This is a sequel to "Not Knowing". The team are starting to form relationships while the everyday business of saving the world goes on as usual. Missions and awkward silences.
Dan noted the return of his old Keri and sniggered. "Hey, stick with me girl and I'll show you a good time !" he said, laughing and standing upright again. He pointed to a random group of kids sauntering down the corridor. "See them ? They're having a good time, look !" he said.
"Oh very funny ! Come on hop-along !" said Keri, rolling her eyes and leading the way into registration.
Zoe sat at her old desk and watched as Keri was followed in by Dan. They each had a half smile on their face, like they had just been sharing a joke. Zoe felt a stab of pain in her stomach. She wondered what that was. Was she sad, hurt, or jealous or did she have a stomach ache ? Zoe felt frustrated. She was sure everyone else knew what all these things meant, but despite all of the counselling and help from the people pretending to be friends but who were obviously psychologists or something, she didn't feel much more confident in recognising her feelings for what they were.
Keri stopped beside Zoe's desk in surprise and tried to cover it with a friendly smile before looking around and heading for another empty desk. Zoe guessed that Keri had been sitting at her old desk. Well, she knew what that feeling was ! Zoe felt very satisfied with herself. This was her desk now ! Dan took longer to negotiate all the bags dumped on the floor to get to his desk, just behind Zoe's. She heard his sigh of relief as he sank gratefully into his chair. Mr. Flatley made a speech welcoming Zoe back. Zoe looked round at her old class-mates. They all looked a little bit different to how she remembered them. Byron was no longer there and there were a couple of new kids she didn't recognise.
The bell sounded for the end of registration and Zoe checked her timetable to see where she was supposed to go next. She had history. "Are you doing history ?" she asked Dan.
"No, I've got Tech. I'd better get going. It's on the second floor of the new block," said Dan, picking up his bag. "I can't believe how long it's taking me to get around !" he complained. "I'll see you later," he said, before picking his way out of the room.
Zoe looked around to the others. "Have you got history ?" she asked Aneisha.
"Yes, me and Tom do history," said Aneisha. "Want to walk with us ?" she asked.
"Yes please. What about Keri ?" asked Zoe.
"She's got Tech," said Aneisha.
"Like Dan ?" asked Zoe in surprise.
"No, Keri's doing textiles. Dan's into the wood and metalworking stuff," said Aneisha with a smile. "Could you see Dan making dresses ?" she asked with a grin.
Zoe couldn't help laughing. "No, not really," she admitted.
In Tom and Aneisha's company she felt more relaxed. She felt kind of tense whenever Dan was around. This was strange because she always used to feel completely happy and relaxed with him in the old days. She felt safe with Dan. Now she felt strangely nervous. For some reason she felt quite angry with Keri and Keri had done nothing wrong really. It was all so confusing !
History was the start of break when their pencils started flashing. They jogged carefully through the crowded corridors to the janitor's cupboard. Keri was waiting, but no Dan. "Frank might not have called him," said Keri with a shrug, so they all went down in the lift.
Frank and Stella were waiting for them when stepped out of the lift. "Team ! Welcome back Zoe," said Frank with a smile. "Where's Dan ?" he asked.
"Oh, we thought you hadn't called him," said Aneisha apologetically, looking round at the others.
"He might be having trouble getting here," suggested Keri. "He's on the second floor in the new block," she explained.
"Oh, well, we'd better make a start," said Frank. "Stella has something to show you."
Stella ran a short video showing MI9 agents in a fight with a group of KORPS agents. Suddenly the KORPS agents all vanished and the MI9 agents wandered around in frustration before they were all picked off one at a time. At this point the lift doors opened and Dan hopped out, puffing for breath.
"You're late Dan," said Stella.
"Glad you could make it Dan. It's a long way from the tech block when you have to climb down two flights of stairs on crutches and fight your way through all the crowded corridors just to get here !" said Dan sarcastically. He flopped down into a chair and wiped the back of his hand across his sweaty forehead.
Stella ignored him. "It looks like KORPS have found a way to use the invisibility device on agents and not just the Invisible Death robots," she said.
"I could only get it to work on metallic objects," said Tom. "Maybe they've got some metal in their clothing or something," he suggested.
"We used those metallic sheets, but those agents weren't shiny or anything," said Keri. "Anyway, metal would be heavy. Perhaps they've woven metal threads into their clothes," she suggested.
"We don't know how they did it," said Stella. "We want you to undertake a mission to find out how they are making their agents invisible. MI9 can't beat invisible opponents. We have to put a stop to it, find some way to beat them or render them inactive in some way. This is a fact finding mission, rather than a combat mission. We need you to find these invisible agents and find out how they do it. As this is a highly technical mission, we want Tom to join the field team and as Dan can't do anything else, he can fill the communications role. Frank will give you your equipment," she announced, before leaving.
There was a bustle of agents picking up equipment and discussing tactics. Tom shoved various bits of tech into his pockets, rubbing his hands nervously down his trousers. He hated field work, but he was really curious to know how KORPS had managed to succeed where he had failed. He glanced over at Dan who was still sitting glumly in the same chair. "You alright Dan ?" asked Tom.
Dan forced a smile and nodded. "Yeah, just great. Stick with the others Tom. You'll be fine," he said confidently. Tom nodded and smiled back. Dan hauled himself upright again and shuffled over to the Tom's comms desk. He heard the lift door closing before he pulled on the headset and started up the comms and coordination system, since it was the only thing he could do, apparently.
Frank pulled Stella to one side before she left for MI9 HQ. "Stella, why are you having a go at Dan like that ?" he asked quietly.
"He was late," said Stella.
"He's on crutches ! Give him a break !" complained Frank.
"If he can't keep up with the pace you should put him off duty until he's fit," said Stella uncompromisingly. "We don't need a liability on the team," she added. She turned to leave, but Frank caught her arm.
"That's not it, is it Stella ?" asked Frank. Seeing her angry look, he softened his tone. "Look, this isn't like you Stella. What's wrong ?" he asked.
Stella looked like she would reply angrily and then she sighed. "Three of our agents were killed in that attack," she said finally. "I shouldn't be risking your team on this mission, but I don't have a choice. Dan would normally be one of our best field operatives," she explained in frustration.
"It's not his fault he was injured," pointed out Frank.
"I know. I know," said Stella. "Look, tell him I'm sorry will you ?" she asked. "At least he's sitting down," she said, smiling wryly. "I've got to write condolence letters to the families," she said grimly.
Frank pulled her into a hug. "And you'll do a brilliant job of it, I know you will," he said gently.
Stella gave him a grateful smile and kissed him lightly on the cheek. "I knew there was a reason I was going out with you," she whispered. Then she checked her watched and reluctantly drew away. "Good luck Frank," she said before turning and leaving.
