The big sub slowed as the three Russian boats steamed on to the southeast. After they had traveled away for ten minutes, Perez swung the sub around to retrace their course. As they turned, Master Chief Zillich and his team searched for any other sonar contacts. Except for the fading Russian subs, they had this bit of the Barents Sea all to themselves. Perez guided the sub up to the surface, stopping just as the scope broke free through a bit of skim ice and into the clear Arctic night. Two minutes later, all incoming communications traffic was on board and Glass had transmitted a message to Admiral Donnegan and Jon Ward, telling them about the Akulas and where they had last seen them.

That done, Toledo slipped back into the depths. Edwards flipped through the myriad of messages that had accumulated while they were hiding inside the fjord. Glass was busy getting the sub headed back to the Murmansk Fjord as quickly as possible.

Edwards whistled, startling Glass. He looked over to see the XO, his eyes wide as he read the screen on the laptop computer he had perched on the chart table. Edwards waved for Glass to hurry over.

“Skipper, you’ve got to read this! Things are heating up fast back there.”

Glass leaned over Edwards’s shoulder and scanned the message. It was a copy of Beaman’s orders to do whatever he had to do to get into the Polyarnyy Base and rescue President Smitrov. Glass whistled as well.

“You’re right, XO. Let’s get back there quick. No telling when they’ll be ready for pickup or what kind of shape they’ll be in.” Glass turned and delivered the orders. “Ahead flank. Nav, get us up there as fast as you can.”

Toledo jumped ahead as the throttle man opened the “ahead” throttles. Steam poured into the massive turbines, driving the great bronze screw at a frantic pace. Even with them racing ahead at this speed, it would be six hours before they were back at the rendezvous point, ready to pick up the ASDV.

Glass hoped the mini-sub and SEALs could hold out until he got there. He quietly prayed they would be there waiting for them when they showed up. If they weren’t…if they didn’t show up…that would only mean one thing. That was an eventuality Joe Glass did not want to ponder.

Chapter 38