MI High is coming to an end. What is going to be the future for the team ? Is there a future for the team ? Will everyone go their separate ways or will they stay together ? Moving in.
"Hey, Music Dan ! How's that ?" asked Keri. "Dan ?" she asked when there was no reply.
Dan had slumped forward in his chair. His forehead was resting on the table in front and he was fast asleep.
"Dan's fine with that," Keri assured Stella.
Aneisha stood beside Tom outside an anonymous building in a London back street. "It's not really homey is it ?" she asked, looking dubiously at the blank brick wall containing a single grey, metallic door with a keypad mounted on the wall alongside. She had been hoping for some cosy, period property like the ones she'd seen in 'Made in Chelsea'. This was nothing like it.
"Well, I guess it needs to look inconspicuous," said Tom doubtfully. He had been expecting some kind of high tech loft apartment in one of the buzzing parts of London, not an anonymous door on an anonymous back street. Where was the glass ? Where was the steel ? The keypad didn't even look new.
They heard footsteps approaching and turned to find Dan and Keri walking towards them. Keri waved and grinned, swinging a huge handbag over one arm. Dan was wearing a black rucksack. He nodded. They halted beside the others and Keri stared at the door. "Is that it ?" she asked in disbelief.
"Well, we all came to the same place," said Tom. "Either it's the right place, or we're all idiots."
Keri frowned at him "Gee thanks," she said. "I was expecting something kind of James Bond, mews house with super high tech stuff," she said vaguely. "What about you ?" she asked Dan.
Dan shrugged. "Yeah, and a big sign saying 'MI9 Safe House'," he said drily. He pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and approached the keypad. "Hm," he grunted before pressing a key on the keypad. A blue light flashed over his face briefly and the door clicked softly open. "Let's have a look," he suggested, waving towards the door.
"Ooh, ooh !" said Tom, hopping up and down excitedly. "Facial recognition !"
Dan rolled his eyes. "Well, what did you expect ? It's a fake keypad so it doesn't look too conspicuous," he explained.
"How do you know ? Have you been here before ?" asked Keri curiously.
"Nope. I've been doing MI9 catchup courses all summer while you three had your holidays," grunted Dan. "No flash security on show at MI9 safe houses, so they blend in with their surroundings," he explained. The others glanced at one another. Dan sounded so knowledgeable !
They walked down a short corridor. A blue light flashed down from the ceiling across each of them as they passed. "Welcome Agents Morgan, Summers, Tupper and Jones," said a computer voice. A set of doors at the end of the corridor opened into a stainless steel lined lift. The lift took them silently up and the doors opened into a large hall area lined with wooden cupboard doors. A small black box sat on a low table in the middle of the floor.
"Here it is," said Dan.
The others all looked baffled. "Here's what ?" asked Keri.
"The instructions," said Dan. "Frank !" he said loudly. The black box lit up and a shaft of light shot out of the side, making Aneisha jump back slightly in fright. A life-sized hologram of Frank London appeared in front of them.
"Team !" said Frank's voice. "I'm afraid this is my last briefing for you. From now on you will be managed by your senior MI9 handlers. Good luck for the future. It just remains for me to explain how your new base operates," he explained.
At first everyone was startled at Frank's news, except for Dan who looked a little sad. "You knew ?" whispered Keri. Dan just nodded and said nothing.
"Right, you are currently standing in the hallway, which is also your weapons and equipment store," explained Frank. "Open the doors and familiarise yourself with the contents," he instructed. Tom tentatively pressed one of the doors and it clicked open to display a rack containing guns of different types. Aneisha opened another door to reveal electronics kit. Keri found explosive materials and Dan found a selection of gas canisters and gas masks.
"You can take your time to get to know where everything is later," continued Frank. "This building is kitted out with a variety of defensive capabilities with which you must also familiarise yourselves. A handbook has been delivered to all of your Spy Pods. Take time to read this," he ordered seriously. "One day your lives may depend upon it," he added. Then he smiled again. In spite of knowing it was only a recording, they all smiled back. "The living area !" announced Frank as a door clicked open. They walked through and found a large sitting room laid out with comfortable leather armchairs, a large television, dining area, a large fish tank and some bookshelves.
"Fish !" said Tom, looking stunned.
"You are responsible for feeding the fish," explained Frank. "Instructions beside the tank," he added. "Kitchen through the back, washing facilities also," he said. "Your bags are in your rooms. Explore and enjoy team. And I just wanted to say, it's been a pleasure and a privilege," he said. Franks bottom lip was now quivering slightly. Goodbye !" he said suddenly and his hologram disappeared inside its little black box as quickly as it had appeared.
The team stood staring at the little box. "You too Frank," said Aneisha forlornly. Nobody moved for a minute.
"Come on. We might as well look round," said Dan. This broke the spell and they all started to wander around the rooms.
"Wow ! Awesome !" muttered Tom as he entered his bedroom. It was kitted out with a full laboratory at one end, filled with all sorts of gizmos and devices. He also had all of his favourite games and their consoles. He noticed that the window had one-way glass. He could see out, but nobody would be able to see inside.
Aneisha walked into a smaller room with fitted wardrobes. Her bags were neatly stacked in the corner. She had a large double bed, a pair of cosy armchairs a large dressing table and mirror, large study desk, plus a neat en suite. It suited her tastes perfectly.
Keri walked into a similar room, decked out in brighter colours. There was a much larger pile of luggage, plus a sewing machine in a case and she had a large table laid out with equipment for her course and a large pin board on the wall. She pressed her hands together and bounced up and down in happiness. It was perfect !
Dan looked curiously around his room. It was decorated in plain blues and greys with a large double bed at one end. Two guitar cases rested in one corner, beside a drum kit. A large set of shelves stood empty except for one framed photograph. He lifted it up and stared at the picture. It was a photograph of himself, his parents and his little sister, taken recently. Everyone was grinning happily at the camera. He briefly smiled back at them, but the smile vanished as he felt a deep pang of home-sickness. Blinking back tears he stared at the ceiling, hugging the picture to his chest. He could do this. He was ready. All of his friends were moving away from home. Surely he could do it ! He noticed a set of keys on his desk. There was a note beside them. "Ground floor. Enjoy !" said the note.
"Dan !" called out Tom. Dan smiled to himself. He had brought all of his friends with him. How cool was that ? He picked up the keys and walked out into the living area. Tom was staring into the fish tank. "This is actually pretty cool. I could get used to this," said Tom.
Dan waved the keys at Tom. "Fancy finding out what these are for ?" he asked. Tom grinned and nodded. They searched around and found a door they hadn't yet tried. It lead to a staircase which took them down to another door. The door opened on to darkness. Tom stepped out and lights came on automatically. They were standing in a large garage which must have filled most of the ground floor of the building. It contained a standard MI9 black van, two inconspicuous cars and a large motorbike, with two helmets. Dan held out the keys. "What do you think ?" he asked Tom. Tom shrugged. Dan put on one of the helmets and handed the other to Tom. Tom pushed it on his head and stood looking at Dan.
"Do you know how to work one of these things ?" he asked in a muffled voice.
"I had lessons during the summer," said Dan. He put the keys into the motorbike and the engine roared into life. "Hop on !" he said. Tom gingerly climbed on the back of the bike, gripping tightly on to Dan's leather jacket. "Don't worry, I'll go slowly," Dan promised. He edged the bike towards a large door which opened automatically and they left the building. Dan twisted the throttle and the bike roared. He grinned inside the helmet. Result !
They tore off down the street with Tom screaming, "Slowly ! You said slowly !"