In an office in the adjourning administration building, the four met after the debrief. They had said little to each other processing the things that John had told them about the mission. They were now all sitting around a table looking at each other.

“Well, that explains the injuries he sustained.” Alexander said breaking the silence.

“Yes, the information from the other teams that have entered the zone after him now is beginning to make more sense.” Nowak replied. “We can confirm that he eliminated three Ghouls injuring several others including the Alpha.”

“It was due to that injury that the support team was able to engage and take it down with fewer loses that such a hostile would normally inflict according to our predictions.” He continued. “The remaining pack fled and scattered around the zone. We are actively hunting them before we move to close the breach.”

“Casualties are bad but would have been far worse. We estimate that he faced off against a pack of fifteen Ghouls in total. The fact that he killed or wounded some and lived to tell the story is a testament to his skill.” Nowak finished.

“He appears to have overcome the ghoul virus.” Greco ventured.

“Yes, the new anti-viral drug we have discovered has been a boon to our Operatives.” Alexander answered her.

“He should have escorted the civilians out of the zone!” D'Aboville exclaimed.

The other three turned to look at him.

“Due to his reckless endangerment of them, my government is requesting a formal hearing and action against him.”

This was news to Nowak and Greco. Alexander turned red in anger.

“Mr D'Aboville if that is the position of the French Government this could lead to serious repercussions between the United Kingdom and the European Union.” Alexander told him.

“I have already sent the request to Euro Corps Command to start the inquest.” He retorted defiantly. “The debriefing was only to confirm that he did leave them as they reported.”

“Monsieur D'Aboville Euro Corps investigators are still reviewing what happened at Herzeele. As lead investigator, unless something else is present as evidence I will be reporting that Operative Harrington acted within his mission instructions to the best of his ability.” Nowak said even his calm demeanour beginning to crack.

D'Aboville was surprised at this statement but doubled down.

“The French Government will not allow its citizens to be so recklessly disregarded. We will seek the proper punishment for events at Herzeele!” With this, he storms out of the room.

Nowak indicates with a nod that Greco should follow him. The instruction was clear to try to keep him out of trouble. She nods at quick follows the raging official.

Alexander was taken aback by the whole thing.

“I must apologies about that.” Nowak said to him.

“I know that relations are strained with France at the moment but that was extremely improper.” Alexander replied.

“To be honest I am as surprised as you. D'Aboville is known to be a bit sullen but I did not think they would take it that far.” Nowak said shaking his head and looking to the door D'Aboville has left through.

“So, you believe that they do not have a case?” Alexander asked.

“No. If things are all confirmed by the rest of the investigation teams Operative Harrington acted within his mission statement as I said.” Nowak looked back to Alexander. “He was told that the investigation of the breach was his priority. Any civilians found had to be indicated by flare. His decision to have them leave when their location was compromised was the best out of a series of bad choices. His choice to try to attract the rest of the zones threats to him was risky but logical. It however looks bad from a PR view but not a military one.”

Alexander let out a breath he was holding.

“Will the French Government push the issue?”

“From the Euro Corps side, we are happy with the outcome apart from the casualties. When engaging the horrors in the zones they are an unavoidable event. It’s the EU council where you might have problems.” Nowak mused. “France has been under a lot of internal strain as you know with its large Muslim population pushing for greater control in the areas they dominate. Add the zones and the country’s politics are in flux.”

“Yes, we have all seen it even the things they are trying to hide. The issues the French face are mounting. So why this? Why try to alienate us. This could stop any further cooperation between our perspective commands.” Alexander asked.

“I do not know. The rest of the Union is too busy. This will be a drama that they will all want to avoid. They might be seeking an external body to blame to divert attention away from themselves.” Nowak answered.

“As long as the agreement holds, we should be ok.” Alexander said hopefully. Nowak nodded in agreement.

“The number of kills, the evacuated civilians and the fact he has survived is a testament to his skill. His injuries are severe will Operative Harrington be medically retired?” Nowak asked.

“We are awaiting the results of tests to make a final decision.” Alexander chose a neutral answer to the question.

Nowak again nodded. Distracted by the brewing political problems.

“Thank you for allowing the debrief we will send you a copy of the finds and recommendations to Euro Corps command.” Nowak said wishing to say more but he had to leave.

“Of course, Captain Nowak. A safe journey.” Alexander said. Nowak left the room and was met by an aid that led him away.

Alexander was left in the room. He thought for a few minutes about the events that had happened. He pulled out his phone and found Hamilton’s number. This was not going to be a pleasant conversation.

## ## ## ## ##

Six weeks! Six bloody boring weeks! Stuck in this bed. Physical therapy should start soon. The white coats say I will make a near full recovery allowing me to go back to service next year.

Joy!

That was not a welcome conversation as my mother was visiting when I was told. Which of course led to the usual argument. Alexander stepped in and handled a good part of it.

The news feeds were dominated by the collapse of North Korea for the first two weeks.

Over time other stories began gaining more traction like the French mounting a complaint to the EU council over a reckless British Operative that was recently active in a zone inside French borders. Alexander had been in to see me serval times warning me that this could happen. The British Government was protesting this accusation. After thoroughly investigating to make sure I was innocent of course. Otherwise, I would have been hung out to dry.

I found out that Euro Corp’s wanted some additional interviews on my experiences in zones. UKZC said no until the situation with the French was resolved.

The media had become interested. They were seeking more details but they were being stonewalled. It could all die off but the French Government was playing it up for what it was worth. The “Axeman” was appearing in more feeds generating more interest.

It was clear that the majority of the EU was not interested until the official Euro Corps report was published. That was today and it clearly said to quote “The British Operative in question performed his duties to the best of his abilities in an extremely complicated and dangerous situation. He remained within the parameters of the mission given to him by the Euro Corps commander on scene.”

Basic I was cleared. No reaction from the French yet.

I had a visitor today. Henry was slumming it in my room possibly hiding from something. Did not ask but was always willing to help another Operative.

“So, the drive was happening as we figured. It was a Grave zone. Lots of skeletons and zombies shambling around.” Henry was telling me of the most recent zone closure he was part of. I had not said anything but the time between “dives” was getting dangerously short.

“We were popping them off fast not letting them group up and swarm. You know the drill. When we reached the breach. A group of skeletons hit us. Eight in total but we were able to use the area to our advantage and crack some skulls. Called in the support team and closed the breach.” As he told me the story he was animatedly moving around my room. If he was telling the story to an outsider, he would have gone into more detail but with me just the facts.

“Henry you and the team being pushed too hard?” I asked.

Henry stops at this. We “old-timers” all know what happens to Operatives that are not given enough time to recover between missions. It was one of the many fears we had to deal with.

“Na we’re ok. We have been approved some additional off time anyways. We are just taking up the slack from you lazing around.” He laughs at my present situation. I flip him off in return which only makes him laugh harder.

He eventually stops and sits down next to me.

“So how do you get so beat up this time?” This was the first time we had been alone since we had last seen each other. He was curious.

“Well, that dive in France a few weeks back was me.” I spoke. The Duh! Expression was clear even to me on his face. “I was in a Grave zone centred in a town called Herzeele. I was sent in to investigate the breach, count the “shamble’s” and check for survivors.” He was nodding standard stuff.

“Only did not find anything at first.” He frowned at that.

“What do you mean nothing at first?” He asked.

“Well, I got into the town and found some civilians holed up in a house. They told me that there were no skeletons or zombies around but a large pack of ghouls.” I told him.

“Shit! Ghouls’ bad businessman! How many?” he was interested. Leaning forward.

“At least ten with an Alpha. It turned out it was fifteen, not ten.”

“Fuck me!” he said leaning back now. Shaking his head at the thought of that many ghouls.

“Well one found me first and I took it out. Then I went to the breach…...” I was interrupted by Henry’s phone going off.

“Sorry man! Got to check.” He read the message on the screen. “Turn on the news feed some announcement out of Paris about the EU report.”

I used the remote to switch on the monitor to the news feed channel. A room was set up for a public announcement. The French and Eu flags were present behind a podium.

The taper long the bottom was reporting that statement was about to be issued by the French Justice Minister. She entered the screen and stood at the podium. She began speaking in French which was translated as she spoke.

“Thank you all for coming on short notice. I will be making a short statement and not taking questions at this time. As you are all aware the Euro Corp has issued its report on the events at Herzeele just over six weeks ago.”

I was cleared of any improper actions.

“After careful consideration, the French Government has decided to reject its findings. As of this moment, an international arrest warrant has been issued for the British citizen John Harrington. He is a member of the United Kingdom Zone Command listed as a Zone Operative. His alas is that of the “Axeman”. He is charged with numerous criminal counts including arson, criminal damage and reckless endangerment. We hope that the British authorities will turn him over to Interpol agents at the earliest opportunity. Thank that is all.” With that, she left the stage. The reports shouting questions.

“Dude you were just doxed big-time…….” Henry said surprised.

Well, Fuck Me!