GM Post
Chapter 1 : The Island
~~~~~

The sun had just started to rise through her window. Charlie was at her desk, open files on one side, a coffee cup on the other and a laptop in front of her. She had been up for the past hour completing the weekly updates. Supply order was getting put in today so she had to get the list up in the mess hall. If anyone wanted anything special they had to put it on the list today for when she called in the supply order that afternoon.
Medical and food supplies looked good but it never hurt to order more just in case. Especially during storm season.
They also needed more fuel and some boat parts, plus office supplies. It seemed like they were always in need of pens and pencils.

Her next update was to the log book. She ran her eyes over the current resident sheet. Several of the animals were nearly ready for release. She would just have to get a final check out from Beau to clear them for release.
She drew up assignment sheets for the day, then made her way to post them on the board in the mess hall.
The cafeteria/mess hall was a sort of catch all room. It served as a place to cook, eat, socialize, play games, do research... really anything people decided to do there.
Across from the mess hall building were the showers and restroom building. Down the path was the main warehouse. Behind the mess hall was the radio/security room. Close to the beach were each worker's personal one room bungalow. The largest building was the medical center. The truck was parked next to it, a jeep beside that. The main path lead from the buildings down to the dock where the rescue boat sat waiting.

Charlotte "Charlie", grabbed her normal breakfast of two protein bars before heading out to the warehouse. Formula had to be made and fish had to be doled out in the buckets for the day.

Seirye yawned as she took one final look into the mirror. Running her finger tips through her short pink hair. She didn't bother to put make up on today. It was a late night and an early start. Besides, who would she be dressing up for? The animals? A small smirk crossed her lips as she chuckled to herself. At least the animals still liked her even when she didn't get dolled up.

Seirye glanced at the clock. Crap! She was late and needed to start her rounds to get the food out to the animals and get her to do list done. Being an animal care giver wasn't easy but it kept her busy. She liked staying busy. Seirye quickly grabbed her light black jacket off her bed and dashed out of her room. Thinking of feeding the animals, she figured she better get something for herself as well.

Seirye started to make her way to the mess hall when she took a moment to stop and look over the ocean as the sun was rising. It was a nice day. A small breeze blew past her. Closing her eyes as she took in a deep breath of the fresh, salty air. She then turned on her heels and made her way to the mess hall.

“So today I was thinking we would work with some of our dolphins. We haven’t touched on them since you arrived-we can’t work with the turtles everyday, Naomi.” Beau was walking along the path, Naomi in tow. It was usual of her to be shadowing someone for the day, whether it be the vet or one of the animal specialists.
“All of the animals are exciting to me, I just prefer the old folks of the ocean.” Naomi barely defends herself, looking at her feet as she follows along.
“Mm, well, today we play with the animals who have childlike tendencies instead. You like children?”
“Eh,” was all she could give. That made Beau chuckle.

Naomi did actually enjoy working with all the animals they had here, but she also liked to mess around with Beau. For one of the older people here he was pretty layed back. Not to mention definitely some good eye candy.

The two stepped into the mess hall, going for some breakfast before heading in for the day’s work. Beau had some instant oatmeal, while Naomi worked on an apple. They enjoyed some peace while they ate.
“The supply request sheet is up,” Beau points over to the wall, “if theres anything you foresee yourself needing any time soon, I suggest you get it up there.”

Approaching the little sheet, Naomi scanned over it, tapping her foot in an attempt to instigate thought.

By the time the sun had begun to peak over the horizon Max had already completed all of her normal morning routine of a jog, a shower, security and radio system checks, and the first routine security check of the area for day. Now she just had to be on alert for the day and be there to provide assistance to the team until the next security check, although usually by then the other members of the security team are up and take over those checks.

Having ended her security check by making sure the rescue boat was functional, Max was currently down at the docks. Standing on the end of the docks she looked out to the ocean taking a deep breath. The world she lived in now was a lot different then what she used to live in, it was a good change for Max even if she had fought her honorable discharge before getting this job. This was the right place, even if she missed some of the adrenaline rush.

At the sudden touch of a wet nose on her arm, Max was brought out of her thoughts and looked down to her dog giving him a scratch behind the ears. A whine then escaped the dogs lips causing Max to roll her eyes and smirk. Flexing her bionic fingers and rolling her neck she turned on the heel of her foot. "I get it boy, let's go eat before we get too into work."

Duke let out a bark and began to run causing Max to have to jog to keep up with him, the two shortly making their way into the cafeteria. Duke happily making his way over to the other people already in the cafeteria in hopes to get some food scraps while Max went to where she kept Duke's food, having kept up the routine of feeding him when she eats in the mornings which always helped her to remember to eat. Putting his food in a bowl and grabbing an apple for herself. Walking over to a chair she set the bowl on the ground for Duke who immediately ran over after getting and scraps he could while she used her knife, that she pulled out of her boot from her ankle holster, to slice her apple, eating the slices.

It was the sun that woke Sam up, the pink sunrise rushing in with the sound of the ocean swell through the open window above his desk. Blearily, he sat up and stretched, back and neck cracking audibly as he slowly peeled his eyes open, the clear emerald ocean just visible from his position slumped over in his chair. Dimly, he realised that he must have fallen asleep reading last night. The offending party - a printed copy of a particularly interesting article about field measurements of cetaceans published in Marine Mammal Science, stared up at him from the cluttered desk. Still not quite awake, he tucked it away back in his ‘to read’ pile, before locating his phone from where it was tucked underneath a stack of hastily scrawled notes and checking the time.

His blood ran cold.

He was going to be late.

Or at least, too late to make a proper fry up for breakfast. Cereal it was. He extricated himself from his chair, before grabbing a change of clothes and a towel and heading toward the shower block to wash away the night.

Fifteen minutes later, and Sam was just about ready for the day as he made the short journey to the mess hall, taking in a lungful sea air. He opened the door, to find several people already there. He filled the kettle and set it to boil, before getting himself a bowl of Shreddies, combing a hand through his still-damp hair as he did so. From the looks of things, the request list was up, and Naomi was standing in front of it, looking pensive whilst Beau was nearby. It was nice having an intern around, and with her passion, Sam was sure she’d do well when (or with this place, it was probably a question of if) she left the island and pursued a career.

At that moment, the kettle clicked, steam pouring from the spout and a rumbling sound indicating the water was boiled. Sam poured himself a cup of tea, adding milk and two sugars, before fishing out the teabag and putting it in the bin. He yawned, before picking up his shreddies, and heading over toward where Beau was.

“Mornin’” he said, conscious of the way his grogginess exaggerated his fading welsh accent, “What’re you two up to today? Not letting Naomi boss you round too much are you Beau?” he grinned jokingly, and sat down at a table, tucking into his breakfast, eager to get started with the day as quickly as possible.

---

The Midas Touch, Elizabeth’s private secret mega-yacht was making speed towards the island of Haven. As the owner of the ship, one would expect Elizabeth to have the best room on the small cruise ship. Somewhere with a view of the ocean all around and a clear view of the pool deck. And she did have such a room. It was a lavish place filled with silk, gold trims, handwoven carpets, paintings that should be in a museum and the finest tech toys money could buy (and couldn’t, she had her ways). Yet that room stood empty. She elected to sleep deep inside the bowels of the ship. Away from windows and views. A place where the sun’s natural beauty could not shine down. Instead of fluorescent lights beamed down from the ceiling. The floor was hardwood, only polished so nobody would get splinters from it. The doors were heavy and meant to fight the pressure of water rushing in. There she slept and lived during the past few days. Observing screens, numbers, maps, and contracts as thick as a book.

Some would call Elizabeth’s behavior a textbook case of obsession. It had all the telltale signs. The repression of her environment. Sometimes she read the same text five times, just to get sure she understood it all. Yet Elizabeth would call it hard work. Whatever you would call it though, you could hardly deny that she was hell-bent on destroying Haven. She had even gone so far as put the survey results as the background of every screen in her hole. A copy of it was even pinned in the middle of her board. A faint clang finally ripped her eyes off the documents before her. Carefully a sailor opened the door. He was surprised for a second when he saw her. She was a far, faint memory of the beauty she radiated just a few days now. “Ma’am. Haven is within sight. You told me to call you when we could see it?” the man said rather uncertain. Elizabeth rose from her chair and took her glasses off. The moment let her realize just how long she had been working. “What time is it?” she asked as she rubbed the bridge of her nose. “Six, fifteen am, ma’am.” Six in the morning? Elizabeth wanted to feel like that had to be impossible. But the truth was that she hadn’t seen a clock or the sun in a week. It could as well be midnight. “Very well. Prepare the speedboat. I’ll be down in an hour.” With that, the sailor left her cabin. Not much later she too came out and headed for her lavish room.

An hour later and a handful of sailors were just done with lowering the speedboat in the water of the inside dock. They all stood straight up when they heard the familiar ting of the elevator arriving. The sailor that once was surprised as how faded Elizabeth looked, was surprised once more by how beautiful she was now. Her once greasy hair was clean and wavy. With a light touch of makeup, Elizabeth looked as if being beautiful was just an effortless endeavor. Dressed in a black suit pants, black heels and a breezy, white blouse she boarded her speedboat. The dock’s doors opened up, letting the small boat free onto the water. With staggering speed, the little boat shot out of the giant yacht. Just mere minutes later and the yacht could very well look like a small cruise liner passing along. Exactly as Elizabeth had intended it. With staggering speed the boat approached Haven. “That’s a nice spot if you’d ask me.” The rather grizzled, old sailor steering the speedboat said as Elizabeth lifted her sunglasses to completely absorb the beauty of the island. “I’ve sailed for many people who’d pay good money to come to a place like this.” He added. Elizabeth couldn’t suppress the small grin. Why should she? Yes, it was beautiful now. Everyone would call the azure water, the lush green and the soft, sandy beaches a paradise. Everyone but Elizabeth. Who saw her mother in everything. If she could, she would burn the green from the island, trash the shores and let oil flow into the azure water. But for now, she’d be happy with merely burning down the huts and drilling for the liquid, black gold.

Within minutes she was upon the nearest dock and set foot on the island. Two rather grim looking fellows disembarked with her. Each holding a suspiciously dangerous-looking object on their belt and looked like they benched their weight every morning. Behind them, Elizabeth's scrappy lawyer tried to get the few wisps of hair on his head in order. For a moment Elizabeth absorbed the scene. The picturesque bungalows, the rescue boat. Her mother was a fool.

Getting the buckets of fish and ice cubes, with two bottles of formula, Charlie trekked down to the cove where the dolphin pen was. The twins were kept separate from the others for now, being too little for the bigger dolphins' rough play.

Setting the buckets aside, Charlie sat on the edge of the platform over the smaller pen. One calf immediately popped his head out of the water, wiggling his pectoral flippers excitedly.


"Hello Slate. Yes I see you. Where is your brother?" Charlie asked, flipping some water at the small dolphin who flipped water back at her with his mouth. Looking around the pool, Charlie spotted a little grey body off to the side under the platform and nearer the beach. Getting in and trying to get past Slate, who was swimming around her like a hyper active toddler, she walked over to the other little calf. "What's up Copper?" she asked gently, running her hand over his back. He lifted his little head and squeaked.
"Still hurts huh sweetie?" Charlie said just as gently, surveying the gash on his side. "Doc'll be down here soon to check on it. You feel like eating?"
Slate pushed her arm up and popped up in her face. Charlie laughed. "I know you feel like eating Slate!" she exclaimed and went back to get the bottles. Once Slate was sucking down his bottle Copper wandered over slowly. He was still very shy, but anything Slate did he would do. He laid quietly at the top of the water while Slate chugged the bottle down.
"You finished that quick. How about you try some fish?" Charlie asked and reached into the bucket to grab a few small ones. The two calves were still too young to really eat them but it gave him something to chew on and play with while she fed Copper, otherwise Slate would try to take his brother's bottle.

While Slate raced off with his new toy, Charlie put her arm around Copper and pulled him into her lap holding him there gently but firmly. It took him a moment to accept the bottle but he finally did and started to eat. He was still slower than Slate. It wasn't a good sign. He was lethargic and weak. The blood loss from the shark attack and the trauma of the injury, plus being underweight, was a triple threat. It was an uphill battle keeping the little guy alive. But her team would fight death viciously before it claimed this little guy.

She heard a loud noise and looked up to see a speed boat coming towards the island. Probably just some tourists who wandered over thinking this was a resort. It had happened before. Max always handled the lost tourists and Charlie had full faith in her ability to deal with anyone who gave attitude. If it was serious the team would come and get her, as she was the owner of the island. The assignment list showed where she was.

Charlie ignored the boat and went back to coaxing Copper to finish his bottle.

Seirye sat by herself in the mess half, eating her bagel and cream cheese quietly. She glanced around the mess hall. Seeing the other staff wonder in. She quickly finished her bagel and gave a stretch. She then stood up and gave one last stretch before cleaning up her breakfast. She quietly made her way to the kitchen where she washed her dishes by hand and placed them out to dry.

She then made her way to where they kept the fish for the animals. Grabbing a couple of buckets of the dead fish. She stopped for a moment before placing a bucket on the ground to throw some snorkeling gear over her shoulder. She would go visit Eddie first. Seirye didn't like picking favorites, but Eddie was definitely her favorite. She always had a soft spot for sharks. As much as people feared and disliked sharks, she loved them and found them fascinating. She then picked up the second bucket of fish and made her way to the shark tanks.

She slowly walked down to the tanks. Saying hi and good morning to the other sharks. That's when she spotted Eddie. Seeing the gashes on his head made her frown. They did look like they were getting better. Probably wouldn't be long before he could be released again to the wild. Something her and the team have been fighting to accomplish. Though she should be happy about it, she was a little sad.

Seirye proceeded to put the scuba gear on, not knowing of anything usual going on. She took a bucket of fish and climbing on to the top of the shark tank, slowing throwing a few fish at a time. A small smile crossed her lips as she watched the sharks eat the fish. Once all the fish were gone and she knew the sharks were done eating. She jumped into the tank. She watched as the sharks swam around her. She suddenly felt something began to push her from her back. She turned to find Eddie. She reached out slowly and began to stroke his head. Just as she thought, his wounds were healing nicely. Just then Eddie turned suddenly and swam away from her.

Beau only got through half of his oatmeal before he was done with it. He was getting sick of the apple cinnamon & knew he needed to request a different flavor on the sheet-maybe a variety pack. As he set his spoon down, along came Sam. “Goodmorning,” he greeted, “we’ve got dolphins on the brain today. Ive gotta start marking down days on release for a few of them.” He would smirk, looking to Naomi. “Yeah, trying my hardest.”
Beau was quite fond of the girl, she had true passion and thus potential. Passion was all you truly needed to succeed in Beau’s mind. The rest would follow.
“You wanna tag along?”

Naomi finished scribbling a few things on the paper, feeling satisfied with her choices. She took a final bite from her apple, turning back to Beau & now Sam. Just as she was about to join them, she spotted Duke and Max. Naomi gleefully made her way over, extending her hand out to the pup. “Hello to my favorite little doggy!” Naomi exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. Her endearing puppy love mindset took over as she squatted next to him.
“Hey Max! Hows the island holding up?” She looked up at his owner, a big smile on her face.

With @2plus2isnot5 & @Kitty

Duke's tail wagged happily, thudding each time it hit the floor as Naomi gave him attention. He loved attention and being around people because it meant more attention. Max simply rolled her eyes with a smirk at her lovable pup, as she finished the apple just in time for Naomi's question. "It's holding up well, but we are about to enter storm season so I'm expecting some more maintenance issues soon. I honestly don't think the island could be doing better, I could go into my nitpicky issues and slightly paranoia of lack of any occurrences for awhile but that's for another time." Max joked as she slid her knife back into her ankle holster. Max liked Naomi, well Max liked everyone on the island but Naomi being younger than most everyone else made Max a bit more protective over her. Almost like she was a younger sister. But in all honesty, Max was protective of every person on this island and if it were like war. She would lay down her life for each and everyone of them if there were ever a time.

The small smile that had come from talking with Naomi faded when the bionic armed woman looked out the window with the view of the dock. There was a small group of people on the dock and they were not from around the area. It was obvious with how well dressed the woman was along with her beefy security guards and some other disheveled looking man. Oh how Max wished she had her gun on her right now, all she had was two hunting knives hidden in her ankle holsters. "I guess I spoke too soon. Take Duke with you and go to Beau and Sam. We have some visitors."

Hopping up and rolling her shoulders, Max hastily made her way out of the cafeteria. Once she knew she was visible to the group she made sure every step of hers held confidence and strength and that her posture gave off the same. She didn't know who they were dealing with, if it was someone any of them knew about then they would have known someone was coming. Once she got close she stopped when she was 15ft from them and stood with her feet apart and arms crossed over her chest, her face remaining neutral. "Who are you and what is your reason for being here?"

---

The three security guards sprung alive when Max appeared on the docks. As if they were ready to jump the second Max would do something ill-advised. When she asked what their reason for being was, the lawyer stepped up. “I am the representative of Miss Camwell. We are here to exercise our right of the contract under section 7, header b, subsection three, second paragraph, third line from the start.” He said with a voice that Elizabeth could only describe as ratty. He even looked like a rat and a sick one at that. With his disheveled suit, wisps of hair, his foul taste in food and horrible manners. She scrapped him from the barrel of Harvard Law graduates. Now he was the best corporate lawyer money can buy. The guy wouldn’t win any juries though.

“That is quite enough now, Samwell.” She said with a surprisingly friendly voice as she took off her sunglasses. “We aren’t here for any trouble, I can assure you that.” Elizabeth stepped forward. She had practiced her smile for months when she was young. Now nobody could tell if it was fake or not. The fake friendliness she gained when forced to go to galas she hated, talking to people who saw her as a child. The whole façade made Elizabeth dangerously good at appearing friendly. But under the nice, warm smile hid her real version. One that had calculated this first meeting to the second. The two guards were meant for nothing more than physical posturing and even some intimidation. Who on the island would attack her anyway? They were civilized scientists. The lawyer speaking was meant for even more intimidation. Nothing frightened normal people more than hearing about a contract that could be thicker than a book. One that a lawyer had all the time observing while they barely heard of it. That’s how she took over companies foolish enough to take her money. One slip-up in the bylaws and it could all be ripped out of your hands.

“I’m Elizabeth Camwell. There is a… admittingly long and boring story behind why I am here exactly so I will try to keep this short. You may have heard of my mother: Miriam Camwell. She gave up this island for this…” she looked over the water towards the bungalows and the roofs of the other buildings in the distance. “… facility.” She hoped that would come over well. She had no idea what Haven actually did. “However my mother fell rather ill recently so she gave the company over to me. And as the contract that gave up this island to you is in the name of the company, I can now exercise my rights.” The words came out as if they were dictated and prepared. Several times over. All the while she spoke she kept stiff and strong. Though now she visibly relaxed as she let out a heavy breath. “Ugh, this weather really doesn’t work well with corporate speech. I assure you, it’s all way less bad than it sounds. One part of the contract states that the CEO can come visit this facility whenever they want.” This was true though.

Elizabeth remembered the reason behind it. The old woman loved swimming with the sea animals and seeing how well they were cared for. That’s what she told Elizabeth. To Charlotte, Miriam had confided another part of the truth. Very late in her life she realized how little attention she gave her daughter. They still talked and both sides were friendly about it. But Miriam could feel that her daughter didn’t share what a daughter would usually share with her mother. She never saw her graduate or cry about her first break-up. Miriam had never been in Elizabeth’s life. Now it was too late to reconnect. Instead, she wanted to do something else. Though in her old, somewhat frailer state she could hardly care for animals. Haven saved her from her own guilt. That was the truth she had told Charlotte. And that was why she loved to come over sometimes. To see the care and love. To be part of it in the smallest of ways. She kept that section in the bylaws as an act of hope for her daughter that when Elizabeth would find the island, she could visit it as well and witness its splendor. So maybe her little girl could realize what she realized so many years ago.

Elizabeth did not realize it. “And I want to make your boss an offer.” She added. “Ten million for the island. Oh and a million for everyone working here.” She said a million as if it was barely an inconvenience. She said ten million as if it was ten bucks. But Elizabeth meant the number. Who could resist a million bucks? Who could resist ten million!? The visit would soon be over. Obviously, she’d throw a party on her cruise near Haven then. To celebrate its acquisition. After that though, she’d never set a foot on the island again. “So if you’d be so kind, could you show us to the boss of this place?”

Dolphins, huh?

Sam took a pensive bite of shreddies. Today was Pinniped weigh-day, a gruelling process that was as important as it was time-consuming, ergo, something he like to get over and done with as early in the day as possible. not to mention the fact that there were a lot of animals he was seriously concerned about; Jill was still so ill and struggling to put on weight because of it, and Phoebe was still recovering from her eye surgery.

Things would be fine without him for a half hour though, and Sam really wanted to try out that new digital camera measuring technique for cetaceans he’d read about - something which would doubtless prove invaluable to both their field studies and rescue efforts if they could figure out a way to A) incorporate it, and B) see if it actually worked. Not to mention that Jill’s illness really was concerning, and he wanted to talk to Beau about the fact that she didn’t seem to be responding to the antibiotics she was currently on and might need something a little stronger.

He finished off his shreddies, before responding in an excited tone, “Sure, I need to help out with our flippered-friends later, but I was reading about this really cool technique for measuring cetaceans by their dorsal fin using just a digital camera last night, and I’d like to give it a try whilst the light's still good,” he picked up his empty dish and stood before wandering over to the nearby kitchen sink and turning the tap on, “I’d like to talk to you about Jill, the harbour seal, too - maybe if you’ve got time this afternoon you could pop down and have a look at her?” he continued, raising his voice slightly so Beau could hear over the rushing water.

As he was putting away his, now clean, dishes, he noticed a bit of a kerfuffle going on outside the window - an approaching boat it looked like. Not really anything new, and with a confident looking Max heading out to see them down, Sam doubted there’d be much trouble. There never really was - he could probably count on one hand the amount of serious confrontations he’d seen whilst working at Haven, most of which had been misunderstandings, and all of which had been quickly sorted by Max. Christ, he’d seen more trouble growing up in Prestatyn, and that wasn’t exactly the most exciting place on the planet. But still, he couldn’t help but be curious, “’Wonder what’s going on out there?”

---

The lawyer's words and mentioning of such specifics immediately put Max on edge but she kept herself neutral outwordly and inwardly for the time being. But the more she learned from the woman speaking after the lawyer just made the feeling grow. If this woman simply wanted to 'just visit' then why did she need a lawyer and the big men that she definitely only had for intimidation. Then the woman dropped the first bomb, the smaller one that hinted at the real reason she was here.

10 million for the island and 1 million for each worker! What kind of money did this woman have to just throw around like that? It didn't matter though, money wasn't something Max wanted, even if it was tempting, the government had given her enough after the incident, so the money the woman offered didn't phase her. What did phase her and only added to her previous feeling of being on edge and something being off was the way the woman called Haven [i]'the facility'[i] made a part of Max uneasy. It also didn't help that this woman wanted to buy Haven and basically pay off the workers, which made Max believe that she didn't want to keep Haven running. The opposite of what her mother would have wanted.

"I won't show you to my boss. But I will bring you somewhere she can meet us at. Although I'm gonna have to ask your security team either hand over their weapons or leave them on the boat that brought you here. We are a peaceful place and don't need them throwing off that way of life. If they want to keep their weapons then they have to stay on your boat. I'm afraid that is non-negotiable." Max couldn't quite tell what theyhad on their belts because the weapons were hidden well enough so she was not okay with them being brought further into the island when she lacked her own gun. Of course she wasn't going to tell them she had a gun, she was just lying a bit to ensure the safety of those on the island. Not anything she'd ever regret.

"Once they do whichever, they can follow after us. We are just heading to the cafeteria. It is our main building and will serve as our meeting room today for you and your group." She began walking back towards the place she had just come, walking backwards the whole time so she could see what the guards decide to do. As she walked she pulled the radio out of its holder on her hip and brought it up to her mouth, "Charlie this is Max. We have some visitors who wish to speak to you." Max paused as she looked at the main woman, "The main one is the daughter of the woman who gifted you this island and Haven. I'm bringing the group to the cafeteria. Over."

When they got to the cafeteria Max grabbed the door and opened it, holding it open for the group to enter. "If you are hungry or thirsty go ahead and help yourself to anything you'd like."

Josh groaned whilst groping for his phone as the alarm trilled throughout his bungalow for the third time. He sat up groggily and dragged himself to the shower block swiping his wash bag and towel on the way out of his abode. He no longer bothered changing first thing, knowing everyone on the island well meant that you weren’t bothered about rushing barefoot to the shower block in nothing but your boxers.

He enjoyed a longer shower than usual, glad of the others not having used up all the thermal tank. Before heading back to his cabana to change. He was NOT a morning person and was glad they were fully staffed and he wasn’t responsible for any early rounds. Yet he hadn’t a lie-in today as he needed to make some video calls that were time zone sensitive, including one with a class of primary school students who were studying the ocean, to talk about the work they did on the island.



He grabbed his glasses before making his way to breakfast. Where he normally got to eat alone, catch up on global news, plan his daily schedule and then do the washing up.
Today he was going to be anything BUT alone…

He slipped in the doorway and momentarily froze at the audience, a few of whom turned to look at his arrival. He smiled nervously before moving to put some porridge and milk in a bowl to give him a chance to scan the room. His boss and Seirye were absent, presumably on their rounds. Naomi and Beau had obviously been in the middle of breakfast, oatmeal and apple half eaten, the former also holding back an agitated Duke. That drew his attention to Max, who despite her professional exterior was obviously bristling from the fire in her eyes directed at the strangers. They were two beefcakes of private security, uncomfortably stifling in their suits along with a greasy, briefcase clutching rodent-like man. Josh couldn’t help but judge people on appearance, it was human nature. He just always made sure he was open to letting them inform a truthful opinion. However, he doubted this man would be doing anything to change his mind as he padded his forehead dripping with perspiration from both humidity and nerves, with an already sodden handkerchief.

As his eyes turned to the last figure, the presence of the previous three made perfect sense. It was the daughter of one of his idols. He’d met Miriam Camwell at a Geographical Society event when he was only a child and that had spurred his interest in sustainability and the environment. At her daughter’s glamourous presence he turned back to his breakfast and stabbed the buttons on the microwave. Amongst his network of academics and sustainability experts, he had heard that their generous benefactor was not necessarily all sweetness and light as her PR team made her appear. Yet no one could ever find any solid evidence to the contrary. Any blame for possible fossil fuel developments linked to her company always landed on a politician or partnering firm. He grabbed a banana that he absentmindedly peeled as he sidled up to Sam by the sink eyebrows raised. He whispered out of the corner of his mouth to his fellow Soton alumnus, “What's Miranda Priestley doing here, Sam?” tilting his banana toward the designer-clad CEO.

The cracking of the radio startled Copper who squeaked in alarm and tried to scramble out of Charlotte's arms. She let him go. He had eaten most of the bottle. She would give him another later. Treading back to the dock she climbed out and picked up the radio.

"This is Charlie I'll be up in a moment. Over and out."

Grabbing the empty bottles and putting the buckets in the cooler, Charlie walked back up towards the cafeteria. Miriam's daughter was here? Had something happened to Miriam?
Charlie pulled up anything in her memory about Elizabeth Camwell.
Business woman. Not the strongest relationship with her mother, which Miriam had taken full responsibility for. Beauty with a calculating eyes. The kind of woman for whom everything had a price tag on it.
What could she want at Haven?

Dressed in her wetsuit with the tips of her hair wet Charlie entered the mess hall.
"Thank you Max. Beau I'd like you to go down and check Copper's injury. He's lethargic and not taking his bottle like he should. I'll be back down in a bit," she said before turning to the woman in the suit, not even acknowledging her weasel lawyer or beefy bodyguards. Elizabeth was a business woman, but Charlie was a shark in her own right.

"Welcome to Haven Miss Camwell. My name is Charlotte Kirk, I am the owner of Haven. Forgive me for not shaking your hand but I just finished feeding one of the dolphin calves and my hands are not very clean. Your visit is unexpected. Is Miriam alright?"
Charlie's steel grey-blue eyes never wavered. She had worked around predators long enough to recognize the signs of one.

---

Elizabeth let a small, sly smile slip. “Of course. Boys?” The bodyguards jumped back on the boat in an instant and put the weapons in a locker. Even though they only out for less than a minute, it became quickly clear from the appearance that they were guns. The bodyguards were soon right behind Elizabeth and Sam. Who was sweating in his suit that looked a size too big for him. Elizabeth felt a little offended by this person walking backwards. She wasn’t a savage! She wouldn’t just suddenly order her people to grab her! Not in broad daylight! And definitely not by the guys she had brought. Eventually, she learned the name of the person: Max. And the name of the boss: Charlie. She couldn’t remember a Max but Charlie was suspiciously close to Charlotte. The name on the contract.

At the cafeteria, the two bodyguards took position next to the door. Crossing their arms scanning the room. Everyone could see their eyes darting from head to head. Gauging their threat. The boys weren’t too worried about anyone here. Well except for Max. The bionic girl had barely finished her sentence and Sam was already rushing to get an apple. He started eating while he held it with his two hands. “Sam!” Elizabeth yelled for the whole cafeteria to hear. The man couldn’t help how he ate, sure. But she didn’t give him permission. She hadn’t told him to eat the apple. For half a minute there was a raging fire in her eyes as she looked down on her lawyer. Who quickly and shamefully put down the apple and didn’t move anymore. The raging inferno behind Elizabeth’s eyes vanished as quickly as it came as she turned back to Max. “Thank you for your hospitality.” She said with her usually, trained, sweet voice. After which she simply went to get a glass of water. The lawyer hadn’t moved an inch still.

Then Charlotte appeared. In a wetsuit no less. Everyone was sitting here, having breakfast. While she was already hard at work? She liked Charlie already. Maybe she could convince her to come work for Camwell Conglomerates. There was always room for hard workers. Her unwavering eyes only made Elizabeth want her more. “Ah… I’m afraid my mother has fallen very ill. Cancer. Inoperable.” She had practiced that sentence for months on end in front of a mirror and perfected it against so many business partners of her mom. It became the usual response. A dog of Pavlov sort of thing. People ask about her mother and she says that her mother has inoperable cancer. It sounded as if Elizabeth felt bad. But it barely raised her pulse. “But I haven’t come just to visit.” Now her pulse raised a little. “I’ve come to make an offer.” One you cannot refuse, she mentally added. “Ten million for the island. And a million for everyone working here if you agree.” She said loud enough so everyone in the hall could hear it. Elizabeth hadn’t been wasting her time in the cafeteria. Some wouldn’t need the money. But there were others. For a second her eyes looked over Charlotte’s shoulder straight at Naomi. She looked very young. Young enough to have student debt. Young enough to believe that a million could really help her out. The million per worker was not just an act of charity. There were always people strapped for cash. They were her seeds should Charlotte refuse. Sooner or later someone would voice their desire for a million. Money was such a versatile tool.

Besides, the girl looked kind of cute. Her eyes focused back on Charlotte. “So what do you say?” Elizabeth was positively beaming right now. There was certainly something predatory about everything she said so far.

Interacting: Everyone in the mess hall
____________________________________________

Seirye continued to swim with the sharks, losing track of time. Having too much fun. What she didn't realize was a broken pipe within the tank was sticking out. She continued to watch the sharks as she slowly swam backwards. Then she saw Eddie approaching her. He rammed his head against her as she braced herself. She felt herself slam against the back wall of the shark tank as Eddie swam away.

She stopped as she felt a sharp pain in her shoulder. She looked over at it seeing red lifting from her shoulder. And the broken pipe. She quickly clamped a hand over her injured shoulder and looked at the sharks. She had to get out quick. They could smell her blood and we're starting to get excited. She quickly used her flippers and began to swim to the top of the tank. Climbing out of the tank she glanced at her shoulder, taking in a deep breath. Crap, this wasn't good and that pipe needed to get fixed.

Though the cut wasn't too deep but it was bleeding pretty heavily. She kept her hand clamped over it as she quickly made her way back to the mess hall to get it cleaned off. She quickly kicked open the door to the mess hall, making the door slam against the wall. She quickly stopped in but then stopping seeing Charlie, Max and the others but also somoeone who she had never seen before. The mysterious lady had bodyguards and...a mutated rat dressed as a human? She frowned to herself. Clearly it was a bad time. Charlie and Max looked like they had their hands full. She gave a nervous smile as she felt the blood dripping down her arm from her shoulder. She slowly backed up "Hey everyone. Um...if someone gets a chance. There's a pipe that needs to be fixed in the shark tank." She then quickly dashed out of the mess hall and quickly making her way to the bathrooms to clean herself off.

“What's Miranda Priestley doing here, Sam?” It took Sam longer than he’d have liked to admit to realise that that was not the actual name of the, vaguely menacing, woman who’d just walked through the door with her entourage. Not that he’d tell Josh that. Sam was cool and understood references. Totally.

“Fuck if I know,” he murmured back, turning around to face the new arrivals, leaning his weight against the counter slightly. Whoever this woman was, the fact that she’d brought bodyguards with her made her about a million times more intimidating in Sam’s book. He watched as the other member of their party grabbed an apple and chowed down, before being reprimanded by the woman, revealing his name to be…

Well, that just wasn’t going to fly around here.

“Her croney’s got the same name as me though,” he uttered to Josh, “This can’t stand.”

Moments later, the vague atmosphere of tension that had fallen upon the cafeteria was ramped up to a million by the entry of Charlotte. Not just any Charlotte though, oh no, this was Charlotte with a look - the one that Sam had come to learn meant she meant business and wasn’t going to back down for anything.

The one that meant she saw this woman as a threat.

Sam listened to their exchange. Apparently Mirriam Camwell was ill, and this was her daughter. And that was a bit shit. He’d always liked Miriam, he hadn’t known her that well, but she’d always cared about the work they did here, and her commitment to clean energy had always been something Sam admired. It wasn’t often high powered businesses cared about the world around them, least of all when they weren’t directly profiting from it, and whilst he wasn’t naïve enough to think she was a perfect human being, and whilst there was probably tons of stuff he didn’t know about, she’d always been pretty high up there on Sam’s list of ‘people we should all try and be more like’

And then came the offer.

A million.

That… that was silly money. A million. Christ…

For a moment, a single, shameful moment, Sam’s mind took him to all the things that that kind of money could do.

It took him to his Dad, stuck on disability after his accident. It took him to his Mam, working on a zero hours contract behind the counter in the chippy and hating every single second of it, not that she’d ever say. It took him to his cousin, Karly, and the conversation they’d had on the phone the other week where she’d cried her eyes out because she was just. so. tired, working and studying at the same time. It took him to charity. To the little kid on the news whose operation wasn’t covered by the NHS whose parents had to fundraise. It took him everywhere, because that’s what that kind of money could do: everything.

Another moment, and he realised that if Charlie took the offer, there would be no more Haven. No more Mika, and that thing she did with her fins whenever she smelt food. No more Copper and Slate, looking out for each other because that’s what families do. No more Jill or Phoebe, no more Juliet or Raphael, no more Gunner or Basil or Kiki any of the hundreds of animals they’d helped nurse back to health and watched, indescribably proud, as they went back home.

No more Sam, really. Because, if he was completely honest with himself, this place had saved his life and he knew it. Haven had helped him climb out of one of the darkest pits he’d ever fallen into, more than that, it had made him into a person again, and if it went away then…

Well, he didn’t really know what would happen to him.

His chest constricted. It felt like he’d swallowed a golf ball as he gripped the counter behind him so tightly his knuckles turned white. He looked at Charlie, desperation in his eyes. She was standing there in her wetsuit, saltwater tinting the blonde in her hair brown. She’d already started work. He knew, knew there was no one more willing or able to defend this place than her.

Charlie would fight for Haven with everything she had, and everyone who worked there knew it, even Elizabeth knew it, if she was willing to throw so much money around.

But still…

The mere thought that they might lose Haven was enough to send his mind whirring down paths he didn’t want it to go down. He bit the inside of his mouth, closed his eyes for a second, tried to breath. He couldn’t go back to how things were. Couldn’t.

Elizabeth was still standing there when he opened his eyes again.

He couldn’t be in here with her.

He was about to leave when Seirye burst in. Sam blinked a couple of times, was she bleeding?

"Hey everyone. Um...if someone gets a chance. There's a pipe that needs to be fixed in the shark tank." She said, obviously a little perturbed by what she’d walked in on, before quickly rushing out, injured shoulder on full display.

Quickly, Sam said, “I'll go see if she’s allright,” before making to follow her, grabbing the first aid kit on his way out, quietly glad for both the excuse to leave, and the fact that he took a first aid course at uni.

When he got to the bathroom, he could hear seirye moving about inside. He knocked on the door and called out "Seirye? It's Sam, that wound looked pretty bad, did you need a hand seeing to it, or can you manage on your own?" before waiting for a response.

“Sure, I’ll take a look at her, see what’s going on.” Beau took his last of breakfast and forced it down his throat. He was raised to finish his meals-there were people starving in this world & he was lucky enough to be someone who could eat. He wouldn’t dare be so disrespectful. With Sam’s words, he followed the glare out the window.
Naomi brought Duke over to sit with them, petting him & trying to help him relax as she knew deep down the dog would feel anxiety over not having Max by their side.
“Such a good boy!” She kept saying in a quiet puppy appropriate voice. He seemed the slightest bit content with it.

Things in the mess hall took a turn as others began to peak there head out. But neither Beau or Naomi payed it any mind until they heard money being talked about. Beau had already gotten up from his seat after hearing Charlie’s request. He would head over, drag Naomi with him, and see what was the matter. But now there was something else to worry about.
10 million dollars.

Beau crossed his arms, inching closer to the convo. “Unless thats 10 million sent straight-“ Naomi put her hand on his shoulder. Beau had little tolerance for the whole shibang. He felt Elizabeth’s just showing up unannounced and trying to buy them out was tacky and irritating. Then to receive such a little offer, it made him nearly furious. Beau knew what land was truly worth-his life on a farm gave him that. This island, its facilities, its people were worth so much more-frankly, more than any money, in Beau’s eyes.

Naomi took her hand off of Beaus shoulder, only to momentarily lock eyes with Elizabeth. She gave her a small smile, trying to politely mind her business. A million dollars sounded like a lot of money, it sure did. Money like that could help her family. But deep down Naomi knew that any amount of money couldn’t fulfill her goals in the field. Although, it might shut her parents up for a little while.

As someone burst in, babbling about a pipe, Naomi whispered to Beau that they should go. He would look to Charlie for a moment, giving her a nod before exiting the mess hall, Naomi in tow.

As soon as they exited the hall, Beau expressed his frustration, “I never thought a day would come that someone would actually try to buy us out.” He shook his head. “Evil always looking to swallow up a good thing.”
“Maybe its not a bad thing? Whos not to say she wont leave it be?” Naomi questioned.
“ Nothing good ever comes from rich folk with an agenda,” he answered, “especially when that agenda entails paying you off.”
Beau didn’t necessarily grow up poor, but he grew up with appreciation for so much more than wealth or greed. Situations where people practically flaunted made him uncomfortable. Deep down he felt worry for his animals and like the protective father he knew of his own family on his farm, he became defensive.

Naomi fell silent then. She knew what money could do and what lack of it could do. There were times growing up in a house of 7 kids that were depressing and extremely low, thanks to no money. She barely was able to get loans for school considering the amount her parents were already dealing with from her older siblings. Wouldnt it have been nice to pay off that debt for them?

The pair continued on their way to Copper, as instructed, with slow paces. Both seemed to have a lot on their mind.

{ @Belle & @Legion02 }

Charlie
Interacting with : Elizabeth
Mentions : Sam, Seirye, Josh, Max
~~~

Charlie's gaze never wavered. The only reaction to Elizabeth's words was a blink. She was silent for about ten seconds. In those ten seconds of silence a hundred thoughts went through her mind.
This woman was NOT like her mother.
This woman was faker then a Kardashian's boobs.
This woman was not used to being told no.
Several of the people here could use that kind of money.
The offer was an insult to what Haven was actually worth.

After the ten seconds of silence Charlie's lips curved up in a small, completely frigid smile. "I wish you had emailed the offer. It would have saved you a trip. Haven is not now, nor will ever be, for sale. The work we do here is worth far more then you could ever offer. The answer is no."

Charlie was ready to tell Elizabeth to leave when Seirye entered bleeding. "Get that treated now," she ordered, nodding to Sam as he left. "Josh, I want a full report on what happened in my hand within the hour," she looked at her watch then put the radio to her mouth. "Beau, Naomi, after you check on Copper I need you at the shark pool checking them for injuries from a broken pipe. Sam I need a patch down there asap."

Turning back to Elizabeth, Charlie inclined her head. "As you can see we are very busy. Give my kindest regards to Miriam. I will Skype call her this evening. As per the contract you are welcome to visit the facility. Otherwise Max will escourt you back to the dock. Have a safe trip."

Charlie knew she had most likely just pissed off a volcano of a woman by essentially dismissing her, but she didn't have time for this. She had to get the pipe patched quickly. Triton was scheduled for release today and Jill needed a followup from her surgery.