Page 66 of Through Uncharted Space

“Where is Maro?”

The man looked torn, but then rattled off some coordinates.

Dare looked at Rynan and nodded. His brother disappeared to get to the bridge.

“Tell me about your planet.”

“It’s covered by oceans. We have no land.”

Dakota straightened. “None at all?”

The man nodded. “None.”

Dare frowned. A water world.

“And you don’t know where the Atocha Treasure is?”

Ralu shook his head. “It was kept with the wreck of the Southwind. It was said the ship crashed, deep in the ocean. Later, my ancestors destroyed all mention of the treasure’s location. To protect it.”

She helped him drink once more, dripping some water on his face. Then she stepped out of the interrogation room.

“Let’s head to my office and take a look at the map,” Dare said.

She fell into step beside him and they moved toward his office.

“Well done getting the information.”

She gave him a sharp smile. “Anything to find my treasure and snag a few more e-creds.”

“Dakota.”

She shrugged off his hand and swept into his office. Justyn and Rynan joined them. Ry went straight to the comp and tapped in some commands. An image appeared on the screen, showing a giant blue planet.

“I give you the water world of Maro. I found a single reference and image of it in our archives.”

“Here.” Dakota held out the orb. Ry clicked it into the comp and tapped again. The map projected above the screen.

“I’m inputting the name of the planet,” Ry told them.

Dare watched the golden planet turn blue. There was a glowing red mark on the watery surface of the planet, just south of the equator.

“So, looks like we’re going for a swim,” Justyn said.

“There’s not much information on the native Maronians,” Ry added. “Just that they are a peaceful aquatic race.”

“We’ll make contact with the Maronians when we arrive,” Dare said. “See if they can help us. Set course for Maro and notify the rest of the convoy we’ll be making a short detour. I’ll talk with all the captains myself later to explain the situation. For now, search for somewhere close to Maro where they can wait for us. Ry, we’ll need the security team to stay with them.”

Dare’s brothers nodded. Both of them looked between him and Dakota.

Justyn cleared his throat. “Um, I’m going to let my wife fuss over me for a bit.”

“I need to check in with my team,” Ry said.

After his brothers had left, Dare stared at Dakota and that damn blank face that she’d plastered on. He was getting sick of it.

“Hopefully we can find some local guides and equipment,” Dakota said. “Can’t say I know much about underwater recovery.”

“Our shuttles are rated for underwater trips, but nothing too long or too deep.” He tilted his head. “From what our guest said, I’m not sure the locals are going to let us waltz in and take a legendary treasure.”