cussler.blueandgold-第17章

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ell　what　river　or　glacier　a　drop　of　ocean　water　came　from。
　
　The　sub　was　originally　named　the　DeepSee；　an　homage　to　its　predecessor　and　to　its　intended　function　as　an　exploration　vehicle。　When　Admiral　Sandecker　heard　the　designation　he　cringed　at　the　pun。　Shown　the　scale　model；　he　grinned。　〃It　reminds　me　of　one　of　the　brogans　I　used　to　wear　when　I　was　a　kid；〃　he　said；　using　the　old　slang　term　for　high…topped　workboots。　The　new　name　stuck。
　
　The　NUMA　ship　cruised　south　from　San　Diego　into　Mexican　waters；　staying　well　offshore。　Near　Ensenada　the　Sea　Robin　began　to　follow　the　coast　more　closely。　The　ship　passed　several　fishing　boats　and　a　couple　of　cruise　ships。　Before　long　the　vessel　was　about　a　half　mile　from　the　open　mouth　of　the　cove　Austin　and
　Zavala　had　scouted　out　earlier　from　land。　Austin　scoured　the　rugged　cliffs　through　powerful　binoculars　and　studied　the　back　of　the　tortilla　factory。　Nothing　appeared　out　of　the　ordinary。　Large　signs　posted　on　either　side　of　the　lagoon　warned　of　dangerous　hidden　rocks。　Highlighting　the　warnings　were　caution　buoys　strung　across　the　opening。
　
　The　Sea　Robin　sailed　beyond　the　cove　and　headed　into　a　small　inlet。　As　the　anchor　slid　into　the　sea；　Zavala　eased　into　the　mini…sub　and　made　his　last…minute　checks。　With　the　dome　se　cured　the　cabin　was　watertight　and　carried　its　own　air　supply。　Zavala　was　dressed　fortably　in　shorts　and　his　new　purple　Hussong's　T…shirt。
　
　Austin；　who　would　be　immersed　in　water；　was　suited　out　in　full　scuba　gear　and　extra　air　tank。　He　climbed　onto　the　back　of　the　Brogan　with　his　fins　resting　on　the　pontoons　and　fastened　a　quick…release　harness　attached　to　the　sub。　The　dome　was　latched　tight。　At　his　signal　a　crane　hoisted　the　sub　in　the　air；　then　lowered　it　into　the　sea。　Austin　unhooked　the　slack　holding　lines　and　gave　Zavala　the　go…ahead　to　dive。　Within　seconds　they　were　sinking　into　the　sea　in　an　explosion　of　bubbles。
　
　The　battery…operated　thrusters　kicked　into　action　with　a　high…pitched　hum；　and　Zavala　steered　for　open　water。　The　sub　rounded　the　point　of　jagged　sea…wet　rocks　and　followed　a　course　directly　into　the　mouth　of　the　lagoon。　They　stayed　at　a　depth　of　thirty…five　feet；　moving　well　under　Mach　One　at　a　fortable　five　knots。　They　used　a　bination　of　Austin's　observations　and　the　mini's　instruments　to　navigate。　Austin　kept　his　head　low　to　reduce　water　resistance。　He　was　enjoying　the　trip；　particularly　the　schools　of　brightly　colored　fish　that　scattered　like　wind　blown　confetti　at　their　approach。
　
　Austin　was　glad　to　see　fish　for　a　less　aesthetic　reason。　Their　presence　meant　the　water　was　still　safe　for　living　things。　He　had　not　forgotten　that　unknown　forces　killed　an　entire　pod　of　huge　creatures　that　were　hardier　and　more　adaptable　to　their　marine　environment　than　a　puny　human　being。　Although　sensors　in　the　sub's　skin　automatically　sampled　and　tested　the　ambient　waters；　
　Austin　knew　that　by　the　time　he　learned　conditions　were　un　healthy　it　might　be　too　late。
　
　'Approaching　the　mouth　of　the　lagoon。　We're　going　right　up　the　middle；〃　Zavala　reported。　〃Plenty　of　room　on　either　side。　Mooring　line　from　a　warning　buoy　off　to　starboard。〃
　
　Austin　turned　to　the　right　and　saw　a　thin　black　line　running　from　the　surface　toward　the　bottom。　〃I　see　it。　Notice　anything　funny？〃
　
　〃Yeah；〃　Zavala　said　as　they　cruised　by。　〃No　rocks　under　the　buoy。〃
　
　〃Bet　you　a　bottle　of　Cuervo　that　all　the　other　warnings　are　phony；　too。〃
　
　〃I'll　take　the　bottle　but　not　the　bet。　Someone　wants　to　keep　people　out　of　here。〃
　
　〃That's　obvious。　How's　this　buggy　handling？〃
　
　〃Getting　into　a　little　backwash　from　the　water　swishing　out　of　the　lagoon；　but　it's　still　easier　than　driving　on　the　Beltway；〃　Zavala　said；　referring　to　the　highway　that　separates　Washington　from　the　rest　of　the　country　geographically　and　politically。　〃She　handles　like　an…uh…oh。〃
　
　〃What's　wrong？〃
　
　〃Sonar　is　picking　up　multiple　targets。　Lots　of　them。　About　fifty　yards　dead　ahead。〃
　
　Austin　had　been　lulled　into　placency　by　the　tranquility　of　the　trip。　In　his　imagination　he　pictured　a　line　of　underwater　guards　waiting　in　ambush。
　
　〃Divers？〃
　
　〃Sonar　hits　are　too　small。　Little　or　no　movement。〃
　
　Austin　strained　his　eyes　in　an　attempt　to　pierce　the　gauzy　blue。
　
　Thinking　ahead；　he　said；　〃What's　the　Brogan's　top　speed　if　we　have　to　get　out　of　here　in　a　hurry？〃
　
　〃Seven　knots；　pedal　to　the　metal。　She　was　made　more　for　vertical　travel　than　horizontal；　and　we're　carrying　a　couple　of　hundred　extra　pounds　of　beef。〃
　
　〃I'll　join　Weight　Watchers　when　we　get　back；〃　Austin　said。　〃Move　in　real　slow；　but　be　prepared　to　make　a　dash　for　it。〃　
　
　　They　crawled　ahead　at　half　speed。　Within　moments　dozens　of　dark　objects　materialized；　stretching　from　the　surface　to　the　bottom　and　rolling　off　both　directions　in　a　great　wall。
　
　Fish。
　
　〃Looks　like　a　net；〃　Austin　advised。　〃Stop　before　we　get　snagged。〃
　
　The　Brogan　slowed　to　a　plete　halt　and　hovered　in　place。
　
　Austin　ducked　his　head　in　reflex　as　a　streamlined　silhouette　glided　in　from　above　and　behind　him。　The　shark　was　only　there　for　an　instant；　long　enough　for　Austin　to　see　its　round　white　eye　and　to　estimate　the　hungry　predator's　length　at　more　than　six　feet。　Its　toothy　jaws　opened　then　clamped　shut　to　grab　half　a　struggling　fish　in　one　bite　before　disappearing　from　sight　with　a　flick　of　its　high　tail　fin。
　
　Zavala　had　seen　the　same　thing。　〃Kurt；　are　you　okay？〃　he　shouted。
　
　Austin　laughed。　〃Yeah。　Don't　worry。　That　guy　doesn't　want　a　tough　old　human　to　chew　on　when　he's　got　a　whole　seafood　buffet。〃
　
　〃Glad　to　hear　you　say　that；　because　he　invited　some　of　his　friends　for　dinner。〃
　
　Several　more　sharks　swooped　in；　grabbed　a　bite；　then；　wary　of　the　sub；　quickly　left。　It　was　less　a　wild　feeding　frenzy　than　a　gathering　of　discriminating　gourmands　picking　from　the　choicest　items　on　the　menu。　Hundreds　of　fish　were　caught　in　the…　fine　mesh。　They　came　in　all　sizes；　shapes；　and　species。　Some；　still　alive；　were　making　fruitless　attempts　to　free　themselves；　only　to　attract　the　attention　of　the　sharks。　Others　had　only　their　heads　left；　and　bones　marked　the　remains　of　many　more。
　
　〃No　one　has　been　tending　the　net；〃　Austin　said。
　
　〃Maybe　someone　hung　it　here　to　keep　nosy　guys　like　us　out。〃
　
　〃I　don't　think　so；〃　Austin　said　after　a　moment's　reflection。　〃That　net　is　made　of　monofilament。　You　could　cut　your　way　through　it　with　a　nail　clipper。　No　electrical　wiring；　so　it　doesn't　seem　to　have　an　alarm　signal　attached。〃
　
　〃I　don't　get　it。〃　
　
　　〃Let's　think　about　it。　Whatever；　sir！　that　lagoon　killed　a　pod　of　whales。　The　locals　would　begin　asking　questions　if　they　started　seeing　hundreds　of　dead　fish。　The　folks　who　bring　you　Baja　Tortillas　don't　like　attention。　So　they　stick　the　net　here　to　keep　the　fish　out　and　any　dead　ones　in。〃
　
　〃Makes　sense；〃　Zavala　agreed。　〃What　next？〃
　
　〃Keep　on　going。〃
　
　Zavala's　fingers　danced　over　the　puter　screen　that　con　trolled　the　sub's　functions。　Two　mechanical　arms　on　the　front　of　the　Brogan　unfolded　and　extended　like　a　telescope　to　within　inches　of　the　net。　The　claws　at　the　end　of　each　arm　grabbed　the　mesh　and　tore　it　open　like　an　actor　parting　a　curtain。　Pieces　of　fish　in　various　states　of　deposition　drifted　off　in　every　direction。
　
　The　job　acplished；　Zavala　brought　the　metal　arms　back　to　their　rest　position　and　increased　throttle。　With　Austin　still　on　the　sub's　back；　they　plunged　through　the　hole　and　into　the　la　goon。　The　thirty…foot　visibility　was　cut　in　half　by　thousands　of　tiny　particles　of　seaweed　that　had　washed　into　the　cove　to　be　shredded　by　the　razor…sharp　rocks。　The　sub　slowed　to　a　walk；　Zavala　feeling　his　way　like　a　blind　man　with　a　white　cane。　They　didn't　see　the　huge　object　until　they　were　almost　on　top　of　it。　Again　the　sub　came　to　a　stop。
　
　〃What　is　that　thing？〃　Zavala　asked。
　
　The　cathedral　light　filtering　down　from　the　surface　illuminated　an　enormous　structure。　It　was　about　three　hundred　feet　wide；　Austin　estimated；　and　about　thirty　feet　thick；　tapered　at　the　ends　like　a　huge　metal　lens　and　resting　on　four　thick　metal　legs。　The　legs　were　hidden　by　boxlike　structures　where　they　sank　into　the　sea。
　
　〃It's　either　a　big　metal　spider　or　a　sunken　UFO；〃　Austin　said　in　wonder。　〃In　any　case；　let's　take　a　closer　look。〃
　
　At　Austin's　direction；　Zavala　steered　the　sub　off　at　an　angle　and　cruised　along　the　perimeter　as　far　as　they　could；　then　re　traced　their　path　and　went　along　the　other　side。　The　structure　was　almost　perfectly　round　except　where　it　butted　up　close　to　the　undersea　cliffs。　
　〃Hey；　this　is　amazing！　I'm　getting　high　heat　readings。〃
　
　〃I　can　feel　the　heat　through　my　wet　suit。　Someone　has　cranked　up　the　BTUs。〃
　
　〃The　instruments　indicate　that　it's　ing　from　the　pillars。　Must　be　conduits　as　well　as　supports。　Nothing　dangerous。　Yet。〃
　
　〃Park　this　thing　while　I　go　in　for　a　closer　look。〃
　
　The　mini　dropped　lightly　to　the　bottom　and　rested　on　its　pontoons。　Austin　unhooked　the　harness　and　peeled　off　with　instructions　for　Zavala　to　turn　on　the　positioning　strobe　light　in　fifteen　minutes。
　
　Austin　swam　toward　the　disk；　then　over　it。　Except　for　a　circular　skylight　the　odd　structure　was　fabricated　of　metal　painted　a　dull　green；　which　would　have　been　difficult　to　see　from　the　surface。　He　dropped　down　onto　the　dome　itself　and　peered　cautiously　through　the　skylight。
　
　Below　was　a　network　of　pipes　and　machines。　Men　in　white　frocks　walked　about　the　well…lit　cavernous　space。　Austin　puzzled　over　the　function　of　the　machines；　trying　to　put　what　he　saw　together　with　the　hot　water　discharges；　but　came　up　with　nothing。　He　undid　a　portable　waterproof　video　camera　from　his　belt　and　filmed　the　scene　below。　Satisfied　with　his　work；　he　decided　to　get　an　overview。　He　rose　off　the　disk　and　was　panning　the　camera　when　he　saw　movement　out　of　the　corner　of　his　eye。
　
　He　froze；　floating　above　the　structure。　The　egg…shaped　elevator　Zavala　had　described　descended　from　the　shimmering　surface。　It　moved　along　its　track　and　disappeared　into　a　circular　hatch　that　was　opening　on　the　roof　of　the　underwater　structure　closest　to　the　face　of　the　cliff。　Austin　resumed　his　camera　work　only　to　be　interrupted　again；　this　time　by　Zavala。
　
　〃Better　get　back　here　pronto！　The　water　temp　readings　are　shooting　up。〃
　
　There　was　no　mistaking　the　urgency　in　Zavala's　voice。　〃On　my　way！〃
　
　Austin　threshed　the　water　with　strong　kicks　of　his　powerful　legs　maintaining　a　rhythm　that　ate　up　the　yards。　Zavala　wasn't
　kidding　about　the　heat　buildup。　Austin　was　sweating　under　his　wet　suit。　He　vowed　never　to　boil　a　lobster　again。　〃Hurry；〃　Zavala　said。　〃The　temp　is　going　off　the　tracks！〃
　
　The　Brogan's　silvery　beacon　blinked　in　the　gloom。　Austin　reached　down　and　switched　on　a　small　strobe　that　hung　from　his　buoyancy　pensator。　The　Brogan　moved　in　to　meet　him。　The　heat　had　bee　more　intense。　Austin　grabbed　onto　the　back　of　the　moving　sub　and　snapped　his　harness　buckle　in　place。　With　Austin　aboard；　the　Brogan　quickly　wheeled　about　and　was　headed　for　the　mouth　of　the　lagoon；　motors　whining　at　top　speed。　Zavala　barked；　〃Something's　wrong；　Kurt！　I　am　detecting　alarms　inside　the　facility。〃　Mom