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Janko’s body tensed “Is it someone we can allow to leave undisturbed, like those seal poachers who came ashore last year?”

“No,” Thero said “They’re inland on snowlacier That means they’re military”

“What do you want me to do?”

“Get the hovercraft ready, and go deal with them”

“On my way,” Janko said

He hung up and exchanged glances with the foreman

“The jig is up, isn’t it?”

“Not necessarily,” Janko said “But we knew this wouldn’t last forever Maybe you’d better get the last ship to need some portable wealth fast”

THIRTY-SIX

Stephenson Glacier, Heard Island

The group of snowmobiles crossed the winter landscape with deliberate caution The heavy clouds, falling snow, and gusting winds were creating a whiteout effect It ate

Twice, the lead snowht in deeper, softer snow and had to be pulled out At one point, the grade became too steep for the machines to safely climb, and they were forced to back out and find another way

Paused in a sheltered area while Gregorovich studied a les and turned to Hayley “Are you okay?”

“Freezing,” she said “Can’t feel my toes”

She flipped up her own goggles, her cheeks indburned, her lips were blue, strands of blond hair that had slipped out from under her cap were coated with ice