[Atlantean's Quest 05] Atlantean Heat by Jordan Summers Page A

was
    the place. The place she’d begin her search. Even the name left a shiver of excitement shimmying up her
    spine.
    Queen Rachel has said you will need something called money. I have researched this item. It is what the
    humans use to barter with, in exchange for goods and food.
    Do we have any of this…money?
    Yes. The replicator has managed to reproduce a travel sack full of the stuff. You should have more than
    enough for what you need. I’ve also taken the liberty of placing a deciphering unit in your sack. You’ll be
    able to find any meaning or item by just thinking about it. It should help when it comes to talking to the
    humans.
    Orion pressed a panel to his side, which had been all but hidden from view seconds ago. He pulled out a
    metal device Cassandra had never seen before. What is that?
    A communication device. He flipped a switch on the side of the thin rectangular object and a tiny screen
    appeared. If you need assistance or are ready to come back home, just flip this switch and hold the
    device next to your head. It will pick up your thoughts, in the same way we’re having this conversation,
    and transport you to the ship. Make sure you allow yourself plenty of space, because the device is
    powerful enough to transport the objects around you.
    Cassandra nodded and reached for the device. Orion pulled it just out of her reach.
    Are you sure, you want to do this? ‘Tis not too late to change your mind. His voice was serious and held
    more than a little concern.
    Cassandra forced a smile. Inside she was terrified. She’d never been away from her people—ever.
    Nevertheless, she was absolutely sure this was what she wanted, so she swallowed her fear and faced
    Orion unflinchingly. I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life.
    He stared for a few moments, his gaze assessing, deciding. Cassandra held her breath waiting, praying
    that whatever he could see in her face would be enough to allow her this time of discovery.
    Finally, he nodded. California it is.
    * * * * *
    They landed without incident two days later. Cassandra had never seen so many lights in all her life. It
    was as if the stars had fallen from the sky and lay like a blanket upon the hillsides, shining, twinkling,
    beckoning to her. She’d asked Orion to drop her near the water. In her black flight suit, with her blonde
    hair braided down her back, Cassandra watched as the first rays of light hit the ocean, illuminating its
    murky depths.
    She took a deep breath, and inhaled the salty air into her lungs. Tears of joy burned behind her eyelids. It
    was as beautiful and awe inspiring as she’d remembered. The waves rolled in, lapping at the beach, their
    gentle roar like music to her Atlantean ears. She hugged her sides and just breathed. The peace that had
    eluded her so easily on Zaron engulfed her here. The muscles in her tense shoulders relaxed. She slipped
    her boots off and dug her toes in the sand, flexing and releasing the grainy substance.
    The humans were beginning to awaken. A few had stumbled onto the beach, shattering the tranquility of
    the moment with their huffing and puffing. Cassandra had no idea why they were running. From what she
    could see, no predator chased them. Obviously one of the strange behaviors they naturally displayed.
    Dressed in baggy clothing, a few glanced her way, eyeing her flight suit.
    After they’d left, Cassandra reached into the sack and rummaged around until she’d located her
    deciphering unit. She needed to find a place to stay, since the beach was not an option. She held the unit
    next to her head, much like how the communication device worked, and then pictured the object she
    wanted to locate.
    The device hummed a second later, flashing the words, hotel and motel across the screen. Ah, shelter
    was in a hotel or motel. She hoped . Cassandra had no idea which direction to travel in, so she decided
    to follow the next human who ran past.
    She gazed at the shoreline, waiting, but it