Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience. George Douglas 15 The Controller was angry. Even Crimmonson could tell that and he wasn't even in the same room! "I don't even know why we bothered with you two! Every time you come down here you cause us trouble. It was bad enough the last time. Do you know how much we had to expend just to hide your work?" "Well if we could. . ." Ken started to say. "Shut up! I haven't finished yet! The last time we had to smuggle you out of London. You didn't learn from that did you? This time you've lost Pete! We had plans for him but no! You two had to cause his death!" "It wasn't us it was Frank! He's the one who killed him!" Ken said. There was the sound of flesh hitting flesh as a guard, at the Controller's gesture, struck Ken. "You've also made the mistake of kidnapping that girl! If you'd contacted us we would have warned you about her!" "What! That Smythe bitch!" Ken's voice was incredulous. "She wasn't anything special. Anyway we told the mouthpiece what we planned; he didn't say anything about it!" This time the Controller let Ken speak. The answer was quieter. "No Ken. Not Sharon Smythe. I'm talking about Cathy Douglas. You know that other girl you grabbed with Sharon!" There was an undercurrent in the Controller's voice which obviously Ken didn't notice. "What? Her! She was nothing. She did nothing! Just sat in the background looking pretty! Oh and she was a good cook!" Ken didn't understand what the Controller was on about. The Controller laughed at Ken and shook his head. "You poor demented fool! You just don't understand do you?" At Ken's look the Controller stopped laughing. "Let me tell you that she was the reason why you got caught! She was the one who tipped off the cops! She was the one to convince your brother to join their side! And you were the one who lost her for us. We had a man in her father's office all ready to sweeten her life! But no, you had to ruin our plans! Both of you!" he added looking at Joey. "Look I know I was caught with that bloke. Then when I'm in the nick I'm told I'm on some blasted program and that I had to stay in. No help from that twit outside, I was lumbered! That's why I contacted Ken here!" Joey complained. The Controller sat impassively "Yes, you did didn't you. And what did he do but drop everything and come down here to rescue you! As if we hadn't already started the ball rolling ourselves!" He nodded to the guard who punched Joey for talking. The Controller pushed a button on his desk and Crimmonson entered. "Yes Controller." He said as he bowed to his leader, this was a different Crimmonson to the one that the world knew. This one knew is place before his peers and was meekly submissive to them. "You know what you have to do?" The question wasn't needed the plan was already in motion but Ken and Joey didn't know that. "Yes Controller, arrangements have been made for these two. The crates are ready for them. I will go to the jail with a writ of Habeas Corpus and act the outraged solicitor when they can't be produced." The Controller smiled. "Good, and when the documents are found a certain Detective Sergeant will curse the day he came against us." When the word `crate' was heard Ken and Joey turned to run but found themselves held by guards and then injected, after which they were rendered unconscious. Crimmonson watched this impassively before turning back to the Controller, "What do you want done about Cathy Douglas?" he asked. The Controller shook his head, "There is nothing we can do at the moment, unless we can capture and take her under our control. We're lucky though, there is a second approach that is open to us now, should all else fail. No, don't concern yourself with that for the moment. Now you have to get moving." Crimmonson bowed again and exited the room leaving Ken and Joey, who were being dragged away through another door. ------------------------- Frank and Reg were working away at an armoured car as Reg's pocket bleeped, he swore for a moment and, after wiping his hands on a dirty rag, reached into his pocket and brought out a PDA. "Captain we've got to get to a meeting, top priority." Reg told Frank. "What's wrong?" Frank wanted to know. "Donno, but I think the shit's just hit the fan!" Reg's face was impassive, "I've got to show you to the main meeting room." ------------------------- In the library a telephone rang and Jameson answered it. "Yes? . . . I see . . . I don't think that's a good idea . . . But . . . Yes, but . . . I see, very well I'll bring them." And he hung up the phone. Both Cathy and Sharon were looking at him as he turned to them. "I'm afraid that the lesson will have to be cut short." Jameson told them. "A situation has arisen and Sir Timothy has requested that everybody attends a meeting. If you will put the books down and accompany me I will take you to the meeting area." Cathy was slightly annoyed she was getting into the story, although some of the language was strange even if it was English. "Can't we take the books with us?" And Sharon was looking at him with the same question in her eyes. "Well you shouldn't really take books from this library." Jameson started to say. "Alright then." Cathy said smiling slightly, "I'll just turn the corner of this page down to save my place." "*NOOooo*! Never do that to these books, we have bookmarkers you can . . ." Jameson then saw the smile on Cathy's face. "Gotcha!" She told him as she slipped a piece of paper marking the page. "Daddy taught me that when I was six!" she added cheekily. "Miss Cathy if you were my daughter . . ." Jameson wisely left the threat unsaid. Cathy smiled, "Aren't you glad I'm not?" She asked cocking her head on one side. Jameson sighed and turned to Sharon who was listening closely to the conversation, "if you are ready Miss Sharon?" He said with a sigh indicating the door. "Of course I am *Mr. Jameson*." She said and then poked her tongue at Cathy before laughing. "You know Sharon I might decide that I don't like you!" Cathy said smiling to show she didn't mean it. Then she realised something and turned to Jameson, "When's Kathy coming back from the doctor?" She asked him. Jameson took out his pocket computer and pressed a few buttons and read the results. Cathy watched his face closely. When he looked up she shook her head. "She isn't coming back just yet is she?" She asked him. "No Miss Cathy. It seems your assumption was correct. The doctor has handed her over to a psychologist for attention." Sharon just stared at Jameson, "Do you mean she's mad?" She asked Jameson opened his mouth to reply but Cathy spoke instead, "No! Just that something has happened that she needs to cope with. Just imagine how you'd be if Pete shot Frank and not the other way round!" Sharon dropped her eyes as she considered this and then looked up again, "Geeze, I don't know what I would have done!" Cathy nodded "I think Kathy's problem is the same. She must have been placed in a position where she couldn't say anything in case her family was hurt." Jameson was amazed at the way Cathy managed give Sharon an example to work from. He shook his head, "Miss Cathy, how old are you *supposed* to be?" He said. Cathy gave a sweet smile, she remembered an old saying, "I'm as old as my tongue, and a little bit older than my teeth." And laughing the two girls ran out of the room with Jameson following them shaking his head. ------------------------- Once the girls had been joined with their parents, and Kathy's absence being explained to hers, Jameson was back to butler duty. He was present when a car arrived and a man was ushered to the main door of the house. Jameson smiled a welcome. "Good morning Detective Sergeant Clark. If you will follow me I will take you to the rest of the people. Sir Timothy will be with us soon." Clark stopped him, "Sir Timothy? Who's Sir Timothy?" he asked puzzled. Jameson smiled, "I understand your confusion sir, all will be revealed later." And then he continued walking with Clark following him. Jameson took Clark down some stairs to a lower level and then into a small hall where seats were already occupied, most of the people wearing uniforms. "If you will sit here please Detective Sergeant, I'm sure you know some of the people here. At first Clark was puzzled but then saw George Douglas and Robert Smythe, and then he noticed Cathy and Sharon were sitting with them. Finally he saw Frank Webb. Jameson noticed his looking and his reaction. "As you see sir, Mr. Webb is still with us." "How much do you know of the particular problem?" Clark asked Jameson. "Only that his brothers are missing, and before you ask sir. No, he doesn't know that yet. I believe this is what Sir Timothy is going to talk about." Jameson informed him. "What has this Sir Timothy got to do with all this?" Clark asked, but Jameson only smiled slightly. "If you will excuse me sir. I have to be at hand to greet Sir Timothy." And Jameson left. "Clark is that you?" George had looked over when the newcomer was brought in by Jameson. He got up and went to where Clark was Cathy joined him. "Good morning Mr. Clark and how are you today?" Cathy asked him as she sat beside him. Clark couldn't help it he smiled at the young girl. "Good morning to you Cathy, I'm fine but I'm in trouble I think!" George frowned when he heard that. "What's wrong?" Clark looked around and considered. "Well you see . . ." "Ladies and Gentlemen, Sir Timothy * * *." Jameson announced from the door. Sir Timothy entered the room and walked to Veronica and lightly kissed her hands before moving to the front of the hall. "Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for attending. As of now this area is on top alert. We have a possible breach of security ahead of us. Only our vehicles can now enter or leave this house, only those people you can vouch for will be allowed access. For example I can vouch for Detective Sergeant Clark." At this point Sir Timothy pointed to where Clark was seated. "Please get up so that my team can recognise you!" Clark did so, feeling rather self conscious. "DS Clark will be our liaison between the police and our organisation. He will co-ordinate any involvement of the Police should they need to act on our behalf. He will be staying here for the time being." There was a small murmur from the uniformed people and Sir Timothy raised his hands to "This has to be as currently DS Clark is under suspicion of aiding a breakout from on of her majesties prisons." Frank's head had whipped round to look at Clark before he raised his hand. Sir Timothy appeared to be waiting for that. "Yes Mr. Webb, I'm afraid your brothers have escaped from their prison. However I know, as does DS Clark's superiors, that he had nothing to do with that." Sir Timothy paused to let that last sink into Clark's consciousness. "It's just The Associations way of causing disruption where possible!" "We are going to have to watch out for further retaliation from the Association. We can be practically certain that they will discover this location. The addition of the second team will of course alert them to this." George raised his hand. Sir Timothy acknowledged him and he rose to speak. "I must admit that I'm confused about a few things. Mainly, wouldn't it be better to have left the security at its current level and so not show this place up?" Sir Timothy nodded his head. "That's a very good point Mr. Douglas, but we need to boost the security by having a full team working at day and night, instead of the half shift that is currently working so the disadvantage is outweigh by the advantage." Cathy didn't understand this but kept quiet. Her mind was wandering why they had bothered to make this type of move . . . Unless; they wanted the Association to be aware of this house! Almost make them a target for the Association? She found her eyes focusing on Sir Timothy and was surprised to notice that he was watching her. He gave her a small smile before continuing to address the group, "I know this will mean some problems with your plans but I hope you'll get to know the members of the security team and that they will recognise you." He looked at a uniformed man. "Ashby if I could borrow your weapon for a moment please?" He asked and the man handed his rifle to Sir Timothy who held it up. "These rifles are slightly different from normal, they are designed to fire anaesthetic darts, and so even if you are accidentally shot by one there should be no damage." He paused for a moment and then added, "However we are sure that the Association will have no such restraint. So when any command is given by one of our people please ensure that you follow their instructions." He handed the rifle back to Ashby and then looked around again, "If I could ask you to return to your rooms, or where-ever you were before the meeting started I will be round to have a few words. I will however like a few words with Team Alpha before they dismiss." Cathy and Sharon noticed that Veronica had risen and was walking to the main doors; a hesitant Frank and Nicola also got up from their seats and joined her. Veronica hugged Nicola and led them out of the room. Cathy looked at Sharon, "I suppose we better carry on with the reading?" She asked Sharon nodded without saying anything. The two girls went to Jameson, "Jameson would it be okay if we carry on with the lessons?" Jameson smiled at their enthusiasm. "If you want to Miss Cathy, I have to take Detective Sergeant Clark to his office and then I'll join you." The two girls ran off to the library and jumped into their comfortable seats; Cathy found her bookmark and then carried on reading. Back in the meeting room, after all the guests had left, Sir Timothy spoke to the team. "Okay, now that we given them a reason not to panic. Now here's the reason why you're here. We want the Association to know where we are! We want them to attack the house." The Team Leader rose to his feet. "Sorry sir, can you repeat that?" He asked puzzled Sir Timothy laughed. "I'm sorry Scott but I did say that! We want them to attack us! We want to gauge their firepower." Scott shook his head, "But what about the guests? What are they supposed to do?" "Nothing! They're going to be behind triple bullet proof steel doors, all the guest rooms are the same and they're locked by central command hidden deep in the house. Even if they plant bombs the rooms will be protected." He paused to allow the team to absorb this before continuing. "What we have to sort out is our response to their attack." Scott spoke up first. "Well of course we shouldn't let them enter the house in the first place!" His statement was backed up by his team. Sir Timothy smiled, "We're inviting them to enter the house! All we're not letting them do is to leave!" His smile grew hard. "This is a one way trap. As soon as they're in here we're going to create a maze for them to follow like rats." He then detailed the plan. . . --------------- When Jameson announced Lunch to the two girls they both looked up in surprise as it hadn't seemed 10 minutes since they picked up the books. Jameson smiled at them as they gathered themselves and carefully marked their places. They entered the Dining room and found that Kathy was now seated with her parents, although her eyes betrayed the tears that she'd been shedding she smiled as they arrived. Sharon and Cathy sat down with her and waited to be served by the maids. "How are you?" Cathy asked. "I'm okay, I suppose." She said after a moment. "Do you want to talk about it?" Sharon said Kathy looked at her for a moment and then shook her head. "I suppose you've been talking to a lot of people haven't you?" Cathy asked. "They said it would be easier to talk to people about . . . about it. But I'm still scared that mum will get hurt." Kathy told them "Are you kidding? With all the people here? He'd never get in!" Cathy said. "I never said it was a man!" Kathy jumped as she said that. Cathy patted her friend's hand. "I noticed how you reacted with Jameson. I know he's safe but there's a person who looks like him, or acts like him, and that man has hurt you. And that man's going to pay for it!" She finished her voice cold. Sharon looked at the two girls and then asked, "But what can we do?" Cathy smiled. "Not us. But I know a girl who can. Lets finish Lunch and then we'll go and ask her." Kathy couldn't keep up with this, "Ask who?" But Cathy was silent when Kathy looked at Sharon she just shrugged her shoulders in a `don't ask me!' gesture. ----------------------------- The Controller read the reports. `Detective Sergeant Clark currently suspended was being held in a private secure location - All available information shows that he is due to be arrested soon' He smiled at that one. It was petty he knew but they had to show that it cost to cross The Association. The next one was annoying `No trace of Frank Webb. Assumed to be held in secure prison somewhere in the country' He made a note for the author to be replaced by someone more competent and for the search to be intensified. The man couldn't just vanish into thin air. `Organisation Team Alpha relocating to Town house known as Alpha 3.' Alpha 3? There was a notice about that house. The Controller went to an intercom and pressed the talk button. "What's the current status of house Alpha 3?" he barked. There was a few minutes delay before the answer was available. "Alpha 3 owned by Sir Timothy * * *. Occupied by one female Veronica Coleman and staff of 6. Recently security improved and monitored by Organisation Team Gamma. No further information." The Controller switched off the intercom without acknowledging the information. He sat back in his chair and thought. Why have two teams at a Town house? They'd be falling over themselves. And that Coleman woman was just a liaison between the Organisation and their tame solicitors. The ones who cause all this trouble! He called up a map of the house and studied it. He decided that a display of force was needed and called up the plans for the house. It would serve The Organisation right if he did destroy it, just to show them that the Association wasn't one to take defeat lying down! He ordered reports about the location to be updated every half hour. This was why they had watchers spotted around the house! The first few reports were encouraging. `_*Movement by main door. Child leaving with female security. Description agrees with that of Kathy Webb*_'. - This was electrifying to The Controller, a clue as to Frank Webb's location. `_*Car arrived - it seems to have one passenger inside. From the description he could be Detective Sergeant Clark. He's been taken in to the house by one of the guards.*_' `_*Car arrived. High security around this one! Passenger is Sir Timothy. Repeat Sir Timothy on site.*_' `_*Guards being changed! Team entering house! Reason unknown.*_' Later the next report arrived. `_*Car arrived, one passenger inside. It's the girl returned with female security guard.*_' He issued a command for the watchers to try to see if the other girls were present. If they could capture Cathy Douglas then the war would be won. For that was what they were fighting a war between The Association and The Organisation. And it all hinged on this one young girl! --------------------- After the dinner, instead of going to the Gymnasium the three girls were presented to Sir Timothy. He was in a sitting room standing by the fire, which wasn't lit. He smiled as the three girls came in and gestured to them to sit down. Jameson took a position by the door. "Welcome Sharon, Cathy and Kathy. I'm glad to meet you. I've heard some interesting things about you." Kathy blushed which Sir Timothy missed but Cathy hadn't. "Sir Timothy!" Cathy said, "You haven't read all the recent reports have you?" She asked him Sir Timothy frowned at this early interruption to his planned speech. "Err, no I haven't. Is there something I should know?" He asked Kathy shook her head. But Cathy continued. "Just this, all three of us have been in embarrassing positions! But some of us have been treated worse." This statement puzzled Sir Timothy who just looked at the three girls, and then noticed Kathy and how she was behaving. "I see . . . I think? Let me start again." Sir Timothy paused for a moment. "I wanted to speak to you three to find out what you thought of all this?" Kathy spoke quickly, "I just wanted to stay with my daddy. I didn't like it when he was away." Sir Timothy nodded gravely, "It's difficult when your parents go without saying anything. You feel that you don't have the chance to say you love them or even if you'll ever see them again." He was looking at Cathy when he said that as if trying to pass on a message to her. "But thanks to Cathy here you and your father are reunited, and we're trying to ensure that you're never separated again. He moved his hand slightly, an almost imperceptible gesture - Cathy noticed Jameson pressing a few buttons on his pocket computer. A few seconds later there was a knock on the door which Jameson opened. Sally was outside. "I'm sorry to bother you Sir Timothy, it just that we have a window clear for Kathy. If we're going to get there in time she'll have to leave now." Kathy glanced at Sir Timothy who nodded to her. "I don't think I'd better keep you Kathy, I'm sure that Sharon or Cathy will let you know what we talk about." and the girl almost ran from the room. Jameson shut the door. "That wasn't very nice of you, Sir Timothy." Cathy's voice rang out in the room. "Kathy requires support, not to be shielded from the truth." "I'm afraid you've lost me Cathy, I can call you Cathy can't I?" Sir Timothy sounded slightly amused. "I'm not sure yet!" Was Cathy's reply, which made Sharon give her an anxious look. "So what have I done to cause you to be angry with me?" Sir Timothy asked. "You ordered Jameson to remove Kathy from this room. I take it that was why you moved your hand that way. And Jameson used his computer thingy to call Sally here as you both know she wouldn't go with a man at the moment." There was a pause of a few seconds before Sir Timothy smiled and replied, "Completely correct! I wasn't aware you noticed either thing. But how did you gather that Sally was sent here on the pretext?" Cathy turned to Jameson, "You told me when I first arrive here that servants never knock on the door to room! Yet Sally knocked first before entering. Either Sally isn't a servant . . . She isn't, is she? She's another bodyguard!" Sir Timothy started to clap his hands, "Congratulations Miss Douglas. You are right. Sally is assigned as a bodyguard to both you and Miss Smythe." Sharon raised her hand and looked at Sir Timothy, "Yes, Miss Smythe?" He asked. "I don't mind you calling me Sharon, Sir Timothy!" She said smiling, Sir Timothy smiled his thanks. "But why do we need a bodyguard here? And why not Su? She'd be better wouldn't she?" Cathy persisted. Sir Timothy shook his head. "No! Su is a good bodyguard I will grant you. She has an excellent unarmed combat background, but Sally has a better knowledge of weapons and communications. Also she's received advance training to allow her to work undercover in stately homes or hotels. In this current assignment she is the better person to protect you." Cathy blinked when he finished talking, "That was the truth!" She announced surprised. Sharon just stared at her. "How do you know?" Sharon asked. "Yes how did you know that?" Sir Timothy asked intrigued. Cathy frowned. "I don't know . . . I mean I know if people are lying to me, always have! But how I know . . ." She shrugged her shoulders. "But why did you bother to answer my question?" She asked. Sir Timothy gave a small laugh, "Two reasons. The first is that you needed to know. . ." he paused giving Sharon a chance to ask the obvious question. "And what's the second?" "Well, it's always disconcerting to the questioner when you do!" He smiled at Cathy's face. "And I want you to be able to trust me." He added. "Why? I mean why do you need me?" Cathy asked. Sir Timothy considered his reply carefully. "We need clear thinkers in the Organisation. People who can see what is needed to be done, regardless of the dangers that may occur. You showed that you were one of these during your kidnapping. *You* worked on Frank Webb as you knew that he wasn't fully with his brothers. *You* managed to convince him to work against them. Then there was the way in which you were able to tell us where you were. *You* knew that Trudy would understand your sign gestures and made us aware of her importance to the message." He smiled at her. "That is what marks you as a clear thinker and why you are important to us!" She heard what he was saying but she still sensed that he was not telling her the whole truth. "So why am I still here? Why haven't you moved me out like you did with Kathy?" Sharon asked. Sir Timothy shook his head. "To be honest Sharon you're a mystery to us. Although you didn't show the same qualities as Cathy did during your kidnapping there has been some changes to you. We're not sure what changes though. Do you remember the mathematic problems you were given this morning?" Sharon nodded her head. "Well both of you noticed there was a subliminal message in the screen." Cathy voiced her concern, "You mean a controlling message? Well it didn't work!" Sir Timothy smiled, "No, it didn't - did it!" he said calmly. Cathy started to get angry "You admit that you were trying to control us! Why?" Sir Timothy went to a chair and sat down. "This is more comfortable." He commented and then, seeing the spark in Cathy's eyes, continued. "We had some programmers called in to add some instructions to the math's programme and some others. We wanted them to increase the users' memory retention of the sums, or whatever they were learning. Unfortunately they went beyond the scope of the instructions and tried to include a control sub-command to make the users' susceptible to orders given by a person in authority." "But that's not right!" Sharon said and Cathy's eyes told Sir Timothy that she agreed with her. "You're correct, and to tell the truth I was against the idea." And Cathy could tell that in this he was truthful. "But you allowed us to use the program!" She said, and then added. "You wanted it to work!" she accused him. "We did test it to see if it was effective, yes. However the control part of the programme failed! We've told the programmers to remove that aspect from the scripts." Sir Timothy replied, "But the memory enhancing part we'll keep in." He added. Cathy thought for a moment and then nodded. "Yes, that would be helpful to people I understand. But what's going to stop people from keeping the control part active?" Sir Timothy could see what she was asking. "Are we going to keep the control section in the programme, but disabled, or are we going to remove it completely?" He clarified, at Cathy's nod he explained that the control and memory enhancement parts were separate modules in the programme and could be removed completely without interfering with the programme itself. "You didn't answer my question." Cathy said evenly. "There may be some times when a question shouldn't be answered." Sir Timothy said. "What if I disagreed with you? Would you try to brainwash me into going your way?" Cathy said. Sir Timothy shook his head, "No! It wouldn't work with you, nor would threats to your family or friends or yourself. Cathy believe me, we are working for the benefit of all. There may be a case for the control programme to be used. So it would be stupid of us to remove it altogether. I will hasten to add that we'll no longer be trying it with any of you girls." Again Cathy heard the truth in Sir Timothy's words but she still wasn't happy. "But isn't wrong to control people's thoughts?" Asked Sharon. Again Sir Timothy nodded, "Indeed! But advertisers have been doing that for years, creating fashions and crazes for things when there used to be no demand. People managed without Sindy dolls before the 1960's. Then when advertisers started to say how good they were and how much children wanted them so people started to believe them. The dolls have remained the same but the hype has made it so that girls want the latest model with the latest clothes!" "But that's not mind control, that's just fashion." Said Sharon. But Cathy was thinking again. "So what you're trying to say is that what you're doing is no worse than advertising to make people think *your* way. But what make you think that your way is the best way?" Sir Timothy shook his head. "I don't! *I* think it's the better way. But you're right in thinking there must be some other road to follow. All I can do is to offer you both a chance to judge us before you decide to join us." Cathy smiled slightly. "Aren't we a bit too young to make that decision? I mean I can't even vote yet!" Sir Timothy nodded, "You might think that you're too young. But to understand something requires you to make a commitment, and the sooner the better! I believe Su is teaching you something about controlling your body?" As the two girls nodded he continued, "The first part of that is to understand how the body behaves and reacts." He could see that both girls were following his examples. "Think of the Organisation as a body. It's made up of various parts, each one contributing to a whole. Only by understanding how each part works and fits can you see how the Organisation works." "So what you're saying is that we have a what? Free sample of the Organisation?" Cathy said smiling. "Exactly." The one word wasn't what Cathy was expecting. "Huhh?" she said Now Sir Timothy laughed. "Such eloquence from one so young!" He said. "I did mean it Cathy. No pressure! You can look around and ask whatever you want. I want you to find out everything about the Organisation." At the look of wonder on the girl's face he then added. "But I still want you to attend your normal lessons in the morning. However, in a few days you will all be given a test - Just to see your ability to solve a simple problem." Sharon gulped and then asked, "What type of problem?" Sir Timothy smiled, "Nothing too difficult, you'll be asked three questions and you'll have to find as much of the answer as you can." Cathy was quick, "What are the questions?" But Sir Timothy shook his head. "Sorry Cathy I don't know. Jameson will be the one setting the questions, and he's not allowed to tell you until the day." He stood up, "There's just one more thing I have to do before you go back to your classes." He went to a desk and opened a drawer, taking three items from it. He turned and presented them to Cathy and Sharon. "These are PDA's they have a wireless connection to the Organisation, if you require anything, information or equipment, within reason we will try to get it for you. However do not use them frivolously or they will be taken back!" The two girls looked at the PDA's. Each one had their name on, and there was one for Kathy. Sharon looked up, "Thank you Sir Timothy" She said and nudged Cathy in the side. "Oh, yes. Thank you Sir Timothy." She echoed as she examined the screen and small keypad, then she looked up. "I suppose these will also let you know where we are?" she asked. Sir Timothy nodded. "Yes Cathy, just so we don't lose either of you again. So please keep them with you at all times! Now if you don't have any more questions I think Su will be ready for you both." Cathy smiled at him for a moment before she thought about something else, "Oh you've still got to get Kathy back from wherever you've sent her." Sir Timothy nodded, "She'll return. She *is* actually having a treatment session with our psychiatrist at the moment. One of the advantages of being rich, I can get people to work when I say not when they want to. She's in good hands I assure you." He said this she knew was the truth; it was strange everything - nearly everything she amended, that Sir Timothy had told them had been truthful. "This meeting has been very nerve racking for you hasn't it?" Cathy asked. Sir Timothy paused before answering. "It has in a way Cathy, with you I have to ensure that everything I say is correct. I can't emphasise how important you are to us, but I can't force you to join us. I just hope you will trust me on this." Cathy thought for a moment and then smiled, "I'll have to consider that!" She said before she turned to leave the room. As the door closed Sir Timothy took his handkerchief from his pocket and started to mop his brow. `_I hope I convinced her! Because I don't know what we'll do if she doesn't join us!_' he thought. ----------------- The Controller decided. His teams hadn't reported on the other girls so perhaps it was just Frank Webb and his family in the house. But two teams of their security to look after one family? He didn't think so. He spoke on an intercom. "Jeffries? Put a strike force together. We're going to hit them. Teach them a lesson that they can't try to bring us down! But make sure they have a picture of the girl Cathy Douglas. She isn't to be harmed! Remember that or I'll take it out of your hide!" This wasn't a threat and Jeffries knew this. His predecessor had failed and his head was still in the control room. A constant reminder to all! Jeffries wiped his face and then started to look through his list. He was after the nastiest men in the books, men who didn't care if they lived or died - get them pumped up with enough PCP and they wouldn't even care if they lost an arm. But they had to be warned about the Douglas girl. He crossed referenced the list with that of the two teams at the target house. A group of 20 should be enough he decided. Then he started the ball rolling to bring them together. The Association doesn't let the grass grow under its feet, within 10 minutes the people chosen by Jefferies were assembled. He took it upon himself to brief them. "Listen up. You've got an important job to do. We want to teach some people a lesson. You guys are the best men we have to do the job." `_You're not but I'm not going to tell you that - You're just thugs to use_' Jefferies thought to himself. "We want you to enter a property and ransack it. Anyone gets in your way? Then remove them as you want." "Anything goes?" The voice came from within the group. "Of course!" there was a murmur of satisfaction at that. "*HOWEVER*!" Jefferies shouted over the noise, "Should this particular child be found she is to be taken out of the house and delivered to our hands, there's an extra thousand in it for the person who brings her back unharmed." He handed out pictures of Cathy Douglas. "Understand this, if we hear that she has been touched beyond necessary handling, *we will not be pleased*!" "Any other cunts in the place?" this voice again was anonymous. "There might be two others not to mention the female staff. We're not concerned about them only this Cathy girl. Any more questions?" Jefferies asked the group shook their heads. Jefferies smiled. "Good, if you need some equipment it'll be on the van, along with some stuff. Have fun." The group were herded out to the waiting furniture van which started off to the property designated as Alpha 3 ----------------- George Douglas was now lost. He wanted something to do but didn't know what. He went to see Veronica. "Well George what's up?" Veronica asked with a smile, he explained his position feeling awkward about standing in front of her, like a schoolboy in front of his headmistress. She laughed at him, "Oh you poor man! How do you think I get on? There's a video link to the office and any paperwork can be scanned and in your hands in seconds. I can get you virtually into the room if you want. "If you can. I don't want to be climbing the walls while I'm here." George said smiling. "I'm sure we can. If you'll come with me." Veronica led him into a room and showed him a computer screen with a camera attached. "Now George I believe you have a user on these systems" - she showed him how to log in and to enter a password. The computer started up and gave him a small screen showing his picture. "That's the picture in the camera there and if you click on this icon. She showed him how to connect onto Helen's face. "Good afternoon Mr. Douglas, I'm glad to see you. It's been a madhouse here today. We've been inundated by the press trying to get information from us. And Mr. Watson's been on the phone he's apologised for jumping to conclusions the other day and wants to continue using our firm." Helen quickly brought him up to date. "Thank you Helen and good afternoon to you as well. To tell you the truth I'm not sure exactly where I am at the moment." He gathered his thoughts. "Ask Aisha if she can split my clients amongst herself, John and David. Give her my apologies and give her Watson. If he starts to moan then just remind him how much we've done for him. Oh yes and present our bill for the work already done!" Helen smiled, "I've already started the first part and I've got this on record for Mrs. Halque now. Any idea how long you're going to be away boss?" Helen asked him and George decided to check on his suspicions. "I thought you might have a better idea than me. My Lady." He said evenly. Helen frowned "I'm sorry boss what did you call me?" "Well I thought, *Lady Helen*, as part of the Organisation you might have some inside knowledge?" "Dammn! That's the second time you've done something I wasn't prepared for boss! How long have you known?" She asked him. George smiled, "Since that night at Sir Timothy's, he is your father isn't he?" Helen nodded slowly. "Yes, I kept my mother's name when I applied for this job. Are you angry with me boss?" she asked him. George shook his head. "No, ever since Cathy pulled a fast one on me I've given up being angry with people. Why did you want to be my secretary in the first place?" Helen looked at him with a strange expression on her face. "At first it was orders, later I found I liked it. That's why I'm still here. Look boss I'll tell you and Sandra about it when I can, only not just yet. Please?" George nodded; somehow there was a tone in her voice that begged him not to press the point. "Okay Helen. I'll need the file on the Rice case sent here. I want to examine it while I've got some time to spare." There was a relieved look on Helen's face. "Certainly boss, I'll get them scanned and emailed to you. I take it you've got your new address?" She asked him. George looked at the screen in front of him and found an outlook icon on his desktop. "I think so, but if I don't get it then I'll contact you again. Look after the shop for me please Helen." She smiled and nodded. "Of course boss, what else is a secretary for?" George thanked her and closed the program. He left the room and went back to Veronica who smiled as he approached, but when she saw his face her smile dropped slightly. "That was quick. Any problems?" She asked him "Only one. You did know about Helen didn't you?" George asked her. Veronica realised that it wasn't time to avoid the answer but to give one that sounded plausible. "Yes I did. It was decided that we needed somebody in the office just in case I had to pass the baton on suddenly. Helen was available and your secretary was moving and so it was an obvious place to put her." Veronica said smoothly. George hesitated. It seemed to answer the questions . . . But then why did Helen seem so evasive? But what else could be the reason? He was about to ask when an alarm sounded within the room. "What's that?" George asked Veronica looked around in surprise. "We're under attack! Look George the room's locked out so we're safe here. It's probably one of Sir Timothy's little drills; he runs them to keep the squads on their toes." Veronica gestured to a chair. "I think you'd better sit down, these normally take about half an hour. ----------------------------------------- _*An Apology to Linux users and those against Microsoft*_. _I've included windows and outlook as these are used by some people and they are familiar with them - if you want to replace these with any programs you are used to then please do so_. WL.