Sea's Puzzle is bk4 of the Science Fiction series SeaScape. After Sea's family grows by five more little ones, she intends spending time on their home planet to raise the babies before going in pursuit of another of Valeria's missions. Gloria's birthing was difficult so recovery takes time. Sea has no reason to rush back into space for another mission. Val has the data of earlier missions to continue working on. As both the Warders and the corporation funding Val's missions offer new prospects, Sea refuses to be persuaded from their R&R, hoping to spend a few years at least for their newest babies to grow stronger.
Yet, the right mission, with all the correct benefits presents itself in a timely fashion. The system is far removed from the normal travel lanes of the Civilization, there is no extant population, and another archaeologist has already begun a standard exploration. These are positive factors to Sea in choosing the mission.
Discovered years ago, the distant, abandoned system presents an enticing mystery. Three planets display the remnants of a single civilization. The people of that civilization are missing. There are no signs of war, natural disaster, or atmospheric disruption. There is no obvious explanation for the missing populations of three planets. While the three planets have been inhabited by a single civilization, there is little or no evidence of spaceflight. This absence could either heighten the mystery or simplify it... if answers could be found.
While another archaeologist is investigating the three planets, CSIC asks for Val to join the expedition, bringing her expertise to bear on the mystery. The corporation hopes she can find information within the alien computers.
Even before they left for this system, they get hints of the difference awaiting. The commander of the support ship for the current mission seems haunted. His unease piques Val's interest and Sea's wariness. It isn't until they arrive on the first planet in that system that they get their own hints of unease. Sea has always been uncomfortable amidst the abandoned locations Valeria must investigate. She has been especially troubled by dead ancient starships.
Arriving on a planet filled with empty buildings and unanswered questions, Sea finds her discomfort growing. This unease spreads through all the family and eventually among the crew. It has already grown within the crew of the archaeological mission... within each across all three planets.
While Sea never dreams, but sharing in the dreams of her others and family, she begins having nightmares. Distractions and unusual preoccupations in her mind further the unease she owns. With nothing to fight, she must simply deal with the situation, coping while healer and doctor work to mitigate the discomfort they all feel.
After making an amazing discovery of a hidden temple events soon rumble out of control for their family. Their pair of toddlers vanishes from...
They encounter a group of aliens, of a species they'd never seen before... trouble ensues...
Voices from her nightmares reach out to Sea, creating a different and unusual situation.
There is a fight... or two... the puzzle is solved... and life goes on...
It's not as easy as that, of course, it never is with Sea, but it's an adventure the family will not soon forget.
