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“Cap’n went to check with the chief,” the helmsman said “Main electrical bus went out Followed by the backup All systems are dead”

Paul was about to turn and head for engineering when he felt a subtle vibration travel through the hull The engines and auxiliary power unit were cooodness for small favors,” he muttered

He went to the intercoht switch Nothing

As Paul wondered why, he noticed the Condor was beginning toHe stepped to the command console There was power for the display, but as the hel happened

The ship began to turn, healing over as if the rudder had been deflected all the way to the stops

“It’s notthe small wheel that controlled the rudder dead center

The ship continued to accelerate, straightening out and heading due south They continued to pick up speed In a lassy sea and cutting a white swath away from the two submersibles and the wreck below

A warning light on the console showed the propeller rp beyond “You have to reduce speed,” Paul urged

“I’”

The rpm’s were already three percent beyond the red line “Why isn’t the li in?”

Another crewe and went to the circuit breaker panel

“Hit the override,” Paul shouted “Eency stop”

The helmsman did as Paul ordered He slaency stop button that acted as the override The ship continued to charge south

It dawned on Paul that the override was just another button to tell the co But if the system was faulty or had been corrupted, there was no reason to expect the override to be working correctly

With the rp, a shaft failure was possible, or even bearing failure in the engines themselves