“Piroschki?” Aaron said.
“It’s a type of pie,” Uri said. “Rations for three months were loaded on the boat at the beginning of a patrol, with all available space used for food storage. Officers dined in the Ward Room and the seamen on fold out tables in various corners of the boat. Food scraps were disposed of through a small tube in the galley which fired the refuse into the sea just like a torpedo.”
Aaron pictured schools of fish hanging out by the discharge tube, like underwater seagulls waiting for scraps.
They descended the small set of stairs leading to Compartment Five, the Machinery Control and Engine Rooms.
“Cobra has three Kolomna 2D24M Turbo Diesel Engines that produce 2,000 horsepower each,” Uri explained, “driving the submarine at up to 8 knots with a maximum range of 20,000 nautical miles. The diesels charge batteries that drive the electric motors in Compartment Six, and the boat can run on either — similar to how a hybrid automobile like the Prius operates. It is essentially the same thing — very quiet when running on battery power.”
They checked out Compartment Six, the Electric Motor Room, and then ducked through the last watertight hatch into Compartment Seven, the Aft Torpedo Room.
Uri wrapped up the tour by showing Aaron the four aft torpedo tubes and pointing out a few of the crew’s tiny shared berths.
“That was fascinating,” Aaron said. “It must be quite an adventure going underwater in one of these.”
“Trust me, it is,” Uri said. “Perhaps you’ll get a chance to dive in one yourself someday.”
“That would be amazing,” Aaron said, thinking, Like that’ll ever happen. Only VIPs get those opportunities.
Uri pointed to a second set of tourist stairs leading out through the overhead bulkhead. “Those stairs lead up to the deck,” he said. “Why don’t you head out and take a look around the waterfront. San Diego’s really very beautiful.”
“I’ll do that,” Aaron said, and he meant it. This was his first and probably last time in San Diego, and he planned to take advantage of it.
They shook hands and Aaron started up the stairs.
“Don’t forget about the welcome party,” Uri said after him.
“Oh, I won’t,” Aaron said over his shoulder. He was still counting on meeting Ekatarina.
When Aaron emerged from the aft stairway, he was surprised to see that a construction crew had arrived and were busily erecting a large, white-plastic tent, no doubt intending to cover the submarine entirely. Must have to do with Jason’s restoration work, he thought, as he made his way through the debris.
As he stepped off Cobra’s gangway onto the dock, Aaron noticed a sign promoting the Maritime Museum of San Diego gift shop, and since it was located right next door, he decided to check it out.
Chapter 35
The museum gift shop was stocked with books on sailing, local history, and folklore, along with nautically themed gifts, and beautifully framed photos of famous sailing ships and explorers.
Aaron couldn’t help but notice the cute brunette, about eighteen or nineteen, working behind the counter. She wore a baby-blue MMSD T-shirt, white yachting shorts, and a narrow belt that matched her top. When she reached for an item on a high shelf, the T-shirt tugged at her firm breasts, and Aaron found it impossible not to stare.
He stopped and pretended to look at some items in a glass case across the room from her.
“So, what brings you to the Maritime Museum?” the young woman asked, surprising him.
“Oh — hi,” he stammered, looking up. “I-I’m just here to see the Russian submarine.”
She glanced out the window and saw that construction of the tarpaulin was well under way. “I’m afraid Cobra’s going to be closed for maintenance for a couple of days.”
“Actually, I just finished a tour,” Aaron said.
“Oh, really?” the girl said.
“Yeah, a friend of mine is part of the team that’s consulting on the restoration project,” Aaron said. “One of the sub’s former officers was kind enough to show me around.”
“What a coincidence,” the girl said. “My father was hired as a consultant as well. He used to be the submarine’s captain. Sadly, his mind is not what it used to be, and I think he believes he’s coming here to sail her again.”
Aaron was too enamored of the girl to hear what she had just said. He stared into the gift case not knowing what else to say to her.
The young woman paused and looked at him. There was something compelling about him, and talking with him, in spite of being a little awkward, was surprisingly pleasant. She found herself wanting to know more about him.
She walked over and pointed out a simple, pearl necklace. “That would be the perfect gift for your girlfriend,” she said, resting her hand on his forearm.
Aaron’s heart did a double-beat. Her features were even more exquisite up close, and her touch was soft and warm, sending a wave of desire surging through him.
“What? Oh — I’m not seeing anyone,” he said awkwardly. His recent affaire de coeur in the Panama Canal with Brandy Fine came to mind, but he knew better than to elevate that brief interlude to anything higher than an aborted fling with a frustrated woman.
The girl lifted her hand from Aaron’s arm, appearing suddenly distant and a little sad. “I had a boyfriend back home,” she confessed, thinking of him. “We had hoped to be married, but my father strongly disapproved, using every conceivable excuse to keep us apart. And now that I’m here in the United States, all alone, it appears his wish has come true.”
“You’re here alone?” Aaron asked, surprised.
“My father promised we would come to America together,” she said, then added gloomily, “But I guess I was wrong to believe it was fitting for a man of his stature to travel with his daughter.”
She paused, brightening a little. “I’m Ekatarina, by the way.”
Aaron’s jaw dropped. “Wait a second… You’re Captain Pankov’s daughter?” Her accent made sense now.
“Why, yes,” she said. “How did you know that?”
He couldn’t remember. “I’m not sure,” he said.
She offered him her hand expectantly, “Pleased to meet you —”
“It’s Quinn, Aaron Quinn,” he said, returning her handshake. “It’s Irish.”
Don’t be such a loser! he told himself. Ask the girl out.
Ekatarina was thinking along the same lines. “If you’re around later, there’s a welcome party on the submarine tonight at 7:00.”
“I heard,” Aaron said stupidly.
“Are you planning on going?”
“I think so,” he said. “Most likely.”
Am I wasting my time here? she thought. Are you really that clueless? Or is it just my imagination?
“Then I guess I’ll see you there,” she said.
Make a move, you wuss! Aaron told himself. Don’t let her walk away!
He coughed once and swallowed hard, bracing himself for rejection. “I-I was thinking,” he said at last. “I have the Zodiac tied up outside, and well, we have a little time before the party. Would you care to join me for a quick cruise around the bay?”