Short Synopsis
In the twenty-first century, the United States has begun stealing desperately needed oil from underwater deposits in enemy territory. But none of the last twenty tugs sent to bring back the oil have returned. Ensign John Ramsey of the Bureau of Psychology is assigned to find the saboteur in the four-man crew in what has been called "a fictional story of the future that we should pray will never become a news story of the present."

Full Synopsis
In the twenty-first century, the United States has all but used up its oil supply. A new source must be found. Our atomic subtugs begin stealing oil from underwater deposits in enemy territory. But none of the last twenty tugs sent to bring back the desperately needed mineral have returned. Ensign John Ramsey of the Bureau of Psychology is planted aboard the Fenian Ram S1881 as an electronics officer. His assignment: find the saboteur in the four-man crew and bring back the oil.

"Brick slips easily into [Herbert's] harrowing futuristic world, narrating in a straightforward tone that ultimately makes the story all the more frightening." ---AudioFile

"One of the few science fiction novels I'll recommend to anyone." ---Pittsburgh Press

"A sea story of an imaginary war that comes very close to matching...any chronicle of real war.... A novel that ranks with the best of modern science fiction." ---The New York Times

"[Brick's] narrative voice complements Herbert's prose to emphasize the claustrophobic elements of the submarine." ---Publishers Weekly Audio Review