-42-

Splash Woman picked up a mechaniloid fish from the bottom of the canal she was currently traversing and interfaced with it to ask why it was not working. The little mechanical fish replied by sending a status report and a request for assistance. The mermaid nodded and proceeded to study the report, finding that the router in charge of sending energy from the power core to the little fish's caudal fin was loose; a simple enough repair, one that she could easily perform on the spot. She sent the little robot a message asking it to shut down while she worked. The fish did as it was told, and Splash Woman had the repairs complete in less than five minutes.

"Alright, you're fixed," she told the robot fish once it reactivated. "You can go, but make sure you visit your station later for a recharge and proper maintenance, ok?"

The mechanical fish transmitted a message to Splash Woman, conveying how thankful it was and happily swam away.

The mermaid smiled as she saw the little robot swim away. After two weeks working for Viktor Cossack, she had come to enjoy the task of helping keep the canals clean and the waters pristine, as it gave her a useful purpose, something that was very important for her. Feeling happy and pleased, Splash Woman followed an impulse and with a wide sweep of her tail she propelled herself up, quickly reaching the surface and emerging with a vertical spin, a graceful maneuver seldom seen amongst aquatic reploids, which were hardly ever built with elegance of movement in mind. She heard some applause and expressions of admiration behind her, and a quick look revealed to her the people who were crossing the bridge that went above the canal were being really appreciative of her skillful display.

"I told you she was around here," a young looking male reploid said. "Isn't she amazing?"

"Yes, she is," a teenaged female reploid replied. "She's very pretty, too!"

"She makes walking along the canal a better experience," and old man said while leaning on his cane with one hand and waving at the mermaid with the other. "And she's such a polite lady, too."

A little flustered by the praise, Splash Woman could only smile nervously and shyly wave back at the crowd. She often forgot the people of Saint Petersburg, particularly those who worked or walked along the many canals had taken a liking to her over the last few days. It didn't bother her, but sometimes the attention was more than she could handle.

"Ah…thank you," she said with a polite smile. "I… I hope you are all fine today, until next time!"

And saying nothing more, she went underwater and swam to the next canal in her route, which was the one closest to Cossack Manor.

=0=

"Are you sure Splash Woman will be there?" Alia asked after she and X beamed down in Saint Petersburg, landing in one of the parks near the more exclusive and expensive parts of the city.

"Yes, she sent me her schedule yesterday," X answered, glad his sister had recently gotten those upgrades from the Light Capsule that allowed her to connect with and communicate using current technology. "I'm positive she'll be at the canal near Cossack Manor at this time."

"I'm surprised you invited me," Alia admitted. "I didn't' think you would."

"Why wouldn't I? Splash Woman is your friend too, and we can go see Doctor Cossack after we talk with my sister," X explained. "We need to start discussing that expedition to the Cossack Citadel, and I want you to be part of it."

"You do?" Alia smiled discreetly at this, and she hoped she wasn't blushing. "I'll do my best to help you then."

"Thank you, Alia. I'm glad you'll be with us," X told her with a smile. "Let's go shall we? We still need to walk a few blocks."

=0=

They found Splash Woman sitting on the edge of the canal, humming a song for her own amusement while playfully stirring the passing waters with her caudal fin. It was evident the mermaid was in a good mood, and that in turn brightened X's own. Alia noticed this, but since she knew they saw each other as siblings now, the apprehension she used to experience whenever X and Splash Woman met had vanished, allowing her to fully appreciate the marine Robot Master as a friend.

"Hello, little brother!" Splash Woman greeted with a wink, turning to meet X before he had the chance to do it. "And hello to you as well, Alia."

"You knew we were coming?" The navigator asked, wondering how the Robot Master discovered they were near.

"Yes, the mechaniloid fish told me," the mermaid explained. "And I identified you two with my RMC Field, too."

"You're full of surprises," Alia said with a soft smile. "We reploids can communicate directly with all mechaniloids individually, so we don't have anything like your RMC field. I'm starting to think it would be useful."

"I have it," X rejoined. "Actually, I can do both things; I just never use the RMC Field because it has a limited range."

"Anyway, why don't you both sit here with me? It's not so cold, the sun feels great and the water's just perfect at this time," Splash Woman invited. "We can talk and then we can do other things if you want."

"I was thinking we could go visit the Cossacks," X said as he sat next to his sister, pointing at the large mansion that could be seen a few blocks away.

"And we would like you to come with us," Alia added, sitting besides X. "From what I'm told you have some information Viktor can't wait to hear."

"Oh, so we're finally going to the Cossack Citadel?" Splash Woman grinned. "Great, I've been waiting for that, too!"

"It will be…" started X, but whatever he was going to say was interrupted by a loud blast coming from Cossack Manor.

"Oh, no, look!" The mermaid gasped as she stared at the mansion and saw black smoke rising from one of the windows on the east side, followed by two beams of light that vanished into the sky.

"Nina!" Alia cried, immediately jumping to her feet and reaching up to her headpiece to call her sister. "Nina, are you alright? Can you hear me?"

"… Alia… this is horrible!" Nina answered, her anguished voice shaking with fear. "Please help me! Viktor's been hurt and they… they took Mikhail!"

"I'll be there right away, wait for me!" Alia promised and cut communication.

"Did you hear, X?" Alia asked, looking at the blue hunter with pleading eyes. "My nephew…!"

"I heard everything," he told her, placing his hand on her shoulder to offer her some comfort. "I'll help you."

"And I'll help too," Splash Woman offered. "Let's go!"

=0=

Notes:

Mikhail Cossack has been kidnapped. Can you guess who did it?

Well, the identity of the kidnapper (or kidnappers?) will be revealed next episode, as well as a few other surprises.

See you next chapter.