Two crewmen came forward and lifted a hatch in the floor behind the control area. Beneath the hatch was a shallow well. A trio of four-inch-thick acrylic viewing ports in the floor offered a view of the bottom. One man squeezed into the space and kept watch so the sub wouldn't run into the pile of jars. When the targets were within reach, the sub stopped. The manipulator arm was housed in the forward end of the keel box. Using a portable control panel, the man in the well extended the arm and worked the jaws. The arm rotated at the shoulder.

The mechanical hand gently grabbed a jar around the neck, lifted and placed it in a storage basket below the bow. The arm was retracted and Logan ordered the crew to raise the sub off the bottom. While the sub made another photo run, Logan called the support ship, described their find and said they were about to surface, then ordered the sonar turned on to locate the support ship on the surface. A measured ping-ping echoed throughout the sub.

“Prepare to surface,” Logan told the pilot. Dr. Pulaski was standing directly behind the captain's chair. “I don't think so,” he said.

Preoccupied with the task at hand, Logan was only half listening. “Pardon me, Doctor. What did you say?”

“I said we're not going to the surface.”

Logan spun his chair around, an amused expression on his face. “I hope you didn't take my bragging about the ability to stay down for a month at face value. We only brought enough food for a few days.”

Pulaski slipped a hand under his windbreaker and pulled out a Tokarev TT-33 pistol. Speaking calmly, he said, “You will do as I say or I will shoot your pilot.” He brought the weapon around and placed the muzzle against the pilot's head.

Logan's eyes focused on the gun, then darted to Pulaski's face. There was no hint of mercy in the rock-hard features.

“Who are you?” Logan said.

“It makes no difference who I am. I will repeat this only one more time. You will follow my orders.”

“All right,” Logan said, his voice hoarse with tension. “What do you want me to do?”

“First, switch off all communications with your support ship.” Pulaski watched carefully as Logan clicked all the radio switches off. “Thank you,” he said, checking his watch. “Next, inform the rest of the crew that the sub has been hijacked. Warn them that anyone who comes forward without permission will be shot.”

The captain glared at Pulaski as he got on the internal communications system. “This is the captain. There is a man with a gun in the control area. The sub is now under his command. We will do what he says. Stay out of the control area. This is not a joke. Repeat: This is not a joke. Remain at your posts. Anyone coming forward will be shot.”