The Sea Lamprey exploded from the sea stern-first and splashed down in a fountain of white water. The vehicle rolled violently, toss- ing those inside around like dice in a shaker. Alerted by the warning buoy's sound-and-light show, small boats dashed in and their crews attached pontoons that stabilized the craft in a more or less horizon- tal position.

The Thor got a line on the vehicle and hauled the Sea Lamprey close to where a crane could lift it to the deck. Medical personnel swarmed over the submersible the second the hatch was popped, and the sur- vivors were extracted one by one, loaded onto stretchers and hustled onto waiting MediVac helicopters that transferred them to the land hospital. By the time Austin and Zavala climbed from the sub- mersible, the deck was practically deserted, except for a handful of crew who came over and congratulated them, then quickly left.

Zavala looked around the near-empty deck. “No brass band?”

“Heroism is its own reward,” Austin said pontifically. “But I wouldn't turn down a shot oftequila if someone offered it to me.”

“What a coincidence. I just happen to have a bottle of blue agave tucked away in my duffel bag. Primo stuff.”

“We may have to delay our celebration. Mr. Becker is coming our way.”

The Danish bureaucrat was striding across the deck, his face beaming with unmistakable happiness. He pumped their hands, pounded the NUMA men on the back and showered them with ef- fusive praise.

“Gentlemen, I thank you,” he said breathlessly. “Denmark thanks you. The world thanks you!”

“Our pleasure,” Austin said. “Thanks for the opportunity to test the Sea Lamprey under actual conditions. The Russian chopper is at the NATO base with the transport planes. We'll give them a call, and we can be out of here in a few hours.”

Becker's face reassumed its usual mask of businesslike dourness. “Mr. Zavala is free to go, but I'm afraid you might have to delay your trip. A special investigative court that was formed to look into the cruiser incident is convening a hearing in Torshavn tomorrow. They would like you to testify.”

“Don't see how I can help. I didn't see the actual sinking.”

“Yes, but you dove on the Eri/yson twice. You can describe the damage in detail. It will help make our case.” Seeing the doubt in Austin's face, he said, “I'm afraid we'll have to insist that you be our guest in the Islands until the hearing is terminated. Cheer up. The U.S. embassy has been informed of our request and will transmit it to NUMA. I've already arranged lodging for you. We'll be staying in the same hotel, in fact. The Islands are beautiful, and you'll only be delayed a day or two before you can rejoin your ship.”

“It's no problem for me, Kurt,” Zavala said. “I can get the Lam- prey back to the Beebe and wrap up the tests.”