The three men sat in silence for a few minutes after the two doctors had left. The information given to them could and would change a lot. The Nation and world would benefit if one let alone two of the things’ Harrington’s body was doing could be harnessed.

“Well, that’s a lot to take in.” Alexander quipped.

“We will need to see the results of Harrington’s evaluation as quickly as possible. Dr Helena was too vague with her answer.” Hamilton said.

The other two nodded. Zone corruption of Operatives was a very real and present danger. Ignoring this was just too costly to allow. Again.

“What is the word from Euro Corps Robert?” Hamilton turned to the General.

“I suspect the same as from the EU council and French Government. They want access to Harrington to debrief him and find out what happened in the zone. The rescue of the civilians and apparent termination of several Ghouls are good for us.” Holsan explained. “The French however are up in arms he did not escort the civilians out of the zone and apparent property damage. Also, they still have not penetrated the heart of the zone to find out what’s there.”

“They have moved a lot of resources into the area around Herzeele in the last ten days. It appears they will be making a move on the breach to seal it within the next five days. They are gathering all the available Operatives they can for this one.” He concluded.

“Yes, I expect they were shocked to find a large pack of Ghouls in this zone.” Alexander said. “I have seen the recent intel reports of the increasing number of higher-level threats being encountered.”

“Things are getting worse in many parts of the world. Thankfully we are regarded as one of the better nations when it comes to this issue.” Hamilton said.

The other two men nod at this. It was true that the intel briefings they had access to clearly showed that the number of new zones was increasing. The threats from established ones have also become worse.

“We will continue the present line of Harrington is too injured for the moment. As soon as we can we will get the first crack at him that is. Things are happening in some of the zones and he has first-hand experience with them. We need to know what he is encountering.” Hamilton continued.

“The global situation is likely at a turning point. Russia and China are still not publicly saying this but it is increasingly clear they are only managing to slow the spread of several zones in their territory.”

“America. Well, America is internally a mess at best. Have you seen the recent report from the Ambassador?” Both men nodded. “The Federal Government is in chaos. The states are forming into different blocks. The military is weakened and divided due to the disaster with Robertson’s mismanagement of the situation. His Vice and now President has fared no better. Compound that with the division of the last twenty years. It is clear America is failing.”

“Will it collapse or can they pull it back?” Alexander asked.

“We just don’t know. We just don’t know.” Hamilton replied sadly shaking his head.

The phones of both Holsan and Hamilton both sounded with alert messages. They both read them and paled.

“What’s happened?” Alexander asked. Hamilton nodded to Holsan.

“North Korea has collapsed. A zone has swallowed half of Pyongyang in the night there. A lot of the country’s leadership was caught in the zone had have disappeared. The military command structure has broken down and chaos is spreading. The population is streaming for the China and South Korean border.” Holsan informed him.

“Dear God!” Alexander exclaimed.

“We knew it was going to happen. Just not this fast. The country has been a lot weaker than most realised.” Holsan added.

“The North Korean zone is now the largest in the world by a very large margin. We are looking at one hundred miles from the centre to the outer boundary.” Holsan said examining his phone as more information came in.

The silence from this left the three shocked. The fact that the zone had been allowed to spread to such an existence was horrifying. Move information was coming into their devices.

“The South Koreans are moving to try to contain the situation.” Hamilton informed them.

“Any word on China or the Pacific Co-operative response?” Alexander queried.

“Nothing yet but they are most likely scrambling to understand the extent of the problem.” Holsan answered.

Again, each man fell into silence at the scale of the humanitarian disaster unfolding on the other side of the world. They could all guess the world’s response. Shock. Outrage at the fact it had gotten so far. Finally promises of support but delivering as little as possible. The fight against the zones was draining just too many resources.

“Alright back to the topic as there is nothing, we can do about that.” Hamilton steered the meeting back to its original goals.

“We will keep him from the EU officials until we speak to him first. As for the French, we shall ignore their complaints.” He continued. “We agreed to help the Eurocorps with those operations and they were an overall success.”

“We will check on debriefing him tomorrow.” Alexander said. “The events of that operation are confusing. I think we should let Eurocorps debrief him with us. Just to avoid any issues.”

“Yes, the apparent lack of level 1 and 2 Grave type threats and a large pack of ghouls do not match what we know about such zones. A shared debrief will not cost us anything. So, I can agree to that.”

“Ok, we will do a shared debrief. I will arrange for them to send over an interview team.” Hamilton agreed.

Alexander went to his phone sent out a series of messages and set up a meeting with John for tomorrow. He knew they had to address the issue that Elan had revealed to them.

“We need to discuss what was revealed about Harrington’s changes.” Alexander said.

The other two turned to look at him. This was the issue they were most concerned about. There were serious ramifications to be discussed.

“This is the real issue we need to decide.” Holsan agreed. “He is clearly showing signs of mutation from zone exposure. We need to find out how much his mental state has been affected.” He continued.

“We cannot have a mentally compromised Operative on the loose. Physical changes we can manage.” Hamilton was tone was firm.

“Losing him would just be as bad.” Alexander replied. “The facts speak for themselves. Not one of the other Operatives can even approach the level of success he has demonstrated in Grave class zones.”

“His ability to adapt to threats is known. The number of “Ghouls” he has terminated or been involved with the termination is impressive.” Holsan said.

“Ghouls! Not you too General.” Hamilton exclaimed.

“If the shoe fits.” Holsan replied chuckling. Hamilton rolled his eyes conceding the point.

“The rate of physical changes and signs of mental breakdown is becoming more apparent in the longer serving Operatives.” Alexander said. Bring the conversation back to the main topic.

The was known to the other two. The fact was that they were concerned and were not bothering to hide it here.

“So much we do not understand.” Hamilton lamented. “We are struggling in the dark against an enemy we cannot see or fathom.”

Again, quiet descended on the room. Each contemplating what had been said.

“There is nothing to be done until he is assessed mentally. If within the agreed range he will continue on duty. If not, he will be “retired” depending on what is found.” Hamilton said. Neither man added to that statement knowing what he was saying.

## ## ## ## ##

I had enjoyed several days of laying around. Not being able to move or do anything. Fun times indeed!

I had spoken to my mother which was a very unpleasant conversation. She was making no attempt to hide her feelings about the present state of my life.

People I knew on the base had popped in to say Hi. Lou had gone on about trashing the new armour and gear. I think he does it to hide his concern. It’s a man thing I am told. Gregson also has been in a few times updating me with the information I need to know.

Dr Helena, Alexander and a small army of white coats have been the most regular visitors to my room. The usual tests have been given. Now I am no Doctor as much as my mother wishes but even I know that something is going on. The number of samples is way above the norm. Some guy named Holland is ordering the extra stuff it seems.

I get no real response on this from Dr Helena. All she says is that they have very little data on how larger zones might affect people so they are being extra cautious. I know BS when I hear it but I am in no condition to refuse or argue.

The news is dominated by the collapse of North Korea. The speed of the county’s total collapse may be a record. From what is being reported it was all in less than twelve hours after the northern half of Pyongyang was swallowed in a zone. The problem is that it is still going. Recent projections say it will be two hundred and fifty miles from the boundary to the centre soon.

It was slowing now as the population was long gone from the areas it was expanding into. What was left of the military had fled north or south with the population? Many were calling it the biggest humanitarian crisis this century.

The south was trying to manage the influx with help. China had sealed its border. The South Korean Government was sending troops into the north. It looks like the peninsula would be united soon.

China was drawing a lot of international criticism. The bamboo curtain however was as firm as ever. These actions are confusing the talking heads as it was always assumed that a controlled north was better than a united Korea under the south for China.

Aid was pouring in from around the world and the search was on for the country’s nuclear arsenal.

I am thankful I will not be expected to deal with that mess.

The door to my room opens and Alexander enters. All smiles as normal. Trouble incoming.

“John, we have held off your debriefing due to your injuries. However, the Doctors have agreed your injuries are healed enough to proceed.” He began. “We have agreed to the location and nature of the mission that Euro Corps take the lead in the debrief. They will be in tomorrow to do it. I will be present as well. Any questions?”

“No.” That was all I could say. There was no way I was going to get out of it.

“Excellent! We will be in around 10 am as I know you like to get these things over with as soon as possible.” His enthusiasm for this is to wind me up, I am sure.

He leaves me to get myself ready for tomorrow. I look back at the news feed. It had returned to national events. Another two zones had been sealed according to the presenter. The images were of the RCT all smiles from their successful closer. The six were tired but were keeping up appearances for the media. The presenter was using terms like “Dive” and other Operative slang to appear to be in the “know”.

I would shake my head but the neck restraint was stopping this. So liberal eye-rolling was in order.

No word on new zones. It looks like the Government was spinning as much positive news as possible to cover the events in Korea. This included a report on recent actions to support our European Allies.

One story did catch my attention in that it was rumoured the Operative known as the “Axeman” was reported being on one of them. Christ! I hope that was the only mention of me.