“We don't know. Sandecker considered the tip serious. When Kurt said he was assembling the Special Assignments Team and planned to go back to the base, the admiral gave his unofficial blessing. Kurt must have mentioned that his mission was, uh, unofficial.”

“He put it quite colorfully,” Gamay said, laughingly.

“I won't even ask,” said Rudi, imagining Austin's report. “The White House specifically warned Admiral Sandecker to stay clear of the NR-1 investigation. I'm sure it won't surprise you to know he managed to get around that warning by a technicality. He agreed not to search for the sub, but said nothing about the sub base.”

Unknown

“I'm shocked, shocked,” Gamay said with mock horror, echoing Casablanca.

“Me, too,” said Paul. “Who would have thought such a thing?”

"Your sarcasm is dutifully noted and ignored. But you get the point. We had to keep the admiral insulated to give him room to maneuver.

“Risky,” Paul said. “The whole thing could blow up in NUMA's face.”

“Sandecker was well aware of that possibility, but the gods who watch over the Black Sea were in a benevolent mood.”

“You look like the cat who swallowed the canary,” Gamay said, noting Gunn's enigmatic smile. “Apparently, Kurt has some good news.”

“Very good. He and Joe found the NR-1's crew - the package I mentioned. They were being held captive at the Russian base. They're on the Argo now.”

“That's great, but I don't understand,” Paul said, furrowing his brow. “The Russians were holding them prisoner?”

“It's more complicated than that, from what I gather. The captain and pilot are still missing, along with the sub itself. Kurt wanted us all to be at the crew's debriefing.”

“Finding these guys is quite a coup for NUMA and the admiral,” Paul observed.

“Unfortunately, we can't claim credit for the rescue. I'm not sure how it will be announced, since no one has ever told the public of the hijacking. The top brass has been keeping the sub's hijacking a secret.”

“Hard to keep a secret in Washington,” Paul said. “The story is bound to get out.”

“I agree. We've notified the navy that we found the sub's crew, but we've deliberately been short on details. We won't be able to get away with that strategy forever. Which is why this brainstorming session with the crew is so important. We've got to get to the bottom of this. Why don't we help ourselves to more coffee while you fill me in on your encounter with Ataman?”

Gamay volunteered to refill their coffee mugs. “I'll let Paul do the play-by-play and I'll add the color,” she said.

Gunn listened to their story without interrupting. From experience, they knew that Gunn would absorb every detail; his analytical skills were legendary. He had been the first in his class at the U.S. Naval Academy, had formerly held the rank of commander and before he became second-in-command to Sandecker, had overseen logistics and oceanographic projects for NUMA.