Now that Mike is approved to live with the mermen and mermaids, they can move forward with leaving the sphere to finally see the world from their perspective. The scientists decided to put together a team to attempt getting Mike from the depth of the ocean to the surface and back safely. His sub had been tested outside the sphere by mermen, and they knew it could withstand the pressures of the deep. Now was the time to see if Mike could operate it in the open ocean.
Mike and Mystic met with the team the day before they were to leave.
The lead scientist began, "We will have a six-person team, along with the two of you. Security has decided to send two of their men to ensure nothing happens if we encounter humans. We know the sub can withstand the pressure. Mike, if you become disoriented or are disabled, we will be able to remotely bring the sub back inside the sphere. Do you have any questions?"
Mike and Mystic shook their heads, and everyone disbanded. The two of them walked slowly back to their home, quietly. "I guess we should have expected #6 to not trust me. I'm okay with them being with me every time I go outside. I have nothing to hide. They can report everything they see, as far as I am concerned." Mystic smiled and nodded.
When the returned home, Mike was surprised to see Old Man of the Sea waiting for them.
"Michael, I asked him here to talk to you. Now is the time, and he agrees."
"Mike, it is time you and I clear the air. You are going to be with Mystic from now on, and I want you to understand me." Mike sat down on the couch and waited. "My name is Abaste. It means "the rock" in our language. I am Mystic's father. Cressy is my grandfather."
Mike sat with his mouth open. Of course, he should have known. Abaste was concerned his daughter's life would be ruined by this human, and he was angry. "I now understand your attitude towards me. I would have done exactly the same thing. I hope to make her very happy for as long as I am alive. I am aware I will not live as long as she does. I am sorry for that, but there is nothing I can do about that. But I promise you, I will do everything I can to make her happy for as long as I am alive." Abaste stood up, walked to Mike, and offered his hand. Mike shood it vigorously.
"I guess I will leave the two of you to prepare for your big day tomorrow." He hugged Mystic and left.
Mystic came over to Mike and sat on his lap. He was always amazed how light she was without the tail. "I am happy father finally told you. I promised I never would, but it is better now. Now that you are here to stay, the others may tell you their names when they choose."
Mike picked up Mystic. "It is getting late. If you aren't hungry, we can just go to bed. We have a big day tomorrow." He carried her into the bedroom. They cuddled and held each other until they fell to sleep.
By early morning, everyone had gathered at the portal of the sphere. This is like a large docking system. It had an entry from both sides, as well as a holding area in between. It was sort of like a canal system. Once they were inside, the holding area would fill, and when the pressure was equal, the outer door would open. It worked the same way in reverse.
"Mike," The lead scientist looked at him. "My name is Nester, as closely as I can translate for you. Are you ready?" Mike nodded, and they put him into the sub and closed it up. He had his mask with him. It would do no good now, but when they get to the surface, he would be able to breath underwater as he was in the lake. The inside door opened, and everyone walked inside, pushing the sub in.
Mystic was standing by the sub. She was very nervous, but also excited to be able to get back in the ocean. It had been far too long. Water began flooding the holding area. Within a few minutes, it was flooded. Mike watched as everyone around the sub began growing tails. It was an unbelievable sight. He couldn't even imagine how far he had come in three months. When everyone else was ready, the outer door opened. Everyone floated out into the depths of the ocean. It was pitch black to him. Everyone else seemed to have no problem seeing, Nester was driving the sub, so he just rode. They began heading up. It took several minutes before the water began to lighten enough that he could see shadows. A few more minutes later he could see everyone swimming around him. Ten minutes later he broached the surface. Nester popped the hatch and Mike smelled fresh sea air for the first time in months. He had forgotten how much he liked sea air. The breeze was gentle, but wonderful. His sub was rocking in the waves, and he felt at home. Mystic was there in an instant.
"Michael, it is wonderful. Smell the air. I have missed this very much. I needed the ocean. I am very happy you can come out now. We can travel the oceans together. It will be wonderful. I have so many special places to show you when we are alone" She smiled and blushed. Mike suddenly couldn't wait for that.
Nester came up beside them. "On, Mike. We are going to a small sand bar not far from here. We need you to operate the sub as we go. We will watch you to sign you off that you can control it in the ocean. You will need to dive and surface several times. Follow Mystic. She will guide you."
With that, Mystic dived into the ocean and disappeared. Mike shut the hatch and went looking for her. She was only twenty feet down, waiting for him. He could see fine, and they moved forward, she was purposing up and down, swimming backwards, beckoning him forward. He tried to keep up, but she still had to wait for him. It didn't take long to reach a small sand bar in the middle of the ocean. It wasn't very big, and Mike knew that it wasn't on any maps. It was perfect. She stayed in the water as he grounded the sub. He popped the hatch and stepped out. He turned to look back to see the scientists and security looking at him. They all clapped and dove into the water.
"Where are they going?" Mike wanted to know.
