Chapter 11

Posted: September 05, 2006 - 07:23:51 pm

"Tell me exactly what you were thinking when you told this, this Whisper, why you were part of a group?" her Uncle John asked.

It was a day later. We were relaxing in this pretty little breakfast nook area of Lord John's manor. God, the thing was huge. Not a castle really, but still, an honest to god English country manor. Of one of the nobility, no less!

"It's very simple, Uncle John. This Whisper man had basically forced Tom into servitude, and now they were going to do it to Scott. I wanted to tilt him off balance, and change his worldview that he was stronger and had power over them.

"So I made up my ability because Scott, dear boy that he is, had not revealed his TK abilities to the government, just his 'remote viewing'. So I decided to throw a curve into the system, to make them less sure of themselves. Now, it is possible that they believe there is a much larger group of 'talented' people out there, in various countries.

"Scott, being the smart person he is, caught onto my little act, and moved a coffee cup and saucer to this Whisper, when I went into my theatrics. For all we know, there are others out there who can do these things, but are either untrained, or they learned early to blend in and keep it to themselves. The world, despite what it says, is suspicious of those who are different," Courtney stated a bit grimly.

"Well, you lot have definitely chosen the hard road. I am not sure you understand the full ramifications of your choice, Courtney," Lord Avery-Smythe said.

Tom had been following along quietly, and was sort of listening to his ear bud.

"Well, my computer is reporting all sorts of electronic messages are now flowing from HS to the FBI, to the CIA, to the NSA, and even to the DOD. Scott, you will be interested in knowing that your apartment has been searched, completely. Your finances have been requested and viewed. Your parents have been interviewed.

"The AI has already broken the codes being used. A nationwide and worldwide search has been initiated. We are considered dangerous, and should be subdued from a distance if at all possible," Tom said in a musing tone.

"I don't understand. If we didn't know about the raid on Scott's place, how come they are all of a sudden breaking electronic silence, now?" Brenda asked in a confused voice.

"Obviously, you are unfamiliar with departmental politics young lady," his lordship said.

"What do you mean" She asked. I was confused too.

"You say you didn't have any or could find any warnings or electronic messages concerning the raid on Scott? That would fit with someone higher inside the agency playing a power game. Then we have inter-agency rivalries.

"In the world of big government, a lot of times not only does the left hand not let the right know what's going on, but sometimes the fingers act independently as well. Especially if said finger is jockeying for a position of greater power and influence over the hand. He is, has, or wants, to move higher on the chain.

"Also, if you think that's bad, it is even worse between countries. Agents are told exactly what the other country already knows, and if it is something that a country in question wants to get information on, and a different country has it, they try to keep it from the country that does not have it. Information equals power. The more you have, and the less the other guy has, is what puts you in a stronger position," John explained at length.

"I can't believe that governments play these juvenile games!" Brenda exclaimed.

Most of us laughed at this.

"Welcome to the real world, Brenda. Just because you have greater responsibility, does not mean you leave your childishness at home. Some of the worst tantrums I have ever seen, were thrown by supposedly trusted elected officials," John Avery-Smythe replied amusedly.

Tom was not paying attention to us. He started to chuckle and then laugh. We looked at him.

"There was a request sent in to speak with you when you got to your office tomorrow by the US ambassador and an assistant of his. They are asking that you come to their embassy, for a secure discussion.

The funny thing is, they plan on keeping you there, until they are sure you have no knowledge of Courtney's whereabouts or have proved to their satisfaction you have no abilities yourself. They plan on sending an extraction team to get your wife also,"

"They sent this encoded to their embassy?" The lord asked.

"No, it arrived by courier. However, someone has access to their computers, and they passed the message on to me. Seems to be a non-detected penetration, so far. Anyway, I figured if I told you, that you would take steps. I want to be there to watch," he grinned.

"The problem will be securing my home from invasion. If these people are determined, it could lead to a pitched battle. I am surprised that the US would resort to these tactics with an ally. I am a bit disappointed, and very annoyed," John said in a tone I had not heard yet.

"I think I can help, there. How would you like a squad of special forces I know, that will be totally unobtrusive? They are also totally loyal to the job. It wouldn't matter to them if you were a two-headed turtle, just as long as you were 'the mission'.

"Plus, I can guarantee they will hear any communications that whoever the opposition is, is using. They will not be seen until action is needed," Tom paused, looking expectant.

"Well, if you can promise my wife and home will be safe, then I guess I can trust these people you're sending. I want to see them first, though. How much do these people charge?" he asked of Tom.

"No charge," Tom responded dryly. "They will accept it as a mission. They are highly professional people, Lord John."

It was agreed upon. Tom said he would be right back, and disappeared. He was back in a few moments, with eight strangely dressed men, and two women. There were three rather large equipment cases of peculiar design, on the floor in front of them. Each person held a helmet tucked under his or her arm, and they were all standing at parade rest. All had backpacks of a rather extraordinary design on their backs.

"Kelly! Front and center!" Tom snapped out.

A female at the end of the line came to attention, and stepped two paces forward.

"Sir!" she replied forcefully.

"This is Lord John Avery-Smythe, the lord of the manor, and husband of Lady Avery-Smythe. It is she whom you will protect. Lord Avery-Smythe, it would be better if you sent for your wife now, as she will need to meet the squad," Tom said.

Introductions were made a few minutes later. The Lady Avery-Smythe was only mildly annoyed at the intrusion of armed persons in her home. The squad leader gave a command, and soon one of the equipment boxes was opened. Strange looking equipment was quickly distributed. All but two of the persons left for other parts of the manor.

"Sir, I will need three rooms for myself and my squad, if possible. Or, if you have a large hallway, we can bunk down there. This is private Sanders. She will be your wife's companion 'till mission's end. The rest of the team will provide protection for the manor," Kelly said to John after her men had left.

"I think we can do better than three rooms. We can give you the south wing if you like. Second floor has eight rooms. Take your pick," lord Avery-Smythe responded.

"That won't be necessary. Three rooms are sufficient. Also, I must ask you your wife, and your staff all to take direction from us, in the event of an attack. We will have a very short notification time. It is imperative that all comply with my instructions during an attack.

"I have every confidence in Mr. Wilshire's abilities to handle himself, and I even am willing to admit that his brother Scott is trained to the basic level in my work. However, you, your family and staff are all unknowns, and that's a concern to me. I have to insist on this," she said a bit tensely.

I was ok in her book? Gee, I was flattered. His lordship looked like he was going to balk for a moment, but then thought it over logically. He spoke quietly with his wife.

I took this time to ask Kelly, what she meant about me. She looked at me.

"I was one of your evaluators during your six months at our base. You are competent, barely. I hope you will stay out of our way, at a minimum, and try not to get hurt or killed. I would hate to disappoint your brother," she said seriously.

"Oh! Well! We wouldn't want to disappoint my brother," I told her sarcastically.

Her eyes hardened, and she launched a quick thumb strike at me, which if it had landed, would have hit a nerve bundle causing temporary numbness and loss of the use of my left arm. Except that I blocked it, and launched a series of counters, and strikes of my own.

Something had been happening to me, lately. My reflexes had been getting faster, and my reactions quicker. It seemed I could almost feel where a strike was aimed, or what throw my brother was going to use, when we sparred. It was time for her to reevaluate me upward.

"What do you think your doing, Sergeant Kelly?" Toms voice snapped.

I stepped back, and interrupted her as she was about to answer.

"It's ok, Tom. She was one of my evaluators during my time of training at the base, and I wanted her to reevaluate me upwards. Hopefully she now knows I can handle myself in a fight," I answered.

"I knew you could handle yourself, and while I note your improvement in hand to hand, I question the judgment you showed in how you provoked the situation," Sergeant Kelly said in reply.

I threw my hands up, and walked away. She just grinned. Tom went over and started talking quietly with her.

"That was an impressive exchange. I couldn't tell what you were doing," Brenda said when she came up to me.

"Actually, we had exchanged about sixteen strikes and sixteen counters, but she was about to hand me my ass," I said ruefully.

"How can you tell?" asked Courtney who had come over to listen.

"Well, while we were doing our initial exchange, her body started shifting subtly. She was about to launch a more serious attack, when I stepped back. I think I am pretty good, but I'm not in Tom's league, yet. I think she would have mopped the floor with me, but I would have made a good show of it," I replied with a grin.

"Are you serious about that?" asked Tom, who had come up with Kelly on my blind side. Damn it! I hadn't heard either one of them moving.

"Yeah, I am. I know when I am outclassed. I just wanted her to know I am improving, is all," I responded to him.

"You aren't pissed at her for attacking you?" Tom asked me?

I laughed. "Hell, no. It was kind of great to be doing that again. I almost miss it, sometimes," I said a bit nostalgically.

Kelly grinned, and nodded to us. She went back to Lord and Lady Avery-Smythe who had been watching the exchange with open mouths.

The next day Tom disappeared for a while, and the Lord of the manor left earlier than usual for the office. He had decided to stop and see a friend of his in the ministry of defense. Shortly after that visit, a team of Britain's crack SAS troops was unobtrusively sitting around Lord Avery-Smythe's downtown office.

The first thing that Tom told us later that day, was that when the SAS had arrived, there had been a man from the US embassy waiting to see Lord John. His lordship had told the man, while still in the outer office, that he was much to busy to go to the embassy at this time.

The second thing that happened was that a call came in from a Lord Charles Abernathy. He was the Parliament's man. He was the one who always contacted the Americans from the British side, and vice versa. He said that the American ambassador had contacted him, asking him to expedite a visit by lord Avery-Smythe to the American Embassy. All he was told, was that the visit was important.

Lord Avery-Smythe responded that while he understood, he was tied up, and could not possibly get away. Lord Abernathy responded with this was a very serious request, and his lordship should reconsider. Lord Avery-Smythe replied he would think about it, but didn't see how he could get away anytime soon.

Apparently, that had not satisfied the Americans. They pulled some strings. Later that day, the Prime Minister's office called, asking if Lord Avery-Smythe could possibly drop what he was doing, and see the Americans as soon as possible.

Lord Avery-Smythe said that it was impossible, and if the prime minister cared to drop by, he could be shown the reason why the Lord was tied up, and what was taking his time. Or, Lord Avery-Smythe would be glad to meet with the PM, and show the PM the reason for his situation. So an appointment was made later that day, and his lordship went to see the prime minister.

The meeting apparently went off without a hitch. The prime minister himself called the American ambassador about a copy of a purported peculiar message, indicating that the Americans were about to take great liberties with Lord Avery-Smythe and his wife.

The Americans protested of course, and wanted to know what this supposed message said. It was read to them verbatim, over the phone.

The prime minister listened a moment, then said 'all right', and hung up. The PM said that the American ambassador had been silent a moment, then demanded to know how we had gotten this message. Not 'who gave it to us.' To everyone in the room, this was a glaring admission of guilt. The PM also stated that the American ambassador had sounded shaken by the PM's knowledge of the message.