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Q woke up to Cadbury booping his nose. Mars was asleep on his head. “Good morning, darlings. Are you starving? Yes, of course you are. It’s been hours since you’ve eaten.” Q completed his morning ablutions and fed the cats. He enjoyed the weak morning sunlight for a few moments after putting down the cat food. He fixed himself a cup of tea and sat at the table. “Cadbury, I need your help.” She glanced at him then kept eating. “I did some research yesterday. Bond and Trevelyan are better together on a mission than they are apart. Their behavior hasn’t significantly changed since they got together. Medical certainly treats them appropriately. What should I do with this information?” Mars rubbed a fine layer of fur against his shins. “Mars your contributions are, as always, invaluable. I suppose I shall be open to their flirting, yes? They do seem to mean it.” Cadbury swatted his shoes. “It is time to go. Thank you for the reminder.” Q packed his satchel, got on his shoes, and made his way to Vauxhall.
Q got into his branch and set up for the day. He replied to urgent emails and looked at his schedule. An urgent mission had come up. 006 was due immediately to Russia. One of his cover identities had finally borne fruit. Two years of regular missions and small-time deals worked to establish Alec as genuine. The Bratva had set a meet for tomorrow. Q looked in the system to see the status of Trevelyan’s personal gun and necessary equipment. Everything was ready. Q put together a standard kit. Then he paused for a moment. He felt unsettled. The other missions he had run coms for were not pretty. This one was likely to also go poorly.
James and Alec walked into Q branch. Both seemed fine, but Q could tell. He knew them relaxed now. He had seen them in every state of being on a mission. They were hiding it well, but they were not happy. Resigned to this. “Good morning gentlemen. 006, your standard kit is prepared. As previous missions under this alias have not gone cleanly, I have included a few small extras. Your boots and belt are fitted with trackers. I recall losing you twice before under this alias. Your ring is an emergency beacon. Yellow gold with a square emerald. Twist twice clockwise and press the emerald. Reinforcements will be sent to your location.”
Alec looked surprised and touched. He put on the ring immediately. “Druzhok, I feel safer already.” Q blinked a few times. “I don’t want you getting lost. Two years of missions got you here. I won’t have this spoiled.” Alec smiled softly. “Of course, druzhok. I shall endeavor to remain visible at all times.” Q replied, “Good. Now, your tickets are sent to your mobile. Your regular documentation is here in the folio. Do you require anything else?” Alec replied, “Let me look through the kit. I’d rather not need something expedited.”
While Alec was looking through his kit, James smiled at Q. Q asked, “Do you frequent the bookstore often?” James said, “Yes, I do. They have a good selection of regular books. Miriam can often get rare books and first editions in.” Q replied, “Yes, I was surprised the three-volume set of Emma was in. I’ve been looking for it.” “An excellent choice. I was picking up Much Ado.” Q tilted his head. “A bit lighter than I’d expect from you.” “It’s nice to read a story where the big problems are not chatting up your crush.” Alec interjected, “Rarely a problem you have Yasha. You walk into a room and swan out with two beauties on your arm.” Q smiled. “He’s a professional flirt 006. If he walked out with only one the mission would fail.” James laughed at that. Alec grinned. “Q, the kit and folio are well stocked. I’ll check in regularly. I expect you to be in my ear the whole way.” Q replied, “I’ve taken this assignment for myself. Can’t let two years go to pot over poor communication.” “Of course.” Alec picked up his kit, nodded at Q, and swept out. James smiled and followed.
Alec’s flight was on schedule. No issues when he got into the Smolensk airport. He stalked off the plane, already in his Aleksei character. Q carefully monitored coms the entire mission. James regularly wandered down to Q branch. He seemed content to listen to Alec’s mission. It went surprisingly smoothly. Only a few hiccups throughout. One of the boyevik got a bit trigger happy. James tensed when he heard the shot. Q’s hands started typing directions to the closest safehouse for medical treatment. Alec was able to snatch the gun away before he got more than a bullet burn. James relaxed. Q closed the window without sending directions. The meet with the brigadier went well after that. The deal was made. Many toasts were made with Beluga Noble. Q muttered under his breath, “Russians have cast iron livers,” after the eighth. James snorted. “He’s been training for this since the Royal Marines.” Q smiled. Minion #4, sensing the relaxed atmosphere, brought over a fresh cup of tea. Q took a sip. “Perfect. Thank you, April.” She smiled, “You’re welcome.” Q stayed on the coms until Alec was safely back in his apartment. Alec slurred his words slightly but he was still intelligible. “Back safe. Night night.” Q said, “Good night 006. Please put a glass of water and paracetamol on your nightstand.” James murmured, “He always forgets.” Soft snores sounded through the coms. Q updated the mission report and turned off the microphone. “Mission is now in passive mode. Handing off to monitoring.” Q sat back and held the tea with both hands. James sighed. “He’ll be miserable in the morning. I better get to bed or I’ll be no better. Pleasant dreams, Q.” “Pleasant dreams, 007.” Q sat in his chair, listening to his minions on coms. All was well for now.