CHAPTER 1

"Good morning, M," James Bond, recently elevated to 00 status, said in mock merriment as he entered the grand dame's MI6 office at 85 Vauxhall Cross, London, looking more elegant than the first time she'd deigned to meet with the sandy-haired, blue-eyed, hard-jawed agent. At least he wasn't bruised and scarred this time and quite well-dressed.

"Good morning, Mr. Bond," M said, even though her short-cut, white-haired head was still bending over the latest printouts of reports and potential cases for her many agents, "just have a seat, I'll be with you in a moment."

Doing as he was told, but in no way appearing to be overly compliant, even with her, James Bond, 007, eased himself into an elegant straight-backed chair situated directly in front of the even more ornate wooden desk, then took in his surroundings with a single glance noting that, on the surface, the somewhat opulent work area looked like any other British bureaucratic office one might see on this side of London. James knew it was anything but, as he continued to patiently wait.

Tolerant. Diligent. Telling himself that his reward for lingering would no doubt be some deliciously dangerous assignment that could whisk him halfway around the globe and back. How could he know what his next "job" truly was? And what would he have done if he had?

"Very well, James," M finally heaved, settling back into the comfort of her high-backed chair and looking straight into 007's frequently cold eyes, "after reviewing your first 00 assignment…including your unsanctioned execution of Mr. White…"

"Yes, well," James said by way of an icy explanation, "I was simply taking out the proverbial trash, M, and I knew, had I contacted you first, you would've…"

"Told you to bring him in for proper questioning," M quickly countered with a look of sudden disdain dominating her genteel countenance. "James, you simply cannot go off half-cocked, as the Americans would say, when dealing with potential leads to vaster organizations such as SMERSH or SPECTRE. Had Mr. White been properly interrogated here at MI6…"

"I did obtain information," James Bond injected with a tranquil tone and terse smile. "The kind that will, inevitably, lead me to those directly responsible for what happened to Vesper."

"Mr. Bond," M was quick to state with more than just a little edge to her otherwise proper British-accented voice, "you cannot be an effective operative with the 00s and carry within you this senseless desire for personal revenge. If you do not learn to control yourself in these matters, I shall be forced to…"

"Of course, M," James cut in with a practiced smile as those cold blue eyes warmed a bit, "now…what mission do you have for me?"

Not happy at being so boldly interrupted, M nonetheless took a deep, calming breath just before soundly responding, "I do, indeed, have a very important 'mission' for you, Bond. You are to report to Q Branch…immediately."

"Q Branch," parroted James Bond with a knowing nod, trying to read M's less-than-expressive features and, most especially, her carefully guarded gaze. "No doubt for some special weapons procurement?"

"No doubt."

END OF CHAPTER 1