CHAPTER 13

"He's waking up," said a familiar voice, as Bond groaned beginging
to regain conciousness. He opened his eyes, only to find he was tied
to a hard, wooden chair with ropes around his waist and his hands
behind his back. His head was throbbing from the blow. In front of him was
a rusty iron cell door. To his left, as his vision began to clear, he also
saw M and Moneypenny blindfloded tied to chairs in a similar fashion.

"I thought you'd never come to, James," said Moneypenny. She
sounded weary.

"Well, now that I have, would you mind telling me where we are?" Bond
asked. Escaping was the last thing that he felt like doing because of his
headache, but he new it had to be done soon, before Polanoa realised
he had awoken.

A door creaked. Too late. Polanoa entered, flanked by Mr. White and
four armed guards. Bond and White exchanged cold stares.

Polanoa broke the silence. "Good morning, Mr. Bond. I trust you
enjoyed your sleep." His sarcasm was barely detectable.

007 tried to loosen his bonds, but to no avail. Whoever tied them knew
what they were doing. His best bet was the key ring, which was
unreachable in his front pocket.

"Unfortunately, 007, I have no reason to keep you alive," growled
Polanoa. "Guards-"

"Wait," interrupted Bond, "I beg to differ. During my last visit, I planted
plastique around this complex. The men at Station C have been
instructed to detonate these explosives by remote should anything
happen to me. If I disarm the explosives, will you promise that no harm
will come to M and Moneypenny?"

Mr White spoke, "He's bluffing, there's no-"

"Quiet!" interrupted Polanoa. "You may be right, but we should still do
what he says, even if it is only as a final courtesy."

"I'm glad you see the sense of things," said Bond. "Mr White, would you
be so kind as to reach into my front left pocket and find my key ring."
Mr White followed the instructions, waiting for it to explode.

"How does it work?" enquired Polanoa.

"Release the other two and I'll tell you," said Bond.

"Do it," Polanoa instructed his guards.

When they were untied, Bond told Mr. White, "Push the button on the
back three times."

Bond shielded his eyes. The room was filled with a brilliant flash. He
opened his eyes to see Polanoa and his henchmen covering their eyes,
blinded by the flash, and M, with his blindfold removed picking up the
key ring.

"Push the front button and use the laser to remove the ropes," Bond told
M.

M did so, for once taking orders from 007. As soon as he was freed,
Bond grabbed an AK47 from one of the blinded guards and filled each
guard with lead. As the last guard fell to the floor dead, Bond felt cold
steel pressed against his neck.

"Put your hands above your head and turn around slowly," said Mr
White, having recovered from the effects of the photogenic flash, and
not terribly happy about it. The PPK was an excellent way of getting
Bond's attention, but he knew he had nothing to worry about, yet.
Polanoa was just in front of him, holding a Colt Defender .45 pistol, and
still blind. It took only a moment for Bond to push away Mr. White's
pistol, and grab Polanoa's gun. Mr. White, however, was definitely a
professional. Before Bond caught turn around, he had already pulled the
trigger.

Click. Gun jam. Bond turned to see Mr. White throw the gun at his
head. Bond ducked, and pointed the Colt at him.

"M, Moneypenny, get moving. I'll catch up with you when I'm done
here," said James.

"Do be careful, James," said Moneypenny, as she exited.

Just as they left, an alarm went off.

"Forgive me, gentlemen," said Bond smugly, "but I must be leaving. I
hope we can continue this jolly little conversation some other time."

He sped out, armed with the Colt, and ran for the nearest stairwell. He
had to find his gear and get out. But what chance did he have in the
Eagle's Nest?