Page 105 of Clive Cussler's Quantum Tempest

“I could, but even a momentary burst of energy can be detected and triangulated. It’s not worth the risk for what little information we may or may not get. Though truthfully, there’s nothing I relish more than a chance to sink theAgua Linda.”

“Don’t let your vanity endanger the project.”

Stokes laid a hand on her shoulder. They had become intimate in the last few days, surrendering themselves to their smoldering desires. If any of the crew suspected the mating of the two lonely scorpions, they wisely hid their views.

“Of course not. I know how important Project Q is to you.”

“And to the world.”

“Once you bring the AGI online, Fierro will become the most powerful man in the world.”

“Then we need to stay in his good graces.”

Stokes nodded thoughtfully. “In his good graces, most assuredly. But we must also survive.”

“We’re all counting on you, my sweet. You are our chosen warrior.”

“A warrior with one arm tied behind his back, and his best shield left hanging on the wall.”

“You will find a way to prevail against the Americans—or anyone else who threatens us.”

“Threats come in many forms.”

“What are you suggesting?”

“Sometimes fate makes the wrong man king.”

Bose smiled. “I’ve thought the same thing myself. It occurs to me that at this moment, Fierro needs us more than we need him.”

“I promise to do everything in my power to see this thing through.”

“I know you will.”

They both turned their heads toward the sound of the seaplane’s big turboprops suddenly roaring to life beyond the ship’s hull as it raced along the surface of the sea for takeoff. Fierro’s copilot had strict orders to keep his GPS beacon turned off until he reached the coast of Nicaragua.

Stokes straightened his posture, reasserting his military bearing.

“I need to get back to the CIC. I can’t have Fierro mucking about unattended.”

58

Aboard theOregon

Aship-wide alert sounded as the Joby approached theOregonwith Linc and Raven safely on board. They were arriving two hours later than planned, but for good reason.

On their way to the landing zone, the two Gundogs accidentally stumbled onto the Quds Force base they had been originally assigned to locate. Practically sleepwalking in their fatigue, they almost bumped into an Iranian guard patrolling the perimeter of the training camp. They ducked out of sight in the nick of time, but were forced to make a long, circuitous detour around the Iranians before heading back toward the landing zone. Linc recorded the GPS location on his fake Timex before they left the area, allowing them to finally complete their mission.

Stone and Murphy were there to greet them on the hangar deck along with Cabrillo, Max, and Dr.Huxley.

Raven and Linc were utterly exhausted, dehydrated, and stricken with a combination of swollen mosquito bites, fungal infections, and heat rashes. Huxley ordered the two of them immediately to sick bay for hot showers, saline IVs, antibiotics, and observation for the next twenty-four hours.

“I was hoping for breakfast in bed and a foot massage,” Raven joked.

“Breakfast I can arrange,” Huxley said, adding with a wink, “andI can think of a half dozen young crewmen that would eagerly volunteer their toe-rubbing services.”

“Breakfast will be fine,” Raven said as Linc handed over his pack to Stone.

“Got this from Eidolon’s place,” Linc said.