Dressed in his blue Norseman dry suit, he climbed into the cockpit of the Nautilus 2000, squeezing into the cramped seat. Three hours later Jack found himself back on the Deep Fathom, but not for long. All eyes remained on Jack and his tiny sub. Overhead, & Sea Knight helicopter buzzed by. Off to the south, the Gibraltar filled the horizon. What about the Vice President? Lawrence Nafe?Īround the Fathom, the other search ships were spread in a wide circle. The admiral gave him a tired smile, then left, closing the door behind him. I have a few last minute details to address, but help yourself to the sandwiches, Jack.
Houston released him and headed toward the door. You sure about this, monl That's a long way down. She can be a real bitch.Ĭharlie clambered over to Jack. On the drawing boards maybe, but this is real life. I'll do my best to help, he said sincerely. Jack had never seen Mark Houston look so worried. The water line climbed up the dome, swamping over Jack's head. He took on ballast and the Nautilus began to lower into the surf. He engaged the thrusters, the sub humming under him. Jack froze in the man's embrace, unable to speak.Ĭheck and check. We need a body we can bury with the usual pomp and ceremony. For order to be restored, we need concrete answers. Some say it's a conspiracy tied to JFK The admiral shook his head. Some are claiming terrorists-Arabs, Russian, Chinese, Serbian, or even the I.R.A. Before Nafe can be sworn in, we need to put the fate of President Bishop to rest. I see you at least keep abreast of current events out here, Houston teased lightly, but his voice quickly grew sober again. Whether you believe it or not, I'm happy in my current life. But I'm almost forty years old, not a child to be coddled. For the first time in a decade, he sensed the eyes of the world again looking in his direction. The gravity of the situation began to press on him. As much as the rest of the world disparages the United States and its foreign policy, it still doesn't stop them from looking to us for leadership during a time of crisis-and now we are leaderless, rudderless.Īnd the Navy is the real world? Jack snorted.Īlone, Jack sank into one of the seats. But never under such circumstances, in the middle of a worldwide catastrophe. 'It's more than just the President, Jack. Check everything twice, he had drilled into them. Jack had done his own check, but his crew were taking no chances. Charlie worked atop the submersible as it floated behind the Fathom, stomping around, visually checking seals, while Robert, in mask and snorkel, swam under the ship.
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