My apologies for the delay in updating. Mainly due to working out how to wrap up this story and no this is not the final chapter. I can only thank my regular readers for sticking with it. So here goes.

Harry took another sip of the malt whisky he was indulging himself with. He was on his own again, temporarily he hoped, his solitude due to Ruth having absented herself to fuss around Aaisha, something to do with dresses and robes on the morrow. He hadn't enquired as to the particulars since his interest in female fripperies was strictly limited to either admiring or abhorring the results. Alone he was able to sit quietly and review the events of the day. On a strictly personal level he couldn't have hoped for a better outcome, but despite the pleasures of the afternoon, which still gave him a tingle –damn it when winding up the team he could also have used the phrase 'matters arising' – he was all too aware that the last time he'd taken Ruth's acquiescence for granted he'd been banished to the sofa. As the operation was approaching its end game he didn't think that either the time or atmosphere was conducive to holding a sensible discussion about their long term future as a couple – if indeed they even had a future. Frankly he'd be relieved when they reached the finishing line of the current setup. A wish due not only to his very personal considerations, but also because the old saw of many a slip twixt the cup and the lip could have been coined for the Service, and in their line of work the slips tended to be messy, blood bolstered and not infrequently fatal.

Although everything too date had gone smoothly Harry was subject to an undefinable feeling of unease extending beyond that he normally experienced, and it this sixth sense that so far had kept him alive. Trying to pin down a reason, all he could blame for his apprehensions was the suspicion that uncle might not have been entirely deceived by Ali's bombshell agreement to marry Zahra. Ali himself had produced a stellar performance, expressing just enough regret shot through with martyred resignation to be believable. It was Zahra's matching reaction that troubled Harry, his niggle stemming from the worry that in her acceptance of Ali she had seemed just a little too willing to acquiesce. Surely her father must have had some inkling that Zahra was not quite the biddable maiden he'd tried to fashion her into. Harry nostrils in similar circumstances would have detected the whiff of a rather large rodent, but he supposed it was possible that uncle, basted with self satisfaction and ambition had been blind sided, or alternatively, if not totally convinced, was prepared to pretend otherwise on the basis that Zahra married to Ali had been his long term ambition.

Harry's wondering as to how much longer it would be before Ruth returned was disturbed by the buzz of his mobile. Recognising the number his earlier alarm leapt up a couple of notches. Jed contacting him directly implied urgent trouble. Trying to supress an audible groan he picked up.

"I assume that this is not a social call."

Jed, for once, was minus any inflection of humour as he responded, "I wish. Harry two of my team picked up a conversation from a trio of uncle's acolytes and…."

"I assume they weren't discussing the health giving benefits of the great outdoors – so just give me the basic digest."

"Not sure you'll want to digest anything after this but…."

As Jed relayed his Intel Harry's face was growing graver and graver. Once Jed had concluded he asked,

"Are you sure this is on the level and not just two loose cannons?"

The reply proving that Jed had learnt well the lesson that trying to please your superior by saying exactly what they wanted to hear was unwise. "Sorry Harry but I think it has to be taken seriously." Harry swallowed down a sigh, his worst fears seemed to be on the road to fulfilment, although he could at least congratulate himself for giving Jed a second chance. it had been a close run decision but eventually Harry and Dolby had concluded that since most of the cabinet had been fooled by Giles Bamford-Smythe and various junior officials had been prepared to wink at the man's perfidy, it had seemed a trifle unjust to scapegoat Jed.

"Very well send that directly to Dolby with my authorisation and a copy to Malcolm. Dolby needs to know – I'll be contacting him myself, while Malcolm might manage to unpick a few references that escaped your team."

Harry hung up, but before he could dial Dolby his mobile buzzed again. Wondering if Dolby was psychic Harry picked up, "This is timely Sir was about to contact you re developments."

Dolby didn't waste any time on the civilities either, "Same here Harry, new Intel from a certain province."

Harry took a deep breath before asking, "So who speaks first?."

Dolby paused for a moment, "Ah a sound file from Jed – can I listen to it and then ring you back?" Before Harry could protest he added, "And ask Ros to be present when I put you on speaker phone." With that he rang off leaving Harry to ponder whether he should finish his whisky now or seek solace from it later. Before he could debate the issue with himself Ruth arrived, shooting a vaguely disproving glance at the generous depth of amber liquid he'd been consuming. Preferring not to argue with her over its restorative qualities he defended himself, "Sorry Ruth but something has come up." Remembering his earlier teasing of the team that was not the most judicious phrase he could have used, as Ruth's amused giggle informed him, before ceasing the instant he slipped into boss mode with a stern, "Can you inform Ros she's needed here and then try to collect any other team members who can get away without causing comment."

When Harry spoke in that brisk tone Ruth knew better than to ask questions. This was Harry the Head of Section D not Harry her – well what was he exactly - they might have spent the afternoon in bed but they'd not indulged themselves with talking. So later … would it ever be right time? Placing those uncomfortable speculations in a mental file marked, 'For future action', Ruth the analyst set off to round up the spooks.

It was some fifteen minutes later before everyone, with the exception of Ros, was assembled at ground zero, with Harry's frown at her absence deepening by the second. Before he could unleash his frustrations through barking at the rest of the group Ros entered, then gauging the situation hastily explained, "Sorry but there was a problem in one of the suites and I have to preserve my cover."

Any rebuke Harry might have issued was stymied by an unexpected knocking on the window. Exchanging glances Harry indicated to Adam and Danny that they were to approach – their gradual creeping halted when through the double glazing the words, "Hi it's me Jed' produced relief and irritation in equal parts. Throwing open the window it was indeed Jed crouched in the shadows below, until Danny and Adam hauled him, none too gently into the room, where he was greeted by the Peace glare.

Jeb being Jed was underwhelmed by the lack of any effusive greeting as he dusted himself down, shedding the odd leaf onto the carpet while explaining to Harry, "I thought this might be easier than risking comms from the undergrowth – uncle's crew are prowling. So you could describe it as squeaky bum time."

While Zoe icily commented, "Thank you but I'd rather not," Danny was snorting, "If they didn't see you they can't be very good."

Jed unabashed as ever grinned, "Come on Danny, when you've been trained by Harry avoiding that set of goons is an elementary exercise."

Harry, ignoring the compliment, and having more important matters to discuss than the ongoing loathing of Zoe and Danny for Jed, broke in, "Jed acquired some Intel earlier today that .." only to be interrupted by his phone. Checking the caller he held up his hand. "The DG so silence please."

Holding his phone to his ear he nodded, "Very well, my team need to hear this so I'll put it on Speaker."

With the phone on the coffee table Dolby's first question was, "Ros are you present?"

"Yes Sir."

"Good, now first of all Jed acquired some Intel today that matches some new information from Ali's home province. Basically a source that Ros used has now advised that some early Intel was false. Ali's father has been ill but with a different non terminal stomach complaint. The implication would seem that various X rays were substituted with the intent of a palace coup was being arranged. Ros how reliable is this updated Intel likely to be?"

As all eyes turned to Ros she cleared her throat, "I received the first and now allegedly false Intel just before I was recalled. At that stage it seemed sound as the source is usually reliable. However it is possible that they, along presumably with a number of others, were fed the false Intel and have now uncovered the error."

Harry broke in, "Sir this does seem to match with the conversation Jed forwarded and it would seem that uncle's men are prowling the grounds."

"Er uncle!"

Harry hurriedly explained to the understandably mystified Dolby. "That's our shorthand name Ali's uncle as Mohammed Abdul Rashid it is mouthful and life is short."

The group think being that they wished uncle's life had been even shorter, combined with curiosity regarding any Intel from Jed that didn't consist of inaccurate smut. Dolby having been enlightened had limited choice of response. "I'm forced to agree that this has all the hallmarks of a palace coup and could become messy."

Adam having gauged the faces of his fellow spooks intervened, "I'm sorry Sir but Harry hasn't had an opportunity inform us of Jed's discoveries." Hoping yet again that he'd not just ditched his chances a permanent transfer to Section D by seeming to criticise Harry, or ruined his street cred with everyone else by praising Jed, given the prevailing attitude to the latter.

Harry seemed unfazed as he supported Adam, "Adam is correct. Normally I would ask Jed to explain but as I tasked Malcom to check and match with any other fragments of Intel …Malcolm please."

Thrust centre stage Malcolm proceeded, "Jed's men recorded a conversation that suggests that uncle is intending, once the marriage is accomplished to either persuade Ali to return forthwith or kidnap him. It would seem that they have some extra individuals lurking outside the hotel grounds – currently based in a nearby Travel lodge. Pausing he continued "Various pieces I've trawled from the Internet and some darkweb sources that informants have passed to us suggest that uncle was planning to enforce a marriage between Ali and Zahra – his plans being brought forward when Ali suddenly announced his engagement to Aaisha- if he couldn't prevent it then he planned to denounce Ali as being too westernized. That still remains a possibility – he can now claim that via the marriage to Zahra he is the best person to take command."

Ros and Adam, both with experience of Six were nodding. Adam stating, "If this has been planned for sometime then we're on the backfoot." Ros contributing, "I'd agree with Malcolm that the original plan was thrown by Ali's wedding announcement. If the illness of Ali's father has been exaggerated the plan might have been recall Ali for a forced marriage, with a fall back to seizing control if Ali failed to return."

Harry assuming control asked Dolby, "Sir your thoughts."

Dolby sighed, "I think we have to accept a volatile situation both here and abroad. I consider it essential to ensure that Ali marries Aaisha in the first instance, and further to that we manage to prevent his uncle from communicating with home or creating mayhem tomorrow."

No one present was about to argue with that assessment. Harry noting that Jed the joker was looking uncharacteristically grave asked, "Jed how far can you and your team support this extra situation?"

Jed shook his head, "We have enough to cover Zahra and Fizaan's escape and can probably hold the perimeter to prevent the extra goons arriving, assuming we still have the element of surprise." Taking a deep breath he added, "However if the Travel lodge crew get wind of any problems before Zahra and Fizaan make it to the safe house I'm not sure we could prevent a shoot out, nor can we provide support within the hotel if everything kicks off when the deception is discovered."

Harry nodded before advising Dolby, "I'd endorse that Sir – we can try to delay the revelation to give Fizaan and Zahra extra time escape but only for a very limited time." Dolby at the far end of the airwaves after a moment's thought asked, "How many of your team are armed Harry?"

Harry sighed, "Because of the need to keep cover none at present." After a couple of seconds he enquired, "Would it be possible to send in a couple of extra undercover officers posing as officials with the Iman and Registrar complete with side arms? I can greet them formally and…."

"Consider it done Harry, although as you can't easily conceal a gun I'll send in a couple of stab injections of paralysing fluid." With that settled Dolby then as an afterthought asked, " – and Malcolm can you do anything about the comms?"

Malcolm gave his usual grave reply, "I'll jam everything from the instant Zahra departs but it will mean that we are all flying blind.."

Dolby after a second to consider that implications made his decision. "That's a risk I think we have to take. Jed's group can hold the perimeter and support you Harry – I'll arrange to have a second team converge on the Travelodge the instant Malcolm sends me a signal that Zahra and Fizaan are out of the gates."

With a heartfelt statement that for once Harry believed Dolby added, "Good luck everyone" and with one click he was gone leaving behind a room of brow wrinkled spooks.

Harry was the first to speak, "I think we have to assume that from the moment it becomes clear that Ali is marrying Aaisha everything will kick off. – Ros I will need you and Adam in the room with the side arms and everyone else ready to dash in if I blow this whistle..."

Removing a whistle from his pocket he blew leading Adam to comment, "Er we might have to cover our ears Harry which will make handling a gun difficult."

Harry smirked back for the first time in the evening, "Exercise in initiative Adam I'm sure you'll cope." With Adam dismissed he turned to Jed, "And please make sure that Zahra is safe, she'll be in danger if her father's goons catch her."

Jed poised to escape as he'd arrive via the window assured his superior, "You can rely on me Harry."

As he vanished back into the bushes below the window Danny groaned, "If we have to rely Private Pike we're doomed." Leading Harry to enquire sourly, "So Jed if is Pike and you're assuming the mantle of Fraser I suppose that casts me in the role of Captain Mainwaring." A statement that relaxed some of the tension as the group revelled in the sound of Danny's stammered disclaimer to his inadvertent implication that Harry was a pompous ineffectual social climbing git.

Thanks for reading. For those not aware of classic British TV comedy 'Dad's Army' refers to the Home Guard during the Second World War. I'd advise looking it up on the Internet if the references escape you. In the meantime if you have a moment a review is always appreciated.