cc.fireice-第49章

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were　the　two　divers　hanging　off　the　opposite　side　of　the　boat。
　
　After　traveling　about　halfway　along　the　length　of　the　ship；　Jenkins　cut　the　Kestrel's　engine　to　an　idle　and　went　out　onto　the　deck。　He　and　Howes　tinkered　with　the　hauler；　as　if　there　was　a　problem。　During　the　pause；　Austin　and　Trout　dropped　into　the　water　and　dove　under　the　boat。　They　wanted　to　get　deep　and　out　of　the　way　of　the　net。
　
　It　was　agreed　that　Jenkins　would　make　a　sweep　by　one　side　of　the　ship；　then　trawl　for　a　couple　of　miles　before　turning　back　and　returning　on　the　other　side。　That　gave　them　an　hour　to　get　on　board　the　ship　and　back。　They　would　keep　in　touch　with　Jenkins　using　their　underwater　municators　to　talk　to　a　hydrophone　Trout　had　hung　into　the　water　before　they　went　over　the　side。
　
　They　swam　deeper；　moving　their　legs　in　a　steady　flutter　that　ate　up　the　distance。　They　could　hear　the　muffled　grumble　of　the　fishing　boat　engine　as　Jenkins　got　under　way　again　and　dove　to　thirty…five　feet；　where　the　visibility　was　still　fair。
　
　With　powerful　scissors　kicks；　they　covered　the　distance　to　the　ship　in　a　short　time。
　
　The　gigantic　hull　emerged　from　the　murk　like　the　body　of　an　enormous　whale　asleep　on　the　surface。　Austin　signaled　Trout　to　go　deeper。　When　they　were　directly　under　the　massive　keel；　they　looked　up　and　snapped　their　lights　on。　It　was　hard　not　to　be　unnerved　by　thousands　of　tons　of　black　steel　floating　above　their　heads。
　
　〃Now　I　know　how　a　bug　feels　just　before　someone　steps　on　it；〃　Trout　said；　gazing　up　at　the　massive　hulk。
　
　〃I　was　thinking　the　same　thing；　but　I　didn't　want　to　make　you　nervous。〃
　〃Too　late。　Where　do　you　want　to　start？〃
　〃If　I　interpreted　the　satellite　photos　correctly；　we　should　find　what　we're　looking　for　at　midships。〃
　
　They　swam　slowly　upward　until　the　ship's　barnacle…encrusted　bottom　entirely　filled　the　lenses　of　their　face　masks。　In　the　beam　of　his　light；　Austin　saw　what　he　was　looking　for；　a　rubber…edged　seam　that　ran　across　from　one　side　of　the　flat…bottomed　hull　to　the　other。　〃Bingo！〃　he　said。
　
　When　Austin　had　first　looked　at　the　satellite　pictures；　he'd　noticed　an　open　area　around　one　of　the　derricks　that　rose　from　the　deck。　Someone　had　carelessly　left　off　a　tarp　that　covered　the　opening　and　he　could　see　down　into　a　black　void。　He　was　sure　he　was　looking　into　a　〃moon　pool；〃　a　docking　space　similar　to　that　on　the　Argo　and　other　NUMA　ships。
　
　Austin　knew　from　experience　that　odds　favored　the　pool's　gates　being　closed。　It　was　standard　operating　procedure；　otherwise　the　drag　from　the　open　sea　would　slow　the　ship　down。　But　he　remembered　that　some　NUMA　ships　had　a　smaller　pool　used　for　launching　ROVs。　He　saw　what　he　was　looking　for　on　the　port　side；　forward　of　the　larger　moon　pool；　an　indented　rectangle　about　twelve　feet　square。　When　they　swam　close；　they　saw　that　the　gates　of　the　ROV　launch　well　were　shut　tight。
　
　Austin　unclipped　the　Oxy…Arc　cutting　torch　from　his　belt　and　uncoiled　the　hose。　Trout　produced　the　oxygen　tank　he　had　been　carrying　and　coupled　it　to　the　hose。　From　his　belt　bag；　Austin　pulled　out　two　small　powerful　magnets　with　hand　grips　on　them。　He　attached　the　magnets　to　the　hull；　then　he　and　Trout　slipped　plastic　shades　over　their　masks　to　shield　their　eyes　from　the　bright　flame。　While　Austin　held　on　to　the　magnet　with　one　hand；　Trout　lit　the　torch。　Even　with　the　protection　of　the　eyeshades；　it　was　like　looking　at　the　sun。
　
　Austin　began　to　cut；　hoping　that　the　pool　cover　was　thinner　than　the　actual　hull。　Although　the　ship　wasn't　moving；　water　churned　around　its　great　bulk　and　created　eddies　of　current　that　pulled　at　Austin's　body。　With　Trout's　help；　he　had　been　able　to　stay　more　or　less　in　one　place；　but　a　particularly　violent　current　twisted　him　pletely　around。　He　had　to　let　go　of　the　magnet　and　when　he　made　a　grab　with　the　other　hand　in　reflex；　he　dropped　the　torch。
　
　Trout　was　having　similar　problems；　only　he　lost　the　oxygen　tank。　They　managed　to　grab　onto　the　magnets　and　whipped　their　eyeshades　off　in　time　to　see　the　tank　and　the　torch；　still　lit；　plunge　out　of　sight　into　the　depths。
　
　Every　sailor's　curse　Austin　had　learned　in　years　at　sea　crackled　in　Trout's　earphones。　After　exhausting　his　repertoire　of　curses；　he　said；　〃I　couldn't　hold　on　to　the　torch。〃
　〃You　may　have　noticed　that　I　lost　the　tank。　I　didn't　realize　you　knew　so　many　cusswords。〃
　
　Austin　managed　a　chuckle。　〃Zavala　taught　me　the　ones　in　Spanish。　Sorry　for　dragging　you　all　this　way　for　nothing。〃
　〃If　I　weren't　under　a　giant　ship　in　the　middle　of　the　Atlantic　Ocean；　Gamay　would　have　me　wallpapering　our　town　house。　Got　any　backup　plans？〃
　〃Maybe　if　we　knock；　they'll　open　the　doors。　Or　we　swim　to　the　surface；　look　for　a　ladder　hanging　down　and　climb　aboard。〃
　〃Hardly　practical。〃
　〃You　asked　if　I　had　backup　ideas。　You　didn't　say　they　had　to　be　practical。〃
　
　Austin　was　about　to　give　the　word　to　head　back　when　Trout　let　out　a　yell　of　surprise　and　jabbed　his　forefinger　straight　down。
　
　Paul's　sharp　fisherman's　eye　had　seen　faint　lights　rising　from　the　darkness　below。　The　hazy　glow　reminded　Austin　of　the　luminescent　fish　William　Beebe　had　found　on　his　half…　mile　dive　in　a　bathysphere。　The　oning　object　grew　larger。　They　hurried　out　of　its　path　until　they　were　off　to　one　side　of　the　ship。　They　turned　around　and　saw　a　small　submarine　ascend　until　it　was　about　a　hundred　feet　beneath　the　hull　of　the　Ataman　ship。　The　sub　was　clearly　outlined　by　its　running　lights。
　
　〃I'll　be　damned；〃　Trout　said；　recognizing　the　distinctive　silhouette。　〃It's　the　NR…1。　What's　she　doing　here？〃
　〃More　important；　where's　she　going　next？〃　Austin's　nimble　mind　had　already　sprinted　several　steps　ahead。　〃Let's　go　for　a　boat　ride。〃
　
　Austin　angled　his　body　downward　and　swam　behind　the　hovering　sub。　He　had　once　made　a　dive　on　the　NR…1　and　knew　a　camera　was　mounted　forward　of　the　conning　tower。　He　and　Trout　grabbed　onto　the　stair　rungs　built　into　the　sail　and　hung　on。　Within　seconds；　a　thin　glowing　line　of　yellow　light　appeared　above。　The　moon　pool　gates　were　being　retracted。
　
　Trout　looked　up；　the　illumination　from　above　reflected　in　his　mask　lens。　〃I　think　I　saw　this　on　The　X…Files　when　the　aliens　abducted　a　human。〃
　〃It's　always　nice　to　meet　new　friends；〃　Austin　said；　his　eyes　glued　to　the　line　as　it　widened　into　a　long　narrow　rectangle；　then　a　square　of　blazing　light。
　
　The　sub's　vertical　thrusters　whirred；　and　the　NR…1　rose　slowly　into　the　ship。　Austin　and　Trout　slid　off　the　deck　before　the　sub　surfaced　inside　the　pool。　They　swam　toward　a　dark　area　between　the　circles　of　illumination　cast　by　the　lights　inside　the　ship。　At　the　edge　of　the　pool；　they　cautiously　poked　their　heads　from　the　water。　From　the　safety　of　the　shadows；　Austin　took　measure。　The　pool　was　about　two　hundred　feet　long　and　half　as　wide。　Steel　mesh　catwalks　accessed　by　short　flights　of　open　stairs　ran　along　both　sides。
　
　Men　in　coveralls　leaned　over　the　railings　and　watched　the　NR…1　emerge　from　the　water。　Then　the　loud　grinding　of　gears　filled　the　enormous　chamber　as　the　pool　doors　closed。
　
　Heavy…duty　hoists　fitted　with　steel　hooks　descended　from　the　ceiling。　A　door　opened　in　the　side　of　the　chamber；　and　several　divers　dressed　in　dry　suits　jumped　into　the　water。　They　slid　wide　yokes　under　the　front　and　back　of　the　sub。　The　yokes　were　attached　to　the　hooks；　and　powerful　winches　lifted　the　sub　like　the　chain　falls　that　were　used　to　yank　car　engines　out。
　
　The　hydraulic　gates　slid　shut；　sealing　the　chamber　from　the　sea；　and　with　a　mighty　grumble；　invisible　pumps　began　to　suck　water　from　the　pool。　The　powerful　pumps　cleared　the　pool　in　minutes。　Then　the　winches　lowered　the　sub。
　
　Crews　of　men　flowed　down　the　stairs　onto　the　slimy　floor　of　the　pool。　While　some　men　swept　the　deck　clear　of　seaweed　and　flopping　fish；　others　attached　cables　to　the　NR…1　and　braced　it　with　timbers　so　it　wouldn't　shift　with　the　ship's　movement。　The　whoosh　of　ventilators　brought　fresh　air　into　the　space。
　
　Austin　and　Trout　had　scrambled　up　a　ladder　when　the　pumping　started；　and　now　they　hung　above　the　deck。　The　weight　of　their　scuba　equipment　pulled　at　their　arms　and　fingers。　While　they　huddled　in　the　shadows；　below　them　in　the　glare　of　lights　men　leaned　a　ladder　against　the　sub。　The　hatch　opened　in　the　conning　tower；　and　a　man　with　a　white　beard　climbed　out。　He　had　a　revolver　holster　on　his　belt　and　matched　the　description　Ensign　Kreisman　had　given　of　Pulaski；　the　phony　scientist　who'd　pulled　a　gun　on　the　NR…1。
　
　Two　more　men　came　out。　Austin　recognized　Captain　Logan　and　the　pilot　of　the　NR…1　from　pictures　he'd　been　shown。　Four　more　men　emerged。　They　had　tough；　impassive　faces　and　carried　heavy…duty　firearms　that　identified　them　as　guards。　The　NR…1　men　were　ushered　up　the　stairs　and　disappeared　from　view。　Hauling　bags　of　sea　debris；　the　last　of　the　cleaning　crew　followed。　The　lights　went　out　except　for　a　glow　above　their　heads。
　
　〃What　now？〃　Trout　said。
　
　〃We've　got　two　choices。　Up　or　down。〃
　
　Trout　looked　at　the　darkness　below　them　and　then　grabbed　the　rung　above　his　head　and　started　to　climb。　The　scuba　gear　seemed　to　get　heavier　the　higher　they　got。　Luckily；　they　had　to　climb　less　than　twenty　feet　before　they　reached　a　narrow　landing。　With　a　mighty　grunt；　Trout　pulled　himself　up　and　over　the　rail　and　slipped　off　his　tanks　and　weight　belt。　He　gave　Austin　a　hand　and　they　both　sat　there；　catching　their　breath。
　
　While　he　sat　with　his　back　to　the　bulkhead；　Austin　retrieved　his　Bowen　from　a　watertight　pack。　Trout　carried　a　SIG…Sauer　。9　mm　pistol　of　Swiss　design。　They　walked　to　where　the　short　landing　joined　a　catwalk　at　a　right　angle。　The　catwalk　ran　into　a　well…lit　passageway。　Seeing　that　it　was　deserted；　they　kept　on　the　move。　They　came　upon　a　large　alcove　that　sheltered　a　shiny；　white；　domed　structure　with　small　portholes　on　its　side。　They　recognized　the　white　dome　immediately　as　a　depression　chamber。
　
　After　making　sure　no　one　was　using　the　chamber；　they　went　back　for　their　scuba　gear　and　stashed　it　inside。　Then　they　slipped　out　of　their　dry　suits　and　stowed　them　with　the　tanks。　A　short　distance　from　the　depression　chamber；　they　found　a　locker　room。　Hanging　from　a　thick　rod　and　still　dripping　with　seawater　were　the　suits　worn　by　the　divers　who　had　tied　down　the　NR…1。　Austin　was　more　interested　in　the　neatly　folded　sets　of　coveralls　stashed　on　shelves　near　the　lockers。　They　pulled　the　coveralls　on　over　their　suit　liners。
　
　At　six　feet　eight　and　270　pounds；　Trout　wasn't　easy　to　fit。　The　legs　of　his　uniform　came　down　to　his　ankles；　and　his　arms　protruded　from　his　sleeves。　〃How　do　I　look？〃　Trout　said。
　
　〃Like　a　very　tall　scarecrow。　Aside　from　that；　you　should　fool　anyone　we　meet　for　at　least　ten　seconds。〃
　
　He　scrunched　down。　〃How's　this？〃
　〃Now　you　look　like　Quasimodo；〃
　〃That　hair　of　yours　isn't　exactly　inconspicuous。　Let's　hope　anyone　we　meet　is　legally　blind。　What's　next？〃
　
　Austin　plucked　a　cap　from　a　pile；　tossed　it　to　Trout　and　jammed　another　on　his　head；　He　pulled　the　visor　down　over　his　head　and　said：　〃We　go　for　a　stroll。〃
　
　…29…
　AUSTIN　STOPPED　AT　an　intersection　and　glanced　up　and　down　the　corridors　like　a　bewildered　tourist。　〃Damn；〃　he　s