Penny, Talon and Brain tried very hard not to move. Talon checked his beard was still in place, and Penny moved her hair to cover her face. Dee Skize knew all of them very well, and she wasn't likely to enjoy a reunion.

Thankfully, she was engrossed in a rabble-rousing speech. It was confused, dark, aggressive stuff, all about the evils of capitalism and the destruction of the planet and stamping out 'colonialism'. Penny couldn't see any clear point to it, but the crowd loved it, and applauded and cheered every angry sentiment.

She started to pay more attention when Dee – or Ikona – reached the Queen's Jubilee Parade on Saturday.

"The eyes of the world will be upon us. Crowds here in London, and TV viewers throughout the Commonwealth. We have the ideal opportunity to make our presence felt. So, here's what we do. My plan is to stage a hold-up – on the Queen herself! We will block the route of the Golden State Coach, hold up the parade, and stage our protest."

Penny's and Talon's hands had already slid over to their Codexes. They needed a recording of this.

It was the best undercover work anyone could have done. They had complete recordings of the plan... if this was the entire plan. Dee certainly wasn't giving away that she had any links with MAD.

The only problem was – how did they get out of here? There was a dozen people between them and the staircase, and they were right under Dee's nose. Penny kind of wished they weren't. Dee still had the appalling bad breath she remembered from their last encounters.

While Dee was amidst another peroration, Penny pretended to check her watch, then sent out a call for assistance. The police car must still be nearby...

Sure enough, a couple of minutes later the young receptionist came forward. Dee looked annoyed at being interrupted.

"The police are in the road outside!"

"Quickly!" Dee clapped her hands. "Everyone back upstairs, and seal off this place! They mustn't discover our plans for the Parade!"

The meeting broke up in some confusion. The social justice warriors suddenly didn't seem so brave. Penny and her party were carried off on a tide of beards and combat gear.

Dee – or MAD – had made preparations for this. In the reception area upstairs, the protest meeting quickly became a full drinks reception, with champagne and vegan canapés. Dee resumed her lecture as two uniformed police entered – now on a very different subject.

"We can help your business find sustainable solutions... we want every enterprise to be a green enterprise..."

Penny and Talon slipped away towards the car, with Brain scampering after them. He sneezed suddenly, and his beard flew off. Thankfully, everyone was still listening to Dee.

A short time later, they were back in the office before Commissioner Gadget and the Assistant Commissioner. They were able to replay their full videos, and tell them everything.

"Smart work, boys." Gadget glanced at Penny. "And girl. We've now got a head-start on them."

"Maybe we should just cancel the Parade," said Penny.

"The Palace won't want that," said the A.C. "The Queen goes ahead, no matter what."

"We'll get them to change the plans," said Gadget. "Instead of the State Coach, we'll have an armour-plated car. And we'll increase security. More motorcycles. More Gadgetinis. A bigger motorcade..."

Penny was astonished. She hadn't heard her uncle sound so hyper-competent in years. Maybe he had just needed scope...

"And perhaps Her Majesty could wear some sort of suit of armour."

Oh. Maybe not.

"What harm can they do, though?" Talon asked. "They're only gonna stage a protest. They're just a bunch of dopey hippies."

Penny's mouth set. "Somehow I think there was something Dee wasn't telling 'em."

"Just arrest her now."

"On what evidence? Planning a peaceful protest? Whatever the evidence is, she's keeping it hidden."

"We'll get there early ourselves," said Gadget. "If it's MAD, I want to direct this operation personally. Talon can find us some more disguises..."

When Saturday came, Penny wasn't so sure about the disguises. They were all dressed head to foot in Union Jack hats, t-shirts and shorts, and each of them had two flags to wave. Not that they were out of place. The Royal supporters were out in force, and patriotism was the order of the day.

The Parade was impressive. It was like something between a military parade and a carnival, with bands playing, and floats that paid tribute to UK industry and commerce.

Gadget wiped a tear. "Doesn't it make you proud to be British?"

"Uncle Gadget? You're not British."

"Oh. Oh no."

Talon nudged Penny. "Here she comes."

The armoured car containing the Queen was coming towards them, led by motorcycled police and trundling, uniformed Gadgetinis. The cheers became deafening. Gadget glanced towards the other police officers and Gadgetinis he had stationed amidst the crowd.

Suddenly there were explosions, as protestors ran out from the crowds and hurled firecrackers and smoke bombs. There were screams and yells. Several young men and women formed a human wall in front of the motorcade, holding cards and banners that said W.A. Gadget raised his voice.

"OK, boys, get 'em!"

The panic suddenly increased, as the Gadgetinis spun round and turned on the crowds. They were driving straight at people, waving their electronic truncheons, and everyone was ducking to get out of the way. Talon dived beneath a barrier.

"Diversion program. Classic MAD! Someone's scrambled their circuits. They won't do anything we tell 'em."

Suddenly, several human police appeared, clearing the way. One of them approached the armoured car.

"Quick, ma'am! This way!"

He was directing the entire motorcade off course, up a side-road. Other officers stood pointing the way. One held a sign that said DIVERSION. Gadget frowned.

"Who are they? I don't remember briefing them."

The motorcycles had disappeared from view now, followed by the car. Too late, Penny cottoned on.

"No! Your Majesty! It's a trap!"

She ran out into the road, pulling Talon after her. They dodged police and Gadgetinis and made for the side-road. The new officers seemed to have gone now. The protestors were running for cover. The rest of the Parade was still held up. Everything was in chaos.

Penny and Talon entered the side-road to see... a G-Portal, and no motorcade in sight. Penny stopped, and stared.

"Oh my stars. MAD just kidnapped the Queen."