Ocean: The Sea Warriors Read Online Free PDF Page B

will make you famous in environmental circles, causing people to flock here and stay at the ranch. You could make some modifications to the resort, adding instructors to lecture on ocean ecology and take guests out on eco-ocean tours. It could be very popular. Grandfather, since Jeff and I came to Hawaii, you’ve tried to involve us in your business decisions, and here’s another one for our family to work out.”
    “Crazy talk, crazy talk. And as for the ocean, I have enough problems with sea creatures at my beaches; they need to be killed, not helped.” He straightened and stood at his full height. Looking down on her he crossed his arms across his chest—like a barrier against anything she was saying.
    Then, before he could react, she climbed through one of the railings and splashed into the pond, where she lay in the water with her face immersed. In the background, she heard his muffled voice, urging her to come out of the water.
    Moments passed, and she felt strong hands pulling her out of the water—her grandfather. “Have you lost your mind?” he asked. He had waded into the pond, getting his white trousers wet.
    She struggled to free herself from him, and finally he released his grip. She heard the gills behind her ears in transition, making slight, coarse noises as they expelled water and shut down, while her human lungs took over, breathing air.
    Alicia saw one of the Japanese gardeners approaching on the path. Toshio Yamasaki, a shy little man in his middle years, looked very concerned.
    Turning her head toward her grandfather, the young woman let one of the gills expel a little water toward him, but not on him. “Do you see that?” she asked. “I do have gills!”
    But he shook his head. “This is all a clever, elaborate trick, designed to separate me from my money. I’m very disappointed in you, Alicia.”
    “Then watch what I do next. Come with me.” Feeling very cross, she grabbed hold of one of his arms and led him toward the beach.
    “Young woman, what are you doing?” He pulled free of her, but followed as she crossed the garden and walked out onto the white sand of the beach, where she removed her sandals. She noticed that the gardener had followed them, remaining at a slight distance, watching intently.
    “This is my answer,” Alicia said. She waded out into the water, then began to swim, and summoned a wave, which lifted her up onto it. For several minutes she stood atop the wave and guided it around as if it were a motorboat, turning this way and that, going fast and slow. Finally, slipping off of it, she swam back ashore and stepped onto the beach.
    “Now do you believe me?” she said, dripping water onto the sand. “Grandfather, won’t you help us? Won’t you please help our organization? The sea is in terrible peril!”
    “It’s all a trick,” he insisted, shaking his head. “A sleight of hand pulled off by you and your cohorts.” He motioned toward the water. “They’re concealed out there beneath the surface, operating some sort of a hidden platform that you ride around on. And I don’t believe that gill nonsense, either. Your friends are wearing scuba gear.”
    Scowling as she put her sandals back on, she said, “You’re wrong, Grandfather, as wrong as you can be.”
    But he turned his back on her and strode toward the hotel, saying something to Toshio as he strode away.
    For a long while, the gardener remained where he was, watching Alicia, as if guarding her against doing something rash to herself, or against going after the old man.
    Finally, exasperated, she marched past him and got in her car.
    ***

Chapter 6
    After a stint as an Army pilot in which he received medals for valor, Jeff had found himself out of work, and had gone into business with some old friends, selling marijuana, cocaine, and designer drugs. He never consumed any of the substances himself, only profited from them. It was a business he secretly continued on his own when his grandfather offered