Chapter beta read by: akiqueen
Chapter 6 (New London)
Large structures spiralled into the sky at the city that floated on the top of the ocean. It was kept afloat by massive turbines at certain areas of the city. The construction of the city was not yet completed and it still had its flaws.
New London buzzed with activity as massive cranes and workmen continued to create new sections. Machines moved all over the makeshift streets made out of metal. The high-rise buildings looked like metal hands that reached into the heavens, as they have not been built yet and only the metal studs stood tall.
Pipes and cables spanned for endless miles and dust and dirt filled every corner. Waterways spanned throughout, providing water and transportation in this city. Workmen worked all through the night with massive spotlights to build this wonderful metropolis.
The docking port spanned as far as the eye could see, displaying ships docking and leaving. Drag-ships docked carrying parts torn from the seabed to be used as raw material for the new buildings.
Massive crane guns and torpedo batteries located at different areas of the city provided protection from intruders and raiders who would stop at nothing to loot, plumage and pirate.
People gazed into the sky as clouds of smoke drifted past, coming from the massive smelting factories and power plants, but they weren't concerned, as strict controls prevented companies from polluting the local air.
Residential areas could also been seen in peaceful and completed areas of the city, in buildings segmented in different areas with a cool, clean feel to them. Gardens and parks also lined several areas that made the whole area feel like home. However, getting a place in a area of the city would be expensive and hard; most people could only afford the 'down below' areas of the city that were still under construction. But the goal was to have the city equal in quality and available to all. The design was supposed to hold over one million people; however, if nothing was done about the world's water, the city was expected to be flooded with the poor from all over the world.
The Deep Sea Six docked at one of the docking bays designed for ships of its size. Cargo and staff added to the chaos on the deck as people moved items and preparations where made for the 'hope element.'
Jake watched as an old dirty JCB Coloured robot piloted by a human walked past, carrying crates of food and supplies to the Deep Six. Noise from the hydraulics and the creaking of the old machine reminded Jake that he needed to order a new one for the next journey; it was always being patched up and soon would fail completely.
Jake found it hard to keep the memory of the cute aquatic hybrid girl Tia out of his mind. She changed him deep down and he had the urge to see her again. Then suddenly, out of the blue, Hayami turned up.
"Welcome to New London," Jake said to Hayami.
The man opened a fresh pack of cigarettes and lit one. He then looked around before saying without much care or attention, "This place is a dump."
Then to top it all off, a dock official turned up to add misery to an already hard day.
"Are you Jake?" The official looked at him with too much authority in his body posture.
"Yes."
"Here," the official said, then handed Jake a small form inside an over the top coloured envelope before he walked of.
Jake opened it and couldn't believe his eyes as he stared at Hayami. "Can you believe this, the bastard gave me a speeding ticket!" he carried on raving as he made his way to the offices. "Damn stupid people, just because I am English doesn't mean they can do this. I will have someone's head for this!"
Looking at the fine, he yelled out in anger, "Five thousand pounds? Right, that's it!"
-o-
Cekeros sat in the mess hall and ate whatever leftovers he was able to find. He sat contemplating over the day's events before Tsuji interrupted him from behind. "We seem to be underway, what do you make of all this?" Tsuji questioned.
Cekeros paused for a moment before he answered. "Not sure, I guess when someone messes around with animal and human DNA, some strange things begin to happen. We should have never trusted those things to leave us alone, they are made for war and I will be there to shove this boat down their throats!"
"Any news on Freeda?" said Tsuji.
"Whooh, the love of my life," he said, leaning back with a huge smile. "She went on the Deep Sea Six, damn girl. She should have fought harder to stay with me, we have such an intimate relationship, you know!"
Tsuji let of a small smile as he moved the washed plate to the holding rack.
"Right!" Tsuji said. Then he changed the subject, "As you are the last one to eat, you can help me put all the dishes away in the cupboards." Tsuji then turned and showed Cekeros the thousands of plates he had scattered all over the kitchen.
-o-
Night soon swept itself upon the massive city floating on the sea surface. The developed areas gleamed with the rays of the sun as it disappeared below the ocean surface, causing all the lights in the city to come on. It turned into a glittering galaxy from a distance in the open ocean, a beacon for all who travelled in its proximity.
The smell of the ocean engulfed washed in over the city and cleaned all the days' pollution like a cleansing breeze, adding to the pleasantness of the city. However, work still carried on in the undeveloped parts of the city as more ships arrived from all over the world.
Most of the crew of the Deep Sea Six had departed into the city and had been allocated their own quarters for the few days needed for inspections to be completed and the element to be taken onboard, just the right time to take a break from all the hassle the world had to offer.
-o-
Hayami walked along the wide and long balcony outside the building complex where he and his comrades were staying. The developed section of the city offered a view that no one had seen before. The wide-open ocean reminded him of Mutio and he yearned to have her with him.
He strolled up to the artificial beach on the outskirts of the city and looked out towards the deep blue sea, pondering for a moment, Where was Mutio? Is she okay?
-o-
Daybreak soon engulfed the area as everyone slowly woke up to begin their daily routines. Jake awoke only to find a few of his crewmen standing over him.
Jake glared back and knew what they all wanted. "NO!" he carried on, as he could see the happy and funny expressions on his not so good-looking crew, "I said no, you can't all go!"
However the anticipation soon became too great for his crew to bear, they soon began to chant, "Come on, please, please, please, let's go to her place! Let's go to her place, she makes really good food, come on."
"Leave my grandmother out of this, we cannot bother her every time we come to New London." Jake barked, however this didn't stop his crew, "Grandma's house, Grandma's house, food, food, food," they all chanted in a very over the top, happy way.
"OK, OK, now get the hell out of my room!" Jake said, giving in to their demands. "God, I better let her know we are coming," Jake said, walking over to the COM unit.
He drifted his eyes out into the ocean and soon began to remember his dream; it was of that aquatic hybrid girl. He had been having more dreams about this creature ever since their intimate relationship, however he soon brushed it of when the computer terminal activated.
-o-
Jake's crewmen rushed through the park like excited school children as they made their way to 'Grandma's house,' as they like to call it.
Jake's grandmother was the most respected, kind and loving old-fashioned English person anyone could meet. She had a very caring and welcoming personality, which made anyone feel at ease and forget their problems. Since Jake introduced the crew to her, her name 'Grandma' has always with the crew. Even anyone that comes in contact with her, even the young will have the feeling of calling her grandma. However Jakes crew always refer to her as 'Grandma' due to her nature and her real name is not said because it feels like disrespect to this kind and loving person.
They all walked into a residential area of the city, which showed small comfortable looking flats with gardens and trees all around, the ocean in the background.
However, the silence was soon interrupted when a calm and clear English voice echoed throughout the park. "Jake, you have finally come back."
They all looked in the direction of the voice as a pear shaped woman walked towards them holding a garden tool and gloves that reached halfway up her arms. Her ginger hair, 'What's left of it,' added to the elegance of her appearance and old type clothing made everyone recognise her.
But before Jake had the chance to say hello, his crew beat him to it, almost like they where dying to see her.
"It's Grandma!" one person exclaimed as he gave her a huge hug before seeing a massive individual walking over.
The man walked up almost pushing his comrades to the side before giving grandma a huge hug and saying, "It's glad to see you again, I hope you are well."
-o-
Sitting around a large wooden table in the house, the crew eagerly waited to be served the perfect English meal of the day. A meal only Jake's grandmother could make to perfection and the crew would happily die for, Sheppard's pie. Tucking in, they grabbed huge chunks of the meal, wolfing it down within seconds.
Talking in the background over the noise his crew was making. Jake said, "Sorry for all of this, my friends tend to get a little overexcited about seeing you. You know..."
Jakes grandmother replied in a understanding and graceful tone "It's OK, It's a pleasure to have them all around. This house is always empty all the time, so they can visit anytime they wish." She then carried on in a more concerned tone, "Will you be going out soon?"
"Yes, I have an inspection party arriving on my vessel then we will be off again. The ocean can't resist me!"
Jake's grandmother replied as she walked into the kitchen to get another tray of Sheppard's pie from the oven, "Take care out there, and your crew."
They chatted and enjoyed grandmother's hospitality for a few hours longer before finally leaving to get their jobs done.
-o-
Activity sprung to life on the Deep Sea Six, as everyone got ready for the inspection. Walking down the passageways, a large elephant of a man walked relentlessly towards Jake, who stood his ground and didn't flinch as the individual walked up to him, holding a clipboard. He leered at the rest of his crew before passing the clipboard over to Jake.
Sounding in a deep hollow voice that rattled deep within his fat body, the man began, "I am Alan, I'm this mission's inspector and I will be inspecting this vessel and its crew." He then pointed his finger at Jake and said in the coldest tone, "If this vessel is not up to scratch, I will be happy to withdraw the funding for this mission."
Jake looked at him with contempt. He knew about this individual. Healways bullied the fleet's commanders and messed things up. He had no pride, just liked to cause problems for everyone.
Strolling down the corridor, testing various segments of the wall with his finger for dust, the man continued with his insults. "Your funding comes from this government, and the city. The people look up to us and the commanders. You have taken this job from all the commanders who have better qualifications than you.. Including me. Not many people like you, but your daddy invented these ships so someone somewhere likes you, however I don't!"
Jake didn't take the fool very well, he stopped and pointed at him, saying, "Do your job and get the hell off my boat!"
As he said his sentence, his eyes drifted to the waterway's windows behind the inspector, noticing Tia swimming in the water. Jake prayed she would disappear before the inspector looked around and saw her. To his relief, she swam away, as if reading his mind.
Carrying on down the corridors, the crew quickly disappeared as they saw the inspector doing his rounds and taking notes on every single object.
-o-
Tia and Mutio swam out of the Deep Sea Six and into the open ocean. Mutio lead the way as she was in search for someone. Tia followed behind as they swam around the New London waterways. enjoying the interesting and playful city. It
Being afraid for so long and being hunted by their own kind it didn't take long for both hybrid girls to forget their peril they are facing. They didn't know the trouble and discovery they were rapidly running into.
-o-
Night fell upon the city that kept on working no matter what. Hayami walked along the pier that was currently undergoing construction trying to make his uneventful day pass. Unable to do anything, he continually thought about Mutio and his actions earlier in the day. "I should not have kissed her!" he exclaimed.
He looked over at the ocean and thought to himself, What a stupid action, Hayami. You are crazy as always.
As his mind drifted, he was suddenly interrupted by a graceful splash under his current location. Hayami didn't think much of it and just leaned on the temporary railing that said "Do not Lean, Unsafe!" He did not put to much pressure on it, not wanting it to fall.
He looked into the water flowing past, displaying the casual waves with a shadow of something moving. He leaned a little bit more on the railing in order to get a better view, almost like a horror movie where he thought something would jump out and eat his head.
However, a recognisable figure soon popped her head out of the water, filling Hayami with joy and excitement. He leaned even further to take a better look at her. He tried to say her name, but the temporary railing gave way, causing Hayami to fall head-first into the water.
Mutio backed away slightly, as not to get hurt by Hayami falling. She treaded water as she waited for him to arrive to the surface. Suddenly Hayami popped his head out of the water, looking shocked at the whole situation. He was taken by surprise at her appearance and the sudden leap into the water. His hair and face dripped and he had his mouth open similar to the time he rescued her and gave her back to the sea one year ago.
With his clothes all soaked in seawater and hair bogged down, he just looked at her creamy red eyes, wondering what to do now.
Mutio drifted gracefully closer to Hayami, and the closeness of him caused Mutio's heart to beat slightly faster as she really wanted to show him something. However as she couldn't speak very well, the task was going to be hard.
Mutio gently held Hayami's hands and turned. She directed him to place his hands on her shoulders behind her. Being at such close proximity to Mutio also caused some excitement for Hayami. Water splashed all around as the plain old night drifted along and the two figures moved gently under the pier to their destination.
Hayami had to hold on tight as Mutio began to pick up speed, a lot faster than a human could swim and she tried her best to keep the water from splashing in his face. Her blue hair waved in the air and also brushed in Hayami face, tickling him. The fresh smell of her body and hair had a pleasant and calm effect on Hayami.
Hayami pondered as they got ever so distant from the New London city lights and into the darkness of the night. What is she doing? Hayami thought to himself. However, something deep down trusted Mutio and surrendered his life to her.
Soon Hayami felt the stability of a solid hull floating on the ocean as they both climbed onto it.
It looked rugged in the moonlight and looked like part of a building that had come loose and floated to the surface and stayed in one place. Several areas of walls offered makeshift corners and hidden areas covered with blankets of seaweed climbing up all over the place.
Hayami lifted himself onto the sturdy floor with one hand and leaned on it as he looked over to Mutio sitting upright with a cool and pleasant smile on her face.
"It seems like she wants to have some kind of personal time with me," Hayami said to himself, relieving the tension of a threat.
Mutio went over to a small pool in the corner of the room that had fish swimming in circles; they could not escape.
She dipped her hands in almost as if she was playing with them. The moonlight reflected the creamy yellow and white figure. Looking so cute and innocent, she knelt down playing in a cheerful way, waiting for Hayami to approach her. She turned her head and gave a classic cute and loving smile.
Hayami got up and sat in silence for a moment before speaking. "That year ago, that year, when you left, it was the most hardest time in my life. I dreamed about you ever since. I did not understand why, but you were always in my dreams. No matter what I did, I couldn't forget you. The image of you and the monster leaving haunted me for a long time. I guess you wanted to comfort him," Mutio gave a slight small grunt as she continued to listen to Hayami.
"But for some reason you are back now, I am happy you are back, but I am also worried about the new attacks your master Verg has been ordering. Why would he decide to do such a thing now?"
His endless and useless comments just rattled on for a few more seconds. He talked about knowing and feeling nervous about being in this situation and what might happen. Being alone with her on a small building in the middle of the ocean. What did this mean? However he knew and this made him feel very warm inside.
Then, as he blinked his eyes slowly, Mutio appeared right in front of him.
Hayami opened his eyes and did not say a word; he looked into her hypnotic red eyes and gazed at her wet and moist body, memorising every detail. It was a moment he dreamed and fantasised about for a long time.
Mutio also wanted to be close to him; she could feel his heat rising from his body and the sound of his strong heart beating as fast as hers. Her animal instinct recognised the passion and human emotion also deep from within herself.
Mutio moved her head closer to her right shoulder, getting a different angle at him, but Hayami noticed this and waited for her to make the move.
Face to face they looked at each other and there was no one in sight to witness what was about to happen. Mutio made the first move.
She copied what Hayami did to her in his room; she leaned forward and slowly placed her lips upon his. The warmth of his lips sent uncontrollable shivers all over her body, but it was nothing compared to what Hayami was experiencing. The cool touch, the fresh and strange flavour that came from Mutio, released an urge that dwelled deep within his soul. It wasn't long until Hayami took control, wanting even more intimate contact with Mutio and he began to give in to his own animal instincts. Mutio began to feel this and surrendered herself to him and before long, they were making love.
-o-
Ben walked throughout the bowels of the Deep Sea Six, trying his best to capture the one and only true image of the creature that had sent him over the edge of excitement.
Walking slowly through the waterways, he looked around in an excited and stealthy way with his camera above the water, trying his best to find the aquatic creature.
"Hoooo boy, Animal Monthly will pay a killing for shots of this beauty!" me muttered in an excited tone to himself.
Little did he know that both creatures were not onboard and his efforts were in vain. After a few hours of aimlessly looking, he decided to exit the waterways in an exit he thought would lead to the central corridor.
As he opened the hatch and noticed a dark room in which he could not recognise. He lifted himself upon the side and stepped into the room. As he tried to regain his balance, his camera accidentally flashed, waking up Freeda who went in to a fit of rage at Ben's perverted intrusion.
"Who the fuck are you?" She then saw the camera after turning the lights on.
Ben felt really worried and placed his hands out in an effort to calm the steaming bull from charging. Freeda almost went ballistic as she saw the camera in his hands.
"You pervert, what the fuck are you doing, taking picture of girls sleeping…. Right!" she then charged at Ben.
Ben said, "No, no, it's not like that, WAIT!" As he tried to explain, the angry woman ran at him, but Ben managed to escape through the door and down the corridor, leaving Freedia standing out in the cold corridor in her pink underwear on show for everyone to see.
She looked in contempt before walking back into her room with a loud slam of the door.
-o-
Hayami walked down the metal streets beside the edge of the city, looking over the ocean with no land in sight. There was only the rippling of the ocean and seagulls flying around looking for fish and other birds. People stood around working and trading supplies and food. It was nothing too over the top and relatively clean and peaceful, and there was fencing which prevented people from falling into the water and a small harbour below for boats to dock and load supplies. Massive cranes stood tall at sections of the city for defence.
His mind raced with the intermit relationship he had with the sea girl, and something crept all over him with excitement and joy at the whole thing. Their trip back was unlike anything they had experienced before, their intimate contact was something he'd never dreamt possible and in reality it was outstanding. He yearned for her touch again and could not stop thinking about her.
Then before long, security personnel began running, almost pushing Hayami over the railing and into the water. He wanted to shout back at them but as he looked, he could see a large number of them running with strange looks in their eyes.
He decided to follow behind in their wake as they approached a large crowd of people standing beside the artificial beach sat on yesterday.
Suddenly Hayami looked in utter shock as he soon saw the cause of all the commotion.
Kneeling down, Mutio looked around franticly in worry as a small crowd of bystanders looked in amazement at her. Tia also stood holding onto Mutio with a lost and worried look in her eyes. A security boat blocked their escape route and security personal on the artificial island pointed guns at them in fear. They knew they were Zorndyke's creations and they had no idea why they're at New London. They didn't touch this city, even during the war, but why were they here now?
Hayami made things even more strange when he smashed through the crowd and tried to rescue Mutio, causing people to look in astonishment.
Hayami rushed up to Mutio and grabbed and held her tight, he shouted, "Get away, she's not dangerous, leave her alone. Don't point weapons at them."
People all around looked at each other in shock and even the security personal looked at each other, not knowing what to do.
Jake marched in with his crew in order to try and diffuse the situation. He saw the disturbance on his way to collect Hayami, but he didn't expect this. Marching in, he said to everyone, "Stand down, they are part of my crew, don't shoot them!"
Hayami looked at Jake with a slight look of shock, not knowing he was on his side. Tia then grabbed hold of Jake in a passionate and worried embrace, alienating his crew that came to help.
The embrace showed a romantic involvement. Even if they acted and said nothing about it, people managed to read their body language and figure out the truth. Jake's crew stood in shock at this development.
Jake knew something even more troublesome was going to happen so he needed to think fast. "Come with us, you lot help us, get them back to the boat," Jake ordered.
Hayami and Jake took Mutio and Tia away from the crowd with his crew following. The crowd and security men looked on with shock. One not so shocked crowd member shouted, "I want a sea girl like that!"
Walking away with a few people following, they began to draw more attention as people looked at Mutio and her friend. Being very shy, they tried to hide as best they could while Jake and his confused crew made their way back to the Deep Sea Six.
More and more people began to follow. Mutio touched Tia and signalled her to follow her into the water. Within a flash they both jumped into the water and headed to the Deep Sea Six, leaving Jake and Hayami standing there like two criminals.
"Captain, what's all that about, are you involved with that creature?" said one of his crewmembers.
Jake looked lost at the comment, before saying, "Everyone, back to the boat!"
The crew stared at Jake in confusion.
"That's an order!"
The crew proceeded to the Deep Sea Six with a small crowd lingering nearby.
"There're gone. Be on your way!" Jake exclaimed, leering at the crowd.
Hayami stood there in a trance as he tried to process what just had happened and the fact that everyone in the city now knew that Jake was also involved with one of the aquatic girls too. It's a small world, he thought to himself.
And sure enough the news spread throughout the city like wildfire. In an office, Jake sat as his superior looked on the TV, displaying him and Hayami standing there with Mutio and Tia.
"My, my, Jake, do you know the mess you have caused me now?" said the admiral.
Jake replied, "It shouldn't be a mess. My private life should not affect the mission and quite frankly sir, it's nobody's business. Since when does this city care about racial matters? This is New London, no one cares."
"What are you talking about? Every news agency and government body is watching us and YOU!" He shockingly said, "Who are they and why are they on your boat?"
"I am the captain of my vessel and I choose what crew I want and don't want. They are onboard to help us locate theZorndyke installation and help us shut it down," Jake lied through his teeth as he made the whole thing up. He seemed pleased with himself for that sudden smart but valid reason that seemed to go down well with the admiral.
The admiral looked at him, thinking about the reason he gave. It seemed good and it was something he could work with. However, it will not stick well with the inspector trotting around the boat looking for problems. This is the perfect incident for him.
The admiral looked at Jake and said, "Well, you will have to talk to the media and explain something."
Jake looked at the admiral and replied in an uncaring tone "I don't want to talk to them."
"Come now, Jake, I know you! You always had an interest in these creatures, ever since one was discovered a year and a half ago. You have been after them, I know you!" The admiral said with a slight smile as he picked a cigar from his pack located on his desk. "Your actions have caused a problem for me and this city. It might help if you explain matters."
"Admiral, I don't want to talk to them, I am the type of man that likes to listen to the opera, but I don't want to see it!"
The admiral gave a slight smile before saying, "I am not sure you have much of a choice, they are waiting at the bottom if this building and at your boat, too. You better get ready to sing!"