emma said.

"All good," Katya smiled. "I'll get that arranged,"

The 'serious meeting' section drew to a natural end, and Anna showed Katya around the Mako village. She explained how they had changed their building materials from water to regular human materials as a way of hiding from detection. Ryan had been a very real threat for exposing them. Katya understood but she felt slightly disappointed that she hadn't been able to see it. Anna must have sensed this- she pulled water from somewhere and in mid-air she moulded mini buildings in the layout of the village.

"It looked like this – just hardened and bigger of course," she smiled.

Katya stared, a smile widening across her face in awe of the magic.

"Wow," she stated, awestruck. "You are so cool,"

OoOoO

Some time later, Katya, Alan and Jessie left the mer village together. Alan and Jessie had agreed to help Katya with the way back to her boat – to save Anna walking there and back again. There was a comfortable silence as they walked, all of them deep in thought.

"So Alan, you're a marine biologist too?" Katya initiated. "How did you get into it?"

"Yeah. Well, I've always been facinated by the things of the ocean, wanting to learn more. I was also inspired by my aunt – when I was younger, sometimes I would go along for some of her marine surveys and she would show me what she did. I loved seeing the fish and marine mammals, but I also loved the data aspects. The perfect combination of loving statistics, the sea, and animals. It seemed to be a natural career pathway. What about you, Katya?"

"Similar to you – I love the sea, animals, data and research. When I was thinking about what to study after high school, I thought about becoming a vet – I loved animals and wanted to help them. But I realised that personally, I wouldn't have the emotional fortitude to deal with the day to day in that profession. I think I would invest too much of myself and struggle with animals dying and suffering. So, I looked into other things, and settled on marine biology. And it has been the perfect career for me," Katya smiled. "What do you do Jessie and how did you get into it?"

"I'm an architect," Jessie replied. "I always loved graphics, sculpture, and hard technology when I was in high school – drawing and constructing are strengths of mine. I wasn't any good at sciences although I could do OK at physics, and didn't enjoy writing. I actually took one of those careers quizzes and architect came up pretty high on the list. I decided to go for it, and it has been a great decision – I really love what I do,"

"That's great," Katya replied. "Passion for your job is really important,"

Jessie and Alan nodded in agreement.

"I also really loved the water," Jessie continued, "but it was never something I considered involving in my career prospects for obvious reasons," she laughed.

Katya looked at Jessie quizzically.

"Oh," Jessie responded after a beat. She gestured down at her legs, "I had a secret to hide,"

Katya almost face palmed with embarrasment.

"Of course, sorry!" Katya awkwardly laughed, "I somehow forgot for a moment,"

"Don't worry," Jessie grinned.

"Did you grow up in a mer community like this one?" Katya asked.

"No," Jessie answered honestly, "It was just me and my mum. My brother, father, and all the rest of the family are all humans. The close family all knew the secret but it was never a big deal. It was just part of life,"

"Oh wow," Katya was puzzled. "So your mother's family are not mers too?"

"No,"

"How does that work? Your mother was born a mermaid to a human family? Does that happen?"

"Oh, no – as far as we know that can't happen. Mum was born a human. She became a mermaid later in her twenties – just like Anna," Jessie explained.

Katya was stunned. "How is that possible?"

"Um…magic?" Jessie answered. "If no one has explained how they became a mermaid to you yet, I'd rather not reveal it all now – if that's OK? It's not really my secret to tell,"

"Ok, maybe we can talk about it a bit more once all the agreements have been signed," Katya sighed. "The curiosity is killing me, but I'll respect your privacy,"

"Thank you," Jessie smiled.

They made it to the dock where Katya's boat was parked. Alan and Jessie fared her well, and then headed to where their boat was parked at another dock.

Jessie sat down in the cabin by the steering controls. Alan stood next to her, reversing the boat out and turning it out to head back to the mainland.

"How are you feeling, Jess?" Alan asked his wife.

"I'm OK," she gave Alan a half smile. "Just lots to think about,"

She looked out to the sea.

"You've got that right," Alan replied.

"I have a good feeling about Katya," Jessie commented. "It feels like her heart is in the right place,"

"Yeah. This whole thing is a huge risk, but hopefully she'll be the right person to help us see it through. I'll contact Auntie Linda tomorrow morning,"

OoOoO

Once Katya had departed the island, she wasted no time in phoning Vera and organising a meeting. The meeting would take place in three days, and Katya offered her house as the location. The mers agreed that this would work well.

OoOoO

Three days later, a large group of people gathered at Katya's house.

As it was a week day, the majority had to get time off work. The kids were at school and preschool. Rikki brought Fi and Cleo brought Hayden along with them.

Vera had arrived at Katya's house ahead of time to get set up and ready before the large group arrived. When they did, Katya introduced them all to Vera.

"A pleasure to meet you all," Vera commented after all the names had been said and hands shaken.

They got down to business quickly. Vera outlined processes and discussed everything from non-disclosure agreements and confidentiality to anonymity and protections for new species (and she apologised for the term 'species' as she said it).

Vera and Katya answered the many questions from the group. The initial informed consent form was signed, as well as the agreements that had been drawn up. The mers seemed satisfied with the legal strength of the documents and Vera's professionalism. It felt, as it should, that the power had been given to them in the research relationship. The agreements stated that they had full veto power, and control over what would be published and said, and who could be involved in the project. Every protection necessary for sharing private information had been covered. For the first time, all the mers were starting to get excited about this project – rather than apprehensive. They agreed to meet again the following Monday after work to share more information about mermaids in general and discuss what the research project specifics might be.

OoOoO

Alan organised to chat with his aunt, Linda Denman in person. He invited her to his and Jessie's house. Jessie put the kettle on and made cuppas. Once the drinks were made, Jessie, Alan and Linda sat down in the lounge. The conversation started with small talk, catching up on what they had been up to. Then Jessie announced her pregnancy and Linda was very excited for them.

"I'm so stoked for you both," Linda said, sharing her excitement again. "Honestly I was expecting a very different type of conversation when I was invited here – we usually catch up in public places,"

Alan and Jessie shared a look.

"Well, you're not wrong about a different type of conversation," Alan replied. "We had another agenda to talk about as well,"

"Oh? Do tell. I hope it isn't another Hunter fiasco," Linda took a sip from her tea.

"Not exactly," Jessie laughed. Linda gave her a concerned look.

"No, it is not a Hunter fiasco – well not anymore, but it is related to the secret," Jessie explained. "It's a long story, but we have accepted a proposal from a researcher, Dr Katya Alekhin. A research project to prove the existence of mermaids,"

"You've done what?" Linda asked surprised. "It almost sounded like you said that you're letting a researcher prove the existence of mermaids."

"Yes, that's right," Jessie replied. "It'll make more sense with the backstory..." she started.

Jessie and Alan explained what had happened with the mers, Ryan and Katya, and the discussions with Katya and Vera.

"Wow," Linda replied. "Life certainly is never dull for the mermaids. So, finally revealling mermaids in a controlled manner. That's a huge risk, but very very exciting! Why are you talking to me about it?"

"Katya said that she would like to get an additional researcher onboard to give the project additional credit in the research community, and to share the research load. We suggested that you would be perfect for the job. Not only have you completed research with us before, but you have kept the secret for many years,"

"That's a kind way of putting it – I tried doing the opposite of what this Dr Alekhin is doing – unethical research and failed, then later realised the errors of my ways and helped out a bit,"

"That's an oversimplification as well," Alan laughed. "Let's just put it down to a 'complicated history' but you're on our side now and have been for some time,"

"Alright," Linda grinned.

"So are you interested in joining the research project?" Alan asked. "Lewis and I will be helping with it as well,"

"Interested? I'm in!" Linda replied. "This is so exciting!"

"Great, I'll give Katya and Vera your contact details," Alan smiled.

A/N: Hello everyone! I hope you have enjoyed this chapter. It feels like I've been writing dialogue for ages! But it is important for setting up next parts of this storyline. Probably still a bit more dialogue coming in the next chapter too. Please let me know what you think, I love reading your comments.

Side note, today I just finished a New Game+ playthrough in Horizon Zero Dawn on Ultra Hard mode (including the DLC - ultra hard scorchers and fireclaws! gah) - I'm so proud of myself :D Just thought I'd share haha!

Thanks so much to Sammiloveschocolate, Icy-Petals and YaleAceBella12 for reviewing the previous chapter - I really really appreciate it.

See you all next time!