The Ghosts of Yesterday
Chaper: 4 Once a classic, always a classic.
MI-6 headquarters London, England the United Kingdom. 0:9:00 am morning time days later
"Dong….Dong….Dong"
The clock from Big Ben strikes nine in which it is the top of the hour. The sound echoes throughout one of the oldest cities in the United Kingdom. London England. London is a leading global city, with strengths in the arts, commerce, education, entertainment, fashion, finance, healthcare, media, professional services, research and development, tourism and transport all contributing to its prominence.
London's 43 universities form the largest concentration of higher education in Europe. In 2012 London will become the first city to host the modern Summer Olympic Games three times. London has a diverse range of peoples, cultures and religions and more than 300 languages are spoken within its boundaries.
The building that overlooked Regent's Park was commonly known to outsiders as the headquarters for Universal Exports. To the people who worked inside, though, it was known as the Secret Intelligence Service headquarters, formerly known as Military Intelligence Division 6, or MI-6.
Universal Exports is known locally as Babylon-on-Thames due to its resemblance to an ancient Babylonian ziggurat. It is located at 85 Albert Embankment in the south western part of central London, at Vauxhall Cross on the South Bank of the Thames.
What does that old woman want now? He wondered about that as James Bond drove in his sleek, charcoal-metallic Aston Martin V12 vanquish it has all the modifications Q branch had to offer, with, all point's radar, stinger missiles, machine guns, and all wheel drive.
As he parked his car and stepped out, James strolled inside, locking his car he is dressed in his blue three piece suit, silk red tie, and black shined shoes, he was ready for the debriefing for his next mission. Although he would rather find out who was pulling the strings behind the killing of Nichole Hunter but that was months ago.
James Bond walked quickly through the open office area. His thoughts linger to who could be responsible. S.P.E.C.T.R.E, No they are out of business and many of their members are dead. Including Bofield who Bond has a long burning hatred for the man long after he has died. T
he Union…no they are gone as well. SMERSH almost their style but they disbanded after the iron curtain had fallen, however there are still rumors they still exist. So to him it had to be one possible group out there. Quantum…they are still out there somewhere.
His feet felt constricted within the leather shoes; and the noise of the busy departments new found sense of calm, listening to the operators talking to field agents around the world, he picked up more than ten different languages being offended his spoken during the twenty seconds it took him to cross the office, he waited and gazed back on the scene 'Babylon indeed' he thought.
Then he bumped into Billy Tanner the grandson of William Tanner. M's chief of staff who was holding several files in hand but he dropped them to the ground as he looked completely nervously. So he picked them up and smiled at James Bond.
"M keeping you busy Tanner?" asked the secret agent.
Billy Tanner sighed and said "You know how the evil queen of all numbers works double-0-seven." It was years ago he gave her that nickname in which it people privately called her that but not in front of her face to this very day.
"Indeed I do." James Bond grinned at that, but then put on a serious expression "Now I am off to see the queen."
James Bond walked down the corridor of the building. The sun had been pummeling rays onto the side of it all morning. Inside, the effect was much the same. The air conditioning was on, and the fluorescence from the incessant overhead lights was stark.
Suits busied themselves around him, but none captured his interest; instead he just looked from one side to the other and lifted a hand to rub absent-mindedly at the bone which curved down from temple to cheek. The doors to the office slid open.
He walked into and reached Money penny's office. She is Jane Moneypenny. He took off his grey derby hat, throws the hat across the room until the object landed on the coat rack.
Money penny, M's personal assistant, was a slightly attractive, 5'7" and 132 pound Caucasian woman, with red hair, slim build, and slightly under average sized breasts. She and Bond flirted quite often he leaned across her oak finish desk and glanced right at her with a schoolboy like smile.
"Good morning, James," said Money Penny
"How's the lovely Miss Money penny this morning?" he asked
She looked at him "I wish it were the lovely Mr. Bond," Money penny replied back to him.
"What would I ever do without you, Money penny?" Bond asked.
"You've never had me" Money Penny rolled her eyes at that
"Don't be too sure about that." said, the smiling secret agent. "Now how about—"he was cut off by an annoying buzzing sound that came from the intercom on her desk, he immediately got off of Money Penny's desk. But he kept his eyes on her.
Then the intercom on her desk spoke "Money penny, would you send Commander Bond in immediately?" the he waved to Money penny then walked up to the silver brass doors as they both slide inwards and he walked inside.
He walked inside and found himself inside M's office. The walls are gray with the lighting that is kind of stark. A black spotted rug lay on the floor. To his left a black couch is situated next to the wall along with another chair and a small table. The walls are see-through but sound proof. With a press of a button these walls can act as communications transmissions to get in contact with any agent around the world.
M's desk has objects of interest. A laptop computer, several file folders a cup full of pens and a small split screen to look over current events by a way of satellite feed. Three chairs are near the desk, two of these black chairs are for people who have meetings with M and M her self is sitting in a gray style but comfortable chair.
It shows that she holds a position of authority. He has always respected her although he will never tell it to her face. He recalled the first conversation with he had with her. It was weeks after Miles Messervy the former M retired and the beginnings of the Goldeneye mission. He remembered her words very carefully. At the time she was cold, blunt and unabashedly dislikes him but over time he suspected that she trusted him.
:Flashback 1996 M's Office:
"I think you're a sexist, misogynist dinosaur, a relic of the Cold War, whose boyish charms, though wasted on me, obviously appealed to that young woman I sent out to evaluate you." Said, M.
Bond shrugged that off on the comment and ignored it. "Point taken" said 007.
"You think I'm an accountant, a bean counter, more interested in my numbers than your instincts," said M.
Bond coldly replied "The thought had occurred to me."
"If you don't think" said M "I have the balls to send a man out to die, your instincts are dead wrong."
:End of Flashback:
M or better known as Lady Admiral Barbara Mawdsleywas over fifty five, at 5'5" and 150 pounds, with a wrinkled face, ice cold blue eyes, similar to Bond's, and snow white hair. The Caucasian female had taken over MI-6 over 15 years, but had improved it over her predecessor by large. He sat down in a chair across from her in a firm leather chair that is comfortable. He is well aware that younger agents are intimidated by her but not James Bond.
"Getting rather old, are we now, M?" he had a crocked half smile,
M was not amused "Do you have a wish to lose your job?" she asked
He looked at her "No," said the secret agent
He glared at her and rubbed his hands together, as they will discuss the next mission of his
"Any problems, ma'am?" Asked, Bond
"That's generally the case when you're called in, Double-Oh Seven." Said M in which she pressed a button on the table as it showed the headlines of the New York Times a local newspaper in New York City. The headlines read :One-shot killer strikes again three dead: then several pictures are shown of his double-0 number 007 at several crime scenes. "What do you think commander?" asked M.
After James Bond studied it for a moment he suspected that someone wants his attention but who and for what purpose. One shot killer, he found it interesting. However petty American crimes don't interest MI-6 unless it is important. If M called him for this he is well aware this is very important. He remained calm and cool at the situation as he already made up his mind for what he is about to say on this matter.
"I take it someone wants my attention." Said Bond "It's fairly obvious to me, however I suspect there is more to it than that ma'am."
"Correct commander." Said, M "There is more."
So M pressed a button on her desk as sounds of a recording is heard of a conversation between the bus driver and a local emergency operator. Then a familiar voice is heard along with a shot from a gun but couldn't tell what kind of gun it is. Along with a horrid sound of laughter that sounded demonic and psychotic.
He pondered in his mind in who it was as the memories of laughter in which he recognized. Baron Samedi. It was during the mission to take down Dr. Kananga/ Mr. Big he had three encounters with the strange and unusal man. In which he killed him twice on that mission. They called him the man who cannot die in which he found it to be complete boulder dash. Is this someone else protraying the man or is this the real Baron Samedi.
He found it to be complete nonsense, but it does make sense. After the mission he had read up on the myth of Baron Samedi acorrding to the religion of Voodoo. Is one of the Loa of Haitian Voodoo. Samedi is a Loa of the dead, along with Baron's numerous other incarnations Baron Cimetière, Baron La Croix, and Baron Kriminel. He is the head of the Guédé family of Loa, or an aspect of them, or possibly their spiritual father. 'Samedi' means 'Saturday' in French. His wife is the Loa Maman Brigitte.
Additionally, he is the Loa of sex and resurrection, and in the latter capacity he is often called upon for healing by those near or approaching death, as it is only Baron who can accept an individual into the realm of the dead. No wonder Solitare and Dr. Kananga feared him so much. However he is not buying into this nonsense that this Baron Samedi is some sort of voodoo god of death.
There is more to it than that and this one shot gun could mean any type of weapon. But there are two weapons that can kill a person with one shot. The golden gun of Auric Goldfinger and the golden gun of the assassin of Fransisco Scaramanga. Goldfingers golden gun is still in the Q-branch cold storage valut and Fransisco's golden gun was lost after his island exploded.
So could it be?
Anything is possible, someone must of found Fransisco's gun in the ruins of the island but he figured it must of taken the person years to find the weapon. Gold bullets are rare and hard to make, so that leaves that out. He knows regular bullets can intergate with the weapon.
M took notice that Bond is quiet and deep in thought, she is well aware of all Bond's past missions but never asked about it. Although she will never tell this to his face. He is and always will be the best that England and MI-6 has. Mycroft Holmes already told her about Bond's advanced age. She didn't believe at first but what the former M known as Miles Messervy told her it was indeed true.
"Bond!" said M "You suspect the golden gun don't you, I've read the reports." She threw him a bag with a single gold colored bullet.
James glared at it for a moment and took it out of the bag…hmmm? Something isn't right about the bullet. So he took out a magnifying glass from his pocket and used it for a closer inspection only to discover that this bullet is painted with a partial number engraved on it more like a set of directions that he is unfamiller with. Like longatude and latatude but to where that is the question he'll need to see this for himself.
"Yes ma'am," said the secret agent "this bullet is painted and I don't need to ask but I will take the mission."
"I had a feeling you would say that." Said M, "then get going, stop him no matter what the cost. You have my full support on this and oh do stop by the Q-branch to get what you need."
"I most certainly will ma'am." Said 007 with a nod as he got up from his chair and walked out of her office leaving M alone to her work. He passed by Jane Money Penny's office as the lovely secretary stepped out for a bit. He then headed to a nearby elevator to head down to the Q-branch.
He pressed a button as the elevator doors opened and the secret agent stepped inside. Then the door closed behind him as he is inside, so he pressed another button as the elevator decended downwards. Along the way he heard in the background boring elevator music.
The Q-Branch, MI-6 headquarters
About twenty minutes later James Bond rode the elevator all the way down, to the lowest levels of the building, underground. Where the realms of conception were regularly broken, where the boundaries of science were often thwarted and upgrades happened everyday.
The elevator doors slid open and Bond walked out. The usual shenanigans were afoot in the lab, rocket launchers being put into umbrellas lasers being attached to arm chairs and a ceramic garden gnome in a microwave.
Bond spotted Q the Quartermaster of the Q-branch, to a select few he is known as Horace Boothryd the 3rd, the grandson of Major Boothryd the original Q who died several years ago in a car accident.
He missed old Major and his numerous of arguments. He would never openly admit to anyone but Major was only few of the best friends he has ever had and his grandson on the other hand is just like him in many ways.
Q instantly saw Bond as he left the elevator and sprang into action! The technicians in the lab who regularly help Q with gadgets and test them, they noticed the secret agent as well. Q said "Look what I've got for you this time, you ungrateful idiots!" he continued "This umbrella will fire 4 explosive rounds per minute or more if you've got any-"
Bond interrupted him. "Guess I won't have to worry about it getting blown away in the wind then."
Q realized that this would be an uphill struggle to argue with Bond he said "And this is a chair with a built in laser that-"
He is interrupted by James Bond once again "Not so much a lazy boy as a laser boy, eh Q?"
Q sighed deeply in which he said "And this is a garden gnome in a microwave"
Bond paused and looked puzzled "I…uh…why would you do that?"
"I was going to make soup!" Q smiled at that
Bond backed off on that one and shook his head. He made a mental note not to eat with Q while in the Q-branch lab. While the technicians in the lab glanced at each other at first, but some of them snorted, chuckled and giggled at the conversation both Q and the secret agent were having. James snickered a bit at the people who are watching them but Q who is annoyed at this glared darkly at all of them.
"Get back you work you bloody idiots." Ordered Q, the Q-techs did as they were told, "Now where was I double-0-seven."
"M told me," said James "To pick up a few of your new toys."
"A few sure." Said Q "Please, follow me double-0-seven." James followed Q to where a table is near the garage along with that a covered tarp that has a shape of a vehicle possibility a car.
"Now pay attention double-0-seven." Said Q asked he picked up and explained the black colored smart phone or Q-phone as he preferred it to be called. He is well aware that gadgets like this saved his life many times, including his wits, instincts and guts. Q went on to explain the electronic skeleton key along with a few goodies that are installed as well.
"What better to reach out and touch someone aye Q." said Bond.
"Oh grow up double-0-seven." Said Q as he grunted and showed him some sort of backpack in which a demonstration is in order for it transformed into a mini-jet pack with laser turrets. What was the purpose of this he isn't going on any aerial battles. Oh well a gadget is a gadget.
"I'll let you know when I keep the British end up Q." said Bond as Q shook his head at that.
"Right, now moving along to this lovely vehicle created by the Q-branch." Q motioned for the Q-techs to pull the tarp. They did so as they reveled a streamlined silver colored car "Presenting the Aston Martin Halo interceptor."
"I take it this vehicle transforms." Said Bond, who is well aware Q has been hard at work with this vehicle.
"My, my, someone has been paying attention." Said Q, he smiled a bit.
"Only if you don't make me fall asleep Q." said Bond.
Q took out a remote from his pocket and went onto explain what the Aston Martin Halo Interceptor does. He explained the vehicle can transform into three modes. He pressed the first as it transformed into a helicopter, the second transformation a small jet like an Aero-star and the third a motor boat. James is intrigued this is, as Q and his techs have out done themselves once again. Q then handed him the keys.
"A few classics are in the trunk double-0-seven." Said Q.
"Great job Q." said 007 "Now I am-"his sentence was cut off as a Q-technician tapped him on the shoulder and handed him a letter with no return address. Odd he never gets mail not even love letters. He smelled the letter as it has the smell of a woman's perfume.
He opened the letter only to discover it has one object inside a tarot card but not an ordinary card the image of the card is a man and a woman completely naked. This is the lover's card and he is very familiar with the card he found an addressed written on the back.
"Double-0-seven, what is it?" asked Q who happened to notice his friend staring at a tarot card in which it is the lovers card.
"Solitaire!" Said Bond while glaring at the tarot card.