condensed master
Will Bonner Will looked astern to see that a destroyer had turned it's beam to the oncoming plane, and as it left the convoy, a violent blast of anti-aircraft gun fire ensued, the plane disintegrating into fragments which fell into the sea like confetti. Loud cheering broke out once again but Will felt sickened by the whole affair. What a stupid waste. It had just been a spectacle. The all clear sounded within minutes, signalling that the crew could leave their emergency stations. As a rule, these incidents were sporadic, so no further attacks were predicted in the near future. Everyone relaxed to resume their normal duties, and there would be plenty of discussion amongst the crew about the attack, during the remainder of the day. Arriving in Port Said, Will had not seen the war correspondent since leaving Algiers, probably because he had quartered with the officers. No doubt by now he would be ashore, waiting for another ship. The parcel arrived, as arranged. It was a small package with a sealed brown paper covering addressed to Will, but not stamped, and about the size of a cigarette package. He shook it, but nothing rattled inside. Placing it in his pocket he knew that it would be a constant reminder to him of the circumstances surrounding it’s arrival. Ships were making their own way from Port Said to Aden as there was no concerns about enemy aircraft or submarines. They would all reassemble again at Aden before crossing the Indian Ocean to Bombay. The one hundred mile journey down the Suez Canal was always interesting. The common sight that never failed to capture Will’s imagination was that of a ship ahead which had followed a bend in the canal. Viewed from across the sand dunes gave it the pseudo appearance of steaming across the desert! The four or five days journey down the Red Sea was typical. With desert on all sides the searing heat was unbearable, any breeze after passing over the hot sand resembled the output from a hot air dryer. Will felt for the troops as he did during the fierce weather in the Atlantic. Coming from the mild English weather they were totally unprepared for the relentless heat. The short stay in Aden would at least, give them some respite. 28
The Reluctant Agent A Compelling Story of Espionage Chapter 3 The Aden Incident Will arrived in Aden full of apprehension. He would get the package delivered at the first opportunity that presented itself. It had, so to speak, been burning a hole in his pocket since coming into his possession in Port Said. Looking at the roster dealt him a stunning blow, he was scheduled to be on mid-day watches for the next two days, which would prevent him from making the necessary contact at the Queen of Sheba's Wells. What a fool he had been for taking the roster for granted. Minor panic was beginning to set in and he wandered the deck wondering what to do next. They will have me for sure if I don't deliver that package! What reason could he give wanting so desperately, for someone to take over his watch? I'd better be quick, the schedules are new and could probably be changed without causing any conflict. Will ran forward to see Wes, the only person he knew with enough influence to get the changes made. He needed the next two days clear between 12 noon and 12 midnight to be certain that the job would be done, and he would give it a try tomorrow. What could he say to Wes? Lying to him was something he never 29
- Page 1 and 2: The Reluctant Agent A Compelling St
- Page 3: I dedicate this book to my wife Dor
- Page 7: Will and Dorothy sat overlooking Ni
- Page 10 and 11: Will Bonner It was a relief to get
- Page 12 and 13: Will Bonner Taking a well used pipe
- Page 14 and 15: Will Bonner close that Will could f
- Page 16 and 17: Will Bonner a second blow between h
- Page 18 and 19: Will Bonner food so he just lay the
- Page 20 and 21: Will Bonner convoy returned, the ab
- Page 22 and 23: Will Bonner mines that were just be
- Page 24 and 25: Will Bonner only served to direct e
- Page 26 and 27: Will Bonner dark Will had no diffic
- Page 30 and 31: Will Bonner envisaged, and he hated
- Page 32 and 33: Will Bonner be long before he would
- Page 34 and 35: Will Bonner stumpy legs to operate
- Page 36 and 37: Will Bonner Omah seated himself beh
- Page 38 and 39: Will Bonner Scared to look back he
- Page 40 and 41: Will Bonner thin mirror, hanging on
- Page 42 and 43: Will Bonner Omah, was no doubt a we
- Page 44 and 45: Will Bonner The Inspector floundere
- Page 46 and 47: Will Bonner The voyage across the I
- Page 48 and 49: Will Bonner them away. Between watc
- Page 50 and 51: Will Bonner where one might choose
- Page 52 and 53: Will Bonner mind that this man woul
- Page 54 and 55: Will Bonner Will's mind was racing
- Page 56 and 57: Will Bonner The following day he ha
- Page 58 and 59: Will Bonner "How can I help you, Sa
- Page 60 and 61: Will Bonner "I can arrange for some
- Page 62 and 63: Will Bonner Changing his clothes he
- Page 64 and 65: Will Bonner Will pulled himself tog
- Page 66 and 67: Will Bonner sight of the cabin stew
- Page 68 and 69: Will Bonner "They sure are an odd t
- Page 70 and 71: Will Bonner It was all over, but he
- Page 72 and 73: Will Bonner Will watched as Wes wal
- Page 74 and 75: Will Bonner Will was trying his har
- Page 76 and 77: Will Bonner interruption throughout
The Reluctant Agent<br />
A Compelling Story of Espionage<br />
Chapter 3<br />
The Aden Incident<br />
Will arrived in Aden full of apprehension. He would get the package delivered<br />
at the first opportunity that presented itself. It had, so to speak, been burning a<br />
hole in his pocket since coming into his possession in Port Said.<br />
Looking at the roster dealt him a stunning blow, he was scheduled to be on<br />
mid-day watches for the next two days, which would prevent him from making the<br />
necessary contact at the Queen of Sheba's Wells. What a fool he had been for<br />
taking the roster for granted. Minor panic was beginning to set in and he wandered<br />
the deck wondering what to do next. They will have me for sure if I don't deliver<br />
that package! What reason could he give wanting so desperately, for someone to<br />
take over his watch? I'd better be quick, the schedules are new and could<br />
probably be changed without causing any conflict.<br />
Will ran forward to see Wes, the only person he knew with enough influence<br />
to get the changes made. He needed the next two days clear between 12 noon and<br />
12 midnight to be certain that the job would be done, and he would give it a try<br />
tomorrow. What could he say to Wes? Lying to him was something he never<br />
29
Change language