Chapter 15
The following morning before light they left the building to board the buses. Instantly an intense burning smell and smoke attacked their senses. It was obvious the rioting had increased and time was against them.
Morrison had volunteered to drive the bus; he possessed unique qualities of anticipation and could sense a situation arising. The city was a mess. People walked the streets salvaging what they could from the rubbish that was strewn across the ground. The consensus was not to interact with anyone as it was known the rioters were erratic in their acts of violence and acted normally at other times. The security of the teams could not be risked.
“We have five minutes before the broadcast begins,” said Toby from the back seat.
“We had better tune-in, Morrison,” said Lanegan.
“Right away,” he replied.
The radio crackled and hissed through the bus until brief silence momentarily relieved everyone’s ears. Then the static returned.
“I’m guessing that was it,” said Morrison, retuning the dial until silence was restored.
“Now we wait,” said Lanegan.
Lanegan wanted silence before the message was aired for the first time. He thought that this was possibly the last silence they would know for a while.
The message began.
“This is Tom Lanegan and I speak to you today as your Prime Minister and more importantly as a citizen of our shared nation. The world has been rocked by the events of the last few weeks and many of you have suffered as we have sought to find answers to an unknown enemy. Those of us that have witnessed the harm caused by those we know and love should not give up hope for their return. They should not be treated as lost and worthless. I believe in time and with hard work we will heal them. We must not forget who they were and condemn them for actions against their better nature. They need our help as much as we need to help those who have not changed. And so, I ask of you one simple task: in an attempt to stop the chaos that has infected our streets, please find your way to the nearest destination listed at the end of this message. This is for your safety. Make your way to the nearest evacuation site where you will be given updates and instructions on what to do next. We are aware that many of you in smaller communities have been less affected than the major towns and cities. I also ask that you make your way to the nearest site, as you might be able to help in ending all of this. It might sound like a risk for you to leave your homes, but if you stay where you are you run the risk of isolating yourself where we cannot properly provide food and medical supplies to you - we must stay together so that we can monitor everyone properly. I want you to know that I believe we can stop the chaos if we unite and work together. As bad as the situation appears, we have to remain positive and believe we can come through this with a future worth living. Please, join us - and tell all who you meet. Thank you.”
The evacuation sites were listed and everybody on the bus focussed their sight and thoughts on the streets ahead. Since all of the legal stations were state controlled the silence meant that anyone who tuned in would find the message. They knew that many people would be reluctant to leave their homes if they felt they were safe from the troubles. It would be a gamble that many were expected not to take. But they were trying - what else could they do? It was better to try and fail than to sit and wait for the inevitable.
Jacob sat next to Lanegan, staring out of the window.
“My parents used to have a guitar in our house when I was growing up,” said Jacob, out of the blue.
“Did they really?” Lanegan replied.
“Yes, I would have been too afraid to tell you before yesterday. I think that is where my curiosity of the past came from without knowing it. They kept it locked up, out of sight, but I found it. They didn’t know that I knew about it, but I occasionally took it out when they were not at home, just to hear the sound it made. They must have found out because one day it had disappeared.”
“And, did you like the sound?”
“No, it was terrible. There must have been something I was doing wrong but it sounded hideous,”
Jacob laughed quietly to himself as he enjoyed the memory.
“You would never have employed me if you suspected that I had doubts about how the country was governed - would you?”
“I would like to tell you that we would have still considered you, but the truth is we wouldn’t. The party isn’t very open to discussions of new ideas. It follows a strict code as you know. Hopefully, you won’t feel you have to do that again, not after all of this. We’ve all changed our view of things a little. Do you want to play again? Maybe with you could find a way to learn.”
“I would like to, yes, as with so many other things.”
“There are many like you, I’m sure.”
“I’m sorry for my actions, Tom. It was wrong of me to betray your trust and faith in me.”
“It’s okay, Jacob. I don’t think it matters now.”
“Err, just a thought,” interrupted Stephanie. “But we are attempting to hold some sort of event, aren’t we? Don’t we need things, such as equipment or tools, or whatever people used for this sort of thing? How can we tell people to join in with us if we don’t have anything to use. We’re just going to be a bunch of people singing in the street.”
“She’s right,” said Jacob.
“Maybe that is all we need,” replied Lanegan. “But I’m hoping we can get some help with that where we are heading, but I am open to any ideas. In my mind, we are not trying to achieve a particular event, it’s more of a unification, where people can open up and join one another. It will only work if we are together.”
Lanegan could sense that Isabelle was still finding it hard to forget the re-admission of Bukewitz. She had positioned herself away from everyone else at the rear of the bus.
“Do you have any ideas, Isabelle?” he said.
After a pause, Isabelle accepted the offer of being part of the conversation.
“I believe that time is against us. We simply do not have enough time to build and make things. I’m not sure any of us would know what to make or what we would do with them anyway. But, we may be surprised at the things people have kept or made. A lot of time may have passed since these sorts of things were commonly used, but they mean something and people don’t like to get rid of sentimental items. And also let’s not forget that holding onto things that are considered bad or wrong can also make them much more desirable. The bottom line is, we will all have to learn from the beginning. My concern is how people react to having fewer restrictions. People will form groups and splinter off from one another. We must ensure we protect the weak and vulnerable who may become lost within society. This is an inevitable consequence of the system we are choosing. Our role in the beginning, as far as I can see, will be to keep people united long enough to regain some form of normality and avoid a power struggle as the police and military will be stretched.”
“You are right of course, Isabelle,” said Lanegan. “We are moving into territory unknown to any of us, without a serious plan. We need luck, but more importantly, we need people believe that we can stop the troubles. We must stay together.”
The bus cruised through the city. The journey was slow but smooth, with cars in various stages of burning as their only obstacles. The streets were quiet, with only sporadic bangs that sounded like gas or electrical explosions. Surveillance had informed them that early morning was quietest. One man walked along with what appeared to be a metal bar or pipe, smashing shop windows without breaking stride. As the bus drove past he stopped and watched. Nobody wanted to look but they were drawn to him. It was confusing and uncomfortable to watch as he was clearly aware of their presence. Looking through the back window they saw him turn and continue. He had made no attempt to stop the bus or make contact.
Out of the city, teenage gangs roamed the streets with the appealing prospect of countless ways to find entertainment without prying eyes. Some looted, some simply enjoyed the freedom o
f a city without any authority left to control them. Possibly they felt safe enough to stay and defend their homes. Lanegan watched with the knowledge that this could be London’s future in weeks or possibly days. Lawless and dangerous - without hope.