Q

[0_0_7]

Bond always felt for Q when they had to fly, but there was no other option. The pair took a flight from London to Algiers, but Bond insisted on a truck from there.

Somewhere on the edge of the desrt there was a plant. Chemical shipments were tracked and trucks with munitions had been seen leaving the area. There was a hotel in a small village, the last bit of civilization for a while, and Bond secured a room for he and Q.

"If you set up your system, I'll go find us some food. I'm sure I'll need to leave before dawn, so long as you do your part," Bond told the boffin as he put down a case and popped it open to reveal a massive sniper rifle.

Comments

[cuppa_q]

Q settled on the bed and started to set up his laptop.

"It wont take me very long to get online," he assured the double-o, still looking just a bit rattled from the flight.

[0_0_7]

"It never does. I doubt there are delivery options, so I'll be right back with food. As soon as you're online let me know if we have new intel from Tanner."

In the field, Bond was all business. He had a job to do, he was charged with something today that would not only keep England secure, but also the rest of the world. His posture was straight and square, as was the set of his jaw. He looked like a bomb just waiting to be detonated.

[cuppa_q]

"Of course, double-o-seven," Q replied dryly, a hint of sarcasm in his tone. The boffin tended to be far less formal in the field. "Bring me tea if they have any?"

[0_0_7]

Bond grunted and gave a nod, then closed the case and left it behind.

It took him quite a while. A suspiciously long time. But he did come back with take away and a thermos of tea.

"Online?" he asked, smiling warmly. He reeked of alcohol but he didn't seem drunk.

[cuppa_q]

Q noticed, raising a brow.

"I am. Tanner has sent some more intel, I've forwarded it to your device."

[0_0_7]

Bond put the food on the table and opened the box. Rich spice perfumed the air.

"I'm not sure, exactly, what this is. My Berber is rusty," he said. He began unpacking and was quiet for a moment.

"It's absolutely a weapons factory," he continued. "I got that much. Aziz said his brother was taken by soldiers in a truck and now he's forced labor, processing chemical weapons."

He ate a bite of meat and rice, looking to Q, then gesturing to the food.

[cuppa_q]

Q examined the table, then took a dish and dug in- Before taking the tea as well. Tea was vital to his work.

"Infiltration will be difficult. Very little digital surveillance, but satellite surveillance shows a large amount of armed guards."

[0_0_7]

"And there's barely any cover," Bond nodded. "But there's a convoy taking a shipment into the complex in the morning. Aziz says that while there are plenty of guards, security is lax because nothing has ever happened to make them cautious," he said. "Aziz said a lot of things with a few drinks in him."

[cuppa_q]

"Mmm, I did wonder where you'd been," Q replied.

"You're planning on sneaking in via the shipment then?" the boffin asked between bites.

[0_0_7]

Bond nodded.

"I'll hide in one of the trucks. If luck's on my side, I'll get through. Then I can take care of it. I'll need you in my ear. I'm not thrilled about going in with grainy satellite images and the word of a drunk Berber."

[cuppa_q]

"I'll not be much help, I'm afraid. The best I can do is try and tap into their coms- But on short wave radio I'll need to be closer," Q noted.

[0_0_7]

Bond was chewing and looked at Q when he said that.

"That's a terrible idea," he said, mouth half full.

[cuppa_q]

"You have a better suggestion?" Q replied, raising a brow.

[0_0_7]

"No. I just wanted to be sure you were aware," he said.

"I have a feeling getting in will be a lot easier than getting out."

[cuppa_q]

"I'll do my best to avoid getting in the way. I'll stay as far from the area as I'm able," Q assured him.

[0_0_7]

"Are you going to drink all the tea by yourself?" he asked.

[cuppa_q]

"I might be convinced to share," Q smiled, pouring James a cup.

[0_0_7]

"How very civilized," Bond smiled, sipping his cup. It wasn't Earl Grey, but it went well with the food.

"You should get some sleep soon. It'll be an early morning."

[cuppa_q]

"I assume you don't intend to sleep at all," Q noted.

[0_0_7]

"I don't think I can, but I'd planned to lay down," he said. "I'll try not to be a bother."

[cuppa_q]

"I wish you'd rest," Q said softly. "I worry."

[0_0_7]

"Worry about what, Q?" Bond asked. He genuinely didn't know why a few days without sleep would be a problem.

[cuppa_q]

"You need to be sharp. You're not getting younger, Bond," Q said- And it was hard to tell if he was being concerned or provoking.

[0_0_7]

"Neither are you," he shot back, bristling a bit. "I said I'd rest. Why do you think I sleep so well at home? So I appreciate it more when I'm facing death at the edge of the Sahara."

He ate the last bit and packed up his trash.

"I'm going to bed now, since you're so worried," Bond grumbled petulantly.

[cuppa_q]

"Don't be like that," Q said, closing his laptop and putting it aside.

"Don't be like that," he said again, getting up and slipping his arms around the other man.