Disclaimer: Primeval does not belong to me. This is fan fiction, not for profit.
Any references to people, places, businesses etc is entirely fictitious.
A/N Part of the Claudia story verse (AU) Transitions, Transitions Too, Continuum, Trimming the Tree
5.4-2 AU Pest Control
…"we've been bugged"…
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In the menagerie, Lester looked at the fiber optic cables piled on the floor between Becker and the mammoth pen. Behind the tall security officer, more men dressed in black security uniforms appeared carrying yet more cables.
"At Monday morning's meeting," said Becker "you said rats were getting in to the ARC through a gap between the foundation and the pipes."
"Yes, yes…," snapped Lester.
"I spent most of last night going over Duncan's log reports with him," Becker explained. "It took a while… as I don't think anyone, including Duncan, can read his scribbles."
"Not surprising really, Duncan's handwriting is even worse than his typing," mused Lester. "Perhaps we should get one of those voice recorders for him…"
"Duncan's area of expertise is structural engineering," interrupted Becker. "We pulled out the ARCs blue prints… and when I asked him about the gap… he said it wasn't in the plans."
For the second time this day, Lester's eyebrows went up in surprise.
"How did the gap get there," asked Lester "if it wasn't due to reconstruction work after the explosion?"
"We went and looked at it. It's not just a gap," replied Becker, "from this side it looks like part of the foundation with some jumbled rocks, but it's really a very carefully concealed hatch."
Lester's jaw clenched and his nose narrowed as he breathed in deeply, but he didn't say anything.
"The gap is just big enough to put your hand through and pull the opening lever from the other side," continued Becker. " I ordered a full scale search of the ARC, that's how we found the bugging devices."
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The traffic officer on duty late Tuesday night saw the big silver SUV on the traffic cam. He zoomed in on the license plate and grunted in surprise. He spoke into the communications device.
"Martin," said the highway agency traffic coordinator "there's an SUV headed your way… the one the folks in London have been going mad about."
The chuckle of his counterpart sounded over the device.
"Now won't they get their knickers in a twist if we fetch the vehicle for them?"
-x-x-x-x-x-x
"A hatch? Are you saying someone has infiltrated the ARC?" asked Lester. "And they're able to come and go as they please? How is it that we missed this?
"The hatch doesn't appear on our blueprints," repeated Becker. "None of us knew the hatch was there, so it's not part of our security checks... the opening is small... tucked away in the dark... in a place where human beings don't usually go."
Another soldier dropped more cables to the growing pile by the mammoth pen. The soft thud mingled with the indistinct sound of voices coming towards the two men. Lester shook his head.
"Maybe we do need to move to a new building," sighed Lester.
"In all his security tests, not even Danny managed to enter the ARC through the foundation," said Becker.
Another security officer moved away from the mammoth pen. Danny, followed by Stephen, approached Lester and Becker. The two men were covered in dust and grime.
"Did I hear you mention my name?" asked Danny with a cheeky grin.
-x-x-x-x-x-x
April glanced in the rear view mirror. Flashing lights on the bright yellow and black check marked four by four indicated she was to pull over and stop. Beside her Aurora shook her head.
"No," ordered the angular woman "we've got to get to London as soon as possible."
April gave a wicked little grin and floored the accelerator.
-x-x-x-x-x-x
"Did you find out anything?" asked Becker.
"Oh yeah," replied Danny, "that hatch leads to an old closed off section of the tube, lots of disused rooms down there and someone has been living in one of them."
"Living in the underground?" asked Lester.
"We think it was the same person who bugged the ARC," answered Stephen. " Whoever it was, it looks like they were there for a while, but they left in a hurry.
"Are you sure they're gone?" asked Becker.
"Think so, there are no personal effects or supplies" replied Danny, "besides the cables, the only thing left behind is a few empty carry cages."
"Cages?"
"Yeah, you know," said Stephen, "like the kind you use for pets."
"The same size as the one Abby uses for transporting Rex," added Danny.
Lester sighed.
"Are you sure Christine Johnson is still stationed in Antarctica?" the director asked in a plaintive tone. "I really prefer an adversary I can see."
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Traffic Officer Martin called headquarters.
"People think they can race around the motorway like maniacs," grumbled the traffic officer. "The driver tried to get away… the SUV hit ice… skidded round… did a complete three sixty."
"Oh God," replied the voice on the other end.
"We'll need an ambulance and a tow truck and another traffic officer," continued Officer Martin. "The SUV is completely off the road… tell Jimmy I'll be down the embankment when he gets here."
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Lester, Becker, Danny and Stephen walked up the corridor to the main floor of the ARC. Jess was the only member of the core team still present when they reached the hub.
"Where is everyone?" asked Danny.
"Well Claudia and Cutter had to go pick up Stephanie from child care," answered Jess, "and Sarah left to get Jamal… Matt and Emily left too… but I really don't know where they went."
Jess nodded at Duncan coming up the corridor towards her.
"The night shift started about an hour ago," she added.
"You're right, it's late," said Lester. "You lot should go home now and get some sleep."
"But I've got…" protested Becker.
"No," said Lester sternly. "You can't keep working nonstop… I heard you say you were up most of last night, and I know you have been on an anomaly alert yesterday and two today."
The tall soldier stood with his hands clasped behind his back as he listened to Lester's tirade.
"Go home and go to bed," finished Lester "and don't come back until afternoon tomorrow."
"Is that an order?" asked Becker.
"Yes!" snapped Lester. "All of you go home now!"
Danny and Stephen exchanged a glance.
"Well guv," said Danny, "that might be a little hard for us. We don't have a flat in this time period any more."
Lester's face reddened in frustration, but Jess had an idea.
"Patrick's still living with Abby and Connor," reminded Jess. She gave the men a brilliant smile. "You can ride with me. I'll drop you off at their home."
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April groaned. The SUV had finally quit moving.
"Aurora," she asked "are you all right?"
The taller woman had the door open on her side of the SUV and was crawling out. She turned and reached into the back seat for the laptop and her rucksack. Aurora didn't answer April's question, but instead checked to see if the equipment was alright.
"Aurora," called April "I'm stuck, the seatbelt won't let go. Would you give me a hand?"
Aurora looked at the smaller blonde woman caught in the overturned SUV.
"Now why would I do that?" asked Aurora before she turned and walked away.
-x-x-x-x-x-x
When Jess heard that Lester planned on sleeping in the ARC again, she insisted he let her drop him off at his London flat.
"You need a good nights sleep too," reminded Jess in a cheery voice. "I can pick you up in the morning on my way into work. Just think, we're carpooling!"
"Just until I get my jag back from the impound lot," grumbled Lester from the tiny back seat where he sat squished beside Danny and Stephen.
Lester was dropped off first. Then the little orange car brought Danny and Stephen to Abby and Connor's home. The two men waved goodbye to Jess and Becker before knocking on the green door. Jack let them in, and Patrick came running from the kitchen when he heard their voices.
"I'll just let Abby and Connor know you're here," said Jack as he excused himself.
He headed upstairs, leaving the little group to their reunion. Jack tapped quietly on the front bedroom door. When he didn't get a response, he pushed the door open a bit and called his sister's name. When that didn't work, he poked his head inside the room.
"Abby, Danny and Stephen are here…"
Jack stopped talking when he realized both Abby and Connor were sound asleep. Abby was sitting upright, with her head leaned back against the pillows. One slender arm was draped across Connor's chest while the other hand lay upturned on the bed. Connor was sprawled sideways across the bed with his head resting on her lap and his fingers resting lightly on Abby's upturned hand. Jack grinned.
"I'll just put Danny and Stephen in the next room," said Jack as he withdrew. "I can sleep on the sofa."
-x-x-x-x-x-x
When Jess pulled the orange car into the parking space near Becker's flat, he turned towards her, hoping for a kiss good night, but she was already climbing out of the driver's seat.
"Where are you going?" asked Becker.
"Don't be silly Hil, it's after midnight, it wouldn't be safe," replied Jess. "remember... we're supposed to buddy up. You don't really want me driving off alone now, do you?"
Becker shook his head.
"You know how Lester is about health and safety," said Jess. "And besides... as the ARCs senior field team coordinator I have a job to do..."
"What?"
"Make sure you go to bed," replied Jess with a smirk. "You really don't think I'm waiting until Christmas again now do you?"
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