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to spread, you will take Mare Nostrum straight towards the outer edges of the
flames and begin to operate the AAOPS. If I recall our previous conversations
correctly, you will be able to move quite close to the center of both the fire
and oil spill. Did you not explain that to me when we finalized our
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agreement?"
"Yes, that's what I said." Rexinus sounded resigned. "I think we'll take her
for a run out tomorrow morning, just to go through the drill."
Good, Bond considered, he's going to make a dash for it.
"Why not do that, Rex? I didn't tell you that there'll be an extra hand on
board. Well, he's one man, but he carries a great deal of weight. He's up on
the deck at the moment. My man Connie Spicer. Martial arts expert, crack shot,
carries all kinds of lethal things with him."
"We can always do with another pair of hands." Rexinus's voice betrayed his
disappointment, and Bond mouthed a Damn. With Connie left on board, there was
little chance of the three gullible scientists overpowering him. Come to that,
if Connie stayed on the craft now, there might be difficulties in getting
ashore themselves. He looked back along the passageway. There were cabin doors
to left and right, and, at the far end, the passage seemed to connect with
another, running across the breadth of the laboratory ship. A third door was
visible. Three night cabins. If the craft had been properly designed, there
had to be a way up to the main deck somewhere for'ard.
Felix had started to speak again. "Sir Max, what if something goes wrong with
your fireworks display? What if Dr. Rexinus and his friends fail to contain
the oil and gasoline?"
"I hate to even contemplate that, but I suppose one must face the possibility.
First, Mare Nostrum will probably be consumed in the flames, and, second, I
shall have to start all over again. But I have faith in these good people, Mr.
Leiter. They'll not fail me. Now, back to the operation." More rustling. "This
is where my submarine will be at eight o'clock. She will turn bow on to Golden
Bough. The two tin fish, as I think they used to call them, will be fired.
Heaven knows, I don't think even my captain, Jock Anderson, can possibly miss.
The target is so large and he'll be quite close. After he's fired the
torpedoes, he turns tail and runs for it. I have no doubts that part will go
like clockwork. Maurice here will want to get out as quickly as he can."
"Too damned right," murmured Maurice Goodwin.
"Any further questions?" Tarn had become all businesslike. "I haven't got all
night. No, Mr. Leiter, please, no questions from you. Cathy, take Mr. Leiter
topside and put him in the car. It's time we were getting back if we're to
have any sleep tonight."
More movement, then Tarn again: "Tell Connie to come down here, would you? I
want to make sure that the gallant crew of Mare Nostrum understands that his
orders are my orders, and they have to see what will happen should they
disobey him."
More sounds of movement, then Connie's voice from the main cabin. "You wanted
me, chief?"
"I would like you to impress upon these good people how important it is to
stick to the timetable and jump when you tell them to jump." He paused, then
addressed the others. "Connie is an amazing man. You should know that he can
go without sleep for days at a time. In fact, he has promised me that he will
not sleep until SeaFire is safely over. You understand?"
Bond signaled to Flicka, indicating that they should move back along the
passage. She nodded and followed him, drawing her Beretta from under her
skirt.
The door in the cross passage was flanked by two narrow companionways leading
up to the deck. Bond took the one on the starboard side, Flicka behind him,
covering the rear. At the top, he peered out, then whispered, "We're right by
the wheelhouse. With luck we can slip off after Tarn leaves."
He could see Tarn's car a low, sleek black Jaguar pulled up near the
gangway, and Cathy with Felix. She held a pistol and stood well back while he
leaned against the car. For a second time, the thought of rescuing his friend
flashed in and out of Bond's mind. No. There was no point in trying foolhardy
heroics that could well put them out of action and ruin any further chance he
had of stopping the madness of what Max Tarn called SeaFire.
They waited for what seemed to be a very long time, but finally Tarn came up
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on deck with Anna and Maurice Goodwin in tow. Bond smiled when he saw Sir Max,
for he had entered into what he saw as the spirit of the affair, dressed in
white ducks and a blazer, a yachting cap set jauntily on his head.
He stopped by the car, staying behind Cathy's right shoulder and talking to
Felix for the best part of a minute, then Goodwin moved forward and opened the
rear passenger door, roughly helping Felix into the car.
It was Tarn himself who took the wheel, and seconds later the Jaguar pulled
away from the gangway.
He waited until the sound of the engine was far away, then motioned to Flicka,
moving silently and slowly along the deck. From below voices were raised. He
even heard Rexinus almost shouting at Connie Spicer, "But it won't work. We'll
all be sailing out to certain death."
Connie's reply chilled Bond's spine. "You heard the Chiefs orders. You do as I
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