Disclaimer: I own nothing except for my OC Syrena and any alterations to the original storyline plot her presence creates to various readers amusement everywhere across the globe during these dark and gloomy days.
Fish Out Of Water Chapter 4
In hindsight to what possible unwanted repercussions might Dr. Hoffstetler's wishes are followed. No one bothers them during the day in the lab. So Syrena and the Amphibian Men had a semblance of peace at that time.
Whatever safety this might've held was dispelled the next day. This particular military unit is on a tight schedule in their race against the Russians. Delays are not an option on the course to victory.
Almost around noon is when the scientists entered the lab to do their work with Dr. Hoffstetler and Strickland among them.
Before anything too intense occurs Dr. Hoffstetler and his expert team of scientists want to give each of them a visible once over, scrutinizing them with their eyes in the pods in order to make sure no bad side effects are in play after placing them inside a brand new environment.
Fortunately none can be seen for the time being. Still they'll be checking for those once they actually begin to take samples from them later in the day.
With everyone on standby Syrena and the Amphibian Man is going to be permitted into the large and deep pool that is connected to their pods, but the chains and collars will remain on their necks as a precautionary measure. Plus it'll be much easier to keep ahold of them in control when it's finally time to take blood and other genetic samples from them.
Extraordinarily this is actually a pretty big moment shared for scientific progress and history. One for the history books. Well that is for those who had the properly authorized clearance to be partial to this sort of information.
Besides being transported in the same vehicle the two Assets have not exactly interacted with each other before. So all of them will be watching very closely. Dr. Hoffstetler gives the signal to allow the length of the chains to be extended and loosened for this unique encounter.
Panels around the pool were lowered so that everyone can clearly see through the second layer of acrylic glass what's about to go down. It's caught the attention of many here at the facility. So much so that they want to witness this for themselves.
The Amphibian Man is the first one to claim this more open space as his own. Syrena's demeanor is far more wary and cautious towards this act. She's extremely reluctant to do this.
As impatient as ever Strickland does bang harshly with his cattle prod on her pod as an incentive to come out. Startled by the noise Syrena dashes out of her pod. Some of the lab technicians laugh in amusement at her uneasiness, but those more respectful, similar to Dr. Hoffstetler, are unresponsive at this. They care more about the sort of knowledge that can be gained from studying this rather than mere entertainment.
The Amphibian Man spots Syrena instantly. He turns towards her, cocking his head curiously in mixed perplexion and confusion at the young mermaid. Right when Syrena surmises that there's no way out of the tank other than actually flying out of it she slows down while she swims. It's here that she notices the Amphibian Man watching her. Syrena freezes as she meets his gaze. Regardless of how old and ancient her kind are to the oceans encounters with his kind are quite rare and few in between. For a couple of seconds, all the two do is simply stare at each other.
Then the Amphibian Man makes the first move steadily advancing towards her. Syrena growls, hissing and baring her teeth at him in warning. A warning that he pays no heed to it. His intrigue by her provides a further incentive in order for him to move forward. But he does so with the utmost care clearly understanding her boundaries and that she is quite fearful. So once he's at a suitable and respectful distance he halts making calming sounds and motions towards her to correctly relay that he's not a threat to Syrena's wellbeing.
First impressions aside the Amphibian Man may seem somewhat dark and imposing to the naked eye, but in truth he really is very gentle.
The Amphibian Man calls plaintively to Syrena, hoping to go grant her reassurance that he means her no harm.
The stiffness in Syrena's body language relaxes as she soon reaches this exact conclusion by herself since the Amphibian Man hasn't made any movements of aggression towards her. Instead he proceeds to keep a respectful distance so as not to make her uncomfortable.
So now Syrena decides to meet him in the middle as a compromise.
Syrena closes the distance between them and the two just stare at each other.
Then Syrena makes the next move on the board.
Following the etiquette and conduct of her own people, Syrena extends a hand forward, palm outward, towards him. She lightly hisses, but this time in a more friendly manner. Already seeming familiar with what she wants in her intentions the Amphibian Man extends his own hand to her until their fingertips touch. Slowly the two bow their heads in greeting and recognition, foreheads nearly touching with how close their proximity is.
This unique and comradely moment is then rudely interrupted by those watching on in pure greed, ambition, and uncaring indifference aimed at these magnificent creatures.
During the brief interlude where the two oceanic species are distracted the humans had moved into position under Strickland's authorization. Without any sort of warning a catchpoll is secured around Syrena's neck alongside the metal collar on her neck. Syrena shrieks as she is dragged to the side of the tank, thrashing like crazy. Her arms are grabbed by two soldiers so she can't pull away with the combined force from them and the chain. As they are holding her there the Amphibian Man tries to come to her aid, but he is besieged on his own end, too. The scientists are taking this opportunity to take the samples they need from them.
Syrena squirms, screeches, and flails in a combination of pain and anger as a needle dug deep into her neck and spine, extracting stem cells and blood.
Seeing Syrena undergo this degrading indignity for some reason makes a great rage arise inside the Amphibian Man. He roars, yanking on the chains and catchpoll wrapped around his neck.
Strickland then approaches Syrena and shocks her with the cattle prod to keep her under control. The pitch or her agonized and outraged shrieks increase tenfold in volume, the shock setting the nerves in her body on fire.
The Amphibian Man won't let that stand. He waits for his turn as Strickland comes over to him. The Amphibian Man sees his chance for some revenge when he feels one of the soldiers holding him down loosen his grip slightly.
Strickland reaches out to shock him in the chest.
The Amphibian Man lunges, swiping his hand at the man in self-defense, claws extended.
Claws that ultimately found their mark.
Strickland yells and gunfire goes off in three shots, but they are too late. The damage is done. Strickland is now missing two fingers, fingers that are now lying on the floor in a pool of blood.
Strickland then staggers out of the lab, clutching his hand with others following in order to assist him. The Amphibian Mans and Syrena's chains are pulled back until they are far from the edges, but not in their pods. So much chaos erupts from this that perhaps none of them thought to think to do that.
Syrena grunts rubbing her throat and arms where a few marks were left in the struggle. The Amphibian swims over to her, his concern for her apparently obvious. Syrena lightly wails, communicating that she wasn't hurt too badly even though the experience was far from pleasant for either of them.
Neither was it for Strickland and that leaves them very satisfied. It'll be a long time before his hand fully recovers from that experience.
Syrena is content with that for now, but one day he will be on the receiving end of a reckoning where that jerk will get what is coming to him in spades.
Authors Note:
In honor of the Siren Season 3 finale and this story's 1st Anniversary!
Just a heads up I'm accepting suggestions on numerous shows, books, and movies to write about in the future. You see I'm trying to reach my goal of 100 stories on my profile. Currently I have 11 left to go until I get there. So think it over and if I feel a connection with what you suggest I'll do it. Because of this I feel like I'm at the top of my game right now as a writer. It's a really big accomplishment for me that I'm proud of.
I hope you all like this one! I certainly did while writing it for your vast enjoyment! ;D
I've been meaning to get back to this one for a while and only now I've managed to find time and inspiration for it. I'm very satisfied and happy about it.
Right now during this epidemic with the coronavirus that's impacting every nation in the entire world we really do need find whatever sources we possibly can in order to lighten our spirits. Especially those who are unfortunately stuck sick or those locked in self isolation in order to prevent both contraction and spread of the illness. For those of us who have the abilities to do this we have a duty to keep up morale and that's exactly what I wholeheartedly desire these new stories and updates concocted during this time do for you.
I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm very satisfied and happy about it.
I recently put up some other works I've put out at titled Sayuri Wren, The Third Race, Romance Of The Cimarron, Glenstorm's Daughter, Bianca Robbins, Morning Star, Secret Of Bristol Cove, The Forgotten Chieftain's Wife Prequel, Predators Redemption, Rava's Journey, Princess Of The Forest, A Revolutionary Romance, Aunt, Fantine Tezla: Hot Wheels Acceleracers, Green Lantern Odette Dupree: First Flight, Magic And the Brave Little Toaster 1, Lavinia: Princess Of Edelweiss, Rorschach's Legend, Watchmen Meets Avengers: The Newest Defender, The 8thLoser, Naomi Poldark: Mistress Of Nampara, Serenity: End Guardian To The Moors, Dido Cruger: Power Rangers SPD, The True Catwoman Of Gotham, Green Lantern Odette Dupree: First Flight, and Nuala: The White Lioness. I highly recommend them. ;D
By the way, Morning Star, Romance Of The Cimarron, The Third Race, Rorschach's Legend, Sayuri Wren, Bianca Robbins, Aunt, Glenstorm's Daughter, Mandalorian: The 2ndFoundling, Eira Byrnison, the Forgotten Chieftain's Wife Prequel, and Watchmen Meets Avengers: The Newest Defender, Rava's Journey, Princess Of The Forest, Green Lantern Odette Dupree: First Flight, and The True Catwoman Of Gotham, are some of the best newest additions to my profile. If you're a fan of the Golden Compass and Watchmen which are the new series on HBO then you will love these. Then if you haven't saw them yet then I recommend that you check it out. Since there are still just recently uploaded I really would enjoy hearing other peoples thoughts on the subject matter so far. So feel free to do so if you have the time.
I have other grand news! I was a patron at New York Comic Con 2019! Ah! I'd been dying to go for years and now I had the opportunity. The Jokers from Impractical Jokers have been here along with Tom Hiddleston and so many others. Over those few days I actually got my picture taken with a couple of other actors/actresses and some really great panels. It really is so exciting there. This is an opportunity of a lifetime so there's no way in hell that I was going to waste a single second of it. No one ever should with something like this. Ever! ;D
For future preferences I highly recommend that you all keep an eye out for when tickets for New York Comic Con are available for purchase again for next year. This is a huge event and you should jump on it whenever you have the chance. Unfortunately this year it appears like Comic Con might be skipped not just in New York, but also in all it's regular places during the course of scheduled events. I think we all know the reason for it is plain as day.
The coronavirus.
Can't exactly blame with how dreadful things are getting in escalation and the fact that places like the Javits Center in New York have been temporarily converted into makeshift hospitals in order to deal with the overflow of people contracting infections from this rapidly spreading virus that might as well be called a plague at this point. Let's keep fingers crossed that an aim is to have this pass us before then so things can get back on track. If it is then New York Comic Con might be exactly what people need in order to lighten their spirits after all this darkness. Stay safe everyone and long to eventually see you there.