THEY — Chapter 26 — Relief
This is chapter 26 of my book “THEY”. If you are finding it for the first time, please begin with Chapter 1 (or check the INDEX )! When you’re done, check out more of my stories on my MEDIUM profile: Caralynn Scott — Medium
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CHAPTER 26 — Relief
“The plan is working so far.” Digit reported.
“Good.” Navlin’s face did not betray the turmoil that was brewing shallowly under the surface of their stoic face. It had been hard enough the day Jennic was removed from their home, but the pressure to understand, to help, and to bring about the changes necessary to rescue her and her friends had never let up. And Navlin knew it would not end here either. There was still a great deal of work to do.
For the last many weeks, they had built connections, slowly discovering cells of the network within the facility that could help them gain the information they needed, develop the plan they were executing, and see it to fruition. Navlin knew they could not have done it without the help of those in the room with them, and those who had placed themselves selflessly in harms way to protect their children. They would never forget the help and support they had received.
It would have been a great deal more difficult to do if it had not been for the director. The director seemed to have a broader knowledge of the cells than any of them and had facilitated making the right connections. They had been part of the plan when needed but remained aloof when not. Navlin had never met the director, and only knew of them by their reputation, which was formidable. In fact, when they had asked others in the network, it seemed nobody had ever met the director in person. Not at all unusual considering the clandestine work they were doing and how being caught would have been tragic for any one of them. If the director knew as much about what was going on as Navlin thought they did, then they certainly needed to be cagey for their own survival.
“And we have someone on the transport?”
“Yes, Navlin.” Digit answered. “They will report back to us when they reach the camps to let us know they have arrived safely.”
“Those infernal camps. I know we all wish we could have saved our kids from those camps, but that will have to wait I suppose. One step at a time, right Napthil?”
“That’s right. And the plan is working perfectly so far, just as we arranged with the director.”
“I wonder how they do it?” Navlin queried.
“Do what?” Napthil asked looking quizzically at the politician.
“How does the director track everything? They must have connections with countless cells who have eyes everywhere. Their information has been invaluable! I am certain that without them, we would have missed this window of opportunity.”
Digit turned from the communications console they were sitting at and addressed the other three members of their little cell. “They’re calling.”
“Who? The plant on the transport? They couldn’t have arrived there yet. Did something go wrong?”
“No, not them.” Digit looked around at Navlin with a look of awe and wonder. Their face betrayed an awe and respect that they had all set aside, having become familiar with each other. “The director.” They said. “The director is calling.”
Navlin felt their back stiffen. Not from fear, but from that same respect that Digit had expressed for their informational benefactor. They felt a sense of privilege when they were actually able to speak directly with them. “Put them on.”
“Right away.” Digit said as they typed frantically on the keyboard connecting and encrypting the audio only call.
“By now you will know that our plan is working, and that our children are preparing to leave for the camps.” The raspy, earthy voice spoke from the speakers. “Thank you for all of your sacrifices up to this point. I am certain that we are on track to succeed in rescuing them. But we must all be patient.”
“It is good to hear from you Director.” Navlin was the only one to actually speak with the director though the rest were often present when a call would come in, and of course Digit had been present for every call as they were the one making the connection.
Digit had told Navlin once that he was unable to trace where the call came from. It was bounced through so many relays that it had become impossible to trace. It was like the call originated from everywhere at the same time. Digit was formidable when it came to electronic hacking, and considered themselves without equal. It hurt their pride a little to think there was someone out there who was able to thwart their ability to backtrack the call.
“It is always good to hear all of your voices as well, cell leader.” Navlin’s identity was hidden from those they communicated with outside the cell. Leaders contacted leaders and each referred to the other as “Cell Leader.” When it was necessary to differentiate between multiple people on the call, they would either make up temporary pseudonyms or simply number themselves with a random number. The communications officers kept call signs for each cell that helped them know which cell they were talking to.
“Unfortunately,” The Director continued, “I must tell you that once the group is at the camps and our plant on the transport has left them, it will be almost impossible for me to continue to track their movements. There are no electronic communications in the camps, and although I have some contacts there, their reports are very infrequent.
“For the next phase of the plan I am going to have to rely on some of you. We will need feet on the ground and ears open. I must ask that you now become the ones to report to me what you know.”
“You know we will do whatever we can to rescue our children director.” Navlin said with a deep compassion resonating in their voice.
“I am sure that you will.” The director said in a much more matter of fact manner. “I will be connecting you with more cells who have people we can count on to move forward.
“Now, as for our other problem, Aklavar, have you made any progress in infiltrating his entourage?”
“Not as yet.” Navlin looked down at their feet and kicked at the ground. “We still have our hacked access thanks to one of our people in this cell,” Navlin looked at Digit who smiled back in appreciation of the complement, “but we have not yet been able to get someone into that inner circle.”
“Your efforts are appreciated,” the director continued, “but they will no longer be necessary. We have managed to find sympathisers within the Enfos themselves. We think we will have all the help we need. You can spend your energy working on contact with the camps and a means to extradite the children when the time comes. We will communicate further when it becomes necessary again.”
“The call has been cut off. I believe the director feared staying on the connection too long.” Digit reported.
“It’s of no consequence.” Navlin said. ”Have you seen anyone enter Aklavar’s office who might fit the description of the person or persons the director is referring to?”
“No, but that’s not surprising. If someone were working for the Network, they would certainly not want to reveal themselves in such an obvious space.”
“True.” Navlin rubbed their chin in thought for a moment. “It’s time then. Time to begin working on phase 2.”
THE END OF BOOK 1
(Book 2 will be coming gradually)
