THE SPACE WHERE THEY could launch either of the two mini-subs they carried buzzed with activity when Juan entered through a watertight hatch. The massive keel doors, as large as those on a barn, were still closed, and the moon pool was empty, but the air was heavy with the smell of the ocean.

Technicians swarmed over the sleek Nomad 1000. The mini looked like a scaled-down version of a nuclear submarine, only its nose was a convex piece of transparent acrylic capable of withstanding depths of more than a thousand feet, and robotic arms hung under its chin like the claws of some enormous sea monster. The conning tower was only two feet tall, and lashed behind it was a large black rubber boat. They wouldn’t be going very deep on their run to shore, so the Zodiac had been filled with air already. All their gear was stored internally and would be transferred to the inflatable when they were closer to shore.

The extraction team consisted of Cabrillo, Linc, Linda, and Mark Murphy. Juan wouldn’t have minded another gunner along, but he wanted to keep the group as small as he could. Mike Trono would drive the sub and stay with her when the others motored to the coast.

Kevin Nixon waved him over. The former Hollywood special-effects guru ran what the crew called the Magic Shop. He was responsible for creating any disguises the shore operators would need, as well as providing documentation. Though he himself wasn’t a master forger, he had two in his division.

“These should pass, no problem,” the tall, bearded Nixon said. He handed Cabrillo a folder.

Juan thumbed through the papers. There were Argentine IDs for the four of them, plus travel and work permits. All the documents looked authentic and properly aged. The thick sheaf of cash was real.

“First-rate, as usual,” Cabrillo said. “Let’s just hope we never need to use any of this stuff.”

“Batteries are fully charged, nav and sonar check out, and life support is set,” Trono reported when Juan approached. “Wish I was coming all the way with you.”

“We don’t know what condition Dr. Wright’s going to be in, so I need Linc in case we have to carry her back to the Zodiac.”

“I know, but, well . . . You know what I mean.”

Juan laid a hand on Mike’s shoulder. “I understand.”

Max Hanley arrived. “Seas aren’t going to get any calmer, so you might as well launch.”

Cabrillo raised an eyebrow. “Here to see us off?”

“No, just to make sure you bring her back. I wasn’t kidding about wanting to take Tamara out on a date. She’s dynamite.”

“The future of your love life is in capable hands. Were you serious about the weather?”

“’Fraid so. Rain’s coming down in buckets and won’t let up until tomorrow night. Do you want to delay?”