They drew more attention when they went into the surf. Hutch thought some of the younger ones were giggling. It was hard to tell. Clamshells were scattered everywhere. Gulls squawked and flapped. There was a wooden stand at the back of the beach where you could get food. The only things lacking were a boardwalk and lifeguards. “Interesting,” said Beth. “I’d never thought of outer space this way. But I guess the universe is filled with ocean beaches.”

Hutch pulled up her suit, which was slipping a bit, and strode into the waves. Just what she needed.

•  •  •

They were out beyond the surf when Hutch’s attention was caught by a young Dolphin in a bright red bathing suit. It was a female who had apparently wandered away from a group and seemed to be struggling. She was too far out, in water that was dark and choppy. More ominous: No waves were breaking in her immediate vicinity. Hutch took an automatic glance around the beach before recalling there were no lifeguards. And nobody seemed to notice what was happening.

It was a rip current, sucking her into deeper water. She hesitated briefly, concerned about possibly scaring the child. But worrying about that was silly.

“You okay?” Beth asked as she changed direction.

The Dolphin looked as if she was trying to come back toward the beach, which of course was the wrong tactic.

“Got a problem.” Hutch moved quickly forward and, within a few strokes, felt the rip current take hold of her. But she kept going, calling back to Beth to stay clear.

The child went underwater. Hutch reached the area moments later and dived. But she couldn’t see her anywhere. She stayed down until she was forced back to the surface. Where’d she go? A couple of the islanders were coming her way to help. She went back down and fought her way through the currents until again she had to surface. When she came up that second time, one of the creatures grabbed her and began pulling her through the water. Away from the place where the child had disappeared. “No!” she screamed at it. “Stop! I’m okay!”

But it held onto her, dragging her off to one side of the rip current and ultimately out of it. Then, while it held onto her with one hand, it pointed toward the beach. The girl was back on the surface, casually floating in on the crest of a wave.

“I don’t think she was ever in any danger,” said Beth.

The islander released her. And bestowed a huge smile on her. Then it turned away. She wasn’t certain whether it was male or female.