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There was little difference between Serina's walk now as she left, and that time on Terra. I think she was more heart-stopping this way, her bikini bottom accenting her sway. If too many people saw her like this, it could start a trend of wearing clothing again.

The grotto was everything Serina said, and more; the sea anemones waving in the water, brightly colored clown fish darting in to hide among the tentacles—seemingly afraid of their own shadows. Tube-worms graceful flower-like heads waving as though beckoning you, giant clams' blue-green mantles slowly expanding and contracting. Everywhere you looked brilliant reds and yellows, vivid blues and greens; every surface was alive with motion. A plethora of fish filled the oceans, darting here and there in schools or singly according to their natures and whims. A lionfish drifted serenely along, beautiful to look at but deadly to the touch. Serina was a lot like that lionfish. She was the prettiest fish in the water swooping from coral to coral. Slim, graceful and beautiful, but deadly to the touch.

Our gill packs, being able to extract oxygen directly from the water, let us stay down as long as we wished. I was having trouble reminding myself of her evil internal nature and kept trying to drum up the courage to report her. Although every time I thought of Serina being drawn and quartered, which is the penalty for treason, I found myself recanting my decision. I watched her, enjoying her childlike delight as she spotted different kinds of fish. Swooping from point to point, truly a free spirit, Serina's squeals of delight tugged at my heartstrings. We floated for a time, not speaking, enjoying the peace and beauty of the reef.

The sea's desert is a beautiful place, unlike the surface deserts. For the coral reefs are the deserts of the ocean. I shudder to think that we had almost lost this on Terra many hundreds of years ago when people thought that their oceans were so big that they could absorb all of humanity's garbage and pollutants.

I watched with delight as a cleaner shrimp was checking over a "patient" to make certain that there were no parasites. I felt Serina's body against mine. As she cuddled up to watch with me all I wanted to do was to rip off her mask and cover her mouth with hot burning kisses. I remembered, in the nick of time, just who she was and the desire dissipated.

We had been there around three hours when we were invaded by a flock of children chattering like birds. Then three adults swam into view. I recognized the matriarch, although now she looked closer to three-hundred-years old after chasing kids for three hours.

Serina swam over and offered our help, which was gratefully accepted. Most of the small children had stayed close. However, two of the teens, like all teens anywhere and anytime, were sure that they knew everything and could take care of themselves and had left the group. The Tweens were searching randomly for them. I started a clockwise circle search around the grotto, with Serina going in the opposite direction.

I had been looking for almost a half hour, trying to think like a teen, which led me away from the beaten paths. Someone flitted from a coral outcropping to another coral outcropping behind me. I could easily track their progress by using my augmented vision, which gave me eyes in the back of my head.

[That doesn't look like any teen that I have ever seen.] Imp stated, [Its body mass is too large.]

[You're right. Besides, look at its path on the eagle eye view,] I replied. [With that approach, whoever it is couldn't have seen us. There is nothing out here to draw tourists and no one to hide from, so why is he hiding?]

[My intuition indicates a point-eight-three-one chance that this should be checked out. Do you have a feeling on this?] asked Imp.

[I agree that it is worth some time,] I replied. [Would you plot me a path and speed that I can follow, and stay out sight. Oh, and keep an eye out for anyone else.] Suddenly, overlaid on my normal vision, a clump of rocks was illuminated.

[Move it, Larry!] I complied and started to swim toward the rocks. [A little faster—Good, maintain this speed.]

From time to time my destination changed as Imp guided me. I was never in a direct line of sight of the ghost-like image that was always ahead of me.

[Hold it,] said Imp. [Go down this valley to that big brain coral colony. Whoever it is, they are meeting someone.] I complied. [I almost didn't see the person waiting, there is something here clouding my sensors. However, I think from this position I will be able to monitor them.]

I cautiously looked over the edge of the small cliff that I was hovering near. I could see what appeared to be two men framed by the coral colony. They ducked into what looked to be a solid wall but must have been the entrance to a small cave.

[I used resonance sounding,] bragged Imp. [There is another opening just below you. Follow it.]

I swam down to and into the opening. It was so small that I was afraid of getting caught, but Imp said that I could, so I swallowed down the lump of fear and kept going. The narrow tunnel opened up into a small cave, with a trapped atmosphere, that had a small sandy beach onto which I gratefully climbed. It was pitch black, which didn't bother me as my augmented vision allowed me to see well enough. I became aware of the sound of human voices, muffled and low but voices nonetheless. Imp must have been trying to filter because he suddenly said [Got it!] and the voices were suddenly as clear as though I was standing next to them listening.

". . . all set up for the fall," said the first voice.

"Good we need her money, but she is a liability. I don't like using women for such important work; you can't trust them," said a second voice. "If they think they have you caught in the web of their charm they are safe enough. But enough of this idle chatter. Let's get down to business. I'm about to induct Serina T'gerr as the final member of my Ninjas."

"Have you sampled her yet?"

"I've yet to get her into bed, but I will. I have to make her think that I've fallen for her so I can bind her to my purpose. Cynthia thought it was enough to offer her an inheritance—as if being the heir of an immortal would do her any good." They both chuckled cruel deep chuckles. "I'm going to enjoy watching her be drawn-n-quartered after I have enjoyed her ample charms."

"Good, then this is our last meeting until we meet as Immortal Emperor and Regent."

"We'll all be immortal! That is what this is really about, isn't it?"

"In truth—yes. Immortality gives us an eternity to savor our power. As the Emperor, I will make many changes starting with my Imperial Harem."

"That is the part that I don't like, you as the emperor."

"You know that I am the only one who has the same build as the Emperor. You have no choice."

"Yes well, but just remember what we have on you and behave yourself or suffer the consequences."

"Yes! Well, you—" A full-bellied laugh echoed so that I even heard it with my real ears. "I think we'll just have to trust each other. After all, we have come too far to change anything now."

"You're right. Here is my data pack. Remember, don't open the data pack on the Lady de Winters system; she's not to know any of this."

"Relax, I know my business, and I know the rewards that I will enjoy. Here's my data pack. I have no more time to waste, I must return to the palace before I am missed."

Several seconds of silence passed and I was about to swim out of the cave when I heard, "The fool, he lives his life between his legs, but I will use that trait against him, and when the time is right I know just who the council of Regents will appoint as the new Emperor." Cruel laughter rang out resounding even in this cave.

I waited until I thought the coast was clear and slowly swam the narrow channel, too occupied with my thoughts to be frightened by the close quarters. So the conspiracy had a conspiracy, which had a conspiracy. Just where would it end? The one voice was the Duke of Rathsmor, but beyond the fact that the other was also a Regent I had no idea.