Chapter 29: Extraction

Mandi had stayed quiet during the whole conversation, just listening and feeling a bit awkward about it all. She always felt this way when in company of other people. She had hoped this time it would be different than it was with the girls in school, because these were adults and computer nerds like she was. The girls in school always seemed nice at first but never really stayed that way. Always badmouthing others behind their backs to make them feel good about themselves. She hadn't seen any of that the day she had spent in Q-branch. But that thing that happened just now made her want to sink through the floor.

Iris was still catching her breath a little and took to sipping her tea for a moment. After that she seemed to have rebooted herself because she picked up the remains of her sandwich and started eating.

"Right, where were we?" She asked as she swallowed. Ophelia was looking at Iris like she had grown a second head and Mandi was sure her face matched that expression.

"Iris…" Ophelia started but Iris raised her hand.

"I don't want to talk about it." She said resolutely. "Let's talk about something else."

"But…" Ophelia started again only to be interrupted again by a hand on her arm.

"Please…" Iris pleaded quietly. It was silent for a moment before Ophelia nodded.

"Okay." She said and turned towards her and winced. "Oh, I am so sorry Mandi. That was horrible of us. Are you alright? That must've been uncomfortable." Mandi cocked her head.

"It's okay." She said her face going red.

"No, it isn't." Ophelia said. "Because all of us are at least a little bit socially awkward and when I became department head, I promised myself I would do my best to make everyone feel comfortable." Iris looked at incredulous at that declaration.

"Ophelia, you know that is like an impossible task, right?" Iris asked hesitantly.

"Doesn't mean it isn't worth doing. If only to prevent us from slipping back into the situation from before the bombing." Ophelia sounded determined. Mandi wanted to ask what was so bad about before but before she could ask a voice sounded through the shop.

"Taxi for Mclaughlin." Iris looked up and paled.

"Yes." She called out, her voice slightly shaky. "We just have to settle the tab and we'll be right out." The woman, who looked slightly familiar to Mandi nodded and walked out of the shop. Iris stood.

"I'll settle the bill. You get ready to go." She said and walked away before they could reply. Mandi stared after her before turning to an equally startled looking Ophelia.

"What's going on?" She asked.

"I don't know." Ophelia answered. "But one thing you learn in this line of work is that sometimes you just have to go with the flow. It's the only way you learn something. Come on." And she stood and put her coat over her 1950's dress. Mandi, who felt slightly jealous of that 1950's look, gathered her own things while Ophelia picked up Iris's. They met Iris at the door and followed her silently out of the shop and to the car.

"Iris?" Ophelia asked hesitantly as Iris headed for the car door held open for them. Mandi shared her sentiment. To get into an unknown car seemed stupidly dangerous to her.

"It's okay, trust me." Iris said trying to reassure them before scooting to the other door to make room for them, but Mandi didn't know Iris well enough yet to feel very reassured. Ophelia stared suspiciously at the taxi driver for a bit before nodding and gesturing for her to get into the car.

"Come on. It'll be fine." She said giving her a reassuring smile. Mandi just stood there for a moment, feeling a little helpless as every instinct screamed at her not to get into the car but not really seeing the option to refuse. Hesitantly, she got in, almost hitting her head because her body didn't want to cooperate.

As soon as Ophelia was seated the door closed and the driver, in a flurry of quick moves had them on the go. Mandi looked at Iris beside her, who was still looking a bit pale and seemed to be thinking before hesitantly looking up to their driver.

"Ma'am…" She started but the driver held up a hand immediately silencing her. Iris shut up immediately and sat back stiffly. Mandi felt just as tense. She was scared, not knowing where they were going. A hand on her arm had her look at Ophelia who, surprisingly, was the calmest out of all of them. Ophelia smiled at her and squeezed her arm.

They drove around for what seemed like an eternity before stopping in front of a shopping centre. Mandi frowned and looked at Iris and Ophelia for clues but both looked just as confused as she did. The driver however did give a clue.

"Well ladies." She said, in an accent that somehow didn't really match her. "I hope you enjoy your shopping. Makes sure you pick up enough cash beforehand though. I heard there's some sort of electronic payment failure going on. There's a cash withdraw in there." They looked out the window to a shady looking cash exchange shop. The front of it looked dirty and there was an internet café next door that shared the entrance. It wasn't a place Mandi normally would never set foot in.

Iris thanked their driver politely and they got out of the car, which drove off immediately, and turned towards the shop they were ordered to. Then Iris's phone went off. She looked at it and Mandi saw her eyes widen minutely before a determined look settled on her face and she walked in. Ophelia and Mandi followed after her hesitantly.

Iris marched up to the counter. The scruffy looking man behind it looked up to her irritably.

"What do you want?" He asked gruffly.

"I want to withdraw some money. I don't have a penny on me right now." Iris answered quietly and clearly.

"Name?" The man asked with narrowed eyes.

"Iris Mclaughlin, Ophelia Warner and Mandi Parker." She answered clearly.

"Take a seat." Was the order and they were pointed to a bench in the back. Then the man walked off. The three sat awkwardly onto the small bench. Now that she no longer had a task, Iris looked as tense again as she had before. Luckily the man returned quickly."

"Back there." He said pointing his thumb over his shoulder.

They walked past the counter through a set of doors towards an elevator that was waiting for them. The doors closed as soon as they were on board and the elevator started moving down slowly. Agonizingly slowly. No one said anything though Mandi caught Ophelia glancing at Iris on several occasions as if to ask her something, but nothing came out of her mouth. Finally, the lift came to a stop and the doors opened.

The corridor they ended up in looked dark and damp and was empty but Both Ophelia and Iris blinked in surprise before sagging in relief. Ophelia smiled at her.

"Come on." She said and guided them towards the end of the corridor. The end of the corridor was lighter and a buzzing sound was coming from it that was becoming louder and louder as they headed towards it. And suddenly, they turned a corner and stepped out of the corridor onto a balcony overlooking a large underground room. The room was crowded. Dozens and dozens of desks filled the space with people working behind them. On the wall screens were installed displaying newsfeeds from all over the world. There were several boards put up displaying information with people gathered around them. At the opposite site offices were lining the walls some occupied, some with white windows and others empty. All in all, the place was a buzz.

"Welcome to MI6 headquarters." Iris said beside her with a nostalgic look in her eyes.