We were welcomed back to camp like conquering heros, by more civilians on the streets than I’d seen since the attack. Men and women, old and young, with their arms in the air, singing and dancing. Like parties from the olden days, where the whole country would join together to celebrate a nationwide event. Hundreds of people had lined the streets on the approach to Camp Blue, slapping the vehicles carrying our soldiers back from battle as they past. There was a real carnival atmosphere, it was great to see all the people who’d been hidden away for months, not afraid anymore.
Torriero’s body was brought back to Camp Blue for formal identification, and was confirmed as the target by high ranking military. Soon after, his body was taken from the camp and buried at an unconfirmed location, on the outskirts of Blackpool. The generals of Camp Blue signed a indictment setting forth charges to be presented to any individuals still alive, that planned, carried out, or otherwise participated in the war, the oppression of Leeds or any other war crimes. To bring to justice, some of the persons responsible for inflicting so much suffering, and almost bringing our country to its knees. As the true extent of Torriero’s evil is unearthed, the arduous process of examining evidence, and taking statements from all involved has begun. There are strong rumours around the military, that the army will debate reintroducing the death penalty for those that are found to have willingly taken part in the depravity. I’m glad those decisions won’t be resting on my shoulders, I’m not sure I could condemn all these men to death. Some of the evil fuckers deserve to die, no question, I’d have no problem pulling the trigger. But where will the line be drawn? Some who fought were broken men, forced to fight for a dictator who would brutalise them and their loved ones if they resisted. Can you honestly say you wouldn’t do the same, if the safety of those you love was on the line? If you wouldn’t carry out an order, and they threatened to brutalise and murder your Mum, Dad, wife or child. I cannot hand on heart say I’d be strong enough to resist, I just feel lucky I was never put in that position. A couple of days after Torriero’s death, Camp Blue started to organise the recovery of the creatures aircraft, for research purposes. The crash site had burned for days, only put out when a fleet of fire engines arrived to help The Queens Lancers and The 95th Rifles Battalions with the clean up. A collection of large hangers at Blackpool Airport were secured, and will house the aircraft, as our engineers piece it back together. The recover has already involved over one hundred and twenty articulated lorries, making the journey from the crash site in Nottingham to Blackpool, and a team of seven hundred soldiers, working twenty four seven. We’ve barely started, but have already learned so much. Over two thousand bodies were retrieved from the crash site, with no creatures surviving. They are being examined by our medical staff, as we continue to learn more about the creatures who invaded our planet. Camp Blue have organised a sweep of the country, involving ten battalions whose job it is to confirm the extinction of the creatures, with sixty percent of the country already completed, there has been no further sightings. The camp wasted no time in assigning battalions to oversee the massive clean up operation, the country will now have to undertake. It will take years to recover from the devastation caused by the war, in the short term burying the bodies of the dead, to the long term rebuilding of communities and homes. Tangerines and Royal Blues companies arrived back at Camp Blue on January 25th, after completing their observation of the Pentland Hills. They reported the extinction of the disease know as kuru, with no further cases found. A line of communication was set up with Bill Grayson, the leader of Camp Paula, who will continue to survey the area. On the second of February, twenty Vikings left Camp Blue with the objective of completing a sweep of the country, to gain a further understanding of the destruction. As the numbers for every town and city destroyed started to come in, the true extent of what lies ahead was revealed. Two battalions were deployed to rebuild the majority of local bridges, destroyed in the battle for the north, and reopen our supply routes. Under new stewardship, The Red Devils Company seized control of The Hilton Hotel, Hull, as the preparations for Site B took shape. By the end of next month we hope to have it up and running, with the camps first residents due to move in soon after. On February the fourth, Camp Blue held a dance in the hotel’s main hall, to celebrate the conclusion of the war. While ultimately to celebrate, the day was also a chance to remember those that died, and those that received life changing injuries in the fight of our generation. The camp pulled together, to clear the room of tables and chairs, and lay a new wooden floor down, sourced from a local hardware store. It was sanded and polished ready for the day, where General Morris unveiled a slate plaque with the names of every soldier who died. The amount of names was sobering, I made a conscious effort to find Chris and Rhino’s, and make sure Hassan was included. The ball was a huge success, with pretty much the whole camp taking part, music, dancing, drink and celebration were the order of the day. I have never been to a more joyous celebration, I even managed a little slow dance with Lauren, the first since my wedding dance with Jane. General Morris is requesting volunteers for a mission to make contact with other countries, and learn more about what happened to our planet during and after the attack. A twenty man squad will head down to Dover and secure a boat, aiming to reach Calais, and then on to Paris, with other European countries planned in the future. I know Little D is interested, but I think I’ll retire from active service, and find a more simple job around camp. The children seem to be growing up fast, I barely recognise Emma she’s so tall, I don’t want to miss anymore of their childhood, I feel I’ve missed too much already. I sat and watched them play together, as though they’ve known each other all their lives, like brothers and sister. They were playing with plastic soldiers, Josh and James had green ones, which they placed in a line on the carpet, and Emma had grey ones that she placed opposite. They shared a toy cannon, that fired matchsticks when it’s trigger was released, each taking a turn to fire at their enemies army. The game was only completed once a players entire army was knocked over, the carpet ended up littered with bodies. As I watched, I considered what effect this war’s had on them, and will have in the future, growing up in the aftermath. Will they learn from our mistakes? Or will they make the same ones again, like we did with our fathers, and our fathers fathers.
THE END
Aftermath: The complete collection Page 59
