The berserkers found small gaps in the defending force and engaged them in close quarters thereby removing the defender’s advantage in numbers. The berserkers kept the opposition so busy that the two main forces managed to circumvent the defenders and attack from the rear. They cut the defenders in two and seized their HQ, further debilitating them. They then issued false orders and had them in total disarray.
The generals had watched in complete amazement as the defender’s artillery and air support, obeying the false orders, consolidated their fire on their own troops. When the defenders finally surrendered they had calculated what the effect would have been if it had been a real battle. The results were incredible. Fifteen hundred defenders dead plus two thousand wounded. The attacking force only sustaining fifty dead and eighty wounded.
The following day two more commanding officers followed this new tactic and found similar results. It worked equally well for both offence and defence. After the exercise concluded the commanding officers were interviewed all observing that it was the new Doran communications system that had allowed such flexibility and responsiveness. The final paragraph in the official report summed it up.
The Doran communications system permitted each commanding officer to monitor and order all his forces in real time whilst monitoring how each unit was holding up. It also allowed each unit to report back the forces it had engaged. This meant that the commanding officer was presented with a real-time map of both his own forces and the opposition. Those using traditional battle plans were essentially constrained by them. Their reactions were slow and information gained was not used to good effect. Real time information became the ultimate weapon. The future had arrived.
The Americans and British had both licensed the Doran technology from the Russians for Unity. They had been practising with it ever since. Unity, outside of the American and British command structures also borrowed from the past. Gone were the commercial businesses providing support services such as catering or vehicle maintenance. These were now the sole responsibility of the troops themselves. “Cooks can Kill” became a mantra in Unity with every member of Unity becoming a soldier first and a cook or vehicle mechanic second. The combined force also left behind their traditional service ranking. There was no separation between those in the air, at sea or on land. They were one force, with one uniform and one command structure. Even their pay and benefits were standardised.
The Unity project was being funded jointly by the USA and Great Britain with an initial agreement for three years. The funds had been made directly available to Unity’s Commanding Officers making it the first military force in history to be free from civilian control. If Unity was successful then the Russians would join it at the end of the three years. Until then General Sam Colt and General Charles Beaconsfield jointly had control of their own private army.
16:30 10 November [13:30 10 November GMT]
Kremlin, Moscow, Russia.
Gregori Stephonovich Ivanskiy inspected his honour guard. They were all Spetsnaz. All under his control. All handpicked. They were here, in the Kremlin itself, to demonstrate Russian training, as part of the anniversary celebrations. They would be performing for the invited dignitaries, including the Sunarr. Especially the Sunarr, he thought quietly chuckling to himself. The officer saluted smartly at the General, which he returned.
'You have a fine body of men here Dimitryi Yevganiv, you should be very proud.'
Dimitryi swelled at the praise, especially the General's use of the word very. The General was not known for his over use of praise. New to his position, Dimitryi Yevganiv was keenly aware of the anniversary plans and the pivotal role he would play. He was not about to let down his General or his Motherland.
Gregori Stephonovich left the officer to his men and headed into the Georgievsky Hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace where the reception was being prepared. The last time he had been in here was the reception he had given for the Americans and British prior to the tripartite exercise. That seemed like a lifetime ago. So much has changed since then, not least my perception as to who the real enemy of Russia is.
After the tripartite exercise, he had had his officers debrief their men, and they in turn were debriefed. The fighting effectiveness of the Americans and British had never been in question, but what they learned was that they were ordinary men. They worried about their children, about their own futures and often questioned their role. In short, they were just like Russians in every respect except language. However, what they all said was the same. The rich seem to get richer and we fight other people’s wars. Nevertheless, that's the job.
General Ivanskiy was pleased. For once, we are all fighting the same enemy. All for the right reasons. This is the people's war and one I fully intended on winning.
12:30 10 November [17:30 10 November GMT]
Northeast Corner and East 57th Street, New York.
Jay arrived home with mixed emotions. Keen to get the evening over, she was not looking forward to it. She struggled again with the idea of killing. The Sunarr had been on Earth for a year now and it hadn't been a good year as far as she was concerned. They had spread distrust and envy. They had undone a lot of the good work she had spent so much of her life trying to achieve. Old rivalries had flared up, new ones had appeared. The rush for gold had caused enormous problems. Border conflicts raged. All the time the Sunarr mouthed platitudes. All the time they were removing the future of mankind. Some nations were facing bankruptcy; the rise in the price of gold had created an unhealthy amount of inflation. Some countries greeted all this believing that their gold reserves were making them more prosperous. Even though it was all an illusion, the effects were very real. All the time the Sunarr were making more and more promises of technology and medicines whilst taking the gold for themselves. It seemed like every day another of the scout vessels would dock with the mother ship, undoubtedly off-loading another consignment of gold. Sometimes she saw two or three in the same day. It was as if the very lifeblood of the Earth was being drained away.
Her two Sunarr bodyguards, soldiers, she reminded herself, after all I am their prisoner, escorted her into her house. One in front the other behind her. The caterers had arrived some time before half of them were busy in the kitchen preparing the food the rest laying out the formal dining service and silverware in the Dining Room. A single catering firm had supplied all the staff, including the butler who met Jay in the entrance hall. He's young and fit for a butler, she thought. He looked quite handsome in a virile kind of way. He didn't seem very much at ease. Normally the butlers she employed took control of the house in which they worked, this one seemed like it was all new to him. Perhaps it is, we all have to start somewhere.
He took her coat welcoming her, but then seemed unsure as to what to do with the coat or what to do next. Jay smiled warmly at him and decided to help out.
'Would you like to show me how the preparations are going? You can put my coat in the closet.' She pointed to a door in the hall.
'Thank you ma’am’ He said.
He showed her into the Dining Room; it looked resplendent with all the fine china laid out and the candelabra lit. It lifted her spirits; she had forgotten how stunning the room looked on formal occasions.
'Is my daughter home?' She asked.
'Miss Kapoor I believe is overseeing preparations in the kitchen.' His tone implied that this was neither warranted nor desired on his part, but his face was impassive.
'Thank you. Please carry on; I'm not expecting the guests until seven thirty.'
The butler withdrew and Jay headed off into the kitchen to see her daughter. Sam was drinking a glass of wine and inspecting the menu. Sam had been a real dilemma for Jay. She had not wanted her daughter to be here this evening, but neither had she wanted her to be elsewhere when the plan was put into effect. She wanted to know that her daughter was safe, but that meant putting her in harm's way. They had talked about it at length on the last spa day. Sam had been adamant that she wanted to be here f
or the anniversary dinner. She knew the risks but Jay still couldn't think of her as a grown woman capable of making her own decisions. To her she was still the little girl that she had read bedtime stories to. Sam stood as her mother approached and kissed her gently on both cheeks. The time she had spent in Europe several years before still evident in some of her mannerisms.
'It’s good to see you mother.'
'And you too pumpkin.'
Sam looked at her mother; she hadn't called her pumpkin in years, decades. It showed where her mother's mind was.
'This pumpkin has grown out of the pumpkin patch you know.' Sam said. It was a gentle rebuke, designed to reassure her mother rather than chastise her. Jay took it and her face brightened.
'Thank you Sam. I'll be glad when tonight is over.'
'So will I. Come on, let’s take this bottle upstairs, and get ready.'
Sam grabbed another glass for her mother and guided her upstairs so they could take their time getting ready. It was the best way to wait for the dinner party to begin.
17:30 10 November [17:30 10 November GMT]
No.1 Carlton Gardens, Westminster, London, England.
The car pulled up in front of the official residence of the British Foreign Secretary, gliding to a halt in front of the entrance. Jack had hired a chauffeured limousine, normally preferring to drive himself, it was just too inconvenient for these official functions. He waited as the chauffeur opened his door, and stepped out of the Bentley. He stood patiently whilst the chauffeur opened Severine's door so she could join him to walk into the reception together. It was one of the countless dinner parties being held all around the world today celebrating the first anniversary of the arrival of the Sunarr. This one was the government’s official reception being held by the Foreign Secretary. All of the ambassadors to Great Britain, known formally as ambassadors to the Court of St. James, that were available were due here tonight. It was a ministerial function and not a state one so the Royal Family were not being represented. That is just as well, Jack thought, with what we are preparing to do this night, better if Royalty are not in harm’s way.
It was a huge affair. Jack would have preferred a smaller one in truth. However, it was necessary to have ambassadors of most nations in one place to make the transition easier. They were not going to like it, but once it was done, it could not be undone. They would have no choice, or rather, the choice was to stand alone or accept salvation. Stark but true. Jack didn't know everyone who was in on the plan tonight or who wasn't. Obviously, there had been no official announcement about what was planned, but how far the grapevine had taken the knowledge was anyone's guess. Jack took two glasses of champagne from a waiter and passed one to Severine.
'To the future.' He offered.
'The future.'
Jack and Severine spotted some of those who were aware and they decided to split up and meet them. Not to discuss things, there was after all nothing more to discuss. Just to confirm, in an oblique way, that everything was ready, that they were ready. An ambassador from a small, West African nation engaged Jack in conversation.
'So Mr Hamilton, I understand you are a gold dealer. I trust you have profited well these past months?' The ambassador inquired jovially.
'Please call me Jack. I have err...' Jack had to think if he had made any money from gold dealing, he realised that he had and quite a substantial amount at that. '...Yes, I have actually. Your country must have benefitted from the substantial rise in the gold price.'
'You would think wouldn't you? However money is not the most important thing in life, don't you agree?'
Jack caught the underlying message in the ambassador's tone and inflection. He decided to play innocent. The ambassador wasn't having any of it.
'Of course you agree. You know what is at stake more than most. How do you think the gold price will be tomorrow after tonight's activities? Up or down? I think up then down then up to a new high.' The ambassador grinned at Jack.
So, you are in the know. He too had thought about what effect their actions would have on the price of gold. First, it would go up, as people rush to the safety of gold. Then down sharply as they realise that it had been artificially high due to the intervention of the Sunarr. Finally up again, when news of its true value and purpose becomes widespread. Yes, Jack thought, a new high is likely indeed. He couldn't really care less about its price anymore. It is a vital resource for Earth and it has to be protected. At any cost.
'I guess I will see you later.' Jack said to the ambassador, giving him a subtle wink at the same time. The ambassador returned the gesture.
'Yes, you will. Should be Fun.' The ambassador said shaking Jack's hand.
That is it, Jack thought, Should be Fun, this guy is ex-army, Sandhurst if I'm not mistaken. “Should be Fun,” it’s obviously been a long time since he has seen any real action. People dying is never fun. It had been a long time for Jack too and he was worried.
Severine walked amongst the other guests, aware that most eyes, both male and female followed her as she walked. She knew that she was attractive, but when she made a real effort she was simply stunning and she had forgotten how much of an effect she had on others. Just then, she saw him. Time stopped, her heart became still and quiet, her rivers of blood ceased to flow; she felt dizzy, panicked, lost. Jacques Fleubert stood not more than twenty feet away, the same sickening grin on his face. Her rapist had returned to haunt her.
He looks attractive in his dinner suit, she thought. Damn, where did that thought come? I hate that bastard more than words can describe. If I had a knife.... She was furious with herself for the idle thought. The truth was that she evaluated everyone in terms of their attractiveness, men and women both. Intensively on first meeting and then causally each subsequent time. It was just the way her brain was wired. It doesn't mean anything, she assured herself.
She tried to turn away. She was fixed in time and space. The room shrank, the walls closing in on her. Her heart, recently restarted; now beating like the march of soldiers to the battlefront. The guests in the room seemed to move with slow precision, their incessant chatter had transformed into a dull monotonous drone. She tried to move again, this time only her head, her eyes, but they were fixed on Fleubert. She wanted desperately not to catch his eye, but she could see his head turning towards her, motivated by the stare of the guest he was talking to. Last chance, move!, she screamed at herself. No too late, he's seen me. Despair rained down on her, causing her to shiver. He looked directly at her, his grin, the one she had always hated, now turned into a distinct sneer, a look of pure malevolence mixed with victory written across his face.
Time re-started, the noise of the guests returned to her ears, disorientating her momentarily. Fleubert was now moving towards her, his strides confident, purposeful. Her feet were glued to the spot, her legs weak but heavy, barely able to maintain her weight. He stopped right in front of her, his breath a foulness upon her face. She tried to breath.
'Hi Sev, how have you been? I've missed you, you know.' He attempted a smile but it fell far short.
'I'm fine.' She hissed, then, dropping her voice to a whisper that only he could hear, she continued, 'you snivelling, disgusting, little fraction of a man.'
'I've missed you too honey.' He replied as if she had just given him the warmest of greetings, 'I bet you miss our special time together. We must catch up after. You look great, really sexy.' He walked away, not allowing her a response or to be the first to walk away. He felt another victory was his. She heard him laughing to himself as he went. Her head began to swim, her hands tracing circles in the air. She pulled herself through, not allowing herself to faint or fall. That would be too much. That would be to give in.
'Are you OK my dear?'
She jumped at the sound of a voice next to her. Her head spun round, causing more dizziness. She looked at the person who had spoken. A woman of indeterminate years, maybe late fifties, maybe early seventies, she was quite striking with well-defined features an
d a good figure, if slightly padded. She had a kindly face, but an authoritarian presence.
'Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Lady Worthington. I believe you know my cousin, The Duke of Hertfordshire?'
'Yes, yes I do.' Severine replied before she could stop herself. She was supposed to be, if not undercover, then at least discrete. 'I'm Severine Pascal.' She shook Lady Worthington's hand, which was offered in greeting.
'Of course you are dear, who else could you be? The most beautiful woman in the room, with, if I may say, the most striking colouring.'
Severine never liked being considered different to others. The thought of being assessed by her colour was the least desirable of all. The way that Lady Worthington had said it though was as a compliment of the highest order, like referring to the colouring a great artist had used on a canvas. Severine's appearance was distinct; others appeared too pale in comparison.
'Should be quite an evening when the action starts.' Lady Worthington said as a matter of fact. 'It's OK dear; I'm one of those in the know. No need to reply, just wanted you to know. Who was that thoroughly disagreeable man you were talking to?'
'He was...’ Severine searched for the right words, '...someone from my past.'
'The past has a way of surfacing in our present. It must be dealt with otherwise it lies in our future.'
Severine was not entirely clear whether Lady Worthington was referring to her or not.
'If I were you I would do something about it. Well it’s been lovely chatting but I must mingle. Ah there's the French Ambassador, if you'll excuse me.'
Lady Worthington left Severine's side moving off amongst the other guests. Severine took a moment to compose herself fully before going to find Jack. It was nearing the time.
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