"James Rollins - Subterranean" - читать интересную книгу автора (Romeyn Henry)

The remainder of their pack contents was then explained. Freeze-dried food in tinfoil packets,
electrolyte replacement fluid, collapsed air mattresses for sleeping, a first-aid kit, a small box of toiletries,
and coiled on top of it all a thick spool of rope. Besides the backpack, each member had a lightweight
climbing harness with a chalk bag to dry one's hands, and a helmet with a carbide lamp.

Ben's pack contained additional climbing equipment: carabiners, quick draws, and anchoring bolts. The
need for this equipment was obvious to Ashley. Major Michaelson's pack, however, frightened her. It
contained four more pistols, a collapsed rifle, and boxes and boxes of seal-cloth-wrapped ammunition.

If that wasn't enough, the team had finally been introduced to the two other members of their
expeditionтАФMajor Skip Halloway and Major Pedro Villanueva. The insignia of an eagle gripping a
trident on their shoulders advertised their expertise. Navy SEALs, the elite. They wore weapons at their
waists, and each hefted a double pack. A heavy load, but they looked like muscled machines,
workhorses with weapons.

Ben nudged her. "Bloody lot of firepower we're dragging with us."

She nodded. "I don't like it."

"I heard about those SEALs. Never go anywhere without a wicked arsenal."

Ashley chewed her lower lip. "Why do you thinkтАФ"

Blakely interrupted, "From here, Professor Carter will be in charge. Her word is my word."

Ashley noticed a smirk from the redheaded Seal, Skip Halloway. He elbowed his buddy, whose
expression remained stoic. Black-haired and black-eyed, Pedro Villanueva was as difficult to read as a
slab of marble.

She sighed. Great, two more macho men to keep under her thumb. She noticed she wasn't the only one
checking out the newcomers. Khalid's face was clouded with an especially dour expression as he studied
the SEALs. His lips then curled up at the corners in an unpleasant manner. He turned away to whisper
something in Linda's ear. She smiled, covering a laugh with a small hand.

"So," Ben said, "are you ready to lead this ragtag band of adventurers into the heart of the world?"

"Right now I'm just hoping there's no mutiny."
Ashley crossed toward the small opening in the south wall of the cavern. She eyed the tiny tunnel. Called
a wormhole, it looked more like a sewer drain to her. The black entrance stood only two and a half feet
high. She crouched and shined her hand lantern down the tube. With a backpack on, she estimated, it
would be nearly impossible even to crawl through these holes.

To answer this riddle, the final piece of their equipment was introduced. Blakely handed her a wheeled
plastic board.

"A skateboard?" Ashley spun a wheel across her palm.

"I prefer to call them transport sleds," Blakely said.