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"The byzanium will be destroyed," Prevlov said "If we cannot possess it, then neither can the Americans"

"Does that include the Titanic as well?"

"Itthe Titanic, we destroy the byzanium It will be accomplished in such a way that another recovery operation will be totally out of the question"

Prevlov fell silent, but Antonov was satisfied He had already given his approval for the mission He studied Prevlov carefully The captain looked like a esture, seehtfully planned in advance; even his words carried an air of confident forethought Yes, Antonov was satisfied

"When do you leave for the North Atlantic?" he asked

"With your pere reconnaissance bomber is on standby at Gorki Airfield It is ie of the Mikhail Kurkov within twelve hours Good fortune has sent us a hurricane, and I will make full use of its force as a diversion for ill seeal seizure of the Titanic"

"Then I will not keep you" Antonov stood and e "The hopes of the Soviet Union go with you, Captain Prevlov I beg you do not disappoint us

54

The day began going badly for Pitt right after he wandered away froo hold on G Deck

The sight that met his eyes in the darkened co the byzanium was buried under the collapsed forward bulkhead

He stood there for a long ti at the avalanche of broken and twisted steel that prevented any easy attempt to reach the precious ele behind him

"It looks like we've been dealt a bum hand," Sandecker said

Pitt nodded "At least for the moment"

"Perhaps if we--"

"It would take weeks for our portable cutting equiple of steel"