It was fair to say that nobody else gave a damn about the cake. Morgan did not know father Emmett well enough to know if the expression on his face was delight or smug glee. Into the moment of silence Father Emmett decided to break the moment. “Well since it appears introductions may be superfluous let me just tell you Mr Oxbridge that it is a common mistake that nobody survived the Bailey Bunker incident. There were four survivors and though their names were withheld due to concerns about safety when you came to me, well as I said I think about the miracle of the everyday”
Nice speech Morgan supposed but he completely ignored it. His gaze was on her drinking in her appearance. His first impression was that she had been dressed all in gray but looking closer she seemed to be wearing some sort of light blue blouse underneath a shapeless dress. Her right arm was in some sort of strapped up arrangement of Velcro and elastic holding it immobile tightly against her body. Despite her youth her health did not seem to be the best with a sallow complexion and possibly some hint of redness in her neck again on the right side. Her brown eyes had a hint of bloodshot in them as they focused in on him. She opened her mouth and croaked something then waved her arm around frenetically.
Sister Joan took charge. Bundling both flabbergasted people into chairs she pointed at Annie “Stop, let me get you some water first” and leaned over to Morgan “give her time – not really sure what she’s been through. Unless its at the confessional she never talks so give her time”. Father Emmett waved his hands whilst nodding his head, somehow conveying he did not know either. Turning to Father Emmett she indicated another seat he sat in. He sat down promptly while trying to give the impression that this had always been his plan and he was not following instructions. That ruse was shattered when she continued pointing and said “Explain – and none of this gods wondrous ways right now. They need solid facts to hang onto. Both of them need to trust what’s happening so save the sermons for later. I will get some water. Oh and a dustpan and brush for you to use young man” she said whipping her head round to Morgan with an intense stare.
As she left Morgan looked to father Emmett and asked “has she forgotten that I’m older than her?”. Before a reply was made Annie croaked, coughed and started speaking. “Why aren’t you dead. Mum wanted you dead so she could be a widow and get money. Why aren’t you dead?”
Though her words were harsh her bewildered tone made her father want to weep. Instead he turned to her “I was in hospital and I eventually recovered. That was a few weeks ago. As soon as I could discharge, wait what do you mean she wanted to be a widow?”.
At that point Father Emmett Coughed and said “Would you mind if I put some context into this discussion – I did a lot of reading this morning on this young ladies case notes and I would appreciate the chance to appear well informed.”
Morgan looked at Annie waiting for a reply but when none was forthcoming turned his head “go on but I will want to read them myself at some point”.
Nodding his head in agreement with the point Emmett continued. “Obviously after your unfortunate roadside encounter insurance claims were made both against your car insurance and your life insurance. While I understand the liability was somewhat disputed eventually the main issue became the life insurance. They pay out when you die and you did not die. Your wife had lost her job due to excessive hospital visitation and money was a problem. Eventually she got some doctors to claim it was hopeless and cruel to maintain your lifeless body. She tried to sue the hospital for damaging her family – it was littered with legal terms but the gist was by unnaturally extending your life they were preventing her from moving on with her life. Obviously the hospital fought the claim. Various groups took issue on both side of the claim against the hospital and soon it ran outside of her control with you I am afraid as Cause Celebre of many who knew less than nothing about the case. And so they all trundled off to court. Before anything could be settled the aliens landed maki”
He was interrupted by Annie’s sudden outburst “Not true. They weighed the paper and the colour of the paper made a difference”.
Both men looked at each other confused and Emmett after a pause continued “Well besides weighing paper nothing was settled and the hard landing occurred. I wont go into the details of it, there are several books. I recommend bloody justice as a particularly fair account according to most. Anyway during the ordeal for reasons unknown four individuals were ejected from the bunker. They are the only survivors, most of the accounts of the three days inside came from three of them. The fourth and youngest survivor Annie here has not talked about it or answered any questions about the subject at all. She doesn’t, my apologies, didn’t talk at all.” Both men turned to look at her and wait for a response. After a moment when none arrived Father Emmett continued.
“ It has always been presumed the effects of trauma. So there she was, no family, no money and clearly traumatised. She was sent back to her home town and placed in long term care as a minor. The sisters run a child care home despite all the jokes about Catholics and child care.” He paused to cross himself then offered a silent prayer to the roof. “When she reached adulthood the sisters were not willing to simply throw her out, half crippled and mute. She stayed on site and eventually became a novitiate. As the priest attached to the convent I got to know her story. So as you can see it’s not that coincidental. You both needed help, the lord provided and because you both came to the same place you met someone who could make the connection” with a hand wave towards himself he settled back with what was really definitely a smug look.
Morgan thought he had more to ask about all of that, perhaps most of all about the legal case but he decided to focus on what was in front of him. “So this is my daughter, she’s all grown up but its my daughter right” not pausing for a reply he turned to her “Annie, oh god Annie you’re alright. I’m here now. Been away for so long but I’m here now. Clean bill of health, well cleanish, and what can daddy do. Oh let me hug my little girl” and he shot forward to hug her.
Everyone’s reaction was off with Annie looking startled and Emmett looking scared. What was, oh his speed. Ignoring it he held out his arms to hug Annie but she held herself stiff. After a second he turned to Emmett “what happened to her arm?” Emmett looked and then said “yes alien tech was found in all the escapees, most of them had it simply fall out whereupon it was confiscated presumably for research purposes but in your daughters case it has remained in causing bouts of pain and ever increasing necrosis. At some point it is assumed amputation will be performed on that arm, just below the shoulder. Until it is imminently life threatening though it was not going to be done without consent and she was not showing signs of understanding” .
Annie looked up “Understood. Not stupid. Don’t want. Mums last gift and I’m keeping it. For her.” Neither man quite sure how to respond they stared at her.
Sister Joan suddenly piped up having come in unnoticed “Whats this then, after so long quiet cant stop now it seems. Ok here’s some water your throat is not going to be used to this much chatter. Oh and you – here.” She thrust a hand containing a dustpan and brush at Morgan who despite confusion took it and following sister Joans mimed instructions started to do a very poor job at cleaning. While he did so Annie suddenly started talking, speaking so fast her words were running into each otter
“itsyourfaultwhydidyoufightyoualwaystoldmenottofightweweresohungryandthenshestabbedmedidtheykillheryouneedtofixthisnunsareboringmyclothesareawfuliwantaboyfriendtheyshouldbekilledthefirewastoomuchtobeareveniftheburnwasntreal” and then she ran down. Looking at everyones startled faces she started crying. Joan sat her down and then hugging her told her to just cry it out and then wordlessly stared at the two gawping men, when they didn’t get the hint she mouthed get out. They did, grateful for the direction to be honest.
The rectories kitchen was best described as cosy but it could just about fit the two of them sitting down holding mugs of tea. Father Emmett shook his head “no idea what I expected but suppose I should have anticipated some sort of breakdown. It just seemed so fortuitous that I never thought it could go wrong.”
Morgan nodded sympathetically “well obviously it was a surprise to me, hope you had some sort of hidden camera show ready, be a shame to waste that moment. No I had not thought about what I was going to say if I met my family. Guess I assumed we would just settle down to a normal family routine. Stupid, just stupid.” Both of them stared at the mugs in their hands and then Morgan asked “The NHS has changed but I assume she’s still able for counselling. I mean obviously it was offered at the time but now is when...”
Emmett nodded “of course,of course. You’ll have to pardon me but she has drifted into the novitiate so we will also have to check if she has a genuine calling. If not then the convent is not for her.” This was said as if it was the obviously the first thought on everybody’s mind.
Morgan frowned “I have nowhere and nothing right now, is she going to get kicked out? Because of me?” “Oh no no no. She has her cell and she can stay there until she wants to leave. I think until as you say the counselling is over these discussions are speculation anyway. See to your own future Mr Morgan your daughter is an adult without your help and each of you must make your own way.”
Joan came in and announced that they were leaving. Annie had said she wanted to be alone and pray for guidance. They all walked out to the car and at last an awkward one armed hug was given. A business card with the convents address was passed and then the two of them drove off. Morgan stared at the road watching the car receding and then started to swear softly. Father Emmett said nothing for a few moments and then said “I am sure you wished that had gone better. Be grateful by gods grace you found your daughter. Do not spoil that miracle with petty doubts or regrets.”
Morgan let his shoulders slump and registered a vein beating in his forehead. “Ok father I guess I won’t be good company for a while, I should go. Can I come back tomorrow and we will arrange when Annie and I can meet again?”. The next few minutes were filled with diary consultations that might have gone on much longer if Morgan had not been utterly free all of the time. Eventually it was decided that three days time was long enough for her to get over the shock and see him again. Walking back to the YMCA Morgan was whistling a quite complex little ditty and mentally making up dirty limericks about moving into a convent with his daughter when he got kicked out of the Y in three days.
While he was doing that sister Joan parked her car at the nunnery. Mentally bracing herself for disappointment she turned to Annie and asked “will you need help taking your strap off after compline?”.The pause was excruciating and lasted a very long ten seconds but then she turned and shook her head saying “No. Thank you, no. I can do it” getting out of the car she walked off. Head held higher than Joan remembered her. Joans stern visage did something for which it was ill prepared as she smiled getting out of the car herself. Her duty was clear so she made her way to mother superior. Her guess that she would be tending to the gardens proved to be right as she was casting a critical eye over the potato crop.
Catching sight of Joan approaching she extinguished her cigarette and putting the shovel to one side waved and said in a broad Yorkshire accent “So Joan, whilst god provides and it feels wrong to question the good father have you had the lunatic locked up for his latest brainstorm?”.
Joan harrumphed and replied “Phyllis I have sad news. We will need to listen to his everyday miracle sermon again. This mad idea was actually right. The Bum is clearly a vagrant, penniless, aimless and godless. About the only good thing I can say is that he does actually appear to be Annies father. At least she says he is. No I did not misspeak – she says he is”.
“Merciful god be praised. She talked to him?” Phyllis asked. Joan looked grim “Aye that she did. I still have little idea of what had happened to her but my bowels turn to water at some of the hints”.
Phyllis pulled a rosary out and led Joan in a decat. After they had finished she said “I think you needed that, you always talk funny when you get stressed. Now go check she’s alright I have some calls to make.”
Joan gave a tired nod of agreement and walked off stopping after a few yards “Its not talking funny, I cant help it if not everybody has had a proper education” then carrying on before a reply could be made.
Sister Phyllis called over another sister and asked her to put her tools away for her. Rank had its privileges after all. Changing out of the work clothes she made her way to her offices and unlocked a file cabinet. After some searching she withdrew a folder with a picture of a much younger Annie on its front and labelled QUIET GIRL. Sitting at her desk she opened the folder and located a phone number. Every silver lining hid a cloud, the order would miss the stipend for looking after her if she left but until she did the agreement was to notify authorities of a change in her condition. Talking and meeting her father were she was sure both events that those paying the stipend would like to know about. Ultimately they wanted a more complete picture of what had happened in the bunker so the child was probably not going to get the help she needed but instead go through interrogations that differed from torture only in degree. Still an agreement had been reached and duty was a heavy burden.
“Helen, hello its mother superior here. I need to make a report to your dashing Major and its a bit more urgent than the quarterly status. There’s been a breakthrough with quiet girl.”
Ignorant of any developments Morgan had decided to try something he remembered reading about, walking meditation. He had no idea what it was but it sounded grander than thinking whilst walking. His attempt to talk to voice earlier today had failed which was a shame since he was starting to think that things had changed and it would be great to able to check his status
Current Status
Maximum capacity
Health
89%
98%
Senses assistance
6%
100%
This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.
Physical assistance
10%
100%
Build systems
Not implemented
Not implemented
Power bleed
29%
2%
Recovery systems
67%
100%
Status - other
99.99% pending
One million forty eight thousand two hundred and seven functional clusters installed of which one million forty eight thousand one hundred and eighty six functional clusters are currently unassigned. Would you like me to list all clusters Y/N
SPECIAL – this system is not currently available for user manipulation. External support systems were given permission by user to make alterations. This interface is limited to information requests only until returned to user control.
Much to his shock as soon as he thought deliberately about his status the table appeared in front of him. He called out to voice a few times but got no response. Returning his attention to the screen? He decided to call it a screen rather than display or interface. He had to call it something.
So reading through he started with the completely new note first. Mulling it over he concluded a few things. Firstly voice was not the core system. Obviously his first thought about a natural language interface was wrong. Voice had said it was going to fix the power bleed issues and those numbers whilst still high looked better. Actually it all looked slightly better. The first question about percentage augmentation was clearly answered. It seemed to have been ramping up a little at a time and the results were getting much more noticeable. Recovery systems also looked to be working much better presumably fixing itself as the ongoing damage from power bleed reduced? Without someone to ask that seemed a reasonable guess.
No the interesting one was the drop in available cores. Had he assigned more or lost some? Concentrating he thought ok system, list active clusters.
Stealth, Navigation, Information Gathering, Searching, Bargaining, Bargaining-sub category Pleading, Bargaining - sub category selling, Soothing others, Library usage, Records research, Records Legal, Juggling, Scavenging, Carrying, Building materials preparation, Brawling, Intimidation, Tailoring, Knitting, Theology, Whistling.
How was knitting a core? What the hell use was whistling? He could see how some of them came about but some just confused him. How was soothing others a special ability. Was he going to be super nanny? Concentrating again he thought ok system how are these assigned and left it there wanting answers to be as clear and direct as possible.
Cores are assigned functions in one of four ways.
1) At Integration base functions automatically assigned. You have 207 cores assigned to health, one hundred and six cores assigned to longevity, twenty cores set to one side for build functions, twenty four cores assigned to system maintenance, ten cores for power allocation, three cores for updating and reporting.
2) Assigned as part of a suite of functions. Example – for those persons assigned as fire guards in ceremonial duties they are assigned Fire Generation level 3, Fire Projection Level 2, Assess Combustibility Level 2, Fire resistance Level 1. You currently have zero cores assigned in this manner
3) Assigned as direct manual intervention by user. Both active and passive systems may be directly implemented by user. CAUTION this is an extremely risky procedure and should not be attempted without emergency core dump facilities in place. CAUTION this method cannot be used to create any core with a level higher or equal to your current build systems management. Your current build systems management level is zero. You currently have zero cores assigned in this manner.
4) Passive Accumulation – This is often used as an experimental setting in new environments. New environments include new planets, new species, new challenges. Whilst this is often wasteful of test subjects physical well being it is the recommended method for testing to destruction what facilities, skills and abilities allow local dominance. This system is currently in use.
Ok another set of things to consider, this didn’t get any easier. Thinking over the list of skills and what he had been doing he could make links –some more tenuous than others- between the skills and his activities. He had been going to ask how skill cores actually affected him but first concentrated and asked if cores are assigned based on my activities can I get more cores assigned by doing more things?
Yes
Ok how do skill cores affect me?
Effect of cores will vary by level. At level zero (formation level) Skill core will be mostly informational. Information about subject will be absorbed and collated by core, presented as advice or warning during commission of activity. At higher levels more functions will be unlocked. View individual skills for more information.
OK how many cores do I actually have?
You have 4,194,304 generator cores organised into 1,048,576 function cores. A function core is usually specified as an effect generator, a library, a power source, a storage system. Warning – this system refers to cores usually meaning function cores. This is not the case in manual core formation and failing to include a required function or placing an excess of function can cause difficulties. Example. Placing an extra power core in a function suite may lead to faster cycling but bodily detonation is usually an undesirable side effect.
Thank you for that warning. Er how long until voice returns?
No information.
Ok that made sense. Can I control notifications this way? After a pause he decided to rephrase that in his head. Can I request that you notify me when Voice A becomes active again?
Yes. Please indicate nature and duration of notification.
Ok projection of text as semi transparent letters onto my field of vision lasting until dismissed by me. Please place a test message for me to check it out. The next couple of minutes Morgan essentially played with screen design trying to make sure that he could not ignore or worse fail to notice a message without it obscuring his vision. When he was satisfied he reassured himself that he call up status at any time and resumed walking back to the YMCA after dismissing any and all displays. He headed back to the Y and reflected that whilst he may have been pleased to be given a week free time was marching on and he still had not got either a job or accommodation.
When he got in Brian beckoned him over and gave him a coffee. “Ok so I thought about your story with regards to Sken. He has been a useful resource for me. Helped me to get jobs and accommodations for a good many people. It just wasn’t possible that he was a bad guy, that I had feeding him a supply of desperate people to exploit. So I spent some time today looking for the people referred in the last few years.” He paused giving Morgan a stare through raised eyebrows and pursed lips. Rather than working it out Morgan let him decide what he was going to say next. Brian shook his head “only two would answer my calls. They both seemed quite happy and had no words of complaint. So thinking about what a shit you were I called my boss to discuss you. That’s when things took a sudden turn. He referred me to the slavery crimes task force. Huh – who even knew there was slavery crimes task force. Anyway naming my good friend Sken got quite an unexpected reaction. Any guesses?”
Morgan had been waiting to be kicked out and started to untense his legs. That really was an awful relaxation technique. “No. I suppose its significant they knew his name but no don’t want to guess”
“Well it seems that he was well known to them. Apparently he runs an indentured servitude scam. Whatever that is. I can look forward to being interviewed next week as a potential accomplice. Joy. So maybe you are not the trouble I thought. Given the bad start and my part in it you can have another week, that’s already cleared with my boss.”
Morgan immediately grabbed his hand “thank you, thank you. Found my family today but might have got them evicted so this is great”
Brian pulled back “we are not running a hotel here” and turned to leave.
Morgan got up and grabbed his shoulder guiding back to face him “any chance I could use the gym? Climbing wall, gymnastic equipment, boxing perhaps. I want to get a little experience in a lot of things”
Brian frowned “No. Not while paying customers are here anyway. If you’re trying to get fit go for a run.” Thinking just be grateful for the week Morgan left and got changed.
Running had never been his thing so he went to a nearby park and tried to get motivated by a running track. Deciding to test out his 10% Morgan started to jog then when not even close to getting winded started picking up the pace. Reaching a full on run he kept up that pace for minutes before slowing. Ten percent, what was 20 going to be like? For the next three or four hours he did every track and field event he could work out a way to fake. When he was starting to draw a crowd he made his apologies and walked back to his room. He had not heard clearly but it seemed that he was smashing the PB’s of everyone at the park. Not sure what PB’s were he nevertheless realised that he had out performed seasoned practitioners and people had noticed.
It was while contemplating that he noticed some people outside the YMCA. At first his attention was drawn to a group of three people and whilst looking at them he realised that he recognised the tall blonde guy who had told him to leave before Skender got his hooks in. The two standing with him when he looked seemed quite well built as well. Obviously a bunch of muscle men standing outside a gym was easily explainable but ducking into a doorway Morgan scanned the area looking for whatever else was worrying him
Searching – Sub category surveillance assigned
Dismiss. More worrying was he could see another group loitering about who occasionally looked over at blondies group. Sitting down he decided to see what his new senses could do for him at six percent, after all wasn’t that how the bionic man did things? While his brain pinged that it was the bionic woman and started rerunning episodes in his head he told it to stop and instead focused on what he could hear. Damn that hurt, the answer was way too much. Ok he probably could work out some sort of method for focusing in on what he needed but for now that was no help. Looking back to the Y he tried to work out how he could get in without being seen
Stealth – Sub category intrusion assigned
Dismiss. Damn that might get annoying. Working out a route he suddenly felt an existential pang as he wondered was the plan his or the cores? Without time to waste on philosophical conundrums he started forward.
Strangely the nearer he got to the entrance the easier it was going to be, from some distance anyone could see him coming down the street. Morgans plan was to get close moving behind people then climb the nearest building and leap to the YMCA. It fell apart straight away as the middle aged woman he was trying to tuck behind turned to look at him and loudly informed him she had a boyfriend. He was immediately noticed and ran hoping that the core had indeed been responsible for this plan. The pursuit was short lived as he effortlessly outdistanced his pursuers before they got in there vehicles.
Hearing the commotion he decided to take a gamble and doubled back on himself. Yes the entrance was clear with everyone having decided to chase him down. Result! Keeping what would be an unachievable pace for anyone else for that long he ran into the YMCA lobby. Any smugness died as he saw Brian and the young girl he still had not learnt the name of surrounded by a group with Skender head bandaged like he had a turban sitting down drinking what smelled like tea. As he staggered to a halt Skender looked up. “The man of the hour. Knew you’d be here, what did I tell you guys?”. The guys all looked blankly at Morgan ignoring the question. There was a moment when they all looked at each other, there was going to be trouble. Everyone knew it and frankly no effort was being made to hide it.
Every time he had been in this situation recently he had waited. Waited to see if things would change and every time that had let them take the first shot. You know what? Not this time. Morgan looked at the guys around him. Three groups, a pair by the counter fumbling in pockets maybe some sort of weapons. The largest group was the four guys in front of him ranging in an arc starting on his left and ending just slightly past the centre line. Last was Skender and the guy next to him holding a wheelchair. Probably a carer but don’t forget him. When one of the toughs in front of him started to pull something out of his pocket Morgan picked up a chair and flung it at the group. Disconcertingly one of them smoothly reached out and caught it by the legs before it hit anyone but that was fine as Morgan used the distraction to kick the nearest one in the balls as hard as he could.
The sound he made was odd as he collapsed down grasping at himself. As unexpected as that was Morgan continued moving sliding under the flung chair held aloft by Mr quick hands towards the guy who had been pulling something out. He was moving so fast that he was able to slide underneath before quick hands got rid of it . Without checking what he had been taking out Morgan kept the momentum going springing to his feet and taking one more step drove his shoulder into the mans sternum trying to rugby tackle him. It was a poor tackle but delivered with such speed and force that barely mattered. Morgan stopped dead the full momentum of his movement transferred to the poor unfortunate. With an explosive expelling of breath that sounded like “Glurk” he was knocked off his feet landing several feet back. He landed and started flailing like he was a turtle on its back trying to get some air back into his lungs.
Ok two down. Two close, two far and Skender still threats. Five maybe six targets depending on carer. Quick hands was putting the chair down and his friend had not been idle. His friend bounced his fist off Morgans nose. Grabbing Morgans left shoulder he tried to manhandle him to the ground while his right hand pulled back for another haymaker. Morgan grabbed the hand on his shoulder with his right hand and dived into a forward roll making sure the hand stayed where it was. Puncher landed on the ground his elbow twisted at a horrible angle and started to scream which cut off as Morgan started a second forward roll still holding the hand in place. His scream became a gasp as Morgan felt things come loose in the arm and decided to let go. Standing up he was in punching distance of quick hands and jabbed at his face. Quick hands bobbed and drove two quick jabs into Morgans unprotected stomach.
Morgan was pleased to note that it didn’t bother him and tried to hit him this time with a hook. Leaning back Quick hands avoided the blow and drove two jabs followed by a cross into Morgans face. These were hefty blows delivered with precision power and control. Morgan was not bothered in the slightest and this time tried a backfist which also failed. Confusion crossed quick hands face and he delivered a fusillade of blows to Morgans body finally delivering a one legged punch straight onto the point of his chin. Morgan in the meantime noticing that he was not getting hurt switched tactics to adult restraining children mode. Ignoring the punches he waited and at the moment of full commitment grabbed quick hands by the neck. Though physically shorter than quick hands he pulled him by the throat to his face. Staring at him he spoke slowly “Stop this. Stop it now before I decide to hurt you” and then just stiff armed him away.
Ok quick hands was staring at him in consternation, Crotch man was down, Puncher was whimpering on the ground looking at his arm that was twisted in a way it really should not be and weapon guy was lying on his back still trying to catch his breath. Pockets one and two were approaching with some of the collapsible batons Skender had used a few days before. Stepping away from them Morgan gave them a chance “still time to reconsider guys” he said. Quick hands pulled himself together and scooped up the rod weapon guy had dropped. The three of them formed a circle around him.
All of them were clearly shocked by the turn of events but that was okay because so was he. They probably would have taken some time to work themselves into further movement but the click of the hammer being pulled back on the revolver drew everyone’s attention. Skender was pointing a gun right at Morgan with a hand that showed no sign of wavering. “Lazy fucking bastich. Nothing but fucking trouble. How are these fucks gonna pay me now. You just keep causing trouble to everyone around you. Selfish”.
Keeping his eye on the muzzle Morgan decided now was probably not the time to point out the flaw in the logic. Skender turned to look at the other occupants “Roel go get any tapes of this, this mess. Brian, Gwen sorry but you’ve seen this so you’re coming along as well.” Gesturing to the guy on the ground just recovering his breath he continued “Dardan make sure they don’t get lost.”
In the next few minutes he had everybody organised to leave. The injured were sorted out when those who had chased after Morgan came back to report failure. Morgan had been waiting for Skender to be transferred to the wheelchair as his opportunity but Skender passed the gun to another who kept it fixed on him. The multiple and severe injuries around him seemed to convince him not to slack off the vigilance. While panicking internally Morgan tried to keep a poker face
Bluff assigned
Dismiss. Ok what could he do, that gun was always on him. Short of hoping it was empty Morgan was out of ideas. His panicked ruminations were interrupted suddenly “Excuse me – not sure what’s going on here and really don’t care. My Name is Corporal Helen Patel; Is one of you a Mr Moran Oxbridge?” A young lady in army greens had walked in and ignoring the scene had started talking.
There was a pause as everyone looked at her and then Morgan cleared his throat before declaring “There’s a G. Why can nobody get the G right? I am not going to answer unless you can get the G right.”