highly unorthodox

[full_of_wrath]

Mallory is a man who is able to accomplish almost anything he sets his mind to. By all rights, stepping into her shoes, the whole office should have bucked the readjustment, some of the older agents in particular... but somehow they don't. They fall smoothly into line underneath him, and for one simple reason.

Mallory is incredibly good at reading, at soothing, at moving people the precise way he wants to, at achieving the desired result from resource after human resource. He has Bond twitching with loyalty, has Moneypenny working with focused devotion, and has Q happily ensconsed in a lab with almost free reign and near unlimited resources and enough supervision and oversight to give his days structure. Every one of them, and everyone else in the bureau besides, each so lovingly tailored into just the right spot, not only makes the transition smoothly but rapidly begins to thrive under his gentle touch.

Which is why it's unheard of, the request he makes of Q this afternoon, to meet him in his office, even more unheard of his request to take on a new trainee and manage him closely, report anything he sees out of the ordinary. But it's also why Q can be sure it's for a damn good reason.

John Harrison, the newest upheaval in his life, will be waiting for him down in his office when Mallory is done with him.

Comments

[full_of_wrath]

"How do you plan to account for dirty hands? For scarring that occurs during battles, or agents using the technology in areas where they need to glove?"

He wants to know- it isn't hostile, just vaguely curious.

[queues]

"The technology is fine-tuned to accept up to an eighty percent match, which solves the dirt or scarring problem. If an agent needs to glove, then I can develop a hand covering that works with the gel and overrides the scanner- sort of an alternate key, if you will."

Q isn't entirely condescending when he says as much.

"Excessive blood will be a problem, but it would sully your aim using a regular gun anyway."

[full_of_wrath]

"Or a code to override, in a split second of necessity, good for a shot or two and something only the agent can set."

He answers, his own churlish attitude also diminished by the lure of the puzzle.

[queues]

"If they have a moment to think and remember the code. Otherwise, I'd have to put it in from my end, which could cause problems if I am not able to observe them, for whatever reason."

[full_of_wrath]

"Mmhm."

Agreeing, quietly.

"In all, I've seen much less elegant technology."

As close to a compliment as Q will get.

[queues]

"I suppose I'll take that as a compliment."

And then, quieter.

"Your papers. I've been looking through those as well."

[full_of_wrath]

"I'd be interested to know what you'd made of them."

Because it's quite the piecemeal, an interesting collection of lies and truths and grey bits in between.

[queues]

"...I've told you this before, but I'm certain that some of these theories don't actually exist."

That's not condescension in his tone, however.