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rainbowfic2019-10-20 12:44 pm
thisbluespirit) wrote in rainbowfic2019-10-20 12:44 pm
Acanthus #10 [Divide and Rule]
Name: Ace of Spades
Story: Divide & Rule
Colors: Acanthus #10 (spade)
Supplies and Styles: Charcoal + Seedbeads
Word Count: 592
Rating: PG
Warnings: Espionage, implied murder & treachery.
Notes: 1934, 1953, 1960. Alan Jemmings (Mr Hallam’s ally in MI5 in the actual Fall of the Government story I never write any more).
Summary: Alan’s learned how to play the game, in and outside of the rules.
***
1933
“No, no,” says Grandfather, as Alan leans forward too carelessly, “keep your cards tight against your chest. Yes, that’s better. Can’t show your hand to the other players.”
Alan would rather have been playing outside, but it’s a miserable November Saturday. The rain hasn’t let up since yesterday. And he’s pleased to have Grandfather’s attention, even if he’d rather have played something different.
“What is your game, eh?” says Grandfather suddenly, fixing him with a sharp stare, as if he can read Alan’s mind. He gives a laugh that turns into a chesty cough.
Alan shrugs. “Beggar My Neighbour? Snap?”
“That won’t do,” says Grandfather with decision, and so Alan learns how to play Poker.
1953
Alan Jemmings meets Miles in a corner of a Sussex field on a damp and drizzling day. The other man’s shaking. Nerves or his jacket’s just insufficient for the weather? Both, maybe. Jemmings wouldn’t be surprised. He’s not entirely steady himself. There’s a good deal riding on the outcome of this.
“It was you,” says Miles. God, he’s barely learned anything, has he? Still wet behind the ears. “You leaked the Garrow file. Why?”
Jemmings shrugs. The wind’s behind him, cold, fine rain against the back of his head, despite his hat and collar upturned against the elements. “A strategic decision. Lord Howe is a patriotic man, and he made good use of the information. Where’s the harm?”
He holds his breath, because if Miles takes his lead, they’ll be all right. If not – well, if not, he’ll be forced to do something they’ll both regret.
“That wasn’t the only time,” says Miles. He draws back, more in bewilderment than anything else. And again: “Why?”
You fight a whole war in the shadows, and what do they give you in return? A life of secrecy and a nervous breakdown before you’re forty, if you’re lucky. Jemmings is only getting his due. He knows exactly what he’s doing. He’s not a traitor. A cheat, perhaps, but that’s part of the game. It’s how you play, if you want to win.
“I’m going,” says Miles, turning on his heel. “My God. I never thought it would be you.”
Jemmings would be more concerned if he had spotted him, rather than simply the loss of the file. He watches Miles walk away to the car. Not to worry, it’s got a flat tyre. He’s already seen to that. Miles won’t be going anywhere.
MI5 officers don’t carry guns as a rule. You learn to use whatever’s to hand when you need it. Jemmings has already spotted that someone’s left an old rusty shovel in the allotment beside them. That’ll do, twice over.
It’s a damned shame, though. He mustn’t be so careless next time.
1959
“Sir,” says the junior officer at his elbow, shifting nervously. “Sorry to bother you, but we intercepted this and we thought you ought to see it.”
Jemmings is in a hurry, caught between two meetings. He merely nods and takes the paper, but later when he’s leisure to look at it, he discovers what he’s got, and pockets it, heart thudding.
If this doesn’t forward Hallam’s agenda, he doesn’t know what will. This is incendiary stuff: a leaked document that can only have come from the Foreign Secretary’s office, taken from a United Europe member. And there’s one obvious connection between the two – Iveson’s wife.
Jemmings can’t wait to tell Hallam. He’s got the high card; he’s got the much-needed ace tucked up his sleeve, and the game is going change forever.
***
Story: Divide & Rule
Colors: Acanthus #10 (spade)
Supplies and Styles: Charcoal + Seedbeads
Word Count: 592
Rating: PG
Warnings: Espionage, implied murder & treachery.
Notes: 1934, 1953, 1960. Alan Jemmings (Mr Hallam’s ally in MI5 in the actual Fall of the Government story I never write any more).
Summary: Alan’s learned how to play the game, in and outside of the rules.
***
1933
“No, no,” says Grandfather, as Alan leans forward too carelessly, “keep your cards tight against your chest. Yes, that’s better. Can’t show your hand to the other players.”
Alan would rather have been playing outside, but it’s a miserable November Saturday. The rain hasn’t let up since yesterday. And he’s pleased to have Grandfather’s attention, even if he’d rather have played something different.
“What is your game, eh?” says Grandfather suddenly, fixing him with a sharp stare, as if he can read Alan’s mind. He gives a laugh that turns into a chesty cough.
Alan shrugs. “Beggar My Neighbour? Snap?”
“That won’t do,” says Grandfather with decision, and so Alan learns how to play Poker.
1953
Alan Jemmings meets Miles in a corner of a Sussex field on a damp and drizzling day. The other man’s shaking. Nerves or his jacket’s just insufficient for the weather? Both, maybe. Jemmings wouldn’t be surprised. He’s not entirely steady himself. There’s a good deal riding on the outcome of this.
“It was you,” says Miles. God, he’s barely learned anything, has he? Still wet behind the ears. “You leaked the Garrow file. Why?”
Jemmings shrugs. The wind’s behind him, cold, fine rain against the back of his head, despite his hat and collar upturned against the elements. “A strategic decision. Lord Howe is a patriotic man, and he made good use of the information. Where’s the harm?”
He holds his breath, because if Miles takes his lead, they’ll be all right. If not – well, if not, he’ll be forced to do something they’ll both regret.
“That wasn’t the only time,” says Miles. He draws back, more in bewilderment than anything else. And again: “Why?”
You fight a whole war in the shadows, and what do they give you in return? A life of secrecy and a nervous breakdown before you’re forty, if you’re lucky. Jemmings is only getting his due. He knows exactly what he’s doing. He’s not a traitor. A cheat, perhaps, but that’s part of the game. It’s how you play, if you want to win.
“I’m going,” says Miles, turning on his heel. “My God. I never thought it would be you.”
Jemmings would be more concerned if he had spotted him, rather than simply the loss of the file. He watches Miles walk away to the car. Not to worry, it’s got a flat tyre. He’s already seen to that. Miles won’t be going anywhere.
MI5 officers don’t carry guns as a rule. You learn to use whatever’s to hand when you need it. Jemmings has already spotted that someone’s left an old rusty shovel in the allotment beside them. That’ll do, twice over.
It’s a damned shame, though. He mustn’t be so careless next time.
1959
“Sir,” says the junior officer at his elbow, shifting nervously. “Sorry to bother you, but we intercepted this and we thought you ought to see it.”
Jemmings is in a hurry, caught between two meetings. He merely nods and takes the paper, but later when he’s leisure to look at it, he discovers what he’s got, and pockets it, heart thudding.
If this doesn’t forward Hallam’s agenda, he doesn’t know what will. This is incendiary stuff: a leaked document that can only have come from the Foreign Secretary’s office, taken from a United Europe member. And there’s one obvious connection between the two – Iveson’s wife.
Jemmings can’t wait to tell Hallam. He’s got the high card; he’s got the much-needed ace tucked up his sleeve, and the game is going change forever.
***
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