by Jack Parker
"Good afternoon, Miss Coles," they all droned together.
They sounded like schoolchildren, saluting their head mistress at the beginning of an assembly. Half of them were twice her age, yet he could feel the fear emanating from their forms as she nodded briskly and swept through the room. She stood beside her seat, expectantly. The leader on her right hurriedly fumbled his apology as the rest of the men sat down. He pulled out her seat. She sat down. The situation would have been funny if it wasn't so scary. The sector leader sat down and everyone waited for her to begin speaking.
"Welcome to the meeting, everyone. I am pleased to see that all of you have managed to make it and I hope that the journey was of no inconvenience to anyone." Her voice sounded calm, concerned, kind even. Twenty-five. She seemed like a twenty five year old. She paused and her eyes quickly skimmed over the occupants of the table. Her gaze rested on Jack for a moment. Their eyes locked, grey with sea blue.
"I am sure that you are all aware of the misfortune which has befallen Daniel and I hope I am quite right in presuming that you were all present at the funeral earlier on this week." She stopped again and waited. All of the men nodded hastily. "Very well, then. I would like to begin this afternoon's meeting with a quick welcome to Mr. Harlton, who has kindly stepped into Daniel's place."
All eyes turned to Jack. Was he meant to stand up? Did he have to say anything? They all clapped. He guessed not. She nodded in his direction and smiled. He forced a smile back. He was getting way too nervous. He took the moment to assess her. She was gorgeous, that was the first thing that stuck in his mind. And she seemed okay, she was being nice to him after all. He must have just been imagining the nervousness of the other Sector heads. After all, she looked perfectly fine to him. Anyway, they might have all been up-tight because they came such a long way and they were tired. Yes, that had to be it.
"I have called this meeting to discuss a finding made by our Head of The Educational Department and leader of Sector ten, Jon Newman. Therefore, I will be handing the remainder of this meeting to Jon, who will supply you with a presentation of his findings followed by your opinions. Over to you, Jon."
How many times had she said Jon in that one sentence? This was way too much like highschool, or one of those weird documentaries on television. Jack so did not want to be here.
It's always what you wanted; to be able to make a difference. Here's your chance.
But I'm going to mess up. I'm way too nervous.
But he would get used to it, he reasoned. This wasn't the time to chicken out. Not after he had come so far. Anyway, Seb said it was easy once you got the hang of it. Then again, Seb wasn't a Cadlian.
Just because you're a Cadlian, it doesn't mean that they'll listen to you any less. Once they hear how good you are, they'll look past it. Don't be so paranoid.
"Thank-you, Jessica," replied a tall, balding man with square spectacles who looked to be in his mid-forties. Jack could tell by the way he walked and carried himself, that this would have been the type of person he and his friends would have bullied back in Cadlia. He looked like a right loser.
Jon made his way to the far side of the room and to a store cupboard. He wheeled out an overhead projector and pulled down a white screen from the ceiling. He opened his briefcase and took out a long box full of slides. He adjusted his tie, then inserted the first slide. Everyone watched attentively as he droned through numerous facts and figures about the school system.
Apparently, in mixed race schools, there was a higher percentage of both verbal and physical arguments between students than there was in schools that were not mixed. He brought forward various facts and figures as well as interviews from the teachers.
"I have discussed this with my department, and we see it fit to desist in the production of mixed race schools. Instead, we have opted for teaching Cadlians, Elonsicans, Lycani, etcetera. Separately. We do not believe that this is in any way considered as racial discrimination and we consider it a liable solution to prevent the younger generation of this country from coming into any harm. It is a step that we see best to take to ensure the safety of our children and maintain the reputation of our country. That is all."
Everyone clapped as Jon re-inserted the slides into his briefcase, then wheeled the projector back into the store cupboard. He made his way back to his seat.
"An interesting suggestion, Jonathon, one that should certainly be taken into account to ensure the safety of our youngsters." Jessica's voice cuts through the silence, slicing its way through the thick coat of tension which had once again swept over the Sector leaders. "So then, what does everyone have to say?" She sounded like a school teacher, calm and collected, as if no one could speak unless she said so. She was in control. Her thin, sea-blue eyes scoured over the table. "Arthur."
Arthur Fallock practically jumped in his seat, his many chins wobbling with nervousness. Had this guy ever heard of a gym? Jack really pitied whoever he was sat next to.
"Y-yes, Miss Coles?" he stammered.
"You usually have a lot to say, enlighten us. What are your views on Jonathon's proposal?" There was something about her tone of voice which sent chills running through Jack's spine. She was so calm, and she spoke with such ease. It was unnerving, chilly, creepy even. Her emotions were undecipherable from her tone of voice; he couldn't tell if she was being genuinely sincere, or merely mocking Fallock.
"Well," Fallock coughed, running a podgy hand through his bush of hair. "Personally, I believe that it is a very…interesting proposal and it should certainly be looked into. The children of our country are certainly one of our main priorities and as well as their well being, the reputation of our school system is at stake here. For example, imagine if an official from The Gredge visited our school, or us, and got hold of those appalling statistics. It certainly would not reflect well upon our organization as a whole, and it would look as though we are turning a blind eye to the well being of our country."
"The Gredge have a different schooling system to ours," added the man beside Fallock. What was his name? Roland? His voice sounded snidely and he looked rather greasy. Why were nearly all of the guys in here geeks? Five years ago Jack wouldn't have even considered sitting in the same room as them, but now it seemed he had no choice. "They have separate schools. They do not have mixed race schools. Imagine if we compared our statistics to theirs and it turned out theirs were better. It would pose as a mighty blow to our country as a whole."
Jack could feel the anger welling up in his chest. So they were going to split up the races to make their country look good? It was sick.
Jessica nodded. What was someone as hot as her doing in the company of these guys? Some things never ceased to amaze him. "Interesting viewpoints and thank-you for your contribution, Ronan." Ronan, that was his name. Not Roland. He would have to remember that. "Anyone else care to contribute?"
She paused. All was silent. Her gaze once again flickered over the occupants of the table. Her eyes rested on Jack. She tilted her head to the side. "Mr. Harlton, I hate to put you on the spot, since it is after all, your first meeting, but I'm sure you must have something to say on the matter. What do you think?"
Jack could feel everyone's eyes searing into his skin.
I will not go red.
All was silent, a thick tense silence, as everyone waited for him to speak, assessing his every move, his every word, his every action. He was the Cadlian, the other side. They couldn't wait to hear what he had to say on the matter. He could see it in their eyes, the waiting, the assessment, the judging. He was on the witness stand, the last piece of evidence. The verdict was about to be called and the right words could sway the judge's decision. His words were the difference between guilty and not guilty. They would listen to his every word, watch his every motion and try to detect a slip up, a mistake, an opportunity. One slip of the tongue could scar him for all eternity. He had to watch his words. He had to say it right the first time. This wasn't a film, where he could get it wrong and the
director would say cut and rewind, it was live, a concert, a play. There were no second chances. No rectifying of his mistakes. Jack took a deep breath.
"To put it quite bluntly, I don't agree," he stated. The first coin had been dropped, the cards had been dealt, and it was up to him to make the right moves.
Jessica was leaning on the Table now, her chin resting in the palm of her hand as she flicked her index finger over her cheek. Her eyes were calculating.
This is a test, a challenge, her eyes said. Are you really up for the job, or are you just some amateur set up to fail on the first go? He could read it in her expression. There was something about her, some hidden aspect of her which screamed at you to get her approval. He wanted her approval. He wanted to please her. He wanted to be accepted.
"And why is that, Jack?" The words slipped off of her tongue, slowly, each syllable accented to its full potential.
"Well…" Here it goes. "By splitting up the races, you're not actually solving the problem. You're running away from it. The students have already acquired a built-up hatred towards each other and, by splitting them up, this hatred will only increase. This is because they will probably feel that we are splitting them up for racial reasons and that we think that the Elonsican schools are too "good" for them. As much as you say that this has nothing to do with racial discrimination, it doesn't change the fact that that is how they will interpret it." The first card had been drawn in his favor.
Jon Newman intervened. The opposition. "The issue is not about splitting them up for that reason, though. It is to prevent fights. If we carry this out, there will be a decrease in the number of fights."
Jack shook his head. He was on a roll now. He knew exactly what to say. He had all the good cards in his hand, now it was up to him to play them right. "Just because they don't fight in school, it doesn't mean that they won't take it up after school. And if you just split them into separate schools, it will fuel the hatred that is already there and give them a proper, concrete reason to fight with each other."
Jessica, who had been listening carefully throughout all of this, suddenly interrupted. "That's all very well, Jack. But how do we solve the problem, then? After all, this is the safety of our children, as well as our country's reputation, at stake. We cannot ignore the figures." The faint hint of a smile was dancing on her lips. She was sure enjoying this.
Jack had to remind himself to speak as the room filled with silence and an underlying air of expectancy, waiting, blanketed the fifteen figures. There was something about her calm, cool demeanour and the way her words sounded like they had been rehearsed and perfected which rendered Jack speechless. But it was the last test, the last flicker of the coin as it swirled in the air and glinted beneath the thin shafts of light, waiting to fall. It was the last nod of the judge as the room was filled with awe and the verdict was ready to be called, the balance between guilty and not guilty toppled as the weight rested on the opposite side of the scale. It was the last card in his hand and it was up to him how he played it. The last roll of the die; if he defeated this one, he was in the game.
"There may not be an immediate solution to the problem," he began. He had to be confident, sound confident, act confident. He could not give away his nervousness. "However, the best solutions are always those which are perfected over time. Steps can be taken to ensure the safety of the younger generation." Younger generation? Where the hell had that one come from? He was only seventeen. "The best way to find a solution to the problem is to, first of all, find the root of the problem and work your way up from there."
"What do you mean by the "root" of the problem?" Her voice was questioning, interested. She was no longer testing him. She was genuinely curious.
"Basically, we need to find out what is the cause of these fights and attempt to lessen them. It'll take time, but it's a much more secure option than the one which has been suggested. After all, creating separate race schools could arouse unwanted tension amongst the general public."
He waited. He was done. That had been a good last minute point; it made his solution far more appealing. Jessica smiled and began to clap her hands together slowly. Her claps echoed through the hollow room. Everyone followed her.
"Very good, Mr Harlton." All went silent again. "I find your suggestions far more appeasing to the ear than those aforementioned and you raise many valid points. Don't you agree, gentleman?" Everyone nodded in unison. They were like her puppies. "Very well, then. We will take action in due time. Does anyone have anything to say before the meeting closes? No? Okay. I hope you all have a pleasing afternoon and I would like Jonathon to stay behind so that we may discuss some of his findings. You may leave now."
Didn't they do anything without her ordering them to? All of the men stood up and filed out of the room, one by one. Jack was the last to leave and by the time he got out, he found himself facing an empty corridor. They were sure in a hurry to get away.
He was just about to make his way back when he spotted a familiar head of golden brown hair making its way down the corridor. Jack smirked and leaned against the wall. This was going to be fun. He would definitely ask her her name this time. Her hair was in a high pony again today; a few wispy tendrils escaping and framing her richly tanned face.
"Hey."
The girl shrieked and dropped all of her folders. She bent down in a rush and began to pick them up. Jack quickly made his way to where she was and began to help her.
"No, don't worry. I can pick them all," she stammered as he piled them in her hands. They both stood up.
"Sorry about that," he started. "I didn't mean to surprise you."
The girl hurriedly shook her head and Jack watched as her pony bobbed up and down. Cute. "No, I'm fine. I mean –yeah, I'm fine. I mean, I wasn't scared. I just stopped the stuff 'cause…and, yeah…"
Jack grinned lightly. "You don't have to be so nervous. I won't bite."
The girl bit the corner of her lip. "Oh, okay, I guess."
He could so tell she had no idea what to say. She looked cute when she was nervous. "Um, so what brings you here?" she asked, indicating the corridor.
Jack laughed lightly. "Don't ask. I just had my first meeting. You should have seen them in there, they were practically shitting themselves at Miss Coles' every word. She said sit, they'd sit. She said stand, they'd stand."
The girl smiled. "It's a well known fact that the Sector leaders are Jessica Coles' pet dogs. They'd even lick her shit if she told them to. She has them all under one perfectly manicured finger." He could detect an underlying trace of venom beneath her words. There was something deeper to what she was saying. He decided not to ask, it would only complicate things. He opted for a more casual question.
"Why are they so scared?"
The girl shrugged. "It's hard to explain. You'll get it eventually." Her gaze flitted over to her watch. "Well, I've got to go now." She no longer sounded nervous; her voice sounded smooth and confident. "It was nice talking to you…" Her eyes rested on his badge. "Jack. I'll see you around."
She made her way down the corridor and Jack watched her retreating back. She tilted her head to the side and turned around, then waved quickly before leaving.
Jack lifted up his hand. "Yeah… see ya."
And then she was gone. Jack scuffed the carpet with the sole of his trainer. Damn, was that girl hot. He turned around and was just about to leave when he realized that he had forgotten to ask her her name… again. Jack sighed and ran a hand through his hair. There was always next time.
* * *
Lia circled her trainer over the floorboards, watching the dust as it collected on her sole and left clear, round marks over the dust coated surface. Her gaze rose as Michael began to speak.
"Now, as I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted…" Okay, okay. She got the point already. Michael seriously needed to get a life, or a girlfriend. Either one would work."We still have not received any contact from Ted, which means we'll have to go onto the next stage of ou
r operation without him."
Lia interrupted. "Does that mean he's chickened out, or done us in?"
Michael shook his head. "The deal was that he has 'til the tenth to contact us, so we can't make any presumptions just yet."
Carmon nodded. "So the folder's stage two?"
"I'm getting to that. Anyway, as you are already aware, the folder contains coded information, sent from the top, regarding the mission. Carmon has worked it all out and upon working it out, he must have realized that six people are required. The orders are from the Head but as the leader of this base, I get to pick who's who. Carmon, would you care to explain the rest?"
Carmon nodded and lifted up the folder. "It's written in a prose kind of format, but we have to act it out as a sort of play. It's basically a set of instructions written like a children's story so that, if LAFFAT get hold of the information, they won't be able to make heads or tails of it."
