johngardner.winloseordie-第6章

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　'No。　James。　No；　not　yet。　It　might　bee　difficult；　particularly　as　we're　going　to　be　shipmates。'
　'What　d'you　mean；　shipmates？'　Bond　nuzzled　her　hair。
　'Invincible；　of　course。〃
　'What　about　Invincibte　？〃　He　gently　backed　off。
　'Well；　we're　both　being　drafted　there　for　Landsea　'89；　aren't　we？'
　'First　I've　heard　of　it。'　Bond's　voice　remained　steady；　while　a　snake　of　worry　began　to　curl　around　his　stomach。　'First　I've　heard　of　Wrens　going　to　sea　as　well　…　particularly　during　an　exercise　like　Landsea　'89。'
　'Well；　it's　all　over　the　place。　In　fact　I've　been　told　officially。　Fifteen　of　us。　Me；　and　fourteen　ratings　…　apart　from　the　other　ladies　who'll　be　on　board。'
　'And　what　about　me？'　Deep　within　him。　Bond　was　more　than　concerned　now。　If　it　was　mon　knowledge　that　he　was　being　drafted　to　Invincible　it　would　not　take　much　intelligence　for　the　unscrupulous　to　put　two　and　two　together；　particularly　if　they　had　got　hold　of　the　information　that　three　senior　Admirals；　including　the　C…in…C　of　the　Russian　Navy；　were　going　to　be　aboard。　His　mind　jumped　back　to　the　near…miss　that　afternoon；　and　he　wondered　if　somebody　was　already　trying　to　take　evasive　action　and　cut　him　out　of　the　baby…sitting　business。
　Clover　continued　to　talk；　saying　that　she　wouldn't　have　said　anything　if　she　did　not　already　know　he　was　involved。　'Of　course　it's　classified。'　she　sounded　a　shade　defensive。　'But　security's　for　those　without　need…to…know；　surely。'
　'And　I　have　need…to…know？'
　'Your　name's　on　the　list。　James。　Of　course　you　have　clearance。'
　'And　these　other　women。　Who　are　they？'
　'We　haven't　been　told。　All　I　know　is　that　there　are　to　be　other　women。'
　'Okay；　from　the　top；　you　tell　me　all　you　know。　Clover。'
　Bond　listened；　and　became　more　concerned。　Concerned　enough　to　make　a　very　secure　call　for　a　crash　meeting　with　M　during　the　ing　weekend。
　Ч　shouldn't　go　blabbing　about　this　to　all　and　sundry。　Clover。'　he　admonished。　'Not　even　good　to　lalk　to　me　about　it。'　he　told　her　when　they　got　back　to　the　Wrcnnery。
　'Well；　kiss　me　goodnight；　at　least；　James；'　she　pouted。
　He　smiled　and　gave　her　a　peck　on　the　cheek。　'Not　just　yet；'　he　said　solemnly。　'Especially　if　we're　going　to　be　shipmates。'
　Though　he　laughed　as　he　drove　away；　the　entire　events　of　the　day　were　more　than　worrying。　Bond　made　his　crash　call　to　M　from　a　telephone　box　a　mile　up　the　road；　off　the　Base。　The　Duty　Officer；　using　a　scrambler；　arranged　the　meeting　for　Sunday。
　
　5
　A　Sunday　in　the　Country
　
　The　search　for　the　Spanish　pilot；　Felipe　Pantano；　and　his　missing　Sea　Harrier　had　been　called　off　ai　dusk；　hut　would　he　resumed　in　the　morning。　Yet。　long　before　the　S　and　R　helicopter　teams　had　clatlered　out　to　look　for　wreckage　and；　possibly；　a　signal…emitting　life　raft。　Captain　Pantano　was　sitting　fortably　in　the　captain's　eabin　of　a　small　freighter；　two　hundred　miles　off　the　coast　of　his　own　country；　Spain。
　The　freighter　was　registered　in　Oporto。　Portugal。　Indeed。　Oporto；　the　harbour　city　famous　for　thai　most　clubbable　of　wines；　was　where　she　was　headed；　and　she　sported　the　name　Estado　Novo　on　bows　and　stern。　Low　in　the　water；　the　Estado　Novu　obviously　carried　a　heavy　cargo　in　her　hold　and　a　large　container　secured　for'ard　taking　up　the　bulk　of　her　deck　space。　On　the　ship's　manifest；　（he　container　showed　as　engineering　equipment　destined　for　Gibraltar；　from　a　well…known　British　firm；　and　would　not　be　subject　to　any　customs　scrutiny　in　Oporto　where　they　would　only　stop　for　twenty…four　hours　to　refuel。
　Sitting　opposite　Pantano　in　the　cabin　was　not　the　captain　but　Abou　Hamarik。　the　strategist　of　BAST；　who　sat　smiling　and　nodding　as　the　swarthy　little　pilot　told　of　how　well　the　plan　had　gone。
　Tm　sure　nobody　noticed　that　I　had　gone　off　the　plot；'　Pantano　spoke　in　rapid　Spanish；　'and　your　people　were　waiting　right　on　time。　It　took　less　than　five　minutes。'　He　had　taken　off　as　number　two　in　the　quartet　of　Harriers；　climbed　to　the　correct　height　and　had　been　careful　to　continue　on　the　obligatory　course。　The　operation　had　been　set　up　only　ten　days　before；　even　though　there　was　already　a　plan　to　filch　the　Harrier：　in　fact　that　was　originally　the　reason　for　Pantano　being　sent　on　the　course。　For　weeks；　through　their　carefully　planted　penetration　agents　within　the　Spanish　Navy；　BAST　had　forced　Pantano　onto　the　Harrier　course　with　the　elegant　expertise　of　a　theatrical　magician　making　a　member　of　the　audience　take　the　Ace　of　Spades　from　a　clean　deck　of　cards。　The　unscheduled　addition；　to　destroy　Captain　Bond；　had　only　been　slipped　into　place　when　another　of　their　agents　had　confirmed　what　thai　officer's　role　was　to　be　during　the　all…important　Landsea　'X9　exercise。
　Just　north　of　Shrewsbury；　over　a　densely　wooded　area；　Pantano　had　literally　dropped　his　Harrier　from　the　sky；　using　the　vectored　thrust　of　his　engine　and　ing　down　vertically　like　an　express　lift。　No　pilot　would　have　faulted　his　skill；　for　the　Harrier　had　dropped　at　the　exact；　planned　point；　into　a　small　clearing　of　trees。　Pantano　had　only　to　make　minor　adjustments　…　moving　forward　and　sideways　…　to　slow　down　and　gently　bring　the　Harrier　to　rest　in　the　clearing。　There　was　a　Land　Rover　parked　nearhy。　and　four　men　waiting　for　him。　As　Pantano　had　already　suggested；　the　work　of　wiring　up。　fusing　and　fitting　the　Sidewinder　AIM…9J　missile　（one　of　three　stolen　some　four　months　earlier　from　an　RAF　base　in　West　Germany）　to　the　starboard　outer　pylon；　would　only　take　a　very　short　time。　Five　minutes　twenty　seconds　later　Pantano's　Sea　Harrier　was　rising　fast　from　the　trees；　putting　on　forward　speed　and　climbing　away；　back　on　course；　but　increasing　his　air…speed；　going　flat　out。　It　was　essential　for　him　to　catch　up　with　the　lead　aircraft；　piloted　by　Bond；　and　stay　well　ahead　of　the　number　three。
　'I　think　we'd　have　heard　if　the　radar　at　Yeovilton　actually　lost　me　at　any　point；'　he　smiled　confidently　at　Hamarik　who　gave　a　gentle　nod。
　The　Spaniard's　Harrier　had　e　within　three　miles　of　Bond　just　as　the　latter　was　making　his　bombing　run。　'I　locked　on　to　him；　and　let　the　missile　go；〃　he　told　Hamarik。　'After　that　I　was　busy　with　my　own　bombing　run；　and　the　little　bit　of　deviousness　which　followed。'
　Hamarik　shrugged；　making　an　open…handed　gesture。　'I　fear　friend　Bond　escaped；'　he　smiled；　as　if　to　say　'it　is　difficult　to　win　every　battle。〃
　Pantano　gave　a　heavy　sigh；　obviously　annoyed　with　himself。　'I'm　sorry。　I　did　all　1　could。　Damn。　Damn　the　man。'
　'Please　do　not　concern　yourself。　There　is　plenty　of　time　for　us　to　deal　with　Captain　Bond。　A　pity　we　could　not　bine　two　birds　with　the　one　proverbial　stone。　But。　I　promise　you；　Felipe；　he　will　go。　In　fact　that　is　essential。'
　Pantano　smiled；　showing　a　small　goldmine　of　fillings；　before　he　went　through　the　final　phase。　His　bombing　run　had　been　normal　up　to　the　time　when　he　climbed　away。　'I　simply　pulled　into　a　30°　climb　to　show　myself　to　the　radar。　At　1；001　feet　I　let　all　the　flares　go；　switched　off　my　radar　and　banged　on　the　ECM。'　The　ECM　（Ihe　Electronic　Counter　Measures　Pod）　is　used　to　confuse　ground　radar　and　missiles。　'This　was　not　foolproof；　of　course；　but　I　went　down　to　zero　feet　and　set　the　course　you　had　given　me。　It　was　pretty　exciting；　I　can　tell　you。　I　was　just　feet　above　the　water。　There　were　times　when　I　was　getting　salt　spray　on　the　wind　shield；　and　even　with　the　heater　and　wipers　going　full　blast　I　couldn't　budge　all　of　it。　Also；　I　had　Ihe　throttle　banged　wide　open　and　the　altimeter　〃bug'　was　screaming　at　me。　Т　had　it　set　to　minimum　…　one　hundred　feet　…　and　it　went　crazy。　It　was　more　like　a　boat　ride　than　flying。'
　The　Harrier　had　run　right　out　into　the　Atlantic；　then　turned　towards　the　Bay　of　Biscay。　Two　hundred　miles　later。　Pantano　had　slowed　to　a　hover　beside　the　waiting　Estacio　Novo。　There　was　ample　room　to　make　a　vertical　landing；　and　almost　before　he　was　out　of　the　cockpit；　the　crew　had　started　to　erect　false　sides　which　eventually　made　up　the　huge　container　standing　on　the　forward　deck。
　〃Good〃　Hamarik's　oily　smile　greased　over　his　face。　'You　have　done　well。　Now；　all　we　have　to　do　is　make　certain　the　machine　is　fully　fuelled；　overhauled；　and　fitted　with　the　other　weapons。　Then；　you　will　he　ready　for　stage　two　of　your　par！　in　the　operation　we　are　to　call　LOSE。　There　is　meant　to　be　humour　in　that。　Operation　LOSE　means　that　the　major　powers　lose　all　that　is　dear　to　them；　for　what　country　can　function　without　their　personal　gyroscopes？'
　'I　don't　follow　that　part　of　it〃　Pantano　did　not　press　the　point；　though　he　was　obviously　intrigued。
　'You　don't　follow　it　because　you　do　not　know　what　is　really　at　stake。〃　The　greased　smile　again。　Then　Hamarik　rose　from　his　chair。　'e；　let　us　eat　and　talk　of　good　things。　We　have　a　small　gift　for　you　on　board。　She　is　from　Egypt　and；　I　am　told；　enjoys　the　same　kind　of　trivial　pursuit　as　yourself。　Food　first；　for　you　will　require　energy〃
　James　Bond　was　flying　for　most　of　the　Saturday　and　the　wardroom　was　almost　empty　when　he　weni　in　to　dine　at　around　eight　in　the　evening。　He　entered　the　ante…room　and　was　surprised　to　see　Clover；　in　a　smart；　almost　military…looking　dress　…　beige　with　brass　buttons　and　darker　beige　piping　around　the　shoulders　and　collar。
　'How　are　you　tonight；　then。　Clover？'　He　smiled；　as　though　the　fencing　of　the　previous　evening　was　now　well　forgotten。
　〃I'm　fine；　sir〃　She　returned　the　smile　though　she　spoke　formally。　'I　was　wailing　to　iry　and　gel　a　word　with　you。〃
　'Right。　How　about　dinner？'
　〃That's　really　nice。　I'll　get　my　coat；　can　we　。　。　。？〃
　Bond　shook　his　head；　putting　an　arm　out　to　stop　her。　There　are　few　people　in　the　wardroom　on　a　Saturday　nighl。　Clover。　Let's　see　what　they　have　for　us　there。　I　seem　to　remember　that　on　the　ratings'　messdecks　of　a　Saturday　evening；　il　was　always　〃Herrings　in〃。〃　He　recalled　it　well　enough　from　the　days　when；　as　Officer　of　the　Watch；　he　had　to　do　rounds　of　the　messdecks。　'Herrings　in'　was　the　name　they　always　gave　to　the　large　tins　of　herrings　in　tomato　sauce；　a　favourite　among　both　ratings　and　Petty　Officers。　Bond　could　never　understand　il。　The　food　looked　and　smelled　revolting　to　him。　but　there　were　never　any　plaints　on　Saturday　nights。　He　presumed　things　had　changed　since　then。
　The　only　people　dining　in　at　that　time　were　the　Officer　of　the　Watch　and　the　Royal　Marines　Duty　Officer；　who　both　nodded　deferentially　to　Bond　as　he　led　Clover　to　a　couple　of　chairs　distant　to　the　other　two　officers。　The　Wren　stewards　served　them　with　the　only　choice　on　the　Saturday　night　menu　…　smoked　salmon；　followed　by　grilled　steak。　Bond　took　his　steak　rare　and；　refusing　the　pommes　frites。　ordered　a　small　green　salad。
　They　talked　idly；　circling　the　problem　both　knew　existed；　until　the　main　course　had　been　served。　It　was　Clover　Pennington　who　took　　he　lead　…
　'I　wanted　to　apologise　for　last　night〃　She　turned　her　eyes　away　and　blushed　as　she　spoke。
　〃Apologise　for　what？'　Bond　stared　at　her　until　she　had　to　make　eye　contact。
　'I　broke　all　security　regulations；　sir。　I　shouldn't　have　mentioned　either　Invincible　or　Landsea　'89。　I'm　sorry；　it　jusl　seemed　natural；　particularly　as　I　knew　you　were　being　drafted　as　well。'
　'You're　quite　right。'　Bond　was　almost　sharp　with　her。　'To　have　gained　the　rank　of　First　Officer　you　should　really　have　learned　all　ihe　lessons　of　securi