The Home Secretary's Update
Sir Alfred Bonner, Home Secretary
Edward Covington, Under-Secretary, Home Department
Sir Nigel Green, Director of State Security
David Eggers, Justice Department
Jeffrey Withers, Aide to the Home Secretary
The men around the antique cherry wood table stood when the Home Secretary, Alfred Bonner, entered the small conference room. Sir Alfred sat at the head of the table and motioned for the others to sit.
"Good afternoon, gentlemen," he said as he opened a folder and flipped through several papers. Looking up, he nodded towards his aide and said, "You'll write up the minutes, Jeffrey?"
"Of course, Sir Alfred," replied the man at the other end of the table. He pressed the end cap of his pen and began jotting down the names of those in attendance on a legal pad.
"Let's dig in then, shall we? I have a meeting with the Prime Minister in fifteen minutes." Turning to look at his second in command, he asked, "What's the latest on the search for the MacMasters woman, Edward? I can guarantee it's the first question I'll be asked by the PM."
Edward Covington sat up a little straighter in his chair and looked at the men around the table. "Well, obviously we haven't caught up with her yet, or we wouldn't be having this meeting." His boss gave him somewhat of a dark scour so he quickly moved on. "During the past week the department has been actively spreading word of the build up of forces near Bristol, and George has had a concentration of MRU troops in that area. Late last..."
"Hold on," Sir Alfred cut in. "You say you've been spreading word? What does that mean exactly?"
Sir Nigel motioned with his hand to cut off Edward's reply so he could respond to the Secretary's question. "If I may, Sir Alfred. George came to me with a plan for all senior staff to discretely disseminate false information these past few days. His hope was that word would spread that the MRU is concentrating its efforts near Bristol where Gloria MacMasters has family. With any luck the information would filter through to the KSN and..."
"You are purposely trying to give those rebels information on troop movements!" Sir Alfred cut him off.
In the same even tone, Sir Nigel continued, "As Edward was about to say, late last night the majority of the troops quietly left the Bristol area and have set up major road blocks all through Suffolk and Norfolk counties. We're hoping that our ruse will have convinced the KSN to stay away from the western coastline and will instead head northeast towards the port at Cromer. The MRU have now set up choke points on all roads, diverting most traffic through Cambridge, Ipswich, and Bury St. Edmunds where George has set up his command post."
"We've had good intel that leads us to believe Cromer is a major transfer point for KSN deviant runners," David Eggers chimed in. "From the port there they can reach safe havens in Scotland, Ireland, or even Denmark by boat."
The Home Secretary drummed his fingers on the table. "And you believe they're moving her in that direction?"
"We do," Sir Nigel responded. "With word of the force buildup in the west, and the Thatcher Wall to the north, heading for the east coast is their only option."
"For all of your sakes I hope you are correct. The last thing the Prime Minister wants to see on the telly is the wife of a Justice Department official waving the KSN flag from bloody Belfast."
"They have a flag now?" David Eggers asked in surprise. His cheeks turned red as the men all turned to look at him like he was an idiot.
"They bloody well will soon enough if we don't make some headway in crushing them," Sir Alfred billowed. "What plans do you have to mop up these deviant fuckers, Edward?"
"As you know, Sir Alfred, the Network has moved a considerable number of our women out of the country with relative ease. We believe they have safe houses throughout the city and surrounding areas, certainly along the coasts, as well. We have agents on the ground actively searching for them, and have enlisted several women loyal to our cause to aide in this search using their own social networking skills."
The Home Secretary glanced at his watch. "How would they know where to begin?" he asked Edward.
"Well, MacMasters seems to have vanished in Cecil Court so we have a team working that angle. Other teams are working their way from there toward the river. If they get any hint of KSN activity the women will act as if they want to flee the country and see if they get any bites."
"That's just one of many areas our agents are active in, Sir," Nigel entered the conversation. "Our counterparts in Justice have suggested that the eastern regions closer to the mouth of the Thames are a more likely location for these safe houses. I tend to support that idea since they can move the women onto boats more easily from there. So you see, Justice and the MRU have mounted a coordinated effort both in the heart of the city and along the waterfront, while the Home Department is using George's MRU border units to choke off the exit's outside the city."
Sir Alfred put both hands on the table and propelled himself to his feet, prompting the others to also rise.
"Very well. I feel confident I'll have more positive news for the Prime Minister soon. This is all very good information. Good day, gentlemen."