by Nick M Lloyd
Aytch couldn’t settle. He looked back across the room at Justio. I’m not suggesting we kill everyone who suspects anything. But the GEC cannot afford another failure.
Chapter 33
Arriving early at the pub in Acton, Louise parked and went in to wait for Willis. The pub had a nice atmosphere, well-loved and, judging from the décor and lack of corporate branding, independent. She sat down at a table and unbuttoned a few buttons of her shirt, enough to let her crucifix necklace show, but not enough to compromise her principles.
She frowned slightly to herself. If you fail to prepare…
Taking her phone out of her pocket, she checked she had a signal. Then she manoeuvred her chair around to face the doorway, and fiddled with her phone while waiting.
Within minutes, a man entered the pub alone; black hair, black face, black clothes, and a large silver crucifix on a pendant. He instantly saw her, and came over, holding out his hand with a friendly smile. ‘Louise?’
Louise shook his hand. ‘You must be Willis. Thanks for making time for me.’ She held out her ID. ‘I was hoping to get some first-hand commentary from you. Can I get you a drink? I’m having a diet coke.’
Willis sat down. ‘Sure thing. But you don’t need to go to the bar.’ Willis turned to the bar. ‘Hey, Marie, could we have two DCs please?’ The girl behind smiled an acknowledgement. Willis turned back. ‘I’m very pleased to have any opportunity to spread my anti-gang message.’
Willis retold the basics of his story. It was just as Louise had read: a gang, a grenade, a few scratches and six corpses.
Louise made a few notes. ‘How did you feel when the grenade went off?’
‘Well the experts told me I couldn’t have seen anything as it would have happened so quickly. But I believe I saw it explode. Somehow I knew it was real.’
‘How scared were you?’
‘I was in total terror. I was about to be shredded. I had no idea about the Holy Ghost and his plans for me, so I didn’t know about my inevitable safety.’
‘Did time seem to slow?’
‘Yes, it almost stopped. It felt very strange. Of course now I know it was the Holy Spirit filling me and protecting me.’ Willis paused for a moment, while Louise made notes. ‘You know, Louise, normally by this time people ask me about the strength of my belief.’
Louise smiled. ‘I will come to that, but faith is a very personal thing and I was waiting until we had got a bit more comfortable with each other.’ She paused. ‘Have you had any subsequent situations in which you’ve also felt lucky?’
The drinks arrived and Willis took a sip before replying. ‘It wasn’t luck. It was God’s hand protecting me, to let me spread his message.’
He certainly is devout. ‘I understand. So have there been other situations where you have felt God’s protection in a similar manner? Or situations in which you have felt something unusual happening, not related to actual safety—more paranormal.’
Willis thought for a moment. ‘Sorry, no, nothing similar.’
Louise waited, smiling at Willis. It seemed to her the wheels were whirring wildly within, and behind his calm eyes and gentle smile he was struggling to make a decision. Louise swayed gently, trying very surreptitiously to cause her crucifix to catch his eye. You never know, it may swing the balance.
Willis did not give any indication of noticing anything, but seemed to reach a decision. ‘Interesting you use the word paranormal. I was contacted a few months after the event by a paranormal expert. He said he wanted to test me for super-paranormal powers. However, by then I had found my true calling, and I refused him. He bugged me for a few months, then disappeared.’
Louise wanted to get more information on the guy but did not want to risk making Willis suspicious. She also needed to get Willis to come to the experiments. She decided on almost telling the truth—a speciality of hers. ‘Look Willis, the piece I’m doing is not sensationalist. It’s part of a controlled set of scientific experiments investigating whether certain people are luckier than others.’ Louise paused. ‘I understand the depth of your faith, and I don’t want to insult you by talking about science when you clearly feel spiritual about your situation…but science and faith can coexist.’
‘I’m not sure they can.’
Louise took stock of the situation, this one seemed to be slipping away from her. One step at a time. ‘I am planning to write a big piece for the Daily Record. If you come, I’ll put aside a decent paragraph to support your anti-gang message…I’m not sure how at the moment, but we’ll work it in somehow.’
Willis took a sip of his drink and then leant back, folding his arms. ‘If I said yes, what would it mean I had to do?’
‘Well, I’ve a few colleagues I’m working with. We’re running tests to see if certain people are luckier than others. I’d love you to come tomorrow evening to North London to participate.’
The silence stretched, then Willis seemed to come to a decision.
Louise willed him to make the right one, for her.
‘Okay. On the condition there could be no angle in the eventual write-ups ridiculing my faith…or any faith.’
Louise used her hand to gently wave the crucifix on her necklace. ‘No concerns there. There is only respect and tolerance in our activities. She paused. ‘I will send you an email with the details. Plus, I’d be glad to make a donation to your charity or church.’
They shook hands in agreement. Louise left the pub, happy. One more down.
Willis sat finishing his drink. Her smiles didn’t fool him. He knew a predator when he saw one. But exposure for his message was paramount, it was God’s will.
Chapter 34
A siren broke the calm of the ship, Justio, sitting alone in the crew room, watched as a priority QET communication from the Gadium Emergence Committee appeared on the crew room wall.
Unusual.
He started the decryption process. Given that Aytch was not in stasis he would have to include his security key to release the message. Any moment now…
Aytch ran into the crew room, eyes wide. ‘Zeta Prime. I’ve never seen this before.’
Justio did his best to appear nonchalant. It was a real-time QET, simultaneously to over a hundred Gadium missions across the entire galaxy. It included the instruction for ships to forward on the QET message where they had entangled pairs with places other than the Gadium home planet. Such a massive expenditure of communication energy. He nodded slowly. ‘Rare indeed.’
Aytch entered his own personal code to release the message.
Then Justio enriched the message using the mission’s one-time pad. It displayed on the main crew room wall. Full text.
All Gadium Commanders—HIGH ALERT
Vantch. Additional evidence indicates a Gadium mission may have been on-site for three years. Information uncorroborated but, either way, indicates a resurgence of GF activity. All commanders must instigate heightened security and authentication.
Aytch turned with a look of wonder. ‘Gadium First terrorism.’
Justio felt relieved to see surprise on Aytch’s face, rather than suspicion. ‘Perhaps. Or maybe an honest mistake by the mission commanders.’
They both turned back to the text, absorbing the implications.
Aytch broke the silence. ‘The recent statuses from the Vantch mission indicated they hadn’t arrived yet.’
Accessing the relevant sections of the Gadium operating manual, Justio pulled up the requirements for enhanced security processes. He looked across at Aytch, then made a decision; speaking casually as he navigated the menus. ‘And maybe they haven’t.’
‘Sorry, Commander. It says they have.’
‘It may be a limitation of our translation, but the text says a Gadium mission not the Gadium mission. The implication may be that there is a separate ship.’
Aytch remained silent for a while. ‘I suppose so, but an independent GF ship?’
‘There
’ve been rumours of one.’ Justio was conflicted; highlighting the potential existence of a separate ship was giving away information about the GF operations. However, the identification of an obvious external threat could draw Aytch’s attention away from dangers closer to home.
Aytch assimilated the data. ‘A second ship, staffed with traitors, could cause trouble.’
‘But there is always the chance the Gadium mission really has been on Vantch for a while and has made mistakes. Now they’re using the GF as a convenient excuse.’
‘Sharnia’s convinced the GF are on the ascendant. She sees them everywhere, and thinks they will make some legitimate political moves soon.’
‘She’s a strong force for stability. One of a kind.’ Except for all the other maniacs just like her.
By now, Justio had brought up a screen detailing the additional security protocols required in conjunction with a security alert indicating Gadium First sabotage. Step 1 was a review of the relevant manual sections.
Justio brought up the screens and then stood up. ‘I’ll leave you with these to review. I’m going to stretch my legs.’
‘But you need to authenticate that I have refreshed myself on the manual.’
‘Ship—This is Commander Justio. Zeta Prime acknowledged and executed by Commander Aytch.’
‘And I need to authenticate that you’ve done it.’
Justio looked at the screens for a few seconds, then turned back. ‘Done it.’
He didn’t wait to see if Aytch would log the cross-authentication. He left the room. Walking down the corridor, he felt the initial pangs of concern. He’d seen the look in Aytch’s eye, and he wasn’t one hundred percent sure that Aytch would give him the authentication.
As the crew room door slid closed, Aytch turned back to the screens. Something was bothering Justio, that was for sure, but what? It was no surprise that Justio made a show of cutting corners of the official process; he’d been doing that the whole mission. If I had his sponsorship I could get away with it too. Not that I’d want to.
‘Ship—This is Commander Aytch. Zeta Prime acknowledged and executed by Commander Justio.’
Then Aytch turned his full attention to the screens and initiated the narration.
Chapter 11.1.3.A—Gadium First Sabotage
Overview
Noting membership of (or affiliation to) GF is illegal, sabotage will usually come in one of the following formats:
1. Official GEC orders giving bad advice, due to GF manipulation of the GEC; some people feel this already happens on a daily basis
a. Mitigation: All decisions subjected to statistical analysis
2. Forged orders to Mission teams appearing to be from the GEC; arising from the subversion (by blackmail, bribery, etc.) of the QET operators
a. Mitigation: Mission teams have executive control over operational matters, they do not expect, nor always obey, orders from GEC
3. Mission teams infiltrated by GF sympathisers; considered to be rare due to intensive training required for all Gadium teams, however, the wide lassitude of operational decision making means a skilled GF operative can sabotage and often has a good chance of covering his or her tracks
a. Mitigation: Two-member Mission teams with significant four-eye validation and authentication
4. A GF Mission ship on location; separate from, and unknown to, the on-site Gadium mission; existence disputed, but analysis implies one to three GF ships in existence
a. Mitigation: Hope and vigilance
Aytch shook his head and turned back to his comms tablet. Disaster on Vantch…
On Vantch, Klope watched as the Supreme Prelate of the True Faith walked out of the Palace of Infinite Wisdom. Flanked by six guards, he walked slowly up to the podium set out in front of the palace. There was a murmur in the crowd. They had expected a simple sermon preaching The One, with perhaps some reference to the Prophet, and the way he’d strayed from the One Path. However, the presence of another member of the Prelate’s retinue indicated something more significant was to happen.
Behind the main entourage another guard, the seventh, followed, carrying the Staff of Wisdom cradled across his outstretched arms.
The guard, a giant, clad head to toe in black leather armour, walked up to the Supreme Prelate and knelt in supplication. The presence of the Staff meant judgement was about to be given. Klope looked around at the soldiers with growing consternation. They didn’t seem to be getting ready for anything, but their faces betrayed uncertainty. He turned to look at the Supreme Prelate.
The Prelate took the Staff and then addressed the crowd. ‘Blessings of The One upon you all.’ He paused while the crowd returned the greeting, replicating the words, then continued. ‘There can be no reconciliation with the Prophet. There is no middle ground. There is one God. One Faith. One Path.’ His blue eyes glittered with life and he held out the Staff. ‘The so-called Disciples, the followers of the Prophet, are hereby banished from the continents of both Harfi and Lokis. Those who proclaim their allegiance after the setting of today’s sun will be executed without trial.’
Most of the crowd cheered and pockets of people started shouting abuse at the Disciples. Klope stood waiting for the soldiers to disburse the crowd, but the Supreme Prelate had not finished. The seventh guard went to a doorway at the side of the palace and returned after a few moments dragging a Disciple, whose green and white clothes were caked in mud and blood.
The guard threw the Disciple down in front of the Prelate, and then, taking hold of him by the throat lifted him easily off the floor with one hand. The Prelate turned to the crowd. ‘This Disciple has been found guilty of treason against the True God.’ He paused. ‘The punishment is death.’
Klope felt his stomach cramp, and he watched in growing fear; if the giant guard were to squeeze a little harder, his brother would die, and then the crowd would turn on all the other Disciples. I hope I can find a safe path through The Many. The soldiers around Klope and his few Disciple brothers, began to finger their guns. Klope looked around the crowd. Other groups of Disciples were also being focused on by soldiers. Klope turned to his closest companion. ‘I am proud to be in your world, brother.’ They shook hands. Klope couldn’t help but notice the sweat on both of their palms.
But the Disciple looked back at him, with his grip firm. ‘And I in yours, brother.’
A shout rang out across the courtyard. ‘I am the Supreme Prelate of the One Path. And only I shall judge in God’s name. The other Disciples gathered here today may leave in safety…but not before witnessing me carrying out the judgement here.’ The Supreme Prelate took a step towards the prisoner and reached out his own hand. The seventh soldier lowered the Disciple slightly, allowing the Prelate to take the Disciple by the neck.’
A gasp rang across the crowd.
Klope felt his chest tighten. Breaths were hard to come by, as if his own neck was being squeezed. The Prelate is holding my brother up with one hand! The Supreme Prelate turned back to the crowd. ‘I follow the One Path. God’s strength is in my arm, his wisdom is delivered to my mind, and his judgement is mine to carry out.’ The Prelate effortlessly flicked his hand and a loud crack washed across the silent crowd. The Disciple’s head lolled forward.
The Prelate dropped the body to the ground and gave his benediction to the crowd. ‘Blessings of The One upon you all.’
Klope turned and ran.
Chapter 35
By Tuesday, James Chambers couldn’t shake the feeling that he should have found out more about Project Hedgehog, but there was simply nothing recorded. He called Bob to see what had been gleaned from the Hardings.
Bob relayed the information about Louise’s obsession with Jack Bullage and the car crash.
James took this in. Probably no leak. ‘I remember the reports of the crash, people seemed incredulous anyone had survived. But that said, Louise Harding is a seasoned reporter. Surely she didn’t think it w
as anything more than a simple, albeit horrendous, accident.’
‘Well, given your department is nominally in charge of investigating the paranormal, you don’t have much of an open mind…’
James conceded the point. ‘What about their sources? Did you get the web sites?’
Bob gave the information he had, including the user name FibonacciEddie. Then probed for more. ‘Is there anything you can tell me, James? They’re doing luck experiments now. If I knew more about the actual Project Hedgehog scenarios I could compare the set-ups…’
Silence. Do I really care about their experiments?
Bob continued. ‘They’ve assumed Project Hedgehog was linked to mental powers of some sort, telekinesis or altering reality in some way. They have extrapolated, tenuously, but on advice from FibonacciEddie, into a wider investigation of luck.’
‘I’m just happy there’s no leak.’
‘But you’re in charge of paranormal and aliens. You must be a little interested.’
‘The programme was closed down. The records are all gone.’ James paused and stopped himself. No need to mention the disappearances.
‘So it’s over?’
James thought for a moment. It couldn’t hurt to keep an eye on things, even if just to cover his back. ‘Try to stay close for another week.’
‘Okay.’
Putting the phone down. There was no leak, the investigation was over.
But…
The Hedgehog file summary. James referred back to his notes. He had to admit there was still an intellectual irritation that needed soothing. Of course, he wasn’t going to make his position worse by giving any information out, but he could still have a look around internally.
James turned to his G60 technology hardware and, within a few moments, some of the most intrusive and powerful computers in the MOD were looking for FibonacciEddie. The scale and complexity of interpreting and cross-referencing data across all the impacted systems ensured that most of James’ afternoon was spent tweaking matching algorithms.