Chapter 59: Going on the offence.

Andrew walked into the IT department with his head held high. Following him were 003 carrying the summons and 4 of the director's minions. The men had been walking through the corridor when Andrew had opened the door. He hadn't cared what the men's orders were, simply pointed at them and ordered them to carry Q and the equipment and to follow him. Apparently, he still had the bearing he'd had as the Assistant because none of the men uttered a single word of protest. Now he pointed them towards the gallery and ordered them to place the cot and set up the equipment where he could keep an eye on it. He stepped up to the glass panels separating the viewing gallery from the rest of the IT-department and looked in.

The IT department was full. Every computer was taken and all screens were on. In the centre of the room stood the Director, his eyes flashing from one screen to another. The big screen which covered the back wall was showing streets and platforms from all over the city. All the minions were at their desks but no one was complaining. Both the IT-department heads, Warner and Sadler, were also behind a computer, Warner was seated with the original bunch and Sadler was coordinating with the Hackers. 001 and 009, who had been lounging in the chairs close to the door while keeping a sharp eye on everything that was going on inside, stood to join them.

"They extracted Jordan. The Director did it himself, quite masterfully I might add. He rendezvoused with M's transport. They're just waiting for M to come out and to establish contact." 001 looked as relieved as he felt to hear Jordan had made it out safely.

"They've patched through CCTV so Denbigh can't control it." 009 continued. "Our nerds have been ordered to make a full sweep of the MI6-server and kick out anyone who has ties with Denbigh. Ophelia Warner smirked, pressed one button and declared it done, before ordering a full a full audit of the server." 0010 smirked, feeling proud for the minions for getting the one-up over the Director. "The hackers were ordered to attack and eradicate Nine-Eyes. Sadler is coordinating that one." Andrew nodded in acknowledgement.

"Any orders in our direction?" He asked.

"Besides for 003 go get you, none. There was some commotion after the Director's minions came rushing back saying they'd been locked out but the Assistant shushed it." 001 answered. Andrew looked at where Arabella was seated at the computer Q usually occupied. As if she felt his stare the Assistant turned, nodded to him and then gestured for him to come in and bring the others.

Nodding in return he straightened and turned to the others. "We've been summoned. Remember, you are back on the payroll. If you want to quit, walk away now and I'll deal with it. Otherwise, be prepared for anything."

"Don't worry your pretty little head, sugar." 001 answered in that sugary tone that she used to get men into her bed. "We know our duty. It'll be nice to see some action again. I'm starting to get bored." The other two rolled their eyes slightly but nodded in agreement. He nodded back then turned and walked into the central hub of the action; the others hot on his heals.

"Sir, M is on speaker for you for the extraction." Arabella informed the Director just as they approached her. She gestured them off to the side and out of the way.

"Your report, M." The Director ordered.

"That man is insane, sir." The voice of M was coming over the speaker. "Did Bruskin really go for a job there or…"

"Agent Bruskin was gathering information about Nine-eyes as well as Denbigh's organisation for us."

"Of course, I hope you got him out of there before he…"

"He should be in the car beside you. Confirm." The Director interrupted sharply; others wouldn't have noticed the sudden tension his body held but Andrew did.

"Oh yes, he is. Anyway, Max threw a temper tantrum not unlike a toddler after he learned he couldn't get the double-0's or fire me. Then he wanted me to recall the entire organisation. The whole of MI6. Never mind that we would be incredibly vulnerable if we did that. He wouldn't listen to reason, wasn't taking no for an answer and wouldn't let me leave until I did as he wanted. I wasn't going to let him ruin our global presence so I decked him. We've got blood for a DNA comparison. Felt bloody marvellous by the way."

"Be sure to cover that up with a medical glove so we don't lose it." The Director ordered.

"Got them, sir." One of the unknown people said and one of the small screens became larger showing a convoy of cars approaching an intersection.

"Good, focus on the area around the convoy. Watch for tails."

"What now, Sir?" M asked over the speaker.

"I need you and Mr. Bruskin to get to headquarters, secure it and establish communications so we can coordinate our response. I need you to secure all assets overseas."

There was a soft murmur as M seemed to be consulting with the others in the car. Meanwhile the Director turned towards them. Andrew straightened and came to attention.

"Sir."

"I need you to split up. I need you and another of the double-O's of your choosing at headquarters. You will be assisting M with securing our global presence. The other will be in charge of security. I need you to prepare headquarters for an attack but also be prepared to head out for a mission at a moment's notice. Coordinate with R for supplies." Andrew nodded, feeling relieved that he'd be out of the man's presence. He turned to the others and nodded to 1, knowing she would want to be in the same building as her padawan. Before he could leave though, M's voice came over the speakers again.

"Sir, the team here have orders to return to the embassy and refuse to go anywhere else." The Director immediately gestured for them to remain for the moment.

"That is unacceptable. I need you at headquarters." He answered while throwing a gesture towards Arabella, who got onto her phone.

"I agree, Sir. But these gentlemen have orders that they will not deviate from. I suggest we use them as decoys and separate ways. There's a taxi stand just up ahead. It'll only take a minute to change cars. But I need your decision now, Sir." The Director eyes flicked towards him for a split of a second, and Andrew, knowing they were getting new orders listened in carefully.

"Agreed, make sure you're both armed and make the exchange. 001 and 0010 will rendezvous with you to escort you both to headquarters. Stay in contact to coordinate. Mr. Bruskin will act as your security detail in the meantime. I believe he's had some training in the matter."

M snorted. "Double-O's don't do things halfway, do they sir? Exchanging cars now." The Director nodded then looked at him. Andrew stiffened minutely.

"A moment of your time before you leave, 0010."

Andrew nodded, before turning to the others. "001, secure our supplies with R. Be ready to leave when I find you. 003, 009, make sure you're secure here, be prepared for anything." The others nodded and headed out.

Andrew followed the Director off to the side.

"I will not apologize for breaking my word, Andrew. The queen's orders being what they are need to be followed. However, I will try to keep our interactions to a minimum. M has your clearance, I expect you to inform him as to your history, including the reason you are no longer in my employment. Use all your expertise to make sure our country will not lose any of our presence in the world." It took all of Andrew's effort to suppress his astonishment at learning M's clearance level but he managed to remain stone faced.

"Yes, Sir." He answered and was about to turn and head off when the Director interrupted and stepped closer.

"While you are under my purview however, I have one task I want you to carry out." The Director murmured to him. Andrew stiffened.

"I need you to write a report of all the illegal and immoral actions my predecessor did during your tenure as the Assistant. We have all the information about what he did after, but he saw fit to destroy any evidence of his actions before I started working with him. I need to know what that bastard has done to destroy the position held sacred by my family for so long. Anything and everything he has done; I want to know. Aside from the current situation and any emergencies arising, I want you to focus on that. Understood?"

Andrew stared at his boss for a long time. After all those years he had suffered under the yoke of that bastard Rudy Holmes he had lost all faith in the Holmes Family. He had actively sought out to destroy the office of the Director. Now, maybe, he was glad he had failed. There had been rumours towards the end about someone else working against the Director. Who had repaired some of the damage he would cause. He had dismissed those rumours as flights of fantasy. Who in their right minds would go against a man as powerful as Rudy Holmes. But maybe there had been an ounce of truth to those rumours after all. Maybe this man before him did poses the moral fibre needed to do the job well. It was worth investigating.

For now, he nodded. "It will be done, Sir." He said and turned about face and walked out of the IT department. He had work to do.