Arthur watched Valiant and Helios for several hours but in the end come to the conclusion they were on this occasion just enjoying the sites. Arthur managed to follow Valiant back to a small hotel where he was staying, then he called it a day and went back to get some sleep himself. Early next morning Arthur was up and waiting near Valiant's hotel waiting to find out what he would be up to. Valiant left the hotel at about ten and got in a taxi and went to the other side of town. Arthur had got in his hire car and followed him discretely, Valiant then met up with a different man and sat outside a café talking. This went on for some time before Valliant left and walked off. Arthur following behind.
Valiant met up with two other men during the course of the day and spent over an hour with each of them before leaving. Arthur took photos of all the men and sent them to London for identification. The first and last man were unknown the other was a known activist for one of the radical organisations that had sprung up in the area. So far all Arthur had achieved was basic footwork and no concrete ideas as to what was going on. Arthur left one of the local operatives watching Valliant's hotel and went back and changed, he was going to one of Helios's clubs that evening to see what he could find out. The club was in a nondescript building but inside offered many of the things that were disapproved of by the Iraq authorities, but as was often the case a blind eye was turned for a healthy donation to funds. It was a known evening venue for those wealthy enough to pay for the privilege. Arthur had even been told of it by an employee at his hotel. At least he didn't have to make up how he had heard of it.
Arthur's playboy image had come in useful yet again. Getting a drink form the bar, his usual cognac, he sat at one of the tables to watch the floor show, his table gave a good view of the whole room, which was surprisingly full. A couple of times he was approached by the female hostesses to see if he wanted company, but he politely declined their advances. Managing to give the appearance of just wanting to have a relaxing time, but without being rude or standoffish. Eventually he was rewarded as Helios appeared with his henchman Myror at his side, Valiant had arrives a few minutes before and was at the bar. It wasn't long before Valiant went up to Helios and the three men went towards one of the side rooms. As Valiant and Helios went inside Myror stood by the door.
Arthur got up and went towards the gentleman's room two doors away from where the men had disappeared. As he did so another patron of the club walked into his and split his drink down Arthur suit. Profusely apologising he slipped Arthur a small package. Before going off to get Arthur a drink by way of an apology. Arthur entered the gentleman's room and made a point of cleaning off his suit, until the present occupants left. Then he went to the back of the room and lifted up a ventilation hatch on the ceiling and hauled himself up into the roof space. Coming back within a couple of moments and dropping back down into a stall. Closing the door he put a small earpiece in and listened to the bug he had planted. Once he had all the information he wanted he pulled in the thin wire and retrieve the bug and then left the room. Once out in the main room then went to the bar where his drink was waiting and spoke briefly to the man who had split his drink over him, before joining the tables for few hours before leaving and heading back to his hotel.
At four am Arthur silently left his room and went to Valiant's hotel once there he went up the fire escape and then made his way along the stone windowsills to the room where Valiant was sleeping, carefully entering the open window Arthur made his way to the bedside. With a fast and accurate downward stroke he hit the other man over the head and knocked him unconscious. He then started to look for the flash drive he knew he would find in the room. Carefully flashing a small torch round the room he spotted what he was looking for. Valiant's vivarium, something he was known to travel with. Inside was a blue Kraut snake an aggressive nocturnal snake and one of the deadliest snakes in the world. Arthur could see the envelope containing the flash drive he needed under the snake.
When he had known who he was going after Arthur had spent time at the reptile house in London zoo learning how to deal with venomous snakes. He was still not particularly happy about his next actions. But getting a pair of collapsible snake tongs from his pocket he extended it to the longest reach and carefully opened the vivarium and gripped the snake mid body. Lifting it carefully and holding at arm's length and using his other hand he quickly picked up the envelope before placing the snake back in the case. Then closing the lid he took several deep breaths before checking the contents of the envelope. It mobile had a USB port so it was a brief moment to check he had what he was looking for. Then quickly checking around for any duplicates he left the room the same way he entered. Early next morning he went to the British Embassy and handed over the envelope and spoke to Morgause on a secure line. He collected his next instructions before returning to his hotel.
Merlin had soon settled in to his work, it was long shifts in primitive conditions and a shortage off all the things they needed. He worked mainly with children but found himself doing whatever needed doing. He was a surgeon so many hours were spent in theatre, although much of his work was done with local anaesthetic. As well as injuries from bomb blasts they was shrapnel to remove and torn limbs to amputate or stumps to tidy up. He knew hardly any of the amputees would get worthwhile false, and certainly nothing like patients would expect in the west. It was hard work and often they could hear the missiles landing nearby as they worked. He had to be very careful with supplies to make them last as long as possible. Morphine was something they were always short of.
The wards were full and there were patients on the floor as well as is the beds, the corridors were full and more people came in each day. They were saving many who would otherwise have died, but Merlin knew many more could be saved if only they had better facilities and more supply's not to mention more staff. The treated everyone who came through the door, not questioning how they got their injuries, that was not their job.
After a week Merlin was dead on his feet and was having a well-earned day off. It would be spent mainly catching up on sleep. He knew from past postings he had to sleep when he could and take days given him if he was going to be able to continue at the pace expected of him. He was doing more surgery than he could ever have done in the UK and seeing cases he would never have seen. But it came with an emotional and physical price. Over the past few years he had had to learn to leave behind what he had seen and realise he was doing all he could. Merlin knew that with more of everything they could do much more, but it didn't help anyone to brood on what should or could happen, just be realistic about what was possible.
Gwaine had found him and brought him some food, knowing that the slender doctor often forgot to eat. Isolde also found Merlin out and they sat talking for a while allowing the novice to this type of work to talk through some of the issues with supplies and conditions. Edwin was supposed to make sure each staff member had someone they could talk to, but often they found someone themselves they were comfortable with. No amount of preparation and counselling could prepare someone for what they would find in this sort of situation. Gwaine gave Isolde a drink of whiskey to help her sleep in the midst of explosions and gunfire. Merlin sent a quick message to Gwen and Lance before falling asleep once more.
Before he went back on duty Edwin Muirden sent for Merlin, it seemed three vials of morphine were unaccounted for on his last shift. Merlin had been one of twelve surgeons on that day but for some reason Edwin had selected out Merlin. Merlin had not been able to account for it. Every vial was signed out but the pharmacist so Merlin couldn't really see why it was his responsibility after all he didn't have a key to the stores. Regardless Muirden placed a record in Merlin's file, despite objections from Merlin. In the end it made no difference surgeons of Merlin's experience and skill were needed for to much and everyone knew what there supervisor was like. Merlin was known to be totally trustworthy and dedicated.