Valhalla Rising (Dirk Pitt 16)

"Never heard of it."

"Considering their function, very few in government have," said Sandecker. "CEASE stands for Covert Elite Action for Select Elimination."

"I've still never heard of it," said Pitt.

"It was originally formed to combat terrorism by assassinating terrorist leaders before their actions could threaten American citizens. But a decade ago, the president curtailed their projects and ordered them disbanded, which was not a good idea as it turns out. Highly trained in political and covert murder, Omo Kanai, now a captain, resigned along with twelve of his men and formed a commercial assassination company."

"A Murder Incorporated."

"Along the same lines. They hire out for killings. There is a whole list of unsolved deaths over the past two years, from politicians to corporate directors to certain celebrities. They've even hit Mafia leaders."

"Aren't they under investigation?" asked Pitt.

"The FBI has files, but these guys are good. They leave behind no evidence of their involvement. Investigative agents are frustrated because they have yet to lay a finger on Kanai and his murdering gang. There is growing fear that future economic wars will lead to death squads."

"Murder and mayhem are hardly what economic forecasters have in mind."

"Repulsive as it may sound," Sandecker said conversationally, "there are a few corporate CEOs here and there who will stop at nothing to achieve power and monopoly."

"Which brings us to Cerberus."

"Correct," Sandecker answered succinctly. "And it's becoming more evident that not only was Kanai behind the fire on board the Emerald Dolphin and the explosions that blew out the hull of the liner while under tow, but it was he, impersonating a ship's officer, who sabotaged the fire-control systems."

"One man could not have done all that alone," Pitt said dubiously.

"Kanai doesn't always work alone. That's why I'm warning you and Al to be alert every second you're on the Golden Marlin"

"We'll keep a sharp eye out for any suspicious behavior by the crew."

"Better you keep an eye out for Omo Kanai."

"You lost me," Pitt said, puzzled.

"His ego is too great. He won't leave a job like this to his subordinates. You can bet he'll run the show himself."

"Any idea what he looks like?"

"You should know. You met him."

"I met him? Where?"

"I've just received word from New York police investigators. Omo Kanai was the pilot of the old plane that tried to shoot you down."

29

The Golden Marlin looked like no other cruise liner ever built.

There were no promenade decks, no stateroom balconies, no smoke or exhaust funnels. Her rounded superstructure was covered with rows of large, circular viewing ports. The only prominent features were a round, domelike structure above her bow that housed the bridge and control room, while on the stern a high fin enclosed an opulent lounge and casino that revolved around stationary viewing ports.

At 400 feet in length and 40 feet wide, she was in the same class as most of the smaller luxury cruise liners that sailed the seas. Until now, undersea tourist excursions were undertaken in small submarines that were limited in depth and distance. The Golden Marlin was about to change the history of cruising. With her self-sustaining engines designed by Dr. Egan, she could travel throughout the Caribbean Sea, in depths up to 1,000 feet for two weeks, before coming into port for food and supplies.

Given the public's insatiable lust for leisure-time activity and with an economy that put increased amounts of spendable income in their pockets, ocean cruising had become a mushrooming segment of the three-trillion-dollar international travel and tourism market. Now, with a submarine cruise liner, the horizon for undersea travel was about to spread immeasurably.

"She's beautiful," exclaimed Kelly, as she stood on the dock in the early morning, staring up at the unique vessel.

"The gold is a bit much," muttered Giordino, adjusting his sunglasses from the glare that glinted off the superstructure from the rising sun.

Pitt was silent as he studied the seamless shape of the titanium hull. Unlike on older ships, no plates or rivets were visible. The big tourist submarine was a marvel of marine technology. He was admiring the workmanship when a ship's officer approached from the foot of the gangway.