Uprising

by Chris Harris

  He paused and took a deep breath.

  “The Israelis have declared that they will go nuclear if their demands to stop and withdraw are not met. I believe the only thing stopping them from already pressing the button is the knowledge the whole Arab world will rise against them if they do.”

  The general spoke up. “Ma’am, I have discussed this with the Israelis many times, formally and informally. Officially their nuclear arsenal is a deterrent, only to be used to protect their own sovereignty. Unofficially I feel that if they went nuclear then they would perform pre-emptive strikes against everyone they deem a threat. We believe they have enough warheads to lay waste to the entire region. It’s anyone’s guess how far they feel threats extend. Pakistan has nuclear weapons. We must consider the possibility of them being targeted too.

  “For decades the Western world has maintained with greater or lesser degrees of success, stability across that entire region. Now we are no longer there I fear this Iranian attack could be the precursor to a far wider conflict. One which will rage unabated until it comes to its natural conclusion.”

  She looked at the men in the room.

  “Thank you. If you could return and continue your duties, I think I have a few calls to make. Mister Secretary, if you could remain please?”

  She pressed a button on her phone and spoke to her secretary. “James. I need General Welch and President Petrov on the phone. Now.”

  Chapter

  Twenty-Nine

  Cheyenne Mountain

  “Yes, Prime Minister,” said General Welch as he cradled the phone between his shoulder and chin holding a recently received report in a free hand. “I have just received the news too, but to be honest I am not sure what the United States can do about it. We have no working government; our president is currently stuck on a ranch in Texas with only Morse code as a means of communication.”

  President Petrov also on the conference call joined in. “I agree, General. I will try, but I am not confident of any success. This has been building for years, barely kept in check by all of us as we poured billions in resources into the region trying to position our nations as the main influence. We have all sold them the weapons to kill each other as we played our secret nation-builder games. Now I feel we will pay the price. China must be dealt with first and then we can turn and pick up whatever pieces are left.”

  “I agree,” said the general. “I doubt we can do anything now. Our own domestic situation must take priority over any foreign issues, no matter how serious they may be. We will have to trust that the nations will show restraint and keep any conflict conventional. I can hardly judge other nations contemplating using nuclear weapons when we may have to resort to using them ourselves before this is over.”

  Adriene sighed with frustration. She knew they were correct. “I understand, gentlemen. We will do whatever we can this end to avoid it escalating. Whilst we are all on the line can you update me on how he plans are progressing?”

  General Welch chimed in. “The sea operation continues. We dealt them a blow and the western seaboard is closed to them, but not before they landed the bulk of the second wave of troops and equipment. They still present an incredibly strong force, but if we can keep them contained then we can control their influence. The ground forces are building up and positioning in Canada, but it’s numbers we lack. If the Chinese dig in as reports from the ground say they are, the conflict will be a long drawn out, bloody business. Our initial hope is with the militias and ordinary citizens to begin the fight and draw the Chinese into many small localized conflicts which will give us the opportunity to drive south clearing up area by area. The Russians will also start their Siberian operation to take the fight to their own back door timed to cause maximum disruption and confusion. President Petrov, shall I hand over to you?”

  In heavily accented English the president spoke. “Thank you, General. Our build up is almost complete. When the time is right, we are confident we can smash through their depleted border defenses and continue south. They question I am being asked by my generals is how far do I want them to go: are we to be an army of liberation or occupation?”

  He laughed. “I started this adventure to stop Chinese aggression approaching our own borders, and now I am being asked if we want to bring the whole of China under our wing. The question is how far do you want me to go? Because once we start the attack, if it proves successful, it may be difficult to know when to stop.”

  He let that hang in the air unanswered. “Will the world be happy with Russia extending her influence far beyond the size of everyone else?” he asked. “If we defeat China whilst helping to liberate America, then the whole world order may change. America, with her cities destroyed and military strength decimated will be indebted to us and at the same time powerless to interfere. I am in the curious position of wanting your advice, Mrs. Prime Minister.”

  The silence was long.

  “Mister President,” began Adriene carefully. “I can understand and appreciate your position. Without your help the Chinese will surely succeed, but as you say, if victory is won, what next? The world political map was redrawn when the Chinese launched their first nuclear warhead at a foreign nation. How it ends up is, I suppose, a matter for your conscience. If a regime change can be accomplished in China, then the world will be a better place. When the wealth they have stolen from us all can be redistributed, and the world’s trade gets back onto a more even and fair footing, then we will all benefit. We are all intelligent enough to see the dangers of what you can foresee happening. I just hope that we can maintain our current relationship to create a safer world for all our citizens to live in.”

  “Mister President,” interjected General Welch. “I am a mere soldier and whilst I cannot express fully my gratitude to you for the help your country is giving us, I will leave the politics of what follows to others far greater qualified than me,” he said deftly. “I will say, though, that when this is all over I would still like to see you as a friend and our two nations working together to rebuild from the ashes of the destruction the Chinese have caused.”

  “Thank you both,” replied Petrov. “You responded as I thought you might. I promise you that Russia as a country will not take advantage to the detriment of the world, the outcome of the war we are fighting.” He paused, and with a hint of humor added, “But we are Russians after all. We would expect our compensation to be just and maybe a little weighted in our favor.”

  Pacific Ocean

  Captain Wayne Grant leaned on the rail of the aircraft carrier, looking over the water to the lights showing on the distant coastline of America. Tendrils of smoke from the cigarettes he was chain smoking drifted from his lips as he exhaled slowly.

  For the first time in years he felt his life was in danger. He had been their poster boy, the American they had turned and who was willingly betraying his former country. The lifestyle they lavished on him left him wanting for nothing and he was paraded in front of their leaders as proof that their ideology was superior to the accursed American capitalist dream.

  But now the situation had changed. The operation was not proceeding as planned. Their fleet had been severely damaged by a well-planned attack from both air and sea. The arrogance and confidence of the commanders had been shattered by volleys of missiles that had inundated the defenses they had thought impregnable.

  They had turned on him, accusing him of being a spy and the setbacks they had encountered his responsibility. Stripping him of all privileges, he was banned from all sensitive areas of the ship and was told they were awaiting a decision by the leaders in Beijing for what was to become of him. The sailor who had been his escort was issued with a sidearm and became his guard, following his every movement as he walked aimlessly around the vast vessel.

  A flash of light out to sea caught his attention. A distant fireball blossomed and slowly fell from the sky until it disappeared from view. He did not need to be told it was a missile strike on an aircraft. The fact the Chinese w
ere not celebrating or even informing the crew what they were, meant only one thing to him.

  It was a Chinese airplane being shot down.

  He had, when he was first captured, felt disgusted, shameful, and angry at what they were doing to him. As they cleverly manipulated him and pandered to his ego, they turned his feelings around. His own country had abandoned and forgotten him. Piece by piece they turned his anger around and directed it toward the United States until he became a willing collaborator.

  He had always known and felt deep down, who and what he had become. Leaning on the rail looking toward the country he had betrayed he reached a decision. One way or another either by Chinese or American hands he knew his life was forfeit.

  The one factor he could still alter was his legacy and his conscience. If he met his maker knowing he had tried to right some of the wrongs he had caused, he would let the higher authority judge him. Being involved in the development of some of China’s newest secret weapons gave him valuable intelligence. It was why the Chinese could not let him live. His own country on the other hand would let him live for as long as he still had information they could use. There may not be much difference in the timescales, but he wanted to live for as long as possible and that future lay on the distant shore.

  He just needed to find a way to lose his guard and make good an escape.

  Swall, CA

  Sergeant Eddie Edmunds sat at the table. Against the advice of the town doctor who had ordered bed rest to allow him time to recuperate from the gunshot wound to his arm, he was attending the town meeting.

  They had defeated the Chinese, but at a heavy cost. Twenty-five percent of the townsfolk involved in the fighting had been killed or injured.

  The local doctor more accustomed to dealing with minor injuries and viruses had performed miracles. Working way beyond his skillset he had operated on and patched up, saving many more lives, the townsfolk he had tended to for decades.

  Every town and village around them had, on learning of their uprising, flocked to their cause. Overpowering and killing their small garrisons they had taken their weapons and converged on the town of Swall, where they had all pledged to do whatever was needed to rid their country of the invaders.

  Eddie now found himself in command of a small army of Americans. Americans who looked to him for the leadership to continue the fight.

  Holly River

  One thousand miles way Cal sat around another table with militia leaders, a senator, and serving soldiers.

  He had been given army surplus clothing to replace his dirty and tattered civilian wear and now felt like he fitted in more with the camouflage and uniforms adorning his companions. Gordon, similarly attired, sat by his side.

  Troy had given him and Gordon access to the small armory they were creating from all the weapons they were gathering in the local area.

  Gordon had been overjoyed to find an L1A1 SLR rifle, the same version of the one he had used when he was in the Royal Marines, ignoring many more modern rifles he could have chosen, and claimed it for himself. Whilst Cal had also been surprised to find an SA80, the rifle the British Army had upgraded to when the SLR was withdrawn from service. Both rifles leaned against the wall behind them as Senator Gus Howard started the meeting.

  “Gentleman and ladies, thank you all for making the difficult journey. You are true Americans who I know will never let this country be ruled by another nation. Now let’s decide on how we are going to blow the bastards back into the sea.”

  Texas

  Sebastian approached Madeline as she sat on the wide front veranda of the ranch. She had not moved from the spot where she had watched General Liu and Sergeant Cho leave in the general’s official car as they began their mission to obtain the virus antidote from right under the Chinese’s nose.

  She knew getting the sample was critical if they were going to mass produce it and get it to the suffering millions who desperately needed it.

  “Madam President, as soon as they return General Welch will send transport to collect it. We have cleared the fences from the pasture land out back. It will be more than long enough for a plane to land and take off. I am instructed to make sure you get on the plane along with the general and once the antidote is safely in Canada, he will ensure you get to your husband at Holly River. He has told me to carry you on board and tie you to the seat if necessary.”

  Madeline raised her eyebrows and looked at him sharply.

  “Can I request you do not make me do that, ma’am.”

  She laughed. “In that case, Sebastian, I promise to save both our dignities. I take it you will stay here?”

  “Yes, Madam President. The transport plane is bringing in with it some reinforcements and supplies. The Russians are going to stay as well. I think with what is being planned, not just across Texas but the whole country, between all of us we can create enough havoc to make the Chinese wish they had never stepped foot on our land.”

  About the Author

  Chris Harris was born in south Birmingham and proudly declares himself to be a true Brummie, born and bred.

  A loyal and enthusiastic member of Chantry Tennis Club, he can frequently be seen demonstrating his talents on (but mainly off) the courts. He is also passionate about supporting the local independent economy, and is a regular at the many local independent pubs and restaurants for which Moseley is rightly famous!

  He has a wife, three children and one grandchild, all of whom are very important to him and keep him very busy. His many interests include tennis, skiing, racquet ball, darts, and shooting. He’s also been an avid reader throughout his life.

  Harris is currently working on a joint project with sci-fi author Devon C Ford, due for release later this year.

  Find the author online:

  Website: www.chrisharrisauthor.co.uk

  Facebook: @chrisharrisauthor