Gene, a mariner-for-hire, just found a mermaid trapped in his ship's intake port. After ocean levels rose, Gene thought scavenging the flooded Earth would be a decent living. But he never expected this. Where did she come from? Why won’t she go back in the water? Is she a product of genetic engineering or the real thing?

And when the world discovers a real fantasy creature, chaos erupts. Corporations want to exploit her. Old friends want to capitalize on her fame. Marauders are sinking any ships that get in their way of her.

As her only friend, Gene must save them both by returning her home. But the trip back involves diving into a world of more than just mermaids. And a secret that, in the wrong hands, could destroy the remainder of mankind.