James Bond, an MI6 agent, travels to Bilbao to meet Swiss banker Lachaise in an effort to retrieve money for Sir Robert King, a British oil tycoon and close associate of M. During their meeting, Bond attempts to extract information about the assassin responsible for killing an MI6 agent. However, before Lachaise can divulge any details, he is killed, forcing Bond to flee with the money.

Upon returning to MI6 headquarters in London, the retrieved money is discovered to be rigged with explosives, which detonate and tragically kill Sir Robert King. Bond immediately pursues the assassin responsible, engaging in a high-speed boat chase along the Thames River. The pursuit leads to the Millennium Dome, where the assassin attempts to escape using a hot air balloon.

In a final confrontation, Bond offers the assassin protection in exchange for cooperation. She refuses his offer and chooses instead to detonate the balloon, sacrificing her life. The incident leaves Bond with more questions than answers as he delves deeper into the mystery surrounding King’s death and the larger conspiracy at play.