Katya's World by Jonathan L. Howard - Sample Chapters

“…and it screws up your sonar,” commented Sergei.

“Then there’s the halocline. As you get deeper, more mineral salts are dissolved into the sea water, making it denser…” “…and it screws up your sonar,” repeated Sergei.

“There’s the pycnocline, which is a combination of the effects of the minerals and the temperature. Oh, and there’s the rusocline, which is unique to our world.

That’s a sort of halocline but caused by the mineral spouts in the seabed.”

“And guess what it does to your sonar?” said Sergei.

The communicator bleeped into life again.

“Petrograd MTC to RRS 15743 Kilo Pushkin’s Baby.”

They actually heard the controller sigh. “I’m really sorry about this, Lukyan. You’ve got visitors.”

“Visitors? Who?” There was a banging on the hatch Sergei had sealed after himself. Uncle Lukyan’s face grew dark with anger. “Sergei…”

“Yeah, yeah.” Sergei had already unstrapped himself and was moving aft. “Tell them we don’t want any.”

They looked back as he opened the hatch and stepped out. They heard voices for a minute and then Sergei stuck his head inside. “You’d best step out, captain.

It’s the Feds.”

Lukyan’s temper cooled slightly. It never helped to antagonise the Federal Maritime Authority. He quickly unstrapped himself and left the Baby, Katya following close behind.

On the lockside, Sergei was standing talking to a man in a Federal Security uniform. Actually, thought Katya, “man” was probably putting it a bit strongly.