The Swarm (Der Schwarm)

Best we can figure, it washed up on the beach an hour ago.

Came in with the high tide.

A dog walker spotted it.

Said it was already dead.

He.

-What? -He's a male.

Part of a pod that migrate to Vancouver Island every year.

Haven't seen him since last season.

Wind direction is north.

North westerly...

He's not been dead more than two, three hours.

-That would put him about... -Murray Cove.

Let's see what they have to say.

Can you cordon this off?

Someone from the Institute will cover him.

You think they're bite marks?

What's gonna bite an orca?

-Leon. -How are you, Kit?

-Jack. -Kit.

-It's been a while. -Too long.

Kit, did you hear anything about the orca

that washed up on the beach this morning?

Finish up for me, I'll be back in a minute.

I'll show you something.

You're saying an orca did this?

Spoke to the guys, it happened early hours this morning.

Swam close to the boat a couple times.

They thought it was curious, until it started to get aggressive.

They tried to push it aside but it kept coming,

smashing into the side of the boat, acting all crazy.

A whale that big and a boat this size?

They had no choice but to fight back

with bill-hooks, blades, anything that came to hand.

No choice?

You really think they'd fight an orca for a few fish?

Catches are dropping off.

Put an animal between a man and the object of his attention,

you'd be surprised what he'll do.

Nobody around here would wanna see an orca hurt.

If the guys say it attacked,

then it did.

I gotta get back.

-See you around, Leon -See you.

-How's the Rock? -Full of mice.

-It's only for a few weeks. -And it's freezing.

How's Professor Lehman?

Good mood, bad mood?

Depends who she's talking to.

Probably better that she doesn't talk to me.

Which is why I'm calling, not her.

-So what's up? -She revised the seabed section

she wants mapped, I'll send you the new specs.

Okay.

What?

She wants readings with the AUV

running at 25 meters above the seafloor,

before it runs at 10.

Rahim, that's hundreds of kilometres.

-I know. -I'll be stuck here all summer.

I know.

Why do I have to start at 25 meters?

So you don't run the AUV aground.

-Like you did... -Last time, I know.

So no shortcuts, okay?

Charlie!

-We missed you last night. -Last night?

I have a very sloppy text from you at five this morning.

Did you even go to bed?

I can sleep on the flight.

Anything you need?

Where do I start?

If you think of anything, let me know.

Something strange is happening. I've got to go.

Okay.

Shit.

Thanks for getting back to me.

No, I'm looking at the effect of seismic surveys on marine animals.

And I read your report on geological studies

and oil exploration.

Yes, I'm from the World Oceanographic Commission.

Would be wonderful if you could schedule a proper interview.

Well, I'm based in Canada for another month.

Yeah, a video call would work.

It's Alicia Delaware.

Yes, like the state.

At w-o-c-dot-org.

I appreciate it. Talk to you then.

I heard about the orca.

First whale of the season and it washes up dead?

Yeah.

What do you think is going on?

-They've been late before. -Not this late.

Sorry, you caught be at a bad time.

Okay. Sorry.

I'll catch you later.

There's never a guarantee but we can offer a half-price trip

to anyone who wants to try their luck again tomorrow.

-Hey, what's his name? -Brian.

I'm sorry Brian's friends didn't show up today.

Sometimes they're a little shy.

Maybe the whales will show up tomorrow.

Can we go?

-Thank you. -Thanks.

-Thanks. -Thanks.

Black, two sugars.

-Lemon, no ice. -Thanks.

Another group's bailed. It's the fourth time this week.

If it goes on for much longer,

you might have to sell the boat.

I'll have to take a rain check on our trip.

I can't be spending money I don't have right now.

If you need help to get you through...

-On what you make? -I have savings.

That's why they're called savings. You save them.

You gave me a job in college when I was about to drop out.

My dad did. And you worked for it. It wasn't a loan.

You can pay me back

when you publish your first book.

Honestly, I appreciate it.

But I can't take a loan.

Not if I don't know when I can pay it back.

Okay.

You know the talks I give at the Institute on whale songs?

-What about it? -I'll give it here.

At the Whale Station. A few evenings a week through the season.

-You can keep the take. -Thanks, Leon.

If it goes to hell, we could always use another pilot at the Institute.

I'm not that desperate.

Charlie!

Welcome to the Rock!

-How long can you stay? -We can't!

We have to get to the Juno and chopper back to base by tonight.

Can you guys help me?

Nice to see you too, Tomas.

-What happened? -No idea.

Not sure, it lost propulsion. I took it and brought it back.

The insulation seems to be melted.

-Did you check it before launch? -Of course.

No loose wires here.

I know how to do an AUV pre-check, Tomas.

Then how do you explain this?

I can't.

Told you, it just lost propulsion.

You sure you didn't do it?

-What is he saying? -That's she covering her ass.

-Just leave the part, I'll do it. -I'll do it, yeah?

If you break another, my ass is on the line.

So, when do you sail?

Tomorrow, from Húsavík.

It'll be good to get out of the lab.

Spend some time in the field.

It'll be great.

I wish you were coming.

And miss all this?

Work is important, you know?

The data AUVs collect is important,

operating them is a job for a first year student.

We both know why I'm here.

I'll do the job, stick to the rules and all will be forgiven.

Until next time.

Hi.

-A whiskey. -We have a lot of that.

Any one in particular?

A good one.

Can't go wrong with a Macnally.

Sure.

Make it two, Iona.

So what did you do then?

-Sorry? -The guy here last summer,

up at the station...

Stefan?

-That's the one. -What about him?

He told me back in Germany he started a fire.

Aye, almost burnt the lab down.

I didn't start a fire, if that's what you're asking.

So what was it then?

I like doing things my own way.

How does that go down with your bosses?

Faculty adviser.

Not well...

So when you're not getting up their noses,

-what do you do? -Trying to finish my PhD.

And?

I don't want to bore you.

Try me.

Monitoring tidal fluctuation and other stressors on the ecosystem