No major injury can be recovered quickly or easily if you want to do it right. My recovery continued with a lot of physical therapy and then steadily increase training. This passed the time into April.

I got a lot more time with the head shrinks. They have learned that any operative needs a lot of mental health help to deal with the horrors and traumas that we endure. Breakdowns are the second largest reason for operative retirements.

To help abate the media attempts at an interview my record of missions was released to them. Most Operatives can have their missions file accessed to see where and when they were deployed. This is done under a freedom of information act request that the Government lost. But only if they agree.

I allowed it just to keep both the Government and media happy.

This allowed me to focus on training. It gave the main media feeds something of what they were looking for. The fringe ones kept on hassling me but they could be ignored. Alison McDonald was the main one who kept trying for an interview.

I still have some trying to approach me. The good old paparazzi. They try at the shops or when I am out and about. I am able to keep them at a distance. This is due to the fact that I ignore them completely. I have no idea what is so fascinating about my shopping. My mother has found it hard but now understands what to do. I have been also told that I have developed a hard glare that intimidates many.

I have also been approached by different companies for sponsorship deals. Again, I ignore them as I what as little intrusion on my life as possible. This does not stop them like the paparazzi from trying.

Many of the more public Operatives like Henry have come out and supported my decision to try to lead as normal a life as possible. This has helped but I have suffered a cost neither the less. Some who were friends or acquittances I have now blocked or ignored due to their choices with the media. The was hard for me as I have a very small social circle. Which was now the smaller.

Those who remained had barraged me with questions. How could I explain it to them? The fear, stress and horror of what I had to look at in the zones. In the end, I chose a brutal but effective way of getting them to stop that drove home the point. I asked them if I was in the police obscene images unit would they still be asking me questions? I suspect so would human nature being what it is. But they got the point. I did let them see some of my scars.

I keep them apart from this for my own sanity more than for their protection.

It was not until the beginning of March that I was certified mission ready. I was back to fighting trim and had a new scar running down my chest. My mother had heeded my words from December and backed off helping unless requested.

All in all, things were good.

Of course, famous last words as my phone went off. UKZC calling to ruin my day. We went through the usual identification dance.

“Operative Harrington you are to report to UKZC for mission orientation training. You will be collected tomorrow at 6 am.” The voice on the other end of the line informed me.

I confirmed that I understood and the line went dead. Great training seminars.

I texted my mother to tell her I would be away for training tomorrow and did not know when I would be back. She was out now. I could have told her when she came home but I had agreed to let her know the minute I heard from command. I also put out a group text telling those you need to know I was not going to be available for a few days.

I began to move around my room rechecking my go-bag. I doubted that I would be gone for more than a few days but experience and training taught us to be ready just encase. It was getting late so I will need to go to bed soon.

I switch on the news feeds for background noise.

“The European Council has agreed on a new protocol allowing increased co-operation between them and CANZUK. This was in light of the French Government’s attempt to have an international arrest warrant served on a British Operative.”

That was a good day when the EU told France to drop it.

“Both the EU and CANZUK Foreign Ministers at a joint press conference earlier today were…….”

The presenter stopped in mid-sentence and I looked up from what I was doing. She had her hand to her ear listening with a shocked expression.

“I am sorry we…...we are getting confirmed reports that the US Congress and Senate which have been bitterly divided since the special 2038 Presidential election has dissolved. Elements of both houses have announced that they are rejecting the recent confirmation of President Garcia. The election has been plagued by fraud accusations and major legal challenges across thirty states.”

The presenter paused as she listened to the voice on the other end.

“The President was confirmed in the US Senate as the electoral college has been in deadlock. We can go to the steps of the Capitol building for a statement.”

The feed changed to a group of people standing on the Capitol building steps. They were surrounded by media pointing cameras and microphones at them. In the centre stood a figure I knew as a well-known Senator. He stood forward and began speaking.

“People of America the last few years have been trying in ways that not one person could have been predicted. This nation has tried to take the lead in dealing with the crisis of the zones. The administration of President Robertson led this nation into the greatest disaster in living memory and likely history of our great nation. My former party foolishly continued to support him. I and many others brought him to account for those actions.

The recent election has been the most decisive in the history of our nation. The calls for unity and discussion have gone unheeded. We, those who stand with me and others around the country are now making a stand. We can no longer stand by and see our nation descend into more chaos caused by petty individuals clawing for power.

Many state legislators and Governors stand with us. We called on the Democrats and Republicans along with all the recently created parties to push for another special election. These calls have fallen on deaf ears with the two major parties.

As of today, with the support of numerous states, we are announcing that we no longer recognise the present Federal Government. Until a free and fair election can be held from the corrupting influence of both the radical left and right, we can no longer see a way forward.

We are forming the American States Coalition to prevent any aggressive action by the present administration.

Until that day we can stand once more here at the Capitol building untied by the base American ideals we are once more a house divided. I ask for God to bless this nation for days ahead for us to find wisdom once again.”

In the end, he was visibly crying. With that he and those who stood with him turned and left scattering. The press pack were shouting questions that were being ignored. The implications were clear America was on the cusp of another civil war if things were handled badly.

The presenter was trying to feed the information as it came through but it was clear that the American Government was in chaos. The White House at the moment was quiet. No word from the military.

As the Chinse proverb or curse says “May you live in interesting times.”. Well, we do, we do indeed.

I had no way to influence anything that was happening so I continued with my preparations. I knew that as soon as my mother returned, she would seek to talk all about it.

## ## ## ## ##

The next day I was scooped up by Gregson and we were airborne. We made the usual small talk on the trip to UKZC. We both had agreed early on that we would only talk about news if it directly affect me.

The base was on the surface no different to normal as we were taken to the administration building. But even I could feel the tension in the air. It was expected later today for us that the President would make an announcement.

The admin building was the same as always and was quickly moved into a meeting room. This was odd as we were normally in the “school” building for these things. Gregson was in his usual position in the back. I sat at the big desk.

The room was the typical décor of a government/business meeting room. Bland basically. The chairs were quite comfortable actually.

The door opened a few minutes after we arrived admitting Alexander and General Holsan. I was surprised to see the General as he was commander of all zone teams. I had seen him at so briefings and often on stream with government officials.

If he was here something was confirmed to be off. They sat opposite me.

“Good morning, John. As you know this is General Holsan and we are here to get you up to speed on your new assignment.” Alexander opened up. Normally handshakes were offered as part of the meeting ritual. I do not like to touch most people so they knew to avoid this when they could.

I nod to the General who nodded back and lets Alexander continue.

“Events in America have forced us to set up several initiatives that we are working on. We are however short at the moment of experienced Operatives. Thankfully you were declared fit for service again.” As he went on, I had a growing feeling of unease. “We have decided to merge serval things on one mission. We are assigning you to clear and seal a Grave class zone in Northern Ireland. You will be joined by an Operative from Canada and Euro Corps. They are experienced Operatives and are here for observation.” Ok, not too bad then. “You will be the lead Operative and they will be under your command.”

Alright, I could work with that.

“You will also have a new Operative assigned for their first evaluation mission” He went on.

Alright, that’s a problem.

“We understand your preference to work alone but we need the evaluation done as we are short on Operatives.” Holsan chimed in. “The other two Operatives are part of the joint initiative between CANZUK commands and the EU. They will be part of the mission to see our procedures in the field.”

To be considered an Operative now a candidate must go through three missions with three different active Operatives. The evaluations are then looked at and then if approved they are registered as an Operative. In my day we just had to survive in a zone. But how times change. The casualty rate dictated that.

“We have arranged for you to meet them in the armoury at 14:00hrs to get all the kit ready for deployment tomorrow.” Holsan said.

I will be on base tonight then.

“After the recent unpleasantness with France, the EU is eager to get things back on track.” Alexander said. “The Euro Corps is very excited to have one of their Operatives see you in action.”

My blank stare prompted him to add more.

“Your actions against the ghouls in Herzeele have shown them that they need to modify their training procedures. They hope to get some idea from seeing you in action. The Canadians are also interested due to their proximity to the Portland zone and the danger of further expansion if things go badly in America.”

“Ah, they are afraid of roving ghoul packs leaving the zones.” I say as it dawns on me why they are so interested in ghouls.

“Yes, as the only known hostile that can leave the zones, we are seeing increasing numbers in zones in North America and the EU.” Holsan confirmed.

Ok, that’s new information on the rising numbers.

“We are in the final stages of a new anti-ghoul virus medication that gives the recipient an increased resistance to the virus. As you imagine it is becoming increasingly sought after.” Alexander said.

“Some good news at least.” That was all I could say. The other two men nodded.

“Alright you will meet the others at 14:00hrs and the final mission briefing will be held on-site tomorrow when you arrive. Any Questions?” Alexander asks.

I know that I could not get out of this so I shake my head.

“Excellent we will let you head off to find some food and Sargent Green is looking forward to seeing you in the armoury.” Alexander said before both men stood up and left.

I turn to look at Gregson who just shrugs his shoulders. We get up and go in search of lunch.