["Flying\t low,\t they\t banked\t left\t when\t they\t were\t over\t water.\t In\t the\t distance towards\tthe\tmainland,\tthey\tcould\tjust\tmake\tout\tthe\toil\trefinery\tat\tFawley\tbathed in\t orange\t light\t from\t billowing\t flames\t that\t leapt\t unchecked\t into\t the\t night\t sky. Further\t to\t the\t west,\t two\t tower\t blocks\t in\t the\t city\t of\t Southampton\t smouldered. The\t inferno\t that\t had\t engulfed\t them\t had\t moved\t on,\t spreading\t slowly\t across housing\testates\tand\tresidential\tareas,\tfanned\tby\tthe\tnight\u2019s\tbreeze. Below\t them,\t in\t the\t lee\t of\t the\t land,\t the\t sea\t state\t was\t relatively\t calm,\t but further\t out\t Jack\t could\t make\t out\t white\t horses\t as\t the\t waves\t rose\t and\t fell,\t their crests\tfoaming\tand\tbreaking\tin\tthe\twind.\tThe\thelicopter\thugged\tthe\tcoastline\tof the\t island,\t accelerating\t as\t it\t turned\t west\t towards\t Yarmouth\t and\t Hurst\t Castle, before\t heading\t south-west\t into\t Christchurch\t Bay\t where\t the\t USS\t Chester\t was cruising\t towards\t them\t at\t impulse\t power.\t As\t they\t flew\t towards\t the\t western\t end of\tthe\tisland,\tPeterson\u2019s\tvoice\tcame\tover\tthe\theadset. \u201cJack,\tyou\tbetter\ttake\ta\tlook\tat\tthis.\u201d Jack\t unclipped\t his\t safety\t harness\t and\t levered\t himself\t up\t to\t look\t out\t of\t the cockpit\twindow,\tclinging\ton\ttight\tas\tthe\taircraft\tlurched\tviolently.\tOut\tin\tfront\tof them,\t he\t saw\t suddenly\t what\t Peterson\t was\t worried\t about.\t In\t the\t distance,\t they could\t make\t out\t the\t sweep\t of\t the\t shingle\t spit\t that\t joined\t Hurst\t to\t the\t mainland, with\tthe\tcastle\tat\tits\teastern\ttip.\tPart\tof\tthe\tcastle\twas\tablaze,\tflames\tleaping\tup above\tthe\twalls\tand\tparapet.\tJack\tcouldn\u2019t\tbelieve\twhat\the\twas\tseeing. He\tpleaded\twith\tPeterson\tto\tslow\tdown\tand\tcircle\tthe\tcastle\tto\tsee\twhat\twas going\t on.\t The\t instruction\t given,\t the\t pilot\t pulled\t the\t nose\t up\t to\t slow\t their airspeed\tas\tthe\thelicopter\tcame\tinto\ta\thover\taround\ttwo\thundred\tfeet\tabove\tthe eastern\t wall,\t circling\t slowly\t around\t the\t gun\t tower,\t its\t searchlight\t picked\t out several\t figures\t on\t the\t roof.\t Peterson\t pointed\t towards\t the\t fire\t and\t the\t helicopter proceeded\t along\t the\t southern\t wall,\t trying\t to\t make\t out\t what\t was\t going\t on beneath\tthem. As\t they\t neared\t the\t centre\t of\t the\t complex,\t a\t hail\t of\t gunfire\t pinged\t off\t the underbelly\t of\t the\t aircraft\t as\t the\t pilot\t began\t an\t evasive\t manoeuvre.\t One\t of\t the soldiers\t had\t been\t hit\t and\t was\t hanging\t by\t his\t harness,\t clinging\t on\t to\t the doorway,\t while\t the\t other\t team\t member\t returned\t fire\t towards\t the\t origin\t of\t the muzzle\t flashes.\t As\t soon\t as\t they\t were\t back\t over\t the\t water,\t Sergeant\t Jones reached\t a\t gloved\t hand\t down\t and\t hauled\t his\t squad\t member\t back\t up,\t slamming the\tsliding\tdoor\tshut. Peterson\t was\t shouting\t over\t the\t intercom\t for\t the\t pilot\t to\t gain\t height\t and\t get the\t hell\t out\t of\t there.\t They\t had\t seen\t enough\t action\t for\t one\t night\t and\t now\t had another\tcasualty\tto\tbring\thome. Jack\tstared\tout\tof\tthe\twindow,\this\teyes\twide\tin\tdisbelief.\tOne\tof\tthe\tcrewmen put\ta\thand\ton\this\tshoulder\tas\this\twhole\tbody\tseemed\tto\tsag.\tHead\tin\thands,\the","started\tto\tsob,\ttears\tstreaming\tdown\this\tface,\this\timagination\trunning\twild.\tThe castle\t and\t the\t flames\t slipped\t from\t view\t as\t the\t helicopter\t skimmed\t the\t waves past\t the\t Needles,\t flying\t fast\t and\t low\t back\t out\t to\t sea.\t The\t Chester\t was\t cruising north-east\t five\t nautical\t miles\t south\t of\t Portland\t Bill,\t rapidly\t closing\t the\t gap\t to meet\tthem.","Chapter\tForty-nine In\tthe\tbowels\tof\tthe\tcastle,\tdeep\twithin\tan\talcove\tof\tone\tof\tthe\tdark,\tdank\tcellars that\thad\tonce\tbeen\ta\tdungeon\tfor\tprisoners\theld\tat\tHurst,\tTommy\tand\tthe\tothers sat\tshivering\tunder\tblankets.\tThey\twere\tlistening\tto\tthe\tfaint\tsounds\tof\tthe\tbattle above\tthem,\twith\tthe\tdim\tflickering\tlight\tof\ta\tcandle\tfor\tcompany. \u201cWe\u2019re\t going\t to\t be\t fine,\t Toby,\u201d\t said\t Simon,\t sat\t to\t his\t right.\t \u201cThere\u2019s\t really nothing\tto\tworry\tabout.\tWe\u2019re\tall\tperfectly\tsafe\tdown\there.\u201d Toby\tpulled\tthe\tblanket\ttighter\taround\this\tshoulders,\tclasping\tthe\ttwo\tcorners in\this\tclenched\tfists.\tThe\tboy\tnodded,\tbut\tsaid\tnothing.\tFrom\tthe\tfirst\texplosion he\thad\tbeen\tterrified,\tcowering\tbehind\this\tfather\tas\tthey\tshielded\ttheir\tears\tand watched\tthe\tdust\train\tdown\tupon\tthem.\tThey\twere\tnot\talone;\tthere\twere\tas\tmany as\ttwenty\tothers\thiding\tdown\there,\ton\tthe\tinstructions\tof\tLiz.\tThis\twas\tthe\tsafest place\tin\tthe\tcastle. The\t only\t way\t in\t was\t defended\t by\t a\t dozen\t armed\t men,\t not\t to\t mention countless\t feet\t of\t thick\t stone\t and\t concrete.\t It\t was\t a\t bunker\t complex\t that\t would probably\twithstand\tany\tnumber\tof\tdirect\thits\tfrom\theavy\tweapons\tand\tcertainly impenetrable\t to\t small\t arms\t fire.\t And\t yet,\t knowing\t all\t that\t did\t little\t to\t reassure the\tyounger\tmembers\tof\tthe\tHurst\tgroup.\tMany\tof\tthem\tstill\tcarried\tthe\tvery\treal and\t psychological\t scars\t of\t the\t breakdown.\t They\t had\t each\t seen\t more\t than\t their fair\t share\t of\t death\t and\t destruction.\t They\t had\t witnessed\t sane\t people\t driven\t to madness.\t In\t the\t race\t for\t survival,\t it\t had\t been\t every\t man\t for\t himself.\t They\t had seen\t neighbours\t fighting,\t riots\t in\t supermarkets,\t men\t shot\t in\t cold\t blood\t before their\tvery\teyes.\tHearing\tthe\texplosions\tand\tfire\tfight\tabove\tthem\tbrought\tthose memories\tflooding\tback\tin\ttechnicolour. Tommy\tknew\tfrom\ttheir\tstories\tthat\tlittle\tToby\thad\tseen\this\tmother\tdie.\tShe had\t been\t wrenched\t from\t his\t hands,\t not\t by\t the\t virus,\t like\t so\t many\t others,\t but knocked\t down\t and\t killed\t by\t a\t motorbike,\t stolen\t and\t out\t of\t control.\t The\t driver had\t been\t hell-bent\t on\t getting\t out\t of\t town.\t Dodging\t stationary\t traffic\t he\t had mounted\t the\t pavement\t and\t clipped\t a\t bench,\t lost\t control\t and\t careered\t into\t two children\t holding\t hands,\t before\t striking\t his\t mother.\t She\t had\t died\t instantly,\t her eyes\t fixed\t with\t a\t look\t of\t surprise\t that\t was\t seared\t into\t Toby\u2019s\t memory\t and nightmares\tforever. Footsteps\t in\t the\t stairwell\t shook\t Tommy\t from\t his\t melancholy.\t Nathan\t stuck","his\t head\t around\t the\t corner,\t putting\t on\t a\t brave\t face.\t His\t cheer\t was\t paper-thin. His\teyes\tbetrayed\thim. \u201cHow\tare\twe\tall\tdoing\tdown\there?\u201d\tHe\tstuck\this\tthumbs\tup,\ttrying\tto\tmake eye\tcontact\twith\tToby\tand\tsome\tof\tthe\tother\tchildren,\twho\tlooked\tat\ttheir\tfeet, nodding\t their\t heads.\t \u201cGood,\t good.\t Simon,\t Tommy,\t Shannon,\t we\t need\t you\t up top.\t Rest\t of\t you,\t stay\t put,\t we\u2019ll\t bring\t you\t down\t something\t to\t eat\t as\t soon\t as we\u2019re\tdone,\tbut\tfor\tnow,\tthis\tis\tthe\tsafest\tplace\tin\tthe\tcastle.\tOkay?\u201d Simon\tand\tthe\tothers\tgot\tgingerly\tto\ttheir\tfeet,\texchanging\tsheepish\tglances. Toby\tstarted\tmoaning,\tclawing\tat\this\tfather\u2019s\tleg,\tpleading\twith\thim\tnot\tto\tleave. Simon\t smiled\t back\t at\t him.\t \u201cI\u2019ll\t be\t back\t as\t soon\t as\t I\t can.\u201d\t He\t ruffled\t his son\u2019s\thair\tand\tsteeled\thimself\tfor\tthe\ttask\tat\thand. At\tthe\ttop\tof\tthe\tstairs,\tthere\twas\ta\tpalpable\ttension\tin\tthe\tair,\twith\thalf-seen faces\t hurrying\t through\t dimly\t lit\t passageways,\t torchlight\t dancing\t on\t walls. Nathan\t handed\t Tommy\t a\t revolver\t and\t deposited\t a\t box-full\t of\t bullets\t in\t his outstretched\thand. He\thanded\tout\tan\tantique\tsword\tand\ta\tmachete\tto\tthe\tother\ttwo\tand\tmotioned them\t to\t huddle\t in\t close.\t \u201cI\t need\t you\t three\t to\t guard\t the\t Drake\t doorway\t on\t the ground\tfloor.\tBarricade\tit\twith\twhatever\tyou\tcan\tfind.\tAnd\tif\tanyone\tor\tanything tries\t to\t come\t through,\t shoot\t them.\t This\t is\t our\t last\t line.\t We\t have\t to\t defend\t this bit\tof\tthe\tcastle,\tat\tall\tcosts.\tAll\tour\tlives\tdepend\ton\tit.\u201d Tommy\t led\t the\t trio\t down\t to\t their\t station,\t checked\t the\t door\t was\t locked\t and bolted\ttop\tand\tbottom\tand\tstarted\tpiling\tup\tchairs\tand\tboxes,\twith\tan\told\tcarpet dumped\t on\t top\t to\t hold\t everything\t in\t place.\t They\t stood\t back\t and\t admired\t their handiwork.\t It\t would\t hold.\t Tommy\t was\t sure\t of\t that.\t No\t one\t was\t going\t to\t push their\t way\t through\t that\t lot,\t especially\t with\t him\t taking\t potshots\t at\t them.\t He loaded\tthe\trevolver\twith\tsix\tbullets\tand\temptied\tthe\trest\tof\tthe\tbox\tinto\this\twaist pocket,\tdiscarding\tthe\tempty\tcarton. Tommy\tfroze.\tFrom\tjust\toutside\tthe\tdoor,\tthey\tcould\thear\tmuffled\tvoices\tand scuffed\t footsteps\t on\t the\t stone\t floor.\t The\t three\t of\t them\t unconsciously\t stepped backwards,\tawkwardly\tclutching\ttheir\tweapons.\tThere\twas\ta\tseries\tof\tdull\tthuds against\t the\t door,\t although\t it\t didn\u2019t\t sound\t like\t they\t were\t trying\t to\t force\t entry. Another\t louder\t thump\t and\t then\t the\t sound\t of\t liquid,\t like\t someone\t relieving themselves\tagainst\tthe\tdoor.\tThey\tsmelled\tthe\tfuel\tbefore\tthey\tsaw\tit\tas\ta\trivulet snaked\t under\t the\t door,\t pooling\t directly\t below\t the\t stack\t of\t chairs\t and\t boxes, soaking\tinto\tthe\tcardboard.\tThey\theard\tthe\tstrike\tof\ta\tmatch\tand\tthen\ta\twhoosh as\tthe\tfuel\tvapour\tignited. Tommy\t reacted\t first.\t He\t ran\t down\t the\t corridor\t back\t towards\t the\t basement where\tToby\tand\tthe\tother\tchildren\twere\tcowering.\tIn\tthe\tcorner\tof\tthe\troom\twas a\tbucket\tthat\tthe\tchildren\thad\tbeen\tusing\tas\ta\ttoilet.\tIt\twas\thalf-full,\tstinking\tand","slopping\t as\t Tommy\t ran\t back\t towards\t the\t doorway.\t When\t he\t reached\t the passageway,\t the\t smoke\t on\t the\t inside\t was\t already\t spreading\t rapidly\t throughout the\tcomplex,\tblown\tby\tdrafts\tand\tair\tcurrents\tthat\tmade\tthe\tcastle\tfreezing\tin\tthe winter.\tHe\tgot\tas\tclose\tto\tthe\tdoor\tas\the\tcould\tand\tthrew\tthe\tbucketload\tof\tslops across\t the\t floor,\t trying\t to\t sluice\t the\t petrol\t away.\t It\t did\t little\t more\t than\t disperse the\tfuel\tmore\twidely\taround\tthe\tdoorway. The\t other\t three\t had\t raced\t off\t to\t try\t and\t find\t the\t buckets\t of\t sand\t placed around\tthe\tcastle\tcomplex,\tleaving\tTommy\talone\twatching\tthe\tfire\ttake\thold.\tHe kicked\tat\tthe\tfurniture\tstack,\ttrying\tto\tdislodge\tthe\tnearest\titem.\tTheir\thard\twork to\t secure\t the\t door\t had\t turned\t out\t to\t be\t misplaced\t effort.\t The\t chairs\t and\t boxes were\t wedged\t solid\t and\t he\t was\t forced\t back\t by\t the\t heat\t and\t choking\t fumes.\t He tried\t one\t last\t time,\t grabbing\t hold\t of\t the\t carpet\t balanced\t precariously\t on\t top. Gravity\t did\t the\t rest\t and\t the\t whole\t stack\t collapsed\t against\t the\t opposite\t wall, blocking\t the\t passage.\t The\t initial\t flash\t from\t the\t petrol\t began\t to\t die\t down\t as flames\tlicked\tharmlessly\tat\tthe\tstone\twalls. Tommy\t shielded\t his\t face\t from\t the\t heat,\t retreating\t back\t down\t the passageway.\t He\t stayed\t low\t until\t the\t smoke\t was\t less\t dense.\t From\t all\t directions men\t and\t women\t were\t shouting,\t panicked\t by\t cloying\t fumes\t that\t made\t their chests\theave. Nathan\traced\tdown\tthe\tstairs,\tappealing\tto\tTommy\tand\tthe\tothers\tto\tget\tback to\ttheir\tposts.\t\u201cFor\tGod\u2019s\tsake,\tput\tthose\tfires\tout.\tSmother\tthem\tin\tblankets,\tor whatever\t you\t can\t find.\t They\u2019re\t trying\t to\t smoke\t us\t out,\u201d\t he\t shouted\t over\t his shoulder,\tracing\tto\tthe\tnext\tpost. **** In\t the\t shadow\t of\t the\t castle\u2019s\t western\t wall,\t Will\t was\t making\t slow\t but\t steady progress,\tcreeping\ttowards\tthe\tmain\tgate,\tmaking\tas\tlittle\tsound\tas\tpossible.\tHe was\t keeping\t his\t eyes\t on\t the\t vessel\t that\t had\t moored\t up\t a\t few\t minutes\t ago, hoping\t he\t was\t invisible\t in\t the\t darkness.\t He\t counted\t eleven\t men\t as\t one\t by\t one they\t dashed\t across\t the\t roadway\t to\t wait\t by\t the\t drawbridge,\t pressed\t against\t the stone. Will\t crouched\t behind\t a\t gorse\t bush,\t waiting\t for\t them\t to\t make\t their\t move. When\t he\t heard\t the\t explosions,\t he\t was\t paralysed\t for\t a\t few\t minutes.\t Without\t a weapon,\t he\t stood\t little\t chance\t against\t Copper\u2019s\t heavily\t armed\t paramilitaries. His\tbest\tchance\twas\tto\tdisarm\ta\tlone\tguard\tand\tattack\tfrom\tthe\trear\twhere\tthey would\t least\t expect\t it.\t He\t thought\t he\t glimpsed\t Copper\t giving\t orders,\t but\t he couldn\u2019t\tbe\tsure\tfrom\tthis\tdistance. He\tlost\tsight\tof\tthe\tgroup\twhen\tCopper\u2019s\tmen\theaded\tinside.\tThere\twas\tnow","only\ta\tsingle\tfigure\tleft\tguarding\tthe\tentrance.\tThis\twas\tthe\tbest\tchance\the\twas going\tto\tget.\tWill\tcrept\tcloser\tand\twas\tnow\tno\tmore\tthan\tthirty\tmetres\taway.\tHe recognised\t the\t guard\t from\t his\t time\t at\t the\t hospital:\t a\t spotty\t youth,\t seventeen\t at most.\t Will\t fancied\t his\t chances\t and\t readied\t himself\t to\t pounce.\t He\t was\t a\t dozen footsteps\taway\twhen\this\tboot\tslipped\ton\ta\trock. It\twas\tas\tif\tthe\tnext\tfew\tmilliseconds\twere\tin\tslow\tmotion.\tThe\tkid\twhipped his\t head\t around,\t surprised\t to\t see\t Will\t so\t close.\t He\t glanced\t down\t to\t flick\t the safety\toff\this\tsemi-automatic\trifle\tbefore\tbringing\tit\tto\tbear.\tWill\tthrew\thimself the\t last\t few\t metres,\t lunging\t at\t the\t weapon,\t trying\t to\t knock\t it\t from\t the\t kid\u2019s grasp.\t The\t boy\t fumbled\t for\t the\t safety\t and\t was\t a\t fraction\t of\t a\t second\t too\t slow. The\t gun\t fired\t just\t as\t Will\u2019s\t lead\t hand\t knocked\t it\t sideways,\t the\t bullet\t passing harmlessly\t through\t the\t fabric\t of\t his\t shirt.\t Will\t wrestled\t the\t gun\t from\t the\t boy\u2019s hands\tand\tbrought\tthe\tbutt\tdown\tagainst\tthe\tside\tof\this\thead,\tknocking\tthe\tyouth out\tcold. Will\tsearched\tthe\tboy\u2019s\tpockets\tand\tfound\ta\ttorch\tand\ttwo\tmore\tclips,\tbefore climbing\t through\t what\t remained\t of\t the\t gate\t and\t drawbridge.\t Standing\t in\t the covered\t entrance\t were\t two\t more\t of\t Copper\u2019s\t men,\t facing\t away\t from\t him, oblivious\tto\this\tapproach.\tAt\tthe\tlast\tmoment,\tone\tof\tthe\tmen\tturned\this\thead.\tIt was\t one\t of\t the\t guards\t from\t the\t hospital,\t responsible\t for\t many\t of\t the\t beatings and\tblows\tWill\thad\tsuffered.\tThe\tother\tman\the\thad\tseen\tat\tthe\tpub. Will\u2019s\tlip\tcurled\tinto\ta\tsnarl,\tas\the\tsqueezed\toff\ta\tshort\tburst\tfrom\tthe\thip\tat close\t range,\t propelling\t the\t man\t forward\t against\t the\t wall.\t His\t next\t victim suffered\t a\t similar\t fate,\t slumping\t to\t the\t ground,\t clutching\t at\t the\t wound\t in\t his lower\t back.\t Will\t stepped\t over\t their\t bodies,\t pausing\t to\t meet\t the\t look\t of\t pained surprise\tfrom\teyes\tthat\twere\talready\tclosing. He\t stood\t with\t his\t back\t against\t the\t wall\t to\t the\t guardhouse,\t catching\t his breath,\t considering\t his\t next\t move.\t Will\t crouched\t down\t suddenly\t as\t a\t face appeared\tat\tthe\twindow\tbefore\tdarting\tout\tof\tsight\tagain.\tWill\tsmiled,\tstruggling to\tcontain\ta\tlaugh.\tA\tblur\tof\tred\thair\tremained\tjust\tvisible.\tIt\thad\tto\tbe\tScottie. There\tcouldn\u2019t\tbe\tmore\tthan\ta\tthousand\tpeople\tleft\talive\twith\thair\tlike\tthat.\tHe put\this\tface\tclose\tto\tthe\tglass\tand\twhispered\tquietly.\t\u201cHey,\tScottie.\tIt\u2019s\tme.\u201d Scottie\t must\t have\t recognised\t the\t friendly\t voice\t instantly,\t but\t remained hidden,\tnot\tquite\tbelieving\this\tears.\t\u201cWill,\tis\tthat\treally\tyou?\u201d \u201cWho\telse\twould\t it\tbe,\tyou\t giant\tsporran?\tGet\tthis\tdoor\topen\twill\tyou\tand get\tout\there.\u201d There\twere\ta\tfew\tseconds\tof\tloud\tscraping\tand\tthumps\tas\tScottie\tmoved\tthe desk\tand\tcabinet\tout\tof\tthe\tway.\tThe\tkey\tturned\tin\tthe\tlock\tand\tthe\theavy\tdoor swung\topen.\tScottie\u2019s\tbeaming\tsmile\tgreeted\tWill\tand\tthey\thugged\teach\tother. \u201cRight,\tladdie.\tTime\tto\tget\tour\town\tback.\u201d","Chapter\tFifty The\thelicopter\tcarrying\tSam\tand\tJack\tlined\tup\tastern\tof\tthe\tAmerican\tdestroyer making\t final\t course\t and\t speed\t corrections\t to\t compensate\t for\t the\t fourteen-knot crosswind.\tThe\tChester\u2019s\tlanding\tarea\twas\tfully\tfloodlit.\tThe\trest\tof\tthe\tship\twas still\t shrouded\t in\t darkness,\t its\t slow\t turning\t radar\t just\t visible.\t A\t forest\t of\t radio masts\tand\tantennas\twere\tsilhouetted\tagainst\ta\tgrey\tskyline,\tgrowing\tbrighter\tin the\tdistance.\tOn\tthe\tdeck\tbelow\tthem,\tan\tair\tmarshal\twas\tstanding\tin\tthe\tshelter of\tthe\taft\tsuperstructure,\tholding\thigh\ttwo\tilluminated\thand\tbeacons\tto\tguide\tthe pilot.\tA\tlight\tsea\tswell\trequired\tprecision\ttiming\tto\tadjust\tfor\tthe\trise\tand\tfall\tof the\tship.\tTo\tSam\u2019s\trelief,\tthey\ttouched\tdown\tsafely\tjust\toff\tcentre\tof\tthe\t\u201cH\u201d\tin the\tlanding\tarea\tat\tthe\tstern\tof\tthe\tdestroyer. The\t pilot\t powered\t down\t the\t engines\t as\t the\t ground\t crew\t hurried\t out\t to\t slide open\t the\t side\t door,\t ready\t to\t transfer\t the\t injured\t on\t to\t two\t trolleys\t that\t were brought\tout\tto\tmeet\tthe\taircraft.\tSam\twiped\ttears\tfrom\this\teyes,\tstill\thaunted\tby what\the\thad\tseen\tas\tthey\u2019d\tflown\tover\tthe\tcastle.\tHe\tunclipped\this\tharness,\tand helped\tthe\tairmen\tlift\tthe\tfirst\tgurney\tholding\tthe\twounded\tsoldier\ton\tto\tthe\tdeck of\t the\t ship.\t On\t a\t count\t of\t three,\t they\t levered\t Jack's\t barely\t conscious\t body\t up and\t over\t the\t trolley\u2019s\t metal\t rail,\t which\t was\t promptly\t raised\t and\t clamped\t into position.\t Two\t crewmembers\t from\t the\t Chester\t took\t over\t the\t care\t of\t the\t injured and\twheeled\tthem\tinside,\ttowards\tthe\tdim\tred\tlight\tof\tthe\tship\u2019s\thatch. Sam\t followed\t silently\t behind\t Jack\u2019s\t trolley,\t his\t mind\t still\t trying\t to\t make sense\t of\t the\t confused\t scenes\t he\t had\t witnessed\t on\t their\t return,\t in\t particular\t the inferno\tburning\tin\tthe\tcanteen\tand\tstores.\tWhat\tcould\thave\thappened?\tHe\tcould only\tassume\tthe\tcastle\twas\tunder\tattack,\tbut\tby\twhom\tand\twhy? Peterson\t caught\t up\t with\t them:\t \u201cWait\t up.\u201d\t Sam\t paused\t in\t the\t cramped confines\tof\ta\tpassageway,\tjust\twide\tenough\tfor\ttwo\tmen\tto\tpass,\twith\tpipes\tand overhead\t cabling\t stretching\t as\t far\t as\t he\t could\t see.\t Peterson\t put\t an\t arm\t around Sam\u2019s\tshoulder.\t\u201cI\u2019ll\task\tthe\tmaster\tof\tthe\twatch\tto\tset\tyou\tup\twith\tsomewhere to\tsleep.\tYou\thungry?\u201d \u201cIf\tit\u2019s\tokay\twith\tyou,\tI\u2019d\tlike\tto\tstay\twith\tJack,\u201d\tsaid\tSam. \u201cHe\u2019ll\t be\t well\t looked\t after.\t The\t medic\t will\t patch\t him\t up.\t If\t I\t were\t you,\t I\u2019d get\tsome\trest.\tAs\tsoon\tas\tit\u2019s\tlight,\twe\u2019ll\ttake\ta\tsquad\tback\tto\tHurst\tto\tfind\tout what\thappened.\tPetty\tOfficer\tFlannigan\twill\ttake\tcare\tof\tyou.\tJust\ttell\thim\twhat","you\tneed\tand\the\u2019ll\tfix\tyou\tup.\u201d Flannigan\twas\tstanding\tready,\this\thands\tbehind\this\tback.\tHe\twore\ta\tblue\tT- shirt\twith\tthe\tship\u2019s\tinsignia\ton\tit.\tHe\tacknowledged\tthe\torder\tand\tinvited\tSam to\tfollow\thim\tdown\tto\tthe\tmedical\tcentre. **** The\tsurgeon\tattended\tto\tJack,\tdressed\tin\tgreen\toveralls\tand\ta\tsurgical\tmask\tthat obscured\t half\t his\t face.\t He\t looked\t up\t at\t Sam\t with\t smiling\t eyes,\t noting\t his melancholy.\t \u201cYou\t must\t be\t Sam.\t People\t call\t me\t Doc.\t I\u2019m\t the\t senior\t medical officer\ton\tthis\tship.\tLooks\tlike\tyour\tfriend\tJack\there\thas\tbeen\tin\tthe\twars.\tDon\u2019t worry.\tWe\u2019ll\thave\thim\tback\ton\this\tfeet\tin\tno\ttime.\u201d Sam\t thanked\t the\t surgeon\t and\t lingered\t shell-shocked\t as\t a\t female\t nurse swabbed\tthe\tnasty-looking\twound\tto\ta\tshoulder\tthat\twould\tneed\tseveral\tstitches. Flannigan\t escorted\t him\t back\t to\t a\t waiting\t room\t along\t the\t corridor.\t As\t soon\t as Sam\t sat\t down\t on\t the\t plastic\t chair,\t he\t was\t overwhelmed\t with\t tiredness.\t By\t the time\t Flannigan\t reappeared\t with\t a\t mess\t tray\t complete\t with\t a\t mug\t of\t coffee,\t a carton\t of\t milk,\t some\t pasta\t with\t tomato\t sauce,\t together\t with\t canned\t fruit\t in syrup,\tSam\thad\this\thead\tback\tagainst\tthe\twhitewashed\twall,\talready\tfast\tasleep. **** Flannigan\t left\t him\t to\t sleep,\t shaking\t him\t awake\t a\t few\t hours\t later,\t the\t tray\t still beside\this\tchair,\tuntouched.\tSam\tlooked\tup,\this\teyes\tred\tand\tswollen,\tto\tsee\tthe welcome\t sight\t of\t Jack\t standing\t there,\t braced\t against\t the\t doorway.\t Jack\t wore\t a US\t navy\t grey\t sweatshirt,\t his\t face\t still\t pale,\t his\t arm\t in\t a\t sling,\t but\t with\t a purposeful\tlook\tabout\thim. \u201cThey\t told\t me\t what\t happened,\t Sam.\t About\t Terra.\t About\t Hurst.\u201d\t His\t voice was\t croaky\t when\t he\t spoke.\t He\t swallowed\t hard,\t before\t continuing\t in\t a\t low voice,\tthrough\tgritted\tteeth.\t\u201cWe\u2019ve\tgot\tto\tget\tback\tthere.\tWe\tshould\tnever\thave left\tour\tpeople.\u201d The\t surgeon\t appeared\t behind\t him,\t eavesdropping\t on\t their\t conversation. \u201cNow\thold\tup,\tJack.\tWhen\tmy\tmen\tfound\tyou,\tyou\twere\tin\tshock,\tin\tno\tstate\tto do\t anything.\t What\t you\t need,\t my\t friend,\t is\t a\t couple\t of\t days\u2019\t bed\t rest.\u201d\t He paused,\tnoticing\tthe\twild\tlook\tin\tJack\u2019s\teyes.\t\u201cBut\tI\tcan\tsee\tfrom\tthe\thalf-crazed look\tin\tyour\teyes\tthat\tthat\u2019s\tnot\tgoing\tto\thappen.\tBest\tthing\tI\tcan\tsuggest\tis\tthat I\t take\t you\t straight\t to\t the\t bridge\t and\t you\t talk\t to\t the\t commanding\t officer, Lieutenant\tPeterson.\tI\tthink\ty\u2019all\thave\tmet.\u201d \u201cI\tappreciate\tyour\tconcern,\tdoctor,\tbut\tI\tneed\tto\tget\toff\tthis\tship\tand\tfind\tout","what\thappened.\tMy\tplace\tis\twith\tmy\tpeople.\u201d \u201cVery\t well.\t Flannigan,\t can\t you\t take\t these\t gentlemen\t to\t the\t bridge\t and\t find the\tCO?\u201d It\twas\ta\tlong\twalk\tthrough\tcountless\tcorridors,\tupstairs\tand\talong\ta\tmaze\tof passageways\t that\t twisted\t and\t turned\t past\t rooms\t full\t of\t sleeping\t men,\t of\t loud machinery,\t panels\t with\t flashing\t lights,\t knobs\t and\t dials,\t mess\t halls\t and\t store rooms,\t looking\t left\t and\t right.\t It\t was\t a\t busy\t hive\t of\t activity.\t All\t the\t crewmen they\tpassed\twere\tpolite\tand\tstepped\tout\tof\ttheir\tway\tinto\trecesses\tor\tdoorways, staring\tafter\tthem.\tJack\tcould\tsense\tthey\twere\tbeing\twatched. It\twas\tpossible\tthey\twere\tthe\tfirst\tcivilians\tthey\thad\tseen\tin\tquite\tsome\ttime, being\t insulated\t and\t cut\t off\t from\t the\t outside\t world.\t The\t look\t on\t their\t faces masked\t a\t thousand\t questions,\t but\t at\t the\t same\t time,\t they\t were\t wary\t of\t the newcomers.\tThey\tstepped\tback;\tsome\tof\tthem\tshielded\ttheir\tfaces\tor\teven\theld their\t breath.\t Jack\t imagined\t that\t they\t had\t seen\t the\t virus\t at\t close\t quarters\t on board\tand\tremained\tcautious\tof\toutsiders,\tgiving\tthem\ta\twide\tberth. They\t approached\t a\t grey\t security\t door\t with\t the\t letters\t \u201cBridge\u201d\t stencilled across\t its\t centre.\t An\t armed\t guard\t stepped\t into\t their\t path\t and\t asked\t them\t their names.\t Jack\t noticed\t a\t sidearm\t in\t his\t holster.\t He\t eyed\t the\t two\t civilians suspiciously,\t glancing\t from\t one\t to\t the\t other\t and\t back\t at\t Flannigan,\t before pressing\t the\t intercom\t to\t announce\t their\t arrival.\t The\t door\t was\t buzzed\t open\t and the\tgroup\tstepped\tinside. The\t bridge\t reminded\t Jack\t of\t stepping\t into\t the\t cockpit\t of\t an\t airliner,\t just much\t bigger.\t Every\t wall\t and\t panel\t was\t a\t sea\t of\t lights,\t computer\t monitors\t and flashing\t buttons.\t Uniformed\t men\t with\t binoculars\t scanned\t the\t horizon\t for\t other vessels.\t Looking\t out\t over\t the\t ship\u2019s\t bow\t cresting\t through\t the\t waves,\t Jack realised\t it\t was\t just\t before\t dawn.\t The\t sky\t was\t brighter\t in\t the\t east\t towards\t the island,\t just\t visible\t in\t the\t distance.\t To\t their\t north-west,\t towards\t Bournemouth and\t Christchurch,\t a\t patch\t of\t black\t clouds\t hurried\t through,\t rainsqualls\t falling beneath.\t Sunrise\t was\t around\t twenty\t minutes\t away,\t but\t it\t was\t growing\t brighter by\t the\t minute.\t Once\t the\t rain\t cleared\t it\t looked\t set\t to\t be\t a\t clear,\t crisp\t morning. Peterson\t was\t speaking\t into\t what\t looked\t like\t an\t old-fashioned\t grey-green telephone,\t relaying\t commands,\t talking\t animatedly\t but\t with\t calm\t authority.\t He looked\tup\tand\tsaw\tSam\tand\tJack\twaiting\tpatiently\tand\thung\tup. \u201cHow\tare\tyou\tfeeling,\tJack?\u201d\tHe\tinclined\this\thead\twith\tsome\tconcern.\t\u201cDoc tells\t me\t you\u2019ll\t need\t time\t to\t recover\t your\t strength.\t Recommended\t you\t stay\t put for\t a\t couple\t of\t days\t until\t you\u2019re\t better.\u201d\t Jack\u2019s\t eyebrows\t narrowed\t and\t he\t was just\ton\tthe\tpoint\tof\tsaying\tsomething\the\tmight\tregret,\twhen\tPeterson\traised\this hand.\t \u201cPlease,\t Jack,\t let\t me\t finish.\t I\t told\t him\t in\t no\t uncertain\t terms\t that\t while\t I respect\this\tmedical\topinion,\tif\tit\twas\tme,\tI\twould\tprobably\tjump\tover\tboard\tand","swim\tthe\trest\tof\tthe\tway\tto\tbe\twith\tmy\tteam.\u201d Jack\t smiled.\t He\t admired\t Peterson.\t He\t had\t an\t easy\t manner\t around\t other people,\t a\t sense\t of\t irony\t uncommon\t in\t the\t few\t Americans\t he\u2019d\t met,\t and\t a\t very \u201cBritish\u201d,\tor\tat\tleast\ttransatlantic,\toutlook.\tAltogether\tit\tmade\thim\ta\tgood\tleader in\t the\t circumstances.\t He\t was\t capable\t of\t uniting\t all\t the\t disparate\t groups. Peterson\t maintained\t eye\t contact\t with\t Jack,\t watching\t his\t expressions\t change, studying\thim\tcarefully\tbefore\tcontinuing.\tJack\twas\tnormally\tso\tgood\tat\treading people,\t so\t why\t did\t he\t find\t Peterson\t so\t intriguing,\t so\t full\t of\t small contradictions?\tHe\tsuspected\tthere\twas\tmore\tto\thim\tthan\tmet\tthe\teye. \u201cSo\t here\u2019s\t what\t I\u2019m\t going\t to\t do,\u201d\t continued\t Peterson.\t \u201cWe\t have\t a\t UAV prepped\tfor\tlaunch\tonce\tthere\u2019s\t enough\tdaylight\tto\t see\tanything.\tWhat\tdo\tyou say\twe\tmake\ta\tsweep\tover\tHurst?\tFind\tout\twhat\u2019s\tgoing\ton\tthere\tand\tthen\tpush on\tto\tOsborne\tand\tsee\tif\twe\tcan\u2019t\ttrack\tdown\tBriggs.\tSound\tlike\ta\tplan?\u201d Jack\t looked\t from\t Peterson\t to\t Sam\t and\t back\t again,\t wondering\t what\t the\t hell he\twas\ttalking\tabout. Peterson\tnoticed\tJack\u2019s\tconfusion\tand\tapologised.\t\u201cSorry,\tnavy\tjargon,\tJack. Unmanned\tAerial\tVehicle.\tI\u2019m\tsure\tyou\u2019re\tfamiliar\twith\tthe\tPredator\tor\tReaper drones\tused\tby\tthe\tAir\tForce\tfor\thunting\tdown\tterrorists.\u201d Jack\t nodded.\t He\t knew\t exactly\t what\t Peterson\t was\t talking\t about\t now.\t He remembered\t the\t grainy\t footage\t from\t Syria,\t Iraq\t and\t Afghanistan\t live-streamed for\t TV\t news\t audiences\t of\t vehicles\t exploding,\t remote\t piloted\t from\t a\t darkened room\tthousands\tof\tmiles\taway.\tHe\thad\tno\tidea\tthey\thad\tdrones\ton\tships\ttoo. \u201cOf\tcourse,\tthe\tdrones\twe\tuse\tare\ta\tlittle\tbit\tdifferent.\tShorter\trange,\tsmaller payloads,\tbut\tvery\teffective\tat\tgetting\teyes\ton\ta\ttarget\tfor\tmissile\tstrikes.\tWe\tuse them\t for\t reconnaissance\t before\t we\t put\t boots\t on\t the\t ground.\t We\t like\t to\t know what\twe\u2019re\tup\tagainst.\tIf\tit\u2019s\tokay\twith\tyou,\twhy\tdon\u2019t\twe\tgrab\ta\tcup\tof\tcoffee and\t go\t watch\t on\t the\t big\t monitors\t in\t the\t stateroom?\t We\u2019ll\t be\t more\t comfortable there.\t Acting\t XO,\t you\t have\t the\t conn.\t Jansen,\t can\t you\t pipe\t the\t feed\t through? Follow\tme,\tgentlemen.\u201d Sam\t and\t Jack\t followed\t Peterson\t through\t the\t ship\t to\t a\t stateroom\t that\t was luxuriously\tappointed,\tbeyond\ttheir\texpectations.\tLeather\tchairs,\tLavazza\tcoffee machine,\thighly\tpolished\tmahogany\ttable,\twalls\tlined\twith\ttrophies.\tThere\twere colour\tphotos\tof\tthe\tship\tand\tits\tcrew,\tof\tthe\tpresident,\tof\ttheir\thome\tport\tin\tSan Diego,\tof\ttheir\tformer\tcaptain\tand\tXO,\tburied\tat\tsea\twith\tfull\tmilitary\thonours. He\tinvited\tthem\tto\ttake\ta\tseat,\tserved\tthem\thot\tdrinks\tand\twaited\tfor\tthe\tscreen to\t power\t up.\t In\t the\t corner,\t a\t technician\t busied\t himself\t at\t a\t control\t panel. Checking\tconnections\tand\tsettings,\the\t looked\tup\texpectantly\tbefore\tthe\tscreen sprung\tinto\tlife. It\t took\t a\t few\t seconds\t for\t the\t feed\t from\t the\t drone\t to\t stabilise.\t They\t could","make\t out\t markings\t and\t numbers\t along\t the\t bottom\t of\t the\t screen,\t giving\t flight data\t back\t to\t the\t operator.\t Peterson\t put\t on\t a\t headset\t and,\t when\t he\t spoke,\t his voice\t was\t broadcast\t to\t the\t room\t so\t they\t could\t all\t hear\t the\t exchange.\t The\t feed now\t showed\t the\t drone\t flying\t at\t around\t one\t hundred\t metres\t above\t sea\t level, heading\tnorth-east\ttowards\tHurst.\tAfter\ta\tfew\tminutes\tof\tflight\ttime,\tthey\tcould see\tthe\tNeedles\trocks\tin\tthe\tdistance\tlooming\tlarge\tbefore\tthe\tnose\tof\tthe\tdrone seemed\tto\tcome\tup\tas\tits\tspeed\tslowed\tand\tthe\twelcome\tsight\tof\tthe\tcastle\tcame into\tview. Jack\t leaned\t forward,\t trying\t to\t make\t out\t the\t detail.\t Two\t separate\t plumes\t of smoke\t were\t rising\t hundreds\t of\t feet\t into\t the\t air;\t one\t from\t around\t the\t centre\t of the\t flank\t wall\t facing\t the\t Needles\t and\t the\t other\t seemed\t to\t originate\t from\t the Tudor\t castle\t itself.\t The\t drone\t came\t into\t a\t hover\t descending\t slowly\t above\t the southern\t wall,\t panning\t around\t to\t left\t and\t right.\t The\t original\t gun\t battery\t was now\t beneath\t them,\t where\t cannon\t would\t have\t faced\t outward\t guarding\t the entrance\t to\t the\t Solent.\t To\t Jack\u2019s\t and\t Sam\u2019s\t surprise,\t a\t figure\t they\t both recognised\t stood\t on\t the\t ramparts,\t waving\t a\t weapon\t above\t his\t head,\t beckoning towards\tthe\tdrone,\this\tlips\tmoving.\tHe\tseemed\tto\tbe\tshouting\tsomething. Jack\tturned\texcitedly\tto\tPeterson:\t\u201cDo\twe\thave\taudio?\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tafraid\tnot.\tNot\ton\tthis\tUAV\tmodel.\tDo\tyou\tknow\tthis\tguy?\u201d \u201cKnow\thim?\tYou\tcould\tsay\tthat.\u201d\t He\tslapped\tSam\ton\tthe\tback,\trelieved\tto see\tWill\treturned\tsafe.\t\u201cLooks\tlike\the\tmade\tit\tback\tjust\tin\tthe\tnick\tof\ttime.\u201d","Chapter\tFifty-one Will\t and\t Scottie\t had\t fought\t their\t way\t on\t to\t the\t western\t ramparts\t of\t the\t castle complex\tand\twere\texchanging\tfire\twith\ttwo\tof\tCopper\u2019s\tmen.\tThey\ttook\tturns\tto provide\t covering\t fire.\t Copper\u2019s\t men\t were\t looking\t nervously\t over\t their shoulders,\t perhaps\t worried\t about\t being\t cut\t off\t in\t case\t of\t a\t retreat.\t The\t main attacking\t force\t was\t still\t locked\t in\t skirmishes\t with\t Tommy\t and\t the\t rest\t of\t the riflemen\t on\t the\t roof\t of\t the\t gun\t tower\t who,\t by\t all\t accounts,\t were\t putting\t up\t a robust\tdefence. The\tfire\tin\tthe\tcanteen\twas\tdying\tdown.\tThere\twas\tnothing\tleft\tto\tburn.\tThe cardboard\t boxes\t and\t flammable\t contents\t of\t the\t storeroom\t had\t burned themselves\t out.\t The\t heat\t of\t the\t inferno\t had\t been\t considerable.\t Most\t likely fuelled\t by\t the\t industrial-size\t drum\t of\t cooking\t oil\t that\t Will\t assumed\t must\t have exploded,\tsending\ta\tmassive\tsmoke\tcloud\tbillowing\tinto\tthe\tpre-dawn\tsky.\tThe canteen\t was\t now\t a\t shell.\t The\t kitchen\t and\t serving\t counter\t were\t barely recognisable\tin\tthe\tcharred\tand\tblackened\twreck. On\t Scottie\u2019s\t belt,\t the\t walkie-talkie\t crackled\t with\t static\t on\t its\t clip.\t He fumbled\twith\tthe\tvolume\tdial,\tstraining\tto\thear\tover\tthe\texchange\tof\tgunfire.\tIt was\tNathan\tagain,\tchecking\ton\ttheir\tprogress. \u201cWe\u2019re\t making\t our\t way\t to\t your\t position,\u201d\t responded\t Scottie\t breathlessly. \u201cETA\t five\t minutes,\t if\t we\t can\t just\t get\t past\t these\t two\t guys\t firing\t on\t us.\t Any chance\tyou\tcan\thelp?\u201d Nathan\tregretfully\tinformed\thim\tthat\tthey\thad\ttheir\town\tbattle\tto\tfight.\tThere was\tnothing\tfor\tit.\tWill\tand\tScottie\twere\ton\ttheir\town. Copper\u2019s\t men\t finally\t made\t their\t move.\t Firing\t wildly\t over\t Will\u2019s\t position, they\t scrambled\t towards\t the\t rest\t of\t their\t group\t sheltering\t just\t outside\t the\t Tudor gate.\tWill\tsaw\tthem\tleave\tcover\tand\ttook\tcareful\taim,\tsqueezing\toff\ta\tshort\tburst that\tscythed\tdown\tthe\ttwo\tfigures.\tThey\tlanded\tin\ta\ttangle\tof\tlimbs\ton\tthe\tgrass. One\tclawed\this\tway\tto\tsafety\tbehind\ta\tpillar,\this\tweapon\tabandoned\ta\tfew\tyards behind\tin\tthe\topen.\tScottie\tpatted\tWill\ton\tthe\tback\tand\tcovered\thim\tas\the\tmoved up\t to\t the\t next\t doorway,\t scanning\t for\t targets.\t Their\t rapid\t advance\t attacking Copper\u2019s\t exposed\t flank\t induced\t panic\t as\t several\t faces\t pointing\t apprehensively in\t their\t direction.\t A\t strange\t humming\t noise\t to\t their\t right\t made\t Will\t reach\t out and\thaul\tScottie\tback.\tIt\tsounded\tlike\ta\tlarge\tinsect\ttrapped\tinside\ta\tgreenhouse","on\ta\tsummer\u2019s\tday.\tHe\tcraned\this\thead\tround,\tscanning\tthe\tskies\ttrying\tto\tplace what\t had\t to\t be\t man-made.\t Its\t pitch\t altered\t as\t the\t drone\t changed\t position, moving\tcloser\ttowards\tthem.\tKeeping\tclose\tto\tthe\twall,\tstaying\tout\tof\tsight,\tWill backtracked\tto\tthe\tstairs\tand\tclimbed\tback\tup\ton\tto\tthe\tramparts. Standing\t on\t the\t top\t with\t a\t panoramic\t view\t of\t the\t Needles\t passage,\t he\t was shielded\tfrom\tview\tby\tan\told\tconcrete\tmachine\tgun\tnest,\tdating\tfrom\tthe\tSecond World\tWar.\tTo\this\tsurprise,\the\tcame\tface\tto\tface\twith\twhat\tlooked\tlike\ta\tchild\u2019s toy\ton\tsteroids.\tSix\trotors\tsupported\tthe\tdrone\u2019s\tweight,\tlike\ta\tlarge\tbumblebee. Will\tguessed\tit\twas\tmilitary,\tand\tsincerely\thoped\tit\twas\tfriendly.\tIt\tseemed\tto\tbe paying\tparticular\tattention\tto\thim,\tso\the\tstarted\twaving\tand\tshouting\tin\tcase\tthey could\thear\this\tvoice.\tPerhaps\tthey\twere\ttrying\tto\tcommunicate. **** Copper\t was\t already\t wary\t of\t being\t cut\t off\t from\t his\t prearranged\t exit\t route towards\tthe\twaiting\tferry.\tIf\tthings\tdid\tnot\tgo\tto\tplan,\the\twanted\tto\tavoid\thaving to\t go\t back\t the\t way\t they\t came.\t Going\t over\t the\t wall\t on\t to\t the\t beach\t and\t the waiting\t R.I.B.\t was\t too\t exposed,\t too\t dangerous.\t There\t was\t no\t sign\t of\t the\t kid they\u2019d\t left\t to\t guard\t the\t main\t gate.\t Chances\t were\t he\t was\t already\t back\t on\t the boat.\t He\t knew\t it\t was\t a\t mistake\t to\t bring\t a\t boy.\t It\t had\t been\t the\t boss\u2019s\t idea\t to \u201cblood\u201d\ta\tteenager. Where\t had\t these\t other\t two\t come\t from?\t How\t did\t his\t men\t fail\t to\t find\t them during\ttheir\tsweep\tof\tthe\toutbuildings,\twhen\tthey\twere\trounding\tup\tprisoners\tin the\t western\t wing?\t Perhaps\t there\t were\t more\t of\t them\t hiding\t out\t of\t sight.\t He could\tnot\tbe\tsure\tthere\twas\tnot\ta\tnetwork\tof\ttunnels\trunning\tbeneath\ttheir\tfeet, the\t length\t and\t breadth\t of\t the\t castle,\t like\t the\t man\t had\t suggested.\t Copper\t was already\t getting\t cold\t feet.\t This\t whole\t attack\t had\t been\t a\t grand\t folly.\t The\t girls were\t probably\t never\t brought\t here.\t He\t had\t already\t lost\t too\t much\t tonight.\t He counted\tseven\tdead\tand\tfive\tor\tsix\twounded.\tThey\tcould\tnow\tbarely\tmuster\tan effective\tfighting\tforce. He\t looked\t around\t him\t at\t the\t contours\t of\t the\t grey\t walls\t and\t up\t into\t the brightening\t sky.\t Dawn\t was\t only\t a\t few\t minutes\t away.\t Their\t plan\t had\t depended on\t darkness,\t the\t advantage\t of\t surprise,\t not\t to\t mention\t superior\t weaponry\t and tactics.\t They\t were\t running\t out\t of\t time.\t The\t boss\u2019s\t plan\t to\t smoke\t the\t defenders out\thad\tfailed.\tIt\twas\tan\told\tbuilding,\tmade\tof\tstone,\tand\tnone\tof\tthe\tfires\tthey had\t lit\t had\t really\t taken\t hold,\t bar\t one.\t What\u2019s\t more,\t it\t had\t begun\t to\t rain,\t a\t fine drizzle\tfalling,\tdampening\tdown\twhat\tfew\tflames\tthey\thad\tmanaged. His\t boss\t seemed\t increasingly\t frustrated\t by\t Copper\u2019s\t inability\t to\t make\t any headway\t against\t the\t Hurst\t defenders.\t The\t man\t in\t black\t cared\t little\t for\t their","losses. \u201cThere\twill\talways\tbe\tplenty\tmore\tlike\tthem.\tMen\twanting\tto\tbear\tarms\tand vent\ttheir\tfury\ton\tthe\tworld,\u201d\this\tboss\thad\tonce\tsaid.\tIt\twas\tlike\ta\tgame\tto\thim. He\t seemed\t strangely\t amused\t by\t how\t even\t the\t most\t rational,\t sane,\t law-abiding person\t could\t be\t corrupted\t by\t power.\t Acting\t without\t consequences\t was intoxicating,\t for\t anyone.\t He\t called\t it\t a\t licence\t of\t impunity.\t It\t was\t a\t grand experiment\t to\t see\t who\t could\t be\t influenced.\t His\t boss\t took\t a\t perverse\t delight\t in manipulating\t others,\t pulling\t their\t strings,\t like\t some\t puppet\t master.\t Copper allowed\thim\this\tsmall\tvictories.\tHe\tunderstood\tthe\tgame\tand\tplayed\tby\tits\trules, for\tnow.\tHis\tboss\teven\tboasted\tonce\tthat\twinning\tover\tCopper\tand\this\tsquad\tof former\tpolicemen\twas\tone\tof\this\tfinest\tachievements. According\tto\this\tboss,\tno\tone\twas\timmune\tto\tthe\tlure\tof\tpower.\tCopper\thad seen\t it\t so\t many\t times,\t even\t before\t the\t breakdown.\t In\t this\t new\t world\t without boundaries,\t formerly\t respectable\t figures\t of\t society,\t judges,\t teachers,\t and particularly\t policemen,\t had\t been\t driven\t to\t extreme\t behaviours,\t in\t the\t secure knowledge\t that\t the\t justice\t system\t had\t failed.\t There\t would\t be\t no\t knock\t on\t the door,\tno\trepercussions.\tKilling\twas\tlike\ta\tdrug,\tand\this\tboss\tsaw\thimself\tas\tthe pusher.\tHe\tbelieved\tthat\tevery\tred-blooded\thuman\thad\tthe\tright\tto\tquench\ttheir base\tthirst\tfor\tviolence\tand\tdestruction. Copper\t leaned\t in\t close\t to\t his\t boss\t and\t spoke\t quietly:\t \u201cIt\u2019s\t time\t we\t were leaving.\tDaybreak\tis\tless\tthan\tan\thour\taway.\u201d The\t man\t in\t black\t cocked\t his\t head\t and\t stared\t back\t at\t Copper,\t refusing\t to lower\t his\t voice.\t \u201cWhat\t exactly\t are\t you\t afraid\t of?\t We\t haven\u2019t\t come\t this\t far\t to give\tup\tnow.\u201d\tHe\tseemed\tunconcerned\tby\twho\tmight\thear\ttheir\tconversation. \u201cIf\t we\t stay\t here\t much\t longer,\t we\u2019ll\t be\t vulnerable\t to\t a\t counter-attack,\u201d counselled\t Copper,\t appealing\t to\t his\t common\t sense.\t \u201cWe\t can\u2019t\t risk\t getting\t cut off.\tIf\twe\tleave\tnow,\twe\tlive\tto\tfight\tanother\tday.\u201d His\t boss\t sneered\t at\t Copper.\t \u201cWe\u2019re\t not\t leaving\t without\t those\t girls.\t Unless we\tfind\tthem,\tall\tthis\twill\tbe\ta\twasted\teffort.\u201d \u201cWe\thave\tit\ton\tgood\tauthority\tthat\tthe\tgirls\twere\tnever\there.\tStaying\tto\tfight is\t folly.\u201d\t Despite\t his\t attempt\t to\t remain\t calm,\t he\t was\t growing\t increasingly frustrated\twith\this\tcommander\u2019s\trefusal\tto\tlisten. \u201cYou\tshouldn\u2019t\tbelieve\teverything\tyou\u2019re\ttold,\u201d\the\tmocked. Copper\tnoticed\tthe\trest\tof\this\tmen\thad\tstopped\ttalking\tand\twere\tlistening\tto their\t exchange.\t He\t knew\t what\t they\t were\t thinking.\t Their\t boss\t had\t lost\t it.\t This was\tpure\trage.\tHe\twasn\u2019t\tthinking\tstraight.\tThe\tmen\u2019s\tloyalty\twas\tto\tCopper\tand it\twas\tup\tto\thim\tto\tput\tan\tend\tto\tthis.\tHe\tneeded\tto\ttake\tcontrol. Sarge\t waved\t Copper\t over\t and\t whispered\t conspiratorially\t for\t a\t few\t minutes, standing\ta\tfew\tyards\taway\tfrom\tthe\trest.\tCopper\tnodded\tback\tto\tthe\tsergeant\tbut","didn\u2019t\t look\t totally\t convinced.\t On\t reflection,\t it\t seemed\t like\t the\t only\t option.\t It was\t in\t the\t best\t interests\t of\t the\t group.\t Their\t commander\t could\t no\t longer\t be trusted,\tCopper\thad\tto\ttake\tcharge\tbefore\tanyone\telse\tgot\tkilled. His\t boss\t was\t oblivious\t to\t their\t discussions,\t keeping\t his\t eyes\t fixed\t on\t the gate,\t listening\t to\t the\t movement\t and\t voices\t beyond.\t Copper\t walked\t up\t behind him,\t raised\t the\t butt\t of\t his\t rifle\t and\t brought\t it\t crashing\t down\t against\t his\t skull, knocking\thim\tout\tcold.\tHis\tbody\tcollapsed\tlimply\ton\tto\tthe\tgrass.\tOne\tman\ttook his\tarms,\tanother\this\tfeet\tand\tthey\tcarried\tthe\tunconscious\tman\tback\tthrough\tthe courtyard\ttowards\tthe\tmain\tgate,\thugging\tthe\tcover\tof\tthe\twall. A\thail\tof\tbullets\ttore\tup\tthe\tground\tin\tfront\tof\tthem.\tThe\tgunfire\twas\tcoming from\t the\t west,\t leaving\t them\t totally\t exposed.\t As\t one\t man\t tried\t to\t continue forward,\tthe\tother\tpulled\taway\tand\tbetween\tthem\tthey\tdropped\ttheir\tboss\u2019s\tinert body\t on\t the\t ground.\t They\t both\t raced\t into\t the\t covered\t main\t entrance,\t throwing their\tbacks\tagainst\tthe\twall. Copper\tshouted\tafter\tthem.\tThey\tcouldn\u2019t\tleave\thim\tbehind.\tMutiny\twas\tone thing,\tbut\tleaving\thim\tto\tbe\tcaptured\twas\tfar\tworse.\tThe\tremainder\tof\tCopper\u2019s group\tdidn\u2019t\tlook\tback\tand\twalked\ton.\tThey\tsupported\tthe\twalking\twounded\tout with\t them.\t Squeezing\t through\t the\t blast\t hole\t in\t the\t drawbridge,\t they\t trudged dejected\t from\t the\t castle\t towards\t the\t waiting\t ferry\t boat\t whose\t tired-sounding engines\twere\tspluttering\tnoisily,\tready\tto\tcast\toff\tas\tsoon\tas\tthe\tlast\tof\tthe\tgroup was\tback\ton\tboard. Copper\t paused\t at\t the\t drawbridge,\t one\t foot\t through\t the\t blast\t hole,\t as\t he looked\t back\t towards\t the\t courtyard\t with\t a\t heavy\t heart.\t This\t was\t not\t what\t he\u2019d planned.\t This\t time\t there\t would\t be\t consequences,\t of\t that\t he\t had\t no\t doubt. Regardless\t of\t how\t he\t felt,\t he\t couldn\u2019t\t reach\t his\t leader\t now\t without\t risking\t his own\tlife,\trunning\tthe\tgauntlet\tunder\tfire.\tHe\tshook\this\thead,\tturned\ttowards\tthe jetty\tand\tjogged\tafter\tthe\tothers.\tThere\twould\tbe\thell\tto\tpay\tfor\tthis\ttreachery. **** The\t UAV\t controller\t chewed\t gum\t in\t a\t swivel\t chair\t in\t the\t semi-darkness\t of\t the Chester\u2019s\t control\t room,\t bathed\t in\t a\t red\t glow\t from\t several\t night\t lights.\t Various screens\tand\tflashing\tbuttons\tcast\ta\tghostly\tgrey\tmonochrome\tover\tthe\toperator\u2019s furrowed\tbrow\tand\twire-framed\tglasses.\tHe\twas\tsquinting\tat\tthe\tscreen\ttrying\tto lip-read\t what\t the\t man\t on\t the\t rampart\t was\t saying.\t He\u2019d\t zoomed\t the\t camera\t in close,\t but\t the\t resolution\t wasn\u2019t\t great\t and\t the\t drone\t was\t as\t close\t as\t he\t dared\t to the\tcastle\twalls\twithout\tendangering\tits\trotors. \u201cCO,\t are\t you\t getting\t this?\t Looks\t like\t he\u2019s\t mouthing\t something,\t trying\t to send\tus\ta\tmessage?\u201d","\u201cCopy\tthat.\tAny\tidea\twhat\the\u2019s\tsaying?\u201d \u201cThe\tboys\treckon\the\u2019s\tsaying:\t\u2018Send\thelp,\tmany\tcasualties\u2019.\tBut\thonestly,\tsir, without\taudio,\tfor\tall\twe\tknow,\the\tcould\tbe\tordering\tpizza.\u201d \u201cOkay,\t let\u2019s\t take\t a\t look\t around,\t please.\t Get\t the\t XO\t on\t the\t line,\t and\t get\t a medical\t team\t prepped\t to\t go\t help\t those\t guys.\t Let\t the\t team\t know\t that\t they\t have multiple\tcasualties.\tUrgent\tmedical\tattention\t required.\tMake\tsure\tthey\thave\tan armed\tescort.\tWe\twon\u2019t\tknow\twhat\u2019s\tgoing\ton\tthere.\u201d The\tdrone\trose\thigh\tover\tWill\u2019s\thead\tand\tpanned\taround\tthe\trest\tof\tthe\tcastle. The\t on-screen\t image\t showed\t the\t dying\t embers\t of\t a\t campfire,\t passing\t over\t the courtyard,\tpausing\tto\ttake\tphotos\tof\tthe\tdamaged\tcanteen.\tAlong\tone\twall,\tthere were\t several\t bodies,\t slumped\t against\t the\t wall.\t From\t the\t groupings\t of\t bullet marks\t in\t the\t stone,\t it\t looked\t to\t Jack\t like\t a\t scene\t of\t execution.\t Jack\t and\t Sam leaned\tcloser,\ttrying\tto\t make\tout\tany\tdistinguishable\tfeatures\tor\tclothing.\tSam let\t out\t a\t pained\t cry\t as\t he\t recognised\t two\t of\t his\t mates.\t Jack\t said\t nothing, clenching\this\tfists\trepeatedly,\tgrinding\this\tteeth. The\t drone\t moved\t away,\t hovering\t over\t the\t gate\t to\t the\t inner\t courtyard.\t It picked\tout\tmore\tbodies.\tInjured\tmen\tand\twomen\twere\tbeing\ttended\tto\tand\tmade comfortable.\tThere\twere\tno\tsigns\tof\tflames\tin\tthe\tmain\tbuilding,\tjust\tsmoke\tand blackened\tdoorways,\tsome\tburned-out\tdebris\tlying\tnearby.\tThe\teastern\twing\tof the\t castle\t appeared\t untouched.\t They\t could\t see\t figures\t emerging\t from\t their hiding\tplaces,\tpointing\tup\tat\tthe\tdrone\tas\tit\trose\thigher\tover\tthe\tcastle. \u201cOkay,\twe\u2019ve\tseen\tenough\there.\tDon\u2019t\tworry,\tJack,\tthe\thelicopter\tis\trefuelled and\tready.\tOur\tmedical\tteam\twill\tbe\ton\tstation\tin\tten\tminutes.\tWe\u2019ll\ttake\tcare\tof them.\tJenkins,\ttake\tme\ton\tto\tOsborne\tHouse\tand\tlet\u2019s\tsee\twhat\twe\tcan\tfind.\tAre we\tin\tcontact\twith\tthe\taway\tteam?\u201d \u201cYes,\tsir.\tI\tcan\tpatch\tyou\tthrough\tnow?\tGive\tme\ta\tminute.\u201d There\t was\t a\t delay\t of\t a\t few\t seconds\t as\t the\t drone\t continued\t on,\t passing\t the Lymington\triver\tentrance,\theading\tacross\tthe\tSolent\ttowards\tCowes. \u201cGo\tahead,\tsir.\tI\thave\tSergeant\tJones\ton\tthe\tline\tnow.\u201d \u201cGood\t morning,\t sergeant.\t I\t trust\t you\t have\t things\t under\t control\t at\t Osborne House.\u201d \u201cYes,\t sir.\t Quiet\t night.\t No\t sign\t of\t Briggs.\t Looks\t like\t he\t hightailed\t it\t out\t of here.\t The\t good\t news,\t sir?\t The\t tracker\t is\t active.\t We\t have\t a\t strong\t signal\t and show\t Briggs\u2019s\t convoy\t on\t the\t main\t road\t heading\t north\t back\t towards\t us\t now. They\u2019re\tabout\tthree\tclicks\taway\tfrom\tour\tposition.\u201d \u201cHow\u2019re\tour\tnew\tfriends\tfrom\tthe\tRoyal\tNavy\tdoing?\u201d \u201cWe\u2019re\t having\t quite\t a\t tea\t party.\t Looks\t like\t the\t rest\t of\t the\t men\t are\t enjoying what\t they\t call\t a\t \u2018Full\t English\u2019.\t Real\t eggs\t and\t bacon,\t sir,\t fried\t tomatoes,\t toast and\tmushrooms.\tBeats\tpowdered\tegg\tand\tbeans\tany\tday,\tsir.\u201d","\u201cYou\u2019re\t making\t me\t hungry,\t sergeant,\t and\t not\t a\t little\t jealous,\u201d\t smiled Peterson.\t \u201cListen\t up.\t We\t can\t divert\t the\t UAV\t to\t locate\t that\t convoy.\t We\u2019re sending\ta\thelicopter\tto\tHurst\tto\ttend\tto\ttheir\twounded\tand\tthen\twe\u2019ll\thead\ton\tto pick\t you\t up.\t They\t had\t quite\t a\t night\t of\t it,\t but\t looks\t like\t the\t good\t guys\t came through.\u201d \u201cYes,\t sir.\t We\u2019ll\t await\t further\t instructions\t and\t hitch\t a\t ride\t back\t to\t the\t ship when\tyou\u2019re\tgood\tand\tready.\u201d \u201cVery\tgood,\tsergeant.\tChester\tout.\u201d Back\t on\t the\t screen,\t the\t UAV\t had\t crossed\t a\t beach\t and\t was\t heading\t inland over\tthe\tIsle\tof\tWight.\tTo\tthe\tright\tof\tthe\tUAV\tfeed\tappeared\ta\tdigital\tmap\twith the\t location\t of\t the\t convoy\t as\t a\t white\t dot\t moving\t slowly\t north.\t The\t tracker signal\t was\t pinging\t loud\t and\t clear\t from\t a\t transmitter,\t allegedly\t hidden underneath\tBriggs\u2019s\tmotorcade. Jack\u2019s\t eyes\t flicked\t from\t the\t video\t feed\t to\t the\t map\t and\t back\t again\t as\t the distance\tbetween\tthe\ttwo\tclosed\trapidly\ton\ta\tconversion\tcourse.\tThere\tit\twas.\tIn the\textreme\tdistance\ton\tthe\tviewfinder,\tthey\tcould\tjust\tmake\tout\tthe\tmotorcade. There\t were\t four,\t no,\t five\t vehicles\t bumping\t along\t the\t road\t from\t Newport heading\t back\t towards\t Cowes.\t At\t the\t head\t of\t a\t convoy\t was\t a\t baby\t Humvee, likely\t stolen\t and\t adapted\t for\t Briggs\u2019s\t own\t purposes,\t with\t a\t large\t cattle\t grill\t on the\tfront,\ta\tbank\tof\tspotlights\ton\tthe\tcabin\troof\tand\twhat\tlooked\tlike\tmetal\tplates welded\tto\tthe\tfront\tand\tsides. \u201cChances\tare\tthey\u2019re\theading\tback\ttowards\tOsborne\twith\treinforcements,\tsir. Finish\twhat\tthey\tstarted.\tWhat\tare\tyour\torders?\u201d \u201cWe\t may\t not\t get\t a\t better\t chance\t at\t this,\t sergeant.\t Let\u2019s\t take\t them\t out\t here and\tnow.\tCO\tto\tfire\tteam.\tPrep\ta\tTomahawk\tfor\tus,\tcan\tyou,\tplease? \u201cFire\t team,\taye.\tProgramming\tcoordinates\t now,\tsir.\tCoordinates\tlocked\tand ready.\tAt\tyour\tcommand.\u201d \u201cFire\twhen\tready.\u201d A\tforward\tmissile\thatch\ton\tthe\tChester\tslowly\tlevered\tits\tbay\tdoors\tvertical, its\thydraulic\tpistons\twhirring\tin\tthe\tmorning\tpeace\ton\tdeck.\tOn\tthe\tbig\tscreen\tin the\t stateroom,\t the\t image\t switched\t to\t a\t camera\t showing\t the\t missile\t hatch\t now fully\topen.\tThe\tship\u2019s\tbow\tcrested\tthrough\tthe\twaves,\tsending\tspray\ttwenty\tfeet either\t side.\t There\t was\t a\t pause\t before\t the\t rockets\t fired.\t Out\t of\t an\t eruption\t of smoke,\t the\t missile\t accelerated\t vertically\t into\t the\t grey\t morning\t sky,\t leaving\t a vapour\t trail\t behind\t it.\t The\t column\t of\t smoke\t drifted\t to\t their\t starboard\t in\t the breeze. Jack\t jolted,\t his\t whole\t body\t shaking,\t as\t if\t he\u2019d\t been\t woken\t from\t a\t dream. \u201cWait,\twait\u2026\u201d Peterson\tand\tSam\tglanced\tsideways\tat\thim,\tas\tif\the\u2019d\tlost\this\tmarbles.","\u201cCall\t off\t the\t attack,\t lieutenant.\t How\t do\t we\t know\t Terra\u2019s\t not\t with\t Briggs? She\tcould\tbe\tsat\tright\tnext\tto\thim\tin\tthat\tconvoy.\u201d Peterson\u2019s\teyes\tflicked\tfrom\tJack\tback\tto\tthe\tscreen.\tHe\twas\tconsidering\tthis new\t information,\t weighing\t his\t options\t before\t seeming\t to\t nod,\t his\t mind\t made up.\t\u201cI\tcan\u2019t\tdo\tthat,\tJack.\tThis\tmay\tbe\tthe\tonly\tchance\twe\tget\tto\ttake\tout\tBriggs. He\u2019s\tthe\tbiggest\trisk\tto\tCamp\tWight\twe\thave\tright\tnow.\tLives\tat\tOsborne\tare\tat stake.\tWe\tneed\tto\ttake\tthis.\u201d \u201cThere\tmust\tbe\tanother\tway?\tPlease.\tI\u2019m\tbegging\tyou.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tsorry.\tThere\u2019s\tno\tway\tto\tstop\tthe\tmissile.\tThere\u2019s\tnothing\tI\tcan\tdo\tnow.\u201d He\tclasped\this\thands\ttogether,\tto\timpress\tupon\tJack\tthe\tfinality\tof\this\twords. The\t missile\t had\t only\t five\t miles\t left\t to\t run\t and\t stayed\t relatively\t low.\t It tracked\t north-east,\t speeding\t south\t of\t the\t Needles.\t Accelerating\t towards\t its maximum\t velocity,\t it\t arced\t over\t the\t island\t and\t just\t as\t suddenly\t started\t its descent.\t The\t screen\t in\t the\t stateroom\t alternated\t between\t the\t view\t from\t the missile\t back\t to\t the\t drone,\t keeping\t pace\t with\t the\t convoy\t at\t about\t five\t hundred feet.\t The\t missile\t raced\t towards\t its\t target,\t dipping\t down\t as\t it\t reached\t terminal velocity,\tzeroing\tin\ton\tthe\theat\tsignature\tof\tthe\tlead\tvehicle\tcarrying\tthe\ttracker. Jack\t found\t he\t was\t holding\t his\t breath,\t fearing\t what\t was\t to\t follow.\t The\t screen went\tcompletely\twhite,\tfollowed\tby\tstatic\tas\tthe\tmissile\tdetonated. The\t operator\t switched\t views\t back\t to\t the\t drone.\t It\t showed\t a\t massive explosion\t and\t a\t mushroom\t cloud\t of\t smoke.\t It\t took\t a\t couple\t of\t minutes\t for\t the smoke\tto\tclear\tsufficiently\tfor\tthem\tto\tmake\tout\tthe\tscene\tof\tdestruction.\tA\thuge crater\t emerged\t in\t the\t roadway.\t One\t vehicle\t was\t a\t tangled\t mess.\t Bodies\t lay motionless\t nearby.\t Two\t other\t vehicles\t were\t on\t their\t sides.\t The\t last\t car,\t further behind,\thad\tits\tfour\tdoors\topen.\tFigures\tstood\tgawping\tdown\tthe\troad. \u201cCan\twe\tzoom\tin\tat\tall,\tJenkins?\tWould\tbe\tgood\tto\tget\ta\tlook\tat\tthose\tguys.\u201d The\t drone\t dropped\t altitude\t and\t zoomed\t right\t in.\t The\t four\t figures\t hove\t into view.\tPeterson\tsquinted\tand\tblinked,\tnot\tquite\tbelieving\this\teyes.\t\u201cIsn\u2019t\tthat\u2026?\u201d \u201cIt\tcouldn\u2019t\tbe,\tcould\tit?\u201d\tadded\tJack,\tleaning\tcloser. \u201cIt\t most\t definitely\t is,\u201d\t Peterson\t said,\t shaking\t his\t head.\t He\t lifted\t the\t grey- green\t handset\t to\t his\t lips\t and\t said,\t \u201cJenkins,\t let\t the\t XO\t know\t that\t we\t have\t a miss.\t Repeat,\t we\t have\t a\t miss.\t Briggs\t is\t still\t alive,\t and\t it\t looks\t like\t he\u2019s\t got\t a new\tfriend.\u201d \u201cI\t didn\u2019t\t even\t know\t those\t two\t knew\t each\t other.\t Perhaps\t they\u2019ve\t been\t in league\tall\tthis\ttime?\u201d\tsaid\tJack. The\tcamera\tzoomed\tin\tfurther\tand\tsure\tenough,\tstanding\tnext\tto\tBriggs\twas Victor,\tthe\tfirst\tofficer\tfrom\tthe\tMaersk\tCharlotte. \u201cThe\tdouble-crossing\trat,\u201d\tspat\tJack.\t\u201cI\twonder\tif\tAnders\tknew\tabout\tthis.\u201d","Chapter\tFifty-two Terra\twoke\tafter\ta\trestless\tnight\tand\timmediately\tfelt\ta\tshooting\tpain\tdown\ther side\tfrom\tsleeping\ton\ta\thard\tbed\tin\tthe\tcold,\tdamp\troom.\tIt\ttook\ta\tfew\tmoments to\t get\t her\t bearings\t as\t memories\t from\t the\t last\t few\t days\t came\t slowly\t back\t into focus.\tThe\ttrip\tto\tOsborne\tHouse,\tthe\tdinner,\tPeterson\tand\tArmstrong\u2019s\tspeech, the\t sense\t of\t renewed\t hope\t for\t the\t future.\t Then\t Briggs\t had\t taken\t that\t all\t away. Kidnapped,\t imprisoned,\t forsaken.\t Alone\t again.\t She\t was\t a\t survivor\t though, wasn\u2019t\tshe?\tShe\u2019d\tsurvived\tworse\tthan\tthis. Her\tsurroundings\twere\trelatively\tspartan,\tbare\tstone\twalls\tcold\tto\tthe\ttouch. A\t simple\t chair\t and\t table\t nestled\t under\t a\t bare\t timber-framed\t window,\t which looked\t down\t over\t the\t ruins\t of\t an\t unfamiliar\t castle.\t In\t the\t foreground\t were\t a small\tchapel\tand\tcourtyard,\tornamental\tgardens\tand\thigh\tstone\twalls\tcovered\tin moss\tand\tlichen. She\t had\t been\t brought\t here\t under\t cover\t of\t darkness,\t hooded\t for\t most\t of\t the journey.\t Disoriented,\t she\t was\t unsure\t where\t exactly\t she\t was\t on\t the\t island.\t Her best\t guess\t was\t that\t this\twas\t Carisbrooke\tCastle\tas\tshe\tcould\tthink\tof\tno\tother site\t of\t this\t scale\t or\t grandeur.\t It\t also\t fitted\t the\t bill,\t based\t on\t what\t she\t knew\t of Briggs\t and\t his\t men.\t They\t had\t been\t incarcerated\t in\t Parkhurst\t Prison,\t no\t more than\ta\tcouple\tof\tmiles\taway. She\t stretched\t out\t her\t arms,\t ran\t through\t a\t few\t warm-up\t stretches\t and\t yoga positions\tto\tstimulate\ther\tcirculation\tand\tstop\tthe\tshivering.\tIt\ttook\ta\tfew\tpainful minutes\tto\teliminate\tthe\tstiffness\tshe\tfelt\tin\ther\tlower\tback\tand\tarms.\tStaring\tout the\t window,\t a\t light\t drizzle\t flecked\t the\t windows\t from\t rain\t clouds\t blowing\t in from\tthe\tsea. She\t heard\t footsteps\t in\t the\t corridor\t and\t the\t rattle\t of\t keys\t as\t the\t door\t swung inwards\t and\t one\t of\t Briggs\u2019s\t most\t trusted\t men\t stood\t waiting\t to\t take\t her downstairs\tfor\tanother\taudience\twith\tthe\tman\thimself.\tHer\tescort\twas\ta\tcurious- looking\t individual.\t The\t facial\t tattoos\t that\t decorated\t one\t side\t of\t his\t head reminded\ther\tof\ta\tMaori\twarrior.\tHis\tbeard\tand\tsideburns\twere\tin\tneed\tof\ta\tgood trim,\twith\tonly\ta\tsmall\ttuft\tof\thair\tat\tthe\tscalp.\tThe\trest\tof\this\thead\twas\tshaved smooth.\tNevertheless,\tdespite\this\tradical\tappearance,\the\tseemed\tcordial\tenough. Terra\thad\tbeen\tpleasantly\tsurprised\tby\tBriggs\u2019s\tbehaviour\ttowards\ther\tso\tfar. He\thad\tbeen\tkind\tand\tattentive,\tasking\ther\trepeatedly\twhat\tshe\tneeded\tto\tmake","her\t stay\t comfortable.\t His\t men\t had\t returned\t several\t hours\t later\t after\t an exhaustive\t search\t of\t Newport.\t They\t brought\t clothes\t that\t were\t several\t sizes\t too big,\t together\t with\t expensive\t toiletries,\t the\t likes\t of\t which\t she\t had\t not\t seen\t in years.\t He\t had\t insisted\t she\t wear\t a\t particular\t dress,\t the\t yellow\t one,\t knee-length, classic\tstyle\twith\tthe\tfloral\tpattern.\tThe\tautumnal\tyellow\tof\tthe\tdress\tset\toff\ther red\thair\tin\tthe\tsunlight.\tApparently,\tthe\tdress\treminded\thim\tof\ta\tspecial\tsomeone he\thad\tknown\tlong\tago,\tand\tthis\tseemed\tto\tput\thim\tin\ta\tgood\tmood. Her\tescort\tknocked\tbut\tdidn\u2019t\twait\tto\tbe\tinvited\tin.\tBriggs\twas\tin\tthe\tmiddle of\tan\tangry\texchange\twith\tanother\tprisoner\twhose\thands\twere\tbound\tbehind\this back.\t She\t recognised\t the\t man\t from\t Osborne\t House\t but\t didn\u2019t\t know\t his\t name. He\twas\tin\this\tmid\tto\tlate\tfifties\twith\ta\tfull\thead\tof\twhite\tblonde\thair.\tA\tlarge\tcut had\t been\t patched\t up\t above\t his\t left\t eye,\t a\t purple\t bruise\t darkening\t underneath. She\t exchanged\t a\t pained\t look\t of\t sympathy\t before\t he\t was\t led\t away.\t He\t tried\t to say\tsomething\tto\ther,\tstraining\tagainst\tthe\trope\tbinding\this\twrist\tbut\twas\tquickly pulled\taway.\tAs\tthe\tdoor\tslammed\tshut\tbehind\thim,\tshe\theard\thim\tshout\t\u201cDon\u2019t tell\tthem\tanything.\u201d Briggs\u2019s\t expression\t softened\t as\t soon\t as\t he\t spotted\t Terra.\t He\t threw\t his\t arms wide,\tbeaming.\t\u201cGood\tmorning,\tTerra.\tHow\tfares\tour\tQueen\tof\tHurst\tthis\trainy day?\u201d \u201cWell,\tthank\tyou,\u201d\tresponded\tTerra\tawkwardly,\tmaintaining\ther\tdistance.\tThe great\t hall\t made\t her\t think\t of\t Hurst,\t though\t the\t castle\t was\t clearly\t much\t older judging\t by\t the\t roof\t and\t brickwork.\t It\t reminded\t her\t in\t so\t many\t ways\t of\t the historic\tplaces\tshe\thad\tvisited\tas\ta\tchild.\tThe\tTower\tof\tLondon,\tHampton\tCourt, Windsor\tCastle.\tThe\tmusty\tsmell,\tthe\tdamp\tand\tcold,\tbut\talso\tthe\tsense\tof\tawe and\t wonder\t at\t standing\t somewhere\t so\t rich\t in\t history.\t It\t was\t almost\t as\t if\t she could\t sense\t the\t ghosts\t of\t kings,\t queens\t and\t noblemen\t who\t had\t graced\t these royal\t surroundings.\t There\t was\t a\t very\t real\t aura\t of\t history\t and\t drama\t that impregnated\t every\t stone,\t every\t brick.\t One\t could\t not\t help\t but\t feel\t a\t little\t bit inadequate\t and\t unworthy\t standing\t there\t amongst\t these\t magnificent surroundings.\t The\t incongruity\t of\t Briggs\t and\t his\t men\u2019s\t occupation\t of\t the\t castle was\tnot\tlost\ton\tTerra. \u201cCome\tand\tsit\tand\thave\tsome\tbreakfast\twith\tme.\u201d\tHe\tstudied\tTerra,\ttrying\tto anticipate\twhat\twould\tmake\ther\thappy.\t\u201cHatch,\tbring\tus\tsome\tcoffee,\tand\tI\tthink cereal\tand\tfruit\ttoday,\tam\tI\tright?\u201d \u201cThank\t you,\u201d\t responded\t Terra,\t modestly\t taking\t her\t seat\t opposite\t Briggs, aware\tof\this\tattentions.\tHe\tcouldn\u2019t\tseem\tto\ttake\this\teyes\toff\ther,\tlike\ta\tkid\twith a\t new\t toy,\t enjoying\t the\t shape\t of\t the\t dress\t and\t the\t way\t its\t cut\t accentuated\t her curves.\t He\t watched,\t absorbed\t by\t her\t every\t move\t as\t she\t helped\t herself\t to\t an apple,\t which\t she\t cut\t carefully\t into\t slices\t and\t ate\t one\t by\t one.\t When\t she\t had","finished,\t he\t asked\t for\t the\t plates\t to\t be\t cleared\t before\t restarting\t his\t inquisition. There\t was\t no\t artifice,\t no\t subterfuge,\t no\t threat,\t albeit\t implied,\t to\t his\t questions, and\tshe\twillingly\tcomplied,\tanswering\this\tevery\trequest\twith\ta\tdirectness\tthat\the found\trefreshing. \u201cNow,\twhy\tdon\u2019t\twe\tgo\tback\tto\twhere\twe\tleft\toff\tlast\tnight?\tYou\twere\ttelling me\tall\tabout\tJack\tand\tZed.\tWhere\tare\tmy\tnotes?\u201d\tHe\trummaged\tthrough\ta\tpile of\tpapers\tin\tfront\tof\thim\tand\tpulled\tout\ta\tsheet\tof\tlined\tpaper.\tThe\thandwriting looked\tchildlike,\taccompanied\tby\tdoodles\tand\tscribbles\tin\tthe\tmargins. \u201cSo,\tI\u2019ve\tgot\there\tthat\tyour\tfriend\tZed\tlikes\tto\tcarry\taround\ta\tdouble-headed axe.\t Who\t does\t he\t think\t he\t is?\t Spartacus?\t Bit\t cumbersome,\t isn\u2019t\t it?\u201d\t He\t turned towards\t his\t henchmen\t standing\t nearby\t and\t laughed\t bawdily.\t Turning\t back\t to Terra,\t without\t a\t hint\t of\t irony,\t he\t went\t on,\t \u201cI\t prefer\t a\t butcher\u2019s\t knife\t myself. More\t up\t close\t and\t personal.\u201d\t He\t crudely\t gestured\t a\t slice\t across\t his\t neck\t to demonstrate\t how\t he\t liked\t to\t use\t it,\t prompting\t another\t laugh\t from\t his\t men.\t \u201cI look\tforward\tto\tmeeting\thim.\tSounds\tlike\tmy\tkind\tof\tguy.\tI\tmight\tput\this\thead on\ta\tspike\toutside\tmy\tcastle\tas\ta\treminder\tto\tany\tother\tjumped-up\twide\tboy\twho thinks\tthey\tcan\tmess\twith\tme.\u201d \u201cBut,\t Briggs\u2026\u201d\t She\t paused,\t a\t little\t embarrassed.\t \u201cCan\t I\t call\t you\t Briggs?\u201d He\t nodded\t and\t encouraged\t her\t to\t continue.\t \u201cAs\t I\t assured\t you\t yesterday,\t the people\t of\t Hurst\t had\t nothing\t to\t do\t with\t the\t attack\t on\t your\t convoy.\t They\u2019re mostly\t pacifists.\t They\t spend\t their\t time\t fishing\t and\t growing\t vegetables,\t not fighting.\tThey\u2019re\tnot\tlooking\tfor\ttrouble.\u201d \u201cBullshit.\t Anyone\t who\u2019s\t in\t league\t with\t the\t Americans\t is\t no\t pacifist.\t The missile\t or\t bomb\t that\t killed\t my\t men\t may\t have\t been\t American,\t but\t you\t can\t be sure\tthat\tsomeone\tfrom\tHurst\thelped\tpull\tthe\ttrigger.\u201d She\t leaned\t forward,\t her\t eyebrow\t raised\t playfully.\t She\t felt\t composed\t in Briggs\u2019s\tcompany,\tdemure,\tplaying\talong.\tShe\tknew\tfrom\tlast\tnight\tthat\tBriggs had\ta\tweakness\tfor\ther.\tShe\tsuspected\the\twas\tmore\tthan\ta\tlittle\tbit\tsusceptible\tto her\tcharms.\tShe\tintended\tto\tuse\tevery\tadvantage\tthat\tgave\ther,\twithout\tcrossing the\tline.\tThe\tbruise\ton\ther\tleft\tcheek\tached\twhen\tshe\tmoved\ther\tjaw,\ta\treminder that\tyou\tcould\tpush\thim\tonly\tso\tfar. Briggs\thad\texpressed\this\tregret\timmediately\tand\tthe\tman\twho\tstruck\ther\thad not\t been\t seen\t again.\t She\t remained\t unintimidated\t by\t the\t threat\t of\t further violence,\t though\t not\t oblivious\t to\t the\t danger.\t She\t was\t deliberately\t provocative, working\thard\tto\tretain\this\tattention.\tShe\twasn\u2019t\tsure\thow\tmuch\tBriggs\thad\theard of\t the\t plan\t for\t Camp\t Wight,\t but\t it\t wouldn\u2019t\t hurt\t to\t test\t the\t extent\t of\t his knowledge\tand\tspread\ta\tlittle\tdisinformation\tat\tthe\tsame\ttime\tto\tdownplay\tHurst and\tcreate\ta\tdegree\tof\tseparation. \u201cI\tcan\tassure\tyou\tthe\tAmericans\twant\tlittle\tto\tdo\twith\tHurst.\tIt\u2019s\tan\toutpost,","nothing\t more.\t They\t have\t no\t appreciation\t of\t history.\t No\t real\t understanding\t of local\t politics.\t Like\t a\t bull\t in\t a\t china\t shop,\t they\u2019re,\t well,\t just\t doing\t what Americans\t do\t best.\t Throwing\t their\t weight\t around,\t sticking\t their\t noses\t in\t to other\tpeople\u2019s\tbusiness.\tTrying\tto\tdo\tthe\tright\tthing,\tbut\tin\tthe\tprocess,\ttreading on\ta\tlot\tof\ttoes.\u201d \u201cOkay,\t Terra.\t If\t you\u2019re\t so\t bleeding\t clever,\t what\t would\t your\t counsel\t be?\u201d asked\tBriggs,\tin\ta\tmoment\tof\tindulgence. She\tsmiled\tand\tBriggs\tlooked\tat\ther\tsuspiciously,\this\thead\ttilted\tto\tthe\tside\tas if\the\twas\ttorn\tbetween\twanting\tto\tbelieve\ther\tand\tbeating\ther\tto\ta\tpulp.\tShe\twas under\tno\tillusion\tthat\tthe\tmoment\tshe\tceased\tto\tplease\tand\tbeguile\thim,\ther\tlife would\tbe\texpendable.\tCareful,\tTerra,\tshe\ttold\therself.\tBe\tvery\tcareful. She\t leaned\t forward\t and\t fixed\t him\t with\t her\t most\t winning\t smile.\t \u201cIf\t the Americans\t want\t to\t set\t up\t camp\t here,\t let\t them.\u201d\t She\t shrugged\t and\t looked\t over his\t shoulder.\t \u201cWait\t until\t they\u2019ve\t ferried\t over\t their\t supplies\t and\t stores,\t got everything\tset\t up.\tBide\tyour\ttime.\tWhat\tharm\tcan\tit\tdo?\tIf\tyou\trisk\tan\tall-out war\t with\t them,\t you\u2019ll\t lose.\t Remember\t the\t war\t on\t terror?\t Remember\t what happened\t to\t every\t army\t that\t invaded\t Afghanistan\t or\t Iraq\t or\t Syria\t and\t tried\t to fight\tthe\tTaliban,\tISIS\tor\tAl\tQaeda\tin\ta\tconventional\tway?\tThey\tall\tfailed.\tYou could\t do\t worse\t than\t learn\t from\t their\t experience.\t Your\t men\t need\t to\t become invisible,\t like\t shadows\t in\t the\t night.\t Go\t underground,\t become\t fifth\t columnists, fill\t every\t position\t of\t power.\t Bide\t your\t time,\t like\t sleepers\t waiting\t for\t the\t right moment\tto\tstrike,\twhen\tthe\tallies\tare\tat\ttheir\tmost\tvulnerable.\u201d\tShe\tleaned\tback again,\ther\tsmile\tgone.\t\u201cAnyway,\tthat\u2019s\twhat\tI\twould\tdo.\u201d \u201cInteresting.\t You\t and\t I\t think\t alike.\t Terra,\t you\t might\t just\t make\t a\t name\t for yourself\t around\t here.\t I\t need\t a\t good\t adviser,\t someone\t I\t can\t trust.\t I\u2019m\t just\t not sure\t I\t can\t trust\t you,\t Terra.\t For\t a\t start,\t you\u2019re\t a\t woman.\t Never\t trust\t a\t woman. That\u2019s\twhat\tmy\tmum\tused\tto\tsay,\tGod\tbless\ther.\tEvery\twoman\tI\u2019ve\tever\tknown has\tlied\tor\tcheated\ton\tme.\u201d He\t stood\t up\t and\t leaned\t across\t the\t table,\t over\t the\t fruit\t bowl\t that\t had\t been placed\t between\t them.\t He\t picked\t up\t a\t ripe\t peach,\t biting\t down\t to\t the\t stone\t and tearing\taway\tits\tflesh,\tallowing\tthe\tjuice\tto\tdribble\tdown\this\tchin.\tHe\twiped\tthe liquid\taway\twith\this\tsleeve\tand\tgrinned\tlasciviously\tat\tTerra. \u201cOf\t course,\t if\t you\t could\t prove\t to\t me\t that\t I\t could\t trust\t you,\t that\t would\t be different.\t But\t right\t now,\t my\t head\t is\t full\t of\t questions\t about\t you,\t Terra. Questions,\t questions.\t You\u2019re\t going\t to\t have\t to\t earn\t my\t trust.\t Do\t we\t understand each\tother?\u201d Terra\tswallowed\tinvoluntarily,\ther\tmouth\tand\tthroat\tsuddenly\tdry.\tShe\tknew exactly\twhat\the\tmeant.\tShe\twas\tbeginning\tto\task\therself\twhat\tshe\twas\tgoing\tto have\t to\t do\t to\t keep\t Hurst\t safe\t and\t her\t enemies\t close.\t She\t had\t started\t down\t a","very\t dangerous\t path\t and\t it\t was\t already\t too\t late\t to\t turn\t back\t without consequences.\tThe\tonly\tway\twas\tforward,\tdeeper\tand\tdeeper\tinto\tthe\tmaze,\tand one\twrong\tturn\tcould\tprove\tterminal.","Chapter\tFifty-three Riley\treversed\tthe\tLand\tRover\tDefender\tup\tto\tthe\tmain\tentrance\tto\tthe\tChewton Glen\thotel\tand\topened\tthe\tboot\tfor\tMila\tto\tload\tthe\trest\tof\ttheir\tgear.\tOther\tthan minor\t burns\t and\t watery\t blisters\t on\t her\t fingers\t and\t forearm,\t Riley\t had\t nothing more\tto\tshow\tfor\ther\tsuicidal\tdash\tthrough\ta\tburning\tbuilding\tthan\tsome\tsinged hair\tand\tscorch\tmarks\ton\ther\ttrousers. She\thurried\tback\tinto\tthe\tlobby\tarea\tand\thelped\tZed\tto\this\tfeet,\tlevering\thim up\tfrom\ta\tlarge\tleather\tsofa\twhere\the\thad\tbeen\tplaying\tcards\twith\tAdele.\tOne\tof the\t guards\t kept\t watch\t on\t the\t Hurst\t group\t as\t they\t manhandled\t Zed\t across\t the gravel\t driveway\t to\t the\t Defender\u2019s\t front\t passenger\t seat.\t He\t swung\t his\t legs\t up over\t the\t sill\t and\t slumped\t back\t against\t the\t headrest,\t beads\t of\t sweat\t already forming\ton\this\tbrow.\tHe\twas\tslowly\tgetting\this\tstrength\tback,\tbut\tthe\tstrain\twas clear\tfor\tall\tto\tsee.\tHe\tmasked\this\tpain\twell,\tbut\tRiley\tknew\thim\tbetter\tthan\tto be\t fooled\t so\t easily.\t It\t would\t be\t a\t while\t yet\t before\t he\t was\t back\t to\t his\t normal world-weary\tlaconic\tself. With\t Joe\t gone\t and\t Zed\t on\t the\t road\t to\t recovery,\t there\t was\t nothing\t left\t for them\there.\tRiley\twas\tdesperate\tnow\tto\tget\tback\tto\tHurst.\tDespite\tthe\tefforts\tof the\t whole\t group\t to\t persuade\t her\t otherwise,\t Stella\t was\t adamant\t that\t she\t was staying\tput\tat\tthe\thotel. Riley\t gave\t Stella\t a\t long\t farewell\t hug\t before\t stepping\t back\t to\t look\t into\t her eyes.\t They\t were\t already\t welling\t with\t tears.\t She\t held\t her\t shoulders\t at\t arm\u2019s length. \u201cAre\tyou\tsure\tthis\tis\twhat\tyou\twant,\tStella?\tI\tknow\tthese\tare\tyour\tfriends.\tI get\tthat.\tBut\tliving\there\tin\tthis\tconvent\u2026\u201d\tHer\tvoice\ttrailed\toff.\t\u201cYou\tknow\tyou don\u2019t\thave\tto\tlive\tlike\tthis,\tright?\u201d The\t sun\t appeared\t from\t behind\t a\t cloud,\t blinding\t the\t group\t with\t brilliant sunshine.\t Stella\t squinted\t back,\t irradiated\t by\t the\t light.\t To\t Riley,\t she\t looked almost\tangelic,\ther\tflawless\tskin\tseemed\tto\tshimmer.\tThrough\ther\ttears,\tStella\u2019s passion\tand\tconviction\twas\tclear. \u201cI\t can\u2019t\t explain\t it.\t I\t just\t feel\t like\t I\t belong\t here.\t You\t have\t to\t see\t beyond\t the Sisterhood\twith\tall\ttheir\trules\tand\treligion.\tThe\tway\tof\tlife\tthey\tare\tespousing\tis pure.\tIt\u2019s\twhat\tI\twant,\tRiley.\tI\tthink\tall\tof\tus\tsecretly\tcrave\tthat\tsimplicity,\tdon\u2019t we?\tA\tlife\twith\tpurpose\tand\tstructure.\u201d","\u201cSometimes,\t it\u2019s\t not\t that\t simple.\t But\t listen,\t if\t you\t tell\t me\t that\t this\t is\t what you\treally\twant,\tthen\tI\twon\u2019t\ttry\tand\tdissuade\tyou.\u201d \u201cI\t do,\t Riley.\t I\t really\t do.\u201d\t She\t paused,\t looking\t at\t her\t shoes\t and\t then\t back\t at the\t hotel\t and\t the\t trees\t beyond,\t composing\t her\t thoughts,\t choosing\t her\t words carefully.\t \u201cI\t know\t you\t think\t that\t this\t whole\t place\t is\t false,\t that\t it\u2019s\t not sustainable.\t That\t we\u2019re\t all\t burying\t our\t heads\t in\t the\t sand\t and\t ignoring\t what\u2019s going\t on\t in\t the\t real\t world\t out\t there,\t but\t I\u2019ve\t made\t my\t choice.\t Please\t respect that.\tI\tdon\u2019t\twant\tto\tgo\tback\tout\tthere.\tI\u2019m\tsafe\there\tnow.\tI\tdon\u2019t\thave\tto\twake up\t and\t worry\t about\t where\t my\t next\t meal\t is\t coming\t from.\t I\u2019m\t tired\t of\t living\t in fear,\t of\t watching\t my\t back\t all\t the\t time.\t Life\t here\t is\t pure\t and\t simple,\t free\t of violence\tand\tstruggle.\tI\tlike\tthat.\u201d \u201cBut\tis\tsurvival\tenough?\tIt\u2019s\tup\tto\tus\tall\tto\thelp\trebuild\twhat\u2019s\tout\tthere,\u201d\tshe said,\tpointing\tbeyond\tthe\twall.\t\u201cDon\u2019t\tyou\twant\tto\tbe\tpart\tof\tthat,\tto\tplay\tyour part?\u201d \u201cHonestly\u2026?\u201d\t Stella\t scrunched\t up\t her\t face.\t \u201cNo.\t I\u2019d\t prefer\t to\t live\t out\t my life\tright\there.\u201d\tShe\tpatted\ther\tbelly,\twhich\twas\tjust\tbeginning\tto\tshow\tsigns\tof swelling.\tThough\tanyone\twho\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\tshe\twas\tpregnant\twould\thave\ta\thard time\t spotting\t it.\t \u201cI\u2019ve\t got\t another\t life\t to\t think\t about\t now.\t I\t need\t a\t safe environment\tto\tbring\tup\tmy\tbaby,\tand\tthe\tsisters\tcan\tgive\tme\tthat.\tIt\u2019s\tnot\tmuch, maybe,\tbut\tit\u2019s\tenough\tfor\tme.\u201d Riley\tsmiled\tand\thugged\ther\tagain.\t\u201cI\u2019m\thappy\tfor\tyou,\treally\tI\tam.\tI\u2019ll\tcome back\tand\tsee\tyou\tas\tsoon\tas\tI\tcan.\tWe\tall\twill.\u201d As\t they\t were\t talking,\t the\t nurse\t appeared\t in\t the\t doorway\t holding\t Adele\u2019s hand.\t The\t little\t girl\t let\t go\t of\t the\t nurse\u2019s\t hand\t and\t ran\t towards\t them,\t a\t small rucksack\tbouncing\ton\ther\tback.\tShe\tattached\therself\tto\tStella\tand\tRiley,\thugging them\tboth,\tbefore\theading\ttowards\tthe\tLand\tRover\twith\ta\tdismissive\twave\tover her\t shoulder.\t She\t slammed\t the\t car\t door\t and\t pressed\t her\t face\t to\t the\t window, looking\tback\tat\tStella,\ther\thot\tlittle\tbreaths\tmisting\tup\tthe\tglass. There\t were\t voices\t behind\t them,\t footsteps\t crunching\t on\t the\t gravel.\t A\t small posse\t of\t women\t rounded\t the\t corner\t of\t the\t building,\t walking\t swiftly\t and purposefully\t towards\t them.\t Sister\t Theodora\t was\t at\t the\t head\t of\t the\t group, flanked\tby\tthe\ttwo\tother\tsisters. \u201cYou\t there!\t Yes,\t you.\u201d\t She\t jabbed\t her\t finger\t accusingly\t at\t Riley,\t her\t voice shrill\tand\tcontorted.\tShe\treminded\tRiley\tof\tthe\tWicked\tWitch\tof\tthe\tWest\tin\tThe Wizard\tof\tOz,\tall\tdressed\tin\tblack.\tAll\tshe\twas\tmissing\twas\ta\tgreen\tface,\tpointy hat\t and\t long\t nose.\t Right\t now,\t Riley\t wished\t she\t had\t a\t good\t bucket\t of\t water\t to throw\tat\ther. The\tMother\tSuperior\tcame\tto\ta\thalt\tright\tin\tfront\tof\tRiley,\tbreathing\theavily. She\t pointed\t directly\t at\t Riley\t and\t bellowed,\t \u201cSeize\t them\t and\t take\t her\t into","custody.\u201d One\t of\t the\t guards\t grabbed\t Riley\t from\t behind,\t forcing\t her\t arm\t behind\t her back\tbefore\tshe\thad\ttime\tto\treact.\tMila\traced\tround\tto\twrestle\twith\tthe\twoman, ripping\t her\t hand\t from\t Riley\u2019s\t arm,\t releasing\t the\t pressure\t momentarily.\t \u201cGet your\thands\toff\ther!\u201d\tThe\tguard\tpushed\tMila\tout\tthe\tway\tand\ttwisted\tRiley\u2019s\tarm back\tinto\ta\tlock. \u201cIt\u2019s\tall\tright,\tMila,\u201d\tsaid\tRiley\tthrough\tclenched\tteeth.\tShe\tstared\tback\tat\tthe sisters\tdefiantly,\tignoring\tthe\tpain\tfor\ta\tsecond.\t\u201cPerhaps\tyou\u2019d\tbe\tso\tgood\tas\tto tell\tme\twhat\tI\u2019m\tbeing\taccused\tof?\u201d \u201cWe\t have\t reason\t to\t believe\t that\t the\t fire\t was\t no\t accident.\u201d\t She\t enunciated each\tsyllable\tof\tthe\tword\t\u201caccident\u201d\tslowly\tand\twith\tparticular\temphasis. Riley\u2019s\t mind\t was\t racing.\t Why\t would\t anyone\t have\t started\t the\t fire deliberately?\t For\t what\t possible\t reason?\t She\t suddenly\t thought\t of\t Joe\t and\t their escape.\tCould\tthe\ttwo\tevents\tbe\tconnected?\tBut\thow?\tFrom\tthe\tway\tthe\tsisters were\t behaving,\t they\t clearly\t had\t evidence\t that\t supported\t this\t conclusion. Although\tshe\thad\tno\tidea\twhy\tshe\twas\timplicated\tin\tall\tthis. \u201cConsidering\t you\t had\t all\t of\t us\t locked\t up\t when\t the\t fire\t broke\t out,\t I\t find\t it highly\tunlikely\tthat\tyou\tcould\tthink\twe\thad\tanything\tto\tdo\twith\tit,\u201d\tsaid\tRiley. \u201cSo\t it\t was\t purely\t coincidence\t that\t your\t friend\t escapes\t on\t the\t same\t night\t a fire\t breaks\t out?\u201d\t mocked\t the\t sister.\t \u201cRather\t convenient,\t wouldn\u2019t\t you\t say?\t We only\thave\tyour\tword\tthat\tyou\twere\twhere\tyou\tsay\tyou\twere\twhen\tthe\talarm\twas raised.\t Did\t anyone\t see\t you?\t Can\t anyone\t corroborate\t your\t version\t of\t events?\u201d She\tshook\ther\thead,\tnot\twaiting\tfor\tan\tanswer.\t\u201cI\tthought\tnot.\u201d Riley\ttried\tto\twriggle\ther\tarm\tfree\tof\tthe\tguard\u2019s\tgrasp.\tShe\thad\tterrible\tpins and\tneedles,\tbut\tthe\tguard\tonly\ttwisted\ther\tarm\ttighter\tto\tstop\ther\tfidgeting. The\t sister\t seemed\t to\t enjoy\t her\t discomfort\t and\t continued.\t \u201cThere\t were\t no witnesses.\tYou\tcould\thave\tsmashed\tthe\tgarden\twindow\tany\ttime\tthat\tnight.\u201d \u201cHold\t on\t a\t minute,\t you\t left\t us\t in\t there.\t Your\t guard\t locked\t the\t door.\t What else\twere\twe\tmeant\tto\tdo?\tStay\tthere\tand\tdie\tof\tasphyxiation?\tZed\twould\thave died\t too\t had\t we\t not\t acted\t when\t we\t did.\t Anyway,\t why\t would\t anyone deliberately\tstart\ta\tfire\tand\tbe\tresponsible\tfor\tthe\tmurder\tof\tso\tmany?\u201d \u201cWhy\t indeed?\u201d\t Sister\t Theodora\t let\t the\t question\t air\t for\t a\t few\t seconds. \u201cUnless\t they\t were\t trying\t to\t help\t their\t friend.\t We\t hold\t you\t and\t your\t party\t fully responsible.\tThose\tdeaths\tare\tsquarely\ton\tHurst\u2019s\tshoulders.\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s\tpreposterous.\tSo\tyou\u2019re\tsaying\tthat\tyou\thave\tno\tother\tsuspects?\tAre all\tthe\tother\tresidents\taccounted\tfor?\u201d Sister\t Theodora\t whipped\t her\t head\t round\t at\t the\t other\t sisters.\t It\t seemed\t a reasonable\t question,\t but\t in\t her\t mind,\t there\t was\t only\t one\t plausible\t explanation. \u201cYou\t held\t the\t roll\t call\t this\t morning,\t Sister\t Imelda.\t Are\t all\t the\t residents","accounted\tfor?\u201d Sister\t Mel\t hesitated.\t Suddenly\t she\t looked\t uncomfortable,\t a\t seed\t of\t doubt germinating\trapidly\tin\ther\tmind.\t\u201cAll\tresidents\twere\taccounted\tfor,\tsister.\tExcept one.\u201d Sister\t Theodora\t looked\t irritated\t by\t this\t disclosure,\t disappointed\t that\t no\t one had\tthought\tto\tmention\tthis\tdetail\tearlier.\t\u201cAnd\tyou\twaited\tuntil\tnow\tto\tinform me\tof\tthis?\tWell,\tgo\ton,\tsister.\tWho\twas\tit?\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\t one\t of\t the\t girls,\t sister.\t Jean\t Farley.\t She\u2019s\t been\t taking\t food\t to\t the prisoners\t every\t day.\t It\u2019s\t possible\u2026\u201d\t She\t looked\t down\t at\t the\t ground,\t afraid\t of the\tconsequences\tof\twhat\tshe\twas\tabout\tto\tsay.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\tpossible\tthat\tshe\tcould\thave helped\tthe\tmen\tescape.\u201d \u201cNonsense.\tWhy\twould\tshe\tdo\tsuch\ta\tthing?\tNo,\tI\trefuse\tto\tbelieve\tthat\tone of\tour\town\tcould\u2026\u201d\tHer\tvoice\ttrailed\toff.\t\u201cI\thave\tevery\tconfidence\tthat\tit\twas the\t group\t from\t Hurst\t who\t are\t responsible\t for\t this\t outrage,\t not\t one\t of\t our\t own girls.\u201d Riley\t shook\t her\t head.\t \u201cYou\t believe\t what\t you\t like,\t but\t I\u2019m\t telling\t you,\t my group\thad\tnothing\tto\tdo\twith\tthis.\u201d \u201cI\t propose\t we\t take\t them\t all\t into\t custody\t until\t the\t truth\t can\t be\t determined.\u201d She\t gestured\t for\t the\t two\t guards\t to\t tie\t their\t hands\t behind\t their\t backs,\t but\t Riley wriggled\t free.\t In\t one\t fluid\t movement,\t she\t pulled\t a\t concealed\t blade\t from\t under her\tbelt\tbuckle\tand\theld\tit\tout\tin\tfront\tof\ther.\tThere\twas\tno\tway\tthey\twere\tgoing quietly. Stella\t stepped\t forward\t and\t tried\t to\t intercede\t on\t behalf\t of\t the\t Hurst\t group, placing\t her\t hand\t lightly\t on\t the\t guard\u2019s\t shoulder.\t Sensing\t Stella\u2019s\t approach,\t the guard\t swung\t round\t wildly\t with\t her\t elbow,\t striking\t Stella\t hard\t across\t the\t face. The\tblow\tleft\ta\tred\twelt\tthat\ttook\tStella\u2019s\tbreath\taway.\tShe\tgasped\tin\tpain,\tas\tthe guard\tstuttered\tan\tapology.\tSister\tMel\trushed\tto\ther\tside\tto\tcomfort\ther. A\tsharp\twolf\twhistle\tfrom\tthe\tLand\tRover\tsilenced\tthe\tgroup\tand\tthey\tturned as\t one\t to\t find\t Zed,\t index\t finger\t and\t thumb\t to\t his\t lips.\t In\t the\t other\t hand,\t he clutched\ta\tshotgun\tresting\tthe\tbarrel\ton\this\thip,\tpointing\tsquarely\tat\tthe\tnearest guard. \u201cLet\u2019s\teveryone\tsettle\tdown,\tshall\twe.\u201d **** Zed\t had\t watched\t the\t arrival\t of\t the\t Sisterhood\t from\t inside\t the\t vehicle\t with\t a weary\tshake\tof\tthe\thead\tand\tguessed\twhat\twould\thappen\tnext.\tHe\thad\tretrieved the\tshotgun\tfrom\tits\thiding\tplace\tstrapped\tunder\tthe\tfront\tpassenger\tseat\twhere he\tliked\tto\tkeep\tit,\tin\tcase\tof\ttrouble.","Using\tthe\ttailgate\tto\tsupport\thimself\the\tkept\tboth\tguards\tin\this\tfield\tof\tview. He\t was\t feeling\t a\t little\t shaky,\t sweat\t beading\t on\t his\t upper\t lip,\t despite\t the\t cool ambient\t temperature.\t He\t was\t trying\t his\t damnedest\t to\t look\t like\t he\t meant business.\t Riley\t and\t Mila\t distanced\t themselves\t from\t the\t two\t guards,\t acutely aware\t that\t he\t might\t lose\t his\t grip\t on\t the\t tailgate\t and\t topple\t sideways\t at\t any moment. \u201cYou\ttwo.\tLay\tdown\tyour\tweapons\tand\tback\taway.\tNo\tone\tneeds\tto\tget\thurt here,\u201d\tsaid\tZed,\this\tvoice\tthin\tbut\tauthoritative. Sister\t Theodora\t stared\t back\t at\t Zed,\t motionless.\t With\t a\t heavy\t sigh,\t she conceded\t defeat,\t signalling\t for\t the\t guards\t to\t lay\t their\t rifles\t on\t the\t ground\t and take\ttwo\tsteps\tback. \u201cYou\t have\t our\t word\t that\t none\t of\t us\t had\t anything\t to\t do\t with\t the\t fire,\u201d continued\tZed.\t\u201cAnyone\twho\tbelieves\totherwise\tis\teven\tcrazier\tthan\tI\tthought.\u201d He\t adjusted\t his\t grip\t on\t the\t tailgate\t and\t nearly\t fell\t before\t recovering.\t Mila hurried\t over\t and\t slid\t a\t supporting\t shoulder\t under\t his\t arm,\t taking\t the\t gun\t from his\t shaking\t hand.\t She\t tilted\t her\t head\t and\t peered\t down\t the\t barrel,\t training\t the sights\ton\tthe\ttwo\tsisters,\twho\tshifted\tuneasily,\ttheir\thands\thalf-raised\tin\talarm. \u201cWhat\u2019s\tgoing\tto\thappen\tnext,\u201d\tconfirmed\tZed\tconfidently,\t\u201cis\tthat\twe\tare\tall going\tto\tget\tin\tour\tcar,\tdrive\tright\tout\tof\there\tand\tyou\u2019re\tnot\tgoing\tto\ttry\tto\tdo anything\tto\tstop\tus.\tAre\twe\tclear?\u201d There\twas\tsilence. Zed\trepeated,\tinclining\this\thead,\t\u201cAre\twe\tclear?\u201d \u201cWe\t are\t clear,\u201d\t echoed\t Sister\t Theodora.\t \u201cMay\t God\t have\t mercy\t on\t you\t for what\tyou\twhat\tyou\thave\tdone.\tAll\tof\tyou\thave\tblood\ton\tyour\thands.\tAll\tof\tyou.\u201d \u201cYou\tcan\tbelieve\twhat\tyou\tlike.\tIt\tdoesn\u2019t\tmake\tit\ttrue,\u201d\tsaid\tRiley\tdefiantly. Riley\t climbed\t into\t the\t driver\u2019s\t seat\t and\t inserted\t the\t key\t in\t the\t ignition, looking\t back\t at\t Zed\t and\t Mila\t in\t the\t rear-view\t mirror,\t just\t standing\t there, showing\tno\tsigns\tof\tmoving.\tMila\tlet\tout\ta\tdeep\tsigh,\tlike\tshe\thad\tbeen\tholding her\t breath\t all\t this\t time\t and\t lowered\t the\t shotgun\t towards\t the\t ground.\t Mila motioned\ttowards\tStella.\t\u201cYou\tstaying\tor\tcoming\twith\tus?\u201d Stella\t was\t still\t nursing\t her\t cheek,\t where\t the\t guard\t had\t struck\t her,\t tears streaming\tdown\ther\tface.\tShe\tstudied\tAdele\u2019s\tand\tRiley\u2019s\timploring\tlooks\tfrom inside\tthe\tvehicle,\tforcing\ta\tsmile.\t\u201cThanks,\tbut\tthis\tis\tmy\thome\tnow.\u201d Sister\t Mel\t put\t an\t arm\t around\t Stella\u2019s\t shoulders,\t squeezing\t her\t tighter\t in\t a show\t of\t solidarity.\t Mila\t clambered\t into\t the\t vehicle\t and\t slammed\t the\t rear passenger\tdoor,\tresting\tthe\tshotgun\ton\tthe\topen\twindow,\tpointing\tover\tthe\theads of\tthe\tgroup.\tRiley\tstarted\tthe\tLand\tRover\u2019s\tengine,\twhich\tcoughed\tinto\tlife,\tits exhaust\trattling,\twheezing\ta\tlittle\tbefore\tfinding\tits\trhythm. \u201cPerhaps\tone\tof\tyou\twould\tbe\tgood\tenough\tto\tget\tthat\ttruck\tout\tof\tmy\tway,\u201d","shouted\tRiley\tover\tthe\tnoise\tof\tthe\tengine. The\t guard\t hurried\t inside\t to\t find\t the\t keys\t to\t the\t truck\t hanging\t on\t a\t hook behind\tthe\tfront\tdesk.\tAs\tshe\twalked\tdown\tthe\tgravel\tdriveway,\tthe\tLand\tRover kept\t pace,\t rolling\t a\t few\t yards\t behind\t her,\t back\t towards\t the\t front\t gate,\t its\t two pillars\twith\tornamental\tlions\tmounted\teither\tside. The\tguard\treached\tup\tfor\tthe\thandle\tand\theaved\therself\tup\tinto\tthe\tcab.\tWith a\t plume\t of\t diesel\t smoke\t from\t its\t roof\t mounted\t exhaust,\t the\t truck\t roared\t into life.\t Inside\t they\t could\t see\t the\t driver\t fighting\t with\t the\t gear\t stick\t to\t get\t the lumbering\tbeast\tinto\treverse,\tbefore\tlurching\tslowly\tbackwards.\tShe\trevved\tthe engine\t impatiently,\t allowing\t just\t enough\t space\t for\t them\t to\t drive\t out\t and\t on\t to the\tmain\troad\tbeyond,\tbefore\trolling\tback\tinto\tplace. Just\tbefore\tthe\tgap\tclosed\tbehind\tthem,\tZed\tglimpsed\tStella\u2019s\tlone\tarm\traised in\tfarewell\tin\tthe\trear-view\tmirror,\tand\tthen\tshe\twas\tgone.\tHe\thad\ta\tbad\tfeeling it\twasn\u2019t\tthe\tlast\ttime\tthey\twould\ttangle\twith\tthe\tSisterhood.","Chapter\tFifty-four It\t was\t less\t than\t five\t miles\t back\t to\t Hurst\t from\t the\t hotel,\t but\t the\t roads\t were virtually\timpassable,\tclogged\twith\tabandoned\tcars.\tThe\ttraffic\tbacked\tup\tall\tthe way\t from\t the\t roundabout\t on\t the\t edge\t of\t town\t along\t the\t coastal\t road\t they\t were attempting\tto\tnavigate.\tThey\thad\tno\tchoice\tbut\tto\tdetour\taround\tobstacles,\tonto pavements,\t grass\t verges,\t through\t people\u2019s\t front\t gardens,\t even\t smash\t through\t a garden\t fence.\t In\t doing\t so,\t they\t managed\t to\t hook\t a\t children\u2019s\t climbing\t frame, wrapping\tthe\tladder\taround\ttheir\tfront\tgrill.\tThey\thad\tto\tstop\tto\tprevent\tit\tfrom jamming\t in\t the\t front\t wheel\t arch.\t They\t used\t any\t means\t they\t could\t to\t pass\t the blockages\tthat\tlittered\tthe\troadway. In\ta\tcouple\tof\tplaces,\tthey\thad\tto\tnudge\tother\tvehicles\tout\tof\tthe\tway,\tor\tget out\tand\tpush\tthem\tby\thand.\tRiley\thad\tgrown\tdesensitised\tto\tthe\tsight\tof\tdeath.\tIt was\t all\t around\t them.\t She\t thought\t nothing\t of\t pulling\t corpses\t from\t vehicles,\t of wrenching\t victim\u2019s\t hands\t that\t still\t gripped\t steering\t wheels,\t or\t heads\t resting against\t dashboards.\t She\t no\t longer\t felt\t squeamish,\t or\t was\t it\t just\t fatigue? Cumulative\t tiredness\t played\t tricks\t on\t the\t mind.\t She\t reached\t over\t a\t body\t to release\tthe\thand\tbrake\tand\tsteer\ta\ttwo-seater\tsports\tcar\tout\tof\ttheir\tway,\tas\tMila pushed\tfrom\tbehind. After\t a\t couple\t of\t hours,\t they\t caught\t their\t first\t glimpse\t of\t the\t sea.\t Milford beach\t stretched\t out\t to\t the\t east\t of\t them\t with\t the\t Needles\t rocks\t and\t island beyond.\t Riley\t was\t still\t troubled\t by\t what\t Stella\u2019s\t friend\t had\t told\t her.\t She\t had been\tvery\tclear.\tShe\thad\tseen\tsmoke\trising\tfrom\tHurst\tCastle.\tHowever\tunlikely, that\u2019s\twhat\tshe\tsaid.\tWhy\twould\tshe\tlie? Visible\t from\t that\t distance,\t it\t had\t to\t be\t more\t than\t just\t a\t campfire\t or\t burning rubbish.\tIt\tsounded\tlike\ta\tproper\tfire\tthat\thad\tgot\tcompletely\tout\tof\tcontrol.\tShe imagined\t the\t widespread\t panic,\t the\t plans\t and\t preparations\t they\t had\t made\t for exactly\tthis\teventuality.\tThey\thad\tstored\tfire\thoses\tin\tthe\tlighthouse\tfor\tpumping water\t from\t the\t dock\t back\t into\t the\t castle\t and\t placed\t buckets\t of\t sand\t near doorways\t and\t access\t points\t around\t the\t camp.\t They\t were\t as\t prepared\t as\t they could\t be,\t so\t she\t was\t still\t wondering\t how\t a\t fire\t could\t have\t taken\t hold.\t Just thinking\t about\t fires\t brought\t back\t memories\t of\t the\t previous\t night\t when\t she\t put her\t life\t on\t the\t line\t to\t save\t Zed.\t The\t pain\t in\t her\t hand\t was\t a\t living\t link.\t She cradled\ther\tleft\twrist,\tstill\tbandaged,\tpinching\tthe\tdressing\tto\trelieve\tthe\tpressure","on\tthe\twatery\tblisters\tthat\twere\tpainful\tto\tthe\ttouch. They\tdrove\ton\tthrough\tMilford\tvillage,\teach\tof\tthem\tfearing\tthe\tworst.\tRiley leaned\tforward\tin\ther\tseat,\tanticipation\tgrowing\tas\tthey\tdrew\tcloser\tto\thome,\ther imagination\trunning\triot,\tgiving\tvoice\tto\t her\tfears.\tAs\tthey\treached\t the\tend\tof the\troad\tand\tthe\tlast\tof\tthe\tbuildings\tat\tthe\tfar\tedge\tof\ttown,\tthey\tscreeched\tto\ta halt. Ahead\tof\tthem\twas\ta\tdirt\ttrack\tthat\thugged\tthe\tstart\tof\tthe\traised\tman-made sea\tdefences\tand\tshingle\tspit.\tTo\ttheir\tleft\twas\twhat\tremained\tof\ta\tcaravan\tpark, half\t flooded\t and\t storm\t damaged.\t Ploughed\t fields\t lay\t beyond.\t In\t the\t corner\t of the\t field,\t sitting\t next\t to\t a\t broken\t wooden\t fence,\t a\t yellow\t tractor\t stood\t idle\t and abandoned\tbeneath\ta\tcluster\tof\ttrees.\tRiley\tengaged\tfirst\tgear\tand\tthey\tcontinued the\tlast\tleg\tof\ttheir\tjourney\talong\tthe\tdirt\ttrack\ttowards\tthe\tcastle. There\t it\t was\t in\t the\t distance,\t across\t the\t estuary\t and\t tidal\t waters.\t There\t was little\t sign\t of\t smoke\t now,\t in\t fact,\t nothing\t that\t suggested\t anything\t untoward. Riley\t picked\t up\t the\t pace,\t pumping\t the\t accelerator\t and\t bumping\t over\t the\t many potholes,\tdeep\tgroves\tand\tdips,\twhere\tthe\tdirt\ttrack\twas\twaterlogged. They\treached\tthe\tend\tof\tthe\ttrack\tand\tascended\tthe\tsteep\tincline\tin\tlow\tgear, slipping\tand\tsliding\tuntil\tthey\tcrested\tthe\ttop\tof\tthe\tshingle\tbank\tand\tthe\tvehicle levelled\t out\t again.\t The\t view\t over\t Christchurch\t Bay\t was\t spectacular,\t the\t island glinting\tin\tthe\tmorning\tsun. Riley\t braked\t hard,\t scattering\t stones\t in\t front\t of\t the\t car.\t She\t could\t barely believe\ther\teyes.\tShe\treached\tacross\tZed,\tfumbling\tin\tthe\tglove\tcompartment\tfor the\t binoculars.\t It\t took\t a\t couple\t of\t seconds\t for\t her\t eyes\t to\t adjust\t and\t find\t what she\twas\tlooking\tfor.\tFar\tout\tto\tsea\twas\ta\tship.\tIt\twas\tdefinitely\tmilitary,\ta\tnavy frigate\tor\tdestroyer,\tshe\tcouldn\u2019t\ttell\tfrom\tthis\tdistance. \u201cA\t ship?\u201d\t asked\t Zed,\t peering\t into\t the\t distance,\t following\t the\t line\t of\t her binoculars\tat\tthe\tindistinct\tgrey\tshape\ton\tthe\thorizon. \u201cDefinitely\t not\t a\t steamer\t or\t container\t ship.\t Could\t be\t a\t warship,\u201d\t suggested Riley. \u201cIs\tit\tone\tof\tours?\u201d \u201cHard\tto\ttell\tbut\tit\u2019s\tdefinitely\theading\tthis\tway.\u201d Riley\t handed\t the\t binoculars\t to\t Zed\t and\t shifted\t the\t Land\t Rover\t back\t into gear.\tShe\taccelerated\thard,\tshowering\tthe\tunderside\tof\tthe\tcar\twith\tpebbles\tand loose\tshingle.\tThere\twas\tnow\tan\tadded\turgency\tto\tget\tto\twhere\tthey\twere\tgoing. Zed\t panned\t the\t binoculars\t towards\t Hurst\t and\t pointed\t out\t that\t there\t was\t no lookout\ton\tthe\tcastle\twalls.\tThat\twas\tunusual.\tRiley\tmade\ta\tmental\tnote\tto\thave strong\twords\twith\twhoever\twas\ton\tguard\tduty\tthat\tmorning. Where\twas\teveryone?\tThe\twhole\tplace\tlooked\tdeserted.\tThe\tcloser\tthey\tgot, the\t more\t worried\t they\t became\t that\t something\t terrible\t had\t happened\t in\t their","absence.\tRiley\tcursed\therself\tfor\tbeing\taway\ttoo\tlong. Rounding\t the\t western\t edge\t of\t the\t fortifications,\t they\t headed\t down\t the\t short slope\t going\t too\t fast.\t Riley\t jammed\t on\t the\t brakes\t and\t the\t car\t slid\t to\t a\t halt outside\t the\t main\t entrance\t to\t the\t castle.\t All\t four\t doors\t flew\t open\t as\t the\t group emerged,\talert\tand\tready.\tIn\tfront\tof\tthem\twas\tthe\tblast\thole\tin\tthe\tdrawbridge. They\t could\t see\t wisps\t of\t smoke\t caressing\t the\t leading\t edge\t of\t the\t stone\t walls, before\tdissipating\ton\tthe\tmorning\tbreeze.\tTo\tthe\tright\tof\tthe\tentrance,\thigh\tup\ton the\told\tgrey\tstone\twalls,\tmottled\twith\tblack\tlichen,\tsomeone\thad\tspray-painted\ta tag\tin\tblood-red\tgraffiti.\tStylised\tletters\ta\tmetre\thigh\tspelt\tthe\tword:\t\u201cHurts\u201d. Mila\t held\t her\t hand\t over\t her\t mouth,\t slowly\t taking\t in\t the\t scorch\t marks\t from the\texplosion\tat\tthe\tfront\tentrance\tand\ttrying\tto\tmake\tsense\tof\tthe\tgraffiti.\t\u201cWho would\thave\tdone\tthis?\u201d Adele\tspelt\tout\tthe\tletters\taloud,\tone\tby\tone.\t\u201cWhat\tdoes\tit\tmean,\tZed?\u201d \u201cIt\tmeans\tsomeone\thas\ta\tsick\tsense\tof\thumour.\u201d Riley\t opened\t the\t tailgate\t and\t unloaded\t their\t weapons.\t She\t slid\t a\t pistol\t into her\t belt\t and\t rammed\t two\t shells\t into\t each\t barrel\t of\t the\t cocked\t shotgun.\t \u201cYou don\u2019t\tthink\tthat\tthe\tguys\tfrom\tthe\thospital\thad\tanything\tto\tdo\twith\tthis?\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\t possible\t they\t came\t looking\t for\t us.\u201d\t Zed\t stood\t scratching\t his\t beard, angling\this\thead\tto\tthe\tside.\t\u201cDon\u2019t\ttake\tany\tchances.\u201d\tHe\tsniffed.\t\u201cThey\tcould still\tbe\there.\tMila\tand\tRiley,\tyou\ttwo\thead\tinside\tand\tsee\twhat\tyou\tcan\tfind\tout. Be\tcareful,\tyeah?\tAdele,\tyou\tstay\there\twith\tme.\u201d Riley\t clambered\t through\t the\t blast\t hole\t and\t tiptoed\t through\t the\t covered entrance,\t staying\t close\t to\t the\t wall,\t making\t no\t sound.\t It\t was\t eerily\t quiet\t inside. She\t closed\t her\t eyes\t and\t took\t a\t couple\t of\t deep\t breaths.\t Mila\t was\t right\t behind her.\t Very\t slowly,\t they\t both\t peered\t around\t the\t corner\t to\t take\t a\t look\t at\t what\t lay beyond.\tInside,\tbodies\tlittered\tthe\tcourtyard.\tMila\tgasped,\ther\teyes\tflicking\tfrom one\tbody\tto\tthe\tnext,\tbefore\trecognising\tone\tof\tthe\tfaces\tfurthest\tfrom\ther:\t\u201cOh no,\tplease.\u201d Riley\t heard\t voices\t close\t by\t and\t froze,\t gesturing\t Mila\t back\t against\t the\t wall, weapons\t raised\t trembling\t in\t front\t of\t them.\t She\t listened\t carefully,\t straining\t to hear,\t before\t recognising\t Tommy\u2019s\t voice.\t She\t called\t out\t to\t him,\t warning\t the defenders\tnot\tto\tshoot.\tNathan\tand\tLiz\thurried\tout\tto\tmeet\tthem. \u201cMy\t God,\t where\t have\t you\t all\t been?\t We\t thought\t you\t were\t dead,\u201d\t said Nathan,\twide-eyed\tin\tdisbelief. \u201cIt\u2019s\ta\tlong\tstory.\tWhat\tthe\thell\thappened\there?\u201d\tasked\tRiley. \u201cWe\twere\tattacked\tby\tthe\tgroup\tfrom\tthe\thospital,\u201d\tsaid\tNathan. \u201cMy\t God,\u201d\t she\t gasped,\t realising\t the\t chain\t of\t events\t they\t had\t set\t in\t motion several\t days\t before.\t \u201cBut\t how\t did\t they\t get\t in?\t What\t about\t the\t guards?\u201d\t Riley had\ta\tdozen\tquestions\tcrowding\teach\tother\tout.","\u201cThey\tcame\tin\tthe\tdead\tof\tnight.\tUsed\tclimbing\tgear\tto\tget\tover\tthe\twalls\tat the\t back.\t Once\t they\t were\t inside\t they\t blew\t open\t the\t front\t gates.\t There\t was another\tgroup\twaiting\toutside.\tThere\twere\ttoo\tmany\tof\tthem.\tWe\tmounted\ta\tlast stand\tat\tthe\tGun\tTower.\tIt\twas\tbad,\tRiley.\tIt\twas\ta\tbloodbath\tfor\tthe\tguys\tin\tthe west\twing.\u201d Liz\ttook\t over\tand\texplained\tin\tdetail\twhat\thad\thappened.\tThey\t helped\tZed through\tto\tthe\tguardhouse\tto\tsit\tdown.\tHe\twas\tstill\ta\tlittle\tunsteady\ton\this\tfeet. Tommy\t bent\t down\t on\t one\t knee\t and\t shook\t Adele\u2019s\t hand,\t welcoming\t her\t to the\tcastle.\tShe\tlooked\tback\tat\thim\ta\tlittle\tbashfully\tand\tcringed\tas\the\truffled\ther hair.\tShe\tshot\ta\tgrumpy\tglance\ttowards\tRiley\tas\tif\tto\tsay,\t\u201cWho\tis\tthis\tguy?\tI\u2019m not\ta\tkid,\tyou\tknow.\u201d **** Inside\t the\t main\t building,\t Riley\t waved\t at\t Scottie\t who\t nodded\t back,\t wrapping\t a bandage\t round\t the\t scalp\t of\t one\t of\t the\t injured,\t whose\t dark\t Barbour\t jacket\t was slick\twith\tsticky\tblood.\tOnly\this\teyes\tand\tthe\tlower\thalf\tof\tthe\tman\u2019s\tface\twere visible.\t Liz\t had\t him\t propped\t against\t the\t wall\t with\t a\t hot\t cup\t of\t tea\t to\t hold.\t He seemed\t to\t be\t suffering\t from\t concussion.\t He\t was\t non-responsive,\t almost dejected.\t There\t was\t an\t air\t of\t melancholy\t about\t him.\t In\t truth,\t no\t one\t was\t quite sure\t how\t he\u2019d\t got\t there\t at\t all.\t He\t was\t unarmed\t and\t had\t nothing\t identifiable\t in his\t pockets.\t And\t yet,\t there\t was\t something\t familiar\t about\t him,\t but\t Scottie couldn\u2019t\t quite\t place\t it.\t Something\t about\t his\t voice\t when\t he\t had\t asked\t for something\tto\tdrink. Tommy\t helped\t the\t injured\t man\t through\t to\t the\t makeshift\t triage\t area\t where more\t than\t a\t dozen\t wounded\t were\t laid\t out\t on\t mattresses\t on\t the\t floor.\t One\t of Copper\u2019s\t men\t was\t tied\t to\t a\t bed,\t a\t bullet\t still\t lodged\t in\t his\t abdomen,\t oozing blood\t when\t he\t breathed.\t They\t didn\u2019t\t hold\t much\t hope\t for\t him\t but\t Liz\t had insisted\tthat\twhatever\the\thad\tor\thadn\u2019t\tdone,\tit\tdidn\u2019t\tmake\tany\tdifference.\tThe people\t of\t Hurst\t were\t not\t barbarians.\t They\t would\t administer\t what\t medical\t care they\tcould\toffer\tand\tmake\tthe\twounded\tcomfortable. The\t man\t tied\t to\t the\t bed\t seemed\t to\t perk\t up\t at\t the\t sight\t of\t Tommy\t and\t his charge.\t He\t tried\t to\t mouth\t something,\t but\t no\t words\t came\t out.\t Unnoticed,\t he extended\t a\t single\t finger\t towards\t the\t man\t with\t the\t bandaged\t head,\t his\t eyes flickering\t as\t his\t head\t slumped\t back\t against\t the\t pillow.\t Tommy\t lowered\t the wounded\t man\t back\t onto\t an\t empty\t bed,\t unlacing\t his\t boots.\t The\t man\u2019s\t pupils were\t dilated,\t his\t vision\t cloudy.\t He\t was\t struggling\t to\t maintain\t focus\t as\t Tommy moved\ta\tfinger\tback\tand\tforth\tin\tfront\tof\this\teyes. \u201cWhat\u2019s\t your\t name?\u201d\t he\t asked\t softly.\t There\t was\t no\t response,\t so\t he\t tried","again.\t\u201cCan\tyou\ttell\tme\tyour\tname?\u201d The\t man\t blinked\t back\t at\t Tommy\t and\t whispered,\t \u201cDamian.\t My\t name\u2019s Damian\tKing.\u201d\t His\t voice\tsounded\tfamiliar\tto\tRiley.\tClipped,\tnorthern,\thard\tto place. \u201cHow\tdid\tyou\tget\there?\u201d\tTommy\tcontinued,\tsuddenly\tintrigued. There\t was\t another\t pause\t as\t the\t wounded\t man\t tried\t to\t make\t sense\t of\t the question.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tnot\tsure.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tremember.\tWhere\tam\tI?\u201d \u201cYou\u2019re\t at\t Hurst\t Castle,\u201d\t said\t Tommy.\t \u201cLiz\t says\t you\u2019ll\t be\t fine,\t but\t you\u2019ve had\ta\tnasty\tblow\tto\tthe\thead.\u201d Riley\tspotted\tNathan\tdoing\twhat\the\tdid\tbest,\tbustling\taround,\tmaking\tlists\tof names\t and\t their\t symptoms.\t There\t were\t some\t casualties\t with\t more\t serious injuries,\t gunshot\t wounds\t and\t the\t like,\t who\t would\t need\t urgent\t treatment.\t They didn\u2019t\t hold\t too\t much\t hope\t for\t a\t couple\t of\t them.\t Zed\t spotted\t the\t man\t Tommy had\tsupported\tthrough\tand\tdid\ta\tdouble\ttake. Riley\tnoticed\this\tpuzzled\tlook,\tfollowing\this\tstare\ttowards\tthe\tman\twith\tthe bandaged\thead.\tThere\twas\ta\tflicker\tof\tintelligence\tin\this\teyes,\tsomething\tRiley recognised. \u201cDo\tyou\tknow\thim?\u201d\tasked\tRiley. \u201cDon\u2019t\tyou?\tThis\tis\tthe\tpiece\tof\twork\twho\texecuted\tBob\tand\ttortured\tWill\tat the\thospital.\tWhat\u2019s\the\tdoing\there?\u201d \u201cYou\u2019re\t joking?\t This\t scumbag,\u201d\t said\t Scottie,\t all\t traces\t of\t empathy\t towards the\twounded\tman\tgone. The\tmore\tshe\tlooked,\tthe\tmore\tRiley\tthought\tshe\tknew\tthe\tman.\tHow\tcould everyone\thave\tbeen\tso\tslow\ton\tthe\tuptake?\tOf\tcourse,\tthey\thad\tlikely\tnever\tseen his\t face\t in\t daylight,\t only\t glimpses\t in\t torchlight\t and\t shadows.\t It\t seemed implausible,\tbut\timpossible\tto\tdeny. \u201cWhy\twould\tthey\tleave\ttheir\tleader\tbehind?\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tknow.\tPerhaps\tthey\tthought\the\twas\tdead.\u201d \u201cWhat\tdo\tyou\twant\tus\tto\tdo\twith\thim,\u201d\tasked\tScottie. \u201cWe\u2019ll\tdeal\twith\thim\tlater,\u201d\tspat\tNathan,\tgritting\this\tteeth.\t\u201cTake\thim\tto\tthe dungeon.\tJack\twill\tdecide\twhen\the\u2019s\tback.\u201d As\tTommy\tand\tScottie\tled\tthe\tprisoner\tfrom\tthe\troom,\tWill\tappeared\tin\tthe doorway,\tblocking\ttheir\tpath.\tHe\tgrabbed\tthe\twounded\tman\tby\tthe\tscruff\tof\tthe neck\tand\tlifted\thim\toff\this\tfeet,\tsmashing\thim\tback\tagainst\tthe\twall.\t\u201cI\ttold\tyou we\u2019d\tmeet\tagain.\tI\u2019m\tgoing\tto\tenjoy\twiping\tthat\tgrin\toff\tyour\tface,\u201d\tspat\tWill. Damian\tKing\u2019s\tface\twas\ta\tpicture\tof\tpuzzlement.\tUnfazed\tby\tWill\u2019s\tanger,\the stared\tback\twith\tcold\tlifeless\teyes. Nathan\tprised\tthe\ttwo\tmen\tapart,\tinserting\thimself\tbetween\tthem.\t\u201cBack\toff, Will.\tLook\tat\this\teyes,\the\u2019s\tall\tmessed\tup,\the\tdoesn\u2019t\teven\tknow\twhere\the\tis.\u201d","\u201cWell\t he\u2019s\t going\t to\t wish\t he\t never\t came\t here,\u201d\t snarled\t Will,\t incredulous. \u201cThe\ttwo\tof\tus\thave\tunfinished\tbusiness.\u201d\tWill\tgrabbed\tthe\tprisoner\tby\tthe\thair and\thauled\thim\tin\tclose.\tHe\thawked\tup\tsome\tsaliva\tand\tspat\tin\this\tface,\tbefore dumping\thim\tback\tdown\ton\tthe\tground.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tgoing\tto\tmake\tyou\tregret\twhat\tyou did\t to\t me.\t What\t you\t did\t to\t all\t of\t us.\u201d\t He\t slapped\t King\t across\t the\t cheek\t and watched\tas\tTommy\tfrogmarched\tthe\tprisoner\taway\tto\tthe\tdungeon.","Chapter\tFifty-five The\t USS\t Chester\t passed\t the\t Needles\t rocks\t and\t iconic\t red\t and\t white\t lighthouse on\t its\t northerly\t tip.\t Staying\t within\t the\t main\t shipping\t channel,\t the\t warship towered\t over\t the\t castle\t at\t Hurst\t and\t the\t corresponding\t fortifications\t on\t the island\t side,\t Fort\t Albert\t and\t Fort\t Victoria.\t The\t Chester\u2019s\t progress\t slowed momentarily\tas\tshe\tentered\tthe\ttidal\trace\tflowing\twestwards. On\t the\t bridge,\t Lieutenant\t Peterson\t had\t ordered\t the\t crew\t to\t battle\t stations. Jack\twatched\tenthralled\tas\tthe\tdeck-mounted\theavy\tmachine\tguns\tswung\taround and\t trained\t their\t sights\t on\t the\t battlements\t of\t Hurst.\t Spotters\t on\t the\t ship\u2019s superstructure\t scanned\t the\t shoreline\t on\t both\t sides\t with\t high-powered binoculars,\t in\t constant\t communication\t with\t sniper\t teams\t posted\t on\t the\t upper decks.\t They\t were\t still\t trying\t to\t establish\t contact\t with\t the\t Royal\t Navy\t at Portsmouth,\t getting\t no\t response.\t The\t radio\t operator\t couldn\u2019t\t explain\t why\t they weren\u2019t\tanswering.\tThe\tpanel\tof\tlights\tand\tscreens\tin\this\tcommunication\tcentre were\tall\tgreen.\tWeather\tconditions\twere\tmoderate.\tThey\tshould\thave\teasily\tbeen in\trange.\tPeterson\trequested\tone\tlast\tsystem\tcheck. Sergeant\t Jones\u2019s\t team\t had\t reported\t in\t a\t few\t minutes\t earlier.\t They\t had managed\t to\t commandeer\t a\t vehicle\t to\t inspect\t the\t missile\t crater\t and\t tangled wreckage\t within\t the\t blast\t area.\t Briggs\t was\t not\t one\t of\t the\t five\t bodies\t they\t had recovered,\t nor\t for\t that\t matter\t was\t Terra.\t They\t said\t the\t Humvee\t was\t barely recognisable,\t upside\t down\t on\t its\t roof.\t They\t had\t videoed\t everything,\t collecting what\t physical\t evidence\t they\t could\t before\t heading\t back\t to\t Osborne\t to\t meet\t the Seahawk. Jack\t waited\t on\t deck\t as\t the\t crew\t lowered\t one\t of\t the\t Chester\u2019s\t fast\t R.I.Bs\t to speed\t them\t back\t to\t Hurst.\t As\t soon\t as\t they\t were\t through\t the\t tidal\t race\t and\t into calmer\t waters,\t they\t were\t ready\t to\t launch.\t Sam\t was\t watching\t a\t crewmember prep\tthe\tmachine\tgun\tmounted\tat\tthe\tfront\tof\tthe\tR.I.B,\tloading\tammunition\tand checking\t the\t firing\t mechanism.\t Tommy\t would\t be\t so\t jealous.\t Sam\t said\t he couldn\u2019t\t wait\t to\t tell\t everyone\t about\t the\t ship\t and\t the\t ride\t in\t a\t helicopter.\t Two crewmembers\t helped\t Jack\t over\t to\t sit\t on\t a\t large\t grey\t container\t loaded\t with medical\tequipment.\tHe\twas\tunable\tto\tstand\tfor\tlong,\tbut\thad\tinsisted\ton\tcoming ashore\tto\tinspect\tthe\tdamage\tto\tthe\tcastle. When\t the\t bags\t and\t boxes\t were\t safely\t stowed\t and\t the\t rest\t of\t the\t team","assembled,\t the\t command\t was\t given\t and\t a\t hydraulic\t winch\t whirred\t into\t life.\t It slowly\tlowered\tthe\tR.I.B\tand\tits\tcrew\tuntil\tit\tsplashed\tdown\tin\tthe\tship\u2019s\twash. The\t pilot\t started\t the\t outboard\t engines\t and\t steered\t away\t from\t the\t destroyer\u2019s towering\t hull\t towards\t Keyhaven\t estuary\t and\t the\t sheltered\t dock\t behind\t the castle. Even\t after\t a\t lifetime\t at\t sea,\t Jack\t still\t found\t it\t exhilarating\t being\t in\t a\t high- speed\t launch.\t After\t the\t ocean-going\t Nipper,\t the\t R.I.B\t felt\t like\t a\t seagull, skimming\t the\t surface,\t barely\t feeling\t each\t wave\t as\t they\t sped\t towards\t their destination.\t They\t passed\t the\t end\t of\t the\t Hurst\t battery,\t its\t familiar\t dark\t grey rectangles\t where\t heavy\t artillery\t would\t have\t faced\t the\t Needles\t channel,\t the white\tlighthouse\tand\toutbuildings\tthat\tJack\tcalled\thome. Stretching\tahead\tof\tthem\twere\tthe\tnarrow-gauge\trailway\ttracks\tthat\tled\tto\tthe castle\tgate\tfrom\tthe\toriginal\tdocks\twhere\tmunitions\tand\tstores\twould\thave\tbeen unloaded.\tJack\tnoticed\this\tLand\tRover\twith\tits\tdoors\tstill\twide\topen,\tas\tif\tit\thad been\tabandoned.\tRounding\tthe\teastern\ttip\tof\tthe\tspit,\tthey\theaded\tinto\tthe\tsmall dock,\tavoiding\ta\thalf-submerged\tyacht.\tOnly\tits\tmast\tand\tforedeck\twere\tvisible above\t the\t surface\t at\t high\t tide,\t seawater\t swilled\t over\t its\t guardrail,\t tangled\t with seaweed\tand\tgrey\tfoam.\tA\tlarge\tgull\thopped\tacross\tthe\trail\tas\tthey\tapproached, before\t rising\t gracefully\t on\t the\t breeze,\t gliding\t a\t few\t metres\t away\t on\t to\t the crosstrees\tof\tanother\tyacht,\tnodding\tat\tanchor. Jack\t could\t see\t Tommy\t racing\t down\t to\t meet\t them\t at\t the\t dock.\t The\t gunner swung\t his\t bow-mounted\t weapon\t round\t to\t bear\t on\t Tommy\u2019s\t chest.\t Jack\t tapped the\t man\t on\t the\t shoulder\t and\t explained\t that\t he\t was\t friendly,\t much\t to\t Tommy\u2019s relief. As\t soon\t as\t the\t R.I.B.\t nudged\t against\t the\t pontoon,\t the\t four\t marines\t jumped ashore\t and\t fanned\t out\t left\t and\t right,\t scanning\t for\t targets.\t Sam\t seemed\t relieved to\tsee\this\told\tfriend\tTommy\tagain,\tpunching\this\tshoulder\tas\tthey\tfell\tinto\tstep, sharing\ta\tsmile\tand\ta\tjoke,\tno\tdoubt\teager\tto\tswap\tstories. Jack\t interrupted\t their\t excitement,\t impatient\t for\t every\t detail,\t anxious\t to\t hear news\t about\t any\t casualties.\t When\t Tommy\t mentioned\t that\t they\t had\t captured\t the man\t who\t led\t the\t attack,\t Jack\t straightened\t up,\t setting\t aside\t his\t pain\t and discomfort,\t emboldened\t by\t this\t unexpected\t consolation.\t He\t rolled\t the\t name Damian\tKing\taround\this\tmouth,\tas\tif\ttrying\tit\tfor\tsize,\tsearching\this\tmemory\tfor any\t mention\t of\t the\t man.\t He\t was\t certain\t he\t wasn\u2019t\t local.\t And\t yet,\t he\t was intrigued\t by\t the\t revelation\t that\t Will\t seemed\t to\t know\t the\t man\t from\t before. Where\tcould\the\thave\tmet\thim? Back\t within\t the\t protected\t confines\t of\t the\t austere\t stone\t of\t the\t Tudor\t castle, Jack\tseemed\tto\trelax\ta\tlittle,\this\tpainkillers\tkicking\tin.\tArm\tin\tsling,\the\tstopped to\t shake\t hands\t with\t several\t on\t their\t route.\t They\t descended\t the\t steep\t stairs\t that","led\tto\tthe\tcellar.\tIt\twas\tdamp\tand\tmusty\tdown\there.\tThe\twhole\tplace\tstill\treeked of\t smoke,\t with\t noticeable\t fire\t damage\t and\t scoring\t in\t several\t places\t along\t their route.\t In\t the\t very\t corner\t of\t the\t main\t block,\t in\t the\t bowels\t of\t the\t castle,\t they arrived\t at\t a\t small\t dry\t storeroom\t where\t they\t would\t have\t kept\t munitions\t and explosives\tin\tcenturies\tpast.\tIn\tthe\thalf-light\tthrown\tfrom\tthe\tflame\tof\ta\tlantern hanging\t on\t a\t hook\t by\t the\t door,\t the\t guard\t leaning\t against\t the\t wall\t looked exhausted,\t waiting\t to\t be\t relieved.\t He\t roused\t himself\t as\t they\t approached,\t a flicker\tof\trecognition\t as\the\tnoticed\tJack.\t They\t waited\tfor\tthe\tyouth\tto\t retrieve the\tkey\tfrom\ta\tpocket\tof\this\tgreen\tParka\tcoat.\tThe\theavy\toak\tdoor\tswung\topen to\t reveal\t total\t darkness\t within,\t a\t small\t rectangle\t of\t light\t from\t the\t doorway\t at their\tfeet.\tNathan\tpowered\tup\ta\tsmall\tpenlight\tand\tthey\tstepped\tinside. It\t was\t not\t immediately\t obvious\t that\t there\t was\t anything\t or\t anyone\t in\t the shadows\t until\t the\t torch\t beam\t located\t the\t soles\t of\t a\t pair\t of\t boots.\t A\t recumbent figure\t with\t a\t bandaged\t head\t was\t slumped\t against\t the\t brick\t wall,\t shielding\t his eyes\tfrom\tthe\tlight.\tThe\troom\twas\tinhospitable,\tto\tsay\tthe\tleast.\tIt\twas\tfreezing cold\tso\tclose\tto\tthe\twaterline.\tA\tsilver\trivulet\tof\tseawater\tran\tpast\tthe\tprisoner\u2019s boot\ttowards\t a\tdrain\tin\tthe\tfloor.\tCobwebs\thung\tfrom\tthe\tlow\tceiling\t and\toak beams\tthat\tforced\tthe\tstanding\tmen\tto\tbend\tdouble\tas\tthey\tadvanced\tfurther\tinto the\t cramped\t confines\t of\t the\t cell.\t Mould\t had\t found\t a\t home\t in\t every\t brick\t and every\tstone\there.\tJack\tcould\ttaste\tit\ton\tevery\tbreath. For\t a\t few\t seconds,\t they\t all\t stood\t in\t silence\t as\t the\t others\t shuffled\t in\t behind. The\t guard\t handed\t them\t a\t hurricane\t lantern\t to\t throw\t some\t more\t light\t on\t the pitiful\tconditions\tof\tthe\tprisoner\u2019s\tcaptivity.\tThe\troom\tstank\tof\tsweat\tand\turine from\tthe\tblue\tplastic\t bucket\tin\tthe\t corner.\tThe\tlatch\tclicked\tshut\tbehind\tthem. The\t captive\t assiduously\t studied\t each\t of\t them,\t taking\t in\t every\t detail,\t his\t arms folded,\tstaring\tback\twith\tno\tshortage\tof\tcontempt.\tAt\tleast\the\tappeared\tto\thave recovered\this\twits\tsince\this\tcapture. **** Nearly\t an\t hour\t later,\t the\t three\t men\t shuffled\t out,\t shoulders\t slumped,\t their\t body language\tdejected.\tThe\tyouth\trelocked\tthe\tdoor\tand\tresumed\this\tlethargy\toutside the\tcell.\tJack\tand\tNathan\twalked\ta\tdiscrete\tdistance\taway\tfrom\tboth\tthe\tcell\tand the\t guard\t before\t discussing\t what\t they\t had\t learned.\t Jack\t felt\t exhausted\t as\t if being\t in\t the\t same\t room,\t in\t the\t presence\t of\t this\t man,\t this\t monster,\t had\t drained him\tof\tevery\tounce\tof\tenergy. \u201cHow\tdo\twe\tknow\the\u2019s\tnot\tlying?\tHe\tcould\thave\tinvented\tthis\twhole\tstory,\u201d suggested\tNathan. \u201cNo,\t I\u2019d\t say\t he\u2019s\t telling\t the\t truth\t all\t right.\u201d\t Jack\t nodded.\t \u201cThe\t question\t is","why\t he\u2019s\t telling\t us\t in\t the\t first\t place?\u201d\t he\t added,\t stroking\t his\t chin\t with\t his\t free hand.\t \u201cZed\t and\t Riley\t saw\t at\t first\t hand\t that\t they\t were\t experimenting\t on\t people up\t at\t the\t hospital.\t It\t stands\t to\t reason\t that\t a\t small\t percentage\t of\t the\t population would\t have\t natural\t immunity\t to\t the\t virus.\t Who\t knows,\t perhaps\t with\t sufficient time\t and\t resources,\t they\t could\t find\t a\t way\t to\t enhance\t those\t natural\t defences\t or even\tinoculate\tagainst\tthe\tvirus.\tMaybe\tAdele\tis\tone\tof\tthose\tlucky\tfew,\tbut\twhy would\the\ttell\tus\tthat?\tWhat\tcould\the\thope\tto\tgain\tby\ttelling\tus\tthe\ttruth?\u201d Tommy\tshook\this\thead,\tfrustrated\tby\tJack\u2019s\tresponse.\t\u201cYou\tdon\u2019t\tknow\thim like\t we\t know\t him.\t You\t weren\u2019t\t here.\t Didn\u2019t\t you\t hear\t what\t he\t did?\u201d\t He\t leaned forward,\t imploring\t Jack\t to\t listen.\t \u201cHe\t deserves\t to\t die\t for\t what\t he\t did\t here.\t He executed\tour\tpeople.\tInnocent,\tunarmed\tmen\tand\twomen.\tHe\tordered\this\tthugs to\t shoot\t them\t in\t cold\t blood.\t Don\u2019t\t be\t taken\t in\t by\t his\t lies.\t He\u2019d\t say\t and\t do anything\t to\t get\t himself\t out\t of\t here\t and\t that\u2019s\t why\t we\t can\u2019t\t trust\t him.\t He\u2019s telling\tus\twhat\twe\twant\tto\thear.\tDon\u2019t\tyou\tsee\tthat?\u201d Jack\tstroked\this\twiry\tbeard,\tflecked\twith\tgrey\thairs\tthat\tcaught\tthe\tlight.\tHe closed\t his\t eyes,\t collecting\t his\t thoughts.\t Was\t he\t being\t naive\t in\t taking\t the prisoner\u2019s\twords\tat\tface\tvalue?\tHe\tthought\the\tdetected\tconflict,\talmost\tas\tif\tthe man\twanted\tthem\tto\tknow\tthe\ttruth. \u201cListen,\u201d\t added\t Tommy.\t \u201cLet\u2019s\t agree\t that\t he\u2019s\t trying\t to\t manipulate\t us.\t To what\tend,\twe\tdon\u2019t\tyet\tknow.\u201d Jack\tpatted\tTommy\ton\tthe\tback\tto\treassure\thim.\t\u201cDon\u2019t\tworry,\tthe\ttruth\twill reveal\titself\tin\tthe\tfullness\tof\ttime.\tIt\talways\tdoes.\u201d Tommy\t and\t Scottie\t nodded\t silently,\t still\t puzzling\t over\t their\t earlier interrogation\t of\t the\t prisoner.\t Jack\t was\t replaying\t the\t conversation\t in\t his\t head. Something\t didn\u2019t\t stack\t up,\t but\t he\t couldn\u2019t\t put\t his\t finger\t on\t it.\t Somewhere within\tthat\tstream\tof\tdisinformation\twere\thidden\ttruths,\the\twas\tsure\tof\tit.\tKing must\t have\t known\t they\t would\t share\t what\t they\t learned\t with\t the\t Americans.\t He would\tfigure\tit\tout\tin\tthe\tend.\tHe\tnormally\tdid.\tTommy\twas\ta\thot\thead,\tbut\the would\tlearn.\tPatience,\tit\thad\tto\tbe\tsaid,\twas\tnot\tone\tof\tTommy\u2019s\tstrong\tpoints. \u201cNathan,\t you\t go\t talk\t to\t the\t girl\t and\t see\t what\t you\t can\t find\t out\t about\t these tests\t they\t were\t running.\t Ask\t her\t about\t this\t other\t girl\t he\t talked\t about,\t Stella. Even\tif\tthere\u2019s\ta\tchance\tthey\thave\timmunity,\twe\tneed\tto\tget\tthe\tgirls\tto\ta\tsecure location.\t This\t could\t accelerate\t the\t search\t for\t a\t cure.\t The\t allies\t are\t setting\t up\t a centre\t for\t research\t on\t the\t island,\t near\t Newport,\t led\t by\t Professor\t Nichols.\t This could\tbe\ta\tbreakthrough.\u201d \u201cYou\tneed\tto\ttell\tme\tmore\tabout\tthe\tAmericans\tand\ttheir\tplans.\tRight\tnow,\tI have\tfragments\tonly.\tI\tneed\tto\tknow\tthe\tfull\tpicture,\u201d\timplored\tNathan. \u201cFirst,\tI\twant\ta\tone-on-one\tchat\twith\tthis\tDamian\tKing.\tIf\tit\u2019s\tjust\tthe\ttwo\tof us\the\tmight\tlet\this\tguard\tdown,\topen\tup\ta\tbit\tmore.\u201d","\u201cBe\t careful,\t Jack.\t Don\u2019t\t underestimate\t him.\t He\u2019ll\t be\t plying\t you\t for information,\tjust\tas\tmuch\tas\tyou\the,\ttrying\tto\tinfluence\tyou,\u201d\twarned\tScottie. \u201cHe\u2019ll\t find\t I\u2019m\t more\t than\t a\t match\t for\t him,\u201d\t laughed\t Jack.\t \u201cAlthough,\t why doesn\u2019t\tTommy\twait\toutside,\tjust\tin\tcase,\u201d\the\tconceded.","Chapter\tFifty-six Jack\tretraced\this\tsteps\tto\tthe\timprovised\tcell,\twaiting\tfor\tthe\tguard\tto\tunlock\tthe door.\tOnce\tinside,\the\tcrouched\tdown\ton\this\tknees\topposite\tthe\tprisoner,\tsetting the\t lantern\t between\t them\t on\t the\t floor.\t The\t prisoner\t seemed\t to\t ignore\t him, staring\t up\t into\t the\t darkness,\t his\t eyes\t locked\t on\t a\t spider\t in\t the\t corner,\t quietly spinning\ta\tsilvery\tweb\tthat\tglistened\tin\tthe\thalf-light. After\t a\t prolonged\t silence,\t King\t finally\t turned\t his\t head\t towards\t Jack\t as\t if noticing\thim\tfor\tthe\tfirst\ttime.\tHis\teyes\twere\tdevoid\tof\tlife,\tlike\tdead\tpools.\tHis face\t was\t expressionless,\t an\t impenetrable\t mask.\t Jack\u2019s\t eyes\t narrowed,\t steeling himself\t to\t the\t task\t at\t hand,\t trying\t hard\t to\t maintain\t a\t calm\t exterior\t and\t air\t of authority,\tas\the\tpondered\this\tnext\tmove.\tHe\timagined\thimself\tas\ta\tchess-master facing\t his\t greatest\t adversary,\t exploring\t cause\t and\t effect,\t waiting\t for\t his opponent\tto\tmake\ta\tmistake. \u201cSomething\tyou\tforgot\tto\task,\tJack?\tI\tthink\tI\u2019ve\ttold\tyou\teverything\tI\twant\tto tell\tyou,\tfor\tnow.\u201d \u201cWhy\tdon\u2019t\twe\tcut\tthe\tcrap\tand\tstart\tagain,\tleader\tto\tleader,\tso\tto\tspeak?\tBut I\twarn\tyou,\tno\tmore\tgames.\tUntil\tyou\tstart\ttelling\tus\twhat\twe\twant\tto\thear,\twell, as\t far\t as\t I\u2019m\t concerned,\t we\t can\t leave\t you\t in\t here\t until\t you\u2019re\t ready\t to\t talk, however\tlong\tthat\ttakes.\tNo\tone\u2019s\tgoing\tto\tcome\tand\tbust\tyou\tout.\u201d\tJack\tpaused, waiting\t for\t his\t adversary\t to\t take\t stock\t and\t reflect\t on\t who\t held\t the\t balance\t of power.\t \u201cWhy\tdon\u2019t\tyou\tstart\tby\ttelling\tme\twhy\tyou\treally\tattacked\tthe\tcastle? And\twhy\tyour\tmen\tsaw\tfit\tto\tleave\tyou\tbehind?\tEveryone\tseem\tto\tthink\tyou\u2019re some\t kind\t of\t Trojan\t horse,\t but\t it\t sounds\t more\t like\t you\t got\t careless.\t You\u2019d served\tyour\tpurpose\tand\tthey\tdiscarded\tyou\tlike\ta\tbroken\tpencil.\u201d The\t man\t in\t black\t smiled,\t shifting\t his\t body\t weight\t and\t adopting\t the\t same kneeling\t position\t as\t Jack,\t mirroring\t his\t body\t language.\t Leaning\t forward,\t the lantern\t lit\t his\t face\t from\t below.\t His\t features\t seemed\t suddenly\t contorted\t in\t the pale\tlight,\this\teye\tsockets\tempty,\talmost\tghoulish,\this\tsmile\tdemonic. \u201cOh,\t I\t don\u2019t\t know,\u201d\t he\t opened\t brightly.\t \u201cI\t always\t saw\t myself\t living\t in\t a castle\t one\t day.\t An\t Englishman\u2019s\t home\t is\t his\t castle,\t isn\u2019t\t that\t what\t people\t used to\t say?\t But\t after\t seeing\t this\t old\t dump,\t I\u2019ve\t changed\t my\t mind.\u201d\t He\t paused, staring\tunblinking\tat\tJack.\t\u201cIf\tyou\treally\tneed\tme\tto\tspell\tit\tout.\tThere\u2019s\tno\tbig secret.\t That\t Bok\t of\t yours,\t Will,\t told\t me\t all\t about\t this\t place\t and\t I\t figured,\t why","not?\t Eliminate\t a\t rival\t on\t our\t doorstep,\t claim\t the\t castle\t for\t myself,\t live\t happily ever\tafter.\tPerhaps\tyou\thaven\u2019t\tnoticed,\tJack,\tbut\tit\u2019s\tdog-eat-dog\tout\tthere.\u201d \u201cWhatever\tgoes\ton\tout\tthere\tis\tnone\tof\tour\tbusiness.\tWe\u2019re\tpeace-loving\tfolk here;\twe\u2019re\tnot\tlooking\tfor\ta\tfight.\u201d \u201cNevertheless,\t sooner\t or\t later\t someone\t was\t going\t to\t come\t along\t and\t take this\tplace\taway\tfrom\tyou.\tIt\twas\tjust\ta\tmatter\tof\ttime.\u201d \u201cWe\u2019re\thardly\tdefenceless,\tas\tI\tthink\tyou\tfound\tout\tfor\tyourself\tlast\tnight.\u201d \u201cYou\tcan\u2019t\tlive\tin\tyour\tlittle\tbubble\tforever.\u201d \u201cBubble?\t Live\t and\t let\t live,\t I\t say.\t We\u2019re\t doing\t what\t we\t can\t to\t get\t by. Providing\twe\tcatch\tenough\tfish\tand\tgrow\tenough\tvegetables\tto\tfeed\tthe\thungry, then\t we\u2019re\t happy\t to\t stay\t clear\t of\t the\t madness.\t It\t may\t not\t seem\t like\t much\t to\t a power-hungry\t megalomaniac\t like\t yourself,\t but\t to\t us\t this\t is\t home.\t The\t life\t and security\tpeople\tcraved.\tThis\tis\tsurvival.\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\t all\t a\t bit\t \u2018Kum-ba-yah\u2019,\t isn\u2019t\t it,\t Jack?\t Sitting\t round\t a\t campfire,\t singing songs,\tsaying\tprayers,\tslowly\tdying\ta\tlittle\tbit\tevery\tday.\tThen\twhat?\tOut\tthere people\t are\t doing\t more\t than\t just\t surviving.\t They\u2019re\t getting\t organised, reconnecting\twith\tother\tgroups,\trebuilding.\tWhat\tare\tyou\tdoing?\tYou\thave\tyour heads\t in\t the\t sand.\t Sooner\t or\t later\t you\u2019re\t going\t to\t have\t to\t choose\t a\t side. Alliances\t are\t forming\t and\t you\t can\u2019t\t stay\t neutral\t forever.\t You\u2019re\t not\t a\t colony; you\u2019re\t a\t castle.\t A\t pile\t of\t bricks\t and\t stone,\t nothing\t more,\u201d\t goaded\t the\t prisoner, trying\tto\trile\tJack. Jack\tparried\twith\ta\tdismissive\twave,\ttrying\this\tbest\tto\tremain\tcalm,\tadopting his\t best\t poker\t face\t but\t marshalling\t his\t rising\t sense\t of\t anger.\t \u201cWhat\t makes\t you think\twe\thaven\u2019t\tchosen\tsides\talready?\tYou\tthink\twe\u2019re\tisolated\tand\talone\there? We\u2019re\t not.\t When\t you\t attack\t Hurst,\t you\t attack\t a\t whole\t network\t of\t Solent\t forts and\t small\t communities\t pulling\t together.\t We\t don\u2019t\t stand\t alone,\t we\u2019re\t an interconnected\talliance\tgrowing\tand\texpanding.\tJust\tbecause\twe\u2019ve\tchosen\ta\tlife of\t neutrality\t and\t non-aggression\t doesn\u2019t\t mean\t that\t we\t won\u2019t\t stand\t up\t for\t our way\tof\tlife\twhen\tchallenged.\u201d \u201cYou\tdon\u2019t\thave\tthe\tballs,\u201d\the\tsnorted. \u201cI\twouldn\u2019t\tbe\tso\tsure.\tWe\u2019ll\thunt\tdown\tthe\tmen\twho\tdid\tthis\tlike\tthe\tvermin they\t are.\t Wherever\t they\u2019re\t hiding,\t we\u2019ll\t find\t them.\t We\t have\t powerful\t friends who\t protect\t us\t and\t watch\t over\t us.\t There\u2019s\t a\t new\t order\t coming\t to\t sweep\t away people\tlike\tyou.\u201d \u201cOh,\t I\t know\t all\t about\t the\t Americans\t and\t Camp\t Wight.\t Don\u2019t\t tell\t me\t that\u2019s your\tbig\tsecret?\tYou\treally\tthink\tyou\twere\tthe\tonly\tones\tinvited\tto\tthe\tmeeting at\tOsborne\tHouse?\tSome\tof\tus\tchose\tnot\tto\tgo.\tEver\tconsidered\tthat?\u201d Jack\twas\tblinking\tfuriously,\ttrying\tto\tkeep\this\temotions\tunder\tcontrol,\twhile his\t mind\t raced\t to\t play\t catch-up.\t He\t took\t a\t moment\t to\t compose\t himself,","genuinely\t lost\t for\t words.\t \u201cWhatever\t you\t think\t you\t know,\t you\t only\t know\t the half\tof\tit.\tThings\tare\tmoving\tquickly,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tbefore\tpausing\tabruptly.\t\u201cOh,\tbut forgive\t me,\t perhaps\t you\t don\u2019t\t know,\t all\t cooped\t up\t in\t here,\t cut\t off\t from everything\tthat\u2019s\thappened\tover\tthe\tlast\tfew\thours.\u201d \u201cCapturing\tme\tchanges\tnothing.\u201d \u201cI\twouldn\u2019t\tbe\tso\tsure.\tYou\u2019d\tdo\twell\tto\trealise\tthat\tyou\tand\tI\tare\tbut\tpawns in\ta\tmuch\tlarger\tgame.\tThere\u2019s\tnothing\tyou\tcan\tdo\tto\tstop\tour\tplans.\tThe\twheels are\t already\t in\t motion.\t Unless,\t that\t is,\t you\t have\t a\t whole\t army\t at\t your command?\u201d \u201cOh,\tI\thave\tsomething\tmuch\tbetter\tthan\tan\tarmy,\tor\ta\tnavy\tfor\tthat\tmatter.\tI have\t a\t virus.\t A\t pandemic\t virus.\t Left\t unchecked,\t it\u2019s\t capable\t of\t wiping\t out human\t life\t on\t this\t planet\t as\t we\t know\t it.\t Phase\t one\t of\t that\t process\t is\t already complete.\tWhoever\tcontrols\tthe\tcure\tpulls\tthe\tstrings,\tholds\tthe\tfate\tof\tall\tthose who\tremain\talive.\tJust\tthink\tof\tthe\tpower\tbestowed\tupon\twhoever\tcan\tbe\tfirst\tto manufacture\t and\t distribute\t a\t vaccine?\t Wealth\t and\t influence\t beyond\t anyone\u2019s wildest\tdreams.\u201d \u201cAnd\t yet,\t despite\t all\t that\t power,\t you\t risked\t your\t own\t life\t to\t get\t the\t girls back.\u201d\t Jack\t laughed\t scornfully.\t \u201cYou\u2019re\t bluffing.\t Without\t the\t girls,\t you\t have nothing.\u201d The\t prisoner\t sneered\t back\t at\t him,\t mocking\t Jack\u2019s\t attempts\t to\t provoke\t him. \u201cLosing\tthe\tgirls\twas\tan\tinconvenience,\ta\ttrifle,\tnothing\tmore.\tA\tminor\tsetback to\t our\t plans.\t The\t girls\t are\t of\t little\t importance.\t And\t you\t should\t know\t that without\ttheir\tdaily\tinjections,\tthey\u2019ll\tdie\tlike\tall\tthe\trest\tand\tthen\tyou\twill\thave nothing.\t But\t I\t will\t still\t have\t months\u2019\t worth\t of\t research.\t We\t already\t know\t so much\t about\t the\t virus.\t We\t have\t samples\t of\t their\t blood,\t more\t than\t enough\t to continue\t our\t experiments.\t The\t girls\t mean\t nothing\t now.\t You\t can\t have\t them. They\u2019re\tyours.\u201d Jack\twas\tbeginning\tto\tpanic.\tHe\twas\trunning\tout\tof\tmoves.\tHe\u2019d\tplayed\this cards,\tand\tfound\this\tadversary\talways\tseemed\tto\thold\tthe\tupper\thand,\tor\tat\tleast was\tbetter\tat\tbluffing\tthan\thim.\tHe\twas\ttaunting\tJack\tthat\the\tknew\teverything\the knew\t and\t more,\t but\t how?\t He\t had\t to\t be\t in\t league\t with\t someone\t else\t who\t had been\tat\tthe\tOsborne\tHouse\tdinner.\tIn\this\tmind,\the\treplayed\tthe\tmental\timage\tof the\tdrone\tfootage,\tof\tBriggs\tstanding\tnext\tto\tVictor\tfrom\tthe\tMaersk\tCharlotte. An\t idea\t began\t to\t form.\t A\t conspiracy.\t Was\t it\t possible\t they\t were\t all\t working together?\t A\t powerful\t alliance\t that\t would\t stop\t at\t nothing\t to\t see\t the\t plans\t for Camp\tWight\tfail\tand\tchaos\tcontinue\tin\tthe\tregion.\tBut\twhy?\tTo\twhat\tend? \u201cPoor\t Jack,\u201d\t King\t continued.\t \u201cYou\t really\t don\u2019t\t understand,\t do\t you?\t You really\tthink\tthat\tthe\tAmericans\tcan\tjust\twaltz\tin\there\tand\teveryone\twill\troll\tover and\t welcome\t them\t with\t open\t arms,\t share\t all\t our\t food\t and\t resources\t with\t a","foreign\tpower?\tDon\u2019t\tbe\tso\tnaive.\u201d \u201cAu\t contraire,\u201d\t gambled\t Jack.\t \u201cYou\u2019re\t the\t one\t who\u2019s\t being\t naive.\t Perhaps you\thaven\u2019t\theard?\tOh,\thow\tsilly\tof\tme,\tI\tforgot.\tYou\u2019ve\tbeen\tstuck\tin\there.\tOut of\tthe\tloop.\u201d \u201cVery\twell,\tJack,\u201d\the\tsaid\twith\ta\tsigh.\t\u201cWhat\thave\tI\tnot\theard?\tSurprise\tme.\u201d \u201cThe\tParkhurst\tcrew.\tDead.\tDestroyed.\u201d King\t pursed\t his\t lips\t and\t grimaced:\t \u201cParkhurst\t Prison?\t What\t are\t you\t talking about?\u201d \u201cYour\tfriend\tBriggs\tis\tdead.\tThe\taxis\tof\tevil\tis\tfinished,\tbefore\tit\tever\thad\ta chance\tto\tget\tgoing.\u201d King\t laughed\t again,\t throwing\t his\t hands\t up\t in\t mock\t despair\t but\t showing\t no flicker\t of\t recognition\t that\t he\t knew\t what\t Jack\t was\t talking\t about.\t Jack\u2019s\t gambit had\t failed.\t His\t lie\t about\t Briggs\t fell\t on\t deaf\t ears\t and\t he\t did\t a\t poor\t job\t at concealing\this\tfrustration. \u201cAxis\tof\tevil?\tIf\tthat\u2019s\twhat\tyou\treally\tthink\tthen\tyou\u2019re\teven\tmore\tdeluded than\tI\tthought.\tPlease\tdon\u2019t\tkid\tyourself\tthat\tthe\tworld\tis\tsomehow\ta\tsafer\tplace now\t you\u2019ve\t captured\t one\t evil\t genius\t hell-bent\t on\t your\t destruction.\t The\t new world\t is\t full\t of\t people\t like\t me.\t I\u2019m\t just\t like\t you,\t Jack.\t Fighting\t for\t what\t I believe\tin,\tlooking\tafter\tmy\town.\tTrying\tto\tmake\ta\tbetter\tlife.\tYou\twant\tto\tknow the\t difference\t between\t us?\t You\t see\t the\t world\t through\t rose-tinted\t glasses.\t You think\t everyone\t is\t inherently\t good.\t I\t don\u2019t.\t I\u2019m\t a\t realist.\t Life\t is\t a\t game\t and people\tare\tmerely\tpieces\ton\ta\tchessboard.\tYou\tjust\thave\tto\tfigure\tout\thow\tto\tuse them\t to\t win.\u201d\t King\t shook\t his\t head\t with\t a\t pained\t expression,\t enjoying\t the moment.\t \u201cYou\t still\t don\u2019t\t get\t it,\t do\t you?\t You\t think\t because\t you\t live\t in\t a\t castle you\u2019re\tbetter\tthan\tthe\trest\tof\tus?\tYou\u2019re\tpathetic.\tYou\tsee\tthe\tworld\tin\tabsolutes. Good\t versus\t evil.\t Life\t is\t never\t that\t black\t and\t white.\t Don\u2019t\t judge\t a\t book\t by\t its cover.\tNext,\tyou\u2019ll\tbe\ttelling\tme\tthat\tliving\tin\ta\tlighthouse\tmakes\tyou\ta\tshining beacon\tto\tothers,\tyou\tself-righteous\tarse.\u201d Jack\t was\t shaking\t with\t rage,\t his\t left\t eye\t flickering\t involuntarily.\t \u201cNo,\t King, you\u2019re\twrong.\tOur\tactions\tdefine\tus\tas\tpeople.\tNot\tour\tclothes,\tor\twhat\twe\tsay. You\t see\t the\t world\t in\t shades\t of\t grey.\t I\t don\u2019t.\t I\t draw\t the\t line\t at\t killing\t innocent people.\u201d \u201cInnocent?\t Guilty?\t The\t search\t for\t a\t cure\t is\t what\t matters.\t Our\t very\t survival depends\t on\t it.\t The\t end\t justifies\t the\t means.\t If\t that\t means\t a\t few\t thousand\t extra people\t need\t to\t die\t while\t we\t test\t a\t vaccine,\t isn\u2019t\t that\t a\t price\t worth\t paying? That\u2019s\tprogress,\tno?\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tnot\ttalking\tabout\tall\tthose\thundreds\tof\tpeople\tyou\tkilled\tin\tthe\tname\tof science.\tI\u2019m\ttalking\tabout\tthe\twomen\tand\tchildren\tyou\tmurdered\tin\tcold\tblood, right\there.\tMy\tpeople.\tThey\twere\tunarmed.\tThey\tdidn\u2019t\tstand\ta\tchance.\u201d","\u201cYou\t think\t the\t death\t of\t your\t people\t makes\t the\t slightest\t bit\t of\t difference? Don\u2019t\tbe\tso\tsentimental.\tThousands\tof\tpeople\tare\tdying\tevery\tday.\u201d\tHe\tclicked his\t fingers\t repeatedly\t to\t emphasise\t the\t point,\t then\t paused\t and\t smiled, remembering\tsomething.\t\u201cCurious\tto\tthink\tthat\tyour\tpeople\twere\tput\tout\tof\ttheir misery\tby\tformer\tpolicemen.\tInteresting,\tno?\u201d\tHe\tput\this\tfinger\tto\this\tlip,\ttilting his\t head\t before\t continuing\t in\t a\t mocking\t voice\t laced\t with\t irony.\t \u201cHow\t quickly people\tchange.\tIt\tdidn\u2019t\ttake\tmuch\tto\tpersuade\tmen\twho\tdedicated\ttheir\tlives\tto upholding\t the\t law\t that\t killing\t others\t is\t right\t and\t necessary.\t The\t rules\t of\t the game\thave\tchanged.\tWake\tup\tand\tsmell\tthe\tcoffee,\tJack.\tThe\tworld\thas\tchanged and\t it\t is\t you\t who\t haven\u2019t\t kept\t up.\t You\t bury\t your\t heads\t in\t the\t sand\t here\t like ostriches.\t You\u2019re\t no\t better\t than\t me\t or\t anyone\t else.\t You\t just\t think\t you\t are.\t If you\u2019re\t not\t careful,\t you\u2019re\t going\t to\t find\t yourselves\t isolated\t and\t alone\t here. Perhaps\t you\u2019ve\t forgotten\t that\t Camp\t Wight\t will\t be\t on\t the\t wrong\t side\t of\t the Solent.\u201d \u201cWe\tfought\tyou\toff\tbefore.\tWe\u2019ll\tdo\tit\tagain.\u201d \u201cReally?\t How\t can\t a\t bunch\t of\t fishermen\t like\t you\t hope\t to\t protect\t this\t castle against\ta\twhole\tarmy\tof\ttrained\tparamilitaries?\tMy\tmen\twon\u2019t\tgive\tup\tuntil\tthis place\t is\t razed\t to\t the\t ground.\t Next\t time,\t you\t won\u2019t\t stand\t a\t chance,\t even\t with your\tnew\tfriends.\u201d \u201cYou\treally\tthink\tthey\u2019ll\tcome\tback\tand\trisk\ttheir\tlives\tto\tsave\tyou?\tThey\u2019ll leave\tyou\there\tto\trot.\u201d \u201cMy\tmen\twon\u2019t\tcome\tback\there\tfor\tme.\tSo\tlong\tas\tthey\thave\tbreath\tin\ttheir lungs\tand\tbullets\tin\ttheir\tguns,\tthey\u2019ll\tkeep\tcoming\tuntil\tyour\tpathetic\tgroup\tis wiped\t out.\t It\u2019s\t just\t what\t they\t do.\t Your\t people\t came\t to\t Hurst\t to\t die.\t They\t just don\u2019t\tknow\tit\tyet.\u201d Jack\thad\ttaken\tall\the\tcould\ttake\tfor\tone\tday,\tbut\tKing\twasn\u2019t\tfinished\tyet.\tHe had\tone\tlast\tpoisonous\tthought\tto\tshare. \u201cPerhaps\tit\thasn\u2019t\toccurred\tto\tyou\tthat\tI\tcould\tbe\ta\tcarrier,\tslowly\tspreading the\tvirus.\tImmune\tmyself,\tbut\tinfecting\tyou\tand\tyour\tpeople\teven\tnow.\tBet\tyou didn\u2019t\t think\t of\t that.\t Careless,\t Jack,\t sitting\t so\t close,\t breathing\t the\t same\t air\t as me.\u201d Listening\tto\tthe\tman\tin\tblack\u2019s\thollow\tlaugh,\tJack\tshuddered.\tIt\thad\toccurred to\t him\t that\t the\t girls\t may\t not\t be\t the\t only\t ones\t immune\t to\t the\t virus,\t but\t the chances\t of\t any\t of\t the\t rest\t of\t the\t hospital\t group\t being\t immune\t were\t a\t hundred- to-one.\tHe\tshook\this\thead,\trefusing\tto\trise\tto\tthe\tbait. \u201cI\thave\tbetter\tthings\tto\tdo\tthan\tlisten\tto\tthe\tdelusions\tof\ta\tman\twho\u2019s\tnever going\tto\tsee\tthe\tlight\tof\tday\tagain.\tI\u2019ll\tleave\tyou\tto\tyour\ttwisted\tthoughts.\tWe\u2019ll talk\tagain\twhen\tI\u2019m\tgood\tand\tready.\tEnjoy\tyour\tsilence\tand\tsolitude.\tThat\u2019s\tall you\u2019ll\tget\tfrom\tus.\u201d","Jack\t had\t had\t enough\t of\t this\t goading.\t For\t the\t last\t few\t minutes,\t he\u2019d\t been clenching\this\tfists,\ttighter\tand\ttighter.\tHe\tcould\tfeel\tthe\tveins\ton\tthe\tside\tof\this neck\t throbbing.\t He\t swore\t that\t if\t he\t spent\t one\t more\t minute\t with\t this\t man,\t this monster,\t he\u2019d\t tear\t him\t limb\t from\t limb.\t He\t stood\t up\t too\t quickly,\t clumsily kicking\t over\t the\t lantern\t that\t stood\t between\t them.\t The\t glass\t smashed\t and\t the flame\t was\t extinguished\t in\t the\t dust\t on\t the\t ground,\t its\t wick\t and\t mounting tumbling\tclear. The\t whole\t room\t was\t suddenly\t plunged\t into\t darkness.\t Jack\t scrambled towards\t the\t doorway,\t feeling\t with\t his\t hands\t in\t front\t of\t him.\t He\t started hammering\t and\t shouting\t Tommy\u2019s\t name,\t trying\t to\t keep\t a\t lid\t on\t his\t mounting fear.\t The\t man\t in\t black\u2019s\t disembodied\t voice\t in\t the\t darkness\t seemed\t to\t come from\tmultiple\tdirections,\techoing\toff\tthe\twalls\tof\tthe\tdry\tstorage\troom. \u201cPoor\tJack,\u201d\the\trepeated,\tfollowed\tby\tthat\tsame\thollow\tlaugh. Jack\t banged\t louder\t before\t the\t key\t turned\t and\t Tommy\u2019s\t friendly\t face appeared\tin\tthe\tdoorway,\tpeering\tin\tto\tsee\twhat\twas\thappening.\tJack\twrenched the\t door\t open\t wider\t and\t barged\t Tommy\t out\t of\t the\t way,\t desperate\t to\t get\t as\t far away\t from\t the\t prisoner\t as\t he\t could.\t Tommy\t stood\t for\t a\t second,\t staring\t after Jack\t as\t he\t hurried\t away.\t Behind\t him,\t Tommy\t looked\t back\t into\t the\t darkness, wondering\twhat\thad\tspooked\tJack,\tsearching\tout\tthe\tface\tof\tthe\tman\tinside.\tAll he\tcould\tsee\twere\this\tlegs\tand\tthe\tsmashed\tlantern\ton\tthe\tground.\tHe\tstooped\tto pick\tup\tthe\tlamp\tand\tthe\tlarger\tshards\tof\tglass\tand\tslammed\tthe\tdoor\tshut. On\t the\t stairs,\t he\t found\t Jack\t limping\t heavily,\t perspiration\t on\t his\t forehead. Tommy\t supported\t him\t through\t the\t narrow\t doorway\t to\t the\t roof\t of\t the\t Gun Tower.\t Jack\t fell\t on\t his\t hands\t and\t knees\t and\t dry\t retched,\t breathing\t hard.\t When he\t had\t recovered\t his\t wits,\t he\t hobbled\t over\t and\t found\t Nathan\t looking\t out\t over the\tbattlements,\tsurveying\tthe\t USS\tChester\u2019s\tprogress\teast\ttowards\tCowes\tand Southampton\t Water.\t Jack\t snatched\t the\t walkie-talkie\t from\t Nathan\u2019s\t belt\t and depressed\tthe\ttalk\tbutton. \u201cPeterson,\tit\u2019s\tJack\there.\u201d There\twas\ta\tfew\tseconds\tdelay\tbefore\ta\tvoice\the\trecognised\twell\tcame\tback loud\tand\tclear.\t\u201cGo\tahead,\tJack.\u201d \u201cWe\u2019ve\tgot\ta\tmajor\tproblem.\tI\tdon't\tknow\thow,\tbut\tthey\tknow.\tKing\tknows all\tabout\tCamp\tWight.\u201d\tThere\twas\tno\tresponse\tfrom\tPeterson\tso\tJack\tcontinued, the\t stress\t obvious\t in\t his\t voice.\t \u201cAnd\t it\t sounds\t like\t the\t story\t about\t the\t girls\t is bona\tfide.\tThey\tdo\thave\timmunity\tto\tthe\tvirus.\u201d There\t was\t a\t long\t silence,\t while\t Jack\t checked\t the\t volume\t on\t the\t radio\t to make\tsure\tit\twas\tstill\ttransmitting\tand\tthe\tbattery\thadn\u2019t\tfailed,\tbefore\the\theard the\t American\u2019s\t response.\t \u201cCopy\t that.\t Let\u2019s\t continue\t this\t conversation\t face\t to face.\tBe\tcareful\twhat\tyou\tsay,\tJack,\tthis\tis\tan\tunsecure\tline.\tLet\u2019s\tget\tthose\tgirls","to\ta\tsafe\tlocation.\u201d \u201cOkay,\t one\t of\t them\t is\t safe.\t And\t we\t think\t we\t know\t where\t to\t find\t the\t other one.\tWe\u2019re\tgoing\tto\tneed\tsome\ttransport\tthough.\u201d There\twas\tanother\t silence.\t\u201cWe\u2019ve\tgot\tour\thands\ta\tlittle\tfull\tright\tnow,\tbut we\u2019ll\tsend\tthe\tchopper\tas\tsoon\tas\tit\tcan\tbe\tspared.\tHang\tin\tthere,\tJack.\u201d Jack\t signed\t off\t and\t looked\t back\t towards\t the\t island.\t Dark\t clouds\t were blowing\tin\tfrom\tthe\tsouth-west.\tHe\tcould\tsee\tlight\train\tfalling\tunderneath.\tThe dull\t ache\t in\t his\t shoulder\t intensified\t as\t the\t painkillers\t began\t to\t wear\t off.\t His heart\t sank\t and\t his\t eyes\t closed\t as\t he\t remembered\t the\t loss\t of\t Terra.\t It\t was\t as\t if he\u2019d\tlocked\tthat\tmemory\taway\tand\tstumbled\tacross\tit\tagain\tunexpectedly.\tSam was\tright.\tShe\twas\ta\tresourceful\twoman.\tShe\twould\tdo\twhatever\tit\ttook\tto\tstay alive.\tHe\thad\tto\tbelieve\tthat\tand\ttrust\tto\tluck.","Chapter\tFifty-seven It\t was\t late\t on\t the\t second\t day\t after\t the\t attack\t on\t Hurst\t when\t the\t helicopter\t was released\t from\t its\t more\t pressing\t duties\t ferrying\t military\t personnel.\t Osborne House\t had\t been\t set\t up\t as\t a\t temporary\t command\t centre\t for\t the\t newly\t formed Camp\t Wight,\t under\t the\t protection\t of\t a\t detachment\t of\t US\t marines\t led\t by Sergeant\tJones. Peterson\t had\t re-established\t communication\t with\t the\t Royal\t Navy\t and\t now had\ta\tpermanent\tliaison\tofficer\tbased\tin\tPortsmouth\tto\tfoster\timproved\trelations between\tthe\ttwo\tallies.\tAs\ta\tgesture\ttowards\treciprocity,\tCaptain\tArmstrong\thad installed\t one\t of\t his\t trusted\t deputies\t on\t board\t the\t USS\t Chester\t to\t act\t as\t local guide\tand\tpilot\tto\torient\tthe\tAmericans\taround\tthe\tSolent\twaters. Peterson\tand\tthe\thelicopter\tcrew\tcollected\tRiley\tfrom\tthe\tgrassy\tarea\tnext\tto the\t lighthouse,\t where\t she\t had\t been\t waiting\t for\t some\t time,\t scanning\t the\t skies. Once\tshe\twas\tsafely\ton\tboard\tand\tthe\tcrewmen\thad\thelped\tsecure\tthe\tstraps\tof the\t jump\t seat\t next\t to\t the\t sliding\t door,\t they\t took\t off\t towards\t the\t Chewton\t Glen hotel\tin\tsearch\tof\tStella. The\t helicopter\t flew\t low\t over\t the\t trees\t and\t houses\t of\t Milford,\t hugging\t the water\u2019s\t edge\t towards\t Christchurch.\t Riley\t braced\t herself\t by\t the\t open\t door, thrilled\tby\tthe\tsensation\tof\tspeed,\twind\tblowing\tin\ther\thair,\tstraining\tagainst\ther seatbelt\t to\t see\t below\t the\t aircraft.\t Her\t long\t brown\t hair\t flicked\t in\t her\t eyes\t and face\t and\t she\t held\t back\t a\t handful\t of\t fringe\t with\t her\t free\t hand.\t With\t her\t other hand,\tshe\tgripped\tthe\thandle\tnearest\ther.\tThey\tpassed\tover\ta\tgolf\tcourse,\twhere grass\t grew\t long\t and\t verdant\t on\t deserted\t fairways\t and\t greens.\t Turning\t inland over\t Barton-on-sea,\t they\t traversed\t roads\t and\t roundabouts\t clogged\t with stationary\ttraffic. She\tgestured\tto\tPeterson\tto\tslow\tdown\tand\tthe\tnose\tpitched\tupwards\tas\tthey lost\t speed,\t coming\t into\t a\t hover\t above\t the\t main\t road\t and\t front\t gate\t to\t the\t hotel fifty\t metres\t below\t them.\t Riley\t leaned\t out\t as\t far\t as\t the\t seatbelt\t straps\t would allow.\tThe\ttruck\tblocking\tthe\tfront\tentrance\twas\tgone.\tSomething\twas\twrong. She\t pointed\ttowards\t the\t main\tblock\tand\tcluster\tof\tbuildings\ta\tfew\thundred metres\t away\t and\t Peterson\t relayed\t the\t message\t to\t the\t pilot.\t They\t continued onwards,\tfollowing\tthe\tpath\tof\tthe\tdriveway\tthat\tcurved\tleft\tand\tthen\tright\tpast trees\t and\t the\t first\t of\t several\t planted\t fields\t and\t vegetable\t patches.\t The\t fire","damage\tto\tthe\troof\tof\tthe\thotel\twas\tworse\tthan\tshe\thad\tfirst\timagined.\tIt\tseemed to\t extend\t along\t half\t the\t length\t of\t one\t of\t the\t buildings.\t They\t lost\t height\t and gently\t touched\t down\t on\t the\t side\t lawn.\t A\t swimming\t pool\t visible\t just\t beyond some\tbushes\tlooked\tlike\tit\thad\tbeen\tdrained\tand\tused\tfor\tstorage. Riley\t was\t fully\t expecting\t a\t crowd\t to\t rush\t out\t to\t welcome\t them,\t Stella\t and Sister\t Mel\t at\t its\t head,\t waving\t towards\t them.\t No\t one\t came.\t The\t place\t seemed deserted.\tWhere\twas\teveryone? They\t waited\t for\t the\t twin\t engines\t to\t power\t down.\t Two\t marines\t set\t up defensive\tpositions\tcovering\tthe\tfront\tand\trear\tof\tthe\taircraft,\tbefore\tthe\tairmen allowed\tRiley\tand\tPeterson\tto\tclimb\tout\ton\tto\tthe\tsoft\tgrass.\tThe\tfirst\tmarine\tran to\t the\t corner\t of\t the\t building\t and\t took\t up\t a\t kneeling\t position,\t scanning\t to\t their right.\t Once\t he\t signalled\t all-clear,\t the\t rest\t of\t the\t group\t ran\t towards\t the\t main entrance,\tstaying\tlow. They\t were\t a\t dozen\t paces\t from\t the\t entrance\t when\t Peterson\t held\t out\t his\t arm to\tblock\tRiley\tfrom\tgoing\tany\tfurther.\tShe\tlooked\tup\tat\thim\tpuzzled,\tfollowing the\tline\tof\this\toutstretched\tfinger.\tIt\ttook\ther\ta\tcouple\tof\tseconds\tto\tsee\twhat\the was\tpointing\tout.\tRiley\tclasped\ther\thand\tto\ther\tmouth\tto\tstop\therself\tscreaming. To\t the\t right\t of\t the\t doorway,\t someone\t had\t spray-painted\t a\t large\t red\t skull\t and cross\tbones,\twarning\tothers\tnot\tto\tenter.\tRiley\tgripped\tPeterson\u2019s\tarm,\ttrying\tto keep\ta\tlid\ton\ta\tmounting\tsense\tof\tpanic. \u201cPeterson.\t It\u2019s\t not\t possible.\t We\t were\t here\t not\t two\t days\t ago.\t There\t was\t no sickness.\tThere\tmust\tbe\tsome\tmistake.\tEverything\twas\tfine.\u201d \u201cNo\t one\t goes\t inside\t without\t a\t biohazard\t suit,\t am\t I\t clear?\t Pavlowski,\t break out\tthe\tsuits\tand\tbreathing\tgear.\u201d Riley\t had\t never\t worn\t an\t airtight\t suit\t before.\t They\t were\t standard-issue\t in green\tPVC\tmaterial\twith\tan\toversize\tclear\tPerspex\tfront\tpanel\tthat\trestricted\tthe wearer\u2019s\t field\t of\t vision\t to\t the\t sides.\t The\t suit\t she\t was\t handed\t was\t several\t sizes too\tbig\tfor\ther\tand\twent\tover\tall\tof\ther\tclothes,\tzipping\tup\tand\tsealing\ttight\tfrom behind.\t The\t head\t section\t and\t breathing\t gear\t took\t a\t while\t to\t get\t used\t to.\t The suits\twere\tclaustrophobic\tand\tshe\tfound\tthe\tPerspex\tviewing\tpanel\thad\ta\tminor magnifying\t effect,\t like\t reading\t glasses,\t distorting\t the\t world\t outside.\t Corporal Pavlowski\thelped\ttape\ther\tsleeves\tclosed\tand\tturned\ther\tair\ton\tbefore\tattending to\this\town. When\t the\t group\t of\t four\t was\t ready\t and\t had\t checked\t each\t other\u2019s\t equipment and\t seals,\t Peterson\t split\t them\t into\t two-man\t teams\t and\t they\t proceeded\t inside. Riley\t could\t hear\t her\t own\t breathing\t as\t she\t moved\t and\t stayed\t tight\t behind Pavlowski.\tIn\this\tgloved\tright\thand\the\tcarried\ta\tpistol\tjust\tin\tcase\tthey\tmet\tany resistance.\t She\t tapped\t him\t on\t the\t shoulder\t and\t pointed\t down\t the\t corridor towards\tthe\tmain\tliving\tarea.\tIn\tthe\tlobby\tthere\twere\tsuitcases,\tplastic\tsacks\tand","equipment\t stacked\t near\t the\t door,\t rubbish\t strewn\t across\t the\t carpet\t as\t if\t people had\tleft\tin\ta\thurry.\tThere\twas\tno\tsign\tof\tStella,\tor\tanyone\telse\tfor\tthat\tmatter. Peterson\ttook\this\tteam\tup\tthe\tmain\tstairs\tas\tRiley\tsearched\tthe\tground\tfloor of\t the\t building.\t Riley\t knew\t the\t layout\t of\t the\t hotel\t directing\t Pavlowski\t as\t they went\t from\t room\t to\t room,\t through\t the\t kitchen,\t canteen\t and\t living\t room. Everywhere\t they\t went\t told\t the\t same\t story.\t The\t place\t looked\t like\t it\t had\t been ransacked;\tcontents\tof\tdesks\trifled\tand\tdrawers\tleft\thanging,\tbooks\tmissing\tfrom shelves,\t papers\t strewn\t across\t surfaces.\t Had\t they\t been\t attacked,\t she\t wondered? There\twere\tno\tobvious\tsigns\tof\ta\tfire\tfight,\tno\tbullet\tholes,\tno\tbodies.\tWhat\thad happened\there? They\theard\ta\tloud\tbanging\ton\tthe\tceiling\tfrom\tthe\tfloor\tabove\tand\tPavlowski grabbed\t Riley\t and\t gestured\t for\t her\t to\t follow.\t The\t suits\t were\t bulky\t and cumbersome.\tShe\tfound\tit\tdifficult\tto\trun\tany\tfaster\tthan\ta\tslow\tshuffle\twithout the\t head\t section\t bouncing\t awkwardly\t and\t the\t seams\t securing\t them\t to\t the\t main body\tthreatening\tto\ttear\topen. When\t they\t reached\t the\t top\t of\t the\t stairs\t they\t found\t Peterson\t and\t the\t other crewman.\tHis\tbody\twas\tbraced\tagainst\tthe\tclosed\tfire\tdoor,\tas\tif\tsomething\twas trying\t to\t break\t out\t from\t the\t inside.\t The\t suit\t muffled\t Peterson\u2019s\t voice.\t \u201cWe\u2019ve found\tsomething.\u201d Riley\u2019s\t eyes\t darted\t left\t and\t right,\t waiting\t impatiently\t for\t him\t to\t continue. \u201cWhat\tis\tit?\tWhat\tdid\tyou\tfind?\u201d\tshe\timplored. \u201cWe\u2019re\t going\t to\t need\t to\t limit\t our\t time\t inside.\t I\u2019m\t sorry\t but\t there\t are\t many casualties.\tFind\tout\twhat\tyou\tcan,\tbut\tdon\u2019t\thang\taround.\tThe\tsuits\tare\tairtight, but\t we\u2019re\t not\t taking\t any\t chances.\t We\u2019re\t looking\t for\t the\t girl.\t We\u2019re\t not\t here\t to help\t the\t injured.\t Are\t we\t clear?\u201d\t The\t three\t others\t nodded\t and\t Peterson\t released the\tfire\tdoor,\tand\tthe\ttwo\tgroups\tstepped\tinside. The\t corridor\t stretched\t ahead\t of\t them\t with\t doors\t either\t side.\t Riley\t was\t not familiar\t with\t this\t part\t of\t the\t hotel\t but\t recognised\t the\t style\t and\t layout\t from\t the rooms\tshe\thad\talready\tseen.\tShe\tstood\toutside,\twaiting\tfor\tPavlowski\tto\tgive\ther the\tnod\tthat\the\twas\tready,\tgun\tpoised\tin\tcase\tsomeone\ttried\tto\trush\tthem. Inside\t the\tfirst\troom,\tthere\twere\ta\ttotal\tof\tseven\tbodies.\tThe\ttwo\tshapes\t in the\t bed\t were\t already\t dead,\t or\t as\t good\t as,\t non-responsive\t and\t barely\t breathing. Two\tmore\twere\tin\tarmchairs\tpositioned\tto\tlook\tout\tof\tthe\tlarge\tsash\twindow\tat the\t garden\t and\t flowerbeds\t beyond.\t It\t was\t as\t if\t someone\t had\t wanted\t their\t last conscious\t moments\t to\t be\t contented\t ones,\t contemplating\t the\t beauty\t of\t the\t trees and\t the\t lines\t of\t carrots\t and\t potatoes\t growing\t in\t turned\t earth\t nearby.\t The\t heads of\t the\t two\t figures\t in\t the\t armchairs\t rotated\t towards\t the\t strange\t pair\t standing\t in the\t middle\t of\t the\t room.\t One\t of\t the\t women\t weakly\t held\t out\t a\t hand\t towards Riley,\t her\thair\t matted\twith\tdried\tperspiration,\tgreasy\tand\tlank.\tShe\trecognised"]
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