A couple of men, faithful adherents of the Russian Orthodox Church, crossed themselves, touching first their right shoulder with thumb and first two fingers. They prayed for God's mercy, as the sound of metal scraping against rock was a sure sign something was catastrophically wrong. Butackov turned his head and looked at the navigator, whose face betrayed fear.

Sensing the hostile gaze, Nevsky looked up. "This wasn't on the chart, Captain."

Butackov raised an ...