johngardner.winloseordie-第34章

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　He　turned　to　see　Clover　Pennington；　with　a　Wren　on　each　side；　ing　from　behind　one　of　the　Sea　Harriers。　All　three　girls　carried　automatic　pistols。
Stay　cool；　he　thought。　Stay　very　cool。
…Hello；　〃Cat〃。'He　smiled。
　
　17
　
　Operation　Sleeping　Beauty
　
One　of　the　girls　walked　forward；　reached　behind　him　and　removed　the　Browning。
　'Cuff　him；　while　you're　at　it；'　Clover　told　her。　'Well；　James；　did　Tawny　Owl　give　you　the　go…ahead？'
　'Yes；　how　did　you　manage　that？'　he　asked；　surprised　that　his　voice　appeared　to　be　steady。
　The　silly　old　fool　made　a　note　of　it　and　left　it　on　his　night　table；　II　was　so　easy；'
　Bond　felt　the　cuffs　go　on；　the　cold　steel　biting　into　his　wrists。　He　was　still　puzzled　by　Ihe　silence。　'How。　Clover？'　he　asked。
　'Bring　him　down　to　my　cabin；'　she　ordered　the　two　Wrens；　who　shoved　him　like　men；　leading　him　to　the　bulkhead　and　down　Ihe　panion…way；　along　the　knee…touching　passages　to　the　Captain's　day　cabin；　where　they　roughly　pushed　him　into　a　chair。
　Clover　told　the　two　girts　to　get　on　with　their　other　duties。　Til　call　for　you　in　about　five　minutes。　I　want　this　one　nicely　locked　away　in　the　cells；'　She　went　behind　the　Captain's　desk　and　sat。　looking　at　him。　'You　see　how　easy　it　is　for　women　to　do　the　job　of　men？'　The　smile　was　still　attractive；　without　menace；　or　phoney　evil。　The　snarl　and　leer　were　strictly　for　the　movies。　Clover　looked　like　any　other；　nice；　well…brought…up　girl　with　a　future。
　There's　nobody　around；　that's　obvious。'　Bond's　mind　hovered　between　thoughts　of　what　he　could　do；　and　how　in　heaven's　name　First　Officer　Pennington　had　managed　to　take　over　the　ship。　'There　are　over　two　thousand　people　on　this　ship。'　He　tried　a　winning　smile。　'How　do　fourteen　girls　manage　to　lake　over；　as　you　appear　to　have　done？'
Two　thousand　and　eighteen　to　be　correct。　Oh；　and　fifteen　girls。　We　sprang　Sarah　Decley。　She's　a　psycho；　of　course；　but　useful　if　it　es　to　any　really　distasteful　jobs。'
'How？'　he　asked　again。
　'Because　il　was　very　well　planned；　and　we　were　in　a　prime　position　to　pull　it　off。　My　girls　had　jobs　everywhere　…　including　plete　access　to　the　galleys。'
The　food？'
　She　nodded；　'And　drink。　You　should　not　really　have　got　off　the　ship。　James。　I　was　a　little　cross　about　that。　Didn't　you　feel　very　thirsty　this　morning？'
　He　remembered　chug…a…lugging　the　orange　juiee　on　the　base；　and　the　unusual　need　to　drink。　'Ah。'
　Again　the　nice…girl　smile。　'Ah。　indeed。　Every　morsel　of　food；　every　beverage；　yesterday　contained　a　substance　that　would　make　every　man　jack　feel　thirsty　this　morning。　A　craving　thirst。'
'And　this　morning？'
　This　morning　you　had　nothing　to　drink　before　you　went　off　to　Rota。　If　you　had　taken　a　swig　of　coffee　you　would　have　bee　disoriented　within　twenty　minutes；　and　dropped　asleep　within　the　half…hour。　We　called　it　Operation　Sleeping　Beauty。　There　were　minor　problems；　of　course　…　you　were　one　of　them　…　but　my　girls　had　ways　of　dealing　with　it　all。　Everyone；　but　you。　is　cosily　tucked　away。　Fast　asleep。'
'How　dangerous　is　this　stuff？'
　'Stuff？　Oh；　the　Mickey　Finn　we　popped　into　the　food　and　drink。　Kick　like　a　mule；　James。　Knocks　people　out　cold。　There's　a　lot　of　that　old　stand…by；　chloral　hydrate；　in　it；　but　it's　been　refined；　（he　smell　removed；　also　the　after…effects　are　negative。　The　'Viper'　put　a　lot　of　money　into　having　the　stuff　made　to　the　highest　standards　…　Oh。　and　there's　little　or　no　danger。〃
The　〃Viper〃　sounds　a　right　little　charmer。'
　'He　is。　as　it　happens。　Anyway；　James；　the　whole　pany　of　this　ship　will　be　out　cold　for　at　least　three　days。'
'And　the　object　of　the　exercise？'
　'Money。　Money　to　continue　putting　the　world；　and　society　to　rights。'
〃A　lot　of　money？'
'Two　hundred　billion　for　each　of　the　VIPs　。　。　。'
Bond　started　to　laugh。　'Clover；　is　Bassam　Baradj　that　na'ivc？'
？What　d'you　mean？'
　'Doesn't　he　realise　that　this　isn't　the　ultimate　hostage　situation？'
'Why　not'。'　Three　of　the　world'smost　powerful　politicians　。　；　。'
　〃Quite。　You　wanl　money　for　them；　and　there's　no　way　you'll　get　it。　Sure；　the　countries　concerned　will　probably　chase　all　of　you　to　the　ends　of　the　earth　and　back；　but　nobody's　going　to　pay　that　kind　of　money　to　get　politicians　hack。　Don't　you　see　that？　Ii'll　be　Ei　in。　Brute？　time。　Nights　of　the　long　knives　time。　The　Russians　will　shrug　their　shoulders　and　the　anil…glasnost　team'll　be　in。　The　Americans　will　do　something　stupid；　like　letting　the　Vice…President　in　for　a　while　and　then　starting　the　circus　again。　The　British？　Well；　Mrs　Т　has　her　supporters；　but　。　。　。　well；　the　Cabinei　will　hold　little　crisis　meetings。　Then　they'll　just　announce　a　new　PM。　America　and　us　Brits　never　give　in　to　hostage　situations　anyway；　and　a　lot　of　powerful　people　will　see　it　as　a　God…sent　opportunity　for　a　change　in　leadership。'　Bond　（nought　for　a　moment　and　added。　'But　then；　perhaps　not/
　She　had　gone　a　little　pale；　he　thoughi。　Well；　he　was　only　lulling　her　the　truth。　'Eventually；　dcalh。　Yes。　We　have　a　few　aces　up　our　sleeves；　If…the　Governments　don't　meet　our　requirements　by　15。00　hours　this　afternoon；　our　time；　we'll　show　some　power。　If　anyone　tries　an　assauli　on　the　ship；　Sarah　wilt　deal　with　the　hostages。　One　at　a　time；　of　course。　So　far　it's　between　us　and　the　Governments；　but　Т　don't　see　that　lasting　if　they　miss　our　first　deadline。'　She　looked　at　her　watch。　'Three　hours　to　go。　I　don'l　know　what's　planned；　but　we've　all　been　（old　to　stay　off　the　main　deck　and　the　island。'
　'You　can't　win。　There's　no　way。　Clover；　how　in　God's　name；　did　someone　like　you　get　into　a　situation　like　this？'
　'Don't　talk　to　me　like　a　cleric　patronising　a　whore！'　she　shouted。　Then　very　quietly　she　said；　'Because　the　world's　a　rotten　place；　run　by　rotten　people。　Our　kind　of　anarchy　is　positive。　We　want　a　fair　and　open　society　throughout　the　globe　。　。　。'
'You're　just　like　all　those　pipe　dreamers。　Clover。　There'll　never　be　a　fair；　free　and　open　society　in　this　world。　You　see；　people　get　in　the　way。　Ideals　are　for　idealists；　and　all　idealists　fall　from　grace。　No　ideal　works；　simply　because　human　beings　cannot　cope　with　it。　The　man　said　it　all…Power　tends　to　corrupt；　and　absolute　power　corrupts　absolutely。　Lord　Acton；　wasn't　it？　Said　it　all。'
　'You　don't　think　。　。　。？'　she　began。　'No。　No；　you're　trying　the　old　hostage　rapport　trick。　Time　for　you　to　go　quietly　on　your　way。　James。'　Even　before　she　had　said　it；　there　was　an　urgent　knocking　at　the　door。　She　called　oui　and　one　of　the　Leading　Wrens；　who　had　taken　him　on　the　main　deck；　came　in。　She　was　a　tall；　angular　blonde；　but　with　the　unfortunate　lire　and　fervour　of　belief　in　her　eyes。　'All　three　countries　have　turned　us　down。　Ma'am。　'Viper'　says　everyone　is　to　stay　below　at　15；00　hours。　He　thinks　that　by　going　public　we'll　force　their　hands。'
　Clover　nodded；　then　cocked　her　head　towards　Bond。　'You　can　take　him　down　to　the　cells。　Lock　him　up　tight。'
　'I　don't　have　to　keep　the　bracelets　on；　do　1；　Clover？　I　mean　the　cells　are　pretty　secure。'
　She　gave　it　a　moment's　thought。　'Make　sure　he's　banged　up　tightly。　Take　one　of　the　other　girls　down　with　you　…　armed。　The　cuffs　can　go。'
　Bond　went　quietly。　He　knew　his　only　hope　would　be　to　get　up　onto　the　main　deck。　and。　with　tuck；　get　off　in　the　first　Sea　Harrier　which　was　on　the　ski…ramp；　juiced　up　and　heavy　with　weaponry。　When　in　this　kind　of　situation；　go　along　with　them。　The　entire　business　was　crazy　anyhow；　for　he　fully　believed　all　that　BAST　had　done　was　to　present　an　unexpected　political　bonus　to　those　who　opposed　Gorbachev；　Thatchcr　and　Bush。
　Another　Wren　joined　them；　cradling　an　H　&　К　МР5　SD3；　with　which　she　prodded　Bond。　He　could　not　but　admire　（he　organisation。　Baradj　might　have　chosen　a　stupid；　negative　target；　but　the　operation　and　its　methods　had　been　excellent。
　The　cells　were　a　little　cluster　of　six。　barred　cubicles；　deep　within　the　ship。　In　a　world　of　technology　they　were　a　tad　old…fashioned。　The　barred　doors　slid　back　by　hand　and　they　were　equipped　wiih　straightforward　deadlocks。　Nobody　else　occupied　the　cells　and　they　just　pushed　him　into　the　first　one　available。
　'What　about　the　handcuffs？'　he　asked；　as　ihe　Leading　Wren　seemed　about　to　lock　him　up。
'Oh。　yes。　Frisk　him。　Daphne。'　The　blonde　with　the　feverish　eyes　had　that　tough；　rather　butch　manner　that　you　often　found　in　service　women。　It　did　not　mean　that　they　were　different　from　other　females；　but　it　came　with　the　job。　Soft　girls　hardened　under　military　discipline。
　Daphne　frisked　him。　Very　thoroughly。　Bond　thought；　for　she　lingered　around　his　crotch。　A　genuine　FCP；　he　said　to　himself。
　Finally　they　unlocked　the　cuffs；　slid　the　bars　in　place　and　locked　him　away。
　'Someone'll　have　to　bring　you　food；　I　suppose；'　the　blonde　said；　her　voice　irritated　at　the　thought。　'Don't　know　how　long　that'll　be；　we're　pretty　heavily　stretched。'
　'I　can　wait。'　Bond　said　politely；　knowing　that　whatever　they　brought　him　would　be　well　laced　with　（heir　new　coneoction　of　basie　chloral　hydrate。
　Alone　now。　he　had　decisions　to　make。　This　lime　he　really　was　on　his　own。　Up　the　proverbial　creek　without　a　paddle。　No　hidden　weapons：　nothing　spectacular　from　Q　Branch。　Just　himself；　his　skills；　and　the　absolute　necessity　to　get　away。
About　one　hundred　miles　to　the　north…west　of　Rota；　the　freighter　Esiado　Novo　had　stopped　her　engines；　and　the　sides　of　the　fake　crate　were　being　lowered　to　display　the　stolen　Sea　Harrier。
　Felipe　Pantano　fussed　around。　There　was　a　lot　of　arm…waving；　and　a　good　deal　of　shouting　and　talking；　as　he　supervised　the　arming　and　refuelling　of　the　jet。　He　was　being　given　his　chance。　Today　he　would　see　action　for　BAST　and　the　thought　never　occurred　to　him　that　he　just　might　not　get　back　to　the　freighter　alive。　After　all。　the　whole　thing　was　fool…proof。
　Nobody　on　any　of　the　other　ships　from　the　Task　Force　would　challenge　a　Royal　Navy　Sea　Harrier；　and　by　the　time　he　had　done　his　work；　he　would　be　streaking　back　to　the　Estado　Novo　with　the　throttle　fully　open。　It　was　certainly　a　great　day　for　him。　The　one　word　message。　Dispatch；　which　had　e　in　clearly　by　radio；　had　changed　the　entire　pattern　of　his　life。
To　put　it　simply；　Felipe　Pantano　was　an　excited　man。
In　Gibraltar；　Baradj　had　been　loath　to　send　the　Dispatch　signal
to　the　Estado　Novo；　but　the　American　State　Department；　the　British　Foreign　Office　and　the　Kremlin　had　left　him　no　alternative。　Fools；　he　thought；　they　do　not　know　what　they're　dealing　with。　So　he　sent　the　signal　…　a　telephone　call　to　London；　as　before；　another　telephone　call　from　his　people　in　London　to　the　registered　owners　of　the　ship　in　Oporto；　and　the　signal　sent　buried　in　a　longer　message；　direct　from　the　owners。
　Altogether；　Baradj　was　pleased　with　the　way　in　which　he　had　organised　the　messages；　by　short　'phone　calls　from　himself；　to　longer　calls　from　his　London　people；　who　used　pay　'phones　and　stolen　credil　cards　…　recently　stolen：　which　meant　purloined　less　than　an　hour　before　the　calls　went　out。　The　munications　were　untraceable；　which；　once　more；　put　him　in　the　clear。
　Baradj　sat　in　his　room　at　The　Rock　Hotel；　just　five　minutes　or　so　from　the　famous　monkeys　which　inhabited　their　own　territory　of　the　Rock　and　were　all　known　by　name　（o　their　keepers。　All　of　the　monkeys　had　names；　and　were　identifiable。　Baradj　found　it　a　strange；　and　unnatural　trait　in　the　British　t