As soon as Alex read the description of Harry's employer in France, he got Jason to do a quick search on the firm. In Alex's extensive experience the firm sounded like a front, but a front for what? He was not going to do any snooping, time was critical, he had to find Harry and fast. It sounded like Harry had walked into just the type of scenario that Alex had found himself in not once but many times.
It had been five, lonely, hard days and in an act of desperation Alex had broken into the factory where Harry had worked as a security guard and found it was rather empty. No power, no plant or products. He found the manager's office and went through the burnt remains of the files. There was a fragment of paper with a partial address, no number. Alex now went on stake out duty to find the most likely candidate and hoped he was lucky.
After narrowing down the possibilities over two days, Alex settled on one likely location for his continued search. The industrial unit on the outskirts of Tours had a lot more going on. Two armoured cars, several bodyguards and two shifty looking blokes in very fancy suits. Whatever was going down, Alex could bet it was not legit. Then Alex decided to be a bit proactive, when the group went inside. Alex had cased the joint and moved in the shadows, utilising the gaps between the surveillance cameras and found himself behind one of the cars. He picked the lock of the boot and removed the brief case and went back to his lookout post. In the case were a bundle of strange looking printed sheets.
After an hour of nothing happening, everyone seemed to leave and Alex crept down to check out the unit. With ease he disabled the security system and then knocked out the guards, binding them with duct tape. He then started a quick search. In the first room Alex found Harry, sat tied to a chair looking a bit worse for wear, dishevelled, dirty, a bit bruised but not too bad.
Harry stood and stared, rubbing his newly released wrists at the tall figure dressed as a ninja. He knew their time was almost up. He'd seen something he shouldn't, talked to a man being held prisoner and had woken up here seven days ago. Whatever was being planned was over. The directors of Phoenix Inc, were about to disappear. The SAS sergeant was tense, it was now or never if he wanted to escape when the assassin/rescuer spoke, "Been sat on your arse long enough Sarge? I was sent by she who must be obeyed to bollock you for missing her birthday."
"Cub?" Harry had never been more glad to see Alex. "Its sergeant, you cheeky bastard and there's another operative in the next room, MI5 or 6 I'd guess. They've not been so kind to him."
"OK we'll pick up the extra passenger but we need to get out. I guess Ig and Ook who were just here will be back to finish you off."
The two of them checked out the man in the next room. Alex and Harry practically carried the man to the rear exit, through a hole in the fence and down a bank to the car Alex had stolen. They sped into the night down several side roads and out of Tours, traveling south-west to Chinon. Ten kilometres along the main road they pulled off onto a forestry track. After two kilometres, Alex stopped. "Harry my Landrover is parked 10m in front of you, under some scrim. Stash the camo, I'll be back in five after I sort out my rather hot get away car."
After ten minutes Alex returned with a clean face, different clothes and then Harry heard the bang of a car catching fire in the distance.
The gîte was small converted outhouse with two bedrooms and a living space all on one floor. Alex had rented it for two weeks, cash in hand at a good rate, as he was masquerading as a Parisian art student and the woman at the farm had taken a shine to him. The rental had come available at the last minute due to a cancellation.
Harry helped Alex carry the stranger to the small sofa. He then noted the map on the wall surrounded with scraps of information on post it notes and pages from a file. The ex-spy had tracked him down by himself.
Alex went straight to the kitchen and came back with mugs of soup, bottles of water and some rolls. He left again to sort out the first aid kit.
"So mate, do you have a name or shall I just call you Commander?" said Alex cheekily to the stranger when they were alone. Harry was busy in the shower and all Alex's first aide skills were being used. He had a bowl of hot soapy water and a flannel, bandages, gauze and antiseptic cream were being carefully used and applied to the large numbers of cuts, abrazons and burns.
"Commander?" said the thirty-something man with light brown hair and hazel eyes.
"You know, Commander James Bond or 007, whatever or did Harry give you a sad codename at Brecon at one time or another. He still chuckles about calling me Cub." Alex was happy to keep the man talking, it proved he was OK and not in shock. As soon as he was clean. The teenager got two blankets to wrap him up with. When Harry got back they'd move mystery guy to the master bedroom. Harry and himself could bunk in the smaller room with twin beds.
"Yeah I passed through Brecon many moons ago, my group did not get cool codenames, just lots and lots of abuse."
"Don't worry I got lots of that as well. Sergeant was cool in the end. He was a trouper. He helped me out when I was a bit low. Still provides sage advice. His sister was going spare when he missed her birthday. Totally out of character for Mr. Organisation."
"So, your ex-SAS, get invalided out in Iraq?"
"No bad operation in Cairo. Scorpia/CIA/MI6 fuck up. I'm glad I'm out of it all. Just thinking about uni now. Might become a teacher, that would really shock my best mate, Tom."
"So, Harry's not your best mate?"
"Harry could be. Maybe. I don't know."
Harry came in with a towel around his waist showing off nice bruises on his torso and stomach.
"OK Sergeant, now for your rough and ready medical. The commander here is as good as can be expected. Rest, food and lots to drink. No pissing blood, vomiting or dizzy spells allowed. OK. Help me get him into bed, Harry. Its just to the right."
Alex woke everyone every two hours just to make sure there were no concussions or any other medical emergencies on the cards. He was still fairly buzzed at 7:30 when he drove into town for fresh bread and croissants. He had been eating shit so far on his trip to France. Today it was going to be top of the line, francophile bliss. Minus the vin rouge and cognac of course. While in town he posted the strange documents to James for his dad to have a look at.
The commander savoured the pure luxury of the thick black coffee, hot chocolate and croissants. Harry grumbled about needing a fry. Alex just smirked. This was hog heaven for him. He cleared the table and pulled out two brand new pay as you go phones. "OK guys, now you can contact your loved ones. Tomorrow we drive to Caen for the boat to Pompey."
They all listened as Harry spoke first to Margo then Lyn and Joe. The old softie even cried. Harry and Alex then made themselves scarse as the Commander phoned whoever. Alex thought, they had no idea who he actually worked for, it might even be French State Security. The man just slipped into their pattern of behaviour, like any spy would. Alex had found it so easy to be a French kid again. He then checked himself, he'd spend two years in primary school in France, he was as french as he was german and spanish. It was part of his childhood, good or bad. It was just a fact. Nothing to beat himself up over.
The Commander watched early the next morning as the kid packed and cleaned meticulously. Every surface and detail was gone over, like a professional. Alex stopped at the farmhouse to hand back the keys, four days early. Madam de Salle was sad to see him leave and gave him a cake for the journey and a kiss on the cheek.
After four clicks the french number plates were removed from the Landrover and they headed west to the port for the evening sailing. Stopping once so Alex could buy some food for taking home.
As they waited their turn for boarding the ferry, Alex commented "Going all the way to Vauxhall or do you need dropping anywhere else, Commander Bond?"
"Don't be surprised if we get asked a few questions in Pompey," said the still very guarded stranger.
"Ahhh, you better not work for Crawley or Jones. I will be seriously pissed off if we end up at the Royal and General." said a terse Alex just to let Spooky Mulder know he was in no mood for games.
"No I'm not special operations. I answer directly to M." The man giving away all he would to the two other retired operatives.
"Ok Sweet FA, you are a bloody double O. Christ Harry, you really do pick the worst friends!" exclaimed Alex.
"Don't blame me Cub. I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time." said Harry in mock annoyance.
"I think we all were." was the Commander stoic reply.
"Speak for yourself losers. I saved your bacon. No medals this time. I did the right thing just for me and my friend Harry."