Runsfeld looked uncomfortable and simply said, ‘It’s disappointing, sir,’
‘Disappointing, it’s an absolute disgrace,’ General Deerbacker roared.
Lakeland patiently offered his apologies again, but it did nothing to appease General Deerbacker.
‘Mr Lakeland, you do understand that Yuri Isonov and his wife, Olga Isonov have been operating as Russian agents in your country for many years and are still active.’
‘We have already explained to you that the pair were operating as double agents and have been very useful to our intelligence services and we dispute your claims that they are working against the interests of our governments. As regards the costs incurred I can only say that you must bear the responsibility for not making us aware of your operation. Had you done so we could have spared you the expense and effort.’
General Deerbacker stood up, his face set, his eyes wild.
‘Our agent put his life at risk by tracking down these individuals. You agree that they are still in communication with a country that neither of us trusts and yet you refuse to acknowledge the seriousness of it. For the record can you confirm that they are not working for your Intelligence Services?’
Lakeland remained calm when he replied that he didn’t wish to comment on the Isanov’s current status.
‘Right, then I’m going to kick this over to the political boys and I expect you’ll be hearing from your people within the hour, mister and I wouldn’t make any plans for your pension.’
Lakeland gave a polite smile, ‘You must do as you wish, but perhaps it would be best if the record was set straight. As I understand it your agent, Sligo, didn’t exactly discover these two, so called, dangerous agents. In fact he was lodging with the Isanovs’ and I believe that he actually fell for their cover story that they were mother and son rather than man and wife.’
Deerbacker looked flustered as he turned to Runsfeld, ‘Why didn’t we know that they were man and wife?’
Runsfeld looked uncomfortable again before he replied, ‘Sligo’s report identified them as mother and son, sir, but he did discover a selection of Russian books that appeared to have been hidden. If you recall sir, Sligo didn’t think his discovery was anything unusual and it was buried in the report and no one picked up on it. It was only when our Intell boys checked out Rufus Cranleigh that they discovered that he had died many years ago and Yuri Isonov had stolen his identity.’
‘The fact is they were uncovered. Mother, Wife, Husband, Son. What difference does it make and it was Sligo who put us onto them,’ the agitated General snapped.
‘But he didn’t, because he suspected a perfectly innocent man next door.’ Lakeland countered.
Runsfeld was hoping that the General would quit while he was losing, but it was not to be.
‘Don’t get smart with me. I don’t expect you’ve seen a day’s active service in your life.’
‘I think my service record, which includes spells with the SAS in the Middle and Far East, as well as undercover work in the Soviet Union and China would match your service, but we’re not schoolboys in a competition. Before you leave, General, you might want to give this latest translation to your political people.’
Deerbacker snatched the paper from Lakeland.
‘Translation of what?’ he barked.
‘It is the latest transmission made by Yuri Isonov aka Rufus Cranleigh. If you wish I would be happy to supply them with numerous others, seeing as how I believe your people have not succeeded in decoding any of them.’
Deerbacker was trying to read through the translation, none of which made much sense to him.
Lakeland could see that he was struggling and offered him some help.
‘I’m afraid that they are not very interesting unless you have Rufus’s and his brother, Vladimir’s, love of gardening, particular the cultivation of cucumbers. Vladimir has never left Russia, but he shares his brother’s love of gardening and nothing else.’
‘You mean that, that …’ Deerbacker was having trouble getting his words out.
‘Yes, General, that’s what the transmissions have only ever been about. The brothers have been discussing their interests in gardening and notably, cucumbers.’
Deerbacker stood up and waved the translation paper in his hand.
‘We still regard this information as classified and want your word that it will be kept secure.’
‘We will make sure that your request is honoured, General. Now can I be of any further assistance.’
Deerbacker glowered at Lakeland and stormed out of the office with Runsfeld trailing behind him. It looked as though the General’s driver, Sgt Jeffers wasn’t going to have a very nice day.
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
The Tranter family were all exited when Kevin pulled Betsy 2 outside his brother’s house and the tiredness of the long journey left them.
Uncle Steve’s house in Keats Street was similar in style to their old house in Marie Curie Avenue, including the pebble dash front, but there were some striking differences. The door and gate are painted blue and the house name is Goodison Park. Kevin was the first to spot the addition of an Everton FC flag flying on the pole attached to the chimney.
‘I bet he put that flag up just to annoy me.’ Kevin said and smiled.
The brothers had supported the rival teams since they were boys and Kevin was looking forward to some good arguments with his brother. Although with Liverpool six points behind Everton in the league he was expecting a bit of a hammering during their football discussions.
Jamie and Leanne were first out of the car, eager to see their cousins, Davey and Tracey who were close to their ages, but they waited for Debbie and Kevin to join them at the front door.
Kevin took a step back and looked towards the upstairs windows after he’d rung the bell twice and then hammered on the door.
‘They wouldn’t be out, knowing that we were coming. Would they?’ Kevin said.
Kevin’s doubtful look didn’t reassure Debbie, but then Kevin said he thought he had heard some voices and suggested that they went through the side gate to check if anyone was in the back garden. As the family made their way down the side of the house they could only hear the sound of a lawnmower in the distance.
Leanne shrieked when they entered the back garden, Debbie jumped with surprise and Kevin and Jamie said in unison, ‘Blimey’ as the music blurted out and people suddenly came out of hiding, waving flags that included a mixture of red and blue.
There was lots of hugging, kissing and tears as the gathering took turns to welcome the family home and lots more tears when Debbie’s mum, Dawn, appeared from behind a bush.
‘There’ll be a few more arriving later,’ Uncle Steve explained as he handed a drink to Debbie and Kevin and then he had a surprise for Jamie. ‘There’s someone who wants to see you, Jamie and he’s down by the fishpond.’
Jamie’s hadn’t been in touch with any of his old friends, intending his homecoming to be a surprise when he contacted them, so he had no idea who it might be. For a moment he let his mind drift and he wished it could be a real human by the name of Daniel from Scarborough. His thought turned to Soupinpota and he was saddened for a moment. To some it might seem daft mourning the loss of a computer, but they wouldn’t understand that Soupinpota had been almost as human as his mate Geoff at times.
Jamie had been planning to head straight for the pond when his mum called after him, ‘Jamie, come and say hello to Auntie Helen and Uncle Alistair.’
‘Mum,’ Jamie groaned quietly and then turned around to see the relatives he least wanted to meet. He’d been disappointed when he’d heard that they had abandoned their plans to emigrate and guessed that it was something to do with the fact that Auntie Helen was expecting a baby. Jamie was ready to deliver a few missiles if she started mentioning his height or anything else. He could always ask her if she had been to any good company dinners lately, like the one in Newquay. Jamie was about to think Auntie Helen and Uncle Alistair m
ust have had a personality transplant. Auntie Helen said that they hoped if their baby was a boy he would turn out to be just like Jamie. When Uncle Alistair said, ‘That would be really great.’ Jamie nearly said, ‘Crikey.’ Jamie found out later that they had reappraised their lives and decided that there was more to life than money and position. Alistair had changed his job and they were much happier. Jamie had noticed that Auntie Helen’s accent sounded just like his mum’s and she had taken up proper smiling as well and it was all down to Soupinpota’s intervention on that evening in Newquay.
Jamie went through the gap in the hedge that divided the garden from the fishpond and saw the hooded figure standing by the pond. He had his back to Jamie, but slowly turned to face him. The hood was lowered and Jamie saw the smiling face of his friend Geoff who Uncle Steve had arranged to be here as a surprise for Jamie.
When Jamie and Geoff had finished their playful wrestle on the grass near the pond they went back towards the house in search of a drink, but Jamie was grabbed by someone who introduced herself as Great Aunt Peggy. She insisted on hugging and kissing Jamie as though he had just been rescued from a bombed building or a train crash. He finally managed to get free and joined the smiling Geoff who was sat on a stool holding two bottles of orange.
‘She’s a bit old for you, Jamie boy, but I could tell that she likes you.’
‘She’s my Great Auntie, dumbo, or so she said. Anyway, are you still going out with this year’s, Miss Chippy?’
‘Naw, that’s all over. She gave me one of those ultimatum thingies and said that I had to choose between her and my bird watching, so I packed her in.’
‘Really?’
‘No, the two timing haddock was seeing that feller whose dad owns the other chippy and she chose him.’
‘I’m sorry mate,’ Jamie consoled.
‘It’s okay I feel a lot batter since we finished. Get it, batter, fish and chips.’
‘Geoff, that’s terrible. You’ll grow up like my dad if you’re not careful. Talking of which I think he’ll start dancing any minute now. Look at him. The old foot is beginning to tap to the music and he’ll soon drag my poor mum onto the lawn. He can be so embarrassing sometimes.’
Geoff smiled, ‘He’s good fun your dad, He really made me laugh on holiday at your place. It was a pity I had to come home early and couldn’t go back because my Nan took sick again, but she’s fine now.’
Jamie knew that they would have to talk about the incidents sometime and he asked Geoff if what happened to them still spooked him.
‘Is that why you came back?’ Geoff asked.
‘Not really, but you do remember those birds and the snakes?’
‘Who could forget? I still don’t understand anything that you told me about those computers in outer space.’
‘I’ve got a confession to make, Geoff. I was having you on when I told you about those things in outer space and computers controlling us. It was all to do with that government experiment that I told you about. I just let my imagination go into sort of free fall. You know what I’m like sometimes and my dad is right when he says that I’ve got too much imagination, but I can’t help it and it can be fun. A friend of my Uncle Stanley told me that they’ve ended the experiment and there’ll be no more giant birds in the Devon sky, or freaky snakes. I don’t know why those other birds rescued us. Anyway, sorry, mate’
‘You.....’ Geoff said as he struggled to find a word to describe his mate, but gave up. ‘I knew it was all so farfetched, but you were so convincing. I wish I had managed to get a photo of one of those birds though.’
The boys laughed and Jamie was pleased that Geoff had accepted his explanation of what was behind the terror they had experienced.
‘Do you fancy another, drink?’ Jamie asked.
‘Make mine a pint of bitter,’ replied Geoff with a smile.
‘Give over, look what that stuff does to the oldies. My dad will be feeling great when he’s had a few more pints, but he’ll be like a bear with a sore head tomorrow.’
‘I’m only joking. I took a sip of my dad’s at Christmas and it was revolting. I don’t know how they can drink the stuff.’
Jamie told Geoff to head back down by the pond, because it was getting noisy and he would go and get their drinks and then join him.
Jamie had been waylaid by his Uncle Steven and so it was nearly five minutes later before he joined Geoff by the fishpond and handed him a can of orange then sat on the bench beside him.
‘Thanks, mate, did you manage to dodge your female rellies?’
‘Only just, but Uncle Steve made me suffer because of Liverpool’s position in the league,’ replied Jamie and gave Geoff a puzzled look, which Geoff then returned.
‘What?’ Geoff asked.
‘Your voice sounds different.’
‘Of course it’s different, my friend, Jamie. It’s me, Soupinpota and I just wanted you to know I’m alive and well, or should I say up and running. I decided that I would borrow your friend Geoff’s body to come and say a final farewell.’
Jamie instinctively looked towards the house, perhaps wondering if anyone was close enough to overhear their conversation. He didn’t doubt for one moment that it was Soupinpota talking to him. He had been through so much and experienced the power of his faraway friend enough not to doubt that he could tap into Geoff’s remote brain and communicate through his body.
‘I know it really is you, Soupinpota, but it seems unreal looking at Geoff. What’s happening to Geoff’s brain at this moment?’
‘I’m glad that I haven’t ‘freaked you out ‘as you would say. Don’t worry; Geoff’s brain has been put into a ‘stand-by mode’ which is just like he is sleeping. When our little meeting is over Geoff will wake up and carry on as though nothing has happened.’
‘But supposing something goes wrong and you can’t return Geoff’s brain?’ asked Jamie and then laughed when he thought that Geoff’s Mum and Dad would be in for a shock if Geoff arrived home with a super brain.
‘No offence to you earthlings, Jamie, but Geoff would be the brightest boy in his school. In fact he would easily be able to obtain half a dozen first class degrees at Oxford or Cambridge.’
Jamie smiled at the thought of the real Geoff being at Oxford University.
‘But how did you manage to recover from what happened with your battle with Devilmortex. I thought you had been ‘killed’.
Soupinpota smiled, but it wasn’t a Geoff smile. The eyes were different than Geoff’s. In fact on closer inspection Jamie had to admit that the face looked more aware, more alert and he guessed, more intelligent. Sorry Geoff.
‘I was never ever going to ‘die’ forever, being a computer I was just going to have to be ‘rebuilt’ in terms of software, but there was a fear that Devilmortex might have destroyed all my backup files. Had he succeeded in doing so then I would have had be rebuilt as new and I would have had no knowledge of you and my personality which had been built up over time would have been lost.’
Jamie smiled, ‘So you mean that all those phrases and words like, mudder and brill that I taught you would have been lost.’
‘Exactly, but you were the one that was almost ‘killed’ for real.’
‘I still can’t believe most of what happened and what you told me, but then again I always had trouble believing that the physical brain that looks just like a piece of meat, could be responsible for memory, intelligence and so many other things.’
‘Some earthlings who have a detailed knowledge of computers could probably accept some of the things that you probably still have trouble believing.’
Jamie was enjoying the discussion with Soupinpota and countered with, ‘Even I know that a brain is just made up of a processor and memory.’
‘You are forgetting Jamie that a processor needs to be fed instructions in one form or other. I have noted that some earthlings now talk about artificial intelligence which I find quite amusing and progress has been very slow. You humans are programmed,
just like me, with one notable difference. Do you know what this might be?’
Jamie pondered the question for a moment and was thinking that it might just answer one of his own which he was intending to raise with Soupinpota.
‘I suppose it must have something to do with control or personality. I mean Geoff and me might react the same in some situations, but differently to other boys, for instance, posh kids.’
‘You are on the right track, Jamie, but my question was really asking why you and I are different and yet we are both programmed. The main difference is that the way I have been programmed prevents me from doing certain things and I am not capable of behaving or doing anything out of character. I have been programmed to be a good guy. You earthlings are programmed in a different way which means that you can change. You can be capable of all shades of behaviour which can be good or bad.’
Jamie could follow what Soupinpota was suggesting, but now he needed an answer to his question.
‘So why did Devilmortex become a baddie if he was carefully controlled?’
‘You know enough about computers to know that no software is perfect, Jamie. My superiors are confident that they destroyed Devilmortex completely, but we will have to wait and see before we know that the war is truly over. Now it is almost time to say farewell, Jamie, but perhaps we will chat again one day. Is there anything that you wish to know before I wake Geoff out of standby mode?’
‘I still don’t understand how some of the things that happened could be possible.’
‘Jamie you must remember that what I have told you is only a very small part of what we are capable of. Devilmortex could have caused real havoc had he continued with his evil ways and your Uncle Stanley’s bravery helped prevent it. I think Koolebron might have explained that on the day you ‘died’ on the pedestrian crossing, but I’ll go through it again quickly. You already know that it was Uncle Stanley who left your house on the day he was killed. Your parent’s and sister’s image processing was modified so that they saw an image of you and not Uncle Stanley and Uncle Stanley voice was substituted by yours. Devilmortex ‘arranged’ that Uncle Stanley’s physical body could not be seen by anyone for just a few seconds and that is why the lady driver ploughed into him. I am not authorised to tell you how this was achieved, but that was the secret of what happened that day. Koolebron changed everybody’d recollection of events and when your parents arrived back at the house they remembered taking Uncle Stanley and dropping him near your school and seeing him hit by the car. Your Uncle agreed to put himself in danger and it enabled us to finally destroy Devilmortex who had developed obsessive behaviour. In the beginning he was just playing with you, but in the end his mission was to destroy you and your Uncle.
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