Page 32 (1/2)

"Good luck"

The helicopter droned over the tops of the rolling swells Pitt and Giordino spoke very little Their ears were tuned to the sound of the turbines, as if expecting theo silent at anyalarh the cockpit

"Soon fumes"

He looked down at the deep cobalt blue of the water only 10 meters (33 feet) beneath the belly of the chopper The sea looked reasonably sh to crest was less than adid not appear to be too rough, and the old Mi-8 should float for a good sixty seconds if Giordino didn't burst the seams when he dropped her in

Pitt called Shannon to the cockpit She appeared in the doorway, looked down at hiht?"

"Just over the horizon, I should think But not close enough to reach with the fuel that's left Tell everybody to prepare for a water landing"

"Then we do have to swim the rest of the way," she said cynically

"A ers er door and be ready to heave it in the water as soon as we ditch And i the inflation cord after the raft is safely through the door I for one do not want to get my feet wet"

Giordino pointed dead ahead "The Deep Fathom"

Pitt nodded as he squinted at the dark tiny speck on the horizon He spoke into the radio mike "We have you on visual, Stucky"

"Come to the party," answered Stucky "We'll open the bar early just for you"

"Heaven forbid," said Pitt, elaborately sarcastic "I don't iestion"

Their employer, chief director of the National Underwater and Marine Agency, Adulation etched in stone banning all alcoholic spirits froetarian and a fitness nut, Sandecker thought he was adding years to the hired help's life span As with prohibition in the nineteen twenties,cases of beer on board or buying it in foreign ports

"Would you prefer a hearty glass of Ovaltine?" retorted Stucky

"Only if you mix it with carrot juice and alfalfa sprouts--"