PREVIOUSLY: The New Directions won their first round Sectionals competition and were then given the first of the 10 weeks off, so they could have a small break before getting into training for Regionals. Quinn found out that she was pregnant, and Marley and Jake rekindled their relationship from High School days.
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And now the continuation.
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CHAPTER 49 - SPIES AMONGST THE OPPOSITION
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When the New Directions found out about their much vaunted Western European opponents, nearly everyone at first was shocked but then got on with things, with preparing for Sectionals. Everyone bar one person.
After being told that the focus would not be on their opponents until much on in the competition should it come down to that, one of the New Directions thought that would be too dangerous, so he decided to do something about it himself.
Artie, ever the resourceful person that he had been at High School, and his early years of college before the incident dented his confidence, decided to something that he thought his team and Mr Schuester might appreciate.
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Artie had been in contact with Rory Flanagan, a New Direction Alumni, who had been with the New Directions in their 3rd year of existence, joining at a time when Mercedes, Brittany, and Santana had joined the Trouble Tones, but stayed when they eventually returned for the rest of the year, before he had to go back to Ireland, when his visa expired.
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Artie had also kept in touch with Ryder Lynn, and Wade 'Unique' Adams, and leading up to Sectionals, he had plans for them as well.
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EVENTS AFTER THE DISCOVERY OF FORMER OPPONENTS JOINING AN EUROPEAN SHOW CHOIR TEAM
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That night after finding out that Jesse St James, Sebastian Smythe, Hunter Carrington, Jean Baptiste, Holly Holliday, April Rhodes, and Co, were recruited as a team just for the purpose of going up against the New Directions at the Worlds, should both get through. Artie who had waited for Kitty to fall asleep, got out of bed, and wheeled himself to the games room on the first floor of the Training Center, where in one section of the room, were a hub of computers. They were connected to the information highway of the outside world.
At 2 a.m in the morning, no one was around. The Security Guards weren't even roaming around the upper floors, as they were mostly down stairs.
Artie got on skype, and selected Rory.
"Hey Artie, long time no see mate," smiled Rory
"Hey Rory," whispered Artie "It's good to see you."
"So you were saying on the text, you had a job for me if I was interested?"" asked Rory
"Yes, but only if you're interested. It could be a little dangerous."
"Dangerous? How so?"
"I need you to find a show choir group, who I think resides around the London area?"
"Is it part of that World Show Choir competition?" asked Rory
"Correct," replied Artie
"What do you want me to do?"
"I need you to find a group that has the following people. Record this so you can grab the names after."
"Okay," smiled Rory pushing a button on his end "Go!"
"Jesse St James, Giszelle, and Clint, all former Vocal Adrenaline. Sebastian Smythe, Hunter Carrington, and Skylar all former Warblers. Harmony, Friday Romero, and Beatrice McClaine all former members of the other Show Choir groups who had competed against the New Directions. Then there's Brody Weston, and Cassandra July, who was associated with NYADA program, at the time of Rachel attending, and then there are April Rhodes, and Holly Holliday. Former special friends of the New Directions."
"Wow, that's quite a list," smiled Rory "Do you have any photos that you can send me, I have contacts in England, who I trust, and that I can send to."
"I've sent you an email with the photo's so I am ahead of you."
"So once I've located them what do you wish me to do?"
"I need for you to get close so that you can film them either rehearsing or see how close they are as a team! Are you able to do that Rory?"
Rory sat back in his chair "I've got a contact who's in the media business, who owes me a favor, who could get me an observer role. I can secretly tape sessions then,"
"If you could set that up it'll be handy," smiled Artie
"How many times do you want me to report in?"
"I think it's safer just to get all of the footage, that you can get," said Artie "And if you can get Sectionals footage, that would be handy."
"Leave it to me, I'll see what I can do," replied Rory "I'll make contact with you after Sectionals, but I'll keep you informed via text."
"Sounds like a plan," smiled Artie "I owe you big time for doing this Rory."
"I'll collect one day," smiled Rory "See you later."
"Bye," smiled Artie
Rory's face disappeared from the screen, and Artie took away all traces that he had spoken to someone. He then went back to bed, where Kitty was none the wiser.
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The next night, at the same time, Artie wheeled himself back into the games room, and sat at the same computer. He waited for a face to pop up. It finally did. It was Wade 'Unique' Adams.
"Hi Unique," smiled Artie
"Artie how are you?"
"I'm good thanks... Yourself?"
"I'm fine."
"I've been waiting months and moths for you to contact me, since you asked me to rejoin Vocal Adrenaline," said Unique
"Sorry about that, but I didn't want you to get any early heat. I needed you to keep your head down!"
"Which I did,"
"Are you up for Stage 2?"
"Of course. Do you wnat me to get footage of the Vocal Adrenaline practices?"
"Yes," replied Artie "And if you can get any Sectionals foot that would be good too."
"Leave it with me. When do you the footage by?"
"About a couple of days after Sectionals, just in case there's heat on you."
"Okay, I understand."
"Thank you for doing this for me, Unique, I owe you one."
"Anything that will help the New Directions," replied Unique "I was disappointed to not to get chosen to represent them."
"Yea some had to miss out," said Artie "At least you're helping us to get vital information at the end of the day."
Unique looked at her watch "True that. Hey Artie I need to go, I'll talk to you after Sectionals."
"Okay," smiled Artie
Unique's face disappeared from the screen. Artie cleaned up evidence of the call before heading back to bed. Once again Kitty was still asleep by the time, he returned.
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The next night for the third night in a row, Artie wheeled himself back into the Games Room, at 2.30 a.m. He moved to the computer, that he had use the last two nights and turned his skype on. Ryder Lynn was right there waiting.
"Ryder."
Ryder looked off screen "I've only got a minute, Artie. Throat Explosion are really strict. And they're very hard on newbies."
"Okay," said Artie "It's time."
"I have remote's all set up at different places to record I'm only doing it once a day."
"Can you get Sectionals too?"
"If I can make the cut I will, otherwise no one who gets cut is even allowed to be in attendance for Sectionals."
"Just do your best and stay safe," replied Artie
"Will do. I'll text you later."
Ryder's face disappeared. Once again Artie cleaned up his evidence of what he was doing, and went back to bed, where once again Kitty was sleeping, and oblivious to where Artie had been.
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IRELAND
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Rory sent the photos that he received from Artie and sent them to his trusted contacts in England and waited to hear back.
He also got an old friend in the media and called in his favor that he had.
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Two days later Rory received a call to say several people from the photo's were spotted in the East End of London. So Rory got his Media friend to contact the media in the East End to find out about any Show Choir team in the area.
Reports came back, that there was, and Rory put his plan into action, where his friend got in contact with the group to say that they wanted to do an expose, on the team from where they were now, and all the way to Sectionals.
The request was placed, and lodged, with the hierarchy. It must have went back to America for Rick Baxter to make a decision.
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3 days later Rory received a call that the request had been accepted, but no video footage, was allowed. Just observation, which Rory was planning on doing. So his plan was now put in motion.
Now he was hoping that after about 12-13 years out of the American spotlight that no one in that team would recognized him.
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EAST END
LONDON
ENGLAND
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Rory turned up at a purpose built training center that had been used by other groups in the past, including sports teams. The training center was surrounded by Security. Rory had to show his credentials to the Head of Security, who called into the building for confirmation.
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Rory waited for 10 minutes before the group's 2nd in command, Mr Cedric Brewster, walked into the Security Section, and took a few minutes to totally check Rory's credentials, before walking up to him.
"Morning Mr. O'Caroll, my name is Cedric Brewster, I oversee everything around here on behalf of the group's benefactor."
Rory had used a fake surname.
"I completely understand," smiled Rory
"I'm sorry about all the Security hurdles, it's just this team is training to build to something big, and it's very important, to the benefactor, and the team, that the security is tough and strict."
"I understand,"
"So you're only here for a few weeks, observing, is that correct?"
"I'm here until at least Sectionals," said Rory confidently and assertedly "Which was agreed by your boss and my bosses."
Cedric stared at Rory with intent in his eyes trying to make Rory feel uncomfortable, which made Rory all the more stoic to not let Cedric win.
"Very well, if that's what was negotiated then I guess I have to go with that. I'm guessing you've been checked for electronic equipment since you're only here for Observation purposes."
The Security Guard nodded from where he sat. Rory lifted up his Phone and watch.
"I only have my watch and cell phone, which is also used as a note communicator, as I can't bring paper in either."
Cedric smirked. At least a note communicator was something.
"You are to sit in the seats, and observe, no communicating with the team members. Got that?"
"Totally," smiled Rory "Unless they come to me which was the agreement."
"Of course, are you ready to go?"
"Just waiting on you," smiled Rory
"This way then," replied Cedric
Rory followed Cedric into the Training Center.
"How do you think the team is fearing at this stage of training?" started Rory, wanting to make sure that Cedric knew that he was doing his job. "Will they be ready for Sectionals?"
"Off of the record?"
"Sure."
"If they get their egos sorted then, they'll be a real force to be reckoned with. On the record. A smile 'Yes.'"
That was a big tit bit from the get go, it seemed Cedric had dropped his guard for a minute. Rory decided to test his theory.
"If there's so many big ego's wouldn't that be hard to train a team?"
"No comment," came the reply
"Off the record then?"
"Same, no comment."
The first comment was indeed a drop of the guard. For the next couple of minutes they walked in silence along a corridor.
They then came to a big set of doors, which was being guarded by two security guards. They stood aside as Cedric walked up, and Rory followed him through into a huge auditorium, and especially they walked into the highest section overlooking the stage.
"The last 10 rows are yours to move around in," started Cedric "But no where else fo0r now. One of my reps will be along later to escort you to the tea room, stay here until they do. Got that?"
"Sure," replied Rory "Is this is what it's going to be like for a while?"
"Prove yourself and it'll be easier," smiled Cedric
"All I'm doing is observing," replied Rory
"Exactly. That's all we hope that you are doing. We will find out soon enough."
"Gee trust around here in non existent isn't it?"
"You have to be aware that what these guys are training for, overall, is vastly important to the Benefactor of this group, and most group members overall."
Rory managed to record that comment with a simple click behind his back.
"Are you able to tell me the name of their Benefactor?" asked Rory
"That's a no comment, it doesn't concern you or you're readers."
"I understand," said Rory acting nonchalantly and walking over to a seat and sitting down
Cedric took one last look at Rory, and walked out of the Auditorium. Rory smiled, this was going swimmingly well, he thought.
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For the next hour and a half Rory sat through the Women practicing only. There were no sign of the Men.
Every so often a guard would come in to where Rory was watching, intently, and seemed to scan the area with an audio catcher and found nothing. That was because Artie had sent Rory, an Anti Audio Catcher where no audio catchers could pick up on anything, but once used it could only be used once every 24 hours, so all the information that he got in the Auditorium, he could use, but it would be a risk to get anything else, as the Audio Catcher would certainly catch him out.
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The Women seemed to get on okay as each time they did a run through it was flawless, they seemed to be led by Cassandra July, even though April Rhodes was clearly the eldest in the group, there was something about Cassandra who kept the females in check.
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Towards the end of practice Cedric returned to Rory's side. Clearly he did not want to be there, but he must have been told to sit with him.
"How's the observing going?" asked Cedric grumpily
"It's going good," smiled Rory "Those Women are strong. You'd think that old one would be running them, but the one who looks like a teacher is running things well."
"Nice observation," replied Cedric "Miss July is a former dance instructor, so she has been very helpful towards the others, and therefore has become a leader type figure. I think Ms Rhodes has decided she's not interested in that type of role, and has taken a back seat."
"Was that on or off the record?" asked Rory
Cedric sat forward "Well that was basically your observation as well, so I guess it's on the record."
"Where are the guys?" asked Rory out of the blue
Cedric shook his head "Off the record, and you haven't been told a thing."
"Sure."
"They're off limits to you for a week. Not for any fault of yours, but because of issues. Their egos are too much for you to observe."
"Wow, okay."
"I want to say something else but it needs to stay between you and I, and off the record. Do I make myself clear?"
"Very clear," said Rory
Cedric sighed and sat forward.
"We all know, when there are egos in any team that sometimes it causes divisions."
"Okay."
"There are two power groups in this team, both groups have been a part of Champion teams in the past."
"Okay."
"The girls aren't aware but they probably know as it does cause friction from time to time. It hasn't blown up yet, but I believe it's only a matter of time."
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Because no doubt you will observe this, and I'm asking you for a favor not to report this. Their benefactor has entrusted me to deal with this, which I sort of have, but he wanted them, and persisted with keeping the status quo, so to put it in to perspective, it's not good at the moment, the team harmony, and so I'm asking you to keep this out of anything that you want to publish."
Rory sat back "So basically if I do this for you, and not report what I observe, you would basically owe me a favor?"
Cedric sighed again "It looks that way doesn't it?"
"I only have 1 request then!"
"Let me guess what that is?" said Cedric "You want the surveillance to stop?"
"All I'm doing is sitting here observing, and not doing a thing. You or you're boss, their benefactor, has this place very security tight. You would know if I tried to bring something in here as I would have been stopped at the gate. I didn't, and it's very frustrating to keep getting interrupted every 30 minutes by someone waving a wand at you. You want a good review, then that's the wrong way of going about it."
Cedric stood up. "Fine. Is that a deal then?"
"Sure," replied Rory
"You'll be left alone, but if I suspect anything untoward the deal is off."
"Fine."
Cedric then headed for the door "You time for today is almost over, I'll send someone to escort you out."
"Okay," smiled Rory "Thanks for letting me stay this long."
Cedric walked off frustrated, it was obvious he hadn't want to talk about what was happening, and he wasn't wanting to make a deal, but he had no choice.
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For the next two weeks, Rory came and went, and only got to see the females practiced. He didn't get checked up upon like Cedric had promised. He only managed to take a few snap shots a day, and didn't want to risk either being over confident, or oblivious to not being watched from a far. He did change the times he did take snap shots, to different times.
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The midway through sitting through his 3rd week of watching the Women practice, one of Cedric's personal assistants walked into the auditorium, to where Rory was sitting.
"Mr O'Carroll?"
"Yes?"
"Hi, my name is Maria Notts, Mr Brewster wants me to take you for a tour of the facility."
"Hi Maria, well thank you for being my guide," smiled Rory
"It's no problem, Mr Brewster feels the tour might come in handy for your story."
"It could do," said Rory standing up "Lead the way."
The tour turned out to be a highlight, as the rest of the facility was very impressive. There had been some add on built, but it looked like the group had the full run of the place. The name of the group Rory found out was KHAOS. Rory did manage to take a few snaps.
He only managed to see at least 70 percent of the facility before Maria received a call to take Rory back to the Auditorium. Something must be happening with the guys.
As they came down a corridor to head towards a lift, a door opened and out stepped Jean Baptiste and Jesse St James.
Maria stopped "I'm sorry guys."
Jean looked at Maria, and smiled "It is okay, Mademoiselle Notts, just make sure it doesn't happen again."
Jean and Jesse looked at Rory
"Bonjour," said Jean "And who might you be then?"
Jesse looked at Rory as if he might know him. It had been at least 15 years since Rory had seen Jesse last as he was in the audience during Nationals when they had won. He had also back up Rachel for her solo at the time.
"This is Mr. O'Carroll," smiled Maria "He's here to do an expose."
"I wasn't talking to you, Miss Notts," snapped Jean "Mr O'Carroll can speak for himself."
"I'm sorry," said Maria quietly
Jesse shot a look at Jean.
"That's a bit rude," replied Rory "Miss Notts was just doing her job."
"Whatever," said Jean walking away "Jesse are you coming?"
Jesse smiled at both Maria and Rory, and turned and followed Jean down the hallway. Rory looked at Maria.
"What an idiot," said Rory "He didn't need to speak to you like that."
"It's okay," semi smiled Maria "He's been like that since the start. No wonder the girls don't take his crap."
"Oh, what do you mean?" asked Rory nonchalantly, pressing his phone to record
"He tried that wit a few of the Women in the early stages," said Maria without realizing what was happening, or what she was saying "But they shut him down quickly. So he does that kind of thing to all the other non group females. They don't even trust him. That's why it was part of the reason why the Women wanted to practice by themselves."
"Okay, interesting," smiled Rory stopping the recording.
"Come on, I best get you back to the Auditorium."
Rory followed Maria back to where the Auditorium was.
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How far can Rory get before getting found out. Only time will tell.
NOTE: I think this is crucial for the flow of the story without the main characters in the chapters, it's seeing what their opposition are planning on doing for when they meet in the future, at Worlds.
