"Colonel Higgens wasn't trying to scare me as much as he was making a promise. He meant every word about slaughtering the Families." I've no doubt," B...enni said. "These men are greedy for money and power, but they lack imagination. Their worst mistake was their belief that we wouldn't figure out their shallow plans. We counted on their arrogance and unearned sense of superiority to blind them and they delivered. The only question we cannot answer is whether their masters, the Imperial Council,. Although it was a hot day there was still a cool breeze running in off the North Sea so we sought out some shelter in the deep dunes. We had seen very few other people but came over the top of one dune to discover a nudist couple having sex. We didn’t want to disturb them so hid back behind the hill. There was a thin young woman straddling a well built older man; she was bouncing up and down on him for all she was worth. Although I am not usually a voyeur we did have a good look. Glen was. 18 years old. Shed taken to calling herself Rachel Babylon by this point. Wanted to be a Punkrock singer like Siouxie Sioux or Iggy Stooge. Changing her drab name (Rachel Kearney) seemed to be the first step towards this. But the IMPORTANT thing going on in Rachels life just now was that shed finally left her Mother and moved in with longstanding boyfriend Byron. Byron had this damp wee flat in Wester Hailes that was a bit of a shit-hole to be honest. That didnt matter though really. All. "You want me?" Sian stammered."Now she's getting the idea." One of them laughed."It would be much better if you were to cooperate." Another one spoke seriously.Sian was breathing hard, the adrenalin rushing through her system. She nodded her head slowly in understanding; eyes watchful, hoping for an opportunity to escape."That's the idea!" A triumphant grin broke across the nearest youth's face."What's that supposed to mean?" Another of the gang challenged."What you talking about man?" She.