cc.iceberg-第2章

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　he　stared　down　toward　the　spot　where　the　unknown　ship　lay　entombed。
　〃Poor　devils。　I　wonder　if　we'll　ever　know　what　happened　to　them？〃
　Rapp's　eyes　took　on　a　thoughtful　look。　〃They　couldn't　have　asked　for　a　bigger　tombstone。〃
　〃It's　only　temporary。　Two　weeks　after　that　berg　drifts　into　the　Gulf　Stream；　there　won't　be　enough　left　of　it　to　chill　a　six…pack　of　beer。
　
　The　cabin　became　clouded　by　a　silence；　a　silence　that　seemed　intensified　by　the　incessant　drone　of　the　plane's　engines。　Neither　man　spoke　for　several　moments；　each　lost　in　his　own　thoughts。　They　could　only　look　at　the　ominous　pinnacle　of　white　rising　out　of　the　sea　and　speculate　on　the　enigma　locked　beneath　its　icy　mantle。
　
　At　last　Neth　slouched　backward　nearly　horizontal　in　his　seat　and　became　his　old　imperturbable　self　again。
　〃I　strongly　suggest；　Ensign；　unless　you　have　a　hankering　to　ditch　this　lumbering　bus　in　forty…degree　water；　you　take　us　home　before　the　fuel　gauges　die　from　thirst。〃　He　grinned　menacingly。　〃And　please；　no　interruptions。〃
　
　Rapp　threw　Neth　a　withering　look；　then　shrugged　and　turned　the　patrol　plane　once　more　on　a　course　toward　Newfoundland。
　
　When　the　Coast　Guard　patrol　plane　had　disappeared　and　the　last　steady　beat　of　its　engines　had　faded　away　in　the　cold　salt　air；　the　towering　iceberg　once　again　lay　enshrouded　in　the　deathly　stillness　it　had　endured　since　being　broken　from　a　glacier　and　forced　into　the　sea　off　the　west　coast　of　Greenland　nearly　a　year　before。
　
　Then　suddenly　there　was　a　slight　but　perceptible　movement　on　the　ice　just　above　the　waterline　of　the　berg。
　
　Two　indistinct　shapes　slowly　transformed　into　two　men　who　rose　to　their　feet　and　stared　in　the　direction　of　the　retreating　aircraft。　From　more　than　twenty　paces　they　would　have　been　invisible　to　the　unaided　eye…both　wore　white　suits　that　blended　in　perfectly　with　the　colorless　background。
　
　They　stood　there　for　a　long　time；　patiently　waiting　and　listening。　When　they　were　satisfied　the　patrol　plane　was　not　returning；　one　of　the　men　knelt　and　brushed　away　the　ice；　revealing　a　small　radio　transmitter　and　receiver。　Extending　the　ten…foot　telescopic　aerial；　he　set　the　frequency　and　began　turning　the　crank　handle。　He　didn't　have　to　crank　very　hard　or　very　long。　Someone；　somewhere；　was　keeping　a　tight　watch　on　the　same　frequency；　and　the　answer　came　almost　immediately。
　
　Chapter　1
　
　Lieutenant　mander　Lee　Koski　clamped　his　teeth　a　notch　tighter　on　the　stem　of　a　corncob　pipe；　jammed　his　knotted　fists　two　inches　deeper　in　his　fur…lined　windbreaker　and　shivered　in　the　intense　cold。　Two　months　past　forty…one　years；　eighteen　of　them　in　the　service　of　the　United　States　Coast　Guard；　Koski　was　short；　very　short；　and　the　heavy；　multi…layered　clothing　made　him　look　nearly　as　wide　as　he　was　high。　His　blue　eyes　beneath　the　shaggy　wheat…colored　hair　gleanyed　with　an　intensity　that　never　seemed　to　dim；　regardless　of　his　mood。　He　possessed　the　confident　manner　of　a　perfectionist；　a　quality　that　helped　in　no　small　measure　in　his　section　as　mander　of　the　Coast　Guard's　newest　supercutter　the　Catawaba。　He　stood　on　the　bridge　like　a　gamecock；　legs　braced　apart；　and　didn't　bother　to　turn　when　he　spoke　to　the　tall　mountain　of　a　man　standing　beside　him。
　〃Even　with　radar；　they'll　play　hell　finding　us　in　this　weather。〃　The　tone　was　as　crisp　and　penetrating　as　the　cold　Atlantic　air。　〃Visibility　can't　be　more　than　a　mile。〃
　
　Slowly；　deliberately；　Lieutenant　Amos　Dover；　the　Catawaba's　Executive　Officer；　flipped　a　cigarette　butt　ten　feet　straight　into　the　air　and　watched　with　analytical　interest　as　the　smoking　white　tube　was　caught　by　the　wind　and　carried　over　the　ship's　bridge；　far　out　into　the　rolling　sea。
　〃Wouldn't　make　any　difference　if　they　did；〃　he　mumbled　through　lips　that　were　turning　blue　from　the　chilly　breeze。　〃The　way　we're　pitching；　the　pilot　of　that　helicopter　would　have　to　be　extremely　dumb　or　dead　drunk　or　both　to　even　consider　touching　down　back　there。〃　He　nodded　aft　toward　the　Catawaba's　landing　platform；　already　wet　from　the　blowing　spray。
　〃Some　people　don't　give　a　damn　how　they　die；〃　Koski　said　severly。
　〃No　one　can　say　they　weren't　warned。〃　Dover　not　only　looked　like　a　big　bear；　but　his　voice　seemed　to　growl　from　somewhere　deep　within　his　stomach；　〃I　signaled　the　copter　right　after　it　left　St。　John's；　informing　it　of　the　building　sea　and　strongly　advising　against　a　rendezvous。　All　I　got　from　the　pilot　was　a　polite　thank　you。〃
　
　It　was　beginning　to　drizzle　now；　and　the　twenty…five…knot　breeze　flung　the　rain　over　the　ship　in　driving　sheets　that　soon　sent　all　the　men　who　were　on　duty　above　deck　scurrying　for　their　oilskins。　Fortunately　for　the　Catawaba　and　her　crew；　the　air　temperature　held　at　40'F；　still　eight　degrees　away　from　the　dread　of　freezing；　a　nasty　situation　that　would　have　quickly　covered　the　entire　ship　with　a　blanket　of　ice。
　
　Koski　and　Dover　had　just　slipped　into　their　oilskins；　when　the　loudspeaker　on　the　bridge　crackled　mechanically。　〃Captain；　we've　just　picked　up　the　bird　on　radar　and　we're　guiding　it　in。〃
　
　Koski　picked　up　the　hand　transmitter　and　acknowledged。　Then　he　turned　to　Dover。　〃I　fear；〃　he　said　casually；　〃a　plot　is　brewing。〃
　〃You're　wondering　why　all　the　urgency　to　take　on　passengers？〃　Dover　asked。
　〃Aren't　you？〃
　〃I　am　indeed。　I'm　also　wondering　why　the　orders　to　stand　by　station　and　receive　a　civilian　helicopter　came　direct　from　the　mandant's　Headquarters　in　Washington　instead　of　our　own　district　mand。〃
　〃Damned　inconsiderate　of　the　mandant；〃　Koski　growled；　〃Dot　to　tell　us　what　these　people　want。　One　thing's　certain；　they're　not　going（；　to　find　themselves　on　a　pleasure　cruise　to　Tahiti…〃　Koski　suddenly　stiffened　and　cocked　an　ear　in　the　direction　of　the　unmistakably　thumping　beat　of　a　helicopter's　rotor　blade。　For　half　a　minute　it　was　invisible　in　the　heavy　overcast。　Then　both　men　spotted　it　at　the　same　time。　It　was　ing　from　the　west；　through　the　light　rain；　and　heading　in　a　direct　line　toward　the　ship。
　
　Koski　recognized　it　immediately　as　a　two…seater　civilian　version　of　the　Ulysses　Q…55；　a　craft　capable　of　nearly　two　hundred　and　fifty　miles　an　hour。
　〃He's　nuts　to　try　it；〃　Dover　said　dryly。
　Koski　didn't　ment。　He　grabbed　the　transmitter　again　and　exploded　into　it。　〃Signal　the　pilot　of　that　copter；　and　tell　him　not　to　attempt　a　touchdown　while　we're　pushing　through　ten…foot…high　swells。　Tell　him　I　won't　be　responsible　for　any　insane　actions　on　his　part。〃
　Koski　waited　for　a　few　seconds；　his　eyes　glued　to　the　helicopter。　〃Well？〃
　
　The　speaker　crackled　in　reply。　〃The　pilot　says　he's　most　grateful　for　your　concern；　Captain；　and　he　respectfully　requests　that　you　have　some　men　on　hand　to　secure　the　landing　gear　the　instant　he　touches　the　pad。〃
　〃He's　a　courteous　bastard；〃　Dover　grunted。　〃I'll　say　that　for　him。〃
　
　Jutting　his　chin　out　an　extra　half　inch；　Koski　took　another　viselike　grip　on　the　pipe　stem。　〃Courteous；　hell！　There's　every　possibility　that　idiot　will　wreck　a　good…sized　piece　of　my　ship。〃　Then　he　shrugged　in　resignation　and　picked　up　a　…bull　horn；　shouting　into　the　mouthpiece。　〃Chief　Thorp！　Have　your　men　ready　to　secure　that　bird　the　second　it　lands。　But　for　God's　sake；　keep　them　under　cover　until　it's　firmly　on　the　pad…and　have　a　crash　crew　standing'by。
　〃Right　about　now；〃　Dover　said　softly；　〃I　wouldn't　trade　places　with　those　guys　up　there　for　all　the　sex　goddesses　in　Hollywood　〃　'　The　Catawaba　could　not　head　squarely　into　the　wind；　Koski　calculated；　because　the　ttirbulenc'e　dealt　by　the　superstructure　would　litirl　the　aircraft　to　sure　destruction。　On　the　other　hand；　if　the　ship　ran　abeam　of　the　sea；　the　roll　would　be　far　too　excessive　for　the　helicopter　to　land　firmly　on　the　pad。　All　the　years　of　skill　and　judgment；　coupled　with　the　knowledge　of　the　Catawaba's　handling　characteristics；　made　his　decision　almost　routine。
　〃We'll　take　them　in　with　the　wind　and　sea　broad　on　the　bow。　Reduce　speed　and　make　the　necessary　course　change。〃
　
　Dover　nodded　and　disappeared　into　the　wheelhouse。　He　returned　a　few　moments　later。　〃Broad　on　the　bow　as　ordered　and　as　steady　as　the　sea　allows。〃
　
　Caught　in　the　cold　grip　of　apprehension；　Koski　and　Dover　stared　at　the　bright　yellow　helicopter　as　it　swept　through　the　mist；　headed　into　the　wind　and　approached　the　Catawaba's　stern　on　a　thirty…degree　angle　above　the　ship's　spreading　wake。　Though　the　wind　was　buffeting　the　Ulysses　badly；　the　pilot　somehow　managed　to　keep　it　in　a　level　position。　About　a　hundred　yards　back；　it　began　slackening　speed　until　it　finally　stopped　in　midair；　hovering　like　a　hummingbird　over　the　rising　and　falling　landing　pad。　For　what　seemed　an　eternity　to　Koski；　the　helicopter　maintained　its　height　while　the　pilot　gauged　the　high　point　of　the　cutter's　fantail　each　time　it　lifted　on　the　crest　of　a　passing　swell。　Then　abruptly；　when　the　landing　pad　hit　its　apogee；　the　copter's　pilot　cut　back　his　throttles；　and　the　Ulysses　dropped　neatly　onto　the　Catawaba；　a　bare　instant　before　the　stern　lurched　downward　in　the　trouch　of　the　next　wave。
　
　The　skids　had　hardly　kissed　the　pad　when　five　of　the　cutter's　crewmen　dashed　across　the　tilting　deck　and　began　struggling　under　the　strong　gusts　to　secure　the　helicopter　before　it　was　blown　over　the　side　into　the　water。　The　engine　exhaust　soon　died　away；　the　rotor　blades　idled　to　a　stop；　and　a　door　opened　on　the　side　of　the　cockpit。　Then　two　men；　their　heads　bowed　against　the　driving　mist；　leaped　to　the　platform。
　〃That　son　of　a　bitch；〃　Dover　murmured　in　wonder。　〃He　actually　made　it　look　easy。〃
　Koski's　face　tightened。　〃Their　credentials　had　better　be　first…rate…and　their　authority　better　e　from　Coast　Guard　Headquarters　in　Washington。〃
　Dover　smiled。　〃Maybe　they're　congressmen　on　an　inspection　tour。〃
　〃Not　likely；〃　Koski　said　curtly。
　〃Shall　I　escort　them　to　your　cabin？〃
　Koski　shook　his　head。　〃No。　Offer　them　my　pliments　and　bring　them　to　the　officers'　mess。〃　Then　he　grinned　slyly。　〃Right　about　now；　the　only　thing　that　truly　interests　me　is　a　hot　cup　of　coffee。〃
　
　In　precisely　two　minutes；　mander　Koski　was　sitting　at　a　table　in　the　officers'　messroom；　his　cold　hands　gratefully　encircling　a　steaming　mug　of　black　coffee。　It　was　nearly　half　drained　when　the　door　opened　and　Dover　entered　the　room；　followed　by　a　chubby　character　with　large　rimless　spectacles　mounted　on　a　bald　head　that　was　edged　by　long　unkempt　white　hair。
　
　Although　the　initial　effect　reminded　Koski　of　a　stereotypic　mad　scientist；　the　face　was　round　and　goodnatured；　and　the　brown　eyes　had　a　crinkled　grin。　The　stranger　caught　sight　of　the　mander　and　marched　up　to　the　table　and　extended　his　hand。
　〃mander　Koski；　I　take　it。　Hunnewell…Dr。　Bill　Hunnewell。　Sorry　to　inconvenience　you　like　this。〃
　Koski　rose　and　shook　Hunnewell's　hand。　〃Wele　aboard；　Doctor。　Please　sit　down　and　have　a　cup　of　coffee。〃
　〃Coffee？　Can't　stand　the　stuff；〃　Hunnewell　said　mournfully。　〃I'd　sell　my　soul　for　a　nip　of　hot　cocoa　though。〃
　〃Cocoa　we've　got；〃　Koski　said　agreeably。　He　leaned　back　in　his　chair　and　raised　his　voice。　〃Brady！〃
　A　steward　wearing　a　white　jacket　ambled　from　the　galley。　He　was　long　and　lean　and　walked　with　a　gait　that　could　only　spell　Texas。　〃Yessir；　Captain。　What'll　it　be？〃
　〃A