‘I’m sorry to hear about Hassan, he seemed a nice man.’
‘Yeah he was, it’s a shame. Would you be able to do me a favour?’
‘Of course Nathan, how can I help?’
‘I just want you to keep an eye on Shazia and the children for me, while I’m away. I’m not sure how she’s going to react to it.’
‘Not a problem, I’ll make sure they are fine. So are you leaving soon?’
‘Yeah I’m going on a mission the day after tomorrow, I’ll be gone a few days.’
‘OK, I’ll keep my eye on Emma too, and the boys. Is it a dangerous mission?’
‘Hopefully not, but these are unpredictable times, so we have to be prepared.’ I said good night to Lauren, and promised I would speak to her before I leave. As I found the table Bernard and the children were seated, Adrian waved to me, as he headed for the door with Max. I acknowledged him, before sitting down to eat my dinner. Bernard congratulated me on my selection, and told me my dad would be proud of me, which was nice. Everyone had finished their food and were waiting for me, so I threw it down my neck, and we headed back to our room.
We past Sergeant Davis on the corridor, showing another set of travellers around, telling them how happy he was having the bar on his floor. I smiled at him, amused by his familiar rhetoric, which he acknowledged. Inside our room, I drew the curtains, as the darkness was claiming the outside.
‘What have you been doing for the last few days?’ I asked, sitting down on the bed and getting comfortable.
‘Nothing’ Emma replied nonchalantly.
‘Come on, I haven’t seen you for days, you must have done something interesting.’
I looked at the boys for some input, but they just smiled, until James spoke up.
‘We have mostly been playing games, and learning stuff.’
‘Learning what?’
‘Just about war, different wars.’
‘Which wars?’
‘World War One and Two. Mrs Brownhill said children in the future will learn about this war in their school lessons.’
I hope humanity can get back to the point where our children are learning in schools, but that seems a long way off right now.
‘It was too bloody much like school’ shouted Emma.
‘What have I told you about swearing?’ I snapped back at her, slightly taken aback.
‘All the children say bloody, and shit. They all swear, it’s not even that bad.’
‘You’re not the judge on what’s OK to say and what’s not, you just need to do as you’re told. And just because other children are swearing, doesn’t mean you should. I hope you haven’t been speaking like that in front of Mrs Brownhill?’
‘I haven’t.’
‘Good, you better not.’
Bernard fell asleep in the chair by the window, so I got the children ready for bed, washed and teeth brushed. I had missed parenting them, I enjoyed every minute I spent with them. We all got into Emma’s bed, and lay silently listening to the hustle and bustle of the hotel, as people settled down for the night. I must have been content, because I dozed off for an hour or so, and woke up to find the children surrounding me asleep. I moved them all to their own beds, and began to write today’s diary entry.
02/12/2027 - Time 22:00
The children were up early this morning, ending any hope I had of a lie in. First they were climbing over me, then they noisily started playing snap with cards they had made yesterday in class. I tried to doze, but it was a waste of time. Bernard got up just before me, and was making some odd noises in the bathroom, much to the amusement of the children. We got ready and headed to the dinner hall for breakfast, where we sat next to an excited couple of girls, in Nancy and Beth. ‘Emma, Emma, Father Christmas is going to be coming in twenty three days’ said Nancy, struggling to contain her excitement. ‘Yeah and he is going to bring me a Jesse doll’ interrupted Beth, ‘I cannot wait.’
‘Is he going to come to the camp?’ Responded Emma, turning to face me.
‘I suppose he is’ I replied, trying to work out the logistics of such a problem in my head.
‘You know what I want don’t you dad?’
‘Do I?’
‘Yeah course you do. I want a smart phone.’
‘Well first of all, we’d discussed a phone and agreed when you are ten, however mobile phones and tablets don’t work anymore.’
‘Do they not, why?’
‘To be honest, it’s too hard for me to explain, just take my word for it. I think I can guess what Josh wants.’
‘I want a dinosaur whose mouth goes all the way to its stomach’ he replied without hesitation.
‘So it can eat your toy cars?’ I responded, as he nodded his head grinning.
‘What about you James? What is Santa Claus bringing you?’
‘Don’t know.’
‘You have a think about it then.’
When breakfast was finished, I whisked the children into the meeting hall on the third floor, where Lauren took them off my hands, and Bernard and I headed back to the stadium to meet my new company. The main doors were open, so we walked straight through, acknowledging Officer Farrell who was on security. The sheets of plastic had been pulled up along the left hand side of the pitch, and were folded over onto themselves. Ash and grit was collecting on the top, and the ground was wet and muddy. We followed the vehicle tracks around the metal collection in the centre circle, towards the gun range. There we found nine Viking vehicles with their doors open, and men working on them, checking they were road worthy. There was also a very large group of men, in teams around their own vehicles.
‘See you in a bit’ said Bernard, as he continued towards General Morris, who was stood at a large desk, surrounded by soldiers. I searched for my company, until I spotted Rhino and headed towards Blue and White Company, who were sorting through their kit. I have to say, I was nervous as hell as I approached the huge group of blokes, who were loudly expressing their manliness. Sergeant Davis saw me coming, and left his men to meet me.
‘Private Driver’ he shouted, as he strode towards me. ‘It’s great to have you aboard Nathan, come and sort your kit out. You know the guys, Rhino, Keane, Little D and Murphy.’ I acknowledged everyone, before moving to the table, in front of the vehicle, where I found my kit. I unpacked everything, and re packed it. Took the gun apart and cleaned it, then put it back together again slinging it over my shoulder.
‘Right Men’ Shouted Sergeant Davis, as he waved his unit together. ‘Time for some weapons practice, before lunch. We are on the gun range first, followed by Clarets Company continuing clockwise.’ The men made their way to the gun range, and started firing at the newly updated targets. I was shaking a bit as I removed the L85A2 - carbine rifle from my shoulder, and proceeded to check the magazine and remove the safety. I brought the sights to my eye, and fired a few rounds off. I hit nothing, which made me panic even more. I could hear muffled laughing and felt it was aimed at me. I fired again, splintering the edge of the target, to the sounds of more laughter. I wiped the sweat from my brow, and fired a few more, into the centre. I dropped the gun and looked around, most soldiers were firing their own weapons, Keane smirked at me, but that’s to be expected. I’m gonna have to earn his respect the hard way, if possible. We spent around an hour on gun practice, by the end I had warmed up, and was hitting the centre with regularity. ‘The noob’s stats are better than yours Murphy’ laughed Keane, trying to get a rise from his comrade, but Murphy just ignored him, as most people did. They weren’t better, but I hadn’t embarrassed myself. I loaded my rucksack into the back of our vehicle, along with the other squad members. There was much back slapping, and manly rough and tumble, they’re a close knit company, and I’m going to have to work hard to be fully accepted. Lunch was put on for us in another par
t of the ground. We walked through the bowels of the stadium, along passageways covered in photographs of old football stars. I picked one up that had fallen to the ground, and brushed the broken glass off it. Stanley Matthews, I remember my dad telling me my grandad saw Matthews play, and what a great player he was, although he always ended the conversation by stating Tom Finney, a player for Blackpool’s local rivals, Preston North End, was better. We ended up in a large function room, that overlooked the pitch. There was a large wooden table in the centre of the room, that could sit maybe a hundred people. Around the edge of the room were wooden cabinets, with dusty football memorabilia. A clear plastic tarpaulin had been gaffer taped to the glass less window frame, and was flapping with the winds blowing around the open stadium. There was about sixty of us, sat around the table, as lunch was brought out. There must be a working kitchen within the stadium, as the food was still piping hot when it arrived. As we ate we discussed the upcoming mission, with many still not sure what we were going to find. After lunch we were dismissed for the afternoon, with a few of us heading to Hassan’s funeral. It took place on the parade ground, which had been cleaned up ready for a new set of recruits starting their training next week. Some of the camps highest ranking officers were present, including General Morris and Brown, with Lieutenant Higginson and Second Lieutenant Jackson also paying their respects. I stood with Adrian as Hassan’s body was brought from inside the stadium, along the road by the hotel, to where we were all gathered on the parade ground. All the recruits who had been present that fateful night, had stopped what they were doing to come and say goodbye to Hassan, including Cox, Proctor, Jackett and Beck. A few camp members stopped in the street, and paid their respect as his body past, carried on a stretcher, with a union jack flag draped over, covering the entire length of his body. The stretcher was carried by four soldiers, with another out front, banging a drum, and a last one following behind, firing a volley of shots in the air as a salute. A group followed behind, fronted by Shazia, Erina and Elma. Shazia was carrying Elma, who was leaning her head against her mums. She looked too young to know what was going on, but Erina was that bit older, and was crying her heart out. Shazia was red eyed but keeping it together, they looked really alone, with just a couple of others following behind. With no one having enough time to get to know the family, they cut a lonely figure. They followed the body as it slowly made its way to the parade ground, where a selection of service men were gathered, including myself. It stopped opposite a makeshift podium, where the camps resident vicar was stood. He read out a short passage from the bible, as the flag was removed from Hassan’s body, folded up and presented to Shazia. The sight of their dad was too much for Erina and Elma, who were taken back to the hotel by a friend. Hassan had been dressed in his army uniform, and looked healthier than he had before training. Like he was asleep, and could wake up at any moment. The procession then moved to the outskirts of the parade ground, where Hassan was to be buried. There were about thirty graves with wooden crosses knocked into the ground beside them. A hole had already been dug in which Hassan’s body was carefully placed, as the priest spoke the following words. ‘We therefore commit Hassan’s body to the ground. Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life.’
Shazia broke down, and had to be helped by those around her, it was difficult to watch. She left as his body was covered with earth, and a volley of gunshots began again. A small group of us headed to the bar on the first floor, to have a drink in celebration of Hassan’s life. We had hoped Shazia would attend, but we couldn’t convince her to. It was a solemn affair, with barely anyone talking. Normally under these circumstances, the gathering would have known the deceased, and could enjoy stories about them. But no one here knew Hassan that well, only meeting him a few days before. It was a bit awkward, until Adrian started telling a story, and bringing a smile back onto everyone’s face. ‘I remember Hassan getting his uniform’ said Adrian, as he put his beer on the table. ‘He told them he was a size forty eight, but he had lost that much weight he was more like a forty two. He wouldn’t change them though, said he had always been a forty eight. Straight after suiting, when we had to line up for inspection, he was having to hold his pants up, and Captain Jones was walking along the line inspecting everyone’s uniform. I think you were in the second group Nathan,’ said Adrian, as a smirk started to stretch across his face. ‘He won’t have told you about this, he was highly embarrassed. As Captain Jones got closer, I could see the panic in his eyes, as I tried to hold it together. But Captain Jones knew what was happening, and stopped opposite him.
‘Stand straight Hana, eyes forward and heels together. Get your hands out of your pockets recruit, this isn’t the fucking Freemans Catalogue’ he shouted, fully aware of what was going to happen. It seemed to take ages, but he waited, staring at Hassan, as he sweated uncomfortably. Then they dropped, like a stone, right down to his ankles. His hairy legs on show for all to see, some of the other recruits started giggling, but Captain Jones stayed stern faced the whole time. He stood looking at him, and then responded ‘Hana, your pants are by your fucking ankles, and unless you’re making a move on me, they don’t fucking belong there.’ Hassan bent down and quickly pulled them back up as Captain Jones moved on to me. As he walked, he turned to Hassan and said, ‘Just so we understand each other Hana, flattered though I am, you’re not my type.’ I saw a glint in his eye, and a little smile creeping into the corner of his mouth, before he moved onto someone else.’
‘It’s a good job Captain Jones found the funny side of it’ said Cox, trying to contain his amusement.
‘He certainly wouldn’t have found it funny the day after’ replied Adrian.
The story opened the floodgates for more amusing memories about Hassan from the other recruits, and the rest of the afternoon flew by. Soon it was time to go and get the children for lunch, so we headed our separate ways, probably the last time we would all meet as a group. After lunch, I just wanted to spend some time with the children, as I would be away early tomorrow, and I’m not sure for how long. I had a little word with Lauren, who told me not to get myself killed. She seems to genuinely care for me, which is a turn up for the books. Not something I expected to happen again, but nice none the less. When we got back to our room, Bernard was there, collecting the dirty clothes for a trip to the wash room. The children all got changed into their pyjamas, and told me about their day. ‘We have been making a game’ said Emma excitedly. ‘And learning how to play it. James has it in his bag, can we have a game now dad, can we?’
‘I suppose so. What’s it called?’
‘Pick-a-stick.’
‘Oh yeah, I used to play it as a child, with your Grandma.’
‘Really?’
‘Yeah it’s an old game, removing sticks from a pile without it collapsing.’
‘We have been decorating the sticks for the last two days, Mrs Brownhill said they were dry now, and we could take them home.’
James went to the corner of the room, and picked up the bag he’d brought home, and gave it to me. Inside was a collection of colourful sticks, with an elastic band wrapped around tightly. The sticks were all various sizes, and still a bit sticky from the decoration. I pulled out the wooden side table from between the two beds, cleared everything off it and threw the sticks down in a pile. The children wouldn’t let me go first, ‘Youngest to oldest’ shouted Emma, slapping my hand. Josh went first, we allowed him a bit of leeway, being the youngest, but I was drawing the line at James. Everyone took their time taking their turn, and behaved impeccably, until my go. I had just touched my chosen stick with my finger and thumb, when everyone around me started shouting, ‘Drop it daddy’ yelled Emma, getting right in my face.
‘Drop it, drop it’ chanted James, at the top of his voice. I even heard Josh muttering something about a loser.
‘Oh that’s fair isn’t it’ I
said, as the stick pile collapsed and everyone started cheering.
‘Mrs Brownhill told us to do that’ said Emma, in fits of laughter.
‘I bet she did.’
Bernard arrived back and went straight to bed, he wished me good luck knowing I was up early in the morning. We had a couple more quiet games, before I got the children ready for bed and settled down to write my diary. Big mistake, no one fell asleep for about an hour, constantly asking me questions and wanting stuff. Eventually they dropped off, so I lay my uniform out at the bottom of my bed and went to sleep.
3/12/27 time 23:00
Blue and White Company are camped down for the night, on my neighbours farm on the outskirts of the Pentland Hills. Matthew and Kate Buchanan have owned the farm for as long as I can remember, and were good friends of my parents. They fed us, made us feel at home, and provided us with fresh intel on where else Kuru has been witnessed, and in which direction it seemed to be spreading.
I didn’t sleep much last night, and decided to leave as the children slept, to make it easier for them, and for me. I remembered to pick up my diary on the way out of the door, and set off through the silent corridor towards the entrance. As I got outside the hotel, I could hear the vehicle’s engines roaring, and men’s voices from outside the football ground. I walked through the main doors, and into the body of the stadium, where I spotted my company. Everyone was giving their kit one last check over, which I did before packing it back into our vehicle. I kept my rifle on me, and went to see if I could offer any assistance, but we were pretty much on track. General Morris called everyone over to the gun range, where he was waiting behind the ammo table, with a few other soldiers. Behind him was a large map, taped to a couple of gun targets, with red markers positioned across the Pentland Hills and surrounding countryside. The hills had been split down into nine areas, like the boundaries of counties. ‘Good morning soldiers, my name is General Morris, this is General Brown and Captain Jones. As you are aware, today we are launching an offensive against the outbreak of a disease we have identified as kuru. This is the largest operation the camp has undertaken, and is a mission we feel must be successful. We accept many of you have only graduated into the army within the past two months, some of you just days ago. And we would like to have given you more time in the field, and to have partaken in dummy battles, but the opportunity was not afforded to us. First I will run over the overall mission, before each group will be briefed on their particular objectives by their sergeant.’ General Morris turned around to the map, and pointed at the centre marker, with a wooden cane he picked up off the desk.
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