“Loud and clear,” Eddie replied. “Shouldn’t take us more than five minutes to get to our vantage point.”
“Good. Let me know when you’re in place.”
“Roger that.”
Juan turned to Murph, who pocketed the tablet.
“Let’s get you down to the moon pool,” Juan said.
He had taken a walk around the ship, a naval tradition for captains before major battles, but he was glad to take one more tour.
As they entered the nearest door and headed down the stairs, Murph said, “The ship controls should have all been transferred to the command chair. You’ll have everything you need at your fingertips.”
“Thanks, Mark,” Juan said. “You do exceptional work. I hope you know that.”
Murph nodded quietly. For once in his life, he seemed tongue-tied.
When they reached the moon pool, they found a hive of activity, with the crew swarming around the two submersibles. The Gator was in the water, while the Nomad was being moved into position above it by the gantry crane.
Eric and Hali came over to stand next to Murph. Juan was impressed by how composed his three young officers were.
“The Gator is ready to launch, Chairman,” said Eric, who would be driving it.
“Thanks, Stoney,” Juan said. “You stay hidden until the coast is clear. Literally.”
“I will. Smooth sailing to you.”
Juan put a hand on Eric’s shoulder. “I know you’ll do what you need to. You always have.” Juan gave him a bittersweet smile, before turning to Hali. “Keep in touch with the Deepwater. Let them know what happens here.”
“Aye-aye, Chairman. Godspeed to you.”
“You as well.”
The three young men went over to the Gator and climbed in. Murph was the last one, and he gave Juan a final look before closing the hatch behind him. A few moments later, the Gator sank into the water and disappeared.
Juan looked up and saw Max on the catwalk above, guiding the cradle holding the Nomad. He climbed the stairs, and by the time he was standing beside Max, the Nomad was settling into the water.
“I saw your good-bye down there,” Max said. “Those guys really look up to you.”
“I couldn’t ask for a better crew. Speaking of which, did you get everyone else into the lifeboats?”
Max nodded without looking away from his task. “The first one has been launched, and the second will be in the water in a few minutes.”
Not everyone could fit into the subs, so the lifeboats were necessary even though they would be more vulnerable to the Portland. However, if Juan’s mission worked as planned, they’d be safe. He wished he could shake hands with every one of them, but there wasn’t time.
“Where’s Maurice?” Juan asked.
“Finishing the job you gave him,” Max grumbled.
“You know this is the right call.”
Max looked too focused on his work to answer. When the Nomad was floating in the water, the technicians below detached the gantry crane, and Max raised the lifting cradle out of the way. He set the controls down and finally looked at Juan.
“The only wrong call you’ve made is not letting me stay behind with you,” Max said.
“Tate is my problem. I’ve inflicted enough of him on the crew already, including you.”
Max held his gaze steady. “You always look out for everyone but yourself.”