The Pimpernel Plot (TimeWars 3)

“Relax, Major,” Finn said. “He doesn’t even know where the hell he is. Besides, I was in a hurry and there wasn’t any time to make other arrangements.”

“I sent you to rescue the Marquis de Leforte, and not only did you let him get away, but you beat up a little boy. I’m very disappointed in you two.”

“If you’ll recall,” said Finn, “the whole idea was for Leforte to get away.”

“As for your disappointment in us, Fitzroy,” said Lucas, “you know what you can do with that. This wouldn’t have happened if you had provided proper mission support. If you had issued us the right equipment, we could have-”

“Impossible,” Fitzroy said.

“Look here, Major,” Finn said, drawing himself up to his full height and glowering at the Observer, “in case you’ve forgotten, this isn’t a standard adjustment anymore.”

“If you’re referring to Mongoose,” said Fitzroy, “I already gave you your orders concerning him. He’s to be left to the TIA team that will-”

“And where the hell were they just now?” Finn shouted.

“They should already be here,” said Fitzroy. “They have nothing to do with this adjustment mission. Their target is Mongoose. Your orders are to-”

“I’ve had about enough of this,” said Finn, grabbing Fitzroy by the throat and slamming him against the wall.

“Have you lost your mind?” Fitzroy croaked. “ I could have you court-martialed for this!”

“So what? It wouldn’t be the first time.”

“He’s coming around,” said Lucas.

Delaney shoved Fitzroy into a corner and went over to the bed, where the boy was beginning to stir.

“All right, kid, wake up,” said Finn, slapping the boy’s face lightly.

“Get your filthy hands away, you dogfucker!” snarled the boy, sitting up quickly and slapping at Finn’s hand.

Finn grabbed him by his thick black hair and jerked his head back so that it hit the wall behind the bed.

“Now listen here, you little shit,” he said, “I don’t give a damn how old you are. If you’re old enough to kill grown men, you’re old enough to be killed like a grown man, you understand me? Now you shut your mouth and do as you’re told or I’ll break every bone in your scrawny little body!”

The boy glared at Finn malevolently, but he kept his mouth shut.

“Good,” said Finn. “I’m glad to see we understand each other. Now what’s your name?”

“Jean,” said the boy, sullenly.

“All right, Jean,” said Finn. “You behave yourself and you might live to get out of this room. You helped an enemy of the Republic to escape. You know what the penalty for that is. France is-”

“You are not French,” the boy said with a sneer. “You are English spies! I heard you talking.”

“You speak English?” Lucas said.

“Only a little,” said Jean. “I did not understand all that you said, but I know English when

I hear it spoken!”

“You see?” said Fitzroy. “I told you you should not have brought him here. This place is useless now.”

“I do not care whether you are French or English,” said the boy. “It is all the same to me. Under the aristocrats, I starved. Comes the Revolution, still I starve. It is all the same to me.”

“Then why did you kill those men to help Leforte escape?” said Finn.

“Because I was paid well to do it. He gave me fifty francs! For such a sum, I would kill Robespierre, himself.”