Specially trained SEALs, members of a SEAL Delivery Team, operated the ASDVs. The mini-sub required a two-man crew as well as a three-man maintenance team that would remain behind on board Toledo. They had boarded just before departure, but in the rush of getting under way, Glass had not yet had a chance to properly greet his new passengers.

Lieutenant Hector Gonzales, the SBU team leader, waited in the passageway outside Glass’s stateroom. Short, blocky, dark, and extremely fit, Gonzales looked the picture of a Navy SEAL officer. He snapped to attention as Glass stepped out of the control room.

“Stand easy, Lieutenant,” the sub captain said with a wink. “There’s not much room on one of these boats for all the formal military courtesies. Come on in and let’s talk.” Glass plopped down in his desk chair. “Okay, Lieutenant. How do you suggest we go get Bill Beaman’s chestnuts out of the fire?”

“You know Commander Beaman, Captain?”

“Yep. We had a bit of fun together a couple of years ago down south. We had to bail him out then, too.”

“You were on the Colombian op against de Santiago’s druggies?” Gonzales asked. “Man, that one is a classic. They teach it at Coronado now.”

“Makes me sound ancient,” Glass replied with a grin. “I was XO on the Spadefish with Jon Ward. Anyway, the weather this time will be just a bit cooler.”

Gonzales sat up straight and looked into Glass’s eyes. He spoke in a low, straightforward voice. “Skipper, I want to be up front with you from the start. This is my first mission. I finished BUD-S and swimmer delivery school and showed up at the unit six months ago.”

“Jon Ward told me that,” Glass said with a nod. “He also told me that your skipper claimed that you were the best man he had.”

Gonzales smiled wanly and went on. “There’s more. My crew is inexperienced, too. We formed up three months ago, as soon as our boat rolled off the assembly line and showed up at Little Creek. We’ve worked very hard getting mission-ready, but we’re real green.”

“Hector, I appreciate what you’re telling me.” Glass cocked his head sideways. “I won’t kid you. Where we’re going will not be a cakewalk. You and your guys will do fine. Besides, we’re just about even.”

“Huh?”

“This is my first mission in command, too.”

The young SEAL smiled some more and visibly relaxed. “Thanks, Skipper. Don’t worry about us. When the time comes, we’ll be ready.”

“Come on down to the wardroom,” Glass said as he rose from his chair. “It’s time you met everyone and we let them in on what’s going on.”