Page 88 of Through Uncharted Space

No, it didn’t. Not with certain death breathing down on them, and Rynan badly hurt.

She pressed into Dare. “It took me a while, but I finally worked out what the real treasure is.” She tilted her face up to his.

Damn, how could he feel helpless and jubilant all at once. He pressed his mouth to hers.

Suddenly, there was a bright flash of blinding light.

Dakota turned, and saw a bright shimmer filtering down over the broken dome.

It began at the peak, and then fell like a sparkling waterfall of gold. As it reached the cracked and broken parts of the dome, the water around them started to recede, going back out of the dome like it was being sucked out.

Her mouth fell open. What the hell was going on?

Dare’s arm tightened on her, and together, they watched as people swam in through the hole in the glass. None of them were wearing envirosuits.

The water level continued to lower, and soon her feet touched the ground. There were only puddles left on the ground. She looked up and saw that the golden shimmer had covered the hole and was keeping the ocean out.

The people circled them. They were all blue-skinned Maronians. Dakota saw the woman in the lead was Chancellor Tsani, and standing beside her was Ralu, from the proto-planet, and the scholar, Asun.

Tsani smiled. “You found it.”

Dakota looked around the temple. Or what was left of it. “I know you tried to stop us. Uh, we didn’t intend for it to be desecrated like this.”

Tsani looked down at the dead bodies of the Golden Nova gang resting on the floor. “I don’t think you’re entirely to blame.”

“Perhaps not, but I am sorry,” Dakota said. “Korrdo—part of the terrorist group Golden Nova—followed us here.”

“There are always those who will do terrible things for treasure. Our ancestors, the descendants of Captain Fisher, knew that. When the Southwind crashed here, the native, sea-dwelling Maronians rescued them before the Southwind sank into the Abyss. Terrans and Maronians lived together, loved, became one, and they decided to keep the temple and its treasures hidden away. We have long believed it was the wrong decision. This is our history.” She waved her slender hand at the treasures littered around. “This must be enjoyed, revered, learned from.”

“Exactly,” Dakota said.

The woman stared at her. “You were very dedicated to finding it.”

“For my own selfish reasons.” Dakota swallowed. “But it’s your treasure. It was never mine.”

Tsani tilted her head. “Now you’re happy to let it go so easily?”

“Let’s just say I’ve learned what real treasure looks like.” She looked up at Dare, and smiled. “What it feels like.”

The woman inclined her head. “A priceless lesson.”

“My brother is hurt,” Dare said, worry underscoring his tone. “Can you help him?”

Tsani waved a hand at the scholar. “Asun is skilled in healing.”

The young man leaned over Rynan’s still form and ran his hands over Rynan’s injury.

“Olok informed us you’d discovered the temple and that he’d stranded you down here,” Tsani said.

“That bastard almost killed us,” Dare bit out.

“I am sorry. We were only protecting our heritage,” Tsani said. “We have a submersible to transport you back to Sori Sanu and back to your shuttle. I will leave some of my people here to safeguard the treasure.” The woman leaned down and picked something up. When she straightened, she was holding an emerald. It glowed green in the light. She held it out to Dakota. “A finder’s fee.”

Dakota stared at the jewel. Part of her wanted to take it, to feel its cool, beautiful surface.

Finally, she shook her head. “No. I don’t want it.” She gently pushed Tsani’s hand away.

When the woman opened her mouth to speak, Dakota shook her head again.