OVERDRIVE 009

Chapter Two: Welcome Back, 009

Kenya Secret Service. Friday 0900hrs.

Irvin's Corvette Z06 braked sharply in front of the Kenya Secret Service's new 50-storey tower in Upperhill, Nairobi.

He could not find the ability to come to terms with what happened. He was busy trying to settle into his monumental third year back at USIU. He was now being thrown into the middle of a turf war between the KSS and the Black Forces, the latter responsible for abducting Tori, the love of his life. In addition, he found himself reunited briefly with his old foe, Abdul Mazzouri, whom he swore to kill to avenge his parents. And with a task of finding a perfect excuse to give M for losing their only lead to Abdul.

All while trying to dig deeper into the mystery of his parents' death in the plane crash 10 years ago.

Meanwhile M was fuming at the fact that the chance to bring Abdul back in had been blown. It was meant to be a capture order, but as it turned out, Abdul was too fast for Irvin.

"I hope you realised what the hell you've done!" M argued while smashing a whiskey glass to the floor. "We were two days ago the closest to capturing Abdul and what do you do? Let him go because of Tori?"

"I'm not sure but maybe you can first explain to me what's going on here." Chege retorted. "Because Tori didn't just vanish like star dust! She was kidnapped!"

"Then what?" M cut him short. "What do you expect us to do, teleport you to her location? One life is nothing of the value compared to what Abdul and his men can do to 3 million others. You of all the agents here know that very well. And for God's sake, the 00 status isn't for show. It's a licence to kill. So the question is, why didn't you kill him?"

"Let's just say he was weak. I like my enemies extremely challenging. Not enemies that would be overpowered so easily by toddlers." Chege responded confidently. "009 reporting for duty."

"How you're still my best and most preferred agent still remains a mystery." M continued. "Following orders seems to be a tall order. And your love for Tori is undeniable and we're not a dating and relationship consultancy. So is your undying loyalty for this agency. You could have gone back to campus feeling helpless. Therefore I should be made to understand why you returned."

"Good question."

"Because we're facing a more serious threat than we've imagined. And you know we need you."

"Why me?"

"You're ranked highest among all our agents. Besides, I read your files. Seems we share the same personal grudge against him."

"Things you don't tell me these days."

"Many things I should keep under wraps for your safety and the safety of everyone else. Report to the ICT centre in half an hour for your mission briefing. And don't get any ideas of sleeping here."

Curiosity overcame Irvin and wanted to know what was giving the KSS more sleepless nights than usual.

On the way to the mission briefing, he ran into a familiar Katie Wambui, a KSS elite field agent who ran missions along with Irvin sometimes back.

"Welcome back, mysterious 009." Katie began.

"That's quite a surprise to see you around here." Irvin commented.

"I'm sorry no one ever updates you on things." Katie replied sarcastically. "Decided to take the office job for now. Taking a break from fieldwork. Recharging my batteries, as you would say."

"Not necessarily." Irvin joked. "Do me a favour, when they let you out of the office and back into the field, warn me first?"

"Will do, 009." Katie responded with a wry smile. "Your friends are waiting for you."