ATTACK OF THE SEAWOLF

In the near future, the Japanese-supported White Army of the New Kuomintang is winning in its attempt to oust the Chinese Reds from Communism's practically last bastion. This time, DiMercurio (Voyage of the Devilfish, 1992), a former Naval officer, wisely leaves the land battles to the insurgents. There's action enough on the high seas. CIA head Kent, with his agents in China lost, convinces the President that the US should send a submarine in close to eavesdrop. After all, they've got to know what's happening. But the sub Tampa is detected and captured—the Chinese, it seems, possess more technologically advanced radar than was thought possible. Now what? Can't allow the communists to make political hay. Any little thing might tilt the tide in their favor. If Japan falls, think of what might happen to the world's financial system, among other things. The American President does not want to enter the fray officially, however, so a second sub, the Seawolf, an underwater version of a Stealth bomber, is sent to rescue the first. Commanding is Michael Pacino (from last year's Voyage), resurrected because he's the best and gutsiest sub driver America's got. Which he'd better be—because standing between him and success is China's entire northern fleet, including an aircraft carrier, land-based air assets, plus supervillain leader Tien, who gives new meaning to the word torture. Gobs of exciting submarine warfare. Higher body count than an Arnold Schwarzenegger movie, and just as unrealistic—the author can't bear to kill off any of the main white hats. He should bury all those cardboard US politicos at sea, too.