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after we deliver your luggage to your quarters.”
    With food in her stomach, Abby felt her returning strength. “I’d like that.”
    By the time they arrived on the bridge, dusk had fallen across the Bering Sea. Abby felt the intense stares of the crew, who tried to look at her discreetly. In America, they’d gape. First Captain Denisov was a barrellike man, his hair steel gray just like his eyes. His skin was ruddy, and his smile genuinely filled with welcome.
    “Rostov, I see you’ve brought our guest to me.” He stretched out his hand in Abby’s direction. “Glad to see you alive and well, Dr. Fielding.”
    Denisov’s handshake was powerful and Abby quickly released his grip. She gave the skipper her thanks not only for the rescue, but for the care afterward.
    “It’s nothing.” Denisov gestured to the rear of the bridge. “Take a look. There is the
Argonaut,
who is in surprisingly good shape after the collision.”
    Abby was glad that Alec remained at her side. The destroyer had several spotlights focused on the
Argonaut
from its array of radar, radio antennas and other equipment positioned above the bridge. The small trawler was being expertly towed from the stern of the destroyer. Denisov ordered the radioman to make contact with Captain Stratman for her.
    Alec led Abby to the console so that she could talk to the American skipper. He showed her how to operate the microphone and then handed it to her.
    “Abby!” Stratman boomed over the radio, “Are you all right, girl?”
    She laughed and held the microphone close to her lips while looking out the thick window toward the
Argonaut.
“I’m fine, John. Just fine.”
    “Thank all the saints. Girl, I thought for sure you were goin’ down for the count.”
    Abby glanced up at Alec, who stood relaxed and yet alert nearby. “I had a very brave navigation officer by the name of Second Captain Alec Rostov save my life, John.”
    “Yeah, I didn’t see your rescue. I had my hands full just getting the
Argonaut
out of the way of that Japanese catcher. Hey! Things are cookin’, gal.”
    “Oh?”
    “Yeah. Did you know that the Soviet helicopter that rescued you photographed the whole event? And Brad got it on video, too. Captain Denisov has agreed to lend us a copy of their film and a copy of a follow-up article that’s being prepared by a reporter from Izvestia. How about that? Brad is already on the radio with Anchorage about what happened. Some SOWF representative, a Tony Cummings, is flying out to Kodiak to pick up the film and article and take them back to Anchorage for release to the press. He’s going to take Brad’s video of the collision, too. Tony’s hoping that the national news networks will carry the story. Ain’t that great? We might get national airtime!”
    “Oh, John, that’s wonderful! Wonderful!” Abby glanced up at Alec. His features were shadowed and thoughtful, his eyes never leaving her face. It sent her heart pounding suddenly in her chest. Distracted, Abby asked, “John, what are you doing about the Japanese ship? Have you filed a protest yet? Did they stop trying to follow the pods of humpback whales?”
    “Whoa! One question at a time. No, girl, I’m afraid they haven’t stopped hunting the whales. Yes, I’ve filed a protest, but you know how that goes. The U.S. hasn’t been enforcing the Pelly and Magnuson Amendments that’re supposed to slap the hands of these countries illegally hunting the endangered whales. So you know my protest will fall on deaf ears in Washington. Listen, don’t worry about all these details. You nearly died out there this morning. Just get well. I’ve already got repairs underway here. We’ll patch up the
Argonaut
in Kodiak and be ready to come back out here and give ’em hell again.”
    Her fingers tightened painfully around the microphone. “John, we’ve got to stop them! I don’t care what the cost.”
    “The cost was almost your life today, Abby,” he warned seriously. “Next