Preys and Predators Part 1 Chapter 34

 

34           The curtain raised

 

The mood at the room of the Famous Five meeting was attended by all, and the mood was as if they discovered that Hell was in their backyard. That meeting was fully attended by all, though they sat on opposing sides in two groups, with the No.1 in the rift to act as moderator.

“It was Hell to be exact.” The aide to the Queen who was also No. 4. “I heard the incidents of mass killing and there were the gunfights.”

“Involving Naval Intelligence to be precise.” No.5 who was Chief of Intelligence voiced out. His authority does not out reach the Naval section.

“It was the action of a renegade Commander who is now in the brig awaiting court martial. Regretfully, he acted on his own.” The Admiral who is No.2 defended his section. “I took immediate action there.”

“And why was the Commander on the works, No.2” No.4 was insistent to get the truth. “Her Majesty had stressed on the need to curb the news. We do not need such publicity.”

“No.4. I did what was the needed. I do not know the thoughts and affiliation of every personnel but assuredly they will serve the Queen without any question.”

“No.2, are you aware that the Queen gets letters with gifts from her cousins and relations that were marked with mockery towards her. One even sent over a wolf cub.” No.4 pressed on with the grace behind his rank.

“I am not aware. Perhaps No.4 would like to have a mini zoo at the palace.” No.3 finally voiced out. “I could allocate the funds.”

“Settle your difference in the House but not here. We are to discuss the latest incidents including the gunfight on the street. No.5, who were they?” No.1 cut in with the stern voice.

“From our investigation, they are mercenaries and may belong to the Syndicate. They are mostly involved in smuggling including human and arms. We are still trying to find the links there.” No.5 replied.

“Mercenaries? From where, or funded by whom?” No.4 asked.

“Germans, and by whom we are unsure but the initial report says the Syndicate.” No.5 replied.

“Mercenaries? Most unlikely. My Intelligence would have detected that.” No. 2 cut in.

“And acted on their own.” No.4 added. “I am sure the Queen will be more interested on the development there.”

“Gentlemen, I will adjourn the meeting now.” No.1 stood up. “I am to meet Belgium Emissary soon.”

All the attendees took their leave, and soon No.2 and No.3 shared the same coach to their destination.

“Admiral, it is a sham by your team at the residence of Doctor Jekyll but a successful task was done.” Lord Dennis said to the Admiral. The gentleman with a thick Walrus moustache—a thick and bushy bold one sized up his rounded face with the thick sideburns to complement—reclining headline with the hair trimmed short. Like his face, his body frame was rounded, more to the obese dimensions, but his manners were royal.

“Lieutenant Commander Blyth did his task as commanded. He lost his team unfortunately. I am to send him to the West Indies and will retire there.” The Admiral said. “We did not foresee the resistance of the Doctor. Did he perfect the Super warrior serum? The damages there were extensive.”

“I was not advised. His works had been documented by my own team and replicated. But of late, he was with the Count, and had not reported any developments.” Lord Dennis told the Admiral. “But we made some progress on our own. Doctor Schauman had some successes. It was not complete but the designs were there.”

“At your secret lab at the castle? I am surprised.” The Admiral smiled. “Doctor Jekyll could have hidden back his works from us.”

“Yes, the Professor is excited. He wants to see us now.” Lord Dennis told the other. “At the hideaway.”

Meantime, the aide to the Queen cornered the Chief of Intelligence.

“Matthew, do you have any new developments?” It was the rare moments when the Chief was addressed by his given name.

“No, Abdul. I do not have any. My section was sealed off form the residence of Doctor Jekyll by the Naval Intelligence. We did seize some of the equipment including some vials. We are testing them to see what was done, or rather were doing. The Naval Intelligence were late there.”

“And on the gunfight?”

“It was the work of the Syndicate as my reports but we are trying to link them. The mercenaries as we termed them are professionals and will not disclose their paymaster.” The Chief said.

“Thugees, they are alike.” Abdul reflected on his native home of the murderous gang. “We could never end their menace.”

The Thuggee reportedly operated as gangs of highwaymen who tricked and murdered their victims by strangling. To take advantage of their victims, the thugs would join travellers and gain their confidence, which would allow them to surprise and strangle the travellers with a handkerchief or noose. The killing would strangle them swiftly from behind. After the murder, they sometimes mutilated the corpses to hide evidence, and buried the remains.

After initial investigations confirmed what Feringhea had said, Sleeman began an extensive campaign using profiling and intelligence. Sleeman was made superintendent of the Thuggee and Dacoity Department in 1835, an organ of the Indian government first established by the East India Company in 1830. Sleeman developed elaborate intelligence techniques that pre-dated similar methods in Europe and the US by decades. During the 1830s, the thugs were targeted for eradication by the Governor-General of India, Lord William Bentinck, and his chief captain, William Henry Sleeman.

The campaign relied heavily on captured thugs who became informants. These informants were offered protection on the condition that they told everything that they knew. The suspects were subject to bench trials before British judges. Though the trials were lacking by later standards (e.g., suspects were not allowed legal representation), they were conducted with care to protocols of the time. While most suspects were convicted, Dash notes that the courts genuinely seemed interested in finding the truth and rejected a minority of allegations due to mistaken identity or insufficient evidence.  In 1870s the practice of thuggee was thought to have ceased. However, the history of Thuggee led to the Criminal Tribes Act (CTA) of 1871. 

“They do share the same murder mutilations mode.” No.4 sighed. “Such similarity to the ones we have now.”

“It could be a coincidence. I doubt the Thuggee are here.” No.5 commented. “If they are, the victims selected are inconclusive.”