My last glimpse of my ex-abductor is his blond head bobbing up and down in our wake, spluttering and yelling unkind things about Harding-Pencroft. I imagine he’ll be picked up by someone soon enough. He’s loud. Also, his pink-ducky floaties make him easily the most colorful thing off the San Alejandro coast.

“Miss Huang,” Hewett says, “report to the bridge. Maintain our course due west at maximum speed.”

Linzi stirs. “Sir, we deserve—”

“You’ll get your explanations,” Hewett promises. “But first things first. Double-check the camouflage projectors and pulse-dispersion unit. Have the Orcas sweep the ship for any tracking devices. We must get away from the Aronnax.” He turns toward me. “As for you, Ana Dakkar, you’re coming with me. I think it’s about time you gave us a course heading.”

On the way, I grab Nelinha and drag her along.

I need a friend at my side, even if she has to coexist with Gem for a while. I’m still reeling from…well, everything. I didn’t like Caleb’s warnings. I don’t understand why Dr. Hewett thinks I’m the one who should decide our course heading. Why does he keep singling me out like this? He’s the one with all the secrets. And I’m still not sure I trust Gemini Twain to have my back.

At the end of the corridor, Hewett opens the door to the captain’s cabin. I’ve never been inside before. The place is massive: a full-size bed against the port wall, windows overlooking the bow, a big conference table, and on the starboard side…

I gasp. “Socrates!”

The entire starboard side of the room is an open saltwater tank. The Plexiglas wall is maybe twelve feet long, five feet high, curved inward at the top to prevent the water from sloshing out when the ship moves. The tank isn’t big enough for the dolphin to live in, but there’s enough room for him to splash around, turn, and float comfortably. On either side is an underwater metal flap that reminds me of a giant pet door. I don’t quite understand how the tank was engineered, but the chutes must connect to the open sea, allowing Socrates to come and go as he pleases.

Socrates pokes his head over the lip of the Plexiglas. This puts him at eye level with me. He chatters happily. I give him a hug and kiss him right on the beak. I realize I’m smiling for the first time since the school’s destruction.

“I don’t understand,” I say. “How did you even find us?”

Hewett answers for him. “Your dolphin friend knows this boat well. HP has cultivated friendships with many of his family over the years. Socrates, did you call him?”

“I…Yes.” I was about to explain that Dev and I dive with Socrates every morning, but remembering that ritual is like walking barefoot over broken glass.

“An appropriate name,” says Hewett. “Well, Socrates knows he always has a berth on the Varuna if he wants to travel with us. Now come here, Miss Dakkar. Look at this.”