Page 52 (1/2)

"We'll be inconspicous e're under the keel," Giordino added "It's e're inspecting the hull on the sides below the waterline that we're vulnerable to detection from above"

"What about the darkness caused by the shadow of the hull?" asked Cabrillo "What if underwater visibility is lousy? What then?"

"We'd have to rely on artificial lighting, but it would be i over the side of the dock with sun over their head"

Cabrillo nodded "I understand your dilemma Romantic adventure novels say it's darkest before dawn We'll drop you and your sub distance of the United States, putting you on station before sunup"

"Sounds good to ratefully

"Can I ask you a question, Mr Chairman?" inquired Giordino

"Go right ahead"

"If you carry no cargo, how do you justify entering and exiting a port?"

Cabrillo gave Giordino a canny look "The empty wooden crates you see on the deck and the ones in the cargo holds above our concealed cabins and galley are stage props They will be off-loaded onto the dock, then consigned to an agent orks for th of time, the crates are re-marked with different descriptions, returned to the dock and loaded back on board As far as the Chinese are concerned, we duo and took on another"

"Your operation never ceases to amaze," said Pitt

"You were given a tour of our computer compartment in the bow of the ship," said Cabrillo "So you know that ninety percent of the Oregon's operation is under the cooa port"

Pitt handed the binoculars to Cabrillo "You're an old pro at stealth and covert activities Doesn't it strike you odd that Qin Shang is converting the United States into a first-class sht out in the open under the eyes of anyone looking on? Crewers on ferries and tour boats?"

"It does seelasses h the lenses again "It's also peculiar that all work on the ship appears to have stopped No sign of tight security either"

"Tell you anything?" asked Giordino

"It either tells Qin Shang is uncoencies have been outsmarted by him," said Cabrillo quietly