Europe Has Fallen

by Gouriet, Andrew

  Corporal Heinz led the group as they cut past five broad Austrian pines and through a large thicket. They then broke into a fast jog. The nurses found it hard as their dresses were longer and less forgiving. An Austrian Sister had taken note of this as they ran. She had a plan for them and it would involve shorter dresses. It would be considered unladylike, but they had no choice.

  They moved through an open field and the boat came into view. As they ran, whooshing sounds fizzled through the air. Shots were being fired at them from across the river. The muzzle flashes were all they could make out. Bits of dirt were flung up sporadically as bullets hit the ground. One soldier got hit in the arm and was knocked over. He was picked up and helped along.

  They entered into another wooded area, which gave them more cover. The boat was now only a short distance away. The soldiers that were on the boat could see them coming and tried to lay down covering fire to help them.

  They got in as close as they could. Then the soldiers helped the nurses wade into the water and towards the boat. After that they carried their rifles over their heads and moved towards the anchored ship. Ropes were thrown down to help them get in. The nurses were sent up first, but found it hard going in the clothes they were wearing. They certainly impressed the men around them with their sterling show of determination and willpower to get up there.

  It took around fifteen minutes to get everyone on board. The gunfire was now increasing from the other side. Loud bangs and thuds could be heard as the shots hit and ricocheted off the metal sides of the boat.

  The major went the wheelhouse and ordered their immediate departure. The engine room had been kept busy whilst they were away. Steam pressure was not allowed to drop too much and this gave them the advantage of leaving rapidly.

  Captain Hayward joined the cannon crew as they directed the weapon at the opposing bank. Drone soldiers could be seen arriving and taking aim at them. The Gatling gun was also primed.

  Some soldiers took off their wet red tunics and joined the others taking cover behind sandbags and anything protective on the ship. The captain saw a great opportunity to open fire as a clutch of drone soldiers had come closer to the water’s edge. The cannon was loaded and the sights adjusted to take in their position. With a flick of his hand it kicked into action and a thunderous pounder shot left the side of the boat and almost instantly smashed into the other side of the riverbank. Lumps of dirt and flesh were scattered into the air.

  He then shouted the order for everyone on that side to fire. The Gatling gun opened up on the bank cutting across trees and bushes like a scythe threw hay. Foliage filled the air in a thin mist. Mixed in with that concoction were pieces of flesh and blood.

  The steamboat rolled into action, pulling away and picking up speed as it went. Waves broke off her bow and rebounded onto the banks. The drone soldiers tried to follow her along, but the alder trees along the river’s edge were thick and hindered their movement.

  The order was still circulated around for most soldiers and nurses to stay below deck as sniper fire could still be a problem.

  This order was only relaxed after an hour or so of travelling. The spotters were stationed around the boat looking for cannons and other things that could endanger the boat’s welfare.

  Captain Hayward went to check on the wounded. They had only sustained one major injury and that was the man who had been shot in the arm as they ran back to the boat. He was being worked on and was fortunate to have several doctors looking after him with a good number of nurses to provide valuable assistance.

  Colonel Kiesl arrived on the scene and checked on the man. He was concerned for the welfare of all the soldiers now fighting together. He had something troubling him, which he made clear to Captain Hayward he wanted to speak to him about in private.

  They then left the makeshift hospital and entered a small cabin on the middle deck.

  “I believe we have a small problem, Charles,” said Colonel Kiesl,

  He then led him to the room where the man had been bitten by the flesh-eaters in the village. The man was lying there looking very sick; his wounds had been festering. A nurse arrived and explained they had kept everything clean, but these bites almost looked like they carried poison. They thanked the nurse and then left to speak on the top deck.

  Standing and looking over the rolling hills Colonel Kiesl spoke his mind.

  “I believe we need to keep an eye on the private who was bitten. I think there is more to this illness than we know.”

  Charles stood and thought for a moment. He remembered the dead drone soldier coming back to life, and thought about the implications of that. Once they came back to life they were then fuelled by hunger.

  “This is a worrying turn of events, Colonel. We could be on the verge of something very bad here.”

  Both stood quietly for a moment or two. Captain Hayward took out two cigars from his army pouch.

  “I’ve been saving these for when I thought things had worked out well. Now I’m not certain of the future. We need to make sure that what we think is going to happen, actually does happen.”

  Colonel Kiesl took the cigar and thanked him. He struck a match and puffed on the cigar until it got going. Captain Hayward then did the same. They were lost in thought for a while. Smoke wafted around them and then Captain Hayward leaned forward onto the outer railing.

  “We have to stay near the man tonight. This could have massive implications for Europe, if the flesh eaters are carrying a virus, it could be worse than the bubonic plague.”

  Kiesl agreed and put forward a suggestion to take it in turns to wait outside the dying soldier’s cabin. Captain Hayward agreed instantly.

  They smoked for a good half an hour before returning to active duties around the boat. There were animals in the fields as they travelled along. Farmhouses still had smoke coming from their chimneys. It looked as if war had not arrived in these parts yet. The odd person was seen scurrying along, but they were not stopping to look at the steamboat; more just going about their business at a fast pace.

  On the surface things looked normal, but most suspected that something was coming from the East, spreading fast, and knew that those who were left either could flee, or wait to see what cards fate dealt them.

  Corporal Heinz stood next to Sergeant Butcher.

  “They don’t know what’s coming.”

  The sergeant looked up.

  “None of us knows what’s really coming.”

  Both men followed the silhouettes of people as they disappeared into the distance.

  In the boat, the captain was happy with the speed they were travelling. The young Benedict was a huge help as he knew the ferrying routes well and where best to steer the boat in the river.

  Linz was the next port of call. The mountains rose up in the distance and had a powerful effect on the landscape. Their beauty was matched by their danger. Many armies had perished crossing mountainous terrain. In recent times when Napoleon had failed with in his conquest of Russia, the elements had played a huge part.

  Captain Hayward thought about this as he sat in a cabin across from the sick British soldier. He had spoken to the major about the situation and what they thought was unfolding. Now it was just a waiting game. Colonel Kiesl would see out the shift from 2 a.m. Captain Hayward spoke to the nurse and said that he would lock the wounded man’s door and keep the key himself. She was a little unsure of this and spoke to a doctor who came over and asked why such actions were needed.

  He was reluctant to give away his suspicions but quietly spoke about what they believed could happen.

  The doctor’s face dropped. He was horrified about this concept and yet fascinated from a medical point of view as to what the implications could be. He asked if he could help the wounded man in away. Morphine was suggested and agreed by the captain.

  The soldier could hardly open his eyes when they went into the cabin. The room had a dark unforgiving odour. His wounds now stank of pus and were almost rotting; the inf
ection was like none other the doctor or the captain had ever seen. The man whispered something, and the captain bent down and got closer to hear what he was saying.

  The words were hard to decipher, but family and love were amongst them. Captain Hayward put a hand on his shoulder and helped administer the morphine. The soldier then fell unconscious. His breathing became rapid and then shallow. They left him in peace and shut the door behind them.

  “Do you have to lock it? How can we hear if he needs our help? The doctor had an anxious look on his face.” I can understand this is not easy, but it’s for everyone’s safety. The nurse can check on him every thirty minutes but she must fetch me if anything changes.”

  It was agreed and the doctor left the captain to return to his cabin. Every half hour a nurse would appear and they would check on the man. On the third visit he had passed away. The door was then locked and the nurse instructed to tell the doctor. Captain Hayward checked his pocket watch, the time was twelve midnight.

  His mind thought of the witching hour and he let his head rest back on the cabin bunk for second or two.

  He was awoken by a thudding sound and a slight groan. It was enough to bring him out of his slumber. He checked his watch. The time was twelve thirty-three.

  He rubbed his eyes and did up his tunic button, which must have come undone whilst he slept. He then took out his revolver. The groaning was getting louder and the sound of gnashing teeth more intense. When he left his cabin and walked over to the other side of the boat, the noise stopped.

  Charles stood still; his heart rate sped up. The light was not great. Some oil lanterns provided the only backdrop. He brought himself closer to the door and listened. Still nothing. Could it mean they had been wrong with their first theory?

  An aggressive smack on the wooden cabin door broke through his thoughts.

  He cocked his revolver and went to the door. A figure appeared to his side, making him instinctively turn around and point the gun in that direction. He was taken by surprised and almost pulled the trigger. It was Colonel Kiesl.

  “Easy, my friend. You could ruin my night shift.”

  Charles half smiled and at the same time let out a deep sigh.

  “It’s happened, I’m afraid.”

  They both then turned to the door as it shook. Colonel Kiesl drew out his revolver as well.

  “We have to take care of this now.”

  Charles agreed.

  “On the count of three, you open the door and I’ll shoot it in the head.”

  Charles looked down.

  “His name is Richard Smith.”

  Colonel Kiesl nodded.

  “Yes, I’m sorry. Richard Smith. He would not want to be in this way, Captain. Should I ever get bitten, please end my life, too.”

  A simple nod said it all.

  “One. Two. Three…”

  The door was unlocked and out staggered a flesh-eater. Richard Smith did not look human any more. He looked like a creature that was sick and had an evil desire in his eyes. They did not wait around as he staggered towards Captain Hayward. Colonel Kiesl shot Richard Smith once in the head, killing him directly.

  “Charles, strange that only head shots kill them,” commented Colonel Kiesl.

  Charles re-holstered his gun and bent down over the dead soldier. They had taken Richard’s personal belonging and would return them to his family. The official line was that he died in combat.

  Three guards appeared after hearing the gunshot. The captain and the colonel explained they would debrief everyone in the morning. They ordered the body to be thrown overboard and the room locked. They were not sure if the room could carry the bacteria or not.

  That night they moored outside Linz. The captain had his best night’s sleep in a long time. He did not think about the consequences of what a single bite from a flesh-eater could do. His mind was free to dream of his family.

  The next day, after breakfast, they moved through Linz. It had some distinct buildings close to the river. The group looked on from the boat. There were more people making their way out of the town. A small group of soldiers was helping direct refugees.

  They were manoeuvring a cannon so that it faced the boat but Corporal Heinz positioned himself at the highest point on the boat and waved an Austro–Hungarian flag. There was still a moment where they were unsure of whether to fire or not, but Colonel Kiesl instructed some nurses and the remaining Austrian troops to go on top deck. He wanted to show the other soldiers they were not the enemy.

  The boat gently rocked closer so they could call out and ask what was happening. A young officer appeared from a building and instructed the men to leave the cannon and continue helping the refugees. He then shouted back to the soldiers on the boat that the enemy were at the gates and there was little time. He told them not to moor or they could be captured.

  As he described what was happening, shells started to fall on the town. Plumes of thick masonry smoke filled the cobbled streets and flashes of explosions lit up all around them. He saluted them as they passed on. The major thought about taking on more passengers but was concerned how many he could accommodate. As the bombardment intensified, refugees disappeared in all directions. There was no sign of drone soldiers or flesh-eaters, but the order was given for the Bugler to give the “call to arms” blast.

  The British and Austrian soldiers took their positions as the boat continued down the Danube. Gunfire could be heard on both sides of the river.

  Linz started to fade into the distance. The men and women looked at the flames coming from the town. It was a sad sight. For many weeks there had been no people; now they saw so many running with fear in their eyes.

  The river was winding this way and that past the fields and forests. The sounds of fighting had died down a little since leaving Linz. Colonel Kiesl spoke to the Austrian soldiers on board the boat who felt they should be fighting the enemy rather than sailing to safety. It was a hard question to justify. He felt the same. He had dark thoughts in the back of his mind and was not willing to share them with the men just yet.

  He explained the population of Austria would now be on the move and more than likely that meant going into Prussia and the surrounding countries. Everyone wanted to fight these aggressors, but it was better to pick a time and a place to fight this war. That meant making some hard decisions.

  The officers were summoned to the wheelhouse before lunch. The major had been looking at maps with Corporal Heinz and going over the river route with Benedict. The speed of the enemy advance meant they had to think on their feet. Towns and cities were falling at a rapid rate and whilst the boat was moving at a good speed, the risk of being flanked on both sides with enemy cannons was a disturbingly real one.

  In all fairness, little was known of the remaining Austrian forces. The route they were considering would take them into Prussia. Basic needs like supplies and wagons would be essential. The soldiers could march at a good speed, but they needed to be quicker than that. They had horses with them on board, so that would help with the movement, but they needed to find wagons and ideally more animals.

  Ammunition was being counted along with Gatling gun rounds and cannon balls. The grenade situation was dire.

  An order had gone out for bayonets to be sharpened and all weapons checked and prepared. “No stone shall be left unturned,” was the message sent out.

  Maps were being traced so each officer could navigate the local area in case of separation from the main group. It would not give an end destination as such, but more of an idea of where to go if that situation occurred. As this was being done, rain started to fall, effortlessly. It started as only light drops, but soon became a torrential downpour.

  Major Richmond asked Benedict if it was better to moor for a short while and let the storm pass. He shook his head and said this was nothing new to him and helped the captain plot their next course.

  The rain eased up and the skies cleared to reveal a wonderful rainbow. It was a pleasing act of nature
. It caught everyone’s imagination for a moment or two.

  The light broke through the trees and reflected off the water. The calm was bliss whilst it lasted. Spring was giving away to summer.

  The next few days were spent cautiously working their way down the river. They stopped and sent mounted scouts out where Benedict had told them of the narrowness of the waterway. It was adding time to their journey, but securing their safety as well.

  Passan was known as the City of Three Rivers, with the Inn flowing in from the south and the llz from the north. They would journey through this and continue along the Danube.

  The next obstacle was negotiating access into Prussia. The relationship between the two countries was frosty to say the least and was hankering towards war. They hoped with the war that was unfolding on their borders this would help ease their access.

  The British flag was holstered up the mast. It was hoped it would prevent unnecessary attacks as they approached Prussia. The days passed by with ease. They stopped and moored every evening but never let their guard down.

  Major Richmond spoke to Colonel Kiesl. He wanted to make sure all the Austrians were aware of the action they were taking and the fact no one could be too sure of the reception they would receive.

  “I must implore that you explain to all your men that we are entering a country that could take any unfamiliar action as hostile,” said Major Richmond.

  Colonel Kiesl nodded.

  “The Austro–Hungarian Empire has recently had its differences with Prussia, but we must put that aside. We are struggling as a nation and I hope they will not take advantage of this!”

  The major listened, waiting for reassurance that they would remain calm as they approached the border.

  “We will take your command, sir, as we enter their country,” reassured Colonel Kiesl.

  This was enough to satisfy the major. He shook the colonel’s hand and went off to his quarters. He wanted to compile his thoughts. He had kept a journal of their whole ordeal since the fort and now it seemed even more prevalent that he do so as evidence would be needed to understand what was happening.