C272 If They Understand The Purpose Behind It

Before everyone retired for the night, the Mooney residence remained unusually lively. Although dinner had ended nearly an hour earlier, the discussion surrounding the Harris family had left everyone with plenty to think about. Instead of immediately going to bed, Alicia and I carried several folders upstairs and spread them across the table in our room. Blueprints of Lucia Goods' headquarters lay side by side with floor plans of the executive offices.

This matter could not be delayed. If we truly intended to prepare ourselves for whatever the Harris family might do next, then every minute counted. I leaned over the drawings, studying the layout of the executive floor. "So," I said after tracing one of the hallways with my finger, "this boardroom is still the best choice." Alicia nodded. "I've been thinking about it ever since dinner." She moved another document toward me. "The boardroom is much larger than any empty office. If we renovate it properly, it will be able to accommodate everything we need."

I looked at the measurements once more. "The space really is enough." "We could divide it into different sections." She smiled. "Exactly." "The left side can be fitted with exercise equipment for physical conditioning." "The middle can become a combat area where everyone learns self-defense, boxing and close-quarter fighting." She tapped the far end of the drawing. "And this section can become our shooting range."

I frowned slightly. "There is just one problem." She looked up. "What is it?" I tapped the section she had marked as the shooting range. "The noise." "If people start firing weapons inside the building..." "...the entire company will not be able to concentrate." She immediately understood what I meant. The cheerful expression on her face slowly disappeared as she began thinking seriously. "You're right."

She leaned back in her chair. "I didn't consider that." "For an Information Technology company, the sound of gunfire echoing through the building would cause complete chaos." I nodded. "It wouldn't just distract the employees." "And if clients happened to be visiting the company that day..." "...our reputation would suffer." Alicia rested her chin on her hand. The room became quiet.

Neither of us spoke for several minutes as we thought through possible solutions. Finally, her eyes brightened. "Silencers." I blinked. "For the guns?" She shook her head. "No." "For the room." She pointed back at the blueprint. "We'll have the walls rebuilt with soundproof materials." "The ceiling too." "If possible, even the floor." She became increasingly excited as the idea developed. "That way, whatever happens inside the training room won't disturb the rest of Lucia Goods."

I smiled. "My wife..." "That actually makes perfect sense." She grinned proudly. "I know." "The renovation costs will increase a little..." "...but the company can afford it." I nodded in agreement. "Besides, if we're doing this..." "...we should do it properly." She continued making notes on the blueprint. "We'll also need reinforced walls around the shooting section." "Protective glass." "Secure storage lockers." "And proper ventilation."

I laughed. "You've planned this like a military facility." She looked at me innocently. "I only want everyone to train safely." "We're preparing people to protect themselves, not creating another danger." I smiled. "Fair enough." After another thirty minutes of discussion, nearly every detail had been decided. The boardroom would be renovated instead of occupying three different offices.

It would become a single multifunctional training room capable of accommodating physical fitness, combat training and firearms practice. When Alicia finally placed the pen down, she stretched both arms before letting out a long sigh. "I think that's everything." I glanced through the notes one final time before nodding. "It really shouldn't take too long." "The biggest task will probably be rebuilding the room." "The rest is simply purchasing equipment."

Alicia smiled. "Exactly." She closed the folder before looking at me. "So..." "This means tomorrow I'll have to call another board meeting." I laughed. "The executives are going to think you're addicted to meetings." She couldn't help laughing as well. "Maybe." "But tomorrow's meeting won't be about business." "It'll be about everyone's safety." She became serious again. "I'll explain why we're creating the training facility." "I don't intend to hide it." "If people understand the purpose behind it..." "...they'll cooperate more willingly."

I nodded approvingly. "That's the right approach." "People fear what they don't understand." "If they know we're preparing for emergencies rather than starting a private army..." "...they'll support you." Alicia smiled warmly. "Thank you." She slowly gathered the documents into one neat pile before placing them inside the folder. "That's enough work for one day." "We both need some sleep."

I stood up and stretched. "I couldn't agree more." After switching off the lights, we quietly climbed into bed. Only moments later, exhaustion finally caught up with us. Within minutes, both of us had fallen asleep. Meanwhile... The lights inside Mark Mooney's study were still on. Unlike the rest of the family, sleep was the last thing on his mind. His desk was covered with notebooks, official documents and a list of phone numbers.

He adjusted his glasses before making yet another phone call. Ring... Ring... Ring... "I'm sorry, Commissioner," came the reply from the other side. "Without special authorization, we can't process that request." Mark thanked the person politely before ending the call. He rubbed his forehead. "Another rejection." He looked down at the growing list. Every person he had contacted had given him a different reason.

Some cited legal procedures. Others blamed government regulations. Several simply refused to get involved. His frustration steadily increased. "This is ridiculous." "They're willing to wait until someone dies before approving defensive measures." He sighed deeply before reaching for another number. His gaze stopped on one particular name. Mayor of Aberdirm. Mark hesitated for a moment. "I suppose it's worth trying." He pressed the call button.

The phone rang twice before being answered. "Good evening, Mayor speaking." "Good evening." "It's Mark Mooney." The mayor immediately sounded more cheerful. "Minister Mooney." "I wasn't expecting your call this late." "I hope everything is all right." Mark smiled faintly. "I wish I could say it is." "I actually need your help." The mayor's tone became serious. "Tell me what's happened." Mark leaned back in his chair. "You already know about the Harris investigation." "Yes."

The mayor sighed. "Unfortunately, every lead we've followed has disappeared." "It's as though someone warns them before we get there." Mark nodded. "Exactly." "Which is why I'm calling." "My daughter has proposed something rather unusual." The mayor sounded intrigued. "Oh?" "What kind of proposal?" "My daughter's company is an Information Technology company." "But she wants to establish an internal security training facility."

There was silence. Finally, the mayor asked, "I'm afraid I don't quite understand." Mark smiled patiently. "Earlier today..." "The Harris family made their first move." "They appear to be targeting my son-in-law." "If they're bold enough to investigate my family..." "...it's only a matter of time before they come again." He continued calmly, "My daughter doesn't want to wait helplessly." "She wants her employees and our family to learn how to protect themselves."

The mayor remained thoughtful. "So where do I come in?" Mark answered honestly. "I've spent the entire evening trying to obtain the necessary security permits and firearm licences." "So far..." "I've had no success." "If you could help speed up the licensing process..." "...it would help us tremendously." The mayor remained quiet for several seconds. Finally, he spoke. "If it's only the legal permits..." "...I'll help you." A smile finally appeared on Mark's tired face. "Thank you."

The mayor quickly added, "But purchasing the firearms..." "...that responsibility remains yours." Mark nodded. "I understand." "I wasn't asking for funding." "I only needed the legal authorization." "Then consider it done." "I'll contact the relevant departments first thing tomorrow morning." Relief washed over Mark. "Thank you, Mayor." "You've done my family a great favour." The mayor chuckled softly. "Let's just hope your daughter's preparations never become necessary."

Mark looked out through the study window into the dark night. "So do I." "But if that day ever comes..." "...I'd rather have them prepared than helpless." The call ended shortly afterward. Mark slowly placed the phone on the desk before leaning back in his chair. For the first time that evening, the tension on his face eased. At least one important obstacle had been removed.

Tomorrow morning... He would finally have good news to share with Alicia and Mike. Satisfied, he switched off the study lights. The Mooney residence gradually fell into complete silence. One by one, every member of the family drifted into a peaceful sleep... Completely unaware that the days ahead would test them more than ever before.