The Hypogeum Ch. 06-07

The voices told her, "This time you will not see what the shockwave does, you will experience it."

Before she could react, Alma could feel herself changing, becoming less substantial. She waved her hand in front of her eyes and found that she could see right through it; down she fell towards a small copse of trees near the wooden pillars. She was changing... Alma was a tree. Thoughts ran slowly through her sap and she watched the world around her with little or no interest. She could remember watching the landscape move over last few hundred years as she grew. Life flowed through her, as did thoughts. Deep thoughts that she had no way of communicating even had she the inclination. With interest she felt a new sensation in the ground. Her roots picked up the movement of the forward edge of the shockwave. Her leaves rustled in the wind and she turned her attention toward the direction the movement was coming from. She could sense the arrival of the shockwave. It arrived at Woodhenge and it too disappeared into the ley node. Alma felt power erupt from the node and flow through the ground. It arrived at her roots and travelled along them, up her trunk and into each and every leaf on each and every branch. Alma was aware of sounds next to her for the first time in her existence and knew that something was not right.

All of the trees in the immediate area were feeling the new sensations as power from the ley node burst upon them and with it arrived consciousness. A sense of self.

Sentience.

Warily, Alma spoke with her mind, "This is not right."

Another voice agreed, "This is not how it should be."

A third voice joined in, "What has happened?"

Another voice from further away, "We are in the now... but I can think of the then."

Yet another voice, "I too... What am I? I am me and yet... part of us. We are... We are!"

Alma spoke again, "We must not just think of the then and the now, we must think of that which is to be. This has happened for a reason."

A new voice even further away, "Yes. Reason. We must watch and wait and ponder."

Alma found herself stood in the clearing once again. She felt stiff and stretched her aching muscles. Looking round she saw that all four of her current companions were sat or stood leaning against the side of Taika's house. The old woman walked across to Alma and said, "Now you know of that which was. Tomorrow I shall tell you of that which had to be," she reached out and took Alma's hand in the familiar manner that she had, "Sleep now and dream easy. Time for thinking about what you have learned is part of tomorrow."

Without a word, Alma let the old woman lead her back into the house.

CHAPTER SEVEN

"A fool may be known by six things: anger, without cause; speech, without profit; change, without progress; inquiry, without object; putting trust in a stranger, and mistaking foes for friends." - Arabian Proverb

The pretty young lady offered her sunniest smile as she beckoned yet another potential customer to her stand. She moved forward in front of her display, it was a large platform with boards covered in blue cloth at the sides and back. Several computers were set up and running example versions of DataVault, the newest and currently the best software security system on the market. A 50" plasma screen, playing a series of advertising films on a loop dominated the back of the display stand.

Tanji Fujimoto was the Head of Operations for the Tokyo Holdings (Holdings) Company, one of the most powerful financial institutions in Japan. Although he was not impervious to the physical charms of the delightful young lady who approached him with her hand outstretched, he considered himself professional enough to keep his mind on business and not on the understated hint of cleavage that she was showing beneath her starched-white, collared shirt and red blazer. Her eyes narrowed as she read his name and company badge that he wore on the lapel of his grey flannel suit, "Welcome Mr Fujimoto."

He accepted her hand in his own for a brief moment before releasing it and answering in almost perfect English, "So, what are you going to sell me?"

She laughed in response to his joke, just a little too much in Tanji's opinion. He let her begin her carefully rehearsed speech, extolling the virtues that DataVault from WinCom had to offer. Not only was it the most highly advanced anti virus and firewall system on the market, it was also the cheapest. Retailing at less than US$25,000.00, no company in the world that was serious about IT security could be without it.

Tanji found his mind wandering as this delightful little creature extolled the qualities of DataVault. Her perfume was intoxicating and when she leaned over the desk to point out a few of the on-screen features, he couldn't help but notice the curve of her buttock and down her slender thigh. The sales girl finished her presentation and thrust a handful of glossy brochures into his hands along with a business card.

Almost in a daze, Tanji stumbled away from the WinCom stand. He shook his head as if trying to wake up from a dream and looked back at the girl, who was now bearing down on her next mark. For some reason, he couldn't remember much of what she had told him about this DataVault thing, but he was certain that he would take a closer look at it. He read the card, but once again his mind wandered back to the saleswoman wondering whether the sheer silky sheen that covered her legs beneath the knee-length black skirt were tights or stockings. Tanji realised that he had been staring at her when he saw her glance back toward him offering another sunshine smile. Stockings, he decided and wandered away to look at the other exhibits.

The young woman chatted lightly to her next potential customer and idly played with the silver ring on her right middle finger. It was a strange design and didn't quite sit with the business-like figure she was aiming for. The ring was old, very old and it had an engraving of a demon's face with wide grinning face.

* * *

"And now for a roundup of the latest business news, here's Clive Pickering... So Clive, what's the story in the city?"

"Well George, it looks like WinCom might have a success on their hands. It seems their latest product, DataVault is a big hit with the financial big guns."

"DataVault? What's that?"

"It's a software security system aimed at large corporations who have a need to protect their IT systems. And surprisingly, considering that WinCom don't have much history in the field of IT security, they seem to be right on the nose with this one. Word in the city is that their stock can expect to rise sharply as more businesses, especially the big banks, take an interest in what DataVault has to offer. DataVault has the makings of being a success story for British business. And in the current economic climate, that can only be a good thing."

"Thanks Clive, more business news later, but now with her latest release, its Charlene Knowles singing Shakin' with My Man."

* * *

The technician from WinCom crawled from beneath the metal frame that housed one of the racks of processing units in the server room and then plugged his laptop into it. He spent a short time running his eyes over the diagnostic data before he tapped in a few commands. Once that was completed and the screen showed him a satisfactory result, he unplugged the laptop and walked from the room.

The Northwest Bank technician who had been stood watching asked, "Is that it?" with some surprise.

"Yep. DataVault is on stream and protecting your network."

The two men then left the room full of flashing lights as the servers carried on with their ceaseless calculations and control of customer information.

* * *

The exasperated salesman shook his head, "No Sir, I'm sorry but we don't sell DataVault. It's business software aimed at corporate networks and banking mainframes... No Sir, I don't think they'll be bringing out a home edition..."

* * *

Sir Nigel was sat in his leather office chair with his feet on the desk next to a crystal tumbler of his usual whisky and soda. He was smoking an expensive Havana cigar and reading the Financial Times. A particular phrase caught his eye:

"DataVault has aroused such interest in the business world, that this could be WinCom's chance to step up to the plate against the heavy hitters of IT. Already, some quarters are touting WinCom as the new market leaders and are mentioning them in the same breath as IBM and Microsoft."

Although he didn't much care for the American idiom and references to Baseball, he was enamoured of the idea of bringing the fight to the American giants. Already a huge company in many diverse fields, DataVault was WinCom's first serious attempt at the IT market.

There was a beep from his intercom and his secretary's voice came through with a tinny metallic quality, "Sir Nigel Sir? There's a gentleman here to see you, although he hasn't got an appointment."

"Who is it?" he barked. "He says his name is Adrian Walker, He here representing a Mr B.A. Fommet."

There was a slight pause as the reference sunk in, Sir Nigel put his feet back on the floor, sat up straight and dropped his paper onto the desk, "Show him in please."

The door opened and his secretary showed the stranger into the office before closing the door behind him. Sir Nigel came round his desk to shake hands, "I don't believe I've had the pleasure, Mr Walker."

The proffered hand was gripped in a firm brisk shake and the other man took off his outer coat. Sir Nigel saw the label on the inside lining as the man threw it over his arm, it was Saville Row, as was the suit he wore if Nigel was any judge.

He wilted slightly under the intense gaze of the gentleman's emerald green eyes surmounted by thick white eyebrows. He was older than Sir Nigel by a few years, but the way he held himself showed that for all his advancing years, he still cut a formidable figure.

"So... To what do I owe this pleasure?"

The other man's rough northern tones fell harshly on Sir Nigel's ears as he answered, "I've been sent to continue your education now that you're a member of the Inner Fellowship."

Sir Nigel waved Walker towards the Chesterfields and offered him a drink before he sat down to listen to what his guest had to say. And what he heard both thrilled him and at the same time chilled him to the core.

* * *

Alma poured some hot water into a mug and crumbled some of Taika's Camellia leaves into it. She passed the aromatic drink to Taika who was once more ensconced in her chair at the table along with her three male companions.

Once Alma had settled herself at the table as well with a drink of her own, Taika said, "I think that some introductions be in order," she indicated the giant who sat to her left, "This be Aloysius, gentle as a lamb, but a terror in a fight, which is where we'll all be before this business is settled."

Aloysius blushed at Taika's words and nodded his head toward Alma. She nodded back, having seen how this gentle giant had quickly and ruthlessly despatched her attacker, no further explanation of his skills were required.

Taika pointed to the next in line, "Ranulf you've already met. As fine a leader of men as you or I could ever meet and field commander of our troop."

Ranulf glanced over at Alma with a gentle half-smile that she returned warmly.

"And lastly we got the joker in our pack, young Loki."

The last of the three men to be introduced gave Alma a cheeky salute with one finger to his forehead and grinned, "Charmed."

Alma couldn't help but grin back at him. His smile was boyish and infectious, although he seemed just a little on the young side to be mixed up in such a business. As if reading her mind, Taika said, "Don't let his youthfulness fool you Lady. He's a devil with the gadgets and a terror when he's riled," she turned her attention to the men, "And this is Alma, the Lady, but you all already know what's needful, so I'll say no more."

Ranulf breathed deep and sat up straighter, as though bringing a meeting to order and asked, "Now that the introductions have been made, what do we do next?"

Taika took a sip of her drink and placed the mug carefully on the table before answering, "We need to find out what they're up to and do something about it."

Loki laughed out loud, "That's obvious."

Taika pinned Loki to his chair with her diamond stare from below raised eyebrow and responded, "So, you're waiting for what? Go on, all of you."

"Where do we start?" asked Ranulf.

"You're the field commander."

With a sigh, Ranulf stood up, "Come on boys, let's make a move."

Groaning, the other two followed him from the house. Once outside, Ranulf addressed his companions, "I don't know where to start, so I think we should get kitted up and then head to the Lady's house and see what we see."

Aloysius nodded and Loki shrugged. Then all three took out their travel stones and disappeared.

Back in the cottage, Alma asked the old woman, "And what do I do?"

"What you do is keep healing and learning."

Alma's expression showed her puzzlement, "Healing? I thought I was healed."

"No not yet, you ain't healed until you faced your demon."

"You mean this Baphomet character?"

Taika laughed gently to herself and then said, "No child, I mean the demon in your heart."

* * *

The three companions popped into existence in the back garden of Alma's house. Each was dressed in a fashion more suitable for their current environment. Ranulf wore jeans and a t-shirt with a light brown leather jacket, Aloysius in a similar fashion, but instead of a leather jacket, he wore a knee length greatcoat and Loki wore his habitual attire that made him look like a grungy skateboarder carrying a battered backpack. Each man also wore an unobtrusive earpiece that had a small wire suspended from it with a foam-covered microphone on the end.

Ranulf and Aloysius looked around to make sure the coast was clear and then took up positions either side of the back door.

Meanwhile, Loki took a sliver of metal from his pocket and used it to unlock the door. Replacing the instrument for a small key card in his hand, he turned the handle and opened the door just wide enough to put his arm through the gap as he looked down the inside of the wall just next to the door frame. Carefully he located the narrow slot on the top of the explosive device he had placed there during his previous visit and watched as the light flashed twice and then turned off.

Once he was sure the device was deactivated, Loki pulled it from the wall and replaced it in his pack, then he pushed the door open wide and strode inside, quickly followed by Aloysius, who had to duck in order to fit through the doorway and Ranulf. Both of the larger men waited in the kitchen until Loki had dealt with all of the explosives on the downstairs doors. They then watched him very carefully pick up all of the silver balls that were strewn on the hall floor and up the stairs.

Once done, they then made their way into the living room whilst Loki was busy clearing the explosives from upstairs. Once Loki had finished his task he returned to the living room, dropped his pack carelessly on the armchair and asked Ranulf, "Now what? No one's been in here. Otherwise there'd be no here to be in."

Aloysius grinned and replied, "Now who's stating the obvious?"

Ranulf ignored the exchange and said, "Now, we make sure we're seen."

Loki immediately ran back upstairs and took a peek out of the window through the net curtains suspended in front of the master bedroom window. He spoke quietly into his microphone, "Next door washing his car in his drive... Some kids hanging about at the corner... Dark coloured Merc with smoked windows parked about three or four houses up."

Aloysius looked at Ranulf and asked, "How 'seen' do you want us to be?"

"Give it five minutes and then be very seen."

"And if they come to call on us, how many need to survive?"

"One or two, but let's keep it quiet, we don't want to upset the neighbours."

Ranulf took a small metallic box from Loki's pack and made his way back into the garden. He pulled himself over the wall at the back and jogged to the end of the alley, with a fleeting look each way he walked slowly out and along the side of the end house in the row before stopping to stand next to a lamp post a short distance behind the target car. He had a few surreptitious glances up and down the street to make sure no one was watching him, before crouching down behind the car that was parked two behind the Mercedes. Slowly, he made his way forward, trying to keep out of the view of the Mercedes' wing mirror and moved to the rear of the car directly behind it. It was a 4x4 and Ranulf was pleased to see that it was sitting relatively high off the ground on its chunky off-road tyres. He slid beneath it and inched forwards until he had made his way to the boot of the target vehicle. Ranulf then placed the box he held against the underside of the car, using his thumb as a lever so that there was no clang when its magnetic plate connected to the metal surface. Once he was satisfied that it was secured, he reversed his journey back to his spot at the lamppost and then, after a moment or two checking up and down the road again, walked back to the alleyway to wait.

He whispered into his microphone, "Ready, time to begin the show."

Four men sat in the car, half-heartedly watching the house. They were bored and couldn't really see the point as no one had gone near the place for days. Still, orders were orders and they did anything, it was follow orders. The driver leant on his arms against the steering wheel tapping his finger in time to a tune that was playing quietly on the stereo, two men sat in the back seat playing a game of cards. The passenger in the front seat was tapping a pen against his teeth as he worked on a particularly difficult clue in the crossword he was doing, he glanced up at the house and then did a double take as he noticed a slight movement of the curtain at the upstairs window. He leaned forward suddenly as his concentration left the crossword and was directed toward the house. There it was again! He said, "Someone's in there."

At his words, the other three occupants of the car looked up and took a greater interest in the house under surveillance. They watched as the net curtain moved to one side and a young man's face appeared briefly, he was looking up and down the street but seemed not to have noticed their car. The driver made a quick call on his mobile, "Sir, there's someone in the woman's house, what do you want us to do?... No Sir, we only saw a young male, but that's not to say she isn't... Need any brought in for questioning?... Okay, no problem," he replaced the mobile in his pocket and turned to address the other occupants of the car, "Kill everyone in there, but do it quietly, after all we mustn't upset the neighbours. Tom, you and Bill go round the back. Burt, you go in through the front. I'll stay here and watch the street."

The two men in the back seat slid from the car and made their way towards the entrance to the alleyway, whilst the front passenger sauntered across the road to the front door.

Ranulf had watched the two men approach and he had at first thought to tackle them in the alley, sadly he could also see a group of children approaching as they played some type of game of tag on bicycles, he shrank back and made his way to the Alma's back garden and quickly climbed the apple tree, hiding in the thick foliage of green leaves. Tom and Bill entered the garden through the gate, Bill murmured, "Back door's open, I'll go in first you wait here a second."

They both pulled Uzi automatic machine pistols from inside their jackets, checked the safety was off and that the silencers fitted to both weapons were secure. Bill then made his way silently into the kitchen.