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Chapter Thirteen
The International Headquarters of MI6
A/N: Writer's block, I shall write an ode proclaiming your annoying-ness (sometime, in the future, when I have time). Writing a break-in of one of the most secure facilities in the world should have been electrifying. Instead, I felt like my brain was being pulled out of each of my ears in long, tangled strings by two snails, each going in opposite directions. Once I get rid of the snails, preferably violently, and put back the pieces of my scattered and slightly feverish brain, I will hopefully have something productive to say about this chapter. For now, you'll just have to read it.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognize. I'm not making any money. Um, did I miss anything?
(I)_(I)_(I)_(I)_(I)
0700 March 30th
All the hairs on Alex were standing up. They'd been like that for a while. In fact, the new jet black hair he sported did nothing to calm his nerves for it caused him to swing his head around every two seconds, thinking that he saw something move. Of course, then he'd realize it was just the lanky, puffs of black hair that looked like shadows. This is getting ridiculous, he thought wearily, knowing that a few days ago, he might have even laughed at himself. But not now.
He took the lead, and even though Alistar was hesitant to let him do so, a glare from Miri seemed to avert whatever thoughts he had. Alex would have to keep an eye on her. He hadn't liked the glances that she's been shoot at both him and Alistar.
They were walking down one of the many confusing hallways in the lower level of the headquarters, and so far, everything had gone to plan. The detailed maps, confusing diagrams, and all-around tips Smithers supplied were so helpful, Alistar & crew had been most suspicious. In fact, most of their "planning" time had been Alex trying to convince them that the information he received was true. Feeling like they were getting nowhere, Alex had calmly and generously offered to break into MI6 alone, but Alistar, after a lengthy pause, said that he would go too. And finally, it was decided.
"Five." Said Alex, crouching beside the wall.
"Four."
"Three."
"Two."
"Move!"
The four of them shot across the intersection and crouched at the other side, near a green compost bin. "We stay three seconds here, then head in front of that picture frame over there." Dictated Vladia. They had all memorized the sequence, but since Vladia was the one with the photographic memory, she said what their next movement was every time.
After three seconds, "Move." Said Alex, and they all shot across the hall, crouching by the picture. "In twenty-three seconds, move to the purple sticker."
Let's explain the crouching. Normally, MI6 headquarters didn't have decorations, but important people complain if they have to stay somewhere that has only grey wallpaper. Especially if they have to stay at said place for extended periods of time for their "safety". So, paintings, sculptures, small floral lamps and a middle band had been put on the walls. All the paintings and lamps were above the middle band, and all the sculptures were below.
Since there were way too many people in the headquarters for Smithers to loop entire sections of the building's footage at once. Instead, he hid sections of the wall. Since the bottom of the walls were the same shade, it was easier to do. The only problem with this was that they had to avoid the statues while keeping in time with the guards and guests.
Most people thought breaking into one of the most secure facilities in the world was exciting. Instead, just a load of diagrams and calculations, counting and crouching and staying in the same positions for extended periods of time.
"Move." Said Alex again, and they darted back across the hallway on the left of a purple sticker Smithers had put there for this purpose.
"Only seven more moves." Said Alistar encouragingly. All of them were getting sore, and Miri seemed particularly impatient.
"In fifteen-seconds we have to split into groups of two, one going around to the left and the other to the right, meeting up at intersection B37. There can be no sound from here on out." Vladia dictated.
"Miri go with Vladia, and I'll go with Alex." Said Alistar.
"I'd rather stay with you." Said Miri.
"Vladia and Alex know the sequence the best. Now—"
"Move!" said Alex, dashing right and not caring who followed.
Alistar was right behind. He made the gesture for "all's well" and "others went left".
Alex nodded, then pointed at their next landmark, a stain in the wall.
He tapped Alistar one time for each of the last seconds and they rolled over to the spot.
They kept on going, and Alex's earpiece buzzed. "Hey Al" came the jovial voice of Smithers. "You're doing well, everything's covered. This just means you're in the computer rooms. The access panel you want is just 30 meters to your left. In 5 meters you'll meet up with your comrades. 12 seconds after the meet up you can talk again."
Alex nodded, making the sign at Alistar that meant he had received the message from Smithers.
30 meters and 4 minutes later, they stood near the entrance to the access panel. From here, it was guarded by three sets of rotating 360 degree lasers. Alex had spent the better part of a week preparing for this. He had memorized the sweeps from a simulation Smithers had smuggled out. It was a fairly simple pattern, jump, jump, roll, flip. He'd practiced every day until he could do each perfectly, while Alistar and Miri watched with interest.
Now it was time to put his training to the test. He tensed. Alistar patted his shoulder reassuringly.
"Good luck."
No one said another word. There wasn't much to say. He either did it or didn't. He didn't want to think about what they would to a caught Red Alert fugitive—in their own headquarters nonetheless.
Alex slowly removed all gadgets and items on his body until all that was left was a skin tight suit. Vladia gathered them all up while Miri kept watch and time.
He stood at the circular entrance, looking in and seeing the small grooves on the walls that slowly rotated. It was dark too, so he'd have to rely on his other senses for distance. Before he could think too much, Miri said, "Move."
Alex jumped.
Waited the proper millisecond, and jumped again.
He could feel the lasers around him, even if he couldn't see anything. They crackled and gave off heat, creating gusts of wind that blew his annoying hair. Counting to two, he rolled.
The immediately did a flip in the air. Alex teetered, not finding his balance. A laser came particularly close, burning an eyelash with its proximity. He'd practiced on soft flat floor, not used to the curved landing.
Without truly getting his balance, Alex jumped. Then jumped again. After the roll, Alex finally got his balance. Then another flip, but this time he was ready for the ground. Another two jumps, and that should bring him to the panel.
He held his breath.
Jump.
Jump.
A bead of sweat dripped off of Alex's forehead and plopped on the floor. Other than that, there was just the harsh sound of his breathing. Stepping on the safe platform in front of the panel, MI6 technicians did not like to do work on curved ground, Alex caught his breath.
He's been more nervous than he'd thought. Turning, he waved at Alistar watching from the entrance.
Alistar made a questioning signal.
Alex made the sign for "ready".
Though getting to the platform was tricky, this was the most dangerous part of their plan. Alex couldn't get through the laser maze with the electronic equipment on him, so now they had to be taken apart and thrown to him, piece by piece, through the one foot opening at the top of the laser maze. He had to catch each piece and reassemble them at the other side.
If anything touched the lasers, it would be incinerated and alarms would sound. And Alex would be trapped between a ton of reinforced steel and escape.
The wires came first.
Whizz.
The whirled through the air, dipping once below the one foot distance. Luckily, the laser had rotated to another place. Alex caught it without incident.
Then came the encryption breaker.
Soon, they had a rhythm going. It was less nerve wracking.
Once everything other than once piece was there, Alex started piecing them together. It took a long time, everything had been put into bundles to be easily thrown in. Alistar looked on patiently, Vladia kept watch now, while Miri's gaze darted back and forth.
At last, in ten more minutes, he had it assembled. It wasn't pretty, but Alex was proud he'd gotten everything right, and remembered all the names of the things in the MI6 database panel. Finally, he turned to Alistar, making the "finished and waiting" sign.
Time for Alistar to give him the last piece.
Reaching into his black vest, Alistar brought out the microchip.
Alistar threw the chip at Alex, who caught it deftly.
Alex inserted it into the slot.
The jumble of wires and metal whirred to life.
Everyone held their breath.
Even Alistar looked stressed.
Alex bit his lip.
Five seconds later, there was a soft beep.
"It's done." Said Alex, letting out a huge breath.
It was done.
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