“I can’t imagine what you have been through. You’re back in safe hands now.” Andersson nodded at the marine guard, and the two left the hangar deck and sealed it once more. “Gentlemen, please, take a seat.” The admiral took an offered chair from McAvoy, and both men sat and faced those who had come back from the grave. “First off, this is not a debrief. That will be conducted at Norfolk. We are here for another reason. We are about to be joined by my counterpart in the Red Banner Northern Fleet and other representatives of the Russian government. We also have NATO representatives arriving in minutes. I just wanted to warn you that the proceedings could get”—he leaned over and whispered into the ear of McAvoy—“as you Americans say, nasty. At the moment, we have three Kirov-class missile cruisers and five destroyers heading our way. They asked permission to board, and on orders from the president of the United States, I have given my permission.”
Jack looked over at Salkukoff and saw he was paying attention, and he didn’t like the look of relief he saw there. He looked at Henri, who had also noticed the look of satisfaction. He had explained to Jack that Salkukoff was nearing his end when the phase shift hit and he had lost his opportunity.
“Stand by to recover rotary aircraft,” came the loud announcement from above them.
“I expect that is our guests arriving,” Andersson said.
“Admiral, may I ask the condition and disposition of my remaining crew?” Dishlakov asked.
“Second Captain, I assure you they are being well treated and fed.”
“Inside your brig, perhaps?” Dishlakov asked with doubt framing the question.
“Your crew is with the remaining marines and sailors of Shiloh. As I said, your brave crew is being well treated. I don’t think we could separate the crews even if we wanted to.”
Dishlakov nodded.
The large panel door opened, and a US Marine stepped inside and allowed four men to enter. Then the large marine approached Admiral Andersson.
“Admiral, your guests have arrived.”
Anderson and McAvoy both rose and stood erect as they faced the four civilian-dressed Russians.
“I am Admiral Andersson—”
“Yes, Admiral, we are well aware of who you are, sir. Your commission in the Dutch navy has not gone unnoticed, especially being named to this farce called Operation Reforger IV. It would seem that when it comes to legalities, the Americans would prefer an officer from another country to take the fall; thus, they named you as overall commander. A convenient scapegoat.”
Andersson sat instead of remaining standing. He was told to expect that the Russians would be in a position of accusation.
“I am Dr. Leoniv Vassick. My colleagues are General Komsky, General Petrovsky, and Dr. Anton Garlitz.” The three other men didn’t have the courtesy to nod. They just stood behind the speaker, Vassick.
“I am told you are here to explain why it is you fired on our naval assets three days ago?” Andersson said with a neutral face.
The middle-aged man with silvering hair and the impressive man in the black suit smiled and then took a seat, and the other two Russians quickly followed suit.
“Let us not play games here, Admiral. You know we are here to take back Russian state property. We will not leave this area without the Simbirsk in tow. If you refuse our request, we have the naval firepower to assist us in this endeavor.” The man looked purposefully over at the line of chairs and then at Jack in particular. His eyes lingered a moment longer than necessary before moving away. “But let us not be militaristic here, Admiral. We need not resort to such horrid conclusions as open warfare. Just surrender our property, and we shall return to our shores, and our friendship will still be intact.”
“And what of your man over there who caused the death of over three hundred of my crew aboard Peter the Great? He also has to answer for the cold-blooded murder of fellow Russian scientist Gervais and Captain Kreshenko, who this man murdered in his sleep.”
All eyes went to Second Captain Dishlakov as he suddenly stood and pointed toward the seated and handcuffed Salkukoff.
“This matter will be taken up upon our return home. Colonel Salkukoff will answer to us and us alone.” The words from Leonid Vassick were uttered in a cold and calculated voice, but Jack could see that the coldness was not directed at Salkukoff but was pointedly aimed at Second Captain Dishlakov. Jack figured this whole disaster would be placed squarely on the shoulders of the expendable second captain.
“They’re going to hang everything on Dishlakov, Jack,” Carl whispered beside him.
Collins merely nodded, as he had become used to he and Everett coming to the same conclusions in roughly the same time frame. In other words, they were both becoming experts at smelling out a rat.
“Now, Admiral, the business at hand is our state property and your willingness to acquiesce to our demand.”
To his credit, Admiral Andersson, an old salt at seeing the truth of Russian threats and statements, remained silent and noncommittal. Instead of answering, he nodded toward Second Captain Dishlakov.
“We have the testimony of not only the second captain here but the testimony of your deceased Captain Kreshenko.” For emphasis, Admiral Andersson gestured to Captain McAvoy, who held up the logbook of Peter the Great. “In these pages, you will find the true culprit of this sordid tale. One of murder and international interference from an unknown entity inside your government. It seems even Captain Kreshenko had his doubts about your Colonel Salkukoff’s motives and his disposition to the well-being and safety of his own citizens.”
“That logbook is also Russian state property. Second Captain Dishlakov has once again proven his disloyalty. It is a crime to turn this or any Russian naval logbook over to any Western power.”
“I gave the logbook to the admiral.”
All eyes went to Henri Farbeaux, who stood from his chair. Jack and Everett were caught off guard. Ryan silently whistled under his breath.
“I removed it from the captain’s quarters the night he was murdered by this man.”
“Once a thief, always a thief. Isn’t that right, Colonel Farbeaux? Believe me, your actions in this matter have been discussed at the highest levels of our government,” Vassick said as he brushed at nonexistent lint on his pant leg. The other Russians remained silent.
Henri, instead of answering to his charge, merely smiled and half bowed to his Russian accuser.
“Regardless, as the corresponding international agreements on salvage, this logbook is now the property of The Hague, where it will be entered into evidence for our forthcoming fight over the rights of the sea and salvage.”
Vassick huffed and smiled. “I gather you have not received information from your outer naval pickets of our intent to regain that which is ours. One of the more powerful Russian fleets in years is sitting on your doorstep with the intention of either escorting Simbirsk back home, or, in the failure of that, sinking her and any other vessel that is making the attempt to steal her.”
“Threats at this late date, Doctor? Do you think NATO will allow that fleet to get anywhere near this group?”
Jack didn’t care for the way this confrontation was heading. The threats of war erupting over this ancient experiment were getting out of hand. He felt powerless to stop it.
“We will retake our property, Admiral,” Vassick repeated, reinforcing the standoff.
Again, a US Marine entered the hangar deck and made his way to Captain McAvoy and handed him a message flimsy. The captain read it once and then twice. His brows rose, and then he handed the flimsy to the admiral, who also took his time reading it. He folded the message and then nodded at the marine, who left abruptly. Almost simultaneously, two marines brought in two more folding chairs and placed them directly in front of the Russian contingent.