Page 72 of Through Uncharted Space

“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 all crazy?”

“No.” Dare crossed his arms. “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?” she asked.

“Double my regular asking price.” The man stated a number.

“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?”