BOOK 2: COMMUNITY / CH. 9: WHAT IS IT WITH KAREN AND TUNNELS?
3:30PM, MONDAY 17TH JULY
Having provided prayer support all through the rescue work, Teresa said she had to see another client, but promised Sarah she'd be in touch. Kate had declared that they needed to debrief, to talk over what they'd learnt that day. “I really don't want to do that again in a hurry,” John said, “and from what Enoch said I think there's some other way of looking for victims.”
“I expect so,” Sarah agreed. “But if it were only victims, then we'd not have been able to pre-emptively rescue anyone.”
“True.”
“What did Enoch mean about the Evil seeing us?” Karen asked. “Did you sense anything like that?”
“I'm not certain, but maybe.”
“Can we look, John?” Sarah asked.
“Urm, OK. It's a shame Teresa's not here. I wonder about how close what we've just done is to the thought police stuff that we want to avoid.”
“So you mean that we shouldn't examine it in too much detail?”
“I don't think we can, actually. Come and look, Sarah, you're most used to the oddities of my mind.”
Sarah merged her thoughts with John's and looked at his memory of what he'd seen. It had become very much blurred, except where they'd focussed, and even then, the detail wasn't there. He showed her what he'd thought might be encouraging the evil of Roland, but again, there wasn't any detail there at all.
“John's right. His memory's become very cloudy. I think that's good really. Otherwise with all that horrible stuff in his mind, he'd be having nightmares. The peace washed the poison away. Praise God.”
“Amen!” agreed John. “I'm really glad I don't have to carry that around in my head.”
“Has everyone tried the locating people thing?” Sarah asked. It turned out that only she and George had. “OK, pick someone who won't mind and look at their feet.”
Kate knew Pete wouldn't mind, so looked at his feet. There he was, at his workshop, crafting a head, she guessed, and then the view receded and she saw the workshop attached to the house, and the house in the street, and the street in the city.
Karen checked on her father. Of course he was asleep given the time difference, but she saw him in the room, in their home, on that floor, just as she knew, but she saw something in the house she didn't recognise. A room almost connected to the cellar. How odd. As her view receded further, she saw it wasn't a room, but a tunnel. And she knew she needed to contact her mother.
“Excuse me, I need to make a call. Can I borrow your office, John?”
“Of course!”
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Closing the door to the office (not an easy manoeuvre with her hands full of crutches), Karen commanded, “Computer, privacy,” and called he mother.
“Mummy, something worrying. Can you talk?”
“Yes, Karen, not more attacks?”
“No, not yet anyway. But there's a tunnel almost reaching to the cellars at home.”
“You're sure?”
“Well, I've just been following up on the new bit of this gift, and I checked where Daddy was, at home asleep in bed of course. But when we do that we can see where the person is in the room, and then where the room is in the house and so on. That's how I found it. At first I thought it was a room under the reception room, but then as the view pulled back further I saw there was a tunnel. I don't know if it's been there for a hundred years or if someone's been digging it recently.”
“I don't know about one, but there's been roadworks outside, day and night for weeks. Can you see if there's anyone in there?”
“I'll have a try, Mummy. Hold on a sec.”
“I'm holding. I'm also preparing an evacuation order I hope I don't need to send.”
Karen focussed on the skin of that tunnel. There was someone there. A young man, with a pneumatic drill. He'd drill a bit then stop, drill a bit, then stop. It was just like the pattern of someone drilling a hole in the road. She'd seen enough.
“He's drilling, Mummy, in time with the road drills, I'd guess.”
“Thank you, Karen. I've got to wake everyone up. Which way does the tunnel go, can you tell?”
“Across the road, I think to the old cinema. Shall I check?”
“It's not as urgent as waking up everyone, but yes please. Send me a message, if you can.”
Karen checked on the man's feet. He was in the tunnel, and it went from there where he'd been drilling under the road to there, the cellar of the house left of the old cinema, and then to there into the basement of the old cinema, which seemed to be being filled with rubble.
Karen sketched what she'd seen, and sent it to her mother. Then, after focussing on peace for a while to restore her calm, she returned to the meeting room.
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“Is everything all right?” Sarah asked.
“I think it will be now, thank you.”
“Trouble?” George asked.
[It's sensitive, George. Probably a planned attack on home. Don't spread it.]
George's reaction was to gather her into his arms, which surprised her, but on the other hand it felt like it was a good place to be. [Thank you, George. I could get used to this.]
[Me too, but I think we'll attract attention if we do it much more.]
[You started it!]
[{love}]
“Time to put her down, George!” John said. “You two are starting to broadcast.”
“Oops,” Karen said, and broke away, embarrassed.
“Ahh, the joys of young love!” Kate said, smiling. “But was it necessary?”
“I think it was, Kate,” George said. “Karen found something else disturbing.”
“Linked back to Roland?”
“I seriously hope not,” Karen said.
“Can we help?” Kate asked.
“I think it's under control now. Not much more to do, unless I get called on. I might need your help, Sarah, I don't know. But it's safer, for you too, if you don't know for the moment.”
“Thank you, Karen,” John said.
“What for?” she asked, confused.
“For balancing risks for us. It's not an easy task, I'm sure.”
“Well, I had a bit of practice looking at the skin of a place and the feet of a person. Was there more? I don't remember.”
“Not apart from looking at the evil. Don't practice that. But I wonder...” John thought aloud, “what happens if we look at the skin of a city, rather than a room.”
“I'd guess overheat,” Sarah said. “Too much information.”
“That sounds too plausible,” John agreed. “I'm not going to try without asking expert advice. It's nice to know we've got an expert now, at least.”
“Yes,” Karen agreed. “Sarah, you saw where Enoch was. Any guess of the time difference?”
“Close to twelve hours. Shall I look it up?”
“It's not that important, but at least we know we're not going to hold long conferences with him.”
“Probably not.”
“So, what's the plan for the rest of the day?” John asked.
“Rest, I think,” Kate answered. “Rest and pray for each and every person affected by today, and that includes each other and the victims, and the loved ones of the victims. I don't know if I'm planning on praying for Roland and his henchmen.”
“We should. Different prayers though,” John replied.
“You don't happen to mean, ‘may they die a long painful death, and burn in hell forever,’ do you?” Kate asked.
“Kate, are you serious?” George was shocked.
“Only half way. I know, we should love our enemies, but...”
“But if not for the grace of God, we might have followed exactly their path through life, Kate,” John said firmly. “We've all sinned, Kate, and little sins lead to bigger ones. Let's pray that all those concerned are brought to justice and wholeheartedly repent of their sins.”
“OK. You're right I guess. I'll try not to be so vindictive.”
“We'll pray for you in that too, Kate,” Karen said gently. “I'd suggest that you take some time focussed on peace. You were giving interviews to the police when we did it afterwards, and I think it shows.”
“You're right. I guess I am hurting for those victims. Or just outraged. You know what Tim, that boy they were chasing, had done to get on their hit list? He'd just been been chatting to a girl who was one of the gang member's sister, but she'd been in care six years and didn't even recognise the gang member! For that they tried to kill him! But OK, I'll seek peace.”
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Karen looked at George. [Is it possible, George? Could it be one of your cousins?]
[I guess it's possible. I mean, I was taken into care 6 years ago. One of my girl cousins was ten, and she had an older brother. It's possible. Can you call up a picture to my wrist unit?]
[Sarah probably can. I'll ask.] Changing her focus to only Sarah, she thought, [Sarah, could you quietly send George's wrist-unit a picture of the gang as they came towards the Institute?]
[Sure. Urm, it's easier if it's on yours, OK?]
[Fine!]
[Can I ask why?]
[I'll let him decide what he shares, OK?]
[Uh, fine.]
Sarah peered at the console and tapped some commands. [You should have it now.]
[Thanks.] Directing her thoughts back to George, Karen thought, [On my wrist unit now, George, I'll send it on to you. Is it who you thought it might be?] [Yes. It is. He was one of the worst. He's one of my cousins I'm not in contact with. I really hope May's not getting drawn into that life.] [Pretty name.]
[Pretty girl too, not surprising boys want to chat to her.]
[Is she a Christian?]
[Church-goer I think, beyond that I'm not sure.]
[Let's talk to her. Chatting on the street to strange boys isn't very wise.]
[Thank you, Karen, that's a good idea. Any thoughts on how we talk to her? I mean I occasionally pass on jokes and things, but that's about it as far as contact goes.]
[And it's months too soon to invite her to an engagement party.]
[Thank you for even thinking of that, Karen.]
[We could just engineer a ‘chance meeting.']
[What, while out on a date together?]
[I presume you're planning to take me on dates?]
[Of course! Just, I thought I was going to stay in a safe house for the next few months.]
[Oh bother. I'd totally forgotten. That ruins that idea, doesn't it. We'll just have to call her.]
[What? On what motive?]
[Partial truth. You were here, we just heard, and checked. You're concerned. How did she meet him, has she seen her brother since he chased him off the first time?]
[You sure I should?]
[Add in that you've just escaped from a similar fate, if you like.]
[Yes, I think I will.]
[Did you ever tell her about the prophesy?]
[Urm. I might have. I've told her part of it anyway.]
[Then tell her that came true, George. Might be worth saying you're going to be at a safe house. Oh. Can we tell Sarah at least some of your history? The computer might think you're in league with your cousin and thus uncle Roland.]
[Urm. OK. Yes. You can. I can, even. Now.]
He opened his eyes and saw that Sarah was looking quizzically between him and the photo. Kate was still meditating on the peace of the Lord.
“Everything OK, George?” Sarah asked.
“We've just been discussing how to warn cousin May to stay well away from her brother.”
“That's him in the picture?”
“Yes. Did you spot the family resemblance?”
“I wasn't sure.”
“I think we'd better tell the computer about George's family links before it declares him an associate, like it did with Teresa,” Karen said.
“Yes. That would be embarrassing, wouldn't it? Let's see what it thinks about him so far. Computer: classify status of visitor George.”
“Visitor George analysis, 75% probability: prospective husband staff member Karen. Official security cleared to level one gamma. Biologically but not socially related to criminal gang, not involved in any criminal activity.”
“Computer: analysis confirmed,” Karen said. “Sorry George, I forgot to tell it not to listen when you were talking to Mummy.”
“Oh well. I knew it could listen to it too, I didn't think it would analyse the conversation that well though. Well, lets see what it does when we tell it who they worked for.”
“Computer, add people displayed to list of known criminal associates of Roland Underwood, also add known criminal associates of people displayed to list,” Karen said. “What's May's surname, George?”
“Kray.”
“Computer, classify status of May Kray: cousin to visitor George.”
“May Kray, biological link to associates of Roland Underwood. Biological link to trusted visitor George. Accessing databases to determine links. Query, visitor George has additional data available?”
“Urm, I don't know. I don't believe she has been involved in criminal activity in last six years. I believe she has rejected criminal lifestyle of birth family. I suspect her brother would like to involve her in criminal activity. I suspect he would attempt extortion, threats and blackmail.”
“Acknowledged. May Kray listed as potential blackmail victim. Link to ambassadorial dependant Karen suggests analysis of communication records. Query: authorisation available?”
“Not available,” Karen said.” Forward analysis to Security, flag my I.D., flag precautionary. May Kray has no present knowledge of link between me and visitor George.”
“Who's May Kray?” Kate asked. She'd returned.
“My sixteen year old cousin. We're wondering how to warn her not to do any more chatting to strange boys on the street or to go anywhere near her brother or his gang.”
Kate hung her head, getting the point immediately. “I'm sorry, George. I was wrong. I shouldn't have said that.”
“You were distressed and possibly under attack too,” John said. “We were warned about stirring up evil, after all.”
“Why not just call her?”
“I don't normally do that, Kate, it might worry her.”
“Given what's been going on, isn't that a good thing?”
“I guess so. OK, I'll call.”
“Come on, use my office. I think I want to talk to her. Karen, you come too if you like, but it's probably best if you don't get mentioned yet, at least by name.”
“In case word gets back to Underwood? You're right. I'll stay out of the picture. Oh no! Kate, any link between George and the Institute is going to be enough, isn't it? George, my friend, gets rescued by mind-readers, then is known to be at the Institute, that's a bit of a give away, isn't it?”
“Well, George's rescue could have been just his preparedness. Priscilla’s couldn't have been anything but us. But even Tim's rescue, combined with the founding purposes of the Institute would probably be enough to draw attention here.”
“Especially when we publish, or if the disclosure document we put out gets into his hands. Or the hands of the press, of course,” Kate said. “I don't think you'll be using the front door for very long, Karen.”
“There's a back door?” Sarah asked.
“Yes, there is. I expect it's not been cleaned for a decade or so, but it's there.”
“Really?” John asked. “I didn't know about it either.”
“How remiss of you, John. You should know about it at least. Haven't you looked at the evacuation map?”
“I have,” Sarah said, “and I haven't seen it.”
“It must be there! Computer, display evacuation map,” Kate ordered. Looking at where she knew the tunnel was, she saw a cupboard marked cleaning supplies, but no exit.
“How odd. Computer, display previous revision.” Still no tunnel. “And next previous edition.” Nothing.
“This is silly. Computer, display most recent revision of the evacuation plan or other building plan which shows rear exit tunnel.”
“Processing,” the computer replied.
“You're sure you didn't dream it, Kate?”
“I've swept the thing! I needed a dust mask but I got it clean in the end. That was when I was new here, of course.”
The computer displayed a plan in two parts. On the left, labelled ‘public,’ was the plan they all knew. On the right, labelled ‘security cleared staff only’ was another version, which listed room occupants, a number beside each door, and, from the cleaning cupboard, a corridor, labelled ‘tunnel to back door.’ They were dated from twelve years earlier.
“Oh dear,” Kate said. “It looks like someone decided that we didn't need two versions when the locks were changed.”
“Locks?”
“There used to be mechanical number pads on each door, to let you into a room in case of a power-cut. They only worked when there was no power, but then a new system was installed with the new on-site generator, so the mechanical locks were taken out. Someone obviously decided we didn't need two maps.”
“I didn't know we had an on-site generator either,” Sarah said.
“Me neither,” John added.
“Oh dear. Well, Sarah and John, you start praying for the victims please, George and I are going to call May, Karen you can come or pray as you like.”
“I'll come then,” Karen said. I‘ll keep out of sight but I want to hear what May says at least.”
“OK, let's go to my office.”
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“Hi, May, it's George. You alone?”
“George, you never call! Yes, alone and angry.”
“What's up?”
“Should have been on a date this afternoon. He didn't turn up.”
“Aren't you a bit young to be dating?”
“Hey, I'm sixteen. Aren't you a bit old to have never dated anyone? Oh yeah. I remember, that prophecy. But really, George, can't you just go on dates just for the fun of it?”
“Not really. By the time you're my age it's normally more serious. But May, have you any idea where Bill lives these days?”
“Bill? Never! He's dangerous, George! Don't go near him. Why do you want to meet him?”
“I don't, May. Just wondered.”
“Why, George? He's psycho. He saw me the other week, with a friend. I didn't even recognise him, but he's just as scary as ever. We ran for it.”
“You were near his place?”
“How do I know? What's going on, George?”
“Sorry, May. Just needed to check. I ran for my life this morning. And if your date was called Tim, he did the same this afternoon.”
“Tim's in trouble? Is he OK? You've spoken to him?” A small hesitation, tinged with sadness, “And is she very pretty?”
“Tim's OK. A friend offered him safe-haven from Bill. He's just formally giving a statement to the police I expect. Is who very pretty?”
“Your friend. Tim's future wife.”
“May, just because you run for your life it doesn't mean you get rescued by your future wife. You decide, I'll put her on. Kate, you wanted a word with May.”
“Hi, May. I think Tim's a bit young for me.”
“Oh. I think so too. Hello, you're Kate? You saved Tim?”
“Well, I opened the door to a lad called Tim who was running from a gang led by someone George says is your brother. But I do wonder, what were you doing chatting to strange boys and wandering around a gang area.”
“I didn't, we weren't. At least I didn't think we were. Tim isn't strange, he's been coming to church for years. And surely the High Street isn't a gang area!”
“So, Tim fibbed a little when he told me that the first time he saw your brother, I quote: 'I'd been chatting to a girl I'd just met and he said to get away from his sister.’”
“Well, we'd just met in the High Street, and chatted, and then ran from Bill. But I'd met him at church before.”
“I see. So Bill chasing you got you talking and then Tim asked you out?”
“Sort of. Why are you asking all this?”
“Because I want to decide how sensible you are, young woman. And taking up with someone because you've run away from danger together makes a good movie plot, but it's no basis for a life-changing decision.”
“Unless you're George of course. He gets to run away from mortal peril with his future wife.”
George intervened, “No I didn't, May. While I ran, she was sitting in an office passing information to and from someone from Security.”
“Oh. That's easier on the wardrobe. Well, Tim's nice, he's clever, probably going to end up in a good job, and he's got a real faith in God. I knew all that before we chatted. I'm going to marry him.”
“You're only sixteen, May!” Kate said.
“I know, I know. I'm too young. I need to finish school, go to university, blah blah.”
“Your foster mum been telling you that? Wise words. Listen to them!” George said.
“Not her. Tim.”
“He's got a brain then, that's good. So why did he ask you out? Didn't want someone else to get you?”
“Eh? No! I asked him out. And I'm going to do all that getting older stuff. Then I'm going to marry him. That's what I told him after he gave me the ‘we're too young to decide that’ speech.”
“You don't think you might possibly have scared him off?” Kate asked.
“I hope not. It's nice to know he's got a good excuse for not turning up for our date. What's she like, George, your future wife?”
“She's special, May. I'm trying to let her get used to the idea slowly, so she doesn't get scared away for the next decade or two, but if she does then I'll wait.”
“That's good. Tim's special too. So I'm going to keep him.”
“Bye, May.”
“Bye, George, Kate.”
George disconnected. “So, Kate, any ideas?”
“Well, we could try and help Tim escape May. Maybe Enoch knows somewhere on some far off island he could hide. Or we could just throw our hands up in despair at the younger generation.”
“I think the latter would be safer. She seems pretty determined.”
“That's one word for it. I don't think she's a security risk though.”
“As long as you don't keep her from Tim,” Karen added with a laugh.
“Yes. Let's go join the others. It's nice to know May doesn't need rescuing.”
“You know, it's almost a shame there aren't any stable republics any more. I could imagine her as a president.”
“Oh come on, Kate,” Karen rebuked her. “Republics are inherently unstable. If you want stability then you need constitutional monarchy, with the training from birth in the whole duty ethic. You can't give that sort of power to someone who wants it! The Romans demonstrated that and the twentieth and twenty-first centuries proved it again, surely. I mean, just look at how much money and effort went into presidential electioneering. Countries were ruined because of promises people made to get power, government policies kept changing every few years, there was no long term stability, and difficult decisions didn't get made because they might be unpopular, whereas stupid decisions got made because they were popular. Look at the damage that did to the environment. Or the Jerusalem and Mecca craters, for that matter, those retaliation systems won a few votes too, I understand. Make sure power goes to people who'll use it lightly!”
“OK, you're right,” Kate conceded. “But I think I'll keep an eye on her over the next year or two. If her decision making is really as clear as it just sounded then she could have the potential to run some ministry, and I might nominate her with that in mind.”
“If you're right, I might second her. I'm not sure she'd thank us, though. Hmm. She wasn't that fazed by running away from trouble was she?” Karen asked, thoughtful.
“She's been doing that most of her life, Karen. Let's just let her grow up a bit, can we, before we sign her up to a life of public service,” George pleaded.
“Of course, George. Let's go rejoin the others,” Karen said, then added, [But I will try and befriend her, and she will meet my good friend Priscilla.]
[Do I dare ask what Priscilla does?]
[I know she thinks of herself as a secret agent, but I think her job title's more like 'courier'. She's a good runner too.]