John Gardner - Win, Lose Or Die

“I, for one, Sir John, do not care about what has happened. This is a unique meeting, and we do need a clear four days to complete our talks. Do I have to make it plain again? Four … clear .

days. That is what was arranged, and that is what we all expect.”

The Prime Minister looked towards the President of the United States and Secretary Gorbachev. An interpreter whispered the translation in Gorbachev’s ear. He nodded gravely, the birthmark on his forehead coming into view as the head bobbed and he repeated, “Da .

. . Da …

“Prime Minister,” George Bush spoke quietly. “I understand the problem, and I see you’re anxious because we are your guests. I agree wholly with you. We should stay aboard, we’ve lost almost one hour already. But I’d like to hear the options again.”

Sir John Walmsley gave a tiny sigh and nudged James Bond, who stood beside him. “I think Captain Bond should give you a little rundown,” he said, his voice that of a desperate man. “He is in complete control of your security, so he, as it were, carries the can.”

“Oh yes?” Bond thought before he spoke. “I think Sir John’s explained it very clearly.” He kept his voice deliberately low, and slow enough for the translator to do his work for Chairman Gorbachev.

“This morning, one of the main turbines which drive this ship, had a serious malfunction. One man, a Petty Officer, was killed and there was no further damage. The turbine has been inspected and, so far, there are no signs of sabotage. One thing is clear, though - we should not attempt to make Gibraltar without getting the turbine running again. Also, because the other turbines were produced at the same time as the one which blew, it is essential that they have a complete overhaul. This will take several days.” He paused to let all this sink in, and Mrs. Thatcher showed slight annoyance, looking at him as if to say, “Get on with it, man.”

“There is a US Naval Base, near Cadiz, and within a few hours’ sailing time from here, but there are problems about this place “You’re talking about Rota?” the PM asked.

“Precisely, Prime Minister. Until a few years ago Rota was a base for US ships. In particular for the nuclear submarine fleets.

However, this was discontinued at the request of the Spanish Government. Now it is solely used for Spanish ships, though the United States use it as an airfield - to support the US Navy, as a staging post for US personnel returning home, or going to other NATO bases in Europe. It is also, I am told, used for more sensitive matters.”

“So what are you telling us, Captain Bond?” President Bush asked, a little sharply.

“Permission has been given for The invincible to put into Rota. In fact it has now been included in the exercise in which we are supposed to be engaged, Landsea “89. A new turbine is being flown out, in several sections, and a special team of engineers are coming in from Rolls-Royce. The problem there is that we shall be called upon to allow more civilians on board .

“Can they not wait for the four days, which, I must remind you, Captain Bond, are shrinking fast?” The Prime Minister was getting more irritated and Bond already knew that it was unlikely they would budge her from her avowed intention of spending the full four days with President Bush and Secretary Gorbachev.

“There is one other problem,” Bond continued. “Yes, I expect the engineers can be kept at bay, but I am concerned for your safety.

While we cannot prove the gas-turbine accident was an act of sabotage, we have had two incidents since we commenced Landsea “89. Both, we suspect, are connected to a little-known terrorist group called BAST.

One took place before you joined us - that concerned murder, and the resultant discovery that one of the Wren detachment on board was not what she seemed. She was a very definite penetration agent, we think linked to BAST.

Also, this morning, one of your protectors, Chairman Gorbachev, was killed while we were trying to arrest a second man we think is also a BAST penetration.”

The Russian leader spoke a few words to the interpreter who said, “Mr. Gorbachev is already aware that Nikola Ratnikov has given her life for his personal protection. She is to be posthumously awarded the highest honour the Soviet Union can give to a brave soldier.”

Bond acknowledged the statement, then continued, “I have also been threatened by BAST. Over Christmas I was personally attacked, and my car was bombed on the island of Ischia. This was definitely a BAST operation, which seems to indicate that the whole of Stewards’ Meeting is known to them.

“Our only option is to limp into Rota tonight, and get you all off the ship, under cover of darkness. The USNB at Rota has agreed to take people off but, as yet, they do not, of course, know who you are.

“Then that will take up a little time, Captain Bond,” Mrs. Thatcher said frostily. “I would suggest that you get on with moving us into Rota, and arranging for us to fly back to our respective countries under the utmost secrecy.”

“Thank you, Prime Minister. That’s what we see as the most viable course .

But the PM had not finished. “This will, of course, not be possible to accomplish in the next four days. We started our talks this morning. We will leave, secretly from Rota, in four days. I am sure we’ll all be quite safe in your hands. Thank you, Sir John, thank you, Captain Bond. Now we must really get on with our work.

“It’s like trying to argue with an Exocet,” Sir John Walmsley said angrily once they were outside. “So be it. We make for Rota.

The rest of the Task Force will have to stay outside the harbour, as a defensive wall, while we, Bond, will just have to make the best of it. How’s the fellow who got shot this morning?”

“He’ll be okay, but we can’t even think of questioning him yet.”

“Come up to the bridge with me.” The Rear-Admiral had already set off at a brisk pace. “When’ll you be able to interrogate the man?”

“Probably some,time tomorrow. I have an armed guard on him round the clock.

“You going to leave him to the tender mercies of the inquisitor you had flown in from Gib?”

Bond sighed. “As it happens, I was going to have him relieved because I didn’t think him suitable for the Deeley girl. He’s got a paranoid personality, and jumps at every shadow. He’s not the most pleasant interrigator I’ve met, and he sees plots behind every uniform and every bulkhead, though I think he might just be the type to deal with this joker.”

“Your province, Bond. Your province. You must do as you see fit.” They had reached the bridge. “Oh, merciful heavens, look what we have here!” Walmsley exploded. Outside the weather had closed in, with low cloud and driving rain.

“It’ll take me until tonight to get into Rota. Maybe late tonight.

You get on with what you have to do, Bond, and I’ll try and make it in the shortest possible time. The Task Force will have to close up, and that’s not going to be easy in the circumstances.

We’ll talk later. Right?”

“Aye-Aye, sir.” Bond went below, found the sick bay and spoke to Surgeon Commander Grant.

“He’s weak and unconscious,” the doctor told him, “though one of the Flag Lieutenants guarding Mrs. T came down and shot off some photographs to send to London for identification. The marines will keep an eye on him, and, I assure you that, unless he’s subject to a miracle, there’s no way he can get out of here.

Lost too much blood.” Next, Bond summoned Donald Speaker to his cabin. The man showed no sign of relaxing his near-paranoid unpleasant stance and arrived late, without knocking at the door.

“Sit down.” Bond knew he sounded like a headmaster who had summoned a recalcitrant boy to his study.