Government Business

[Narrator]

Sam, in her role of headmistress, occasionally has meetings with people. One such meeting today was with a man in a suit!


"Ma'am, thanks for agreeing to meet with me on such short notice. Hugh McCaffrey, of the Home Office, crime, security, and counter-terrorism operations."

[Samantha McManus]

"Aye, well your office was a little short on details, so you'll excuse me if I ask to what I owe the pleasure?"

[Narrator]

"This is re the security attacks on the recent World Cup, and the response of the deputized X-Teams in place of standard paramilitary, as per the agreement with the Home Office. Specifically, the aftermath."

[Samantha McManus]

"Seems to be a bit far after the fact. Were there irregularities you were concerned with?"

[Narrator]

"I won't bother blowing smoke up your ass, headmistress. We're hoping you'll be generous enough to transfer the two prisoners you took during the mission to our jurisdiction, for questioning and trial."

[Samantha McManus]

"You're aware that they have special containment needs?"

[Narrator]

"We are. We have a special facility we have been preparing for such a case."

[Samantha McManus]

"And I'm sure you're aware that their citizenship is... somewhat of a gray area."

[Narrator]

"And I'm sure you're aware that indefinite detention by a private agency is also something of a...gray area."

[Samantha McManus]

"I'm just perhaps a bit fuzzy on how due process plays into this. Release isn't an option. Deportation to their place of origin is a security risk at best."

"So ultimately, trial or no, they're trading one cell for another."

[Narrator]

"We're just trying to put them under our jurisdiction, ma'am. We have some questions we'd like answered."

[Samantha McManus]

"I assume you have a plan to give to my head of security, so we can properly coordinate the transport."

[Narrator]

"We'd prefer to keep those preparations classified."

[Samantha McManus]

"Then it's going to be very difficult for my security personnel to accommodate the transfer if they don't know even what you'll be bringing onto my campus, aye?"

[Narrator]

"Your security personnel do not need to be involved in the least. We can handle the details. We just need your approval."

[Samantha McManus]

"I'm not wont to write blank cheques, Mister McCaffrey. I'm certain you can appreciate why."

[Narrator]

"Consider it a statement of support for Her Majesty's Government."

[Samantha McManus]

"I'm going to need something to give them. I don't pay my security team to look the other way."

[Narrator]

"What do you need, then, headmistress."

[Samantha McManus]

"I need to know what personnel you're going to bring on my campus, and what equipment."

[Narrator]

"Government personnel, and government equipment," he countered.

[Samantha McManus]

"On privately held property, which has security concerns of its own."

[The Book of Sins]

While she's talking a shadow slides out of the corner of the room and slips across the wall, barely in Sam's peripheral vision and gone before her eyes could even snap it into focus.

[Narrator]

"I understand your concerns, but this is a matter of national security."

[Samantha McManus]

Ms. McManus blinked, seeming distracted for a moment before focusing back on the agent.

"Mister McCaffrey, if you can't even tell me who we're going to be checking in to give you access to the holding cells, I'm not certain what I can do for you. Certainly you can see that the request is more than a little unusual."

[Narrator]

"I would have thought an institution like...this...would be used to the unusual."

[Samantha McManus]

"Which is why we have heightened security concerns compared to the average university."

[Narrator]

"And you're allowed to have these...concerns...in the center of London due to an unprecedented level of understanding from Her Majesty's Government, arranged by your predecessor. We're just asking for the same level of...understanding."

[Samantha McManus]

"The level of understanding I'm asking for is the one I currently enjoy with Pete Wisdom and MI13. Would you like me to consult him on this?"

[Narrator]

"If that's what you wish, I can leave you for now."

[Samantha McManus]

"Aye, that seems to be where we're headed. We'll be in touch, Mister McCaffrey."