Islamic State: England

by John Morris

  He did not stay long, but long enough, paying for the next round before he left. He parboiled potatoes for roasting, and set them in the tray of lamb, turning the heat up slightly so they would be done sooner. He prepped the veg, and took a glass full of Chianti from the refrigerator. It was nicely chilled.

  Just after six o’clock, he heard a car in the drive, and poured a second glass, before opening the door and welcoming her into their home. Their kiss was passionate. She went upstairs to run a bath, commenting approval of the gas fires already warming the home.

  After dinner, they cuddled up on the settee in front of the fire, listened to music, and chatting casually. Dan had been hoping for a night of passion, but Felicity said, “I should have come on, yesterday. I only had a dribble last month, so I think it’s already much too late.”

  “You’re a day late, that’s normal.”

  “No Dan. Do you love me?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  “Then say it. I love you. I mean that.”

  At that moment Felicity’s phone rang. “Work need me to attend the rape and attempted murder of a young girl.” She relayed the information as she donned her police jacket and headed for the door.

  Dan was immediately wary; commitment scared him. His mind was full of questions and denial of facts. “Filly, how late are you?”

  She fixed him like a sharpshooter, and said, “I run a Moon cycle: twenty-eight and one-half days. Period.”

  She grinned at her pun. “One day, and one month. I’ve never been more that one day late before. I think we need to choose baby names.”

  Her speech trailed off in the comfort of knowing she had at last, managed to share her fears with her chosen partner. Dan closed the distance between them. That she could still feel his body, protectively embracing her own in acceptance, allowed her to move on. But she still needed him to man-up and fully commit to their relationship, especially with a baby, probably, on the way.

  “Dan, we have much to discuss, but tomorrow. I must go. I’ll be back. I need you to deal with this … Daddy. Ciao.”

  Dan’s mind somersaulted as he watched her leave. He considered, and then reconsidered the situation and implications. He wanted a drink, but in celebration or commiseration, he did not know.

  Thinking back, he knew the moment. Norwich, and accepted full responsibility. Felicity had given him the choice, and he had chosen.

  His mind was already made up. He would propose to Felicity, the only indefinite was when. That had just been refined to ‘soon’. Coming to a conclusion, he felt a warm glow inside. The word ‘Father’ resonated through his brain, and he drifted off to sleep on the settee.

  Felicity did not return that night, but they talked briefly on the phone. Her case was a bad one, and his heart went out to her.

  Dan worked a full morning. After early lunch, he drove Alison to Norwich train station, and met Tom at Norwich airport. They headed off for RAF Hereford. Their arrival was interesting, as the road allotted them for landing was straight, but narrow, with large kerbstones to either side.

  Dan made the landing with accomplishment and, following road signs, toured to park outside the Sergeants’ Mess. They were greeted by the duty sergeant, who looked at them suspiciously, until Dan recognised the man, and striding over said, “Chuggers, is it you?”

  The man’s face cracked wide in acknowledgement. “Dan, great to see you again, and looking so good as well. It’s been a long time, seven years. How’re you doing?”

  Dan introduced Tom, and they went inside. They talked about old times, and later, a few others he knew joined them.

  Near dinnertime the Commanding Officer popped in to greet Tom and Dan, and offered the Group Captain accommodation in the Officers Mess, which he accepted. Dan was offered the same, but said, “Thank you sir, but no. I need to spend time here tonight. I know many of the lads from Lebanon, Iraq, and Afghanistan. It would be good to catch up with them, Sir.”

  “You’re here to meet Sinjun, I believe. Great man. Great shame about his injury. He’s your friend I believe Group Captain.”

  “Tom, Sir. Yes, we enlisted and were trained together, more years ago than I care to remember. You’ll want to know why we're here.”

  “I have been informed, but let me take you up to the Officers Mess. We’ll get your room sorted, and then we can have a little chat before dinner. You’re the C.O. of RAF Trimingham I understand.”

  With Tom taken care of, Dan took the first opportunity to go to his room. He knew the boys would soon be drinking, which was not his thing, and he needed to check in with his team. He spoke to Veronica, who sounded self-assured and in full control. “Alison has already arrived in Brighton. We’re fine, but busy. I’m teaching Martin my job, and he is teaching Percy his, so that’s fun.”

  “Good. I’ll leave you to it.”

  Dan stayed in his room, and called Felicity. “Dan, thank you so much for last night, it was wonderful and gave me a terrific boost. The Chief, Karen, and I, all officially move up a rank next Thursday, the first of November, but that’s impossible regards the physicality of our jobs.

  “The Chief is running through his job, with me, today and tomorrow. I will have to stay on Friday for a bash they are holding, and doubt I’ll be with you before Saturday morning. They’ll expect me to drink like they do, but given the baby. I’ll take tonic water, but no gin.

  “I’ll stay the weekend, and train Karen from Monday onwards, until she’s comfortable in her new job. There’s a lot to being a station commander she has no experience of. That will give us a few evenings together in our home.

  “Dan, she officially moves into my old house a week today as well, but I know she’s planning to relocate tomorrow. If you’re around, could you drop in on her and check she’s Okay?”

  “Sure, but it’ll be late afternoon before I’m free. I could ask Cathy to come down and help out.”

  “No, unnecessary. See you soon. Mwah!”

  The phone call had just ended when a rap came at the door. “Sinjun has just arrived, Sir.”

  Dan departed moments later, and met Tom entering the building. They greeted Sinjun, and the old friends caught up, including Dan in their conversation, as often as possible. The meal was a typical mess meal, but it was good and filling. It was almost one hour later, the meal all but complete, when talk turned to the reason for their meeting.

  “Dan, Tom tells me you need some assistance with a terrorist plot, guerrilla warfare tactics and countermeasures.”

  “Yes, that’s correct, Sinjun. Let me explain…”

  Dan delivered an overall brief of what they were facing. Sinjun almost laughed at times, before realising Dan was deadly serious about the threat of the Islamification of England, major parts of it at least.

  Once up to speed, Sinjun was straightforward in approach. “Do you have a video of this supposed jihad training base, Dan?”

  “Yes, here on my tablet. This is the feed from two days ago. You can zoom around using these controls, and fast forward or replay. This copy is low resolution, the original hi-def, but it’s what we witnessed.”

  Sinjun smiled at Dan, indulgently at first, before becoming fixated by what he saw. He began to fire arbitrary questions at Dan, and Tom, sometimes speaking aloud as his mind worked. In time he looked up, an extremely worried frown on his furrowed brow. “Dan, this is a nest of vipers. See this here? This is a checkpoint, a roadblock. And here, those are defensive positions. Back here, these are anti-aircraft missiles. They are practising defending territory, towns and cities perhaps.

  “I’d need to spend a few days analysing the original feed, but this scares the shit out of me. I thought you were just having me on, but my God, man. I’d like to come over and run a full threat assessment, if that’s okay. I still do them for the SAS here, but it’s all unofficial nowadays. Sometimes I feel like I’ve been stuck on the scrap heap, but I am still one of our country’s best at this stuff.”

  “Okay. Come back with us in th
e morning.”

  “No, I need to be here this weekend, and prepare on Monday.

  “I’ll collect you from here, nine a.m. Tuesday, otherwise travelling between here and Norfolk will be a nightmare.”

  “I greatly appreciate that Dan, until Tuesday.”

  Chapter 33 ~ Tangible Threat

  Dan settled into his home office chair late on Friday evening, and sipped from a glass of rum and coke, as he reviewed the week’s events. He had just got back from settling Karen Wheeler into Felicity’s old house, and she had made a favourable impression.

  Dan proceeded to record verbal notes for appending to his log, and sat back satisfied. Apart from Felicity being away, his life appeared to be perfect.

  The central heating was on and working, and the jet was parked at the top of the field. He would need to sort out a hangar quickly. The landing had been bumpy, but better than some he had experienced, if because the landing strip was not fully completed. Ma’am in London was extremely happy. Tim had set up a work computer, and one for personal use. Tim had also set up state of the art Wi-Fi, so everything worked together without wires.

  He wanted to ring Felicity, but knew it was the wrong call. She would be half drunk, and playing police games with her higher ups. He sent a text, and was surprised when she left a voice message a short time later. “Dan. Miss you. Tonight is going well, and not too many drinks. I could probably come home, except I’m over the limit. See you early tomorrow. Love, Filly xxx.”

  There it was again, the “L” word. Dan downed his measure, and sat back in the glow of a spirit-warmed stomach. He was troubled, so played mind games with his emotions, speaking aloud other associated words, and reflecting upon their significance to his current relationship: “Marriage.” “Children.” “Baby.” “Commitment.”

  The bottle was half empty, and his torso sprawled across the desk, when the builders arrived the next morning. Dan felt like hell, and sprinted for the nearest toilet. Sid was waiting when he returned, examining the remains of the bottle. “You’d not be a drinking man then. I’ll get thee a bacon butty, have thee right as rain in no time. She will be here soon, so take a shower and change. What brought this about?”

  Dan looked up bleary eyed and said, “She said she loved me.”

  “Ooh, now that’s very serious. ‘Appens to us all sooner or later. She’s a keeper you know, and the perfect partner for you. Not that it’s any of my business. Just saying.”

  Sid watched as Dan ate two hot sandwiches, washed down with a large mug of sweet tea. Sid ushered him upstairs to shower, smiling as he watched Dan depart. He said to the others, “There’ll be a wedding soon, mark my words.”

  Sometime later, Felicity bounced onto the bed, waking Dan out of his slumber. He had only lain down for a moment after his shower. She twisted his chin towards her and said, “Sid tells me you are in love with me.”

  “Er. I don’t know. I’ve never been in love before, never been loved by anyone. I was adopted remember.”

  “So, do you think about me often?”

  “All the time, except for work.”

  “And you miss me when I’m not here, right?”

  “Yes of course. I love being with you.”

  “So it’s the sex you are after from me then.”

  “No. Yes, but not exclusively. I like having you around, to cook for, make a home. I don’t know how to explain. I would rather be with you anywhere, than be on my own anywhere else. Does that make sense?”

  “Perfect. So how would you feel if I wasn’t here?”

  “I don’t know. Lonely I guess.”

  “Do you love me?”

  “I guess so.”

  “Not good enough, Dan. I’m pregnant with our child! I’m leaving, heading back to Norwich, where I will remain until you decide if you love me, or not. Our relationship has everything a marriage could wish for, except your commitment. Time to man-up, Dan.”

  Dan watched her rise from the bed, suddenly feeling insecure. She avoided his lunge, and hurried to the door. Turning as she went through it, she said, “Goodbye Dan, forever.”

  Dan was mortified. His stomach lurched, as he felt the bottom drop out of his world. He stumbled into a pair of trousers, doing them up as he ran barefoot after her. She was closing the car door as he ran towards her. The engine started, but the window wound down, she was waiting for what he had to say: “I think I love you.”

  “Not good enough. Goodbye.”

  She began to reverse. Dan flung his torso on the bonnet, his hands gripping the wings to stay with her. She stopped and looked at him, waiting.

  “Damn it Felicity, I LOVE YOU!” The last three words were shouted with emphasis.

  She smiled and replied, “You’d better hang on while I park.”

  She drove back up the drive, and into the spot she normally used. Getting out she helped Dan off the bonnet and said, “That’s much better. I love you. Never forget that.”

  Dan grabbed her waist and kissed her hard on the mouth, the kiss quickly becoming more passionate. Behind them, a cheer rose. All the workmen, and the neighbours next door were watching them intently. Some were clapping, others whistled and cheered. Felicity said, “Looks like we did the right thing. Now, put on some shoes and help me empty the boot. I went shopping this morning.”

  Dan finished dressing, called to check on Veronica, and carried lamps, small tables, and ornaments into the living room. Felicity had bought several sets of wall lights, and told the electrician where she wanted them.

  Three six-wheel lorries arrived in convoy, navigating through the garden. Stunned, Felicity said, “What’s going on Dan?”

  “Ah, they’re for the runway. I better check on progress.”

  “What runway?” Felicity ran after him. “You landed a jet here? Why?”

  “Ah yes. The jet. I’ll need to use it for commuting. Work you know.”

  She gawped at it. Dan said, “Why’s it over there?”

  A worker said, “We had to get the farmer to tow it out of the way, as you left it in our road.”

  Dan did not miss the pun, but said, “My road actually. The old bird’s sunk into the grass a bit. I’ll need a word with Monty. Find him, and I’ll go and get Sid. I need a hangar over there.”

  The outcome of their convoluted conversation was that the hanger would be built side on, allowing entrance one way, and exit the other. Monty would run a depth of hardcore as a loop, allowing the jet to turn around. Once agreed, Sid talked to Dan about the building itself, which was the next priority.

  Just before lunchtime, Felicity and Dan paid a visit to Karen, who was busy sorting out her things. While Dan shifted some heavy boxes for her, Felicity leaned in and whispered, “Dan, get her out of this room, and talking about her education. I need to take photos of pictures.”

  Dan rolled his eyes. He turned and focused, “Karen, please show me exactly where you need this putting.”

  “On the dresser.”

  “Yes, but which dresser? There are three of them.”

  On the way upstairs Dan said, “So how come you ended up in the police force?”

  “I could ask the same about you and MI6.”

  Dan told her. “Your turn.”

  “Well, I went to Anglia Ruskin University. It’s one of the top three Uni’s for Forensics, and close to home. I got my Bachelor there, and went on to do Criminology at Masters. I’d hoped for a glamorous job, but the reality was, only the police were interested in me. The pay and conditions, plus the pension were much better in the force, so I signed up. Took me ages to pass the promotion courses though. You have to remember the quotes from law verbatim.

  “You weren’t tempted to party like most, have a boyfriend?”

  “No, I’m all about work and bettering myself. My personal life is my own business.”

  “Apologies, I was simply trying to make conversation. We best get back to it. What’s next?”

  Later, Dan invited the women for lunch. He called in work first
, and Veronica said, “I have some flags, and think you should be here. I’m not sure what’s going on, and was about to call you. Something is happening. Oh, a secure message just came in from Bude, excuse me. See you soon.”

  Dan looked at the women, who were watching him intently, and said, “Work. I have to go in right now. Something’s up. You can stay here and carry on, or drive up when you’re ready. I’ll eat at the inn. I must leave now. Sorry.”

  Dan departed immediately, leaving both women worried. Karen said, “Is this about work, my new job?”

  Felicity replied, “Yes. You’ll need to catch up quickly, as to what your new posting is all about. Ready when you are.”

  “Let’s go.”

  Felicity briefed Karen on the way, but she was almost in shock when she realised they were confronting the Islamification of England. Felicity said, “I’ll run you through it chronologically, when we get there.”

  Dan escorted the women into the ops room. “What’s happened, Veronica?”

  “One of the world’s most wanted men, a leader for ISIL, has just been identified by Bude as being in charge of operations at Lillyworth Moor. He came in this morning, accompanied by a ton of weapons and militia. They’re about to launch something big. What, and where remain the only questions.”

  “I’m on it, anything else?”

  “Yes, my worry from earlier. Two girls and a woman, who were part of those you first recorded arriving at Luton, are currently in a car travelling towards Leeds. That may not be their final destination, but it is looking more than likely.”

  “Send me the feed. And ask Percy to come over, I need him on drones.”

  “Left channel Two.”

  Dan studied the motorway camera footage. The two women got seats either side of him, and watched events unfold. The car took a road that led to Leeds city centre, and Dan called the Director immediately. “Ma’am, presumed city centre bomb attack in progress, Leeds. Two Boko Haram girl suicide bombers, one controller, and one man controlling her. After last time, they will ensure the girls do not surrender. Which agency should we notify? I prefer the senior Leeds police officer. Time is short. I would like to stop them before they reach the target, save lives.”