“When we were hijacked, I slid this thing up my arm and kept it covered under my sleeve,” McCormack said. “They never frisked us. Figured we were harmless, I guess.”

The ProTek GPS watch was a miracle of miniaturization, said by its manufacturer to be the world's smallest GPS device. It could give the wearer his position anywhere on the planet within a few yards.

Austin grinned. “Let's hear it for love.” He looked around the room. “Now, to quote the immortal words of Porky Pig, 'That's all, folks.' Thanks for your help. And bon voyage.”

The NR-1 crew rose to their feet as one and stampeded out of the conference room like thirsty steers who'd smelled water. Austin turned to the NUMA team.

Paul flipped open his laptop computer and connected it to the modem that would allow files to be projected on a large screen at one end of the room. Gamay stood next to the projection screen with a laser pointer. Paul tapped a few keys, and a map of the kidney-shaped Black Sea and the surrounding land appeared.

“Welcome to the Black Sea, one of the most fascinating bodies of water in the world,” Gamay said, outlining the shores with the bright red dot. “It's roughly six hundred thirty miles from east to west and three hundred thirty from north to south. It's only one hundred forty-four miles here at the 'waist,' where the Crimea sticks out. Despite its relatively small size, it's got a big bad reputation. The Greeks called it Axenos, which means 'inhospitable.' The medieval Turks were less diplomatic. They named it Karadenez. The 'Sea of Death.' ”

“Catchy,” Zavala said. “It has a certain poetic quality.”

“I can definitely see the chamber of commerce using that in a New York Times ad,” Austin agreed.

Gamay rolled her eyes. “Are you two ever serious?”

“We try not to be,” Austin said. “Sorry to interrupt, teacher. Please go on.”

“Thank you. Despite the bad press, the Black Sea gets a lot of visitors. Jason came this way in the original Argo to look for the Golden Fleece. The sea has been an important trade route and fishing ground for thousands of years. During the Ice Age, it was a big freshwater lake. Then around 6000 B.C., a natural land dam broke and the waters of the Mediterranean burst through. The sea level rose hundreds of feet.”

“Noah's flood," Austin said.

“Some people think so. The people who lived around the lake fled for their lives.” Gamay smiled. “I can't say whether they did it on an ark. The salt water effectively smothered the lake. River nutrients pouring into the sea have only made the situation worse.” She signaled to Paul, who projected a profile of the sea onto the screen.