Page 147 - Brokenclaw - John Gardner

James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled

The pilot pushed through one pair of trees and pulled down on a branch

which opened a small door into the copse. Inside, they were in a fully
operational hangar, on the floor of which was a large painted white H.
A French-built variation of the AS 350 Ecureuil – Squirrel – helicopter sat
on the H wi
James Bond OO7 - printing disabledth a team of three mechanics nearby. James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled
James Bond OO7 - printing disabled
James Bond OO7 - printing disabled
The pilot spoke with the mechanics for a moment, and one of them walked
over to what looked like an ordinary household fuse box set into the curved
wall. As the pilot beckoned to Bond and Ding, so, from the corner of his eye,
Bond saw the mechanic operate a lever as though turning on current. There was

a soft whining sound, and looking up, he saw the roof above them slowly
separate into two halves, opening up like the dome of a planetarium.
By the time they were all settled into the machine, Bond and Ding occupying
two seats directly behind the pilot, the dome had fully opened. The motor
James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled
started and the rotors began to turn slowly.
The pilot adjusted his headset, waved the mechanics off and opened the
throttles. Gently the helicopter rose clear of the camouflaged hangar.
At around a thousand feet the pilot began speaking, obviously making

contact with the Bay Area ATC. The machine slid sideways and Bond caught a
good view of the large house and grounds, mentally memorising its position in
relation to the PCH which they could see clearly some five miles away. The
house was well protected, almost ringed by rocky outcrops and with the high

rise of jagged rock sweeping up behind it.
James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled
They banked and began to track the coastline towards Monterey and San
Francisco itself. The sun was high and warm with no sign of cloud or mist
obscuring that most pleasing view of San Francisco Bay as they came in across

Golden Gate Park and the Presidio, with the long unmistakable outline of the
Golden Gate Bridge to their left and the great landmarks of the city standing out
like some giant diorama – Telegraph Hill with Coit Tower sprouting from the
summit, the tall, needle-like TransAmerica Pyramid, the Embarcadero with the

piers reaching like oblong fingers clutching towards Oakland.
James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled
Leaning back in his seat, Bond had to fight down the desire to pull the ASP
and force Ding and the pilot to take them out towards Treasure Island and the
moored carrier, but that would have served no purpose. They were over the

water now and could clearly see Fisherman’s Wharf, crowded with tourists
and eating places. He even caught a glimpse of Ghirardelli Square, one of the
main points of reference that he was now about to use.

James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled James Bond OO7 - printing disabled