“Ready, Comrade Borodin,” the chief engineer reported back in a moment. “Open doors fore and aft,” Borodin ordered next. The michman of the watch reached up the control board and threw four switches. The status light over each changed from red to green. “Doors show open, Comrade.” “Engage caterpillar. Build speed slowly to thirteen knots.” “Build slowly to one-three knots, Comrade,” the engineer acknowledged.
