Becker apologized for his earlier abruptness. “Sorry I flew off the handle. We're grateful for your offer to help. I owe a special debt to Captain Petersen. After we were hit and there was no doubt the cruiser would sink within minutes, he made sure I had a place in a lifeboat. When he learned others were still below, he rushed off to help them and must have been trapped when the ship sank.”

“He's a brave man. All the more reason for saving him and his crew,” Austin said. “Do you have any idea of the ship's position on the bottom?”

“Yes, of course. Come with me,” the captain said. He led the way

to an electronics lab off the main deck. The room was equipped with computer monitors used for remote sensing projects. “This is a high- resolution sonar picture of the LeifErifyson,” he said, indicating the image on a large monitor. “As you can see, she is lying at a slight angle on an inclined slope. The crews' quarters are here, one deck below the mess area, a short distance back from the bow. Obviously, air was trapped here.” He circled a section of hull with the cursor. “It's a miracle they're still alive.”

“It's a miracle they may wish never happened,” Becker observed glumly.

“Tell us about the compartment.”

“It's quite large. There are bunks for two dozen crewmen. It's reached by a single companionway through the mess hall. There is also an emergency hatch.”

“We'll need specific details about the bunkroom, particularly the location of pipes, conduits and structural supports.”

The captain handed over a file. “The navy department faxed this material to us in anticipation of the rescue attempt. I think you'll find everything you need. If not, we can get it to you quickly.”

Austin and Zavala studied the ship's schematic layouts, then went back to the sonar image. “There's only so much we can learn from pictures,” Austin said finally. “Maybe it's time I went for a swim.”

“Good thing you brought your swimsuit,” Zavala said.

“It's the new Michelin model. Guaranteed to wow the ladies.”

Becker and the captain wondered if they had stumbled into the company of madmen. They exchanged puzzled glances, then hurried to keep up with the NUMA men. While Zavala sketched out their strategy for Captain Larsen and Becker, Austin supervised the four strapping crewmen as they moved the crate until it was under a boom. They unwound cable from the crane, then Austin ran it into the big box and gave the signal to start the hoist.