Chapter Ten-The Battle of Piz Olympia
Author's Notes
1) I would like to state for the record that Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or CPTSD is a real psychological disorder that can cripple a person's ability to interact with others. My church sister suffers from it and it has caused her a great deal of suffering throughout the years.
Our church jurisdiction also deals a lot in trauma of this type, so we take this very seriously. I think that many heroic characters in fiction would struggle with this problem as a natural result of their life and death battles to save lives against the worse villainy of the planet with varying degrees of success. (Please rent "Iron Man 3" or "Batman versus Superman" for the comic book take on CPTSD}
Having a service animal can make a lot of difference in the lives of people battling the effects of CPTSD. It can mean the difference between being able to step out into the sunshine of life or being forced to retreat into the shadows. So, please let us all support the service animal industry with acceptance, tolerance, and compassion.
The stories about the Queen's Corgis are true. Whether she uses them the way I describe is my own invention. But I like to think that these remarkable dogs give Her Majesty some comfort if she does have flashbacks to the bad old days of World War Two.
2)I know the dates for the Olympics are re-versed but that is artistic license.
3) I often write to music. This section needed hot, fast, and very Bond music so I selected a few pieces from the album, "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" by John Barry, the main composer for most of the early Bond movies. My favorite version is by the Propeller heads done in 1997. Here is the links if you want some music to read this chapter by:
watch?v=zN8GcRGNWe4
watch?v=E0GDggi7b_Q
3) Oh, and if you want to see the real opening from the Olympics Games that this chapter is based on, here it is:
watch?v=1AS-dCdYZbo
Enjoy!
There had been a time when Buckingham Palace was nothing more than a comfortable summer home for the royal family, a kind of get away for King George III and his wife Queen Charlotte. That was in the days when royal breeding was taken very seriously. A total of 14 of the couple's 15 children were born within those very walls. Remarkably, only two of the offspring died, resulting in the saying that the birthing house and the subsequent dynasty were the structures that Charlotte's hips built.
Bond knew this from his years at public school. King George the Third was known to have struggled with a variety of illnesses and ended his days virtually locked away in a state of permanent madness. Some people claimed that he suffered from Porphyria, a type of blood disease that mimicked vampirism or a medically caused overdose of arsenic. There was a time when James believed that without any sense of irony. But since his exposure to the Magical World, he wasn't quite so sure any more. He'd have to ask McGonagall about that the next time he saw her.
As he pulled up the front of what used to be called The Queen's House, a veritable army of Her Majesty's security forces rolled up to the car on foot and in open jeeps, guns drawn like stereotypic, American cowboys. Bond emerged with his hands up. He allowed himself to be patted down under their unsmiling watch. The headman, a blank faced man with dishwater blond hair and an off the rack navy blue suit, glanced at the credentials his underlings held out for his inspection.
"James Bond, huh? We've heard of you." His tone held neither approval or disapproval. He gave the agent his wallet back. "My name is Giles. Her Majesty is expecting you. If you will follow me, please."
The halls they walked down seemed to stretch on forever with miles of red carpeting and gilded framed portraits of the famous and infamous members of the royal families peering out from every corner. Those same corners had men and women in black camouflage with matching earpieces and guns standing at attention as they went by. Bond noted the cameras tracking their every move as he counted the stairs and exits on his way up the many flights of steps.
"No elevators?" James asked.
Giles glanced back at him, unsmiling. "You SAS types used to be in better shape," he quipped.
Bond trotted up beside Giles, without losing a breath. "I'm just wondering how you would evacuate your principals with so many-"
"Bloody stairs?" This time the guardsman did smile. "Aye, I wonder that sometimes myself. Her Highness is anything but a wimp, but trying to get her down from those upper rooms at more than a snail's trot would be a challenge; especially with her dogs in tow. This way."
"After you. How many dogs does Her Majesty have?"
"Officially four, right now as far as the Corgis are concerned. That would be Emma, Linnet, Willow, and Holly. Molly died six years ago. But she adores just about any small, fierce dog. Been that way since she was a child back in the WW2 days. They're very protective."
"Yes, they are." The two men turned towards an elderly man with smile wrinkles and wispy brownish gray hair walking towards them down one of the staircases. He was wearing a full red state uniform, blue sash, and a chest full of medals.
" Little blighters liked to fight like the dickens. Bit my Sausage right on the hand when she tried to interfere. Needed three stitches." He tapped his left hand to illustrate. "Had to call in a dog shrink to help with them after that."
This is Philip, Bond thought, stunned. How many times had MI6 moved to protect this man and his wife from the shadows? But this was the first time he had seen the Crown Prince in person. He reminded Bond of his Uncle Max towards the end of his life, a bit long in the tooth but still lively as ever.
"His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, this is James Bond from MI6" Giles said.
Bond inclined his head in a semi bow but the Prince waved that away and grabbed his hand in a brisk handshake.
"MI6, huh? Splendid fellows! Lillibet wanted one of your people to escort her to the Olympics. She has to open the games, you know. Heard there might be a bit of a dust up so I said nothing better than a SAS man for that nonsense. And here you are. Come on."
The Prince walked east through a brace of doors, followed by Bond and Giles to a door near another smaller group of stairs. Two guardsmen in uniforms stood to attention.
"At ease, men," he said.
The soldiers snapped a salute and assumed the rest position.
Prince Philip rapped on the door.
"Cabbage, it's me. Your escort is here."
"Come."
Giles opened the door and stepped in first, his hand floating above the small handgun hidden in his abnormally deep, left side pocket. Bond followed. Probably a Beretta, James thought. The Prince walked in after him and went straight to the desk where a small snow haired woman in a pale pink suit and pumps sat straight backed with a pile of correspondence.
The Prince leaned over and pecked a kiss on the Royal cheek.
"You ready to go, pet?"
Her Majesty smiled up at him. "In a minute."
The Consort shook his head in exasperation. "That's what you always say and then ten minutes later I have to practically boot you out the door."
The Queen's crystal blue eyes narrowed. "I beg your pardon. You're the one who's always late, I have you know. And-" She stopped, staring at him suspiciously.
"You're having me on, aren't you?"
"Well, if a man can't tease his own wife, who can you tease, huh?"
The Queen patted his chest, fondly. She turned completely around and caught sight of Bond, standing next to Giles.
"Oh, who's this handsome, young man?" She stood up on solidly round legs, pointing her soft pink pumps at him like tractor beams as James walked over to the Queen.
"Your Highness, this is James Andrew Bond of the Secret Service."
"As requested," she said, smiling.
Bond took the proffered hand in his own, bowing deeply over it. And on an impulse, he never understood afterwards, James kissed her gloved hand.
Giles and Prince Philip both gasped.
Why, did I do that? Bond's mind whirled. That's a total lack of protocol-
"Oh, my," the Queen said.
"Forgive me, your Majesties," Bond said, bowing again to both the royal husband and then the wife. "I meant no impertinence. But," he considered the calm lake of the Queen's sapphire eyes. "The Queen is very beautiful."
Her Royal Highness smiled up at him. "My dear Mr. Bond, are you sure you're not French? That sounds like something my good friends across the Channel might say. "ils sont ces flirts, nes pas?"
(You are a flirt, no?)
"Mais ça ne flirte si elle est la vérité", Bond replied, gallantly.
(But it is not flirting, if it is true?)
The Queen flushed a light shade of pink.
Phillip chuckled. "This one is a charmer, Pet. Watch out, young man. I just might have to thrash you." He raised his fists in a mock threat.
"Parakaló antallaktiká mou, prínkipa mou, " Bond joked.
(Please, spare me, my Prince)
The Prince laughed in delight. " I haven't heard Greek in ages. Thought I forgot my native tongue for the most part. But you are still a katergáris"
"A rascal?" Bond translated.
"Indeed. That's what my mother used to call me."
"And that is the truth," the Queen laughed. They all joined in, even Giles.
"I can see you will fit right in with us tonight, Mr. Bond. Come, let's head out. The ceremonies will be starting in less than an hour."
"Oh, I mustn't forget my babies! The public loves them and I really feel better when they're around. "
"I'll go fetch them, Your Majesty." Giles said over his shoulder as he ran upstairs.
"Bring all four of them, mind you. They'll be jealous if one gets left behind." She smiled sheepishly. "Forgive an old woman her quirks, will you, Mr. Bond? But dogs have always made me feel better, somehow."
"Madame, vous avez pas besoin d'être pardonné parce que vous êtes éternel, jamais vieux." Bond bowed again.
("Madam, you do not need to be forgiven because you are eternal, never old.")
"We must keep you forever," the Queen said solemnly.
Meanwhile, the mission teams were on their way to Number Ten Downing Street, the headquarters of the Prime Minister of Great Britain. Tanner, the head of emergency security for the Ministry, met Lupin and Moneypenny at the door as the head organizers for the Teams. His lean, dark face was strained and unsmiling.
"Bill, what's wrong?" Eve asked.
"Nothing," he replied. "That's what has me worried. We were told there was a viable threat to Queen and country. Yet here we are falling asleep on our feet, waiting for nothing to happen."
"Where's the Prime Minister?"
"She's in the back with her husband. They're just bringing them out to the car."
Moneypenny glanced around. She had been here many times over the past few years There were a total of 100 rooms in the lumbering old structure that former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher had called the place, "A jewel of the national heritage." But for security personnel the place was a nightmare. Cameras were on every floor, in the all the dark corners of the house and the exits were clearly marked with blast proof doors. Yet, the fact remained that there would be no easy evacuation of personnel should something go wrong. Luckily, there was a fully reinforced basement below that acted as a giant panic room in case of invasion in wartime or terrorist attacks.
Agents 008 and 009 were present with the rest of the teams. Their code names were the Shadow and Firefly. Bond was still their senior but both agents had formidable skills of their own. The Shadow had the almost mystical ability of hiding in plain sight to strike from the darkness while 009 as Firefly could "light up" any site with explosives from just about anything at hand. No one in their right minds would have wanted a confrontation with either one of these men. Both served as points on their teams and they moved first to secure the exit for the Prime Minister and her family as Moneypenny and her squad came around the corner. Both agents pulled out their binoculars to do a final check before the transfer of cars.
All the buildings around the Ministry had been carefully checked and secured for possible lone gunmen on the roof. The only people with firearms for miles around were members of special law enforcement squads. That level of security was always tight. But since the word of a possible terrorist attack had been leaked to MI-6, the entire level of anti-terrorism vigilance had risen to a Level Five-the highest it had been since the 911 Twin Tower attacks of 2001 in the United States.
As they started into the parking lot, Eve heard a high-pitched whine that made her wince with pain. She glanced up at the helicopters flying air security overhead. Their roar was disconcerting, but not shrill. Suddenly the shriek came again. The sound passed as soon as she heard it.
"Where is that coming from?" she asked.
There was another whine and the lead security guard's head exploded.
Less than a heartbeat went by followed by another whine. The bricks above Eve's head shattered into flying pieces of shrapnel.
"Sniper!" 008 yelled.
Moneypenny pulled her gun, moving the safeties off as she planted herself against the side of the building. The two teams of agents and wizards with witches followed suit, keeping their heads down at the same time.
"My teams on the PM!" Tanner yelled as he ran towards the Prime Minister with four guardsmen. They had Kevlar reinforced shields up alongside of the MI-6 agent and snatched the PM down between them. Two other officers covered her husband.
Two more whines whistled by. Something slammed into one of the PM's guard men's shield. It shattered into pieces while he went down with a cry and lay still, almost on top of the Prime Minister.
"What the bloody Hell?" Tanner hissed. "That came from the opposite side."
He placed himself on top of the Prime Minister forcing her to the ground behind him.
"Keep your head down, ma'am!" he said.
"Yes, yes," she replied, her voice muffled by his body.
"What are they using?" Moneypenny said over her com link. "Those guard shields can stop armor piercers."
"Not today," a deep voice rumbled.
Tanner looked over to see Shackleford standing behind him.
"Oculus Magnify!" The wizard had his wand out pointing down the block. He conjured a small hazy globe of watery light and peered into it.
"There's a shooter down the street on the rooftop, just there," Shakelford said. " He's using Goliath Pebbles."
"Goliath what?"
"We call them that because they're small rocks that can take out anything, even a giant. They're propelled with a spell that makes them almost as fast as thought. Regular armor won't stop them."
More shots came. Everyone was hiding out of the line of fire against the buildings, but it was only a matter of time before the snipers pinpointed someone else. He glanced behind him. The PM was almost a sitting duck right now and if any more of the guards fell she would too.
Another whine sounded.
Shackleford made a tight circle with his wand.
"Protego!", he said.
The whining sound reversed itself. A distant scream sounded from the globe.
"Sounds like one down," the wizard said, grinning. "I reversed the pellets."
Tanner looked up at Shackleford. "How wide can you make that shield?"
"How wide do you need it?"
"Wide enough to cover a counter operation against those snipers."
"I can do a shield large enough to cover the front of this building, but if there's a lot of them I can't guarantee how long I can hold it or reverse the rocks coming our way."
"Throw up the best shield that you can. We have to get the Prime Minister back inside." The agent tapped his ear communication piece. "Moneypenny, what's your situation?"
Eve looked across the courtyard to Tanner and Shackleford.
"We're pinned down here," she said over her com. Everyone has their side arms out but none of us can use them. Our pistols didn't have the same range that those bolts do and-"
"-With the heavy fire from the buildings, we can't even see what they're aiming at, "008 said. "We're trapped."
"Shackleford is going to give us a shield long enough to get the PM back into the building. It should hold long enough for us to make it. Can't do much more than that though."
"We'll be all right out here for the moment. Our Shields are doing a great job keeping us alive. We just can't move, that's all."
"Throw everything you've got at the bastards on three, while we go, okay?"
"Right."
Moneypenny held up her hand. "Shields on the ready," she said over their coms. "We need to get the PM back inside. On three"
"Two."
"One.
"Move!"
The Shields leaped up shouting, "Protego!"
Eve heard Tanner and his teams race away behind her.
"We made it," Bill said over the link.
"Shields, down," she yelled.
The Magicals took cover behind the building once more.
"Give me that kind of cover and I can take them out, ma'am" 009 said.
"We don't know where they are," Eve argued. "Even if we did, how would we get you up to those roofs?"
"I can get him there," said a girlish voice. Moneypenny turned and then looked down to see a small, strawberry blond teenage girl wearing a Chudley Cannons t shirt, jeans, and black trainers. The only indication of her magical nature was the wand clutched tightly in her left hand.
Eve searched her memory. "Susan Bones, isn't it?"
The teen nodded. "My entire family was murdered by Death Eaters. I'm the only one left. My aunt Amelia was one of the toughest witches of our time. You Know Who was the only one able to-to," she swallowed, then lifted her chin defiantly.
"I know how to get your agents up on that roof."
Eve took the girl's hand and crouched low.
"Tell me."
"Yes, Miss," Susan said. "You see, when I first learned apparating, that's being able to phase in and out of places using magic, I had trouble making it work."
She sighed.
"My first-time round, I spliced off my leg and spent time in Saint Mungo's Hospital until the Healers put me right. That's when I decided that I'd never get torn up like again. So, I spent months walking or climbing up to roofs and gables and then apparating from them until I was sure I could pop in and out without any trouble. Believe me, I know every rooftop in London now. Give me your man and I'll get him wherever he needs to go."
Moneypenny nodded. Her eyes spotted a freckled face Irish teenager stooped down in the shadows. She grabbed Susan's wrist and pulled her over to him.
"It's Seamus Finnegan, isn't it?"
"Yes. How do you know me? "
"I saw you during training. McGonagall said you like to blow things up."
"Aye, that's a fact."
She grinned at his eager face.
"I have a plan."
Eve tapped her com link. "Tanner, what's your sitch?"
"We're okay. We took heavy fire coming in but Shackleford was able to deflect most of it from us while we made it back inside. Those damn Goliath stones were flying everywhere."
"Is the Prime Minister all right?"
"Yes. Hermione has a group sealing the residence against fire spells, so we don't have to worry about them smoking us out. What about you?"
"We can't do a damn thing while we're pinned down by those snipers. Have Shackleford send us a map of where these things are coming from. Call me when you've got it. Moneypenny out."
The next ten minutes was a war of nerves in the courtyard. Everyone stayed as low as possible trying to stay alive during the barrage of stones.
Finally, Tanner clicked back.
"Shackleford and the other wizards did a trace back on the stones that they repelled. We have the exact locations."
"Text them over to me and we'll get on the snipers."
"Good. We'll hold down the fort in here," Tanner said, ringing off.
A few minutes later, Eve surveyed the incoming texts and then carefully made her way over to Susan and Seamus.
"Look at this."
The teens studied the location map in a silence broken by occasional gunfire.
"Can you take me there?" Finnegan asked Susan.
The little witch nodded, grabbed his hand, and abruptly disappeared only to reappear in a few minutes.
"I popped Seamus as close and as fast as I dared near the rooftops shooting at us," she said.
"Fast is right," Finnegan said. "I feel like puking right now." His young face was slightly green. "But I can get there me-self now."
"Good." Eve said. "Shadow, Firefly to me."
008 and 009 edged forward, ducking while the wizards and witches in their teams covered for them with shielding spells.
"Shadow, this is Susan Bones. Firefly, this is Seamus. These young Magicals are going to transport you to the rooftops nearest the snipers. You know what to do from there."
The agents' faces went grim. "Yes, ma'am, we do."
"If you can, take one alive for questioning." She tapped her link for group com. "Listen. Once the snipers are down, I want the teams on me through the front door of the Prime Minister's residence to relieve Tanner and his people. Got it?"
"Yes, ma'am!" They chorused.
"Never get used to the ma'am," Eve muttered. "Makes me feel ancient." She signaled to the closest guard.
"Smithers, stand up and give those bastards a distraction. Shields, get ready to cover him!"
"Right oh."
"On my mark," Moneypenny yelled "Go!"
Tonks stepped up and wove her wand around in a complex figure eight. "Protego!"
Smithers jumped up, screaming, and waving his arms, "Up yours, losers!" he yelled.
The agents and the two Hogwarts' students disappeared with twin pops.
"Are you done yet?"
"Just about."
The sniper sighted down the barrel of his Goliath gun and reloaded. "Look, at that cheeky bugger. He thinks he's safe."
"Penetrato," he whispered and pulled the trigger four times in succession. The pellets sped down to the target faster than the speed of physical light and bounced back his way, just as fast.
"What the hell?"
The spotter on his right fell with a scream. "They've got a Shielder again," he groaned, clutching his shoulder.
"No shit, Sherlock," the shooter snarled. He took cover, waving a hand to the other shooters on the adjacent roofs. "Get down!"
Suddenly, the ricochets stopped. The main shooter looked up to see a teenage girl pointing a wand at him.
"Expelliamus!" she yelled. His Goliath gun sailed over the edge of the roof.
"Why, you little bitch, "he stood up, face reddened with rage, only to feel a tap on his shoulder.
"Good night," Shadow said, punching him squarely on the chin.
The shooter dropped.
"Firefly?"
"Moving" Seamus and 009 popped on and off the roofs, rapidly tossing small charged cubes at the feet of the seven other shooters.
"What the-?" one shooter reacted.
Too late.
Firefly pressed a button on the small box in his hand as Seamus apparated him out, followed by Susan and Shadow.
They reached Moneypenny just as the explosives went off, taking out all the shooters on the roofs.
"Mission accomplished, ma'am." Said 008.
A cheer went up.
"We brought one back like you asked. We stopped to put him in the security van."
"All right, enough, people. Let's go relieve Tanner and the others."
She clicked on her com link.
"Bill, we're coming in."
They all started rapidly walking across the courtyard towards the front door.
Suddenly, Moneypenny heard a low rumble like an airplane on a runway thundering over her phone. Screams and gunshots echoed in the background over her radio from inside.
"Bill, what's going on?"
The screaming got louder.
The line went dead.
"Hello?"
A deep roar shook the ground like a runaway freight train. Eve's team found itself rolled around like nine pins as the glass and some of the bricks from the Prime Minister's residence shattered, showering everyone in the courtyard. The team Shields managed to protect their people from the worst of it.
"Oh God, everyone get out!" Tanner shouted as he and the rest of his teams thundered into the courtyard past the agents staggering to their feet.
Eve's heart raced. She looked up
And up
And up
Into a massive chest filled with ice green scales and a pair of nine foot, blood red, glowing eyes.
"Is that a-a?"
Moneypenny glanced over to the Prime Minister's husband pointing at the huge beast.
"Dragon," she breathed. "Bloody hell, it's a dragon."
"Run!" Susan yelled.
Eve felt arms snatch her up from behind and toss her forward into the hands of several burly security guards as they all ran away from the rapidly emptying building. Tanner led the race, "Come on," he urged.
"Where's the PM?" Moneypenny shouted.
"Here!" the guards hustled the Prime Minister next to her, covering them both as best they could while unloading their guns at the dragon as they ran. Eve pulled away long enough to see some of the wizards shielding as the other fired off spells. The behemoth shook off both the bullets and magical attacks, roaring even louder.
The combined teams took cover across the street, staring in horror as the dragon's massive feet turned Number Ten Downing Street into a pile of rubble.
"Please tell me that everyone got out!" Seamus said, voice trembling.
Tanner sighed. "Most did. But at least two of the guards are under all that lot and one of them…" he nodded at a crushed hat lying sadly in the middle of the trampled grass.
"I-I think that thing ATE him," said one of the younger wizards whispered.
They all fell silent, listening to the beast roaring over the ruins, watching its vast, red eyes glaring at them with hungry menace. Then it flapped its wings up and out and flew into the air. They watched it go, shaking with terror.
"Where's the Queen?" Tanner asked suddenly.
They all looked towards the west where the Olympic Stadium sat like a large jewel of light.
Right in the flight path of the dragon.
"Oh God," Moneypenny breathed.
"What? I can't understand you. There's a what headed where?"
M tapped the speaker button on the communication link. 009's voice filled the safe room.
"A dragon, sir. I know what that sounds like but the Bad Guys have turned a fuc- "
"Firefly!" Lupin shouted. "Young ears."
"Er, a bloody dragon loose in London and it's headed for the Queen."
"Good God, man!" M ran his hands through his thinning hair.
"Sir? What's going on?"
Harry Potter had just walked in from the safe house bathroom, his glasses slightly steamed from the shower he had finished. He was going for an early bedtime after training and then playing enormous amounts of Wizard's Chess with M.
"I heard something about dragons."
The head of MI-6 flipped a switch and a picture flickered across the large screen in the back. Everything looked normal, except for the fact that 10 Downing Street had disappeared and a large, green aerial blob was moving rapidly out of sight.
"Magnify," M said.
The picture filled the screen.
"That's not a dragon," Harry said.
"It certainly looks like one, Potter"
"No, sir, I know my dragons," teen insisted. "I was the Tri-wizard Tournament Champion a couple of years ago, and I had to deal with one to win the first level."
"First level with things like that?" M grunted. "The parents must have been livid."
"I wouldn't know, sir" Harry shrugged sadly. "Anyway, I got into studying them for the contest and I can tell you that is not a normal dragon."
Mallory thought for a second. "Is the Prime Minister there?" he asked.
"Yes, M. I'm here. Your teams rescued me, my husband, and my staff from that-that thing It's huge. We are going to have to call in the RAF for this one."
M's jaw tightened. "That's going to be messy. There could be collateral damage."
"I know. But I don't think we have any choice."
"Let me help," Harry said. "You'll need flyers for this one. My team- "
"That's out of the question, son." M shook his head. "It's too risky."
"But- "
"No!"
Bond and Giles were almost to the helipad when the Corgis started yelping and yapping hysterically, running around the Queen's heels behind him.
"What's got into them?" she said, frowning.
"Probably smell something interesting," Prince Philip laughed. "They haven't been out this way in ages."
"Help me, Giles. I'm about to fall over."
The service man ran back, untangling the leashes with practiced ease.
Bond felt his skin prickle. Something was wrong. His hand fell to his Walther holstered under his arm.
The Prince noticed.
"What's wrong?" he whispered.
"I don't know. We need to move."
They both started running towards the helicopter. The pilot waved happily to them.
"Hallo, Your Highness," he said. "Nice to see you again! How's the Royal Missus?"
"Fine, Tom, dealing with the dogs right now. We need to get underway."
The pilot glanced at the gun in Bond's hand and the serious look on the Prince's face. His own smile faded.
"Right away, sir."
"Get in, your Highness," Bond said. "I'll help with the Queen."
"Not a chance, young man. I'm used to herding those babies of hers." He grinned. "Grab Giles while I get Queen and country."
Bond smiled back. "Yes, sir."
True to his word, the Prince ran back and shooed the dogs into the helicopter while almost dragging Her Royal Highness along with him. Bond grabbed Giles and hustled him along.
"Are you armed?" Bond asked.
The helicopter was starting up and made any further conversation impossible. Giles heard him though and nodded, pointing to a pancake holster on his hip.
James gave him a thumb up and got into the craft. The Royals were buckled in with the dogs in harnesses. Giles sat on the side nearest Prince Philip. Bond sat next to the Queen.
"Let's go," he shouted, slapping the pilot on his shoulder.
Tom nodded and pushed the controls forward.
The Queen waved at the staff as the copter lifted and out from the palace.
False alarm, thought Bond.
Suddenly, the radio crackled.
"Bond, Bond, are you there?"
Tom frowned. "Who's that?"
"Bond, this is Shadow."
James leaned forward.
"Yes, I'm here."
"Set down, Predator. There's a- "
The rest was lost in a roar that filled the air with terrible menace. Something large and gleaming hit the helicopter from the side and tipped the craft on its side in the air. Bond grabbed the Queen and one of the closest Corgis and held on tightly as the pilot tried to right the craft. The Prince floundered, arms spinning wildly as he grabbed the other three of the dogs by their harnesses. Giles seized both Royal and dogs.
Tom straightened the copter.
"What was that?" he asked, voice shaking.
The roar sounded again. A blast of heat raked the copter, shattering the glass. The Queen made a sound of distress and clutched Holly to her chest. "It's like the war all over again," she said in a small voice.
The dog licked her face and whimpered.
The radio crackled with static as they turned around and ran smack into an irate, 30 foot dragon.
Its paw swiped out to barely missed them. Tom dropped down lower to avoid it.
Screams and shouts sounded from the ground.
"Look at the size of that thing!"
"Run!"
"Dragons? There's no such thing."
"RUN!"
"Tom," Bond said. "You're going to have to set us down away from that thing or get high enough so we can do a chute jump."
The pilot nodded. "You're right. At this height, we can't evacuate or escape effectively. What do you say? Climb or set down?"
Bond leaned out. The dragon had landed and was stomping as much of the palace as it could. The ground was littered with broken bodies.
"Go out and then up," he said. "Likely they've called in the RAF by now and we have to give them room to work with."
"Won't that give that thing a better chance of taking a shot at us?" Giles asked.
"Maybe," Bond said grimly. "But we can't stay here."
"People are dying."
They turned towards the Queen, still clutching her dog. Her face was ashen but her lips were tightly set and resolved. "We cannot allow that kind of destruction in our city. Take us over the river, Tom. We can jump from there."
"Ma'am-"
"That's an order, Tom."
The pilot glanced at Bond, the Prince and Giles. They all nodded.
"Yes, Ma'am."
The copter turned and flew towards the Thames. Giles found the chutes and scrambled to get them over to everyone. As they all got their chutes on, they heard the Dragon roar again.
"The Royals too old to do this alone," Bond said. "We'll have to take them down with us using double chutes."
"I beg your pardon, young man," snapped the Prince. "I was jumping out of planes before you were an itch in your papa's knickers."
"Philip!"
"It's true, Sausage. Besides, there's only five parachutes and four dogs. If I go now over those trees, the pups and I should survive."
Without another word, the elderly Royal pushed Giles to the side, opened the copter door, still clutching the three dogs, and jumped.
"Geronimo!" He shouted gleefully.
"My God, Philip, no!" The Queen wailed. Bond caught her around the waist again and held on tight. They both watched the Prince and the dogs sail down slowly to get caught on a substantial oak tree. The shadow of the dragon slowed for a moment then moved on above them.
"It's trying to cut us off," shouted Giles.
"Hard left!" Tom yelled and banked the helicopter abruptly towards the sun. The dragon got a face full of its light and squealed.
"Keep the sun in its eyes," Bond said.
Tom did just that by zig zagging as much as he could without dislodging any passengers. Then a foot the size of a small hut smacked the vehicle sideways, tearing open the pilot's side of the helicopter.
"Aaaah," Tom yelled as he fell out his seat. Bond just managed to turn the Queen's head away as the dragon's flames shot out, enveloping the unlucky pilot. Bond smelled the sickly stench of burning human flesh right before an enormous tongue wrapped itself around the remains.
"Oh, dear Lord," Giles said. He managed to get up front and grab the controls. "One more hit like that and we're toast," he said.
"Bad choice of words," Bond replied.
"Hold on." The copter hovered, dived hard towards the ground and then up. The dragon swooped down after them, following their every move.
"What can we do?" Giles said. "I can't shake that thing off our tail."
"One of us is going to have to jump with the Queen," Bond said quietly.
"Best be you," said Giles. "I'm already at the controls and you have her Majesty locked in the harness with the pup. I'll get you up higher and act as a diversion while you go. Besides, I think you have some experience with this kind of thing."
"Giles-"
The service man looked at the Queen and saluted. "It's been an honor, Ma'am."
She stared for a moment and then nodded. "The honor's mine," she said softly.
Giles started ascending as rapidly as the craft would allow. The dragon followed, shooting flames as it came.
"Close your eyes, Your Majesty," Bond advised, as he opened the rear side door. The wind was crushingly fast and warm, heated by the disappearing sun and the dragon's breath. It smelled of carnage, blood, and death.
Not today, Bond thought. Not this way.
"Get ready!" Giles shouted.
The dragon was almost upon them.
The helicopter leveled out and turned right.
"Now!"
Bond jumped. The Queen clutched her dog Holly, making soothing noises as they fell, her eyes still closed. The wind whistled past them. James heard the dragon roar followed by a distant crash as the copter went down.
They were high enough to glide a bit, not the safest thing to do with a building size monster chasing your tail, he thought.
Sure enough, the roaring was coming closer again. The wind from the dragon's wings were pushing them forward but not down.
We need to drop.
Bond found his sleeve knife and flipped it up and out with his right hand at their chute. It split the fabric in half, making their plunge towards the ground even faster.
"What have you done?" the Queen demanded.
"I've dropped us down lower than the dragon can maneuver. We still have a second chute to use. It's risky but it should work."
"Look out!"
Bond turned around at the Queen's scream to see the dragon's paw swing around and grab what was left of their chute. They found themselves dangling helplessly as the beast held them up high, its red eyes glaring up at them.
James saw a malicious gleam flash in its gaze.
My God, it's aware.
"Well, we can't hang out here," Moneypenny said briskly. "There's a dragon loose in London and something has to be done about it."
"Any suggestions?" 009 asked.
"Call a Saint George Alert."
All heads turned towards Ronald Weasley. The young wizard blushed almost as red as his hair and cleared his throat. "My brother Charlie works with dragons as a handler on the transport squad. He told me that if one of them gets loose, you send up a special signal with your wand. Any dragon wrangler in a 100-mile radius will come as fast as they can to sort them out."
"Of course," Hermione gasped. "Ron, that's brilliant."
"Always the tone of surprise," he teased. "I'm amazed that I remembered at all, since I'm pretty terrified right now."
"I think we all are, Mr. Weasley," Tanner said drily. "Do you know how to send an Alert?"
"Yeah, it uses the Wizard's Alphabet to spell out the letters in the name Saint George. That conjures a figure of a knight and a dragon to light up the skies. Not sure I know the spell that goes with it though."
"I do," said Lupin. "If you got through Shakespeare, I bet the rest of you do too. Some people say Will copied it directly from that dark-skinned witch he wrote sonnets about. Guess we'll never know. But, it goes like this."
Remus pulled his wand and started tracing letters as rapidly as possible. Several other wizards and witches joined in. The letters hung in the air.
"I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips, straining upon the start- "Lupin intoned. "The game's afoot."
"Follow your spirit," cried Hermione." And upon this charge- "
Lupin yelled, "Cry 'God for Harry, England and Saint George!"
Slowly the form of a knight in brightly gleaming armor whirled into shape from the lettering to spear a dragon made of smoke.
"Go," urged Lupin. "Fly into the skies and bring them. This is a Dragon One emergency."
The apparition floated up into the air, glowing like a beacon in the twilight.
"That's done it, "Lupin said, squeezing his wife's hand. "Saint George is the Patronus of England, if anything can rally every flier in London, that will."
Mallory turned back to the com, punching buttons as quickly. "This is the head of MI-6," he said. "I am authorizing a direct engagement with enemy aircraft over London."
The com link crackled. "Authorization Code?"
"Bravo, delta, crimson, 4, 4, 1. I say again, bravo, delta, crimson 4,4,1."
"Roger, that."
He clicked back to Tanner and Moneypenny. "Ring over to the police. They need to get as many people as possible out of the area."
"Sir, I don't think we have time. It's moving fast."
"God, what a bloody mess," M sighed. "Let's hope the planes do better."
"They won't."
M looked over at Harry. "What do you mean?"
"I've dealt with dragons before. Their skin resists anything but magical attacks. They would have to get close enough to hit an eye or the open mouth. Even if they do, they'll be sitting ducks for its flames. That's why you use brooms or get under its feet to keep from getting fried. Otherwise, this is never going to work."
"We have to try."
Potter looked down nodding, almost to himself.
"Look, sir!"
Mallory turned towards the screen. There was a huge silhouette of Saint George battling a dragon floating right above downtown London.
"What in the hell?"
"Winguardium Leviosa!"
M whipped around-right into a flying chess board against his head and went down hard on the floor.
"Sorry, sir." Potter ran over and patted the fallen man's pockets. "You took my wand and that's one of the two only wandless magic spells I know." He found a small key and placed it against the electric pad by the doorway.
It slid open. Harry ran out to the entry way and held out his hand.
"This is the other one. Accio, Firebolt!" Potter shouted.
"Ronald Weasley, where in the hell do you think you're going?" Hermione snapped.
"Up," said Ron.
"You can't! You don't even have your-"
A Nimbus 2000 whooshed up and nudged Weasley's right hand. The red haired teenager hopped on.
"Ron, no!"
"My Team will be up there doing their job. I've got to do mine." He leaned over and patted her face. "I've got a job to do, remember?"
Hermione's eyes filled with tears. She nodded.
"I know."
Ginny Weasley pulled up beside Ron in a full play uniform. She tossed him a goalie's helmet.
"It's not totally fireproof, but it should keep your pumpkin head on straight enough."
"Not that a knock on your noggin would make much of a difference," George laughed. Hermione looked up to see Fred, George, Angela Johnson, and the rest of Team Fliers lined up behind Weasley.
"Let's go," said Johnson. "There are about twenty others on their way."
She pulled off, followed by the others.
"You're not the boss of me," Fred yelled.
Ron turned to go.
"Ronald!" He found himself pulled down into a pair of strong, thin arms and a firm passionate kiss.
"Bloody hell!" He gasped after they finally broke apart.
"There's more when you get back," Hermione promised, blushing.
Weasley sped off with a whoop.
A voice sounded in Bond and the Queen's heads shutting out everything else.
Commander James Andrew Bond and Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth the Second. How lovely to have two of the lowest specimens of Muggles here.
"What-what do you want?" the elderly monarch asked, bravely staring back at the beast.
Why your deaths of course! For everyone to see on your television as part of your Olympics Games. We're going to put on a show for everyone.
The dragon turned again and flew back towards London.
Bond thought hard and fast. In the distance, he could see the tail smoke of several of Her Majesty's Typhoon jets speeding towards them. He could also see-brooms?
Buy some time, another Voice said.
What?
Buy some time. Distract it. We're on our way to you now.
Harry?
Yes.
Are you reading my mind?
Sort of. McGonagall did a Legilimens spell when you accepted protecting me. That gives us a link between our minds. Usually that spell only operates face to face but Q found a way to put some sort of tracker in our blood and I'm cuing in on that.
Great. As usual nobody tells me anything! I don't think I like the idea of you roaming around in my head willy-nilly, Harry.
Don't worry, James. It's much too scary in there for me to wander about in your brain. By the way, who's Pussy Galore?
Never you mind, that! Where are you?
Here!
James saw the planes fly overhead.
They both watched them zoom past.
"What they waiting for?" the Queen asked. "Shoot this thing!"
They're afraid of hitting you, the presence in the dragon sneered. Typical Muggles. Those jet things might actually hurt me. But they can't stomach taking out an old woman. Fools!
The dragon raised its head and whirled towards the three planes. James heard it take a breath as flames formed around the snout.
"Leave them alone," the Queen shouted. Her small foot lashed out at the great green paw. Bond struggled to keep her from falling.
Foolish woman, I should eat you right now. But these jets will be the appetizer for the main course.
"Pentetrato!" a familiar voice cried.
A bolt of light shot into the dragon's left eye. It screamed.
Bond looked up to see Harry Potter and the rest of Team Flyers soaring as one at the dragon's head, shouting spells.
"Conjunctivis", yelled Fred and George, each taking an eye.
"Reducto," Ron cried, pointing at the dragon's ears.
"Pepper pot," Angela screamed.
"Boogey Bat," Ginny said.
Simultaneously the huge dragon found its eyes blinded, its ears crumbling, its nose filled with acrid pepper spray and half of the bogeys inside turning into giant slimy bats flying out in every direction.
"Get its throat!" Ginny directed the bats. They obeyed, their tiny gummy teeth nipping off bits of scale on the dragon's neck.
The dragon rolled and roared, flipping Bond and the Queen up and over onto its shoulder. The Corgi was knocked loose.
"Holly!" The Queen cried.
"I've got her," shouted George. He flew in a wide swoop and caught the small dog as it flew past him.
The dragon's tail whipped round and slammed against the wizard's broom. It disintegrated in a burst of twigs and wood while both George and the Corgi fell straight down.
"Arresto descendi!"
Bond watched as several older witches and wizards on brooms below them pointed their wands at the pair. Their momentum slowed and the teen and the dog were eased down to the ground.
The Queen watched, collapsing with relief in Bond's arms.
"They're all right," she sighed.
A portly, balding wizard on a polished black broom flew up next to them said. "We saw the sign, your Majesty. So, we came."
He pointed at the glowing figure of Saint George in the sky, battling the dragon.
The Queen's eyes widened, "Dear God. It's the Knight himself."
She nodded to the wizard politely. "Thank you, kind sir."
"Hang on, Your Highness. He's rolling again." Bond said.
The dragon flung itself about, trying to get away from the witches and wizards who were still tormenting it with their spells. Some of them were knocked off their brooms by wings or fire. But the rest kept pressing on, until it was almost frantic with pain.
Bond, M is trying to reach you.
I lost my com link in all this insanity. What does he want?
Besides my head on a platter?
What?
Tell you later. Anyway, he says if we can get clear, the planes will take it out.
James felt a wave of nausea as the dragon rolled yet again. Whatever breakfast he had was long gone. His only consolation was that the Royal probably felt as sick as he looked.
I hope it's enough
What do you mean?
Hermione says that's no natural dragon. It's made up from pieces of real dragons linked together by magic. It's held together by the will of the person who made it.
That would be Voldy Mort
Harry chuckled. Got it in one.
"Stupefy!" Voices shouted as one as crimson energy lit up the sky.
Bond thoughts tumbled around as the dragon shot down then up shaking off its magical attackers.
What we need is a triple attack-magic from the outside, something to break it apart from the inside and a mind attack on Moldy.
Like what?
Bond felt his flak jacket pocket. They were still there.
He quickly ran through his plan inside his mind.
That's genius, Harry thought. Dangerous, but genius.
Thanks, I think.
James turned to the Queen.
"Do you trust me, your Majesty?"
Elizabeth the 2nd looked steadily into Bond's eyes and nodded.
"Hang on as tight as you can. When I say now, I need you to take a deep breath, shut your eyes again and go limp."
"Okay," she said. "But promise me this. " The Queen buried her head in his chest. " No matter what happens to me, please kill that thing."
Holly barked and snuffled Her Majesty's chin.
"Definitely, ma'am."
Harry, are you ready?
Yes.
Bond pulled his other knife out strapped to his left wrist and began sawing at the parachute chords.
"In three, two one- "
The broadcaster flashed his million-dollar smile at the camera as it flashed on.
"Good evening, everyone and welcome to the opening of the 30th Summer Olympiad. I'm Kurt Lloyd from CNN Sports here with "Mona" Lisa Williams from BBC Channel One, and Todd Anderson from the Australian affiliate, ABC to give you moment by moment coverage of the events of these historic games."
"Hi, Kurt, it's lovely to see you again," the dark eyed, raven haired beauty waved at the chief announcer and blew him an air kiss.
"What about me?" Anderson complained mockingly. "I'm not half as pretty as Kurt, but I think I deserve at least a wave."
"Oh, now Todd, don't be jealous. You know I only have eyes for you, darling."
The three anchors laughed easily.
"Well, we're all be eyes on tonight. The British Olympic Committee say that this is going to be the most spectacular opening ceremony in the history of the modern games. But they have been extremely tight lipped about what that means."
"Yes, they are have been most cagey. But we do know that the Queen and the Royal Consort, Prince Philip will be here soon to open the proceedings."
"The lights are especially beautiful as they dance back and forth across the stadium. People from all around the world are here tonight to witness- "
The main announcer glanced away from the teleprompter to Ms. Williams who was staring up with her mouth open at the skies.
"Lisa,"
She said nothing.
"Lisa, is there something wrong?"
The world-famous broadcaster and former Miss Universe pointed a manicured hand at the fast-approaching blob high above the stadium.
"What the bloody hell is that?" she yelled.
The cameras panned away from the anchors towards where Lisa Williams pointed.
"I can't see a thing," said Todd. "Get some lights up there!"
As one the large stadium spotlights turned up and began crossing the skies. The flashing effects hid most of what was there but suddenly everyone across the world had a full-on view.
"Is that a dragon?" Kurt said, frowning.
"Someone get a shot of that!" Todd yelled.
The cameras across the skies, following the path of the lights.
"Oh, my God, will you look at that!" Todd gasped. "It almost looks real."
"It's got flames and everything," Kurt marveled. "Those stunt fliers next to it must be acting as escorts. Hope they don't get too close. The winds are whipping everyone about like crazy."
"What 's that in the dragon's paw?" Lisa asked.
"Wow, girl, you've got good eyes! I can barely see that at all. Jim, can you get a close up?"
The screen filled with a giant talon and what looked like the Queen of England holding a Corgi.
"Dear Lord, that can't be the real Queen," Kurt laughed. "It certainly is an amazing stunt double."
"ASPCA might have a word about the dog, though" Lisa said.
"Look, the dragon is coming around."
"I don't like the look on its face," Todd said. "It seems kind of fierce."
"Well, as you surely know, the seal of London bears two large, green dragons, just like this one. They've been a part of the flag for centuries," Lisa said.
"Wow, what a great way to highlight the traditions behind this wonderful British capital," Kurt exclaimed.
"And look there. There are two Typhoons pulling alongside that enormous Paper Mache dragon. How else could it fly so lightly?"
"The fliers are peeling off like a giant flower. What precision flying!"
"What now?"
"Todd, isn't that Saint George on his horse coming in from the west?"
"How did they do that? It's riding down on the dragon like-like a story book come to life."
"Ladies and gentlemen, this is wonderful! Saint George is lighting up the sky as he comes to rescue our Queen from the claws of the nefarious dragon," Lisa said, smiling.
"There's a flyer coming right out from the heart of Saint George. "
"Yes, I see him, Tod. Is that a broom or a horse that he's riding?"
"Who cares, Kurt? It's moving like a small jet right towards the dragon"
"He's writing something- 'The game's afoot. Follow your spirit…That's from Shakespeare- Henry Sixth, I think.'"
"Listen, Tod the crowd is taking it up- "
"And upon this charge,
"Cry 'God for Harry, England and Saint George!" the stadium thundered
"The security personnel holding the Queen just threw something at the Saint George flier-can anyone get a shot of his face?"
"He's moving too fast for that. I think he caught it, whatever it was."
"Yes, now he's throwing it into the dragon's mouth and flying off."
"Those two jets are shooting at the same spot and then peeling away."
"What? Get the camera in closer."
"They've gone off."
"We can see the fake Queen and her dog now dropping down from the dragon's paw. The security guard is still holding her- "
"We can't see his face either."
"They're not very high up for a parachute drop."
"You know these stunt professionals, Lisa. They're used to doing low jumps like this."
"Oh, look. Their chute just opened. That looks like the British flag on top."
"Yes, that's the Union Jack, all right. They appear to both be unharmed. The other security guards are hustling the Queen off back of the bleachers."
"You mean, hustling the stunt double, Todd. No one would really risk the Queen in a real parachute jump."
"Of course, you're right, Lisa. Hey, look there. The dragon appears to be glowing and spinning. Oh!"
"It just exploded over the crowd! Kurt, Sparks are flying everywhere. Duck, everyone."
"Is that safe?"
"Yes, that must be the signal for the fireworks. There they all go. Guess they started early."
"Look, the sparks have turned into blue, red and white confetti."
"How cool is that? Kurt. "You Americans thought you pulled something off in 96' I think we've got you beat."
"I'd have to agree with you there, Lisa. That was the most fantastic opening I've ever seen in all the days I've done the Olympics."
"And here comes the real Queen, pretending to have walked over from her jump. What a good sport, playing along with that wonderful stunt."
"She's waving to the crowd. Her husband just came up- "
"Wow, what a kiss. I guess some marriages never cool down!"
"You can say that again. Now they're both waving to the crowd who are giving the Royal couple a standing ovation."
"God bless our Royal Queen, huh, Todd?"
"Definitely, Lisa. Definitely."