Tidal Power - 3. Blood Bath

“My initial bite definitely woke the bastard up. His breaking free of the silver ropes was a shock but it was nothing compared to his shift…

…he turned into a fucking merman! An honest to goodness merman, MERDE!”

“Hello?”

“Vasili, it’s Mahi, I have some bad news.”

“Huh?”

“Come on. Vasili, wake up. This is serious.”

“Hang on, give me a minute. For crying out loud, Mahi, you know what time it is?”

“Yes, I do. It’s almost five in the morning and you need to get your ass up. We have a problem.”

“Okay, okay, I’m up. It’s almost time for my morning swim anyway. What’s going on?”

“The body of one of the guys you sent over washed up on the beach just minutes ago. He was shot several times, but he also had two puncture wounds on the neck.”

“Oh fuck. Where is he now?

“We moved him into one of the coolers at the fish-house. Two of my guys cleaned him up and wrapped him in canvas until you tell us what to do.”

“Okay, good. Give me half an hour and I’ll call you back. I’ll head over with a few of our guys once we can get organized.”

“Hey, men. Prota will join us in a minute. He had to take a phone call. What do you have for us, Sesi?”

“Not a lot yet, Vasili. I’m so sorry about your man―we’ll get the fuckers involved in this. Our guys who cleaned him and discovered the two puncture wounds on the side of his neck, noticed a smaller hole on his back. With a tiny needle in it. Someone used a tranquilizer dart to knock him out before he was transported aboard the yacht. In spite of the obvious bite by a vampire, the kid’s blood wasn’t drained. Combined with the gunshot wounds, I’m pretty sure he began to shift when first bitten.”

“Fuck! That means the blood suckers are most likely aware of our existence now. Néo, any images from the drone? Any new communications from the yacht?”

“No images, boss. Our man must have been brought on board while the drone was back at our place getting fresh batteries. Our chief enforcer, Genni, has already arranged for us to have two more drones by this afternoon so we’ll not have lapses in coverage again. We monitored one call from this guy Tepes to someone in New Orleans. He ordered additional muscle, and sent the plane down to pick them up after sunset tonight. The wolves are handling that angle of the operation.”

“Mahi?”

“I’ll let Mel handle this since he made the arrangements. You’re up kid.”

“Okay, Néo was able to track the location called in New Orleans. It’s a large building in the French Quarter of the city. We think it’s one of their safe houses. I contacted my counterpart in the Bayou Pack, and requested assistance. I explained the situation, without mentioning you guys can shift into mermen or dolphins, and he agreed to help.

“Their safe house is under surveillance. If the wolves smell any vampires, they have orders to kill them. Wolves are also on the way to Louis Armstrong Airport to await the arrival of the Vermillion jet, establish surveillance, and prevent anyone from boarding after sunset.”

“Sorry about the phone call guys, but I’m glad I took it.”

“What’s up Próta?

“That was the owner of Acoustic Solutions. His daughter was approached by two guys as she left a movie theatre last night. She was told to inform her father he should decide what he valued most, his company or his family.”

“Shit! I guess they’re ready to make a move now.”

“I think so, Mahi. But I have an idea on how to deal with these assholes. Can we take a break so I can discuss this with Sesi?”

“Beta Próta and Beta Sesi reporting for duty, sirs!”

“Get over yourselves, assholes. But thanks for trying to lighten the mood, what did the two of you come up with?”

“Próta and I made some calls and put some wheels in motion. Since our two companies are the main participants in the joint venture we arranged for a conference call with the owners of our four partners to make them aware of a potential danger to all of us. We talked about the threats and then let them know the consortium was arranging for security details for them and their immediate families.

“We asked our Deltas to coordinate the arrangements and insisted a couple of wolves be included in the evening teams. In case vampires appear we know wolves can kill them but we have no knowledge of what mermen could do to them. Próta, wanna take part two?

“Sure, Sesi. We asked the owner of Acoustic to call the solicitor in Québec and let him know he was ready to accept their offer but wanted to have the deal finalized over the weekend. He let the lawyer know their offer of one hundred million Euros was acceptable and to make sure the funds were ready for transfer first thing Monday morning. The little shit sounded so happy I thought he would crawl through the phone and kiss our guy. He promised to contact his client and arrange for a transfer of funds to his trust account and asked for an hour to finalize a proposed contract which he would then email. We’re waiting for it any minute now.”

“Néo, I’m sure your little wiretap has revealed some information, correct?”

“Right you are, Vasili. The solicitor placed a call to the yacht and then an email was sent from the boat to a bank in Marseilles. The transcript of the call and the text of the message are being emailed to you as we speak. I think we need another break until we have the proposed contract and a response from Marseilles.”

“So, he called and agreed to sell, at last good news. Maybe I won’t have to return to Marseilles with nothing to show for my efforts. I’m glad the conversation our friends had with his daughter helped him realize our offer was a most generous one. Have you sent him the proposed contract?”

“Yes, Prince Tepes. I expect a call from him sometime later today. I may have to fly to Halifax sometime this weekend if we’re to have a closing on Monday morning.”

“The company jet will be at your disposal when it returns from New Orleans. Our friends arriving on it have their orders and know where to go―you need not concern yourself with their actions, they’re here as insurance.”

“Yes, sir... About the money?”

“I’ve just authorized the transfer of one hundred million Euros to your trust account. What have you found out about that abomination we encountered last night?”

“Nothing so far, your highness. I contacted individuals in the top twenty population centers in North America. Not one of them has ever heard of mermen shifters. Maybe it was a mutant wolf?”

“You’ve been watching too many Marvel movies but maybe you’re right. I hope so for all our sakes.”

“Yes! We’ve got the motherfuckers! Mahi, by the end of tonight your pack, and our pod, should have a lot of money in a Cayman Islands bank account and two new toys to play with.”

“Damn, Sesi, I’ve never seen you this excited or smiling so broadly. Let’s hear it. You have our undivided attention.”

“Thanks, Vasili. Most of the credit goes to your guys. Próta came up with the idea and Néo is playing a big part in operation Blood Bath.”

“Oh no, you didn’t! Please tell me you didn’t just say our plan has a corny name as if this was some sort of graphic novel adventure.”

“Sorry, Mahi, but Néo came up with the name. We all thought it was funny enough to use. Anyway, the money from Vermillion is now sitting in the solicitor’s trust account and when we give the word Néo will make it disappear. The funds will jump all over the place until an account in the Cayman Islands receives a large transfer.”

“How far are we straying from the law, Néo?”

“Ask me no questions and I’ll tell you no lies, boss. When the solicitor disappears and leaves behind a note on his computer about how tired he was of working for blood sucking French capitalists, and how he decided to take an early retirement and move out of Canada… well, you get the picture. Someone associated with Vermillion back in France will try to find him but they’ll have no luck. Mel, wanna take over?”

“Sure thing. Néo forgot to tell you guys the Vermillion corporate jet received instructions to return to Québec since there would be no passenger pickup in New Orleans. Upon landing they’ll be met by wolves. The pilots will be sent home, and two of our flyboys will bring the plane to Halifax. All necessary paperwork will be electronically filed to show the transfer of the jet to Shiftmates Corporation. It’s a new entity jointly owned by both our companies. Another group of wolves will meet our solicitor friend as he leaves his office tonight. I won’t bother with details but the world will be better off with one less lawyer on it. Genni, your turn.”

“My report is brief since I have to run out of here soon. Once the wolves have handled both those matters, Néo will take care of the money, the solicitor’s note, the ownership transfer for the jet, and the ownership transfer to the same company of one luxury yacht currently anchored in the Bay of Fundy. Before sunset, a group of my guys will shift into dolphins, swim to the boat, then shift into mermen, and board our new vessel. We’ll catch the vampires while they’re unable to function, dispose of them, and of any of their human accomplices.”

“You guys are shitting us. We end up with lots of money, a corporate jet, and a luxury yacht?”

“You got it, boss. Once we’re done, we’ll will get you and Mahi on a Zodiac and out to the Atlantis. Oh yeah, we took the liberty of naming our new canoe.”

“Are we ready, men?”

“Yes we are, Vasili. You and Mahi just kick back, relax, and get ready to light up the victory cigars when Operation Blood Bath is over. Próta, Néo, and I will take care of everything. We decided having everyone around the table in the sound proof conference room was best. We turned the place into mission control.”

“Vasili, I think our boys have been smoking the funny seaweed again. Operation Blood Bath? Mission Control? What the fuck? When do we get started, Néo?”

“First step is the solicitor, Mahi. But our teams should start checking in any—”

“Mission control, this is building security. We’re waiting for the package to arrive.”

“That’s Mel, guys. He’s in charge of snatching the lawyer. Our surveillance has his routine down pat and we almost know when he farts after lunch.”

“Mission control here. We copy building security.”

“This is airport security, mission control. We’re in position. Toy delivery expected momentarily.”

“The guys taking control of the plane will wait until we give them the signal to step in. They’ll take care of the pilots, and then head to Halifax after refueling.”

“Mission control this is beach patrol, we’re ready for our swim.”

“Genni’ss leading the boarding party himself, we think he—”

“Excuse me, Monsieur?”

“Oui?”

“We have a message for you from Vermillion.”

“Who the hell are you? How do you know that name? I’m calling security.”

“Oh, I don’t think so, Monsieur…”

“Ooops, mission control this is building security. We sort of damaged the package so we’re going to place it in the trunk of our car and take it with us.”

“Was that growling I heard?”

“Yes it was, Vasili, one of the boys must have gotten excited, shifted, and ripped a throat out. Néo, that’s a go for you.”

“On it, Sesi. Just give me a minute and… Okay money has started the trip to the Cayman Islands. Time to upload a note explaining the disappearance of a slime-ball, and to file ownership transfer papers on a small private jet. Money is ours, guys. Let’s get us a plane. Airport Security, you have a green light.”

“Got it. Two pilots and a ground operations director coming right up.”

“Gentlemen, if we could have a minute.”

“Sorry guys, this is private property you’re not allowed in the building.”

“I think we are since your boss was kind enough to give us the plane as an early Christmas present.”

“What the fuck are you talking about? I’m calling—”

“Damn, I can’t believe all three tripped and broke their necks when they fell! Mission Control, we’re loading up the garbage and taxiing to our hangar. Give us an hour to refuel and change the numbers on the plane and we’ll be on our way to Halifax.”

“Roger that airport security. You have the necessary documents in case you need them. I’ve already filed a flight plan on your behalf. Be safe, flyboys. Now comes the dangerous part. Beach patrol this is mission control, you’re cleared for a swim in the bay.”

“Acknowledge that mission control Keep an eye on the TV. We’ll report as soon as possible.

Vaaaaampiiiiires… come out and plaaaaay…”

“Bathroom break everyone, we have a little time before they’re ready to board. We have all three drones in place so we can follow the action.”

“Here we go men Watch the screen. Damn, that’s a hell of a lot of dolphins surrounding the yacht. How many did you send out?”

“Only a dozen, Mahi. Those are mostly wild ones. Genni must have invited them to swim.”

“Great cover, Vasili. Wow! Nice breach!”

“Take a look at the infrared camera, guys. You can see our men shifting again right underneath the keel. There they go. They’re boarding now. Infrared reveals two individuals inside. No idea how many vampires since they don’t give off heat.

“Now it could get dicey, boss. If those two goons pull out guns our guys… Oh shit, one of our guys is down. He’s probably shot… There go the assholes trying to back out of the cabin. They’re headed right toward our guys waiting outside. Yeah! Men overboard it seems. Those two must have decided to go for a swim in order to cool down. I wonder if they’re alive or not. Sesi wanted at least one of them alive so we could interrogate him.”

“Right now I’d be happy knowing all the vampires are gone, Néo. Someone to use enhanced interrogation techniques on would just be a bonus. What was that? Quick! Move the drone! Track that column of smoke rising through the cabin’s roof.”

“Shit, can’t do it guys; it’s moving too fast.”

“Mission control this is the crew of the Atlantis. We have zero casualties, one flesh wound, and two drenched rats. One blood sucker seems to have evaporated. How about we send the tender out and you guys can come and check out our new toy?”