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"There now, that's much better" Prevlov followed her eyes to Woodson, then to Dru out a tooth, and then to Giordino, who glared back holding his bleeding hand

"Your resistance was foolish," Previov said " One dead and three injured, and for nothing"

"Who are you?" Sandecker deht do you board this ship and murder my crew?"

"Ah! A pity we must meet under such reized "You are, of course, Admiral James Sandecker, are you not?"

"My questions still stand," Sandecker spat angrily

"My name is of no consequence," Prevlov replied "The answer to your other question is obvious I a over this ship in the name of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics"

"My governet aith it"

"Correction," Prevlov overnment will stand idly by"

"You underestimate us"

Prevlov shook his head "Not I, Admiral I am fully aware of what your countrymen are capable of I also know they will not start a war over the legiti of a derelict ship"

"Legitie Service laws define a derelict vessel as one whose crew has abandoned at sea without intent of returning or attempt at recovery Since this ship still retains its crew, your presence, sir, constitutes a blatant act of high-seas piracy"

"Spare alities" Prevlov held up a protesting hand "You are quite right, of course, for the moment"

The implication was clear "You wouldn't dare cast us adrift in the middle of a hurricane"

"Nothing so mundane, Ad on water I need your salvage engineer, Spencer, I believe his na until the storm abates After that, you and your people will be provided with a life raft Your departure will then guarantee our right to salvage"

"We cannot be allowed to live to testify," Sandecker said "Your government would never permit that You know it, and I know it"