Tomb Raider: The Quest for PEPPERMINT
DarkPhoenix-24
2. Chapter 2
Rated: T - English - Adventure - Reviews: 50 - Updated: 02-20-10 - Published: 01-01-09 - id:4762400
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Author's Notes: Here's another update and we hope to expand more on this soon!
Lara just raised an eyebrow at the challenge, "I don't know who you think you are, but in…"
"Just call me M." M replied.
"M? Okay," Lara put away her pistols and took a seat across from M. "What is your business with me?"
"I have a proposition for you, Ms. Croft. It will leave you handsomely rewarded."
Lara raised an eyebrow, "When someone offers me a load of money, that's never a good sign in my profession."
M smirked, "You are very wise I take it. However, this is of an utmost urgency. My client should be here shortly…"
"May I ask what sort of business you are in, M?" Lara asked.
M took a breath, "May I have something to drink first?"
Lara smiled, "Winston, bring us some brandy, please?"
Winston bowed and went to fetch some brandy. M continued, "I am an architect myself. I use to explore many ruins myself, but when I came into a large sum of money, I hire people to go exploring for me, so that I can sit in the comfort of my own home. I have come across an exquisite artifact, called PEPPERMINT, in the Ural Mountains."
"Russia?"
M nodded as Winston set down some brandy, "Yes, Russia. The Ural Mountains are the oldest mountain range on this earth."
"Yes, the Ural Mountains are named after the Uralian Tribe that was once native to the northern region of Asia. They were hunters and gatherers, but the lack of resources in the area forced them to relocate. So they spread themselves throughout Asia. It is said that they are of Turkic origin."
M took a sip of her brandy, "You are very intelligent, Ms. Croft."
"Lady Croft," Winston interrupted, "There is someone at the door. He said…"
"Bond… James Bond." James exclaimed as he came waltzing in. "Sorry I'm late, I got caught up in… traffic."
"Please, have a seat, Mr. Bond." Lara stated, obviously displeased with the unexpected company.
Bond stared at Lara, from the dirt on her face to the cuts on her legs. "Is it that much of a hassle to clean this home?"
Lara just faked a smile, "I was in Egypt. It's very dirty there. I do believe we should get back to business at hand though. Now what is your part in this quest, Mr. Bond?"
"I'm the one who has been hired by M here to find this artifact PEPPERMINT."
"So we are searching for an ancient candy cane?" Zip replied.
Alister snickered, but both of the boys stopped when they felt the heat from Lara's intense glaring. Lara looked back at the guests and crossed her legs, "What exactly is this artifact?"
M hesitated for a second, but Bond cut in, "This artifact has just been an interest of ours for a while. We just collect ancient items for museums and our own satisfactions."
"Hmmm… I see." Lara stated standing up. "I cannot help you."
"What?" M bluntly stated. "You are the only one who knows how to… find ancient artifacts."
"How is it that you know so much about me, yet I have no knowledge of you?" Lara asked. "In my profession, I know when people lie to me and you two are lying. Now, are you going to continue to lie to me or do you want my help?"
M let out a heavy sigh, "Okay, I didn't lie about my identity. I am called M, but I am the head of her majesty's secret service called MI6. This is 007, James Bond, our top assassin."
"An assassin?" Lara said with her eyebrow raised.
Bond just smirked, "What's with that look?"
"Why do you need an assassin for this job?"
M finished her brandy before continuing, "We have reason to believe that somebody wants to get a hold of this artifact, PEPPERMINT, and use it for total world domination. PEPPERMINT is believed to give its holder the power of starting another ice age on this planet. The bearer can completely wipe out civilization itself."
Lara started pacing, "I will help you, but I don't need a partner."
"That's what I figured," M replied, "but there will be no discussion about it. 007 will accompany you."
Lara just laughed, "No mere assassin will be able to handle this, with all due respect. Mr. Bond, you have been trained to hunt down people."
"A little stroll up the mountains will be no problem for me." Bond replied.
Lara shook her head, "You have not been trained to deal with the supernatural, Mr. Bond. I have seen things that would make your nightmares seem like a walk in the park!"
M nodded, "Bond will still accompany you. I want this artifact found, or worse case scenario, destroyed. We cannot let it get into the wrong hands."
"I understand." Lara stated. "Do you mind telling me who we are racing against the clock with?"
"His name is Mr. Valcroy. He is a professor of science in Germany. He has followed myths in order to find this artifact. I warn you, he is dangerous."
Lara nodded, "I know how to handle dangerous men."
"I have no doubt." Bond replied sarcastically.
M glared at Bond before putting some plane tickets on the table, "You two will leave for Moscow tomorrow."
The cold air stung on Lara's face as she and Bond made their way around Moscow. They stopped by a statue and Lara turned around, pushing Bond up against the base of the statue.
"Let's get one thing straight… stay out of my way and this will go by a lot smoother."
Bond glared at Lara, "If you try to undermine me, you will regret it."
Lara just smirked and let go of Bond as they made their way to the train station. Lara had thick pants and jacket that were a grayish white color. Bond was in heavy tan pants and brown thick coat with some fur lining. They both boarded the train and sat down in a confined area to talk.
"We are stopping at Yekaterinburg. It lies on the other side of the Ural Mountains. It right at the base and it's where we need to be to make our way to the Village of Kolchedan."
Bond nodded, "You've done your research."
"I never go exploring unprepared." Lara said as she stared out the window, "That's what gets people killed."
The snow poured outside as they passed through Kazan on the way to Perm. The two shared some drinks, but they would not share anything about themselves to one another. They chatted about the scenery and the assignment, but that would be the only thing that would pass from their lips. The train came to a halt after several hours.
"We're here." Bond stated as the two got up.
The two saw the vastness of Yekaterinburg. A mass of people walked around and the cluster of buildings made the grandeur of the city beautiful. Lara and Bond made their way down the streets, hopping from tram to tram and made their way through a forest onto the slopes of the Ural Mountains. The snow really hit them hard as they made their way up.
"It's already March, but the base of the Mountain has the feel of November!" Bond exclaimed.
Lara, still climbing, struggled to speak in the freezing cold, "The winter here lasts for about five months! The temperature can fall to minus 45 degrees Celsius."
After a while, the two made their way to more flat ground and a valley. They walked a ways before seeing a small cluster of buildings.
"We're here." Lara stated as they made their way into the village.