Operation Wonder - 1. Story

Arman was a perfectly ordinary boy, who lived in a perfectly ordinary village in a most ordinary part of rural England. In this perfectly normal existence, Arman had two fathers. James and Stephen. Daddy and Papa. Two apparently normal people, one a lawyer and the other a truck driver. They were both very content living their perfectly average lives. However, it would be this Christmas Eve that Arman would find out the truth about his supposed reality and just how unreal his family truly is.

Every Christmas Eve, he laid his milk and cookies, put a carrot out for the reindeer (although how one carrot was enough for all Santa’s reindeer, he had no idea) and sat under the tree until it was time to go to bed. He was far too excited. He was expecting Santa to land on his roof, with his sleigh and take him on a whirlwind adventure.

Santa was real. Very real. At least, in Arman’s imagination he was. Arman was taken up to bed by his daddy James, who gave him a peck on the cheek and tucked him into bed. Just like every Christmas since he was a little baby. In fact, essentially every night he was put to bed by Daddy. Papa was never around long enough to put him to bed. It wasn’t his fault though, he just worked a lot.

He was tucked in bed, when he heard a knocking at the door. He wondered very much who would be knocking on their door on Christmas Eve, so being the adventurous little boy that he was, Arman crawled to the top of the stairs carefully and listened out. The front door to the house was next to the staircase, so if anyone was to look up, his game was up and he would be in so much trouble for being out of bed on this most special of nights.

“Good evening, sir, Officer Creswell. May I come inside?” He had a big grin on his face and he seemed quite friendly. Arman could see the officer showing James his ID badge, so he was almost certainly a real police office. At least, he looked like a real police officer. Precise haircut, shiny shoes, that sort of thing.

“Certainly Officer, what can I do for you?” James smiled politely, never one to upset a member of the law.

“I’m afraid I’m on a routine check around the neighbourhood. There is a dangerous criminal who escaped from the local prison. Please make sure your doors and windows are locked tonight sir.”

“Thank you officer. But I don’t want to worry my boy.” He smiled politely, as if he was trying urge the officer to leave. He looked over his shoulder and saw that Arman was listening at the top of the stairs. That boy was in so much trouble for being out of bed at this hour!

“Just doing my job sir. If you hear anything please phone the police immediately.”

“Certainly, I wouldn’t think of anything else. Sorry what did you say your name was?”

“Officer Creswell. Happy Holidays.” The officer walked back to his car and Arman’s father shut the door.

He turned back to Arman and shouted at the top of his voice. “Get back to bed now or else Christmas is cancelled!” Arman could tell the irritation in his voice. Not one to disobey any orders from his parents, Arman climbed straight back into bed and nodded off within seconds.

Once James knew Arman was asleep, He went straight to the house phone. He dialled the number.

“Hello, Doctor Arthur Treadman speaking.” A stern man with an even more powerful voice. Quintessentially English. A good friend of the family.

“Hello, Arthur. It’s me. There was an officer.”

“What?” He snapped. “Are you sure it was one of those officers? We don’t need a false alarm like last time my dear.”

“I’m very sure. He had a tattoo.”

“On his left ear.”

“Yes.”

“Oh goodness. Well, I guess this is the real deal.”

“Arthur I’m scared.”

“Don’t be. When did this happen?”

“Only a few minutes ago.

“Lock your doors and windows. I’ve checked the Oracle and that man was certainly not a real police officer. You are in sincere danger. You must do exactly what I say. Lock the front door first, then go to the kitchen cupboard and grab your sharpest knife. Go to Arman’s room, wake the boy, climb into his cupboard and wait. I will see you shortly.”

“Wait, I don’t under…” The receiver clicked. He hung up on him.

He had to do as he was told. He knew he could trust Arthur, he’d been there all along since the beginning. Just a friend mind you, he was far too old for any funny business. He carried out his tasks.

He entered his son’s room and looked down at him. Sleeping like an angel. He didn’t want to wake him but he knew he had to.

“Arman, wake up. It’s time to go. Come with Daddy.” He spoke with haste in his voice and Arman understood that there was something wrong. Something very wrong.

“Daddy what’s going on? It’s Christmas! Santa will catch us!”

“It’s okay. He’s coming later to us tonight. Now, we need to play a game okay?”

“Yes, Daddy.”

“We’re going to play Hide and Seek. There’s some nasty men coming to find us and we have to hide and stay quiet. Do you understand?”

“Yes. Where are we meant to hide?”

“In the closet.”

“I think it’s a bit late for that daddy…”

“Ha. Ha. Very funny, Arman. Quick, into the cupboard.”

They stepped into the cupboard and they heard a smash from downstairs. Someone was in the house. Daddy found his chest tighten. A stranger had invaded their home and they were probably coming to kill them. He was hoping that Arthur’s plan worked.

Arman whispered to her “Daddy, I’m scared.”

“It’s okay darling. It’ll be over –“

Suddenly, the floor of the cupboard gave way and they were falling. Falling through Arman’s cupboard, as if they were entering some sort of wonderland. He held Arman close to make sure that they didn’t get separated but what happened to them next was most curious.

They landed on two seats. Two seats with exactly one cushion, and a small coffee table. The coffee was already poured with a sign next to it, with ‘Drink Me’ written on it.

James thought to himself, ‘What on earth….’

The room was dark, apart from a light that only just surrounded the chairs with cushions and the coffee table. It was if they were entirely enclosed in one way glass. They couldn’t see in or out.

The sound of a door.

From the darkness, a man approached. James would recognise that silhouette anywhere.

“Arthur! You have some explaining to do.”

“All in good time, my dear. All in good time.” He smirked and brushed off the lapel of his tweed jacket, the elbow pads were slowly starting to fall off, as if he hadn’t replaced his jacket in several decades.

“Daddy, what is Mr. Treadman…”

“Doctor Treadman thank you my young man. I didn’t spend ten years in medical school for nothing!”

“What is Doctor Treadman doing in our house? And why did we fall through my cupboard. And why can I taste snow cones?”

Arthur laughed. “Magic.” He winked at Arman. Just as James was about to speak, Arthur placed his finger on his lips. “I think he’s old enough to know what Stephen really does. Allow me to explain?”

“I… don’t think…” James became very nervous over what was going to happen.

“He had to be told at some point. Would you rather delay it when his wonder is gone?”

“Very well. Tell him.”

Arman looked up at both of them, very confused. “What do I need to know?”

“My boy. Your parents aren’t who they say they are. They are of course your parents, and they love you very much. But, they haven’t been allowed to tell you who they actually work for.”

“I don’t understand.”

“They work for the same organisation as me. We seek out truth, honesty and wonder. We try to keep these in the hearts of the people. To keep them off the naughty list.”

“The naughty list? I do know Santa Claus isn’t real. I’m not five.”

“WHAT? You mean…” James looked very disapprovingly at Arman.

“Daddy. I’ve only kept it up because I thought you wanted me to. I’m sorry if I’ve upset you. Don’t be mad.” Arman clung to his daddy’s arm.

“No, baby boy. It’s okay.” James ran his hand through Arman’s hair. “There’s more to come, just brace yourself and remember. He crouched down in front of his son. “We love you.”

“Sorry to interrupt your big family moment but I don’t have all day. Can I continue?” Arthur clapped his hands and then the room was flooded with light. Arman and James could now see the exit door was at quite a distance from them. “Come along. We have a long journey to make.”

James scowled. “Of course Doctor.”

“You only call me Doctor when you are annoyed with me. Use my full name please. I apologise but we do have limited time.” He smiled. “Okay my boy. You may say Santa isn’t real. Well… we shall get onto that. We sign onto the mythology. It is absolutely real. The duty for truth, honesty and wonder is what we do. We have members all over the planet.” Arthur turned and smiled at the boy.

“So you are kind of like super-secret agents?”

“Yes. Exactly. About the government, beyond the police. Greater than the United Nations. We’ve existed since there was civilisation. But nobody knows about us. We are quiet. Discreet. Your father, my dear. Stephen, is one of our agents. He looks after England.”

“This is all very good. But, are we still in my house.”

“No. Call it a remote trap door that takes you anywhere in the world. We’re actually underneath London right now. Magic. Like how you can take snow cones. Taste bud Filters. One of my favourite inventions actually”

“Magic manifests in the strangest ways possible.” A voice from behind them spoke.

“Father!” Arman ran at his father.

“Hello son. Glad to be back. So I’m guessing you told him?”

“We had to do, Stephen. They came for you.”

“Well, that is a problem. Did you tell them about the Oracle?”

“I was getting onto that. We have an Oracle. Can you tell me what an oracle is my boy?”

Arman put his thinking cap on. “Is it when you have something that can see the future?”

Arthur slapped Arman on the back. “Precisely. See, Stephen. I told you this boy was going to be a genius.” Arthur let out a deep belly laugh.

“Calm down doctor. He only gave a definition. Doesn’t mean he’s Einstein.”

“Hey! Einstein was one of us I’ll have you know when I was your age. Who do you think came up with the idea of Newton’s Apple? Before we got to reworking his image, he was an idiot with a saucepan on his head!”

James put his hand on his forehead and muttered to himself. “Not this story again…”

“Where was I? Oh yes. Let’s keep walking. We need to be standing in an exact place. I think it was thirty paces. Or quite possible fifty. We’ll find out. Oh yes! The Oracle. Superstitions. Histories. Some partial truths. We keep them alive here, well not alive. But you could say that this place is the origin point for well… any belief… Say, the Easter Bunny for example. That started here. Our agents spread the wonder across the world, until it becomes established. A child’s wonder is the most potent energy against The Fearmongers.”

“The Easter Bunny isn’t real?” Arman felt himself feeling a bit upset.

James glared at the Doctor. “Seriously? Can’t we give him one thing?”

“Appears not babe. Sorry little man.”

“It’s okay. I had to learn some day. So, what are the Fearmongers?”

“My boy. They are quite terrifying indeed. You know when you feel like there’s nothing left? When you are so low you could throw yourself off of the nearest building”

“Not particularly no…”

“Well imagine. That’s what they are. They are disgusting creatures that can suck all the hope and the life out of all of us. They are very dangerous and they cannot be stopped. Apart from with one thing.”

“What?”

“The laughter of a child. They seem to not like it that way. I think it’s because a child is so pure that they can’t have hope drained from them. They are filled to the brim with it.”

“Okay, doctor. With all due respect, what have we got to do with this?” James sneered at the good doctor, wishing that he would finally get on with it.

“Babe, I don’t know if you want to hear it.” Stephen placed his hand on his husband’s shoulder.

“No. Let’s hear it.”

“Well, you have a child. A wonderful child. A creative child. Most importantly, he’s one of us.”

“WHAT?!?”

“He was raised around the Organisation, we’ve been fixing your parenting boys to make him exactly what we would need…”

“Daddy, I don’t understand. He’s scaring me.”

“He’s just a child.”

“No. No he’s not. He was born a warrior and we have moulded him into what we need. A true warrior. Now, there is something we must do. We must consult the Oracle.”

“The what?”

“Do we really not train you about that anymore? I remember in my day we had to learn how to operate the damn thing. The Oracle? The thing that keeps us safe? That keeps us hidden from the world and helps us to keep those hidden.”

“He’s only a child.”

“He may be a child my dear, but if you want to keep hope alive, we will use him. Arman, do you object?”

“Anything I can do to help, Doctor.”

“Then it is agreed. They somehow found you. Even though you were hidden from real sight. They still found you. They must have found others. So therefore, we must consult the Oracle in order to save the lives of others. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes. Very.”

“Come now, we have a long night ahead of us…” He took three more steps forward. Then a step to the left. Jumped forward once. He clapped his hands. “Here we are.”

Suddenly, lights appeared all over the glass dome they were inside. Lines of light of every colour imaginable. It almost looked like something that belonged in a children’s classroom, rather than in a top secret organisation. But you know what they say, hidden in plain sight. Like a clown in a battlefield.

“What is this?” Arman looked in amazement. Lots of lights, all over what looked like a three dimensional projection of the planet.

“This is The Oracle Room. It lets us see The Fearmongers.” The doctor went to clap his hands again but felt a vibration in his pocket. “Sorry do excuse me.”

Arthur stepped away for a few moments.

“Hello yes? Certainly. I will unlock for you. I have the boy. May the search for truth be ever in your wonder.” He hung up the phone. “Sorry, I have to unlock the Oracle for The United Nations.”

“The United Nations? Why them?” Arman looked very confused.

“Sleeper agents. Back up gentlemen and ladies just in case everything goes wrong.”

Stephen felt a bad vibe. “Are you sure that was who was on the phone?”

“Certainly. Would I lie to you?”

“Sorry doctor. I felt a vibe.”

“You shouldn’t trust your gust. That is lesson number one my boy. May I have the key?”

Stephen looked incredibly confused but handed over the key. “Get it back to me okay? Last time someone borrowed my key… well not my key, my great great grandfathers key they invented Grandfather Time. We don’t need clean up like that again okay?”

“Of course, I understand. Entertain the boy. I’ll be back in a few moments.”

“We’ve been his parents for the last 10 years. I think we know how to entertain a child.” James scowled at The Doctor, knowing full well that it was his child they were talking about.

The Doctor disappeared only for a few minutes, and he returned and looked as pale as a ghost.

“What is wrong Doctor? You look terrified.” Arman questioned.

“Oh really? No, everything is fine. Just… They got to the UN. And everyone else.”

“What does that mean?”

“It’s Christmas time… It’s Christmas 1245 all over again.”

Stephen shuddered and James gave him a blank look.

“I’m sorry but what happened then?”

“That was when Kris Kringle had to be set up. Well, he is very real and very much still alive, but we had to give his image to the world to give children hope and wonder at Christmas time…”

“Wait. Hold on a minute. I thought you said he wasn’t real?”

“If you look back, I didn’t say anything my boy. Now if you would…

Arman reached up and put a finger on the Doctors lips. “You mean that Santa is real?”

“Yes my boy. He’s one of the very few legends we don’t lie about.”

“I guess I should eat my words.” Despite being wrong, Arman looked and felt incredibly smug.

Arthur looked down at Arman. “Yes you should. Right. Without further distraction.” He double clapped.

But nothing happened. “Computer. Don’t mess me about today. Activate Oracle Program.”

From the ground came a pale blue light. It slowly transformed into the body of a young female of around eighteen years old.

“Wait! The Oracle is a girl now?” James laughed.

“Arthur had to upgrade babe. We were getting bored of the one modelled on Kris.”

“Very well. So why a girl.”

“Tooth fairy.”

“I say no more?”

“She’s not real either?” Arman gave up on believing anything his parents said.

Both James and Stephen looked at each other as if they had truly put their foot in their mouths. They just stayed silent waiting for Arthur to interject.

Sensing it was his turn, Arthur spoke. “Computer, Locate me The Fearmongers.”

The Computer moved towards Arthur and touched his face. Of course, she didn’t really touch his face because computers can’t touch things but she tried to. She spoke with a highly clipped English accent. “Data inaccessible to Doctor Arthur Treadman, Director.”

“What? You’ve clearly been corrupted. I accessed you this morning.”

“May I try doctor?” Stephen smiled.

“Give it a go.”

“Computer, Locate me The Fearmongers.”

“Data inaccessible to Agents. One final attempt before facility breach shutdown.”

Arman couldn’t help himself. He had to give it a try. “Computer, Locate me The Fearmongers.”

“What are you doing Arman!” James put his hands over Arman’s mouth. “Undo computer! That was not an attempt. I repeat, that was not an attempt. Stop being silly Arman. The computer will not…”

“Data unlocked. Arman, Child. There are now 4.5 million Fearmongers, an increase of 3 million on from the last check three weeks ago. Conversions are continuing at a steady rate within adults.”

“I guess it makes sense. It’s not accepting adults because it worries. Oh artificial intelligence, I rue the day we invented you.” Arthur wiped some sweat from his brow. “Computer, light up the sky with the Fearmongers please.”

“Data inaccessible, Doctor. You could have been corrupted. Child, Please try again.” The Computer stated quite blankly.

“Oh for f…”

“Doctor!” James shouted, pointing his finger at Doctor Treadman. “Remember there is a child present!”

“Do what he said computer.”

“Yes, Arman. Child.” She did as she was told.

Arman looked up as the lights travelled into a shape of the world, with individual lights on who was suspected to be a Fearmonger.

“Zoom in somewhere for us Arman.” Stephen stated.

Arman waved his arms, and the lights zoomed into a place. His school. “Oh wow, that one! That’s my headmistress! I always thought she was a little dodgy.”

“So did I. So did I.” James couldn’t help but giggle.

“That’s how they do it. They find themselves into seats of power and they manipulate. They bring children down, whilst converting adults to their cause. 1930’s Germany. The French Revolution. Obama. All them leading to a world totalitarian leadership.”

“Totali-what?” Arman interjected.

“It doesn’t matter.” Arthur brushed off Arman’s question. “Computer, how do we take them out? All the Fearmongers?”

“Data inaccessible, you could have been corrupted. Please present the child.”

“Computer. I’m going to smash you into a thousand tiny pieces in a minute unless you obey my orders!” The Doctor was getting visibly frustrated, with his fists starting to clench.

The Computer whizzed over to the doctor and turned an angry purple and began screaming at him. “Threats of violence will be responded to with anaesthetic, followed by poison. Please rephrase your conversation. You have one sentence.”

“Sorry. I withdraw.”

The Computer turned from her angry purple, back to her angelic blue. “Thank you Doctor. Please present the boy.

“Tell me Computer. How do we defeat the Fearmongers?”

“File deleted.”

“Who deleted it?” Arman knew he had to speak for the adults, and being quite smart knew what the questions that needed to be asked were.

“Agent Creswell, Officer No. 1103619.”

Arthur looked confused. “I don’t understand, he hasn’t been here…”

The Computer responded. “Incoming call, mobile cellular device.”

In that moment, Arthur’s cell rang.

“Strange. I’ve already dealt with the United Nations. Who else would be calling?” He picks up the phone. “Hello, Doctor Arthur…

“Hello? Doctor…” A little sinister laugh.

“Yes. I know who you are. Agent Creswell. Am I on speaker phone?”

“No. Say what you have to say.” A look of fear came across Doctor Treadman’s face. Everyone else started to become concerned.

“I must say Doctor. Thank you for the tip off a few minutes ago. Your daughter will be returned safe and sound. Now, you can put me on speaker phone.”

The Doctor did what he told.

“Hello everyone.”

“It’s that man! The one who came to our house earlier…” James grabbed hold of his boys afraid of what was going to be said.

“Yes it’s me. Happy Holidays. So sorry to bother you but I just wanted to say how lovely it was that you are trying to get rid of the Fearmongers. It feels like Christmas 1245 all over again. You failed then, and you will fail now. You will never succeed, we will still grow and some of still hold the darkness inside of ourselves. You have taken a large number of us in the past, and you will no doubt – after your Oracle finally did as she was told – destroy many more of us. But, we will recoup and we will never surrender. You are not the only ones who have access to the Oracle Network. I will make us disappear. Good luck in finding us. Time to sleep.”

The receiver clicked.

Suddenly, The Oracle went into shutdown mode. Her ethereal body appeared in the space they were all occupying, but instead of her usual angelic blue, she shone a bright scarlet red.

“Emergency Protocol Seven. Emergency Halothane Gas to be released in 30… 29… 28…”