“We must have missed something,” Andre said. “Think.” “I’m more concerned about that warp disc,” Lucas said. “It’s got to be somewhere aboard this sub.”
“What about Drakov’s cabin?” Andre said.
“Good a place to look as any,” Lucas replied, “but it seems a little obvious.”
“The problem is not in finding it, but what to do about it when we do,” said Finn. “If we sabotage it, they’ll know immediately. And it won’t be any trouble for them to clock out to wherever they’ve got the rest of the shipment hidden and get another one.”
“That is a problem,” said Lucas. “Everyone on board’s got warp discs. Even if we manage to sabotage the sub, they can all clock out to God knows where. Drakov’s got us and he knows it.”
“Only what’s he going to do with us?” said Andre.
Count Grigori entered the engine room and stood there, his huge arms folded across his chest.
“I think the conference is over,” Lucas said.
They walked past him out into the companionway. He said nothing to them. They found Verne in the library, reading avidly.
“You’d better do as Drakov suggested, Jules,” said Lucas. “You need to get some rest.”
“How can I rest?” said Verne, indicating the books around him. “There is enough here to keep dozens of scholars busy for decades. I cannot waste a moment of such an opportunity.”
“Jules,” said Andre, “transition can be difficult, especially when you’ve never experienced it before. Please.”
Verne sighed. “Very well, if you insist. I am beginning to feel a bit weary.”
Finn glanced at Lucas. “You think he’d have the library bugged, as well?”
“Bugged?” said Verne.
Lucas explained. “Drakov has planted a listening device somewhere in our cabin.”
“Ah, I see,” said Verne. “And you have been unable to locate it?”
“We’ve searched everywhere,” said Andre.
“You are quite certain?” Verne said.
Lucas shrugged. “I can’t think of anywhere else to look.”
“This device,” said Verne, “it could be quite small, no? Like your alarm device back on the ship?”
“Yes, it probably would be,” Lucas said.
“But you have taken that into consideration and still been unsuccessful?”
They nodded.
Verne scratched his chin, thoughtfully. “It is certain he did not expect us to be aboard,” he said. “If such a device was installed in the cabin, it must have been done after we arrived.”
“That would pose no problem,” Finn said. “They’ve had ample opportunity.”
“Yes, yes, but I am thinking you would know what to look for and still you have not found it,” Verne said.
“Don’t concern yourself, Jules,” said Lucas, putting a hand on the writer’s shoulder. “If we couldn’t find it, I doubt you could.”
&nbs
p; Verne looked up at him from where he sat and smiled. “I must seem quite primitive to you three,” he said.