Dethroned Queen


II

"And what is the subject ?

- Your intrusion in what you thought was a tailor.

- And what was it ?

- The headquarter of a secret agency."

She burst into laughter. He looked so serious, so calm, so imperious that it just sounded stupid. Or not. Of course he'd been impressive, back in the street. But maybe he was just into Krav Maga. Or any other type of martial art she had no idea about. Or maybe she had drunk something drugged. Maybe she was asleep right now and she would soon wake up.

But her laugh died when he tilted his head, patiently. She sighed, suddenly tired, and nodded faintly. Now that she was there, she had nothing to do but listen to this non-sense.

"And you're obviously part of this secret agency ?" He smiled. She just closed her eyes. "Putain de merde.

- No need to be this rude, Maxime. I'm going to explain it to you.

- Yeah, you better. 'Cause it all looks like a bloody joke.

- I imagine I does." He paused and put down his tea cup. "Since 1849, Kingsman Tailors have clothed the world's most powerful individuals. In 1919, a great number of them had lost their heirs to World War One. That meant a lot of money going uninherited… And a lot of powerful men with a desire to preserve peace and protect life. Our founders realized that they could channel their wealth and influence for a greater good.

- Yeah, try to make me believe you're pursuing world's peace."

She was intentionally bitter. She knew better than that. Government's agencies were never into peace, greater good and public interest. The powerful's interest, on the contrary… He shook his head slowly and crossed his legs.

"We are. You have understood me wrong, we're not a governmental agency. We're independent, international and we're operating at the highest level of discretion without the politics and bureaucracy to undermine our integrity.

- Absolutely fascinating. And if you're operating at this highest level of discretion, why are you telling me all this ?

- Because of what you did. You could have found our secret, if only you'd had the time." He took something vaguely looking like a pen out of his pocket. "Of course, I can make you forget everything that happened today. But it would such a waste of potential…

- Wait, if this thing working like the thingummy in Men in Black ?

- Rougly, yes. You have two choices. You go back to your thuggish old life or you can become a Kingsman."

She blinked and kept quiet for a moment. It all sounded weird as hell, probably because it was weird as hell. But somehow it sounded true. The man didn't look like a joker. And it could explain why there was absolutely no money in the tailor. And how he'd killed those Chavs without even sweating the slightest.

And her life… He was right about it. Thuggish life. She wouldn't have said it differently. She was tired of this, it'd been almost five years she was scraping a living here and there, moving as soon as she would get in trouble. She missed having a routine, something plain, simple. She wanted her life-before-it-happened back. Of course, it's not exactly what was offering her… But maybe it could be a fresh start. I don't have anything to lose anyway.

"Let's say I accept. And I'm not saying that I do accept, I'm just hypothesising here. What does it mean ?

- It means that you'll have to adapt, to learn in order to transform yourself," he explained, a smile in his voice. "It will not be easy, I warn you. But I'm sure you will do well.

- I've already adapted to much worst environments. I can do this.

- So you're interested ?

- I'm not betting much."

He nodded, satisfied. Now that she'd said it, she was not so sure about it. Secret agent. It was not the most secure job of this world. And she didn't have the most incredible resume. But well. Would things turn wrong, she would just fly away and go back to her wanderer life. No one would know about it. Except for her and the man. By the way…

"If I'm supposed to trust you, can you at least tell me your name ?

- My name is Harry Hart. But you won't hear it often, when you get in the training centre. My alias is Galahad.

- The pure. The only one who would sit on the Siege Perilous, next to King Arthur," she said thoughtfully. "Do all Kingsmen have a Arthurian nickname ?

- Yes, they do. The vacant post in Lancelot's one.

- He who betrays Arthur in the end. Such a good omen."

He screwed his eyes up and stared at her. Did I say something wrong ? She lowered her eyes awkwardly and looked around. The house really seemed huge. Way too huge for a single man. Maybe he was married. She wasn't sure, though. He looked like an old bachelor. A good-looking old bachelor, maybe, but still single. Maybe his job didn't allow much of a romantic life. Maybe he's gay.

No matter how much she tried to derive his attention, he still was glaring at her. When he finally turned his eyes off her, he laughed. She frowned. Was she hitting on her or was he just trying to make her understand something ?

"What did I…

- No, I'm just surprised you know so much about Arthurian legends.

- You think I'm too much of a Chav to know anything ?" She grumbled. "I'm not illiterate, y'know.

- Of course you're not. But don't take legends too seriously. It's just a way for us not be recognized.

- By the way, won't they be mad I'm not English ?

- Probably," he admitted. "Mostly because of your accent, I guess.

- My accent ? But I'm fluent !

- For a French, yes, you are."

She rolled her eyes. He stood up and took the trail back into the kitchen. She softly apologized about her tea being still full but he shrugged. He put everything in the sink and gestured her to follow him. Well. I guess now's too late to give up. He leaded her right into something that looked like a broom cupboard and checked his watch. She cleared her throat and slipped next to him.

Now that's embarrassing. He smiled and showed her one of the hangers on the wall.

"Would you mind pulling it ?

- Pull… What ? The peg ?

- Please."

So she did it. And they start going down slowly. So the cupboard was an elevator. Fancy. So Fancy. And they went down a great long time, before arriving in front of what looked like the tub. Littler, however. Two places. He sat, she did the same in front of him, the door closed and... It reminded her of Space Mountain, in Disneyland.

When they both got out, she almost threw up. He looked completely untouched and told her to hurry up. They were late, apparently. Late to what, good question, still she obeyed. She stopped for a second in front of a bay-window showing every that was happening underneath. It was a gigantic shed, with planes, cars and weapons everywhere. She put a hand on her shoulder to lead her to what looked like a dorm already filled with young people. There were only two girls, the rest of them were boys. Oh my fucking god. They were all rich as hell. It was showing.

"Galahad. Late again.

- You know me, Merlin," smiled Harry. "Good Luck Maxime."

He disappeared in the corridor, leaving her with the spoiled brats. Géniale. She joined them and mimicked their gesture. They were standing like soldiers. It was beyond ridiculous, in their plaid suits, but well. When she turned toward the so-called Merlin, she froze.

He was the one who saw her, back in the tailor shop. He eyed her for a moment, apparently surprised but trying not to show it, and looked at the list in his hands. He then put them at ease and scrutinized them all.

"Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Merlin. You are about to embark on what is probably the most dangerous job interview in the world," he declared. "One of you and only one of you will become the next Lancelot. Can anybody tell me what it is ?

- A body bag.

- A body bag who ?

- Sir," she corrected. "A body bag, sir.

- Correct, Maxime. In a moment you will all collect a body bag. You will write your name of that bag, as well as the details of your next of kin. That represents the acknowledgment of the risk you face… And your agreement to strict confidentiality." He paused for a second. "If you break it, you and your next of kin will end in this bag. Understood ? Excellent."

He stormed out of the room. She almost started laughing. I'm fucked, she thought. Next of kin. She had no one left. Except for Harry, apparently, but she was not going to write his name, right ? Plus, she had no idea if he had a phone number. Everyone around her started writing on their body bag, so she just did the same. She just didn't fill the area of contact. They would write whatever they'd want to see written.

She sat on her bed and looked at everyone around her. They were slightly younger than her, or at least they looked younger. They already had all started to brag about their colleges and universities, about their cars and all these things she didn't give a shit about. She had nothing but her bag and there was nothing in this bag except a water bottle and her handkerchief. She put in under her bed.

"Hello, hm… Maxime, is that it ?" She heard above her. One of the two girls was smiling at her. "My name's Roxane. Roxy, if you please.

- Hey, Max, where did they dig you up ?

- We're not supposed to discuss who proposed us !

- Anyway," she retorted. "Who are you, exactly ?

- Charlie, and this is Rufus. Oxford or Cambridge ?

- Neither.

- St Andrews ? Durham ?"

She frowned. She'd been in university… For two months. Law school, more precisely. It was nice. Until the moment every broke down and she couldn't just fake normality anymore. She'd left before the term's finals. And never returned. She didn't really miss it – it was a fucked up environment to live in, in the first place. And she was clearly not in the mood of bearing those snobbish professors and their neurotic requirements.

But clearly they were not exactly in the same situation. They were college boys and girls, even Roxy who looked like the less stupid one. They were born with a bloody silver teaspoon in their arse. So am I, actually. But life had taken care of her silver teaspoon, no problem with that. It was far, far away from her.

"Oh, I got it," the Charlie-brat said. "You're not English, are you ?

- Good shot.

- I don't know any university in France… Hey, Rufus, will you tell me a bit more of this girlfriend of yours ?

- Don't take any notice of those guys," Roxy said when his attention had turned. "As for the body bags… Classic army technique. Scare tactic, no one's gonna die.

- Shame."

She smiled to the girl. She seemed good-natured, polite and humble. Maybe she's not going to be as stuck-up as the rest. A few minutes later, some guys came to pick the bags and to tell them to go to sleep as soon as possible. They needed rest for what was to happen the following day. She didn't discuss the order, for once, and went through her lockers to find something to sleep in. She changed while the boys were in the bathroom and only took a shower when everyone was already in bed. She needed some alone time.

Under the hot water, she couldn't help but think of what had happened all day long. It was like a dream. She wasn't even sure she was herself at that moment. She only knew she'd gotten involved in something greater than her, something she didn't really understand. But maybe it was exactly what she needed. A goal. Something to pursue, even if it was some Arthurian name. When she went out of the shower, she stopped in front of the mirror. Her hair was soaked and she was still naked. Nothing had changed. The same ashy blond hair. The same brown eyes. The same body, the same scars here and there. I'm still myself. And it was reassuring.

She went to bed slowly and didn't wait so much to get to sleep. She was tired and the nice bed did the rest. But, of course, it didn't last enough. They got woken up by 6am and were ordered to report to the mess to take their breakfast and begin the first test. She did everything like a robot : dressing, tying her too short hair, eating, following the group. She really woke up when Merlin appeared. She stood to attention, and only went at ease when he said so. I'm becoming a perfect little soldier. He called several names, two by two, to constitute teams, until there was only her left. He asked her to follow him. He opened her the door of what look like a command post covered with screens. A chair was sealed on the floor. In front of this chair, a keyboard was installed.

She turned toward him, inquiring. He gestured her to sit and clear his throat. The screens switched on and the five teams appeared. She didn't know all their names, but Charlie, Roxy and Rufus were in three different teams. They were in five different rooms and, according to the sixth screens showing a plan of the area, the first three were at the same floor whereas the two last were underneath. The doors were all highlighted in red except hers. It was green.

"Listen to me very carefully, all of you. I'm in the control room with Maxime," Merlin said, calmly. "As soon as I'm out of the building you all are in, a fire will be lit. Maxime will be in control of the firebreak doors. Only two doors can be closed at the same time, including the command room's one. You'll see that some combinations are impossible to achieve. You will be put in contact with her as soon as the fire will begin. Try to stay alive.

- Hey, wait !"

But he went out. The door closed itself on him. She breathed deeply. Two doors, hers included. So only one if she wanted to stay alive. She closed her eyes for a second and heard the mikes going on. On the screens, her fellows were only dots with names. And they were slightly moving, probably trying to cure their stress. I have their lives on my shoulders. What did Roxy said, again ? No one's gonna die. Right.

Suddenly, black areas began to form on the screens. It was the fire. And it was going really fast. She took her headset and switched it on.

"You all hear me ?

- Yeah," screamed Charlie. "You better get me out of this !

- The fire is starting near your group, Rufus, Andrew, go in the corridor. Yeah, like that, enter the room at your left.

- Okay, so we're four in one room now. We smell smoke, it's normal, right ?

- Yes… I guess," she said. "I'm locking your door. Find a way to go out of this place. There's a window behind you.

- And us ?! We're not going to burn !"

She sighed. For now, the fire only extended to the floor where the first three teams were. It was racing in the corridors and it was going to soon reach the next room. She glared at the plan. There was another door, at the back. It was closed. Why the hell is it closed ? She tried to open it, screaming answered her.

"You opened back our door !" The dots began to regroup at the back of the room. "What the fuck are you doing ?!

- I can't open their exit door without opening yours, you have to go out !

- We're at twenty feet from the ground, we can't go out !

- Are you telling me you're afraid of heights ?! There are gutters, just cling on them !" She tried to stay calm. "James, Peter, go through the door I just opened. There are stairs, you will join Roxy and Craig. Hurry !"

The dots began to move again. James and Peter indeed took the stairs and indeed found Roxy's team. She breathed for a second and went back to Rufus and the others' case. They were all grouped next to the windows. She closed back their doors to give them time to go out.

When she lowered her eyes on the lower floor's screens, she gasped. Fire had gone faster than she had expected it to. Oh merde, merde, fuck ! It was rushing in the corridors from both sides, threatening the two teams' rooms. And she would only be able to close one door, when the boys would be done with their roof escape. She looked around. Nothing but pipes. She almost smelled smoke. She was surrounded by fire, according to the plan. I can't unlock my door.

"Maxime ?!

- We've got a problem, pals," she said. "Fire is coming right to all of you. I can't close both your doors.

- What do you mean you can't ?!

- I just can't, remember what Merlin said ?

- Wait, you're not going to let me die ?!" Charlie screamed in her ears. She grimaced. "Just close our fucking door and let the others find their solution !

- You must be kidding me, Charlie, you want us to die in place of you ?!

- I'm richer than you anyway, my father needs me and I…

- OH SHUT UP FOR FUCK'S SAKE !"

Everyone went quiet. Rufus' group was outside. She unlocked their door. She couldn't decide. She was not going to let Roxy die. Charlie, on the other side… No, no way. No innocent was going to die. He was probably an asshole but he was innocent. He hadn't deserve it. Roxy neither ! Oh putain, une solution, n'importe laquelle…

Once again, she looked around. Nothing but those stupid pipes… Pipes… She stood up and came near on them. It was water pipes. And it was fragile. She could break it with her bare hands. She looked at the screens. Her door, still locked. She gulped. She had a solution. They are locked. She flood her room, hoping it would be enough to stop the fire from burning her alive. I'm going to die.

Wait a second. She didn't deserve it either. She had done nothing wrong. Of course, she was a thief, but did she deserve to die ? Hell, no ! But she was in control. Maybe she'd done something wrong. If she'd cared about the lower floor before, maybe she could've found another solution. But she hadn't. And it was her only fault. She tried to breath. Well. I should have died years ago anyway, I guess. She came back to the screens.

"MAXIME !

- I have a solution. Just wait a second."

She closed Roxy's door. She heard the four of them sighing in relief. Then she turned toward the nearest pipe and gave it kicks, and kicks, and kicks. It moaned, bended, leaked and broke and almost exploded. She hid her face and stepped backward to the keyboard. She couldn't see anything, water was going everywhere.

"MAXIME !

- Just…

- We can't wait, the fire's entering !"

There was not enough water in her room. What do I do, what do I… She breathed heavily. She had no other choices anyway. It was her, burning or drowning, or them. So she unlocked her door. Lock Charlie's. Heat never bothered me, anyway.