Part 9
by DarkMark
The light-haired man in the sports jacket entered the men's room of the 707, though the use was unconventional. He placed his briefcase on his lap, took a miniature cassette player from it, placed it on the steel sink, ran an earplug from it to his right ear, and scrutinized some photos that had come with the tape.
"Good day, Mr. Phelps. The person you see before you in an artist's conception, which is all we have to offer you, is identified as one Dr. Fu Manchu. He is known most commonly as the leader of the Si-Fan organization, an Oriental terrorist network formerly based in China with the government's backing, now independent, thanks to the revolution, but nonetheless deadly. You will find more information on him in the packet included with this tape. What we have on him indicates that he and the Si-Fan are operating in San Francisco at this time. What objective he seeks, we do not know. Several other operatives from other agencies are said to be working on the case. They might need backup. Should you choose to accept this assignment, the government will deny any knowledge of you or your IMF operatives. Good luck, Jim. This message will self-destruct in thirty seconds."
Within just that time, a capsule of acid dissolved the cassette and player. Jim Phelps washed the remains of it down the drain, hoping it wouldn't damage the plumbing.
This one, he thought he'd leave to the other guys involved.
-L-
The note read:
Apologies tendered for absence. The game is already won. This clue is left only for your amusement. The note will be struck not two hours hence. From a high peak, the West will learn their vulnerability. The balance will fall in one's favor. Do not fall prey to regret. In your way, you are worthy of your predecessors. Farewell.
It wasn't signed, but it didn't need to be.
"Bloody hell," said Bond.
"Clueful," said Flint. "But there's any number of interpretations. 'From a high peak'...well, that could be any tall structure in town. Or perhaps the Golden Gate Bridge, I suppose. Or..."
"Flint," said Bond. "Shut up. I'm trying to think."
Derek Flint subsided, but gave Bond the first unkind look he'd ever tendered him.
"Within two hours," said Mrs. Peel, ignoring Bond. "Therefore, Fu Manchu can't be very far away, obviously within the city."
"Obviously, Mrs. Peel," said Steed. "Though any number of jet transports could take one a great distance, half a continent, in fact, within such time."
"No," said Illya, flatly. "Fu Manchu chose this city. He intends to make a statement, his version of an artistic work. He'd detonate the cobalt bomb here."
"I'd tend to agree, Illya," Mark Slate chimed in. "Which leads us back to the obvious question: where here?"
Napoleon Solo bent to observe the table. "And the table. Is it part of that...'artistic statement', Illya? Well?"
"Damn!"
The word came from Bond. He had to hold himself back from upsetting the table in his rage. "Of course it is! That uranium isn't in the center of the damned table. Don't you understand it? The table is San Francisco! The uranium is where he has the bomb!"
Steed's eyebrows raised as he brought the handle of his umbrella near his shoulder, holding the brolly by its furled ribs. "Bond. I hate to admit it, but I think you have something there."
"I'd say he does," said April. She turned to the Baldwins. "You've both lived here for years. Where does this correspond to, on a city map?"
"Depends on which way you turn it, dear," responded Irene Baldwin. "Of course, if this side was seaward..."
Ward Baldwin interrupted. "It's the building they're going to be opening in a week."
"What?" Steed looked up at Baldwin sharply.
"The Pyramid," said Baldwin. "The Transamerica Pyramid."
-L-
Solo got the word out to UNCLE within seconds. UNCLE got the word to the president, the Russian premier, and whoever else needed to know. Everyone agreed, though, that an obvious approach by the authorities might cause Fu Manchu to detonate the bomb ahead of schedule. That left it in the hands of the League and whatever forces could be brought to bear against their foe that could be done covertly.
Which meant, of course, that it was in the hands of the League.
The pyramidal building which was financed by the Transamerica Company was virtually complete and was scheduled to be opened the following week. Provided, of course, there was still a San Francisco on the following week. The Pyramid was all of 48 stories high, with a spire that ran many feet higher, and required "wings" on each side for a stairwell and elevator. When construction started in 1969, a sign had confidently announced the building would be up by 1972. Luckily, they'd been correct.
The Baldwins really didn't like it. They said that a number of historical buildings had to be destroyed on the site where the building was raised. They also found the architecture a bit whacky. Steed opined that, since Fu Manchu had some interest in Egyptology, the pyramid scheme of the building might have appealed to him thusly. Flint thought it might just be the artistic bit of using San Francisco's newest skyscraper to destroy the city.
The "high peak", everyone agreed, probably meant that the Si-Fan had the device at or near the very top of the Transamerica building. How they'd gotten the thing in there was anybody's guess. But, if anything, Fu Manchu was capable.
Just now, the League was a block away from the pyramid, parked in two large cars rented by Steed. Bond, Flint, Steed, and Peel were in one; the UNCLE crew and the Baldwins were in the other.
"How do you propose we enter?" asked Flint, looking at the building.
"Well, there's a plan," said Steed. "Just needs the right man to implement it. Are you up for it?"
"Excuse me, Steed," said Bond, "but I'll be up for it. If Flint doesn't mind, that is."
Flint looked at him. "Why, James?"
Bond cracked a smile. "Perhaps to get back in your good graces, Derek."
"Well, then. Be my guest."
"There are two devices," said Steed. "If you go first, Bond, you have to clear the way."
"Devices?" said Bond. "Has Q been at it again?"
"Actually, I got them from Mother," explained Steed. "But I think Q was in on their design. Gentlemen, if you'll accompany me to the trunk?"
-L-
The Si-Fan guards on the floor near the level where the Master dwelt were ready for an attack, but they were expecting it to come from below. In the direction of the stairwell, or perhaps the elevator. They had been told that they would be gathered with their ancestors to paradise for their service, though they weren't exactly sure what for. The Master would be leaving in a short time, and by sunup, all would be decided. Such was his word.
The problem was that the attack came from just outside a window, over 40 stories above the street.
A submachine gun burst shattered the glass and then the bodies of two of the Si-Fan inside. The rest reacted within seconds, despite their surprise.
The attacker, in some sort of strange suit and protective helmet, pushed in through the broken window, with a jetpack contraption strapped to his back. With one hand, the intruder shut off the jets. With the other, he used his gun.
A crash from the opposite side told the Si-Fan that the invader was not alone. Within a minute, the battle was over.
Amidst the bodies, Flint and Bond shucked their helmets, compressed-air jetpacks, and jumpsuits. Flint smiled. "I've traveled this way before, James. But it never gets old."
Bond flipped open a communicator. "Steed. We're in. Follow suit. Out."
The two of them started up the stairs.
To be continued...
Notes for part 9:
"The light-haired man in the sports jacket entered the men's room of
the 707, though the use was unconventional." Jim Phelps, head of
the Impossible Missions Force, whose exploits were chronicled in the
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE TV series.
"'Devices?' said Bond. 'Has Q been at it again?'" Q is the
armorer of MI6, who personally equips James Bond with his covert and
deadly equipment.
"'Actually, I got them from Mother,' explained Steed." Mother is
the code name of Steed's superior in THE AVENGERS series.