Spliced

In the kitchen they found another man waiting for them. This one was tall, thin, and the dark fluff on his chin was quite possibly the worst attempt at growing a goatee that had ever been made. He looked up when they entered.

“Oh don’t worry about me,” he reassured them. “Have your lunch and then we’ll talk.”

Indi found a bunch more bacon. This time Falco took over the frying. Cat, who wasn’t used to skipping breakfast, was by now famished and more than made up for her missed meal by managing to eat more than Falco. But no one could match Wolf at bacon eating. He consumed bacon like he hadn’t eaten for several days, which wasn’t uncommon for a Werewolf. Werewolves wasted a lot of energy in their transformations and as such tended to have ravenous appetites. This was also the reason why many would hunt in their wolf form. Taking down a whole deer was easier that way and provided more food than buying from the local market. Of course not all Werewolves just stuck to deer.

Kass hunted around for something a bit healthier. She found some buns, lettuce, cheese, and ham. Enough for several sandwiches. Amanda managed to get the pan away from the eager eaters and redistribute the bacon more fairly so everyone could add some to their sandwiches.

Goatee guy watched them while they ate. He gave Indi the willies and she felt a bit like a pig being fattened for eating. It completely ruined the appeal of the bacon.

After about 20 minutes of eating a a bathroom break the group gathered around on the couches. They chatted softly amongst themselves and eyes the newcomer wearily. Evidently it wasn’t just Indi who found him a bit creepy.

“Who do you think he is?” Indi asked Kass in a whisper.

Kass shook her head softly but briefly. “I don’t know.”

Indi was always asking questions even when she knew no one knew the answer.

Tanya hung around in the background. She was curious, and given her usual day was just hanging out in her office in case someone needed her which rarely ever seemed to happen, this seemed like a better way to spend her time. After all, if there was a medical emergency they could reach her on her phone. So almost all the medical emergencies this place had experienced had been well beyond her skill set by the time they reached her even when she was where she was supposed to be.

The newcomer spoke bluntly with a clipped tone and no smile. “Greetings. I am one of those in charge here and I’ve come down and get an update on how everything’s coming along. Are you any closer to catching the creature? What are your thoughts so far?” As he spoke he pulled out a pack of cigarettes and lit one up.

“Well, we think there’s a possibility the creature may be a namon.” Amanda answered.

“Really?” he said blowing smoke out in their direction. Cat grimaced.

“We’re not 100 % sure.” Amanda continued.

Kass started drumming her fingers on the edge of the couch by her knees. She’s given up smoking just over a decade ago but the cravings never really left, especially when someone was puffing away at one nearby.

“It would be easier if we knew a little more about what you do here.” Amanda pushed, figuring she might as well try her luck.

Indi unintentionally coughed a few times then wrinkled her nose at the smoke.

“I see. Well, the thing you must understand...”

“I have a question” Cat interrupted.

“Yes?”

“What’s your name?”

The man looked surprised. “Oh I apologise, I must have forgotten to mention it. The name is Trevor.” He walked over to Cat and extended his hand. She shook it and got a lungful of smoke at the same time. Her stomach did a 180. Smoke was usually something that would bother her so much but today it was making her feel queasy.

“I also have a question.” Wolf said speaking with barely concealed angry tremor to his tone.

“Yes?”

Cat breathed a sigh of relief as Trevor moved away from her but her stomach remained unsettled.

“Why is there a werewolf running around downstairs?”

Once more the man appeared surprised. “A Werewolf? I can assure you we have no Werewolves here.”

Indi coughed a couple more times and then took in a shaky breath. Falco inched forward in his seat, looking like he was ready to get up and move to her side. Kass was digging her nails into her other hand, trying not to think about wanting a smoke.

“I have another question.” Cat interrupted again.

“Yes?”

“Do you mind?”

“Sorry?” He asked innocently.

“Putting that thing out.”

Before Cat could say anymore, Indi dashed from the room. Falco gave the others a glance and then followed after Indi.

“Well that was rude.” Trevor remarked at their fast exit. “They could have said excuse me.”

“Excuse yourself!” Cat remarked “She’s asthmatic, asshole.” Cat stood up, grabbed the cigarette out of his hand, and crushed it beneath her boot before tailing after Falco and Indi. It was part an excuse to leave the room herself. She was afraid if she didn’t she was going to vomit.

Out in the hall Indi was sitting on the floor puffing on her inhaler. Falco crouched next to her. Cat took the opportunity to slide down the wall opposite them in an attempt to keep her lunch down. She must have looked a bit worse for wear though because a moment later when Indi had her breath back she gave Cat a concerned once over.

“You okay?” Indi asked.

Cat just nodded, too afraid of being sick to speak.

Falco, who had been watching Indi, now turned his attention to Cat. His eyes narrowed so Cat gave him her best attempt at a reassuring smile, all the while focusing on maintaining control of her lunch.

Falco didn’t seem completely convinced but just then the door opened. A cautious Kass peaked her head into the hallway, then seeing they were all okay stepped into the hall herself. Indi gave her a smile. Cat gave her a ‘what do you want’ kind of scowl but due to her current state it came out more like a grimace.

“I’m so glad to be out of there.” Kass mumbled.

“Yeah that guy is a right dick.” Falco stated.

“He . . . err, he wants you to apologise.” Kass said wincing a little at having to deliver the message.

“Not likely. And I don’t particularly feel like going back in there to listen to anything he has to say” Falco scoffed.

“Maybe when he puts the cigarette out.” Indi replied. There was no anger in her voice. She just sounded a little tired.

“Cat already did that for him.” Kass replied glancing at Cat.

Cat wasn’t paying attention anymore though. Her stomach had decided to go AWOL. She wanted to lie down on the cold floor. She couldn’t though. Not with Falco there. If it were just Kass and Indi she could have made some excuse. They probably wouldn’t have believed her but at least they’d let her be. Falco wouldn’t. Falco would tell someone. Someone like Amanda. And Amanda would worry. She would have her checked out by the doc and probably side-line her. Cat hated being side-lined and she hated being treated like something fragile.

Without any explanation and with as much grace as she could muster Cat got to her feet and walked off down the hall to the bathrooms.

“Is she alright?” Kass asked watching her go.

“I don’t know,” Indi replied looking worried. “She was up at 5:30 this morning throwing up in the bathrooms.”

“You didn’t mention that before,” Falco scolded.

Indi shrugged “I didn’t think she’d want me too.”

“Well you’re probably right,” Falco replied, “but if she’s sick . . .” He paused. “Somebody should go and check she’s alright. That’s the ladies room, so . . .”

He glanced at Kass but Indi volunteered first. “I’ll go.”

Falco gave her a concerned look. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine.” Indi gave him a smile.

“Okay,” he replied, returning her smile briefly before remembering Cat and his concern for her too.

“Cat?” Indi called as she entered the bathroom.

“I’m fine. Go away.”

Indi hesitated. Then left the bathroom.

Cat waited until it was quiet before she emerged from the stall and leaned over the sink.

“She okay?” Falco asked when Indi returned to the hallway.

“I don’t know. She told me to go away, she didn’t sound great but she...” Indi bit her bottom lip. “Hey, Falco I think she just wants to be left . . .” Indi’s protests trailed off as Falco pushed his way into the ladies’ bathroom.

“Cat!”

She looked up from the sink as Falco entered the bathroom.

“This is the ladies room.”

Falco didn’t reply. He just waited.

“And I’m fine,” Cat growled “so piss off.”

Falco studied her face, he wasn’t convinced.

Cat raised her chin, squared her shoulders, walked past him and out the bathroom door.

Falco waited a second or two, thinking, then took a moment to glance around the ladies room. Apart from the colour it didn’t look much different from the guy’s bathroom.

Falco followed Cat back into the hallway. “If you are fine Cat, then why were you up vomiting at 5:30 in the morning?”

Cat shot a glare in Indi’s direction.

“Don’t look at her,” Falco warned. “She should have told some one earlier, or you should have.”

Indi was strategically avoiding Cat’s gaze.

Cat sighed and turned back to Falco but before she could say anything Trevor opened the door to the kitchen and stormed past them in a huff.

Cat, Falco, Indi, and Kass stared after him in stunned silence.

A moment later Wolf entered the hallway followed by Amanda.

“What was I supposed to do?” Amanda protested.

Zephyr followed close behind them laughing. “Did you see the look on his face.”

Sirius was behind him with a look of, well, who could tell with Sirius. It was possibly something that resembled disapproval.

Wolf and Tanya followed behind them.

“What happened?” Falco asked.

“Amanda blew up his box of cigarettes” Sirius replied evenly.

Zephyr burst into hysterics.

“Nice!” Cat quipped raising one of her neatly trimmed eyebrows, relieved that Falco’s questioning had been interrupted but also a little worried he’d bring it up again once the distraction was past.

Amanda shrugged and shook her head. “He lit up another one. I did ask nicely. He had it coming.”

“Where do you think he’s gone?” Zephyr asked. “You think we’re in trouble?”

“Hah!” Amanda gave a laugh ”Not that much trouble.” Then added “I doubt” as an afterthought. “Let’s just finish this job. You want to help?” she asked Tanya who was standing awkwardly next to the kitchen door.

“Well . . .” Tanya hesitated, wide-eyed.

“Unless you’ve got something else to do?” Amanda gave her a friendly smile. “We could probably use a nearby healer, or doctor..?” Amanda trailed off, realising the assumption she’d made. It wasn’t exactly polite to ask about powers when you first met someone, and while many doctors were healers, it wasn’t always the case.

But Tanya nodded. “No, sure, this place is usually boring as. They can phone me if they need me. Plus given what you guys are doing you’re much more likely to need a doctor. And your guess is right, I am a healer too.”

“Do you know what they do here?” Wolf asked her.

Tanya shook her head. “No, sorry, that’s privileged information. Need to know, and, well,” she shrugged “I’m not. I only started work here three weeks ago anyway.”

“What happened to the last doctor?” Falco asked as they all made their way back into the lounge.

Tanya shook her head again. “I’d don’t know. I assumed they took a position elsewhere.”

“Or got eaten” Cat suggested. When everyone looked at her she simply smiled and shrugged.

“I get paid not to ask these kinds of questions,” Tanya replied. “So far it’s been safer than my last job. Plus they pay for my kids schooling, pretty decent private school. I wouldn’t be able to afford it otherwise.”

“You have kids?” Wolf inquired, taking the conversation, if only for small reprieve, in a friendlier direction.

Tanya smiled and nodded. “Twin girls. Almost 12.”

“But you’re not married?” Falco commented hesitantly, noting the absence of a wedding ring.

Amanda shot him a warning glance, suggesting he should think better about asking such personal things.

“No, I’m divorced” Tanya replied.

“Sorry.” Falco said.

Tanya just shrugged. It must have happened a while ago as she didn’t look sad. She looked simply as if she had come to accept it as one of those things.

“Are you dating anyone?” Indi asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.

“Indi!” Amanda warned.

Tanya laughed. “No. I mostly live on the base anyway. There’s not really the opportunity here. What is this anyway, an interview?”

“It’s important to get to know your team members,” Indi replied with a smile. “You can ask us questions if you want.”

“I’m a team member now am I?” Tanya asked with a laugh.

“For now” Amanda confirmed, sharing a smile as well. Indi was right, it was good to get a feel for a person before you worked with them, even if just temporarily. Tanya seemed nice enough so far.

“Do you have any children?” Tanya asked Indi.

Indi nodded.

“How many?”

“One,” Indi replied. “She’s ten.”

“You know, they asked us that when we first got here,” Amanda commented thoughtfully. “I thought it was a bit of a weird question.”

Tanya nodded. ”Yeah, they asked me that too when I first applied for the job, I always figured they just wanted to know about next of kin, you know in case anything happens. Well that and who you might spill their secrets to, not that they tell us any. Or in case you have a family member that might pose a threat.”

“What else did they ask?” Amanda inquired.

“Oh, stuff, I can’t remember now, I don’t think it was too unusual, nosy but not unusual.” She paused trying to recall the questions they had asked.

“How did you find out about the job?” Falco butted in, interrupting her thoughts.

“Oh, they found me,” Tanya replied. “I used to work for an infectious diseases investigation team. We’d look into suspected outbreaks, especially for new diseases and we’d try to figure out what they were, prevent any spread, and just generally contain the situation as much as we could. A lot of what we did was actually preventative but every now and again we’d get called out to something serious, sometimes caused by individuals or groups with an agenda.” Tanya made it sound like it was a regular office job.

Indi stared at her wide eyed. “So you’re not really a regular kind of doctor?”

“Not the kind most people think of, no. Although I have done emergency field work, including some emergency surgery but I’m usually first port of call rather than best person for the job. Bit of an all rounder really.”

“Cool!” Indi replied.

“You ever been in a firefight?” Cat asked “Working around terrorists and all.”

Tanya was unfazed by her question. “One or two,” she replied without elaboration. “So what do you guys do for a living other than hunting deadly creatures? Or is this your full time job?”

“We’ve all got other jobs” Indi replied. “I’m a computer programmer, security mostly, and some web stuff.”

“This is more of a one off thing.” Amanda added.

Cat gave a laugh. “Yeah the seventh one off thing we’ve done this year.”

“So what do you do for a living?” Tanya asked Amanda, sparring Cat only the briefest of glances.

“I breed and train horses. Among other animals.” Amanda replied.

“Like unicorns.” Indi butted in.

Tanya raised an eyebrow. “For races?”

“And for pets and other competitions.” Amanda answered.

“I used to have a horse when I was younger. I saved up for ages and convinced a nearby neighbour to let us use their paddock for free. Looking back I can’t believe they did that. My foster mother made me share it with the other kids but it was worth it and they chipped in with food costs and things,” Tanya said reminiscing.

“You were in foster care?” Wolf asked. “And had a horse?”

“Yeah” Tanya replied seeming slightly sad for a moment but then she smiled again. “I was really lucky with that place. Stayed with them until I was eighteen and they were very nice people.”

“What happened to your parents?” Cat asked, ignoring or missing the warning glance from Amanda.

“Err,” Tanya tucked a strand of hair behind her ears. ”They died while they were on a work trip. I wasn’t that young, about 16.” She paused.

Cat didn’t ask any more questions. She even felt a little guilty. She didn’t always intend to be nosy, sometimes her curiosity just got the better of her, but she preferred honesty. She thought people should own their pasts and not shy away from them. She’d never had much patience for tactful conversation.

It was Indi who finally broke the silence. “Who wants to go for a swim?” she asked in such a light and carefree tone that you might have thought she was on holiday.

Amanda sighed. “I think it’s time we got back to work.”

Indi pouted. “A quick swim?” she pressed. “Sometimes doing relaxing stuff helps me come up with ideas.”

“No.” Amanda shook her head and her expression said that she couldn’t believe Indi was actually suggesting a swim.

“Not even 10 minutes? You can time it” Indi pressed.

“Indi does seem to come up with some good ideas in weird ways,” Zephyr mused. “The rest of us could research on the side of the pool.”

Zephyr’s argument was all Indi needed. “Yess! Race you there.” she took off before Amanda could object.

Amanda frowned. “That wasn’t a yes.” But Indi was already gone.

Wolf shrugged. “We’ll bring the books, we can work while they swim. 10 Minutes won’t hurt.”

“10 minutes.” Falco repeated with a grin, seemingly keen to also go for a quick swim.

Amanda sighed.

They met up with Indi outside the pool room.

“Indi, some of us have to be back by Monday, and we’re not getting paid overtime. We take too long they might even decide we’re not worth the food expense.” Amanda reminded her.

“Amanda,” Indi interrupted.“They have barely giving us any information, I don’t have my laptop. I’m no good at shooting or setting traps. A 10 minute swim won’t kill us, touch wood. In fact it’s just the break we need to come up with a genius plan.” She glanced around but couldn’t find any wood.

“10 minutes, and I am timing.”

Indi gave her widest grin yet.

Pretty soon Indi, Falco, Zephyr, and even Wolf, were splashing about in the pool. Kass looked at the pool forlornly. She loved swimming but she wasn’t as keen to swim in underwear like the guys were. Plus she prided herself on being sensible and there was work to do. So, she opted for helping Amanda do some research by the side of the pool. Sirius decided to help too, at least for a bit. He was a little tempted by the water but he also felt like it would be wasting time. Cat, much like her namesake, was terrified of water and so had no interest in joining them. She didn’t really know how to swim anyway, not that she’d ever let anyone become aware of that fact. Tanya had tagged along again and was also helping with the research. They sat on the floor in a semi-circle, several books lay in the middle. Cat sat almost as far as she could get from the edge of the pool without looking like she was avoiding it on purpose.

“Do you know where they would have put Indi’s laptop?” Amanda asked Tanya.

“Sorry.” Tanya said shaking her head.

“I think we still need to eliminate a few creatures, I’m not quite convinced that it is a namon.” Amanda added to the rest of the circle. “Have a look through the books, note down anything else that may be a possibility.”

Kass nodded and picked up a book.

“Indi” Amanda called out to her. Indi swam over to the edge of the pool.

“How do you feel about being bait?” Amanda asked. “If your shield came in useful.”

Indi paused, thinking. “Sure,” she replied, but she sounded a little hesitant. “Aren’t namons also dreamwalkers?” she glanced at Cat. “Maybe . . .” but she didn’t get to finish.

“They’re arguably more dangerous to mess with in the Dreamworld” Cat interjected, “unless you’re talking a very skilled dreamwalker. Amanda power level type dreamwalker. Even then, I wouldn’t try it. It’s better to draw it out. But...” Cat trailed off. She didn’t exactly like the idea of Indi as bait either.

“Are we likely to though? If it is that?” Indi asked.

Cat’s frown deepened. She seemed unsure.

Indi pondered it for a moment, but before she could think of another option, she felt something tug on her foot. It yanked her underwater. She surfaced a moment later and turned around to find Falco grinning like a mischievous school boy. She gave a laugh, glad it had just been him. Cat, who had come closer to talk to Indi, moved herself back away from the pool edge again.

Falco dove under the water and came up underneath Indi so she was sitting on his shoulders. “Get your feet on my shoulders,” Falco told her. “I’ll duck down and when I come up you leap off.” Indi did as she was told. Falco squatted down, going beneath the water and then with a great burst of power he rose. Indi leapt backwards off his shoulders with a shriek of laughter. Cat shuffled back further until she was pressed up against one of the concrete walls. Unfortunately for her there wasn’t much space between the pool and the wall. She had only moved about half a metre in total and she had maintained a casual look the whole time. If anyone had noticed her inching away from the side of the pool they didn’t say anything.

“Hey, Sirius, come jump in.” Falco yelled.

Sirius glanced at Amanda.

“Oh go on.” She sighed and gave a roll of the eyes.

He stood up, stripped down to his boxers and leapt of the edge of the pool, sending water droplets up to the ceiling. Indi laughed at the height of his splash. Cat tried to move further back but the wall was in her way.

“Wolf!” Amanda yelled out to him .“Thought you were going to come and help research?”

“It hasn’t been 10 minutes yet.” he yelled back then dove under to grab Zephyr’s ankle.

They wrestled for a bit. Then Wolf decided he’d had enough and got out of the pool to help. He did know the books better than anyone.

Zephyr swam over to Falco “Hey, I’ve got an idea.”

Sirius, curious about what they were doing swam over to join them.

“We’re going to throw Cat in the pool” Falco told him. Falco started towards the edge of the pool but Sirius grabbed his arm and shook his head.

“She hates water.”

“Yeah, it’ll be funny.”

“No, I mean she really hates water,” Sirius warned, a worried look growing on his face, too subtle for Flaco to notice. “Throw Amanda in instead. She won’t mind so much.”

Indi was swimming off by herself at this point but she stopped and looked over at their group curiously.

“What are you guys doing? She called over to them.

“Nothing,” Falco yelled back.

Falco seemed thoughtful but after a moment he decided.“Alright, we’ll chuck Amanda in.”

Zephyr shrugged and they swam to the side of the pool.

“How’s the research going?” Falco asked jumping out of the pool and walking up behind Amanda.

“It would be going better if you guys would help.” Amanda replied giving them a stern look.

Zephyr sat down near her feet and pretended to look at the book she had been studying.

“You’re going to get the books wet.” Kass warned.

Zephyr glanced up at Falco. Falco gave him a nod and together they picked Amanda up and carried her to the pool. Falco grabbed her under her arms, Zephyr grabbed her feet.

“Hey!” Amanda complained.

“Don’t you da . . .” she started to say as she saw where she was headed but she was cut off as they threw her out over the pool.

They laughed and cheered as she emerged from underwater. She gasped then joined in with their laughter. “Thanks guys,” she said her voice layered with sarcasm but an unmistakable smile on her face.

“So work now I guess?” Sirius asked, glad their prank had worked out okay.

“Mmm,” Amanda smiled. “In a moment,” and she splashed Sirius in the face then dove back under the water, still fully clothed.

Zephyr and Falco took a seat down by the books. They watched the others in the pool for bit. Zephyr glanced at Cat, who was leaned against the wall, with a book resting open on her lap. Zephyr glanced at Falco, then back at Cat. Falco grinned, nodded, and then made a move. Like they had done with Amanda, Zephyr grabbed the feet. Cat yelped and kicked as they carried her swiftly to the pool and threw her over the edge.

“Guy’s, that’s not funny.” Kass said looking up from her book, mildly worried they were going to throw her in next and that they were going to ruin the books.

“Falcon!” Amanda yelled angrily from across the pool.

When she felt the water hit her Cat’s reaction was to freeze up. She didn’t move. She couldn’t. Then she felt herself start to sink. Memories of her mother’s corpse being sucked beneath the raging water of the river flashed though her head. She panicked. She kicked out, her feet hit the bottom of the pool, and she surfaced gasping for air. The water didn’t feel right on her skin. It never did. It was like a million hands grabbing at her

Cat had never liked water, even when she was little, before her mother died. Showers had been a mission, preferring a cloth bath if she had to bathe at all, and she had kicked and screamed if anyone ever tried to give her a bath. She still kept out of showers, instead preferring to use a wet cloth. For the most part it was something she’d managed to keep a secret too. Not even Sirius and Amanda knew about the cloth baths.

At least here she could touch the ground. She didn’t look at anyone as she waded as fast as she could to the edge of the pool, her elbows and hands held scrunched by her chest and out of the water. Falco was still laughing. Zephyr hesitated, Cat’s reaction wasn’t quite what he’d expected.

She pulled her self out of the water and walked towards them. Falco happened to be standing closest and still seemed to think it a joke until Cat reached him and gave him a hard shove.

“Bastard!” she swore.

“Hey!” he exclaimed in surprise and grabbed her wrists before she could shove him again. “It was just a joke.”

She tried to pull her hands back.

“Back off!” Cat snapped at him.

He released his grip and took a step back, surprised at how upset she was. Not just angry. She looked hurt. That wasn’t what he had expected either.

Cat walked away from him and out the door.

“Why’s she so upset? We didn’t hurt her. She’s always teasing us” he asked puzzled.

“She hates water” Amanda answered as she got out of the pool.

“I told you that.” Sirius growled, staring daggers at them before hoisting himself out after Amanda.

“That wasn’t very nice,” Indi remarked as she swam up to the pools edge.

“I know but I didn’t think she’d be that upset,” Falco replied, feeling guilty.

Zephyr nodded, looking sorry.

“I know.” Indi reached out and placed a reassuring hand on Falco’s ankle. He bent down and helped her out of the pool.

“Come on,” Amanda said from the doorway. “We need to go find her and get back to work.”

“Shouldn’t we just leave her alone?” Zephyr asked. “Let her calm down a bit first.”

Amanda shook her head. “No, Cat isn’t exactly one to sit down when she’s upset.”