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Meltzer resumed. “Since, as you can see, the treaty line splits the Bering Strait down the middle, the zero-four-five heading also put us on course for the strait. At our present speed of eight knots, and from our present position, here, we’ll need to commit to one side of the strait or the other within two hours. That’s the next major choice. Do we take the channel on the U.S. side of Little Diomede Island, or the other channel on the Russian side of Big Diomede?” The two islands sat right next to each other in the middle of the strait. “If we take as our minimum acceptable water depth one-five-zero feet, for a covert passage at reasonable speed, then the navigable part of either channel is one-five nautical miles wide.”
    “The American side seems the much safer bet,” Bell stated.
    “I concur, sir,” Sessions said.
    “Okay,” Jeffrey responded. “It seems the safer, so it’s what the Russians would expect.”
    “You mean,” Bell asked, “go through on their side because they’ll think that channel’s more secure? I don’t know, Commodore. Is that even allowed by our rules of engagement?”
    “My ROEs give me extensive discretion,” Jeffrey said. “And the Russians are neutral, supposedly.”
    “We’re not neutral, sir. We’re a belligerent. And their neutrality is, as you say, only supposed. Plus, they’re totally paranoid. They could easily open fire on an unidentified submerged contact, us, without any warning.”
    Jeffrey gave Bell a wry smile. “I’m paranoid, too. I’m paranoid of American traitors and moles. I have good reason to think there’s one on the loose in Washington, with high access. If we pass through east of Little Diomede, our own assets might more likely pick us up. We get injected into the U.S. command-and-control net. If that net is compromised, our position and course get reported right to the Axis.”
    “Like another Walker spy ring or something?” Meltzer asked.
    “Exactly. And our detection systems are more advanced than the Russians’, so if we get picked up at all it’d more likely happen on the U.S. side.”
    Bell shook his head. “We don’t know what gadgets Russia has that we don’t even know about, Commodore. We do know their anti-stealth radar is better than ours. We do know the Germans are giving them various things, fancy things.”
    “Antisubmarine warfare is about much more than gadgetry, Captain. By ‘systems’ I include the people. It’s a team sport, as you’re aware, and I believe our side’s team does it better.”
    “Sir, the Bering Strait is one of the most strategic choke points in the world! For all we know the hydrophone listening posts in the Russian channel are manned by Germans!”
    “I still think our side’s team does it better. We’ve had years, decades more practice than the Germans.”
    Bell almost sputtered in exasperation. Jeffrey pretended not to notice. “The decision affects my entire strike group. It’s not one you on Challenger can view in isolation.”
    “Yes, Commodore. Of course.”
    “Very well,” Jeffrey said. “We have a schedule to keep. We penetrate the strait through the Russian side.”
    “What about their antisubmarine patrols and bottom sensors?”
    “On that I defer to you, Captain. I’ve told you where we need to go. You tell your crew how to get us there.”

Chapter 4
    J effrey took a short nap and a shower and immediately felt refreshed. He grabbed a quick lunch in the wardroom at 1105, joined informally by some of Bell’s officers. Among them was Lieutenant Bud Torelli, the weapons officer—Weps for short. Torelli was from Memphis, and his Southern accent showed it. He had a neatly groomed mustache, brown like his curly hair. His build ran to the fleshy side, with some overhang over his belt, but this was true of many submariners and it didn’t slow him down any. Torelli finished eating.
    “I’m paying a quick visit to the men in the torpedo room.” His shoulders set squarely,