CHAPTER 48
As the cloud of bubbles surrounding him began to disperse, Michael had an exhilarating feeling of wholeness. Naïda quickly prepared him for the underwater environment as he dived toward the deep blue. His first breath of water made him cough—his lungs were still weak—but now he belonged to the sea as much as the land. Naïda gave a warm yellow glow to his vision in agreement.
He asked if she sensed any alien presence.
I am in contact with The Controller now, she said.
The Controller? The artificial intelligence of the Rocas Alijos outpost, presumably.
It hadn’t even revealed itself to her when they were there. Had that been a snub? Apparently, the new situation changed things.
How do they communicate? He’d never asked before.
She didn’t answer right away. The increase in w
