Chapter Sixteen
***
“We have a problem,”Montihan murmured with his head bowed low over the console, his ears covered in a headset.
Netto shifted his stance to face their host. He waited for him to say more. Montihan’s face was grim with consternation. He knew that look, knew it well. It was a look of someone concentrating, hearing something that they don't want to hear yet at the same time trying to understand what it meant; how to respond.
Netto had spent the morning in and out of the water scouting and channeling the signals of the modules nearby and watching for any unusual activity in the waters below. Besides the occasional creature that swam by, the frenzy of yesterday had calmed down. The barrier held and continued to hold. As each moment passed, he was assured that it wouldn't go down again.
It bothered him that he didn't know how it went down to begin with but now they had a problem, according to Montihan. He wanted to hear what that problem was but waited for him to lower his headset.
Netto closed his eyes and listened for Rylie, who was below deck with her sister. They had chosen to clear out everything that had been ruined.
Netto listened to the girls. They spoke constantly and continuously with abundant affection, yet strained with the edge of competition. Based on his knowledge of siblings, the interaction between the two was normal. The relationship between Rylie and Janet was not dissimilar to the relationship between Cyborgs.
Cyborgs were all brothers and sisters after all. Their mothers and fathers were all the same.
Montihan lifted his headset and turned to face him.
“What's the problem?”
“The colony. The new one south of here spotted unusual creatures in the water. They’re aggressive. They’re under red alert and all of the ships have been urged to come back to land or to remove themselves from the area. They're attacking the barges offshore.”
Netto didn't wait for Montihan to finish before he initiated a connection to Zeph, relaying the news to his partner. It would only be a matter of minutes before the Croc joined them, based on the information.
“Is anyone hurt?” he asked.
Montihan bowed his head again and held one earpiece up, continuing to listen to whatever was relayed to him.
“They're not sure... This is my fault. After what happened yesterday...”
“It's not your fault. The module wasn't broken by you, wasn't yours to keep.”
“It doesn't matter. If what we did directly affects those around us, harmfully, it would be easy for them to point blame in our direction. I should've told the other farmers.” Montihan shook his head.
“It's the EPED's fault, not yours.”
Netto didn't understand why he was reassuring Montihan. His feelings toward the family conflicted with the job he was hired to do. He cared for Rylie, he wanted Rylie, her happiness had become important to him, and the safety of her family made her happy. The wellbeing of her family became his prerogative. He internally sighed.
Zeph hefted himself over the railing and joined them, leaving a trail of water behind.
“Well? Should we remain here and continue to monitor the barrier? Or should we investigate the colony?” Zeph grumbled. “I’m an unwilling participant either way.”
