Friday, June 2nd, 2017
15:20 GMT+1 (14:20 GMT June 2nd)
Safehouse 842
Wiltshire
Ginny had been dragged over the proverbial hot coals by the Prince.
He had not been amused by the times where his daughter had been mere seconds away from death while Ginny had not been in a position to protect the twelfth in line to the throne. The fact that Ginny had done everything she could did not carry weight with the Prince, and he was furious with the Royalty and Specialist Protection Officer. Indeed, Ginny had seen the proverbial writing on the wall, and she knew that she was destined for a desk job at best. Mary and Electra had found Ginny walking alone outside and they had both run up to say hello. The two girls had seen the sad look on Ginny's face, not to mention the evidence of tears. Mary's expression had gone very dark.
"My father had something to say, didn't he?" Mary challenged angrily.
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Since when do you call me that?"
"I think you will have a new PPO by day's end, Mary."
"Like hell!" Mary exploded.
"I allowed you to endanger yourself – I should never have allowed that to happen, Belle or not."
"I caused this by becoming Belle and joining in with my friends and Vengeance. I purposefully put myself ahead of you – I thought that I could protect myself, but I almost died down on that tube platform. It's my fault that you're going to lose your job. You're the best PPO I've ever had . . . and I've had five before you. You understand me, even when I'm being a total bitch."
Electra said nothing, staying out of the conversation.
"I love you, Mary, I really do – you'll be fine with a new PPO, I promise," Ginny said.
"Fuck that!" Mary exclaimed as she ran off.
Electra simply shrugged as she ran off after her friend.
That evening...
18:55 GMT+1 (17:55 GMT June 2nd)
The last debriefing of the day had ended with Trevor.
Almost before the man had left the room, Mary had burst in and she had turned on her father.
"How bloody dare you!" she bellowed loud enough to turn heads several yards down the corridor outside.
"Mary...," Prince Robert cautioned as Commander Haig and Sergeant Woodward swiftly made themselves scarce, closing the door behind them.
"How dare you not consult with me on Ginny! I may only be fourteen, but I think I am old enough to make some decisions on who I have protecting me and who I spend most of my waking hours with."
"Sergeant Turner has not fulfilled her duties, Mary, and I will caution you now to keep a civil tongue," the Prince responded as he took in his daughter's emotional state.
The girl was incredibly angry, and she was being driven more by emotion than by the facts of the situation – or so the Prince thought.
"Ginny is the best PPO that I have ever had, father. She has been there for me to talk to when I had nobody else. She is the closest thing that I have to a mother. Ginny has been there for me during a particularly challenging time for a girl. However, it is my fault that Sergeant Turner was put into the position where I was putting myself at risk as Belle and then with Vengeance. I have learnt so much from Sergeant Turner and she has protected me to the absolute best of her ability - even when I did not want to be protected. No matter what, Sergeant Turner was always there. I know, I almost died more than once, this week. I put myself in danger, not Ginny. I actively went against her. Do not punish that woman for my mistakes and misdeeds. I am not going to behave like a child and tell you that I won't speak to you if you fire Sergeant Turner, instead, I will just be very angry with you. Neither will I go against my new Personal Protection Officer to make their life more difficult – I am above that thanks to the training I have received from Vengeance, not to mention one very cold, very muddy puddle. Please listen to what I have said and please do not throw away the promising career of an amazing woman. That is all I have to say on the matter, father."
Prince Robert looked across the table at his fourteen-year-old daughter. She was the very image of her mother and Mary was right; she was going through a difficult time in a girl's life and Sergeant Turner had fulfilled the task against the odds. Mary had always enjoyed causing trouble for her Personal Protection Officers so that they would eventually quit. Not so Sergeant Turner. The very moment the young woman had appeared on the scene, there had been a noticeable change in Mary's behaviour. Then had come the 'Belle Incident' which Sergeant Turner had mopped up very well. Prince Robert knew that his daughter was extraordinarily strong willed, just like her mother. However, Mary's time with Vengeance had changed the girl. Mary's mental maturity was very advanced, and she knew how to put across a very persuasive verbal argument, much as she just had. He respected his daughter's views very much as they were usually aligned with his own. Even his own mother had voiced her opinion on Mary's changed behaviour commenting dryly on more than one occasion that the young Princess was arguably more suited to Royal duties than some other, more senior members of the family. Mary's grey eyes were full of fire and the anger in the girl was palpable.
"Sergeant, please call upon Sergeant Turner," the Prince said.
Sergeant Hind stepped out of the shadows and then out of the room. Mary had not seen the man, which was part of the man's job description in situations such as they were in at that moment.
"I love you very much, Mary. I know how being without a mother upsets you. I also know how much Sergeant Turner means to you and how much she has done for you. Now, please wait outside until I call you back in."
Mary did so, passing Ginny and closing the door behind her.
..._...
After almost ten minutes, the door opened, and Sergeant Hind appeared.
"Your Royal Highness."
Mary stepped into the room and she saw Ginny standing before her father who was poker faced as usual. Mary moved to stand beside Ginny.
"Mary, I have made my decision. Your speech was well put together and well delivered. The past few months have seen a major change in you and your level of maturity has grown, just as you have. I am immensely proud to have you as my daughter and I respect your views greatly. As such, I am not relieving Sergeant Turner of her position as a Personal Protection Officer. Instead, I have chosen to punish her with a fate which some may see to be a cruel and unusual punishment. Sergeant Turner is sentenced to remain as your Personal Protection Officer, and may God have mercy on her soul!"
Mary turned to Ginny as tears fell down her cheeks.
"I'm not that bad, am I?"
"The very worst," Ginny grinned. "Your Royal Highness, if I may?"
"Of course, Sergeant – the girl needs fed," Prince Robert chuckled.
"Thank you, Daddy!" Mary called over her shoulder as she ran out of the room with Ginny close behind.
"Never a dull moment!" the Prince declared as he collected his papers.
"No, sir," Sergeant Hind responded.
The Prince left the room, seeking food as he too was very hungry.
..._...
In the dining room, the Prince joined the adults, leaving the 'animals' to feed themselves.
Ginny took Pete Hind to the opposite end of the adult's table from where they could observe their charges while they ate in a civilised manner. The meal that evening was fish and chips with plenty of ketchup.
"They look like well-behaved children," Pete commented.
"You and His Royal Highness weren't here for supper, last night, were you," Ginny replied. "They're like a bunch of rabid dogs who haven't been fed for a month."
"I'm sure you're overreacting, Ginny."
"Watch Mary – she's one of the worst for inciting trouble."
Indeed, Mary was doing her best not to show off with her father present, but she was failing miserably thanks to the added (dubious) support from her friends. The young princess' laughter was beginning to increase in volume at a fairly steady rate and her language had taken a hard right turn, sliding steadily into the gutter. As Cassie watched, Olivia dipped a large chip into a bowl of ketchup before launching it towards Mary's open mouth. The Prince caught the movement and was amazed to see the chip slap his daughter on the left cheek, missing the girl's gapping mouth by a mile. Dakota voiced what everyone was thinking.
"How the bloody hell did you miss that gaping hole she calls a mouth?" Dakota demanded to know.
It became fairly obvious that Olivia had aimed to miss, not that Mary cared as she laughed loudly. Then her cheeks changed colour to almost match the ketchup as she cast a furtive glance in the direction of her father, only to find that he was looking directly at her.
"Spirited," the Prince commented to Jasper who was sitting to his right.
"Yes, she is that, sir."
"She's a very popular young lady, Your Royal Highness," Cassie confirmed. "She's just as wild as the others."
"So, I see," the Prince chuckled dryly.
Mary was busy aiming a rather large ketchup-covered chip into Olivia's gaping mouth.
"I know you can take this chip in there, 'livia," Mary grinned. "I've seen the size of Craig's dick."
Everybody laughed as Olivia blushed furiously.
The next morning...
Saturday, June 3rd
07:35 GMT+1 (08:35 GMT June 3rd)
"Oh wow!" Amber exclaimed as a copy of The Sun newspaper was shoved under her nose at breakfast.
The front page bore a single giant picture of a masked vigilante with piercing blue eyes. The eyes blazed out from beneath a hood which put most of the mask into shadow. Amber's own eyes went wide as she realised who the picture was of.
"You're famous, Spark," Ewan commented.
Amber ignored the boy as she read the front page:
EXCLUSIVE
VENGEANCE
VIGILANTE
THE FIRST
PICTURES
She turned the page to find more pictures of herself on page two, in Horse Guards. One picture was of herself, just as she had coldly shot the man on the ground, then another of the soldier as he had driven his sabre into the stomach of the other man. Then there were more pictures of herself being pulled onto the police horse and then cantering off towards Victoria Station. The newspaper was full of rampant speculation – much as you might expect from such a rag as The Sun – most of which was complete tosh. Interestingly, though, there was much support for Vengeance in the tabloids and the broadsheets. Indeed, many were of the opinion that if you committed a crime which attracted the attention of Vengeance, then so be it, you suffered the consequences of your actions. There was also coverage detailing parts of a supposed Vengeance operation which had unveiled the presence of a Russian safehouse in central London – though the detail was short on facts, the very fact that Russia was up to no good in the city did not go down well with the general public, thus raising support for Vengeance. Of course, there were plenty who condemned the bloodshed and vigilantism, not to mention that Vengeance was apparently being openly supported by the police and the Government.
There were also growing reports of something big going down in the lesser tabloids which most ignored, however, some of the information was remarkably accurate.
That same morning...
10:00 GMT+1 (09:00 GMT June 3rd)
Protection Command
London
Sergeant Joseph Beck and Police Constable Jerry Ryder had been summoned to their boss' office.
Commander Reginald 'Reg' Hackett was not amused as he re-read the report before him.
"That was your third X5, I believe, Sergeant."
"Yes, sir."
"Your last one was reported as 'riddled with bullet holes' and 'taken during an altercation with the American CIA'."
"Yes, sir."
"At least the damage was all due to operational reasons and not simply bad driving."
"Yes, sir."
"I really don't know what to do with the pair of you, however, someone else does."
"Sir?"
"You have both been summoned by higher powers than myself and I have no choice but to commend you both for your actions and tell you to take an unmarked X5 and report to this address – it's down near Salisbury. Expect to be gone for two or three days and I would suggest civvies."
"Yes, sir," the two police officers intoned.
"Good luck, gentlemen."
"Thank you, sir."
The two officers left the office very confused.
Later that morning...
10:30 GMT+1 (09:30 GMT June 3rd)
Safehouse 842
Wiltshire
Olivia, Mary, Jessica, and Electra were lazily drifting around in aimless circles, staring up at the ceiling of the swimming pool.
The steel structure of the roof was of no interest to the four girls but the all-encompassing warm water on their bodies was. Their bodies ached from all the battering which they had endured not to mention their muscles which had endured much as they were pushed beyond their normal limits. Nobody spoke as they drifted, their thoughts filled with horrifying images and worrisome problems. All had been debriefed which was a weight off of their minds. Others in the pool that morning were not so lucky.
Kate and Dakota still had theirs to come before lunch while Rylee, Harper, and Tanya had until the afternoon to consider their doom. Though no one had openly spoken about their debriefings, it was easy to see how each person had been affected by the questioning. Indeed, the very last person on the list was not happy. Amber Dawson bobbed about in a corner of the swimming pool, a long way away from anyone else – especially Olivia who threw random dirty glances in Amber's direction. As for the boys, Craig and Ewan were swimming about, ensuring that nobody got into any fights as the general mood was not good and a flare up would not take much. On the side of the pool, David and Trevor kept watch over the group while Cameron sat on the edge of the pool with his feet in the water.
Elsewhere, Jasper and Lynn were sitting down with Rachel and Keira discussing what was going to happen next. There was a lot to sort out and everyone needed time to decompress and time was also needed for the bruises to fade. Every person had received a full medical check-up and, thankfully, there were no serious injuries, which was a blessing for all concerned. Those swimming, readily displayed welts and bruises on their skin for all to see, not to mention the mental scars, which most had buried deep down.
For most, it was simply business as usual.
That afternoon...
14:50 GMT+1 (13:50 GMT June 3rd)
Safehouse 842
Wiltshire
The white, unmarked, BMW X5 turned off the B road and followed a tarmacked road which was just one car wide with passing spaces.
After about half a mile, they approached a stone-built lodge adjacent to a set of wrought iron gates which blocked any further progress. A security guard, a clipboard under his arm, appeared from a door to the side of the lodge and stepped towards the car, his eyes taking in everything as he stepped around the back of the vehicle to the driver's side.
"Name and identification, please," the rather bored-looking security guard intoned as Beck lowered the window.
The two police officers handed over their police identification. The security guard perused a list attached to a clipboard before he made a brief note.
"Follow the road around – about two miles all told – take the left-hand fork when you get there and keep going straight. Watch out for cattle grids. Park on the gravel at the front of the house. You will be met there."
Beck pushed down on the accelerator as the gates swung open allowing them through.
..._...
"Where are we?" Ryder asked as he looked out of his window over grass and trees stretching as far as he could see – at least to the edge of some hills.
The single-track road swept around, dipping and rising as it went before levelling off. Beck stood on the brakes as a boy and two girls bolted across the road a dozen yards ahead of him. The three children were young, about eleven-years-old or so, and they screamed noisily as they ran across playing fields – the boy was apparently chasing the two girls.
"A nut-house by the looks of it," Beck chuckled.
A few minutes later, they pulled up on a gravel area, already occupied by several vehicles including one which he recognised as being from RaSP. The pair climbed out of the BMW and they turned to the large wooden double door up three stone steps. A man in his mid-sixties stepped out of the door and down the steps.
"I am Honeyduke – welcome to Eight Four Two."
"Joseph Beck."
"Jerry Ryder."
"Come in, please."
Beck led the way inside, amazed by the wood panelling – at least until he heard an almighty scream.
"BECK!"
The man turned to see someone moving towards him. It took a moment for him to recognise the excited eleven-year-old girl.
"Diana!"
"What are you doing here?" Diana demanded to know.
"I am not exactly sure where here is," Beck responded. "However, if you are here, then it is a nut-house."
Diana grinned happily.
"Come and meet my friends, Beck."
The police sergeant found himself being dragged down a corridor by the overeager girl.
"You can come too, Ryder," Diana called over her shoulder.
Beck simply chuckled as Ryder shrugged and followed.
..._...
Beck and Ryder soon found himself in a room full of children and teenagers.
"This is Harper – Keira's little sister..."
"Less of the 'little', bozo!"
"Then we have Kate," Diana continued, ignoring Harper. "That's Dakota. Then we have Electra, Jessica, Olivia, and Amber."
"Excuse me," Ginny interrupted as she pushed past Diana. "Sergeant Beck, PC Ryder; I'm Sergeant Ginny Turner – RaSP. Please come with me."
The two police officers followed the woman down a passageway. The woman was young, and she wore figure-hugging blue jeans, a white blouse, and black pumps. She carried a Glock 19 Gen4 pistol in a holster fitted in the small of her back. Beck could tell that the woman could look after herself – she obviously could, or she would not be in RaSP – and appeared to have been around the block.
The only question was: whom was she protecting?
..._...
The two police officers were waved through a solid wood door and into a room covered wall to ceiling in dark wood panelling.
There was a tall man, obviously a RaSP PPO, standing in a corner. However, it was the man sitting in a comfortable high-backed dark-green leather chair which caught Beck's eye as it did Ryder's. The man jumped to his feet, smiling broadly.
"Please, sit down, both of you," the man said, waving the two police officers to a pair of identical high-backed dark-green leather chairs.
Beck was surprised to see the Prince, let alone have the man inviting him and his partner to sit down. Once the pair were comfortable, the Prince began to speak.
"I understand that the pair of you have had a busy few days, up in London."
"Yes, sir," Beck replied for the both of them.
"I understand that you have spent time with Vengeance and that you have assisted them on more than one occasion."
"Sir..."
"I know all about Vengeance and I am a major supporter of them – in fact, I am a neutral observer, coordinating the link between the Government and Vengeance. My reason for asking you both here, today, is to thank you for the life of someone very dear to me. Twice you kept her alive."
"Who are we talking about?" Beck asked, very confused.
"That would be me," an electronically enhanced voice said, and Beck saw a slim shape emerge from behind the Prince's chair.
The man recognised the vigilante known as Belle.
"It's good to see you alive, Belle," Beck said.
Then Beck was surprised to see the vigilante reach up and remove her mask. The man, and Ryder, were even more surprised to see Her Royal Highness Princess Mary of Kintyre and Lorne appear. The girl, her long deep brown hair tied up on the back of her head, curtsied for the two astounded police officers.
"You saved my life – twice!" the Princess said. "Thank you."
"I owe you both for my daughter's life," the Prince admitted.
"We were very glad to be in the right place at the right time," Beck said once he had recovered from the shock. "The other kids...?"
"Mostly Predators," Mary confirmed.
"Anybody hurt?" Ryder ventured.
"A few cuts and bruises but nothing life-threatening," Mary confirmed with a disarming smile. "Partially thanks to the both of you."
"You are welcome, Your Royal Highness."
Mary grinned broadly as she looked up at Ginny who could not have been prouder of her young charge.
That night...
22:02 GMT+1 (21:02 GMT June 3rd)
The vast majority of them had gathered in the TV room to watch the news.
As was usual, a short montage of the day's events was shown with a voiceover. Naturally, the activities of a few days earlier were still fresh news with a lot of mobile phone videos and images having been handed into the various mainstream newspapers and TV channels. Each evening revealed new pictures and detail on the mysterious activities of Vengeance in and around the capital city. There was cheering as an image of Spark was displayed on the TV – so far, the only direct image of a masked vigilante which had become publicly visible. There were other images of people in hoods, moving around the London streets, most of which were actually members of the public, but those watching were able to identify themselves and others in the fleeting videos and still images.
"...It has been reported that the presence on the streets of London of the Vengeance vigilante organisation is a welcome one to the general public. There are many who find the presence reassuring, especially as it is generally not known where they are, if and when, they are out on the streets of London, or indeed, anywhere else within the borders of the United Kingdom. Some have mentioned the reassurance offered by Vengeance's integrity and ability to restrict collateral damage. Many in London, as well as in Vengeance's Scottish home feel that Vengeance is readily more restrained than the American variant based in the North American city of Chicago..."
"Cool!" a few voices announced.
That same time...
22:12 GMT+1 (21:02 GMT June 3rd)
CALICO QUEST
Somewhere southeast of Spain
in the Mediterranean Sea
"More restrained...!" Mindy exploded as she caught the evening news over the satellite. "
"...often causing much less collateral damage with a more understated display of provocative behaviour. Of course, Chicago's own Hit Girl is well known for her complete inability to be out in public without her ego being in control and her persistence in showing off and normally causing unwarranted collateral damage..."
"Much less collateral damage...," Mindy muttered angrily, her voice increasing in volume with each word. "Provocative behaviour . . . I'll give them provocative behaviour, RIGHT UP THEIR TIGHT FUCKING BRIT ASSES!"
"I can see the steam coming out of her ears," Abby muttered to Stephanie who giggled.
Kim and Dave exchanged a glance, neither saying a word as Mindy simply grew angrier and angrier.
Monday, June 5th
13:25 GMT+1 (12:25 GMT June 5th)
Safehouse 842
Wiltshire, England
Scarlett and Natasha arrived, and they were the very last to endure the unrelenting debriefing.
"Thank the Lord that is all over!" the Prince exclaimed with an agreeable grimace from the Commander as Natasha stood up.
"Was it that bad?" Natasha asked.
"I don't think we made any friends," Commander Haig offered.
"Some, I think, took it to heart," the Prince responded. "I am very troubled by the experience of young Amber Dawson. That girl has suffered greatly, to no real benefit. I know that many see her as a turncoat, and the evidence does suggest as such, but she has shown distinct loyalty to Vengeance and towards her peers. She is outwardly very brave."
"Amber Dawson is a special case, sir. She came to us at the same time as a Predator with many questions about why she was there. We have decided to trust her and, so far, she has not let us down."
"Long may that last," the Prince commented.
Natasha nodded her acceptance.
17:12 GMT+1 (16:12 GMT June 5th)
That evening, the two police officers were summoned to a briefing with the Prince and the Commander.
"You are both probably wondering why I summoned you both here, and it is not just to thank you for saving the life of my wayward daughter," the Prince began. "Both of you have shown exceptional behaviour and loyalty when it comes to dealing with Vengeance. As you are both probably fully aware, there are numerous threats to this great country and her people. Those threats cannot always be dealt with using conventional ways – diplomacy, the Police, the Military. At times, certain steps must be taken with deniability for the Government. In days past, certain sections of MI5 and MI6 dealt with liquidating threats from within our borders and without. Public opinion took away that role from the Security Services and 22 Squadron took over some of those tasks. That went well for a decade or two, but times have moved on and we needed a new method of removing our enemies before they could cause irrevocable damage to our way of life. Not that long ago, Vengeance came along, and after their mishap, last year, they were immensely helpful in removing those involved without the tiresome mess of a public trial for treason."
"We want the two of you to become more involved with Vengeance," the Commander continued. "You would operate under the umbrella of Special Branch – my area, specifically – supporting Vengeance operations throughout the country. It would be a significant promotion to you both, of course, with just as much danger as currently. You can have a few days to consider, of course."
"Thank you, sirs," Beck said as he struggled to absorb the offer.
"Yes, thank you, sirs," Ryder added.
The two police officers left the room with a lot to think about.
That night...
20:43 GMT+1 (21:43 GMT June 5th)
Despite the late hour, the Zetas were enjoying the twilight outside on the grass.
Simon lay on the ground with his friends, Rylee, Tanya, and Harper. They each gazed up at the dark sky above them, taking in the stars. Naturally, Rylee knew every single one – or so it seemed – while the others just knew what they needed to for basic navigation and position finding.
"That's where I want to go," Rylee muttered.
"Where, in a plane?" Harper wanted to know.
"Up there, to the stars," Rylee clarified.
"We all know you have your head in the clouds, Ry," Simon laughed, "but why space?"
"The vastness intrigues me," Rylee explained. "Up there are the most powerful physical structures nature ever created. The sun is an amazing runaway chain reaction producing unimaginable energy. A giant ball of gas forever burning."
"Oh, dear," Tanya sighed. "The humble old Earth isn't good enough for our Rylee, she always has to have more."
Harper and Tanya both laughed loudly as Rylee scowled upwards.
"I want to walk on the Moon," Rylee persisted. "I want to walk on Mars."
"Why don't you concentrate on getting puberty out of the way, then worry about the stars," Rachel chuckled as she approached the group of friends. "It's time for bed, guys."
Rylee seethed with embarrassment as her friends all laughed.
The following morning...
Tuesday, June 6th
11:04 GMT+1 (10:04 GMT June 6th)
The running and the swimming continued to occupy most.
It was, after all, important to keep up their peak levels of fitness despite the downtime as there was every chance that they might be called upon to go back into action. Mary was spending time with Electra – as was usual – and Amber.
"I've been meaning to ask you, Mary," Electra said during a break. "What happened to your mother? You never mention her."
Mary looked extremely uncomfortable and Electra instantly regretted asking the question.
"I'm sorry, that was wrong of me."
"No," Mary replied quickly. "She died when I was born – I never knew her."
Mary looked incredibly sad and Electra felt really bad about asking the question – even Amber looked uncomfortable.
"Don't be sad," Mary said. "Let's go see Dad."
Ginny was able to inform the trio where the Prince was, and they ran off to the library.
..._...
The Prince could tell that there was something weighing on his daughter's mind when she entered the room with her friends.
"Daddy . . . I've never asked about this, but I think I want to know," Mary began. slowly "How did Mummy die? I know she died when I was born."
The Prince sighed; he knew that day would come for Mary to ask that question, but he hoped she never would. As the three girls sat down comfortably on chairs, the Prince began.
"The day you were born, was the happiest of my life," the Prince explained with a broad smile. "For three days, everything was good – except for some damned stinky nappies!"
Everybody laughed as Mary's face burned with embarrassment.
"It started the day after you were shown to the world at three days old. Your mother developed complications in relation to the birth. She passed out that very morning and they found that she had lost a lot of blood. Then things just got worse and she never regained consciousness after the eighth day. Then she died when you were just ten days old, Mary."
There was an extremely uncomfortable silence throughout the room.
"We should leave," Electra said as she stood up and pulled Amber with her.
"No!" Mary almost shouted. "You are my friends and I trust you - please."
"Okay," Electra said as she pushed Amber back into her chair and sat down herself.
"Mary's mother – Lady Margaret Kydd – was an amazing woman and the public loved her," the Prince explained. "Mary is the very image of her – right down to the bad temper and the scowling."
Amber and Electra laughed.
That afternoon...
16:00 GMT+1 (15:00 GMT June 6th)
All had gathered for a briefing.
It took the usual amount of time to settle everyone and for the chatter to cease before Cameron stood up to face the massed members of Vengeance and their supporters.
"Thank you for tearing yourselves away from your activities and I will not keep you for long. It looks like things are moving on and very soon, we may all be back in action. New information has come forward and Hit Girl is, even now, on her way across the Atlantic with most of Fusion. You all know what is at stake, should we fail to prevent whatever it is that the Axis of Evil are planning for the world. Even if the American and British governments still do not feel they need to act, we do! Now, Honeyduke has arranged for you all to enjoy a small party, this evening, in the dining hall from nineteen hundred. Olivia and Craig, please keep the love-making to a minimum..."
There was some good-natured wolf whistling as Olivia blushed.
"... That also applies to Simon and Rylee, I believe," Cameron finished.
There was laughter as Rylee blushed a deep red while Simon grinned broadly.
That evening...
19:00 GMT+1 (18:00 GMT June 6th)
Honeyduke had done well.
The dining hall was lit with more subdued lighting compared to the usual harsh fluorescent lighting. There was music playing from several speakers arrayed around the room which created a casual atmosphere. Food was arranged on three of the tables with plenty of soft drinks on offer. Naturally, the boys were first to the food with the girls a close second. There was some good-natured jostling as the hungry teens and pre-teens obtained their food and then either sat or stood to eat while they chattered like they were normal children. The adults were also able to enjoy the time to eat and talk. Not surprisingly, the consumption of food and drink soon moved onto consumption of one another.
Harper moved around the room, poking her nose into conversations where she felt there was something worth knowing. After being told, pointedly, to 'go away', several times, Harper discovered what turned out to be two people busily eating one another. Harper groaned as she recognised Olivia and Craig busily kissing and molesting one another. Harper's curiosity got the better of her judgement as she leaned in to see the mechanics of what was going on. She followed Craig's hand and she found herself staring at Olivia's left nipple.
"Ewww!" Harper growled before her curiosity got the better of her and she looked downwards to find Olivia's right hand on Craig's...
Harper bolted for safety.
..._...
Rylee was struggling.
The food was good, as was the drink, but she so wanted more. She sat on a chair next to Tanya. Simon was talking with Jordan and Ewan. Rylee's eyes were watching a strange and rather unexpected event just a few yards away, across the room. Jeremy Lai was sitting in a chair with a girl flopped across him. Her amber-coloured hair stood out, identifying the girl like a neon sign. Rylee was stunned, as was Tanya – of all the girls to wrap themselves around a boy, for it to be Amber Dawson was pretty much unbelievable, but there they were – snogging. They actually seemed quite good at it, too, Rylee thought. What Rylee did not know was that Amber was so desperate for companionship that she did not see a problem with using Jeremy. Not that Jeremy cared; he was kissing a girl for the first time in his life, and it was even a girl he fancied and who was 'well-equipped' as Ewan crudely termed it.
Rylee decided that she had had enough, and she jumped up, striding over towards Simon. The boy opened his mouth to say something, but instead he found himself dragged across the room onto a vacant seat. Rylee then sat down beside him with a glance over at Olivia who was busy eating her boyfriend. Rylee took a moment to study Olivia's technique and then she grasped Simon by the collar of his shirt and pulled his lips to her own. Simon did not resist as he felt his lips touch Rylee's and they kissed properly for the very first time. It was a feeling that neither had ever felt before and both were intoxicated by that amazing feeling. Rylee closed here eyes to enjoy the feeling.
A couple of feet away, Olivia looked slyly over at the two youngsters kissing. Then she caught Simon's eye and she saw the younger boy squirm.
"Tongue," Olivia mouthed to Simon. "Use your tongue."
Simon frowned so Olivia just stuck out her tongue and Simon nodded in understanding. Next, Olivia saw Rylee's eyes burst open and her eyeballs all but burst from her face as Simon resumed his kissing. Then Olivia giggled as she saw Rylee close her eyes and then recognised the body language as Rylee enjoyed the invasion of her mouth by Simon's tongue.
Twenty minutes later, Rylee decided she needed to go change her knickers.
End of PART III