Alex Ginelli was able to leave his designated post upon the escape of his allies, rendering Crossland’s backup plan of memory transfer unworkable. In the aftermath of the destruction of New London’s clone factory, the inspection of Lemsford was delayed until staffing issues had been resolved. A failed trap at Oakenfold Special School forced an end to this delay, and on 17th May, Year One, a scouting team of Ginelli clones reached Lemsford and searched for the insurgents’ headquarters.

They found Jack and Gracie…

They were killed during their search of School Lane, and therefore a larger force was dispatched later that night. The village of Lemsford has since been searched with the most intrusive methods available, and subsequently destroyed through a series of air strikes. The search found no evidence supporting Alex Ginelli’s claim. Therefore, at the conclusion of the search, Dean Ginelli was executed in New Brighton Citadel.

Alex did not know how to react. The text in the document didn’t make it seem real, but he believed it. His father had died two days ago, and he hadn’t had any idea.

It wouldn’t have been such a bad thought – most of the Underdogs would have lost relatives by now without knowing – but he had caused his father’s death and not even realised.

Alex and his father had not been on good terms since his teenage years. But in different circumstances, Alex would have fought like hell to protect him. Perhaps Dad would have fought for him too.

There was only one silver lining, and Alex clung onto it as if it justified him betraying his father. He picked out his phone, and called comms.

It was Shannon who answered.

‘Hello?’

‘Shannon, it’s Alex.’

‘You OK?’

‘I’m alive and uninjured… tell me, have the others found a new shelter?’

‘They had Jack leading them. He found a good place before the night was even over.’

‘Tell Mark to fetch them home. We can return to Spitfire’s Rise. Grant doesn’t have a clue where we live.’

There was a moment of quiet, as Shannon tried to process the information. In the background, Lorraine mumbled something about proof.

‘Are you sure, Alex? I mean, absolutely certain?’

A tear fell from Alex’s eye as he decided it was better to tell them the truth. He did well to spill all the details in his three-minute time limit, especially in his emotional state.

There were only two details he missed out: the names of the two songs that changed his memory state, and any mention of his father.

Shannon and Lorraine were compassionate and understanding, although Alex wondered whether that would remain the case once he came home. The conversation ended, and Alex removed the battery from his phone.