Agent Guinevere

By Ruby O'Connor

The year is 1992. After leaving Imperial College, fencing champion Sophie Hollander has just become the first female agent of the Pendragons: an elite undercover spy organization fashioned after the Knights of the Round Table. However, after sparking a secret romance with a dashing fellow agent, Sophie is sent into deep cover to infiltrate the organization of Albert Theophilus, a megalomaniac with a dark plan concerning the most vulnerable victims imaginable. If she hopes to prevent his evil plan from taking shape, Sophie will have to travel the world and dodge a few bullets in order to save the day and make it back to the man she loves.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ruby O'Connor
• Release date: Jun 6, 2020
• ISBN: 9781916276321

Ruby O'Connor

Ruby O'Connor is a bit of a philodox, and a killjoy. She'd also like to take this opportunity to apologize to Howard Jones. Why is not important. She has lived here and there, learning this and that, and chronicles these adventures as Arizonacolleen on various social media. Proud creator of Sophie Hollander and Minuet Nero so far. Friend, expat, activist, and unique dresser. Ruby does most of her social drinking near her husband and their two dogs in Wexford, Ireland. She's very grateful you checked out her profile. Seriously.

Book preview

Agent Guinevere

Agent Guinevere

Ruby O'Connor

Agent Guinevere by Ruby O’Connor 

© 2020 Ruby O’Connor, Arizonacolleen

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. For permissions contact:

[e-mail]

Cover designed by Emma Clinton.

ISBN: 978-1-9162763-2-1

Table of Cotents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

for John

who makes everything possible

Chapter One

The locker was identical to the others along the wall, with the exception of a strip of white tape with, ‘Guinevere’ written on it. It was in stark contrast to each of the other lockers which bore brass nameplates for each of the Pendragons. Sophie couldn’t be bothered as she reached the locker - it was hers. She ran her fingers over the tape as if it were written with starlight, and happily opened the locker. Awaiting her was a steak, wrapped in finest butcher paper with a tag.

Sophie turned the tag over, which read:

Old Wives Tale or Victory Dinner? -Merlin

This made Sophie smile, which made her wince a bit. She touched her face, trying to not be self-conscious as the others entered the locker room. I say, courtship has changed if the suitor just sends you a steak in the post. Percival mused, In my day half the fun was actually having the steak prepared with the lady present. Sophie chuckled softly as the remark, turning to face the room. Her right eye was swollen shut, and several of the men failed to mask their reaction.

I don’t know. I have a steak, and I don’t have to waste a night out with anyone. She commented, This system of courtship might be perfect.

Percival happily shook her hand, welcoming her and introducing her to the others. Galahad entered the room, reading from a flat touchscreen when Percival introduced them.

My word! Galahad exclaimed as he took her hand, Are you quite alright?

Sophie spied Merlin enter over Galahad’s shoulder and couldn’t resist the opportunity.

Oh, this is nothing. she admitted nonchalantly, Merlin gave me a slap. Merlin overheard her succinct description of events and walked over. Seeing the others either taken, or laughing at the description, he added, Well she was asking for it.

Sophie nodded quickly, That I was.

Sophie looked at the package in her hand, Oh, and thank you for the steak.

She slipped her hand from the confused Tom’s grip and returned to her locker, and he looked to Merlin who just shook his head dismissively.

Sophie checked her tie one last time, replaced the steak, and closed her locker. She just stood at the closed locker for a moment, taking in as much of her surroundings as she could. The smell of age mingled with leather polish and when added to the exchanges of the men around her created a feeling of dizziness in Sophie.

I must not let these things show. Must look the part, she thought as she turned to leave.

All the Pendragons, present and available in field, assembled around the long chestnut table awaiting Arthur. Finding an empty seat and sitting down, Sophie took a deep breath and opened her notebook and pen to take notes. This attracted the attention of several of the Pendragons, who looked sternly in her direction but said nothing. Arthur entered and made his way to the head of the table briskly as he greeted all present. Sophie studied everyone at the table, silently observing not just their information but their pace, tone, meter, and body language as they reported any progress of interest to the group.

Arthur addressed most of the people at the table in or way or another - except Sophie, who received no acknowledgement at all. Bastard, she thought, but said nothing as she worked her pen across the page idly.

The meeting adjourned and as everyone began standing Arthur called out, Oh! And Guinevere - Do report to me once that face heals up properly. We might have a mission befitting your talents.

Sophie smiled back at him, but her stare could’ve frozen beer. Arthur didn’t notice as he quickly filed out of the room with two other men.

Don’t pay any attention to him, Percival assured, he was bested and he’s handling it poorly. Sophie kept the smile affixed. She acknowledged that these men might agree that he’s out of line, but they would never take that position to Arthur directly, and certainly never in front of anyone. That battle was hers alone to fight.

Listen, you might not know this, but you shouldn’t keep a record of what’s said here on paper. It isn’t safe. Spy 101. Percival explained. Sophie knew he meant well, but the lecture taxed her good humour to its brink. She tore the paper from her notebook and handed it to him without saying anything.

Sophie then thanked him and quickly left the room. Lancelot approached Percival curiously, What do you think Arthur has in store for her? Percival looked down at the paper, realising it was a rough sketch of a meadow with starlings in the distance. He smiled, humbled by his own mistake. I don’t know, but I do look forward to reading the report. Don’t you?   

Sophie went down to the training room, changing to train. Unlike the men training in the gym, Sophie would most likely be in a dress when she engages in combat, so when she took the opportunity to train, she did it in a slip with bike shorts. This was not lost on her contemporaries, who had never seen such a thing. Sophie stretched, rolling her neck and shoulders before extending her limbs and twisting her hips for measure. She did a few tumbles at first to get loose before practicing pratfalls and jumping to her feet. A few amused Pendragons watched as Sophie landed flat on her stomach on the mat, working to a gymnastic bounce.

Satisfied with that for the moment, Sophie went to wrap her ankles for kickboxing with the mat. Most of her fellow agents worked in pairs, but Sophie preferred to work alone. She knew the men were reluctant to really have a go at her and that didn’t help her at all. In fact, hesitation could distract her so she avoided it at all cost. With the ankle wrapped, she slipped on her heels and began a series of focused kicks at the heavy bag - first in a single target, then alternating high and low kicks. Her slip crept over her hips, and after a period most of the men in the room stopped to admire her technique.

Sophie stopped, momentarily out of breath when she noticed her admirers for the first time. If you ever need a sparring partner, I’m all too happy to help, she heard as she tightened her tape. Anytime you’re ready, Gareth she replied pleasantly, no pads.

This caused a roar of laughter from the group until Merlin appeared and the crowd dispersed. Prepping for the field I see? he queried, Clever. Sophie huffed loudly, Do you see ladies’ fashion these days? I may as well be fighting in nothing whatsoever.

Merlin considered her comment as she threw a few warm-up punches. Come to the lab when you are finished, he advised, I think I can help you there.

Once showered, Sophie entered the lab and tucked her hair behind her ear to dry. Merlin was tinkering with a flatscreen tablet while several men in white coats worked at different tables. Sophie watched a round flask boiling liquid which was distilling into another container. Sophie. Merlin called, looking up, Edwin has been working on a formula that might be useful to you. Sophie approached Edwin brightly, shaking his hand as she studied his work. If I may… he began, This is a perfect graphene molecule aerosol I’ve been finishing. It’s ultra light, he explained as he sprayed a handkerchief, but once it stabilizes, it’s twice as effective as kevlar.

As Sophie watched, the handkerchief was attached to a frame and run down a firing lane. Several men fired at it with no success. It’s also quite powerful at resisting knife attack. Edwin remarked proudly, Now, this won’t stop shots within five yards, nor will it stop punctures and stab wounds. Only slashes, but it is a start. Sophie held the handkerchief and felt the fibers, It’s brilliant! She replied, Well done. So, could I have some silk stockings treated perhaps? Edwin smirked, I’ll do better than that - I can also formulate a compressed bottle to carry like perfume.

That would be amazing. Sophie said, Also, do you think you could do something with my shoes? Edwin looked down with a puzzled expression at her oxfords and Sophie chuckled. Oh, not these. But a solid heel would be perfect for hiding things, maybe even explosives or lock picks? Something that would pass a search. If the shoes can be interchangeable it would be a great help to me. Edwin nodded, his eyes shining with ideas. I’ll have a think about it. I’ve never considered women’s accessories before, but I’m certain we can come up with something.

With her eye freshly healed, Sophie made her way through the headquarters to meet with Arthur. She stood outside the dining room, listening to him boisterously chat about horses and wondered how long a wait she was going to have when he called out for her to join.

Guinevere, please join us! he called as she entered the room and observed that his conversation was taking place with a video screen. Gentleman, our newest Pendragon, all healed up and ready for her first assignment, he explained, although a spot of makeup would not go amiss on such a lovely face.

Sophie pursed her lips, I am wearing makeup, sir, she replied.

Arthur smiled, Is that the fashion? I must admit, I seldom notice the trends. Perhaps that’s why you’re so well suited to the task at hand.

Sophie draw a deep but quiet breath as Arthur extended his hand and offered her a seat. He continued as she sat, Tell me Guinevere - what do you know about Azerbaijan? He studied her curiously as she rested her hands in her lap and considered the question.

Azerbaijan history reaches into antiquity, but within the last year and the fall of the USSR, independence seems within view. She explained, I don’t think that will be without conflict though, perhaps even war. So I wouldn’t recommend a vacation.

Arthur tapped the leather place setting, That’s very good. We believe that Azerbaijan might be facing a brilliant new era in the times ahead, which is why our sources have confirmed that a major influx in funding to the drug pipeline from Afghanistan and Georgia is currently being supplied. We believe it may be coming from the United States of America, funding Muslim warriors to destabilize Cold War relations.

Sophie nodded, Sounds like the Yanks. she concluded, I suppose a good amount of these drugs are spilling onto our soil.

Arthur nodded and turned his focus to the screen over the fireplace, This man is Taziel Oniani, and he controls one of the largest organized crime rings in Georgia. He is a direct competitor to the Baku mob, and his nephew Rovshan, pictured here, has just opened a premiere club in Baku. Your mission is to infiltrate the Electra Club, engage Rovshan, and report back any known ties to English trafficking. Your alias is Claudia Talbot, and you will be given a front as a previous dancer with the Allen school of dance. Do you understand?

Sophie looked over the dossier Arthur set before her, What specifically am I looking for? she asked, reading her profile. Arthur sipped his brandy, "Anything you can find.