The Modern Cocktail

Whiskey

The 25th of June, 2015  

Eggsy and Nicolette were stood in front of the rubbled remains of what was the Kingsman tailor shop. They had already stopped at their home, which was destroyed as well. There was no sign of Artoria, J.B., or Brandon.

Nicolette huddled up against Eggsy under his umbrella, both getting herself out of the downpour that had settled in London, but also seeking comfort from her significant other.

What had made the whole situation worse, was that Nicolette and Eggsy had made calls out to the other Kingsman field agents, but no one answered them.

Nicolette had her eyes closed and was resting her head against Eggsy's left shoulder when she felt him shift quickly. She opened her eyes to see Eggsy pointing a gun towards the rubble. The young woman followed the sights of the gun to see someone walking across the rubble from the other side.

At first, the person's face was in shadow, but then it could be seen that it was Merlin.

Eggsy started to take cautious steps forward as he started to talk, "Someone decides to wipe out every Kingsman property, every agent, and somehow, conveniently, you weren't at home."

"I could say the same thing about you two," Merlin said in a calm voice.

"What, you think I'd kill Roxy? And my mate, Brandon, and our dogs?"

"No. You think I would?"

Merlin held out the bag he was carrying to Nicolette and Eggsy.

"This, thing," Merlin pulled out a robotic arm, which must've been the one that once belonged to Charlie, "Hacked us. Clearly, this arm can be remote controlled. I'm only alive because my name wasn't on the database with the agents. Whoever Charlie's workin' with, doesn't think mere staff are missile-worthy. And it seems you were spared, because it was Lucy's birthday. James always took your mother out on her birthday."

"This ain't funny," Eggsy said, starting to lower his gun.

"No one is saying it is, Eggsy," Nicolette said, her voice softer than the two men's.

"Roxy is dead! Everyone's dead! Gone! Do you even care?"

"Of course we do, Eggsy."

"Pull yourself together. Remember your trainin'," Merlin said in a stern voice, "There's no time for emotion in this scenario."

Eggsy took a deep breath before nodding his head.

"Now, as all surviving agents are present, we follow the doomsday protocol. When that's done, and only then, you may shed a tear in private."

"Okay," Eggsy said in a more level voice, "What's the doomsday protocol?"

"We go shopping," Nicolette said simply.

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The 26th of June, 2015   

Nicolette and Eggsy spent the night with Merlin.

The two more experienced agents knew the doomsday protocol, but they also knew that there was nothing they could do until the morning.

With no spare changes of clothes, Nicolette and Eggsy had to wear the clothes they had worn out the night before.

In the morning, the remaining Kingsman agents made their way to Berry Bros & Rudd Ltd; a wine merchant's shop.

Merlin was the first to enter the shop, followed by Nicolette then Eggsy.