"Captain, I am ready to fix the seal. On your command, we begin increasing tension on the anchor," Yuri said.

"Very well, thank you, Malinin. It shouldn't be long now before everything is moved forward."

As Butackov watched, the crew, guided by officers and petty officers, began assembling forward. They stood on crates, or they were hanging on to the rigging, and all were as far forward as space would allow. Although he couldn't see, Butackov heard ...