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CLAD IN black neoprene, Kurt and Joe took their positions on a twelve-foot wing at the back end of the powerboat They stood side by side, each of them with one foot forward and the second foot back, behind and canted sideways, a stance that provided balance and control

Backpacks strapped to their shoulders held the coen bottles, masks and fins that they would use to swiano and any clue suggesting what Han was up to

With their feet set, they grabbed a pair of guide cables that would allow theboard and the parasail that would rise up above the

“This doesn’t seeht and it turns right”

“How far in do you want me to take you?” Akiko asked

Kurt had already done the calculations “Get us within two le We’ll pull the cord”

Her eyebroent up “Twoway out”

“According to the inforlide ratio of twelve-to-one With the cable fully extended, we’ll be alh to cover three and a half uiding this thing, I want a safety in to play with Two miles will do just fine”

Akiko nodded, glanced at the GPS receiver and then looked back over her shoulder at the two of them “Ready?”

Joe reached up and double-checked a pair of goggles currently perched on his head His were designed for night vision While Kurt’s looked for heat, Joe’s aht As they closed in on the island, Joe would pull the goggles down in front of his eyes and look for a landing spot

With the goggles strapped securely to his head, Joe gave the thuuide line

Kurt did

the same “Release the cable”

Keeping one hand on the wheel, Akiko reached over and pulled on a lever to her right