Darkfin
of Duquessa Bay
Year Two, Chapter Nine
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"Querida" Sitting at a large metal desk inside his SCU office, Dr. Javier Sanchez studies some paperwork. He suddenly scowls and then flings a spreadsheet across the room. Javier: (Sighing) How does the university expect me to run this department if they give me shit for a budget? A young, redheaded student pops her head in the door and grins at him. Javier: (Now smiling) Did you finish your paper yet, Heather? Heather: (Making sure her extra tight top is now in sight) Um, not quite - I'm still a little unfocused in my conclusions - I was hoping you could help me tighten them up a bit? Javier: (Scratching at his beard) I'd love to, Querida - I'll tell you what, I need to finish a few things here so why don't we meet up at Quartz Lake in a couple of hours - you can assist me in conducting some fresh water experiments and I'll take a closer look at your... paper Heather: (Giggling and twisting her hair) I am so there, Sandy, BYEEEE Watching one of his favorite students slowly close the door behind her, Dr. Sanchez smirks to himself and resumes his work. He picks up the office phone and dials. Javier: (Leaving a voice mail) Hola, Shelby - I am going to need your help on this budget tomorrow so clear a few hours in the morning after your labs and tell Hajanian I really need him to cover tonight's lecture for me... unless I can convince Erika to do so - later! As he hangs up, a call comes through for him on his cell phone. Javier: Hello? - oh, hi Oni... actually, I was just about to call you - I'm going to be running a little late tonight so don't hold dinner for me - um... sure, I could do that - hold on, let me get a pen - OK, go ahead... cottage cheese, wild rice, and toilet paper - got it, I'll see you later, Querida He hangs up and then dials it again. Javier: Anita, it's your favorite brother in-law - listen, I still don't have any conclusive evidence for you on those acoustic waves but I have now ruled out the porpoise - although is possesses the characteristic shape, the amplitude is more along the line of a very large orca - oh, and do me a huge favor, please bring your sister some cottage cheese, wild rice, and toilet paper - I'm going to be working late to get you some more answers on this mystery... gracias! Just as he hangs up his cell phone, his office phone rings. Javier: AY... hello? The man suddenly stiffens up and begins to sweat. Javier: Yes, sir - I will have those tests completed for you by week's end - oh, fine, tomorrow night if you insist - are we meeting at the regular location? - I'll be there for sure... can I expect my regular payment then? - no, NO - sir, I really don't think we need to involve her - but, but... whatever you think is necessary, goodbye After picking at his cuticles for a moment, Dr. Sanchez leaves his office. Now in the main atrium, he saunters over to the department secretary. Javier: (Looking at his watch) Is Dr. von Meer still in class? Secretary: She should be out in about 20 minutes, professor Javier: (Taking off) Thanks Making sure no one is around, he quietly slips into Erika's office and closes the door. Once inside, he begins to search through some papers while flipping on her computer. Javier: (Writing some notes) My, my... what have you been up to, Rikka? He takes a ZIP disk out of his jacket and begins to copy over several files. Javier: (Waiting for the computer to finish) I know you're used to living in the lap of luxury but that shouldn't prevent you from wanting to succeed... and succeed we will! He takes out the disk and looks between the slats of the window shade. Waiting for a trio of students to leave the hall, he darts out of the room and heads back to his own office. On her way up the concrete stairs, Erika returns from class and calls to him. Erika: Where's the fire, Sandy? Javier: (Spinning around on his heel) I WAS JUST LOOKING FOR YOU Erika: (Fixing her glasses) Here I am Javier: I was hoping you could... Erika: (Walking away) No Javier: But Erika: NO Javier: You don't even know what I was going to ask! Erika: (Sighing and facing him) No, I cannot sub for you tonight Javier: Please? Erika: Have Tim do it Javier: He's already done it twice Erika: What is so important that you have to duck out? Javier: (Clearing his throat) Department business Erika: HA - does this "department business" happen to involve a certain grad student with really perky... ears? Javier: (Looking down at his shoes) And what, pray tell, do you have to do that's so important tonight, Miss Recluse? Erika: (Half smile) Family business Javier: Ah - hey, listen, I just finished reading the student evals this morning... Erika: (Rolling her eyes) Here it comes Javier: You received outstanding marks in most fields... Erika: But? Javier: The area of "relating to and caring about your students" was mediocre... well, actually, more on the poor side Erika: Are you suggesting I start listening to NSYNC songs and fuck them in the student union bathroom? - oh, wait, that's YOUR method Javier: (Turning red) That only happened ONCE, it was during Ona Rosa's hypertensive pregnancy, and the girl seduced ME Erika: Right Javier: Look, I understand you resent having to teach "beneath" your level of knowledge but that's part of the job Erika: Maybe I should adopt Shelby's method of bringing in homemade cookies and sharing wacky island tales! Javier: It works! - c'mon, surely you must have a wacky tale or two to tell? Erika: (Biting her lip) Not really Javier: THEN, MAKE UP ONE Erika: Can I borrow a few from you? Javier: You don't NEED to - your class is 4:1 male, YOU'RE DROP-DEAD MODEL GORGEOUS... USE IT Erika shakes her head and looks away from him. Javier: It's only to your advantage, in and out of the classroom Erika: You sound like my mother Javier: And you should listen to her - oh, by the way, Anita is still pestering me for info on that acoustic wave anomaly Erika: (Subtle grin) Don't worry, I'll have something for the good lieutenant to look at soon enough Javier: I appreciate that - you know, Rikka... The tone in his voice piques the woman's interest. Erika: What? Javier: I really do appreciate your help Erika: For the last time, I am NOT doing your lecture tonight! Javier: I mean with other projects Erika: Sure, no problem Javier: And if you ever needed MY help with something, I would like to believe that you could come to me and ask for it Dr. von Meer wrinkles up her nose and chuckles half-jokingly. Erika: What could ever I possibly need your help with, Sandy? Dr. Sanchez looks on as Erika disappears behind her office door. Javier: (Under his breath) You would be surprised After sorting through some mail and phone messages, Erika sits down at her desk and flips on the computer. Erika: (Touching it) Hmm, it's warm - someone has been using it - more justification for keeping a separate lab She checks to see which files were previously opened. Erika: (Sitting back) Heh, Sandy you have yet to learn how to cover your trail... I hope your wife doesn't see all the porn sites on your home computer After deleting the files completely, she now sips at some hot tea and gazes up at a small photo of herself and her former colleagues in Sri Lanka. Erika: You think you know something, Dr. Sanchez... it's not even the tip of the iceberg Dr. von Meer quietly flashes back to her time on the island with her advisor, Dr. Samadara Ranasinghe of the Indian Ocean Marine Institute. Erika: (Finishing up in the lab) That's that... TIME FOR THE BEACH, YAY Turning around, she notices her mentor observing her intently. Erika: (Embarrassed) Is there something wrong, Dr. Ranasinghe? Sam: (Carrying a large sack) Erika, I have been your advisor for over a month, when are you going to start calling me Sam? Erika: (Stiffening) I apologize, I adhere to a strict principle of always addressing my superiors by their titles Sam: (Cocking her head) This is not the army Erika: It's a sign of respect and what I believe in Sam: Of course Erika: Actually, I was hoping to speak with you alone Sam: (Pulling up a lab stool next to Erika) Go ahead? Erika: I don't want to sound like I am bragging but I'm almost out of work - I'll be completing my main courses of study here in a matter of days Sam: Yes, I am well aware of this Erika: I still have more than three months to go Sam: I am aware of this as well Erika: Then, what do you suggest I do? Sam: (Tapping her sack) I'm sure we'll figure out something for you to do Erika: (Flustered) I don't appreciate the ill-defined response Sam: It will all become very clear to you soon enough - I have the rest of your time here well-planned out Erika: Again, not to sound rude, but I really have NO INTEREST in your fields of marine geology and metallurgy - transgenic ichthyology is what I'm here for... PERIOD Sam: Yes... and no Erika: (Gritting her teeth) Excuse me? Sam: What if I offered a link between all three? Erika: Honestly, Dr. Ranasinghe, the link could be made of diamond-studded dancing Devis and I wouldn't care Sam: (Taking out an old book from her sack) Not quite but within the range Erika is agape over the ancient text. She looks to her advisor for permission and then begins to delicately leaf through the pages. Erika: (Reverently) How old is this book? Sam: Older than your country and mine... many times over Erika: What does it say? Sam: I will teach you - do you know the definition of Nereid? Erika: (Thinking) Sea nymphs according to Greek Mythology... as well as a moon of Neptune Sam: Very good Erika: I don't understand? Samadara carefully pulls back the shell bracelet on her right wrist and revels a peculiar marking that starts to glow an eerie blue. Erika stumbles back off of her stool in astonishment. Sam: (Grabbing the young woman's hand) You will Snapping back to the present, Dr. von Meer wipes a tear from her eye and returns to work on her computer. She sends an instant message to Morrigan.
A message flashes on the screen that says Morrigan has signed off. Erika takes another sip of her tea and gazes once more at the photo on the wall. Erika: No, Morrigan, I am your pawn and you do not even realize it... yet |
Surfaced on July 1, 2000
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