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 ?
Oodles of thanks for the reviews guys. Always lovely.
Where's Frank ?
"Wow, good sound proofing," said Tom admiringly. They did both look a bit red in the face. Must have been some pretty serious drumming, he thought. "Aneisha's cooking. Do you want some ?" he asked.
"Oooh yeah !" said Keri, winking at Dan. He grinned and blushed, but Tom was oblivious. He was thinking about Aneisha's cooking.
Tom approached the UCL building accompanied by Aneisha. There were a series of notice boards at the main entrance to the building. They were surrounded by large groups of nervous looking students. Once they finally managed to work through to the front they found the joining instructions for different study groups. "You're in the Med Wing," said Tom. "I'm in Science Block 1," he added. "Well, have a good day," he said confidently. "I'll see you later," he said, slightly less confidently. His bottom lip started to quiver.
Aneisha reached out and hugged Tom tightly. "I'll miss you too," she said. "This is the course you've been looking forward to for ages isn't it ?" she asked.
Tom smiled and nodded. Aneisha always knew how to make him feel better. "Have a great day," he said, confident once more.
"You too. Don't blow anything up," she said before walking away, grinning over her shoulder.
Tom was about to call out, "Don't kill anyone" when he thought better of it. Aneisha would probably say it was inappropriate.
Tom found a large lecture theatre filled mostly with guys his own age and a smattering of girls. The head of the department gave what was obviously intended to be the comedy introductory lecture, accompanied by the usual instructions to work hard and enjoy being a student. Then names were called out and each group of students was sent off with their tutor group for individual briefings. Tom sat and waited as the theatre gradually emptied out. Finally he was the only student left along with one shabbily dressed man standing at the front. "Ah, Tupper ?" asked the man. Tom stood and walked down the steps to inspect his tutor. He looked like Frank, but only after Frank had been sleeping rough on the streets for a fortnight. "Um, and you Sir ?" asked Tom politely.
"Me ? Oh, Professor Hun … Hun … Hunter," the man stammered. "Gosh that was bad. I tend to st, st, st, stammer when I get n n nervous," he added. "Don't worry, it'l wear off i minute o two," he said.
"Am I the only student in your study group ?" asked Tom as he followed Professor Hunter through the corridors.
"Hm, of c c course," said the Professor. He opened a door and showed Tom inside. After closing and locking the door the Professor looked at Tom in amusement. His eyes were a piercing blue, not unlike Dan's. "You can't possibly work with anyone else can you ?" the Professor asked. He pressed one of the books on his higgledy piggledy shelves, which promptly swung to one side to reveal a larger room laid out as a laboratory filled with sophisticated equipment. "Can't discuss MI9 business in front of the other students can we ?" he said confidently. Once inside the lab, the door closed behind them.
"You're MI9 ?" asked Tom in surprise.
The Professor nodded. "I shall be your handler for the duration of your assignment at the university," he explained. "I shall also be providing your MI9 technical training outside of your regular course work," he added.
"Erm, your stammer ?" asked Tom confused.
"Yes, useful, don't you think ?" asked the Professor with a smile. "I'm rather proud of it, although Camilla complains I overdo it a bit," he added dreamily.
"Camilla ?" asked Tom.
"Oh, don't worry, you'll meet the others soon enough," promised the Professor.
"Others ?" asked Tom, now completely confused.
"You each get your own handler," explained the Professor. "We train and support your work as you make the transition to adult agents. Admittedly we haven't tried this method before so everyone is feeling their way a bit. Should be fun don't you think ?" he asked with a grin.
"Okay," said Tom, looking round the well-equipped lab. "So you're not a real Professor ?" he asked.
Professor Hunter drew up to his full height. "Yes I am. I'll have you know I am an Associate Professor with UCL and I have two PhD's to my name. I couldn't be bothered finishing the third," he said, rubbing his chin dreamily. "Shall we get started ?" he asked.
"Yeah, I mean yes Sir," said Tom.
========== xxxx =========
Meanwhile Aneisha was having a similar conversation with Doctor Bertolli. "You can call me Maria," said the woman holding out her hand. "I shall be your academic tutor and your MI9 handler and trainer for the duration of your course. I shall be instructing you on all matters MI9 while you are here. Any questions ?" she asked briskly.
"When do we start ?" asked Aneisha.
Doctor Bertolli smiled. "Now is always good with me," she said.
====== xxxxx ==========
Keri stepped inside her tutor's office. The walls were covered with images of fashion shows and mock-ups of costumes. She was slightly surprised when the tutor locked the door. "Good, now we won't get interrupted," said the woman. She held out her hand. "Camilla McManus," she said, shaking Keri's hand. "I will be your tutor and MI9 instructor for the duration of your course," she explained.
"What, just for me ?" asked Keri.
"Yes, I am here for your training and support, although obviously I will be available for support during all of your team's missions as well," she said. "I am the deep cover expert amongst the handlers. You'll be meeting the other handlers in due course," she explained. She smoothed down her smart suit. "I also have a fabulous knowledge of fashion, if I say so myself," she said proudly.
"You sure do !" agreed Keri, staring in envy at the beautifully cut outfit her handler was wearing.
======== xxxxx ========
Dan walked into the music college manoeuvring his guitar case among the crowds of students, most of whom were also lugging instrument cases of all kinds. He smiled sympathetically at the girl hauling a double bass case on wheels through the hall. "Knew I should have taken flute," the girl muttered as she struggled past.
"I don't know. You kind of stand out with a bass," said Dan. She flashed a grin before being swallowed up in the crowd again. Dan found a noticeboard with lists of students names. He found his own and set off in search of the room where he had to report. The room turned out to be a large music practice room with a drum kit in the corner. An elderly man was sitting on a chair reading a book. The man glanced up as he entered the room. Dan looked around, expecting to see more students.
"It's just you," said the man, putting his book down. "Professor Attmeyer," he said, by way of introduction. "You are ?" he asked.
"Dan Morgan," said Dan.
"Good. Show me your guitar," instructed the Professor. Dan took the guitar out of its case. The Professor gave it a quick look over and said, "Play." Dan pulled up a chair and sat down to nervously play his guitar. He played a short classical Spanish piece his guitar teacher had taught him years ago. "Hm, I think we'll get away with it," said the Professor. "Do you play more modern normally ?" he asked. Dan nodded, feeling puzzled. What did the guy mean by 'get away with it' ?
"So, do you specialise in guitar ?" asked Dan tentatively.
"What ? No, mainly combat and explosives," said the man, leaning back in his chair. "I was the only one MI9 could find who could play an instrument," said the man. "Came out of retirement for this," he muttered.
"You're MI9 ?" asked Dan in shock.
"Well, you were hardly going to get someone who wondered why you turned up covered in bruises every Monday morning were you ?" asked the man sharply.
"I guess not," said Dan, subconsciously pulling back in his chair.
"Yes, well, we'll try to avoid that," said the man more softly. "Good to meet you Dan," he said, holding out his hand. Dan was surprised at the firmness of the older man's handshake. "We'll get started on your training," he said. Dan was shocked to his core when he found himself flying through the air, to crash flat on his back on the ground. The older man looked down at him with a satisfied look on his face. "Hm ! Still got it !" he said happily.