Chapter 4
2026
It was becoming increasingly clear to John that the State was close to knitting together all of the data on each citizen, data that they had innocently provided. In the past, this information had been so disjointed and in so many different organisations, it had been difficult to bring it all under one roof. The Data Protection Act that was supposed to protect citizens from unwanted intrusion had been taken off the statute books. No one ever believed that so much information could be integrated, but John could see just how close they were. He saw the sheer magnitude of what it meant. A complete record of an individual’s life would be available at the push of a button. The power that this could provide to any State that wanted total control was immense. John decided that prevention of this invasion of privacy was a priority for him and his new group.
A meeting was held two days after the inaugural meeting as had been agreed. One by one, the group that was to fight together for the foreseeable future arrived at John’s place. Marie greeted them and handed each of them a can of beer. She retreated and left them to make their life changing decisions. When John realised she had gone, he called her back.
‘Marie, you’re as much a part of this as everyone here, please stay and join us.’ They all nodded their approval. ‘If anyone wishes to include their spouse in these planning meetings, please bring them along. It will, in fact, look a little more natural for couples to be coming in here. Once a base has been established underground, it will be easier. Derek, Paul, I know it’s only been two days but how are we doing on that front? ’
Derek responded, ‘if things were to hit the fan now John and we had to go underground we have located just one place that we could use straight away. Paul has managed to cut into an access point that takes us down to the station at Bank. This gives us good protection and we believe that when we have had time to investigate and do a proper survey we should be able to assess exit and travel points.’
‘Well done guys, keep us posted on how you are getting on.’ John then turned to the ex Para turned policeman. ‘Graham, what can you tell us about what is going on; your boss is, from what I can gather, frequently involved in Garside’s cabinet meetings?’
‘Yes that’s right; Commissioner Reynolds now appears to be a permanent fixture at the First Minister’s daily meetings. And more recently, Major General Keatson has been asked to attend on a regular basis. Each of them is bringing some of their senior officers with them.’
Terry asked, ‘why do you think they are doing that Graham? What’s going on?’
‘I don’t know exactly, but I think Garside is protecting himself by giving the military and Police a bit more power so that he can rely on their support if he needs it. There have been signs of disaffection amongst some of his cabinet in recent months. Several of them voiced serious concerns over the way Garside was setting himself up as their incontestable leader. I believe the cabinet has been reduced, on the civil side anyway, to six members including Garside.’
‘What happened to the ones that have gone, were they the dissenters?’ John asked.
‘As far as I know, yes. It’s strange how they were quietly removed and seemingly without any fuss. I need to find out a bit more.’
‘Be very careful Graham, we can’t afford to lose you.’ John urged. He then continued, ‘we have watched during these last three years just how much freedom this establishment has removed from its people. Garside already has the police and military behind him. There is no doubt that those in power, led by Garside, are aiming for total control. One of the ways he can achieve this is through the complete integration of information into one central organisation...the State. We must prevent or at least disrupt his ability to have such a degree of control.’
Terry asked, ‘how can they achieve that John? We all know the data is so disorganised that they will never be in a position to bring it under central control.’
‘It’s already nearly at that position Terry, believe me. They have integrated, police, medical and census records already. Emails and mobile phones are being monitored; education history and work records are being prepared now for integration. Their next big step is to bring military records into the frame. When that happens, we as a group are extremely vulnerable. The first thing they will do is isolate all those who are fit and healthy with specialist skills, military backgrounds and living nearby to each other. Look around you guys, we fit that bill very nicely.’
‘But what could they do John?’ Mal asked.
Graham interrupted, ‘John, shall I answer?’
‘Yes please do.’
‘Put very simply, the Conpens will be filled again. Only this time it won’t be criminals, rioters or disruptive hooligans but you guys and others like you that fall into the profile. It probably will not be the police but the military that make the arrests although the police will be there doing the processing and DNA sampling. So my friends once this data is centralised and they understand what they’ve got they will come in the middle of the night and physically lift you out of your bed. It is unlikely that your family will ever see you again.’
John said solemnly, ‘Thanks, Graham. So, gentlemen, we can’t let this happen. You can be assured that the State’s thinking will be that the best way to stop opposition and insurgency is to prevent it starting in the first place. That’s why we must prevent them from having the tools to do the job. They can’t be allowed to identify who their opposition is. Mal, how far have you got with funding?
‘I have a couple of jobs lined up, but we need resources to get them underway.’
‘What do you need?’
‘Weapons, transport and a lot of luck! I believe we have no problems with weapons and transport, but the luck bit may be hit and miss.’
‘We must make our own luck guys’ John said.
John and his team spent the next few hours discussing the organisations resource needs and how they would acquire them. A workable plan emerged.
John stood up to emphasise the importance of what he was about to say. ‘I would like us to agree on what I believe our cause is about. There must be no misunderstanding about why we are embarking on this path. Our prime objective must be to reinstate a full and fair election of the government. It is not the overthrow of the State but the destruction of its machinery, machinery that has suffocated democracy. If an individual is considered to be primary to the functioning of that machinery, then he or she must be removed. Fundamental to this must be the eradication of corruption at all levels. These are the ideals that must drive every action we take do I have agreement?’
Each team member agreed with comments such as, ‘let’s get started, I’m with you all the way and this is long overdue John.’
‘Ok, let’s get started. I believe we have 12 months maximum to put together a credible opposition. Get in touch with all of your old contacts particular ex-comrades and make sure you absolutely trust them. Divulge nothing of our command structure and in particular, I do not want any mention of Graham as a member of our group, his name or that we even know him. I’m sorry Graham, but we must protect you. You cannot be seen in our company. After today’s meeting, Terry or I will be your only contact.’ Graham understood and acknowledged. John continued. ‘When you speak to your ex-comrades, recruit them only if you are absolutely certain of their motives. Find out whether any of them have any armaments outlets either here or abroad. Mal, we will need financial support for this so I am relying on you to get us started.’ Mal nodded and gave a thumbs up sign. ‘It will be hard initially and we will have to be extremely careful. But once we have a small cache of weapons, we will build on it by removing arms from the Stapo when we see the opportunity. Our armaments store will soon be sufficient for us to do what we have to do, courtesy of the State. For the moment, the element of surprise is on our side and therefore, their patrols will be small in number. I want no unnecessary killing guys if we can disarm them without bloodshed so much the better. This must be our mantra th
roughout this campaign. So, no unnecessary bloodshed, no target to be selected unless it has specific relevance to our cause, the vulnerable to be protected at all times and finally we must look after each other’s backs. The code we operate by must be an example to everyone we come into contact with. Are there any questions so far?’
Paul said, ‘just one from me John. I can get hold of a small quantity of explosives and detonators, but I need some help to me get in and out of the place. I need an electrician to disable the alarm system for me to get in there then restore it after I leave. Anyone here able to do that?’
Terry Bayliss, after leaving the military was conveniently now working as an electrician and so offered his help. ‘When do you need to do the job, Paul?’
‘As soon as possible. Derek and I need the stuff to create entrances to the tunnels we are going to use.’
John stepped in, ‘ok, I’ll leave it to you two to make the arrangements. There are some things I want to discuss before we finish. Graham, I’d like the names of the dissident politicians and what they are currently doing. Can you get them? And find out exactly what the composition of Garside’s cabinet is now.’
‘I’ll try John; give me a couple of days. I’ll meet you at Jubilee Gardens, 2 pm day after tomorrow.’ Graham got up and shook hands warmly with each of his friends. With the exception of John and Terry, he knew that it was extremely unlikely that he would see them again. ‘Good luck my friends, I know you’re going to need it.’ He then left.
John continued, ‘Marie, I know we have been gathering stocks of medical equipment and other stores that have been acquired from various workplaces. Will you take on looking after those stores and making sure we have sufficient dry rations tucked away?’
‘Of course John.’
‘Ok, liaise with Paul and Derek to organise a secure a store underground. I believe we now have to protect what we have and build those resources up. As soon as you are able to please do an inventory and let me know what we’ve got. Terry, when you’ve finished your task with Paul, we will need a communication policy and the equipment to go with it. Are you ok with taking that on?’
‘No problem John I’ll get on to it straight away.’
‘Thank you all, I will arrange another meeting in two weeks time.’ The team dispersed, some out of the rear of the house and others from the front.
John and Terry spent the next ten days visiting as many provincial towns that they could. John was encouraged by the response and by what they were doing in their respective towns. There was poverty, undoubtedly, but John realised that high unemployment and hardship had been a fact of life for many more years than he had thought. There were five leaders each representing a major conurbation. They were asked to nominate someone that could be their representative at future planning meetings in London. Jack Ledbetter from Manchester said he would discuss it with the others and would make sure someone would attend John’s next meeting. They left for London assured that what was started in the capital was now going national. John was optimistic.
John Judge Page 6