Around quarter past ten the next day the debrief team arrive to begin. I have one pet hate in life. Well, one major pet hate is that people be on time.

“Good morning, John we are here for your debriefing.” Alexander said entering the room.

I was happy to see that Lieutenant Greco was part of the group sent. There were two others one being a man in his mid-thirties. Military from his barring and clothes. From his arm patch flag, he was Polish. The other I knew from the base camp in France was the governmental representative. What was his name….

“As you can see Operative Harrington is still not 100%. He has agreed to do this debrief with us.” Alexander continued facing the others. A massive understatement as I was still wrapped up and restrained to prevent me from aggravating my injuries. They had now at least got me sitting up.

“As agreed with Euro Corps command we will set up a single recording device and share the footage.” On he went. I was not sure if it was for my benefit or the others. “You will be able to ask what questions you need relevant to the mission.”

The other officer indicated with a nod to Lieutenant Greco. She turned and noticed another woman behind her with a case. This other woman entered the room and set up the standard debriefing recording equipment on a small table next to my bed.

“This is Captain Nowak from Euro Corps intelligence.” The man nodded in greeting.” Lieutenant Greco and Monsieur D'Aboville from the French Government. I am told you have already met.” Greco smiled D'Aboville was just as sullen as last time.

Once the equipment was set up the woman withdrew.

“Thank you, Mr Harley-Grenville we can take it, from here.” The dismissal in D’Aboville’s accented English was evident even to me. The reaction of the other two I believe was embarrassment or shock. Hard for me to tell it was too quick before the professional mask fell. I still have trouble reading others’ emotions but I think I am getting better at identifying them.

“I hate to remind you Monsieur D'Aboville but as a British Operative, a member of His Majesties Government handles his debrief. It is only as a courtesy that we are allowing you and your team to do it.” Alexander replied. Still smiling. I noticed the different way he said curtesy.

“That is well and good Mr Harley-Grenville but the mission was on French soil and we are confident that we can get the details we require.” D'Aboville went on. Looks like some sort of turf war happening.

“Gentlemen.” Captain Nowak inserted himself into the conversation. “We are grateful for access to Operative Harrington and of course will we comply with the British Government’s requests.”

It was even clear to me D'Aboville was unhappy but something in the look Nowak gave him halted any replies. Some political BS going on here!

“Thank you, Operative Harrington, for doing this debriefing on the mission while still clearly recovering.” Nowak was taking over the conversation to get the debriefing done. “If you are ready, we can get started.”

“Let’s get this done.” That was all I could say. Because it was true.

Nowak sat on one of the chairs in the room. He had moved it to get a clear view of my face near the bottom of the bed. Greco remained standing to operate the equipment. Alexander sat. D'Aboville remained standing also at the bottom of the bed.

The equipment was switched on and Nowak began speaking referencing information from an e-pad he had pulled out of his tunic. He listed the information of the mission time/date, location and reference number. He also went on to list the details and objectives of the mission.

“Alright, Operative Harrington please start with what happened after you entered the zone.”

I breathed deeply. Let it out and began.

“I used the road D-17… I cannot remember the name to head into Herzeele.” I closed my eyes to remember.

I told them about the walk into the zone. The stillness of the zone. The effects of the zone settled on me. The quiet. I told them of coming across the abandoned vehicles. Searching them for clues on the fate of the occupants. Taking the road flares in case I needed them.

I told them of the choice of not searching each house that I passed due to time constraints. I spoke of the lack of anything resembling a threat.

“To confirm you encountered not a single level one or two threat up to this point.” Nowak spoke for the first time. I opened my eyes and looked at him.

“That’s right not one. I was worried that I was missing them in the houses and pathways I was ignoring to move faster into the zone.” I confirmed. Both he and Greco were tapping on the e-pads they were holding.

“Thank you please carry on.”

I closed my eyes and continued. I told them of entering the outskirts of Herzeele. The signs of conflict. The damage and abandoned buildings. Again, the choice of ignoring them and maybe leaving danger behind me. Fact that I did not what to be stuck in the zone after sunset. Still the lack of threats.

“It was odd like some of the other zones I have been in recently.” I spoke.

“In what way?” Nowak asked. I had opened my eyes again. There was a look of interest I think on his face.

“Not relevant to this debriefing.” Alexander said. Both Nowak and D'Aboville looked at him but did not press.

“Please continue.” Nowak said to me.

I went on to how I reached the centre of the community. The clear signs that the locals had run as the zone expanded. Then I told them about the survivors I had found.

“I was allowed into the house they were in and did my best to speak with them. The only person who could understand any English was a teenage girl. I was trying to get them to leave the zone. When a Ghoul attacked the house. I was able to stop it in the doorway and kill it.”

“Impressive taking on a type three threat and eliminating it.” Nowak said.

“Too much experience with them.” I replied. Again, looks were passed between the three men in the room. I did not even bother to understand the meaning. Just talking about what happened was draining me.

“What happened then?”

“The failure of the shotgun was the final straw for many of them. They agreed that they needed to risk leaving. I showed them the location of the Eurocorps base camp and escorted them out of the house.”

“You chose not to go with them!” D'Aboville snapped. The others were surprised at his outburst.

“Yes, it was the best of the bad options I had.” I replied.

“The civilians should have been your primary concern! They should have been evacuated!” He was getting a head of steam.

“D'Aboville that’s enough!” Alexander leapt from his seat. “This is a debriefing you cannot question Operative Harringtons’ actions unless under a board of review.” They were facing each other like prizefighters before a match.

The two men glared at each other and before more harsh words could be exchanged Nowak stepped in again as he stood up.

“Mr Harley-Grenville is correct M. D'Aboville we are here to debrief only. Please refrain from such lines of questioning.” Nowak said in a firm tone. The look D'Aboville gave him would be considered “black” at the best of times. After a moment here nodded to Nowak.

“My apologies Operative Harrington please continue.” He said as he returned to his seat. I chose to continue.

“I fired off the flare to alert the base camp of the survivors. I decided not to go with them as it was the stated primary goal of the mission to investigate the zone breach.” I added the second part as a dig at D'Aboville.

“Why do you think they had not been attacked yet?” Nowak asked.

“Either they were being left for later or had not been found yet.” That was all I could answer.

“I approached the location of the gate in the zone barriers. I found a white van parked across the gate. Investigating it I found a lot of what I believe some zone denier literature inside it.”

“Why do you think that?” Nowak was interested.

“The logos on some of the images in or on papers found within the van. It was unlocked and the gate’s lock was cut off. I think that a group of deniers chose the Herzeele zone to try to prove their beliefs.” I gave them my thoughts on what I had found. Nowak’s attention had returned to his e-pad and was nodding at what I said.

“We will investigate that as soon as we are able.” He told me.

“I entered the original zone area and made my way to the cathedral.”

“Apart from the Ghoul you had encountered there still were no other hostiles?” Nowak asked.

“Not one. It was freaking me out. I was sure that I was going to be attacked at any time.” They were becoming interested in my story as we were reaching the important part.

“I went to inspect the breach. The cathedral was structurally intact. The insides however were vandalised. The damage I think done by the local Ghouls.”

“Why do you think this?” Nowak asked looking at me.

“Claw marks.” I answered. He nodded at my answer and I continued.

“The breach was no different than any other I have encountered. From experience, I know that entering the breaches bubble will alert everything still left in the zone. I hoped that doing this would aid in the locals getting out.”

“Nothing came at first. I was able to search the cathedral and fire the flare confirming I had made it. Intelligence I had got from the locals indicated that the Ghouls were operating around here. In numbers.” Official speak was becoming more evident in my words. I was trying to separate the facts from the emotions in my mind. The memories were hard ones.

“Upon investigation, I realised that several houses next to the gate were suspcious. As their windows were smashed out not in. When I reached them, I spotted movement in the fog. I knew that the Ghouls were close.”

“I was in a bad position and need to find a more defensible location. I retreated to a restaurant across the road. I had little time so I gained entry and began barricading.”

I went on to tell them of the preparations I was able to do. Then how did the first attacks happen? I told them from this point onwards I could not confirm any kills only injuries.

I told them of the fire and Ghouls coming through the windows. I spoke of the realisation that I could not remain. The attack on the Ghouls outside as I made a break for the road out. The Ghouls followed me not being able to surround me due to the houses. The fighting retreat getting out. The constant harassment attacks. The confusion even when we were in the open country the lack of being surrounded.

Then I reached the part of the story the Ghoul Alpha arrived. I went through what I could remember from the fight from here on in. I spoke of its speed and strength. I told them of being bodily thrown around. The firing of my flare gun. My attempts at fighting back. The injuries and pain from the beating. The relentless beating.

I told them of my last-ditch attempt at winning and how I stuck out with my trench knife. Finally of being knocked out.

The room had gone ever silent as each person tried to process what I was telling them. Nowak thanked me and they switched off the recording equipment and withdrew.

Leaving me to my memories.