Page 12 of Clive Cussler Ghost Soldier

The elevator finally dinged. They had reached the lowest level of the ship. The polished brass door slid open.

Callie sniffed the air as she followed Juan out of the elevator. It smelled of salt water and cold steel.

Juan pointed at the large waterline door. A steep ramp stood next to it.

“We launch our Zodiacs, Jet Skis, and RHIBs through that door. The ramp is Teflon-coated for faster egress.”

“Sounds like you’re operating the world’s biggest party barge,” Callie said. “A couple of wakeboards and some fruity drinks and you’d be all set.”

Linda laughed. “You’re going to fit right in with this crew of pirates.”

The muffled reports of large-caliber pistols thumped in the distance.

“Gun range,” Linda said. “Right across from our armory department.”

Juan gestured expansively. “On the lower decks we have world-class machine shops, a fully functional aircraft maintenance hangar, weapons storage, additional crew’s quarters and, of course, our engine compartment.”

“I don’t smell any bunker fuel,” Callie said. “Where do you keep it?”

“We don’t have any,” Juan said.

“Then how are you powering the boat?”

Linda grinned. “Seawater.”

“Excuse me?”

“We deploy magnetohydrodynamic engines,” Juan said. “Liquid helium cryogenically cools the seawater and powerful magnets strip away the free electrons. We never run out of fuel so long as we’re at sea.”

“I thought that technology was still under development,” Callie said.

“For everyone else, it is. We just happen to actually use it.”

“How fast can this ship travel?”

“Over sixty knots.”

“Impossible! This ship must be at least eleven thousand tons.”

“Closer to thirteen.”

“What kind of props are you using?”

“We don’t. Four massive pump jets are directed through two Venturi nozzles with three-hundred-sixty-degree turning radius.”

Callie laughed. “The world’s biggest party boat is also the world’s biggest Jet Ski.”

“We can turn on a dime—but when we do, better hold on to your britches,” Linda said.

“I’d love to get a tour of the entire boat sometime,” Callie said.

“Soon as we get through your field tests,” Juan said. “Speaking of which, here we are.” He gestured at the cavernous expanse in front of them.

“Welcome to the moon pool.”

?

Callie gazed in wonder at the voluminous space lit by floodlights. They were standing in the very center of the deepest part of the ship. The brackish tang of salt water and metal were heavy in the air.