Chapter nine
I shut the car door quietly using the broken abandoned building as cover. Leaning around the corner I scanned the grounds for any personnel, but the area was vacant. It was almost enough to believe that all the warehouses where in equal states of disuse. That is, if it weren't for the disturbed litter that had been cleared away from a door to one of the far buildings.
The falling dusk of the late evening extended the shadows of the buildings. It wouldn't be long before the sun set, and the whole area was drenched in darkness. I memorized the tertian I could use the night as cover but, only if I wasn't tripping over things.
Slipping in to the cover of a building, I slunk closer to the façade of a empty building. I watched for any movements. These kidnappers where not the most effective or experienced. I couldn't find so much as one sentry or any outward CCTV. Excepting the one lamp post camera, positioned at an angle not meant to give good coverage.
I carefully worked my way around the building checking the ground floor. As far as I could see that level was empty but, didn't feel like having to risk entering just yet. Not while I needed to get to the third floor.
At the back of the building I found a decrepit escape ladder. The pull down ladder was to broken and old to move. Even if I could pull it down, the racket it would cause would defeat the propose of using it. I would need to get to the landing on the first floor quietly.
I spotted the unused bin a few feet away, checking the area again for any curious eyes. I rounded the large bin hoping the metal lid hadn't rusted to the point of caving under my weight.
With a runners start I jumped on to the bin lid, giving a few more steps of momentum. I launched myself for the guardrail bar of the first floor. I sucked in a breath as the momentum carried me into the side of the landing. Tensing I used the force to swing back. Twisting as I bent over the bar, landing softly on my feet.
I ducked under the window sills checking for anyone that might have heard or seen. These rooms where clear. Yet there was no way to tell about the rest of the level, or even how many people where in the building.
Carefully I picked my way up the metal walkway, avoiding rusted spots. I was cautious of any amount of movement from the windows. The utter lack of any security or people in general was becoming concerning.
The building could well be the correct one but, that wouldn't be much help if the kidnappers had moved. Or had thought agent Marvis was no longer worth her trouble. I pushed the thought aside as I slipped in to another empty room on the third floor.
Gaining my bearings for the lay out. I snuck out in to the main hallway highly aware to the lack of people. Remembering the door from the video on Michel's computer as I crept along the wall. The whole area was far quieter then I cared for, especially as I approached the door and had yet to see anyone else.
The total lack of security or personnel at all was unnerving. Either these where extremely lax and inexperienced kidnappers or, there was nothing left to guard. Easily picking the lock to the door I braced for what might be on the other side in the room.
I saw a laptop pointed open out towards the room on a table against the wall, as I delicately opened the door. So to not alert anyone that might be in the room. Stepping into the space I took in the surroundings immediately.
Agents Marvis was still tied to the chair in the middle of the room, blindfolded and unmoving. I didn't see any reason for concern though. I let the door creak slightly as I closed it. Agent Marvis tensed and turned minutely towards the door. Neither motion was enough to notice with the untrained eye but, it was enough to give me a breath of relief.
"Well hello darling. Just the woman I've been looking for." I chuckled lightly, as I walked over to Marvis.
"Who are you? If you want information, I won't tell anything more to a woman then I would the others." Marvis sneered, baring her teeth was about all she could do while strapped to the chair.
"Oh no dear, I'm on your side. I'm the rescue team, hello Q." I waved at the computer as I passed it, smirking. I bent to untie the blind fold. Marvis blinked a few times before turning to me. She tilted her head slightly. I could see that she was listening to the voice in her ear instead of replying.
"The quartermaster wants to talk to you." Marvis said calmly. Relaxed and open as she tilted her head to give me easy access to her ear bud. Well whatever Q had said must have made her believe me. Gently I took her ear bud and put it on myself.
"Yes what do you want? I'm slightly busy with a rescue at the moment." I drawled, kneeling so I could untie her from the chair. Whomever these kidnappers where they could at least tie a knot well enough. I wanted to get out of the building before they realized that we where here.
"You are the most reckless, and outright insane, person I have ever met and thank god for that. Though a thanks from you would be appreciated. How do you think you got in so easily? I set off all the alarms in the floors above you. It's distracting them for now but, it won't last forever." Q yelled in my ear. I rolled my eyes as I worked on the ropes around Marvis' wrists.
"Oh really I thought us girls would take a moment for a cuppa and a chat. I had no concern about time at all. Oh and yes thank you for alerting the entire building that they need to be looking for someone. That makes it so much easier when trying to be inconspicuous." I snarked dropping the ropes in record time, standing I walked back around to face Marvis.
"The gratitude I get for having the path clear. You would never have made it out of the first room if it wasn't for me. I can see their entire CCTV network from here. We are still working on taking control but, I have you perfectly in my sights. Now they're getting restless above you. If you have any ability to take advice, I would go down to the ground floor. Stairs would be a good place to start, down the corridor to the left." Q groaned, and I could just imagine the man rubbing his forehead.
I ignored him for the moment. Not paying to much to his babble as I gave Marvis a hand out of the chair. I saw recognition flood her eyes as she took a proper look at her rescuer.
"Your.. well double-oh fourteen, I didn't think you went in for this sort of thing. When has headquarters started sending the higher ups for simple hostage situations." Marvis covered her shock smoothly. Marvis made to stand but faulted. I caught her before she could fall. "There was a car crash. They rammed my car. I twisted my ankle but, I had hoped it wasn't too bad." Marvis hissed.
"Do you think you can walk?" I asked calmly, helping the woman stand. I let her lean weight away from the injured ankle putting some on me. I heard shuffling from Q's end but, nothing coherent so I dismissed the rattle. Marvis took a testing step with her right foot, and near crumpled to the ground again. She leaned on me for support.
"No, not without help. Its worse then I thought it was." Marvis grit out teeth clenched. I pulled her around to put her arm over my shoulders, taking some of her weight.
"What is happening? The camera only shows so much, is there a problem?" Q's voice broke through the rattling of his side. His voice was tight with worry.
"she's got a bad ankle. We're going to be slow, keep the halls open for us." I answered helping Marvis walk to the door. A hitched breath of pain coming from the woman every few steps. I could feel my own leg start to complain. The stitches might be out but, the wound wasn't fully healed. Now might be quite the test for the scabbing.
"That might be a bit of a problem. The guards above you are getting suspicious of the alarms. We're still working on taking over their security systems better. If you could be quick that would be advisable." q hummed over the typing of keys. Men, useless as normal.
I couldn't take Marvis back down the way I came. Her ankle would never take the pressure. I leaned out the doorway taking note of every camera and, the possible paths around them. I saw a ventilation guard at the end of the hall and had an idea. Pulling Marvis along with me as I slinked out of the room.
"Quick isn't one of the available options, so your going to have to work faster." I growled at q. Marvis was biting her lip to keep quiet. I was worried that soon she would bite a hole though her lip. I worked us towards the end of the hall carefully. Being mindful of the cameras thankfully, they where low quality and had crappy coverage.
"Where did you even go? I can't do much to help guide you, if I can't even find you." Q grumbled and, probably searching all the screens he could looking.
"Don't worry about finding me Q. Besides if you're looking on through there system then they can't see me either. If they can't see me, they can't try to hunt me down." I whispered.
The quite and lack of anything was starting to get on my nerves. It couldn't be quite much longer and, it would bring a lot of trouble with the leave of peace. I shuffled us to the end of the hall as quickly as I could. I saw a door opening to our right on the opposite side of the hall.
"I don't know if your seeing this but, there is a janitor coming through the door on the Far East side of the hall. Sorry he didn't feel compelled to figure out the alarm. I had hoped he would have kept napping. also a group of guards are coming down the lift on the far west of the hall. We can't get in to those system yet, your going to have to take cover." q explained in my ear smoothly.
I ducked under Marcus leaning her against the wall. Charging at the door I slammed in to it with my shoulder. Closing the door on the man that had been halfway out. Hearing a groan and a thud I looked over my shoulder to see the light above the lift shining. Why did this place even have a lift wasn't it to old.
"Why the bloody hell do these people have a janitor, and why having you taken control of the lift. Aren't you suppose to be technical support, start supporting." I snapped at Q, as I grabbed Marvis from where she had been shuffling against the wall. Dragging her to me I continued down the hall.
I could hear Marvis bite back a grunt of pain but, she kept form as we hurried. Well the original plan was shot to hell now. "Where the hell did you say the bloody stair well was. Behind us isn't much of a choice." I heard the clatter of keys from Q's side of things.
"They have a very trying method of keeping us out. I don't know how simple drug runners have manage to have this much high quality tech but, we're still better. I have control of the cameras now. They can only see what I want them to. The hall you're on turns to the right. Go half way down and, you'll have your stair case. I'm going to start more distractions. So I suggest clearing out." Q informed triumphantly.
I rolled my eyes as I shuffled Marvis with me quickly. I was carrying most of her weight ignoring the protests of my leg. I could hear running behind us as I ducked around the corner, forgoing any amount of stealth. I could see the door I wanted not far ahead of us.
I used my free hand to check my supplies in my pockets. Not nearly enough. Shouting erupted behind us as the guards must have found the room empty. It was only luck that they hadn't seen us coming off the lift. The shouts where quickly drown out by the ringing of alarms.
We both couldn't make it to the door before we were found but, I could distract the idiots long enough to let Marvis escape. I reached for the hand sized rappelling gear out of my pocket.
"You know how to work this?" I asked. Most agents where trained in all equipment of Q-branch but, I had to be sure before leaving her to defend herself. I walked her to the wall so she could use that to walk.
"Well yes but," Marvis took the device when I handed it to her, with a look of confusion.
"Good take it and, get to the building to the west of here. First one you come to. My car is parked on the far side. If I don't meet you in ten minutes leave." I demanded pushing Marvis as I looked behind us. Marvis hesitated uncertain at first. Then a look of determination fell over her face.
"I wont leave you alone to them mama, I.. " Marvis began but, I cut her off with a snarl and a glare.
"That wasn't a suggestion agent. That was an order. You will do as you are told, now." I growled, shoving Marvis roughly towards the door. She listened this time, using the wall as a prop to limp her way forward. I watched for a second before turning back down the hall. Running towards the fray.
"Double-oh fourteen what are you doing? That's the wrong way." Q questioned almost numbly.
I didn't have time to dignify the question as I met the guards halfway down the hall. Not nearly as sophisticated as their proficiency with security might have suggested. There where only five of them, all dirty and scuffed wearing ragged street clothes. Everything showed that these where bottom feeder of the drug ring.
So how the hell had they gotten there hands on tech that confused even Q. Man might have his troubles but, he could at least do his damn job. I didn't have much time to contemplate, as the guards came out of there shock from actually finding their target. Amateurs defiantly.
"Hello boys, missing someone?" I smirked. I leveled the closest man with a kick to his sternum, before any of them could react. My leg smarted as I put so much weight on it.
"Are you actually insane woman? Get out of there, you can't fight all of them." Q yelled in my ear panicked. I dismissed the notion, waiting for what else I needed to hear.
I broke the nose of the next man. He had tried to land a punch. I twisted out of the reach of a third grabbing for me. The fourth ducked around behind me in an attempt to block off my escape routes from the third. The fifth man was helping the first off the floor.
I sent a jarring kick to the fourths knee. Hoping to break it but, with my injury I couldn't get enough power behind the blow. Thankfully it was still enough to make him fall. By now my leg was screaming in pain to a point that was hard to dismiss. I was starting to lose my breath as well. I couldn't do much but, I had to wait just a little longer.
Avoiding a punch from the third man as the four grabbed for my ankle. The second man was holding his nose as he stood and, was looking for vengeance. I stepped on the fourth, right on his diaphragm to keep him down longer. The third tripped as he tried to avoid his now spamming partner. I couldn't see the others at my current angle.
"Marvis is out of the building. Now get the bloody hell out of there." Q snapped in my ear. I twisted with the command, darting for the end of the hall as fast as I could manage.
I felt the heat of a bullet pass my cheek, half a second after I heard the crack of a gun. I glanced over my shoulder, seeing the first man holding a gun. Ah that was why the other had helped him up. I ducked around the corner to avoid a second shot. It was only a small hand gun but, I wanted to reach the stairs before I found out how often he used it.
I could hear the five of them running after me. Another bullet blew pieces of drywall apart, far to close to me. I had only five feet to the door. Reaching in to my pocket I jerked out my new little snake friend. I flicked the blasting cap I had added to it when I had run out of headquarters. I tossed the explosive just as I rushed through the door.
I saw the rappel line still attached to the railing, drawn down to the ground. I pulled my sleeve over my hand as much as I could. I gabbed the line bracing it against my forearm and jumped. Just as the floor shook, the blast charge ringing through the air. I couldn't do much to slow my fall and, landed heavily on my feet. Momentarily winded the only thing that kept me from falling to the ground was my grip on the line.
"Double-oh fourteen what the hell is going on? I can't see you in the stair well. Are you alright?" Q demanded in my ear. I took a steadying breath and let go of the metal wire.
"I'm fine." I grit out. Even as I looked at the blood stained line and, could feel a sticky wetness start gathering on my leg.
I pushed the button on the hand rappel to disengage the hold at the top and, retract the line. It only took a second for the device to finish and I stuffed it back in my pocket. Finding the door to the outside I quickly limped my way out. I rushed to my car as quickly as I could. Glad for the dark that had descended to covered my path.
"I'll believe that when I see you again. Are you limping? Is that blood." Q asked in rapid fire. I groaned in annoyance as I pulled myself in to my car. Marvis sitting tensely in the passenger seat.
"Do you ever shut up?" I growled in response, forcing the car into a quick start. Tearing our way out of the abandoned lot and back to the road. I couldn't take the chance of my little trick now working as well as intended. I also wanted to get back to headquarters quickly for Marvis' debrief.
"no, I guess not." I answered with a sigh. My only response from miss bond was a displeased grumble.
Watching miss bond had been nerve racking. The woman was reckless with seemingly no regard for her own safety. Yet she also acted with a confidence and determination that I hadn't seen from any of the other agents.
Almost like she mocked death for trying to reach for her, maybe that was how she managed it all. Acting like death was the fool for trying, instead of her for jumping into dangerous situations.
Miss bond had handled herself very well against the group. Despite the fact that I knew her injury had to be bothering her. I couldn't quite tell what it was she had thrown until the explosion went off, then I understood perfectly. The damage hadn't been that extensive to the buildings structure but, to the men was a different story.
The closest man wasn't going to get up again. I don't think the next two where either. The last two had been a bit farther away but, they wouldn't be leaving without at least server burns. I had sent out a few lower level agents as a team. To try and contain the culprits for this mishap so, we could question them. Well at least the ones that survived.
I bent to lean my head on my desk arms braced on either side. I took a deep breath and held it. I couldn't see miss bond when she had ducked in to the stair well but, I could hear her just fine. Her grunts of pain had been unsettling, more then they should have been.
Miss bond was an agent, a high level agent. They got hurt often it shouldn't have bothered me. Hell I had watched agent Marvis hobble across the lot with a discarded plank of wood as a make shift crutch. I hadn't even flinched seeing the injured woman.
Yet miss bond came stumbling out of the building and, a dark pit formed in my stomach. I suddenly felt like cursing our night vision filter. This wasn't good. It was well enough to admire miss bond for her beauty and talent but, I couldn't let that affect how I worked with her. I had to stay impartial to agents, not form favoritism.
Agents where always being put in danger and getting hurt from it, that was the job. I knew it. Hell double-oh three would be off duty for the next two months because, he had been shot in the shoulder. I had seen it happen and, hadn't even flinched.
The image of miss bond listing heavy to one side flashed through my mind and, my stomach turned. I was in trouble. Taking a deep breath I let it out slowly. Pushing any thoughts of miss bond to the back of my mind, I straightened again.
Adjusting my tie as I turned to face the room. Everyone was in a certain state of congratulations, and it was well placed. The out come had looked quite bleak at first. There were still matters to attend to though, unanswered questions.
"Michel since you have a particular knack with cameras. I want you to watch their progress until the two of them make it back home safely. We already lost track of our agent once today because, we got to comfortable. I don't want that to happen again." I commanded, bringing the room back to order. Michel nodded from the back, full attention now on his computer. "I want to know how this happened. Who is behind it and, what technology they were using to keep us out? That was no normal grade scramblers. They had to come from somewhere, find it."
The room fell back into the quiet of clicking keys with the instructions. I was pleased at the response but, still highly unsettled by the event. They had taken one of ours while at home, snatched from our own back yard. We should have protocols to prevent such events but, some how those had been useless in protecting agent Marvis. I didn't like it.
"Sir I think we can limit the possibility to either the Rafkin's or the Declair's. Both of those drug rings have that area within their territory. They wouldn't have any trouble snatching agent Marvis and, using that lot." Chrissie offered helpfully, coming to my side from her own computer.
"Thank you. Didn't I put someone on that already?" I questioned. The time had been spent quickly and in a haze. There were probably a number of orders given, that I didn't remember precisely.
"Yes, you yelled at Jenkins to start on it." Chrissie supplied coolly. I was starting to see a pattern it the attitude towards Jenkins. Then again the man did seem to have earned it. I didn't interact with him often. When I did however, it was always with cold distaste from him. I distinctly remember him as the most vocal about a need to have an office and, balking at having to work in the open main room. I look around the room and found him missing.
"Where is Mr. Jenkins exactly?" I asked evenly, hiding my growing annoyance with the man.
"His office I assume. He scampered out of the room after you yelled at him. Gave the man a hell of a scare you did. About time someone made him mind his tongue." Chrissie scoffed with a shrug. I looked over to her with a raised eyebrow.
Chrissie had been a help since I had first started. Always showing me where something was or, giving me a name to put with a face. Time and time again but, always with a smile. Even if she didn't smile I always saw Chrissie being good hearted with people. This was a first time I had seen Chrissie speak with anything but good nature about another person here. She even kept a playful manner when miss bond got up to her antics. Right now though Chrissie was stiff and, spoke with almost a hostile tone about Mr. Jenkins.
"I think it might be time I went to see how Mr. Jenkins is coming along then." I said brushing my hair into place and, waiting to see Chrissie's reaction. She just gave a disinterested shrug before walking back to her desk. This was working out to just being an unsettling day. Well at least this would be a good focus besides miss bond. I needed to see if I could smooth out a seeming snag in inter-worker relations. It won't be good for moral if I have technicians trying to sabotage one another. I made the quick trip to Jenkins office.
Contemplating the different ways that the kidnappers could have found agent Marvis to capture her while I walked. It had to have been while she was on route. I saw Mr. Jenkins on the phone when I approached. Knocking on the glass door I waited for him to finish, no need to be rude. I couldn't hear anything through the glass but, Jenkins looked fairly angry at whoever was on the other end. Mr. Jenkins jerked towards the door when he heard the knock. For a split second I could swear he paled. Mr. Jenkins yelled to the phone before throwing it on the desk and waving me in.
"Troubles" I asked pleasantly, stepping in far enough to lean against the glass wall.
"No, it's nothing for you to worry about quartermaster. Is there something I can help you with?" Mr. Jenkins dismissed the question quickly. Apparently impatient to get back to what he was doing.
"I was hoping you had results for who had organized the attack. I don't like not knowing who's coming after our agents." I crossed my arms. If he wanted to be difficult I had no trouble playing along. I narrowed my eyes as, Mr. Jenkins shuffled though papers on his desk.
"Well it's hard to pinpoint. MI6 has made a lot of enemies with the criminal sort. We've also been stirring up a lot of pots in the drug rings lately. It could be any number of them in the local area or, there could be bigger troubles working through the drug runners. It'll take time to sort out properly." Mr. Jenkins supplied but, ultimately avoiding the question. He didn't meet my eyes as he looked over information on his computer.
"So you have nothing." I reduced his babbling, frowning at the revelation. If he hadn't been looking in to who caused this then, what had Jenkins been doing this whole time.
"Well it's not as if they wear name tags is it. They don't label each other easily for what drug ring they work in. I've looked at all of the local groups and, none of them have been acting oddly lately. Certainly not like they were preparing to launch an attack on us." Mr. Jenkins huffed, finally stopping his shuffling to glare moodily at me. I raised an eyebrow to match him in glare.
"That's what you've come to in all this time. Nothing, no one. We just had one of our own kidnapped by bottom of the barrel slacks. These sort of things don't just happen. Not without someone giving a call and setting it up. Yet you cant find anyone acting oddly, other then five singular people. They didn't act on their own Mr. Jenkins." I growled, growing tried of the mans resistance to be helpful. I pushed away from the wall and took a step towards Jenkins. He flinched but, continued glaring childishly.
"Well I cant very well do anything with you here. Being a nuisance and bothering me over every little thing. If you want things done then shoo, go and play with your toys." Mr. Jenkins snapped, with a frenzied edge. He made a vague gesture to the door. I bristled at the disrespectful tone and, took another step forwards. The flinch it caused in Mr. Jenkins made me reconsider.
This was not how I wanted to control Q-branch, with fear. I wanted all of my people to feel safe in their surroundings and to be able come to me. God only knew we all needed to feel safe somewhere. With a deep breath I took a step back. Nodding at Mr. Jenkins and half turning back to the door.
"Fine I'll give you your peace. I expect results soon and, for you to remember to mind your tone." I warned but, otherwise left the issue. I walked out without giving Mr. Jenkins a chance to say anything else. A few feet down the corridor I glanced back just on impulse. I saw Mr. Jenkins of the phone again and, that was troubling. It would seem that mss bond was not the only problematic person I had in the branch.
Authors Note: Well look at that, on time for once. Isn't this good I should try for things like this again. Now that things in real life have settled more getting chapters done on time should be easier. For now you can enjoy the brilliant work of myself and my editor and, it's only two weeks till the next one. Bye.