Deep Six by Clive Cussler Read Free Book Online Page A

break loose when the news media get the scent.”
    “Nothing we can do,” Fawcett said helplessly. “Word is already coming over the wire services.”
    The President sank into a chair. He seemed a tall man on the TV screens. He carried himself like a tall man but he was only two inches over Sandecker. His hairline was recessed and graying, and his narrow face wore a set and solemn expression, a look rarely revealed to the public. He enjoyed tremendous popularity, helped immensely by a warm personality and an infectious smile that could melt the most hostile audience. His successful negotiations to merge Canada and the United States into one nation had served to establish an image that was immune to partisan criticism.
    “We can’t delay another minute,” he said. “The entire Gulf of Alaska has got to be quarantined and everyone within twenty miles of the coast evacuated.”
    “I must disagree,” Sandecker said quietly.
    “I’d like to hear why.”
    “As far as we know the contamination has kept to open waters. No trace has shown up on the mainland. Evacuation of the population would mean a time-consuming and massive operation. Alaskans are a tough breed, especially the fishermen who, live in the region. I doubt if they’d willingly leave under any circumstances, least of all when ordered to by the federal government.”
    “A hardheaded lot.”
    “Yes, but not stupid. The fishermen’s associations have all agreed to restrict their vessels to port, and the canneries have begun burying all catches brought in during the past ten days.”
    “They’ll need economic assistance.”
    “I expect so.”
    “What do you recommend?”
    “The Coast Guard lacks the men and ships to patrol the entire gulf. The Navy will have to back them up.”
    “That,” mused the President, “presents a problem. Throwing more men and ships in there increases the threat of a higher death toll.”
    “Not necessarily,” said Sandecker. “The crew of the Coast Guard cutter that made the first discovery of the contamination received no ill effects, because the fishing boat had drifted out of the death area.”
    “What about the boarding crew, the doctor? They died.”
    “The contamination had already covered the decks, the railings, almost anything they touched on the exterior of the vessel. In the case of the ferry, its entire center section was open to accommodate automobiles. The passengers and crew had no protection. Modern naval ships are constructed to be buttoned up in case of radioactivity from nuclear attack. They can patrol the contaminated currents with a very small, acceptable degree of risk.”
    The President nodded his consent. “Okay, I’ll order an assist from the Navy Department, but I’m not sold on dropping an evacuation plan. Stubborn Alaskans or not, there are still women and children to consider.”
    “My other suggestion, Mr. President, or request if you will, is a delay of forty-eight hours before you initiate the operation. That might give my response team time to find the source.”
    The President fell silent. He stared at Sandecker with deepening interest. “Who are the people in charge?”
    “The on-scene coordinator and chairman of the Regional Emergency Response Team is Dr. Julie Mendoza, a senior biochemical engineer for the EPA.”
    “I’m not familiar with the name.”
    “She’s recognized as the best in the country on assessment and control of hazardous contamination in water,” Sandecker said without hesitation. “The underwater search for the shipwreck we believe contains the nerve agent will be headed by my special projects director, Dirk Pitt.”
    The President’s eyes widened. “I know Mr. Pitt. He proved most helpful on the Canadian affair a few months ago.”
    You mean, saved your ass, Sandecker thought, before he continued. “We have nearly two hundred other pollution experts who have been called in to assist. Every expert in private industry has been tapped to provide the