25 May, Matthew's Villa, City K

As the car pulled into the front courtyard Joan taking heed of the discussions she had with David, looked around.?It was obvious that Matthew's normal security that was organised by Phillip had been superseded by that provided by the military.?Interesting.

Joan turned and looked at Naomi, who did not seem concerned at all and said "Interesting?"

"It is, but why let it worry us.?You know your friend's position in the military so why is it interesting that there are military guards here," came a quick response from Naomi.?Joan, the stupid woman would expose everything is she is not careful and destroy the mission that she had spent years of her life on without a satisfactory conclusion.?The question is what she knew??Did she know what David really was??Was she fully on board with that idiot who could not accept the truth about his family let alone everything else that was in front of him or could she use her?

The only good thing was accompanying Joan was such that she was being given a little bit of freedom, which meant the ability to get the intelligence that was coming thick and fast currently out.?How she moved it out normally, was well and good but too many letters to her aunt would raise suspicions.

Legend, when establishing this mission been right, for years David Hwang would be careful, moving slowly, but there would be a tipping point that would show when he made his move.?That was now, but in doing so he was not being stupid.?It was obvious that since he abandoned ISX he was paranoid about everyone's loyalty, testing everyone around him, having those who lost his trust or where he questioned their loyalty destroyed or killed.

She noticed early on, that with woman he went one step further and ensured he had blackmail material on them to add to his control.?When Joan came on the scene, she knew that Joan would be used to do that with her.?Stopping his plans would expose her, so she had to go along with his scheme.?Her only protection was the intelligence she got to Legend before it happened because otherwise its exposure would see her condemned to jail for decades.

As they entered the villa, Naomi hoped that General Rong was here.?Based on the last information from Legend, General Rong had been cleared for everything and she could use him, effectively as a dead drop, to get the intelligence out as a means of last resort.?Legend and everyone cleared for this intelligence needed everything she had.?She had not been able to get out about the attach in City Q in time, but she had information about that which would help them in the recovery and the plans for the next attack, but not its location, as well as information about the final move that could assist in their planning.

Within a minute of entering the villa Joan and Naomi were shown into a sitting room where Lexi was waiting.?"Joan, sweetheart.?I have to apologise about this but.."

"Idiot Lexi.?You were hurt.?Not your fault.?I blame that husband of yours, because his career choice by its nature puts you at risk.?You can just see that by those soldiers out there."

Lexi laughed and said "They are only temporary.?You heard about what happened in City Q?"

"It is all over the news, what does that have to do with anything..?"

"Joan," came John's voice from the doorway "It has everything to do with it."?John moved further into the room, heading over, and giving Joan a kiss on the cheek as he did so

"Stuff it John, do not take out your anger about Bronwyn abandoning you this morning.?Like Matthew she had no choice but to go back to base, and like her Dominic and I have no choice but to head to Matthew's on-base accommodation in the next few hours.?I am just lucky that I am given the time to get there because of those injuries."

"She should have told me about her father.."

Lexi burst out laughing, before saying "And would that have changed a thing?"

Slightly dropping his head John ground out "No, but unlike you I had no idea about what I was getting into, I am just a humble police officer."

"Humble police officer, ha."?Everyone looked up and in strowed Matthew, shooting a look at John to shut up.?Naomi noticed the look and wondered specifically what John Nang did.?Published information was that he was the police liaison officer with the military in City K, but General Rong's four words made her question if that was the truth.

"Are you ready?" Matthew quietly asked Lexi, before sitting down in a chair beside her.

"Joan has only just gotten here, and my team should be here any minute, as should Rachael.?Joan, Rachael, and Namoi need to try on their dresses for me to determine what needs adjustment in the original designs.?We only have just over a month to this wedding, and I want everything perfect.?You need to settle, and can you take that idiot," Lexi pointed to John "out of here and get him under control.?The sooner I get started the sooner we can get out of here."

Nodding, Matthew said "Come on John, let us get out of here for a little while and leave the women to get these dresses organised for Joan's wedding."?Matthew leant over and gave Lexi a kiss, before standing up and giving Joan brief hug and kiss.

As he moved over to shake Naomi's hand, she moved and gave him a quick hug.?In those few seconds of a hug, Matthew could her actions were to slip data to him without being obvious.?As she pulled back, she moved towards John saying, "I do not want to be left out about feeling as if I am with friends."

Without reacting, Matthew and John exited the room, shutting the door behind them, before John said quietly "That seemed a little weird."

"Well we both hugged and kissed Joan, so.."?Matthew just hoped John did not realise what Naomi really did.?Despite his clearance it was made clear that he was not to know that the legendary Officer N was a real person and who she was because it would endanger her completing her mission.

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