Port Haven Sirens Novels & Stories

"And the local server array is less than five hundred meters away. It’s directly beneath that automated container terminal." ​She pointed toward a massive, silent labyrinth of steel cranes and stacked shipping containers that lined the dark edge of the pier. Charles Vance’s digital blockade was running on electricity stolen from the city's main grid, buried deep inside the harbor bedrock. ​"The port patrol boat is turning around," Julian noted, his eyes fixed on a distant red flashing light cutting through the water near the outer breakwater. "They heard the splashes. We need to be inside the maintenance tunnels before they sweep this sector."

I wonder if it would be higher if it wasn’t near the cliffside. My mind kinda went blank as my vision was ensnared by the California shore that passed. It was early in the evening so the sun had just begun to set. The water sparkled and was an almost dark purple shade, which contrasted from the soft pink and golden oranges that swirled in the horizon. I saw some dolphins or seals jump out of the water in the distance. I smiled as it was like they were waving to me and welcoming me into their home.

Rowan By the time I finished the seventh stick of my cigarettes, the massive cargo let out a deafening blast of ship horns as the mooring lines were being cast off. The horns continue to echo off the coastal cliffs, followed by the steady vibrating purr of the ship engine and heavy plumes of black smoke curling into the sky. Soon, the ship begins gliding toward the sea, parting the glassy harbor waters to its destination. I pulled out my phone as I typed a text to my father, [Shipment 1094-K1999, has left the port successfully.]

The banners were dyed a deep, earthy saffron and embroidered with the Panni lotus. As the banners dropped, the air around the junks seemed to thicken. The sound of the steam-tugs' engines became muffled, a distant throb rather than a piercing roar. "The Panni Silks," Sato’s voice crackled through the megaphone, sounding frustrated for the first time. "Acoustic dampening. A primitive trick, Jinyan. It won't stop the harpoons." "It’s not meant to stop the harpoons, Uncle," Jinyan muttered. He looked at Panni. "I need you to take the skiff. There’s a channel behind the third junk. It leads to the Salt Marshes."

Sebastian’s convoy rolled into the docks with engines low, tires gripping wet concrete. Cranes loomed overhead. Shipping containers formed narrow corridors. Any ship could be Hangman’s. Any of them could be carrying Alina. The port was a maze by design, tight, confusing, built for disappearing. Hangman had planned for this. Sensor sweeps. Residual tracking. Delayed echoes from Alina’s earlier signal. He knew they were coming.

“Good. I want us ready to rendezvous as soon as we’re able. Time to show those lizards what we’re capable of.” “Yessir.” Before the admiral could issue another set of commands, the bridge’s lights turned to yellow, and a warning klaxon rang out. “Sir!” said a technician, “unauthorized fleet porting to the Alosine beacon!” The admiral was immediately alarmed - this was one of the most secure and hardened Ballistics, Inc. port beacons in the House. Unauthorized teleports into it was practically impossible. “What?” he cried out. “Scan those ships immediately!”

POV RUBY The Siren’s Wake cut through the choppy black waters of the Irish Sea like a blade. Behind us, the fiery orange glow of the Docklands was nothing more than a bleeding scar on the horizon. The roar of the engine was a constant, low-frequency thrum that vibrated through the floorboards and up into my very bones. Silas was at the helm, his silhouette a grim statue against the spray-flecked glass of the cabin, leaving Nevan and me alone in the cramped, dimly lit quarters below deck.

"The rogue Hawke-General. They’ve moved their destroyers to the mouth of the Mediterranean. They’re pinging the thermocline to catch anything that tries to slip into the Atlantic." The ping came again, louder this time. The Vesper groaned as the sound wave vibrated the titanium shell. We were caught in a game of "Cold-Water Cat and Mouse." If we stayed silent, the current might carry us into the "Smart-Mine" field. If we started the engines, the destroyers above would depth-charge the entire sector. "Aria, the 'Third Seed' in your blood," Ethan said, his eyes scanning the control panel. "Can you feel the signal? Can you 'see' the frequency of the pinger?"

Cassian zoomed in on the footage. Several black armored vehicles were entering the site. Armed guards stepped out. Uniformed. Professional. Avelyn’s voice lowered. “Sentinel Maritime Security.” Tan’s expression darkened. “They’re fortifying the port.” Cassian nodded slowly. “Yes.” Avelyn studied the footage again. “That’s not just protection.” Cassian finished the thought. “It’s preparation.” Tan frowned. “For what?” Cassian’s voice was calm. “For conflict.” Avelyn looked back at the harbor outside the window.

I say as I point to the screen as Andrew speaks. “We have known about the sirens for ten years. We captured one of them to study her with her permission. She escaped. She is more dangerous than the ones that are currently attacking. I advise all civilians in the fishing communities to move further in land until the siren threat is dealt with.” I growl loudly and throw my mug against the war. “He fucking did this to her.” I scream as I pull on my hair as I pace.