‘Absolutely not!’ Mayflower exploded. ‘I will not be a puppet for whoever this group is.’
‘With all due respect ma’am we are at their mercy.’ Bishop said.
‘No, I will not bend to their will. The final round of Brexit talks will go ahead as planned.’
‘Can I just remind you ma’am that our country is now under full scale attack. If an incident would occur on an aeroplane or the Channel Tunnel Crossing then it could be devastating. You must suspend the talks.’
‘I will not do that. I will not jeopardize the future of this country. I made a promise to the British people that I would see them through these turbulent times.’ Mayflower said glaring at Fuller.
‘What about the army?’ Fuller said sheepishly.
‘What about them?’
‘I suggest we deploy troops to vulnerable areas. Soft targets like airports and train stations. And maybe main shopping centres.’
Mayflower shook her head rigorously. ‘No, I will not put troops on our streets. This is Great Britain not Northern Ireland.’ She paused and took a moment to reflect. ‘I will consider deploying troops to our airports and train stations as support for our police. But I will not see British troops in our city and town streets.’
‘I’m sorry to interrupt ma’am.’ The man with the briefcase said. ‘But one of our own police officers turned. Can we fully trust the army?’
Mayflower thought for a moment before nodding. ‘You’re right we cannot risk our troops being affected by whatever this is. If it is a disease then we could hand pick the troops and screen them. We could say that it’s just a routine medical assessment. We take a blood sample and analyse it.’
The man with the briefcase nodded. ‘A wise precaution ma’am.’ He stood up. ‘I’ll oversee the operations immediately.’
Mayflower looked back at Fuller as the man with the briefcase left the room. ‘I will not shut out the rest of the world Edwin.’
‘What if an incident occurs Prime Minister. There is nothing stopping the rest of the world closing off the UK. We are an island after all.’
‘If an incident occurs then I will take full responsibility. Until then it is business as usual. I will address the nation this evening to reassure them that this government is doing everything within its power to stop whoever is behind these attacks.’ She glanced at Bishop. ‘Have you made any significant progress?’
‘Our officers are working hard to find out more about the people who carried out these attacks. I’m sorry to say ma’am we have yet to uncover anything that might give us any clues. The man and the woman who carried out the attacks last night were ordinary by all accounts. Officers are about to search the house of the police officer that attacked Paddington to see if they can find anything. We hope that the coroner examining the bodies will find something.’
Mayflower nodded. ‘Keep me posted.’
Bishop turned and left the room.
‘I need to return to London as soon as possible.’
‘With all due respect Prime Minister you need to stay here where it’s safe.’
‘The people need a leader who leads, not someone who runs away when terror strikes.’
‘Very well ma’am I will make extra security arrangements.’
BBC News – BREAKING NEWS – 1:37pm
‘You’re watching the BBC channel live from central London. In the last few minutes we have learnt that a number of incidents have occurred from other parts of the UK.’
Newsreader looks down at her notes.
‘Cardiff Central, Manchester Piccadilly, Liverpool Lime Street and Crewe are believed to have been targeted. The BBC has also started to receive reports that the man who opened fire on civilians at Paddington at midday was in fact an armed officer from the metropolitan police. We don’t have all the details for you at the moment but we will update you when we have more information. Let me just repeat that last summary. A number of locations around the UK have reportedly been attacked. These locations include Cardiff, Manchester, Liverpool and Crewe. We go live to our correspondent in Downing Street Steve Baxter. Steve has there been any more news regarding the evacuation of the Prime Minister from London?’
‘It was all high drama when the Prime Minister was interrupted during a press conference earlier this morning. Downing Street have issued a brief statement saying that the Prime Minister is in fact on her way back to Downing Street. Armed police at the gates of Downing Street have been doubled. Rumour is also starting to circulate that key parts of London are about to be closed. These include Whitehall and The Mall and all roads surrounding Buckingham Palace.’
Chapter 14
Paddington Station – Central London – 2:39pm
‘How long will it be before you start to remove these bodies?’ Sam asked a forensic officer who was knelt by a body covered in a white sheet.
‘About as long as a piece of string I’m afraid.’ The forensic replied. ‘We have to catalogue everything. This isn’t your average bag and tag operation.’
‘Anything on the shooter?’
‘Despite the fact that he was one of our own, no. It’s a fucking mess. I can’t believe one of our own turned against us.’
Sam looked about at the white sheets that littered the train station terminal. ‘Which one is he?’
The forensic stood and walked a short distance towards another body covered with a white sheet. He knelt and pulled back the sheet. ‘It’s the same profile of the other attackers, including the man at the London stock exchange this morning.’ He pointed at the man’s eyes that were open. ‘No pupil’s just a white haze. If you look closely you can see a faint circle where the pupil used to be.’
‘Is there a medical condition that can cause this kind of eye damage?’ Sam asked.
‘There could be, but until we do a full autopsy we won’t know.’
Sam looked towards the main entrance to the train station spotting Bishop who marched towards her.
‘How are things progressing here?’
‘Slowly I’m afraid sir.’ Sam replied. ‘I suggest we move the victims as soon as possible.’
Bishop looked at Sam. ‘How are you holding up?’
‘I’m managing sir.’
‘I would have thought your time in Afghanistan would have prepared you for this.’
‘To a certain degree sir.’ Sam replied pushing a painful memory to the back of her mind.
‘How’s your sister?’
‘She’s shaken. My parents managed to pick her up. They’re on their way back to Surrey.’
‘You look exhausted, have you eaten?’
‘Not yet sir.’
‘I want you to take a break. You’ve been on duty for over twelve hours. I have a briefing in an hour. I want you to be there. The Deputy Prime Minister will be in attendance.’
‘Understood.’ Sam answered noting the look on Bishop’s face. ‘Are you ok sir?’
Bishop hesitated shaking his head. ‘I thought I’d seen just about everything this city had thrown at me over the years, until today. This is madness beyond anything I have seen before.’
‘People are starting to talk about more attacks throughout the country.’
‘God help us if this continues.’
Eurostar – 15 miles outside Paris (3:50 – European time)
Kelly Sims rubbed the back off her head. She could feel her heart pounding.
‘You ok Kelly.’ Her friend asked.
‘Yeah I’m fine, just got a bit of a headache.’
‘Better not tell Simon that on your wedding night.’ Another woman said smiling.
The group of women with Kelly started to laugh loudly. The party of ten were heading to Paris for a midweek celebration ahead of Kelly’s wedding which was going to take place the following Saturday.
One of the hen party was staring at her smartphone. ‘We’re lucky to have got out of London. It’s horrible what’s happening. They reckon there are over a hundred dead.’
‘Hey!’
Another hen party member said loudly. ‘It’s not our problem. Let’s just concentrate on getting pissed and Kelly laid before it’s too late.’
The women broke out into laughter again.
Kelly cupped her hands over her face. Her heart felt as if it was going to burst out of her chest.
‘Wake up girl.’ Her friend joked. ‘This is no time for falling asleep. You’ve plenty of time to do that on your wedding night.’
Kelly withdrew her hands from her face.
Her friend stared at her. ‘Bloody hell girl, what’s up with your eyes.’
Without warning Kelly lunged at her friend.
BBC News – 3:00pm
‘Good afternoon you’re watching the news from the BBC. Today has seen the deadliest wave of terror attacks this country has ever witnessed. A sustained spate of terror related incidents have occurred across London causing mass panic. Attacks have also happened in other parts of the UK. There have been a number of incidents at busy rail terminals. These include Cardiff, Crewe, Manchester and Liverpool. It is still not clear how many are dead but sources close to the BBC warned it could rise to over one hundred before the end of the day. Emergency services are at several locations all over London. Including the Sound Box where the first attack took place. Piccadilly Circus is also closed to the public as well as Liverpool Street Station and London Euston. Thousands of people are stranded. The main circle line is closed off. The only way out of London now is by bus or taxi. Many are choosing to abandon work for the day and leave London. The Prime Minister is on her way back to Downing Street and is due to give a statement to the press later on today. The police are continuing to urge the public to remain calm and go about their business as usual.’
BA Flight 212 – On Approach to Dulles International Airport - USA (10:17am US time)
‘I’ll be glad when we get on the ground.’ The air stewardess complained. ‘If I have to deal with the bloke from isle three one more time I’ll scream. Why don’t they ban drinking on long haul flights?’
Another member of the cabin crew nodded. ‘I had one bloke grope me last week, I nearly belted him. One of the co-pilots held me back.’
Another stewardess appeared. ‘That bloke is still in the toilet.’ She checked her watch. ‘The seatbelt signs are about to go on. What do we do?’
A few minutes later one of the co-pilots knocked on the door of the toilet. ‘Excuse me sir but the seatbelt lights are about to go on. You must return to your seat, we’re about to land.’
No answer.
‘Sir I’m not going to stand here and wait. You must return to your seat.’
Still no response.
‘Sir I will open this door if you don’t come out.’ The co-pilot said raising his voice.
A few passengers turned and watched the co-pilot unlock the door.
A figure burst out of the toilet grabbing the co-pilot by the throat.
The air stewardess screamed as blood splattered onto her uniform.
Horse Guards Parade – Whitehall – 3:34pm
Mayflower stepped cautiously down from the helicopter. As soon as she was clear the aircraft took off vertically heading towards The Mall ascending rapidly.
Alex Johnson the foreign secretary stood on the parade ground as the Prime Minister approached. Horse Guards Road had been closed off to the public.
‘Ma’am, I’m afraid that there have been further incidents.’
‘Where?’ Mayflower asked mournfully.
‘We have had two reports, one in France and another on board a US inbound aircraft. The US embassy has confirmed the aircraft landed safely. The pilot sent out an emergency call as they began their final approach to Dulles International Airport. They have the plane under heavy guard at the airport.’
‘Are they similar to the attacks which have been happening over here?’ Mayflower quizzed.
‘We are not sure of anything Ma’am. The Eurostar train is currently in Paris. No one has been allowed off the train. From little information we have from the French Embassy two people are confirmed to have been killed.’
‘Shit.’ Mayflower seethed.
‘I think we can assume that whatever this is, it’s spreading.’
Mayflower nodded. ‘We can’t talk out here. Let’s continue this in my private office.’
Several minutes later both Mayflower and Johnson entered a small office. ‘What are our options at this moment?’
‘We have no other choice but to suspend all foreign travel.’
‘You can’t be serious. Do you have any idea the panic that would cause?’
‘Not as much panic that will occur if there are more attacks abroad. This could be the start of something far bigger than we have witnessed so far. There are hundreds of thousands of British nationals abroad at any given time Prime Minister.’
‘So you’re saying that whatever this is, is just affecting British Nationals?’
‘So far no other country has reported attacks of this nature. It’s only affecting people from this country. I am afraid that we are blind and dead in the water. I have heard from Robert Parsons who said that our allies in the intelligence sectors have all drawn a blank.’
Mayflower buried her head in her hands.
‘Ma’am, we need to suspend all foreign travel.’
‘How long for?’
‘At least forty eight hours. If nothing happens in the allotted time then we can reopen our borders.’
‘What about our citizens abroad? Have you thought about that? How do we know they won’t come under scrutiny? Jesus Christ, the Americans are already paranoid. Do you honestly think that Trump will let British citizens roam freely in the US?’
‘I don’t think Trump will take any excessive measures. He will be eager to keep people calm as much as we are.’
‘And what exactly do you want me to tell the press?’
‘The truth.’ Johnson replied. ‘At this point Prime Minister I see no other option. You hold a press conference and tell the British public that this government is doing everything in its power to stop this from spreading.’
‘I’m sure the leaders of the opposition will hang me out to dry.’
‘I don’t see how they can, ma’am.’
A long pause followed before Mayflower nodded in capitulation. ‘Rally the troops; I’ll make a statement at six.’
New Scotland Yard – 4:46pm
Sam knocked loudly on the door of Bishop’s office before entering.
Bishop looked up from his desk. ‘What’s the latest?’
‘This is a toxicology report from the two people who carried out the first attacks last night. According to the initial autopsy they both died of a brain aneurysm.’ Sam handed Bishop a piece of paper.
‘This is strange.’ Bishop said staring at the piece of paper. ‘Is there a drug that could cause this type of seizure?’
‘It’s highly likely sir. Brain aneurysms can be triggered by high blood pressure. An effect commonly associated with taking any number of illegal drugs.’
Bishop thought for a moment. ‘Do we have any idea who took the video?’
‘No sir. We know that there were multiple people filming the attack. Hoping to sell the footage to any news media company that will buy it. However, the only video available seems to be the one uploaded to social media.’
‘I want you to go back to the nightclub and look over CCTV footage of the attack. Whoever uploaded that video was in that nightclub. If we can at least identify him or her, it will give us an edge and something to feed the press.’
Chapter 15
Downing Street – Central London – 5:59pm
‘Are you ready ma’am?’ Alex Johnson asked as he stood at the door.
She gave him a hard stare. ‘I’m about to tell the country we have been cut off from the rest of the world, what do you bloody well think.’
Johnson simply nodded and opened the door.
Mayflower drew a deep breath before stepping on to the pavement.
Mayflower glanced down at her notes. ‘Good evening, I am here to give you latest developments which have happened in the last few hours. First of all I can confirm that there has been a further two incidents similar to the ones that the UK has experienced over the last twenty four hours. Firstly an incident has occurred on the Eurostar travelling to Paris. Initial reports state that two people have lost their lives.’
Camera flashes exploded as whispers reverberated through the bank of journalists.
‘I can also confirm that another attack has occurred over the skies of Washington DC. Fortunately the pilot managed to land the aircraft safely. Early reports suggest that three people have been killed aboard the British Airways flight. The plane is now in a secure hanger at Dulles International Airport under heavy armed guard. Those who have loved ones on British Airways flight 212 will be notified immediately and briefed on the situation. Because of these latest incidents, I have given the order to suspend all foreign travel for a period of forty eight hours. Travellers currently on route to the UK via air travel, train and ferry services will still be allowed to enter the UK.’ Mayflower paused. ‘Today has seen the most devastating attack on the UK as far back as the second world war. This government remains strong. This country will remain resilient. The people of this great nation of ours will never bow down to the cowards that are responsible for this act of hideous terror. Our security forces are working hard to track down the people behind these attacks. Make no mistake, we will find you, we will leave no stone unturned. We are coming for you and when we find you, you will face British justice.’ Mayflower looked at her notes. ‘To those who have lost loved ones over the last twenty four hours, you have this government’s deepest sympathy. A taskforce is being established to help those who have lost loved ones and those who have been directly affected by this terrible event.’
Dystopia Page 7
