Dirk Pitt [16] Valhalla Rising by Clive Cussler

Author:Clive Cussler [Cussler, Clive]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Suspense, Thriller, Science Fiction, Espionage, Fiction, General, Thrillers, Suspense Fiction, Fiction - Espionage, Action & Adventure, Intrigue, shipwrecks, Adventure Fiction, Pitt; Dirk (Fictitious character)
ISBN: 9780425185711
Publisher: Berkley Books
Published: 2002-07-30T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 29

* * *

The Golden Marlin looked like no other cruise liner ever built. There were no promenade decks, no stateroom balconies, no smoke or exhaust funnels. Her rounded superstructure was covered with rows of large, circular viewing ports. The only prominent features were a round, domelike structure above her bow that housed the bridge and control room, while on the stern a high fin enclosed an opulent lounge and casino that revolved around stationary viewing ports.

At 400 feet in length and 40 feet wide, she was in the same class as most of the smaller luxury cruise liners that sailed the seas. Until now, undersea tourist excursions were undertaken in small submarines that were limited in depth and distance. The Golden Marlin was about to change the history of cruising. With her self–sustaining engines designed by Dr. Egan, she could travel throughout the Caribbean Sea, in depths up to 1,000 feet for two weeks, before coming into port for food and supplies.

Given the public’s insatiable lust for leisure–time activity and with an economy that put increased amounts of spendable income in their pockets, ocean cruising had become a mushrooming segment of the three–trillion–dollar international travel and tourism market. Now, with a submarine cruise liner, the horizon for undersea travel was about to spread immeasurably.

“She’s beautiful,” exclaimed Kelly, as she stood on the dock in the early morning, staring up at the unique vessel.

“The gold is a bit much,” muttered Giordino, adjusting his sunglasses from the glare that glinted off the superstructure from the rising sun.

Pitt was silent as he studied the seamless shape of the titanium hull. Unlike on older ships, no plates or rivets were visible. The big tourist submarine was a marvel of marine technology. He was admiring the workmanship when a ship’s officer approached from the foot of the gangway.

“I beg your pardon, but are you the people from NUMA?”

“We are,” answered Giordino.

“I’m Paul Conrad, the boat’s first officer. Mr. Lasch advised Captain Baldwin of your joining us for the maiden voyage. Do you have any luggage?”

“Only what we carry,” said Kelly, looking forward to seeing the interior of the boat.

“You’ll have a stateroom, Miss Egan,” said Conrad politely. “Mr. Pitt and Mr. Giordino will have to share a cabin in the crew’s quarters.”

“Next to the showgirls who perform in the theater?” asked Giordino with a straight face.

“No such luck,” Conrad laughed. “Please follow me.”

“I’ll be with you in one moment,” said Pitt. He turned and walked along the dock to a ladder leading to the water. A man and a woman wearing wet suits were checking their dive gear before stepping down the ladder and entering the water. “Are you the team who is going to inspect the bottom of the hull?”

A slim, handsome man looked at him and smiled. “Yes, that’s right.”

“My name is Dirk Pitt. I was the one who requested your services.”

“Frank Martin.”

“And the lady?”

“My wife, Caroline. Honey, this is Dirk Pitt from NUMA. We can thank him for the job.”

“Pleased to meet you,” said a lovely blonde who nicely filled out her wet suit.

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