BRITISH EMBASSY,
BUCHAREST,
ROMANIA.
A streak of blue sky cuts across the cloud-filled landscape of the ancient eastern European city, stretched out in all it's glory. Near the centre, the British Embassy lies at the heart of a square, large gates attached to a wall beyond gardens currently being tended.
At the gates stands Dr. Arkady Damescu, a decent peaceful man in his sixties, who looks pleased as he sees a car approach. The private car stops in front of him at the Embassy gate and out steps a well-attired Nadia Damescu, who sees her beloved relative. "Father!…" she cried, happily.
Arkady broadly smiled at the sight of her. "My girl, my beautiful girl!…"
Nadia ran over and hugged Arkady tight, who kissed her on the forehead, delighted to be with her.
"I'm so glad you're here, father." admitted Nadia, as the embrace came to an end.
"If my daughter needs me, I am nowhere else but by her side. " Arkady declared with an assured, fatherly tone. "You need not be frightened any longer."
Nadia, though, seemed a little unsure. "Are you sure the British can be trusted?. Malprade is a powerful man."
"I trust them, and I would never let them near you if I didn't." replied Arkady with confidence, to which Nadia nods and smiles her appreciation, but still retains an element of paranoia.
Behind them, throughout the conversation, a black man has been giving orders to Embassy workers at the gate, who Arkady now motions towards with his fearful daughter.
"My girl, I want you to meet my friend, a man who has pledged your safety…" He said, reaching the black man who turns around with a smile, extending his hand in greeting to Nadia.
The man is Reginald Balfour. "Welcome back to Romania, my dear." he said politely. "There's no place like home, is there?…"
Nadia smiles, shaking his hand, which pleases Arkady. Neither have any idea who Balfour really works for.
-
An attractive set of 19th century apartments in the posher part of the capital are now approached by a car, which arrives at the front, out of which steps a suited and booted James Bond. He observes the rustic, expensive apartments before stepping inside.
Bond makes his way up a rather bland, unremarkable first floor corridor holding several flats and staircases leading up two further flights, walking to the end of the corridor to a wall, near which there sits a large pot plant. He touches the main leaf of the plant.
On the wall, a panel slides up revealing the handle of a hidden door, which 007 opens up to a secret MI6 area beyond, a warehouse area decorated in 19th century eastern European décor, several offices adjoining. Bond walks in slowly, surprised to find the interior is totally abandoned, devoid of people and any furniture whatsoever.
He then hears a familiar voice in the air. The voice of Q. "Are you just going to stand around all day, 007?…"
Bond looks around, somewhat puzzled at the disembodied voice, until he sees what's on the ceiling. It's a device that is using lasers to trick the eye, a laser field Bond exposes by the smoke from a cigarette he proceeds to lights, beating the gadget man at his own game.
The smoke destroys the holographic projection from the lasers, revealing the real cluttered warehouse of boffins and the familiar figure of Q, the haughty, bumbling quartermaster in his sixties, who stands amidst a field of gadgets with a very disapproving look.
With a smile that infuriates the inventor, Bond extends his pack of smokes. "Care for a cigarette, Q?…"
Q stepped forward to address the secret agent with all seriousness. "That cigarette of yours, 007, just disabled a holo-sensory field, lasers which project an altered image of a room onto the visual cortex of the human eye. That smoke could have cost you your life."
Bond nodded, glancing at the cigarette he's smoking. "Well, they do say smoking is bad for your health."
Q shakes his head unamused at the quip he just heard, as Bond enters his gadget area fully, looking around at all the innovations. He never failed to be fascinated at what the technical genius would produce next.
"Now, pay attention, 007." Q ordered in his usual authoritative tone before displaying to Bond a small metallic device that attaches to a belt, which intrigues the spy.
"One standard issue stealth shield." began Q. "Apply to any belt and press once to activate a sensory stealth field rendering you invisible to the human eye."
Q presses the device he attached to his belt, instantly cloaking him from vision, only the slight outline of him clear. Bond smiles at the sight of the vanished quartermaster.
"Now, as you can see, I am entirely invisible." the almost disembodied voice of Q announced, somewhat stating the obvious.
Bond couldn't resist another quip. "You know, I don't think you've ever looked better." he said. Even without being able to see him, he knew Q wouldn't find the joke funny.
He was right. "Very funny, Bond." Q said, sarcastically. "This is actually a very serious piece of equipment."
"Of course, you're right." Bond said, with mock seriousness. "I just lost sight of it for a moment."
Q sighs and then reappears when he presses the device, shaking his head. Bond then turns to see an on-location M appear from a nearby office. "Glad to see you're on time, 007." she said.
"M." greeted Bond, as he followed M into her small office, leaving Q to his many gadgets.
"Because time, is rapidly mobilising against us." M declared.
"You've found Nadia?…" Bond asked with concern.
M nodded. "Her father, Arkady Damescu, contacted MI6 and requested his daughter be allowed sanctuary at our embassy here in Bucharest."
The name was recognised by 007. "Arkady Damescu?. A well-respected international scientist, by all accounts."
"A man we're able to take at his word that his daughter genuinely is in danger." M confirmed.
"I can vouch for that." replied Bond. "I just haven't yet been able to figure out why."
"It seems Ms Damescu has information on Poseidon, Malprade's philanthropic plan to cure global famine and disease." M explained, instantly noticing Bond's scepticism.
"Possibly." he said. "Not that his speech in Spain won me over. What he was suggesting seemed implausible at the very least."
"And what would seem plausible to you?…" asked M, hoping for answers.
"That Malprade's company were involved in human cloning." Bond replied. "That those vial cases I retrieved play a big part in what Poseidon is really about."
M nodded, understanding, though noticing that Bond is observing her presence with curiosity. "May I ask what you're doing all the way out here?…"
"I'm on my way to provide security for the G8 summit in Hong Kong. " she replied. "The world leaders are being transported by aircraft carrier. I felt it easier to stop off and debrief you."
007 nodded, not reading anything into the reason as M continued. "Dr Damescu and his daughter are waiting for you at the embassy with the Poseidon data. Find out what data she has and make sure no one kills her for it. If Malprade does have a plan, it needs to be stopped."
Bond seemed anxious at the order. "The last time I was ordered to protect a woman, things didn't go exactly to plan." he admitted, gravely.
"You didn't get Agent Nightshade killed," M declared with a stern, yet oddly reassuring tone. "Don't make things personal."
"Never." Bond assured her with total focus before heading out the office as M watches him go.
Q sees him exit and opens up a small garage area, out of which automatically drives a brand new BMW identical to the last one. "Ah, 007, your new car." He said, attracting Bond's attention. "An exact replica BMW of the one you 'used' in Spain. Do try bringing this one back in pristine order."
Bond heads over to the BMW and nods as Q throws him the car keys.
"Don't worry, Q. I'll take good care of her." He promised, not altogether convincing the quartermaster.
-
The BMW drives through the gates of the beautiful well-guarded embassy, heading up the brief driveway to the entrance.
Bond steps out of the car, Arkady emerging from the front door, hand outstretched warmly.
"Mr Bond," the scientist greeted. "I am Arkady Damescu. I was told you were coming."
Bond shook the outstretched hand. "How do you do, doctor?. How is your daughter?."
"She is well, well thank you…" replied Arkady, leading 007 through into the corridors of the embassy, beautifully decorated with paintings and wallpaper, filled with staff going about their business.
"M told me that Nadia has information on Poseidon." Bond declared as the two men walked through the embassy.
Arkady nodded. "She downloaded a data file in Spain that proves Maximillian Malprade is lying to the world about Poseidon. She is afraid his forces will kill to stop her sharing what she knows."
"But she has told you, I take it?…" asked Bond, at which Arkady nodded in agreement.
"She told me about Malprade," the scientist said. "How he took the limits of his bio-technology to the extreme."
Bond grew more curious by the moment as Arkady continued. "Malprade suffers from a rare disorder that mimics cold bloodnedness. As a way of curing this ailment, he tried a radical proceedure. He injected himself with reptile DNA, a proceedure that worked but left him with certain reptilian features he is forced to disguise and a lapse into cold-blooded fury when exposed to low temperatures."
"Would explain why he likes heat." Bond replied, putting the pieces together.
Arkady agreed. "Just so. He is a very dangerous man, one my daughter is wise to avoid. I just hope we can protect her."
"I won't let anything happen to her." said Bond assuredly, meaning every word he spoke. Arkady detected this and nodded with a pleased smile as they reach the door to his daughter's room.
Both men see that the door is open, revealing a guest room devoid of life. Arkady is worried at the sight. "I don't understand. She should be in here. Where has she gone?…" he asked rhetorically.
His concern began rubbing off on 007, who could smell a trap and feared something wasn't quite right.
-
At that very moment, Nadia enters the plush office belonging to the traitorous diplomat Balfour, knocking the door as she enters. She begins to see the office is devoid of life.
"Hello, Mr Balfour?…" Nadia said as she ventured in. "You asked to see me, Mr Balfour?…
Nadia fully enters the office, no sign of it's usual occupant.
-
As the dark of night fell over the grounds of the embassy, the lockdown beginning.
The gates started electronically sealing, the security guards going on full patrol.
In the basement of the embassy, an office is devoted to the security officers working in the building, currently empty as the guards go on about locking up for the encroaching night.
Balfour entered the office very discreetly, like a shadow, and started to access a computer terminal, inputting codes and passwords to act against the security lockdown.
A virus alert sounded as the lockdown proceedure halted, all areas open to entry. An alarm sounded.
-
Around the guest quarters, the alarm sounds, both Arkady and Bond hearing it with concern.
"What the hell is that?…" Arkady exclaimed, the secret agent knowing exactly what the noise meant.
"Security alert," declared Bond. "The lockdown has been sabotaged."
007 glances out a nearby window giving a view of the embassy forefront gardens.
He looks closely out the window and begins to see two large black helicopter gunships approaching across the dark skyline. As they close in, searchlights blare out the front.
-
The alarm is heard by a concerned Nadia in the deserted diplomat's office. Suspecting the noise may either be a fire alarm or a signal of attack, a fearful Nadia goes to leave.
Once reaching the door, she looks a little relieved as she sees Balfour enter. "Mr Balfour, thank god!." she said. "What is happening?…"
Balfour closes the door and pulls out a gun, pointing it at her as he smiles. "You are going to give me the data file disc on Poseidon," he said, coldly. "That is what is happening."
Nadia is shocked at his betrayal, stepping back as the gun remains focused on her.
-
Security are now rushing through the corridors, past an increasingly worried Arkady. "We must find Nadia!…" he shouts, seeing Bond nod agreement as they head through the corridors.
He sees the gunships fly in and begin shelling the patrolling guards in the forecourt, powerless to defend. The truth suddenly begins dawning on him, about who is responsible.
"I think I know where to start." Bond said, heading away quickly.
-
The standoff continues in the plush diplomat's office, Nadia hearing the gunfire and commotion outside. Balfour approaches her with the gun aimed. "The disc, now!…" he barked, spitefully.
Reluctantly, realising she has no option, Nadia pulls out a small optical disc and hands it over. Balfour views it with a grin as he pockets it, but doesn't lower the gun from Nadia.
"Thank you, Ms Damescu, but this is where it has to end." the diplomat said, with an element of warped relish.
"What?…" Nadia replied, disturbed. "But I gave you the disc!..."
Balfour nodded. "And you betrayed Mr Malprade. The one thing he does not tolerate."
Nadia stands rigid, accepting her life is over as Balfour goes to pull the trigger. He is jolted when suddenly the door is kicked through by Bond, who instantly pulls out his Walther PPK.
Balfour sees him and turns the gun on him, 007 getting the first shot in, a bullet striking the diplomat's arm painfully. He drops the disc and, bleeding, flees out a secondary door. Nadia grabs the disc and looks relieved as Bond approaches her from the doorway.
"Are you alri-" he began to ask, distracted when the windows begin to smash as gunship bulletfire comes crashing through. Bond pushes Nadia to the floor hastily to avoid the shelling. He draws his gun and scrambles toward the window as the bullets come flying in.
Once they stop, Bond looks out to the forecourt and sees one of the gunships landing, depositing an assault team who storm the building. In the other gunship, he observes the mysterious, seductive Jacqual perched, holding a bazooka rifle. The two exchange a glance as she aims.
007 dives to the floor over Nadia as a bazooka missile comes flying into the wall, which explodes in a huge blast. "We have to get out of here!…" he exclaimed, though Nadia had other concerns.
"Where's my father?…" she wondered aloud.
-
The corridors are ablaze with carnage. The assault team are storming the building, taking on the security and winning. Jacqual has jumped off the gunship and is, with warped delight, blowing parts of the building away with her mobile missile rifle, explosions rocking it.
Amidst the carnage, Arkady is lost, looking for his daughter. Turning a corner, he walks straight into the gunpoint of Balfour.
"You!…" the scientist exclaimed, angrily, now knowing the truth about the man he considered an ally.
Balfour smiled smugly. "What are friends for?…" he said, nastily nudging Arkady as a hostage through the corridors.
-
On an upper floor corridor, Bond is guiding Nadia through as best he can, shooting any of the assault team members who appear. From a window, Nadia looks out and sees Balfour forcing Arkady into one of the gunships, a weapon twisted into the old man's ribs.
"James, look!…" she exclaimed with horror, leading Bond to look out the window as the gunship begins powering up to take off. "Father!…"
"We can't help him now." Bond announced, horrifying Nadia. "But, we can't just leave him!…" she said.
"We have to survive first!." replied Bond sternly. "Come on!…"
007 dragged Nadia down the corridor, shooting assault team members who get in the way. Turning a corner, they both face a squad of assault members, both using fighting skills to knock them down. Once they do, the two see the enigmatic Jacqual slink her way over at the opposite side of the corridor. She places the bazooka rifle at her feet.
Bond is startled as she removes her mask, revealed to be an evil-looking Zoe Nightingale, or someone who looks identical to her. The secret agent is shocked and momentarily bemused, until he guesses the woman before him is the fruit of his nemesis' labours.
"Hello, James," the slinky figure said. "It's been too long."
Bond shook his head as he aimed his weapon at the woman. "You're not Zoe. You killed her. I was there."
"I could be, Zoe." Jacqual replied, seductively. "I could have been your Zoe, James."
"Never." countered Bond, defiantly. "You took my Zoe away."
Jacqual smiled. "Then let me take away your Nadia too."
Quickly, she picks up her bazooka rifle and fires a missile down the corridor. 007 and Nadia fling themselves aside, the missile blowing out the wall to the forecourt, a heap of rubble raining down on them. Jacqual begins slinking her way down the corridor, ready to fire again.
Seeing the opening to the outside, Bond grabs Nadia and the two dive out of the wall opening, landing on the gardens below. Jacqual stands on the edge of the destroyed wall and watches as they jump into the BMW, speeding off out the embassy gates.
She smiles, knowing she'll get another chance.
-
The car speeds off through the streets of Bucharest, Nadia looking all around as Bond makes sure they're not being followed. "We must find my father." she declared.
"First you tell me what was on that disc you stole." Bond said as he retained control of the car, keeping up high speed while swerving around traffic. "What is Poseidon?…"
Nadia realised she had to give him answers. "It's a cloning program, funded by the Botanicon weapon smuggling operation and fake charity projects like the one in Spain."
"Of which Balfour and Zoe were test subjects." Bond confirmed, putting the pieces together in his head. "For what purpose?…"
"I don't know," Nadia admitted, honestly. "All I know is that once I realised it wasn't about helping the world, I fled and came home for protection. And now my father may be dead because of me."
Bond shook his head. "They won't kill your father."
"How can you be so sure?…" replied Nadia, unsure at his confidence.
"Because he's bait," began Bond. "They know you'll come for him and you're the one who can expose their operation. They want you dead."
"I got that." admitted Nadia.
"Hopefully you've also got an idea where they've taken your father, too." said Bond, fishing for an answer from the woman in the passenger seat. Nadia did indeed have the answers.
"The disc has coordinates for where Poseidon is being run, somewhere in the South China Sea." she said. Bond nodded, pleased at having the information, now determined to use it.
"Then what are we waiting for?…" he said, Nadia agreeing with anxiety as the BMW sped off faster into Bucharest.