Widderkin Interlude - 4. Chapter 4.

Chapter 4.

"Any suggestions, Arthur, Samuel?"

"Not really. We’re well organised and leaving early to allow for unknowns, so even if something major happens we should have enough time to get back here."

"Kieran, I thought Rhys was just being Rhys when he said we’ll have to see what we can’t see, but I couldn't help noticing the strong look Corey gave him."

Corey nodded his agreement with Arthur.

"Yes, I had a feeling he was speaking specifically, rather than his usual general wordplay."

Rhys's hesitation was a giveaway and Corey laughed.

"You’re sprung, Rhys. What haven't you told us?"

The giveaway compounded when Rhys looked to Kieran for guidance.

"Explain, Rhys. Waiting till we know more details doesn't really help."

"Okay – the giant shark things aren't a worry because Kieran's got their pattern. It’s the mutant orcas and a probe against Michael’s Shields that could make tomorrow interesting."

Corey broke the silence.

"Mutant orcas and giant sharks? Links with home? Explain is an understatement."

"Okay! Here’s what happened. Something probed at Michael’s shields, and a powerful sonar signal spooked our orcas.

The giant sharks are as big as our orcas, but one of their enemies looks something like an orca, except it’s double the length of Big Momma. When you put all that together there really could be interesting things tomorrow."

"Surely you mean some local equivalent of earth sharks and orcas?"

"No. We mean real ones. Michael says they’re too similar to be some kind of convergent evolution."

"Double sized versions?"

Corey's brow furrowed. He turned to Michael.

"Ask Big Momma if she has any sense of a timescale for the callings."

"... Ages! But they do have other songs that are even older so it’s not a forever thing."

Corey nodded.

"Kieran, from now on I suggest you keep an extra close eye on our shields. This new information gives us cause to reconsider."

"Reconsider our plan to go to Green Island? Corey, its pretty much our only option."

"Not quite, Rhys. Woorawa saw several other islands through the binoculars which may be less risky destinations."

"For all we know they could be more risky."

"Of course, but the thicker fog that Nathan sees and the massive flocks of birds that seem to be based there do make it a bigger mystery."

"I can control the birds and animals and push through the green fog if I need to, Corey. D’you think Green Island will be different?"

"I doubt it, but we just don't know. Rhys is right though. We do need to find out what we can about Green Island."

"What do you know about the new orcas, Kieran? Are they friendly like ours?"

"Nathan and I only know them from the great white shark’s memories. We did send the sharks scouting for them but all they found was more prawn swarms and some squid creatures."

John gave his son an almost indignant look.

"Nathan, you knew this and you didn't tell us?"

"It's like Rhys said, Dad. We wanted to know what we were talking about first, but then Corey read Kieran’s mind and let the cat out of the bag."

"The cat? ... Good grief! What are we going to do, Gwen? Rhys is giving him the tortured word disease and now he’s keeping secrets from us."

"Dad, it wasn't really a secret. I –"

Rhys gave Nathan a nudge and a wink.

"He got you, Nathan. Sometimes oldies still know how to stir."

Rom barked as if to assure Nathan and pawed gently at his knee. Everyone smiled and praised him for being such a clever dog while Johnlinked arms with Gwen.

"One simple question and they’re ganging up on us, Gwen, even Rom."

"Speak for yourself. He’s a very clever dog."

John slapped his free hand on his head in mock disgust.

"I’m abducted by aliens, ignored by my son, criticised by the crazy canine, and abandoned by the light of my life. The only support left is my sturdy security team. What do you say, Arthur?"

"Well – I would have to say that Rom is the smartest dog I’ve ever known."

"Wow, Kieran. John’s got us all smiling and I can't tell if it’s natural or if he’s doing it on purpose."

"I’m sure it's both, Rhys. Look how his eyes take in everyone's reactions – particularly Arthur and Samuel who always follow his cues."

Rom moved, repeated the pawing motion then asked for attention by pressing his head against John’s leg.

"Well, well, well! The clever one makes his final decision."

***

The big male slowed and circled to join the other orcas with riders.

"What’s happening?"

"Big Momma decided it’s time for a stop, Rhys. We’ve been travelling for nearly three hours and they’ve sensed a school of fish they’d like to hunt."

"Lucky things! All we’ve got is water that’s on short rations while we're travelling."

Half the pod suddenly weren’t there and the orcas with riders closed ranks around Big Momma.

Mr B rummaged in his pack for the binoculars then studied the view of Green Island.

Rom, taking advantage of the proximity, made a prodigious leap to the orca carrying Gwen, and after being fussed over, repeated the process to be with John.

"What’s happened to the prawn swarm, Kieran? Wasn't it somewhere near here"

"It was, Mr B, but it was moving steadily towards the island."

"They can't be far. You’ve got their pattern so can you sense them?"

Kieran used an energy boost to push through the pesky fog.

"They’re off to the right a couple of kilometres, Mr B. We’ll miss them if we keep to our present course."

"Why don't we catch some? Cooked prawns are delicious."

"That's a good idea, Mr B, but it won't work. If we catch them now they’ll spoil by the time we’re set up for cooking."

"We’ll cook them as soon as we catch them, Tan. We don't need a fire."

"What? Cooking without a fire?"

"We’ve got two options, Rhys. Kieran can use energy to cook them in the billy with seawater, or you can just heat them directly."

"Directly? – Well why not."

Kieran was dubious.

"Of course I can, Mr B, but how will I know how much heat to use and when to stop? I haven't got Tan’s cooking skills."

Tan shook his head.

"This is brilliant, Kieran. As long as there are fish or something else, we won't need to be hungry while the orcas are carrying us."

"Hey! I like this idea. We just catch things and Kieran cooks them on the spot. Tell the orcas to head for the nearest prawns, Michael."

***

"Gods! Prawn flambe! Try again, Kieran!"

There was no flame, more an eruption of tissue and steam as too much heat vaporised all the moisture in the single prawn Kieran was experimenting with.

"Whoops! That was billy-boiling level. I’ll be more gentle."

It took five tries to establish a satisfactory heat level, and how long to apply it, before Tan's eyes lit up.

"This is delicious, Kieran. Can you mass-produce them?"

That was no problem and, hunger abated, the journey resumed.

"Any sign of the great white sharks, Kieran? They were pigging out on the swarm yesterday, so they might be here again."

"I thought so too, Rhys, but not at the moment. When we’re past the prawn swarm I’ll cast a mind net and see if I can catch them."

"How’s everyone coping? They all look good, but it’s over three hours since we left."

Rhys meant the Canberra mob and Kieran did a quick scan of their surface thoughts.

"No problems. Arthur and Samuel wish their orcas were closer to John and Gwen but not enough to be concerned. Nathan wants something exciting to happen, and John’s keen to be on land again where he’s not so dependent on the orcas. Gwen’s interesting. She’s proud of the way John and Nathan are helping our situation but wishing everything wasn't so unpredictable."

"The cliffs don't look good. It’ll be a long day if we have to retrace all this travelling."

"If the cliffs don't end, Woorawa thinks we could try for one of the other islands he saw from the lookout hill."

"How far’s that?"

"About three hours but we really want Green Island to work."

"For sure! Which direction is this other island?"

"Um – that way."

Rhys shaded his eyes and peered intently.

"Hey, yeah! I think I can see it. It’s kind of blurry though."

Kieran looked, and straightaway contacted Mr B.

"Woorawa’s alternate island’s looking a bit weird, Mr B. Can you check if anything shows through the binoculars?"

"No problems, Kieran. Which direction? – Hey! That’s not an island it’s one of the big flocks we saw in the evening."

That was interesting and, to see for himself, Kieran looked through Mr B's eyes.

"It’s not their wheeling and swirling behaviour, Mr B. They’re so low I think they might be feeding on something."

Kieran did a 360 scan for any other birds in the hope for something close enough to catch a pattern and take control.

He’d been doing this all morning, wondering why, with the vast numbers in the flocks, no individuals or small groups had come their way.

Rhys called across the few metres separating the orcas.

"Looking for close birds again, Kieran?"

“It’s weird and frustrating, Rhys. Just one could scout along those cliffs and show us the situation."

"Everything’s weird about this place, Kieran. We see zillions of birds but they’re always way off in the distance. Yesterday all those great white sharks were attacking the prawn swarm and today there hasn't been a sign of even a single one."

"I know. I was going to use them to scout ahead of our orcas. We –"

A shout, both physical and mental, turned every head to where Mr B was holding his binoculars aloft.

"Kieran, there’re two birds about 400 m towards Green Island. They’re circling and they’re really large."

Kieran went into overdrive.

"Keep the binoculars on them, Mr B. They’re too far for my ordinary eyes, so I’ll watch through yours and hope that's enough to get their pattern."

For a tense moment there was nothing while the binoculars scanned to reacquire their target. They locked on and with a minor boost of stored energy Kieran reached, pushed through the light fog, and took control of, first one, and then, it's partner.

With practised ease the avian duo flapped to gain height, and then approach the convoy in a graceful glide.

"Arthur and Samuel, you’re both wearing strong jackets. Are you okay with having them perch on your arms while I get to know them?"

"What? Oh my God – yes! Yes!"

"Good. Here they come. Lift your arms and don't flinch."

"Why didn't you just send them straight off scouting, Kieran?"

"To make Arthur and Samuel feel more involved, Rhys. It's only a few minutes delay and it's worth it for everyone to get their own close-up view."

Kieran changed to group mind talk.

"Have a good look for a few minutes while they’re with Arthur and Samuel. We’ve struck it lucky because they’re raptors of some kind with terrific eyes and good strong wings.

I’ve got full control and I’m going to send them to Green Island and then along the coast. – What? Michael and Mr B are both saying they’re sea eagles – white bellied sea eagles - except they’re giant versions."

***

From unusual perches, which they somehow knew were completely trustworthy, keen eyes surveyed familiar sea creatures and the forms riding them. Eyes capable of interpreting water turbulence from kilometres away turned to their new flock leader and, basking in the powerful aura of authority and welcome, waited for guidance with avian anticipation.

"They’re both staring at you, Kieran. One quick glance was all the rest of us got."

"That’s the affinity thing, Rhys. After I push through the fog stuff it’s the same reaction I get at home or in the Realms."

"Look at Samuel. He’s totally boggled."

With powerful wing beats the eagles launched and headed purposefully toward Green Island.

***

Oh my! The massive cliff walls continued as far into the distance as eagle eyes could see, but a curious configuration of the massive battlements and a silvery glint further inland warranted closer inspection. Kieran initiated a power glide and, with increasing excitement, relayed the eagle vision to everyone else. Another command sent the two scouts inland, following a narrow passage joining ocean to an inland expanse of water.

"Get the orcas moving, Michael. I’ve sent the sea eagles down for a closer look at a passage through the cliffs. The high view showed inland waterways stretching way into the distance."

Kieran switched to mind speaking the whole group.

"It's looking good everyone. About three km ahead there’s a way through the cliffs and I’ve got the eagles checking it out. There – Sheba!"

Kieran’s communication cut off while he reached to re-establish the link with the sea eagles.

"What’s happening?"

"The sea eagles disappeared, Rhys. Hang on while I try and get them back. I’ve got their pattern, and I know their general location, so I should be able to."

The green fog was blocking a normal reach, but a boost of extra energy pushed through and returned his control.

"That was really weird, Rhys. I’ve got them back again, but I don't understand what happened. I’m going to watch through their eyes for a while because there’s open water ahead and I can get them looking for somewhere to – they’ve gone again – and I felt them get taken. It was deliberate."

"What?"

"Wait a sec. I’ll get them back, and this time I'll give them full shields."

Again Kieran reached, and once again he needed quite a boost to push past the fog barrier.

"The poor eagles. They’re confused by the sudden changes in their minds."

"How come you didn't give them mind shields right from the start? The Coursers in the Realms had them all the time."

"No they didn't. Only after Uirebon tried to take them back and find out where we were."

"So, d’you reckon someone’s after us?"

"I don't know. At first I thought it was an effect of the green fog, but I was in the Eagles’ minds directly the second time and I felt the lock on effect that goes with taking control."

"That’s scary if someone’s strong enough to push you out."

"Not really, Rhys. I only took enough control to direct where they went and take in what they were seeing."

"What about the shields for the Canberra folk? They’ve hardly had any practice at using them."

"That’s not a problem because they’ve all got warning triggers and they’ll kick in like Michael's shields did yesterday, but you’re right. We’ve got some time till we reach the break in the cliffs, so it’ll be a good idea to have a shield session with everyone."

Rhys laughed.

"Samuel will freak if you use the Medusa look on him again."

The shield practice didn't happen. In the next five minutes there were two more attempts to wrest control of the sea eagles, and soon after that Mr B, holding his binoculars aloft, yelled for everyone's attention.

"Look at the flock, Kieran. They’re higher than they were and I think they might be coming this way."

The aspect of the widespread flock was definitely different and Kieran watched it separate into two distinct masses.

"Look through the binoculars, Mr B, so I can see more."

Oh my! Mr B was right. One of the masses did seem to be flying towards them and the other was spiralling to gain height.

Corey gave a mental call.

"If they’re coming this way they’ve broken a pattern, Kieran. It's only two days, of course, but it’s always been late afternoon and evening when the bird flocks returned to Green Island. Can you reach them?"

"Not until they come close enough to get their pattern. That won't be long though."

"I think you should send the Eagles to intercept them. A pattern change makes me wonder. Did the eagles change course when you lost control?"

"Just back towards the island, Corey. It's their hunting ground and they’re hungry."

"Or maybe they were directed this way and now the flocks are taking their place."

Kieran reacted instantly and the sea eagles’ speed surged.

"Nathan, can we merge? Corey wants me to check the flocks and they’re so big I'll definitely need to tap into their Life Force to push past the fog."

"Yay! Of course. - Right now?"

"For sure. The eagles will be close enough for control in a few minutes."

The merge was, once again, so seamless and easy that it startled Kieran. Ranevargar needed to watch and study what was happening.

"My God! There’s so many birds, Kieran. Looking through the eagles’ eyes shows the two flocks really clearly. I wonder why one’s staying close to the water while the other’s climbing?"

"We’ll find out soon enough."

"Can we work multiple mind nets when they’re different species? The low ones look darker."

"Ranevargar made me practice with six different mind nets once, and it wasn't a problem. Three species should be easy."

"Three?"

"We’re not losing the sea eagles again."

"My God, Kieran. Look at the high flock. It goes for ever."

Rhys interrupted.

"I’ve told everyone what’s happening, Kieran and Nathan. Michael’s bringing the pod into closer formation for a while and he’s wondering if we should stop moving till we know more."

"No stops, Rhys. The cliff passage is still our target."

"Why’s everyone relaying through Rhys?"

Kieran checked, saw that this was Cory's ruling so that the merge would have fewer distractions, then turned his attention to Nathan's sudden puzzlement.

"Look at the green fog around the birds, Kieran. It’s stronger."

Kieran's own eyes couldn't distinguish any difference but the merge meant he was sharing not only Nathan's vision, but also the experience and understanding that went with it.

"It might be because they’re flying towards us and they’re packed closer. – Could be – no – the color’s definitely stronger."

"Are we grabbing the high flock first?"

"For sure. They’re moving faster and the Eagle’s eyes are now showing they’re bigger birds than the others."

Without instruction the sea eagles pushed to gain height and a check showed it was a kind of surveillance instinct.

"About a minute, Nathan. We’ll get the pattern of a single bird first, just like we did with the prawns, then send the eagles on to the other flock."

The eagles stooped to a small group of forerunners and, through their eyes, the merge settled on to one of the leaders, reached for control - and didn't quite get through.

"Did we do something wrong?"

"No, Nathan. That resistance felt like a simple shield and that’s one of my best skills. Watch."

A quick probe and a little assist of personal power was enough.

"Here we go! Oversee the first mind net with a hundred birds, Nathan, while I figure what’s going on in this bird brain. Yes, that does sound funny. Hmm! It’s a leader bird and it’s heading for a school of its favourite fish, right where we first met the sea eagles."

Nathan's sudden concern focused the merge fully on the increasing outflow of energy.

Three iterations was a mind net of a million birds and Kieran's personal output was close to its limit.

"We’ll increase ten times instead of a hundred, Nathan, and use Ruby energy."

"Why don't we just repeat the pattern of the last net till we've got all the flock? We won't need Ruby energy if we do it that way."

"That’s just plain sensible, Nathan. My mind likes following patterns."

Within seconds control was complete and the merge was studying the flock characteristics.

"Check out their markings, Kieran. Except for that dark band of wing feathers, they look like Gulpy ... What are we going to do with them?"

Kieran smiled as Nathan imagined the reactions of his mum and dad if the great flock was called to wheel in the sky above them.

"As soon as we’ve got the other flock under control we’ll send them all back to where they were feeding."

With the Eagles dropping in a power dive, that happened almost immediately and after another assessment the merge gave everyone a report.

"There are over four million birds in total and controlling them’s quite straightforward. Pushing through the green fog was harder than we expected and we would’ve wasted some of our stored Ruby energy if Nathan's head wasn't screwed on better than mine. – Your son’s a marvel, Gwen.

The birds’ memories don't work the same as ours but round about the time we met the Sea Eagles the flock leaders got a compulsion to look for their favourite food. Another interesting thing is that the birds in the high flock are all a variation of Gulpy Gannet.

We’re going to keep a light, background control over both flocks while we head for the cliff passage. Any questions?"

... Whoo! That’s everyone. We’ll start with Corey, then – Hang on! The sea eagles have registered something new. We'll get back to you."

***

The eagles, straining to regain height after their close encounter with the low flock, were strongly reacting to a widespread discolouration in the water of the distant ocean.

"They know it’s a school of fish and their natural hunting instincts are trying to override our control."

"It's more than that, Kieran. Did you see that blip when something caught their interest? I’m sure they were looking in a different direction."

"Which direction? I was too busy talking to everyone to notice."

"I'm not sure. Get them to do a scan instead of concentrating on the fish."

"Look at that. It’s a group of the big sharks. .. And another. Sheba! ... Five groups and they’re all heading in this direction."

A powerful directive to investigate washed all thought of fish from the sea eagles’ minds and powerful eyes focused with new purpose.

"Kieran, look how big the groups are."

The Eagles went into yet another power glide and Nathan's wonder made Kieran smile.

"What’s funny, Kieran. It's awesome the way they move."

"It’s not laughing funny, Nathan. When we take you to the Realms you can try a real power dive with Krol. Plummeting for more than a kilometre will blow your mind."

"The Realms! Me?"

"For sure. Ranevargar wants to see your Power Eyes working, and I want him to look at how we merge. I – here we go again."

The Eagles pulled out of their final dive and circled above the great white sharks. The merge reached, bounced, and reached again with a power assist.

"Everything’s got extra fog, Nathan. This is way different to yesterday."

The net extended to the whole group.

"Thirty-four of them, and look at that compulsion. It’s pushing them to high speed."

The compulsion died, replaced with knowledge of bountiful food for suddenly elevated hunger levels, and the sharks headed for the nearby schools of fish.

"We’ll do the same for the others, Nathan. We can't have over a hundred great white sharks confronting our orcas"

"We should do it without the Eagles, Kieran. We’ve been pushing them and they deserve a break."

Nathan was right and Kieran was impressed, yet again, with this merge facility.

The great white shark identity pattern was well and truly locked in, and reaching groups at a distance just meant a power assist. Hmm! The spread was kilometres. This would need stored power.

Four more groups forgot the target of their compulsion and set course for the closer alternative.

"A hundred and sixty-seven, Kieran. We’d have been in trouble if we couldn't take control."

"And we’ll keep it, too. If we free them I'm sure they’ll just start after us again."

"Send a couple of the gannets to keep a lookout while the eagles relax. I reckon something else might get sent after us."

The gannets were sent and it was time to continue the general update.

***

"We’re back, everyone. About four million birds and a hundred and sixty-seven great white sharks were heading this way, but that’s all under control and our objective now is exploring the passage."

Corey interrupted.

"Heading this way? Is that general or specific?"

"Specific, Corey. They had an artificial compulsion to go to the location where I took over the Sea Eagles."

"Someone, or something, is looking for us?"

"We think so, or maybe trying to find out what happened with the Sea eagles."

"Where are the Sea Eagles? Aren't they meant to be scouting the way for us?"

"They’re at that fish swarm island, digesting the fish they caught, Michael. They needed a break and they’ll be back with us in fifteen or twenty minutes."

Questions came in a barrage, stopped briefly when the sea eagles arrived and circled overhead, and began again with a new train of thought.

"How far can they see, Kieran?"

Gwen was really asking about their ability to detect at a distance.

"We send them high, Gwen. Their birds eye view works best that way, particularly with this clear ocean water."

"Why do you keep saying we? Is Rhys or Michael helping you?"

"I’m merged with Nathan. His Power Eyes are a huge help."

"Hi, Mum! Hi, dad! I’m having an unreal time."

That brought a huge double gasp.

"Nathan! You’re mind talking! Did you learn that today?"

"I haven't learnt it really. I can only do it while I’m merged and Kieran lets me use his skills. I’ll tell you all about it later."

"Good grief! Every time I think I’ve got a grasp of the situation something new happens.

You probably can't hear me, Gwen, but I’m riding an orca towards who knows what while I listen to my son speak to me without using words."

"I can hear you, John. I don't know how, though it’s certainly better than shouting across twenty meters of ocean."

"That’s the merge, Mum. We’re kind of relaying your thought speak ... I’ll have to talk later. The eagles are close and we’re going to watch through their eyes while they scout ahead."

The eagles gained altitude and for the next half hour the expedition made its way towards the much anticipated break in the great wall of cliffs.

"We’ll reach the entrance in about five minutes, Nathan. We’ll have a short rest and make our last orca swap in the sheltered water, then send the eagles ahead."

Nathan's mental sigh of relief stopped abruptly.

"Something just registered with the male, Kieran. He’s looking further along the coast."

With some kind of natural communication, the female focused in the same direction. The eagles gained height and purpose.

"I think it’s more sharks coming. When the eagles get closer we’ll have to take control again."

"They’re too big. I don't think they’re sharks."

Eagle vision very quickly proved they weren't, and when shark memories of a deadly foe became reality the merge made an excited call.

"Michael, you need to see this. The eagles have almost reach a group of the creatures we saw in the sharks memory. They do look like orcas but they’re too big."

Nathan’s excited call pushed through.

"The pod’s giant and the orcas - I’m sure they’re orcas, – are giants too."

The eagle vision played in Michael's mind.

"They’re orcas for sure, but you’ve got the scale wrong."

"The scale’s right, Michael. I know we agreed the shark memories we saw yesterday must have been upscaled with a kind of importance factor, but the eagles’ eyes are way better than the sharks. They’re way better than ours."

Michael was still dubious and searched in his memory for some lookalike whale, but discounted that very quickly when the rapid approach revealed features too similar to discount. The merge sent the eagles into a power dive and disbelief changed to excitement.

"Orcas? Giant ones and so many?"

"Kieran, this is weird. There’s no green fog."

The merge reached for an individual forging ahead of the main pack and, yet again, failed to get through.

With no green fog, control should have been instant.

"What happened?"

Kieran, as surprised as Nathan, reached more deliberately. Recognition was instant.

"It’s got a mind shield, Nathan. A different kind, and very strong."

The whirl of Kieran's thoughts was so fast Nathan couldn't keep up.

"What are we going to do?"

"Proceed very carefully. We can break through easily but once we destroy a shield it's gone, and we need to find out if it’s natural or if it comes from somewhere else."

"Natural? Does that happen with some creatures?"

"It’s a definitely possible. Let’s see if we can find out."

By now the sea eagles were circling directly above the massive individual and, accessing all the shield training sessions with Ranevargar and Kieran's own knowledge, the merge reached to study, rather than break.

It felt almost like a standard Realm shield, with brute force being the quickest way through, but then a memory of the big confrontation at the share house surfaced. Yes, somehow, from inside his shield, Kieran had studied the attack, figured its manner, then used his Opal power to retaliate.

"I don't think that will help, Kieran. You were inside looking out and this is outside looking in. Has Ranevargar showed you any way for passing through shields?"

"No, that’s the whole point of ... Hang on, when Ranevargar was paralysed and couldn’t defend himself I had to sneak power to keep his shield going."

Something clicked.

Merge power pushed, gently but insistently till the orca’s shield flared and strengthened.

Kieran's eyes saw the flow of power reach the shield then disappear. Nathan's Power Eyes, augmented by the merge, watched the power approach, pass through the interface, then join the structure that was the shield.

"I can hardly believe this, Nathan. We’re seeing the pathway that opens when a shield is accepting new power. All we have to do is make it open again and we can get in."

Steady pressure depleted the orca’s shield reserves till once again, assistance came. The merge pounced. Kieran's finesse with power flows and Nathan's unique ability mapped and followed the curious shield bypass.

"We’re in!"

The Nathan part of the merge watched with awe while the Kieran part studied the new mind and body.

Awe disappeared. The merge flared with anger, disgust and alarm.

"This is terrible. Someone’s conditioned this orca so much it hardly has a mind of its own."

"We’ll have to take control of every single one of them, Kieran. That attack compulsion makes me scared. If they reach us like that we won't have a hope."

The Kieran side of the merge calmed Nathan's vivid imaginings.

"Look how strong this Life Force is, Nathan. We’ll use just enough to take the edge off that unnatural drive and ferocity, then control the rest of them with a mind net. Ready?"

A mass of life energy, drained from – 106 – individuals, gathered above the lead orca, then disappeared in a futile push against 105 close followers.

"We didn't get through?"

"Too strong. That second power boost must have gone to all of them. Not just the one we were focused on. What a waste. All that life energy gone for nothing. We’ll have to use Ruby energy."

The mind net firmed, pressure built against orca mind shields till the merge calculated the level of group resistance and a precisely calculated surge of power dissolved every shield.

"We’re in!"

Kieran's wry recognition that he’d just repeated himself disappeared beneath a flood of new awareness.

"This is awful. They’re all the same"

"What are we going to do?"

"Well, we’ll have to keep them under control. We can't let them be enemies.

Nathan, we’ll have to hold them close while we try and work out what to do. I want to see what Michael and our own orcas think."

"Kieran, what if there are more groups, like the sharks? The eagles should do another big search."

"This is getting complicated. Controlling these orcas is different to the sharks and the birds. You’re right though. We’ve had enough surprises."

When that was set in motion attention shifted to answer Rhys’s demand for attention.

"What the heck happened, Kieran? You startled us all by glowing blue, and now I’m getting a whole mixture of vibes like you’re angry and sad."

"One hundred and six new orcas will be here in about fifteen minutes, Rhys, and the vibes are about them. Tell everyone we’re okay and we’ll explain after a bit more Buddha time."

"More? Have a quick talk to Gwen and John then. You and Nathan have both been spaced out for ages."

"Thanks. Good thinking."

"Hi mum! Hi dad! Everything’s okay. Too much is happening to talk just now and Rhys will tell everyone what he knows - until we’re with you again – should be five or ten minutes. Bye"

The merge returned to the study of body, mind, the traces of manipulation, and a careful watch on the one remaining mind shield.

"There’s a trigger to alert who ever made the shield that something’s happened. It’s pretty basic, but let’s see what happens when we trip it."

Nothing happened for all of five seconds, then a command came and the shield disappeared.

"There was a gap, Kieran."

"Probably thinking time, Nathan, after seeing all the other shields were gone and then deciding the one left might give something away.

Now, it’s our turn to build."

One hundred and six new shields formed, way stronger, with intricate triggers and individual pools of backup energy.

"That’s weird. You built a shield for each orca and your mind shows you don't understand part of what you did?"

"It sure is weird. Even Ranevargar can't figure it. It’s one of my Opal mysteries. And here’s another.

We’re going to help these orcas by accessing my memories of how Ranevargar repaired Corey's mind and the mind of the man who was going to shoot Woorawa."

Nathan did some memory accessing of his own, then watched in amazement while an extraordinary mind net removed nasty conditioning, dissolved barriers to self-awareness, and gave access to dormant thought processes.

"Quick, Kieran. They’re almost here, and everyone will have heart attacks if we don't warn them."

Deep concentration ended and the merge made contact.

"Yo! everyone! We’re about to have company. They’re big, they’re harmless, and they’ll be staying with us till we work out what to do with them.

Michael, you’re with Pod Momma, so go with her and make first contact."

"First contact? What does that mean?"

"We’re not quite sure, but we’re hoping Pod Momma will know what to do. These orcas don’t think for themselves and they’re kind of helpless as individuals."

Woorawa gave a yell.

"I saw them. The water turns dark where they broach."

Every eye focused where he was pointing, and saw nothing.

"Are you sure? All I can see is ocean."

"Keep watching, Rhys. They’ll surface again."

Surface they did, for a quick breath.

"Sheba! That’s a lot of orcas."

Pod Momma and Michael stopped after gliding about fifty metres.

The mind net slowed the rushing bodies, brought them to a stop, then listened to the flow of orca talk from Pod Momma.

Several individuals answered, one of them the big leader, and the merge marvelled as happiness and excitement surged through one hundred and six giant bodies.

"Michael! What’s Pod Momma saying?"

"It’s hard work for her because their speech patterns aren't quite the same, but she’s worked out enough to get through and make them welcome.

I told her how you had to help them and she says they’re like little children in adult bodies."

An underwater trill of sound went from every new orca to Pod Momma.

"What was that? All their minds registered agreement of some kind."

There was a pause before Michael answered.

"Pod Momma’s so busy – yes, I see. That was a call of agreement that this is their new pod and that Pod Momma is their leader."

Every giant orca began moving slowly closer.

"Oh boy! Pod Momma just told them we’re part of the pod too, and they’re coming close to check us out and get to know us."

Organised chaos! Orca forms, large and giant, mingled with graceful ease while the riders returned the curious gaze of each giant form gliding past.

Rom pressed hard against Nathan's leg when an enormous orca bill rested briefly across Norkus’ back to check out the curious four-legged pod member.

Kieran/Nathan watched Rom's wariness change to instant acceptance.

Nathan laughed happily and knelt to give Rom some full on attention. Kieran dissolved the merge then had his own laugh when he sensed the barrage of questions awaiting him.

"Okay, everyone. We’re on track for the cliff passage again, and we’ll get to know our new orcas while we travel.

Nathan helped us through some very tricky spots but that deep merge is very tiring and he’ll be quiet while he relaxes and recovers.

The Sea Eagles have gone on a high altitude reconnaissance to give us warning if there are any other surprises heading our way, then they’ll be back with us in about twenty minutes when we reach the cliff passage. – Yes, John?"

"Are we facing a major problem of some kind? The tricky spots combined with the possibility of new surprises implies there’s something of concern."

"Yes, we encountered two separate power wielders, John. One involved with the birds and fish, and a very nasty one who controlled the giant orcas. Nathan and I are disgusted and angry with the callous treatment they’ve suffered."

"Nathan's eyes are closed, Kieran. Has he been overdoing it? He’s younger than the rest of us."

"Don't be concerned, John. He’s mind weary from our merge and I’m helping him with a light recovery trance. It’s not physical tiredness and he’ll be his normal self in another five minutes."

Rhys, now fully tuned in, pounced on that.

"That means you need a break too – no questions, everyone, till Kieran opens his eyes again."

Kieran didn't argue.

***