cc.fireice-第19章

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es　dictating　the　foreign　policy　of　the　United　States。〃
　
　The　tart　ment　was　meant　to　be　funny；　but　no　one　laughed；　least　of　all　Sandecker；　who　didn't　take　kindly　to　having　NUMA　described　as　〃a　bunch　of　ocean　groupies。〃
　
　Sandecker　flashed　a　barracuda　smile；　but　an　icy　coldness　crept　into　his　authoritative　blue　eyes　as　he　prepared　to　rip　Tingley　to　shreds。
　
　The　vice　president　saw　what　was　ing　and　rapped　his　knuckles　on　the　table。　〃It　seems　you　gentlemen　have　stated　your　case　with　the　usual　conviction。　We　don't　want　to　take　up　any　more　of　the　president's　valuable　time。　I'm　sure　the　admiral　considers　the　secretary's　points　well　taken　and　that　Secretary　Tingley　accepts　NUMA's　explanation　and　assurances。〃
　
　Tingley　opened　his　mouth　to　reply；　but　Sandecker　deftly　took　advantage　of　the　exit　door　Sparkman　had　opened。　〃I'm　glad　the　secretary　and　I　were　able　to　settle　our　differences　amicably；〃　he　interjected。
　
　The　president；　who　was　known　to　dislike　confrontation；　had　been　listening　with　a　pained　expression　on　his　face。　He　smiled　and　said；　〃Thank　you；　gentlemen。　Now　that　that's　settled；　I've　got　a　more　important　matter　I'd　like　to　bring　up。〃
　〃The　disappearance　of　the　NR…1　submarine？〃　Sandecker　said。
　
　The　president　stared　at　Sandecker　in　disbelief；　then　burst　into　laughter。　〃I've　always　heard　you've　got　eyes　in　the　back　of　your　head；　Admiral。　How'd　you　hear　about　that？　I　was　told　the　matter　was　top　secret。〃　He　glanced　around　reprovingly　at　his　staff。　〃Real　graveyard　stuff。〃
　〃Nothing　mysterious　about　it；　Mr。　President。　Many　of　our　people　are　in　daily　close　contact　with　the　navy；　which　owns　the　NR…1；　and　some　of　the　men　on　board　have　worked　with　NUMA。　Captain　Logan's　father　is　a　friend　and　former　colleague　of　mine。　Family　members　who　were　concerned　for　the　safety　of　their　loved　ones　contacted　me　to　ask　what　was　being　done。　They　assumed　I　was　aware　of　the　sub's　project。〃
　〃We　owe　you　an　apology；〃　the　president　said。　〃We　were　trying　to　keep　this　matter　contained　until　we　made　some　progress。〃
　〃Of　course；〃　Sandecker　said。　〃Did　the　submersible　sink？〃
　〃We've　conducted　a　thorough　search。　The　sub　didn't　sink。〃
　〃I　don't　understand。　What　happened　to　it？〃
　
　The　president　glanced　at　the　CIA　director。　〃The　people　over　at　Langley　think　the　NR…1　was　hijacked。〃
　〃Has　anyone　contacted　you　to　verify　that　theory？　A　request　for　ransom；　perhaps。〃
　〃No。　No　one。〃
　
　〃Then　why　hasn't　news　of　the　sub's　disappearance　been　made　public？　It　might　help　in　tracking　down　its　whereabouts。　I'm　sure　I　don't　have　to　remind　anyone　in　this　room　that　there　was　a　crew　on　that　sub。　To　say　nothing　of　the　millions　spent　to　develop　her。〃
　
　The　vice　president　took　over。　〃We　don't　think　it's　in　the　best　interests　of　the　crew　to　go　public　now；〃　Sparkman　declared。
　
　〃It　seems　to　me　that　broadcasting　a　worldwide　alert　would　be　in　their　best　interests。〃
　〃Under　ordinary　circumstances；　yes。　But　this　is　pretty　plicated；　Admiral；〃　the　president　said。　〃We　think　it　will　jeopardize　their　welfare。〃
　〃Perhaps；〃　Sandecker　said；　without　conviction。　He　pinioned　Wallace　with　an　unwavering　gaze。　〃I　assume　you　have　a　plan。〃
　
　The　president　shifted　uneasily　in　his　chair。　〃Sid；　you　got　an　answer　for　the　admiral？〃
　〃We're　trying　to　be　optimistic；　but　it　is　possible　that　all　the　crew　are　dead；〃　Sparkman　said。
　
　〃You　have　evidence　to　support　that　conclusion？〃
　〃None；　but　it's　a　strong　possibility。〃
　〃I　can't　accept　'possibility'　as　a　reason　for　sitting　on　our　hands。〃
　
　The　secretary　of　state　had　been　simmering　like　a　pot　on　a　hot　stove。　At　the　presumed　insult；　he　boiled　over。
　
　〃We　are　not　'sitting　on　our　hands；'　Admiral。　The　Russian　government　has　requested　that　we　stay　out　of　this　for　the　time　being。　They　have　the　contacts　to　chase　this　down。　We'd　stir　things　up；　especially　with　nationalism　riding　so　high。　Isn't　that　right；　Mr。　President？〃
　〃Don't　tell　me　you　think　the　Russians　took　the　sub？〃　Sandecker　said；　ignoring　the　secretary　and　directing　his　question　at　the　president。
　
　Wallace　again　turned　to　his　vice　president。　〃Sid；　you've　been　on　top　of　this　since　day　one。　Can　you　explain　to　the　admiral？〃
　〃Of　course；　Mr。　President。　I'd　be　happy　to。　It　relates　to　our　earlier　topic；　Admiral。　Shortly　after　the　NR…1　disappeared；　we　were　contacted　by　sources　within　the　Russian　government　who　said　they　might　be　able　to　retrieve　the　sub　and　its　crew。　They　believe　its　disappearance　ties　in　with　the　turmoil　in　their　country。　Beyond　that；　I　can't　say　for　now。　I　can　only　ask　your　forbearance　and　patience。〃
　〃I　fail　to　follow　that　line　of　logic；〃　Sandecker　said；　boring　in。　〃Are　you　saying　we　should　rely　upon　a　government　that　could　fall　at　any　moment　to　protect　our　people？　It　seems　to　me　that　the　Russian　top　brass　are　going　to　be　concentrating　more　on　saving　their　butts　than　looking　for　an　American　research　submarine。〃
　
　The　vice　president　nodded　in　agreement。　〃Nonetheless；　we　have　agreed　to　hold　off。　Even　with　their　problems；　the　Russians　are　in　the　best　position　to　handle　something　that's　happened　in　their　backyard。〃
　
　CIA　Director　LeGrand　had　been　silent　up　to　now。　〃I'm　afraid　he's　got　a　point；　James。〃
　
　Sandecker　smiled。　LeGrand　must　have　been　brought　in　as　the　〃good　cop〃　to　playoff　〃bad　cop〃　Tingley。　The　admiral　could　play　games；　too。　He　furrowed　his　brow　as　if　he　were　making　a　tough　decision。　〃It　appears　my　good　friend　Erwin　i　concurs　with　your　caution。　Very　well；　then；　I　won't　press　the　point　further。〃
　
　There　was　heavy　silence　in　the　Cabinet　Room；　as　if　no　one　could　believe　Sandecker　would　give　in　after　only　a　skirmish。
　
　〃Thank　you；　James；〃　President　Wallace　said。　〃We　had　a　chance　to　chat　before　you　arrived。　We　know　there's　a　big　temptation；　especially　with　your　personal　interest　in　this；　to　bring　NUMA　in。〃
　〃You're　asking　me　to　keep　NUMA　at　arm's　length　from　the　sub's　disappearance；　then。〃
　〃For　now；　Admiral。〃
　〃I　can　assure　you　that　NUMA　will　not　search　for　the　NR…1。　However；　please　let　me　know　if　and　when　we　can　be　of　help。〃
　〃Of　course　we　will；　Admiral。〃　The　president　thanked　everyone　for　ing　and　rose　from　his　chair。　Sandecker　wished　him　good　fishing　and　left　the　room；　allowing　the　others　to　hash　over　the　meeting；　as　he　knew　they　would。　An　aide　was　waiting　to　escort　him　to　a　side　door。　As　he　drove　through　the　gate　a　few　moments　later；　the　guard　grinned。　〃Hot　enough　for　you　today；　sir？〃
　〃It　must　be　my　imagination；　Norman；〃　Sandecker　said；　with　a　grin。　〃The　temperature　always　seems　to　be　a　few　degrees　warmer　in　this　part　of　Washington。〃　He　gave　a　jaunty　wave　and　drove　out　into　the　traffic。
　
　
　ON　THE　WAY　back　to　NUMA　headquarters；　Sandecker　punched　out　a　number　on　his　cell　phone。　〃Rudi；　please　meet　me　in　my　office　in　ten　minutes。〃　Sandecker　drove　into　the　garage　under　the　thirty…story　tubular　building　that　served　as　the　nerve　center　for　NUMA's　worldwide　operations　and　took　the　elevator　to　his　top…floor　office。　He　was　behind　the　immense　desk　made　from　the　hatch　cover　of　a　Confederate　blockade　runner　when　Rudi　Gunn　arrived　carrying　a　briefcase。
　
　Sandecker　waved　his　second…in…mand　to　a　chair。　Gunn；　a　short　thin　man　with　narrow　shoulders；　thinning　hair　and　thick　horn…rimmed　glasses；　listened　intently　while　Sandecker　described　his　White　House　meeting。
　
　〃Then　we're　pulling　out　of　the　search？〃　Gunn　said。
　
　Sandecker's　eyes　blazed。　〃Hell；　no！　The　fact　that　they　put　a　shot　across　my　bow　doesn't　mean　I'm　going　to　heave　to　and　run　up　the　white　flag。　What　have　you　learned？〃
　〃I　went　right　to　work　on　the　premise　we　had　discussed。　That　the　only　thing　with　the　ability　to　hijack　the　NR…1　from　under　the　nose　of　its　support　ship　would　be　a　bigger　sub。　Any　number　of　countries　have　submarines　large　enough　to　carry　off　the　NR…1；〃　Gunn　said。　〃I　asked　Yaeger　to　run　some　profiles。〃　Hiram　Yaeger　was　NUMA's　puter　whiz　and　head　of　its　vast　data　network。　〃We　concentrated　on　the　USSR　because　of　their　preference　for　building　monster　boats。　My　first　thought　was　something　like　the　Typhoon。〃

　
　Sandecker　sat　back　in　his　chair　and　cradled　his　chin　in　one　hand。　〃With　a　length　of　more　than　five　hundred　feet；　a　Typhoon　could　easily　piggyback　our　missing　minisub。〃
　〃I　agree。　They　were　designed　to　fire　missiles　from　the　Arctic　Circle。　The　flat　missile　deck　could　have　been　converted　for　carrying　cargo。　But　there　was　a　problem　when　I　checked　further。　All　six　Typhoons　were　accounted　for。〃
　〃All　right。　But　I've　never　known　you　to　give　up　easily；　Rudi。　What　else　do　you　have？〃
　
　Gunn　reached　into　his　briefcase　and　pulled　out　a　folder。　He　handed　a　picture　from　the　folder　to　Sandecker。
　
　〃This　shows　a　Soviet　India…class　sub　photographed　on　its　way　to　the　Pacific　from　the　Northern　Fleet。〃　He　passed　over　several　sheets　of　paper。　〃These　are　schematic　diagrams。　She's　a　diesel…electric；　nearly　three　hundred　fifty　feet　long；　and　was　designed　supposedly　for　underwater　rescue。　That　semirecessed　area　abaft　the　sail　was　fitted　out　to　carry　a　couple　of　deep…diving　minisubs。　In　wartime　they　could　be　used　for　clandestine　ops　with　Spetsnaz　special　forces　brigades。　Only　two　India…class　subs　were　built。　They　were　to　have　been　broken　up　after　the　end　of　the　Cold　War。　We've　been　able　to　verify　that　one　was　indeed　scrapped。　We　don't　know　the　fate　of　the　other。　I　think　it　was　used　to　hijack　the　NR…1。〃
　〃You　sound　quite　sure　of　this；　Rudi。　Remember；　our　premise　is　still　only　a　theory。〃
　
　Gunn　smiled。　〃May　I　borrow　your　VCR？〃
　〃Be　my　guest。〃
　
　Gunn　dug　into　his　case　again　and　pulled　out　a　videocassette；　went　over　to　the　paneled　wall；　opened　a　door　to　a　cabinet　and　popped　the　cassette　into　the　VCR。
　
　〃As　you　know；　the　NR…1　had　the　capability　to　broadcast　a　television　picture　from　the　ocean　floor；〃　Gunn　said。
　
　〃I　approved　the　NUMA　funds　myself。　Great　educational　program。　The　pictures　bounce　off　a　satellite　and　into　classrooms　around　the　world。　Teaches　youngsters　that　the　ocean　is　a　lot　more　interesting　than　MTV。　I　understand　the　program　has　worked　out　well。〃
　〃Extremely　well；　in　this　case。　This　picture　was　sent　from　the　NR…1　the　day　she　disappeared。〃
　
　Gunn　pressed　the　Play　button　on　the　remote　control。　The　screen　went　fuzzy；　then　turned　seawater　green。　Bright　floodlights　illuminated　a　slender　black　hull。　There　was　no　sound。　The　time　and　date　showed　in　the　corner。
　
　Sandecker　was　sitting　on　the　edge　of　his　desk；　arms　folded。　〃Looks　like　the　bow　view　from　the　sail　cam；〃　he　said。
　
　〃That's　right。　Keep　on　watching。　Right　about　now。　。　。〃
　
　A　sharklike　shadow　loomed　below　the　hull。　Something　much　bigger　than　the　NR…1　had　e　up　from　below。　After　a　few　minutes；　the　sub　began　to　move　forward　at　great　speed　until　it　was　obscured　by　bubbles。　The　screen　went　fuzzy　again。
　
　〃This　picture　was　sent　from　the　sub　via　satellite　at　exactly　the　time　of　her　disappearance。　It　only　ran　a　short　while；　as　you　can　see；　before　it　was　shut　down。〃
　〃Fascinating；〃　Sandecker　said。　〃Run　it　again；　please。〃
　
　Gunn　replayed　the　tape。
　
　〃Does　the　White　House　have　a　copy　of　this　video？〃　Sandecker　said。
　
　〃The　transmission　came　directly　to　NUMA。　My　guess　is　they　haven't　seen　it。〃
　〃Good　work；　Rudi；〃　the　admiral　said。　〃There's　an　important　piece　of　the　puzzle　missing；　however。