The Twins: The seventh book in the Saskia story

damages.

One

The phone was ringing. Not any old ordinary phone - the one we called the MI5 phone, the one we kept in the cosmic cupboard along with anything else we’d changed not be holding or wearing or whatever. For some reason we could ‘hear’ it even though it wasn’t physically present. Saskia was driving the mini so I changed myself to be holding the phone and answered it when it began to ring normally.

Hello, this is Kyra, what can I do for you?

MI5 Ops. We wondered if you could do a job for us over the next week or so.

"You have a job that can wait a week and you’re ringing us at midnight?"

Ah, er, yes, sorry. Didn’t think. Sorry.

"You might ring your normal operatives at all the hours of day or night but I think we deserve a little more consideration. Anyway, what do you need us to do?"

Saskia had been nodding as I complained bitterly, she was obviously listening in with her super hearing, being a super girl with super powers has some advantages. However, there are disadvantages as well - like MI5 ringing us in the middle of the night to get us to do stuff for them.

Usual arrangement I’m afraid. Can you come down to Ops? Tomorrow will do.

I shan’t mention that tomorrow is actually a Sunday. We’ll be there.

Thank you. We’ll see you tomorrow.

I rang off and made the phone disappear again.

The cheek of them, said Saskia. Got a good mind to tell them to go and...

But we won’t will we, I said. Might be lives at stake. You know they ask us to do stuff for them that might get their normal people killed or injured.

Yeah, sorry. Just growling generally. But midnight!

Don’t suppose the Ops room actually closes. They probably just didn’t think.

Anyway, here we are at home. Let’s go and see if Dad’s still up and about.

Saskia’s dad had gone to bed. Saskia and I lived together as sister and sister although we weren’t related. Just as well really, we were both called Saskia - who would give two sisters the same name. Anyway, not only were we not sisters, I wasn’t even actually a girl - although these days that fact was getting less and less important as time went on. My former life as Richie, a thirty-something bloke, was becoming unreal, as if it had happened to somebody else entirely. Both Saskia and I had decided that I’d more or less always been a girl really - a bit odd perhaps but it made sense to us.

With Rob asleep in bed, Saskia and I made our way to our own bedroom as silently as possible. This included flying up the stairs - more super powers - and whispering to each other so quietly we needed super hearing to hear each other. This is a trick we use a lot, means we can have a private conversation even with other people around us.

Have to wait ‘til tomorrow to tell Dad about James’ party, whispered Saskia.

We can tell him at breakfast.

Got to think where we might be going tomorrow while we nip down to London.

Got any thoughts?

Can’t go to see James, only just left there. Christmas shopping with Ellie?

Ok. When the going gets tough, the tough go shopping.

Sounds like a plan. G’night, Saskia.

’Night.

Using our ability to change ourselves had meant we’d just changed to be wearing the T shirt and shorts jim-jams we favoured. We’d been in bed in seconds.

Sunday. I heard Rob, Saskia’s dad, rumbling about downstairs. So had Saskia apparently as she was awake as well. I got out of bed and stretched.

What d’you want us to wear today? I asked her.

Not bothered. You can be in charge for a change.

I thought about this. So close to Christmas, the weather was quite cold. It didn’t bother either of us, as super girls we could work at the North Pole wearing almost nothing, we had done not long ago, but we did have to think of the effect this would have on others. I thought carefully about nice warm clothes and how many layers.

Ok. Trousers, so I don’t have to wear tights, and a blouse and nice cardigan. I think the angora one. I changed to be wearing the outfit as described. The process included arranging to be nice and clean with shiny brushed hair. I’d gone from jim-jams to being ready to go in less than a second.

Much as usual, Saskia chose to dress almost exactly the same, her pants were a different shade of brown and the blouse was a slightly different colour but that was all. She’d got out of bed and taken four steps from there to where I was standing. Between the second and third steps she changed from jim-jams to normal clothes with brushed hair like mine.

The reason for the four steps was to have her standing close enough to me to give me a hug and a kiss. I hugged and kissed back. She and I loved each other intensely - but not like that! What we felt for each other was what two twins would feel but multiplied several times over. We couldn’t bear to be apart from each other. Quite what Rob felt about all this we could never be certain about, but he treated me the same way he treats Saskia, like a second daughter. I’d found that I liked that. It filled a huge void in my life, I’d never been loved and appreciated as a child. Rob was making up for that lack.

Hello, party-goers. What time did you two stop-outs roll in then?

Not late, Dad. Just after midnight actually.

Looking nice today. What are you going to do?

Thank you, Rob, I said. Possibly shopping with Ellie. There was muttering about last minute stuff.

Didn’t think Ellie needed help and guidance these days.

No, Dad. Not help and guidance, just companionship. Just somebody to ask for opinions. Big part of shopping - if you’re a girl.

I’ll take your word for that. Want some breakfast?

We’ll do it, Dad. Put feet up. Another cup of tea shortly.

In short order Saskia rustled up bacon and eggs, hot chocolate for us and more tea for her dad.

Going to the garage today, Dad?

Mm. You know Sunday is quite busy these days, especially now Rio’s taken over the pictures for the website.

See what you mean. Yesterdays pictures will have stirred up the buying public, at least you hope they will.

"Certainly seem to. Sales are up. Best thing you did, involving that Rio."

"We didn’t involve her, Dad. You asked her."

Whatever. It works.

Rob finished his tea and set off for the garage while Saskia and I cleared away the breakfast stuff. Suppose we’d better go and see what Five want.

You might get shot at, I grinned.

"There is that. Come on, quick."

Slow down, girl. There didn’t seem to be a rush.

Don’t care. You know I like being shot at.

"I had noticed. Back garden?"

Hm. No. Better take the mini somewhere just in case Dad comes home.

Good thinking, Supergirl.

Saskia drove the mini to a handy pub car park. I had a thought.

You know how people know who drives the white mini, the Saskiamobile, I grinned, If we keep leaving it in pub car parks, word’s going to get around that we’re a couple of boozers.

Got to be more than one white mini in the town. Point is taken, however. Might need to re-evaluate future parking arrangements.

Saskia locked the mini and we slipped behind some handy bushes. She grinned as she changed to be Katya SuperTwin in her little super costume. I did likewise and we both took off vertically into the air.

We have to go high enough so that flying above the speed of sound doesn’t take out half the windows in the county. Using this arrangement meant we could be outside MI5 in less than half an hour.

Front door?

Why not. It’s Christmas.

We landed in the courtyard outside the main entrance. Without bothering to check if anybody was watching we changed from our little super costumes to our black shirts and pants, what we call our ‘civilian clothes’ while we’re Kyra and Katya. We’d discovered early on that it’s not always appropriate to appear in a little crop top and very short miniskirt.

The guards on the door knew who we were by now but still made us show our badges. They didn’t bother quite so much these days when we just changed to be holding them. The effect of this was to make them just appear in our hands, one second empty hands, the next instant holding badges.

Thank you, girls. Going up to Ops?

Yeah. They want us to do something as usual.

Up in the Operations Centre, Saskia decided to be a bit indignant. And just whose idea was it to call us at midnight with what seems to be a non-urgent job?

Thankfully not mine, said the poor man. I only started the shift at seven this morning.

Alright, alright. We forgive you. What do you need us to do?

Ah. Right. Do you remember rescuing one of our operatives, a girl, from the Somali pirates a little while ago?

We said yes, nice girl, did she get home ok?

Yes. She had intelligence about a middle eastern country apparently making nuclear warheads.

We didn’t know that at the time. Sure we should know now?

Yes, quite sure. We need to overfly the area and take surveillance pictures. That turns out to be a problem.

You want us to fly over and take pictures for you? Shouldn’t be difficult, I said.

No. Not quite like that. We need to make sure nobody see us doing it, and that includes a couple of super girls using a camera.

What do you suggest?

We’ve heard you can carry a full size aeroplane.

Yes, we can, we have done, said Saskia.

What we’d really like to do is send a plane, probably a Hercules, with aerial camera equipment. Needs to be high enough so it’s not noticed and quiet enough so it’s not picked up by engine noise.

Ah. So we carry it. It shuts off its engines and sneaks up on the target, said Saskia.

We can actually hold it stationary in the air while it take it’s snaps, I said.

That’s great, just what we want. One last problem.

The nature of this problem?

We need to maintain radio silence. How will the crew tell you what to do? Tell you when they’ve finished?

Difficult. Give us a minute to think.

We wandered off into a corner. How’ll we do that, Twin?

Well, if we really need to talk to each other but can’t hear, the telepathy thing kicks in. One of us could be inside and one outside.

Hm. Really should be both of us outside.

I agree. So what then?

Just rev up the super hearing so we can hear what’s said inside the plane?

That’ll work but they’ll not hear any reply.

"There is a way, but I’m not sure I like it," I said.

Tell me anyway, Twin.

Rio.

Rio?

Yes. Rio is naturally telepathic. She could be inside while we’re outside. Relay messages. Told you I didn’t like it.

See what you mean. But there’d be no danger. Even if the parties below fire on the plane, you or I could sort that out no problem.

Ok. Assume we do this. What happens if our telepathy doesn’t kick in?

That’s simple. I think we’ll save a lot of potential loss of life by doing this. I think Voice would fix it so we can do it.

Ok so far. Operation will be between Christmas and New Year so Rio will be off school. She’ll need clearance.

Already got clearance. On the Royal Rota. I wonder how high that puts her?

We can ask and get that sorted. How do we do it, assuming we do?

Mm. We go see her as the Saskias, tell her what it’s about, then tell her to expect a visit from us - Kyra and Katya. She’s already met us after all.

Right, let’s see what they say.

We came back out of our corner. We might have a plan, said Saskia. It’ll involve another person, as our communicator. A couple of problems.

What problems?

First, can you check on the security status of somebody from here?

Oh yes. Name? He moved to a computer terminal and began tapping keys.

Rio Ashworth.

Rio as in the river?

That’s the one.

Woo. Pretty high.

High enough for an MI5 operative?

Should think so. He tapped a bit more. A bit young, still at school?

Yes. That’s problem number two.

We can deal with that. We make her status Inactive. That means she won’t appear on the list of people available. You two are the same, we just know we can ring you when we really need you. In her case that won’t happen. As for this one operation, it’s not going to be dangerous so I think it’ll be ok.

Right. Push over the details, get Rio’s clearance and badge arranged and we’re on.

There weren’t many details for us to worry about. We just had to be aeroplane engines and radio communications.

The Herc will fly out of Aden. You’ve been there?

Yes, that’s where we dropped your girl. D’you need us to make our own way there? With Rio?

If you could.

We’ll see what we can arrange, I said. Using the Herc so we can nip out of the rear door as it goes along?

That’s right. Ok with that?

Perfectly, said Saskia. Saves carrying a ruddy great aeroplane miles and miles. Give us chance to put our feet up.

One last question, I said. When?

Next Friday? Will that give you enough time?

"Should think the question should really be, will you have enough time?" asked Saskia with a grin.

Just about, he said with a grin like Saskia’s.

Ok then. Unless we hear or tell you differently, we’ll be at the airbase in Aden at noon local time.

Agreed.

A girl came hurrying up with a fat envelope. She spoke quietly to our man. I didn’t listen in, I’d decided to try not to do that. Saskia and I have enough secrets without adding other peoples to them.

The envelope was handed over. Saskia took it and immediately made it disappear. Our man jumped. Where did it go?

Nowhere, it’s still here, grinned Saskia. The envelope appeared and disappeared again.

Never mind the conjuring tricks, I said. Have you sorted Rio’s clearance, she is on the Inactive list?

Yes. All sorted. She has almost as high a clearance as you two.

In that case, we shall bid you good day.

We retraced our steps to the front door, outside and into the air. As we lifted into the air we changed to our little super costumes. Not strictly necessary, but they are as indestructible as we are invulnerable. By lunchtime we were back home.

A little luncheon then go and see Rio? asked Saskia.

Ring first, make sure she’s not with Dan.

Ok. You do that while I make a sandwich or three.

I rang Rio.

Hi Saskia. Where’s the fire?

No fire, just a question. Can we come and talk to you this afternoon? With your mum and dad? Not going to be with Dan?

No. No Dan until this evening. Just me and Mum and Dad. What’s it about, Saskia?

Don’t want to tell you on the phone. Could be - interesting - though.

More pictures?

Sort of - in a manner of speaking. This afternoon - yes?

Ok. Any time. Not going anywhere. All a bit mysterious.

All will be revealed. See you later, Rio.

With Rio prepared, Saskia and I scoffed our butties, drank the hot chocolate she’d thoughtfully prepared, climbed into the mini and set out to Rio’s house.

As we pulled up outside, a thought occurred. Make the envelope appear before we go in. You’re Saskia not Katya.

Good thinking, that girl. The envelope appeared. Ready?

Let’s do it.

Rio let us in. What’s all this about, Saskia?

All in good time. Did you have a good time last night? Not worried by being with all the mob?

No. Not a problem. They’re all a bit like you really, even the boys in a way.

I think you’re officially a member of the mob now, said Saskia. And Dan. Did he see you home ok?

Looking out for me, Saskia?

Well, you asked us to.

We’ll get you introduced to Jeeves, I said. I expect James’ll let you go use his pool and stuff, the rest of us can, anytime we like, more or less.

You’re joking. Just appear and ...

Yep. Even when James and Lydia aren’t there.

Oh wow. She pulled herself together a bit. Enough of that. Come on, explain why you’re here, I’m intrigued.

Need your mum and dad as well. Come on, lead the way.

With all five of us sat in Rio’s lounge, I began. You know how we seem to get involved in all kinds of stuff? Well, there’s a little more to us than meets the eye. I fished in my bag and pulled out my MI5 badge.

Have any idea what that is? I asked Rio as she turned it over in her hands.

"Don’t know. Looks like a identity badge of some kind. Got your name and picture on it. Hang on, MI5? MI5? Does that mean you’re a - spy?"

Yes, and then again, no. Not like you’re thinking, said Saskia. None of that James Bond 007 stuff. It just means we have a high security clearance, a permanent one like yours.

But I don’t work for MI5.

Don’t be too sure of that, I grinned. Who do you think did the checks on you to get you on the Royal Rota?

But - but ...

Ok. Sorry to shock you like that, I said. We need to tell you some things and then ask you some other things.

"Strictly we should only be talking to you, you’re the one with clearance, but that really wouldn’t be fair to your mum and dad. I’m sure we can trust them to keep quiet, after all, they’d have been included in the original checks, if they’d been subversive characters you’d not have got your badge."

Saskia grinned at Rio’s parents who were sitting together apparently a little stunned by what they were hearing.

Actually, I said, we’ve already told you most of it. Saskia and I are MI5 operatives. We’ve been asked to ask you if you’ll do a little job for them. It won’t involve us, you’ll be working with Kyra and Katya - you know - the SuperTwins.

I saw Rio’s eyes getting big as saucers. She didn’t have time to say anything.

Now for some difficult stuff, said Saskia, before Rio could open her mouth to speak. First a question. How do you think Kyra and Katya knew where you were when you broke your leg at the steelworks?

I - don’t know, said Rio. I suppose they heard me calling for help."

"They did - but not in the way you think. If they’d heard you call, why did it take quite a long time before they came and fished you out?

I - don’t know. I’ve not really thought about it.

The answer is that they were actually visiting James, at his house, when they heard you call out. By now you must have realised they didn’t actually ‘hear’ you call.

I took up the explanation. Kyra and Katya are very mildly telepathic. Given the right circumstances they can talk to each other mind to mind. You, young lady, are a natural telepath. The twins ‘heard’ your telepathic call and shouted back to you. You told them where you were and they came and rescued you.

Oh, wow! That explains so many things! Sometimes I know what my friends are going to say before they say it - I sometimes hear what people are saying even when they aren’t speaking. I just thought it was my imagination.

So now you know it isn’t, it’s real, more or less, said Saskia.

Incredibly, Mrs. Ashworth was nodding. I can do it too, a little. I can’t speak but I can listen. She turned to Rio’s dad. I sometimes know what he’s thinking, we made it a joke, but I knew it was real. I wondered if Rio would be able to do it, seems she can.

It was all going much better than I’d hoped. Now for the next bit.

This is why we’ve been asked if you’ll help the twins. They asked us to do it rather than do it themselves because they thought you knew us rather better than them. They want you to sit inside an aeroplane and talk for them, translate if you like, while they carry the plane to take surveillance pictures. The three of you should be able to speak together without speaking - if you see what I mean.

Rio was quick. Can’t they just use a radio? Maybe not - no - definitely not, or they wouldn’t need me.

I nodded. Radio silence it’s called. The twins will carry the plane with its engines switched off so nobody will hear it. Anyway, I have to ask - will you do it?

Oh yes! What an adventure. Just wait ‘til I tell - no - I can’t tell anybody can I?

Sorry, no. We’ll know, Sir James will know, for reasons that’ll become apparent shortly, but nobody else. Will you mind?

"Is it