The Siren, the General's Daughter Book One (8 page)

Michael removed the band from his neck. “You need this. It’s too much for me,” he said, rubbing his head. Hooking it on, Sam locked in with the whale. He expressed hunt, kill, a calf (hmmm, he viewed her like a child), territory, a great white shark, and a leopard seal. Interesting. She communicated her discovery to her brother.

She then turned to Ton and sent images to him regarding the difference between land walkers and how they raise their calves. He was confused and sent a return image of a penguin. He considered her stupid. She learned long ago not to be insulted by how the cetaceans viewed life. They didn’t live with human emotion and misunderstandings. They were family oriented, protecting their young from anything harmful, gently instructing them and in constant interaction. To harm one’s young because of squeals was unheard of.

Michael patiently waited an hour of silence as his sister worked on communicating with the orca. Ton finally agreed that he would honor the protocol of land walkers, ‘penguin’ as it was. He did flash an image of hunting if any other than her pod harmed her. Even just to her flukes. She agreed.

“Talk about culturally set,” Michael exclaimed as his sister gave him details of the ‘conversation.’ This was yet another discovery. Of course, the older brother had to comment on that the information might not have been discovered had she not had a sore bottom.

His sister scowled. “Jerk. If it’s ok, I really don’t want to work with the I-band right now. My pain might be interpreted as injured prey.”

“Smart. Are you ready to head back? It’s almost time for chow.”

“Yeah, let’s go. Thanks for taking me out, by the way.”

“Tomorrow isn’t going to be any easier in the lab, but I think Scott will let us go out again with these findings.”

“I’m sleeping in my wetsuit tonight. It hurts too much to take on and off,” the girl groaned.

Michael laughed. “They dry fast, but it might be a problem if you have to go to the bathroom.”

“Oh, bite me.”

Michael called in their return on his transmitter and was greeted on the diving platform by his father and Scott. The two were easily hauled out of the water and handed towels. “How did it go?” Scott asked, drying Michael’s hair.

Michael grabbed the towel, popping his uncle with it while sharing the discovery, then reprimanded the man for treating him like a little kid.

Dr. Quimby quietly held his daughter to his chest, unconcerned about getting damp. “I hear you had a pretty tough go with your uncle today. Was it worth it?”

“No Sir, I promise, I will not ever swear again. Or throw things,” she said, feeling him squeeze her.

“I hope not. So tell us details about your dive. I want to get notes.”

“I also want a hook up with the EEG,” Michael said, tugging Sam’s ponytail, “especially when she sits down. The response was significant. We also discovered some cultural issues,” he went into detail, not leaving out anything. His sister blushed, standing uncomfortably and watching notes being taken on her physical condition and the orca’s response.

After removing the neuroband, Dr. Quimby placed electrodes around her temple and neck base, plugging her into the electroencephalogram designed to monitor her brain patterns and register unusual variables. Once the machine began the process, Scott ordered her to sit quickly. Biting her lip, she plopped in the chair, sending searing pain over her body. The machine registered high frequency waves countering with her vital signs. The pain brought her close to tears and she begged to be allowed to stand.

“Go on, get up,” Scott said unsympathetically, looking over the tape, “Stop whining, you’re a Marine.”

“No I’m not. I’m a kid with a really sore bottom,” she began to cry, reaching for her brother. Michael held her, saying nothing.

Dr. Quimby raised his eyebrow towards Scott. “I think she’s had enough for today, don’t you? “

“It seems. Go to your quarters and get cleaned up. I’ll send chow to you.”

Without a word, the girl left escorted by her brother. Dr. Quimby turned to look at his friend. “Normally, I wouldn’t say anything about being hard on them, but do you think you might have gone overboard?” he asked, sitting down.

Scott flipped his pen. “If you heard what I did, no. Joe, she’s gonna kill herself or someone else if she doesn’t get her act together. We agreed to this.”

“I know I’m too soft. I guess I still look at her as being a little girl.”

“No, you’re her father. And she is still a little girl. Don’t think for a minute I like any of this. I’m just not afraid of damaging her, you still are. She’s not that fragile.”

“I’m sorry, you are right. Since I was a kid, I’ve always viewed you as my older, wiser brother. You always knew what was best for us, especially for Alyson. I trusted you then and I need to trust you now. You do realize you scared the living hell out of Mike, too.”

“Yup. I think I got close to scaring you a bit as well,“ Scott chuckled. “We are in for wild ride with this new assignment and can’t take the risk of being anything but on the same page. The kids will be in charge of their own units, plus Mike will be overseeing Sammi’s as well. She needs to learn responsibility if she’s going to do this. And they need to be in sync to grow as a team. This is Special Forces, buddy, not kindergarten. If I have to be the bad guy to keep this family strong and together, I’ll do it.”

“You’re never the bad guy and I do appreciate it. Regarding scaring me, I got a flashback of that fist fight we got into when I was 12. Do you remember?”

“Fist fight? Is that what you called it? I remember you swinging your arms at me and getting knocked flat on your butt. I also promised you a good thrashing if you ever raised a hand to me again,” Scott laughed, joined by his friend.

“You are 8 years older than me and were a lot bigger back then. You know, I think it’s time we replay that incident. Go get your sweats on and meet me in the gym,” Dr. Quimby said, standing.

Scott joined him and gave a rough hug. “I can still kick your butt. Want to put a wager on it?”

After a good hour of wrestling, both men were happily spent and caught their breath while lying on the mats. Several crew members had gathered to watch, passing money back and forth. Scott lifted his head to look at them. “I don’t want to know who bet against me, but if I find out, you’re next.”

“You’re getting old,” Dr. Quimby panted, sitting up and helping Scott to his feet, “But still strong as I can remember. My poor girl. Sorry I questioned you.”

“You’re no wimp yourself. I just cheat a little better. We good?” Scott asked.

“Never a doubt, of anything. I do want to check on her, though. Maybe do a little bruise pushing.”

“And you think I’m mean?” Scott laughed, mopping himself off. “Let’s go have chow and we’ll both go in. I’m worried too.”

When they entered the girl’s room, they found her on her stomach across the low bed. She had donned an extra- large t-shirt permanently borrowed from her brother and had her hip long hair in two high ponytails. Her dinner was on the table, untouched.

“Hey baby, just checking in.” Dr. Quimby said, sitting next to her on the bed. Scott joined on the other side. “How are you doing? You didn’t eat anything.”

“Not hungry. I’m just thinking. I can’t believe I lost control like I did. I know better,” she admitted, chin in her bent arms.

Scott stroked her back gently. “You need to stop beating yourself up. You got busted, punished and it’s over. Slate clean. Are you mad at me?”

“Oh God, no! It’s my fault. And Daddy’s,” she added with a little smile, glancing at her father.

“Mine? What did I do?”

“You’ve been letting me get away with too much. Uncle Scott is right. I’m spoiled and stubborn. As much as I will regret saying this, I have to be honest and tell you that I need for you to put your foot down. Hard. I need Mike to do the same. It really scared me today when Ton went to hunt him. It would have been my fault if he got hurt because I had no self-control. When I had to explain the cultural differences to Ton, I also was required to defend them. That meant I also had to understand and agree to them. You can’t deceive with the band. Daddy? Uncle Scott? I really screwed up bad.”

“Wow, that’s unexpected. Let’s see the damage,” Dr. Quimby said, whistling as he unceremoniously raised the shirt.

Scott traced the outline of the ruler. “Very effective. I should get you one.”

“I think I’ll get the shop to make me a paddle,” Dr. Quimby said, ignoring his daughter’s glare. He gently rubbed the bruised skin, his warm hand comforting.

Scott stroked her hair. “How about if you take the day off tomorrow and work up your findings? You might be able to think better here than in the lab where it’s so busy.”

“Thanks, Uncle Scott. I’ll do that. May I also have an ice pack?”

“I’ll get you one before I hit the rack. I love you,” Scott said softly, leaning over to kiss her forehead.

“I love you too. And, well, thank you for, well, understanding”

“You are most welcome, princess. I’ll be back with the ice. Joe?”

“Be there in a few. I want to talk with Sam.”  Dr. Quimby watched the door close before turning back to his daughter and her still exposed backside. He had to reluctantly admit that Scott was very thorough and seemed to get his point across. “You do understand that the bar has been raised with your discipline, right?” he asked, lying next to her on the bed.

She rested her face on the palm of his hand. “I don’t want to go through this again anytime soon. I thought the belting you gave me was bad. That was nothing compared to this, and I don’t want to push it. Daddy, I don’t mean to be this way, it just happens.”

“We all know you’re a good kid inside. The problem is you are too smart, fearless and trained beyond any of your years. Neither of us expected that you two would become what you are when we started teaching you this stuff so early. Add to that your intelligence levels. They were way beyond what we anticipated. You do realize you could write a thesis of what you discovered today and be awarded your doctorates. No one could challenge your findings.”

“It’s a little embarrassing, don’t you think? Hi, I’m Samantha Quimby. I’m 18 and got a really severe spanking from my uncle after cussing. Because of that, a killer whale wanted to eat my brother before I realized that pods don’t believe in punishing their young. Yeah, that would go over well. Ooo, maybe I could bring it to the Nobel committee too.”

“You don’t have to be sarcastic. It was just a suggestion. I know you want that Ph.D. Michael is getting his in a couple of weeks.”

“I don’t compete with him academically. He’s brilliant. He is also in a field where hard science can be measured. Mine cannot. I’ll pursue it when I have enough colleagues who can gain acceptance. Right now, they think I’m nothing more than a gifted kid who is good with ocean mammals. Until we can reveal the Beta project and our equipment, it is all nothing more than words anyway.” She sounded frustrated, but she was correct.

Dr. Quimby quietly held her, stroking her back until Scott returned with the ice packs. Together they tucked her into bed and kissed her good night. Despite the pain, Sam realized she was truly happy, content and felt safe. Those thoughts allowed her to fall into a deep, dreamless sleep.

Chapter Five

One week later, due to a sudden onset of bad weather, Scott ordered hatches down and vessel on alert. Sam paced the floor restlessly, forbidden to go out. It had been four days since she had been in the water and she was beside herself. Something was dreadfully wrong. Even Michael sensed it.

“Are you alright, sis?” he asked, stopping her pacing.

She flashed her eyes at him, her agitation visible. “No! I need to get out of here!” she yelled, pushing passed him. This was not normal behavior from her, even when cooped up.

He rested his hand on her arm. “Hey, stop a minute. I want to check your waves.” Reluctantly, the girl complied. Michael frowned, studying the results. “That’s odd, are you feeling ok physically?”

“Nothing hurts, if that’s what you’re asking. What do you see?”

“Everything is elevated to nearly the same levels as after your session with Scott. Your delta waves are off the chart! Let me call Dad.”

Dr. Quimby quickly arrived with Scott in tow. He looked at his daughter, running an assessment. Although her vitals were elevated, she appeared to have normal CNS responses. Her membranes were a little pale and turgor sluggish. “You seem to be a little dehydrated. Have you been drinking?”

“Constantly,” Michael intervened, “In fact, more than usual.”

“I can answer for myself, if you don’t mind!” she hissed. “I feel fine.  I just need to get out of here. I need to swim.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, sweetheart. Something is going on here,” Dr. Quimby said gently.

She launched quickly from her chair, sending it crashing behind her. “
I need out
!” she yelled at the top of her lungs, pushing his hands away.

Scott was blocked by Michael’s arm. “Something is very wrong here,” he said firmly, pushing himself in front of his sister. “Sam, why don’t you jump into the tank? Come on, you might feel better.”

“NOOOOOOOOO! I need to swim!” she roared, lunging at him. He grabbed her arms, although not before he was punched solidly in the jaw, cutting his lip.

“That’s enough!” Both Dr. Quimby and Scott belted out. The men around them made a quick exit smart enough not to be present with both their commanding officers were pissed. The girl continued to struggle, bite, kick and swing. Her actions were frenzied and without direction as she battled against her brother. She fought with pure instinct to escape and completely lacked the control of an experienced fighter. With a grunt, Michael finally restrained her before lifting and tossing her over the ledge into the icy cold water of the shark tank. He spread his arms to hold back the other two.

She sunk to the bottom, still glaring hatefully, as she exhaled air from her lungs. Within minutes, she closed her eyes and rested against the side. Michael hooked up the monitors to the tank, watching the readouts as he dabbed his swollen lip with the back of his hand. “I think we might have a problem,” he said quietly. He handed the strips to the silent men. “It looks like she’s rebalancing. I think we need to listen to her when she says she has to swim. This is the longest she’s been out since the incident.”