The Resistance

said. ‘I’m sure he said a lot of things.’
    Dr Edwards frowned uncomfortably and turned to Peter. ‘You say Anna’s in danger? What sort of danger?’
    ‘He says she’s going to prison. If I don’t sign the Declaration, I mean. He’s got her locked up. Dr Edwards, please, we need your help.’
    ‘My help? But what can I do?’
    ‘You can stand up for what you believe in,’ Pip said gravely. ‘Help Peter to save Anna. Attend the press conference and tell the journalists anything you know. I have men downstairs who can help you, who can get you to safety afterwards.’
    Dr Edwards could feel his legs trembling beneath him ominously. He hadn’t spoken out for a long time. A very long time. Then he nodded. It had been too long, he realised. It was time to make amends. ‘Very well,’ he said quietly, picking up his lab coat. ‘If I can help to stop this . . . Then yes, of course.’

Chapter Thirty
    ‘How are we going to do this?’ Peter asked anxiously. ‘Even if we can get Anna out of her cell and the Surpluses out of Unit X, how will we get them away from the building?’
    ‘There’s a back entrance, where the lorries come in. It’ll be manned, but we’ve got men in the basement waiting for my signal,’ Pip said calmly. ‘And as for the Pincent guards, they’ll be concentrating on the front of the building. There’s a press conference in an hour or so, remember. You and Peter focus on getting Anna to the back entrance; I’ll arrange to have my men meet you with transport.’
    ‘Transport? Here? How? Nothing will get through,’ Dr Edwards said. ‘All the roads will be blocked.’
    Pip smiled wryly. ‘Nothing? Oh, I doubt that. I imagine that Anna might enjoy a jaunt on the river. What do you think?’
    Peter felt the familiar reassurance and gratitude that the Underground existed, that they were on his side. He’d missed that feeling; felt guilty for having doubted Pip.
    ‘What about the Surpluses?’ he asked.
    ‘Leave them to me,’ Pip said firmly. ‘Jude and I will look after them.’
    ‘Good luck,’ Dr Edwards said. His eyes met Pip’s for a second or two, a bond of trust passing between them, a pact, and then they both turned to Peter.
    ‘Ready?’ Pip whispered.
    ‘Ready,’ Peter whispered back, as Dr Edwards opened the door.
    Dr Edwards had never been to the services corridor at the back of the building – the rooms were largely store cupboards, workrooms, areas where men in overalls usually roamed with large hands covered in dirt and grease. He looked over at Peter, who met his eye and nodded tightly, before dropping back. Dr Edwards continued down the corridor, barely daring to look anywhere but straight ahead. And then he stopped. The light was dim but Dr Edwards could see the guard Pip had told them about, sitting outside Room 48, his expression one of intense boredom.
    A mild feeling of discomfort made Dr Edwards slow down slightly. He hated confrontation, hated challenges unless they were written down in academic papers and read out at seminars. Perhaps Pip and Peter were wrong, he found himself hoping. Perhaps there was a perfectly reasonable explanation after all.
    Taking a deep breath, he approached the door and smiled at the guard. ‘May I?’ he asked, holding his hand towards the lock.
    The guard shook his head. ‘Only Mr Pincent and the doctor’s allowed in there,’ he said firmly.
    The feeling of discomfort became more intense, and Dr Edwards stepped back. ‘But I am a doctor,’ he said. ‘I’m Dr Edwards.’
    ‘Only Dr Ferguson’s allowed in,’ the guard said flatly. ‘And he’s been in already.’
    ‘Dr Ferguson?’ Dr Edwards managed to keep the smile on his face at the mention of a man he despised. A man he’d been under the impression had left Pincent Pharma years ago, never to return. ‘So, he’s back, is he?’
    ‘Never went away, so far as I know.’
    ‘Indeed.’ Dr Edwards took out his identi-card. ‘Well, you should also know that I am Head of ReTraining at Pincent Pharma, and that I am here to see the girl on a matter of high importance.’
    The guard looked at his card. ‘No one said anything about ReTraining. I’m afraid you can’t go in.’
    Dr Edwards caught the guard’s eye and nodded curtly. ‘Then I shall have to call Mr Pincent. Even though he has asked not to be disturbed. Can you tell me your guard number please?’
    ‘Four-three-one,’ he said. ‘And you call him. I know my