1. Preparation
As Zara Asker walked down the corridors, she could already hear the noise from the boisterous canteen full of hyped up kids. It was Friday night fever, always happened, and probably always would. However, she wasn't here to have some fun with the kids, she was looking for two of them in particular for Zara had a proposed mission to give. She found the pair sitting next to each other along with their other friends all eating, chatting and laughing. The two in question were James Adams and Cameron Youngs, and they couldn't have looked any different from each other, James had blonde cropped hair, blue eyes and a stocky build whereas Cameron, had strawberry blonde bordering on ginger hair, green eyes and a fairly stocky build, probably the only thing he did have in common. They supported rival football teams in James and Arsenal and Cameron and Tottenham, Cameron was a big fan of team sports, James was not, but yet they were the best of friends, they had gone through basic training together, despite not being partners they helped each other, and before that even they had joined around the same time as each other, and from all of this they had formed a strong bond. Zara kept on walking to them, noticing how quiet it had suddenly become. The table containing James and Cameron and their band of friends looked up and realised it was them that it was them that Zara was walking towards. Cameron silently cursed to himself a string of words that could not be repeated, he just hoped it wasn't about the planned party that he was throwing in his room tonight, he then realised he possibly left the sheet of paper which had all the details on it, who was going, what food would be needed, what about music, His suspicions were furthered when Zara asked to speak with him and James, but why James? Cameron asked himself. He was the main instigator in the plan; mind you James' name was featured heavily on the piece of paper, but no more than some of the others. Zara led them both to her office, when it was opened Mission Controller John Jones came into view, both the boys looked at each other and shrugged as if to say, what are we doing here? They both sat down on the chairs that were provided for them, relief flooded their faces when they were handed a mission briefing. They both read silently, taking in the information.
**CLASSIFIED**
MISSION BRIEFING FOR JAMES ADAMS AND CAMERON YOUNGS
DO NOT REMOVE FROM ROOM 628
DO NOT COPY OR MAKE NOTES
(1) Panem
The nation of Panem was formed after the destruction of North America and the Capitol is situated on the western side of formerly North America in an area which used to be called the Rocky Mountains. Panem is run by a single-party dictatorship that appears to be led by President Snow. The name Panem derives from the Latin phrase panem et circenses, which literally translates into 'bread and circuses'. The phrase itself is 'used to describe entertainment used to distract public attention from more important matters. In Panem there is 13 districts, each responsible for producing goods of a particular industry to serve the growing needs of the nation, and all operating under the auspices of Panem's oppressive Capitol.
They are as follows:
District 1 – Luxury Goods and Items
District 2: Medicines
District 3: Factories and Electrics
District 4: Fishing
District 5: Scientific and Mathematical Research
District 6: Steel and other metals
District 7: Lumber
District 8: Textiles
District 9: Hunting
District 10: Livestock
District 11: Agriculture
District 12: Coal Mining
District 13: Nuclear Power
(2) The Dark Days
Around about between 50 – 60 years ago, the rebellion began when the 13 districts of Panem grew tired of the Capitol's harsh rule. During the course of the rebellion, the 13th District was obliterated. Now the Capitol has an even stronger hold on the remaining districts. With the district's lives becoming worse and worse. It has now come to CHERUB's attention that since the war many kids have been vanishing. It has now been decided to send some agents to live in Panem and found out how this has happened, and what exactly is happening over in Panem. It has been decided that the two agents will live in spearate districts, along with either Mission Controllers John Jones or Zara Asker.
NOTE: ON THE 17th OF MAY 2007 THIS MISSION PLAN WAS PASSED BY THE CHERUB ETHICS COMMITTEE BY A 2:1 VOTE, ON CONDITION THAT ALL AGENTS UNDERSTAND THE FOLLOWING:
This mission has been classified HIGH RISK. All agents are reminded of their right to refuse to undertake this mission or withdraw from it at any time. Agents will be at risk to traditional beliefs including extreme violence to children. Also agents may be away from friends and loved ones for long periods of time.
The two boys looked up at the same time "well" prompted Zara
"Yeah okay I'm in" answered Cameron
"If Cameron's in then so am I" responded James.
"Excellent, now we are leaving in 8 days, that will give you time to say your good-byes and pack properly. Now just to let you know Cameron you will be staying with John in District 5" Zara laid down the mission itinerary for the boys.
"But wait, if it is District 5, is it because of my brilliant brains because they are research" Cameron was grinning like a child on Christmas Day.
"Actually yes it is Cameron; we feel you will fit in more there than the others. Now anyway finally James you and I will be staying in District 2. so I believe that is it, now you can go boys" the boys left talking about their upcoming mission, but what they didn't know is that it would be one of the most dangerous and terrifying in CHERUB's history.