"I hope you have enjoyed your stay in Mexico," the lieutenant said in parting.

"What the hell is going on?" the pilot asked. Though in civilian clothes, she was an Air Force major.

"Let me explain it like this," Clark said. "You Air Scouts are going to drive the airplane to Andrews. Mr Chavez and I are going to interview these two gentlemen in back. You will not look, not hear, not think about anything that's going on in back."

"What-"

"That was a thought, Major. I do not want you to have any thoughts about this. Do I have to explain myself again?"

"No, sir."

"Then let's get the hell out of here."

The pilot and co-pilot went forward. The two communications technicians sat at their consoles and drew the curtain between themselves and the main cabin.

Clark turned to see his two guests exchanging looks. That was no good. He removed Qati's tie and wrapped it around his eyes. Chavez did the same to his charge. Next both were gagged, and Clark went forward to find some earplugs. Finally, they set both men in seats as far apart as the airplane's cabin allowed. John let the plane take off before he did anything else. The fact was that he despised torture, but he needed information now, and he was prepared to do anything to get it.

"Torpedo in the water!"

"Christ, he's dead aft of us!" Ricks turned. "Best possible speed, come left to two-seven-zero. XO, take the return shot!"

"Aye! Snapshot," Claggett said. "One-eight-zero, activation point three thousand, initial search depth two hundred."

"Ready!"

"Match and shoot!"

"Three fired, sir." It was a standard tactic. The torpedo fired on the reciprocal heading would at least force the other guy to cut the control wires to his weapon. Ricks was already in sonar.

"Missed the launch transient, sir, and didn't catch the fish very soon either. Surface noise "

"Take her deep?" Ricks asked Claggett.

"This surface noise may be our best friend."

"Okay, Dutch you were right before, I should have dropped the outboard."

"ELF message, sir - SNAPCOUNT is cancelled, sir."

"Cancelled?" Ricks asked incredulously.

"Cancelled, yes, sir."

"Well, isn't that good news," Claggett said.

"Now what?" the Tacco asked himself. The message in his hand made no sense at all.

"Sir, we finally got the bastard."

"Run your track."

"Sir, he fired at Maine!"

"I know, but I can't engage."

"That's crazy, sir."

"Sure as hell is," the tactical officer agreed.

"Speed?"

"Six knots, sir - maneuvering says the shaft bearings are pretty bad, sir."

"If we try any more " Ricks frowned.

Claggett nodded, " the whole thing comes apart. I think it's about time for some counter-measures."

"Do it."

"Five-inch room, launch a spread." Claggett turned back. "We're not going fast enough to make a turn very useful."

"I figure it's about even money."

"Could be worse. Why the hell do you think they cancelled SNAPCOUNT?" the XO asked, staring at the sonar scope.