‘ICIS’ Saltbox Hill Biggin Hill Kent
Lat = 51 degrees, 19.7 minutes North
Long = 0 degrees, 1.2 minutes East
Strayker replaced the phone and looked at Max, “Brigadier Dawson is history.”
“Good know we can rap up Miss Nelson and concentrate on Umbobo.” Max looked at his watch, “time to have a friendly chat with her.”
Ruth had had plenty of time to ponder her plight and weigh up her options which she quickly realised were virtually non existant, she was startled by the lock being operated in the door and looked up to see a man entering with two cups of what appeared to be warm drinks, her journalistic eye quickly appraised him, he was tall with black hair and she could tell by his gait that he exuded confidence and authority, in fact he was a bloody good looker.
Another man in uniform followed him in and placed a chair by the bed and left her alone with Max. He offered her the mug and sat down facing her, “my names Max; if you want more milk or sugar just let me know.”
His tone was pleasant and non threatening, like many others before she looked into his black eyes and felt a slight uneasiness within her, “most unusual,” she remarked.
“Sorry I don’t follow you,” Max replied.
“Your eyes; inherited from one of your parents?”
“My mother she was Peuto Rican,” Max replied.
“They both sat looking at each other, now Max was closer to her he had a chance to appraise her, and he liked what he saw.
He quickly brought his mind back to the issue at hand, “why have you been following Major General Strayker?”
She sipped her drink before answering, “I witnessed the firefight in Bromley the other day and followed him to his home.”
“Your newspaper along with all the others were given a blackout order from the Prime Minister relating to this occurrence.”
“I know; but its not an every day occurrence for a British military unit to be involved in a firefight in a British town, the closest we have had to this was the Iranian Embassy seige eight years ago in ninteen-eighty and that made world wide news.”
“Look Miss Nelson.”
“Call me Ruth.”
“Miss Nelson; I can hold you here for seven days under the Military Special Operations Executive Powers Act 1987, in that time I am sure we can construct a case against you that would be water tight in any court.”
“Now why would you want to do that?”
Max paused and sipped his coffee, he could chitchat all day with her and enjoy doing so.
The door behind Max opened and Strayker walked in.
Ruth looked up “the man himself”.
Max stood up offering Strayker the chair, Strayker sat down and looked directly into Ruth’s eyes and spoke, “Miss Nelson we have a situation here; we are at present engaged in an extremely sensitive and covert operation that could, if left unchecked result in a global catastrophe; you have no idea what you are getting youself involved in.”
Ruth looked up at Max, who was just finishing his hot drink and then returned her gaze to Strayker, “Okay I’ll tell you what I know, it would appear that you are part if not the head of a newly formed military unit, the camouflage clothing is unique and apparently from my sources non-existent. From what I saw the attack on you was pre-planned and the two assailants were possibly from a military background, how am I doing so far?”
“You may continue Miss Nelson,” Strayker replied.
“I am presuming that this building I’m in; is the cylinderical one I was walking to and is therefore highly covert, and you appear to have all the aces Major.”
Strayker gave out a loud guffaw, “what say you Max She’s certainly a gem?”
“Twenty-two carat sir.”
Strayker turned to Max, “I think we can go with our plan then Max.”
Max nodded in agreement.
Ruth looked at them both, “could one of you two gentlemen explain what’s going on?”
“Miss Nelson I always new that eventually our activities would attract press attention, therefore a contingency plan was put in place; what would you say If I could give you full exclusive coverage?”
“Sounds great Major; what’s the catch?”
“This is the deal; following your vetting you will sign up to the Official Secrets Act Nineteen-Hundred and Eleven, you will quit your job and join us as our press envoy, you will have a salary well beyond what you are earning now, you will have full reign and responsibility to report on our activities as long as the information within the press report does not contrevene the Official Secrets Act, that’s the deal.”
Ruth paused for a moments thought; “what’s the alternative Major?”
“Well; we will hold you here for the next seven days before releasing you and by pulling the right strings your career in journalism will be non existant; I personally do not want us to go down that road ; however it’s your call.”
“You really think you have that sort of clout Major.”
Strayker looked sternly at Ruth; “Miss Nelson lets get one thing straight; I never make idle threats, one phone call and the wheels will turn and you are history, you have no idea what or whom you are dealing with here, I would rather we worked together, and yes Miss Nelson, I do have the clout.”
Ruth was taken aback by Strayker’s forthright reply, “can I have some time to think about this?”
“Most certainly; Miss Nelson will an hour be enough time?”
“I’ll give you my answer in the hour General.”
Strayker stood up; “I’m sure you will come to the right decision Ruth.”
She looked up at him surprised by his use of her forename, she looked at Max who gave her a smile.
They both left the room and the door locked behind them.
As they walked down the passageway Strayker spoke, “will she buy in Max?”
“Well sir you were more than straight and fair with her, she’s an itelligent woman; hopefully she will see the light and come on board.”
“Miss Nelson is now a secondary concern, I want you to head up to North Weald and prepare the unit for the incursion into Shakira’s camp, I have also taken on your recommendation about Sergeant Roy Smith he will meet you there, utilise him on the raid and if your happy with him he can earn his place through our training camp.”
“Sounds good to me sir.”
“Ask Edwards to take you up there and then return to collect me here.”
“Yes sir.”
“I don’t have to remind you Max; we want Shakira and his tribe taken out with extreme prejudice.
“It will my pleasure sir.”