This probably breaks the canon from the movies. Sorry. This story would not leave my brain.

“Grandpa, what’s this?”

Jim stepped over the box of old fishing rods and tackle, joining his grandson at the workbench.  He laughed. “Well, I’ll be.  How did that get here?”

Ethan shrugged. “I just found it. So, what is it?”

“It’s the source of heroes. It tells us about villains and how we defeat them.  It keeps democracy safe as we know it. It’s danger and adventure and risk.”

“So, you use this to record the books you write.”

“Ethan! Come get your lunch!”

Jim smiled, grateful for the reprieve his daughter had just given him. “I use it to record my books. You go ahead, I’ll be along in a moment, I want to see if there’s anything on this old Dictaphone.”

Ethan nodded, scooting off for lunch. “Grandpa?” He stopped at the door. “Hurry up, ok? Lunch is Grandma’s mac and cheese.”

He chuckled as his stomach growled. “I wouldn’t miss that for all the adventure in the world. I’ll be right there.”

Ethan trotted off and Jim turned back to the recorder. It was not there this morning. For the first time in years, he felt calm steel take over his emotions. But there was a small flutter in his heart. Called out of retirement? Why? He pressed play.

“Greetings Mr. Phelps. Your grandson, Ethan Hunt, has come to our attention. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to train him for the IMF…”

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BTW- please check out my friend Jimmie’s story. It is 1000% brilliant. He’s a wonderful writer in general, but this week he was particularly brilliant with this prompt. You can find it here.