She looked at the calendar and knew that soon Andrew would be killing a primary school teacher and several others if she didn't act. Knowing, from his notes, when his actions started helped her tp begin laying the groundwork to stop him but she knew she would have to do more. She walked into Themes house with a small plan. She needed Harry's help, but that wasn't a problem as Harry thought she could do no wrong. She hadn't yet planted a key stroke monitor on Lucas/John's computer that was some time down the historical path she was walking. Right now the focus has to be on Andrew. She already had the fabricated documents in hand to start to stop Andrew Forestal. Harry always preferred paper to digital, but Malcolm and Colin would be another story-Colin another person on her to save list. They had to wait until Andrew actually manipulated the computer system of the supplier, with the supplier forewarned of what is coming.
"Harry do you have a minute?" Ruth asked as she walked into Harry's office without knocking. Harry couldn't help himself, "You know it is always more than a minute with us." Ruth was a little flustered by his comment as their relationship in the world is so much more "mature."
"That aside Harry, I have to warn you about activity I've stumbled across. I think we need a team meeting." She fell back to her early way of using the screen in the conference room to layout what she knew and suggest what should be done.
During the meeting Harry was paying attention but there was a small smile on his face until he fully understood what was about to happen. "You think this Forestal has cracked the whatever code?" Colin joined in saying, "The G&J code. It is so complex I don't see how he could have worked it out." Ruth was ready for this knowing Colin much better in this world than she did at the time in her world. "That's just it. He went to Cambridge at the same time one of the creators attended and it was his work that it seems they 'borrowed' and expanded. It's one of the reasons for planning this action." Colin seemed satisfied when she showed some of his work that was very similar to the G&J code. "He may even try to make it seem like terrorism but it isn't it's just a deadly form of blackmail," said Ruth.
"So Ruth, what do you propose," asked Harry. "I propose we bring the company into this project I have a tentative date I think he will strike and we wait and watch."
"Right, Adam you take Danny and talk to both companies. Ruth you supervise from the Grid. Malcolm and Colin you do the actual watching and after the transfer tell them to change their bloody password from password to something more secure." Harry was thought he was finished and was just about to dismiss the team when Ruth said, "There's something more." By this time Harry was getting tired of the techno talk and quipped, " there's always some more with you isn't there." Ruth was hurt as she remembered the last time he'd made that comment and it had involved his daughter before she awoke to this alternate world. Harry saw the look on her face and realized he'd better add a compliment, "but that something else from you is all ways worth following up on." "Yes," said Ruth "this bloody well is." It wasn't often Ruth was verbally upset so everyone was paying attention. "With the G&J code we may foil the drug tampering, but he will have alternatives. I've tried to think like him. I think he will try and empty bank accounts if we foil him by just stopping the drug tampering. We have to be ready to move the moment he attempts the drug tampering. Make him think he's succeeded, and then bring him down, or he may bring down the government with draining bank accounts. Worse he may make the G&J code public." Ruth knew that was his ultimate plan as he'd explained it when she was tied up and his hostage, just before he touched the venomous diamonds that killed him instantly. She was just thankful none of the diamonds made contact with her skin. "We have to bring him in before he can take any other action. The moment he makes his move on the drug company we have to move in and bring him in before he can make backup plans." Everyone was thinking that Ruth was carrying this a bit too far, but then others started thinking about their bank accounts, especially Danny who said, "I don't want him touching my bank account." This brought a smile from Harry and Ruth she knew Harry knew about Danny's venture into hacking credit ratings and accounts. "I assure you Danny if everyone does their job your money will be safe."
"Ruth do you have anything else," said Harry without sarcasm. "No I think it is time to man the stations and bring down Forestal before he brings us down." Ruth especially knew she would sidestep being kidnapped this time and she would have to find another way to bond with Danny. Ruth also knew she would also have to warn Harry about any "Show Trials" that involved Zoe. He had not confided in her about this but she knew the time was approaching for that action. Zoe might have to leave MI5 but she didn't have to be exiled to Chile. Perhaps she'd work with Tom and Christine in their agency. That led to another stream of consciousness as to what has become of Tessa. She knew that history, but Tessa hasn't shown up. Ruth knew she would also need to talk with Sam about "Harry's boss." Some of these plans are out of sequence but since changing so many parts of MI5 history, some of the timelines were changing around her.
It was almost as if Tessa didn't exist. Perhaps she'd double crossed one of her criminal associates and was already gone from the timeline. Ruth would have to find out. Next she needed to talk with Sam so nothing escaped the Grid and into the hands of the wrong people. There were minor parts of history where no one died that Ruth opted not to change knowing there was no way of knowing what might happen if she changes everything. "I certainly don't want to ruin life with Harry," which again made her think of Juliet and the role Juliet would play in the future but right now she was tackling the present circumstances. He had no plans to leave the country to save Harry now that they have whatever it is they have." Tessa, Sam, and others are all people that may be part of timelines that change. She also knows she's not going to any scratch requiem. That's one disciplinary hearing she won't be having show up on this record.
"Dinner tonight?" Harry asked as everyone was filing out. "Yes but can we eat in I don't care if it's a curry carryout, just relax and enjoy our meal and then each other," suggested Ruth with a wicked smile Harry had never seen. He thought, "She continues to surprise me. I do love that stubborn mule." Operation Forestal could wait until the morning as the others all had plans to make, and Ruth already knew what she planned to do.