Chapter 37: Or to answer when duty calls
She couldn't believe it was still Sunday. Sundays were supposed to be relaxing. The politicians were sleeping in, so less chance of them doing something idiotic, and with most of the world resting it was always the day to tie up loose ends and do the necessary paperwork. And that was how today had started, just like every other Sunday. The Director had called in at around 8 to check if he needed to come in, but she had rejected that. He needed rest. The week had been filled with many emergencies and he'd worked almost continuously. At least she had been able to sleep at least a couple of hours every night. And with the upcoming week looking like it wouldn't be any easier she knew he needed all the rest he could get.
It was about ten when it started. The Adjunct texted her about needing her and the papers to intercept the incoming 006 and 005 around 13.00 hours and him needing the plane to get an update from 007 after that. That was no problem. She prepared things and had just gotten into the car to pick him up when he called her instead for the extraction of his people who had almost outed Jordan. Quickly she had changed cars and outfits and had picked up and dropped off the three girls before driving back with just enough time to pick Q up and get them to the airport.
She should've known that it was an indication of things to come. She was so pissed 006 got the drop on her and his hands on her charge, killing him wouldn't have been an issue at all. Apparently, she needed more training. Then 005, with her ever-unnerving presence, had struck up a conversation during the ride back, setting her on edge even more. She kept her poise as best she could while hoping this day would end soon.
She knew she had jinxed herself when, as soon as she got back and sat down to do her paperwork, the news about the bombing had come in. She called the Director in immediately. He needed to deal with this. He had started giving out orders before he was even out the door. Within moments their people within MI5 had started securing everything they could get their hands on, falsifying information as they secured the originals. It was a hard task to do secretly but doable because of the sheer number of people they had in the department. It was fortunate Q had already secured Q-branch and the MI6 server because there was no way to do the same with MI6, not without raising suspicions. However, unlike MI6, who had a reputation of people going rogue, the MI5 agents and personnel had nowhere to go but the Joint Security Services. Arabella just crossed her fingers and hoped they would be alright.
The Director had walked through the doors within 20 minutes, which was a record even with the police escort she had arranged for him. They had sat together for a briefing on how the situation was being handled, during which Q had called in with an update. He sounded stressed over the speaker and his message was short, like he was dealing with a situation of his own. The Director gave him a short update of their own situation and with a short 'understood' the Adjunct had signed off.
The Director had sighed, sat back and had gotten back to giving orders, most of which she had relayed to others but one had been for her specifically. Which was why she was now sitting in R's office across from her pissed off predecessor. On her way over she'd thought there was no way in hell to get him to agree to sign the contract. But the Director had asked her to convince him, so she was going to. No matter what it took. Starting with information.
"But that's not what we're here for." She said, bringing the conversation back on track.
"No, it isn't." Andrew agreed. "So, tell me. What have you done to protect the double-0 section?" The words were sharp and sarcastic, putting in doubt the very idea of them being able to offer any sort of protection. Arabella let it slide in favour of giving a very succinct report.
"An offer will be made to all incoming double-0's to join a security division of Radius Solutions Company. The only exception to this is 005, who has already been transferred to the Director's office. As it stands 006 has already accepted the offer. We are unsure however, just how many double-0's will actually come in. Most, we think, will simply disappear after your and 007's warnings." She couldn't help the slight accusation from entering her voice, but Andrew shrugged it off.
"We hope to be able to convince them that the offer is genuine. We could definitely use you, as we suspect Q-branch will bear the brunt of the retaliation as soon as we start pulling the organisation down. Q and R as well as the building need securing from a physical attack. It will also be easier to restore MI6 and send you after any overseas accomplices of Denbigh quickly if we don't have to track you all down. Besides, the Adjunct is quite adamant to protect you all as he has protected Q-branch." A sharp look at that last sentence told her he got the hint. Good. She didn't want to keep him in the dark about who he was working with. She took a breath, before adding the thing that might sway him over to leaving.
"However, no charges will be brought to any double-0 who decides to ignore the order to return unless their actions during that period are inexcusable. All we ask is that they stay in contact with the double-0's that do come in so that they know to return when the danger has passed. If they fail to come in after that, they will bear the consequences. Everyone who so desires will be reinstated after the danger has passed." She tried to emphasize that the choice was voluntary. It was something that Q had fought hard for, the choice for any personnel to quit. When Q had found out the double-0's couldn't quit he had raised a stink both with M and the Director stating that they were not the army and even there the practice was vile. He had won that one and any future double-0 contract would have an exit clause added.
0010 nodded shortly. The man seemed to be thinking, but Arabella couldn't decipher the conclusions he was getting. It was silent for a long time. Eventually he let out a sigh.
"He reminds me of Rudy." He said softly. Arabella's eyebrows shot up.
"Q does?" She asked. Andrew nodded. If possible, Arabella's eyebrows rose even more. She knew it was undignified but she couldn't bring herself to stop gaping. It took several attempts to get a decent reply out.
"I think there's little that would insult Q more than being compared to his uncle. In what way?" She asked.
"His mannerisms mostly. The way he just takes command and everyone obeys him. They don't look alike though. The Director has more of Rudy's facial features and build. But his way of speaking is exactly how Rudy would act." And she actually saw him shiver a little.
"Christ." The word flew out of her mouth before she could catch it and she quickly brought her hand to her mouth to cover it.
"There are other things though…" Andrew started.
"There's more!" Arabella exclaimed, interrupting him. Andrew threw her a look at the interruption and she ducked her head in shame.
"That don't remind me of him at all." Andrew finished his sentence. Before continuing hesitantly as if not really sure about the words he was looking for. "Rudy was… lazy. He delegated everything. Made decisions and moved on. It didn't matter how things were done, just that they were. He didn't… care." Arabella let out a sigh of relief.
"If there's one thing you can't accuse the Adjunct of, it's being lazy." She said passionately. She didn't show it off course, that would be unprofessional, but she liked Q. He was so passionate about the work. "Being quartermaster requires most of his attention. He regularly works multiple days in a row without stopping. And then, on top of that he's also still owner of the Ormond Investment Company and CEO of the Holmes Family Investment Firm. And then he's also involved in our work though that is minimal at the moment. Mostly if things cross his path. Like this. We have to regularly remind him to delegate." Andrew nodded at that.
"I noticed." He answered. "He cares. Really cares. At first glance he appears to do things like Rudy did, but then he starts pulling his weight. The loyalty his minions show him was earned, not enforced or expected."
"He does care. Perhaps too much." Arabella acknowledged letting a little of her doubt filter through. She always worried he would burn himself out. He always seemed to be teetering on the edge of burnout.
"No, I don't think so." Andrew answered. "But we are getting off topic again." He held out his hand and she handed him the contracts. He started reading. Arabella subconsciously held her breath.
"I'll be keeping those files as insurance." He commented mindlessly, not looking up from his reading. Arabella gasped in surprise. Did that mean… "If I get so much as a hint that you're not keeping your word I will walk directly into Buckingham and hand these personally into the Queens hands." And he took a pen out of his pocket and started signing. Arabella was gaping like a goldfish again, but she didn't care this time.
"Agreed." She answered. "Might I suggest you take Q with you if you do. He doesn't agree with the fact that She doesn't know." Andrew looked up from signing.
"Now why doesn't that surprise me." He answered. "I'll take care of the other double-0's. Just make sure the documents are ready for when they come in." He finished signing and handed her the stack of paper.
"Thank you." Was her heartfelt reply, still not quite believing that had just happened. He nodded in reply and walked out of the office leaving her awed at the resilient man who had once again placed his faith in the British Government.