Right away

Alex briefly considers sticking around for a night so he can personally tell Sabina that he has to leave, but he decides that he is going to have a hard enough time lying to her and it would be better to just get it over with.

"I'll go right away, I guess. I assume I will be armed if I am going into harm's way."

As if in answer, the door to Blunt's office opens, and Smithers hustles into the room, giving a warm and genuine greeting to Alex. Alex smiles for the first time since returning to MI6; he actually likes Smithers, a technological genius, who always supplies him with new and exciting gadgets to help him in his adventures.

"Ah, Alex," Smithers says, pumping Alex's hand enthusiastically. "It's so good to see you again. I'm sorry I didn't have more time to develop more things for you for this adventure, but I did the best I could in the time available."

Smithers hands Alex a small bottle. The label bears the words "Lube 'Em Up!" Alex looks up quizzically. Smithers explains, "It's lube -- you know, for -- um -- getting in a tight spot, or helping out with the dry seasons." He looks up uncomfortably at Mrs. Jones, but continues. "Use it just the way you would use KY Jelly or anything like that. When it's used for that purpose, that's what it does. But apply it to glass...." With that, Smithers takes the bottle and applies a small amount to the glass coffee table in the corner of the office. In seconds, the glass begins smoking and bubbling before evaporating right away.

"Don't worry about it being dangerous," Smithers says. "You can put it on your body... Heck, you can even put it in your mouth, and no problem. It's just when it comes in contact with glass that it reacts that way."

Alex pockets the bottle and redirects his attention to Smithers. The scientist pulls out a box of condoms and gives them to Alex.

"Don't tell me these are bulletproof," says Alex, examining the box.

"No, but that's something we're working on," said Smithers. "These work just like regular condoms. Use these during sex and they'll protect you against all the bad nastiness that unprotected sex can bring. But more than that, each condom emits a sensor into the person you are bopping. The sensor will stay in that person for 8 hours, and we will be able to track their movement and hear what they hear. Plus, they come in ribbed, lubricated, and flavored. The strawberry is my favorite."

"Wait a minute! I thought I was just going to investigate!" Alex looked straight at Blunt. "If I don't have to cheat on Sabina, what's the idea of giving me these?"

Blunt sighs. "You don't have to use them, of course, but you would expect most of the participants would want to practice safe sex, so not having condoms would be suspicious. Since you are taking some, why not take the best? I'm sure you can find some way to put them to good use."

Alex pocketed the box of condoms as Smithers pulled out a cell phone that looked just like Alex's and traded with him.

"Your new phone will work just like the one you've been using, except for one big difference. Use the phone's camera to take a picture of someone, then push the button on the side, and it works as an x-ray machine. You can set the level of intensity of the scan to see right to bone level, or uu can scale it back and just peek under the clothes."

Smithers demonstrates by showing Alex the studs and wires in the office wall, the contents of Blunt's safe, and the bones of his own hand. As he pans the room, he happens to scan Mrs. Jones, and Alex and Smithers both stare, transfixed, at the image of her sitting, cross-legged, in bra and panties. As soon as Jones realizes what is going on, she clears her throat sternly, causing Smithers to jump, nearly dropping the phone in the process.

Handing the phone to Alex, he says, "Just be sure you shut off the x-ray feature before putting the phone in your pocket, or it could bake your 'nads like potatoes."

Alex quickly double-checked the settings before slipping the phone in his pocket.

"So what about a gun?"

Blunt shook his head. "No weapons. That would be too obvious. Use your wits. You will be safe enough."

Smithers chuckled and nudged Alex in the side. "Besides... I've see the babes who will be there with you. You are going to have a hard enough time keeping that weapon between your legs from accidentally discharging."

Blunt frowned and said, "Smithers, I think that's all we need from you. You are dismissed. Alex, we have a bag packed for you, and a plane is ready to fly you to the mission. I suggest you get some sleep on the flight. You will need to be alert and sharp."

Twenty minutes later Alex found himself on a private jet, heading south over the ocean. He was tired, but he also felt like he was rushing into this thing with too little preparation. His eyes fell on the computer next to him. This might be time better spent in preparation for the mission.