GALAXY AT WAR - Book 2 - Probing Anthera

CHAPTER SIXTEEN - September 2172 - Earth / Moon - 1 day to go

...Earth...

A Beige Nissan Neptune pulled up to the kerb. Double ess watched his target enter the driveway across the road. He lifted his binoculars up and looked at the nameplate attached to the right-hand side stone pillar. It read 'Comfort House'.

Double ess touched his in-built info screen and brought up addresses. He touched the appropriate keys on screen as he typed in: Comfort House – Rogues Lane. He waited for the results of the search to appear on screen.

Mr J Statham & Mrs J Statham

COMFORT HOUSE

ROGUES LANE

HINCKLEY

LEICESTERSHIRE

PRESS FOR MORE INFORMATION

Double ess touched the Mrs J Statham text and waited as the screen cleared. Presently, Mrs Statham's face appeared along with a written description and lifetime achievements. After he'd read the file, he pressed the 'back' icon and then brought up Jeffrey Statham's credentials. Then he touched on 'Suzanne Cox' which was listed next to 'children'.

After he had finished viewing everything he had on them, he sat back and watched as several vehicles, only minutes apart, turned in at the Statham's drive. He got out and activated his cloaking device then followed the cars.

It took him a minute to walk up the drive. As he got closer, he saw a large old house which had been built in 2068. That made it a hundred-and-four years old. It was one of the last houses, of its kind, to be made of bricks and mortar.

Most buildings made after 2068 were constructed with Etherum; the name given to the combining of Etherall and Sodrum. Etherum turned out to be so strong that not even an earthquake could bring down a building made from it. Even though it proved more expensive than traditional building materials, the well-off were prepared to pay a little extra for the security of knowing that their homes were indestructible. For the less well-off, traditional materials were still used.

He sat on a bench facing the gardens and drew his knees up so he could sit half-turned towards the house. There was no one about as he continued his vigil.

After roughly five minutes had passed, he turned his head towards the drive. He had heard an approaching engine. The vehicle was masked by the bushes that ran either side of the drive, but he could see the familiar 'Taxi' sign on its roof, moving along just above them. The taxi appeared at the end of the drive and pulled into the large oval parking area in front of Comfort House. The driver sounded his horn then got out to open his boot.

A wall of noise burst from Comfort House as Jeffrey Statham opened the front door. He picked up his suitcase and walked slowly down the concrete steps towards the rear of the taxi. Another man emerged from the house carrying two more suitcases. Double ess recognised Steve Cox as he also walked down the steps.

While they were both busy loading the suitcases Madeline and David Tressel, Julie Statham, Suzanne Cox, David Turner and Gwen Smith all followed each other out. Double ess recognised Suzanne and was surprised to see Captain Turner there. He listened intently from his observation point.

"Is that everythin man?" asked the driver.

"Yes. We're travelling the world, so we need to keep things to a minimum," said Jeffrey.

"Whatever man," said the driver, seeming disinterested as he closed the boot and got back behind the wheel.

Jeffrey looked at Steve and raised his eyebrows before slowly shaking his head. Steve laughed and placed his hand on Jeffreys back as they walked round the side of the taxi. "You have a good time, Jeff. And try not to give the driver your whole itinerary. You never know."