An Accidental Alliance by Jonathan Edward Feinstein Page A

themselves understood, she pointed at the neo-crocs and repeated, “Keepa! Miganz tana! Toh pikka cohna plis ta salapa. Jeefah!”
          “I could be wrong,” Iris attempted an interpretation, “but I think she’s telling us we’re not out of danger.”
          “Jeefah!” the young woman told them, pointing downstream.
          “It could be these critters go berserk at the smell or taste of blood,” Park replied thoughtfully. If that’s the case, they might not stop attacking until there is nothing left in sight.”
          “Jeefah!” the young woman told them, sounding frustrated. Then with an exaggerated sigh, she made a beckoning gesture and started swimming downstream, careful to avoid the ravening neo-crocs.
          “I think ‘Jeefah,’ means ‘this way’ or ‘follow me,’” Park told Iris. “Catch up to her and I’ll pull her on board.”
          “Sounds more like ‘Vamoose!’ to me,” Iris remarked as she turned the accelerator on the motor. Solar power was enough to catch up to a swimmer even one who seemed to be of Olympic caliber like the woman they were following.
          Park leaned over the gunwales as they passed, held out his hand and, as the woman grabbed hold, he pulled her up and into the boat. Then he nearly dropped her again when he realized she was not human at all.
          Instead of legs below her waist, she had a long, dolphin-like tail, colored dark brown like her long hair. Her tail seemed to be covered with scales, although it soon became apparent these were a sort of evolved hair in spite of their fishy look. Realizing he was still holding her off the deck by her arms, Park gently lowered her on to a seat and only then realized that she was as surprised by his anatomy as he was by hers.
          She was not unclothed by a long shot. Besides the tight, shirt-like garment she wore over her upper torso, she also wore a short tan skirt with pockets. Park could see she had a number of items in them. The weapon holster slung over her shoulder bandolier-style, was removed and placed on the deck so she could sit comfortably.
          “Ooh,” she gasped interestedly and reached out to gently touch Park’s right leg. “Ja na catayma. Koo!”
          “You’re pretty coo too,” Park chuckled. “Iris, look what I caught.”
          “I see her,” Iris laughed. “If these weren’t such dangerous waters, I’d say she was too young and you should throw her back.”
          “Jealous?” Park asked. “Doesn’t sound like you.” Thinking back, Park realized he had never done anything to make Iris jealous, so maybe…
          “Not really,” she laughed, “No. But she is definitely too young for you.”
          “That she is,” Park agreed and turned back to the mermaid. “Can I offer you something to eat or drink?” he asked.
          It was another stupid question and her politely puzzled look told him so immediately. Before he could think of something else to say, however she pointed at her herself and said, “Marisea. Marisea Waisau,” and held her hand out in greeting.
          “Park Holman,” Park replied, grasping her hand. Then for no particular reason he bent over and kissed it, making the mermaid giggle. He pointed toward Iris and introduced her too. Then he let go of Marisea’s hand and went over to the cooler. Looking inside he found a few grazer steaks he and Iris had acquired a few days earlier, and a large supply of water and soft drinks. Early on, Park had considered bringing a few six-packs of beer, but decided no matter how well he knew he could hold his alcohol, it was a suicidally stupid thing to bring along on a dangerous mission. He considered offering her a Coke, but decided that evolution had come too far to assume it would be safe for her to drink, so instead he pulled out three bottles of water, tossed one to Iris and gave another to Marisea. Finally he sat down