"As soon as we reach our drop zone, I'll release the communications-relay antenna so we can remain in contact after you've returned to the Oregon. When I drop the antenna, its weighted line will settle into the silt and it will act as a buoy." "What is your range?"

"Underwater, we can transmit and receive up to fifteen hundred yards."

"Understood," said Cabrillo. "Stand by, we're only a short distance away from the liner's stern. I won't be able to come in much closer than fifty yards." "Any sign of a security force?"

"The whole ship and dock look as dead as a crypt in winter." "Standing by."

Cabrillo was better than his word. He slowed the launch until it barely maintained headway and steered it almost directly under the stern of the United States. The sun was coming up as a diver slipped over the side and descended down the towline to the submersible. "Diver is down," Cabrillo announced.

"We see him," answered Pitt, looking up through the transparent nose. He watched as the diver released the connection mechanism mounted on top of the submersible between the twin tubes and gave the familiar "okay" sign with one hand before disappearing up the towline. "We are free."

"Make a turn forty degrees to your starboard," directed Cabrillo. "You are only eighty feet west of the stern."

Giordino gestured up through the murky depth at the immense shadow that gave the illusion it was passing over them, The seemingly unending shape was enhanced by the sunlight filtering between the dock and the gigantic hull. "We have her."

"You're on your own. Rendezvous will be at four-thirty. I'll - have a diver waiting at your antenna mooring."

"Thank you, Juan," said Pitt, feeling free to use the chairman's first name. "We couldn't have done it without you and your exceptional crew."

"I wouldn't have it any other way," Cabrillo came back cheerfully.

Giordino gazed in awe at the monstrous rudder looming overhead and pressed the lever that dropped the antenna's anchor into the silt on the bottom. From their position the hull seemed to travel off into infinity. "She appears to be riding high. Do you recall her draft?"

"I'd have to make a wild guess," said Pitt. "Somewhere around forty feet, give or take?"

"Judging from the look of her, your guess is a good five feet on the low side."

Pitt made Cabrillo's course correction and dipped the Sea Dog /Ts bows into deeper water. "I'd better be careful or we'll bump our heads."

Pitt and Giordino had worked as a team on countless dives into the abyss and operated a score of submersibles on various NUMA projects. Without any discussion each man spontaneously assumed his well-practiced responsibilities. Pitt acted as pilot while Giordino kept an eye on the systems monitor, operated the video camera and worked the manipulator arm.