A New Style of Education - Year Five

by Karen Page

Part 14

picture created using DALL-E

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Part 14
Tuesday 23rd March 2010

As they normally did when about to discuss something private, David ran the bug detector on his special phone. As he walked around the room, the screen turned red. His heart quickened at the fact there was a bug not only at the school, but in his room.

"Are you sure you want to study in here?" asked Helen, after seeing the warning. "It's such a nice day. Wouldn't it be better to study outside?"

"I think you're right," responded David.

This wasn't how they expected the start of the day to go. Finding a bug at school wasn't something they ever thought would happen, but since they'd found one during a concert abroad, they always took precautions.

Once they were outside, they chose a location at random and set out their blanket. The weather wasn't too warm, so anybody who noticed them would think it slightly odd, but for them it was the best place.

"I wonder how long security will take," mused Helen.

"Probably not long," responded David. "Once they've recovered from the shock. The lower years are all in class and the upper years will mostly be in self-education. Someone going into that room won't be thought of as unusual, as housekeeping enter daily."

It was nearly two hours later that they were summoned by Mr Hobson. It didn't take the two students long before they were in his office, with the door firmly shut.

"Thank you for being vigilant. A scan of the main areas has concluded, and more checks are happening, but so far, only that one device has been found."

"How did it get in?" asked David.

"It didn't. It was made in the school. Location checks put it to a single student. It seems Jennifer takes after her mother in electronics."

"You did make it her specialist subject," pointed out Helen.

"Indeed. It looks like she has been holding back as the reports were that her knowledge was quite limited. I don't want this to get official, especially as she is new to the school. David, can I ask you to have a private word with her and Ben. Either Ben was complicit, or he doesn't know what his study partner is up to. Neither are good scenarios."

It was coming up to eleven. That was the time for personal study, specialist subject lesson or a good time to see your support worker. David watched Ben and Jennifer come to The Lounge with the others from year-zero.

David hung back and waited. Eventually year-zero dispersed and David waited for Ben and Jennifer to get close and said sternly to them, "Let's go for a walk."

Jennifer, still new at the school, looked across at Ben for advice. Ben just nodded and they both followed David down the corridor and out to the back.

"Jennifer, yesterday was your first experience of a mix-up Monday. How was it?"

She shrugged.

"You're ambivalent, or you don't know how to phrase how you feel?"

Jennifer didn't say anything but just kept walking. Eventually she realised that David was wanting an answer and eventually said, "It seems a lot of effort. I'm not trans or anything like that."

"Nobody said you were. If you were, it gives you chance to experience something you might have repressed. If you aren't, then you get to feel how a trans person feels and get to learn a little of what they go through. The school doesn't recruit based on LGBT but based on the school being able to help you better than in normal education. Yet there are quite a number of trans students."

"I thought it was strange when I first joined and saw the profiles had a male and female name against each student. Do you do this mix-up Monday often?"

"It's not a weekly thing. Mr Hobson springs them on us now and again. You heard what it was like when it was announced. Excitement and appreciation from year-two upwards. It's like the time I learnt Russian. I never thought I'd like it."

"Yeah, it is a hard language," mentioned Jennifer absentmindedly.

"You speak Russian?" asked Ben incredulously.

"A little," responded Jennifer, looking embarrassed.

"How did you choose your male name?" enquired David.

"Gwyn?" she laughed. "It has too reasons. When I was growing up, my dad used to refer to me as Jennifer Juniper. It was a song from the sixties. The Welsh male name for Juniper is Gwyn. My Dad's family is Welsh. It just seemed to make sense."

They'd reached a large semi-circular bench which looked over the field. It was one of David's favourite spots to look out over the fields and enjoy the scenery.

"Sit," ordered David. "There are a few things I wanted to discuss."

When they were all seated, David continued. "The first we've touched on. To find out how you felt about yesterday's event. I'm sure you will be speaking with Tracy about it. As you've been involved in a few orchestra rehearsals, you will have gathered there is going to be a concert abroad. Talk to Ben later about what it was like on the last trip. I'm mentioning it so you aren't surprised. Some cross dress so they can share the same room as their study partner during the trip. It isn't compulsory, and not many did in year zero during our last trip."

"Okay," said Jennifer unsure why this was being mentioned.

"Secondly, you two seem to have a communication issue. Study partners are supposed to be there for each other. How can you know if your study partner needs help if you don't communicate."

"We communicate," said Ben defensively.

"You might, but Jennifer doesn't."

"I do," uttered Jennifer.

"Have you told Ben what your parents do?"

"Of course she has," shouted Ben. "Her dad is a hospital consultant, and her mum is a civil servant."

David then said in Russian, so only Jennifer would understand. "Your mother pretends to work at Hanslope Park but is actually a field technician for SIS. She taught you your electronic skills which you used to create a device to bug my room."

Jennifer jumped up, but before she could bolt, Ben grabbed her and pulled her back. David just watched. Another thing she hid. If she could actually speak much Russian was unknown, but she had a very good understanding of it.

"What did you say?" asked Ben, angrily.

"I let Jennifer know some things privately. I hope she shares them with you."

Jennifer sat there, stewing. Eventually she said, "David basically let me know he knew things I didn't think anybody would know. David, I promised my mother that I'd never give a more detailed description."

David nodded. "I'm sure. And you mustn't break that promise. You would never forgive yourself. Was I correct though?"

"Yes, and you summarised it a lot better than I would have."

"Fair enough. Ben, Jennifer told you her dad works as a hospital consultant, but did she say what he specialises in?"

"No. He could be a brain surgeon, a heart surgeon or be a consultant on piles."

David laughed. "Just like her dad has a speciality, so does her mum. Hopefully one day Jennifer will trust you enough to tell you more. I know more, but I'm not going to spoil that magic moment for you."

"I'm in no hurry," said Ben, wondering what all the fuss was about.

"Thank you," said Jennifer, looking relieved.

"Now onto the other thing I said in Russian," started David, but then stopped. "Ben, how is Jennifer getting on with her specialist skills?"

"I'm—"

"No Jennifer, this was for Ben."

"She's only just starting. She says she is making progress but it's slow progress. Why?"

"Many years ago, I nearly died," said David plainly. "It was my first year at school. That year we did three concerts abroad. This was the run up before our second concert, to Russia. As you are aware, my normal presentation is male. I was going to Russia as female. Helen was concerned for me, and every day she asked how I was, and I would reply that I was fine. I was only a bit worse than the day before, but it was a downward slope, and I didn't know how to tell Helen the truth. The more I said I was fine, the harder it was to say I wasn't."

David stared out across the field as a distant aeroplane made its way along the sky. "I hit the bottom. I hit a limit I'd never hit since joining Hayfield. I thought I was useless. I thought I would end up as Jayne forever and I couldn't see a way out. I hatched a plan to kill myself and hacked the school fire alarm system to cause a distraction. Thankfully my friends noticed my suicidal thoughts and even though the fire alarm went off, they kept an eye on me. When I tried to run, they stopped me."

David then looked at the two others on the bench. "It was then that I truly understood why we are paired with someone at the school. They are a person you can be truthful to, and they won't judge you. They are someone that probably knows you better than you know yourself. It isn't an easy thing and doesn't occur overnight. I might keep secrets and hide things from others, but never from Helen. I try to be honest with people as I'd lose trust if I lied."

There was silence before Ben filled the void. "We'd just got back from the hospital after Eugene had the brain surgery. Adelle asked if he was going to die. David responded that he might. I think she was looking for reassurance, but instead David stated the truth. It shocked a lot of our year."

"Are you both ganging up on me?" shouted Jennifer, losing her cool.

"No," said David patiently. "I'm here to discuss certain issues with you. Ben is here as your study partner to support you. All Ben did was confirm what I'd said. He hasn't told you to do anything. He hasn't had a go at you. He's sat next to you patiently and probably wondering what the heck we're talking about."

Jennifer sighed and then said in a small voice. "Since I was little, my mum was always messing around with electronics. She had a small lab, and I used to sit there watching her. She then taught me some things, and I used to see what I could create."

"So, you're pretty hot at electronics?" asked Ben. "That's so cool. Why didn't you say?"

"Because I didn't want to explain where I got my knowledge from. I was also worried you might think I'm weird."

"That's not weird. I think it's ace. At my old school if you learnt quickly you were teased. At this school that doesn't happen. I take it you also know Russian better than you let on. It's nothing to be ashamed of. If we ever do a concert in Russia, then you'll do ace at the language bit."

"I did my first GCSE in year-one," said David. "I finished my A-Levels in year-three. I've been doing Open University courses since. Anyway, keep going. You are on a bit of a roll telling Ben things."

Jennifer dropped her head and stared at her feet. "I created a listening device and as a test, put it in David and Helen's office."

"She's not being expelled, is she?" asked Ben in fright. He raised his knees and pulled them close to his chest. It was like he was trying to make himself into a ball. "I lost Eugene. I can't lose Jennifer."

David didn't say anything but, in a flash, he was sat next to Ben, putting his arm around the younger pupil. Jennifer looked surprised at David's reaction but did the same.

Nothing was said for a few minutes as Ben calmed down. David thought about asking about nightmares, but he didn't feel it was the time to bring this back up. He needed reassurance that Jennifer wasn't going anywhere.

"No, the school isn't going to expel Jennifer. The school isn't like that," reassured David. "I thought we'd previously had that conversation when you were worried about Eugene. This school doesn't abandon people. It is me discussing this, not Tracy and not Mr Hobson. Mr Hobson knows what you did but doesn't want this to be official. Jennifer, how many did you create?"

Jennifer looked surprised at Ben's reaction and didn't know what to do. She looked lost. She'd lost her cousin, but it seemed Eugene's death seemed to be having a more profound impact on Ben than it was on her.

"Just the one. I wanted to see if it worked. I put it in your room as I wondered what went on in there."

David sighed with relief. He was glad there was only one. It would also make security's day as they wouldn't have to spend more time searching for more. Though they probably would, just to make sure.

"People at the school expect a certain amount of privacy. Sometimes they have worries they don't want to ask a member of staff, or they are nervous about something. If their year leader can't help, they might come to me. Helen and I are the main contacts for the year leaders and those chats encompass lots of confidential material."

"How did you find it?"

"I have a bug detector. See, I'm being truthful."

"You do?" asked Jennifer, her jaw dropping a bit. She let go of Ben.

"I do. The school has a hacking network where you are free to experiment without affecting the rest of the school. Perhaps you need something to be able to validate your creations."

"Really?" squealed Jennifer, excited that she might be able to do more.

"This school is about learning. You can't learn if you can't experiment. But do it safely and controlled. In the 1930's a group of Caltech students caused an explosion in their dorm while experimenting with rockets. Instead of being kicked out, they were banished to a remote area and told to continue. They eventually became what is now the Jet Propulsion Lab and is how America got into space."

David took out his phone and quickly checked if Mr Hobson was available. He was and he invited them to come to discuss things. David sent a follow up letting him know Jennifer had admitted what she'd done and just created the one device.

"Let's go see Mr Hobson and ask him how you can experiment without causing security issues."

It wasn't long before lunch, but there was enough time. Mr Hobson was in his office waiting for them. He ushered them to the settees.

"What can I do for you?" Mr Hobson said, looking at Jennifer.

"First off, I'm sorry for causing issues."

"Apology accepted. But that isn't why you want to see me, is it?"

"It was one of the reasons. I feel bad I caused people worry. David mentioned there was a separate computer network for experimenting on. As I learn more about electronics, is there a safe way I can experiment without disrupting the school?"

Mr Hobson pondered that for a few seconds before responding. "There isn't, but it doesn't mean there can't be. We've had people learn electronics before, but never with the area you're going. So, have a think about what you need and send me a proposal. Since you won't know how to create a proposal document, I'd suggest you ask someone in the higher years. I'll pencil in a meeting to discuss next Monday at eleven. Is that okay?"

Jennifer sat there, stunned. It took at least ten seconds before she said, "But I'm only twelve. How can you expect me to create a document like that?"

"You might only be twelve, but you managed to create a decent bug with the limited equipment you had access to. I'm sure you will manage fine. Especially as you will be asking for help. You need to learn to work with others. You are an only child. At home you didn't have anyone a similar age to ask for help. Here you aren't alone. Use the resources available. Not all learning at the school is about exams."

Jennifer was a bit dazed as she walked out of Mr Hobson's room. Ben had been at the school much longer and wasn't at all surprised by the response. "David, you know the top years better than we do. Do you have any suggestions?"

"Martha in year-five or Clair in year-four are probably the ones that'll help the most."

Jennifer nodded as if thinking. "They're both violin players, aren't they?"

"Yes?" David responded, wondering why she was asking that.

"I know who they are. I think."

"I know them," said Ben. "Well, I've talked to them a bit. I don't know them that well."

It was only a small school, so you soon got used to who they were. As with anywhere, you knew more some people better than others. The ones you always got used to the most were those in your year, or those that you played with in the orchestra.

"Look, it's about time for lunch. Do you want me to introduce you after your afternoon lessons?"

"Is all this necessary?" asked Jennifer, sounding a bit grumpy.

"It's up to you. You have the meeting with Mr Hobson next week, and he is going to want that report before then so you can discuss it. You could cancel, but then you won't get to experiment like you want to."

"Oh."

"You can do the report yourself, but you have already said you're unsure what to put in it. Clair or Martha won't do the report for you, but they will give you pointers on the structure and content."

"But I'll have to tell them what I did."

"You don't have to, but it will probably be easier."

"But—"

Ben stepped in. "They applaud learning here. You don't have to hide it. And they aren't going to know where you learnt how to do that, just like we don't know how David knows his computer skills."

David shrugged. "I was taught. I had general computer knowledge, but someone taught me about computer security. Both sides of it. The biggest thing was learning how to learn. I had to learn how to relate what I'd learnt on one type of system to others, how to protect myself online and only use my skills at the appropriate time."

"But how does that relate?" sniffed Jennifer.

"Not only was your bug found, but we found out who planted it. You might have learnt how to create one, but it was discovered. You need to learn how to stay hidden. Just like I must stay hidden when hacking, you need to learn how to keep a bug hidden. A found device is more than useless; it's dangerous as they know someone is trying to listen. A hidden device can keep giving information."

Jennifer looked at David funny. "It makes you sound like a spy."

"Not all hackers are bad people. There are ethical hackers who help companies find issues. Towards the end of my time in year-one, I went on a week's work experience at a firm in London. I worked in their IT security, checking logs for penetration. If I hadn't got experience in how hackers work, I wouldn't have known what to look for in as much detail."

"You need to be one to know one," said Ben.

"Now get to lunch. I'll organise Martha and Clair for after your lessons."

"Let me try," she said, looking determined. "If I haven't sorted it by evening meal, then—"

"Fair enough. Let me know."

At lunchtime, Mr Hobson made the announcement about the upcoming concert in Tunisia. They were leaving on the twentieth of April. In Tunisia there were two languages, French and Arabic. Since the school had been to France a few months previous, he mentioned that they shouldn't have trouble with everything being in French from tomorrow. Tomorrow was also the cutoff for how they would present for the trip.

As they were eating, Martha's phone tinged. Frowning at getting an unexpected message, she had a peak. "Oh, rooky mistake," she laughed before sending a response.

"Jennifer?" David enquired. The rest of the table heard the query, as Martha wasn't sat next to him. It wasn't really an issue as they would have seen him helping them this morning.

"Yeah, she's trying to arrange a meeting this evening. She forgot to say where."

"She hasn't been at Hayfield long enough to realise that learning and knowledge is not frowned upon but celebrated. I don't want to know what you discuss, but please let me know that the meeting occurred."

David thought that someone might ask what she'd done, but they didn't. He knew they'd have noticed that they were having words, but not why. To them, she or Ben could have been struggling with something. Nobody would question Clair and Martha helping Jennifer later. Helping others occurred all the time.

That afternoon, Helen and David went down the stairs for their continued sessions with Mr Taylor. There were a few things to be covered for the upcoming concert. However, when they arrived, he was waiting. He guided them to the meeting room.

"What has my sister-in-law got you into?" he enquired. He then continued, "No, don't tell me. She said you might have some queries."

"What is the relationship between WIPP is our future employer?" asked David, without any preamble.

"Greenacre Services is totally separate. The only thing in common is Yvonne and recently Laura. Yvonne is head of the short-term investigation team, and recruitment. She reports to someone else. Yvonne doesn't use anybody from WIPP for anything at G.S."

Greenacre Services. What a strange name. So far there had been discussions about their future employer but never a name. Now it was known. Greenacre Services.

"Ah. So, people who are undercover for longer periods of time aren't under her?"

"No. There are two people who manage them. One in America. The other in Singapore."

David could tell that Mr Taylor was itching to ask more, but to his credit, he just answered the questions.

"Does Mrs Taylor just cover the UK?"

"No. G.S. isn't that big, and the investigation team isn't huge. She manages the teams worldwide. A lot don't stay for more than ten years. It is too much of a hardship for starting a family, etc. There are only six of the schools that have a Beta team. The rest are just as they were originally conceived."

David and Helen looked at each other and Helen nodded.

"One last question. Why would the suggestion of a leak make Yvonne think there should be a check made at WIPP?"

"Because that is where she works. She sometimes takes G.S. calls from there. G.S. doesn't have a physical office. There is a virtual setup. She must be convinced by whatever she's been told. Last time you found a leak there, her whole place was paralysed until it was fixed."

"Thank you. That has helped," said Helen.

"Am I a suspect?"

"Yes," said David plainly. "I was given some information by a long-term undercover agent. I was told not to tell anybody what was in it. Mrs Taylor knows we have something, but not what."

"You suspect her too?" asked Mr Taylor, surprised and a bit offended.

"You've taught us to always suspect everybody. Just because you know them, there might be things you don't know. I'm sure Mrs Taylor didn't suspect Sue. Just as you have people infiltrating places during investigations, it seems the people Sue and Poppy work for do too."

"It certainly appears that way. Are you ready to now discuss Tunisia?"