by Anna Hackett
As the shuttle leveled out, she stared out the window. It was really quite beautiful. The water was such a stunning color. Ahead, she saw some giant bodies rise up out of the water, and she gasped.
“Some sort of sea creatures,” Dare said, leaning forward.
Mouth open in wonder, she watched as the huge, flat-looking creatures, with what looked like large wing-like sides, flapped out of the water, before diving back beneath the surface. So graceful and amazing. She’d never seen anything like them before.
“Okay, this is where we go for a swim,” Rynan warned them.
Dakota glanced at him. “You’re sure this shuttle can go underwater?”
“For a short distance. Let’s hope we have the city coordinates right.”
She wrinkled her nose. “That’s not funny.”
The shuttle’s nose dipped, and they dived into the water.
At first, visibility wasn’t that great, but as they settled in and started zooming through the water, she spotted the bodies of the giant creatures they’d seen. They were shadows in the distance.
Suddenly, a huge cloud of colored fish rose up in front of the viewscreen. She gasped again. They weren’t very big, but they were all different colors—greens, vivid blues, reds and bright yellows. The fish darted left in a tight group, before moving right with an amazing synchronicity. They moved like they shared one brain, looking almost like colored smoke.
Some larger fish, with long, sinuous bodies, moved into view. They were glowing a bright, electric green.
Dakota leaned forward. “This place is incredible.”
“What is incredible, is that.”
She looked to where Dare pointed, and got her first glimpse of the city.
Wonder filled her. Three giant domes rose up from the sea floor. There was a large one in the center, and it was flanked by two smaller ones. Inside she could see buildings rising up, delicate-looking structures that almost appeared organic. All of them were different pale colors that made her think of coral.
“Looks like that’s the main entrance over there.” Rynan nodded. “We’ve been given permission to enter.”
At the front of the dome, she spotted a large, circular opening covered by a metal door.
They moved toward it, and as they neared, the door dilated, its metal panels retracting. A craft moved out.
The Maronian craft made Dakota think of the creatures they’d seen diving out of the water above. Or of the manta rays that had been bred on the resort world of Duna from Terran stock. The craft moved cleanly through the water, its large fins flapping slightly, before it turned and headed away from them. It disappeared into the distance.
Rynan maneuvered them through the gate. He pulled them to a stop inside what looked like a large, clear cylinder, with another circular metal door ahead. Rynan set them down on the bottom of the cylinder and, seconds later, the gate behind them closed.
Dakota heard a musical-sounding alarm, and then the water started to drain out of the space. Ahead, through the glass, she could see the city beyond.
Once the water was all drained out, the inner gate opened. The shuttle lifted off and they flew through into the underwater city of Sori Sanu.
They didn’t fly far. They reached an area where lots of the Maronian craft were parked, and Rynan moved them to an empty space as directed by whoever he was communicating with on the comm. As soon as the shuttle stopped, Dakota ripped her harness off, eager to get out.
Rynan and Justyn flanked their prisoner, dragging him with them.
Together, they all stepped out into the city.
Dakota tilted her head up, taking it all in. The coral-like buildings were amazing. Everything around them, even the roads and paths, were made of the pale, coral-like substance. Surely it couldn’t really be alive. She saw a flash of movement and turned her head. Through the clear glass of the dome, she could see fish dancing around in the open ocean. It was mesmerizing.
Back in the dome, she saw some vegetation nearby. Not trees and bushes like she was used to, but long, willowy grasses and low, mossy vegetation covering different shapes—spheres, pyramids, and cubes.
She heard the click of footsteps and turned. She saw Tsani walking toward them with several aides by her side. Their long, delicate clothes swished along the ground.
When they reached Dakota and the others, Tsani pressed her hands together and bowed her head. “Dare Phoenix and friends, welcome to Maro and the city of Sori Sanu.”
Then her gaze landed on Ralu and her brow furrowed. She turned her head and looked at one of her aides. “Mari, would you please take this man to the criminal processing facility. I want to know where he is from, and what his agenda is.”
“Yes, Chancellor.”
Rynan handed the man over.
“How do you generate the light in here?” Dakota asked.
“We have an advanced artificial lighting system. It mimics the light from our sun.” Her pale gaze touched on all of them. “I made the assumption that you would like to speak to our scholars. I’ve arranged for you to meet one of our most dedicated.”
“Thank you,” Dare said.
“I’ve asked my aide, Ninu, to take you there. I hope to see you again before you conclude your visit.”
A young woman stepped forward and waved them down the pathway. They followed her, and soon they reached a low building with a domed roof shaped like a clam shell.
She led them inside, and Dakota discovered that the dome covered a large internal courtyard. It was filled with a huge, shallow pool shaped like a kidney, and laughing children. The children were all kneeling by the pool, reaching into it.
Dakota moved closer, curious. She’d never had much to do with children, but she liked the carefree sounds of their laughter. She saw the pool was filled with all sorts of sea creatures resting on a sandy bottom. Small fish darted through the water, and the children were playing with the sea creatures. All around the courtyard, the walls were covered with a gray-green moss.
Staring into the pool, she saw that there were some other things beneath the surface. Toys, she guessed. There were balls, small cubes, rings, toys of various animals of the sea. Then, she glimpsed something that made her frown. It looked like an ancient Terran ship. Not a starship, but a ship like the Nuestra Señora de Atocha.
“Hello and welcome.” The energetic voice made her turn around. She saw a young man in blue robes heading toward them.
“Why does everyone look so young?” she asked Dare.
“I think they all look young. I think it’s difficult to tell older and younger people apart.”
This man had to be their scholar. He might look young, but he had studious stamped all over him. He also radiated an energy that was infectious.
“It is such an honor to meet off-worlders.” The man sighed. “I would give anything to swim through space. It must be so fascinating.” Another sigh. “Sorry, but you aren’t here to tell me about your space journeys. My name is Asun and Tsani said you were interested in our history.”
“We are,” Dare said. “We have some questions for you.”
“Come.” The man waved at some nearby benches. They all settled there, not far from the pool. The gentle sound of the children’s laughter was their background music.
Dare looked at Dakota. “You’re up.”
She cleared her throat. “My name’s Dakota. We are on the trail of a Terran starship that we believe crashed on your planet a thousand years ago. It was holding an ancient Terran treasure.”
“Really?” Asun leaned forward. “That sounds very exciting. I’ve heard some things about Terra, I mean, Earth.”
“Have you heard of a ship called the Southwind? It was captained by a man named Fisher.”
Asun shook his head. “No. I haven’t.”
“You don’t know anything about it? There is no mention of it in your history?”
Again, Asun shook his head. “I’m sorry, no.”
“You’ve never heard of the Atocha Treasure.”
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The scholar frowned. “No.”
“We were attacked by a Maronian man who claimed that the Southwind and its treasure was an important piece of your planet’s history. That you were descended from the survivors of that starship.”
“I’m sorry. Maronians are descended from the waters of Maro. If we have some Earth heritage, I’m not aware of it, and I’ve spent many years learning all of Maro’s history.”
Dakota’s shoulders sagged a little. “You have no legends or myths about crashed starships?”
The scholar’s face brightened. “Now that, I can help you with. There have been starships that have crashed here over the centuries. We have studied many of them, and noted all the locations. None are from as long ago as you are talking about.”
“Take a look at this.” Dakota held up the orb and opened up the star map.
The scholar gasped and stood. “My, what marvelous technology. It’s beautiful.”
“This is your planet.” She pointed. “And see here? This is where it says that the ship we’re looking for crashed.”
Suddenly, a look of terror crossed the man’s face. He shook his head.
“What is it?” Dakota demanded.
“That location.” He lifted a finger and pointed. His hand was shaking. “That is in the Tortuga Abyss. It is a giant scar on the ocean floor that goes very deep. No one goes there.” He looked at them all, fear in his eyes. “It is a terrible place, and it is filled with terrible creatures.”
Chapter Fifteen
Dare walked into the store of the local seafarer who’d been recommended to them.
They’d visited over a dozen seafarer shops, but as soon as they’d mentioned the Tortuga Abyss, they’d been turned away. Everyone refused to go there.
Olok had been the only person anyone had suggested, who might have the submersibles capable of a trip to the Abyss—and more importantly, be willing to take them there.
All the seafarer shops were lined up by the edge of the dome. Each one had its own small exit out of the dome, and just beyond the glass, Dare could see various Maronian sea craft and submersibles of different shapes and sizes parked and tethered outside, bobbing slightly in the current.
While Justyn and Rynan stayed near the door, Dare watched Dakota circle the crowded, untidy shop. There were nets, spears, and several pieces of equipment he didn’t recognize.
“What do you want?” a grizzled voice barked at them.
They all turned and saw a grumpy man heading in their direction. He had a shock of messy white hair, blue skin a little darker than everyone else they’d met before, and a stocky build.
“Hello, my name is Dare Phoenix. Are you Olok?”
“Yeah.”
“We are visitors to Maro and we were told you might be interested in renting us submersibles for an expedition.”
The man harrumphed. “I rent submersibles.”
“Great,” Dakota said. “And do you provide guide services as well?”
“For the right price.” Olok’s eyes narrowed. “You’re the ones searching for an ancient starship wreck.”
Dare raised his brows. “Yes.”
“Word travels fast in this place.”
“We’re after two submersibles.” Dare paused, judging how to sell the man on this mission. He decided on the direct approach. “We’re heading into the Tortuga Abyss.”
The man barely reacted. He picked up a stick of…something…and stuck it in his mouth, chewing on the end of it. “No one goes into the Abyss.”
“So we hear. That’s why we came to see you.”
The man’s faded blue eyes looked at them all. “You guys crazy?”
“No. We’re just very interested in finding this starship.”
Now the old man’s eyebrows rose. “Treasure. The only reason people do dumb things.”
“It isn’t dumb when you find it,” Dakota said.
The man shrugged. “I’ve heard of crazier things.”
“So, will you rent us the submersibles and guide us in?” Dakota asked.
“Double my regular asking price.” The man stated his price.
“Agreed,” Dakota said.
Dare mentally converted the Maronian currency. It wasn’t anywhere near as much as he’d thought.
“I need some time to get ready,” Olok said. “We’ll take my two submersibles out front. They aren’t pretty but they do a good job.” His gaze moved over them again, something dark hardening in them. “The Abyss swallows people whole and spits them out ruined men. You sure you want to go down there?”
Dare shared a look with Dakota. He saw no fear on her face. “We’re sure.”
“For extra, I can also offer you aglia injections.”
“Aglia?”
Olok sniffed. “It’s a substance we harvest from a fish that lives at some of the greatest depths of Maro. Aglia helps us withstand the pressure. Coats your air-filled cavities and makes dealing with the pressure easier.”
“I’d like my brother to scan this aglia first. If it’s compatible with our biology, we’ll take it.”
The next hour was a whirlwind of preparation. Olok and his workers prepared the two submersibles. The Maronians swam out of the small circular exit, quickly and easily traveling to and from the craft with their webbed feet.
Olok hadn’t been lying about the subs not being pretty. They were shaped almost like a fish, with a large glass bubble at the front that functioned as a bridge, and an extendable antenna-like light that arched out overhead. The rear of the submersible was shaped like a fish tail, and attached on the back of each sub—like a parasite—was a smaller, two-man submersible, about the size of an escape pod.
“For when you need something smaller and more maneuverable,” Olok had told them with a grunt.
One of Olok’s men gave Rynan a quick lesson on using the submersible. Ry and Justyn would take the second sub, while Dare and Dakota would go in the lead craft with Olok.
Soon, they all received aglia injections and then climbed into the specially-designed, deep-water envirosuits that Olok provided. The sleek suits each had a clear helmet, with a compact breathing system built into them.
“You exit the sub, these are the only things that’ll keep you alive down there,” Olok warned them.
They swam out of the dome exit toward their subs. Dare kicked through the water, watching Dakota’s progress. Apparently she liked the water, because she glided through it easily.
They climbed into the subs, and, after taking off their helmets, sat in the seats behind the large pilot’s chair, situated in the center of the glass bubble at the front.
Olok plonked his bulk into the chair, and started touching the controls. There was a quiet whine of an engine and lights on the control panel attached to his chair flickered to life.
“Need the location,” he said.
Dakota approached and tapped on his comp screen. On the small screen, the location appeared as a glowing dot.
Olok grunted. “That’s pretty deep. Lucky my ships have extra shielding.”
“Why is that?” Dakota asked.
“Because down that low, there are all kinds of nasty creatures. And they’re always hungry.”
Dare wasn’t liking the sound of this, but the quicker they got down there, hopefully the quicker they found what they were looking for.
Soon, the submersible tilted forward a little, and they were off. As they skirted the city domes, fish and marine life danced around outside. Dare spotted a creature he thought was a Maronian out for a swim at first, but then realized it was some sort of sleek, sea creature with flippers and a whiskery nose.
Dare watched as Dakota laughed at the creature’s antics. She had such an innocent, charmed look on her face. One he knew she rarely wore.
The first part of the trip was easy, just propelling through the water. But then, up ahead, Dare saw the dark gash of a shadow on the sea floor.
“That’s it?” he asked.
“That’s it,”
Olok replied. “The Tortuga Abyss.”
Olok guided them in closer. They paused at the edge of the huge trench. It was so wide that Dare couldn’t see across it. And looking down, he only saw darkness.
The light dangling over the front of the bubble flicked on, piercing the darkness ahead with a strong, white-blue beam.
“Hold on,” Olok said. “Here we go.”
The sub moved over the edge, and they started descending.
All around, the water darkened as they went deeper. Dare still saw some fish, but they slowly started to thin out until he didn’t see any more.
They continued their descent. There was a sense of pressure bearing down on them. Of a dark, unknown vastness surrounding them. Dare felt like they were very much somewhere they weren’t supposed to be. Funny, he’d never felt like that in space.
He glanced at Dakota in the chair beside him, and realized she was feeling it, too. Tension lines bracketed her mouth.
They continued on, and then ahead, Dare spotted a flicker of movement. With a frown, he leaned forward. Whatever he’d seen, it had been big.
He kept staring, trying to catch another glimpse through the shadows. Then he saw the creature’s shadow and his chest went tight.
It was a giant shark. Actually, giant didn’t cut it.
“Oh, my stars.” Dakota’s voice rose. “What the hell is that?”
Olok muttered a curse. “It’s a tortuga shark. Let’s hope it’s not hungry.”
As they continued downward, Dare kept his gaze on the water, searching for any other signs of the giant predator.
Beside him, Dakota was fidgeting in her seat. He knew it was probably a mix of nerves and excitement.
“Not too much further until we reach the level you wanted,” Olok told them. “It isn’t the bottom, but there’s a large platform there.”
Something swam past them, its tail thumping against the glass. It sent the sub rocking.
Dakota instinctively reached out, and Dare grabbed her hand.
They kept staring into the darkness, and then ahead of them, Dare saw a shape swimming straight toward them, its tail swishing from side to side.
Fuck. The tortuga shark came at them, its jaws open, giving them a perfect view of hundreds of razor-sharp teeth.