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weaker and less frequent.
    Staci gazed out the undersea window, watching the fishes. So many of them, she thought, like being miniaturized and immersed in an aquarium. So beautiful...
    Then suddenly the school of fish she’d been watching organized into a tight ball, and swam quickly out of sight. Staci’s hands explored John’s body while she watched the reef, now devoid of fishes. Where’d they go?
    Their room was cast a shade darker as a shadow overlay the reef. Staci figured it was clouds covering the sun far above, but then the gloom out the window seemed to grow larger, to move. John called out her name and she responded, but her heart wasn’t in it.
    What is that?
    Then, for an instant, it materialized, clear as day, before departing just as quickly as it had come, leaving shifting rays of sunshine in its wake. Startled, she jumped up from the bed, and ran to the window.
    “Babe, what’s up!?” John looked confused, hurt.
    “The fuck!”
    “What about it?”
    “I’m serious, John. What the fuck was that?”
    “Was what?”
    “A huge-ass shark just swam by our window!”
    “C’mon. If you don’t want to do it, just—“
    “John, I’m not making this up. This thing was so big it took up the whole window!”
    He took a deep breath, resigning himself to the fact that the moment had been killed. “It’s probably just something the hotel cooked up for entertainment. I’m sure we’ll hear about it at brunch.”
    Staci stood in front of the window, unconvinced. The reef that moments ago had been so lively was now still.
    “All the fish are gone.”

 
     
     
    Chapter 7
     
    “What do you think, Mick? Am I screwed or what?” Coco shielded her eyes from the sun, while Mick looked up from attaching a makeshift propeller assembly.
    “Maybe not totally. I’ve got the proper part on order, but this should hold until that gets here. Pulled it from my trusty box of spares.”
    Coco eyed the new thruster. It was gray in color instead of black, and appeared to be slightly smaller in diameter. “What kind of sub was it on?”
    He shrugged. “Some tourist mini-sub from when I worked in the Cayman Islands. It was in the junkyard. Scavengers got most of the good parts before I got there, but I rescued this.”
    “Does it work?”
    “Let’s find out.” Mick moved toward the sub’s cabin to test the new thruster, when they heard footsteps creaking out onto the wooden dock. Mick cupped a hand over his mouth as he faced Coco.
    “Shit! It’s the big cheese already. Hasn’t even been one day yet.”
    “He must have a lot of confidence in you. At least it looks like we’re working. Or you are, anyway. I’m just sitting around on my ass after I banged up the sub.”
    “You’re advising me. Don’t worry, I can spin it so that some of the damage wasn’t your fault.”
    She gave him a lingering stare just before White walked up.
    “Good afternoon. How’s the progress?” he looked directly at Mick.
    “Good, Mr. White. An identical thruster assembly has been ordered, rush air shipment from China, probably be here in two days.”
    White shook his head.
    “However,” Mick continued, “in the meantime, I’ve cooked up a little replacement. Take a look.” He pointed to the mismatched thruster.
    “Looks different. Does it work?”
    “Hasn’t been on a sea trial yet, but take a look.” Mick stepped into the sub’s cabin, and pressed the thruster control button. They heard a soft, even hum as the new propeller spun inside its cage. Mick let go of the button, and the blur of the blades settled into visible objects once again.
    “Good. It’s time for that sea trial.”
    Coco and Mick traded glances. Mick tried to buy some more time.
    “I was hoping to do a little more testing, because if—“
    White held up a hand. “Enough. A situation has arisen that necessitates use of this vehicle ASAP.” He turned, and pointed a finger at Coco. “I need you to get in, and test it out right away.”
    Coco