Chapter 100

“Fortress Brittan, they are calling the nation now.”

“I heard. That’s a strange name.”

“I think they’re trying to go back to the Second World War. The nation united in front of the threat. That sort of thing.”

I was sitting with Henry in the visitor section of the building he had been moved to. The building had been repurposed to act as a “mental health recovery ward”. The sad fact was that more members of zone command were breaking from the increased stress and workload. Because of this, these wards were established across the country.

Henry had reached out to me, saying he wanted to talk. Here I am now, sitting in this bland room on poorly padded furniture making small talk.

“I can see that. With all the changes going around and rationing, it’s like we are under siege.” Henry was leaning back, more relaxed than I had seen him last time. He was drugged up and was out of it when I had seen him last. He was looking better and was more present. He was still not back to what he was but seemed to be heading in a good direction.

“Things are much tenser out there after the recent events with Russia and China.”

“Bruvv. I heard some of the things. Is it as bad as they say? We are pretty cut off here.” Henry asked.

“In what way? Nationally or internationally.”

“Hell, I will take anything.” He leans forward and I can see he is hungry for information.

“Okay, let’s start internationally.” Take a moment to collect my thoughts on recent world events. “Russia’s fragmented. Many refugees are trying to move into Europe, but the situation there is just as bad, so it’s a mess. Things in China were worse than anyone expected. We are looking at famine that affects at least 500 million people.”

“I heard most of that already.”

“Well, I’ve heard a few whispers that things in Europe will not be going on much longer the way they are.”

“What do you mean?”

“The unofficial scuttlebutt is that the Euro Corps is the only functioning part of the EU left outside the nation states that are still standing. The rest are just institutions in name only.”

“Shit.” He said, leaning back, thinking about what I just said. “It’s that bad?”

I don’t say anything and just nod. He doesn’t say anything for a few seconds running through scenarios in his head. He’s reached the same conclusion I have.

“They locked the border down to stop the refugees.”

“Pretty much. Rumour is that about a million in and around Calais alone are trying to cross the channel. Many are trying desperately to use any means they can. Some of the rumours I’ve heard indicate that 4 to 500 people die every night out in the channel.”

“Shit.” He said again. “What about nationally?”

“Many protests. A lot more vandalism. Some early attempts at strikes, but they were quashed by quickly.” The population could no longer hide from the truth; some were venting their frustrations and anger, but most were afraid.

“You know the zone expansion rate here in the UK?”

“As far as I can tell, we’re level. We are closing the zones as fast as they are appearing.”

“That’s something.” He closed his eyes and rubbed his face. When he was finished, he again looked at me. He is still thin and something is missing, but I think he’s coming back. Will he ever be the same man? I doubt it.

“Have you heard from Sarah?” Now this question surprises me.

“Hear from her? Dude, what they have you on in here?” I honestly don’t know if I’m shocked or about to burst out laughing at this one.

“No, I’m serious. She pops in from time to time.” I can see from his facial expression that he was not messing around.

“This is not what I was expecting you to ask.”

“I know.” He stays quiet for a few moments as he collects his thoughts. “Since her injury, she’s not been doing too well.”

“Well, we have never been on good terms.”

“That’s true.” He sniggers slightly at his own joke. Then falls silent for a few seconds before continuing. “I am worried about her. She’s in a dark place, I think.”

I do not reply as I have not interacted with her since her injury. I was not a fool to think it would all be sunlight and flowers. That type of injury was life-changing, no matter who you are. The loss of an arm was impactive enough go and add in the fact the reduction in her social status. Yes, she is probably in a bad place.

“Like I said. I have not seen her. But I could see what you’re saying.”

“I tried to get her to speak to someone, but she is stonewalling, saying she is fine.” He is not hiding his worries.

“There is not much I can do here.” I am wondering what he is aiming for in this conversation.

“I was thinking you might talk to her. Convince her to seek help.” And there it was. I look at him, my face telling him what I thought about that.

“Your joking, right?” I ask him.

“No, I am serious. I think you’re the only person who might actually be able to get to listen.”

“Christ sake Henry! Listen to yourself. There is no way in hell that Sarah will ever listen to me.”

“Hear me out. I say this because the only person I have ever known who has stood up to her and never let her get away with her shit.”

“Exactly. That is why she will never listen to me.”

Before he could say anything in retort, my phone began vibrating in my pocket. I usually would not have been allowed to have it while visiting, but with Henry’s improvement and move into this ward, such restrictions were lifted. I pulled my phone out and began reading the text message. It’s from command, but I’m also getting notices from numerous news feed sites. I quickly begin to frown at the information being reported.

“What’s wrong?” Henry asked, unable to contain his interest any more.

“Remember what we were talking about with Europe?”

“Sure.”

“It’s started.”

## ## ## ## ##

“We can confirm that Ireland and the Scandinavian countries have closed their borders. Central national authority in Germany, France, Italy and the low countries has effectively ended. The Euro Corps has subsumed what is left of these nations' national military and civilian infrastructure.”

Captain Walker was standing in front of a large monitor in the zone commands underground emergency bunker, briefing the officers and civilians present on the present crisis, which was now engulfing them.

“How do they collapse a quick?” Asked one of the present civilians.

“As you should have all been aware from your briefings, the situation has deteriorated for some time.” Hamilton rebuked the suit that had spoken. The man fell quiet, knowing he lacked the position and influence to face off against Hamilton. “Please continue, Captain.”

“The refugee crisis in northern France is getting to the point where it is becoming a humanitarian disaster. The zone expansion is accelerating across the continent and we predict that 90% of continental Europe will be covered in the zones forming into one super zone within a year.” Press the button on a controller in the hands and the image on the monitor changed to a predictive model image of Europe within the year. There were many matters and some curses from the collective group as this was even worse than they had predicted a few months ago.

“We estimate that there are close to 15 million refugees in northern France on top of the normal population.” She manipulated the controller again and satellite imagery of various parts of northern France clearly showed massive tent cities around existing population centres. “Suppliers will run out for these camps in two weeks at best, we believe.”

“What is the status with numbers trying to cross the channel?” Hamilton asked.

“We’ve seen a marked increase in the last 72 hours. But as soon as it becomes widely known that the French government has effectively ceased to exist on the national level, we expected it to become a flood.”

“Right, we need to prepare for what’s about to happen. You all need to head back to your respective command points and get organised for the worst-case scenario.” Hamilton decided to cut the meeting off in his present configuration, knowing that only a handful of people in the room he needed to talk to. The others got the hint, quickly shuffled out, and returned to their offices to get things moving. Several people did, however, remain in the room.

“Now that they are gone tell us what happened to Captain.” Holsan ordered.

“Yes, Sir! Over the last 24 hours, 18 zones opened up on the European mainland. Each one struck at a vital military or civilian control hub. The result was the collapse of the named nations and the cutting off of what was left of Western with Eastern Europe. At this time, all major road and rail links have been severed. The Baltic shipping routes, however, are still open.”

“Casualties?” Asked Hamilton.

“Impossible to say at the moment. But our most conservative estimates are close to 25 million.”

That causes the room to quiet. The last month just rained down below upon blow upon blow on the human race. This was not even the worst humanitarian disaster happening at the moment, but it was the closest to them in terms of geography.

“Recommendations?” Hamilton asked the group looking around the room. “At this point, I don’t care how off the wall we need something.”

The remaining handful of officers and civil servants in the room looked at each other, wondering who would speak up. The terrible truth was that this was a situation they knew was coming but could not prevent or control at this point. Britain had reached its limit on the population that it could sustain farming well over a century ago. Rationing had flown down the collapse of this nation, but a refugee influx from Europe would overwhelm what little resources they had.

“Sir. I have a proposal.” Colonel Hawk spoke up.

“Yes, Colonel, what is it?” Hamilton asked, focusing on the officer.

“To put it bluntly, sir, I recommend we return to doing something we’ve not done in a few decades.”

“And what is that exactly?” Holsan joined the conversation.

“We invade France.”

The room went silent for a few seconds and then one or two people sniggered and laughed at the suggestion. But Hamilton and Holsan stayed focused on the younger officer.

“Explain your reasoning.” Came from Hamilton.

“At the moment, northern France from Dunkirk to Cherbourg has the fewest zones in all of France. If the local and refugee population flee, they can only go North to the United Kingdom and Ireland. Neither nation can support these numbers. I’m recommending, sir, to send an expeditionary force to northern France and effectively take over what’s left of the civilian and military infrastructure present.”

“Do we have the resources to mount a campaign and occupation? As we did not a few weeks ago.” Hamilton enquired to the general to his right.

“We could do it. We are stretched. This will stretch us even more, but we can do it.” Holsan said after a few seconds of contemplation.

“What benefit will this give us?” Asked one of the civilians.

“Colonel?” Hamilton said, looking at the man.

“The two easiest things to recognise as advantages if we invade France are keeping the refugees and local population from attempting to flee the United Kingdom. The second and what is becoming more important is additional farmland. We are barely being able to feed the population as it is. Additional farmland would be greatly appreciated and our ability now with the new zone closing devices allows us to try to tackle some of the larger zones of mainland Europe.” Hawk replied with an answer that indicated I had been thinking about this for some time.

“General, can this be organised in a week?” Hamilton once again looked at his old friend.

“Yes, it can. We can use the existing civilian infrastructure remaining and quickly co-opt the military. How much resistance will we face for what’s left of the French authorities.”

There was a series of mutterings and fake protests at the idea from many who were left in the meeting. But it was clear that no one else was coming up with any other suggestions or even beginning this to try to deal with the situation.

“This needs to start to be planned right now. I will take it to the Cabinet unless anyone else has a better idea.” Hamilton said to the room, looking for anyone to present any alternative ideas. “As there are none. Let’s begin planning the invasion of France.”