Disclaimer: I do not own, or claim to own, any of the Biggles series characters used in this work. This fan fiction was written for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered part of the official storyline.
Warning: Non canon type fan fiction works may contain severe time mix-ups and character deviations.
Algy woke feeling slightly queasy. When he
had finally stumbled out of the office at close to ten o’clock, he had been in
no condition to go anywhere too far. He had taken a room at the first place he
had seen advertising vacancies, all the while glancing nervously around in case
someone had seen him and was calling the police.
Thankfully, the girl at the counter had
been more interested in her magazine than him, and had barely given him a
second glance as she took his money and handed him his key.
The room was small and sparsely furnished,
but there was a bed, which was all that Algy really needed. He was not really
hungry, but he had forced himself to eat some of the food he had bought earlier;
he needed to keep up his strength.
He had gone to bed feeling determined to do
whatever it took to stop Biggles from blowing up some of the most important
people in the world, but now, in the cold light of day, he could feel nothing
but doubt stirring inside his stomach. Never had he felt so scared, or so
alone.
He debated with himself whether or not to
call Ginger and Bertie for backup, but finally decided against it. He did not
know what he would have to do to stop Biggles, but, in any case, he would
rather take sole responsibility for his actions and not risk dragging someone
else into it, even someone as close to Biggles as Bertie and Ginger. Besides,
he would have to waste precious time explaining the situation, and even
supposing they believed him right away—and Algy had to admit that the notion of
Biggles dropping a bomb into an aviation conference was something that would
take some believing—it would still take too much time.
“Looks like it’s on me, then.”
Before he left his room, Algy stuffed as
many weapons about his person as he could fit into his pockets. The suitcase he
had used to carry them was too unwieldy to carry for long distances.
He handed the key back to the bored looking
girl at the counter, walked outside, and hailed a cab.
He opened his mouth to give the location of
the aviation conference to the cabbie, but stopped when he realized that the
man was staring at him with something very much like horrified panic in his
eyes.
“You’re that bloke,” said the cabbie, in a strangled
voice. “That bloke in the papers.”
Algy considered denying the accusation
until he saw a crumpled paper on the passenger seat of the cab. His own face
stared up at him. A man with one eye could have seen that they were one and the
same.
“Please, I’ve got two daughters,” continued
the cabbie, quivering in his seat.
“I’m not going to hurt you,” declared Algy,
wishing desperately that he could murder whoever it was that had put him in his
current position. “Look, it’s all right. This is all a mistake. I’m really not
going to hurt you. I just need you to take me somewhere.”
“Anywhere you want,” said the cab driver
quickly. “I’ll take you anywhere you want, just don’t hurt me. Please.”
Algy felt his face grow hot with shame as
he gave the driver the address for the conference. He felt as if he had just
robbed an old lady in the street. Nevertheless, the nonexistent threat had its
desired outcome: the cab shot forward at such speed that Algy had to clutch
wildly at the door handle so as not to be flung back against his seat.
They reached their destination much faster
than they would normally have. This was due to the cab driver breaking any
number of laws and almost running over several people, all the while casting
nervous little glances in Algy’s direction as if he was expecting to be
punished for not driving fast enough.
Algy hated what was happening, but time was
of the essence, so he had to content himself with the promise that after all
this was over, he would find the cabbie and somehow make amends.
If all this ever came to an end, whatever “all this” was.
“We’re here,” announced the driver, in
tones of heartfelt relief. “No fare,” he added quickly, as Algy pulled out some
money.
Algy started to open the door, then
remembered something. “Look, can I have your cap and jacket?” he asked. “I’ll
pay you for—” But by then the driver had already taken off the items in
question and thrust them into Algy’s arms.
“You can have ‘em, all right? Do whatever
you want with ‘em. I don’t care.”
The feeling of robbing an old lady
intensified as Algy got out of the cab and it sped away. Quickly, he donned the
cap and jacket as he approached the entrance of the hotel where the conference
was held.
He was directed up to the conference room
on the third floor. There were two guards at the door, and Algy wondered if he
would be allowed in, but thankfully neither of them looked at his face, or even
the name on his invitation card as they waved him through.
Inwardly Algy shuddered at the lax security,
but, as he mused to himself, “They’ve let me in, so I’ve nothing to complain
about. Now, where should I sit?”
He had just taken a seat at a corner table
when a familiar figure strolled impatiently into the room.
Biggles.
Poor Algy - and he is such a gentleman.
ReplyDeleteAs for Biggles... But perhaps he has a plan? As long as he doesn't throw the bomb at Algy in a fit of temper...
Biggles, with a plan? What an idea! He didn't even want Algy to climb out of a window!
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling that Biggles' brain stopped working the moment he met Jane.
Things are hotting up!
ReplyDeleteThey certainly well after the bomb goes off...
ReplyDelete