‘No, ma’am. He arrived by barge early this morning. He’s been trying to call you on the satellite phone, but apparently, it is not turned on.’
Christina frowned and tucked a strand of her long blonde hair behind her ear. She crossed from the window to her desk and sat down. The office was sparsely decorated with a mahogany desk, the main piece of furniture, facing the door. Along the wall to the right of the desk were seven steel cabinets and a small table with an old coffee machine on it. To the left of the desk were floor to ceiling windows which she spent hours looking out of.
Christina pulled open a desk drawer and picked up her government satphone. ‘Shit, the damn thing is off. Okay, let’s hurry across, Private. I hope you came across by boat because I’m not walking across one of those death-trap sky-bridges.’
‘Ma’am, our engineers assure us that all the sky-bridges are now safe to use. It’s still the quickest way to move between the three major buildings of the GGC,’ the private said.
‘I know that it’s quick, Private, but I still question their safety. Tell the men and women who have fallen to their deaths that it is safe and secure. No, thank you. We’ll have to get a boat.’
‘It’s all arranged, ma’am, Lord Butler told me to bring a dinghy,’ he said. ‘He mentioned your dislike of heights.’
‘It’s not the height, Private. It’s the falling and dying bit.’
Christina picked up her black overcoat and left the office, heading straight for the green painted stairwell.
‘Let’s walk. I don’t trust the lift. It is manually operated and takes bloody forever to get up or down,’ she said.
‘You want to walk down all twenty-eight floors, ma’am?’
’Yes, Private. Is that a problem?’
‘No, ma’am. I prefer the stairs to that rickety contraption any day.’
A while later, Christina entered the empty building lobby and walked towards the main flood doors, the damp smell of the outside world stinging her nostrils. The oversized metal doors were all that kept the tidal flood water at bay when the water level rose up the side of the buildings during the high tide. All the windows in the well-lit lobby had wire mesh installed to protect them from objects thrown from the street. Not all Floodlanders were prepared to wait for handouts at the gate.
‘Watch your step, ma’am,’ the sergeant in charge said. ‘The stairs have been scraped this morning but are still very slippery with the green algae. Please hold on to the guide ropes as you head down to the boat.’
Two heavily armed guards pulled the thick flood doors open, and a blast of cold air rushed in to greet them.
Soon they were making the short journey in a small black rubber Zodiac across the muddy water to the Phoenix building. Christina looked back at the large GGC building she had just left. It was no longer the impressive building that had once stood out during the financial boom years in Canary Wharf. The metal window frames had discoloured, and torrential rain had left permanent rust streaks down the facades. Wire mesh protected the lower floor windows from Floodlanders getting in. Twenty sky-bridges protruded out from different floors and junctures of the building, traversing the open water to the other buildings in the Phoenix compound.
As the dinghy arrived at the Phoenix building, Christina glanced over at the old HSBC Bank signage, which lay in decay to the side of the doorway, cast aside like the lives of most of London’s residents.
• • •
Once on the third floor, Christina knocked on the heavy wooden door of Lord Francis Butler’s office. The door creaked open, and she walked through. She loved coming to her mentor’s office because it reminded her of a warm, welcoming library, with the smell of wood and leather taking her back to safer times as a child. It had ceiling to floor bookshelves filled with old volumes and journals, two small wooden ladders were placed at opposite sides of the room, and large red chesterfield sofas and chairs were placed in the centre of a fading Persian carpet.
‘Christina my girl, you are still alive. I was getting worried that something had happened to you,’ said the jovial man, getting to his feet behind an antique wooden desk. He amply filled his black waistcoat and white work shirt, the collar straining around his thick neck. ‘You’ve already met Minister Jürgen Kohler.’ He gestured to a tall, slim man with small steel-rimmed spectacles, standing near the window.
‘I have indeed. Good morning, Minister Kohler. How are you, sir?’
‘I am fine, thank you,’ he said with a thick Germanic accent.
Lord Butler waddled around the desk as he came over to greet the girl, someone he’d been charged with looking after. He gave her a big fatherly hug. ‘Always good to see you, my girl. Please have a seat.’
Christina sat down and watched as Lord Butler eased his short, round frame onto the couch next to her.
‘Christina, tell me. Have you heard from your parents recently?’
‘No, sir. They are still stranded in Montreal, and it seems that they will be there until the travel ban is lifted. I spoke to my father last month, and they both seem well, although they do worry about me.’
Lord Butler nodded. ‘It’s parent’s role to worry about their children. Which you will no doubt experience for yourself someday. At least they know I’m keeping an eye on you.’
‘Is there any news on lifting the travel ban?’ she asked.
‘No, not until we know more about the status of this H9b9 avian flu virus in the USA. All travel in and out of the country will remain suspended,’ he replied.
‘So, the entire country is still effectively under quarantine?’ she said.
‘That’s right. We think it’s an airborne version of the old bird-flu virus, and until we find out more, it’s a no-go area, I’m afraid. Canada also had to be included because of the large common border they share,’ Lord Butler said.
‘Francis,’ Jürgen Kohler said, tapping his watch.
‘Yes, indeed,’ Lord Butler said. ‘Christina, the reason I’ve asked you over and the reason that Jürgen has joined us, is that we have terrific news for you. It’s been decided that you are to be promoted to the post of Deputy Minister of Governmental Affairs, effective immediately.’
Christina sat quietly, a cold wave of fear washing over her. ‘Oh my God, are you serious, Francis? I mean, Lord Butler.’
‘I’m very serious. You’ve done fantastic work in helping us to roll out the Global Government Collective across Europe. The Phoenix Council has major new initiatives in the pipeline, and we could think of no one better to lead them.’
Christina stood up and shook Lord Butler’s hand, then walked over to Minister Kohler and shook his hand. ‘Thank you so much, sir,’ she said.
The German minister scowled. ‘You might as well know that I was not in favour of your appointment because I believe you are still too inexperienced.’
‘Now, Jürgen, don’t be such a bloody grouch. Christina has more than earned this appointment.’
‘And being a friend of yours had no part to play in it?’
‘You’re a friend of mine, and I’ve always supported you. What exactly is your point?’ Lord Butler said, changing position on the couch. He leaned forward a frown on his face. Jürgen Kohler lifted his hand in resignation and looked down at the ground.
‘Christina, I trust that you will reward Lord Butler’s faith in your abilities.’
She nodded then wandered over to the window and gazed out over London. Her thoughts went back to her parents who she wished could’ve been here to celebrate with her. They would be so proud. Her bottom lip quivered a little, and she lowered her head as her emotions got the better of her. With tears in her eyes, she noticed that the tidal surge was now in, and central London was once again flooded. The thought of all the men, woman and children struggling to survive out there snapped her back to reality.
Lord Butler came over and put his hand on her shoulder. ‘Together, we can start to make a difference here,’ he said. Christina nodded without breaking her gaz
e over the watery world outside.
‘You are to move out of that horrible GGC building and move in here onto the fourteenth floor. I wish it could be better living conditions, but it’s all we have amongst the chaos.’
‘Francis, it will be fine I’m sure, thank you.’
‘Good,’ he said. ‘That’s all settled, then. Be in my office at nine o’clock tomorrow morning. Because you’re now my deputy, you will be required to join me at the monthly meeting of the Phoenix Council.’
Chapter 4
Phoenix Council Chambers, London, England, UK - 2028
Christina sat on a dark brown leather couch in the long wood-panelled hallway of the Phoenix Chamber. GGC ministers huddled in little groups in dark corners, discussing political issues and conspiracies. The scheming and plotting of politics never ceased to amaze her, and when she realised that she was now part of this cloak and dagger world, she grew all the more apprehensive. Judging by the stares she was getting, there were those who were not happy with her rapid rise within the organisation.
Everyone in the room awaited the completion of the Phoenix Chamber meeting, which was always held behind closed doors. A slim figured man in a grey suit stood next to her and smiled. She returned the smile.
‘Is this your first Council meeting?
‘Yes, it is.’
‘It shouldn’t be too much longer. There is always a little more excitement around before the Grand Founders end their session. The six Grand Founders always have their Chamber meeting before the general Phoenix Council assembly to confirm the strategy and policy that will then be passed down to the Council for roll out and implementation by the GGC. It all sounds a little confusing at first, but you’ll get the hang of it. Good luck in there.’
A hush descended on the room as the large wooden doors of the chamber opened. Two smartly dressed Phoenix Guards walked out and took their place on either side of the large doorway. Andrei Kirilenko, the secretive leader of the military wing, was first through the door with an armful of papers, heading purposefully down the hallway.
Grand Founders, Kohler and Watanabe, followed him out of the chamber engaged in a deep and animated discussion, followed by the jovial figure of Christina’s mentor and friend, Lord Butler, who upon seeing her, waddled over and sat down beside her.
‘You look a little nervous, Christina,’ he said.
‘I am, sir. I’m just not sure what to expect.’
‘It’s simple. We will enter and take our seats. I’ll be up front, at the long table with Minister Kohler and Lady Winterton, who will chair the council. You’ll sit in the seat that has been assigned to your position, and you won’t have to do or say anything. We’ll lead the meeting and then at the end there may be time for questions,’ he said.
‘So, I don’t have to deliver a speech or go through an initiation ceremony?’
Lord Butler let out one of his loud guttural laughs. ‘Good Lord no. We’re not a ritualistic organisation or cult. It’s like a very large board meeting.’
Lady Winterton, who was dressed in a red ceremonial robe with gold trim, walked over to where Christina was sitting. She smiled. ‘Christina dear, welcome. It’s wonderful to have another woman within our ranks. We are all on a fantastic journey here, and it’s starting to feel a little claustrophobic in the company of these boorish men with all their testosterone and chest thumping.’
Christina stood quickly and shook Lady Winterton’s hand. ‘Thank you, Lady Winterton. It’s an honour to meet you in person.’
‘Shall we get this meeting underway then?’ Lady Winterton said and led the way into the chamber.
The Phoenix Chamber was sparsely decorated with the same dark wood panelling used in the hallway outside. It had once been a large meeting room that had undergone a little restoration work to elevate it to a statelier use. The members and ministers filed in, and the doors were closed by the two guards.
‘Order, order,’ rang out the voice of Lady Winterton.
‘Grand Founders, ministers and honourable members. Welcome to the one hundredth and sixtieth joint sitting of the Phoenix Council,’ she said. ‘In what continues to be a difficult and trying time for the people of this planet, we find ourselves making fantastic headway in increasing the awareness of the GGC in new resource areas. Many more countries which are in apocalyptic turmoil are expressing interest in joining us to try and unify what’s left of their resources.
‘Even though it seems that we are progressing, we still have many challenges facing us. With help and leadership of the Grand Founders, we are looking to you all as the ministers’ and people’s representatives, to make things happen,’ Lady Winterton said.
Christina’s mind drifted to the people out in the Floodzone. A burst of applause snapped her out of her daydream. Lady Winterton had ended her opening address, and Lord Butler was up on his feet.
‘Good day to you all. I will briefly discuss the two main agenda points for this session, and then we can open it up to the floor,’ Lord Butler said. He lifted his reading glasses and read from the report in front of him. ‘Resource reports have just come in from France and Germany, and it is not what we were expecting.
‘Firstly, on the topic of nuclear plants. France’s six nuclear power stations are still producing power. Two of those, however, are under the control of independent parties, with the other four being run by organisations that will shortly be joining the GGC. We have to make it our priority over the forthcoming months to bring those two remaining nuclear plants into our portfolio of resources.
‘As for Germany. All of their nuclear plants are non-operational, although it looks like we will be able to recover much of Germany’s precious uranium for redistribution to plants in Warsaw. We now have control of the megacities of Warsaw and Hamburg with strong and powerful warlords installed. Both men in charge of these cities have recruited large well-trained armies to help instil law and order on our behalf. One of our Phoenix Guard units has been travelling between the two cities, assisting in establishing and developing these armies.
‘On the topic of the Phoenix Guard, we are proud to announce that Christina Anderson, our new Deputy Minister of Governmental Affairs, will be responsible for the acceleration of our Phoenix Guard Programme. She will liaise with the warlords directly and offer assistance and guidance in respect of their military development and recruitment. We will now open the floor.’
Christina sat listening intently as questions were raised regarding the tens of thousands of people who were suffering, not only in London but across the planet. She sat, stone-faced, as the Grand Founders outlined their main goal of first securing the remaining resources and then governing and providing for the people. The Phoenix Guard units, which she would be developing, would be used to enforce that control. How could she endorse the use of these units to suppress the starving?
Chapter 5
GGC Building, Canary Wharf, London, England, UK - 2028
‘I accept that you are a little confused by the first council meeting, Christina, but wanting to resign your commission after only just accepting it is a little rash, don’t you think?’ Lord Butler said, his arm resting on her shoulder as they stood outside the council chamber. Four junior ministers glanced at them and walked off down the wood-panelled corridor. Christina pulled away from Lord Butler and turned towards a large window.
‘It seems like we are creating another global dictatorship. Even the term Global Government Collective sounds like we are collecting governments,’ she said. ‘I don’t see how my role will help the Floodlanders out there who need it. Do you realise how many times the word control was used in that session, not help or guide or govern, but control!’
‘That’s what you’ll have to get your head around, Christina. You will effect change at a much higher level but rarely see the effects it has on the normal person in the Floodlands of the world. We have to focus on controlling the water and energy resources otherwise chaos and anarchy will continue. The warlords of the ever
-growing megacities will need our help with that control. Surely, you can understand that?’ Lord Butler said.
• • •
Half an hour later, Christina was sitting at her desk, staring at a mountain of brown files that had just been delivered to her office and dumped in front of her. The pile of manila folders added to her misery. It was her job to sort through them and recruit men to help with the GGC agenda.
‘Deputy Minister,’ a voice dragged her back from her thoughts. She looked up to see the slim, young GGC private standing in front of her desk, with another armful of files. He smiled meekly and placed them on the floor near her desk.
‘Are those all for me?’ she asked.
‘Yes, Deputy Minister,’ he replied. ‘These are the last from Ministers Kohler and Kirilenko’s office.’
‘Bloody hell, it’s going to take me a while to get through these,’ she said, flicking through the file on the top of the pile.
The young soldier then handed her a letter.
‘What is this?’ she asked.
‘My new orders, Deputy Minister. I have been assigned to you.’.
‘Assigned to me? Whatever for?’
‘My orders and duties are to cover everything from being an admin assistant, personal bodyguard and general dogsbody,’ he said, a big smile across his face.
She laughed. ‘I guess I do look like I need the help, don’t I?’
‘It comes at the insistence of Lord Butler and Minister Kirilenko, Deputy Minister.’
‘What is your name?’ she asked.
‘Warren Smith, Deputy Minister.’
‘Please call me Christina.’
‘No! I do not think so,’ bellowed a voice from the door.
Christina jumped as she looked up at the tall uniformed man in the doorway. He walked towards the desk, sneering at the young private. The young man snapped a salute at his superior, who in turn replied sharply. ‘You’re dismissed, Private.’
Christina glared at the man who had just walked in. ‘Thank you, Warren, please wait for me outside, this won’t take long.’ The man before her, with his chiselled features, blond hair and piercing blue eyes, made her feel like a teenager. The room suddenly seemed to shrink and close in around her.
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