The Selkie of San Francisco

by Todd Calgi Gallicano

  “Fire ice,” Vantana concluded. Tashi leaned in.

  “Perhaps Lief Eklund knows more than he claims,” she suggested.

  “We’ll get to the bottom of this. I promise you that,” the doctor assured Muiria and Searus.

  “Where’s Maris?” Sam asked. “I didn’t see him at the arena. I want him to know I made good on my promise.”

  “We were hoping you would be able to tell us where the general’s son is,” the queen replied.

  “The general’s—” Vance suddenly realized Maris was Searus’s son. It all made sense now. “Why would we know where he is?” he asked.

  Searus responded in an incriminating tone. “Because he never returned from your over-world.”

  SL002-130-70

  SUBJ: Methane Hydrate

  SOURCE: PR

  DATE: ████████

  For the purposes of context within the case file SL002-130, it is relevant to understand the energy source referred to as “fire ice.” The substance, known as methane hydrate, is made up of methane gas contained inside water molecules that form a crystalline solid. Formed biogenically or geologically, methane hydrate deposits are found beneath the ocean floor and Arctic permafrost. Once extracted, the crystalline structures can be burned to generate significant amounts of energy. In fact, one cubic meter of methane hydrate is equal to 164 cubic meters of natural gas. The potential energy that lies in known deposits of methane hydrate theoretically exceeds the energy of all other fossil fuels combined. When methane hydrate is ignited, the crystalline appears to be on fire, giving the illusion of flammable ice, hence the term “fire ice.”

  Although Iaira’s return and the reunion with Muiria that was broadcast in the arena and on video devices across the city had helped to ease the tensions between the selkies and mer-people, the events had not eliminated the tensions entirely. For a large percentage of selkies, the disappearance of Maris—the beloved son of General Searus—was met with skepticism and suspicion. Sam knew it was imperative that the DMW do what was needed to help avert a war. This included investigating the possible link between Lief Eklund and the drilling for methane hydrate beneath the mer-people and selkie colonies, as well as looking into the disappearance of Maris. Dr. Vantana, Sam, and Tashi were preparing to leave via a special selkie-built submersible that Muiria and the general led them to, when a familiar voice made them all stop on the boarding ramp.

  “You’re not going anywhere without me,” Iaira said from behind them. Sam turned and could see that the mermaid was still healing—she moved much more slowly than she had in Atlantis, but her condition was still cause for celebration.

  “You’re already swimming?” Sam observed with a grin.

  “Our physicians were able to reverse the magic,” she said. “I’m not a hundred percent, but I’m getting there.” A frantic merman in a blue uniform was rapidly swimming toward the princess.

  “I tried to stop her, Your Majesty,” the exasperated merman told the queen, who stood beside the sub.

  “It is okay, Doctor. She is quite willful,” the queen said. “You may go.” Relieved, the doctor nodded and swam off. “What are you doing here? You should be resting,” Muiria told her daughter.

  “There is no time to rest. I have to go with them,” Iaira said with certainty.

  “Now, hold on, Princess,” Vance piped in. “We just got you home, and we all nearly died doing it. You especially. Stay here with your people.”

  “I agree,” the queen said firmly.

  “I second it,” Sam added, then nudged Tashi.

  “I third it?” the Guardian said, unsure if she was using the correct verbiage. Sam gave her a confirming nod.

  “Maris risked so much to try to save me and our kingdom. I must return the favor,” Iaira explained. “My father—I mean, my pretend father—was determined to find him after the limousine accident. If he did, who knows what happened? Plus, I have to find out if Lief is behind these incidents at our colonies and why he never told me the truth about who I was.” She swam toward the submersible, then stopped when she noticed no one was following her. “Isn’t there anyone who understands why I must go? General Searus, you have not offered your thoughts. He is your son.”

  “I believe I speak for all of my people when I say we would be very appreciative of this gesture, Princess. It would be looked on kindly. And, perhaps more importantly, it is quite courageous.” Iaira grinned.

  “Then it’s settled,” she declared.

  Vance and Queen Muiria hemmed and hawed a few minutes more, but they eventually had to bend to the princess’s will. The reunited foursome boarded the submersible and headed to the ocean’s surface.

  When they reached land, the transition to breathing air was, to put it mildly, unpleasant. While growing gills had been a frightening experience, returning to pure human form was painful and disgusting. The gills disappeared fast, and then the lungs began to expel water. In other words, Sam threw up over and over again, along with Tashi and Vance. Though most of the expulsion of liquid was done in India, Sam didn’t completely stop coughing up ocean until they reached Miami. If there was one positive, it was that Sam had never felt so light on his feet. Moving through water for so long had gotten his body accustomed to the constant resistance; now he felt like he was practically floating. He was excited that Ranger Naughton’s injection had worked and was eager to see if there were any other abilities he might be able to try out for future cases.

  Before they all boarded the subway back to Florida, Vance reached out to Ranger Woodruff Sprite to inform him of their return. He tapped his DMW badge and called Woodruff’s name, but there was no answer. He tried again, and this time a strange voice responded.

  “Ranger Sprite is unavailable. May I be of service, Ranger Vantana?” It was a nasally, slightly high-pitched male voice.

  “Who is this?” the doctor asked, his brow furrowed.

  “This is Bob,” the voice replied.

  “Bob who?”

  “Ferguson. Bob Ferguson,” the man named Bob answered. “We met at last year’s holiday party in the DC office. I thought maybe you’d just remember me as Bob, but I guess that was a while ago and—”

  “Where’s Ranger Sprite?” Vance interjected, sensing that Bob might ramble on.

  “He is on a special mission for Phylassos and out of communication range. But how can I be of service?”

  “What kind of special mission?” Vantana inquired, growing more impatient by the second.

  “I’m not authorized to say,” Ferguson replied.

  “Oh, c’mon, Bob,” the doctor said in a friendlier tone. “I thought we were friends. We had a nice chat at that holiday party, didn’t we?”

  “We just said hello to each other,” Ferguson revealed. “I was at the name-tag table, and I recognized you and…”

  “But it was a real friendly hello,” Vance told him. “Like long-lost pals. Help me out, buddy. I’m on a real important mission here myself.” Sam had to smile at the doctor’s attempt to manipulate Bob Ferguson. He also couldn’t help but think that he had rubbed off a little on the ranger.

  “Ranger Vantana—” Ferguson began.

  “Call me Vance,” Vance interrupted.

  “Vance…” Ferguson paused a moment, then, “I honestly don’t know what mission Ranger Sprite and Naughton are on, but—”

  “Hold up, Bob,” Vantana said. “Ranger Naughton is on the same special mission?” There was a longer pause.

  “I’m not authorized to say, Vance,” Ferguson replied nervously.

  “That’s all right. I understand. Now I do need your help if it’s not too much trouble.”

  “Sure, Vance,” Bob replied. “That’s what I’m here for. You need an extra hand in the field? I’m not supposed to leave the office, but if this is an emer—”

  “No need, buddy
,” the doctor interjected. “I just need some wheels waiting for me at Falling Waters. Can you handle that?”

  “Of course,” Ferguson responded, his voice betraying a hint of disappointment there wasn’t more required of him.

  “Thanks. See you at the next party,” Vantana said, before motioning for the group to join him in the subway.

  After the conversation with Ferguson, Sam could tell the doctor was deep in thought. No doubt trying to figure out what kind of mission Sprite and Naughton might be on.

  “Didn’t you say you have been trying to contact Phylassos for some time?” Sam inquired.

  “That’s right,” Vance confirmed. “Considering everything that’s going on, I’m surprised I didn’t receive a heads-up.” He was annoyed by the oversight, and Sam could understand why. This case and the events surrounding it were growing more baffling by the moment.

  * * *

  —

  The Pearl Eklund who returned to Miami was as different as the Iaira who had left Ta Cathair. The princess had spent a great deal of time away from her prized social accounts and didn’t appear all that interested in seeing what reaction her sudden absence had caused. Rather, Iaira was itching to find Maris and get answers to her many burning questions regarding Lief and the fire ice drilling beneath the colonies.

  Among all the memories that had returned to her about her previous life in Ta Cathair was the memory of Maris himself. They weren’t strangers. They had been classmates in a private school attended by the children of government officials. At first, Iaira had a crush on Maris—he was, after all, the most handsome of all the selkie boys—but he teased her mercilessly. He would often pull her fin and call her “Fish-face.” Muiria claimed it was a sign that he liked her, and looking back, Iaira realized her mother was probably right, but her ten-year-old self did not appreciate it, not one bit. The day she learned he was the boy she would have to marry, she was mortified. Maris came to see her after getting the same news from his father and apologized for his past behavior, promising to change and asking for her forgiveness. Iaira refused to listen. She begged her mother to change the law, but Muiria couldn’t—too much was riding on the treaty. Though Muiria did remind Iaira that the marriage was still several years away. Perhaps she would feel differently in time, or maybe the political climate would change and they could renegotiate the terms of the peace. Iaira would not accept this consolation.

  The princess locked herself in her room. Not only would she have to devote her life to serving as queen and never have a chance to travel to the over-world (a lifelong wish that wouldn’t be granted due to security reasons), but she would have to do so married to Maris. It was too much for her to bear, and so she packed a few belongings and fled the city. She believed that running away would show everyone she meant business and maybe, just maybe, convince them to change the law. If they didn’t care about her wishes, why should she care about theirs, she reasoned? Of course, her absence only worsened the situation and she was nearly lost forever. The details of her rescue remained the only fuzzy part of her memory now. And that made her wonder about Lief and his true intentions.

  Iaira knew, based on her recent conversation with Murphy, that she was in mermaid form when she was rescued. This meant Lief was aware of her abilities, yet he had kept her in the dark. Why? He’d even made up a story about her parents being killed in a boating accident and actively hid the truth from her ever since. That didn’t make much sense, especially when he appeared to genuinely care for her. Was it all for show? Or was there another, more sympathetic explanation for his actions? Maybe he had told her the story about her parents and kept her identity secret to somehow protect her. After all, he must have realized that discovering such a creature would be world-changing. If everyone had known, she would likely have been exploited or studied for science. Lief could have made a fortune quite easily, taking advantage of her in that way. But he had chosen to keep this information to himself and treat her like a daughter instead. She had also always felt loved, and that puzzled her. As for the fire ice, if it was Eklund Energy that was behind the drilling at the colonies, could it have simply been a coincidence? That seemed like the least likeliest idea, and that threw everything else she knew about Lief into doubt. With all the possible scenarios, her mind was darting in a thousand different directions. It was a storm of thoughts and feelings, and she knew of only one way to clear her head.

  “I think we should go straight to the Eklund Energy building,” Iaira suggested upon their arrival in Florida. “I’ll talk to Lief and get to the bottom of all of this.”

  “That’s way too risky,” Vance told her. “There are a lot of moving parts, and we need more information before we make our move. Let’s hunker down someplace, investigate Maris’s disappearance, and make a plan.” Iaira nodded, reluctantly. The storm in her head raged on.

  They wound up in a cabin in Everglades National Park, where they gathered around the computer and started their search. According to online news sites, Pearl Eklund wasn’t missing. Lief had released a statement claiming she was on a mission helping the less fortunate in a far-off country that would remain nameless for the sake of privacy. However, his announcement had come in the wake of news reports about Iaira’s breakdown at the party, as well as reports of the limousine incident. By now there was all sorts of speculation from her gems on fan sites regarding these unusual events. Some believed she was in a rehabilitation center dealing with anxiety, while others concluded it must all be part of a publicity stunt to snag a reality-television-show contract. Surprisingly, Iaira found that her following had actually grown in the last few days. She appeared to be more popular when she was missing.

  In addition to looking into the stories swirling around Pearl, they checked the news for any leads related to Maris. Unfortunately, there was no mention of the mystery man from the accident in the bay. Iaira called up her contact at the police department to see if she could glean any information that wasn’t being reported.

  “Pearl, is it really you?” the gem answered skeptically.

  “Of course it’s me! Who’d you think it’d be, silly?” Iaira cooed as Pearl.

  “This is Pearl-tastic! I was so worried. Is everything okay?” the officer said, all in one breath.

  “Yeah. You know. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, and I’m just trying to drum up some excitement for this new TV show I’m working on. But that’s a secret, so please don’t tell!” Iaira begged.

  “I wouldn’t dream of it,” he assured her in a hushed voice.

  “Oh, you’re one of my brightest gems!” she said, and heard him giggle. “I was wondering, did you ever hear anything more about the man who kidnapped me? How freaky was that, right?”

  “Very freaky. And, I’m sorry to say, we never found anything more,” the officer told her. “The trail went ice-cold. I even tried to push my superiors to add more resources to the investigation, but they said they couldn’t spare the extra personnel.”

  “What about my dad?” Iaira asked. “He was super-obsessed with finding him.”

  “Yeah, I thought so too,” the gem replied. “That’s why I reached out to his office and requested he put some pressure on my captain, but he never returned my call.”

  “I see,” said Iaira. That was a strange development, she thought. Why would Lief suddenly stop searching for Maris? “And there were no other sightings? Not even rumors?”

  “Nope, nothing at all.”

  “Well, thank you. You did a Pearl-rific job,” she told the officer, who chuckled giddily on the other end.

  Hanging up the phone, Iaira relayed the conversation to the others. They were all equally baffled as to why Lief had lost interest in searching for the selkie, especially given Iaira’s disappearance.

  “If they didn’t find him and then you suddenly went missing, I would think that Lief would have been even more invested in try
ing to track him down,” Sam concluded.

  “I agree,” Iaira replied.

  “Unless Lief found him after you went missing,” Tashi suggested.

  “Before the police got their chance to,” Vance speculated. “Maybe he’s got him hidden away, trying to figure out ways to exploit him. Plus, we know there are creatures out there who didn’t want you to return home. Perhaps they don’t want Maris to either.”

  “So what’s next?” Iaira asked.

  “We have to get into Eklund Energy and have a look around your father’s office,” Vantana told her. “See what we can dig up.”

  “And when do I get to talk to him?” she inquired.

  “When we have more to go on,” he answered. “Seeing him will only complicate things. If he knew you were a mermaid, now that he’s lost you, he might try to expose you.” Iaira nodded with understanding.

  “How are we planning to get into his office?” Tashi asked Vance. “Last time we were at the building, I took note of the security detail. It is quite robust. There are more than a dozen guards stationed around the lobby alone. Perhaps even more if Mr. Eklund’s intentions are indeed nefarious. We should assume his people have instructions to alert him if they see you.”

  “Good point. We could enter through the staff entrance in the parking garage,” Iaira suggested. “I—I mean, Pearl—used to sneak out that way all the time when the guard wasn’t looking.”

  “Well, he’ll no doubt be looking now,” Vance said.

  “We could try using Lief’s own cover story,” Sam suggested. “If he lied to the press, he probably lied to his own people, right? They might think she’s away on some mission. Dr. Vantana could pose as a driver or something—maybe bringing Pearl home from the airport. And if the guards get too curious, Tashi can just come up from behind and shock them out cold.”

  “From behind?” Tashi asked. “That does not sound very honorable.”