The Queen blanched at this comment, but made no comment. The PM continued.
‘I'm as saddened as you must be ma'am. But, once again, to be brutally honest, and with all due respect, it's time to go. In reality, you have no kingdom to rule anymore.’
Her Majesty was in tears at this point, and abruptly concluded the conversation before Sir Ian James fully appreciated her distress.
She had no option but to concur with his arguments and instigated preparations to find a new permanent home.
***
In truth, if one considered the cultural and historical damage done by the snow and flooding, in some ways it was even more devastating than the destruction and death caused.
Art galleries, museums, libraries, country houses, churches, parliament, and exhibition centres all contained invaluable and irreplaceable historic artefacts and documents.
Millions of examples of British history, values and principles had been washed away and lay floating, ruined forever, in the filthy and corrupted floodwaters.
The vast material and structural losses were virtually insignificant to the almost infinite cultural damage to the nation.
Damage that wouldn't be repaired for another thousand years.
***
The Captain of the Pretoria Queen personally supervised the download, cleaning process and onward transmission of the gold bars and his crew performed the job well.
Freddy Almond remained confined to his cabin and at 1800 hours each evening, a muffled check-in was completed with HQ in the UKRA building in Brussels. This seemed to keep them happy and no alarm bells were sounding.
Ross soon became bored with the daily drudgery at the Bank of England, and decided to travel to Guernsey for a day or two to personally inspect the part of the Operation being supervised by Andrew Brady.
It all appeared to be running smoothly and the pile of crates of gold were growing daily. There had been some local interest, so a cover story had been invented to put nosey parkers off the scent. It was put about that important documents from the Houses of Parliament, the MOD and other important institutions were being rescued and this location in Guernsey which was one of several being used as temporary storage. There was a short article in the local newspapers and interest soon waned. No-one approached the compound and the soldiers led a relatively boring life.
Dame Ann had been as good as her word and had arranged for a delegation from the Swiss banking system to visit Guernsey to inspect the gold on Monday the third of March. She had advised them to arrange for a suitable aircraft to be flown into Guernsey airport to pick up the six hundred or so crates, and this had been arranged for Wednesday the fifth of March. She delayed the inspection, because the Pretoria Queen required two clear weeks to make her escape. Any earlier, and when the deception was discovered, it would still be possible to intercept the fleeing ship.
The Swiss and UKRA had arranged for the lease/loan of a C5 Galaxy from the United States Airlift Command. Three sorties would be required to transport the three hundred tonnes of gold to Zurich and would be completed by the seventh of March.
When that final leg of the Operation was complete, the British Government or UKRA could approach interested parties with proposals and fees for recovering their shares of the gold lying under the flooded Bank of England. It was a ‘fait accompli’ really, as there was no other way of getting it out. In fact, there had been several enquiries already from interested parties.
However, funds realised from such business would be but a drop in the ocean when one calculated the total British debt.
In any case, it wasn’t really any concern of Dame Ann’s.
She would be long gone!
Day 51
Monday 3rd February - 1800
UKRA HQ – Brussels
The day-to-day management of British interests continued remorselessly at the Headquarters Building in Brussels.
Only one daily Cabinet meetings was held, reduced from twice a day, because there wasn’t really much new to report.
The relocation programme was in full swing and the Cabinet Minister with responsibility for the allocation lottery summed up the situation.
‘There are several, significantly dissimilar categories of groups of survivors now emerging in the European theatre. Those out of Europe are probably going to remain so, as they haven’t yet returned home, having already been given the chance. The deadline for completing the questionnaire has passed – that was the first of February - and relocation orders have been issued to many tens of thousands of families already. We will extend the deadline by four weeks to sweep up any stragglers, patients still in hospital, UKRA workers, citizens abroad and those people who just never co-operate or think that the rules don’t apply to them!
We hope to have transferred the vast majority of people by July or August, thus allowing for the slow dismantling of the transit camps. They are already closing in some areas as personnel ship out. This pleases our European hosts a great deal. There has been a fair amount of tension between the indigenous population and our people in recent days.
Now; I spoke of several disparate groups forming. Perhaps, I should describe them in some more detail:
Firstly, we have those who now work for the UKRA here in Brussels and at other locations around Europe. The administration staff, the rescue coordinators, the team producing the GB News, the hospital ships’ staff, the transit camp managers and the politicians like our good selves.
Although most of these people are currently gainfully employed; there will come a time in the near future when their work will become redundant. I can only assume, Dame Ann, that a plan is afoot to transfer these assets into a sort of Civil Service, whose aim will be to restore some sort of order to the UK in the long-term.
Whatever their eventual fate, the vast majority are housed and salaried, and at present seem relatively content. Not that any British citizen is remotely happy regarding the current fix in which we find ourselves. I believe the doctor will discuss psychological issues at the end of my briefing.
Secondly, we have the Armed Forces. The Minister of Defence can let you have specific numbers if you require them, but I want to mention morale.
The vast majority of these soldiers, sailors and airmen have been working incredibly hard over a sustained period. They are on duty for at least twelve hours a day and have experienced the most horrendous conditions during rescue operations – death and destruction has become part of their daily life. The stress loading on these brave people is reaching breaking point.
Some have already cracked and, worryingly, suicide rates are unusually high. Others have been fortuitously reunited with their families, and we are offering them the same opportunity to relocate as everybody else.
However, living on board ship, in barracks or in tented camps is testing their loyalty and the innate soldierly sense of humour. We need to address this issue immediately – and I haven’t even discussed the issue of maintenance for aircraft and shipping. These craft cannot function forever without regular servicing – and we don’t have any suitable facilities of our own.
Next; we have the burial details, and the shipping crews trawling for bodies. It's almost an exercise in futility. Thousands of bodies a day are being dragged from the sea, identified, bagged and finally unceremoniously dumped at one of the increasing numbers of burial sites.
It's macabre in the extreme.
However, I can offer no alternate solution.
Fourth, we have what I call our ‘satisfied’ customers - those survivors or ex-holidaymakers who are enormously pleased with their country of allocation. A new start in Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the United States is a wonderful opportunity for many of these people to begin a new life and to attempt to put the snow behind them. All have lost family and friends – but the countries I have mentioned and several dozen others, can and will, offer a potentially fantastic future.
The other group I call our ‘unsatisfied’ customers. These are folks wh
o have been offered ‘unsuitable’ re-location countries – according to them. In many cases these people did just not meet the strict entry criteria laid down by the aforementioned states. They may be elderly, unskilled, have too many children or be unwell. Consequently, they have been allocated – as fairly as possible – to not such desirable parts of the world – China and some of the African countries being some of the least popular.
Of course, we have sent Moslems to appropriate Islamic countries, and many Asians have gone to the Indian sub-continent. However, sending a young family from Slough to Osaka in Japan is understandably being met with resistance. The unknown is frightening many thousands of people - and trouble is brewing.
There has been unrest and violence at several transit camps and some people have refused to move on.
Unfortunately, the administration cannot afford to allow these people to refuse an allocation. The alternative is for them to remain in the European camps – and that is just not feasible.
When this option is explained to them in clear and unambiguous terms, the vast majority eventually take their chances and fly out. However, we have had to open a special camp near Hamburg to house those who stubbornly refuse to go. Currently, there are two thousand, four hundred and fifty six British citizens housed there, under heavy military guard. We will need to discuss their ultimate fate in Cabinet, I suspect.
The sixth group are those who have made their own arrangements. Either they have emigrated to family in the Commonwealth – usually Australia, Canada, New Zealand and India – or they have immersed themselves in the community in which they found themselves when the disaster struck. They have been given the opportunity to join the relocation scheme – but have politely refused and have now been struck from our lists.
Finally, we have the relatives of British citizens who had already emigrated or who were living and working abroad. Many have offered support and housing, but are not our direct responsibility.
‘So, there we have it ma'am. Would you care to respond at this time?’ requested the Minister tiredly.
In truth, Dame Ann could see no further ahead than two weeks, but was required to respond in order to keep up the pretence of interest. She now strongly desired Sir Ian James to return from America so that she could hand over the reins of this shambles, and fully concentrate on her own plans.
‘Thank you, Anthony. I can respond to some of the issues you have highlighted – others will have to wait for the Prime Minister to return from Washington.
Regarding the employment of UKRA staff and their role in the future; we will be setting up a working party in due course to investigate the potential for making the best use of this valuable asset. We have done remarkably well to have achieved so much in such a short period of time. I am confident that the majority of UKRA personnel in Brussels will continue to be engaged in the rejuvenation programme.
Now, regarding those survivors who will not leave.
Well, it may seem harsh, but give each family a deadline to change their minds, and then it's out onto the streets. We cannot house and feed tens of thousands of churlish refugees indefinitely. What's wrong with China anyway? If some of these ingrates get their way, then thousands more may follow their example – No, Anthony, a firm hand is required! Use troops if necessary. Our European neighbours will support us. They want our people out of Europe ASAP anyway.’
Some of Ann's colleagues were astounded by her attitude but kept silent in fear of retribution. Therefore, Ann continued uninterrupted:
‘The Armed Forces should remain a priority.
However, Minister of Defence, can you enlighten us? What are the long term plans?’
The Minister was caught slightly on the hop.
‘Well, Dame Ann. It's a thorny problem and one we are addressing. However, it's a matter of location. We can deploy ships to friendly harbours worldwide, like Gibraltar, Malta and Hong Kong, but long-term sustainability is unlikely. I believe that many of these large vessels will quickly become non-operational. No spare parts, no servicing and no home ports. I don’t know the full answer.
Aeroplanes are even more difficult. They need regular servicing and spares – and we are currently relying on German, French, and US airbases for support. That certainly can't go on forever. Our RAF personnel are, in the main, housed on foreign Air Force bases in Europe, but again it cannot be a permanent solution.
Our Army is spread thinly across the theatre. They have been allocated jobs ranging from search and rescue to guarding transit camps to supporting Operation Auric.
All of our troops have been through hell and back. They are exhausted and emotionally drained and scarred. Many have lost relatives and seen sights that no one should ever see.
The psychological damage is immense – but our armed forces have brilliant leadership and ‘breakdowns’ have been relatively infrequent.
Dame Ann, I believe a working party should also be set up to deal with this problem.’
Ann was irritated.
‘Minister, if you can't think of solutions to these problems then perhaps we can find someone who can. Please visit me tomorrow morning at 10am in my main office.’
The admonished Cabinet Minister sat down, red-faced and highly embarrassed.
He had the full sympathy of his colleagues as the woman could pick on any one of them unfairly at any given moment.
Dame Ann continued:
Doctor Forbes, perhaps you could summarise the psychiatric aspects facing the recovery. I suspect that they are many fold.
***
Dr Aloysius Forbes sat and eyed his audience carefully.
He paused before speaking, putting the entire Cabinet on tenterhooks – barring one member – naturally. All she really wanted to do was get home to Suzi, and keep an appointment with an expensive line of top grade cocaine. Her addiction was growing…..
‘Ladies and gentlemen, perhaps I can most easily explain the deep psychiatric issues by asking one question of you all –
“How do you feel?”
The silence told him everything.
‘Yes, of course. We all feel terrible – and guilty. Guilty because we survived and our five-year old nieces or grandchildren didn’t. Many of you will be grief-stricken because of the loss of loved ones, and can still barely sleep or eat normally. You have probably thrown yourselves into your work to distract your minds from the morbid thoughts which creep there at every unguarded moment.
Every British citizen – worldwide -feels exactly the same.
Every British citizen is racked with fear, grief and guilt.
And now they have to contemplate a future not only without their loved ones, but without property, money or work.
Everything they knew and loved has gone – forever.
Most of these people will never get over it.
Delayed shock will fester for years and suicide rates will surely soar.
There have already been over one hundred and seventy thousand British suicides worldwide since the crisis began, and that number will continue to rise.
The emotionally weak, and those who have lost their support mechanisms will cease to cope and eventually succumb to the pill, rope or gun.
It is unlikely that many of our people will ever be the same again. Crime and anti-social behaviours will be the tip of an emotional iceberg ending mostly in tragedy and despair.
It's not a pretty picture, Dame Ann. I suspect even you were concerned for your family trapped in the snow. I know that your daughter survived – but you must have other relatives?’
Ann smirked.
‘Well, actually no. My parents were at their villa in Biarritz and I have no one else. However, I take your point doctor. But what are we to do? Surely we can't become the ultimate ‘nanny-state’ and nursemaid these people for ever?’
‘That's not my decision, ma'am. I only put forward my assessment of the situation – it's up to bigger brains than mine to find some sort of resolution.’
Ann was growin
g tired of this whining psychiatrist.
‘Well, as far as I can see, we've arranged for the free relocation of our citizens and I think that’s more than most of them could have expected. It’s a harsh world doctor – and getting harsher by the minute.’
The Cabinet was silent.
None of them could think of any response to Ann Fletcher’s outburst.
They were all too sickened.
***
Ann Fletcher wasn’t sickened at all. Quite the opposite!
She looked around the room at all of the pathetic ‘losers’ who would inevitably go down with this particular ship.
Heroic, gallant and valiant to the very end, chasing an impossible dream. Mugs!
She had examined every report coming in from the British mainland, and not one gave any reason to be optimistic. To the contrary – the evidence strongly suggested that the UK was so badly damaged – physically and emotionally – that it was unlikely ever to recover to be the same country or viable nation state. With fifty five million dead, it could never be the same. The English, Scottish, Irish and Welsh peoples had been annihilated!
She had heard talk of an invasion by external forces – perhaps from the Far East – who would use their considerable resources to create a new satellite state. Indeed, it was an excellent business opportunity for speculators! Bloody good luck to them – rather them than me!
In short, Britain was up for grabs – and any nation with the gumption and finance could just walk right in. Okay, it might be ten or twenty years before this was a practicable option, but as things stood, the UK military was in no position to defend its honour and homeland.
Snow! The Series [Books 1-4] Page 101