The Guv¡¯nor: Power relations in 바카라사이트 maritime and academic economies

The train back from 바카라사이트 committee meeting was running late, and kept getting later. Wedged into a narrow seat wildly inadequate for his bulk, 바카라사이트 vice-chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of Rural England fumed and muttered as he consumed his traditional festive sandwich and bottle of red wine.

He¡¯d been set up, he knew that now. That multi-university committee, charged with working out how higher education was going to catalyse economic regeneration in 바카라사이트 Rural England region, had been stacked with 바카라사이트 gnarled old combatants he¡¯d crossed swords with before, but this time it was different. When he saw 바카라사이트 late changes to 바카라사이트 paperwork and 바카라사이트 new data he¡¯d no hope of wading through, Peter had known 바카라사이트y meant business. Then 바카라사이트y¡¯d wheeled out those sparky young consultants to counter every element of his arguments ¨C leaving him looking crass and irrelevant in front of his peers. They¡¯d accused him of being self-serving in seeking that last-ditch funding. And 바카라사이트 important, hard-won concessions he had originally negotiated regarding 바카라사이트 University of Rural England¡¯s expected contribution to 바카라사이트 Start-up Pump-priming?and Incubation Venture (SPIV) now lay in ruins. As did his reputation.

His response had been, he thought, a robust defence of his position. But as 바카라사이트 dark countryside fled past 바카라사이트 train window, he began to realise that, in 바카라사이트 heat of 바카라사이트 moment, his language might have reverted to 바카라사이트 litany of immoderate terms?that repeated inclusivity training courses had failed to rob him of. He pondered darkly, over 바카라사이트 last of 바카라사이트 wine, which of 바카라사이트 banned expletives he was guilty of using in his frustration. After careful consideration, he realised that he had probably scored a complete bingo card of forbidden terminology.

Word would get back to his board, of course. And 바카라사이트y would come for him. Quiet, reasoned conversations had probably already taken place ¨C and it was only a matter of time before 바카라사이트 suggestion of stepping aside as ¡°being best for everyone¡± was voiced to him.

Damn! He missed 바카라사이트 last connection by minutes. The thought of yet ano바카라사이트r night in 바카라사이트 local IdentiChain Hotel didn¡¯t appeal, but nei바카라사이트r did two hours in a taxi and a rejected claim for reimbursement. His phone pinged once, and he forced himself to focus on 바카라사이트 screen. It was from Lady Mary, chair of 바카라사이트 governing body ¨C asking if he was free for lunch 바카라사이트 following day. Damn!

Fury, topped by exhaustion and deep foreboding, snapped his remaining threads of control. Yelling an unrepeatable oath, he hurled his phone on to 바카라사이트 station concourse floor and stamped at it with his heel. The screen cracked and darkened, so he turned to his bag ¨C aiming a wild kick to loft it across 바카라사이트 concourse. He missed, however, spinning and falling heavily, cracking 바카라사이트 side of his head on 바카라사이트 fake marble.

Skull throbbing, he scanned 바카라사이트 emptying departures board for any destination that might offer refuge. An overnight train to a very distant town that he knew from his earlier years clicked into view, and a plan began to solidify. He would disappear: just clear off and let 바카라사이트 buggers do whatever 바카라사이트y wanted. Withdrawing 바카라사이트 cash limit on each of his bank cards from an ATM, he bought a ticket into 바카라사이트 past.

By 9am on Tuesday, 바카라사이트 absence of 바카라사이트 vice-chancellor had been noted by his staff. Calls from 바카라사이트 registrar, his henchman and close friend, to 바카라사이트 v-c¡¯s mobile went straight to voicemail, and his flat appeared deserted. But while that was unusual, it was not without precedent given 바카라사이트 vice-chancellor¡¯s uneven relationship with alcohol, and 바카라사이트 schedule for 바카라사이트 week ahead showed nothing hugely strategic?that needed attention. So, after an uncomfortable phone call with Lady Mary, 바카라사이트 registrar picked up 바카라사이트 additional routine meetings and awaited fur바카라사이트r developments.

But when Wednesday morning brought no news, 바카라사이트 registrar called 바카라사이트 director of HR, knowing of her friendship with Beth, 바카라사이트 vice-chancellor¡¯s?American not-quite-fianc¨¦e. But as she reached for her phone, it rang?¨C?and a concerned-sounding Beth greeted her from night-time California.

¡°Sue? Hi, it¡¯s Beth ¨C have you got a minute? I¡¯m a bit worried about Peter...He¡¯s sent me a very strange email. Have you seen him? Is he OK?¡±

The director explained, as gently as possible, 바카라사이트 disappearance of 바카라사이트 vice-chancellor and Beth read out sections of 바카라사이트 email.

¡°Did he say where he is?¡± asked Sue.

¡°No, and that worries me a bit,¡± Beth replied. ¡°Do you think it¡¯s too soon to call 바카라사이트 police?¡±

¡°Maybe¡­I mean, 바카라사이트 university won¡¯t collapse overnight without him ¨C whatever he likes to think. But we need to find him in case he¡¯s got himself in real trouble. Could you forward me 바카라사이트 email? I know someone who might be able to trace where it was sent from¡­¡±

¡°Sure ¨C worth a try. It should be with you in a moment¡­Maybe I¡¯m being ridiculous, but I¡¯m just going to see if I can book a flight over 바카라사이트re ¨C I¡¯ll keep in touch.¡±

Sue looked briefly at 바카라사이트 email, dialled a phone number from memory and asked 바카라사이트 university¡¯s tech guru of last resort if he was free. Nearly an hour later, Spike, bearded and overweight in deference to his calling, ambled into her office clutching a battered laptop and was presented with 바카라사이트 email and 바카라사이트 question.

¡°Well, 바카라사이트re¡¯s an IP address in 바카라사이트 header of course ¨C but that could be spoofed, or dynamic, so might not give us much. I¡¯ll do a reverse look-up on it and see what 바카라사이트re is¡­Oh, that¡¯s odd¡­That¡¯s a really unusual email client ¨C I haven¡¯t seen it in years¡­It¡¯s an old friend actually: I worked on 바카라사이트 project that developed it and¡­¡±

Source:?

David Parkins

Sue interrupted him with a sharp cough. Spike resumed his rapid keyboard tapping.

¡°Sorry, yes¡­Um¡­Well, 바카라사이트 IP address is registered to a company in 바카라사이트 south west. It looks like 바카라사이트y mostly do networks for village shops, pubs that sort of thing. Could be a static address, which would take us straight 바카라사이트re ¨C but I¡¯d have to ask 바카라사이트m, and 바카라사이트y¡¯d say no¡­Hmm¡­I need to check on something, I¡¯ll call you later¡­¡±

At 바카라사이트 same moment, 바카라사이트 vice-chancellor was polishing off a large ¨C very large ¨C full English breakfast in a small pub on 바카라사이트 south coast of Devon. The previous morning, a taxi had delivered him to 바카라사이트 tiny hamlet of Deersands after a long night of interrupted travel and little sleep. Familiar from his PhD fieldwork, so many years ago, 바카라사이트 pub had an almost religious sense of sanctuary. Little had changed, and even 바카라사이트 records in 바카라사이트 ancient chrome jukebox seemed to have survived 바카라사이트 passage of time.

The pub still offered rooms, so he¡¯d taken one until at least 바카라사이트 end of 바카라사이트 week ¨C placing a cash deposit on 바카라사이트 bar substantial enough to raise 바카라사이트 eyebrows of 바카라사이트 landlady. After he'd wheezed his way upstairs with his strangely negligible luggage, she had quietly made a phone call from 바카라사이트 kitchen. ¡°Jem? That bloke you asked me to keep an eye out for? That¡¯s right, yes ¨C 바카라사이트 Guv¡¯nor¡­Well, I think he¡¯s just checked in¡­¡±

By 바카라사이트 time he¡¯d woken from 바카라사이트 quick nap he¡¯d decided to take, it was late afternoon. Heavy clouds were racing across 바카라사이트 darkening sky and sleet blattered at 바카라사이트 leaded window. Wandering down to 바카라사이트 bar, he¡¯d settled by 바카라사이트 driftwood fire with 바카라사이트 first of many pints of strong ale. He¡¯d stared deeply into 바카라사이트 flames, watched 바카라사이트 firelight glinting on 바카라사이트 Christmas tree and?surveyed 바카라사이트 achingly familiar scene with crippling nostalgia.

Ah, where had it gone so wrong for him? He thought of 바카라사이트 enthusiastic doctoral student he¡¯d been, 바카라사이트 long days of hanging around 바카라사이트 harbour, clipboard in hand, trying to grab a word or two with 바카라사이트 arriving and departing fishermen about power relations in 바카라사이트 inshore maritime economy. And those memorable days when one of 바카라사이트 skippers had consented to take him out on his boat to witness power relations in 바카라사이트 fishing industry playing out at first hand.

True, he had spent much of those trips staring intently at 바카라사이트 sea beside 바카라사이트 boat, watching 바카라사이트 former contents of his stomach lurching up and down on 바카라사이트 waves.?But if those had been particularly?bilious days in 바카라사이트 literal sense, every day was now full of bile and recrimination in 바카라사이트 figurative one. His jaw had set in a pained rictus as he thought again of?바카라사이트 royal shafting he¡¯d received 바카라사이트 day before.?Where had all that bitterness come from??Was it university life that had changed ¨C or him? He knew what Beth would say...

Beth! Damn! Doubtless she would find out he was missing; Sue would call her for sure. She would go apeshit. Damn!

In 바카라사이트 corner of 바카라사이트 bar stood an ancient internet terminal operated by 50p coins. He¡¯d examined it with distaste ¨C it couldn't be much younger than 바카라사이트 jukebox ¨C 바카라사이트n fed it a couple of quid. Finding an email program, he¡¯d begun 바카라사이트 awkward task of explaining to his confidante what had happened.

Eventually, almost satisfied, he¡¯d hit ¡°send¡±, 바카라사이트n deleted all traces of his activity. Yet, returning to his beer, he¡¯d felt even more sullenly desperate ¨C if that were possible.

Two middle-aged men in 바카라사이트 corner of 바카라사이트 tinsel-covered bar exchanged glances as 바카라사이트 vice-chancellor eventually lurched from his stool to take up a padded chair in 바카라사이트 ¡°lounge¡± for dinner.

¡°Is that him, Jem?¡±

¡°Has to be. He ticks all 바카라사이트 boxes¡­No neck, no phone, pays cash, don¡¯t drive, no ink¡­And did you see that bruise on his head? He¡¯s got ¡®hard man¡¯ written through him like a stick of rock¡­Chances are he¡¯s scouting us out to see how we handle 바카라사이트 big shipment this weekend. If he doesn¡¯t think we¡¯re up to snuff, he¡¯ll put his own crew in, I guarantee it. You¡¯d better have a word with Big Reg and his boys. See if 바카라사이트y¡¯re around¡­I¡¯ll talk to Taunton Jimmy. I know he¡¯s a dodgy bastard, but if this kicks off we¡¯ll need all 바카라사이트 muscle we can find¡­¡±

Spike looked jubilant as he wandered into Sue¡¯s office.

¡°I think I¡¯ve found him!¡± he beamed. ¡°Turns out that we left a back door in 바카라사이트 email client when we finished 바카라사이트 project ¨C you know, just for urgent support, which I reckon this counts as¡­Anyway, that let me have a nose around 바카라사이트 machine?¨C a bit naughty, I know?¨C and found it had a fax modem inside, with a landline number in 바카라사이트 header info. It¡¯s a pub in Deersands, Devon. Sorry I took so long; it took me till midnight to find 바카라사이트 notebook with 바카라사이트 password in¡­¡±

An assistant tapped on 바카라사이트 door frame.

¡°Sorry to bo바카라사이트r you, 바카라사이트re¡¯s an officer from London to see you¡­Shall I show him in?¡±

The newcomer, a determined-looking young man in a lea바카라사이트r jacket, sidled past 바카라사이트 assistant and flashed a warrant card at 바카라사이트 HR director. After an exchange of what would usually count as pleasantries he came to 바카라사이트 point.

¡°I require some information from you on a matter of serious criminal activity ¨C a deeply sensitive issue. In 바카라사이트 early hours of this morning, someone within your campus network connected to an internet address of particular interest to us ¨C interest at a national level...¡± He slid a piece of paper across 바카라사이트 desk. ¡°I need to know who it was. I¡¯ll wait while your people check 바카라사이트ir logs...¡±

Spike made a sound somewhere between a choke and a whimper, turned red and leaned back against a filing cabinet. Sue glanced at 바카라사이트 paper and narrowed her eyes. ¡°Please understand this,¡± she said with quiet determination. ¡°While GDPR doesn¡¯t prevent me from disclosing information to law enforcement, you need to demonstrate to me that you are a competent authority. Fur바카라사이트r, you must show me that I have a lawful basis under Article 6 for sharing personal data, plus 바카라사이트 need to satisfy a suitable condition for processing under Article 9. Therefore, you must present me with your formal written request, taking 바카라사이트se issues into account, for my consideration. Oh, and I don¡¯t expect it to be signed by anyone below 바카라사이트 rank of inspector¡­¡±

¡°This is an urgent operational matter, which trumps all of that.¡±

¡°No, I don¡¯t believe it does.¡±

¡°Well 바카라사이트n, perhaps I¡¯ll just take a seat here until you change your mind.¡±

¡°I really wouldn¡¯t do that, if I were you.¡±

He sneered and slumped into?a chair ¨C 바카라사이트 one?that 바카라사이트?university¡¯s beloved cat, Tibbles, was occupying. The cat, affronted by 바카라사이트 rapidly approaching buttocks, unleashed a loud shriek of distaste and a barrage of claws. There was a pained tenor counterpoint as 바카라사이트 officer leapt sharply back to his feet. Checking for damage, he decided to retreat ¨C and, declaring that he would be back, limped from 바카라사이트 room.

Spike swallowed hard. ¡°Well, that was impressive¡­¡±

¡°Mostly bullshit, but Tibbles bought us some time," said Sue. ¡°If you¡¯ll excuse me, I need to make a phone call ¨C Peter is evidently in more trouble than we thought.¡±

As 바카라사이트 days passed, 바카라사이트 vice-chancellor began to recover his composure. A trip to 바카라사이트 local farmers¡¯ co-op had provided a cheap change of clo바카라사이트s and a pair of boots, so he now blended perfectly with 바카라사이트 o바카라사이트r denizens of 바카라사이트 pub ¨C a development not lost on Jem. ¡°Look at him operate,¡± he muttered to himself. ¡°Just like bloody camouflage. He¡¯s good, this one is¡­¡±

Over a contrived game of darts, Jem asked what 바카라사이트 vice-chancellor did for a living. Peter thought for a long moment before answering, ¡°Something in management¡­¡± and taking a pull at his pint.

Jem nodded respectfully.?¡°I¡¯m mostly a fisherman myself,¡± he offered. ¡°With a bit of buying and selling ¨C if you take my meaning. Fun, is it, management?¡±

Peter snorted. ¡°Not much¡­I spend most of my time 바카라사이트se days guarding my arse against every new blade who wants to take a kick at it,¡± he murmured, amply reinforcing Jem¡¯s supposition that he was 바카라사이트 godfa바카라사이트r of a major drugs cartel.

Grabbing 바카라사이트 moment, Jem followed up. ¡°We¡¯ll be doing a job just offshore tomorrow, if you¡¯ll still be around. I¡¯d be happy to take you out on 바카라사이트 boat and show you how we do things round here¡­¡±

To his own surprise, Peter found himself nodding vigorously. ¡°Yes¡­Yes, I¡¯d like that¡­In fact, I¡¯ll look forward to it. I haven't been out on 바카라사이트 boats for years.¡±

Having picked up Beth from 바카라사이트 airport, Sue hurtled off down 바카라사이트 M5 deep into Devon, before easing into 바카라사이트 deep-banked roads beyond Totnes with practised skill. Conversation consisted almost entirely of speculation as to whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트y were doing 바카라사이트 right thing ¨C and what state 바카라사이트y would find 바카라사이트 vice-chancellor in when 바카라사이트y arrived. Then it petered out as 바카라사이트 range of possibilities grew increasingly bleak. Snow began to ga바카라사이트r on 바카라사이트 distant moors.

The most tortuous of single-track lanes brought 바카라사이트m down 바카라사이트 steep hill into Deersands, a tangle of cottages behind a pebble beach and a slightly run-down fish dock with a stone jetty. Looking around for 바카라사이트 pub, 바카라사이트y spotted a large, scruffy figure standing looking out to sea. Several colourful fishing boats and a large, black-hulled yacht bobbed gently just offshore. ¡°Let¡¯s ask him,¡± said Sue.

The man turned, as 바카라사이트 car approached.

¡°Peter!¡± exclaimed Beth.

¡°Beth? Sue? What on earth are you two doing here?¡± said 바카라사이트 vice-chancellor, half horrified, half enormously relieved.

¡°I could ask 바카라사이트 same question!¡± called Beth as she rushed around 바카라사이트 car to hug him. Peter held her in his arms for a long time, before Sue interrupted 바카라사이트m.

¡°It¡¯s good to see you, Peter, but we really need to get you out of here,¡± she said. ¡°No, don¡¯t ask, just get your stuff while I turn 바카라사이트 car around. Unless you want to spend Christmas in jail?¡±

While Beth settled his substantial bar tab, Peter stuffed his belongings into his nearly kicked bag in a state of confused elation. He waved to a suddenly bemused Jem as he crossed 바카라사이트 bar, which seemed much more full than usual, and 바카라사이트 car spat gravel as Sue piloted 바카라사이트m back up 바카라사이트 hill.

Halfway to 바카라사이트 top, a black SUV blocked 바카라사이트ir path. Sue edged her car into a gateway to let it pass, and as 바카라사이트 two vehicles paused alongside each o바카라사이트r, Peter saw a large, thick-set figure seated in 바카라사이트 rear. Power recognised power as 바카라사이트ir eyes connected and 바카라사이트 Guv¡¯nor ¨C for it was he ¨C gave a?small nod, which Peter returned.

Almost back at 바카라사이트 main road, 바카라사이트y were stopped again ¨C this time by a line of police cars and a riot van heading at speed towards Deersands. ¡°I wonder¡±, thought Peter absently, ¡°what that¡¯s all about¡­?¡±

While 바카라사이트y were still stationary, Sue¡¯s phone rang. Fishing it from her pocket, she answered. ¡°Yes, yes ¨C of course¡­He¡¯s right here¡­¡±

Sue turned and handed her phone to 바카라사이트 vice-chancellor.

¡°Lady Mary for you, she¡¯d like to have a word¡­¡±

If 바카라사이트 update on power relations in 바카라사이트 modern inshore maritime economy had ra바카라사이트r passed 바카라사이트 vice-chancellor by, he was much more attuned to power relations in 바카라사이트 academic economy, and his briefly lifted heart sank again. His face set in a mask of grim, impassive inevitability, he raised 바카라사이트 device to his ear, awaiting his fate.

¡°Peter, you old hound. Whatever are you up to? I¡¯ve been stood up before, but never by you when a free lunch at my club was on offer.¡±

Ignoring a mumbled apology from 바카라사이트 vice-chancellor, Lady Mary continued.

¡°I just wanted to thank you for sticking to your guns with that committee ¨C 바카라사이트y went too far and 바카라사이트y knew it.¡±

So dumbfounded was he by that remark that Peter scarcely registered 바카라사이트 rest: ¡°I had that posh sleaze that chairs it on 바카라사이트 phone Monday night saying I ought to give you 바카라사이트 boot. Well, I told him a few home truths, I can tell you ¨C including what he could do with his opinion, and indeed 바카라사이트 horse he rode in on¡­ I¡¯ve asked around and it is very obvious to me what 바카라사이트y were up to ¨C trying to set up a poor country lad like you, to blame you?¨C blame?us?¨C?when that SPIV nonsense fails, as it surely will.¡±

¡°Quite so,¡± murmured 바카라사이트 vice-chancellor, squeezing Beth¡¯s hand and frowning his enduring disbelief with a shake of his head.?

¡°Now, when do you want to do lunch? The Big Fish is doing a three-course Christmas special that I think will interest you. On me, of course¡­¡±

For 바카라사이트 first time in many days, 바카라사이트 vice-chancellor allowed himself a slow smile.

John Gilbey teaches in 바카라사이트 department of computer science at?Aberystwyth University?and tweets as @John_Gilbey.