Genius Undercover

chapter 6: HQ or Q.S.S

Her eyes flickered open to let the bright welcoming light pass through it. She was in a wide, white room with a very high gold ceiling. Her feet were on a smooth marble floor and she lay on a comfy white mattress. She glanced around the place, there were computers everywhere and people were hard at work typing faster than Lottie had seen before.

"Welcome to Q.S.S Lottie Lawson," said a voice,"This is the Computer department." Lottie sat up and came face to face with the Queen.

She was about to stand to pay her respects but the Queen spoke first. "You do not need to bow or curtsy, I actually find the very annoying." Lottie gasped but turned it into a quick sneeze. Her majesty smiled. "I'm guessing you want a tour?" said the Queen, calmly. Lottie nodded as she was too afraid to speak- it was the Queen in a confusing place at an odd time, most people wouldn't even know what to say. The Queen gestured to the door. "Walk this way," she said, smiling. Lottie followed meekly behind. But that turned into happily. This place was nothing like she'd seen before.

"Here is the weapons room," said the Queen adopting a tourists talk,"Anything an agent will ever need is here." Lottie glanced at the rows of glass cabinets on the walls going round in a ring. There were seven large shelves in each with an interesting gadget or tool enclosed in a tiny box. Lottie walked up to the nearest cabinet and her eyes caught a tiny pebble inside. It was labelled "Double creator." The instructions followed:

"1. place pebble in area provided (eg. hand, floor, by door on table ect)

2. Press button on pebble

3. Wait for 'bleep' sound (very quiet)

4. Your copy or double has been created!"

Lottie thought it sounded ridiculous but in some cases it could be a life savour. She looked at the small notice next to the pebble:

"Double will vanish after 8 minutes"

Ok, not so useful. There were even stranger things than that such as: an invisibility cloak, a walkie talkie ring, a 'HELP NEEDED' message sender broach (if you press the butterfly it sends a message) a dart that when thrown creates an exit (causes massive explosion) a lazier that cuts through glass, a hair pin that stuns the enemy for 5 seconds, a pencil that allows you to radio into base and right secret messages on a rubber (disguised computer) which sends them to the base. Lottie was fascinated by all of the gadgets but the tour had to continue.

"This is the files room," said the Queen,"Nothing much but all important research is stored here." Lottie looked around the small, neat, white-walled room and all its draws, cabinets and a large desks where people had been working. She smiled a the Queen.

"You'd like to work there wouldn't you?" said the Queen. Lottie gasped. The Queen had read her mind.

"C'mon," said the Queen walking on. She pointed at the next room along. There was a set of climbing frames, ropes, boxing bags, gymnastics mats, gymnastics runways, boxing rings, treadmills, defensive equipment, climbing walls...just all the equipment you'd ever want to train yourself with. Lottie smiled, picturing herself training in the room."Field agent training zone," answered the Queen,"You never know when you might be in 1 on 1 combat with an opponent." Lottie gasped.A field agent was actually what she wanted to be. They get to do all the fighting and 'front line' work whilst most of the others are just back-up or dull computer workers.

The Queen showed her more rooms and Lottie loved them all. Finally, the Queen got to the last part of the tour, something called 'The Beginning.' It was a round, circular room with desks going round in a circle with paper, files, books of all different sizes; stationary, a notice board, a computer and a small bag containing handy weapons when needed. Lottie looked at the Queen."This is where every new agent begins its first case," said the Queen smiling,"we have a case for you."Lottie's hands hit her mouth. A case. She was so excited to do a case....it was all she wanted to do.

There was a crash.

"Kai," said Lottie laughing. The Queen pulled out a pencil and pressed the tiny button that was on the side. A small speaker popped out of it and the Queen raised it to her mouth.

"Agent 0027," she said,"Attend to Lawson in TB, give her her badge and take her to the C room." Lottie didn't quite get what that actually mean but "Badge" did get her excited. Maybe if she got her badge she was an official agent! The Queen put the pencil into her pocket again and smiled at Lottie.

"You've got a big day ahead," she said,"Good Luck. I've got to get to Cumming's."

"Who's that?" asked Lottie, confused.

"Kai," replied the Queen racing down the corner. Lottie laughed. Kai was in for a shock! 

She turned and glanced at the beginning again. It was small and neat and was full of all the new-agents working on their cases just like she would soon. 

One of them turned and smiled, stopping her work. "You new?" she asked.

Lottie nodded shyly.

"Cool!" she replied, "I guess you'll be on the latest case. Do you know where you are going?"

Lottie was just about to answer but was interupted by a loud 'shhhh!' from the agent at the back of the room. "Cassandra! do not speak! I am working!" he yelled, pressing his finger tightly on his lips.

Lottie wanted to laugh but couldn't who knew what that agent could do.

Instead, Lottie turned away and leaned on the wall behind her, tapping her foot impatiently. 

"How long does a man take to walk down a corridor?" she said, sighing, "Honestly...I don't wanna be late if I have to go somewhere. Anyway what is this 'C room?'"

She groaned. "I kinda fed up of all of this secrecy...but then again, it is an agency."