Aftermath: The Complete Collection (Books 1 & 2)

by John Wilkinson

  ‘Sit down Nathan’ said Sergeant Davis, pushing a chair towards me. ‘We’re just waiting for Keane, did you speak to him?’

  ‘Yeah, I told him.’

  ‘Grab yourself a beer.’

  ‘You spent a little time with your children?’ Rhino asked, raising his voice over the rumble of conversation.

  ‘Yeah, it was nice. Great just been able to do nothing with them, spend some time in the company of people not affected by hate. What about you?’

  ‘Spent a few days with the boys, even went for a kick about on the sports ground yesterday, haven’t done that for a while. I always enjoy the rest and recuperation when army life affords it, Annette and I have lived like this for years, it’s nothing new.’

  Keane walked in and sat down, acknowledging his comrades.

  ‘Right everyone’s here’ remarked Sergeant Davis. ‘The generals of Camp Blue put forward the reasons for war against Torriero, and the creatures, should they prove to be a threat. Going to war was put to vote by all seven hundred and seventy three sergeants, with a decision agreed in principle by a majority of five hundred and thirty one in favour, to one hundred and thirty five against, the rest abstained. Before I go into the details, I want to show you some of the evidence put forward to us, that helped form our decision.’

  I looked at the faces of my comrades, each one telling a different story, and I couldn’t tell what any of them were, but I was bloody surprised. Sergeant Davis had his arms folded over a pile of papers, which he started to distribute to members of the company. There were some photocopied notes, but most intel came in the form of black and white Polaroid photographs. Each photo had a date between the end of November, and the beginning of December.

  ‘This one shows one of their training camps’ said Sergeant Davis, handing me a picture. I took it off him and looked at it, the photo was taken from some distance away, with around a hundred men during a rifle exersise. It looked rudimental, but training none the less. There was a photo showing stock piles of weapons inside a garage complex, including MG42 machine gun nests, decommissioned after world war two, and modern mortar systems, a very worrying sign. The amount of weapons they could call upon was vast, a collection Torriero is rumored to have been building well before this war. There was no evidence of tanks or other offensive military vehicles, which had been a concern, but that didn’t completely rule out the possibility. Nor chemical and biological weapons, something Torriero could have men working on, but there was no proof as yet. There were also large factories photographed within the camp, but as yet their use was unknown.

  ‘This was the deciding factor’ said Sergeant Davis, as he handed a photograph to his left. Rhino took it and stared at it for a few seconds, before passing it onto Murphy, working it’s way anticlockwise towards me. The photograph was of a truck full of people, being unloaded, and taken through the entrance to a restricted area. The photo was taken from a height, possibly from inside a building opposite, looking down at the scene below. All the people aboard the truck had bags over their heads, but one was circled, in red biro pen. As I looked closer at the circled silhouette, Sergeant Davis continued to speak. ‘This photo was taken just two days ago, we believe this is a truck full of females. Based on information obtained from the recently captured member of Torriero’s army, we believe these females are the relations of some men Torriero has forced to fight for him. Added to this, we understand certain brain washing techniques have been trialled on some fighters, instilling a belief it’s the army trying to kill their female family members, and Torriero is protecting them.’

  ‘How can anyone believe that bullshit?’ Murphy interjected.

  ‘These are desperate times, and desperate people. It isn’t hard to convince someone of an agenda, if they’re paranoid and scared.’

  The circled person did look female, the way their body arched as they were pushed from behind, silhouetted against the light in a puddle, revealed a definable female shape.

  ‘Where have all these photographs been taken?’ Keane asked, putting his empty bottle on the table.

  ‘We believe this is Torriero’s main camp situated in Leeds, and where his headquarters are. The camp is situated within a group of buildings on Great George Street, and surrounding area. The old town hall is the heaviest guarded, and probably the headquarters, with a few other noteworthy size buildings housing the soldiers, although we believe the camp is being extended as we speak. The area we believe the females are being kept in is towards the right hand side of the camp, and is restricted, with high barbed wire fencing and guard patrols. There are other civilians living inside Leeds, many of which are resorting to undertaking jobs for Torriero in exchange for food, which is scarce. Many of the locals have been made homeless, thrown out of their houses to make room for more fighters. Torriero has seized all food and drink within a five mile radius of the camp, and is using it as a bargaining tool.’

  ‘Is it believed Torriero is ready for war?’ Keane asked.

  ‘He has been moving weapons and men over the past month, preparing for something. We want to hit him before these plans have been fully realised.’

  ‘Are we making an attempt to save the females, held at Torriero’s camp? Rhino asked, a question that was on everyone’s lips.

  ‘The fact Torriero has hold of a group of females has made our decision to go to war easier, and an attempt to rescue these females will be made at some point, but it is important to understand the task ahead, the overall defeat of Torriero and the creatures is our main objective. The generals have come to the conclusion, Torriero will continue to attack Camp Blue, putting lives at risk, with a high probability of war. Things are going to swing into action pretty quickly, the generals are presently working on the legality of the war, with offensive plans to be drawn up for approval from the day after tomorrow.’

  ‘We don’t even have a full squad’ laughed Murphy, pointing at Keane and his strapped up arm.

  ‘Keane and Ian will be able to join us when they are fully fit, but until then we will be recruiting. A funeral will take place tomorrow afternoon for Officers Abbott and Wilson, killed this morning in the attack of Security Base Delta. I want you guys to get some sleep, tomorrow is going to be a long day.’

  As the table dispersed, Sergeant Davis got my attention with a wave of his hand.

  ‘Can I just have a word Nathan?’

  ‘Sure, what’s up?’

  ‘We are going to have to take a couple of recruits on, to make up numbers. I’m just wondering if you can recommend any you have worked with, who you think are made of the right stuff?’

  ‘Any of the soldiers I trained with, Cox, Harper, Proctor, Beck and Jackett. They’re all good prospects, but obviously some have strengths that lie elsewhere. Adrian Harper is a good shout, although I know he’s already been positioned, with an objective soon. I will speak to Bernard, see if he has any recommendations from the recruits he’s been working with.’

  ‘Thanks’ he replied, slapping the table with his hands.

  ‘You ok?’ I asked, sensing he had more to say.

  ‘Yeah, I suppose. It’s just, this is it, we are going to go to war. Not a regular war, where you are fighting for politicians hiding away in their bomb shelters. We are fighting to live, for humanity. The most important fight of our generation, of any generation.’

  ‘It’s a fight for everyman.’ I replied.

  ‘Exactly. I remember my father telling me this war would happen, before he died. He was a religious man, he said the bible talked about a war to end all wars, where humanity would be fighting for its very existence.’

  ‘Are you a religious man?’

  ‘Not anymore, although I wish I was. What about you?’

  ‘The same. I have asked God for many things, and he has always failed me. Until I prayed for my daughter, maybe that was answered, or maybe it wasn’t, maybe it was just how things worked out.’

  ‘I only asked for one thing from God, that was to let my dad die qu
ickly and peacefully, without pain. He suffered for five years, before he could finally give up. How can that be right?’

  ‘It isn’t, it always seems to be the good ones that suffer, or are taken too young, I’ve never understood it. Do you have a wife or girlfriend Chris? I don’t think I’ve ever asked you.’

  ‘No, I haven’t got time for all that. I’m glad of it too, I need to be able to make sound decisions without something clouding my judgment.’

  As we talked, Sergeant Davis’s walkie talkie started beeping, so he picked it up and spoke.

  ‘Sergeant Davis receiving message, over and out.’

  ‘This is Second Lieutenant Kane, Security Base Delta. A vehicle has been identified by a spotter, travelling down Woodfield Road towards us at high speed. Over and out.’

  ‘Sit tight Kane, I’ll have some men over to you in a minute.’

  We leapt to our feet, gathering any remaining soldiers with us as we went. There was only four other men in the bar, most soldiers had taken the news of an upcoming war with an early night. I looked at my watch, which said seven minutes past eleven. We ran out of the hotel in the direction of Security Base Delta, searching the sky for smoke. When we reached the burnt out tram, Second Lieutenant Kane held the door open, as we filed through.

  ‘Nothings turned up’ he said, ushering everyone outside. ‘Private Williams, Bale and Horne are positioned three houses up, on the right, and I’ve sent the extra security into the buildings opposite.’

  Sergeant Davis organised a defence, with the men he had on offer, splitting the four soldiers who we brought with us into two groups. He positioned two by the patched up security fence, and told the others to get a better vantage point using the bedrooms of local properties. As the men ran to their positions, Sergeant Davis turned his attention to me. ‘Driver, come with me and stay alert.’

  We walked around twenty steps, in the middle of the road, and then stopped, to listen. There was a low rumble in the distance, as a dirty white van appeared out of the ash and fog. It started to rain gently on us, as the vehicle continued along its path towards us, slowing down to a crawl at around one hundred yards away. The rain and ash drifted past it, as it rolled slowly to a stop. We lifted our rifles, and started walking. It had stopped, maybe fifty yards away, with no movement around it. It stayed motionless for a few seconds, then the driver’s door opened, and a man got out. By this point, we were level with the soldiers positioned in the house to our left. Sergeant Davis signalled for them to train their weapons on the man, as we went to meet him. The rain was now coming down with some force, looking at the clouds overhead, it would rain for a while yet. Sergeant Davis signalled for us widened out to around three metres apart, keeping our guns on him. He walked slowly, like he was completely unaware of the shit storm he was causing. When he got to within speaking distance, Sergeant Davis started shouting at him.

  ‘Stop where you are, and open your coat.’

  The man stopped, but didn’t move.

  ‘Open your fucking jacket, or I will put you down.’

  The man, pulled his hands out of his pockets, lifting the edges of his coat.

  ‘Slow, do it slow. Right, get down on your knees, and put your hands in the air. How many of you are there?’

  ‘Just me’ replied the man, as he knelt down, complaining about the grit on his knees. As we walked over to him, he started to get back to his feet.

  ‘Don’t fucking move’ shouted Sergeant Davis. ‘Keep your hands where I can see them.’

  ‘I have something for you’ shouted the man, as Sergeant Davis forced him to the ground and I covered him. I kept my eye on and around the vehicle, still worried it could be a trap.

  ‘I have something for you’ repeated the man, as Sergeant Davis lifted him to his feet, and searched him for weapons.

  ‘I have been sent on behalf of Mr. Torriero, and I have a proposition for you.’

  ‘What kind of proposition?’

  ‘I need to speak to the general in charge.’

  ‘You’re not going to get near any generals.’

  ‘Then you are condemning us to war. Mr Torriero wants to speak to the generals of Camp Blue, face to face, and see if we can thrash out an agreement, that will halt any further bloodshed.’

  As we frog marched the man back towards camp, he was happy to talk, and explained more about Torriero’s offer.

  ‘Mr Torriero doesn’t want to go to war, but he has been given an ultimatum by the creatures, something he has to deal with. He is throwing a gathering tomorrow, and he would like the generals of Camp Blue to join him, and talk things out, before it’s too late.’

  Extra security was surrounding Security Base Delta, as we walked through the gate entrance, held open for us by Second Lieutenant Kane. We approached the hotel, as the man continued telling us about his offer.

  ‘I need to leave here at dinner time tomorrow, with three senior members of your camp, or the deal will be off.’

  ‘Save it for the morning’ said Sergeant Davis, as we reached the hotel.

  ‘I’ll take him to the basement cell, you go and get some sleep Nathan. This shit will get sorted in the morning.’

  8/12/27 - Time 11:30

  The military meeting must not have taken place this morning, the alarm didn’t sound, and I found myself waking up at around nine am, having slept in. Everyone had slept in, the change in lifestyle must be catching up with us all. The children were unusually quiet, I had a feeling something was on Emma’s mind, but she wasn’t for expressing it. I told Bernard what had happened last night, that one of Torriero’s men had made an offer to the camp on behalf of Mr. Torriero. He didn’t believe the generals would allow anyone of any real rank to attend the meeting, they wouldn’t put their lives in danger. We could send in a decoy, but that’s possibly too risky, if discovered it could jeopardise the whole talks.

  We went to get some breakfast, and it was there Emma finally broke her silence.

  ‘When are we going to see Grandma and Grandad?’

  The question took me a little by surprise, and I took a few moments to respond. While I had been coming to terms with not seeing my Mum and Dad again, it hadn’t occurred to me that Emma was still expecting to see her grandparents, I didn’t really know how to respond.

  ‘I’m not sure Emma, I don’t think we will.’

  ‘Why not?’ She said, her yawn turning into a frown.

  ‘Well, we don’t really know where they are.’

  ‘But they would want to see me again, wouldn’t they?’

  ‘Of course they would, but they don’t know where we have gone. I don’t think they could find us if they wanted to.’

  ‘They’re not dead are they?’

  Her lip was beginning to tremble, but I really didn’t want to give her false hope.

  ‘I really don’t know Emma, they might be.’

  ‘But-how do you-’

  ‘I don’t know for sure, I haven’t seen their bodies. We have to live in hope, but they are old, I’m not sure they could survive.’

  James and Josh sensed Emma was getting upset, and started trying to reassure her, but she continued.

  ‘When are we going home then?’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘I mean what I said, do you not understand English? When are we going home? They might be there.’

  ‘They aren’t.’

  ‘How do you know?’

  ‘I just do.’

  ‘I want to go home anyway, when are we going to go back to our farm?’

  ‘Our home is no longer there, this is our home now.’

  ‘Here? We are staying here forever?’

  ‘I’m not saying forever, I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future. But it’s going to be home for a while.’

  She went quiet again, like she was trying really hard not to cry. When Rhino appeared at my side, I was happy for the change of subject.

  ‘Sorry to interrupt your breakfast Nathan’ he said. ‘But yo
u’re needed at a meeting. Sergeant Davis has been speaking with the generals since six o’clock, thrashing something out.’

  I left the table, with Mrs Brownhill arriving to take all the children from our floor to classes. Rhino knew no more than I, but he too was required at the meeting. There were guards on the entrance to the stadium, they walked us up to the meeting room, where we’d previously discussed the kuru mission before it was approved. There were a further two guards on the door, who knocked when we arrived, and let us enter when prompted. Inside the room was generals Morris, Clarke and Harris. We were told General Brown was a little under the weather and sleeping it off. Sergeant Davis was also present, they were all sat around the dining table, and turned to face us as we entered the room.

  ‘Come sit down’ said General Morris, pouring Rhino and myself a cup of tea. ‘Sorry it’s not boiling hot, but it’s drinkable. We have asked you both to this meeting, as Mr. Torriero has made the camp an offer, one that we hope will end the possibility of war breaking out.’ I took a couple of ginger nut biscuits from the table, to dip into my tea, as General Morris continued. ‘Sergeant Davis has put forward a proposition, involving members of Blue and White Company. Torriero has requested a meeting with the generals of our camp, that is not something we are prepared to do. However, we are willing to allow a meeting involving military men, but no higher rank than a sergeant. Sergeant Davis is the most experienced sergeant we have, and has put forward your company for this mission.’

  ‘Keane and Ian are out of the running’ said Sergeant Davis. ‘For obvious reasons. And I’m not sure about Murphy’s temperament, it’s been called into question in the past, and with Torriero’s men responsible for his girlfriends abduction, we thought it advisable he didn’t play a part. So I have put forward a plan for us three to attend the meeting, and complete the talks with Torriero, while trying to gain a greater understanding of what’s going on at the camp.’