Clive Cussler by Trojan Odyssey

Author:Trojan Odyssey
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Brown tide, Marine engineers, Adventure stories, Action & Adventure, Parent and adult child, Dirk (Fictitious character), Antiquities, Fiction, Fiction - General, Marine biologists, American, Suspense, Adventure fiction, Pitt, Thrillers, Suspense fiction, Twins, Nicaragua, Intrigue, Espionage
ISBN: 9780425199329
Publisher: Berkley Books
Published: 2004-11-15T07:01:12+00:00

Dirk Pitt 17 - Trojan Odyssey

28

The fortress commanded the top of an isolated hill that looked more like a huge grassy mound surrounded by several different varieties of trees. El Castillo de la Inmaculada Concepcion, castle of the immaculate conception, was designed along the lines of a Vauban fortification, with bastions on each of its four corners. It was in amazingly good shape after withstanding the onslaught of torrential rains for four hundred years.

I guess you know, said Giordino as he lay on his back and stared up at the carpet of stars, that breaking and entering are not in our line of work.

Pitt was stretched out beside him, peering through a nightscope at the fence surrounding the fortress of El Castillo. Not only that, but NUMA doesn't give us hazard pay.

We had better call the admiral and Rudi Gunn and give them an update on our adventures. Once we go underground, the phone will be useless.

Pitt took the satellite phone from his knapsack and began dialing a number. Sandecker is an early riser, so he hits the bed early. Rudi should be handy, since we're only an hour behind Washington.

Five minutes later, Pitt closed the connection. Rudi is going to have a helicopter standing by at San Carlos if we have to beat a hasty exit.

Giordino returned his attention to the fortress. I don't see any stairways, only ramps.

Stone slopes were more efficient for hauling cannons up and down from the ramparts, said Pitt. Builders in those days knew as much about building strongholds as contractors today know about constructing skyscrapers.

See anything that resembles an air vent to a tunnel?

It must come up through the central battlement.

Giordino was glad there was no moon. So how do we get over the fence, past the security cameras, security alarms, security guards and the dogs?

First things first. We can't deal with the security until we penetrate the fence, Pitt replied, quietly absorbed in studying the fortress grounds.

And how do we do that? It must be ten feet high.

We could try pole-vaulting over it.

Giordino looked at Pitt queerly. You must be kidding.

I am. Pitt pulled a coil of rope from his knapsack. Can you still climb a tree or does your arthritis limit any physical activity?

My aging joints aren't half as stiff as yours.

Pitt slapped his old friend on the shoulder. Then let's see if two old fogeys can still perform daring feats of agility.

After breakfast at the lodge, and true to their word with Rathbone, Pitt and Giordino had latched on to a tour guide who was leading a dozen tourists through the wildlife reserve, and took a nature hike. They hung in the back of the group, talking between themselves as the tour progressed, hardly noticing the abundance of wildly colored birds and strange animals.

When they returned to the lodge, Pitt made some discreet inquiries about the old man and, as he suspected, the employees of the lodge said that as far as they knew, Rathbone was simply a guest who had showed a Panamanian passport when he registered.

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