Patreon or PayPal Me keeps this site and its author alive. Thank you. |
Stories from the Verse
A Dozen Verses
Chapter 44: Kondor 270
Table of Contents
Previous chapter: Slade 265
“Greetings, gentlemen,” the elderly man said as he entered the office where Kondor and Zeke had been waiting. “Please have a seat. I am called--”
“C,” Kondor interrupted. “You run a special branch of the British Secret Service that employs dimensional travelers--versers, like us--as spies.”
The man had by now sat, and he looked up at the two of them, from one to the other. “It seems,” he said, “my reputation precedes me.”
“We’re friends of Derek Brown, also known as Morach. He’s told us stories of his stay here.”
“Indeed.” For a moment C seemed to be collecting his thoughts. “Then I suppose I can dispense with much of this. I take it you already know the arrangements. We provide everything you need or could reasonably want; you work as field agents addressing particular international problems. You have a license to kill, which we assume you will only exercise with good reason, and it is up to you to decide how to solve the problems you encounter. I can give you twenty-four hours to decide, but cannot allow you to leave the building until you do.”
Kondor looked at Zeke as he answered.
“I don’t think that will be necessary,” he said. “We’re both American soldiers, and while we’re not from your America, and indeed not from the same America, we’re committed to defending the free world. Besides, it’s not likely anyone is going to offer us a better job--or, from what I understand, that you would be likely to allow us to take it if they did.”
“Quite. So, let’s get you settled. Would you prefer to share an apartment, or have adjacent residences?”
This time Zeke answered. “I think separate bedrooms is good enough. You agree?”
Kondor nodded.
“Also,” C continued, “we’ll provide someone to do the housekeeping. We can also have her cook, if you like, or you can do your own cooking or live on takeaway, as you prefer?”
A few other domestic details were discussed before he changed the subject.
“I’m given your names as Captain Joseph Wade Kondor and Lieutenant Ezekiel Smith, and you are called Joe and Zeke.” He looked from one to the other as he named them, getting confirmation. “Do you have any significant abilities of which I should be aware, or any particular needs or requests, or want any special training?”
The two looked at each other. Kondor spoke first.
“I’m a medical doctor. I’m probably a more highly educated physician than anyone you have, but I’d like to be able to obtain and perhaps prescribe drugs and medical equipment. I also hold an honorary degree in gravitic and kinetic engineering and own a kinetic blaster, but I’m guessing you don’t have anything like that in this world.”
“No,” C confirmed. “We’ve examined a few kinetic weapons and at least one gravity belt, but we are nowhere near able to produce such gadgets. Still, our people will want a chance to examine any unusual technology you are carrying. Also, you should let them examine any weapons you have, so that we can provide you with ammunition or other needed peripherals for them. Anything else?”
“I would ask for a car,” Zeke suggested, “but after the trip through today’s traffic I’m inclined to think it’s not very useful around here. What about a motorcycle?”
“Yes, that’s a good idea,” Kondor added. “I might need a few lessons; I’ve never ridden one, but it would be good to know and good to have.”
C just nodded; he was jotting some notes on paper as they conversed, and appeared to make a circle on the page at this point.
“Also,” Kondor suggested, “we should probably get access to a shooting range and some kind of gym, so we can practice our combat techniques.”
“Yeah,” Zeke added, “and I, at least, could use some training in weaponless and primitive weapons fighting techniques. I think the Cap could probably benefit from that as well.”
“Yes, yes, all sounds good. If there’s anything else, we’re fairly flexible--this isn’t the limits of the contract, you understand, just an effort to get you up to speed as quickly as possible. Cameron will get you settled in our guest apartment for the moment, but don’t get too comfortable--we should have you in your own apartment elsewhere in the city by nightfall.”
“We don’t stay here?” Zeke queried.
“Our office space is somewhat limited here; the tower was built to facilitate the needs of the BBC. Besides, we prefer to put our agents in buildings that have helipads, so we can mobilize you rapidly if needed, and the antenna array on the top of this building makes that inconvenient, although it does facilitate access to our scriff location satellite network. Also, you probably would rather not live in a building where yout boss is in the next room. Bad enough we can track you anywhere in the world and are normally doing so, just so we know you’re alright. So thank you very much, gentlemen, and we’ll get on these requests quickly.”
Cameron, who had introduced himself as C’s secretary back in the limo, entered the office. “Right this way, gentlemen. Your luggage has been routed to the quartermaster in the department we call Gear, and will find its way to you as he finishes examining it; if he has questions he will probably bring you in to see him in a day or two.” He led the way from the office to an elevator, the pair of soldiers-cum-agents following.
As to the old stories that have long been here:
