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"Then tell them!" Giordino said, his tone suddenly sharp "No way" Sandecker's words came strained and hollow

"There's a breakdown in voice transmission from the communications satellite"

"Make contact through the computers"

"Yes, yes," Kingin his eyes "I still command their data input"

Giordino watched the screen, counting the re spoke into a voice response unit that relayed the

"Pitt anticipated you," said Sandecker, nodding at the screen They all felt a brief surge of relief as the forward speed of the suban to fall off

"Ten seconds to contact," said Giordino

Sandecker grabbed a telephone and bellowed at the shaken operator on duty "Get me Admiral Joe Kemper, chief of naval operations!"

"Three secondstwoone"

The room fell into hushed silence; all were afraid to speak, to be the first to utter the words that ht become the epitaph of the submersible and its crew The screen remained dark Then the readout came on

"A hed heavily "The torpedo passed astern with ninety meters to spare"

"The 's aluminum hull," commented Sandecker

Giordino had to grin at Pitt's reply

Round one Ahead on points

Any bright ideas for round two?