'It is ridiculous that we are expected to cooperate with a known traitor!'
The fist that crashed down onto the desk caused the thick wood to shudder. M stared at it for a moment and then raised an eyebrow at Bond. 'Ridiculous perhaps, but necessary.'
'Necessary? As far as I am concerned, it is a risk to national security that we cooperate with Janus.' Bond's anger was plain to see, enough to make him forget that he was at least supposed to show respect to his superior. Thankfully M was prepared to overlook it this one time. She supposed it was rather a shock for him.
'Then we should all be grateful that it is not your concern. 007 may I remind you that we are fighting one of the biggest threats this world has seen. If you are willing to put 98% of the population's lives at risk because you have a personal grudge against Alec Trevelyan, then there are other 00 agents that I can assign to the case.'
'This isn't a personal grudge, sir,' Bond bristled at the suggestion, too stubborn to admit what was blatantly true. 'I'm merely concerned that Janus's previous megalomania may interfere with a successful outcome of this mission.'
M sighed. 'We are all concerned about that aspect of Alec Trevelyan's personality, we would be fools not to be. However, Trevelyan has provided us with several leads that could well provide us with a successful outcome to this mission. Which I am sure that we all ultimately desire.'
'And his price for this information?'
'Continued immunity. Nothing more.' M's eyes narrowed, Bond was moving onto territory that she was not willing to discuss.
'Why was I never informed of Janus's survival?' Bond's anger burst forth.
'Because it was my decision not to tell you. I do not need to explain my actions to you 007.'
'But if he survived, there was a risk that he would seek domination once more.'
'Trevelyan was essentially immobile for over a year. The injuries he received after Goldeneye left him unable to walk, unable to move for at least six months. The man is practically held together by metal pins. He was hardly in a position to seek revenge even if he wished to. When I met Alec a year ago, he was willing to discuss the possibility of immunity in return for information, much as he is doing now. It's been a very successful relationship, and I have no intention of ending it due to your personal feelings towards him 007. He's shown no desire for world domination, and has kept his nose clean, until his involvement in this mission.'
'These passes onto Deronda's warship that you instructed he gives me. How can you be sure that this isn't a trap? That this isn't an elaborate revenge plot designed to terminate me?' It was the closest M had ever seen Bond to raving.
'The probability of that is unlikely.' M picked up a file, intending to signal the end of the conversation.
'And what about Ashleigh?' Bond said softly.
M paused, and then removed her glasses, placing them on top of the file. 'Are you suggesting that Trevelyan is in some way targeting Agent Kain?'
'He's manipulated her into some kind of truce. She has been involved in a car crash that I believe was of his orchestrating, he throttled her, his men have attacked her, and yet she now believes she is somehow indebted to him. He's possessed her, manipulated her, and forced her into his bed with this damned truce!'
'Forced her? Are you implying that Trevelyan forced himself on Kain?' M was eagle eyed, and she saw the flush rise in Bond's cheeks.
'No sir. I believe though that he has manipulated her into a sexual relationship.'
