Captain Anatol Vivilav watched the other submarines of his squadron, still moored inside the covered piers, as his boat slid past them. The Vipr moved toward the huge, open door, toward the sweeping sound and eventually the sea. They were on their way at last.

Vivilav knew that when he returned to his northern home, everything would be changed. Mother Russia would be freed from the yoke of the weak-willed government and he would be hailed as a hero of the new revolution. Admiral Durov promised this, so it was true.

Vipr slowly emerged from the building into the inky black night. Wind blew into Vivilav’s face. It was still bitterly cold, but it also carried the refreshing, salty tang of the sea. The captain felt the familiar gentle throb of the ship through the deck beneath his feet. This was where he belonged, driving a sleek ship out to meet the wild tempest of the northern seas.

Vipr’s rudder swung over, bringing her bow around to pass between the headlands that separated the quiet waters of Polyarnyy Sound from the Murmansk Fjord. The lights of Pol’narj, the little town that most of the crew called home, seemed dim and subdued this night as they reflected weakly off the inky, dark waters. Even the stars were obscured by darkening clouds that would doubtless begin dropping more snow soon.

Vivilav turned to the officer conning the ship. “Verify that the boat is ready for submerged operations. As soon as we are lined up with the outbound leg, we will dive.”

The officer stared back at him, his eyes wide with amazement. He started to protest. “Captain, Harbor Control standard procedure requires—”

Vivilav held up his hand. “This is not a mission for standard procedures. Harbor Control has not been and will not be informed of our departure. We will submerge in the fjord and enter the sea underwater. That way the American spy satellites won’t see us and we will slip past their submarines without them even knowing we have left home. Now, do as I order and be prepared to dive immediately.”

The young submarine officer scurried to carry out the unexpected command. Vivilav dropped through the hatch and made the long climb down the ladder to the control room below. Vipr was already swinging around to the north, to the open sea, as she slipped beneath the placid surface of the shadowy fjord.