In a room at New Scotland Yard, not necessarily in the real world, a distinguished interview panel sat waiting. There was the Home Secretary, the Mayor of London and several senior police officers. They had an important job to do. The person they were about to appoint would be Britain's top police officer.

The Mayor checked his paperwork.

"OK. So, one more to see... an Inspector... Gadget, from somewhere in North America."

"Do we want people from outside the UK?" the Home Secretary asked. "He's pretty junior, too. It would be a huge leap from Inspector to Commissioner."

"I don't think the ranks work quite the same in Metro City, Home Secretary," a woman officer said. "He's very experienced. Beaten MAD, many times. He's even been called the world's greatest detective."

"So where is he?" the politician asked.

They became aware of a commotion in the car park, below. All of them went over to the window and looked down.

A G-Portal had opened in the sky. An incredible-looking police car was coming in to land. It had wings and a domed roof, and its blue light was flashing. It landed awkwardly, just missing the rotating sign outside the building. A tall man in trenchcoat and hat got out. An Assistant Commissioner blinked.

"He certainly looks the part."

A couple of minutes later, a junior officer opened the door to the interview room.

"Inspector..."

There was the sound of shattering glass as the Inspector came straight through the wall alongside the door.

"...Gadget."

Gadget looked dazed for a moment, then recovered.

"Sorry. I'm sorry. I thought the wooden bit was the wall and the glass... er...yeah." He stepped forward. "How do you do. Go-go-Gadget Handshakes!"

Everyone looked startled as his hands extended on the end of their two metal cables, shaking hands with one member of the panel after another. Gadget followed the hands into the room. Realising he was still wearing his hat, he slid it back on its hinges, onto the back of his head.

"Do sit down, Inspector," the Assistant Commissioner said. Gadget made it to a chair without further incident. "Now... you certainly have an impressive record. Evil supervillains foiled, on numerous occasions. MAD defeated, in Metro City. Cases solved... even on other planets and in other times."

"Yes, sir," said Gadget, before realising it was a woman. The interviewer frowned.

"And you've actually been mechanised?" the Mayor said. "Perhaps you could give us a demonstration?"

"Certainly, sir," said Gadget. He stood up, and took a deep breath. "Go-go-Gadget Arms, Legs, Skates, Skis, Helicopter and Missiles!"

Everyone dived beneath the table as all of those functions activated at once. Gadget just stopped the missile before it launched.

When the interviewers returned, some of them were looking impressed. Slowly, they resumed their seats.

"So..." said the Home Secretary. "How would you bring these qualities to the post of Commissioner? We have to see a big reduction in crime figures, as well as bringing peoples together."

"I'd introduce mechanisation," said Gadget. "Just like I've used myself! Along with good old-fashioned policing, compulsory trenchcoats and hats for all detectives, and full authority to give a good, stern talking-to."

"Do you know," said the Mayor. "I don't think we've ever tried that."

Back in Metro City, Penny and Talon had finished their report on the muggers. They went to deliver it to Chief Quimby. Penny knocked, but there was no answer. They went in to find his office empty. Talon placed the report on the desk.

"Time they made me full agent. After what that idiot Fang did to me. That's what we called him at MAD. He was hired help."

"I don't want to know!" said Penny. She frowned. "Hey, have you seen Uncle Gadget? He doesn't seem to have been around, last day or two. I hope he's OK..."

There was a loud ping! from Chief Quimby's computer. As they lived in a cartoon world, an incoming mail made the whole screen light up red and white, with the message: YOU GOT MAIL!

"I wonder if that's news of him..." Penny started. "Hey, Talon, leave that computer alone!"

"I only want to see if you're right."

"What about the password?"

Talon sniggered. "Yeah, sure."

"Talon, you cannot hack the Chief's computer!" Penny took a panicked look back towards the corridor.

Talon was staring at the screen. "Hey, Penn! Look at this!"

Penny took a deep breath. She went around the desk and read the email.

Dear Chief Quimby

It is with regret I must tender my resignation from HQ, effective immediately. I have been offered a new post as Commissioner of Police in the United Kingdom of Great Britain, England, Scotland, Wales, part of Ireland and maybe the Channel Islands, I'm not quite sure. Now that MAD is defeated in Metro City and Penny secure, I feel ready for a new challenge in a more senior role. That's role as in job and not roll as in lunch. Actually, the spelling made that clear. Sorry...

I will be contacting Penny separately and have made arrangements to rent out my apartment in Metro City. I look forward to bringing new policing solutions to the city of my ancestors.

Now that we are of equal rank, I look forward to seeing you on a future visit to the UK. Your visit, not mine. I hope Penny, Talon and Ariadne will come visiting and share a cup of this tea stuff, and I know they will look after Brain. Please send my regards to Shaky and Kayla, too. Oh, and Gary.

I have to go as I'm being fitted for my new cap.

With best wishes to you all,

I remain, on duty,

Commissioner Gadget.