Page 69 of Through Uncharted Space

“Put it on the screen.”

A Maronian woman’s face filled the screen. She smiled. She had the same blue skin as Ralu and pale-blonde hair pulled back from her narrow face. She seemed to have some sort of shimmering blue dress on. “Welcome, visitors. We so rarely get off-world visitors to Maro. My name is Tsani, Chancellor of the city of Sori Sanu. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

“Hello, Tsani. My name is Dare Phoenix of the Phoenix Deep-Space Convoy.”

The woman’s face brightened. “Your reputation precedes you, Mr. Phoenix. I’ve heard good things about your convoy.”

Dare inclined his head. “I’m very happy to hear that. We were hoping to visit your world and conduct an expedition of historical importance.”

“Really? Tell me.”

The woman looked so serene. Dakota had never seen someone so calm. Tsani looked like a woman who’d hug you and think happy thoughts all the time. Dakota shuddered. She didn’t trust that for a second.

“We have a map leading to the wreck of a Terran starship and its contents,” Dare said. “It is of great historical value. We were actually attacked by someone from your planet looking to get his hands on the map and the purported treasure said to be on the ship, the Southwind.”

Now Tsani’s eyebrows rose. “An ancient Terran treasure?”

“He said it holds great historical value to your people.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” The woman shook her head sadly. “I’m sorry, but there is no mention of a ship called the Southwind in our history.”

Dakota frowned. What the hell? She saw Dare’s brow crease.

“It sounds as though this Maronian man may be suffering from what we call taravana. Craziness of the sea. It unfortunately affects many of our people who repeatedly swim too deep.”

“With your permission, we would like to visit your city, and ask some questions of your historians,” Dare said.

Dakota moved into view. “We’d like to search for this wreckage. It would mean hiring some of your people. We’d pay well.”

“No one owns our planet,” Tsani said. “Our people swim through the oceans as they please, on the whims of the currents. We take after the creatures of our waters in that respect. You are free to visit our city, Mr. Phoenix, and free to ask your questions. And if you venture into our waters, that is fine, too, although I do not believe you’ll find this mythical ship.”

Dare inclined his head. “Thank you.”

“And please, bring this man who attacked you. I will see that he is questioned by our authorities.”

“How do you live underwater?” Dakota asked. “How do you keep your cities safe?”

The woman smiled. “We have some brilliant scientists. Our cities are protected by giant domes made of an amazing substance based on some of the translucent corals that grow on our planet. We also have excellent systems to recycle our air and manage our plant life. We are very proud of our cities.” Tsani nodded her head. “I will be happy to show you when you arrive.”

Soon, Dakota was seated in the shuttle as Rynan maneuvered them into Maro’s atmosphere. Justyn was seated beside him, while Dare sat beside Dakota.

Ralu was trussed up in the back of the shuttle, a gag across his mouth.

Dakota was almost bouncing off the walls with excitement. She couldn’t wait to see the underwater city. She couldn’t wait to find her treasure.

She was so relieved that the Atocha Treasure wasn’t some mythical piece of Maro’s history. She glanced at the young Maronian man. Clearly, he was just a wannabe treasure hunter out to protect his own interests. She had no idea how he’d known about the Atocha Treasure, but it didn’t really matter, because soon he wouldn’t be their problem anymore.

As they entered the planet’s atmosphere, the screen was filled with the jewel-blue waters below. Dakota imagined having the treasure in her hands. She still hadn’t decided what she was going to do with it, but she was certain that she’d know once she had it. The galaxy would be her oyster.

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.

She glanced at him. “You’re sure this shuttle can go underwater?”