51 Hello, Alan

51 'Hello, Alan' Once the last of the Exocetia had funnelled out of the Spire and joined the thousands surrounding Peanut and Jonathan Higginbottom, a phalanx of twelve gleaming, golden RAZERs emerged and arranged themselves in a V-formation around the doorway. A few seconds later, a tall figure with a neck as thick as his head appeared. 'Well, well, well,' he said. 'Long time no see, little girl.'

'Hello, Alan,' said Peanut. ' Hope you enjoyed your extended mini-break in New York. Have you come back to show us your holiday photos, or just to offer your surrender?' The man laughed. 'On the contrary. It looks like the game is finally up for you and your little Resistance friends. Look.' Peanut looked back through the hole in the crayon fence just in time to see the siege tower brought crashing to the ground by the Big X. The archers were retreating in panic and many of the vehicles in the convoy were wheel-spinning away from the front line. She hoped upon hope that Little-Bit and Rockwell were OK. She steeled herself and turned back to face Mr White's henchman. 'Let me tell you something,' she said, 'There is no way that I am going to be beaten by a man who is as annoying as you are, and whose suit is at least two sizes too small for him.' 'Actually,' said Alan, 'I'm afraid you don't really have any choice in the matter, so you can quit monkeying about.' 'Speaking of monkeys, where's the organ-grinder?' said Peanut, removing her helmet and shaking out her topknot. 'The what?' said Alan, dumbfounded.

'Oh, sorry I forgot that I needed-to spell things out for you,' said Peanut. 'I'm enquiring as to the whereabouts of your boss. You know, Mr White. The guy who makes all the important decisions. I could do with talking to someone with real influence right now.' Alan's pale face flushed, and his freckles turned scarlet. ' Mr White is... otherwise engaged at present. But don't worry, because I can assure you that I am fully authorised to take charge in his absence.' Peanut and Jonathan Higginbottom exchanged glances. Something about this didn't feel right. Why on earth would Mr White not be here to celebrate his moment of victory? After all, Alan did have a point. The battle did appear to be all but over. 'Face it, Jones,' continued Alan. ' Whatever it was that you and the Resistance were trying to achieve, it hasn't worked. You've failed.' As if on cue, a cloud drifted in front of the moon and the city got a little bit darker. 'Now, be a good kid and give me the pencil.' Peanut looked down at her hand. She was holding Little Tail, Strangely, she had no memory of removing it from her bandolier.

'Come on. Any hope that stealing it gave you has now gone.' Peanut looked at Alan. Then back down at the pencil. Then at Alan again. 'You're wrong,' she said coolly. 'Firstly, I didn't steal it. You can't steal something that is already yours. Secondly, there is always hope. I've learned that no matter how bleak things appear to be, any situation can be turned around.' She looked up at the moon as it emerged from behind the cloud and recast its silvery light across Chroma. She thought she saw a silhouette of something fly across its face. 'In fact,' she continued, 'they say that the darkest hour is often the one just before dawn.' Then, from above, an American-accented voice that Peanut instantly recognised spoke. 'I couldn't have said it better myself, citizen!'