by Ted Tayler
Erebus thanked Alastor for his contribution and invited the final member to take the floor. Colin watched as the only non-military man stood up alongside the old man by the fireplace.
CHAPTER 10
Sir Julian Langford QC, RGS Guildford, Churchill Cambridge (BA) and Worcester
(BCL), Lincoln’s Inn, High Court of Justice (code name Minos)
Minos–the judge of the dead in the Underworld
“I am fifty-six years old and I retired four years ago having spent a lifetime in the legal profession. Claudia and I had three children; twin girls and a boy. Our daughters are both married with children of their own. Five years ago our son Harry committed suicide. He was nineteen. Harry was a first-class student who excelled in physics, chemistry, and mathematics. Harry was on a gap year before going to Cardiff University. He played a range of sports and enjoyed a wide circle of friends. We couldn’t understand why he might want to take his own life. Claudia found him in bed at our home in Maidstone late one morning. Harry always rose early and had places to go, people to see, you know how teenagers are. She shouted for me to come upstairs and we tried to resuscitate him. We called for an ambulance but they pronounced Harry dead at the hospital. The post-mortem and toxicology tests indicated high levels of a particular drug in his system. There were signs he had been drinking alcohol too, plus they found traces of cocaine. It was too much to take. We knew he enjoyed a drink when he socialised, but we had no inkling he used cocaine. As for what killed him, it was incomprehensible. When the police examined his computer, they discovered Harry had visited online forums and researched how to end his life. He trawled the internet to find a site where he ordered supplies of the same drug used for lethal injections in the States. The police traced the invoice to a Chinese firm. They sent the drug in liquid form to Harry with no checks on why on earth he wanted it. The coroner had no other course but to return a verdict of suicide. We assume Harry suffered a sudden crisis of confidence, inexplicable fear of the future. Something he couldn’t share with us his parents, or with his many friends. What a tragic waste. Over the decades, either as a prosecutor or on the bench as a judge, I have seen a steady increase in the number of criminals. I’ve endured an equally steady decline in the justice that the courts have been able to mete out. My life now is centred on dealing with those that seek to manufacture and peddle drugs of any kind and bringing them to face the correct level of justice.”
CHAPTER 11
The room fell silent as Minos finished the final story of the night. Colin wasn’t the only one feeling the effects of a long day.
“Well Phoenix,” said Erebus, “there you have it. Those are our stories and our code names. As far as possible they fit our circumstances. The Olympus Project was formed to give us closure, in modern parlance, and to redress the balance for the shortcomings of the justice system.”
“It offered a chance to take revenge too?” suggested Colin.
“But who could blame us if it did, dear boy?” asked the old man, looking frailer than Colin had seen in his short time at Larcombe.
“You joined us to carry out those direct actions for which you are most suited. You’ve shown over the years you are equally capable of planning and exacting revenge,” said Athena sharply.
“That’s true Athena,” admitted Colin. “I didn’t mean to criticise. You must realise I’m struggling to take in everything I’ve seen and heard today. While in The Gambia I convinced myself I was the only person capable of doing what cried out to be done. That is to clean up the country’s streets. To see the scale of what Olympus can achieve and the tools you have available to support it is mind-blowing.”
“We have to be careful Phoenix.” cautioned Erebus. “Our targets have to be selected with care and dispatched without drawing attention to the true nature of Olympus. Our direct actions have to be apportioned, across the country, around the world, with different methods. A cluster of bombings or shootings in one country might just encourage a bright spark to connect the dots. We must avoid that whenever possible.”
“That makes sense,” said Colin, “but it will take a helluva lot longer that way.”
“A few of us have more time than others, old boy.” the old man said.
With that, he wished them goodnight and went to his room.
“Erebus wishes to leave a legacy, both in the essence of what the Olympus Project stands for and in financial terms,” said Athena. “He’ll make sure his wife is cared for if he goes before her. This estate and the vast fortune his family left him will pass on to those of us that stay on here at Larcombe. The ‘charity’ cover will continue as a protective shield for our operations. Thanatos and Alastor will seek new recruits from their old professions to add to our direct action agents. We will replace our losses when they occur. Minos will flag up any issues that need redressing in cases that don’t result in the right verdicts in the criminal courts.”
“I imagine that you will take over from Erebus when the time comes?” asked Colin.
“Erebus and I have talked. Yes, that’s the plan,” replied Athena. “Why? Is that a problem for you Phoenix, being controlled by a woman?”
Colin smiled. He thought back to happy times during his affair with Sue Owens in her old house a few miles from here in Larcombe. In Africa as husband and wife too. He resisted the temptation for a risqué reply; he sensed Athena watching him.
“Not in the slightest,” he said, “I’ve worked for a female boss before, as you will know from your research into my background. I enjoyed it so much I married her.”
Colin stood up and made his way to the door. He was unable to resist one last quip.
“I reckon it’s time for bed. Goodnight gentlemen. Sweet dreams Athena. I look forward to seeing you in the morning.”
Colin left the four of them sat in their chairs and closed the door behind him. He made his way up to his bedroom, undressed and got into bed. He fell asleep in no time and slept the sleep of the just.
The next morning heralded a cool summer’s day with light winds. The clouds drifted across the sun and provided a pleasant atmosphere for taking exercise. Colin was very pleased. At six o’clock one of the staff burst into his room and informed him it was time to ‘rise and shine’.
Colin was ordered to shower and don shorts and trainers. His training regime had begun. As the morning progressed, he was relieved that whoever put together his exercise routines at least took into account he was in his early forties. Most of the former SAS personnel at Larcombe endured far worse when they applied to join the elite force. They had been in their mid to late twenties and abler to carry out the rigours of the selection process.
He ran for as long as possible. He lifted weights until his arms felt on fire. After a stern talking-to from his instructor, he had to ‘man up’ and get into the pool. He ordered him to swim as many lengths as he could physically manage. When he finally gave up, he was exhausted. As he pulled himself from the pool, he was sick. After his near-death experience in the river, the fear of the water, not the physical exertions caused his stomach to react with such violence.
“Well done Phoenix,” said his instructor, “it’ll be easier tomorrow,”
“Tomorrow?” asked Colin.
“Same time, same place, and same routine until the boss says you’re fit enough for duty,” came the reply.
“Of course.” thought Colin. He was glad to get that finished. He headed back to the main house to get breakfast. The others had eaten earlier. He was alone.
A steward rustled up a healthy plateful of something designed to be good for him and asked Colin if he wished to eat on the patio. Colin sat outside in the fresh air, trying to get feeling back in the muscles of his arms and legs. He wasn’t sure if he had the strength to cut things up this morning after his workout. When the meal appeared on the table in front of him it was just as well the steward hadn’t prepared sausage, bacon, and the works. Colin made do with spooning something tasting of cardboard soaked in milk into his
mouth instead and a slice of toast. He might have complained if he had the energy.
Colin rested there in the warm sunlight, mulling over what he learned last night. It wasn’t difficult to understand the motivation behind Erebus and his creation of the Olympus Project. A lifetime’s service in the Royal Navy cut short straight after the horrors of the only real war he’d been trained to fight. Years later his only child was killed by a drunk driver who then received a sentence that was laughably short.
Erebus deserved to be looking forward to a happy retirement, taken on his own terms. Happy years with his family around him, several grandchildren running across this lawn. Now he faced it alone with his wife in a nursing home, broken by the tragedy.
Thanatos had served his country with distinction. He did a dirty job that many others shunned. He lived cheek and jowl alongside the people who killed his fellow soldiers, blowing up innocent civilians both in their own country and in mainland Britain. What was his reward? Then his masters abandoned him to his fate; to live in hiding with no protection. In constant fear of a knock on the door and a visit from a gunman sent to execute him. The government didn’t even acknowledge the work his unit carried out, and the many lives it would have saved. Any wonder he was bitter?
Alastor had been on the verge of leaving the Army after many years serving his country, both at home and abroad. His wife was killed by a young layabout stealing to feed his habit. A man the police never caught. Police from a town so used to a crime driven by the desperate need for a fix they had given up the fight.
Colin knew from experience this was typical. The country was paralysed by drugs and the people who peddled them laughed at the ineffectiveness of the police and the courts to tackle the problem. He remembered telling his first wife Karen he had his own solution. He wondered whether he might find an ally in Alastor or maybe Minos that helped to create direct actions that made a real impact.
The judge no doubt sat through dozens of criminal cases where drugs were the prime element. His son Harry killed himself with a drug sold on the internet with no control over the age or mental state of the person buying.
In addition, over the years, Minos sat and watched as the CPS and the police screwed up cases so he became forced to dismiss them. Years of being obliged to follow sentencing guidelines handed to him by a judiciary that was ever more liberal and limp-wristed. Colin could appreciate how Minos might enjoy poring over court transcripts, to identify criminals who got off scot-free, or only received a pathetic custodial sentence. Then he highlighted them to Erebus and Athena for further action.
As to Athena herself, Colin thought back over each of the occasions they crossed swords yesterday. Why was she so ‘prickly’ with him? Why did he find it necessary to wind her up as soon as he had a chance? Could it be because she was so stunning? Before he arrived at Larcombe Manor, he never rubbed shoulders with someone of her class. She was a ‘rich bitch’ in the areas where he lived as a child. He didn’t see many of those girls on the Greenwood and Westbourne estates.
In the few months since he returned to these shores, there had only been that night spent scratching an itch with his landlady in Aberdeen. An episode that was best forgotten. The only other woman he connected with had been Therese Slater. The lusty barmaid from Manchester was more his style; with a great body that she knew how to use. Colin wished he still had his mobile. For the life of him, he was unable to remember her number.
Colin’s daydream was rudely interrupted. A guy from the armoury arrived at the double, in his now-familiar white t-shirt, black combat trousers, and boots.
“Morning Phoenix,” he called out, running on the spot at the bottom of the steps. “Off we go then, we’re ready for your next training session. Follow me.”
“Where are we off to?” wheezed Colin as he trailed along in his wake.
“You sound unfit, Phoenix,” the man shouted over his shoulder. “In a week or two, you’ll be able to have a normal conversation after a six-mile run.”
“Six fucking miles.” cried Colin, “that’s a bus ride, not a bloody run.”
“Try to get your breathing under control Phoenix. Your shooting will never be accurate if your chest is heaving. We’re putting you through your paces for the rest of the morning, target practice, stripping apart and cleaning your weapon; then reassembling the item, followed by more practice. Everything you’ll need in the field when you receive an assignment.”
“Good, that will make a change from that running, lifting, and swimming.”
“I’m glad you think so Phoenix. The only difference tomorrow after breakfast will be the choice of a weapon. When we’ve exhausted the weapons specified you will need, we’ll go back to the top and start over again. No rest for the wicked, or practice makes perfect. Take your pick.”
Colin groaned. Erebus hadn’t warned him his training regime would be so extensive. Despite the discomfort he knew awaited him, he looked forward to a spell in the medical centre.
In fact, the next three months soon passed. Colin grew fitter and stronger, his shooting with several handguns now deemed ‘excellent’ by his instructors. Several other techniques were drilled into him by staff engaged in other activities in the ice-house complex. He learned how to play a different character. Something which was alien to him. It was stressed time and again the aim was for him to do a job and get out. With no one knowing, it had happened. Colin was used to being invisible and not drawing attention to himself, so a few elements of the training came as second nature to him.
Learning advanced computer skills and picking up foreign languages was another story altogether. Many years had passed since Year 11 when Colin achieved A grade or higher, in every one of the eleven subjects he took.
Many hours were spent in the company of Rusty an SAS veteran who had been in the first intake of the Special Reconnaissance Regiment in 2005. They showed him the door in 2009 after a fight with a superior officer. Rusty taught Colin to drive like a lunatic. How to fight with concealable weapons, the art of breaking and entering and most frightening for Colin, how to use explosives. Colin was briefed on procedures required if he was assigned to overseas operations. He would need to assume a fake cover identity or multiple identities. He would be on his own, armed and in plain clothes. There would be no chance of Olympus providing overt help. The organisation must be protected. If something went tits up, and they couldn’t pick him up without the foreign security services being aware of it, he was to be abandoned.
Rusty didn’t waste time training Colin in techniques to withstand interrogation. He shrugged and told him, “If you get caught Phoenix, tell them what you know. We’ll change our codes, so whatever you tell them won’t do them any good. In many countries, they’ll kill you either way, so, at least, if you talk you won’t lose any fingers.”
Throughout his training, he was isolated from Erebus and the others. After he completed his first session in the ice-house he was escorted to the crews’ quarters in the stable block. All his clothes and other items arrived from the bedroom he occupied on his first few nights. The routine was relentless. Exercise, skills training, canteen, skills training, canteen, and sleep, blessed sleep.
After completing his stint, he transferred to the medical centre. Erebus left instructions that only a minor facial reconstruction would be required, which was done and dusted in a fortnight. Colin hadn’t had an eye test for a few years and on examination, he found that he needed glasses. Blue contact lenses were provided, which changed his appearance dramatically and a pair of clear glass spectacles to wear in the field to help in masking his true identity.
Colin hardly recognised the face in the mirror when he got ready to return to the main house to meet with Erebus. As he walked across the lawn he wondered if his first direct action just around the corner? If so, happy days.
CHAPTER 12
Colin made his way into the main building. He looked around for any sign of Athena or the Three Stooges. The building was quiet. As he drew closer t
o the dining room, he heard several people in conversation. He had been awake for an hour. He grabbed a quick snack in the canteen before walking across the lawn in time for his appointment with Erebus.
