Chapter 1. Situation Page 2
Tuesday 23rd October 2018
Inevitably, the dinner conversation concerned the leaked memo from the White House about the proposal to permanently identify individuals by their genitalia at birth and not allow changes to legal gender.
“I can’t let them force me to stay male. They have no idea what being trans feels like. I just can’t do it. They have to see that I’m really female and let me live as one,” Charlotte cried.
“Don’t worry darling, we won’t let them do that to you,” her mother promised — though how they’d keep that promise, she had no idea. She just knew that she would have to do whatever she could to ensure that her daughter didn’t become just another of the dreadful suicide statistics.
“California needs to cede from the Union if that passes,” said Barry.
“Maybe we’ll have to move to Canada or back to the UK,” suggested Heather. “Sorry Barry, but I’m not going to stay in a country that doesn’t recognise Charlotte.”
“I’m 100% with you, honey, I don’t know what my country is becoming under this administration,” assured her husband.
“Let’s hope that won’t be necessary,” said Jacqui. “A group of us from PCTN are meeting this weekend to see what we can do. I’ll be away from Friday. Don’t worry Charlotte, we’re determined to prevent this latest insanity from affecting you or anyone else like us.” She saw Barry’s intense look from under hooded eyelids and held his stare for a few moments before Barry shook his head and reached for his coffee cup.
Friday 26th October 2018
Friday morning, Jacqui packed her Bergen. The distinctive framed rucksack with its DPM — disruptive pattern material — had served her well through years of service around the world. She didn’t need a lot of the kit she would normally have stowed in the various pouches for this trip but it felt right to use it rather than a holdall or suitcase. She then joined the rest of the family for breakfast.
Charlotte and Heather hugged Jacqui as she stood by the front door preparing to go out to Angela’s Mercedes GLC now waiting for her at the kerb.
“Just be careful Jacqui,” cautioned Barry.
“We’re only going to be talking. No need to worry,” Jacqui assured him.
He’d raised his eyebrows. “Yeah, sure,” he’d said.
Barry picked up Jacqui’s Bergen. “Come on, I’ll walk to the SUV with you.”
At the kerbside, Barry hoisted the bag into the back then Angela closed the liftgate from the driver’s seat.
“I’m not a fool you know, Jacqui. I’m aware of your background and Angela’s. I may not have spent as long in the military as you two — but I can recognise signs of someone preparing for a mission — and using your Bergen tells me exactly what your mental state is right now. I don’t know what you have in mind but I know whatever it is, it’s for Charlotte’s benefit and all the others like her. So, if there’s anything I can do to help, let me know.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Jacqui replied with a smile. “A gang of us are just going up to Teresa’s cabin for a chat and to have a few drinks and a barbecue.”
“Fine. Well, I’ve said what I wanted to say. So, have a good weekend.”
“We’re picking up Rita and Gina on the way,” Angela told Jacqui as they pulled away from the kerb. “Teresa is collecting Isabella and the supplies. Denzel is bringing Jonathan and Joseph. Yvonne is bringing Leah, Camila and Malika in her RV. Pat is coming on their motorbike.”
“Sounds perfect. Carrot top may just have bitten off more than he can chew this time.”
“Well, let’s not underestimate the opposition. It’s pretty formidable.”
“So are we.”
“Too fucking true.”
“Rita should be along this block. Twelve thirty-
“Lovely morning girls. Perfect for a weekend in the mountains,” remarked Rita as she slung her pack into the back of the Mercedes then climbed into the rear seat.
Their next stop was only just over a mile for Gina.
Then it was head east out of the city on I-
As they reached the cabin, they could see that Yvonne’s RV was already parked up next to Teresa’s Range Rover, Yvonne was another Brit. She’d been in 14 Company, based in Northern Ireland on undercover operations during the late 1980s.
The earlier arrivals had already unloaded the supplies and stored them in the kitchen. Teresa came out of the front door wearing a barbecuing apron.
“Hi gang, Welcome to the lodge. Angie, you’re in the second bedroom on the main level; I’m in the other. Jacqui’s in the first room on the left on the upper level; Rita and Leah are sharing the room next to Jacqui, Gina you’re at the end of the corridor.”
“Sounds perfect. This is some ‘shack’ you’ve got here.”
“It suits me. Good for entertaining clients of course, excellent fishing in the lake. There’s a hot tub out back if anyone wants to chill out later. What’s the order of business for the weekend?”
“I figured we need to agree what we aim to do — work out what intelligence we’ll need and how to obtain it; then start to work up mission plans.”
“When are the others expected?”
“They should be here anytime in the next hour or so,” Teresa told her.
“Fine, well, why don’t you get yourself squared away then grab a beer? I’ll be in the kitchen preparing a pot of chilli for dinner.”
“I’ll do that but I want to get set up for the planning meeting later — I assume the television in the main lounge has an HDMI socket I can plug my laptop into?”
“We can do better than the lounge, there’s a home movie room. The screen in there is even bigger than the one in the lounge. There’s also an interactive white board, flip charts and the like. We use it for corporate strategy meetings. It’s next to the den which we use for break-
Just then, the growl of 900cc of thoroughbred motorcycle engine announced Pat’s arrival on their Triumph Bonneville.
They removed their helmet, and shook their head to allow their long blond hair to fluff out after being confined. “My God that’s one hell of a fabulous ride out here on those winding roads up over the hills. Absolutely incredible. The guys should be about half an hour behind me, I passed Jonathan’s pickup just before Tenaya Lake.”
Angela looked at her watch and nodded her head. “So, about five?”
“About then, if they don’t stop on the way.”
“Your room is on the upper level second on the right off the balcony,” Teresa told Pat. “There are plenty of beers in the fridge once you’re unpacked.”
As predicted, Jonathan’s pickup arrived a little over half an hour later. The transguys unloaded their kit and put it in their room. Everyone then gathered in the dining room for the meal that Teresa had prepared.
“Needs a bit more chilli,” joked Gina as she reached for her beer to quench the fire that had erupted in her mouth.
The twelve-
“I can’t let them force me to stay male. They have no idea what being trans feels like. I just can’t do it. They have to see that I’m really female and let me live as one.” Charlotte cried.
“Don’t worry darling, we won’t let them do that to you,” her mother promised — though how they’d keep that promise, she had no idea. She just knew that she would have to do whatever she could to ensure that her daughter didn’t become just another of the dreadful suicide statistics.
“California needs to cede from the Union if that passes,” said Barry.
“Maybe we’ll have to move to Canada or back to the UK,” suggested Heather. “Sorry Barry, but I’m not going to stay in a country that doesn’t recognise Charlotte.”
“I’m 100% with you, honey, I don’t know what my country is becoming under this administration,” assured her husband.
“Let’s hope that won’t be necessary,” said Jacqui. “A group of us from PCTN are meeting this weekend to see what we can do. I’ll be away from Friday. Don’t worry Charlotte, we are determined to prevent this latest insanity from affecting you or anyone else like us.” She saw Barry’s intense look from under hooded eyelids and held his stare for a few moments before Barry shook his head and reached for his coffee cup.
