Gold Coast, Australia
October 31,2011
The meeting room at the Gold Coast Parliament was filled with an air of anticipation as Elizabeth Striker took her seat at the head of the table. The room was decorated with a mix of modern and traditional furnishings, reflecting the region's blend of contemporary and classic styles. A large window offered a view of the vibrant cityscape, with the waves of the Pacific Ocean shimmering in the distance.
Seated around the table were several key figures in legislative and legal circles, their expressions ranging from curious to skeptical. Among them were representatives from various departments, including human rights, environmental protection, and legal affairs. Elizabeth was well-prepared, her notes neatly organized and her arguments clear.
The meeting began with the chairperson, a middle-aged woman named Julia Whitmore, calling the room to order. "Thank you all for coming today. We have Elizabeth Striker with us, who will be presenting a proposal for a new Bill aimed at protecting the rights of merpeople. Elizabeth, the floor is yours."
Elizabeth stood and addressed the room with confidence. "Thank you, Julia. Distinguished members, I appreciate your time today. I am here to discuss a matter of utmost importance—the protection of merpeople from scientific experimentation and exploitation."
She clicked a remote, bringing up a presentation on the screen behind her. The first slide displayed a striking image of the ocean, with merpeople swimming gracefully beneath the surface.
"Our ocean's ecosystem is home to many wonders," Elizabeth began, "including merpeople—an intelligent and sentient species who have lived in harmony with our waters for centuries. Unfortunately, recent developments have posed a significant threat to their well-being. We've seen a disturbing trend of scientific experiments being conducted on merpeople, often without their consent and with severe consequences."
A murmur of concern rippled through the room as Elizabeth continued. "The purpose of this Bill is to establish legal protections for merpeople, similar to those afforded to Supers under the existing legislation. Specifically, we aim to:
1. Prohibit unauthorized scientific experiments on merpeople.
2. Ensure that any research involving merpeople must be conducted with their informed consent.
3. Mandate strict oversight and reporting requirements for any research that does involve merpeople.
4. Provide legal recourse for merpeople whose rights have been violated."
Elizabeth clicked to the next slide, which displayed a series of statistics and case studies illustrating the harm caused by unregulated experiments.
Dr. Andrew Lawson, a prominent scientist and one of the attendees, raised his hand. "Elizabeth, while I understand the need to protect merpeople, how do we ensure that this Bill does not stifle legitimate scientific research?"
Elizabeth nodded, having anticipated this question. "That's an important point, Dr. Lawson. The Bill includes provisions to balance protection with the need for scientific advancement. Research that benefits both merpeople and the broader community can still be conducted, provided it meets ethical standards and receives proper oversight."
Julia Whitmore leaned forward, her brow furrowed. "And what mechanisms will be in place to monitor compliance and handle violations?"
Elizabeth responded with a reassuring tone. "The Bill proposes the establishment of an oversight committee, composed of experts in ethics, law, and marine biology. This committee will be responsible for reviewing research proposals, conducting regular audits, and addressing any complaints or violations. Additionally, there will be provisions for whistleblower protection to encourage reporting of unethical practices."
Another attendee, Rebecca Taylor, a legal advisor, raised a concern. "What kind of legal protections and penalties will be in place for violations of this Bill?"
Elizabeth replied, "Violations of the Bill will result in significant legal consequences, including fines and imprisonment for those found guilty of conducting unauthorized experiments. The Bill also includes provisions for civil remedies, allowing merpeople to seek compensation for any harm suffered."
The room fell into thoughtful silence as Elizabeth's words sank in. Julia Whitmore glanced around at her colleagues before speaking again. "Thank you, Elizabeth. This proposal is comprehensive and addresses many critical issues. However, it will require further review and debate before it can move forward."
Elizabeth smiled, understanding the process. "Of course. I appreciate your consideration and am more than willing to provide any additional information or clarification needed."
Julia nodded. "We'll schedule follow-up meetings and discussions. In the meantime, I encourage all members to review the proposal and consider its implications."
As the meeting concluded, Elizabeth gathered her materials and prepared to leave. Julia approached her with a warm smile. "Elizabeth, thank you for your presentation. This is a significant step towards safeguarding the rights of merpeople. I'm confident that with continued effort, we can make a meaningful impact."
Elizabeth returned the smile, feeling a renewed sense of determination. "Thank you, Julia. I look forward to working together to make this Bill a reality."
As she left the meeting room, Elizabeth felt a mix of relief and resolve. The fight for merpeople's rights was far from over, but today marked a crucial step forward in ensuring their protection and dignity. Once she left the room, her cell phone rang. Charlotte was on the other end of the line. Answering, Elizabeth listened carefully to her message, a discovery of Stephan and Linda's true intentions to experiment on merpeople and why. Biting the nail of her thumb, Elizabeth felt her own anxiety arising. This was the same bullshit that she nearly went through when she was sixteen, and the scientist, Russell Brookland, had succeeded in enhancing her feline powers to their full potential. While they made her stronger, they also made her more dangerous especially in the first couple of hours afterwards.
"I can't imagine a world with overpowered merpeople, especially out of control after experimentation. Have you gathered any evidence?" Elizabeth asked.
Charlotte continued speaking in a hushed tone. "I'm gathering as much as I can right now so I can't stay on the phone too long. There's a lot here, Liz... like a lot, a lot. Plus, Mr. Charmichael mentioned that 'the board' is expecting results."
"Which means that this project wasn't necessarily Doctor Denman's idea. She just has prior history, and the board is using that to their advantage. Find out who's on the board," Elizabeth told her.
"Would if I could get closer. Mr. Charmichael doesn't really trust me. He looks at me as if he knows me from somewhere," Charlotte mentioned.
"Are you compromised, Agent Watsford?"
"I don't think so, but I don't want to be here too much longer." Elizabeth could hear the sound of a drawer shutting then the shuffling of feet as if Charlotte were turning away from the filing cabinet. Then, she heard Charlotte gasp and the clattering sound of her phone dropping to the floor caused Elizabeth's heart to leap in her throat.
"Charlotte? Charlotte!"
For a moment, there was nothing, then a voice came in, one too familiar and disturbing. "Hello Agent Striker. Did you really think you could send my own daughter under cover and get away with it?"
Elizabeth's stomach twisted in a hard knot of horror, the color draining from her face. "Gregory Watsford. I thought I killed you last year in that cave."
"You were close, but not close enough." Gregory ended the call abruptly, leaving an air of dread in his wake.
Elizabeth's mind raced as she tried to process the gravity of the situation. Gregory Watsford's voice echoed in her ears, a chilling reminder of the danger that still lurked in the shadows. Her thoughts instantly turned to Charlotte, who was now in jeopardy.
She took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm. Gregory Watsford was not just a personal threat; he was a dangerous adversary with far-reaching influence. Elizabeth had faced him before, but this time, things were different. The stakes were higher, and Charlotte's safety was now on the line.
Elizabeth quickly gathered her belongings, her mind shifting into high gear. She needed to act swiftly but carefully. She sent a brief but urgent text to Joshua, informing him of the situation and asking him to meet her at her office. As she walked briskly out of the Gold Coast Parliament building, her phone buzzed with Joshua's reply: "On my way. Stay safe."
With a renewed sense of urgency, Elizabeth headed to the nearby International Abilities Agency (IAA) office. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the city, but she barely noticed. Her thoughts were consumed by the immediate need to locate Charlotte and uncover Gregory Watsford's plans.
When Elizabeth arrived at the IAA office, she found Joshua waiting in the lobby. His face was a mix of concern and determination. "What's going on?" he asked as they quickly moved to her office.
"Charlotte's in trouble," Elizabeth said, her voice tight with worry. "Gregory Watsford is alive, and he's got her. We need to figure out what's happening and get her back."
"What? I thought you killed him back in that cave last year when he attempted to experiment on those girls," Joshua mentioned.
"I thought I did too." Elizabeth grunted with disgust. "He must have dove into the moon pool and swam out before getting crushed completely."
"Why would he be involved in this?" Joshua asked.
The pieces of the puzzle felt scrambled and disconnected, but as Elizabeth scoured all the things she knew from the past two years from when she gained her own mermaid powers and got into heaps of trouble with Gregory Watsford as well as the downfall of balancing feline and aquatic powers, the puzzle slowly came together. If Gregory Watsford knew that Charlotte was undercover at Charmichael Industries, and Linda Denman had received approval to experiment on mermaids through Stephan Charmichael, then it only meant one thing.
Gregory Watsford was a member of the board at Charmichael Industries, and was the one pulling all the strings.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Charlotte frantically worked to free herself from her restraints as she was tied to a chair, her gasps stifled by the gag across her mouth. Her heart pounded hard in her chest as she shoved against her binds, her long auburn hair getting caught in her field of vision. The chair legs banged against the floor and scraped against the cement with each jolt.
"Relax, child, you're not going anywhere," Gregory grumbled with impatience as he stared down at his daughter.
His face was etched with a mix of annoyance and indifference as he watched Charlotte struggle. The dimly lit room, with its cold concrete walls and harsh fluorescent lighting, felt oppressive and alien to her. His permanent nerve damage had left him with a slight limp and a permanent grimace of discomfort, but his presence was still imposing.
"Did you really think you could undermine me, Charlotte?" His voice was cold and devoid of fatherly warmth. "All this time, you and your friends been a thorn in my side, and now you find yourself in a rather unfortunate predicament."
Charlotte's eyes, filled with a mixture of fear and anger, shot daggers at him as she continued to fight against her restraints. The gag muffled her attempts to yell for help, her frustration palpable. She remembered the events last year that displayed his ruthlessness, but she had always hoped for a semblance of familial love that never materialized.
Gregory took a few steps closer, his eyes scanning her with a clinical detachment. "Your undercover work was a useful tool," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "But now that the game is up, I must admit that your efforts were... predictable. You see, your little charade was only a minor inconvenience."
Hearing footsteps approaching, he glanced to the left and found Stephan and Linda stepping into the light. Both of them looked at Charlotte, who stopped struggling. She glared daggers at the two scientists in the room. Brushing her arm in discomfort, Linda turned to Gregory. "Is this really necessary?"
"You got a better idea, Denman?" He growled. "One better than using her to lure in a few merpeople to experiment on?"
Gregory removed Charlottes cell phone from the pocket of his slacks and unlocked it then went into her contacts to find a few names that had popped up with familiarity. "Now, let's see. There's that sweet Irish girl, Isabella Hartley. As I recall, she almost died last time. They saw you should always go after the weakest link."
Crossing her arms to her chest, Linda shifted her gaze away from him, her eyes sweeping across the room back to Charlotte, who had tears in her eyes. Tears that hinted at betrayal and heartache, a feeling she knew from her own childhood, though not quite to the same extent. She knew nothing about this young woman, but deep down, Linda couldn't ignore an instinct that was slowly creeping to the surface. All she wanted was to get back into her research on mermaids before she knew a whole world of them even existed, and now that it did, she hoped to also pick up where she left off. But when she met Gregory, her plans had been taken to a level of extreme, one of power and order rather than knowledge and truth. Stephan shared the same sentiment as Gregory, which put Linda on awkward middle ground.
While Gregory continued going through Charlottes contacts to put together a group text, Stephan noticed the hesitancy on Linda's face. "Doctor Denman, you seem troubled," he mentioned. "You're not getting cold feet, are you?"
"What?" Linda turned and stared all the way up at the seven foot giant, then she sneered with disgust. "No. Don't be ridiculous."
Stephan Charmichael was not easily fooled by anything. With an IQ of 280, he could detect even the smallest of inconsistencies in a person's behavior in accordance to their words. He saw the subtle glance in her eyes and the way she picked at her nails on her left hand which she attempted to conceal under her right arm. He wasn't a man who had second thoughts when it came to making a decision, and it was easy for him to make one in the moment.
Linda Denman was a weak link herself. A woman in the field of science had no place in this line of work if she couldn't be as ruthless as the men she worked with. Linda had been hesitant from the start when things were taken to the extreme, and her hesitancy now solidified his decision.
"If there's one thing I'm not, it's ridiculous," Stephan spoke, his voice low and serious.
Charlotte didn't have a second to process his words when she suddenly watched him whip out a concealed weapon, took aim and fired. The gunfire was loud and ear-splitting, causing a ringing in Charlotte's ears. She watched as blood spurted into the air and Linda's body jerked back, falling hard to the floor! Gasping into her gag, her eyes widening with shock and horror, Charlotte stared down at the lifeless body of the woman on the floor.
Her heart raced and her mind spun as she stared at Linda's lifeless body. The shock of witnessing a murder for the first time, especially one committed so coldly and suddenly, left her paralyzed. Her breaths came in short, ragged gasps, and her eyes welled with tears as the weight of the violence she had just witnessed crashed down upon her.
Gregory, unperturbed by her distress, casually finished composing the mass text on Charlotte's phone. His fingers moved deftly over the screen as he typed out the message, which he intended to use to lure the mermaids to a trap. He finally hit send and looked up at Stephan with a smirk of satisfaction.
"Now we wait," Gregory said, his voice dripping with anticipation. "They'll see this message and come running. Perfect bait."
Stephan, who had been watching the scene unfold with his usual detached interest, raised an eyebrow as he reviewed the responses on his own device. The incoming messages from the mermaids indicated that they had taken the bait. They were eager to meet with "Charlotte" to discuss the supposed breakthrough in the case.
"Excellent," Stephan said, his tone almost approving. "It seems they're quite gullible. We'll be able to use this opportunity to capture them."
Gregory nodded, his gaze shifting back to Charlotte. "You did your part well, kid. Now, let's make sure your friends get the message. They'll be here soon enough."
He turned to Stephan, who was already arranging their next move. "You'll be going to The Gold Coast to handle the capture," Gregory instructed. "It's crucial we don't let them escape."
Stephan's eyes narrowed with cold resolve. "Consider it done. I'll make sure we don't miss this opportunity."
As Stephan prepared to leave for The Gold Coast, Gregory approached Charlotte, his expression hardening. "Don't think you're off the hook just yet. Once this is over, we'll have a more... personal discussion about your failure to keep your little operation under control."
Charlotte, still in shock, barely registered his words. Her mind was consumed by the horror of the murder she had just witnessed and the imminent danger her friends were in. Every muscle in her body felt frozen, the gag in her mouth stifling her cries of anguish. With a final look of disdain, Gregory left the room, his focus shifting to the success of their trap. The cold, mechanical efficiency of their plan left Charlotte alone in her fear and helplessness, with only the sound of her own ragged breathing and the distant echoes of her sobs to keep her company.
Gold Coast, Australia
November 1, 2011
The following evening after receiving Charlotte's text, Cleo, Emma, Ricki and Bella made their way to Rickis' cafe after hours. However, Cleo, always the anxious one, couldn't help but feel that something was off.
"Hey guys, I don't know about this. Are we sure that Charlotte's got a break in the case? What if it's a trick?" Cleo asked as she walked anxiously towards Ricki's cafe with Emma, Ricki, and Bella. She chewed on her thumbnail as she stayed bundled up in a warm sweater and jeans.
As her words of doubt echoed through the air, the group approached Ricki's café, a charming little place nestled on the Gold Coast. The café's usual inviting atmosphere was conspicuously absent. The lights flickered ominously, and the door creaked open with an unsettling groan. The girls exchanged uneasy glances but pressed on, driven by their concern for Charlotte.
As soon as they stepped inside, a heavy silence fell over them. The café, usually warm and bustling, now felt cold and sinister. The air was thick with tension, and the flickering lights cast eerie shadows on the walls. The familiar smell of coffee was replaced by the acrid scent of smoke and burnt metal. Before they could react, the door slammed shut behind them with a thunderous bang. The room was quickly illuminated by harsh, fluorescent lights, revealing Stephan Charmichael and his heavily armed guards standing in the center of the café, their expressions unreadable.
"Welcome," Stephan's voice rang out, cold and devoid of warmth. "I'm glad you could join us."
Panic surged through the group. Emma's breath hitched as she quickly assessed the situation. "It's a trap!" she shouted, her voice laced with urgency.
Without hesitation, Ricki stepped forward, her blue eyes narrowing in determination. She raised her hands, and with a swift motion, she summoned a wave of boiling water from the taps, sending it crashing towards the guards. The water sizzled as it met them in droves, causing them to scream in pain and instantly retreat.
Cleo joined in, her hands moving in intricate patterns as she shaped water into sharp, explosive projectiles. She launched them with precision, striking several guards as they continued retreating. Quickly, Bella used her ability to gelatinize the water, turning the spilled liquid on the floor into a thick, sticky substance. The guards struggled to maintain their footing as they slipped and stumbled through the gooey mess. She hardened the water, trapping the guards and forcing them to stay where they were.
All four girls turned to face the seven foot man in the room, their hands all out and aimed right at him. Rather than feeling however, Stephan just stared at them with a cold sense of attachment, yet amusement crept up on his lips.
"Impressive work for a group of teenage girls. But I've got a few tricks of my own," Stephan said, reached into his pocket and pulled out a small device.
Ricki reacted before he could even use it. Sending a blazing trail of fire directly down his path with her powers, she watched as he yelped in shock and dropped the device while jumping back to avoid the flames. Persisting, sweat beading on her forehead, Ricki's resolve hardened as the flames grew and formed a circle around him.
"You're staying right where you are," Ricki demanded with determination.
"Yeah. You don't mess with mermaids," Emma said as she came to stand by Ricki, while Cleo and Bella also joined them.
Ricki looked over at Bella. "Cleo, Bella, now."
Nodding, Bella and Cleo worked together, summoning water to envelop Stephan while Ricki snuffed out the fire with her powers. It wrapped all around him like a column, then Bella hardened the water, trapping him inside just like the guards.
"There, that oughta do it," Cleo said with satisfaction.
"Hmm." Ricki smirked, tilting her head a little. "Kinda reminds me of that story in the bible. The one about David and Goliath." She pointed at Stephan with a clear tone of mockery. "He's Goliath, right?"
Snickering as they looked at the enraged businessman who couldn't move an inch any which way, the girls walked over to the counter. Ricki looked over at her friends, her smile only growing. "Care for a juice while we wait for the police, ladies?"
Agreeing, they all gathered around the counter while Ricki made up some juices for the four of them. She cast another look at Stephan, who snarled at them. "Oh sorry, how rude of me. Would you care for a glass, sir?"
"Go to hell," Stephan snarled, then he looked away from them, grumbling to himself. "This is embarassing, being taken down by a bunch of teenage girls."
Their laughter filled his ears, only causing him to grumble even more. Just when he thought things couldn't get worse, Stephan watched as more of Charlotte's friends entered the cafe after they received a text from who they thought was Charlotte. Zac, walking in first with Evie, Mimmi and Lyla walking in after him, noticed the guards pinned to the floor, then the extremely tall man trapped in hardened water.
"Woah..." Zac walked around to look up at Stephan directly. "I can see your nose hairs from down here."
"Get away from me!" Stephan barked at him with frustration.
Scampering back a little, startled by the shout, Zac paused when he noticed that the man was physically no threat. Laughing, pointing at him with mockery, he then brushed off the encounter to approach the others while the blender whirred. "Get a load of that guy."
"What happened here?" Ondina asked when she and Erik entered.
"Long story. Juice?" Ricki asked, now holding up a glass of Pineapple, coconut, and peach all blended together.
"Yum, sure!" Erik rushed over to grab the glass from Ricki while Ondina stepped over a guard. That's when she noticed a small device on the floor that reminded her of a remote control. Crouching, she picked it up then rose back to full height. "What's this?" She asked, showing it off.
Ricki shrugged. "No idea, but he said he was going to use it on us? Whatever that means." She rolled her eyes like it was no big deal.
"Well what's it do?" Curious, painfully unaware of the threat it imposed, Ondina pressed the red button on it.
From the ceiling, several nets dropped to the floor, catching nothing but hardwood. Their ropes sparked with electricity. They all looked over at Stephan, who growled with frustration. "Brats," he snarled.
"Says the man trapped in hardened water," Ricki retorted. "Give it up, gramps, you can't fool us twice."
"Gramps!?" Stephan exclaimed in shock.
"You're what... eighty-nine?" Ricki replied.
"I'm sixty-one!"
"Shocker." Bemused, Ricki turned to the others again while sipping her juice.
Stephan was left to fume while he remained trapped in the cafe, surrounded by a bunch of teenage merpeople. He knew when he was defeated, but it was still extremely embarrassing to be in this predicament.