3 Sirena

“We have sisters across the Indian Ocean. We are collecting as much information as we can beneath the surface.” It was Elder Darma who’d spoken, but the members of the Elder Council looked to me.

I replied in our language of sounds and gestures that differed so much from human languages. Even translated, the meaning lost its depth in the humans’ words. “This will not be enough. We must discover what the humans know of the subsea disturbances, the changes in flows. They have technology we do not and their information is valuable.”

Elder Cantrella was abrupt as she broke in. “Elder Sirena, you are our liaison between our people and the humans. What action do you recommend with regard to gathering information from humans?”

I drew a deep breath of cool water before I responded, for even my recommendations would hold the force of law. “I would send three parties, small groups who have experience living on land with humans. One to the western coasts, one to the northern and one to the eastern coasts. I recommend we target the countries of South Africa, Singapore and Australia, in each of these regions. Each party may be required to remain for some time on land and give the humans the impression that they are human, too. Throughout, the existence of our people must remain hidden from the humans. Each party must take care to hide the ocean’s gift from humans.”

“A difficult task. Whom do you suggest we send?” Elder Darma murmured.

My reply was immediate, for I had considered the matter carefully in the days prior to this meeting. “For South Africa, I would send Nafula. She has knowledge of the western coasts. For the northern coasts, I would send Indah. I will choose the eastern coasts and Australia for myself, for that is where I suspect the greatest information will be available and that is where I have ties to the human world. Each should choose perhaps one or two to accompany them; I recommend younger sisters who are not yet elders. I shall be accompanied by Maria and Apalala.”

Elder Darma was the facilitator of the Elder Council, though I was its undisputed leader. Custom decreed that she made the final decisions. “Then it shall be so. You must leave soon, for time is of the essence. I fear great changes are happening in our ocean and the ocean’s gift alone may not ensure our survival. We need greater knowledge than we yet have. Without this knowledge, how do we prepare for the worst?”

The purpose of a leader is both to lead and reassure. I knew my role, for it had been mine for many years now. “Such knowledge will be obtained and then put to use. We will ensure the survival of our people and of the ocean’s gift.”