Would that there had been some alternative to this furtively destructive battle, nay war, the Cardinal mused, with only one decent operative nearly in place, I need to bring in some players. The threat of an untimely uprising of an immature E is simply too great to contemplate. The King’s orders had been unambiguous, and final - at no cost must there be further division!

The failure of the Monk was unfortunate.  He picked up his mobile and called the one operative left who may, just may, be still implantable. Precisely on the third ring : "Yes Master?" she answered.

"I need you. Pick up the next flight home. Don’t use the Austrian route. Prepare yourself by reading everything you can on … EMERGENCE!"

Live to serve : Serve to live