Agents Universe

First read:
Aliens, Milk, and Blood - The London Outbreak Part 1

12:16 Piotr_Kruschev: I hang up the phone with Ronnie, and consult my list. Ah yes, next one on the list is a fat little toad, Davey. He hangs out at the Hare and Rabbit. What a fucking crazy assed name for a bar. These Limeys, they ain't right in the head.

I whistle a happy tune as I drive my SUV through London traffic heading to the next stop. Apparently this guy Davey has been getting cold feet. Whining about one of his clients going psycho. Time to heat them up again. Or else. Fuck, I love my job.

I wedge my car into a tight parking space, nudging the teeny little cars behind and in front to make space. I get out, and walk around the corner. Then I stop, acting casual, leaning against a wall, pretending to check my phone.

There are a couple of fucking pigs hanging around outside, along with an ambulance and some bastard in cuffs. There ain't no police lines or shit, so I pretend to be looking at my phone as I casually saunter across the street, trying to get with hearing distance. I wanna know what the fuck went down, and whether or not Davey needs my attention.

10:01 PC_Wayne_Lewis: I keep a careful eye on Aaron. He's a good cop, he's an excellent partner, and I couldn't ask for a better mate, but I'm worried... that he's getting a bit too personally involved with this suspect. I can understand why. But I think he and I are going to have to have a talk about it later. He should know better than to get personally involved.

I listen as he explains the situation to the paramedic. The Paramedic has a dubious look on his face as he replies but doesn't argue. He shrugs, "Well, however the fuck he managed it, it's the first time I've seen it done. You want his intake number?" The paramedic referred to the man with the gut wound, scribbling it out on a piece of paper and handing to Aaron.

While Aaron and the paramedic are chatting, I scan the surroundings, out of habit and long training. I frown as a BFU (Big Fucking Unit) meanders across the street. Holy mother fuck... his muscles have muscles.. He's goddamned massive. He's not paying attention, and wandering right next to us. I'm about to warn him off, but then Aaron throws me a question.

I turn to face him, "Well, I'm no psychiatrist or doctor, so I have no idea if you are right about that. Agree though, we should try to keep him sane. How do we plan to get two suspects back to the station with only one car between us? Call a taxi?" I suppose at that, one of us could call a taxi. It's pretty non-standard.. But then, this whole day has been fucking whacked.

10:50 Piotr_Kruschev: I catch the tail end of a conversation.. and I can just hear Davey's name mentioned. I gather he is in one of the ambulances. Well. Looks like Davey might just get a visit from a long-lost relative to help ease his suffering while he's in hospital.

13:01 PC_Aaron_Mitchell: I smile at Wayne, "I'm guessing no other cars are available, which is... you know typical." I sigh as I look across. "I'd normally take them both back in the car, but considering that this one in the car is still fucking crazy I don't want them talking."

"I can imagine the Uber drivers' reaction if I drop him in the back of an Uber, especially with him... us.. .covered in blood... oh and milk."

"So who doesn't mind blood and bad smells." I say turning to the paramedic. "Don't suppose you can drop us off somewhere can you?" I smile broadly. "I mean... we are both emergency services."

10:01 PC_Wayne_Lewis: I sniff the air, grinning at Aaron. "Ah yes, the delicious scent of sour milk and fresh blood."

10:01 Paramedic_Rick_DeSouza: I do a double take as I realize the officer has just asked me to be his taxi driver. "What?? I've got to get these casualties back to the hospital. I'm not a fucking uber driver. If you want to go to the hospital, then I can take you there I guess. But hurry up and make up your mind man."

10:01 PC_Wayne_Lewis: I ask up, "What hospital are you taking him to?"

10:01 Paramedic_Rick_DeSouza: "The Royal London."

10:01 PC_Wayne_Lewis: "Perfect. That's only a few blocks from the station. I'll drop off our first suspect, then come to the hospital and pick the both of you up. That work?"

10:50 Piotr_Kruschev: I've heard what I need. But now, I've got another concern. Davey was already getting cold feet. But after this fuck-up, he might actually talk to the pigs. I sure as hell don't want that. I head back to my car, bumping some more fenders on my way out of my space. Headed for the Royal London.

13:54 PC_Aaron_Mitchell: I look at the Paramedic. "What... the amount of times we have to do medical treatment on scene because you're late because your latte wasn't half-fat and soy enough... yeah I'm sure you can give me a lift."

Turning back to Aaron I nod. "I'll meet you there. Stay safe."

I jump into the ambulance and take the soldier in with me and sit him down. I look at him. "You doing okay?"

10:01 Paramedic_Rick_DeSouza: His attitude made me fucking angry. "Where the fuck do you come off pulling that kinda shit on me? You have any idea what today has been like? I've been busting my balls all day long, dealing with incidents like this one. Some drugged out whack job gone on the rampage. I've seen some shit today, let me tell you. This ain't even the worst. If you want a lift, then lay off the attitude and let me do my job."

10:01 PC_Wayne_Lewis: I look over at Aaron in just a bit of shock. What the fuck brought that on? We were definitely gonna have to have a talk later. Now was not the time. I nod at Aaron, "Stay safe partner." I get in the car and drive towards the station with a whack job in the backseat screaming, pleading for the Aliens not to eat him. Oh yeah. This was not a good day.

10:50 Ronald_DeFoe: I zone out the words, and just focus. Focus on the sound of his voice. I imagine that he's my Sergeant, I mean before he was killed. I latch onto the sound of his voice. Eventually, he leads me into the back of the ambulance. I look over once, and my face goes grey... there is Davey, all swathed up in bandages, lying in a stretcher with paramedics fussing over him.

That was me. That was my fault. I look away, shame and guilt threatening to drown me. I look up, realizing the Officer was talking to me. I meet his eyes. No. I'm not doing okay. This is hell, and there is no escape. But in situations like this, you don't tell the truth. Never. So I said, "Fine."

14:28 PC_Aaron_Mitchell: I look at the paramedic and put my hand out. "Hey.. I was actually joking with you. I didn't realise your day had just been as bad as ours, okay."

"I'm sorry, we'd had a bad day and I was trying to lighten it a bit. If you've had a shite day then... you know what ... I appreciate the lift."

Turning to the suspect I nod, understanding. "Yes. I know."

I put my head back onto the ambulance wall as it drives off as I look at the paramedic. "Your day been shite as well, my partner tried to save a life at the Tesco's in Covent garden, he didn't succeed. Then this. We've just had a fucking shit day as well. No hard feelings?"

10:01 Paramedic_Rick_DeSouza: I didn't hold grudges. Wasn't in my character. And I realized my reaction had been over the top. "Hey look Officer, I'm the one who needs to apologize. Sorry mate. I've been run so fucking ragged today I can't even tell the difference between a joke and a put down. I'm not usually so clueless. It's all good man. It's been a rough day for all of us. It's all over the fucking news... like the city is going batshit crazy. I hope you boys nail the bastards handing out this shit. It ain't good."

14:55 PC_Aaron_Mitchell: "I had a fight in the milk aisle of Tesco," I say looking at him. "That sums up my day. It's also never a sentence that I've said before."

I put my head back, getting a couple of minutes of relaxation before the ambulance pulls up at the hospital. "Right come on Anglian. Lets get you some fresh air and let your friend get the medical attention he needs."

He looked at the paramedic and put his hand out. "Stay safe today."

10:01 Paramedic_Rick_DeSouza: I spare a grin for the Officer. He wasn't a bad sort. Before long, I pull up at the hospital. I climb out of the Ambulance, and open the back, starting to help get the men into the emergency room. I spare a moment to give the Officer a hand shake. "Hey, you too Officer."

10:50 Ronald_DeFoe: I get out of the Ambulance with the officer. I focus ... focus hard on his voice. If I can just stay in the moment... avoid those memories... maybe... maybe I can find one moment of peace. Is that too much to fucking ask?

10:01 PC_Wayne_Lewis: As I pull up at the station, the place is a madhouse. I can tell at a glance they've called in a lot of off duty personnel. They only do that when shit is really hitting the fan.

I make my way to the booking desk. Fuck... the queue is massive, and most of the suspects look like gibbering wrecks. I can't wait. I hail one of the Sergeants. I take a moment to explain the situation. At first, he looks like he's going to object. "Is this another one that's cracked? Temporary holding is overflowing with 'em." I nod.

He sighs. "Fine. Get back to Aaron. I'll watch him until you get back. And I need you both to attend a briefing in 45 minutes. MI6 is sending over one of their Agents to clue us in on what the fuck is going on. At least the fucking bastards aren't charging in and taking over like they did last time. Though... to be honest, not sure I'd turn them down."

I reply, "Thanks Sarge!! We owe you one. We'll make that briefing."

Then, I rush back to the squad car, realizing I still haven't cleaned the blood off my hands, and make my way the few blocks back to the Royal.

And there, on the curb is Aaron, white milk stains on his uniform with the suspect that he's taking a shining to next to him.

15:44 PC_Aaron_Mitchell: I lean on the car as Aaron pulls up and I look inside. "And they say there isn't a police officer around when you need one," I smile and then bundle the suspect into the back seat.

I get into the front of the car. "I should have gotten the paramedic to take a look at my side," I say as I wince slightly and lean down to the glove compartment and pulls out a bottle of water and drink it.

"We're not the only one having a bad day, it seems, there's quite a few people going crazy."

"Shower?"

10:01 PC_Wayne_Lewis: I chuckle at Aaron as he climbs into the car, getting the suspect arranged in the back seat. The guy looks whipped. Well... at least he is sane enough to realize what he did. I sigh.

"Wait till you get to the station Aaron, it's a fucking madhouse. They are calling in off duty officers, and the queue for booking.. Holy shit. The city is going crazy. Never seen anything like it."

Then I sniff, "Please take a shower. I beg you. In the meantime, roll down your window. I swear, you have put me off milk for at least a fortnight with that reek."

"I'll book our guys while you shower, then we have to be at a briefing in ..." I check my watch, "30 minutes. Some bigwig from MI6 is going to fill us in on what the fuck is happening. Sarge wants us both there."

I pull away from the hospital just as another Ambulance pulls up. I shake my head at the chaotic scene, driving us back to the Station.

16:36 PC_Aaron_Mitchell: “We need the dealer at the hospital to wake up and give CID some intel on where these are coming from.”

“So if it’s MI6 I have to put on a new shirt as well.” I smile. “I don’t think we’ve got the manpower to deal with all the crazy that’s going on right now. Let alone this and a normal day job. Because firearms are not meant to just do random pickups like this.”

“And no pub tonight. This is going to be nice overtime anyway. That should help towards your savings anyway. So small silver lining!”

10:01 AgentJamesMason: I pulled up outside Scotland Yard, and quickly made my way into the main lobby, passing security with a quick flash of my pass. The Commissioner was waiting to greet me. "Agent Mason, a pleasure to meet you. I only wish it was under better circumstances." I smiled and shook his hand, suppressing a sigh. We were stretched thin, too thin, dealing with a major situation. Somehow, the Syndicate had managed to get their hands on one of our top secret databases containing the identities and postings of a fair whack of our undercover operatives.

Our office in London was down to a skeleton crew as we struggled to coordinate a massive ex-filtration effort to get those compromised agents to safety. We just didn't have time for this. But I had to make time. Clearly, the Syndicate was behind this, which made it my problem, just like they had been a few years ago when we had moved to take out their operation. And again in Minneapolis, where I had met my lover, Kyle Byrne.

I entered the room and went over my briefing again. This time, the Metropolitan Police would have to shoulder the heavy lifting for rooting out the operation, and fast. We might have to get the SAS involved as well.

10:01 PC_Wayne_Lewis: I stepped out of the car as we drove into the Station car park, "That was a lucky find, actually being able to ID one of the dealers. He'll be worth his weight in gold. You'll need a new shirt ... and some deodorant."

I shrugged at the mention of no pub. "Ah well. Hopefully they will let us sleep at least at some point. I'm already dead exhausted." I wink at him, "But that means you have to put up with me for a while longer, rookie. No go hit the showers, I'll take care of the suspect."

I laugh, and head into the station, escorting the suspect who looked down and shuffled along quietly. The Sarge let me jump to the head of the queue so I could make the briefing, and I quickly filled out the paperwork and got both our suspects booked and handed over.

I popped over to the toilet then, and finally washed the blood off my hands, the memory of that dead woman haunting me, stabbing me in my gut like a twisted knife, followed by the slaughterhouse that had been the Pub. And to think ... this was going down all over London. My hands were shaking as I dried them off, and I hummed a tune to myself to keep my mind from dwelling on unwanted thoughts. Stay focused Wayne. In the present. Be here now.

I headed off to find Aaron and get to that briefing.

17:37 PC_Aaron_Mitchell: I take my clothes off and stick them in a large laundry bag, I'd get those done later, and go into the shower, letting the water run over me, my hand had a massive red line down the center, and my side is covered in dried blood.

I let the water run over me, getting rid of most of the dirt at least from the day, but I thought when I left response to come to firearms that these type of days would be over, but apparently not.

It's about ten minutes later when I go back to the locker room and dry off and put on my spare uniform, and getting some spare body armour and putting that on. Since it's probably going to be a long night, I take the opportunity to shave again, since unlike when I was on response, I should be clean shaven, since we have a larger, more visible role in London.

The losing of people was a tonne easier for me than for Wayne, he'd not lived through ten years in the army, so blood and losing casualties still affected him, still he was my probation officer for the first three months on firearms, and he was still a good guy, but he wasn't tough in the army sense, but he was a darn good police officer.

I head into the briefing room and grab a coffee on the way in.

I looked around, no one from MI6 was here yet, only uniform. "Do we have to bow when they turn up," I say to lighten the mood. "Or salute three times."

10:01 PC_Wayne_Lewis: I look up from my seat as I hear someone enter, and turn to spy Aaron coming in. I take a deep sniff as he comes bearing a coffee. I've got one of my own already, in an attempt to battle the exhaustion. "Not a hint of milk. What a relief!"

The Sergeant gives Aaron a level look as he makes his quip, then replies with a wry grin, "You have to drop to your knees and kiss their feet."

I nearly snort some coffee up my nose, as I start to laugh. I'm definitely feeling a bit punch drunk. It wasn't THAT funny.

10:01 AgentJamesMason: My notes in order, I head towards the briefing room, just behind another uniformed officer. I overhear his little joke and the Sergeant's reply.

I can only imagine the hellish day many of these officers have had. I adjust my shirt, and stride in, grinning at the men as I move to the front of the room. I turn to scan the officers seated, most of them nursing a coffee. It was getting late, and they all knew that it might be a long evening before they hit their kip.

I spotted the Officer who had made the joke, nodded at him , reading his name off his tag, replying, "Your sarge is right of course, normally I'd expect you to kneel and kiss my feet, but in your case... PC Aaron, you can suck my dick."

I said it with an absolutely straight face. The guffaws that broke out all around us were just what the men needed to help ease some of the tension of today's events.

I pull out a sheaf of papers from my briefcase, and lay it down on the table. I waited for the laughter to die down, then spoke up, "All right gentlemen, I'm sure many of you will be wondering what the fuck is going on." With these men, I deliberately took on a more casual tone of address. I wasn't going to try and use any fancy words or be polite, they would appreciate straight, direct talk more than any attempts to come across as a holier-than-thou professional.

"As many of you recall, there was an outbreak similar to this several years ago. However, the ramp up of incidents during the last outbreak was much slower, and we had plenty of time to respond. This time around, it's gone from 0 to 60 without any warning. So, let's get some facts out on the table. The Syndicate have created a drug, known by the street name B. I won't bore you with the scientific name. The point is this drug is highly addictive, provides a smooth, clean bliss-filled high with very little side effects, except for one very big side effect.

In about 10 percent of users, the drug causes a psychotic break. This psychotic break is usually permanent. We still have an entire ward at a mental institution devoted to the surviving victims of the last outbreak.

The Syndicate have attempted to push this drug on London before, but MI6 nipped that in the bud." I didn't mention that it was me personally who infiltrated their organization last time, killing the Syndicate's representative in the process. It wasn't relevant. "Then, they tried it again in America, in Minneapolis, with unfortunately greater success. Though with our help, the Americans did finally get to the bottom of it. The Syndicate appear to have two purposes behind their campaign to push their drug.

First, it funds their activities. And second, it sows a massive amount of social instability, which they are very good at taking advantage of.

There is, however, some good news. The Syndicate are the only suppliers of the drug, which means we only need to find a single source to shut them down. In the past, they tend to send in a team to infiltrate the existing criminal organizations and take them over. If we can find that team and deal with them, we stand a good chance of ending this current crisis. Unfortunately, due to other issues, MI6 does not have the manpower to assist the Metropolitan Police force. However, if necessary, the Government will impose martial law to control the situation. But the social and economic cost of such a solution would be enormous. So it's up to you gentlemen to nip this in the bud.

My suggestion, although I'm sure you've already thought of this yourselves, is to find a dealer who has been in contact with the distributor of this drug, and follow him back to the source. That's where you will no doubt find the Syndicate contact behind all this. Any questions?"

11:16 PC_Aaron_Mitchell: I look up at the guy as he makes a joke and with a perfectly straight face say. "Don't ask for things that your ass can't cash, sir." He was actually fairly good looking admittedly, but I wasn't serious, anything to take a small joke after the day we've had so far.

"Just a couple of things to add to your statement, sir. PC Aaron Mitchell, SCO19." I add at the end when he asks for questions. "We have in detention a soldier, formerly of the Royal Anglian Regiment. He was involved in an assault and GBH incident in a pub in central London earlier on today, where he killed one, and stabbed two others while under the effects of the drug. He attempted to stab myself as well, but I was able to get him to focus on his former military service in order to get him to come back to reality. Therefore it looks like it's not always permanent. It just maybe requires specific triggers to get them back to reality... or semi-reality at least."

"Secondly, the drug dealer who sold him the drug was one of the people stabbed in the incident, my partner and I were able to stabilise him before the ambulance crew arrived, he's at the Royal London currently. It's likely he may be able to give you more intelligence on where he bought it from if he was supplying."

"No surname, but he has a first name of Davey, which is probably zero help since at least 20% of drug dealers are called that, but the hospital will have him probably in surgery currently removing my superglue and stitching him up."

"That info better than getting your dick sucked, sir?"

10:01 AgentJamesMason: I listen carefully as PC Aaron Mitchell speaks up.

When he finishes, I nod, with a brief smile. He was a very good looking man, rough and ready. I honestly wouldn't mind him sucking my cock, if it came to it. But there were more important things to worry about just now.

"That is good news. Probably even better than getting my dick sucked. Sounds like you gentlemen are on the ball with this whole situation. Just to be clear, I'm not running this show. I'm here in an advisory capacity only for the current crisis. As for your suspect that recovered from his psychotic break, it can happen, but only rarely. As you have rightly guessed, the ability to break free from the psychotic episode seems to be connected to ... for lack of a better phrase ... the victim's strength of will."

"If I were you, I'd post a guard on that dealer you found and question him as soon as he's awake. He might mean the difference between a rapid conclusion to this whole mess or martial law. I don't think the Government is going to endure the current state of affairs for long. Of course, that's just my advice. Sergeant?"

I step back, handing control of the briefing back to the duty Sergeant, and gruff, capable man.

12:23 PC_Aaron_Mitchell: "I'm sorry... did you just say martial law?" I asked. "Bringing in the army to do our jobs. I'm ex army, I like soldiers, but do you seriously think that is necessary." It wasn't a question, it was just a statement of surprise that this was going to be that bad.

But I turn to the sergeant. "Do you want Wayne and I to head back to the hospital and get some sleep... sorry I mean Guard duty... on the dealer?"

"Because I'm running out of uniforms today for being out on the street getting milked on."

10:01 AgentJamesMason: I turn to look at the men in the room, exchanging glances with the Sergeant. "How long do you think you and your men can operate at this capacity? If this outbreak isn't cut off at the source, and quickly, martial law will be our only option. We still haven't finalized the numbers yet, but there have been well over two hundred incidents today in the greater London metropolitan area linked to B, and about twice that number of civilian casualties. Emergency services are, to say the least, strained."

10:01 PC_Wayne_Lewis: I listen to the Q&A intently, and the scenario the MI6 Agent paints is grim. I take another sip of coffee as Aaron asks the Sergeant his question, then nearly choke on it at his answer, stifling a grin. I'm definitely way past punch drunk.

The Sergeant gives Aaron an amused look, "Get on then you too. Keep an eye on him. The rest of you, dismissed. Thanks Agent Mason, we'll let you know if we need anything else."

10:01 AgentJamesMason: I nod at the Sergeant, gather my papers, then turn to leave, giving PC Aaron Mitchell and his partner, choking on his coffee, a nod and a grin. I like Aaron. He seems very capable, quick witted. And while totally irrelevant, also good looking.

13:37 PC_Aaron_Mitchell: I glance over at Mason and smile back at him, I can tell when someone is looking at me in that way, it helps that Mason is fairly good looking as well, and I'm single. I don't like thinking of myself as single, I still sometimes think of myself as being with Jason, but I am single and I know it.

Then I turn and slap Wayne on the shoulder, "Right, come on lets go to the hospital. We can take turns watching him and getting sleep. you look like you need it."

"Drink more coffee and coke, that's what I did for like 15 months in Afghanistan. You get used to it. At least we get to sit in a nice quiet hospital room for the night."

I turn and head out of the room, heading down towards the cars to go to the hospital.

14:04 Piotr_Kruschev: I arrive at the Royal London, and lounge against my car, with a good view of the emergency drop off. I'm rewarded as before long the Ambulance pulls up, dropping off Davey, and to my surprise and curiosity, one of the pigs that had been hanging around outside that shitty little bar. Not really bothered with him though. I wanted to be sure I knew where Davey was. I wanted to have a little ... chat with him, and make sure he wasn't gonna blab.

I head back to my car, and drive off, cutting a few people off. They honk at me angrily, it just makes me smile. I arrive outside the warehouse the Syndicate set me up with to manage this show. I grab some gear, including a nice little Glock, fitted with a silencer. I put on some fancy duds, some black slacks, and a brown sporty coat. It had a real nice inside pocket to keep my Glock hidden out of view.

Time to head back to the hospital now. Davey is probably out of surgery or whatever. Time for him to get a visit from his brother.

I pull up back outside the Royal London, then head into reception, a charming smile replacing the normal ice cold stare I use for intimidation. Sometimes you need to use some honey to catch your flies.

10:01 PC_Wayne_Lewis: I grin, "Gonna take a fucking shit ton of coffee and coke to keep me awake. Let's go then."

I head down to our car, and slide into the driver seat. I'm focused on driving, but even so, some of the images I've seen today... try to barge their way into my consciousness. But now is not the time. Later. I can sort it out later.

I turn to Aaron as we pull up outside the hospital, "Luckily, I kept the intake number for our pal Davey, courtesy of the Paramedic. Let's keep our contact safe."

It doesn't take long, a quick conversation with the receptionist, showing them our badge and warrant authorizing us to guard the patient, and they told us "Ah yes, David Warrington. He's in room 301."

I thank the receptionist, and Aaron and I head up to the third floor. The staff look harried, and their are quite a lot of people on stretchers. The hospital was beyond doubt far busier than normal. We arrive just outside door 301, "Ah here we are partner, our hotel room for the night."

14:30 PC_Aaron_Mitchell: I settle down into the chair outside the room and look at Wayne as I adjusted my rifle to have it across my chest.

"We could have a competition to see how quickly you can field strip your rifle and put it back together. I'd give you a head start," I smile as I sit back in the chair. "I mean this guy could join in, but he doesn't look awake." I nod to Davey inside the room.

"Hey... do you think that MI6 bloke was coming on to me, I saw him looking at me."

10:01 PC_Wayne_Lewis: I settle down on the chair next to him. We'd been issued permission to carry our firearms on this assignment. I adjusted my own strap across my chest as I settled down.

"You might have all that fancy training as a Para, Aaron, but that's a contest you'd lose." I smile at him. I was half-joking. But I'd trained and drilled hard in the care and operation of my Sig Sauer SG516 sub-machine rifle, until I could field strip it in my sleep.

I continue, "There is no doubt he was coming on to you. I saw that look in his eyes. And who could blame him?" I winked at Aaron. Aaron knew I thought he was a very hot man. "And did you see his build? There's no way he has a desk job, not with a body like that."

I hear footsteps coming down the hall.

10:01 Piotr_Kruschev: Smoothly, I walked into the lobby. There, just ahead of me, I saw two pigs talking with the receptionist. A coincidence? I thought not. I stayed behind them, out of their sight, but got close enough to hear the receptionist mention Davey's real name, and the room number. Piece of cake. They were practically doing my job for me. I might have to kill them before I finished off Davey, but that was just the icing on the cake.

The only problem was they were armed with rifles. I'd have to get the drop on them. Hmmmmmmmmm.. I think I knew how.

I made my way to a nursing station, and luck was with me. There was a nurse on duty, a man, a big overweight guy, tall. His uniform would fit me.

I waited until he got up, and casually followed him. He entered the men's bathroom, I walked in behind him, then casually, as he was taking a piss in the urinal, stepped up behind him, grabbed the sides of his head, and with a thick surge of rippling power, my arms flexed, and twisted. I heard the audible CRACKKKKKk as his neck broke. I grabbed his dead body, and shoved it in one of the stalls. Quickly, I changed my clothes, putting on the nurses uniform. His top had an inside pocket which just managed to conceal my Glock.

I arranged his body on top of the commode, so he was out of view, then locked the door from the inside, and squeezed my way out under the bottom gap, it was a fucking tight fit, but I just made it. Now, on to room 301.

I walked through the hospital, and grabbed a handful of sheets to make it look like I had a reason to be up in the ward. The other staff gave me a strange look. None of them recognized me, and I was a very noticeable guy.

But I'm sure they all figured I'd been transferred in to help with the heavy load. I turned the corner, whistling, as I made my way towards room 301. Those cops were out front, holding their weapons. I nodded at them, unconcerned. They'd be dead soon enough.

16:05 PC_Aaron_Mitchell: "Okay... fine... I'll let you blindfold me to even the playing field out a bit..." I smile. "I'm wondering if there's any food in this hotel. I can't believe we got a call over lunch, again, it's like they don't want us to eat."

"Did you annoy dispatch or something, or not remember to buy cakes for someone's birthday."

"I wonder if a spy is hot in bed... but then again James Bond's conquests don't live long so maybe I won't look at him like that."

I look up as someone headed towards the room, this guy was huge, god porters were getting bigger and bigger. "Sorry mate, can't allow you in there unless there's a medical issue." I stand up and look at him. "If you need to drop those towels off I can take them inside."

10:01 PC_Wayne_Lewis: At Aaron's words, my stomach started to growl. I'd totally forgotten about food between all the crises and the briefing and the guard duty. Not like me. "I wonder if we would wrangle a meal out of the staff. Hospital food is a joke, but anything is better than nothing. "

"I don't know about spies in general, but if he crawled into my bed, I sure as hell wouldn't kick him out." I had to admit, having a partner that was into men like I was made a lot of things easier.

I looked up, noticing that massive porter at the same time Aaron did. But... immediately I felt deeply, deeply uneasy. I'd seen this guy before. He was the same man that had been crossing the street outside the pub earlier, distracted by his phone. It was a very strange coincidence that he was a porter here at the Hospital. But I've seen stranger. Even so, I was on my guard. Something about him made me uneasy.

10:01 Piotr_Kruschev: I keep walking, just a hospital porter doing his job, when the bigger pig stands up, blocking my way, offering to take my load of towels in. I shrug, giving the cop a smile of thanks. "Sure, thanks." I reach out the towels, handing them over, planning out my sequence of moves carefully. I'd wait until he turned his back on me to take the towels into the room, then I'd draw my Glock, and shoot the smaller pig right in the face, before wasted the big cop. Easy as cake. One final bullet for Davey, and then I'm outta here.

The big cop took the towels then turned to go into the room, then the instant his back was turned, fast as a viper I drew my Glock, turned it towards the smaller pig, firing as I drew. The silencer muffling the shot so it sounded like a low whooosh rather than the normal sharp retort.

10:01 PC_Wayne_Lewis: I watched tensely, carefully as the massively muscled porter handed over the towels. Suddenly, as Aaron turned his back, the big man reached inside his uniform coat so fast his hand was a blur. No man that big should move that fast.

He might be fast, but so was I. I began to throw myself forward like a shot, just as he drew his weapon and fired. It had a silencer, and the bullet grazed my scalp leaving a hot red line of fire before it slammed into the plaster. My quick reflexes had saved my life. Time seemed to slow, and the fire tracing a line across my scalp faded into insignificance. I never stopped to consider how to fight a man as big as the mountain of muscle in front of me, I just knew that I couldn't let him fire that weapon again.

He was already turning it towards Aaron. I leapt at his wrist, grabbing it with both my hands, just before he fired a second time, making his shot go wide and slam into the floor beside Aaron.

19:12 PC_Aaron_Mitchell: "Yeah don't get me wrong I wouldn't kick him out, just not sure I'd invite him in," I say as the guy comes over and I take the towels and head into the room.

The gunshot slams into the door next to me and I look at it for a second, before turning and bringing the towels up and jumping at the guy and slamming them over his face keeping my hands on them.

As Wayne grapples for the gun I keep the towels over his face with one hand and bring my other fist right up under his jaw

The guy was big, but I took a second to press the emergency button on my radio, it created an open channel to the command and control centre. "Mitchell, firearm in Royal London," I say shortly as I then slam my fist into his face for a second time.

09:45 Piotr_Kruschev: That puny little pig ducked just as I fired, but I didn't dare wait to take a second shot. I needed the bigger pig down before I finished the little runt. But as I fire again, that little cop launches himself at my arm, ruining my shot. I roar in rage.

The bigger cop turns around on a dime, and slams the stack of towels in my face while the little one is wrestling with my arm.

I start to stagger backwards, blinded by the towels he keeps pressed in my grill. He tags me with one fist right under my jaw. FUCK... that stings hard, I taste some blood as my chin radiates throbbing pain. I hear him call for help, and that enrages me. This was meant to be a simple operation, and now more pigs are gonna be showing up soon to ruin my party.

I bring up my free hand, batting aside the towels, just in time to block a second punch that fucking big pig was trying to nail me with.

The puny one is still desperately trying to wrestle the gun out of my hand. With a deep growl, I lash out with my right foot, my huge quad muscles rippling with strength as I smash the shocked officer in his gut with my foot, smashing him into his mate.

10:01 PC_Wayne_Lewis: I've never tried to grapple with a 22 stone beast before. I try to wrap my hand around his wrist to stab at his tendons to make him drop the gun, but I can't even get my hand around his wrist. I grab the gun in both hands, and try with every ounce of strength I have to rip it out of his hand, but suddenly he smashes his monster foot into my gut, the impact is massive, driving me back into Aaron, but I'll be fucking damned if I let go of his gun. It rips out of his grip as I slam into Aaron, tumbling over my head into Davey's hospital room.

Despite my body armor, every single muscle in my core aches with a savage throbbing pain, and I'm breathless, gasping, fighting to get my wind back.

10:46 PC_Aaron_Mitchell: I slam to the ground, with Wayne on top of me, he was breathing heavily but he had wrenched the gun away from him. I move Wayne off me, grabbing his handcuffs off his belt as I did so. "Thanks," I say shortly as I put one end of the handcuffs around my right wrist as I get to my feet and look at the guy.

"Hey... pick on someone your own size," I say, jumping at the doorway and grabbing the top and using it as leverage to swing my legs straight at his chest slamming him back out into the corridor and into the far wall.

I follow it up by jumping down and bringing the handcuffs around and slamming the rigid metal cuff into his face.

11:50 Piotr_Kruschev: I grunt, moving forward, cracking an evil smile as the bigger pig tells me to pick on someone my own size. Fuck... he's still just a puny little runt compared to me. I charge forward, but the pig proves himself tougher and smarter than your average joe, swinging from the top of the doorway to bash both his boots into my chest.

Combined with the weight of his body armour, it was a hefty smash, sending me staggering backwards. I looked at him with a bit more respect. This might actually be fun.

I bounce off the wall opposite Davey's room, to find the brave, ballsy pig leaping at me, using his handcuffs as some kind of improvised brass knuckles.

The thing I love... is that no one expects a man as big as I am to move the way I do. I duck down low, changing levels, letting the cop's handcuff encased wrist whistle through the empty space where my head was.

He's wearing that fucking body armor, so rather than going for a blow to his body, I swing my thick right leg around behind his legs, planting it firmly, then charge forward, looking to trip him over my foot and smash him flat on his back.

10:01 PC_Wayne_Lewis: I force myself to get up, willing the wind to refill my lungs. NO way am I letting my partner take on that beast by himself. Not in the script. I stagger up, starting forward, grabbing my baton off my belt just as he and the massive muscle mountain collide. Damn, Aaron is a fighter, through and through.

12:10 PC_Aaron_Mitchell: I grab his arm as he charges into me and I slam brutally into the hospital floor, and bring my other arm over and lock his arm into position and slam the second half of the handcuffs over his arm cuffing the two of us together.

I use my weight to hold on to his arm, which reduces his advantage and significantly increases ours since his maneuverability has been reduced since he had to deal with my drag factor and the fact that he can't actually lose me know while Wayne remains free.

And my radio has an open channel due to the emergency button being pressed and I turn and point my body camera at him. "He was trying to kill the drug dealer, didn't want him talking."

I guess.. but that seems accurate.

"Smile.. you're on candid camera."

12:28 Piotr_Kruschev: As I smash him down to the ground, landing on top of him, my knees straddling his lats, he grabs onto my arm, wrapping around it like a leech, locking the cuffs together, cuffing himself to me.

Oh fuck yes, this one is going to be all kinds of fun. But it seriously pisses me off when he turns his body camera to get me in it's frame. It will complicate things having me on camera, and of course the whole fucking encounter is being broadcast to the fucking pigs. I reach down with my free arm, and grab his own baton off his tactical belt. First, I need to take this fucker out.

His arms are tied up controlling my one arm, which leaves him wide open as I drive the butt of his own nightstick right into the side of his jaw. I need to fucking hurry.

10:01 PC_Wayne_Lewis: I charge back into the fight, as the big monster grabs Aaron's baton using it to launch an attack on him. Aaron cleverly cuffed one of his arms, making our job much easier. I need to stun him, quickly, and bring the baton down on the back of his neck, with every ounce of muscle I can muster.

13:03 PC_Aaron_Mitchell: I feel the nightstick impact my jaw, jerking my head to one side and I feel the taste of blood in my mouth.

It’s not the hardest thing to ever hit me. That was the Spetznaz guy. But this wasn’t a million miles away to be honest.

I feel the connection of Wayne’s baton on the back of his head and at the same time I just lash out with my arms to his arm with the baton and grab that arm, snaking my hands around his thick wrist so we’re now all connected via handcuffs and wrists. Giving Wayne basically free shots.

13:25 Piotr_Kruschev: I feel a savage blow on the back of my neck, luckily my traps are so thick they absorb most of the blow. But I can guess that the next blow is gonna be aimed at my head, which don't got no muscle. I gotta move, FAST.

The big red-headed cop lets go of my cuffed arm and switches to my baton wielding arm, locking it up. But I catch the sight of blood leaking out of his mouth, and I know I fucked him up pretty good. I don't mess around anymore.

Time is running out. I plant my feet under me, gathering my strength, and stand up, lifting the ginger-haired pig with me. That little runt pig is coming at me with his baton.

10:01 PC_Wayne_Lewis: I swing out with my baton to the back of his neck, but I've never seen such a fucking thick muscled neck before. The blow doesn't knock him out. I don't hesitate, and raise it for another strike, this time for his head, but suddenly he explodes up to his feet, with Aaron latched onto his arms, and I'm forced to abort my strike or risk hitting Aaron.

I scramble to the side, looking for an opening.

10:01 Piotr_Kruschev: I catch the minute tell as the little runt tries to dart to the side, I turn on a dime and charge, smashing into him with the ginger cop hanging from my arms, plowing over him, to crush the big ginger cop between the proverbial rock and a hard place, seeking to crunch the fucker between my massive body and the wall of the corridoor.

13:49 PC_Aaron_Mitchell: It’s taken me a few seconds to come back to my senses after the baton blow. He’s strong. He’s basically using me as a shield protecting himself from Wayne.

But I can’t allow him to control the battle like this. I feel him turn and then Wayne has to move out of the way as he slams me into the wall. Plaster cracking around me and the wind knocked out of me again. But I have a lot of armour on my chest and back. But the wound on my side flares in pain.

At this point I’m starting to get sick of playing by the rules of fighting when it could get me killed. He’s holding on to me to slam me into the wall so I lean forward and bite down into his thick neck biting down and then yanking the flesh away.

Not traditionally cop based fighting. Significantly more stuff that the Para’s do when it’s all about survival.

14:24 Piotr_Kruschev: I crush the ginger pig up against the wall, and feel the breath whoosh out of him. I grunt with satisfaction. But I know that the other fucking pig is gonna be on me soon, but before I can figure out what to do, the ginger fucker latches his teeth on the thick muscles of my neck like a goddamn vampire, ripping and tearing at my neck.

I let out a howl of rage as he punctures the skin.

10:01 PC_Wayne_Lewis: That massive man mountain lunges forward, knocking me aside as he lumbers forward, smashing Aaron into the wall.

I'm staggered, but recover quickly. Aaron rams his teeth forward, latching them onto the big man's neck. I'm a bit stunned by the sheer ferocity of the move, but Aaron has it right. This is life or death. No rules. I dart forward, and slide my baton under the big fucker's chin, having to stand up on my tiptoes to get it through.

Intending to crush his throat, I leap up, wrapping my legs around the vast expanse of his torso as I pull down on the baton, driving it into his throat.

10:01 Piotr_Kruschev: As if that weren't enough trouble, having a fucking pig ripping at my neck with his teeth, that little runt leaps on my back and wraps his baton around my throat., wrapping his legs around my waist. Now, this is fucking serious, deadly serious. I only have moments before he crushes my windpipe. I throw myself backwards, falling, feeling the lovely CRUNCHHHHHHHHHHHHH as I pancake the runt between my 300 pounds of muscle and the hard, unyielding floor. The pressure on my windpipe vanishes, and I reach up with my uncuffed hand, as blood starts flowing down my neck from torn muscles, to wrap my hand tight as a fucking vise around his throat, looking to crush the ginger bastard's windpipe.

The pain in my neck is fucking outrageous, but he hasn't torn a vein. As I seize his throat, I roll over, off the limp little runt pig, getting on top of the ginger fucker, and really bearing down with my weight, looking to put the ginger fucker out and get him to release my neck as blood streams down.

14:42 PC_Aaron_Mitchell: I yank my mouth away dripping in blood looking actually fairly scary for a police officer. I snarl at him concerned that he may have done Wayne a lot of damage from the attack and landing on him.

And his arm is around my throat now threatening to cut off the blood supply. The decision to cuff myself to him was looking slightly less wise in the light of this.

I bring my hand up and put two fingers in the hole I made with my teeth trying to get enough leverage to cause him enough pain to let me go.

14:51 Piotr_Kruschev: The fucking ginger pig reaches up to latch his fingers into the bleeding wound in the thick cord of muscle running up the side of my neck. But I'm not having any more crap. I got to get the fuck outta here. The other pigs will be here soon.

I snap out with my teeth, returning the favor, digging into his hand. The movement sends outrageous pain ripping through the torn muscles on the one side of my neck, but I got plenty of muscle to spare. I sink in tight, locking that hand in place, keeping it from getting a firm grip on my wounded neck by sheer strength alone.

My hand gripped around his neck crushes in tighter, the pain is savage, but I'm no fucking stranger to pain. Gonna fucking knock this pig out. Can't hang around here any longer.

10:01 PC_Wayne_Lewis: One moment I'm choking this beast out, and the next I hear and feel a sickening CRUNCHHHHHHHhhh... I taste blood in my mouth, then everything goes dark.

14:59 PC_Aaron_Mitchell: As his hands wrap around my neck. I know more than anything I need him to run. Not go after the dealer. That’s the main thing. The job is the main thing.

Just before I pass out I lean down and grab the pepper spray off my belt and bring it up spraying it in his eyes.

Then due to lack of oxygen I pass out

15:05 Piotr_Kruschev: I feel him start to out, so I release his hand with my teeth, concentrating on knocking him out. But the fucking pig reaches down and sprays me in my eyes with pepper spray before he slumps out.

I scream as the fire burns in my eyes. "FUCKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!" I let him go, rubbing uselessly at my eyes, they burn. But already I hear sirens outside. No fucking time for this. But I swear.... I'll kill this fucking pig and his partner next time... I fumble at his waist, finding the keys to his cuffs, and unlock myself. I stagger up, blinded, stumbling along the wall until I come across a sink used for cleaning. I splash my eyes with water, feeling the burning hot pain ease a bit. My neck is bleeding heavily, so I grab a towel, hold it to my neck, and fucking run for it. Davey was still fucking alive... This meant trouble.

15:43 PC_Aaron_Mitchell: It’s a few minutes later I wake up with someone standing over me. Who I punch in the face hard.

Then I see it’s my sergeant and look at him. “Sorry. Reflexes boss.”

I look up. “Is the drug dealer okay. Tried to make sure the guy didn’t get inside,” I get out as I slide against the wall. “Fucker was strong.”

“Is Wayne okay?”

10:01 PC_Wayne_Lewis: I groan as I hear a voice over me. I cough, and my eyes flutter open. I'm astonished as some blood sprays out as I cough. I mutter weakly, my brain not working very well. "Aaaron...?" I'm trying to figure out what happened, and where I am.

16:10 PC_Aaron_Mitchell: I look over. “It’s okay. I think he’s fucking gone.” My face is covered in blood from biting the guy. “Are you okay?”

“And can someone give me a fucking pay rise?”

10:01 PC_Wayne_Lewis: I try to sit up, my eyes focusing. Then, everything comes rushing back... the massive man mountain.... the fight... the dealer we were guarding.

I groan as I feel something hurt inside me. I cough up a bit more blood, but I work my way up to my feet. I look at Aaron, seeing him for the first time, "Aaron!!! FUck..." My heart skips a beat as I see all the blood, "Are you okay?? And Davey... is he..."

16:57 PC_Aaron_Mitchell: “No idea. SARGE. how is the prisoner?”

I wince as I shout and spit out blood “It’s okay. The blood isn’t mine. It’s the guy who tried to kill the suspect.”

I slowly get to my feet and put a hand out for Wayne. “Are you okay. Fat guy landed on you.”

10:01 PC_Wayne_Lewis: "I think I might have cracked a rib. But nothing serious, not if I can still walk. This has not been.... a good day, Aaron."

I take Aaron's hand, helping to steady me. I feel a bit wobbly, and I'm dealing with quite a bit of pain, that was a lot of weight coming down on me. But I'm doing my best to hide it.

The Sarge called out, checking in on the suspect, "He's fine. Sleeping, I'd guess. All right, the two of you are officially off duty for the rest of the evening. Get patched up. And plan on reporting back for duty tomorrow."

17:11 PC_Aaron_Mitchell: I look at the sergeant and am about to complain as if being sent home for being injured was a punishment.

“Yes Sarge,” I say eventually. “But can you phone MI6 for me please. I’d like to speak to the guy who gave us the instructions before I go and get cleaned up Boss.”

I look at Wayne. “Want me to pick you up in the morning for work. Only time you let me drive,” I smile. The smile doesn’t work well being covered in blood.

10:01 PC_Wayne_Lewis: I felt a spike of irritation as the Sarge ordered us back home. But he was right. We were no use until we've had a chance to at least sleep, and my ribs needed taping. We'd been on duty for 14 hours by this point.

I shuddered as Aaron looked at me. "Damn, Aaron, you look like a vampire who's just sucked some poor bastard dry. And I think having you drive sounds ideal. Just remember it's not a tank. It's a car. IN fact... why don't you drive us back? You can drop me off." I handed over the keys, suppressing a wince of pain. I didn't really feel like driving right now.

The sarge speaks up then, having dialed the MI6 contact, handing Aaron his phone. "All right, here he is. Agent Mason is his name. Mind your manners."

17:48 PC_Aaron_Mitchell: I smile at Wayne. “I’ve driven tanks. I’m totally a safe hand for anything with four wheels.”

I put the phone to my ear. “Hello Mister Mason. I’ve been told to mind my manners. And my sergeant is within earshot. So I thought I should say how nice your suit was,” I say sticking my tongue out at the sergeant.

“But that’s not why I’m ringing. There was a guy who came to kill the dealer we were protecting. Big bloke. Didn’t like being on camera. Which tends to mean to me he’s not normally on cameras and didn’t want to be. It’s on my body camera footage.”

“But since he’s not normally on camera that doesn’t help.”

“But I did bite into him. Which means my face is covered in his DNA. If you want to come and swab my face with something. It may tell you who he was.”

10:01 AgentJamesMason: I was in the middle of getting an update from the Commissioner when suddenly, my phone rings. I pick it up, it's from Sergeant Samuels, my liaison with the boots on the ground.

I take the call, but it's not Sergeant Samuels, it's ... I know the voice, ahh yes, it's that handsome PC, Aaron Mitchell from the briefing. I listen with a grin on my face. He definitely has a bit of a streak about him. I like him. I wonder if I get recruit him for MI6. Might make Kyle jealous though. I respond dryly, "Thanks for that." All though, my clean white button up was rumpled and sweat stained just now. It had been a long day.

"Really? I'll check the footage from your body camera against our database, see if we can get an id. " When he told me about the biting bit, I could tell that Aaron Mitchell fought dirty. I approved. Fighting fair got you killed. The SAS taught me that. "As much as I'd like to come and get samples of your face," which was not far from the truth, he was a good looking bloke, very good looking. "I'll leave that to your forensics team. But have them forward me the sample when they have it analyzed, and we'll try and track down this mysterious big man. Let's hope this is the break we need."

10:55 PC_Aaron_Mitchell: “Will do, thank you Mister Mason.” I handed the phone back to the sergeant and headed back down to the car and went into the boot and got an evidence bag and swabs and took samples of blood from my face and sealed them up handing them over to the team outside with instructions that MI6 wanted them.

That should get them done a bit quicker.

“They’re going to try and track that guy down, Wayne,” I say. “But until then I’ll sleep all night I think. My ribs want to go on holiday.”

I get into the driving seat. “Now. Which is the accelerator pedal again,” I joke.

10:01 PC_Wayne_Lewis: I sit back in the passenger side, feeling a bit odd. Not used to being out of the driver's seat. Aaron gets in, and I open the locker in the middle and stow away our rifles. They will need checked out, after being in the middle of a fucking scrum. Not what they were designed for.

I tenderly probe my ribs, feeling how fucking sore they are. I nod at Aaron, "Let's hope they find that bastard. Next time I see him, I'm sorely tempted to simply gun him down. He's a fucking psychopath with far too many muscles. Reminds me of an extreme version of Tye." Which wasn't fair to Tye.

I feel a sharp jolt of tension before I realize Aaron's next statement was meant to be a joke. "Very funny, Mr. Comedian. I'll be pleased as punch if you can manage to drop me off at my flat without bumping into too many cars. And please... don't go over any speed humps." My ribs are begging me to please not bug them anymore.

11:01 PC_Aaron_Mitchell: “Now. Now. Tye was a sore loser. He was a bully. He didn’t actively try to kill anyone. And he’s well better being out of your life.”

“You just need to go and hang around some gyms to find a new Tye. Preferably one with a nicer personality.”

“Right. Just so I remember. Is it Kilometers per hour or miles per hour in London,” I say smiling.

“It’s fine. I don’t have an advanced driving qualification but I can drive a car, a tank, a truck or an armoured lorry…”

“A police car is a lot easier. Except for high speed chases. Oh and who was it that crashed our car last time. That’s right. You partner. “

10:01 PC_Wayne_Lewis: I chuckle at the stream of words as Aaron and I lose ourselves in our banter. It feels familiar, comfortable, helping to ground me after what has been a very challenging day.

"I think I need to start looking beyond how big a man's muscles are in my next boyfriend. That man mountain has kinda put me off muscle." I glance over at Aaron, who seems remarkably comfortable behind the wheel. We never did have sex again... after Jace left. It just hadn't felt right. And despite the fantastic sex we'd had, it still felt ... a bit weird, the idea of fucking around with my partner. But there was no doubt that I was pretty fucking seriously attracted to my partner.

"Hey, that crash wasn't my fault. I had no idea that crazy terrorist was going to be there when I popped out of the alley." Then, I turned just a bit serious.

"Hey Aaron, we need to talk about something. I need to get this off my chest. Back in the pub, with that ex-army bloke you talked down. When he was facing you with the knife, you tried to divert me, telling me to go look after the people in the pub. You didn't want me to face him down with you." My face tightens just a bit.

"Aaron, we are partners. I know you are on probation, and I'm overseeing it, but I've got no illusions. I know you are one tough mother fucker, and in a fight, odds are you can take care of yourself. But I'm your fucking partner man. Don't tell me to walk off and leave you to face a potentially fatal threat by yourself. I'm not going to do that. That's not how this works. Out there, we watch each other's backs. Because no one else will do it for us. I trust you, trust you with my life man. I expect you to trust me with yours. Deal?"

14:05 PC_Aaron_Mitchell: “It wasn’t I didn’t trust you. Not a single bit,” I say as I drive. “You know that. There were an unknown number of casualties in the pub. Possibly bleeding out and as that happened it turned out to be that you probably saved someone’s life.”

“And saving someone’s life is what we are meant to do. It wasn’t a matter of not wanting you to face him down with me. Not at all. It was a case of me judging I could handle him and thinking you could be better used to try and save lives.”

“Yeah as it happens he was ex forces which made my life a little bit easier to get him to listen to me. But ultimately it was about on balance finding a way to make sure the maximum number of people came out of that pub alive.”

“It’s not trust. Not at all. I do trust you. Absolutely.”

“But one drugged up guy with a knife I can handle. That wasn’t even life or death. Not even close.”

10:01 PC_Wayne_Lewis: I sit back and listen. It feels strange not to be driving. The exhaustion really starts to wash over me. I turn to look at him, a bit of a wry grin on my face. "You love being the hero, don't you partner?"

Aaron had balls of steel. So did I, I wasn't afraid to risk my life... but I tended to reign in my maverick tendencies a bit more than my partner. I didn't have the benefit of his military background, so I was probably a bit more of a by the book type of guy. But I wasn't going to argue the point with Aaron. I did, ultimately, trust his judgement. And the situation we were in had a lot of grey areas about what the best course of action was.

"Fair enough man. I just wanted to make sure that you weren't trying to keep me out of harm's way because you didn't trust my ability to handle the situation. I might not have the advantage of your military training, but I can handle myself." I grin at him, making sure to keep the tone light, let him know I wasn't really annoyed.

17:31 PC_Aaron_Mitchell: "No, indeed I am happy to put you in harm's way.. I mean.. you in a police car which at any moment could get a call requiring advanced driving and I may have to go up to 120 mph through the streets of London with you in the passenger seat."

"That is putting you in harms way, and I am fine with it."

"But it's about the most effective use of time... and I judged that I could deal with him, and thus you could.. you know... go and save lives."

"Equally could have done it the other way around... but I just got there first." I smiled. "I'd also take two ibruprofen before bed for the ribs."

10:01 PC_Wayne_Lewis: I start to laugh, then regret it, "Don't make me laugh Aaron... that's a form of torture just now."

I quickly get that laughter under control.
"It's all good Aaron. And yes, some Ibuprofen is in order I think. And a good night's sleep. Pick me up at 6am. Something tells me that tomorrow is going to another very busy day." I look out as I see the familiar, run down tenements of my neighborhood. The pub on the corner, surrounded by a cluster of blokes, and my address, a poky flat just above a news agents. I was jealous of Aaron. He got pizza smells. Me, I got tobacco smells wafting up from the news agents. I didn't like the smell of tobacco.

"Sleep well when you get there Aaron. You did good today." I meant it. Aaron was a damn fine cop. I clamp his shoulder, then make my way to my flat, easing myself into my bed, barely having the energy to undress, wincing as I pull off my uniform. I take 4 Ibuprofen, then lay down, and soon am fast asleep.

09:09 PC_Aaron_Mitchell: I grab pizza on the way back to my apartment, walking up the stairs next to the pizza shop to my apartment. Luckily the pizza shop owner knew me well and wasn't particularly worried by some of the blood on me. Besides it wasn't like he'd get robbed when he could just basically shout really loudly for a policeman to come down and deal with it.

But no matter how painful today is I still take off the uniform and everything is folded neatly, remnants of my time in the army. I don't even text Jason this evening though and then I fall asleep. It's been a very long annoying day.

10:01 AgentJamesMason: While PC Aaron and Wayne are enjoying some much deserved kip, I'm working hard to find out everything I can about the big man that tried to kill the dealer in the hospital.

With the aid of coffee and energy pills, I pull an all nighter, digging through our files to try and find a match for the vast man mountain's face and DNA.

Finally,at about 2 am in the morning, I concluded he isn't from the UK or the EU, and he isn't in our international list of known Syndicate agents. I'm going to have to go further afield. Let's try America.

I ring up Randall Myers. It's still early evening there. He's a good man, former CIA. He is ... very eccentric. But he is the best at what he does. A true genius. I prefer using him over official channels. We trade favors back and forth all the time. I endure his condescending manner for a while, it's just how he is. He talks down to EVERYONE. But I like him. Then, I give him the details, and focus on another task.

But to my surprise, he comes back to me all most at once. I listen gravely to what he has to say. I send PC Aaron a text. "Found out who we are dealing with. I'll meet you and your partner 7am sharp at the Station to explain further."

10:20 PC_Aaron_Mitchell: My eyes open at 2am as my phone bleeps, I turn over and pick it up and text back: It's 2am - if it's urgent enough to wake me up with a text, is it urgent enough for us to come into the station now? and don't MI6 sleep.

10:01 AgentJamesMason: To my surprise, Aaron texts back almost at once. He must be a very light sleeper. I don't bother texting him back, I ring him right away. "Aaron... no, MI6 do not need sleep, not when London needs us." I chuckle. "Energy pills and coffee. If you and your partner feel up to it, come down to the station now. This man is dangerous... and I think we need to strike now, while he is off balance. I think he is the key."

12:24 PC_Aaron_Mitchell: I pick up the phone. "I was a soldier, Mister Mason, I went without sleep for long periods of time, and I don't believe having my phone on silent."

I don't really know what to say about coming down to the station though, I would of course normally do , but Wayne needed his sleep after yesterday.

"My partner was injured yesterday, I'll text him, but I don't know. I'll come in."

I text Wayne: "If you're up for it, MI6 can talk to us at the station. If you're not, then I'll let him know you'll be in at 7..."

10:01 PC_Wayne_Lewis: Suddenly, my phone beeps. I was in a deep sleep, but the ping of my phone wakes me. I'm a bit groggy. I grab my phone as I sit up, wincing as the movement irritates my ribs.

I check the message. Well, no rest for the wicked. I text back, "I'll be out front. Pick me up on your way. You aren't getting rid of me that easy, partner."

I get up, adrenaline starting to push sleep back. It must be something big to wake us both up in the middle of the night. But well, this was a crisis. Time to earn my pay. I was ready. I geared up, stopping to tape my ribs, and pop down some more Ibuprofen, before grimly slipping into my uniform and body armor. I adjusted my cap, checked myself out in the mirror to make sure I had my uniform on right in my half-groggy state, then satisfied, I headed down to wait for Aaron.

Published: 2021-10-31, viewed 31 times.