by John Gardner
For a second, Boris knew what was happening as the mist enveloped him, then he felt himself seizing up. After that he died, standing, a frozen statue inside the doomed building.
The gunship came down gently into the clearing. Bond dropped thankfully to the ground and stretched out, his eyes closed.
Inside, Natalya spoke in rapid Russian, telling the pilot that if he tried no tricks, he could leave, then she ran back and jumped from the main door onto the earth next to Bond.
The gunship, with a thankful pilot at the controls, lifted off as she spoke softly. "James ? James ? Are you OK? James, oh please speak to me." He opened one eye and pulled her down to him. "Yes, he said. "I'm fine. Thank you."
"You devil,' she laughed and he pulled her close so that their mouths touched and he rolled on top of her.
"James, no. Not here, James, somebody might see."
"Don't be silly, Natalya." He looked at her lovingly.
"There's nobody left to see anything." He only had eyes for Natalya, so could not see Jack Wade rise from the bushes, nor the forty or so marines, in camouflage, appear from the jungle to stand smiling with pleasure.
From far away came the sound of Marine Cougar helicopters bringing in reinforcements.
Bond needed no backup at this particular time.
