Chapter No. 26 Great Voice

Usually, Dr. Anderson's office is off limits to impromptu discussions. He likes his privacy, not to mention his peace and quiet, but the presence of the creatures has thrown everyone's routine into complete chaos.

And when it comes to discussions--and complete chaos, Dr. Stevens is always the most outspoken. "I can't believe that we're going to allow Marineland to use these creatures. They're not trained seals. We have no right to exploit them."

And Eric is always on the offensive, especially when it involves Stevens. "We don't have the right to exploit dolphins and whales either, but we do."

"But these creatures are clearly intelligent. They have rights."

"All animals have rights--at least they should."

"You're both right," Dr. Anderson said. "But we really have no choice. There are contractual agreements between this institution and Marineland that must be honored. They pay a lot of our bills."

"It always comes down to economics, doesn't it," Stevens said. "We are all economic slaves. Why can't we make decisions based on ethics?"

"Well," Eric said with a teasing grin. "You could work for free. Then we wouldn't have to worry about money."

"Yeah right, Hauptman."

"What are Marineland's plans for these creatures?" Conners asked.

Anderson wiped a hand over his mouth. "We've only had preliminary discussions, but they feel that the public should be allowed to view them, perhaps even allow them to perform."

"Perform?" Stevens said, his voice soaring an octave. "That's the epitome of exploitation."

Eric couldn't resist temptation. "But, they would make some show. These creatures can certainly do anything a dolphin can do, perhaps even more."

"That's just wonderful," Stevens said in a sarcastic, harping voice. "We're now in the business of entertaining the public."

"I wonder what the public is going to think of them." Conners said. "They're very erotic. We might have problems showing them."

Stevens shook his head. "Great. We can make X-rated videos of their sexual exploits--if we knew how they do it."

Eric laughed. "We shouldn't have any problem with the fact that they're erotic looking, at least not in California."

Stevens' face reddened. "This is not funny, Hauptman. What we do here could have an impact on the survival of this species, a species, I might add, that has produced art and music, something that was the exclusive domain of mankind."

"I realize that, George. But we can't simply hide these creatures from the public. We're not the government."

"You're right, Eric," Anderson said. "There are those in the CNMOC that don't want any information about these creatures to get out. We must allow the public to have access to them. It's in the best interests of us all."

Stevens' face twisted with frustration. "But, is it in the best interests of the creatures?"

Anderson shook his head. "I don't know what . . . Perhaps, we'll find out when we can communicate with them."

"We may not have enough time," Eric said. "Their vocalizations are as strange as those of dolphins. Maybe Talliman can make some progress in that regard."

Just then, Margaret popped in. "Ah! This is where everyone is. I thought that we were having a fire drill."

"No, Love. We're just having an argument."

"An argument? About what?"

"The creatures--What else."

Margaret sighed. "The creatures seem to be on everyone's mind these days. They've become an obsession."

"Well Love, you're at the head of the class in that respect."

She lowered her eyes. "I know. I just can't help it. They're so fascinating."

"Just think how fascinating they'll be to the public," Anderson said.

"Indeed," Conners said. "Besides government idiots, they'll attract all manner of kooks. We'll definitely have to step up security."

"Willis will have his hands full," Eric said. "The government can be persistent."

Stevens threw his arms up. "Listen to us! We've become so paranoid we can't even trust our own government. I would think that mankind would want to know all about these creatures. The experience we gain here could be valuable when we make contact with extraterrestrials."

"Ha!" Eric waved his hand in a dismissive manner. "The government doesn't believe in extraterrestrials--at least not officially. They don't want the public to know about these creatures because the military wants to recruit them for an underwater army. Whatever happened to the pursuit of pure knowledge?"

"Went out with the budget cuts," Stevens said.

"Yes." Anderson wiped his brow. "That's why we have to involve Marineland in this. We can't afford to study these creatures on our own. We'll need the involvement of other institutions . . . other scientists."

"I just hope they don't take them away," Margaret said softly.

"What was that, Love?"

"I said that I don't want anyone to take them away from us. I'm making progress in . . . they seem to like me. I would hate to give up that rapport." She turned to Anderson. "Will we still be able to study them when they're at Marineland?"

Anderson smiled briefly. "You will have primary responsibility for all interactions with the trainers. I think that Marineland's involvement will help in your own studies."

That brought a smile to Margaret's face. Her concern was deep seated and she had trouble trusting anyone, including the Institute. But, at least she would still have access to the creatures. That's what she wanted more than anything.

###

Dr. Joyce Conners pointed at a strange image displayed on a flat-screen monitor. "What do you make of this?"

George Stevens moved his glasses higher on his nose and peered at the location that Conners' slender finger was pointing to. "Hmm."

And after more peering, he said: "Very interesting."

"Very interesting?" Conners said with a sarcastic whine. "It's damn right fascinating!"

Stevens looked at her with a blank expression for a few seconds. "Why do you say that? I've seen other animals embracing. Some simian species do it all the time."

"This is much more than playful embracing. These two are kissing, rather passionately I would say. No other species kisses like that."

"If they're sentient, it might not be that unusual. Maybe they're imitating humans. Who knows?"

"Imitating humans? This is the first time they've had any serious contact with humans. How in the hell could they have had time to imitate us?"

"They've been around the Hauptman's. They've seen lots of kissing and hugging."

"So what. That's what married couples do. At least that's what they're supposed to do."

Stevens flashed a salacious grin. "No problem there. The Hauptman's are perpetual love birds."

Conners jutted her jaw out at him. "Good!"

Stevens turned back to the image. After a few seconds of rubbing his jaw, he said in a softer than normal voice: "I have to admit that they do appear to be locked in a passionate embrace. Two beings with identical bodies and no signs of genitalia--that's very curious. There has to be something to this."

"It's not normal mammalian behavior. That's for sure," Conners said in a calm voice. "Maybe it's a form of communication."

"Could be. Could be. But we know that they communicate like dolphins. Why would they have to use this?" He gestured to the image.

"I don't know." Conners shook her head ever so slightly. "This is very mysterious."

"We'll figure it out . . . eventually."

"I just hope we get the chance."

Stevens straightened up. "I'm the pessimist, Doctor."

Conners gave him a smirky sneer. "You certainly are."

Stevens laughed and Conners joined him.

###

Margaret slipped into the water and slowly swam to the rock pile of the converted dolphin tank. She climbed out of the water and sat on a rock close to the water. A gentle breeze from the west caressed her hair and a bloated sun near the horizon warmed her face.

She waited patiently.

With these creatures, waiting is part of the game. Actually, she seldom has to wait long. For reasons that escape her, the creatures sense her presence within a few minutes and surface. Waiting on the rocks is the quickest way to attract their attention. On the other hand, trying to locate them underwater is difficult. They are extremely intractable in their own environment.

Bubbles appeared in the water near her. Soon, two large faces and a small face emerged from the frothing water. She smiled. The three faces did not return her gesture.

"Hi!" She intoned the greeting.

"Hi!" one of the faces replied in musical tones, followed by a click.

"My name is Margaret."

The three faces remained expressionless.

"Margaret!" she repeated.

One of the faces tilted. "Mar-ga-reet!" The individual syllables were high pitched and punctuated with two clicks.

"Very good." She smiled, hoping that it would convey her appreciation. "I am a woman. You are a sea woman."

"I am a Sea Woo-man!" the same creature sang.

"Oh my! You do learn fast."

She caressed the hair of the creature that had vocalized for her and was rewarded with a purr.

"I love you," she said, almost singing it.

"I love you," the creature sang back.

A tear formed in Margaret's eye. She was not sure that the creature really knew what it was saying, but it sounded convincing.

She leaned closer to the creature to examine its face. Her attention was rewarded with a tongue that flicked out and licked her face. The warm, moist object startled her, but she allowed it to caress her face. When it encircled her neck she became alarmed, but the caress was slow and gentle, not threatening. She felt the experience to be erotic, as if she was being stroked erogenously.

Eric walked up to the railing near the rock pile. "Hey Love, how's it going?"

She looked up at him. "Ok!"

She slipped into the water and swam over to him. The creatures followed her, but maintained distance.

"Good thing they like you, Love. They seem to be weary of me."

"I told you before that they relate to me because I'm female."

Eric smiled. "Every inch a female."

She made a mocking face at him. "You're just saying that."

"No way! I mean it."

She looked at the three faces and then at her husband before she climbed out of the tank. "That deserves a reward."

"A reward?"

She reached back and unsnapped her top.

Eric's eyes widened. "Ah . . . I wouldn't do anything rash if I were you. I . . . someone may be watching."

"So what." She turned to the creatures. "I've often wondered what they think of the fact that we hide our breasts."

She removed her top. The creatures stared at her with no change of expression.

Eric's mouth dropped. "Come on, Love, be reasonable."

She turned to him. "What's the matter, dear? Don't you appreciate the show?"

"I . . . Of course I do, but I . . . well, I don't think the Institute will appreciate you . . . your show."

She returned her top to its proper position. "You're such a worry wart, dear. Who gives a damn what people think. Breasts are nothing more than mammary glands."

"Society is not quiet ready for that."

"Well, they had better get ready for it. These creatures are not going to wear bras."

"That's true. But, they're not human."

"They look close enough. In fact, I'm sure that their humanoid appearance is going to cause trouble."

"You're probably right, Love."

She turned to the creatures but she spoke to her husband. "I'm going to swim with them."

"Just be careful, Love."

She gave him a look that said: Do you actually think I'm going to be careless?

And then she jumped into the water. She surfaced ten yards out but soon returned to the depths. The creatures followed her.

Her husband remained by the railing watching the gently rippling water left over from the creature's wakes. He had second thoughts about allowing his wife to swim alone with these potentially dangerous animals, but there was no stopping her. She has a mind of her own, especially when it concerns her buddies.

"What the hell's going on, Hauptman?" Stevens seemingly appeared out of thin air. He has a sense of timing that amazes Eric.

Eric turned to him. "Good question, George. My wife is off swimming with the new fishes."

"I'll have to give her credit. She doesn't allow fear to rule her life."

Eric smiled briefly. "She's always been like that." He turned to stare at the water again, his eyes moving around as if searching for an old memory. "I remember this time when we were on an expedition near Madagascar. We found this cavern by a small inlet. There wasn't much of an entrance. Hardly big enough to squeeze through. But that didn't stop Margaret. She went right in as if she owned the place. Found a new species of Scaphopoda, but she took one hell of a chance." He looked into Stevens' eyes. "She could have gotten trapped in there, and I would have been unable to rescue her--I couldn't squeeze into the entrance."

"Consider yourself lucky, Hauptman. A good wife is hard to find, especially a wife that can be a partner. She's worth her weight in gold, or as they say in Proverbs: for her price is far above rubies."

"Yes, the heart of her husband doth safely trust in her. That's proverbs 31, I believe." He lowered his head for a few seconds before he looked up at Stevens with a smile. "Let's face it, George, Margaret is the brains of the Hauptman group. I have complete trust in her judgment."

George gave him a funny look. "I'm surprised to hear you say that."

"Margaret has two," He held up two fingers, "two PhD's in difficult fields." He shook his head. "She keeps me in line. That's for sure. She knows her taxonomy better than anyone. And, she has an eye for finding new species. She's good." His smile faded. "But, she worries me. She takes too many chances."

"Taking chances is part of a field researcher's life. Great discoveries don't come to the timid, Hauptman." He paused to gaze at the water. "These creatures would not be known if you and your wife hadn't been brave enough to pursue them."

"And to resist your barbs," Eric added with a grin.

"What can I say, Hauptman. I insist on scientific integrity."

"I'll say you do." He smiled. "Maybe that's what spurred us on."

"Scientific curiosity is like that, Hauptman. Mankind needs an appropriate kick-in-the-ass once in a while. There are a lot of strange new things out there. We just have to have the guts to go out and find them."

Eric rubbed his brow. "Sometimes I wonder if it's worth the risks. Nobody cares about marine biology."

"Someday they'll have to. The sea will become the final frontier, especially after man becomes too numerous on this planet. The seas will evoke the questions and marine biology will provide the answers."

"I hope so, George."

"By the way, Hauptman, why did you get into this field?"

Eric didn't answer immediately. He smiled to himself before he turned to George. "My parents wanted me to be a lawyer. My father was a U.S. District Judge and my two older brothers followed in his footsteps." He pointed to himself. "Me--I was the black sheep, the traitor of the family. I wanted to become a scientist."

Stevens' eyes widened. "Wait a minute!" He pointed at Eric. "Hauptman. Now I recognize the name. Judge Earl Hauptman. He was the judge that ordered forced busing, wasn't he?"

"Right, George."

"No wonder you had a rough time--coming from a family with that kind of tradition."

"Amen to that."

Bubbles appeared near where they were standing. Margaret's head broke the surface.

"Where's your buddies?" her husband asked.

"They're still a bit shy . . . I guess. They decided to stay in the tunnel."

"Is that where they hide?" Stevens asked her.

"I think so. It must remind them of their cavern under Fernandina."

Eric rubbed his beard. "I wonder if the other creatures are still there?"

"They may have moved to a new hiding place," Stevens said, "now that we know where it is."

"They have plenty of choices," Eric said. "There are countless volcanic shafts around the Galapagos area. Locating those creatures would be a nightmare."

"Good." Stevens said. "At least the government won't find them."

Margaret's face muscles tightened. "I hope you're right. The government has no business with these creatures. They're intelligent and deserve respect."

Stevens' face reflected concern, but with a hint of satire. "What I want to know is: do we have any business with them?"

No one answered that question.