Lockdown Conversations: 4 (short story)

Lockdown Conversations: 4 was the twenty-fourth story in the Bernice Summerfield anthology Life During Wartime. It was written by Paul Cornell.

Summary
Benny breaks into the Fifth Axis control centre, in disguise. Her plan is to download the Axis security systems. Jason escorts her to the building and she enters. She gets the information she needs, then heads for the exit. On the way, she looks into a room and sees a big screen.

Brax is in his study, close enough to the controls of his time ship that he could use them. The Axis might stop him, so he doesn't.

Bev is being tortured.

Ms Jones and Bernard Moskof are asleep, having recently discussed bridesmaids' dresses.

Mister Crofton kisses a picture of his wife before he goes to bed.

Adrian Wall thinks about Peter.

Jason waits for Benny to exit the control centre.

Peter is asleep, along with the other half-alien children.

Anson drinks wine and watches images of aliens being destroyed.

As Benny walks into the room, the screen activates. The face on the screen is that of Isaac Summerfield.

Characters

 * Bernice Summerfield
 * Adrian Wall
 * Jason Kane
 * Mesa
 * Mister Crofton
 * Clarissa Jones
 * Bernard Moskof
 * Irving Braxiatel
 * Bev Tarrant
 * Peter Summerfield
 * Mushtaq Anson
 * Isaac Summerfield

Continuity

 * Bev is still in prison. (PROSE: Passing Storms)
 * Benny stole Moskof's key while at a dinner date with him, Jason and Ms Jones. (PROSE: Drinking with the Enemy)