“Plus he wants to keep the Portland off the radar of the other countries,” Pitt added. “At least until he wants to sell his services to them after he’s sunk the Oregon.”
“We can’t have that happen, either,” Kubo said. “The President has declared the Portland a threat to national security. That gives us latitude for how to deal with him.”
“But we can’t undertake any operations that will jeopardize international relations with other countries,” Sandecker said. “Therefore, the U.S. Navy will not be going after him in foreign waters.”
“Like the seas around Tierra del Fuego,” Pitt said.
“Exactly. This has to be dealt with covertly.” Sandecker looked directly at Juan. “And from what I hear, you have a way to find the Portland.”
“We do, thanks to Max back there.” Juan pointed him out, and Max gave a breezy salute.
Sandecker continued. “Then I authorize you to track down the Portland and take whatever measures you deem necessary to subdue the ship, up to and including sinking her.”
“And Tate?”
“Use your best judgment,” Kubo said. “I’ll tell you, though. We sure don’t want him back.”
“Understood. We’re moving at maximum speed right now to intercept him. Tate thinks we’re still somewhere near the Amazon, so I’m hoping to get to him before he attacks that unnamed ship.”
“We have a ship in the area called the Deepwater,” Pitt said. “I’ll have the captain keep an eye out for the Portland or any ship that looks like her.”
“That’s probably a good idea,” Juan said.
“Sounds like it’ll be a battle for the ages. Two identical state-of-the-art spy ships going at each other.” Pitt smiled. “Wish I could join you, but I’ve got a few fires of my own to put out around here.”
Juan chuckled at that. “From what I remember about you, Dirk, I’m not surprised by that at all. You always seem to have . . . let’s say ‘interesting’ adventures. I’d love to swap war stories with you someday.”
Pitt nodded in agreement. “Likewise. Next time you’re in Washington, we’ll get some steak and cabernet at a grill I know. Happy hunting.”
“Thanks.”
“I think our feelings about Tate are all the same here, Mr. Cabrillo,” Sandecker said as he and Kubo stood to leave. “He and his people need to be brought to justice for what they’ve done, one way or the other. Go get him.”
54
ALACALUFES NATIONAL RESERVE
As she watched the crew anchoring the seventh sonobuoy from the Deepwater’s bridge, Rashonda Jefferson was proud of her crew’s efficiency. The ship had placed three of the penguin rookery webcams, all of which were getting hits on the NUMA website, and the sonobuoys had been just as successful. Three of the sensitive hydrophones had picked up pods of humpback whales traversing the tight confines between the myriad islands in the expansive nature reserves.
Their current location, a junction of five waterways where they expected to capture the sound of migrating whales, was surrounded by snowcapped mountains on all sides, and the spaces between the islands were so narrow that the Deepwater had to proceed at a crawl to navigate them.
Luckily, Amelia Vargas had been as good as advertised, confidently guiding the ship through the most dangerous and unpredictable waters with ease. The navigational pilot had been right about both the water depth—over a thousand feet in places—and the hazards caused by the multit
ude of glaciers. They’d seen several huge icebergs calve into the sea.
Vargas had her finger on the route map while frowning at the latest weather report.
“What’s the matter?” Jefferson asked.
“I think we’re going to have to change direction. We could get socked in very quickly by fog.”
Vargas pointed toward clouds sweeping over the islands to the south, clinging to the islands like a blanket. As usual, Jefferson agreed with the pilot’s instincts.
“You’re right. I don’t want to be stuck in here with zero visibility. We’ll head north as soon as we’re done anchoring this sonobuoy. Even turning around in here will be tricky.”
The intersection was not much wider than a quarter mile. The Deepwater was maneuverable, but executing a U-turn here would take skill, concentration, and nerves of steel.
By the time Jefferson got word from her crew that the sonobuoy was installed and secure, she could see the fog creeping toward them from the south, snaking its way ominously through the channels between the islands.