Rider Meets Bond
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters from Alex Rider or the iconic figure, James Bond. They belong to Anthony Horowitz and Ian Fleming respectively.
Chapter Eight: Cold Reception
Alan Blunt was often described as a ruthless man during his tenure as the Head of Special Operations at MI6 by his fellow colleagues and employees. Despite those accusations, along with his possession of an analytical brain and dedication towards his job, he has managed to keep his post far longer than his predecessor had. Various Prime Ministers had often contemplated of the sacking of Alan Blunt, only to be reminded of the impassive features that defined the man along with his unprecedented record of criminal apprehension and unrivalled ability to dismiss any threat to national security. Yet, he had recently come under heavy criticism for his failure of realising the threat posed by pop star Sir Damian Cray. That and the near mishaps from Project Invisible Sword of Scorpia had led to the Prime Minister once more questioning Alan Blunt's authority and ability in managing Great Britain's welfare.
Earlier that morning, Alan Blunt was informed by his secretary that the Prime Minister's office had called in, requesting Alan Blunt's presence at No. 10 Downing Street. Despite being a man with little fear, Alan Blunt couldn't help but ponder the reasons for the Prime Minister to summon him into his office, especially not long after his lengthy debriefing and apprehension during the aftermath of Scorpia's reign of terror. Now, the Head of MI6 Special Operations was sitting in his desk, reading a lengthy report submitted from Rome by his CIA counterpart, Jack Ryan. It would appear that MI6 weren't the only intelligence agency interested with Scorpia's recent misfortunes. However, his mind often lingered upon his appointment with the Prime Minister. Sighing, Alan Blunt finally stood up and requested for his secretary to summon his deputy, Mrs. Jones.
He then proceeded to pick up his cup and refilled it before returning to his desk. As he took a sip of the crystal clear liquid, Mrs. Jones entered his office sucking at a peppermint. He hardly seemed surprised by her demeanour having worked with her for a long time. Nodding his acknowledgement, she proceeded to occupy the empty seat in front of him. Sighing, he handed over the CIA report to her and allowed for silence to engulf them once more. Taking the report, Mrs. Jones proceeded to glance briefly at the report, scanning the important information contained within it. She finally broke the silence, "It would seem that we aren't the only ones interested about Scorpia. The CIA's already established a base of operations in Rome," she replied.
Merely nodding, Alan Blunt looked at his deputy through his grey glasses. "I suppose it only took them a matter of time before they realised what we were up to. However, that was not why I called you in here this morning. The Prime Minister called for me this morning. It may very well be for my resignation…" Alan Blunt proceeded to state, as he found his collection of fountain pens very interesting. Mrs. Jones looked up at her superior in a mildly shocked manner as the report was put aside. After all, it was hardly surprising for the Prime Minister to remain unaffected by the rising threats towards national security. "Has he spoken to you about it?" she questioned quietly.
Once more, Alan Blunt met his deputy's eyes as he proceeded to take a drink, draining the remaining liquid from his cup. "No…but it was only a matter of time. After all, there have been many mishaps on my behalf recently. All of this seems to relate to Alex Rider. If only I hadn't been so foolhardy to not attempt and listen to the reason he put forth," he replied with little enthusiasm. He was a man of little regrets but the thought of Alan Blunt being removed from his position at MI6 seemed hardly appealing. Having worked all his life, Alan Blunt was certainly not going to be used to the solitary confinements of retirement. Sighing, he proceeded to stand up and walk over to the window of his office. Looking down at the numerous cars that passed by the Royal and Generals building, he merely shrugged as he turned back to Mrs. Jones.
"Well, the Prime Minister can't exactly pile all the blame on you. After all, given that anyone was in your position. Who would listen to the ridiculous claims by our youngest reluctant agent at that time?" she replied, her voice heavy with sympathy. After all, she had come to grow rather fond of working with Alan Blunt having known him better than anyone else during her time at MI6. Now, it would seem their alliance would soon come to an end. "Ah, but ridiculous enough to be true. My only regret was to have used Alex the way we have during the past year. It hardly seems fair for any fourteen year old or adult agent for that matter. Given that we have abused him enough, I think it's time for me to resign while I still have the chance," he stated rather sombrely.
Nodding in silence, Mrs. Jones couldn't agree more with the words of her superior. They had been known for blackmailing Alex into doing the assignments which they dished out to him during the past year. It would seem that Alex had grown to hate them for who they were during their brief period of knowing one another. Once more, Alan Blunt looked out of his window as the time for his meeting with the Prime Minister grew nearer.
Having rested the night after meeting up with the CIA, Alex Rider awoke to an empty room. Looking around, he found James' bed unslept in as he slipped out from his own. Confused, he proceeded to search the suite for his partner. Not finding him, he proceeded to prepare himself for the day's activities. The door to his suite opened as Alex grasped the S&W revolver as he braced himself for the intruder. However, he was met with shock as he recoiled when the lean built of 007 appeared at the doorway. As he struggled to prevent from releasing the trigger, James couldn't help but smile as he closed the door to their suite. "Problems?" he merely asked as he yawned and stretched.
"No…Nothing. You weren't in bed last night," Alex simply stated as he put down the S&W revolver. Once more, he doubted he would gather the courage to kill a man in cold blood or even kill at all. After all, it seemed highly improbable that he would ever be pitted in a situation where it involved murdering another. James shrugged as he took off his overcoat and placed it on his bed while he entered the bathroom, presumably to freshen up. "Yeah…I did a little bit of snooping around. Typical Bond stuff, you may call it," he replied before the sound of running water could be heard.
Fifteen minutes later, both British agents could be found seated at a nearby café, enjoying the lovely weather as offered by the Italian capital. As they began eating, James told Alex about his alleged espionage dealings during the night before. After leaving the CIA headquarters, they both returned to the hotel where both agents supposedly turned in for the night. However, James soon left the hotel at 12 AM as he made his way towards the City of Light. Having been informed of the whereabouts of the wounded Scorpia directors, he had lost little time in travelling there. The journey north held little regards to Bond as he was met with the challenge of entering the secure Intensive Care Unit.
As expected, the hospital's surrounding areas were swarming with Scorpia agents, determined to make up for their initial failure. Having already allowed two further casualties in the board of directors certainly did not go well for business as far as Scorpia were concerned. It took skill and determination along with that extra bit of luck to ensure 007 remain concealed by the darkness of the night as he grappled towards the roof of the building. Having done so, the rest of the task remained relevantly easy. With the disguise of a doctor, he had easily managed to infiltrate the ICU via the ventilation shafts. However, he was met with a surprise as Mr. Mikato wasn't asleep when Bond paid a visit.
Barely managing to keep the Scorpia director from alerting the other agents, he managed to subdue his foe before turning towards the Australian. Raising his Colt, the Scorpia director could barely manage to flinch from fear of being murdered. After all, he had recently just escaped from a mass murderer himself. Staring at him, 007 proceeded to say. "I understand that Scorpia were planning something before being massacred by this guy Petrovsky. I want to know what you had in mind…for the world," Bond stated almost coolly. The Australian's fear disappeared almost instantaneously as he started chuckling at the legendary British spy.
"You intelligence lots always think you have a hand in international security, don't you? Fact is, we weren't planning anything at all. In fact, Project Invisible Sword's humiliation has caused us all great humiliation. The most we came planning was to eliminate both you and that Rider kid before you left London. What good has that done for us now?" he remarked as he attempted to reach for his own handgun which was stored in the drawer at his nightstand. Shrugging, James looked at him as though trying to study him, yet he was met with honesty. What did the Scorpia director stand to lose by revealing the truth to him? However, 007 couldn't stay to count his laurels as the Australian appeared to have Kel-Tec P-32 in his hands. Surprised, he launched himself back upwards into the ventilation shaft as the Australian emptied the miniature handgun's magazine towards Bond.
As the alarm was raised at the hospital, James Bond found himself halfway out of Venice, driving excessively back to Rome. After Bond finished his tale, he managed to lift the cup of coffee that was untouched during the duration of their breakfast. Alex could only look at him in shock as he barely had the appetite to continue his meal. "We're supposed to be partners and here you go off on a suicidal mission without me!" he exclaimed, clearly enraged by Bond's actions.
Looking back at Alex, James Bond could hardly seem affected by the younger male's fit. "I only acted in the best interest of both of us…" he proceeded to state, in a matter-of fact tone. However, this only seemed to further enrage the teen spy as he proceeded to verbally assault the British agent. "I don't know what Alan Blunt or Mrs. Jones has informed you but I've been through far more and faced death enough for a priest to deliver my last rites. Yet, here you are informing me of a task that suited both our interests," Alex half yelled, causing nearby Italians to stare at the odd pair whom were interrupting their daily meal. James managed to finish his coffee before motioning for Alex that they were leaving. After paying the bill, both British agents stepped back towards their hotel.
As they returned to the solace of their suite, James proceeded to tell Alex of his take on the matter. "I won't apologise for leaving you out of this. Being extremely competent that you are, I only think that you would serve to slow me down had you been there yesterday. However, given that you've already voiced out your displeasure…I'll try to include you in future outings then," he stated before retiring towards the bedroom. Shaking his head in disbelief, Alex Rider was met with the light snores of the 00 agent.
An update for a fiction I had put on hiatus. It is the Christmas break and I thought maybe I could post up a chapter for all those readers. Merry Christmas!