I: 16 October, 2013

Opposition planning to make points at Prime Minister Question Time, Rise in patriotism index due to England football win, Core from the Russian meteorite recovered from lake and shown to be a rock and not a spy satellite as some had claimed. Overcast and cool, some rain expected

II: Sherlock's absence was beginning to be worrying. He had made his last report two weeks ago, his last pick up of money five days ago, and then nothing. He was in Serbia investigating one Baron Maupertuis, a particularly sadistic criminal and dealer of chemical and biological weapons. He would send an agent in, but at the moment all of his best agents had been pulled back home to investigate. All signs pointed to a massive terrorist strike on British soil. If Sherlock had got himself in too deep, then Mycroft might have to do some...(indrawn breath) Field work.

He sat back in his desk and pulled out a file. A man with a mustache stared back at him. What will Sherlock think when he comes back to find that John Watson has moved on? Surely he's seen the website. Recently, John has been spending time staring into jewelry store windows. Not one of his normal occupations. And his intended, Mary Morstan, a nurse at his surgery, sweet, pretty in her way, but much cleverer than any of the other women that he has dated. And her history, her father. Very interesting. But then again, John Watson never had a problem living with interesting people.

Mycroft rubbed his middle finger across the portrait. I like the new look. I think the mustache is quite fetching. It makes him look more dignified, like a colonel from the Indian wars.

IV:

"Sir"

"Yes, Agnes."

"We found Masterson's body. He is confirmed dead."

"Damn! I hate losing agents. And his message?"

"He said, and I quote, 'There's an underground terrorist network in London, and a massive attack is immanent.' "

"An attack, where? Did he give us any locations, coordinates?"

"That's all that he managed to say before..."

"That's hardly enough information to go on. Back trace his location. Find everywhere that he has been in the last twenty four hours. We must find that underground terrorist network."

"Yes sir," she said carefully closing the door just as his phone rang. It was Mummy. He gave a great sigh before pressing the button.

"Hello."

"Mycroft! Good Afternoon. Have you been taking care of yourself?"

"Yes Mummy."

"That's good, because I'm having a dinner party this weekend and I'd like you to attend."

"I don't think that will be possible. There is an urgent matter..."

"Now you know, Mycroft, that there is always an urgent matter going on sometime or another. If they need you, they will come and get you. I want you here."

"But Mummy..."

"I've invited Margarie Hamilton as well. You remember her, you took dance classes together. She's looking just lovely. She just left her long-time boyfriend, poor girl. She could use some cheering up and you are getting entirely too old to not be married."

"Mummy?"

"And what about Sherlock? Is he alright, he hasn't phoned."

"He can't contact anyone Mummy, he's undercover."

"But he is alright?"

Mycroft took a breath. "I don't know how he is right now, he's out of touch."

"Out of touch. Is he in danger?"

"The situation that he has gone into is volatile, yes, but there is nothing to suggest that he has been hurt."

"Mycroft Holmes, you know that I depend on you to keep your little brother out of trouble."

"Yes Mummy."

"I'll let you miss this weekend's dinner, but I want you to find your brother and make sure that he's alright."

"Yes, Mummy."

"You know that I worry."

"Yes Mummy."

"Now take care, Oh, and your Father says goodbye."

"Goodbye Daddy, Mummy."

He disconnected the call and sat down, always surprised at his need to remain standing when talking to his mother. Then he texted Agnes.

[Book flight to Serbia and buy me a warm coat with Russian Army stylings.]

II. I suppose that I am going undercover. How tedious.

III: Serbian. Cyrillic alphabet. Slavic. Similar to Turkish. There must be loan words. srce, "heart", plav, "blue", Zdravo priјatyeljoo!, "Hello my friend!"