There were unspoken rules in their line of work, one of which was that some lives were, in fact, worth more than others. It was a cruel fact, but a fact. Bond, for example, was worth more than two lower ranked agents. Not fair, but fact. Having read the full write up on 'Skyfall', Q knew that information was worth more than a skilled killer. Six would let James die if it meant keeping more agents safe, or simply protecting England's secrets. There was a delicate scale, he assumed as to how many civilians X was worth, verses whatever was currently in peril. He also knew that his own life, in various circumstances, often came out as more important. Not because of who he was, but because of what he knew and what he was capable of.
He also accepted that in many cases his life was worth less. Were a bomb to be ready to go off in the centre of London and he was the only one close enough to try and dismantle it, his life would be worth risking if it meant saving such a large amount of civilians. Were he and M together in a hostage situation, however, M's life certainly trumped his. That was simply how it worked, and Q was at peace with that. He'd understood that when he'd signed on, back when his life had been worth nothing.
This driver was no doubt a good man, perhaps even a terribly skilled agent. His knowledge and his abilities, however, were unlikely to be more important to England than Q's.
It wasn't pride that took Oliver down a notch in Q's eyes then, but the fact that Oliver seemed not to care about the larger picture. Perhaps this was why five and six didn't get along.
"None of the agents were carrying it personally? Thats..." Q wobbled a bit, then steadied himself with Bond's arm. "...That's the most idiotic thing I've ever heard. ...I suppose if they intended to abduct me we can at least be fairly confident the toxin isn't deadly, just vicious. That limits the scope of what it could be."
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
zvi
no subject
Date: 2015-07-08 02:44 pm (UTC)He also accepted that in many cases his life was worth less. Were a bomb to be ready to go off in the centre of London and he was the only one close enough to try and dismantle it, his life would be worth risking if it meant saving such a large amount of civilians. Were he and M together in a hostage situation, however, M's life certainly trumped his. That was simply how it worked, and Q was at peace with that. He'd understood that when he'd signed on, back when his life had been worth nothing.
This driver was no doubt a good man, perhaps even a terribly skilled agent. His knowledge and his abilities, however, were unlikely to be more important to England than Q's.
It wasn't pride that took Oliver down a notch in Q's eyes then, but the fact that Oliver seemed not to care about the larger picture. Perhaps this was why five and six didn't get along.
"None of the agents were carrying it personally? Thats..." Q wobbled a bit, then steadied himself with Bond's arm. "...That's the most idiotic thing I've ever heard. ...I suppose if they intended to abduct me we can at least be fairly confident the toxin isn't deadly, just vicious. That limits the scope of what it could be."