“Are you sure?” Kip asked in Quarrenese, and even though Nwo nodded, he could tell by the quiver of his tentacles that the Quarren was anything but.

That makes two of us, Kip thought, reaching across for the ladder.

The rungs were wet, water running down the shaft from above, and Kip’s arms and legs soon began to ache as he started his descent, Nwo struggling step by step above him, followed by Leesa. They made their way in silence, Kip’s breath sounding far too loud as he groped for the next rung with his feet, too scared to look down. He was sure he was going to slip, but managed to hang on as they passed deck four’s closed doors.

“Just one more to go,” Leesa encouraged, although it turned out not to be that easy.

“We’ve got a problem,” Jom called up.

“Just the one?” Kip retorted, finally looking down to see what he was talking about. It was a problem all right. The shaft had filled with water, forcing Jom to a halt.

“How much farther to the next doors?” the Valon asked.

Leesa’s voice came down from above. “It can’t be far.”

“But it’s so dark,” Kip said. It was true. Even with Leesa’s flashlight it was like trying to peer into oil, the water as black as pitch.

“Is there a way to open the doors from in here?” Jom asked.

“Yes,” Leesa told him. “There should be a lever like the one I used before. Throw the lock and you should be able to yank the doors open.”

“Even underwater?” Kip asked.

“I guess.”

That didn’t sound reassuring.

“What are you talking about?” Nwo rumbled.

Kip translated for the Quarren, who sighed deeply. “I shall swim down to open the doors.”

“You can’t. You’re not strong enough.”

“I’m as strong as a keelkana,” Nwo claimed, puffing out his chest before collapsing into a coughing fit.

“Is this a private argument or can anyone join in?” Jom asked.

“He said he can swim down there.”

“Not in that condition he can’t.”

“Hence the quarrel with the Quarren.”

“Lucky for you guys I’ve been swimming in this lake since I was knee-high to a beeta-grub. Time I took another dip.”

Before Kip could stop him, the Valon took a deep breath and plunged down into the water.

“Jom!”

“He’ll be fine,” Leesa said, but Kip wasn’t sure. Neither did he know whether he should drop into the water to help. He’d never been a strong swimmer, and the thought made his stomach flip, but if Jom got into trouble …

Bubbles broke on the surface, at first small and then larger. Kip realized he was holding his own breath, especially when the sudden flurry of pops was replaced by no bubbles at all.

“Jom?” The water was ominously still. “Jom!”