“That's only part of my grand plan,” Barker said. “Let me explain what the future holds. Tonight, this airship will rise into the sky and head east. Its holding tanks will be filled with genetically modified fish in several species. It will spread my creations in the sea like a farmer planting seed. Within a few weeks and months, the native species will be wiped out. If this pilot project succeeds, as I expect it will, similar seedings will take place in all the world's oceans. In time, most of the fish on the world market will be those produced through our patented gene banks. We will have near-total monopoly.”

Ryan laughed. “Do you really think this crazy scheme will work?”

“There's nothing crazy about it. Every computer model points to a resounding success. The natural fish stocks are doomed from over- fishing and industrial pollution, anyway. I'm simply hastening the day when the oceans are turned into vast fish farms. Best of all, throwing fish into the sea isn't even against the law.”

“Killing people is against the law,” Ryan said, anger in his eyes. “You murdered my friend and colleague Josh Green.”

Therri was unable to contain herself any longer. “Josh wasn't the only one. You killed the television reporter aboard the Sentinel. Your thugs shot one of your own men in Copenhagen. You murdered Ben Nighthawk's cousin and tried to kill Senator Graham. You're keep- ing people as slaves.”

“The company lawyer has a tongue!” Barker's jaw hardened and the civilized tone he had been using turned into a snarl. “It's a pity you weren't around to argue the case for the Kiolya when they starved to death because the white men decimated the walrus. Or when the tribe was forced to leave its traditional hunting grounds, spreading throughout Canada, moving into the cities far from their homeland.”

"None of that gives you the right to kill people or to mess up the

oceans for your own good,“ she said, with unrestrained fury. ”You can terrorize a bunch of poor Indians and push us around, but you're going to have to contend with NUMA."

“I'm not going to lose any sleep over Admiral Sandecker's collec- tion of oddballs and geeks.”

“Would you lose sleep over Kurt Austin?” Ryan said.

“I know all about Austin. He's a dangerous man-but NUMA re- gards SOS as an outlaw organization. No, you and your friends here are all alone. More alone than you have ever been in your life.” Barker's tattooed henchman said something in the Kiolya language. “Umealiq reminds me that you wanted to see my pets.”

With the guards taking up the rear, Barker led the way to a side door that opened to the outside. Moments later, they were back at the building where SOS had planted the explosive charges. Only this time, the interior was brightly lit up.