Foiled By Soup

M1 and M2 Conversation Scene 1

Two (2) male MI6 agents were in conversation about the recent mission that involved Nicky Parsons, Emily and M1.

M2: Those girls saved your life.

M1: Yes

M2: They could have let you die.

M1: Yes

M2: But they saved your life. You.

M1: Yes.

M2: (Surprised and uncertain) It is going to take me some time to process this information.

M1: You are not the only one.

M1 and M2 Conversation Scene 2

About forty (40) minutes later M1 went to the office of M2 and they had a brief further conversation.

M1 to M2: What is the real story about those girls?

M2: No one knows.

M1 said nothing and returned to his office.

Boss and M2

About twenty-five (25) minutes later the boss telephoned M2 and asked him to come to his office.

M2 immediately attended the office of the boss.

The Boss: Come in and have a seat, M2.

You are friends with M1 aren’t you?

M2: Yes.

Boss: Do you mind keeping an eye on him?

M2: No problem, Sir.

Boss: You know he went on a mission recently?

M2: Yes.

Boss: It was a harrowing experience for him. I want to make sure he is OK.

The mission was successful, but it was a lot more than he expected.

So, I just want to make sure everything is OK with him.

I do not want to make a fuss at the moment, but I would like you to keep an eye on M1, if you do not mind.

M2: Sure, Boss. I would be happy to keep an eye on him.

Boss. Thank you, M2.

The meeting then ended.

M2 walked slowly back to his office. He thought to himself he had never seen the boss do that before. He had never even heard of the boss doing that before.

As he was walking back to his office, M2 walked past the office of M1 and he noticed that M1 was at his desk. M2 walked a little way past the officer door of M1 and then doubled back and went into the office of M1.

M2 spoke to M1: Are you busy at the moment?

M1: No.

M2: We should go to lunch. Come on. Let’s go to lunch.

M1: Now?

M2: Yes, now. It will be fine. Grab your coat.

M1 was a little mystified as he grabbed his coat and accompanied M2.

M2: There is a place I think we should visit.

M2 led M1 to a quiet cafeteria a short walk from their office building.

Once they took their seats at their table M2 said to M1:

"Not a lot of people come here. The food is good and so is the service.

How are you feeling now you are back at work after the mission?

Take your time to enjoy lunch, M1. We do not have to hurry back to work."

M1 was still a little unsure about what was going on.

M2: Missions can be intense experiences. I wanted to make sure you were OK after your mission. You do not have to say anything if you do not want to. We can just eat. There is no rush.

After they had started eating their meals M2 said to M1:

"We do not have to hurry back to work. We can go and listen to some music, if you like. Herbie Hancock, Grant Green and Freddie Hubbard have got albums out."

Emily Chats To M2

Nicky and Emily were walking with their usual purposeful stride through the MI6 corridors a while after the return of M1 and M2 from their extended lunch. As they passed the open doorway to M2's office, Emily's hand suddenly closed around Nicky's arm, halting her with a gentle but firm pressure. "Wait here, please," Emily murmured, her gaze briefly flicking inside.

Nicky stopped instantly, her eyes calmly observing Emily's action and the interior of M2's office. Her expression remained neutral, betraying no surprise or curiosity, merely a quiet acceptance of Emily's initiative. If Emily thinks it is necessary, there is likely a reason, Nicky's steady gaze seemed to convey.

Emily stepped into M2's office. He was at his desk, seemingly engrossed in paperwork. Emily's presence in his doorway made him look up, a flicker of mild surprise on his face.

"I think you should spend some time with M1," Emily stated, her tone matter-of-fact, devoid of any overt emotion. It was a statement, not a request.

Emily held his gaze for a brief moment, a silent emphasis on the importance of her suggestion, before turning and exiting the office. Her path had intersected with that of M2 and now she was leaving him to process her words.

Nicky was still waiting patiently at the doorway, her posture relaxed but alert. As Emily rejoined her, Nicky simply nodded almost imperceptibly, a silent acknowledgment that whatever Emily had done was necessary.

Grocery Shopping Romeo and a Female Companion

Without a word exchanged about the brief interaction with M2, together Nicky and Emily continued on their way, their synchronized pace resuming as if the brief pause had never occurred. As Nicky Parsons was about to enter her office, Emily asked her:

"Are we still going grocery shopping after work this evening?"

Nicky Parsons: Yes, and I have sufficient cash on me.

Emily: OK. I will call in here when I am finished work.

Nicky: Excellent.

Emily then proceeded to her office.

At the grocery store Nicky Parsons noticed Romeo. She grabbed Emily by the arm and walked her over to Romeo.

Nicky Parsons: (In a warm, friendly tone) "Hello Romeo. Thank you for coming shooting with us. It was fun."

Nicky Parsons then noticed an adult female companion with Romeo.

Nicky then spoke to that adult female:, a little surprised:

 “Please accept my apology, Miss. That was terribly rude of me. I did not mean to intrude upon you and Romeo. We will leave you two alone now and return to our shopping.”

Nicky Parsons and Emily promptly walked away and resumed their shopping.

A couple of moments later Emily said to Nicky:

“You can be quite the mischievous lass, Nicky.”

Female Work Colleague

Emily walked into the office of Nicky Parsons, looked at her watch and said:

“Nicky, I cannot believe you forgot we are having lunch in the park, now.”

Nicky immediately looked up from her desk at Emily and said:

“Lunch in the park?. Sorry. I have my handbag now and I am getting my coat. Let’s go.”

When Nicky and Emily arrived at Privacy Park they walked a short distance into the park to ensure they were alone, Emily said to Nicky:

“You remember our first mission where we recovered a manuscript?

Nicky: Yes

E: The manuscript that we definitely did not read?

NP: I specifically remember not reading some pages from that manuscript.

E: I am very confident a relatively new female agent in our office has a close male friend who was mentioned in that manuscript that I definitely did not read.

NP: Does this male friend have a surname with lots of consonants and not too many vowels?

E: I like to think of it as an alphabet soup.

NP: Do we need to have a sensitive issues chat with the boss?

E: Perhaps first we might have a chat with Miss Alphabet Soup. We can tell her how the boss is amenable to sensitive issues chats.

NP: I think the boss should come and have a walk in the park with us, now.

E: Let us find a public telephone.. You can tell the boss why he needs to walk in the park with us.

NP: Let’s go.

The agents found a public telephone and Nicky spoke to the secretary to the boss:

“It is Nicky Parsons. I need to have a sensitive issues discussion with the boss, now.”

Secretary: Sensitive issues?

NP: Yes. Sensitive issues. No other ears.

Secretary: I will put you through to the boss.

The Boss: Agent Parsons?

NP: Boss, I need to have a sensitive issues discussion with you. I think a walk in the park is the best venue for this discussion.

Boss: Parsons, we can chat in my office.

NP: You can be in the park in 5 minutes, Sir.

Boss: The park, Parsons?

NP: Yes, sir. Privacy Park.

Boss: Sensitive issues, Parsons?

NP: Privacy Park. 5 minutes.

Boss: 10 minutes, Parsons.

As the boss entered Privacy Park, Parsons joined him as a walking partner and said to him: “We can walk and talk.”

Emily joined them: “Good afternoon, Sir.”

Boss: Emily.

NP: There is no one around but us. Emily can tell you her sensitive information.

Emily: I am very confident a relatively new female agent in our office has a close male friend who was mentioned in some documents recovered on a mission that I definitely did not read.

The male friend has an alphabet soup last name.

NP: Are you aware of this new recruit, Sir?

Boss: I was not aware of Mr Alphabet Soup. Is he someone who should concern me?

NP: That is why we are discussing sensitive issues in the park.

Emily: He looks to me like a unit leader.

Boss: You ladies think our new recruit might be compromised?

NP and Emily: Yes.

NP: Is that enough information for you, Sir.

Boss: It has been an informative walk in the park, ladies. I am going to return to the office. I think you have each earned a half hour walk in the park after I leave. It is such a beautiful park.

Thank you, ladies. Enjoy your walk in the park.

NP: Thank you, Sir.

Emily: Thank you, Sir.

The Alphabet Soup Detour

After the Boss departed, Nicky and Emily walked in comfortable silence for a few moments. As they approached the edge of the park, a nearby small grocery store caught the attention of Emily and she stopped walking.

"One more thing," she said to Nicky, a slight, almost imperceptible smile playing on her lips. "Let's make a quick stop."

They entered the grocery store. Ever observant Nicky  followed Emily as she navigated the aisles with a focussed determination. Emily stopped at a shelf filled with canned goods and picked up a single can of alphabet soup.

Nicky raised an eyebrow, a silent question in her gaze.

Emily simply held up the can, a knowing look in her eyes. "A visual aid," she murmured.

Nicky's lips twitched slightly in amusement. "Efficient."

They paid for the can of soup and left the store.

The Boss Meets with M2

Upon his return from Privacy Park, the Boss telephoned M2.:

“M2, Come and see me, now.”

M2 immediately attended the office of the Boss.

The Boss: M2, we have a possible London location on a possible Iron Curtain Spy Unit Leader. I want you to surveill him. You may have to apprehend him. Are you up for it?

M2: Yes, Sir.

The Boss: I want you to take M1 with you. Is he ready to go back into the field?

M2: M1 will be fine, Sir.

The Boss: Can you go and get M1 and bring him here with you. I hope to have your mission profiles completed for you by the time you return.

M2 promptly left the office of the Boss to get M1.

Within 15 minutes M2 and M1 were meeting with the boss.

The Boss: Good afternoon, M1. I have another mission for you. M2 here will go with you. Here are your mission profiles. Can I leave you two to discuss the finer details of your mission without me?

M2: Yes, Sir.

M1 Yes, Sir.

M1 and M2 then adjourned to the office of M2. They left for their mission just short of two (2) hours later.

Swift Apprehension

M1 and M2 were positioned in a bustling public square, M2 subtly scanning the crowd while M1 tried to appear casual, leaning against a newspaper stand.

"There," M2 murmured, his voice low and focussed, his gaze fixed on a man a short distance away, examining a street vendor's wares. "Alphabet Soup, ten o'clock. Looks like our boy."

M1 straightened up, his eyes discreetly following M2's line of sight. The man fitted the description provided in their briefing.

"Ready?" M2 asked, his posture tensing slightly.

M1 nodded, a newfound focus in his eyes. The apprehension he felt during and after the recent mission was nowhere to be seen.

Moving with surprising agility, M1 walked with a seemingly accidental stumble directly into Mr Alphabet Soup, his outstretched foot catching the target just behind the ankle. Mr Soup yelped in surprise and began to fall forward.

In that same instant, M2 reacted with lightning speed. He launched himself at the falling man, tackling him low and bringing him down to the hard pavement with a grunt.

Before Mr Alphabet Soup could react or struggle, M1 had drawn his firearm, the cold steel now pointed directly at the chest of their target. His stance was firm, his expression determined.

"Don't move," M1 commanded, his voice steady and authoritative.

Meanwhile, M2 swiftly produced a pair of handcuffs and efficiently secured the wrists of Mr Alphabet Soup behind his back.

With their target secured, M2 helped the now subdued man to his feet. "Let's make a call," M2 said to M1, nodding towards a nearby public telephone booth.

M2 guided Mr Alphabet Soup to the public telephone, while M1 kept his firearm trained on him. M2 quickly dialled a number.

"This is M2," he said into the receiver, his voice calm and professional. "We have the package.”

Answering a question asked of him by the MI6 operative he was calling: Yes, that is our location. Request immediate extraction team."

After a brief confirmation on the other end, M2 hung up. "They are on their way," he informed M1.

Within minutes, the sound of approaching sirens grew louder. Two (2) unmarked vehicles screeched to a halt nearby, and several more MI6 operatives emerged, moving with practised efficiency.

"We will take him from here," one of the lead operatives said to M2, nodding towards Mr Alphabet Soup.

M2 relinquished his hold, and the other MI6 operatives took charge, escorting the handcuffed Mr Soup to one of the vehicles.

M1 holstered his weapon, a sense of satisfaction evident on his face. He had performed his part efficiently and effectively.

"Let's go report in," M2 said to M1, a hint of approval in his tone.

Confrontation with Miss Mildred Pennyworth

Nicky and Emily approached the desk of the new female agent, Miss Mildred Pennyworth. Emily held the can of alphabet soup in plain sight.

"Miss Pennyworth," Nicky began, her tone calm but direct. "The Boss would like to have a conversation with you. Now."

The new agent looked up, a flicker of surprise crossing her face, which quickly morphed into something akin to apprehension as her eyes landed on the can of alphabet soup in Emily's hand.

"It concerns your … associate," Nicky continued, her gaze steady. "A Man with a rather memorable surname. One might even describe it as … alphabet soup."

The colour drained slightly from the face of the new agent. She glanced nervously at the can in Emily's hand, then back at Nicky.

"The Boss is waiting," Emily added, her voice neutral but firm, gesturing subtly towards the direction of the Boss's office with a slight tilt of her head.

Nicky stepped slightly closer. "Shall we?"

Without a word, the new female agent, Miss Mildred Pennyworth, rose from her desk, her expression a mixture of fear and resignation. Nicky positioned herself slightly behind Pennyworth, while Emily walked beside her.

They proceeded to escort the new agent towards the Boss's office.

When the trio arrived at the office of the boss, his secretary greeted them in silence.

She immediately buzzed the boss and said: You have three (3) female visitors, including Miss Parsons. I am going to send them straight in.”

The Boss promptly opened his office door for his visitors.

The Boss said: Ladies.

Nicky Parsons: “Miss Mildred Pennyworth here is keen to chat with you, Sir. As we are more familiar with you. We helped her with the introduction.”

Emily then proceeded to place the can of alphabet soup on the desk of the boss.

The Boss: Thank you, Miss Parsons and Emily. Miss Pennyworth and I can discuss her relocation within MI6 and probation without you.

Nicky Parsons and The Rogue Agent

 MI6 agent M2 walked in to the office of his work colleague MI6 agent M1 and had a conversation with him.

M2 to M1: I hear your girlfriends went on a mission.

M1: I have no idea what you are talking about.

M2 And not just any mission, they secured and retrieved a sensitive document.

Rather awkward for you. The boss could have sent you, but he sent the girls.

The telephone rang.

M2: I will catch you later.

Discovering The Iron Curtain MI6 Agent Has Gone Silent

Emily spent quite a bit of her day reading an intelligence report. Something about it seemed a little off. Emily had been made aware that a trusted MI6 agent operating deep undercover behind the Iron Curtain had gone silent. There were fears the agent had been compromised and may possess sensitive information.

Emily walked into the office of Nicky Parsons and said to Nicky: We have not walked in the park for a long time. We should go for a walk in the park.

Nicky: (Looked at Emily with all of her attention). Yes. A walk in the park is a good idea. After work today?

Emily: Yes. I will come and get you.

Nicky: OK.

Emily returned to her office.

About an hour later, at the end of their work day, Emily walked to the office of Nicky Parsons. Nicky was ready and they promptly proceeded to the park where they had previously had their discussion about Nicky dealing with the creep, fatally.

Once they were effectively alone in Privacy Park, Emily told Nicky she was confident that the trusted MI6 agent who was supposed to be operating deep undercover behind the Iron Curtain and had gone silent, had been relocated by the enemy to the United Kingdom. This conclusion was a product of her reading an intelligence report.

Emily: I want to be careful who at MI6 gets told of my information because the subject missing agent may possess sensitive information.

Nicky: OK. I have a plan. First thing tomorrow morning we will see the boss. Leave that organising to me.

Emily: OK. Good.

Emily then proceeded to tell Nicky where she thought the subject agent was located and the possible threat he and his information might pose.

When Emily finished Nicky asked her: Are you OK? Do you want me to spend the night at your place?

Emily: I am OK. First this thing tomorrow morning I will go to your office, then we can go to see the boss

Nicky: OK.

With that Nicky and Emily made their way home.

The next morning Nicky and Emily met in Nicky’s office and then went to see the boss.

The boss invited Nicky and Emily in to his office.

The Boss: How can I help you ladies?

Nicky spoke to the Boss: You know we are women and sometimes we have sensitive issues we need to discuss? Sensitive issues that no one else needs to hear?

The Boss:(A little perplexed): Yes.

Nicky: We need to discuss some sensitive issues with you. Issues that no one else can hear and issues that cannot be interrupted. Do you understand what I am saying to you? No other ears and no interruptions.

If this is not a good location, we have another location where we can have this discussion.

The Boss: You can have your discussions right here, right now.

He then buzzed his secretary and told her “No interruptions until I tell you otherwise.”

The secretary responded clearly, “Yes, Sir.”

Nicky: So now we have your attention? No other ears? And no interruptions?

The Boss: Yes.

Nicky: Emily has some information for you.

The Boss: Emily?

Emily told the boss: She was confident that the trusted MI6 agent who was supposed to be operating deep undercover behind the Iron Curtain and had gone silent had been relocated by the enemy to the United Kingdom. This conclusion was a product of her reading an intelligence report.

The Boss listened attentively and said nothing until Emily was finished speaking.

The Boss: So we need to se if we can locate and recover this rogue agent.

Your assessment of this situation was correct. We need to be careful who has information about this situation. My initial feeling is that you two are going on another mission.

I need to work out the extent to which you might need assistance.

Is there any other information you need to tell me?

Emily: No.

Nicky: No.

The Boss: Do not say anything to anyone else about this. I hope to talk to you again shortly about this mission.

Are you to ladies ready to go at very short notice?

In unison Nicky and Emily said “Yes”.

The Boss: “Thank you for coming to me, ladies.”

The Boss then walked Nicky and Emily out of his office.

They then both walked to the office of Nicky.

Emily: Thank you, Nicky.

Nicky: No trouble at all, Emily.

The telephone in the office of Nicky rang. Nicky answered it. The Boss wanted to seem them both immediately. The both proceeded directly to the office of the boss.

The Boss: Are you ladies ready to go now?

Nicky: Yes

Emily: Yes

The Boss: Do you have any problem taking M1 with you?

Nicky and Emily: No

The Boss buzzed his secretary: Can you send in M1, please..

M1 entered the office of the boss.

No need to sit down, M1. I have a mission for you. Do you have a problem with working with Nicky and Emily?

M1: No.

The Boss: Good. The ladies can explain the mission to you on the way. Good luck to all of you.

The trio left the office of the boss and proceeded to the office of Nicky.

Nicky essentially worked out the mission plan. Emily knew the safe houses in the area she suspected the rogue agent to be located. M1 stayed quiet and listened intently.

Within an hour they were on the road in an MI6 mission vehicle en route to their first choice safe house and their proposed surveillance site.

Unexpected Encounter

The trio – Nicky leading, Emily providing tactical overview, and a still somewhat tentative M1 covering their rear – were moving through a dimly lit back alley in a less salubrious part of London, following a lead from Emily's intelligence report research, regarding a potential contact of the Rogue Agent.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows, moving with a speed and intent that screamed "operative." He recognized them – or at least sensed they were a threat to his own mission. A cheap but effective-looking silenced pistol appeared in his hand.

"Stand down, MI6," the Iron Curtain operative hissed, his accent thick and cold. "You are interfering."

Before M1 could even raise his weapon, Nicky reacted with lightning speed. A blur of motion, her own sidearm was in her hand, seemingly appearing from nowhere. There was no hesitation, no warning shot. Two (2) sharp, controlled cracks echoed in the narrow alley, the silencer muffling the sound to a mere cough. The operative staggered, a look of shocked disbelief on his face, before collapsing silently against a grimy brick wall.

Simultaneously, Emily had moved laterally, her own weapon drawn and trained on any potential backup. Her eyes were sharp and focussed, assessing the surroundings with lethal efficiency.

The entire exchange was over in a matter of seconds. The silence that followed was heavy, broken only by the distant sounds of the city.

M1 stood frozen, his weapon still holstered, his mind struggling to process the sheer speed and finality of what he had just witnessed. There was no struggle, no prolonged fight, just swift and decisive neutralisation. He stared at the fallen operative, a dark stain blooming on his chest, his eyes wide and vacant.

Nicky holstered her weapon, her expression grim, but devoid of emotion. She glanced at M1, a flicker of impatience in her eyes. "M1," she said, her tone flat. "Stay focussed. There could be others."

Her scan of the alley complete, Emily nodded in agreement. "He was not working alone. We need to move."

M1 remained rooted to the spot for a moment longer, the image of the shocked face of the operative and the clinical precision of the actions of Nicky burning into his memory. He swallowed hard, a knot forming in his stomach. This was not the clean, detached world of briefings and strategy. This was visceral, immediate, and brutally efficient.

Suddenly, the hand of Emily clamped firmly onto the arm of M1, her grip surprisingly strong.

"Get moving, M1," she said, her voice sharp and leaving no room for argument. She gave a decisive yank, pulling him forward. "We have not got time to wait around. That was just an appetiser. There will be more."

Nicky was already moving, her senses alert, scanning the alley ahead. Jolted by the action of Emily and her stark words, M1 finally snapped out of his stunned state. The reality of their dangerous situation crashed back down on him. He stumbled forward, trying to catch up with the two women, the image of the fallen operative still vivid in his mind, now overlaid with the unexpected forcefulness of Emily's command. He understood, with a chilling certainty, that he was operating with a different calibre of agent than he had previously encountered.

Safe House

The silence in the safe house was thick with unspoken tension. Nicky moved with her usual quiet efficiency, securing their weapons and ensuring their temporary haven was locked down. M1, still visibly shaken, sat heavily on the edge of a worn armchair, replaying the alley confrontation in his mind.

Her movements precise and deliberate, Emily turned to face M1 directly. Her gaze was unwavering, her expression devoid of sympathy.

"M1," she began, her voice low and cutting through the silence. "Nicky has a kinder heart than me." She gestured subtly towards Nicky, who was methodically cleaning her firearm, her focus entirely on the task at hand. "She is inclined to wait for you, to ensure you are keeping up, perhaps even to try and protect you if things go sideways."

Emily's gaze returned to M1, hardening. "I am not. I am quite happy to leave you to fend for yourself. If the bad guys get you because you are too slow, too hesitant, or too busy being stunned by the realities of our work, then that was a choice you made. I do not need you being a problem, M1. Your inexperience, your shock – it is a liability. Get over it. Fast."

M1 shifted uncomfortably under Emily's intense scrutiny. He flickered his gaze towards Nicky, hoping for some sign of disagreement or reassurance. However, Nicky continued to clean her weapon. Her silence speaking volumes. Her lack of intervention served as a tacit endorsement of Emily's harsh words. It was clear that while Nicky might possess more empathy, she also understood the brutal necessities of their profession and would not coddle someone who could not keep up.

The weight of Emily's words, coupled with Nicky's cold neutrality, hung heavy in the air. M1 finally understood the true stakes of this mission and the calibre of the women with whom he was working. He had to adapt, and fast, or risk being left behind – both literally and figuratively.

High-Rise Fall

The tension in the opulent, top-floor apartment was thick enough to cut with a knife. Broken furniture and scattered documents littered the room, remnants of a fierce struggle. Nicky had her weapon trained on another Iron Curtain operative across the room, while M1, still recovering from the shock of their previous encounter, was attempting to secure an escape route.

Unseen by M1, a second Iron Curtain operative, positioned near a large, open window overlooking the city far below, was lining up a shot. His target: M1. The glint of metal from his weapon caught Emily's sharp eyes just a fraction of a second before he squeezed the trigger.

Without a word, reacting purely on instinct and a fierce protectiveness of her team (even the still-recovering M1), Emily launched herself across the room with surprising speed. She collided with the operative by the window with the force of a small battering ram, her momentum sending him stumbling backward.

There was a choked cry of surprise and a desperate scrabble for purchase on the window frame, but it was too late. The operative, caught off balance and propelled by Emily's powerful shove, tumbled out into the open air.

A sickening, drawn-out sound – a muffled yell abruptly cut short – drifted up from the street below.

M1, who had been focussed on the other operative, whirled around at the commotion, his eyes widening in disbelief as he saw the empty window frame and the horrified realisation dawning on the remaining Iron Curtain agent.

He stared at Emily, who stood panting slightly, her gaze steady and resolute. The sheer speed and brutality of her action left him speechless, a fresh wave of shock washing over him. This was not just about neutralising a threat; it was about eliminating it with extreme prejudice and unwavering decisiveness.

Her weapon still trained on the remaining operative, Nicky did not flinch. Though firm, her voice held a note of urgency.

"We have to get out of here. Now. That will have alerted anyone else in the vicinity."

Momentarily stunned by the sudden demise of his comrade, the remaining Iron Curtain operative now glared at Nicky and Emily with a mixture of fury and fear. He knew he was outmatched.

Ever the lead, Nicky was already moving swiftly towards the exit, her senses sharp, assessing potential threats. The remaining Iron Curtain operative stood frozen, his face a mask of disbelief and dawning fear at the brutal efficiency he had just witnessed.

However, M1 was still completely rooted to the spot, his mind struggling to process the image of his adversary plummeting to his death. He had not even registered Nicky's movement.

Without breaking stride, Emily turned back. Her hand shot out, gripping M1's arm with surprising force, yanking him forward. Simultaneously, her other hand smoothly drew her firearm, levelled it at the stunned Iron Curtain operative, and with two (2) quick, precise shots, silenced him permanently.

"Get moving, M1," Emily stated, her voice cold and devoid of emotion, her gaze never leaving the fallen operative for more than a split second. She continued to pull M1 along, urging him towards the exit.

They followed Nicky out of the high-rise building, leaving behind the silent testament to their lethal efficiency. Physically propelled by Emily and mentally reeling from the second brutal act he had witnessed in rapid succession, M1 could only stumble along in their wake, the reality of their mission and the capabilities of his partners sinking in with terrifying clarity.

Safe House Aftermath

The tension from the high-rise had morphed into a weary exhaustion in the safe house. Nicky was methodically cleaning their weapons, while M1 was still processing the events, his movements slow and dazed.

However, Emily was focussed on a more immediate concern. She turned to M1, her expression a mixture of annoyance and pointed practicality. She gestured to a smudge of something dark on her jacket sleeve.

Emily to M1: Look at this outfit, M1. You are paying for the dry cleaning. Do not argue with me. Look at this outfit.

You could try to get MI6 to pay for it as a work expense, but you would have to explain to the boss how I saved your bacon.

You realise all of this will be included in the report on the mission?

Is going on a mission fun, M1?

Nicky remained focussed on cleaning her firearm.

Nicky then said: Is anyone hungry? Do you want to get something to eat?

Local Cafeteria

The three (3) MI6 operatives adjourned to a local cafeteria.

Over their meal, Nicky Parsons asked M1:

When Emily shoved that guy out the window and saved your life, did you think you would be eating a steak sandwich afterwards?

Emily: Do not worry, M1. This meal does not have to go into the mission report.

Emily looked at a male sitting alone in the cafeteria and said to Nicky, silently “That is our guy”.

The response of Nicky Parsons was swift and focussed:

“M1 got to the front door and close it. Then stand guard.”

“Emily, go to the cafeteria staff and tell them you have to make an urgent telephone call. Ring the boss.”

They each obeyed the request of Nicky.

Nicky located her firearm and walked over to the rogue agent.

Nicky said to him: “We are going to wait here together until my friends arrive.”

The Mission Report

At the end of the mission Nicky and Emily compiled their mission report.

Emily told Nicky she would show it to M1 before she submitted it. Nicky agreed.

Emily then attended the office of M1.

Emily to M1: I have a report for you to read.

M1 read the mission report in silence. He noticed a distinct lack of post-high rise incident meal and no mention of dry cleaning.

M1 was surprised that he did not come across as a fool, but rather a worthwhile team member.

When he was finished reading the report, Emily said to M1: Are you happy with that report, M1?

M1: (A little shocked) Yes.

Emily are you happy for me to submit that report, M1?

M1: (Still shocked) Yes.

Emily: OK. I am off to submit this report.

Justice Visits The Jury

Trial 1

Cologne Innsbruck watched the Rape Trial of his male friend seething with anger. He had seen this movie before and it did not end well. The younger brother of Cologne was wrongly charged with rape. No matter how many times Little Brother told the authorities that he was not guilty, that he was the victim of a false complaint, deaf ears greeted him. The criminal law trial of his little brother ended with him being convicted of rape and sentenced to eight (8) years in gaol.

His Little Brother appealed his conviction and subsequently the Court of Appeal rendered its judgement acquitting him of the charge. The Court of Appeal further recommending that the Female Complainant be charged with:

• Making a False Complaint; and

• Attempting To Pervert The Course of Justice . 

Unfortunately that morning shortly before the Court of Appeal judgement was delivered, a lunatic at the prison where Little Brother was incarcerated killed the brother of Cologne Innsbruck.

Trial 2

As Cologne Innsbruck watched Rape Trial 2, this one involving his friend in similar circumstances to that of his Little Brother, none of his 500 gazillion shades of angry had dissipated.

Again the Rape Trial 2 accused friend of Cologne Innsbruck said he was not guilty and that he was a victim of a false complaint.

This gruesome history motivated Cologne Innsbruck to gain access to the courthouse before the Rape Trial 2 started and acquire a copy of the jury list. Innsbruck also rigged up a bomb to the jury box prior to the jury delivering its verdict.

On verdict day Cologne was taking no chances. He had audio to the inside of the courthouse connected, but he was not present at the court. He was proximate to the court when his audio conveyed the verdict of guilty. Cologne Innsbruck did not flinch. He immediately detonated the bomb.

The courtroom was a scene of chaos. The explosion had ripped through the jury box, leaving a trail of destruction, including fire in the courtroom. Shards of glass and splintered wood littered the floor. Screams echoed through the courtroom, as panicked onlookers scrambled to safety.

Police, fire services and ambulance attended the scene. Among the injured, six (6) jurors lay motionless, their fates were sealed. The remaining six (6) jurors, shaken and traumatised, were ushered out of the courtroom.

Upon hearing the explosion, Cologne Innsbruck departed from his location proximate to the courthouse and went home.

The False Confession

In the aftermath of the bomb attack, a man named Clouseau Carlos was arrested and charged with the bombing. A quiet, unassuming individual, Clouseau Carlos had a history of mental illness and minor criminal offences. Public opinion quickly turned against him, painting him as a deranged killer.

The arrest and charging of Clouseau Carlos for the courthouse bombing was a convenient development for Cologne Innsbruck and one he would do nothing to upset.

Juror 7: Davies

Juror 7 was driving home from work and approaching a rail crossing. The radio in his motor vehicle was broadcasting the news and the item that interested him involved Clouseau Carlos, the man charged with the bombing of the courthouse and the killing of six (6) jurors. The news broadcast revealed that it was an unremarkable administrative mention of the case in court and the case was adjourned to a later date.

Juror 7 had had no contact with the remaining five (5) other jurors and he wanted to put the experience of the subject Rape Trial and its aftermath behind him. The news of the bombing court case did not help him in that regard. He started to have flashbacks of both the trial and of the bombing and its aftermath. His thinking became chaotic and he felt he wanted to escape his current situation.

The train was clearly approaching the crossing where Juror 7 was stopped. The noise of the train added to the chaotic thinking of Juror 7. Instead of waiting at the crossing for the train to pass, the chaotic mind of Juror 7 told him:

“We have to get out of here”

and his response was to crash his motor vehicle through the boom gate and try to drive to the other side of the rail tracks.

He failed miserably and drove straight into the path of the speeding train.

The chaotic response of Juror 7 proved fatal. His collision with the speeding train ended his life. Consequently, more drama and chaos surrounded Juror 7, as police ambulance and fire services were required to attend the scene and deal with the fallout from the collision. No other fatalities resulted from the collision and there were no apparent injuries to anyone on the train.

Such a dramatic event naturally attracted media attention and it was a lead story for many news bulletins for the rest of that day and the following day. Consequently the remaining five (5) jurors from the trial became aware of the plight of Juror 7 and they had their own uncomfortable memory experiences.

Cologne Innsbruck listened to that news bulletin with some interest and, mildly surprised, with almost detached amusement, he said to himself at its conclusion:

“Well, how about that.”

Juror 8: Arthur Henderson

The meticulous accountant, Juror 8, found his normally sharp mind increasingly clouded by anxiety. The image of the bombed courtroom and the news of the demise of Juror 7 played on a loop in his thoughts, eroding his focus.

Usually a sanctuary of order, the office building of Juror 8 now felt fraught with unseen dangers. The hum of computers and the drone of conversations seemed to amplify his paranoia. He battled to concentrate on his work, the numbers on his screen blurring as his mind drifted to the "cursed" jury.

One afternoon, a critical deadline loomed, adding to his already considerable stress. He rose to retrieve a vital file from a storage room, his mind completely consumed by a vivid flashback of the explosion.

He approached a doorway he believed led to the storage area, his gaze distant. However, the door had been removed for maintenance, leaving a gaping, unguarded elevator shaft. A temporary barrier, consisting of a flimsy strip of caution tape, had been dislodged and lay unnoticed on the floor.

Lost in his terrifying memories, Juror 8 walked forward, expecting solid ground. The sudden emptiness, the horrifying drop into the blackness, registered only as his foot met air.

On her first week at the firm, a young intern, Sarah, happened to be passing by. A flicker of movement caught her eye – a man walking directly towards the open shaft, his eyes vacant. She cried out a warning, lunging forward with a desperate, instinctive reach.

"Mister! Stop!" Her voice was a strangled cry of alarm.

Her outstretched hand grasped only the air where his arm had been moments before. With a sickening lurch, Juror 8 stepped into the void.

Sarah stood frozen, her hand still outstretched, a silent scream trapped in her throat, as she watched in horror to see Juror 8 plummet down the twenty-five (25) stories of the empty elevator shaft. The sickening thud that echoed moments later confirmed the irreversible tragedy.

The scene that followed was one of chaos and disbelief. Screams erupted. Colleagues rushed to the edge of the shaft, peering into the darkness. The sterile office air was thick with shock and the dawning realisation of a senseless death.

The incident was immediately classified as a tragic workplace accident, a result of negligence regarding the unguarded shaft. An investigation was launched, safety protocols were frantically reviewed, and a pall of grief descended over the office.

News of the "fatal accident" at the downtown office building, identifying the victim as Arthur Henderson (Juror 8), became another grim headline.

Cologne Innsbruck was at home alone preparing dinner for himself on the evening of the death of Juror 8. The news was playing in the background on his television, but it was not his primary interest.

The report of the death of Juror 8 then came on the news bulletin and it caught his attention.

At the conclusion of the report he said out loud to himself:

“Well, that is interesting news.”

Jurors 9-12 Get Together

After Juror 9 heard of the news of the "fatal workplace accident" of Arthur Henderson (Juror 8), he contacted jurors 10-12 to organise a meeting. They agreed and met shortly thereafter at the residence of Juror 9.

In the dimly lit apartment of Juror 9, a video recording of the news report about the death of Juror 8, Arthur Henderson, played softly on a nearby television. Jurors 10, 11, and 12 sat around a cluttered table, their faces etched with worry and exhaustion.

Juror 9 (voice trembling slightly): Did you ... did you all see the news? About Henderson?

(A sombre nod from Juror 10, a nervous fidgeting from Juror 11, and a wide-eyed stare from Juror 12.)

Juror 9: It ... it cannot be another accident, can it? First Davies driving into a train, now Henderson ... falling down an elevator shaft? Both just days after the bombing?

Juror 11 (voice barely a whisper): It is ... it's like we are cursed.

Juror 10 (trying to sound rational, but his voice betrays his unease): That is ridiculous. These are just ... terrible coincidences. Stress can make people careless.

Juror 12 (eyes darting around the room): But two (2)? So close together? And the way the news described it ... Henderson just walked ... right into it. Like he was not even looking.

Juror 9: That is what I thought. Davies ... the news said he just drove straight through the boom gates. It is not normal behaviour. They were both on our jury.

Juror 11: What if ... what if the bomber... what if he is not finished? What if he is coming after us? But how? These look like accidents.

Juror 12: Maybe ... maybe it is not the bomber. Maybe ... maybe it is something else. Something ... unseen.

Juror 10: Do not be ridiculous. There is no such thing as curses. We need to be logical. We should go to the police. Tell them what we think.

Juror 9: And tell them what? That we think we are cursed? They will think we are all losing our minds. Especially after ... after the confession of Clouseau Carlos.

Juror 11: But we can not just sit here and wait to see who is next!

(A heavy silence falls over the group, the weight of their fear palpable. The flickering light from the television screen was casting long, distorted shadows on their faces.)

Juror 12: I think we have discussed this enough. I am going home.

Juror 12 promptly departed the residence of Juror 9.

Shortly thereafter Juror 11 said he was also going to leave. As he left, Juror 10 followed him.

Juror 9

After the meeting with Jurors 10-12, all Juror 9 could think about was the “Cursed Jurors”. His paranoia was escalating. He kept watching replays on his video player of the news items speaking of the deaths of the “Cursed Jurors” He could not sleep. He did not leave his residence. His mind seemed to be in a perpetual spin.

The dimly lit apartment had become the self-imposed tomb of Juror 9. Days bled into nights, marked only by the endless loop of the news report on his television and video player. The vacant eyes of Arthur Henderson, the sombre tone of the reporter, the stark image of the office building – these were the only companions in his increasingly fractured reality.

Sleep offered no respite, only a chaotic jumble of courtroom screams and the screech of train brakes. Awake, the fear was a constant, gnawing presence, whispering that he was next, that the curse was inevitable.

Juror 9 had stopped answering the telephone. The curtains remained drawn, blocking out the indifferent sunlight. Food lay untouched on the small table, a testament to his spiralling despair. The faces of the other dead jurors – the mangled car of Davies, the empty fall of Henderson – haunted his waking hours, their fates mirroring his own impending doom in his mind.

One afternoon, his gaze fixed on the flickering screen, a phrase from the news report seemed to detach itself from the rest: "... a tragic accident ... the second juror to die since the courthouse bombing ...".

A cold dread washed over him. Accident. The word mocked him. Juror 9 knew it was not an accident. They were all being picked off, one by one. And he was next. He could feel it in the suffocating silence of his apartment, in the frantic beating of his own heart.

For Juror 9, reality had completely fractured. He reached for the bottle of medication on his bedside table – sleeping pills prescribed after the trial, now his only solace. His hand trembled as he unscrewed the cap. He stared at the small white tablets in his palm, his mind a whirlwind of terror and a desperate yearning for escape.

The video recording of the news report continued to play, the voice of the reporter a monotonous drone in the background. On the screen, the image the of workplace of Arthur Henderson  lingered.

With a final, shuddering breath, Juror 9 swallowed the entire contents of the bottle. The act was not a conscious decision, but a primal surrender to the overwhelming fear that had consumed him. In the flickering light of the replay, his eyes closed, and the silence of the apartment deepened. In his mind, the curse had finally claimed another victim.

Black Market Clash

After Juror 11 learned of the death of Juror 9 his paranoia increased significantly. He was now a complete convert to the cursed jurors theory. He decided that he needed a gun for his own protection. So he bought a gun on the black market.

Juror 10 contacted Juror 11 and told him he wanted to get together to discuss their situation. Juror 10 invited Juror 11 to his house for the meeting. Juror 11 accepted the invitation and made his way to the residence of Juror 10.

Within an hour they were together discussing their situation. Paranoia was a constant theme of their conversation and they were becoming obsessed with the idea that they are cursed.

After about thirty (30) minutes of this chaotic discussion, Juror 11 produced the firearm he bought on the black market. He told Juror 10 he bought the firearm for his protection. Tension between the two (2) jurors escalated further, as Juror 10 told Juror 11 he was crazy and he put them both in danger.

The conversation deteriorated significantly and tension between the two (2) jurors continued to escalate. Juror 11 refused to put the gun away, even though Juror 10 told him its presence made him uncomfortable. As their conversation escalated from talking to shouting, Juror 11 panicked and discharged his firearm at Juror 10.

Beginners bad luck for Juror 11. His discharging of his firearm promptly killed Juror 10.

It seems at least one of the neighbours of Juror 11 had already called the police and they arrived shortly after the firearm was discharged. There was then the usual police and ambulance presence at the premises, while Juror 11 was removed from the scene and arrested and charged with murder.

Strangers On a Train

Cologne Innsbruck was on a train going home. He was minding his own business and not interacting with anyone. The train was sparsely populated. Two (2) women were in somewhat elevated conversation, all of which Cologne could hear.

Relevantly their conversation turned to the “cursed jurors”.

Woman 1: There has been another death in the cursed jurors.

Juror 11 shot and killed Juror 10. Juror 11 is now charged with murder and will likely spend the rest of his life in jail.

Woman 2: You know Juror 9 topped himself, don’t you?

Woman 1: Those jurors really are cursed.

Upon hearing this, Cologne Innsbruck shook his head and had a little chuckle to himself.

He alighted the train at the next station and walked home.

Juror 12 A Fatal Miscalculation

The last remaining member of the ill-fated jury, Juror 12 was a shadow of his former self. The constant fear and paranoia had taken a toll on his mental health. He retreated into a world of shadows, his mind a battleground of anxiety and despair.

One night, in a moment of desperation, he miscalculated his medication dosage. The overdose proved fatal and his life extinguished as abruptly as a candle flame.

The following morning Cologne Innsbruck called in to his local eatery for a cup of teas. As he sat alone at his table drinking his tea, his flipped through the daily newspaper that had been left on his table. A few pages in Cologne happened upon an article informing the readers of the death of the last “Cursed Juror”.

After Cologne completed reading the article; he raised his tea cup in toast to himself, with a modest smile on his face.

Complainant Confesses

Upon learning that all twelve (12) jurors in her rape case were now dead, the complainant panicked. She knew she was a false accuser. She was terrified for her safety and she attended upon the police.

Somewhat surprised, the police told her they have a perpetrator for the bombing, the lunatic criminal who confessed (Clouseau Carlos). They are satisfied with his confession. Jurors 7 to 12 died in circumstances that were unfortunate, but unrelated to the case. However, they were interested in her confession to making a false complaint.

Consequently they arrested and charged her.

When Miss False Accuser appeared in court to face her charges, she received a lot of media coverage. That media coverage included news that:

• The conviction for the accused in Trial 2 had been set aside;

• He was released from jail; and

• He was a free man.

Cologne Innsbruck was at home alone channel surfing on his television when he noticed a news item relating to Miss False Accuser. He stopped surfing and watched the item. Once the circumstances in which Miss False Accuser was in court were clear to him, he immediately said out loud:

“No way.”

The news item continued and Cologne Innsbruck again loudly exclaimed:

“You have got to be kidding me.”

At the conclusion of the news item Cologne Innsbruck said to himself out loud:

“Today is a good day.”

Threat Neutralised

Emily The Vault Compiles a Profile of Mr Problem

Shortly after Nicky Parsons contacted MI6 headquarters Saturday morning and told them,

“A clean-up is required immediately in the alleyway beside the Minor Key Café.”,

a request was sent to the desk of Emily to compile a Kill Profile of Mr Problem.

When Emily arrived at MI6 headquarters the following Monday morning, she saw that request and set about compiling an official Kill Profile of Mr Problem. A task that occupied most of her morning.

Once that Kill Profile of Mr Problem was completed, there was a bit of a lull on the desk of Emily.  She chose to use that lull to arrange to meet with a male MI6 colleague (M1) who appeared to have some sort of desire for Nicky Parsons. It was not clear to Emily whether that M1 desire for Nicky Parsons good or bad.

Emily arranged to meet with Mr M1 and she promptly proceeded to his office, with the official Kill Profile of Mr Problem.

Emily got straight down to business: “Do not argue with me. Just read this.”

She then handed the Kill Profile of Mr Problem to M1.

As requested by Emily, M1 read the subject profile.

When Emily was satisfied that M1 had concluded his reading task, she spoke to him again.

Once again, she was all business:

“You do not want to mess with Nicky Parsons. She wacked Mr Problem. By herself.”

Emily then retrieved her Kill Profile from the now uncomfortable M1.

The final words of this interaction from Emily were polite: “Have a nice day.”

Emily then left her confronting meeting with M1 and returned to her office.

The remainder of that day was unremarkable for Emily.

M1 and M2

Upon seeing Emily leaving the MI6 office of M1, another male MI6 colleague, M2, proceeded to the office of M1.

M2 then politely enquired of M1: “What is going on with you and Emily?

In a somewhat dismissive and disbelieving tone, M1 replied: “Emily gave me a Kill Profile she compiled of Mr Problem to read and told me to never mess with Nicky Parsons. “

A shocked M2 responded: “How stupid or naive are you?

These girls do not lie. They do not have to.

Are you really so stupid as to think Emily would not poison you, if you did not believe her or you challenged her?

Do you want Emily to give you wrong information for a mission, that would put you at real risk on that mission?

You need to get with reality.

You do not mess with these girls.

Never get on the wrong side of them.”

M2 then left the office of M1 shaking his head.

There was no further interaction between M1 and M2 that day.

A Personal Telephone Call

About two (2) hours after M2 left the office of M1, M1 received a telephone call at his work from his mother.

Mother to M1: “Hello, son. I have not seen you for ages. I need to check if you are eating properly and looking after yourself. Sunday lunch at my place has your name on it. Do not tell me you are not available. Tell me you will be at my house shortly before noon Sunday for lunch with me.”

A little surprised, M1 replied: “Yes, mother. I will be at your house shortly before noon this Sunday for lunch with you.”

Mother: “Do not let me down.”

M1: “No, mother. I will be there.”

Mother. “Good. See you Sunday. Bye.”

M1 got off the telephone to his mother and wondered what was going on in his life. Emily, M2 and now his mother.

Sunday Lunch

Sunday M1 presented himself to the home of his mother at 11:45 am for lunch, as arranged.

When he walked in to the kitchen, his mother greeted him warmly and told him it would just be the two (2) of them for lunch.

M1 was a little surprised by this news, but he was not disposed to argue with his mother.

Lunch was all but prepared by the time he arrived and his mother promptly dished up their lunch. They dined in the kitchen.

After about 10 minutes of unremarkable conversation, Mother said to M1

“I hear there is a new woman at your work.”

And I hear she has a female friend in the office.”

M1 stopped eating and wondered what was going on.

M1: "Yes there is a new woman at work. It is nothing about which you need to worry yourself."

Mother: "Son, You do not seriously believe I do not know what you do? You are a spy at MI6. You are probably an assassin."

M1: Stunned silence and shock on his face.

Mother: "I have known for ages.

Son, Do you need me to go and have a talk to this Emily girl and set her straight?

Yes, Son. I know about Emily. I am your mother.

Someone has to look after you, son."

The face of M1 was white as a sheet.

Mother: "It is OK, son. That is why it is just you and I here today."

M1: "It is OK, mother. I can handle the Emily situation."

Mother: "OK. Eat up, son. It is good to see you and it is good to have Sunday lunch with you.”

The remainder of Sunday lunch was uneventful.

As M1 and his mother were saying their good-byes to each other, Mother said to M1:

“It warms my heart that you still enjoy my cooking.” and she gave him a kiss on his cheek.

M1 left Sunday lunch with a smile on his face.

As he made his way home, M1 was not sure what to make of the Sunday lunch conversation.

He thought he best keep it to himself, at least until he could process all the information his mother gave him.

Nicky and Emily at The Shooting Range

A couple of weeks after M1 had his Sunday lunch with his mother, Nicky and Emily arranged to go grocery shopping together, again.

During that shopping expedition, Nicky left Emily for a short time to get an item she wanted. When she returned Nicky saw that a male was trying to chat up Emily.

Nicky was quick to respond to the budding Romeo:

“You want to go on a date? Saturday afternoon 1:00 pm at the city shooting range. We will both be there. You get to date both of us. Give us your contact details. Do not be late."

A stunned Romeo gave both women his work and home contact details.

Nicky continued to the Romeo: “We will ring you between now and then to check on you. You can leave us now, we have shopping to do.”

Emily watched this interaction in silence.

Romeo left the company of Nicky and Emily more than a little bewildered.

Once Romeo was well out of ear shot, Emily asked Nicky: “Are you serious?”

Nicky: “Yes. I expect he will enjoy finding out how well each of us shoot.”

Emily: “I love it. I am all in.”

Saturday arrived and Nicky and Emily planned to spend the entire day together. They started off with breakfast at their Minor Key Café.

When they finished their breakfast, they telephoned Romeo again, telling him not to be late.

They spent the rest of the morning window shopping, as they made their way slowly to the city indoor shooting range.

A cafeteria near the shooting range hosted Nicky and Emily for lunch and they arrived at the shooting range at 12:50 pm.

Romeo arrived at the range at 12:55 pm.

In unison Nicky and Emily say to Romeo: “So far, so good.”

Nicky: “Let us get started.”

Nicky led the trio to the actual shooting range.

Both women were clinical in their shooting preparation.

Romeo was not sure what was going on.

Nicky explained proceedings to Romeo and he started shooting his allocated rounds.

Once Romeo was finished, the women shot their rounds.

Romeo was stunned by and uneasy at what he saw.

When all their rounds were spent, Nicky retrieved the paper targets and discussion ensued about their success rate.

The women pointed out to Romeo he got a couple of shots on the paper

Romeo could see neither of the women missed their target with any of their rounds.

Nicky and Emily looked at each other satisfied.

Nicky (In a friendly tone): “Has this been fun, Romeo?”

Romeo: Stunned silence.

Emily: “Do you want to get a cup of tea with us, Romeo?”

Romeo: “I have another commitment, ladies. Thank you for the date, ladies. It is time for me to leave.”

Nicky: “Thank you for coming shooting with us, Romeo.”

Emily: “Yes. Thank you, Romeo.”

Romeo left and their paths never crossed again.

The following Monday someone from the shooting range telephoned their normal MI6 contact and said that Parsons and Emily were in attendance on Saturday, with Romeo. Was that to be registered as official MI6 training?

The MI6 contact told Mr Shooting Range it would not be considered official MI6 training, at this stage.

The Scatterbrain Mission

In the world of Nicky Parsons, an unremarkable day can swiftly become remarkable. This particular Saturday was one of those days.

A situation arose on a previously unremarkable Saturday that caused the relevant MI6 boss to create an impromptu mission. The boss knew Nicky Parsons was the real deal, even if he did not tell her so  By happenstance Nicky was proximate to the subject location. This boss knew from their Shooting Range episode that Nicky Parsons and Emily work together well. He was happy for Emily to partner Nicky on this impromptu mission. This would likely be a bit of a shock for Emily, but he thought she could handle it.

The boss telephoned Emily to try to locate Parsons to send her on the impromptu mission. Emily told the boss that she did not know where Parsons was, but would keep the boss informed, if she found out.

Unbeknown to Emily, Parsons had another one of her scatterbrain moments and caught the wrong train. Nicky was a long way from home. She telephoned Emily at her home and confessed her scatterbrain behaviour. Nicky wanted to ask Emily to travel to that train station, so they can go home together.

When Parsons told Emily of her dilemma, Emily told Parsons of the impromptu mission and that Nicky happened to be in the correct location to partake of the mission.

Emily ended her call with Parsons and called the boss to inform him of the location of Parsons.

The boss told Emily to go to the Parsons location and accompany her on the mission. When they were together at the location, telephone the boss to update him and get further instructions.

Emily was happy with those arrangements.

A couple of minutes later Parsons rang Emily again and Emily updated Parsons with the news from the boss.

Emily told Nicky: “I am confident it will not take me long to get to your curent train station.”

Their telephone call ended and Emily made her way to the train station near her, en route to the Parson mission train station.

Meanwhile, Nicky Parsons rang the boss and the mission was discussed.

The boss told Nicky: A group of dissident troublemakers were suspected of acquiring a sensitive manuscript that was supposed to be en route to a secure facility. The subject manuscript potentially contained classified research or compromising information.

A rapid reconnaissance and assessment was required.

Parsons was to discreetly locate the suspected meeting point of the dissident troublemakers and ascertain if the subject manuscript was present.

Use only minimal engagement, unless absolutely necessary.

It was convenient to partner with Emily.

Nicky Parsons told the boss she understood the mission.

Nicky did not have to wait all that long for Emily to arrive.

When Emily arrived, Parsons rang the boss again and confirmed to him that she and Emily were now together at the train station. They would now proceed to conduct surveillance on the subject premises.

After Nicky and Emily had studied the subject premises for a little while, Parson told Emily to ring the police and get them to attend at the location immediately.

Within a few minutes, several police arrived at the location.

There was quite a bit of excitement at the subject premises and Nicky saw the target male seeking to flee the premises.

Nicky then quickly made her way towards him and conveniently managed to trip him. Whilst he was on the ground, she relieved him of his bag, which contained the subject manuscript.

The police arrested the subject male and Nicky disappeared into the crowd which had now gathered.

On her way she saw Emily, grabbed her by the arm and said “Come with me”.

Emily obeyed and they made their way to the train station, with the bag and the manuscript.

Once at the train station Emily told Nicky which train they needed to catch to get home and how long she thought it would take.

Whilst waiting for their train to arrive, Nicky rang the boss again and gave him a cryptic message about having a package.

The boss said he would arrange for work colleagues to meet Emily and Nicky at their train station and drive them home.

Nicky ended the call with her boss just before their train arrived.

It was an incident free train ride back to their train station.

Outside their home train station a work car was waiting to drive them home.

Nicky left the bag and the manuscript in the work car.

Not long after Nicky and Emily arrived at the home of Emily, the boss rang and told Emily the manuscript they were seeking was now safe and secure.

The mission could be considered a success.

Nicky and Emily spent the rest of that Saturday at the home of Emily pleased that they had worked their first mission together and that it was a success. More than once they laughed about how a Nicky Parsons scatterbrain moment ended up facilitating a successful mission.

Nicky Parsons: The Parallel Universe Cold War Spy

 A Time-Bending Encounter

Nicky Parsons was immersed in a routine day, resplendent with mundane tasks at MI6 headquarters in London, England. Suddenly, a blinding flash of light engulfed her. When her vision cleared, she found herself in a bustling 1960s London café.

Disoriented, Nicky left the café and started walking around in the street of her new city.

Her mind was racing, panic temporarily set in, but as Nicky focussed on re-establishing her equilibrium, her composure was quickly regained. Nicky recognised the era, the fashion, the vintage cars. This was not a dream or a hallucination. She had been transported to the past, 1962, as she would discover.

A glance at her reflection in a nearby shop window confirmed the change in her appearance. Her 2020s attire was replaced by a sleek, 1960s-inspired outfit. It seemed the time-travel had not only transported her, but also altered her physical appearance to fit the era.

The Minor Key Café

Nicky walked in to the nearby Minor Key Café and ordered a cup of tea. As she sipped her tea, Nicky found familiarity in the layout of the café. The realisation dawned on her: she was a stranger in a strange land, yet this strange land was resplendent with familiarity for her. Nicky was a spy out of time and her adventure was just beginning.

As Nicky was drinking her tea, Emily from work entered the Minor Key Café and joined Nicky in her booth. Nicky told Emily that she was feeling a little light-headed and dizzy. Things seemed a bit off for her. Nicky asked Emily if she would walk home with Nicky to make sure she got home OK.

Emily said: “That would not be a problem, Nicky, and I will also give you my home telephone number, just in case you need some help once you get home.”

So far, so good, Nicky thought.

Once Nicky finished drinking her tea, she and Emily left the Minor Key Café and commenced the journey home. As it turned out, home was a fairly short walk from the Minor Key Café and Emily gave Nicky the impression she had previously visited the Parsons residence.

The joint walk home was uneventful for Emily. For Nicky, it was a curious mix of both new and familiar territory, and not just the landscape.

The Parsons Residence

Once they arrived at the Parsons residence, Emily said she could call in on Nicky around 8:00 am the following morning and they could travel to work together. Nicky said that was a great idea and she thanked Emily for her assistance.

Upon entering her residence, a modest London apartment, Nicky was again confronted with a curious mix of new and familiar surroundings. She was grateful for the arrival of Emily at the Minor Key Café to assist in the negotiation of travelling from the café to home in uncontroversial circumstances.

Nicky then spent a couple of hours acquainting herself with her apartment and curiously she seemed to know where everything was located. She was getting a strong sense that she had been transported to a parallel universe.

When she retired for the evening, Nicky slept sound, without interruption.

A New Day

Upon waking the next morning, Nicky was refreshed. Happily for her, getting dressed for work was instinctive, as was making breakfast for herself.

As arranged the previous evening, around 8:00 am Emily arrived at the Parsons residence to accompany Nicky to work. It was a pleasant walk to work for each of them. Nicky was more settled than she was the previous evening and she took more notice of her surroundings. She was confident she could make this journey on her own in future, if that was what the circumstances required.

MI6 Headquarters

By 8:30 am Emily and Nicky had arrived at MI6 headquarters, London. Emily accompanied Nicky to her office and then proceeded to her own office. The Nicky Parsons office and the whole workplace experience was more of the Déjà vu sensation for Nicky, but she also felt she was acclimatising. When it was time to attend the mid-afternoon team meeting, Nicky felt like she was getting the pace of the game and she was settling in to this new groove.

The Transition Challenge

2025 Nicky Parsons was adept at solving puzzles. She knew that the path to a solution could be informed by considering options not immediately apparent from the puzzle at hand. That 2025 Nicky Parsons was now in 1962 and she knew she had to transition to this new world.

Modern Nicky Parsons had consumed her share of sport and that might help transition to retro Nicky Parsons. Her new 1962 environment puzzle was much like a cyclist in a road race. She had already experienced muscle memory in negotiating her way around her apartment and it helped her become familiar with that environment. Visiting the dynamics of a cycling road race helped Nicky keep her equilibrium balanced, while she confronted the transition challenge.

She said to think of herself as being part of a cycling road race peloton. Ultimately everything in a road race evolves from the peloton. Sometimes a rider needed to go to the front and do the hard work of setting the pace and expending energy. Failing to take her turn at the front of the peloton could attract adverse attention, something she needed to avoid at all costs. At other times, she could rest in the peloton, conserving her energy and staying under the radar. Occasionally, she might even need to go back to the team car to gather supplies and information for her teammates.

So Nicky would treat this new environment challenge as though she was in a cycling road race and spend most of her time initially in the peloton, until she got the pace of the race, the pace of the game. Her years of training and experience would assist her muscle memory and would help Nicky find the rhythm of her new life.

Finding her new groove would also be aided by Emily, a friendly and helpful work colleague and someone whose company she enjoyed.

Fortunately for Nicky her first week in 1962 was mercifully free of missions. Nicky was grateful to endure the monotony and drear of conducting security checks, team meetings, strategy meetings, reading reports and other grunt work. It gave her time to see and feel how things operated in 1962, in less demanding circumstances.

When work was over for the week Nicky invited Emily to have dinner with her at the Minor Key Café, in part to close out the working week and in part to thank her for her assistance. Emily accepted the invitation and they ended their working week winding down over an enjoyable dinner.

It was Not All Smooth Sailing

The transition to 1962 life was not all smooth sailing for Nicky Parsons. On three (3) separate occasions in three (3) different shops Nicky Parsons asked for Low Fat Milk and the store staff remind her no such product exists. Each time Parsons realised the mistake she made and the need for her to concentrate more when buying milk in the future.

Nicky compounded her transition missteps when she went grocery shopping with Emily. Nicky expected to pay for her groceries by credit card. 1962 reality confronted Nicky when she was at the checkout and she realised she did not have enough cash on her for the purchase. Emily came to her rescue and paid for the Parsons groceries. Nicky subsequently paid Emily back.

Emily was proactive the next time they planned to go grocery shopping together after work. At morning tea that morning at work Emily asked Nicky if she had enough cash for the proposed grocery purchase. Grateful to Emily and a little embarrassed, Nicky said she would go to the bank at lunch time to make sure she had enough cash.

Emily said to Nicky: “For a smart girl, you forget the simplest of things.”

Nicky replied to Emily: “Lucky I have you to help me out.”

Confrontation with Mr Problem

It was an unremarkable Saturday morning. Nicky Parsons was seated alone, having breakfast at the Minor Key Café, as she liked it. With half of her breakfast finished, Nicky noticed Mr Problem, a wanted assassin, sitting at a nearby bus stop, seemingly alone. She gave a frustrated, internal groan and immediately placed her knife and fork on her plate.

In her training as a 2020s MI6 spy, Nicky Parsons learned of Mr Problem. That MI6 spy training education taught Nicky that 1962 Mr Problem was early in his career. Mr Problem went on to be a nightmare for MI6. Nicky instinctively concluded that if she took care of Mr Problem when he seemed vulnerable in that 1962 morning, she would prevent a subsequent nightmare. So, breakfast would have to wait, while she dealt with Mr Problem.

Nicky quietly walked outside the café to the bus stop, where she gently but firmly grabbed the arm of Mr Problem with her left hand and quietly said to him,

“Come for a walk with me.”

Her right hand had her firearm placed against his ribs.

Nicky quietly told Mr Problem, “You do not want to cause a scene.”

Mr Problem was persuaded to accompany Nicky to a nearby alleyway. A short, intense struggle ensued, which Nicky ended when she snapped the neck of Mr Problem.

As he was taking his final breath, Nicky said to Mr Problem,

“I just wanted to have my breakfast in peace.”

Nicky left the alleyway to go to a nearby public telephone box, where she rang MI6 headquarters and told them,

“A clean-up is required immediately in the alleyway beside the Minor Key Café.”

Nicky Parsons then returned to the Minor Key Café and finished her breakfast.

Welcome To The Terrordome

The Boiled Brew Café

A seemingly unremarkable evening was winding down for Mr Dresden Leipzig. He was out socialising with friends and as he was preparing to make his way home, alone, he called in to an eatery near the train station for a snack and a drink. Dresden was not exactly a regular at the Boiled Brew Café, but he had dined there enough to have some familiarity with the staff and the occasional patron.

As was customary for The Boiled Brew Café, the television was tuned to the news. Leipzig had finished his snack by the time the news broadcaster announced the result of the national election held earlier that day. Digesting the news of the new government was a lot more problematic for Leipzig than was digesting his Tofu Wrap. It is quite the understatement to say that the new government was not to his liking.

The news broadcast informed Dresden that the new government had immediately appointed the Chief of The Stasi and he will head the Climate Integrity Commission. The Chief of The Stasi announced that Climate Integrity Lines would be established immediately for members of the community to report instances of Climate Hoax activity and the location and any identifying details of Climate Hoaxers.

The heart of Dresden stopped. He was once a staunch and very public advocate of climate change and publicly advocated for “Deniers” to lose their rights and be subject to intense government and community scrutiny. Now Dresden was an infidel Climate Hoaxer, thanks to the change of government.

The news broadcaster announcing the message from the Chief of The Stasi:

• “We are coming for the Climate Hoaxers and we will not be taking any prisoners”.

kept repeating in the head of Dresden.

Someone at a table near the newly classified Infidel Dresden proclaimed loudly:

“Life is about to get very uncomfortable for Climate Hoaxers. Good.”

The news was a combination of a personal tsunami and earthquake for Dresden. He may have finished eating his food, but finishing his mug of chai tea was a challenging exercise. Dresden was torn between leaving immediately for home and staying and listening to the remainder of the news broadcast. He immediately hoped no one recognised him, although it seemed to him the pounding of his heart might drown out the audio of the television news.

Continuing the confronting news broadcast, The Chief of The Stasi went on to announce that a Climate Integrity Commission had been created and there would be a public awareness campaign, including billboards, posters and flyers, about the Climate Integrity Lines. Those people in the community who had relevant information about Climate Hoaxers were encouraged to use the Climate Integrity Lines to inform on and about Climate Hoaxers.

The political party Dresden did not want to win the national election was successful and they immediately kept their election promise: Those who had advocated for Climate Change and who advocate for Climate Change were now Infidels and those Climate Hoaxers were very much considered public enemies.

Dresden wanted to leave the eatery, but he could not move. He also wanted to stay and hear the rest of the news broadcast and to try to gauge the reaction of the eatery patrons to the news of the new government and its attitude to the newly created Infidels, Climate Hoaxers. His mind was running at a million kilometres an hour. He could not think straight.

Ultimately the subject news broadcast was short, yet earth-shattering for Dresden. His initial inability to move worked in his favour. He heard all of the relevant news broadcast and then the broadcast moved on to other inconsequential news.

The longer Leipzig remained at the Boiled Brew Café, the more he became aware of the positive attitude of other patrons of the eatery to the new government and the Climate Integrity Commission. Dresden was stunned that introduction of the Climate Integrity Lines was greeted with loud approval. He was not comfortable with what he was seeing and hearing and it was clear him engaging with any of the eatery patrons would not be a positive experience for him.

Dresden remained at the Boiled Brew Café for about another fifteen (15) minutes. He walked to the counter, paid for his meal and proceeded to the train station to make his way home.

That journey home was resplendent with thoughts of impending personal terror. Leipzig realised that there would be a digital record of his attendance at the Boiled Brew Café and possibly close circuit television video. There would definitely be video surveillance of his attendance at the train station and his train ride home.

What does he do about his employment on Monday? he thought. Does he turn up and risk being revealed to the authorities as an Infidel? Does he stay home? His absence from work will draw attention to him. Does he try to run and create something of a new life somewhere else?

Unbeknown to Leipzig, after he left the Boiled Brew Café one of its other patrons was skimming through a somewhat dated magazine provided by the eatery while he ate the meal he had ordered. That magazine had a Climate Change Advocacy article by Leipzig. That patron realised Leipzig had been in attendance at the eatery earlier in the evening. It was clear the patron was no friend of Leipzig. He started making notes about the article and the attendance of Leipzig at the Boiled Brew Café that evening, fully intending to subsequently use the Climate Integrity Lines to inform on Leipzig.

The new world was taking shape and it was one that offered no comfort to Dresden Leipzig.

Workplace Reaction

The next day, Sunday, management of the data analysis firm that employs Dresden Leipzig had something of a crisis meeting in response to the election of a new national government and the establishment of the Climate Integrity Commission. There was no resistance proffered to the suggestion that all climate change related work be stopped. It was not a significant amount in financial terms and management thought the business could endure the loss of that income while replacement income generating work was sought.

Somewhat surprisingly management took a benevolent view of Dresden Leipzig.  He was the only staff member of the firm that did climate change related analysis work. Apart from that work, management thought he did other work of value for the firm, so ending his employment was not necessary at this time.

That situation would be reassessed should the Climate Integrity Commission focus its attention upon him. The attitude of management was much less benevolent when pondering that hypothetical scenario.

On Monday, the first work day after the election of the new national government, workplace chatter at the data analysis firm was almost exclusively about the new government and the Climate Integrity Commission. A staff member already had a war story about someone they knew who had appeared before court charged with being a climate hoaxer. Naturally they were convicted and ordered to be microchipped and forced to submit to digital ID. The surveillance web site was already in operation.

No staff member was interested in being part of that cohort which was subject to surveillance and no one was speaking favourably about Dresden Leipzig. The staff were quite content to view him as an Infidel, due to his climate change work and advocacy. He was now most definitely an outcast and friendless in his workplace. If Dresden chose to attend work subsequent to the election, a hostile workplace would greet him.

The Legislative Powers of The Chief of The Stasi

By the time those staff members had arrived at work The Chief of The Stasi had already publicly announced that he has the power to draft and create valid legislation. Relevantly he did so in respect of Climate Hoaxers. His legislation denies the Hoaxers a right to a criminal law trial. They may get a trial, but they do not have a right to a trial. The arresting or apprehending Stasi Sandman (the police of the Climate Integrity Commission) has the discretion / power to decide if the Infidel should get a trial.

Those Stasi Sandmen were already well into their work. Vogel Heidlemeir was an otherwise unremarkable adult male having lunch at the Trance Cafeteria. Vogel noticed the wife of his good friend Creole Endicott in the company of another man, who was clearly not her husband. The observant Vogel did not contact Endicott, he immediately contacted The Climate Integrity Commission and made a complaint that the “cheating wife” was a Climate Hoaxer. Within minutes a Stasi Sandman attended upon the scene and arrested the “cheating wife” and transported her for micro-chipping and Digital ID.

By midday The Chief of The Stasi had publicly announced the apprehension and prosecution of the adultress as a Climate Hoaxer. There was no mention of her infidelity. All that was needed was an allegation that she was a Climate Hoaxer.

The Chief of The Stasi emphasised justice in the new regime would be swift and brutal for Climate Hoaxers.

Justice: Climate Stasi Style

While Dresden was ruminating upon whether to attend work, an unrelated random Infidel was arrested for the crime of making a climate hoax statement in public. He was promptly arrested and brought before the court. When his case was ultimately brought on, he was allowed to have legal representation. His court-imposed punishment was that he would be microchipped and have to have a Digital ID.

Dresden decided to attend his work. That train ride to work was fatal to the life of freedom Dresden previously enjoyed. Seemingly no one noticed Dresden on his train ride home from the Boiled Brew Café Saturday night. That was in stark contrast to this train trip to work. Lots of fellow commuters seemed to recognise him and they were happy to let all and sundry know about it. His fellow train travellers made furious use of their mobile telephones to access the Climate Integrity Lines with telephone calls, text messages and photographs relating to Dresden. He knew there was nothing he could do to escape this new found infamy. Dresden now felt trapped in the new regime.

Notification to the Stasi Sandmen was immediate and they boarded the train to apprehend Dresden before he arrived at work.

News of the arrest of Dresden Leipzig made the mid-morning news and it came to the attention of at least one work colleague, who in turn contacted the Climate Integrity Lines and shared with them the involvement of Dresden in Climate Change Advocacy.

Dresden Leipzig was taken from the train directly to the Court. While he was sitting in the dock of the court waiting for his case to be heard, he watched and heard all of the proceedings of the random Infidel arrested for the crime of making a climate hoax statement in public.

When his turn came to be dealt with by the court, Leipzig was not allowed to have legal representation and all of his previous statements were used as irrefutable evidence against him. The Judge told Leipzig the overwhelming nature of the evidence against him meant he was not entitled to legal representation.

The Prosecutor assigned to the Dresden Leipzig case had earlier endorsed the sentiments that Infidel Leipzig ought not be entitled to legal representation, due to the overwhelming nature of the evidence against him.

That Prosecutor informed the Court that a significant amount of the evidence against Leipzig was a product of citizens loyal to the regime using the Climate Integrity Lines to inform about Leipzig. Emphasised by the Prosecutor was the fact that the data analysis work of Leipzig, for which he was seemingly paid well, ought to have alerted him to the truth, that the Climate Change narrative and campaign was a hoax and based on fraud and manipulation. But Leipzig was a zealot and he pursued the Climate Change advocacy for his own political satisfaction.

Also emphasised often by the Prosecutor to the Judge was that Leipzig The Infidel had often publicly advocated for “Deniers” to lose their rights and be subject to intense government / community scrutiny. Leipzig was not a casual advocate for the Climate Change regime, he was an unapologetic and unrepentant zealot. More than once the Prosecutor submitted to the Judge that Leipzig ought be shown no mercy.

It was apparent to all present in Court that when the Prosecutor spoke to the Judge about Leipzig, he did so with disdain and contempt. Nothing about the reaction of the Judge to the submissions of the Prosecutor indicated that the Judge disagreed with that disdain and contempt.

Dresden could hardly believe this new world into which he had seemingly been transported and it certainly was not registering with him that this was the very world for which he had been advocating for people he considered not worthy. His self-awareness was currently registering at less than zero.

In his closing submissions to the Judge, the Prosecutor took some time to emphasise that a significant portion of the evidence against Leipzig was due to fine, upstanding, loyal citizens using the Climate Integrity Lines for their intended purpose, to provide information, intelligence and evidence about Infidels such as Leipzig.

On more than one occasion the Prosecutor commented to the Judge that the evidence compiled against Leipzig and his subsequent prosecution was the system implemented by the new regime working as intended.

The Judge took no issue with any of the submissions of the Prosecutor.

The Court heard no submissions from Dresden. It was apparent to Dresden nothing constructive could be said in his defence.

Dresden Leipzig was convicted of being a Climate Hoaxer and all of those “incriminating” statements were ordered to be placed on his formal record for future reference.

In sentencing Dresden, the Judge said to him coldly:

 “Mr Leipzig, This is your ideology. This is the world you wanted.”