Disclaimer. I do not own Spooks. All copyright infringement belongs to BBC television and KUDOS productions. No copyright infringement is intended nor should be inferred
1
Harry walked onto the Grid feeling sick. He had known that at some point the call would come to activate Operation London Bridge. He just didn't think it would be on his watch. He glanced over to where Ros was stood talking to Adam and Malcolm, looking as solum has he felt. He nodded once as Ros called his name.
"Harry." Ros walked over to him.
"Confirmation has arrived. All the seniors are off to Scotland. Everyone has to be on the ball. We can't let anything happen."
"First a new PM and now this." Calum shook his head.
"I doubt she planned it that way." Harry snapped. Calum winced. "Tory leadership debacle could have been resolved sooner; there I do agree with you. Get everyone in the Briefing Room in five minutes." Harry tugged his tie off before heading into his office in search of a suitable alternative to the bright gold tie he had initially picked out that morning. Before he could dig through his desk drawer, he heard the office door open.
"Bottom left." Ruth informed him. "Your black suit is on the way here. I asked Graham to drop it in. I know you are ok for today, but you may need a change of clothes for tomorrow."
"Thankyou." Harry sighed, retrieving the tie. He sat heavily in his chair.
"This is really it?" Ruth felt a little bit nauseated as she thought of the elderly lady she had met once. The Queen had been a part of British life longer than any of the team had been alive. She felt sick at the thought of the woman not being there anymore. She knew this was going to be a logistical nightmare for the Section. Harry nodded.
"I think so." He paused. "She's very elderly. Her health has not been on the best form for a while." He sighed. "The senior Royals are all headed up to Scotland now. The Vultures are circling."
"I saw them." Ruth sighed. "BBC, ITN, Sky, more international broadcasters than I have ever seen in one place. Nick text me, just checking if we are going to be home tonight." Ruth sighed. "And if there is likely to be school the rest of the week."
Harry smirked slightly. He knew the teenager had been dreading going into 6th form but didn't think he would suddenly become a royalist to get a day off. "I very much doubt that."
"I told him, if I'm in work so is he." Ruth folded her arms. "Kids, eh?"
"God loves a trier."
"He's sixteen now. Very trying." Ruth smirked. "Harry."
"I know." He hugged her. "She's just always been there, hasn't she?"
"You met her more than I have."
"Only in work. Operation London Bridge is on the verge of being activated and we have to be ready." He paused. "Come on." He squeezed her hand before heading into the Briefing Room.
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Twenty minutes later Ros took her usual position by the wall as the rest of the team settled around the table. Catherine wheeled herself into the Briefing Room, taking her seat next to Lucas and Calum as Malcolm closed his eyes for a moment. The general noise of the lads discussing the latest 100 Cricket test while Beth teased Alec about his latest disastrous date.
"OK, ok." Ros called them to attention. Lucas smirked as Ros seemed to fall into full Ice Queen mode. Harry took his seat at the head of the table just as the team fell silent.
"What is it?" Erin looked from her Section Head to her Section Chief. Ros looked at her feet for a moment.
"Operation London Bridge."
"Are you serious?" Adam frowned, his stomach lurching. Harry nodded once.
"Yes." He paused. "That's the reason you had to wait for me to join you. As of five minutes ago Parliament have been informed. Operation London Bridge is go."
The room fell silent for a moment, the air palpable with shock. None of the Section had ever known a time when the Queen hadn't just been there. Beth bit her lip, frowning as Dimitri caught her attention. Ruth brushed a tear away from her eye as Malcolm and Erin both just stared at the desk. It was only Catherine who broke the silence.
"Ok, well. Come on. Let's do her proud. Eh?" She looked up as Harry nodded to his daughter. The rest of the team seemed to collect themselves as Harry began issuing orders. He knew she was right, they had to make the Operation and the transition of Head of State as safe and seamless as possible. They'd not let either the Queen or her successor down.