condensed master

The Reluctant Agent
A Compelling Story of Espionage
man. His uniform never fitted, always creased with bumps and hollows, where he
had pulled the buttons together. When seen together the crew had a nickname for
them, “before and after” which was taken from an advertisement for slimming.
“You're late Brenner," Miles said, moving from the counter to a desk nearby
and back again, at his usual quick and jerky pace, trying to do two things at the
same time.
"Is there anything for the old man?" he continued, referring to the skipper.
Why did he always ask the same thing, Will thought. The skipper was on leave
with the others, so what if there is mail he can't do anything with it, only stow it
away until the skipper gets back, so why the hurry to know if there is any?
"No sir," replied Will, dropping the bag behind the counter, "there is no
separate mail, and I am not authorized to open the bag." The same remark every
day, what a bore! Miles turned and looked up, Will hesitated in anticipation
becoming aware that he was about to communicate further.
"I have a message from the bridge. Would you get changed out of your work
gear and get up there right away."
"Who wants to see me? What is it all about?"
"I don't know, the instruction was phoned down."
Will made his way down to his cabin filled with curiosity, in all the time he had
been with the ship he had only attended the bridge a few times. His immediate
superior looked after the console up there. What would anyone want with me? he
thought, his mind scanned through the officers left on standby duty, but came up
with no tangible reasons.
He quickly changed into his uniform, but as he started up to the bridge a
horrible thought entered his mind, wondering if anything had happened to his mam
or dad.
The bridge was deserted except for an officer bending over the radar console.
He straightened up and turned as Will entered the bridge house. It was the first
officer in casual uniform, the epaulettes on his shirt indicating the rank. His peaked
cap was pulled well down over his forehead, a rugged faced man, well known for
being impartial, which in the past had gained him the respect of the crew. He
probably wants me to look at the monitor Will thought, stepping closer to where
he was standing.
"Brenner Sir, you wanted to see me?"
--- 11 ---