In the control room Ramius mused. “I wonder if any American submarines are about?” “Indeed, Comrade Captain,” nodded Captain Second Rank Borodin, who had the watch. “Shall we engage the caterpillar?” “Proceed, Comrade.” “Engines all stop,” Borodin ordered. “All stop.” The quartermaster, a starshina (petty officer), dialed the annunciator to the STOP position. An instant later the order was confirmed by the inner dial, and a few seconds after that the dull rumble of the engines died away.
