So the story goes something like this:
Basically, the world is a battle for power and energy… and recently energy more than power. Everyone is scared of what will happen when the coal or oil runs out, or when the climate change movements actually become strong enough to stop the use of these things. Where would people find energy then? Instead of going for the obvious God given massive powerhouse that was the sun, humans – for they were created in the image of their creator- set about to figure out a way to create their own personalized sun.
Nuclear fission is the reaction that is used in the atomic bombs and most of the nuclear reactions. But energy production wise it's not an exceptionally efficient process, nor a very controlled one. Nuclear fusion on the other hand is the process by which the sun and stars produce their massive energies that power entire solar systems. Scientists had been trying to figure out how to tap into this fantastically energy efficient process on a small scale for decades, always failing due to one reason or another…
Until now.
A team of researchers from a top-secret government research facility- Camelot- had managed to produce some incredibly promising results in the field, and were hoping to start implementing it into production of clean energy… and of course, powerful weaponry. It was in early and unstable stages, and due to the volatile nature of such a power source, the schematics and the experimental data was kept classified and secure.
The problem: it was recently stolen.
And that too by none other than Cenred. He was a lone wolf and had been a pain in the ass of governments of multiple countries, and completely untouchable because of his position as the King of Esseter- a small country, located on a remote island. Diplomatic immunity cannot possibly get more inconvenient than that. Cenred was a warmonger. His country's GDP was generated almost solely by production and sale of all kinds of weapons. He was also a thief. Unfortunately a clever one. Nobody ever had enough proof to bring him down. Esseter was as secure a country can get- paranoid even, and did not welcome any strangers onto her soil. So even while knowing full well Cenred was responsible for stealing the nuclear fusion weapons schematics, there was no way in… Not officially anyway.
That's where Arthur came in. You see, other than being a secret agent in MI6, and a gigantic knob-head he was also the son of Uther Pendragon, and the heir to Pendragon Industries- the most powerful weapons manufacturers of Europe. There was no place in the world where Arthur was not welcome.
"So you want to take Merlin with you to Esseter?" Gaius asked, raising an eyebrow in a way that made Merlin want to slink lower into his chair and hide his face.
"Yes Sir." Thankfully Arthur was made of sterner stuff.
"Knowing he has never been out on the field before?"
"Well… there is always a first time for everything." He smiled brightly.
"Tell me the plan." Gaius sank back into his chair, and relaxed. The eyes gave him away though; they were sharp.
"Cenred and Morgause- his wife- are throwing a party- the highlight of which is an auction of antiquities and unique weapons. Father is invited obviously, which means I can go too. And I am allowed to bring a plus one. We know how exclusive entry into Esseter is, and this might be our only chance to get in there and find the schematics. If we can find proof of his other crimes too, it would be a bonus."
"And why do you need Merlin for that? You have been able to work well enough on your own before."
"I would need information, plans and details of the place. We have no idea what kind of traps there might be and going in blind can very well be a disaster."
"We can provide you that information remotely from headquarters like we have always done before…"
"Actually" Merlin cuts in, "we can't."
"What do you mean we can't?" The head of MI6 looks expectantly at Merlin.
"From what little we know of the country, and the Castle of Fyrien, the place is awfully secure- electronically that is. There are signal jammers all around the castle, and no electronic device is allowed inside the gates. The place doesn't even use internet. All data transfers work via wired Ethernet, and built in computer interfaces available to only Cenred's trusted employees. Without being present, it would be impossible to tap into the system, or send and receive any information whatsoever."
"Hmm…" Gaius contemplates.
"The plan is to go to the party as son of a weapon's manufacturer. Merlin will find a way into their Ethernet system, while I socialize. We find the location of the schematics and figure out a plan to steal them, and bring them back to the country."
"Arthur," Gaius sits up straight and looks at Arthur until he feels conscious enough to avert his gaze, before saying, "That's a terrible plan."
"I know," He winces, "It's the only one we got though, unless we want Cenred to sell highly dangerous designs to the highest bidder."
"Merlin? What do you say?"
"As much as it saddens me to admit this… he is right. We don't have a better plan."
"Alright then." Gaius says seriously, "Agent Pendragon, this is your mission. You have two objectives. First, find and retrieve the stolen schematics, and second, to bring back our head of R&D safe and sound. He is an asset and is not replaceable. Understood?"
"Yes Sir."
"Dismissed."
"Uh…" Arthur hedges, "Aren't you supposed to say I should keep myself alive too?"
"Son, we have hundreds of field agents, and only one Emrys. I know which one is irreplaceable." Gaius teases, no longer acting like a boss, but as a family friend and someone who had known Arthur since he was a little boy.
"Humph. Favoritism isn't ethical." Arthur almost stomps his feet and turns around to leave. Merlin gets up to follow but stops when Gaius says he name.
"Merlin. You are sure about this?"
"Not really." He shrugs, "But it's the best we got."
"Yeah." Gaius sounds old and tired. "Take care of yourself, will you? And him too."
"I will, uncle." Merlin smiles reassuringly.
"Good. God knows Hunith will kill me if something happens to you."
"Yes boss." Merlin mock solutes and follows Arthur's footsteps and exiting the office.
"I told you he likes me best." He teases the blond who was waiting outside.
"Yeah, yeah. He likes incompetence, figures." Arthur rolls his eyes.
"Hey!" Merlin swats him, "I am very competent okay. If I remember correctly, you called me the best just a few hours ago."
"No I did not."
"Yes, you did."
"You were daydreaming."
"Clot pole."
"Idiot."
They could've continued like this forever but they are interrupted by Leon who is just heading into the Chief's office.
"Hey Merlin. I heard I am your favorite agent. Thanks mate. Flattered. You are the best." He claps him on his back before opening the door.
"Ha!" Merlin exclaims, smug.
"Today is proving to be a really bad day." Arthur grumbles before marching away angrily.