Vincent jogged back towards them, and Cate followed. “Good and bad news; they’ll get a chopper up ASAP – that’s the good news. Bad news is we’re fifty miles out, and that again from the nearest base.” He winced. “It’ll take them at least three hours even if they hustle.” He hiked his shoulders. “I’ve given them our location; that’s all we can do.”

“We just wait?” Cate snorted softly. “Well then, I guess we need Olander’s boat after all.”

Jack sighed. “Better get Captain Nemo back up here. He can at least tell his people to be on guard.”

CHAPTER 39

CHAPTER 39

On the southern horizon, a ball of rainbow light was appearing. Olander folded his arms and widened his stance. He smiled and nodded to his shipmates who whooped and glared at the crew of the Slava.

Olander turned to tilt his head towards Cate and Jack. “By the time you’re next allowed out on the water, you’ll all be in wheelchairs.”

A young bearded man stuck up a finger. “Planet rapists.”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake.” Regina walked away muttering.

Jack looked from the approaching trimaran to Olander. “Do your people have any weapons? Anything at all?”

“Weapons?” Olander’s lip curled in derision. “The Gaia Warrior is the fastest, cleanest thing on the water, and represents a near invisible silhouette to the environment.” He pointed down at the stained deck of the Slava. “This thing is like a brass band falling down a flight of steps… where my boat is a violin in a garden.”

Jack grimaced as he watched the locater. “The Megalodon is leaving us.” He looked up. “Heading your people’s way – you have to warn them. How many are onboard?”

“Uh.” Olander’s brow creased. “A dozen, no, eleven now.”

Valery Mironov lowered his field glasses and handed them to Sonya. “The poor fools.” His eyes slid to Olander. “They have no idea of what you have just invited them into.”

“Think man, do they have any weapons, or anything to defend the ship with?” Regina yelled now.

Panic edged into Olander eyes as he searched the deck. He put a knuckle in his mouth and chewed on it as he moved away.

“Well?” Jack asked, reaching out to stop his pacing.

“Boat hooks.” Olander stood a little straighter. “Why would we need anything else? We have moral justice on our side.”

“God help them then,” Jack said. He looked back down at the tracker. “It’s moving fast – intercept course.” He looked up slowly. “They can’t outrun it. But you can damn well get on the radio and warn them, you sonofabitch.”

“I, ah, well I suppose I can tell them to ensure they have all loose objects secured.” He licked his lips. “It’s a triple-hull design, based on an ellipse – strongest structure in nature, you know.”