"The Persuaders - Chapter 3" by Laura de Lange

3. Where Things Stand

When Nightshade had been asked who she wanted to help her start the Reconnaissance Sector of the Resistance, she had surprised Driftwood by answering immediately.

“Rage and Chill, the redhead and blonde who entered with me the first day.”

“But why? You said it yourself, they were useless at hiding; you spotted them a mile off! We need spies – we need discrete. Why would you choose them?” Driftwood asked, completely stumped.

“I think we’ll work well together,” was all Nightshade ever said about the matter and no amount of pleading or begging could get her to change her mind. Driftwood had to admit; the girl was stubborn as hell.

Now, as he looked at the two operatives that sat before him, he marked the changes in them. They no longer looked rash and carefree; a weary and a careful look had slipped into their eyes. They had seen things that gave them nightmares, as Driftwood often heard as he made his way past the Reconnaissance living quarters. Nightshade was always there to help them, and he thinks she did help.

‘Probably beat them into believing it’s not their fault,’ he thought wryly. But, nevertheless, it worked.

He was both proud and saddened by these changes. But now was not the time to dwell on humanity. Now was the time to deal with the world’s lack of it.

“What do you have to report?” he asked of Rage.

Rage lent back in his chair and tilted it until it stood only on the two back legs. His red hair fell into his eyes and he swept it out of his face as he replied.

“Attack planned for Tuesday. Draygon soldiers will storm the Furen Intelligence HQ. They are on a search and destroy mission. No one will survive.”

Driftwood nodded, mind already working on possible solutions. They often provided anonymous information to both sides of the war to prevent bloodshed.

“Also, there’s a raid planned on Persuader HQ. They don’t know where exactly HQ is, but they are searching the whole area,” Chill added.

That quickly caught Driftwood’s attention.

“Interesting,” he replied, “Well, we’ll have to give them a decoy, won’t we?”

Nightshade collapsed exhausted onto a chair in front of the window next to Driftwood.

“Okay, the show should start soon,” she said.

All divisions of the Resistance had worked hard this afternoon to set up a decoy for the incoming raid of Furen soldiers. Blade had Intelligence working at high speed, with her Spies as well. Even the Writers had been enlisted and incorporated into the Intelligence for the day. They were good at writing and Persuading people through pamphlets and books and were well read young adults; they were perfect for Researchers. Blade was trying to get as much information as possible and had flies-on-the-wall at all three Furen headquarters. The rest of Intelligence were perusing the books on military strategy that was part of the required reading for every Furen soldier and yet others were studying the notebooks that were filled with records of attacks made by Furen soldiers this year to look for clues. She was supposed to be working under Blade, but her demanding personality made that near impossible. She had free rein of her two agents, Rage and Chill, and remembered the mission they had just returned from.

“Come on, sis, we’re going to be late,” Rage said, playing the part of impatient older brother perfectly. She was disguised as a Furen, her dark hair hidden and her blue eyes lightened by contact lenses. This was the role-play they often adopted and they had perfected it by now. Nightshade suspected that some of the feelings were real; Rage was very protective of her and treated her like a sister even when they were safe at headquarters.

At the moment they were making their way to the Furen barracks where Rage’s distant cousin was serving his time. His conscription was perfect timing, for it gave them a great excuse. At sixteen both Rage and Chill were too young to enrol, not that they wanted to, even to be spies. Rage’s cousin was distanced from the family; they hated him because his mother had run away with a Draygon when Mark had been twelve. Now, six years later they still looked at him like he was contaminated and he avoided Rage’s parents. So he didn’t know that there was not supposed to be a sister.

Making their way through the gates was always scary, always the fear of discovery. They all hid it well, though. They all looked at the guards warily and looked intimidated by the guns and uniform. Nightshade would even cling to Rage’s arm. They had become really good at hiding things in plain view, where no one would expect to look for it.

“Hi, Mark. How are you doing today? You remember my best friend Kevin, right?”

“Hi Stan, Ellen. Yeah, ’course I remember Kevin,” Mark replied, tugging at the uncomfortable military collar and shifting in his seat to try and get maximum comfort, “So, how’s school?”

The rest of the visit continued in this vane, inconsequential talk while Nightshade, Rage and Chill kept their eyes and ears open to make sure they are not found out and for any information about the raid.

Nightshade knew the other departments had been working just as hard, Autumn and her Medicals and Households had bought furniture and everything the traditional image of “headquarters” would need, including notice boards, maps and ‘classified information’ notebooks. These would be placed in the house directly opposite the real headquarters, once again employing Nightshade’s theory of hiding out in the open. Achilles and his fighters were set up for defence in case they needed it. Now most of the leaders of the Sections and some other members were sitting in the darkened room, letting their eyes adjust to the darkness and waiting for the show to begin.

They all sat in silence for a while, watching as the courtyard descends into darkness and the night swallowing up shapes and objects.

“How’s Mercury?” Nightshade suddenly asked, remembering their newest member. It had been nine days since they had allowed him entrance into the house and she knew Driftwood pitied him. His soft heart would always endear him to her.

“He’s … recovering,” Driftwood replied, “I believe he’s sleeping after his mission with Blade. You know how Blade likes to wear them out on their first mission.”

Nightshade knew Blade kept a close eye on new members and made sure they kept up. She nodded, accepting the way Driftwood danced around the topic. She had to admit, she was sure Mercury would be just fine. All his secrets had been found out and his weak points could be watched. Blade would make him useful.

Silence engulfed them again, until they heard vehicles stopping down the street. Doors were opened and shut, the sound carrying far in the still night air.

“Ah, finally,” Nightshade murmured appreciatively under her breath.

They didn’t have to wait long after that. Soon, the building opposite them was blazing with light, men shouting down that all occupants had made a hasty disappearance. The Furen soldiers acted exactly as expected and everything was fine. Before midnight the threat had passed, but a blackout had been ordered for the rest of the night and a hush would surround the headquarters the next day.