"What do you have in mind, Ben?" Conner asked as he retook his seat.
"Like we did with the Horsemen, start small then gradually increase installing terror as we go."
"So, where do we start?"
"Well first we need money. Although I have a healthy bank balance, I will not appreciate using that to stop Hestia; so let's think about ways we can get hold of a large amount of money and fast." By now Ben and Saxton had taken a seat on the sofa and were holding on to one another in a reassuring way.
"How about robbing a bank?" David suggested.
"That's not going to be good enough. Conner, how good are you with computers?" Ben suddenly found an idea floating around and hoping it would be good enough to work.
"Err, well I'm ok, I guess, but Samantha and Romona are better."
"Either of you ever done any hacking?" Ben asked as he faced Samantha and Romona, who were still standing.
"Yes. I try to keep up as computers changes, so I think I'm pretty much up to date as well."
"What about you Romona?"
"I've been living with the computer since loosing contact with Samantha and Saxton, so I've had time to catch up on new programs and such and considering my main source of income has come through hacking as of late you can say; yeah I've had experience hacking."
"Good! Here's what were going to do. Has anyone seen the film called Hacker made in the early or late 1990's?" When Samantha and Romona both nodded that they had, he continued. "Well, we do the same. Plant a worm that nibbles away at the money and deposits it in one of many accounts that we're going to set up. We're not just going to settle with just one company though we're going to attack every major financial company throughout world and the best thing is if we do this right they won't even know what's happened."
"But how long is it going to take to collect enough money to be of use to us?"
"It should take no more then a week or so for me to create the worm and with Samantha and Romona's help another few days to implant it in to the companies. If we start today we should have enough money in two weeks."
"Two weeks then that's when we start the first part of our plan to plan to install terror?" Saxton shifted on the sofa moving further into Ben's embrace.
"Exactly!"
"Any idea, what are going to do for the first part of the plan?" David asked slightly unsure.
"Not at the moment, but give me time to think about it and I should have some ideas for you to work with by the end of today."
"So it's not long until we cross the point of no return?" Saxton asked sorrowfully.
"I think it's up to Hestia now, and I don't think she's going to back down. It looks like we're in it until we persuade her that we're serious about doing this and then there's no guarantee that she'll believe us until the first plan is underway."
Ben had been working on his computer for the last five hours straight when Saxton slid into a chair beside him. "How's it going?" She asked her voice soft and soothing, as she knew that was what he needed right then.
"Good. I'm making better progress than expected, actually. I remembered about a worm I already started on a couple of years ago to retrieve certain information from the watchers database; so I've just got to make some changes which should be done by tomorrow night." It was then that Ben noticed how quiet it was. There was only the faintest of immortal presence in the house and it made him ask. "Everyone gone home?"
"No. They're all going to be crashing here until this is all over. They've just nipped out to collect some clothes for Samantha then Samantha and Romona are going to be taking over the spare room while Conner is going to be sharing with David."
A mocking frown was suddenly on Ben's face and once Saxton saw it a grin appeared on hers. "And David agreed to that?"
"Well not at first, but after I refused to let him share with Samantha, he reluctantly agreed." Saxton soon had a twinkle in her eyes as she remembered the protest that David had kicked up.
"I think we have to worry about Samantha and David." Ben sighed. "David seemed to be getting, how could I say this? Slightly more attached then platonically possible and Samantha had always been attracted to Duncan and it seemed to have flowed over to David as well."
"To be honest, if David was older I'd give them my blessing." Saxton sheepishly admitted. "But he's only sixteen years old. If she could wait until he's eighteen or even better twenty, then I'll be happy."
"If you think about it though David's got the knowledge of a four hundred plus year old man inside his head, maybe he's responsible enough to have a relationship with Samantha." Ben didn't know why he seemed to be on David and Samantha's side; it was just his point of view on the matter.
"He may have to knowledge of a four hundred plus year old man but he himself is only sixteen years old. If anything, the incident with Jodie proves he's not ready."
"Ok, you win!" Ben said playfully, smiling for the first time in hours.
"How would you feel like taking a break and get something to eat if you're so far ahead?"
"You have some of the greatest ideas ever."
"Oh and don't I know it!" Saxton smiled teasingly at Ben, almost burst out laughing when he suggestively raised his eyebrows. "Oh, one more thing before we go." Saxton suddenly remembered the reason she had come to see Ben in the first place.
"What's wrong?"
"What happens if the person Hestia was talking about turns up before we persuade Hestia to change her mind?"
"Then we'll deal with it when or if it happens."
"Ben, I'm getting a really bad feeling about this. It feels like… I don't know it just feels like Hestia hasn't finished manipulating us yet."
"I know and I feel the same way. But Sax, I promise I will do everything in my power to protect you and David."
"I know you will Ben and that's what scares me."
"It's going to be alright." Ben made a promise he wasn't sure he would be able to keep but knew he would do anything to keep it. "Come on let go for dinner."
"Ok!"
Later on that night Samantha, Saxton, David and Conner were all seated around the spare bedroom discussing all that had been laid out for them in their meeting after what they assumed was Hestia temporary demise.
"So what do you think Ben will plan for our first strike?" Conner asked, as he seemed to one that was most uncomfortable with the plan that had been decided upon.
"Well if it's anything like when Kronos wanted to get the horsemen back together it will more then likely be a small bomb to kill a few and then gradually bigger bombs until one hell of a lot of people will get killed." David threw in using some of his memories from Duncan to try and work out what Bens plan was going to be.
"You don't sound that bothered about that! The Duncan I remember would have done anything to prevent that from happening." Conner's brow scrunched up in confusion at David's attitude.
David face turned crimson and anger quickly took over all the features on his face. "Well that's the thing isn't it? I'm not Duncan. Duncan is dead thanks to YOU."
Conner was shocked. This was the first time that Duncan's death had been discussed between them and he was surprised at how angry David was about what he had done, although he couldn't blame him if he was honest to himself. "I'm sorry." Conner almost whispered, as he got to his feet ready to flee the room as fast as possible.
David closed his eyes for a moment and breathed out trying to calm himself as he knew he had to discuss this at some point and discussing it while he was angry was not the right time. "Conner, wait."
Conner stopped, his hand on the door handle as David spoke up his voice shaking slightly from all the emotions, which were going through him at the moment.
"We have to discuss this at some point and if we're going to be sharing a bedroom for a while we may as well get it out of the way now."
"Only if you're sure. I know you need some time to think about things and I'll give you whatever time you need."
"No, we'll talk now."
"Ok."
"I think it would be best if we left you two to talk alone." Samantha stood up and motioned for Romona to leave the room with her, which then left Conner and David to talk before either of them could protest.
They were just walking into the living room when they bumped into Saxton and Ben.
"Hey guys." Saxton smiled although it was slightly forced as her mind was still slightly on the conversation, she and Ben had just had moments before regarding the bad feelings they were having.
"Hi! We're nipping out for something to eat, you interested in coming along?" Sam smiled back and started towards the front door.
"No we've already eaten, we were just popping up to see how things between David and Conner are going." Ben laughed slightly at Samantha and Romona eagerness to get something to eat.
"Oh. I really don't think it's going to be a good time for you to see how there doing." Samantha admitted sheepishly.
"What do you mean?" Saxton asked puzzled.
"Well they're talking."
"Talking? Talking about what?"
"About what happened to Duncan?"
"Oh, well I think we better leave them to it then and hope that they don't do bodily harm to one another."
"Ben, it'll be alright." Samantha reassured him when she noted the hesitation in his voice.
"I hope so. I truly do."