Cate couldn’t hide how impressed she felt. “I’d say we certainly backed the right guy.”

“How many, and how far apart, are they… the buoys I mean?” Abby asked.

“Twenty overall, and first one is close, just fifteen miles,” Mironov responded smoothly.

Greg scoffed. “That’s close? We’re talking underwater distance here.”

“I’m guessing you needed to find suitable geology for drilling,” Jack said. “Also some parts of the subterranean body of water are deeper than others. Right?”

“Exactly, Mr Monroe.” Mironov looked along the faces of the small group “Now if—”

“One more thing.” Greg held up his hand again. “If we’re in trouble and need to get out quick, I don’t suppose climbing up one of your communication silos is a possibility?”

“No.” Mironov began to look bored.

“We’ll be fine,” Jack said. “The Priz Class submersible is basically an underwater tank. It’s low tech, and slow tech, but its got plenty of room, is tough and reliable… at least now it is.”

“Now it is?” Greg’s eyebrows shot up.

“Early models suffered implosions at depth. But its seals were strengthened with the new models.” Jack grinned as Greg pretended to faint.

“Anything else?” Cate tilted her head back slightly. There was silence, and she looked to Mironov, who nodded.

“Okay, people, then we’re good to go.” She led them out.

*   *   *

Cate hugged her arms tight to her body, trying to squeeze out the cold attempting to needle its way in through the fabric of her clothing. They stood staring up at the vessel sitting in a cradle awaiting lift off. They would need to enter it before it was lowered into the cavern and then on into the water – there would be no intermediate platform or pontoon waiting for them below.

Once they arrived down on the water, the two Russian crewmembers would then decouple them. The cables would be left dangling, and awaiting their return, hopefully within twenty-four hours.

“Where’s Yegor?” Cate asked, turning.

Greg shrugged. “He said he had to use the bathroom, but…” he checked his watch. “That was ten minutes ago. Maybe he’s got the runs; nerves and all.” He wrinkled his nose. “And we’re gonna be stuck with him in a small metal room – yech!”

“I think he’s gone home.” Dmitry frowned for a second or two, and then brayed with laughter, holding up a hand. “I joke; he will be back. Maybe he call his wife or something. He always do things by himself.”

“Go and find him,” Jack said, and then stared into the distance. “Forget it; here comes the big grizzly bear now.”

Yegor jogged back to the group. “I’m here, and ready.”

“Where’ve you been?” Jack’s voice was sharp.

Yegor scowled, and then waved an arm out at the cold landscape. “I never see Alaska before. I go looking around.” His gaze was unwavering. “I here and ready now.”