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"Guess you won't be bored for a while," Austin told the wide-eyed crewman

"Guess not What should I do?"

"It's too late for you to go beloith the others, so I'e where you get a good view of the ship Captain, when I give you the signal, I want the News lit up like Broadway and Forty-second Street, but keep the bridge in darkness"

With a quick nod and no questions Phelan went over to a console and put his hand on a panel of buttons Austin and Mike went onto the starboard wing, and Zavala took up a position on the port wing

As Mike started up the ladder to the bridge roof, Austin said, "When the fights go on I want you to count every stranger you see and remember where you saw them We'll do the same down here Remember, keep your head low"

As soon as everyone was in place, Austin called in to the captain

"Showtime, skipper"

The ship was equipped with floodlights at every angle, so the crew and scientists could work at night as easily as during the day Phelan's forgers danced over the console In an instant the Nereus lit up like a Caribbean cruise ship; every deck was bathed in light from one end to another

Two decks below, Austin saw a trio of figures freeze, then scurry for cover like startled roaches in a pantry

"Cut!" he called

The lights blinked off

Mike called down "I saw three guys on top of the sub our way None forward"

"You flatten down and stay put for now" Austin stepped into the wheelhouse as Zavala ca

"Three on my side, three decks below Dressed like Ninjas"

"Sa from the aft deck That makes nine That we know of Captain, can Joe borrow your shotgun? He's had a little , ah, skeet"