by Chris Harris
He gazed ahead as the ship ploughed through the undulating seas, heading toward a country he once called home, but now where he would be called a traitor.
Chapter
Sixteen
COBRA, Downing Street, London
Adriene Winslet sat waiting for her cabinet members and heads of the armed forces to file into the office and take their seats.
“Good morning, everyone. Before we turn our eyes further afield can we have an update on the domestic situation.”
The minister in charge of food and agriculture spoke first: “The news is more positive. The price gouging has stopped following the emergency laws we passed, and the distribution situation has calmed down. Food manufacturers are increasing production to make up for some of the shortfall in imports and we are working with them to maintain the supply chain.
“The ‘ugly vegetable-in-law’, as the media are calling it, that we passed is having an immediate impact. Thousands of tons of extra fruit and vegetables that would otherwise have been thrown away are supplementing what we used to import.
“The media are now working with us to educate people on planting, harvesting, and eking out what food people have.” He stopped and looked around the table. “I know the phrase ‘dig for victory’ seems to have caught the media’s attention, but the public seem to be embracing it too.”
A tabloid paper had reprinted a Second World War poster encouraging all citizens to do their bit and dig over any suitable space to plant vegetables.
“Reports are coming in of a nationwide seed shortage. Within hour of the media picking up on the story, every shop that sold seeds ran out. We are working with suppliers and distributors to set up seed distribution centers around the country to keep up with the demand—”
Adriene interrupted him. “Yes, that’s all well and good,” she said peevishly, “I’m certainly no expert, but seeds take some time before they turn into a carrots and cabbages, do they not? What is the situation regarding feeding the country until then?”
“I believe that if we keep on as we are doing then most of the shortfall will be met by education on food preparation and economical use. Also the reductions in wastage all the way through from manufacture to end user we are implementing will have a dramatic increase on the volume reaching the shelves. The nation has really got behind this now they understand the situation is none of our doing. The change has been remarkable.”
She turned to head of the police force. “Is it as calm out there as reports are suggesting?”
“Yes, ma’am. The majority of rioting, as I reported earlier, stopped as soon as your speech was broadcast. There are obviously still pockets of lawlessness out there as a minority are taking the opportunity to ‘shop’ for new television sets and the like, but it’s under control. It remains quiet on the whole, and reported crime is down dramatically. Don’t get me wrong, the career criminals are still out there doing what they do, but people seem to be too busy with the ‘dig for victory’ idea that they are all too preoccupied to cause trouble.”
She nodded and turned to her foreign minister with a smile. “So, tell me how our European cousins are faring?”
“The situation in Europe changed overnight when Russia stopped exporting oil and natural gas following their announcement that all production is being diverted for internal use now the country is on a war footing. Food riots are spreading as the promised imports from America have not materialized and the situation will not be helped when the refineries run out of crude, which will not be too long away. France especially is anticipating widespread unrest.”
Adriene saw the opportunity she was waiting for to drop the bombshell. “And what is the situation regarding our own oil and gas imports?”
The foreign secretary looked at the prime minister who nodded her consent for him to continue. “As of this morning we have agreed an import deal for Russian oil and gas. The tankers are diverting from their existing courses as we speak.” He fidgeted with his tie before continuing. “Apparently, the ban on exports they imposed does not include allies of Russia.”
“And what else does Russia export?” she asked.
He smiled again. “Russia, in recent years, has turned its food industry around to stop its reliance on imports and only two years ago changed from being a net importer of certain products to a net exporter. I can also happily inform the cabinet that at the same time we signed the energy deal we signed a deal to import grain, fish, sugar, and other products from Russia. From what I understand, any shortfall we may have been anticipating will be negated by these new imports.”
The room burst into noise as most around the table demanded more details.
Adriene waited for the noise to subside before she continued. “The country may run out of avocadoes and cucumbers, but with a little adjustment to what we are used to finding on the supermarket shelves and the efforts of our own people, the country’s food worries are over for now. Now, General, please inform the cabinet of how your plans are progressing.”
The general stood to address the room. “The withdrawal of most of our soldiers deployed overseas is progressing. In certain areas we know this will have a destabilizing effect which will be exacerbated as other countries are following suit and recalling their soldiers back to their own domestic bases. There is, unfortunately, little we can do about this. Our own defense and security must take priority.” He paused to clear his throat. “Following a conference between the United States, Russia, Canada, and ourselves a way forward has been agreed.” He glanced around the room for questions before he continued with their naval dispositions.
“A Royal Navy task force consisting of the carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, frigates, destroyers, and submarines is currently being assembled and will shortly depart for the east coast of the United States where, with the Royal Canadian Navy and the Russian Black Sea fleet, and some surviving United States ships and submarines, a blockade of the entire east coast of America will begin. We have prioritized returning United States soldiers to Canada first. Then we will be deploying two guard regiments to fall under the command of a joint multination force.”
“And what of our special forces, General?” asked an aide to the prime minister, eager to get his voice heard.
General Lloyd regarded the young man coldly but kept his opinions to himself. “Two squadrons of SAS have already been dispatched following a request from General Welch. They lost most of their special forces when Fort Bragg was destroyed in the initial attack. They have a list of high-value targets that need rescuing or locating. I am reluctant to commit more at this point as I consider the situation in Europe to be highly unstable and until a clearer picture emerges, I feel it prudent to have the capability to protect our borders. Another Chinese invasion force is approaching the west coast. There is little that can be done to stop it currently, but I believe some harassing action is being planned whilst the combined forces of the US and Russian Pacific fleets move into position to close the door on the west coast. Once both blocking forces are in place there still will be approximately half a million Chinese troops on American soil.”
He shuffled papers to find the next piece of relevant intelligence. “The situation still hangs on a knife edge. The Chinese have destroyed or captured most major US military bases and resources. With the numbers of troops they have on the ground, they represent a formidable force. If I can give you a comparison: On D-Day, the allies landed one hundred and fifty-six thousand soldiers and that was to liberate the whole of Europe. We will not have near that number and the United States is by far a bigger land mass. The challenge we are facing is daunting.”
The prime minister asked the general, “Do we feel the situation in Europe will become a threat to us?”
“We are monitoring it carefully,” General Lloyd answered with a politician’s skill. “In all honesty we do not know what will happen. But if we look at the facts, there are many independent nations with a combined population of over six hundred million. All who are cur
rently experiencing food, and most likely very soon, energy shortages. I imagine their individual governments are having similar discussions that we have had and are probably coming up with similar solutions. What they will not have is an answer to how to fill the gaping holes that have appeared in their supply chain. I will leave the politics up to you, Prime Minister, but as history shows time and time again, desperate nations perform desperate acts. Also, the population within Europe can be highly mobile as there are no border restrictions. Mass migration is a real possibility as people move to wherever they think has more food.”
He paused again, conscious that he was dominating the floor, but no interruptions came. “There are many hypothetical scenarios we can discuss and plan for. One we need to consider, and I would recommend be implemented, is to close all borders immediately. When the rest of Europe discovers we have what they do not, it does not take a lot of imagination to know where people will be heading. We can barely feed ourselves, but we cannot allow our domestic situation to deteriorate again due to potentially millions more wanting what we have.” He let those words hang as he was effectively recommending that their island nation to go into a full economic lockdown.
“From a military point of view, the armed forces will be essential in the task to close and protect our borders. There will be the real possibility of confrontations with other European armed forces as we fulfil our duty. The rules of engagement need to be decided and decided quickly.”
The room remained silent when he had finished. In one meeting they had gone from the elation that the nation’s food and energy supply situation was now looking more positive, to the real threat that they could be facing armed conflict with their European neighbors.
Adriene spoke: “Ladies and gentlemen, we need the country behind the tough decisions we may have to make in the future. We must take this to Parliament. Are we in agreement with General Lloyd’s proposal to seal our borders? Might I remind you all that Europe as a whole has decided to sit this out rather than confront Chinese aggression.”
She shrugged and nodded in the direction of General Lloyd. “We almost did the same too before reason prevailed. We must remember, though, that they are not our enemy. They chose to stay neutral. Unfortunately for them the consequences of that decision are not yet fully clear, but the consequences of us potentially being deluged with innumerable refugees from hunger and public disorder are clear. We must put the country and its population first.”
She asked for a show of hands which unanimously agreed to the plan. “Thank you. Now please go and get Parliament on board with the proposals. As soon as we adjourn I will call the leader of the opposition to fully appraise him. Support from across the floor will be essential if we want this to go smoothly.”
Chapter
Seventeen
The Reverend Jackson Charles Harris smiled at Cal. “This, son, is your lucky day. We are in regular contact with Captain Gardner and others from the Holly River Base. The militias are gathering under the one banner now: The Old Glory. It’s why we are here. We are making our way up from Kentucky to Holly River for a war council with him and other militia leaders. He requested we scout the eastern approach to the Appalachians on our way. We spotted your bus bearing Chinese markings behind us on the road and decided to start the campaign early. The plan is to block any access to the mountains, so we can use them as our springboard to free the eastern states.” His words wavered, the fingers of his right hand flickering over the worn edges of the bible in his pocket that went everywhere with him.
“It’s going to be a long road, but we are building our strength and resources, biding our time until we can drive those goddamn commie bastards out of our home and straight back to hell.”
He looked again at the other passengers on the bus. “I’m not hearing any accents from around this neck of the woods. Where are y’all from?”
“Gordon, myself, and a few others are from the UK,” Cal explained. “The rest are from other European countries. The Chinese had negotiated our release and were sending us to a ship at Norfolk, I think, to get us all home. That was until the cruise missiles started flying overhead. I don’t think we will be going anytime soon now. As I said before, I persuaded the others to stick with me and to try and get to Captain Gardner. I suppose now the best way for me to get home is to offer whatever help I can.” He swallowed, forcing back down the emotions that threatened to push back out into the open. “Someone who I was…close to…died from radiation poisoning and the more I dwell on it the more I want to make them pay.”
He indicated to Gordon who was beside him. “That’s why I stopped the bus. Gordon and I just discovered we served in the same brigade in the Royal Marines. You saw us doing a bit of bonding. Bloody glad we did now as you were about to open fire on us.”
“Are you two prepared to fight to help free us?” the reverend asked pointedly.
Gordon leaned forward. “Reverend, if you’ll take an old soldier who bears a few scars and the creaking joints to prove it, I’ll be happy to offer whatever help I can. I must tell you though, I am a distantly related to Lord Cornwallis and you colonials gave him a right drubbing at Yorktown. I hope I can make up for it by being on the right side this time.”
Jackson bellowed with laughter. “We would be happy to have you despite your family’s military history. If you can forgive us colonials,” he added sarcastically. “Kentucky and Virginia have a proud record for fighting for their independence. We haven’t got the French helping us this time though, and if we are going to win this latest war for independence, we are going to need every volunteer we can get.”
He looked at the sky which was darkening as night began to fall. “We were scouting for a place to camp when we spotted you heading our way. You would be welcome to join us. We can travel in convoy to Holly River in the morning.”
Cal looked at Gordon, who nodded in agreement. “Thank you, we would appreciate that. We are getting low on fuel, I don’t suppose you have a few gallons spare?”
“Sure, we can give you a few gallons of gas, do you have enough for a few more miles?”
Cal looked at the gauge on the dashboard. “Yes, we should be fine. But I think this thing runs on diesel not LPG.”
Gordon started laughing. “Cal, remember where we are. The Americans, since they shrugged off the cloak of English rule, have spent the last few hundred years destroying the Queen’s English, the language we blessed them with. Every time I come to the States I do try to re-educate them, but I feel that it has been left too late and they are condemned forever to speak what they proudly call ’Merican English. It does make me shudder at times dear boy.”
The reverend started laughing. His deep booming laugh filled the air. “I think we’ll all get along just fine.”
He turned and spoke to one of his men who approached him. “My men have scouted a campsite set way off the road which will make a safe camp for tonight. If you would like to follow us there we can get properly acquainted. Do you mind if I travel with you, so we can continue talking?”
Cal looked for and pulled the lever that opened the door saying, “Not at all. Hop on board.”
Cal put the bus into gear and followed the pickups and ATVs of the militia. Jackson, as he told both Cal and Gordon to call him, shook their hands when entering the bus, then stood next to Gordon as Cal drove.
He answered their questions about the militia he commanded. The church he led was the core. In the foothills of the Kentucky mountains his congregation had, for generations, loyally served their God and country. The militia believed that one day they would need to rise up against a tyrannical government and so vehemently defended their right to bear arms.
When he left the army and turned to God, the militia grew and prospered as more followers joined his church. His sermons about the degradation and destruction of the American way of life struck a chord with many who flocked to hear him speak. Cal’s understanding of militias from TV programs were that they were all far-right fa
natics with compounds and stockpiles of guns, ammunition, and food who resisted any interference to their way or life. He asked if his militia was similar.
“There are some groups like that out there for sure, but we are a law-abiding community centered around our church. Most who live in the community go to church and are considered part of the militia. We do not divide ourselves between gender and age, if you want to serve and are old enough to hold a gun then we welcome you.
“We run regular training camps and exercises, but they are more community events, attended and enjoyed by all. I am their spiritual leader, but I also look after their physical well-being. The drills we run are based on good old-fashioned boot camp training, military tactics and strategies. Yes, they all moan and gripe about them, but when I stand there and look at my congregation and see none looking dangerously overweight, I know I am looking after my people the best I can. Stockpiles of weapons are not necessary. Every member of the community enjoys the rights given to them under the constitution and own many firearms and the ammunition needed to use them.
“When the bombs started falling and paratroopers invaded our land, I called the militia together.” His voice shook with pride and emotion. “Within one hour, one hundred percent of the militia presented themselves for duty outside the doors of my church. Seeing them arranged into their platoons coming to attention when I stepped outside was one of the proudest moments of my life.”
Following the vehicles in front, Cal turned off the road and slowed down as the bus bumped along the rutted trail that weaved through the trees. Eventually, the trail opened out to a cleared area of forest, a sign displaying the rules of the campsite indicating they had arrived.