Chapter 61

Ryan had joined the army because his family had a military tradition. He didn't always agree with the OWG's methods, but he had become a good soldier. His command of the investigation service had allowed him to get away from the more brutal aspects of how the Army kept order.

The Ellis Immobiliser had been a great help to his unit. They could often apprehend a dangerous criminal without having to fire bullets at them. Too many times in the past they had killed because it had been their only option. Dan's gadgets for tracking people and gaining evidence had also proved invaluable.

He wanted to engineer a meeting with General Markov. He had heard that the general was currently residing in District 31, so he sent him an invitation. Ryan referred to the Ellis Immobiliser and other innovations and wondered if he would like to visit the unit's base. The invitation was accepted.

General Markov was interested in Ryan's communication. This was a soldier who was trying to find new and better solutions to old problems. A man who wanted an alternative to just spraying bullets around. This could be an informative and useful meeting if they were both on the same page.

A photograph in the military times had shown Markov chatting to a relaxed group of soldiers. He had Slavic cheek bones and thick grey hair. He wore a moustache which was trimmed to a neat line. He was in his fifties, but was trim and immaculately turned out. He looked like a man who one could trust.

Markov was ushered into Ryan's office and he declined an offer of refreshments. There was another meeting that he had to attend so his time with Colonel Anderson would be limited which was a shame. There was nothing else for it. He would have to come straight to the point.

"I am short on time I'm afraid, but I wanted to come and meet you." Ryan was flattered by the general's words. "I have seen the immobiliser in action and I am very impressed. I am sure I will get to meet your Daniel Ellis at some time, but not today. Can you ensure that we will not be disturbed?" Ryan gave the order to his aide.

"I find your attitude refreshing. You are looking at ways to keep people alive rather than using the shoot first policy, which is admirable."

Ryan responded by saying that he had heard good things about Markov. Particularly of his efforts to direct the South America campaign. Sadly, the useless officers had voted him down which must have been frustrating.

There was a pause as the men eyed each other. Ryan jumped in first. "I think we are probably, like minded, about a lot of issues."

A vague enough statement to get him off the hook if he had made an error of judgment. He was fairly sure that Markov would be receptive, but this conversation was fraught with danger.

Markov was in a more secure position and could be less cautious.

"The OWG is in serious need of reform. Being the son of a former minister does not qualify one for a job in government. Being the son of a general doesn't make one a good soldier. Salter and his gang are a damn menace."

Ryan nodded in agreement. They talked about the problems with the OWG. Markov was interested when Ryan said that he and a group of friends had devised a plan which might bring down Salter and the inner cabinet. He was not too keen to reveal everything at this time and the general did not push for details.

He asked a question. "Will you need any military assistance?"

The answer was yes. Ryan hoped that they could carry out a bloodless coup, but having men with guns covering their backs would certainly help. The general said that he had recently come up with an idea, but would have to refine it. It could put him in a position where he could offer them back up. The military men agreed to meet again in a week.

Ryan hadn't mentioned any of the names of his fellow rebels. He felt that Markov was trustworthy, but he didn't want to put his friends at peril until he was 100% happy. It would be fascinating to find out what Markov had in mind. The general had obviously been thinking about acting himself to remove Salter. Together they would have a better chance.

General Markov left Ryan's base in his large black official car. He was heading to the barracks on the edge of District 31 which provided security for the OWG. He had heard reports that the soldiers based there were less than efficient. His surprise visit would reveal any chinks in their armour. It could prove very interesting.

~~~

Bert needed a cover story to explain his return from America. People were usually sent where the OWG wanted them to be. Some decided to take their chances and choose where they wanted to live. If you were of the labour class it was not always easy to get a job. The Leadership class looked after their own.

He should have few problems finding work. Bert would say that he had been working in New Norfolk when his father became ill. He had to rush home to care for him. He had the name of the office manager should references be required. The name was of someone who he had paid in advance to post a pre written letter should an enquiry be received.

It was unlikely that anyone would actually ask about him. If there was a problem with someone's work it was annotated on their identification papers. This would not prevent a member of the leadership class from getting a job, but would make it a lower paid one. Bert's were, of course, without endorsement. If he had the attributes for a job he would get it. He still had money in his pocket, so he was fine until he found something suitable.

Bert's papers allowed him to live in a leadership town. He looked at an apartment in a block which was allocated for single men. It was small, but enough for him. He paid a deposit and moved his meagre possessions in. There was furniture already there, although it was a little shabby. It was still much better than anything he could have found in the labour zone.

He had not returned to the area near Marlborough school or anywhere he had spent time before. Bert wanted to keep a low profile until he was ready to claim back what he thought was rightfully his. Serena would be with him and he would exact revenge on Dan. That was his future. He just had to get a few things in place first.

He was quite close to the docks. One of the OWG's depots was conveniently located near to Bert's new home. He presented himself and his credentials at the warehouse and asked if there were any jobs available. He talked about his work in logistics in America and after passing a, ridiculously easy, numeracy test he was hired.

The depot arranged for the goods which arrived at the docks to be distributed throughout the country. It was run by the OWG's logistics ministry. That meant that it was, effectively, run by Eric McBride. Bert quite liked the idea that he was employed indirectly by a man whose life he had ruined. He had killed both his wife and his daughter.

What a lot had happened to him in the last year. Bert couldn't quite believe that he was back in England. He couldn't quite believe that he was still alive. The near drowning in the sea by the dock. The injuries he had suffered as a result. The beatings he had taken in New Norfolk. He wouldn't go back there again. He definitely wouldn't survive that visit.

A communal area in the accommodation block brought him into contact with his peers. Bert had been ready to dislike the entitled leadership men he would be associating with. It wasn't like when he was at school where he had been singled out as a labour boy and bullied. Here he was one of them.

His job was easy. Bert could not believe how much he was paid to shuffle paper and make basic decisions. In the labour zone people worked a physically demanding 10 hours a day and earned far less for their trouble. His anti OWG fervour was rekindled when he thought about the disparity.

He still wanted an end to the current government. Bert still thought that he could have Serena. He still hated Dan. He would do his job and think his thoughts and come up with some way of gaining all his objectives. Each day one of his aims seemed more important than the others. They jostled for position until he had a definitive order. Kill Dan, get Serena then overthrow the OWG.