cc.floodtide-第45章

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　Stewart；　with　brown　hair　cut　short　and　slickly　bed　with　a　precision　part　on　the　right　side；　was　a　mariner　from　the　old　school。　He　still　shot　the　sun　with　his　sextant　and　figured　latitude　and　longitude　the　old…fashioned　way　when　a　quick　scan　of　his　geophysical　positioning　system　could　tell　him　within　a　yard　of　where　he　was　standing。　Slim　and　tall　with　deep…set　blue　eyes；　he　was　a　man　without　a　wife　whose　mistress　was　the　sea。
　
　Gunn　stood　beside　the　helm；　staring　through　the　wheelhouse　windows　at　the　deserted　port。　〃We'd　look　as　obvious　as　a　wart　on　a　movie　star's　nose　if　we　anchored　in　the　river　between　their　docks　and　warehouses。　General　Montaigne　said　that　security　around　Sungari　was　no　heavier　than　any　other　port　facility　on　the　East　and　West　coasts。　If　he's　right；　I　see　no　reason　to　play　cagey。　Let's　simply　call　the　port　master　and　request　dock　space　to　make　repairs；　and　work　in　their　backyard。〃
　
　Stewart　nodded　and　hailed　the　port　master　over　a　satellite　phone；　which　had　all　but　replaced　ship…to…shore　radio。　〃This　is　NUMA　research　ship　Marine　Denizen。　We　request　dock　space　to　make　repairs　to　our　rudder。〃
　
　The　port　master　was　most　congenial。　He　gave　his　name　as　Henry　Pang　and　readily　gave　permission。　〃Sure；　maintain　your　position　and　I'll　send　a　boat　to　lead　you　to　dock　seventeen；　where　you　can　tie　up。　If　there's　one　thing　we've　got；　it's　vacant　moorings。〃
　
　〃Thank　you；　Mr。　Pang；〃　acknowledged　Stewart。
　〃You　guys　looking　for　weird　fish？〃　asked　Pang。
　〃No；　we're　studying　Gulf　currents。　We　bumped　over　an　unmarked　shoal　off　the　coast　and　damaged　our　rudder。　It　responds　but　not　to　its　full　arc。〃
　〃Enjoy　your　stay；〃　said　Pang　politely。　〃If　you　need　a　marine　mechanic　or　parts；　please　let　me　know。〃
　〃Thank　you；〃　said　Stewart。　〃Standing　by　for　your　guide　boat。〃
　〃General　Montaigne　was　right；〃　said　Gunn。　〃So　much　for　tight　security。〃
　
　A　rainsquall　rolled　in　and　out　during　the　night；　leaving　the　decks　of　the　Marine　Denizen　gleaming　under　the　rising　sun。　Stewart　had　two　of　his　crew　lowered　on　a　small　platform　over　the　rudder　to　act　as　though　they　were　making　repairs。　The　performance　hardly　seemed　necessary。　The　docks　and　cranes　were　as　dead　as　a　football　stadium　in　the　middle　of　the　week。　Both　of　the　Chinese　cargo　ships　Gunn　had　observed　the　evening　before　had　slipped　out　during　the　night。　The　Marine　Denizen　had　the　entire　port　to　herself。
　
　Inside　the　center　section　of　the　Denizen's　hull　was　a　cavernous　partment　called　the　moon　pool。　Two　sliding　divisions　parted　like　horizontal　elevator　doors；　allowing　water　to　flow　inside　the　moon　pool　until　it　leveled　out　after　rising　six　feet。　This　was　the　heart　of　the　research　vessel；　where　divers　could　freely　enter　the　water　without　being　knocked　about　by　waves；　where　submersibles　could　be　lowered　to　explore　the　depths；　and　where　scientific　equipment　that　monitored　and　captured　sea　life　could　be　raised　for　study　in　the　ship's　labs。
　
　Lulled　by　the　cemetery…like　atmosphere　of　Sungari；　the　crew　and　scientists　ate　a　leisurely　breakfast　before　gathering　around　the　work　platforms　in　the　moon　pool。　A　Benthos　autonomous　underwater　vehicle　hung　in　a　cradle　over　the　water。　This　vehicle　was　three　times　the　size　of　the　pact　AUV　that　Pitt　used　at　Orion　Lake。　A　rugged；　streamlined　unit　with　two　horizontal　thrusters；　it　could　move　at　speeds　up　to　five　knots。　The　imagery　equipment　consisted　of　a　Benthos　video　camera　with　low…light　sensitivity　and　high　resolution。　The　AUV　also　featured　a　digital　still　camera　and　a　ground…penetrating　radar　unit　that　could　detect　a　void　through　the　steel　casings；　indicating　a　passage。　A　diver；　wearing　a　wet　suit　purely　as　protection　against　jellyfish；　lazily　floated　on　his　back　while　he　waited　for　the　AUV　to　be　lowered。
　
　Stewart　looked　through　a　doorway　at　Gunn；　who　was　sitting　in　front　of　a　puter　monitor　that　was　mounted　beneath　a　large　video　screen。　〃Ready　when　you　are；　Rudi。〃
　〃Drop　her　in；〃　said　Gunn　with　the　wave　of　a　hand。
　The　winch　attached　to　the　cradle　hummed　and　the　AUV　slowly　settled　into　the　perpetual　gloom　of　the　river。　The　diver　uncoupled　the　cradle；　swam　to　a　ladder　and　climbed　onto　the　work　platform。
　
　Stewart　entered　the　small　partment　that　was　rilled　from　deck　to　roof　with　electronic　equipment。　He　sat　down　next　to　Gunn；　who　was　operating　the　AUV　from　a　puter　console　while　staring　into　the　video　monitor。　All　that　was　revealed　was　a　long　gray　wall　of　steel　casing　that　trailed　off　into　the　gloom。　〃Frankly；　this　seems　like　much　ado　about　nothing。〃
　
　〃You'll　get　no　argument　from　me；〃　said　Gunn。　〃The　order　to　investigate　Sungari　from　under　the　surface　came　direct　from　the　White　House。〃
　〃Do　they　really　think　Qin　Shang　would　conduct　his　smuggling　operations　through　underwater　passageways　that　connect　to　the　hulls　of　his　ships？〃
　〃Some　hotshot　in　Washington　must　think　so。　That's　why　we're　here。〃
　〃Like　me　to　send　for　some　coffee　from　the　galley？〃　asked　Stewart。
　〃I　could　use　a　cup；〃　said　Gunn　without　turning　from　the　monitor。
　
　The　cook's　galley　assistant　soon　brought　a　tray　of　cups　along　with　a　filled　coffeepot。　Three　hours　later　the　cups　and　pot　were　as　empty　as　the　inspection　project。　Nothing　showed　on　the　monitor　except　a　seemingly　unending　wall　of　steel　casings　that　were　driven　deep　into　the　silt　to　act　as　a　barrier　for　the　landfill　that　in　turn　acted　as　a　foundation　for　the　dock　and　terminal　buildings。　Finally；　just　before　noon；　Gunn　turned　to　Stewart。
　
　〃So　much　for　the　west　side　of　the　port；〃　Gunn　said　wearily。　He　rubbed　his　eyes　to　relieve　the　strain。　〃It　gets　awfully　tedious　staring　at　gray；　shapeless　casing　for　hours　on　end。〃
　〃See　any　hint　of　a　door　leading　to　a　passage？〃
　〃No　so　much　as　a　crack　or　hinge。〃
　〃We　can　move　the　AUV　across　the　river　channel　and；　with　luck；　finish　up　the　east　side　before　dark；〃　said　Stewart。
　〃The　sooner　we　wrap　this　up；　the　better。〃　Gunn　typed　a　mand　on　the　keyboard　that　sent　the　AUV　on　a　course　toward　the　opposite　side　of　the　port。　Then　he　leaned　back　and　relaxed　in　his　chair。
　〃Sure　you　don't　want　to　knock　off　for　a　sandwich？〃　asked　Stewart。
　Gunn　shook　his　head。　〃I'll　see　it　through　and　fill　my　empty　stomach　at　dinner。〃
　
　It　took　only　ten　minutes　for　the　AUV　to　cross　under　the　river　to　the　east　side　of　the　port。　Gunn　then　programmed　the　AUV's　controls　to　start　the　run　at　the　end　of　the　casing　wall；　working　north　to　south。　The　AUV　had　only　covered　two　hundred　yards　when　the　phone　beside　him　buzzed。　〃Can　you　take　that？〃　he　asked　Stewart。
　The　Marine　Denizen's　skipper　picked　up　the　receiver　and　then　handed　it　to　Gunn。　〃It's　Dirk　Pitt。〃
　〃Pitt。〃　Gunn　turned　from　the　monitor；　his　eyebrows　raised　in　surprise。　He　took　the　phone　and　spoke　into　the　mouthpiece；　〃Dirk？〃
　〃Hello；　Rudi；〃　came　Pitt's　familiar　voice。　〃I'm　calling　from　an　airplane　somewhere　over　the　Nevada　desert。〃
　〃How　did　your　underwater　search　of　the　United　States　go？〃
　〃Got　a　little　hairy　there　for　a　while；　but　all　Al　and　I　found　was　a　smooth　hull　and　keel　with　no　openings。〃
　〃If　we　don't　find　anything　on　this　end　in　the　next　few　hours；　we'll　join　you。〃
　〃Are　you　using　a　submersible？〃　asked　Pitt。
　〃Not　necessary；〃　replied　Gunn。　〃An　AUV　is　doing　the　job　just　fine。〃
　〃Keep　a　tight　leash　on　it；　or　Qin　Shang's　underwater　security　people　will　steal　it　before　your　eyes。　They're　sneaky　devils。〃
　
　Gunn　hesitated　before　he　replied；　wondering　what　Pitt　meant。　He　was　about　to　ask　when　Stewart　came　back。　〃They're　serving　lunch；　Rudi。　I'll　talk　to　you　after　we　reach　Washington。　Good　luck；　and　give　my　best　to　Frank　Stewart。〃　Then　the　connection　went　dead。
　
　〃How　is　Dirk？〃　inquired　Stewart。　〃I　haven't　seen　him　since　we　worked　together　on　the　Lady　Flamborough　cruise…ship　search　down　off　Tierra　del　Fuego　a　few　years　ago。〃
　〃Testy　as　ever。　He　gave　me　a　strange　warning。〃
　〃Warning？〃
　〃He　said　Qin　Shang's　underwater　security　people　might　steal　the　AUV；〃　Gunn　answered；　obviously　confused。
　〃What　underwater　security？〃　said　Stewart　sarcastically。
　Gunn　didn't　reply。　His　eyes　suddenly　widened　and　he　pointed　at　the　video　monitor。　〃My　God；　look！〃
　
　Stewart's　eyes　followed　Gunn's　outstretched　finger　and　stiffened。
　
　A　face　wearing　a　diver　mask　filled　the　screen　of　the　monitor　They　stared　in　amazement　as　the　diver　pulled　off　the　mask　and　revealed　very　Chinese…featured　eyes；　nose　and　mouth。　Then　he　flashed　a　wide　gnn　and　waved　as　a　child　waves　bye…bye。
　
　Then　the　image　went　dark　and　was　replaced　with　jagged　gray　and　white　streaks。　Gunn　frantically　manded　the　AUV　to　return　to　the　Marine　Denizen；　but　there　was　no　response。　The　AUV　had　disappeared　as　if　it　had　never　been　launched。
　
　PlTT　KNEW　SOMETHING　WAS　WRONG　THE　INSTANT　THE　NUMA　driver　stopped　the　car。　A　tiny　indescribable　alarm　tingled　inside　his　brain　and　traveled　to　the　nape　of　his　neck。　Something　was　not　as　it　should　have　been。
　
　A　life…threatening　situation　was　the　last　thing　on　his　mind　on　the　ride　from　Andrews　Air　Force　Base；　where　the　NUMA　jet　had　landed；　to　his　home　on　a　far　corner　of　Washington's　National　Airport。　Darkness　had　closed　over　the　city；　but　he　ignored　the　ocean　of　lights　illuminating　the　buildings。　He　tried　to　relax　and　let　his　mind　drift；　but　it　kept　returning　to　Orion　Lake。　He　thought　it　odd　that　the　story　had　not　broken　in　the　　news　media。
　
　From　the　outside；　the　former　aircraft…maintenance　hangar　that　was　built　in　1937；　the　year　Amelia　Earhart　disappeared；　appeared　forlorn　and　deserted。　Weeds　grew　right　up　to　its　rusting；　corrugated…metal　walls；　whose　paint　had　long　since　　vanished　after　decades　of　onslaught　by　the　extremes　of　　Washington's　weather　patterns。　Though　it　had　been　condemned　as　an　eyesore　and　scheduled　to　be　demolished；　Pitt　had　visualized　the　hangar's　potential。　Stepping　in　at　the　last　minute；　he　thwarted　FAA　bureaucrats　by　winning　a　battle　to　have　it　placed　on　the　national　register　of　historic　landmarks。　Preventing　its　destruction；　he　purchased　the　building　and　surrounding　acre　of　property　and　went　to　work　on　the　interior；　remodeling　it　into　a　bination　living　quarters　and　storage　facility　for　his　collection　of　classic　automobiles　and　aircraft。
　
　Pitt's　grandfather　had　acquired　a　small　fortune　in　developing　Southern　California　real　estate。　On　his　death；　he　left　his　grandson　a　considerable　inheritance。　After　paying　the　estate　taxes；　Pitt　had　chosen　to　invest　in　classic　cars　and　aircraft　rather　than　stocks　and　bonds。　In　twenty　years；　he　had　built　up　a　collection　that　was　highly　unique。
　
　Rather　than　bathe　the　hangar　in　a　battery　of　floodlights；　Pitt　preferred　that　it　appear　desolate　and　empty。　One　small　light　atop　an　electrical　pole　that　gave　off　a　dim　yellow　glow　was　all　that　illuminated　the　unpaved　road　that　ended　at　the　hangar。　He　turned　and　stared　through　the　car's　window　and　studied　the　top　of　the　pole。　A　red　light　that　should　have　beamed　from　a　concealed　security　camera　was　dark。
　
　It　was　an　indication　as　conspicuous　to　him　as　a　blinking　stop　sign　that　something　was　drastically　wrong。
　
　Pitt's　security　system　was　designed　and　installed　by　a　friend　with　an　intelligence　agency　who　was　at　the　top　of　his　trade。　No　one　but　a　skilled　professional　could　have　e　within　a　country　mile　of　breaking　the　code　and　promising　it。　He　gazed　around　th