Kassandra watched the conversation unfold. Even if she couldn't hear them, she could tell by the slump of his shoulders that Hiro was cowed, almost afraid of this other male. Maybe she should be afraid too?

Her eyes widened as he went away. It certainly didn't look like he was coming back, either. The new male, older and different looking, settled down near her and simply stared. Kassandra stared right back, for a while. It seemed this one didn't want to make any conversation. Oh well, he'd taken Hiro away, so she wasn't in the mood to be friendly. After a while, she curled up with her arms around her tailfin, and fell right asleep. 

- 
Meanwhile, the director was in her office, sipping at a glass of wine and watching the reports come in. This find was going to put their operation on the map. Everyone said that the deep-sea expedition was a waste of money, that the creatures were just strange squids and pale fish. Imagine the next conference when this lovely little beauty was unveiled. 

"Doctor Helena Price, the world leading oceanographer. Imagine it." She said out loud, confident that no one could hear her. "Just... imagine it." She turned to one of the cameras overlooking Subject 0001-Ariel, stroked the screen with the sleeping creature, and smiled.