Hector Gonzales steered the ASDV out toward the deep water of the Murmansk Fjord. The mini-sub angled downward as he kept it just a few feet above the bottom of the cove. No way of knowing if the Hind chopper saw them slip out from the beach after it attacked the BTR-80. At least there had been no ordnance directed their way. That was promising. If they had been spotted, if there was any suspicion that they had gotten away in the mini-sub, the Russians would be out on the fjord, searching for them. In the narrow confines of the fjord, there wasn’t much room to hide. The ASDV wasn’t fast enough to run. They would have to try to blend in with the steep, rocky bottom.

The depth gauge clicked away as the tiny sub descended farther into the cold blackness. Their best protection would be the water itself.

The navigation sonar painted the bottom onto the video screen and guided Gonzales down the slope. The side of the fjord’s wall changed from a vertical drop to a gradual decline, and then started to level out. By that point, the sub and the SEAL team were far beneath the surface, separated from whatever danger might be up there by a thousand feet of protective water.

Once near the bottom, Gonzales turned the wheel to the left and headed the ASDV out toward the opening to the sea. The mini-sub hugged the edge of the slope, staying where it was steep, not venturing out onto the broad, flat bottom. Sam Donlan danced through the tactical displays while Gonzales kept his attention concentrated on driving the sub.

“Hmmm,” Donlan said.

“Don’t make that irritating humming noise without telling me what you see,” Gonzales fussed.

“I’m picking up high-speed screws on the passive sonar. Sounds like they’re coming from somewhere behind us.”

Still, Gonzales did not look up. His gaze was locked on to the navigation display. He nudged the mini-sub even closer to the muddy bottom. “I hear you. Any active sonar?”

“Nothing yet. I’m guessing they’re still four or five thousand yards farther upstream. I figure they just got under way from the harbor security pier down by the entrance to Polyarnyy.” Donlan shifted so he could see another display and then watched the numbers dance across the screen. “Signal strength is building. They’re heading this way in a big hurry. You think we ought to secure the nav sonar before they get wind of it?”