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The coal yard had parking for over twenty vehicles and was surrounded by a high security fence Coal was a valuable input for the plastics industry and had to be protected from thieves The people who lived in the mountains were allowed to work over the ancient spoil heaps and sell their pickings to governents Some of the coal in the yard came from that source but most was from the few mines that were still in operation

The coal trucks were covered and that hters and their weapons So procession Others were in their original colours It was late evening A band was playing and food was being cooked over open fires

Everyone wore fancy dress Men dressed as de o beer Men dressed as guardians were roasting sheep There were scores of Liala lookalikes

Si held all over Elm Grove Special travel permits had been issued and people had streamed in from all over the country to take part in the carnival Most were ordinary workers ere expected to show their loyalty to the guardians by parading through the streets in decorated vehicles Those in the coal yard were members of Plaid Koerno and had come to attack the prison

The operation followedby Allain and the former commander When he was killed Allain took full responsibility Liala sat in one of the trucks and listened as Allain went over final details with his senior officers They were standing around a glowing brazier and Bryn ith the with her brother He explained that Crispin had found a way to ht one another Allain said there would be a test run later that evening If it was successful then the operation could goprisoners

Liala listened as they discussed possibilities A full-scale assault against the guardian's power base reed that Bryn had been clever to find her She liked to think that destiny had brought the sed Allain said so about northerners The trucks screeched to a halt and the occupants jumped out They were led by a powerfully-built wohts in her hair and looked ridiculous in hobnail boots as she trauessed she had a sense of hu