Century of Jihad (16 page)

By noon, as COBR convened, the situation had stabilised at the nine nuclear power stations. The Prime Minister, having flown down from Newcastle, was being briefed by the Home Secretary. Also in attendance were the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Secretary of State for Defence, the Energy Secretary, accompanied by a scientific advisor and a representative from the nuclear industry, the Head of the Joint Intelligence Committee, the Director of the Security Service (MI5), the Head of Terrorism and Allied Matters (TAM) for The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, the Chief of the Defence Staff and the Head of the Defence Intelligence Staff.

The Home Secretary addressed the Prime Minister. ‘This is the current situation, as I understand it, from reports coming in from the various police forces involved at the nine locations. The initial attack on all nine targets was successful. The terrorists managed to gain access to six sites, using large articulated trucks to force their way through the security at the main gates to the establishments. Modified security procedures had been adopted at these sites in order to facilitate construction work on new reactors. The terrorists used firearms as they proceeded to the main target of the attack, which was the same in each case; this being the reactor building itself. At the three locations where no development is taking place on site, and stringent access measures have not been compromised to facilitate construction work, they penetrated the perimeter fence. At six of the nine targets, the reactor building was struck by one or more shoulder-launched rockets. These fractured the reinforced concrete and steel structure which houses the reactor. The establishment directors at all nine sites have issued instructions for the reactors to be shut down for health and safety reasons, even though, and I must emphasise this, at none of the targets does the integrity of the reactor itself appear to have been compromised. The result of these shutdowns is that the National Grid has lost approximately fifteen per cent of its generating power. We now have disruption to power supplies nationally. This issue will be addressed by the Energy Secretary, after I have completed my security briefing. The situation at each of the targets is, from a security perspective, still volatile. The various police forces involved are containing the situation. Damage and casualties are still being assessed. However, I can confirm that a number of casualties have occurred among police personnel and plant staff; some, regrettably, fatal. A number of terrorists have also been killed. Terrorists have taken hostages at several of the sites. At this moment, we have no indication who the terrorists are, or what they want.’

The Prime Minister had thus far listened in silence, but now wanted solutions.

‘What military resources have we available to deal with this?’ He was looking into the eyes of the Chief of the Defence Staff, an Army General.

General Fullerton addressed the meeting:

‘The SAS have a team of eight men permanently on standby in London who are available for immediate deployment. This team is intended for rapid response to situations in London. Under current circumstances I feel that is where they should remain. At SAS headquarters at Credenhill in Herefordshire, we have a Counter Terrorist Squadron on constant standby. This is one of four SAS Sabre Squadrons. Each Squadron is divided into four troops, each of sixteen men. It will be a stretch. Deployment will depend on the situation on the ground at each location. The CT Squadron, with the support of the Special Forces Support Group which numbers twelve hundred – of which three hundred are immediately available for deployment – will be able to contain and successfully resolve the situation. Additional support, as it becomes available from other military assets, will be deployed as necessary to fill any gaps.’

The Prime Minister looked around the room.

‘OK. I propose the deployment of the military to contain this situation, and to respond to any changes dictated by terrorist activity or instructions coming from here. General. Thank you for your positive contribution. I am releasing you to plan and co-ordinate the military response to this assault on our nation’s wellbeing.’

The Prime Minister addressed the Secretary of State for Energy:

‘What will be the impact on the National Grid of the loss of input from the nuclear power stations?’

The Energy Secretary responded, ‘There will be a significant reduction in supply to the National Grid, as we will have lost approximately fifteen per cent of power generation. The cold weather will exacerbate the situation, as electricity usage at this time of year is in any case high with Christmas approaching. The medium to longer term impact will obviously depend on the amount of damage inflicted on the reactors and how quickly we are able to get them up and running normally again.’

The Prime Minister instructed, ‘We will have to draw up plans for power cuts. Hospitals and homes will have to be given priority. Industry will have to bear the brunt of any cuts. However, with the Christmas festivities comes a bonus! A lot of industry is going to be closing down in the next few days until early January, so that will give a short respite while we establish what capacity can be brought back on line from the nuclear power stations. Chancellor, has there been any impact on Sterling and the London Stock Exchange?’

The Chancellor addressed the gathering. ‘It’s too early to give any medium or long term forecast. That will depend on the damage sustained at the power stations. However, any disruption on this scale and of this type, causes considerable uncertainty and Sterling has already taken a tumble against the Euro, the US Dollar and other currencies. The Stock Exchange has also been adversely affected. The longer the situation continues, the more the uncertainty and, therefore, the greater the damage.’

At the Ministry of Defence, the atmosphere was electric as the military chiefs, officers and support staff set about organising the military response to the terrorist attack.

The SAS Headquarters at Credenhill, Hereford became a hive of activity as the men of the CT Squadron readied themselves for action.

A similar level of activity was apparent at the Special Forces Support Group Depot at St Athan, in South Wales.

At the RAF Odiham and RAF Benson Helicopter Force bases, air and ground crews were in preparation for the major airlift operation, which would be necessary for the deployment of the Special Forces troops to the nine locations, scattered across the length and breadth of Britain.

At the SAS Base at Credenhill and other military units, the recall system was put into operation. Military personnel at key locations had, in any case, taken themselves off leave and stand downs and were already arriving back at their place of work to participate, as required, in any forthcoming military response to the situation. A situation which was, by now, being given maximum media coverage, not only in Britain but throughout the world.

At the Permanent Joint Headquarters at Northwood, on the outskirts of London, senior officers from all three services were discussing the detail of the assets available. Coming straight from a video conference with General Fullerton at the MOD, General Ainsworth, Director Special Forces was addressing his colleagues:

‘The CT Squadron, along with other SAS units, will be ready for deployment as soon as the RAF Chinooks and Merlins arrive at Credenhill. The same is true of the three hundred plus Special Forces Support Group (SFSG) personnel at St Athan. Owing to overseas deployments, leave, etcetera, all available SFSG personnel becoming available for this operation will be attached to A Company SFSG, which consists primarily of 1 Para personnel, and B Company SFSG, consisting mainly 1 Para with 1 Platoon of RAF Regiment. Currently F Company, made up of Royal Marines, is deployed to Afghanistan and C Company, made up from 1 Para is on stand down. However, C Company personnel are, where possible, reporting for duty and this will enhance forces available.’

Adam’s wife, Helen, woke at 7am and, remembering that she had the day off, drifted in and out of sleep until around 8.30. She lay there for a while, thinking about her colleagues who would now be at their workstations, having struggled through the morning traffic, and giggled to herself. She felt as if she was playing truant!

She decided she was going to have a lazy morning. Wrapping herself up in her thick, soft, white towelling robe she went downstairs and put the kettle on. Popping back upstairs, she started to run a bath, adding the last dregs of her favourite bath gel. She knew Adam would get her more for Christmas and today she planned to spend ages just luxuriating in the lovely smelling bubbles, reading her book and sipping coffee.

By 10am she was finished and back downstairs, still in the bathrobe, making another coffee and some toast. Taking it into the living room, she switched on the TV and sat down to eat. When she’d eaten she planned to finalise the Christmas shopping list, and also double check they’d not forgotten any food, drink or sundry items. She and Adam were hosting Christmas this year. It was the first time, and she was really excited but also a little nervous. She wanted everything to be perfect and hoped they wouldn’t poison anyone!

She suddenly became aware that the programme she’d expected had been interrupted and the presenter was saying ‘Breaking News’. Interest heightened, she turned up the volume to hear:

‘Incidents at nine nuclear power stations’ and there, in the background, was Oldbury.

The first thought that ran through her head was, ‘Shit! He’s going to get out of doing the shopping.’.

She reached for her mobile and tried reaching Adam, but it went straight to answerphone. She then dialled 1571 on the landline, to check whether he’d called and left a message while she was in the bath.

‘You have no messages,’ came the automated reply.

Ringing Adam’s mobile again, she left a message asking him to contact her. All the while, the news broadcast was reporting on the incident’s ‘explosions, casualties’, but not really giving out any details. She knew Adam was scheduled to work on the gate today, and a creeping fear started to develop within her.

Turning the TV volume up, she went upstairs and dressed. By now her heart was thumping, and she was feeling nauseous. What if there’d been a leak and he’d been contaminated and was radioactive? Her imagination was wild at the best of times, and now was out of control.

Downstairs again, she wondered what she should do. It was pointless phoning the police office or going out to Oldbury itself. No. She’d stay put, watch the reports, and wait for Adam to call her. Then the doorbell rang. She was rooted to the spot. Who could it be? She wasn’t expecting anyone. Images of two uniformed police officers – like in films – came into her mind.

The bell rang again, she lifted herself up and slowly walked into the hallway and towards the front door. As she approached, she could see through the glass panel that it appeared to be just one person, and no uniforms. Relieved, she opened the door to find Jane Chambers smiling at her.

‘Hello, Helen. I was passing and thought I’d pop in. You told me at the Christmas bash last week that you were having the day off today.’

‘Come in, come in,’ said Helen. ‘Have you seen the news? I’m so glad you’re here. I’ve not heard from Adam and my imagination is running riot. Are you able to stay for a while?’

Sgt Chambers had rung Jane, his wife, and told her of Adam’s death. They both knew Helen was at home that day, and Jane had told him, after the Christmas party, that she found Helen easy to get on with. Knowing that it would be a while before Helen was officially informed of Adam’s demise, he didn’t like the idea of her being on her own, especially as he was concerned that Helen may hear the bad news from some other source beforehand.

As Helen busied herself in the kitchen making hot drinks, Jane’s heart ached for her. She’d already decided she would stay until Helen was told, and then for as long as she was needed afterwards. The two women watched the television, occasionally talking about the unfolding situation. By now the reporters were talking about gunfire and terrorists and Helen was so glad Jane was with her.

The door bell rang again and this time Helen, unthinking, rose to answer it. Jane discreetly entered the hallway behind her. It was James, Adam’s best friend in the Force, and someone she got on with very well.

‘What are you doing here?’ she asked surprised yet smiling. Then she realised his face was serious.

‘Let’s go through to the living room, Helen,’ he said, maneuvering the two of them out of the hall. He nodded imperceptibly to Jane.

‘Oh my God! Is Adam hurt? Which hospital’s he in? Are you here to take me there?’

James uttered the words, ‘I’m really sorry, Helen.’

All she could hear was a long, piercing, disembodied scream.

In Gloucester, Emma Jones’ parents were also watching events as they unfolded on the TV channels. The scheduled programmes had all been suspended. They were concerned about Emma and their grandchildren – not thinking that any harm may have befallen them, but the effect the situation was having on them. They wondered how long it would be before it was safe for them to go home.

Emma’s dad had tried calling Emma and also the HR department where she worked. Emma wasn’t answering and the HR phone lines were constantly engaged.

‘She’ll be in touch, when she can,’ he reassured his wife.

The couple busied themselves around the house, occasionally stopping to see if the presenters had anything new to report. Both were feeling anxious that Emma hadn’t been in touch yet, but neither said anything.

The ring of the phone caught them unawares.

‘Hi, Em,’ answered her dad, convinced it was his daughter at last.

‘Is that Mr Groves?’ asked an older female voice he didn’t recognise.

‘Yes,’ he replied, wondering what this woman wanted.

‘Mr Groves, I’m Mrs Banks, the HR Director at Oldbury and your daughter, Emma’s boss. You’re no doubt aware of the ongoing incident here. I’m sorry to do this over the phone, but Emma’s been hurt and the children need to be collected from here as soon as possible. Would you be able to drive over? We’ve set up a temporary admin post in the Community Centre at Thornbury. Do you know where that is?’