Andee the Aquanaut™ All Great Things Start With Small Beginnings Series Book 2: All Great Things Start with Small Beginnings

By S J House and Zoran Zlaticanin

Holy crab-claws! The fast-action ‘Andee the Aquanaut series’ continues in Book Two, ‘All Great Things Start With Small Beginnings’. Andee is torn between finding his parents, fulfilling his role as protector of the ocean's creatures, saving the Lost City and rescuing the King’s beautiful daughter, Yolanda, from the evil Queen Zadora. Two new companions arrive to aid Andee in his epic quest.   

• Language: English
• Publisher: S J HOUSE
• Release date: Jul 21, 2019
• ISBN: 9780993033117

Book preview

Chapter One

MISSING

It was an icy, gray Monday morning in London. Victorian houses lined the streets while crispy brown leaves floated from the trees. On the outside of number thirty-two, all was quiet. But if you stepped in closer, you could hear two faint voices talking inside.

You’ve got to calm down, Pauline, said Peter in a reassuring tone. We’ve tried everything we can so far. There’s not much else we can do. I know it’s hard; it’s hard for both of us. Yet, we must move on and think about our son’s passing in a positive light.

I know, Peter. But I can’t help thinking he’s still out there somewhere. I just know he is. I felt it when we were out in the ocean. I sensed him close by. A mother knows.

Peter sighed. It’s been so long now, my darling. We had the service at sea months ago. If any ship had picked him up, we would have been notified. Andee was old enough to explain. They would have alerted the nearest coast guards about finding a boy at sea.

Oh, Peter. Pauline’s eyes filled with tears. What if he was picked up by a ship like we were; except it was a pirate ship? They could have kidnapped him for slave labor without reporting anything. Instead, he could be trapped in the hull of some dirty, old, rusty pirate ship, working in the engine room.

Pauline paused in thought. When we had the service at sea, and I threw my gold locket overboard along with the floral wreaths, I felt something. He’s alright … he’s still alive out there somewhere. We don’t have any evidence our son is gone. Nothing! How can we move on, not knowing the truth?

My dear, I understand how you’re feeling, I really do. I love and miss Andee just as much as you. But we’ve got to face facts. Our son is gone; there’s no way he could still be alive. That was the worst storm Atom Island had seen in over a hundred years. Despite being strong swimmers, we almost perished! How Andee, such a young boy, could have survived such a terrible storm, I … I …

At Peter’s last words, Pauline began to cry. She was devastated over the loss of their son.

Peter knelt beside her, then held her hand. Listen, darling; maybe it’s time. Perhaps we should take that job offer on Lunar Island. We would be doing similar work that we both love, and you will be close to the ocean again. Closer to Andee in some way? Also working with a good team of scientists and, I think, getting out of a London winter will do us both the world of good. You could continue contacting different ports and coastguards. What do you think, Pauline?

With a hopeful, look, Peter grabbed a nearby box of tissues and handed them to Pauline. She wiped her eyes and blew her runny nose.

Okay. I guess you’re right, she said in a teary voice. We could give it a try. Maybe it’s a good thing. I would feel better out of London and back by the ocean. I could continue my search for Andee there.

I think it makes sense, Pauline, I really do.

The room fell quiet for a moment as they both paused in thought. Then Pauline said, Okay, let’s do it!

Peter stood and began pacing the room. I’ll start making the necessary arrangements. I’ll call their office first thing in the morning and let them know we’ve made up our minds. I love you, darling. I know this is the right thing for us to do. We’ll be happier getting back to our old jobs and our old selves again. I promise, if I find anything ground-breaking with my research, any kind of new species, it’s going to be called Andee! We’ll never forget our boy, never … his name will live on. He will always be remembered, connected to the ocean he loved so much.

Pauline wrapped her arms around Peter. That’s an amazing thought, honey, she said as she gazed into her husband’s eyes. I adore how sentimental you are. Andee would love it too. He always wanted to be like you.

I remember! Peter grinned, then laughed. Do you recall the time when I found those new species of red rock crabs? When I brought one home, Andee was so curious he leaned right into the tank. It jumped up and nipped his hair! Boy, oh boy, those things can nip! Andee ran wailing around the lab with this crab dangling from his head! He was alright, of course, and so was the crab, but it gave him such a fright! He never got too close to anything from then on. Bless him!

They chuckled then fell silent.

The ocean is the best place for him. Pauline smiled.

Chapter Two

AWAKENING

The sun’s rays reflected on wet sand as the incoming tide washed over Andee.

His eyes fluttered open. Collecting his thoughts, he observed his suit appear then disappear as the waves rolled in and out. His vision narrowed. Something glistened in the sun.

As he focused, he realized it was his mother’s locket being pulled out to sea.

The locket! Coming to his senses, he scooped it out of the water.

Yolanda … He opened the locket, staring at the photo for a moment. My parents. He sighed.

After a moment of reflection, he dove into the warm waters of Star Island, front crawling with determination.

Tingo and Tango noticed him coming toward them.

Andee! they bleated with delight, ecstatic to see he had returned.

To their disappointment, Andee surged on. He didn’t even notice them. Tingo saw the steadfast expression on his face. He seemed different, older than before. Tingo cried his name again as the wake subsided, "Andee …" but no response came. Andee had gone.

Meanwhile, Andee accelerated to top speed. I have to get to the Lost City, he said to himself. I need to speak to the Wise White Dolphin now!

He dove down, entering along the tunnel. Soon, he saw the watery light ahead. With great precision, he burst out of the waterhole, landing on the rocks, where he stood with his hands firmly on his hips.

Behind him, a voice boomed. Andee, it is good to see you again. I am glad you have made it back to us.

Andee spun around to face the wise one.

You have done well on your quest, Andee, and your journey has begun. You must succeed in returning the Lost City to its former self. You have discovered the Black Sea along with the Kingdom of the Water Spirits. The king hasn’t got long to live, and we need the goodwill of the merpeople so we can return the riches from whence they came.

But … but … stuttered Andee, "how can I do this? You know how dangerous it is. I almost died. I think I was dead! If it hadn’t been for Yolanda, I would have surely perished. How can I do it on my own? Tingo and Tango would never survive, and I wouldn’t put them in so much danger. As for