minute when theyre calmed down,?Kyle said. T might as well drive our van up to the exit gate in the meantime.?
That am I supposed to do??
T dunno,?Kyle shrugged as he climbed into the van. Nave you checked to see if theyre got the keys in the ignition already??
Aood point,?Tom nodded.
Kyle considered his options as he reversed the van out of the courtyard and trundled up the rutted path towards the gate.
He didn't fancy taking on nine people and until now her been relying on James getting the information about the farm out to Zara and sitting tight until the cops arrived. But with Nick Cobbt health declining faster than anyone expected, this option looked increasingly like a death sentence for the TV chef.
Kylet first thought was to squeeze the gas pedal, plough through the gate and keep going, but Chase was on guard duty with her British army assault rifle and if anything, the combination of his escape with the satellite signal going down might make Jo even more paranoid and push her into a violent standoff with the cops.
As Kyle stopped the van and pulled on the handbrake, he realised that Nick Cobbt only decent chance of leaving Hummingbird Farm alive would be if he rescued him.
*
Back at the cottage in Corbyn Copse, Zara had barely been off the phone in the half hour since James rang through with the information on AFA headquarters. Sher taken down all the details of the farm layout from James, as well as who the activists were and what weapons they had, before relaying it all to the headquarters of the national anti-terrorist unit in Milton Keynes.
One problem with CHERUB operations is that you have to cover your tracks if agents behave in a way that makes it clear that they aren't ordinary kids and James?situation at the safe house was one of them: Adelaide and Mark were surely going to wonder how a fourteen-year-old boy had overpowered them, before disappearing without trace.
But that was only one of Zarat problems. She was on the phone to CHERUBt liaison at the anti-terrorist unit and she was absolutely furious over the mix-up with the satellite uplink.
T have a sixteen-year-old agent on that farm,?she yelled. T don't care what your director says about the importance of cutting off the oxygen of publicity to terrorists. I'll concerned about the safety of my agent and when I pass confidential information up to you, I expect you to make intelligent use of it, not to put them at risk.?
Ttt out of my hands,?said the voice on the other end of the line.
T know itt not your fault, Joseph, but the local police say itt going to be at least another hour until they can get their armed response teams out to Rothbury and ready to move in on Hummingbird Farm. The absolute last thing you should have done is cut the satellite relay and put the AFA on a higher state of alert.?
Lauren was dealing with the calls Zara couldn't take and came running out of the kitchen with her mobile at her ear.
Aive us a second,?Zara said into her phone. Tre got to speak to Lauren.?
Tre got campus on the phone,?Lauren explained. Theyre contacted MI5. They have a team on an operation in Gateshead who can drive over and sort out the situation with Mark and Adelaide.?
Zara nodded hurriedly as she covered the microphone of the phone in her hand. Aood work, Lauren. Can you ring the details through to James yourself? The numbert written on the notice board in the kitchen.?
慠ight,?Lauren nodded, before dashing back to the kitchen and turning down the volume on the portable TV. Meatball was jumping up and down, wanting to play.
Eorry mate, I'll a bit busy,?Lauren said, giving the dog a quick stroke while dialling Markt mobile.
Tara??James asked anxiously.
Ttt me,?Lauren said.
Ney, sis. Ire been stuck here for an hour awaiting instructions. Can you tell Zara to sort something out pronto??
Ehet busy dealing with Kyle,?Lauren explained, But Ire just got off the phone with the control room on campus. Ire got your instructions. Ready??
Teah,?James said. And say it quick, I keep getting the low battery warning on this phone.?
MI5 are sending out a unit to your flat to tidy things up, but they don't have high enough security clearance for CHERUB operations, so youre got to be out of there before they arrive. Have you got a car or something??
Choice of two,?James nodded.
慠ight, pick up your stuff, get in a car and make