austin, kurt (fictitious character)

An investigation into the sudden deaths of rare whales sends National Underwater Marine Agency crew leader Kurt Austin to the Mexican coast, where he and his crew stumble upon a white goddess legend and an eco-extortionist set on controlling the world's fresh-water supply.

Kurt Austin and the special assignments team of the National Underwater & Marine Agency are called upon to intervene when a billionaire tycoon who plans to proclaim himself czar of Russia attempts to divert attention from his activities by setting off pockets of methane hydrate, known as "fire ice," along the coast of the United States.