The Republic of Oz

by Ian Wisby

  They were getting closer, and the sound of bodies hitting the ground was quite audible. Just then, there was a loud explosion. This was followed by a brilliant flash of light. The explosion ripped through the large door.

  Both Jim and the President fell to the ground. They were also blinded temporarily by the flash grenade that’d just entered the room.

  Within seconds of the explosion, the group of mercenaries swarmed in, and immediately grabbed hold of the President. The mercenaries were victorious.

  Detectives Ethan Cooper and Diane Faulkner arrived at the Admiralty House. The Australian Army Counter-Terrorism squad had set up an operating base on Waruda Street which faced directly at the residence.

  There were dozens of police vehicles and officers patrolling the area. Most of the streets leading in and out of that area had been sealed off by police.

  Police helicopters hovered overhead. Ethan and Diane approached the command post and presented themselves to one of the commanding officers. “Detectives Cooper and Faulkner, Criminal Investigative Branch, AFP,” said Ethan, as they both presented their ID badges.

  “I’m Major Cameron Dawson. Counter-Terrorism Specialist Response Unit, Army.” he said, and they shook hands.

  “What’s the situation, Major?” asked Ethan. They all stood around a large table with military gear and maps on it.

  “We’ve got the entire residence surrounded. You guys are providing bodies on the harbour with patrol boats,” he began. “Our specialist equipment reveals that there are at least eight or more armed hostiles inside. We’ve also detected the hostiles are holding hostages on the second floor of the residence.”

  “Any communication from the hostiles?” asked Detective Faulkner. Major Dawson shook his head.

  “Not yet. But they could be getting ready to make their demands, if they have any,” said the Major.

  “Oh I’m sure they do. These guys are professional. They’re not here for a suicide mission. They’re doing this to make a statement,” said Ethan. “We need to move in as soon as possible, Major. The President’s life is at stake here.”

  “I’m aware of that Detective Cooper. But until we can be certain of the President’s condition, we can’t risk an entry that may result in casualties,” said the Major.

  “Do you have a plan of entry?”

  “We’re coordinating an entry point as we speak. But it looks like the hostiles have every entrance point covered, so it could be a blood bath if we move in,” he said. Just then, one of the Major’s officers came over. He was holding a tablet device.

  “Major, this was just uploaded to the network. It’s a live broadcast from within the residence,” said the officer. He propped it up on the table so the others could see it. It was a live broadcast with a camera focused on the President of Australia. He was being held at gun point by one of the mercenaries, while another was reading a statement.

  “This is Major-General George Stanley, from the former Royal Australian Army,” he began. “We represent a group of people who are against the idea of this nation becoming a republic…You’ve seen what we’re capable of when we assassinated your beloved Charmaine Bradley two days ago…Tonight, we’re here to show this government that it was a mistake to become a republic…This man before me, His Excellency, Brendan King, the second President of Australia, will now read a statement declaring the Republic of Australia will be dismantled, and the Commonwealth be restored,” said the General.

  “My God. We have to stop this,” said Diane, as they stood there watching.

  “I agree, Major. Once the President reads that statement, they will execute him, live. It will be a public humiliation,” said Detective Cooper. The Major didn’t know what to say after that. Just then, the Major’s phone started ringing.

  “This is Major Dawson,” he answered. Both Ethan and Diane stood nearby and continued watching. “With respect, Sir. I don’t believe that’s such a good idea. We could be risking his life as well as the other hostages,” said the Major. There was another pause. “Very well, as you wish, Sir. Thank you.” The Major hung up. “That was the Prime Minister. He’s authorized a full assault on the residence. He wants this stopped. Looks like you were right Cooper. Let’s suit up!” he ordered. He and his men began arming themselves.

  Ethan and Diane went back to their car and geared up with bullet-proof vests. As they were getting ready, Ethan’s phone started ringing.

  “Detective Cooper,” he answered.

  “It’s me. What’s happening, Ethan?” asked Mick Greer.

  “Boss, we’re just about to move in on the residence.”

  “Shit. Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

  “Yes. And the PM just authorized the operation.”

  “Fair enough. Just be careful, Ethan. I don’t want to lose two of my best detectives. That’s an order.”

  “Copy that. We’re moving out.” Ethan hung up and withdrew his handgun. Diane did the same. “You ready?” he asked her. She nervously nodded her head.

  Two Australian Army UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters flew overhead, providing aerial security.

  Brendan King was being forced to make the statement in front of a camera, and it was being broadcasted live across Australia.

  The President was going on about how it was a big mistake for the country to leave the Commonwealth, and that it was too soon to become a republic.

  Of course, the whole time this was happening, he had a gun to his head.

  CHAPTER 37

  DETECTIVE ETHAN COOPER and Diane Faulkner were following the team of Counter-Terrorist officers from the Australian Army. They were about to storm the Admiralty House.

  They came up the steps that led them onto Kirribilli Avenue. Then the teams entered through the security building near the main gates of the residence. This allowed the team to enter onto the property and to use the gardens as camouflage.

  The officers were equipped with night-vision goggles and enabled them to see perfectly without hindrance. Ethan and Diane didn’t have that kind of equipment, they just followed close behind the officers.

  They began to get closer to the residence. It was still in complete darkness. The lead officer could see through his night-vision that there were only two terrorists patrolling the outside veranda.

  He took out both of them with two silent shots.

  The officers were armed with Hecklar & Koch HK416 assault rifles.

  Now that the hostiles were down outside, the units moved forward, cautiously of course. Once on the veranda, an officer placed a small chunk of plastic explosives on the side door. They moved back slightly, and detonated it. The door imploded with a loud bang.

  Upstairs, Major-General George Stanley and his men heard the explosion. They were still holding the President at gunpoint in his study with the camera rolling.

  * * *

  Making their way up the stairs was the twelve-man Counter-Terrorist assault unit. The lead officer had a tactical shield used to deflect bullets. They were getting ready to move in.

  General Stanley was standing next to the President. He had him at gunpoint, and was holding onto him tightly. At that moment, everyone in the room was blinded by a brilliant flash of white light.

  A UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter came in low and it shone its spotlight in through the window. It was a blinding light, forcing the General to let go of the President in order to shield his eyes.

  Within a split second, the door to the study burst open. The Counter-Terrorism officers stormed the room, aiming their assault rifles at the hostiles. The helicopter backed off.

  Both Ethan and Diane entered the room with their weapons raised and fingers on the trigger.

  There was a sudden gun fight as they entered. The group of mercenaries open-fired. Several were taken out, but the others were taking cover behind objects in the study.

  As Ethan came in to take out a hostile, a bullet struck him in the shoulder. It hit him with force that he was knocked back slightly. “Ethan!” Diane yelle
d.

  She stepped forward, and started firing her gun. She took out several of the hostiles. Ethan was struggling to stand.

  He leaned against the wall, and gently lowered himself to the floor, grasping his wound. Blood was oozing from his shoulder.

  His vision was beginning to fade, but he fought to stay conscious. The gunfight soon came to an end as the tactical officers took out the remaining hostiles. All that remained, was General Stanley.

  They soon came to an impasse; General Stanley was holding the President in a choke hold, and had pressed his gun to his head. He was preparing to kill him.

  “Everybody back off!” General Stanley shouted. “Back off, or I kill him!”

  “Just take it easy!” Ethan called out. “Just slowly put the weapon down, and step away from the President!” he said. But the General wasn’t having any of it.

  “I’m not going to say it again…Drop your weapons!” he shouted, again. Diane was starting to worry. She was sweating.

  “Just let the President go now, and we can cut a deal,” said Ethan, as he stepped forward slightly.

  “This bastard is going down!” the General said. He lifted his gun and was about to pull the trigger.

  Within a split second, a shot was fired, and a bullet struck the General in the neck. He let go of the President and fell backwards to the floor. He was shot by one of the officers.

  At that, the assault unit moved in and immediately secured the President. Ethan lowered his gun and collapsed to the floor.

  Now that it was all over, he passed out due to the significant blood loss.

  CHAPTER 38

  DETECTIVE INSPECTOR MICK Greer was shocked that something like this had happened; the fact that a rogue group of military personnel attempted a coup d’état against the government. Mick was in his office at the CIB.

  It was just approaching 10:30 P.M. Most people had already gone home, as it was quite late, but there were a small handful of people around the office.

  Mick sat at his desk. The TV was on and it was showing a news report on the recent siege crisis at the Admiralty House.

  It was stating that Counter-Terrorism units from the army stormed the Admiralty House and recovered the President before he was publicly executed. All hostiles had been taken down in the process.

  As he sat there, he looked up to see his assistant poke her head in. “Excuse me, Sir. Superintendent Mackenzie is here to see you,” she said, and Mick nodded.

  “Thanks, Sonia. You’re okay to go home now,” he replied, and she smiled with a hidden yawn. A few moments later, Anna Mackenzie, the Superintendent of CIB stepped in. Mick stood up as she entered the office, and he buttoned his jacket.

  “Well, it’s been quite an interesting evening, wouldn’t you say, Mick?” said Anna, showing herself to a seat.

  “That’s quite an understatement, Director Mackenzie,” Mick replied, and sat back down.

  “I take it Detective Cooper is doing okay?” she asked. Mick was quite surprised by that question.

  “Yes, he’s at the hospital. He’s currently undergoing surgery. He sustained a gunshot wound to the shoulder, but they say he’s expected to make a full recovery,” Mick replied.

  “Well, that’s good to hear…Listen, Mick. I wanted to apologize for my behaviour and the way I spoke to you earlier. I hope you realise how much pressure I was under at the time,” said Anna.

  “I completely understand. No apology necessary,” he said. “However, there is something else you may need to apologise for.” Anna looked at him, oddly.

  “What do you mean?”

  “After the siege at the Admiralty House ended, we received a random walk-in,” said Mick. “The suspect turned himself in and after questioning him, he revealed quite a lot about this siege and the events leading up to it.”

  “Who was the suspect?” asked Anna, curiously. Mick paused for a moment, as he played around with his laptop.

  “The suspect identified himself as Gregory Hughes. That name ring a bell?” Anna didn’t say anything.

  She just kept staring at Mick. “During his interview, he revealed that for the past twelve months, he’s been working covertly with Birchall McClelland to carry out this coup. He also stated that he was in fact the one who planted the IED at the Sydney Opera House,” he continued. “Mr. Hughes mentioned that he was also taking orders from an ASIO officer, as well as a senior ranking officer within the AFP,” Mick explained. Anna looked as if she’d just seen a ghost.

  “What are you implying?” she asked, softly.

  “Mr. Hughes confirmed that the person he dealt with inside the AFP…Was you,” he said. At that, Anna started chuckling.

  “Oh, you can’t be serious, Mick? You really think I’m part of this conspiracy to overthrow the government?” she snapped. Mick kept his cool. He then turned his laptop around. It was a video recording from the interview room. Detective Sergeant Diane Faulkner was questioning the suspect, Greg Hughes. Mick pressed the play button.

  “So, can you confirm who you’ve been taking orders from?” said Diane Faulkner. Greg coughed before responding.

  “Yes. For the past twelve months, I’ve been receiving constant communication from an officer within ASIO, Simon Harper…As well as a senior ranking officer within the AFP.”

  “And who was that officer?” said Diane.

  “It was Anna Mackenzie…Superintendent of the Criminal Investigative Branch,” said Greg. There was a sudden pause.

  “So, you’re saying that Superintendent Mackenzie has been colluding with Birchall McClelland to overthrow the government?” she asked. Again, there was another pause.

  “Yes…That’s correct.” At that, Mick paused the video. Anna was sitting there in silence. She just had no words to say.

  “We’ve also got documented proof from Simon Harper’s laptop that he’s been secretly messaging you through a secure chat log. I’ve got copies of the transcripts if you don’t believe me,” he said, as he got out a folder. “So, what I’d like to know, is how much did they pay you for betraying your own government?” he asked.

  “This evidence will never be permissible through a court. I’ll get a slap on the wrist,” she replied, with a sinister grin. Mick just smiled.

  “That may be so, but you’re still going down for this,” he said. At that, the office door opened, and two uniformed police officers stepped in. They stood behind Anna.

  “Ma’am, please stand up,” said one of them. To start with, Anna didn’t move. She just kept sitting there, staring at Mick with guilty eyes.

  “Don’t make this harder than it has to be, Anna,” said Mick. Finally, she slowly stood up. The second officer placed handcuffs on her.

  “Superintendent Mackenzie, I am arresting you on suspicions of conspiracy to commit murder, as well as conspiracy to overthrow the government,” the first officer began, “you have the right to remain silent. If you do say anything, what you say can be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to consult with a lawyer and have that lawyer present during any questioning. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be appointed for you if you so desire,” said the officer. At that, they escorted her out of the office.

  Mick was left sitting there, feeling somewhat overwhelmed, and shocked at the fact that she was involved, but also relieved that this crisis was over.

  * * *

  At Sydney Hospital, Detective Sergeant Ethan Cooper was recovering from the gunshot wound he sustained during the siege at the Admiralty House.

  He’d just come out of surgery and was back in his room. It was early morning, sometime around 6:35 A.M.

  The sun was beginning to rise, and it beamed through the blinds of the hospital room. Ethan slowly regained consciousness after his surgery. He was still a bit groggy, but that was from the anesthesia.

  To his surprise, Inspector Mick Greer was there. “Hey. Welcome back to the land of the living,” he said, with sarcasm.

  Mick stood next to his bed, and sipped on a
large coffee. “How are you feeling?” he asked.

  “Ugh, like I’ve been shot,” he said, Mick just chuckled. “What happened? Is the President okay?” he asked, getting excited.

  “Relax, buddy. It’s all over. The President’s safe. He’s gone back to Canberra,” said Mick, taking a seat on the chair.

  “Thank God. I don’t remember much after General Stanley was shot.”

  “That’s because you passed out. Paramedics rushed you here after that,” said Mick.

  “Is Detective Faulkner okay?”

  “Yes, she’s fine. She’s at the Ops Centre.” There was a brief pause in the conversation, as Mick took a sip of his coffee. “So listen…Last night, the Superintendent was arrested…It turns out Anna Mackenzie was part of this conspiracy. She was working with Birchall McClelland,” he said. Ethan almost fainted, again.

  “Bloody hell. How did you find that out?”

  “A suspect came forward at the eleventh hour. Turns out BMC tried to have him killed, but he managed to escape,” said Mick. “Apparently, that convinced him to turn himself in. He’s also the one who contacted Felicity about the Admiralty House siege,” Mick replied.

  “Jesus…So, what’s going to happen now?” asked Ethan, with a croaky voice.

  “Well, Anna Mackenzie will be detained indefinitely until the court hearings, but she will likely end up going to prison,” said Mick. “Also this morning, with authorization from the Prime Minister, the AFP and ASIO conducted a raid on the Birchall McClelland offices,” said Mick. “We detained almost 60% of its personnel, including Karl Benedict, the Chief Executive Officer,” Mick added. Ethan was pleased by that.

  “Good. The son of a bitch deserves it,” said Ethan. He didn’t say anything after that. Ethan had a TV in his room, and it was showing a news report on the recent siege at Admiralty House.

  “So…What are you going to do now?” asked Mick. Ethan let out a deep sigh. Then he turned to look at Mick.