Chapter 20

Many parts of the labour zone cared little for the news from the leadership class. Who was who in the government did not matter to them? It would not change their lives if one minister was replaced by another minister cast in the same mould. Personnel came and went but their lot never changed.

The OWG newspaper was available to all citizens and most flicked through the pages a couple of times a week. It was hardly a riveting read. There were lots of statistics and lists. There was the odd amusing story from somewhere around the world and photographs of happy workers in factories.

Major appointments to the government and the upper management of the ministries were reported so that the public knew who was working on their behalf. It was here that Bertie discovered the promotion of Eric McBride to Minister of Logistics. He knew that Dan was married to the newly appointed minister's daughter.

That was interesting news. They now had a contact who was closer to the government than they had ever got before. How could he exploit this connection to help with his crusade? Bertie would need to talk to Dan and he was not sure what sort of reaction he would get. He would appeal to his ally asking for suggestions as to how this might work to their advantage. It was not a situation where he could make demands.

It made him think about the relationship between Dan and his wife. It was not a topic which had been covered in any of their conversations. His feelings for Samantha would dictate how receptive he was to taking advantage of her father's position. If he was indifferent to his wife, he would not have any moral objections.

Bertie was intent on his cause, but that did not mean that he was unaware of what was going on around him. He had seen the way that Dan looked for Serena whenever he entered the farmhouse. Could he perhaps use her find out what he wanted to know? Could he use her to tempt Dan into cheating on Samantha?

That was a thought, but Serena was quite tricky. She definitely had her own mind and could respond badly if she didn't like the idea. Bertie would have to wait until the next meeting to gauge the potential of the situation. They were due to meet at the farmhouse in few days and Bertie was looking forward to it immensely.

Dan wished that the new shock absorbers were ready as they navigated the rough track which led to the farm. He and Martin had discussed the forthcoming meeting and had made a decision. Bertie would have learned of Eric's appointment and if they didn't talk about it, they could be seen as trying to hide the fact.

After the usual greetings Dan announced the news to the assembled group.

"I don't really know how this will help us if at all. My father-in-law is a firm believer in, and loyal to, the OWG. I'll be honest, he and I don't get on particularly well and he is unlikely to supply me with any details of the inner workings of government. If I hear something to our advantage, I will of course pass it on."

Bertie thanked him for his words and conceded that families were complicated. The dynamics of the McBride's and the Ellis' would make it difficult to get any information. Already Bertie was thinking that he would have to use them in some other way. He would ask a few more questions just to get the whole picture.

"Does this put any extra pressure on you? I mean do you get dragged into any official duties or anything?"

Dan laughed. "Oh God yes. There are certain functions where we have to turn up and be seen. Sam is their only child so she has to play the dutiful daughter. We have some sort of party in a few weeks and Sam has already demanded a new dress for the occasion. It's going to cost me a fortune."

It was agreed that he should keep an ear open at the party. Other ministers would be there and they would be drinking alcohol. This might help them to be a bit indiscreet about their departments. Who knew what he might learn when the guests got a bit tipsy? That meant that Dan would have to stay sober and alert.

They left the meeting with a sense of relief. Bertie had been less intense than usual and had even laughed when Dan had complained about Sam's demands for new clothes. Serena had watched proceedings closely. Bertie had been surprisingly calm about Dan's declaration. She thought he would have raged and questioned Dan's commitment to the cause. What was he planning?

She had liked his ideals and passions when they first met. Serena had to admit that she had been attracted to Bertie physically as well. She was now unsure about the direction they were headed in. She felt obliged to stick with him because she thought she might be able to curb his wilder actions.

Bertie had seen an opportunity as he listened to Dan. He didn't know quite how he would get the result he wanted, but he now had something to work towards. It was time to go away and experiment more on his pet project. None of his colleagues had any ideas about what he was working on when he disappeared for the odd day and that was how he wanted to keep it.

Both groups were still frustrated at being unable to find out more information about the army. The topic was so taboo that it was difficult to drop it into conversation without arousing suspicion. Once again Phyllis was about to supply a piece of information which could be the breakthrough that they needed.

Sam had gone for a lie down before dinner. Her mother had roped her in on the party project and the two of them were working themselves into a frenzy with their search for perfection. The catering, the linen, the wine and a dozen other things had to be just so. Dan took the opportunity to chat to the cleaner.

He couldn't believe how clandestine the army was. What could they possibly be doing that warranted so much secrecy? He expressed these views to Phyllis who took a seat at the table and leaned towards him in a conspiratorial manner.

"I've heard some really bad things." Dan pleaded for more details.

"My friend's son ended up in the army. I think he was conscripted by mistake to be honest."

She explained that the boy had been sick on the day of his school test and had done only moderately well. Had he done it on another day he would have passed with a much higher mark. He was too smart to be in the forces.

The man had seen things which he found quite disturbing. His superiors always had an excuse for strange events but as far as he was concerned, they did not add up. Each time he visited his family home he was more disillusioned with his life in the army. It was not a job one could resign from so he was stuck until he had done 20 years or if he was invalided out. He had seriously thought about engineering some sort of injury just to get away.

Things had come to a head when his best friend had been killed. The army had said that it was an accident but he was not so sure. The circumstances as described to him made him certain that it had not been a chance event. There was no one he could complain to about the death. He was staying quiet or he would be in trouble.

Dan could not miss this opportunity to find out more about the army and this incident. He could not spend a couple of days or even a few minutes mulling over the pros and cons of opening up to Phyllis. He would have to ask for this man's name and offer some sort of explanation of why he wanted it.

He said that he was very concerned to hear this story. Dan wanted to know the details. Would the person in question be prepared to talk to someone who was sympathetic to his worries about what was happening?

"You will have to be very careful." Phyllis said. "This is the type of thing that could bring the attention of the police."

"I need to know what is going on." Dan said and she agreed to help.

"There's no way that I can reveal anything without the man's consent. Let me make some enquiries and then, if I get a positive response, I'll let you know."

Negotiations were undertaken and promises were made and finally she was given the go ahead to arrange a meeting.

The soldier had no one to talk to about the things that he had seen. He could not go to a superior officer or involve his family. He had not even discussed what he had learned with his fellow troops. A man from the leadership class who was concerned about the military wanted to talk and he needed to take this opportunity. If there was any chance that he could make a difference he must take it.

Dan hugged Phyllis when she gave him the good news. They would meet on the next Wednesday evening. He was usually at his meeting then, so Sam would not question him about going out. He would have to walk out beyond the edge of town and he was glad for the cover of darkness.

The man that he met was in his early twenties. He was tall and wiry and nervous. Dan reassured him as much as possible that he was not going to inform on him. He was collecting evidence of OWG wrongdoing and he would not name him in any documents. The young soldiers name was Sebastien.

The story that Dan listened to was shocking. He made notes as Sebastien spoke and he often had to stop and confirm what he had heard. This was dynamite and he would have to report it back to his colleagues in the movement as soon as possible. At work the next day he told Martin who was deeply troubled too. What would Bertie make of this?