It was a long night, but it was also a late start in the morning. The barge wasn’t scheduled to leave the Auckland Naval base until 11 am, and it was a slow-moving barge.

This meant we got to try the dive gear, and, more importantly, Carla got to use her gills for the first time. She seemed quite pleased. We both went in with only a mask and flippers first. She could really slide through the water. It was faster than I could, and swimming is my thing. I am pretty sure she could also go deeper than me, but that would have to wait until we get proper sensors on so we don’t cripple ourselves. I enjoyed it, and she enjoyed it, and I was only a little bit envious.

I spent some time testing my senses in the deeper water. Then we were called back aboard, and the HNNZS Manawanui started to sail around the Quarantine zone to meet with the barge.

When I saw the barge, I was impressed. The thing looked like a farmyard. There were cages everywhere. Two large tanks had been welded at each end. One end had saltwater fish with dividers in different sections. There was a tank of sprat, another with snapper and kahawai, and one had several sting rays. One tank had four baby sharks, two hammerheads and two copper sharks. After the saltwater tank, there were cages with cats and dogs. I think they had raided every animal shelter in the city. They also bought out the pet stores. Hamsters, rabbits, mice etc. There were cages with birds, budgies, parrots, pigeons, etc. Then came the farmyard animals, chickens, sheep, and goats. The tank at the other end had freshwater fish, eels, trout, salmon, catfish, etc. They were serious about testing the effect of the mutations, and the scientists would have a field day afterwards. The barge was rigged with sensors, cameras, feed, and water to keep the animals alive for a few days.

Then there were the plants. They didn’t just raid the pet sores but also the garden centres and nurseries. There, we potted plants all over the place, both native and exotic. By far, the majority were fruit and vegetable plants, but I think they went for some of everything. I assume a large quarantined scientific compound will be created after this. What kind of fruit and vegetables could be grown from the surviving mutated plants?

The second wave of volunteers would also have a lot of choice amongst the animals that still lived. Then it occurred to me. They could choose to have their mutations guided by a plant. If fish mutation can cross to mammals like Carla, then why not plants? What is the worst that could happen? Do you grow grapevines instead of hair? Do you have to plant yourself? I looked at the bamboo; it is a tough, flexible plant. Bamboo skin would be interesting and the regrowth!

Having met the four initial volunteers last night meant I knew them. They were not just faceless military flunkies anymore. The woman in charge was a large Maori woman with traditional tattoos on her chin. She was Lieutenant Wihongi and came across as competent and respected, yet she had a quick sense of humour and a boisterous laugh. She laughed often. There was Chief Petty Officer McDonald who was the strong, silent seaman who didn’t ask many questions but seemed to be taking everything in. The short, inquisitive Asian girl who never seemed to stop asking questions was Ensign Jeong, and the final member was actually our diving instructor, Warrant Officer Toki. I was never going to remember their names.

When you get to know people, the fact that at least one of them is probably going to die in the next couple of days has a bigger impact. I might be causal with my life, but I am a loner asshole. Other people can choose to put their own lives at risk, but at this time, they are doing it based on my half-cooked theories.

The barge was self-propelling and towed two small rubber boats with outboards. I am guessing the second wave of volunteers would pilot the barge out of the area before they blow the anomaly.

The seaman made sure we knew how to operate the boats, and we settled down for the slow journey from the edge of the quarantine to the bay with the anomaly. We slowed even further as we neared the cove. Carla and I went to the front of the barge. We were to signal when we felt we were in the essence sphere. They would record both positions and compare them with the data from my recovered watch.

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I could tell Carla was nervous. This was the first time back after her mutation.

“Don’t risk another mutation,” I reminded her. I knew she was tempted. If she could grow her own essence pool, she could change shape without me. It would be very tempting. I would succumb to it. “Be cautious for Soph. You have a fiance now.” Yes, Soph had been coaching me as she was worried.

Carla nodded.

I sensed it first and waved at the Lieutenant. It was maybe another hundred meters before Carla sensed it. The barge slowed even further.

Carla and I started to control and absorb the essence. I am pretty sure my theory on the essence is sound. The volume you can hold is based on the number of mutations you have been through, probably with some personal variations. The control and absorb are about condensing and making what you have more robust. I am sure there are many more uses for the essence than what we know now, but that is for later.

When Carla signalled she was in a strong but comfortable place, the crew started setting the anchors and securing the barge. They then prepped one of the small boats, and I watched them all go to the separate tank with the already mutated fish in. One by one, they reached into the tank and did whatever they had chosen to do. We had told them about what we each did. I was stung, Carla ate, and we both shared blood with the shark. They were all using the first aid kit and swallowing, so they were all committed.

“Right, you two, we are off now.” the lieutenant said, “The Manawanui will let you know when we are out of the quarantine zone. Stay in touch, and don’t do anything stupid.” I am pretty sure that was Lewis’s main fear. From our track record, the likelihood of us doing something stupid was quite high. “Oh, and remember,” The lieutenant said, “If you get the urge to fool around in this lovely cove, you will be recorded from multiple angles for the entire navy to watch!”

“Please do!” yelled the small Asian girl. I have got to get better at names.

We watched them motor off out of the cove and disappear around the headland.

“What do you want to do first?” I asked Carla.

“I am actually good here for a bit, just getting used to this,” she said.

“Your essence always felt stronger and more condensed than mine from the start,” I said as I re-tasted it through the link. “I think I will take the boat a bit closer and see how it feels to me. I want to test my senses in the water and see how they might sense the anomaly.”

“Are you going to get in the water?” Carla asked.

After the shark attack, we are both more cautious about getting in the water. I am confident my hearing will warn me of danger, but I am a bit nervous. “If I do, I will maintain in contact with the boat so I can get out.”

“Do you want me to come as backup?”

“How are you handling this level of essence?”

“This is comfortable, and I am improving in my control.”

“We should both stay safe,” I agreed. “I won’t go too far, and I will have the flippers, knife and spear. I need to put my head under the water, but I might not even get out of the boat.”

“OK.”

I got on the radio to the ship, “I am going to take the boat closer and test some of my senses. Where I stop is where it is just starting to get uncomfortable for me.”

“Roger, that.” was the reply. “We expect you back on the barge by twelve-fifteen, and we will get you both to eat meal pack 1.”

The animals were not the only lab rats here. There was a whole schedule of experiments for us. The first was if we could eat food that has been in the Essence Sphere for various periods.

I looked up and spotted two drones. There were probably more higher up from the Air Force. I pulled in the small boat and prepped it. We had voice recorders, and we were supposed to record what we saw and felt. There were even bags for us to shit and piss in as well so they could be tested. I was going to piss in the ocean like usual.

Lab rats. I looked over the barge. Yep, there was a cage of rats. Actual lab rats.

Fucking hell.