by John Morris
Tom also caught her unspoken words, and smiled. Margaret continued. “Excellent. We could hold the reception here, your field out back is the perfect place for a marquee. We’d need outside caterers…”
It seemed like hours until Margaret left, she wanted to take over an event they had not discussed as a couple and were not ready for.
Once they had the place to themselves, they switched off, and watched a movie on download TV. Felicity got up and made them a milk drink before bedtime.
They parted on the step of their home on Monday morning, and the day seemed to flash by for both of them. Good news came at lunchtime, when Wendy called. “Dan, just to let you know, I’ve been seconded to the NCA indefinitely. I have this afternoon to clear my desk, and begin with them in the morning. I’ll need to set up with Alison all over again. Will you tell her?”
“Yes, consider it done. Congratulations as well. I feel confident to know we’ll be working with you again. I’ll see you later this week, not sure when yet. Ciao.”
Late that afternoon, Veronica returned, and Sinjun presented his full report, detailing attack and defence capabilities of the five private airfields. His tactical assessment showed areas of strength and weakness, and his assault strategies, two plans for each airfield. “This is how they can be taken with minimum loss of life or resources.
“As you will notice, I have timed each event for capture of the most aircraft and service vehicles. I would also like to present this next plan for taking out their warehouse at Luton, in the same operation…”
The team were impressed with Sinjun’s thoroughness, and attention to minute detail. He continued his delivery, outlining strikes against unknown targets, the ones that would be receiving the armoured vehicles, tanks, and howitzers. He confirmed, “This is a little in the air, but so will be the delivery vehicles, so they will land at an airfield. We need to know which one or ones.
“I believe all these targets can be taken out with one, possibly two platoons each. Timing of all strikes will be critical. One phone call, and our element of surprise is gone.
“The final target is Lillyworth Moor, and that gave me many problems. The size of the base is a major problem, and so are the numbers of people there, I estimate several thousand who could pull the trigger of a gun. We would also need air and ground support in full measure.
“As with all the other targets, I have identified offensive, and defensive locations, and also strengths and weaknesses. We would not be involved in that operation, except perhaps as advisors. It is too large. A regular Army general will probably take control of the strike force, and they will make their own plan, probably incorporating a lot of the information we give them.
“I’ll take any questions, and then head for the bar, and an early night. I understand you are our pilot tomorrow morning, Dan.”
Chapter 40 ~ Rapid Response Force
Sinjun, Alison, and Dan left before seven the following morning, collecting the Group Captain from RAF Trimingham. They were granted landing clearance at RAF Coningsby one hour later.
Tom said, “RAF Coningsby is not where the Marshal of the Air Force is based, but it is perhaps not so strange he chose this location. This is one of the main UK air defence stations, where interception fighters are based. They have Tornados and Typhoons, but few of either due to defence cuts. Ah Dan, park on that apron, and we’ll get going.”
The men departed, but Dan and Alison were invited to the Sergeant’s Mess for refreshments. Over coffee, they chatted to their RAF companion, who learned they were from MI6. He told them how the base operated, and moaned about the lack of aircraft.
Sometime later a Corporal entered, and said, “Commander Glover, the Marshal of the Air Force has requested your presence. Please come with me now, and I will take you to him.”
Dan rose, said a humorous goodbye to the Sergeant who had entertained them, and left with Alison in tow. They were shown to the door and the Corporal knocked. “Enter.”
Dan entered, stood to attention, and saluted. “Commander Glover, MI6, Sir. This is Agent Porter, intelligence officer. She has information at her fingertips, but I will ask her to leave, if you feel she is unwanted.”
“No, that’s fine, Dan. Please, sit down. I will say I’m beginning to feel outnumbered. Do I need to call in members of my team?”
Dan replied with a wry grin, and sparkle in his eye. “We are all part of your team, Sir. All of us here in this room, have sworn an oath of allegiance to Her Majesty the Queen. I intend to uphold that vow, and prevent the destruction of the British way of life, or die trying to prevent UK becoming an Islamic State. Sir”
Dan sat, as the Marshal of the Air Force leaned back in his chair, and smiled. “Perhaps. I prefer to be addressed as Sir Jack, excepting formal situations. I have read your report, it is thorough, and damning, should these events take place. How certain are you we are under threat of direct and immanent attack?”
“One-hundred percent, Sir. It is not a question of if, but when, where, and how bad. You have read Sinjun’s tactical report?”
Sinjun said, “No Dan, he has not. I wanted to run through it a final time on the plane, but forgot to load it into my laptop. The wrong pen drive is in my pocket. Perhaps Veronica could forward the right one?”
Alison said, “I’ll bring it up now, won’t be a second.”
“But my computer is secure, password protected.”
“Not from me Sinjun, I have the master password. Now which of these files do you want me to work on?”
“Threat Assessment 02.19b. The entire folder.”
“Got it. I’ll work at that table over there, this won’t take long.”
Dan took focus. “Let me explain the threat in person, Sir.”As Dan spoke, increasing concern for the cause, Alison finished her review, and called Sinjun over for a final check of his work. He only made one small change, before Alison set the nearby photocopier combination to print it. She also saved a copy to a pen drive, and gave it to Sir Jack.
He was staring at the printer, and said, “You did that?”
“Yes Sir. I thought you would like a physical copy as well.”
“Well I’ll be damned. That is on the secure military net.”
“I already have access to that, Sir.”
Dan distracted his attention by adding, “She is one of five, maybe six people, in the whole of Europe, that can do that.”
Before reply could be made, the desk phone rang. “Yes Ann?”
There was a pause. Sir Jack spoke. “Please excuse me, I must take this call. Refreshments are available in the outer office.”
Dan opened his briefcase and handed a folder with pen drive to Sir Jack. “Our assessment of the threat to the stability of European governments. We consider Luxembourg and Belgium to already be Islamic States, it just hasn’t been announced yet. Take your time, Sir.”
They waited in the anteroom for ten minutes, before being called back into the office. Sir Jack looked unsettled, their information lay open before him on the desk, and Dan noted both pen drives in his computer. He waved for them to sit down, and roused from his considerations. His words came as a surprise. “Tell me why Dan. Why me?”
“According to the constitution, the Queen is Head of the Armed Forces. Her role is that of figurehead only.
“The person currently in charge of the Navy, Army, and Air Force is the Chief of Defence Staff. You, Sir.”
“Yes I am. But that too is a figurehead role. I have little if no power, and my only function appears to be to attend meetings of the fine and dandy, that usually include either award ceremonies, a banquet in honour of who or whatever, and usually both combined. I repeat, I have no real power, so why are you here?”
Dan smiled, but gestured with his arm. “I realise that, Sir Jack. What would be your role if there was no government?”
“What? Are you insane! You are trying my patience, Commander.”
“Remember ‘nine-eleven’? Our enemy already has tanks, howitz
ers, anti-aircraft batteries and missiles, not to mention mobile SCUD D missiles, based just up the road at RAF Lillyworth Moor, and probably elsewhere. We need to take them out before they are fired at a target, say a full session of the Houses of Parliament.”
There was silence. The Sir Jack began several times to say something, but failed. In reply to Dan’s piercing, and questioning look, he said, “In that case, I would be in charge of home defence, and all three services. You cannot be serious.”
“Deadly serious Sir Jack. Sinjun, speak of what we discussed when landing here today.”
Sinjun replied, “This is off the cuff. As we were coming in to land, Dan asked me how difficult it would be, for the enemy to take out this airfield, but leaving the fighters and runway intact.
“That would be easy. There are no anti-missile, anti-aircraft batteries here. I suggest you get some as a matter of greatest urgency. Imagine this base under full control of ISIL. Where would they strike using your aircraft?”
Sir Jack’s face turned white. He dismissed them, asking only Tom to stay. As Sinjun rose to leave, he said, “Permission to speak, Sir Jack.”
“Granted.”
“The best aeroplanes we have to combat this threat, apart from those which imbecile Cameron sold to the Yanks as his first act in governance, are the seventy-two or so Harrier GR9A’s mothballed at RAF Cottesmore. I strongly suggest they are put back into service, and within days. I consider the threat that deadly. Sir.”
Dan added, “That would also be my aircraft of choice, Sir.”
Sir Jack was abrupt in reply. “Under consideration. Keep me posted. Daily reports Sinjun, Dan. Dismissed.”
As they walked to the mess, Dan said, “He took us seriously, unlike most of the politicians in London. Sinjun, what are your plans for the future? Your work with us is as good as done.”
“Well, I could do with a few days back in Hereford, but I would like to keep working with you, and that office of yours is a great place for thinking and planning.”
“You mean it’s right next to the pub. Good, I would like you to work on a new assessment. I want you to don an ISIL leaders head, and think of all ways this country could be fundamentally destabilised. You heard some suggestions, destroy Parliament, maybe take out the Queen, the RAF here, but use their fighters. Use your imagination, but based in achievable fact. Also, consider their use of nuclear dirty bombs, and chemical weapons. As far as I’m concerned, no option is off limits.”
“I better stay with the team then. Hereford can wait. Thanks Dan, it’s good to feel useful once more.”
Sinjun lead them to the NAAFI, where he spoke to the manager like a long-lost friend. They bought sandwiches and motorway style coffee from a machine, something similar for Tom, and returned to the plane.
Tom rejoined them after they boarded the jet, and was curiously silent. Feeling eyes on him, Tom looked up and said, “I cannot tell you what was said. I can tell you two things. Sir Jack used to fly Harriers, and so some may be re-commissioned. He seems confident of one or two, but the exact number will be limited.”
Dan said, “I love that aircraft. Used to fly them as well. Best jet we ever had for manoeuvrability. I outmanoeuvred a heat seeking missile in Iraq flying one. Awesome things. Sorry Tom, go on.”
“The second thing I can tell you, is that he was deeply impressed with all of you, and expressly concerned for the future. You may imagine what else we said, but that is all I can relate.”
When they got back, Dan called Felicity, hoping for a date that night. “Sorry Dan, I’m up to my eyes with paperwork. The old chief took his best admin with him, and the new girl is coming up to speed, but slowly. I’m staying late to break the back of it. What about a date night tomorrow, you could cook for me?”
“I’d love that. Be home around six, and we’ll have the night all to ourselves. Miss you.”
Wednesday became a day for catching up, finishing reports, and planning their next moves. Sinjun had taken to leaving his office door open, and mixed more socially with the team, often popping upstairs for a chat. It was always about work, but discussing some of his deliberations as a forum.
Dan made a run to town to buy in food for their lunch, and also meat for home. Sinjun accompanied him, and fell in love with what Dan called the Pie Butcher, especially the delicatessen counter.
After lunch, Dan spent time working on his nascent role of setting up the new wing of the NCA. Once his base position was written down, he called the NCA director. “Ah, Dan. I’m so pleased you called. I’ll lay out the team members and structure when we meet, but I need to know how we will interact. I take it there has been nothing so far this week.”
“No Ma’am, and that’s strange. I was thinking to pop down tomorrow, mid-morning, how does that suit you?”
“That’s fine Dan, but I am busy first thing, and not in the office. I’ll need you to provide a dedicated member of staff, here.”
“You have received official sanction then.”
“No. But we are going ahead regardless. The Met have had too many chances, and blown them all. I need to show you what we can do. I’ll also need your advice regards tactical response, an appraisal, and how best we can work together. Call it a team-building exercise.”
“Ma’am. I’ll see you at ten tomorrow.”
“Eleven is better for me. Till next time, over and out.”
Dan was subdued as he put the phone down, and ruminated on his thoughts. He was interrupted when Martin said, “Does that mean we’re going to London tomorrow?”
“No.” Dan looked up and saw the young man’s look of disappointment. He quickly realised Martin would make an ideal member of staff, there.
“Yes, Martin. How do you fancy spending a few weeks as dedicated face for our team in London?”
“Wow! Cool Dan. I’ll even have something to do at weekends. Any others going?”
“I need to take Alison to finish setting Wendy up fully, and maybe Sinjun. They want tactical advice, and I think it good they get to know each other. I’ll be riding shotgun on what advice he gives, but this sounds like a plan. Ask Sinjun to come up.”
Linda had voiced Dan’s concerns. Why had there been no suicide strikes that week, at least ones they had prior knowledge of? There had to be a reason, but try as he might, Dan could not fathom the answer.
His disconsolate mood evaporated when Felicity called, “Dan, I’ll be down within the hour. I’m now clear of bureaucracy, and must take Ayesha’s statement. You want to tag along?”
“Yes, definitely. Am I still cooking tonight?”
“No. I have the urge to eat curry, so we’ll dine at the inn. I wished they did takeaway.”
“Perhaps they do. Let’s ask. See you soon.”
Felicity arrived just after four. “Sorry Dan, something came up at the last minute. You ready for this interview?”
“Yes, let’s go. I was thinking to do it in her room. She’d feel safer there, and there may be some objet d’art that we could use to further conversation. Keep this low key, and friendly. But I need to discover as much as I can about her father and his business associates.”
The interview concerning the shopping centre incident, went well, and was in depth. It covered information since discovered, especially from interviewing the suspects. Dan and Felicity lingered to talk about her home life, and her parents, the real reasons why she ran away from home. They were both friendly, and had helped her so much, she felt obliged to tell them things she would not otherwise have divulged.
Dan said, “We are almost done. Let me recap. Mohammad is the controller in UK, like an Italian Godfather.”
“Yes, that is so. He is a vile man, and was one of Osama Bin Laden’s first generals. Nowadays he has a high position within ISIL, and other groups, but exactly what, I do not know.
“Ali and his greater family are all lawyers and moneymen. They came from the same Pakistani village, a Pashtun clan, as did Mohammad, and my father.”
“And y
our father?”
“I hate him. He is not my real father. Here is my bill of sale, as a baby. He is their Enforcer. I know he has killed many people. He is trying to make Waheed, my brother, follow in his footsteps. But he is a good boy, western educated like me, clever. He has a degree in economics, and wants to be an economist.”
Dan flicked his eyes at Felicity. “Interesting. Ayesha, let’s finish here. That is, unless you have anything else you would like to tell us?”
“I could tell you where he keeps his secret papers. There is an office in Luton, part of a complex, but it has a back entrance.”
“Give me the details, and then we’ll go.”
“Thank you, both. This is how to get in…”
When they got downstairs, Dan said, “We’ll be having your excellent curry tonight. Do you offer take-away service?”
Brian, who was coming out of the cellar, overheard them “Take away you say. You’re the fourth lot this week that have asked for that. All of them curries as well. I’m sorting some of them there Styrofoam boxes, but it’ll be Monday before we can offer collection service. Maybe delivery to this village only, but it’ll cost more mind.”
“No problem, Brian. Next week it is then. We’ll dine here tonight, but I need to check back with my office first, Felicity?”
“I’m going home to change and have a bath. I’ll see you in an hour or so. Toodle-pip.”
Thursday began slowly. There were no terrorists en route to targets, and Felicity was slow to leave. Dan chilled at home until she departed, and then collected the away team. Alison said, “I’ll do some shopping in London, if there’s time.”
In London, they met an assembly of people who did not know each other, and many were wondering why they were there. Linda was running late, and Dan needed to show control. He sent Alison to set Wendy up, and turned to the group.
“Hi, I’m Dan Glover, SIS, or MI6 to you. I will explain why you are here today, but first I want you all to introduce yourselves: name, nickname, regiment or background, skills, why you were seconded to this unit. We all need to get to know each other. I will begin.”