Ruth's Diary - No. 13 (3.3)

[almh]

Sorry for the shortness/slightly lateness (and for the appalling grammar there). Life is working against me today/yesterday.

[18th October 2004]

It was strange today, seeing Tom's desk empty. He was a good leader, but towards the end his morality was fighting against MI5. I suppose that's what this job can do to you. It can change your life for worse, as well as better. Now Adam is Section Chief, replacing Tom. I'm not sure how accurate a word replacing really is, they're two completely different people, with different styles of working (Adam's style seems to be letting "everything flow"). I don't know if Adam can replace Tom, in terms of both as the team leader as well as as a friend, but I think I'm ready to give him a chance.

Operation Meter seems to be going smoothly at the moment, more taxi drivers have come forward, but I haven't had much time on it recently. We started planning for a new op today - protection for one of the most irritating men on the planet. Zuli, an author who seems to do nothing except irritate, needs protecting and it seems we have to do it. Well, more specifically Danny has to be part of the close protection team, fortunately I'm not a field officer, and so don't have to come in contact with him. I don't envy him that at all.

[1st November 2004]

It's Harry's birthday today. Last year Sam attempted to plan a surprise birthday party for him, but this year we've all been too busy for keeping Zuli alive, and he seems to be celebrating this year instead by doing paperwork. I doubt he really enjoyed the party last year, he probably would have preferred an evening with a good bottle of malt.

[10th November 2004]

There was an attempt on Zuli's life today at a bookshop. He was meeting his friend, and there was an attempted assassination. The only casualty was his friend, Harakat, who's currently in hospital. Zuli, has decided he doesn't need our help any more, and he'll protect himself. Thank goodness we've got rid of him! Danny in particular is certainly pleased. Instead of Zuli he is now on close protection for Harakat, the bookseller. There's something going on, the gunman had every chance to shoot Zuli, but he didn't. From where Danny said the gunmen were standing, it seems like they were aiming for Harakat rather than Zuli. But why? Who is Harakat to them? I checked over his application for UK citizenship, but it seems too perfect, like an application written by 6.

I called Adam Tom by mistake today. I don't know why I did it, but I feel like such an idiot now. Adam took it quite well, but I wish I hadn't said it. I suppose I just miss him, his presence on the Grid.

[12th November 2004]

Mace, rather unsurprisingly, denied everything with regards to Harakat's application. Then again, he is quite a slimy individual, I doubt he was telling the truth. We did, however, receive a photograph yesterday that showed Mace talking to Muhammed Khordad, the head of a Pakistani terror group. An anonymous source within the government met with Adam (after we successfully helped him to lose his tails,) and explained all - Harakat wasn't telling the truth, he's not really called Harakat. He made a deal with 6 for a new identity, and now they've turned their backs on him, so that they can make friends with Khordad of all people! We didn't find this out in time though - Harakat was shot as he left Lords with Danny.

Poor Danny was devastated, after all, he had got on really well with him. I suppose that's the cruel, harsh nature of this job. Sometimes we succeed, but other times we fail and other people have to suffer the consequences. It just shows the political nature of the security services, trading off one life in order to perhaps save a couple of other lives. We are all just pawns in the views of the security service. Harakat was a pawn that they sacrificed in the giant chess game against the terrorists of this world.

[Aria]

Really liked this entry, almh. You show the murky side of politics involving itself in national security. Liked Ruth showing her uneasiness about Mace and her missing Tom. Loved your parts about Harry's birthday and operation meter. One typo I noticed was in the second to last paragraph, it is Lords not Lourdes (I think that's the name of Madonna's daughter!!!)

[Tea Lady]

A good entry. Poor Ruth calling Adam, Tom. That sort of thing would haunt me for years! Hate to see Ruth mention Mace in any context. Sends a shiver down my spine. Liked the fact she remembered it was Harry's birthday. I assume Ruth didnt get him a gift.

[almh]

Ah. Thanks for that Aria. Ooops.

Re:Tea Lady according to Harry's diary she didn't, that only started next year (I'm making it sound like I did some serious background research on it, how did that happen? )

[Silktie]

Nice one, almh. I liked the last bit with Ruth's musings on the security services in particular. And of course her remembering Harry's birthday, sweet! Oh, also like the fact that you have her make a decision to give Adam a chance despite her still missing Tom, that's a nice touch.

[lwhite53]

Good one, almh --love Ruth's musings, about Tom, Adam, Harry's b-day, and the nature of the security services.