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The President fell silent He stared at Sandecker with deepening interest "Who are the people in charge?"

"The on-scene coordinator and chairency Response Teaineer for the EPA"

"I'm not familiar with the name"

"She's recognized as the best in the country on assessment and control of hazardous contamination in water," Sandecker said without hesitation "The underwater search for the shipwreck we believe contains the nerve agent will be headed by my special projects director, Dirk Pitt"

The President's eyes widened "I know Mr Pitt He proved o

You ht, before he continued

"We have nearly two hundred other pollution experts who have been called in to assist Every expert in private industry has been tapped to provide the experience and technical data for a successful cleanup"

The President glanced at his watch "I've got to cut this short," he said "They won't start the third act without ht hours, Admiral Then I order an evacuation and declare the area a national disaster"

Fawcett accohtly to the rear but close enough so they could converse in low tones while feigning interest in the perfore

"Do you wish to cancel the cruise with Moran and Larimer?"

The President ie for the Soviet satellite countries has top priority over any other business"

"I strongly advise against it You're waging a hopeless battle for a lost cause"

"So you've informed me at least five tiram over his face to conceal a yawn "How do the votes stack up?"

"A wave of nonpartisan, conservative support is gaining ground against you We'll need fifteen votes in the House and five, maybe six, to pass the measure in the Senate"

"We've faced bigger odds"