by John Morris
Dan noted the group had the credentials, but were not a unit. They numbered twenty-three, and were all specialists: pilots, radio operators, medics, unit or platoon commanders, and computer operators. One was a bomb disposal expert, trained in the latest use of suicide vests and car bombs used by ISIL.
Dan said, “Good, you will become the backbone of several units. I presume the ground troops will arrive tomorrow.”
Dan was interrupted, as Linda made her presence known. “Sorry I was delayed, but it was worth it. I have just received provisional approval for this unit to become active, as of this morning. Yes Dan, troops will be joining us over the coming days. Most are firearms officers, but some are ex-military. Dan, please continue.”
“Thank you Ma’am. You will be working, at least during the beginning, with information that our team provide. First I will introduce those of us here, and then I will tell you what we do.”
Dan was brief, but thorough, asked for and answered questions, quickly. “Good, that didn’t take long. I will now show you the full threat facing this country. Alison, please set up the projector and run the prepared videos.
“Listen up. This is top-secret information, and what you see, and we discuss, stays in this room. Does everyone understand? You may not even speak of it to anyone else in the NCA.” Dan waited until each person individually agreed, before proceeding.
After the presentation, which Dan orated, the room was filled with disbelief, and many were speaking. Dan let them continue for a time, before calling order. “Now, I will show you what we have already traced, as a result of monitoring enemy strongholds. Alison, if you please. I remind you all, you are here because the Met failed to respond. I’ll explain as we go through the videos. They have been kept short.”
Dan again orated the videos shown, asking other team members, including Wendy to comment. He finished by saying, “Please note, we only learned of their operational technique at Leeds. Birmingham should have been prevented, but the Met failed to turn up. That is why this unit was created.
“At Harwich, the intention was to blockade the port. We only managed to save as many people as we did, because MI5 helped us out. Yes, we work with all services, including the RAF and GCHQ. Had the Met arrived in time, we would also have prevented the ferry disaster, but due to MI5, it capsized just out of the main channel. We tasked them with damage limitation.
“Wendy can fill you in on the details of the way we work. She witnessed the Harwich Ferry disaster unravel. We rely on real-time satellite, digital speed cameras, and CCTV at the target. Each of your teams must have at least one person competent with drones, small, multifunctional drones that have portable controls. Martin will ensure you have the knowledge and Linda, you the drones themselves.”
“Thank you Dan, it will be so. Time to break for lunch.”
During the afternoon, Sinjun offered the NCA team insight into how ISIL operated, their tactics and goals. The director informed them, “The tactical experts won’t be here until a week on Monday. Politics.”
They finished early, and left Martin as the face of the team. Dan reported in person to his Director, allowing Alison a shopping break.
“Well done Dan. This is a good beginning, and at least Martin is in the thick of it, and he will be learning. Now tell me in your own words about your meeting with this Ayesha. Do you think she will be useful to use, or is she a mole? ”
It was early evening when the away team landed in Dan’s field. He was able to turn on the landing lights using geek wizardry Tim had supplied. He called Veronica. “You’re on speaker, thanks for holding the fort. We’ve just landed at my home, Alison and Sinjun are with me. Have there been any attacks today?”
“No, none at all, for the sixth day in a row. What’s going on Dan? Why are they holding back?”
“Good question. I’m certain they have no idea that we are tagging them. There must be another reason. Sinjun, work on that at once. I think they have completed their trial runs, and are now waiting for the concerted strikes to begin.
“What those are, we do not know. This may be the main event, or multiple attacks on one day, perhaps the same city, judging how emergency responders react. There is most definitely a mastermind behind how this whole thing is unravelling.
“I need you all to keep working on this until we discover the reason. Bounce your ideas off others. I have the premonition our weekend may be extremely busy, and I doubt the NCA will be up and running by then, at full speed at least. We’ll be there in twenty minutes. Ciao.”
As they were leaving, the elderly neighbour from next door came over. “Sorry, not the introduction I had foreseen, but well, the wife, she wants to complain about the noise. You have a jet?”
“So sorry, national security. I’ll requisition a quiet one, but it may take a few days. You must come round for dinner. My partner will arrange it, and soon. So sorry about the noise.”
Once in the car, Dan said a curious thing. “What day is tomorrow?”
A chorus of Friday rang out, but Alison thought a little deeper, and said, “Yes, tomorrow is Friday. That is the Muslim holy day. Everyone attends prayers at the mosque––all of the men, and many of the women, but segregated.”
Dan said, “If they strike, it will be tomorrow afternoon or evening, perhaps Saturday. I need every station manned, but those that need personal downtime, take it now. I’ll leave you to sort it out amongst yourselves. If nothing happens by seven, then finish the day. Tomorrow will most likely be a long haul, if I read this right.”
There were no attacks on Friday, even insignificant ones. In the late afternoon, Dan said, “This is building for tomorrow. I believe a hurricane of Islamic jihad is about to be unleashed against us. I'll monitor until late. The rest of you should and get an early night. It may be your last for a long time.”
Chapter 41 ~ Triple Whammy
Dan started work early on Saturday. He called the director of the NCA. “Linda, how’s it coming together? … Good. I have a dreadfully bad feeling about today. Are you in position to react if needs be?”
“Oh. Almost. I could put a team together, how sound is your information?”
“This is a gut feeling, Ma’am. But there has been nothing for one week, and after prayer meetings yesterday, I believe the Muslims will have completed plans for insurrection, beginning today.”
“I’ll get on it Dan, but please know, gut feelings don’t do much for me. I deal in facts.”
“So do I, almost always, but my gut feeling has often saved the day. Please don’t dismiss this request lightly. A strike is imminent.”
The call finished, and Dan realised he had spoken like a charlatan. His mind wandered from the recent past, to the forthcoming, thinking, viewing as a reflex, when he saw a car leave Lillyworth Moor.
He was alert immediately. It fitted the attack vehicles precisely. There was a man driving a nondescript vehicle, and three women in the car. He recognised one of them from Luton, and brought up her file.
Dan called Wendy, but she was on a day off. “Dan, I’ll be there as soon as I can. We’re not set up properly yet, and many staff are off for the weekend. You’d better call Linda.”
Dan did just that, told her what he had, and added, “Are you in a position to respond. Yes or No.”
“Yes, I need one hour to assemble a team. It seems your gut was correct. You need guns on the ground, right?”
“Correct. And drones. Wendy is on her way in as liaison, I called her direct, sorry. She volunteered. Apologies if I trod on your toes.”
“No problem this time, Dan. That is good. She knows you and how you operate. My next move would have been to call her in.”
Dan finished the call, as Veronica entered with Alison one step behind. She said, “What is it Dan?”
“I told you this is what would be happening. This car just left Lillyworth Moor. I have one girl’s file open. She’s ex-captive of Boko Haram. On this screen, I have a second car that I picked up seconds ago. Your ti
ming is perfect. Follow it please.”
They monitored the vehicles for some time. Dan said, “The first car is on the M180, headed west. It’s not far from the M18, so we’ll see where it goes. I’ve alerted the NCA, and they are mustering a response. They are not ready yet, but willing and partially able to respond.”
“Wow. That’s much better than the zero the Met have been giving us. Tracking now. Yes, the second car appears to be headed for the M180, have you run facial recognition on it yet?”
“No. I only just noticed them. Please follow through.”
“Dan, do you think this is one of those double strikes you talked about? They seem to be following one another.”
“Perhaps, but it depends upon what the target is. It’s too early to speculate. However, I will call the Met as backup, just in case. We have nothing to lose, and they have face to save. Regardless, we appear to have two targets. I’ll also alert MI5.
Dan’s called his Director, explaining the situation, and their response to date. “Keep me informed Dan, but not too often, I’m trying to enjoy my first weekend off for ages with the grandchildren. We’re at the seaside, and it’s bloody freezing. They don’t seem to feel the cold, and are having a great time. Ciao.”
Dan tried to imagine the Director in a swimming costume on a cold November day, and quickly dismissed the image. Then he remembered about the complaint from next door, and called her back. “Damn you Dan. The only quiet jet we have is mine. I haven’t even flow it yet. It’s brand new. I had personalised it, but you better have it. I suppose I’ll inherit your old one. Don’t call me again.”
His eyes flicked to the Lillyworth camera display. “I’ve a third car, following now. Alison, this one is yours. As before the car has one male driving, three female occupants. Running facial recognition software now … Match. Both girls landed at Luton on Monday, from Libya.
Veronica voiced her concern. “A triple hit. I don’t get this.”
“We will soon discover where. Ah, car one on the M18 headed north. I’ll update the response teams.”
They monitored a strung out procession. Dan said, “Car one now on the M62 headed west.”
Veronica added, “Car two on the M18, headed north.”
Alison said, “Car three now on the M180, headed west.”
They continued to monitor, Wendy joining them on live feed.
Once the first car passed into the Pennines, Dan made his first call. “Wendy, we are a go. Destination as yet unknown. Get your team to Manchester ASAP, they will be in the ballpark. They must have drones with them.”
Moments after Dan finished the update, Linda came through on a secure channel. “Ah, it works. Martin just set this up for me. Okay Dan, being our first job together, I came into the office. Latest update please.”
Dan briefed her, and added, “I apologise in advance, but I have also alerted other agencies, including MI5, and the Met. Had this been one vehicle, I would have left it up to you. But we have three cars, three potential targets, and they will be related in some way. You are not up and running yet. The fact that you have already responded does you credit. But, you do not have the resources to handle all three attacks.”
“Thank you Dan. Sometimes being blunt works. Don’t try me when we are fully functional. What do you think is going down?”
“I’d prefer not to say, for now. We have not identified any targets. We will have those when these cars leave the motorways, probably. I’ll speak to you later, facial recognition just picked up a hit on the driver of car three, which raised a flag. Ciao.”
Dan sat back and stretched his arms above his head, eventually crossing them on his pate. He remained silent, staring at the screen.
“What is it, Dan?”
“I don’t know. Something is wrong about the third car. The driver is a top Al Qaeda, operative. He should not be on this trip. He is a general who runs disruption and guerrilla strikes. He does not go on them himself. Shit! I need a drone on this car, now.”
Dan called MI5, but they had nothing to offer in the middle of the Pennines. However, they would have eyes on the vehicle once it entered range of Manchester. It was not enough for Dan, but better than nothing.
He called Derek at Bude, who was on a day off. His replacement cover, Ian, said, “I’m on it Dan, and fully up to speed with your operation. Who are you after?”
Dan sent a file with images, and waited for Ian’s response.
“We have a file on this guy, an evil sod. I’ll get clearance from Bernie, and send it to you. It’s not a bedtime story. He’s supposed to be in Libya. I’ll run fifteen-point facial recognition on your feeds. He must have entered the country recently.”
“We don’t have a drone, and there’s nothing suitable nearby.”
“We use the RAF at Waddington, they are the UK drone kings––long distance flight, and cameras capable of facial recognition. Missiles also. You should introduce yourself to them, but it’s too late for today, I fear. Nevertheless, I’ll provide live satellite feed down to facial recognition level. Resetting now. This will take a few minutes.”
Dan spoke to Tom, then his Director, requesting assistance, if in future, from Waddington. He updated with the team some time later.
“Car one now entering Manchester metropolitan region.”
“Car two on the M62, headed west.”
“Car three just joining the M62, also headed west.”
Dan said, “We have a triple strike on our hands. I need to call the Chief Constable of Lancashire Police Force, and forewarn the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester.”
Alison said, “I’ll update the Met. I now know someone there. Let me try to get them airborne this time. Destination Manchester, I presume.”
“Yes, thanks. Manchester airport, or nearby to begin with. Call Wendy first, I need her team in the air immediately.”
Dan made a call to MI5, confirming the triple target to be near Manchester, or via it. The controller was not impressed. “Agent Glover, we need precise information before we respond, especially to third-party information. “
“Commander Glover! I thought we sorted all this bullshit out with your director. Respond, or you won’t be there in time. Ciao.”
They watched the procession, as minutes passed by. Dan said, “Car one now on the A57, southbound. Destination confirmed as Manchester city.” He repeated the call to MI5, the controller reluctantly forwarding Dan’s information.
He spoke to the Chief Constable next, who had formed a response unit. “Target confirmed as Manchester central, Sir. Precise targets as yet unknown. Please ready for instant deployment. We will update you in real-time.”
Dan’s mobile rang and he answered it abruptly. “Yes, Felicity.”
“That’s no way to greet your girlfriend. Where are you?”
“At work. We have three simultaneous attacks we are dealing with, and there are only three of us here. They appear to be targeting Manchester, but we don’t have enough eyes on screens.”
“I’ll come over, and bring Percy with me. You seem stressed, boyfriend. Mwah. Ciao.”
Dan stared at the phone, his thoughts blanked to only one person, as the call ended. He realised he had been sharp with her, and knew he needed to relax. He monitored until the car he was observing changed road. He said, “Car one now on the A57M, heading south.”
A few minutes later, Veronica said, “Car two on the A627M. Different destination. It looks like Manchester is the target.”
Dan updated the other agencies. The Met were in the air, but the NCA were not. Their director said, “Our paperwork hasn’t been approved yet. I am sorting it out, just a few minutes. Sorry Dan, this is the beginning, and the unexpected happens.”
Dan was precise in response. “Yes, like unsuspecting civilians being blown to pieces by Islamic head-cases. These deaths are on you, and the bureaucracy that stands in our way. Call me when you eventually get in the air. The Met, this time, are already on their way. Goodbye.”
Alison said, “That was a bit harsh Dan, if justified all the same. You are the best boss I have ever worked with, but please, don’t step over into bully-mode. It doesn’t suit you, and neither does it work.”
Dan had thought of several responses, when the door opened, and Percy showed Felicity inside. “Where do you need us?”
“Thank god. I missed you so much.”
Dan hugged Felicity, and broke away to welcome Percy. “Thanks, we are under the cosh here. This is what I need you to do. Percy, can you monitor car three, take over from Alison. I need her skills on reconnaissance. Percy, tell us where the car is going. Filly, I need someone on comm. You up for it?”
“‘Felicity’, or better, ‘Chief’ to everyone else here, thank you. Dan, sometimes you are a stupid boy. Who do I contact first?”
Dan knew that they would have coped successfully, but having two competent people dismiss the low level stress was a boon. Alison said, “Percy, before you begin, be a love and bring us hot drinks and some snacks, I’m starving. Percy went down and made drinks for everyone, including Stella, whose shop was busy. Later she brought up a tray of food, but rushed back down as the shop bell sounded.
Percy took over from Alison, but something strange happened. The car went into a tunnel, and did not reappear. “Dan, we have a problem.”
“Show me.”
Dan hustled over and watched the footage. The car reappeared, but it was missing for fifty seconds longer than it should have been, and the driver was not the same person.
Dan ran facial recognition software, but spent most of his time studying the footage. They had swapped driver in the tunnel, and he needed to define the other vehicle.
Others spoke to him, but he replied with a curt word, or usually a hand shooing their words away. There was nothing. He backtracked camera footage before the tunnel, and went farther back.
Dan was about to give up, when he noticed a car on the inside lane, flash headlights in the pattern three, one, two, as the target car passed by. He got the number plate, and initiated facial recognition. It was a long shot, but the best they had.