The Lost Secret of the Silver Sea

Chapter 31: The Boss

            Kaelonne didn’t like him, he didn’t have a reason why, he just didn’t like the man. It could be that he’d simply gotten so accustomed to the small team he was working with; it could be that the young royal was just really picky about who he worked it. It might be because the Mermatian noticed the small looks of disgust the man shot at most of the sea creatures that he came near during their one-on-one conversation as they walked through the halls of the researcher, or it could definitely be the way the man seemed to dislike the idea of talking to Alister, much less working with him.

            He was pleasant overall, even if most of it seemed to be an act. His words were clipped and sharp, like broken glass, his movements even more so. The man was dressed in a suit, it might have been to appear professional, or that he could care less that it was going to get damaged by the salt wind blowing from the sea.

            Conan was a piece of work, but he seemed interested enough to help. Kaelonne had to admit that he’d felt his phantom ear-fins raise in irritation and challenge when the man berated the current designs Axel were working on. The engineer had taken in all in stride, like he was used to it, but the young royal could’ve felt Madeline’s hand fisted in his jacket the entire time as she silently warned him not to interfere.

            Nora was unsurprisingly missing during Alister and Kaelonne’s explanation of the situation, but Kaelonne genuinely wished she were there. Maybe she could’ve explained why the man didn’t seem as surprised as he should have been at the existence of a whole new species of intelligent life.

            Hartley was there, but even he seemed pretty weary of the guy, but it might be because he’d worked for him for about a year as a scientist. There was nothing particular that they could say that made them weary of the man, he treated his workers well, his laboratories were well known and well respected, he did his best to ensure everyone did their best at whatever they were working with and he was easy to talk to.

            Kaelonne stuck his hands into his jacket as they walk pass the large, open area with the dolphins. The railing was a little higher than the pool, so it allowed them to overlook the creatures as they played some form of tag with each other.

            “You do not seem comfortable with me?” Conan’s voice was firm even though he talked softly, the handful of inches he held over Kaelonne irritated the young royal. Like, what did he think, Kaelonne would just go willingly hugging people like he was some sort of show pet?

            “No need to worry, it is simply because I am unfamiliar with you.” The young royal was still going to follow his training as a prince, he lived the way it seemed to aggravate individual who weren’t getting the rise out of him as they wanted. It only leaves Kaelonne more perturbed as Conan humours him and returns a half-smile.

            “I see, that makes sense. I am surprised that my employees did not come to me with this sooner.” His tone sounded both curious and dangerous, not a good combination.

            “That is not on them, I asked for the privacy. They did not have much of a choice.” Kaelonne kept his face as emotionless as possible, even as Smarty and Betty chirped at him in welcome, “I would not be quick to blame them over something they could not help.”

            “Hmm.” Conan takes a step back as Smarty splashes water at them in greeting, it doesn’t reach them but Kaelonne still notes the small look of displeasure that flashes on the man’s face. “I cannot now, for it seems they were held against their will on the matter.”

            “I wouldn’t say that either.”

            “I must ask, how did you do it?” Conan’s grin was full of teeth, “Did you do magic, sing to them?”

            “I assure you that I did none of that.” Kaelonne fumed mentally, he really wanted to tell the man where he could shove his magic, but the last thing he needed was Axel and Madeline getting into trouble. They couldn’t very well back away on a deal, especially now that Conan knew about the existence of the Mermatians and he’d had some good ideas for the things Axel and Madeline were building.

            “I jest, I meant nothing by it.” Conan shook his head with a laugh, making Kaelonne feel insulted. “Look, this is just a lot for me to take in, I am quite surprised by all of this, even if I don’t look like it.”    

            “My apologies then.”

            “No need.” Conan shakes his head and daringly walks closer to the edge, resting his arms on the railing as he looked at the swimming dolphins, “But I just you can understand that I still have quite a bit of questions about this whole thing.”

            “And I will answer them as best I can.” Kaelonne internally raises his eyebrow at the sudden change in attitude. He heard of whiplash, but he had a distinct idea that this might be what it feels like.

            “What are you trying to achieve here exactly?”

            “On land?”

            “No, with the Siri- Sirens. I mean, are you trying to get back your home? Stop them completely?” Conan does not turn to face him, clearly not bothering to check his expression to the answer, Kaelonne frowned but humoured him.

            “I simply want to return home, but I do not have a way to protect myself against them in a fight.” The young royal suddenly felt as though he was horribly unequipped to answer this question. “I do not wish to kill them.”

            “So, you just want an advantage?” Conan hums, “Okay, and when all is said and done, what happens then?”

            “What do you mean?”

            “You plan on single-handedly taking down an entire army to get to your people, for what? To talk? How are you planning to resolve this issue?”

            “The Queen is a sensible person; she will see reasoning if I explain to her the situation.” Kaelonne began to doubt himself, it sounded like a good plan at first, but now with all the questions, he felt ridiculous. Conan glances at him with an aspirated look but says nothing more on the matter.

            “Okay, fine, but now I must ask, what do I get out of this?” Kaelonne fumbled over an answer, he couldn’t very well just say ‘knowledge of the underwater world’, people like Conan preferred something physical. Taking too long to answer, the man continues, “I will, after all, be handing over equipment and such to help you with your little endeavour.”

            “Payment in crystals.”

            “Excuse me?”

            “My people use crystals naturally found at the sea floor; it’s created from the shear pressure of the ocean. It’s also used as a power source for many things. You’re a businessman, you can see a lot of benefit from that.” The young royal knew that he was making a bad decision, but there was not much other choice. Crystals were something sacred to the Mermatians, but hopefully his father would see the wisdom in his decision.

            “I see, then it’d be a pleasure doing business with you.” Conan grinned and held out a hand, “I look forward to all our future meetings.”

            Conan fit himself into their little group with surprising ease, but then again, the man ran a business, interacting and getting people to like him must be a part of his blood at this point. Kaelonne marvelled silently at the way he changed his personality to suit the individual he was talking to with the gracefulness of an eel.

            “See, everything shatters at a certain frequency.” Conan raises a wine glass with flourish. Kaelonne had no idea where he got it or rather how he acquired it, but he wasn’t planning to question it. “It is most visible with glass, or rather more portrayed with glass as this reacts quite quickly and visibly.”

            He places the glass on the metal plate of a device, gesturing for all of them to put on their safety glasses. He switches it on and increases the frequency until the wine glass explodes. Kaelonne ears, still a little more sensitive than most humans, throbbed slightly. “This effect is possible, not only on glass, every single thing around us.”

            “On concrete too?” Nora raises a hand from where she’s rocking back dangerously on a chair.

            “Even concrete.” Conan nods, “Everything has a vibration, by placing a frequency at it, it can upset this vibration, or rather the tight knitting of particles that make up the being, causing it to shatter… or causing pain.”

            “Pain?”

            “On living creatures, this frequency can be used to inflict confusion, anger, hinderance, pain or even death.” Conan waves away their worried looks, “In this case, we just need something that can incapacitate for a short time.”

            “I just realised, sperm whales.” Nora leans forward dramatically, raising her hands at Kaelonne. “Your ears.”

            “What about me ears?”

            “Yes, I never considered that.” Alister catches on to what she was trying to imply, leaving the rest of them in confusion, “We have learnt that your hearing is slightly above average, but that could be a  disadvantage.”

            “How?”

            “Sperm whales reach decibels of over two hundred, easily bursting a human’s eardrums within range, that is of course, if it doesn’t kill them.” The marine biologist gestures to his ears excitedly, “Wouldn’t that affect Mermatians?”

            “Surprisingly not, Sperm whales aren’t able to reach the depths that we can. We hear them, but it’s more of an echo. Out hearing is strong because at those depths, we have to rely more on our ears then our sight.” Kaelonne rubs his ears unconsciously.

            “Most interesting. I’ve heard about sea creatures with the ability to navigate in the depths by seeing the waves and such, is this true?” A whole new series of questions spring up around the group, sending them into another late night of research and lectures.

            Late nights and conversation with the businessman were now a normality. He fit himself in so well as a puzzle piece that even Hartley had some trouble naming his dislikes after the first three days. He fixed their equipment, showing them tips and trick most people wouldn’t even consider when trying to take down an underwater race. For the most part, it was like he was always a part of their rag-tag group.

            But Kaelonne couldn’t get the uneasiness to settle.