To The End | Gramon

Chapter One

"Mr. Albarn. On time as always."

"Of course, sir."

"Please, take a seat."

Damon Albarn was a renowned spy for MI6. He had the wit, the strength, the courage and the charm. The best of the best, they said.

"It's a simple case, really. With your talents, I'm sure it'll be done in a matter of minutes."

"You're too kind, Mr. X."

Mr. X was the head of MI6. No one knew his real name. An enigma. He always wore dark glasses. And he always looked rather suave - a faint beard, a slick suit and tie.

"MI6 is always grateful to have the likes of you, Mr. Albarn."

Mr. X took a seat. He twirled a pen in his fingers.

"I'll come straight to the point," he said. "We want you to investigate a man named Graham Coxon. He's fairly rich and lives in France at present. With his wife. Married young, I suspect."

Mr. X slid a photograph across the table.

"That's your man."

Damon peered closely at the photo. It was black and white shot of a bespectacled young gentleman. He wore a serious expression. Dark hair, dark glasses, dark eyes.

"And we believe he is part of a plot to kill the French Minister of Justice. The Minister of Justice, as you know, is working hard to strengthen relations between England and France. The alliance between these two countries have been rather strenuous as of late," explained Mr. X. "Should he be murdered, all his hard work could be undermined. We want you to find out what you can. If you can gather enough evidence to prove this, bring him in. We must stop Mr. Coxon at all costs."

Damon nodded.

"You will be posing as his faithful valet," Mr. X went on. "As you attend to his needs, you can find out more information about him. Question the other members of the household, such as the cooks and maids, understand?"

"Of course."

"Good. Your clothes and further information are through that door. Good luck."

"Thank you, sir."

He stood up and entered the adjoining room. It was small, with a table in the middle. On it lay several gadgets. A man was tinkering and examining them.

"Agent Albarn!" he looked up with a grin.

"Doctor M."

Doctor M was the head of gadgetry and any gizmos a spy should require on their mission. He designed the majority of MI6's tech and tested it too. He had one of the finest minds in Britain, and his knowledge of science and mathematics was undisputed. Wearing a lab coat, wire rimmed spectacles, a salt and pepper beard, and a big beaming smile, Doctor M was a familiar figure in MI6.

"Check out your latest toys, Albarn. You have the honour of using the new, off the construction line gadgets unseen by anyone before!" announced Doctor M.

Damon smiled. "Wonderful."

"Check this out," Doctor M said, picking up a watch from the table. "In built microphone and mobile phone. You can call us on it, or record anything pressing this button here. It even comes with a small camera. Oh, and waterproof of course."

He picked up a tray off the table. "When you must bring him food or a drink, bring it on this tray. It has a hidden switch here. Flick it and the edges of the tray turn into spikes. A deadly weapon. But also makes a good shield, I must add," he said with a chuckle.

"Most of the gadgets or gizmos you'll wear on you, hidden in your clothes. Sleeping draughts, a small pistol, etcetera. Here's what you'll be wearing."

Doctor M produced a crisp tuxedo.

"Time to suit up, Albarn."