Central Response Investigative Safety Patrol and were responsible for the internal security of Spyforce.
âWill it still give us that tingling feeling while identifying our vibrations?â Linden was a big fan of the Vibratron and its fizz frenzy ID process.
Steinberger leant in conspiratorially. âIâve been told that with the upgrade itâll be even frenzier.â
âFrenzier?â Max raised an eyebrow as Linden and Steinbergerâs faces collapsed into blissed-out swoons.
âI know itâs not a word, but it suits the feeling perfectly,â Steinberg shrugged.
âShouldnât we go and meet Harrison so he can tell us about the new mission?â Max had had enough talk of frenzied floors.
âYes, yes.â Steinberger quivered. âYou two are going to love this one. I canât wait until ââ
âMax! Linden!â Professor Quimby, the head inventor of the Force, skipped across the wooden planks in her bright purple trainers and flowing white lab coat.
âWelcome back to Spyforce.â She pushed a wild strand of hair beneath a red scarf, only to have it fall straight back out. âI was hoping to catch you before the briefing to take your packs. We service them every few months or 3000 flying metres, whichever comes first, and yours are both due.â
Linden and Max took off their packs, otherwise known as Personal Flying Devices or PFDs. âThanks, Quimby.â Max handed hers over. âWill they be ready in time for the mission?â
âOh, most definitely.â Quimby hugged the packs to her chest. âAnd I know I canât say anything about the mission yet, but the location is one of the most romantic places in the world.â
âRomantic?â Max almost choked. âWhy would we want romantic? Thereâs going to be nothing romantic happening there. In fact, the last thing Linden or I want is anything romantic.â
Quimby, Steinberger and Linden stared at Max. Whole seconds of embarrassed silence passed between them, which was finally broken by Quimby. âIâll be down at the lab.â
âAnd weâd better be going.â Steinberger turned and strode along the planks as Max berated herself for having such an over-active mouth.
âChief Harrison is so looking forward to seeing you again.â
âI bet heâs glad to be back.â Lindenâs guess caused Steinberger to stop abruptly and blaze with happiness.
âOooph!â Max hadnât seen them stop and ran into Linden. âSorry.â She promptly rebounded away.
A glint of a joyful tear sparkled in Steinbergerâs eye. âNothing could make him happier.â He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket. âYouâll have to excuse me. Itâs been so emotional not having him here.â
Max and Linden winced as he blew loud and long into the hanky.
âLetâs go and see him, then.â Max was keen not to witness any more nose-blowing.
âYes, yes.â Steinberger sniffed and stuffed his hanky back into his pocket. âThe carâs over here.â
âThe car?â Linden asked. âI thought we were going to Mr Harrisonâs office.â
âOh, the briefing wonât be in his office.â Steinberger kept up a brisk pace. âThe International Union of Spies wanted him to have more time off,but Mr Harrison was getting rather bored thinking up new ways to amuse his cat, Muffy, so he and the union came to a compromise that allows him to work from home instead. Here we are.â
âUm ⦠where?â Max looked up at a black, unremarkable wall.
âThe Secret Garage,â Steinberger said, whispering unnecessarily.
âThe Secret Garage?â
âYes,â Steinberger breathed. âWait until you see whatâs inside.â
He pulled a remote control from his jacket pocket and aimed it at the wall, which opened like a giant, spinning eye to reveal a