Chapter 2
Tremendo corporation hq: London
"Ah Sarah, you look wonderful!" Tremendo exclaimed as Moneypenny entered his office dressed immaculately in a black, formal evening gown. Tremendo's main office was overlooking the assembly hall. Through a large window he could gaze down and watch the proceedings. Moneypenny walked over to join him by it.
"Thank you sir." She smiled, genuinely pleased "The guests are arriving"
"Excellent, excellent." Tremendo sighed, slightly less enthused. Moneypenny got the impression that the wasn't looking forward to this evening. Over the past few months she had come to realise that, despite being one of he richest men in Europe Tremendo hated the wealthy. "Look at them, the worlds elite, more money than sense." He snarled with contempt as he watched the hall begin to fill. "People like this Sarah, they value one thing, themselves. They've come here to 'raise their profiles'. To be seen doing charitable thing to appear more human. The leaches! It is an invaluable asset to know the enemies weakness..."
"You consider them your enemy sir?" Moneypenny asked as casually as she could. Perhaps now he would finally admit to her what he was planning. No such luck.
"They sit idly by in their mansions with swimming pools while their neighbours have no water." Tremendo explained "They wear expensive furs while their fellow man freezes in the streets. They are an enemy to mankind."
"It's wrong yes, but there's little we can do about it sir." Moneypenny was slightly surprised to find that she felt the same way. The more she got to know Tremendo the more she sympathised with him. She shook herself mentally. 'Don't get involved' She told herself 'you're not James. You don't need to fall for every suspect'
"Come, into the feeding tank" Tremendo said suddenly, breaking her concentration. He took her by the arm and led her down the staircase that connected the office to the hall. The assembled crowd cheered as they made there way to the podium. A young man introduced Tremendo and he took centre stage. Fireworks whizzed as images of impoverished people filled the screen.
"Greetings Ladies and gentlemen and welcome to this very special event." He boomed. "The tremendo corporations first annual fundraiser for the worlds aid. Tremendo corporation prides itself on helping the less fortunate. Our company has cured innumerable diseases in the most poverty filled areas of the world, bringing relief to those who can not afford it. But it's not enough! We feel that more can be done... that's where you wonderful humanitarians come in. With a small donation you can save the lives of THOUSANDS! So please my friends dig deep tonight. You can afford to save your fellow man." The applause was almost deafening as Tremendo stepped down and led Moneypenny into the crowd. The young man took over eagerly.
"We have many different ways of raising the money needed." He gushed into the microphone. "Those wishing to make private donations may see Miss Ong in.."
Moneypenny and Tremendo weaved skilfully through the crowd, chatting idly with the rich and powerful and encouraging them to donate. Very soon moneypenny found herself face to face with a familiar smile
"Mr Tremendor." James beamed smoothly as he extended his hand. His eyes rested briefly on Moneypenny and darted away to avert suspicion.
"Ah Mr...." Tremendo struggled, attempting to pretend that he recognised James.
"Bond, James Bond." James prompted. "I just thought I'd congratulate you that was quite a show."
"Why thank you Mr Bond." Tremendo replied politely. "I always feel that the more money you show the more willing people are to spend. They like to show that they're on equal footing. I trust you'll be making a donation."
"Naturally." James nodded.
"Perhaps you should see Miss Ong for a private donation. She's just up the stairs." Said Tremendo and indicated up the stairs with a wave of his hand.
He broke away leading Moneypenny. It was a full five minuets before James was mentioned again.
"Has that Bond chap been to see Ong yet?" Tremendo asked her once they had detached themselves from the French ambassador.
Moneypenny pretended to search the crowd but already knew where James was. She had been following his progress around the room and watched as he made his way into a back room.
"No sir," She supplied once he'd shut the door , "he's heading off into the offices."
"Damn!" Tremendo cursed "M16."
"You're sure sir?" Moneypenny was secretly delighted. It was working.
"Quite, he does not want to see Ong as she'd recognise him. I'll send her along..."
Panic rose up in Moneypenny, Ong would kill James without a seconds thought. "She's a little busy sir. Perhaps I should go. We may give off the wrong impression if we beat him to a pulp. It MIGHT look suspicious. I'll go, keep up a respectable front."
"What would I do without you?" Tremendo smiled as she made her way across the floor.
James was pulling out a file from a cabinet in one of the many boring offices when Moneypenny entered silently. She paused for a moment behind him then spoke, making him spin around in shock. His gun raised.
"It appears I've caught you with your trousers down James." She smiled playfully as he lowered his weapon.
"It wouldn't the first time would it?"
"And I doubt it will be the last." She moved closer "What exactly are you doing?"
"Keeping up appearances dear." He waved the files at her.
"Put them back James, I can't let you take them." She commanded
"You're beginning to sound like your replacement." James stood right in front of her. His face inches from hers. " She's not as nice to come home to as you."
"I bet you say that to all the secretaries." Moneypenny took the files from him and put them back.
"How are you getting on?" James moved closer to her again.
"Fine" Moneypenny responded defiantly.
"You know who the traitor is?" James seemed genuinely surprised.
"It's Ong, I'm sure of it." Moneypenny nodded confidently "Tremendo's using these 'private donations' as a means of selling the vaccination to rich business men and she's undercutting him."
"You're certain?" James asked impressed.
"I've heard her arraigning it. I've sent 003 in as a buyer so we should have all of the evidence we need buy the end of the evening."
"Sounds like you have everything in hand Moneypenny." His lips were now inches away from hers.
"I know how much you like pretty things and big bangs James but sadly Not everything requires fireworks." She breathed.
"I don't know about that." He leant closer as the door opened.
"Ah Sarah. Here you are." Tremendo said loudly as they backed away from each other "I was becoming concerned."
Swiftly Moneypenny regained her composure "Mr Bond was lost sir, I was just directing him to main hall." She tried to sound as though she doubted his excuse.
"We can show you the way. Sarah, Miss Ong has been called away. We'll be required to meet with Mr Stong."
"Yes sir."
They exited silently and reached the main hall in moments. Tremendo and Monneypenny left James without a word and climbed the staircase to the office as Ong was coming down. Ong crossed the floor quickly looking around nervously. James decided to follow her. She had reached the opposite side of the room when she produced a mobile phone. James saw her squeeze the keypad as an enormous explosion rocked the room.
James turned in horror to face the office. The air caught in his lungs as glass shattered and the huge fireball sent debris cascading into the crowd. He paused a moment as his mind went blank. It was only when a fleeing guest slammed into him that he was jogged back to his senses.
He turned angrily to follow Ong who had made her way back into the side offices. He found her in the room that he had been talking with Moneypenny in moments before.
Seeing him the girl raised her gun. James reached for his own as Ong turned the gun on her self.
"Death or glory!" She roared and with a deafening bang shot herself through the head. Her body hadn't even hit the floor before the disgusted 007 left.
James arrived home very late and emotionally drained. He poured himself a double whisky from his antique drinks cabinet and slumped down into an old leather chair by the window. He downed the drink in one gulp, feeling it burn his throat as it went down. He stared angrily at the empty glass and began to squeeze it with rage. He didn't even wince as it cracked in his hand, the splintered shards digging into the flesh and drawing blood. He found it didn't hurt. He was numb.
For the first time in his life James Bond felt completely useless. There was nothing he could do. The case was going to be closed. There was no point now that everyone involved was dead. No suspects no evidence, nothing. M had sent him home after he had reported back to her. He'd walked straight past the protesting Miss Hardbottle and into M's office. She had been waiting for him it seemed. She'd looked as tired as he'd felt and said simply, with a slight crack in her voice:
"Go home and rest James, we'll send word if we find out anything more."
With this in mind James walked over to the answering machine, nothing. As a last resort he decided to check his email. The computers glow stung his tires eyes as he settled down and opened his inbox.
1 NEW MESSAGE FROM MONEYPENNY
James heart pounded as he read the message.
Enjoy the fireworks?