Sea water blasted over Kent. He couldn't see … couldn't breathe. His grip on the iron bars loosened, fingers aching. Cutter's muffled shout bounced over the hold. Kent tried to respond but his mouth filled with water. Coughing it out, he could barely move against the surge. Inching his fingers up the bars, he finally wrenched himself up beneath the cascade. He gasped for air and fought his way out from the center of the torrent.

The ship lunged. He hung on as his body ...