Bold War 2020

by Redemption

  Yvonne: "As unearthed by Kent MMM went to the heart of the Bold War. The symbols and metaphors were striking in analysing Kent's dream. The confused beer hall of unhappy life, problematical and materialistic, about to drown or cook in enervating frog-ignorance. The loss of his worldly 'worthless' kingdom. His quest, the journey on a winged horse. The odyssey to find distant treasures (hats / brains / ideas?), alchemise them to create a magic potion, an elixir - seminal, protean, everlasting.

  "Finding and 'naming' dragons, confronting them, waging war on Sed and its cohorts. Rescuing lost treasures that would enrich and empower his subjects. Driving Mentology through Gdoos to enliven the human psyche and accelerate individual and collective evolution. Enlisting Smiles to break bonds and free inner skills, give meaning to lives. MtCC making the world a more humane, free and rewarding place. The Provolution to open up constructive paths for mankind to follow rather than wait uselessly for biological evolution and conditioning and chance opportunities to happen, hopefully before the world crashed down around them. Finally entering the Golden Age which, after all has been predicted over centuries:

  # After a dark and violent age we enter a millennium of love and light and the mind's true liberation - the Age of Aquarius. (44)

  # 'Approaching renewal in 20C, good ultimately triumphing over evil and the world entering a tranquil 21C'.(45)

  # 'In 20C war will die,…dogma will die, and man will live'.(46)

  # 'A conspiracy whose new perspective will trigger a critical contagion of change'. (47)

  Rose: "For us the Triple M Trilogy (TMT) was an indicative mnemonic, a handy summary, an aide-memoire. The process hadn't happened before and so there was no word for it; now there is (or at least a set of letters). TMT was the most wide-ranging explosive force for good in the world. It dynamited complacency, exploded myths, shattered the complacent ossified foundations of the old world, and blasted it into a new orbit. And the term was apposite for the yeast: available to all, inexhaustible, sustaining, nourishing, helping us to grow and to mature."

  Kent: "Was my revelation related to my near-death experience? Who knows? Maybe Raj, but he disappeared into the ether with a smile on his face. Does it matter?"

  ~

  ==

  No, it doesn't, thinks Andrew as he dinks off. He is satisfied, and lapses into a brief sleep, not suspecting the revelations, the agony and ecstasy of the coming hours.

  CHAPTER 29 Message from the past.

  Andrew wakes with a start from his short nap, still tired and frustrated. Turning his head he is unnerved to see a man standing at the door.

  "Oh, excuse me," the man apologises. "I didn't mean to give you a fright." He is tall and lightly built. About eighty years old Andrew estimates. "Doctor Dench arranged for me to see you. May I explain?"

  "Please do. Your face, I think I've seen it somewhere before."

  "Possibly in one of those films," he replies. "My name is Charles Hendon, one-time employee of your brother Kent."

  "That's right, the chauffeur, pilot, etc."

  "I have followed your progress, or lack of it as it were, for many years now. Mr Buchanan gave me specific instructions, but he expected or hoped I might have had this conversation with you much sooner than now. May I say at this stage how pleased I am to see you recovering, and I know Mr Buchanan would express the same sentiments were he here today."

  Very polite, thought Andrew, but get on with your business.

  "Before his fatal plane accident twenty-eight years ago, which I assume you are aware of, Mr Buchanan asked Dr Dench for a detailed report on your physical condition and prospects. The doctor, as you may know, has a way with words but the long and short of it was that, whereas in the past there had been no hope of your early recovery, he apparently had made some sort of medical breakthrough arising from which he saw important signs of both imminent and longer-term developments for you. While he couldn't guarantee anything he led Mr Buchanan to believe there was a real possibility you would recover consciousness in the near future, with the prospect of leading a near-normal life some time later. He produced a host of computer printouts to support his prognosis.

  "On this basis Mr Buchanan made what he told me was an important decision. He recorded a videotape and arranged for me subsequently to add further recording information to it. His instruction to me, on my oath of utmost secrecy, was to retain the recording, when finally completed by me, in a bank security vault together with a large package he produced." He placed a tape and a large blue parcel on the bed.

  "I was to keep these items until Dr Dench made you well again and then give them to you. I was also to make provision for my next-of-kin to carry out these instructions in the event that I might die before your recovery, either through old age or, well, in case the Calabrone - you know about them? - found reason to make me dispensable. In this respect I have maintained a low profile and trust my present act will not jeopardise your safety from that direction. Mr Buchanan was forever warning me that they must never be underestimated. I don't mind telling you Mr Buchanan that I was indeed becoming worried that, one way or the other, I might not be able to convey them to you personally.

  "I had great respect for your brother - he was such a busy and capable man and I'm proud to say that I assisted him in his endeavours, even in a small way, to help make the world a better place. Mind you, in the end I'm not altogether sure about the last two devices I made for him, but if he said they were for the ultimate good, then I believed him.

  "I won't stay any longer, as the content of the tape is fully explanatory and - ah - rather private. Some aspects are disturbing personally for me as I am sure they will be for you. You can contact me on this number if I can be of any possible assistance to you. Permit me to close by wishing you well in whatever path you choose."

  "Thank you very much for that Charles, I appreciate your vigilance and efforts. Would you be so kind as to load the videotape into the VC there and put the package in the bedside cupboard. And if you could ask the nurses on the way out not to disturb me for the next hour? Thank you and goodbye."

  As soon as he is alone Andrew eagerly dinks the 'S' and begins to watch. His tiredness has evaporated. He senses there are secrets about to be revealed, but for a change they won't emanate from Christiana, Cameron or that damned know-all film.

  ~

  Kent's face appears on screen looking fatigued. "Hi Andy. Cam tells me you should eventually be returning to active life. Terrific news. Thought it was never going to happen and, I hate to say it, we had given up hope of your return - based on his earlier 'expert' advice. "If you are viewing this it is because I won't be alive to share life with you. You will have been brought up to date with events since our dumb car crash. My band of warriors with their weapons are about to wreak havoc on the enemy and I'm proud of their efforts. I know it will continue to fruition through Smiles, Mentology, Provolution and the Bold War. Positive world change is on the way and is unstoppable. Pity you weren't around to help us get it moving, I know your contribution would have been great and you would've enjoyed the challenge…

  "I'm making this recording because events for me have suddenly taken a new direction and I want to convey to you several things which are not known to my colleagues - for reasons which will become evident.

  "Firstly the Manor fire. In the old days, as you know, I used to bend the rules a bit to my advantage, but since the accident I've been a reformed man. Except I couldn't help engaging in a little, well, devious strategy where I felt the end justified the means. So I arranged the fire-bombing of the Manor. It was all my idea. I didn't like to see all that stuff go, but what the hell, it was only stuff and a valuable purpose was being served. (Most of the really good items I had already moved anyway.) It helped cement the team together, gave us a common enemy and powerful motivation, and provided ammunition against our strongest potential enemy.

  "I had Charles recover that fancy hornet from the plane's toilet and later fix it to the coat of arms on the
front gate, then leak to the press its significance. I would love to have seen the ugly faces of the Calabrone when they got the blame for the fire. It earned us points against them and kept them off our trail for a while, as I made sure there was no connection back to our Hebridean overture."

  ~

  Andrew has to admire that. The Kent of old. Clever, devious in manipulating events to his own, or in this case society's, advantage.

  ~

  "Six weeks ago Raj suggested I see a specialist, who confirmed I have an advanced malignant cancer and less than three months to live. In the end not even Raj and his magic could protect me from that. So not wanting to waste any opportunity, if I have to go soon I might as well use it to our benefit.

  "We lost Mario and the new machines made in Russia. The old saying 'Truth is the first casualty of war' applied. The underworld is getting serious, they see McTrue can hurt them. There is a large international conference on 'Crime in the twenty-first century' in Paris next week. I am to present a paper entitled 'The knock out punch for crime' and have let it be known I will be unveiling details of McTrue and what it can do. The publicity announces I will have with me the only machine to escape Russia and will demonstrate its invincibility.

  "As another exercise in crime-bashing I have had Charles utilise his many talents to make two special explosive devices. One is to be fitted to the plane I will be flying to Paris. It will explode in mid-air and in the wreckage will be found evidence of Calabrone sabotage. Only Charles and Xena know what is planned so organised crime will get the blame, even more spectacularly than with the Manor, this time with the spotlight shining on them for the rest of the world to see."

  ~

  Again he had to admire Kent. He couldn't see himself having the guts to do that sort of thing.

  ~

  "Because I'm a chicken at heart I've asked Charles to arrange for the detonator to set automatically when the plane rises above five hundred feet altitude and to explode when it drops below that level again, or after half an hour, whichever comes first."

  ~

  Definitely couldn't do that, it leaves no way out. Then again, maybe it was a sensible way to go - in the circumstances.

  ~

  "Sylvia is dying (poor choice of word) to come with me, and can't understand why I've refused her. Speaking of Sylvia, I hope you can understand and forgive the two of us for the relationship that developed. It's extremely difficult for me to talk about it, but I won't be seeing you again. For her, I just don't know how she'll be able to handle it when she meets you again.

  "But let me tell you, simply and as forcefully as I can, she has always loved you, big brother. For a year while she tended you, you were alive but dead, so close and yet so distant, without any glimmer of recognition or response. It broke her heart. And Cam at the time diagnosed there was no expectation your condition could change for the better. It was only recently he did an about-turn with his 'breakthrough' and 'hope for the future.'"

  ~

  Tears well in Andrew's eyes. The back of his throat is swollen, almost stinging. He wants to leap out of bed and beat the wall with his fists, his feet, or anything.

  ~

  "By that time we had long since become increasingly involved with the project. I had comforted her in the early days and she began to respect me for what I was doing on the larger scale of things. I valued her good common sense and practical insights. One thing led to another and we became infatuated. She doesn't know about my condition; by a twist of fate I will go and you will return. She won't have to choose between us. I pray you'll take her back."

  ~

  Andrew has difficulty in seeing the screen clearly through smarting eyes. He becomes worried his eye movements will dink the picture off, and steadfastly tries to focus on the centre of the screen. He can't understand the way Kent was referring to Sylvia in England when she had supposedly died with him.

  ~

  "Finally, the package that Charles will give you is the original, the one and only remaining, the true McTrue. Obviously I wouldn't be so foolish to take it on the plane with me, even though I led the media to think so. Rather than hand it over to a research group, where it could be compromised or got at by the Calabrone, I'd like you to take over its final development.

  "I know you can handle it, and it gives you a belated chance to be involved in the project. If for any reason you can't, Charles has instructions to take it back to the AAA Team, but I want you to have first choice. I'm leaving you plenty of money for this purpose. I suggest you co-ordinate with the team who will be busy doing their part of the project and collectively pick the best time to re-introduce it.

  "Although McTrue will be a major weapon (more explosive than the atomic bomb), it's also a complicating factor, best left for a time so that the rest of the troops can establish a strong beachhead while you have the final stage of development completed. Imagine the king-hit when you finally introduce it. The underworld by then will be handicapped by a stronger society, they'll be softened up and tottering and you can put 'em down for the count - or blast them out of the water. (I've never been too sure whether McTrue is a wild card or a loose cannon - as with Mario himself - I guess it depends whether you are holding the hand or looking down the barrel.)

  "But, don't underestimate them. Even though we've had a couple of small wins, they are dangerous, formidable. You must be on your guard, they can emerge in any form at any time. You may eventually think you've beaten them, but you'll never eliminate them. Be ever conscious, prepared and proactive.

  "Despite that danger, I hope another of Rose's quotes will prove to be right: 'A man may die, nations may rise and fall, but an idea lives on forever.'(48) So, give it your best shot Andy. You re-vitalised and Sylvia re-oriented will make the best of teams. Goodbye and good luck."

  ~

  Andrew is saddened by the content of the monologue and the then-impending events, and confused about Sylvia's fate. The prospect of taking on McTrue is daunting. Even though he is embarrassed every time his emotions are revealed to Christiana he now misses her reassuring presence and support.

  ~

  Kent's serious face fades from the screen and the rest of the video consists of pictures - of sky, clouds and countryside as taken from a plane - background inserted by Charles for the audio recording to follow.

  Kent, switching on the radio: "We are climbing, Charles, just passing through the five hundred feet mark. Red light on. Always said I should go out with a bang. Good job. Over and out."

  Charles (with a catch in his voice): "Way to go, as they say sir. Over and recording."

  Kent: "Good morning Xena. How are things in London? Did you get my little gift?"

  Xena: "Yes Kent dear, I've just woken up. Still in bed and about to try it. Looks interesting."

  Kent: "Sex toy for a sex kitten. Adjustable frequency and strength. Plays your favourite music while you enjoy yourself. Think of the old times."

  Xena: "Y… e… s. Mmm. Are you above altitude yet?"

  Kent: "Yes, as a matter of fact I am. Why do you ask?"

  Xena: "Because I want to tell you a few things, you BASTARD."

  Kent: "Pardon?"

  Xena: "I am now inserting toy you-know-where for test purposes and to enjoy myself - while I unload a few home-truths before you self-destruct."

  Kent: "I'm listening."

  Xena: "I hate your damn guts for passing me over for puerile Sylvia. And by now I loathe your project. I wish I could have found a way to cut loose earlier. You're trying to go against human nature. You've just been lucky so far. And blockhead Mario, I don't know why I wasted time on him. Soon you'll be gone and I will start living. With Con Abassi. Head of UK Calabrone in case you didn't know. Due here in half an hour for me to share details of your stupid project - and a few other little enjoyments I have in mind. By which time you'll be mincemeat, I'll have got my satisfaction from your little toy and I can get down to business. In the end I only kept going with you so I could get enoug
h together to 'sell'. Now I'll get power, influence and money of my own for a change. Maybe a sex lynx rather than a sex kitten - eh?"

  A peal of satanic laughter echoes from the speakers.

  Kent: "Xena, you've excelled yourself. I suspected you were becoming tired, maybe a little jaded and about to jump ship. But not - and it's one of my worst nightmares - traitorous. Although I never put any possibility beyond the Calabrone. Couldn't you possibly change your mind, not go ahead with your plans?"

  "No, you bastard. You'll never be able to trust someone like me again. Oh, but I forgot - you won't be around anyway. So go to HELL!"

  Sighing and frowning, he types into the laptop computer connected to his modem. "Pity," is all he says.

  Xena: "Well so much for your lousy judgement. Oh, by the way, if you'd like to check in the rear compartment of your plane, I've arranged a surprise gift for you."

  Again the devilish laughter and then muffled background noises and a woman's voice.

  Sylvia: "Hello Kent! Guess who's coming to dinner with you in Paris tonight?"

  Kent: "Oh my God! Sylvia! This is terrible. How did you get here?"

  Xena: "She wanted to be with you in Paris, darling, so naturally I wanted to help her - and you. Have a weekend to remember."

  On the soundtrack Andrew hears a mixture of mocking laughter, muffled and frantic explanations from Kent, a stifled scream and sobs from Sylvia, heavy breathing from Xena ('Out of this world,' she groans), all against faint background strains of 'The Stripper'.

  Then he hears the music stop and Kent's faint recorded voice coming from the London flat, he imagined from between Xena's legs, saying 'Goodbye Xena, you harlot traitor', a muffled explosion and an agonised scream from Xena. There is a brief pause, then a deafening explosion followed by total silence. The recording stops and begins to rewind.

  ~

  Andrew is shattered, imagining the last fatal moments. Kent and Sylvia in each other's arms, the plane a ball of fire falling to the French countryside, Xena a bloody mess on a London bed. She was treacherous. Shouldn't have been trusted, although in retrospect there were warning signs (this damned 'retrospect' business). All that interest in and knowledge of the enemy. She had killed Sylvia and wanted to murder the project. Some of the events he had known and been prepared for, but the final twisted truth leaves him reeling.