The sentencing of the Farrahs was held in camera, and the convicted couple were brought in from the security rooms below the court, and stood before the bench, and chained to four police officers. Again the judges filed in and seated themselves, whilst almost everyone else in the court continued to stand. There were no barristers in attendance but two European Intelligence officers were there from Eurotell the security agency. The two officers wore no ID badges, wore dark business suits and could only be identified by the letters, 'A' and 'B'.
“Officer 'A' can you make your report to the court please,” the Greek judge asked.
“Your Honours, the two prisoners have both cooperated with security services over the past two weeks, I and my team have been responsible for the debriefing of Mr. Farrah and my colleague, Mr. 'B' has managed the team who questioned Mrs. Farrah. Mr. Farrah has given us a host of items of intelligence about the the Iraqi counter-intelligence services, and has admitted that both he and his wife of convenience, are members of the Iraqi military, special forces group. The operation was conceived and commissioned by the Iraqi government, who will disavow themselves of any involvement.”
“And has this been confirmed by Mrs. Farrah Mr 'B',” asked the judge.
Your Honour, the subject was kept entirely separate from her partner, and the two accounts do confirm each other, in all major aspects. Mrs. Farrah again has been cooperative, though not as keen to share details as her partner and some psychological tools were needed to 'encourage' her to share,” said Mr. 'B'.
“Thank you, and give our thanks to your agency for the efficiency of the debrief,” said the American judge.
The Greek judge dismissed the two intelligence officers and then went into consultation with the other two judges, which lasted for some minutes, he then turned to the prisoners.
“You are here today for sentencing, and we have all agreed on that sentence,” said the senior judge, “we have taken into consideration your cooperation with the intelligence services, however the crimes you have attempted are of the utmost seriousness, and without regard for human life. Therefore we are pronouncing a sentence of the highest tariff for the crime. For the crime of attempted murder, you are committed to a custodial period of not less than twenty-five years. For the international crime of espionage you are sentenced to twelve years, to be served consecutively.”
“We have also made an order that the security and intelligence services will have free access to you for the next twelve months,” added the American judge.
It was a sunny spring day on the Dorset coast, and Carol and Jim had been out for a stroll along the beach at the eastern end of the bay. Peter was in the last year of his engineering degree and Jo was still in Crete with John, and working on the last of the freezes in the side chambers. They climbed to the top of the little headland hand in hand and crossed the field that lay between their house and the coast.
“I am just ready for a good strong cup of tea and a packet of chocolate digestive biscuits,” said Jim as they passed through their garden gate.
“I suppose that's a hint for me to make it is it,” replied Carol.
“If you’re offering, that would be nice.”
“Yes, your Lordship,” said Carol laughing.
“I'm Knight not a Lord, well not yet anyway,” replied Jim, as Carol chased him into the house. Ten minutes later they were sitting in their sun-room with a full pot of tea and a full packet of biscuits. “This is why I love this house and this area, to be able to wake in the morning and see that view, what else can anyone need.”
“I notice you weren’t saying that a few months ago,” said Carol.
“Well I'm saying it now,” Jim said as he settled further back in the reclining chair with his fourth biscuit. They both sat gazing at the view across the bay to Portland, but their peace was interrupted by Jim's com-unit chiming. “What now, can't even have one day of peace,”Jim complained.
Jim tapped the accept button and Owen's face appeared on the screen, “Hello Owen, how's Manchester,” asked Jim.
“Hello there Sir James, do I doff my hat or tug my forelock Sire,” asked Owen with a wicked smile on his face.
“Seeing as how you have neither, you can just continue to call me Jim,” Jim retorted with a smile. He really was getting a little tired of the 'Sir James' jokes.
“Fair enough,” said Owen, “but I'm not in Manchester, I'm back in Crete.”
“How come, I thought that you had been ordered back to the university.”
“Indeed I was, but I was seconded again to sort out some problems,” explained Owen.
“Ah,” said Jim, “well it's nice to hear from you, have you sorted the issues out now?”
“Oh yes, I sorted that last week, but that's why I'm contacting you. I stayed on a while because I wanted to find out about this suppression field.”
“You mean what stops guns firing and bombs exploding,” asked Jim.
“That's the one.”
“And have you?”
“Actually, yes I have.”
“Really, tell me about it,” asked Jim.
“Well, I knew it had to be some kind of field, so I set my equipment up to detect any sort of EM field, I found a negative energy field emanating from that boss in the roof, you remember it?”
“Yes,”said Jim, we thought it was just decoration.”
“So did I, but that's the emitter. The real works are in one of the cabinets at the back. I have copied the circuitry and the feeds and I reconstructed something along the same lines and it works, Jim, it works.”
“You've tested it,” asked Jim.
“Yes, I borrowed the security man's gun when he was off duty, the system seems to scan for sudden bursts of energy, normal energy expenditure is accepted, but anything like a gun or a bomb are suppressed within point one of a millisecond. And guess what that includes, human exertion, like throwing a punch, or a spear, or anything, it even absorbs the energy from a bow before you fire the arrow. I think its something about the tension build up, I'm not quite sure yet but the darn thing works.”
“That's amazing Owen,” chirped in Carol.
“Thing is Carol,” answered Owen, “I don't know what to do with it.”
“What's the legal position Owen,” asked Jim, “My feeling is that you certainly have the intellectual rights to the device.”
“Well maybe, but there are others involved, the Greek government, the Trust, but for you guys I would not have had access, and I guess the UN would have a call on the original device.”
“Well I think the Israelis would challenge that,” offered Carol, “don't they have a similar device connected with the Ark?”
“Good point,”responded Owen.
“Owen, just a thought,” said Jim, “why don't you contact Mrs. Goldbloom, she seemed quite enamoured with you when we met last summer. She may well have suggestions, and it may be of use to Israel.”
“It's a good thought,” Owen came back, “but I am not sure about troubling a prime minister about something so trivial.”
“Just think about the security implications Owen,” suggested Jim, “I have a feeling that there are some rough times ahead and something like this that can protect people will be a high priority.”
“I guess so;” Owen was silent for a couple of seconds, during which time Jim and Carol shared one of those looks that only a seriously involved couple can understand. “OK I'll give it a go,” said Owen, “have you still got her com-address, Jim?”
“I do Owen, I'll send it to you.”
“Thanks, both of you,” Owen said, “ I'll let you know how I get along, see you soon.”