The Atlantis Stone

CHAPTER 36

The windows of the R/V Tolstoy's bridge looked out from five stories above the main deck. The view would have been spectacular, if there had been anything to see except the sun reflecting off an empty ocean. Valentina watched water foam past the bow and wished she were someplace where she didn't have to deal with Katerina Rostov. The two women stood on the bridge, waiting for the captain to complete a calculation.

"At our present rate of speed we will reach the coordinates you specified about 0300 tomorrow," he said.

"We should have gotten there sooner," Katerina said. "If you had left when ordered, we would be there now."

Captain Vorochenko controlled his temper. It was necessary to be careful around the security services, even though his word was law on the Tolstoy. Once they returned to port, he was just another civilian.

"We're making the highest speed possible, Major. I can't change the laws of physics."

"We lost needless time leaving Egypt."

"This isn't a pleasure craft. We had to complete refueling and transfer some personnel off the ship because of your security concerns. If we were slow leaving port, it was a result of the demands you placed upon me."

"Your attitude will be noted, Captain."

Rostov's voice said there would be consequences from Vorochenko's attitude, none of them good. She turned and stalked out of the bridge.

In a conversational tone Valentina said, "She walks like she has a stick up her ass, doesn't she?" Vorochenko looked at her with surprise.

"Do not worry, Captain. I am in charge of this expedition, not her. Whatever she reports will be countermanded. You are doing your best. That is all that is needed."

"What is her problem?"

"What is always the problem with people like her? She thinks the world should bend to her will. Even laws of physics."

"Can you tell me why I'm burning up my engines to get to an empty spot in the ocean?"

"Not an empty spot, not below the surface. All you need to know right now is that the Americans are there ahead of us and that there's something on the ocean floor that may be vital to our national security."

"Please excuse my curiosity."

Valentina wanted the captain on her side if an accident happened to Rostov. It wouldn't be that difficult. The FSB major had started criticizing Vorochenko the moment she'd boarded his ship.

"As I said, Captain, do not worry. I suggest you make sure your submersibles are ready to go at short notice."

"As you wish, Major."

Valentina left the bridge and walked aft until she reached the stairs leading down to the lower decks. She saw Rostov two decks down, talking with one of the Spetsnaz divers who'd come on board with her, a sergeant named Nikita Spassky. Valentina had known a man named Nikita once. He'd made the mistake of thinking she was another woman he could force to have sex with him and ended up in an emergency room. Valentina had decided that anyone named Nikita was to be avoided. The muscular diver was no exception.

He complicates things, she thought. Harder to create an accident with the divers around. That one always seems to be with her.

Vysotsky had been clear. If Katerina Rostov became a problem, eliminate her. As far as Valentina was concerned Rostov was already a problem, if for no other reason than because she was arrogant and abrasive.

At that moment Rostov looked up at her. The eyes of the two women locked. Rostov's lips curled down. She turned back to her companion.

If looks could kill one of us would be dead now, Valentina thought.

By the time she reached the lower deck Rostov and the diver had disappeared inside. Valentina made her way to the stern and leaned against the railing, watching the wake trail out behind the ship. The ship's cook appeared with a pail of slops. He nodded at her and dumped the slops over the side. The garbage spread out behind the ship on the surface of the water.

There were always seagulls circling above, tracking the ship. They dove for the feast, striking the water and lifting into the air with whatever they had seized.

I wonder what it would be like to be like one of those birds, Valentina thought. Sailing on the wind over the ocean, wherever I wanted to go.

As she watched, two of the gulls turned on one another, fighting over a scrap.

Maybe not. It doesn't look like it's much different from being human.

She turned to go back to her cabin and saw Rostov coming out onto the deck. Nikita was right behind her. He moved away to the port railing. Rostov continued toward the stern.

She looks flushed, Valentina thought. I'll bet she's been screwing Nikita in there.

"Major Antipov."

"Major Rostov."

"If this fool of a captain is correct in his figures, we will reach our target tomorrow. We need to talk about how to proceed."

"Let me guess," Valentina said. "You have a plan."

Rostov looked away and said something inaudible.

"I'm sorry," Valentina said. "I didn't quite catch that. What did you say?"

"It doesn't matter. Look, we don't like each other, but we have to work together."

"For the good of the Rodina?"

"Exactly. What are your orders?"

"My orders? To observe. To find out what's down there, if anything. To monitor the Americans. I expect those are your orders as well."

"The Americans present a problem."

"And does your plan include them?"

"They must not be allowed to learn anything that threatens our security," Rostov said.

"What do you propose to do?"

"Nikita is highly skilled in underwater demolition. If they find anything, he will destroy their craft. Whatever they learn will vanish with the ship."

Rostov watched to see her reaction. Valentina gave no sign of what she was thinking and feeling.

My sister is on that ship, you bitch. And you know it.

"That could provoke serious repercussions," Valentina said. "Is Volkov foolish enough to risk the wrath of the Americans on mere suspicion?"

"You should be careful what you say, Antipov. Director Volkov has only the good of the Motherland at heart. Criticism of his decisions may reflect badly on you. Any attempts on your part to interfere could be seen as treason."

"Treason?"

"Do I have to mention your sister, the American spy?"

For a brief instant, Valentina imagined throwing Rostov over the side for the gulls to feed on. Into the propellers would be good. The pieces would be smaller, easier for the birds to pick up.

"I wouldn't be quick to make accusations if I were you," Valentina said. "For an officer to have an affair with an enlisted man is punishable by court-martial. Or had you forgotten that?"

"You dare to accuse me?"

"Come on, Rostov. Anyone can see you're fucking that gorilla. What's his name? Spassky? So drop the threats and try to be professional."

Rostov made an effort to control herself. "Perhaps such extreme measures with the Americans will not be necessary."

"I'm glad to hear it," Valentina said.

"We will make an initial survey with the remote vehicle. I assume you agree to that?"

"Yes. What else do you have in mind?"

"Whatever happens next depends on what we find."

"It would be wise to avoid a confrontation with the Americans in the water. Even someone as experienced as Sergeant Spassky can get into trouble."

Rostov looked at Valentina, wondering if what she had said was a veiled threat.

"I'm sure Spassky can take care of himself. I want to know if we have an agreement to make this go smoothly."

"We are in agreement about one important thing," Valentina said.

"Yes?"

"If there's anything in those ruins that will help our country, we will bring it back."