Copyright 1984 By Jack Ryan Enterprises, Ltd. All rights reser ed. !

!o part o" this #ook $ay #e reprod%ced &itho%t &ritten per$ission "ro$ the p%#lisher. Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Clancy, 'o$, 194() 'he h%nt "or Red *cto#er. 1. 'itle +,-..-.L/4.08 1984 81-1..4 84213.39 4,B! 528(5/12/8.25
+rinted in the 6nited ,tates o" A$erica on acid2"ree paper

All the characters in this #ook, &ith the e7ception o" ,ergey 8orshko , 9%ri +adorin, *leg +enko skiy, :alery ,a#lin, 0ans 'o"te, and 8re ille ;ynne, are "ictitio%s, and and rese$#lance to act%al persons, li ing or dead, is p%rely coincidential. 'he na$es, incidents, dialog%e, and opinions e7pressed are prod%cts o" the a%thor<s i$agination and are not to #e constr%ed as real. !othing is intended or sho%ld #e interpreted as e7pressing or representing the ie&s o" the 6.,. !a y or any other depart$ent or agency o" any go ern$ent #ody. 54 5- 5/ 51 41 45 -9 -8 -(

=or Ralph Chatha$, A s%# dri er &ho spoke the tr%th, And "or all the $en &ho &ear dolphins

THE FIRST DAY FRIDAY, 3 DECEMBER

'he Red *cto#er Captain =irst Rank >arko Ra$i%s o" the ,o iet !a y &as dressed "or the Arctic conditions nor$al to the !orthern =leet s%#$arine #ase at +olyarnyy. =i e layers o" &ool and oilskin enclosed hi$. A dirty har#or t%g p%shed his s%#$arine?s #o& aro%nd to the north, "acing do&n the channel. 'he dock that had held his Red October "or t&o inter$ina#le $onths &as no& a &ater2"illed concrete #o7, one o" the $any specially #%ilt to shelter strategic $issile s%#$arines "ro$ the harsh ele$ents. *n its edge a collection o" sailors and dockyard &orkers &atched his ship sail in stolid R%ssian "ashion, &itho%t a &a e or a cheer. @Engines ahead slo&, Aa$aro ,@ he ordered. 'he t%g slid o%t o" the &ay, and Ra$i%s glanced a"t to see the &ater stirring "ro$ the "orce o" the t&in #ronBe propellers. 'he t%g?s co$$ander &a ed. Ra$i%s ret%rned the gest%re. 'he t%g had done a si$ple Co#, #%t done it D%ickly and &ell. 'he Red October, a Typhoon2class s%#, $o ed %nder her o&n po&er to&ards the $ain ship channel o" the Aola =Cord. @'here?s Purga, Captain.@ 8regoriy Aa$aro pointed to the ice#reaker that &o%ld escort the$ to sea. Ra$i%s nodded. 'he t&o ho%rs reD%ired to transit the channel &o%ld ta7 not his sea$anship #%t his end%rance. 'here &as a cold north &ind #lo&ing, the only sort o" north &ind in this part o" the &orld. Late a%t%$n had #een s%rprisingly $ild, and scarcely any sno& had "allen in an area that $eas%res it in $etersE then a &eek #e"ore a $aCor &inter stor$ had sa aged the >%r$ansk coast, #reaking pieces o"" the Arctic icepack. 'he ice#reaker &as no "or$ality. 'he Purga &o%ld #%tt aside any ice that $ight ha e dri"ted o ernight into the channel. 4t &o%ld not do at all "or the ,o iet !a y?s ne&est $issile s%#$arine to #e da$aged #y an errant ch%nk o" "roBen &ater. 'he &ater in the "Cord &as choppy, dri en #y the #risk &ind. 4t #egan to lap o er the October?s spherical #o&, rolling #ack do&n the "lat $issile deck &hich lay #e"ore the to&ering #lack sail. 'he &ater &as coated &ith the #ilge oil o" n%$#erless ships, "ilth that &o%ld not e aporate in the lo& te$perat%res and that le"t a #lack ring on the rocky &alls o" the "Cord as tho%gh "ro$ the #ath o" a slo enly giant. An altogether apt si$ile, Ra$i%s tho%ght. 'he ,o iet giant cared little "or the dirt it le"t on the "ace o" the earth, he gr%$#led to hi$sel". 0e had learned his sea$anship as a #oy on inshore "ishing #oats, and kne& &hat it &as to #e in har$ony &ith nat%re.

@4ncrease speed to one2third,@ he said. Aa$aro repeated his captain?s order o er the #ridge telephone. 'he &ater stirred $ore as the October $o ed astern o" the Purga. Captain Lie%tenant Aa$aro &as the ship?s na igator, his last d%ty station ha ing #een har#or pilot "or the large co$#atant essels #ased on #oth sides o" the &ide inlet. 'he t&o o""icers kept a &eather eye on the ar$ed ice#reaker three h%ndred $eters ahead. 'he Purga?s a"ter deck had a hand"%l o" cre&$en sto$ping a#o%t in the cold, one &earing the &hite apron o" a ship?s cook. 'hey &anted to &itness the Red October?s "irst operational cr%ise, and #esides, sailors &ill do al$ost anything to #reak the $onotony o" their d%ties. *rdinarily it &o%ld ha e irritated Ra$i%s to ha e his ship escorted o%tFthe channel here &as &ide and deepF#%t not today. 'he ice &as so$ething to &orry a#o%t. And so, "or Ra$i%s, &as a great deal else. @,o, $y Captain, again &e go to sea to ser e and protect the Rodina!@ Captain ,econd Rank 4 an 9%rie ich +%tin poked his head thro%gh the hatchF&itho%t per$ission, as %s%alFand cla$#ered %p the ladder &ith the a&k&ardness o" a lands$an. 'he tiny control station &as already cro&ded eno%gh &ith the captain, the na igator, and a $%te looko%t. +%tin &as the ship?s zampolit Gpolitical o""icerH. E erything he did &as to ser e the Rodina G>otherlandH, a &ord that had $ystical connotations to a R%ssian and, along &ith :. 4. Lenin, &as the Co$$%nist party?s s%#stit%te "or a godhead. @4ndeed, 4 an,@ Ra$i%s replied &ith $ore good cheer than he "elt. @'&o &eeks at sea. 4t is good to lea e the dock. A sea$an #elongs at sea, not tied alongside, o err%n &ith #%rea%crats and &ork$en &ith dirty #oots. And &e &ill #e &ar$.@ @9o% "ind this coldI@ +%tin asked incred%lo%sly. =or the h%ndredth ti$e Ra$i%s told hi$sel" that +%tin &as the per"ect political o""icer. 0is oice &as al&ays too lo%d, his h%$or too a""ected. 0e ne er allo&ed a person to "orget &hat he &as. 'he per"ect political o""icer, +%tin &as an easy $an to "ear. @4 ha e #een in s%#$arines too long, $y "riend. 4 gro& acc%sto$ed to $oderate te$perat%res and a sta#le deck %nder $y "eet.@ +%tin did not notice the eiled ins%lt. 0e?d #een assigned to s%#$arines a"ter his "irst to%r on destroyers had #een c%t short #y chronic seasicknessFand perhaps #eca%se he did not resent the close con"ine$ent a#oard s%#$arines, so$ething that $any $en cannot tolerate. @Ah, >arko Aleksandro ich, in 8orkiy on a day like this, "lo&ers #loo$J@ @And &hat sort o" "lo&ers $ight those #e, Co$rade +olitical *""icerI@ Ra$i%s s%r eyed the "Cord thro%gh his #inoc%lars. At noon the s%n &as #arely o er the so%theast horiBon, casting orange light and p%rple shado&s along the rocky &alls. @;hy, sno& "lo&ers, o" co%rse,@ +%tin said, la%ghing lo%dly. @*n a day like this the "aces o" the children and the &o$en glo& pink, yo%r #reath trails #ehind yo% like a clo%d, and the odka tastes especially "ine. Ah, to #e in 8orkiy on a day like thisJ@ 'he #astard o%ght to &ork "or 4nto%rist, Ra$i%s told hi$sel", e7cept that 8orkiy is a city closed to "oreigners. 0e had #een there t&ice. 4t had str%ck hi$ as a typical ,o iet city, "%ll o" ra$shackle #%ildings, dirty streets, and ill2clad citiBens. As it &as in $ost R%ssian cities, &inter &as 8orkiy?s #est season. 'he sno& hid all the dirt. Ra$i%s, hal" Lith%anian, had childhood $e$ories o" a #etter place, a coastal illage &hose 0anseatic origin had le"t ro&s o" presenta#le #%ildings. 4t &as %n%s%al "or anyone other than a 8reat R%ssian to #e a#oardF$%ch less co$$andFa ,o iet na al essel. >arko?s "ather, Aleksandr Ra$i%s, had #een a hero o" the +arty, a dedicated, #elie ing Co$$%nist &ho had ser ed ,talin "aith"%lly and &ell. ;hen the ,o iets

"irst occ%pied Lith%ania in 1945, the elder Ra$i%s &as instr%$ental in ro%nding %p political dissidents, shop o&ners, priests, and anyone else &ho $ight ha e #een tro%#leso$e to the ne& regi$e. All &ere shipped o"" to "ates that no& e en >osco& co%ld only g%ess at. ;hen the 8er$ans in aded a year later, Aleksandr "o%ght heroically as a political co$$issar, and &as later to disting%ish hi$sel" in the Battle o" Leningrad. 4n 1944 he ret%rned to his nati e land &ith the spearhead o" the Ele enth 8%ards Ar$y to &reak #loody engeance on those &ho had colla#orated &ith the 8er$ans or #een s%spected o" s%ch. >arko?s "ather had #een a tr%e ,o iet heroFand >arko &as deeply asha$ed to #e his son. 0is $other?s health had #een #roken d%ring the endless siege o" Leningrad. ,he died gi ing #irth to hi$, and he &as raised #y his paternal grand$other in Lith%ania &hile his "ather str%tted thro%gh the +arty Central Co$$ittee in :ilni%s, a&aiting his pro$otion to >osco&. 0e got that, too, and &as a candidate $e$#er o" the +olit#%ro &hen his li"e &as c%t short #y a heart attack. >arko?s sha$e &as not total. 0is "ather?s pro$inence had $ade his c%rrent goal a possi#ility, and >arko planned to &reak his o&n engeance on the ,o iet 6nion, eno%gh, perhaps, to satis"y the tho%sands o" his co%ntry$en &ho had died #e"ore he &as e en #orn. @;here &e are going, 4 an 9%rie ich, it &ill #e colder still.@ +%tin clapped his captain?s sho%lder. ;as his a""ection "eigned or realI >arko &ondered. +ro#a#ly real. Ra$i%s &as an honest $an, and he recogniBed that this short, lo%d oa" did ha e so$e h%$an "eelings. @;hy is it, Co$rade Captain, that yo% al&ays see$ glad to lea e the Rodina and go to seaI@ Ra$i%s s$iled #ehind his #inoc%lars. @A sea$an has one co%ntry, 4 an 9%rie ich, #%t t&o &i es. 9o% ne er %nderstand that. !o& 4 go to $y other &i"e, the cold, heartless one that o&ns $y so%l.@ Ra$i%s pa%sed. 'he s$ile anished. @>y only &i"e, no&.@ +%tin &as D%iet "or once, >arko noted. 'he political o""icer had #een there, had cried real tears as the co""in o" polished pine rolled into the cre$ation cha$#er. =or +%tin the death o" !atalia Bogdano a Ra$i%s had #een a ca%se o" grie", #%t #eyond that the act o" an %ncaring 8od &hose e7istence he reg%larly denied. =or Ra$i%s it had #een a cri$e co$$itted not #y 8od #%t the ,tate. An %nnecessary, $onstro%s cri$e, one that de$anded p%nish$ent. @4ce.@ 'he looko%t pointed. @Loose2pack ice, star#oard side o" the channel, or perhaps so$ething cal ed o"" the east2side glacier. ;e?ll pass &ell clear,@ Aa$aro said. @CaptainJ@ 'he #ridge speaker had a $etallic oice. @>essage "ro$ "leet headD%arters.@ @Read it.@ @?E7ercise area clear. !o ene$y essels in icinity. +roceed as per orders. ,igned, Aoro , =leet Co$$ander.?@ @Ackno&ledged,@ Ra$i%s said. 'he speaker clicked o"". @,o, no Amerikantsi a#o%tI@ @9o% do%#t the "leet co$$anderI@ +%tin inD%ired. @4 hope he is correct,@ Ra$i%s replied, $ore sincerely than his political o""icer &o%ld appreciate. @B%t yo% re$e$#er o%r #rie"ings.@ +%tin shi"ted on his "eet. +erhaps he &as "eeling the cold. @'hose A$erican 3882class s%#$arines, 4 an, the Los Angeleses. Re$e$#er &hat one o" their o""icers told o%r spyI 'hat they co%ld sneak %p on a &hale and #%gger it #e"ore it kne& they &ere thereI 4 &onder ho& the A8B got that #it o" in"or$ation. A #ea%ti"%l ,o iet agent, trained in the &ays o" the decadent ;est, too skinny, the &ay the i$perialists like their &o$en, #lond hair . . .@ 'he captain gr%nted a$%se$ent. @+ro#a#ly the A$erican o""icer &as a #oast"%l #oy, trying to "ind a &ay to do so$ething si$ilar to o%r agent, noI And "eeling his liD%or, like

$ost sailors. ,till. 'he A$erican Los Angeles class, and the ne& British Trafalgars, those &e $%st g%ard against. 'hey are a threat to %s.@ @'he A$ericans are good technicians, Co$rade Captain,@ +%tin said, @#%t they are not giants. 'heir technology is not so a&eso$e. Nasha lutcha,@ he concl%ded. *%rs is #etter. Ra$i%s nodded tho%ght"%lly, thinking to hi$sel" that zampoliti really o%ght to kno& so$ething a#o%t the ships they s%per ised, as $andated #y +arty doctrine. @4 an, didn?t the "ar$ers aro%nd 8orkiy tell yo% it is the &ol" yo% do not see that yo% $%st "earI B%t don?t #e o erly concerned. ;ith this ship &e &ill teach the$ a lesson, 4 think.@ @As 4 told the >ain +olitical Ad$inistration,@ +%tin clapped Ra$i%s? sho%lder again, @ Red October is in the #est o" handsJ@ Ra$i%s and Aa$aro #oth s$iled at that. 9o% son o" a #itchJ the captain tho%ght, saying in "ront o" $y $en that you $%st pass on $y "itness to co$$andJ A $an &ho co%ld not co$$and a r%##er ra"t on a cal$ dayJ A pity yo% &ill not li e to eat those &ords, Co$rade +olitical *""icer, and spend the rest o" yo%r li"e in the g%lag "or that $isC%dg$ent. 4t &o%ld al$ost #e &orth lea ing yo% ali e. A "e& $in%tes later the chop #egan to pick %p, $aking the s%#$arine roll. 'he $o e$ent &as accent%ated #y their height a#o e the deck, and +%tin $ade e7c%ses to go #elo&. ,till a &eak2legged sailor. Ra$i%s shared the o#ser ation silently &ith Aa$aro , &ho s$iled agree$ent. 'heir %nspoken conte$pt "or the zampolit &as a $ost %n2,o iet tho%ght. 'he ne7t ho%r passed D%ickly. 'he &ater gre& ro%gher as they approached the open sea, and their ice#reaker escort #egan to &allo& on the s&ells. Ra$i%s &atched her &ith interest. 0e had ne er #een on an ice#reaker, his entire career ha ing #een in s%#$arines. 'hey &ere $ore co$"orta#le, #%t also $ore dangero%s. 0e &as acc%sto$ed to the danger, tho%gh, and the years o" e7perience &o%ld stand hi$ in good stead no&. @,ea #%oy in sight, Captain.@ Aa$aro pointed. 'he red lighted #%oy &as riding acti ely on the &a es. @Control roo$, &hat is the so%ndingI@ Ra$i%s asked o er the #ridge telephone. @*ne h%ndred $eters #elo& the keel, Co$rade Captain.@ @4ncrease speed to t&o2thirds, co$e le"t ten degrees.@ Ra$i%s looked at Aa$aro . @,ignal o%r co%rse change to Purga, and hope he doesn?t t%rn the &rong &ay.@ Aa$aro reached "or the s$all #linker light sto&ed %nder the #ridge coa$ing. 'he Red October #egan to accelerate slo&ly, her -5,5552ton #%lk resisting the po&er o" her engines. +resently the #o& &a e gre& to a three2$eter standing arc o" &aterE $an2$ade co$#ers rolled do&n the $issile deck, splitting against the "ront o" the sail. 'he Purga altered co%rse to star#oard, allo&ing the s%#$arine to pass &ell clear. Ra$i%s looked a"t at the #l%""s o" the Aola =Cord. 'hey had #een car ed to this shape $illennia #e"ore #y the re$orseless press%re o" to&ering glaciers. 0o& $any ti$es in his t&enty years o" ser ice &ith the Red Banner !orthern =leet had he looked at the &ide, "lat 62 shapeI 'his &o%ld #e the last. *ne &ay or another, he?d ne er go #ack. ;hich &ay &o%ld it t%rn o%tI Ra$i%s ad$itted to hi$sel" that he didn?t $%ch care. +erhaps the stories his grand$other had ta%ght hi$ &ere tr%e, a#o%t 8od and the re&ard "or a good li"e. 0e hoped soF it &o%ld #e good i" !atalia &ere not tr%ly dead. 4n any case, there &as no t%rning #ack. 0e had le"t a letter in the last $ail#ag taken o"" #e"ore sailing. 'here &as no going #ack a"ter that. @Aa$aro , signal to PurgaK ?Li ing atF,?@ he checked his &atch, @?F1-/5 ho%rs. E7ercise *C'*BER =R*,' #egins as sched%led. 9o% are released to other assigned d%ties. ;e &ill ret%rn as sched%led.?@

Aa$aro &orked the trigger on the #linker light to trans$it the $essage. 'he Purga responded at once, and Ra$i%s read the "lashing signal %naidedK @4= '0E ;0ALE, L*!?' EA' 9*6. 8**L L6CA '* R ! O"TO# R!@ Ra$i%s li"ted the phone again, p%shing the #%tton "or the s%#?s radio roo$. 0e had the sa$e $essage trans$itted to "leet headD%arters, ,e ero$orsk. !e7t he addressed the control roo$. @Lepth %nder the keelI@ @*ne h%ndred "orty $eters, Co$rade Captain.@ @+repare to di e.@ 0e t%rned to the looko%t and ordered hi$ #elo&. 'he #oy $o ed to&ards the hatch. 0e &as pro#a#ly glad to ret%rn to the &ar$th #elo&, #%t took the ti$e "or one last look at the clo%dy sky and receding cli""s. 8oing to sea on a s%#$arine &as al&ays e7citing, and al&ays a little sad. @Clear the #ridge. 'ake the conn &hen yo% get #elo&, 8regoriy.@ Aa$aro nodded and dropped do&n the hatch, lea ing the captain alone. Ra$i%s $ade one last care"%l scan o" the horiBon. 'he s%n &as #arely isi#le a"t, the sky leaden, the sea #lack e7cept "or the splash o" &hitecaps. 0e &ondered i" he &ere saying good#ye to the &orld. 4" so, he &o%ld ha e pre"erred a $ore cheer"%l ie& o" it. Be"ore sliding do&n he inspected the hatch seat, p%lling it sh%t &ith a chain and $aking s%re the a%to$atic $echanis$ "%nctioned properly. !e7t he dropped eight $eters do&n the inside o" the sail to the press%re h%ll, then t&o $ore into the control roo$. A michman G&arrant o""icerH sh%t the second hatch and &ith a po&er"%l spin t%rned the locking &heel as "ar as it &o%ld go. @8regoriyI@ Ra$i%s asked. @,traight #oard sh%t,@ the na igator said crisply, pointing to the di ing #oard. All h%ll2 opening indicator lights sho&ed green, sa"e. @All syste$s aligned and checked "or di e. 'he co$pensation is entered. ;e are rigged "or di e.@ 'he captain $ade his o&n is%al inspection o" $echanical, electrical, and hydra%lic indicators. 0e nodded, and the michman o" the &atch %nlocked the ent controls. @Li e,@ Ra$i%s ordered, $o ing to the periscope to relie e :asily Borodin, his starpom Ge7ec%ti e o""icerH. Aa$aro p%lled the di ing alar$, and the h%ll re er#erated &ith the racket o" a lo%d #%BBer. @=lood the $ain #allast tanks. Rig o%t the di ing planes. 'en degrees do&n2angle on the planes,@ Aa$aro ordered, his eyes alert to see that e ery cre&$an did his Co# e7actly. Ra$i%s listened care"%lly #%t did not look. Aa$aro &as the #est yo%ng sea$an he had e er co$$anded, and had long since earned his captain?s tr%st. 'he Red October?s h%ll &as "illed &ith the noise o" r%shing air as ents at the top o" the #allast tanks &ere opened and &ater entering "ro$ the tank "loods at the #otto$ chased the #%oying air o%t. 4t &as a lengthy process, "or the s%#$arine had $any s%ch tanks, each care"%lly s%#di ided #y n%$ero%s cell%lar #a""les. Ra$i%s adC%sted the periscope lens to look do&n and sa& the #lack &ater change #rie"ly to "oa$. 'he Red October &as the largest and "inest co$$and Ra$i%s had e er had, #%t the s%# had one $aCor "la&. ,he had plenty o" engine po&er and a ne& dri e syste$ that he hoped &o%ld #e"%ddle A$erican and ,o iet s%#$arines alike, #%t she &as so #ig that she changed depth like a crippled &hale. ,lo& going %p, e en slo&er going do&n. @,cope %nder.@ Ra$i%s stepped a&ay "ro$ the instr%$ent a"ter &hat see$ed a long &ait. @Lo&n periscope.@ @+assing "orty $eters,@ Aa$aro said. @Le el o"" at one h%ndred $eters.@ Ra$i%s &atched his cre&$en no&. 'he "irst di e co%ld

$ake e7perienced $en sh%dder, and hal" his cre& &ere "ar$#oys straight "ro$ training ca$p. 'he h%ll popped and creaked %nder the press%re o" the s%rro%nding &ater, so$ething that took getting %sed to. A "e& o" the yo%nger $en &ent pale #%t stood rigidly %pright. Aa$aro #egan the proced%re "or le eling o"" at the proper depth. Ra$i%s &atched &ith a pride he $ight ha e "elt "or his o&n son as the lie%tenant ga e the necessary orders &ith precision. 0e &as the "irst o""icer Ra$i%s had recr%ited. 'he control roo$ cre& snapped to his co$$and. =i e $in%tes later the s%#$arine slo&ed her descent at ninety $eters and settled the ne7t ten to a per"ect stop at one h%ndred. @;ell done, Co$rade Lie%tenant. 9o% ha e the conn. ,lo& to one2third speed. 0a e the sonar$en listen on all passi e syste$s.@ Ra$i%s t%rned to lea e the control roo$, $otioning +%tin to "ollo& hi$. And so it #egan. Ra$i%s and +%tin &ent a"t to the s%#$arine?s &ardroo$. 'he captain held the door open "or the political o""icer, then closed and locked it #ehind hi$sel". 'he Red October?s &ardroo$ &as a spacio%s a""air "or a s%#$arine, located i$$ediately "or&ard o" the galley, a"t o" the o""icer acco$$odations. 4ts &alls &ere so%ndproo"ed, and the door had a lock #eca%se her designers had kno&n that not e erything the o""icers had to say &as necessarily "or the ears o" the enlisted $en. 4t &as large eno%gh "or all o" the October?s o""icers to eat as a gro%pFtho%gh at least three o" the$ &o%ld al&ays #e on d%ty. 'he sa"e containing the ship?s orders &as here, not in the captain?s stateroo$ &here a $an $ight %se his solit%de to try opening it #y hi$sel". 4t had t&o dials. Ra$i%s had one co$#ination, +%tin the other. ;hich &as hardly necessary, since +%tin %ndo%#tedly kne& their $ission orders already. ,o did Ra$i%s, #%t not all the partic%lars. +%tin po%red tea as the captain checked his &atch against the chrono$eter $o%nted on the #%lkhead. =i"teen $in%tes %ntil he co%ld open the sa"e. +%tin?s co%rtesy $ade hi$ %neasy. @'&o $ore &eeks o" con"ine$ent,@ the zampolit said, stirring his tea. @'he A$ericans do this "or t&o months, 4 an. *" co%rse, their s%#$arines are "ar $ore co$"orta#le.@ Lespite her h%ge #%lk, the October?s cre& acco$$odations &o%ld ha e sha$ed a g%lag Cailer. 'he cre& consisted o" "i"teen o""icers, ho%sed in "airly decent ca#ins a"t, and a h%ndred enlisted $en &hose #%nks &ere st%""ed into corners and racks thro%gho%t the #o&, "or&ard o" the $issile roo$. 'he October?s siBe &as decepti e. 'he interior o" her do%#le h%ll &as cra$$ed &ith $issiles, torpedoes, a n%clear reactor and its s%pport eD%ip$ent, a h%ge #ack%p diesel po&er plant, and #ank o" nickle2cad$i%$ #atteries o%tside the press%re h%ll, &hich &as ten ti$es the siBe o" its A$erican co%nterparts. R%nning and $aintaining the ship &as a h%ge Co# "or so s$all a cre&, e en tho%gh e7tensi e %se o" a%to$ation $ade her the $ost $odern o" ,o iet na al essels. +erhaps the $en didn?t need proper #%nks. 'hey &o%ld only ha e "o%r or si7 ho%rs a day to $ake %se o" the$. 'his &o%ld &ork to Ra$i%s? ad antage. 0al" o" his cre& &ere dra"tees on their "irst operational cr%ise, and e en the $ore e7perienced $en kne& little eno%gh. 'he strength o" his enlisted cre&, %nlike that o" ;estern cre&s, resided $%ch $ore in his ele en michmanyy G&arrant o""icersH than in his gla$nyy starshini Gsenior petty o""icersH. All o" the$ &ere $en &ho &o%ld doF&ere speci"ically trained to doFe7actly &hat their o""icers told the$. And Ra$i%s had picked the o""icers. @9o% &ant to cr%ise "or t&o $onthsI@ +%tin asked. @4 ha e done it on diesel s%#$arines. A s%#$arine #elongs at sea, 4 an. *%r $ission is to strike "ear into the hearts o" the i$perialists. ;e do not acco$plish this tied %p in o%r #arn at +olyarnyy $ost o" the ti$e, #%t &e cannot stay at sea any longer #eca%se any period o er t&o &eeks and the cre& loses e""iciency. 4n t&o &eeks this collection o" children &ill #e a $o# o"

n%$#ed ro#ots.@ Ra$i%s &as co%nting on that. @ And &e co%ld sol e this #y ha ing capitalist l%7%riesI@ +%tin sneered. @A tr%e >ar7ist is o#Cecti e, Co$rade +olitical *""icer,@ Ra$i%s chided, sa oring this last arg%$ent &ith +%tin. @*#Cecti ely, that &hich aids %s in carrying o%t o%r $ission is good, that &hich hinders %s is #ad. Ad ersity is s%pposed to hone one?s spirit and skill, not d%ll the$. J%st #eing a#oard a s%#$arine is hardship eno%gh, is it notI@ @!ot "or yo%, >arko.@ +%tin grinned o er his tea. @4 a$ a sea$an. *%r cre&$en are not, $ost ne er &ill #e. 'hey are a $o# o" "ar$ers? sons and #oys &ho yearn to #e "actory &orkers. ;e $%st adC%st to the ti$es, 4 an. 'hese yo%ngsters are not the sa$e as &e &ere.@ @'hat is tr%e eno%gh,@ +%tin agreed. @9o% are ne er satis"ied, Co$rade Captain. 4 s%ppose it is $en like yo% &ho "orce progress %pon %s all.@ Both $en kne& e7actly &hy ,o iet $issile s%#$arines spent so little o" their ti$eF#arely "i"teen percent o" itFat sea, and it had nothing to do &ith creat%re co$"orts. 'he Red October carried t&enty2si7 ,,2!2/5 ,eaha&k $issiles, each &ith eight .552kiloton $%ltiple independently targeta#le reentry ehiclesF>4R:sFeno%gh to destroy t&o h%ndred cities. Land2#ased #o$#ers co%ld only "ly a "e& ho%rs at a ti$e, then had to ret%rn to their #ases. Land2#ased $issiles arrayed along the $ain East2;est ,o iet rail net&ork &ere al&ays &here para$ilitary troops o" the A8B co%ld get at the$ lest so$e $issile regi$ent co$$ander s%ddenly ca$e to realiBe the po&er at his "ingertips. B%t $issile s%#$arines &ere #y de"inition #eyond any control "ro$ land. 'heir entire $ission &as to disappear. 8i en that "act, >arko &as s%rprised that his go ern$ent had the$ at all. 'he cre& o" s%ch essels had to #e tr%sted. And so they sailed less o"ten than their ;estern co%nterparts, and &hen they did it &as &ith a political o""icer a#oard to stand ne7t to the co$$anding o""icer, a second captain al&ays ready to pass appro al on e ery action. @Lo yo% think yo% co%ld do it, >arko, cr%ise "or t&o $onths &ith these "ar$#oysI@ @4 pre"er hal"2trained #oys, as yo% kno&. 'hey ha e less to %nlearn. 'hen 4 can train the$ to #e sea$en the right &ay, $y &ay. >y personality c%ltI@ +%tin la%ghed as he lit a cigarette. @'hat o#ser ation has #een $ade in the past, >arko. B%t yo% are o%r #est teacher and yo%r relia#ility is &ell kno&n.@ 'his &as ery tr%e. Ra$i%s had sent h%ndreds o" o""icers and sea$en on to other s%#$arines &hose co$$anders &ere glad to ha e the$. 4t &as another parado7 that a $an co%ld engender tr%st &ithin a society that scarcely recogniBed the concept. *" co%rse, Ra$i%s &as a loyal +arty $e$#er, the son o" a +arty hero &ho had #een carried to his gra e #y three +olit#%ro $e$#ers. +%tin &aggled his "inger. @9o% sho%ld #e co$$anding one o" o%r higher na al schools, Co$rade Captain. 9o%r talents &o%ld #etter ser e the state there.@ @4t is a sea$an 4 a$, 4 an 9%rie ich. *nly a sea$an, not a school$asterFdespite &hat they say a#o%t $e. A &ise $an kno&s his li$itations.@ And a #old one seiBes opport%nities. E ery o""icer a#oard had ser ed &ith Ra$i%s #e"ore, e7cept "or three C%nior lie%tenants, &ho &o%ld o#ey their orders as readily as any &et2nosed matros Gsea$anH, and the doctor, &ho &as %seless. 'he chrono$eter chi$ed "o%r #ells. Ra$i%s stood and dialed in his three2ele$ent co$#ination. +%tin did the sa$e, and the captain "lipped the le er to open the sa"e?s circ%lar door. 4nside &as a $anila en elope pl%s "o%r #ooks o" cipher keys and $issile2targeting coordinates. Ra$i%s re$o ed the en elope, then closed the door, spinning #oth dials #e"ore sitting do&n again.@ @,o, 4 an, &hat do yo% s%ppose o%r orders tell %s to doI@ Ra$i%s asked theatrically.

@*%r d%ty, Co$rade Captain.@ +%tin s$iled. @4ndeed.@ Ra$i%s #roke the &a7 seal on the en elope and e7tracted the "o%r2page operation order. 0e read it D%ickly. 4t &as not co$plicated. @,o, &e are to proceed to grid sD%are .4295 and rendeB o%s &ith o%r attack s%#$arine %& '& 'ono$alo$Fthat?s Captain '%pole ?s ne& co$$and. 9o% kno& :iktor '%pole I !oI :iktor &ill g%ard %s "ro$ i$perialist intr%ders, and &e &ill cond%ct a "o%r2day acD%isition and tracking drill, &ith hi$ h%nting %sFi" he can.@ Ra$i%s ch%ckled. @'he #oys in the attack s%#$arine directorate still ha e not "ig%red ho& to track o%r ne& dri e syste$. ;ell, neither &ill the A$ericans. ;e are to con"ine o%r operations to grid sD%are .4295 and the i$$ediately s%rro%nding sD%ares. 'hat o%ght to $ake :iktor?s task a #it easier.@ @B%t yo% &ill not let hi$ "ind %sI@ @Certainly not,@ Ra$i%s snorted. @LetI :iktor &as once $y p%pil. 9o% gi e nothing to an ene$y, 4 an, e en in a drill. 'he i$perialists certainly &on?tJ 4n trying to "ind %s, he also practices "inding their $issile s%#$arines. 0e &ill ha e a "air chance o" locating %s, 4 think. 'he e7ercise is con"ined to nine sD%ares, "orty tho%sand sD%are kilo$eters. ;e shall see &hat he has learned since he ser ed &ith %sFoh, that?s right, yo% &eren?t &ith $e then. 'hat?s &hen 4 had the (uslo$.@ @Lo 4 see disappoint$entI@ @!o, not really. 'he "o%r2day drill &ith 'ono$alo$ &ill #e interesting di ersion.@ Bastard, he said to hi$sel", yo% kne& #e"orehand e7actly &hat o%r orders &ereFand yo% do kno& :iktor '%pole , liar. 4t &as ti$e. +%tin "inished his cigarette and his tea #e"ore standing. @,o, again 4 a$ per$itted to &atch the $aster captain at &orkF#e"%ddling a poor #oy.@ 0e t%rned to&ards the door. @4 thinkF@ Ra$i%s kicked +%tin?s "eet o%t "ro$ %nder hi$ C%st as he &as stepping a&ay "ro$ the ta#le. +%tin "ell #ack&ards &hile Ra$i%s sprang to his "eet and grasped the political o""icer?s head in his strong "isher$an?s hands. 'he captain dro e his neck do&n&ard to the sharp, $etal2edged corner o" the &ardroo$ ta#le. 4t str%ck the point. 4n the sa$e instant Ra$i%s p%shed do&n on the $an?s chest. An %nnecessary gest%reF&ith the sickening crackle o" #ones 4 an +%tin?s neck #roke, his spine se ered at the le el o" the second cer ical erte#ra, a per"ect hang$an?s "ract%re. 'he political o""icer had no ti$e to react. 'he ner es to his #ody #elo& the neck &ere instantly c%t o"" "ro$ the organs and $%scles they controlled. +%tin tried to sho%t, to say so$ething, #%t his $o%th "lapped open and sh%t &itho%t a so%nd e7cept "or the e7halation o" his last l%ng"%l o" air. 0e tried to g%lp air do&n like a landed "ish, and this did not &ork. 'hen his eyes &ent %p to Ra$i%s, &ide in shockFthere &as no pain, and no e$otion #%t s%rprise. 'he captain laid hi$ gently on the tile deck. Ra$i%s sa& the "ace "lash &ith recognition, then darken. 0e reached do&n to take +%tin?s p%lse. 4t &as nearly t&o $in%tes #e"ore the heart stopped co$pletely. ;hen Ra$i%s &as s%re that his political o""icer &as dead, he took the teapot "ro$ the ta#le and po%red t&o c%ps? &orth on the deck, care"%l to drip so$e on the $an?s shoes. !e7t he li"ted the #ody to the &ardroo$ ta#le and thre& open the door. @Lr. +etro to the &ardroo$ at onceJ@ 'he ship?s $edical o""ice &as only a "e& steps a"t. +etro &as there in seconds, along &ith :asily Borodin, &ho had h%rried a"t "ro$ the control roo$. @0e slipped on the deck &here 4 spilled $y tea,@ Ra$i%s gasped, per"or$ing closed heart $assage on +%tin?s chest. @4 tried to keep hi$ "ro$ "alling, #%t he hit his head on the ta#le. +etro sho ed the captain aside, $o ed the #ody aro%nd, and leapt on the ta#le to kneel

astride it. 0e tore the shirt open, then checked +%tin?s eyes. Both p%pils &ere &ide and "i7ed. 'he doctor "elt aro%nd the $an?s head, his hands &orking do&n&ard to the neck. 'hey stopped there, pro#ing. 'he doctor shook his head slo&ly. @Co$rade +%tin is dead. 0is neck is #roken.@ 'he doctor?s hands ca$e loose, and he closed the zampolit?s eyes. @!oJ@ Ra$i%s sho%ted. @0e &as ali e only a $in%te agoJ@ 'he co$$anding o""icer &as so##ing. @4t?s $y "a%lt. 4 tried to catch hi$, #%t 4 "ailed. >y "a%ltJ@ 0e collapsed into a chair and #%ried his "ace in his hands. @>y "a%lt,@ he cried, shaking his head in rage, str%ggling isi#ly to regain his co$pos%re. An altogether e7cellent per"or$ance. +etro placed his hand on the captain?s sho%lder. @4t &as an accident, Co$rade Captain. 'hese things happen, e en to e7perienced $en. 4t &as not yo%r "a%lt. 'r%ly, Co$rade.@ Ra$i%s s&ore %nder his #reath, regaining control o" hi$sel". @'here is nothing yo% can doI@ +etro shook his head. @E en in the "inest clinic in the ,o iet 6nion nothing co%ld #e done. *nce the spinal cord is se ered, there is no hope. Leath is irt%ally instantaneo%sF#%t also it is D%ite painless,@ the doctor added consolingly. Ra$i%s dre& hi$sel" %p as he took a long #reath, his "ace set. @Co$rade +%tin &as a good ship$ate, a loyal +arty $e$#er, and a "ine o""icer.@ *%t the corner o" his eye he noticed Borodin?s $o%th t&itch. @Co$rades, &e &ill contin%e o%r $issionJ Lr. +etro , yo% &ill carry o%r co$rade?s #ody to the "reeBer. 'his isFgr%eso$e, 4 kno&, #%t he deser es and &ill get an honora#le $ilitary "%neral, &ith his ship$ates in attendance, as it sho%ld #e, &hen &e ret%rn to port.@ @;ill this #e reported to "leet headD%artersI@ +etro asked. @;e cannot. *%r orders are to $aintain strict radio silence.@ Ra$i%s handed the doctor a set o" operations orders "ro$ his pocket. !ot those taken "ro$ the sa"e. @+age three, Co$rade Loctor.@ +etro ?s eyes &ent &ide reading the operational directi e. @4 &o%ld pre"er to report this, #%t o%r orders are e7plicitK *nce &e di e, no trans$issions o" any kind, "or any reason.@ +etro handed the papers #ack. @'oo #ad, o%r co$rade &o%ld ha e looked "or&ard to this. B%t orders are orders.@ @And &e shall carry the$ o%t.@ @+%tin &o%ld ha e it no other &ay,@ +etro agreed. @Borodin, o#ser eK 4 take the co$rade political o""icer?s $issile control key "ro$ his neck, as per reg%lations,@ Ra$i%s said, pocketing the key and chain. @4 note this, and &ill so enter it in the log,@ the e7ec%ti e o""icer said gra ely. +etro #ro%ght in his $edical corps$an. 'ogether they took the #ody a"t to the $edical o""ice, &here it &as Bippered into a #ody #ag. 'he corps$an and a pair o" sailors then took it "or&ard, thro%gh the control roo$, into the $issile co$part$ent. 'he entrance to the "reeBer &as on the lo&er $issile deck, and the $en carried the #ody thro%gh the door. ;hile t&o cooks re$o ed "ood to $ake roo$ "or it, the #ody &as set re erently do&n in the corner. A"t, the doctor and the e7ec%ti e o""icer $ade the necessary in entory o" personal e""ects, one copy "or the ship?s $edical "ile, another "or the ship?s log, and a third "or a #o7 that &as sealed and locked %p in the $edical o""ice. =or&ard, Ra$i%s took the conn in a s%#d%ed control roo$. 0e ordered the s%#$arine to a co%rse o" t&o2nine2Bero degrees, &est2north&est. 8rid sD%are .4295 &as to the east.

THE SECOND DAY SATURDAY, 4 DECEMBER

'he Red *cto#er 4t &as the c%sto$ in the ,o iet !a y "or the co$$anding o""icer to anno%nce his ship?s operational orders and to e7hort the cre& to carry the$ o%t in tr%e ,o iet "ashion. 'he orders &ere then posted "or all to seeFand #e inspired #yFo%tside the ship?s Lenin Roo$. 4n large s%r"ace ships this &as a classroo$ &here political a&areness classes &ere held. 4n Red October it &as a closet2siBed li#rary near the &ardroo$ &here +arty #ooks and other ideological $aterial &ere kept "or the $en to read. Ra$i%s disclosed their orders the day a"ter sailing to gi e his $en the chance to settle into the ship?s ro%tine. At the sa$e ti$e he ga e a pep talk. Ra$i%s al&ays ga e a good one. 0e?d had a lot o" practice. At 5855 ho%rs, &hen the "orenoon &atch &as set, he entered the control roo$ and took so$e "ile cards "ro$ an inside Cacket pocket. @Co$radesJ@ he #egan, talking into the $icrophone, @this is the captain speaking. 9o% all kno& that o%r #elo ed "riend and co$rade, Captain 4 an 9%rie ich +%tin, died yesterday in a tragic accident. *%r orders do not per$it %s to in"or$ "leet headD%arters o" this. Co$rades, &e &ill dedicate o%r e""orts and o%r &ork to the $e$ory o" o%r co$rade, 4 an 9%rie ich +%tin a "ine ship$ate, an honora#le +arty $e$#er, and a co%rageo%s o""icer. @Co$radesJ *""icer and $en o" Red October! ;e ha e orders "ro$ the Red Banner !orthern =leet 0igh Co$$and, and they are orders &orthy o" this ship and this cre&J @Co$radesJ *%r orders are to $ake the %lti$ate test o" o%r ne& silent prop%lsion syste$. ;e are to head )est, past the !orth Cape o" A$erica?s i$perialist p%ppet state, !or&ay, then to t%rn so%th&est to&ards the Atlantic *cean. ;e &ill pass all o" the i$perialist sonar nets, and &e &ill not #e detectedJ 'his &ill #e a tr%e test o" o%r s%#$arine and his capa#ilities. *%r o&n ships &ill engage in a $aCor e7ercise to locate %s and at the sa$e ti$e to #e"%ddle the arrogant i$perialist na ies. *%r $ission, "irst o" all, is to e ade detection #y anyone. ;e &ill teach the A$ericans a lesson a#o%t ,o iet technology that they &ill not soon "orgetJ *%r orders are to contin%e so%th&est, skirting the A$erican coast to challenge and de"eat their ne&est and #est h%nter s%#$arines. ;e &ill proceed all the &ay to o%r socialist #rothers in C%#a, and &e &ill #e the first ship to $ake %se o" a ne& and s%persecret n%clear s%#$arine #ase that &e ha e #een #%ilding "or t&o years right %nder their i$perialist noses on the so%th coast o" C%#a. A "leet replenish$ent essel is already en ro%te to rendeB o%s &ith %s there. @Co$radesJ 4" &e s%cceed in reaching C%#a %ndetected #y the i$perialistsand &e &illJ

the o""icers and $en o" Red October &ill ha e a &eeka )eeko" shore lea e to isit o%r "raternal socialist co$rades on the #ea%ti"%l island o" C%#a. 4 ha e #een there, co$rades, and yo% &ill "ind it to #e e7actly &hat yo% ha e read, a paradise o" &ar$ #reeBes, pal$ trees, and co$radely good "ello&ship.@ By &hich Ra$i%s $eant &o$en. @A"ter this &e &ill ret%rn to the >otherland #y the sa$e ro%te. By this ti$e, o" co%rse, the i$perialists &ill kno& &ho and &hat &e are, "ro$ their slinking spies and co&ardly reconnaissance aircra"t. 4t is intended that they sho%ld kno& this, #eca%se &e &ill again e ade detection on the trip ho$e. 'his &ill let the i$perialists kno& that they $ay not tri"le &ith the $en o" the ,o iet !a y, that &e can approach their coast at the ti$e o" o%r choosing, and that they $%st respect the ,o iet 6nionJ @Co$radesJ ;e &ill $ake the "irst cr%ise o" Red October a $e$ora#le oneJ@ Ra$i%s looked %p "ro$ his prepared speech. 'he $en on &atch in the control roo$ &ere e7changing grins. 4t &as not o"ten that a ,o iet sailor &as allo&ed to isit another co%ntry, and a isit #y a n%clear s%#$arine to a "oreign co%ntry, e en an ally, &as nearly %nprecedented. >oreo er, "or R%ssians the island o" C%#a &as as e7otic as 'ahiti, a pro$ised land o" &hite sand #eaches and d%sky girls. Ra$i%s kne& di""erently. 0e had read articles in Red (tar and other state Co%rnals a#o%t the Coys o" d%ty in C%#a. 0e had also #een there. Ra$i%s changed cards in his hands. 0e had gi en the$ the good ne&s. @Co$radesJ *""icers and $en o" Red October!@ !o& "or the #ad ne&s that e eryone &as &aiting "or. @'his $ission &ill not #e an easy one. 4t de$ands o%r #est e""orts. ;e $%st $aintain a#sol%te radio silence, and o%r operating ro%tines $%st #e perfect! Re&ards only co$e to those &ho tr%ly earn the$. E ery o""icer and e ery $an a#oard, "ro$ yo%r co$$anding o""icer to the ne&est matros, $%st do his socialist d%ty and do it &ellJ 4" &e &ork together as co$rades, as the !e& ,o iet >en &e are, &e shall s%cceed. 9o% yo%ng co$rades ne& to the seaK Listen to yo%r o""icers, to yo%r michmanyy, and to yo%r starshini& Learn yo%r d%ties &ell, and carry the$ o%t e7actly. 'here are no s$all Co#s on this ship, no s$all responsi#ilities. E ery co$rade depends "or his li"e %pon e ery other. Lo yo%r d%ty, "ollo& yo%r orders, and &hen &e ha e co$pleted this oyage, yo% &ill #e tr%e ,o iet sailorsJ 'hat is all.@ Ra$i%s released his th%$# "ro$ the $ike s&itch and set it #ack in the cradle. !ot a #ad speech, he decideda large carrot and a s$all stick. 4n the galley a"t a petty o""icer &as standing still, holding a &ar$ loa" o" #read and looking c%rio%sly at the #%lkhead2$o%nted speaker. 'hat &asn?t &hat their orders &ere s%pposed to #e, &as itI 0ad there #een a change in plansI 'he michman pointed hi$ #ack to his d%ties, grinning and ch%ckling at the prospect o" a &eek in C%#a. 0e had heard a lot o" stories a#o%t C%#a and C%#an &o$en and &as looking "or&ard to seeing i" they &ere tr%e. 4n the control roo$ Ra$i%s $%sed. @4 &onder i" any A$erican s%#$arines are a#o%tI@ @4ndeed, Co$rade Captain,@ nodded Captain ,econd Rank Borodin, &ho had the &atch. @,hall &e engage the caterpillarI@ @+roceed, Co$rade.@ @Engines all stop,@ Borodin ordered. @All stop.@ 'he D%arter$aster, a starshina Gpetty o""icerH, dialed the ann%nciator to the ,'*+ position. An instant later the order &as con"ir$ed #y the inner dial, and a "e& seconds a"ter that the d%ll r%$#le o" the engines died a&ay. Borodin picked %p the phone and p%nched the #%tton "or engineering. @Co$rade Chie" Engineer, prepare to engage the caterpillar.@ 4t &asn?t the o""icial na$e "or the ne& dri e syste$. 4t had no na$e as s%ch, C%st a proCect n%$#er. 'he nickna$e caterpillar had #een gi en it #y a yo%ng engineer &ho had #een

in ol ed in the s%#?s de elop$ent. !either Ra$i%s nor Borodin kne& &hy, #%t as o"ten happens &ith s%ch na$es, it had st%ck. @Ready, Co$rade Borodin,@ the chie" engineer reported #ack in a $o$ent. @*pen doors "ore and a"t,@ Borodin ordered ne7t. 'he michman o" the &atch reached %p the control #oard and thre& "o%r s&itches. 'he stat%s light o er each changed "ro$ red to green. @Loors sho& open, Co$rade.@ @Engage caterpillar. B%ild speed slo&ly to thirteen knots.@ @B%ild slo&ly to one2three knots, Co$rade,@ the engineer ackno&ledged. 'he h%ll, &hich had gone $o$entarily silent, no& had a ne& so%nd. 'he engine noises &ere lo&er and ery di""erent "ro$ &hat they had #een. 'he reactor plant noises, $ainly "ro$ p%$ps that circ%lated the cooling &ater, &ere al$ost i$percepti#le. 'he caterpillar did not %se a great deal o" po&er "or &hat it did. At the michman?s station the speed ga%ge, &hich had dropped to "i e knots, #egan to creep %p&ard again. =or&ard o" the $issile roo$, in a space shoehorned into the cre&?s acco$$odations, the hand"%l o" sleeping $en stirred #rie"ly in their #%nks as they noted an inter$ittent r%$#le a"t and the h%$ o" electric $otors a "e& "eet a&ay, separated "ro$ the$ #y the press%re h%ll. 'hey &ere tired eno%gh e en on their "irst day at sea to ignore the noise, "ighting #ack to their precio%s allot$ent o" sleep. @Caterpillar "%nctioning nor$ally, Co$rade Captain,@ Borodin reported. @E7cellent. ,teer t&o2si72Bero, hel$,@ Ra$i%s ordered. @'&o2si72Bero, Co$rade.@ 'he hel$s$an t%rned his &heel to the le"t. 'he 6,, Bre$erton 'hirty $iles to the northeast, the 6,, #remerton &as on a heading o" t&o2t&o2"i e, C%st e$erging "ro$ %nder the icepack. A 3882class attack s%#$arine, she had #een on an EL4!' electronic intelligence gathering$ission in the Aara ,ea &hen she &as ordered &est to the Aola +enins%la. 'he R%ssian $issile #oat &asn?t s%pposed to ha e sailed "or another &eek, and the #remerton?s skipper &as annoyed at this latest intelligence scre&2%p. 0e &o%ld ha e #een in place to track the Red October i" she had sailed as sched%led. E en so, the A$erican sonar$en had picked %p on the ,o iet s%# a "e& $in%tes earlier, despite the "act that they &ere tra eling at "o%rteen knots. @Conn, sonar.@ Co$$ander ;ilson li"ted the phone. @Conn, aye.@ @Contact lost, sir. 0is scre&s stopped a "e& $in%tes ago and ha e not restarted. 'here?s so$e other acti ity to the east, #%t the $issile s%# has gone dead.@ @:ery &ell. 0e?s pro#a#ly settling do&n to a slo& dri"t. ;e?ll #e creeping %p on hi$. ,tay a&ake, Chie".@ Co$$ander ;ilson tho%ght this o er as he took t&o steps to the chart ta#le. 'he t&o o""icers o" the "ire control tracking party &ho had C%st #een esta#lishing the track "or the contact looked %p to learn their co$$ander?s opinion. @4" it &as $e, 4?d go do&n near the #otto$ and circle slo&ly right a#o%t here.@ ;ilson traced a ro%gh circle on the chart that enclosed the Red October?s position. @,o let?s creep %p on hi$. ;e?ll red%ce speed to "i e knots and see i" &e can $o e in and reacD%ire hi$ "ro$ his reactor plant noise.@ ;ilson t%rned to the o""icer o" the deck. @Red%ce speed to "i e knots.@ @Aye, ,kipper.@

,e ero$orsk, 6,,R 4n the Central +ost *""ice #%ilding in ,e ero$orsk a $ail sorter &atched so%rly as a tr%ck dri er d%$ped a large can as sack on his &ork ta#le and &ent #ack o%t the door. 0e &as late&ell, not really late, the clerk corrected hi$sel", since the idiot had not #een on ti$e once in "i e years. 4t &as a ,at%rday, and he resented #eing at &ork. *nly a "e& years #e"ore, the "orty2ho%r &eek had #een started in the ,o iet 6nion. 6n"ort%nately this change had ne er a""ected s%ch ital p%#lic ser ices as $ail deli ery. ,o, here he &as, still &orking a si72day &eek and &itho%t e7tra payJ A disgrace, he tho%ght, and had said o"ten eno%gh in his apart$ent, playing cards &ith his &ork$ates o er odka and c%c%$#ers. 0e %ntied the dra&string and t%rned the sack o er. ,e eral s$aller #ags t%$#led o%t. 'here &as no sense in h%rrying. 4t &as only the #eginning o" the $onth, and they still had &eeks to $o e their D%ota o" letters and parcels "ro$ one side o" the #%ilding to the other. 4n the ,o iet 6nion e ery &orker is a go ern$ent &orker, and they ha e a sayingK As long as the #osses pretend to pay %s, &e &ill pretend to &ork. *pening a s$all $ail#ag, he p%lled o%t an o""icial2looking en elope addressed to the >ain +olitical Ad$inistration o" the !a y in >osco&. 'he clerk pa%sed, "ingering the en elope. 4t pro#a#ly ca$e "ro$ one o" the s%#$arines #ased at +olyarnyy, on the other side o" the "Cord. ;hat did the letter sayI the sorter &ondered, playing the $ental ga$e that a$%sed $ail$en all o er the &orld. ;as it an anno%nce$ent that all &as ready "or the "inal attack on the i$perialist ;estI A list o" +arty $e$#ers &ho &ere late paying their d%es, or a reD%isition "or $ore toilet paperI 'here &as no telling. ,%#$arinersJ 'hey &ere all pri$a donnase en the "ar$#oy conscripts still picking shit "ro$ #et&een their toes paraded aro%nd like $e$#ers o" the +arty elite. 'he clerk &as si7ty2t&o. 4n the 8reat +atriotic ;ar he had #een a tankrider ser ing in a g%ards tank corps attached to Aone ?s =irst 6krainian =ront. 'hat, he told hi$sel", &as a $an?s Co#, riding into action on the #ack o" the great #attle tanks, leaping o"" to h%nt "or the 8er$an in"antry$en as they co&ered in their holes. ;hen so$ething needed doing against those sl%gs, it &as done! !o& &hat had #eco$e o" ,o iet "ighting $enI Li ing a#oard l%7%ry liners &ith plenty o" good "ood and &ar$ #eds. 'he only &ar$ #ed he had e er kno&n &as o er the e7ha%st ent o" his tank?s dieseland he?d had to "ight "or thatJ 4t &as craBy &hat the &orld had #eco$e. !o& sailors acted like cBarist princes and &rote tons o" letters #ack and "orth and called it &ork. 'hese pa$pered #oys didn?t kno& &hat hardship &as. And their pri ilegesJ E ery &ord they co$$itted to paper &as priority $ail. ;hi$pering letters to their s&eethearts, $ost o" it, and here he &as sorting thro%gh it all on a ,at%rday to see that it got to their &o$en"olke en tho%gh they co%ldn?t possi#ly ha e a reply "or t&o &eeks. 4t C%st &asn?t like the old days. 'he sorter tossed the en elope &ith a negligent "lick o" the &rist to&ards the s%r"ace $ail#ag "or >osco& on the "ar side o" his &ork ta#le. 4t $issed, dropping to the concrete "loor. 'he letter &o%ld #e placed a#oard the train a day late. 'he sorter didn?t care. 'here &as a hockey ga$e that night, the #iggest ga$e o" the yo%ng season, Central Ar$y against ;ings. 0e had a liter o" odka #et on ;ings.

>orro&, England *+alsey,s greatest popular success )as his greatest error& -n establishing himself as a popular hero )ith legendary aggressi$eness, the admiral )ould blind later generations to his impressi$e intellectual abilities and a shre)d gambler,s instinct to* Jack Ryan "ro&ned at his co$p%ter. 4t so%nded too $%ch like a doctoral dissertation, and he had already done one o" those. 0e tho%ght o" d%$ping the &hole passage "ro$ the $e$ory disk #%t decided against it. 0e had to "ollo& this line o" reasoning "or his introd%ction. Bad as it &as, it did ser e as a g%ide "or &hat he &anted to say. ;hy &as it that introd%ctions al&ays see$ed to #e the hardest part o" a history #ookI =or three years no& he had #een &orking on .ighting (ailor, an a%thoriBed #iography o" =leet Ad$iral ;illia$ 0alsey. !early all o" it &as contained on a hal"2doBen "loppy disks lying ne7t to his Apple co$p%ter. @LaddyI@ Ryan?s da%ghter &as staring %p at hi$. @And ho&?s $y little ,ally todayI@ @=ine.@ Ryan picked her %p and set her on his lap, care"%l to slide his chair a&ay "ro$ the key#oard. ,ally &as all checked o%t on ga$es and ed%cational progra$s, and occasionally tho%ght that this $eant she &as a#le to handle ;ordstar also. *nce that had res%lted in the loss o" t&enty tho%sand &ords o" electronically recorded $an%script. And a spanking. ,he leaned her head against her "ather?s sho%lder. @9o% don?t look "ine. ;hat?s #othering $y little girlI@ @;ell, Laddy, y?see, it?s al$ost Chris?$as, an . . . 4?$ not s%re that ,anta kno&s &here &e are. ;e?re not &here &e &ere last year.@ @*h, 4 see. And yo%?re a"raid he doesn?t co$e hereI@ @6h h%h.@ @;hy didn?t yo% ask $e #e"oreI *" co%rse he co$es here. +ro$ise.@ @+ro$iseI@ @+ro$ise.@ @*kay.@ ,he kissed her "ather and ran o%t o" the roo$, #ack to &atching cartoons on the telly, as they called it in England. Ryan &as glad she had interr%pted hi$. 0e didn?t &ant to "orget to pick %p a "e& things &hen he "le& o er to ;ashington. ;here &asoh, yeah. 0e p%lled a disk "ro$ his desk dra&er and inserted it in the spare disk dri e. A"ter clearing the screen, he scrolled %p the Christ$as list, things he still had to get. ;ith a si$ple co$$and a copy o" the list &as $ade on the adCacent printer. Ryan tore the page o"" and t%cked it in his &allet. ;ork didn?t appeal to hi$ this ,at%rday $orning. 0e decided to play &ith his kids. A"ter all, he?d #e st%ck in ;ashington "or $%ch o" the co$ing &eek. 'he :. A. Aono alo 'he ,o iet s%#$arine %& '& 'ono$alo$ crept a#o e the hard sand #otto$ o" the Barents ,ea at three knots. ,he &as at the so%th&est corner o" grid sD%are .4295 and "or the past ten ho%rs had #een dri"ting #ack and "orth on a north2so%th line, &aiting "or the Red October to arri e "or the #eginning o" E7ercise *C'*BER =R*,'. Captain ,econd Rank :iktor Ale7ie ich '%pole paced slo&ly aro%nd the periscope pedestal in the control roo$ o" his s$all, "ast attack s%#. 0e &as &aiting "or his old $entor to sho& %p, hoping to play a "e& tricks on hi$. 0e had ser ed

&ith the ,chool$aster "or t&o years. 'hey had #een good years, and &hile he "o%nd his "or$er co$$ander to #e so$ething o" a cynic, especially a#o%t the party, he &o%ld %nhesitatingly testi"y to Ra$i%s? skill and cra"tiness. And his o&n. '%pole , no& in his third year o" co$$and, had #een one o" the ,chool$aster?s star p%pils. 0is c%rrent essel &as a #rand2ne& Alfa, the "astest s%#$arine e er $ade. A $onth earlier, &hile Ra$i%s had #een "itting o%t the Red October a"ter her initial shakedo&n, '%pole and three o" his o""icers had "lo&n do&n to see the $odel s%# that had #een the test2#ed "or the prototype dri e syste$. 'hirty2t&o $eters long and diesel2electric po&ered, it &as #ased in the Caspian ,ea, "ar "ro$ the eyes o" i$perialist spies, and kept in a co ered dock, hidden "ro$ their photographic satellites. Ra$i%s had had a hand in the de elop$ent o" the caterpillar, and '%pole recogniBed the $ark o" the $aster. 4t &o%ld #e a #astard to detect. !ot D%ite i$possi#le, tho%gh. A"ter a &eek o" "ollo&ing the $odel aro%nd the north end o" the Caspian ,ea in an electrically po&ered la%nch, trailing the #est passi e sonar array his co%ntry had yet $ade, he tho%ght he had "o%nd a "la&. !ot a #ig one, C%st #ig eno%gh to e7ploit. *" co%rse there &as no g%arantee o" s%ccess. 0e &as not only in co$petition &ith a $achine, #%t also &ith the captain co$$anding her. '%pole kne& this area inti$ately. 'he &ater &as al$ost per"ectly isother$alE there &as no ther$al layer "or a s%#$arine to hide %nder. 'hey &ere "ar eno%gh "ro$ the "resh&ater ri ers on the north coast o" R%ssia not to ha e to &orry a#o%t pools and &alls o" aria#le salinity inter"ering &ith their sonar searches. 'he 'ono$alo$ had #een #%ilt &ith the #est sonar syste$s the ,o iet 6nion had yet prod%ced, copied closely "ro$ the =rench L66:2/- and a #it i$pro ed, the "actory technicians said. '%pole planned to $i$ic the A$erican tactic o" dri"ting slo&ly, &ith C%st eno%gh speed to $aintain steerage, per"ectly D%iet and &aiting "or the Red October to cross his path. 0e &o%ld then trail his D%arry closely and log each change in co%rse and speed, so that &hen they co$pared logs in a "e& &eeks the ,chool$aster &o%ld see that his erst&hile st%dent had played his o&n &inning ga$e. 4t &as a#o%t ti$e so$eone did. @Anything ne& on sonarI@ '%pole &as getting tense. +atience ca$e hard to hi$. @!othing ne&, Co$rade Captain.@ 'he starpom tapped the M on the chart that $arked the position o" the Rokosso$skiy, a !elta2class $issile s%# they had #een tracking "or se eral ho%rs in the sa$e e7ercise area. @*%r "riend is still cr%ising in a slo& circle. Lo yo% think that Rokosso$skiy $ight #e trying to con"%se %sI ;o%ld Captain Ra$i%s ha e arranged "or hi$ to #e here, to co$plicate o%r taskI@ 'he tho%ght had occ%rred to '%pole . @+erhaps, #%t pro#a#ly not. 'his e7ercise &as arranged #y Aoro hi$sel". *%r $ission orders &ere sealed, and >arko?s orders sho%ld ha e #een also. B%t then, Ad$iral Aoro is an old "riend o" o%r >arko.@ '%pole pa%sed "or a $o$ent and shook his head. @!o. Aoro is an honora#le $an. 4 think Ra$i%s is proceeding this &ay as slo&ly as he can. 'o $ake %s ner o%s, to $ake %s D%estion o%rsel es. 0e &ill kno& &e are to h%nt hi$ and &ill adC%st his plans accordingly. 0e $ight try to enter the sD%are "ro$ an %ne7pected directionor to $ake %s think that he is. 9o% ha e ne er ser ed %nder Ra$i%s, Co$rade Lie%tenant. 0e is a "o7, that one, an old gray2&hiskered "o7. 4 think &e &ill contin%e to patrol as &e are "or another "o%r ho%rs. 4" &e ha e not yet acD%ired hi$ then, &e &ill cross o er to the so%theast corner o" the sD%are and &ork o%r &ay in to the center. 9es.@ '%pole had ne er e7pected that this &o%ld #e easy. !o attack s%#$arine co$$ander had e er e$#arrassed Ra$i%s. 0e &as deter$ined to #e the "irst, and the di""ic%lty o" the task &o%ld only con"ir$ his o&n pro&ess. 4n one or t&o $ore years, '%pole planned to #e the ne& $aster.

THE THIRD DAY SUNDAY 5, DECEMBER

'he Red *cto#er 'he Red October had no ti$e o" her o&n. =or her the s%n neither rose nor set, and the days o" the &eek had little signi"icance. 6nlike s%r"ace ships, &hich changed their clocks to con"or$ &ith the local ti$e &here er they &ere, s%#$arines generally adhered to a single ti$e re"erence. =or A$erican s%#s this &as N%l%, or 8reen&ich $ean ti$e. =or the Red October it &as >osco& standard ti$e, &hich #y nor$al reckoning &as act%ally one ho%r ahead o" standard ti$e to sa e on %tility e7penses. Ra$i%s entered the control roo$ in $id2$orning. 'heir co%rse &as no& t&o2"i e2Bero, speed thirteen knots, and the s%#$arine &as r%nning thirty $eters a#o e the #otto$ at the &est edge o" the Barents ,ea. 4n a "e& $ore ho%rs the #otto$ &o%ld drop a&ay to an a#yssal plain, allo&ing the$ to go $%ch deeper. Ra$i%s e7a$ined the chart "irst, then the n%$ero%s #anks o" instr%$ents co ering #oth side #%lkheads in the co$part$ent. Last he $ade so$e notations in the order #ook. @Lie%tenant 4 ano J@ he said sharply to the C%nior o""icer o" the &atch. @9es, Co$rade CaptainJ@ 4 ano &as the greenest o""icer a#oard, "resh "ro$ Lenin?s Ao$so$ol ,chool in Leningrad, pale, skinny, and eager. @4 &ill #e calling a $eeting o" the senior o""icers in the &ardroo$. 9o% &ill no& #e the o""icer o" the &atch. 'his is yo%r "irst cr%ise, 4 ano . 0o& do yo% like itI@ @4t is #etter than 4 had hoped, Co$rade Captain,@ 4 ano replied &ith greater con"idence than he co%ld possi#ly ha e "elt. @'hat is good, Co$rade Lie%tenant. 4t is $y practice to gi e C%nior o""icers as $%ch responsi#ility as they can handle. ;hile &e senior o""icers are ha ing o%r &eekly political disc%ssion, you are in co$$and o" this esselJ 'he sa"ety o" this ship and all his cre& is your responsi#ilityJ 9o% ha e #een ta%ght all yo% need to kno&, and $y instr%ctions are in the order #ook. 4" &e detect another s%#$arine or s%r"ace ship yo% &ill in"or$ $e at once and instantly initiate e asion drill. Any D%estionsI@ @!o, Co$rade Captain.@ 4 ano &as standing at rigid attention. @8ood.@ Ra$i%s s$iled. @+a el 4lych, yo% &ill "ore er re$e$#er this as one o" the great $o$ents o" yo%r li"e. 4 kno&, 4 can still re$e$#er $y "irst &atch. Lo not "orget yo%r orders or yo%r responsi#ilitiesJ@

+ride sparkled in the #oy?s eyes. 4t &as too #ad &hat &o%ld happen to hi$, Ra$i%s tho%ght, still the teacher. *n "irst inspection, 4 ano looked to ha e the $akings o" a good o""icer. Ra$i%s &alked #riskly a"t to the ship?s $edical o""ice. @8ood $orning, Loctor.@ @8ood $orning to yo%, Co$rade Captain. 4t is ti$e "or o%r political $eetingI@ +etro had #een reading the $an%al "or the s%#?s ne& M2ray $achine. @9es, it is, Co$rade Loctor, #%t 4 do not &ish yo% to attend. 'here is so$ething else 4 &ant yo% to do. ;hile the senior o""icers are at the $eeting, 4 ha e the three yo%ngsters standing &atch in control and the engineering spaces.@ @*hI@ +etro ?s eyes &ent &ide. 4t &as his "irst ti$e on a s%#$arine in se eral years. Ra$i%s s$iled. @Be at ease, Co$rade. 4 can get "ro$ the &ardroo$ to control in t&enty seconds, as yo% kno&, and Co$rade >elekhin can get to his precio%s reactor C%st as "ast. ,ooner or later o%r yo%ng o""icers $%st learn to "%nction on their o&n. 4 pre"er that they learn sooner. 4 &ant yo% to keep an eye on the$. 4 kno& that they all ha e the kno&ledge to do their d%ties. 4 &ant to kno& i" they ha e the te$pera$ent. 4" Borodin or 4 &atch o er the$, they &ill not act nor$ally. And in any case, this is a $edical C%dg$ent, noI@ @Ah, yo% &ish $e to o#ser e ho& they react to their responsi#ilities.@ @;itho%t the press%re o" #eing o#ser ed #y a senior line o""icer,@ Ra$i%s con"ir$ed. @*ne $%st gi e yo%ng o""icers roo$ to gro&#%t not too $%ch. 4" yo% o#ser e so$ething that yo% D%estion, yo% &ill in"or$ $e at once. 'here sho%ld #e no pro#le$s. ;e are in open sea, there is no tra""ic a#o%t, and the reactor is r%nning at a "raction o" its total po&er. 'he "irst test "or yo%ng o""icers o%ght to #e an easy one. =ind so$e e7c%se "or tra eling #ack and "orth, and keep an eye on the children. Ask D%estions a#o%t &hat they are doing.@ +etro la%ghed at that. @Ah, and also yo% &o%ld ha e $e learn a "e& things, Co$rade CaptainI 'hey told $e a#o%t yo% at ,e ero$orsk. =ine, it &ill #e as yo% say. B%t this &ill #e the "irst political $eeting 4 ha e $issed in years.@ @=ro$ &hat yo%r "ile says, yo% co%ld teach +arty doctrine to the +olit#%ro, 9e geni Aonstantino ich.@ ;hich said little a#o%t his $edical a#ility, Ra$i%s tho%ght. 'he captain $o ed "or&ard to the &ardroo$ to Coin his #rother o""icers, &ho &ere &aiting "or hi$. A ste&ard had le"t se eral pots o" tea along &ith #lack #read and #%tter to snack on. Ra$i%s looked at the corner o" the ta#le. 'he #loodstains had long since #een &iped a&ay, #%t he co%ld re$e$#er e7actly &hat it looked like. 'his, he re"lected, &as one di""erence #et&een hi$sel" and the $an he had $%rdered. Ra$i%s had a conscience. Be"ore taking his seat, he t%rned to lock the door #ehind hi$. 0is o""icers &ere all sitting at attention, since the co$part$ent &as not large eno%gh "or the$ to stand once the #ench seats &ere "olded do&n. ,%nday &as the nor$al day "or the political a&areness session at sea. *rdinarily +%tin &o%ld ha e o""iciated, reading so$e Pra$da editorials, "ollo&ed #y selected D%otations "ro$ the &orks o" Lenin and a disc%ssion o" the lessons to #e learned "ro$ the readings. 4t is ery $%ch like a ch%rch ser ice. ;ith the de$ise o" the zampolit this d%ty de ol ed %pon the co$$anding o""icer, #%t Ra$i%s do%#ted that reg%lations anticipated the sort o" disc%ssion on today?s agenda. Each o""icer in this roo$ &as a $e$#er o" his conspiracy. Ra$i%s o%tlined their plansthere had #een so$e $inor changes &hich he had not $entioned to anyone. 'hen he told the$ a#o%t the letter. @,o, there is no going #ack,@ Borodin o#ser ed. @;e ha e all agreed %pon o%r co%rse o" action. !o& &e are co$$itted to it.@ 'heir reactions to his &ords &ere C%st &hat he e7pected the$ to #eso#er. As &ell they $ight #e. All &ere

singleE no one le"t #ehind a &i"e or children. All &ere +arty $e$#ers in good standing, their d%es paid %p to the end o" the year, their +arty cards right &here they &ere s%pposed to #e, @ne7t to their hearts.@ And each one shared &ith his co$rades a deep2seated dissatis"action &ith, in so$e cases a hatred o", the ,o iet go ern$ent. 'he planning had #eg%n soon a"ter the death o" his !atalia. 'he rage he had al$ost %nkno&ingly s%ppressed thro%gho%t his li"e had #%rst "orth &ith a iolence and passion that he had str%ggled to contain. A li"eti$e o" sel"2control had ena#led hi$ to conceal it, and a li"eti$e o" na al training had ena#led hi$ to choose a p%rpose &orthy o" it. Ra$i%s had not yet #eg%n school &hen he "irst heard tales "ro$ other children a#o%t &hat his "ather Aleksandr had done in Lith%ania in 1945 and a"ter that co%ntry?s d%#io%s li#eration "ro$ the 8er$ans in 1944. 'hese &ere the repeated &hisperings o" their parents. *ne little girl told >arko a story that he reco%nted to Aleksandr, and to the #oy?s %nco$prehending horror her "ather anished. =or his %n&itting $istake >arko &as #randed an in"or$er. ,t%ng #y the na$e he &as gi en "or co$$itting a cri$e&hich the ,tate ta%ght &as not a cri$e at all&hose enor$ity ne er stopped p%lling at his conscience, he ne er in"or$ed again. 4n the "or$ati e years o" his li"e, &hile the elder Ra$i%s r%led the Lith%anian +arty Central Co$$ittee in :ilni%s, the $otherless #oy &as raised #y his paternal grand$other, co$$on practice in a co%ntry sa aged #y "o%r years o" #r%tal &ar. 0er only son le"t ho$e at an early age to Coin Lenin?s Red 8%ards, and &hile he &as a&ay she kept to the old &ays, going to $ass e ery day %ntil 1945 and ne er "orgetting the religio%s ed%cation that had #een passed on to her. Ra$i%s re$e$#ered her as a sil er2haired old &o$an &ho told &onder"%l #edti$e stories. Religio%s stories. 4t &o%ld ha e #een "ar too dangero%s "or her to #ring >arko to the religio%s cere$onies that had ne er #een entirely sta$ped o%t, #%t she did $anage to ha e hi$ #aptiBed a Ro$an Catholic soon a"ter his "ather had deposited hi$ &ith her. ,he ne er told >arko a#o%t this. 'he risk &o%ld ha e #een too great. Ro$an Catholicis$ had #een #r%tally s%ppressed in the Baltic states. 4t &as a religion, and as he gre& older >arko learned that >ar7is$2Leninis$ &as a Cealo%s god, tolerating no co$peting loyalties. 8rand$other 0ilda told hi$ nightti$e stories "ro$ the Bi#le, each &ith a lesson o" right and &rong, irt%e and re&ard. As a child he "o%nd the$ $erely entertaining, #%t he ne er told his "ather a#o%t the$ #eca%se e en then he kne& that Aleksandr &o%ld o#Cect. A"ter the elder Ra$i%s again res%$ed control o" his son?s li"e, this religio%s ed%cation "aded into >arko?s $e$ory, neither "%lly re$e$#ered nor "%lly "orgotten. As a #oy, Ra$i%s sensed $ore than tho%ght that ,o iet Co$$%nis$ ignored a #asic h%$an need. 4n his teens, his $isgi ings #egan to take a coherent shape. 'he 8ood o" the +eople &as a la%da#le eno%gh goal, #%t in denying a $an?s so%l, an end%ring part o" his #eing, >ar7is$ stripped a&ay the "o%ndation o" h%$an dignity and indi id%al al%e. 4t also cast aside the o#Cecti e $eas%re o" C%stice and ethics &hich, he decided, &as the principal legacy o" religion to ci iliBed li"e. =ro$ earliest ad%lthood on, >arko had his o&n idea a#o%t right and &rong, an idea he did not share &ith the ,tate. 4t ga e hi$ a $eans o" ga%ging his actions and those o" others. 4t &as so$ething he &as care"%l to conceal. 4t ser ed as an anchor "or his so%l and, like an anchor, it &as hidden "ar #elo& the isi#le s%r"ace. E en as the #oy &as grappling &ith his "irst do%#ts a#o%t his co%ntry, no one co%ld ha e s%spected it. Like all ,o iet children, Ra$i%s Coined the Little *cto#rists, then the 9o%ng +ioneers. 0e paraded at the reD%isite #attle shrines in polished #oots and #lood2red scar", and gra ely stood &atch o er the re$ains o" so$e %nkno&n soldier &hile clasping to his chest a deacti ated ++,h s%#$achineg%n, his #ack ra$rod straight #e"ore the eternal "la$e. 'he

sole$nity o" s%ch d%ty &as no accident. As a #oy >arko &as certain that the #ra e $en &hose gra es he g%arded so intensely had $et their "ates &ith the sa$e sort o" sel"less herois$ that he sa& portrayed in endless &ar $o ies at the local cine$a. 'hey had "o%ght the hated 8er$ans to protect the &o$en and children and old people #ehind the lines. And like a no#le$an?s son o" an earlier R%ssia, he took special pride in #eing the son o" a +arty chie"tain. 'he +arty, he heard a h%ndred ti$es #e"ore he &as "i e, &as the ,o%l o" the +eopleE the %nity o" +arty, +eople, and !ation &as the holy trinity o" the ,o iet 6nion, al#eit &ith one seg$ent $ore i$portant than the others. 0is "ather "it easily into the cine$atic i$age o" a +arty apparatchik. ,tern #%t "air, to >arko he &as a "reD%ently a#sent, gr%""ly kind $an &ho #ro%ght his son &hat presents he co%ld and sa& to it that he had all the ad antages the son o" a +arty secretary &as entitled to. Altho%gh o%t&ardly he &as the $odel ,o iet child, in&ardly he &ondered &hy &hat he learned "ro$ his "ather and in school con"licted &ith the other lessons o" his yo%th. ;hy did so$e parents re"%se to let their children play &ith hi$I ;hy &hen he passed the$ did his class$ates &hisper *stukach,* the cr%el and #itter epithet o" in"or$erI 0is "ather and the +arty ta%ght that in"or$ing &as an act o" patriotis$, #%t "or ha ing done it once he &as sh%nned. 0e resented the ta%nts o" his #oyhood peers, #%t he ne er once co$plained to his "ather, kno&ing that this &o%ld #e an e il thing to do. ,o$ething &as ery &rong#%t &hatI 0e decided that he had to "ind the ans&ers "or hi$sel". By choice >arko #eca$e indi id%al in his thinking, and so %nkno&ingly co$$itted the gra est sin in the Co$$%nist pantheon. *%t&ardly the $odel o" a +arty $e$#er?s son, he played the ga$e care"%lly and according to all the r%les. 0e did his d%ty "or all +arty organiBations, and &as al&ays the "irst to ol%nteer "or the $enial tasks allotted to children aspiring to +arty $e$#ership, &hich he kne& &as the only path to s%ccess or e en co$"ort in the ,o iet 6nion. 0e #eca$e good at sports. !ot tea$ sports he &orked at track and "ield e ents in &hich he co%ld co$pete as an indi id%al and $eas%re the per"or$ance o" others. * er the years he learned to do the sa$e in all o" his endea ors, to &atch and C%dge the actions o" his "ello& citiBens and o""icers &ith cool detach$ent, #ehind a #lank "ace that concealed his concl%sions. 4n the s%$$er o" his eighth year the co%rse o" his li"e &as "ore er changed. ;hen no one &o%ld play &ith @the little stukach,@ he &o%ld &ander do&n to the "ishing docks o" the s$all illage &here his grand$other had $ade her ho$e. A ragtag collection o" old &ooden #oats sailed each $orning, al&ays #ehind a screen o" patrol #oats $anned #y >8BFas the A8B &as then kno&nF#order g%ards, to reap a $odest har est "ro$ the 8%l" o" =inland. 'heir catch s%pple$ented the local diet &ith needed protein and pro ided a $in%sc%le inco$e "or the "isher$en. *ne #oat captain &as old ,asha. An o""icer in the cBar?s na y, he had re olted &ith the cre& o" the cr%iser A$rora, helping to spark the chain o" e ents that changed the "ace o" the &orld. >arko did not learn %ntil $any years later that the cre&$en o" the A$rora had #roken &ith LeninFand #een sa agely p%t do&n #y Red 8%ards. ,asha had spent t&enty years in la#or ca$ps "or his part in that collecti e indiscretion and only #een released at the #eginning o" the 8reat +atriotic ;ar. 'he Rodina had "o%nd hersel" in need o" e7perienced sea$en to pilot ships into the ports o" >%r$ansk and Archangel, to &hich the Allies &ere #ringing &eapons, "ood, and the s%ndries that allo& a $odern ar$y to "%nction. ,asha had learned his lesson in the g%lagK he did his d%ty e""iciently and &ell, asking "or nothing in ret%rn. A"ter the &ar he?d #een gi en a kind o" "reedo$ "or his ser ices, the right to per"or$ #ack2#reaking &ork %nder perpet%al s%spicion. By the ti$e >arko $et hi$, ,asha &as o er si7ty, a nearly #ald $an &ith ropy old $%scles, a

sea$an?s eye, and a talent "or stories that le"t the yo%ngster &ide2eyed. 0e?d #een a $idship$an %nder the "a$o%s Ad$iral >arako at +ort Arth%r in 1953. +ro#a#ly the "inest sea$an in R%ssian history, >arako ?s rep%tation as a patriot and an inno ati e "ighting sailor &as s%""iciently %n#le$ished that a Co$$%nist go ern$ent &o%ld e ent%ally see "it to na$e a $issile cr%iser in his $e$ory. At "irst &ary o" the #oy?s rep%tation, ,asha sa& so$ething in hi$ that others $issed. 'he #oy &itho%t "riends and the sailor &itho%t a "a$ily #eca$e co$rades. ,asha spent ho%rs telling and retelling the tale o" ho& he had #een on the ad$iral?s "lagship, the Petropa$lo$sk, and participated in the one R%ssian ictory o er the hated JapaneseFonly to ha e his #attleship s%nk and his ad$iral killed #y a $ine &hile ret%rning to port. A"ter this ,asha had led his sea$en as na al in"antry, &inning three decorations "or co%rage %nder "ire. 'his e7perienceFhe &aggled his "inger serio%sly at the #oyFta%ght hi$ o" the $indless corr%ption o" the cBarist regi$e and con inced hi$ to Coin one o" the "irst na al so iets &hen s%ch action $eant certain death at the hands o" the cBar?s secret police, the okhrana& 0e told his o&n ersion o" the *cto#er Re ol%tion "ro$ the thrilling perspecti e o" an eye&itness. B%t ,asha &as ery care"%l to lea e the later parts o%t. 0e allo&ed >arko to sail &ith hi$ and ta%ght hi$ the "%nda$entals o" sea$anship that decided a #oy not yet nine that his destiny lay on the sea. 'here &as a "reedo$ at sea he co%ld ne er ha e on land. 'here &as a ro$ance a#o%t it that to%ched the $an gro&ing &ithin the #oy. 'here &ere also dangers, #%t in a s%$$er2long series o" si$ple, e""ecti e lessons, ,asha ta%ght the #oy that preparation, kno&ledge, and discipline can deal &ith any "or$ o" dangerE that danger con"ronted properly is not so$ething a $an $%st "ear. 4n later years >arko &o%ld re"lect o"ten on the al%e this s%$$er had held "or hi$, and &onder C%st ho& "ar ,asha?s career $ight ha e led i" other e ents had not c%t it short. >arko told his "ather a#o%t ,asha to&ards the end o" that long Baltic s%$$er and e en took hi$ to $eet the old seadog. 'he elder Ra$i%s &as s%""iciently i$pressed &ith hi$ and &hat he had done "or his son that he arranged "or ,asha to ha e co$$and o" a ne&er, larger #oat and $o ed hi$ %p on the list "or a ne& apart$ent. >arko al$ost #elie ed that the +arty co%ld do a good deedFthat he hi$sel" had done his "irst $anly good deed. B%t old ,asha died the "ollo&ing &inter, and the good deed ca$e to nothing. >any years later >arko realiBed that he hadn?t kno&n his "riend?s last na$e. E en a"ter years o" "aith"%l ser ice to the Rodina, ,asha had #een an %nperson. At thirteen >arko tra eled to Leningrad to attend the !akhi$o ,chool. 'here he decided that he, too, &o%ld #eco$e a pro"essional na al o""icer. >arko &o%ld "ollo& the D%est "or ad ent%re that had "or cent%ries called yo%ng $en to the sea. 'he !akhi$o ,chool &as a special three2year prep school "or yo%ngsters aspiring to a career at sea. 'he ,o iet !a y at that ti$e &as little $ore than a coastal de"ense "orce, #%t >arko &anted ery $%ch to #e a part o" it. 0is "ather %rged hi$ to a li"e o" +arty &ork, pro$ising rapid pro$otion, a li"e o" co$"ort and pri ilege. B%t >arko &anted to earn &hate er he recei ed on his o&n $erits, not to #e re$e$#ered as an appendage o" the @li#erator@ o" Lith%ania. And a li"e at sea o""ered ro$ance and e7cite$ent that e en $ade ser ing the ,tate so$ething he co%ld tolerate. 'he na y had little tradition to #%ild on. >arko sensed that in it there &as roo$ to gro&, and sa& that $any aspiring na al cadets &ere like hi$sel", i" not $a ericks then as close to $a ericks as &as possi#le in a society so closely controlled as his o&n. 'he teenager thri ed &ith his "irst e7perience o" "ello&ship. !earing grad%ation, his class &as e7posed to the ario%s co$ponents o" the R%ssian "leet. Ra$i%s at once "ell in lo e &ith s%#$arines. 'he #oats at that ti$e &ere s$all, dirty, and

s$elled "ro$ the open #ilges that the cre&s %sed as a con enient latrine. At the sa$e ti$e s%#$arines &ere the only o""ensi e ar$ that the na y had, and "ro$ the "irst >arko &anted to #e on the c%tting edge. 0e?d had eno%gh lect%res on na al history to kno& that s%#$arines had t&ice nearly strangled England?s $ariti$e e$pire and had s%ccess"%lly e$asc%lated the econo$y o" Japan. 'his had greatly pleased hi$E he &as glad the A$ericans had cr%shed the Japanese na y that had so nearly killed his $entor. 0e grad%ated "ro$ the !akhi$o ,chool "irst in his class, &inner o" the gold2plated se7tant "or his $astery o" theoretical na igation. As leader o" his class, >arko &as allo&ed the school o" his choice. 0e selected the 0igher !a al ,chool "or 6nder&ater !a igation, na$ed "or Lenin?s Ao$so$ol, ::>6++, still the principal s%#$arine school o" the ,o iet 6nion. 0is "i e years at ::>6++ &ere the $ost de$anding o" his li"e, the $ore so since he &as deter$ined not to s%cceed #%t to e7cel. 0e &as "irst in his class in e ery s%#Cect, in e ery year. 0is essay on the political signi"icance o" ,o iet na al po&er &as "or&arded to ,ergey 8eorgiye ich 8orshko , then co$$ander in chie" o" the Baltic =leet and clearly the co$ing $an in the ,o iet !a y. 8orshko had seen the essay p%#lished in /orskoi (bornik G!a al CollectionsH, the leading ,o iet na al Co%rnal. 4t &as a $odel o" progressi e +arty tho%ght, D%oting Lenin si7 di""erent ti$es. By this ti$e >arko?s "ather &as a candidate $e$#er o" the +residi%$, as the +olit#%ro &as then called, and ery pro%d o" his son. 'he elder Ra$i%s &as no one?s "ool. 0e "inally recogniBed that the Red =leet &as a gro&ing "lo&er and that his son &o%ld so$eday ha e a position o" i$portance in it. 0is in"l%ence $o ed his son?s career rapidly along. By thirty, >arko had his "irst co$$and and a ne& &i"e. !atalia Bogdano a &as the da%ghter o" another +residi%$ $e$#er &hose diplo$atic d%ties had taken hi$ and his "a$ily all o er the &orld. !atalia had ne er #een a healthy girl. 'hey had no children, their three atte$pts each ending in $iscarriage, the last o" &hich had nearly killed her. ,he &as a pretty, delicate &o$an, sophisticated #y R%ssian standards, &ho polished her h%s#and?s passa#le English &ith A$erican and British #ooksFpolitically appro ed ones to #e s%re, $ainly the tho%ghts o" ;estern le"tists, #%t also a s$attering o" gen%ine literat%re, incl%ding 0e$ing&ay, '&ain, and 6pton ,inclair. Along &ith his na al career, !atalia had #een the center o" his li"e. 'heir $arriage, p%nct%ated #y prolonged a#sences and Coyo%s ret%rns, $ade their lo e e en $ore precio%s than it $ight ha e #een. ;hen constr%ction #egan on the "irst class o" ,o iet n%clear2po&ered s%#$arines, >arko "o%nd hi$sel" in the yards learning ho& the steel sharks &ere designed and #%ilt. 0e &as soon kno&n as a ery hard $an to please as a C%nior D%ality control inspector. 0is o&n li"e, he &as a&are, &o%ld ride on the &ork$anship o" these o"ten dr%nk &elders and "itters. 0e #eca$e an e7pert in n%clear engineering, spent t&o years as a starpom, and then recei ed his "irst n%clear co$$and. ,he &as a No$ember2class attack s%#$arine, the "irst cr%de atte$pt #y the ,o iets to $ake a #attle &orthy long2range attack #oat to threaten ;estern na ies and lines o" co$$%nication. !ot a $onth later a sister ship s%""ered a $aCor reactor cas%alty o"" the !or&egian coast, and >arko &as "irst to arri e on the scene. As ordered, he s%ccess"%lly resc%ed the cre&, then sank the disa#led s%# lest ;estern na ies learn her secrets. Both tasks he per"or$ed e7pertly and &ell, a note&orthy to%r de "orce "or a yo%ng co$$ander. 8ood per"or$ance &as so$ething he had al&ays "elt it &as i$portant to re&ard in his s%#ordinates, and the "leet co$$ander at that ti$e "elt the sa$e &ay. >arko soon $o ed on to a ne& "harlie -2class s%#. 4t &as $en like Ra$i%s &ho &ent o%t to challenge the A$ericans and the British. >arko

took "e& ill%sions &ith hi$. 'he A$ericans, he kne&, had long e7perience in na al &ar"areF their o&n greatest "ighter, Jones, had once ser ed the R%ssian na y "or the CBaritBa Catherine. 'heir s%#$ariners &ere legendary "or their cra"tiness, and Ra$i%s "o%nd hi$sel" pitted against the last o" the &ar2trained A$ericans, $en &ho had end%red the s&eaty "ear o" %nder&ater co$#at and %tterly de"eated a $odern na y. 'he deadly serio%s ga$e o" hide2and2seek he played &ith the$ &as not an easy one, the less so #eca%se they had s%#$arines years ahead o" ,o iet design. B%t it &as not a ti$e &itho%t a "e& ictories. Ra$i%s grad%ally learned to play the ga$e #y A$erican r%les, training his o""icers and $en &ith care. 0is cre&s &ere rarely as prepared as he &ishedFstill the ,o iet !a y?s greatest pro#le$F#%t &here other co$$anders c%rsed their $en "or their "ailings, >arko corrected the "ailings o" his $en. 0is "irst "harlie2class s%#$arine &as called the :ilni%s Acade$y. 'his &as partially a sl%r against his hal"2Lith%anian #loodFtho%gh since he had #een #orn in Leningrad o" a 8reat R%ssian, his internal passport designated hi$ as thatF#%t $ainly recognition that o""icers ca$e to hi$ hal"2trained and le"t hi$ ready "or ad ance$ent and e ent%al co$$and. 'he sa$e &as tr%e o" his conscripted cre&$en. Ra$i%s did not per$it the haBing and lo&2le el terroris$ nor$al thro%gho%t the ,o iet $ilitary. 0e sa& his task as the #%ilding o" sea$en, and he prod%ced a greater percentage o" reenlist$ents than any other s%#$arine co$$ander. A "%ll ninth o" the michmanyy in the !orthern =leet s%#$arine "orce &ere Ra$i%s2trained pro"essionals. 0is #rother s%#$arine co$$anders &ere delighted to take a#oard his starshini, and $ore than one ad anced to o""icer?s school. A"ter eighteen $onths o" hard &ork and diligent training, >arko and his :ilni%s Acade$y &ere ready to play their ga$e o" "o7 and ho%nds. 0e happened %pon the 6,, Triton in the !or&egian ,ea and ho%nded her $ercilessly "or t&el e ho%rs. Later he &o%ld note &ith no s$all satis"action that the Triton &as soon therea"ter retired, #eca%se, it &as said, the o ersiBed essel had pro en %na#le to deal &ith the ne&er ,o iet designs. 'he diesel2po&ered s%#$arines o" the British and the !or&egians that he occasionally happened across &hile snorkling he dogged r%thlessly, o"ten s%#Cecting the$ to icio%s sonar lashing. *nce he e en acD%ired an A$erican $issile s%#$arine, $anaging to $aintain contact &ith her "or nearly t&o ho%rs #e"ore she anished like a ghost into the #lack &aters. 'he rapid gro&th o" the ,o iet !a y and the need "or D%ali"ied o""icers d%ring his early career pre ented Ra$i%s "ro$ attending the =r%nBe Acade$y. 'his &as nor$ally a sine 0ua non o" career ad ance$ent in all o" the ,o iet ar$ed ser ices. =r%nBe, in >osco& near the old !o ode ichiy >onastery, &as na$ed "or a hero o" the Re ol%tion. 4t &as the pre$iere school "or those &ho aspired to high co$$and, and tho%gh Ra$i%s had not attended it as a st%dent, his pro&ess as an operational co$$ander &on hi$ an appoint$ent as an instr%ctor. 4t &as so$ething earned solely on $erit, "or &hich his highly placed "ather &as not responsi#le. 'hat &as i$portant to Ra$i%s. 'he head o" the na al section at =r%nBe liked to introd%ce >arko as @o%r test pilot o" s%#$arines.@ 0is classes #eca$e a pri$e attraction not only "or the na al o""icers in the acade$y #%t also "or the $any others &ho ca$e to hear his lect%res on na al history and $ariti$e strategy. *n &eekends spent at his "ather?s o""icial dacha in the illage o" Nh%ko a21, he &rote $an%als "or s%#$arine operations and the training o" cre&s, and speci"ications "or the ideal attack s%#$arine. ,o$e o" his ideas had #een contro ersial eno%gh to %pset his erst&hile sponsor, 8orshko , #y this ti$e co$$ander in chie" o" the entire ,o iet !a yF#%t the old ad$iral &as not entirely displeased. Ra$i%s proposed that o""icers in the s%#$arine ser ice sho%ld &ork in a single class o" shipF

#etter yet, the sa$e shipF"or years, the #etter to learn their pro"ession and the capa#ilities o" their essels. ,killed captains, he s%ggested, sho%ld not #e "orced to lea e their co$$ands "or desk2#o%nd pro$otions. 0ere he la%ded the Red Ar$y?s practice o" lea ing a "ield co$$ander in his post so long as the $an &anted it, and deli#erately contrasted his ie& on this $atter &ith the practice o" i$perialist na ies. 0e stressed the need "or e7tended training in the "leet, "or longer2ser ice enlisted $en, and "or #etter li ing conditions on s%#$arines. =or so$e o" his ideas he "o%nd a sy$pathetic ear in the high co$$and. =or others he did not, and th%s Ra$i%s "o%nd hi$sel" destined ne er to ha e his o&n ad$iral?s "lag. By this ti$e he did not care. 0e lo ed his s%#$arines too $%ch e er to lea e the$ "or a sD%adron or e en a "leet co$$and. A"ter "inishing at =r%nBe, he did indeed #eco$e a test pilot o" s%#$arines. >arko Ra$i%s, no& a captain "irst rank, &o%ld take o%t the "irst ship o" e ery s%#$arine class to @&rite the #ook@ on its strengths and &eaknesses, to de elop operational ro%tines and training g%idelines. 'he "irst o" the Alfas &as his, the "irst o" the !eltas and Typhoons& Aside "ro$ one e7traordinary $ishap on an Alfa, his career had #een one %ninterr%pted story o" achie e$ent. Along the &ay he #eca$e the $entor o" $any yo%ng o""icers. 0e o"ten &ondered &hat ,asha &o%ld ha e tho%ght as he ta%ght the de$anding art o" s%#$arine operations to scores o" eager yo%ng $en. >any o" the$ had already #eco$e co$$anding o""icers the$sel esE $ore had "ailed. Ra$i%s &as a co$$ander &ho took good care o" those &ho pleased hi$Fand took good care o" those &ho did not. Another reason &hy he had ne er $ade ad$iral &as his %n&illingness to pro$ote o""icers &hose "athers &ere as po&er"%l as his o&n #%t &hose a#ilities &ere %nsatis"actory. 0e ne er played "a orites &here d%ty &as concerned, and the sons o" a hal"2doBen high +arty o""icials recei ed %nsatis"actory "itness reports despite their acti e per"or$ance in &eekly party disc%ssions. >ost had #eco$e zampoliti& 4t &as this sort o" integrity that earned hi$ tr%st in "leet co$$and. ;hen a really to%gh Co# &as at hand, Ra$i%s? na$e &as %s%ally the "irst to #e considered "or it. Also along the &ay he had gathered to hi$sel" a n%$#er o" yo%ng o""icers &ho$ he and !atalia irt%ally adopted. 'hey &ere s%rrogates "or the "a$ily >arko and his &i"e ne er had. Ra$i%s "o%nd hi$sel" shepherding $en $%ch like hi$sel", &ith long2s%ppressed do%#ts a#o%t their co%ntry?s leadership. 0e &as an easy $an to talk to, once a $an had pro en hi$sel". 'o those &ith political do%#ts, those &ith C%st grie ances, he ga e the sa$e ad iceK @Join the +arty.@ !early all &ere already Ao$so$ol $e$#ers, o" co%rse, and >arko %rged the$ to take the ne7t step. 'his &as the price o" a career at sea, and g%ided #y their o&n cra ing "or ad ent%re $ost o""icers paid that price. Ra$i%s hi$sel" had #een allo&ed to Coin the party at eighteen, the earliest possi#le age, #eca%se o" his "ather?s in"l%ence. 0is occasional talks at &eekly +arty $eetings &ere per"ect recitations o" the +arty line. 4t &asn?t hard, he?d tell his o""icers patiently. All yo% had to do &as repeat &hat the +arty saidFC%st change the &ords aro%nd slightly. 'his &as $%ch easier than na igationFone had only to look at the political o""icer to see thatJ Ra$i%s #eca$e kno&n as a captain &hose o""icers &ere #oth pro"icient and $odels o" political con"or$ity. 0e &as one o" the #est +arty recr%iters in the na y. 'hen his &i"e died. Ra$i%s &as in port at the ti$e, not %n%s%al "or a $issile s%# co$$ander. 0e had his o&n dacha in the &oods &est o" +olyarnyy, his o&n Nhig%li a%to$o#ile, the o""icial car and dri er those &hich his co$$and station enCoyed, and n%$ero%s other creat%re co$"orts that ca$e &ith his rank and his parentage. 0e &as a $e$#er o" the +arty elite, so &hen !atalie had co$plained o" a#do$inal pain, going to the =o%rth Lepart$ent clinic &hich ser ed only the pri ileged had #een a nat%ral $istakeFthere &as a saying in the ,o iet 6nionK =loors parD%et, docs okay. 0e?d last seen his &i"e ali e lying on a g%rney, s$iling as she &as &heeled to&ards

the operating roo$. 'he s%rgeon on call had arri ed at the hospital late, and dr%nk, and allo&ed hi$sel" too $%ch ti$e #reathing p%re o7ygen to so#er %p #e"ore starting the si$ple proced%re o" re$o ing an in"la$ed appendi7. 'he s&ollen organ #%rst C%st as he &as retracting tiss%e to get at it. A case o" peritonitis i$$ediately "ollo&ed, co$plicated #y the per"orated #o&el the s%rgeon ca%sed #y his cl%$sy haste to repair the da$age. !atalia &as placed on anti#iotic therapy, #%t there &as a shortage o" $edicine. 'he "oreignF %s%ally =renchFphar$ace%ticals %sed in =o%rth Lepart$ent clinics had r%n o%t. ,o iet anti#iotics, @plan@ $edications, &ere s%#stit%ted. 4t &as a co$$on practice in ,o iet ind%stry "or &orkers to earn #on%ses #y $an%"act%ring goods o er the %s%al D%ota, goods that #ypassed &hat D%ality control e7isted in ,o iet ind%stry. 'his partic%lar #atch o" $edication had ne er #een inspected or tested. And the $ials had probably been filled )ith distilled )ater instead of antibiotics, >arko learned the ne7t day. !atalia had lapsed into deep shock and co$a, dying #e"ore the series o" errors co%ld #e corrected. 'he "%neral &as appropriately sole$n, Ra$i%s re$e$#ered #itterly. Brother o""icers "ro$ his o&n co$$and and o er a h%ndred other na y $en &ho$ he had #e"riended o er the years &ere there, along &ith $e$#ers o" !atalia?s "a$ily and representati es o" the Local +arty Central Co$$ittee. >arko had #een at sea &hen his "ather died, and #eca%se he had kno&n the e7tent o" Aleksandr?s cri$es, the loss had had little e""ect. 0is &i"e?s death, ho&e er, &as nothing less than a personal catastrophe. ,oon a"ter they had $arried !atalia had Coked that e ery sailor needs so$eone to ret%rn to, that e ery &o$an needs so$eone to &ait "or. 4t had #een as si$ple as thatFand in"initely $ore co$ple7, the $arriage o" t&o intelligent people &ho had o er "i"teen years learned each other?s "oi#les and strengths and gro&n e er closer. >arko Ra$i%s &atched the co""in roll into the cre$ation cha$#er to the so$#er strain o" a classical reD%ie$, &ishing that he co%ld pray "or !atalia?s so%l, hoping that 8rand$other 0ilda had #een right, that there &as so$ething #eyond the steel door and $ass o" "la$e. *nly then did the "%ll &eight o" the e ent strike hi$K the (tate had robbed him of more than his )ife& it had robbed him of a means to assuage his grief )ith prayer, it had robbed him of the hope1if only an illusion1of e$er seeing her again& !atalia, gentle and kind, had #een his only happiness since that Baltic s%$$er long ago. !o& that happiness &as gone "ore er. As the &eeks and $onths &ore on he &as tor$ented #y her $e$oryE a certain hairstyle, a certain &alk, a certain la%gh enco%ntered on the streets or in the shops o" >%r$ansk &as all it took to thr%st !atalia #ack to the "ore"ront o" his conscio%sness, and &hen he &as thinking o" his loss, he &as not a pro"essional na al o""icer. 'he li"e o" !atalia Bogdano a Ra$i%s had #een lost at the hands o" a s%rgeon &ho had #een drinking &hile on callFa co%rt2$artial o""ense in the ,o iet !a yF#%t >arko co%ld not ha e the doctor p%nished. 'he s%rgeon &as hi$sel" the son o" a +arty chie"tain, his stat%s sec%red #y his o&n sponsors. 0er li"e $ight ha e #een sa ed #y proper $edication, #%t there had not #een eno%gh "oreign dr%gs, and ,o iet phar$ace%ticals &ere %ntr%st&orthy. 'he doctor co%ld not #e $ade to pay, the phar$ace%tical &orkers co%ld not #e $ade to payFthe tho%ght echoed #ack and "orth across his $ind, "eeding his "%ry %ntil he decided that the ,tate &o%ld #e $ade to pay. 'he idea had taken &eeks to "or$ and &as the prod%ct o" a career o" training and contingency planning. ;hen the constr%ction o" the Red October &as restarted a"ter a t&o2year hiat%s, Ra$i%s kne& that he &o%ld co$$and her. 0e had helped &ith the designing o" her re ol%tionary dri e syste$ and had inspected the $odel, &hich had #een r%nning on the Caspian ,ea "or so$e years in a#sol%te secrecy. 0e asked "or relie" "ro$ his co$$and so that he co%ld

concentrate on the constr%ction and o%t"itting o" the October and select and train his o""icers #e"orehand, the earlier to get the $issile s%# into "%ll operation. 'he reD%est &as granted #y the co$$ander o" the Red Banner !orthern =leet, a senti$ental $an &ho had also &ept at !atalia?s "%neral. Ra$i%s had already kno&n &ho his o""icers &o%ld #e. All grad%ates o" the :ilni%s Acade$y, $any the @sons@ o" >arko and !atalia, they &ere $en &ho o&ed their place and their rank to Ra$i%sE $en &ho c%rsed the ina#ility o" their co%ntry to #%ild s%#$arines &orthy o" their skillsE $en &ho had Coined the +arty as told and then #eco$e e en $ore dissatis"ied &ith the >otherland as they learned that the price o" ad ance$ent &as to prostit%te one?s $ind and so%l, to #eco$e a highly paid parrot in a #l%e Cacket &hose e ery +arty recitation &as a grating e7ercise in sel"2control. =or the $ost part they &ere $en "or &ho$ this degrading step had not #orne "r%it. 4n the ,o iet !a y there &ere three ro%tes to ad ance$ent. A $an co%ld #eco$e a zampolit and #e a pariah a$ong his peers. *r he co%ld #e a na igation o""icer and ad ance to his o&n co$$and. *r he co%ld #e sh%nted into a specialty in &hich he &o%ld gain rank and payF #%t ne er co$$and. 'h%s a chie" engineer on a ,o iet na al essel co%ld o%trank his co$$anding o""icer and still #e his s%#ordinate. Ra$i%s looked aro%nd the ta#le at his o""icers. >ost had not #een allo&ed to p%rs%e their o&n career goals despite their pro"iciency and despite their party $e$#ership. 'he $inor in"ractions o" yo%thFin one case an act co$$itted at age eightFpre ented t&o "ro$ e er #eing tr%sted again. ;ith the $issile o""icer, it &as #eca%se he &as a Je&E tho%gh his parents had al&ays #een co$$itted, #elie ing Co$$%nists, neither they nor their son &as e er tr%sted. Another o""icer?s elder #rother had de$onstrated against the in asion o" CBechoslo akia in 1938 and disgraced his &hole "a$ily. >elekhin, the chie" engineer and Ra$i%s? eD%al in rank, had ne er #een allo&ed the ro%te to co$$and si$ply #eca%se his s%periors &anted hi$ to #e an engineer. Borodin, &ho &as ready "or his o&n co$$and, had once acc%sed a zampolit o" ho$ose7%alityE the $an he had in"or$ed on &as the son o" the chie" zampolit o" the !orthern =leet. 'here are $any paths to treason. @And &hat i" they locate %sI@ Aa$aro spec%lated. @4 do%#t that e en the A$ericans can "ind %s &hen the caterpillar is operating. 4 a$ certain that o%r o&n s%#$arines cannot. Co$rades, 4 helped design this ship,@ Ra$i%s said. @;hat &ill #eco$e o" %sI@ the $issile o""icer $%ttered. @=irst &e $%st acco$plish the task at hand. An o""icer &ho looks too "ar ahead st%$#les o er his o&n #oots.@ @'hey &ill #e looking "or %s,@ Borodin said. @*" co%rse,@ Ra$i%s s$iled, @#%t they &ill not kno& &here to look %ntil it is too late. *%r $ission, co$rades, is to a oid detection. And so &e shall.@

THE FOURTH DAY MONDAY 6, DECEMBER

C4A 0eadD%arters Ryan &alked do&n the corridor on the top "loor o" the Langley, :irginia, headD%arters o" the Central 4ntelligence Agency. 0e had already passed thro%gh three separate sec%rity checks, none o" &hich had reD%ired hi$ to open his locked #rie"case, no& draped %nder the "olds o" his #%""2 colored toggle coat, a gi"t "ro$ an o""icer in the Royal !a y. ;hat he had on &as $ostly his &i"e?s "a%lt, an e7pensi e s%it #o%ght on ,a ile Ro&. 4t &as English c%t, neither conser ati e nor on the leading edge o" conte$porary "ashion. 0e had a n%$#er o" s%its like this arranged neatly in his closet #y colors, &hich he &ore &ith &hite shirts and striped ties. 0is only Ce&elry &as a &edding #and and a %ni ersity ring, pl%s an e7pensi e #%t acc%rate digital &atch on a $ore e7pensi e gold #and. Ryan &as not a $an &ho placed a great deal o" al%e in appearances. 4ndeed, his Co# &as to see thro%gh these in the search "or hard tr%th. 0e &as physically %nre$arka#le, an inch o er si7 "eet, and his a erage #%ild s%""ered a little at the &aist "ro$ a lack o" e7ercise en"orced #y the $isera#le English &eather. 0is #l%e eyes had a decepti ely acant lookE he &as o"ten lost in tho%ght, his "ace on a%topilot as his $ind p%BBled thro%gh data or research $aterial "or his c%rrent #ook. 'he only people Ryan needed to i$press &ere those &ho kne& hi$E he cared little "or the rest. 0e had no a$#ition to cele#rity. 0is li"e, he C%dged, &as already as co$plicated as it needed to #eFD%ite a #it $ore co$plicated than $ost &o%ld g%ess. 4t incl%ded a &i"e he lo ed and t&o children he doted on, a Co# that tested his intellect, and s%""icient "inancial independence to choose his o&n path. 'he path Jack Ryan had chosen &as in the C4A. 'he agency?s o""icial $otto &as, 'he tr%th shall $ake yo% "ree. 'he trick, he told hi$sel" at least once a day, &as "inding that tr%th, and &hile he do%#ted that he &o%ld e er reach this s%#li$e state o" grace, he took D%iet pride in his a#ility to pick at it, one s$all "rag$ent at a ti$e. 'he o""ice o" the dep%ty director "or intelligence occ%pied a &hole corner o" the top "loor, o erlooking the tree2co ered +oto$ac :alley. Ryan had one $ore sec%rity check to pass. @8ood $orning, Lr. Ryan.@ @0i, !ancy.@ Ryan s$iled at her. !ancy C%$$ings had held her secretarial Co# "or t&enty years, had ser ed eight LL4s, and i" the tr%th &ere kno&n she pro#a#ly had as good a "eel "or the intelligence #%siness as the political appointees in the adCacent o""ice. 4t &as the sa$e as &ith

any large #%sinessFthe #osses ca$e and &ent, #%t the good e7ec%ti e secretaries lasted "ore er. @0o&?s the "a$ily, LoctorI Looking "or&ard to Christ$asI@ @9o% #etFe7cept $y ,ally?s a little &orried. ,he?s not s%re ,anta kno&s that &e? e $o ed, and she?s a"raid he &on?t $ake it to England "or her. 0e &ill,@ Ryan con"ided. @4t?s so nice &hen they?re that little.@ ,he pressed a hidden #%tton. @9o% can go right in, Lr. Ryan.@ @'hanks, !ancy.@ Ryan t&isted the electronically protected kno# and &alked into the LL4?s o""ice. :ice Ad$iral Ja$es 8reer &as reclining in his high2#acked C%dge?s chair reading thro%gh a "older. 0is o ersiBed $ahogany desk &as co ered &ith neat piles o" "olders &hose edges &ere #ordered &ith red tape and &hose co ers #ore ario%s code &ords. @0iya, JackJ@ he called across the roo$. @Co""eeI@ @9es, thank yo%, sir.@ Ja$es 8reer &as si7ty2si7, a na al o""icer past retire$ent age &ho kept &orking thro%gh #r%te co$petence, $%ch as 0y$an Ricko er had, tho%gh 8reer &as a "ar easier $an to &ork "or. 0e &as a @$%stang,@ a $an &ho had entered the na al ser ice as an enlisted $an, earned his &ay into the !a al Acade$y, and spent "orty years &orking his &ay to a three2star "lag, "irst co$$anding s%#$arines, then as a "%ll2ti$e intelligence specialist. 8reer &as a de$anding #oss, #%t one &ho took care o" those &ho pleased hi$. Ryan &as one o" these. ,o$e&hat to !ancy?s chagrin, 8reer liked to $ake his o&n co""ee &ith a ;est Bend drip $achine on the credenBa #ehind his desk, &here he co%ld C%st t%rn aro%nd to reach it. Ryan po%red hi$sel" a c%pFact%ally a na y2style handleless $%g. 4t &as traditional na y co""ee, #re&ed strong, &ith a pinch o" salt. @9o% h%ngry, JackI@ 8reer p%lled a pastry #o7 "ro$ a desk dra&er. @4 got so$e sticky #%ns here.@ @;hy, thanks, sir. 4 didn?t eat $%ch on the plane.@ Ryan took one, along &ith a paper napkin. @,till don?t like to "lyI@ 8reer &as a$%sed. Ryan sat do&n in the chair opposite his #oss. @4 s%ppose 4 o%ght to #e getting %sed to it. 4 like the Concorde #etter than the &ide2#odies. 9o% only ha e to #e terri"ied hal" as long.@ @0o&?s the "a$ilyI@ @=ine, thank yo%, sir. ,ally?s in "irst gradeFlo es it. And little Jack is toddling aro%nd the ho%se. 'hese #%ns are pretty good.@ @!e& #akery C%st opened %p a "e& #locks "ro$ $y place. 4 pass it on the &ay in e ery $orning.@ 'he ad$iral sat %pright in his chair. @,o, &hat #rings yo% o er todayI@ @+hotographs o" the ne& ,o iet $issile #oat, Red October,@ Ryan said cas%ally #et&een sips. @*h, and &hat do o%r British co%sins &ant in ret%rnI@ 8reer asked s%spicio%sly. @'hey &ant a peek at Barry ,o$ers? ne& enhance$ent gadgets. !ot the $achines the$sel es Fat "irstFC%st the "inished prod%ct. 4 think it?s a "air #argain, sir.@ Ryan kne& the C4A didn?t ha e any shots o" the ne& s%#. 'he operations directorate did not ha e a $an at the #%ilding yard at ,e erod insk or a relia#le $an at the +olyarnyy s%#$arine #ase. ;orse, the ro&s o" @#oat #arns@ #%ilt to shelter the $issile s%#$arines, $odeled on ;orld ;ar 44 8er$an s%#$arine pens, $ade satellite photography i$possi#le. @;e ha e ten "ra$es, lo& o#liD%es, "i e each #o& and stern, and one "ro$ each perspecti e is %nde eloped so that ,o$ers can &ork on the$ "resh. ;e are not co$$itted, sir, #%t 4 told ,ir Basil that yo%?d think it o er.@ 'he ad$iral gr%nted. ,ir Basil Charleston, chie" o" the British ,ecret 4ntelligence ,er ice, &as a $aster o" the D%id pro D%o, occasionally o""ering to share so%rces &ith his &ealthier

co%sins and a $onth later asking "or so$ething in ret%rn. 'he intelligence ga$e &as o"ten like a pri$iti e $arketplace. @'o %se the ne& syste$, Jack, &e need the ca$era %sed to take the shots.@ @4 kno&.@ Ryan p%lled the ca$era "ro$ his coat pocket. @4t?s a $odi"ied Aodak disk ca$era. ,ir Basil says it?s the co$ing thing in spy ca$eras, nice and "lat. 'his one, he says, &as hidden in a to#acco po%ch.@ @0o& did yo% kno& thatFthat &e need the ca$eraI@ @9o% $ean ho& ,o$ers %ses lasers toF@ @RyanJ@ 8reer snapped. @0o& $%ch do yo% kno&I@ @Rela7, sir. Re$e$#er #ack in =e#r%ary, 4 &as o er to disc%ss those ne& ,,2/5 sites on the Chinese #orderI ,o$ers &as here, and yo% asked $e to dri e hi$ o%t to the airport. *n the &ay o%t he started #a##ling a#o%t this great ne& idea he &as heading &est to &ork on. 0e talked a#o%t it all the &ay to L%lles. =ro$ &hat little 4 %nderstood, 4 gather that he shoots laser #ea$s thro%gh the ca$era lenses to $ake a $athe$atical $odel o" the lens. =ro$ that, 4 s%ppose, he can take the e7posed negati e, #reak do&n the i$age into theForiginal inco$ing light #ea$s, 4 g%ess, then %se a co$p%ter to r%n that thro%gh a co$p%ter2generated theoretical lens to $ake a per"ect pict%re. 4 pro#a#ly ha e it &rong.@ Ryan co%ld tell "ro$ 8reer?s "ace that he didn?t. @,o$ers talks too godda$ned $%ch.@ @4 told hi$ that, sir. B%t once the g%y gets started, ho& the hell do yo% sh%t hi$ %pI@ @ And &hat do the Brits kno&I@ 8reer asked. @9o%r g%ess is as good as $ine, sir. ,ir Basil asked $e a#o%t it, and 4 told hi$ that he &as asking the &rong g%yF4 $ean, $y degrees are in econo$ics and history, not physics. 4 told hi$ &e needed the ca$eraF#%t he already kne& that. 'ook it right o%t o" his desk and tossed it to $e. 4 did not re eal a thing a#o%t this, sir.@ @4 &onder ho& $any other people he spilled to. 8eni%sesJ 'hey operate in their o&n craBy little &orlds. ,o$ers is like a little kid so$eti$es. And yo% kno& the =irst R%le o" ,ec%rityK 'he likelihood o" a secret?s #eing #lo&n is proportional to the s0uare o" the n%$#er o" people &ho?re in on it.@ 4t &as 8reer?s "a orite dict%$. 0is phone #%BBed. @8reer . . . Right.@ 0e h%ng %p. @Charlie La enport?s on the &ay %p, per yo%r s%ggestion, Jack. ,%pposed to #e here hal" an ho%r ago. >%st #e the sno&.@ 'he ad$iral Cerked a hand to&ards the &indo&. 'here &ere t&o inches on the gro%nd, &ith another inch e7pected #y night"all. @*ne "lake hits this to&n and e erything goes to hell.@ Ryan la%ghed. 'hat &as so$ething 8reer, a do&n2easter "ro$ >aine, ne er co%ld see$ to %nderstand. @,o, Jack, yo% say this is &orth the priceI@ @,ir, &e? e &anted these pict%res "or so$e ti$e, &hat &ith all the contradictory data &e? e #een getting on the s%#. 4t?s yo%r decision and the C%dge?s #%t, yes, 4 think they?re &orth the price. 'hese shots are ery interesting.@ @;e o%ght to ha e o%r o&n $en in that da$ned yard,@ 8reer gr%$ped. Ryan didn?t kno& ho& *perations had scre&ed that one %p. 0e had little interest in "ield operations. Ryan &as an analyst. 0o& the data ca$e to his desk &as not his concern, and he &as care"%l to a oid "inding o%t. @4 don?t s%ppose Basil told yo% anything a#o%t their $anI@ Ryan s$iled, shaking his head. @!o, sir, and 4 did not ask.@ 8reer nodded his appro al. @>orning, Ja$esJ@ Ryan t%rned to see Rear Ad$iral Charles La enport, director o" na al intelligence, &ith a captain trailing in his &ake.

@0i, Charlie. 9o% kno& Jack Ryan, don?t yo%I@ @0ello, Ryan.@ @;e? e $et,@ Ryan said. @'his is Captain Casi$ir.@ Ryan shook hands &ith #oth $en. 0e?d $et La enport a "e& years #e"ore &hile deli ering a paper at the !a al ;ar College in !e&port, Rhode 4sland. La enport had gi en hi$ a hard ti$e in the D%estion2and2ans&er session. 0e &as s%pposed to #e a #astard to &ork "or, a "or$er a iator &ho had lost "light stat%s a"ter a #arrier crash and, so$e said, still #ore a gr%dge. Against &ho$I !o#ody really kne&. @;eather in England $%st #e as #ad as here, Ryan.@ La enport dropped his #ridge coat on top o" Ryan?s. @4 see yo% stole a Royal !a y o ercoat.@ Ryan &as "ond o" his toggle coat. @A gi"t, sir, and D%ite &ar$.@ @Christ, yo% e en talk like a Brit. Ja$es, &e gotta #ring this #oy ho$e.@ @Be nice to hi$, Charlie. 0e?s got a present "or yo%. 8ra# yo%rsel" so$e co""ee.@ Casi$ir sc%rried o er to "ill a $%g "or his #oss, then sat do&n at his right hand. Ryan let the$ &ait a $o$ent #e"ore opening his #rie"case. 0e took o%t "o%r "olders, keeping one and handing the others aro%nd. @'hey say yo%? e #een doing so$e "airly good &ork, Ryan,@ La enport said. Jack kne& hi$ to #e a $erc%rial $an, a""a#le one $o$ent, #rittle the ne7t. +ro#a#ly to keep his s%#ordinates o"" #alance. @AndFJes%s ChristJ@ La enport had opened his "older. @8entle$en, 4 gi e yo% Red October, co%rtesy o" the British ,ecret 4ntelligence ,er ice,@ Ryan said "or$ally. 'he "olders had the photographs arranged in pairs, "o%r each o" "o%r2#y2"o%r prints. 4n the #ack &ere ten2#y2ten #lo&%ps o" each. 'he photos had #een taken "ro$ a lo&2o#liD%e angle, pro#a#ly "ro$ the ri$ o" the gra ing dock that had held the #oat d%ring her post2shakedo&n re"it. 'he shots &ere paired, "ore and a"t, "ore and a"t. @8entle$en, as yo% can see, the lighting &asn?t all that great. !othing "ancy here. 4t &as a pocket ca$era loaded &ith 4552speed color "il$. 'he "irst pair &as processed nor$ally to esta#lish high le els. 'he second &as p%shed "or greater #rightness %sing nor$al proced%res. 'he third pair &as digitally enhanced "or color resol%tion, and the "o%rth &as digitally enhanced "or line resol%tion. 4 ha e %nde eloped "ra$es o" each ie& "or Barry ,o$ers to play &ith.@ @*hI@ La enport looked %p #rie"ly. @'hat?s right neigh#orly o" the Brits. ;hat?s the priceI@ 8reer told hi$. @+ay %p. 4t?s &orth it.@ ?'hat?s &hat Jack says.@ @=ig%res,@ La enport ch%ckled. @9o% kno& he really is &orking "or the$.@ Ryan #ristled at that. 0e liked the English, liked &orking &ith their intelligence co$$%nity, #%t he kne& &hat co%ntry he ca$e "ro$. Jack took a deep #reath. La enport liked to goad people, and i" he reacted La enport &o%ld &in. @4 gather that ,ir John Ryan is still &ell connected on the other side o" the oceanI@ La enport said, e7tending the prod. Ryan?s knighthood &as an honorary one. 4t &as his re&ard "or ha ing #roken %p a terrorist incident that had er%pted aro%nd hi$ in ,t. Ja$es?s +ark, London. 0e?d #een a to%rist at the ti$e, the innocent A$erican a#road, long #e"ore he?d #een asked to Coin the C4A. 'he "act that he had %nkno&ingly pre ented the assassination o" t&o ery pro$inent "ig%res had gotten hi$ $ore p%#licity than he?d e er &anted, #%t it had also #ro%ght hi$ in contact &ith a lot o" people in England, $ost o" the$ &orth the ti$e. 'hose connections had $ade hi$ al%a#le eno%gh that

the C4A asked hi$ to #e part o" a Coint A$erican2British liaison gro%p. 'hat &as ho& he had esta#lished a good &orking relationship &ith ,ir Basil Charleston. @;e ha e lots o" "riends o er there, sir, and so$e o" the$ &ere kind eno%gh to gi e yo% these,@ Ryan said coolly. La enport so"tened. @*kay, Jack, then yo% do $e a "a or. 9o% see &hoe er ga e %s these gets so$ething nice in his stocking. 'hey?re &orth plenty. ,o, e7actly &hat do &e ha e hereI@ 'o the %nschooled o#ser er, the photographs sho&ed the standard n%clear $issile s%#$arine. 'he steel h%ll &as #l%nt at one end, tapered at the other. 'he &ork$en standing on the "loor o" the dock pro ided scaleFshe &as h%ge. 'here &ere t&in #ronBe propellers at the stern, on either side o" a "lat appendage &hich the R%ssians called a #ea er tail, or so the intelligence reports said. ;ith the t&in scre&s the stern &as %nre$arka#le e7cept in one detail. @;hat are these doors "orI@ Casi$ir asked. @0$$. ,he?s a #ig #astard.@ La enport e idently hadn?t heard. @=orty "eet longer than &e e7pected, #y the look o" her.@ @=orty2"o%r, ro%ghly.@ Ryan didn?t $%ch like La enport, #%t the $an did kno& his st%"". @,o$ers can cali#rate that "or %s. And $ore #ea$, t&o $eters $ore than the other Typhoons& ,he?s an o# io%s de elop$ent o" the Typhoon class, #%tF@ @9o%?re right, Captain,@ La enport interr%pted. @;hat are those doorsI@ @'hat?s &hy 4 ca$e o er.@ Ryan had &ondered ho& long this &o%ld take. 0e?d ca%ght onto the$ in the "irst "i e seconds. @4 don?t kno&, and neither do the Brits.@ 'he Red October had t&o doors at the #o& and stern, each a#o%t t&o $eters in dia$eter, tho%gh they &ere not D%ite circ%lar. 'hey had #een closed &hen the photos &ere shot and only sho&ed %p &ell on the n%$#er "o%r pair. @'orpedo t%#esI !oF"o%r o" the$ are in#oard.@ 8reer reached into his dra&er and ca$e o%t &ith a $agni"ying glass. 4n an age o" co$p%ter2enhanced i$agery it str%ck Ryan as char$ingly anachronistic. @9o%?re the s%# dri er, Ja$es,@ La enport o#ser ed. @'&enty years ago, Charlie.@ 0e?d $ade the s&itch "ro$ line o""icer to pro"essional spook in the early si7ties. Captain Casi$ir, Ryan noted, &ore the &ings o" a na al a iator and had the good sense to re$ain D%iet. 0e &asn?t a @n%c.@ @;ell, they can?t #e torpedo t%#es. 'hey ha e the nor$al "o%r o" the$ at the #o&, in#oard o" these openings . . . $%st #e si7 or se en "eet across. 0o& a#o%t la%nch t%#es "or the ne& cr%ise $issile they?re de elopingI@ @'hat?s &hat the Royal !a y thinks. 4 had a chance to talk it o er &ith their intelligence chaps. B%t 4 don?t #%y it. ;hy p%t an anti2s%r"ace2ship &eapon on a strategic plat"or$I ;e don?t, and &e deploy o%r #oo$ers a lot "%rther "or&ard than they do. 'he doors are sy$$etrical thro%gh the #oat?s a7is. 9o% can?t la%nch a $issile o%t o" the stern, sir. 'he openings #arely clear the scre&s.@ @'o&ard sonar array,@ La enport said. @8ranted they co%ld do that, i" they trail one scre&. B%t &hy t&o o" the$I@ Ryan asked. La enport ga e hi$ a nasty look. @'hey lo e red%ndancies.@ @'&o doors "or&ard, t&o a"t, 4 can #%y cr%ise $issile t%#es. 4 can #%y a to&ed array. B%t #oth sets o" doors e7actly the sa$e siBeI@ Ryan shook his head. @'oo $%ch o" a coincidence. 4 think it?s so$ething ne&. 'hat?s &hat interr%pted her constr%ction "or so long. 'hey "ig%red so$ething ne& "or her and spent the last t&o years re#%ilding the Typhoon con"ig%ration to acco$$odate it. !ote also that they added si7 $ore $issiles "or good $eas%re.@

@*pinion,@ La enport o#ser ed. @'hat?s &hat 4?$ paid "or.@ @*kay, Jack, &hat do yo% think it isI@ 8reer asked. @Beats $e, sir. 4?$ no engineer.@ Ad$iral 8reer looked his g%ests o er "or a "e& seconds. 0e s$iled and leaned #ack in his chair. @8entle$en, &e ha e &hatI !inety years o" na al e7perience in this roo$, pl%s this yo%ng a$ate%r.@ 0e gest%red at Ryan. @*kay, Jack, yo%? e set %s %p "or so$ething. ;hy did yo% #ring this o er personallyI@ @4 &ant to sho& these to so$e#ody.@ @;hoI@ 8reer?s head cocked s%spicio%sly to one side. @,kip 'yler. Any o" yo% "ello&s kno& hi$I@ @4 do,@ Casi$ir nodded. @0e &as a year #ehind $e at Annapolis. Lidn?t he get h%rt or so$ethingI@ @9eah,@ Ryan said. @Lost his leg in an a%to accident "o%r years ago. 0e &as %p "or co$$and o" the Los Angeles and a dr%nk dri er clipped hi$. !o& he teaches engineering at the Acade$y and does a lot o" cons%lting &ork &ith ,ea ,yste$s Co$$andFtechnical analysis, looking at their ship designs. 0e has a doctorate in engineering "ro$ >4', and he kno&s ho& to think %ncon entionally.@ @0o& a#o%t his sec%rity clearanceI@ 8reer asked. @'op secret or #etter, sir, #eca%se o" his Crystal City &ork.@ @*#Cections, CharlieI@ La enport "ro&ned. 'yler &as not part o" the intelligence co$$%nity. @4s this the g%y &ho did the e al%ation o" the ne& 'iro$2@ 9es, sir, no& that 4 think a#o%t it,@ Casi$ir said. @0i$ and ,a%nders o er at ,ea ,yste$s.@ @'hat &as a nice piece o" &ork. 4t?s okay &ith $e.@ @;hen do yo% &ant to see hi$I@ 8reer asked Ryan. @'oday, i" it?s all right &ith yo%, sir. 4 ha e to r%n o er to Annapolis any&ay, to get so$ething "ro$ the ho%se, andF&ell, do so$e D%ick Christ$as shopping.@ @*hI A "e& dollsI@ La enport asked. Ryan t%rned to look the ad$iral in the eye. @9es, sir, as a $atter o" "act. >y little girl &ants a ,kiing Bar#ie doll and so$e Jordache doll o%t"its. Lidn?t yo% e er play ,anta, Ad$iralI@ La enport sa& that Ryan &asn?t going to #ack o"" any$ore. 0e &asn?t a s%#ordinate to #e #ro&#eaten. Ryan co%ld al&ays &alk a&ay. 0e tried a ne& tack. @Lid they tell yo% o er there that October sailed last =ridayI@ @*hI@ 'hey hadn?t. Ryan &as ca%ght o"" g%ard. @4 tho%ght she &asn?t sched%led to sail %ntil this =riday.@ @,o did &e. 0er skipper is >arko Ra$i%s. 9o% heard a#o%t hi$I@ @*nly secondhand st%"". 'he Brits say he?s pretty good.@ @Better than that,@ 8reer noted. @0e?s a#o%t the #est s%# dri er they ha e, a real charger. ;e had a considera#le "ile on hi$ &hen 4 &as at L4A. ;ho?s #ird2doggin? hi$ "or yo%, CharlieI@ @#remerton &as assigned to it. ,he &as o%t o" position doing so$e EL4!' &ork &hen Ra$i%s sailed, #%t she &as ordered o er. 0er skipper?s B%d ;ilson. Re$e$#er his dadI@ 8reer la%ghed o%t lo%d. @Red ;ilsonI !o& there &as one spirited s%#$arine dri erJ 0is #oy any goodI@ @,o they say. Ra$i%s is a#o%t the #est the ,o iets ha e, #%t ;ilson?s got a 388 #oat. By the end o" the &eek, &e?ll #e a#le to start a ne& #ook on Red October&@ La enport stood. @;e gotta

head #ack, Ja$es.@ Casi$ir h%rried to get the coats. @4 can keep theseI@ @4 s%ppose, Charlie. J%st don?t go hanging the$ on the &all, e en to thro& darts at. And 4 g%ess yo% &ant to get $o ing, too, JackI@ @9es, sir.@ 8reer li"ted his phone. @!ancy, Lr. Ryan &ill need a car and a dri er in "i"teen $in%tes. Right.@ 0e set the recei er do&n and &aited "or La enport to lea e. @!o sense getting yo% killed o%t there in the sno&. Besides, yo%?d pro#a#ly dri e on the &rong side o" the road a"ter a year in England. ,kiing Bar#ie, JackI@ @9o% had all #oys, didn?t yo%, sirI 8irls are di""erent.@ Ryan grinned. @9o%? e ne er $et $y little ,ally.@ @Laddy?s girlI@ @9ep. 8od help &hoe er $arries her. Can 4 lea e these photographs &ith 'ylerI@ @4 hope yo%?re right a#o%t hi$, son. 9es, he can hold onto the$Fi" and only i" he has a good place to keep the$.@ @6nderstood, sir.@ @;hen yo% get #ackFpro#a#ly #e late, the &ay the roads are. 9o%?re staying at the >arriottI@ @9es, sir.@ 8reer tho%ght that o er. @4?ll pro#a#ly #e &orking late. ,top #y here #e"ore yo% #ed do&n. 4 $ay &ant to go o er a "e& things &ith yo%.@ @;ill do, sir. 'hanks "or the car.@ Ryan stood. @8o #%y yo%r dolls, son.@ 8reer &atched hi$ lea e. 0e liked Ryan. 'he #oy &as not a"raid to speak his $ind. +art o" that ca$e "ro$ ha ing $oney and #eing $arried to $ore $oney. 4t &as a sort o" independence that had ad antages. Ryan co%ld not #e #o%ght, #ri#ed, or #%llied. 0e co%ld al&ays go #ack to &riting history #ooks "%ll ti$e. Ryan had $ade $oney on his o&n in "o%r years as a stock#roker, #etting his o&n $oney on high2risk iss%es and scoring #ig #e"ore lea ing it all #ehindF#eca%se, he said, he hadn?t &anted to press his l%ck. 8reer didn?t #elie e that. 0e tho%ght Jack had #een #oredF#ored &ith $aking $oney. 0e shook his head. 'he talent that had ena#led hi$ to pick &inning stocks Ryan no& applied to the C4A. 0e &as rapidly #eco$ing one o" 8reer?s star analysts, and his British connections $ade hi$ do%#ly al%a#le. Ryan had the a#ility to sort thro%gh a pile o" data and co$e o%t &ith the three or "o%r "acts that $eant so$ething. 'his &as too rare a thing at the C4A. 'he agency still spent too $%ch o" its $oney collecting data, 8reer tho%ght, and not eno%gh collating it. Analysts had none o" the s%pposed gla$o%rFa 0olly&ood2generated ill%sionFo" a secret agent in a "oreign land. B%t Jack kne& ho& to analyBe reports "ro$ s%ch $en and data "ro$ technical so%rces. 0e kne& ho& to $ake a decision and &as not a"raid to say &hat he tho%ght, &hether his #osses liked it or not. 'his so$eti$es grated the old ad$iral, #%t on the &hole he liked ha ing s%#ordinates &ho$ he co%ld respect. 'he C4A had too $any people &hose only skill &as kissing ass. 'he 6.,. !a al Acade$y 'he loss o" his le"t leg a#o e the knee had not taken a&ay *li er ;endell 'yler?s rog%ish good looks or his Best "or li"e. 0is &i"e co%ld testi"y to this. ,ince lea ing the acti e ser ice "o%r years #e"ore, they had added three children to the t&o they already had and &ere &orking on a

si7th. Ryan "o%nd hi$ sitting at a desk in an e$pty classroo$ in Ricko er 0all, the 6.,. !a al Acade$y?s science and engineering #%ilding. 0e &as grading papers. @0o&?s it goin?, ,kipI@ Ryan leaned against the door "ra$e. 0is C4A dri er &as in the hall. @0ey, JackJ 4 tho%ght yo% &ere in England.@ 'yler C%$ped to his "ootFhis o&n phraseFand ho##led o er to gra# Ryan?s hand. 0is prosthetic leg ended in a sD%are, r%##er2coated #and instead o" a pse%do2"oot. 4t "le7ed at the knee, #%t not #y $%ch. 'yler had #een a second2sD%ad All A$erican o""ensi e tackle si7teen years #e"ore, and the rest o" his #ody &as as hard as the al%$in%$ and "i#erglass in his le"t leg. 0is handshake co%ld $ake a gorilla &ince. @,o, &hat are yo% doing hereI@ @4 had to "ly o er to get so$e &ork done and do a little shopping. 0o&?s Jean and yo%r . . . "i eI@ @=i e and t&o2thirds.@ @AgainI Jean o%ght to ha e yo% "i7ed.@ @'hat?s &hat she said, #%t 4? e had eno%gh things disconnected.@ 'yler la%ghed. @4 g%ess 4?$ $aking %p "or all those $onastic years as a n%c. Co$e on o er and gra# a chair.@ Ryan sat on the corner o" the desk and opened his #rie"case. 0e handed 'yler a "older. @8ot so$e pict%res 4 &ant yo% to look at.@ @*kay.@ 'yler "lipped it open. @;hoseFa R%ssianJ Big #astard. 'hat?s the #asic Typhoon con"ig%ration. Lots o" $odi"ications, tho%gh. '&enty2si7 $issiles instead o" t&enty. Looks longer. 0%ll?s "lattened o%t so$e, too. >ore #ea$I@ @'&o or three $eters? &orth.@ @4 heard yo% &ere &orking &ith the C4A. Can?t talk a#o%t that, rightI@ @,o$ething like that. And yo% ne er sa& these pict%res, ,kip. 6nderstoodI@ @Right.@ 'yler?s eyes t&inkled. @;hat do yo% &ant $e not to look at the$ "orI@ Ryan p%lled the #lo&%ps "ro$ the #ack o" the "older. @'hese doors, #o& and stern.@ @6h2h%h.@ 'yler set the$ do&n side #y side. @+retty #ig. 'hey?re t&o $eters or so, paired "ore and a"t. 'hey look sy$$etrical thro%gh the long a7is. !ot cr%ise $issile t%#es, ehI@ @*n a #oo$erI 9o% p%t so$ething like that on a strategic $issile s%#I@ @'he R%sskies are a "%nny #%nch, Jack, and they design things their o&n &ay. 'his is the sa$e #%nch that #%ilt the 'iro$ class &ith a n%clear reactor and an oil2"ired stea$ plant. 0$$ Ft&in scre&s. 'he a"t doors can?t #e "or a sonar array. 'hey?d "o%l the scre&s.@ @0o& ?#o%t i" they trail one scre&I@ @'hey do that &ith s%r"ace ships to conser e "%el, and so$eti$es &ith their attack #oats. *perating a t&in2scre& $issile #oat on one &heel &o%ld pro#a#ly #e tricky on this #a#y. 'he Typhoon?s s%pposed to ha e handling pro#le$s, and #oats that handle "%nny tend to #e sensiti e to po&er settings. 9o% end %p Cinking aro%nd so $%ch that yo% ha e tro%#le holding co%rse. 9o% notice ho& the doors con erge at the sternI@ @!o, 4 didn?t.@ 'yler looked %p. @La$nJ 4 sho%ld ha e realiBed it right o"" the #at. 4t?s a prop%lsion syste$. 9o% sho%ldn?t ha e ca%ght $e $arking papers, Jack. 4t t%rns yo%r #rain to Jell2*.@ @+rop%lsion syste$I@ @;e looked at thisFoh, $%st ha e #een t&enty so$e years agoF&hen 4 &as going to school here. ;e didn?t do anything &ith it, tho%gh. 4t?s too ine""icient.@ @*kay, tell $e a#o%t it.@ @'hey called it a t%nnel dri e. 9o% kno& ho& o%t ;est they ha e lots o" hydroelectric po&er plantsI >ostly da$s. 'he &ater spills onto &heels that t%rn generators. !o& there?s a "e& ne&

ones that kind o" t%rn that aro%nd. 'hey tap into %ndergro%nd ri ers, and the &ater t%rns i$pellers, and they t%rn the generators instead o" a $odi"ied $ill &heel. An i$peller is like a propeller, e7cept the &ater dri es it instead o" the other &ay aro%nd. 'here?s so$e $inor technical di""erences, too, #%t nothing $aCor. *kay so "arI @;ith this design, yo% t%rn that aro%nd. 9o% s%ck &ater in the #o& and yo%r i$pellers eCect it o%t the stern, and that $o es the ship.@ 'yler pa%sed, "ro&ning. @As 4 recall yo% ha e to ha e $ore than one per t%nnel. 'hey looked at this #ack in the early si7ties and got to the $odel stage #e"ore dropping it. *ne o" the things they disco ered is that one i$peller doesn?t &ork as &ell as se eral. ,o$e sort o" #ack press%re thing. 4t &as a ne& principle, so$ething %ne7pected that cropped %p. 'hey ended %p %sing "o%r, 4 think, and it &as s%pposed to look so$ething like the co$pressor sets in a Cet engine.@ @;hy did &e drop itI@ Ryan &as taking rapid notes. @>ostly e""iciency. 9o% can only get so $%ch &ater do&n the pipes no $atter ho& po&er"%l yo%r $otors are. And the dri e syste$ took %p a lot o" roo$. 'hey partially #eat that &ith a ne& kind o" electric ind%ction $otor, 4 think, #%t e en then yo%?d end %p &ith a lot o" e7traneo%s $achinery inside the h%ll. ,%#s don?t ha e that $%ch roo$ to spare, e en this $onster. 'he top speed li$it &as s%pposed to #e a#o%t ten knots, and that C%st &asn?t good eno%gh, e en tho%gh it did irt%ally eli$inate ca itation so%nds.@ @Ca itationI@ @;hen yo% ha e a propeller t%rning in the &ater at high speed, yo% de elop an area o" lo& press%re #ehind the trailing edge o" the #lade. 'his can ca%se &ater to aporiBe. 'hat creates a #%nch o" little #%##les. 'hey can?t last long %nder the &ater press%re, and &hen they collapse the &ater r%shes "or&ard to po%nd against the #lades. 'hat does three things. =irst, it $akes noise, and %s s%# dri ers hate noise. ,econd, it can ca%se i#ration, so$ething else &e don?t like. 'he old passenger liners, "or e7a$ple, %sed to "l%tter se eral inches at the stern, all "ro$ ca itation and slippage. 4t takes a hell o" a lot o" "orce to i#rate a .5,5552ton shipE that kind o" "orce #reaks things. 'hird, it tears %p the scre&s. 'he #ig &heels only %sed to last a "e& years. 'hat?s &hy #ack in the old days the #lades &ere #olted onto the h%# instead o" #eing cast in one piece. 'he i#ration is $ainly a s%r"ace ship pro#le$, and the scre& degradation &as e ent%ally conD%ered #y i$pro ed $etall%rgical technology. @!o&, this t%nnel dri e syste$ a oids the ca itation pro#le$. 9o% still ha e ca itation, #%t the noise "ro$ it is $ainly lost in the t%nnels. 'hat $akes good sense. 'he pro#le$ is that yo% can?t generate $%ch speed &itho%t $aking the t%nnels too &ide to #e practical. ;hile one tea$ &as &orking on this, another &as &orking on i$pro ed scre& designs. 9o%r typical s%# scre& today is pretty large, so it can t%rn $ore slo&ly "or a gi en speed. 'he slo&er the t%rning speed, the less ca itation yo% get. 'he pro#le$ is also $itigated #y depth. A "e& h%ndred "eet do&n, the higher &ater press%re retards #%##le "or$ation.@ @'hen &hy don?t the ,o iets copy o%r scre& designsI@ @,e eral reasons, pro#a#ly. 9o% design a scre& "or a speci"ic h%ll and engine co$#ination, so copying o%rs &o%ldn?t a%to$atically &ork "or the$. A lot o" this &ork is still e$pirical, too. 'here?s a lot o" trial and error in this. 4t?s a lot harder, say, than designing an air"oil, #eca%se the #lade cross2section changes radically "ro$ one point to another. 4 s%ppose another reason is that their $etall%rgical technology isn?t as good as o%rsFsa$e reason that their Cet and rocket engines are less e""icient. 'hese ne& designs place great al%e on high2strength alloys. 4t?s a narro& specialty, and 4 only kno& the generalities.@ @*kay, yo% say that this is a silent prop%lsion syste$, and it has a top speed li$it o" ten

knotsI@ Ryan &anted to #e clear on this. @Ballpark "ig%re. 4?d ha e to do so$e co$p%ter $odeling to tighten that %p. ;e pro#a#ly still ha e the data laying aro%nd at the 'aylor La#oratory.@ 'yler re"erred to the ,ea ,yste$s Co$$and design "acility on the north side o" the ,e ern Ri er. @+ro#a#ly still classi"ied, and 4?d ha e to take it &ith a #ig grain o" salt.@ @0o& co$eI@ @All this &ork &as done t&enty years ago. 'hey only got %p to "i"teen2"oot $odelsFpretty s$all "or this sort o" thing. Re$e$#er that they had already st%$#led across one ne& principle, that #ack2press%re thing. 'here $ight ha e #een $ore o%t there. 4 e7pect they tried so$e co$p%ter $odels, #%t e en i" they did, $athe$atical $odeling techniD%es #ack then &ere dirt2 si$ple. 'o d%plicate this today 4?d ha e to ha e the old data and progra$s "ro$ 'aylor, check it all o er, then dra"t a ne& progra$ #ased on this con"ig%ration.@ 0e tapped the photographs. @*nce that &as done, 4?d need access to a #ig leag%e $ain"ra$e co$p%ter to r%n it.@ @B%t yo% co%ld do itI@ @,%re. 4?d need e7act di$ensions on this #a#y, #%t 4? e done this #e"ore "or the #%nch o er at Crystal City. 'he hard part?s getting the co$p%ter ti$e. 4 need a #ig $achine.@ @4 can pro#a#ly arrange access to o%rs.@ 'yler la%ghed. @+ro#a#ly not good eno%gh, Jack. 'his is specialiBed st%"". 4?$ talking a#o%t a Cray2/, one o" the #iggies. 'o do this yo% ha e to $athe$atically si$%late the #eha ior o" $illions o" little parcels o" &ater, the &ater "lo& o erFand thro%gh, in this caseFthe &hole h%ll. ,a$e sort o" thing !A,A has to do &ith the ,pace ,h%ttle. 'he act%al &ork is easy eno%ghFit?s the scale that?s to%gh. 'hey?re si$ple calc%lations, #%t yo% ha e to $ake $illions o" the$ per second. 'hat $eans a #ig Cray, and there?s only a "e& o" the$ aro%nd. !A,A has one in 0o%ston, 4 think. 'he na y has a "e& in !or"olk "or A,; &orkFyo% can "orget a#o%t those. 'he air "orce has one in the +entagon, 4 think, and all the rest are in Cali"ornia.@ @B%t yo% co%ld do itI@ @,%re.@ @*kay, get to &ork on it, ,kip, and 4?ll see i" &e can get yo% the co$p%ter ti$e. 0o& longI@ @Lepending on ho& good the st%"" at 'aylor is, $ay#e a &eek. >ay#e less.@ @0o& $%ch do yo% &ant "or itI@ @A&, co$e on, JackJ@ 'yler &a ed hi$ o"". @,kip, it?s >onday. 9o% get %s this data #y =riday and there?s t&enty tho%sand dollars in it. 9o%?re &orth it, and &e &ant this data. AgreedI@ @,old.@ 'hey shook hands. @Can 4 keep the pict%resI@ @4 can lea e the$ i" yo% ha e a sec%re place to keep the$. !o#ody gets to see the$, ,kip. !o#ody.@ @'here?s a nice sa"e in the s%perintendent?s o""ice.@ @=ine, #%t he doesn?t see the$.@ 'he s%perintendent &as a "or$er s%#$ariner. @0e &on?t like it,@ 'yler said. @B%t okay.@ @0a e hi$ call Ad$iral 8reer i" he o#Cects. 'his n%$#er.@ Ryan handed hi$ a card. @9o% can reach $e here i" yo% need $e. 4" 4?$ not in, ask "or the ad$iral.@ @J%st ho& i$portant is thisI@ @4$portant eno%gh. 9o%?re the "irst g%y &ho?s co$e %p &ith a sensi#le e7planation "or these hatches. 'hat?s &hy 4 ca$e here. 4" yo% can $odel this "or %s, it?ll #e da$ned %se"%l. ,kip, one $ore ti$eK 'his is highly sensiti e. 4" yo% let any#ody see these, it?s $y ass.@ @Aye aye, Jack. ;ell, yo%? e laid a deadline on $e, 4 #etter get do&n to it. ,ee yo%.@ A"ter

shaking hands, 'yler took o%t a lined pad and started listing the things he had to do. Ryan le"t the #%ilding &ith his dri er. 0e re$e$#ered a 'oys2R26s right %p Ro%te / "ro$ Annapolis, and he &anted to get that doll "or ,ally. C4A 0eadD%arters Ryan &as #ack at the C4A #y eight that e ening. 4t &as a D%ick trip past the sec%rity g%ards to 8reer?s o""ice. @;ell, did yo% get yo%r ,%r"ing Bar#ieI@ 8reer looked %p. @,kiing Bar#ie,@ Ryan corrected. @9es, sir. Co$e on, didn?t yo% e er play ,antaI@ @'hey gre& %p too "ast, Jack. E en $y grandchildren are all past that stage.@ 0e t%rned to get so$e co""ee. Ryan &ondered i" he e er slept. @;e ha e so$ething $ore on Red October& 'he R%ssians see$ to ha e a $aCor A,; e7ercise r%nning in the northeast Barents ,ea. 0al" a doBen A,; search aircra"t, a #%nch o" "rigates, and an Alfa2class attack #oat, all r%nning aro%nd in circles.@ @+ro#a#ly an acD%isition e7ercise. ,kip 'yler says those doors are "or a ne& dri e syste$.@ @4ndeed.@ 8reer sat #ack. @'ell $e a#o%t it.@ Ryan took o%t his notes and s%$$ariBed his ed%cation in s%#$arine technology. @,kip says he can generate a co$p%ter si$%lation o" its e""ecti eness,@ he concl%ded. 8reer?s eye#ro&s &ent %p. @0o& soonI@ @End o" &eek, $ay#e. 4 told hi$ i" he had it done #y =riday &e?d pay hi$ "or it. '&enty tho%sand so%nd reasona#leI@ @;ill it $ean anythingI@ @4" he gets the #ackgro%nd data he needs, it o%ght to, sir. ,kip?s a ery sharp cookie. 4 $ean, they don?t gi e doctorates a&ay at >4', and he &as in the top "i e o" his Acade$y class.@ @;orth t&enty tho%sand dollars o" o%r $oneyI@ 8reer &as notorio%sly tight &ith a #%ck. Ryan kne& ho& to ans&er this. @,ir, i" &e "ollo&ed nor$al proced%re on this, &e?d contract one o" the Belt&ay BanditsF,@ Ryan re"erred to the cons%lting "ir$s that dotted the #elt&ay aro%nd ;ashington, L.C., @Fthey?d charge %s "i e or ten ti$es as $%ch, and &e?d #e l%cky to ha e the data #y Easter. 'his &ay &e $ight C%st ha e it &hile the #oat?s still at sea. 4" &orse co$es to &orst, sir, 4?ll "oot the #ill. 4 "ig%red yo%?d &ant this data "ast, and it?s right %p his alley.@ @9o%?re right.@ 4t &asn?t the "irst ti$e Ryan had short2circ%ited nor$al proced%re. 'he other ti$es had &orked o%t "airly &ell. 8reer &as a $an &ho looked "or res%lts. @*kay, the ,o iets ha e a ne& $issile #oat &ith a silent dri e syste$. ;hat does it all $eanI@ @!othing good. ;e depend on o%r a#ility to track their #oo$ers &ith o%r attack #oats. 0ell, that?s &hy they agreed a "e& years #ack to o%r proposal a#o%t keeping the$ "i e h%ndred $iles "ro$ each other?s coasts, and &hy they keep their $issile s%#s in port $ost o" the ti$e. 'his co%ld change the ga$e a #it. By the &ay, October?s h%ll, 4 ha en?t seen &hat it?s $ade o".@ @,teel. ,he?s too #ig "or a titani%$ h%ll, at least "or &hat it &o%ld cost. 9o% kno& &hat they ha e to spend on their Alfas&@ @'oo $%ch "or &hat they got. 9o% spend that $%ch $oney "or a s%perstrong h%ll, then p%t a noisy po&er plant in it. L%$#.@ @>ay#e. 4 &o%ldn?t $ind ha ing that speed, tho%gh. Any&ay, i" this silent dri e syste$ really &orks, they $ight #e a#le to creep %p onto the continental shel".@

@Lepressed2traCectory shot,@ Ryan said. 'his &as one o" the nastier n%clear &ar scenarios in &hich a sea2#ased $issile &as "ired &ithin a "e& h%ndred $iles o" its target. ;ashington is a #are h%ndred air $iles "ro$ the Atlantic *cean. 'ho%gh a $issile on a lo&, "ast "light path loses $%ch o" its acc%racy, a "e& o" the$ can #e la%nched to e7plode o er ;ashington in less than a "e& $in%tes? ti$e, too little "or a president to react. 4" the ,o iets &ere a#le to kill the president that D%ickly, the res%lting disr%ption o" the chain o" co$$and &o%ld gi e the$ a$ple ti$e to take o%t the land2#ased $issilesFthere &o%ld #e no one &ith a%thority to "ire. 'his scenario is a grand2strategic ersion o" a si$ple $%gging, Ryan tho%ght. A $%gger doesn?t attack his icti$?s ar$sFhe goes "or the head. @9o% think October &as #%ilt &ith that in $indI@ @4?$ s%re the tho%ght occ%rred to the$,@ 8reer o#ser ed. @4t &o%ld ha e occ%rred to %s. ;ell, &e ha e #remerton %p there to keep an eye on her, and i" this data t%rns o%t to #e %se"%l &e?ll see i" &e can co$e %p &ith an ans&er. 0o& are yo% "eelingI@ @4? e #een on the go since "i e2thirty London ti$e. Long day, sir.@ @4 e7pect so. *kay, &e?ll go o er the A"ghanistan #%siness to$orro& $orning. 8et so$e sleep, son.@ @Aye, aye, sir.@ Ryan got his coat. @8ood night.@ 4t &as a "i"teen2$in%te dri e to the >arriott. Ryan $ade the $istake o" t%rning the ': on to the #eginning o" >onday !ight =oot#all. Cincinnati &as playing ,an =rancisco, the t&o #est D%arter#acks in the leag%e pitted against one another. =oot#all &as so$ething he $issed li ing in England, and he $anaged to stay a&ake nearly three ho%rs #e"ore "ading o%t &ith the tele ision on. ,*,6, Control E7cept "or the "act that e eryone &as in %ni"or$, a isitor $ight easily ha e $istaken the roo$ "or a !A,A control center. 'here &ere si7 &ide ro&s o" consoles, each &ith its o&n ': screen and type&riter key#oard s%pple$ented #y lighted plastic #%ttons, dials, headphone Cacks, and analog and digital controls. ,enior Chie" *ceanographic 'echnician Leke =ranklin &as seated at console "i"teen. 'he roo$ &as ,*,6, Gsonar s%r eillance syste$H Atlantic Control. 4t &as in a "airly nondescript #%ilding, %ninspired go ern$ent layer cake, &ith &indo&less concrete &alls, a large air2conditioning syste$ on a "lat roo", and an acrony$2coded #l%e sign on a &ell2tended #%t no& yello&ed la&n. 'here &ere ar$ed $arines inconspic%o%sly on g%ard inside the three entrances. 4n the #ase$ent &ere a pair o" Cray2/ s%perco$p%ters tended #y t&enty acolytes, and #ehind the #%ilding &as a trio o" satellite gro%nd stations, all %p2 and do&n2links. 'he $en at the consoles and the co$p%ters &ere linked electronically #y satellite and landline to the ,*,6, syste$. 'hro%gho%t the oceans o" the &orld, and especially astride the passages that ,o iet s%#$arines had to cross to reach the open sea, the 6nited ,tates and other !A'* co%ntries had deployed gangs o" highly sensiti e sonar receptors. 'he h%ndreds o" ,*,6, sensors recei ed and "or&arded an %ni$agina#ly ast a$o%nt o" in"or$ation, and to help the syste$ operators classi"y and analyBe it a &hole ne& "a$ily o" co$p%ters had to #e designed, the s%perco$p%ters. ,*,6, ser ed its p%rpose ad$ira#ly &ell. :ery little co%ld cross a #arrier &itho%t #eing detected. E en the %ltraD%iet A$erican and British attack s%#$arines &ere generally picked %p. 'he sensors, lying on the #otto$ o" the sea, &ere periodically %pdatedE $any no& had their o&n signal processors to presort the data they "or&arded, lightening the load on the central co$p%ters

and ena#ling $ore rapid and acc%rate classi"ication o" targets. Chie" =ranklin?s console recei ed data "ro$ a string o" sensors planted o"" the coast o" 4celand. 0e &as responsi#le "or an area "orty na%tical $iles across, and his sector o erlapped the ones east and &est so that, theoretically, three operators &ere constantly $onitoring any seg$ent o" the #arrier. 4" he got a contact, he &o%ld "irst noti"y his #rother operators, then type a contact report into his co$p%ter ter$inal, &hich &o%ld in t%rn #e displayed on the $aster control #oard in the control roo$ at the #ack o" the "loor. 'he senior d%ty o""icer had the "reD%ently e7ercised a%thority to prosec%te a contact &ith a &ide range o" assets, "ro$ s%r"ace ships to antis%#$arine aircra"t. '&o &orld &ars had ta%ght A$erican and British o""icers the necessity o" keeping their sea lines o" co$$%nicationF,L*CsFopen. Altho%gh this D%iet, to$#like "acility had ne er #een sho&n to the p%#lic, and tho%gh it had none o" the dra$a associated &ith $ilitary li"e, the $en on d%ty here &ere a$ong the $ost i$portant in the ser ice o" their co%ntry. 4n a &ar, &itho%t the$, &hole nations $ight star e. =ranklin &as leaning #ack in his s&i el chair, p%""ing conte$plati ely on an old #riar pipe. Aro%nd hi$ the roo$ &as dead D%iet. E en had it not #een, his "i e2h%ndred2dollar headphones &o%ld ha e e""ecti ely sealed hi$ o"" "ro$ the o%tside &orld. A t&enty2si7 year chie", =ranklin had ser ed his entire career on destroyers and "rigates. 'o hi$, s%#$arines and s%#$ariners &ere the ene$y, regardless o" &hat "lag they $ight "ly or &hat %ni"or$ they $ight &ear. An eye#ro& &ent %p, and his nearly #ald head cocked to one side. 'he p%lls on the pipe gre& irreg%lar. 0is right hand reached "or&ard to the control panel and s&itched o"" the signal processors so that he co%ld get the so%nd &itho%t co$p%teriBed inter"erence. B%t it &as no good. 'here &as too $%ch #ackgro%nd noise. 0e s&itched the "ilters #ack on. !e7t he tried so$e changes in his aBi$%th controls. 'he ,*,6, sensors &ere designed to gi e #earing checks thro%gh the selecti e %se o" indi id%al receptors, &hich he co%ld $anip%late electronically, "irst getting one #earing, then %sing a neigh#oring gang to triang%late "or a "i7. 'he contact &as ery "aint, #%t not too "ar "ro$ the line, he C%dged. =ranklin D%eried his co$p%ter ter$inal. 'he 6,, !allas &as %p there. 3otcha! he said &ith a thin s$ile. Another noise ca$e thro%gh, a lo&2 "reD%ency r%$#le that only lasted a "e& seconds #e"ore "ading o%t. !ot all that D%iet, tho%gh. ;hy hadn?t he heard it #e"ore s&itching the reception aBi$%thI 0e set his pipe do&n and #egan $aking adC%st$ents on his control #oard. @Chie"I@ A oice ca$e o er his headphones. 4t &as the senior d%ty o""icer. @9es, Co$$anderI@ @Can yo% co$e #ack to controlI 4 ha e so$ething 4 &ant yo% to hear.@ @*n the &ay, sir.@ =ranklin rose D%ietly. Co$$ander O%entin &as a "or$er destroyer skipper on a li$ited d%ty a"ter a &inning #attle &ith cancer. Al$ost a &inning #attle, =ranklin corrected hi$sel". Che$otherapy had killed the cancerFat the cost o" nearly all his hair, and t%rning his skin into a sort o" transparent parch$ent. 'oo #ad, he tho%ght, O%entin &as a pretty good $an. 'he control roo$ &as ele ated a "e& "eet "ro$ the rest o" the "loor so that its occ%pants co%ld see o er the &hole cre& o" d%ty operators and the $ain tactical display on the "ar &all. 4t &as separated "ro$ the "loor #y glass, &hich allo&ed the$ to speak to one another &itho%t dist%r#ing the operators. =ranklin "o%nd O%entin at his co$$and station, &here he co%ld tap into any console on the "loor. @0o&dy, Co$$ander.@ =ranklin noted that the o""icer &as gaining so$e &eight #ack. 4t &as a#o%t ti$e. @;hat do yo% ha e "or $e, sirI@ @*n the Barents ,ea net.@ O%entin handed hi$ a pair o" phones. =ranklin listened "or se eral

$in%tes, #%t he didn?t sit do&n. Like $any people he had a g%t s%spicion that cancer &as contagio%s. @La$ned i" they ain?t pretty #%sy %p there. 4 read a pair o" Alfas, a "harlie, a Tango, and a "e& s%r"ace ships. ;hat gi es, sirI@ @'here?s a !elta there, too, #%t she C%st s%r"aced and killed her engines.@ @,%r"aced, ,kipperI@ @9ep. 'hey &ere lashing her pretty hard &ith acti e sonar, then a ?can D%eried her on a gertr%de.@ @6h2h%h. AcD%isition ga$e, and the s%# lost.@ @>ay#e. O%entin r%##ed his eyes. 'he $an looked tired. 0e &as p%shing hi$sel" too hard, and his sta$ina &asn?t hal" &hat it sho%ld ha e #een. @B%t the Alfas are still pinging, and no& they?re headed &est, as yo% heard.@ @*h.@ =ranklin pondered that "or a $o$ent. @'hey?re looking "or another #oat, then. 'he Typhoon that &as s%pposed to ha e sailed the other day, $ay#eI@ @'hat?s &hat 4 tho%ghtFe7cept she headed &est, and the e7ercise area is northeast o" the "Cord. ;e lost her the other day on ,*,6,. #remerton?s %p sni""ing aro%nd "or her no&.@ @Cagey skipper,@ =ranklin decided. @C%t his plant all the &ay #ack and C%st dri"ting.@ @9eah,@ O%entin agreed. @4 &ant yo% to $o e do&n to the !orth Cape #arrier s%per isory #oard and see i" yo% can "ind her, Chie". ,he?ll still ha e her reactor &orking, and she?ll #e $aking so$e noise. 'he operators &e ha e on that sector are a little yo%ng. 4?ll take one and s&itch hi$ to yo%r #oard "or a &hile.@ @Right, ,kipper,@ =ranklin nodded. 'hat part o" the tea$ &as still green, %sed to &orking on ships. ,*,6, reD%ired $ore "inesse. O%entin didn?t ha e to say that he e7pected =ranklin to check in on the &hole !orth Cape tea$?s #oards and $ay#e drop a "e& s$all lessons as he listened in on their channels. @Lid yo% pick %p on !allas2@ @9es, sir. Real "aint, #%t 4 think 4 got her crossing $y sector, headed north&est "or 'oll Booth. 4" &e get an *rion do&n there, &e $ight C%st get her locked in. Can &e rattle their cage a littleI@ O%entin ch%ckled. 0e didn?t $%ch care "or s%#$arines either. @!o, !4='9 L*L+04! is o er. Chie". ;e?ll C%st log it and let the skipper kno& &hen he co$es #ack ho$e. !ice &ork, tho%gh. 9o% kno& her rep%tation. ;e?re not s%pposed to hear her at all.@ @'hat?ll #e the dayJ@ =ranklin snorted. @Let $e kno& &hat yo% "ind, Leke.@ @Aye aye, ,kipper. 9o% take care o" yo%rsel", hearI@

THE FIFTH DAY TUESDAY 7, DECEMBER

>osco& 4t &as not the grandest o""ice in the Are$lin, #%t it s%ited his needs. Ad$iral 9%ri 4lych +adorin sho&ed %p "or &ork at his c%sto$ary se en o?clock a"ter the dri e "ro$ his si72roo$ apart$ent in the A%t%Bo skiy +rospekt. 'he large o""ice &indo&s o erlooked the Are$lin &allsE e7cept "or those he &o%ld ha e had a ie& o" the >osco& Ri er, no& "roBen solid. +adorin did not $iss the ie&, tho%gh he had &on his sp%rs co$$anding ri er g%n#oats "orty years #e"ore, r%nning s%pplies across the :olga into ,talingrad. +adorin &as no& the chie" political o""icer o" the ,o iet !a y. 0is Co# &as $en, not ships. *n the &ay in he nodded c%rtly to his secretary, a $an o" "orty. 'he yeo$an leaped to his "eet and "ollo&ed his ad$iral into the inner o""ice to help hi$ o"" &ith his greatcoat. +adorin?s na y2#l%e Cacket &as a#laBe &ith ri##ons and the gold star $edal o" the $ost co eted a&ard in the ,o iet >ilitary, 0ero o" the ,o iet 6nion. 0e had &on that in co$#at as a "reckled #oy o" t&enty, sh%ttling #ack and "orth on the :olga. 'hose &ere good days, he told hi$sel", dodging #o$#s "ro$ the 8er$an ,t%kas and the $ore rando$ artillery "ire &ith &hich the =ascists had tried to interdict his sD%adron . . . Like $ost $en he &as %na#le to re$e$#er the stark terror o" co$#at. 4t &as a '%esday $orning, and +adorin had a pile o" $ail &aiting on his desk. 0is yeo$an got hi$ a pot o" tea and a c%pFthe %s%al R%ssian glass c%p set in a $etal holder, sterling sil er in this case. +adorin had &orked long and hard "or the perDs that ca$e &ith this o""ice. 0e settled in his chair and read "irst thro%gh the intelligence dispatches, in"or$ation copies o" data sent each $orning and e ening to the operational co$$ands o" the ,o iet !a y. A political o""icer had to keep c%rrent, to kno& &hat the i$perialists &ere %p to so that he co%ld #rie" his $en on the threat. !e7t ca$e the o""icial $ail "ro$ &ithin the +eople?s Co$$issariat o" the !a y and the >inistry o" Le"ense. 0e had access to all o" the correspondence "ro$ the "or$er, &hile that "ro$ the latter had #een care"%lly etted since the ,o iet ar$ed ser ices share as little in"or$ation as possi#le. 'here &asn?t too $%ch $ail "ro$ either place today. 'he %s%al >onday a"ternoon $eeting had co ered $ost o" &hat had to #e done that &eek, and nearly e erything +adorin &as concerned &ith &as no& in the hands o" his sta"" "or disposition. 0e po%red a second c%p o" tea and opened a ne& pack o" %n"iltered cigarettes, a ha#it he?d #een

%na#le to #reak despite a $ild heart attack three years earlier. 0e checked his desk calendarF good, no appoint$ents %ntil ten. !ear the #otto$ o" the pile &as an o""icial2looking en elope "ro$ the !orthern =leet. 'he code n%$#er at the %pper le"t corner sho&ed that it ca$e "ro$ the Red October& 0adn?t he C%st read so$ething a#o%t thatI +adorin rechecked his ops dispatches. ,o, Ra$i%s hadn?t t%rned %p in his e7ercise areaI 0e shr%gged. >issile s%#$arines &ere s%pposed to #e el%si e, and it &o%ld not ha e s%rprised the old ad$iral at all i" Ra$i%s &ere t&isting a "e& tails. 'he son o" Aleksandr Ra$i%s &as a pri$a donna &ho had the tro%#ling ha#it o" see$ing to #%ild his o&n personality c%ltK he kept so$e o" the $en he trained and discarded others. +adorin re"lected that those reCected "or line ser ice had $ade e7cellent zampoliti, and appeared to ha e $ore line kno&ledge than &as the nor$. E en so, Ra$i%s &as a captain &ho needed &atching. ,o$eti$es +adorin s%spected that he &as too $%ch a sailor and not eno%gh a Co$$%nist. *n the other hand, his "ather had #een a $odel +arty $e$#er and a hero o" the 8reat +atriotic ;ar. Certainly he had #een &ell tho%ght o", Lith%anian or not. And the sonI 9ears o" letter2per"ect per"or$ance, as $any years o" stal&art +arty $e$#ership. 0e &as kno&n "or his spirited participation at $eetings and occasionally #rilliant essays. 'he people in the na al #ranch o" the 8R6, the ,o iet $ilitary intelligence agency, reported that the i$perialists regarded hi$ as a dangero%s and skilled ene$y. 8ood, +adorin tho%ght, the #astards o%ght to "ear o%r $en. 0e t%rned his attention #ack to the en elope Red October, no& there &as a "itting na$e "or a ,o iet &arshipJ !a$ed not only "or the re ol%tion that had "ore er changed the history o" the &orld #%t also "or the Red *cto#er 'ractor +lant. >any &as the da&n &hen +adorin had looked &est to ,talingrad to see i" the "actory still stood, a sy$#ol o" the ,o iet "ighting $en str%ggling against the 0itlerite #andits. 'he en elope &as $arked Con"idential, and his yeo$an had not opened it as he had the other ro%tine $ail. 'he ad$iral took his letter opener "ro$ the desk dra&er. 4t &as a senti$ental o#Cect, ha ing #een his ser ice kni"e years #e"ore. ;hen his "irst g%n#oat had #een s%nk %nder hi$, one hot A%g%st night in 194/, he had s&%$ to shore and #een po%nced on #y a 8er$an in"antry$an &ho hadn?t e7pected resistance "ro$ a hal"2dro&ned sailor. +adorin had s%rprised hi$, sinking the kni"e in his chest and #reaking o"" hal" the #lade as he stole his ene$y?s li"e. Later a $achinist had tri$$ed the #lade do&n. 4t &as no longer a proper kni"e, #%t +adorin &asn?t a#o%t to thro& this sort o" so% enir a&ay. @Co$rade Ad$iral,@ the letter #eganF#%t the type had #een scratched o%t and replaced &ith a hand2&ritten @6ncle 9%ri.@ Ra$i%s had Cokingly called hi$ that years #ack &hen +adorin &as chie" political o""icer o" the !orthern =leet. @'hank yo% "or yo%r con"idence, and "or the opport%nity yo% ha e gi en $e &ith co$$and o" this $agni"icent shipJ@ Ra$i%s o%ght to #e grate"%l, +adorin tho%ght. +er"or$ance or not, yo% don?t gi e this sort o" co$$and toF ;hatI +adorin stopped reading and started o er. 0e "orgot the cigarette s$oldering in his ashtray as he reached the #otto$ o" the "irst page. A Coke. Ra$i%s &as kno&n "or his CokesF #%t he?d pay "or this one. 'his &as going too "%cking "arJ 0e t%rned the page. @This is no 4oke, 5ncle 6uri1/arko&@ +adorin stopped and looked o%t the &indo&. 'he Are$lin &all at this point &as a #eehi e o" niches "or the ashes o" the +arty "aith"%l. 0e co%ldn?t ha e read the letter correctly. 0e started to read it again. 0is hands #egan to shake. 0e had a direct line to Ad$iral 8orshko , &ith no yeo$en or secretaries to #ar the &ay. @Co$rade Ad$iral, this is +adorin.@ @8ood $orning, 9%ri,@ 8orshko said pleasantly.

@4 $%st see yo% i$$ediately. 4 ha e a sit%ation here.@ @;hat sort o" sit%ationI@ 8orshko asked &arily. @;e $%st disc%ss it in person. 4 a$ co$ing o er no&.@ 'here &as no &ay he?d disc%ss this o er the phoneE he kne& it &as tapped. 'he 6,, Lallas ,onar$an ,econd Class Ronald Jones, his di ision o""icer noted, &as in his %s%al trance. 'he yo%ng college dropo%t &as h%nched o er his instr%$ent ta#le, #ody li$p, eyes closed, "ace locked into the sa$e ne%tral e7pression he &ore &hen listening to one o" the $any Bach tapes on his e7pensi e personal cassette player. Jones &as the sort &ho categoriBed his tapes #y their "la&s, a ragged piano te$po, a #otched "l%te, a &a ering =rench horn. 0e listened to sea so%nds &ith the sa$e discri$inating intensity. 4n all the na ies o" the &orld, s%#$ariners &ere regarded as a c%rio%s #reed, and s%#$ariners the$sel es looked %pon sonar operators as odd. 'heir eccentricities, ho&e er, &ere a$ong the $ost tolerated in the $ilitary ser ice. 'he e7ec%ti e o""icer liked to tell a story a#o%t a sonar chie" he?d ser ed &ith "or t&o years, a $an &ho had patrolled the sa$e areas in $issile s%#$arines "or irt%ally his &hole career. 0e #eca$e so "a$iliar &ith the h%$p#ack &hales that s%$$ered in the area that he took to calling the$ #y na$e. *n retiring, he &ent to &ork "or the ;oods 0ole *ceanographic 4nstit%te, &here his talent &as regarded not so $%ch &ith a$%se$ent as a&e. 'hree years earlier, Jones had #een asked to lea e the Cali"ornia 4nstit%te o" 'echnology in the $iddle o" his C%nior year. 0e had p%lled one o" the ingenio%s pranks "or &hich Cal 'ech st%dents &ere C%stly "a$o%s, only it hadn?t &orked. !o& he &as ser ing his ti$e in the na y to "inance his ret%rn. 4t &as his anno%nced intention to get a doctorate in cy#ernetics and signal processing. 4n ret%rn "or an early o%t, a"ter recei ing his degree he &o%ld go to &ork "or the !a al Research La#oratory. Lie%tenant 'ho$pson #elie ed it. *n Coining the !allas si7 $onths earlier, he had read the "iles o" all his $en. Jones? 4O &as 1.8, the highest on the #oat #y a "air $argin. 0e had a placid "ace and sad #ro&n eyes that &o$en "o%nd irresisti#le. *n the #each Jones had eno%gh action to &ear do&n a sD%ad o" $arines. 4t didn?t $ake $%ch sense to the lie%tenant. 0e?d #een the "oot#all hero at Annapolis. Jones &as a skinny kid &ho listened to Bach. 4t didn?t "ig%re. 'he 6,, !allas, a 3882class attack s%#$arine, &as "orty $iles "ro$ the coast o" 4celand, approaching her patrol station, code2na$ed 'oll Booth. ,he &as t&o days late getting there. A &eek earlier, she had participated in the !A'* &ar ga$e !4='9 L*L+04!, &hich had #een postponed se eral days #eca%se the &orst !orth Atlantic &eather in t&enty years had delayed other ships detailed to it. 4n that e7ercise the !allas, tea$ed &ith 0>, ()iftsure, had %sed the "o%l &eather to penetrate and ra age the si$%lated ene$y "or$ation. 4t &as yet another "o%r2oh per"or$ance "or the !allas and her skipper, Co$$ander Bart >anc%so, one o" the yo%ngest s%#$arine co$$anders in the 6.,. !a y. 'he $ission had #een "ollo&ed #y a co%rtesy call at the ()iftsure?s Royal !a y #ase in ,cotland, and the A$erican sailors &ere still shaking o"" hango ers "ro$ the cele#ration . . . !o& they had a di""erent $ission, a ne& de elop$ent in the Atlantic s%#$arine ga$e. =or three &eeks, the !allas &as to report on tra""ic in and o%t o" Red Ro%te *ne. * er the past "o%rteen $onths, ne&er ,o iet s%#$arines had #een %sing a strange, e""ecti e tactic "or shedding their A$erican and British shado&ers. ,o%th&est o" 4celand the R%ssian

#oats &o%ld race do&n the ReykCanes Ridge, a "inger o" %nder&ater highlands pointing to the deep Atlantic #asin. ,paced at inter als "ro$ "i e $iles to hal" a $ile, these $o%ntains &ith their kni"e2edged ridges o" #rittle igneo%s rock ri aled the Alps in siBe. 'heir peaks &ere a#o%t a tho%sand "eet #eneath the stor$y s%r"ace o" the !orth Atlantic. Be"ore the late si7ties s%#$arines co%ld #arely approach the peaks, $%ch less pro#e their $yriad alleys. 'hro%gho%t the se enties ,o iet na al s%r ey essels had #een seen patrolling the ridgeFin all seasons, in all &eather, D%artering and reD%artering the area in tho%sands o" cr%ises. 'hen, "o%rteen $onths #e"ore the !allas? present patrol, the 6,, Los Angeles had #een tracking a ,o iet %ictor --2class attack s%#$arine. 'he %ictor had skirted the 4celandic coast and gone deep as she approached the ridge. 'he Los Angeles had "ollo&ed. 'he %ictor proceeded at eight knots %ntil she passed #et&een the "irst pair o" sea$o%nts, in"or$ally kno&n as 'hor?s '&ins. All at once she &ent to "%ll speed and $o ed so%th&est. 'he skipper o" the Los Angeles $ade a deter$ined e""ort to track the %ictor and ca$e a&ay "ro$ it #adly shaken. Altho%gh the 3882class s%#$arines &ere "aster than the older %ictors, the R%ssian s%#$arine had si$ply not slo&ed do&nF"or "i"teen ho%rs, it &as later deter$ined. At "irst it had not #een all that dangero%s. ,%#$arines had highly acc%rate inertial na igation syste$s a#le to "i7 their positions to &ithin a "e& h%ndred yards "ro$ one second to another. B%t the %ictor &as skirting cli""s as tho%gh her skipper co%ld see the$, like a "ighter dodging do&n a canyon to a oid s%r"ace2to2air $issile "ire. 'he Los Angeles co%ld not keep track o" the cli""s. At any speed o er t&enty knots #oth her passi e and acti e sonar, incl%ding the echo"atho$eter, #eca$e al$ost %seless. 'he Los Angeles th%s "o%nd hersel" na igating co$pletely #lind. 4t &as, the skipper later reported, like dri ing a car &ith the &indo&s painted o er, steering &ith a $ap and a stop&atch. 'his &as theoretically possi#le, #%t the captain D%ickly realiBed that the inertial na igation syste$ had a #%ilt2in error "actor o" se eral h%ndred yardsE this &as aggra ated #y gra itational dist%r#ances, &hich a""ected the @local ertical,@ &hich in t%rn a""ected the inertial "i7. ;orst o" all, his charts &ere $ade "or s%r"ace ships. *#Cects #elo& a "e& h%ndred "eet had #een kno&n to #e $isplaced #y $ilesFso$ething that $attered to no one %ntil recently. 'he inter al #et&een $o%ntains had D%ickly #eco$e less than his c%$%lati e na igational errorFsooner or later his s%#$arine &o%ld dri e into a $o%ntainside at o er thirty knots. 'he captain #acked o"". 'he %ictor got a&ay. 4nitially it &as theoriBed that the ,o iets had so$eho& staked o%t one partic%lar ro%te, that their s%#$arines &ere a#le to "ollo& it at high speed. R%ssian skippers &ere kno&n to p%ll so$e craBy st%nts, and perhaps they &ere tr%sting to a co$#ination o" inertial syste$s, $agnetic and gyro co$passes att%ned to a speci"ic track. 'his theory had ne er de eloped $%ch o" a "ollo&ing, and in a "e& &eeks it &as kno&n "or certain that the ,o iet s%#$arines speeding thro%gh the ridge &ere "ollo&ing a $%ltiplicity o" tracks. 'he only thing A$erican and British s%#s co%ld do &as stop periodically to get a sonar "i7 o" their positions, then race to catch %p. B%t the ,o iet s%#s ne er slo&ed, and the 388s and Trafalgars kept "alling #ehind. 'he !allas &as on 'oll Booth station to $onitor passing R%ssian s%#s, to &atch the entrance to the passage the 6.,. !a y &as no& calling Red Ro%te *ne, and to listen "or any e7ternal e idence o" a ne& gadget that $ight ena#le the ,o iets to r%n the ridge so #oldly. 6ntil the A$ericans co%ld copy it, there &ere three %nsa ory alternati esK they co%ld contin%e losing contact &ith the R%ssiansE they co%ld station al%a#le attack s%#s at the kno&n e7its "ro$ the ro%teE or they co%ld set %p a &hole ne& ,*,6, line. Jones? trance lasted ten $in%tesFlonger than %s%al. 0e ordinarily had a contact "ig%red o%t in "ar less ti$e. 'he sailor leaned #ack and lit a cigarette.

@8ot so$ething, >r. 'ho$pson.@ @;hat is itI@ 'ho$pson leaned against the #%lkhead. @4 don?t kno&.@ Jones picked %p a spare set o" phones and handed the$ to his o""icer. @Listen %p, sir.@ 'ho$pson hi$sel" &as a $asters candidate in electrical engineering, an e7pert in sonar syste$ design. 0is eyes scre&ed sh%t as he concentrated on the so%nd. 4t &as a ery "aint lo&2 "reD%ency r%$#leFor s&ish. 0e co%ldn?t decide. 0e listened "or se eral $in%tes #e"ore setting the headphones do&n, then shook his head. @4 got it a hal" ho%r ago on the lateral array,@ Jones said. 0e re"erred to a s%#syste$ o" the BOO2. $%lti"%nction s%#$arine sonar. 4ts $ain co$ponent &as an eighteen2"oot2dia$eter do$e located in the #o&. 'he do$e &as %sed "or #oth acti e and passi e operations. A ne& part o" the syste$ &as a gang o" passi e sensors &hich e7tended t&o h%ndred "eet do&n #oth sides o" the h%ll. 'his &as a $echanical analog to the sensory organs on the #ody o" a shark. @Lost it, got it #ack, lost it, got it #ack,@ Jones &ent on. @4t?s not scre& so%nds, not &hales or "ish. >ore like &ater going thro%gh a pipe, e7cept "or that "%nny r%$#le that co$es and goes. Any&ay, the #earing is a#o%t t&o2"i e2Bero. 'hat p%ts it #et&een %s and 4celand, so it can?t #e too "ar a&ay.@ @Let?s see &hat it looks like. >ay#e that?ll tell %s so$ething.@ Jones took a do%#le2pl%gged &ire "ro$ a hook. *ne pl%g &ent into a socket on his sonar panel, the other into the Cack on a near#y oscilloscope. 'he t&o $en spent se eral $in%tes &orking &ith the sonar controls to isolate the signal. 'hey ended %p &ith an irreg%lar sine &a e &hich they &ere only a#le to hold a "e& seconds at a ti$e. @4rreg%lar,@ 'ho$pson said. @9eah, it?s "%nny. 4t so%nds reg%lar, #%t it doesn?t look reg%lar. Ano& &hat 4 $ean, >r. 'ho$psonI@ @!o, yo%? e got #etter ears.@ @'hat?s ca%se 4 listen to #etter $%sic, sir. 'hat rock st%""?ll kill yo%r ears.@ 'ho$pson kne& he &as right, #%t an Annapolis grad%ate doesn?t need to hear that "ro$ an enlisted $an. 0is intage Janis Joplin tapes &ere his o&n #%siness. @!e7t step.@ @9essir.@ Jones took the pl%g "ro$ the oscilloscope and $o ed it into a panel to the le"t o" the sonar #oard, ne7t to a co$p%ter ter$inal. L%ring her last o erha%l, the !allas had recei ed a ery special toy to go along &ith her BOO2. sonar syste$. Called the BC215, it &as the $ost po&er"%l co$p%ter yet installed a#oard a s%#$arine. 'ho%gh only a#o%t the siBe o" a #%siness desk, it cost o er "i e $illion dollars and ran at eighty $illion operations per second. 4t %sed ne&ly de eloped si7ty2"o%r2#it chips and $ade %se o" the latest processing architect%re. 4ts #%##le $e$ory co%ld easily acco$$odate the co$p%ting needs o" a &hole sD%adron o" s%#$arines. 4n "i e years e ery attack s%# in the "leet &o%ld ha e one. 4ts p%rpose, $%ch like that o" the "ar larger ,*,6, syste$, &as to process and analyBe sonar signalsE the BC215 stripped a&ay a$#ient noise and other nat%rally prod%ced sea so%nds to classi"y and identi"y $an2$ade noise. 4t co%ld identi"y ships #y na$e "ro$ their indi id%al aco%stical signat%res, $%ch as one co%ld identi"y the "inger or oice prints o" a h%$an. As i$portant as the co$p%ter &as its progra$$ing so"t&are. =o%r years #e"ore, a +hL candidate in geophysics &ho &as &orking at Cal 'ech?s geophysical la#oratory had co$pleted a progra$ o" si7 h%ndred tho%sand steps designed to predict earthD%akes. 'he pro#le$ the progra$ addressed &as one o" signal ers%s noise. 4t o erca$e the di""ic%lty seis$ologists had

discri$inating #et&een rando$ noise that is constantly $onitored on seis$ographs and gen%inely %n%s%al signals that "oretell a seis$ic e ent. 'he "irst Le"ense Lepart$ent %se o" the progra$ &as in the Air =orce 'echnical Applications Co$$and GA='ACH, &hich "o%nd it entirely satis"actory "or its $ission o" $onitoring n%clear e ents thro%gho%t the &orld in accordance &ith ar$s control treaties. 'he !a y Research La#oratory also redra"ted it "or its o&n p%rposes. 'ho%gh inadeD%ate "or seis$ic predictions, it &orked ery &ell indeed in analyBing sonar signals. 'he progra$ &as kno&n in the na y as the signal algorith$ic processing syste$ G,A+,H. @,A+, ,48!AL 4!+6',@ Jones typed into the ideo display ter$inal G:L'H. @REAL9,@ the BC215 responded at once. @R6!.@ @;*RA4!8.@ =or all the "antastic speed o" the BC215, the si7 h%ndred tho%sand steps o" the progra$, p%nct%ated #y n%$ero%s 8*'* loops, took ti$e to r%n as the $achine eli$inated nat%ral so%nds &ith its rando$ pro"ile criteria and then locked into the ano$alo%s signal. 4t took t&enty seconds, an eternity in co$p%ter ti$e. 'he ans&er ca$e %p on the :L'. Jones pressed a key to generate a copy on the adCacent $atri7 printer. @0$ph.@ Jones tore o"" the page. @?A!*>AL*6, ,48!AL E:AL6A'EL A, >A8>A L4,+LACE>E!'.? 'hat?s ,A+,? &ay o" saying take t&o aspirin and call $e at end o" the &atch.@ 'ho$pson ch%ckled. =or all the #allyhoo that had acco$panied the ne& syste$, it &as not all that pop%lar in the "leet. @Re$e$#er &hat the papers said &hen &e &ere in EnglandI ,o$ething a#o%t seis$ic acti ity aro%nd 4celand, like &hen that island poked %p #ack in the si7ties.@ Jones lit another cigarette. 0e kne& the st%dent &ho had originally dra"ted this a#ortion they called ,A+,. *ne pro#le$ &as that it had a nasty ha#it o" analyBing the &rong signalFand yo% co%ldn?t tell it &as &rong "ro$ the res%lts. Besides, since it had #een originally designed to look "or seis$ic e ents, Jones s%spected it o" a tendency to interpret ano$alies as seis$ic e ents. 0e didn?t like the #%ilt2in #ias, &hich he "elt the research la#oratory had not entirely re$o ed. 4t &as one thing to %se co$p%ters as a tool, D%ite another to let the$ do yo%r thinking "or yo%. Besides, they &ere al&ays disco ering ne& sea so%nds that no#ody had e er heard #e"ore, $%ch less classi"ied. @,ir, the "reD%ency is all &rong "or one thingFno&here near lo& eno%gh. 0o& ?#o%t 4 try an? track in on this signal &ith the R21.I@ Jones re"erred to the to&ed array o" passi e sensors the !allas &as trailing #ehind her at lo& speed. Co$$ander >anc%so ca$e in C%st then, the %s%al $%g o" co""ee in his hand. 4" there &as one "rightening thing a#o%t the captain, 'ho$pson tho%ght, it &as his talent "or sho&ing %p &hen so$ething &as going on. Lid he ha e the &hole #oat &iredI @J%st &andering #y,@ he said cas%ally. @;hat?s happening this "ine dayI@ 'he captain leaned against the #%lkhead. 0e &as a s$all $an, only "i e eight, &ho had "o%ght a #attle against his &aistline all his li"e and &as no& losing #eca%se o" the good "ood and lack o" e7ercise on a s%#$arine. 0is dark eyes &ere s%rro%nded #y la%gh lines that &ere al&ays deeper &hen he &as playing a trick on another ship. ;as it day, 'ho$pson &onderedI 'he si72ho%r one2in2three rotating &atch cycle $ade "or a con enient &ork sched%le, #%t a"ter a "e& changes yo% had to press the #%tton on yo%r &atch to "ig%re o%t &hat day it &as, else yo% co%ldn?t $ake the proper entry in the log.

@,kipper, Jones picked %p a "%nny signal on the lateral. 'he co$p%ter says it?s $ag$a displace$ent.@ @And Jonesy doesn?t agree &ith that.@ >anc%so didn?t ha e to $ake it a D%estion. @!o, sir, Captain, 4 don?t. 4 don?t kno& &hat it is, #%t "or s%re it ain?t that.@ @9o% against the $achine againI@ @,kipper, ,A+, &orks pretty &ell $ost o" the ti$e, #%t so$eti$es it?s a real kludge&@ Jones? epithet &as the $ost perCorati e c%rse o" electronics people. @=or one thing the "reD%ency is all &rong.@ @*kay, &hat do yo% thinkI@ @4 don?t kno&, Captain. 4t isn?t scre& so%nds, and it isn?t any nat%rally prod%ced so%nd that 4? e heard. Beyond that . . .@ Jones &as str%ck #y the in"or$ality o" the disc%ssion &ith his co$$anding o""icer, e en a"ter three years on n%clear s%#s. 'he cre& o" the !allas &as like one #ig "a$ily, al#eit one o" the old "rontier "a$ilies, since e ery#ody &orked pretty da$ned hard. 'he captain &as the "ather. 'he e7ec%ti e o""icer, e eryone &o%ld readily agree, &as the $other. 'he o""icers &ere the older kids, and the enlisted $en &ere the yo%nger kids. 'he i$portant thing &as, i" yo% had so$ething to say, the captain &o%ld listen to yo%. 'o Jones, this co%nted "or a lot. >anc%so nodded tho%ght"%lly. @;ell, keep at it. !o sense letting all this e7pensi e gear go to &aste.@ Jones grinned. *nce he had told the captain in precise detail ho& he co%ld con ert this eD%ip$ent into the &orld?s "inest stereo rig. >anc%so had pointed o%t that it &o%ld not #e a $aCor "eat, since the sonar gear in this roo$ alone cost o er t&enty $illion dollars. @ChristJ@ 'he C%nior technician #olted %pright in his chair. @,o$e#ody C%st sto$ped on the gas.@ Jones &as the sonar &atch s%per isor. 'he other t&o &atchstanders noted the ne& signal, and Jones s&itched his phones to the to&ed array Cack &hile the t&o o""icers kept o%t o" the &ay. 0e took a scratch pad and noted the ti$e #e"ore &orking on his indi id%al controls. 'he BOR21. &as the $ost sensiti e sonar rig on the #oat, #%t its sensiti ity &as not needed "or this contact. @La$n,@ Jones $%ttered D%ietly. @"harlie,@ said the C%nior technician. Jones shook his head. @%ictor& %ictor class "or s%re. Loing t%rns "or thirty knotsF#ig #%rst o" ca itation noise, he?s digging #ig holes in the &ater, and he doesn?t care &ho kno&s it. Bearing Bero2"i e2Bero. ,kipper, &e got good &ater aro%nd %s, and the signal is real "aint. 0e?s not close.@ 4t &as the closest thing to a range esti$ate Jones co%ld co$e %p &ith. !ot close $eant anything o er ten $iles. 0e &ent #ack to &orking his controls. @4 think &e kno& this g%y. 'his is the one &ith a #ent #lade on his scre&, so%nds like he?s got a chain &rapped aro%nd it.@ @+%t it on speaker,@ >anc%so told 'ho$pson. 0e didn?t &ant to dist%r# the operators. 'he lie%tenant &as already keying the signal into the BC215. 'he #%lkhead2$o%nted speaker &o%ld ha e co$$anded a "o%r2"ig%re price in any stereo shop "or its clarity and dyna$ic per"ectionE like e erything else on the 3882class s%#, it &as the ery #est that $oney co%ld #%y. As Jones &orked on the so%nd controls they heard the &hining chirp o" propeller ca itation, the thin screech associated &ith a #ent propeller #lade, and the deeper r%$#le o" a %ictor?s reactor plant at "%ll po&er. 'he ne7t thing >anc%so heard &as the printer. @%ictor -)class, n%$#er si7,@ 'ho$pson anno%nced. @Right,@ Jones nodded. @%ic2si7, #earing still Bero2"i e2Bero.@ 0e pl%gged the $o%thpiece

into his headphones. @Conn, sonar, &e ha e a contact. A %ictor class, #earing Bero2"i e2Bero, esti$ated target speed thirty knots.@ >anc%so leaned o%t into the passage&ay to address Lie%tenant +at >annion, o""icer o" the deck. @+at, $an the "ire2control tracking party.@ @Aye, Cap?n.@ @;ait a $in%teJ@ Jones? hand &ent %p. @8ot another oneJ@ 0e t&iddled so$e kno#s. @'his one?s a "harlie class. La$ned i" he ain?t digging holes, too. >ore easterly, #earing Bero2se en2 three, doing t%rns "or a#o%t t&enty2eight knots. ;e kno& this g%y, too. 9eah, "harlie --, n%$#er ele en.@ Jones slipped a phone o"" one ear and looked at >anc%so. @,kipper, the R%sskies ha e s%# races sched%led "or todayI@ @!ot that they told $e a#o%t. *" co%rse, &e don?t get the sports page o%t here,@ >anc%so ch%ckled, s&irling the co""ee aro%nd in his c%p and hiding his real tho%ghts. ;hat the hell &as going onI @4 s%ppose 4?ll go "or&ard and take a look at this. 8ood &ork, g%ys.@ 0e &ent a "e& steps "or&ard into the attack center. 'he nor$al stea$ing &atch &as set. >annion had the conn, &ith a C%nior o""icer o" the deck and se en enlisted $en. A "irst2class "irecontrol$an &as entering data "ro$ the target $otion analyBer into the >ark 11( "ire control co$p%ter. Another o""icer &as entering control to take charge o" the tracking e7ercise. 'here &as nothing %n%s%al a#o%t this. 'he &hole &atch &ent a#o%t its &ork alertly #%t &ith the rela7ed de$eanor that ca$e &ith years o" training and e7perience. ;hile the other ar$ed ser ices ro%tinely had their co$ponents r%n e7ercises against allies or the$sel es in e$%lation o" Eastern Bloc tactics, the na y had its attack s%#$arines play their ga$es against the real thing Fand constantly. ,%#$ariners typically operated on &hat &as e""ecti ely an at2&ar "ooting. @,o &e ha e co$pany,@ >annion o#ser ed. @!ot that close,@ Lie%tenant Charles 8ood$an noted. @'hese #earings ha en?t changed a &hisker.@ @Conn, sonar.@ 4t &as Jones? oice. >anc%so took it. @Conn, aye. ;hat is it, JonesyI@ @;e got another one, sir. Alfa 7, #earing Bero2"i e2"i e. R%nning "lat o%t. ,o%nds like an earthD%ake, #%t "aint, sir.@ @Alfa 72 *%r old "riend, the Polito$skiy& 0a en?t r%n across her in a &hile. Anything else yo% can tell $eI@ @A g%ess, sir. 'he so%nd on this one &ar#led, then settled do&n, like she &as $aking a t%rn. 4 think she?s heading this &ayFthat?s a little shaky. And &e ha e so$e $ore noise to the northeast. 'oo con"%sed to $ake any sense o" C%st no&. ;e?re &orking on it.@ @*kay, nice &ork, Jonesy. Aeep at it.@ @,%re thing, Captain.@ >anc%so s$iled as he set the phone do&n, looking o er at >annion. @9o% kno&, +at, so$eti$es 4 &onder i" Jonesy isn?t part &itch.@ >annion looked at the paper tracks that 8ood$an &as dra&ing to #ack %p the co$p%teriBed targeting process. @0e?s pretty good. +ro#le$ is, he thinks &e &ork "or hi$.@ @Right no& &e are &orking "or hi$.@ Jones &as their eyes and ears, and >anc%so &as da$ned glad to ha e hi$. @Ch%ckI@ >anc%so asked Lie%tenant 8ood$an. @Bearing still constant on all three contacts, sir.@ ;hich pro#a#ly $eant they &ere heading "or the !allas& 4t also $eant that they co%ld not de elop the range data necessary "or a "ire control sol%tion. !ot that anyone &anted to shoot, #%t this &as the point o" the e7ercise.

@+at, let?s get so$e sea roo$. >o e %s a#o%t ten $iles east,@ >anc%so ordered cas%ally. 'here &ere t&o reasons "or this. =irst, it &o%ld esta#lish a #ase line "ro$ &hich to co$p%te pro#a#le target range. ,econd, the deeper &ater &o%ld $ake "or #etter aco%stical conditions, opening %p to the$ the distant sonar con ergence Bone. 'he captain st%died the chart as his na igator ga e the necessary orders, e al%ating the tactical sit%ation. Bartolo$eo >anc%so &as the son o" a #ar#er &ho closed his shop in Cicero, 4llinois, e ery "all to h%nt deer on >ichigan?s 6pper +enins%la. Bart had acco$panied his "ather on these h%nts, shot his "irst deer at the age o" t&el e and e ery year therea"ter %ntil entering the !a al Acade$y. 0e had ne er #othered a"ter that. ,ince #eco$ing an o""icer on n%clear s%#$arines he had learned a $%ch $ore di erting ga$e. !o& he h%nted people. '&o ho%rs later an alar$ #ell &ent o"" on the EL= radio in the s%#?s co$$%nications roo$. Like all n%clear s%#$arines, the !allas &as trailing a lengthy &ire antenna att%ned to the e7tre$ely lo&2"reD%ency trans$itter in the central 6nited ,tates. 'he channel had a "r%stratingly narro& data #and &idth. 6nlike a ': channel, &hich trans$itted tho%sands o" #its o" data per "ra$e, thirty "ra$es per second, the EL= radio passed on data slo&ly, a#o%t one character e ery thirty seconds. 'he d%ty radio$an &aited patiently &hile the in"or$ation &as recorded on tape. ;hen the $essage &as "inished, he ran the tape at high speed and transcri#ed the $essage, handing it to the co$$%nications o""icer &ho &as &aiting &ith his code #ook. 'he signal &as act%ally not a code #%t a @one2ti$e2pad@ cipher. A #ook, p%#lished e ery si7 $onths and distri#%ted to e ery n%clear s%#$arine, &as "illed &ith rando$ly generated transpositions "or each letter o" the signal. Each scra$#led three2letter gro%p in this #ook corresponded to a preselected &ord or phrase in another #ook. Leciphering the $essage #y hand took %nder three $in%tes, and &hen that &as co$pleted it &as carried to the captain in the attack center. !08 J+R =R*> C*>,6BLA!' '* LA!',6B, A' ,EA *+9 'BL OEO +*,,4BLE >AJ*R RELE+L*9>E!' *RLER >AL A,= 6!EM+EC'EL REL=LEE' *+ERA'4*! '9O *R: !A'6RE 6!A!*;! !EM' EL= >E,,A8E 0;N C*>>6!4CA'E ,,4M 9'R ,'A!LB9 8ER LAR8E2,CALE !>E 4! +R*8RE,,

C*>,6BLA!'Fco$$ander o" the ,%#$arine =orce in the AtlanticF&as >anc%so?s #ig #oss, :ice Ad$iral :incent 8allery. 'he old $an &as e idently conte$plating a resh%""ling o" his entire "orce, no $inor a""air. 'he ne7t &ake2%p signal, AAAFencrypted, o" co%rseF&o%ld alert the$ to go to periscope2antenna depth to get $ore detailed instr%ctions "ro$ ,,4M, the s%#$arine satellite in"or$ation e7change, a geosynchrono%s co$$%nications satellite %sed e7cl%si ely #y s%#$arines. 'he tactical sit%ation &as #eco$ing clearer, tho%gh its strategic i$plications &ere #eyond his a#ility to C%dge. 'he ten2$ile $o e east&ard had gi en the$ adeD%ate range in"or$ation "or

their initial three contacts and another Alfa &hich had t%rned %p a "e& $in%tes later. 'he "irst o" the contacts, %ic 8, &as no& &ithin torpedo range. A >ark 48 &as locked in on her, and there &as no &ay that her skipper co%ld kno& the !allas &as here. %ic 8 &as a deer in his sightsF#%t it &asn?t h%nting season. 'ho%gh not $%ch "aster than the %ictors and "harlies, and ten knots slo&er than the s$aller Alfas, the !allas and her sisters co%ld $o e al$ost silently at nearly t&enty knots. 'his &as a tri%$ph o" engineering and design, the prod%ct o" decades o" &ork. B%t $o ing &itho%t #eing detected &as %se"%l only i" the h%nter co%ld at the sa$e ti$e detect his D%arry. ,onars lost e""ecti eness as their carrier plat"or$ increased speed. 'he !allas? BOO2. retained t&enty percent e""ecti eness at t&enty knots, nothing to cheer a#o%t. ,%#$arines r%nning at high speed "ro$ one point to another &ere #lind and %na#le to har$ anyone. As a res%lt, the operating pattern o" an attack s%#$arine &as $%ch like that o" a co$#at in"antry$an. ;ith a ri"le$an it &as called dash2and2co erE &ith a s%#, sprint2and2dri"t. A"ter detecting a target, a s%# &o%ld race to a $ore ad antageo%s position, stop to reacD%ire her prey, then dash again %ntil a "iring position had #een achie ed. 'he s%#?s D%arry &o%ld #e $o ing too, and i" the s%#$arine co%ld gain position in "ront o" it, she had then only to lie in &ait like a great h%nting cat to strike. 'he s%#$ariner?s trade reD%ired $ore than skill. 4t reD%ired instinct, and an artist?s to%chE $ono$aniacal con"idence, and the aggressi eness o" a pro"essional #o7er. >anc%so had all o" these things. 0e had spent "i"teen years learning his cra"t, &atching a generation o" co$$anders as a C%nior o""icer, listening care"%lly at the "reD%ent ro%nd2ta#le disc%ssions &hich $ade s%#$arining a ery h%$an pro"ession, its lessons passed on #y er#al tradition. 'i$e on shore had #een spent training in a ariety o" co$p%teriBed si$%lators, attending se$inars, co$paring notes and ideas &ith his peers. A#oard s%r"ace ships and A,; aircra"t he learned ho& the @ene$y@Fthe s%r"ace sailorsFplayed his o&n h%nting ga$e. ,%#$ariners li ed #y a si$ple $ottoK 'here are t&o kinds o" ships, s%#$arines . . . and targets. ;hat &o%ld !allas #e h%ntingI >anc%so &ondered. R%ssian s%#sI ;ell, i" that &as the ga$e and the R%ssians kept racing aro%nd like this, it o%ght to #e easy eno%gh. 0e and the ()iftsure had C%st #ested a tea$ o" !A'* A,; e7perts, $en &hose co%ntries depended on their a#ility to keep the sea2lanes open. 0is #oat and his cre& &ere per"or$ing as &ell as any $an co%ld ask. 4n Jones he had one o" the ten #est sonar operators in the "leet. >anc%so &as ready, &hate er the ga$e $ight #e. As on the opening day o" h%nting season, o%tside considerations &ere d&indling a&ay. 0e &as #eco$ing a &eapon. C4A 0eadD%arters 4t &as 4K4. in the $orning, and Ryan &as doBing "it"%lly in the #ack o" a C4A Che y taking hi$ "ro$ the >arriott to Langley. 0e?d #een o er "or &hatI t&enty ho%rsI A#o%t that, eno%gh ti$e to see his #oss, see ,kip, get the presents "or ,ally, and check the ho%se. 'he ho%se looked to #e in good shape. 0e had rented it to an instr%ctor at the !a al Acade$y. 0e co%ld ha e gotten "i e ti$es the rent "ro$ so$eone else, #%t he didn?t &ant any &ild parties in his ho$e. 'he o""icer &as a Bi#le2th%$per "ro$ Aansas, and $ade an accepta#le c%stodian. =i e and a hal" ho%rs o" sleep in the pastFthirtyI ,o$ething like thatE he &as too tired to look at his &atch. 4t &asn?t "air. ,leeplessness $%rders C%dg$ent. B%t it $ade little sense telling hi$sel" that, and telling the ad$iral &o%ld $ake less. 0e &as in 8reer?s o""ice "i e $in%tes later.

@,orry to ha e to &ake yo% %p, Jack.@ @*h, that?s all right, sir,@ Ryan ret%rned the lie. @;hat?s %pI@ @Co$e on o er and gra# so$e co""ee. 4t?s going to #e a long day.@ Ryan dropped his topcoat on the so"a and &alked o er to po%r a $%g o" na y #re&. 0e decided against Co""ee >ate or s%gar. Better to end%re it naked and get the ca""eine "%ll "orce. @Any place 4 can sha e aro%nd here, sirI@ @0ead?s #ehind the door, o er in the corner.@ 8reer handed hi$ a yello& sheet torn "ro$ a tele7 $achine. @Look at this.@ '*+ ,ECRE' 15//55NPPPPP-89(3 !,A ,484!' B6LLE'4! REL!A: *+, >E,,A8E =*LL*;, A' 58-14.N !,A >*!4'*R ,'A'4*!, QLELE'ELR QLELE'ELR A!L QLELE'ELR REC*RLEL A! EL= BR*ALCA,' =R*> REL=LEE' EL= =AC4L4'9 ,E>4+*L4+4!,A MM >E,,A8E L6RA'4*! 15 >4!6'E, MM 3 ELE>E!', MM EL= ,48!AL 4, E:AL6A'EL A, @+RE+@ BR*ALCA,' '* REL=LEE' ,6B>AR4!E, A' ,EA MM A' 595555N A! @ALL ,04+,@ BR*ALCA,' ;A, >ALE B9 REL=LEE' 0EALO6AR'ER, CE!'RAL C*>>* ,'A'4*! '6LA A!L ,A'ELL4'E, '0REE A!L =4:E MM BA!L, 6,ELK 0= :0= 60= MM >E,,A8E L6RA'4*! -9 ,EC*!L, ;4'0 / RE+EA', 4LE!'4CAL C*!'E!' >ALE A' 591555N A!L 59/555N MM 4(. .2ELE>E!' C4+0ER 8R*6+, MM ,48!AL C*:ERA8E A, =*LL*;,K !*R'0ER! =LEE' AREA BAL'4C =LEE' AREA A!L >EL ,O6ALR*! AREA MM !*'E =AR EA,' =LEE' !*' RE+EA' !*' A==EC'EL B9 '04, BR*ALCA,' MM !6>ER*6, ACA!*;LEL8>E!' ,48!AL, E>A!A'EL =R*> ALLRE,,E, 4! AREA, C4'EL AB*:E MM *R484! A!L 'RA==4C A!AL9,4, '* =*LL*; MM !*' C*>+LE'EL A' '04, '4>E MM BE84!!4!8 A' 155555N !,A >*!4'*R ,'A'4*!, QLELE'ELR QLELE'ELR A!L QLELE'ELR REC*RLEL 4!CREA,EL 0= A!L :0= 'RA==4C A' REL=LEE' BA,E, +*L9AR!99 ,E:ER*>*R,A +EC0E!8A 'ALL4!! AR*!,'AL' A!L EA,'ER! >EL AREA MM ALL4'4*!AL 0= A!L :0= 'RA==4C =R*> REL=LEE' A,,E', A' ,EA MM A>+L4=4CA'4*! '* =*LL*; MM E:AL6A'4*!K A >AJ*R 6!+LA!!EL REL=LEE' *+ERA'4*! 0A, BEE! *RLEREL ;4'0 =LEE' A,,E', RE+*R'4!8 A:A4LAB4L4'9 A!L ,'A'6, MM

E!L B6LLE'4! !,A ,E!L, 15//1.N BREAABREAA Ryan looked at his &atch. @=ast &ork #y the #oys at !,A, and "ast &ork #y o%r d%ty &atch o""icers, getting e ery#ody %p.@ 0e drained his $%g and &ent o er "or a re"ill. @;hat?s the &ord on signal tra""ic analysisI@ @0ere.@ 8reer handed hi$ a second tele7 sheet. Ryan scanned it. @'hat?s a lot o" ships. >%st #e nearly e erything they ha e at sea. !ot $%ch on the ones in port, tho%gh.@ @Landline,@ 8reer o#ser ed. @'he ones in port can phone "leet ops, >osco&. By the &ay, that is e ery ship they ha e at sea in the ;estern 0e$isphere. E ery da$ned one. Any ideasI@ @Let?s see, &e ha e that increased acti ity in the Barents ,ea. Looks like a $edi%$2siBed A,; e7ercise. >ay#e they?re e7panding it. Loesn?t e7plain the increased acti ity in the Baltic and >ed, tho%gh. Lo they ha e a &ar ga$e laid onI@ @!ope. 'hey C%st "inished CR4>,*! ,'*R> a $onth ago.@ Ryan nodded. @9eah, they %s%ally take a co%ple o" $onths to e al%ate that $%ch dataFand &ho?d &ant to play ga$es %p there at this ti$e o" the yearI 'he &eather?s s%pposed to #e a #itch. 0a e they e er r%n a $aCor ga$e in Lece$#erI@ @!ot a #ig one, #%t $ost o" these ackno&ledg$ents are "ro$ s%#$arines, son, and s%#s don?t care a &hole lot a#o%t the &eather.@ @;ell, gi en so$e other preconditions, yo% $ight call this o$ino%s. !o idea &hat the signal said, ehI@ @!o. 'hey?re %sing co$p%ter2#ased ciphers, sa$e as %s. 4" the spooks at the !,A can read the$, they?re not telling $e a#o%t it.@ 4n theory the !ational ,ec%rity Agency ca$e %nder the tit%lar control o" the director o" Central 4ntelligence. 4n "act it &as a la& %nto itsel". @'hat?s &hat tra""ic analysis is all a#o%t, Jack. 9o% try to g%ess intentions #y &ho?s talking to &ho$.@ @9es, sir, #%t &hen e ery#ody?s talking to e ery#odyF@ @9eah.@ @Anything else on alertI 'heir ar$yI :oyska +:*I@ Ryan re"erred to the ,o iet air de"ense net&ork. @!ope, C%st the "leet. ,%#s, ships, and na al a iation.@ Ryan stretched. @'hat $akes it so%nd like an e7ercise, sir. ;e?ll &ant a little $ore data on &hat they?re doing, tho%gh. 0a e yo% talked to Ad$iral La enportI@ @'hat?s the ne7t step. 0a en?t had ti$e. 4? e only #een in long eno%gh to sha e $ysel" and t%rn the co""ee on.@ 8reer sat do&n and set his phone recei er in the desk speaker #e"ore p%nching in the n%$#ers. @:ice Ad$iral La enport.@ 'he oice &as c%rt. @>orning, Charlie, Ja$es here. Lid yo% get that !,A29(3I@ @,%re did, #%t that?s not &hat got $e %p. *%r ,*,6, net &ent #erserk a "e& ho%rs ago.@

@*hI@ 8reer looked at the phone, then at Ryan. @9eah, nearly e ery s%# they ha e at sea C%st p%t the pedal to the $etal, and all at a#o%t the sa$e ti$e.@ @Loing &hat e7actly, CharlieI@ 8reer pro$pted. @;e?re still "ig%ring that o%t. 4t looks like a lot o" #oats are heading into the !orth Atlantic. 'heir %nits in the !or&egian ,ea are racing so%th&est. 'hree "ro$ the &estern >ed are heading that &ay, too, #%t &e ha en?t got a clear pict%re yet. ;e need a "e& $ore ho%rs.@ @;hat do they ha e operating o"" o%r coast, sirI@ Ryan asked. @'hey &oke yo% %p, RyanI 8ood. '&o old No$embers& *ne?s a ra en con ersion doing an EL4!' Co# o"" the cape. 'he other one?s sitting o"" Aing?s Bay $aking a da$ned n%isance o" itsel".@ Ryan s$iled to hi$sel". An A$erican or allied ship &as a she9 the R%ssians %sed the $ale prono%n "or a shipE and the intelligence co$$%nity %s%ally re"erred to a ,o iet ship as it& @'here?s a 6ankee #oat,@ La enport &ent on, @a tho%sand $iles so%th o" 4celand, and the initial report is that it?s heading north. +ro#a#ly &rong. Reciprocal #earing, transcription error, so$ething like that. ;e?re checking. >%st #e a goo", #eca%se it &as heading so%th earlier.@ Ryan looked %p. @;hat a#o%t their other $issile #oatsI@ @'heir !eltas and Typhoons are in the Barents ,ea and the ,ea o" *khotsk, as %s%al. !o ne&s on the$. *h, &e ha e attack #oats %p there, o" co%rse, #%t 8allery doesn?t &ant the$ to #reak radio silence, and he?s right. ,o all &e ha e at the $o$ent is the report on the stray 6ankee&@ @;hat are &e doing, CharlieI@ 8reer asked. @8allery has a general alert o%t to his #oats. 'hey?re standing #y in case &e need to redeploy. !*RAL has gone to a slightly increased alert stat%s, they tell $e.@ La enport re"erred to the !orth A$erican Aerospace Le"ense Co$$and. @C4!CLA!' and C4!C+AC "leet sta""s are %p and r%nning aro%nd in circles, like yo%?d e7pect. ,o$e e7tra +2-s are &orking o%t o" 4celand. !othing $%ch else at the $o$ent. =irst &e ha e to "ig%re o%t &hat they?re %p to.@ @*kay, keep $e posted.@ @Roger, i" &e hear anything, 4?ll let yo% kno&, and 4 tr%stF@ @;e &ill.@ 8reer killed the phone. 0e shook a "inger at Ryan. @Lon?t yo% go to sleep on $e, Jack.@ @*n top o" this st%""I@ Ryan &a ed his $%g. @9o%?re not concerned, 4 see.@ @,ir, there?s nothing to #e concerned a#o%t yet. 4t?s &hat, one in the a"ternoon o er there no&I +ro#a#ly so$e ad$iral, $ay#e old ,ergey hi$sel", decided to toss a drill at his #oys. 0e &asn?t s%pposed to #e all that pleased &ith ho& CR4>,*! ,'*R> &orked o%t, and $ay#e he decided to rattle a "e& cagesFo%rs incl%ded, o" co%rse. 0ell, their ar$y and air "orce aren?t in ol ed, and it?s "or da$ned s%re that i" they &ere planning anything nasty the other ser ices &o%ld kno& a#o%t it. ;e?ll ha e to keep an eye on this, #%t so "ar 4 don?t see anything toF@ Ryan al$ost said lose sleep o er @Fs&eat a#o%t.@ @0o& old &ere yo% at +earl 0ar#orI@ @>y "ather &as nineteen, sir. 0e didn?t $arry %ntil a"ter the &ar, and 4 &asn?t the "irst little Ryan.@ Jack s$iled. 8reer kne& all this. @As 4 recall yo% &eren?t all that old yo%rsel".@ @4 &as a sea$an second on the old Te:as&@ 8reer had ne er $ade it into that &ar. ,oon a"ter it started he?d #een accepted #y the !a al Acade$y. By the ti$e he had grad%ated "ro$ there and "inished training at s%#$arine school, the &ar &as al$ost o er. 0e reached the Japanese coast on his "irst cr%ise the day a"ter the &ar ended. @B%t yo% kno& &hat 4 $ean.@

@4ndeed 4 do, sir, and that?s &hy &e ha e the C4A, L4A, !,A, and !R*, a$ong others. 4" the R%sskies can "ool all o" %s, $ay#e &e o%ght to read %p on o%r >ar7.@ @All those s%#s heading into the Atlantic . . .@ @4 "eel #etter &ith &ord that the 6ankee is heading north. 'hey? e had eno%gh ti$e to $ake that a hard piece o" data. La enport pro#a#ly doesn?t &ant to #elie e it &itho%t con"ir$ation. 4" 4 an &as looking to play hard#all, that 6ankee?d #e heading so%th. 'he $issiles on those old #oats can?t reach ery "ar. ,oooF&e stay %p and &atch. =ort%nately, sir, yo% $ake a decent c%p o" co""ee.@ @0o& does #reak"ast gra# yo%I@ @>ight as &ell. 4" &e can "inish %p on the A"ghanistan st%"", $ay#e 4 can "ly #ack to$orrF tonight.@ @9o% still $ight. >ay#e this &ay yo%?ll learn to sleep on the plane.@ Break"ast &as sent %p t&enty $in%tes later. Both $en &ere acc%sto$ed to #ig ones, and the "ood &as s%rprisingly good. *rdinarily C4A ca"eteria "ood &as go ern$ent2%ndisting%ished, and Ryan &ondered i" the night cre&, &ith "e&er people to ser e, $ight take the ti$e to do their Co# right. *r $ay#e they had sent o%t "or it. 'he t&o $en sat aro%nd %ntil La enport phoned at D%arter to se en. @4t?s de"inite. All the #oo$ers are heading to&ards port. ;e ha e good tracks on t&o 6ankees, three !eltas, and a Typhoon& /emphis reported &hen her !elta took o"" "or ho$e at t&enty knots a"ter #eing on station "or "i e days, and then 8allery D%eried ;ueenfish& ,a$e storyFlooks like they?re all headed "or the #arn. Also &e C%st got so$e photos "ro$ a Big Bird pass o er the "CordF"or once it &asn?t co ered &ith clo%dsFand &e ha e a #%nch o" s%r"ace ships &ith #right in"rared signat%res, like they?re getting stea$ %p.@ @0o& a#o%t Red October2@ Ryan asked. @!othing. >ay#e o%r in"or$ation &as #ad, and she didn?t sail. ;o%ldn?t #e the "irst ti$e.@ @9o% don?t s%ppose they? e lost herI@ Ryan &ondered alo%d. La enport had already tho%ght o" that. @'hat &o%ld e7plain the acti ity %p north, #%t &hat a#o%t the Baltic and >ed #%sinessI@ @'&o years ago &e had that scare &ith Tullibee,@ Ryan pointed o%t. @And the C!* &as so pissed he thre& an all2hands resc%e drill on #oth oceans.@ @>ay#e,@ La enport conceded. 'he #lood in !or"olk &as s%pposed to ha e #een ankle deep a"ter that "iasco. 'he 6,, Tullibee, a s$all one2o"2a2kind attack s%#, had long carried a rep%tation "or #ad l%ck. 4n this case it had spilled o er onto a lot o" others. @Any&ay, it looks a &hole lot less scary than it did t&o ho%rs #ack. 'hey &o%ldn?t #e recalling their #oo$ers i" they &ere planning anything against %s, &o%ld theyI@ Ryan said. @4 see that Ryan still has yo%r crystal #all, Ja$es.@ @'hat?s &hat 4 pay hi$ "or, Charlie.@ @,till, it is odd,@ Ryan co$$ented. @;hy recall all o" the $issile #oatsI 0a e they e er done this #e"oreI ;hat a#o%t the ones in the +aci"icI@ @0a en?t heard a#o%t those yet,@ La enport replied. @4? e asked C4!C+AC "or data, #%t they ha en?t gotten #ack to $e yet. *n the other D%estion, no, they? e ne er recalled all their #oo$ers at once, #%t they do occasionally resh%""le all their positions at once. 'hat?s pro#a#ly &hat this is. 4 said they?re heading to&ards port, not into it. ;e &on?t kno& that "or a co%ple o" days.@ @;hat i" they?re a"raid they? e lost oneI@ Ryan ent%red. @!o s%ch l%ck,@ La enport sco""ed. @'hey ha en?t lost a #oo$er since that 3olf &e li"ted o"" 0a&aii, #ack &hen yo% &ere in high school, Ryan. Ra$i%s is too good a skipper to let that

happen.@ ,o &as Captain ,$ith o" the Titanic, Ryan tho%ght. @'hanks "or the in"o, Charlie.@ 8reer h%ng %p. @Looks like yo% &ere right, Jack. !othing to &orry a#o%t yet. Let?s get that data on A"ghanistan in hereFand C%st "or the hell o" it, &e?ll look at Charlie?s pict%res o" their !orthern =leet &hen &e?re "inished.@ 'en $in%tes later a $essenger arri ed &ith a cart "ro$ central "iles. 8reer &as the sort &ho liked to see the ra& data hi$sel". 'his s%ited Ryan. 0e?d kno&n o" a "e& analysts &ho had #ased their reports on selecti e data and #een c%t o"" at the knees "or it #y this $an. 'he in"or$ation on the cart &as "ro$ a ariety o" so%rces, #%t to Ryan the $ost signi"icant &ere tactical radio intercepts "ro$ listening posts on the +akistani #order, and, he gathered, "ro$ inside A"ghanistan itsel". 'he nat%re and te$po o" ,o iet operations did not indicate a #acking o"", as see$ed to #e s%ggested #y a pair o" recent articles in Red (tar and so$e intelligence so%rces inside the ,o iet 6nion. 'hey spent three ho%rs re ie&ing the data. @4 think ,ir Basil is placing too $%ch stock in political intelligence and too little in &hat o%r listening posts are getting in the "ield. 4t &o%ld not #e %nprecedented "or the ,o iets not to let their "ield co$$anders kno& &hat?s going on in >osco&, o" co%rse, #%t on the &hole 4 do not see a clear pict%re,@ Ryan concl%ded. 'he ad$iral looked at hi$. @4 pay yo% "or ans&ers, Jack.@ @,ir, the tr%th is that >osco& $o ed in there #y $istake. ;e kno& that "ro$ #oth $ilitary and political intelligence reports. 'he tenor o" the data is pretty clear. =ro$ &here 4 sit, 4 don?t see that they kno& &hat they &ant to do. 4n a case like this the #%rea%cratic $ind "inds it $ost easy to do nothing. ,o, their "ield co$$anders are told to contin%e the $ission, &hile the senior party #osses "%$#le aro%nd looking "or a sol%tion and co ering their asses "or getting into the $ess in the "irst place.@ @*kay, so &e kno& that &e don?t kno&.@ @9es, sir. 4 don?t like it either, #%t saying anything else &o%ld #e a lie.@ 'he ad$iral snorted. 'here &as a lot o" that at Langley, intelligence types gi ing ans&ers &hen they didn?t e en kno& the D%estions. Ryan &as still ne& eno%gh to the ga$e that &hen he didn?t kno&, he said so. 8reer &ondered i" that &o%ld change in ti$e. 0e hoped not. A"ter l%nch a package arri ed #y $essenger "ro$ the !ational Reconnaissance *""ice. 4t contained the photographs taken earlier in the day on t&o s%ccessi e passes #y a A0211 satellite. 'hey?d #e the last s%ch photos "or a &hile #eca%se o" the restrictions i$posed #y or#ital $echanics and the generally $isera#le &eather on the Aola +enins%la. 'he "irst set o" isi#le light shots taken an ho%r a"ter the =LA,0 signal had gone o%t "ro$ >osco& sho&ed the "leet at anchor or tied to the docks. *n in"rared a n%$#er o" the$ &ere glo&ing #rightly "ro$ internal heat, indicating that their #oilers or gas2t%r#ine engine plants &ere operating. 'he second set o" photos had #een taken on the ne7t or#ital pass at a ery lo& angle. Ryan scr%tiniBed the #lo&%ps. @;o&J 'iro$, /osk$a, 'ie$, three 'aras, "i e 'restas, "o%r 'ri$aks, eight 5daloys, and "i e (o$remennys&@ @,earch and resc%e e7ercise, ehI@ 8reer ga e Ryan a hard look. @Look at the #otto$ here. E ery "ast oiler they ha e is "ollo&ing the$ o%t. 'hat?s $ost o" the striking "orce o" the !orthern =leet right there, and i" they need oilers, they "ig%re to #e o%t "or a&hile.@ @La enport co%ld ha e #een $ore speci"ic. B%t &e still ha e their #oo$ers heading #ack in. !o a$phi#io%s ships in this photo, C%st co$#atants. *nly the ne& ones, too, the ones &ith range and speed.@ @And the #est &eapons.@

@9eah,@ Ryan nodded. @And all scra$#led in a "e& ho%rs. ,ir, i" they had this planned in ad ance, &e?d ha e kno&n a#o%t it. 'his $%st ha e #een laid on today. 4nteresting.@ @9o%? e picked %p the English ha#it o" %nderstate$ent, Jack.@ 8reer stood %p to stretch. @4 &ant yo% to stay o er an e7tra day.@ @*kay, sir.@ 0e looked at his &atch. @>ind i" 4 phone the &i"eI 4 don?t &ant her to dri e o%t to the airport "or a plane 4?$ not on.@ @,%re, and a"ter yo%? e "inished that, 4 &ant yo% to go do&n and see so$eone at L4A &ho %sed to &ork "or $e. ,ee ho& $%ch operational data they?re getting on this sortie. 4" this is a drill, &e?ll kno& soon eno%gh, and yo% can still take yo%r ,%r"ing Bar#ie ho$e to$orro&.@ 4t &as a ,kiing Bar#ie, #%t Ryan didn?t say so.

THE SIXTH DAY WEDNESDAY 8, DECEMBER

C4A 0eadD%arters Ryan had #een to the o""ice o" the director o" central intelligence se eral ti$es #e"ore to deli er #rie"ings and occasional personal $essages "ro$ ,ir Basil Charleston to his highness, the LC4. 4t &as larger than 8reer?s, &ith a #etter ie& o" the +oto$ac :alley, and appeared to ha e #een decorated #y a pro"essional in a style co$pati#le &ith the LC4?s origins. Arth%r >oore &as a "or$er C%dge o" the 'e7as ,tate ,%pre$e Co%rt, and the roo$ re"lected his so%th&estern heritage. 0e and Ad$iral 8reer &ere sitting on a so"a near the pict%re &indo&. 8reer &a ed Ryan o er and passed hi$ a "older. 'he "older &as $ade o" red plastic and had a snap clos%re. 4ts edges &ere #ordered &ith &hite tape and the co er had a si$ple &hite paper la#el #earing the legends E9E, *!L9 S and ;4LL*;. !either notation &as %n%s%al. A co$p%ter in the #ase$ent o" the Langley headD%arters selected rando$ na$es at the to%ch o" a keyE this pre ented a "oreign agent "ro$ in"erring anything "ro$ the na$e o" the operation. Ryan opened the "older and looked "irst at the inde7 sheet. E idently there &ere only three copies o" the ;4LL*; doc%$ent, each initialed #y its o&ner. 'his one &as initialed #y the LC4 hi$sel". A C4A doc%$ent &ith only three copies &as %n%s%al eno%gh that Ryan, &hose highest clearance &as !EB6LA, had ne er enco%ntered one. =ro$ the gra e looks o" >oore and 8reer, he g%essed that these &ere t&o o" the S2cleared o""icersE the other, he ass%$ed, &as the dep%ty director o" operations GLL*H, another 'e7an na$ed Ro#ert Ritter. Ryan t%rned the inde7 sheet. 'he report &as a 7ero7ed copy o" so$ething that had #een typed on a $an%al $achine, and it had too $any strikeo ers to ha e #een done #y a real secretary. 4" !ancy C%$$ings and the other elite e7ec%ti e secretaries had not #een allo&ed to see this . . . Ryan looked %p. @4t?s all right, Jack,@ 8reer said. @9o%? e C%st #een cleared "or ;4LL*;.@ Ryan sat #ack, and despite his e7cite$ent #egan to read the doc%$ent slo&ly and care"%lly. 'he agent?s code na$e &as act%ally CARL4!AL. 'he highest ranking agent2in2place the C4A had e er had, he &as the st%"" that legends are $ade o". CARL4!AL had #een recr%ited $ore than t&enty years earlier #y *leg +enko skiy. Another legendFa dead oneF+enko skiy had at the ti$e #een a colonel in the 8R6, the ,o iet $ilitary intelligence agency, a larger and

$ore acti e co%nterpart to A$erica?s Le"ense 4ntelligence Agency GL4AH. 0is position had gi en hi$ access to daily in"or$ation on all "acets o" the ,o iet $ilitary, "ro$ the Red Ar$y?s co$$and str%ct%re to the operational stat%s o" intercontinental $issiles. 'he in"or$ation he s$%ggled o%t thro%gh his British contact, 8re ille ;ynne, &as s%pre$ely al%a#le, and ;estern co%ntries had co$e to depend on itFtoo $%ch. +enko skiy &as disco ered d%ring the C%#an >issile Crisis in 193/. 4t &as his data, ordered and deli ered %nder great press%re and haste, that told +resident Aennedy that ,o iet strategic syste$s &ere not ready "or &ar. 'his in"or$ation ena#led the president to #ack Ahr%shche into a corner "ro$ &hich there &as no easy e7it. 'he "a$o%s #link ascri#ed to Aennedy?s steady ner es &as, as in $any s%ch e ents thro%gho%t history, "acilitated #y his a#ility to see the other $an?s cards. 'his ad antage &as gi en hi$ #y a co%rageo%s agent &ho$ he &o%ld ne er $eet. +enko skiy?s response to the =LA,0 reD%est "ro$ ;ashington &as too rash. Already %nder s%spicion, this "inished hi$. 0e paid "or his treason &ith his li"e. 4t &as CARL4!AL &ho "irst learned that he &as #eing &atched $ore closely than &as the nor$ "or a society &here e eryone is &atched. 0e &arned +enko skiyF too late. ;hen it #eca$e clear that the colonel co%ld not #e e7tracted "ro$ the ,o iet 6nion, he hi$sel" %rged CARL4!AL to #etray hi$. 4t &as the "inal ironic Coke o" a #ra e $an that his o&n death &o%ld ad ance the career o" an agent &ho$ he had recr%ited. CARL4!AL?s Co# &as necessarily as secret as his na$e. A senior ad iser and con"idant o" a +olit#%ro $e$#er, CARL4!AL o"ten acted as his representati e &ithin the ,o iet $ilitary esta#lish$ent. 0e th%s had access to political and $ilitary intelligence o" the highest order. 'his $ade his in"or$ation e7traordinarily al%a#leFand, parado7ically, highly s%spect. 'hose "e& e7perienced C4A case o""icers &ho kne& o" hi$ "o%nd it i$possi#le to #elie e that he had not #een @t%rned@ so$e&here along the line #y one o" the tho%sands o" A8B co%nterintelligence o""icers &hose sole d%ty it is to &atch e eryone and e erything. =or this reason CARL4!AL2 coded $aterial &as generally cross2checked against the reports o" other spies and so%rces. B%t he had o%tli ed $any s$all2"ry agents. 'he na$e CARL4!AL &as kno&n in ;ashington only to the top three C4A e7ec%ti es. *n the "irst day o" each $onth a ne& code na$e &as chosen "or his data, a na$e $ade kno&n only to the highest echelon o" C4A o""icers and analysts. 'his $onth it &as ;4LL*;. Be"ore #eing passed on, gr%dgingly, to o%tsiders, CARL4!AL data &as la%ndered as care"%lly as >a"ia inco$e to disg%ise its so%rce. 'here &ere also a n%$#er o" sec%rity $eas%res that protected the agent and &ere %niD%e to hi$. =or "ear o" cryptographic e7pos%re o" his identity, CARL4!AL $aterial &as hand deli ered, ne er trans$itted #y radio or landline. CARL4!AL hi$sel" &as a ery care"%l $anF+enko skiy?s "ate had ta%ght hi$ that. 0is in"or$ation &as con eyed thro%gh a series o" inter$ediaries to the chie" o" the C4A?s >osco& station. 0e had o%tli ed t&el e station chie"sE one o" these, a retired "ield o""icer, had a #rother &ho &as a Jes%it. E ery $orning the priest, an instr%ctor in philosophy and theology at =ordha$ 6ni ersity in !e& 9ork, said $ass "or the sa"ety and the so%l o" a $an &hose na$e he &o%ld ne er kno&. 4t &as as good an e7planation as any "or CARL4!AL?s contin%ed s%r i al. =o%r separate ti$es he had #een o""ered e7traction "ro$ the ,o iet 6nion. Each ti$e he had re"%sed. 'o so$e this &as proo" that he?d #een t%rned, #%t to others it &as proo" that like $ost s%ccess"%l agents CARL4!AL &as a $an dri en #y so$ething he alone kne&Fand there"ore, like $ost s%ccess"%l agents, he &as pro#a#ly a little craBy. 'he doc%$ent Ryan &as reading had #een in transit "or t&enty ho%rs. 4t had taken "i e "or the "il$ to reach the A$erican e$#assy in >osco&, &here it &as deli ered at once to the station chie". An e7perienced "ield o""icer and "or$er reporter "or the Ne) 6ork Times, he &orked

%nder the co er o" press attachT. 0e de eloped the "il$ hi$sel" in his pri ate darkroo$. 'hirty $in%tes a"ter its arri al, he inspected the "i e e7posed "ra$es thro%gh a $agni"ying glass and sent a =LA,02priority dispatch to ;ashington saying that a CARL4!AL signal &as en ro%te. !e7t he transcri#ed the $essage "ro$ the "il$ to "lash paper on his o&n porta#le type&riter, translating "ro$ the R%ssian as he &ent. 'his sec%rity $eas%re erased #oth the agent?s hand&riting and, #y the paraphrasing a%to$atic to translation, any personal pec%liarities o" his lang%age. 'he "il$ &as then #%rned to ashes, the report "olded into a $etal container $%ch like a cigarette case. 'his held a s$all pyrotechnic charge that &o%ld go o"" i" the case &ere i$properly opened or s%ddenly shakenE t&o CARL4!AL signals had #een lost &hen their cases &ere accidentally dropped. !e7t the station chie" took the case to the e$#assy?s co%rier2in2 residence, &ho had already #een #ooked on a three2ho%r Aero"lot "light to London. At 0eathro& Airport the co%rier sprinted to $ake connections &ith a +an A$ (4( to !e& 9ork?s Aennedy 4nternational, &here he connected &ith the Eastern sh%ttle to ;ashington?s !ational Airport. By eight that $orning the diplo$atic #ag &as in the ,tate Lepart$ent. 'here a C4A o""icer re$o ed the case, dro e it i$$ediately to Langley, and handed it to the LC4. 4t &as opened #y an instr%ctor "ro$ the C4A?s technical ser ices #ranch. 'he LC4 $ade three copies on his personal Mero7 $achine and #%rned the "lash paper in his ashtray. 'hese sec%rity $eas%res had str%ck a "e& o" the $en &ho had s%cceeded to the o""ice o" the LC4 as la%gha#le. 'he la%ghs had ne er o%tlasted the "irst CARL4!AL report. ;hen Ryan "inished the report he re"erred #ack to the second page and read it thro%gh again, shaking his head slo&ly. 'he ;4LL*; doc%$ent &as the strongest rein"orce$ent yet o" his desire not to kno& ho& intelligence in"or$ation reached hi$. 0e closed the "older and handed it #ack to Ad$iral 8reer. @Christ, sir.@ @Jack, 4 kno& 4 don?t ha e to say thisF#%t &hat yo% ha e C%st read, no#ody, not the president, not ,ir Basil, not 8od i" 0e asks, nobody learns o" it &itho%t the a%thoriBation o" the director. 4s that %nderstoodI@ 8reer had not lost his co$$and oice. @9es, sir.@ Ryan #o##ed his head like a school#oy. J%dge >oore p%lled a cigar "ro$ his Cacket pocket and lit it, looking past the "la$e into Ryan?s eyes. 'he C%dge, e eryone said, had #een a hell o" a "ield o""icer in his day. 0e?d &orked &ith 0ans 'o"te d%ring the Aorean ;ar and had #een instr%$ental in #ringing o"" one o" the C4A?s legendary $issions, the disappearance o" a !or&egian ship that had #een carrying a cargo o" $edical personnel and s%pplies "or the Chinese. 'he loss had delayed a Chinese o""ensi e "or se eral $onths, sa ing tho%sands o" A$erican and allied li es. B%t it had #een a #loody operation. All o" the Chinese personnel and all o" the !or&egian cre&$en had anished. 4t &as a #argain in the si$ple $athe$atics o" &ar, #%t the $orality o" the $ission &as another $atter. =or this reason, or perhaps another, >oore had soon therea"ter le"t go ern$ent ser ice to #eco$e a trial la&yer in his nati e 'e7as. 0is career had #een spectac%larly s%ccess"%l, and he?d ad anced "ro$ &ealthy co%rtroo$ la&yer to disting%ished appellate C%dge. 0e had #een recalled to the C4A three years earlier #eca%se o" his %niD%e co$#ination o" a#sol%te personal integrity and e7perience in #lack operations. J%dge >oore hid a 0ar ard la& degree and a highly ordered $ind #ehind the "acade o" a ;est 'e7as co&#oy, so$ething he had ne er #een #%t si$%lated &ith ease. @,o, Lr. Ryan, &hat do yo% think o" thisI@ >oore said as the dep%ty director o" operations ca$e in. @0i, Bo#, co$e on o er here. ;e C%st sho&ed Ryan here the ;4LL*; "ile.@ @*hI@ Ritter slid a chair o er, neatly trapping Ryan in the corner. @And &hat does the

ad$iral?s "air2haired #oy think o" thatI@ @8entle$en, 4 ass%$e that yo% all regard this in"or$ation as gen%ine,@ Ryan said ca%tio%sly, getting nods. @,ir, i" this in"or$ation &as hand deli ered #y the Archangel >ichael, 4?d ha e tro%#le #elie ing itF#%t since yo% gentle$en say it?s relia#le . . .@ 'hey &anted his opinion. 'he pro#le$ &as, his concl%sion &as too incredi#le. ;ell, he decided, 4? e gotten this "ar #y gi ing $y honest opinions . . . Ryan took a deep #reath and ga e the$ his e al%ation. @:ery &ell, Lr. Ryan,@ J%dge >oore nodded sagacio%sly. @=irst 4 &ant to hear &hat else it $ight #e, then 4 &ant yo% to de"end yo%r analysis.@ @,ir, the $ost o# io%s alternati e doesn?t #ear $%ch thinking a#o%t. Besides, they? e #een a#le to do it since =riday and they ha en?t done it,@ Ryan said, keeping his oice lo& and reasona#le. Ryan had trained hi$sel" to #e o#Cecti e. 0e ran thro%gh the "o%r alternati es he had considered, care"%l to e7a$ine each in detail. 'his &as no ti$e to allo& personal ie&s to intr%de on his thinking. 0e spoke "or ten $in%tes. @4 s%ppose there?s one $ore possi#ility, J%dge,@ he concl%ded. @'his co%ld #e disin"or$ation ai$ed at #lo&ing this so%rce. 4 cannot e al%ate that possi#ility.@ @'he tho%ght has occ%rred to %s. All right, no& that yo%? e gone this "ar, yo% $ight as &ell gi e yo%r operational reco$$endation.@ @,ir, the ad$iral can tell yo% &hat the na y?ll say.@ @4 sorta "ig%red that one o%t, #oy,@ >oore la%ghed. @;hat do yo% thinkI@ @J%dge, setting %p the decision tree on this &ill not #e easyFthere are too $any aria#les, too $any possi#le contingencies. B%t 4?d say yes. 4" it?s possi#le, i" &e can &ork o%t the details, &e o%ght to try. 'he #iggest D%estion is the a aila#ility o" o%r o&n assets. Lo &e ha e the pieces in placeI@ 8reer ans&ered. @*%r assets are sli$. *ne carrier, 'ennedy& 4 checked. (aratoga?s in !or"olk &ith an engineering cas%alty. *n the other hand, 0>, -n$incible &as C%st o er here "or the !A'* e7ercise, sailed "ro$ !or"olk >onday night. Ad$iral ;hite, 4 #elie e, co$$anding a s$all #attle gro%p.@ @Lord ;hite, sirI@ Ryan asked. @'he earl o" ;estonI@ @9o% kno& hi$I@ >oore asked. @9es, sir. *%r &i es are "riendly. 4 h%nted &ith hi$ last ,epte$#er, a gro%se shoot in ,cotland. 0e $akes noises like a good operator, and 4 hear he has a good rep%tation.@ @9o%?re thinking &e $ight &ant to #orro& their ships, Ja$esI@ >oore asked. @4" so, &e?ll ha e to tell the$ a#o%t this. B%t &e ha e to tell o%r side "irst. 'here?s a $eeting o" the !ational ,ec%rity Co%ncil at one this a"ternoon. Ryan, yo% &ill prepare the #rie"ing papers and deli er the #rie"ing yo%rsel".@ Ryan #linked. @'hat?s not $%ch ti$e, sir.@ @Ja$es here says yo% &ork &ell %nder press%re. +ro e it.@ 0e looked at 8reer. @8et a copy o" his #rie"ing papers and #e ready to "ly to London. 'hat?s the president?s decision.. 4" &e &ant their #oats, &e?ll ha e to tell the$ &hy. 'hat $eans #rie"ing the pri$e $inister, and that?s yo%r Co#. Bo#, 4 &ant yo% to con"ir$ this report. Lo &hat yo% ha e to do, #%t do not get ;4LL*; in ol ed.@ @Right,@ Ritter replied. >oore looked at his &atch. @;e?ll $eet #ack here at -K-5, depending on ho& the $eeting goes. Ryan, yo% ha e ninety $in%tes. 8et cracking.@ ;hat a$ 4 #eing $eas%red "orI Ryan &ondered. 'here &as talk in the C4A that J%dge >oore

&o%ld #e lea ing soon "or a co$"orta#le a$#assadorship, perhaps to the Co%rt o" ,t. Ja$es?s, a "itting re&ard "or a $an &ho had &orked long and hard to reesta#lish a close relationship &ith the British. 4" the C%dge le"t, Ad$iral 8reer &o%ld pro#a#ly $o e into his o""ice. 0e had the irt%es o" ageFhe &o%ldn?t #e aro%nd that longFand o" "riends on Capitol 0ill. Ritter had neither. 0e had co$plained too long and too openly a#o%t congress$en &ho leaked in"or$ation on his operations and his "ield agents, getting $en killed in the process o" de$onstrating their i$portance on the local cocktail circ%it. 0e also had an ongoing "e%d &ith the chair$an o" the ,elect 4ntelligence Co$$ittee. ;ith that sort o" resh%""ling at the top and this s%dden access to ne& and "antastic in"or$ation . . . ;hat does it $ean "or $eI Ryan asked hi$sel". 'hey co%ldn?t &ant hi$ to #e the ne7t LL4. 0e kne& he didn?t ha e anything like the e7perience reD%ired "or that Co#Ftho%gh $ay#e in another "i e or si7 years . . . ReykCanes Ridge Ra$i%s inspected his stat%s #oard. 'he Red October &as heading so%th&est on track eight, the &estern$ost s%r eyed ro%te on &hat !orthern =leet s%#$ariners called 8orshko ?s Railroad. 0is speed &as thirteen knots. 4t ne er occ%rred to hi$ that this &as an %nl%cky n%$#er, an Anglo2,a7on s%perstition. 'hey &o%ld hold this co%rse and speed "or another t&enty ho%rs. 4$$ediately #ehind hi$, Aa$aro &as seated at the s%#$arine?s gra ito$eter #oard, a large rolled chart #ehind hi$. 'he yo%ng lie%tenant &as chain2s$oking, and looked tense as he ticked o"" their position on the chart. Ra$i%s did not dist%r# hi$. Aa$aro kne& this Co#, and Borodin &o%ld relie e hi$ in another t&o ho%rs. 4nstalled in the Red October?s keel &as a highly sensiti e de ice called a gradio$eter, essentially t&o large lead &eights separated #y a space o" one h%ndred yards. A laser2co$p%ter syste$ $eas%red the space #et&een the &eights do&n to a "raction o" an angstro$. Listortions o" that distance or lateral $o e$ent o" the &eights indicated ariations in the local gra itational "ield. 'he na igator co$pared these highly precise local al%es to the al%es on his chart. ;ith care"%l %se o" gra ito$eters in the ship?s inertial na igation syste$, he co%ld plot the essel?s location to &ithin a h%ndred $eters, hal" the length o" the ship. 'he $ass2sensing syste$ &as #eing added to all the s%#$arines that co%ld acco$$odate it. 9o%nger attack #oat co$$anders, Ra$i%s kne&, had %sed it to r%n the Railroad at high speed. 8ood "or the co$$ander?s ego, Ra$i%s C%dged, #%t a little hard on the na igator. 0e "elt no need "or recklessness. +erhaps the letter had #een a $istake . . . !o, it pre ented second tho%ghts. And the sensor s%ites on attack s%#$arines si$ply &ere not good eno%gh to detect the Red October so long as he $aintained his silent ro%tine. Ra$i%s &as certain o" thisE he had %sed the$ all. 0e &o%ld get &here he &anted to go, do &hat he &anted to do, and no#ody, not his o&n co%ntry$en, not e en the A$ericans, &o%ld #e a#le to do a thing a#o%t it. 'hat?s &hy earlier he had listened to the passage o" an Alfa thirty $iles to his east and s$iled. 'he ;hite 0o%se J%dge >oore?s C4A car &as a Cadillac li$o%sine that ca$e &ith a dri er and a sec%rity $an &ho kept an 6Bi s%#$achineg%n %nder the dash#oard. 'he dri er t%rned right o"" +ennsyl ania

A en%e onto E7ec%ti e Lri e. >ore a parking lot than a street, this ser ed the needs o" senior o""icials and reporters &ho &orked at the ;hite 0o%se and the E7ec%ti e *""ice B%ilding. @*ld ,tate,@ that shining e7a$ple o" 4nstit%tional 8rotesD%e that to&ered o er the e7ec%ti e $ansion. 'he dri er p%lled s$oothly into a acant :4+ slot and C%$ped o%t to open the doors a"ter the sec%rity $an had s&ept the area &ith his eyes. 'he C%dge got o%t "irst and &ent ahead, and as Ryan ca%ght %p he "o%nd hi$sel" &alking on the $an?s le"t, hal" a step #ehind. 4t took a $o$ent to re$e$#er that this instincti e action &as e7actly &hat the $arine corps had ta%ght hi$ at O%antico &as the proper &ay "or a C%nior o""icer to acco$pany his #etters. 4t "orced Ryan to consider C%st ho& C%nior he &as. @E er #een in here #e"ore, JackI@ @!o, sir, 4 ha en?t.@ >oore &as a$%sed. @'hat?s right, yo% co$e "ro$ aro%nd here. !o&, i" yo% ca$e "ro$ "arther a&ay, yo%?d ha e $ade the trip a "e& ti$es.@ A $arine g%ard held the door open "or the$. 4nside a ,ecret ,er ice agent signed the$ in. >oore nodded and &alked on. @4s this to #e in the Ca#inet Roo$, sirI@ @6h2%h. ,it%ation Roo$, do&nstairs. 4t?s $ore co$"orta#le and #etter eD%ipped "or this sort o" thing. 'he slides yo% need are already do&n there, all set %p. !er o%sI@ @9es, sir, 4 s%re a$.@ >oore ch%ckled. @,ettle do&n, #oy. 'he president has &anted to $eet yo% "or so$e ti$e no&. 0e liked that report on terroris$ yo% did a "e& years #ack, and 4? e sho&n hi$ so$e $ore o" yo%r &ork, the one on R%ssian $issile s%#$arine operations, and the one yo% C%st did on $anage$ent practices in their ar$s ind%stries. All in all, 4 think yo%?ll "ind he?s a pretty reg%lar g%y. J%st #e ready &hen he asks D%estions. 0e?ll hear e ery &ord yo% say, and he has a &ay o" hitting yo% &ith good ones &hen he &ants.@ >oore t%rned to descend a staircase. Ryan "ollo&ed hi$ do&n three "lights, then they ca$e to a door &hich led to a corridor. 'he C%dge t%rned le"t and &alked to yet another door, this one g%arded #y another ,ecret ,er ice agent. @A"ternoon, J%dge. 'he president &ill #e do&n shortly.@ @'hank yo%. 'his is Lr. Ryan. 4?ll o%ch "or hi$.@ @Right.@ 'he agent &a ed the$ in. 4t &as not nearly as spectac%lar as Ryan had e7pected. 'he ,it%ation Roo$ &as pro#a#ly no larger than the * al *""ice %pstairs. 'here &as e7pensi e2looking &ood paneling o er &hat &ere pro#a#ly concrete &alls. 'his part o" the ;hite 0o%se dated #ack to the co$plete re#%ilding Co# done %nder 'r%$an. Ryan?s lectern &as to his le"t as he &ent in. 4t stood in "ront and slightly to the right o" a ro%ghly dia$ond2shaped ta#le, and #ehind it &as the proCection screen. A note on the lectern said the slide proCector in the $iddle o" the ta#le &as already loaded and "oc%sed, and ga e the order o" the slides, &hich had #een deli ered "ro$ the !ational Reconnaissance *""ice. >ost o" the people &ere already here, all o" the Joint Chie"s o" ,ta"" and the secretary o" de"ense. 'he secretary o" state, he re$e$#ered, &as still sh%ttling #ack and "orth #et&een Athens and Ankara trying to settle the latest Cypr%s sit%ation. 'his perennial thorn in !A'*?s so%thern "lank had "lared %p a "e& &eeks earlier &hen a 8reek st%dent had r%n o er a '%rkish child &ith his car and #een killed #y a gang $in%tes later. By the end o" the day "i"ty people had #een inC%red, and the p%tati ely allied co%ntries &ere once $ore at each other?s throats. !o& t&o A$erican aircra"t carriers &ere cr%ising the Aegean as the secretary o" state la#ored to cal$ #oth sides. 4t &as #ad eno%gh that t&o yo%ng people had died, Ryan tho%ght, #%t not so$ething to get a co%ntry?s ar$y $o#iliBed "or.

Also at the ta#le &ere 8eneral 'ho$as 0ilton, chair$an o" the Joint Chie"s o" ,ta"", and Je""rey +elt, the president?s national sec%rity ad iser, a po$po%s $an Ryan had $et years #e"ore at 8eorgeto&n 6ni ersity?s Center "or ,trategic and 4nternational ,t%dies. +elt &as going thro%gh so$e papers and dispatches. 'he chie"s &ere chatting a$ica#ly a$ong the$sel es &hen the co$$andant o" the $arine corps looked %p and spotted Ryan. 0e got %p and &alked o er. @9o% Jack RyanI@ 8eneral La id >a7&ell asked. @9es, sir.@ >a7&ell &as a short, to%gh "irepl%g o" a $an &hose st%##ly hairc%t see$ed to spark &ith aggressi e energy. 0e looked Ryan o er #e"ore shaking hands. @+leased to $eet yo%, son. 4 liked &hat yo% did o er in London. 8ood "or the corps.@ 0e re"erred to the terrorist incident in &hich Ryan had ery nearly #een killed. @'hat &as good, D%ick action yo% took, Lie%tenant.@ @'hank yo%, sir. 4 &as l%cky.@ @8ood o""icer?s s%pposed to #e l%cky. 4 hear yo% got so$e interesting ne&s "or %s.@ @9es sir. 4 think yo% &ill "ind it &orth yo%r ti$e.@ @!er o%sI@ 'he general sa& the ans&er and s$iled thinly. @Rela7, son. E ery#ody in this da$ned cellar p%ts his pants on the sa$e &ay as yo%.@ 0e #ackhanded Ryan to the sto$ach and &ent #ack to his seat. 'he general &hispered so$ething to Ad$iral Laniel =oster, chie" o" na al operations. 'he C!* looked Ryan o er "or a $o$ent #e"ore going #ack to &hat he &as doing. 'he president arri ed a $in%te later. E eryone in the roo$ stood as he &alked to his chair, on Ryan?s right. 0e said a "e& D%ick things to Lr. +elt, then looked pointedly at the LC4. @8entle$en, i" &e can #ring this $eeting to order, 4 think J%dge >oore has so$e ne&s "or %s.@ @'hank yo%, >r. +resident. 8entle$en, &e? e had an interesting de elop$ent today &ith respect to the ,o iet na al operation that started yesterday. 4 ha e asked Lr. Ryan here to deli er the #rie"ing.@ 'he president t%rned to Ryan. 'he yo%nger $an co%ld "eel hi$sel" #eing appraised. @9o% $ay proceed.@ Ryan took a sip o" ice &ater "ro$ a glass hidden in the lectern. 0e had a &ireless control "or the slide proCector and a choice o" pointers. A separate high2intensity light ill%$inated his notes. 'he pages &ere "%ll o" errors and scri##led corrections. 'here had not #een ti$e to edit the copy. @'hank yo%, >r. +resident. 8entle$en, $y na$e is Jack Ryan, and the s%#Cect o" this #rie"ing is recent ,o iet na al acti ity in the !orth Atlantic. Be"ore 4 get to that it &ill #e necessary "or $e to lay a little gro%nd&ork. 4 tr%st yo% &ill #ear &ith $e "or a "e& $in%tes, and please "eel "ree to interr%pt &ith D%estions at any ti$e.@ Ryan clicked on the slide proCector. 'he o erhead lights near the screen di$$ed a%to$atically. @'hese photographs co$e to %s co%rtesy o" the British,@ Ryan said. 0e no& had e eryone?s attention. @'he ship yo% see here is the ,o iet "leet #allistic $issile s%#$arine Red October, photographed #y a British agent in her dock at their s%#$arine #ase at +olyarnyy, near >%r$ansk in northern R%ssia. As yo% can see, she is a ery large essel, a#o%t 3.5 "eet long, a #ea$ o" ro%ghly 8. "eet, and an esti$ated s%#$erged displace$ent o" -/,555 tons. 'hese "ig%res are ro%ghly co$para#le to those o" a ;orld ;ar 4 #attleship.@ Ryan li"ted a pointer. @4n addition to #eing considera#ly larger than o%r o&n Ohio2class 'rident s%#$arines, Red October has a n%$#er o" technical di""erences. ,he carries t&enty2si7 $issiles instead o" o%r t&enty2"o%r. 'he earlier Typhoon2class essels, "ro$ &hich she &as

de eloped, only ha e t&enty. October carries the ne& ,,2!2/5 sea2la%nched #allistic $issile, the ,eaha&k. 4t?s a solid2"%el $issile &ith a range o" a#o%t si7 tho%sand na%tical $iles, and it carries eight $%ltiple independently targeta#le reentry ehicles, >4R:s, each &ith an esti$ated yield o" "i e h%ndred kilotons. 4t?s the sa$e R: carried #y their ,,218s, #%t there are less o" the$ per la%ncher. @As yo% can see, the $issile t%#es are located "or&ard o" the sail instead o" a"t, as in o%r s%#s. 'he "or&ard di ing planes "old into slots in the h%ll hereE o%rs go on the sail. ,he has t&in scre&sE o%rs ha e one propeller. And "inally, her h%ll is o#late. 4nstead o" #eing cylindrical like o%rs, it is "lattened o%t $arkedly top and #otto$.@ Ryan clicked to the ne7t slide. 4t sho&ed t&o ie&s s%peri$posed, #o& o er stern. @'hese "ra$es &ere deli ered to %s %nde eloped. 'hey &ere processed #y the !ational Reconnaissance *""ice. +lease note the doors here at the #o& and here at the stern. 'he British &ere a little p%BBled #y these, and that?s &hy 4 &as per$itted to #ring the shots o er earlier this &eek. ;e &eren?t a#le to "ig%re o%t this "%nction at the C4A either, and it &as decided to seek the opinion o" an o%tside cons%ltant.@ @;ho decidedI@ the secretary o" de"ense de$anded angrily. @0ell, 4 ha en?t e en seen the$ yetJ@ @;e only got the$ >onday, Bert,@ J%dge >oore replied soothingly. @'hese t&o on the screen are only "o%r ho%rs old. Ryan s%ggested an o%tside e7pert, and Ja$es 8reer appro ed it. 4 conc%rred.@ @0is na$e is *li er ;. 'yler. Lr. 'yler is a "or$er na al o""icer &ho is no& associate pro"essor o" engineering at the !a al Acade$y and a paid cons%ltant to ,ea ,yste$s Co$$and. 0e?s an e7pert in the analysis o" ,o iet na al technology. ,kipFLr. 'ylerFconcl%ded that these doors are the intake and e7ha%st ents "or a ne& silent prop%lsion syste$. 0e is c%rrently de eloping a co$p%ter $odel o" the syste$, and &e hope to ha e this in"or$ation #y the end o" the &eek. 'he syste$ itsel" is rather interesting.@ Ryan e7plained 'yler?s analysis #rie"ly. @*kay, Lr. Ryan.@ 'he president leaned "or&ard. @9o%? e C%st told %s that the ,o iets ha e #%ilt a $issile s%#$arine that?s s%pposed to #e hard "or o%r $en to locate. 4 don?t s%ppose that?s ne&s. 8o on.@ @Red October?s captain is a $an na$ed >arko Ra$i%s. 'hat is a Lith%anian na$e, altho%gh &e #elie e his internal passport designates his nationality as 8reat R%ssian. 0e is the son o" a high party o""icial, and as good a s%#$arine co$$ander as they ha e. 0e?s taken o%t the lead ship o" e ery ,o iet s%#$arine class "or the past ten years. @Red October sailed last =riday. ;e do not kno& e7actly &hat her orders &ere, #%t ordinarily their $issile s%#sFthat is, those &ith the ne&er long2range $issilesFcon"ine their acti ities to the Barents ,ea and adCacent areas in &hich they can #e protected "ro$ o%r attack #oats #y land2 #ased A,; aircra"t, their o&n s%r"ace ships, and attack s%#$arines. A#o%t noon local ti$e on ,%nday, &e noted increased search acti ity in the Barents ,ea. At the ti$e &e took this to #e a local A,; e7ercise, and #y late >onday it looked to #e a test o" October?s ne& dri e syste$. @As yo% all kno&, early yesterday sa& a ast increase in ,o iet na al acti ity. !early all o" the #l%e2&ater ships assigned to their !orthern =leet are no& at sea, acco$panied #y all o" their "ast "leet2replenish$ent essels. Additional "leet a%7iliaries sailed "ro$ the Baltic =leet #ases and the &estern >editerranean. E en $ore disD%ieting is the "act that nearly e ery n%clear s%#$arine assigned to the !orthern =leetFtheir largestFappears to #e heading into the !orth Atlantic. 'his incl%des three "ro$ the >ed, since s%#$arines there co$e "ro$ the !orthern =leet, not the Black ,ea =leet. !o& &e think &e kno& &hy all this happened.@ Ryan clicked to

the ne7t slide. 'his one sho&ed the !orth Atlantic, "ro$ =lorida to the +ole, &ith ,o iet ships $arked in red. @'he day Red October sailed, Captain Ra$i%s e idently posted a letter to Ad$iral 9%ri 4lych +adorin. +adorin is chie" o" the >ain +olitical Ad$inistration o" their na y. ;e do not kno& &hat that letter said, #%t here &e can see its res%lts. 'his #egan to happen not "o%r ho%rs a"ter that letter &as opened. =i"ty2eight n%clear2po&ered s%#$arines and t&enty2eight $aCor s%r"ace co$#atants all headed o%r &ay. 'his is a re$arka#le reaction in "o%r ho%rs. 'his $orning &e learned &hat their orders are. @8entle$en, these ships ha e #een ordered to locate Red October, and i" necessary, to sink her.@ Ryan pa%sed "or e""ect. @As yo% can see, the ,o iet s%r"ace "orce is here, a#o%t hal"&ay #et&een the E%ropean $ainland and 4celand. 'heir s%#$arines, these in partic%lar, are all heading so%th&est to&ards the 6.,. coast. +lease note, there is no %n%s%al acti ity on the +aci"ic side o" either co%ntryFe7cept &e ha e in"or$ation that ,o iet "leet #allistic $issile s%#$arines in both oceans are #eing recalled to port. @'here"ore, &hile &e do not kno& e7actly &hat Captain Ra$i%s said, &e can dra& so$e concl%sions "ro$ these patterns o" acti ity. 4t &o%ld appear that they think he?s heading in o%r direction. 8i en his esti$ated speed as so$ething #et&een ten and thirty knots, he co%ld #e any&here "ro$ here, #elo& 4celand, to here, C%st o"" o%r coast. 9o% &ill note that in either case he has s%ccess"%lly a oided detection #y all "o%r o" these ,*,6, #arriersF@ @;ait a $in%te. 9o% say they ha e iss%ed orders to their ships to sink one o" their s%#$arinesI@ @9es, >r. +resident.@ 'he president looked at the LC4. @'his is relia#le in"or$ation, J%dgeI@ @9es, >r. +resident, &e #elie e it to #e solid.@ @*kay, Lr. Ryan, &e?re all &aiting. ;hat?s this Ra$i%s "ello& %p toI@ @>r. +resident, o%r e al%ation o" this intelligence data is that Red October is atte$pting to de"ect to the 6nited ,tates.@ 'he roo$ &ent ery D%iet "or a $o$ent. Ryan co%ld hear the &hirring o" the "an in the slide proCector as the !ational ,ec%rity Co%ncil pondered that. 0e held his hands on the lectern to keep the$ "ro$ shaking %nder the stare o" the ten $en in "ront o" hi$. @'hat?s a ery interesting concl%sion, Loctor.@ 'he president s$iled. @Le"end it.@ @>r. +resident, no other concl%sion "its the data. 'he really cr%cial thing, o" co%rse, is the recall o" their other $issile #oats. 'hey? e ne er done that #e"ore. Add to that the "act that they ha e iss%ed orders to sink their ne&est and $ost po&er"%l $issile s%#, and that they are chasing in this direction, and one is le"t &ith the concl%sion that they think she has le"t the reser ation and is heading this &ay.@ @:ery &ell. ;hat else co%ld it #eI@ @,ir, he co%ld ha e told the$ that he?s going to "ire his $issiles. At %s, at the$, the Chinese, or C%st a#o%t anyone else.@ @And yo% don?t think soI@ @!o, >r. +resident. 'he ,,2!2/5 has a range o" si7 tho%sand $iles. 'hat $eans he co%ld ha e hit any target in the !orthern 0e$isphere "ro$ the $o$ent he le"t the dock. 0e?s had si7 days to do that, #%t he has not "ired. >oreo er, i" he had threatened to la%nch his #irds, he &o%ld ha e to consider the possi#ility that the ,o iets &o%ld enlist o%r assistance to locate and sink hi$. A"ter all, i" o%r s%r eillance syste$s detect the la%nch o" n%clear2ar$ed $issiles in any direction, things co%ld get ery tense, ery D%ickly.@

@9o% kno& he co%ld "ire his #irds in #oth directions and start ;orld ;ar 444,@ the secretary o" de"ense o#ser ed. @9es, >r. ,ecretary. 4n that case &e?d #e dealing &ith a total $ad$anF$ore than one, in "act. *n o%r $issile #oats there are "i e o""icers, &ho $%st all agree and act in %nison to "ire their $issiles. 'he ,o iets ha e the sa$e n%$#er. =or political reasons their n%clear &arhead sec%rity proced%res are e en $ore ela#orate than o%rs. =i e or $ore people, all o" &ho$ &ish to end the &orldI@ Ryan shook his head. @'hat see$s $ost %nlikely, sir, and again, the ,o iets &o%ld #e &ell ad ised to in"or$ %s and enlist o%r aid.@ @Lo yo% really think they &o%ld in"or$ %sI@ Lr. +elt asked. 0is tone indicated &hat he tho%ght. @,ir, that?s $ore a psychological D%estion than a technical one, and 4 deal principally &ith technical intelligence. ,o$e o" the $en in this roo$ ha e $et their ,o iet co%nterparts and are #etter eD%ipped to ans&er that than 4 a$. >y ans&er to yo%r D%estion, ho&e er, is yes. 'hat &o%ld #e the only rational thing "or the$ to do, and &hile 4 do not regard the ,o iets as entirely rational #y o%r standards, they are rational #y their o&n. 'hey are not gi en to this sort o" high2 stakes ga$#ling.@ @;ho isI@ the president o#ser ed. @;hat else $ight it #eI@ @,e eral things, sir. 4t co%ld si$ply #e a $aCor na al e7ercise ai$ed at testing their a#ility to close o%r sea lines o" co$$%nication and o%r a#ility to respond, #oth on short notice. ;e reCect this possi#ility "or se eral reasons. 4t?s too soon a"ter their a%t%$n na al e7ercise, CR4>,*! ,'*R>, and they are only %sing n%clear s%#$arinesE no diesel2po&ered #oats see$ to #e in ol ed. Clearly speed is at a pre$i%$ in their operation. And as a practical $atter, they do not r%n $aCor e7ercises at this ti$e o" year.@ @And &hy is thatI@ the president asked. Ad$iral =oster ans&ered "or Ryan. @>r. +resident, the &eather %p there at this ti$e o" the year is e7tre$ely #ad. E en &e don?t sched%le e7ercises %nder these conditions.@ @4 see$ to recall &e C%st ran a !A'* e7ercise, Ad$iral,@ +elt noted. @9es, sir, so%th o" Ber$%da, &here the &eather?s a lot nicer. E7cept "or an antis%# e7ercise o"" the British 4sles, all o" !4='9 L*L+04! &as held on o%r side o" the lake.@ @*kay, let?s get #ack to &hat else their "leet $ight #e %p to,@ the president ordered. @;ell, sir, it $ight not #e an e7ercise at all. 4t co%ld #e the real thing. 'his co%ld #e the #eginning o" a con entional &ar against !A'*, its "irst step #eing interdiction o" the sea lines o" co$$%nication. 4" so, they? e achie ed co$plete strategic s%rprise and are no& thro&ing it a&ay #y operating so o ertly that &e cannot "ail to notice or react "orce"%lly. >oreo er, there is no corresponding acti ity &hate er in their other ar$ed ser ices. 'heir ar$y and air "orceF e7cept "or $ariti$e s%r eillance aircra"tFand their +aci"ic =leet are engaged in ro%tine training operations. @=inally, this co%ld #e an atte$pt to pro oke or di ert %s, dra&ing o%r attention to this &hile they are preparing to spring a s%rprise so$e&here else. 4" so, they?re going a#o%t it in a strange &ay. 4" yo% try to pro oke so$e#ody, yo% don?t do it in his "ront yard. 'he Atlantic, >r. +resident, is still o%r ocean. As yo% can see "ro$ this chart, &e ha e #ases here in 4celand, the ABores, all %p and do&n o%r coast. ;e ha e allies on #oth sides o" the ocean, and &e can esta#lish air s%periority o er the entire Atlantic i" &e so choose. 'heir na y is n%$erically large, larger than o%rs in so$e critical areas, #%t they cannot proCect "orce as &ell as &e canFnot yet, any&ayFand certainly not right o"" o%r coast.@ Ryan took a sip o" &ater. @,o, gentle$en, &e ha e a ,o iet $issile s%#$arine at sea &hen all the others, in #oth oceans,

are #eing recalled. ;e ha e their "leet at sea &ith orders to sink that s%#, and e idently they are chasing it in o%r direction. As 4 said, this is the only concl%sion that "its the data.@ @0o& $any $en on the s%#, LoctorI@ the president asked. @;e #elie e 115 or so, sir.@ @,o, 115 $en all decide to de"ect to the 6nited ,tates at one ti$e. !ot an altogether #ad idea,@ the president o#ser ed &ryly, @#%t hardly a likely one.@ Ryan &as ready "or that. @'here is precedent "or this, sir. *n !o e$#er 8, 19(., the (torozhe$oy, a ,o iet 'ri$ak2class $issile "rigate, atte$pted to r%n "ro$ Riga, Lat ia, to the ,&edish island o" 8otland. 'he political o""icer a#oard, :alery ,a#lin, led a $%tiny o" the enlisted personnel. 'hey locked their o""icers in their ca#ins and raced a&ay "ro$ the dock. 'hey ca$e close to $aking it. Air and "leet %nits attacked the$ and "orced the$ to halt &ithin "i"ty $iles o" ,&edish territorial &aters. '&o $ore ho%rs and they &o%ld ha e $ade it. ,a#lin and t&enty2si7 others &ere co%rt2$artialed and shot. >ore recently &e ha e had reports o" $%tino%s episodes on se eral ,o iet esselsFespecially s%#$arines. 4n 1985 an cho2class ,o iet attack s%#$arine s%r"aced o"" Japan. 'he captain clai$ed to ha e had a "ire a#oard, #%t photographs taken #y na al reconnaissance aircra"tFo%rs and JapaneseFdid not sho& s$oke or "ire2da$aged de#ris #eing Cettisoned "ro$ the s%#$arine. 0o&e er, the cre&$en on deck did sho& s%""icient e idence o" tra%$a to s%pport the concl%sion that a riot had taken place a#oard. ;e ha e had si$ilar, sketchier reports "or so$e years no&. ;hile 4 ad$it this is an e7tre$e e7a$ple, o%r concl%sion is decidedly not &itho%t precedent.@ Ad$iral =oster reached inside his Cacket and ca$e o%t &ith a plastic2tipped cigar. 0is eyes sparkled #ehind the $atch. @9o% kno&, 4 co%ld al$ost #elie e this.@ @'hen 4 &ish yo%?d tell %s all &hy, Ad$iral,@ the president said, @#eca%se 4 still don?t.@ @>r. +resident, $ost $%tinies are led #y o""icers, not enlisted $en. 'he reason "or this is si$ply that the enlisted $en do not kno& ho& to na igate the ship. >oreo er, o""icers ha e the ad antages and ed%cational #ackgro%nd to kno& that s%ccess"%l re#ellion is a possi#ility. Both o" these "actors &o%ld #e e en $ore tr%e in the ,o iet !a y. ;hat i" C%st the o""icers are doing thisI@ @And the rest o" the cre& is going along &ith the$I@ +elt asked. @Ano&ing &hat &o%ld happen to the$ and their "a$iliesI@ =oster p%""ed a "e& ti$es on his cigar. @E er #een to sea, Lr. +eltI !oI Let?s i$agine "or the $o$ent that yo%?re taking a &orld cr%ise, on the ;ueen lizabeth <, say. *ne "ine day yo%?re in the $iddle o" the +aci"ic *ceanF#%t ho& do yo% kno& e7actly &here yo% areI 9o% don?t kno&. 9o% kno& &hat the o""icers tell yo%. *h, s%re, i" yo% kno& a little astrono$y, yo% $ight #e a#le to esti$ate yo%r latit%de to &ithin a "e& h%ndred $iles. ;ith a good &atch and so$e kno&ledge o" spherical trigono$etry yo% $ight e en g%ess yo%r longit%de to &ithin a "e& h%ndred. *kayI 'hat?s on a ship that yo% can see "ro$. @'hese g%ys are on a s%#$arine. 9o% can?t see a &hole lot. !o&, &hat i" the o""icersFnot e en all the o""icersFare doing thisI 0o& &ill the cre& kno& &hat?s going onI@ =oster shook his head. @'hey &on?t. 'hey can?t. E en o%r g%ys $ight not, and o%r $en are trained a lot #etter than theirs. 'heir sea$en are nearly all conscripts, re$e$#er. *n a n%clear s%#$arine yo% are a#sol%tely c%t o"" "ro$ the o%tside &orld. !o radios e7cept "or EL= and :L=Fand that?s all encryptedE $essages ha e to co$e thro%gh the co$$%nications o""icer. ,o, he has to #e in on it. ,a$e thing &ith the #oat?s na igator. 'hey %se inertial na igation syste$s, sa$e as %s. ;e ha e one o" theirs, "ro$ that 3olf &e li"ted o"" 0a&aii. 4n their $achine the data is also encrypted. 'he D%arter$aster reads the n%$#ers o"" the $achine, and the na igator gets their

position "ro$ a #ook. 4n the Red Ar$y, on land, $aps are classi"ied doc%$ents. ,a$e thing in their na y. 'he enlisted $en don?t get to see charts and are not enco%raged to kno& &here they are. 'his &o%ld #e especially tr%e on $issile s%#$arines, rightI @*n top o" all that, these g%ys are &orking sailors, n%cs. ;hen yo%?re at sea, yo% ha e a Co# to do, and yo% do it. *n their ships, that $eans "ro$ "o%rteen to eighteen ho%rs a day. 'hese kids are all dra"tees &ith ery si$ple training. 'hey?re ta%ght to per"or$ one or t&o tasksFand to "ollo& their orders e7actly. 'he ,o iets train people to do their Co#s #y rote, &ith as little thinking as possi#le. 'hat?s &hy on $aCor repair Co#s yo% see o""icers holding tools. 'heir $en &ill ha e neither the ti$e nor the inclination to D%estion their o""icers a#o%t &hat?s going on. 9o% do yo%r Co#, and depend on e ery#ody else to do his. 'hat?s &hat discipline at sea is all a#o%t.@ =oster tapped his cigar ash into an ashtray. @9es, sir, yo% get the o""icers together, $ay#e not e en all o" the$, and this &o%ld &ork. 8etting ten or t&el e dissidents together is a &hole lot easier than asse$#ling a h%ndred.@ @Easier, #%t hardly easy, Lan,@ 8eneral 0ilton o#Cected. @=or Christ?s sake, they ha e at least one political o""icer a#oard, pl%s $oles "ro$ their intelligence o%t"its. 9o% really think a +arty hack &o%ld go along &ith thisI@ @;hy notI 9o% heard RyanFthat "rigate?s $%tiny &as led #y the political o""icer.@ @9eah, and since then they ha e shaken %p that &hole directorate,@ 0ilton responded. @;e ha e de"ecting A8B types all the ti$e, all good +arty $e$#ers,@ =oster said. Clearly he liked the idea o" a de"ecting R%ssian s%#. 'he president took all this in, then t%rned to Ryan. @Lr. Ryan, yo% ha e $anaged to pers%ade $e that yo%r scenario is a theoretical possi#ility. !o&, &hat does the C4A think &e o%ght to do a#o%t itI@ @>r. +resident, 4?$ an intelligence analyst, notF@ @4 kno& ery &ell &hat yo% are, Lr. Ryan. 4? e read eno%gh o" yo%r &ork. 4 can see yo% ha e an opinion. 4 &ant to hear it.@ Ryan didn?t e en look at J%dge >oore. @;e gra# her, sir.@ @J%st like thatI@ @!o, >r. +resident, pro#a#ly not. 0o&e er, Ra$i%s co%ld s%r"ace o"" the :irginia Capes in a day or t&o and reD%est political asyl%$. ;e o%ght to #e prepared "or that contingency, sir, and $y opinion is that &e sho%ld &elco$e hi$ &ith open ar$s.@ Ryan sa& nods "ro$ all the chie"s. =inally so$e#ody &as on his side. @9o%? e st%ck yo%r neck o%t on this one,@ the president o#ser ed kindly. @,ir, yo% asked $e "or an opinion. 4t &ill pro#a#ly not #e that easy. 'hese Alfas and %ictors appear to #e racing "or o%r coast, al$ost certainly &ith the intention o" esta#lishing an interdiction "orceFe""ecti ely a #lockade o" o%r Atlantic coast.@ @#lockade,@ the president said, @an %gly &ord.@ @J%dge,@ 8eneral 0ilton said, @4 s%ppose it?s occ%rred to yo% that this is a piece o" disin"or$ation ai$ed at #lo&ing &hate er highly placed so%rce generated this reportI@ J%dge >oore a""ected a sleepy s$ile. @4t has, 8ener?l. 4" this is a sha$, it?s a da$ned ela#orate one. Lr. Ryan &as directed to prepare this #rie"ing on the ass%$ption that this data is gen%ine. 4" it is not, the responsi#ility is $ine.@ 8od #less yo%, J%dge, Ryan said to hi$sel", &ondering C%st ho& gold2plated the ;4LL*; so%rce &as. 'he C%dge &ent on, @4n any case, gentle$en, &e &ill ha e to respond to this ,o iet acti ity &hether o%r analysis is acc%rate or not.@ Are yo% getting con"ir$ation on this, J%dgeI@ the president asked.

@9es, sir, &e are &orking on that.@ @8ood.@ 'he president &as sitting straight, and Ryan noted his oice #eco$e crisper. @'he C%dge is correct. ;e ha e to react to this, &hate er they?re really %p to. 8entle$en, the ,o iet !a y is heading "or o%r coast. ;hat are &e doing a#o%t itI@ Ad$iral =oster ans&ered "irst. @>r. +resident, o%r "leet is p%lling to sea at this $o$ent. E erything that?ll stea$ is o%t already, or &ill #e #y to$orro& night. ;e? e recalled o%r carriers "ro$ the ,o%th Atlantic, and &e are redeploying o%r n%clear s%#$arines to deal &ith this threat. ;e #egan this $orning to sat%rate the air o er their s%r"ace "orce &ith +2-C *rion patrol aircra"t, assisted #y British !i$rods operating o%t o" ,cotland. 8eneralI@ =oster t%rned to 0ilton. @At this $o$ent &e ha e E2-A ,entry A;AC,2type aircra"t circling the$ along &ith Lan?s *rions, #oth acco$panied #y =21. Eagle "ighters o%t o" 4celand. By this ti$e =riday &e?ll ha e a sD%adron o" B2./s operating "ro$ Loring Air Base in >aine. 'hese &ill #e ar$ed &ith 0arpoon air2to2s%r"ace $issiles, and they?ll #e or#iting the ,o iets in relays. !othing aggressi e, yo% %nderstand,@ 0ilton s$iled. @J%st to let the$ kno& &e?re interested. 4" they contin%e to co$e this &ay, &e &ill redeploy so$e tactical air assets to the East Coast, and, s%#Cect to yo%r appro al, &e can acti ate so$e national g%ard and reser e sD%adrons D%ietly.@ @J%st ho& &ill yo% do that D%ietlyI@ +elt asked. @Lr. +elt, &e ha e a n%$#er o" g%ard o%t"its sched%led to r%n thro%gh o%r Red =lag "acility at !ellis in !e ada starting this ,%nday, a ro%tine training rotation. 'hey go to >aine instead o" !e ada. 'he #ases are pretty #ig, and they #elong to ,AC.@ 0ilton re"erred to the ,trategic Air Co$$and. @'hey ha e good sec%rity.@ @0o& $any carriers do &e ha e handyI@ the president asked. @*nly one at the $o$ent, sir, 'ennedy& (aratoga stripped a $ain t%r#ine last &eek, and it?ll take a $onth to replace. Nimitz and America are #oth in the ,o%th Atlantic right no&, America co$ing #ack "ro$ the 4ndian *cean, Nimitz heading o%t to the +aci"ic. Bad l%ck. Can &e recall a carrier "ro$ the eastern >edI@ @!o.@ 'he president shook his head. @'his Cypr%s thing is still too sensiti e. Lo &e really need toI 4" anything . . . %nto&ard happens, can &e handle their s%r"ace "orce &ith &hat &e ha e at handI@ @9es, sirJ@ 8eneral 0ilton said at once. @Lr. Ryan said itK the Atlantic is o%r ocean. 'he air "orce alone &ill ha e o er "i e h%ndred aircra"t designated "or this operation, and another three or "o%r h%ndred "ro$ the na y. 4" any sort o" shooting $atch de elops, that ,o iet "leet &ill ha e an e7citing and short li"e.@ @;e &ill try to a oid that, o" co%rse,@ the president said D%ietly. @'he "irst press reports s%r"aced this $orning. ;e had a call "ro$ B%d ;ilkins o" the Times right #e"ore l%nch. 4" the A$erican people "ind o%t too soon &hat the scope o" this is . . . Je""I@ @>r. +resident, let?s ass%$e "or the $o$ent that Lr. Ryan?s analysis is correct. 4 don?t see &hat &e can do a#o%t it,@ +elt said. @;hatI@ Ryan #l%rted. @4, ah, #eg yo%r pardon, sir.@ @;e can?t e7actly steal a R%ssian $issile s%#.@ @;hy notJ@ =oster de$anded. @0ell, &e ha e eno%gh o" their tanks and aircra"t.@ 'he other chie"s agreed. @An aircra"t &ith a cre& o" one or t&o is one thing, Ad$iral. A n%clear2po&ered s%#$arine &ith t&enty2si7 rockets and a cre& o" o er a h%ndred is so$ething else. !at%rally, &e can gi e asyl%$ to the de"ecting o""icers.@ @,o, yo%?re saying that i" the thing does co$e sailing into !or"olk,@ 0ilton Coined in, @&e gi e

it #ackJ Christ, $an, it carries t&o h%ndred &arheadsJ 'hey C%st $ight %se those godda$ned things against %s so$eday, yo% kno&. Are yo% sure yo% &ant to gi e the$ #ackI@ @'hat?s a #illion2dollar asset, 8eneral,@ +elt said di""idently. Ryan sa& the president s$ile. 0e &as said to like li ely disc%ssions. @J%dge, &hat are the legal ra$i"icationsI@ @'hat?s ad$iralty la&, >r. +resident.@ >oore looked %neasy "or once. @4? e ne er had an ad$iralty practice, takes $e all the &ay #ack to la& school. Ad$iralty is 4us gentiumFthe sa$e legal codes theoretically apply to all co%ntries. A$erican and British ad$iralty co%rts ro%tinely cite each other?s r%lings. B%t as "or the rights that attach to a $%tino%s cre&F4 ha e no idea.@ @J%dge, &e are not dealing &ith $%tiny or piracy,@ =oster noted. @'he correct ter$ is barratry, 4 #elie e. >%tiny is &hen the cre& re#els against la&"%l a%thority. 8ross $iscond%ct o" the o""icers is called #arratry. Any&ay, 4 hardly think &e need to attach legal "olderol to a sit%ation in ol ing n%clear &eapons.@ @;e $ight, Ad$iral,@ the president $%sed. @As Je"" said, this is a highly al%a#le asset, legally their property, and they &ill kno& &e ha e her. 4 think &e are agreed that not all the cre& is likely to #e in on this. 4" so, those not party to the $%tinyF#arratry, &hate erF&ill &ant to ret%rn ho$e a"ter it?s all o er. And &e?ll ha e to let the$ go, &on?t &eI@ @0a e toI@ 8eneral >a7&ell &as doodling on a pad. @0a e toI@ @8eneral,@ the president said "ir$ly, @&e &ill not, repeat not, #e party to the i$prison$ent or $%rder o" $en &hose only desire is to ret%rn to ho$e and "a$ily. 4s that %nderstoodI@ 0e looked aro%nd the ta#le. @4" they kno& &e ha e her, they?ll &ant her #ack. And they &ill kno& &e ha e her "ro$ the cre&$en &ho &ant to ret%rn ho$e. 4n any case, #ig as this thing is, ho& co%ld &e hide herI@ @;e $ight #e a#le to,@ =oster said ne%trally, @#%t as yo% say, the cre& is a co$plication. 4 pres%$e &e?ll ha e the chance to look her o erI@ @9o% $ean cond%ct a D%arantine inspection, check her "or sea&orthiness, $ay#e $ake s%re they?re not s$%ggling dr%gs into the co%ntryI@ 'he president grinned. @4 think &e $ight arrange that. B%t &e are getting ahead o" o%rsel es. 'here?s a lot o" gro%nd to co er #e"ore &e get to that point. ;hat a#o%t o%r alliesI@ @'he English C%st had one o" their carriers o er here. Co%ld yo% %se her, LanI@ 8eneral 0ilton asked. @4" they let %s #orro& her, yes. ;e C%st "inished that A,; e7ercise so%th o" Ber$%da, and the Brits acD%itted the$sel es &ell. ;e co%ld %se -n$incible, the "o%r escorts, and the three attack #oats. 'he "orce is #eing recalled at high speed #eca%se o" this.@ @Lo they kno& o" this de elop$ent, J%dgeI@ the president asked. @!ot %nless they? e de eloped it the$sel es. 'his in"or$ation is only a "e& ho%rs old.@ >oore did not re eal that ,ir Basil had his o&n ear in the Are$lin. Ryan didn?t kno& $%ch a#o%t it hi$sel", had only heard so$e disconnected r%$#lings. @;ith yo%r per$ission, 4 ha e asked Ad$iral 8reer to #e ready to "ly to England to #rie" the pri$e $inister.@ @;hy not C%st sendF@ J%dge >oore &as shaking his head. @>r. +resident, this in"or$ationFlet?s say it?s only deli ered #y hand.@ Eye#ro&s &ent %p all aro%nd the ta#le. @;hen is he lea ingI@ @'his e ening, i" yo% &ish. 'here are a co%ple o" :4+ "lights lea ing Andre&s tonight. Congressional "lights.@ 4t &as the %s%al end2o"2session C%nket season. Christ$as in E%rope, on

"act2"inding $issions. @8eneral, do &e ha e anything D%ickerI@ the president asked 0ilton. @;e can scratch %p a :C2141. Lockheed Jet,tar, al$ost as "ast as a 21-., and &e can ha e it %p in hal" an ho%r.@ @Lo it.@ @9es, sir, 4?ll call the$ in right no&.@ 0ilton rose and &alked to a phone in the corner. @J%dge, tell 8reer to pack his #ags. 4?ll ha e a co er letter &aiting "or hi$ on the plane to gi e to the pri$e $inister. Ad$iral, yo% &ant the -n$incible2@ @9es, sir.@ @4?ll get her "or yo%. !e7t, &hat do &e tell o%r people at seaI@ @4" October C%st sails in, it &on?t #e necessary, #%t i" &e ha e to co$$%nicate &ith herF@ @E7c%se $e, J%dge,@ Ryan said, @that is rather likelyFthat &e?ll ha e to. 'hey?ll pro#a#ly ha e these attack #oats on the coast #e"ore she gets here. 4" so, &e?ll ha e to &arn her o"" i" only to sa e the de"ecting o""icers. 'hey are o%t to locate and sink her.@ @;e ha en?t detected her. ;hat $akes yo% think they canI@ =oster asked, $i""ed at the s%ggestion. @'hey did #%ild her, Ad$iral. ,o they $ight kno& things a#o%t her that &ill ena#le the$ to locate her $ore easily than %s.@ @>akes sense,@ the president said. @'hat $eans so$e#ody goes o%t to #rie" the "leet co$$anders. ;e can?t #roadcast this, can &e, J%dgeI@ @>r. +resident, this so%rce is too al%a#le to co$pro$ise in any &ay. 'hat?s all 4 can say here, sir.@ @:ery &ell, so$e#ody "lies o%t. !e7t thing is, &e?ll ha e to talk to the ,o iets a#o%t this. =or the $o$ent they can say that they?re operating in ho$e &aters. ;hen &ill they pass 4celandI@ @'o$orro& night, %nless they change co%rse,@ =oster ans&ered. @*kay, &e gi e it a day, "or the$ to call this o"" and "or %s to con"ir$ this report. J%dge, 4 &ant so$ething to #ack %p this "airy tale in t&enty2"o%r ho%rs. 4" they ha en?t t%rned #ack #y $idnight to$orro&, 4?ll call A$#assador Ar#ato into $y o""ice =riday $orning.@ 0e t%rned to the chie"s. @8entle$en, 4 &ant to see contingency plans "or dealing &ith this sit%ation #y to$orro& a"ternoon. ;e &ill $eet here to$orro& at t&o. *ne $ore thingK no leaks! 'his in"or$ation does not go #eyond this roo$ &itho%t $y personal appro al. 4" this story #reaks to the press, 4?ll ha e heads on $y desk. 9es, 8eneralI@ @>r. +resident, in order to de elop those plans,@ 0ilton said a"ter sitting #ack do&n, @&e ha e to &ork thro%gh o%r "ield co$$anders and so$e o" o%r o&n operations people. Certainly &e?ll need Ad$iral Black#%rn.@ Black#%rn &as C4!CLA!', co$$ander in chie" o" the Atlantic. @Let $e think that one o er. 4?ll #e #ack to yo% in an ho%r. 0o& $any people at the C4A kno& a#o%t thisI@ @=o%r, sir. Ritter, 8reer, Ryan, and $ysel", sir. 'hat?s all.@ @Aeep it that &ay.@ 'he president had #een #ede iled #y sec%rity leaks "or $onths. @9es, >r. +resident.@ @>eeting is adCo%rned.@ 'he president stood. >oore &alked aro%nd the ta#le to keep hi$ "ro$ lea ing at once. Lr. +elt stayed also as the rest "iled o%t o" the roo$. Ryan stood o%tside the door. @'hat &as all right.@ 8eneral >a7&ell gra##ed his hand. 0e &aited %ntil e eryone else &as a "e& yards do&n the hall #e"ore going on. @4 think yo%?re craBy, son, #%t yo% s%re p%t a #%rr %nder Lan =oster?s saddle. !o, e en #etterK 4 think he got a hard2on.@ 'he little general

ch%ckled. @And i" &e get the s%#, $ay#e &e can change the president?s $ind and arrange "or the cre& to disappear. 'he C%dge did that once, yo% kno&.@ 4t &as a tho%ght that chilled Ryan as he &atched >a7&ell s&agger do&n the hall. @Jack, yo% &ant to co$e #ack in here a $in%teI@ >oore?s oice called. @9o%?re an historian, rightI@ the president asked, re ie&ing his notes. Ryan hadn?t e en noticed hi$ holding a pen. @9es, >r. +resident. 'hat?s &hat $y grad%ate degree?s in.@ Ryan shook his hand. @9o% ha e a "ine sense o" the dra$atic, Jack. 9o% &o%ld ha e $ade a decent trial la&yer.@ 'he president had $ade his rep%tation as a hard2dri ing state?s attorney. 0e had s%r i ed an %ns%ccess"%l >a"ia assassination atte$pt early in his career &hich hadn?t h%rt his political a$#itions one #it. @La$ned nice #rie"ing.@ @'hank yo%, >r. +resident.@ Ryan #ea$ed. @'he C%dge tells $e yo% kno& the co$$ander o" that British task "orce.@ 4t &as like a sand#ag hitting his head. @9es, sir. Ad$iral ;hite. 4? e h%nted &ith hi$, and o%r &i es are good "riends. 'hey?re close to the Royal =a$ily.@ @8ood. ,o$e#ody has to "ly o%t to #rie" o%r "leet co$$ander, then go on to talk to the Brits, i" &e get their carrier, as 4 e7pect &e &ill. 'he C%dge says &e o%ght to let Ad$iral La enport go o%t &ith yo%. ,o, yo% "ly o%t to 'ennedy tonight, then on to -n$incible&@ @>r. +resident, 4F@ @Co$e no&, Lr. Ryan,@ +elt s$iled thinly. @9o% are %niD%ely s%ited to this. 9o% already ha e access to the intelligence, yo% kno& the British co$$ander, and yo%?re a na al intelligence specialist. 9o% "it. 'ell $e, ho& eager do yo% think the na y is a#o%t getting this Red October2@ @*" co%rse they?re interested in it, sir. 'o get a chance to look at it, #etter yet to r%n it, take it apart, and r%n it so$e $ore. 4t &o%ld #e the intelligence co%p o" all ti$e.@ @'hat?s tr%e. B%t $ay#e they?re a little too eager.@ @4 don?t %nderstand &hat yo% $ean, sir,@ Ryan said, tho%gh he %nderstood it C%st "ine. +elt &as the president?s "a orite. 0e &as not the +entagon?s "a orite. @'hey $ight take a chance that &e $ight not &ant the$ to take.@ @Lr. +elt, i" yo%?re saying that a %ni"or$ed o""icer &o%ldF@ @0e?s not saying that. At least not e7actly. ;hat he?s saying is that it $ight #e %se"%l "or $e to ha e so$e#ody o%t there &ho can gi e $e an independent, ci ilian point o" ie&.@ @,ir, yo% don?t kno& $e.@ @4? e read a lot o" yo%r reports.@ 'he chie" e7ec%ti e &as s$iling. 4t &as said he co%ld t%rn daBBling char$ on and o"" like a spotlight. Ryan &as #eing #linded, kne& it, and co%ldn?t do a thing a#o%t it. @4 like yo%r &ork. 9o% ha e a good "eel "or things, "or "acts. 8ood C%dg$ent. !o&, one reason 4 got to &here 4 a$ is good C%dg$ent, too, and 4 think yo% can handle &hat 4 ha e in $ind. 'he D%estion is, &ill yo% do it, or &on?t yo%I@ @Lo &hat, e7actly, sirI@ @A"ter yo% get o%t there, yo% stay p%t "or a "e& days, and report directly to $e. !ot thro%gh channels, directly to $e. 9o%?ll get the cooperation yo% need. 4?ll see to that.@ Ryan didn?t say anything. 0e?d C%st #eco$e a spy, a "ield o""icer, #y presidential "iat. ;orse, he?d #e spying on his o&n side. @9o% don?t like the idea o" reporting on yo%r o&n people, rightI 9o% &on?t #e, not really. Like 4 said, 4 &ant an independent, ci ilian opinion. ;e?d pre"er to send an e7perienced case o""icer o%t, #%t &e &ant to $ini$iBe the n%$#er o" people in ol ed in this. ,ending Ritter or

8reer o%t &o%ld #e "ar too o# io%s, &hereas yo%, on the other hand, are a relati eF@ @!o#odyI@ Jack asked. @As "ar as they?re concerned, yes,@ J%dge >oore replied. @'he ,o iets ha e a "ile on yo%. 4? e seen parts o" it. 'hey think yo%?re an %pper2class drone, Jack.@ 4 a$ a drone, Ryan tho%ght, %n$o ed #y the i$plicit challenge. 4n this co$pany 4 s%re as hell a$. @Agreed, >r. +resident. +lease "orgi e $e "or hesitating. 4? e ne er #een a "ield o""icer #e"ore.@ @4 %nderstand.@ 'he president &as $agnani$o%s in ictory. @*ne $ore thing. 4" 4 %nderstand ho& s%#$arines operate, Ra$i%s co%ld C%st ha e taken o"", not saying anything. ;hy tip the$ o""I ;hy the letterI 'he &ay 4 read this, it?s co%nterprod%cti e.@ 4t &as Ryan?s t%rn to s$ile. @E er $eet a s%# dri er, sirI !oI 0o& a#o%t an astrona%tI@ @,%re, 4? e $et a #%nch o" the ,h%ttle pilots.@ @'hey?re the sa$e #reed o" cat, >r. +resident. As to &hy he le"t the letter, there?s t&o parts to that. =irst, he?s pro#a#ly $ad a#o%t so$ething, e7actly &hat &e?ll "ind o%t &hen &e see hi$. ,econd, he "ig%res he can p%ll this o"" regardless o" &hat they try to stop hi$ &ithFand he &ants the$ to kno& that. >r. +resident, the $en &ho dri e s%#s "or a li ing are aggressi e, con"ident, and ery, ery s$art. 'hey like nothing #etter than $aking so$e#ody else, a s%r"ace ship operator "or e7a$ple, look like an idiot.@ @9o% C%st scored another point, Jack. 'he astrona%ts 4? e $et, on $ost things they?re do&nright h%$#le, #%t they think they?re gods &hen it co$es to "lying. 4?ll keep that in $ind. Je"", let?s get #ack to &ork. Jack, keep $e posted.@ Ryan shook his hand again. A"ter the president and his senior ad iser le"t, he t%rned to J%dge >oore. @J%dge, &hat the hell did yo% tell hi$ a#o%t $eI@ @*nly the tr%th, Jack.@ Act%ally, the C%dge had &anted this operation to #e r%n #y one o" the C4A?s senior case o""icers. Ryan had not #een part o" this sche$e, #%t presidents ha e #een kno&n to spoil $any care"%lly laid plans. 'he C%dge took this philosophically. @'his is a #ig $o e %p in the &orld "or yo%, i" yo% do yo%r Co# right. 0ell, yo% $ight e en like it.@ Ryan &as s%re he &o%ldn?t, and he &as right. C4A 0eadD%arters 0e didn?t speak the &hole &ay #ack to Langley. 'he director?s car p%lled into the #ase$ent parking garage, &here they got o%t and entered a pri ate ele ator that took the$ directly to >oore?s o""ice. 'he ele ator door &as disg%ised as a &all panel, &hich &as con enient #%t $elodra$atic, Ryan tho%ght. 'he LC4 &ent right to his desk and li"ted a phone. @Bo#, 4 need yo% in here right no&.@ 0e glanced at Ryan, standing in the $iddle o" the roo$. @Looking "or&ard to this, JackI@ @,%re, J%dge,@ Ryan said &itho%t enth%sias$. @4 can see ho& yo% "eel a#o%t this spying #%siness, #%t the &hole thing co%ld de elop into an e7tre$ely sensiti e sit%ation. 9o% o%ght to #e da$ned "lattered yo%?re #eing tr%sted &ith it.@ Ryan ca%ght the #et&een2the2line $essage C%st as Ritter #reeBed in. @;hat?s %p, J%dgeI@ @;e?re laying an operation on. Ryan is "lying o%t to the 'ennedy &ith Charlie La enport to #rie" the "leet co$$anders on this October #%siness. 'he president #o%ght it.@

@8%ess so. 8reer le"t "or Andre&s C%st #e"ore yo% p%lled in. Ryan gets to "ly o%t, ehI@ @9es. Jack, the r%le is thisK yo% can #rie" the "leet co$$ander and La enport, that?s all. ,a$e "or the Brits, C%st the #oss2sailor. 4" Bo# can con"ir$ ;4LL*;, the data can #e spread o%t, #%t only as $%ch as is a#sol%tely necessary. ClearI@ @9es, sir. 4 s%ppose so$e#ody has told the president that it?s hard to acco$plish anything i" no#ody kno&s &hat the hell is going on. Especially the g%ys &ho?re doing the &ork.@ @4 kno& &hat yo%?re saying, Jack. ;e ha e to change the president?s $ind on that. ;e &ill, #%t %ntil &e do, re$e$#erFhe is the #oss. Bo#, &e?ll need to r%stle so$ething %p so he?ll "it in.@ @!a al o""icer?s %ni"or$I Let?s $ake hi$ a co$$ander, three stripes, %s%al ri##ons.@ Ritter looked Ryan o er. @,ay a "orty2t&o long. ;e can ha e hi$ o%t"itted in an ho%r, 4 e7pect. 'his operation ha e a na$eI@ @'hat?s ne7t.@ >oore li"ted his phone again and tapped in "i e n%$#ers. @4 need t&o &ordsF 6h2h%h, thank yo%.@ 0e &rote a "e& things do&n. @*kay, gentle$en, yo%?re calling this *peration >A!L*L4!. 9o%, Ryan, are >agi. *%ght to #e easy to re$e$#er, gi en the ti$e o" year. ;e?ll &ork %p a series o" code &ords #ased on those &hile yo%?re #eing "itted. Bo#, take hi$ do&n there yo%rsel". 4?ll call La enport and ha e hi$ arrange the "light.@ Ryan "ollo&ed Ritter to the ele ator. 4t &as going too "ast, e eryone &as #eing too cle er, he tho%ght. 'his *peration >A!L*L4! &as racing "or&ard #e"ore they kne& &hat the hell they &ere going to do, $%ch less ho&. And the choice o" his code na$e str%ck Ryan as sing%larly inappropriate. 0e &asn?t anyone?s &ise $an. 'he na$e sho%ld ha e #een so$ething $ore like @0allo&een.@

THE SEVENTH DAY THURSDAY 9, DECEMBER

'he !orth Atlantic ;hen ,a$%el Johnson co$pared sailing in a ship to @#eing in Cail, &ith the chance o" #eing dro&ned,@ at least he had the consolation o" tra elling to his ship in a sa"e carriage, Ryan tho%ght. !o& he &as going to sea, and #e"ore he got to his ship Ryan stood the chance o" #eing s$ashed to red p%lp in a plane crash. Jack sat h%nched in a #%cket seat on the port side o" a 8r%$$an 8reyho%nd, kno&n to the "leet &itho%t a""ection as a C*L G"or carrier on#oard deli eryH, a "lying deli ery tr%ck. 'he seats, "acing a"t, &ere too close together, and his knees C%tted %p against his chin. 'he ca#in &as "ar $ore a$ena#le to cargo than to people. 'here &ere three tons o" engine and electronics parts sto&ed in crates a"tFthere, no do%#t, so that the i$pact o" a plane crash on the al%a#le eD%ip$ent &o%ld #e so"tened #y the "o%r #odies in the passenger section. 'he ca#in &as not heated. 'here &ere no &indo&s. A thin al%$in%$ skin separated hi$ "ro$ a t&o2h%ndred2knot &ind that shrieked in ti$e &ith the t&in t%r#ine engines. ;orst o" all, they &ere "lying thro%gh a stor$ at "i e tho%sand "eet, and the C*L &as Cerking %p and do&n in h%ndred2"oot g%lps like a #erserk roller coaster. 'he only good thing &as the lack o" lighting, Ryan tho%ghtFat least no#ody can see ho& green $y "ace is. Right #ehind hi$ &ere t&o pilots, talking a&ay lo%dly so they co%ld #e heard o er the engine noise. 'he #astards &ere enCoying the$sel esJ 'he noise lessened so$e&hat, or so it see$ed. 4t &as hard to tell. 0e?d #een iss%ed "oa$2 r%##er ear protectors along &ith a yello&, in"lata#le li"e preser er and a lect%re on &hat to do in the e ent o" a crash. 'he lect%re had #een per"%nctory eno%gh that it took no great intellect to esti$ate their chances o" s%r i al i" they did crash on a night like this. Ryan hated "lying. 0e had once #een a $arine second lie%tenant, and his acti e career had ended a"ter only three $onths &hen his platoon?s helicopter had crashed on Crete d%ring a !A'* e7ercise. 0e had inC%red his #ack, nearly #een crippled "or li"e, and e er since regarded "lying as so$ething to #e a oided. 'he C*L, he tho%ght, &as #o%ncing $ore do&n than %p. 4t pro#a#ly $eant they &ere close to the 'ennedy& 'he alternati e did not #ear thinking a#o%t. 'hey &ere only ninety $in%tes o%t o" *ceana !a al Air ,tation at :irginia Beach. 4t "elt like a $onth, and Ryan s&ore to hi$sel" that he?d ne er #e a"raid on a ci ilian airliner again. 'he nose dropped a#o%t t&enty degrees, and the aircra"t see$ed to #e "lying right at

so$ething. 'hey &ere landing, the $ost dangero%s part o" carrier "light operations. 0e re$e$#ered a st%dy cond%cted d%ring the :ietna$ ;ar in &hich carrier pilots had #een "itted &ith porta#le electrocardiographs to $onitor stress, and it had s%rprised a lot o" people that the $ost stress"%l ti$e "or carrier pilots &asn?t &hile they &ere #eing shot atFit &as &hile they &ere landing, partic%larly at night. Christ, yo%?re "%ll o" happy tho%ghtsJ Ryan told hi$sel". 0e closed his eyes. *ne &ay or another, it &o%ld #e o er in a "e& seconds. 'he deck &as slick &ith rain and hea ing %p and do&n, a #lack hole s%rro%nded #y peri$eter lights. 'he carrier landing &as a controlled crash. >assi e landing gear str%ts and shock a#sor#ers &ere needed to lessen the #one2cr%shing i$pact. 'he aircra"t s%rged "or&ard only to #e Cerked to a halt #y the arresting &ire. 'hey &ere do&n. 'hey &ere sa"e. +ro#a#ly. A"ter a $o$ent?s pa%se, the C*L #egan $o ing "or&ard again. Ryan heard so$e odd noises as the plane ta7ied and realiBed that they ca$e "ro$ the &ings "olding %p. 'he one danger he had not considered &as "lying on an aircra"t &hose &ings &ere s%pposed to collapse. 4t &as, he decided, C%st as &ell. 'he plane "inally stopped $o ing, and the rear hatch opened. Ryan "lipped o"" his seat#elts and stood rapidly, #anging his head on the lo& ceiling. 0e didn?t &ait "or La enport. ;ith his can as #ag cl%tched to his chest he darted o%t o" the rear o" the aircra"t. 0e looked aro%nd, and &as pointed to the 'ennedy?s island str%ct%re #y a yello&2 shirted deck cre&$an. 'he rain &as "alling hea ily, and he "elt rather than sa& that the carrier &as indeed $o ing on the "i"teen2"oot seas. 0e ran to&ards an open, lighted hatch "i"ty "eet a&ay. 0e had to &ait "or La enport to catch %p. 'he ad$iral didn?t r%n. 0e &alked &ith a precise thirty2inch step, digni"ied as a "lag o""icer sho%ld #e, and Ryan decided that he &as pro#a#ly annoyed that his se$isecret arri al prohi#ited the %s%al cere$ony o" #os%n?s pipes and side #oys. 'here &as a $arine standing inside the hatch, a corporal, resplendent in striped #l%e tro%sers, khaki shirt and tie, and sno&2&hite pistol #elt. 0e sal%ted, &elco$ing #oth a#oard. @Corporal, 4 &ant to see Ad$iral +ainter.@ @'he ad$iral?s in "lag D%arters, sir. Lo yo% reD%ire escortI@ @!o, son. 4 %sed to co$$and this ship. Co$e along, Jack.@ Ryan got to carry #oth #ags. @8a&d, sir, yo% act%ally %sed to do this "or a li ingI@ Ryan asked. @!ight carrier landingsI ,%re, 4? e done a co%ple o" h%ndred. ;hat?s the #ig dealI@ La enport see$ed s%rprised at Ryan?s a&e. Jack &as s%re it &as an act. 'he inside o" the 'ennedy &as $%ch like the interior o" the 6,, 3uam, the helicopter assa%lt ship Ryan had #een assigned to d%ring his #rie" $ilitary career. 4t &as the %s%al na y $aBe o" steel #%lkheads and pipes, e erything painted the sa$e shade o" ca e2gray. 'he pipes had so$e colored #ands and stenciled acrony$s &hich pro#a#ly $eant so$ething to the $en &ho ran the ship. 'o Ryan they $ight as &ell ha e #een neolithic ca e paintings. La enport led hi$ thro%gh a corridor, aro%nd a corner, do&n a @ladder@ $ade entirely o" steel and so steep he al$ost lost his #alance, do&n another passage&ay, and aro%nd another corner. By this ti$e Ryan &as thoro%ghly lost. 'hey ca$e to a door &ith a $arine stationed in "ront. 'he sergeant sal%ted per"ectly, and opened the door "or the$. Ryan "ollo&ed La enport inFand &as a$aBed. =lag D%arters on the 6,, 'ennedy $ight ha e #een transported as a #lock "ro$ a Beacon 0ill $ansion. 'o his right &as a &all2siBed $%ral large eno%gh to do$inate a #ig li ing roo$. A hal"2doBen oils, one o" the$ a portrait o" the ship?s na$esake, +resident John =itBgerald Aennedy, dotted the other &alls, the$sel es co ered &ith e7pensi e2looking paneling. 'he deck &as co ered in thick cri$son &ool, and the "%rnit%re &as p%re ci ilian, =rench pro incial, oak and #rocade. *ne co%ld al$ost i$agine they

&ere not a#oard a ship at all, e7cept that the ceilingF@o erhead@Fhad the %s%al collection o" pipes, all painted gray. 4t &as a decidedly odd contrast to the rest o" the roo$. @0i ya, CharlieJ@ Rear Ad$iral Josh%a +ainter e$erged "ro$ the ne7t roo$, drying his hands &ith a to&el. @0o& &as it co$ing inI@ @Little rocky,@ La enport allo&ed, shaking hands. @'his is Jack Ryan.@ Ryan had ne er $et +ainter #%t kne& hi$ #y rep%tation. A +hanto$ pilot d%ring the :ietna$ ;ar, he had &ritten a #ook, Paddystrikes, on the cond%ct o" the air ca$paigns. 4t had #een a tr%th"%l #ook, not the sort o" thing that &ins "riends. 0e &as a s$all, "eisty $an &ho co%ld not ha e &eighed $ore than a h%ndred thirty po%nds. 0e &as also a gi"ted tactician and a $an o" p%ritanical integrity. @*ne o" yo%rs, CharlieI@ @!o, Ad$iral, 4 &ork "or Ja$es 8reer. 4 a$ not a na al o""icer. +lease accept $y apologies. 4 don?t like pretending to #e &hat 4?$ not. 'he %ni"or$ &as the C4A?s idea.@ 'his dre& a "ro&n. @*hI ;ell, 4 s%ppose that $eans yo%?re going to tell $e &hat 4 an?s %p to. 8ood, 4 hope to hell so$e#ody kno&s. =irst ti$e on a carrierI 0o& did yo% like the "light inI@ @4t $ight #e a good &ay to interrogate prisoners o" &ar,@ Ryan said as o""handedly as he co%ld. 'he t&o "lag o""icers had a good la%gh at his e7pense, and +ainter called "or so$e "ood to #e sent in. 'he do%#le doors to the passage&ay opened se eral $in%tes later and a pair o" ste&ards F@$ess $anage$ent specialists@Fca$e in, one #earing a tray o" "ood, the other t&o pots o" co""ee. 'he three $en &ere ser ed in a style appropriate to their rank. 'he "ood, ser ed on sil er2tri$$ed plates, &as si$ple #%t appetiBing to Ryan, &ho hadn?t eaten in t&el e ho%rs. 0e dished cole sla& and potato salad onto his plate and selected a pair o" corned2#ee"2on2ryes. @'hank yo%. 'hat?s all "or no&,@ +ainter said. 'he ste&ards ca$e to attention #e"ore lea ing. @*kay, let?s get do&n to #%siness.@ Ryan g%lped do&n hal" a sand&ich. @Ad$iral, this in"or$ation is only t&enty ho%rs old.@ 0e took the #rie"ing "olders "ro$ his #ag and handed the$ aro%nd. 0is deli ery took t&enty $in%tes, d%ring &hich he $anaged to cons%$e the t&o sand&iches and a goodly portion o" his cole sla& and spill co""ee on his hand2&ritten notes. 'he t&o "lag o""icers &ere a per"ect a%dience, not interr%pting once, only darting a "e& dis#elie ing looks at hi$. @8od Al$ighty,@ +ainter said &hen Ryan "inished. La enport C%st stared poker2"aced as he conte$plated the possi#ility o" e7a$ining a ,o iet $issile s%# "ro$ the inside. Jack decided he?d #e a "or$ida#le opponent o er cards. +ainter &ent on, @Lo yo% really #elie e thisI@ @9es, sir, 4 do.@ Ryan po%red hi$sel" another c%p o" co""ee. 0e &o%ld ha e pre"erred a #eer to go &ith his corned #ee". 4t hadn?t #een #ad at all, and good kosher corned #ee" &as so$ething he?d #een %na#le to "ind in London. +ainter leaned #ack and looked at La enport. @Charlie, yo% tell 8reer to teach this lad a "e& lessonsFlike ho& a #%rea%crat ain?t s%pposed to stick his neck this "ar o%t on the #lock. Lon?t you think this is a little "ar2"etchedI@ @Josh, Ryan here?s the g%y &ho did the report last J%ne on ,o iet $issile2s%# patrol patterns.@ @*hI 'hat &as a nice piece o" &ork. 4t con"ir$ed so$ething 4? e #een saying "or t&o or three years.@ +ainter rose and &alked to the corner to look o%t at the stor$y sea. @,o, &hat are &e s%pposed to do a#o%t all thisI@ @'he e7act details o" the operation ha e not #een deter$ined. ;hat 4 e7pect is that yo% &ill #e directed to locate Red October and atte$pt to esta#lish co$$%nications &ith her skipper. A"ter thatI ;e?ll ha e to "ig%re a &ay to get her to a sa"e place. 9o% see, the president doesn?t

think &e?ll #e a#le to hold onto her once &e get herFi" &e get her.@ @;hatI@ +ainter sp%n aro%nd and spoke a tenth o" a second #e"ore La enport did. Ryan e7plained "or se eral $in%tes. @Lear 8od a#o eJ 9o% gi e $e one i$possi#le task, then yo% tell $e that i" &e s%cceed in it, &e gotta gi e the godda$ned thing #ack to the$J@ @Ad$iral, $y reco$$endationFthe president asked $e "or oneF&as that &e keep the s%#$arine. =or &hat it?s &orth, the Joint Chie"s are on yo%r side, too, along &ith the C4A. As it is, tho%gh, i" the cre&$en &ant to go #ack ho$e, &e ha e to send the$ #ack, and then the ,o iets &ill kno& &e ha e the #oat "or s%re. As a practical $atter, 4 can see the other side?s point. 'he essel is &orth a pile o" $oney, and it is their property. And ho& &o%ld &e hide a -5,5552ton s%#$arineI@ @9o% hide a s%#$arine #y sinking it,@ +ainter said angrily. @'hey?re designed to do that, yo% kno&. ?'heir propertyJ? ;e?re not talking a#o%t a da$ned passenger liner. 'hat?s so$ething designed to kill peopleFo%r peopleJ@ @Ad$iral, 4 a$ on yo%r side,@ Ryan said D%ietly. @,ir, yo% said &e? e gi en yo% an i$possi#le task, ;hyI@ @Ryan, "inding a #oo$er that does not &ant to #e "o%nd is not the easiest thing in the &orld. ;e practice against o%r o&n. ;e da$ned near al&ays "ail, and yo% say this one?s already passed all the northeast ,*,6, lines. 'he Atlantic?s a rather large ocean, and a $issile s%#?s noise "ootprint is ery s$all.@ @9es, sir.@ Ryan noted to hi$sel" that he $ight ha e #een o erly opti$istic a#o%t their chances "or s%ccess. @;hat sort o" shape are yo% in, JoshI@ La enport asked. @+retty good, really. 'he e7ercise &e C%st ran, !4='9 L*L+04!, &orked o%t all right. *%r part o" it,@ +ainter corrected hi$sel". @!allas raised so$e hell on the other side. >y A,; cre&s are "%nctioning ery &ell. ;hat sort o" help are &e gettingI@ @;hen 4 le"t the +entagon, the C!* &as checking the a aila#ility o" +2-s o%t on the +aci"ic, so yo%?ll pro#a#ly #e seeing $ore o" those. E erything that?ll $o e is p%tting to sea. 9o%?re the only carrier, so yo%? e got o erall tactical co$$and, rightI Co$e on, Josh, yo%?re o%r #est A,; operator.@ +ainter po%red so$e co""ee "or hi$sel". @*kay, &e ha e one carrier deck. America and Nimitz are still a good &eek a&ay. Ryan, yo% said yo%?re "lying o%t to -n$incible& ;e get her, too, rightI@ @'he president &as &orking on that. ;ant herI@ @,%re. Ad$iral ;hite has a good nose "or A,;, and his #oys really l%cked o%t d%ring L*L+04!. 'hey killed t&o o" o%r attack #oats, and :ince 8allery &as so$e kind o" pissed a#o%t that. L%ck?s a #ig part o" this ga$e. 'hat &o%ld gi e %s t&o decks instead o" one. 4 &onder i" &e can get so$e $ore ,2-sI@ +ainter re"erred to the Lockheed :ikings, carrier2#orne antis%#$arine aircra"t. @;hyI@ La enport asked. @4 can trans"er $y =218s to shore, and that?ll gi e %s roo$ "or t&enty $ore :ikings. 4 don?t like losing the striking po&er, #%t &hat &e?re going to need is $ore A,; $%scle. 'hat $eans $ore ,2-s. Jack, yo% kno& that i" yo%?re &rong, that R%sskie s%r"ace "orce is going to #e a hand"%l to deal &ith. 9o% kno& ho& $any s%r"ace2to2s%r"ace $issiles they?re packingI@ @!o, sir.@ Ryan &as certain it &as too $any. @;e?re one carrier, and that $akes %s their pri$ary target. 4" they start shooting at %s, it?ll get

a&"%l loneso$eFthen it?ll get a&"%l e7citing.@ 'he phone rang. @+ainter here . . . 9es. 'hank yo%. ;ell, -n$incible C%st t%rned aro%nd. 8ood, they?re gi ing her to %s along &ith t&o tin cans. 'he rest o" the escorts and the three attack s%#s are still heading ho$e.@ 0e "ro&ned. @4 can?t really "a%lt the$ "or that. 'hat $eans &e ha e to gi e the$ so$e escorts, #%t it?s a good trade. 4 &ant that "light deck.@ @Can &e chopper Jack o%t to herI@ Ryan &ondered i" La enport kne& &hat the president had ordered hi$ to do. 'he ad$iral see$ed interested in getting hi$ o"" the 'ennedy& +ainter shook his head. @'oo "ar "or a chopper. >ay#e they can send a 0arrier #ack "or hi$.@ @'he 0arrier?s a "ighter, sir,@ Ryan co$$ented. @'hey ha e an e7peri$ental t&o2seat ersion set %p "or A,; patrolling. 4t?s s%pposed to &ork reasona#ly &ell o%tside their helo peri$eter. 'hat?s ho& they #agged one o" o%r attack #oats, ca%ght her napping.@ +ainter "inished o"" the last o" his co""ee. @*kay, gentle$en, let?s get o%rsel es do&n to A,; control and try and "ig%re a &ay to r%n this circ%s act. C4!CLA!' &ill &ant to hear &hat 4 ha e in $ind. 4 s%ppose 4?d #etter decide "or $ysel". ;e?ll also call -n$incible and ha e the$ send a #ird #ack to "erry yo% o%t, Ryan.@ Ryan "ollo&ed the t&o ad$irals o%t o" the roo$. 0e spent t&o ho%rs &atching +ainter $o e ships aro%nd the ocean like a chess $aster &ith his pieces. 'he 6,, Lallas Bart >anc%so had #een on d%ty in the attack center "or $ore than t&enty ho%rs. *nly a "e& ho%rs o" sleep separated this stretch "ro$ the pre io%s one. 0e had #een eating sand&iches and drinking co""ee, and t&o c%ps o" so%p had #een thro&n in #y his cooks "or ariety?s sake. 0e e7a$ined his latest c%p o" "reeBe2dried &itho%t a""ection. @Cap?nI@ 0e t%rned. 4t &as Roger 'ho$pson, his sonar o""icer. @9es, &hat is itI@ >anc%so p%lled hi$sel" a&ay "ro$ the tactical display that had occ%pied his attention "or se eral days. 'ho$pson &as standing at the rear o" the co$part$ent. Jones &as standing #eside hi$ holding a clip#oard and &hat looked like a tape $achine. @,ir, Jonesy has so$ething 4 think yo% o%ght to look at.@ >anc%so didn?t &ant to #e #otheredFe7tended ti$e on d%ty al&ays ta7ed his patience. B%t Jones looked eager and e7cited. @*kay, co$e on o er to the chart ta#le.@ 'he !allas? chart ta#le &as a ne& gadget &ired into the BC215 and proCected onto a ':2type glass screen "o%r "eet sD%are. 'he display $o ed as the !allas $o ed. 'his $ade paper charts o#solete, tho%gh they &ere kept any&ay. Charts can?t #reak. @'hanks, ,kipper,@ Jones said, $ore h%$#ly than %s%al. @4 kno& yo%?re kinda #%sy, #%t 4 think 4 got so$ething here. 'hat ano$alo%s contact &e had the other day?s #een #othering $e. 4 had to lea e it a"ter the r%ck%s the other R%sskie s%#s kicked %p, #%t 4 &as a#le to co$e #ack to it three ti$es to $ake s%re it &as still there. 'he "o%rth ti$e it &as gone, "aded o%t. 4 &ant to sho& yo% &hat 4 &orked %p. Can yo% p%nch %p o%r co%rse track "or #ack then on this #a#y, sirI@ 'he chart ta#le &as inter"aced thro%gh the BC215 into the ship?s inertial na igation syste$, ,4!,. >anc%so p%nched the co$$and in hi$sel". 4t &as getting so that they co%ldn?t "l%sh the head &itho%t a co$p%ter co$$and . . . 'he !allas? co%rse track sho&ed %p as a con ol%ted red line, &ith tick $arks displayed at "i"teen2$in%te inter als. @8reatJ@ Jones co$$ented. @4? e ne er seen it do that #e"ore. 'hat?s all right. *kay.@ Jones

p%lled a hand"%l o" pencils "ro$ his #ack pocket. @!o&, 4 got the contact "irst at 591. or so, and the #earing &as a#o%t t&o2si72nine.@ 0e set a pencil do&n, eraser at !allas? position, point directed &est to&ards the target. @'hen at 59-5 it &as #earing a t&o2si72Bero. At 5948, it &as t&o2"i e2Bero. 'here?s so$e error #%ilt into these, Cap?n. 4t &as a to%gh signal to lock in on, #%t the errors sho%ld a erage o%t. Right a#o%t then &e got all this other acti ity, and 4 had to go a"ter the$, #%t 4 ca$e #ack to it a#o%t 1555, and the #earing &as t&o2"o%r2t&o.@ Jones set do&n another pencil on the d%e2east line traced &hen the !allas had $o ed a&ay "ro$ the 4celandic coast. @At 151. it &as t&o2three2"o%r, and at 15-5 it &as t&o2t&o2se en. 'hese last t&o are shaky, sir. 'he signal &as real "aint, and 4 didn?t ha e a ery good lock on it.@ Jones looked %p. 0e appeared ner o%s. @,o "ar, so good. Rela7, Jonesy. Light %p i" yo% &ant.@ @'hanks, Cap?n.@ Jones "ished o%t a cigarette and lit it &ith a #%tane lighter. 0e had ne er approached the captain D%ite this &ay. 0e kne& >anc%so to #e a tolerant, easygoing co$$anderFi" yo% had so$ething to say. 0e &as not a $an &ho liked his ti$e &asted, and it &as s%re as hell he &o%ldn?t &ant it &asted no&. @*kay, sir, &e gotta "ig%re he co%ldn?t #e too "ar a&ay "ro$ %s, rightI 4 $ean, he had to #e #et&een %s and 4celand. ,o let?s say he &as a#o%t hal"&ay #et&een. 'hat gi es hi$ a co%rse a#o%t like this.@ Jones set do&n so$e $ore pencils. @0old it, Jonesy. ;here does the co%rse co$e "ro$I@ @*h, yeah.@ Jones "lipped open his clip#oard. @9esterday $orning, night, &hate er it &as, a"ter 4 got o"" &atch, it started #othering $e, so 4 %sed the $o e &e $ade o""shore as a #aseline to do a little co%rse track "or hi$. 4 kno& ho&, ,kipper. 4 read the $an%al. 4t?s easy, C%st like &e %sed to do at Cal 'ech to chart star $otion. 4 took an astrono$y co%rse in $y "resh$an year.@ >anc%so sti"led a groan. 4t &as the "irst ti$e he had e er heard this called easy, #%t on looking at Jones? "ig%res and diagra$s, it appeared that he had done it right. @8o on.@ Jones p%lled a 0e&litt +ackard scienti"ic calc%lator "ro$ his pocket and &hat looked like a !ational 8eographic $ap li#erally coated &ith pencil $arks and scri##lings. @9o% &ant to check $y "ig%res, sirI@ @;e &ill, #%t 4?ll tr%st yo% "or no&. ;hat?s the $apI@ @,kipper, 4 kno& it?s against the r%les an? all, #%t 4 keep this as a personal record o" the tracks the #ad g%ys %se. 4t doesn?t lea e the #oat, sir, honest. 4 $ay #e a little o"", #%t all this translates to a co%rse o" a#o%t t&o2t&o2Bero and a speed o" ten knots. And that ai$s hi$ right at the entrance o" Ro%te *ne. *kayI@ @8o on.@ >anc%so had already "ig%red that one. Jonesy &as on to so$ething. @;ell, 4 co%ldn?t sleep a"ter that, so 4 skipped #ack to sonar and p%lled the tape on the contact. 4 had to r%n it thro%gh the co$p%ter a "e& ti$es to "ilter o%t all the crapFsea so%nds, the other s%#s, yo% kno&Fthen 4 rerecorded it at ten ti$es nor$al speed.@ 0e set his cassette recorder on the chart ta#le. @Listen to this, ,kipper.@ 'he tape &as scratchy, #%t e ery "e& seconds there &as a thrum& '&o $in%tes o" listening see$ed to indicate a reg%lar inter al o" a#o%t "i e seconds. By this ti$e Lie%tenant >annion &as looking o er 'ho$pson?s sho%lder, listening, and nodding spec%lati ely. @,kipper, that?s gotta #e a $an2$ade so%nd. 4t?s C%st too reg%lar "or anything else. At nor$al speed it didn?t $ake $%ch sense, #%t once 4 speeded it %p, 4 had the s%cker.@ @*kay, Jonesy, "inish it,@ >anc%so said. @Captain, &hat yo% C%st heard &as the aco%stical signat%re o" a R%ssian s%#$arine. 0e &as heading "or Ro%te *ne, taking the inshore track o"" the 4celandic coast. 9o% can #et $oney on

that, ,kipper.@ @RogerI@ @0e sold $e, Captain,@ 'ho$pson replied. >anc%so took another look at the co%rse track, trying to "ig%re an alternati e. 'here &asn?t any. @>e, too. Roger, Jonesy $akes sonar$an "irst class today. 4 &ant to see the paper &ork done #y the t%rn o" the ne7t &atch, along &ith a nice letter o" co$$endation "or $y signat%re. Ron,@ he poked the sonar$an in the sho%lder, @that?s all right. La$ned &ell doneJ@ @'hanks, ,kipper.@ Jones? s$ile stretched "ro$ ear to ear. @+at, please call Lie%tenant B%tler to the attack center.@ >annion &ent to the phones to call the #oat?s chie" engineer. @Any idea &hat it is, JonesyI@ >anc%so t%rned #ack. 'he sonar$an shook his head. @4t isn?t scre& so%nds. 4? e ne er heard anything like it.@ 0e ran the tape #ack and played it again. '&o $in%tes later, Lie%tenant Earl B%tler ca$e into the attack center. @9o% rang, ,kipperI@ @Listen to this, Earl.@ >anc%so re&o%nd the tape and played it a third ti$e. B%tler &as a grad%ate o" the 6ni ersity o" 'e7as and e ery school the na y had "or s%#$arines and their engine syste$s. @;hat?s that s%pposed to #eI@ @Jonesy says it?s a R%ssian s%#. 4 think he?s right.@ @'ell $e a#o%t the tape,@ B%tler said to Jones. @,ir, it?s speeded %p ten ti$es, and 4 &ashed it thro%gh the BC215 "i e ti$es. At nor$al speed it doesn?t so%nd like $%ch o" anything.@ ;ith %ncharacteristic $odesty, Jones did not point o%t that it had so%nded like so$ething to hi$. @,o$e sort o" har$onicI 4 $ean, i" it &as a propeller, it?d ha e to #e a h%ndred "eet across, and &e?d #e hearing one #lade at a ti$e. 'he reg%lar inter al s%ggests so$e sort o" har$onic.@ B%tler?s "ace scre&ed %p. @B%t a har$onic &hatI@ @;hate er it &as, it &as headed right here.@ >anc%so tapped 'hor?s '&ins &ith his pencil. @'hat $akes hi$ a R%ssian, all right,@ B%tler agreed. @'hen they?re %sing so$ething ne&. Again.@ @>r. B%tler?s right,@ Jones said. @4t does so%nd like a har$onic r%$#le. 'he other "%nny thing is, &ell, there &as this #ackgro%nd noise, kinda like &ater going thro%gh a pipe. 4 don?t kno&, it didn?t pick %p on this. 4 g%ess the co$p%ter "iltered it o"". 4t &as real "aint to start &ith Fany&ay, that?s o%tside $y "ield.@ @'hat?s all right. 9o%? e done eno%gh "or one day. 0o& do yo% "eelI@ >anc%so asked. @ A little tired, ,kipper. 4? e #een &orking on this "or a &hile.@ @4" &e get close to this g%y again, yo% think yo% can track hi$ do&nI@ >anc%so kne& the ans&er. @9o% #et, Cap?nJ !o& that &e kno& &hat to listen "or, yo% #et 4?ll #ag the s%ckerJ@ >anc%so looked at the chart ta#le. @*kay, i" he &as heading "or the '&ins, and then ran the ro%te at, say t&enty2eight or thirty knots, and then settled do&n to his #ase co%rse and speed o" a#o%t ten or so . . . that p%ts hi$ a#o%t here no&. Long &ays o"". !o&, i" &e r%n at top speedF "orty2eight ho%rs &ill p%t %s here, and that?ll p%t %s in "ront o" hi$. +atI@ @'hat?s a#o%t right, sir,@ Lie%tenant >annion conc%rred. @9o%?re "ig%ring he ran the ro%te at "%ll speed, then settled do&nF$akes sense. 0e &o%ldn?t need the D%iet dri e in that da$ned $aBe. 4t gi es hi$ a "ree shot "or "o%r or "i e h%ndred $iles, so &hy not %ncrank his enginesI 'hat?s &hat 4?d do.@ @'hat?s &hat &e?ll try and do, then. ;e?ll radio in "or per$ission to lea e 'oll Booth station

and track this character do&n. Jonesy, r%nning at $a7 speed $eans yo% sonar$en &ill #e o%t o" &ork "or a &hile. ,et %p the contact tape on the si$%lator and $ake s%re the operators all kno& &hat this g%y so%nds like, #%t get so$e rest. All o" yo%. 4 &ant yo% at a h%ndred percent &hen &e try to reacD%ire this g%y. 0a e yo%rsel" a sho&er. >ake that a 0olly&ood sho&erFyo%? e earned itFand rack o%t. ;hen &e do go a"ter this character, it?ll #e a long, to%gh h%nt.@ @!o s&eat, Captain. ;e?ll get hi$ "or yo%. Bet on it. 9o% &ant to keep $y tape, sirI@ @9eah.@ >anc%so eCected the tape and looked %p in s%rprise. @9o% sacri"iced a Bach "or thisI@ @!ot a good one, sir. 4 ha e a Christopher 0og&ood o" this piece that?s $%ch #etter.@ >anc%so pocketed the tape. @Lis$issed, Jonesy. !ice &ork.@ @A pleas%re, Cap?n.@ Jones le"t the attack center co%nting the e7tra $oney "or C%$ping a rate. @Roger, $ake s%re yo%r people are &ell rested o er the ne7t t&o days. ;hen &e do go a"ter this g%y, it?s going to #e a #astard.@ @Aye, Captain.@ @+at, get %s %p to periscope depth. ;e?re going to call this one into !or"olk right no&. Earl, 4 &ant yo% thinking a#o%t &hat?s $aking that noise.@ @Right, Captain.@ ;hile >anc%so dra"ted his $essage, Lie%tenant >annion #ro%ght the !allas to periscope2 antenna depth &ith an %p&ard angle on the di ing planes. 4t took "i e $in%tes to get "ro$ "i e h%ndred "eet to C%st #elo& the stor$y s%r"ace. 'he s%#$arine &as s%#Cect to &a e action, and &hile it &as ery gentle #y s%r"ace ship standards, the cre& noted her rocking. >annion raised the periscope and E,> Gelectronic s%pport $eas%resH antenna, the latter %sed "or the #road2#and recei er designed to detect possi#le radar e$issions. 'here &as nothing in ie&Fhe co%ld see a#o%t "i e $ilesFand the E,> instr%$ents sho&ed nothing e7cept "or aircra"t sets, &hich &ere too "ar a&ay to $atter. !e7t >annion raised t&o $ore $asts. *ne &as a reed2like 60= G%ltrahigh "reD%encyH recei ing antenna. 'he other &as ne&, a laser trans$itter. 'his rotated and locked onto the carrier &a e signal o" the Atlantic ,,4M, the co$$%nications satellite %sed e7cl%si ely #y s%#$arines. ;ith the laser, they co%ld send high2density trans$issions &itho%t gi ing a&ay the s%#?s position. @All ready, sir,@ the d%ty radio$an reported. @'rans$it.@ 'he radio$an pressed a #%tton. 'he signal, sent in a "raction o" a second, &as recei ed #y photo oltaic cells, read o er to a 60= trans$itter, and shot #ack do&n #y a para#olic dish antenna to&ards Atlantic =leet Co$$%nications headD%arters. At !or"olk another radio$an noted the reception and pressed a #%tton that trans$itted the sa$e signal %p to the satellite and #ack to the !allas& 4t &as a si$ple &ay to identi"y gar#les. 'he !allas operator co$pared the recei ed signal &ith the one he?d C%st sent. @8ood copy, sir.@ >anc%so ordered >annion to lo&er e erything #%t the E,> and 60= antennae. Atlantic =leet Co$$%nications 4n !or"olk the "irst line o" the dispatch re ealed the page and line o" the one2ti$e2pad cipher seD%ence, &hich &as recorded on co$p%ter tape in the $a7i$%$ sec%rity section o" the co$$%nications co$ple7. An o""icer typed the proper n%$#ers into his co$p%ter ter$inal, and

an instant later the $achine generated a clear te7t. 'he o""icer checked it again "or gar#les. ,atis"ied there &ere none, he took the printo%t to the other side o" the roo$ &here a yeo$an &as seated at a tele7. 'he o""icer handed hi$ the dispatch. 'he yeo$an keyed %p the proper addressee and trans$itted the $essage #y dedicated landline to C*>,6BLA!' *perations, hal" a $ile a&ay. 'he landline &as "i#er optic, located in a steel cond%it %nder a pa ed street. 4t &as checked three ti$es a &eek "or sec%rity p%rposes. !ot e en the secrets o" n%clear &eapons per"or$ance &ere as closely g%arded as day2to2day tactical co$$%nications. C*>,6BLA!' *perations A #ell &ent o"" in the operations roo$ as the $essage ca$e %p on the @hot@ printer. 4t #ore a N pre"i7, &hich indicated =LA,02priority stat%s. N595414NLEC '*+ ,ECRE' '0E* =>K 6,, LALLA, '*K C*>,6BLA!' 4!=*K C4!CLA!'=L' UU!*****UU REL=LEE' ,6B*+, 1. RE+*R' A!*>AL*6, ,*!AR C*!'AC' AB*6' 5955N (LEC A!L L*,' A='ER 4!CREA,E 4! REL=LEE' ,6B AC'4:4'9. C*!'AC' ,6B,EO6E!'L9 E:AL6A'EL A, REL=LEE' ,,!U,,B! 'RA!,4'4!8 4CELA!L 4!,0*RE 'RACA '*;ARL, R*6'E *!E. C*6R,E ,*6'0;E,' ,+EEL 'E! LE+'0 6!A!*;!. /. C*!'AC' E:4LE!CEL 6!6,6AL RE+EA' 6!6,6AL AC*6,'4CAL C0ARAC'ER4,'4C,. ,48!A'6RE 6!L4AE A!9 A!*;! REL=LEE' ,6B >AR4!E. -. REO6E,' +ER>4,,4*! '* LEA:E '*LL B**'0 '* +6R,6E A!L 4!:E,'48A'E. BEL4E:E A !E; LR4:E ,9,'E> ;4'0 6!6,6AL ,*6!L C0ARAC'ER4,'4C, BE4!8 6,EL '04, ,6B. BEL4E:E 8**L +R*BAB4L4'9 CA! L*CA'E A!L 4LE!'4=9. A lie%tenant C%nior grade took the dispatch to the o""ice o" :ice Ad$iral :incent 8allery. C*>,6BLA!' had #een on d%ty since the ,o iet s%#s had started $o ing. 0e &as in an e il $ood. @A =LA,0 priority "ro$ !allas, sir.@ @6h2h%h.@ 8allery took the yello& "or$ and read it t&ice. @;hat do yo% s%ppose this $eansI@ @!o telling, sir. Looks like he heard so$ething, took his ti$e "ig%ring it o%t, and &ants another crack at it. 0e see$s to think he?s onto so$ething %n%s%al.@ @*kay, &hat do 4 tell hi$I Co$e on, $ister. 9o% $ight #e an ad$iral yo%rsel" so$eday and ha e to $ake decisions.@ An %nlikely prospect, 8allery tho%ght. @,ir, !allas is in an ideal position to shado& their s%r"ace "orce &hen it gets to 4celand. ;e

need her &here she is.@ @8ood te7t#ook ans&er.@ 8allery s$iled %p at the yo%ngster, preparing to c%t hi$ o"" at the knees. @*n the other hand, !allas is co$$anded #y a "airly co$petent $an &ho &o%ldn?t #e #othering %s %nless he really tho%ght he had so$ething. 0e doesn?t go into speci"ics, pro#a#ly #eca%se it?s too co$plicated "or a tactical =LA,0 dispatch, and also #eca%se he thinks that &e kno& his C%dg$ent is good eno%gh to take his &ord on so$ething. ?!e& dri e syste$ &ith %n%s%al so%nd characteristics.? 'hat $ay #e a crock, #%t he?s the $an on the scene, and he &ants an ans&er. ;e tell hi$ yes.@ @Aye aye, sir,@ the lie%tenant said, &ondering i" the skinny old #astard $ade decisions #y "lipping a coin &hen his #ack &as t%rned. 'he Lallas N5954-/NLEC '*+ ,ECRE' +>K C*>,6BLA!' '*K 6,, LALLA, A. 6,, LALLA, N595414NLEC B. C*>,6BLA!' 4!,' /555.. *+AREA A,,48!>E!' UU!54//5UU 1. REO6E,' RE= A 8RA!'EL. /. AREA, BRA:* EC0* 8*L= RE= B A,,48!EL =*R 6!RE,'R4C'EL *+, 595.55N '* 145551N. RE+*R' A, !ECE,,AR9. :AL> 8ALLER9 ,E!L,. @0ot da$nJ@ >anc%so ch%ckled. 'hat &as one nice thing a#o%t 8allery. ;hen yo% asked hi$ a D%estion, #y 8od, yo% got an ans&er, yes or no, #e"ore yo% co%ld rig yo%r antenna in. *" co%rse, he re"lected, i" it t%rned o%t that Jonesy &as &rong and this &as a &ild2goose chase, he?d ha e so$e e7plaining to do. 8allery had handed $ore than one s%# skipper his head in a #ag and set hi$ on the #each. ;hich &as &here he &as headed regardless, >anc%so kne&. ,ince his "irst year at Annapolis all he had e er &anted &as co$$and o" his o&n attack #oat. 0e had that no&, and he kne& that the rest o" his career &o%ld #e do&nhill. 4n the rest o" the na y yo%r "irst co$$and &as C%st that, a "irst co$$and. 9o% co%ld $o e %p the ladder and co$$and a "leet at sea e ent%ally, i" yo% &ere l%cky and had the right st%"". !ot s%#$ariners, tho%gh. ;hether he did &ell &ith the !allas or poorly, he?d lose her soon eno%gh. 0e had this one and only chance. And a"ter&ards, &hatI 'he #est he co%ld hope "or &as co$$and o" a $issile #oat. 0e?d ser ed on those #e"ore and &as s%re that co$$anding one, e en a ne& Ohio, &as a#o%t as e7citing as &atching paint dry. 'he #oo$er?s Co# &as to stay hidden. >anc%so &anted to #e the h%nter, that &as the e7citing end o" the #%siness. And a"ter co$$anding a $issile #oatI 0e co%ld get a @$aCor s%r"ace co$$and,@ perhaps a nice oilerFit &o%ld #e like s&itching $o%nts "ro$ ,ecretariat to Elsie the Co&. *r he co%ld get a sD%adron co$$and and sit in an o""ice on#oard a tender,

p%shing paper. At #est in that position he?d go to sea once a $onth, his $ain p%rpose #eing to #other s%# skippers &ho didn?t &ant hi$ there. *r he co%ld get a desk Co# in the +entagonF &hat "%nJ >anc%so %nderstood &hy so$e o" the astrona%ts had cracked %p a"ter co$ing #ack "ro$ the $oon. 0e, too, had &orked $any years "or this co$$and, and in another year his #oat &o%ld #e gone. 0e?d ha e to gi e the !allas to so$eone else. B%t he did ha e her no&. @+at, let?s lo&er all $asts and take her do&n to t&el e h%ndred "eet.@ @Aye aye, sir. Lo&er the $asts,@ >annion ordered. A petty o""icer p%lled on the hydra%lic control le ers. @E,> and 60= $asts lo&ered, sir,@ the d%ty electrician reported. @:ery &ell. Li ing o""icer, $ake yo%r depth t&el e h%ndred "eet.@ @'&el e h%ndred "eet, aye,@ the di ing o""icer responded. @=i"teen degrees do&n2angle on the planes.@ @=i"teen degrees do&n, aye.@ @Let?s $o e her, +at.@ @Aye, ,kipper. All ahead "%ll.@ @All ahead "%ll, aye.@ 'he hel$s$an reached %p to t%rn the ann%nciator. >anc%so &atched his cre& at &ork. 'hey did their Co#s &ith $echanistic precision. B%t they &ere not $achines. 'hey &ere $en. 0is. 4n the reactor spaces a"t, Lie%tenant B%tler had his engine2$en ackno&ledge the co$$and and ga e the necessary orders. 'he reactor coolant p%$ps &ent to "ast speed. An increased a$o%nt o" hot, press%riBed &ater entered the e7changer, &here its heat &as trans"erred to the stea$ on the o%tside loop. ;hen the coolant ret%rned to the reactor it &as cooler than it had #een and there"ore denser. Being denser, it trapped $ore ne%trons in the reactor pile, increasing the "erocity o" the "ission reaction and gi ing o"" yet $ore po&er. =arther a"t, sat%rated stea$ in the @o%tside@ or nonradioacti e loop o" the heat e7change syste$ e$erged thro%gh cl%sters o" control al es to strike the #lades o" the high2press%re t%r#ine. 'he !allas? h%ge #ronBe scre& #egan to t%rn $ore D%ickly, dri ing her "or&ard and do&n. 'he engineers &ent a#o%t their d%ties cal$ly. 'he noise in the engine spaces rose noticea#ly as the syste$s #egan to p%t o%t $ore po&er, and the technicians kept track o" this #y contin%o%sly $onitoring the #anks o" instr%$ents %nder their hands. 'he ro%tine &as D%iet and e7act. 'here &as no e7traneo%s con ersation, no distraction. Co$pared to a s%#$arine?s reactor spaces, a hospital operating roo$ &as a den o" li#ertines. =or&ard, >annion &atched the depth ga%ge go #elo& si7 h%ndred "eet. 'he di ing o""icer &o%ld &ait %ntil they got to nine h%ndred "eet #e"ore starting to le el o"", the o#Cect #eing to Bero the di e o%t e7actly at the ordered depth. Co$$ander >anc%so &anted the !allas #elo& the ther$ocline. 'his &as the #order #et&een di""erent te$perat%res. ;ater settled in isother$al layers o" %ni"or$ strati"ication. 'he relati ely "lat #o%ndary &here &ar$er s%r"ace &ater $et colder depth &ater &as a se$iper$ea#le #arrier &hich tended to re"lect so%nd &a es. 'hose &a es that did $anage to penetrate the ther$ocline &ere $ostly trapped #elo& it. 'h%s, tho%gh the !allas &as no& r%nning #elo& the ther$ocline at o er thirty knots and $aking as $%ch noise as she &as capa#le o", she &o%ld still #e di""ic%lt to detect &ith s%r"ace sonar. ,he &o%ld also #e largely #lind, #%t then, there &as not $%ch do&n there to r%n into. >anc%so li"ted the $icrophone "or the +A syste$. @'his is the captain speaking. ;e ha e C%st started a speed r%n that &ill last "orty2eight ho%rs. ;e are heading to&ards a point &here &e hope to locate a R%ssian s%# that &ent past %s t&o days ago. 'his R%sskie is e idently %sing a ne& and rather D%iet prop%lsion syste$ that no#ody?s r%n across #e"ore. ;e?re going to try and

get ahead o" hi$ and track on hi$ as he passes %s again. 'his ti$e &e kno& &hat to listen "or, and &e?ll get a nice clear pict%re o" hi$. *kay, 4 &ant e eryone on this #oat to #e &ell rested. ;hen &e get there, it?ll #e a long, to%gh h%nt. 4 &ant e ery#ody at a h%ndred percent. 'his one &ill pro#a#ly #e interesting.@ 0e s&itched o"" the $icrophone. @;hat?s the $o ie tonightI@ 'he di ing o""icer &atched the depth ga%ge stop $o ing #e"ore ans&ering. As chie" o" the #oat, he &as also $anager o" the !allas? ca#le ': syste$, three ideo2cassette recorders in the $ess roo$ &hich led to tele isions in the &ardroo$, and ario%s other cre& acco$$odations. @,kipper, yo% got a choice. Return of the =edi or t&o "oot#all tapesK *klaho$a2!e#raska and >ia$i2Lallas. Both those ga$es &ere played &hile &e &ere on the e7ercise, sir. 4t?ll #e like &atching the$ li e.@ 0e la%ghed. @Co$$ercials and all. 'he cooks are already $aking the popcorn.@ @8ood. 4 &ant e ery#ody nice and loose.@ ;hy co%ldn?t they e er get !a y tapes, >anc%so &ondered. *" co%rse, Ar$y had crea$ed the$ this year . . . @>orning, ,kipper.@ ;ally Cha$#ers, the e7ec%ti e o""icer, ca$e into the attack center. @;hat gi esI@ @Co$e on #ack to the &ardroo$, ;ally. 4 &ant yo% to listen to so$ething.@ >anc%so took the cassette "ro$ his shirt pocket and led Cha$#ers a"t. 'he :. A. Aono alo '&o h%ndred $iles northeast o" the !allas, in the !or&egian ,ea, the 'ono$alo$ &as racing so%th&est at "orty2one knots. Captain '%pole sat alone in the &ardroo$ rereading the dispatch he?d recei ed t&o days #e"ore. 0is e$otions alternated #et&een rage and grie". 'he ,chool$aster had done that! 0e &as d%$#"o%nded. B%t &hat &as there to doI '%pole ?s orders &ere e7plicit, the $ore so since, as his zampolit had pointed o%t, he &as a "or$er p%pil o" the traitor Ra$i%s. 0e, too, co%ld "ind hi$sel" in a ery #ad position. 4" the sl%g s%cceeded. ,o, >arko had p%lled a trick on e eryone, not C%st the 'ono$alo$& '%pole had #een slinking a#o%t the Barents ,ea like a "ool &hile >arko had #een heading the other &ay. La%ghing at e eryone, '%pole &as s%re. ,%ch treachery, s%ch a hellish threat against the Rodina& 4t &as inconcei a#leFand all too concei a#le. All the ad antages >arko had. A "o%r2roo$ apart$ent, a dacha, his o&n Nhig%li. '%pole did not yet ha e his o&n a%to$o#ile. 0e had earned his &ay to a co$$and, and no& it &as all threatened #yFthisJ 0e?d #e l%cky to keep &hat he had. 4 ha e to kill a "riend, he tho%ght. =riendI 9es, he ad$itted to hi$sel", >arko had #een a good "riend and a "ine teacher. ;here had he gone &rongI !atalia Bogdano a. 9es, that had to #e it. A #ig stink, the &ay that had happened. 0o& $any ti$es had he had dinner &ith the$, ho& $any ti$es had !atalia la%ghed a#o%t her "ine, strong, #ig sonsI 0e shook his head. A "ine &o$an killed #y a da$ned inco$petent "ool o" a s%rgeon. !othing co%ld #e done a#o%t it, he &as the son o" a Central Co$$ittee $e$#er. 4t &as an o%trage the &ay things like that still happened, e en a"ter three generations o" #%ilding socialis$. B%t nothing &as s%""icient to C%sti"y this $adness. '%pole #ent o er the chart he?d #ro%ght #ack. 0e?d #e on his station in "i e days, in less ti$e i" the engine plant held together and >arko &asn?t in too $%ch o" a h%rryFand he &o%ldn?t #e. >arko &as a "o7, not a #%ll. 'he other Alfas &o%ld get there ahead o" his, '%pole kne&, #%t it

didn?t $atter. 0e had to do this hi$sel". 0e?d get ahead o" >arko and &ait. >arko &o%ld try to slink past, and the 'ono$alo$ &o%ld #e there. And the Red October &o%ld die. 'he !orth Atlantic 'he British ,ea 0arrier =R,.4 appeared a $in%te early. 4t ho ered #rie"ly o"" the 'ennedy?s port #ea$ as the pilot siBed %p his landing target, the &ind, and sea conditions. >aintaining a steady thirty2knot "or&ard speed to co$pensate "or the carrier?s "or&ard speed, he side2slipped his "ighter neatly to the right, then dropped it gently a$idships, slightly "or&ard o" the 'ennedy?s island str%ct%re, e7actly in the center o" the "light deck. 4nstantly a gang o" deck cre&$en raced "or the aircra"t, three carrying hea y $etal chocks, another a $etal ladder &hich he set %p #y the cockpit, &hose canopy &as already co$ing open. A tea$ o" "o%r snaked a "%eling hose to&ards the aircra"t, eager to de$onstrate the speed &ith &hich the 6.,. !a y ser ices aircra"t. 'he pilot &as dressed in an orange co erall and yello& li"e Cacket. 0e set his hel$et on the #ack o" the "ront seat and ca$e do&n the ladder. 0e &atched #rie"ly to #e s%re his "ighter &as in capa#le hands #e"ore sprinting to the island. 0e $et Ryan at the hatch. @9o% RyanI 4?$ 'ony +arker. ;here?s the looI@ Jack ga e hi$ the proper directions and the pilot darted o"", lea ing Ryan standing there in a "light s%it, holding his #ag and "eeling st%pid. A &hite plastic "light hel$et dangled "ro$ his other hand as he &atched the cre&$en "%eling the 0arrier. 0e &ondered i" they kne& &hat they &ere doing. +arker &as #ack in three $in%tes. @Co$$ander,@ he said, @there?s one thing they? e ne er p%t in a "ighter, and that?s a #loody toilet. 'hey "ill yo% %p &ith co""ee and tea and send yo% o"", and yo%? e no place to go.@ @4 kno& the "eeling. Anything else yo% ha e to doI@ @!o, sir. 9o%r ad$iral chatted &ith $e on the radio &hen 4 &as "lying in. Looks like yo%r chaps ha e "inished "%eling $y #ird. ,hall &e #e o""I@ @;hat do 4 do &ith thisI@ Ryan held %p his #ag, e7pecting to ha e to hold it in his lap. 0is #rie"ing papers &ere inside the "light s%it, t%cked against his chest. @;e p%t it in the #oot, o" co%rse. Co$e along, sir.@ +arker &alked o%t to the "ighter Ca%ntily. 'he da&n &as a "ee#le one. 'here &as a solid o ercast at one or t&o tho%sand "eet. 4t &asn?t raining, #%t looked as tho%gh it $ight. 'he sea, still rolling at a#o%t eight "eet, &as a gray, crinkled s%r"ace dotted &ith &hitecaps. Ryan co%ld "eel the 'ennedy $o ing, s%rprised that so$ething so h%ge co%ld #e $ade to $o e at all. ;hen they got to the 0arrier, +arker took the d%""le in one hand and reached "or a recessed handle on the %nderside o" the "ighter. '&isting and p%lling the le er, he re ealed a cra$ped space a#o%t the siBe o" a s$all re"rigerator. +arker st%""ed the #ag into it, sla$$ing the door sh%t #ehind it, $aking s%re the locking le er &as "%lly engaged. A deck cre&$an in a yello& shirt con"erred &ith the pilot. A"t a helicopter &as re ing its engines, and a 'o$cat "ighter &as ta7iing to&ards a $idships catap%lt. *n top o" this a thirty2knot &ind &as #lo&ing. 'he carrier &as a noisy place. +arker &a ed Ryan %p the ladder. Jack, &ho liked ladders a#o%t as $%ch as he liked "lying, nearly "ell into his seat. 0e str%ggled to get sit%ated properly, &hile a deck cre&$an strapped hi$ into the "o%r2point restraint syste$. 'he $an p%t the hel$et on Ryan ?s head and pointed to the Cack "or its interco$ syste$. >ay#e A$erican cre&s really did kno& so$ething a#o%t 0arriers. !e7t to the pl%g &as a s&itch. Ryan "lipped it.

@Can yo% hear $e, +arkerI@ @9es, Co$$ander. All settled inI@ @4 s%ppose.@ @Right.@ +arker?s head s&i eled to check the engine intakes. @,tarting the engine.@ 'he canopies stayed %p. 'hree cre&$en stood close #y &ith large car#on dio7ide e7ting%ishers, pres%$a#ly in case the engine e7ploded. A doBen others &ere standing #y the island, &atching the strange aircra"t as the +egas%s engine screa$ed to li"e. 'hen the canopy ca$e do&n. @Ready, Co$$anderI@ @4" yo% are.@ 'he 0arrier &as not a large "ighter, #%t it &as certainly the lo%dest. Ryan co%ld "eel the engine noise ripple thro%gh his #ody as +arker adC%sted his thr%st2 ector controls. 'he aircra"t &o##led, dipped at the nose, then rose shakily into the air. Ryan sa& a $an #y the island point and gest%re to the$. 'he 0arrier slid to port, $o ing a&ay "ro$ the island as it gained in height. @'hat &asn?t too #ad,@ +arker said. 0e adC%sted the thr%st controls, and the 0arrier #egan tr%e "or&ard "light. 'here &as little "eeling o" acceleration, #%t Ryan sa& that the 'ennedy &as rapidly "alling #ehind. A "e& seconds later they &ere #eyond the inner ring o" escorts. @Let?s get on top o" this $%ck,@ +arker said. 0e p%lled #ack on the stick and headed "or the clo%ds. 4n seconds they &ere in the$, and Ryan?s "ield o" ie& &as red%ced "ro$ "i e $iles to "i e "eet in an instant. Jack looked aro%nd his cockpit, &hich had "light controls and instr%$ents. 'heir airspeed sho&ed one h%ndred "i"ty knots and rising, altit%de "o%r h%ndred "eet. 'his 0arrier had e idently #een a trainer, #%t the instr%$ent panel had #een altered to incl%de the read2o%t instr%$ents "or a sensor pod that co%ld #e attached to the #elly. A poor $an?s &ay o" doing things, #%t "ro$ &hat Ad$iral +ainter said it had e idently &orked &ell eno%gh. 0e "ig%red the ':2type screen &as the =L4R reado%t, &hich $onitored a "or&ard2looking in"rared heat sensor. 'he airspeed ga%ge no& said three h%ndred knots, and the cli$# indicator sho&ed a t&enty2degree angle o" attack. 4t "elt like $ore than that. @,ho%ld #e hitting the top o" this soon,@ +arker said. @!o&J@ 'he alti$eter sho&ed t&enty2si7 tho%sand "eet &hen Ryan &as #lasted #y p%re s%nlight. *ne thing a#o%t "lying that he ne er got %sed to &as that no $atter ho& a&"%l the &eather &as on the gro%nd, i" yo% "le& high eno%gh yo% co%ld al&ays "ind the s%n. 'he light &as intense, #%t the sky?s color &as noticea#ly deeper than the so"t #l%e seen "ro$ the gro%nd. 'he ride #eca$e airliner s$ooth as they escaped the lo&er t%r#%lence. Ryan "%$#led &ith his isor to shield his eyes. @'hat #etter, sirI@ @=ine, Lie%tenant. 4t?s #etter than 4 e7pected.@ @;hat do yo% $ean, sirI@ +arker inD%ired. @4 g%ess it #eats "lying on a co$$ercial #ird. 9o% can see $ore. 'hat helps.@ @,orry &e don?t ha e any e7tra "%el, or 4?d sho& yo% so$e aero#atics. 'he 0arrier &ill do al$ost anything yo% ask o" her.@ @'hat?s all right.@ @And yo%r ad$iral,@ +arker &ent on con ersationally, @said that yo% don?t "ancy "lying.@ Ryan?s hands gra##ed the ar$rests as the 0arrier &ent thro%gh three co$plete re ol%tions #e"ore snapping #ack to le el "light. 0e s%rprised hi$sel" #y la%ghing. @Ah, the British sense o"

h%$or.@ @*rders "ro$ yo%r ad$iral, sir,@ +arker se$i2apologiBed. @;e &o%ldn?t &ant yo% to think the 0arrier?s another #loody #%s.@ ;hich ad$iral, Ryan &ondered, +ainter or La enportI +ro#a#ly #oth. 'he top o" the clo%ds &as like a rolling "ield o" cotton. 0e?d ne er appreciated that #e"ore, looking thro%gh a "oot2 sD%are &indo& on an airliner. 4n the #ack seat he al$ost "elt as i" he &ere sitting o%tside. @>ay 4 ask a D%estion, sirI@ @,%re.@ @;hat?s the "lapI@ @;hat do yo% $eanI@ @4 $ean, sir, that they t%rned $y ship aro%nd. 'hen 4 get orders to "erry a :4+ "ro$ 'ennedy to -n$incible&@ @*h, okay. Can?t say, +arker. 4?$ deli ering so$e $essages to yo%r #oss. 4?$ C%st the $ail$an,@ Ryan lied. Roll that one three ti$es. @E7c%se $e, Co$$ander, #%t yo% see, $y &i"e is e7pecting a child, o%r "irst, soon a"ter Christ$as. 4 hope to #e there, sir.@ @;here do yo% li eI@ @Chatha$, that?sF@ @4 kno&. 4 li e in England $ysel" at the $o$ent. *%r place is in >arlo&, %pri er "ro$ London. >y second kid got started o er there.@ @Born thereI@ @,tarted there. >y &i"e says it?s those strange hotel #eds, do it to her e ery ti$e. 4" 4 &ere a #etting $an, 4?d gi e yo% good odds, +arker. =irst #a#ies are al&ays late any&ay.@ @9o% say yo% li e in >arlo&I@ @'hat?s right, &e #%ilt a ho%se there earlier this year.@ @Jack RyanFJohn RyanI 'he sa$e chap &hoF@ @Correct. 9o% don?t ha e to tell any#ody that, Lie%tenant.@ @6nderstood, sir. 4 didn?t kno& yo% &ere a na al o""icer.@ @'hat?s &hy yo% don?t ha e to tell anyone.@ @9es, sir. ,orry "or the st%nt earlier.@ @'hat?s all right. Ad$irals $%st ha e their little la%ghs. 4 %nderstand yo% g%ys C%st ran an e7ercise &ith o%r g%ys.@ @4ndeed &e did, Co$$ander. 4 sank one o" yo%r s%#$arines, the Tullibee& >y syste$s operator and 4, that is. ;e ca%ght her near the s%r"ace at night &ith o%r =L4R and dropped noise2 $akers all ro%nd her. 9o% see, &e didn?t let anyone kno& a#o%t o%r ne& eD%ip$ent. All?s "air, as yo% kno&. 4 %nderstand her co$$ander &as #loody "%rio%s. 4?d hoped to $eet hi$ in !or"olk, #%t he didn?t arri e %ntil the day &e sailed.@ @9o% g%ys ha e a good ti$e in !or"olkI@ @9es, Co$$ander. ;e &ere a#le to get in a day?s shooting on yo%r Chesapeake Bay, the Eastern ,hore, 4 #elie e yo% call it.@ @*h yeahI 4 %sed to h%nt there. 0o& &as itI@ @!ot #ad. 4 got $y three geese in hal" an ho%r. Bag li$it &as threeFst%pid.@ @9o% called in and #lasted three geese in a hal" ho%r this late in the seasonI@ @'hat is ho& 4 earn $y $odest li ing, Co$$ander, shooting,@ +arker co$$ented. @4 &as %p "or a gro%se shoot &ith yo%r ad$iral last ,epte$#er. 'hey $ade $e %se a do%#le. 4" yo% sho& %p &ith $y kind o" g%nF4 %se a Re$ington a%to$aticFthey look at yo% like yo%?re

so$e kind o" terrorist. 4 got st%ck &ith a pair o" +%rdeys that didn?t "it. 8ot "i"teen #irds. ,ee$ed an a&"%l laBy &ay to h%nt, tho%gh, &ith one g%y loading $y g%n "or $e, and another platoon o" ghillies dri ing the ga$e. ;e C%st a#o%t annihilated the #ird pop%lation, too.@ @;e ha e $ore ga$e per acre than yo% do.@ @'hat?s &hat the ad$iral said. 0o& "ar to -n$incible2@ @=orty $in%tes.@ Ryan looked at the "%el ga%ges. 'hey &ere hal" e$pty already. 4n a car he?d #e thinking a#o%t a "ill2%p. All that "%el gone in hal" an ho%r. ;ell, +arker didn?t see$ e7cited. 'he landing on 0>, -n$incible &as di""erent "ro$ the C*L?s arri al on the 'ennedy& 'he ride #eca$e rocky as +arker descended thro%gh the clo%ds, and it occ%rred to Ryan that they &ere on the leading edge o" the sa$e stor$ he?d end%red the night #e"ore. 'he canopy &as coated &ith rain, and he heard the i$pact o" tho%sands o" raindrops on the air"ra$eFor &as it hailI ;atching the instr%$ents, he sa& that +arker le eled o%t at a tho%sand "eet, &hile they &ere still in clo%ds, then descended $ore slo&ly, #reaking into the clear at a h%ndred "eet. 'he -n$incible &as scarcely a hal" the 'ennedy?s siBe. 0e &atched her #o##ing acti ely on the "i"teen2"oot seas. +arker %sed the sa$e techniD%e as #e"ore. 0e ho ered #rie"ly on the carrier?s port side, then slid to the right, dropping the "ighter t&enty "eet onto a painted circle. 'he landing &as hard, #%t Ryan &as a#le to see it co$ing. 'he canopy ca$e %p at once. @9o% can get o%t here,@ +arker said. @4 ha e to ta7i to the ele ator.@ A ladder &as already in place. 0e %n#%ckled and got o%t. A cre&$an had already retrie ed his #ag. Ryan "ollo&ed hi$ to the island and &as $et #y an ensignFa s%#lie%tenant, the British call the rank. @;elco$e a#oard, sir.@ 'he yo%ngster co%ldn?t #e $ore than t&enty, Ryan tho%ght. @Let $e help yo% o%t o" the "light s%it.@ 'he s%#lie%tenant stood #y as Ryan %nBipped and took o"" his hel$et, >ae ;est, and co erall. 0e retrie ed his cap "ro$ the #ag. 4n the process he #o%nced o"" the #%lkhead a "e& ti$es. 'he -n$incible see$ed to #e corkscre&ing in a "ollo&ing sea. A #o& &ind and a "ollo&ing seaI 4n the !orth Atlantic in &inter, nothing &as too craBy. 'he o""icer took his #ag, and Ryan held onto the #rie"ing $aterial. @Lead on, leftenant,@ Ryan gest%red. 'he yo%ngster shot %p a series o" three ladders, lea ing Jack panting #ehind, thinking a#o%t the Cogging he &asn?t getting in. 'he co$#ination o" the ship?s $otion and an inner ear #adly scra$#led "ro$ the day?s "lying $ade hi$ diBBy, and he "o%nd hi$sel" #%$ping into things. 0o& did pro"essional pilots do itI @0ere?s the "lag #ridge, sir.@ 'he s%#lie%tenant held the door open. @0ello, JackJ@ #oo$ed the oice o" :ice Ad$iral John ;hite, eighth earl o" ;eston. 0e &as a tall, &ell2#%ilt $an o" "i"ty &ith a "lorid co$ple7ion set o"" #y a &hite scar" at his neck. Jack had "irst $et hi$ earlier in the year, and since then his &i"e Cathy and the co%ntess, Antonia, had #eco$e close "riends, $e$#ers o" the sa$e circle o" a$ate%r $%sicians. Cathy Ryan played classical piano. 'oni ;hite, an attracti e &o$an o" "orty2"o%r, o&ned a 8%arnieri del Jes% iolin. 0er h%s#and &as a $an &hose peerage &as treated as the con enient a"tertho%ght. 0is career in the Royal !a y had #een #%ilt entirely on $erit. Jack &alked o er to take his hand. @8ood day, Ad$iral.@ @0o& &as yo%r "lightI@ @Li""erent. 4? e ne er #een in a "ighter #e"ore, $%ch less one &ith a$#itions to $ate &ith a h%$$ing#ird,@ Ryan s$iled. 'he #ridge &as o erheated, and it "elt good. @Jolly good. Let?s go a"t to $y sea ca#in.@ ;hite dis$issed the s%#lie%tenant, &ho handed

Jack his #ag #e"ore &ithdra&ing. 'he ad$iral led hi$ a"t thro%gh a short passage&ay and le"t into a s$all co$part$ent. 4t &as s%rprisingly a%stere, considering that the English liked their co$"orts and that ;hite &as a peer. 'here &ere t&o c%rtained portholes, a desk, and a co%ple o" chairs. 'he only h%$an to%ch &as a color photograph o" his &i"e. 'he entire port &all &as co ered &ith a chart o" the !orth Atlantic. @9o% look tired, Jack.@ ;hite &a ed hi$ to the %pholstered chair. @4 a$ tired. 4? e #een on the go sinceFhell, since 3K55 A.>. yesterday. 4 don?t kno& a#o%t ti$e changes, 4 think $y &atch is still on E%ropean ti$e.@ @4 ha e a $essage "or yo%.@ ;hite p%lled a slip o" paper "ro$ his pocket and handed it o er. @8reer to Ryan. ;4LL*; con"ir$ed,@ Ryan read. @Basil sends regards. Ends.@ ,o$e#ody had con"ir$ed ;4LL*;. ;hoI >ay#e ,ir Basil, $ay#e Ritter. Ryan &o%ld not D%ote odds on that one. Jack t%cked it in his pocket. @'his is good ne&s, sir.@ @;hy the %ni"or$I@ @!ot $y idea, Ad$iral. 9o% kno& &ho 4 &ork "or, rightI 'hey "ig%red 4?d #e less conspic%o%s this &ay.@ @At least it "its.@ 'he ad$iral li"ted a phone and ordered re"resh$ents sent to the$. @0o&?s the "a$ily, JackI@ @=ine, thank yo%, sir. 'he day #e"ore 4 ca$e o er Cathy and 'oni &ere playing o er at !igel =ord?s place. 4 $issed it. 9o% kno&, i" they get $%ch #etter, &e o%ght to ha e a record c%t. 'here aren?t too $any iolin players #etter than yo%r &i"e.@ A ste&ard arri ed &ith a plate"%l o" sand&iches. Jack had ne er "ig%red o%t the British taste "or c%c%$#ers on #read. @,o, &hat?s the "lapI@ @ Ad$iral, the signi"icance o" the $essage yo% C%st ga e $e is that 4 can tell this to yo% and three other o""icers. 'his is ery hot st%"", sir. 9o%?ll &ant to $ake yo%r choices accordingly.@ @0ot eno%gh to t%rn $y little "leet aro%nd.@ ;hite tho%ght it o er #e"ore li"ting the phone and ordering three o" his o""icers to the ca#in. 0e h%ng %p. @Captain Carstairs, Captain 0%nter, and Co$$ander BarclayFthey are, respecti ely, -n$incible?s co$$anding o""icer, $y "leet operations o""icer, and $y "leet intelligence o""icer.@ @!o chie" o" sta""I@ @=le& ho$e, death in the "a$ily. ,o$ething "or yo%r co""eeI@ ;hite e7tracted &hat looked like a #randy #ottle "ro$ a desk dra&er. @'hank yo%, Ad$iral.@ 0e &as grate"%l "or the #randy. 'he co""ee needed the help. 0e &atched the ad$iral po%r a genero%s a$o%nt, perhaps &ith the %lterior $oti e o" $aking hi$ speak $ore "reely. ;hite had #een a British sailor longer than he?d #een Ryan?s "riend. 'he three o""icers arri ed together, t&o carrying "olding $etal chairs. @Ad$iral,@ Ryan #egan, @yo% $ight &ant to lea e that #ottle o%t. A"ter yo% hear this story, &e $ight all need a drink.@ 0e passed o%t his t&o re$aining #rie"ing "olders and talked "ro$ $e$ory. 0is deli ery took "i"teen $in%tes. @8entle$en,@ he concl%ded, @4 $%st insist that this in"or$ation #e kept strictly con"idential. =or the $o$ent no one o%tside this roo$ $ay learn it.@ @'hat is too #ad,@ Carstairs said. @'his $akes "or a #loody good sea story.@ @And o%r $issionI@ ;hite &as holding the photographs. 0e po%red Ryan another shot o" #randy, ga e the #ottle a #rie" look, then sto&ed it #ack in the desk.

@'hank yo%, Ad$iral. =or the $o$ent o%r $ission is to locate Red October& A"ter that &e?re not s%re. 4 i$agine C%st locating her &ill #e hard eno%gh.@ @An ast%te o#ser ation, Co$$ander Ryan,@ 0%nter said. @'he good ne&s is that Ad$iral +ainter has reD%ested that C4!CLA!' assign yo% control o" se eral 6.,. !a y essels, pro#a#ly three 15./2class "rigates, and a pair o" ==8 Perrys& 'hey all carry a chopper or t&o.@ @;ell, 8eo""reyI@ ;hite asked. @4t?s a start,@ 0%nter agreed. @'hey?ll #e arri ing in a day or t&o. Ad$iral +ainter asked $e to e7press his con"idence in yo%r gro%p and its personnel.@ @ A &hole "%cking R%ssian $issile s%#$arine . . .@ Barclay said al$ost to hi$sel". Ryan la%ghed. @Like the idea, Co$$anderI@ At least he had one con ert. @;hat i" the s%# is heading "or the 6.A.I Loes it then #eco$e a British operationI@ Barclay asked pointedly. @4 s%ppose it &o%ld, #%t "ro$ the &ay 4 read the $ap, i" Ra$i%s &as heading "or England, he?d already #e there. 4 sa& a copy o" the president?s letter to the pri$e $inister. 4n ret%rn "or yo%r assistance, the Royal !a y gets the sa$e access to the data &e de elop as o%r g%ys get. ;e?re on the sa$e side, gentle$en. 'he D%estion is, can &e do itI@ @0%nterI@ the ad$iral asked. @4" this intelligence is correct . . . 4?d say &e ha e a good chance, perhaps as good as "i"ty percent. *n one hand, &e ha e a $issile s%#$arine atte$pting to e ade detection. *n the other, &e ha e a great deal o" A,; arrayed to locate her, and she &ill #e heading to&ards one o" only a "e& discrete locations. !or"olk, o" co%rse, !e&port, 8roton, Aing?s Bay, +ort E erglades, Charleston. A ci ilian port s%ch as !e& 9ork is less likely, 4 think. 'he pro#le$ is, &hat &ith 4 an sending all his Alfas racing to yo%r coast, they &ill get there ahead o" October& 'hey $ay ha e a speci"ic port target in $ind. ;e?ll kno& that in another day. ,o, 4?d say they ha e an eD%al chance. 'hey?ll #e a#le to operate "ar eno%gh o"" yo%r coast that yo%r go ern$ent &ill ha e no ia#le legal reason to o#Cect to &hate er they do. 4" anything, 4?d say the ,o iets ha e the ad antage. 'hey ha e #oth a clearer idea o" the s%#$arine?s capa#ilities and a si$pler o erall $ission. 'hat $ore than #alances their less capa#le sensors.@ @;hy isn?t Ra$i%s co$ing on "asterI@ Ryan asked. @'hat?s the one thing 4 can?t "ig%re. *nce he clears the ,*,6, lines o"" 4celand, he?s clear into the deep #asinFso &hy not crack his throttles &ide open and race "or o%r coastI@ @At least t&o reasons,@ Barclay ans&ered. @0o& $%ch operational intelligence data do yo% see@ @4 handle indi id%al assign$ents. 'hat $eans 4 hop aro%nd a lot "ro$ one thing to another. 4 kno& a good deal a#o%t their #oo$ers, "or e7a$ple, #%t not as $%ch a#o%t their attack #oats.@ Ryan didn?t ha e to e7plain he &as C4A. @;ell, yo% kno& ho& co$part$entaliBed the ,o s are. Ra$i%s pro#a#ly doesn?t kno& &here their attack s%#$arines are, not all o" the$. ,o, i" he &ere to race a#o%t, he?d r%n the o"" chance o" #l%ndering into a stray %ictor and #eing s%nk &itho%t e er kno&ing &hat &as happening. ,econd, &hat i" the ,o iets did enlist A$erican assistance, saying perhaps that a $issile s%# had #een taken o er #y a $%tino%s cre& o" >aoist co%nterre ol%tionariesFand then yo%r na y detects a $issile s%#$arine racing do&n the !orth Atlantic to&ards the A$erican coast. ;hat &o%ld yo%r president doI@

@9eah,@ Ryan nodded. @;e?d #lo& it the hell o%t o" the &ater.@ @'here yo% ha e it. Ra$i%s is in the trade o" stealth, and he?ll likely stick to &hat he kno&s,@ Barclay concl%ded. =ort%nately or %n"ort%nately, he?s Colly good at it.@ @0o& soon &ill &e ha e per"or$ance data on this D%iet dri e syste$I@ Carstairs &anted to kno&. @!e7t co%ple o" days, &e hope.@ @;here does Ad$iral +ainter &ant %sI@ ;hite asked. @'he plan he s%#$itted to !or"olk p%ts yo% on the right "lank. 0e &ants 'ennedy inshore to handle the threat "ro$ their s%r"ace "orce. 0e &ants yo%r "orce "arther o%t. 9o% see, +ainter thinks there?s the chance that Ra$i%s &ill co$e straight so%th "ro$ the 82426.A. gap into the Atlantic #asin and C%st sit "or a &hile. 'he odds "a or his not #eing detected there, and i" the ,o iets send the "leet a"ter hi$, he?s got the ti$e and s%pplies to sit o%t there longer than they can $aintain a "orce o"" o%r coastF#oth "or technical and political reasons. Additionally, he &ants yo%r striking po&er o%t here to threaten their "lank. 4t has to #e appro ed #y the co$$ander in chie" o" the Atlantic =leet, and a lot o" details, re$ain to #e &orked o%t. =or e7a$ple, +ainter reD%ested so$e E2- ,entries to s%pport yo% o%t here.@ @A $onth in the $iddle o" the !orth Atlantic in &interI@ Carstairs &inced. 0e had #een the -n$incible?s e7ec%ti e o""icer d%ring the &ar aro%nd the =alklands and had ridden in the iolent ,o%th Atlantic "or endless &eeks. @Be happy "or the E2-s.@ 'he ad$iral s$iled. @0%nter, 4 &ant to see plans "or %sing all these ships the 9anks are gi ing %s, and ho& &e can co er a $a7i$%$ area. Barclay, 4 &ant to see yo%r e al%ation o" &hat o%r "riend Ra$i%s &ill do. Ass%$e he?s still the cle er #astard &e? e co$e to kno& and lo e.@ @Aye aye, sir.@ Barclay stood &ith the others. @Jack, ho& long &ill yo% #e &ith %sI@ @4 don?t kno&, Ad$iral. 6ntil they recall $e to the 'ennedy, 4 g%ess. =ro$ &here 4 sit, this operation &as laid on too "ast. !o#ody really kno&s &hat the hell &e?re s%pposed to do.@ @;ell, &hy don?t yo% let %s see to this "or a &hileI 9o% look e7ha%sted. 8et so$e sleep.@ @'r%e eno%gh, Ad$iral.@ Ryan &as #eginning to "eel the #randy. @'here?s a cot in the locker o er there. 4?ll ha e so$eone set it %p "or yo%, and yo% can sleep in here "or the ti$e #eing. 4" anything co$es in "or yo%, &e?ll get yo% %p.@ @'hat?s kind o" yo%, sir.@ Ad$iral ;hite &as a good g%y, Jack tho%ght, and his &i"e &as so$ething ery special. 4n ten $in%tes, Ryan &as on the cot and asleep. 'he Red *cto#er E ery t&o days the starpom collected the radiation #adges. 'his &as part o" a se$i"or$al inspection. A"ter seeing to it that e ery cre&$an?s shoes &ere spit2shined, e ery #%nk &as properly $ade, and e ery "ootlocker &as arranged according to the #ook, the e7ec%ti e o""icer &o%ld take the t&o2day2old #adges and hand the sailors ne& ones, %s%ally along &ith so$e terse ad ice to sD%are the$sel es a&ay as !e& ,o iet >en o%ght. Borodin had this proced%re do&n to a science. 'oday, as al&ays, the trip "ro$ one co$part$ent to another took t&o ho%rs. ;hen he &as "inished, the #ag on his le"t hip &as "%ll o" old #adges, and the one on his right depleted o" ne& ones. 0e took the #adges to the ship?s $edical o""icer. @Co$rade +etro , 4 ha e a gi"t "or yo%.@ Borodin set the leather #ag on the physician?s desk.

@8ood.@ 'he doctor s$iled %p at the e7ec%ti e o""icer. @;ith all the healthy yo%ng $en 4 ha e little to do #%t read $y Co%rnals.@ Borodin le"t +etro to his task. =irst the doctor set the #adges o%t in order. Each #ore a three2 digit n%$#er. 'he "irst digit identi"ied the #adge series, so that i" any radiation &ere detected there &o%ld #e a ti$e re"erence. 'he second digit sho&ed &here the sailor &orked, the third &here he slept. 'his syste$ &as easier to &ork &ith than the old one, &hich had %sed indi id%al n%$#ers "or each $an. 'he de eloping process &as cook#ook2si$ple. +etro co%ld do it &itho%t a tho%ght. =irst he s&itched o"" the &hite o erhead light and replaced it &ith a red one. 'hen he locked his o""ice door. !e7t he took the de elop$ent rack "ro$ its holder on the #%lkhead, #roke open the plastic holders, and trans"erred the "il$ strips to spring clips on the rack. +etro took the rack into the adCacent la#oratory and h%ng it on the handle o" the single "iling ca#inet. 0e "illed three large sD%are #asins &ith che$icals. 'ho%gh a D%ali"ied physician, he had "orgotten $ost o" his inorganic che$istry and didn?t re$e$#er e7actly &hat the de eloping che$icals &ere. Basin n%$#er one &as "illed "ro$ #ottle n%$#er one. Basin t&o &as "illed "ro$ #ottle t&o, and #asin three, he re$e$#ered, &as "illed &ith &ater. +etro &as in no h%rry. 'he $idday $eal &as not "or t&o $ore ho%rs, and his d%ties &ere tr%ly #oring. 'he last t&o days he had #een reading his $edical te7ts on tropical diseases. 'he doctor &as looking "or&ard to isiting C%#a as $%ch as anyone a#oard. ;ith l%ck a cre&$an &o%ld co$e do&n &ith so$e o#sc%re $alady, and he?d ha e so$ething interesting to &ork on "or once. +etro set the la# ti$er "or se enty2"i e seconds and s%#$erged the "il$ strips in the "irst #asin as he pressed the start #%tton. 0e &atched the ti$er %nder the red light, &ondering i" the C%#ans still $ade r%$. 0e had #een there, too, years #e"ore, and acD%ired a taste "or the e7otic liD%or. Like any good ,o iet citiBen, he lo ed his odka #%t had the occasional hankering "or so$ething di""erent. 'he ti$er &ent o"" and he li"ted the rack, shaking it care"%lly o er the tank. !o sense getting the che$icalFsil er nitrateI so$ething like thatFon his %ni"or$. 'he rack &ent into the second tank, and he set the ti$er again. +ity the orders had #een so da$ned secretFhe co%ld ha e #ro%ght his tropical %ni"or$. 0e?d s&eat like a pig in the C%#an heat. *" co%rse, none o" those sa ages e er #othered to &ash. >ay#e they had learned so$ething in the past "i"teen yearsI 0e?d see. 'he ti$er dinged again, and +etro li"ted the rack a second ti$e, shaking it and setting it in the &ater2"illed #asin. Another #oring Co# co$pleted. ;hy co%ldn?t a sailor "all do&n a ladder and #reak so$ethingI 0e &anted to %se his East 8er$an M2ray $achine on a li e patient. 0e didn?t tr%st the 8er$ans, >ar7ists or not, #%t they did $ake good $edical eD%ip$ent, incl%ding his M2ray, a%tocla e, and $ost o" his phar$ace%ticals. 'i$e. +etro li"ted the rack and held it %p against the M2ray reading plate, &hich he s&itched on. @Niche$o!@ +etro #reathed. 0e had to think. 0is #adge &as "ogged. 4ts n%$#er &as -2428K third #adge series, "ra$e "i"ty2"o%r Gthe $edical o""ice, galley sectionH, a"t Go""icers?H acco$$odations. 'ho%gh only t&o centi$eters across, the #adges &ere $ade &ith aria#le sensiti ity. 'en ertically seg$ented col%$ns &ere %sed to D%anti"y the e7pos%re le el. +etro sa& that his &as "ogged all the &ay to seg$ent "o%r. 'he engine roo$ cre&$en?s &ere "ogged to seg$ent "i e, and the torpedo$en, &ho spent all their ti$e "or&ard, sho&ed conta$ination only in seg$ent one. @,on o" a #itch.@ 0e kne& the sensiti ity le els #y heart. 0e took the $an%al do&n to check

the$ any&ay. =ort%nately, the seg$ents &ere logarith$ic. 0is e7pos%re &as t&el e rads. =i"teen to t&enty2"i e "or the engineers. '&el e to t&enty2"i e rads in t&o days, not eno%gh to #e dangero%s. !ot really li"e threatening, #%t . . . +etro &ent #ack into his o""ice, care"%l to lea e the "il$s in the la#s. 0e picked %p the phone. @Captain Ra$i%sI +etro here. Co%ld yo% co$e a"t to $y o""ice, pleaseI@ @*n the &ay, Co$rade Loctor.@ Ra$i%s took his ti$e. 0e kne& &hat the call &as a#o%t. 'he day #e"ore they sailed, &hile +etro had #een ashore proc%ring dr%gs "or his c%p#oard, Borodin had conta$inated the #adges &ith the M2ray $achine. @9es, +etro I@ Ra$i%s closed the door #ehind hi$. @Co$rade Captain, &e ha e a radiation leak.@ @!onsense. *%r instr%$ents &o%ld ha e detected it at once.@ +etro got the "il$s "ro$ the la# and handed the$ to the captain. @Look here.@ Ra$i%s held the$ %p to the light, scanning the "il$ strips top to #otto$. 0e "ro&ned. @;ho kno&s o" thisI@ @9o% and 4, Co$rade Captain.@ @9o% &ill tell no oneFno one.@ Ra$i%s pa%sed. @Any chance that the "il$s &ereFthat they ha e so$ething &rong, that yo% $ade an error in the de eloping processI@ +etro shook his head e$phatically. @!o, Co$rade Captain. *nly yo%, Co$rade Borodin, and 4 ha e access to these. As yo% kno&, 4 tested rando$ sa$ples "ro$ each #atch three days #e"ore &e sailed.@ +etro &o%ldn?t ad$it that, like e eryone, he had taken the sa$ples "ro$ the top o" the #o7 they &ere stored in. 'hey &eren?t really rando$. @'he $a7i$%$ e7pos%re 4 see here is . . . ten to t&entyI@ Ra$i%s %nderstated it. @;hose n%$#ersI@ @B%lganin and ,%rBpoi. 'he torpedo$en "or&ard are all %nder three rads.@ @:ery &ell. ;hat &e ha e here, Co$rade Loctor, is a possi#le $inorF$inor, +etro Fleak in the reactor spaces. At &orst a gas leak o" so$e sort. 'his has happened #e"ore, and no one has e er died "ro$ it. 'he leak &ill #e "o%nd and "i7ed. ;e &ill keep this little secret. 'here is no reason to get the $en e7cited o er nothing.@ +etro nodded agree$ent, kno&ing that $en had died in 19(5 in an accident on the s%#$arine %oroshilo$, $ore in the ice#reaker Lenin& Both accidents &ere a long ti$e ago, tho%gh, and he &as s%re Ra$i%s co%ld handle things. ;asn?t heI 'he +entagon 'he E ring &as the o%ter$ost and largest o" the +entagon?s rings, and since its o%tside &indo&s o""ered so$ething other than a ie& o" s%nless co%rtyards, this &as &here the $ost senior de"ense o""icials had their o""ices. *ne o" these &as the o""ice o" the director o" operations "or the Joint Chie"s o" ,ta"", the J2-. 0e &asn?t there. 0e &as do&n in a s%##ase$ent roo$ kno&n colloD%ially as the 'ank #eca%se its $etal &alls &ere dotted &ith electronic noise$akers to "oil other electronic de ices. 0e had #een there "or t&enty2"o%r ho%rs, tho%gh one &o%ld not ha e kno&n this "ro$ his appearance. 0is green tro%sers &ere still creased, his khaki shirt still sho&ed the "olds $ade #y the la%ndry, its collar starched ply&ood2sti"", and his tie &as held neatly in place #y a gold $arine corps tiepin. Lie%tenant 8eneral Ed&in 0arris &as neither a diplo$at nor a ser ice

acade$y grad%ate, #%t he &as playing peace$aker. An odd position "or a $arine. @8od da$n itJ@ 4t &as the oice o" Ad$iral Black#%rn, C4!CLA!'. Also present &as his o&n operations o""icer, Rear Ad$iral +ete ,tan"ord. @4s this any &ay to r%n an operationI@ 'he Joint Chie"s &ere all there, and none o" the$ tho%ght so. @Look, Blackie, 4 told yo% &here the orders co$e "ro$.@ 8eneral 0ilton, chair$an o" the Joint Chie"s o" ,ta"", so%nded tired. @4 %nderstand that, 8eneral, #%t this is largely a s%#$arine operation, rightI 4 gotta get :ince 8allery in on this, and yo% sho%ld ha e ,a$ Lodge &orking %p at this end. Lan and 4 are #oth "ighter Cocks, +ete?s an A,; e7pert. ;e need a s%# dri er in on this.@ @8entle$en,@ 0arris said cal$ly, @"or the $o$ent the plan &e ha e to take to the president need only deal &ith the ,o iet threat. Let?s hold this story a#o%t the de"ecting #oo$er in a#eyance "or the $o$ent, shall &eI@ @4 agree,@ ,tan"ord nodded. @;e ha e eno%gh to &orry a#o%t right here.@ 'he attention o" the eight "lag o""icers t%rned to the $ap ta#le. =i"ty2eight ,o iet s%#$arines and t&enty2eight s%r"ace &arships, pl%s a gaggle o" oilers and replenish$ent ships, &ere %n$istaka#ly heading "or the A$erican coast. 'o "ace this, the 6.,. !a y had one a aila#le carrier. 'he -n$incible did not rate as s%ch. 'he threat &as considera#le. A$ong the$ the ,o iet essels carried o er three h%ndred s%r"ace2to2s%r"ace cr%ise $issiles. 'ho%gh principally designed as antiship &eapons, the third o" the$ #elie ed to carry n%clear &arheads &ere s%""icient to de astate the cities o" the East Coast. =ro$ a position o"" !e& Jersey, these $issiles co%ld range "ro$ !or"olk to Boston. @Josh +ainter proposes that &e keep 'ennedy inshore,@ Ad$iral Black#%rn said. @0e &ants to r%n the A,; operation "ro$ his carrier, trans"erring his light attack sD%adrons to shore and replacing the$ &ith ,2-s. 0e &ants -n$incible o%t on their sea&ard "lank.@ @4 don?t like it,@ 8eneral 0arris said. !either did +ete ,tan"ord, and they had agreed earlier that the J2- &o%ld la%nch the co%nterplan. @8entle$en, i" &e ?re only going to ha e one deck to %se, &e da$ned &ell o%ght to ha e a carrier and not an o ersiBed A,; plat"or$.@ @;e?re listening, Eddie,@ 0ilton said. @Let?s $o e 'ennedy o%t here.@ 0e $o ed the co%nter to a position &est o" the ABores. @Josh keeps his attack sD%adrons. ;e $o e -n$incible inshore to handle the A,; &ork. 4t?s &hat the Brits designed her "or, rightI 'hey?re s%pposed to #e good at it. 'ennedy is an o""ensi e &eapon, her $ission is to threaten the$. *kay, i" &e deploy like this, she is the threat. =ro$ o er here she can range against their s%r"ace "orce "ro$ o%tside their s%r"ace2to2s%r"ace $issile peri$eterF@ @Better yet,@ ,tan"ord interCected, pointing to so$e essels on the $ap, @threaten this ser ice "orce here. 4" they lose these oilers, they ain?t going ho$e. 'o $eet that threat they?ll ha e to redeploy the$sel es. =or starters, they?ll ha e to $o e 'ie$ o""shore to gi e the$sel es so$e kind o" air de"ense against 'ennedy& ;e can %se the spare ,2-s "ro$ shore #ases. 'hey can still patrol the sa$e areas.@ 0e traced a line a#o%t "i e h%ndred $iles o"" the coast. @Lea es -n$incible kind o" naked, tho%gh,@ the C!*, Ad$iral =oster, noted. @Josh &as asking a#o%t so$e E2- co erage "or the Brits.@ Black#%rn looked at the air "orce chie" o" sta"", 8eneral Claire Barnes. @9o% &ant help, yo% get help,@ Barnes said. @;e?ll ha e a ,entry operating o er -n$incible at da&n to$orro&, and i" yo% $o e her inshore &e can $aintain that ro%nd the clock. 4?ll thro& in a &ing o" =213s i" yo% &ant.@ @;hat do yo% &ant in ret%rn, >a7I@ =oster asked. !o#ody called hi$ Claire.

@'he &ay 4 see this, yo% ha e (aratoga?s air &ing sitting aro%nd doing nothing. *kay, #y ,at%rday 4?ll ha e "i e h%ndred tactical "ighters deployed "ro$ Lo er to Loring. >y #oys don?t kno& $%ch a#o%t antiship st%"". 'hey?ll ha e to learn in a h%rry. 4 &ant yo% to send yo%r kids to &ork &ith $ine, and 4 also &ant yo%r 'o$cats. 4 like the "ighter2$issile co$#ination. Let one sD%adron &ork o%t o" 4celand, the other o%t o" !e& England to track the Bears 4 an?s starting to send o%r &ay. 4?ll s&eeten that. 4" yo% &ant, &e?ll send so$e tankers to LaCes to help keep 'ennedy?s #irds "lying.@ @BlackieI@ =oster asked. @Leal,@ Black#%rn nodded. @'he only thing that #others $e is that -n$incible doesn?t ha e all that $%ch A,; capacity.@ @,o &e get $ore,@ ,tan"ord said. @Ad$iral, &hat say &e take Tara)a o%t o" Little Creek, tea$ her &ith Ne) =ersey?s gro%p, &ith a doBen A,; choppers a#oard and se en or eight 0arriersI@ @4 like it,@ 0arris said D%ickly. @'hen &e ha e t&o #a#y carriers &ith a note&orthy striking "orce right in "ront o" their gro%ps, 'ennedy playing stalking tiger to their east, and a "e& h%ndred tactical "ighters to the &est. 'hey ha e to co$e into a three2&ay #o7. 'his act%ally gi es %s $ore A,; patrolling capacity than &e?d ha e other&ise.@ @Can Aennedy handle her $ission alone o%t thereI@ 0ilton asked. @Lepend on it,@ Black#%rn replied. @;e can kill anyone, $ay#e any t&o o" these "o%r gro%ps in an ho%r. 'he ones nearest shore &ill #e yo%r Co#, >a7.@ @0o& long did yo% t&o characters rehearse thisI@ 8eneral >a7&ell, co$$andant o" the $arine corps, asked the operations o""icer. E eryone ch%ckled. 'he Red *cto#er Chie" Engineer >elekhin cleared the reactor co$part$ent #e"ore #eginning the check "or the leak. Ra$i%s and +etro &ere there also, pl%s the engineering d%ty o""icers and one o" the yo%ng lie%tenants, , yado . 'hree o" the o""icers carried 8eiger co%nters. 'he reactor roo$ &as D%ite large. 4t had to #e to acco$$odate the $assi e, #arrel2shaped steel essel. 'he o#Cect &as &ar$ to the to%ch despite #eing inacti e. A%to$atic radiation detectors &ere in e ery corner o" the roo$, each s%rro%nded #y a red circle. >ore &ere hanging on the "ore and a"t #%lkheads. *" all the co$part$ents on the s%#$arine, this &as the cleanest. 'he deck and #%lkheads &ere spotless &hite2painted steel. 'he reason &as o# io%sK the s$allest leak o" reactor coolant had to #e instantly isi#le e en i" all the detectors "ailed. , yado cli$#ed an al%$in%$ ladder a""i7ed to the side o" the reactor essel to r%n the detacha#le pro#e "ro$ his co%nter o er e ery &elded pipe Coint. 'he speaker2ann%nciator on the hand2held #o7 &as t%rned to $a7i$%$ so that e eryone in the co$part$ent co%ld hear it, and , yado had an earpiece pl%gged in "or e en greater sensiti ity. A yo%ngster o" t&enty2one, he &as ner o%s. *nly a "ool &o%ld "eel entirely sa"e looking "or a radiation leak. 'here is a Coke in the ,o iet !a yK 0o& do yo% tell a sailor "ro$ the !orthern =leetI 0e glo&s in the dark. 4t had #een a good la%gh on the #each, #%t not no&. 0e kne& that he &as cond%cting the search #eca%se he &as the yo%ngest, least e7perienced, and $ost e7penda#le o""icer. 4t &as an e""ort to keep his knees "ro$ &o##ling as he strained to reach all o er and aro%nd the reactor piping. 'he co%nter &as not entirely silent, and , yado ?s sto$ach cringed at each click generated #y the passage o" a rando$ particle thro%gh the t%#e o" ioniBed gas. E ery "e& seconds his eyes

"lickered to the dial that $eas%red intensity. 4t &as &ell inside the sa"e range, hardly registering at all. 'he reactor essel &as a D%adr%ple2layer design, each layer se eral centi$eters o" to%gh stainless steel. 'he three inner spaces &ere "illed &ith a #ari%$2&ater $i7t%re, then a #arrier o" lead, then polyethylene, all designed to pre ent the escape o" ne%trons and ga$$a particles. 'he co$#ination o" steel, #ari%$, lead, and plastic s%ccess"%lly contained the dangero%s ele$ents o" the reaction, allo&ing only a "e& degrees o" heat to escape, and the dial sho&ed, $%ch to his relie", that the radiation le el &as less than that on the #each at ,ochi. 'he highest reading &as $ade ne7t to a light #%l#. 'his $ade the lie%tenant s$ile. @All readings in nor$al range, co$rades,@ , yado reported. @,tart o er,@ >elekhin ordered, @"ro$ the #eginning.@ '&enty $in%tes later , yado , no& s&eating "ro$ the &ar$ air that gathered at the top o" the co$part$ent, $ade an identical report. 0e ca$e do&n a&k&ardly, his ar$s and legs tired. @0a e a cigarette,@ Ra$i%s s%ggested. @9o% did &ell, , yado .@ @'hank yo%, Co$rade Captain. 4t?s &ar$ %p there "ro$ the lights and the coolant pipes.@ 'he lie%tenant handed the co%nter to >elekhin. 'he lo&er dial sho&ed a c%$%lati e co%nt, &ell &ithin the sa"e range. @+ro#a#ly so$e conta$inated #adges,@ the chie" engineer co$$ented so%rly. @4t &o%ld not #e the "irst ti$e. ,o$e Coker in the "actory or at the yard s%pply o""iceFso$ething "or o%r "riends in the 8R6 to check into. ?;reckersJ? A Coke like this o%ght to earn so$e#ody a #%llet.@ @+erhaps,@ Ra$i%s ch%ckled. @Re$e$#er the incident on Lenin2@ 0e re"erred to the n%clear2 po&ered ice#reaker that had spent t&o years tied to the dock, %n%sa#le #eca%se o" a reactor $ishap. @A ship?s cook had so$e #adly cr%sted pans, and a $ad$an o" an engineer s%ggested that he %se li e stea$ to get the$ cleaned. ,o the idiot &alked do&n to the stea$ generator and opened an inspection al e, &ith his pots %nder itJ@ >elekhin rolled his eyes. @4 re$e$#er itJ 4 &as a sta"" engineering o""icer then. 'he captain had asked "or a AaBakh cookF@ @0e liked horse$eat &ith his kasha,@ Ra$i%s said. @Fand the "ool didn?t kno& the "irst thing a#o%t a ship. Ailled hi$sel" and three other $en, conta$inated the &hole "%cking co$part$ent "or t&enty $onths. 'he captain only got o%t o" the g%lag last year.@ @4 #et the cook got his pans cleaned, tho%gh,@ Ra$i%s o#ser ed. @4ndeed, >arko Aleksandro ichFthey $ay e en #e sa"e to %se in another "i"ty years.@ >elekhin la%ghed ra%co%sly. 'hat &as a hell o" a thing to say in "ront o" a yo%ng o""icer, +etro tho%ght. 'here &as nothing, nothing at all "%nny a#o%t a reactor leak. B%t >elekhin &as kno&n "or his hea y sense o" h%$or, and the doctor i$agined that t&enty years o" &orking on reactors allo&ed hi$ and the captain to ie& the potential dangers phleg$atically. 'hen, there &as the i$plicit lesson in the storyK ne er let so$eone &ho does not #elong into the reactor spaces. @:ery &ell,@ >elekhin said, @no& &e check the pipes in the generator roo$. Co$e, , yado , &e still need yo%r yo%ng legs.@ 'he ne7t co$part$ent a"t contained the heat e7changerUstea$ generator, t%r#oalternators, and a%7iliary eD%ip$ent. 'he $ain t%r#ines &ere in the ne7t co$part$ent, no& inacti e &hile the electrically dri en caterpillar &as operating. 4n any case, the stea$ that t%rned the$ &as s%pposed to #e clean. 'he only radioacti ity &as in the inside loop. 'he reactor coolant, &hich carried short2li ed #%t dangero%s radioacti ity, ne er "lashed to stea$. 'his &as in the o%tside loop and #oiled "ro$ %nconta$inated &ater. 'he t&o &ater s%pplies $et #%t ne er $i7ed inside

the heat e7changer, the $ost likely site "or a coolant leak #eca%se o" its $ore n%$ero%s "ittings and al es. 'he $ore co$ple7 piping reD%ired a "%ll "i"ty $in%tes to check. 'hese pipes &ere not as &ell ins%lated as those "or&ard. , yado nearly #%rned hi$sel" t&ice, and his "ace &as #athed in perspiration #y the ti$e he "inished his "irst s&eep. @Readings all sa"e again, co$rades.@ @8ood,@ >elekhin said. @Co$e do&n and rest a $o$ent #e"ore yo% check it again.@ , yado al$ost thanked his chie" "or that, #%t this &o%ld not ha e done at all. As a yo%ng, dedicated o""icer and $e$#er o" the Ao$so$ol, no e7ertion &as too great. 0e ca$e do&n care"%lly, and >elekhin handed hi$ another cigarette. 'he chie" engineer &as a gray2haired per"ectionist &ho took decent care o" his $en. @;hy, thank yo%, Co$rade,@ , yado said. +etro got a "olding chair. @,it, Co$rade Lie%tenant, rest yo%r legs.@ 'he lie%tenant sat do&n at once, stretching his legs to &ork o%t the knots. 'he o""icers at ::>6++ had told hi$ ho& l%cky he &as to dra& this assign$ent. Ra$i%s and >elekhin &ere the t&o #est teachers in the "leet, $en &hose cre&s appreciated their kindness along &ith their co$petence. @'hey really sho%ld ins%late those pipes,@ Ra$i%s said. >elekhin shook his head. @'hen they?d #e too hard to inspect.@ 0e handed the co%nter to his captain. @Entirely sa"e,@ the captain read o"" the c%$%lati e dial. @9o% get $ore e7pos%re tending a garden.@ @4ndeed,@ >elekhin said. @Coal $iners get $ore e7pos%re than &e do, "ro$ the release o" radon gas in the $ines. Bad #adges, that?s &hat it has to #e. ;hy not take o%t a &hole #atch and check itI@ @4 co%ld, Co$rade,@ +etro ans&ered. @B%t then, d%e to the e7tended nat%re o" o%r cr%ise, &e?d ha e to r%n "or se eral days &itho%t any. Contrary to reg%lations. 4?$ a"raid.@ @9o% are correct. 4n any case the #adges are only a #ack%p to o%r instr%$ents.@ Ra$i%s gest%red to the red2circled detectors all o er the co$part$ent. @Lo yo% really &ant to recheck the pipingI@ >elekhin asked. @4 think &e sho%ld,@ Ra$i%s said. , yado s&ore to hi$sel", looking do&n at the deck. @'here is no e7tra agance in the p%rs%it o" sa"ety,@ +etro D%oted doctrine. @,orry, Lie%tenant.@ 'he doctor &as not a #it sorry. 0e had #een gen%inely &orried, and &as no& "eeling a lot #etter. An ho%r later the second check had #een co$pleted. +etro took , yado "or&ard "or salt ta#lets and tea to rehydrate hi$sel". 'he senior o""icers le"t, and >elekhin ordered the reactor plant restarted. 'he enlisted $en "iled #ack to their d%ty stations, looking at one another. 'heir o""icers had C%st checked the @hot@ co$part$ents &ith radiation instr%$ents. 'he $edical corps$an had looked pale a &hile earlier and re"%sed to say anything. >ore than one engine attendant "ingered his radiation #adge and checked his &rist&atch to see ho& long it &o%ld #e #e"ore he &ent o"" d%ty.

THE EIGHTH DAY FRIDAY 10, DECEMBER

0>, 4n inci#le Ryan a&oke in the dark. 'he c%rtains &ere dra&n on the ca#in?s t&o s$all portholes. 0e shook his head a "e& ti$es to clear it and #egan to assess &hat &as going on aro%nd hi$. 'he -n$incible &as $o ing on the seas, #%t not as $%ch as #e"ore. 0e got %p to look o%t o" a porthole and sa& the last red glo& o" s%nset a"t %nder sc%dding clo%ds. 0e checked his &atch and did so$e cl%$sy $ental arith$etic, concl%ding that it &as si7 in the e ening, local ti$e. 'hat translated to a#o%t si7 ho%rs o" sleep. 0e "elt pretty good, considering. A $inor headache "ro$ the #randyFso $%ch "or the theory that good st%"" doesn?t gi e yo% a hango erFand his $%scles &ere sti"". 0e did a "e& sit2%ps to &ork o%t the knots. 'here &as a s$all #athroo$Fhead, he corrected hi$sel"FadCoining the ca#in. Ryan splashed so$e &ater on his "ace and &ashed his $o%th o%t, not &anting to look in the $irror. 0e decided he had to. Co%nter"eit or not, he &as &earing his co%ntry?s %ni"or$ and he had to look presenta#le. 4t took a $in%te to get his hair in place and the %ni"or$ arranged properly. 'he C4A had done a nice Co# o" tailoring, gi en s%ch short notice. =inished, he &ent o%t the door to&ards the "lag #ridge. @=eeling #etter, JackI@ Ad$iral ;hite pointed hi$ to a tray "%ll o" c%ps. 4t &as only tea, #%t it &as a start. @'hank yo%, Ad$iral. 'hose "e& ho%rs really helped. 4 g%ess 4?$ in ti$e "or dinner.@ @Break"ast,@ ;hite corrected hi$ &ith a la%gh. @;hatF%h, pardon $e, Ad$iralI@ Ryan shook his head again. 0e &as still a little groggy. @'hat?s a s%nrise, Co$$ander. Change in orders, &e?re heading &est again. 'ennedy?s $o ing east at high speed, and &e?re to take station inshore.@ @;ho said, sirI@ @C4!CLA!'. 4 gather Josh%a &as not at all pleased. 9o% are to re$ain &ith %s "or the $o$ent, and %nder the circ%$stances it see$ed the reasona#le thing to let yo% sleep. 9o% did appear to need it.@ >%st ha e #een eighteen ho%rs, Ryan tho%ght. !o &onder he "elt sti"". @9o% do look $%ch #etter,@ Ad$iral ;hite noted "ro$ his leather s&i el chair. 0e got %p, took Ryan?s ar$, and g%ided hi$ a"t. @!o& "or #reak"ast. 4? e #een &aiting "or yo%. Captain

0%nter &ill #rie" yo% on yo%r re ised orders. ;eather?s clearing %p "or a "e& days, they tell $e. Escort assign$ents are #eing resh%""led. ;e?re to operate in conC%nction &ith yo%r Ne) =ersey gro%p. *%r antis%#$arine operations #egin in earnest in another t&el e ho%rs. 4t?s a good thing yo% got that e7tra sleep, lad. 9o%?ll #loody need it.@ Ryan ran his hand o er his "ace. @Can 4 sha e, sirI@ @;e still per$it #eards. Let it &ait %ntil a"ter #reak"ast.@ =lag D%arters on 0>, -n$incible &ere not D%ite to the standard o" those on the 'ennedyF#%t close. ;hite had a pri ate dining area. A ste&ard in a &hite li ery ser ed the$ e7pertly, setting a third place "or 0%nter, &ho appeared &ithin a "e& $in%tes. ;hen they started talking, the ste&ard &as e7c%sed. @;e rendeB o%s &ith a pair o" yo%ng 'no:2class "rigates in t&o ho%rs. ;e already ha e the$ on radar. '&o $ore 15./s, pl%s an oiler and t&o Perrys &ill Coin %s in another thirty2si7 ho%rs. 'hey &ere on their &ay ho$e "ro$ the >ed. ;ith o%r o&n escorts, a total o" nine &arships. A note&orthy collection, 4 think. ;e?ll #e &orking "i e h%ndred $iles o""shore, &ith the Ne) =ersey>Tara)a "orce t&o h%ndred $iles to o%r &est.@ @Tara)a2 ;hat do &e need a regi$ent o" $arines "orI@ Ryan asked. 0%nter e7plained #rie"ly. @!ot a #ad idea, that. 'he "%nny thing is, &ith 'ennedy racing "or the ABores, that rather lea es %s g%arding the A$erican coast.@ 0%nter grinned. @'his $ay #e the "irst ti$e the Royal !a y has e er done thatFcertainly since it #elonged to %s.@ @;hat are &e %p againstI@ @'he "irst o" the Alfas &ill #e on yo%r coast tonight, "o%r o" the$ ahead o" all the others. 'he ,o iet s%r"ace "orce passed 4celand last night. 4t?s di ided into three gro%ps. *ne is #%ilt aro%nd their carrier 'ie$, t&o cr%isers and "o%r destroyersE the second, pro#a#ly the "orce "lag, is #%ilt aro%nd 'iro$, &ith three additional cr%isers and si7 destroyersE and the third is centered on /osk$a, three $ore cr%isers and se en destroyers. 4 gather that the ,o iets &ill &ant to %se the 'ie$ and /osk$a gro%ps inshore, &ith 'iro$ g%arding the$ o%t to seaF#%t 'ennedy?s relocation &ill $ake the$ rethink that. Regardless, the total "orce carries a considera#le n%$#er o" s%r"ace2to2s%r"ace $issiles, and potentially, &e are ery e7posed. 'o help o%t &ith that, yo%r air "orce has an E2- ,entry detailed to arri e here in an ho%r to e7ercise &ith o%r 0arriers, and &hen &e get "arther &est, &e?ll ha e additional land2#ased air s%pport. *n the &hole o%r position is hardly an en ia#le one, #%t 4 an?s is rather less so. ,o "ar as the D%estion o" "inding Red October is concernedI@ 0%nter shr%gged. @0o& &e cond%ct o%r search &ill depend on ho& 4 an deploys. At the $o$ent &e?re cond%cting so$e tracking drills. 'he lead Alfa is eighty $iles north&est o" %s, stea$ing at "orty2pl%s knots, and &e ha e a helicopter in p%rs%itF&hich is ro%ghly &hat it a$o%nts to,@ the "leet operations o""icer concl%ded. @;ill yo% Coin %s #elo&I@ @Ad$iralI@ Ryan &anted to see -n$incible?s co$#at in"or$ation center. @Certainly.@ 'hirty $in%tes later Ryan &as in a darkened, D%iet roo$ &hose &alls &ere a solid #ank o" electronic instr%$ents and glass plotting panels. 'he Atlantic *cean &as "%ll o" R%ssian s%#$arines. 'he ;hite 0o%se 'he ,o iet a$#assador entered the * al *""ice a $in%te early, at 15K.9 A.>. 0e &as a short, o er&eight $an &ith a #road ,la ic "ace and eyes that &o%ld ha e done a pro"essional ga$#ler

pro%d. 'hey re ealed nothing. 0e &as a career diplo$at, ha ing ser ed in a n%$#er o" posts thro%gho%t the ;estern &orld, and a thirty2year $e$#er o" the Co$$%nist party?s =oreign Lepart$ent. @8ood $orning, >r. +resident, Lr. +elt,@ Ale7ei Ar#ato nodded politely to #oth $en. 'he president, he noted at once, &as seated #ehind his desk. E ery other ti$e he?d #een here the president had co$e aro%nd the desk to shake hands, then sat do&n #eside hi$. @0elp yo%rsel" to so$e co""ee, >r. A$#assador,@ +elt o""ered. 'he special assistant to the president "or national sec%rity a""airs &as &ell kno&n to Ar#ato . Je""rey +elt &as an acade$ic "ro$ the 8eorgeto&n 6ni ersity?s Center "or ,trategic and 4nternational ,t%diesFan ene$y, #%t a &ell2$annered, kulturny ene$y. Ar#ato had a "ondness "or the niceties o" "or$al #eha ior. 'oday, +elt &as standing at his #oss?s side, %n&illing to co$e too close to the R%ssian #ear. Ar#ato did not get hi$sel" any co""ee. @>r. A$#assador,@ +elt #egan, @&e ha e noted a tro%#ling increase in ,o iet na al acti ity in the !orth Atlantic.@ @*hI@ Ar#ato ?s eye#ro&s shot %p in a display o" s%rprise that "ooled no one, and he kne& it. @4 ha e no kno&ledge o" this. As yo% kno&, 4 ha e ne er #een a sailor.@ @,hall &e dispense &ith the #%llshit, >r. A$#assadorI@ the president said. Ar#ato did not per$it hi$sel" to #e s%rprised #y the %lgarity. 4t $ade the A$erican president see$ ery R%ssian, and like ,o iet o""icials he see$ed to need a pro"essional like +elt aro%nd to s$ooth the edges. @9o% certainly ha e nearly a h%ndred na al essels operating in the !orth Atlantic or heading in that direction. Chair$an !ar$ono and $y predecessor agreed years ago that no s%ch operation &o%ld take place &itho%t prior noti"ication. 'he p%rpose o" this agree$ent, as yo% kno&, &as to pre ent acts that $ight appear to #e %nd%ly pro ocati e to one side or the other. 'his agree$ent has #een keptF%ntil no&. @!o&, $y $ilitary ad isers tell $e that &hat is going on looks ery $%ch like a &ar e7ercise, indeed, co%ld #e the prec%rsor to a &ar. 0o& are &e to tell the di""erenceI 9o%r ships are no& passing east o" 4celand, and &ill soon #e in a position "ro$ &hich they can threaten o%r trade ro%tes to E%rope. 'his sit%ation is at the least %nsettling, and at the $ost a gra e and &holly %n&arranted pro ocation. 'he scope o" this action has not yet #een $ade p%#lic. 'hat &ill change, and &hen it does, Ale7, the A$erican people &ill de$and action on $y part.@ 'he president pa%sed, e7pecting a response #%t getting only a nod. +elt &ent on "or hi$. @>r. A$#assador, yo%r co%ntry has seen "it to cast aside an agree$ent &hich "or years has #een a $odel o" East2;est cooperation. 0o& can yo% e7pect %s to regard this as anything other than a pro ocationI@ @>r. +resident, Lr. +elt, tr%ly 4 ha e no kno&ledge o" this.@ Ar#ato lied &ith the %t$ost sincerity. @4 &ill contact >osco& at once to ascertain the "acts. 4s there any $essage yo% &ish $e to pass alongI@ @9es. As yo% and yo%r s%periors in >osco& &ill %nderstand,@ the president said, @&e &ill deploy o%r ships and aircra"t to o#ser e yo%rs. +r%dence reD%ires this. ;e ha e no &ish to inter"ere &ith &hate er legiti$ate operations yo%r "orces $ay #e engaged in. 4t is not o%r intention to $ake a pro ocation o" o%r o&n, #%t %nder the ter$s o" o%r agree$ent &e ha e the right to kno& &hat is going on, >r. A$#assador. 6ntil &e do, &e are %na#le to iss%e the proper orders to o%r $en. 4t &o%ld #e &ell "or yo%r go ern$ent to consider that ha ing so $any o" yo%r ships and o%r ships, yo%r aircra"t and o%r aircra"t in close pro7i$ity is an inherently dangero%s sit%ation. Accidents can happen. An action #y one side or the other &hich at another ti$e &o%ld see$ har$less $ight see$ to #e so$ething else entirely. ;ars ha e #eg%n in this

&ay, >r. A$#assador.@ 'he president leaned #ack .to let that tho%ght hang in the air "or a $o$ent. ;hen he &ent on, he spoke $ore gently. @*" co%rse, 4 regard this possi#ility as re$ote, #%t is it not irresponsi#le to take s%ch chancesI@ @>r. +resident, yo% $ake yo%r point &ell, as al&ays, #%t as yo% kno&, the sea is "ree "or the passage o" all, andF@ @>r. A$#assador,@ +elt interr%pted, @consider a si$ple analogy. 9o%r ne7t2door neigh#or #egins to patrol his "ront yard &ith a loaded shotg%n &hile yo%r children are at play in yo%r o&n "ront yard. 4n this co%ntry s%ch action &o%ld #e technically legal. E en so, &o%ld it not #e a $atter o" concernI@ @,o it &o%ld, Lr. +elt, #%t the sit%ation yo% descri#e is ery di""erentF@ !o& the president interr%pted. @4ndeed it is. 'he sit%ation at hand is "ar $ore dangero%s. 4t is the #reach o" an agree$ent, and 4 "ind that especially disD%ieting. 4 had hoped that &e &ere entering a ne& era o" ,o iet2A$erican relations. ;e ha e settled o%r trade di""erences. ;e ha e C%st concl%ded a ne& grain agree$ent. 9o% had a $aCor part in that. ;e ha e #een $o ing "or&ard, >r. A$#assadorFis this at an endI@ 'he president shook his head e$phatically. @4 hope not, #%t the choice is yo%rs. 'he relationship #et&een o%r co%ntries can only #e #ased on tr%st. @>r. A$#assador, 4 tr%st that 4 ha e not alar$ed yo%. As yo% kno&, it is $y ha#it to speak plainly. 4 personally dislike the greasy dissi$%lation o" diplo$acy. At ti$es like this, &e $%st co$$%nicate D%ickly and clearly. ;e ha e a dangero%s sit%ation #e"ore %s, and &e $%st &ork together, rapidly, to resol e it. >y $ilitary co$$anders are greatly concerned, and 4 need to kno&FtodayF&hat yo%r na al "orces are %p to. 4 e7pect a reply #y se en this e ening. =ailing that 4 &ill #e on the direct line to >osco& to de$and one.@ Ar#ato stood. @>r. +resident, 4 &ill trans$it yo%r $essage &ithin the ho%r. +lease keep in $ind, ho&e er, the ti$e di""erential #et&een ;ashington and >osco&F@ @4 kno& that a &eekend has C%st #eg%n, and that the ,o iet 6nion is a &orker?s paradise, #%t 4 e7pect that so$e o" yo%r co%ntry?s $anagers $ay still #e at &ork. 4n any case, 4 &ill detain yo% no "%rther. 8ood day.@ +elt led Ar#ato o%t, then ca$e #ack and sat do&n. @>ay#e 4 &as C%st a little to%gh on hi$,@ the president said. @9es, sir.@ +elt tho%ght that he had #een too da$ned to%gh. 0e had little a""ection "or the R%ssian #%t he too liked the niceties o" diplo$atic e7change. @4 think &e can say that yo% s%cceeded in getting yo%r $essage across.@ @0e kno&s.@ @0e kno&s. B%t he doesn?t kno& &e kno&.@ @;e think,@ the president gri$aced. @;hat a craBy godda$ned ga$e this isJ And to think 4 had a nice, sa"e career going "or $e p%tting $a"iosi in Cail . . . Lo yo% think he?ll snap at the #ait 4 o""eredI@ @?Legiti$ate operationsI? Lid yo% see his hands t&itch at thatI 0e?ll go a"ter it like a $arlin a"ter a sD%id.@ +elt &alked o er to po%r hi$sel" hal" a c%p o" co""ee. 4t pleased hi$ that the china ser ice &as gold tri$$ed. @4 &onder &hat they?ll call itI Legiti$ate operations . . . pro#a#ly a resc%e $ission. 4" they call it a "leet e7ercise they ad$it to iolating the noti"ication protocol. A resc%e operation C%sti"ies the le el o" acti ity, the speed &ith &hich it &as laid on, and the lack o" p%#licity. 'heir press ne er reports this sort o" thing. As a g%ess, 4?d say they?ll call it a resc%e, say a s%#$arine is $issing, $ay#e e en to the point o" calling it a $issile s%#.@ @!o, they &on?t go that "ar. ;e also ha e that agree$ent a#o%t keeping o%r $issile s%#s "i e

h%ndred $iles o""shore. Ar#ato pro#a#ly has his instr%ctions on &hat to tell %s already, #%t he?ll play "or all the ti$e he can. 4t?s also ag%ely possi#le that he?s in the dark. ;e kno& ho& they co$part$entaliBe in"or$ation. 9o% s%ppose &e?re reading too $%ch into this talent "or o#"%scationI@ @4 think not, sir. 4t is a principle o" diplo$acy,@ +elt o#ser ed, @that one $%st kno& so$ething o" the tr%th in order to lie con incingly.@ 'he president s$iled. @;ell, they? e had eno%gh ti$e to play this ga$e. 4 hope $y #elated reaction &ill not disappoint the$.@ @!o, sir. Ale7 $%st ha e hal" e7pected yo% to kick hi$ o%t the door.@ @'he tho%ght?s occ%rred to $e $ore than once. 0is diplo$atic char$ has al&ays #een lost on $e. 'hat?s the one thing a#o%t the R%ssiansFthey re$ind $e so $%ch o" the $a"ia chie"tains 4 %sed to prosec%te. 'he sa$e s$attering o" c%lt%re and good $anners, and the sa$e a#sence o" $orality.@ 'he president shook his head. 0e &as talking like a ha&k again. @,tay close, Je"". 4 ha e 8eorge =ar$er co$ing in here in a "e& $in%tes, #%t 4 &ant yo% aro%nd &hen o%r "riend co$es #ack.@ +elt &alked #ack to his o""ice pondering the president?s re$ark. 4t &as, he ad$itted to hi$sel", cr%dely acc%rate. 'he $ost &o%nding ins%lt to an ed%cated R%ssian &as to #e called nekulturny, %nc%lt%redFthe ter$ didn?t translate adeD%atelyFyet the sa$e $en &ho sat in the gilt #o7es at the >osco& ,tate *pera &eeping at the end o" a per"or$ance o" #oris 3uduno$ co%ld i$$ediately t%rn aro%nd and order the e7ec%tion or i$prison$ent o" a h%ndred $en &itho%t #linking. A strange people, $ade $ore strange #y their political philosophy. B%t the president had too $any sharp edges, and +elt &ished he?d learn to so"ten the$. A speech in "ront o" the A$erican Legion &as one thing, a disc%ssion &ith the a$#assador o" a "oreign po&er &as so$ething else. C4A 0eadD%arters @CARL4!AL?s in tro%#le, J%dge.@ Ritter sat do&n. @!o s%rprise there.@ >oore re$o ed his glasses and r%##ed his eyes. ,o$ething Ryan had not seen &as the co er note "ro$ the station chie" in >osco& saying that to get his latest signal o%t, CARL4!AL had #ypassed hal" the co%rier chain that ran "ro$ the Are$lin to the 6.,. e$#assy. 'he agent &as getting #old in his old age. @;hat does the station chie" say e7actlyI@ @CARL4!AL?s s%pposed to #e in the hospital &ith pne%$onia. >ay#e it?s tr%e, #%t . . .@ @0e?s getting old, and it is &inter o er there, #%t &ho #elie es in coincidencesI@ >oore looked do&n at his desk. @;hat do yo% s%ppose they?d do i" they? e t%rned hi$I@ @0e?d die D%ietly. Lepends on &ho t%rned hi$. 4" it &as the A8B, they $ight &ant to $ake so$ething o%t o" it, especially since o%r "riend Andropo took a lot o" their prestige &ith hi$ &hen he le"t. B%t 4 don?t think so. 8i en &ho his sponsor is, it &o%ld raise too $%ch o" a r%ck%s. ,a$e thing i" the 8R6 t%rns hi$. !o, they?d grill hi$ "or a "e& &eeks, then D%ietly do a&ay &ith hi$. A p%#lic trial &o%ld #e too co%nterprod%cti e.@ J%dge >oore "ro&ned. 'hey so%nded like doctors disc%ssing a ter$inally ill patient. 0e didn?t e en kno& &hat CARL4!AL looked like. 'here &as a photograph so$e&here in the "ile, #%t he had ne er seen it. 4t &as easier that &ay. As an appellate co%rt C%dge he had ne er had to look a de"endant in the eyeE he?d C%st re ie&ed the la& in a detached &ay. 0e tried to keep his ste&ardship o" the C4A the sa$e &ay. >oore kne& that this $ight #e percei ed as co&ardly,

and &as ery di""erent "ro$ &hat people e7pect o" a LC4F#%t e en spies got old, and old $en de eloped consciences and do%#ts that rarely tro%#led the yo%ng. 4t &as ti$e to lea e the @Co$pany.@ !early three years, it &as eno%gh. 0e?d acco$plished &hat he &as s%pposed to do. @'ell the station chie" to layo"". !o inD%iries o" any kind directed at CARL4!AL. 4" he?s really sick, &e?ll #e hearing "ro$ hi$ again. 4" not, &e?ll kno& that soon eno%gh, too.@ @Right.@ Ritter had s%cceeded in con"ir$ing CARL4!AL?s reports. *ne agent had reported that the "leet &as sailing &ith additional political o""icers, another that the s%r"ace "orce &as co$$anded #y an acade$ic sailor and crony o" 8orshko , &ho had "lo&n to ,e ero$orsk and #oarded the 'iro$ $in%tes #e"ore the "leet had sailed. 'he na al architect &ho &as #elie ed to ha e designed the Red October &as s%pposed to ha e gone &ith hi$. A British agent had reported that detonators "or the ario%s &eapons carried #y the s%r"ace ships had #een hastily taken a#oard "ro$ their %s%al storage depots ashore. =inally, there &as an %ncon"ir$ed report that Ad$iral Aoro , co$$ander o" the !orthern =leet, &as not at his co$$and postE his &herea#o%ts &ere %nkno&n. 'ogether the in"or$ation &as eno%gh to con"ir$ the ;4LL*; report, and $ore &as still corning in. 'he 6.,. !a al Acade$y @,kipI@ @*h, ho&dy, Ad$iral. ;ill yo% Coin $eI@ 'yler &a ed to a acant chair across the ta#le. @4 got a $essage "ro$ the +entagon "or yo%.@ 'he s%perintendent o" the !a al Acade$y, a "or$er s%#$arine o""icer, sat do&n. @9o% ha e an appoint$ent tonight at 19-5 ho%rs. 'hat?s all they said.@ @8reatJ@ 'yler &as C%st "inishing his l%nch. 0e?d #een &orking on the si$%lation progra$ nearly aro%nd the clock since >onday. 'he appoint$ent $eant that he &o%ld ha e access to the air "orce?s Cray2/ tonight. 0is progra$ &as C%st a#o%t ready. @;hat?s this all a#o%t any&ayI@ @,orry, sir, 4 can?t say. 9o% kno& ho& it is.@ 'he ;hite 0o%se 'he ,o iet a$#assador &as #ack at "o%r in the a"ternoon. 'o a oid press notice he had #een taken into the 'reas%ry #%ilding across the street "ro$ the ;hite 0o%se and #ro%ght thro%gh a connecting t%nnel &hich "e& kne& e7isted. 'he president hoped that he had "o%nd this %nsettling. +elt h%stled in to #e there &hen Ar#ato arri ed. @>r. +resident,@ Ar#ato reported, standing at attention. 'he president had not kno&n that he had any $ilitary e7perience. @4 a$ instr%cted to con ey to yo% the regrets o" $y go ern$ent that there has not #een ti$e to in"or$ yo% o" this. *ne o" o%r n%clear s%#$arines is $issing and pres%$ed lost. ;e are cond%cting an e$ergency resc%e operation.@ 'he president nodded so#erly, $otioning the a$#assador to a chair. +elt sat ne7t to hi$. @'his is so$e&hat e$#arrassing, >r. +resident. 9o% see, in o%r na y as in yo%rs, d%ty on a n%clear s%#$arine is a posting o" the greatest i$portance, and conseD%ently those selected "or it are a$ong o%r #est ed%cated and tr%sted $en. 4n this partic%lar case se eral $e$#ers o" the

cre&Fthe o""icers, that isFare sons o" high +arty o""icials. *ne is e en the son o" a Central Co$$ittee $e$#erF4 cannot say &hich, o" co%rse. 'he ,o iet !a y?s great e""ort to "ind her sons is %nderstanda#le, tho%gh 4 ad$it a #it %ndisciplined.@ Ar#ato "eigned e$#arrass$ent #ea%ti"%lly, speaking as tho%gh he &ere con"iding a great "a$ily secret. @'here"ore, this has de eloped into &hat yo%r people call an ?all hands? operation. As yo% %ndo%#tedly kno&, it &as %ndertaken irt%ally o ernight.@ @4 see,@ the president said sy$pathetically. @'hat $akes $e "eel a little #etter, Ale7. Je"", 4 think it?s late eno%gh in the day. 0o& a#o%t yo% "i7 %s all a drink. Bo%r#on, Ale7I@ @9es, thank yo%, sir.@ +elt &alked o er to a rose&ood ca#inet against the &all. 'he ornate antiD%e contained a s$all #ar, co$plete &ith an ice #%cket &hich &as stocked e ery a"ternoon. 'he president o"ten liked to ha e a drink or t&o #e"ore dinner, so$ething else that re$inded Ar#ato o" his co%ntry$en. Lr. +elt had had a$ple e7perience playing presidential #artender. 4n a "e& $in%tes he ca$e #ack &ith three glasses in his hands. @'o tell yo% the tr%th, &e rather s%spected this &as a resc%e operation,@ +elt said. @4 don?t kno& ho& &e get o%r yo%ng $en to do this sort o" &ork.@ 'he president sipped at his drink. Ar#ato &orked hard on his. 0e had said "reD%ently at local cocktail parties that he pre"erred A$erican #o%r#on to his nati e odka. >ay#e it &as tr%e. @;e? e lost a pair o" n%clear #oats, 4 #elie e. 0o& $any does this $ake "or yo%, three, "o%rI@ @4 don?t kno&, >r. +resident. 4 e7pect yo%r in"or$ation on this is #etter than $y o&n.@ 'he president noted that he had C%st told the tr%th "or the "irst ti$e today. @Certainly 4 can agree &ith yo% that s%ch d%ty is #oth dangero%s and de$anding.@ @0o& $any $en a#oard, Ale7I@ the president asked. @4 ha e no idea. A h%ndred $ore or less, 4 s%ppose. 4? e ne er #een a#oard a na al essel.@ @>ostly kids, pro#a#ly, C%st like o%r cre&s. 4t is indeed a sad co$$entary on #oth o%r co%ntries that o%r $%t%al s%spicions $%st conde$n so $any o" o%r #est yo%ng $en to s%ch haBards, &hen &e kno& that so$e &on?t #e co$ing #ack. B%tFho& can it #e other&iseI@ 'he president pa%sed, t%rning to look o%t the &indo&s. 'he sno& &as $elting on the ,o%th La&n. 4t &as ti$e "or his ne7t line. @+erhaps &e can help,@ the president o""ered spec%lati ely. @9es, perhaps &e can %se this tragedy as an opport%nity to red%ce those s%spicions #y so$e s$all a$o%nt. +erhaps &e can $ake so$ething good co$e "ro$ this to de$onstrate that o%r relations really ha e i$pro ed.@ +elt t%rned a&ay, "%$#ling "or his pipe. 4n their $any years o" "riendship he co%ld ne er %nderstand ho& the president got a&ay &ith so $%ch. +elt had $et hi$ at ;ashington 6ni ersity, &hen he &as $aCoring in political science, the president in prela&. Back then the chie" e7ec%ti e had #een president o" the dra$atics society. Certainly a$ate%r theatrics had helped his legal career. 4t &as said that at least one >a"ia don had #een sent %p the ri er #y sheer rhetoric. 'he president re"erred to it as his sincere act. @>r. A$#assador, 4 o""er yo% the assistance and the reso%rces o" the 6nited ,tates in the search "or yo%r $issing co%ntry$en.@ @'hat is $ost kind o" yo%, >r. +resident, #%tF@ 'he president held his hand %p. @!o #%ts, Ale7. 4" &e cannot cooperate in so$ething like this, ho& can &e hope to cooperate in $ore serio%s $attersI 4" $e$ory ser es, last year &hen one o" o%r na y patrol aircra"t crashed o"" the Ale%tians, one o" yo%r "ishing essels@Fit had #een an intelligence tra&lerF@picked %p the cre&, sa ed their li es. Ale7, &e o&e yo% a de#t "or that, a de#t o" honor, and the 6nited ,tates &ill not #e said to #e %ngrate"%l.@ 0e pa%sed "or

e""ect. @'hey?re pro#a#ly all dead, yo% kno&. 4 don?t s%ppose there?s $ore chance o" s%r i ing a s%# accident than o" s%r i ing a plane crash. B%t at least the cre&?s "a$ilies &ill kno&. Je"", don?t &e ha e so$e specialiBed s%#$arine resc%e eD%ip$entI@ @;ith all the $oney &e gi e the na yI ;e da$ned &ell o%ght to. 4?ll call =oster a#o%t it.@ @8ood,@ the president said. @Ale7, it is too $%ch to e7pect that yo%r $%t%al s%spicions &ill #e allayed #y so$ething so s$all as this. 9o%r history and o%rs conspire against %s. B%t let?s $ake a s$all #eginning &ith this. 4" &e can shake hands in space or o er a con"erence ta#le in :ienna, $ay#e &e can do it here also. 4 &ill gi e the necessary instr%ctions to $y co$$anders as soon as &e?re "inished here.@ @'hank yo%, >r. +resident.@ Ar#ato concealed his %neasiness. @And please con ey $y respects to Chair$an !ar$ono and $y sy$pathy "or the "a$ilies o" yo%r $issing $en. 4 appreciate his e""ort, and yo%rs, in getting this in"or$ation to %s.@ @9es. >r. +resident.@ Ar#ato rose. 0e le"t a"ter shaking hands. ;hat &ere the A$ericans really %p toI 0e?d &arned >osco&K call it a resc%e $ission and they?d de$and to help. 4t &as their st%pid Christ$as season, and A$ericans &ere addicted to happy endings. 4t &as $adness not to call it so$ething elseFto hell &ith the protocol. At the sa$e ti$e he &as "orced to ad$ire the A$erican president. A strange $an, ery open, yet "%ll o" g%ile. A "riendly $an $ost o" the ti$e, yet al&ays ready to seiBe the ad antage. 0e re$e$#ered stories his grand$other had told, a#o%t ho& the gypsies s&itched #a#ies. 'he A$erican president &as ery R%ssian. @;ell,@ the president said a"ter the doors closed, @no& &e can keep a nice close eye on the$, and they can?t co$plain. 'hey?re lying and &e kno& itF#%t they don?t kno& &e kno&. And &e?re lying, and they certainly s%spect it, #%t not &hy &e?re lying. 8a&dJ and 4 told hi$ this $orning that not kno&ing &as dangero%sJ Je"", 4? e #een thinking a#o%t this. 4 do not like the "act that so $%ch o" their na y is operating o"" o%r coast. Ryan &as right, the Atlantic is o%r ocean. 4 &ant the air "orce and the na y to co er the$ like a godda$ned #lanketJ 'hat?s o%r ocean, and 4 da$ned &ell &ant the$ to kno& it.@ 'he president "inished o"" his drink. @*n the D%estion o" the s%#, 4 &ant o%r people to ha e a good look at it, and &hoe er o" the cre& &ants to de"ect, &e take care o". O%ietly, o" co%rse.@ @*" co%rse. As a practical $atter, ha ing the o""icers is as great a co%p as ha ing the s%#$arine.@ @B%t the na y still &ants to keep it.@ @4 C%st don?t see ho& &e can do that, not &itho%t eli$inating the cre&$en, and &e can?t do that.@ @Agreed.@ 'he president #%BBed his secretary. @8et $e 8eneral 0ilton.@ 'he +entagon 'he air "orce?s co$p%ter center &as in a s%##ase$ent o" the +entagon. 'he roo$ te$perat%re &as &ell #elo& se enty degrees. 4t &as eno%gh to $ake 'yler?s leg ache &here it $et the $etal2 plastic prothesis. 0e &as %sed to that. 'yler &as sitting at a control console. 0e had C%st "inished a trial r%n o" his progra$, na$ed >*RA9 a"ter the icio%s eel that inha#ited oceanic ree"s. ,kip 'yler &as pro%d o" his progra$$ing a#ility. 0e? d taken the old dinosa%r progra$ "ro$ the "iles o" the 'aylor La#, adapted it to the co$$on Le"ense Lepart$ent co$p%ter lang%age, ALAFna$ed "or Lady Ada

Lo elace, da%ghter o" Lord ByronFand then tightened it %p. =or $ost people this &o%ld ha e #een a $onth?s &ork. 0e?d done it in "o%r days, &orking al$ost aro%nd the clock not only #eca%se the $oney &as an attracti e incenti e #%t also #eca%se the proCect &as a pro"essional challenge. 0e ended the Co# D%ietly satis"ied that he co%ld still $eet an i$possi#le deadline &ith ti$e to spare. 4t &as eight in the e ening. >*RA9 had C%st r%n thro%gh a one2 aria#le2 al%e test and not crashed. 0e &as ready. 0e?d ne er seen the Cray2/ #e"ore, e7cept in photographs, and he &as pleased to ha e a chance to %se it. 'he 2/ &as "i e %nits o" ra& electrical po&er, each one ro%ghly pentagonal in shape, a#o%t si7 "eet high and "o%r across. 'he largest %nit &as the $ain2"ra$e processor #ankE the other "o%r &ere $e$ory #anks, arrayed aro%nd it in a cr%ci"or$ con"ig%ration. 'yler typed in the co$$and to load his aria#le sets. =or each o" the Red October?s $ain di$ensionsF length, #ea$, heightFhe inp%t ten discrete n%$erical al%es. 'hen ca$e si7 s%#tly di""erent al%es "or her h%ll "or$ #lock and pris$atic coe""icients. 'here &ere "i e sets o" t%nnel di$ensions. 'his aggregated to o er thirty tho%sand possi#le per$%tations. !e7t he keyed in eighteen po&er aria#les to co er the range o" possi#le engine syste$s. 'he Cray2/ a#sor#ed this in"or$ation and placed each n%$#er in its proper slot. 4t &as ready to r%n. @*kay,@ he anno%nced to the syste$ operator, an air "orce $aster sergeant. @Roge.@ 'he sergeant typed @MO'@ into his ter$inal. 'he Cray2/ &ent to &ork. 'yler &alked o er to the sergeant?s console. @'hat?s a right lengthy progra$ yo%? e inp%t, sir.@ 'he sergeant laid a ten2dollar #ill on the top o" the console. @Betcha $y #a#y can r%n it in ten $in%tes.@ @!ot a chance.@ 'yler laid his o&n #ill ne7t to the sergeant?s. @=i"teen $in%tes, easy.@ @,plit the di""erenceI@ @Alright. ;here?s the head aro%nd hereI@ @*%t the door, sir, t%rn right, go do&n the hall and it?s on the le"t.@ 'yler $o ed to&ards the door. 4t annoyed hi$ that he co%ld not &alk grace"%lly, #%t a"ter "o%r years the incon enience &as a $inor one. 0e &as ali eFthat?s &hat co%nted. 'he accident had occ%rred on a cold, clear night in 8roton, Connectic%t, only a #lock "ro$ the shipyard?s $ain gate. *n =riday at three in the $orning he &as dri ing ho$e a"ter a t&enty2ho%r day getting his ne& co$$and ready "or sea. 'he ci ilian yard &orker had had a long day also, stopping o"" at a "a orite &atering hole "or a "e& too $any, as the police esta#lished a"ter&ards. 0e got into his car, started it, and ran a red light, ra$$ing 'yler?s +ontiac #roadside at "i"ty $iles per ho%r. =or hi$ the accident &as "atal. ,kip &as l%ckier. 4t &as at an intersection, and he had the green lightE &hen he sa& the "ront end o" the =ord not a "oot "ro$ his le"t2side door, it &as "ar too late. 0e did not re$e$#er going thro%gh a pa&nshop &indo&, and the ne7t &eek, &hen he ho ered near death at the 9ale)!e& 0a en hospital, &as a co$plete #lank. 0is $ost i id $e$ory &as o" &aking %p, eight days later he &as to learn, to see his &i"e, Jean, holding his hand. 0is $arriage %p to that point had #een a tro%#led one, not an %nco$$on pro#le$ "or n%clear s%#$arine o""icers. 0is "irst sight o" her &as not a co$pli$entary oneFher eyes &ere #loodshot, her hair &as to%sledF#%t she had ne er looked D%ite so good. 0e had ne er appreciated C%st ho& i$portant she &as. A lot $ore i$portant than hal" a leg. @,kipI ,kip 'ylerJ@ 'he "or$er s%#$ariner t%rned a&k&ardly to see a na al o""icer r%nning to&ards hi$. @Johnnie Cole$anJ 0o& the hell are yo%J@ 4t &as Captain Cole$an no&, 'yler noted. 'hey had ser ed together t&ice, a year on the Tecumseh, another on the (hark. Cole$an, a &eapons e7pert, had co$$anded a pair o" n%clear

s%#s. @0o&?s the "a$ily, ,kipI@ @Jean?s "ine. =i e kids no&, and another on the &ay.@ @La$nJ@ they shook hands &ith enth%sias$. @9o% al&ays &ere a randy #%gger. 4 hear yo%?re teaching at Annapolis.@ @9eah, and a little engineering st%"" on the side.@ @;hat are yo% doing hereI@ @4?$ r%nning a progra$ on the air "orce co$p%ter. Checking a ne& ship con"ig%ration "or ,ea ,yste$s Co$$and.@ 4t &as an acc%rate eno%gh co er story. @;hat do they ha e yo% doingI@ @*+25/?s o""ice. 4?$ chie" o" sta"" "or Ad$iral Lodge.@ @4ndeedI@ 'yler &as i$pressed. :ice Ad$iral ,a$ Lodge &as the c%rrent *+25/. 'he o""ice o" the dep%ty chie" o" na al operations "or s%#$arine &ar"are had ad$inistrati e control o" all aspects o" s%#$arine operations. @Aeeping yo% #%syI@ @9o% kno& itJ 'he crap?s really hit the "an.@ @;hat do yo% $eanI@ 'yler hadn?t seen the ne&s or read a paper since >onday. @9o% kiddingI@ @4? e #een &orking on this co$p%ter progra$ t&enty ho%rs a day since >onday, and 4 don?t get ops dispatches any$ore.@ 'yler "ro&ned. 0e had heard so$ething the other day at the Acade$y #%t not paid any attention to it. 0e &as the sort &ho co%ld "oc%s his &hole $ind on a single pro#le$. Cole$an looked %p and do&n the corridor. 4t &as late on a =riday e ening, and they had it entirely to the$sel es. @8%ess 4 can tell yo%. *%r R%ssian "riends ha e so$e sort o" $aCor e7ercise laid on. 'heir &hole !orthern =leet?s at sea, or da$ned near. 'hey ha e s%#s all o er the place.@ @Loing &hatI@ @;e?re not s%re. Looks like they $ight ha e a $aCor search and resc%e operation. 'he D%estion is, a"ter &hatI 'hey ha e "o%r Alfas doing a $a7 speed r%n "or o%r coast right no&, &ith a gaggle o" %ictors and "harlies charging in #ehind the$. At "irst &e &ere &orried that they &anted to #lock the trade ro%tes, #%t they #litBed right past those. 'hey?re de"initely heading "or o%r coast, and &hate er they?re %p to, &e?re getting tons o" in"or$ation.@ @;hat do they ha e $o ingI@ 'yler asked. @=i"ty2eight n%clear s%#s, and thirty or so s%r"ace ships.@ @8a&dJ C4!CLA!' $%st #e going apeJ@ @9o% kno& it, ,kip. 'he "leet?s at sea, all o" it. E ery n%ke &e ha e is scra$#ling "or a redeploy$ent. E ery +2- Lockheed e er $ade is either o er the Atlantic or heading that &ay.@ Cole$an pa%sed. @9o%?re still cleared, rightI@ @,%re, "or the &ork 4 do "or the Crystal City gang. 4 had a piece o" the e al%ation o" the ne& 'iro$.@ @4 tho%ght that so%nded like yo%r &ork. 9o% al&ays &ere a pretty good engineer. 9o% kno&, the old $an still talks a#o%t that Co# yo% did "or hi$ on the old Tecumseh. >ay#e 4 can get yo% in to see &hat?s happening. 9eah, 4?ll ask hi$.@ 'yler?s "irst cr%ise a"ter grad%ating "ro$ n%c school in 4daho had #een &ith Lodge. 0e?d done a tricky repair Co# on so$e ancillary reactor eD%ip$ent t&o &eeks earlier than esti$ated &ith a little creati e e""ort and so$e #ack2channel proc%re$ent o" spare parts. 'his had earned hi$ and Lodge a "lo&ery letter o" co$$endation. @4 #et the old $an &o%ld lo e to see yo%. ;hen &ill yo% #e "inished do&n hereI@

@>ay#e hal" an ho%r.@ @9o% kno& &here to "ind $eI@ @0a e they $o ed *+25/I@ @,a$e place. Call $e &hen yo%?re "inished. >y e7tension is (8(-5. *kayI 4 gotta get #ack.@ @Right.@ 'yler &atched his old "riend disappear do&n the corridor, then proceeded on his &ay to the $en?s roo$, &ondering &hat the R%ssians &ere %p to. ;hate er it &as, it &as eno%gh to keep a three2star ad$iral and his "o%r2striped captain &orking on a =riday night in Christ$as season. @Ele en $in%tes, .-.18 seconds, sir,@ the sergeant reported, pocketing #oth #ills. 'he co$p%ter printo%t &as o er t&o h%ndred pages o" data. 'he co er sheet plotted a ro%gh2 looking #ell c%r e o" speed sol%tions, and #elo& it &as the noise prediction c%r e. 'he case2#y2 case sol%tions &ere printed indi id%ally on the re$aining sheets. 'he c%r es &ere predicta#ly $essy. 'he speed c%r e sho&ed the $aCority o" sol%tions in the ten2 to t&el e2 knot range, the total range going "ro$ se en to eighteen knots. 'he noise c%r e &as s%rprisingly lo&. @,ergeant, that?s one hell o" a $achine yo% ha e here.@ @Belie e it, sir. And relia#le. ;e ha en?t had an electronic "a%lt all $onth.@ @Can 4 %se a phoneI@ @,%re, take yo%r pick, sir.@ @*kay, ,arge.@ 'yler picked %p the nearest phone. @*h, and d%$p the progra$.@ @*kay.@ 0e typed in so$e instr%ctions. @>*RA9 is . . . gone. 0ope yo% kept a copy, sir.@ 'yler nodded and dialed the phone. @*+25/A, Captain Cole$an.@ @Johnnie, this is ,kip.@ @8reatJ 0ey, the old $an &ants to see yo%. Co$e right %p.@ 'yler placed the printo%t in his #rie"case and locked it. 0e thanked the sergeant one $ore ti$e #e"ore ho##ling o%t the door, gi ing the Cray2/ one last look. 0e?d ha e to get in here again. 0e co%ld not "ind an operating ele ator and had to str%ggle %p a gently sloped ra$p. =i e $in%tes later he "o%nd a $arine g%arding the corridor. @9o% Co$$ander 'yler, sirI@ the g%ard asked. @Can 4 see so$e 4L, pleaseI@ 'yler sho&ed the corporal his +entagon pass, &ondering ho& $any one2legged "or$er s%#$arine o""icers there $ight #e. @'hank yo%, Co$$ander. +lease go do&n the corridor. 9o% kno& the roo$, sirI@ @,%re. 'hanks, Corporal.@ :ice Ad$iral Lodge &as sitting on the corner o" a desk reading o er so$e $essage "li$sies. Lodge &as a s$all, co$#ati e $an &ho?d $ade his $ark co$$anding three separate #oats, then p%shing the Los Angeles)class attack s%#$arines thro%gh their lengthy de elop$ent progra$. !o& he &as @8rand Lolphin,@ the senior ad$iral &ho "o%ght all the #attles &ith Congress. @,kip 'ylerJ 9o%?re looking good, laddy.@ Lodge ga e 'yler?s leg a "%rti e glance as he ca$e o er to take his hand. @4 hear yo%?re doing a great Co# at the Acade$y.@ @4t?s all right, sir. 'hey e en let $e sco%t the occasional #allga$e.@ @0$ph, sha$e they didn?t let yo% sco%t Ar$y.@ 'yler h%ng his head theatrically. @4 did sco%t Ar$y, sir. 'hey &ere C%st too to%gh this year. 9o% heard a#o%t their $iddle line#acker, didn?t yo%I@ @!o, &hat a#o%t hi$I@ Lodge asked. @0e picked ar$or as his d%ty assign$ent, and they ga e hi$ an early trip to =ort Ano7Fnot

to learn a#o%t tanks. 'o be a tank.@ @0aJ@ Lodge la%ghed. @Johnnie says yo% ha e a #%nch o" ne& kids.@ @!%$#er si7 is d%e the end o" =e#r%ary,@ 'yler said pro%dly. @,i7I 9o%?re not a Catholic or a >or$on, are yo%I ;hat?s &ith all this #ird hatchingI@ 'yler ga e his "or$er #oss a &ry look. 0e?d ne er %nderstood that preC%dice in the n%clear na y. 4t ca$e "ro$ Ricko er, &ho had in ented the disparaging ter$ bird hatching "or "athering $ore than one child. ;hat the hell &as &rong &ith ha ing kidsI @Ad$iral, since 4?$ not a n%c any$ore, 4 ha e to do something on nights and &eekends.@ 'yler arched his eye#ro&s lechero%sly. @4 hear the R%sskies are playing ga$es.@ Lodge &as instantly serio%s. @'hey s%re are. =i"ty2eight attack #oatsFe ery n%clear #oat in the !orthern =leetFheading this &ay &ith a #ig s%r"ace gro%p, and $ost o" their ser ice "orces tagging along.@ @Loing &hatI@ @>ay#e yo% can tell $e. Co$e on #ack to $y inner sanct%$.@ Lodge led 'yler into a roo$ &here he sa& another ne& gadget, a proCection screen that displayed the !orth Atlantic "ro$ the 'ropic o" Cancer to the polar ice pack. 0%ndreds o" ships &ere represented. 'he $erchant$en &ere &hite, &ith "lags to identi"y their nationalityE the ,o iet ships &ere red, and their shapes depicted their ship typeE the A$erican and allied ships &ere #l%e. 'he ocean &as getting cro&ded. @Christ.@ @9o% got that one right, lad,@ 'yler nodded gri$ly. @0o& are yo% clearedI@ @'op secret and so$e special things, sir. 4 see e erything &e ha e on their hard&are, and 4 do a lot o" &ork &ith ,ea ,yste$s on the side.@ @Johnnie said yo% did the e al%ation o" the ne& 'iro$ they C%st sent o%t to the +aci"icFnot #ad, #y the &ay.@ @'hese t&o Alfas heading "or !or"olkI@ @Looks like it. And they?re #%rning a lot o" ne%trons doing it.@ Lodge pointed. @'hat one?s heading to Long 4sland ,o%nd as tho%gh to #lock the entrance to !e& London and that one?s heading to Boston, 4 think. 'hese %ictors are not "ar #ehind. 'hey already ha e $ost o" the British ports staked o%t. By >onday they?ll ha e t&o or $ore s%#s o"" e ery $aCor port &e ha e.@ @4 don?t like the looks o" this, sir.@ @!either do 4. As yo% see, &e?re nearly a h%ndred percent at sea o%rsel es. 'he interesting thing, tho%ghF&hat they?re doing C%st doesn?t "ig%re. 4F@ Captain Cole$an ca$e in. @4 see yo% let the prodigal son in, sir,@ Cole$an said. @Be nice to hi$, Johnnie. 4 see$ to re$e$#er &hen he &as a right "air s%# dri er. Any&ay, at "irst it looked like they &ere going to #lock the ,L*Cs, #%t they &ent right past. ;hat &ith these Alfas, they $ight #e trying to #lockade o%r coast.@ @;hat a#o%t o%t &estI@ @!othing. !othing at all, C%st ro%tine acti ity.@ @'hat doesn?t $ake any sense,@ 'yler o#Cected. @9o% don?t ignore hal" the "leet. *" co%rse, i" yo%?re going to &ar yo% don?t anno%nce it #y kicking e ery #oat to $a7 po&er either.@ @'he R%ssians are a "%nny #%nch, ,kip,@ Cole$an pointed o%t. @Ad$iral, i" &e start shooting at the$F@ @;e h%rt ?e$,@ Lodge said. @;ith all the noise they?re $aking &e ha e good locations on near all o" ?e$. 'hey ha e to kno& that, too. 'hat?s the one thing that $akes $e #elie e they?re

not %p to anything really #ad. 'hey?re s$art eno%gh not to #e that o# io%sF%nless that?s &hat they &ant %s to think.@ @0a e they said anythingI@ 'yler asked. @'heir a$#assador says they? e lost a #oat, and since it has a #%nch o" #ig shots? kids a#oard, they laid on an all2hands resc%e $ission. =or &hat that?s &orth.@ 'yler set his #rie"case do&n and &alked closer to the screen. @4 can see the pattern "or a search and resc%e, #%t &hy #lockade o%r portsI@ 0e pa%sed, thinking rapidly as his eyes scanned the top o" the display. @,ir, 4 don?t see any #oo$ers %p here.@ @'hey?re in portFall o" ?e$, on #oth oceans. 'he last !elta tied %p a "e& ho%rs ago. 'hat?s "%nny, too,@ Lodge said, looking at the screen again. @All o" the$, sirI@ 'yler asked as o""handedly as he co%ld. ,o$ething had C%st occ%rred to hi$. 'he display screen sho&ed the #remerton in the Barents ,ea #%t not her s%pposed D%arry. 0e &aited a "e& seconds "or an ans&er. 8etting none, he t%rned to see the t&o o""icers o#ser ing hi$ closely. @;hy do yo% ask, sonI@ Lodge said D%ietly. 4n ,a$ Lodge, gentleness co%ld #e a real &arning "lag. 'yler tho%ght this one o er "or a "e& seconds. 0e?d gi en Ryan his &ord. Co%ld he phrase his ans&er &itho%t co$pro$ising it and still "ind o%t &hat he &antedI 9es, he decided. 'here &as an in estigati e side to ,kip 'yler?s character, and once he &as onto so$ething, his psyche co$pelled hi$ to r%n it do&n. @Ad$iral, do they ha e a $issile s%# at sea, a #rand ne& oneI@ Lodge stood ery straight. E en so he still had to look %p at the yo%nger $an. ;hen he spoke, his oice &as glacial. @E7actly &here did yo% get that in"or$ation, Co$$anderI@ 'yler shook his head. @Ad$iral, 4?$ sorry, #%t 4 can?t say. 4t?s co$part$ented, sir. 4 think this is so$ething yo% o%ght to kno&, and 4?ll try to get it to yo%.@ Lodge #acked o"" to try a di""erent tack. @9o% %sed to &ork "or $e, ,kip.@ 'he ad$iral &as %nhappy. 0e?d #ent a r%le to sho& so$ething to his "or$er s%#ordinate #eca%se he kne& hi$ &ell and &as sorry that he had not recei ed the co$$and he had &orked so hard "or. 'yler &as technically a ci ilian, e en tho%gh his s%its &ere still na y #l%e. ;hat $ade it really #ad &as that he kne& so$ething hi$sel". Lodge had gi en hi$ so$e in"or$ation, and 'yler &asn?t gi ing any #ack. @,ir, 4 ga e $y &ord,@ ,kip apologiBed. @4 &ill try to get this to yo%. 'hat?s a pro$ise, sir. >ay 4 %se a phoneI@ @*%ter o""ice,@ Lodge said "latly. 'here &ere "o%r telephones &ithin sight. 'yler &ent o%t and sat at a secretary?s desk. 0e took his note#ook "ro$ a coat pocket and dialed the n%$#er on the card Ryan had le"t hi$. @Acres,@ a "e$ale oice ans&ered. @Co%ld 4 speak to Lr. Ryan, pleaseI@ @Lr. Ryan is not here at the $o$ent.@ @'hen . . . gi e $e Ad$iral 8reer, please.@ @*ne $o$ent, please.@ @Ja$es 8reerI@ Lodge &as #ehind hi$. @4s that &ho yo%?re &orking "orI@ @'his is 8reer. 9o%r na$e ,kip 'ylerI@ @9es, sir.@ @9o% ha e that in"or$ation "or $eI@ @9es, sir, 4 do.@

@;here are yo%I@ @4n the +entagon, sir.@ @*kay, 4 &ant yo% to dri e right %p here. 9o% kno& ho& to "ind the placeI 'he g%ards at the $ain gate &ill #e &aiting "or yo%. 8et $o ing, son.@ 8reer h%ng %p. @9o%?re &orking "or the C4AI@ Lodge asked. @,irF4 can?t say. 4" yo% &ill e7c%se $e, sir, 4 ha e so$e in"or$ation to deli er.@ @/ine2@ the ad$iral de$anded. @!o, sir. 4 already had it &hen 4 ca$e in here. 'hat?s the tr%th, Ad$iral. And 4 &ill try to get this #ack to yo%.@ @Call $e,@ Lodge ordered. @;e?ll #e here all night.@ C4A 0eadD%arters 'he dri e %p the 8eorge ;ashington +ark&ay &as easier than he e7pected. 'he decrepit old high&ay &as cro&ded &ith shoppers #%t $o ed along at a steady cra&l. 0e got o"" at the right e7it and presently "o%nd hi$sel" at the g%ard post "or the $ain high&ay entrance to the C4A. 'he #arrier &as do&n. @9o%r na$e 'yler, *li er ;.I@ the g%ard asked. @4L please.@ 'yler handed hi$ his +entagon pass. @*kay, Co$$ander. +%ll yo%r car right to the $ain entrance. ,o$e#ody &ill #e there to $eet yo%.@ 4t &as another t&o $in%tes to the $ain entrance thro%gh $ostly e$pty parking lots glaBed &ith ice "ro$ yesterday?s $elted sno&. 'he ar$ed g%ard &ho &as &aiting "or hi$ tried to help hi$ o%t o" the car. 'yler didn?t like to #e helped. 0e shr%gged hi$ o"". Another $an &as &aiting "or hi$ %nder the canopied $ain entrance. 'hey &ere &a ed right thro%gh to the ele ator. 0e "o%nd Ad$iral 8reer sitting in "ront o" his o""ice "ireplace, see$ingly hal" asleep. ,kip didn?t kno& that the LL4 had only ret%rned "ro$ England a "e& ho%rs earlier. 'he ad$iral ca$e to and ordered his plain2clothes sec%rity o""icer to &ithdra&. @9o% $%st #e ,kip 'yler. Co$e on o er and sit do&n.@ @'hat?s D%ite a "ire yo% ha e going there, sir.@ @4 sho%ldn?t #other. Looking at a "ire $akes $e go to sleep. *" co%rse, 4 co%ld %se a little sleep right no&. ,o, &hat do yo% ha e "or $eI@ @>ay 4 ask &here Jack isI@ @9o% $ay ask. 0e?s a&ay.@ @*h.@ 'yler %nlocked his #rie"case and re$o ed the printo%t. @,ir, 4 ran the per"or$ance $odel "or this R%ssian s%#. >ay 4 ask her na$eI@ 8reer ch%ckled. @*kay, yo%? e earned that $%ch. 0er na$e is Red October. 9o%?ll ha e to e7c%se $e, son. 4? e had a #%sy co%ple o" days, and #eing tired $akes $e "orget $y $anners. Jack says yo%?re pretty sharp. ,o does yo%r personnel "ile. !o&, yo% tell $e. ;hat?ll she doI@ @;ell, Ad$iral, &e ha e a &ide choice o" data here, andF@ @'he short ersion, Co$$ander. 4 don?t play &ith co$p%ters. 4 ha e people &ho do that "or $e.@ @=ro$ se en to eighteen knots, the #est #et is ten to t&el e. ;ith that speed range, yo% can "ig%re a radiated noise le el a#o%t the sa$e as that o" a 6ankee doing si7 knots, #%t yo%?d ha e to

"actor reactor plant noise into that also. >oreo er, the character o" the noise &ill #e di""erent "ro$ &hat &e?re %sed to. 'hese $%ltiple i$peller $odels don?t p%t o%t nor$al prop%lsion noises. 'hey see$ to generate an irreg%lar har$onic r%$#le. Lid Jack tell yo% a#o%t thisI 4t res%lts "ro$ a #ackpress%re &a e in the t%nnels. 'his "ights the &ater "lo&, and that $akes the r%$#le. E idently there?s no &ay aro%nd it. *%r g%ys spent t&o years trying to "ind one. ;hat they got &as a ne& principle o" hydrodyna$ics. 'he &ater al$ost acts like air in a Cet engine at idle or lo& speed, e7cept that &ater doesn?t co$press like air does. ,o, o%r g%ys &ill #e a#le to detect so$ething, #%t it &ill #e di""erent. 'hey?re going to ha e to get %sed to a &holly ne& aco%stical signat%re. Add to that the lo&er signal intensity, and yo% ha e a #oat that &ill #e harder to detect than anything they ha e at this ti$e.@ @,o that?s &hat all this says.@ 8reer ri""led thro%gh the pages. @9es, sir. 9o%?ll &ant to ha e yo%r o&n people look thro%gh it. 'he $odelFthe progra$, that isFco%ld stand a little i$pro e$ent. 4 didn?t ha e $%ch ti$e. Jack said yo% &anted this in a h%rry. >ay 4 ask a D%estion, sirI@ @9o% can try.@ 8reer leaned #ack, r%##ing his eyes. @4s, ah, Red October at seaI 'hat?s it, isn?t itI 'hey?re trying to locate her right no&I@ 'yler asked innocently. @6h h%h, so$ething like that. ;e co%ldn?t "ig%re &hat these doors $eant. Ryan said yo% $ight #e a#le to, and 4 s%ppose he &as right. 9o%? e earned yo%r $oney, Co$$ander. 'his data $ight C%st ena#le %s to "ind her.@ @Ad$iral, 4 think Red October is %p to so$ething, $ay#e e en trying to de"ect to the 6nited ,tates.@ 8reer?s head ca$e aro%nd. @;hate er $akes yo% think thatI@ @'he R%sskies ha e a $aCor "leet operation in progress. 'hey ha e s%#s all o er the Atlantic, and it looks like they?re trying to #lockade o%r coast. 'he story is a resc%e Co# "or a lost #oat. *kay, #%t Jack sho&s %p >onday &ith pict%res o" a ne& $issile #oatFand today 4 hear that all o" their other $issile #oats ha e #een recalled to port.@ 'yler s$iled. @'hat?s kind o" an odd set o" coincidences, sir.@ 8reer t%rned and stared at the "ire. 0e had C%st Coined the L4A &hen the ar$y and air "orce had p%lled o"" the daring raid on the ,ong 'ay prison ca$p t&enty $iles &est o" 0anoi. 'he raid had #een a "ail%re #eca%se the !orth :ietna$ese had re$o ed all o" the capt%red pilots a "e& &eeks #e"ore, so$ething that aerial photographs co%ld not deter$ine. B%t e erything else had gone per"ectly. A"ter penetrating h%ndreds o" $iles into hostile territory, the raiding "orce appeared entirely #y s%rprise and ca%ght $any o" the ca$p g%ards literally &ith their pants do&n. 'he 8reen Berets did a letter2per"ect Co# o" getting in and o%t. 4n the process they killed se eral h%ndred ene$y troops, the$sel es s%staining a single cas%alty, a #roken ankle. 'he $ost i$pressi e part o" the $ission, ho&e er, &as its secrecy. *peration A4!8+4! had #een rehearsed "or $onths, and despite this its nat%re and o#Cecti e had not #een g%essed #y "riend or ene$yF%ntil the day o" the raid itsel". *n that day a yo%ng air "orce captain o" intelligence &ent into his general?s o""ice to ask i" a deep2penetration raid into !orth :ietna$ had #een laid on "or the ,ong 'ay prisoner2o"2&ar ca$p. 0is astonished co$$ander proceeded to grill the captain at length, only to learn that the #right yo%ng o""icer had seen eno%gh disCointed #its and pieces to constr%ct a clear pict%re o" &hat &as a#o%t to happen. E ents like this ga e sec%rity o""icers peptic %lcers. @Red October?s going to de"ect, isn?t sheI@ 'yler persisted. 4" the ad$iral had had $ore sleep he $ight ha e #l%""ed it o%t. As it &as, his response &as a

$istake. @Lid Ryan tell yo% thisI@ @,ir, 4 ha en?t spoken &ith Jack since >onday. 'hat?s the tr%th, sir.@ @'hen &here did yo% get this other in"or$ationI@ 8reer snapped. @Ad$iral, 4 %sed to &ear the #l%e s%it. >ost o" $y "riends still do. 4 hear things,@ 'yler e aded. @'he &hole pict%re dropped into place an ho%r ago. 'he R%sskies ha e ne er recalled all o" their #oo$ers at once. 4 kno&, 4 %sed to h%nt the$.@ 8reer sighed. @Jack thinks the sa$e as yo%. 0e?s o%t &ith the "leet right no&. Co$$ander, i" yo% tell that to anyone, 4?ll ha e yo%r other leg $o%nted o ertop that "ireplace. Lo yo% %nderstand $eI@ @Aye aye, sir. ;hat are &e going to do &ith herI@ 'yler s$iled to hi$sel", thinking that as a senior cons%ltant to ,ea ,yste$s Co$$and, he?d s%re as hell get a chance to look at a "or2rea1 R%ssian s%#$arine. @8i e her #ack. A"ter &e? e had a chance to look her o er, o" co%rse. B%t there?s a lot o" things that co%ld happen to pre ent o%r e er seeing her.@ 4t took ,kip a $o$ent to grasp &hat he?d C%st #een told. @8i e her #ackJ ;hy, "or Christ?s sakeI@ @Co$$ander, C%st ho& likely do yo% think this scenario isI Lo yo% think the &hole cre& o" a s%#$arine has decided to co$e o er to %s all at onceI@ 8reer shook his head. @,$art $oney is that it?s only the o""icers, $ay#e not all o" the$, and that they?re trying to get o er here &itho%t the cre&?s kno&ing &hat they?re %p to.@ @*h.@ 'yler considered that. @4 s%ppose that does $ake senseF#%t &hy gi e her #ackI 'his isn?t Japan. 4" so$e#ody landed a >i82/. here &e &o%ldn?t gi e it #ack.@ @'his is not like holding onto a stray "ighter plane. 'he #oat is &orth a #illion dollars, $ore i" yo% thro& in the $issiles and &arheads. And legally, the president says, it?s their property. ,o i" they "ind o%t &e ha e her, they?ll ask "or her #ack, and &e?ll ha e to gi e her #ack. *kay, ho& &ill they kno& &e ha e herI 'hose cre& $e$#ers &ho don?t &ant to de"ect &ill ask to go ho$e. ;hoe er asks, &e send.@ @9o% kno&, sir, that &hoe er does &ant to go #ack &ill #e in a &hole shitload o" tro%#leF e7c%se $e, sir.@ @A shitload and a hal".@ 'yler hadn?t kno&n that 8reer &as a $%stang and co%ld s&ear like a real sailor. @,o$e &ill &ant to stay, #%t $ost &on?t. 'hey ha e "a$ilies. !e7t yo%?ll ask $e i" &e $ight arrange "or the cre& to disappear.@ ?'he tho%ght has occ%rred to $e,@ 'yler said. @4t?s occ%rred to %s, too. B%t &e &on?t. >%rder a h%ndred $enI E en i" &e &anted to, there?s no &ay &e co%ld conceal it in this day and age. 0ell, 4 do%#t e en the ,o iets co%ld. Besides that, this si$ply is not the sort o" thing yo% do in peaceti$e. 'hat?s one di""erence #et&een %s and the$. 9o% can take those reasons in any order yo% &ant.@ @,o, e7cept "or the cre&, &e?d keep her . . .@ @9es, i" &e co%ld hide her. And i" a pig had &ings, it co%ld "ly.@ @Lots o" places to hide her, Ad$iral. 4 can think o" a "e& right here on the Chesapeake, and i" &e co%ld get her ro%nd the 0orn, there?s a $illion little atolls &e co%ld %se, and they all #elong to %s.@ @B%t the cre& &ill kno&, and &hen &e send the$ ho$e, they?ll tell their #osses,@ 8reer e7plained patiently. @And >osco& &ill ask "or her #ack. *h, s%re, &e?ll ha e a &eek or so to cond%ct, %h, sa"ety and D%arantine inspections, to $ake s%re they &eren?t trying to s$%ggle cocaine into the co%ntry.@ 'he ad$iral la%ghed. @A British ad$iral s%ggested &e in oke the old

sla e2trading treaty. ,o$e#ody did that #ack in ;orld ;ar 44, to p%t the gra# on a 8er$an #lockade r%nner right #e"ore &e got into it. ,o, &e?ll get a ton o" intelligence regardless.@ @Better to keep her, and r%n her, and take her apart . . .@ 'yler said D%ietly, staring into the orange2&hite "la$es on the oak logs. 0o& do &e keep herI he &ondered. An idea #egan to rattle aro%nd in his head. @Ad$iral, &hat i" &e co%ld get the cre& o"" &itho%t the$ kno&ing that &e ha e the s%#$arineI@ @9o%r "%ll na$e is *li er ;endell 'ylerI ;ell, son, i" yo% &ere na$ed a"ter 0arry 0o%dini instead o" a C%stice o" the ,%pre$e Co%rt, 4F@ 8reer looked into the engineer?s "ace. @;hat do yo% ha e in $indI@ ;hile 'yler e7plained 8reer listened intently. @'o do this, sir, &e?ll ha e to get the na y in on it right D%ick. ,peci"ically, &e?ll need the cooperation o" Ad$iral Lodge, and i" $y speed "ig%res "or this #oat are anything like acc%rate, &e?ll ha e to $o e s$artly.@ 8reer rose and &alked aro%nd the co%ch a "e& ti$es to get his circ%lation going. @4nteresting. 'he ti$ing &o%ld #e al$ost i$possi#le, tho%gh.@ @4 didn?t say it &o%ld #e easy, sir, C%st that &e could do it.@ @Call ho$e, 'yler. 'ell yo%r &i"e yo% &on?t #e $aking it ho$e. 4" 4 don?t get any sleep tonight, neither do yo%. 'here?s co""ee #ehind $y desk. =irst 4 ha e to call the C%dge, then &e?ll talk to ,a$ Lodge.@ 'he 6,, +ogy @Pogy, this is Black 8%ll 4. ;e?re getting lo& on "%el. 0a e to ret%rn to the #arn,@ the *rion?s tactical coordinator reported, stretching a"ter ten ho%rs at his control console. @Anything yo% &ant %s to get yo%I * er.@ @9eah, ha e a co%ple cases o" #eer sent o%t,@ Co$$ander ;ood replied. 4t &as the c%rrent Coke #et&een +2-C and s%#$arine cre&s. @'hanks "or the data. ;e?ll take it "ro$ here. *%t.@ * erhead, the Lockheed *rion increased po&er and t%rned so%th&est. 'he cre&$en a#oard &o%ld each hoist an e7tra #eer or t&o at dinner, saying it &as "or their "riends on the s%#$arine. @>r. Lyson, take her t&o h%ndred "eet. *ne2third speed.@ 'he o""icer o" the deck ga e the proper orders as Co$$ander ;ood $o ed o er to the plot. 'he 6,, Pogy &as three h%ndred $iles northeast o" !or"olk, a&aiting the arri al o" t&o ,o iet Alfa2class s%#$arines &hich se eral relays o" antis%#$arine patrol aircra"t had tracked all the &ay "ro$ 4celand. 'he Pogy &as na$ed "or a disting%ished ;orld ;ar 44 "leet s%#$arine, na$ed in t%rn "or an %ndisting%ished ga$e "ish. ,he had #een at sea "or eighteen ho%rs, and &as "resh "ro$ an e7tended o erha%l at the !e&port !e&s shipyard. !early e erything a#oard &as either straight "ro$ $an%"act%rers? crates or had #een co$pletely &orked o er #y the skilled ship"itters on the Ja$es Ri er. 'his &as not to say that e erything &orked properly. >any ite$s had "ailed in one &ay or another on the post2o erha%l shakedo&n the pre io%s &eek, a "act less %n%s%al than la$enta#le, Co$$ander ;ood tho%ght. 'he Pogy?s cre& &as ne&, too. ;ood &as on his "irst deploy$ent as a co$$anding o""icer a"ter a year o" desk d%ty in ;ashington, and too $any o" the enlisted $en &ere green, C%st o%t o" s%# school at !e& London, still getting acc%sto$ed to their "irst cr%ise on a s%#$arine. 4t takes ti$e "or $en %sed to #l%e skies and "resh air to learn the regi$e inside a thirty2t&o2"oot2dia$eter steel pipe. E en the e7perienced $en &ere $aking adC%st$ents to their ne& #oat and o""icers.

'he Pogy had $et her top speed o" thirty2three knots on post2o erha%l trials. 'his &as "ast "or a ship #%t slo&er than the speed o" the Alfas she &as listening to. Like all A$erican s%#$arines, her long s%it &as stealth. 'he Alfas had no &ay o" kno&ing she &as there and that they &o%ld #e easy targets "or her &eapons, the $ore so since the patrolling *rion had "ed the Pogy e7act range in"or$ation, so$ething that ordinarily takes ti$e to ded%ce "ro$ a passi e sonar plot. Lie%tenant Co$$ander 'o$ Reynolds, the e7ec%ti e o""icer and "ire control coordinator, stood cas%ally o er the tactical plot. @'hirty2si7 $iles to the near one, and "orty on the "ar one.@ *n the display they &ere la#eled +ogy2Bait 1 and /. E eryone "o%nd the %se o" this ser ice epithet a$%sing. @,peed "orty2t&oI@ ;ood asked. @9es, Captain.@ Reynolds had handled the radio e7change %ntil Black 8%ll 4 had anno%nced its intention to ret%rn to #ase. @'hey?re dri ing those #oats "or all they?re &orth. Right "or %s. ;e ha e hard sol%tions on #oth . . . BapJ ;hat do yo% s%ppose they?re %p toI@ @'he &ord "ro$ C4!CLA!' is that their a$#assador says they?re on a ,AR $ission "or a lost #oat.@ 0is oice indicated &hat he tho%ght o" that. @,earch and resc%e, ehI@ Reynolds shr%gged. @;ell, $ay#e they think they lost a #oat o"" +oint Co$"ort, ?ca%se i" they don?t slo& do&n real "ast, that?s &here they?ll end %p. 4? e ne er heard o" Alfas operating this close to o%r coast. 0a e yo%, sirI@ @!ope.@ ;ood "ro&ned. 'he thing a#o%t the Alfas &as that they &ere "ast and noisy. ,o iet tactical doctrine see$ed to call "or the$ $ainly in de"ensi e rolesK as @interceptor s%#$arines@ they co%ld protect their o&n $issile s%#s, and &ith their high speed they co%ld engage A$erican attack s%#$arines, then e ade co%nterattack. ;ood didn?t think the doctrine &as so%nd, #%t that &as all right &ith hi$. @>ay#e they &ant to #lockade !or"olk,@ Reynolds s%ggested. @9o% $ight ha e a point there,@ ;ood said. @;ell, in any case, &e?ll C%st sit tight and let the$ #%rn right past %s. 'hey?ll ha e to slo& as they cross the continental shel" line, and &e?ll tag along #ehind the$, nice and D%iet.@ @Aye,@ Reynolds said. 4" they had to shoot, #oth $en re"lected, they?d "ind o%t C%st ho& to%gh the Alfa really &as. 'here had #een $%ch talk a#o%t the strength o" the titani%$ %sed "or her h%ll, &hether it really &o%ld &ithstand the "orce o" se eral h%ndred po%nds o" high e7plosi e in direct contact. A ne& shaped2charge &arhead "or the >ark 48 torpedo had #een de eloped "or C%st this p%rpose and "or handling the eD%ally to%gh Typhoon h%ll. Both o""icers set this tho%ght aside. 'heir assigned $ission &as to track and shado&. 'he E. ,. +olito skiy +ogy2Bait / &as kno&n to the ,o iet !a y as the & (& Polito$skiy. 'his Alfa2class attack s%# &as na$ed "or the chie" engineering o""icer o" the R%ssian "leet &ho had sailed all the &ay aro%nd the &orld to $eet his appoint$ent &ith destiny in the 's%shi$a ,traits. E geni ,igis$onda ich +olito skiy had ser ed the cBar?s na y &ith skill and a de otion to d%ty eD%al to that o" any o""icer in history, #%t in his diary, &hich &as disco ered years later in Leningrad, the #rilliant o""icer had decried in the $ost iolent ter$s the corr%ption and e7cesses o" the cBarist regi$e, gi ing a gri$ co%nterpoint to the sel"less patriotis$ he had sho&n as he sailed

kno&ingly to his death. 'his $ade hi$ a gen%ine hero "or ,o iet sea$en to e$%late, and the ,tate had na$ed its greatest engineering achie e$ent in his $e$ory. 6n"ort%nately the Polito$skiy had enCoyed no #etter l%ck than he had enCoyed in the "ace o" 'ogo?s g%ns. 'he Polito$skiy?s aco%stical signat%re &as la#eled Alfa 7 #y the A$ericans. 'his &as incorrectE she had #een the "irst o" the Alfas. 'he s$all, spindle2shaped attack s%#$arine had reached "orty2three knots three ho%rs into her initial #%ilder?s trials. 'hose trials had #een c%t short only a $in%te later #y an incredi#le $ishapK a "i"ty2ton right &hale had so$eho& #l%ndered in her path, and the Polito$skiy had ra$$ed the %n"ort%nate creat%re #roadside. 'he i$pact had s$ashed ten sD%are $eters o" #o& plating, annihilated the sonar do$e, knocked a torpedo t%#e aske&, and nearly "looded the torpedo roo$. 'his did not co%nt shock da$age to nearly e ery interior syste$ "ro$ electronic eD%ip$ent to the galley sto e, and it &as said that i" anyone #%t the "a$o%s :ilni%s head$aster had #een in co$$and, the s%#$arine &o%ld s%rely ha e #een lost. A t&o2$eter seg$ent o" the &hale?s ri# &as no& a per$anent "i7t%re at the o""icer?s cl%# in ,e ero$orsk, dra$atic testa$ent to the strength o" ,o iet s%#$arinesE in "act the da$age had taken o er a year to repair, and #y the ti$e the Polito$skiy sailed again there &ere already t&o other Alfas in ser ice. '&o days a"ter sailing on her ne7t shakedo&n, she s%""ered another $aCor cas%alty, the total "ail%re o" her high2press%re t%r#ine. 'his had taken si7 $onths to replace. 'here had #een three $ore $inor incidents since, and the s%#$arine &as "ore er $arked as a #ad l%ck ship. Chie" Engineer :ladi$ir +etch%koco &as a loyal +arty $e$#er and a co$$itted atheist, #%t he &as also a sailor and there"ore pro"o%ndly s%perstitio%s. 4n the old days, his ship &o%ld ha e #een #lessed on la%nching and therea"ter e ery ti$e she sailed. 4t &o%ld ha e #een an i$pressi e cere$ony, &ith a #earded priest, clo%ds o" incense, and e ocati e hy$ns. 0e had sailed &itho%t any o" that and "o%nd hi$sel" &ishing other&ise. 0e needed so$e l%ck. +etch%koco &as ha ing tro%#le &ith his reactor. 'he Alfa reactor plant &as s$all. 4t had to "it into a relati ely s$all h%ll. 4t &as also po&er"%l "or its siBe, and this one had #een r%nning at one h%ndred percent rated po&er "or C%st o er "o%r days. 'hey &ere racing "or the A$erican coast at 4/.- knots, as "ast as the eight2year2 old plant &o%ld per$it. 'he Polito$skiy &as d%e "or a co$prehensi e o erha%lK ne& sonar, ne& co$p%ters, and a redesigned reactor control s%ite &ere all planned "or the co$ing $onths. +etch%koco tho%ght it irresponsi#leFrecklessFto p%sh his s%#$arine so hard, e en i" e erything &ere "%nctioning properly. !o Alfa plant on a s%#$arine had e er #een p%shed this hard, not e en a ne& one. And on this one, things &ere #eginning to co$e apart. 'he pri$ary high2press%re reactor coolant p%$p &as #eginning to i#rate o$ino%sly. 'his &as partic%larly &orrying to the engineer. 'here &as a #ack%p, #%t the secondary p%$p had a lo&er rated po&er, and %sing it $eant losing eight knots o" speed. 'he Alfa plant achie ed its high po&er not &ith a sodi%$2cooled syste$Fas the A$ericans tho%ghtF#%t #y r%nning at a "ar higher press%re than any reactor syste$ a"loat and %sing a re ol%tionary heat e7change syste$ that #oosted the plant?s o erall ther$al e""iciency to "orty2one percent, &ell in e7cess o" that "or any other s%#$arine. B%t the price o" this &as a reactor that at "%ll po&er &as red2lined on e ery $onitor ga%geFand in this case the red lines &ere not $ere sy$#olis$. 'hey signi"ied gen%ine danger. 'his "act, added to the i#rating p%$p, had +etch%koco serio%sly concernedE an ho%r earlier he had pleaded &ith the captain to red%ce po&er "or a "e& ho%rs so that his skilled cre& o" engineers co%ld $ake repairs. 4t &as pro#a#ly only a #ad #earing, a"ter all, and they had spares. 'he p%$p had #een designed so that it &o%ld #e easy to "i7. 'he captain had &a ered, &anting

to grant the reD%est, #%t the political o""icer had inter ened, pointing o%t that their orders &ere #oth %rgent and e7plicitK they had to #e on station as D%ickly as possi#leE to do other&ise &o%ld #e @politically %nso%nd.@ And that &as that. +etch%koco #itterly re$e$#ered the look in his captain?s eyes. ;hat &as the p%rpose o" a co$$anding o""icer i" his e ery order had to #e appro ed #y a political "l%nkyI +etch%koco had #een a "aith"%l Co$$%nist since Coining the *cto#rists as a #oyF#%t da$n itJ &hat &as the point o" ha ing specialists and engineersI Lid the +arty really think that physical la&s co%ld #e o ert%rned #y the &hi$ o" so$e apparatchik &ith a hea y desk and a dacha in the >osco& s%#%r#sI 'he engineer s&ore to hi$sel". 0e stood alone at the $aster control #oard. 'his &as located in the engine roo$, a"t o" the co$part$ent that held the reactor and the heat e7changerUstea$ generator, the latter placed right at the s%#$arine?s center o" gra ity. 'he reactor &as press%riBed to t&enty kilogra$s per sD%are centi$eter, a#o%t t&enty2eight h%ndred po%nds per sD%are inch. *nly a "raction o" this press%re ca$e "ro$ the p%$p. 'he higher press%re ca%sed a higher #oiling point "or the coolant. 4n this case, the &ater &as heated to o er 955V Celsi%s, a te$perat%re s%""icient to generate stea$, &hich gathered at the top o" the reactor esselE the stea$ #%##le applied press%re to the &ater #eneath, pre enting the generation o" $ore stea$. 'he stea$ and &ater reg%lated one another in a delicate #alance. 'he &ater &as dangero%sly radioacti e as a res%lt o" the "ission reaction taking place &ithin the %rani%$ "%el rods. 'he "%nction o" the control rods &as to reg%late the reaction. Again, the control &as delicate. At $ost the rods co%ld a#sor# C%st less than one percent o" the ne%tron "l%7, #%t this &as eno%gh either to per$it the reaction or to pre ent it. +etch%koco co%ld recite all this data in his sleep. 0e co%ld dra& a &holly acc%rate sche$atic diagra$ o" the entire engine plant "ro$ $e$ory and co%ld instantly grasp the signi"icance o" the slightest change in his instr%$ent readings. 0e stood per"ectly straight o er the control #oard, his eyes tracing the $yriad dials and ga%ges in a reg%lar pattern, one hand poised o er the ,CRA> s&itch, the other o er the e$ergency cooling controls. 0e co%ld hear the i#ration. 4t had to #e a #ad #earing getting &orse as it &ore $ore and $ore %ne enly. 4" the cranksha"t #earings &ent #ad, the p%$p &o%ld seiBe, and they?d ha e to stop. 'his &o%ld #e an e$ergency, tho%gh not really a dangero%s one. 4t &o%ld $ean that repairing the p%$pFi" they co%ld repair it at allF&o%ld take days instead o" ho%rs, eating %p al%a#le ti$e and spare parts. 'hat &as #ad eno%gh. ;hat &as &orse, and &hat +etch%koco did not kno&, &as that the i#ration &as generating press%re &a es in the coolant. 'o $ake %se o" the ne&ly de eloped heat e7changer, the Alfa plant had to $o e &ater rapidly thro%gh its $any loops and #a""les. 'his reD%ired a high2press%re p%$p &hich acco%nted "or one h%ndred "i"ty po%nds o" the total syste$ press%reFal$ost ten ti$es &hat &as considered sa"e in ;estern reactors. ;ith the p%$p so po&er"%l, the &hole engine roo$ co$ple7, nor$ally ery noisy at high speed, &as like a #oiler "actory, and the p%$p?s i#ration &as dist%r#ing the per"or$ance o" the $onitor instr%$ents. 4t &as $aking the needles on his ga%ges &a er, +etch%koco noted. 0e &as right, and &rong. 'he press%re ga%ges &ere really &a ering #eca%se o" the thirty2po%nd o erpress%re &a es p%lsing thro%gh the syste$. 'he chie" engineer did not recogniBe this "or &hat it &as. 0e had #een on d%ty too $any ho%rs. ;ithin the reactor essel, these press%re &a es &ere approaching the "reD%ency at &hich a piece o" eD%ip$ent resonated. Ro%ghly hal"&ay do&n the interior s%r"ace o" the essel &as a titani%$ "itting, part o" the #ack%p cooling syste$. 4n the e ent o" a coolant loss, and after a s%ccess"%l ,CRA>, al es inside and o%tside the essel &o%ld open, cooling the reactor either &ith a $i7t%re o" &ater and #ari%$ or, as a last $eas%re, &ith sea&ater &hich co%ld #e ented in

and o%t o" the esselFat the cost o" r%ining the entire reactor. 'his had #een done once, and tho%gh it had #een costly, the action o" a C%nior engineer had pre ented the loss o" a %ictor2class attack s%# #y catastrophic $eltdo&n. 'oday the inside al e &as closed, along &ith the corresponding thro%gh2h%ll "itting. 'he al es &ere $ade o" titani%$ #eca%se they had to "%nction relia#ly a"ter prolonged e7pos%re to high te$perat%re, and also #eca%se titani%$ &as ery corrosion2resistantFhigh2te$perat%re &ater &as $%rdero%sly corrosi e. ;hat had not #een "%lly considered &as that the $etal &as also e7posed to intense n%clear radiation, and this partic%lar titani%$ alloy &as not co$pletely sta#le %nder e7tended ne%tron #o$#ard$ent. 'he $etal had #eco$e #rittle o er the years. 'he $in%te &a es o" hydra%lic press%re &ere #eating against the clapper in the al e. As the p%$p?s "reD%ency o" i#ration changed it #egan to approach the "reD%ency at &hich the clapper i#rated. 'his ca%sed the clapper to snap harder and harder against its retaining ring. 'he $etal at its edges #egan to crack. A michman at the "or&ard end o" the co$part$ent heard it "irst, a lo& #%BB co$ing thro%gh the #%lkhead. At "irst he tho%ght it &as "eed#ack noise "ro$ the +A speaker, and he &aited too long to check it. 'he clapper #roke "ree and dropped o%t o" the al e noBBle. 4t &as not ery large, only ten centi$eters in dia$eter and "i e $illi$eters thick. 'his type o" "itting is called a #%tter"ly al e, and the clapper looked C%st like a #%tter"ly, s%spended and t&irling in the &ater "lo&. 4" it had #een $ade o" stainless steel it &o%ld ha e #een hea y eno%gh to "all to the #otto$ o" the essel. B%t it &as $ade o" titani%$, &hich &as #oth stronger than steel and ery $%ch lighter. 'he coolant "lo& $o ed it %p, to&ards the e7ha%st pipe. 'he o%t&ard2$o ing &ater carried the clapper into the pipe, &hich had a "i"teen2centi$eter inside dia$eter. 'he pipe &as $ade o" stainless steel, t&o2$eter sections &elded together "or easy replace$ent in the cra$ped D%arters. 'he clapper &as #orne along rapidly to&ards the heat e7changer. 0ere the pipe took a "orty2"i e2degree do&n&ard t%rn and the clapper Ca$$ed $o$entarily. 'his #locked hal" o" the pipe?s channel, and #e"ore the s%rge o" press%re co%ld dislodge the clapper too $any things happened. 'he $o ing &ater had its o&n $o$ent%$. *n #eing #locked, it generated a #ack2press%re &a e &ithin the pipe. 'otal press%re C%$ped $o$entarily to thirty2"o%r h%ndred po%nds. 'his ca%sed the pipe to "le7 a "e& $illi$eters. 'he increased press%re, lateral displace$ent o" a &eld Coint, and c%$%lati e e""ect o" years o" high2 te$perat%re erosion o" the steel da$aged the Coint. A hole the siBe o" a pencil point opened. 'he escaping &ater "lashed instantly into stea$, setting o"" alar$s in the reactor co$part$ent and neigh#oring spaces. 4t ate at the re$ainder o" the &eld, rapidly e7panding the "ail%re %ntil reactor coolant &as er%pting as tho%gh "ro$ a horiBontal "o%ntain. *ne Cet o" stea$ de$olished the adCacent reactor2control &iring cond%its. ;hat had C%st #eg%n &as a catastrophic loss2o"2coolant accident. 'he reactor &as "%lly depress%riBed &ithin three seconds. 4ts $any gallons o" coolant e7ploded into stea$, seeking release into the s%rro%nding co$part$ent. A doBen alar$s so%nded at once on the $aster control #oard, and in the #link o" an eye :ladi$ir +etch%koco "aced his %lti$ate night$are. 'he engineer?s a%to$atic trained reaction &as to Ca$ his "inger on the ,CRA> s&itch, #%t the stea$ in the reactor essel had disa#led the rod control syste$, and there &asn?t ti$e to sol e the pro#le$. 4n an instant, +etch%koco kne& that his ship &as doo$ed. !e7t he opened the e$ergency coolant controls, ad$itting sea&ater into the reactor essel. 'his a%to$atically set o"" alar$s thro%gho%t the h%ll. 4n the control roo$ "or&ard, the captain grasped the nat%re o" the e$ergency at once. 'he Polito$skiy &as r%nning at one h%ndred "i"ty $eters. 0e had to get her to the s%r"ace

i$$ediately, and he sho%ted orders to #lo& all #allast and $ake "%ll rise on the di ing planes. 'he reactor e$ergency &as reg%lated #y physical la&s. ;ith no reactor coolant to a#sor# the heat o" the %rani%$ rods, the n%clear reaction act%ally stoppedFthere &as no &ater to atten%ate the ne%tron "l%7. 'his &as no sol%tion, ho&e er, since the resid%al decay heat &as s%""icient to $elt e erything in the co$part$ent. 'he cold &ater ad$itted into the essel dre& o"" the heat #%t also slo&ed do&n too $any ne%trons, keeping the$ in the reactor core. 'his ca%sed a r%na&ay reaction that generated e en $ore heat, $ore than any a$o%nt o" coolant co%ld control. ;hat had started as a loss2o"2coolant accident #eca$e so$ething &orseK a cold2&ater accident. 4t &as no& only a $atter o" $in%tes #e"ore the entire core $elted, and the Polito$skiy had that long to get to the s%r"ace. +etch%koco stayed at his post in the engine roo$, doing &hat he co%ld. 0is o&n li"e, he kne&, &as al$ost certainly lost. 0e had to gi e his captain ti$e to s%r"ace the #oat. 'here &as a drill "or this sort o" e$ergencyE and he #arked orders to i$ple$ent it. 4t only $ade things &orse. 0is d%ty electrician $o ed along the electrical control panels s&itching "ro$ $ain po&er to e$ergency, since resid%al stea$ po&er in the t%r#oalternators &o%ld die in a "e& $ore seconds. 4n a $o$ent the s%#$arine?s po&er co$pletely depended on stand#y #atteries. 4n the control roo$ po&er &as lost to the electrically controlled tri$ ta#s on the trailing edge o" the di ing planes, &hich a%to$atically s&itched #ack to electrohydra%lic control. 'his po&ered not C%st the s$all tri$ ta#s #%t the di ing planes as &ell. 'he control asse$#lies $o ed instantly to a "i"teen2degree %p2angleFand she &as still $o ing at thirty2nine knots. ;ith all her #allast tanks no& #lasted "ree o" &ater #y co$pressed air, the s%#$arine &as ery light, and she rose like a cli$#ing aircra"t. 4n seconds the astonished control roo$ cre& "elt their #oat rise to an %p2angle that &as "orty2"i e degrees and getting &orse. A $o$ent later they &ere too #%sy trying to stand to co$e to grips &ith the pro#le$. !o& the Alfa &as cli$#ing al$ost ertically at thirty $iles per ho%r. E ery $an and %nsec%red ite$ a#oard "ell stern&ard. 4n the $otor control roo$ a"t, a cre&$an crashed against the $ain electrical s&itch#oard, short2circ%iting it &ith his #ody, and all po&er a#oard &as lost. A cook &ho had #een in entorying s%r i al gear in the torpedo roo$ "or&ard str%ggled into the escape tr%nk as he "o%ght his &ay into an e7pos%re s%it. E en &ith only a year?s e7perience, he &as D%ick to %nderstand the $eaning o" the hooting alar$s and %nprecedented actions o" his #oat. 0e yanked the hatch sh%t and #egan to &ork the escape controls as he had #een ta%ght in s%#$arine school. 'he Polito$skiy soared thro%gh the s%r"ace o" the Atlantic like a #roaching &hale, co$ing three D%arters o" her length o%t o" the &ater #e"ore crashing #ack. 'he 6,, +ogy @Conn, sonar.@ @Conn, aye, Captain speaking.@ @,kipper, yo% #etter hear this. ,o$ething C%st &ent craBy on Bait /,@ Pogy?s chie" reported. ;ood &as in the sonar roo$ in seconds, p%tting on earphones pl%gged into a tape recorder &hich had a t&o2$in%te o""set. Co$$ander ;ood heard a &hooshing so%nd. 'he engine noises stopped. A "e& seconds later there &as an e7plosion o" co$pressed air, and a staccato o" h%ll popping noises as a s%#$arine changed depth rapidly. @;hat?s going onI@ ;ood asked D%ickly.

'he E. ,. +olito skiy 4n the Polito$skiy?s reactor, the r%na&ay "ission reaction had irt%ally annihilated #oth the inco$ing sea&ater and the %rani%$ "%el rods. 'heir de#ris settled on the a"ter &all o" the reactor essel. 4n a $in%te there &as a $eter2&ide p%ddle o" radioacti e slag, eno%gh to "or$ its o&n critical $ass. 'he reaction contin%ed %na#ated, this ti$e directly attacking the to%gh stainless steel o" the essel. !othing $an $ade co%ld long &ithstand "i e tho%sand degrees o" direct heat. 4n ten seconds the essel &all "ailed. 'he %rani%$ $ass dropped "ree, against the a"t #%lkhead. +etch%koco kne& he &as dead. 0e sa& the paint on the "or&ard #%lkhead t%rn #lack, and his last i$pression &as o" a dark $ass s%rro%nded &ith the #l%e glo&. 'he engineer?s #ody aporiBed an instant later, and the $ass o" slag dropped to the ne7t #%lkhead a"t. =or&ard, the s%#$arine?s nearly ertical angle in the &ater eased. 'he high2press%re air in the #allast tanks spilled o%t o" the #otto$ "loods and the tanks "illed &ith &ater, dropping the angle o" the #oat and s%#$erging her. 4n the "or&ard part o" the s%#$arine $en &ere screa$ing. 'he captain str%ggled to his "eet, ignoring his #roken leg, trying to get control, to get his $en organiBed and o%t o" the s%#$arine #e"ore it &as too late, #%t the l%ck o" E geni ,igis$onda ich +olito skiy &o%ld plag%e his na$esake one last ti$e. *nly one $an escaped. 'he cook opened the escape tr%nk hatch and got o%t. =ollo&ing &hat he had learned d%ring the drill, he #egan to seal the hatch so that $en #ehind hi$ co%ld %se it, #%t a &a e slapped hi$ o"" the h%ll as the s%# slid #ack&ards. 4n the engine roo$, the changing angle dropped the $elted core to the deck. 'he hot $ass attacked the steel deck "irst, #%rning thro%gh that, then the titani%$ o" the h%ll. =i e seconds later the engine roo$ &as ented to the sea. 'he Polito$skiy?s largest co$part$ent "illed rapidly &ith &ater. 'his destroyed &hat little reser e #%oyancy the ship had, and the ac%te do&n2angle ret%rned. 'he Alfa #egan her last di e. 'he stern dropped C%st as the captain #egan to get his control roo$ cre& to react to orders again. 0is head str%ck an instr%$ent console. ;hat sli$ hopes his cre& had died &ith hi$. 'he Polito$skiy &as "alling #ack&ards, her propeller &ind$illing the &rong &ay as she slid to the #otto$ o" the sea. 'he +ogy @,kipper, 4 &as on the "hopper #ack in si7ty2nine,@ the Pogy?s chie" said, re"erring to a horri"ying accident on a diesel2po&ered s%#$arine. @'hat?s &hat it so%nds like,@ his captain said. 0e &as no& listening to direct sonar inp%t. 'here &as no $istaking it. 'he s%#$arine &as "looding. 'hey had heard the #allast tanks re"illE this co%ld only $ean interior co$part$ents &ere "illing &ith &ater. 4" they had #een closer, they $ight ha e heard the screa$s o" $en in that doo$ed h%ll. ;ood &as C%st as happy he co%ldn?t. 'he contin%ing r%sh o" &ater &as dread"%l eno%gh. >en &ere dying. R%ssians, his ene$y, #%t $en not %nlike hi$sel", and there &as not a thing that co%ld #e done a#o%t it. Bait 1, he sa&, &as proceeding, %n$ind"%l o" &hat had happened to her trailing sister.

'he E. ,. +olito skiy 4t took nine $in%tes "or the Polito$skiy to "all the t&o tho%sand "eet to the ocean "loor. ,he i$pacted sa agely on the hard sand #otto$ at the edge o" the continental shel". 4t &as a tri#%te to her #%ilders that her interior #%lkheads held. All the co$part$ents "ro$ the reactor roo$ a"t &ere "looded and hal" the cre& killed in the$, #%t the "or&ard co$part$ents &ere dry. E en this &as $ore c%rse than #lessing. ;ith the a"t air storage #anks %n%sa#le and only e$ergency #attery po&er to r%n the co$ple7 en iron$ental control syste$s, the "orty $en had only a li$ited s%pply o" air. 'hey &ere spared a rapid death "ro$ the cr%shing !orth Atlantic only to "ace a slo&er one "ro$ asphy7iation.

THE NINTH DAY SATURDAY 11, DECEMBER

'he +entagon A "e$ale yeo$an "irst class held the door open "or 'yler. 0e &alked in to "ind 8eneral 0arris standing alone o er the large chart ta#le pondering the place$ent o" tiny ship $odels. @9o% $%st #e ,kip 'yler.@ 0arris looked %p. @9es, sir.@ 'yler &as standing as rigidly at attention as his prosthetic leg allo&ed. 0arris ca$e o er D%ickly to shake hands. @8reer says yo% %sed to play #all.@ @9es, 8eneral, 4 played right tackle at Annapolis. 'hose &ere good years.@ 'yler s$iled, "le7ing his "ingers. 0arris looked like an iron2p%$per. @*kay, i" yo% %sed to play #all, yo% can call $e Ed.@ 0arris poked hi$ in the chest. @9o%r n%$#er &as se enty2eight, and yo% $ade All A$erican, rightI@ @,econd string, sir. !ice to kno& so$e#ody re$e$#ers.@ @4 &as on te$porary d%ty at the Acade$y "or a "e& $onths #ack then, and 4 ca%ght a co%ple ga$es. 4 ne er "orget a good o""ensi e line$an. 4 $ade All Con"erence at >ontanaFlong ti$e ago. ;hat happened to the legI@ @Lr%nk dri er clipped $e. 4 &as the l%cky one. 'he dr%nk didn?t $ake it.@ @,er es the #astard right.@ 'yler nodded agree$ent, #%t re$e$#ered that the dr%nken ship"itter had had his o&n &i"e and "a$ily, according to the police. @;here is e ery#odyI@ @'he chie"s are at their nor$alF&ell, nor$al "or a &eekday, not a ,at%rdayFintelligence #rie"ing. 'hey o%ght to #e do&n in a "e& $in%tes. ,o, yo%?re teaching engineering at Annapolis no&, ehI@ @9es, sir. 4 got a doctorate in that along the &ay.@ @!a$e?s Ed, ,kip. And this $orning yo%?re going to tell %s ho& &e can hold onto that $a erick R%ssian s%#I@ @9es, sirFEd.@ @'ell $e a#o%t it, #%t let?s get so$e co""ee "irst.@ 'he t&o $en &ent to a ta#le in the corner &ith co""ee and don%ts. 0arris listened to the yo%nger $an "or "i e $in%tes, sipping his co""ee and de o%ring a co%ple o" Celly don%ts. 4t took a lot o" "ood to s%pport his "ra$e.

@,on o" a g%n,@ the J2- o#ser ed &hen 'yler "inished. 0e &alked o er to the chart. @'hat?s interesting. 9o%r idea depends a lot on sleight o" hand. ;e?d ha e to keep the$ a&ay "ro$ &here &e?re p%lling this o"". A#o%t here, yo% sayI@ 0e tapped the chart. @9es, 8eneral. 'he thing is, the &ay they see$ to #e operating &e can do this to sea&ard o" the$F@ @And do a do%#le sh%""le. 4 like it. 9eah, 4 like it, #%t Lan =oster &on?t like losing one o" o%r o&n #oats.@ @4?d say it?s &orth the trade.@ @,o &o%ld 4,@ 0arris agreed. @B%t they?re not $y #oats. A"ter &e do this, &here do &e hide herFi" &e get herI@ @8eneral, there are so$e nice places right here on the Chesapeake Bay. 'here?s a deep spot on the 9ork Ri er and another on the +at%7ent, #oth o&ned #y the na y, #oth $arked Aeep *%t on the charts. !ice thing a#o%t s%#s, they?re s%pposed to #e in isi#le. 9o% C%st "ind a deep eno%gh spot and "lood yo%r tanks. 'hat?s te$porary, o" co%rse. =or a $ore per$anent spot, $ay#e 'r%k or A&aCalein in the +aci"ic. !ice and "ar "ro$ any place.@ @And the ,o iets &o%ld ne er notice the presence o" a s%# tender and three h%ndred s%#$arine technicians there all o" a s%ddenI Besides, those islands don?t really #elong to %s any$ore, re$e$#erI@ 'yler hadn?t e7pected this $an to #e a d%$$y. @,o, &hat i" they do "ind o%t in a "e& $onthsI ;hat &ill they do, anno%nce it to the &hole &orldI 4 don?t think so. By that ti$e &e?ll ha e all the in"or$ation &e &ant, and &e can al&ays prod%ce the de"ecting o""icers in a nice ne&s con"erence. 0o& &o%ld that look "or the$I Any&ay, it "ig%res that a"ter &e? e had her "or a &hile, &e?ll #reak her %p. 'he reactor?ll go to 4daho "or tests. 'he $issiles and &arheads &ill get taken o"". 'he electronics gear &ill #e taken to Cali"ornia "or testing, and the C4A, !,A, and na y &ill ha e g%n"ights o er the crypto gear. 'he stripped h%lk &ill #e taken to a nice deep spot and sc%ttled. !o e idence. ;e don?t ha e to keep this a secret "ore er, C%st "or a "e& $onths.@ 0arris set his c%p do&n. @9o%?ll ha e to "orgi e $e "or playing de il?s ad ocate. 4 see yo%? e tho%ght this o%t. =ine, 4 think it?s &orth a hard look. 4t $eans coordinating a lot o" hard&are, #%t it doesn?t really inter"ere &ith &hat &e?re already doing. *kay, yo% ha e $y ote.@ 'he Joint Chie"s arri ed three $in%tes later. 'yler had ne er seen so $any stars in one roo$. @9o% &anted to see all o" %s, EddieI@ 0ilton asked. @9es, 8eneral. 'his is Lr. ,kip 'yler.@ Ad$iral =oster ca$e o er "irst to take his hand. @9o% got %s that per"or$ance data on Red October that &e &ere C%st #rie"ed on. 8ood &ork, Co$$ander.@ @Lr. 'yler thinks &e sho%ld hold onto her i" &e get her,@ 0arris said deadpan. @And he thinks he has a &ay &e can do it.@ @;e already tho%ght o" killing the cre&,@ Co$$andant >a7&ell said. @'he president &on?t let %s.@ @8entle$en, &hat i" 4 told yo% that there &as a &ay to send the cre&$en ho$e &itho%t the$ kno&ing that &e ha e herI 'hat?s the iss%e, rightI ;e ha e to send the cre&$en #ack to >other R%ssia. 4 say there?s a &ay to do that, and the re$aining D%estion is &here to hide her.@ @;e?re listening,@ 0ilton said s%spicio%sly. @;ell, sir, &e?ll ha e to $o e D%ickly to get e erything in place. ;e?ll need A$alon "ro$ the ;est Coast. /ystic is already a#oard the Pigeon in Charleston. ;e need #oth o" the$, and &e need an old #oo$er o" o%r o&n that &e can a""ord to do &itho%t. 'hat?s the hard&are. 'he real

trick, ho&e er, is the ti$ingFand &e ha e to "ind her. 'hat $ay #e the hardest part.@ @>ay#e not,@ =oster said. @Ad$iral 8allery reported this $orning that !allas $ay #e onto her. 0er report do etails nicely &ith yo%r engineering $odel. ;e?ll kno& $ore in a "e& days. 8o on.@ 'yler e7plained. 4t took ten $in%tes since he had to ans&er D%estions and %se the chart to diagra$ ti$e and space constraints. ;hen he &as "inished, 8eneral Barnes &as at the phone calling the co$$ander o" the >ilitary Airli"t Co$$and. =oster le"t the roo$ to call !or"olk, and 0ilton &as on his &ay to the ;hite 0o%se. 'he Red *cto#er E7cept "or those on &atch, e ery o""icer &as in the &ardroo$. ,e eral pots o" tea &ere on the ta#le, all %nto%ched, and again the door &as locked. @Co$rades,@ +etro reported, @the second set o" #adges &as conta$inated, &orse than the "irst.@ Ra$i%s noted that +etro &as rattled. 4t &asn?t the "irst set o" #adges, or the second. 4t &as the third and "o%rth since sailing. 0e had chosen his ship?s doctor &ell. @Bad #adges,@ >elekhin gro&led. @,o$e #astard o" a trickster in ,e ero$orskFor perhaps an i$perialist spy playing a typical ene$y trick on %s. ;hen they catch the son o" a #itch 4 &ill shoot hi$ $ysel"F&hoe er he isJ 'his sort o" thing is treasono%sJ@ @Reg%lations reD%ire that 4 report this,@ +etro noted. @E en tho%gh the instr%$ents sho& sa"e le els.@ @9o%r adherence to the r%les is noted, Co$rade Loctor. 9o% ha e acted correctly,@ Ra$i%s said. @And no& reg%lations stip%late that &e $ake yet another check. >elekhin, 4 &ant yo% and Borodin to do it personally. =irst check the radiation instr%$ents the$sel es. 4" they are &orking properly, &e &ill #e certain that the #adges are de"ecti eFor ha e #een ta$pered &ith. 4" so, $y report on this incident &ill de$and so$eone?s head.@ 4t &as not %nkno&n "or dr%nken shipyard &orkers to #e sent to the g%lag. @Co$rades, in $y opinion there is nothing at all to concern %s. 4" there &ere a leak, Co$rade >elekhin &o%ld ha e disco ered it days ago. ,o. ;e all ha e &ork to do.@ 'hey &ere all #ack in the &ardroo$ hal" an ho%r later. +assing cre&$en noticed this, and already the &hispering started. @Co$rades,@ >elekhin anno%nced, @&e ha e a $aCor pro#le$.@ 'he o""icers, especially the yo%nger ones, looked a little pale. *n the ta#le &as a 8eiger co%nter stripped into a score o" s$all parts. !e7t to it &as a radiation detector taken o"" the reactor roo$ #%lkhead, its inspection co er re$o ed. @,a#otage,@ >elekhin hissed. 4t &as a &ord "earso$e eno%gh to $ake any ,o iet citiBen sh%dder. 'he roo$ &ent deathly still, and Ra$i%s noted that , yado &as holding his "ace %nder rigid control. @Co$rades, $echanically speaking these instr%$ents are D%ite si$ple. As yo% kno&, this co%nter has ten di""erent settings. ;e can choose "ro$ ten sensiti ity ranges, %sing the sa$e instr%$ent to detect a $inor leak or to D%anti"y a $aCor one. ;e do that #y dialing this selector, &hich engages one o" ten electrical resistors o" increasing al%e. A child co%ld design this, or $aintain and repair it.@ 'he chie" enginer tapped the %nderside o" the selector dial. @4n this case the proper resistors ha e #een clipped o"", and ne& ones soldered on. ,ettings one to eight ha e

the sa$e i$pedance al%e. All o" o%r co%nters &ere inspected #y the sa$e dockyard technician three days #e"ore &e sailed. 0ere is his inspection sheet.@ >elekhin tossed it on the ta#le conte$pt%o%sly. @Either he or another spy sa#otaged this and all the other co%nters 4? e looked at. 4t &o%ld ha e taken a skilled $an no $ore than an ho%r. 4n the case o" this instr%$ent.@ 'he engineer t%rned the "i7ed detector o er. @9o% see that the electrical parts ha e #een disconnected, e7cept "or the test circ%it, &hich &as re&ired. Borodin and 4 re$o ed this "ro$ the "or&ard #%lkhead. 'his is skilled &orkE &hoe er did this is no a$ate%r. 4 #elie e that an i$perialist agent has sa#otaged o%r ship. =irst he disa#led o%r radiation $onitor instr%$ents, then he pro#a#ly arranged a lo&2le el leak in o%r hot piping. 4t &o%ld appear, co$rades, that Co$rade +etro &as correct. ;e $ay ha e a leak. >y apologies, Loctor.@ +etro nodded Cerkily. Co$pli$ents like this he co%ld easily "orego. @'otal e7pos%re, Co$rade +etro I@ Ra$i%s asked. @'he greatest is "or the engine$en, o" co%rse. 'he $a7i$%$ is "i"ty rads "or Co$rades >elekhin and , yado . 'he other engine cre&$en r%n "ro$ t&enty to "orty2"i e rads, and the c%$%lati e e7pos%re drops rapidly as one $o es "or&ard. 'he torpedo$en ha e only "i e rads or so, $ostly less. 'he o""icers e7cl%si e o" engineers r%n "ro$ ten to t&enty2"i e.@ +etro pa%sed, telling hi$sel" to #e $ore positi e. @Co$rades, these are not lethal doses. 4n "act, one can tolerate a dose o" %p to a h%ndred rads &itho%t any near2ter$ physiological e""ects, and one can s%r i e se eral h%ndred. ;e do "ace a serio%s pro#le$ here, #%t it is not yet a li"e2 threatening e$ergency.@ @>elekhinI@ the captain asked. @4t is $y engine plant, and $y responsi#ility. ;e do not yet kno) that &e ha e a leak. 'he #adges co%ld still #e de"ecti e or sa#otaged. 'his co%ld all #e a icio%s psychological trick played on %s #y the $ain ene$y to da$age o%r $orale. Borodin &ill assist $e. ;e &ill personally repair these and cond%ct a thoro%gh inspection o" all reactor syste$s. 4 a$ too old to ha e children. =or the $o$ent, 4 s%ggest that &e deacti ate the reactor and proceed on #attery. 'he inspection &ill take %s "o%r ho%rs at $ost. 4 also reco$$end that &e red%ce reactor &atches to t&o ho%rs. Agreed, CaptainI@ @Certainly, Co$rade. 4 kno& that there is nothing yo% cannot repair.@ @E7c%se $e, Co$rade Captain,@ 4 ano spoke %p. @,ho%ld &e report this to "leet headD%artersI@ @*%r orders are not to #reak radio silence,@ Ra$i%s said. @4" the i$perialists &ere a#le to sa#otage o%r instr%$ents . . . ;hat i" they kne& o%r orders #e"orehand and are atte$pting to $ake %s %se the radio so they can locate %sI@ Borodin asked. @A possi#ility,@ Ra$i%s replied. @=irst &e &ill deter$ine i" &e ha e a pro#le$, then its se erity. Co$rades, &e ha e a "ine cre& and the #est o""icers in the "leet. ;e &ill see to o%r o&n pro#le$s, conD%er the$, and contin%e o%r $ission. ;e all ha e a date in C%#a that 4 intend to $eetFto hell &ith i$perialist plotsJ@ @;ell said,@ >elekhin conc%rred. @Co$rades, &e &ill keep this secret. 'here is no reason to e7cite the cre& o er &hat $ay #e nothing, and at $ost is so$ething &e can handle on o%r o&n.@ Ra$i%s ended the $eeting. +etro &as less s%re, and , yado &as trying ery hard not to shake. 0e had a s&eetheart at ho$e and &anted one day to ha e children. 'he yo%ng lie%tenant had #een painstakingly trained to %nderstand e erything that &ent on in the reactor syste$s and to kno& &hat to do i" things &ent a&ry. And it &as so$e consolation to kno& that $ost o" the sol%tions to reactor pro#le$s

to #e "o%nd in the #ook had #een &ritten #y so$e o" the $en in this roo$. E en so, so$ething that co%ld neither #e seen nor "elt &as in ading his #ody, and no rational person &o%ld #e happy &ith that. 'he $eeting adCo%rned. >elekhin and Borodin &ent a"t to the engineering stores. A michman electrician ca$e &ith the$ to get the proper parts. 0e noted that they &ere reading "ro$ the $aintenance $an%al "or a radiation detector. ;hen he &ent o"" d%ty an ho%r later, the &hole cre& kne& that the reactor had #een sh%t do&n yet again. 'he electrician con"erred &ith his #%nk$ate, a $issile $aintenance technician. 'ogether they disc%ssed the reason "or &orking on a hal" doBen 8eiger co%nters and other instr%$ents, and their concl%sion &as an o# io%s one. 'he s%#$arine?s #os%n o erheard the disc%ssion and pondered the concl%sion hi$sel". 0e had #een on n%clear s%#$arines "or ten years. Lespite this he &as not an ed%cated $an and regarded any acti ity in the reactor spaces as so$ething to the le"t o" &itchcra"t. 4t &orked the ship, ho& he did not kno&, tho%gh he &as certain that there &as so$ething %nholy a#o%t it. !o& he #egan to &onder i" the de ils he ne er sa& inside that steel dr%$F&ere co$ing looseI ;ithin t&o ho%rs the entire cre& kne& that so$ething &as &rong and that their o""icers had not yet "ig%red o%t a &ay to deal &ith it. 'he cooks #ringing "ood "or&ard "ro$ the galley to the cre& spaces &ere seen to linger in the #o& as long as they co%ld. >en standing &atch in the control roo$ shi"ted on their "eet $ore than %s%al, Ra$i%s noted, h%rrying "or&ard at the change o" &atch. 'he 6,, !e& Jersey 4t took so$e getting %sed to, Co$$odore Nachary Eaton re"lected. ;hen his "lagship &as #%ilt, he &as sailing #oats in a #atht%#. Back then the R%ssians &ere allies, #%t allies o" con enience, &ho shared a co$$on ene$y instead o" a co$$on goal. Like the Chinese today, he C%dged. 'he ene$y then had #een the 8er$ans and the Japanese. 4n his t&enty2si72year career, he had #een to #oth co%ntries $any ti$es, and his "irst co$$and, a destroyer, had #een ho$e2ported at 9okosh%ka. 4t &as a strange &orld. 'here &ere se eral nice things a#o%t his "lagship. Big as she &as, her $o e$ent on the ten2 "oot seas &as C%st eno%gh to re$ind hi$ that he &as at sea, not at a desk. :isi#ility &as a#o%t ten $iles, and so$e&here o%t there, a#o%t eight h%ndred $iles a&ay, &as the R%ssian "leet. 0is #attleship &as going to $eet the$ C%st like in the old old days, as i" the aircra"t carrier had ne er co$e along. 'he destroyers "aron and (tump &ere in sight, "i e $iles o"" either #o&. =%rther "or&ard, the cr%isers Riddle and ?ain)right &ere doing radar picket d%ty. 'he s%r"ace action gro%p &as $arking ti$e instead o" proceeding "or&ard as he &o%ld ha e pre"erred. *"" the !e& Jersey coast, the helicopter assa%lt ship Tara)a and t&o "rigates &ere racing to Coin %p, #ringing ten A:28B 0arrier attack "ighters and "o%rteen A,; helicopters to s%pple$ent his air strength. 'his &as %se"%l, #%t not o" critical concern to Eaton. 'he (aratoga?s air &ing &as no& operating o%t o" >aine, along &ith a goodly collection o" air "orce #irds &orking hard to learn the $ariti$e strike #%siness. 0>, -n$incible &as t&o h%ndred $iles to his east, cond%cting aggressi e A,; patrols, and eight h%ndred $iles east o" that "orce &as the 'ennedy, hiding %nder a &eather "ront o"" the ABores. 4t slightly irked the co$$odore that the Brits &ere helping o%t. ,ince &hen did the 6.,. !a y need help de"ending the A$erican coastI !ot that they didn?t o&e %s the "a or, tho%gh. 'he R%ssians had split into three gro%ps, &ith the carrier 'ie$ eastern$ost to "ace the

'ennedy?s #attle gro%p. 0is e7pected responsi#ility &as the /osk$a gro%p, &ith the -n$incible handling the 'iro$?s. Lata on all three &as #eing "ed to hi$ contin%o%sly and digested #y his operations sta"" do&n in "lag plot. ;hat &ere the ,o iets %p toI he &ondered. 0e kne& the story that they &ere searching "or a lost s%#, #%t Eaton #elie ed that as $%ch as i" they?d e7plained that they had a #ridge they &anted to sell. +ro#a#ly, he tho%ght, they &ant to de$onstrate that they can trail their coats do&n o%r coast &hene er they &ant, to sho& that they ha e a seagoing "leet and to esta#lish a precedent "or doing this again. Eaton did not like that. 0e did not $%ch care "or his assigned $ission either. 0e had t&o tasks that &ere not "%lly co$pati#le. Aeeping an eye on their s%#$arine acti ity &o%ld #e di""ic%lt eno%gh. 'he (aratoga?s :ikings &ere not &orking his area, despite his reD%est, and $ost o" the *rions &ere &orking "arther o%t, closer to the -n$incible. 0is o&n A,; assets &ere #arely adeD%ate "or local de"ense, $%ch less acti e s%# h%nting. 'he Tara)a &o%ld change that, #%t also change his screening reD%ire$ents. 0is other $ission &as to esta#lish and $aintain sensor contact &ith the /osk$a gro%p and to report at once any %n%s%al acti ity to C4!CLA!'=L', the co$$ander in chie" o" the Atlantic =leet. 'his $ade sense, sort o". 4" their s%r"ace ships did anything %nto&ard, Eaton had the $eans to deal &ith the$. 4t &as #eing decided no& ho& closely he sho%ld shado& the$. 'he pro#le$ &as &hether he sho%ld #e near#y or "ar a&ay. !ear $eant t&enty $ilesFg%n range. 'he /osk$a had ten escorts, none o" &hich co%ld possi#ly s%r i e $ore than t&o o" his si7teen2inch proCectiles. At t&enty $iles he had the choice o" %sing "%ll2siBed or s%#cali#er ro%nds, the latter g%ided to their targets #y a laser designator installed atop the $ain director to&er. 'ests the pre io%s year had deter$ined that he co%ld $aintain a steady "iring rate o" one ro%nd e ery t&enty seconds, &ith the laser shi"ting "ire "ro$ one target to another %ntil there &ere no $ore. B%t this &o%ld e7pose the Ne) =ersey and her escorts to torpedo and $issile "ire "ro$ the R%ssian ships. Backing "arther o"", he co%ld still "ire sa#ot ro%nds "ro$ "i"ty $iles, and they co%ld #e directed to the target #y a laser designator a#oard the #attle&agon?s helicopter. 'his &o%ld e7pose the chopper to s%r"ace2to2air $issile "ire and to ,o iet helicopters s%spected o" ha ing air2to2air $issile capa#ility. 'o help o%t &ith this, the Tara)a &as #ringing a pair o" Apache attack helicopters, &hich carried lasers, air2to2air $issiles, and their o&n air2to2s%r"ace $issilesE they &ere antitank &eapons e7pected to &ork &ell against s$all &arships. 0is ships &o%ld #e e7posed to $issile "ire, #%t he didn?t "ear "or his "lagship. 6nless the R%ssians &ere carrying n%clear &arheads, their antiship $issiles &o%ld not #e a#le to da$age his ship gra elyFthe Ne) =ersey had %p&ards o" a "oot o" class B ar$or plate. 'hey &o%ld, ho&e er, play hell &ith his radar and co$$%nications gear, and &orse, they &o%ld #e lethal to his thin2h%lled escorts. 0is ships carried their o&n antiship $issiles, 0arpoons and 'o$aha&ks, tho%gh not as $any as he &o%ld ha e liked. And &hat a#o%t a R%ssian s%# h%nting the$I Eaton had #een told o" none, #%t yo% ne er kne& &here one $ight #e hiding. *h &ellFhe co%ldn?t &orry a#o%t e erything. A s%#$arine co%ld sink the Ne) =ersey, #%t she &o%ld ha e to &ork at it. 4" the R%ssians &ere really %p to so$ething nasty, they?d get the "irst shot, #%t Eaton &o%ld ha e eno%gh &arning to la%nch his o&n $issiles and get o"" a "e& ro%nds o" g%n"ire &hile calling "or air s%pportFnone o" &hich &o%ld happen, he &as s%re. 0e decided that the R%ssians &ere on so$e sort o" "ishing e7pedition. 0is Co# &as to sho& the$ that the "ish in these &aters &ere dangero%s.

!a al Air ,tation, !orth 4sland, Cali"ornia 'he o ersiBed tractor2trailer crept at t&o $iles per ho%r into the cargo #ay o" the C2.A 8ala7y transport %nder the &atch"%l eyes o" the aircra"t?s load$aster, t&o "light o""icers, and si7 na al o""icers. *ddly, only the latter, none o" &ho$ &ore a iator?s &ings, &ere "%lly ersed in the proced%re. 'he ehicle?s center o" gra ity &as precisely $arked, and they &atched the $ark approach a partic%lar n%$#er engra ed on the cargo #ay "loor. 'he &ork had to #e done e7actly. Any $istake co%ld "atally i$pair the aircra"t?s tri$ and i$peril the li es o" the "light cre& and passengers. @*kay, "reeBe it right there,@ the senior o""icer called. 'he dri er &as only too glad to stop. 0e le"t the keys in the ignition, set all the #rakes, and p%t the tr%ck in gear #e"ore getting o%t. ,o$eone else &o%ld dri e it o%t o" the aircra"t on the other side o" the co%ntry. 'he load$aster and si7 air$en i$$ediately &ent to &ork, snaking steel ca#les to eye#olts on the tr%ck and trailer to sec%re the hea y load. ,hi"ting cargo &as so$ething else an aircra"t rarely s%r i ed, and the C2.A did not ha e eCection seats. 'he load$aster sa& to it that his gro%nd cre&$en &ere properly at &ork #e"ore &alking o er to the pilot. 0e &as a t&enty2"i e2year sergeant &ho lo ed the C2.s despite their #le$ished history. @Cap?n, &hat the hell is this thingI@ @4t?s called a L,R:, ,arge, deep s%#$ergence resc%e ehicle.@ @,ays A$alon on the #ack, sir,@ the sergeant pointed o%t. @9eah, so it has a na$e. 4t?s a sort o" a li"e#oat "or s%#$arines. 8oes do&n to get the cre& o%t i" so$ething scre&s %p.@ @*h.@ 'he sergeant considered that. 0e?d "lo&n tanks, helicopters, general cargo, once a &hole #attalion o" troops on hisFhe tho%ght o" the aircra"t as hisF8ala7y #e"ore. 'his &as the "irst ti$e he had e er "lo&n a ship. 4" it had a na$e, he reasoned, it &as a ship. La$n, the 8ala7y co%ld do anythingJ @;here &e takin? it, sirI@ @!or"olk !a al Air ,tation, and 4? e ne er #een there either.@ 'he pilot &atched the sec%ring process closely. Already a doBen ca#les &ere attached. ;hen a doBen $ore &ere in place, they?d p%t tension on the ca#les to pre ent the $in%test shi"t. @;e "ig%re a trip o" "i e ho%rs, "orty $in%tes, all on internal "%el. ;e got the Cet strea$ on o%r side today. ;eather?s s%pposed to #e okay %ntil &e hit the coast. ;e lay o er "or a day, then co$e #ack >onday $orning.@ @9o%r #oys &ork pretty "ast,@ said the senior na al o""icer, Lie%tenant A$es, co$ing o er. @9es, Lie%tenant, another t&enty $in%tes.@ 'he pilot checked his &atch. @;e o%ght to #e taking o"" on the ho%r.@ @!o h%rry, Captain. 4" this thing shi"ts in "light, 4 g%ess it &o%ld r%in o%r &hole day. ;here do 4 send $y peopleI@ @6pper deck "or&ard. 'here?s roo$ "or "i"teen or so C%st a"t o" the "light deck.@ Lie%tenant A$es kne& this #%t didn?t say so. 0e?d "lo&n &ith his L,R: across the Atlantic se eral ti$es and across the +aci"ic once, e ery ti$e on a di""erent C2.. @>ay 4 ask &hat the #ig deal isI@ the pilot inD%ired. @4 don?t kno&,@ A$es said. @'hey &ant $e and $y #a#y in !or"olk.@ @9o% really take that little #itty thing %nder&ater, sirI@ the load$aster asked. @'hat?s &hat they pay $e "or. 4? e had her do&n to "orty2eight h%ndred "eet, al$ost a $ile.@

A$es regarded his essel &ith a""ection. @A $ile under &ater, sirI Jes%sF%h, pardon $e, sir, #%t 4 $ean, isn?t that a little hairyFthe &ater press%re, 4 $eanI@ @!ot really. 4? e #een do&n to t&enty tho%sand a#oard Trieste. 4t?s really pretty interesting do&n there. 9o% see all kinds o" strange "ish.@ 'ho%gh a "%lly D%ali"ied s%#$ariner, A$es? "irst lo e &as research. 0e had a degree in oceanography and had co$$anded or ser ed in all o" the na y?s deep2s%#$ergence ehicles e7cept the n%clear2po&ered NR@A. @*" co%rse, the &ater press%re &o%ld do #ad things to yo% i" anything &ent &rong, #%t it &o%ld #e so "ast yo%?d ne er kno& it. 4" yo% "ello&s &ant a check ride, 4 co%ld pro#a#ly arrange it. 4t?s a di""erent &orld do&n there,@ @'hat?s okay, sir.@ 'he sergeant &ent #ack to s&earing at his $en. @9o% &eren?t serio%s,@ the pilot o#ser ed. @;hy notI 4t?s no #ig deal. ;e take ci ilians do&n all the ti$e, and #elie e $e, it?s a lot less hairy than riding this da$ned &hite &hale d%ring a $idair re"%eling.@ @6h2h%h,@ the pilot noted d%#io%sly. 0e?d done h%ndreds o" those. 4t &as entirely ro%tine, and he &as s%rprised that anyone &o%ld "ind it dangero%s. 9o% had to #e care"%l, o" co%rse, #%t, hell, yo% had to #e care"%l dri ing e ery $orning. 0e &as s%re that an accident on this pocket s%#$arine &o%ldn?t lea e eno%gh o" a $an to $ake a decent $eal "or a shri$p. 4t takes all kinds, he decided. @9o% don?t go to sea #y yo%rsel" in that, do yo%I@ @!o, ordinarily &e &ork o"" a s%#$arine resc%e ship, Pigeon or Ortolan. ;e can also operate o"" a reg%lar s%#$arine. 'hat gadget yo% see there on the trailer is o%r $ating collar. ;e can nest on the #ack o" a s%# at the a"ter escape tr%nk, and the s%# takes %s &here &e need to go.@ @Loes this ha e to do &ith the "lap on the East CoastI@ @'hat?s a good #et, #%t no#ody?s said anything o""icial to %s. 'he papers say the R%ssians ha e lost a s%#. 4" so, &e $ight go do&n to look at her, $ay#e resc%e any s%r i ors. ;e can take o"" t&enty or t&enty2"i e $en at a ti$e, and o%r $ating collar is designed to "it R%ssian s%#s as &ell as o%r o&n.@ @,a$e siBeI@ @Close eno%gh.@ A$es cocked an eye#ro&. @;e plan "or all kinds o" contingencies.@ @4nteresting.@ 'he !orth Atlantic 'he 9AA2-3 =orger had le"t the 'ie$ hal" an ho%r #e"ore, g%ided "irst #y gyro co$pass and no& #y the E,> pod on the "ighter?s st%##y r%dder "in. ,enior Lie%tenant :iktor ,ha ro ?s $ission &as not an easy one. 0e &as to approach the A$erican E2-A ,entry radar s%r eillance aircra"t, one o" &hich had #een shado&ing his "leet "or three days no&. 'he A;AC, Gair#orne &arning and control syste$H aircra"t had #een care"%l to circle &ell #eyond ,A> range, #%t had stayed close eno%gh to $aintain constant co erage o" the ,o iet "leet, reporting e ery $ane% er and radio trans$ission to their co$$and #ase. 4t &as like ha ing a #%rglar &atching one?s apart$ent and #eing %na#le to do anything a#o%t it. ,ha ro ?s $ission &as to do so$ething a#o%t it. 0e co%ldn?t shoot, o" co%rse. 0is orders "ro$ Ad$iral ,tral#o on the 'iro$ had #een e7plicit a#o%t that. B%t he &as carrying a pair o" Atoll heat2seeking $issiles &hich he &o%ld #e s%re to sho& the i$perialists. 0e and his ad$iral e7pected that this &o%ld teach the$ a lessonK the ,o iet !a y did not like ha ing i$perialist

snoopers a#o%t, and accidents had #een kno&n to happen. 4t &as a $ission &orthy o" the e""ort it took. 'his e""ort &as considera#le. 'o a oid detection #y the air#orne radar ,ha ro had to "ly as lo& and slo& as his "ighter co%ld operate, a #are t&enty $eters a#o e the ro%gh AtlanticE this &ay he &o%ld get lost in the sea ret%rn. 0is speed &as t&o h%ndred knots. 'his $ade "or e7cellent "%el econo$y, tho%gh his $ission &as at the ragged edge o" his "%el load. 4t also $ade "or ery ro%gh "lying as his "ighter #o%nced thro%gh the roiled air at the &a e tops. 'here &as a lo&2hanging $ist that c%t isi#ility to a "e& kilo$eters. ,o $%ch the #etter, he tho%ght. 'he nat%re o" the $ission had chosen hi$, rather than the other &ay aro%nd. 0e &as one o" the "e& ,o iet pilots e7perienced in lo&2le el "lying. ,ha ro had not #eco$e a sailor2pilot #y hi$sel". 0e?d started "lying attack helicopters "or "rontal a iation in A"ghanistan, grad%ating to "i7ed2 &ing aircra"t a"ter a year?s #loody apprenticeship. ,ha ro &as an e7pert in nap2o"2the2earth "lying, ha ing learned it #y necessity, h%nting the #andits and co%nterre ol%tionaries that hid in the to&ering $o%ntains like hydropho#ic rats. 'his skill had $ade hi$ attracti e to the "leet, &hich had trans"erred hi$ to sea d%ty &itho%t his ha ing had $%ch say in the $atter. A"ter a "e& $onths he had no co$plaints, his perDs and e7tra pay #eing $ore attracti e than his "or$er "rontal a iation #ase on the Chinese #order. Being one o" the "e& h%ndred carrier2D%ali"ied ,o iet air$en had so"tened the #lo& o" $issing his chance to "ly the ne& >i82/(, tho%gh &ith l%ck, i" the ne& "%ll2siBed carrier &ere e er "inished, he?d ha e the chance to "ly the na al ersion o" that &onder"%l #ird. ,ha ro co%ld &ait "or that, and &ith a "e& s%ccess"%l $issions like this one he $ight ha e his sD%adron co$$and. 0e stopped daydrea$ingFthe $ission &as too de$anding "or that. 'his &as real "lying. 0e?d ne er "lo&n against A$ericans, only against the &eapons they ga e to the A"ghan #andits. 0e had lost "riends to those &eapons, so$e o" &ho$ had s%r i ed their crashes only to #e done to death #y the A"ghan sa ages in &ays that &o%ld ha e $ade e en a 8er$an p%ke. 4t &o%ld #e good to teach the i$perialists a lesson personally. 'he radar signal &as gro&ing stronger. Beneath his eCection seat a tape recorder &as $aking a contin%o%s record o" the signal characteristics o" the A$erican aircra"t so that the scienti"ic people &o%ld #e a#le to de ise a $eans o" Ca$$ing and "oiling the a%nted A$erican "lying eye. 'he aircra"t &as only a con erted (5(, a glori"ied passenger plane, hardly a &orthy opponent "or a crack "ighter pilotJ ,ha ro checked his chart. 0e?d ha e to "ind it soon. !e7t he checked his "%el. 0e?d dropped his last e7ternal tank a "e& $in%tes earlier, and all he had no& &as his internal "%el. 'he t%r#o"an &as g%BBling "%el, so$ething he had to keep an eye on. 0e planned to ha e only "i e or ten $in%tes o" "%el le"t &hen he ret%rned to his ship. 'his did not tro%#le hi$. 0e already had o er a h%ndred carrier landings. 'hereJ 0is ha&k?s eyes ca%ght the glint o" s%n o"" $etal at one o?clock high. ,ha ro eased #ack on his stick and increased po&er gently, #ringing his =orger into a cli$#. A $in%te later he &as at t&o tho%sand $eters. 0e co%ld see the ,entry no&, its #l%e paint #lending neatly into the darkening sky. 0e &as co$ing %p #eneath its tail, and &ith l%ck the e$pennage &o%ld shield hi$ "ro$ the rotating radar antenna. +er"ectJ 0e?d #laBe #y her a "e& ti$es, letting the "light cre& see his Atolls, andF 4t took ,ha ro a $o$ent to realiBe that he had a &ing$an. '&o &ing$en. =i"ty $eters to his le"t and right, a pair o" A$erican =21. Eagle "ighters. 'he isored "ace o" one pilot &as staring at hi$. @9AA2153, 9AA2153, please ackno&ledge.@ 'he oice on the ,,B Gsingle side #andH radio circ%it spoke "la&less R%ssian. ,ha ro did not ackno&ledge. 'hey had read the n%$#er o"" his

engine intake ho%sing #e"ore he had kno&n they &ere there. @153, 153, this is the ,entry aircra"t yo% are no& approaching. +lease identi"y yo%rsel" and yo%r intentions. ;e get a little an7io%s &hen a stray "ighter co$es o%r &ay, so &e? e had three "ollo&ing yo% "or the past h%ndred kilo$eters.@ 'hreeI ,ha ro t%rned his head aro%nd. A third Eagle &ith "o%r sparro& $issiles &as hanging "i"ty $eters "ro$ his tail, his @si7.@ @*%r $en co$pli$ent yo% on yo%r a#ility to "ly lo& and slo&, 153.@ Lie%tenant ,ha ro &as shaking &ith rage as he passed "o%r tho%sand $eters, still eight tho%sand "ro$ the A$erican A;AC,. 0e had checked his si7 e ery thirty seconds on the &ay in. 'he A$ericans $%st ha e #een riding #ack there, hidden in the $ist, and ectored in on hi$ #y instr%ctions "ro$ the ,entry. 0e s&ore to hi$sel" and held co%rse. 0e?d teach that A;AC, a lessonJ @Break o"", 153.@ 4t &as a cool oice, &itho%t e$otion e7cept perhaps a trace o" irony. @153, i" yo% do not #reak o"", &e &ill consider yo%r $ission to #e hostile. 'hink a#o%t it, 153. 9o% are #eyond radar co erage o" yo%r o&n ships, and yo% are not yet &ithin $issile range o" %s.@ ,ha ro looked to his right. 'he Eagle &as #reaking o""Fso &as the one to the le"t. ;as it a gest%re, taking the heat o"" o" hi$ and e7pecting so$e co%rtesy in ret%rnI *r &ere they clearing the &ay "or the one #ehind hi$Fhe checked, still thereFto shootI 'here &as no telling &hat these i$perialist cri$inals &o%ld doE he &as at least a $in%te "ro$ the "ringe o" their $issile range. ,ha ro &as anything #%t a co&ard. !either &as he a "ool. 0e $o ed his stick, c%r ing his "ighter a "e& degrees to the right. @'hank yo%, 153,@ the oice ackno&ledged. @9o% see, &e ha e so$e trainee operators a#oard. '&o o" the$ are &o$en, and &e don?t &ant the$ to get rattled their "irst ti$e o%t.@ ,%ddenly it &as too $%ch. ,ha ro th%$#ed the radio s&itch on his stick. @,hall 4 tell yo% &hat yo% can do &ith yo%r &o$en, yankeeI@ @9o% are nekulturny, 153,@ the oice replied so"tly. @+erhaps the long o er&ater "light has $ade yo% ner o%s. 9o% $%st #e a#o%t at the li$it o" yo%r internal "%el. Bastard o" a day to "ly, &hat &ith all these craBy, shi"ting &inds. Lo yo% need a position check, o erI@ @!egati e, 9ankeeJ@ @Co%rse #ack to 'ie$ is one2eight2"i e, tr%e. 0a e to #e care"%l %sing a $agnetic co$pass this "ar north, yo% kno&. Listance to 'ie$ is -18.3 kilo$eters. ;arningFthere is a rapidly $o ing cold "ront $o ing in "ro$ the so%th&est. 'hat?s going to $ake "lying a little ro%gh in a "e& ho%rs. Lo yo% reD%ire an escort #ack to 'ie$2@ @+igJ@ ,ha ro s&ore to hi$sel". 0e s&itched his radio o"", c%rsing hi$sel" "or his lack o" discipline. 0e had allo&ed the A$ericans to &o%nd his pride. Like $ost "ighter pilots, he had a s%r"eit o" that. @153, &e did not copy yo%r last trans$ission. '&o o" $y Eagles are heading that &ay. 'hey &ill "or$ %p on yo% and see that yo% get ho$e sa"ely. 0a e a happy day, Co$rade. ,entry2 !o e$#er, o%t.@ 'he A$erican lie%tenant t%rned to his colonel. 0e co%ldn?t keep a straight "ace any longer. @8od, 4 tho%ght 4?d strangle talking like thatJ@ 0e sipped so$e Coke "ro$ a plastic c%p. @0e really tho%ght he?d sneak %p on %s.@ @4n case yo% didn?t notice, he did get &ithin a $ile o" Atoll range, and &e don?t ha e a%thoriBation to shoot at hi$ %ntil he "lips one at %sF&hich $ight &reck o%r day,@ the colonel gr%$ped. @!ice Co# o" t&isting his tail, Lie%tenant.@ @A pleas%re, Colonel.@ 'he operator looked at his screen. @;ell, he?s heading #ack to

$o$$a, &ith Co#ras - and 4 on his si7. 0e?s going to #e one %nhappy R%sskie &hen he gets ho$e. 4" he gets ho$e. E en &ith those drop tanks, he $%st #e near his range li$it.@ 0e tho%ght "or a $o$ent. @Colonel, i" they do this again, ho& ?#o%t &e o""er to take the g%y ho$e &ith %sI@ @8et a =orgerF&hat "orI 4 s%ppose the na y?d like to ha e one to play &ith, they don?t get $%ch o" 4 an?s hard&are, #%t the =orger?s a piece o" C%nk.@ ,ha ro &as te$pted to "ire&all his engine #%t restrained hi$sel". 0e?d already sho&n eno%gh personal &eakness "or one day. Besides, his 9AA co%ld only #reak >ach 1 in a di e. 'hose Eagles co%ld do it straight %p, and they had plenty o" "%el. 0e sa& that they #oth carried =A,'2pack con"or$al "%el cells. 'hey co%ld cross &hole oceans &ith those. La$n the A$ericans and their arroganceJ La$n his o&n intelligence o""icer "or telling hi$ he co%ld sneak %p on the ,entryJ Let the air2to2air ar$ed Back"ires go a"ter the$. 'hey co%ld handle that "a$ed o er#red passenger #%s, co%ld get to it "aster than its "ighter g%ardians co%ld react. 'he A$ericans, he sa&, &ere not lying a#o%t the &eather "ront. A line o" cold &eather sD%a&ls racing northeast &as C%st on the horiBon as he approached the 'ie$. 'he Eagles #acked o"" as he approached the "or$ation. *ne A$erican pilot p%lled alongside #rie"ly to &a e good#ye. 0is head #o##ed at ,ha ro ?s ret%rn gest%re. 'he Eagles paired %p and t%rned #ack north. =i e $in%tes later he &as a#oard the 'ie$, still pale &ith rage. As soon as the &heels &ere chocked he C%$ped to the carrier deck, sto$ping o"" to see his sD%adron co$$ander. 'he Are$lin 'he city o" >osco& &as C%stly "a$o%s "or its s%#&ay syste$. =or a pittance, people co%ld ride nearly any&here they &anted on a $odern, sa"e, garishly decorated electric rail&ay syste$. 4n case o" &ar, the %ndergro%nd t%nnels co%ld ser e as a #o$# shelter "or the citiBens o" >osco&. 'his secondary %se &as the res%lt o" the e""orts o" !ikita Ahr%shche , &ho &hen constr%ction &as #eg%n in the $id2thirties had s%ggested to ,talin that the syste$ #e dri en deep. ,talin had appro ed. 'he shelter consideration had #een decades ahead o" its ti$eE n%clear "ission had then only #een a theory, "%sion hardly tho%ght o" at all. *n a sp%r o" the line r%nning "ro$ , erdlo ,D%are to the old airport, &hich ran near the Are$lin, &orkers #ored a t%nnel that &as later closed o"" &ith a ten2$eter2thick steel and concrete pl%g. 'he h%ndred2$eter2long space &as connected to the Are$lin #y a pair o" ele ator sha"ts, and o er ti$e it had #een con erted to an e$ergency co$$and center "ro$ &hich the +olit#%ro co%ld control the entire ,o iet e$pire. 'he t%nnel &as also a con enient $eans o" going %nseen "ro$ the city to a s$all airport "ro$ &hich +olit#%ro $e$#ers co%ld #e "lo&n to their %lti$ate redo%#t, #eneath the granite $onolith at Nhig%li. !either co$$and post &as a secret to the ;estF#oth had e7isted "ar too long "or thatF#%t the A8B con"idently reported that nothing in the ;estern arsenals co%ld s$ash thro%gh the h%ndreds o" "eet o" rock &hich in #oth places separated the +olit#%ro "ro$ the s%r"ace. 'his "act &as o" little co$"ort to Ad$iral 9%ri 4lych +adorin. 0e "o%nd hi$sel" seated at the "ar end o" a ten2$eter2long con"erence ta#le looking at the gri$ "aces o" the ten +olit#%ro $e$#ers, the inner circle that alone $ade the strategic decisions a""ecting the "ate o" his co%ntry. !one o" the$ &ere o""icers. 'hose in %ni"or$ reported to these $en. 6p the ta#le to his le"t &as Ad$iral ,ergey 8orshko , &ho had disassociated hi$sel" "ro$ this a""air &ith cons%$$ate

skill, e en prod%cing a letter in &hich he had opposed Ra$i%s? appoint$ent to co$$and the Red October. +adorin, as chie" o" the >ain +olitical Ad$inistration, had s%ccess"%lly #locked Ra$i%s? trans"er, pointing o%t that 8orshko ?s candidate "or co$$and &as occasionally late in paying his +arty d%es and did not speak %p at the reg%lar $eetings o"ten eno%gh "or an o""icer o" his rank. 'he tr%th &as that 8orshko ?s candidate &as not so pro"icient an o""icer as Ra$i%s, &ho$ 8orshko had &anted "or his o&n operations sta"", a post that Ra$i%s had s%ccess"%lly e aded "or years. +arty 8eneral ,ecretary and +resident o" the 6nion o" ,o iet ,ocialist Rep%#lics Andre !ar$ono shi"ted his gaBe to +adorin. 0is "ace ga e nothing a&ay. 4t ne er did, %nless he &ished it toF&hich &as rare eno%gh. !ar$ono had s%cceeded Andropo &hen the latter had s%""ered a heart attack. 'here &ere r%$ors a#o%t that, #%t in the ,o iet 6nion there are al&ays r%$ors. !ot since the days o" La entri Beria had the sec%rity chie"tain co$e so close to po&er, and senior +arty o""icials had allo&ed the$sel es to "orget that. 4t &o%ld not #e "orgotten again. Bringing the A8B to heel had taken a year, a necessary $eas%re to sec%re the pri ileges o" the +arty elite "ro$ the s%pposed re"or$s o" the Andropo cliD%e. !ar$ono &as the apparatchik par e7cellence. 0e had "irst gained pro$inence as a "actory $anager, an engineer &ith a rep%tation "or "%l"illing his D%ota early, a $an &ho prod%ced res%lts. 0e had risen steadily #y %sing his o&n talents and those o" others, re&arding those he had to, ignoring those he co%ld. 0is position as general secretary o" the Co$$%nist +arty &as not entirely sec%re. 4t &as still early in his ste&ardship o" the +arty, and he depended on a loose coalition o" colleag%esFnot "riends, these $en did not $ake "riends. 0is s%ccession to this chair had res%lted $ore "ro$ ties &ithin the +arty str%ct%re than "ro$ personal a#ility, and his position &o%ld depend on consens%s r%le "or years, %ntil s%ch ti$e as his &ill co%ld dictate policy. !ar$ono ?s dark eyes, +adorin co%ld see, &ere red "ro$ to#acco s$oke. 'he entilation syste$ do&n here had ne er &orked properly. 'he general secretary sD%inted at +adorin "ro$ the other end o" the ta#le as he decided &hat to say, &hat &o%ld please the $e$#ers o" this ca#al, these ten old, passionless $en. @Co$rade Ad$iral,@ he #egan coldly, @&e ha e heard "ro$ Co$rade 8orshko &hat the chances are o" "inding and destroying this re#ellio%s s%#$arine #e"ore it can co$plete its %ni$agina#le cri$e. ;e are not pleased. !or are &e pleased &ith the "antastic error in C%dg$ent that ga e co$$and o" o%r $ost al%a#le ship to this sl%g. ;hat 4 &ant to kno& "ro$ yo%, Co$rade, is &hat happened to the zampolit a#oard, and &hat sec%rity $eas%res &ere taken #y yo%r o""ice to pre ent this in"a$y "ro$ taking placeJ@ 'here &as no "ear in !ar$ono ?s oice, #%t +adorin kne& it had to #e there. 'his @"antastic error@ co%ld %lti$ately #e laid at the chair$an?s "eet #y $e$#ers &ho &anted another in that chairF%nless he &ere a#le so$eho& to separate hi$sel" "ro$ it. 4" this $eant +adorin?s skin, that &as the ad$iral?s pro#le$. !ar$ono had had $en "layed #e"ore. +adorin had prepared hi$sel" "or this o er se eral days. 0e &as a $an &ho had li ed thro%gh $onths o" intensi e co$#at operations and had se eral #oats s%nk "ro$ %nder hi$. 4" his #ody &as so"ter no&, his $ind &as not. ;hate er his "ate $ight #e, +adorin &as deter$ined to $eet it &ith dignity. 4" they re$e$#er $e as a "ool, he tho%ght, it &ill #e as a co%rageo%s "ool. 0e had little le"t to li e "or in any case. @Co$rade 8eneral ,ecretary,@ he #egan, @the political o""icer a#oard Red October &as Captain 4 an 9%rie ich +%tin, a stal&art and "aith"%l +arty $e$#er. 4 cannot i$agineF@ @Co$rade +adorin,@ Le"ense >inister 6stino interr%pted, @&e pres%$e that yo% also co%ld

not i$agine the %n#elie a#le treachery o" this Ra$i%s. 9o% no& e7pect %s to tr%st yo%r C%dg$ent on this $an alsoI@ @'he $ost dist%r#ing thing o" all,@ added >ikhail Ale7andro , the +arty theoretician &ho had replaced the dead >ikhail ,%slo and &as e en $ore deter$ined than the departed ideolog%e to #e si$on2p%re on +arty doctrine, @is ho& tolerant the >ain +olitical Ad$inistration has #een to&ard this renegade. 4t is a$aBing, partic%larly in ie& o" his o# io%s e""orts to constr%ct his o&n personality c%lt thro%gho%t the s%#$arine ser ice, e en in the political ar$, it &o%ld see$. 9o%r cri$inal &illingness to o erlook thisFthis ob$ious a#erration "ro$ +arty policyFdoes not $ake yo%r C%dg$ent appear ery so%nd.@ @Co$rades, yo% are correct in C%dging that 4 erred #adly in appro ing Ra$i%s "or co$$and, and also that &e allo&ed hi$ to select $ost o" Red October?s senior o""icers. At the sa$e ti$e, &e chose so$e years ago to do things in this &ay, to keep o""icers associated &ith a single ship "or $any years, and to gi e the captain great s&ay o er their careers. 'his is an operational D%estion, not a political one.@ @;e ha e already considered that,@ !ar$ono replied. @4t is tr%e that in this case there is eno%gh #la$e "or $ore than one $an.@ 8orshko didn?t $o e, #%t the $essage &as e7plicitK his e""ort to separate hi$sel" "ro$ this scandal had "ailed. !ar$ono didn?t care ho& $any heads it took to prop %p his chair. @Co$rade Chair$an,@ 8orshko o#Cected, @the e""iciency o" the "leetF@ @E""iciencyI@ Ale7andro said. @E""iciency. 'his Lith%anian hal"2#reed is efficiently $aking "ools o" o%r "leet &ith his chosen o""icers &hile o%r re$aining ships #l%nder a#o%t like ne&ly castrated cattle.@ Ale7andro all%ded to his "irst Co# on a state "ar$. A "itting #eginning, it &as generally tho%ght, "or the $an &ho held the position o" chie" ideolog%e &as as pop%lar in >osco& as the plag%e, #%t the +olit#%ro had to ha e hi$ or one like hi$. 'he ideological chie"tain &as al&ays the king$aker. ;hose side &as he on no&Fin addition to his o&nI @'he $ost likely e7planation is that +%tin &as $%rdered,@ +adorin contin%ed. @0e alone o" the o""icers le"t #ehind a &i"e and "a$ily.@ @'hat?s another D%estion, Co$rade Ad$iral.@ !ar$ono seiBed this iss%e. @;hy is it that none o" these $en are $arriedI Lidn?t that tell yo% so$ethingI >%st &e o" the +olit#%ro s%per ise e erythingI Can?t yo% think "or yo%rsel esI@ As i" yo% &ant %s to, +adorin tho%ght. @Co$rade 8eneral ,ecretary, $ost o" o%r s%#$arine co$$anders pre"er yo%ng, %n$arried o""icers in their &ardroo$s. L%ty at sea is de$anding, and single $en ha e "e&er distractions. >oreo er, each o" the senior o""icers a#oard is a +arty $e$#er in good standing &ith a praise&orthy record. Ra$i%s has #een treachero%s, there is no denying that, and 4 &o%ld gladly kill the son o" a #itch &ith $y o&n handsF#%t he has decei ed $ore good $en than there are in this roo$.@ @4ndeed,@ Ale7andro o#ser ed. @And no& that &e are in this $ess, ho& do &e get o%t o" itI@ +adorin took a deep #reath. 0e?d #een &aiting "or this. @Co$rades, &e ha e another $an a#oard Red October, %nkno&n to either +%tin or Captain Ra$i%s, an agent o" the >ain +olitical Ad$inistration.@ @;hatI@ 8orshko said. @And &hy did 4 not kno& o" thisI@ Ale7andro s$iled. @'hat?s the "irst intelligent thing &e? e heard today. 8o on.@ @'his indi id%al is co ered as an enlisted $an. 0e reports directly to o%r o""ice, #ypassing all operational and political channels. 0is na$e is 4gor Logino . 0e is t&enty2"o%r, aF@ @T)enty@four!@ !ar$ono sho%ted. @9o% tr%st a child &ith this responsi#ilityI@ @Co$rade, Logino ?s $ission is to #lend in &ith the conscripted cre&$en, to listen in on

con ersations, to identi"y likely traitors, spies, and sa#ote%rs. 4n tr%th he looks yo%nger still. 0e ser es alongside yo%ng $en, and he $%st #e yo%ng hi$sel". 0e is, in "act, a grad%ate o" the higher na al school "or political o""icers at Aie and the 8R6 intelligence acade$y. 0e is the son o" Arkady 4 ano ich Logino , chie" o" the Lenin ,teel +lant at AaBan. >any o" yo% here kno& his "ather.@ !ar$ono &as a$ong those &ho nodded, a "lickering o" interest in his eyes. @*nly an elite "e& are chosen "or this d%ty. 4 ha e $et and inter ie&ed this #oy $ysel". 0is record is clear, he is a ,o iet patriot &itho%t D%estion.@ @4 kno& his "ather,@ !ar$ono con"ir$ed. @Arkady 4 ano ich is an honora#le $an &ho has raised se eral good sons. ;hat are this #oy?s ordersI@ @As 4 said, Co$rade 8eneral ,ecretary, his ordinary d%ties are to o#ser e the cre&$en and report on &hat he sees. 0e?s #een doing this "or t&o years, and he is good at it. 0e does not report to the zampolit a#oard, #%t only to >osco& or to one o" $y representati es. 4n a gen%ine e$ergency, his orders are to report to the zampolit. 4" +%tin is ali eFand 4 do not #elie e this, co$radesFhe &o%ld #e part o" the conspiracy, and Logino &o%ld kno& not to do this. 4n a tr%e e$ergency, there"ore, his orders are to destroy the ship and $ake his escape.@ @'his is possi#leI@ !ar$ono asked. @8orshko I@ @Co$rades, all o" o%r ships carry po&er"%l sc%ttling charges, s%#$arines especially.@ @6n"ort%nately,@ +adorin said, @these are generally not ar$ed, and only the captain can acti ate the$. E er since the incident on (torozhe$oy, &e in the >ain +olitical Ad$inistration ha e had to consider that an incident s%ch as this one &as indeed a possi#ility, and that its $ost da$aging $ani"estation &o%ld in ol e a $issile2carrying s%#$arine.@ @Ah,@ !ar$ono o#ser ed, @he is a $issile $echanic.@ @!o, Co$rade, he is a ship?s cook,@ +adorin replied. @;onder"%lJ 0e spends all his day #oiling potatoesJ@ !ar$ono ?s hands "le& %p in the air, his hope"%l de$eanor gone in an instant, replaced &ith palpa#le &rath. @9o% &ish yo%r #%llet no&, +adorinI@ @Co$rade Chair$an, this is a #etter co er assign$ent than yo% $ay i$agine.@ +adorin did not "linch, &anting to sho& these $en &hat he &as $ade o". @*n Red October the o""icers? acco$$odations and galley are a"t. 'he cre&?s D%arters are "or&ardFthe cre& eat there since they do not ha e a separate $essroo$F&ith the $issile roo$ in #et&een. As a cook he $%st tra el #ack and "orth $any ti$es each day, and his presence in any partic%lar area &ill not #e tho%ght %n%s%al. 'he "ood "reeBer is located adCacent to the lo&er $issile deck "or&ard. 4t is not o%r plan that he sho%ld acti ate the sc%ttling charges. ;e ha e allo&ed "or the possi#ility that the captain co%ld disar$ the$. Co$rades, these $eas%res ha e #een care"%lly tho%ght o%t.@ @8o on,@ !ar$ono gr%nted. @As Co$rade 8orshko e7plained earlier, Red October carries t&enty2si7 ,eaha&k $issiles. 'hese are solid2"%el rockets, and one has a range2sa"ety package installed.@ @Range sa"etyI@ !ar$ono &as p%BBled. 6p to this point the other $ilitary o""icers at the $eeting, none o" the$ +olit#%ro $e$#ers, had kept their peace. +adorin &as s%rprised &hen 8eneral :.>. :ishenko , co$$ander o" the ,trategic Rocket =orces, spoke %p. @Co$rades, these details &ere &orked o%t thro%gh $y o""ice so$e years ago. As yo% kno&, &hen &e test o%r $issiles, &e ha e sa"ety packages a#oard to e7plode the$ i" they go o"" co%rse. *ther&ise they $ight land on one o" o%r o&n cities. *%r operational $issiles do not ordinarily carry the$F"or the o# io%s reason, the i$perialists $ight learn a &ay to e7plode the$ in "light.@ @,o, o%r yo%ng 8R6 co$rade &ill #lo& %p the $issile. ;hat o" the &arheadsI@ !ar$ono

asked. An engineer #y training, he co%ld al&ays #e distracted #y technical disco%rse, al&ays i$pressed #y a cle er one. @Co$rade,@ :ishenko &ent on, @the $issile &arheads are ar$ed #y accelero$eters. 'h%s they cannot #e ar$ed %ntil the $issile reaches its "%ll progra$$ed speed. 'he A$ericans %se the sa$e syste$, and "or the sa$e reason, to pre ent sa#otage. 'hese sa"ety syste$s are a#sol%tely relia#le. 9o% co%ld drop one o" the reentry ehicles "ro$ the top o" the >osco& tele ision trans$itter onto a steel plate and it &o%ld not "ire.@ 'he general re"erred to the $assi e ': to&er &hose constr%ction !ar$ono had personally s%per ised &hile head o" the Central Co$$%nications Lirectorate. :ishenko &as a skilled political operator. @4n the case o" a solid2"%el rocket,@ +adorin contin%ed, recogniBing his de#t to :ishenko , &ondering &hat he?d ask "or in ret%rn, and hoping he?d li e long eno%gh to deli er, @a sa"ety package ignites all o" the $issile?s three stages si$%ltaneo%sly.@ @,o the $issile C%st takes o""I@ Ale7andro asked. @!o, Co$rade Acade$ician. 'he %pper stage $ight, i" it co%ld #reak thro%gh the $issile t%#e hatch, and this &o%ld "lood the $issile roo$, sinking the s%#$arine. B%t e en i" it did not, there is s%""icient ther$al energy in either o" the "irst t&o stages to red%ce the entire s%#$arine to a p%ddle o" $olten iron, t&enty ti$es &hat is necessary to sink it. Logino has #een trained to #ypass the alar$ syste$ on the $issile t%#e hatch, to acti ate the sa"ety package, set a ti$er, and escape.@ @!ot C%st to destroy the shipI@ !ar$ono asked. @Co$rade 8eneral ,ecretary,@ +adorin said, @it is too $%ch to ask a yo%ng $an to do his d%ty, kno&ing that it $eans certain death. ;e &o%ld #e %nrealistic to e7pect this. 0e $%st ha e at least the possi#ility o" escape, other&ise h%$an &eakness $ight lead to "ail%re.@ @'his is reasona#le,@ Ale7andro said. @9o%ng $en are $oti ated #y hope, not "ear. 4n this case, yo%ng Logino &o%ld hope "or a considera#le re&ard.@ @And get it,@ !ar$ono said. @;e &ill $ake e ery e""ort to sa e this yo%ng $an, 8orshko .@ @4" he is tr%ly relia#le,@ Ale7andro noted. @4 kno& that $y li"e depends on this, Co$rade Acade$ician,@ +adorin said, his #ack still straight. 0e did not get a er#al ans&er, only nods "ro$ hal" the heads at the ta#le. 0e had "aced death #e"ore and &as at the age &here it re$ains the last thing a $an need "ace. 'he ;hite 0o%se Ar#ato ca$e into the * al *""ice at 4K.5 +.>. 0e "o%nd the president and Lr. +elt sitting in easy chairs across "ro$ the chie" e7ec%ti e?s desk. @Co$e on o er, Ale7. Co""eeI@ 'he president pointed to a tray on the corner o" his desk. 0e &as not drinking today, Ar#ato noted. @!o, thank yo%, >r. +resident. >ay 4 askF@ @;e think &e "o%nd yo%r s%#, Ale7,@ +elt ans&ered. @'hey C%st #ro%ght these dispatches o er, and &e?re checking the$ no&.@ 'he ad iser held %p a ring #inder o" $essage "or$s. @;here is it, $ay 4 askI@ 'he a$#assador?s "ace &as deadpan. @Ro%ghly three h%ndred $iles northeast o" !or"olk. ;e ha e not located it e7actly. *ne o" o%r ships noted an %nder&ater e7plosion in the areaFno, that?s not right. 4t &as recorded on a ship, and &hen the tapes &ere checked a "e& ho%rs later, they tho%ght they heard a s%#$arine e7plode and sink. ,orry, Ale7,@ +elt said. @4 sho%ld ha e kno&n #etter than to read thro%gh all

this st%"" &itho%t an interpreter. Loes yo%r na y talk in its o&n lang%age, tooI@ @*""icers do not like "or ci ilians to %nderstand the$,@ Ar#ato s$iled. @'his has do%#tless #een tr%e since the "irst $an picked %p a stone.@ @Any&ay, &e ha e ships and aircra"t searching the area no&.@ 'he president looked %p. @Ale7, 4 talked to the chie" o" na al operations, Lan =oster, a "e& $in%tes ago. 0e said not to e7pect any s%r i ors. 'he &ater there?s o er a tho%sand "eet deep, and yo% kno& &hat the &eather is like. 'hey said it?s right on the edge o" the continental shel".@ @'he !or"olk Canyon, sir,@ +elt added. @;e are cond%cting a thoro%gh search,@ the president contin%ed. @'he na y is #ringing in so$e specialiBed resc%e eD%ip$ent, search gear, all that sort o" thing. 4" the s%#$arine is located, &e?ll get so$e#ody do&n to the$ on the chance there $ight #e s%r i ors. =ro$ &hat the C!* tells $e it is C%st possi#le that there $ight #e i" the interior partitionsF#%lkheads, 4 think he called the$Fare intact. 'he other D%estion is their air s%pply, he said. 'i$e is ery $%ch against %s, 4?$ a"raid. All this "antastically e7pensi e eD%ip$ent &e #%y the$, and they can?t locate one da$ned o#Cect right o"" o%r coast.@ Ar#ato $ade a $ental record o" these &ords. 4t &o%ld $ake a &orth&hile intelligence report. 'he president occasionally letF @By the &ay, >r. A$#assador, &hat e7actly &as yo%r s%#$arine doing thereI@ @4 ha e no idea, Lr. +elt.@ @4 tr%st it &as not a $issile s%#,@ +elt said. @;e ha e an agree$ent to keep those "i e h%ndred $iles o""shore. 'he &reck &ill o" co%rse #e inspected #y o%r resc%e cra"t. ;ere &e to learn that it is indeed a $issile s%# . . .@ @9o%r point is noted. ,till, those are international &aters.@ 'he president t%rned and spoke so"tly. @,o is the 8%l" o" =inland, Ale7, and, 4 #elie e, the Black ,ea.@ 0e let this o#ser ation hang in the air "or a $o$ent. @4 sincerely hope that &e are not heading #ack to that kind o" sit%ation. Are &e talking a#o%t a $issile s%#$arine, Ale7I@ @'r%ly, >r. +resident, 4 ha e no idea. Certainly 4 sho%ld hope not.@ 'he president co%ld see ho& care"%lly the lie &as phrased. 0e &ondered i" the R%ssians &o%ld ad$it that there &as a captain o%t there &ho had disregarded his orders. !o, they &o%ld pro#a#ly clai$ a na igation error. @:ery &ell. 4n any case, &e &ill #e cond%cting o%r o&n search and resc%e operation. ;e?ll kno& soon eno%gh &hat sort o" essel &e?re talking a#o%t.@ 'he president looked s%ddenly %neasy. @*ne $ore thing =oster talked a#o%t. 4" &e "ind #odiesFpardon the cr%dity on a ,at%rday a"ternoonF4 e7pect that yo% &ill &ant the$ ret%rned to yo%r co%ntry.@ @4 ha e had no instr%ctions on this,@ the a$#assador ans&ered tr%th"%lly, ca%ght o"" g%ard. @4t &as e7plained to $e in too $%ch detail &hat a death like this does to a $an. 4n si$ple ter$s, they?re cr%shed #y the &ater press%re, not a ery pretty thing to see, they tell $e. B%t they &ere $en, and they deser e so$e dignity e en in death.@ Ar#ato conceded the point. @4" this is possi#le, then, 4 #elie e that the ,o iet people &o%ld appreciate this h%$anitarian gest%re.@ @;e?ll do o%r #est.@ And the A$erican #est, Ar#ato re$e$#ered, incl%ded a ship na$ed the 3lomar :plorer. 'his notorio%s e7ploration ship had #een #%ilt #y the C4A "or the speci"ic p%rpose o" reco ering a ,o iet 3olf2class $issile s%#$arine "ro$ the "loor o" the +aci"ic *cean. ,he had #een placed in storage, no do%#t to a&ait the ne7t s%ch opport%nity. 'here &o%ld #e nothing the ,o iet 6nion co%ld do to pre ent the operation, a "e& h%ndred $iles o"" the A$erican coast, three

h%ndred $iles "ro$ the 6nited ,tates? largest na al #ase. @4 tr%st that the precepts o" international la& &ill #e o#ser ed, gentle$en. 'hat is, &ith respect to the essel?s re$ains and the cre&?s #odies.@ @*" co%rse, Ale7.@ 'he president s$iled, gest%ring to a $e$orand%$ on his desk. Ar#ato str%ggled "or control. 0e?d #een led do&n this path like a school#oy, "orgetting that the A$erican president had #een a skilled co%rtroo$ tacticianFnot so$ething that li"e in the ,o iet 6nion prepares a $an "orFand kne& all a#o%t legal tricks. ;hy &as this #astard so easy to %nderesti$ateI 'he president &as also str%ggling to control hi$sel". 4t &as not o"ten that he sa& Ale7 "l%stered. 'his &as a cle er opponent, not easily ca%ght o"" #alance. La%ghing &o%ld spoil it. 'he $e$orand%$ "ro$ the attorney general had arri ed only that $orning. 4t readK >r. +resident, +%rs%ant to yo%r reD%est, 4 ha e asked the chie" o" o%r ad$iralty la& depart$ent to re ie& the D%estion o" international la& regarding the o&nership o" s%nken or derelict essels, and the la& o" sal age pertaining to s%ch essels. 'here is a good deal o" case la& on the s%#Cect. *ne si$ple e7a$ple is !almas $ (tathos G84=,%"". 8/8, 1949 A.>.C. ((5 Q,.L.!.9. 1949RHK !o pro#le$ o" "oreign la& is here in ol ed, "or it is &ell settled that @sal age is a D%estion arising o%t o" the 4us gentium and does not ordinarily depend on the $%nicipal la& o" partic%lar co%ntries.@ 'he international #asis "or this is the ,al age Con ention o" 1915 GBr%sselsH, &hich codi"ied the transnational nat%re o" ad$iralty and sal age la&. 'his &as rati"ied #y the 6nited ,tates in the ,al age Act o" 191/, -( ,tat. /4/, G191/H, 43 6.,.C.A. WW (/(2(-1E and also in -( ,tat. 13.8 G191-H. @4nternational la& &ill #e o#ser ed, Ale7,@ the president pro$ised. @4n all partic%lars.@ And &hate er &e get, he tho%ght, &ill #e taken to the nearest port, !or"olk, &here it &ill #e t%rned o er to the recei er o" &recks, an o er&orked "ederal o""icial. 4" the ,o iets &ant anything #ack, they can #ring action in ad$iralty co%rt, &hich $eans the "ederal district co%rt sitting in !or"olk, &here, i" the s%it &ere s%ccess"%lFafter the al%e o" the sal aged property &as deter$ined, and after the 6.,. !a y &as paid a proper "ee "or its sal age e""ort, also deter$ined #y the co%rtF the &reck &o%ld #e ret%rned to its right"%l o&ners. *" co%rse, the "ederal district co%rt in D%estion had, at last check, an ele en2$onth #acklog o" cases. Ar#ato &o%ld ca#le >osco& on this. =or &hat good it &o%ld do. 0e &as certain the president &o%ld take per erse pleas%re in $anip%lating the grotesD%e A$erican legal syste$ to his o&n ad antage, all the ti$e pointing o%t that, as president, he &as constit%tionally %na#le to inter"ere &ith the &orking o" the co%rts. +elt looked at his &atch. 4t &as a#o%t ti$e "or the ne7t s%rprise. 0e had to ad$ire the president. =or a $an &ith only li$ited kno&ledge o" international a""airs only a "e& years earlier, he?d learned "ast. 'his o%t&ardly si$ple, D%iet2talking $an &as at his #est in "ace to "ace sit%ations, and a"ter a li"eti$e?s e7perience as a prosec%tor, he still lo ed to play the ga$e o" negotiation and tactical e7change. 0e see$ed a#le to $anip%late people &ith "righteningly cas%al skill. 'he phone rang and +elt got it, right on c%e.

@'his is Lr. +elt speaking. 9es, Ad$iralF&hereI ;henI J%st oneI 4 see . . . !or"olkI 'hank yo%, Ad$iral, that is ery good ne&s. 4 &ill in"or$ the president i$$ediately. +lease keep %s ad ised.@ +elt t%rned aro%nd. @;e got one, ali e, #y 8odJ@ @A s%r i or o"" the lost s%#I@ 'he president stood. @;ell, he?s a R%ssian sailor. A helicopter picked hi$ %p an ho%r ago, and they?re "lying hi$ to the !or"olk #ase hospital. 'hey picked hi$ %p /95 $iles northeast o" !or"olk, so 4 g%ess that $akes it "it. 'he $en on the ship say he?s in pretty #ad shape, #%t the hospital is ready "or hi$.@ 'he president &alked to his desk and li"ted the phone. @8race, ring $e Lan =oster right no& FAd$iral, this is the president. 'he $an they picked %p, ho& soon to !or"olkI Another t&o ho%rsI@ 0e gri$aced. @Ad$iral, yo% get on the phone to the na al hospital, and yo% tell the$ that - say they are to do e erything they can "or that $an. 4 &ant hi$ treated like he &as $y o&n son, is that clearI 8ood. 4 &ant ho%rly reports on his condition. 4 &ant the #est people &e ha e in on this, the ery #est. 'hank yo%, Ad$iral.@ 0e h%ng %p. @All rightJ@ @>ay#e &e &ere too pessi$istic, Ale7,@ +elt chirped %p. @Certainly,@ the president ans&ered. @9o% ha e a doctor at the e$#assy, don?t yo%I@ @9es, &e do, >r. +resident.@ @'ake hi$ do&n, too. 0e?ll #e e7tended e ery co%rtesy. 4?ll see to that. Je"", are they searching "or other s%r i orsI@ @9es, >r. +resident. 'here?s a doBen aircra"t in the area right no&, and t&o $ore ships on the &ay.@ @8oodJ@ 'he president clapped his hands together, enth%siastic as a kid in a toystore. @!o&, i" &e can "ind so$e $ore s%r i ors, $ay#e &e can gi e yo%r co%ntry a $eaning"%l Christ$as present, Ale7. ;e &ill do e erything &e can, yo% ha e $y &ord on that.@ @'hat is ery kind o" yo%, >r. +resident. 4 &ill co$$%nicate this happy ne&s to $y co%ntry at once.@ @!ot so "ast, Ale7.@ 'he chie" e7ec%ti e held his hand %p. @4?d say this calls "or a drink.@

THE TENTH DAY SUNDAY 1 , DECEMBER

,*,6, Control At ,*,6, Control in !or"olk, the pict%re &as #eco$ing increasingly di""ic%lt. 'he 6nited ,tates si$ply did not ha e the technology to keep track o" s%#$arines in the deep ocean #asins. 'he ,*,6, receptors &ere principally laid at shallo&2&ater choke points, on the #otto$ o" %ndersea ridges and highlands. 'he strategy o" the !A'* co%ntries &as a direct conseD%ence o" this technological li$itation. 4n a $aCor &ar &ith the ,o iets, !A'* &o%ld %se the 8reenland2 4celand26nited Aingdo$ ,*,6, #arrier as a h%ge trip&ire, a #%rglar alar$ syste$. Allied s%#$arines and A,; patrol aircra"t &o%ld try to seek o%t, attack, and destroy ,o iet s%#$arines as they approached it, #e"ore they co%ld cross the lines. 'he #arrier had ne er #een e7pected to halt $ore than hal" o" the attacking s%#$arines, ho&e er, and those that s%cceeded in slipping thro%gh &o%ld ha e to #e handled di""erently. 'he deep ocean #asins &ere si$ply too &ide and too deepFthe a erage depth &as o er t&o $ilesFto #e littered &ith sensors as the shallo& choke points &ere. 'his &as a "act that c%t #oth &ays. 'he !A'* $ission &o%ld #e to $aintain the Atlantic Bridge and contin%e transoceanic trade, and the o# io%s ,o iet $ission &o%ld #e to interdict this trade. ,%#$arines &o%ld ha e to spread o%t o er the ast ocean to co er the $any possi#le con oy ro%tes. !A'* strategy #ehind the ,*,6, #arriers, then, &as to asse$#le large con oys, each ringed &ith destroyers, helicopters, and "i7ed2&ing aircra"t. 'he escorts &o%ld try to esta#lish a protecti e #%##le a#o%t a h%ndred $iles across. Ene$y s%#$arines &o%ld not #e a#le to e7ist &ithin that #%##leE i" in it they &o%ld #e h%nted do&n and killedFor $erely dri en o"" long eno%gh "or the con oy to speed past. 'h%s &hile ,*,6, &as designed to ne%traliBe a h%ge, "i7ed e7panse o" sea, deep2 #asin strategy &as "o%nded on $o#ility, a $o ing Bone o" protection "or the ital !orth Atlantic shipping. 'his &as an altogether sensi#le strategy, #%t one that co%ld not #e tested %nder realistic conditions, and, %n"ort%nately, one that &as largely %seless at the $o$ent. ;ith all o" the ,o iet Alfas and %ictors already on the coast, and the last o" the "harlies, choes, and No$embers C%st arri ing on their stations, the $aster screen Co$$ander O%entin &as staring at &as no longer "illed &ith discrete little red dots #%t rather &ith large circles. Each dot or circle designated the position o" a ,o iet s%#$arine. A circle respresented an esti$ated position, calc%lated "ro$ the

speed &ith &hich a s%# co%ld $o e &itho%t gi ing o"" eno%gh noise to #e localiBed #y the $any sensors #eing e$ployed. ,o$e circles &ere ten $iles across, so$e as $%ch as "i"tyE an area any&here "ro$ se enty2eight to t&o tho%sand sD%are $iles had to #e searched i" the s%#$arine &ere again to #e pinned do&n. And there &ere C%st too da$ned $any o" the #oats. 0%nting the s%#$arines &as principally the Co# o" the +2-C *rion. Each *rion carried sono#%oys, air2deploya#le acti e and passi e sonar sets that &ere dropped "ro$ the #elly o" the aircra"t. *n detecting so$ething, a sono#%oy reported to its $other aircra"t and then a%to$atically sank lest it "all into %n"riendly hands. 'he sono#%oys had li$ited electrical po&er and th%s li$ited range. ;orse, their s%pply &as "inite. 'he sono#%oy in entory &as already #eing depleted alar$ingly, and soon they &o%ld ha e to c%t #ack on e7pendit%res. Additionally, each +2-C carried =L4Rs, "or&ard2looking in"rared scanners, to identi"y the heat signat%re o" a n%clear s%#, and >ALs, $agnetic ano$aly detectors that located the dist%r#ance in the earth?s $agnetic "ield ca%sed #y a large ch%nk o" "erro%s $etal like a s%#$arine. >AL gear co%ld only detect a $agnetic dist%r#ance si7 h%ndred yards to the le"t and right o" an aircra"t?s co%rse track, and to do this the aircra"t had to "ly lo&, cons%$ing "%el and li$iting the cre&?s is%al search range. =L4R had ro%ghly the sa$e li$itation. 'h%s the technology %sed to localiBe a target "irst detected #y ,*,6,, or to @delo%se@ a discrete piece o" ocean preparatory to the passage o" a con oy, si$ply &as not %p to a rando$ search o" the deep ocean. O%entin leaned "or&ard. A circle had C%st changed to a dot. A +2-C had C%st dropped an e7plosi e so%nding charge and localiBed an cho2class attack s%# "i e h%ndred $iles so%th o" the 8rand Banks. =or an ho%r they had a near2certain shooting sol%tion on that choE her na$e &as &ritten on the *rion?s >ark 43 A,; torpedoes. O%entin sipped at his co""ee. 0is sto$ach re#elled at the additional ca""eine, re$e$#ering the a#%se o" "o%r $onths o" hellish che$otherapy. 4" there &ere to #e a &ar, this &as one &ay it $ight start. All at once, their s%#$arines &o%ld stop, perhaps C%st like this. !ot sneaking to kill con oys in $idocean #%t attacking the$ closer to shore, the &ay the 8er$ans had done . . . and all the A$erican sensors &o%ld #e in the &rong place. *nce stopped the dots &o%ld gro& to circles, e er &ider, $aking the task o" "inding the s%#s all the $ore di""ic%lt. 'heir engines D%iet, the #oats &o%ld #e in isi#le traps "or the passing $erchant essels and &arships racing to #ring li"e2sa ing s%pplies to the $en in E%rope. ,%#$arines &ere like cancer. J%st like the disease that he had only #arely de"eated. 'he in isi#le, $alignant essels &o%ld "ind a place, stop to in"ect it, and on his screen the $alignancies &o%ld gro& %ntil they &ere attacked #y the aircra"t he controlled "ro$ this roo$. B%t he co%ld not attack the$ no&. *nly &atch. @+A E,' 1 0*6RFR6!,@ he typed into his co$p%ter console. @/-,@ the co$p%ter ans&ered at once. O%entin gr%nted. '&enty2"o%r ho%rs earlier the +A, pro#a#ility o" a kill, had #een "ortyF "orty pro#a#le kills in the "irst ho%r a"ter getting a shooting a%thoriBation. !o& it &as #arely hal" that, and this n%$#er had to #e taken &ith a large grain o" salt, since it ass%$ed that e erything &o%ld &ork, a happy state o" a""airs "o%nd only in "iction. ,oon, he C%dged, the n%$#er &o%ld #e %nder ten. 'his did not incl%de kills "ro$ "riendly s%#$arines that &ere trailing the R%ssians %nder strict orders not to re eal their positions. 0is so$eti$e allies in the (turgeons, Permits, and Los Angeleses &ere playing their o&n A,; ga$e #y their o&n set o" r%les. A di""erent #reed. 0e tried to think o" the$ as "riends, #%t it ne er D%ite &orked. 4n his t&enty years o" na al ser ice s%#$arines had al&ays #een the ene$y. 4n &ar they &o%ld #e %se"%l ene$ies, #%t in a &ar it &as &idely recogniBed that there &as no s%ch thing as a "riendly s%#$arine.

A B2./ 'he #o$#er cre& kne& e7actly &here the R%ssians &ere. !a y *rions and air "orce ,entries had #een shado&ing the$ "or days no&, and the day #e"ore, he?d #een told, the ,o iets had sent an ar$ed "ighter "ro$ the 'ie$ to the nearest ,entry. +ossi#ly an attack $ission, pro#a#ly not, it had in any case #een a pro ocation. =o%r ho%rs earlier the sD%adron o" "o%rteen had "lo&n o%t o" +latts#%rg, !e& 9ork, at 5--5, lea ing #ehind #lack trails o" e7ha%st s$oke hidden in the preda&n gloo$. Each aircra"t carried a "%ll load o" "%el and t&el e $issiles &hose total &eight &as "ar less than the 2./?s design #o$#load. 'his $ade "or good, long range. ;hich &as e7actly &hat they needed. Ano&ing &here the R%ssians &ere &as only hal" the #attle. 0itting the$ &as the other. 'he $ission pro"ile &as si$ple in concept, rather $ore di""ic%lt in e7ec%tion. As had #een learned in $issions o er 0anoiFin &hich the B2./ had participated and s%stained ,A> Gs%r"ace2to2air $issileH da$ageFthe #est $ethod o" attacking a hea ily de"ended target &as to con erge "ro$ all points o" the co$pass at once, @like the en eloping ar$s o" an angry #ear,@ the sD%adron co$$ander had p%t it at the #rie"ing, ind%lging his poetic nat%re. 'his ga e hal" the sD%adron relati ely direct co%rses to their targetE the other hal" had to c%r e aro%nd, care"%l to keep &ell #eyond e""ecti e radar co erageE all had to t%rn e7actly on c%e. 'he B2./s had t%rned ten $in%tes earlier, on co$$and "ro$ the ,entry D%arter#acking the $ission. 'he pilot had added a t&ist. 0is co%rse to the ,o iet "or$ation took his #o$#er right do&n a co$$ercial air ro%te. *n $aking his t%rn, he had s&itched his 4== transponder "ro$ its nor$al setting to international. 0e &as "i"ty $iles #ehind a co$$ercial (4(, thirty $iles ahead o" another, and on ,o iet radar all three Boeing prod%cts &o%ld look e7actly alikeFhar$less. 4t &as still dark do&n on the s%r"ace. 'here &as no indication that the R%ssians &ere alerted yet. 'heir "ighters &ere only s%pposed to #e :=R G is%al "light r%lesH capa#le, and the pilot i$agined that taking o"" and landing on a carrier in the dark &as pretty risky #%siness, do%#ly so in #ad &eather. @,kipper,@ the electronic &ar"are o""icer called on the interco$, @&e?re getting L2 and ,2#and e$issions. 'hey?re right &here they?re s%pposed to #e.@ @Roger. Eno%gh "or a ret%rn o"" %sI@ @'hat?s a""ir$, #%t they pro#a#ly think &e?re "lying +an A$. !o "ire control st%"" yet, C%st ro%tine air search.@ @Range to targetI@ @*ne2three2Bero $iles.@ 4t &as al$ost ti$e. 'he $ission pro"ile &as s%ch that all &o%ld hit the 1/.2$ile circle at the sa$e $o$ent. @E erything readyI@ @'hat?s a roge.@ 'he pilot rela7ed "or another $in%te, &aiting "or the signal "ro$ the entry. @=LA,0L480', =LA,0L480', =LA,0L480'.@ 'he signal ca$e o er the digital radio channel. @'hat?s itJ Let ?e$ kno& &e?re here,@ the aircra"t co$$ander ordered. @Right.@ 'he electronic &ar"are o""icer "lipped the clear plastic co er o"" his set o" toggle

s&itches and dials controlling the aircra"t?s Ca$$ing syste$s. =irst he po&ered %p his syste$s. 'his took a "e& seconds. 'he 2./?s electronics &ere all old se enties2 intage eD%ip$ent, else the sD%adron &o%ld not #e part o" the C%nior arsity. 8ood learning tools, tho%gh, and the lie%tenant &as hoping to $o e %p to the ne& B21Bs no& #eginning to co$e o"" the Rock&ell asse$#ly line in Cali"ornia. =or the past ten $in%tes the E,> pods on the #o$#er?s nose and &ingtips had #een recording the ,o iet radar signals, classi"ying their e7act "reD%encies, p%lse repetition rates, po&er, and the indi id%al signat%re characteristics o" the trans$itters. 'he lie%tenant &as #rand ne& to this ga$e. 0e &as a recent grad%ate o" electronic &ar"are school, "irst in his class. 0e considered &hat he sho%ld do "irst, then selected a Ca$$ing $ode, not his #est, "ro$ a range o" $e$oriBed options. 'he !ikolaye *ne h%ndred t&enty2"i e $iles a&ay on the 'ara2class cr%iser Nikolaye$, a radar michman &as e7a$ining so$e #lips that see$ed to #e in a circle aro%nd his "or$ation. 4n an instant his screen &as co ered &ith t&enty ghostly splotches tracing craBily in ario%s directions. 0e sho%ted the alar$, echoed a second later #y a #rother operator. 'he o""icer o" the &atch h%rried o er to check the screen. By the ti$e he got there the Ca$$ing $ode had changed and si7 lines like the spokes o" a &heel &ere rotating slo&ly aro%nd a central a7is. @+lot the stro#es,@ the o""icer ordered. !o& there &ere #lotches, lines, and sparkles. @>ore than one aircra"t, Co$rade.@ 'he michman tried "lipping thro%gh his "reD%ency settings. @Attack &arningJ@ another michman sho%ted. 0is E,> recei er had C%st reported the signals o" aircra"t search2radar sets o" the type %sed to acD%ire targets "or air2to2s%r"ace $issiles. 'he B2./ @;e got hard targets,@ the &eapons o""icer on the 2./ reported. @4 got a lock on the "irst three #irds.@ @Roger that,@ the pilot ackno&ledged. @0old "or ten $ore seconds.@ @'en seconds,@ the o""icer replied. @C%tting s&itches . . . no&.@ @*kay, kill the Ca$$ing.@ @EC> syste$s o"".@ 'he !ikolaye @>issile acD%isition radars ha e ceased,@ the co$#at in"or$ation center o""icer reported to the cr%iser?s captain, C%st no& arri ed "ro$ the #ridge. Aro%nd the$ the Nikolaye$?s cre& &as racing to #attle stations. @Ja$$ing has also ceased.@ @;hat is o%t thereI@ the captain asked. *%t o" a clear sky his #ea%ti"%l clipper2#o&ed cr%iser had #een threatenedFand no& all &as &ellI

@At least eight ene$y aircra"t in a circle aro%nd %s.@ 'he captain e7a$ined the no& nor$al ,2#and air search screen. 'here &ere n%$ero%s #lips, $ainly ci ilian aircra"t. 'he hal" circle o" others had to #e hostile, tho%gh. @Co%ld they ha e "ired $issilesI@ @!o, Co$rade Captain, &e &o%ld ha e detected it. 'hey Ca$$ed o%r search radars "or thirty seconds and ill%$inated %s &ith their o&n search syste$s "or t&enty. 'hen e erything stopped.@ @,o, they pro oke %s and no& pretend nothing has happenedI@ the captain gro&led. @;hen &ill they #e &ithin ,A> rangeI@ @'his one and these t&o &ill #e &ithin range in "o%r $in%tes i" they do not change co%rse.@ @4ll%$inate the$ &ith o%r $issile control syste$s. 'each the #astards a lesson.@ 'he o""icer ga e the necessary instr%ctions, &ondering &ho &as #eing ta%ght &hat. '&o tho%sand "eet a#o e one o" the B2./?s &as an EC21-. &hose co$p%teriBed electronic sensors &ere recording all signals "ro$ the ,o iet cr%iser and taking the$ apart, the #etter to kno& ho& to Ca$ the$. 4t &as the "irst good look at the ne& ,A2!28 $issile syste$. '&o =214 'o$cats 'he do%#le2Bero code n%$#er on its "%selage $arked the 'o$cat as the sD%adron co$$ander?s personal #irdE the #lack ace o" spades on the t&in2r%dder tail indicated his sD%adron, =ighting 41, @'he Black Aces.@ 'he pilot &as Co$$ander Ro##y Jackson, and his radio call sign &as ,pade 1. Jackson &as leading a t&o2plane section %nder the direction o" one o" the 'ennedy?s E2/C 0a&keyes, the na y?s $ore di$in%ti e ersion o" the air "orce?s A;AC, and close #rother to the C*L, a t&in2prop aircra"t &hose rado$e $akes it look like an airplane #eing terroriBed #y a 6=*. 'he &eather &as #adFdepressingly nor$al "or the !orth Atlantic in Lece$#erF#%t &as s%pposed to i$pro e as they headed &est. Jackson and his &ing$an, Lie%tenant GC.g.H B%d ,ancheB, &ere "lying thro%gh nearly solid clo%ds, and they had eased their "or$ation o%t so$e&hat. 4n the li$ited isi#ility #oth re$e$#ered that each 'o$cat had a cre& o" t&o and a price o" o er thirty $illion dollars. 'hey &ere doing &hat the 'o$cat does #est. An all2&eather interceptor, the =214 has transoceanic range, >ach / speed, and a radar co$p%ter "ire control syste$ that can lock onto and attack si7 separate targets &ith long2range +hoeni7 air2to2air $issiles. Each "ighter &as no& carrying t&o o" those along &ith a pair each o" A4>29> ,ide&inder heat2seekers. 'heir prey &as a "light o" 9AA2-3 =orgers, the #astard :U,'*L "ighters that operated "ro$ the carrier 'ie$. A"ter harassing the ,entry the pre io%s day, 4 an had decided to close &ith the 'ennedy "orce, no do%#t g%ided in &ith data "ro$ a reconnaissance satellite. 'he ,o iet aircra"t had co$e %p short, their range #eing "i"ty $iles less than they needed to sight the 'ennedy. ;ashington decided that 4 an &as getting a little too o#no7io%s on this side o" the ocean. Ad$iral +ainter had #een gi en per$ission to ret%rn the "a or, in a "riendly sort o" &ay. Jackson "ig%red that he and ,ancheB co%ld handle this, e en o%tn%$#ered. !o ,o iet aircra"t, least o" all the =orger, &as eD%al to the 'o$catFcertainly not &hile 4?$ "lying it, Jackson tho%ght. @,pade 1, yo%r target is at yo%r t&el e o?clock and le el, distance no& t&enty $iles,@ reported the oice o" 0%$$er 1, the 0a&keye a h%ndred $iles a"t. Jackson did not ackno&ledge. @8ot anything, ChrisI@ he asked his radar intercept o""icer, Lie%tenant Co$$ander

Christiansen. @An occasional "lash, #%t nothing 4 can %se.@ 'hey &ere tracking the =orgers &ith passi e syste$s only, in this case an in"rared sensor. Jackson considered ill%$inating their targets &ith his po&er"%l "ire control radar. 'he =orgers? E,> pods &o%ld sense this at once, reporting to their pilots that their death &arrant had #een &ritten #%t not yet signed. @0o& a#o%t 'ie$2@ @!othing. 'he 'ie$ gro%p is %nder total E>C*!.@ @C%te,@ Jackson co$$ented. 0e g%essed that the ,AC raid on the 'iro$@Nikolaye$ gro%p had ta%ght the$ to #e $ore care"%l. 4t &as not generally kno&n that &arships o"ten $ade no %se &hate er o" their radar syste$s, a protecti e $eas%re called E>C*!, "or e$ission control. 'he reason &as that a radar #ea$ co%ld #e detected at se eral ti$es the distance at &hich it generated a ret%rn signal to its trans$itter and co%ld th%s tell an ene$y $ore than it told its operators. @9o% s%ppose these g%ys can "ind their &ay ho$e &itho%t helpI@ @4" they don?t, yo% kno& &ho?s gonna get #la$ed.@ Christiansen ch%ckled. @'hat?s a roge,@ Jackson agreed. @*kay, 4 got in"rared acD%isition. Clo%ds $%st #e thinning o%t so$e.@ Christiansen &as concentrating on his instr%$ents, o#li io%s o" the ie& o%t o" the canopy. @,pade 1, this is 0%$$er 1, yo%r target is t&el e o?clock, at yo%r le el, range no& ten $iles.@ 'he report ca$e o er the sec%re radio circ%it. !ot #ad, picking %p the =orgers? heat signat%re thro%gh this slop, Jackson tho%ght, especially since they had s$all, ine""icient engines. @Radar co$ing on, ,kipper,@ Christiansen ad ised. @'ie$ has an ,2#and air search C%st co$e on. 'hey ha e %s "or s%re.@ @Right.@ Jackson th%$#ed his $ike s&itch. @,pade /, ill%$inate targetsFno&.@ @Roger, lead,@ ,ancheB ackno&ledged. !o point hiding no&. Both "ighters acti ated their po&er"%l A!UA;829 radars. 4t &as no& t&o $in%tes to intercept. 'he radar signals, recei ed #y the E,> threat2recei ers on the =orgers? tail "ins, set o"" a $%sical tone in the pilot headsets &hich had to #e t%rned o"" $an%ally, and lit %p a red &arning light on each control panel. 'he Aing"isher =light @Aing"isher "light, this is 'ie$,@ called the carrier?s air operations o""icer. @;e sho& t&o A$erican "ighters closing yo% at high speed "ro$ the rear.@ @Ackno&ledged.@ 'he R%ssian "light leader checked his $irror. 0e?d hoped to a oid this, tho%gh he hadn?t e7pected to. 0is orders &ere to take no action %nless "ired %pon. 'hey had C%st #roken into the clear. 'oo #ad, he?d ha e "elt sa"er in the clo%ds. 'he pilot o" Aing"isher -, Lie%tenant ,ha ro , reached do&n to ar$ his "o%r Atolls. !ot this ti$e, 9ankee, he tho%ght. 'he 'o$cats @*ne $in%te, ,pade 1, yo% o%ght to ha e is%al any ti$e,@ 0%$$er 1 called in.

@Roger . . . 'allyhoJ@ Jackson and ,ancheB #roke into the clear. 'he =orgers &ere a "e& $iles ahead, and the 'o$cats? /.52knot speed ad antage &as eating that distance %p rapidly. 'he R%ssian pilots are keeping a nice, tight "or$ation, Jackson tho%ght, #%t any#ody can dri e a #%s. @,pade /, let?s go to #%rners on $y $ark. 'hree, t&o, oneF$arkJ@ Both pilots ad anced their engine controls and engaged their a"ter#%rners, &hich d%$ped ra& "%el into the tail pipes o" their ne& =2115 engines. 'he "ighters lept "or&ard &ith a s%dden do%#le thr%st and &ent D%ickly thro%gh >ach 1. 'he Aing"isher =light @Aing"isher, &arning, &arning, the Amerikantsi ha e increased speed,@ 'ie$ ca%tioned. Aing"isher 4 t%rned in his seat. 0e sa& the 'o$cats a $ile a"t, t&in dart2like shapes racing #e"ore trails o" #lack s$oke. ,%nlight glinted o"" one canopy, and it al$ost looked like the "lashes o" aF @'hey?re attackingJ@ @;hatI@ 'he "light leader checked his $irror again. @!egati e, negati eFhold "or$ationJ@ 'he 'o$cats screeched "i"ty "eet o erhead, the sonic #oo$s they trailed so%nding C%st like e7plosions. ,ha ro acted entirely on his co$#at2trained instincts. 0e Cerked #ack on his stick and triggered his "o%r $issiles at the departing A$erican "ighters. @'hree, &hat did yo% doI@ the R%ssian "light leader de$anded. @'hey &ere attacking %s, didn?t yo% hearI@ ,ha ro protested. 'he 'o$cats @*h shitJ ,pade =light, yo% ha e "o%r Atolls a"ter yo%,@ the oice o" the 0a&keye?s controller said. @'&o, #reak right,@ Jackson ordered. @Chris, acti ate co%nter$eas%res.@ Jackson thre& his "ighter into a iolent e asi e t%rn to the le"t. ,ancheB #roke the other &ay. 4n the seat #ehind Jackson?s, the radar intercept o""icer "lipped s&itches to acti ate the aircra"t?s de"ense syste$s. As the 'o$cat t&isted in $idair, a series o" "lares and #alloons &as eCected "ro$ the tail section, each an in"rared or radar l%re "or the p%rs%ing $issiles. All "o%r &ere targeted on Jackson?s "ighter. @,pade / is clear, ,pade / is clear. ,pade 1, yo% still ha e "o%r #irds in p%rs%it,@ the oice "ro$ the 0a&keye said. @Roger.@ Jackson &as s%rprised at ho& cal$ly he took it. 'he 'o$cat &as doing o er eight h%ndred $iles per ho%r and accelerating. 0e &ondered ho& $%ch range the Atoll had. 0is rear&ard2looking2radar &arning light "licked on. @'&o, get a"ter the$J@ Jackson ordered. @Roger, lead.@ ,ancheB s&ept into a cli$#ing t%rn, "ell o"" into a ha$$erhead, and do e at the retreating ,o iet "ighters. ;hen Jackson t%rned, t&o o" the $issiles lost lock and kept going straight into open air. A third, decoyed into hitting a "lare, e7ploded har$lessly. 'he "o%rth kept its in"rared seeker head on ,pade 1?s glo&ing tail pipes and #ored right in. 'he $issile str%ck the ,pade 1 at the #ase o"

its star#oard r%dder "in. 'he i$pact tossed the "ighter co$pletely o%t o" control. >ost o" the e7plosi e "orce &as spent as the $issile #lasted thro%gh the #oron s%r"ace into open air. 'he "in &as #lo&n co$pletely o"", along &ith the right2side sta#iliBer. 'he le"t "in &as #adly holed #y "rag$ents, &hich s$ashed thro%gh the #ack o" the "ighter?s canopy, hitting Christiansen?s hel$et. 'he right engine?s "ire &arning lights ca$e on at once. Jackson heard the oomph o er his interco$. 0e killed e ery engine s&itch on the right side and acti ated the in2"ra$e "ire e7ting%isher. !e7t he chopped po&er to his port engine, still on a"ter#%rner. By this ti$e the 'o$cat &as in an in erted spin. 'he aria#le2geo$etry &ings angled o%t to lo&2speed con"ig%ration. 'his ga e Jackson aileron control, and he &orked D%ickly to get #ack to nor$al attit%de. 0is altit%de &as "o%r tho%sand "eet. 'here &asn?t $%ch ti$e. @*kay, #a#y,@ he coa7ed. A D%ick #%rst o" po&er ga e hi$ #ack aerodyna$ic control, and the "or$er test pilot snapped his "ighter o erFtoo hard. 4t &ent thro%gh t&o co$plete rolls #e"ore he co%ld catch it in le el "light. @8otchaJ 9o% &ith $e, ChrisI@ !othing. 'here &as no &ay he co%ld look aro%nd, and there &ere still "o%r hostile "ighters #ehind hi$. @,pade /, this is lead.@ @Roger, lead.@ ,ancheB had the "o%r =ighters #ore2sighted. 'hey had C%st "ired at his co$$ander. 0%$$er 1 *n 0%$$er 1, the controller &as thinking "ast. 'he =orgers &ere holding "or$ation, and there &as a lot o" R%ssian chatter on the radio circ%it. @,pade /, this is 0%$$er 1, #reak o"", 4 say again, #reak o"", do not, repeat do not "ire. Ackno&ledge. ,pade /, ,pade 1 is at yo%r nine o?clock, t&o tho%sand "eet #elo& yo%.@ 'he o""icer s&ore and looked at one o" the enlisted $en he &orked &ith. @'hat &as too "ast, sir, C%st too "%ckin? "ast. ;e got tapes o" the R%sskies. 4 can?t %nderstand it, #%t it so%nds like 'ie$ is right pissed.@ @'hey?re not the only ones,@ the controller said, &ondering i" he had done the right thing calling ,pade / o"". 4t s%re as hell didn?t "eel that &ay. 'he 'o$cats ,ancheB? head Cerked in s%rprise. @Roger, #reaking o"".@ 0is th%$# ca$e o"" the s&itch. @8odda$$itJ@ 0e p%lled his stick #ack, thro&ing the 'o$cat into a sa age loop. @;here are yo%, leadI@ ,ancheB #ro%ght his "ighter %nder Jackson?s and did a slo& circle to s%r ey the isi#le da$age. @=ire?s o%t, ,kipper. Right side r%dder and sta#iliBer are gone. Le"t side "inFshit, 4 can see thro%gh it, #%t it looks like it o%ghta hold together. ;ait a $in%te. Chris is sl%$ped o er, ,kipper. Can yo% talk to hi$I@ @!egati e, 4? e tried. Let?s go #ack ho$e.@

!othing &o%ld ha e pleased ,ancheB $ore than to #last the =orgers right o%t o" the sky, and &ith his "o%r $issiles he co%ld ha e done this easily. B%t like $ost pilots, he &as highly disciplined. @Roger, lead.@ @,pade 1, this is 0%$$er 1, ad ise yo%r condition, o er.@ @0%$$er 1, &e?ll $ake it %nless so$ething else "alls o"". 'ell the$ to ha e docs standing #y. Chris is h%rt. 4 don?t kno& ho& #ad.@ 4t took an ho%r to get to the 'ennedy. Jackson?s "ighter "le& #adly, &o%ld not hold co%rse in any speci"ic attit%de. 0e had to adC%st tri$ constantly. ,ancheB reported so$e $o e$ent in the a"t cockpit. >ay#e it &as C%st the interco$ shot o%t, Jackson tho%ght hope"%lly. ,ancheB &as ordered to land "irst so that the deck &o%ld #e cleared "or Co$$ander Jackson. *n the "inal approach the 'o$cat started to handle #adly. 'he pilot str%ggled &ith his "ighter, planting it hard on the deck and catching the n%$#er one &ire. 'he right2side landing gear collapsed at once, and the thirty2$illion2dollar "ighter slid side&ays into the #arrier that had #een erected. A h%ndred $en &ith "ire2"ighting gear raced to&ard it "ro$ all directions. 'he canopy &ent %p on e$ergency hydra%lic po&er. A"ter %n#%ckling hi$sel" Jackson "o%ght his &ay aro%nd and tried to gra# "or his #ackseater. 'hey had #een "riends "or $any years. Chris &as ali e. 4t looked like a D%art o" #lood had po%red do&n the "ront o" his "light s%it, and &hen the "irst corps$an took the hel$et o"", he sa& that it &as still p%$ping o%t. 'he second corps$an p%shed Jackson o%t o" the &ay and attached a cer ical collar to the &o%nded air$an. Christiansen &as li"ted gently and lo&ered onto a stretcher &hose #earers ran to&ards the island. Jackson hesitated a $o$ent #e"ore "ollo&ing it. !or"olk !a al >edical Center Captain Randall 'ait o" the !a y >edical Corps &alked do&n the corridor to $eet &ith the R%ssians. 0e looked yo%nger than his "orty2"i e years #eca%se his "%ll head o" #lack hair sho&ed not the "irst sign o" gray. 'ait &as a >or$on, ed%cated at Brigha$ 9o%ng 6ni ersity and ,tan"ord >edical ,chool, &ho had Coined the na y #eca%se he had &anted to see $ore o" the &orld than one co%ld "ro$ an o""ice at the "oot o" the ;asatch >o%ntains. 0e had acco$plished that $%ch, and %ntil today had also a oided anything rese$#ling diplo$atic d%ty. As the ne& chie" o" the Lepart$ent o" >edicine at Bethesda !a al >edical Center he kne& that co%ldn?t last. 0e had "lo&n do&n to !or"olk only a "e& ho%rs earlier to handle the case. 'he R%ssians had dri en do&n, and taken their ti$e doing it. @8ood $orning, gentle$en. 4?$ Lr. 'ait.@ 'hey shook hands all aro%nd, and the lie%tenant &ho had #ro%ght the$ %p &alked #ack to the ele ator. @Lr. 4 ano ,@ the shortest one said. @4 a$ physician to the e$#assy.@ @Captain ,$irno .@ 'ait kne& hi$ to #e assistant na al attachT, a career intelligence o""icer. 'he doctor had #een #rie"ed on the helicopter trip do&n #y a +entagon intelligence o""icer &ho &as no& drinking co""ee in the hospital co$$issary. @:asily +etchkin, Loctor. 4 a$ second secretary to the e$#assy.@ 'his one &as a senior A8B o""icer, a @legal@ spy &ith a diplo$atic co er. @>ay &e see o%r $anI@ @Certainly. ;ill yo% "ollo& $e pleaseI@ 'ait led the$ #ack do&n the corridor. 0e?d #een on the go "or t&enty ho%rs. 'his &as part o" the territory as chie" o" ser ice at Bethesda. 0e got all

the hard calls. *ne o" the "irst things a doctor learns is ho& not to sleep. 'he &hole "loor &as set %p "or intensi e care, !or"olk !a al >edical Center ha ing #een #%ilt &ith &ar cas%alties in $ind. 4ntensi e Care 6nit !%$#er 'hree &as a roo$ t&enty2"i e "eet sD%are. 'he only &indo&s &ere on the corridor &all, and the c%rtains had #een dra&n #ack. 'here &ere "o%r #eds, only one occ%pied. 'he yo%ng $an in it &as al$ost totally concealed. 'he only thing not hidden #y the o7ygen $ask co ering his "ace &as an %nr%ly cl%$p o" &heat2 colored hair. 'he rest o" his #ody &as "%lly draped. An 4: stand &as ne7t to the #ed, its t&o #ottles o" "l%id $erging in a single line that led %nder the co ers. A n%rse dressed like 'ait in s%rgical greens &as standing at the "oot o" the #ed, her green eyes locked on the electro2 cardiograph reado%t o er the patient?s head, dropping $o$entarily to $ake a notation on his chart. *n the "ar side o" the #ed &as a $achine &hose "%nction &as not i$$ediately o# io%s. 'he patient &as %nconscio%s. @0is conditionI@ 4 ano asked. @Critical,@ 'ait replied. @4t?s a $iracle he got here ali e at all. 0e &as in the &ater "or at least t&el e ho%rs, pro#a#ly $ore like t&enty. E en acco%nting "or the "act that he &as &earing a r%##er e7pos%re s%it, gi en the a$#ient air and &ater te$perat%res there?s C%st no &ay he o%ght to ha e #een ali e. *n ad$ission his core te$perat%re &as /-.8VC.@ 'ait shook his head. @4? e read a#o%t &orse hypother$ia cases in the literat%re, #%t this is #y "ar the &orst 4? e e er seen.@ @+rognosisI@ 4 ano looked into the roo$. 'ait shr%gged. @0ard to say. >ay#e as good as "i"ty2"i"ty, $ay#e not. 0e?s still e7tre$ely shocky. 0e?s a "%nda$entally healthy person. 9o% can?t see it "ro$ here, #%t he?s in s%per# physical shape, like a track and "ield $an. 0e has a partic%larly strong heartE that?s pro#a#ly &hat kept hi$ ali e long eno%gh to get here. ;e ha e the hypother$ia pretty $%ch %nder control no&. 'he pro#le$ is, &ith hypother$ia so $any things go &rong at once. ;e ha e to "ight a n%$#er o" separate #%t connected #attles against di""erent syste$ic ene$ies to keep the$ "ro$ o er&hel$ing his nat%ral de"enses. 4" anything?s going to kill hi$, it?ll #e the shock. ;e?re treating that &ith electrolytes, the nor$al ro%tine, #%t he?s going to #e on the edge "or se eral days at least 4F@ 'ait looked %p. Another $an &as pacing do&n the hall. 9o%nger than 'ait, and taller, he had a &hite la# coat o er his greens. 0e carried a $etal chart. @8entle$en, this is LoctorFLie%tenantFJa$eson. 0e?s the physician o" record on the case. 0e ad$itted yo%r $an. ;hat do yo% ha e, Ja$ieI@ @'he sp%t%$ sa$ple sho&ed pne%$onia. Bad ne&s. ;orse, his #lood che$istry isn?t getting any #etter, and his &hite co%nt is dropping&@ @8reat.@ 'ait leaned against the &indo& "ra$e and s&ore to hi$sel". @0ere?s the printo%t "ro$ the #lood analyBer.@ Ja$eson handed the chart o er. @>ay 4 see this, pleaseI@ 4 ano ca$e aro%nd. @,%re.@ 'ait "lipped the $etal clo%d chart open and held it so that e eryone co%ld see it. 4 ano had ne er &orked &ith a co$p%teriBed #lood analyBer, and it took se eral seconds "or hi$ to orient hi$sel". @'his is not good.@ @!ot at all,@ 'ait agreed. @;e?re going to ha e to C%$p on that pne%$onia, hard,@ Ja$eson said. @'his kid?s got too $any things going &rong. 4" the pne%$onia really takes hold . . .@ 0e shook his head. @Ae"linI@ 'ait asked. @9eah.@ Ja$eson p%lled a ial "ro$ his pocket. @As $%ch as he?ll handle. 4?$ g%essing that

he had a $ild case #e"ore he got d%$ped in the &ater, and 4 hear that so$e penicillin2resistant strains ha e #een cropping %p in R%ssia. 9o% %se $ostly penicillin o er there, rightI@ Ja$eson looked do&n at 4 ano . @Correct. ;hat is this ke"linI@ @4t?s a #ig g%n, a synthetic anti#iotic, and it &orks &ell on resistant strains.@ @Right no&, Ja$ie,@ 'ait ordered. Ja$eson &alked aro%nd the corner to enter the roo$. 0e inCected the anti#iotic into a 155cc piggy#ack 4: #ottle and h%ng it on a stand. @0e?s so yo%ng,@ 4 ano noted. @0e treated o%r $an initiallyI@ @0is na$e?s Al#ert Ja$eson. ;e call hi$ Ja$ie. 0e?s t&enty2nine, grad%ated 0ar ard third in his class, and he?s #een &ith %s e er since. 0e?s #oard2certi"ied in internal $edicine and irology. 0e?s as good as they co$e.@ 'ait s%ddenly realiBed ho& %nco$"orta#le he &as dealing &ith the R%ssians. 0is ed%cation and years o" na al ser ice ta%ght hi$ that these $en &ere the ene$y. 'hat didn?t $atter. 9ears #e"ore he had s&orn an oath to treat patients &itho%t regard to o%tside considerations. ;o%ld they #elie e or did they think he?d let their $an die #eca%se he &as a R%ssianI @8entle$en, 4 &ant yo% to %nderstand thisK &e?re gi ing yo%r $an the ery #est care &e can. ;e?re not holding anything #ack. 4" there?s a &ay to gi e hi$ #ack to yo% ali e, &e?ll "ind it. B%t 4 can?t $ake any pro$ises.@ 'he ,o iets co%ld see that. ;hile &aiting "or instr%ctions "ro$ >osco&, +etchkin had checked %p on 'ait and "o%nd hi$ to #e, tho%gh a religio%s "anatic, an e""icient and honora#le physician, one o" the #est in go ern$ent ser ice. @0as he said anythingI@ +etchkin asked, cas%ally. @!ot since 4? e #een here. Ja$ie said that right a"ter they started &ar$ing hi$ %p he &as se$iconscio%s and #a##led "or a "e& $in%tes. ;e taped it, o" co%rse, and had a R%ssian2 speaking o""icer listen to it. ,o$ething a#o%t a girl &ith #ro&n eyes, didn?t $ake any sense. +ro#a#ly his s&eetheartFhe?s a good2looking kid, he pro#a#ly has a girl at ho$e. 4t &as totally incoherent, tho%gh. A patient in his condition has no idea &hat?s going on.@ @Can &e listen to the tapeI@ +etchkin said. @Certainly. 4?ll ha e it sent %p.@ Ja$eson ca$e aro%nd the corner. @Lone. A gra$ o" ke"lin e ery si7 ho%rs. 0ope it &orks.@ @0o& a#o%t his hands and "eetI@ ,$irno asked. 'he captain kne& so$ething a#o%t "rost#ite. @;e?re not e en #othering a#o%t that,@ Ja$eson ans&ered. @;e ha e cotton aro%nd the digits to pre ent $aceration. 4" he s%r i es the ne7t "e& days, &e?ll get #le#s and $ay#e ha e so$e tiss%e loss, #%t that?s the least o" o%r pro#le$s. 9o% g%ys kno& &hat his na$e isI@ +etchkin?s head snapped aro%nd. @0e &asn?t &earing any dogtags &hen he arri ed. 0is clothes didn?t ha e the ship?s na$e. !o &allet, no identi"ication, not e en any coins in the pockets. 4t doesn?t $atter ery $%ch "or his initial treat$ent, #%t 4?d "eel #etter i" yo% co%ld p%ll his $edical records. 4t &o%ld #e good to kno& i" he has any allergies or %nderlying $edical conditions. ;e don?t &ant hi$ to go into shock "ro$ an allergic reaction to dr%g treat$ent.@ @;hat &as he &earingI@ ,$irno asked. @A r%##er e7pos%re s%it,@ Ja$eson ans&ered. @'he g%ys &ho "o%nd hi$ le"t it on hi$, thank 8od. 4 c%t it o"" hi$ &hen he arri ed. 6nder that, shirt, pants, handerchie". Lon?t yo% g%ys &ear dogtagsI@ @9es,@ ,$irno responded. @0o& did yo% "ind hi$I@ @=ro$ &hat 4 hear, it &as p%re l%ck. A helicopter o"" a "rigate &as patrolling and spotted hi$

in the &ater. 'hey didn?t ha e any resc%e gear a#oard, so they $arked the spot &ith a dye $arker and &ent #ack to their ship. A #os%n ol%nteered to go in a"ter hi$. 'hey loaded hi$ and a ra"t cannister into the chopper and "le& hi$ #ack, &ith the "rigate h%stling do&n so%th. 'he #os%n kicked o%t the ra"t, C%$ped in a"ter itFand landed on it. Bad l%ck. 0e #roke #oth his legs, #%t he did get yo%r sailor into the ra"t. 'he tin can picked the$ %p an ho%r later and they &ere #oth "lo&n directly here.@ @0o& is yo%r $anI@ @0e?ll #e all right. 'he le"t leg &asn?t too #ad, #%t the right ti#ia &as #adly splintered,@ Ja$eson &ent on. @0e?ll reco er in a "e& $onths. ;on?t #e doing $%ch dancing "or a&hile, tho%gh.@ 'he R%ssians tho%ght the A$ericans had deli#erately re$o ed their $an?s identi"ication. Ja$eson and 'ait s%spected that the $an had disposed o" his tags, possi#ly hoping to de"ect. 'here &as a red $ark on the neck that indicated "orci#le re$o al. @4" it is per$itted,@ ,$irno said, @4 &o%ld like to see yo%r $an, to thank hi$.@ @+er$ission granted, Captain,@ 'ait nodded. @'hat &o%ld #e kind o" yo%.@ @0e $%st #e a #ra e $an.@ @A sailor doing his Co#. 9o%r people &o%ld do the sa$e thing.@ 'ait &ondered i" this &ere tr%e. @;e ha e o%r di""erences, gentle$en, #%t the sea doesn?t care a#o%t that. 'he seaF&ell, she tries to kill %s all regardless &hat "lag &e "ly.@ +etchkin &as #ack looking thro%gh the &indo&, trying to $ake o%t the patient?s "ace. @Co%ld &e see his clothing and personal e""ectsI@ he asked. @,%re, #%t it &on?t tell yo% $%ch. 0e?s a cook. 'hat?s all &e kno&,@ Ja$eson said. @A cookI@ +etchkin t%rned aro%nd. @'he o""icer &ho listened in on the tapeFo# io%sly he &as an intelligence o""icer, rightI 0e looked at the n%$#er on his shirt and said it $ade hi$ a cook.@ 'he three2digit n%$#er indicated that the patient had #een a $e$#er o" the port &atch, and that his #attle station &as da$age control. Ja$eson &ondered &hy the R%ssians n%$#ered all their enlisted $en. 'o #e s%re they didn?t trespassI +etchkin?s head, he noticed, &as al$ost to%ching the glass pane. @Lr. 4 ano , do yo% &ish to attend the caseI@ 'ait asked. @4s this per$ittedI@ @4t is.@ @;hen &ill he #e releasedI@ +etchkin inD%ired. @;hen $ay &e speak &ith hi$I@ @ReleasedI@ Ja$eson snapped. @,ir, the only &ay he?ll #e o%t o" here in less than a $onth &ill #e in a #o7. ,o "ar as conscio%sness is concerned, that?s anyone?s g%ess. 'hat?s one ery sick kid yo% ha e in there.@ @B%t &e $%st speak to hi$J@ the A8B agent protested. 'ait had to look %p at the $an. @>r. +etchkin, 4 %nderstand yo%r desire to co$$%nicate &ith yo%r $anF#%t he is $y patient no&. ;e &ill do nothing, repeat nothing, that $ight inter"ere &ith his treat$ent and reco ery. 4 got orders to "ly do&n here to handle this. 'hey tell $e those orders ca$e "ro$ the ;hite 0o%se. =ine. Loctors Ja$eson and 4 ano &ill assist $e, #%t that patient is no& $y responsi#ility, and $y Co# is to see to it that he &alks o%t o" this hospital ali e and &ell. E erything else is secondary to that o#Cecti e. 9o% &ill #e e7tended e ery co%rtesy. B%t 4 $ake the r%les here.@ 'ait pa%sed. Liplo$acy &as not so$ething he &as good at. @'ell yo% &hat, yo% &ant to sit in there yo%rsel es in relays, that?s "ine &ith $e. B%t yo% ha e to "ollo& the r%les. 'hat $eans yo% scr%#, change into sterile clothing, and "ollo& the instr%ctions o" the d%ty n%rse. =air eno%ghI@

+etchkin nodded. A$erican doctors think they are gods, he said to hi$sel". Ja$eson, #%sy ree7a$ining the #lood analyBer printo%t, had ignored the ser$on. @Can yo% gentle$en tell %s &hat kind o" s%# he &as onI@ @!o,@ +etchkin said at once. @;hat are yo% thinking, Ja$ieI@ @'he dropping &hite co%nt and so$e o" these other indicators are consistent &ith radiation e7pos%re. 'he gross sy$pto$s &o%ld ha e #een $asked #y the o erlying hypother$ia.@ ,%ddenly Ja$eson looked at the ,o iets. @8entle$en, &e ha e to kno& this, &as he on a n%clear s%#I@ @9es,@ ,$irno ans&ered, @he &as on a n%clear2po&ered s%#$arine.@ @Ja$ie, take his clothing to radiology. 0a e the$ check the #%ttons, Bipper, anything $etal "or e idence o" conta$ination.@ @Right.@ Ja$eson &ent to collect the patient?s e""ects. @>ay &e #e in ol ed in thisI@ ,$irno asked. @9es, sir,@ 'ait responded, &ondering &hat sort o" people these &ere. 'he g%y had to co$e o"" a n%clear s%#$arine, didn?t heI ;hy hadn?t they told hi$ at onceI Lidn?t they &ant hi$ to reco erI +etchkin pondered the signi"icance o" this. Lidn?t they kno& he had co$e o"" a n%clear2 po&ered s%#I *" co%rseFhe &as trying to get ,$irno to #l%rt o%t that the $an &as o"" a $issile s%#$arine. 'hey &ere trying to clo%d the iss%e &ith this story a#o%t conta$ination. !othing that &o%ld har$ the patient, #%t so$ething to con"%se their class ene$ies. Cle er. 0e?d al&ays tho%ght the A$ericans &ere cle er. And he &as s%pposed to report to the e$#assy in an ho%rFreport &hatI 0o& &as he s%pposed to kno& &ho the sailor &asI !or"olk !a al ,hipyard 'he 6,, than Allen &as a#o%t at the end o" her string. Co$$issioned in 1931, she had ser ed her cre&s and her co%ntry "or o er t&enty years, carrying +olaris sea2la%nched #allistic $issiles in endless patrols thro%gh s%nless seas. !o& she &as old eno%gh to ote, and this &as ery old "or a s%#$arine. 0er $issile t%#es had #een "illed &ith #allast and sealed $onths #e"ore. ,he had only a token $aintenance cre& &hile the +entagon #%rea%crats de#ated her "%t%re. 'here had #een talk o" a co$plicated cr%ise $issile syste$ to $ake her into a ,,8! like the ne& R%ssian Oscars. 'his &as C%dged too e7pensi e. than Allen?s &as generation2old technology. 0er ,.; reactor &as too dated "or $%ch $ore %se. !%clear radiation had #o$#arded the $etal essel and its internal "ittings &ith $any #illions o" ne%trons. As recent e7a$ination o" test strips had re ealed, o er ti$e the character o" the $etal had changed, #eco$ing dangero%sly #rittle. 'he syste$ had at $ost another three years o" %se"%l li"e. A ne& reactor &o%ld #e too e7pensi e. 'he than Allen &as doo$ed #y her senescence. 'he $aintenance cre& &as $ade %p o" $e$#ers o" her last operational tea$, $ainly old2 ti$ers looking "or&ard to retire$ent, &ith a lea ening o" kids &ho needed ed%cation in repair skills. 'he than Allen co%ld still ser e as a school, especially a repair school since so $%ch o" her eD%ip$ent &as &orn o%t. Ad$iral 8allery had co$e a#oard early that $orning. 'he chie"s had regarded that as partic%larly o$ino%s. 0e had #een her "irst skipper $any years #e"ore, and ad$irals al&ays see$ed to isit their early co$$andsFright #e"ore they &ere scrapped. 0e?d recogniBed so$e

o" the senior chie"s and asked the$ i" the old girl had any li"e le"t in her. 'o a $an, the chie"s said yes. A ship #eco$es $ore than a $achine to her cre&. Each o" a h%ndred ships, #%ilt #y the sa$e $en at the sa$e yard to the sa$e plans, &ill ha e her o&n special characteristicsF $ost o" the$ #ad, really, #%t a"ter her cre& #eco$es acc%sto$ed to the$ they are spoken o" a""ectionately, partic%larly in retrospect. 'he ad$iral had to%red the entire length o" the than Allen?s h%ll, pa%sing to r%n his gnarled, arthritic hands o er the periscope he had %sed to $ake certain that there really &as a &orld o%tside the steel h%ll, to plan the rare @attack@ against a ship h%nting his s%#For a passing tanker, C%st "or practice. 0e?d co$$anded the than Allen "or three yearsK alternating his gold cre& &ith another o""icer?s #l%e cre&, &orking o%t o" 0oly Loch, ,cotland. 'hose &ere good years, he told hi$sel", a da$ned sight #etter than sitting at a desk &ith a lot o" apid aides r%nning aro%nd. 4t &as the old na y ga$e, %p or o%tK C%st &hen yo% got so$ething that yo% &ere really good at, so$ething yo% really liked, it &as gone. 4t $ade good organiBational sense. 9o% had to $ake roo$ "or the yo%ngsters co$ing %pF#%t, 8odJ to #e yo%ng again, to co$$and one o" the ne& ones that no& he only had the opport%nity to ride a "e& ho%rs at a ti$e, a co%rtesy to the skinny old #astard in !or"olk. ,he?d do it, 8allery kne&. ,he?d do "ine. 4t &as not the end he &o%ld ha e pre"erred "or his "ighting ship, #%t &hen yo% ca$e do&n to it, a decent end "or a "ighting ship &as so$ething rare. !elson?s %ictory, the "onstitution in Boston har#or, the old #attleship kept $%$$i"ied #y her na$esake stateFthey?d had honora#le treat$ent. >ost &arships &ere s%nk as targets or #roken %p "or raBor #lades. 'he than Allen &o%ld die "or a p%rpose. A craBy p%rpose, perhaps craBy eno%gh to &ork, he said to hi$sel" as he ret%rned to C*>,6BLA!' headD%arters. '&o ho%rs later a tr%ck arri ed at the dock &here the than Allen lay dor$ant. 'he chie" D%arter$aster on deck at the ti$e noted that the tr%ck ca$e "ro$ *ceana !a al Air ,tation. C%rio%s, he tho%ght. >ore c%rio%sly, the o""icer &ho got o%t &as &earing neither dolphins nor &ings. 0e sal%ted the D%arterdeck "irst, then the chie" &ho had the deck &hile than Allen?s re$aining t&o o""icers s%per ised a repair Co# on the engine spaces. 'he o""icer "ro$ the na al air station $ade arrange$ents "or a &ork gang to load the s%# &ith "o%r #%llet2shaped o#Cects, &hich &ent thro%gh the deck hatches. 'hey &ere large, #arely a#le to "it thro%gh the torpedo and caps%le loading hatches, and it took so$e handling to get the$ e$placed. !e7t ca$e plastic pallets to set the$ on and $etal straps to sec%re the$. 'hey look like #o$#s, the chie" electrician tho%ght as the yo%nger $en did the donkey &ork. B%t they co%ldn?t #e thatE they &ere too light, o# io%sly $ade o" ordinary sheet $etal. An ho%r later a tr%ck &ith a press%riBed tank on its load#ed arri ed. 'he s%#$arine &as cleared o" her personnel and care"%lly entilated. 'hen three $en snaked a hose to each o" the "o%r o#Cects. =inished, they entilated the h%ll again, lea ing gas detectors near each o#Cect. By this ti$e, the cre& noted, their dock and the one ne7t to it &ere #eing g%arded #y ar$ed $arines so that no one co%ld co$e o er and see &hat &as happening to the than Allen. ;hen the loading, or "illing, or &hate er, &as "inished, a chie" &ent #elo& to e7a$ine the $etal shells $ore care"%lly. 0e &rote do&n the stenciled acrony$ ++B(3AUJ3(1- on a pad. A chie" yeo$an looked the designation %p in a catalog and did not like &hat he "o%ndF+a e +at Bl%e (3. +a e +at Bl%e (3 &as a #o$#, and the than Allen had "o%r o" the$ a#oard. !othing nearly so po&er"%l as the $issile &arheads she had once carried, #%t a lot $ore o$ino%s, the cre& agreed. 'he s$oking la$p &as o%t #y $%t%al accord #e"ore anyone $ade an order o" it. 8allery ca$e #ack soon therea"ter and spoke &ith all o" the senior $en indi id%ally. 'he yo%ngsters &ere sent ashore &ith their personal gear and an ad$onition that they had not seen, "elt, heard, or other&ise noticed anything %n%s%al on the than Allen. ,he &as going to #e

sc%ttled at sea. 'hat &as all. ,o$e political decision in ;ashingtonFand i" yo% tell that to anyone, start thinking a#o%t a t&enty2year to%r at >c>%rdo ,o%nd, as one $an p%t it. 4t &as a tri#%te to :incent 8allery that each o" the old chie"s stayed a#oard. +artly it &as a chance "or one last cr%ise on the old girl, a chance to say good#ye to a "riend. >ostly it &as #eca%se 8allery said it &as i$portant, and the old2ti$ers re$e$#ered that his &ord had #een good once. 'he o""icers sho&ed %p at s%ndo&n. 'he lo&est2ranking a$ong the$ &as a lie%tenant co$$ander. '&o "o%r2striped captains &o%ld #e &orking the reactor, along &ith three senior chie"s. '&o $ore "o%r2stripers &o%ld handle the na igation, a pair o" co$$anders the electronics. 'he rest &o%ld #e spread aro%nd to handle the plethora o" specialiBed tasks necessary to the operation o" a co$ple7 &arship. 'he total co$ple$ent, not e en a D%arter the siBe o" a nor$al cre&, $ight ha e ca%sed so$e ad erse co$$ent on the part o" the senior chie"s, &ho didn?t consider C%st ho& $%ch e7perience these o""icers had. *ne o""icer &o%ld #e &orking the di ing planes, the chie" D%arter$aster &as scandaliBed to learn. 'he chie" electrician he disc%ssed this &ith took it in stride. A"ter all, he noted, the real "%n &as dri ing the #oats, and o""icers only got to do that at !e& London. A"ter that all they got to do &as &alk aro%nd and look i$portant. 'r%e, the D%arter$aster agreed, #%t co%ld they handle itI 4" not, the electrician decided, they &o%ld take care o" thingsF&hat else &ere chie"s "or #%t to protect o""icers "ro$ their $istakesI A"ter that they arg%ed good2nat%redly o er &ho &o%ld #e chie" o" the #oat. Both $en had nearly identical e7perience and ti$e in rate. 'he 6,, than Allen sailed "or the last ti$e at /-4. ho%rs. !o t%g helped her a&ay "ro$ the dock. 'he skipper eased her de"tly a&ay "ro$ the dock &ith gentle engine co$$ands and strains on his lines that his D%arter$aster co%ld only ad$ire. 0e?d ser ed &ith the skipper #e"ore, on the (kip4ack and the ?ill Rogers. @!o t%gs, no nothin?,@ he reported to his #%nk$ate later. @'he old $an kno&s his shit.@ 4n an ho%r they &ere past the :irginia Capes and ready to di e. 'en $in%tes later they &ere gone "ro$ sight. Belo&, on a co%rse o" one2one2Bero, the s$all cre& o" o""icers and chie"s settled into the de$anding ro%tine o" r%nning their old #oo$er shorthanded. 'he than Allen responded like a cha$p, stea$ing at t&el e knots, her old $achinery hardly $aking any noise at all.

THE E!EVENTH DAY MONDAY 13, DECEMBER

An A215 'h%nder#olt 4t &as a lot $ore "%n than "lying LC29s. >aCor Andy Richardson had o er ten tho%sand ho%rs in those and only si7 h%ndred or so in his A215 'h%nder#olt 44 strike "ighter, #%t he $%ch pre"erred the s$aller o" the t&in2engine aircra"t. Richardson #elonged to the 1(.th 'actical =ighter 8ro%p o" the >aryland Air !ational 8%ard. *rdinarily his sD%adron "le& o%t o" a s$all $ilitary air"ield east o" Balti$ore. B%t t&o days earlier, &hen his o%t"it had #een acti ated, the 1(.th and si7 other national g%ard and reser e air gro%ps had cro&ded the already acti e ,AC #ase at Loring Air =orce Base in >aine. 'hey had taken o"" at $idnight and had re"%eled in $idair only hal" an ho%r earlier, a tho%sand $iles o%t o er the !orth Atlantic. !o& Richardson and his "light o" "o%r &ere ski$$ing a h%ndred "eet o er the #lack &aters at "o%r h%ndred knots. A h%ndred $iles #ehind the "o%r "ighters, ninety aircra"t &ere "ollo&ing at thirty tho%sand "eet in &hat &o%ld look ery $%ch to the ,o iets like an alpha strike, a &eighted attack $ission o" ar$ed tactical "ighters. 4t &as e7actly thatFand also a "eint. 'he real $ission #elonged to the lo&2le el tea$ o" "o%r. Richardson lo ed the A215. ,he &as called &ith #ackhanded a""ection the ;arthog or C%st plain 0og #y the $en &ho "le& her. !early all tactical aircra"t had pleasing lines con"erred on the$ #y the need in co$#at "or speed and $ane% era#ility. !ot the 0og, &hich &as perhaps the %gliest #ird e er #%ilt "or the 6.,. Air =orce. 0er t&in t%r#o"an engines h%ng like a"tertho%ghts at the t&in2r%dder tail, itsel" a thro&#ack to the thirties. 0er sla#like &ings had not a &hit o" s&eep#ack and &ere #ent in the $iddle to acco$$odate the cl%$sy landing gear. 'he %ndersides o" the &ings &ere st%dded &ith $any hard points so ordnance co%ld #e carried, and the "%selage &as #%ilt aro%nd the aircra"t?s pri$ary &eapon, the 8A628 thirty2$illi$eter rotary cannon designed speci"ically to s$ash ,o iet tanks. =or tonight?s $ission, Richardson?s "light had a "%ll load o" depleted %rani%$ sl%gs "or their A enger cannons and a pair o" Rockeye cl%ster #o$# cannisters, additional antitank &eapons. Lirectly #eneath the "%selage &as a LA!'4R! Glo&2altit%de na igation and targeting in"rared "or nightH podE all the other ordnance stations sa e one &ere occ%pied #y "%el tanks. 'he 1(.th had #een the "irst national g%ard sD%adron to recei e LA!'4R!. 4t &as a s$all collection o" electronic and optical syste$s that ena#led the 0og to see at night &hile "lying at

$ini$%$ altit%de searching "or targets. 'he syste$s proCected a heads2%p display G06LH on the "ighter?s &indshield, in e""ect t%rning night to day and $aking this $ission pro"ile $arginally less haBardo%s. Beside each LA!'4R! pod &as a s$aller o#Cect &hich, %nlike the cannon shells and Rockeyes, &as intended "or %se tonight. Richardson didn?t $indFindeed, he relishedFthe haBards o" the $ission. '&o o" his three co$rades &ere, like hi$, airline pilots, the third a crop d%ster, all e7perienced $en &ith plenty o" practice in lo&2le el tactics. And their $ission &as a good one. 'he #rie"ing, cond%cted #y a na al o""icer, had taken o er an ho%r. 'hey &ere paying a isit to the ,o iet !a y. Richardson had read in the papers that the R%ssians &ere %p to so$ething, and &hen he had heard at the #rie"ing that they &ere sending their "leet to trail its coat this close to the A$erican coast, he had #een shocked #y their #oldness. 4t had angered hi$ to learn that one o" their cr%$$y little day "ighters had #ack2shot a na y 'o$cat the day #e"ore, nearly killing one o" its o""icers. 0e &ondered &hy the na y &as #eing c%t o%t o" the response. >ost o" the (aratoga?s air gro%p &as isi#le on the concrete pads at Loring, sitting alongside the B2 ./s, A23E 4ntr%ders, and =218 0ornets &ith their ordnance carts a "e& "eet a&ay. 0e g%essed that his $ission &as only the "irst act, the delicate part. ;hile ,o iet eyes &ere locked on the alpha strike ho ering at the edge o" their ,A> range, his "light o" "o%r &o%ld dash in %nder radar co er to the "leet "lagship, the n%clear2po&ered #attle cr%iser 'iro$. 'o deli er a $essage. 4t &as s%rprising that g%ards$en had #een selected "or this $ission. !early a tho%sand tactical aircra"t &ere no& $o#iliBed on the East Coast, a#o%t a third o" the$ reser ists o" one kind or another, and Richardson g%essed that that &as part o" the $essage. A ery di""ic%lt tactical operation &as #eing r%n #y second2line air$en, &hile the reg%lar sD%adrons sat ready on the r%n&ays o" Loring, and >c8%ire, and Lo er, and +ease, and se eral other #ases "ro$ :irginia to >aine, "%eled, #rie"ed, and ready. !early a tho%sand aircra"tJ Richardson s$iled. 'here &o%ldn?t #e eno%gh targets to go aro%nd. @Line#acker Lead, this is ,entry2Lelta. 'arget #earing Bero2"o%r2eight, range "i"ty $iles. Co%rse is one2eight2"i e, speed t&enty.@ Richardson did not ackno&ledge the trans$ission o er the encrypted radio link. 'he "light &as %nder E>C*!. Any electronic noise $ight alert the ,o iets. E en his targeting radar &as s&itched o"", and only passi e in"rared and lo&2light tele ision sensors &ere operating. 0e looked D%ickly le"t and right. ,econd2line "lyers, hellJ he said to hi$sel". E ery $an in the "light had at least "o%r tho%sand ho%rs, $ore than $ost reg%lar pilots &o%ld e er ha e, $ore than $ost o" the astrona%ts, and their #irds &ere $aintained #y people &ho tinkered &ith airplanes #eca%se they liked to. 'he "act o" the $atter &as that his sD%adron had #etter aircra"t2a aila#ility than any reg%lar sD%adron and had had "e&er accidents than the &et2nosed hotdogs &ho "le& the &arthogs in England and Aorea. 'hey?d sho& the R%sskies that. 0e s$iled to hi$sel". 'his s%re #eat "lying his LC29 "ro$ ;ashington to +ro idence and 0art"ord and #ack e ery day "or 6.,. AirJ Richardson, &ho had #een an air "orce "ighter pilot, had le"t the ser ice eight years earlier #eca%se he cra ed the higher pay and "lashy li"estyle o" a co$$ercial airline pilot. 0e?d $issed :ietna$, and co$$ercial "lying did not reD%ire anything like this degree o" skillE it lacked the rush o" ski$$ing at treetop le el. ,o "ar as he kne&, the 0og had ne er #een %sed "or $ariti$e strike $issionsFanother part o" the $essage. 4t &as no s%rprise that she?d #e good at it. 0er antitank $%nitions &o%ld #e e""ecti e against ships. 0er cannon sl%gs and Rockeye cl%sters &ere designed to shred ar$ored #attle tanks, and he had no do%#ts &hat they &o%ld do to thin2h%lled &arships. 'oo #ad this &asn?t "or real. 4t &as a#o%t ti$e so$e#ody ta%ght 4 an a lesson.

A radar sensor light #linked on his threat recei erE ,2#and radar, it &as pro#a#ly $eant "or s%r"ace search, and &as not po&er"%l eno%gh "or a ret%rn yet. 'he ,o iets did not ha e any aerial radar plat"or$s, and their ship2carried sets &ere li$ited #y the earth?s c%r at%re. 'he #ea$ &as C%st o er his headE he &as getting the "%BBy edge o" it. 'hey &o%ld ha e a oided detection #etter still #y "lying at "i"ty "eet instead o" a h%ndred, #%t orders &ere not to. @Line#acker "light, this is ,entry2Lelta. ,catter and head in,@ the A;AC, co$$anded. 'he A215s separated "ro$ their inter al o" only a "e& "eet to an e7tended attack "or$ation that le"t $iles #et&een aircra"t. 'he orders &ere "or the$ to scatter at thirty $iles? distance. A#o%t "o%r $in%tes. Richardson checked his digital clockE the Line#acker "light &as right on ti$e. Behind the$, the +hanto$s and Corsairs in the alpha strike &o%ld #e t%rning to&ard the ,o iets, C%st to get their attention. 0e o%ght to #e seeing the$ soon . . . 'he 06L sho&ed s$all #%$ps on the proCected horiBonFthe o%ter screen o" destroyers, the 5daloys and (o$remennys. 'he #rie"ing o""icer had sho&n the$ silho%ettes and photos o" the &arships. #eep! his threat recei er chirped. An M2#and $issile g%idance radar had C%st s&ept o er his aircra"t and lost it, and &as no& trying to regain contact. Richardson "lipped on his EC> Gelectronic co%nter$eas%resH Ca$$ing syste$s. 'he destroyers &ere only "i e $iles a&ay no&. =orty seconds. ,tay d%$#, co$rades, he tho%ght. 0e #egan to $ane% er his aircra"t radically, Cinking %p, do&n, le"t, right, in no partic%lar pattern. 4t &as only a ga$e, #%t there &as no sense in gi ing 4 an an easy ti$e. 4" this had #een "or real, his 0ogs &o%ld #e #laBing in #ehind a s&ar$ o" antiradar $issiles and &o%ld #e acco$panied #y ;ild ;easel aircra"t trying to scra$#le and kill ,o iet $issile control syste$s. 'hings &ere $o ing ery "ast no&. A screening destroyer loo$ed in his path, and he n%dged his r%dder to pass clear o" her #y a D%arter $ile. '&o $iles to the 'iro$Feighteen seconds. 'he 06L syste$ painted an intensi"ied i$age. 'he 'iro$?s pyra$idal $ast2stack2radar str%ct%re &as "illing his &indshield. 0e co%ld see #linking signal lights all aro%nd the #attle cr%iser. Richardson ga e $ore right r%dder. 'hey &ere s%pposed to pass &ithin three h%ndred yards o" the ship, no $ore, no less. 0is 0og &o%ld #laBe past the #o&, the others past the stern and either #ea$. 0e didn?t &ant to c%t it too close. 'he $aCor checked to #e certain that his #o$# and cannon controls &ere locked in the sa"e position. !o sense getting carried a&ay. A#o%t no& in a real attack he?d trigger his cannon and a strea$ o" solid sl%gs &o%ld lance the light ar$or o" the 'iro$?s "or&ard $issile $agaBines, e7ploding the ,A> and cr%ise $issiles in a h%ge "ire#all and slicing thro%gh the s%perstr%ct%re as i" it &ere thin as ne&sprint. At "i e h%ndred yards, the captain reached do&n to ar$ the "lare pod, attached ne7t to the LA!'4R!. No)! 0e "lipped the s&itch, &hich deployed hal" a doBen high2intensity $agnesi%$ parach%te "lares. All "o%r Line#acker aircra"t acted &ithin seconds. ,%ddenly the 'iro$ &as inside a #o7 o" #l%e2&hite $agnesi%$ light. Richardson p%lled #ack on his stick, #anking into a cli$#ing t%rn past the #attle cr%iser. 'he #rilliant light daBBled hi$, #%t he co%ld see the grace"%l lines o" the ,o iet &arship as she &as t%rning hard on the choppy seas, her $en r%nning along the deck like ants. -f )e )ere serious& you,d all be dead no)1get the message2 Richardson th%$#ed his radio s&itch. @Line#acker Lead to ,entry2Lelta,@ he said in the clear. @Ro#in 0ood, repeat, Ro#in 0ood. Line#acker "light, this is lead, "or$ %p on $e. Let?s go ho$eJ@ @Line#acker "light, this is ,entry2Lelta. *%tstandingJ@ the controller responded. @Be ad ised

that 'ie$ has a pair o" =orgers in the air, thirty $iles east, heading yo%r &ay. 'hey?ll ha e to h%stle to catch %p. ;ill ad ise. *%t.@ Richardson did so$e "ast arith$etic in his head. 'hey pro#a#ly co%ld not catch %p, and e en i" they did, t&el e +hanto$s "ro$ the 15(th =ighter 4nterceptor 8ro%p &ere ready "or it. @0ot da$n, leadJ@ Line#acker 4, the crop d%ster, $o ed gingerly into his slot. @Lid yo% see those t%rkeys pointing %p at %sI 8od da$n, did &e rattle their cageJ@ @0eads %p "or =orgers,@ Richardson ca%tioned, grinning ear to ear inside his o7ygen $ask. (econd@line flyers, hell! @Let ?e$ co$e,@ Line#acker 4 replied. @Any o" those #astards closes $e and $y thirty, it?ll #e the last $istake he e er $akesJ@ =o%r &as a little too aggressi e "or Richardson?s liking, #%t the $an did kno& ho& to dri e his 0og. @Line#acker "light, this is ,entry2Lelta. 'he =orgers ha e t%rned #ack. 9o%?re in the clear. *%t.@ @Roger that, o%t. *kay, "light, let?s settle do&n and head ho$e. 4 g%ess &e? e earned o%r pay "or the $onth.@ Richardson looked to $ake s%re he &as on an open "reD%ency. @Ladies and gentle$en, this is Captain Barry =riendly,@ he said, %sing the in2ho%se 6.,. Air p%#lic relations Coke that had #eco$e a tradition in the 1(.th. @4 hope yo% ha e enCoyed yo%r "light, and thank yo% "or "lying ;arthog Air.@ 'he Airo *n the 'iro$, Ad$iral ,tral#o raced "ro$ the co$#at in"or$ation center to the "lag #ridge, too late. 'hey had acD%ired the lo&2le el raiders only a $in%te "ro$ the o%ter screen. 'he #o7 o" "lares &as already #ehind the #attle cr%iser, se eral still #%rning in the &ater. 'he #ridge cre&, he sa&, &as rattled. @,i7ty to se enty seconds, #e"ore they &ere on %s, Co$rade Ad$iral,@ the "lag captain reported, @&e &ere tracking the ot#iting attack "orce and these "o%rF&e think, "o%rFracing in %nder o%r radar co erage. ;e had $issile lock on t&o o" the$ despite their Ca$$ing.@ ,tral#o "ro&ned. 'hat per"or$ance &as not nearly good eno%gh. 4" the strike had #een real, the 'iro$ &o%ld ha e #een #adly da$aged at least. 'he A$ericans &o%ld gladly trade a pair o" "ighters "or a n%clear po&ered cr%iser. 4" all A$erican aircra"t attacked like this . . . @'he arrogance o" the A$ericans is "antasticJ@ 'he "leet zampolit s&ore. @4t &as "oolish to pro oke the$,@ ,tral#o o#ser ed so%rly. @4 kne& that so$ething like that &o%ld happen, #%t 4 e7pected it "ro$ 'ennedy&@ @'hat &as a $istake, a pilot error,@ the political o""icer replied. @4ndeed, :asily. And this &as no $istakeJ 'hey C%st sent %s a $essage, telling %s that &e are "i"teen h%ndred kilo$eters "ro$ their shore &itho%t %se"%l air co er, and that they ha e o er "i e h%ndred "ighters &aiting to po%nce on %s "ro$ the &est. 4n the $eanti$e 'ennedy is stalking %s to the east like a ra#id &ol". ;e are not in an attracti e position.@ @'he A$ericans &o%ld not #e so #rash.@ @Are yo% s%re o" that, Co$rade +olitical *""icerI ,%reI ;hat i" one o" their aircra"t co$$its a ?pilot error?I And sinks one o" o%r destroyersI And &hat i" the A$erican president gets a direct link to >osco& to apologiBe #e"ore &e can e er report itI 'hey s&ear it &as an accident and pro$ise to p%nish the st%pid pilotFthen &hatI 9o% think the i$perialists are so predicta#le this close to their o&n coastlineI 4 do not. 4 think they are praying "or the s$allest e7c%se to

po%nce on %s. Co$e to $y ca#in. ;e $%st consider this.@ 'he t&o $en &ent a"t. ,tral#o?s ca#in &as a spartan a""air. 'he only decoration on the &all &as a print o" Lenin speaking to Red 8%ards. @;hat is o%r $ission, :asilyI@ ,tral#o asked. @'o s%pport o%r s%#$arines, help the$ to cond%ct the searchF@ @E7actly. *%r $ission is to s%pport, not to cond%ct o""ensi e operations. 'he A$ericans do not &ant %s here. *#Cecti ely, 4 can %nderstand this. ;ith all o%r $issiles &e are a threat to the$.@ @B%t o%r orders are not to threaten the$,@ the zampolit protested. @;hy &o%ld &e &ant to strike their ho$elandI@ @And, o" co%rse, the i$perialists recogniBe that &e are peace"%l socialistsJ Co$e no&, :asily, these are o%r ene$iesJ *" co%rse they do not tr%st %s. *" course they &ish to attack %s, gi en the s$allest e7c%se. 'hey are already inter"ering &ith o%r search, pretending to help. 'hey do not &ant %s hereFand in allo&ing o%rsel es to #e pro oked #y their aggressi e actions, &e "all into their trap.@ 'he ad$iral stared do&n at his desk. @;ell, &e shall change that. 4 &ill order the "leet to discontin%e anything that $ay appear the least #it aggressi e. ;e &ill end all air operations #eyond nor$al local patrolling. ;e &ill not harass their near#y "leet %nits. ;e &ill %se only nor$al na igational radars.@ @AndI@ @And &e &ill s&allo& o%r pride and #e as $eek as $ice. ;hate er pro ocation they $ake, &e &ill not react to it.@ @,o$e &ill call this co&ardice, Co$rade Ad$iral,@ the zampolit &arned. ,tral#o had e7pected that. @:asily, don?t yo% seeI 4n pretending to attack %s they ha e already icti$iBed %s. 'hey "orce %s to acti ate o%r ne&est and $ost secret de"ense syste$s so they can gather intelligence on o%r radars and "ire control syste$s. 'hey e7a$ine the per"or$ance o" o%r "ighters and helicopters, the $ane% era#ility o" o%r ships, and $ost o" all, o%r co$$and and control. ;e shall p%t an end to that. *%r pri$ary $ission is too i$portant. 4" they contin%e to pro oke %s, &e &ill act as tho%gh o%r $ission is indeed peace"%lF&hich it is as "ar as they are concernedFand protest o%r innocence. And &e $ake the$ the aggressors. 4" they contin%e to pro oke %s, &e shall &atch to see &hat their tactics are, and gi e the$ nothing in ret%rn. *r &o%ld yo% pre"er that they pre ent %s "ro$ carrying o%t o%r $issionI@ 'he zampolit $%$#led his consent. 4" they "ailed in their $ission, the charge o" co&ardice &o%ld #e a s$all $atter indeed. 4" they "o%nd the renegade s%#$arine, they?d #e heroes regardless o" &hat else happened. 'he Lallas 0o& long had he #een on d%tyI Jones &ondered. 0e co%ld ha e checked easily eno%gh #y p%nching the #%tton on his digital &atch, #%t the sonar$an didn?t &ant to. 4t &o%ld #e too depressing. >e and $y #ig $o%thFyou bet, (kipper, $y assJ he s&ore to hi$sel". 0e?d detected the s%# at a range o" a#o%t t&enty $iles, $ay#e, had C%st #arely gotten herFand the "%ckin? Atlantic *cean &as three tho%sand $iles across, at least si7ty "ootprint dia$eters. 0e?d need $ore than l%ck no&. ;ell, he did get a 0olly&ood sho&er o%t o" it. *rdinarily a sho&er on a "resh&ater2poor ship $eant a "e& seconds o" &etting do&n and a $in%te or so o" lathering, "ollo&ed #y a "e& $ore

seconds o" rinsing the s%ds o"". 4t got yo% clean #%t &as not ery satis"ying. 'his &as an i$pro e$ent o er the old days, the oldti$ers liked to say. B%t #ack then, Jones o"ten responded, the sailors had to p%ll oarsFor r%n o"" diesel and #atteries, &hich a$o%nted to the sa$e thing. A 0olly&ood sho&er is so$ething a sailor starts thinking a#o%t a"ter a "e& days at sea. 9o% lea e the &ater r%nning, a long, contin%o%s strea$ o" &onder"%lly &ar$ &ater. Co$$ander >anc%so &as gi en to a&arding this sens%o%s pasti$e in ret%rn "or a#o e2a erage per"or$ance. 4t ga e people so$ething tangi#le to &ork "or. 9o% co%ldn?t spend e7tra $oney on a s%#, and there &as no #eer or &o$en. *ld $o iesFthey &ere $aking an e""ort on that score. 'he #oat?s li#rary &asn?t #ad, &hen yo% had ti$e to sort thro%gh the C%$#le. And the !allas had a pair o" Apple co$p%ters and a "e& doBen ga$e progra$s "or a$%se$ent. Jones &as the #oat cha$pion at Chopli"ter and Nork. 'he co$p%ters &ere also %sed "or training p%rposes, o" co%rse, "or practice e7a$s and progra$$ed learning tests that ate %p $ost o" the %se ti$e. 'he !allas &as D%artering an area east o" the 8rand Banks. Any #oat transiting Ro%te *ne tended to co$e thro%gh here. 'hey &ere $o ing at "i e knots, trailing o%t the BOR21. to&ed2 array sonar. 'hey?d had all kinds o" contacts. =irst, hal" the s%#$arines in the R%ssian !a y had &hipped #y at high speed, $any trailed #y A$erican #oats. An Alfa had #%rned past the$ at o er "orty knots, not three tho%sand yards a&ay. 4t &o%ld ha e #een so easy, Jones had tho%ght at the ti$e. 'he Alfa had #een $aking so $%ch noise that one co%ld ha e heard it &ith a glass against the h%ll, and he?d had to t%rn his a$pli"iers do&n to $ini$%$s to keep the noise "ro$ r%ining his ears. A pity they co%ldn?t ha e "ired. 'he set%p had #een so si$ple, the "iring sol%tion so easy that a kid &ith an old2"ashioned slider%le co%ld ha e done it. 'hat Alfa had #een $eat on the ta#le. 'he %ictors ca$e r%nning ne7t, and the "harlies and No$embers last o" all. Jones had #een listening to s%r"ace ships a &ays to the &est, a lot o" the$ doing t&enty knots or so, $aking all kinds o" noise as they po%nded thro%gh the &a es. 'hey &ere &ay "ar o"", and not his concern. 'hey had #een trying to acD%ire this partic%lar target "or o er t&o days, and Jones had had only an odd ho%r o" sleep here and there. ;ell, that?s &hat they pay $e "or, he re"lected #leakly. 'his &as not %nprecedented, he?d done it #e"ore, #%t he?d #e happy &hen the la#or ended. 'he large2apert%re to&ed array &as at the end o" a tho%sand2"oot ca#le. Jones re"erred to the %se o" it as trolling "or &hales. 4n addition to #eing their $ost sensiti e sonar rig, it protected the !allas against intr%ders shado&ing her. *rdinarily a s%#$arine?s sonar &ill &ork in any direction e7cept a"tFan area called the cone o" silence, or the #a""les. 'he BOR21. changed that. Jones had heard all sorts o" things on it, s%#s and s%r"ace ships all the ti$e, lo&2"lying aircra"t on occasion. *nce, d%ring an e7ercise o"" =lorida, it had #een the noise o" di ing pelicans that he co%ld not "ig%re o%t %ntil the skipper had raised the periscope "or a look. 'hen o"" Ber$%da they had enco%ntered $ating h%$p#acks, and a ery i$pressi e noise that &as. Jones had a personal copy o" the tape o" the$ "or %se on the #eachE so$e &o$en had "o%nd it interesting, in a kinky sort o" &ay. 0e s$iled to hi$sel". 'here &as a considera#le a$o%nt o" s%r"ace noise. 'he signal processors "iltered $ost o" it o%t, and e ery "e& $in%tes Jones s&itched the$ o"" his channel, getting the so%nd %ni$peded to $ake s%re that they &eren?t "iltering too $%ch o%t. >achines &ere d%$#E Jones &ondered i" ,A+, $ight #e letting so$e o" that ano$alo%s signal get lost inside the co$p%ter chips. 'hat &as a pro#le$ &ith co$p%ters, really a pro#le$ &ith progra$$ingK yo%?d tell the $achine to do so$ething, and it &o%ld go do it to the &rong thing. Jones o"ten a$%sed hi$sel" &orking %p progra$s. 0e kne& a "e& people "ro$ college &ho dre& %p ga$e progra$s "or personal

co$p%tersE one o" the$ &as $aking good $oney &ith ,ierra *n2Line ,yste$s . . . Laydrea$ing again, Jonesy, he chided hi$sel". 4t &asn?t easy listening to nothing "or ho%rs on end. 4t &o%ld ha e #een a good idea, he tho%ght, to let sonar$en read on d%ty. 0e had #etter sense than to s%ggest it. >r. 'ho$pson $ight go along, #%t the skipper and all the senior o""icers &ere e72reactor types &ith the %s%al r%le o" ironK 9o% shall &atch e ery instr%$ent &ith a#sol%te concentration all the ti$e. Jones didn?t think this &as ery s$art. 4t &as di""erent &ith sonar$en. 'hey #%rned o%t too easily. 'o co$#at this Jones had his $%sic tapes and his ga$es. 0e co%ld lose hi$sel" in any sort o" di ersion, especially Chopli"ter. A $an had to ha e so$ething, he reasoned, to lose his $ind in, at least once a day. And so$ething on d%ty in so$e cases. E en tr%ck dri ers, hardly the $ost intellect%al o" people, had radios and tape players to keep "ro$ #eco$ing $es$eriBed. B%t sailors on a n%clear s%# costing the #est part o" a #illion F Jones leaned "or&ard, pressing the headphones tight against his head. 0e tore a page o" doodles "ro$ his scratch pad and noted the ti$e on a "resh sheet. !e7t he $ade so$e adC%st$ents on his gain controls, already near the top o" the scale, and "lipped o"" the processors again. 'he cacophony o" s%r"ace noise nearly took his head o"". Jones tolerated this "or a $in%te, &orking the $an%al $%ting controls to "ilter o%t the &orst o" the high2"reD%ency noise. AhaJ Jones said to hi$sel". >ay#e ,A+, is $essing $e %p a littleFtoo soon to tell "or s%re. ;hen Jones had "irst #een checked o%t on this gear in sonar school he?d had a #%rning desire to sho& it to his #rother, &ho had a $asters in electrical engineering and &orked as a cons%ltant in the recording ind%stry. 0e had ele en patents to his na$e. 'he st%"" on the !allas &o%ld ha e knocked his eyes o%t. 'he na y?s syste$s "or digitaliBing so%nd &ere years ahead o" any co$$ercial techniD%e. 'oo #ad it &as all classi"ied right alongside n%clear st%"" . . . @>r. 'ho$pson,@ Jones said D%ietly, not looking aro%nd, @can yo% ask the skipper i" $ay#e &e can s&ing $ore easterly and drop do&n a knot or t&oI@ @,kipper,@ 'ho$pson &ent o%t into the passage&ay to relay the reD%est. !e& co%rse and engine orders &ere gi en in "i"teen seconds. >anc%so &as in sonar ten seconds a"ter that. 'he skipper had #een s&eating this. 4t had #een o# io%s t&o days ago that their erst&hile contact had not acted as e7pected, had not r%n the ro%te, or had ne er slo&ed do&n. Co$$ander >anc%so had g%essed &rong on so$ethingFhad he also g%essed &rong on their isitor?s co%rseI And &hat did it $ean i" their "riend had not r%n the ro%teI Jones had "ig%red that one o%t long #e"ore. 4t $ade her a #oo$er. Boo$er skippers ne er go "ast. Jones &as sitting as %s%al, h%nched o er his ta#le, his le"t hand %p co$$anding D%iet as the to&ed array ca$e aro%nd to a precise east2&est aBi$%th at the end o" its ca#le. 0is cigarette #%rned a&ay %nnoticed in the ashtray. A reel2to2reel tape recorder &as operating contin%o%sly in the sonar roo$, its tapes changed ho%rly and kept "or later analysis on shore. !e7t to it &as another &hose recordings &ere %sed a#oard the !allas "or ree7a$ination o" contacts. 0e reached %p and s&itched it on, then t%rned to see his captain looking do&n at hi$. Jones? "ace #roke into a thin, tired s$ile. @9eah,@ he &hispered. >anc%so pointed to the speaker. Jones shook his head. @'oo "aint, Cap?n. 4 C%st #arely got it no&. Ro%ghly north, 4 think, #%t 4 need so$e ti$e on that.@ >anc%so looked at the intensity needle Jones &as tapping. 4t &as do&n to BeroFal$ost. E ery "i"ty seconds or so it t&itched, C%st a little. Jones &as $aking "%rio%s notes. @'he godda$ned ,A+, "ilters are #lanking part o" this o%tJJJJJ ;e need s$oother a$pli"iers and #etter $an%al "ilter controlsJJ@ he &rote. >anc%so told hi$sel" that this &as "aintly ridic%lo%s. 0e &as &atching Jones as he had

&atched his &i"e &hen she?d had Lo$inic and he &as ti$ing the t&itches on a needle as he had ti$ed his &i"e?s contractions. B%t there &as no thrill to $atch this. 'he co$parison he %sed to e7plain it to his "ather &as the thrill yo% got on the "irst day o" h%nting season, &hen yo% hear the lea es r%stle and yo% kno& it?s not a $an $aking the noise. B%t it &as #etter than that. 0e &as h%nting $en, $en like hi$sel" in a essel like his o&n . . . @8etting lo%der, ,kipper.@ Jones leaned #ack and lit a cigarette. @0e?s heading o%r &ay. 4 $ake hi$ three2"i e2Bero, $ay#e $ore like three2"i e2three. ,till real "aint, #%t that?s o%r #oy. ;e got hi$.@ Jones decided to risk an i$pertinence. 0e?d earned a little tolerance. @;e &ait or &e chase, sirI@ @;e &ait. !o sense spooking hi$. ;e let hi$ co$e in nice and close &hile &e do o%r "a$o%s i$itation o" a hole in the &ater, then &e tag along #ehind hi$ to &a7 his tail "or a &hile. 4 &ant another tape o" this set %p, and 4 &ant the BC215 to r%n a ,A+, scan. 6se the instr%ction to #ypass the processing algorith$s. 4 &ant this contact analyBed, not interpreted. R%n it e ery t&o $in%tes. 4 &ant his signat%re recorded, digitaliBed, "olded, spindled, and $%tilated. 4 &ant to kno& e erything there is a#o%t hi$, his prop%lsion noises, his plant signat%re, the &orks. 4 &ant to kno& e7actly &ho he is.@ @0e?s a R%sskie, sir,@ Jones o#ser ed. @B%t &hich R%sskieI@ >anc%so s$iled. @Aye, Cap?n.@ Jones %nderstood. 0e?d #e on d%ty another t&o ho%rs, #%t the end &as in sight. Al$ost. >anc%so sat do&n and li"ted a spare set o" headphones, stealing one o" Jones? cigarettes. 0e?d #een trying to #reak the ha#it "or a $onth. 0e?d ha e a #etter chance on the #each. 0>, 4n inci#le Ryan &as no& &earing a Royal !a al %ni"or$. 'his &as te$porary. Another $ark o" ho& "ast this Co# had #een laid on &as that he had only the one %ni"or$ and t&o shirts. All o" his &ardro#e &as no& #eing cleaned and in the interi$ he had on a pair o" English2$ade tro%sers and a s&eater. 'ypical, he tho%ghtFno#ody e en kno&s 4?$ here. 'hey had "orgotten hi$. !o $essages "ro$ the presidentFnot that he?d e er e7pected oneFand +ainter and La enport &ere only too glad to "orget that he &as e er on the 'ennedy& 8reer and the C%dge &ere pro#a#ly going o er so$e da$ned "ool thing or another, $ay#e ch%ckling to the$sel es a#o%t Jack Ryan ha ing a pleas%re cr%ise at go ern$ent e7pense. 4t &as not a pleas%re cr%ise. Jack had redisco ered his %lnera#ility to seasickness. 'he -n$incible &as o"" >assach%setts, &aiting "or the R%ssian s%r"ace "orce and h%nting igoro%sly a"ter the red s%#s in the area. 'hey &ere stea$ing in circles on an ocean that &o%ld not settle do&n. E eryone &as #%syFe7cept hi$. 'he pilots &ere %p t&ice a day or $ore, e7ercising &ith their 6.,. Air =orce and !a y co%nterparts &orking "ro$ shore #ases. 'he ships &ere practicing s%r"ace &ar"are tactics. As Ad$iral ;hite had said at #reak"ast, it had de eloped into a Colly good e7tension o" !4='9 L*L+04!. Ryan didn?t like #eing a s%pern%$erary. E eryone &as polite, o" co%rse. 4ndeed, the hospitality &as nearly o erpo&ering. 0e had access to the co$$and center, and &hen he &atched to see ho& the Brits h%nted s%#s do&n, e erything &as e7plained to hi$ in s%""icient detail that he act%ally %nderstood a#o%t hal" o" it. At the $o$ent he &as reading alone in ;hite?s sea ca#in, &hich had #eco$e his per$anent ho$e a#oard. Ritter had tho%ght"%lly t%cked a C4A sta"" st%dy into his d%""le #ag. Entitled

@Lost ChildrenK A +sychological +ro"ile o" East Bloc Le"ectors,@ the three2h%ndred2page doc%$ent had #een dra"ted #y a co$$ittee o" psychologists and psychiatrists &ho &orked &ith the C4A and other intelligence agencies helping de"ectors settle into A$erican li"eFand, he &as s%re, helping spot sec%rity risks in the C4A. !ot that there &ere $any o" those, #%t there &ere t&o sides to e erything the Co$pany did. Ryan ad$itted to hi$sel" that this &as pretty interesting st%"". 0e had ne er really tho%ght a#o%t &hat $akes a de"ector, "ig%ring that there &ere eno%gh things happening on the other side o" the 4ron C%rtain to $ake any rational person &ant to take &hate er chance he got to r%n &est. B%t it &as not that si$ple, he read, not that si$ple at all. E eryone &ho ca$e o er &as a "airly %niD%e indi id%al. ;hile one $ight recogniBe the ineD%ities o" li"e %nder Co$$%nis$ and yearn "or C%stice, religio%s "reedo$, a chance to de elop as an indi id%al, another $ight si$ply &ant to get rich, ha ing read a#o%t ho& greedy capitalists e7ploit the $asses and decided that #eing an e7ploiter has its good points. Ryan "o%nd this interesting i" cynical. Another de"ector type &as the "ake, the i$poster, so$eone planted on the C4A as a li ing piece o" disin"or$ation. B%t this kind o" character co%ld c%t #oth &ays. 0e $ight %lti$ately t%rn o%t to #e a gen%ine de"ector. A$erica, Ryan s$iled, co%ld #e pretty sed%cti e to so$eone %sed to the gray li"e in the ,o iet 6nion. >ost o" the plants, ho&e er, &ere dangero%s ene$ies. =or this reason a de"ector &as ne er tr%sted. !e er. A $an &ho had changed co%ntries once co%ld do it again. E en the idealists had do%#ts, great pangs o" conscience at ha ing deserted their $otherland. 4n a "ootnote a doctor co$$ented that the $ost &o%nding p%nish$ent "or Aleksander ,olBhenitsyn &as e7ile. As a patriot, #eing ali e "ar "ro$ his ho$e &as $ore o" a tor$ent than li ing in a g%lag. Ryan "o%nd that c%rio%s, #%t eno%gh so to #e tr%e. 'he rest o" the doc%$ent addressed the pro#le$ o" getting the$ settled. !ot a "e& ,o iet de"ectors had co$$itted s%icide a"ter a "e& years. ,o$e had si$ply #een %na#le to cope &ith "reedo$, the &ay that long2ter$ prison in$ates o"ten "ail to "%nction &itho%t highly str%ct%red control o er their li es and co$$it ne& cri$es hoping to ret%rn to their sa"e en iron$ent. * er the years the C4A had de eloped a protocol "or dealing &ith this pro#le$, and a graph in an appendi7 sho&ed that the se ere $aladC%st$ent cases &ere trending dra$atically do&n. Ryan took his ti$e reading. ;hile getting his doctorate in history at 8eorgeto&n 6ni ersity he had %sed a little "ree ti$e to a%dit so$e psychology classes. 0e had co$e a&ay &ith the g%t s%spicion that shrinks didn?t really kno& $%ch o" anything, that they got together and agreed on rando$ ideas they co%ld all %se . . . 0e shook his head. 0is &i"e occasionally said that, too. A clinical instr%ctor in ophthal$ic s%rgery on an e7change progra$ at ,t. 8%y?s 0ospital in London, Caroline Ryan regarded e erything as c%t and dried. 4" so$eone had eye tro%#le, she &o%ld either "i7 it or not "i7 it. A $ind &as di""erent, Jack decided a"ter reading thro%gh the doc%$ent a second ti$e, and each de"ector had to #e treated as an indi id%al, handled care"%lly #y a sy$pathetic case o""icer &ho had #oth the ti$e and inclination to look a"ter hi$ properly. 0e &ondered i" he?d #e good at it. Ad$iral ;hite &alked in. @Bored, JackI@ @!ot e7actly, Ad$iral. ;hen do &e $ake contact &ith the ,o ietsI@ @'his e ening. 9o%r chaps ha e gi en the$ a ery ro%gh ti$e o er that 'o$cat incident.@ @8ood. >ay#e people &ill &ake %p #e"ore so$ething really #ad happens.@ @9o% think it &illI@ ;hite sat do&n. @;ell, Ad$iral, i" they really are h%nting a $issing s%#, yes. 4" not, then they?re here "or another p%rpose entirely, and 4? e g%essed &rong. ;orse than that, 4?ll ha e to li e &ith that $isC%dg$entFor die &ith it.@

!or"olk !a al >edical Center 'ait &as "eeling #etter. Lr. Ja$eson had taken o er "or se eral ho%rs, allo&ing hi$ to c%rl %p on a co%ch in the doctor?s lo%nge "or "i e ho%rs. 'hat &as the $ost sleep he e er see$ed to get in one shot, #%t it &as s%""icient to $ake hi$ look indecently chipper to the rest o" the "loor sta"". 0e $ade a D%ick phone call and so$e $ilk &as sent %p. As a >or$on, 'ait a oided e erything &ith ca""eineFco""ee, tea, e en cola drinksFand tho%gh this type o" sel"2discipline &as %n%s%al "or a physician, to say nothing o" a %ni"or$ed o""icer, he scarcely tho%ght a#o%t it e7cept on rare occasions &hen he pointed o%t its longe ity #ene"its to his #rother practitioners. 'ait drank his $ilk and sha ed in the restroo$, e$erging ready to "ace another day. @Any &ord on the radiation e7pos%re, Ja$ieI@ 'he radiology la# had str%ck o%t. @'hey #ro%ght a n%cleonics o""icer o er "ro$ a s%# tender, and he scanned the clothes. 'here &as a possi#le t&enty2rad conta$ination, not eno%gh "or "rank physiological e""ects. 4 think &hat it $ight ha e #een &as that the n%rse took the sa$ple "ro$ the #ack o" his hand. 'he e7tre$ities $ight still ha e #een s%""ering "ro$ the asc%lar sh%tdo&n. 'hat co%ld e7plain the depleted &hite co%nt. >ay#e.@ @0o& is he other&iseI@ @Better. !ot $%ch, #%t #etter. 4 think $ay#e the ke"lin?s taking hold.@ 'he doctor "lipped open the chart. @;hite co%nt is co$ing #ack. 4 p%t a %nit o" &hole #lood into hi$ t&o ho%rs ago. 'he #lood che$istry is approaching nor$al li$its. Blood press%re is one h%ndred o er si7ty2"i e, heart rate is ninety2"o%r. 'e$perat%re ten $in%tes ago &as 155.8Fit?s #een "l%ct%ating "or se eral ho%rs. @0is heart looks pretty good. 4n "act, 4 think he?s going to $ake it, %nless so$ething %ne7pected crops %p.@ Ja$eson re$inded hi$sel" that in e7tre$e hypother$ia cases the %ne7pected can take a $onth or $ore to appear. 'ait e7a$ined the chart, re$e$#ering &hat he had #een like years ago. A #right yo%ng doc, C%st like Ja$ie, certain that he co%ld c%re the &orld. 4t &as a good "eeling. A pity that e7perienceFin his case, t&o years at LanangF#eat that o%t o" yo%. Ja$ie &as right, tho%ghE there &as eno%gh i$pro e$ent here to $ake the patient?s chances appear $eas%ra#ly #etter. @;hat are the R%ssians doingI@ 'ait asked. @+etchkin has the &atch at the $o$ent. ;hen it ca$e his t%rn, and he changed into scr%#sF yo% kno& he has that Captain ,$irno holding onto his clothes, like he e7pected %s to steal the$ or so$ethingI@ 'ait e7plained that +etchkin &as a A8B agent. @!o kiddingI >ay#e he has a g%n t%cked a&ay.@ Ja$eson ch%ckled. @4" he does, he?d #etter &atch it. ;e got three $arines %p here &ith %s.@ @>arines. ;hat "orI@ @=orgot to tell yo%. ,o$e reporter "o%nd o%t &e had a R%sskie %p here and tried to #l%"" his &ay onto the "loor. A n%rse stopped hi$. Ad$iral Black#%rn "o%nd o%t and &ent ape. 'he &hole "loor?s sealed o"". ;hat?s the #ig secret, any&ayI@ @Beats $e, #%t that?s the &ay it is. ;hat do yo% think o" this +etchkin g%yI@ @4 don?t kno&. 4? e ne er $et any R%ssians #e"ore. 'hey don?t s$ile a &hole lot. 'he &ay they?re taking t%rns &atching the patient, yo%?d think they e7pect %s to $ake o"" &ith hi$.@ @*r $ay#e that he?ll say so$ething they don?t &ant %s to hearI@ 'ait &ondered. @Lid yo% get

the "eeling that they $ight not &ant hi$ to $ake itI 4 $ean, &hen they didn?t &ant to tell %s a#o%t &hat his s%# &asI@ Ja$eson tho%ght a#o%t that. @!o. 'he R%ssians are s%pposed to $ake a secret o" e erything, aren?t theyI Any&ay, ,$irno did co$e thro%gh &ith it.@ @8et so$e sleep, Ja$ie.@ @Aye, Cap?n.@ Ja$eson &alked o"" to&ard the lo%nge. ;e asked the$ &hat kind o" a s%#, the captain tho%ght, $eaning &hether it &as a n%ke or not. ;hat i" they tho%ght &e &ere asking i" it &as a $issile s%#I 'hat $akes sense, doesn?t itI 9eah. A $issile s%# right o"" o%r coast, and all this acti ity in the !orth Atlantic. Christ$as season. Lear 8odJ 4" they &ere going to do it, they?d do it right no&, &o%ldn?t theyI 0e &alked do&n the hall. A n%rse ca$e o%t o" the roo$ &ith a #lood sa$ple to #e taken do&n to the la#. 'his &as #eing done ho%rly, and it le"t +etchkin alone &ith the patient "or a "e& $in%tes. 'ait &alked aro%nd the corner and sa& +etchkin thro%gh the &indo&, sitting in a chair at the corner o" the #ed and &atching his co%ntry$an, &ho &as still %nconscio%s. 0e had on green scr%#s. >ade to p%t on in a h%rry, these &ere re ersi#le, &ith a pocket on #oth sides so a s%rgeon didn?t ha e to &aste a second to see i" they &ere inside o%t. As 'ait &atched, +etchkin reached "or so$ething thro%gh the lo& collar. @*h, 8odJ@ 'ait raced aro%nd the corner and shot thro%gh the s&inging door. +etchkin?s look o" s%rprise changed to a$aBe$ent as the doctor #atted a cigarette and lighter "ro$ his hand, then to o%trage as he &as li"ted "ro$ his chair and "l%ng to&ards the door. 'ait &as the s$aller o" the t&o, #%t his s%dden #%rst o" energy &as s%""icient to eCect the $an "ro$ the roo$. @,ec%rityJ@ 'ait screa$ed. @;hat is the $eaning o" thisI@ +etchkin de$anded. 'ait &as holding hi$ in a #earh%g. 4$$ediately he heard "eet racing do&n the hall "ro$ the lo##y. @;hat is it, sirI@ A #reathless $arine lance corporal &ith a .4. Colt in his right hand skidded to a halt on the tile "loor. @'his $an C%st tried to kill $y patientJ@ @?hat!@ +etchkin?s "ace &as cri$son. @Corporal, yo%r post is no& at that door. 4" this $an tries to get into that roo$, yo% &ill stop hi$ any &ay yo% ha e to. 6nderstoodI@ @Aye aye, sirJ@ the corporal looked at the R%ssian. @,ir, &o%ld yo% please step a&ay "ro$ the doorI@ @;hat is the $eaning o" this o%trageJ@ @,ir, yo% &ill step a&ay "ro$ the door, right no&.@ 'he $arine holstered his pistol. @;hat is going on hereI@ 4t &as 4 ano , &ho had sense eno%gh to ask this D%estion in a D%iet oice "ro$ ten "eet a&ay. @Loctor, do yo% &ant yo%r sailor to s%r i e or notI@ 'ait asked, trying to cal$ hi$sel". @;hatFo" co%rse &e &ish hi$ to s%r i e. 0o& can yo% ask thisI@ @'hen &hy did Co$rade +etchkin C%st try to kill hi$I@ @4 did not do s%ch a thingJ@ +etchkin sho%ted. @;hat did he do, e7actlyI@ 4 ano asked. Be"ore 'ait co%ld ans&er, +etchkin spoke rapidly in R%ssian, then s&itched to English. @4 &as reaching "or a s$oke, that is all. 4 ha e no &eapon. 4 &ish to kill no one. 4 only &ish to ha e a cigarette.@ @;e ha e !o ,$oking signs all o er the "loor, e7cept in the lo##yFyo% didn?t see the$I 9o% &ere in a roo$ in intensi e care, &ith a patient on h%ndred2percent o7ygen, the air and

#edclothes sat%rated &ith o7ygen, and yo% &ere going to "lick yo%r godda$ned BicJ@ 'he doctor rarely %sed pro"anity. @*h s%re, yo%?d get #%rned so$e, and it &o%ld look like an accidentFand that kid &o%ld #e deadJ 4 kno& &hat yo% are, +etchkin, and 4 don?t think yo%?re that st%pid. 8et o"" $y "loorJ@ 'he n%rse, &ho had #een &atching this, &ent into the patient?s roo$. ,he ca$e #ack o%t &ith a pack o" cigarettes, t&o loose ones, a plastic #%tane lighter, and a c%rio%s look on her "ace. +etchkin &as ashen. @Lr. 'ait, 4 ass%re yo% that 4 had no s%ch intention. ;hat are yo% saying &o%ld happenI@ @Co$rade +etchkin,@ 4 ano said slo&ly in English, @there &o%ld #e an e7plosion and "ire. 9o% cannot ha e a "la$e near o7ygen.@ @Niche$o!@ +etchkin "$ally realiBed &hat he had done. 0e had &aited "or the n%rse to lea e F$edical people ne er let yo% s$oke &hen yo% ask. 0e didn?t kno& the "irst thing a#o%t hospitals, and as a A8B agent he &as acc%sto$ed to doing &hate er he &anted. 0e started speaking to 4 ano in R%ssian. 'he ,o iet doctor looked like a parent listening to a child?s e7planation "or a #roken glass. 0is response &as spirited. =or his part, 'ait #egan to &onder i" he hadn?t o erreactedFanyone &ho s$oked &as an idiot to #egin &ith. @Lr. 'ait,@ +etchkin said "inally, @4 s&ear to yo% that 4 had no idea o" this o7ygen #%siness. +erhaps 4 a$ a "ool.@ @!%rse,@ 'ait t%rned, @&e &ill not lea e this patient %nattended #y o%r personnel at any ti$e Fne er. 0a e a corps$an co$e to pick %p the #lood sa$ples and anything else. 4" yo% ha e to go to the head, get relie" "irst.@ @9es, Loctor.@ @!o $ore scre&ing aro%nd, >r. +etchkin. Break the r%les again, sir, and yo%?re o"" the "loor again. Lo yo% %nderstandI@ @4t &ill #e as yo% say, Loctor, and allo& $e, please, to apologiBe.@ @9o% stay p%t,@ 'ait said to the $arine. 0e &alked a&ay shaking his head angrily, $ad at the R%ssians, e$#arrassed &ith hi$sel", &ishing he &ere #ack at Bethesda &here he #elonged, and &ishing he kne& ho& to s&ear coherently. 0e took the ser ice ele ator do&n to the "irst "loor and spent "i e $in%tes looking "or the intelligence o""icer &ho had "lo&n do&n &ith hi$. 6lti$ately he "o%nd hi$ in a ga$e roo$ playing +ac >an. 'hey con"erred in the hospital ad$inistrator?s acant o""ice. @9o% really tho%ght he &as trying to kill the g%yI@ the co$$ander asked incred%lo%sly. @;hat &as 4 s%pposed to thinkI@ 'ait de$anded. @;hat do yo% thinkI@ @4 think he C%st scre&ed %p. 'hey &ant that kid ali eFno, "irst they &ant hi$ talkingF$ore than yo% do.@ @0o& do yo% kno& thatI@ @+etchkin calls their e$#assy e ery ho%r. ;e ha e the phones tapped, o" co%rse. 0o& do yo% thinkI@ @;hat i" it?s a trickI@ @4" he?s that good an actor he #elongs in the $o ies. 9o% keep that kid ali e, Loctor, and lea e the rest to %s. 8ood idea to ha e the $arine close, tho%gh. 'hat?ll rattle ?e$ a #it. !e er pass %p a chance to rattle ?e$. ,o, &hen &ill he #e conscio%sI@ @!o telling. 0e?s still "e erish, and ery &eak. ;hy do they &ant hi$ to talkI@ 'ait asked. @'o "ind o%t &hat s%# he &as on. +etchkin?s A8B contact #l%rted that o%t on the phoneF sloppyJ %ery sloppyJ 'hey $%st #e real e7cited a#o%t this.@

@Lo &e kno& &hat s%# it &asI@ @,%re,@ the intelligence o""icer said $ischie o%sly. @'hen &hat?s going on, "or Lord?s sakeJ@ @Can?t say, Loc.@ 'he co$$ander s$iled as i" he kne&, tho%gh he &as as $%ch in the dark as anyone. !or"olk !a al ,hipyard 'he 6,, (camp sat at the dock &hile a large o erhead crane settled the A$alon in its s%pport rack. 'he captain &atched i$patiently "ro$ atop the sail. 0e and his #oat had #een called in "ro$ h%nting a pair o" %ictors, and he did not like it one #it. 'he attack #oat skipper had only r%n a L,R: e7ercise a "e& &eeks #e"ore, and right no& he had #etter things to do than play $other &hale to this da$ned %seless toy. Besides, ha ing the $inis%# perched on his a"ter escape tr%nk &o%ld knock ten knots o"" his top speed. And there?d #e "o%r $ore $en to #%nk and "eed. 'he (camp &as not all that large. At least they?d get good "ood o%t o" this. 'he (camp had #een o%t "i e &eeks &hen the recall order arri ed. 'heir s%pply o" "resh egeta#les &as e7ha%sted, and they a ailed the$sel es o" the opport%nity to ha e "resh "ood tr%cked do&n to the dock. A $an tires D%ickly o" three2#ean salad. 'onight they?d ha e real lett%ce, to$atoes, "resh corn instead o" canned. B%t that didn?t $ake %p "or the "act that there &ere R%ssians o%t there to &orry a#o%t. @All sec%reI@ the captain called do&n to the c%r ed a"ter deck. @9es, Captain. ;e?re ready &hen yo% are,@ Lie%tenant A$es ans&ered. @Engine roo$,@ the captain called do&n on interco$. @4 &ant yo% ready to ans&er #ells in ten $in%tes.@ @Ready no&, ,kipper.@ A har#or t%g &as standing #y to help $ane% er the$ "ro$ the dock. A$es had their orders, so$ething else that the captain didn?t like. ,%rely they &o%ld not #e doing any $ore h%nting, not &ith that da$ned A$alon strapped on. 'he Red *cto#er @Look here, , yado ,@ >elekhin pointed, @4 &ill sho& yo% ho& a sa#ote%r thinks.@ 'he lie%tenant ca$e o er and looked. 'he chie" engineer &as pointing at an inspection al e on the heat e7changer. Be"ore he got an e7planation, >elekhin &ent to the #%lkhead phone. @Co$rade Captain, this is >elekhin. 4 ha e "o%nd it. 4 reD%ire the reactor to #e stopped "or an ho%r. ;e can operate the caterpillar on #atteries, noI@ @*" co%rse, Co$rade Chie" Engineer,@ Ra$i%s said, @proceed@ >elekhin t%rned to the assistant engineering o""icer. @9o% &ill sh%t the reactor do&n and connect the #atteries to the caterpillar $otors.@ @At once, Co$rade.@ 'he o""icer #egan to &ork the controls. 'he ti$e taken to "ind the leak had #een a #%rden on e eryone. *nce they had disco ered that the 8eiger co%nters &ere sa#otaged and >elekhin and Borodin had repaired the$, they had #eg%n a co$plete check o" the reactor spaces, a de ilishly tricky task. 'here had ne er #een a D%estion o" a $aCor stea$ leak, else , yado &o%ld ha e gone looking "or it &ith a #roo$stick

Fe en a tiny leak co%ld easily sha e o"" an ar$. 'hey reasoned that it had to #e a s$all leak in the lo&2press%re part o" the syste$. Lidn?t itI 4t &as the not kno&ing that had tro%#led e eryone. 'he check $ade #y the chie" engineer and e7ec%ti e o""icer had lasted no less than eight ho%rs, d%ring &hich the reactor had again #een sh%t do&n. 'his c%t all electricity o"" thro%gho%t the ship e7cept "or e$ergency lights and the caterpillar $otors. E en the air syste$s had #een c%rtailed. 'hat had set the cre& $%ttering to the$sel es. 'he pro#le$ &as, >elekhin co%ld still not "ind the leak, and &hen the #adges had #een de eloped a day earlier, there &as nothing on the$J 0o& &as this possi#leI @Co$e, , yado , tell $e &hat yo% see.@ >elekhin ca$e #ack o er and pointed. @'he &ater test al e.@ *pened only in port, &hen the reactor &as cold, it &as %sed to "l%sh the cooling syste$ and to check "or %n%s%al &ater conta$ination. 'he thing &as grossly %nre$arka#le, a hea y2d%ty al e &ith a large &heel. 'he spo%t %nderneath it, #elo& the press%riBed part o" the pipe, &as threaded rather than &elded. @A large &rench, i" yo% please, Lie%tenant.@ >elekhin &as dra&ing the lesson o%t, , yado tho%ght. 0e &as the slo&est o" teachers &hen he &as trying to co$$%nicate so$ething i$portant. , yado ret%rned &ith a $eter2long pipe &rench. 'he chie" engineer &aited %ntil the plant &as closed do&n, then do%#le2checked a ga%ge to $ake s%re the pipes &ere depress%riBed. 0e &as a care"%l $an. 'he &rench &as set on the "itting, and he t%rned it. 4t ca$e o"" easily. @9o% see, Co$rade Lie%tenant, the threads on the pipe act%ally go %p onto the al e casing. ;hy is this per$ittedI@ @'he threads are on the o%tside o" the pipe, Co$rade. 'he al e itsel" #ears the press%re. 'he "itting &hich is scre&ed on is $erely a directional spigot. 'he nat%re o" the %nion does not co$pro$ise the press%re loop.@ @Correct. A scre& "itting is not strong eno%gh "or the plant?s total press%re.@ >elekhin &orked the "itting all the &ay o"" &ith his hands. 4t &as per"ectly $achined, the threads still #right "ro$ the original engine &ork. @And there is the sa#otage.@ @4 don?t %nderstand.@ @,o$eone tho%ght this one o er ery care"%lly, Co$rade Lie%tenant.@ >elekhin?s oice &as hal" ad$iration, hal" rage. @At nor$al operating press%re, cr%ising speed, that is, the syste$ is press%riBed to eight kilogra$s per sD%are centi$eter, correctI@ @9es, Co$rade, and at "%ll po&er the press%re is ninety percent higher.@ , yado kne& all this #y heart. @B%t &e rarely go to "%ll po&er. ;hat &e ha e here is a dead2end section o" the stea$ loop. !o&, here a s$all hole has #een drilled, not e en a $illi$eter. Look.@ >elekhin #ent o er to e7a$ine it hi$sel". , yado &as happy to keep his distance. @!ot e en a $illi$eter. 'he sa#ote%r took the "itting o"", drilled the hole, and p%t it #ack. 'he tiny hole per$its a $in%sc%le a$o%nt o" stea$ to escape, #%t only ery slo&ly. 'he stea$ cannot go %p, #eca%se the "itting sits against this "lange. Look at this $achine &orkJ 4t is per"ect, yo% see, per"ectJ 'he stea$, there"ore, cannot escape %p&ard. 4t can only "orce its &ay do&n the threads aro%nd and aro%nd, %lti$ately escaping inside the spo%t. J%st eno%gh. J%st eno%gh to conta$inate this co$part$ent #y a tiny a$o%nt.@ >elekhin looked %p. @,o$eone &as a ery cle er $an. Cle er eno%gh to kno& e7actly ho& this syste$ &orks. ;hen &e red%ced po&er to check "or the leak #e"ore, there &as not eno%gh press%re re$aining in the loop to "orce the stea$ do&n the threads, and &e co%ld not "ind the leak. 'here is only eno%gh press%re at nor$al po&er le elsF#%t i" yo% s%spect a leak, yo% po&er2do&n the syste$. And i" &e had gone to $a7i$%$ po&er, &ho can

say &hat $ight ha e happenedI@ >elekhin shook his head in ad$iration. @,o$eone &as ery, ery cle er. 4 hope 4 $eet hi$. *h, 4 hope 4 $eet this cle er $an. =or &hen 4 do, 4 &ill take a pair o" large steel pliersF,@ >elekhin?s oice lo&ered to a &hisper, @Fand 4 &ill cr%sh his #allsJ 8et $e the s$all electric &elding set, Co$rade. 4 can "i7 this $ysel" in a "e& $in%tes.@ Captain =irst Rank >elekhin &as as good as his &ord. 0e &o%ldn?t let anyone near the Co#. 4t &as his plant, and his responsi#ility. , yado &as C%st as happy "or that. A tiny #ead o" stainless steel &as &orked into the "a%lt, and >elekhin "iled it do&n &ith Ce&eler?s tools to protect the threads. 'hen he #r%shed r%##er2#ased sealant onto the threads and &orked the "itting #ack into place. 'he &hole proced%re took t&enty2eight $in%tes #y , yado ?s &atch. As they had told hi$ in Leningrad, >elekhin &as the #est engineer in s%#$arines. @A static press%re test, eight kilogra$s,@ he ordered the assistant engineer o""icer. 'he reactor &as reacti ated. =i e $in%tes later the press%re &ent all the &ay to nor$al po&er. >elekhin held a co%nter %nder the spo%t "or ten $in%tesFand got nothing, e en on the n%$#er t&o setting. 0e &alked to the phone to tell the captain the leak &as "i7ed. >elekhin had the enlisted $en let #ack into the co$part$ent to ret%rn the tools to their places. @9o% see ho& it is done, Lie%tenantI@ @9es, Co$rade. ;as that one leak s%""icient to ca%se all o" o%r conta$inationI@ @*# io%sly.@ , yado &ondered a#o%t this. 'he reactor spaces &ere nothing #%t a collection o" pipes and "ittings, and this #it o" sa#otage co%ld not ha e taken long. ;hat i" other s%ch ti$e #o$#s &ere hidden in the syste$I @+erhaps yo% &orry too $%ch, Co$rade,@ >elekhin said. @9es, 4 ha e considered this. ;hen &e get to C%#a, 4 &ill ha e a "%ll2po&er static test $ade to check the &hole syste$, #%t "or the $o$ent 4 do not think this is a good idea. ;e &ill contin%e the t&o2ho%r &atch cycle. 'here is the possi#ility that one o" o%r o&n cre&$en is the sa#ote%r. 4" so, 4 &ill not ha e people in these spaces long eno%gh to co$$it $ore $ischie". 9o% &ill &atch the cre& closely.@

THE TWE!FTH DAY TUESDAY 14, DECEMBER

'he Lallas @"razy -$an!@ Jones sho%ted lo%dly eno%gh to #e heard in the attack center. @'%rning to star#oardJ@ @,kipperJ@ 'ho$pson repeated the &arning. @All stopJ@ >anc%so ordered D%ickly. @Rig ship "or %ltra2D%ietJ@ A tho%sand yards ahead o" the !allas, her contact had C%st #eg%n a radical t%rn to the right. ,he had #een doing so a#o%t e ery t&o ho%rs since they had regained contact, tho%gh not reg%larly eno%gh "or the !allas to settle into a co$"orta#le pattern. ;hoe er is dri ing that #oo$er kno&s his #%siness, >anc%so tho%ght. 'he ,o iet $issile s%#$arine &as $aking a co$plete circle so her #o&2$o%nted sonar co%ld check "or anyone hiding in her #a""les. Co%ntering this $ane% er &as $ore than C%st trickyFit &as dangero%s, especially the &ay >anc%so did it. ;hen the Red October changed co%rse, her stern, like those o" all ships, $o ed in the direction opposite the t%rn. ,he &as a steel #arrier directly in the !allas, path "or as long as it took her to $o e thro%gh the "irst part o" the t%rn, and the (,5552ton attack s%#$arine took a lot o" space to stop. 'he e7act n%$#er o" collisions that had occ%rred #et&een ,o iet and A$erican s%#$arines &as a closely g%arded secretE that there had #een s%ch collisions &as not. *ne characteristically R%ssian tactic "or "orcing A$ericans to keep their distance &as a styliBed t%rn called the CraBy 4 an in the 6.,. !a y. 'he "irst "e& ho%rs they had trailed this contact, >anc%so had #een care"%l to keep his distance. 0e had learned that the s%#$arine &as not t%rning D%ickly. ,he &as, rather, $ane% ering in a leis%rely $anner, and see$ed to ascend "i"ty to eighty "eet as she t%rned, #anking al$ost like an aircra"t. 0e s%spected that the R%ssian skipper &as not %sing his "%ll $ane% era#ilityFan intelligent thing "or a captain to do, keeping so$e o" his per"or$ance in reser e as a s%rprise. 'hese "acts allo&ed the !allas to trail ery closely indeed and ga e >anc%so a chance to chop his speed and dri"t "or&ard so that he #arely a oided the R%ssian?s stern. 0e &as getting good at itFa little too good, his o""icers &ere &hispering. 'he last ti$e they had not $issed the R%ssian?s scre&s #y $ore than a h%ndred "i"ty yards. 'he contact?s large t%rning circle &as taking her co$pletely aro%nd the !allas as the latter sni""ed at her prey?s trail.

A oiding collision &as the $ost dangero%s part o" the $ane% er, #%t not the only part. 'he !allas also had to re$ain in isi#le to her D%arry?s passi e sonar syste$s. =or her to do so the engineers had to c%t po&er in their ,38 reactor to a tiny "raction o" its total o%tp%t. =ort%nately the reactor &as a#le to r%n on s%ch lo& po&er &itho%t the %se o" a coolant p%$p, since coolant co%ld #e trans"erred #y nor$al con ection circ%lation. 4n addition, a strict silent ship ro%tine &as en"orced. !o acti ity on the Lallas that $ight generate noise &as per$itted, and the cre& took it serio%sly eno%gh that e en ordinary con ersations in the $ess &ere $%ted. @,peed co$ing do&n,@ Lie%tenant 8ood$an reported. >anc%so decided that the !allas &o%ld not #e part o" a ra$$ing this ti$e and &ent a"t to sonar. @'arget is still t%rning right,@ Jones reported D%ietly. @*%ght to #e clear no&. Listance to the stern, $ay#e t&o h%ndred yards, $ay#e a shade less . . .9eah, &e?re clear no&, #earing is changing $ore rapidly. ,peed and engine noises are constant. A slo& t%rn to the right.@ Jones ca%ght the captain o%t o" the corner o" his eye and t%rned to haBard an o#ser ation. @,kipper, this g%y is real con"ident in hi$sel". 4 $ean, real con"ident.@ @E7plain,@ >anc%so said, "ig%ring he kne& the ans&er. @Cap?n, he?s not chopping speed the &ay &e do, and &e t%rn a lot sharper than this. 4t?s al$ost likeFlike he?s doing this o%t o" ha#it, y?kno&I Like he?s in a h%rry to get so$e&here, and really doesn?t think any#ody can trackF&ait . . .9eah, okay, he?s C%st a#o%t re ersed co%rse no&, #earing o"" the star#oard #o&, say hal" a $ile . . .,till doing the slo& t%rn. 0e?ll go right aro%nd %s again. ,ir, i" he kno&s any#ody?s #ack here, he?s playing it a&"%l cool. ;hat do yo% think, =renchieI@ Chie" ,onar$an La al shook his head. @0e don?t kno& &e?re here.@ 'he chie" didn?t &ant to say anything else. 0e tho%ght >anc%so?s close tailing &as reckless. 'he $an had #alls, playing &ith a 388 like this, #%t one little scre&2%p and he?d "ind hi$sel" &ith a pail and sho el, on the #each. @+assing do&n the star#oard side. !o pinging.@ Jones took o%t his calc%lator and p%nched in so$e n%$#ers. @,ir, this ang%lar t%rn rate at this speed $akes the range a#o%t a tho%sand yards. 9o% s%ppose his "%nny dri e syste$ goo"s %p his r%dders anyI@ @>ay#e.@ >anc%so took a spare set o" phones and pl%gged the$ in to listen. 'he noise &as the sa$e. A s&ish, and e ery "orty or "i"ty seconds an odd, lo&2"reD%ency r%$#le. 'his close they co%ld also hear the g%rgling and thro##ing o" the reactor p%$p. 'here &as a sharp so%nd, $ay#e a cook $o ing a pan on a $etal grate. !o silent ship drill on this #oat. >anc%so s$iled to hi$sel". 4t &as like #eing a cat #%rglar, hanging this close to an ene$y s%#$arineFno, not an ene$y, not e7actlyFhearing e erything. 4n #etter aco%stical conditions they co%ld ha e heard con ersations. !ot &ell eno%gh to %nderstand the$, o" co%rse, #%t as i" they &ere at a dinner party listening to the ga##le o" a doBen co%ples at once. @+assing a"t and still circling. 0is t%rning radi%s $%st #e a good tho%sand yards,@ >anc%so o#ser ed. @9es, Cap?n, a#o%t that,@ Jones agreed. @0e C%st can?t #e %sing all his r%dder, and yo%?re right, Jonesy, he is ery da$ned cas%al a#o%t this. 0$ph, the R%ssians are all s%pposed to #e paranoidFnot this #oy.@ ,o $%ch the #etter, >anc%so tho%ght. 4" he &ere going to hear the !allas it &o%ld #e no&, &ith the #o&2$o%nted sonar pointed al$ost directly at the$. >anc%so took o"" his headphones to listen to his #oat. 'he !allas &as a to$#. 'he &ords "razy -$an had #een passed, and &ithin seconds his cre& had responded. 0o& do yo% re&ard a &hole cre&I >anc%so &ondered. 0e kne& he &orked the$ hard,

so$eti$es too hardF#%t da$nJ Lid they deli erJ @+ort #ea$,@ Jones said. @E7actly a#ea$ no&, speed %nchanged, tra eling a little straighter, $ay#e, distance a#o%t ele en h%ndred, 4 think.@ 'he sonar$an took a handkerchie" "ro$ his #ack pocket and %sed it to &ipe his hands. 'here?s tension all right, #%t yo%?d ne er kno& it listening to the kid, the captain tho%ght. E eryone in his cre& &as acting like a pro"essional. @0e?s passed %s. *n the port #o&, and 4 think the t%rn has stopped. Betcha he?s settled #ack do&n on one2nine2Bero.@ Jones looked %p &ith a grin. @;e did it again, ,kipper.@ @*kay. 8ood &ork, yo% $en.@ >anc%so &ent #ack to the attack center. E eryone &as &aiting e7pectantly. 'he !allas &as dead in the &ater, dri"ting slo&ly do&n&ard &ith her slight negati e tri$. @Let?s get the engines t%rned #ack on. B%ild her %p slo&ly to thirteen knots.@ A "e& seconds later an al$ost i$percepti#le noise #egan as the reactor plant increased po&er. A $o$ent a"ter that the speed ga%ge t&itched %p&ard. 'he !allas &as $o ing again. @Attention, this is the captain speaking,@ >anc%so said into the so%nd2po&ered co$$%nications syste$. 'he electrically po&ered speakers &ere t%rned o"", and his &ord &o%ld #e relayed #y &atchstanders in all co$part$ents. @'hey circled %s again &itho%t picking %s %p. ;ell done, e ery#ody. ;e can all #reathe again.@ 0e placed the handset #ack in its holder. @>r. 8ood$an, let?s get #ack on her tail.@ @Aye, ,kipper. Le"t "i e degrees r%dder, hel$.@ @Le"t "i e degrees r%dder, aye.@ 'he hel$s$an ackno&ledged the order, t%rning his &heel as he did so. 'en $in%tes later the !allas &as #ack astern o" her contact. A constant "ire control sol%tion &as set %p on the attack director. 'he >ark 48 torpedoes &o%ld #arely ha e s%""icient distance to ar$ the$sel es #e"ore striking the target in t&enty2nine seconds. >inistry o" Le"ense, >osco& @And ho& are yo% "eeling, >ishaI@ >ikhail ,e$yono ich =ilito looked %p "ro$ a large pile o" doc%$ents. 0e looked "l%shed and "e erish still. L$itri 6stino , the de"ense $inister, &orried a#o%t his old "riend. 0e sho%ld ha e stayed in the hospital another "e& days as the doctors had ad ised. B%t >isha had ne er #een one to take ad ice, only orders. @4 "eel good, L$itri. Any ti$e yo% &alk o%t o" a hospital yo% "eel goodFe en i" yo% are dead,@ =ilito s$iled. @9o% still look sick,@ 6stino o#ser ed. @AhJ At o%r age yo% al&ays look sick. A drink, Co$rade Le"ense >inisterI@ =ilito hoisted a #ottle o" ,tolychnaya odka "ro$ a desk dra&er. @9o% drink too $%ch, $y "riend,@ 6stino chided. @4 do not drink eno%gh. A #it $ore anti"reeBe and 4 &o%ld not ha e ca%ght cold last &eek.@ 0e po%red t&o t%$#lers hal" "%ll and held one o%t to his g%est. @0ere, L$itri, it is cold o%tside.@ Both $en tipped their glasses, took a g%lp o" the clear liD%id, and e7pelled their #reath &ith an e7plosi e pah. @4 "eel #etter already.@ =ilito ?s la%gh &as hoarse. @'ell $e, &hat #eca$e o" that Lith%anian renegadeI@

@;e?re not s%re,@ 6stino said. @,tillI Can yo% tell $e no& &hat his letter saidI@ 6stino took another s&allo& #e"ore e7plaining. ;hen he "inished the story =ilito &as leaning "or&ard at his desk, shocked. @>other o" 8odJ And he has still not #een "o%ndI 0o& $any headsI@ @Ad$iral Aoro is dead. 0e &as arrested #y the A8B, o" co%rse, and died o" a #rain he$orrhage soon therea"terI@ @A nine2$illi$eter he$orrhage, 4 tr%st,@ =ilito o#ser ed coldly. @0o& $any ti$es ha e 4 said itI ;hat godda$ned %se is a na yI Can &e %se it against the ChineseI *r the !A'* ar$ies that threaten %sFnoJ 0o& $any r%#les does it cost to #%ild and "%el those pretty #arges "or 8orshko , and &hat do &e get "or itFnothingJ !o& he loses one s%#$arine and the &hole "%cking "leet cannot "ind it. 4t is a good thing that ,talin is not ali e@ 6stino agreed. 0e &as old eno%gh to re$e$#er &hat happened then to anyone &ho reported res%lts short o" total s%ccess. @4n any case, +adorin $ay ha e sa ed his skin. 'here is one e7tra ele$ent o" control on the s%#$arine@ @+adorinJ@ =ilito took another g%lp o" his drink. @'hat e%n%chJ 4? e only $et hi$, &hat, three ti$es. A cold "ish, e en "or a co$$issar. 0e ne er la%ghs, e en &hen he drinks. ,o$e R%ssian he is. ;hy is it, L$itri, that 8orshko keeps so $any old "arts like that aro%ndI@ 6stino s$iled into his drink. @'he sa$e reason 4 do, >isha@ Both $en la%ghed. @,o, ho& &ill Co$rade +adorin sa e o%r secrets and keep his skinI 4n ent a ti$e $achineI@ 6stino e7plained to his old "riend. 'here &eren?t $any $en &ho$ the de"ense $inister co%ld speak to and "eel co$"orta#le &ith. =ilito dre& the pension o" a "%ll colonel o" tanks and still &ore the %ni"or$ pro%dly. 0e had "aced co$#at "or the "irst ti$e on the "o%rth day o" the 8reat +atriotic ;ar, as the =ascist in aders &ere dri ing east. Lie%tenant =ilito had $et the$ so%theast o" Brest Lito sk &ith a troop o" '2-4U(3 tanks. A good o""icer, he had s%r i ed his "irst enco%nter &ith 8%derian?s panBers, retreated in good order, and "o%ght a constant $o#ile action "or days #e"ore #eing ca%ght in the great encircle$ent at >insk. 0e had "o%ght his &ay o%t o" that trap, and later another at :yas$a, and had co$$anded a #attalion spearheading Nh%ko ?s co%nter#lo& "ro$ the s%#%r#s o" >osco&. 4n 194/ =ilito had taken part in the disastro%s co%ntero""ensi e to&ard Aharko #%t again escaped, this ti$e on "oot, leading the #attered re$ains o" his regi$ent "ro$ that dread"%l ca%ldron on the Lnieper Ri er. ;ith another regi$ent later that year he had led the dri e that shattered the 4talian Ar$y on the "lank o" ,talingrad and encircled the 8er$ans. 0e?d #een &o%nded t&ice in that ca$paign. =ilito had acD%ired the rep%tation o" a co$$ander &ho &as #oth good and l%cky. 'hat l%ck had r%n o%t at A%rsk, &here he had #attled the troopers o" ,, di ision !as Reich. Leading his $en into a "%rio%s tank #attle, =ilito and his ehicle had r%n straight into an a$#%sh o" eighty2eight2 $illi$eter g%ns. 'hat he had s%r i ed at all &as a $iracle. 0is chest still #ore the scars "ro$ the #%rning tank, and his right ar$ &as ne7t to %seless. 'his &as eno%gh to retire a charging tactical co$$ander &ho had &on the old star o" the 0ero o" the ,o iet 6nion no less than three ti$es, and a doBen other decorations. A"ter $onths o" #eing sh%ttled "ro$ one hospital to another, he had #eco$e a representati e o" the Red Ar$y in the ar$a$ent "actories that had #een $o ed to the 6rals east o" >osco&. 'he dri e that $ade hi$ a pre$iere co$#at soldier &o%ld co$e to ser e the ,tate e en #etter #ehind the lines. A #orn organiBer, =ilito learned to r%n ro%ghshod o er "actory #osses to strea$line prod%ction, and he caColed design engineers to $ake the s$all #%t o"ten cr%cial changes in their prod%cts that &o%ld sa e cre&s and &in #attles.

4t &as in these "actories that =ilito and 6stino "irst $et, the scarred co$#at eteran and the gr%"" apparatchik detailed #y ,talin to prod%ce eno%gh tools to dri e the hated in aders #ack. A"ter a "e& clashes, the yo%ng 6stino ca$e to recogniBe that =ilito &as totally "earless and &o%ld not #e #%llied on a D%estion in ol ing D%ality control or "ighting e""iciency. 4n the $idst o" one disagree$ent, =ilito had practically dragged 6stino into the t%rret o" a tank and taken it thro%gh a co$#at training co%rse to $ake his point. 6stino &as the sort &ho only had to #e sho&n so$ething once, and they soon #eca$e "ast "riends. 0e co%ld not "ail to ad$ire the co%rage o" a soldier &ho co%ld say no to the people?s co$$issar o" ar$a$ents. By $id21944 =ilito &as a per$anent part o" his sta"", a special inspectorFin short, a hatchet $an. ;hen there &as a pro#le$ at a "actory, =ilito sa& that it &as settled, D%ickly. 'he three gold stars and the crippling inC%ries &ere %s%ally eno%gh to pers%ade the "actory #osses to $end their &aysF and i" not, >isha had the #oo$ing oice and oca#%lary to $ake a sergeant $aCor &ince. !e er a high party o""icial, =ilito ga e his #oss al%a#le inp%t "ro$ people in the "ield. 0e still &orked closely &ith the tank design and prod%ction tea$s, o"ten taking a prototype or rando$ly chosen prod%ction $odel thro%gh a test co%rse &ith a tea$ o" picked eterans to see "or hi$sel" ho& &ell things &orked. Crippled ar$ or not, it &as said that =ilito &as a$ong the #est g%nners in the ,o iet 6nion. And he &as a h%$#le $an. 4n 193. 6stino tho%ght to s%rprise his "riend &ith general?s stars and &as so$e&hat angered #y =ilito ?s reactionFhe had not earned the$ on the "ield o" #attle, and that &as the only &ay a $an co%ld earn stars. A rather i$politic re$ark, as 6stino &ore the %ni"or$ o" a $arshal o" the ,o iet 6nion, earned "or his +arty &ork and ind%strial $anage$ent, it ne ertheless de$onstrated that =ilito &as a tr%e !e& ,o iet >an, pro%d o" &hat he &as and $ind"%l o" his li$itations. 4t is %n"ort%nate, 6stino tho%ght, that >isha has #een so %nl%cky other&ise. 0e had #een $arried to a lo ely &o$an, Elena =ilito , &ho had #een a $inor dancer &ith the Airo &hen the yo%th"%l o""icer had $et her. 6stino re$e$#ered her &ith a trace o" en yE she had #een the per"ect soldier?s &i"e. ,he had gi en the ,tate t&o "ine sons. Both &ere no& dead. 'he elder had died in 19.3, still a #oy, an o""icer cadet sent to 0%ngary #eca%se o" his political relia#ility and killed #y co%nterre ol%tionaries #e"ore his se enteenth #irthday. 0e &as a soldier &ho had taken a soldier?s chance. B%t the yo%nger had #een killed in a training accident, #lo&n to pieces #y a "a%lty #reech $echanis$ in a #rand2ne& '2.. tank in 19.9. 'hat had #een a disgrace. And Elena had died soon therea"ter, o" grie" $ore than anything else. 'oo #ad. =ilito had not changed all that $%ch. 0e drank too $%ch, like $any soldiers, #%t he &as a D%iet dr%nk. 4n 1931 or so, 6stino re$e$#ered, he had taken to cross2co%ntry skiing. 4t $ade hi$ healthier and tired hi$ o%t, &hich &as pro#a#ly &hat he really &anted, along &ith the solit%de. 0e &as still a "ine listener. ;hen 6stino had a ne& idea to "loat #e"ore the +olit#%ro, he %s%ally tried it o%t on =ilito "irst to get his reaction. !ot a sophisticated $an, =ilito &as an %nco$$only shre&d one &ho had a soldier?s instinct "or "inding &eaknesses and e7ploiting strengths. 0is al%e as a liaison o""icer &as %ns%rpassed. =e& $en li ing had three gold stars &on on the "ield o" #attle. 'hat got hi$ attention, and it still $ade o""icers "ar his senior listen to hi$. @,o, L$itri =edoro ich, do yo% think this &o%ld &orkI Can one $an destroy a s%#$arineI@ =ilito asked. @9o% kno& rockets, 4 don?t.@ @Certainly. 4t?s $erely a D%estion o" $athe$atics. 'here is eno%gh energy in a rocket to $elt the s%#$arine.@ @And &hat o" o%r $anI@ =ilito asked. Al&ays the co$#at soldier, he &o%ld #e the type to &orry a#o%t a #ra e $an alone in ene$y territory.

@;e &ill do o%r #est, o" co%rse, #%t there is not $%ch hope.@ @0e $%st #e resc%ed, L$itriJ >%stJ 9o% "orget, yo%ng $en like that ha e a al%e #eyond their deeds, they are not $ere $achines &ho per"or$ their d%ties. 'hey are sy$#ols "or o%r other yo%ng o""icers, and ali e they are &orth a h%ndred ne& tanks or ships. Co$#at is like that, Co$rade. ;e ha e "orgotten thisFand look &hat has happened in A"ghanistanJ@ @9o% are correct, $y "riend, #%tFonly a "e& h%ndred kilo$eters "ro$ the A$erican coast, i" that $%chI@ @8orshko talks so $%ch a#o%t &hat his na y can do, let hi$ do thisJ@ =ilito po%red another glass. @*ne $ore, 4 think.@ @9o% are not going skiing again, >isha.@ 6stino noted that he o"ten "orti"ied hi$sel" #e"ore dri ing his car to the &oods east o" >osco&. @4 &ill not per$it it.@ @!ot today, L$itri, 4 pro$iseFtho%gh 4 think it &o%ld do $e good. 'oday 4 &ill go to the banya to take stea$ and s&eat the rest o" the poisons "ro$ this old carcass. ;ill yo% Coin $eI@ @4 ha e to &ork late.@ @'he banya is good "or yo%,@ =ilito persisted. 4t &as a &aste o" ti$e, and #oth kne& it. 6stino &as a $e$#er o" the @no#ility@ and &o%ld not $ingle in the p%#lic stea$ #aths. >isha had no s%ch pretentions. 'he Lallas E7actly t&enty2"o%r ho%rs a"ter reacD%iring the Red October, >anc%so called a con"erence o" his senior o""icers in the &ardroo$. 'hings had settled do&n so$e&hat. >anc%so had e en $anaged to sD%eeBe in a co%ple o" "o%r2ho%r naps and &as "eeling ag%ely h%$an again. 'hey no& had ti$e to #%ild an acc%rate sonar pict%re o" the D%arry, and the co$p%ter &as re"ining a signat%re classi"ication that &o%ld #e o%t to the other "leet attack #oats in a $atter o" &eeks. =ro$ trailing they had a ery acc%rate $odel o" the prop%lsion syste$?s noise characteristics, and "ro$ the #iho%rly circling they had also #%ilt a pict%re o" the #oat?s siBe and po&er plant speci"ications. 'he e7ec%ti e o""icer, ;ally Cha$#ers, t&irled a pencil in his "ingers like a #aton. @Jonesy?s right. 4t?s the sa$e po&er plant that the Oscars and Typhoons ha e. 'hey? e D%ieted it do&n, #%t the gross signat%re characteristics are irt%ally identical. O%estion is, &hat?s it t%rningI 4t so%nds like the propellers are d%cted so$eho&, or shro%ded. A directional prop &ith a collar aro%nd it, $ay#e, or so$e sort o" t%nnel dri e. Lidn?t &e try that onceI@ @Long ti$e ago,@ Lie%tenant B%tler, the engineering o""icer, said. @4 heard a story a#o%t it &hile 4 &as at Arco. 4t didn?t &ork o%t, #%t 4 don?t re$e$#er &hy. ;hate er it is, it?s really knocked do&n on the prop%lsion noises. 'hat r%$#le tho%gh . . .4t?s so$e sort o" har$onic all rightF#%t a har$onic o" &hatI 9o% kno&, e7cept "or that &e?d ne er ha e picked it %p in the "irst place.@ @>ay#e,@ >anc%so said. @Jonesy says that the signal processors ha e tended to "ilter this noise o%t, al$ost as tho%gh the ,o iets kno& &hat ,A+, does and ha e tailored a syste$ to #eat it. B%t that?s hard to #elie e.@ 'here &as general agree$ent on this point. E eryone kne& the principles on &hich ,A+, operated, #%t there &ere pro#a#ly not "i"ty $en in the co%ntry &ho co%ld really e7plain the n%ts and #olts details. @;e?re agreed she?s a #oo$erI@ >anc%so asked. B%tler nodded. @!o &ay yo% co%ld "it that po&er plant into an attack h%ll. >ore i$portant,

she acts like a #oo$er.@ @Co%ld #e an Oscar, Cha$#ers s%ggested. @!o. ;hy send an Oscar this "ar so%thI Oscar?s an antiship plat"or$. 6h2%h, this g%y?s dri ing a #oo$er. 0e ran the ro%te at the speed he?s r%nning no&Fand that?s acting like a $issile #oat,@ Lie%tenant >annion noted. @;hat are they %p to &ith all this other acti ityI 'hat?s the real D%estion. >ay#e trying to sneak %p on o%r coastFC%st to see i" they can do it. 4t?s #een done #e"ore, and all this other acti ity $akes "or a hell o" a di ersion.@ 'hey all considered that. 'he trick had #een tried #e"ore #y #oth sides. >ost recently, in 19(8, a ,o iet 6ankee2class $issile s%# had closed to the edge o" the continental shel" o"" the coast o" !e& England. 'he e ident o#Cecti e had #een to see i" the 6nited ,tates co%ld detect it or not. 'he na y had s%cceeded, and then the D%estion had #een &hether or not to react and let the ,o iets kno&. @;ell, 4 think &e can lea e the grand strategy to the "olks on the #each. Let?s phone this one in. Lie%tenant >annion, tell the **L to get %s to periscope depth in t&enty $in%tes. ;e?ll try to slip a&ay and #ack &itho%t his noticing.@ >anc%so "ro&ned. 'his &as ne er easy. A hal" an ho%r later the !allas radioed her $essage. N1459/.NLEC '*+ ,ECRE' '0E* =RK 6,, LALLA, '*K C*>,6BLA!' 4!=*K C4!CLA!'=L' A. 6,, LALLA, N595414NLEC 1. A!*>AL*6, C*!'AC' REACO64REL 5.-8N1-LEC. C6RRE!' +*,4'4*! LA'4/V-.? L*!849V1/?. C*6R,E 194 ,+EEL 1- LE+'0 355. 0A:E 'RACAEL /4 0*6R, ;4'0*6' C*6!'ERLE'EC'4*!. C*!'AC' E:AL6A'EL A, REL=LEE' ,,B! 8R*,, ,4NE, E!84!E C0ARAC'ER4,'4C, 4!L4CA'4:E '9+0**! CLA,,. 0*;E:ER C*!'AC' 6,4!8 !E; LR4:E ,9,'E> !*' RE+EA' !*' +R*+ELLER,. 0A:E E,'ABL4,0EL LE'A4LEL ,48!A'6RE +R*=4LE. /. RE'6R!4!8 '* 'RACA4!8 *+ERA'4*!,. REO6E,' ALL4'4*!AL *+AREA A,,48!>E!',. A;A4' RE+L9 15-5N. C*>,6BLA!' *perations @BingoJ@ 8allery said to hi$sel". 0e &alked #ack to his o""ice, care"%l to close the door #e"ore li"ting the scra$#led line to ;ashington. @,a$, this is :ince. Listen %pK !allas reports she is tracking a R%ssian #oo$er &ith a ne& kind o" D%iet dri e syste$, a#o%t si7 h%ndred $iles so%th&est o" the 8rand Banks, co%rse one2 nine2"o%r, speed thirteen knots.@ @All rightJ 'hat?s >anc%soI@ Lodge said. @Bartolo$eo :ito >anc%so, $y "a orite 8%inea,@ 8allery con"ir$ed. 8etting hi$ this

co$$and had not #een easy #eca%se o" his age. 8allery had gone the distance "or hi$. @4 told yo% the kid &as good, ,a$.@ @Jes%s, yo% see ho& close they are to the 'ie$ gro%pI@ Lodge &as looking at his tactical display. @'hey are c%tting it close,@ 8allery agreed. @-n$incible?s not too "ar a&ay, tho%gh, and 4 ha e Pogy o%t there, too. ;e $o ed her o"" the shel" &hen &e called (camp #ack in. 4 "ig%re !allas &ill need help. 'he D%estion is ho& o# io%s do &e &ant to #e.@ @!ot ery. Look, :ince, 4 ha e to talk to Lan =oster a#o%t this.@ @*kay. 4 ha e to reply to !allas in, hell, in "i"ty2"i e $in%tes. 9o% kno& the score. 0e has to #reak contact to reach %s, then sneak #ack. 0%stle, ,a$.@ @Right, :ince.@ Lodge s&itched #%ttons on his phone. @'his is Ad$iral Lodge. 4 need to talk to Ad$iral =oster right no&.@ 'he +entagon @*%ch. Bet&een 'ie$ and 'iro$. !ice.@ Lie%tenant 8eneral 0arris took a $arker "ro$ his pocket to represent the Red October. 4t &as a s%#2shaped piece o" &ood &ith a Jolly Roger attached. 0arris had an odd sense o" h%$or. @'he president says &e can try and keep herI@ he asked. @4" &e can get her to the place &e &ant at the ti$e &e &ant,@ 8eneral 0ilton said. @Can !allas signal herI@ @8ood trick, 8eneral.@ =oster shook his head. @=irst things "irst. Let?s get Pogy and -n$incible there "or starters, then &e "ig%re o%t ho& to &arn hi$. =ro$ this co%rse track, Christ, he?s heading right "or !or"olk. 9o% #elie e the #alls on this g%yI 4" &orse co$es to &orse, &e can al&ays try to escort hi$ in.@ @'hen &e?d ha e to gi e the #oat #ack,@ Ad$iral Lodge o#Cected. @;e ha e to ha e a "all2#ack position, ,a$. 4" &e can?t &arn hi$ o"", &e can try and r%n a #%nch o" ships thro%gh &ith hi$ to keep 4 an "ro$ shooting.@ @'he la& o" the sea is yo%r #aili&ick, not $ine,@ 8eneral Barnes, the air "orce chie" o" sta"", co$$ented. @B%t "ro$ &here 4 sit doing that co%ld #e called anything "ro$ piracy to an o ert act o" &ar. 4sn?t this e7ercise co$plicated eno%gh alreadyI@ @8ood point, 8eneral,@ =oster said. @8entle$en, 4 think &e need ti$e to consider this. *kay, &e still ha e ti$e, #%t right no& let?s tell !allas to sit tight and track the #%gger,@ 0arris said. @And report any changes in co%rse or speed. 4 "ig%re &e ha e a#o%t "i"teen $in%tes to do that. !e7t &e can get Pogy and -n$incible staked o%t on their path.@ @Right, Eddie.@ 0ilton t%rned to Ad$iral =oster. @4" yo% agree, let?s do that right no&.@ @,end the $essage, ,a$,@ =oster ordered. @Aye aye.@ Lodge &ent to the phone and ordered Ad$iral 8allery to send the reply. N1415-5NLEC '*+ ,ECRE' =RK C*>,6BLA!' '*K 6,, LALLA,

A. 6,, LALLA, N1459/.NLEC 1. C*!'4!6E 'RACA4!8. RE+*R' A!9 C0A!8E, 4! C*6R,E *R ,+EEL. 0EL+ *! '0E ;A9. /. EL= 'RA!,>4,,4*! @8@ LE,48!A'E, =LA,0 *+, L4REC'4:E REAL9 =*R 9*6. -. 9*6R *+AREA 6!RE,'R4C'EL BRA:* N6L6 LALLA, AEE+ 4' 6+. :AL> 8ALLER9 ,E!L,. @*kay, let?s look at this,@ 0arris said. @;hat the R%ssians are %p to ne er has "ig%red, has itI@ @;hat do yo% $ean, EddieI@ 0ilton asked. @'heir "orce co$position "or one thing. 0al" these s%r"ace plat"or$s are antiair and antis%r"ace, not pri$ary A,; assets. And &hy #ring 'iro$ along at allI 8ranted she $akes a nice "orce "lag, #%t they co%ld do the sa$e thing &ith 'ie$.@ @;e talked a#o%t that already,@ =oster o#ser ed. @'hey ran do&n the list o" &hat they had that co%ld tra el this "ar at a high speed o" ad ance and took e erything that &o%ld stea$. ,a$e &ith the s%#s they sent, hal" o" the$ are antis%r"ace ,,8!s &ith li$ited %tility against s%#$arines. 'he reason, Eddie, is that 8orshko &ants e ery plat"or$ here he can get. A hal"2 capa#le ship is #etter than nothing. E en one o" the old choes $ight get l%cky, and ,ergey is pro#a#ly hitting the knees e ery night praying "or l%ck.@ @E en so, they? e split their s%r"ace gro%ps into three "orces, each &ith antiair and antis%r"ace ele$ents, and they?re kind o" thin on A,; h%lls. !or ha e they sent their A,; aircra"t to stage o%t o" C%#a. !o& that is c%rio%s,@ 0arris pointed o%t. @4t &o%ld #lo& their co er story. 9o% don?t look "or a dead s%# &ith aircra"tF&ell, they $ight, #%t i" they started %sing a &ing o" Bears o%t o" C%#a, the president &o%ld go ape,@ =oster said. @;e?d harass the$ so $%ch they?d ne er acco$plish anything. =or %s this &o%ld #e a technical operation, #%t they "actor politics into e erything they do.@ @=ine, #%t that still doesn?t e7plain it. ;hat A,; ships and choppers they do ha e are pinging a&ay like $ad. 9o% $ight look "or a dead s%# that &ay, #%t October ain?t dead, is sheI@ @4 don?t %nderstand, Eddie,@ 0ilton said. @0o& &o%ld yo% look "or a stray s%#, gi en these circ%$stancesI@ 0arris asked =oster. @!ot like this,@ =oster said a"ter a $o$ent. @6sing s%r"ace, acti e sonar &o%ld &arn the #oat o"" long #e"ore they co%ld get a hard contact. Boo$ers are "at on passi e sonar. ,he?d hear the$ co$ing and skedaddle o%t o" the &ay. 9o%?re right, Eddie. 4t?s a sha$.@ @,o &hat the hell are their s%r"ace ships %p toI@ Barnes asked, p%BBled. @,o iet na al doctrine is to %se s%r"ace ships to s%pport s%#$arine operations,@ 0arris e7plained. @8orshko is a decent tactical theoretician, and occasionally a ery inno ati e gent. 0e said years ago that "or s%#$arines to operate e""ecti ely they ha e to ha e o%tside help, air or s%r"ace assets in direct or pro7i$ate s%pport. 'hey can?t %se air this "ar "ro$ ho$e &itho%t staging o%t o" C%#a, and at #est "inding a #oat in open ocean that doesn?t &ant to #e "o%nd &o%ld #e a di""ic%lt assign$ent. @*n the other hand, they kno& &here she?s heading, a li$ited n%$#er o" discrete areas, and those are staked o%t &ith "i"ty2eight s%#$arines. 'he p%rpose o" the s%r"ace "orces, there"ore, is not to participate in the h%nt itsel"Ftho%gh i" they got l%cky, they &o%ldn?t $ind. 'he p%rpose o" the s%r"ace "orces is to keep %s "ro$ inter"ering &ith their s%#$arines. 'hey can do that #y staking o%t the areas &e?re likely to #e &ith their s%r"ace assets and &atching &hat &e?re doing.@ 0arris pa%sed "or a $o$ent. @'hat?s s$art. ;e ha e to co er the$, rightI And since they?re on

a ?resc%e? $ission, &e ha e to do $ore or less &hat they?re doing, so &e ping a&ay also, and they can %se o%r o&n A,; e7pertise against %s "or their o&n p%rposes. ;e play right into their hands.@ @;hyI@ Barnes asked again. @;e?re co$$itted to helping in the search. 4" &e "ind their #oat, they?re close eno%gh to "ind o%t, acD%ire, localiBe, and shootFand &hat can &e do a#o%t itI !ot a thing. @Like 4 said, they "ig%re to locate and shoot &ith their s%#$arines. A s%r"ace acD%isition &o%ld #e p%re l%ck, and yo% don?t plan "or l%ck. ,o, the pri$ary o#Cecti e o" the s%r"ace "leet is to ride shotg%n "or, and dra& o%r "orces a&ay "ro$, their s%#s. ,econdarily they can act as #eaters, dri ing the ga$e to the shootersFand again, since &e?re pinging, &e?re helping the$. ;e?re pro iding an additional stalking horse.@ 0arris shook his head in gr%dging ad$iration. @!ot too sha##y, is itI 4" Red October hears the$ co$ing, she r%ns a little harder "or &hate er port the skipper &ants, right into a nice, tight trap. Lan, &hat are the chances they can #ag her co$ing into !or"olk, sayI@ =oster looked do&n at the chart. R%ssian s%#$arines &ere staked o%t on e ery port "ro$ >aine to =lorida. @'hey ha e $ore s%#s than &e ha e ports. !o& &e kno& that this g%y can #e picked %p, and there?s only so $%ch area to co er o"" each port, e en o%tside the territorial li$it F9o%?re right, Eddie. 'hey ha e too good a chance o" $aking the kill. *%r s%r"ace gro%ps are too "ar a&ay to do anything a#o%t it. *%r s%#s don?t kno& &hat?s happening, &e ha e orders not to tell the$, and e en i" &e co%ld, ho& co%ld they inter"ereI =ire at the R%ssian s%#s #e"ore they co%ld shootFand start a &arI@ =oster let o%t a long #reath. @;e gotta &arn hi$ o"".@ @0o&I@ 0ilton asked. @,onar, a gertr%de $essage $ay#e,@ 0arris s%ggested. Ad$iral Lodge shook his head. @9o% can hear that thro%gh the h%ll. 4" &e contin%e to ass%$e that only the o""icers are in on this, &ell, the cre& $ight "ig%re o%t &hat?s happening, and there?s no predicting the conseD%ences. 'hink &e can %se Nimitz and America to "orce the$ o"" the coastI 'hey?ll #e close eno%gh to enter the operation soon. La$nJ 4 don?t &ant this g%y to get this close, then get #lo&n a&ay right o"" o%r coast.@ @!ot a chance,@ 0arris said. @E er since the raid on 'iro$ they? e #een acting too docile. 'hat?s pretty c%te, too. 4 #et they had that "ig%red o%t. 'hey kno& that ha ing so $any o" their ships operating o"" o%r coast is #o%nd to pro oke %s, so they $ake the "irst $o e, &e %p the ante, and they C%st plain "oldFso no& i" &e keep leaning on the$, &e?re the #ad g%ys. 'hey?re C%st doing a resc%e operation, not threatening any#ody. 'he Post reported this $orning that &e ha e a R%ssian s%r i or in the !or"olk na al hospital. Any&ay, the good ne&s is that they? e $iscalc%lated October?s speed. 'hese t&o gro%ps &ill pass her le"t and right, and &ith their se en2knot speed ad antage they?ll C%st pass her #y.@ @Lisregard the s%r"ace gro%ps entirelyI@ >a7&ell asked. @!o,@ 0ilton said, @that tells the$ &e are no longer #%ying the co er story. 'hey?d &onder &hyFand &e still ha e to co er their s%r"ace gro%ps. 'hey?re a threat &hether they?re acting like honest $erchants or not.@ @;hat &e can do is pretend to release -n$incible. ;ith Nimitz and America ready to enter the ga$e, &e can send her ho$e. As they pass October &e can %se that to o%r ad antage. ;e p%t -n$incible to sea&ard o" their s%r"ace gro%ps as tho%gh she?s heading ho$e and interpose her on October?s co%rse. ;e still ha e to "ig%re o%t a &ay to co$$%nicate &ith her, tho%gh. 4 can see ho& to get the assets in place, #%t that h%rdle re$ains, gentle$en. =or the $o$ent, are &e agreed to position -n$incible and Pogy "or the interceptI@

'he 4n inci#le @0o& "ar is she "ro$ %sI@ Ryan asked. @'&o h%ndred $iles. ;e can #e there in ten ho%rs.@ Captain 0%nter $arked the position on the chart. @6,, Pogy is co$ing east, and she o%ght to #e a#le to rendeB o%s &ith !allas an ho%r or so a"ter &e do. 'his &ill p%t %s a#o%t a h%ndred $iles east o" this s%r"ace gro%p &hen October arri es. Bloody hell, 'ie$ and 'iro$ are a h%ndred $iles east and &est o" her.@ @9o% s%ppose her captain kno&s itI@ Ryan looked at the chart, $eas%ring the distances &ith his eyes. @6nlikely. 0e?s deep, and their passi e sonars are not as good as o%rs. ,ea conditions are against it also. A t&enty2knot s%r"ace &ind can play ha oc &ith sonar, e en that deep.@ @;e ha e to &arn hi$ o"".@ Ad$iral ;hite looked at the ops dispatch. @?;itho%t %sing aco%stical de ices.?@ @0o& the hell do yo% do thatI 9o% can?t reach do&n that "ar &ith a radio,@ Ryan noted. @E en 4 kno& that. >y 8od, this g%y?s co$e "o%r tho%sand $iles, and he?s going to get killed &ithin sight o" his o#Cecti e.@ @0o& to co$$%nicate &ith a s%#$arineI@ Co$$ander Barclay straightened %p. @8entle$en, &e are not trying to co$$%nicate &ith a s%#$arine, &e are trying to co$$%nicate &ith a $an.@ @;hat are yo% thinkingI@ 0%nter asked. @;hat do &e kno& a#o%t >arko Ra$i%sI@ Barclay?s eyes narro&ed. @0e?s a co&#oy, typical s%#$arine co$$ander, thinks he can &alk on &ater,@ Captain Carstairs said. @;ho spent $ost o" his ti$e in attack s%#$arines,@ Barclay added. @>arko?s #et his li"e that he co%ld sneak into an A$erican port %ndetected #y anyone. ;e ha e to shake that con"idence to &arn hi$ o"".@ @;e ha e to talk to hi$ "irst,@ Ryan said sharply. @And so &e shall,@ Barclay s$iled, the tho%ght no& "%lly "or$ed in his $ind. @0e?s a "or$er attack s%#$arine co$$ander. 0e?ll still #e thinking a#o%t ho& to attack his ene$ies, and ho& does a s%# co$$ander do thatI@ @;ellI@ Ryan de$anded. Barclay?s ans&er &as the o# io%s one. 'hey disc%ssed his idea "or another ho%r, then Ryan trans$itted it to ;ashington "or appro al. A rapid e7change o" technical in"or$ation "ollo&ed. 'he -n$incible &o%ld ha e to $ake the rendeB o%s in daylight, and there &as not ti$e "or that. 'he operation &as set #ack t&el e ho%rs. 'he Pogy Coined "or$ation &ith the -n$incible, standing as sonar sentry t&enty $iles to her east. An ho%r #e"ore $idnight, the EL= trans$itter in northern >ichigan trans$itted a $essageK @8.@ '&enty $in%tes later, the !allas approached the s%r"ace to get her orders.

THE THIRTEENTH DAY WEDNESDAY 15, DECEMBER

'he Lallas @CraBy 4 an,@ Jones called o%t again, @t%rning to portJ@ @*kay, all stop,@ >anc%so ordered, holding a dispatch in his hand &hich he had #een rereading "or ho%rs. 0e &as not pleased &ith it. @All stop, sir,@ the hel$s$an responded. @All #ack "%ll.@ @All #ack "%ll, sir.@ 'he hel$s$an dialed in the co$$and and t%rned, his "ace a D%estion. 'hro%gho%t the !allas the cre& heard noise, too $%ch noise as poppet al es opened to ent stea$ onto the re erse t%r#ine #lades, trying to spin the propeller the &rong &ay. 4t $ade "or instant i#ration and ca itation noises a"t. @Right "%ll r%dder.@ @Right "%ll r%dder, aye.@ @Conn, sonar, &e are ca itating,@ Jones spoke o er the interco$. @%ery )ell, sonarJ@ >anc%so ans&ered sharply. 0e did not %nderstand his ne& orders, and things he didn?t %nderstand $ade hi$ angry. @,peed do&n to "o%r knots,@ Lie%tenant 8ood$an reported. @R%dder a$idships, all stop.@ @R%dder a$idships aye, all stop aye,@ the hel$s$an responded at once. 0e didn?t &ant the captain #arking at hi$. @,ir, $y r%dder is a$idships.@ @Jes%sJ@ Jones said in the sonar roo$. @;hat?s the skipper doin?I@ >anc%so &as in sonar a second later. @,till doing the t%rn to port, Cap?n. 0e?s astern o" %s ?ca%se o" the t%rn &e $ade,@ Jones o#ser ed as ne%trally as he co%ld. 4t &as close to an acc%sation, >anc%so noticed. @=l%shing the ga$e, Jonesy,@ >anc%so said coolly. 9o%?re the #oss, Jones tho%ght, s$art eno%gh not to say anything else. 'he captain looked as tho%gh he &as going to snap so$e#ody?s head o"", and Jones had C%st %sed %p a $onth?s &orth o" tolerance. 0e s&itched his phones to the to&ed array pl%g. @Engine noises di$inishing, sir. 0e?s slo&ing do&n.@ Jones pa%sed. 0e had to report the ne7t part. @,ir, it?s a "air g%ess he heard %s.@

@0e &as s%pposed to,@ >anc%so said. 'he Red *cto#er @Captain, an ene$y s%#$arine,@ the michman said %rgently. @Ene$yI@ Ra$i%s asked. @A$erican. 0e $%st ha e #een trailing %s, and he had to #ack do&n to a oid a collision &hen &e t%rned. Le"initely an A$erican, #road on the port #o&, range %nder a kilo$eter, 4 think.@ 0e handed Ra$i%s his phones. @388, @ Ra$i%s said to Borodin. @La$nJ 0e $%st ha e st%$#led across %s in the past t&o ho%rs. Bad l%ck.@ 'he Lallas @*kay, Jonesy, yankee2search hi$.@ >anc%so ga e the order "or an acti e sonar search personally. 'he !allas had sle&ed "arther aro%nd #e"ore co$ing to a near halt. Jones hesitated "or a $o$ent, still reading the reactor plant noise on his passi e syste$s. Reaching, he po&ered %p the acti e transd%cers in the BOO2.?s $ain sphere at the #o&. Ping! A &a e "ront o" so%nd energy &as directed at the target. Pong! 'he &a e &as re"lected #ack o"" the hard steel h%ll and ret%rned to the !allas. @Range to target 1 ,5.5 yards,@ Jones said. 'he ret%rning p%lse &as processed thro%gh the BC215 co$p%ter and sho&ed so$e ro%gh details. @'arget con"ig%ration is consistent &ith a Typhoon2class #oo$er. Angle on the #o& se enty or so. !o doppler. 0e?s stopped.@ ,i7 $ore pings con"ir$ed this. @,ec%re pinging,@ >anc%so said. 'here &as so$e s$all satis"action in learning that he had ele ated the contact correctly. B%t not $%ch. Jones killed po&er to the syste$. ;hat the hell did 4 ha e to do that "orI he &ondered. 0e?d already done e erything #%t read the n%$#er o"" her stern. 'he Red *cto#er E ery $an on the October kne& no& that they had #een "o%nd. 'he lash o" the sonar &a es had reso%nded thro%gh the h%ll. 4t &as not a so%nd a s%#$ariner liked to hear. Certainly not on top o" a tro%#leso$e reactor, Ra$i%s tho%ght. +erhaps he co%ld $ake %se o" this . . . 'he Lallas @,o$e#ody on the s%r"ace,@ Jones said s%ddenly. @;here the hell did they co$e "ro$I ,kipper, there &as nothing, nothing, a $in%te ago, and no& 4?$ getting engine so%nds. '&o, $ay#e $ore F$ake that t&o ?cans . . .and so$ething #igger. Like they &ere sitting %p there &aiting "or %s. A $in%te ago they &ere sitting still. La$nJ 4 didn?t hear a thing.@

'he 4n inci#le @;e ti$ed that rather nicely,@ Ad$iral ;hite said. @L%cky,@ Ryan o#ser ed. @L%ck is part o" the ga$e, Jack.@ 0>, #ristol &as the "irst to pick %p the so%nd o" the t&o s%#$arines and o" the t%rn the Red October had $ade. E en at "i e $iles the s%#s &ere #arely reada#le. 'he CraBy 4 an $ane% er had ter$inated three $iles a&ay, and the s%r"ace ships had #een a#le to get good position "i7es #y reading o"" the !allas? acti e sonar e$issions. @'&o helicopters en ro%te, sir,@ Captain 0%nter reported. @'hey?ll #e on station in another $in%te.@ @,ignal #ristol and .ife to stay to &ind&ard o" %s. 4 &ant -n$incible #et&een the$ and the contact.@ @Aye aye, sir.@ 0%nter relayed the order to the co$$%nications roo$. 'he destroyer$en on the escorts &o%ld "ind that order pec%liar, %sing a carrier to screen destroyers. A "e& seconds later a pair o" ,ea Aing helicopters stopped and ho ered "i"ty "eet o er the s%r"ace, letting do&n dipping sonars at the end o" a ca#le as they str%ggled to hold position. 'hese sonars &ere "ar less po&er"%l than ship2carried sonars and had distincti e characteristics. 'he data they de eloped &as trans$itted #y digital link to the -n$incible?s co$$and center. 'he Lallas @Li$eys,@ Jones said at once. @'hat?s a helicopter set, the 19., 4 think. 'hat $eans the #ig ship o"" to the so%th is one o" their #a#y carriers, sir, &ith a t&o2can escort.@ >anc%so nodded. @0>, -n$incible. ,he &as o er o%r side o" the lake "or !4='9 L*L+04!. 'hat $eans the Brit arsity, their #est A,; operators.@ @'he #ig one?s $o ing this &ay, sir. '%rns indicate ten knots. 'he choppersFt&o o" the$F ha e #oth o" %s. !o other s%#s aro%nd that 4 hear.@ 'he 4n inci#le @+ositi e sonar contact,@ said the $etal speaker. @'&o s%#$arines, range t&o $iles "ro$ -n$incible, #earing Bero2t&o2Bero.@ @!o& "or the hard part,@ Ad$iral ;hite said. Ryan and the "o%r Royal !a y o""icers &ho &ere pri y to the $ission &ere on the "lag #ridge, &ith the "leet A,; o""icer in the co$$and center #elo&, as the -n$incible stea$ed slo&ly north, slightly to the le"t o" the direct co%rse to the contacts. All "i e s&ept the contact area &ith po&er"%l #inoc%lars. @Co$e on, Captain Ra$i%s,@ Ryan said D%ietly. @9o%?re s%pposed to #e a hotshot. +ro e it.@

'he Red *cto#er Ra$i%s &as #ack in his control roo$ sco&ling at his chart. A stray A$erican Los Angeles st%$#ling onto hi$ &as one thing, #%t he had r%n into a s$all task "orce. English ships, at that. ;hyI +ro#a#ly an e7ercise. 'he A$ericans and the English o"ten &ork together, and p%re accident had &alked October right into the$. ;ell. 0e?d ha e to e ade #e"ore he co%ld get on &ith &hat he &anted to do. 4t &as that si$ple. *r &as itI A h%nter s%#$arine, a carrier, and t&o destroyers a"ter hi$. ;hat elseI 0e &o%ld ha e to "ind o%t i" he &ere going to lose the$ all. 'his &o%ld take the #est part o" a day. B%t no& he?d ha e to see &hat he &as %p against. Besides, it &o%ld sho& the$ that he &as con"ident, that he co%ld h%nt them i" he &ished. @Borodin, #ring the ship to periscope depth. Battle stations.@ 'he 4n inci#le @Co$e %p, >arko,@ Barclay %rged. @;e ha e a $essage "or yo%, old #oy.@ @0elicopter three reports contact is co$ing %p,@ the speaker said. @All rightJ@ Ryan po%nded his hand on the rail. ;hite li"ted a phone. @Recall one o" the helicopters.@ 'he distance to the Red October &as do&n to a $ile and a hal". *ne o" the ,ea Aings li"ted %p and circled aro%nd, reeling in its sonar transd%cer. @Contact depth is "i e h%ndred "eet, co$ing %p slo&ly.@ 'he Red *cto#er Borodin &as p%$ping &ater slo&ly "ro$ the October?s tri$ tanks. 'he $issile s%#$arine increased speed to "o%r knots, and $ost o" the "orce reD%ired to change her depth ca$e "ro$ the di ing planes. 'he starpom &as care"%l to #ring her %p slo&ly, and Ra$i%s had her heading directly to&ards the -n$incible. 'he 4n inci#le @0%nter, are yo% %p on yo%r >orseI@ Ad$iral ;hite inD%ired. @4 #elie e so, Ad$iral,@ 0%nter ans&ered. E eryone &as getting e7cited. ;hat a chance this &asJ Ryan s&allo&ed hard. 4n the past "e& ho%rs, &hile the -n$incible had #een lying still on the rolling sea, his sto$ach had really gone #ad. 'he pills the ship?s doctor had gi en hi$ helped, #%t no& the e7cite$ent &as $aking it &orse. 'here &as an eighty2"oot sheer drop "ro$ the "lag #ridge to the sea. ;ell, he tho%ght, i" 4 ha e to p%ke, there?s nothing in the &ay. ,cre& it. 'he Lallas @0%ll popping noises, sir,@ Jones said. @'hink he?s heading %p.@

@6pI@ >anc%so &ondered "or a second. @9eah, that "its. 0e?s a co&#oy. 0e &ants to see &hat he?s %p against #e"ore he tries to e ade. 'hat "its. 4 #et he doesn?t kno& &here &e? e #een the past "e& days.@ 'he captain &ent "or&ard to the attack center. @Looks like he?s going %p, ,kipper,@ >annion said, &atching the attack director. @L%$#.@ >annion had his o&n opinion o" s%#$arine captains depending on their periscopes. 'oo $any o" the$ spent too $%ch ti$e looking o%t at the &orld. 0e &ondered ho& $%ch o" this &as an i$plicit reaction to the en"orced con"ine$ent o" s%#$arining, so$ething C%st to $ake s%re that there really &as a &orld %p there, to $ake s%re the instr%$ents &ere correct. Entirely h%$an, >annion tho%ght, #%t it co%ld $ake yo% %lnera#le . . . @;e go %p, too, ,kipperI@ @9eah, slo& and easy.@ 'he 4n inci#le 'he sky &as hal"2"illed &ith &hite, "leecy clo%ds, their %ndersides gray &ith the threat o" rain. A t&enty2knot &ind &as #lo&ing "ro$ the so%th&est, and a si72"oot sea &as r%nning, its dark &a es streaked &ith &hitecaps. Ryan sa& the #ristol and .ife holding station to &ind&ard. 'heir captains, no do%#t, &ere $%ttering a "e& choice &ords at this disposition. 'he A$erican escorts, &hich had #een detached the pre io%s day, &ere no& sailing to rendeB o%s &ith the 6,, Ne) =ersey. ;hite &as talking into the phone again. @Co$$ander, 4 &ant to kno& the instant &e get a radar ret%rn "ro$ the target area. 'rain e ery set a#oard onto that patch o" ocean. 4 also &ant to kno& o" any, repeat any, sonar signals "ro$ the area . . .'hat is correct. Lepth o" targetI :ery &ell. Recall the second helicopter, 4 &ant #oth on station to &ind&ard.@ 'hey had agreed that the #est $ethod o" passing the $essage &o%ld #e to %se a #linker light. *nly so$eone placed in the direct line o" sight &o%ld #e a#le to read the signal. 0%nter $o ed to the light, holding a sheet o" paper Ryan had gi en hi$. 'he yeo$en and signal$en nor$ally stationed here &ere gone. 'he Red *cto#er @'hirty $eters, Co$rade Captain,@ Borodin reported. 'he #attle &atch &as set in the control center. @+eriscope,@ Ra$i%s said cal$ly. 'he oiled $etal t%#e hissed %p&ard on hydra%lic press%re. 'he captain handed his cap to the C%nior o""icer o" the &atch as he #ent to look into the eyepiece. @,o, &e ha e here three i$perialist ships. 0>, -n$incible. ,%ch a na$e "or a ship J@ 0e sco""ed "or his a%dience. @'&o escorts, #ristol, and a Co%nty2class cr%iser.@ 'he 4n inci#le @+eriscope, star#oard #o&J@ the speaker anno%nced. @4 see itJ@ Barclay?s hand shot o%t to point. @'here it isJ@ Ryan strained to "ind it. @4 got it.@ 4t &as like a s$all #roo$stick sitting ertically in the

&ater, a#o%t a $ile a&ay. As the &a es rolled past, the #otto$$ost isi#le part o" the periscope "lared o%t. @0%nter,@ ;hite said D%ietly. 'o Ryan?s le"t the captain #egan Cerking his hand on the le er that controlled the light sh%tters. 'he Red *cto#er Ra$i%s didn?t see it at "irst. 0e &as $aking a co$plete circle o" the horiBon, checking "or any other ships or aircra"t. ;hen he "inished the circ%it, the "lashing light ca%ght his eye. O%ickly he tried to interpret the signal. 4t took hi$ a $o$ent to realiBe it &as pointed right at hi$. AAA AAA AAA REL *C'*BER REL *C'*BER CA! 9*6 REAL '04, CA! 9*6 REAL '04, +LEA,E +4!8 6, *!E '4>E *! AC'4:E ,*!AR 4= 9*6 CA! REAL '04, +LEA,E +4!8 6, *!E '4>E *! AC'4:E ,*!AR 4= 9*6 CA! REAL '04, AAA AAA AAA REL *C'*BER REL *C'*BER CA! 9*6 REAL '04, CA! 9*6 REAL '04, 'he $essage kept repeating. 'he signal &as Cerky and a&k&ard. Ra$i%s didn?t notice this. 0e translated the English signal in his head, at "irst thinking it &as a signal to the A$erican s%#$arine. 0is kn%ckles &ent &hite on the periscope hand grips as he translated the $essage in his $ind. @Borodin,@ he said "inally, a"ter reading the $essage a "o%rth ti$e, @&e set %p a practice "iring sol%tion on -n$incible. La$n, the periscope range"inder is sticking. A single ping, Co$rade. J%st one, "or range.@ Ping! 'he 4n inci#le @*ne ping "ro$ the contact area, sir, so%nds ,o iet,@ the speaker reported. ;hite li"ted his phone. @'hank yo%. Aeep %s in"or$ed.@ 0e set it #ack do&n. @;ell, gentle$en . . .@ @0e did itJ@ Ryan sang o%t. @,end the rest, "or Christ?s sakeJ@ @At once.@ 0%nter grinned like a $ad$an. REL *C'*BER REL *C'*BER 9*6R ;0*LE =LEE' 4, C0A,4!8 A='ER 9*6 9*6R ;0*LE =LEE' 4, C0A,4!8 A='ER 9*6 9*6R +A'0 4, BL*CAEL B9 !6>ER*6, :E,,EL, !6>ER*6, A''ACA ,6B>AR4!E, ARE ;A4'4!8 '* A''ACA 9*6 RE+EA' !6>ER*6, A''ACA ,6B>AR4!E, ARE ;A4'4!8 '* A''ACA 9*6 +R*CEEL '* RE!LEN:*6, --! (.; ;E 0A:E ,04+, '0ERE ;A4'4!8 =*R 9*6 RE+EA' +R*CEEL '* RE!LEN:*6, --! (.; ;E 0A:E ,04+, '0ERE ;A4'4!8 =*R 9*6 4= 9*6 6!LER,'A!L A!L A8REE +LEA,E +4!8 6, A8A4! *!E '4>E

'he Red *cto#er @Listance to target, BorodinI@ Ra$i%s asked, &ishing he had $ore ti$e as the $essage &as repeated again and again. @'&o tho%sand $eters, Co$rade Captain. A nice, "at target "or %s i" &e . . .@ 'he starpom?s oice trailed o"" as he sa& the look on his co$$ander?s "ace. They kno) our name, Ra$i%s &as thinking, they kno) our name! +o) can this be2 They kne) )here to find us1e:actly! +o)2 ?hat can the Americans ha$e2 +o) long has the Los Angeles been trailing us2 !ecide1you must decide! @Co$rade, one $ore ping on the target, C%st one.@ 'he 4n inci#le @*ne $ore ping, Ad$iral.@ @'hank yo%.@ ;hite looked at Ryan. @;ell, Jack, it &o%ld see$ that yo%r intelligence esti$ate &as indeed correct. Jolly good.@ @Jolly good $y ass, $y Lord EarlJ 4 &as right. ,on o" a bitch!@ Ryan?s hands "le& %p in the air, his seasickness "orgotten. 0e cal$ed do&n. 'he occasion called "or $ore decor%$. @E7c%se $e, Ad$iral. ;e ha e so$e things to do.@ 'he Lallas ?hole fleet is chasing after you & & &Proceed to 77N BC?. ;hat the hell &as going onI >anc%so &ondered, catching the end o" the second signal. @Conn, sonar. 8etting h%ll popping noises "ro$ the target. 0is depth is changing. Engine noise increasing.@ @Lo&n scope.@ >anc%so li"ted the phone. @:ery &ell, sonar. Anything else, JonesI@ @!o, sir. 'he helicopters are gone, and there aren?t any e$issions "ro$ the s%r"ace ships. ;hat gi es, sirI@ @Beats $e.@ >anc%so shook his head as >annion #ro%ght the !allas #ack in p%rs%it o" the Red October. ;hat the hell &as happening hereI the captain &ondered. ;hy &as a Brit carrier signaling to a R%ssian s%#$arine, and &hy &ere they sending her to a rendeB o%s o"" the CarolinasI ?hose s%#s &ere #locking her pathI 4t co%ldn?t #e. !o &ay. 4t C%st co%ldn?t #e . . . 'he 4n inci#le Ryan &as in the -n$incible?s co$$%nications roo$. @>A84 '* *L9>+6,,@ he typed into the special encoding de ice the C4A had sent o%t &ith hi$, @+LA9EL >9 >A!L*L4! '*LA9. ,*6!LEL +RE''9 8**L. 4?> +LA!!4!8 A L4''LE C*!CER', A' '0E 6,6AL +LACE. EM+EC' 8**L CR4'4CAL RE:4E;,. A;A4'4!8 4!,'R6C'4*!,.@ Ryan had la%ghed #e"ore at the code &ords he &as s%pposed to %se "or this. 0e &as la%ghing no&, "or a di""erent reason.

'he ;hite 0o%se @,o,@ +elt o#ser ed, @Ryan e7pects the $ission &ill #e s%ccess"%l. E erything?s going according to plan, #%t he didn?t %se the code gro%p "or certain s%ccess.@ 'he president leaned #ack co$"orta#ly. @0e?s honest. 'hings can al&ays go &rong. 9o% ha e to ad$it, tho%gh, things do look good.@ @'his plan the chie"s ca$e %p &ith is craBy, sir.@ @+erhaps, #%t yo%? e #een trying to poke a hole in it "or se eral days no&, and yo% ha en?t s%cceeded. 'he pieces &ill all "all in place shortly.@ 'he president &as #eing cle er, +elt sa&. 'he $an liked #eing cle er. 'he 4n inci#le @*L9>+6, '* >A84. 4 L4AE *LL2=A,04*!EL >A!L*L4! >6,4C. C*!CER' A++R*:EL,@ the $essage said. Ryan sat #ack co$"orta#ly, sipping at his #randy. @;ell, that?s good. 4 &onder &hat the ne7t part o" the plan is.@ @4 e7pect that ;ashington &ill let %s kno&. =or the $o$ent,@ Ad$iral ;hite said, @&e?ll ha e to $o e #ack &est to interpose o%rsel es #et&een October and the ,o iet "leet.@ 'he A alon Lie%tenant A$es s%r eyed the scene thro%gh the tiny port on the A$alon?s #o&. 'he Alfa lay on her port side. ,he had o# io%sly hit stern "irst, and hard. *ne #lade &as snapped o"" the propeller, and the lo&er r%dder "in &as s$ashed. 'he &hole stern $ight ha e #een knocked o"" tr%eE it &as hard to tell in the lo& isi#ility. @>o ing "or&ard slo&ly,@ he said, adC%sting the controls. Behind hi$ an ensign and a senior petty o""icer &ere $onitoring instr%$ents and preparing to deploy the $anip%lator ar$, attached #e"ore they sailed, &hich carried a tele ision ca$era and "loodlights. 'hese ga e the$ a slightly &ider "ield o" ie& than the na igation ports per$itted. 'he L,R: crept "or&ard at one knot. :isi#ility &as %nder t&enty yards, despite the $illion candles o" ill%$ination "ro$ the #o& lights. 'he sea "loor at this point &as a treachero%s slope o" all% ial silt dotted &ith #o%lders. 4t appeared that the only thing that had pre ented2the Alfa "ro$ sliding "arther do&n &as her sail, dri en like a &edge into the #otto$. @0oly ga&dJ@ 'he petty o""icer sa& it "irst. 'here &as a crack in the Alfa?s h%llFor &as thereI @Reactor accident,@ A$es said, his oice detached and clinical. @,o$ething #%rned thro%gh the h%ll. Lord, and that?s titanium! B%rned right thro%gh, "ro$ the inside o%t. 'here?s another one, t&o #%rn2thro%ghs. 'his one?s #igger, looks like a good yard across. !o $ystery &hat killed her, g%ys. 'hat?s t&o co$part$ents open to the sea.@ A$es looked o er to the depth ga%geK 1,885 "eet. @8etting all this on tapeI@ @Aye, ,kipper,@ the electrician "irst class ans&ered. @Cr%$$y &ay to die. +oor #astards.@ @9eah, depending on &hat they &ere %p to.@ A$es $ane% ered the A$alon aro%nd the Alfa?s

#o&, &orking the directional propeller care"%lly and adC%sting tri$ to cr%ise do&n the other side, act%ally the top o" the dead s%#. @,ee any e idence o" a h%ll "ract%reI@ @!o,@ the ensign ans&ered, @C%st the t&o #%rn2thro%ghs. 4 &onder &hat &ent &rongI@ @A "or2real China ,yndro$e. 4t "inally happened to so$e#ody.@ A$es shook his head. 4" there &as anything the na y preached a#o%t reactors, it &as sa"ety. @8et the transd%cer against the h%ll. ;e?ll see i" any#ody?s ali e in there.@ @Aye.@ 'he electrician &orked the &aldo controls as A$es tried to keep the A$alon dead still. !either task &as easy. 'he L,R: &as ho ering, nearly resting on the sail. 4" there &ere s%r i ors, they had to #e in the control roo$ or "or&ard. 'here co%ld #e no li"e a"t. @*kay, 4 got contact.@ All three $en listened intently, hoping "or so$ething. 'heir Co# &as search and resc%e, and as s%#$ariners the$sel es they took it serio%sly. @>ay#e they?re asleep.@ 'he ensign s&itched on the locater sonar. 'he high2"reD%ency &a es resonated thro%gh #oth essels. 4t &as a so%nd "it to &ake the dead, #%t there &as no response. 'he air s%pply in the Polito$skiy had r%n o%t a day #e"ore. @'hat?s that,@ A$es said D%ietly. 0e $ane% ered %p&ard as the electrician rigged in the $anip%lator ar$, looking "or a spot to drop a sonar transponder. 'hey &o%ld #e #ack again &hen the topside &eather &as #etter. 'he na y &o%ld not pass %p this chance to inspect an Alfa, and the 3lomar :plorer &as sitting %n%sed so$e&here on the ;est Coast. ;o%ld she #e acti atedI A$es &o%ld not #et against that. @A$alon, A$alon, this is (campF@ the oice on the gertr%de &as distorted #%t reada#le, @F ret%rn at once. Ackno&ledge.@ @(camp, this is A$alon. *n the &ay.@ 'he (camp had C%st recei ed an EL= $essage and gone #rie"ly to periscope depth "or a =LA,0 operational order. @+R*CEEL A' BE,' ,+EEL '* --! (.;.@ 'he $essage didn?t say &hy. C4A 0eadD%arters @CARL4!AL is still &ith %s,@ >oore told Ritter. @'hank 8od "or that.@ Ritter sat do&n. @'here?s a signal en ro%te. 'his ti$e he didn?t try to kill hi$sel" getting it to %s. >ay#e #eing in the hospital scared hi$ a little. 4?$ e7tending another o""er to e7tract hi$.@ @AgainI@ @Bo#, &e ha e to $ake the o""er.@ @4 kno&. 4 had one sent $ysel" a "e& years #ack, yo% kno&. 'he old #astard C%st doesn?t &ant to D%it. 9o% kno& ho& it goes, so$e people thri e on the action. *r $ay#e he hasn?t &orked o%t his rage yet . . .4 C%st got a call "ro$ ,enator Lonaldson.@ Lonaldson &as the chair$an o" the ,elect Co$$ittee on 4ntelligence. @*hI@ @0e &ants to kno& &hat &e kno& a#o%t &hat?s going on. 0e doesn?t #%y the co er story a#o%t a resc%e $ission, and thinks &e kno& so$ething di""erent.@ J%dge >oore leaned #ack. @4 &onder &ho planted that idea in his headI@ @9eah. 4 ha e a little idea &e $ight try. 4 think it?s ti$e, and this is a dandy opport%nity.@ 'he t&o senior e7ec%ti es disc%ssed this "or an ho%r. Be"ore Ritter le"t "or the 0ill, they

cleared it &ith the president. ;ashington, L.C. Lonaldson kept Ritter &aiting in his o%ter o""ice "or "i"teen $in%tes &hile he read the paper. 0e &anted Ritter to kno& his place. ,o$e o" the LL*?s re$arks a#o%t leaks "ro$ the 0ill had to%ched a sore spot &ith the senator "ro$ Connectic%t, and it &as i$portant "or appointed and ci il ser ice o""icials to %nderstand the di""erence #et&een the$sel es and the elected representati es o" the people. @,orry to keep yo% &aiting, >r. Ritter.@ Lonaldson did not rise, nor did he o""er to shake hands. @O%ite all right, sir. 'ook the chance to read a $agaBine. Lon?t get to do that $%ch, &hat &ith the sched%le 4 &ork.@ 'hey "enced &ith each other "ro$ the "irst $o$ent. @,o, &hat are the ,o iets %p toI@ @,enator, #e"ore 4 address that s%#Cect, 4 $%st say thisK 4 had to clear this $eeting &ith the president. 'his in"or$ation is "or yo% alone, no one else $ay hear it, sir. !o one. 'hat co$es "ro$ the ;hite 0o%se.@ @'here are other $en on $y co$$ittee, >r. Ritter.@ @,ir, i" 4 do not ha e yo%r &ord, as a gentle$an,@ Ritter added &ith a s$ile, @4 &ill not re eal this in"or$ation. 'hose are $y orders. 4 &ork "or the e7ec%ti e #ranch, ,enator. 4 take $y orders "ro$ the president. @ Ritter hoped his recording de ice &as getting all o" this. @Agreed,@ Lonaldson said rel%ctantly. 0e &as angry #eca%se o" the "oolish restrictions, #%t pleased that he &as getting to hear this. @8o on.@ @=rankly, sir, &e?re not s%re e7actly &hat?s going on,@ Ritter said. @*h, so yo%? e s&orn $e to secrecy so that 4 can?t tell anyone that, again, the C4A doesn?t kno& &hat the hell is going onI@ @4 said &e don?t kno& e7actly &hat?s happening. ;e do kno& a "e& things. *%r in"or$ation co$es $ainly "ro$ the 4sraelis, and so$e "ro$ the =rench. =ro$ #oth channels &e ha e learned that so$ething has gone ery &rong &ith the ,o iet !a y.@ @4 gathered that. 'hey? e lost a s%#.@ @At least one, #%t that?s not &hat?s going on. ,o$eone, &e think, has played a trick on the operations directorate o" the ,o iet !orthern =leet. 4 can?t say "or s%re, #%t 4 think it &as the +oles.@ @;hy the +olesI@ @4 don?t kno& "or s%re that it is, #%t #oth the =rench and 4sraelis are &ell connected &ith the +oles, and the +oles ha e a long2standing #ee" &ith the ,o iets. 4 do kno&Fat least 4 think 4 kno&Fthat &hate er this is did not co$e "ro$ a ;estern intelligence agency.@ @,o, &hat?s happeningI@ Lonaldson de$anded. @*%r #est g%ess is that so$eone has co$$itted at least one "orgery, possi#ly as $any as three, all ai$ed at raising hell in the ,o iet !a yF#%t &hate er it &as, it?s gotten "ar o%t o" hand. A lot o" people are &orking hard to co er their asses, the 4sraelis say. As a g%ess, 4 think they $anaged to alter a s%#$arine?s operational orders, then "orged a letter "ro$ her skipper threatening to "ire his $issiles. 'he a$aBing thing is that the ,o iets &ent "or it.@ Ritter "ro&ned. @;e $ay ha e it all #ack&ards, tho%gh. All &e really kno& "or s%re is that so$e#ody, pro#a#ly the +oles, has played a "antastic dirty trick on the R%ssians.@

@!ot %sI@ Lonaldson asked pointedly. @!o, sir, a#sol%tely notJ 4" &e tried so$ething like thatFe en i" &e s%cceeded, &hich isn?t likelyFthey $ight try the sa$e thing &ith %s. 9o% co%ld start a &ar that &ay, and yo% kno& the president &o%ld ne er a%thoriBe it.@ @B%t so$eone at the C4A $ight not care &hat the president thinks.@ @!ot in $y depart$entJ 4t &o%ld #e $y head. Lo yo% really think &e co%ld r%n an operation like this and then s%ccess"%lly conceal itI 0ell, ,enator, 4 &ish &e co%ld.@ @;hy the +oles, and &hy are they a#le to do itI@ @;e? e #een hearing "or so$e ti$e a#o%t a dissident "action inside their intelligence co$$%nity, one that does not especially lo e the ,o iets. 9o% can pick any n%$#er o" reasons &hy. 'here?s the "%nda$ental historical en$ity, and the R%ssians see$ to "orget that the +oles are +olish "irst, Co$$%nists second. >y o&n g%ess is that it?s this #%siness &ith the pope, e en $ore than the $artial la& thing. ;e kno& that o%r old "riend Andropo initiated a replay o" the 0enry 44UBecket #%siness. 'he pope has gi en +oland a great deal o" prestige, done things "or the co%ntry that e en +arty $e$#ers "eel good a#o%t. 4 an &ent and spit on their &hole co%ntry &hen he did thatFyo% &onder that they?re $adI As to their a#ility, people see$ to o erlook C%st &hat a class act their intelligence ser ice al&ays has #een. 'hey?re the ones &ho $ade the Enig$a #reak2thro%gh in 19-9, not the Brits. 'hey?re da$ned e""ecti e, and "or the sa$e reason as the 4sraelis. 'hey ha e ene$ies to the east and the &est. 'hat sort o" thing #reeds good agents. ;e kno& "or certain that they ha e a lot o" people inside R%ssia, g%est &orkers paying !ar$ono o"" "or the econo$ic s%pports gi en to their co%ntry. ;e also kno& that a lot o" +olish engineers are &orking in ,o iet shipyards. 4 ad$it it?s "%nny, neither co%ntry has $%ch o" a $ariti$e tradition, #%t the +oles #%ild a lot o" ,o iet $erchant h%lls. 'heir yards are $ore e""icient than the R%ssian ones, and lately they? e #een gi ing technical help, $ainly in D%ality control, to the na al #%ilding yards.@ @,o, the +olish intelligence ser ice has played a trick on the ,o iets,@ Lonaldson s%$$ariBed. @8orshko is one o" the g%ys &ho took a hard line on inter ention, &asn?t heI@ @'r%e, #%t he?s pro#a#ly C%st a target o" opport%nity. 'he real ai$ o" this has to #e to e$#arrass >osco&. 'he "act that this operation attacks the ,o iet !a y has no signi"icance in itsel". 'he o#Cecti e is to raise hell in their senior $ilitary channels, and they all co$e together in >osco&. 8od, 4 &ish 4 kne& &hat &as really happeningJ =ro$ the "i e percent &e do kno&, this operation has to #e a real $asterpiece, the sort o" thing legends are $ade o". ;e?re &orking on it, trying to "ind o%t. ,o are the Brits, and the =rench, and the 4sraelisFBenny 0erBog o" the >ossad is s%pposed to #e going ape. 'he 4sraelis do p%ll this kind o" trick on their neigh#ors, reg%larly. 'hey say o""icially that they don?t kno& anything #eyond &hat they? e told %s. >ay#e so. *r $ay#e they ga e the +oles so$e technical helpFhard to say. 4t?s certain that the ,o iet !a y is a strategic threat to 4srael. B%t &e need $ore ti$e on that. 'he 4sraeli connection looks a little too pat at this point.@ @B%t yo% don?t kno& &hat?s happening, C%st the ho& and &hy.@ @,enator, it?s not that easy. 8i e %s so$e ti$e. At the $o$ent &e $ay not e en &ant to kno&. 'o s%$$ariBe, so$e#ody has laid a colossal piece o" disin"or$ation on the ,o iet !a y. 4t &as pro#a#ly ai$ed at $erely shaking the$ %p, #%t it has clearly gotten o%t o" hand. 0o& or &hy it happened, &e do not kno&. 9o% can #et, ho&e er, that &hoe er initiated this operation is &orking ery hard to co er his tracks.@ Ritter &anted the senator to get this right. @4" the ,o iets "ind o%t &ho did it, their reaction &ill #e nastyFdepend on it. 4n a "e& &eeks &e $ight kno& $ore. 'he 4sraelis o&e %s "or a "e& things, and e ent%ally they?ll let %s in on it.@

@=or a co%ple $ore =21.s and a co$pany o" tanks,@ Lonaldson o#ser ed. @Cheap at the price.@ @B%t i" &e?re not in ol ed in this, &hy the secrecyI@ @9o% ga e $e yo%r &ord, ,enator,@ Ritter re$inded hi$. @=or one thing, i" &ord leaked o%t, &o%ld the ,o iets #elie e &e?re not in ol edI !ot likelyJ ;e?re trying to ci iliBe the intelligence ga$e. 4 $ean, &e?re still ene$ies, #%t ha ing the ario%s intelligence ser ices in con"lict %ses %p too $any assets, and it?s dangero%s to #oth sides. =or another, &ell, i" &e e er do "ind o%t ho& all this happened, &e C%st $ight &ant to $ake %se o" it o%rsel es.@ @'hose reasons are contradictory.@ Ritter s$iled. @'he intelligence ga$e is like that. 4" &e "ind o%t &ho did this, &e can %se that in"or$ation to o%r ad antage. 4n any case, ,enator, yo% ga e $e yo%r &ord, and 4 &ill report that to the president on $y ret%rn to Langley.@ @:ery &ell.@ Lonaldson rose. 'he inter ie& &as at an end. @4 tr%st yo% &ill keep %s in"or$ed o" "%t%re de elop$ents.@ @'hat?s &hat &e ha e to do, sir.@ Ritter stood. @4ndeed. 'hank yo% "or co$ing do&n.@ 'hey did not shake hands this ti$e either. Ritter &alked into the hall &itho%t passing thro%gh the anteroo$. 0e stopped to look do&n into the atri%$ o" the 0art #%ilding. 4t re$inded hi$ o" the local 0yatt. 6ncharacteristically, he took the stairs instead o" the ele ator do&n to the "irst "loor. ;ith l%ck he had C%st settled a $aCor score. 0is car &as &aiting "or hi$ o%tside, and he told the dri er to head "or the =B4 #%ilding. @!ot a C4A operationI@ +eter 0enderson, the senator?s chie" aide, asked. @!o, 4 #elie e hi$,@ Lonaldson said. @0e?s not s$art eno%gh to p%ll so$ething like that.@ @4 don?t kno& &hy the president doesn?t get rid o" hi$,@ 0enderson co$$ented. @*" co%rse, the kind o" person he is, $ay#e it?s #etter that he?s inco$petent.@ 'he senator agreed. ;hen he ret%rned to his o""ice, 0enderson adC%sted the enetian #linds on his &indo&, tho%gh the s%n &as on the other side o" the #%ilding. An ho%r later the dri er o" a passing Black X ;hite ta7ica# looked %p at the &indo& and $ade a $ental note. 0enderson &orked late that night. 'he 0art #%ilding &as nearly e$pty &ith $ost o" the senators o%t o" to&n. Lonaldson &as there only #eca%se o" personal #%siness and to keep an eye on things. As chair$an o" the ,elect Co$$ittee on 4ntelligence, he had $ore d%ties than he &o%ld ha e liked at this ti$e o" year. 0enderson took the ele ator do&n to the $ain lo##y, looking e ery inch the senior congressional aideFa three2piece gray s%it, an e7pensi e leather attache case, his hair C%st so, and his stride Ca%nty as he le"t the #%ilding. A Black X ;hite ca# ca$e aro%nd the corner and stopped to let o%t a "are. 0enderson got in. @;atergate,@ he said. !ot %ntil the ta7i had dri en a "e& #locks did he speak again. 0enderson had a $odest one2#edroo$ condo in the ;atergate co$ple7, an irony that he hi$sel" had considered $any ti$es. ;hen he got to his destination he did not tip the dri er. A &o$an got in as he &alked to the $ain entrance. 'a7is in ;ashington are ery #%sy in the early e ening. @8eorgeto&n 6ni ersity, please,@ she said, a pretty yo%ng &o$an &ith a%#%rn hair and an ar$load o" #ooks. @!ight schoolI@ the dri er asked, checking the $irror. @E7a$s,@ the girl said, her oice a trace %neasy. @+sych.@ @Best thing to do &ith e7a$s is rela7,@ the dri er ad ised. ,pecial Agent 0aBel Loo$is "%$#led &ith her #ooks. 0er p%rse dropped to the "loor. @*h,

da$n.@ ,he #ent o er to pick it %p, and &hile doing so retrie ed a $iniat%re tape recorder that another agent had le"t %nder the dri er?s seat. 4t took "i"teen $in%tes to get to the %ni ersity. 'he "are &as Y-.8.. Loo$is ga e the dri er a "i e and told hi$ to keep the change. ,he &alked across the ca$p%s and entered a =ord &hich dro e straight to the J. Edgar 0oo er B%ilding. A lot o" &ork had gone into thisFand it had #een so easyJ @Al&ays is, &hen the #ear &alks into yo%r sight.@ 'he inspector &ho had #een r%nning the case t%rned le"t onto +ennsyl ania A en%e. @'he pro#le$ is "inding the da$ned #ear in the "irst place.@ 'he +entagon @8entle$en, yo% ha e #een asked here #eca%se each o" yo% is a career intelligence o""icer &ith a &orking kno&ledge o" s%#$arines and R%ssian,@ La enport said to the "o%r o""icers seated in his o""ice. @4 ha e need o" o""icers &ith yo%r D%ali"ications. 'his is a ol%nteer assign$ent. 4t co%ld in ol e a considera#le ele$ent o" dangerF&e cannot #e s%re at this point. 'he only other thing 4 can say is that this &ill #e a drea$ Co# "or an intelligence o""icerF#%t the sort o" drea$ that yo%?ll ne er #e a#le to tell anyone a#o%t. ;e?re all %sed to that, aren?t &eI@ La enport ent%red a rare s$ile. @As they say in the $o ies, i" yo% &ant in, "ineE i" not, yo% $ay lea e at this point, and nothing &ill e er #e said. 4t is asking a lot to e7pect $en to &alk into a potentially dangero%s assign$ent #lind"olded.@ *" co%rse no#ody le"tE the $en &ho had #een called here &ere not D%itters. Besides, so$ething &o%ld #e said, and La enport had a good $e$ory. 'hese &ere pro"essional o""icers. *ne o" the co$pensations "or &earing a %ni"or$ and earning less $oney than an eD%ally talented $an can $ake in the real &orld is the o"" chance o" #eing killed. @'hank yo%, gentle$en. 4 think yo% &ill "ind this &orth yo%r &hile.@ La enport stood and handed each $an a $anila en elope. @9o% &ill soon ha e the chance to e7a$ine a ,o iet $issile s%#$arineF"ro$ the inside.@ =o%r pairs o" eyes #linked in %nison. --! (.; 'he 6,, than Allen had #een on station no& "or $ore than thirty ho%rs. ,he &as cr%ising in a "i e2$ile circle at a depth o" t&o h%ndred "eet. 'here &as no h%rry. 'he s%#$arine &as $aking C%st eno%gh speed to $aintain steerage &ay, her reactor prod%cing only ten percent o" rated po&er. 'he chie" D%arter$aster &as assisting in the galley. @=irst ti$e 4? e e er done this in a s%#,@ one o" the Allen?s o""icers &ho &as acting as ship?s cook noted, stirring an o$elette. 'he D%arter$aster sighed i$percepti#ly. 'hey o%ght to ha e sailed &ith a proper cook, #%t theirs had #een a kid, and e ery enlisted $an a#oard no& had o er t&enty years o" ser ice. 'he chie"s &ere all technicians, e7cept the D%arter$aster, &ho co%ld handle a toaster on a good day. @9o% cook $%ch at ho$e, sirI@ @,o$e. >y parents %sed to ha e a resta%rant do&n at +ass Christian. 'his is $y $a$a?s special CaC%n o$elette. ,ha$e &e don?t ha e any #ass. 4 can do so$e nice things &ith #ass and a little le$on. 9o% "ish $%ch, Chie"I@

@!o, sir.@ 'he s$all co$ple$ent o" o""icers and senior chie"s &as &orking in an in"or$al at$osphere, and the D%arter$aster &as a $an acc%sto$ed to discipline and stat%s #o%ndaries. @Co$$ander, can 4 ask &hat the hell &e?re doingI@ @;ish 4 kne&, Chie". >ostly &e?re &aiting "or so$ething.@ @B%t &hat, sirI@ @La$ned i" 4 kno&. 9o% &ant to hand $e those ha$ c%#esI And co%ld yo% check the #read in the o enI *%ght to #e a#o%t done.@ 'he !e& Jersey Co$$ander Eaton &as perple7ed. 0is #attle gro%p &as holding t&enty $iles so%th o" the R%ssians. 4" it hadn?t #een dark he co%ld ha e seen the 'iro$?s to&ering s%perstr%ct%re on the horiBon "ro$ his perch on the "lat #ridge. 0er escorts &ere in a single #road line ahead o" the #attle cr%iser, pinging a&ay in the search "or a s%#$arine. ,ince the air "orce had staged its $ock attack the ,o iets had #een acting like sheep. 'his &as o%t o" character to say the least. 'he Ne) =ersey and her escorts &ere keeping the R%ssian "or$ation %nder constant o#ser ation, and a pair o" ,entry aircra"t &ere &atching "or good $eas%re. 'he R%ssian redeploy$ent had s&itched Eaton?s responsi#ility to the Airo gro%p. 'his s%ited hi$. 0is $ain #attery t%rrets &ere trained in, #%t the g%ns &ere loaded &ith eight2 inch g%ided ro%nds and the "ire control stations &ere "%lly $anned. 'he Tara)a &as thirty $iles so%th, her ar$ed strike "orce o" 0arriers sitting ready to $o e at "i e2$in%te notice. 'he ,o iets had to kno& this, e en tho%gh their A,; helicopters had not co$e &ithin "i e $iles o" an A$erican ship "or t&o days. 'he Bear and Back"ire #o$#ers &hich &ere passing o erhead in sh%ttle ro%nds to C%#aFonly a "e&, and those ret%rning to R%ssia as D%ickly as they co%ld #e t%rned aro%ndFco%ld not "ail to report &hat they sa&. 'he A$erican essels &ere in e7tended attack "or$ation, the $issiles on the Ne) =ersey and her escorts #eing "ed contin%o%s in"or$ation "ro$ the ships? sensors. And the R%ssians &ere ignoring the$. 'heir only electronic e$issions &ere ro%tine na igation radars. ,trange. 'he Nimitz &as no& &ithin air range a"ter a "i e2tho%sand2$ile dash "ro$ the ,o%th AtlanticE the carrier and her n%clear2po&ered escorts, the "alifornia, #ainbridge, and Tru:ton, &ere no& only "o%r h%ndred $iles to the so%th, &ith the America #attle gro%p hal" a day #ehind the$. 'he 'ennedy &as "i e h%ndred $iles to the east. 'he ,o iets &o%ld ha e to consider the danger o" three carrier air &ings at their #acks and h%ndreds o" land2#ased air "orce #irds grad%ally shi"ting so%th "ro$ one #ase to another. +erhaps this e7plained their docility. 'he Back"ire #o$#ers &ere #eing escorted in relays all the &ay "ro$ 4celand, "irst #y na y 'o$cats "ro$ the (aratoga?s air &ing, then #y air "orce +hanto$s operating in >aine, &hich handed the ,o iet aircra"t o"" to Eagles and =ighting =alcons as they &orked do&n the coast al$ost as "ar so%th as C%#a. 'here &as not $%ch do%#t ho& serio%sly the 6nited ,tates &as taking this, tho%gh A$erican %nits &ere no longer acti ely harassing the R%ssians. Eaton &as glad they &eren?t. 'here &as nothing $ore to #e gained "ro$ harass$ent, and any&ay, i" it had to, his #attle gro%p co%ld s&itch "ro$ a peace to a &ar "ooting in a#o%t t&o $in%tes.

'he ;atergate Apart$ents @E7c%se $e. 4 C%st $o ed in do&n the hall, and $y phone isn?t hooked %p yet. ;o%ld yo% $ind i" 4 $ade a callI@ 0enderson arri ed at that decision D%ickly eno%gh. =i e three or so, a%#%rn hair, gray eyes, adeD%ate "ig%re, a daBBling s$ile, and "ashiona#ly dressed. @,%re, &elco$e to the ;atergate. Co$e on in.@ @'hank yo%. 4?$ 0aBel Loo$is. >y "riends call $e ,issy.@ ,he held o%t her hand. @+eter 0enderson. 'he phone?s in the kitchen. 4?ll sho& yo%.@ 'hings &ere looking %p. 0e?d C%st ended a lengthy relationship &ith one o" the senator?s secretaries. 4t had #een hard on #oth o" the$. @4?$ not dist%r#ing anything, a$ 4I 9o% don?t ha e anyone here, do yo%I@ @!o, C%st $e and the ':. Are yo% ne& to L.C.I 'he night li"e isn?t all it?s cracked %p to #e. At least, not &hen yo% ha e to go to &ork the ne7t day. ;ho do yo% &ork "orF4 take it yo%?re singleI@ @'hat?s right. 4 &ork "or LAR+A, as a co$p%ter progra$$er. 4?$ a"raid 4 can?t talk a#o%t it ery $%ch.@ All sorts o" good ne&s, 0enderson tho%ght. @0ere?s the phone.@ Loo$is looked aro%nd D%ickly as tho%gh e al%ating the Co# the decorator had done. ,he reached into her p%rse and took o%t a di$e, handing it to 0enderson. 0e la%ghed. @'he "irst call is "ree, and #elie e $e, yo% can %se $y phone &hene er yo% &ant.@ @4 C%st kne&,@ she said, p%nching the #%ttons, @that this &o%ld #e nicer than li ing in La%rel. 0ello, AathyI ,issy. 4 C%st got $o ed in, ha en?t e en got $y phone hooked %p yet . . .*h, a g%y do&n the hall &as kind eno%gh to let $e %se his phone . . .*kay, see yo% to$orro& "or l%nch. Bye, Aathy.@ Loo$is looked aro%nd. @;ho decorated "or yo%I@ @Lid it $ysel". 4 $inored in art at 0ar ard, and 4 kno& so$e nice shops in 8eorgeto&n. 9o% can "ind so$e good #argains i" yo% kno& &here to look.@ @*h, 4?d C%st lo$e to ha e $y place look like thisJ Co%ld yo% sho& $e aro%ndI@ @,%re, the #edroo$ "irstI@ 0enderson la%ghed to sho& that he had no %nto&ard intentionsF &hich o" co%rse he did, tho%gh he &as a patient $an in s%ch $atters. 'he to%r, &hich lasted se eral $in%tes, ass%red Loo$is that the condo &as indeed e$pty. A $in%te later there &as a knock at the door. 0enderson gr%$#led good2nat%redly as he &ent to ans&er it. @+ete 0endersonI@ 'he $an asking the D%estion &as dressed in a #%siness s%it. 0enderson had on Ceans and a sport shirt. @9esI@ 0enderson #acked %p, kno&ing &hat this had to #e. ;hat ca$e ne7t, tho%gh, s%rprised hi$. @9o%?re %nder arrest, >r. 0enderson,@ ,issy Loo$is said, holding %p her 4L card. @'he charge is espionage. 9o% ha e the right to re$ain silent, yo% ha e the right to speak &ith an attorney. 4" yo% gi e %p the right to re$ain silent, e erything yo% say &ill #e recorded and $ay #e %sed against yo%. 4" yo% do not ha e an attorney or cannot a""ord one, &e &ill see to it that an attorney is appointed to represent yo%. Lo yo% %nderstand these rights, >r. 0endersonI@ 4t &as ,issy Loo$is? "irst espionage case. =or "i e years she had specialiBed in #ank ro##ery stakeo%ts, o"ten &orking as a teller &ith a .-.( $agn%$ re ol er in her cash dra&er. @Lo yo% &ish to &ai e these rightsI@

@!o, 4 do not.@ 0enderson?s oice &as raspy. @*h, yo% &ill,@ the inspector o#ser ed. @9o% &ill.@ 0e t%rned to the three agents &ho acco$panied hi$. @'ake this place apart. !eatly, gentle$en, and D%ietly. ;e don?t &ant to &ake anyone. 9o%, >r. 0enderson, &ill co$e &ith %s. 9o% can change "irst. ;e can do this the easy &ay or the hard &ay. 4" yo% pro$ise to cooperate, no c%""s. B%t i" yo% try to r%nFyo% don?t &ant to do that, #elie e $e.@ 'he inspector had #een in the =B4 "or t&enty years and had ne er e en dra&n his ser ice re ol er in anger, &hile Loo$is had already shot and killed t&o $en. 0e &as old2ti$e =B4, and co%ldn?t help #%t &onder &hat >r. 0oo er &o%ld think o" that, not to $ention the ne& Je&ish director. 'he Red *cto#er Ra$i%s and Aa$aro con"erred o er the chart "or se eral $in%tes, tracing alternate co%rse tracks #e"ore agreeing on one. 'he enlisted $en ignored this. 'hey had ne er #een enco%raged to kno& a#o%t charts. 'he captain &alked to the a"t #%lkhead and li"ted the phone. @Co$rade >elekhin,@ he ordered, &aiting a "e& seconds. @Co$rade, this is the captain. Any "%rther di""ic%lties &ith the reactor syste$sI@ @!o, Co$rade Captain.@ @E7cellent. 0old things together another t&o days. @Ra$i%s h%ng %p. 4t &as thirty $in%tes to the t%rn o" the ne7t &atch. >elekhin and Airill ,%rBpoi, the assistant engineer, had the d%ty in the engine roo$. >elekhin $onitored the t%r#ines and ,%rBpoi handled the reactor syste$s. Each had a michman and three enlisted $en in attendance. 'he engineers had had a ery #%sy cr%ise. E ery ga%ge and $onitor in the engine spaces, it see$ed, had #een inspected, and $any had #een entirely re#%ilt #y the t&o senior o""icers, &ho had #een helped #y :alintin B%gaye , the electronics o""icer and on2#oard geni%s &ho &as also handling the political a&areness classes "or the cre&$en. 'he engine roo$ cre&$en &ere the $ost rattled on the essel. 'he s%pposed conta$ination &as co$$on kno&ledgeFthere are no long2li ed secrets on a s%#$arine. 'o ease their loads ordinary sea$en &ere s%pple$enting the engine &atches. 'he captain called this a good chance "or the cross2training he #elie ed in. 'he cre& tho%ght it &as a good &ay to get poisoned. Liscipline &as #eing $aintained, o" co%rse. 'his &as o&ing partly to the tr%st the $en had in their co$$anding o""icer, partly to their training, #%t $ostly to their kno&ledge o" &hat &o%ld happen i" they "ailed to carry o%t their orders i$$ediately and enth%siastically. @Co$rade >elekhin,@ ,%rBpoi called, @4 a$ sho&ing press%re "l%ct%ation on the $ain loop, n%$#er si7 ga%ge.@ @Co$ing.@ >elekhin h%rried o er and sho ed the michman o%t o" the &ay &hen he got to the $aster control panel. @>ore #ad instr%$entsJ 'he others sho& nor$al. !othing i$portant,@ the chie" engineer said #landly, $aking s%re e eryone co%ld hear. 'he &hole co$part$ent &atch sa& the chie" engineer &hisper so$ething to his assistant. 'he yo%nger one shook his head slo&ly, &hile t&o sets o" hands &orked the controls. A lo%d t&o2phase #%BBer and a rotating red alar$ light &ent o"". @,CRA> the pileJ@ >elekhin ordered. @,CRA>ing.@ ,%rBpoi sta##ed his "inger on the $aster sh%tdo&n #%tton. @9o% $en, get "or&ardJ@ >elekhin ordered ne7t. 'here &as no hesitation. @!o, yo%, connect #attery po&er to the caterpillar $otors, D%icklyJ@

'he &arrant o""icer raced #ack to thro& the proper s&itches, c%rsing his change o" orders. 4t took "orty seconds. @Lone, Co$radeJ@ @3o!@ 'he &arrant o""icer &as the last $an o%t o" the co$part$ent. 0e $ade certain that the hatches &ere dogged do&n tight #e"ore r%nning to the control roo$. @;hat is the pro#le$I@ Ra$i%s asked cal$ly. @Radiation alar$ in the heat2e7change roo$J@ @:ery &ell, go "or&ard and sho&er &ith the rest o" yo%r &atch. 8et control o" yo%rsel".@ Ra$i%s patted the michman on the ar$. @;e ha e had these pro#le$s #e"ore. 9o% are a trained $an. 'he cre&$en look to yo% "or leadership.@ Ra$i%s li"ted the phone. 4t &as a $o$ent #e"ore the other end &as picked %p. @;hat has happened, Co$radeI@ 'he control roo$ cre& &atched their captain listen to the ans&er. 'hey co%ld not help #%t ad$ire his cal$. Radiation alar$s had so%nded thro%gho%t the h%ll. @:ery &ell. ;e do not ha e too $any ho%rs o" #attery po&er le"t, Co$rade. ;e $%st go to snorkling depth. ,tand #y to acti ate the diesel. 9es.@ 0e h%ng %p. @Co$rades, yo% &ill listen to $e.@ Ra$i%s? oice &as %nder total control. @'here has #een a $inor "ail%re in the reactor control syste$s. 'he alar$ yo% heard &as not a $aCor radiation leak, #%t rather a "ail%re o" the reactor rod control syste$s. Co$rades >elekhin and ,%rBpoi s%ccess"%lly e7ec%ted an e$ergency reactor sh%tdo&n, #%t &e cannot operate the reactor properly &itho%t the pri$ary controls. ;e &ill, there"ore, co$plete o%r cr%ise on diesel po&er. 'e ens%re against any possible radiation conta$ination, the reactor spaces ha e #een isolated, and all co$part$ents, engineering spaces "irst, &ill #e ented &ith s%r"ace air &hen &e snorkle. Aa$aro , yo% &ill go a"t to &ork the en iron$ental controls. 4 &ill take the conn.@ @Aye, Co$rade CaptainJ@ Aa$aro &ent a"t. Ra$i%s li"ted the $icrophone to gi e this ne&s to the cre&. E eryone &as &aiting "or so$ething. =or&ard, so$e cre&$en $%ttered a$ong the$sel es that minor &as a &ord s%""ering "ro$ o er%se, that n%clear s%#$arines did not r%n on diesel and entilate &ith s%r"ace air "or the hell o" it. =inished &ith his terse anno%nce$ent, Ra$i%s ordered the s%#$arine to approach the s%r"ace. 'he Lallas @Beats $e, ,kipper.@ Jones shook his head. @Reactor noises ha e stopped, p%$ps are c%t &ay #ack, #%t he?s r%nning at the sa$e speed, C%st like #e"ore. *n #attery, 4 g%ess.@ @>%st #e a hell o" a #attery syste$ to dri e so$ething that #ig this "ast,@ >anc%so o#ser ed. @4 did so$e co$p%tations on that a "e& ho%rs ago.@ Jones held %p his pad. @'his is #ased on the Typhoon h%ll, &ith a nice slick h%ll coe""icient, so it?s pro#a#ly conser ati e.@ @;here did yo% learn to do this, JonesyI@ @>r. 'ho$pson looked %p the hydrodyna$ic st%"" "or $e. 'he electrical end is "airly si$ple. 0e $ight ha e so$ething e7oticF"%el cells, $ay#e. 4" not, i" he?s r%nning ordinary #atteries, he has eno%gh ra& electrical po&er to crank e ery car in L.A.@ >anc%so shook his head. @Can?t last "ore er.@ Jones held %p his hand. @0%ll creaking . . .,o%nds like he?s going %p so$e.@

'he Red *cto#er @Raise snorkle,@ Ra$i%s said. Looking thro%gh the periscope he eri"ied that the snorkle &as %p. @;ell, no other ships in ie&. 'hat is good ne&s. 4 think &e ha e lost o%r i$perialist h%nters. Raise the E,> antenna. Let?s #e s%re no ene$y aircra"t are l%rking a#o%t &ith their radars.@ @Clear, Co$rade Captain.@ B%gaye &as $anning the E,> #oard. @!othing at all, not e en airline sets.@ @,o, &e ha e indeed lost o%r rat pack.@ Ra$i%s li"ted the phone again. @>elekhin, yo% $ay open the $ain ind%ction and ent the engine spaces, then start the diesel.@ A $in%te later e eryone a#oard "elt the i#ration as the October?s $assi e diesel engine cranked on #attery po&er. 'his s%cked %p all the air "ro$ the reactor spaces, replacing it &ith air dra&n thro%gh the snorkle and eCecting the @conta$inated@ air into the sea. 'he engine contin%ed to crank t&o $in%tes, and thro%gho%t the h%ll $en &aited "or the r%$#le that &o%ld $ean the engine had ca%ght and co%ld generate po&er to r%n the electric $otors. 4t didn?t catch. A"ter another thirty seconds the cranking stopped. 'he control roo$ phone #%BBed. Ra$i%s li"ted it. @;hat is &rong &ith the diesel, Co$rade Chie" EngineerI@ the captain asked sharply. @4 see. 4?ll send $en #ackFoh. ,tand #y.@ Ra$i%s looked aro%nd, his $o%th a thin, #loodless s$ile. 'he C%nior engineering o""icer, , yado , &as standing at the #ack o" the co$part$ent. @4 need a $an &ho kno&s diesel engines to help Co$rade >elekhin.@ @4 gre& %p on a ,tate "ar$,@ B%gaye said. @4 started playing &ith tractor engines as a #oy.@ @'here is an additional pro#le$ . . .@ B%gaye nodded kno&ingly. @,o 4 gather, Co$rade Captain, #%t &e need the diesel, do &e notI@ @4 &ill not "orget this, Co$rade,@ Ra$i%s said D%ietly. @'hen yo% can #%y $e so$e r%$ in C%#a, Co$rade.@ B%gaye s$iled co%rageo%sly. @4 &ish to $eet a C%#an co$rade, pre"era#ly one &ith long hair.@ @>ay 4 acco$pany yo%, Co$radeI@ , yado asked an7io%sly. 0e had C%st #een going on &atch, approaching the reactor roo$ hatch, &hen he?d #een knocked aside #y escaping cre&$en. @Let %s assess the nat%re o" the pro#le$ "irst,@ B%gaye said, looking at Ra$i%s "or con"ir$ation. @9es, there is plenty o" ti$e. B%gaye , report to $e yo%rsel" in ten $in%tes.@ @Aye aye, Co$rade Captain.@ @, yado , take charge o" the lie%tenant?s station.@ Ra$i%s pointed to the E,> #oard. @6se the opport%nity to learn so$e ne& skills.@ 'he lie%tenant did as he &as ordered. 'he captain see$ed ery preocc%pied. , yado had ne er seen hi$ like this #e"ore.

THE FOURTEENTH DAY THURSDAY 16, DECEMBER

A ,%per ,tallion 'hey &ere tra eling at one h%ndred "i"ty knots, t&o tho%sand "eet o er the darkened sea. 'he ,%per ,tallion helicopter &as old. B%ilt to&ards the end o" the :ietna$ ;ar, she had "irst seen ser ice clearing $ines o"" 0aiphong har#or. 'hat had #een her pri$ary d%ty, p%lling a sea sled and acting as a "lying $ines&eeper. !o&, the #ig ,ikorski &as %sed "or other p%rposes, $ainly long2range hea y2li"t $issions. 'he three t%r#ine engines perched atop the "%selage packed a considera#le a$o%nt o" po&er and co%ld carry a platoon o" ar$ed co$#at troops a great distance. 'onight, in addition to her nor$al "light cre& o" three, she &as carrying "o%r passengers and a hea y load o" "%el in the o%trigger tanks. 'he passengers &ere cl%stered in the a"t corner o" the cargo area, chatting a$ong the$sel es or trying to o er the racket o" the engines. 'heir con ersation &as ani$ated. 'he intelligence o""icers had dis$issed the danger i$plicit in their $issionFno sense d&elling on thatFand &ere spec%lating on &hat they $ight "ind a#oard an honest2to28od R%ssian s%#$arine. Each $an considered the stories that &o%ld res%lt, and decided it &as a sha$e that they &o%ld ne er #e a#le to tell the$. !one oiced this tho%ght, ho&e er. At $ost a hand"%l o" people &o%ld e er kno& the entire storyE the others &o%ld only see disCointed "rag$ents that later $ight #e tho%ght parts o" any n%$#er o" other operations. Any ,o iet agent trying to deter$ine &hat this $ission had #een &o%ld "ind hi$sel" in a $aBe &ith doBens o" #lank &alls. 'he $ission pro"ile &as a tight one. 'he helicopter &as "lying on a speci"ic track to 0>, -n$incible, "ro$ &hich they &o%ld "ly to the 6,, Pigeon a#oard a Royal !a y ,ea Aing. 'he ,tallion?s disappearance "ro$ *ceana !a al Air ,tation "or only a "e& ho%rs &o%ld #e ie&ed $erely as a $atter o" ro%tine. 'he helicopter?s t%r#osha"t engines, r%nning at $a7i$%$ cr%ising po&er, &ere g%lping do&n "%el. 'he aircra"t &as no& "o%r h%ndred $iles o"" the 6.,. coast and had another eighty $iles to go. 'heir "light to the -n$incible &as not directE it &as a dogleg co%rse intended to "ool &hoe er $ight ha e noticed their depart%re on radar. 'he pilots &ere tired. =o%r ho%rs is a long ti$e to sit in a cra$ped cockpit, and $ilitary aircra"t are not kno&n "or their creat%re co$"orts. 'he "light instr%$ents glo&ed a d%ll red. Both $en &ere especially care"%l to &atch their arti"icial

horiBonE a solid o ercast denied the$ a "i7ed re"erence point alo"t, and "lying o er &ater at night &as $es$eriBing. 4t &as #y no $eans an %n%s%al $ission, ho&e er. 'he pilots had done this $any ti$es, and their concern &as not %nlike that o" an e7perienced dri er on a slick road. 'he dangers &ere real, #%t ro%tine. @J%liet 3, yo%r target is #earing Bero2eight2Bero, range se enty2"i e $iles,@ the ,entry called in. @'hinks &e?re lostI@ Co$$ander John >arcks &ondered o er the interco$. @Air "orce,@ his copilot replied. @'hey don?t kno& $%ch a#o%t "lying o er &ater. 'hey think yo% get lost &itho%t roads to "ollo&.@ @6h2h%h,@ >arcks ch%ckled. @;ho do yo% like in the Eagles ga$e tonightI@ @*ilers #y three and a hal".@ @,i7 and a hal". +hilly?s "%ll#ack is still h%rt.@ @=i e.@ @*kay, "i e #%cks. 4?ll go easy on yo%.@ >arcks grinned. 0e lo ed to ga$#le. 'he day a"ter Argentina had attacked the =alklands, he?d asked i" anyone in the sD%adron &anted to take Argentina and se en points. A "e& "eet a#o e their heads and a "e& "eet a"t, the engines &ere racing at tho%sands o" R+>, t%rning gears to dri e the se en2#laded $ain rotor. 'hey had no &ay o" kno&ing that a "ract%re &as de eloping in the trans$ission casing, near the "l%id test port. @J%liet 3, yo%r target has C%st la%nched a "ighter to escort yo% in. ;ill rendeB o%s in eight $in%tes. Approaching yo% at ele en o?clock, angels three.@ @!ice o" the$,@ >arcks said. 0arrier /25 Lie%tenant +arker &as "lying the 0arrier that &o%ld escort the ,%per ,tallion. A s%#lie%tenant sat in the #ack seat o" the Royal !a y aircra"t. 4ts p%rpose &as not act%ally to escort the chopper to the -n$incibleE it &as to $ake a last check "or any ,o iet s%#$arines that $ight notice the ,%per ,tallion in "light and &onder &hat it &as doing. @Any acti ity on the &aterI@ +arker asked. @!ot a gli$$er.@ 'he s%#lie%tenant &as &orking the =L4R package, &hich &as s&eeping le"t and right o er their co%rse track. !either $an kne& &hat &as going on, tho%gh #oth had spec%lated at length, incorrectly, on &hat it &as that &as chasing their carrier all o er the #loody ocean. @'ry looking "or the helicopter,@ +arker said. @*ne $o$ent . . .'here. J%st so%th o" o%r track.@ 'he s%#lie%tenant pressed a #%tton and the display ca$e %p on the pilot?s screen. 'he ther$al i$age &as $ainly o" the engines cl%stered atop the aircra"t inside the "ainter, d%ll2green glo& o" the hot rotor tips. @0arrier /25, this is ,entry Echo. 9o%r target is at yo%r one o?clock, distance t&enty $iles, o er.@ @Roger, &e ha e hi$ on o%r 4R #o7. 'hank yo%, o%t,@ +arker said. @Bloody %se"%l things, those ,entries.@ @'he ,ikorski?s r%nning "or all she?s &orth. Look at that engine signat%re.@

'he ,%per ,tallion At this $o$ent the trans$ission casing "ract%red. 4nstantly the gallons o" l%#ricating oil #eca$e a greasy clo%d #ehind the rotor h%#, and the delicate gears #egan to tear at one another. An alar$ light "lashed on the control panels. >arcks and the copilot instantly reached do&n to c%t po&er to all three engines. 'here &as not eno%gh ti$e. 'he trans$ission tried to "reeBe, #%t the po&er o" the three engines tore it apart. ;hat happened &as the ne7t thing to an e7plosion. Jagged pieces #%rst thro%gh the sa"ety ho%sing and ripped the "or&ard part o" the aircra"t. 'he rotor?s $o$ent%$ t&isted the ,tallion sa agely aro%nd, and it dropped rapidly. '&o o" the $en in the #ack, &ho had loosened their seat#elts, Cerked o%t o" their seats and rolled "or&ard. @>A9LA9 >A9LA9 >A9LA9, this is J%liet 3@ the copilot called. Co$$ander >arcks? #ody sl%$ped o er the controls, a dark stain at the #ack o" his neck. @;e?re goin? in, &e?re goin? in. >A9LA9 >A9LA9 >A9LA9.@ 'he copilot &as trying to do so$ething. 'he $ain rotor &as &ind$illing slo&lyFtoo slo&ly. 'he a%to$atic deco%pler that &as s%pposed to allo& it to a%torotate and gi e hi$ a estige o" control had "ailed. 0is controls &ere nearly %seless, and he &as riding the point o" a #l%nt lance to&ards a #lack ocean. 4t &as t&enty seconds #e"ore they hit. 0e "o%ght &ith his air"oil controls and tail rotor in order to Cerk the aircra"t aro%nd. 0e s%cceeded, #%t it &as too late. 0arrier /25 4t &as not the "irst ti$e +arker had seen $en die. 0e had taken a li"e hi$sel" a"ter sending a ,ide&inder $issile %p the tailpipe o" an Argentine Lagger "ighter. 'hat had not #een pleasant. 'his &as &orse. As he &atched, the ,%per ,tallion?s h%$p2#acked engine cl%ster #le& apart in a sho&er o" sparks. 'here &as no "ire as s%ch, "or &hat good it did the$. 0e &atched and tried to &ill the nose to co$e %pFand it did, #%t not eno%gh. 'he ,tallion hit the &ater hard. 'he "%selage snapped apart in the $iddle. 'he "ront end sank in an instant, #%t the a"ter part &allo&ed "or a "e& seconds like a #atht%# #e"ore #eginning to "ill &ith &ater. According to the pict%re s%pplied #y the =L4R package, no one got clear #e"ore it sank. @,entry, ,entry, did yo% see that, o erI@ @Roger that, 0arrier. ;e?re calling a ,AR $ission right no&. Can yo% or#itI@ @Roger, &e can loiter here.@ +arker checked his "%el. @!ine2Bero $in%tes. 4Fstand #y.@ +arker nosed his "ighter do&n and "licked on his landing lights. 'his lit %p the lo&2light ': syste$. @Lid yo% see that, 4anI@ he asked his #ackseater. @4 think it $o ed.@ @,entry, ,entry, &e ha e a possi#le s%r i or in the &ater. 'ell -n$incible to get a ,ea Aing do&n here straighta&ay. 4?$ going do&n to in estigate. ;ill ad ise.@ @Roger that, 0arrier /25. 9o%r captain reports a helo spooling %p right no&. *%t.@ 'he Royal !a y ,ea Aing &as there in t&enty2"i e $in%tes. A r%##er2s%ited para$edic C%$ped in the &ater to get a collar on the one s%r i or. 'here &ere no others, and no &reckage, only a slick o" Cet "%el e aporating slo&ly into the cold air. A second helicopter contin%ed the search as the "irst raced #ack to the carrier.

'he 4n inci#le Ryan &atched "ro$ the #ridge as the $edics carried the stretcher into the island. Another cre&$an appeared a $o$ent later &ith a #rie"case. @0e had this, sir. 0e?s a lie%tenant co$$ander, na$e o" L&yer, one leg and se eral ri#s #roken. 0e?s in a #ad &ay, Ad$iral.@ @'hank yo%.@ ;hite took the case. @Any possi#ility o" other s%r i orsI@ 'he sailor shook his head. @!ot a good one, sir. 'he ,ikorski $%st ha e s%nk like a stone.@ 0e looked at Ryan. @,orry, sir.@ Ryan nodded. @'hanks.@ @!or"olk on the radio, Ad$iral,@ a co$$%nications o""icer said. @Let?s go, Jack.@ Ad$iral ;hite handed hi$ the #rie"case and led hi$ to the co$$%nications roo$. @'he chopper &ent in. ;e ha e one s%r i or #eing &orked on right no&,@ Ryan said o er the radio. 4t &as silent "or a $o$ent. @;ho is itI@ @!a$e?s L&yer. 'hey took hi$ right to sick #ay, Ad$iral. 0e?s o%t o" action. 'ell ;ashington. ;hate er this operation is s%pposed to #e, &e ha e to rethink it.@ @Roger. *%t,@ Ad$iral Black#%rn said. @;hate er &e decide to do,@ Ad$iral ;hite o#ser ed, @it &ill ha e to #e "ast. ;e $%st get o%r helo o"" to the Pigeon in t&o ho%rs to ha e her #ack #e"ore da&n.@ Ryan kne& e7actly &hat that &o%ld $ean. 'here &ere only "o%r $en at sea &ho #oth kne& &hat &as going on and &ere close eno%gh to do anything. 0e &as the only A$erican a$ong the$. 'he 'ennedy &as too "ar a&ay. 'he Nimitz &as close eno%gh, #%t %sing her &o%ld $ean getting the data to her #y radio, and ;ashington &as not enth%siastic a#o%t that. 'he only other alternati e &as to asse$#le and dispatch another intelligence tea$. 'here C%st &asn?t eno%gh ti$e. @Let?s get this case open, Ad$iral. 4 need to see &hat this plan is.@ 'hey picked %p a $achinist?s $ate on the &ay to ;hite?s ca#in. 0e pro ed to #e an e7cellent locks$ith. @Lear 8odJ@ Ryan #reathed, reading the contents o" the case. @9o% #etter see this.@ @;ell,@ ;hite said a "e& $in%tes later, @that is cle er.@ @4t?s c%te, all right,@ Ryan said. @4 &onder &hat geni%s tho%ght it %p. 4 kno& 4?$ going to #e st%ck &ith this. 4?ll ask ;ashington "or per$ission to take a "e& o""icers along &ith $e.@ 'en $in%tes later they &ere #ack in co$$%nications. ;hite had the co$part$ent cleared. 'hen Jack spoke o er the encrypted oice channel. Both hoped the scra$#ling de ice &orked. @4 hear yo% "ine, >r. +resident. 9o% kno& &hat happened to the helicopter.@ @9es, Jack, $ost %n"ort%nate. 4 need yo% to pinch2hit "or %s.@ @9es, sir, 4 anticipated that.@ @4 can?t order yo%, #%t yo% kno& &hat the stakes are. ;ill yo% do itI@ Ryan closed his eyes. @A""ir$ati e.@ @4 appreciate it, Jack.@ ,%re yo% do. @,ir, 4 need yo%r a%thoriBation to take so$e help &ith $e, a "e& British o""icers.@ @*ne,@ the president said.

@,ir, 4 need $ore than that.@ @*ne.@ @6nderstood, sir. ;e?ll #e $o ing in an ho%r.@ @9o% kno& &hat?s s%pposed to happenI@ @9es, sir. 'he s%r i or had the ops orders &ith hi$. 4? e already read the$ o er.@ @8ood l%ck, Jack.@ @'hank yo%, sir. *%t.@ Ryan "lipped o"" the satellite channel and t%rned to Ad$iral ;hite. @:ol%nteer once, C%st one ti$e, and see &hat happens.@ @=rightenedI@ ;hite did not appear a$%sed. @La$ned right 4 a$. Can 4 #orro& an o""icerI A g%y &ho speaks R%ssian i" possi#le. 9o% kno& &hat this $ay in ol e.@ @;e?ll see. Co$e on.@ =i e $in%tes later they &ere #ack in ;hite?s ca#in a&aiting the arri al o" "o%r o""icers. All t%rned o%t to #e lie%tenants, all %nder thirty. @8entle$en,@ the ad$iral #egan, @this is Co$$ander Ryan. 0e needs an o""icer to acco$pany hi$ on a ol%ntary #asis "or a $ission o" so$e i$portance. 4ts nat%re is secret and $ost %n%s%al, and there $ay #e so$e danger in ol ed. 9o% "o%r ha e #een asked here #eca%se o" yo%r kno&ledge o" R%ssian. 'hat is all 4 can say.@ @8oing to talk to a ,o s%#$arineI@ the oldest o" the$ chirped %p. @4?$ yo%r $an. 4 ha e a degree in the lang%age, and $y "irst posting &as a#oard 0>, !readnought.@ Ryan &eighed the ethics o" accepting the $an #e"ore telling hi$ &hat &as in ol ed. 0e nodded, and ;hite dis$issed the others. @4?$ Jack Ryan.@ 0e e7tended his hand. @*&en ;illia$s. ,o, &hat are &e %p toI@ @'he s%#$arine is na$ed Red OctoberF@ @'razny Oktyabr.@ ;illia$s s$iled. @And she?s atte$pting to de"ect to the 6nited ,tates.@ @4ndeedI ,o that?s &hat &e? e #een $%cking a#o%t "or. Jolly decent o" her C*. J%st ho& certain are &e o" thisI@ Ryan took se eral $in%tes to detail the intelligence in"or$ation. @;e #linkered instr%ctions to hi$, and he see$s to ha e played along. B%t &e &on?t kno& "or s%re %ntil &e get a#oard. Le"ectors ha e #een kno&n to change their $inds, it happens a lot $ore o"ten than yo% $ight i$agine. ,till &ant to co$e alongI@ @>iss a chance like thisI E7actly ho& do &e get a#oard, Co$$anderI@ @'he na$e?s Jack. 4?$ C4A, not na y.@ 0e &ent on to e7plain the plan. @E7cellent. Lo 4 ha e ti$e to pack so$e thingsI@ @Be #ack here in ten $in%tes,@ ;hite said. @Aye aye, sir.@ ;illia$s dre& to attention and le"t. ;hite &as on the phone. @,end Lie%tenant ,inclair to see $e.@ 'he ad$iral e7plained that he &as the co$$ander o" the 4n inci#le?s $arine detach$ent. @+erhaps yo% $ight need another "riend along.@ 'he other "riend &as an =! nine2$illi$eter a%to$atic pistol &ith a spare clip and a sho%lder holster that disappeared nicely %nder his Cacket. 'he $ission orders &ere shredded and #%rned #e"ore they le"t. Ad$iral ;hite acco$panied Ryan and ;illia$s to the "light deck. 'hey stood at the hatch, looking at the ,ea Aing as its engines screeched into li"e.

@8ood l%ck, *&en.@ ;hite shook hands &ith the yo%ngster, &ho sal%ted and $o ed o"". @>y regards to yo%r &i"e, Ad$iral.@ Ryan took his hand. @=i e and a hal" days to England. 9o%?ll pro#a#ly see her #e"ore 4 do. Be care"%l, Jack.@ Ryan s$iled crookedly. @4t?s $y intelligence esti$ate, isn?t itI 4" 4?$ right, it?ll C%st #e a pleas%re cr%iseFass%$ing the helicopter doesn<t crash on $e.@ @'he %ni"or$ looks good on yo%, Jack.@ Ryan hadn?t e7pected that. 0e dre& hi$sel" to attention and sal%ted as he?d #een ta%ght at O%antico. @'hank yo%, Ad$iral. Be seeing yo%.@ ;hite &atched hi$ enter the chopper. 'he cre& chie" slid the door sh%t, and a $o$ent later the ,ea Aing?s engines increased po&er. 'he helicopter li"ted %ne enly "or a "e& "eet #e"ore its nose dipped to port and #egan a cli$#ing t%rn to the so%th. ;itho%t "lying lights the dark shape &as lost to sight in less than a $in%te. --! (.; 'he (camp rendeB o%sed &ith the than Allen a "e& $in%tes a"ter $idnight. 'he attack s%# took %p station a tho%sand yards astern o" the old $issile #oat, and #oth cr%ised in an easy circle as their sonar operators listened to the approach o" a diesel2po&ered essel, the 6,, Pigeon. 'hree o" the pieces &ere no& in place. 'hree $ore &ere to co$e. 'he Red *cto#er @'here is no choice,@ >elekhin said. @4 $%st contin%e to &ork on the diesel.@ @Let %s help yo%,@ , yado said. @And &hat do yo% kno& o" diesel "%el p%$psI@ >elekhin asked in a tired #%t kind oice. @!o, Co$rade. ,%rBpoi, B%gaye , and 4 can handle it alone. 'here is no reason to e7pose yo% also. 4 &ill report #ack in an ho%r.@ @'hank yo%, Co$rade.@ Ra$i%s clicked the speaker o"". @'his cr%ise has #een a tro%#leso$e one. ,a#otage. !e er in $y career has so$ething like this happenedJ 4" &e cannot "i7 the diesel . . .;e ha e only a "e& ho%rs $ore o" #attery po&er, and the reactor reD%ires a total o erha%l and sa"ety inspection. 4 s&ear to yo%, Co$rades, i" &e "ind the #astard &ho did this to %s . . .@ @,ho%ldn?t &e call "or helpI@ 4 ano asked. @'his close to the A$erican coast, and perhaps an i$perialist s%#$arine still on o%r tailI ;hat sort o" ?help? $ight &e get, ehI Co$rades, perhaps o%r pro#le$ is no accident, ha e yo% considered thatI +erhaps &e ha e #eco$e pa&ns in a $%rdero%s ga$e.@ 0e shook his head. @!o, &e cannot risk this. 'he A$ericans $%st not get their hands on this s%#$arineJ@ C4A 0eadD%arters @'hank yo% "or co$ing on s%ch short notice, ,enator. 4 apologiBe "or getting yo% %p so early.@ J%dge >oore $et Lonaldson at the door and led hi$ into his capacio%s o""ice. @9o% kno& Lirector Jaco#s, don?t yo%I@

@*" co%rse, and &hat #rings the heads o" the =B4 and C4A together at da&nI@ Lonaldson asked &ith a s$ile. 'his had to #e good. 0eading the ,elect Co$$ittee &as $ore than a Co#, it &as "%n, real "%n to #e one o" the "e& people &ho &ere really in the kno&. 'he third person in the roo$, Ritter, helped a "o%rth person o%t o" a high2#acked chair that had #locked hi$ "ro$ ie&. 4t &as +eter 0enderson, Lonaldson sa& to his s%rprise. 0is aide?s s%it &as r%$pled as tho%gh he?d #een %p all night. ,%ddenly it &asn?t "%n any$ore. J%dge >oore &a7ed solicito%s. @9o% kno& >r. 0enderson, o" co%rse.@ @;hat is the $eaning o" thisI@ Lonaldson asked, his oice $ore s%#d%ed than anyone e7pected. @9o% lied to $e, ,enator,@ Ritter said. @9o% pro$ised that yo% &o%ld not re eal &hat 4 told yo% yesterday, kno&ing all the ti$e yo%?d tell this $anF@ @4 did no s%ch thing.@ @F&ho then told a "ello& A8B agent,@ Ritter &ent on. @E$ilI@ Jaco#s set his co""ee do&n. @;e? e #een onto >r. 0enderson "or so$e ti$e. 4t &as his contact that had %s st%$ped. ,o$e things are C%st too o# io%s. A lot o" people in L.C. ha e reg%lar ca# pick%p. 0enderson?s contact &as a ca# dri er. ;e "inally got it right.@ @'he &ay &e "o%nd o%t a#o%t 0enderson &as thro%gh yo%, ,enator.@ >oore e7plainedK @;e had a ery good agent in >osco& a "e& years ago, a colonel in their ,trategic Rocket =orces. 0e?d #een gi ing %s good in"or$ation "or "i e years, and &e &ere a#o%t to get hi$ and his "a$ily o%t. ;e try to do that, yo% kno&E yo% can?t r%n agents "ore er, and &e really o&ed this $an. B%t 4 $ade the $istake o" re ealing his na$e to yo%r co$$ittee. *ne &eek later, he &as goneF anished. 0e &as e ent%ally shot, o" co%rse. 0is &i"e and three da%ghters &ere sent to ,i#eria. *%r in"or$ation is that they li e in a l%$#er settle$ent east o" the 6rals. 'ypical sort o" place, no pl%$#ing, lo%sy "ood, no $edical "acilities a aila#le, and since they?re the "a$ily o" a con icted traitor, yo% can pro#a#ly i$agine &hat sort o" hell they $%st end%re. A good $an dead, and a "a$ily destroyed. 'ry thinking a#o%t that, ,enator. 'his is a tr%e story, and these are real people. @;e didn?t kno& at "irst &ho had leaked it. 4t had to #e yo%, or one o" t&o others, so &e #egan to leak in"or$ation to indi id%al co$$ittee $e$#ers. 4t took si7 $onths, #%t yo%r na$e ca$e %p three ti$es. A"ter that &e had Lirector Jaco#s check o%t all o" yo%r sta""ers. E$ilI@ @;hen 0enderson &as an assistant editor o" the 0ar ard "rimson, in 19(5, he &as sent to Aent ,tate to do a piece on the shooting. 9o% re$e$#er, the ?Lays o" Rage? thing a"ter the Ca$#odian inc%rsion and that a&"%l scre&2%p &ith the national g%ard. 4 &as in on that, too, as l%ck &o%ld ha e it. E idently it t%rned 0enderson?s sto$ach. 6nderstanda#le. B%t not his reaction. ;hen he grad%ated and Coined yo%r sta"" he started talking &ith his old acti ist "riends a#o%t his Co#. 'his led to a contract "ro$ the R%ssians, and they asked "or so$e in"or$ation. 'hat &as d%ring the Christ$as #o$#ingFhe really didn?t like that. 0e deli ered. 4t &as lo&2 le el st%"" at "irst, nothing they co%ldn?t ha e gotten a "e& days later "ro$ the Post. 'hat?s ho& it &orks. 'hey o""ered the hook, and he ni##led at it. A "e& years later, o" co%rse, they str%ck the hook nice and hard and he co%ldn?t get a&ay. ;e all kno& ho& the ga$e &orks. @9esterday &e planted a tape recorder in his ta7i. 9o%?d #e a$aBed ho& easy it &as. Agents get laBy, too, C%st like the rest o" %s. 'o $ake a long story short, &e ha e yo% on tape pro$ising not to re eal the in"or$ation to anyone, and &e ha e 0enderson here spilling that data not three ho%rs later to a kno&n A8B agent, also on tape. 9o% ha e iolated no la&s, ,enator, #%t >r. 0enderson has. 0e &as arrested at nine last night. 'he charge is espionage, and &e ha e the e idence to $ake it stick.@

@4 had no kno&ledge &hate er o" this,@ Lonaldson said. @;e hadn?t the slightest tho%ght that yo% $ight,@ Ritter said. Lonaldson "aced his aide. @;hat do yo% ha e to say "or yo%rsel"I@ 0enderson didn?t say anything. 0e tho%ght a#o%t saying ho& sorry he &as, #%t ho& to e7plain his e$otionsI 'he dirty "eeling o" #eing an agent "or a "oreign po&er, C%7taposed &ith the thrill o" "ooling a &hole legion o" go ern$ent spooks. ;hen he &as ca%ght these e$otions changed to "ear at &hat &o%ld happen to hi$, and relie" that it &as all o er. @>r. 0enderson has agreed to &ork "or %s,@ Jaco#s said help"%lly. @As soon as yo% lea e the ,enate, that is.@ @;hat does that $eanI@ Lonaldson asked. @9o%? e #een in the ,enate, &hatI 'hirteen years, isn?t itI 9o% &ere originally appointed to "ill o%t an %ne7pired ter$, i" $e$ory ser es,@ >oore said. @9o% $ight try asking $y reaction to #lack$ail,@ the senator o#ser ed. @Black$ailI@ >oore held his hands o%t. @8ood Lord, senator, Lirector Jaco#s has already told yo% that yo% ha e #roken no la&s, and yo% ha e $y &ord that the C4A &ill not leak a &ord o" this. !o&, &hether or not the J%stice Lepart$ent decides to prosec%te >r. 0enderson is not in o%r hands. ?,enate Aide Con icted o" 'reasonK ,enator Lonaldson +ro"esses !o Ano&ledge o" Aide?s Action.?@ Jaco#s &ent on, @,enator, the 6ni ersity o" Connectic%t has o""ered yo% the chair in their school o" go ern$ent "or so$e years no&. ;hy not take itI@ @*r 0enderson goes to prison. 9o% p%t that on $y conscienceI@ @*# io%sly he cannot go on &orking "or yo%, and it sho%ld #e eD%ally o# io%s that i" he is "ired a"ter so $any years o" e7e$plary ser ice in yo%r o""ice, it &ill #e noticed. 4", on the other hand, yo% decide to lea e p%#lic li"e, it &o%ld not #e too s%rprising i" he &ere not a#le to get a Co# o" eD%i alent stat%re &ith another senator. ,o, he &ill get a nice Co# in the 8eneral Acco%nting *""ice, &here he &ill still ha e access to all sorts o" secrets. *nly "ro$ no& on,@ Ritter said, @&e decide &hich secrets he passes along.@ @!o stat%te o" li$itations on espionage,@ Jaco#s pointed o%t. @4" the ,o iets "ind o%t,@ Lonaldson said, and stopped. 0e didn?t really care, did heI !ot a#o%t 0enderson, not a#o%t the "ictitio%s R%ssian. 0e had an i$age to sa e, losses to c%t. @9o% &in, J%dge.@ @4 tho%ght yo%?d see it o%r &ay. 4?ll tell the president. 'hanks "or co$ing in, ,enator. >r. 0enderson &ill #e a little late to the o""ice this $orning. Lon?t "eel too #adly a#o%t hi$, senator. 4" he plays #all &ith %s, in a "e& years &e $ight let hi$ o"" the hook. 4t?s happened #e"ore, #%t he?ll ha e to earn it. 8ood $orning, sir.@ 0enderson &o%ld play along. 0is alternati e &as li"e in a $a7i$%$ sec%rity penitentiary. A"ter listening to the tape o" his con ersation in the ca#, he?d $ade his con"ession in "ront o" a co%rt stenographer and a tele ision ca$era. 'he +igeon 'he ride to the Pigeon had #een $erci"%lly %ne ent"%l. 'he cata$aran2h%ll resc%e ship had a s$all helicopter plat"or$ a"t, and the Royal !a y helicopter had ho ered t&o "eet a#o e it, allo&ing Ryan and ;illia$s to C%$p do&n. 'hey &ere taken i$$ediately to the #ridge as the helicopter #%BBed #ack northeast to her ho$e.

@;elco$e a#oard, gentle$en,@ the captain said agreea#ly. @;ashington says yo% ha e orders "or $e. Co""eeI@ @Lo yo% ha e teaI@ ;illia$s asked. @;e can pro#a#ly "ind so$e.@ @Let?s go so$eplace &e can talk in pri ate,@ Ryan said. 'he Lallas 'he !allas &as no& in on the plan. Alerted #y another EL= trans$ission, >anc%so had #ro%ght her to antenna depth #rie"ly d%ring the night. 'he lengthy E9E, *!L9 $essage had #een decrypted #y hand in his ca#in. Lecryption &as not >anc%so?s strong point. 4t took hi$ an ho%r as Cha$#ers conned the !allas #ack to trail her contact. A cre&$an passing the captain?s ca#in heard a $%ted damn thro%gh the door. ;hen >anc%so reappeared, his $o%th co%ldn?t keep "ro$ t&itching into a s$ile. 0e &as not a good card player either. 'he +igeon 'he Pigeon &as one o" the na y?s t&o $odern s%#$arine resc%e ships designed to locate and reach a s%nken n%clear s%# D%ickly eno%gh to sa e her cre&. ,he &as o%t"itted &ith a ariety o" sophisticated eD%ip$ent, chie" a$ong the$ the L,R:. 'his essel, the /ystic, &as hanging on its rack #et&een the Pigeon?s t&in cata$aran h%lls. 'here &as also a -2d sonar operating at lo& po&er, $ainly as a #eacon, &hile the Pigeon cr%ised in slo& circles a "e& $iles so%th o" the (camp and than Allen. '&o Perry2class "rigates &ere t&enty $iles north, operating in conC%nction &ith three *rions to sanitiBe the area. @Pigeon, this is !allas, radio check, o er.@ @!allas, this is Pigeon. Read yo% lo%d and clear, o er,@ the resc%e ship?s captain replied on the sec%re radio channel. @'he package is here. *%t.@ @Captain, on -n$incible &e had an o""icer send the $essage &ith a #linker light. Can yo% handle the #linker lightI@ Ryan asked. @'o #e part o" thisI Are yo% kiddingI@ 'he plan &as si$ple eno%gh, C%st a little too c%te. 4t &as clear that the Red October &anted to de"ect. 4t &as e en possi#le that e eryone a#oard &anted to co$e o erF#%t hardly likely. 'hey &ere going to get e eryone o"" the Red October &ho $ight &ant to ret%rn to R%ssia, then pretend to #lo& %p the ship &ith one o" the po&er"%l sc%ttling charges R%ssian ships are kno&n to carry. 'he re$aining cre&$en &o%ld then take their #oat north&est into +a$lico ,o%nd to &ait "or the ,o iet "leet to ret%rn ho$e, s%re that the Red October had #een s%nk and &ith the cre& to pro e it. ;hat co%ld possi#ly go &rongI A tho%sand things. 'he Red *cto#er Ra$i%s looked thro%gh his periscope. 'he only ship in ie& &as the 6,, Pigeon, tho%gh his E,> antenna reported s%r"ace radar acti ity to the north, a pair o" "rigates standing g%ard o er the horiBon. ,o, this &as the plan. 0e &atched the #linker light, translating the $essage in his

$ind. !or"olk !a al >edical Center @'hanks "or co$ing do&n, Loc.@ 'he intelligence o""icer had taken o er the o""ice o" assistant hospital ad$inistrator. @4 %nderstand o%r patient &oke %p.@ @A#o%t an ho%r ago,@ 'ait con"ir$ed. @0e &as conscio%s "or a#o%t t&enty $in%tes. 0e?s asleep no&.@ @Loes that $ean he?ll $ake itI@ @4t?s a positi e sign. 0e &as reasona#ly coherent, so there?s no e ident #rain da$age. 4 &as a little &orried a#o%t that. 4?d ha e to say the odds are in his "a or no&, #%t these hypother$ia cases ha e a &ay o" so%ring on yo% in a h%rry. 0e?s a sick kid, that hasn?t changed.@ 'ait pa%sed. @4 ha e a D%estion "or yo%, Co$$anderK ;hy aren?t the R%ssians happyI@ @;hat $akes yo% think thatI@ @Aind o" hard to $iss. Besides, Ja$ie "o%nd a doctor on sta"" &ho %nderstands R%ssian, and &e ha e hi$ attending the case.@ @;hy didn?t yo% let $e kno& a#o%t thatI@ @'he R%ssians don?t kno& either. 'hat &as a $edical C%dg$ent, Co$$ander. 0a ing a physician aro%nd &ho speaks the patient?s lang%age is si$ply good $edical practice.@ 'ait s$iled, pleased &ith hi$sel" "or ha ing tho%ght %p his o&n intelligence ploy &hile at the sa$e ti$e adhering to proper $edical ethics and na al reg%lations. 0e took a "ile card "ro$ his pocket. @Any&ay, the patient?s na$e is Andre Aatyskin. 0e?s a cook, like &e tho%ght, "ro$ Leningrad. 'he na$e o" his ship &as the Polito$skiy.@ @>y co$pli$ents, Loctor.@ 'he intelligence o""icer ackno&ledged 'ait?s $ane% er, tho%gh he &ondered &hy it &as that a$ate%rs had to #e so da$ned cle er &hen they #%tted into things that didn?t concern the$. @,o &hy are the R%ssians %nhappyI@ 'ait did not get an ans&er. @And &hy don?t you ha e a g%y %p thereI 9o% kne& all along, didn?t yo%I 9o% kne& &hat ship he escaped "ro$, and yo% kne& &hy she sank . . .,o, i" they &anted $ost o" all to kno& &hat ship he ca$e "ro$, and i" they don?t like the ne&s they gotFdoes that $ean they ha e another $issing s%# o%t thereI@ C4A 0eadD%arters >oore li"ted his phone. @Ja$es, yo% and Bo# get in here right no&J@ @;hat is it, Arth%rI@ 8reer asked a $in%te later. @'he latest "ro$ CARL4!AL.@ >oore handed 7ero7ed copies o" a $essage to #oth $en. @0o& D%ick can &e get &ord o%tI@ @'hat "ar o%tI >eans a helicopter, a co%ple o" ho%rs at least. ;e ha e to get this o%t D%icker than that,@ 8reer %rged. @;e can?t endanger CARL4!AL, period. Lra& %p a $essage and get the na y or air "orce to relay it #y hand.@ >oore didn?t like it, #%t he had no choice. @4t?ll take too longJ@ 8reer o#Cected lo%dly. @4 like the #oy, too, Ja$es. 'alking a#o%t it doesn?t help. 8et $o ing.@ 8reer le"t the roo$ c%rsing like the "i"ty2year sailor he &as.

'he Red *cto#er @Co$rades. *""icers and $en o" Red October, this is the captain speaking.@ Ra$i%s? oice &as s%#d%ed, the cre&$en noticed. 'he incipient panic that had started a "e& ho%rs earlier had dri en the$ to the #rittle edge o" riot. @E""orts to repair o%r engines ha e "ailed. *%r #atteries are nearly "lat. ;e are too "ar "ro$ C%#a "or help, and &e cannot e7pect help "ro$ the Rodina. ;e do not ha e eno%gh electrical po&er e en to operate o%r en iron$ental control syste$s "or $ore than a "e& ho%rs. ;e ha e no choice, &e $%st a#andon ship. @4t is no accident that an A$erican ship is no& close to %s, o""ering &hat they call assistance. 4 &ill tell yo% &hat has happened, co$rades. An i$perialist spy has sa#otaged o%r ship, and so$eho& they kne& &hat o%r orders &ere. 'hey &ere &aiting "or %s, co$rades, &aiting and hoping to get their dirty hands on o%r ship. 'hey &ill not. 'he cre& &ill #e taken o"". 'hey &ill not get o%r Red October! 'he senior o""icers and 4 &ill re$ain #ehind to set o"" the sc%ttling charges. 'he &ater here is "i e tho%sand $eters deep. 'hey &ill not ha e o%r ship. All cre&$en e7cept those on d%ty &ill asse$#le in their D%arters. 'hat is all.@ Ra$i%s looked aro%nd the control roo$. @;e ha e lost, co$rades. B%gaye , $ake the necessary signals to >osco& and to the A$erican ship. ;e &ill then di e to a h%ndred $eters. ;e &ill take no chance that they &ill seiBe o%r ship. 4 take "%ll responsi#ility "or thisFdisgraceJ >ark this &ell, co$rades. 'he "a%lt is $ine alone.@ 'he +igeon @,ignal recei edK ?,,,,?@ the radio$an reported. @E er #een on a s%#$arine #e"ore, RyanI@ Cook asked. @!ope, 4 hope it?s sa"er ?n "lying.@ Ryan tried to $ake a Coke o" it. 0e &as deeply "rightened. @;ell, let?s get yo% do&n to /ystic.@ 'he >ystic 'he L,R: &as nothing $ore than three $etal spheres &elded together &ith a propeller on the #ack and so$e #oiler plating all aro%nd to protect the press%re2#earing parts o" the h%ll. Ryan &as "irst thro%gh the hatch, then ;illia$s. 'hey "o%nd seats and &aited. A cre& o" three &as already at &ork. 'he /ystic &as ready "or operation. *n co$$and, the Pigeon?s &inches lo&ered her to the cal$ &ater #elo&. ,he di ed at once, her electric $otors hardly $aking any noise. 0er lo&2 po&er sonar syste$ i$$ediately acD%ired the R%ssian s%#$arine, hal" a $ile a&ay, at a depth o" three h%ndred "eet. 'he operating cre& had #een told that this &as a straight"or&ard resc%e $ission. 'hey &ere e7perts. 'he /ystic &as ho ering o er the $issile s%#?s "or&ard escape tr%nk &ithin ten $in%tes. 'he directional propellers &orked the$ care"%lly into place and a petty o""icer $ade certain that the $ating skirt &as sec%rely "astened. 'he &ater in the skirt #et&een /ystic and Red October &as e7plosi ely ented into a lo&2press%re cha$#er on the L,R:. 'his esta#lished a

"ir$ seal #et&een the t&o essels, and the resid%al &ater &as p%$ped o%t. @9o%r #all no&, 4 g%ess.@ 'he lie%tenant $otioned Ryan to the hatch in the "loor o" the $iddle seg$ent. @4 g%ess.@ Ryan knelt #y the hatch and #anged a "e& ti$es &ith his hand. !o response. !e7t he tried a &rench. A $o$ent later three clangs echoed #ack, and Ryan t%rned the locking &heel in the center o" the hatch. ;hen he p%lled the hatch %p, he "o%nd another that had already #een opened "ro$ #elo&. 'he lo&er perpendic%lar hatch &as sh%t. Ryan took a deep #reath and cli$#ed do&n the ladder o" the &hite painted cylinder, "ollo&ed #y ;illia$s. A"ter reaching the #otto$ Ryan knocked on the lo&er hatch. 'he Red *cto#er 4t opened at once. @8entle$en, 4 a$ Co$$ander Ryan, 6nited ,tates !a y. Can &e #e o" assistanceI@ 'he $an he spoke to &as shorter and hea ier than hi$sel". 0e &ore three stars on his sho%lder #oards, an e7tensi e set o" ri##ons on his #reast, and a #road gold stripe on his slee e. ,o, this &as >arko Ra$i%s . . . @Lo yo% speak R%ssianI@ @!o sir, 4 do not. ;hat is the nat%re o" yo%r e$ergency, sirI@ @;e ha e a $aCor leak in o%r reactor syste$. 'he ship is conta$inated a"t o" the control roo$. ;e $%st e ac%ate.@ At the &ords leak and reactor Ryan "elt his skin cra&l. 0e re$e$#ered ho& positi e he had #een that his scenario &as correct. *n land, nine h%ndred $iles a&ay, in a nice, &ar$ o""ice, s%rro%nded #y "riendsF&ell, not ene$ies. 'he looks he &as getting "ro$ the t&enty $en in this co$part$ent &ere lethal. @Lear 8odJ *kay, let?s get $o ing then. ;e can take o"" t&enty2"i e $en at a ti$e, sir.@ @!ot so "ast, Co$$ander Ryan. ;hat &ill #eco$e o" $y $enI@ Ra$i%s asked lo%dly. @'hey &ill #e treated as o%r g%ests, o" co%rse. 4" they need $edical attention, they &ill get it. 'hey &ill #e ret%rned to the ,o iet 6nion as D%ickly as &e can arrange it. Lid yo% think &e?d p%t the$ in prisonI@ Ra$i%s gr%nted and t%rned to speak &ith the others in R%ssian. *n the "light "ro$ the -n$incible Ryan and ;illia$s had decided to keep the latter?s kno&ledge o" R%ssian secret "or a &hile, and ;illia$s &as no& dressed in an A$erican %ni"or$. !either tho%ght a R%ssian &o%ld notice the di""erent accent. @Lr. +etro ,@ Ra$i%s said, @yo% &ill take the "irst gro%p o" t&enty2"i e. Aeep control o" the $en, Co$rade LoctorJ Lo not let the A$ericans speak to the$ as indi id%als, and let no $an &ander o"" alone. 9o% &ill #eha e correctly, no $ore, no less.@ @6nderstood, Co$rade Captain.@ Ryan &atched +etro co%nt the $en o"" as they passed thro%gh the hatch and %p the ladder. ;hen they &ere "inished, ;illia$s sec%red "irst the /ystic?s hatch and then the one on the October?s escape tr%nk. Ra$i%s had a michman check it. 'hey heard the L,R: disengage and $otor o"". 'he silence that ens%ed &as as long as it &as a&k&ard. Ryan and ;illia$s stood in one corner o" the co$part$ent, Ra$i%s and his $en opposite the$. 4t $ade Ryan think #ack to high school dances &here #oys and girls gathered in separate gro%ps and there &as a no2$an?s2land in

the $iddle. ;hen an o""icer "ished o%t a cigarette, he tried #reaking the ice. @>ay 4 ha e a cigarette, sirI@ Borodin Cerked the pack, and a cigarette ca$e part &ay o%t. Ryan took it, and Borodin lit it &ith a paper $atch. @'hanks. 4 ga e it %p, #%t %nder&ater in a s%# &ith a #ad reactor, 4 don?t think it?s too dangero%s, do yo%I@ Ryan?s "irst e7perience &ith a R%ssian cigarette &as not a happy one. 'he #lack coarse to#acco $ade hi$ diBBy, and it added an acrid s$ell to the air aro%nd the$, &hich &as already thick &ith the odor o" s&eat, $achine oil, and ca##age. @0o& did yo% co$e to #e hereI@ Ra$i%s asked. @;e &ere heading to&ards the coast o" :irginia, Captain. A ,o iet s%#$arine sank there last &eek.@ @*hI@ Ra$i%s ad$ired the co er story. @A ,o iet s%#$arineI@ @9es, Captain. 'he #oat &as &hat &e call an Alfa. 'hat?s all 4 kno& "or s%re. 'hey picked %p a s%r i or, and he?s in the !or"olk na al hospital. >ay 4 ask yo%r na$e, sirI@ @>arko Aleksandro ich Ra$i%s.@ @Jack Ryan.@ @*&en ;illia$s.@ 'hey shook hands all aro%nd. @9o% ha e a "a$ily, Co$$ander RyanI@ Ra$i%s asked. @9es, sir. A &i"e, a son, and a da%ghter. 9o%, sirI@ @!o, no "a$ily.@ 0e t%rned and addressed a C%nior o""icer in R%ssian. @'ake the ne7t gro%p. 9o% heard $y instr%ctions to the doctorI@ @9es, Co$rade CaptainJ@ the yo%ng $an said. 'hey heard the /ystic?s electric $otors o erhead. A $o$ent later ca$e the $etallic clang o" the $ating collar gripping the escape tr%nk. 4t had taken "orty $in%tes, #%t it had see$ed like a &eek. 8od, &hat i" the reactor really &as #adI Ryan tho%ght. 'he ,ca$p '&o $iles a&ay, the (camp had halted a "e& h%ndred yards "ro$ the than Allen. Both s%#$arines &ere e7changing $essages on their gertr%des. 'he (camp sonar$en had noted the passage o" the three s%#$arines an ho%r earlier. 'he Pogy and !allas &ere no& #et&een the Red October and the other t&o A$erican s%#s, their sonar operators listening intently "or any inter"erence, any essel that $ight co$e their &ay. 'he trans"er area &as "ar eno%gh o""shore to $iss the coastal tra""ic o" co$$ercial "reighters and tankers, #%t that $ight not keep the$ "ro$ $eeting a stray essel "ro$ another port. 'he Red *cto#er ;hen the third set o" cre&$en le"t %nder the control o" Lie%tenant , yado , a cook at the end o" the line #roke a&ay, e7plaining that he &anted to retrie e his cassette tape $achine, so$ething he had sa ed $onths "or. !o one noticed &hen he didn?t ret%rn, not e en Ra$i%s. 0is cre&$en, e en the e7perienced michmanyy, Costled one another to get o%t o" their s%#$arine. 'here &as only one $ore gro%p to go.

'he +igeon *n the Pigeon, the ,o iet cre&$en &ere taken to the cre&?s $ess. 'he A$erican sailors &ere o#ser ing their R%ssian co%nterparts closely, #%t no &ords passed. 'he R%ssians "o%nd the ta#les set &ith a $eal o" co""ee, #acon, eggs, and toast. +etro &as happy "or that. 4t &as no pro#le$ keeping control o" the $en &hen they ate like &ol es. ;ith a C%nior o""icer acting as interpreter, they asked "or and got plenty o" additional #acon. 'he cooks had orders to st%"" the R%ssians &ith all the "ood they co%ld eat. 4t kept e eryone #%sy as a helicopter landed "ro$ shore &ith t&enty ne& $en, one o" &ho$ raced to the #ridge. 'he Red *cto#er @Last gro%p,@ Ryan $%r$%red to hi$sel". 'he /ystic $ated again. 'he last ro%nd trip had taken an ho%r. ;hen the pair o" hatches &as opened, the lie%tenant "ro$ the L,R: ca$e do&n. @!e7t trip &ill #e delayed, gentle$en. *%r #atteries ha e a#o%t had it. 4t?ll take ninety $in%tes to recharge. Any pro#le$I@ @4t &ill #e as yo% say,@ Ra$i%s replied. 0e translated "or his $en and then ordered 4 ano to take the ne7t gro%p. @'he senior o""icers &ill stay #ehind. ;e ha e &ork to do.@ Ra$i%s took the yo%ng o""icer?s hand. @4" so$ething happens, tell the$ in >osco& that &e ha e done o%r d%ty.@ @4 &ill do that, Co$rade Captain.@ 4 ano nearly choked on his ans&er. Ryan &atched the sailors lea e. 'he Red October?s escape tr%nk hatch &as closed, then the /ystic?s. *ne $in%te later there &as a clanging so%nd as the $inis%# li"ted "ree. 0e heard the electric $otors &hirring o"", "ading rapidly a&ay, and "elt the green2painted #%lkheads closing in on hi$. Being on an airplane &as "rightening, #%t at least the air didn?t threaten to cr%sh yo%. 0ere he &as, %nder&ater, three h%ndred $iles "ro$ shore in the &orld?s largest s%#$arine, &ith only ten $en a#oard &ho kne& ho& to r%n her. @Co$$ander Ryan,@ Ra$i%s said, dra&ing hi$sel" to attention, @$y o""icers and 4 reD%est political asyl%$ in the 6nited ,tatesFand &e #ring yo% this s$all present.@ Ra$i%s gest%red to&ard the steel #%lkheads. Ryan had already "ra$ed his reply. @Captain, on #ehal" o" the president o" the 6nited ,tates, it is $y honor to grant yo%r reD%est. ;elco$e to "reedo$, gentle$en.@ !o one kne& that the interco$ syste$ in the co$part$ent had #een s&itched on. 'he indicator light had #een %npl%gged ho%rs #e"ore. '&o co$part$ents "or&ard the cook listened, telling hi$sel" that he had #een right to stay #ehind, &ishing he had #een &rong. !o& &hat &ill 4 doI he &ondered. 0is d%ty. 'hat so%nded easy eno%ghF#%t &o%ld he re$e$#er ho& to carry it o%tI @4 don?t kno& &hat to say a#o%t yo% g%ys.@ Ryan shook e eryone?s hand again. @9o% p%lled it o"". 9o% really p%lled it o""J@ @E7c%se $e, Co$$ander,@ Aa$aro said. @Lo yo% speak R%ssian I@ @,orry, Lie%tenant ;illia$s here does, #%t 4 do not. A gro%p o" R%ssian2speaking o""icers &as s%pposed to #e here in $y place, #%t their helicopter crashed at sea last night.@ ;illia$s translated this. =o%r o" the o""icers had no kno&ledge o" English. @And &hat happens no&I@

@4n a "e& $in%tes, a $issile s%#$arine &ill e7plode t&o $iles "ro$ here. *ne o" o%rs, an old one. 4 pres%$e that yo% told yo%r $en yo% &ere going to sc%ttleFJes%s, 4 hope yo% didn?t say &hat yo% &ere really doingI@ @And ha e a &ar a#oard $y shipI@ Ra$i%s la%ghed. @!o, Ryan. 'hen &hatI@ @;hen e ery#ody thinks Red October has s%nk, &e?ll head north&est to the *cracoke 4nlet and &ait. 6,, !allas and Pogy &ill #e escorting %s. Can these "e& $en operate the shipI@ @'hese $en can operate any ship in the &orldJ@ Ra$i%s said it in R%ssian "irst. 0is $en grinned. @,o, yo% think that o%r $en &ill not kno& &hat has #eco$e o" %sI@ @Correct. Pigeon &ill see an %nder&ater e7plosion. 'hey ha e no &ay o" kno&ing it?s in the &rong place, do theyI 9o% kno& that yo%r na y has $any ships operating o"" o%r coast right no&I ;hen they lea e, &ell, then &e?ll "ig%re o%t &here to keep this present per$anently. 4 don?t kno& &here that &ill #e. 9o% $en, o" co%rse, &ill #e o%r g%ests. A lot o" o%r people &ill &ant to talk &ith yo%. =or the $o$ent, yo% can #e s%re that yo% &ill #e treated ery &ellF #etter than yo% can i$agine.@ Ryan &as s%re that the C4A &o%ld gi e each a considera#le s%$ o" $oney. 0e didn?t say so, not &anting to ins%lt this kind o" #ra ery. 4t had s%rprised hi$ to learn that de"ectors rarely e7pect to recei e $oney, al$ost ne er ask "or any. @;hat a#o%t political ed%cationI@ Aa$aro asked. Ryan la%ghed. @Lie%tenant, so$e&here along the line so$e#ody &ill take yo% aside to e7plain ho& o%r co%ntry &orks. 'hat &ill take a#o%t t&o ho%rs. A"ter that yo% can i$$ediately start telling %s &hat &e do &rongFe ery#ody else in the &orld does, &hy sho%ldn?t yo%I B%t 4 can?t do that no&. Belie e this, yo% &ill lo e it, pro#a#ly $ore than 4 do. 4 ha e ne er li ed in a co%ntry that &as not "ree, and $ay#e 4 don?t appreciate $y ho$e as $%ch as 4 sho%ld. =or the $o$ent, 4 s%ppose yo% ha e &ork to do.@ @Correct,@ Ra$i%s said. @Co$e, $y ne& co$rades, &e &ill p%t yo% to &ork also.@ Ra$i%s led Ryan a"t thro%gh a series o" &atertight doors. 4n a "e& $in%tes he &as in the $issile roo$, a ast co$part$ent &ith t&enty2si7 dark2green t%#es to&ering thro%gh t&o decks. 'he #%siness end o" a #oo$er, &ith t&o2h%ndred2pl%s ther$on%clear &arheads. 'he $enace in this roo$ &as eno%gh to $ake hair #ristle at the #ack o" Ryan?s neck. 'hese &ere not acade$ic a#stractions, these &ere real. 'he %pper deck he &alked on &as a grating. 'he lo&er deck, he co%ld see, &as solid. A"ter passing thro%gh this and another co$part$ent they &ere in the control roo$. 'he interior o" the s%#$arine &as ghostly D%ietE Ryan sensed &hy sailors are s%perstitio%s. @9o% &ill sit here.@ Ra$i%s pointed Ryan to the hel$s$an?s station on the port side o" the co$part$ent. 'here &as an aircra"t2style &heel and a gang o" instr%$ents. @;hat do 4 doI@ Ryan asked, sitting. @9o% &ill steer the ship, Co$$ander. 0a e yo% ne er done this #e"oreI@ @!o, sir. 4? e ne er #een on a s%#$arine #e"ore.@ @B%t yo% are a na al o""icer.@ Ryan shook his head. @!o, captain. 4 &ork "or the C4A.@ @C4AI@ Ra$i%s hissed the acrony$ as i" it &ere poisono%s. @4 kno&, 4 kno&.@ Ryan dropped his head on the &heel. @'hey call %s the Lark =orces. Captain, this is one Lark =orce &ho?s pro#a#ly going to &et his pants #e"ore &e?re "inished here. 4 &ork at a desk, and #elie e $e on this i" nothing elseFthere?s nothing 4?d like #etter than to #e ho$e &ith $y &i"e and kids right no&. 4" 4 had hal" a #rain, 4 &o%ld ha e stayed in Annapolis and kept &riting $y #ooks.@ @BooksI ;hat do yo% $eanI@

@4?$ an historian, Captain. 4 &as asked to Coin the C4A a "e& years ago as an analyst. Lo yo% kno& &hat that isI Agents #ring in their data, and 4 "ig%re o%t &hat it $eans. 4 got into this $ess #y $istakeFshit, yo% don?t #elie e $e, #%t it?s tr%e. Any&ay, 4 %sed to &rite #ooks on na al history.@ @'ell $e yo%r #ooks,@ Ra$i%s ordered. @Options and !ecisions, !oomed agles, and a ne& one co$ing o%t ne7t year, .ighting (ailor, a #iography o" Ad$iral 0alsey. >y "irst one &as a#o%t the Battle o" Leyte 8%l". 4t &as re ie&ed in /orskoi (bornik, 4 %nderstand. 4t dealt &ith the nat%re o" tactical decisions $ade %nder co$#at conditions. 'here?s s%pposed to #e a doBen copies at the =r%nBe li#rary.@ Ra$i%s &as D%iet "or a $o$ent. @Ah, 4 kno& this #ook. 9es, 4 read parts o" it. 9o% &ere &rong, Ryan. 0alsey acted st%pidly.@ @9o% &ill do &ell in $y co%ntry, Captain Ra$i%s. 9o% are already a #ook critic. Captain Borodin, can 4 tro%#le yo% "or a cigaretteI@ Borodin tossed hi$ a "%ll pack and $atches. Ryan lit one. 4t &as terri#le. 'he A alon 'he /ystic?s "o%rth ret%rn &as the signal "or the than Allen and (camp to act. 'he A$alon li"ted o"" her #ed and $otored the "e& h%ndred yards to the old $issile #oat. 0er captain &as already asse$#ling his $en in the torpedo roo$. E ery hatch, door, $anhole, and dra&er had #een opened all o er the #oat. *ne o" the o""icers &as co$ing "or&ard to Coin the others. Behind hi$ trailed a #lack &ire that led to each o" the #o$#s a#oard. 'his he connected to a ti$ing de ice. @All ready, Captain.@ 'he Red *cto#er Ryan &atched Ra$i%s order his $en to their posts. >ost &ent a"t to r%n the engines. Ra$i%s had the good $anners to speak in English, repeating hi$sel" in R%ssian "or those &ho did not %nderstand their ne& lang%age. @Aa$aro and ;illia$s, &ill yo% go "or&ard and sec%re all hatches.@ Ra$i%s e7plained "or Ryan?s #ene"it. @4" so$ething goes &rongFit &on?t, #%t i" it doesF&e do not ha e eno%gh $en to $ake repairs. ,o, &e seal the entire ship.@ 4t $ade sense to Ryan. 0e set an e$pty c%p on the control pedestal to ser e as an ashtray. 0e and Ra$i%s &ere alone in the control roo$. @;hen are &e to lea e@ Ra$i%s asked. @;hene er yo% are ready, sir. ;e ha e to get to *cracoke 4nlet at high tide, a#o%t eight $in%tes a"ter $idnight. Can &e $ake itI@ Ra$i%s cons%lted his chart. @Easily.@ Aa$aro led ;illia$s thro%gh the co$$%nications roo$ "or&ard o" control. 'hey le"t the &atertight door there open, then &ent "or&ard to the $issile roo$. 0ere they cli$#ed do&n a ladder and &alked "or&ard on the lo&er $issile deck to the "or&ard $issile roo$ #%lkhead. 'hey proceeded thro%gh the door into the stores co$part$ents, checking each hatch as they &ent. !ear the #o& they &ent %p another ladder into the torpedo roo$, dogging the hatch do&n #ehind the$, and proceeded a"t thro%gh the torpedo storage and cre& spaces. Both $en sensed

ho& strange it &as to #e a#oard a ship &ith no cre&, and they took their ti$e, ;illia$s t&isting his head to look at e erything and asking Aa$aro D%estions. 'he lie%tenant &as happy to ans&er the$ in his $other lang%age. Both $en &ere co$petent o""icers, sharing a ro$antic attach$ent to their pro"ession. =or his part, ;illia$s &as greatly i$pressed #y the Red October and said as $%ch se eral ti$es. A great deal o" attention had #een paid to s$all details. 'he deck &as tiled. 'he hatches &ere lined &ith thick r%##er gaskets. 'hey hardly $ade any noise at all as they $o ed a#o%t checking &atertight integrity, and it &as o# io%s that $ore than $ere lip ser ice had #een paid to $aking this s%#$arine a D%iet one. ;illia$s &as translating a "a orite sea story into R%ssian as they opened the hatch to the $issile roo$?s %pper deck. ;hen he stepped thro%gh the hatch #ehind Aa$aro , he re$e$#ered that the $issile roo$?s #right o erhead lights had #een le"t on. 0adn?t theyI Ryan &as trying to rela7 and "ailing at it. 'he seat &as %nco$"orta#le, and he recalled the R%ssian Coke a#o%t ho& they &ere shaping the !e& ,o iet >anF&ith airliner seats that contorted an indi id%al into all kinds o" i$possi#le shapes. A"t, the engine roo$ cre& had #eg%n po&ering %p the reactor. Ra$i%s &as speaking o er the interco$ phone &ith his chie" engineer, C%st #e"ore the so%nd o" $o ing reactor coolant increased to generate stea$ "or the t%r#oalternators. Ryan?s head &ent %p. 4t &as as tho%gh he "elt the so%nd #e"ore hearing it. A chill ran %p the #ack o" his neck #e"ore his #rain told hi$ &hat the so%nd had to #e. @;hat &as thatI@ he said a%to$atically, kno&ing already &hat it &as. @;hatI@ Ra$i%s &as ten "eet a"t, and the caterpillar engines &ere no& t%rning. A strange r%$#le re er#erated thro%gh the h%ll. @4 heard a shotFno, se eral shots.@ Ra$i%s looked a$%sed as he ca$e a "e& steps "or&ard. @4 think yo% hear the so%nds o" the caterpillar engines, and 4 think it is yo%r "irst ti$e on a s%#$arine #oat, as yo% said. 'he "irst ti$e is al&ays di""ic%lt. 4t &as so e en "or $e.@ Ryan stood %p. @'hat $ay #e, Captain, #%t 4 kno& a shot &hen 4 hear it.@ 0e %n#%ttoned his Cacket and p%lled o%t the pistol. @9o% &ill gi e $e that.@ Ra$i%s held o%t his hand. @9o% $ay not ha e a pistol on $y s%#$arineJ@ @;here are ;illia$s and Aa$aro I@ Ryan &a ered. Ra$i%s shr%gged. @'hey are late, yes, #%t this is a #ig ship.@ @4?$ going "or&ard to check.@ @9o% &ill stay at yo%r postJ@ Ra$i%s ordered. @9o% &ill do as 4 sayJ@ @Captain, 4 C%st heard so$ething that so%nded like g%nshots, and 4 a$ going "or&ard to check it o%t. 0a e yo% e er #een shot atI 4 ha e. 4 ha e the scars on $y sho%lder to pro e it. 9o%?d #etter take the &heel, sir.@ Ra$i%s picked %p a phone and p%nched a #%tton. 0e spoke in R%ssian "or a "e& seconds and h%ng %p. @4 &ill go to sho& yo% that $y s%#$arine has no so%lsFghosts, yesI 8hosts, no ghosts.@ 0e gest%red to the pistol. @And yo% are no spy, ehI@ @Captain, #elie e &hat yo% &ant to #elie e, okayI 4t?s a long story, and 4?ll tell it to yo% so$eday.@ Ryan &aited "or the relie" that Ra$i%s had e idently called "or. 'he r%$#le o" the t%nnel dri e $ade the s%# so%nd like the inside o" a dr%$. An o""icer &hose na$e he did not re$e$#er ca$e into the control roo$. Ra$i%s said so$ething that dre& a la%ghF&hich stopped &hen the o""icer sa& Ryan?s pistol. 4t &as o# io%s that neither R%ssian &as happy he had one.

@;ith yo%r per$ission, CaptainI@ Ryan gest%red "or&ard. @8o on, Ryan.@ 'he &atertight door #et&een control and the ne7t space had #een le"t open. Ryan entered the radio roo$ slo&ly, eyes tracing le"t and right. 4t &as clear. 0e &ent "or&ard to the $issile roo$ door, &hich &as dogged tight. 'he door, "o%r "eet or so high and a#o%t t&o across, &as locked in place &ith a central &heel. Ryan t%rned the &heel &ith one hand. 4t &as &ell oiled. ,o &ere the hinges. 0e p%lled the door open slo&ly and peered aro%nd the hatch coa$ing. @*h, shit,@ Ryan #reathed, &a ing the captain "or&ard. 'he $issile co$part$ent &as a good t&o h%ndred "eet long, lit only #y si7 or eight s$all glo& lights. 0adn?t it #een #rightly lit #e"oreI At the "ar end &as a splash o" #right light, and the "ar hatch had t&o shapes spra&led on the gratings ne7t to it. !either $o ed. 'he light Ryan sa& the$ #y &as "lickering ne7t to a $issile t%#e. @8hosts, CaptainI@ he &hispered. @4t is Aa$aro .@ Ra$i%s said so$ething else %nder his #reath in R%ssian. Ryan p%lled the slide #ack on his =! a%to$atic to $ake s%re a ro%nd &as in the cha$#er. 'hen he stepped o%t o" his shoes. @Better let $e handle this. *nce %pon a ti$e 4 &as a lie%tenant in the $arines.@ And $y training at O%antico, he tho%ght to hi$sel", had da$ned little to do &ith this. Ryan entered the co$part$ent. 'he $issile roo$ &as al$ost a third o" the s%#$arine?s length and t&o decks high. 'he lo&er deck &as solid $etal. 'he %pper one &as $ade o" $etal grates. ,her&ood =orest, this place &as called on A$erican $issile #oats. 'he ter$ &as apt eno%gh. 'he $issile t%#es, a good nine "eet in dia$eter and painted a darker green than the rest o" the roo$, looked like the tr%nks o" enor$o%s trees. 0e p%lled the hatch sh%t #ehind hi$ and $o ed to his right. 'he light see$ed to #e co$ing "ro$ the "arthest $issile t%#e on the star#oard side o" the %pper $issile deck. Ryan stopped to listen. ,o$ething &as happening there. 0e co%ld hear a lo& r%stling so%nd, and the light &as $o ing as tho%gh it ca$e "ro$ a hand2held &ork la$p. 'he so%nd &as tra eling do&n the s$ooth sides o" the interior h%ll plating. @;hy $eI@ he &hispered to hi$sel". 0e?d ha e to get past thirteen $issile t%#es to get to the so%rce o" that light, cross o er t&o h%ndred "eet o" open deck. 0e $o ed aro%nd the "irst one, pistol in his right hand at &aist le el, his le"t hand tracing the cold $etal o" the t%#e. Already he &as s&eating into the checkered hard2r%##er pistol grips. 'hat, he told hi$sel", is &hy they?re checkered. 0e got #et&een the "irst and second t%#es, looked to port to $ake s%re no#ody &as there, and got ready to $o e "or&ard. '&el e to go. 'he deck grating &as &elded o%t o" eighth2inch $etal #ars. Already his "eet h%rt "ro$ &alking on it. >o ing slo&ly and care"%lly aro%nd the ne7t circ%lar t%#e, he "elt like an astrona%t or#iting the $oon and crossing a contin%o%s horiBon. E7cept on the $oon there &asn?t any#ody &aiting to shoot yo%. A hand ca$e do&n on his sho%lder. Ryan C%$ped and &hirled aro%nd. Ra$i%s. 0e had so$ething to say, #%t Ryan p%t his "ingertips on the $an?s lips and shook his head. Ryan?s heart &as #eating so lo%dly that he co%ld ha e %sed it "or sending >orse code, and he co%ld hear his o&n #reathingFso &hy the hell hadn?t he heard Ra$i%sI Ryan gest%red his intention to go aro%nd the o%t#oard side o" each $issile. Ra$i%s indicated that he &o%ld go aro%nd the in#oard sides. Ryan nodded. 0e decided to #%tton his Cacket and t%rn the collar %p. 4t &o%ld $ake hi$ a harder target. Better a dark shape than one &ith a &hite triangle on it. !e7t t%#e.

Ryan sa& that &ords &ere painted on the t%#es, &ith other inscriptions "orged onto the $etal itsel". 'he letters &ere in Cyrillic and pro#a#ly said !o ,$oking or Lenin Li es or so$ething si$ilarly %seless. 0e sa& and heard e erything &ith great ac%ity, as tho%gh so$eone had taken sandpaper to all his senses to $ake hi$ "antastically alert. 0e edged aro%nd the ne7t t%#e, his "ingers "le7ing ner o%sly on the pistol grip, &anting to &ipe the s&eat "ro$ his eyes. 'here &as nothing hereE the port side &as okay. !e7t one . . . 4t took "i e $in%tes to get hal"&ay do&n the co$part$ent, #et&een the si7th and se enth t%#es. 'he noise "ro$ the "or&ard end o" the co$part$ent &as $ore prono%nced no&. 'he light &as de"initely $o ing. !ot #y $%ch, #%t the shado& o" the n%$#er one t%#e &as Cittering e er so slightly. 4t had to #e a &ork light pl%gged into a &all socket or &hate er they called that on a ship. ;hat &as he doingI ;orking on a $issileI ;as there $ore than one $anI ;hy didn?t Ra$i%s do a head co%nt getting his cre& into the L,R:I ;hy didn?t -2 Ryan s&ore to hi$sel". ,i7 $ore to go. As he &ent aro%nd the ne7t t%#e he indicated to Ra$i%s that there &as pro#a#ly one $an all the &ay at the "ar end. Ra$i%s nodded c%rtly, ha ing already reached that concl%sion. =or the "irst ti$e he noticed that Ryan?s shoes &ere o"", and, thinking that &as a good idea, he li"ted his le"t "oot to take o"" a shoe. 0is "ingers, &hich "elt a&k&ard and sti"", "%$#led &ith the shoe. 4t "ell on a loose piece o" grating &ith a clatter. Ryan &as ca%ght in the open. 0e "roBe. 'he light at the "ar end shi"ted, then &ent dead still. Ryan darted to his le"t and peered aro%nd the edge o" the t%#e. =i e $ore to go. 0e sa& part o" a "aceFand a "lash. 0e heard the shot and cringed as the #%llet hit the a"ter #%lkhead &ith a clang. 'hen he dre& #ack "or co er. @4 &ill cross to the other side,@ Ra$i%s &hispered. @;ait till 4 say.@ Ryan gra##ed Ra$i%s? %pper ar$ and &ent #ack to the star#oard side o" the t%#e, pistol in "ront. 0e sa& the "ace and this ti$e he "ired "irst, kno&ing he?d $iss. At the sa$e $o$ent he p%shed Ra$i%s le"t. 'he captain raced to the other side and cro%ched #ehind a $issile t%#e. @;e ha e yo%,@ Ryan said alo%d. @9o% ha e nothing.@ 4t &as a yo%ng oice, yo%ng and ery scared. @;hat are yo% doingI@ Ryan asked. @;hat do yo% think, 9ankeeI@ 'his ti$e the ta%nt &as $ore e""ecti e. +ro#a#ly "ig%ring a &ay to set o"" a &arhead, Ryan decided. A happy tho%ght. @'hen yo% &ill die too,@ Ryan said. Lidn?t the police try to reason &ith #arricaded s%spectsI Lidn?t a !e& 9ork cop say on ': once, @;e try to #ore the$ to deathI@ B%t those &ere cri$inals. ;hat &as Ryan dealing &ithI A sailor &ho stayed #ehindI *ne o" Ra$i%s? o&n o""icers &ho?d had second tho%ghtsI A A8B agentI A 8R6 agent co ered as a cre&$anI @'hen 4 &ill die,@ the oice agreed. 'he light $o ed. ;hate er he &as doing, he &as trying to get #ack to it. Ryan "ired t&ice as he &ent aro%nd the t%#e. =o%r to go. 0is #%llets clanged %selessly as they hit the "or&ard #%lkhead. 'here &as a re$ote chance that a caro$ shotFno . . .0e looked le"t and sa& that Ra$i%s &as still &ith hi$, shading to the port side o" the t%#es. 0e had no g%n. ;hy hadn?t he gotten hi$sel" oneI Ryan took a deep #reath and leaped aro%nd the ne7t t%#e. 'he g%y &as &aiting "or this. Ryan do e to the deck, and the #%llet $issed hi$. @;ho are yo%I@ Ryan asked, raising hi$sel" on his knees and leaning against the t%#e to catch his #reath.

@A ,o iet patriotJ 9o% are the ene$y o" $y co%ntry, and yo% shall not ha e this shipJ@ 0e &as talking too $%ch, Ryan tho%ght. 8ood. +ro#a#ly. @9o% ha e a na$eI@ @>y na$e is o" no acco%nt.@ @0o& a#o%t a "a$ilyI@ Ryan asked. @>y parents &ill #e pro%d o" $e.@ A 8R6 agent. Ryan &as certain. !ot the political o""icer. 0is English &as too good. +ro#a#ly so$e kind o" #ack%p "or the political o""icer. 0e &as %p against a trained "ield o""icer. ;onder"%l. A trained agent, and C%st like he said, a patriot. !ot a "anatic, a $an trying to do his d%ty. 0e &as scared, #%t he?d do it. And blo) this )hole fucking ship up, )ith me on it. ,till, Ryan kne& he had an edge. 'he other g%y had so$ething he had to do. Ryan only had to stop hi$ or delay hi$ long eno%gh. 0e &ent to the star#oard side o" the t%#e and looked aro%nd the edge &ith C%st his right eye. 'here &as no light at his end o" the co$part$entF another edge. Ryan co%ld see hi$ $ore easily than he co%ld see Ryan. @9o% don?t ha e to die, $y "riend. 4" yo% C%st set the g%n do&n . . .@ And )hat2 End %p in a "ederal prisonI >ore likely C%st disappear. >osco& co%ld not learn that the A$ericans had their s%#. @And C4A &ill not kill $e, ehI@ the oice sneered, D%a ering. @4 a$ no "ool. 4" 4 a$ to die, it &ill #e to $y p%rpose, $y "riendJ@ 'hen the light clicked o"". Ryan had &ondered ho& long that &o%ld take. Lid it $ean that he &as "inished &hate er the hell he &as doingI 4" so, in an instant they?d #e all gone. *r $ay#e the g%y C%st realiBed ho& %lnera#le the light $ade hi$. 'rained "ield o""icer or not, he &as a kid, a "rightened kid, and pro#a#ly had as $%ch to lose as Ryan had. Like hell, Ryan tho%ght, 4 ha e a &i"e and t&o kids, and i" 4 don?t get to hi$ "ast, 4?ll s%re as hell lose the$. /erry "hristmas, kids, your daddy 4ust got blo)n up& (orry there,s no body to bury, but you see . . .4t occ%rred to Ryan to pray #rie"lyF#%t "or &hatI =or help in killing another $anI -t,s like this, Lord . . . @,till &ith $e, CaptainI@ he called o%t. @!a.@ 'hat &o%ld gi e the 8R6 agent so$ething to &orry a#o%t. Ryan hoped the captain?s presence &o%ld "orce the $an to shade $ore to the port side o" his t%#e. Ryan d%cked and r%shed aro%nd the port side o" his. 'hree to go. Ra$i%s "ollo&ed s%it on his side. 0e dre& a shot, #%t Ryan heard it $iss. 0e had to stop, to rest. 0e &as hyper entilating. 4t &as the &rong ti$e "or that. 0e had #een a $arine lie%tenantF"or three &hole $onths #e"ore the chopper crashedFand he &as s%pposed to kno& &hat to doJ 0e had led $en. B%t it &as a &hole lot easier to lead "orty $en &ith ri"les than it &as to "ight all #y hi$sel". Think! @>ay#e &e can $ake a deal,@ Ryan s%ggested. @Ah, yes, &e can decide &hich ear the shot co$es in.@ @>ay#e yo%?d like #eing an A$erican.@ @And $y parents, 9ankee, &hat o" the$I@ @>ay#e &e can get the$ o%t,@ Ryan said "ro$ the star#oard side o" his t%#e, $o ing le"t as he &aited "or a reply. 0e C%$ped again. !o& there &ere t&o $issile t%#es separating hi$ "ro$ his "riend in the 8R6, &ho &as pro#a#ly trying to cross&ire the &arheads and $ake hal" a c%#ic $ile o" ocean t%rn to plas$a.

@Co$e, 9ankee, &e &ill die together. !o& only one puskatel separates %s.@ Ryan tho%ght D%ickly. 0e co%ldn?t re$e$#er ho& $any ti$es he?d "ired, #%t the pistol held thirteen ro%nds. 0e?d ha e eno%gh. 'he e7tra clip &as %seless. 0e co%ld toss it one &ay and $o e the other, creating a di ersion. ;o%ld it &orkI ,hitJ 4t &orked in the $o ies. 4t &as "or da$ned s%re that doing nothing &asn?t going to &ork. Ryan took the g%n in his le"t hand and "ished in his coat pocket "or the spare clip &ith his right. 0e p%t the clip in his $o%th &hile he s&itched the g%n #ack. A poor high&ay$an?s shi"t F0e took the clip in his le"t hand. *kay. 0e had to toss the clip right and $o e le"t. ;o%ld it &orkI Right or &rong, he didn?t ha e a hell o" a lot o" ti$e. At O%antico he &as ta%ght to read $aps, e al%ate terrain, call in air and artillery strikes, $ane% er his sD%ads and "ire tea$s &ith skillFand here he &as, st%ck in a godda$ned steel pipe three h%ndred "eet %nder &ater, shooting it o%t &ith pistols in a roo$ &ith t&o h%ndred hydrogen #o$#sJ 4t &as ti$e to do so$ething. 0e kne& &hat that had to #eF#%t Ra$i%s $o ed "irst. *%t the corner o" his eye he ca%ght the shape o" the captain r%nning to&ard the "or&ard #%lkhead. Ra$i%s leaped at the #%lkhead and "licked a light s&itch on as the ene$y "ired at hi$. Ryan tossed the clip to the right and ran "or&ard. 'he agent t%rned to his le"t to see &hat the noise &as, s%re that a cooperati e $o e had #een planned. As Ryan co ered the distance #et&een the last t&o $issile t%#es he sa& Ra$i%s go do&n. Ryan do e past the n%$#er one $issile t%#e. 0e landed on his le"t side, ignoring the pain that set his ar$ on "ire as he rolled to line %p his target. 'he $an &as t%rning as Ryan Cerked o"" si7 shots. Ryan didn?t hear hi$sel" screa$ing. '&o ro%nds connected. 'he agent &as li"ted o"" the deck and t&isted hal"&ay aro%nd "ro$ the i$pact. 0is pistol dropped "ro$ his hand as he "ell li$p to the deck. Ryan &as shaking too #adly to get %p at once. 'he pistol, still tight in his hand, &as ai$ed at his icti$?s chest. 0e &as #reathing hard and his heart &as racing. Ryan closed his $o%th and tried to s&allo& a "e& ti$esE his $o%th &as as dry as cotton. 0e got slo&ly to his knees. 'he agent &as still ali e, lying on his #ack, eyes open and still #reathing. Ryan had to %se his hand to stand %p. 0e?d #een hit t&ice, Ryan sa&, once in the %pper le"t chest and once lo&er do&n, a#o%t &here the li er and spleen are. 'he lo&er &o%nd &as a &et red circle &hich the $an?s hands cl%tched. 0e &as in his early t&enties, i" that, and his clear #l%e eyes &ere staring at the o erhead &hile he tried to say so$ething. 0is "ace &as rigid &ith pain as he $o%thed &ords, #%t all that ca$e o%t &as an %nintelligi#le g%rgle. @Captain,@ Ryan called, @yo% okayI@ @4 a$ &o%nded, #%t 4 think 4 shall li e, Ryan. ;ho is itI@ @0o& the hell sho%ld 4 kno&I@ 'he #l%e eyes "i7ed on Jack?s "ace. ;hoe er he &as, he kne& death &as co$ing to hi$. 'he pain on the "ace &as replaced #y so$ething else. ,adness, an in"inite sadness . . .0e &as still trying to speak. A pink "roth gathered at the corners o" his $o%th. L%ng shot. Ryan $o ed closer, kicking the g%n clear and kneeling do&n #eside hi$. @;e co%ld ha e $ade a deal,@ he said D%ietly. 'he agent tried to say so$ething, #%t Ryan co%ldn?t %nderstand it. A c%rse, a call "or his $other, so$ething heroicI Jack &o%ld ne er kno&. 'he eyes &ent &ide &ith pain one last ti$e. 'he last #reath hissed o%t thro%gh the #%##les and the hands on the #elly &ent li$p. Ryan checked "or a p%lse at the neck. 'here &as none.

@4?$ sorry.@ Ryan reached do&n to close his icti$?s eyes. 0e &as sorryF&hyI 'iny #eads o" s&eat #roke o%t all o er his "orehead, and the strength he had dra&n %p in the shooto%t deserted hi$. A s%dden &a e o" na%sea o erpo&ered hi$. @*h, Jes%s, 4?$F@ 0e dropped to all "o%rs and thre& %p iolently, his o$it spilling thro%gh the grates onto the lo&er deck ten "eet #elo&. =or a &hole $in%te his sto$ach hea ed, &ell past the ti$e he &as dry. 0e had to spit se eral ti$es to get the &orst o" the taste "ro$ his $o%th #e"ore standing. LiBBy "ro$ the stress and the D%art o" adrenalin that had #een p%$ped into his syste$, he shook his head a "e& ti$es, still looking at the dead $an at his "eet. 4t &as ti$e to co$e #ack to reality. Ra$i%s had #een hit in the %pper leg. 4t &as #leeding. Both his hands, co ered &ith #lood, &ere placed on the &o%nd, #%t it didn?t look that #ad. 4" the "e$oral artery had #een c%t, the captain &o%ld already ha e #een dead. Lie%tenant ;illia$s had #een hit in the head and chest. 0e &as still #reathing #%t %nconscio%s. 'he head &o%nd &as only a crease. 'he chest &o%nd, close to the heart, $ade a s%cking noise. Aa$aro &as not so l%cky. A single shot had gone straight thro%gh the top o" his nose, and the #ack o" his head &as a #loody &reckage. @Jes%s, &hy didn?t so$e#ody co$e and help %sJ@ Ryan said,&hen the tho%ght hit hi$. @'he #%lkhead doors are closed, Ryan. 'here is theFho& do yo% say itI@ Ryan looked &here the captain pointed. 4t &as the interco$ syste$. @;hich #%ttonI@ 'he captain held %p t&o "ingers. @Control roo$, this is Ryan. 4 need help here, yo%r captain has #een shot.@ 'he reply ca$e in e7cited R%ssian, and Ra$i%s responded lo%dly to $ake hi$sel" heard. Ryan looked at the $issile t%#e. 'he agent had #een %sing a &ork light, C%st like an A$erican one, a light#%l# in a $etal holder &ith &ire across the "ront. A door into the $issile t%#e &as open. Beyond it a s$aller hatch, e idently leading into the $issile itsel", &as also open. @;hat &as he doing, trying to e7plode the &arheadsI@ @4$possi#le,@ Ra$i%s said, in o# io%s pain. @'he rocket &arheadsF&e call this special sa"e. 'he &arheads cannotFnot "ire.@ @,o &hat &as he doingI@ Ryan &ent o er to the $issile t%#e. A sort o" r%##er #ladder &as lying on the deck. @;hat?s thisI@ 0e he"ted the gadget in his hand. 4t &as $ade o" r%##er or r%##eriBed "a#ric &ith a $etal or plastic "ra$e inside, a $etal nipple on one corner, and a $o%thpiece. @0e &as doing so$ething to the $issile, #%t he had an escape de ice to get o"" the s%#,@ Ryan said. @*h, ChristJ A ti$ing de ice.@ 0e #ent do&n to pick %p the &ork light and s&itched it on, then stood #ack and peered into the $issile co$part$ent. @Captain, &hat?s in hereI@ @'hat isFthe g%idance co$part$ent. 4t has a co$p%ter that tells the rocket ho& to "ly. 'he doorF,@ Ra$i%s? #reaths &ere co$ing hard, @Fis a hatch "or the o""icer.@ Ryan peered into the hatch. 0e "o%nd a $ass o" $%lticolored &ires and circ%it #oards connected in a &ay he?d ne er seen #e"ore. 0e poked thro%gh the &ires hal" e7pecting to "ind a ticking alar$ clock &ired to so$e dyna$ite sticks. 0e didn?t. !o& &hat sho%ld he doI 'he agent had #een %p to so$ethingF#%t &hatI Lid he "inishI 0o& co%ld Ryan tellI 0e co%ldn?t. *ne part o" his #rain screa$ed at hi$ to do so$ething, the other part said that he?d #e craBy to try. Ryan p%t the r%##er2coated handle to the light #et&een his teeth and reached into the co$part$ent &ith #oth hands. 0e gra##ed a do%#le hand"%l o" &ires and yanked #ack. *nly a "e& #roke loose. 0e released one #%nch and concentrated on the other. A cl%$p o" plastic and

copper spaghetti ca$e loose. 0e did it again "or the other #%nch. @AaahJ@ he gasped, recei ing an electric shock. An eternal $o$ent "ollo&ed &hile he &aited to #e #lo&n %p. 4t passed. 'here &ere $ore &ires to p%ll. 4n %nder a $in%te he?d ripped o%t e ery &ire he co%ld see along &ith a hal"2doBen s$all #read#oards. !e7t he s$ashed the light against e erything he tho%ght $ight #reak %ntil the co$part$ent looked like his son?s toy#o7F"%ll o" %seless "rag$ents. 0e heard people r%nning into the co$part$ent. Borodin &as in "ront. Ra$i%s $otioned hi$ o er to Ryan and the dead agent. @,%detsI@ Borodin said. @,%detsI@ 0e looked at Ryan. @'his is cook.@ Ryan took the pistol "ro$ the deck. @0ere?s his recipe "ile. 4 think he &as a 8R6 agent. 0e &as trying to #lo& %s %p. Captain Ra$i%s, ho& a#o%t &e la%nch this $issileFC%st Cettison the godda$ned thing, okayI@ @A good idea, 4 think.@ Ra$i%s? oice had #eco$e a hoarse &hisper. @=irst close the inspection hatch, then &eFcan "ire "ro$ the control roo$.@ Ryan %sed his hand to s&eep the "rag$ents a&ay "ro$ the $issile hatch, and the door slid neatly #ack into place. 'he t%#e hatch &as di""erent. 4t &as a press%re2#earing one and $%ch hea ier, held in place #y t&o spring2loaded latches. Ryan sla$$ed it three ti$es. '&ice it re#o%nded, #%t the third ti$e it st%ck. Borodin and another o""icer &ere already carrying ;illia$s a"t. ,o$eone had set a #elt on Ra$i%s? leg &o%nd. Ryan got hi$ to his "eet and helped hi$ &alk. Ra$i%s gr%nted in pain e ery ti$e he had to $o e his le"t leg. @9o% took a "oolish chance, Captain,@ Ryan o#ser ed. @'his is $y shipFand 4 do not like the dark. 4t &as $y "a%ltJ ;e sho%ld ha e $ade a care"%l co%nting as the cre& le"t.@ 'hey arri ed at the &atertight door. @*kay, 4?ll go thro%gh "irst.@ Ryan stepped thro%gh and helped Ra$i%s thro%gh #ack&ard. 'he #elt had loosened, and the &o%nd &as #leeding again. @Close the hatch and lock it,@ Ra$i%s ordered. 4t closed easily. Ryan t%rned the &heel three ti$es, then got %nder the captain?s ar$ again. Another t&enty "eet and they &ere in the control roo$. 'he lie%tenant at the &heel &as ashen. Ryan sat the captain in a chair on the port side. @9o% ha e a kni"e, sirI@ Ra$i%s reached in his pocket and ca$e o%t &ith a "olding kni"e and so$ething else. @0ere, take this. 4t?s the key "or the rocket &arheads. 'hey cannot "ire %nless this is %sed. 9o% keep it.@ 0e tried to la%gh. 4t had #een +%tin?s, a"ter all. Ryan "lipped it aro%nd his neck, opened the kni"e, and c%t the captain?s pants all the &ay %p. 'he #%llet had gone clean thro%gh the $eaty part o" the thigh. 0e took a clean handkerchie" "ro$ his pocket and held it against the entrance &o%nd. Ra$i%s handed hi$ another handkerchie". Ryan placed this against the hal"2inch e7it &o%nd. !e7t he set the #elt across #oth, dra&ing it as tight as he co%ld. @>y &i"e $ight not appro e, #%t that &ill ha e to do.@ @9o%r &i"eI@ Ra$i%s asked. @,he?s a doc, an eye s%rgeon to #e e7act. 'he day 4 got shot she did this "or $e.@ Ra$i%s? lo&er leg &as gro&ing pale. 'he #elt &as too tight, #%t Ryan didn?t &ant to loosen it C%st yet. @!o&, &hat a#o%t the $issileI@ Ra$i%s ga e an order to the lie%tenant at the &heel, &ho relayed it thro%gh the interco$. '&o $in%tes later three o""icers entered the control roo$. ,peed &as c%t to "i e knots, &hich took se eral $in%tes. Ryan &orried a#o%t the $issile and &hether or not he had destroyed &hate er #oo#y trap the agent had installed. Each o" the three ne&ly arri ed o""icers took a key

"ro$ aro%nd his neck. Ra$i%s did the sa$e, gi ing his second key to Ryan. 0e pointed to the star#oard side o" the co$part$ent. @Rocket control.@ Ryan sho%ld ha e g%essed as $%ch. Arrayed thro%gho%t the control roo$ &ere "i e panels, each &ith three ro&s o" t&enty2si7 lights and a key slot %nder each set. @+%t yo%r key in n%$#er one, Ryan.@ Jack did, and the others inserted their keys. 'he red light ca$e on and a #%BBer so%nded. 'he $issile o""icer?s panel &as the $ost ela#orate. 0e t%rned a s&itch to "lood the $issile t%#e and open the n%$#er one hatch. 'he red panel lights #egan to #link. @'%rn yo%r key, Ryan,@ Ra$i%s said. @Loes this "ire the $issileI@ Christ, &hat i" that happensI Ryan &ondered. @!o no. 'he rocket $%st #e ar$ed #y the rocket o""icer. 'his key e7plodes the gas charge.@ Co%ld Ryan #elie e hi$I ,%re he &as a good g%y and all that, #%t ho& co%ld Ryan kno& he &as telling the tr%thI @!o&J@ Ra$i%s ordered. Ryan t%rned his key at the sa$e instant as the others. 'he a$#er light o er the red light #linked on. 'he one %nder the green co er stayed o"". 'he Red October sh%ddered as the n%$#er one ,,2!2/5 &as eCected %p&ard #y the gas charge. 'he so%nd &as like a tr%ck?s air #rake. 'he three o""icers &ithdre& their keys. 4$$ediately the $issile o""icer sh%t the t%#e hatch. 'he Lallas @;hatI@ Jones said. @Conn, sonar, the target C%st "looded a t%#eFa $issile t%#eI 8od al$ightyJ@ *n his o&n, Jones po&ered %p the %nder2ice sonar and #egan high2"reD%ency pinging. @;hat the hell are yo% doingI@ 'ho$pson de$anded. >anc%so &as there a second later. @;hat?s going onI@ the captain snapped. Jones pointed at his display. @'he s%# C%st la%nched a $issile, sir. Look, Cap?n, t&o targets. B%t it?s C%st hangin? there, no $issile ignition. 8odJ@ 'he Red *cto#er ;ill it "loatI Ryan &ondered. 4t didn ?t. 'he ,eaha&k $issile &as p%shed %p&ard and to star#oard #y the gas charge. 4t stopped "i"ty "eet o er her deck as the October cr%ised past. 'he g%idance hatch that Ryan had closed &as not "%lly sealed. ;ater "illed the co$part$ent and "looded the &arhead #%s. 'he $issile in any case had a siBa#le negati e #o%yancy, and the added $ass in the nose tipped it o er. 'he nose2hea y tri$ ga e it an eccentric path, and it spiraled do&n like a seedpod "ro$ a tree. At ten tho%sand "eet &ater press%re cr%shed the seal o er the $issile #last cones, #%t the ,eaha&k, other&ise %nda$aged, retained its shape all the &ay to the #otto$.

'he Ethan Allen 'he only thing still operating &as the ti$er. 4t had #een set "or thirty $in%tes, &hich had allo&ed the cre& plenty o" ti$e to #oard the (camp, no& lea ing the area at ten knots. 'he old reactor had #een co$pletely sh%t do&n. 4t &as stone cold. *nly a "e& e$ergency lights re$ained on "ro$ resid%al #attery po&er. 'he ti$er had three red%ndant "iring circ%its, and all &ent o"" &ithin a $illisecond o" one another, sending a signal do&n the detonator &ires. 'hey had p%t "o%r +a e +at Bl%e #o$#s on the than Allen. 'he +a e +at Bl%e &as a =AE G"%el2air e7plosi eH #o$#. 4ts #last e""iciency &as ro%ghly "i e ti$es that o" an ordinary che$ical e7plosi e. Each #o$# had a pair o" gas2release al es, and only one o" the eight al es "ailed. ;hen they #%rst open, the press%riBed propane in the #o$# casings e7panded iolently o%t&ard. 4n an instant the at$ospheric press%re in the old s%#$arine tripled as her e ery part &as sat%rated &ith an e7plosi e air2gas $i7t%re. 'he "o%r #o$#s "illed the than Allen &ith the eD%i alent o" t&enty2"i e tons o" '!' e enly distri#%ted thro%gho%t the h%ll. 'he sD%i#s "ired al$ost si$%ltaneo%sly, and the res%lts &ere catastrophicK the than Allen?s strong steel h%ll #%rst as i" it &ere a #alloon. 'he only ite$ not totally destroyed &as the reactor essel, &hich "ell "ree o" the shredded &reckage and dropped rapidly to the ocean "loor. 'he h%ll itsel" &as #lasted into a doBen pieces, all #ent into s%rreal shapes #y the e7plosion. 4nterior eD%ip$ent "or$ed a $etallic clo%d &ithin the shattered h%ll, and e erything "l%ttered do&n&ard, e7panding o er a &ide area d%ring the three2$ile descent to the hard sand #otto$. 'he Lallas @0oly shitJ@ Jones slapped the headphones o"" and ya&ned to clear his ears. A%to$atic relays &ithin the sonar syste$ protected his ears "ro$ the "%ll "orce o" the e7plosion, #%t &hat had #een trans$itted &as eno%gh to $ake hi$ "eel as tho%gh his head had #een ha$$ered "lat. 'he e7plosion &as heard thro%gh the h%ll #y e eryone a#oard. @Attention all hands. this is the captain speaking. ;hat yo% C%st heard is nothing to &orry a#o%t. 'hat?s all 4 can say.@ @8a&d, ,kipperJ@ >annion said. @9eah, let?s get #ack on the contact.@ @Aye, Cap?n.@ >annion ga e his co$$ander a c%rio%s look. 'he ;hite 0o%se @Lid yo% get the &ord to hi$ in ti$eI@ the president asked. @!o, sir.@ >oore sl%$ped into his chair. @'he helicopter arri ed a "e& $in%tes too late. 4t $ay #e nothing to &orry a#o%t. 9o%?d e7pect that the captain &o%ld kno& eno%gh to get e eryone o"" e7cept "or his o&n people. ;e?re concerned, o" co%rse, #%t there isn?t anything &e can do.@ @4 asked hi$ personally to do this, J%dge. >e.@ ;elco$e to the real &orld, >r. +resident, >oore tho%ght. 'he chie" e7ec%ti e had #een l%ckyFhe?d ne er had to send $en to their deaths. >oore re"lected that it &as so$ething easy to

consider #e"orehand, less easy to get %sed to. 0e had a""ir$ed death sentences "ro$ his seat on an appellate #ench, and that had not #een easyFe en "or $en &ho had richly deser ed their "ates. @;ell, &e?ll C%st ha e to &ait and see, >r. +resident. 'he so%rce this data co$es "ro$ is $ore i$portant than any one operation.@ @:ery &ell. ;hat a#o%t ,enator LonaldsonI@ @0e agreed to o%r s%ggestion. 'his aspect o" the operation has &orked o%t ery &ell indeed.@ @Lo yo% really e7pect the R%ssians to #%y itI@ +elt asked. @;e? e le"t so$e nice #ait, and &e?ll Cerk the line a little to get their attention. 4n a day or t&o &e?ll see i" they ni##le at it. 0enderson is one o" their all2starsFhis code na$e is Cassi%sFand their reaction to this &ill tell %s C%st &hat sort o" disin"or$ation &e can pass thro%gh hi$. 0e co%ld t%rn o%t to #e ery %se"%l, #%t &e?ll ha e to &atch o%t "or hi$. *%r A8B colleag%es ha e a ery direct $ethod "or dealing &ith do%#les.@ @;e don?t let hi$ o"" the hook %nless he earns it,@ the president said coldly. >oore s$iled. @*h, he?ll earn it. ;e o&n >r. 0enderson.@

THE FIFTEENTH DAY FRIDAY 17, DECEMBER

*cracoke 4nlet 'here &as no $oon. 'he three2ship procession entered the inlet at "i e knots, C%st a"ter $idnight to take ad antage o" the e7tra2high spring tide. 'he Pogy led the "or$ation since she had the shallo&est dra"t, and the !allas trailed the Red October. 'he coast g%ard stations on either side o" the inlet &ere occ%pied #y na al o""icers &ho had relie ed the @coasties.@ Ryan had #een allo&ed atop the sail, a h%$anitarian gest%re "ro$ Ra$i%s that he $%ch appreciated. A"ter eighteen ho%rs inside the Red October Jack had "elt con"ined, and it &as good to see the &orldFe en i" it &as nothing #%t dark e$pty space. 'he Pogy sho&ed only a di$ red light that disappeared i" it &as looked at "or $ore than a "e& seconds. 0e co%ld see the &ater?s "eathery &isps o" "oa$ and the stars playing hide2and2seek thro%gh the clo%ds. 'he &est &ind &as a harsh t&enty knots co$ing o"" the &ater. Borodin &as gi ing terse, $onosylla#ic orders as he conned the s%#$arine %p a channel that had to #e dredged e ery "e& $onths despite the enor$o%s Cetty &hich had #een #%ilt to the north. 'he ride &as an easy one, the t&o or three "eet o" chop not $attering a &hit to the $issile s%#?s -5,5552ton #%lk. Ryan &as thank"%l "or this. 'he #lack &ater cal$ed, and &hen they entered sheltered &aters a Nodiac2type r%##er #oat Boo$ed to&ards the$. @Ahoy Red October!@ a oice called in the darkness. Ryan co%ld #arely $ake o%t the gray loBenge shape o" the Nodiac. 4t &as ahead o" a tiny patch o" "oa$ "or$ed #y the sp%ttering o%t#oard $otor. @>ay 4 ans&er, Captain BorodinI@ Ryan asked, getting a nod. @'his is Ryan. ;e ha e t&o cas%alties a#oard. *ne?s in #ad shape. ;e need a doctor and a s%rgical tea$ right a&ayJ Lo yo% %nderstandI@ @'&o cas%alties, and yo% need a doc, right.@ Ryan tho%ght he sa& a $an holding so$ething to his "ace, and tho%ght he heard the "aint crackle o" a radio. 4t &as hard to tell in the &ind. @*kay. ;e?ll ha e a doc "lo&n do&n right a&ay, October. !allas and Pogy #oth ha e $edical corps$en a#oard. 9o% &ant ?e$I@ @La$n straightJ@ Ryan replied at once. @*kay. =ollo& Pogy t&o $ore $iles and stand #y.@ 'he Nodiac sped "or&ard, re ersed co%rse, and disappeared in the darkness.

@'hank 8od "or that,@ Ryan #reathed. @9o% are #eF#elie erI@ Borodin asked. @9eah, s%re.@ Ryan sho%ld not ha e #een s%rprised #y the D%estion. @0ell, yo% gotta #elie e in so$ething.@ @And &hy is that, Co$$ander RyanI@ Borodin &as e7a$ining the Pogy thro%gh o ersiBed night glasses. Ryan &ondered ho& to ans&er. @;ell, #eca%se i" yo% don?t, &hat?s the point o" li"eI 'hat &o%ld $ean ,artre and Ca$%s and all those characters &ere rightFall is chaos, li"e has no $eaning. 4 re"%se to #elie e that. 4" yo% &ant a #etter ans&er, 4 kno& a co%ple priests &ho?d #e glad to talk to yo%.@ Borodin did not respond. 0e spoke an order into the #ridge $icrophone, and they altered co%rse a "e& degrees to star#oard. 'he Lallas A hal" $ile a"t, >anc%so &as holding a light2a$pli"ying night scope to his eyes. >annion &as at his sho%lder, str%ggling to see. @Jes%s Christ,@ >anc%so &hispered. @9o% got that one right, ,kipper,@ >annion said, shi ering in his Cacket. @4?$ not s%re 4 #elie e it either. 0ere co$es the Nodiac.@ >annion handed his co$$ander the porta#le radio %sed "or docking. @Lo yo% readI@ @'his is >anc%so.@ @;hen o%r "riend stops, 4 &ant yo% to trans"er ten $en to her, incl%ding yo%r corps$an. 'hey report t&o cas%alties &ho need $edical attention. +ick good $en, Co$$ander, they?ll need help r%nning the #oatFC%st $ake da$ned s%re they?re $en &ho don?t talk.@ @Ackno&ledged. 'en $en incl%ding the $edic. *%t.@ >anc%so &atched the ra"t speed o"" to the Pogy. @;ant to co$e along, +atI@ @Bet yo%r ass, %h, sir. 9o% planning to goI@ >annion asked. >anc%so &as C%dicio%s. @4 think Cha$#ers is %p to handling !allas "or a day or so, don?t yo%I@ *n shore, a na al o""icer &as on the phone to !or"olk. 'he coast g%ard station &as cro&ded, al$ost entirely &ith o""icers. A "i#erglass #o7 sat ne7t to the phone so that they co%ld co$$%nicate &ith C4!CLA!' in secrecy. 'hey had #een here only t&o ho%rs and &o%ld soon lea e. !othing co%ld appear o%t o" the ordinary. *%tside, an ad$iral and a pair o" captains &atched the dark shapes thro%gh starlight scopes. 'hey &ere as sole$n as $en in a ch%rch. Cherry +oint, !orth Carolina Co$$ander Ed !oyes &as resting in the doctor?s lo%nge o" the na al hospital at the 6.,. >arine Corps Air ,tation, Cherry +oint, !orth Carolina. A D%ali"ied "light s%rgeon, he had the d%ty "or the ne7t three nights so that he?d ha e "o%r days o"" o er Christ$as. 4t had #een a D%iet night. 'his &as a#o%t to change. @LocI@

!oyes looked %p to see a $arine captain in >+ li ery. 'he doctor kne& hi$. >ilitary police deli ered a lot o" accident cases. 0e set do&n his Ne) ngland =ournal of /edicine. @0i, Jerry. ,o$ething co$ing inI@ @Loc, 4 got orders to tell yo% to pack e erything yo% need "or e$ergency s%rgery. 9o% got t&o $in%tes, then 4 take yo% to the air"ield.@ @;hat "orI ;hat kind o" s%rgeryI@ !oyes stood. @'hey didn?t say, sir, C%st that yo% "ly o%t so$e&heres, alone. 'he orders co$e "ro$ topside, that?s all 4 kno&.@ @La$n it, Jerry, 4 ha e to kno& &hat sort o" s%rgery it is so 4 kno& &hat to takeJ@ @,o take e erything, sir. 4 gotta get yo% to the chopper.@ !oyes s&ore and &ent into the tra%$a recei ing roo$. '&o $ore $arines &ere &aiting there. 0e handed the$ "o%r sterile sets, prepackaged instr%$ent trays. 0e &ondered i" he?d need so$e dr%gs and decided to gra# an ar$"%l, along &ith t&o %nits o" plas$a. 'he captain helped hi$ on &ith his coat, and they $o ed o%t the door to a &aiting Ceep. =i e $in%tes later they p%lled %p to a ,ea ,tallion &hose engines &ere already screa$ing. @;hat gi esI@ !oyes asked the colonel o" intelligence inside, &ondering &here the cre& chie" &as. @;e?re heading o%t o er the so%nd,@ the colonel e7plained. @;e ha e to let yo% do&n on a s%# that has so$e cas%alties a#oard. 'here?s a pair o" corps$en to assist yo%, and that?s all 4 kno&, okayI@ 4t had to #e okay. 'here &as no choice in the $atter. 'he ,tallion li"ted o"" at once. !oyes had "lo&n in the$ o"ten eno%gh. 0e had t&o h%ndred ho%rs piloting helicopters, another three h%ndred in "i7ed2&ing aircra"t. !oyes &as the kind o" doctor &ho?d disco ered too late that "lying &as as attracti e a calling as $edicine. 0e &ent %p at e ery opport%nity, o"ten gi ing pilots special $edical care "or their dependents to get #ackseat ti$e in an =24 +hanto$. 'he ,ea ,tallion, he noted, &as not cr%ising. 4t &as r%nning "lat o%t. +a$lico ,o%nd 'he Pogy ca$e to a halt a#o%t the ti$e the helicopter le"t Cherry +oint. 'he October altered co%rse to star#oard again and halted e en &ith her to the north. 'he !allas "ollo&ed s%it. A $in%te a"ter that the Nodiac reappeared at the !allas? side, then approached the Red October slo&ly, al$ost &allo&ing &ith her cargo o" $en. @Ahoy Red October!@ 'his ti$e Borodin ans&ered. 0e had an accent #%t his English &as %nderstanda#le. @4denti"y.@ @'his is Bart >anc%so, co$$anding o""icer o" 6,, !allas. 4 ha e o%r ship?s $edical representati e a#oard and so$e other $en. ReD%est per$ission to co$e a#oard, sir.@ Ryan sa& the starpom gri$ace. =or the "irst ti$e Borodin really had to "ace %p to &hat &as happening, and he &o%ld ha e #een less than h%$an to accept it &itho%t so$e kind o" str%ggle. @+er$ission isFyes.@ 'he Nodiac edged right %p to the c%r e o" the h%ll. A $an leaped a#oard &ith a line to sec%re the ra"t. 'en $en cla$#ered o"", one #reaking a&ay to cli$# %p the s%#$arine?s sail. @CaptainI 4?$ Bart >anc%so. 4 %nderstand yo% ha e so$e h%rt $en a#oard.@ @9es,@ Borodin nodded, @the captain and a British o""icer, #oth shot.@ @,hotI@ >anc%so &as s%rprised.

@;orry a#o%t that later,@ Ryan said sharply. @Let?s get yo%r doc &orking on the$, okayI@ @,%re, &here?s the hatchI@ Borodin spoke into the #ridge $ike, and a "e& seconds later a circle o" light appeared on deck at the "oot o" the sail. @;e ha en?t got a physician, &e ha e an independent d%ty corps$an. 0e?s pretty good, and Pogy?s $an &ill #e here in another co%ple $in%tes. ;ho are yo%, #y the &ayI@ @0e is a spy,@ Borodin said &ith palpa#le irony. @Jack Ryan.@ @And yo%, sirI@ @Captain ,econd Rank :asily Borodin. 4 a$F"irst o""icer, yesI Co$e o er into the station, Co$$ander. +lease e7c%se $e, &e are all ery tired.@ @9o%?re not the only ones.@ 'here &asn?t that $%ch roo$. >anc%so perched hi$sel" on the coa$ing. @Captain, 4 &ant yo% to kno& &e had a #astard o" a ti$e tracking yo%. 9o% are to #e co$pli$ented "or yo%r pro"essional skill.@ 'he co$pli$ent did not elicit the anticipated response "ro$ Borodin. @9o% &ere a#le to track %s. 0o&I@ @4 #ro%ght hi$ along, yo% can $eet hi$.@ @And &hat are &e to doI@ @*rders "ro$ shore are to &ait "or the doc to arri e and di e. 'hen &e sit tight %ntil &e get orders to $o e. >ay#e a day, $ay#e t&o. 4 think &e co%ld all %se the rest. A"ter that, &e get yo% to a nice sa"e place, and 4 &ill personally #%y yo% the #est da$ned 4talian dinner yo% e er had.@ >anc%so grinned. @9o% get 4talian "ood in R%ssiaI@ @!o, and i" yo% are acc%sto$ed to good "ood, yo% $ay "$d 'razny Oktyabr not to yo%r liking.@ @>ay#e 4 can "i7 that. 0o& $any $en a#oardI@ @'&el e. 'en ,o iet, the English$an, and the spy.@ Borodin glanced at Ryan &ith a thin s$ile. @*kay.@ >anc%so reached into his coat and ca$e o%t &ith a radio. @'his is >anc%so.@ @;e?re here, ,kipper,@ Cha$#ers replied. @8et so$e "ood together "or o%r "riends. ,i7 $eals "or t&enty2"i e $en. ,end a cook o er &ith it. ;ally, 4 &ant to sho& these $en so$e good cho&. 8ot itI@ @Aye aye, ,kipper. *%t.@ @4 got so$e good cooks, Captain. ,ha$e this &asn?t last &eek. ;e had lasagna, C%st like $o$$a %sed to $ake. All that &as $issing &as the Chianti.@ @'hey ha e odka,@ Ryan o#ser ed. @*nly "or spies,@ Borodin said. '&o ho%rs a"ter the shooto%t Ryan had had the shakes #adly, and Borodin had sent hi$ a drink "ro$ the $edical stores. @;e are told that yo%r s%#$arine $en are greatly pa$pered.@ @>ay#e so,@ >anc%so nodded. @B%t &e stay o%t si7ty or se enty days at a ti$e. 'hat?s hard eno%gh, don?t yo% thinkI@ @0o& a#o%t &e go #elo&I@ Ryan s%ggested. E eryone agreed. 4t &as getting cold. Borodin, Ryan and >anc%so &ent #elo& to "ind the A$ericans on one side o" the control roo$ and the ,o iets on the other, C%st like #e"ore. 'he A$erican captain #roke the ice. @Captain Borodin, this is the $an &ho "o%nd yo%. Co$e here, Jonesy.@ @4t &asn?t ery easy, sir,@ Jones said. @Can 4 get to &orkI Can 4 see yo%r sonar roo$I@ @B%gaye .@ Borodin &a ed the ship?s electronics o""icer o er. 'he captain2lie%tenant led the

sonar$an a"t. Jones took one look at the eD%ip$ent and $%ttered, @Al%dge.@ 'he "ace plates all had lo% ers on the$ to let o%t the heat. 8od, did they %se ac%%$ t%#esI Jones &ondered. 0e p%lled a scre&dri er "ro$ his pocket to "ind o%t. @9o% speak English, sirI@ @9es, a little.@ @Can 4 see the circ%it diagra$s "or these, pleaseI@ B%gaye #linked. !o enlisted $an, and only one o" his michmanyy, had e er asked "or it. 'hen he took the #inder o" sche$atics "ro$ its shel" on the "or&ard #%lkhead. Jones $atched the code n%$#er o" the set he &as checking &ith the right section o" the #inder. 6n"olding the diagra$, he noted &ith relie" that oh$s &ere oh$s, all o er the &orld. 0e #egan tracing his "inger along the page, then p%lled the co er panel o"" to look inside the set. @Al%dge, $egakl%dge to the $a7J@ Jones &as shocked eno%gh to lapse into :alspeak. @E7c%se $e, &hat is this ?kl%dge?I@ @*h, pardon $e, sir. 'hat?s an e7pression &e %se in the na y. 4 don?t kno& ho& to say it in R%ssian. ,orry.@ Jones sti"led a grin as he &ent #ack to the sche$atic. @,ir, this one here?s a lo&2po&ered high2"reD%ency set, rightI 9o% %se this "or $ines and st%""I@ 4t &as B%gaye ?s t%rn to #e shocked. @9o% ha e #een trained in ,o iet eD%ip$entI@ @!o, sir, #%t 4? e s%re heard a lot o" it.@ ;asn?t this o# io%sI Jones &ondered. @,ir, this is a high2"reD%ency set, #%t it doesn?t dra& a lot o" po&er. ;hat else is it good "orI A lo&2po&er => set yo% %se "or $ines, "or &ork %nder ice, and "or docking, rightI@ @Correct.@ @9o% ha e a gertr%de, sirI@ @8ertr%deI@ @6nder&ater telephone, sir, "or talking to other s%#s.@ Lidn?t this g%y kno& anythingI @Ah, yes, #%t it is located in control, and it is #roken.@ @6h2h%h.@ Jones looked o er the diagra$ again. @4 think 4 can rig a $od%lator on this #a#y, then, and $ake it into a gertr%de "or ya. >ight #e %se"%l. 9o% think yo%r skipper &o%ld &ant that, sirI@ @4 &ill ask.@ 0e e7pected Jones to stay p%t, #%t the yo%ng sonar$an &as right #ehind hi$ &hen he &ent to control. B%gaye e7plained the s%ggestion to Borodin &hile Jones talked to >anc%so. @'hey got a little => set that looks C%st like the old gertr%des in sonar school. ;e ha e a spare $od%lator in stores, and 4 can pro#a#ly rig it %p in thirty $in%tes, no s&eat,@ the sonar$an said. @Captain Borodin, do yo% agreeI@ >anc%so asked. Borodin "elt as i" he &ere #eing p%shed too "ast, e en tho%gh the s%ggestion $ade per"ectly good sense. @9es, ha e yo%r $an do it.@ @,kipper, ho& long &e gonna #e hereI@ Jones asked. @A day or t&o, &hyI@ @,ir, this #oat looks kinda thin on creat%re co$"orts, yo% kno&I 0o& ?#o%t 4 gra# a ': and a tape $achineI 8i e ?e$ so$ething to look at, yo% kno&, sort o" gi e ?e$ a D%ick look at the 6,AI@ >anc%so la%ghed. 'hey &anted to learn e erything they co%ld a#o%t this #oat, #%t they had plenty o" ti$e "or that, and Jones? idea looked like a good &ay to ease the tension. *n the other hand, he didn?t &ant to incite a $%tiny on his o&n s%#. @*kay, take the one "ro$ the &ardroo$.@

@Right, ,kipper.@ 'he Nodiac deli ered the Pogy?s corps$an a "e& $in%tes later, and Jones took the #oat #ack to the !allas. 8rad%ally the o""icers &ere #eginning to engage in con ersation. '&o R%ssians &ere trying to talk to >annion and &ere looking at his hair. 'hey had ne er $et a #lack $an #e"ore. @Captain Borodin, 4 ha e orders to take so$ething o%t o" the control roo$ that &ill identi"yF 4 $ean, so$ething that co$es "ro$ this #oat.@ >anc%so pointed. @Can 4 take that depth ga%geI 4 can ha e one o" $y $en rig a s%#stit%te.@ 'he ga%ge, he sa&, had a n%$#er. @=or &hat reasonI@ @Beats $e, #%t those are $y orders.@ @9es,@ Borodin replied. >anc%so ordered one o" his chie"s to per"or$ the Co#. 'he chie" p%lled a crescent &rench "ro$ his pocket and re$o ed the n%t holding the needle and dial in place. @'his is a little #igger than o%rs, ,kipper, #%t not #y $%ch. 4 think &e ha e a spare. 4 can "lip it #ack&ards and scri#e in the $arkings, okayI@ >anc%so handed his radio o er. @Call it in and ha e Jonesy #ring the spare #ack &ith hi$.@ @Aye, Cap?n.@ 'he chie" p%t the needle #ack in place a"ter setting the dial on the deck. 'he ,ea ,tallion did not atte$pt to land, tho%gh the pilot &as te$pted. 'he deck &as al$ost large eno%gh to try. As it &as, the helicopter ho ered a "e& "eet o er the $issile deck, and the doctor leaped into the ar$s o" t&o sea$en. 0is s%pplies &ere tossed do&n a $o$ent later. 'he colonel re$ained in the #ack o" the chopper and slid the door sh%t. 'he #ird t%rned slo&ly to $o e #ack so%th&est, its $assi e rotor raising spray "ro$ the &aters o" +a$lico ,o%nd. @;as that &hat 4 think it &asI@ the pilot asked o er the interco$. @;asn?t it #ack&ardsI 4 tho%ght $issile s%#s had the $issiles a"t o" the sail. 'hose &ere in "ront o" the sail, &eren?t theyI 4 $ean, &asn?t that the r%dder sticking %p #ehind the sailI@ the copilot responded D%iBBically. @4t &as a R%ssian s%#J@ the pilot said. @?hat2@ 4t &as too late to see, they &ere already t&o $iles a&ay. @'hose &ere o%r g%ys on the deck. 'hey &eren?t R%ssians.@ @(on of a bitch!@ the $aCor s&ore &onderingly. And he co%ldn?t say a thing. 'he colonel o" di ision intelligence had #een da$ned speci"ic a#o%t thatK @9o% don?t see nothin?, yo% don?t hear nothin?, yo% don?t think nothin?, and yo% godda$ned &ell don?t e er say nothin?.@ @4?$ Loctor !oyes,@ the co$$ander said to >anc%so in the control roo$. 0e had ne er #een on a s%#$arine #e"ore, and &hen he looked aro%nd he sa& a co$part$ent "%ll o" instr%$ents all in a "oreign lang%age. @;hat ship is thisI@ @'razny Oktyabr,@ Borodin said, co$ing o er. 4n the centerpiece o" his cap there &as a glea$ing red star. @;hat the hell is going on hereI@ !oyes de$anded. @Loc,@ Ryan took hi$ #y the ar$, @yo% ha e t&o patients a"t. ;hy not let?s &orry a#o%t the$I@ !oyes "ollo&ed hi$ a"t to sick #ay. @;hat?s going on hereI@ he persisted $ore D%ietly. @'he R%ssians C%st lost a s%#$arine,@ Ryan e7plained, @and no& she #elongs to %s. And i"

yo% tell any#odyF@ @4 read yo%, #%t 4 don?t #elie e yo%.@ @9o% don?t ha e to #elie e $e. ;hat kind o" c%tter are yo%I@ @'horacic.@ @8ood,@ Ryan t%rned into sick #ay, @yo% ha e a g%nshot &o%nd icti$ &ho needs yo% #ad.@ ;illia$s &as lying naked on the ta#le. A sailor ca$e in &ith an ar$"%l o" $edical s%pplies and set the$ on +etro ?s desk. 'he October?s $edical locker had a s%pply o" "roBen plas$a, and the t&o corps$en already had t&o %nits r%nning into the lie%tenant. A chest t%#e &as in, draining into a ac%%$ #ottle. @;e got a nine2$illi$eter in this $an?s chest,@ one o" the corps$en said a"ter introd%cing hi$sel" and his partner. @0e?s had a chest t%#e in the last ten ho%rs, they tell $e. 'he head looks &orse than it is. Right p%pil is a little #lo&n, #%t no #ig deal. 'he chest is #ad, sir. 9o%?d #etter take a listen.@ @:italsI@ !oyes "ished in his #ag "or a stethoscope. @0eart is 115 and thready. Blood press%re?s eighty o er "orty.@ !oyes $o ed his stethoscope aro%nd ;illia$s? chest, "ro&ning. @0eart?s in the &rong place. ;e ha e a le"t tension pne%$othora7. 'here $%st #e a D%art o" "l%id in there, and it so%nds like he?s heading "or congesti e "ail%re.@ !oyes t%rned to Ryan. @9o% get o%t o" here. 4? e got a chest to crack.@ @'ake care o" hi$, Loc. 0e?s a good $an.@ @Aren?t they all,@ !oyes o#ser ed, stripping o"" his Cacket. @Let?s get scr%##ed, people.@ Ryan &ondered i" a prayer &o%ld help. !oyes looked and talked like a s%rgeon. Ryan hoped he &as. 0e &ent a"t to the captain?s ca#in, &here Ra$i%s &as sleeping &ith the dr%gs he?d #een gi en. 'he leg had stopped #leeding, and e idently one o" the corps$en had checked on it. !oyes co%ld &ork on hi$ ne7t. Ryan &ent "or&ard. Borodin "elt he had lost control and didn?t like it, tho%gh it &as so$ething o" a relie". '&o &eeks o" constant tension pl%s the ner e2&renching change in plans had shaken the o""icer $ore than he &o%ld ha e #elie ed. 'he sit%ation no& &as %npleasantFthe A$ericans &ere trying to #e kind, #%t they &ere so da$ned o erpo&eringJ At least the Red October?s o""icers &ere not in danger. '&enty $in%tes later the Nodiac &as #ack again. '&o sailors &ent topside to %nload a "e& h%ndred po%nds o" "roBen "ood, then helped Jones &ith his electronic gear. 4t took se eral $in%tes to get e erything sD%ared a&ay, and the sea$en &ho took the "ood "or&ard ca$e #ack shaken a"ter "inding t&o sti"" #odies and a third "roBen solid. 'here had not #een ti$e to $o e the t&o recent cas%alties. @8ot e erything, ,kipper,@ Jones reported. 0e handed the depth ga%ge dial to the chie". @;hat is all o" thisI@ Borodin asked. @Captain, 4 got the $od%lator to $ake the gertr%de.@ Jones held %p a s$all #o7. @'his other st%"" is a little color ':, a ideo cassette recorder, and so$e $o ie tapes. 'he skipper tho%ght yo% gentle$en $ight &ant so$ething to rela7 &ith, to get to kno& %s a little, yo% kno&I@ @>o iesI@ Borodin shook his head. @Cine$a $o iesI@ @,%re,@ >anc%so ch%ckled. @;hat did yo% #ring, JonesyI@ @;ell, sir, 4 got &T&, (tar ?ars, #ig =ake, and +ondo.@ Clearly Jones &anted to #e care"%l &hat parts o" A$erica he introd%ced the R%ssians to. @>y apologies, Captain. >y cre&$an has li$ited taste in $o ies.@ At the $o$ent Borodin &o%ld ha e settled "or The #attleship Potemkin. 'he "atig%e &as

really hitting hi$ hard. 'he cook #%stled a"t &ith an ar$load o" groceries. @4?ll ha e co""ee in a "e& $in%tes, sir,@ he said to Borodin on his &ay to the galley. @4 &o%ld like so$ething to eat. !one o" %s has eaten in a day,@ Borodin said. @=oodJ@ >anc%so called a"t. @Aye, ,kipper. Let $e "ig%re this galley o%t.@ >annion checked his &atch. @'&enty $in%tes, sir.@ @;e ha e e erything &e need a#oardI@ @9es, sir.@ Jones #ypassed the p%lse control on the sonar a$pli"ier and &ired in the $od%lator. 4t &as e en easier than he?d e7pected. 0e had taken a radio $icrophone "ro$ the !allas along &ith e erything else and no& connected it to the sonar set #e"ore po&ering the syste$ %p. 0e had to &ait "or the set to &ar$ %p. Jones hadn?t seen this $any t%#es since he?d gone o%t on ': repair Co#s &ith his "ather, and that had #een a long ti$e ago. @!allas, this is Jonesy, do yo% copyI@ @Aye.@ 'he reply &as scratchy, like a ta7ica# radio. @'hanks. *%t.@ 0e s&itched o"". @4t &orks. 'hat &as pretty easy, &asn?t itI@ Enlisted $an, hellJ And not e en trained on ,o iet eD%ip$entJ the October?s electronics o""icer tho%ght. 4t ne er occ%rred to hi$ that this piece o" eD%ip$ent &as a near copy o" an o#solete A$erican => syste$. @0o& long ha e yo% #een a sonar$anI@ @'hree and a hal" years, sir. ,ince 4 dropped o%t o" college.@ @9o% learn all this in three yearsI@ the o""icer asked sharply. Jones shr%gged. @;hat?s the #ig deal, sirI 4? e #een "oolin, &ith radios and st%"" since 4 &as a kid. 9o% $ind i" 4 play so$e $%sic, sirI@ Jones had decided to #e especially nice. 0e had only one tape o" a R%ssian co$poser, the !%tcracker ,%ite, and had #ro%ght that along &ith "o%r Bachs. Jones liked to hear $%sic &hile he prayed o er circ%it diagra$s. 'he yo%ng sonar$an &as in 0og 0ea en. All the R%ssian sets he had listened to "or three yearsFno& he had their sche$atics, their hard&are, and the ti$e to "ig%re the$ all o%t. B%gaye contin%ed to &atch in a$aBe$ent as Jones? "ingers did their #allet thro%gh the $an%al pages to the $%sic o" 'chaiko sky. @'i$e to di e, sir,@ >annion said in control. @:ery &ell. ;ith yo%r per$ission, Captain Borodin, 4 &ill assist &ith the ents. All hatches and openings are . . .sh%t.@ 'he di ing #oard %sed the sa$e light2array syste$ as A$erican #oats, >anc%so noticed. >anc%so took stock o" the sit%ation one last ti$e. B%tler and his "o%r $ost senior petty o""icers &ere already tending to the n%clear tea kettle a"t. 'he sit%ation looked pretty good, considering. 'he only thing that co%ld really go #adly &rong &o%ld #e "or the October?s o""icers to change their $inds. 'he !allas &o%ld #e keeping the $issile s%# %nder constant sonar o#ser ation. 4" she $o ed, the !allas had a ten2knot speed ad antage &ith &hich to #lock the channel. @'he &ay 4 see it, Captain, &e are rigged "or di e,@ >anc%so said. Borodin nodded and so%nded the di ing alar$. 4t &as a #%BBer, C%st like on A$erican #oats. >anc%so, >annion, and the R%ssian o""icer &orked the co$ple7 ent controls. 'he Red October #egan her slo& descent. 4n "i e $in%tes she &as resting on the #otto$, &ith se enty "eet o" &ater o er the top o" her sail.

'he ;hite 0o%se +elt &as on the phone to the ,o iet e$#assy at three in the $orning. @Ale7, this is Je""rey +elt.@ @0o& are yo%, Lr. +eltI 4 $%st o""er $y thanks and that o" the ,o iet people "or yo%r action to sa e o%r sailor. 4 &as in"or$ed a "e& $in%tes ago that he is no& conscio%s, and that he is e7pected to reco er "%lly.@ @9es, 4 C%st learned that $ysel". ;hat?s his na$e, #y the &ayI@ +elt &ondered i" he had a&akened Ar#ato . 4t didn?t so%nd like it. @Andre Aatyskin, a cook petty o""icer "ro$ Leningrad.@ @8ood, Ale7, 4 a$ in"or$ed that 6,, Pigeon has resc%ed nearly the entire cre& o" another ,o iet s%#$arine o"" the Carolinas. 0er na$e, e idently, &as Red October. 'hat?s the good ne&s, Ale7. 'he #ad ne&s is that the essel e7ploded and sank #e"ore &e co%ld get the$ all o"". >ost o" the o""icers, and t&o o" o%r o""icers, &ere lost.@ @;hen &as thisI@ @:ery early yesterday $orning. ,orry a#o%t the delay, #%t Pigeon had tro%#le &ith the radio, as a res%lt o" the %nder&ater e7plosion, they say. 9o% kno& ho& that sort o" thing can happen.@ @4ndeed.@ +elt had to ad$ire the response, not a trace o" irony. @;here are they no&I@ @'he Pigeon is sailing to Charleston, ,o%th Carolina. ;e?ll ha e yo%r cre&$en "lo&n directly to ;ashington "ro$ there.@ @And this s%#$arine e7plodedI 9o% are s%reI@ @9eah, one o" the cre&$en said they had a $aCor reactor accident. 4t &as C%st good l%ck that Pigeon &as there. ,he &as heading to the :irginia coast to look at the other one yo% lost. 4 think yo%r na y needs a little &ork, Ale7,@ +elt o#ser ed. @4 &ill pass that along to >osco&, Loctor,@ Ar#ato responded dryly. @Can yo% tell %s &here this happenedI@ @4 can do #etter than that. ;e ha e a ship taking a deep2di ing research s%# do&n to look "or the &reckage. 4" yo% &ant, yo% can ha e yo%r na y "ly a $an to !or"olk, and &e?ll "ly hi$ o%t to check it "or yo%. =air eno%ghI@ @9o% say yo% lost t&o o""icersI@ Ar#ato played "or ti$e, s%rprised at the o""er. @9es, #oth resc%e people. ;e did get a h%ndred $en o"", Ale7,@ +elt said de"ensi ely. @'hat?s so$ething.@ @4ndeed it is, Lr. +elt. 4 $%st ca#le >osco& "or instr%ctions. 4 &ill #e #ack to yo%. 9o% are at yo%r o""iceI@ @Correct. Bye, Ale7.@ 0e h%ng %p and looked at the president. @Lo 4 pass, #ossI@ @;ork a little #it on the sincerity, Je"".@ 'he president &as spra&led in a leather chair, a ro#e o er his paCa$as. @'hey?ll #iteI@ @'hey?ll #ite. 'hey s%re as hell &ant to con"ir$ the destr%ction o" the s%#. O%estion is, can &e "ool ?e$I@ @=oster see$s to think so. 4t so%nds pla%si#le eno%gh.@ @0$ph. ;ell, &e ha e her, don?t &eI@ +elt o#ser ed. @9ep, 4 g%ess that story a#o%t the 8R6 agent &as &rong, or else they kicked hi$ o"" &ith e ery#ody else. 4 &ant to see that Captain Ra$i%s. JeeBJ +%lling a reactor scare, no &onder he got e ery#ody o"" the shipJ@

'he +entagon ,kip 'yler &as in the C!*?s o""ice trying to rela7 in a chair. 'he coast g%ard station on the inlet had had a lo&2light tele ision, the tape "ro$ &hich had #een "lo&n #y helicopter to Cherry +oint and "ro$ there #y +hanto$ Cet "ighter to Andre&s. !o& it &as in the hands o" a co%rier &hose a%to$o#ile &as C%st p%lling %p at the +entagon?s $ain entrance. @4 ha e a package to hand deli er to Ad$iral =oster,@ an ensign anno%nced a "e& $in%tes later. =oster?s "lag secretary pointed hi$ to the door. @8ood $orning, sirJ 'his is "or yo%, sir.@ 'he ensign handed =oster the &rapped cassette. @'hank yo%. Lis$issed.@ =oster inserted the cassette in the tape player atop his o""ice tele ision. 'he set &as already on, and the pict%re appeared in se eral seconds. 'yler &as standing #eside the C!* as it "oc%sed. @9ep.@ @9ep,@ =oster agreed. 'he pict%re &as lo%syFno other &ord "or it. 'he lo&2light tele ision syste$ did not gi e a ery sharp pict%re since it a$pli"ied all o" the a$#ient light eD%ally. 'his tended to &ash o%t $any details. B%t &hat they sa& &as eno%ghK a ery large $issile s%#$arine &hose sail &as $%ch "arther a"t than the sails on anything a ;estern co%ntry $ade. ,he d&ar"ed the !allas and Pogy. 'hey &atched the screen &itho%t a &ord "or the ne7t "i"teen $in%tes. E7cept "or the &o##ly ca$era, the pict%re &as a#o%t as li ely as a test pattern. @;ell,@ =oster said as the tape ended, @&e got %s a R%ssian #oo$er.@ @0o& ?#o%t thatI@ 'yler grinned. @,kip, yo% &ere %p "or co$$and o" Los Angeles, rightI@ @9es, sir.@ @;e o&e yo% "or this, Co$$ander, &e o&e yo% a lot. 4 did so$e checking the other day. An o""icer inC%red in the line o" d%ty does not necessarily ha e to retire %nless he is de$onstra#ly %n"it "or d%ty. An accident &hile ret%rning "ro$ &orking on yo%r #oat is line o" d%ty, 4 think, and &e? e had a "e& ship co$$anders &ho &ere short a leg. 4?ll go to the president $ysel" on this, son. 4t &ill $ean a year?s &ork getting #ack in the groo e, #%t i" yo% still &ant yo%r co$$and, #y 8od, 4?ll get it "or yo%.@ 'yler sat do&n "or that. 4t &o%ld $ean #eing "itted "or a ne& leg, so$ething he?d #een considering "or $onths, and a "e& &eeks getting %sed to it. 'hen a yearFa good yearF relearning e erything he needed to kno& #e"ore he co%ld go to sea . . .0e shook his head. @'hank yo%, Ad$iral. 9o% don?t kno& &hat that $eans to $eF#%t, no. 4?$ past that no&. 4 ha e a di""erent li"e, and di""erent responsi#ilities no&, and 4?d C%st #e taking so$eone else?s slot. 'ell yo% &hat, yo% let $e get a look at that #oo$er, and &e?re e en.@ @'hat 4 can g%arantee.@ =oster had hoped he?d respond that &ay, had #een nearly s%re o" it. 4t &as too #ad, tho%gh. 'yler, he tho%ght, &o%ld ha e #een a good candidate "or his o&n "lag e7cept "or the leg. ;ell, no#ody e er said the &orld &as "air. 'he Red *cto#er @9o% g%ys see$ to ha e things %nder control,@ Ryan o#ser ed. @Loes any#ody $ind i" 4 "lake o%t so$e&hereI@ @=lake o%tI@ Borodin asked.

@,leep.@ @Ah, take Lr. +etro ?s ca#in, across "ro$ the $edical o""ice.@ *n his &ay a"t Ryan looked in Borodin?s ca#in and "o%nd the odka #ottle that had #een li#erated. 4t didn?t ha e $%ch taste, #%t it &as s$ooth eno%gh. +etro ?s #%nk &as not ery &ide or ery so"t. Ryan &as past caring. 0e took a long s&allo& and lay do&n in his %ni"or$, &hich &as already so greasy and dirty as to #e #eyond hope. 0e &as asleep in "i e $in%tes. 'he ,ea Cli"" 'he air2p%ri"ier syste$ &as not &orking properly, Lie%tenant , en Johnsen tho%ght. 4" his sin%s cold had lasted a "e& $ore days he $ight not ha e noticed. 'he (ea "liff &as C%st passing ten tho%sand "eet, and they co%ldn?t tinker &ith the syste$ %ntil they s%r"aced. 4t &as not dangero%s Fthe en iron$ental control syste$s had as $any #%ilt2in red%ndancies as the ,pace ,h%ttleF C%st a n%isance. @4? e ne er #een so deep,@ Captain 4gor Aagano ich said con ersationally. 8etting hi$ here had #een co$plicated. 4t had reD%ired a 0eli7 helicopter "ro$ the 'ie$ to the Tara)a, then a 6.,. !a y ,ea Aing to !or"olk. Another helicopter had taken hi$ to the 6,, Austin, &hich &as heading "or --! (.; at t&enty knots. 'he Austin &as a landing ship dock, a large essel &hose a"t end &as a co ered &ell. ,he &as %s%ally %sed "or landing cra"t, #%t today she carried the (ea "liff, a three2$an s%#$arine that had #een "lo&n do&n "ro$ ;oods 0ole, >assach%setts. @Loes take so$e getting %sed to,@ Johnsen agreed, @#%t &hen yo% get do&n to it, "i e h%ndred "eet, ten tho%sand "eet, doesn?t $ake $%ch di""erence. A h%ll "ract%re &o%ld kill yo% C%st as "ast, C%st do&n here there?d #e less resid%e "or the ne7t #oat to try and reco er.@ @Aeep thinking those happy tho%ghts, sir,@ >achinist?s >ate =irst Class Jesse * erton said. @,till clear on sonarI@ @Right, Jess.@ Johnsen had #een &orking &ith the $achinist?s $ate "or t&o years. 'he (ea "liff &as their #a#y, a s$all, r%gged research s%#$arine %sed $ainly "or oceanographic tasks, incl%ding the e$place$ent or repair o" ,*,6, sensors. *n the three2$an s%# there &as little place "or #ridge discipline. * erton &as not &ell ed%cated or ery artic%lateFat least not politely artic%late. 0is skill at $ane% ering the $inis%# &as %ns%rpassed, ho&e er, and Johnsen &as C%st as happy to lea e that Co# to hi$. 4t &as the lie%tenant?s task to $anage the $ission at hand. @Air syste$ needs so$e &ork,@ Johnsen o#ser ed. @9eah, the "ilters are a#o%t d%e "or replace$ent. 4 &as going to do that ne7t &eek. Co%lda? done it this $orning, #%t 4 "ig%red the #ack%p control &iring &as $ore i$portant.@ @8%ess 4 ha e to go along &ith yo% on that. 0andling okayI@ @Like a irgin.@ * erton?s s$ile &as re"lected in the thick Le7an ie& port in "ront o" the control seat. 'he (ea "liff?s a&k&ard design $ade her cl%$sy to $ane% er. 4t &as as tho%gh she kne& &hat she &anted to do, C%st not D%ite ho& she &anted to do it. @0o& &ide?s the target areaI@ @+retty &ide. Pigeon says a"ter the e7plosion the pieces spread "ro$ hell to #reak"ast.@ @4 #elie e it. 'hree $iles do&n, and a c%rrent to spread it aro%nd.@ @'he #oat?s na$e is Red October, CaptainI A %ictor2class attack s%#$arine, yo% saidI@ @'hat is yo%r na$e "or the class,@ Aagano ich said. @;hat do yo% call the$I@ Johnsen asked. 0e got no reply. ;hat &as the #ig dealI he

&ondered. ;hat did the na$e o" the class $atter to any#odyI @,&itching on locater sonar.@ Johnsen acti ated se eral syste$s, and the (ea "liff p%lsed &ith the so%nd o" the high2"reD%ency sonar $o%nted on her #elly. @'here?s the #otto$.@ 'he yello& screen sho&ed #otto$ conto%rs in &hite. @Anything sticking %p, sirI@ * erton asked. @!ot today, Jess.@ A year #e"ore they had #een operating a "e& $iles "ro$ this spot and nearly #een i$paled on a Li#erty ship, s%nk aro%nd 194/ #y a 8er$an 62#oat. 'he h%lk had #een sitting %p at an angle, propped %p #y a $assi e #o%lder. 'hat near collision &o%ld s%rely ha e #een "atal, and it had ta%ght #oth $en ca%tion. @*kay, 4?$ starting to get so$e hard ret%rns. Lirectly ahead, spread o%t like a "an. Another "i e h%ndred "eet to the #otto$.@ @Right.@ @0$ph. 'here?s one #ig piece, ?#o%t thirty "eet long, $ay#e nine or ten across, ele en o?clock, three h%ndred yards. ;e?ll go "or that one "irst.@ @Co$ing le"t, lights co$ing on no&.@ A hal"2doBen high2intensity "loodlights ca$e on, at once s%rro%nding the s%#$ersi#le in a glo#e o" light. 4t did not penetrate $ore than ten yards in the &ater, &hich ate %p the light energy. @'here?s the #otto$, C%st &here yo% said, >r. Johnsen,@ * erton said. 0e halted the po&ered descent and checked "or #%oyancy. Al$ost e7actly ne%tral, good. @'his c%rrent?s going to #e to%gh on #attery po&er.@ @0o& strong is itI@ @Anot an? a hal", $ay#e $ore like t&o, depending on #otto$ conto%rs. ,a$e as last year. 4 "ig%re &e can $ane% er an ho%r, ho%r an? a hal", tops.@ Johnsen agreed. *ceanographers &ere still p%BBling o er this deep c%rrent, &hich see$ed to change direction "ro$ ti$e to ti$e in no partic%lar pattern. *dd. 'here &ere a lot o" odd things in the ocean. 'hat?s &hy Johnsen got his oceanography degree, to "ig%re so$e o" the #%ggers o%t. 4t s%re #eat &orking "or a li ing. Being three $iles do&n &asn?t &ork, not to Johnsen. @4 see so$ethin?, a "lash o"" the #otto$ right in "ront o" %s. ;ant 4 sho%ld gra# itI@ @4" yo% can.@ 'hey co%ldn?t see it yet on any o" the (ea "liff?s three ': $onitors, &hich looked straight ahead, "orty2"i e degrees le"t and right o" the #o&. @*kay.@ * erton p%t his right hand on the &aldo control. 'his &as &hat he &as really #est at. @Can yo% see &hat it isI@ Johnsen asked, "iddling &ith the ':. @,o$e kinda instr%$ent. Can yo% kill the n%$#er one "lood, sirI 4t?s daBBlin? $e.@ @;ait one.@ Johnsen leaned "or&ard to kill the proper s&itch. 'he n%$#er one "loodlight pro ided ill%$ination "or the #o& ca$era, &hich &ent i$$ediately #lank. @*kay, #a#y, no& let?s C%st hold steady . . .@ 'he $achinist?s $ate?s le"t hand &orked the directional propeller controlsE his right &as poised in the &aldo glo e. !o& he &as the only one &ho co%ld see the target. * erton?s re"lection &as grinning at itsel". 0is right hand $o ed rapidly. @8otchaJ@ he said. 'he &aldo took the depth2ga%ge dial a di er had $agnetically a""i7ed to the (ea "liff?s #o& prior to setting o%t "ro$ the Austin?s dock #ay. 9o% can hit the light again, sir.@

Johnsen "licked it on, and * erton $ane% ered his catch in "ront o" the #o& ca$era. @Can ya see &hat it isI@ @Looks like a depth ga%ge. !ot one o" o%rs, tho%gh,@ Johnsen o#ser ed. @Can yo% $ake it o%t, CaptainI@ @!a,@ Aagano ich said at once. 0e let o%t a long #reath, trying to so%nd %nhappy. @4t is one o" o%rs. 4 cannot read the n%$#er, #%t it is ,o iet.@ @+%t it in the #asket, Jess,@ Johnsen said. @Right.@ 0e $ane% ered the &aldo, placing the dial in a #asket &elded on the #o&, then getting the $anip%lator ar$ #ack to its rest position. @8etting so$e silt. Let?s pick %p a little.@ As the ,ea Cli"" got too close to the #otto$ the &ash "ro$ her propellers stirred %p the "ine all% ial silt. * erton increased po&er to get #ack to a t&enty2"oot height. @'hat?s #etter. ,ee &hat the c%rrent is doin?, >r. JohnsenI 8ood t&o knots. 8onna c%t o%r #otto$ ti$e.@ 'he c%rrent &as &a"ting the clo%d to port, rather D%ickly. @;here?s the #ig targetI@ @Lead ahead, h%ndred yards. Let?s $ake s%re &e see &hat that is.@ @Right. 8oing "or&ard . . .'here?s so$ething, looks like a #%tcher kni"e. ;e &ant itI@ @!o, let?s keep going.@ @*kay, rangeI@ @,i7ty yards. *%ght to #e seeing it soon.@ 'he t&o o""icers sa& it on ': the sa$e ti$e * erton did. J%st a spectral i$age at "irst, it "aded like an a"teri$age in one?s eye. 'hen it ca$e #ack. * erton &as the "irst to react. @La$nJ@ 4t &as $ore than thirty "eet long and appeared per"ectly ro%nd. 'hey approached "ro$ its rear and sa& the $ain circle and &ithin it "o%r s$aller cones that st%ck o%t a "oot or so. @'hat?s a $issile, ,kipper, a &hole "%ckin? R%sskie n%clear $issileJ@ @0old position, Jess.@ @Aye aye.@ 0e #acked o"" on the po&er controls. @9o% said she &as a %ictor,@ Johnsen said to the ,o iet. @4 &as $istaken.@ Aagano ich?s $o%th t&itched. @Let?s take a closer look, Jess.@ 'he (ea "liff $o ed "or&ard, %p the side o" the rocket #ody. 'he Cyrillic lettering &as %n$istaka#le, tho%gh they &ere too "ar o"" to $ake o%t the serial n%$#ers. 'here &as a ne& treas%re "or La ey Jones, an ,,2!2/5 ,eaha&k, &ith its eight "i e2h%ndred2kiloton >4R:s. Aagano ich &as care"%l to note the $arkings on the $issile #ody. 0e?d #een #rie"ed on the ,eaha&k i$$ediately #e"ore "lying "ro$ the 'ie$. As an intelligence o""icer, he ordinarily kne& $ore a#o%t A$erican &eapons than their ,o iet co%nterparts. 0o& con enient, he tho%ght. 'he A$ericans had allo&ed hi$ to ride in one o" their $ost ad anced research essels &hose internal arrange$ents he had already $e$oriBed, and they had acco$plished his $ission "or hi$. 'he Red October &as dead. All he had to do &as get that in"or$ation to Ad$iral ,tral#o on the 'iro$ and the "leet co%ld lea e the A$erican coast. Let the$ co$e to the !or&egian ,ea to play their nasty ga$esJ ,ee &ho &o%ld &in the$ %p thereJ @+osition check, Jess. >ark the s%cker.@ @Aye.@ * erton pressed a #%tton to deploy a sonar transponder that &o%ld respond only to a coded A$erican sonar signal. 'his &o%ld g%ide the$ #ack to the $issile. 'hey &o%ld ret%rn later &ith their hea y2li"t rig to p%t a line on the $issile and ha%l it to the s%r"ace. @'hat is the property o" the ,o iet 6nion,@ Aagano ich pointed o%t. @4t is inF%nder

international &aters. 4t #elongs to $y co%ntry.@ @'hen yo% can "%ckin? co$e and get itJ@ snapped the A$erican sea$an. 0e $%st #e an o""icer in disg%ise, Aagano ich tho%ght. @Beg pardon, >r. Johnsen.@ @;e?ll #e #ack "or it,@ Johnsen said. @9o%?ll ne er li"t it. 4t is too hea y,@ Aagano ich o#Cected. @4 s%ppose yo%?re right.@ Johnsen s$iled. Aagano ich allo&ed the A$ericans their s$all ictory. 4t co%ld ha e #een &orse. >%ch &orse. @,hall &e contin%e to search "or $ore &reckageI@ @!o, 4 think &e?ll go #ack %p,@ Johnsen decided. @B%t yo%r ordersF@ @>y orders, Captain Aagano ich, &ere to search "or the re$ains o" a %ictor2class attack s%#$arine. ;e "o%nd the gra e o" a #oo$er. 9o% lied to %s, Captain, and o%r co%rtesy to yo% ends at this point. 9o% got &hat yo% &anted, 4 g%ess. Later &e?ll #e #ack "or &hat &e &ant.@ Johnsen reached %p and p%lled the release handle "or the iron #allast. 'he $etal sla# dropped "ree. 'his ga e the (ea "liff a tho%sand po%nds o" positi e #%oyancy. 'here &as no &ay to stay do&n no&, e en i" they &anted to. @0o$e, Jess.@ @Aye aye, ,kipper.@ 'he ride #ack to the s%r"ace &as a silent one. 'he 6,, A%stin An ho%r later, Aagano ich cli$#ed to the Austin?s #ridge and reD%ested per$ission to send a $essage to the 'iro$. 'his had #een agreed %pon #e"orehand, else the Austin?s co$$anding o""icer &o%ld ha e re"%sed. ;ord on the dead s%#?s identity had spread "ast. 'he ,o iet o""icer #roadcast a series o" code &ords, acco$panied #y the serial n%$#er "ro$ the depth2ga%ge dial. 'hese &ere ackno&ledged at once. * erton and Johnsen &atched the R%ssian #oard the helicopter, carrying the depth2ga%ge dial. @4 didn?t like hi$ $%ch, >r. Johnsen. 'eptin 'aganobitch. 'he na$e so%nds like a ter$inal st%dder. ;e snookered hi$, didn?t &eI@ @Re$ind $e ne er to play cards &ith yo%, Jess.@ 'he Red *cto#er Ryan &oke %p a"ter si7 ho%rs to $%sic that see$ed drea$ily "a$iliar. 0e lay in his #%nk "or a $in%te trying to place it, then slipped his "eet into his shoes and &ent "or&ard to the &ardroo$. 4t &as &T. Ryan arri ed C%st in ti$e to see the credits scrolling %p the thirteen2inch ': set sitting on the "or&ard end o" the &ardroo$ ta#le. >ost o" the R%ssian o""icers and three A$ericans had #een &atching it. 'he R%ssians &ere all da##ing their eyes. Jack got a c%p o" co""ee and sat at the end o" the ta#le. @9o% liked itI@ @4t &as $agni"icentJ@ Borodin proclai$ed. Lie%tenant >annion ch%ckled. @,econd ti$e &e ran it.@ *ne o" the R%ssians started speaking rapidly in his nati e lang%age. Borodin translated "or

hi$. @0e asks i" all A$erican children act &ith s%chFB%gaye , s$obodno2@ @=ree,@ B%gaye translated, incorrectly #%t close eno%gh. Ryan la%ghed. @4 ne er did, #%t the $o ie &as set in Cali"orniaFpeople o%t there are a little craBy. 'he tr%th is, no, kids don?t act like thatFat least 4? e ne er seen it, and 4 ha e t&o. At the sa$e ti$e, &e do raise o%r kids to #e a lot $ore independent than ,o iet parents do.@ Borodin translated, and then ga e the R%ssian response. @,o, all A$erican children are not s%ch hooligansI@ @,o$e are. A$erica is not per"ect, gentle$en. ;e $ake lots o" $istakes.@ Ryan had decided to tell the tr%th inso"ar as he co%ld. Borodin translated again. 'he reactions aro%nd the ta#le &ere a little d%#io%s. @4 ha e told the$ this $o ie is a child?s story and sho%ld not #e taken too serio%sly. 'his is soI@ @9es, sir,@ >anc%so, &ho had C%st co$e in, said. @4t?s a kid?s story, #%t 4? e seen it "i e ti$es. ;elco$e #ack, Ryan.@ @'hank yo%, Co$$ander. 4 take it yo% ha e things %nder control.@ @9ep. 4 g%ess &e all needed the chance to %n&ind. 4?ll ha e to &rite Jonesy another co$$endation letter. 'his really &as a good idea.@ 0e &a ed at the tele ision. @;e ha e lots o" ti$e to #e serio%s.@ !oyes ca$e in. @0o&?s ;illia$sI@ Ryan asked. @0e?ll $ake it.@ !oyes "illed his c%p. @4 had hi$ open "or three and a hal" ho%rs. 'he head &o%nd &as s%per"icialF#loody as hell, #%t head &o%nds are like that. 'he chest &as a close one, tho%gh. 'he #%llet $issed the pericardi%$ #y a &hisker. Captain Borodin, &ho ga e that $an "irst aidI@ 'he starpom pointed to a lie%tenant. @0e does not speak English.@ @'ell hi$ that ;illia$s o&es hi$ his li"e. +%tting that chest t%#e in &as the di""erence. 0e &o%ld ha e died &itho%t it.@ @9o%?re s%re he?ll $ake itI@ Ryan persisted. @*" co%rse he?ll $ake it, Ryan. 'hat?s &hat 4 do "or a li ing. 0e?ll #e a sick #oy "or a &hile, and 4?d "eel #etter i" &e had hi$ in a real hospital, #%t e erything?s %nder control.@ @And Captain Ra$i%sI@ Borodin asked. @!o pro#le$. 0e?s still sleeping. 4 took $y ti$e se&ing it %p. Ask hi$ &here he got his "irst aid training.@ Borodin did. @0e said he likes to read $edical #ooks.@ @0o& old is heI@ @'&enty2"o%r.@ @'ell hi$ i" he e er &ants to st%dy $edicine, 4?ll tell hi$ ho& to get started. 4" he kno&s ho& to do the right thing at the right ti$e, he $ight C%st #e good eno%gh to do it "or a li ing.@ 'he yo%ng o""icer &as pleased #y this co$$ent and asked ho& $%ch $oney a doctor co%ld $ake in A$erica. @4?$ in the ser ice, so 4 don?t $ake ery $%ch. =orty2eight tho%sand a year, co%nting "light pay. 4 co%ld do a lot #etter on the o%tside.@ @4n the ,o iet 6nion,@ Borodin pointed o%t, @doctors are paid a#o%t the sa$e as "actory &orkers.@ @>ay#e that e7plains &hy yo%r docs are no good,@ !oyes o#ser ed. @;hen &ill the captain #e a#le to res%$e co$$andI@ Borodin asked. @4?$ going to keep hi$ do&n all day,@ !oyes said. @4 don?t &ant hi$ to start #leeding again.

0e can start $o ing aro%nd to$orro&. Care"%lly. 4 don?t &ant hi$ on that leg too $%ch. 0e?ll #e "ine, gentle$en. A little &eak "ro$ the #lood loss, #%t he?ll reco er "%lly.@ !oyes $ade his prono%nce$ents as tho%gh he &ere D%oting physical la&s. @;e thank yo%, Loctor,@ Borodin said. !oyes shr%gged. @4t?s &hat they pay $e "or. !o& can 4 ask a D%estionI ;hat the hell is going on hereI@ Borodin la%ghed, translating the D%estion "or his co$rades. @;e &ill all #eco$e A$erican citiBens.@ @And yo%?re #ringing a s%# along &ith yo%, ehI ,on o" a g%n. =or a &hile there 4 tho%ght this &as so$e sort o"F4 don?t kno&, so$ething. 'his is D%ite a story. 8%ess 4 can?t tell it to any#ody, tho%gh.@ @Correct, Loctor.@ Ryan s$iled. @'oo #ad.@ !oyes $%ttered as he headed #ack to sick #ay. >osco& @,o, Co$rade Ad$iral, yo% report s%ccess to %sI@ !ar$ono asked. @9es, Co$rade 8eneral ,ecretary,@ 8orshko nodded, s%r eying the con"erence ta#le in the %ndergro%nd co$$and center. All o" the inner circle &ere here, along &ith the $ilitary chie"s and the head o" the A8B. @Ad$iral ,tral#o?s "leet intelligence o""icer, Captain Aagano ich, &as per$itted #y the A$ericans to ie& the &reckage "ro$ a#oard one o" their deep2s%#$ergence research essels. 'he cra"t reco ered a "rag$ent o" &reckage, a depth2ga%ge dial. 'hese o#Cects are n%$#ered, and the n%$#er &as i$$ediately relayed to >osco&. 4t &as positi ely "ro$ Red October. Aagano ich also inspected a $issile #lasted loose "ro$ the s%#$arine. 4t &as de"initely a ,eaha&k. Red October is dead. *%r $ission is acco$plished.@ @By chance, Co$rade Ad$iral, not #y design,@ >ikhail Ale7andro pointed o%t. @9o%r "leet "ailed in its $ission to locate and destroy the s%#$arine. 4 think Co$rade 8erasi$o has so$e in"or$ation "or %s.@ !ikolay 8erasi$o &as the ne& A8B chie". 0e had already gi en his report to the political $e$#ers o" this gro%p and &as eager to release it to these str%tting peacocks in %ni"or$. 0e &anted to see their reactions. 'he A8B had scores to settle &ith these $en. 8erasi$o s%$$ariBed the report he had "ro$ agent Cassi%s. @4$possi#leJ@ 8orshko snapped. @+erhaps,@ 8erasi$o conceded politely. @'here is a strong pro#a#ility that this is a ery cle er piece o" disin"or$ation. 4t is no& #eing in estigated #y o%r agents in the "ield. 'here are, ho&e er, so$e interesting details &hich s%pport this hypothesis. +er$it $e to re ie& the$, Co$rade Ad$iral. @=irst, &hy did the A$ericans allo& o%r $an a#oard one o" their $ost sophisticated research s%#$arinesI ,econd, &hy did they cooperate &ith %s at all, sa ing o%r sailor "ro$ the Polito$skiy and telling %s a#o%t itI 'hey let %s see o%r $an i$$ediately. ;hyI ;hy not keep o%r $an, %se hi$, and dispose o" hi$I ,enti$entalityI 4 think not. 'hird, at the sa$e ti$e they picked this $an %p their air and "leet %nits &ere harassing o%r "leet in the $ost #latant and aggressi e $anner. 'his s%ddenly stopped, and a day later they &ere tripping o er their o&n "eet in their e""orts to assist in o%r ?search and resc%e.?@ @Beca%se ,tral#o &isely and co%rageo%sly decided to re"rain "ro$ reacting to their

pro ocations,@ 8orshko replied. 8erasi$o nodded politely again. @+erhaps so. 'hat &as an intelligent decision on the ad$iral?s part. 4t cannot #e easy "or a %ni"or$ed o""icer to s&allo& his pride so. *n the other hand, 4 spec%late that it is also possi#le that a#o%t this ti$e the A$ericans recei ed this in"or$ation &hich Cassi%s passed on to %s. 4 "%rther spec%late that the A$ericans &ere "ear"%l o" o%r reaction &ere &e to s%spect that they had perpetrated this entire a""air as a C4A operation. ;e kno& no& that se eral i$perialist intelligence ser ices are inD%iring as to the reason "or this "leet operation. @* er the past t&o days &e ha e #een doing so$e "ast checking o" o%r o&n. ;e "ind,@ 8erasi$o cons%lted his notes, @that there are t&enty2nine +olish engineers at the +olyarnyy s%#$arine yard, $ainly in D%ality control and inspection posts, that $ail and $essage2handling proced%res are ery la7, and that Captain Ra$i%s did not, as he s%pposedly threatened in his letter to Co$rade +adorin, sail his s%#$arine into !e& 9ork har#or, #%t &as rather in a position a tho%sand kilo$eters so%th &hen the s%#$arine &as destroyed.@ @'hat &as an o# io%s piece o" disin"or$ation on Ra$i%s? part,@ 8orshko o#Cected. @Ra$i%s &as #oth #aiting %s and deli#erately $isleading %s. =or that reason &e deployed o%r "leet at all o" the A$erican ports.@ @And ne er did "ind hi$,@ Ale7andro noted D%ietly. @8o on, Co$rade.@ 8erasi$o contin%ed. @;hate er port he &as s%pposedly heading "or, he &as o er "i e h%ndred kilo$eters "ro$ any o" the$, and &e are certain that he co%ld ha e reached any o" the$ on a direct co%rse. 4n "act, Co$rade Ad$iral, as yo% reported in yo%r initial #rie"ing, he co%ld ha e reached the A$erican coast &ithin se en days o" lea ing port.@ @'o do that, as 4 e7plained at length last &eek, &o%ld ha e $eant tra eling at $a7i$%$ speed. >issile s%#$arine co$$anders pre"er not to do this,@ 8orshko said. @4 can %nderstand it,@ Ale7andro o#ser ed, @in ie& o" the "ate o" the Polito$skiy. B%t yo% &o%ld e7pect a traitor to the Rodina to r%n like a thie".@ @4nto the trap &e set,@ 8orshko replied. @;hich "ailed,@ !ar$ono co$$ented. @4 do not clai$ that this story is tr%e, nor do 4 clai$ it is e en a likely one at this point,@ 8erasi$o said, keeping his oice detached and clinical, @#%t there is s%""icient circ%$stantial e idence s%pporting it that 4 $%st reco$$end an indepth in estigation #y the Co$$ittee "or ,tate ,ec%rity to%ching on all aspects o" this a""air.@ @,ec%rity in $y yards is a na al and 8R6 $atter,@ 8orshko said. @!o longer.@ !ar$ono anno%nced the decision reached t&o ho%rs earlier. @'he A8B &ill in estigate this sha$e"%l #%siness along t&o lines. *ne gro%p &ill in estigate the in"or$ation "ro$ o%r agent in ;ashington. 'he other &ill proceed on the ass%$ption that the letter "ro$F allegedly "ro$FCaptain Ra$i%s &as gen%ine. 4" this &as a traitoro%s conspiracy, it co%ld only ha e #een possi#le #eca%se Ra$i%s &as a#le %nder c%rrent reg%lations and practices to choose his o&n o""icers. 'he Co$$ittee "or ,tate ,ec%rity &ill report to %s on the desira#ility o" contin%ing this practice, on the c%rrent degree o" control ship captains ha e o er the careers o" their o""icers, and o er +arty control o" the "leet. 4 think &e &ill #egin o%r re"or$s #y allo&ing o""icers to trans"er "ro$ one ship to another &ith greater "reD%ency. 4" o""icers stay in one place too long, o# io%sly they $ay de elop con"%sion in their loyalties.@ @;hat yo% s%ggest &ill destroy the e""iciency o" $y "leetJ@ 8orshko po%nded on the ta#le. 4t &as a $istake. @'he +eople?s "leet, Co$rade Ad$iral,@ Ale7andro corrected. @'he +arty?s "leet.@ 8orshko

kne& &here that idea ca$e "ro$. !ar$ono still had Ale7andro ?s s%pport. 'hat $ade the co$rade general secretary?s position sec%re, and that $eant the positions o" other $en aro%nd this ta#le &ere not. ;hich $enI +adorin?s $ind re olted at the s%ggestion "ro$ the A8B. ;hat did those #astard spies kno& a#o%t the na yI *r the +artyI 'hey &ere all corr%pt opport%nists. Andropo had pro en that, and the +olit#%ro &as no& letting this &help 8erasi$o attack the ar$ed ser ices. &hich sa"eg%arded the nation against the i$perialists, had sa ed it "ro$ Andropo ?s cliD%e, and had ne er #een anything #%t the stal&art ser ants o" the +arty. B%t it does all "it, doesn?t itI he tho%ght. J%st as Ahr%shche had deposed Nh%ko , the $an &ho $ade his s%ccession possi#le &hen Beria &as done a&ay &ith, so these #astards &o%ld no& play the A8B against the %ni"or$ed $en &ho had $ade their positions sa"e in the "irst place . . . @As "or yo%, Co$rade +adorin,@ Ale7andro &ent on. @9es, Co$rade Acade$ician.@ =or +adorin there &as no apparent escape. 'he >ain +olitical Ad$inistration had passed "inal appro al on Ra$i%s? appoint$ent. 4" Ra$i%s &ere indeed a traitor, then +adorin stood conde$ned "or gross $isC%dg$ent, #%t i" Ra$i%s had #een an %nkno&ing pa&n, then +adorin along &ith 8orshko had #een d%ped into precipito%s action. !ar$ono took his c%e "ro$ Ale7andro . @Co$rade Ad$iral, &e "ind that yo%r secret pro isions to sa"eg%ard the sec%rity o" the s%#$arine Red October &ere s%ccess"%lly i$ple$entedF%nless, that is, Captain Ra$i%s &as #la$eless and sc%ttled the ship hi$sel" along &ith his o""icers and the A$ericans &ho &ere do%#tless trying to steal it. 4n either case, pending the A8B?s inspection o" the parts reco ered "ro$ the &reck, it &o%ld appear that the s%#$arine did not "all into ene$y hands.@ +adorin #linked se eral ti$es. 0is heart &as #eating "ast, and he co%ld "eel a t&inge o" pain in his le"t chest. ;as he #eing let o""I ;hyI 4t took hi$ a second to %nderstand. 0e &as the political o""icer, a"ter all. 4" the +arty &as seeking to reesta#lish political control o er the "leetF no, to reassert &hat ne er had #een lostFthen the +olit#%ro co%ld not a""ord to depose the +arty?s representati e in high co$$and. 'his &o%ld $ake hi$ the assal o" these $en, Ale7andro especially. +adorin decided that he co%ld li e &ith that. And it $ade 8orshko ?s position e7tre$ely %lnera#le. 'ho%gh it &o%ld take so$e $onths, +adorin &as s%re that the R%ssian "leet &o%ld ha e a ne& chie", one &hose personal po&er &o%ld not #e s%""icient to $ake policy &itho%t +olit#%ro appro al. 8orshko had #eco$e too #ig, too po&er"%l, and the +arty chie"tains did not &ish to ha e a $an &ith so $%ch personal prestige in high co$$and. - ha$e my head, +adorin tho%ght to hi$sel", a$aBed at his good "ort%ne. @Co$rade 8erasi$o ,@ !ar$ono &ent on, @&ill #e &orking &ith the political sec%rity section o" yo%r o""ice to re ie& yo%r proced%res and to o""er s%ggestions "or i$pro e$ents.@ ,o, no& he #eca$e the A8B?s spy in high co$$andI ;ell, he had his head, his o""ice, his dacha, and his pension in t&o years. 4t &as a s$all price to pay. +adorin &as $ore than content.

THE SIXTEENTH DAY SATURDAY 18, DECEMBER

'he East Coast 'he 6,, Pigeon arri ed at her dock in Charleston at "o%r in the $orning. 'he ,o iet cre&$en, D%artered in the cre&?s $ess, had #eco$e a hand"%l "or e eryone. As $%ch as the R%ssian o""icers had &orked to li$it contact #et&een their charges and their A$erican resc%ers, this had ne er really #een possi#le. 'o state it si$ply, they had #een %na#le to #lock the call o" nat%re. 'he Pigeon had st%""ed her isitors &ith good na y cho&, and the nearest head &as a "e& yards a"t. *n the &ay to and "ro$ the "acilities, the Red October?s cre&$en $et &ith A$erican sailors, so$e o" &ho$ &ere R%ssian2speaking o""icers disg%ised as enlisted $en, others o" &ho$ &ere R%ssian lang%age specialists in the enlisted rates "lo&n o%t C%st as the last load o" ,o iets had arri ed a#oard. 'he "act that they &ere a#oard a p%tati ely hostile essel and had "o%nd "riendly R%ssian2speaking $en had #een o erpo&ering "or $any o" the yo%ng conscripts. 'heir re$arks had #een recorded on hidden tape $achines "or later e7a$ination in ;ashington. +etro and the three C%nior o""icers had #een slo& to catch on, #%t &hen they did they took to escorting the $en to the toilet in relays, like protecti e parents. ;hat they &ere not a#le to pre ent &as an intelligence o""icer in a #os%n?s %ni"or$ $aking an o""er o" asyl%$K anyone &ho &ished to re$ain in the 6nited ,tates &o%ld #e per$itted to do so. 4t took ten $in%tes "or the in"or$ation to spread thro%gho%t the cre&. ;hen it ca$e ti$e "or the A$erican cre&$en to eat, the R%ssian o""icers co%ld hardly prohi#it contact, and it t%rned o%t that the o""icers the$sel es got ery little to eat, so #%sy &ere they patrolling the $ess ta#les. 'o the #e$%sed s%rprise o" their A$erican co%nterparts, they &ere "orced to decline repeated in itations to the Pigeon?s &ardroo$. 'he Pigeon docked care"%lly. 'here &as no h%rry. As the gang&ay &as set in place, the #and on the dock played a selection o" ,o iet and A$erican airs to $ark the cooperati e nat%re o" the resc%e $ission. 'he ,o iets had e7pected that their arri al &o%ld #e a D%iet one gi en the ti$e o" day. 'hey &ere $istaken in this. ;hen the "irst ,o iet o""icer &as hal"&ay do&n the gang&ay, he &as daBBled #y "i"ty high2intensity tele ision lights and the sho%ted D%estions o" tele ision reporters ro%ted o%t o" #ed to $eet the resc%e ship and so ha e a #right piece o" Christ$as season ne&s "or the $orning net&ork #roadcasts. 'he R%ssians had ne er enco%ntered anything like ;estern ne&s$en #e"ore, and the res%lting c%lt%ral collision &as total

chaos. Reporters singled o%t the o""icers, #locking their paths to the consternation o" $arines trying to keep control o" things. 'o a $an the o""icers pretended not to kno& a &ord o" English, only to "ind that an enterprising reporter had #ro%ght along a R%ssian lang%age pro"essor "ro$ the 6ni ersity o" ,o%th Carolina in Col%$#ia. +etro "o%nd hi$sel" st%$#ling thro%gh politically accepta#le platit%des in "ront o" a hal"2doBen ca$eras and &ishing the entire a""air &ere the #ad drea$ it see$ed to #e. 4t took an ho%r to get e ery R%ssian sailor a#oard the three #%ses chartered "or the p%rpose and o"" to the airport. Along the &ay cars and ans "illed &ith ne&s cre&s raced alongside the #%ses, contin%ing to annoy the R%ssians &ith ca$era lights and "%rther sho%ted D%estions that no one co%ld %nderstand. 'he scene at the airport &as not $%ch di""erent. 'he air "orce had sent do&n a :C21-. transport, #%t #e"ore the R%ssians co%ld #oard it they again had to Costle their &ay thro%gh a sea o" reporters. 4 ano "o%nd hi$sel" con"ronted &ith a ,la ic lang%age e7pert &hose R%ssian &as $arred #y a horrendo%s accent. Boarding took another hal" ho%r. A doBen air "orce o""icers got e eryone seated and passed o%t cigarettes and liD%or $iniat%res. By the ti$e the :4+ transport reached t&enty tho%sand "eet, it &as a ery happy "light. An o""icer spoke to the$ o er the interco$ syste$, e7plaining &hat &as to happen. >edical checks &o%ld #e $ade o" e eryone. 'he ,o iet 6nion &o%ld #e sending a plane "or the$ the ne7t day, #%t e eryone hoped their stay $ight #e e7tended a day or t&o so that they $ight e7perience A$erican hospitality in "%ll. 'he "light cre& o%tdid itsel", telling their passengers the history o" e ery land$ark, to&n, illage, interstate high&ay, and tr%ck stop on the "light ro%te, proclai$ing thro%gh the interpreter the &ish o" all A$ericans "or peace"%l, "riendly relations &ith the ,o iet 6nion, e7pressing the pro"essional ad$iration o" the 6.,. Air =orce "or the co%rage o" the ,o iet sea$en, and $o%rning the deaths o" the o""icers &ho had co%rageo%sly lingered #ehind, allo&ing their $en to go "irst. 'he &hole a""air &as a $asterpiece o" d%plicity ai$ed at o er&hel$ing the$, and it #egan to s%cceed. 'he aircra"t "le& lo& o er the ;ashington s%#%r#s &hile approaching Andre&s Air =orce Base. 'he interpreter e7plained that they &ere "lying o er $iddle2class ho$es that #elonged to ordinary &orkers in go ern$ent and local ind%stry. 'hree $ore #%ses a&aited the$ on the gro%nd, and instead o" dri ing on the #elt&ay aro%nd ;ashington, L.C., the #%ses dro e directly thro%gh to&n. A$erican o""icers on each #%s apologiBed "or the tra""ic Ca$s, telling the passengers that nearly e ery A$erican "a$ily has one car, $any t&o or $ore, and that people only %se p%#lic transportation to a oid the n%isance o" dri ing. 'he nuisance o" dri ing one?s o&n car, the ,o iet sea$an tho%ght in a$aBe$ent. 'heir political o""icers $ight later tell the$ that this &as a total lie, #%t &ho co%ld deny the tho%sands o" cars on the roadI ,%rely this co%ld not all #e a sha$ staged "or the #ene"it o" a "e& sailors on an ho%r?s noticeI Lri ing thro%gh so%theast L.C. they noted that #lack people o&ned carsFscarcely had roo$ to park the$ allJ 'he #%s contin%ed do&n the >all, &ith the interpreters oicing the hope that they &o%ld #e allo&ed to see the $any $%se%$s open to e eryone. 'he Air and ,pace >%se%$, it &as $entioned, had a $oon rock #ro%ght #ack #y the Apollo astrona%ts . . .'he ,o iets sa& the Coggers in the >all and the tho%sands o" people cas%ally strolling aro%nd. 'hey Ca##ered a$ong the$sel es as the #%ses t%rned north to Bethesda thro%gh the nicer sections o" north&est ;ashington. At Bethesda they &ere $et #y tele ision cre&s #roadcasting li e o er all three net&orks and #y "riendly, s$iling 6.,. !a y doctors and corps$en &ho led the$ into the hospital "or $edical checks. 'en e$#assy o""icials &ere there, &ondering ho& to control the gro%p #%t politically %na#le

to protest the attention gi en their $en in the spirit o" dTtente. Loctors had #een #ro%ght in "ro$ ;alter Reed and other go ern$ent hospitals to gi e each $an a D%ick and thoro%gh $edical e7a$ination, partic%larly to check "or radiation poisoning. Along the &ay each $an "o%nd hi$sel" alone &ith a 6.,. !a y o""icer &ho asked politely i" that indi id%al $ight &ish to stay in the 6nited ,tates, pointing o%t that each $an $aking this decision &o%ld #e reD%ired to $ake his intentions kno&n in person to a representati e o" the ,o iet e$#assyF#%t that i" he &ished to do so, he &o%ld #e per$itted to stay. 'o the "%ry o" the e$#assy o""icials, "o%r $en $ade this decision, one recanting a"ter a con"rontation &ith the na al attachT. 'he A$ericans had #een care"%l to ha e each $eeting ideotaped so that later acc%sations o" inti$idation co%ld #e re"%ted at once. ;hen the $edical checks &ere co$pletedFthank"%lly, radiation e7pos%re le els had #een slightFthe $en &ere again "ed and #edded do&n. ;ashington, L.C. @8ood $orning, >r. A$#assador,@ the president said. Ar#ato noted that again Lr. +elt &as standing at his $aster?s side #ehind the large antiD%e desk. 0e had not e7pected this $eeting to #e a pleasant one. @>r. +resident, 4 a$ here to protest the atte$pted kidnapping o" o%r sea$en #y the 6nited ,tates go ern$ent.@ @>r. A$#assador,@ the president responded sharply, @in the eyes o" a "or$er district attorney, kidnapping is a ile and loathso$e cri$e, and the go ern$ent o" the 6nited ,tates o" A$erica &ill not #e acc%sed o" s%ch a thingFcertainly not in this o""iceJ ;e ha e not, do not, and ne er &ill kidnap people. 4s that clear to yo%, sirI@ @Besides &hich, Ale7,@ +elt said less "orce"%lly, @the $en to &ho$ yo% re"er &o%ld not #e ali e &ere it not "or %s. ;e lost t&o good $en resc%ing yo%r ser ice$en. 9o% $ight at least e7press so$e appreciation "or o%r e""orts to sa e yo%r cre&, and perhaps $ake a gest%re o" sy$pathy "or the A$ericans &ho lost their li es in the process.@ @>y go ern$ent notes the heroic e""ort o" yo%r t&o o""icers, and does &ish to e7press its appreciation and that o" the ,o iet people "or the resc%e. E en so, gentle$en, deli#erate e""orts ha e #een $ade to entice so$e o" those $en to #etray their co%ntry.@ @>r. A$#assador, &hen yo%r tra&ler resc%ed the cre& o" o%r patrol plane last year, o""icers o" the ,o iet ar$ed "orces o""ered $oney, &o$en, and other entice$ents to o%r cre&$en i" they &o%ld gi e o%t in"or$ation or agree to stay #ehind in :ladi ostok, correctI Lon?t tell $e that yo% ha e no kno&ledge o" this. 9o% kno& that?s ho& the ga$e is played. At the ti$e &e did not o#Cect to this, did &eI !o, &e &ere s%""iciently grate"%l that those si7 $en &ere still ali e, and no&, o" co%rse, all o" the$ are #ack at &ork. ;e re$ain grate"%l "or yo%r co%ntry?s h%$anitarian concern "or the li es o" ordinary A$erican citiBens. 4n this case, each o""icer and enlisted $an &as told that he co%ld stay i" he &ished to do so. !o "orce o" any kind &as %sed. Each $an &ishing to re$ain here &as reD%ired #y %s to $eet &ith an o""icial o" yo%r e$#assy so as to gi e yo% a "air chance to e7plain to hi$ the error o" his &ays. ,%rely this is "air, >r. A$#assador. ;e $ade no o""ers o" $oney or &o$en. ;e do not #%y people, and &e da$ned &ell do notFe erFkidnap people. Aidnappers are people 4 p%t in Cail. 4 e en $anaged to ha e one e7ec%ted. Lon?t yo% e er acc%se $e o" that again,@ the president concl%ded righteo%sly. @>y go ern$ent insists that all o" o%r $en #e ret%rned to their ho$eland,@ Ar#ato persisted.

@>r. A$#assador, any person in the 6nited ,tates, regardless o" his nationality or the $anner o" his arri al, is entitled to the "%ll protection o" o%r la&. *%r co%rts ha e r%led on this $any ti$es, and %nder o%r la& no $an or &o$an $ay #e co$pelled to do so$ething against his &ill &itho%t d%e process. 'he s%#Cect is closed. !o&, 4 ha e a D%estion "or yo%. ;hat &as a #allistic $issile s%#$arine doing three h%ndred $iles "ro$ the A$erican coastI@ @A $issile s%#$arine, >r. +residentI@ +elt li"ted a photograph "ro$ the president?s desk and handed it to Ar#ato . 'aken "ro$ the tape recorder on the (ea "liff, it sho&ed the ,,2!2/5 sea2la%nched #allistic $issile. @'he na$e o" the s%#$arine isF&as Red October,@ +elt said. @4t e7ploded and sank three h%ndred $iles "ro$ the coast o" ,o%th Carolina. Ale7, &e ha e an agree$ent #et&een o%r t&o co%ntries that no s%ch essel &ill approach either co%ntry to &ithin "i e h%ndred $ilesFeight h%ndred kilo$eters. ;e &ant to kno& &hat that s%#$arine &as doing there. Lon?t try to tell %s that this $issile is so$e kind o" "a#ricationFe en i" &e had &anted to do s%ch a "oolish thing, &e &o%ldn?t ha e had the ti$e. 'hat?s one o" yo%r $issiles, >r. A$#assador, and the s%#$arine carried nineteen $ore C%st like it.@ +elt deli#erately $isstated the n%$#er. @And the go ern$ent o" the 6nited ,tates asks the go ern$ent o" the ,o iet 6nion ho& it ca$e to #e there, in iolation o" o%r agree$ent, &hile so $any other o" yo%r ships are so close to o%r Atlantic coast.@ @'hat $%st #e the lost s%#$arine,@ Ar#ato o""ered. @>r. A$#assador,@ the president said so"tly, @the s%#$arine &as not lost %ntil 'h%rsday, se en days a"ter yo% told %s a#o%t it. 4n short, >r. A$#assador, yo%r e7planation o" last =riday does not coincide &ith the "acts &e ha e physically esta#lished.@ @;hat acc%sation are yo% $akingI@ Ar#ato #ristled. @;hy, none, Ale7,@ the president said. @4" that agree$ent is no longer operati e, then it is no longer operati e. 4 #elie e &e disc%ssed that possi#ility last &eek also. 'he A$erican people &ill kno& later today &hat the "acts are. 9o% are s%""iciently "a$iliar &ith o%r co%ntry to i$agine their reaction. 4 &ill ha e an e7planation. =or the $o$ent, 4 see no "%rther reason "or yo%r "leet to #e o"" o%r coast. 'he ?resc%e? has #een s%ccess"%lly concl%ded, and the "%rther presence o" the ,o iet "leet can only #e a pro ocation. 4 &ant yo% and yo%r go ern$ent to consider &hat $y $ilitary co$$anders are telling $e right no&For i" yo% pre"er, &hat yo%r co$$anders &o%ld #e telling 8eneral ,ecretary !ar$ono i" the sit%ation &ere re ersed. 4 &ill ha e an e7planation. ;itho%t one 4 can reach one o" only a "e& concl%sionsFand those are concl%sions 4 &o%ld pre"er not to choose "ro$. ,end that $essage to yo%r go ern$ent, and tell the$ that since so$e o" yo%r $en ha e opted to stay here, &e?ll pro#a#ly "ind o%t &hat &as really happening in short order. 8ood day.@ Ar#ato le"t the o""ice, t%rning le"t to lea e #y the &est entrance. A $arine g%ard held the door open, a polite gest%re that stopped short o" his eyes. 'he a$#assador?s dri er, &aiting o%tside in a Cadillac li$o%sine, held the door open "or hi$. 'he dri er &as chie" o" the A8B?s political intelligence section at that organiBation?s ;ashington station. @,o,@ he said, checking tra""ic on +ennsyl ania A en%e #e"ore $aking a le"t t%rn. @,o, the $eeting &ent e7actly as 4 had predicted, and no& &e can #e a#sol%tely certain &hy they are kidnapping o%r $en,@ Ar#ato replied. @And that is, Co$rade A$#assadorI@ the dri er pro$pted. 0e did not let his irritation sho&. *nly a "e& years #e"ore this +arty hack &o%ld not ha e dared te$poriBe &ith a senior A8B o""icer. 4t &as a disgrace, &hat had happened to the Co$$ittee "or ,tate ,ec%rity since the death o" Co$rade Andropo . B%t things &o%ld #e set right again. 0e &as certain o" that. @'he president all #%t acc%sed %s o" sending the s%#$arine deli#erately to their shore in

iolation o" o%r secret 19(9 protocol. 'hey are holding o%r $en to interrogate the$, to take their heads apart so that they can learn &hat the s%#$arine?s orders &ere. 0o& long &ill that take the C4AI A dayI '&oI@ Ar#ato shook his head angrily. @'hey $ay kno& alreadyFa "e& dr%gs, a &o$an, perhaps, to loosen their tong%es. 'he president also in ited >osco& to i$agine &hat the +entagon hotheads are telling hi$ to thinkJ And telling hi$ to do. !o $ystery there, is thereI 'hey &ill say &e &ere rehearsing a s%rprise n%clear attackFperhaps e en e7ec%ting oneJ As i" &e &ere not &orking harder than they to achie e peace"%l coe7istenceJ ,%spicio%s "ools, they are "ear"%l a#o%t &hat has happened, and e en $ore angry.@ @Can yo% #la$e the$, Co$radeI@ the dri er asked, taking all o" this in, "iling, analyBing, co$posing his independent report to >osco& Center. @And he said that there &as no "%rther reason "or o%r "leet to #e o"" their coast.@ @0o& did he say thisI ;as it a de$andI@ @0is &ords &ere so"t. ,o"ter than 4 e7pected. 'his concerns $e. 'hey are planning so$ething, 4 think. Rattling a sa#er $akes noise, dra&ing it does not. 0e de$ands an e7planation "or this entire a""air. ;hat do 4 tell hi$I ;hat )as happeningI@ @4 s%spect that &e &ill ne er kno&.@ 'he senior agent did kno&Fthe original story, that is, incredi#le as it &as. 'hat the na y and the 8R6 co%ld allo& s%ch a "antastic error to take place had a$aBed hi$. 'he story "ro$ agent Cassi%s &as scarcely less $ad. 'he dri er had passed it on to >osco& hi$sel". ;as it possi#le that the 6nited ,tates and the ,o iet 6nion &ere #oth icti$s o" a third partyI An operation gone a&ry, and the A$ericans trying to "ind o%t &ho &as responsi#le and ho& it &as done so that they $ight try to do it the$sel esI 'hat part o" the story $ade sense, #%t did the restI 0e "ro&ned at the tra""ic. 0e had orders "ro$ >osco& CenterK i" this &as a C4A operation, he &as s%pposed to "ind o%t i$$ediately. 0e didn?t #elie e it &as. 4" so the C4A &as #eing %n%s%ally e""ecti e in co ering it. ;as it possi#le to co er s%ch a co$ple7 operationI 0e didn?t think so. Regardless, he and his colleag%es &o%ld #e &orking "or se eral &eeks to penetrate any co er there &as, to "ind o%t &hat &as #eing said in Langley and in the "ield, &hile other A8B sections did the sa$e thro%gho%t the &orld. 4" the C4A had penetrated the !orthern =leet?s high co$$and he?d "ind o%t. *" that he &as con"ident. 0e co%ld al$ost &ish they had done so. 'he 8R6 &o%ld #e responsi#le "or the disaster, and &o%ld #e disgraced a"ter pro"iting "ro$ the A8B?s loss o" prestige a "e& years #ack. 4" he &as reading the sit%ation correctly, the +olit#%ro &as t%rning the A8B loose on the 8R6 and the $ilitary, allo&ing >osco& Center to initiate its o&n independent in estigation o" the a""air. Regardless o" &hat &as "o%nd, the A8B &o%ld co$e o%t ahead and de"late the ar$ed ser ices. *ne &ay or another, his organiBation &o%ld disco er &hat had taken place, and i" it &as da$aging to his ri als, so $%ch the #etter . . . ;hen the door closed #ehind the ,o iet a$#assador, Lr. +elt opened a side door to the * al *""ice. J%dge >oore ca$e in. @>r. +resident, it?s #een a &hile since 4? e had to do things like hide in closets.@ @9o% really e7pect this to &orkI@ +elt said. @9es, 4 do no&,@ >oore settled co$"orta#ly into a leather chair. @4sn?t this a little shaky, J%dgeI@ +elt asked. @4 $ean, r%nning an operation this co$ple7I@ @'hat?s the #ea%ty o" it, Loctor, &e?re not r%nning anything. 'he ,o iets &ill #e doing that "or %s. *h, s%re, &e?ll ha e a lot o" o%r people pro&ling aro%nd Eastern E%rope asking a lot o" D%estions. ,o &ill ,ir Basil?s "ello&s. 'he =rench and the 4sraelis already are, #eca%se &e? e

asked the$ i" they kno& &hat?s happening &ith the stray $issile s%#. 'he A8B &ill "ind o%t D%ickly eno%gh and &onder &hy the "o%r $ain ;estern intelligence agencies are all asking the sa$e D%estionsFinstead o" p%lling into their shells like they?d e7pect the$ to i" this &ere o%r operation. @9o% ha e to appreciate the dile$$a the ,o iets "ace, a choice #et&een t&o eD%ally %nattracti e scenarios. *n the one hand, they can choose to #elie e that one o" their $ost tr%sted pro"essional o""icers has co$$itted high treason on an %nprecedented scale. 9o%? e seen o%r "ile on Captain Ra$i%s. 0e?s the Co$$%nist ersion o" an eagle sco%t, a gen%ine !e& ,o iet >an. Add to that the "act that a de"ection conspiracy necessarily in ol es a n%$#er o" eD%ally tr%sted o""icers. 'he ,o iets ha e a $ind #lock against #elie ing that indi id%als o" this type &ill e er lea e the ;orkers? +aradise. 'hat see$s parado7ical, 4 ad$it, gi en the stren%o%s e""orts they e7pend to keep people "ro$ lea ing their co%ntry, #%t it?s tr%e. Losing a #allet dancer or a A8B agent is one thingFlosing the son o" a +olit#%ro $e$#er, an o""icer &ith nearly thirty years o" %n#le$ished ser ice, is D%ite another. >oreo er, a na al captain has a lot o" pri ilegesE yo% $ight call his de"ection the eD%i alent o" a sel"2$ade $illionaire lea ing !e& 9ork to li e in >osco&. 'hey si$ply &ill not #elie e it. @*n the other hand, they can #elie e the story &e planted thro%gh 0enderson, &hich is also %nattracti e #%t is s%pported #y a good deal o" circ%$stantial e idence, especially o%r e""orts to entice their cre&$en to de"ect. 9o% sa& ho& "%rio%s they are a#o%t that. 'he &ay they think, this is a gross iolation o" the r%les o" ci iliBed #eha ior. 'he president?s "orce"%l reaction to o%r disco ery that this &as a $issile s%#$arine is also e idence that "a ors 0enderson?s story.@ @,o &hat side &ill they co$e do&n onI@ the president asked. @'hat, sir, is a D%estion o" psychology $ore than anything else, and ,o iet psychology is ery hard "or %s to read. 8i en the choice #et&een the collecti e treason o" ten $en and an o%tside conspiracy, $y opinion is that they &ill pre"er the latter. =or the$ to #elie e that this really &as de"ectionF&ell, it &o%ld "orce the$ to ree7a$ine their o&n #elie"s. ;ho likes to do thatI@ >oore gest%red grandly. @'he latter alternati e $eans that their sec%rity has #een iolated #y o%tsiders, #%t #eing a icti$ is $ore palata#le than ha ing to recogniBe the intrinsic contradictions o" their o&n go erning philosophy. *n top o" that &e ha e the "act that the A8B &ill #e r%nning the in estigation.@ @;hyI@ +elt asked, ca%ght %p in the C%dge?s plot. @4n either case, a de"ection or a penetration o" na al operational sec%rity, the 8R6 &o%ld ha e #een responsi#le. ,ec%rity o" the na al and $ilitary "orces is their #aili&ick, the $ore so &ith the da$age done to the A8B a"ter the depart%re o" o%r "riend Andropo . 'he ,o iets can?t ha e an organiBation in estigating itsel"Fnot in their intelligence co$$%nityJ ,o, the A8B &ill #e looking to take its ri al ser ice apart. =ro$ the A8B?s perspecti e, o%tside instigation is the "ar $ore attracti e alternati eE it $akes "or a #igger operation. 4" they con"ir$ 0enderson?s story and con ince e eryone that it?s tr%eFand they &ill, o" co%rseFit $akes the$ look all that $%ch #etter "or ha ing %nco ered it.@ @'hey &ill con"ir$ the storyI@ @*" co%rse they &illJ 4n the intelligence #%siness i" yo% look hard eno%gh "or so$ething, yo% "ind it, &hether it?s really there or not. Lord, &e o&e this Ra$i%s "ello& $ore than he &ill e er kno&. An opport%nity like this doesn?t co$e along once in a generation. ;e si$ply can?t lose.@ @B%t the A8B &ill e$erge stronger,@ +elt o#ser ed. @4s that a good thingI@ >oore shr%gged. @Bo%nd to happen e ent%ally. 6nseating and possi#ly killing Andropo ga e the $ilitary ser ices too $%ch prestige, C%st like &ith Beria #ack in the "i"ties. 'he ,o iets

depend on political control o" their $ilitary as $%ch as &e doF$ore. 0a ing the A8B take their high co$$and apart gets the dirty &ork done "or the$. 4t had to happen any&ay, so it?s C%st as &ell that &e can pro"it #y it. 'here?s only a "e& $ore things &e ha e to do.@ @,%ch asI?? the president asked. @*%r "riend 0enderson &ill leak in"or$ation in a $onth or so saying that &e had a s%#$arine tracking Red October all the &ay "ro$ 4celand.@ @B%t &hyI@ +elt o#Cected. @'hen they?ll kno& that &e &ere lying, that all the e7cite$ent o er the $issile s%# &as a lie.@ @!ot e7actly, Loctor,@ >oore said. @0a ing a $issile s%# this close to o%r coast re$ains a iolation o" the agree$ent, and "ro$ their point o" ie& &e ha e no &ay o" kno&ing &hy she &as thereF%ntil &e interrogate the cre&$en re$aining #ehind, &ho &ill pro#a#ly tell %s little o" al%e. 'he ,o iets &ill e7pect that &e ha e not #een co$pletely tr%th"%l &ith the$ on this a""air. 'he "act that &e &ere trailing their s%# and &ere ready to destroy it at any ti$e gi es the$ the e idence o" o%r d%plicity that they?ll #e looking "or. ;e?ll also say that !allas $onitored the reactor incident on sonar, and that &ill e7plain the pro7i$ity o" o%r resc%e ship. 'hey kno&, &ell, they certainly s%spect, that &e ha e concealed so$ething. 'his &ill $islead the$ a#o%t &hat it &as &e really concealed. 'he R%ssians ha e a saying "or this. 'hey call it &ol" $eat. And they &ill la%nch an e7tensi e operation to penetrate o%r operation, &hate er it is. B%t they &ill "ind nothing. 'he only people in the C4A &ho kno& &hat is really going on are 8reer, Ritter, and $ysel". *%r operations people ha e orders to find out &hat &as going on, and that?s all that can leak o%t.@ @;hat a#o%t 0enderson, and ho& $any o" o%r people kno& a#o%t the s%#$arineI@ the president asked. @4" 0enderson spills anything to the$ he?ll #e signing his o&n death &arrant. 'he A8B deals se erely &ith do%#le agents, and &o%ld not #elie e that &e tricked hi$ into deli ering "alse in"or$ation. 0e kno&s it, and &e?ll #e keeping a close eye on hi$ in any case. 0o& $any o" o%r people kno& a#o%t the s%#I A h%ndred perhaps, and the n%$#er &ill increase so$e&hatF #%t re$e$#er that they think &e no& ha e t&o dead ,o iet s%#s o"" o%r coast, and they ha e e ery reason to #elie e that &hate er ,o iet s%# eD%ip$ent t%rns %p in o%r la#s has #een reco ered "ro$ the ocean "loor. ;e &ill, o" co%rse, #e reacti ating the 3lomar :plorer "or C%st that p%rpose. 'hey?d #e s%spicio%s i" &e didn?t. ;hy disappoint the$I ,ooner or later they C%st $ight "ig%re the &hole story o%t, #%t #y that ti$e the stripped h%lk &ill #e at the #otto$ o" the sea.@ @,o, &e can?t keep this a secret "ore erI@ +elt asked. @=ore er?s a long ti$e. ;e ha e a plan "or the possi#ility. =or the i$$ediate "%t%re the secret sho%ld #e "airly sa"e, &hat &ith only a h%ndred people in on it. 4n a year, $ini$%$, $ore likely t&o or three, they $ay ha e acc%$%lated eno%gh data to s%spect &hat has happened, #%t #y that ti$e there &on?t #e $%ch physical e idence to point to. >oreo er, i" the A8B disco ers the tr%th, &ill they )ant to report itI ;ere the 8R6 to "ind o%t, they certainly &o%ld, and the res%lting chaos &ithin their intelligence co$$%nity &o%ld also &ork to o%r #ene"it.@ >oore took a cigar "ro$ a leather holder. @As 4 said, Ra$i%s has gi en %s a "antastic opport%nity on se eral le els. And the #ea%ty o" it is that &e don?t ha e to do $%ch o" anything. 'he R%ssians &ill #e doing all the leg&ork, looking "or so$ething that isn?t there.@ @;hat a#o%t the de"ectors, J%dgeI@ the president asked. @'hey, >r. +resident, &ill #e taken care o". ;e kno& ho& to do this, and &e rarely ha e a co$plaint a#o%t the C4A?s hospitality. ;e?ll take so$e $onths to de#rie" the$, and at the sa$e

ti$e &e?ll #e preparing the$ "or li"e in A$erica. 'hey?ll get ne& identities, reed%cation, cos$etic s%rgery i" necessary, and they?ll ne er ha e to &ork another day as long as they li eF #%t they &ill &ant to &ork. Al$ost all o" the$ do. 4 e7pect the na y &ill "ind places "or the$, paid cons%ltants "or their s%#$arine &ar"are depart$ent, that sort o" thing.@ @4 &ant to $eet the$,@ the president said i$p%lsi ely. @'hat can #e arranged, sir, #%t it &ill ha e to #e discreet,@ >oore ca%tioned. @Ca$p La id, that o%ght to #e sec%re eno%gh. And Ryan, J%dge, 4 &ant hi$ taken care o".@ @6nderstood, sir. ;e?re #ringing hi$ along rather D%ickly already. 0e has a #ig "%t%re &ith %s.@ 'y%rata$ 6,,R 'he reason Red October had #een ordered to di e long #e"ore da&n &as or#iting the earth at a height o" eight h%ndred kilo$eters. 'he siBe o" a 8reyho%nd #%s, Al#atross 8 had #een sent alo"t ele en $onths earlier #y a hea y2li"t #ooster "ro$ the Cos$odro$e at 'y%rata$. 'he $assi e satellite, called a R*R,A', "or radar ocean reconnaissance satellite, &as speci"ically designed "or $ariti$e s%r eillance. Al#atross 8 passed o er +a$lico ,o%nd at 11-1 local ti$e. 4ts on2#oard progra$$ing &as designed to trace ther$al receptors o er the entire isi#le horiBon, interrogating e erything in sight and locking on any signat%re that "it its acD%isition para$eters. As it contin%ed on its or#it and passed o er ele$ents o" the 6.,. "leet, the Ne) =ersey?s Ca$$ers &ere ai$ed %p&ard to scra$#le its signal. 'he satellite?s tape syste$s d%ti"%lly recorded this. 'he Ca$$ing &o%ld tell the operators so$ething a#o%t A$erican electronic &ar"are syste$s. As Al#atross 8 crossed the pole, the para#olic dish on its "ront tracked in on the carrier signal o" another #ird, the -skra co$$%nications satellite. ;hen the reconnaissance satellite located its higher "lying co%sin, a laser side2link trans$itted the contents o" the Al#atross? tape #ank. 'he -skra i$$ediately relayed this to the gro%nd station at 'y%rata$. 'he signal &as also recei ed #y a "i"teen2$eter dish located in &estern China &hich &as operated #y the 6.,. !ational ,ec%rity Agency in cooperation &ith the Chinese, &ho %sed the data recei ed "or their o&n p%rposes. 'he A$ericans trans$itted it ia their o&n co$$%nications satellite to !,A headD%arters at =ort >eade, >aryland. At al$ost the sa$e ti$e the digital signal &as e7a$ined #y t&o tea$s o" e7perts "i e tho%sand $iles apart. @Clear &eather,@ a technician $oaned. @No) &e get clear &eatherJ@ @EnCoy it &hile yo% can, Co$rade.@ 0is neigh#or at the ne7t console &as &atching data "ro$ a geosynchrono%s &eather satellite that $onitored the ;estern 0e$isphere. Ano&ing the &eather o er a hostile co%ntry can ha e great strategic al%e. @'here?s another cold "ront approaching their coast. 'heir &inter has #een like o%rs. 4 hope they are enCoying it.@ @*%r $en at sea &ill not.@ 'he technician $entally sh%ddered at the tho%ght o" #eing at sea in a $aCor stor$. 0e?d taken a Black ,ea cr%ise the pre io%s s%$$er and #eco$e hopelessly seasick. @AhaJ ;hat is thisI ColonelJ@ @9es, Co$radeI@ 'he colonel s%per ising the &atch ca$e o er D%ickly. @,ee here, Co$rade Colonel.@ 'he technician traced a "inger on the ': screen. @'his is +a$lico ,o%nd, on the central coast o" the 6nited ,tates. Look here, Co$rade.@ 'he ther$al i$age o" the &ater on the screen &as #lack, #%t as the technician adC%sted the display it changed to green &ith t&o &hite patches, one larger than the other. '&ice the large one split into t&o

seg$ents. 'he i$age &as o" the s%r"ace o" the &ater, and so$e o" the &ater &as hal" a degree &ar$er than it sho%ld ha e #een. 'he di""erential &as not constant, #%t it did ret%rn eno%gh to pro e that so$ething &as adding heat to the &ater. @,%nlight, perhapsI@ the colonel asked. @!o, Co$rade, the clear sky gi es e en s%nlight to the entire area,@ the technician said D%ietly. 0e &as al&ays D%iet &hen he tho%ght he &as on to so$ething. @'&o s%#$arines, perhaps three, thirty $eters %nder the &ater.@ @9o% are certainI@ 'he technician "lipped on a s&itch to display the radar pict%re, &hich sho&ed only the cord%roy pattern o" s$all &a es. @'here is nothing on the &ater to generate this heat, co$rade Colonel. 'here"ore it $%st #e so$ething under the &ater. 'he ti$e o" year is &rong "or $ating &hales. 4t can only #e n%clear s%#$arines, pro#a#ly t&o, perhaps three. 4 spec%late, Colonel, that the A$ericans ha e #een s%""iciently "rightened #y the deploy$ent o" o%r "leet to seek shelter "or their $issile s%#$arines. 'heir $issile s%# #ase is only a "e& h%ndred kilo$eters so%th. +erhaps one o" their Ohio2class #oats ha e taken shelter here and is #eing protected #y a h%nter s%#, as o%rs are.@ @'hen he &ill soon $o e o%t. *%r "leet is #eing recalled.@ @'oo #ad, it &o%ld #e good to track hi$. 'his is a rare opport%nity, Co$rade Colonel.@ @4ndeed. ;ell done, Co$rade Acade$ician.@ 'en $in%tes later the data had #een trans$itted to >osco&. ,o iet !a al 0igh Co$$and, >osco& @;e &ill $ake %se o" this opport%nity, Co$rade,@ 8orshko said. @;e are no& recalling o%r "leet, and &e &ill allo& se eral s%#$arines to re$ain #ehind to gather electronic intelligence. 'he A$ericans &ill pro#a#ly lose se eral in the sh%""le.@ @O%ite likely, @ the chie" o" "leet operations said. @'he Ohio &ill go so%th, pro#a#ly to their s%#$arine #ase at Charleston or Aings Bay. *r north to !or"olk. ;e ha e 'ono$alo$ at !or"olk, and (habiliko$ o"" Charleston. Both &ill stay in place "or se eral days, 4 think. ;e $%st do so$ething right to sho& the politicians that &e ha e a real na y. Being a#le to track on an Ohio &o%ld #e a #eginning.@ @4?ll ha e the orders o%t in "i"teen $in%tes, Co$rade.@ 'he chie" o" operations tho%ght this &as a good idea. 0e had not liked the report o" the +olit#%ro $eeting that he?d gotten "ro$ 8orshko Ftho%gh i" ,ergey &ere on his &ay o%t, he &o%ld #e in a good place to take o er the Co# . . . 'he !e& Jersey 'he REL R*CAE' $essage had arri ed in Eaton?s hand only $o$ents #e"oreK >osco& had C%st trans$itted a lengthy operational letter ia satellite to the ,o iet "leet. !o& the R%ssians &ere in a real "i7, the co$$odore tho%ght. Aro%nd the$ &ere three carrier #attle gro%psFthe 'ennedy, America, and NimitzFall %nder Josh +ainter?s co$$and. Eaton had the$ in sight, and had operational control o" the Tara)a to a%g$ent his o&n s%r"ace action gro%p. 'he co$$odore t%rned his #inoc%lars on the 'iro$.

@Co$$ander, #ring the gro%p to #attle stations.@ @Aye.@ 'he gro%p operations o""icer li"ted the tactical radio $ike. @Bl%e Boys, this is Bl%e Aing. A$#er Light, A$#er Light, e7ec%te. *%t.@ Eaton &aited "o%r seconds "or the Ne) =ersey?s general D%arters alar$ to so%nd. 'he cre& raced to their g%ns. @Range to 'iro$2@ @'hirty2se en tho%sand si7 h%ndred yards, sir. ;e? e #een sneaking in a laser range e ery "e& $in%tes. ;e?re dialed in, sir,@ the gro%p operations o""icer reported. @>ain #attery t%rrets are still loaded &ith sa#ots, and g%nnery?s #een %pdating the sol%tion e ery thirty seconds.@ A phone #%BBed ne7t to Eaton?s co$$and chair on the "lag #ridge. @Eaton.@ @All stations $anned and ready, Co$$odore,@ the #attleship?s captain reported. Eaton looked at his stop&atch. @;ell done, Captain. ;e? e got the $en drilled ery &ell indeed.@ 4n the Ne) =ersey?s co$#at in"or$ation center the n%$erical displays sho&ed the e7act range to the 'iro$?s $ain$ast. 'he logical "irst target is al&ays the ene$y "lagship. 'he only D%estion &as ho& $%ch p%nish$ent the 'iro$ co%ld a#sor#Fand &hat &o%ld kill her "irst, the g%n ro%nds or the 'o$aha&k $issiles. 'he i$portant part, the g%nnery o""icer had #een saying "or days, &as to kill the 'iro$ #e"ore any aircra"t co%ld inter"ere. 'he Ne) =ersey had ne er s%nk a ship all on her o&n. =orty years &as a long ti$e to &ait. @'hey?re t%rning,@ the gro%p operations o""icer said. @9ep, let?s see ho& "ar.@ 'he 'iro$?s "or$ation had #een on a &esterly co%rse &hen the signal arri ed. E ery ship in the circ%lar array t%rned to star#oard, all together. 'heir t%rns stopped &hen they reached a heading o" Bero2"o%r2Bero. Eaton set his glasses do&n in the holder. @'hey?re going ho$e. Let?s in"or$ ;ashington and keep the $en at stations "or a &hile.@ L%lles 4nternational Airport 'he ,o iets o%tdid the$sel es getting their $en a&ay "ro$ the 6nited ,tates. An Aero"lot 4lly%shin 4L23/ &as taken o%t o" reg%lar international ser ice and sent directly "ro$ >osco& to L%lles. 4t landed at s%nset. A near copy o" the British :C215, the "o%r2engine aircra"t ta7ied to the re$otest ser ice area "or re"%eling. Along &ith so$e other passengers &ho did not deplane to stretch their legs, a spare "light cre& &as #ro%ght along so that the plane co%ld i$$ediately ret%rn ho$e. A pair o" $o#ile lo%nges dro e "ro$ the ter$inal #%ilding t&o $iles to the &aiting aircra"t. 4nside the$ the cre&$en o" the Red October looked o%t at the sno&2d%sted co%ntryside, kno&ing this &as their "inal look at A$erica. 'hey &ere D%iet, ha ing #een ro%sed "ro$ #ed in Bethesda and taken #y #%s to L%lles only an ho%r earlier. 'his ti$e no reporters harassed the$. 'he "o%r o""icers, nine michmanyy, and the re$aining enlisted cre& &ere split into distinct gro%ps as they #oarded. Each gro%p &as taken to a separate part o" the aircra"t. Each o""icer and michman had his o&n A8B interrogator, and the de#rie"ing #egan as the aircra"t started its takeo"" roll. By the ti$e the 4lly%shin reached cr%ising altit%de $ost o" the cre&$en &ere asking the$sel es &hy they had not opted to re$ain #ehind &ith their traitoro%s co%ntry$en. 'hese

inter ie&s &ere decidedly %npleasant. @Lid Captain Ra$i%s act strangelyI@ a A8B $aCor asked +etro . @Certainly notJ@ +etro ans&ered D%ickly, de"ensi ely. @Lidn?t yo% kno& o%r s%#$arine &as sa#otagedI ;e &ere l%cky to escape &ith o%r li esJ@ @,a#otagedI 0o&I@ @'he reactor syste$s. 4 a$ the &rong one to ask on this, 4 a$ not an engineer, #%t it &as 4 &ho detected the leaks. 9o% see, the radiation "il$ #adges sho&ed conta$ination, #%t the engine roo$ instr%$ents did not. !ot only &as the reactor ta$pered &ith, #%t all o" the radiation2 sensing instr%$ents &ere disa#led. 4 sa& this $ysel". Chie" Engineer >elekhin had to re#%ild se eral to locate the leaking reactor piping. , yado can tell this #etter. 0e sa& it hi$sel".@ 'he A8B o""icer &as scri##ling notes. @And &hat &as yo%r s%#$arine doing so close to the A$erican coastI@ @;hat do yo% $eanI Lon?t yo% kno& &hat o%r orders &ereI@ @;hat &ere yo%r orders, Co$rade LoctorI@ 'he A8B o""icer stared hard into +etro ?s eyes. 'he doctor e7plained, concl%ding, @4 sa& the orders. 'hey &ere posted "or all to see, as is nor$al.@ @,igned #y &ho$I@ @Ad$iral Aoro . ;ho elseI@ @Lid yo% not "ind those orders a little strangeI@ the $aCor asked angrily. @Lo yo% D%estion yo%r orders, Co$rade >aCorI@ +etro s%$$oned %p so$e spine. @- do not.@ @;hat happened to yo%r political o""icerI@ 4n another space 4 ano &as e7plaining ho& the Red October had #een detected #y A$erican and British ships. @B%t Captain Ra$i%s e aded the$ #rilliantlyJ ;e &o%ld ha e $ade it e7cept "or that da$ned reactor accident. 9o% $%st "ind &ho did that to %s, Co$rade Captain. 4 &ish to see hi$ die $ysel"J@ 'he A8B o""icer &as %n$o ed. @And &hat &as the last thing the captain said to yo%I@ @0e ordered $e to keep control o" $y $en, not to let the$ speak &ith A$ericans any $ore than necessary, and he said that the A$ericans &o%ld ne er get their hands on o%r ship.@ 4 ano ?s eyes teared at the tho%ght o" his captain and his ship, #oth lost. 0e &as a pro%d and pri ileged yo%ng ,o iet $an, the son o" a +arty acade$ician. @Co$rade, yo% and yo%r people $%st "ind the #astards &ho did this to %s.@ @4t &as ery cle er,@ , yado &as reco%nting a "e& "eet a&ay. @E en Co$rade >elekhin only "o%nd it on his third atte$pt, and he s&ore engeance on the $en &ho did it. 4 sa& it $ysel",@ the lie%tenant said, "orgetting that he ne er had, really. 0e e7plained in detail, to the point o" dra&ing a diagra$ o" ho& it had #een done. @4 don?t kno& a#o%t the "inal accident. 4 &as C%st co$ing on d%ty then. >elekhin, ,%rBpoi, and B%gaye &orked "or ho%rs atte$pting to engage o%r a%7iliary po&er syste$s.@ 0e shook his head. @4 tried to Coin the$, #%t Captain Ra$i%s "or#ade it. 4 tried again, against orders, #%t Co$rade +etro pre ented $e.@ '&o ho%rs o er the Atlantic the senior A8B interrogators $et a"t to co$pare notes. @,o, i" this captain &as acting, he &as de ilishly good at it,@ the colonel in charge o" the initial interrogations s%$$ariBed. @0is orders to his $en &ere i$pecca#le. 'he $ission orders &ere anno%nced and posted as is nor$alF@ @B%t &ho a$ong these $en kno&s Aoro ?s signat%reI And &e can?t ery &ell ask Aoro , can &eI@ a $aCor said. 'he co$$ander o" the !orthern =leet had died o" a cere#ral he$orrhage t&o ho%rs into his "irst interrogation in the L%#yanka, $%ch to e eryone?s disappoint$ent. @4t co%ld

ha e #een "orged in any case. Lo &e ha e a secret s%#$arine #ase in C%#aI And &hat o" the death o" the zampolit2@ @'he doctor is s%re it &as an accident,@ another $aCor ans&ered. @'he captain tho%ght he had str%ck his head, #%t he had act%ally #roken his neck. 4 "eel they sho%ld ha e radioed "or instr%ctions, tho%gh.@ @A radio silence order,@ the colonel said. @4 checked. 'his is entirely nor$al "or $issile s%#$arines. ;as this Captain Ra$i%s skilled in %nar$ed co$#atI >ight he ha e $%rdered the zampolit2@ @A possi#ility,@ $%sed the $aCor &ho had D%estioned +etro . @0e &as not trained in s%ch things, #%t it is not hard to do.@ 'he colonel did not kno& &hether to agree. @Lo &e ha e any e idence that the cre& tho%ght a de"ection &as #eing atte$ptedI@ All heads shook negati ely. @;as the s%#$arine?s operational ro%tine other&ise nor$alI@ @9es, Co$rade Colonel,@ a yo%ng captain said. @'he s%r i ing na igation o""icer, 4 ano , says that the e asion o" i$perialist s%r"ace and s%# "orces &as e""ected per"ectlyFe7actly in accordance &ith esta#lished proced%res, #%t e7ec%ted #rilliantly #y this Ra$i%s "ello& o er a period o" t&el e ho%rs. 4 ha e not e en s%ggested that treason $ight #e in ol ed. 9et.@ E eryone kne& that these sailors &o%ld #e spending ti$e in the L%#yanka %ntil each head had #een picked clean. @:ery &ell,@ the colonel said, @%p to this point &e ha e no indication o" treason #y the o""icers o" the s%#$arineI 4 tho%ght not. Co$rades, yo% &ill contin%e yo%r interrogations in a gentler "ashion %ntil &e arri e in >osco&. Allo& yo%r charges to rela7.@ 'he at$osphere on the aircra"t grad%ally #eca$e $ore pleasant. ,nacks &ere ser ed, and odka to loosen the tong%es and enco%rage co$radely good "ello&ship &ith the A8B o""icers, &ho &ere drinking &ater. 'he $en all kne& that they &o%ld #e i$prisoned "or so$e ti$e, and this "ate &as accepted &ith &hat to a ;esterner &o%ld #e s%rprising "atalis$. 'he A8B &o%ld #e &orking "or &eeks to reconstr%ct e ery e ent on the s%#$arine "ro$ the ti$e the last line &as cast o"" at +olyarnyy to the $o$ent the last $an entered the /ystic. *ther tea$s o" agents &ere already &orking &orld&ide to learn i" &hat happened to the Red October &as a C4A plot or the plot o" so$e other intelligence ser ice. 'he A8B &o%ld "ind its ans&er, #%t the colonel in charge o" the case &as #eginning to think the ans&er did not lie &ith these sea$en. 'he Red *cto#er !oyes allo&ed Ra$i%s to &alk the "i"teen "eet "ro$ sick #ay to the &ardroo$ %nder s%per ision. 'he patient did not look ery good, #%t this &as largely #eca%se he needed a &ash and a sha e, like e eryone else a#oard. Borodin and >anc%so assisted hi$ into his seat at the head o" the ta#le. @,o, Ryan, ho& are yo% todayI@ @8ood, thank yo%, Captain Ra$i%s.@ Ryan s$iled o er his co""ee. 4n "act he &as h%gely relie ed, ha ing "or the past se eral ho%rs #een a#le to lea e the D%estion o" r%nning the s%# to the $en &ho act%ally kne& so$ething a#o%t it. 'ho%gh he &as co%nting the ho%rs %ntil he co%ld get o%t o" the Red October, "or the "irst ti$e in t&o &eeks he &as neither seasick nor terri"ied. @0o& is yo%r leg, sirI@ @+ain"%l. 4 $%st learn not to #e shot again. 4 do not re$e$#er saying to yo% that 4 o&e yo%

$y li"e, as all o" %s do.@ @4t &as $y li"e, too,@ Ryan replied, a little e$#arrassed. @8ood $orning, sirJ@ 4t &as the cook. @>ay 4 "i7 yo% so$e #reak"ast, Captain Ra$i%sI@ @9es, 4 a$ ery h%ngry.@ @8oodJ *ne 6.,. !a y #reak"ast. Let $e get so$e "resh co""ee, too.@ 0e disappeared into the passage&ay. 'hirty seconds later he &as #ack &ith "resh co""ee and a place setting "or Ra$i%s. @'en $in%tes on the #reak"ast, sir.@ Ra$i%s po%red a c%p o" co""ee. 'here &as a s$all en elope in the sa%cer. @;hat is thisI@ @Co""ee >ate,@ >anc%so ch%ckled. @Crea$ "or yo%r co""ee, Captain.@ Ra$i%s tore open the packet, staring s%spicio%sly inside #e"ore d%$ping the contents into the c%p and stirring. @;hen do &e lea eI@ @,o$eti$e to$orro&,@ >anc%so ans&ered. 'he !allas &as going to periscope depth periodically to recei e operational orders and relaying the$ to the October #y gertr%de. @;e learned a "e& ho%rs ago that the ,o iet "leet is heading #ack northeast. ;e?ll kno& "or s%re #y s%ndo&n. *%r g%ys are keeping a close eye on the$.@ @;here do &e goI@ Ra$i%s asked. @;here did yo% tell the$ yo% &ere goingI@ Ryan &anted to kno&. @;hat e7actly did yo%r letter sayI@ @9o% kno& a#o%t the letterFho&I@ @;e kno&Fthat is, 4 kno& a#o%t the letter, #%t that?s all 4 can say, sir.@ @4 told 6ncle 9%ri that &e &ere sailing to !e& 9ork to $ake a present o" this ship to the president o" the 6nited ,tates.@ @B%t yo% didn?t head "or !e& 9ork,@ >anc%so o#Cected. @Certainly not. 4 &ished to enter !or"olk. ;hy go to a ci ilian port &hen a na al #ase is so closeI 9o% say 4 sho%ld tell +adorin the tr%thI@ Ra$i%s shook his head. @;hyI 9o%r coast is so large.@ !ear Admiral Padorin, -,m sailing for Ne) 6ork . . .!o &onder they &ent apeJ Ryan tho%ght. @;e go to !or"olk or CharlestonI@ Ra$i%s asked. @!or"olk, 4 think,@ >anc%so said. @Lidn?t yo% kno& they?d send the &hole "leet a"ter yo%I@ Ryan snapped. @;hy send the letter at allI@ @,o they &ill kno&,@ Ra$i%s ans&ered. @,o they &ill kno&. 4 did not e7pect that anyone &o%ld locate %s. 'here yo% s%rprised %s.@ 'he A$erican skipper tried to s$ile. @;e detected yo% o"" the coast o" 4celand. 9o% &ere l%ckier than yo% i$agine. 4" &e?d sailed "ro$ England on sched%le, &e?d ha e #een "i"teen $iles closer in shore, and &e &o%ld ha e had yo% cold. ,orry, Captain, #%t o%r sonars and sonar operators are ery good. 9o% can $eet the $an &ho "irst tracked yo% later. 0e?s &orking &ith yo%r $an B%gaye at the $o$ent.@ @(tarshina,@ Borodin said. @!ot an o""icerI@ Ra$i%s asked. @!o, C%st a ery good operator,@ >anc%so said, s%rprised. ;hy &o%ld anyone &ant an o""icer to stand &atch on sonar gearI 'he cook ca$e #ack in. 0is idea o" the standard 6.,. !a y #reak"ast &as a large platter &ith a sla# o" ha$, t&o eggs o er easy, a pile o" hash #ro&ns, and "o%r slices o" toast, &ith a container o" apple Celly.

@Let $e kno& i" yo% &ant $ore, sir,@ the cook said. @'his is a nor$al #reak"astI@ Ra$i%s asked >anc%so. @!othing %n%s%al a#o%t it. 4 pre"er &a""les $ysel". A$ericans eat #ig #reak"asts.@ Ra$i%s &as already attacking his. A"ter t&o days &itho%t a nor$al $eal and all the #lood loss "ro$ his leg &o%nd, his #ody &as screa$ing "or "ood. @'ell $e, Ryan,@ Borodin &as lighting a cigarette, @&hat is it in A$erica that &e &ill "ind $ost a$aBingI@ Jack $otioned to the captain?s plate. @=ood stores.@ @=ood storesI@ >anc%so asked. @;hile 4 &as sitting on -n$incible 4 read o er a C4A report on people &ho co$e o er to o%r side.@ Ryan didn?t &ant to say defectors. ,o$eho& the &ord so%nded de$eaning. @,%pposedly the "irst thing that s%rprises people, people "ro$ yo%r part o" the &orld, is going thro%gh a s%per$arket.@ @'ell $e a#o%t the$,@ Borodin ordered. @A #%ilding a#o%t the siBe o" a "oot#all "ieldF&ell, $ay#e a little s$aller than that. 9o% go in the "ront door and get a shopping cart. 'he "resh "r%its and egeta#les are on the right, and yo% grad%ally &ork yo%r &ay le"t thro%gh the other depart$ents. 4? e #een doing that since 4 &as a kid.@ @9o% say "resh "r%its and egeta#lesI ;hat a#o%t no&, in &interI@ @;hat a#o%t &interI@ >anc%so said. @>ay#e they cost a little $ore, #%t yo% can al&ays get "resh prod%ce. 'hat?s the one thing &e $iss on the #oats. *%r s%pply o" "resh prod%ce and $ilk only lasts %s a#o%t a &eek.@ @And $eatI@ Ra$i%s asked. @Anything yo% &ant,@ Ryan ans&ered. @Bee", pork, la$#, t%rkey, chicken. A$erican "ar$ers are ery e""icient. 'he 6nited ,tates "eeds itsel" and has plenty le"t o er. 9o% kno& that, the ,o iet 6nion #%ys o%r grain. 0ell, &e pay "ar$ers not to gro& things, C%st to keep the s%rpl%s %nder control.@ 'he "o%r R%ssians &ere do%#t"%l. @;hat elseI@ Borodin asked. @;hat else &ill s%rprise yo%I !early e eryone has a car. >ost people o&n their o&n ho$es. 4" yo% ha e $oney, yo% can #%y nearly anything yo% &ant. 'he a erage "a$ily in A$erica $akes so$ething like t&enty tho%sand dollars a year, 4 g%ess. 'hese o""icers all $ake $ore than that. 'he "act o" the $atter is that in o%r co%ntry i" yo% ha e so$e #rainsFand all o" yo% $en doFand yo% are &illing to &orkFand all o" yo% $en areFyo% &ill li e a co$"orta#le li"e e en &itho%t any help. Besides, yo% can #e s%re that the C4A &ill take good care o" yo%. ;e &o%ldn?t &ant any#ody to co$plain a#o%t o%r hospitality.@ @And &hat &ill #eco$e o" $y $enI@ Ra$i%s asked. @4 can?t say e7actly, sir, since 4? e ne er #een in ol ed in this sort o" thing $ysel". 4 &o%ld g%ess that yo% &ill #e taken to a sa"e place to rela7 and %n&ind. +eople "ro$ the C4A and the na y &ill &ant to talk to yo% at length. 'hat?s no s%rprise, rightI 4 told yo% this #e"ore. A year "ro$ no& yo% &ill #e doing &hate er yo% choose to do.@ @And any#ody &ho &ants to take a cr%ise &ith %s is &elco$e to,@ >anc%so added. Ryan &ondered ho& tr%e this &as. 'he na y &o%ld not &ant to let any o" these $en on a 3882class #oat. 4t $ight gi e one o" the$ in"or$ation al%a#le eno%gh to ena#le hi$ to ret%rn ho$e and keep his head. @0o& does a "riendly $an #eco$e a C4A spyI@ Borodin asked. @4 a$ not a spy, sir,@ Ryan said again. 0e co%ldn?t #la$e the$ "or not #elie ing hi$. @8oing

thro%gh grad%ate school 4 got to kno& a g%y &ho $entioned $y na$e to a "riend o" his in the C4A, Ad$iral Ja$es 8reer. Back a "e& years ago 4 &as asked to Coin a tea$ o" acade$ics that &as called in to check %p on so$e o" the C4A?s intelligence esti$ates. At the ti$e 4 &as happily engaged &riting #ooks on na al history. At LangleyF4 &as there "or t&o $onths d%ring the s%$$erF4 did a paper on international terroris$. 8reer liked it, and t&o years ago he asked $e to go to &ork there "%ll ti$e. 4 accepted. 4t &as a $istake,@ Ryan said, not really $eaning it. *r did heI @A year ago 4 &as trans"erred to London to &ork on a Coint intelligence e al%ation tea$ &ith the British ,ecret ,er ice. >y nor$al Co# is to sit at a desk and "ig%re o%t the st%"" that "ield agents send in. 4 got $ysel" roped into this #eca%se 4 "ig%red o%t &hat yo% &ere %p to, Captain Ra$i%s.@ @;as yo%r "ather a spyI@ Borodin asked. @!o, $y dad &as a police o""icer in Balti$ore. 0e and $y $other &ere killed in a plane crash ten years ago.@ Borodin e7pressed his sy$pathy. @And yo%, Captain >anc%so, &hat $ade yo% a sailorI@ @4 &anted to #e a sailor since 4 &as a kid. >y dad?s a #ar#er. 4 decided on s%#$arines at Annapolis #eca%se 4 tho%ght it looked interesting.@ Ryan &as &atching so$ething he had ne er seen #e"ore, $en "ro$ t&o di""erent places and t&o ery di""erent c%lt%res trying to "ind co$$on gro%nd. Both sides &ere reaching o%t, seeking si$ilarities o" character and e7perience, #%ilding a "o%ndation "or %nderstanding. 'his &as $ore than interesting. 4t &as to%ching. Ryan &ondered ho& di""ic%lt it &as "or the ,o iets. +ro#a#ly harder than anything he had e er doneFtheir #ridges &ere #%rned. 'hey had cast the$sel es a&ay "ro$ e erything they had kno&n, tr%sting that &hat they "o%nd &o%ld #e #etter. Ryan hoped they &o%ld s%cceed and $ake their transition "ro$ Co$$%nis$ to "reedo$. 4n the past t&o days he had co$e to realiBe &hat co%rage it took "or $en to de"ect. =acing a g%n in a $issile roo$ &as a s$all $atter co$pared &ith &alking a&ay "ro$ one?s &hole li"e. 4t &as strange ho& easily A$ericans p%t on their "reedo$s. 0o& di""ic%lt &o%ld it #e "or these $en &ho had risked their li es to adapt to so$ething that $en like Ryan so rarely appreciatedI 4t &as people like these &ho had #%ilt the A$erican Lrea$, and people like these &ho &ere needed to $aintain it. 4t &as odd that s%ch $en sho%ld co$e "ro$ the ,o iet 6nion. *r perhaps not so odd, Ryan tho%ght, listening to the con ersation going #ack and "orth in "ront o" hi$.

THE SEVENTEENTH DAY SUNDAY 19, DECEMBER

'he Red *cto#er @Eight $ore ho%rs,@ Ryan &hispered to hi$sel". 'hat?s &hat they had told hi$. An eight2ho%r r%n to !or"olk. 0e &as #ack at the r%dder di ing2plane controls #y his o&n reD%est. *perating the$ &as the only thing he kne& ho& to do, and he had to do so$ething. 'he October &as still #adly shorthanded. !early all o" the A$ericans &ere helping o%t in the reactor and engine spaces a"t. *nly >anc%so, Ra$i%s, and hi$sel" &ere in control. B%gaye , &ith the help o" Jones, &as $onitoring the sonar eD%ip$ent a "e& "eet a&ay, and the $edical people &ere still &orrying o er ;illia$s in sick #ay. 'he cook &as sh%ttling #ack and "orth &ith sand&iches and co""ee, &hich Ryan "o%nd disappointing, pro#a#ly #eca%se he had #een spoiled #y 8reer?s. Ra$i%s &as hal" sitting on the rail that s%rro%nded the periscope pedestal. 'he leg &o%nd &as not #leeding, #%t it had to #e h%rting $ore than the $an ad$itted since he &as letting >anc%so check the instr%$ents and handle the na igation. @R%dder a$idships,@ >anc%so ordered. @>idships,@ Ryan t%rned the &heel #ack to the right to center it, checking his r%dder angle indicator. @R%dder is a$idships, steady on co%rse one2t&o2Bero.@ >anc%so "ro&ned at his chart, ner o%s at #eing "orced to pilot the $assi e s%#$arine in so ca alier a $anner. @9o% ha e to #e care"%l aro%nd here. 'he sand#ar keeps #%ilding %p "ro$ the so%therly littoral dri"t, and they ha e to dredge it e ery "e& $onths. 'he stor$s this area?s #een ha ing can?t ha e helped $%ch.@ >anc%so &ent #ack to look thro%gh the periscope. @4 a$ told this is a dangero%s area,@ Ra$i%s said. @'he gra eyard o" the Atlantic,@ >anc%so con"ir$ed. @A lot o" ships ha e died along the *%ter Banks. ;eather and c%rrent conditions are #ad eno%gh. 'he 8er$ans are s%pposed to ha e had a hell o" a ti$e here d%ring the &ar. 9o%r charts don?t sho& it, #%t there?s h%ndreds o" &recks spotted on the #otto$.@ 0e &ent #ack to the chart ta#le. @Any&ay, &e gi e this place a nice &ide #erth, and &e don?t t%rn north till a#o%t here.@ 0e traced a line on the chart. @'hese are yo%r &aters,@ Ra$i%s agreed. 'hey &ere in a loose three2#oat "or$ation. 'he !allas &as leading the$ o%t to sea, the Pogy &as trailing. All three #oats &ere tra eling "looded2do&n, their decks nearly a&ash, &ith no one on their #ridge stations. All is%al na igation &as #eing done #y periscope. !o radar sets &ere

operating. !one o" the three #oats &as $aking any electronic noise. Ryan glanced cas%ally at the chart ta#le. 'hey &ere #eyond the inlet proper, #%t the chart &as $arked &ith sand#ars "or se eral $ore $iles. !or &ere they %sing the Red October?s caterpillar dri e syste$. 4t had t%rned o%t to #e al$ost e7actly &hat ,kip 'yler had predicted. 'here &ere t&o sets o" t%nnel i$pellers, a pair a#o%t a third o" the &ay #ack "ro$ the #o& and three $ore C%st a"t o" $idships. >anc%so and his engineers had e7a$ined the plans &ith great interest, then co$$ented at length on the D%ality o" the caterpillar design. =or his part, Ra$i%s had not &anted to #elie e that he had #een detected so early on. >anc%so had %lti$ately prod%ced Jones &ith his personal $ap to sho& the October?s esti$ated co%rse o"" 4celand. 'ho%gh a "e& $iles o"" the ship?s log, it &as too close to ha e #een a coincidence. @9o%r sonar $%st #e #etter than &e e7pected,@ Ra$i%s gr%$#led a "e& "eet "ro$ Ryan?s control station. @4t is pretty good,@ >anc%so allo&ed. @Better yet, there?s JonesyFhe?s the #est sonar$an 4? e e er had.@ @,o yo%ng, and so s$art.@ @;e get a lot o" the$ that &ay,@ >anc%so s$iled. @!e er as $any as &e?d like, o" co%rse, #%t o%r kids are all ol%nteers. 'hey kno& &hat they?re getting into. ;e?re picky a#o%t &ho &e take, and then &e train the hell o%t o" ?e$.@ @Conn, sonar.@ 4t &as Jones? oice. @!allas is di ing, sir.@ @:ery &ell.@ >anc%so lit a cigarette as he &ent to the interco$ phone. 0e p%nched the #%tton "or engineering. @'ell >annion &e need hi$ "or&ard. ;e?ll #e di ing in a "e& $in%tes. 9eah.@ 0e h%ng %p and &ent #ack to the chart. @9o% ha e the$ "or $ore than three years, thenI@ Ra$i%s asked. @*h, yeah. 0ell, other&ise &e?d #e letting the$ go right a"ter they?re "%lly trained, rightI@ ;hy co%ldn?t the ,o iet !a y get and retain people like thisI Ra$i%s tho%ght. 0e kne& the ans&er all too &ell. 'he A$ericans "ed their $en decently, ga e the$ a proper $ess roo$, paid the$ decently, ga e the$ tr%stFall the things he had "o%ght t&enty years "or. @9o% need $e to &ork the entsI@ >annion said, co$ing in. @9eah, +at, &e?ll di e in another t&o or three $in%tes.@ >annion ga e the chart a D%ick look on his &ay to the ent $ani"old. Ra$i%s ho##led to the chart. @'hey tell %s that yo%r o""icers are chosen "ro$ the #o%rgeois classes to control ordinary sailors "ro$ the &orking class.@ >annion ran his hands o er the ent controls. 'here s%re &ere eno%gh o" the$. 0e?d spent t&o ho%rs the pre io%s day "ig%ring the co$ple7 syste$ o%t. @'hat?s tr%e, sir. *%r o""icers do co$e "ro$ the r%ling class. J%st look at $e,@ he said deadpan. >annion?s skin &as a#o%t the color o" co""ee gro%nds, his accent p%re ,o%th Bron7. @B%t yo% are a #lack $an,@ Ra$i%s o#Cected, $issing the Ci#e. @,%re, &e?re a real ethnic #oat.@ >anc%so looked thro%gh the periscope again. @A 8%inea skipper, a #lack na igator, and a craBy sonar$an.@ @4 heard that, sirJ@ Jones called o%t rather than %se the interco$ speaker. @8ertr%de $essage "ro$ !allas. E erything looks okay. 'hey?re &aiting "or %s. Last gertr%de $essage "or a &hile.@ @Conn, aye. ;e?re clear, "inally. ;e can di e &hene er yo% &ish, Captain Ra$i%s,@ >anc%so said.

@Co$rade >annion, ent the #allast tanks,@ Ra$i%s said. 'he October had ne er act%ally s%r"aced and &as still rigged "or di e. @Aye aye, sir.@ 'he lie%tenant t%rned the top$ost rank o" $aster s&itches on the hydra%lic controls. Ryan &inced. 'he so%nd $ade hi$ think o" a $illion toilets #eing "l%shed at once. @=i e degrees do&n on the planes, Ryan,@ Ra$i%s said. @=i e degrees do&n, aye.@ Ryan p%shed "or&ard on the yoke. @+lanes "i e degrees do&n.@ @,he?s slo& going do&n,@ >annion o#ser ed, &atching the handpainted depth2ga%ge replace$ent. @,o d%rn #ig.@ @9eah,@ >anc%so said. 'he needle passed t&enty $eters. @+lanes to Bero,@ Ra$i%s said. @+lanes to Bero angle, aye.@ Ryan p%lled #ack on the control. 4t took thirty seconds "or the s%#$arine to settle. ,he see$ed ery slo& to respond to the controls. Ryan had tho%ght that s%#$arines &ere as responsi e as aircra"t. @>ake her a little light, +at. Eno%gh that it takes a degree o" do&n to hold her le el,@ >anc%so said. @6h2h%h.@ >annion "ro&ned, checking the depth ga%ge. 'he #allast tanks &ere no& "%lly "looded, and the #alancing act &o%ld ha e to #e done &ith the $%ch s$aller tri$ tanks. 4t took hi$ "i e $in%tes to get the #alance e7actly right. @,orry, gentle$en. 4?$ a"raid she?s too #ig to dial in D%ick,@ he said, e$#arrassed &ith hi$sel". Ra$i%s &as i$pressed #%t too annoyed to sho& it. 0e had e7pected the A$erican captain to take longer than this to do it hi$sel". 'ri$$ing a strange s%# so e7pertly on his "irst try . . . @*kay, no& &e can co$e aro%nd north,@ >anc%so said. 'hey &ere t&o $iles past the last charted #ar. @Reco$$end ne& co%rse Bero2Bero2eight, Captain.@ @Ryan, r%dder le"t ten degrees,@ Ra$i%s ordered. @Co$e to Bero2Bero2eight.@ @*kay, r%dder le"t ten degrees,@ Ryan responded, keeping one eye on the r%dder indicator, the other on the gyro co$pass repeater. @Co$e to oh2oh2eight.@ @Ca%tion, Ryan. 0e t%rns slo&ly, #%t once t%rning yo% $%st %se $%ch #ack&ardF@ @*pposite,@ >anc%so corrected politely. @9es, opposite r%dder to stop hi$ on proper co%rse.@ @Right.@ @Captain, do yo% ha e r%dder pro#le$sI@ >anc%so asked. @=ro$ tracking yo% it see$ed that yo%r t%rning circle &as rather large.@ @;ith the caterpillar it is. 'he "lo& "ro$ the t%nnels strikes the r%dder ery hard, and it "l%tters i" yo% %se too $%ch r%dder. *n o%r "irst sea trials, &e had da$age "ro$ this. 4t co$es "ro$Fho& do yo% sayFthe co$e2together o" the t&o caterpillar t%nnels.@ @Loes this a""ect operations &ith the propellersI@ >annion asked. @!o, only &ith the caterpillar.@ >anc%so didn?t like that. 4t didn?t really $atter. 'he plan &as a si$ple, direct one. 'he three #oats &o%ld $ake a straight dash to !or"olk. 'he t&o A$erican attack #oats &o%ld leap"rog "or&ard at thirty knots to sni"" o%t the areas ahead &hile the October plodded along at a constant t&enty. Ryan #egan to ease his r%dder as the #o& ca$e aro%nd. 0e &aited too long. Lespite "i e degrees o" right r%dder, the #o& s&%ng right past the intended co%rse, and the gyro repeater clicked acc%singly on e ery third degree %ntil it stopped at Bero2Bero2one. 4t took another t&o

$in%tes to get #ack on the proper co%rse. @,orry a#o%t that. ,teady on Bero2Bero2eight,@ he "inally reported. Ra$i%s &as "orgi ing. @9o% learn "ast, Ryan. +erhaps one day yo% &ill #e a tr%e sailor.@ @!o thanksJ 'he one thing 4? e learned on this trip is that yo% g%ys earn e ery nickel yo% get.@ @Lon?t like s%#sI@ >annion ch%ckled. @!o place to Cog.@ @'r%e. 6nless yo% still need $e, Captain, 4?$ ready to go a"t. 'he engine roo$?s a&"%l shorthanded,@ >annion said. Ra$i%s nodded. ;as he "ro$ the r%ling classI the captain &ondered. 'he :. A. Aono alo '%pole &as heading #ack &est. 'he "leet order had instr%cted e eryone #%t his Alfa and one other to ret%rn ho$e at t&enty knots. '%pole &as to $o e &est "or t&o and hal" ho%rs. !o& he &as on a reciprocal heading at "i e knots, a#o%t the top speed the Alfa co%ld tra el &itho%t $aking $%ch noise. 'he idea &as that his s%# &o%ld #e lost in the sh%""le. ,o, an Ohio &as heading "or !or"olkFor Charleston $ore pro#a#ly. 4n any case, '%pole &o%ld circle D%ietly and o#ser e. 'he Red October &as destroyed. 'hat $%ch he kne& "ro$ the ops order. '%pole shook his head. 0o& co%ld >arko ha e done s%ch a thingI ;hate er the ans&er, he had paid "or his treason &ith his li"e. 'he +entagon @4?d "eel #etter i" &e had so$e $ore air co er,@ Ad$iral =oster said, leaning against the &all. @Agreed, sir, #%t &e can?t #e so o# io%s, can &eI@ 8eneral 0arris asked. A pair o" +2-Bs &as no& s&eeping the track "ro$ 0atteras to the :irginia Capes as tho%gh on a ro%tine training $ission. >ost o" the other *rions &ere "ar o%t at sea. 'he ,o iet "leet &as already "o%r h%ndred $iles o""shore. 'he three s%r"ace gro%ps had reCoined and &ere no& ringed #y their s%#$arines. 'he 'ennedy, America, and Nimitz &ere "i e h%ndred $iles to their east, and the Ne) =ersey &as dropping #ack. 'he R%ssians &o%ld #e &atched all the &ay ho$e. 'he carrier #attle gro%ps &o%ld #e "ollo&ing the$ all the &ay to 4celand, keeping a discreet distance and $aintaining air gro%ps at the "ringe o" their radar co erage contin%o%sly, C%st to let the$ kno& that the 6nited ,tates still cared. Aircra"t #ased in 4celand &o%ld track the$ the rest o" the &ay ho$e. 0>, -n$incible &as no& o%t o" operation and a#o%t hal"&ay ho$e. A$erican attack s%#s &ere ret%rning to nor$al patrol patterns, and all ,o iet s%#s &ere reported to #e o"" the coast, tho%gh this data &as sketchy. 'hey &ere tra eling in loose packs and the noise generated $ade tracking di""ic%lt "or the patrolling *rions, &hich &ere short o" sono#%oys. ,till and all, the operation &as a#o%t o er, the J2- C%dged. @9o% heading "or !or"olk, Ad$iralI@ 0arris asked. @'ho%ght 4 $ight get together &ith C4!CLA!', a post2action con"erence, yo% %nderstand,@ =oster said. @Aye aye, sir,@ 0arris said.

'he !e& Jersey ,he &as tra eling at t&el e knots, &ith a destroyer "%eling on either #ea$. Co$$odore Eaton &as in the "lag plot. 4t &as all o er and nothing had happened, thank 8od. 'he ,o iets &ere no& a h%ndred $iles ahead, &ithin 'o$aha&k range #%t &ell #eyond e erything else. All in all, he &as satis"ied. 0is "orce had operated s%ccess"%lly &ith the Tara)a, &hich &as no& headed so%th to >ayport, =lorida. 0e hoped they?d #e a#le to do this again soon. 4t had #een a long ti$e since a "lag o""icer on a #attleship had had a carrier respond to his co$$and. 'hey had kept the 'iro$ "orce %nder contin%o%s s%r eillance. 4" there had #een a #attle, Eaton &as con inced that they?d ha e handled 4 an. >ore i$portantly, he &as certain that 4 an kne& it. All they a&aited no& &as the order to ret%rn to !or"olk. 4t &o%ld #e nice to #e #ack ho$e "or Christ$as. 0e "ig%red his $en had earned it. >any o" the #attleship?s $en &ere oldti$ers, and nearly e eryone had a "a$ily. 'he Red *cto#er Ping. Jones noted the ti$e on his pad and called o%t, @Captain, C%st got a ping "ro$ Pogy.@ 'he Pogy &as no& ten $iles ahead o" the October and !allas. 'he idea &as that a"ter she got ahead and listened "or ten $in%tes, a single ping "ro$ her acti e sonar &o%ld signal that the ten $iles to the Pogy and the t&enty or $ore $iles #eyond her &ere clear. 'he Pogy &o%ld dri"t slo&ly to con"ir$ this, and a $ile to the October?s east the !allas &ent to "%ll speed to leap"rog ten $iles #eyond the other attack s%#. Jones &as e7peri$enting &ith the R%ssian sonar. 'he acti e gear, he?d "o%nd, &as not too #ad. 'he passi e syste$s he didn?t &ant to think a#o%t. ;hen the Red October had #een lying still in +a$lico ,o%nd, he?d #een %na#le to track in on the A$erican s%#s. 'hey had also #een still, &ith their reactors only t%rning generators, #%t they had #een no $ore than a $ile a&ay. 0e &as disappointed that he?d not #een a#le to locate the$. 'he o""icer &ith hi$, B%gaye , &as a "riendly eno%gh g%y. At "irst he?d #een a little stando""ishFas i" he &ere a lord and 4 &ere a ser", Jones tho%ghtF%ntil he?d seen ho& the skipper treated hi$. 'his s%rprised Jones. =ro$ &hat little he kne& o" Co$$%nis$, he had e7pected e eryone to #e "airly eD%al. ;ell, he decided, that?s &hat 4 get "ro$ reading !as 'apital in a "resh$an poli2sci co%rse. 4t $ade a lot $ore sense to look at &hat Co$$%nis$ #%ilt. 8ar#age, $ostly. 'he enlisted $en didn?t e en ha e their o&n $ess roo$. ;asn?t that so$e crapJ Eating yo%r $eals in yo%r #%nk roo$sJ Jones had taken an ho%rF&hen he &as s%pposed to #e sleepingFto e7plore the s%#$arine. >r. >annion had Coined hi$. 'hey started in the #%nkroo$. 'he indi id%al "ootlockers didn?t lockFpro#a#ly so that o""icers co%ld ri"le thro%gh the$. Jones and >annion did C%st that. 'here &as nothing o" interest. E en the sailor porn &as C%nk. 'he poses &ere C%st plain d%$#, and the &o$enF&ell, Jones had gro&n %p in Cali"ornia. 8ar#age. 4t &as not at all hard "or hi$ to %nderstand &hy the R%ssians &anted to de"ect. 'he $issile had #een interesting. 0e and >annion opened an inspection hatch to e7a$ine the inside o" the $issile. !ot too sha##y, they tho%ght. 'here &as a little too $%ch loose &iring, #%t that pro#a#ly $ade testing easier. 'he $issile see$ed a&"%lly #ig. ,o, he tho%ght, that?s

&hat the #astards ha e #een ai$ing at %s. 0e &ondered i" the na y &o%ld hold onto a "e&. 4" it &as e er necessary to "lip so$e at old 4 an, $ight as &ell incl%de a co%ple o" his o&n. !umb idea, Jonesy, he said to hi$sel". 0e didn?t e er &ant those godda$ned things to "ly. *ne thing &as "or s%reK e erything on this #%cket &o%ld #e stripped o"", tested, taken apart, tested againF and he &as the na y?s n%$#er one e7pert on R%ssian sonar. >ay#e he?d #e present d%ring the analysis . . . 4t $ight #e &orth staying in the na y a "e& e7tra $onths "or. Jones lit a cigarette. @;ant one o" $ine, >r. B%gaye I@ 0e held his pack o%t to the electronics o""icer. @'hank yo%, Jones. 9o% &ere in %ni ersityI@ 'he lie%tenant took the A$erican cigarette that he?d &anted #%t #een too pro%d to ask "or. 4t &as da&ning on hi$ slo&ly that this enlisted $an &as his technical eD%al. 'ho%gh not a D%ali"ied &atch o""icer, Jones co%ld operate and $aintain sonar gear as &ell as anyone he?d kno&n. @9es, sir.@ 4t ne er h%rt to call o""icers sir, Jones kne&. Especially the d%$# ones. @Cali"ornia 4nstit%te o" 'echnology. =i e se$esters co$pleted. A a erage. 4 didn?t "inish.@ @;hy did yo% lea eIZ Jones s$iled. @;ell, sir, yo% gotta %nderstand that Cal 'ech is, &ell, kinda a "%nny place. 4 played a little trick on one o" $y pro"essors. 0e &as &orking &ith stro#e lights "or highspeed photography, and 4 rigged a little s&itch to &ork the roo$ lights o"" the stro#e. 6n"ort%nately there &as a short in the s&itch, and it started this little electrical "ire.@ ;hich had #%rned o%t a la#, destroying three $onths o" data and "i"teen tho%sand dollars o" eD%ip$ent. @'hat #roke the r%les.@ @;hat did yo% st%dyI@ @4 &as headin? "or a degree in electrical engineering, &ith a strong $inor in cy#ernetics. 'hree se$esters to go. 4?ll get it, then $y $asters, then $y doctorate, and then 4?ll go #ack to &ork "or the na y as a ci ilian.@ @;hy are yo% a sonar operatorI@ B%gaye sat do&n. 0e had ne er spoken like this &ith an enlisted $an. @0ell, sir, it?s "%nJ ;hen so$ething?s going onFyo% kno&, a &ar ga$e, tracking another s%#, like thatF- a$ the skipper. All the captain does is react to the data 4 gi e hi$.@ @And yo% like yo%r co$$anderI@ @,%re thingJ 0e?s the #est 4? e hadF4? e had three. >y skipper?s a good g%y. 9o% do yo%r Co# okay, and he doesn?t hassle yo%. 9o% got so$ething to say to hi$, and he listens.@ @9o% say yo% &ill go #ack to college. 0o& do yo% pay "or itI 'hey tell %s that only the r%ling class sons go to %ni ersity.@ @'hat?s crap, sir. 4n Cali"ornia i" yo%?re s$art eno%gh to go, yo% go. 4n $y case, 4? e #een sa ing $y $oneyFyo% don?t spend $%ch on a s%#, rightIFand the na y pitches in, too. 4 got eno%gh to see $e all the &ay thro%gh $y $asters. ;hat?s yo%r degree inI@ @4 attended a higher na al school. Like yo%r Annapolis. 4 &o%ld like to get a proper degree in electronics,@ B%gaye said, oicing his o&n drea$. @!o s&eat. 4 can help yo% o%t. 4" yo%?re good eno%gh "or Cal 'ech, 4 can tell yo% &ho to talk to. 9o%?d like Cali"ornia. 'hat is the place to li e.@ @And 4 &ish to &ork on a real co$p%ter,@ B%gaye &ent on, &ish"%l. Jones la%ghed D%ietly. @,o, #%y yo%rsel" one.@ @B%y a co$p%terI@ @,%re, &e got a co%ple o" little ones, Apples, on !allas. Cost yo% a#o%t, oh, t&o tho%sand "or a nice syste$. 'hat?s a lot less than &hat a car goes "or.@

@A co$p%ter "or t&o tho%sand dollarsI@ B%gaye &ent "ro$ &ish"%l to s%spicio%s, certain that Jones &as leading hi$ on. @*r less. =or three grand yo% can get a really nice rig. 0ell, yo% tell Apple &ho yo% are, and they?ll pro#a#ly gi e it to yo% "or "ree, or the na y &ill. 4" yo% don?t &ant an Apple, there?s the Co$$odore, 'R,285, Atari. All kinds. Lepends on &hat yo% &ant to %se it "or. Look, C%st one co$pany, Apple, has sold o er a $illion o" ?e$. 'hey?re little, s%re, #%t they?re real co$p%ters.@ @4 ha e ne er heard o" thisFAppleI@ @9eah, Apple. '&o g%ys started the co$pany #ack &hen 4 &as in C%nior high. ,ince then they? e sold a $illion or so, like 4 saidFand they are so$e kinda richJ 4 don?t ha e one $ysel"F no roo$ on a s%#F#%t $y #rother has his o&n co$p%ter, an 4B>2+C. 9o% still don?t #elie e $e, do yo%I@ @A &orking $an &ith his o&n co$p%terI 4t is hard to #elie e.@ 0e sta##ed o%t the cigarette. A$erican to#acco &as a little #land, he tho%ght. @;ell, sir, then yo% can ask so$e#ody else. Like 4 said, !allas has a co%ple o" Apples, C%st "or the cre& to %se. 'here?s other st%"" "or "ire control, na igation, and sonar, o" co%rse. ;e %se the Apples "or ga$esFyo%?ll lo e co$p%ter ga$es, "or s%re. 9o%? e ne er had "%n till yo%? e tried Chopli"terFand other things, ed%cation progra$s, st%"" like that. 0onest, >r. B%gaye , yo% can &alk into $ost any shopping center and "ind a place to #%y a co$p%ter. 9o%?ll see.@ @0o& do yo% %se a co$p%ter &ith yo%r sonarI@ @'hat &o%ld take a &hile to e7plain, sir, and 4?d pro#a#ly ha e to get per$ission "ro$ the skipper.@ Jones re$inded hi$sel" that this g%y &as still the ene$y, sort o". 'he :. A. Aono alo 'he Alfa dri"ted slo&ly at the edge o" the continental shel", a#o%t "i"ty $iles so%theast o" !or"olk. '%pole ordered the reactor plant chopped #ack to a#o%t "i e percent o" total o%tp%t, eno%gh to operate the electrical syste$s and little else. 4t also $ade his s%#$arine al$ost totally D%iet. *rders &ere passed #y &ord o" $o%th. 'he 'ono$alo$ &as on a strict silent ship ro%tine. E en ordinary cooking &as "or#idden. Cooking $eant $o ing $etal pots on $etal grates. 6ntil "%rther notice, the cre& &as on a diet o" cheese sand&iches. 'hey spoke in &hispers &hen they spoke at all. Anyone &ho $ade noise &o%ld attract the attention o" the captain, and e eryone a#oard kne& &hat that $eant. ,*,6, Control O%entin &as re ie&ing data sent #y digital link "ro$ the t&o *rions. A crippled $issile #oat, the 6,, 3eorgia, &as heading into !or"olk a"ter a partial t%r#ine "ail%re, escorted #y a pair o" attack #oats. 'hey had #een keeping her o%t, the ad$iral had said, #eca%se o" all the R%ssian acti ity on the coast, and the idea no& &as to get her in, "i7ed, and o%t as D%ickly as possi#le. 'he 3eorgia carried t&enty2"o%r 'rident $issiles, a note&orthy "raction o" the co%ntry?s total deterrent "orce. Repairing her &o%ld #e a high priority ite$ no& that the R%ssians &ere gone. 4t &as sa"e to #ring her in, #%t they &anted the *rions "irst to check and see i" any ,o iet s%#$arines had lingered #ehind in the general con"%sion. A +2-B &as cr%ising at nine h%ndred "eet a#o%t "i"ty $iles so%theast o" !or"olk. 'he =L4R

sho&ed nothing, no heat signat%re on the s%r"ace, and the >AL gear detected no $eas%ra#le dist%r#ance in the earth?s $agnetic "ield, tho%gh one aircra"t?s "light path took her &ithin a h%ndred yards o" the Alfa?s position. 'he 'ono$alo$?s h%ll &as $ade o" non2$agnetic titani%$. A sono#%oy dropped se en $iles to the so%th o" her position also "ailed to pick %p the so%nd o" her reactor plant. Lata &as #eing trans$itted contin%o%sly to !or"olk, &here O%entin?s operations sta"" entered it into his co$p%ter. 'he pro#le$ &as, not all o" the ,o iet s%#s had #een acco%nted "or. ;ell, the co$$ander tho%ght, that "ig%res. ,o$e o" the #oats had taken the opport%nity to creep a&ay "ro$ their charted loci. 'here &as the odd chance, he had reported, that one or t&o strays &ere still o%t there, #%t there &as no e idence o" this. 0e &ondered &hat C4!CLA!' had &orking. Certainly he had see$ed a&"%lly pleased &ith so$ething, al$ost e%phoric. 'he operation against the ,o iet "leet had #een handled pretty &ell, &hat he?d seen o" it, and there &as that dead Alfa o%t there. 0o& long %ntil the 3lomar :plorer ca$e o%t o" $oth#alls to go and get thatI 0e &ondered i" he?d get a chance to look the &reck o er. ;hat an opport%nityJ !o#ody &as taking the c%rrent operation all that serio%sly. 4t $ade sense. 4" the 3eorgia &ere indeed co$ing in &ith a sick engine she?d #e co$ing slo&, and a slo& Ohio $ade a#o%t as $%ch noise as a irgin &hale, deter$ined to retain her stat%s. And i" C4!CLA!'=L' &ere all that concerned a#o%t it, he &o%ld not ha e detailed the delo%sing operation to a pair o" +2-s piloted #y reser ists. O%entin li"ted the phone and dialed C4!CLA!'=L' *perations to tell the$ again that there &as no indication o" hostile acti ity. 'he Red *cto#er Ryan checked his &atch. 4t had #een "i e ho%rs already. A long ti$e to sit in one chair, and "ro$ a D%ick glance at the chart it appeared that the eight2ho%r esti$ate had #een opti$isticFor he?d $is%nderstood the$. 'he Red October &as tracing %p the shel" line and &o%ld soon #egin to angle &est "or the :irginia Capes. >ay#e it &o%ld take another "o%r ho%rs. 4t co%ldn?t #e too soon. Ra$i%s and >anc%so looked pretty tired. E ery#ody &as tired. +ro#a#ly the engine roo$ people $ost o" allFno, the cook. 0e &as "errying co""ee and sand&iches to e eryone. 'he R%ssians see$ed especially h%ngry. 'he LallasU'he +ogy 'he !allas passed the Pogy at thirty2t&o knots, leap"rogging again, &ith the October a "e& $iles a"t. Lie%tenant Co$$ander ;ally Cha$#ers, &ho had the conn, did not like #eing #lind on the speed r%n o" thirty2"i e $in%tes despite &ord "ro$ the Pogy that e erything &as clear. 'he Pogy noted her passage and t%rned to allo& her lateral array to track on the Red October. @!oisy eno%gh at t&enty knots,@ the Pogy?s sonar chie" said to his co$panions. @!allas doesn?t $ake that $%ch at thirty.@ 'he :. A. Aono alo @,o$e noise to the so%th,@ the michman said.

@;hat, e7actlyI@ '%pole had #een ho ering at the door "or ho%rs, $aking li"e %npleasant "or the sonar$en. @'oo soon to say, Co$rade Captain. Bearing is not changing, ho&e er. 4t is heading this &ay.@ '%pole &ent #ack to the control roo$. 0e ordered po&er red%ced "%rther in the reactor syste$s. 0e considered killing the plant entirely, #%t reactors took ti$e to start %p and there &as no telling yet ho& distant the contact $ight #e. 'he captain s$oked three cigarettes #e"ore going #ack to sonar. 4t &o%ld not do at all to $ake the michman ner o%s. 'he $an &as his #est operator. @*ne propeller, Co$rade Captain, an A$erican, pro#a#ly a Los Angeles, doing thirty2"i e knots. Bearing has changed only t&o degrees in "i"teen $in%tes. 0e &ill pass close a#oard, and F&ait . . . 0is engines ha e stopped.@ 'he "orty2year2old &arrant o""icer pressed the headphones against his ears. 0e co%ld hear the ca itation so%nds di$inish, then stop entirely as the contact "aded a&ay to nothing. @0e has stopped to listen, Co$rade Captain.@ '%pole s$iled. @0e &ill not hear %s, Co$rade. Racing and stopping. Can yo% hear anything elseI >ight he #e escorting so$ethingI@ 'he michman listened to the headphones again and $ade so$e adC%st$ents on his panel. @+erhaps . . . there is a good deal o" s%r"ace noise, Co$rade, and 4F&ait. 'here see$s to #e so$e noise. *%r last target #earing &as one2se en2one, and this ne& noise is . . . one2se en2"i e. :ery "aint, Co$rade CaptainFa ping, a single ping on acti e sonar.@ @,o.@ '%pole leaned against the #%lkhead. @8ood &ork, Co$rade. !o& &e $%st #e patient.@ 'he Lallas Chie" La al prono%nced the area clear. 'he BOO2.?s sensiti e receptors re ealed nothing, e en a"ter the ,A+, syste$ had #een %sed. Cha$#ers $ane% ered the #o& aro%nd so that the single ping &o%ld go o%t to the Pogy, &hich in t%rn "ired o"" her o&n ping to the Red October to $ake s%re the signal &as recei ed. 4t &as clear "or another ten $iles. 'he Pogy $o ed o%t at thirty knots, "ollo&ed #y the 6.,. !a y?s ne&est #oo$er. 'he :. A. Aono alo @'&o $ore s%#$arines. *ne single scre&, the other t&in scre&, 4 think. ,till "aint. 'he single2 scre& s%#$arine is t%rning $%ch $ore rapidly. Lo the A$ericans ha e t&in2scre& s%#$arines, Co$rade CaptainI@ @9es, 4 #elie e so.@ '%pole &ondered a#o%t this. 'he di""erence in signat%re characteristics &as not all that prono%nced. 'hey?d see in any case. 'he 'ono$alo$ &as creeping along at t&o knots, one h%ndred "i"ty $eters #eneath the s%r"ace. ;hate er &as co$ing see$ed to #e co$ing right "or the$. ;ell, he?d teach the i$perialists so$ething a"ter all.

'he Red *cto#er @Can any#ody spell $e at the &heelI@ Ryan asked. @!eed a stretchI@ >anc%so asked, co$ing o er. @9eah. 4 co%ld stand a trip to the head, too. 'he co""ee?s a#o%t to #%st $y kidneys.@ @4 relie e yo%, sir.@ 'he A$erican captain $o ed into Ryan?s seat. Jack headed a"t to the nearest head. '&o $in%tes later he &as "eeling $%ch #etter. Back in the control roo$, he did so$e knee #ends to get circ%lation #ack in his legs, then looked #rie"ly at the chart. 4t see$ed strange, al$ost sinister, to see the 6.,. coast $arked in R%ssian. @'hank yo%, Co$$ander.@ @,%re.@ >anc%so stood. @4t is certain that yo% are no sailor, Ryan.@ Ra$i%s had #een &atching hi$ &itho%t a &ord. @4 ha e ne er clai$ed to #e one, Captain,@ Ryan said agreea#ly. @0o& long to !or"olkI@ @*h, another "o%r ho%rs, tops,@ >anc%so said. @'he idea?s to arri e a"ter dark. 'hey ha e so$ething to get %s in %nseen, #%t 4 don?t kno& &hat.@ @;e le"t the so%nd in daylight. ;hat i" so$e#ody sa& %s thenI@ Ryan asked. @4 didn?t see anything, #%t i" any#ody &as there, all he?d ha e seen &as three s%# conning to&ers &ith no n%$#ers on the$.@ 'hey had le"t in daylight to take ad antage o" a @&indo&@ in ,o iet satellite co erage. Ryan lit another cigarette. 0is &i"e &o%ld gi e hi$ hell "or this, #%t he &as tense "ro$ #eing on the s%#$arine. ,itting at the hel$s$an?s station le"t hi$ &ith nothing to do #%t stare at the hand"%l o" instr%$ents. 'he s%# &as easier to hold le el than he had e7pected, and the only radical t%rn he had atte$pted sho&ed ho& eager the s%# &as to change co%rse in any direction. 'hirty2so$e2tho%sand tons o" steel, he tho%ghtFno &onder. 'he +ogyU'he Red *cto#er 'he Pogy stor$ed past the !allas at thirty knots and contin%ed "or t&enty $in%tes, stopping ele en $iles #eyond herFand three $iles "ro$ the 'ono$alo$, &hose cre& &as scarcely #reathing no&. 'he Pogy?s sonar, tho%gh lacking the ne& BC215U,A+, signal2processing syste$, &as other&ise state o" the art, #%t it &as i$possi#le to hear so$ething that $ade no noise at all, and the 'ono$alo$ &as silent. 'he Red October passed the !allas at 1.55 ho%rs a"ter recei ing the latest all2clear signal. 0er cre& &as tired and looking "or&ard to arri ing at !or"olk t&o ho%rs a"ter s%ndo&n. Ryan &ondered ho& D%ickly he co%ld "ly #ack to London. 0e &as a"raid that the C4A &o%ld &ant to de#rie" hi$ at length. >anc%so and the cre&$en o" the !allas &ondered i" they?d get to see their "a$ilies. 'hey &eren?t co%nting on it. 'he :. A. Aono alo @;hate er it is, it is #ig, ery #ig, 4 think. 0is co%rse &ill take hi$ &ithin "i e kilo$eters o" %s.@ @An Ohio, as >osco& said,@ '%pole co$$ented. @4t so%nds like a t&in2scre& s%#$arine, Co$rade Captain,@ the michman said. @'he Ohio has one propeller. 9o% kno& that.@

@9es, Co$rade. 4n any case, he &ill #e &ith %s in t&enty $in%tes. 'he other attack s%#$arine is $o ing at thirty2pl%s knots. 4" the pattern holds, he &ill proceed "i"teen kilo$eters #eyond %s.@ @And the other A$ericanI@ @A "e& kilo$eters sea&ard, dri"ting slo&ly, like %s. 4 do not ha e an e7act range. 4 co%ld raise hi$ on acti e sonar, #%t thatF@ @4 a$ a&are o" the conseD%ences,@ '%pole snapped. 0e &ent #ack to the control roo$. @'ell the engineers to #e ready to ans&er #ells. All $en at #attle stationsI@ @9es, Co$rade Captain,@ the starpom replied. @;e ha e an e7cellent "iring sol%tion on the A$erican h%nter s%#Fthe one $o ing, that is. 'he &ay he r%ns at "%ll speed $akes it easy "or %s. 'he other &e can localiBe in seconds.@ @8ood, "or a change,@ '%pole s$iled. @9o% see &hat &e can do &hen circ%$stances "a or %sI@ @And &hat shall &e doI@ @;hen the #ig one passes %s, &e &ill close and rea$ his asshole. 'hey ha e played their ga$es. !o& &e shall play o%rs. 0a e the engineers increase po&er. ;e &ill need "%ll po&er shortly.@ @4t &ill $ake noise, Co$rade,@ the starpom ca%tioned. @'r%e, #%t &e ha e no choice. 'en percent po&er. 'he Ohio cannot possi#ly hear that, and perhaps the near h%nter s%# &on?t either.@ 'he +ogy @;here did that co$e "ro$I@ 'he sonar chie" $ade so$e adC%st$ents on his #oard. @Conn, sonar, 4 got a contact, #earing t&o2three2Bero.@ @Conn, aye,@ Co$$ander ;ood ans&ered at once. @Can yo% classi"yI@ @!o, sir. 4t C%st ca$e %p. Reactor plant and stea$ noises, real "aint, sir. 4 can?t D%ite read the plant signat%re . . .@ 0e "lipped the gain controls to $a7i$%$. @!ot one o" o%rs. ,kipper, 4 think $ay#e &e got %s an Alfa here.@ @*h, greatJ ,ignal !allas right no&J@ 'he chie" tried, #%t the !allas, r%nning at thirty2t&o knots, $issed the "i e rapid pings. 'he Red October &as no& eight $iles a&ay. 'he Red *cto#er Jones? eyes s%ddenly scre&ed sh%t. @>r. B%gaye , tell the skipper 4 C%st heard a co%ple o" pings.@ @Co%pleI@ @>ore ?n one, #%t 4 didn?t get a co%nt.@ 'he +ogy Co$$ander ;ood $ade his decision. 'he idea had #een to send the sonar signals on a highly

directional, lo&2po&er #asis so as to $ini$iBe the chance o" re ealing his o&n position. B%t the !allas hadn?t picked that %p. @>a7 po&er, Chie". 0it !allas &ith e erything.@ @Aye aye.@ 'he chie" "lipped his po&er controls to "%ll. 4t took se eral seconds %ntil the syste$ &as ready to send a h%ndred2kilo&att #last o" energy. Ping ping ping ping ping! 'he Lallas @;o&J@ Chie" La al e7clai$ed. @Conn, sonar, danger signal "ro$ Pogy!@ @All stopJ@ Cha$#ers ordered. @O%iet ship.@ @All stop.@ Lie%tenant 8ood$an relayed the orders a second later. A"t, the reactor &atch red%ced stea$ de$and, increasing the te$perat%re in the reactor. 'his allo&ed ne%trons to escape o%t o" the pile, rapidly slo&ing the "ission reaction. @;hen speed gets to "o%r knots, go to one2third speed,@ Cha$#ers told the o""icer o" the deck as he &ent a"t to the sonar roo$. @=renchie, 4 need data in a h%rry.@ @,till going too "ast, sir,@ La al said. 'he Red *cto#er @Captain Ra$i%s, 4 think &e sho%ld slo& do&n,@ >anc%so said C%dicio%sly. @'he signal &as not repeated,@ Ra$i%s disagreed. 'he second directional signal had $issed the$, and the !allas had not relayed the danger signal yet #eca%se she &as still tra eling too "ast to locate the October and pass it along. 'he +ogy @*kay, sir, !allas has killed po&er.@ ;ood che&ed on his lo&er lip. @All right, let?s "ind the #astard. 9ankee search, Chie", $a7 po&er.@ 0e &ent #ack to control. @>an #attle stations.@ An alar$ &ent o"" t&o seconds later. 'he Pogy had already #een at increased readiness, and &ithin "orty seconds all stations &ere $anned, &ith the e7ec%ti e o""icer, Lie%tenant Co$$ander 'o$ Reynolds, as "ire control coordinator. 0is tea$ o" o""icers and technicians &ere &aiting "or data to "eed into the >ark 11( "ire control co$p%ter. 'he sonar do$e in the Pogy?s #o& &as #lasting so%nd energy into the &ater. =i"teen seconds a"ter it started the "irst ret%rn signal appeared on Chie" +al$er?s screen. @Conn, sonar, &e ha e a positi e contact, #earing t&o2three2"o%r, range si7 tho%sand yards. Classi"y pro#a#le Alfa class "ro$ his plant signat%re,@ +al$er said. @8et $e a sol%tionJ@ ;ood said %rgently. @Aye.@ Reynolds &atched the data inp%t as another tea$ o" o""icers &as $aking a paper and pencil plot on the chart ta#le. Co$p%ter or not, there had to #e a #ack%p. 'he data paraded across the screen. 'he Pogy?s "o%r torpedo t%#es contained a pair o" 0arpoon antiship $issiles and t&o >ark 48 torpedoes. *nly the torpedoes &ere %se"%l at the $o$ent. 'he >ark 48 &as

the $ost po&er"%l torpedo in the in entoryE &ire2g%idedFand a#le to ho$e in &ith its o&n acti e sonarFit ran at o er "i"ty knots and carried a hal"2ton &arhead. @,kipper, &e got a sol%tion "or #oth "ish. R%nning ti$e "o%r $in%tes, thirty2"i e seconds.@ @,onar, sec%re pinging,@ ;ood said. @Aye aye. +inging sec%red, sir.@ +al$er killed po&er to the acti e syste$s. @'arget ele ation2depression angle is near Bero, sir. 0e?s a#o%t at o%r depth.@ @:ery &ell, sonar. Aeep on hi$.@ ;ood no& had his target?s position. =%rther pinging &o%ld only gi e it a #etter idea o" his o&n. 'he Lallas @Pogy &as pinging so$ething. 'hey got a ret%rn, #earing one2nine2one, a#o%t,@ Chie" La al said. @'here?s another s%# o%t there. 4 don?t kno& &hat. 4 can read so$e plant and stea$ noises, #%t not eno%gh "or a signat%re.@ 'he +ogy @'he #oo$er?s still $o in?, sir,@ Chie" +al$er reported. @,kipper,@ Reynolds looked %p "ro$ the paper tracks, @her co%rse takes her #et&een %s and the target.@ @'erri"ic. All ahead one2third, le"t t&enty degrees r%dder.@ ;ood $o ed to the sonar roo$ &hile his orders &ere carried o%t. @Chie", po&er %p and stand #y to ping the #oo$er hard.@ @Aye aye, sir.@ +al$er &orked his controls. @Ready, sir.@ @0it hi$ straight on. 4 don?t &ant hi$ to $iss this ti$e.@ ;ood &atched the heading indicator on the sonar plot s&ing. 'he Pogy &as t%rning rapidly, #%t not rapidly eno%gh to s%it hi$. 'he Red OctoberFonly he and Reynolds kne& that she &as R%ssian, tho%gh the cre& &as spec%lating like $adF&as co$ing in too "ast. @Ready, sir.@ @0it it.@ +al$er p%nched the i$p%lse control. Ping ping ping ping ping! 'he Red *cto#er @,kipper,@ Jones yelled. @Langer signalJ@ >anc%so C%$ped to the ann%nciator &itho%t &aiting "or Ra$i%s to react. 0e t&isted the dial to All ,top. ;hen this &as done he looked at Ra$i%s. @,orry, sir.@ @All right.@ Ra$i%s sco&led at the chart. 'he phone #%BBed a $o$ent later. 0e took it and spoke in R%ssian "or se eral seconds #e"ore hanging %p. @4 told the$ that &e ha e a pro#le$ #%t &e do not kno& &hat it is.@ @'r%e eno%gh.@ >anc%so Coined Ra$i%s at the chart. Engine noises &ere di$inishing, tho%gh not D%ickly eno%gh to s%it the A$erican. 'he October &as D%iet "or a R%ssian s%#, #%t this &as still too noisy "or hi$.

@,ee i" yo%r sonar$an can locate anything,@ Ra$i%s s%ggested. @Right.@ >anc%so took a "e& steps a"t. @Jonesy, "ind &hat?s o%t there.@ @Aye, ,kipper, #%t it &on?t #e easy on this gear.@ 0e already had the sensor arrays &orking in the direction o" the t&o escorting attack s%#s. Jones adC%sted the "it o" his headphones and started &orking on the a$pli"ier controls. !o signal processors, no ,A+,, and the transd%cers &eren?t &orth a da$nJ B%t this &asn?t the ti$e to get e7cited. 'he ,o iet syste$s had to #e $anip%lated electro$echanically, %nlike the co$p%ter2controlled ones he &as %sed to. ,lo&ly and care"%lly, he altered the directional receptor gangs in the sonar do$e "or&ard, his right hand t&irling a cigarette pack, his eyes sh%t tight. 0e didn?t notice B%gaye sitting ne7t to hi$, listening to the sa$e inp%t. 'he Lallas @;hat do &e kno&, Chie"I@ Cha$#ers asked. @4 got a #earing and nothing else. Pogy?s got hi$ all dialed in, #%t o%r "riend po&ered #ack his engine right a"ter he got lashed, and he "aded o%t on $e. Pogy got a #ig ret%rn o"" hi$. 0e?s pro#a#ly pretty close, sir.@ Cha$#ers had only $o ed %p to his e7ec%ti e o""icer?s posting "o%r $onths earlier. 0e &as a #right, e7perienced o""icer and a likely candidate "or his o&n co$$and, #%t he &as only thirty2 three years old and had only #een #ack in s%#$arines "or those "o%r $onths. 'he year and a hal" prior to that he?d #een a reactor instr%ctor in 4daho. 'he gr%""ness that &as part o" his Co# as >anc%so?s principal on2#oard disciplinarian also shielded $ore insec%rity than he &o%ld ha e cared to ad$it. !o& his career &as on the line. 0e kne& e7actly ho& i$portant this $ission &as. 0is "%t%re &o%ld ride on the decisions he &as a#o%t to $ake. @Can yo% localiBe &ith one pingI@ 'he sonar chie" considered this "or a second. @!ot eno%gh "or a shooting sol%tion, #%t it?ll gi e %s so$ething.@ @*ne ping, do it.@ @Aye.@ La al &orked on his #oard #rie"ly, triggering the acti e ele$ents. 'he :. A. Aono alo '%pole &inced. 0e had acted too soon. 0e sho%ld ha e &aited %ntil they &ere pastF#%t then i" he had &aited that long, he &o%ld ha e had to $o e, and no& he had all three o" the$ ho ering near#y, al$ost still. 'he "o%r s%#$arines &ere $o ing only "ast eno%gh "or depth control. 'he R%ssian Alfa &as pointed so%theast, and all "o%r &ere arrayed in a ro%ghly trapeBoidal "ashion, open end sea&ard. 'he Pogy and the !allas &ere to the north o" the 'ono$alo$, the Red October &as so%theast o" her. 'he Red *cto#er @,o$e#ody C%st pinged her,@ Jones said D%ietly. @Bearing is ro%ghly north&est, #%t she isn?t

$aking eno%gh noise "or %s to read her. ,ir, i" 4 had to $ake a #et, 4?d say she &as pretty close.@ @0o& do yo% kno& thatI@ >anc%so asked. @4 heard the p%lse directFC%st one ping to get a range, 4 think. 4t &as "ro$ a BOO2.. 'hen &e heard the echo o"" the target. 'he $ath &orks o%t a co%ple o" di""erent &ays, #%t s$art $oney is he?s #et&een %s and o%r g%ys, and a little &est. 4 kno& it?s shaky, sir, #%t it?s the #est &e got.@ @Range ten kilo$eters, perhaps less,@ B%gaye co$$ented. @'hat?s kinda shaky, too, #%t it?s as good a starting place as any. !ot a &hole lot o" data. ,orry, ,kipper. Best &e can do,@ Jones said. >anc%so nodded and ret%rned to control. @;hat gi esI@ Ryan asked. 'he plane controls &ere p%shed all the &ay "or&ard to $aintain depth. 0e had not grasped the signi"icance o" &hat &as going on. @'here?s a hostile s%#$arine o%t there.@ @;hat in"or$ation do &e ha eI@ Ra$i%s asked. @!ot $%ch. 'here?s a contact north&est, range %nkno&n, #%t pro#a#ly not ery "ar. 4 kno& "or s%re it?s not one o" o%rs. !or"olk said this area &as cleared. 'hat lea es one possi#ility. ;e dri"tI@ @;e dri"t,@ Ra$i%s echoed, li"ting the phone. 0e spoke a "e& orders. 'he October?s engines &ere pro iding the po&er to $o e the s%#$arine at a "raction o er t&o knots, #arely eno%gh to $aintain steerage &ay and not eno%gh to $aintain depth. ;ith her slight positi e #%oyancy, the October &as dri"ting %p&ard a "e& "eet per $in%te despite the plane setting. 'he Lallas @Let?s $o e #ack so%th. 4 don?t like the idea o" ha ing that Alfa closer to o%r "riend than &e are. Co$e right to one2eight2"i e, t&o2thirds,@ Cha$#ers said "inally. @Aye aye,@ 8ood$an said. @0el$, right "i"teen degrees r%dder, co$e to ne& co%rse one2 eight2"i e. All ahead t&o thirds.@ @Right "i"teen degrees r%dder, aye.@ 'he hel$s$an t%rned the &heel. @,ir, $y r%dder is right "i"teen degrees, co$ing to ne& co%rse one2eight2"i e.@ 'he !allas? "o%r torpedo t%#es &ere loaded &ith three >ark 48s and a decoy, an e7pensi e >*,, G$o#ile s%#$arine si$%latorH. *ne o" her torpedoes &as targeted on the Alfa, #%t the "iring sol%tion &as ag%e. 'he @"ish@ &o%ld ha e to do so$e o" the tracking #y itsel". 'he Pogy?s t&o torpedoes &ere al$ost per"ectly dialed in. 'he pro#le$ &as that neither #oat had a%thority to shoot. Both attack s%#$arines &ere operating %nder the nor$al r%les o" engage$ent. 'hey co%ld "ire in sel"2de"ense only and de"end the Red October only #y #l%"" and g%ile. 'he D%estion &as &hether the Alfa kne& &hat the Red October &as. 'he :. A. Aono alo @,teer "or the Ohio,@ '%pole ordered. @Bring speed to three knots. ;e $%st #e patient, co$rades. !o& that the A$ericans kno& &here &e are they &ill not ping %s again. ;e &ill

$o e "ro$ o%r place D%ietly.@ 'he 'ono$alo$?s #ronBe propeller t%rned $ore D%ickly. By sh%tting do&n so$e nonessential electrical syste$s, the engineers &ere a#le to increase speed &itho%t increasing reactor o%tp%t. 'he +ogy *n the Pogy, the nearest attack #oat, the contact "aded, degrading the directional #earing so$e&hat. Co$$ander ;ood de#ated &hether or not to get another #earing &ith acti e sonar #%t decided against it. 4" he %sed acti e sonar his position &o%ld #e like that o" a police$an looking "or a #%rglar in a dark #%ilding &ith a "lashlight. ,onar pings co%ld &ell tell his target $ore than they told hi$. 6sing passi e sonar &as the nor$al ro%tine in s%ch a case. Chie" +al$er reported the passage o" the !allas do&n their port side. Both ;ood and Cha$#ers decided not to %se their %nder&ater telephones to co$$%nicate. 'hey co%ld not a""ord to $ake any noise no&. 'he Red *cto#er 'hey had #een creeping along "or a hal" ho%r no&. Ryan &as chain2s$oking at his station, and his pal$s &ere s&eating as he str%ggled to $aintain his co$pos%re. 'his &as not the sort o" co$#at he had #een trained "or, #eing trapped inside a steel pipe, %na#le to see or hear anything. 0e kne& that there &as a ,o iet s%#$arine o%t there, and he kne& &hat her orders &ere. 4" her captain realiBed &ho they &ereFthen &hatI 'he t&o captains, he tho%ght, &ere a$aBingly cool. @Can yo%r s%#$arines protect %sI@ Ra$i%s asked. @,hoot at a R%ssian s%#I@ >anc%so shook his head. @*nly i" he shoots "irstFat the$. 6nder the nor$al r%les, &e don?t co%nt.@ @?hat2@ Ryan &as st%nned. @9o% &ant to start a &arI@ >anc%so s$iled, as tho%gh he "o%nd this sit%ation a$%sing. @'hat?s &hat happens &hen &arships "ro$ t&o co%ntries start e7changing shots. ;e ha e to s$art o%r &ay o%t o" this.@ @Be cal$, Ryan,@ Ra$i%s said. @'his is o%r %s%al ga$e. 'he h%nter s%#$arine tries to "ind %s, and &e try not to #e "o%nd. 'ell $e, Captain >anc%so, at &hat range did yo% hear %s o"" 4celandI@ @4 ha en?t e7a$ined yo%r chart closely, Captain,@ >anc%so $%sed. @>ay#e t&enty $iles, thirty or so kilo$eters.@ @And then &e &ere tra eling at thirteen knotsFnoise increases "aster than speed. 4 think &e can $o e east, slo&ly, &itho%t #eing detected. ;e %se the caterpillar, $o e at si7 knots. As yo% kno&, ,o iet sonar is not so e""icient as A$erican. Lo yo% agree, CaptainI@ >anc%so nodded. @,he?s yo%r #oat, sir. >ay 4 s%ggest northeastI 'hat o%ght to p%t %s #ehind o%r attack #oats inside an ho%r, $ay#e less.@ @9es.@ Ra$i%s ho##led o er to the control #oard to open the t%nnel hatches, then &ent #ack to the phone. 0e ga e the necessary orders. 4n a $in%te the caterpillar $otors &ere engaged and speed &as increasing slo&ly. @R%dder right ten, Ryan,@ Ra$i%s said. @And ease the plane controls.@ @R%dder right ten, sir, easing the planes, sir.@ Ryan carried the orders o%t, glad that they &ere

doing so$ething. @9o%r co%rse is Bero2"o%r2Bero, Ryan,@ >anc%so said "ro$ the chart ta#le. @Nero2"o%r2Bero, co$ing right thro%gh three2"i e2Bero.@ =ro$ the hel$s$an?s seat he co%ld hear the &ater s&ishing do&n the portside t%nnel. E ery $in%te or so there &as an odd r%$#le that lasted three or "o%r seconds. 'he speed ga%ge in "ront o" hi$ passed thro%gh "o%r knots. @9o% are "rightened, RyanI@ Ra$i%s ch%ckled. Jack s&ore to hi$sel". 0is oice had &a ered. @4?$ a little tired, too.@ @4 kno& it is di""ic%lt "or yo%. 9o% do &ell "or a ne& $an &ith no training. ;e &ill #e late to !or"olk, #%t &e shall get there, yo% &ill see. 0a e yo% #een on a $issile #oat, >anc%soI@ @*h, s%re. Rela7, Ryan. 'his is &hat #oo$ers do. ,o$e#ody co$es lookin? "or %s, &e C%st disappear.@ 'he A$erican co$$ander looked %p "ro$ the chart. 0e had set coins at the esti$ated positions o" the three other s%#s. 0e considered $arking it %p $ore #%t decided not to. 'here &ere so$e ery interesting notations on this coastal chartFlike progra$$ed $issile2 "iring positions. =leet intelligence &o%ld go ape o er this sort o" in"or$ation. 'he Red October &as $o ing northeast at si7 knots no&. 'he 'ono$alo$ &as co$ing so%theast at three. 'he Pogy &as heading so%th at t&o, and the !allas so%th at "i"teen. All "o%r s%#$arines &ere no& &ithin a si72$ile2dia$eter circle, all con erging on a#o%t the sa$e point. 'he :. A. Aono alo '%pole &as enCoying hi$sel". =or &hate er reason, the A$ericans had chosen to play a conser ati e ga$e that he had not e7pected. 'he s$art thing, he tho%ght, &o%ld ha e #een "or one o" the attack #oats to close in and harrass hi$, allo&ing the $issile s%# to pass clear &ith the other escort. ;ell, at sea nothing &as e er D%ite the sa$e t&ice. 0e sipped at a c%p o" tea as he selected a sand&ich. 0is sonar michman noted an odd so%nd in his sonar set. 4t only lasted a "e& seconds, then &as gone. ,o$e "ar2o"" seis$ic r%$#le, he tho%ght at "irst. 'he Red *cto#er 'hey had risen #eca%se o" the Red October?s positi e tri$, and no& Ryan had "i e degrees o" do&n2angle on the di ing planes to get #ack do&n to a h%ndred $eters. 0e heard the captains disc%ssing the a#sence o" a ther$ocline. >anc%so e7plained that it &as not %n%s%al "or the area, partic%larly a"ter iolent stor$s. 'hey agreed that it &as %n"ort%nate. A ther$al layer &o%ld ha e helped their e asion. Jones &as at the a"t entrance o" the control roo$, r%##ing his ears. 'he R%ssian phones &ere not ery co$"orta#le. @,kipper, 4?$ getting so$ething to the north, co$es and goes. 4 ha en?t gotten a #earing lock on it.@ @;hoseI@ >anc%so asked. @Can?t say, sir. 'he acti e sonar isn?t too #ad, #%t the passi e st%"" C%st isn?t %p to the drill, ,kipper. ;e?re not #lind, #%t close to it.@ @*kay, i" yo% hear so$ething, sing o%t.@ @Aye aye, Captain. 9o% got so$e co""ee o%t hereI >r. B%gaye sent $e "or so$e.@ @4?ll ha e a pot sent in.@

@Right.@ Jones &ent #ack to &ork. 'he :. A. Aono alo @Co$rade Captain, 4 ha e a contact, #%t 4 do not kno& &hat it is,@ the michman said o er the phone. '%pole ca$e #ack, $%nching on his sand&ich. Ohios had #een acD%ired so rarely #y the R%ssiansFthree ti$es to #e e7act, and in each case the D%arry had #een lost &ithin $in%tesF that no one had a "eel "or the characteristics o" the class. 'he michman handed the captain a spare set o" phones. @4t $ay take a "e& $in%tes, Co$rade. 4t co$es and goes.@ 'he &ater o"" the A$erican coast, tho%gh nearly isother$al, &as not entirely per"ect "or sonar syste$s. >inor c%rrents and eddies set %p $o ing &alls that re"lected and channeled so%nd energy on a nearly rando$ #asis. '%pole sat do&n and listened patiently. 4t took "i e $in%tes "or the signal to co$e #ack. 'he michman?s hand &a ed. @!o&, Co$rade Captain.@ 0is co$$anding o""icer looked pale. @BearingI@ @'oo "aint, and too short to lock inF#%t three degrees on either #o&, one2three2si7 to one2 "o%r2t&o.@ '%pole tossed the headphones on the ta#le and &ent "or&ard. 0e gra##ed the political o""icer #y the ar$ and led hi$ D%ickly to the &ardroo$. @4t?s Red October!@ @4$possi#le. =leet Co$$and said that his destr%ction &as con"ir$ed #y is%al inspection o" the &reckage.@ 'he zampolit shook his head e$phatically. @;e ha e #een tricked. 'he caterpillar aco%stical signat%re is %niD%e, Co$rade. 'he A$ericans ha e hi$, and he is o%t there. ;e $%st destroy hi$J@ @!o. ;e $%st contact >osco& and ask "or instr%ctions.@ 'he zampolit &as a good Co$$%nist, #%t he &as a s%r"ace ship o""icer &ho didn?t #elong on s%#$arines, '%pole tho%ght. @Co$rade Na$polit, it &ill take se eral $in%tes to approach the s%r"ace, perhaps ten or "i"teen to get a $essage to >osco&, thirty $ore "or >osco& to respond at allFand then they &ill reD%est confirmation! An ho%r in all, t&o, threeI By that ti$e Red October &ill #e gone. *%r original orders are operati e, and there is no ti$e to contact >osco&.@ @B%t &hat i" yo% are &rongI@ @4 a$ not &rong, Co$radeJ@ the captain hissed. @4 &ill enter $y contact report in the log, and $y reco$$endations. 4" yo% "or#id this, 4 &ill log that alsoJ 4 a$ right, Co$rade. 4t &ill #e yo%r head, not $ine. LecideJ@ @9o% are certainI@ @"ertain!@ @:ery &ell.@ 'he zampolit see$ed to de"late. @0o& &ill yo% do thisI@ @As D%ickly as possi#le, #e"ore the A$ericans ha e a chance to destroy %s. 8o to yo%r station, Co$rade.@ 'he t&o $en &ent #ack to the control roo$. 'he 'ono$alo$?s si7 #o& torpedo t%#es &ere loaded &ith >ark C .--2$illi$eter &ire2g%ided torpedoes. All they needed &as to #e told &here to go.

@,onar, search "or&ard on all acti e syste$sJ@ the captain ordered. 'he michman p%shed the #%tton. 'he Red *cto#er @*%ch.@ Jones? head Cerked aro%nd. @,kipper, &e?re #eing pinged. +ort side, $idships, $ay#e a little "or&ard. !ot one o" o%rs, sir.@ 'he +ogy @Conn, sonar, the Alfa?s got the #oo$erJ 'he Alfa #earing is one2nine2t&o.@ @All ahead t&o2thirds,@ ;ood ordered i$$ediately. @All ahead t&o2thirds, aye.@ 'he Pogy?s engines e7ploded into li"e, and soon her propeller &as thrashing the #lack &ater. 'he :. A. Aono alo @Range se en tho%sand, si7 h%ndred $eters. Ele ation angle Bero,@ the michman reported. ,o, this &as the s%#$arine they had #een sent to h%nt, he tho%ght. 0e had C%st donned a headset that allo&ed hi$ to report directly to the captain and "ire control o""icer. 'he starpom &as the chie" "ire control s%per isor. 0e D%ickly entered the data into the co$p%ter. 4t &as a si$ple pro#le$ o" target geo$etry. @;e ha e a sol%tion "or torpedoes one and t&o.@ @+repare to "ire.@ @=looding t%#es.@ 'he starpom "lipped the s&itches hi$sel", reaching past the petty o""icer. @*%ter torpedo t%#e doors are open.@ @Recheck "iring sol%tionJ@ '%pole said. 'he +ogy 'he Pogy?s sonar chie" &as the only $an to hear the transient noise. @Conn, sonar, Alfa contactFshe C%st "looded t%#es, sirJ 'arget #earing is one2se en2nine.@ 'he :. A. Aono alo @,ol%tion con"ir$ed, Co$rade Captain,@ the starpo$ said. @=ire one and t&o,@ '%pole ordered. @=iring one . . . =iring t&o.@ 'he 'ono$alo$ sh%ddered t&ice as co$pressed air charges eCected the electrically po&ered torpedoes.

'he Red *cto#er Jones heard it "irst. @0igh2speed scre&s port sideJ@ he said lo%dly and clearly. @'orpedoes in the &ater port sideJ@ @Ryl nalye$a!@ Ra$i%s ordered a%to$atically. @?hat2@ Ryan asked. @Le"t, r%dder le"tJ@ Ra$i%s po%nded his "ist on the rail. @Le"t "%ll, do itJ@ >anc%so said. @Le"t "%ll r%dder, aye.@ Ryan t%rned the &heel all the &ay and held it do&n. Ra$i%s &as spinning the ann%nciator to "lank speed. 'he +ogy @'&o "ish r%nning,@ +al$er said. @Bearing is changing right to le"t. 4 say again, torpedo #earing changing right to le"t rapidly on #oth "ish. 'hey?re targeted on the #oo$er.@ 'he Lallas 'he !allas heard the$, too. Cha$#ers ordered "lank speed and a t%rn to port. ;ith torpedoes r%nning his options &ere li$ited, and he &as doing &hat A$erican practice ta%ght, heading so$eplace elseF ery "ast. 'he Red *cto#er @4 need a co%rseJ@ Ryan said. @Jonesy, gi e $e a #earingJ@ >anc%so sho%ted. @'hree2t&o2Bero, sir. '&o "ish heading in,@ Jones responded at once, &orking his controls to nail the #earing do&n. 'his &as no ti$e to scre& %p. @,teer three2t&o2Bero, Ryan,@ Ra$i%s ordered, @i" &e can t%rn so "ast.@ 'hanks a lot, Ryan tho%ght angrily, &atching the gyroco$pass click thro%gh three2"i e2se en. 'he r%dder &as hard o er, and &ith the s%dden increase in po&er "ro$ the caterpillar $otors, he co%ld "eel "eed#ack "l%tter thro%gh the &heel. @'&o "ish heading in, #earing is three2t&o2Bero, 4 say again #earing is constant,@ Jones reported, $%ch cooler than he "elt. @0ere &e go, g%ys . . .@ 'he +ogy 0er tactical plot sho&ed the October, the Alfa, and the t&o torpedoes. 'he Pogy &as "o%r $iles north o" the action. @Can &e shootI@ the e7ec asked. @At the Alfa2@ ;ood shook his head e$phatically. @!o, da$$it. 4t &o%ldn?t $ake a di""erence any&ay.@

'he :. A. Aono alo 'he t&o >ark C torpedoes &ere charging at "orty2one knots, a slo& speed "or this range, so that they co%ld #e $ore easily g%ided #y the 'ono$alo$?s sonar syste$. 'hey had a proCected si72 $in%te r%n, &ith one $in%te already co$pleted. 'he Red *cto#er @*kay, co$ing thro%gh three2"o%r2"i e, easing the r%dder o"",@ Ryan said. >anc%so kept D%iet no&. Ra$i%s &as %sing a tactic that he didn?t partic%larly agree &ith, t%rning into the "ish. 4t o""ered a $ini$%$ target pro"ile, #%t it ga e the$ a si$pler geo$etric intercept sol%tion. +res%$a#ly Ra$i%s kne& &hat R%ssian "ish co%ld do. >anc%so hoped so. @,teady on three2t&o2Bero, Captain,@ Ryan said, eyes locked on the gyro repeater as tho%gh it $attered. A s$all oice in his #rain congrat%lated hi$ "or going to the head an ho%r earlier. @Ryan, do&n, $a7i$%$ do&n on the di ing planes.@ @All the &ay do&n.@ Ryan p%shed the yoke to the stops. 0e &as terri"ied, #%t e en $ore "rightened o" "o%ling %p. 0e had to ass%$e that #oth co$$anders kne& &hat they &ere a#o%t. 'here &as no choice "or hi$. ;ell, he tho%ght, he did kno& one thing. 8%ided torpedoes can #e tricked. Like radar signals that are ai$ed at the gro%nd, sonar p%lses can #e o#sc%red, especially &hen the s%# they are trying to locate is near the #otto$ or the s%r"ace, areas &here the p%lses tend to #e re"lected. 4" the October do e she co%ld lose hersel" in an opaD%e "ieldF pres%$ing she got there "ast eno%gh. 'he :. A. Aono alo @'arget aspect has changed, Co$rade Captain. 'arget is no& s$aller,@ the michman said. '%pole considered this. 0e kne& e erything there &as on ,o iet co$#at doctrineFand kne& that Ra$i%s had &ritten a good deal o" it. >arko &o%ld do &hat he ta%ght all o" %s to do, '%pole tho%ght. '%rn into the onco$ing &eapons to $ini$iBe target cross2section and di e "or the #otto$ to #eco$e lost in the con"%sed echoes. @'arget &ill #e atte$pting to di e into the #otto$2capt%re "ield. Be alert.@ @Aye, Co$rade. Can he reach the #otto$ D%ickly eno%ghI@ the starpom asked. '%pole racked his #rain "or the October?s handling characteristics. @!o, he cannot di e that deep in so short a ti$e. ;e ha e hi$.@ ,orry, $y old "riend, #%t 4 ha e no choice, he tho%ght. 'he Red *cto#er Ryan cringed each ti$e the sonar lash echoed thro%gh the do%#le h%ll. @Can?t yo% Ca$ that or so$ethingI@ he de$anded. @+atience, Ryan,@ Ra$i%s said. 0e had ne er "aced li e &arheads #e"ore #%t had e7ercised this pro#le$ a h%ndred ti$es in his career. @Let hi$ kno& he has %s "irst.@

@Lo yo% carry decoysI@ >anc%so asked. @=o%r o" the$, in the torpedo roo$, "or&ardF#%t &e ha e no torpedo$en.@ Both captains &ere playing the cool ga$e, Ryan noted #itterly "ro$ inside his terri"ied little &orld. !either &as &illing to sho& "right #e"ore his peer. B%t they &ere #oth trained "or this. @,kipper,@ Jones called, @t&o "ish, #earing constant at three2t&o2BeroFthey C%st &ent acti e. 4 say again, the "ish are no& acti eFshitJ they so%nd C%st like 48s. ,kipper, they so%nd like >ark 48 "ish.@ Ra$i%s had #een &aiting "or this. @9es, &e stole the torpedo sonar "ro$ yo% "i e years ago, #%t not yo%r torpedo engines. #ugaye$!@ 4n the sonar roo$, B%gaye had po&ered %p the aco%stical Ca$$ing gear as soon as the "ish &ere la%nched. !o& he care"%lly ti$ed his Ca$$ing p%lses to coincide &ith those "ro$ the approaching torpedoes. 'he p%lses &ere dialed into the sa$e carrier "reD%ency and p%lse repetition rate. 'he ti$ing had to #e precise. By sending o%t slightly distorted ret%rn echoes, he co%ld create ghost targets. !ot too $any, nor too "ar a&ay. J%st a "e&, close #y, and he $ight #e a#le to con"%se the "ire control operators on the attacking Alfa. 0e th%$#ed the trigger s&itch care"%lly, che&ing on an A$erican cigarette. 'he :. A. Aono alo @La$nJ 0e?s Ca$$ing %s.@ 'he michman, noting a pair o" ne& pips, sho&ed his "irst trace o" e$otion. 'he "ading pip "ro$ the tr%e contact &as no& #ordered &ith t&o ne& ones, one north and closer, the other so%th and "arther a&ay. @Captain, the target is %sing ,o iet Ca$$ing eD%ip$ent.@ @9o% seeI@ '%pole said to the zampolit. @6se ca%tion no&,@ he ordered his starpom. 'he Red *cto#er @Ryan, all %p on planesJ@ Ra$i%s sho%ted. @All the &ay %p.@ Ryan yanked #ack, p%lling the yoke hard against his #elly and hoping that Ra$i%s kne& &hat the hell he &as doing. @Jones, gi e %s ti$e and range.@ @Aye.@ 'he Ca$$ing ga e the$ a sonar pict%re plotted on the $ain scopes. @'&o "ish, #earing three2t&o2Bero. Range to n%$#er one is /,555 yards, to n%$#er t&o is /,-55F4 got a depression angle on n%$#er oneJ !%$#er one "ish is heading do&n a little, sir.@ >ay#e B%gaye &asn?t so d%$# a"ter all, Jones tho%ght. B%t they had t&o "ish to s&eat . . . 'he +ogy 'he Pogy?s skipper &as enraged. 'he godda$ned r%les o" engage$ent pre ented hi$ "ro$ doing a godda$ned thing, e7cept, $ay#eF @,onar, ping the son% a#itchJ >a7 po&er, #last the s%ckerJ@ 'he Pogy?s BOO2. sent ti$ed &a e "ronts o" energy lashing at the Alfa. 'he Pogy co%ldn?t shoot, #%t $ay#e the R%ssian didn?t kno& that, and $ay#e this lashing &o%ld inter"ere &ith their

targeting sonar. 'he Red *cto#er @Any ti$e no&Fone o" the "ish has capt%re, sir. 4 don?t kno& &hich.@ Jones $o ed the phones o"" one ear, his hand poised to slap the other o"". 'he ho$ing sonar on one torpedo &as no& tracking the$. Bad ne&s. 4" these &ere like >ark 48s . . . Jones kne& all too &ell that those things didn?t $iss $%ch. 0e heard the change in the Loppler shi"t o" the propellers as they passed #eneath the Red October. @*ne $issed, sir. !%$#er one $issed %nder %s. !%$#er t&o is heading in, ping inter al is shortening.@ 0e reached o er and patted B%gaye on the sho%lder. >ay#e he really &as the on2#oard geni%s that the R%ssians said he &as. 'he :. A. Aono alo 'he second >ark C torpedo &as c%tting thro%gh the &ater at "orty2one knots. 'his $ade the torpedo2target closing speed a#o%t "i"ty2"i e. 'he g%idance and decision loop &as a co$ple7 one. 6na#le to $i$ic the co$p%ter ho$ing syste$ on the A$erican >ark 48, the ,o iets had the torpedo?s targeting sonar report #ack to the la%nching essel thro%gh an ins%lated &ire. 'he starpom had a choice o" sonar data &ith &hich to g%ide the torpedoes, that "ro$ the s%#2$o%nted sonar or that "ro$ the torpedoes the$sel es. 'he "irst "ish had #een d%ped #y the ghost i$ages that the Ca$$ing had d%plicated on the torpedo sonar "reD%ency. =or the second, the starpom &as %sing the lo&er2"reD%ency #o& sonar. 'he "irst one had $issed lo&, he kne& no&. 'hat $eant that the target &as the $iddle pip. A D%ick "reD%ency change #y the michman cleared the sonar pict%re "or "e& seconds #e"ore the Ca$$ing $ode &as altered. Coolly and e7pertly, the starpom co$$anded the second torpedo to select the center target. 4t ran straight and tr%e. 'he "i e2h%ndred2po%nd &arhead str%ck the target a glancing #lo& a"t o" $idships, C%st "or&ard o" the control roo$. 4t e7ploded a $illisecond later. 'he Red *cto#er 'he "orce o" the e7plosion h%rled Ryan "ro$ his chair, and his head hit the deck. 0e ca$e to "ro$ a $o$ent?s %nconscio%sness &ith his ears ringing in the dark. 'he shock o" the e7plosion had shorted o%t a doBen electrical s&itch#oards, and it &as se eral seconds #e"ore the red #attle lights clicked on. A"t, Jones had "lipped his headphones o"" C%st in ti$e, #%t B%gaye , trying to the last second to spoo" the inco$ing torpedo, had not. 0e &as rolling in agony on the deck, one eardr%$ r%pt%red, totally dea"ened. 4n the engine spaces $en &ere scra$#ling #ack to their "eet. 0ere the lights had stayed on, and >elekhin?s "irst action &as to look at the da$age2control stat%s #oard. 'he e7plosion had occ%rred on the o%ter h%ll, a skin o" light steel. 4nside it &as a &ater2"illed #allast tank, a #eehi e o" cell%lar #a""les se en "eet across. Located #eyond the tank &ere high2 press%re air "lasks. 'hen ca$e the October?s #attery and the inner press%re h%ll. 'he torpedo had i$pacted in the center o" a steel plate on the o%ter h%ll, se eral "eet "ro$ any &eld Coints. 'he "orce o" the e7plosion had torn a hole t&el e "eet across, shredded the interior #allast tank

#a""les, and r%pt%red a hal"2doBen air "lasks, #%t already $%ch o" its "orce had #een dissipated. 'he "inal da$age &as done to thirty o" the large nickle2cad$i%$ #attery cells. ,o iet engineers had placed these here deli#erately. 'hey had kno&n that s%ch a place$ent &o%ld $ake the$ di""ic%lt to ser ice, di""ic%lt to recharge, and &orst o" all e7pose the$ to sea&ater conta$ination. All this had #een accepted in light o" their secondary p%rpose as additional ar$or "or the h%ll. 'he October?s #atteries sa ed her. 0ad it not #een "or the$, the "orce o" the e7plosion &o%ld ha e #een spent on the press%re h%ll. 4nstead it &as greatly red%ced #y the layered de"ensi e syste$ &hich had no ;estern co%nterpart. A crack had de eloped at the &eld Coint on the inner h%ll, and &ater &as spraying into the radio roo$ as tho%gh "ro$ a high2press%re hose, #%t the h%ll &as other&ise sec%re. 4n control, Ryan &as soon #ack in his seat trying to deter$ine i" his instr%$ents still &orked. 0e co%ld hear &ater splashing into the ne7t co$part$ent "or&ard. 0e didn?t kno& &hat to do. 0e did kno& it &o%ld #e a #ad ti$e to panic, $%ch as his #rain screa$ed "or the release. @;hat do 4 doI@ @,till &ith %sI@ >anc%so?s "ace looked satanic in the red lights. @!o godda$$it, 4?$ deadF&hat do 4 doI@ @Ra$i%sI@ >anc%so sa& the captain holding a "lashlight taken "ro$ a #racket on the a"t #%lkhead. @Lo&n, di e "or #otto$.@ Ra$i%s took the phone and called engineering to order the engines stopped. >elekhin had already gi en the order. Ryan p%shed his controls "or&ard. 4n a godda$ned s%#$arine that?s got a godda$ned hole p%nched in it, they tell yo% to go do)n! he tho%ght. 'he :. A. Aono alo @A solid hit, Co$rade Captain,@ the michman reported. @0is engines stopped. 4 hear h%ll creaking noises, his depth is changing.@ 0e tried so$e additional pings #%t got nothing. 'he e7plosion had greatly dist%r#ed the &ater. 'here &ere r%$#ling echoes o" the initial e7plosion re er#erating thro%gh the sea. 'rillions o" #%##les had "or$ed, creating an @ensoni"ied Bone@ aro%nd the target that rapidly o#sc%red it. 0is acti e pings &ere re"lected #ack #y the clo%d o" #%##les, and his passi e listening a#ility &as greatly red%ced #y the rec%rring r%$#les. All he kne& "or s%re &as that one torpedo had hit, pro#a#ly the second. 0e &as an e7perienced $an trying to decide &hat &as noise and &hat &as signal, and he had reconstr%cted $ost o" the e ents correctly. 'he Lallas @,core one "or the #ad g%ys,@ the sonar chie" said. 'he !allas &as r%nning too "ast to $ake proper %se o" her sonar, #%t the e7plosion &as i$possi#le to $iss. 'he &hole cre& heard it thro%gh the h%ll. 4n the attack center Cha$#ers plotted their position t&o $iles "ro$ &here the October had #een. 'he others in the co$part$ent looked at their instr%$ents &itho%t e$otion. 'en o" their ship$ates had C%st #een hit, and the ene$y &as on the other side o" the &all o" noise. @,lo& to one2third,@ Cha$#ers ordered.

@All ahead one2third,@ the o""icer o" the deck repeated. @,onar, get $e so$e data,@ Cha$#ers said. @;orking on it, sir.@ Chie" La al strained to $ake sense o" &hat he heard. 4t took a "e& $in%tes as the !allas slo&ed to %nder ten knots. @Conn, sonar, the #oo$er took one hit. 4 don?t hear her engines . . . #%t there ain?t no #reak%p noises. 4 say again, sir, no #reak%p noises.@ @Can yo% hear the Alfa2@ @!o, sir, too $%ch cr%d in the &ater.@ Cha$#er?s "ace scre&ed into a gri$ace. 9o%?re an o""icer, he told hi$sel", they pay yo% to think. =irst, &hat?s happeningI ,econd, &hat do yo% do a#o%t itI 'hink it thro%gh, then act. @Esti$ated distance to targetI@ @,o$ething like nine tho%sand yards, sir,@ Lie%tenant 8ood$an said, reading the last sol%tion o"" the "ire control co$p%ter. @,he?ll #e on the "ar side o" the ensoni"ied Bone.@ @>ake yo%r depth si7 h%ndred "eet.@ 'he di ing o""icer passed this on to the hel$s$an. Cha$#ers considered the sit%ation and decided on his co%rse o" action. 0e &ished >anc%so and >annion &ere here. 'he captain and na igator &ere the other t&o $e$#ers o" &hat passed "or the !allas? tactical $anage$ent co$$ittee. 0e needed to e7change so$e ideas &ith other e7perienced o""icersF#%t there &eren?t any. @Listen %p. ;e?re going do&n. 'he dist%r#ance "ro$ the e7plosion &ill stay "airly steady. 4" it $o es at all, it?ll go %p. *kay, &e?ll go %nder it. =irst &e &ant to locate the #oo$er. 4" she isn?t there, then she?s on the #otto$. 4t?s only nine h%ndred "eet here, so she co%ld #e on the #otto$ &ith a li e cre&. ;hether or not she?s on the #otto$, &e gotta get #et&een her and the Alfa.@ And, he tho%ght on, i" the Alfa shoots then, 4 kill the "%cker, and r%les o" engage$ent #e da$ned. 'hey had to trick this g%y. B%t ho&I And &here &as the Red October2 'he Red *cto#er ,he &as di ing $ore D%ickly than e7pected. 'he e7plosion had also r%pt%red a tri$ tank, ca%sing $ore negati e #%oyancy than they had at "irst allo&ed "or. 'he leak in the radio roo$ &as #ad, #%t >elekhin had noted the "looding on his da$age control #oard and reacted i$$ediately. Each co$part$ent had its o&n electrically po&ered p%$p. 'he radio roo$ p%$p, s%pple$ented #y a $aster2Bone p%$p that he had also acti ated, &as $anaging, #arely, to keep %p &ith the "looding. 'he radios &ere already destroyed, #%t no one &as planning to send any $essages. @Ryan, all the &ay %p, and co$e right "%ll r%dder,@ Ra$i%s said. @Right "%ll r%dder, all the &ay %p on the planes,@ Ryan said. @;e going to hit the #otto$I@ ?'ry not to,@ >anc%so said. @4t $ight spring the leak &orse.@ @8reat,@ Ryan gro&led #ack. 'he October slo&ed her descent, arcing east #elo& the ensoni"ied Bone. Ra$i%s &anted it #et&een hi$sel" and the Alfa. >anc%so tho%ght that they $ight C%st s%r i e a"ter all. 4n that case he?d ha e to gi e this #oat?s plans a closer look. 'he Lallas @,onar, gi e $e t&o lo&2po&ered pings "or the #oo$er. 4 don?t &ant any#ody else to hear this,

Chie".@ @Aye.@ Chie" La al $ade the proper adC%st$ents and sent the signals o%t. @All rightJ Conn, sonar, 4 got herJ Bearing t&o2Bero2three, range t&o tho%sand yards. ,he is not, repeat not, on the #otto$, sir.@ @Le"t "i"teen degrees r%dder, co$e to t&o2Bero2three,@ Cha$#ers ordered. @Le"t "i"teen degrees r%dder, ayeJ@ the hel$s$an sang o%t. @!e& co%rse t&o2Bero2three. ,ir, $y r%dder is le"t "i"teen degrees.@ @=renchie, tell $e a#o%t the #oo$erJ@ @,ir, 4 got . . . p%$p noises, 4 think . . . and she?s $o ing a little, #earing is no& t&o2Bero2one. 4 can track her on passi e, sir.@ @'ho$pson, plot the #oo$er?s co%rse. >r. 8ood$an, &e still ha e that >*,, ready "or la%nchI@ @Aye aye,@ responded the torpedo o""icer. 'he :. A. Aono alo @Lid &e kill hi$I@ the zampolit asked. @+ro#a#ly,@ '%pole ans&ered, &ondering i" he had or not. @;e $%st close to #e certain. Ahead slo&.@ @Ahead slo&.@ 'he +ogy 'he Pogy &as no& &ithin t&o tho%sand yards o" the 'ono$alo$, still pinging her $ercilessly. @0e?s $o ing, sir. Eno%gh that 4 can read passi e,@ ,onar Chie" +al$er said. @:ery &ell, sec%re pinging,@ ;ood said. @Aye, pinging sec%red.@ @;e got a sol%tionI@ @Locked in tight,@ Reynolds ans&ered. @R%nning ti$e is one $in%te eighteen seconds. Both "ish are ready.@ @All ahead one2third.@ @All ahead one2third, aye.@ 'he Pogy slo&ed. 0er co$$anding o""icer &ondered &hat e7c%se he $ight "ind "or shooting. 'he Red *cto#er @,kipper, that &as one o" o%r sonars that pinged %s, o"" north2north2east. Lo&2po&er ping, sir, $%st #e close.@ @'hink yo% can raise her on gertr%deI@ @9es sirJ@ @CaptainI@ >anc%so asked. @+er$ission to co$$%nicate &ith $y shipI@ @9es.@ @Jones, raise her right no&.@

@Aye. 'his is Jonesy calling =renchie, do yo% copyI@ 'he sonar$an "ro&ned at the speaker. @=renchie, ans&er $e.@ 'he Lallas @Conn, sonar, 4 got Jonesy on the gertr%de.@ Cha$#ers li"ted the control roo$ gertr%de phone. @Jones, this is Cha$#ers. ;hat is yo%r conditionI@ >anc%so took the $ike a&ay "ro$ his $an. @;ally, this is Bart,@ he said. @;e took one $idships, #%t she?s holding together. Can yo% r%n inter"erence "or %sI@ @Aye ayeJ ,tarting right no&, o%t.@ Cha$#ers replaced the phone. @8ood$an, "lood the >*,, t%#e. *kay, &e?ll go in #ehind the >*,,. 4" the Alfa shoots at it, &e take her o%t. ,et it to r%n straight "or t&o tho%sand yards, then t%rn so%th.@ @Lone. *%ter door open, sir.@ @La%nch.@ @>*,, a&ay, sir.@ 'he decoy ran "or&ard at t&enty knots "or t&o $in%tes to clear the !allas, then slo&ed. 4t had a torpedo #ody &hose "or&ard portion carried a po&er"%l sonar transd%cer that ran o"" a tape recorder and #roadcast the recorded so%nds o" a 3882class s%#$arine. E ery "o%r $in%tes it changed o er "ro$ lo%d operation to silent. 'he !allas trailed a tho%sand yards #ehind the decoy, dropping se eral h%ndred "eet #elo& its co%rse track. 'he 'ono$alo$ approached the &all o" #%##les care"%lly, &ith the Pogy trailing to the north. @,hoot at the decoy, yo% son o" a #itch,@ Cha$#ers said D%ietly. 'he attack center cre& heard hi$ and nodded gri$ agree$ent. 'he Red *cto#er Ra$i%s C%dged that the ensoni"ied Bone &as no& #et&een hi$ and the Alfa. 0e ordered the engines t%rned #ack on, and the Red October proceeded on a north2easterly co%rse. 'he :. A. Aono alo @Le"t ten degrees r%dder,@ '%pole ordered D%ietly. @;e?ll co$e aro%nd the dead Bone to the north and see i" he is still ali e &hen &e t%rn #ack. =irst &e $%st clear the noise.@ @,till nothing,@ the michman reported. @!o #otto$ i$pact, no collapse noises . . . !e& contact, #earing one2se en2Bero . . . Li""erent so%nd, Co$rade Captain, one propeller . . . ,o%nds like an A$erican.@ @;hat headingI@ @,o%th, 4 think. 9es, so%th . . . 'he so%nd?s changing. 4t is A$erican.@ @An A$erican s%# is decoying. ;e ignore it.@ @4gnore itI@ the zampolit said. @Co$rade, i" yo% &ere heading north and &ere torpedoed, &o%ld yo% then head so%thI 9es, yo% &o%ldF#%t not >arko. 4t is too o# io%s. 'his A$erican is decoying to try to take %s a&ay

"ro$ hi$. !ot too cle er, this one. >arko &o%ld do #etter. And he &o%ld go north. 4 kno& hi$, 4 kno& ho& he thinks. 0e is no& heading north, perhaps northeast. 'hey &o%ld not decoy i" he &as dead. !o& &e kno& that he is ali e #%t crippled. ;e &ill "ind hi$, and "inish hi$,@ '%pole said cal$ly, "%lly ca%ght %p in the h%nt "or Red October, re$e$#ering all he had #een ta%ght. 0e &o%ld pro e no& that he &as the ne& $aster. 0is conscience &as still. '%pole &as "%l"illing his destiny. @B%t the A$ericansF@ @;ill not shoot, Co$rade,@ the captain said &ith a thin s$ile. @4" they co%ld shoot, &e &o%ld already #e dead "ro$ the one to the north. 'hey cannot shoot &itho%t per$ission. 'hey $%st ask "or per$ission, as &e $%stF#%t &e already ha e the per$ission, and the ad antage. ;e are no& &here the torpedo str%ck hi$, and &hen &e clear the dist%r#ance &e &ill "ind hi$ again. 'hen &e &ill ha e hi$.@ 'he Red *cto#er 'hey co%ldn?t %se the caterpillar. *ne side &as s$ashed #y the torpedo hit. 'he October &as $o ing at si7 knots, dri en #y her propellers, &hich $ade $ore noise than the other syste$. 'his &as $%ch like the nor$al drill o" protecting a #oo$er. B%t the e7ercise al&ays pres%pposed that the escorting attack #oats co%ld shoot to $ake the #ad g%y go a&ay . . . @Le"t r%dder, re erse co%rse,@ Ra$i%s ordered. @;hatI@ >anc%so &as asto%nded. @'hink, >anc%so,@ Ra$i%s said, looking to #e s%re that Ryan carried o%t the order. Ryan did, not kno&ing &hy. @'hink, Co$$ander >anc%so,@ Ra$i%s repeated. @;hat has happenedI >osk a ordered a h%nter s%# to re$ain #ehind, pro#a#ly a Polito$skiy2class #oat, the Alfa yo% call hi$. 4 kno& all their captains. All yo%ng, all, ah, aggressi eI 9es, aggressi e. 0e $%st kno& &e are not dead. 4" he kno&s this, he &ill p%rs%e %s. ,o, &e go #ack like a "o7 and let hi$ pass.@ >anc%so didn?t like this. Ryan co%ld tell &itho%t looking. @;e cannot shoot. 9o%r $en cannot shoot. ;e cannot r%n "ro$ hi$Fhe is "aster. ;e cannot hideFhis sonar is #etter. 0e &ill $o e east, %se his speed to contain %s and his sonar to locate %s. By $o ing &est, &e ha e the #est chance to escape. 'his he &ill not e7pect.@ >anc%so still didn?t like it, #%t he had to ad$it it &as cle er. 'oo da$ned cle er. 0e looked #ack do&n at the chart. 4t &asn?t his #oat. 'he Lallas @'he #astard &ent right past. Either ignored the decoy or "lat didn?t hear it. 0e?s a#ea$ o" %s, &e?ll #e in his #a""les soon,@ Chie" La al reported. Cha$#ers s&ore D%ietly. @,o $%ch "or that idea. Right "i"teen degrees r%dder.@ At least the Lallas had not #een heard. 'he s%#$arine responded rapidly to the controls. @Let?s get #ehind hi$.@

'he +ogy 'he Pogy &as no& a $ile o"" the Alfa?s port D%arter. ,he had the !allas on sonar and noted her change o" co%rse. Co$$ander ;ood si$ply did not kno& &hat to do ne7t. 'he easiest sol%tion &as to shoot, #%t he co%ldn?t. 0e conte$plated shooting on his o&n. 0is e ery instinct told hi$ to do C%st this. 'he Alfa &as h%nting A$ericans . . . B%t he co%ldn?t gi e in to his instinct. L%ty ca$e "irst. 'here &as nothing &orse than o ercon"idence, he re"lected #itterly. 'he ass%$ption #ehind this operation had #een that there &o%ldn?t #e any#ody aro%nd, and e en i" there &ere the attack s%#s &o%ld #e a#le to &arn the #oo$er o"" &ell in ad ance. 'here &as a lesson in this, #%t ;ood didn?t care to think a#o%t it C%st no&. 'he :. A. Aono alo @Contact,@ the michman said into the $icrophone. @Ahead, al$ost dead ahead. 6sing propellers and going at slo& speed. Bearing Bero2"o%r2"o%r, range %nkno&n.@ @4s it Red October2@ '%pole asked. @4 cannot say, Co$rade Captain. 4t co%ld #e an A$erican. 0e?s co$ing this &ay, 4 think.@ @La$nJ@ '%pole looked aro%nd the control roo$. Co%ld they ha e passed the Red October2 >ight they already ha e killed hi$I 'he Lallas @Loes he kno& &e?re here, =renchieI@ Cha$#ers asked, #ack in sonar. @!o &ay, sir.@ La al shook his head. @;e?re directly #ehind hi$. ;ait a $in%te . . .@ 'he chie" "ro&ned. @Another contact, "ar side o" the Alfa. 'hat?s gotta #e o%r "riend, sir. Jes%sJ 4 think he?s heading this &ay. 6sing his &heels, not that "%nny thing.@ @Range to the Al"aI@ @6nder three tho%sand yards, sir.@ @All ahead t&o thirdsJ Co$e le"t ten degreesJ@ Cha$#ers ordered. @=renchie, ping, #%t %se the %nder2ice sonar. 0e $ay not kno& &hat that is. >ake hi$ think &e?re the #oo$er.@ @Aye aye, sirJ@ 'he :. A. Aono alo @0igh2"reD%ency pinging a"tJ@ the michman called o%t. @Loes not so%nd like an A$erican sonar, Co$rade.@ '%pole &as s%ddenly p%BBled. ;as it an A$erican to sea&ardI 'he other one on his port D%arter &as certainly A$erican. 4t had to #e the October. >arko &as still the "o7. 0e had lain still, letting the$ go past, so that he co%ld shoot at the$J @All ahead "%ll, le"t "%ll r%dderJ@

'he Red *cto#er @ContactJ@ Jones sang o%t. @Lead ahead. ;ait . . . 4t?s an Alfa! ,he?s closeJ ,ee$s to #e t%rning. ,o$e#ody pinging her on the other side. Christ, she?s real close. ,kipper, the Alfa is not a point so%rce. 4 got signal separation #et&een the engine and the scre&.@ @Captain,@ >anc%so said. 'he t&o co$$anders looked at one another and co$$%nicated a single tho%ght as i" #y telepathy. Ra$i%s nodded. @8et %s range.@ @Jonesy, ping the s%ckerJ@ >anc%so ran a"t. @Aye.@ 'he syste$s &ere "%lly po&ered. Jones loosed a single ranging ping. @Range "i"teen h%ndred yards. Nero ele ation angle, sir. ;e?re le el &ith her.@ @>anc%so, ha e yo%r $an gi e %s range and #earingJ@ Ra$i%s t&isted the ann%nciator handle sa agely. @*kay, Jonesy, yo%?re o%r "ire control. 'rack the $other.@ 'he :. A. Aono alo @*ne acti e sonar ping to star#oard, distance %nkno&n, #earing Bero2"o%r2Bero. 'he sea&ard target C%st ranged on %s,@ the michman said. @8i e $e a range,@ '%pole ordered. @'oo "ar a"t o" the #ea$, Co$rade. 4 a$ losing hi$ a"t.@ *ne o" the$ &as the OctoberF#%t &hichI Co%ld he risk shooting at an A$erican s%#I !oJ @,ol%tion to the "or&ard targetI@ @!ot a good one,@ the starpom replied. @0e?s $ane% ering and increasing speed.@ 'he michman concentrated on the &estern target. @Captain, contact "or&ard is not, repeat not ,o iet. =or&ard contact is A$erican.@ @?hich oneI@ '%pole screa$ed. @;est and north&est are #oth A$erican. East target %nkno&n.@ @Aeep the r%dder at "%ll.@ @R%dder is "%ll,@ the hel$s$an responded, holding the &heel o er. @'he target is #ehind %s. ;e $%st lock on and shoot as &e t%rn. La$n, &e are going too "ast. ,lo& to one2third speed.@ 'he 'ono$alo$ &as nor$ally D%ick to t%rn, #%t the po&er red%ction $ade her propeller act like a #rake, slo&ing the $ane% er. ,till, '%pole &as doing the right thing. 0e had to point his torpedo t%#es near the #earing o" the target, and he had to slo& rapidly eno%gh "or his sonar to gi e hi$ acc%rate "iring in"or$ation. 'he Red *cto#er @*kay, the Alfa is contin%ing her t%rn, no& heading right to le"t . . . +rop%lsion so%nds are do&n so$e. ,he C%st chopped po&er,@ Jones said, &atching the screen. 0is $ind &as &orking "%rio%sly co$p%ting co%rse, speed, and distance. @Range is no& t&el e h%ndred yards. ,he?s still t%rning. ;e doin? &hat 4 thinkI@

@Looks that &ay.@ Jones set the acti e sonar on a%to$atic pinging. @0a e to see &hat this t%rn does, sir. 4" she?s s$art she?ll #%rn o"" so%th and get clear "irst.@ @'hen pray she ain?t s$art,@ >anc%so said "ro$ the passage&ay. @,teady as she goesJ@ @,teady as she goes,@ Ryan said, &ondering i" the ne7t torpedo &o%ld kill the$. @0er t%rn is contin%ing. ;e?re on her port #ea$ no&, $ay#e her port #o&.@ Jones looked %p. @,he?s going to get aro%nd "irst. 0ere co$e the pings.@ 'he Red October accelerated to eighteen knots. 'he :. A. Aono alo @4 ha e hi$,@ the michman said. @Range one tho%sand $eters, #earing Bero2"o%r2"i e. Angle Bero.@ @,et it %p,@ '%pole ordered his e7ec. @4t &ill ha e to #e a Bero2angle shot. ;e?re s&inging too rapidly,@ the starpom said. 0e set it %p as D%ickly as he co%ld. 'he s%#$arines &ere no& closing at o er "orty knots. @Ready "or t%#e "i e onlyJ '%#e "looded, doorFopen. ReadyJ@ @,hootJ@ @=ire "i eJ@ 'he starpom?s "inger sta##ed the #%tton. 'he Red *cto#er @Range do&n to nine h%ndredFhigh2speed scre&s dead aheadJ ;e ha e one torpedo in the &ater dead ahead. *ne "ish, heading right inJ@ @=orget it, track the Alfa!@ @Aye, okay, the Alfa?s #earing t&o2t&o2"i e, steadying do&n. ;e need to co$e le"t a little, sir.@ @Ryan, co$e le"t "i e degrees, yo%r co%rse is t&o2t&o2"i e.@ @Le"t "i e r%dder, co$ing to t&o2t&o2"i e.@ @'he "ish is closing rapidly, sir,@ Jones said. @,cre& itJ 'rack the Alfa.@ @Aye. Bearing is still t&o2t&o2"i e. ,a$e as the "ish.@ 'he co$#ined speed ate %p the distance #et&een the s%#$arines rapidly. 'he torpedo &as closing the October "aster still, #%t it had a sa"ety de ice #%ilt in. 'o pre ent the$ "ro$ #lo&ing %p their o&n la%nch plat"or$, torpedoes co%ld not ar$ %ntil they &ere "i e h%ndred to a tho%sand yards "ro$ the #oat that la%nched the$. 4" the October closed the Alfa "ast eno%gh, she co%ld not #e h%rt. 'he October &as no& passing t&enty knots. @Range to the Alfa is se en h%ndred "i"ty yards, #earing t&o2t&o2"i e. 'he torpedo is close, sir, a "e& $ore seconds.@ Jones cringed, staring at the screen. 'lonk! 'he torpedo str%ck the Red October dead center in her he$ispherical #o&. 'he sa"ety lock still had another h%ndred $eters to r%n. 'he i$pact #roke it into three pieces, &hich &ere #atted aside #y the accelerating $issile s%#$arine.

@A d%dJ@ Jones la%ghed. @'hank yo%, 8odJ 'arget still #earing t&o2t&o2"i e, range is se en h%ndred yards.@ 'he :. A. Aono alo @!o e7plosionI@ '%pole &ondered. @'he sa"ety locksJ@ 'he starpom s&ore. 0e?d had to set it %p too "ast. @;here is the targetI@ @Bearing Bero2"o%r2"i e, Co$rade. Bearing is constant,@ the $ich$an replied, @closing rapidly.@ '%pole #lanched. @Le"t "%ll r%dder, all ahead "lankJ@ 'he Red *cto#er ?'%rning, t%rning le"t to right,@ Jones said. @Bearing is no& t&o2three2Bero, spreading o%t a little. !eed a little right r%dder, sir.@ @Ryan, co$e right "i e degrees.@ @R%dder is right "i e,@ Jack ans&ered. @!o, r%dder ten rightJ@ Ra$i%s co%nter$anded his order. 0e had #een keeping a track &ith pencil and paper. And he kne& the Alfa. @Right ten degrees,@ Ryan said. @!ear2"ield e""ect, range do&n to "o%r h%ndred yards, #earing is t&o2t&o2"i e to the center o" the target. 'arget is spreading o%t le"t and right, $ostly le"t,@ Jones said rapidly. @Range . . . three h%ndred yards. Ele ation angle is Bero, &e are le el &ith the target. Range t&o h%ndred "i"ty, #earing t&o2t&o2"i e to target center. ;e can?t $iss, ,kipper.@ @;e?re gonna hitJ@ >anc%so called o%t. '%pole sho%ld ha e changed depth. As it &as he depended on the Alfa?s acceleration and $ane% era#ility, "orgetting that Ra$i%s kne& e7actly &hat these &ere. @Contact spread &ay the hell o%tFinstantaneo%s ret%rn, sirJ@ @Brace "or i$pactJ@ Ra$i%s had "orgotten the collision alar$. 0e yanked at it only seconds #e"ore i$pact. 'he Red October ra$$ed the 'ono$alo$ C%st a"t o" $idships at a thirty2degree angle. 'he "orce o" the collision r%pt%red the 'ono$alo$?s titani%$ press%re h%ll and cr%$pled the October?s #o& as i" it &ere a #eer can. Ryan had not #raced hard eno%gh. 0e &as thro&n "or&ard, and, his "ace str%ck the instr%$ent panel. A"t, ;illia$s &as catap%lted "ro$ his #ed and ca%ght #y !oyes #e"ore his head hit the deck. Jones? sonar syste$s &ere &iped o%t. 'he $issile s%#$arine #o%nded %p and o er the top o" the Alfa, her keel grating across the %pper deck o" the s$aller essel as the $o$ent%$ carried her "or&ard and %p&ard. 'he :. A. Aono alo 'he 'ono$alo$ had had "%ll &atertight integrity set. 4t did not $ake a di""erence. '&o

co$part$ents &ere instantly ented to the sea, and the #%lkhead #et&een the control roo$ and the a"ter co$part$ents "ailed a $o$ent later "ro$ h%ll de"or$ation. 'he last thing that '%pole sa& &as a c%rtain o" &hite "oa$ co$ing "ro$ the star#oard side. 'he Alfa rolled to port, t%rned #y the "riction o" the October?s keel. 4n a "e& seconds the s%#$arine &as %pside do&n. 'hro%gho%t her length $en and gear t%$#led a#o%t like dice. 0al" the cre& &ere already dro&ning. Contact &ith the October ended at this point, &hen the 'ono$alo$?s "looded co$part$ents $ade her drop stern "irst to&ard the #otto$. 'he political o""icer?s last conscio%s act &as to yank at the disaster #eacon handle, #%t it &as to no a ailK the s%# &as in erted, and the ca#le "o%led on the sail. 'he only $arker on the 'ono$alo$?s gra e &as a $ass o" #%##les. 'he Red *cto#er @;e still ali eI@ Ryan?s "ace &as #leeding pro"%sely. @6p, %p on the planesJ@ Ra$i%s sho%ted. @All the &ay %p.@ Ryan p%lled #ack &ith his le"t hand, holding his right o er the c%ts. @La$age report,@ Ra$i%s said in R%ssian. @Reactor syste$ is intact,@ >elekhin ans&ered at once. @'he da$age control #oard sho&s "looding in the torpedo roo$F4 think. 4 ha e ented high2press%re air into it, and the p%$p is acti ated. Reco$$end &e s%r"ace to assess da$age.@ @!a!@ Ra$i%s ho##led to the air $ani"old and #le& all tanks. 'he Lallas @Jes%s,@ the sonar chie" said, @so$e#ody hit so$e#ody. 4 got #reak%p noises going do&n and h%ll2popping noises going %p. Can?t tell &hich is &hich, sir. Both engines are dead.@ @8et %s %p to periscope depth D%ickJ@ Cha$#ers ordered. 'he Red *cto#er 4t &as 13.4 local ti$e &hen the Red October #roke the s%r"ace o" the Atlantic *cean "or the "irst ti$e, "orty2se en $iles so%theast o" !or"olk. 'here &as no other ship in sight. @,onar is &iped o%t, ,kipper.@ Jones &as s&itching o"" his #o7es. @8one, cr%nched. ;e got so$e piddly2ass lateral hydrophones. !o acti e st%"", not e en the gertr%de.@ @8o "or&ard, Jonesy. !ice &ork.@ Jones took the last cigarette "ro$ his pack. @Any ti$e, sirF#%t 4?$ gettin? o%t ne7t s%$$er, depend on it.@ B%gaye "ollo&ed hi$ "or&ard, still dea"ened and st%nned "ro$ the torpedo hit. 'he October &as sitting still on the s%r"ace, do&n #y the #o& and listing t&enty degrees to port "ro$ the ented #allast tanks.

'he Lallas @0o& a#o%t that,@ Cha$#ers said. 0e li"ted the $icrophone. @'his is Co$$ander Cha$#ers. 'hey killed the Alfa! *%r g%ys are sa"e. ,%r"acing the #oat no&. ,tand #y the "ire and resc%e partyJ@ 'he Red *cto#er @9o% okay, Co$$ander RyanI@ Jones t%rned his head care"%lly. @Looks like yo% #roke so$e glass the hard &ay, sir.@ @9o% don?t &orry till it stops #leeding,@ Ryan said dr%nkenly. @8%ess so.@ Jones held his handkerchie" o er the c%ts. @B%t 4 s%re hope yo% don?t al&ays dri e this #ad, sir.@ @Captain Ra$i%s, per$ission to lay to the #ridge and co$$%nicate &ith $y shipI@ >anc%so asked. @8o, &e $ay need help &ith the da$age.@ >anc%so got into his Cacket, checking to $ake s%re his s$all docking radio &as still in the pocket &here he had le"t it. 'hirty seconds later he &as atop the sail. 'he !allas &as s%r"acing as he $ade his "irst check o" the horiBon. 'he sky had ne er looked so good. 0e co%ldn?t recogniBe the "ace "o%r h%ndred yards a&ay, #%t it had to #e Cha$#ers. @!allas, this is >anc%so.@ @,kipper, this is Cha$#ers. 9o% g%ys okayI@ @9esJ B%t &e $ay need so$e hands. 'he #o&?s all sto e in and &e took a torpedo $idships.@ @4 can see it, Bart. Look do&n.@ @Jes%sJ@ 'he Cagged hole &as a&ash, hal" o%t o" the &ater, and the s%#$arine &as hea ily do&n #y the #o&. >anc%so &ondered ho& she co%ld "loat at all, #%t it &asn?t the ti$e to D%estion &hy. @Co$e o er here, ;ally, and get the ra"t o%t.@ @*n the &ay. =ire and resc%e is standing #y, 4Fthere?s o%r other "riend,@ Cha$#ers said. 'he Pogy s%r"aced three h%ndred yards directly ahead o" the October. @Pogy says the area?s clear. !o#ody here #%t %s. 0eard that one #e"oreI@ Cha$#ers la%ghed $irthlessly. @0o& a#o%t &e radio inI@ @!o, let?s see i" &e can handle it "irst.@ 'he !allas approached the October. ;ithin $in%tes >anc%so?s co$$and s%#$arine &as se enty yards to port, and ten $en on a ra"t &ere str%ggling across the chop. 6p to this ti$e only a hand"%l o" $en a#oard the !allas had kno&n &hat &as going on. !o& e eryone kne&. 0e co%ld see his $en pointing and talking. ;hat a story they had. La$age &as not as #ad as they had "eared. 'he torpedo roo$ had not "loodedFa sensor da$aged #y the i$pact had gi en a "alse reading. 'he "or&ard #allast tanks &ere per$anently ented to the sea, #%t the s%#$arine &as so #ig and her #allast tanks so s%#di ided that she &as only eight "eet do&n at the #o&. 'he list to port &as only a n%isance. 4n t&o ho%rs the radio roo$ leak had #een pl%gged, and a"ter a lengthy disc%ssion a$ong Ra$i%s, >elekhin, and >anc%so it &as decided that they co%ld di e again i" they kept their speed do&n and did not go #elo& thirty $eters. 'hey?d #e late getting to !or"olk.

THE EIGHTEENTH DAY MONDAY 0, DECEMBER

'he Red *cto#er Ryan again "o%nd hi$sel" atop the sail thanks to Ra$i%s, &ho said that he had earned it. 4n ret%rn "or the "a or, Jack had helped the captain %p the ladder to the #ridge station. >anc%so &as &ith the$. 'here &as no& an A$erican cre& #elo& in the control roo$, and the engine roo$ co$ple$ent had #een s%pple$ented so that there &as so$ething approaching a nor$al stea$ing &atch. 'he leak in the radio roo$ had not #een "%lly contained, #%t it &as a#o e the &aterline. 'he co$part$ent had #een p%$ped o%t, and the October?s list had eased to "i"teen degrees. ,he &as still do&n #y the #o&, &hich &as partially co$pensated "or &hen the intact #allast tanks &ere #lo&n dry. 'he cr%$pled #o& ga e the s%#$arine a decidedly asy$$etrical &ake, #arely isi#le in the $oonless, clo%d2laden sky. 'he !allas and the Pogy &ere still s%#$erged, so$e&here a"t, sni""ing "or additional inter"erence as they neared Capes 0enry and Charles. ,o$e&here "arther a"t an L!8 GliD%i"ied nat%ral gasH carrier &as approaching the passage, &hich the coast g%ard had closed to all nor$al tra""ic in order to allo& the "loating #o$# to tra el &itho%t inter"erence all the &ay to the L!8 ter$inal at Co e +oint, >arylandFor so the story &ent. Ryan &ondered ho& the na y had pers%aded the ship?s skipper to "ake engine tro%#le or so$eho& delay his arri al. 'hey &ere si7 ho%rs late. 'he na y $%st ha e #een ner o%s as all hell %ntil they had "inally s%r"aced "orty $in%tes earlier and #een spotted i$$ediately #y a circling *rion. 'he red and green #%oy lights &inked at the$, dancing on the chop. =or&ard he co%ld see the lights o" the Chesapeake Bay Bridge2'%nnel, #%t there &ere no $o ing a%to$o#ile lights. 'he C4A had pro#a#ly staged a $essy &reck to sh%t it do&n, $ay#e a tractor2trailer or t&o "%ll o" eggs or gasoline. ,o$ething creati e. @9o%? e ne er #een to A$erica #e"ore,@ Ryan said, C%st to $ake con ersation. @!o, ne er to a ;estern co%ntry. C%#a once, $any years ago.@ Ryan looked north and so%th. 0e "ig%red they &ere inside the capes no&. @;ell, &elco$e ho$e, Captain Ra$i%s. ,peaking "or $ysel", sir, 4?$ da$ned glad yo%?re here.@ @And happier that yo% are here,@ Ra$i%s o#ser ed. Ryan la%ghed o%t lo%d. @9o% can #et yo%r ass on that. 'hanks again "or letting $e %p here.@

@9o% ha e earned it, Ryan.@ @'he na$e?s Jack, sir.@ @,hort "or John, is itI@ Ra$i%s asked. @John is the sa$e as 4 an, noI@ @9es, sir, 4 #elie e it is.@ Ryan didn?t %nderstand &hy Ra$i%s? "ace #roke into a s$ile. @'%g approaching.@ >anc%so pointed. 'he A$erican captain had s%per# eyesight. Ryan didn?t see the #oat thro%gh his #inoc%lars "or another $in%te. 4t &as a shado&, darker than the night, perhaps a $ile a&ay. @(ceptre, this is t%g Paducah. Lo yo% readI * er.@ >anc%so took the docking radio "ro$ his pocket. @Paducah this is (ceptre. 8ood $orning, sir.@ 0e &as speaking in an English accent. @+lease "or$ %p on $e, Captain, and "ollo& %s in.@ @Jolly good, Paducah. ;ill do. *%t.@ 0>, (ceptre &as the na$e o" an English attack s%#$arine. ,he $%st #e so$e&here re$ote, Ryan tho%ght, patrolling the =alklands or so$e other "ara&ay location so that her arri al at !or"olk &o%ld #e C%st another ro%tine occ%rrence, not %n%s%al and di""ic%lt to dispro e. E idently they &ere thinking a#o%t so$e agent?s #eing s%spicio%s o" a strange s%#?s arri al. 'he t%g approached to &ithin a "e& h%ndred yards, then t%rned to lead the$ in at "i e knots. A single red t%ck light sho&ed. @4 hope &e don?t r%n into any ci ilian tra""ic,@ >anc%so said. @B%t yo% said the har#or entrance &as closed,@ Ra$i%s said. @>ight #e so$e g%y in a little sail#oat o%t there. 'he p%#lic has "ree passage thro%gh the yard to the Lis$al ,&a$p Canal, and they?re da$ned near in isi#le on radar. 'hey slip thro%gh all the ti$e.@ @'his is craBy.@ @4t?s a "ree co%ntry, Captain,@ Ryan said so"tly. @4t &ill take yo% so$e ti$e to %nderstand &hat "ree really $eans. 'he &ord is o"ten $is%sed, #%t in ti$e yo% &ill see C%st ho& &ise yo%r decision &as.@ @Lo yo% li e here, Captain >anc%soI@ Ra$i%s asked. @9es, $y sD%adron is #ased in !or"olk. >y ho$e is in :irginia Beach, do&n that &ay. 4 pro#a#ly &on?t get there anyti$e soon. 'hey?re going to send %s right #ack o%t. *nly thing they can do. ,o, 4 $iss another Christ$as at ho$e. +art o" the Co#.@ @9o% ha e a "a$ilyI@ @9es, Captain. A &i"e and t&o sons. >ichael, eight, and Lo$inic, "o%r. 'hey?re %sed to ha ing daddy a&ay.@ @And yo%, RyanI@ @Boy and a girl. 8%ess 4 &ill #e ho$e "or Christ$as. ,orry, Co$$ander. 9o% see, "or a &hile there 4 had $y do%#ts. A"ter things get settled do&n so$e 4?d like to get this &hole #%nch together "or so$ething special.@ @Big dinner #ill,@ >anc%so ch%ckled. @4?ll charge it to the C4A.@ @And &hat &ill the C4A do &ith %sI@ Ra$i%s asked. @As 4 told yo%, Captain, a year "ro$ no& yo% &ill #e li ing yo%r o&n li es, &here er yo% &ish to li e, doing &hate er yo% &ish to do.@ @J%st soI@ @J%st so. ;e take pride in o%r hospitality, sir, and i" 4 e er get trans"erred #ack "ro$ London, yo% and yo%r $en are &elco$e in $y ho$e at any ti$e.@

@'%g?s t%rning to port.@ >anc%so pointed. 'he con ersation &as taking too $a%dlin a t%rn "or hi$. @8i e the order, Captain,@ Ra$i%s said. 4t &as, a"ter all, >anc%so?s har#or. @Le"t "i e degrees r%dder,@ >anc%so said?into the $icrophone. @Le"t "i e degrees r%dder, aye,@ the hel$s$an responded. @,ir, $y r%dder is le"t "i e degrees.@ @:ery &ell.@ 'he Paducah t%rned into the $ain channel, past the (aratoga, &hich &as sitting %nder a $assi e crane, and headed to&ards a $ile2long line o" piers in the !or"olk !a al ,hipyard. 'he channel &as totally e$pty, C%st the October and the t%g. Ryan &ondered i" the Paducah had a nor$al co$ple$ent o" enlisted $en or a cre& $ade entirely o" ad$irals. 0e &o%ld not ha e gi en odds either &ay. !or"olk, :irginia '&enty $in%tes later they &ere at their destination. 'he Eight2'en Lock &as a ne& dry dock #%ilt to ser ice the Ohio2class "leet #allistic $issile s%#$arines, a h%ge concrete #o7 o er eight h%ndred "eet long, larger than it had to #e, co ered &ith a steel roo" so that spy satellites co%ld not see i" it &ere occ%pied or not. 4t &as in the $a7i$%$ sec%rity section o" the #ase, and one had to pass se eral sec%rity #arriers o" ar$ed g%ardsF$arines, not the %s%al ci ilian g%ardsFto get near the dock, $%ch less into it. @All stop,@ >anc%so ordered. @All stop, aye.@ 'he Red October had #een slo&ing "or se eral $in%tes, and it &as another t&o h%ndred yards #e"ore she ca$e to a co$plete halt. 'he Paducah c%r ed aro%nd to star#oard to p%sh her #o& ro%nd. Both captains &o%ld ha e pre"erred to po&er their o&n &ay in, #%t the da$aged #o& $ade $ane% ering tricky. 'he diesel2po&ered t%g took "i e $in%tes to line the #o& %p properly, headed directly into the &ater2"illed #o7. Ra$i%s ga e the engine co$$and hi$sel", the last "or this s%#$arine. ,he eased "or&ard thro%gh the #lack &ater, passing slo&ly %nder the &ide roo". >anc%so ordered his $en topside to handle the lines tossed the$ #y a hand"%l o" sailors on the ri$ o" the dock, and the s%#$arine ca$e to a halt e7actly in its center. Already the gate they had passed thro%gh &as closing, and a can as co er the siBe o" a clipper?s $ainsail &as #eing dra&n across it. *nly &hen co er &as sec%rely in place &ere the o erhead lights s&itched on. ,%ddenly a gro%p o" thirty or so o""icers #egan screa$ing like "ans at a #allga$e. 'he only thing le"t o%t &as the #and. @=inished &ith the engines,@ Ra$i%s said in R%ssian to the cre& in the $ane% ering roo$, then s&itched to English &ith a trace o" sadness in his oice. @,o. ;e are here.@ 'he o erhead tra eling crane $o ed do&n to&ard the$ and stopped to pick %p the #ro&, &hich it #ro%ght aro%nd and laid care"%lly on the $issile deck "or&ard o" the sail. 'he #ro& &as hardly in place &hen a pair o" o""icers &ith gold #raid nearly to their el#o&s &alkedFranF across it. Ryan recogniBed the one in "ront. 4t &as Lan =oster. 'he chie" o" na al operations sal%ted the D%arterdeck as he got to the edge o" the gang&ay, then looked %p at the sail. @ReD%est per$ission to co$e a#oard, sir.@ @+er$ission isF@ @8ranted,@ >anc%so pro$pted.

@+er$ission is granted,@ Ra$i%s said lo%dly. =oster C%$ped a#oard and h%rried %p the e7terior ladder on the sail. 4t &asn?t easy, since the ship still had a siBa#le list to port. =oster &as p%""ing as he reached the control station. @Captain Ra$i%s, 4?$ Lan =oster.@ >anc%so helped the C!* o er the #ridge coa$ing. 'he control station &as s%ddenly cro&ded. 'he A$erican ad$iral and the R%ssian captain shook hands, then =oster shook >anc%so?s. Jack ca$e last. @Looks like the %ni"or$ needs a little &ork, Ryan. ,o does the "ace.@ @9eah, &ell, &e ran into so$e tro%#le.@ @,o 4 see. ;hat happenedI@ Ryan didn?t &ait "or the e7planation. 0e &ent #elo& &itho%t e7c%sing hi$sel". 4t &asn?t his "raternity. 4n the control roo$ the $en &ere standing aro%nd e7changing grins, #%t they &ere D%iet, as i" they "eared the $agic o" the $o$ent &o%ld e aporate all too D%ickly. =or Ryan it already had. 0e looked "or the deck hatch and cli$#ed %p thro%gh it, taking &ith hi$ e erything he?d #ro%ght a#oard. 0e &alked %p the gang&ay against tra""ic. !o one see$ed to notice hi$. '&o hospital corps$en &ere carrying a stretcher, and Ryan decided to &ait on the dock "or ;illia$s to #e #ro%ght o%t. 'he British o""icer had $issed e erything, ha ing only #een "%lly conscio%s "or the past three ho%rs. As Ryan &aited he s$oked his last R%ssian cigarette. 'he stretcher, &ith ;illia$s tied onto it, &as $anhandled o%t. !oyes and the $edical corps$en "ro$ the s%#s tagged along. @0o& are yo% "eelingI@ Ryan &alked alongside the stretcher to&ard the a$#%lance. @Ali e,@ ;illia$s said, looking pale and thin. @And yo%I@ @;hat 4 "eel %nder $y "eet is solid concrete. 'hank 8od "or thatJ@ @And &hat he?s going to "eel is a hospital #ed. !ice $eeting yo%, Ryan,@ the doctor said #riskly. @Let?s $o e it, people.@ 'he corps$en loaded the stretcher into an a$#%lance parked C%st inside the o ersiBed doors. A $in%te later it &as gone. @9o% Co$$ander Ryan, sirI@ a $arine sergeant asked a"ter sal%ting. Ryan ret%rned the sal%te. @9es.@ @4 ha e a car &aiting "or yo%, sir. ;ill yo% "ollo& $e, pleaseI@ @Lead on, ,ergeant.@ 'he car &as a gray na y Che y that took hi$ directly to the !or"olk !a al Air ,tation. 0ere Ryan #oarded a helicopter. By no& he &as too tired to care i" it &ere a sleigh &ith reindeer attached. L%ring the thirty2"i e2$in%te trip to Andre&s Air =orce Base Ryan sat alone in the #ack, staring into space. 0e &as $et #y another car at the #ase and dri en straight to Langley. C4A 0eadD%arters 4t &as "o%r in the $orning &hen Ryan "inally entered 8reer?s o""ice. 'he ad$iral &as there, along &ith >oore and Ritter. 'he ad$iral handed hi$ so$ething to drink. !ot co""ee, ;ild '%rkey #o%r#on &hiskey. All three senior e7ec%ti es took his hand. @,it do&n, #oy,@ >oore said. @La$ned &ell done.@ 8reer s$iled. @'hank yo%.@ Ryan took a long p%ll on the drink. @!o& &hatI@ @!o& &e de#rie" yo%,@ 8reer ans&ered. @!o, sir. !o& 4 "ly the hell ho$e.@

8reer?s eyes t&inkled as he p%lled a "older "ro$ a coat pocket and tossed it in Ryan?s lap. @9o%?re #ooked o%t o" L%lles at (K5. A.>. =irst "light to London. And yo% really sho%ld &ash %p, change yo%r clothes, and collect yo%r ,kiing Bar#ie.@ Ryan tossed the rest o" the drink o"". 'he s%dden sl%g o" &hiskey $ade his eyes &ater, #%t he &as a#le to re"rain "ro$ co%ghing, @Looks like that %ni"or$ got so$e hard %se,@ Ritter o#ser ed. @,o did the rest o" $e.@ Jack reached inside the Cacket and p%lled o%t the a%to$atic pistol. @'his got so$e %se, too.@ @'he 8R6 agentI 0e &asn?t taken o"" &ith the rest o" the cre&I@ >oore asked. @9o% kne& a#o%t hi$I 9o% kne& and yo% didn?t get &ord to $e, "or Christ?s sakeJ@ @,ettle do&n, son,@ >oore said. @;e $issed connections #y hal" an ho%r. Bad l%ck, #%t yo% $ade it. 'hat?s &hat co%nts.@ Ryan &as too tired to screa$, too tired to do $%ch o" anything. 8reer took o%t a tape recorder and a yello& pad "%ll o" D%estions. @;illia$s, the British o""icer, is in a #ad &ay,@ Ryan said, t&o ho%rs later. @'he doc says he?ll $ake it, tho%gh. 'he s%# isn?t going any&here. Bo&?s all cr%nched in, and there?s a pretty nice hole &here the torpedo got %s. 'hey &ere right a#o%t the Typhoon, Ad$iral, the R%ssians #%ilt that #a#y strong, thank 8od. 9o% kno&, there $ay #e people le"t ali e on that Alfa . . .@ @'oo #ad,@ >oore said. Ryan nodded slo&ly. @4 "ig%red that. 4 don?t kno& that 4 like it, sir, lea ing $en to die like that.@ @!or do &e,@ J%dge >oore said, @nor do &e, #%t i" &e &ere to resc%e so$eone "ro$ her, &ell, then e erything &e? eFe erything yo%? e #een thro%gh &o%ld #e "or nothing. ;o%ld yo% &ant thatI@ @4t?s a chance in a tho%sand any&ay,@ 8reer said. @4 don?t kno&,@ Ryan said, "inishing o"" his third drink and "eeling it. 0e had e7pected >oore to #e %ninterested in checking the Alfa "or signs o" li"e. 8reer had s%rprised hi$. ,o, the old sea$an had #een corr%pted #y this a""airFor C%st #y #eing at the C4AFinto "orgetting the sea$an?s code. And &hat did this say a#o%t RyanI @4 C%st don?t kno&.@ @4t?s a &ar, Jack,@ Ritter said, $ore kindly than %s%al, @a real &ar. 9o% did &ell, #oy.@ @4n a &ar yo% do &ell to co$e ho$e ali e,@ Ryan stood, @and that, gentle$en, is &hat 4 plan to do, right no&.@ @9o%r things are in the head.@ 8reer checked his &atch. @9o% ha e ti$e to sha e i" yo% &ant.@ @*h, al$ost "orgot.@ Ryan reached inside his collar to p%ll o%t the key. 0e handed it to 8reer. @Loesn?t look like $%ch, does itI 9o% can kill "i"ty $illion people &ith that. ?>y na$e is *By$andias, king o" kingsJ Look on $y &orks, ye $ighty, and despairJ?@ Ryan headed "or the &ashroo$, kno&ing he had to #e dr%nk to D%ote ,helley. 'hey &atched hi$ disappear. 8reer s&itched o"" the tape $achine, looking at the key in his hand. @,till &ant to take hi$ to see the presidentI@ @!o, not a good idea,@ >oore said. @Boy?s hal" s$ashed, not that 4 #la$e hi$ a #it. 8et hi$ on the plane, Ja$es. ;e?ll send a tea$ to London to$orro& or the ne7t day to "inish the de#rie"ing.@ @8ood.@ 8reer looked into his e$pty glass. @Aind o" early in the day "or this, isn?t itI@ >oore "inished o"" his third. @4 s%ppose. B%t then it?s #een a "airly good day, and the s%n?s not e en %p yet. Let?s go, Bo#. ;e ha e an operation o" sorts to r%n.@

!or"olk !a al ,hipyard >anc%so and his $en #oarded the Paducah #e"ore da&n and &ere "erried #ack to the !allas. 'he 3882class attack s%#$arine sailed i$$ediately and &as #ack %nder&ater #e"ore the s%n rose. 'he Pogy, &hich had ne er entered port, &o%ld co$plete her deploy$ent &itho%t her corps$an a#oard. Both s%#$arines had orders to stay o%t thirty $ore days, d%ring &hich their cre&$en &o%ld #e enco%raged to "orget e erything they had seen, heard, or &ondered a#o%t. 'he Red October sat alone &ith the dry dock draining aro%nd her, g%arded #y t&enty ar$ed $arines. 'his &as not %n%s%al in the Eight2'en Lock. Already a select gro%p o" engineers and technicians &as inspecting her. 'he "irst ite$s taken o"" &ere her cipher #ooks and $achines. 'hey &o%ld #e in !ational ,ec%rity Agency headD%arters at =ort >eade #e"ore noon. Ra$i%s, his o""icers, and their personal gear &ere taken #y #%s to the sa$e air"ield Ryan had %sed. An ho%r later they &ere in a C4A sa"e ho%se in the rolling hills so%th o" Charlottes ille, :irginia. 'hey &ent i$$ediately to #ed e7cept "or t&o $en, &ho stayed a&ake &atching ca#le tele ision, already a$aBed at &hat they sa& o" li"e in the 6nited ,tates. L%lles 4nternational Airport Ryan $issed the da&n. 0e #oarded a ';A (4( that le"t L%lles on ti$e, at (K5. A.>. 'he sky &as o ercast, and &hen the aircra"t #%rst thro%gh the clo%d layer into s%nlight, Ryan did so$ething he had ne er done #e"ore. =or the "irst ti$e in his li"e, Jack Ryan "ell asleep on an airplane.

Acknowledgements
=or technical in"or$ation and ad ice 4 a$ especially inde#ted to >ichael ,helton, "or$er na al a iatorE Larry Bond, &hose na al &arga$e, [0arpoon,Z &as adopted "or the training o" !R*'C cadetsE Lrs. 8erry ,terner and Craig JeschkeE and Lie%tenant Co$$ander 8regory 9o%ng, 6,!.