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"How close are they to the seafloor?" Giordino asked

"Thirty-fiveto hide behind a fors It looks hopeless If the torpedo doesn't get them on the next pass, there's an odd son chance it'll tear a hole in the hull"

Sandecker stiffened as Kemper returned on the line "I've talked with the chief of arctic defense He's putting through a priority signal to the sub's commander I only hope he's in time"

"You're not alone"

"Sorry about the mix-up, Jim The US Navy doesn't usually shoot first and ask questions afterward

But it's open season on unidentified undersea craft caught that close to the North American shoreline

What was your vessel doing there anyway?"

"The navy isn't the only one who conducts classified rateful for your assist" He rang off and gazed up at the screen

The torpedo was barreling through the depths with murder on its electronic mind Its detonator head was fifteen seconds away fro

"Get down," King pleaded aloud "Twelveto make it"

Giordino's mind raced in search of options, but none were left There was no escaping the inevitable this time Unless the torpedo destructed in the next fewand the three men inside her would lay in the sea forever

His mouth felt dry as a sand pit He did not count down the seconds this tis that are out of place with unusual clarity Giordino idly wondered why he hadn't noticed before that Sandecker wasn't wearing any shoes

"It's going to strike this ti said It was a simple statement of fact, no more His face was drained of all emotion, the skin pale as he raised his hands over his eyes and shut out all sight of the screen

No sound ca No explosion or shriek ofinto twi

sted scrap cah the impassive co in the black and icy depths