Six strangers risk their safety to investigate remnants of a wooden ship that sank centuries ago. Their discoveries challenge the conventional history of early contact between Asia and North America. Behind this story lie the growing power of China, climate change and a rising world ocean, and the political assault on science.
Robin Fjordane, an accomplished woman scientist, is fired from her prestigious research job at an oceanographic institute. Her offense? Insisting that the truth be told about climate change and our need to adapt to the relentless rise of the sea. Unable to find equivalent work, Robin discovers an ally: Alan Concarneau, a California sailing captain who hopes to use his skills for a purpose more noble than tourism. Robin and Alan become friends and business partners, leading an oceanographic voyage with younger researchers.
A proud Spanish historian sends their expedition in an unexpected direction, searching for the remains of a galleon returning from Asian waters centuries ago that may have sunk near one of California's Channel Islands. Others join the crew: a female Chinese climate scientist whose real purpose is hidden, an apparently superficial California rich boy with a talent for making videos, and a modest woman graduate student from Minnesota with exceptional computer skills. The six are divided by conflicting goals, clashing personalities and sexual tensions.
The divers find fragments of a large wooden ship. The Spaniard and the Chinese woman, both deeply connected to their countries' histories, argue about the wreck's origin. As the explorers discover other artifacts, the weight of evidence suggests that the ship may have come from China before Columbus reached the Americas.
The expedition's final discoveries reveal a Chinese purpose with profound implications for today's geopolitics. Will a rising China clash with the once-dominant United States? Or will the world's two superpowers adapt to these new circumstances? Robin and Alan propose a compromise solution that allows China and the U.S. to cooperate in exploring the sunken ship.
Robin and Alan overcome the frictions between them, adapting to each other and falling in love. An oceanographic institute invites Robin to return to her life's work, far from Alan's home port. Must they end their romance? Will they voyage together again?
About the Author: Michael Michaud, a native Southern Californian, is the author of two favorably reviewed non-fiction books and more than ninety published articles and journal papers. Before turning full time to writing, he was an American professional diplomat. He worked on international scientific and environmental issues for ten years, including the successful negotiation of international agreements.
