“But... those are the cities where Ataman plans to open his trade centers,” the vice president said. He seemed stunned.

“What better cover for an operation?” Sandecker asked.

Yaeger said, “The admiral's right on the mark. I came across orders to evacuate Ataman personnel and interests in all three cities. Unfortunately, there was no information in the yacht's computer system about whether one city or all the cities are targets.”

“My guess is Boston,” Austin said. “There's a major international financial conference going on right now at the Boston Harbor Hotel. It's being attended by representatives from all the countries that have been trying to undermine Razov.”

“Then the other ships are decoys?”

“I won't rule out the possibility that Razov means harm to all three cities, but Boston may be his prime target.” Austin opened a manila folder he'd been holding on his lap. He pulled out two transparent sheets and put them on the presidential desk. “This is a map of Rocky Point. The other sheet is a mylar transparency of Boston Harbor and surroundings.”

The president laid the transparency over the map and swore under his breath. “They're almost identical.”

Austin nodded. “I think that when Razov chose Rocky Point to try out his wave-making machine, he picked a place as close to his intended target as possible.”

The president banged his hand down on the desk and reached for his phone. “That does it,” he said. “I'm calling an emergency meeting of the cabinet and Joint Chiefs of Staff to discuss air-and-sea strikes, no matter what the risks. We may have to evacuate those cities. How long do we have?”

Hiram said, “The operation is to be launched in less than twenty-four hours.”

Sandecker said, “The panic of a mass evacuation may cause as many casualties as an attack. May I suggest a middle course, Mr. President?”

The president's hand froze in midair. “I'm listening, but I can't forget my duties as commander in chief.”

“We're not asking you to. From what we've heard, the immediate threat is to Boston and possibly two other cities. According to Hiram's information, the command center is on the yacht. I propose that we disable the central control. As insurance, we send boarding teams aboard all three ships and deactivate the explosives. In the meantime, we can delay the arrival of the other ships, maybe under some pretense.”

The president scratched his chin in thought. “I like it. Of course I. can't give official approval of an operation in international waters. I need deniability in case things get dicey.”

“This wouldn't be the first time that NUMA has operated out of sight and sound of official channels,” Sandecker said.

“No, it wouldn't,” the president said dryly. “What do you think, Sid?”

“Razov's treachery can't be tolerated. My first instinct is to blow him out of the water. I'd keep the attack subs and fighter planes ready to destroy him, his yacht and ships if the plan doesn't work out.”