cussler.blueandgold-第21章

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y；　the　NUMA
　men　hit　the　showers　and　got　into　dry　clothes。　They　rejoined　Contos　on　the　bridge。　He　had　a　fresh　pot　of　coffee　waiting。
　
　〃Okay；　gentlemen；〃　he　said；　pouring　two　hot　steaming　mugs。　〃As　skipper　of　this　vessel；　which　you　mandeered　for　what　turned　out　to　be　a　mando　mission；　I'd　appreciate　it　if　you　would　fill　me　in。〃
　
　Austin　took　a　sip　of　the　high…octane　brew　and　decided　he　had　never　tasted　anything　more　delicious。
　
　〃The　explosion　was　a　surprise　to　us；〃　he　said。　〃Our　basic　mission　was　pretty　simple。　We　wanted　to　check　out　the　source　of　the　heat　that　may　have　killed　those　whales。　We　think　we　found　it。〃　He　described　the　underwater　structure　as　they　first　saw　it；　filling　Contos　in　on　the　approach；　the　fake　hazard　buoys；　the　fishing　net；　and　the　high　water　temperature。　Then　he　turned　the　narrative　over　to　Joe。
　
　Putting　himself　back　underwater　in　the　moments　before　the　explosion；　Zavala　curled　his　hands　as　if　he　were　clutching　an　in　visible　steering　wheel。
　
　〃Everything's　fine。　We　figure　the　high　temperature　readings　are　ing　from　the　installation。　You　set　off　for　a　closer　look；　and　I　put　the　sub　on　the　bottom　to　wait。　The　temps　start　to　go　off　the　charts；　and　I　suggest　you　get　back　to　the　Brogan。〃
　
　Austin　reached　into　his　memory。　〃I　had　just　looked　through　a　skylight　on　the　top　of　the　structure　when　I　got　your　call。　There　were　people　and　machinery　inside。　I　headed　back　to　the　sub。　Then　boom！〃
　
　〃You　said　the　structure　was　full　of　piping；〃　Zavala　said。　〃Some　of　it　would　have　been　high…pressure　conduits；　hence　the　potential　for　explosion。〃
　
　〃I　don't　know。　There　could　have　been　a　flaw　in　the　piping；　but　this　was　a　sophisticated　operation。　They　would　have　had　layers　of　safety　valves　and　shutoffs　to　prevent　a　pressure　buildup。　From　what　I　could　see　there　was　nothing　out　of　the　ordinary。　Nobody　was　rushing　around　in　a　panic。　No　indication　of　any　thing　wrong。〃
　
　〃What　about　the　water　temperature　buildup？〃　
　
　　〃Good　question；　although　the　satellite　photos　indicate　this　isn't　the　first　time　there　has　been　a　high…temperature　water　discharge　into　the　cove；　so　it　probably　didn't　have　a　direct　link　to　the　explosion。〃　Austin　had　brought　a　plastic　bag　with　him。　He　opened　it　and　produced　the　metal　cylinder。　〃We　found　this　floating　in　the　cove。　Any　idea　what　it　is？〃
　
　Contos　examined　the　object　and　shook　his　head。　〃I'll　try　to　track　down　the　manufacturer　when　we　get　back　to　Washington。〃
　
　〃Guess　your　instincts　were　right；　Kurt。　Remember；　back　at　Hussong's；　when　you　said　you　had　the　feeling　a　big　bad…assed　something　was　watching　us。〃
　
　Austin's　coral　eyes　hardened。　〃If　you'll　remember；　I　made　an　other　astute　observation。〃
　
　〃What　was　that？〃
　
　〃I　said　that　whatever　it　is　lurking　in　the　shadows；　the　damned　thing　is　as　hungry　as　hell。〃
　
　〃You　two　are　spooky；〃　Contos　said。　〃It　sounds　as　if　you're　talking　about　Godzilla。〃
　
　Austin　said　nothing。　He　stared　out　at　the　bow　cleaving　the　waves　as　if　the　answers　to　the　questions　whirling　around　in　his　head　could　be　found　beneath　the　blue…green　of　the　sea。
　
　Chapter　12　　THE　HAND　OF　GOD
　The　airship　glided　over　the　rain　forest　like　a　huge；　elongated　Japanese　lantern；　pulsating　with　a　soft　blue…and…orange　light　as　twin　tongues　of　flame　from　the　propane　burners　heated　the　air　inside　the　big　sausage…shaped　envelope。　Except　for　the　occasional　burner　blast；　the　only　evidence　of　the　craft's　existence　was　a　silent　shadow　that　blotted　out　the　moon　and　stars　like　a　passing　cloud。
　
　What　Paul　and　Gamay　thought　to　be　a　blimp　was　actually　a　thermal　airship；　an　ingenious　cross　between　a　hot…air　balloon　and　a　dirigible。　Hot…air　burners　provided　lift；　but　unlike　a　balloon；　which　goes　where　the　wind　takes　it；　the　thermal　airship　had　an　engine　and　could　be　steered　under　power。　The　more　streamlined　zeppelin　silhouette　had　replaced　the　customary　pear…shaped　air　bag　known　as　the　envelope。　The　envelope　kept　its　shape　with　internal　air　pressure　instead　of　a　rigid　blimp　skeleton。
　
　The　Trouts　sat　side…by…side　at　the　front　of　the　aluminum　frame　gondola；　held　in　their　fortable　padded　seats　by　full　harnesses。　From　their　perspective；　slung　under　the　belly　of　the　envelope；　the　blimp　looked　enormous。　The　polyester　fabric　bag　was　one　hundred　feet　long　and　half　that　in　height。　It　had　a　full　rudder　at　the　back　end　for　steering　and　large；　thick　fins　for　stability。　Behind　the　passenger　seats　were　the　propane　tanks　that　fueled　the　burners；　the　fuel　containers　for　the　Rotex　two…stroke　power　plant；　the　engine　itself；　and　the　three…blade　propeller　that　provided　lateral　thrust。
　
　Paul　and　Gamay　had　taken　turns　acquainting　themselves　with　the　airship's　controls。　Both　Trouts　had　ridden　in　balloons　and　knew　the　principles　of　hot　air。　The　airship's　operation　was　relatively　simple。　A　foot…operated　valve　controlled　the　stainless　steel　burners　that　kept　hot　air　flowing　through　a　metal　chute　into　the　envelope。　The　instrument　panel　had　only　half　a　dozen　gauges。　The　Trouts　watched　the　altimeter　with　gimlet　eyes；　keeping　the　airship　at　about　two　thousand　feet；　an　altitude　that　would　give　them　a　reasonable　safety　margin。
　
　Keeping　the　airship　aloft　had　drained　the　propane　from　one　tank；　and　they　were　operating　on　reserve。　They　had　been　waiting　for　daylight　to　use　the　power　plant；　so　a　plentiful　fuel　supply　remained　for　the　propeller　drive。　A　pearl…gray　glow　in　the　east　announced　the　ing　of　dawn。　Soon　the　sky　turned　rose…petal　pink。　Even　after　the　sun　rose　the　visibility　was　obscured　by　fog。　The　vapors　rising　off　the　tree　canopy　absorbed　the　sky's　hue；　and　a　roiling；　reddish　sea　of　mist　stretched　off　to　the　horizon。　While　Paul　operated　the　airship　Gamay　rummaged　around　in　a　storage　box　between　the　two　seats。　〃Time　for　breakfast；〃　she　announced　cheerfully。
　
　〃I'll　have　mine　over　easy；〃　Paul　replied。　〃Crisp　on　the　bacon；　please；　and　the　home　fries　burned　around　the　edges。〃
　
　Gamay　offered　Paul　a　choice　of　granola　bars。　〃You　can　have　raspberry　or　blueberry。〃
　
　〃I'll　try　room　service。〃　He　flicked　on　the　radio；　but　all　they　heard　was　the　crackle　of　static。　〃Bet　Phineas　Fogg　never　had　to　rough　it　like　this；〃　Paul　said　with　a　frown。　〃Aw　hell；　I'll　take　blue　berry。〃
　
　She　handed　him　a　bar　and　a　bottle　of　warm　mineral　water。　〃That　was　quite　a　night。〃
　
　〃Yes；　I　would　say　that　having　a　brush　with　ruthless　bio　pirates；　witnessing　a　cold…blooded　murder；　and　escaping　from　savage　Indians　would　certainly　qualify　as　quite　a　night。〃
　
　〃We　owe　our　lives　to　Tessa。　I　wonder　how　she　got　hooked　up　with　Dieter。〃　
　
　　〃She's　not　the　first　woman　to　show　poor　judgment　in　men。　If　you　had　married　a　lawyer　or　a　doctor　instead　of　a　fisherman's　son；　you　would　be　floating　in　your　backyard　pool　instead　of　being　up　here。〃
　
　〃How　boring。〃　Gamay　chewed　thoughtfully　on　her　breakfast　bar。　〃Any　idea　where　we　are；　Mr。　Fisherman's　Son？〃
　
　He　shook　his　head。　〃I　wish　my　dad　were　here。　He　learned　how　to　navigate　the　old…fashioned　way　before　we　started　to　depend　on　electronic　gear。〃
　
　〃What　about　the　pass？〃
　
　〃Not　much　use　unless　you've　got　landmarks　or　navigational　buoys　to　go　with　it。　That's　obviously　east。〃　He　pointed　to　the　sun。
　
　〃The　Dutchman's　settlement　was　south　and　west　of　Ramirez；〃　Gamay　said。　〃What　if　we　aimed　this　thing　north　east？〃
　
　Paul　scratched　his　head。　〃That　might　work　if　we　were　sure　we　were　still　at　the　exact　spot　where　we　climbed　into　this　rig。　There　was　a　breeze　last　night。　I　don't　know　how　far　it　could　have　pushed　us。　Could　make　a　big　difference；　and　we've　only　got　a　limited　amount　of　fuel　left　for　the　burners。　Any　decision　will　have　to　be　the　right　one。　The　engine　tanks　are　full；　but　it　won't　do　much　good　to　go　forward　if　we　lose　altitude。〃
　
　Gamay　gazed　over　the　ocean　of　green。　〃Sure　is　beautiful。〃
　
　〃Not　as　beautiful　as　three　eggs　over　easy　and　bacon　with　home　fries。〃
　
　She　handed　him　another　granola　bar。　〃Use　your　imagination。〃
　
　〃I　am。　I'm　trying　to　imagine　how　they　got　this　airship　into　the　forest。　They　could　have　flown　it　in；　but　that's　doubtful　be　cause　this　isn't　big　enough　to　carry　all　the　supplies　and　spare　fuel　it　would　need。　My　guess　is　they　launched　it　from　the　ground　not　far　from　where　we　found　it。〃
　
　〃Since　there　are　no　roads；〃　Gamay　said；　picking　up　the　thread　of　logic；　〃they　probably　came　in　by　water。　If　we　found　the　river　or　tributary　we　could　retrace　our　way　back　to　Dr。　Ramirez's　camp。　Perhaps　if　we　went　higher；　we'd　see　more　of　the　forest。〃　
　〃Brilliant；〃　he　said；　and　goosed　the　throttle　with　his　foot。
　
　The　burners　responded　with　a　throaty　whisper；　and　after　a　pause　the　aircraft　began　to　rise。　As　they　ascended；　the　heat　of　the　sun　was　beginning　to　burn　off　the　mist。　The　tree　canopy　began　to　appear　as　ragged　patches　of　green。　Reddish　flowers　grew　in　patches　on　the　treetops　like　coral　reefs。
　
　At　three　thousand　feet　Gamay　squinted　through　the　haze。　〃I　see　something　over　there。〃
　
　Paul　started　the　power　plant　and　turned　the　steering　wheel　that　controlled　the　cables　running　to　the　rudder　until　the　airship　came　slowly　about。　With　the　water…cooled　engine　purring　quietly；　the　airship　gained　speed　slowly　as　it　overcame　its　inertia；　and　before　long　the　propeller　was　kicking　them　along　at　ten　miles　per　hour。　Gamay　had　found　a　pair　of　binoculars　and　was　using　them　to　scope　out　where　they　were　going。
　
　〃Incredible；〃　she　said　as　the　mists　cleared。
　
　〃What　do　you　see？〃
　
　Gamay　was　silent　for　a　second。　〃The　Hand　of　God；〃　she　said　with　quiet　awe。
　
　Paul　hesitated。　He　hadn't　slept　much　and　was　slow　on　the　uptake。　〃The　Great　Falls　the　Dutchman　talked　about？〃
　
　Gamay　nodded。　〃Even　at　this　distance　it's　magnificent。〃
　
　Paul　tried　to　increase　their　speed。　He　sensed　something　peculiar　about　the　controls。　The　airship　seemed　to　be　dragging。　He　peered　down　and　saw　a　red　triangular　object　dangling　from　lines　attached　to　the　gondola。
　
　〃Hello；〃　he　said。　〃We've　got　pany。〃
　
　Gamay　lowered　the　binoculars　and　followed　Paul's　gaze。　〃It　looks　vaguely　like　a　life　raft。　Made　out　of　rubber　tubing　and　mesh　in　the　middle。　They　probably　used　it　to　drop　people　and　supplies　off　on　the　tree　canopy。〃
　
　〃Sounds　like　a　reasonable　explanation。　We'll　have　to　be　careful　it　doesn't　catch　in　the　treetops。〃　He　lifted　his　head　to　check　on　their　course。　What　he　saw　sent　chills　up　his　spine。
　
　They　were　approaching　a　high　headland　that　rose　from　the　forest　in　the　shape　of　a　giant　step。　A　river　coursed　from　the　forest　toward　the　precipice　of　the　plateau　where　rocky　formations　broke　the　flow　into　five　waterfalls。　With　the　sunlight　sparkling　off　the　white　water　the　streams　looked　like　gems　being　run　through　the　fingers　of　a　diamond　merchant。　The　falls　had　the　deceptive　slow…motion　look　that　water　has　when　it　plunges　from　a　great　height。　A　thick　cloud　of　foglike　condensation　rose　from　the　explosive　force　of　thousands　of　gallons　of　water　cascading　into　a　lake　directly　below　the　steep…sided　bluff。
　
　Paul　said；　〃Those　falls　make　Niagara　look　like　a　herring~　brook。〃
　
　　'All　that　water　has　to　have　an　outlet。〃　Gamay　scanned　the　perimeter　of　the　lake。　〃Paul；　over　there！　I　can　see　the　river。　It's　flowing　out　of　the　lake。　All　we　have　to　do　is　follow　it。〃