The Alfa Romeo Spider slotted neatly into the parking space deep in the basement of the MI6 building, a final roar of the engine surged before it cut out. From the low driver's seat, a pair of legs in pinstriped trousers and high heeled boots swung out. Ashleigh Kain, a member of MI6's Intelligence Service climbed from the car, and then walked across the car park. Younger than most of the agents, at twenty five she was on the fast track within the Service, intelligent and logical, coolheaded and lethal with a weapon. There were rumours that she had been handpicked by M herself to join MI6, and it did seem that the young agent experienced a special relationship with the head of the organisation.
Kain was not what could be called a beautiful woman, at least not at first glance. She was attractive, rather than a great beauty, with a pleasant rounded face, framed by dark brows, and deep golden brown eyes. She was about 5'5, slim and muscled, a result from her love of kickboxing and martial arts. Her dark hair swung round her face in a layered style, her eyes peeked out from beneath her slanted fringe, full pink lips curved in a smile as she locked the car, her pride and joy. Dressed in a tailored suit and a pale blue shirt she strode confidently through the car park and into the building, ignoring the stares that the other agents threw in her direction, curious as usual about the young woman. At the end of a quiet corridor, deep within the building she reached an unmarked door, and slipped inside.
Kain was greeted by a woman in her late thirties, or early forties, elegantly dressed in a navy suit, the hint of a camisole showing above the buttons of her jacket, her pale red hair brushed away from her delicate features. Cool, and efficient she turned her head as Kain entered the small office, and nodded at her, before sliding the file she held into its rightful place within the cabinet. Kain gave a small smile, to disguise her awkwardness. The woman smiled warmly back at her, and holding out her arms, gave the girl a quick embrace.
"Hello,
Ashleigh,"
"Moneypenny," Kain's embrace was equally warm, full of affection for the older woman, she let her guard down for a moment, and then stepped back, once more the cool young agent.
Moneypenny
smiled once more at Kain, remembering fondly the handsome man that had been her
father, his dark good looks echoed in his daughter. "How are you?" she
asked.
It was a sign of Ashleigh's
trust of this woman that she admitted her anxiety. "Nervous,"
"You can go right in, M's waiting for you. And it'll
be over soon." Moneypenny was quick to reassure, but she noted that Ashleigh
didn't look nervous, in fact Agent Kain looked as calm as she ever did as she
rapped briefly on the door, and took a deep breath before pushing it open.
The
woman that sat behind the desk in her inner sanctum was as cool as the young
woman that sat opposite her. Smartly dressed in a linen suit and her grey
hair cropped, she appraised the younger woman. She noticed the thin red scratch
on her throat, all that remained of the cut taken a few weeks previously,
during the capture of the double agent Richard Brent. Kain had really shown her bravery then,
allowing herself to be put into a dangerous situation with a killer, and it was
her simple bravery that had allowed the agent to be captured. M had wanted a female agent, the sexism that
still existed within the organisation would have twisted Brent's mind to think
that Kain was not as experienced as she was, and therefore not a threat. It had been a gamble that had paid off.
"I
don't like to get personal Kain, but this time I feel I have to".
"Sir?" Kain felt an overwhelming urge to start plucking at
the fabric of her pinstripe trousers, but resisted it, forcing her hand to lay
flat upon the material instead. Her
heart pounded.
"You've
progressed far through the service, in a very short time. Cryptology,
Military Intelligence, Foreign Relations, even a stint in the Weapons
Department. Where do you think your future lies?"
"The 00 sector".
"You're
very sure of that,"
"Yes, sir." Her mouth was dry.
"Following
in your father's footsteps? You don't have an automatic right to do so,"
"Sir."
"There
have only ever been three women in the 00 sector. Two have been killed;
one lived long enough to retire. It's not an easy life, but I feel that
you, more than any other female agent that I can think of, could excel in the
department. A career perhaps to rival your father's, or even your
godfather's, though I hope that you would be slightly more conscientious of
your orders". A raise of the almost regal eyebrow. "I
have faith in you, Ashleigh. That is why I'm putting you forward for this
assignment."
A
file was slid across the desk, and Ashleigh fingered it. She felt a flicker of
excitement at the label pronouncing 'FOR YOUR EYES ONLY'.
"The
current World situation is highly unstable. Terrorism is at an all time
high, any country has the potential to snatch domination. We've been
hearing rumours. A bioweapon. Deadlier than anything released on
this Earth before, 98% lethal. Won't wipe us all out, but leave enough
human beings left to control. Airborne, almost undetectable. If
released, within two weeks, the human race would be destroyed. Codename; Hermes".
Ashleigh's
head snapped up. "The Winged Messenger".
"Exactly. Only a message that's deadly. I'm
sending you to Russia. The government there believe that the Hermes
project is located somewhere in their country. More rumours. You
will accompany a senior agent,"
"Yes,
sir" a hint of a smile played across Ashleigh's face. "Am I
familiar with this agent?"
The
smile was reflected briefly on M's face.
"You
will accompany 007. James Bond".
While M and Agent Kain discussed the current threat posed by the Hermes Virus, Moneypenny was thanking the deities of most of the major world religions that she had retouched her make up before Kain had arrived. For once more James Bond stood before her, in all his confidence, and smooth suavity that he simply exuded. Moneypenny cursed the fact that this man could reduce her to a gibbering wreck with a single flick of those neatly groomed eyebrows. She longed for the day that it was her turn for James to actually take her out, rather than just flirt with her. Until then, she would simply disguise her feelings under a series of well placed quips.
She had been reaching for a book, high on a shelf when she had heard the door open and the silent padding of an agent entered. There were only two scheduled to see M this afternoon, and one was already here, the scent of expensive cologne confirmed the identity of the other.
"Moneypenny, Moneypenny, Moneypenny, you are as delicious as ever."
He was pressed up close behind her, not close enough to touch, but she could feel the warmth coming off him, imagine the feel of the fabric of his well cut suit, and feel the warmth of his breathe tickling the soft skin on her ear. She resisted the urge to lean back and instead stepped to one side, and around him.
"I don't remember you ever tasting me, James.' She was brisk with him, hoping that the tone would disguise the nature of the comment. It worked, for a moment he checked, but then decided to ignore it, unusual for him, Moneypenny thought.
"You're very quiet today James.' She sat back down at her desk.
He smiled charmingly at her. 'I was just thinking about M's briefing, and the agent that I shall be working with.'
There was something in his voice that caught Moneypenny's attention. 'Do you have a problem with working with Ashleigh?'
He sat on the edge of her desk. 'She's my goddaughter,' he said simply. 'Ashleigh is the closest thing I have to a family, and I find it strange that she will be working with me. She still seems so young, too young.'
Moneypenny nodded. 'But she is twenty five now, and a very good agent. Like her father.'
A muscle tightened in James's jaw. 'Yes. Like David.'
'I was thinking about him today,' Moneypenny said softly, 'it seems like only yesterday…'
'I know,' his voice was equally soft.
'The three of you were so close…' Moneypenny's voice tailed off, and her eyes widened in horror as she realised what she had said. 'Two…' she stammered trying to cover her mistake, 'The two of you…' she realised she couldn't hide her error, saw the sudden coldness leap into James's eyes, the coldness of a friend betrayed. 'James, I'm so sorry…'
'I'm just glad David never knew how he changed. What he did…'
There was no need to name him, no need to speak that name. The intimacy was lost, and they lapsed into an uncomfortable silence. The buzzer on the intercom, when it sounded was loud, and Moneypenny jumped a little. She reached out and pressed the connecting button.
'Send 007 in please, Moneypenny.' M's order lost no power over the intercom.
'Right away, sir.' Moneypenny looked up at James and nodded towards the door. James stood and walked into M's office.
Ashleigh looked up as her godfather walked into the room. She suddenly realised that she hadn't seen him for a month or two, and she felt a surge of pleasure at the sight of him. He noticed her small smile, and returned it, the teasing little smile that he had always given her, since she was a little girl demanding his attention. Then instantly they both composed their features back to the professional neutrality expected of them.
M noticed the little family exchange, and resisted the urge to smile. She was interested to see how Bond would respond to this challenge, he didn't particularly enjoy working with female agents, and it would be fascinating to see how he would react to working with one he had a personal connection to. She passed over a set of documents, including plane tickets.
'You will both fly out to St. Petersburg tomorrow, and rendezvous with a Russian agent there. Kain has been briefed about the Hermes Virus 007, and is aware of her role within this mission.'
'Sir.' Bond nodded.
M turned to face Kain. 'Please excuse 007 and I for a moment Kain, if you will proceed down to the weapons department and wait there, Q will supply you with everything you shall need for this assignment.'
For a moment, Ashleigh frowned, sensing the dismissal in M's voice. And then obediently she nodded. 'Yes, sir'.
Ashleigh was fuming as she left the room, sensing that James was about to be told information that vital to the case, but obviously too sensitive for her ears. She paused in her anger, and then felt the tension leave her body. She shrugged, she was the junior agent, and what else could she expect?
M faced James once more. 'I didn't want Kain present for this, in case she is compromised during the mission. We've discovered some links between the Hermes Virus and an organisation called the Deronda Syndicate. It's led by a man called Caleb Deronda, although little is known about him, or the organisation. I want you to find out everything that you can about this syndicate, especially in relation to Hermes. When you are confident of the correlation, you may inform Agent Kain.'
Bond flicked through the file, silently absorbing the information. He could hold back no longer. 'With respect sir, is it such a good idea that Ashleigh, I mean, Agent Kain accompanies me?'
M's eyes flickered. 'You fear for her safety 007?'
Bond knew he was being provoked. 'Kain is more than capable of taking care of herself. I was worried more that the fact she is my goddaughter could be a link that is exploited.'
'Simple 007 don't let it be exploited.' M stared levelly at Bond. Then she softened, letting herself reveal her affection for the young agent 'I have plans for Kain, I think she will be a highly successful agent. Don't let anything happen to her Bond, or I shall hold you personally responsible.'
Later Bond mused, that was about as personal as M would let herself get.