Chapter 13

Commander Thoreau did indeed see McCock and his coterie during those four weeks of leave. They came to the gym to work out. Noting how easily and gracefully they now moved as they practiced their warm up, he chuckled as he recalled their first efforts – he never thought any of those awkward clumsy children could improve. But Aggy was patient and after the first months of fruitless attempts, he changed the programme to old fashioned formal dancing to the shock horror of the regulars. He passed them gradually into individual free dancing – reminding Thoreau of ballet – and then after a year began to instruct them in unarmed combat. Thoreau had asked Aggy about the style of fighting and Aggy had patiently explained that it wasn't a competitive sport. It was unarmed combat – designed to kill or at least disable the opponent as taught over nearly a decade to the young Aggy by a gnarled battered old Sol marine who had retired to Mountserrat and ended up a gym instructor at A&M.

Aggy appeared happy enough as did the coterie. He admitted that he had no idea of what was happening but said not a word about what had happened. Of course Thoreau did not inform Aggy of Sir Laurence's incognito visit. He suspected however that behind the scenes there was controlled chaos.

Said the Second Space Lord to the First Space Lord

"James, I want to see the Baroness about some black funding." The First Space Lord looked over his reading glasses at his colleague, "Ummmm?"

"Silas Rowan wants to start a project developing a spaceworthy light attack craft weaponed up enough to swarm and give BBs headaches and small enough that single losses won't be strategically significant. He wants to do it at Gorgipest."

Sir James looked scornfully at Sir Laurence,

"Pull the other one."

"Oh, we've got a brilliant junior we need to hide for a few years, the project is worth while and within the capabilities of his team."

"McCock? Don't look so surprised, of course I heard about, even read that critique - both sides have merit although I do tend to favour McCock. It's a wonder the confounded thing hasn't appeared in the Journal."

Sir James waved his friend out, "See to it."

...

"Baroness Shadowdale, thank you for seeing me at such short notice."

"Always a pleasure to see and chat with you, Sir Laurence. Help yourself to the urn you know where the mugs are. There are times when I regret allowing myself to succumb to your foul naval tradition; very few though" as she lifted her nearly empty mug in salute.

"How can I help you, Sir Laurence?"

"We need some black funding for a research project - no nothing that you don't not need to know about, but one rather we'd like to keep quiet about as the traditionalists would start obstructing. Silas Rowan thinks it is sound and I agree. It's his project."

"How much?"

Sir Laurence mentioned a figure.

The Baroness blanched, "That's a lot more than my discretionary funds."

"Its over five or six years" Sir Laurence hastened to reassure his political leader.

"Even so. Urmmm, I'll see what I can do. Your coming here means there is some urgency about this?"

"Yes Ma'am, there is another small agenda. It is important we feel, but wont make any great change if it doesn't happen."

"Sir James let me know he approved – said he got Rowan over to brief him on the project. He indicated he knew of the other agenda but said that should not make any difference to the project but one did depend upon the other. Rather confusing to say the least. Alright Sir Laurence I'll have a word with the PM."

She met the PM several days later in the back robing room at the House of Lords.

"Good morning Francine."

"Morning Your Grace, a quick word if I may?", she went on "Sir Laurence wants some black funding and its out of my authority – says its over five or six years – but past experience says to go eight to ten and about half as much again, Sir James approves."

She named the base figure which caused only a slight eyebrow raise. He made the wave of his hand for more information.

"It's for a news weapon system and will have a significant multiplier effect for current vessels. I'm told it's certainly do-able. Appears the ultimate cost might be 'techy'." The PM turned to his PS.

"Hide half somewhere for a three year's budget but I want an oral brief first." Looked at his P.S. who indicated

"You've got 25 minutes tomorrow afternoon."

The PM nodded at his First Lord of the Admiralty.

Captain Rowan entered Admiral Halliday's office, "I've just briefed the PM and its half financed."

"You are certain you are not taking any resources from here?"

"No Ma'am, we can get enough at Gorgipest."