street fighting years

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Street Fighting Years

Gavin Chappell

Published by Schlock! Publications

Copyright © 2012 Gavin ChappellAll rights reserved. Please do not sell copies o this ebook. hank you or respecting

the hard "ork o this author.

INTRO

#$iberty!%

he rebel leader%s voice echoed ro& the di&ly lit cellar "alls. #hat%s "hat the

govern&ent pro&ised us beore they ca&e to po"er' co&rades! (e&ocracy' popular

rule! And "hat have they given us)%

(erek glanced at the cro"d surrounding hi&. all' khaki*clad young &en and "o&en

"ith abbreviated +oha"ks to"ered over hi& and his three riends' aces intent on the

unior&ed igure "ho do&inated the podiu&, gri&ly i-ed in anger at the rulers "ho

had seied po"er ive &onths beore. /ggy glanced at hi&' his "ild eyes glea&ing

over a bulbous nose.

#othing!% the rebel leader bello"ed. #hat%s "hat they%ve given us' co&rades!% he

cried' punching the air "ith his ist. #hey%ve taken &ore than they%ve given! hey%ve

taken every liberty "e still had!%

(erek looked at an auburn*haired young "o&an beside hi&. heir eyes &et briely

and he s&iled at her' but she turned a"ay ro& the& both. e "ondered i it "asn%t

ti&e to sharpen up his act.#o" long is this going to go on or)% ric asked' a s&all' ga"ky lad "ith the&.

#3e%ve gotta be in school to&orro".%

#4uck that!% said ric%s &anic riend' ddy. #hese guys are radical. / "ant a Sten gun

like that big bloke on the let.%

#$iberty!% the rebel leader said. #hat%s "hat "e had * once! 5eore the overdogs took

po"er' beore "eak govern&ent ater "eak govern&ent eroded our reedo&s one by

one' toppling and alling only to be replaced by govern&ents no better than

the&selves! 5ut the Popular 4reedo& Party "ill change all that' co&rades!%

"o o his trench*coated hench&en unolded a red lag "ith the letters #P4P%

e&blaoned in 6et black. he rebel leader raised his ist again. #3e pro&ise you

liberty!% he roared and the cro"d roared back7#$iberty!% (erek and ddy yelled along "ith the&. #$iberty! $iberty!%

he rebel leader slashed the air "ith his open hand and they subsided. #8es' that%s

"hat "e%ll bring you' co&rades! 5ut "e need your support i "e are to achieve

anything. $iberty! 3in it or yoursel!%

e raised his ist and the cro"d responded in kind' sta&ping' punching the air and

chanting7 #$/5*9*8! $/5*9*8!%

#3e need strong' it &en and "o&en over the age o eighteen to 6oin our ranks and

ight together' united against the po"ers o in6ustice!% the rebel leader roared. #3ho

a&ong you "ill 6oin us)%

hroughout the cro"d' people began to shout out' pledging their allegiance to the

glorious cause o liberty. (erek sco"led sullenly and turned to his riends.



#3hy%s it al"ays eighteen and over)% he co&plained. #3e%ll have let school beore

"e can 6oin the 9evolution!%

#3e could al"ays lie about our age'% /ggy suggested' as the rest o the cro"d 6ostled

or"ard to 6oin the ranks o the P4P.

#hey%ll never believe us'% ric "hined. #$ook at us!%

All our youths had co&e to the rally dressed in the e-*ar&y atigues they%d boughtro& an outlet in the central plaa' but (erek kne" that they "ere unlikely to ool

anyone. e sco"led again.

#5ut "e%ve gotta do so&ething'% he said. #/%d hate to be ordinary and have a 6ob. /

"anna:% * his eyes "ent &isty * #/ "anna be a politician.%

Abruptly' the cellar door burst open. An angry' startled roar erupted ro& the cro"d.

(erek looked up to see unior&ed' gas*&asked igures s"ar&ing in through the

broken door. hey halted and trained sub&achine guns on the &ob.

#$oyalists!% /ggy cursed. #3e%ve gotta get outa here!% e gaped at the advancing pro*

govern&ent &ilitia. hey "ere getting in too deep here.

he rebels up on the plator& produced "eapons and the cellar resounded deaeningly

"ith the sporadic chatter o s&all*ar&s ire. he loyalists ired back. People in thecro"d ell. ;ne o the rebels collapsed across the podiu&' his trenchcoat rapidly

seeping cri&son.

(erek%s heart pounded "ith ear. #(o"n!% he yelled' as the loyalists raked the cellar

"ith gunire. hey all hit the gri&y loor and co"ered there as loyalists gunned do"n

the "ould*be rebels.

he bullets ricocheted dangerously round the s&all roo&. (erek elt a touch on the

shoulder' turned and sa" the "o&an he%d s&iled at crouching beside hi&. 5eside her

"as a spike*haired young &an "earing a bo&ber 6acket.

#his "ay!% the girl said as the gunire ceased. She "as indicating the nearby "all. #/

you "anna live.% (erek sa" that the loyalists "ere advancing into the cellar' rounding

up the survivors and herding the& into a corner. e looked back.

hey had opened a coal chute in the cellar "all and "ere scra&bling up it' unnoticed

by the loyalists. As (erek "atched' /ggy raised his head and stared ater the&. e

caught (erek%s eye.

#9un!% he said. he youths scra&bled to their eet and s"ar&ed up the coal chute like

&onkeys.

Shouts and a burst o gunire broke out ro& the cellar behind the&' but they "ere too

young and agile or the loyalists and the threat o death lent the& "ings. 9eaching the

top' (erek scra&bled out into a gri&y alley at the back o the pub that had housed the

rally. ddy' ric and /ggy <uickly 6oined hi&.

4ro& inside' they heard shouted orders' the sound o blo"s and a cry or &ercy.#So&eone else trying to escape'% (erek sur&ised' listening.

#4orget the&'% ric s<ueaked. #/%& going ho&e! his is too scary or &e.%

#Good idea'% /ggy said and ddy nodded' "hite*aced.

(erek looked around the alley. #/ "onder "hat happened to those other t"o'% he said.

he young "o&an%s cold but beautiul ace "as e&blaoned across his &ind.

#4orget the&!% ric repeated' pointing over (erek%s shoulder. #$ook!%

(erek turned round. At the end o the alley"ay' the street "as s"ar&ing "ith

loyalists' ar&oured cars and prison lorries. As they "atched' &ore loyalists appeared'

dragging struggling igures "ith the&.

#Co&e on' co&rades!% (erek led the& back do"n the alley"ay at a run.



1 BIRTH, SCHOOL, WORK, DEATH

#ric' you ain%t nothin% but an underdog'% (erek &uttered in the dusty silence o the

classroo&. /ggy and ddy laughed nastily.

#3hat)% ric said' pouting. #3hat) /%& not! 3hat%s an underdog:)%+r. argreaves looked up sharply ro& the "hiteboard' his thin blonde &oustache

<uivering beneath his 6utting nose.

#3hat%s going on there)% he asked. #;h' it%s you' (erek Clyde. +aking trouble as

usual)% +r. argreaves taught Citienship. (erek disagreed "ith &uch o "hat he

said and he "as re<uently unruly in class. #/ don%t think you%ve even been listening!%

#8es' / have'% (erek said. #8ou "ere telling us about de&ocracy. Again.%

#So / "as'% argreaves said. #And "hat "as the prevailing notion behind elective

dictatorship' de&ocracy' as you call it' boy)%

#4reedo& or everybody!% (erek said. 5ack ca&e the rebel leader%s "ords ro& the

night beore. #$iberty!% he said deiantly.

he teacher tutted and shook his head. e seied his lapels and looked do"n at theyouth.

#9idiculous!% he said. #/ don%t kno" "hat trashy sa&idat you%ve been reading' but

it%s blatant nonsense! 3hen the 9evolution toppled the elective dictatorship "ith its

centuries o inbred privilege and pre6udice' it opened up a ne" "orld o reedo&!

#o" the syste& provides us "ith a truly ree &edia or popular e-pression o support

or * or opposition against * the ruling party. o" the people can vote "ith their eet

and orce unpopular govern&ents ro& po"er "henever they "ish.

#+oreover' "hat is &ore i&portant' i they have no interest in politics' they can live

peaceul lives untroubled by govern&ent intervention. And "hy) 3hy' boy)%

(erek pulled a ace. #=5ecause no political party can survive "ithout popular

support'>% he parroted ro& the te-tbook in ront o hi&. #=he people "ill not standor tyranny and any party "ho oends popular opinion "ill lose popular support and

Party &e&bership "ill sink to nothing.>%

he teacher s&iled genially. #Precisely'% he said. #8ou%ve been doing your ho&e"ork *

though /%d never have guessed ro& the rubbish you%ve handed in!%

#/%& gonna be a politician'% (erek declared. #And /%& gonna change the syste&.%

argreaves laughed. #onsense' boy! ake so&e atherly advice. (on%t enter politics,

it%s a &ug%s ga&e. Get a decent 6ob and keep your head do"n.% e stalked back to the

"hiteboard.

(erek glared at ric. #hat "as your ault'% he said and s"atted the youth over the

head "ith a rolled*up copy o $iberty' the P4P ne"sletter.

#Sir! Sir' he hit &e!% ric s<uealed' as argreaves turned round.

#3hat no")% he teacher%s "eak blue eyes locked on the ne"sletter. e strode over

and snatched it ro& (erek%s grasp. #3ell!% he teacher laughed' holding up the

a&ateurishly printed docu&ent or all to see. #his is your idea o politics' is it)%

#4uck o!% (erek said.

#3hat "as that)% said argreaves uriously. #Go and stand in the corridor! And see &e

ater the end o the lesson!%

Glo"ering at his laughing class&ates' (erek sta&ped over to stand outside in the

corridor.

e heard argreaves returned to his inter&inable drone on the dra"backs o elective

dictatorship. (erek stared out o the "indo" across the corridor' at the street belo".



9o"s o terraces stretched into the distance' broken up by occasional thickets o to"er

blocks' gri&' grey and &onolithic against the lo"ering skies.

his "as ;utlet ?illage' a to"n on the outskirts o Central City, (erek%s ho&e or

iteen 6aded years. /ts bleakness and hopelessness relected his &ood perectly.

he teachers didn%t understand. hey had given up' sold out, sold the&selves into

"age slavery and 6oined the passively rotting &asses. hat "asn%t "hat (erek "antedto do. e "anted po"er' the kind o po"er the overdogs possessed * and the

privileges. e had seen the& on the telly "ith their big cars and e-penses accounts

and "o&en locking ater the& "herever they "ent, heard about their "eeklong

parties o se- and drugs. othing "as above the la" or the govern&ent' not i the

ree &edia "as to be believed.

he only trouble "as' no one ever stayed in po"er long enough to appreciate it.

3hatever party got in "ould triu&ph over the previous govern&ents "ith the backing

o the revolutionary actions on the strength o their policies' al"ays pro&ising "hat

the people "anted * reedo&' de&ocracy and 6ustice. Ater all' that "as the only "ay

to get into po"er. o one "ould ollo" a party "ho pro&ised to restrict civil liberties'

crush the people beneath their iron heel' ta- everyone ar beyond their &eans andnegate their right to la"ul protest. ; course not! o one "ould support a party "ho

actually ad&itted that they didn%t intend to give anyone the vote. So any rebel party

"ith the right policies had a chance o achieving po"er' even though the govern&ent

the&selves had preached the sa&e policies beore they ca&e to po"er.

5ut once the ne" party got into po"er' they see&ed to set out to break every pro&ise

they%d ever &ade and soon proved to be as corrupt as the last govern&ent. ; course'

they "ent straight out again as soon as another party got its act together' because

people "ould not stand or that kind o thing... 5ut it see&ed so stupid! he syste&

"as a sha&bles! (e&ocracy * o the kind his &u& still re&e&bered ro& her

childhood * that "as "hat the country needed! And i he * (erek Clyde o ;utlet

?illage * could give it to the&' he "ould be rich and po"erul or the rest o his lie.

5riely' he gloried in the thought, (erek Clyde' $eader o the govern&ent.

Ater all' "hat "as the alternative) A bleak' &eaningless lie as a "age slave' do"n in

that dis&al' grey landscape o decaying terraces and cru&bling to"er blocks) hat

"as no option. e reused to accept it.

he bell rang shrilly do"n the shabby corridor. (erek heard argreaves say7 #nd o

the lesson' lads. / "ant that essay on the pros and cons o eudalis& on &y desk by the

end o the "eek. ;h' and ddy' i you really have to reer to pre*eudal ngland

again' it%s S"eyn and Canute' not S"ine and Cunt.% he youths sniggered. #o" go

a"ay and "rite it!%

Chairs scraped and desks "ere shoved aside' the door burst open and (erek "ent back inside as the chattering schoolboys hurried ro& the roo&. argreaves "as busy

doing so&e &arking. @uietly' (erek collected his 6acket and bag and headed or the

door again.

#3here are you going' boy)% (erek looked guiltily at argreaves. he teacher had not

even lited his head! #Sit do"n'% argreaves added. (erek sat back in his place. he

&an stood up and ca&e over. e perched hi&sel on (erek%s desk. #/s there anything

you "ant to talk to &e about)% he asked in a kindly but overbearing &anner. #o" are

things at ho&e) as your &other been hitting the bottle again)%

/t "as ucking sinister' ho" "ell they kne" his lie' (erek thought. e slouched'

sulky and non*co&&ittal' staring at the loor.

argreaves sighed and unolded the illegal ne"sletter. #/ really ought to tell thehead&aster about this' you kno"'% he said <uietly. #3ould you like &e to do that)%



#(on%t care.% (erek "as sullen' though he ad&itted to hi&sel that he did not vie" the

prospect "ith &uch 6oy. hey "ould drag his &u& into it' &aybe the loyalists even.

#/ think you do care'% argreaves said' as i reading his &ind. #/ think this rubbish% *

he lourished $iberty * #sho"s ho" &uch you care.% (erek looked up in surprise. #;h'

it%s ro&antic nonsense' totally i&practical'% argreaves said' tugging at his

&oustache. #3ho needs this' "hen "e have a ree &edia) o' let &e guess. 8ou thinksa&idat is &ore honest than the &edia' because the ree &edia have to accept

editorial guidelines ro& their capitalist inanciers.

#At least your heart%s in the right place'% argreaves continued. #8ou care about the

"ay the country%s run.% e shook his head "ryly. #5ut listen. Politics &ay see&

gla&orous to a kid like you' "ith the "hole "orld at his eet' but it%s a dangerous

business and the re"ards are hollo". very political career ends in ailure. / you

really "ant to do so&ething about running the country' re&e&ber that the civil service

does the real "ork.%

(erek "as &oved to sneer. #he civil service)% he said. #5oring &en in suits' sitting at

desks' tapping at co&puters' never doing anything e-cept "ork' "ork' "ork:%

argreaves s&iled. #8ou%ve seen a lot o ?'% he suggested. #he real civil serviceisn%t like that. hey provide a real service or the people' not like these ly*by*night

govern&ents. 3hat happens to any a&ous politician "ho survives to the age o

thirty) / they don%t sink into obscurity' they end up as ? presenters and chat sho"

hosts, and "hat kind o a ate is that or anyone) 5esides' let &e let you in on a little

secret:%

(erek looked conte&ptuously at hi&. #3hat)% he asked in a bored voice.

#hey beco&e civil servants too' in their o"n "ay'% argreaves said "ith a chuckle.

e "aited or (erek to s&ile back. 3hen he didn%t' the teacher plunged on"ards.

#hey serve the public' don%t they) And it%s gla&orous too' in its o"n "ay' in the

&edia * but "ithout the dangers o politics. 3hy not cut out the &iddle&an and orget

about politics) he civil service or the &edia' that%s "here the 6obs are * or even

teaching' heaven oreend!% e chuckled again' but (erek%s lip curled. #here%s a good

pension "aiting at the end o it' i nothing else. 8ou have a good brain. here are all

kinds o 6obs "aiting or you out there' i you 6ust learn to direct your energies in the

right direction. ot like this!% e lourished the ne"sletter again.

(erek looked sullenly at his scued shoes. here "as silence. e looked up. #Can /

go no"' sir)%

argreaves sighed. #ust think about it' lad'% he said. #ust give it so&e proper

thought.%

#Can / go no")% (erek insisted.

argreaves got up and "aved his hand despairingly. #Go on' then'% he said.(erek grabbed his things and ran. As he shut the classroo& door behind hi&' he

caught sight o argreaves reading the ne"sletter "ith a sel*&ocking e-pression on

his ace.

ddy' /ggy and ric "ere "aiting or hi& outside in the deserted playground. #3hat

did he do to you)% ric asked. is eyes "ere troubled "ith guilt.

#3e "ere "orried' co&rade'% /ggy said nonchalantly.

#(id he thrash you)% asked ddy "ith an e-cited snigger.

(erek s"aggered up to the&. #ah' nah'% he said. #e 6ust told &e / should 6oin the

civil service'% he added casually. #4ucking dickhead.% e turned to /ggy. #/%& going

ho&e. 3hat%s everyone doing ater tea)%

/ggy shrugged. #Going do"n to the "aste*ground' as usual'% he said. hey spent &ostevenings hanging around a derelict area on the edge o to"n. #See i "e can get



anyone to go in the o*licence or us'% he added. #+aybe go do"n the takea"ay later

and get so&e chips.%

#5ut that%s "hat "e al"ays do'% ric co&plained. (erek nodded.

#ric%s right'% he said. #ven i he is a "hinging t"at' he is right. his evening' "e%re

gonna do so&ething dierent.%

ric looked scared. #3e%re not going to another rally' are "e)%#9adical!% ddy sniggered.

#o'% (erek said authoritatively. #ust &eet &e at the "aste*ground and /%ll tell you

the rest then.%

e "alked o abruptly. he others e-changed glances and then hurried o through

the school gate and "ent their o"n separate "ays.

A e" &inutes "alk through the cru&bling streets and (erek "as over $ink"ay ast

and al&ost ho&e. ;n either side' gaps in the terraces stood out like broken teeth,

selective de&olition had beco&e a gro"th industry "hile building and &aintenance

"as rare' even in the prosperous areas.

(erek%s ho&e stood sand"iched bet"een a derelict house and another building the

council had conde&ned long ago' although they%d never succeeded in "inkling outthe &ad old dear "ho%d been living there since beore the revolution. he ront door

o his o"n house "as drab' its paint peeling. he bell had never "orked in (erek%s

lieti&e and a thick layer o indeter&inate gri&e coated everything. 5ut it "as ho&e'

or "hat it "as "orth. e unlocked the door and hurried inside.

/n the s&elly "ar&th o the ront roo&' his &other sat hunched over the ?. She "as

an over"eight' red*aced "o&an in her orties' "ho clutched a bottle o super&arket

vodka in one hand. She barely ackno"ledged hi& as he "alked past' intent on the

crackling old repeat o a soap opera that she "as "atching.

(erek "ent into the kitchen and rooted round or so&ething to eat. e lung so&e

chips in the oven and added a e" ish ingers. 3hen they "ere ready' he took the&

and &arched into the ront roo&.

he soap opera%s the&e tune "as pounding out as the credits rolled over the roen

aces o t"o &a6or characters. (erek slouched do"n on the couch and started eating.

he adverts ca&e on and he ate in silence or a "hile.

#(id you have a nice day)% his &other asked abruptly.

#As i you care'% (erek snapped.

#(on%t ans"er back'% she said auto&atically. he adverts ended and the ne"s

ollo"ed.

#8ou asked &e a <uestion'% (erek said petulantly' as the ne"sreader read the

headlines. #o" can / ans"er you i /%& not allo"ed to ans"er back) Stupid co".%

She ignored hi&' sco"ling at the screen. A reporter had appeared' standing in ront oa pub.

#he 3aterloo Sunset) hat%s on City $ink"ay!% she said. (erek stared at the screen.

#Scenes o un"arranted aggression ollo"ed the political group%s illegal rally' as

brutal lackeys o the corrupt govern&ent stor&ed the building in ;utlet ?illage:% the

reporter "as saying.

3ith a start' (erek realised that the &an "as reerring to the rally he had attended.

he scene changed to shaky ootage o unior&ed thugs dragging struggling igures

out o the pub and thro"ing the& into vans. /t so&eho" &ade it see& &ore real than

it had last night.

#5rutal suppression o political dissent is only one o the current govern&ent%s stocks*

in*trade'% the reporter continued. #+ean"hile' the central &e&bers o the Popular4reedo& Party * "ho pro&ise us peace' liberty and a return to de&ocracy * currently



languish in gaol. A P4P spokes&an asked reporters last night, =o" long "ill the

people tolerate the aggression o this un6ust govern&ent)>%

+uttering' (erek%s &other changed channels. She hated the ree &edia. She turned to

a chat sho" presented by a or&er &e&ber o the 9adical Conservatives' a party still

re&e&bered ondly in certain reactionary <uarters.

#+u&!% (erek e-ploded. #/ "as "atching that!%#(on%t take that tone "ith &e' you cheeky young &an!% she snapped. #8ou "ouldn%t

talk to &e like that i your ather "as still around.%

#3ell' he isn%t'% (erek said viciously. #e let you as soon as he could because he

hated you! / hate you! veryone hates you!%

She "as un&oved by this adolescent outburst.

#Shut up' brat'% she snarled. #3hen are you going to leave school and get out o &y

hair)%

5ut her only ans"er "as the sla& o the ront door as (erek sta&ped out.

#ere he is'% ric said' as (erek approached over the heap o rubble nearby.

#Alright' lads'% (erek said. e "as in a cheerier &ood no"' having vented so&e o hisanger on a bus stop and a phone bo- along the "ay.

ddy and /ggy looked up. #So "hat%s the big &ystery idea' then)% /ggy asked as (erek

thre" hi&sel do"n beside the&.

#8ou kno" /%ve al"ays "anted a career in politics)% (erek started.

#8eah' yeah'% /ggy said dis&issively. #verybody does * the &oney' the po"er:%

#he "o&en'% ddy sniggered.

#/ "ant to 6oin the civil service'% ric said deiantly.

#3anker'% the others chorused auto&atically.

(erek looked ro& one to the others. #$ook' "e%re in our last year at school' unless

"e stay on:%

#/%& not staying on'% /ggy said. #/%& sick o school. / can%t "ait to get a 6ob and &ove

out.%

#(o you really "anna do that)% (erek said. #Spend the rest o your lie as a "age

slave)%

#/%& going to stay on in the si-th or& and then go to university'% ric said. #hen /%ll

get a 6ob.%

#4uck o!% /ggy said. #hey only allo" people "ith brains to go to university.%

#hat tosser argreaves "ants &e to go to university'% (erek snarled.

#3ell "hy don%t you' then)% ric asked. #/ you don%t like the idea o being a "age

slave.%

(erek shook his head. e "as silent or a &o&ent. #o'% he said eventually. #/%ve gota better idea than that. 3hy don%t "e stop 6ust talking about politics and 6oin the

9evolution)%

4or a &o&ent' nobody said.

#3e%re too young or any o the parties to accept us'% /ggy said slo"ly. #3ait a e"

years' &aybe:%

#4uck that!% (erek said "ith scorn. #Che Guevara didn%t "orry about ho" old he "as

"hen he 6oined the 9evolution, neither did $enin. All the greats 6ust "ent out and

seied po"er or the&selves.%

#5ut i "e or&ed a &ilitia'% /ggy said slo"ly' #then the overdogs "ould send the

loyalist patrols to disband us' like they did "ith the P4P. (idn%t you "atch the ne"s)%



#hey "on%t hassle us i "e start out s&all'% (erek said conidently. #hey only bother

about you i you get support ro& the people * i you challenge the&. Any"ay' the

govern&ent started out as a rebel &ilitia and that didn%t stop the& ro& taking po"er.%

#/ hate the govern&ent'% /ggy said auto&atically.

#8eah' but they got to the top' though'% (erek insisted. #hat%s "hat &atters.

#$ook' there%s those guys "ho hang out do"n by the old &otor"ay. hey%ve got a&ilitia * / orget "hat it%s called' Autarkic so&ething*or*other * and they clai& ;utlet

?illage as their constituency. hey don%t have enough po"er to attract attention ro&

the loyalists' not like the P4P. 5ut no one in ;utlet ?illage "ill challenge the&. /

they deeat other &ilitias and take over other to"ns' like 9etail Park and +ultiple-

and the eights * &aybe even places closer to Central City * then they%ll beco&e a

action and start getting recognition ro& the ree &edia. And i the &edia hear about

you' then people lock to support you. hat%s ho" the govern&ent got in.%

#he govern&ent are "ankers'% ddy said auto&atically.

(erek sighed' irritated. #8eah' but they%re in po"er. / "e "ant po"er' "e need to do

"hat they did. /%& not saying "e should have e-actly the sa&e policies' because no*

one "ill ollo" us then' but:%#ey' yeah!% ddy said e-citedly. #ust think about it' /ggy! /%ll be $eader' you could

be (eputy $eader and (erek can be Chancellor.%

#3hat about &e)% ric said indignantly.

#8ou can be o&e Secretary'% ddy said. #hen everyone else gets the girls and you

have to go to &eetings all the ti&e "ith capitalists and bureaucrats and the &edia!%

#4uck o'% (erek said. #/%& gonna be $eader. /t%s &y party.%

/ggy looked nonplussed. #5ut "ait a &inute' ho" are "e gonna get any"here "ithout

"eapons)% he asked.

(erek grinned. #/%ve been thinking about that as "ell' /ggy'% he said. #And it%s a piece

o piss! 8ou 6ust ind out "here the ar&s*dealers are and buy o the&. Guns are

cheap on the black &arket, /%ve read all about it.%

#o" cheap)% ric asked. #3e%ll never be able to aord the&!%

#8es "e "ill'% (erek said conidently. #And once "e%ve started ighting other &ilitias'

"e%ll be able to get "eapons o the guys "e deeat' or &ake the& ight or us' i they

surrender. And everyone "ho supports us "ill be ighters too and they%ll have guns as

"ell.%

#3e%ll need policies everyone agrees "ith'% /ggy said' clearly "ar&ing to the idea.

#o one "ill 6oin us 6ust because "e deeat other &ilitias * "e need so&ething people

are "illing to ight or. 3hat policies are "e gonna have) And "hat are "e gonna call

the &ilitia)%

(erek shook his head. #3e can "ork all that out later' co&rade'% he said. #3hat&atters no" is that "e get hold o so&e "eapons. hen "e can challenge those guys

do"n by the old &otor"ay and seie control o ;utlet ?illage. hen "hen "e%ve got

a e" other places' "e can start having rallies and then:%

#3oah there!% /ggy said. #$et%s 6ust re"ind a bit. 3ho are "e gonna get our "eapons

ro&)%

(erek shrugged. #/ "e go into the pubs out on City $ink"ay'% he said' #"e%re bound

to ind an ar&s*dealer so&e"here. ;r at least so&eone "ho kno"s ho" "e can ind

one.%

/ggy scratched his head. #8ou reckon "e%re gonna get into any pubs)% he asked'

looking doubtully at ric.

#3e got in the 3aterloo Sunset last night'% ddy said.



#hat "as 6ust the cellar'% /ggy corrected hi&. #And that%s cu "e bought those tickets

o the bloke in the Ar&y Surplus ;utlet. /%& talking about getting into bars. 3e%re

too young.%

(erek sco"led. #(on%t be such a bourgeois deeatist'% he said. #3e can only try' can%t

"e) / reckon / look old enough and you do too' /ggy. So does ddy in the right light.%

hey all looked at ric.#3hat)% he asked. #3hat)%

#8ou%ll have to "ait outside' short*arse'% /ggy said tauntingly.

#hat%s not air!% ric co&plained.

#3elco&e to the real "orld'% (erek said. #Co&e on. $et%s get the bus do"n to City

$ink"ay.%

City $ink"ay "as the &ain route ro& ;utlet ?illage to Central City. /n &ore

prosperous ti&es' it had been a scene o "ild celebration every night' as drunken

gangs o actory "orkers staggered ro& gin*palace to public house. A pub had stood

on every corner' an e&barrass&ent o riches or the "orkers "hose "ages poured

al&ost entirely into the pockets o landlords and bar&en.

o"' ti&es being "hat they "ere' &ost o the pubs "ere shut do"n' derelict andstretches o overgro"n rubble lay "here &any o the terraces had stood. ;n aded

billboards erected years ago' the loyalist council had &ade sole&n pro&ises about

urban rene"al. 5ut a e" islands o inhabited houses poked above the ruins and in

these areas' the pubs "ere still intact.

he youths got o the bus by the shops. he least ruinous area "as 6ust do"n the

link"ay ro& here' "here the 3aterloo Sunset "as located. (erek looked up and

do"n the link"ay. An ar&oured car "as trundling across a 6unction a <uarter o a &ile

a"ay. An old "o&an pushed a shopping trolley ull o rubbish along the pave&ent on

the other side. ;ther"ise' it "as deserted.

#Shall "e try the one "e "ent to yesterday)% /ggy asked.

(erek indicated a pub nearby' na&ed the Clock"ork ;range. #his one%s closer'% he

said. #3e &ay as "ell try the& all.%

he Clock"ork ;range "as al&ost e&pty "hen they entered the bar. A decrepit old

&an "ith a dog sat in one corner' nursing a pint o &ild. "o &en in early &iddle age

"ere playing a desultory ga&e o darts. he only person "ho looked up as they

entered "as the bar&an' a thin' s"arthy individual "ith a pencil &oustache. e

careully put do"n the glass he "as cleaning and "ent to the bar.

#o" &ay / help you' gentle&en)% he asked. #Pints all round)%

(erek gulped. e had not e-pected this. e had been eeling nervous since they

entered, e-pecting loyalists to appear and thro" the& out i&&ediately. e said

so&ething unintelligible.ddy pushed past. #8eah!% he said to the bar&an. #Pints!%

he bar&an s&iled <uietly.

#A pint o "hat' young sir)% he asked. Clearly' he kne" they "ere underage' but it "as

e<ually clear that he didn%t care.

ddy%s ace "ent blank. #r' "hisky)% he said hurriedly.

he t"o &en playing darts turned at this and laughed loudly. ddy lushed.

#/%& araid "e don%t serve "hisky in pint glasses at this establish&ent'% said the

bar&an. #+ay / suggest a pint o bitter)%

ddy ro"ned. #(on%t like the sound o that'% he said.

/ggy interrupted. #8es' "e%ll have that' bar&an'% he said <uickly.

he bar&an started pulling pints' "hile the our youths gaed nervously at theirsurroundings. hey had not been in the bar o the 3aterloo Sunset last night, in act'



(erek had never been in a bar in his lie. is &other had once "arned hi& against

pubs as places o sin and depravity' e-plaining B"aving her bottle o super&arket

vodka around as she did so' that it had been in a bar that she irst &et his ather. o

be honest' (erek elt a little disappointed.

e started nervously at the bar&an%s voice.

#ere you are then. 4ive pounds each.%he youths shot each other startled' scared glances. hey dug deep into their pockets

and hurriedly a&assed a collection o s&all change on the stained surace o the bar.

#r' "e "eren%t e-pecting it to cost this &uch'% /ggy said "orriedly.

#o" are "e gonna be able to aord "eapons ater this)% (erek hissed.

#Shut up'% /ggy said in reply. e turned back to the bar&an' "ho "as regarding the&

blandly.

#r' "e have about ten pounds bet"een the our o us. 3ould tha: could "e &aybe

6ust buy t"o pints)%

he bar&an looked pointedly at the our pints poured and shook his head. #3e%ll have

to co&e to so&e arrange&ent' or /%ll be orced to call the loyalist patrol'% he said.

he our youths e-changed glances.#3ell' "e don%t care!% ric said suddenly. #3e%re rebels' aren%t "e) 3e%ve got our

o"n &ilitia!%

#Shut up' ric'% everyone said.

;ne o the darts players looked up and grinned. e loped over' slicking back his

greying hair.

#Alright there' Pete'% he said to the bar&an. #Still trying that old trick) ;ldest trick in

the book. Pint o bitter is t"o pounds' lads. / should kno"% * he patted his a&ple belly

* #/%ve had a e" in &y ti&e.%

#ust &y little 6oke "ith the young gentle&en' the& being underage and all'% said the

bar&an stily.

#3ell' you don%t "ant to scare o the ne" custo& no"' do you Pete)% the &an said.

#8ou%ve got e" enough custo&ers as it is' these days.%

Grudgingly' the bar&an took the youths% &oney and they retired to a table "ith their

saviour. is riend ca&e over to 6oin the&.

#/%& +ick'% said the irst drinker' a thickset' balding &an. #And this is &y &ate' ohn.%

ohn "as s&aller than +ick' but e<ually stocky' "ith a hairy "art beside his nose.

+ick looked closely at the our youths. #aven%t "e &et so&e"here beore)%

(erek shrugged and sipped his pint' "incing at the taste.

#(on%t think so'% he said.

#8es you have'% ohn said suddenly. e put his pint do"n and looked at +ick. #/%&

sure /%ve seen the& hanging round the central plaa.%+ick%s ace brightened.

#Shit' yeah'% he said. #/ sold you those tickets to the rally do"n at the 3aterloo Sunset'

didn%t /) 8ou "ere lucky you didn%t get nicked! / sa" it on the ne"s.%

(erek looked ro& hi& to his &ate. hen it clicked.

#8ou%re ticket touts)% he said.

#A&ong other things'% +ick said' shaking hands "ith the& all in turn. #5ut don%t tell

the loyalists.%

#(idn%t recognise you'% /ggy said. #ot out o the co&bat gear.% /t &ade the &en look

younger. 4e" people over thirty "ore &ilitary clothes.

#3ell' "e only "ear it or the punters' really'% +ick said. #Gives it the right

at&osphere. Course' "hen / "as a kid' / "ore it all the ti&e.%(erek licked his lips and then leant or"ard.



#3e%re: looking or so&eone "ith contacts in the 9evolution'% he said. #8ou &ust

&eet a e"' right)%

+ick and ohn looked "ary. hey e-changed glances.

#Careul:% ohn &ur&ured.

#hey "ouldn%t use kids' ohn'% +ick said.

#(on%t be sot' they%d use anyone'% ohn said cynically.#3ho are you talking about)% asked /ggy. #he loyalists) he govern&ent) 3e hate

the govern&ent!%

#5ut you &ight 6ust be saying that'% +ick said. #$ook' "hat are you ater) Guns'

a&&o' ar&our' intelligence) / &ight be able to give you a e" na&es o people /

kno"' i / kno" you%re genuine.%

#3e are genuine'% ric said angrily. #(on%t you trust us) hat%s not air!%

(erek cued hi& beore he said any &ore. e apologised to the t"o &en. hey

e-changed glances.

#3ell: you only live once'% +ick said.

#3e%ve been lucky this ar'% ohn said.

#All right'% +ick said. e turned back to the youths. #Co&e do"n to the Ar&y Surplus;utlet. 3e%ll discuss it then. 5ring &oney.%

#o" &uch)% (erek asked "orriedly.

#As &uch as you can get hold o'% +ick said.

/t "as (erek%s turn to eel suspicious. #o" do "e kno" "e can trust you)% he said.

+ick grinned.

#8ou don%t'% he said. #5ut give it a go' eh)%

2 MONEY

#o" &uch do "e have' bet"een us)% (erek asked the ne-t day' as they sat eating

their packed lunches in the school canteen.

#/%ve got a thousand pounds in a trust und ro& &y grandparents'% ric said

conversationally. veryone "ent <uiet and turned to stare at hi&.

(erek licked his dry lips.

#ric'% he said careully. #r:%

#5ut &y &u& says /%ve gotta keep it until / go to university'% ric added.

#8ou%re never gonna go to university'% ddy said. #5ecause you%re ucking thick!%

#/ did 6ust as "ell as (erek on the last test in Citienship!% ric co&plained.

#8eah' but / got DEF "ithout even "orking hard'% (erek said. #8ou "ere s"otting

a"ay all night.% is kno"ledge o politics ca&e ro& genuine interest. All ric cared

about "as &aking his parents happy. #5ut this &oney'% (erek hurried on' #can%t you

get it in advance)%

#/t%s in &y dad%s na&e'% ric said.

#4orge his signature'% /ggy suggested.

#hey%ll kno" /%& not hi& the &o&ent / "alk in the bank'% ric snapped.

#/ "e had guns' "e could hold up the bank!% ddy said "ildly' spittle spraying across

the table. e stopped as everyone looked at hi&. 9ealisation crossed his ace. #5ut:

"e%d need: to get &oney irst: ;h. 8eah.%

#Shut it' di&"it'% (erek snapped. #;kay' orget the trust und' ric. o" &uch else do

you have)%#/%ve got a clothes allo"ance'% ric said. #/ could break into that.%



#8ou do that'% (erek said. #/ggy' "hat about you)%

he youth shrugged. #/%& a bit skint' &ysel'% he said a"k"ardly. #About: ive

<uid)%

#/t%s a start'% (erek ad&itted' though privately he "as eeling a &ite pessi&istic. #/ can

chuck in ten <uid. ddy' "hat about you)%

ddy s&iled grandly. #a&e the a&ount and /%ll get it or you' co&rade'% he said.#ust say the "ord.%

(erek elt suspicious. #o" about t"enty <uid)% he suggested' picking a nu&ber at

rando&.

#3hatever you "ant' &y &an'% ddy said airily.

#o" are you going to get t"enty pounds)% ric asked.

#8ou keep your dirty little nose out o it' nob"it'% ddy said genially.

(erek ro"ned. #his little "anker%s got a point' though'% he said. #o" can you get

your hands on t"enty <uid)%

#Ask no <uestions and you%ll get no lies'% ddy said s&ugly.

#ell &e no" or /%ll break your nose'% (erek suggested. /ggy laid a restraining hand

on his ar&.#/ he can provide it' let hi& be &ysterious' (erek'% he said. #hat%ll be thirty*ive

<uid plus ho"ever &uch ric "ill deign to provide:%

#h' / could &anage &aybe ten pounds'% ric said hurriedly.

#4orty ive <uid'% /ggy said. e looked at (erek uncertainly. #hink that%ll be

enough)%

(erek paused and scratched his head.

#/ suppose so:% he said' unsure.

#8eah' it%ll be enough'% ddy said brashly. #(on%t you kno" anything about buying

guns)%

#; course / do!% (erek said auto&atically. #/ kno" &ore than you ever "ill!%

#5ollocks!% ddy said.

#Shut up the pair o you'% /ggy said. #3e%ll 6ust pool it all and go to +ick%s lat and see

"hat "e can get "ith it.%

#o" are "e going to get all the &oney together in ti&e or ive o%clock)% ob6ected

ric.

#3hy' ho" long is it gonna take or you to get your shit together)% (erek said.

#/ dunno'% ric said. #5ut "e only have a <uarter o an hour ater the end o school.

hat doesn%t leave us "ith &uch ti&e.%

/ggy shrugged. #So "e &ake ti&e'% he said. #/t%s only double Geography this

aternoon.%

#/ don%t "ant to go bunking o lessons'% ric said angrily. #ot "ith the e-a&sco&ing up this su&&er.%

#3anker!% (erek cro"ed. #3e%ll be the govern&ent by then! 3e don%t need e-a&s!%

#8eah'% ddy said. #Co&e on' co&rades * ti&e to sneak out o school.%

(erek drained his lask o orange 6uice. hey all grabbed their bags and orced their

"ay out o the bustling canteen into the corridor.

Ater hurrying over the playground they sneaked behind the bike*sheds. hey only

had to cross a e" yards o overgro"n rubble beore reaching the school ence "hen

they heard a shout behind the&.

(erek glanced back to see a teacher advancing purposeully ro& the corner o the

building.

#3here d%you think you%re going' boys)% she said. #ey! Stop!% she added shrilly asthey broke into a run.



hey heard her stu&bling ater the& as they raced across the rubble. 9eaching the

ence' they s<ueeed through the gap at the botto&' and rolled out onto the gri&y

pave&ent beyond. (erek leapt to his eet.

#Co&e back' you stupid boys!% the teacher shouted' as she orced her "ay through the

bushes. #/t%s dangerous out there!%

(angerous) (erek thought. 8eah' but soon "e%ll be one o the dangers.#Get up!% he shouted at the others as the teacher reached the ence and grabbed "ildly

at ric%s disappearing legs. hey scra&bled up onto the pave&ent.

#Co&e on' co&rades'% (erek ordered and they hotooted it do"n the street.

#/ kno" your na&es!% the teacher shouted ro& behind the&. #/%ll inor& the

head&aster! /%ll tell your parents!%

She "as still bello"ing in the distance as they rounded the corner and sprinted up a

narro" street lanked by dilapidated terraces. hey halted at a 6unction' gasping or

breath' laughing "ildly. ric' "ho "as not laughing' rounded on (erek' urious.

#8ou heard "hat she said!% he "hined. #She%ll tell our parents! 3e%re in big trouble

no"' thanks to you!%

(erek laughed in his ace. #Call yoursel a rebel)% he said. #8ou%re too shit*scaredeven to rebel against your o"n parents! 3hat good are you gonna be against the

overdogs)%

#(on%t "ant to 6oin the 9evolution'% ric said petulantly.

#4ine'% (erek said. #9un ho&e to &u&&y. Gro" up to beco&e a bureaucrat.

+ean"hile' "e%ll be living "ith shit*loads o: o &oney and big cars' &arried to

ucking &odels and ruling the ucking country!%

#8eah!% ddy said. #Go and 6oin the civil service!%

ric%s lip tre&bled and he looked as i he "as about to burst into tears. /ggy stepped in

hastily.

#$eave hi& alone' (erek'% he said <uietly. #Stop "hining' ric and go and get the

&oney. hat goes or all o us. 3e%ll &eet outside the Ar&y Surplus ;utlet.%

#9ight'% (erek said grudgingly. #8ou heard * ddy' ric. Get the &oney.%

e turned on his heel and strode o.

#3hat are you doing back so early)% his &other said ro& the ront roo&' as he

sta&ped in and thundered upstairs. e ca&e back do"n a e" seconds later.

#3hy are you here' you little brat)% she shouted. #Are you playing truant)%

#o school this aternoon'% (erek lied. #he place has been looded.%

#4looded)% she asked' al&ost rising to her eet. #5ut "hat:) 3hy:. here%s been no

rain!%

#/t "as the se"ers'% (erek said' stuing so&ething in his blaer pocket. #hey leaked

into the school and "e all had to go ho&e to avoid catching 5lack (eath.%#5ut "hat%s going to happen to&orro")% she "ailed.

#/ dunno'% (erek said i&patiently. #/%& going out.%

#o you%re not'% she said. #Get &e the phone. / "ant to kno" "hy they%re endangering

&y son%s lie "ith their negligence.%

(erek sighed. She "as even "orse "hen she started acting like she cared.

#o' you can%t do that'% he said. #he se"age got into the phone*lines and it%s very

dangerous to use the phone right no" because it%ll blo" up.%

#3ho told you that)% she said. #3as it that +r. argreaves) e%s al"ays illing your

head "ith stupid lies. Get &e the phone.%

#hey%ve had to &ove out o the building because o the accident'% (erek said. #So no

one%s gonna ans"er the phone' are they) /%& going out.%



#3ait a &inute' you ought to see a doctor'% she said. #hey should have thought about

that at school' instead o 6ust sending you all ho&e. 8ou could catch typhoid or

so&ething.%

#o' &u&' this kind o se"age doesn%t trans&it typhoid'% (erek said. #And /%& going

no".% e led.

#3hat did you put in your pocket)% she "as de&anding as he ducked back out into thestreet. (erek sla&&ed the door and hurried a"ay. Stupid co".

e sta&ped do"n to the bus stop and "aited or the ne-t bus to the central plaa.

Ater 6ust enough ti&e or hi& to get really urious' a bus appeared, a single decker.

(erek hated single deckers. e stuck his hand out.

he bus stopped and he got on.

#Central plaa'% he said to the bus driver.

#hat%ll be t"o eighty' son'% said the bus driver. (erek thre" hi& the cash and he

handed over the ticket.

#Shouldn%t you be in school)% the bus driver asked.

#School%s closed today'% (erek snapped.

#So "hy are you in school unior&)% asked the bus driver' looking a&used.#4uck o'% (erek &uttered' stalking a"ay up the gang"ay. e thre" hi&sel do"n on

the back seat and lounged ostentatiously' glaring at anyone "ho glanced in his

direction.

he bus started up and they began to &ove o.

A e" streets on' they ound the&selves at the back o a long tailback. (erek sighed

audibly' olded his ar&s' unolded the&' looked at his "atch' scratched hi&sel'

ya"ned' arted noisily. Several old people looked at hi& and &uttered to each other.

#3hat are you looking at)% he said dangerously. hey looked a"ay <uickly.

e dru&&ed on the ar& o the seat. #3hen%s this uckin% bus gonna &ove)% he said.

e got up abruptly and lurched do"n to the ront.

#3hen%s this bus gonna &ove)% he said.

#ust "hat / "as "ondering'% said the bus driver. e leaned his head out o the

"indo" and yelled at a passer*by.

#3hat%s up) (%you kno" "hat%s happened up ahead)%

#o'% said the passer*by' "aving her ar&s round helplessly. #5ut they%ve cordoned o

the central plaa.%

he distant rattle o gunire tore through the air. veryone started. (erek%s eyes lit up.

#3hat d%you think%s going on' eh)% he asked the bus driver e-citedly. #3hat%s going

on)%

#+ust be the uckin% loyalists'% said the bus driver. #;h' pardon &y 4rench' lad. hey

&ust be ighting so&e o the rebs.%5ehind the&' the elderly passengers "ere &uttering to each other.

#8eah)% (erek said. #4uckin% e-cellent! /%& gonna be a rebel' co&rade' you kno")%

he bus driver looked at hi&' a&used. #old on to that drea&'% he said. #/ "anted to

be $eader "hen / "as a kid.%

#8eah)% (erek said. #So "hy are you a bus driver)%

he bus driver%s ace "ent blank. e stared into the distance as the gunire continued.

#/ gave it a try'% he said. #4or a e" years. 5ut in the end it "as easier to "ork.%

#ah'% (erek said incredulously. #8ou%d rather drive a bus than rule the country)%

he bus driver shrugged. #o' not really' co&rade. 5ut: it "as easier not to. /n the

end / 6ust gave up.%

(erek shook his head unco&prehendingly. #/%& never gonna give up' co&rade'% hesaid. #/%& gonna ight the po"ers that be until / get to the top!%



#ope you do' son'% the bus driver said. #/ hope you do.%

4ro& the distance ca&e t"o loud e-plosions and the gunire ceased. An uneasy

silence ell over the to"n. (erek tried to get an idea "hat "as going on up the

link"ay' but all he could see "as a line o stationary traic. othing "as approaching

ro& the other direction.

Another burst o gunire rang out and the battle broke out aresh.#/ "onder "ho it is'% (erek said. #3ho do you reckon)%

he bus driver shrugged. As he did so' the gunire chattered to a close. hey

e-changed glances and listened. othing else happened.

#/ don%t kno" "ho it is'% the bus driver said ater a "hile. #/ don%t ollo" politics

any&ore. / haven%t since / let the 9CP.%

#3hat' the 9adical Conservative Party)% (erek asked' incredulous. #8ou "ere "ith

the&) hey "ere a bunch o reactionary ascists! heir policies "ere shit!%

he bus driver nodded regretully. #/%d let the& or by the ti&e they got into

govern&ent. 5ack then' they had so&e pretty good ideas' but "hen / sa" the& in

po"er * "ell' it &ade &e eel better about selling out:. old on!%

An ar&oured car "as trundling up the other side o the street. A loyalist stood in theturret holding a &egaphone.

#(o not panic'% he "as saying. #3e have the situation co&pletely under control. he

govern&ent "ill not be co"ed by &ilitant attack. 3e have captured the insurgents

responsible or these disturbances and no" the link"ay is clear or you to proceed

under ar&ed escort. (o not panic. 3e have the situation co&pletely under control:%

he ar&oured car drove past the& and the bus*driver raised his &iddle inger in its

direction. he loyalist "ith the &egaphone ignored hi&.

A couple o &inutes later' they "ere &oving again' driving slo"ly do"n the street

"ith loyalist &otorcyclists ipping back and orth and ar&oured cars guarding ront

and rear. (erek looked about e-citedly or signs o battle.

hey reached the central plaa a e" &inutes later. "o burnt*out ar&oured cars "ere

standing in the &iddle o the plaa. A nearby outlet "as on ire. A couple o huddled'

un&oving or&s lay in the link"ay near the APCs.

(erek looked closer at the t"o ar&oured cars' recognising the insignia painted on

their sides.

#Shit' they%re P4P * Popular 4reedo& Party'% he said' or the bus driver%s beneit. #/

"ent to their rally the other night.%

#;h yeah)% the bus driver said. #/%ve heard o the&. hey%re pretty &uch the

;pposition no"' aren%t they)%

#8eah'% (erek said. #hey%re gaining popularity' according to the press. / / "as old

enough' / &ight 6oin the&.% e sighed.#8ou don%t see& so sure'% said the bus driver. #5y the "ay' isn%t this your stop)%

(erek looked up. hey "ere about a street a"ay ro& the Ar&y Surplus ;utlet.

#8eah'% he said. he bus slo"ed do"n. hree elderly passengers hobbled to"ards the

doors.

#8ou still look doubtul'% said the bus driver.

(erek shrugged. #3ell' /%ve got &y o"n &ilitia' haven%t /)% he said.

#8eah)% said the bus driver. #9adical!% he bus halted and the doors s"ished open.

#Cheers'% (erek said' leaping past the three old "o&en "ho "ere alighting.

#Solidarity' brother!% he shouted as the doors closed. he old "o&en scuttled a"ay

hurriedly. #p the 9evolution!% he bus driver raised his ist at hi& through the glass'

grinning "ryly and he drove o.#9adical bastard'% (erek said' sta&ping up the street. #4or an old git.%



Still' he had sold out and turned his back on the 9evolution. (erek kne" he "ould

never do that.

he Ar&y Surplus ;utlet "as in a seedy side street o the central plaa. <uip&ent

and co&bat clothes illed the "indo"s and estooned the outside "alls. here "as no

sign o the others. (erek sat do"n on a bench and "aited. e took out a "ell*thu&bed

copy o that co&ic or boys' ?ive la 9evolution and started leaing through it.he door o the outlet opened and t"o people e&erged' a spike*haired &an and a

young "o&an. hey looked vaguely a&iliar' but they paid no attention to (erek.

hey "alked o do"n the street to"ards the busy centre.

At a <uarter to ive' /ggy turned up nursing a black eye.

#3hat happened to you' then)% (erek asked' slipping the &againe back in his blaer

pocket.

/ggy looked rueul.

#+y dad%s back'% he said. #/ ca&e in and he "as there' arguing "ith &y &u&. / "as

going to grab the &oney and leg it' but he sa" &e and ca&e at &e "ith his belt. / had

to give hi& a e" <uick digs beore he%d uck o.%

/ggy%s ho&e background "as rather "orse than his o"n, he lived on the ourteenthloor o a to"er block and his dad "as in the +erchant avy, he only turned up on

leave and then he "as constantly drunk. And there "ere about ive older brothers and

a sister "ho treated /ggy like shit. $ie "as tough.

#(id you get the &oney)% (erek said.

/ggy nodded' producing a crinkled iver ro& his pocket. (erek stared at it.

#Cool'% he said "ith little enthusias&.

#/ hope the other t"o "ill bring &ore'% said /ggy' sitting do"n on the bench' "incing

slightly at his bruises.

#/ "anna kno" "hat uckace is gonna do to get t"enty <uid'% (erek said.

/ggy shrugged. #(oesn%t &atter' as long as he does'% he said. #/ he doesn%t though'

/%& in the right &ood to sta&p on his head.%

#r' yeah:% (erek said. /ggy "as not a bad lad to be around &ost o the ti&e' but

"hen his dad "as ho&e' he "as prone to serious acts o violence. othing "rong "ith

that o course * 6ust as long as they "ere directed against the syste& and not at (erek.

#ey' co&rades!% ca&e a shout ro& do"n the street. hey looked up to see ric'

"earing his best co&bat gear' running do"n the street to"ards the&. e stopped in

ront o the bench' panting.

#Sorry / took so long'% he said. #5ut / had to change.% e stared at the pair' still in

school unior&s. #3hy are you still dressed like that)% he asked. #8ou look stupid.%

#3e "ere too busy getting the &oney "e needed to get all dolled up'% /ggy said

viciously. (erek glo"ered at ric%s clothes. he t"at "as going to &ake the& look aright pair "hen +ick and ohn sa" the&.

#And then the bus got stuck in a traic 6a& because there "as a street ight in the

central plaa'% ric added. #5et"een the govern&ent and so&e rebel group.%

#P4P'% (erek said shortly.

ric%s eyes "idened. #8ou "ere close enough to see "ho it "as)% he asked enviously.

#/ could only see it ro& a distance. / "as on the top deck and "e "ere stuck at the

edge o the central plaa. 3here "ere you)%

#Shit' / &issed this'% said /ggy.

(erek elt unco&ortable.

#8eah' / "as there'% he said. #/ sa" the "hole thing' P4P and the uckin% loyalists. /

sa" it all.%he other t"o looked at hi& "ith &ingled envy and respect.



#3hat "as: it like)% /ggy asked. (erek "as non*co&&ittal.

#/t "as a street ight' "asn%t it)% he said unco&ortably. #$ots o shooting and people

dying.%

#ey' lads!% ca&e a shout ro& up the street. hey looked up to see ddy s"aggering

to"ards the&. is school unior& "as ilthy "ith gri&e.

#3here%ve you been)% they asked.#/ "as in a street ight!% he boasted. #/n the central plaa!%

he other three shot each other scornul glances.

#8eah' "e all sa" it'% said /ggy. #So "hat)%

#o' / "as there "hen it broke out'% ddy said. #Good thing it did' because / think /%d

have been in deep shit "ith the uckin% loyalists' y%kno")%

#8ou "ere on the ground)% ric asked.

#8eah' "here%d you think / "as)% said ddy. #/n outer space) /%d 6ust co&e outa this

shop * /%ll tell you about that later * "hen t"o ar&oured cars ca&e round the corner

and opened ire on a govern&ent patrol. he loyalists &obilised the&selves pretty

<uick and destroyed the ar&oured cars and then shot do"n the guys "ho tried to

escape! 4uckin% &artyrs to the 9evolution! And / sa" the&!%ric and /ggy turned to (erek. e shrugged.

#8eah' that%s "hat / sa" too'% he said casually. ddy%s eyes lit up.

#8ou "ere there)% he said. #Cool' "here "ere you' co&rade) (id you see the bit

"here the rebel soldier:%

#$ook' "e%re orgetting the i&portant thing here'% (erek said hurriedly. #ave you

cunts got the &oney)%

ric nodded and took out t"o ten*pound notes.

#All / could get'% he said apologetically. (erek looked at it critically.

#/t%ll have to do'% he said. #3hat about you' ddy) (id you get any &oney "hen you

"ere single*handedly ighting the loyalists)%

ddy grinned proudly. #8eah!% he said. e stued his hand into his pocket and

(erek%s 6a" dropped as he brought it back' out clutching a &assive "ad o ivers and

tenners.

#Shit!% they chorused.

#3here%d you get the&)% /ggy added.

ddy "as about to ans"er' "hen (erek glanced at his "atch.

#4uck' it%s ive already'% he said. #$ook' never &ind that no". $et%s 6ust get in the shop

beore it closes.%

#;h' it%s you'% ohn said ro& the counter "here he "as totting up the day%s takings.

e looked a little curiously at (erek' /ggy and ddy%s school unior&s. #(idn%t think

you "ere gonna sho". ang on.%3hile he inished "hat he "as doing' the youths &ooched idly around the outlet. o

"eapons "ere on sale' o course. hat "ould be illegal' or "hat it "as "orth under

the current govern&ent. 5ut e-a&ples o every other conceivable ite& o &ilitary

accessory and hard"are capable o being cra&&ed into a s&all shop "ere on display

in its &usty depths. (erek ad&ired a suit o Hevlar ar&our and glanced idly at the

price tag. is 6a" dropped slightly "hen he sa" ho" &uch it cost. e nudged /ggy.

#/ bet they don%t shit too &any o these'% he said.

#8ou%d be surprised'% ohn said' appearing silently ro& behind a rack o co&bat

6ackets. #/%ve inished no"'% he added. #Co&e into &y oriice.%

e led the& into the oice. A light o steps at the back took the& into a s<ualid lat

that s&elt aintly o cabbage. Clothing' un"ashed plates' records and si&ilar detrituslay scattered about the loor.



#ere they are'% ohn said. +ick looked up ro& a &againe as the our youths

cro"ded nervously into the roo&. e s&iled up at the&. $ike ohn' he looked a bit

surprised by their school unior&s. e &ust have assu&ed they "ere older.

#Great'% he said. #hought you "eren%t co&ing.%

#3e got delayed'% (erek said tersely. #5it o a run*in "ith the loyalist patrols.%

#8eah!% ddy said. #$ook "hat happened to &e!%#8ou%ve started early'% +ick said' a&used. #/ thought you "ere gonna "ait till you had

"eapons. 8ou%ve got &oney)%

hey nodded.

#Sit do"n'% ohn urged. he our youths perched the&selves on the soa. ohn

slouched in an ar&chair' "hile +ick "ent over to a table beside the "indo".

#Got the &oney on you' then)% he asked. #o" &uch)%

(erek looked at ddy' "ho shrugged. e turned to +ick. #/%& not sure'% he ad&itted.

#Chuck it over and /%ll count it' then'% the dealer said. #ohn' turn the telly on' "hy

don%t you)%

ohn got up and turned on the ? "hile (erek collected the &oney together. +ick

took it and sat at the table to count it.#...night%s special guest is Captain Steele o the Popular 4reedo& Party!% the ?

blared.

(erek glanced over at it' to see that the E700 sho" 9evolution! "as on.

#9adical!% ddy said' hunching or"ard eagerly. #/ thought / &ight &iss this.% e

"atched it obsessively.

8ouths in cast*o ar&y unior&s packed the studio audience' glo"ering do"n at the

stage. /nside the steel cage that surrounded it sat a stunning blonde presenter' "earing

a &icro*&iniskirt and a ski&py halter*top. he ca&era panned in on her.

#8es' co&rades'% she "as saying breathlessly' #he only top opposition party &e&ber

to have escaped capture by the hated loyalist orces! And 9evolution! has hi& here

tonight!%

he scene changed to one o the yard at the back o ? Centre' "here a black

li&ousine "ith tinted glass "as being hurriedly ushered into a back entrance. he

ca&era&an ollo"ed it do"n into an underground car park "here it pulled up.

Security guards s"ar&ed or"ard. ;ne thre" open the door and helped a &an

"earing a trenchcoat' beret and dark glasses to cli&b out. he guards hurried hi&

to"ards a lit.

#3e%ve s&uggled hi& here'% the presenter continued in an e-cited voiceover' #a"ay

ro& the house in "hich he and his co&rades have been besieged by the loyalists *

6ust to speak "ith hi& tonight and to hear a e" "ords on liberty!%

#$/5*9*8! $/5*9*8!% the cro"d boo&ed' loving every &inute o it.#;nly a e" hours earlier' in ;utlet ?illage' the loyalist orces &ade an un"arranted

attack on t"o P4P ar&oured personnel ca:%

#/ "anna shag that bird'% ddy said' bouncing on the edge o the seat as the presenter

continued her spiel. ohn looked up.

#hat Geri arvey bint)% he asked. #Silly co". She never takes any politicians

seriously.%

#3here did you get all this &oney ro&)% +ick suddenly asked.

#/s it enough)% (erek asked an-iously.

#/ 6ust "ant to kno" "here school*kids like you lot could get your hands on this &uch

cash'% he said darkly.

#$ook!% ddy said' e-cited' pointing at the screen. hey "ere sho"ing ootage o the battle in the central plaa. he loyalist security orces "ere blasting a"ay at the t"o



P4P ar&oured cars. /n the background' an outlet "as on ire. As they "atched' a

igure broke out ro& the cover o the shop door"ay and ran o screen.

#hat "as &e!% ddy said. #hat "as &e!%

#...cri&inal took advantage o the rebels% valiant struggle to hold up a nearby shop'%

the presenter "as saying in proessionally regretul tones. #(ue to the loyalists%

carelessness' the shop "as hit during the street ight and the cri&inal led the scene.3e have hi& on ca&era and "ant hi& to kno" that 6ustice "ill be harsh.

#o" * here%s Captain Steele!%

he roar ro& the audience as security guards &arched Captain Steele into the cage

"as deaening' but no one in the roo& paid it any attention. hey "ere all staring at

ddy.

+ick spoke irst. #8ou stole this)% he said incredulously.

#8eah!% ddy sniggered. #And / t"atted the shopkeeper one "hile / did it. /%& a real

reb' / a&!% he boasted and then added conidently #Any"ay' / "ore a stocking &ask.

he loyalists "on%t recognise &e.%

+ick lung the &oney do"n on the table. e stood up. #9ight' deal%s o'% he told

the& and added "ith a shout, #Get the uck out o here and don%t co&e to &y latagain!%

he pause that ollo"ed "as punctuated by a trickling noise ro& bet"een ddy%s

legs. he other youths sat roen "ith ear.

#Go on!% +ick barked. #/ "on%t have thieves in &y lat!%

#old on' +ick'% ohn said <uietly. #hey don%t kno" the rules o the ga&e yet' like.

/%& sure they%ll &ake good their cri&e "hen they realise "hat they%ve done.%

+ick looked at hi& angrily. hen he lung hi&sel do"n again.

#;kay' &aybe you%re right ohn'% he said ater a e" seconds brooding. e lung the

"ad o &oney at the our youths and it e-ploded in the air above the&' luttering

do"n onto the soa. #Give that back to the bloke you stole it ro&'% he said. #hen

&aybe "e can do business.%

(erek nerved hi&sel to speak. #3e didn%t steal all o it'% he <uavered. #/n act% * and

he hid his ear by grabbing notes ro& the loor * #/ggy got us this iver and he didn%t

steal it. And the tenner' that%s ro& &y pocket &oney. And * ho" &uch did you put in'

ric)%

#*t"enty pounds'% ric sta&&ered ater a &o&ent.

#8eah' this is ro& ric%s clothes allo"ance'% (erek said' grabbing a t"enty*pound

note. hen he looked &iserably up at +ick. #3hat%ll that get us)%

+ick "as silent. he ? continued.

#...oppose the govern&ent and everything they stand or'% Captain Steele "as saying in

a harsh voice. #/t%s about ti&e this country sa" a return to true de&ocracy!%#8ou%re singing a song "e%ve all heard a &illion ti&es beore'% said the presenter

brightly. #3hat &akes you dierent ro& the govern&ent in oice) hey &ade

e-actly the sa&e clai&s and look "hat they%ve done to the country!%

#3e spit on the govern&ent in po"er'% said Captain Steele dangerously and his dark

glasses lashed in the studio lights. #/t%s thanks to the& that brats like the one in the

il& are stealing ro& innocent shopkeepers.%

#/%& sorry' /%& sorry'% ddy sobbed. is "ords broke the tension in the roo&. 4eeling

"etness against his leg' (erek sprang up.

#gh' he%s "et hi&sel!% he e-clai&ed. /ggy and ric leapt up as "ell' glad or an

e-cuse to distance the&selves ro& their riend. Suddenly the s&ell o urine "as

al&ost as pungent as that o cabbage.+ick ca&e over to the&. ddy stared up at hi& like a rightened rabbit. +ick sighed.



#Go and get yoursel cleaned up' co&rade'% he said' propelling ddy to"ards the door

to the bathroo&. e turned to the other three.

#ohn%s right' you "eren%t to kno"'% he said ater a second. #8ou understand nothing

about politics really' do you)%

#/ got DEF in our last Citienship test'% ric said s&ugly. e looked at (erek. #And

he%s al"ays getting top &arks.%(erek elt unco&ortable. School "asn%t cool. #Shut up' ric'% he said.

+ick shook his head. #Citienship is the shit they teach you to keep you in your

place'% he said. #o &ake you accept the un6ust regi&es that have been in po"er or

the last thirty years.% e shrugged. #/ that%s all you kno"' you%ve got a lot to learn.%

#hen teach us'% (erek urged. #3e "anna kno"!%

#And "e also "anna kno" "hat "e can aord "ith the &oney "e%ve got'% /ggy said'

&ore practically.

+ick looked at hi&. #8ou really "ant to be rebels)% he asked. #/t%s not as gla&orous as

it looks' you kno".%

ddy sneaked back into the roo& and sat <uietly on the loor. +ick glanced at hi&

and then at the others.#/%& araid all / can sell you or thirty*ive <uid is a e" knives and chains'% he said.

#5ut don%t let that put you o. +ost o the rebel &ilitias outside Central City can only

aord those kinds o ar&s. And you%ll only be ighting the& to begin "ith.%

#$ike the ones "ho hang round near the old &otor"ay on the edge o ;utlet ?illage)%

(erek asked.

#he Autarkic rotskyites)% asked ohn. #/ didn%t kno" anyone had really heard o

the&. +y kid brother%s in the&.%

#8eah'% +ick said. e nodded. #hey%re the kind o guys you%ll be up against to begin

"ith * and they "on%t be &uch better ar&ed than you.%

#o" can "e get better ar&s)% asked /ggy.

#Get &ore &oney'% +ick said. #5ut legally though. 3hen you%ve beco&e a action' i

you look pro&ising enough' there are usually so&e people "ho%ll sponsor you'

capitalists "ho "ant to see the current govern&ent all. / don%t kno" &uch about it' /

never got that ar &ysel. 5ut you%ll need popular support' "hatever the outco&e' as

long as you "ant to be &ore than 6ust a e" kids "ith big ideas.% e looked at hard

ddy. #/ it ever gets out that you treat the people like shit' no one "ill ollo" you and

you%ll get no support ro& anyone. And i the &edia get hold o it' you%re ucked.%

(erek and the others stared at hi&. /t see&ed that there "as &ore to being a rebel than

9evolution! let on.

#/ you do everything people e-pect'% +ick continued' #i you only ight rival rebels

and the loyalists "hen you%ve got enough support, i you don%t piss people o, i your policies are popular, i you get the right kind o &edia coverage, i:%

#3e%ve gotta do all that 6ust to get any"here)% (erek asked in astonish&ent.

+ick shrugged. #All you have to do to 6oin the civil service is pass the right e-a&s

and kno" the right arses to lick'% he said. #All you have to do to "ork is to have no

a&bition and not give a shit about being ta-ed to buggery by the overdogs.

#So' do you still "anna 6oin the 9evolution)%

NOTHIN!"S !ONNA STO# $S NOW

/ggy leaned across his desk and poked (erek.



#3ake up'% he said. (erek started and stared around hi& at the class. he teacher "as

droning on about the su&&er e-a&s.

#8ou look like you got no sleep at all last night'% /ggy observed. (erek%s ace "as

pasty and there "ere bags under his eyes.

#/ didn%t'% he &ur&ured. #Ater "e got back' &y brain "as ull o ideas. / couldn%t get

any sleep at all.%Ater leaving +ick%s' (erek and his riends had gone back to the central plaa and let

the &oney in the burnt*out re&ains o the outlet' hoping this "ould &ake good the

youth%s cri&e. 5y the ti&e they got back' it "as late' but (erek had still not been able

to sleep.

#Stop talking at the back!% the teacher barked. She glared at (erek and /ggy. #;h' it%s

you t"o again' is it) 8ou%ve already been in trouble once this &orning' you and your

riends.% (uring asse&bly' the head&aster had given (erek and his riends a stern

ticking o or playing truant the previous aternoon and told the& that their parents

had been inor&ed. #/%ll have to separate you. 8ou% * she stabbed a inger in (erek%s

direction * #co&e and sit here.%

She indicated an e&pty desk near the ront. (erek glared back' but picked up his pencil case' te-tbook and e-ercise book and sta&ped over.

is ace ell as he sa" that 9ob "as sitting at the ne-t desk * 9ob the Hnob' (erek

and his riends called hi& behind his broad back. Practically si- oot by the age o

iteen' he had done his best to &ake (erek%s school days a &isery. p until last year'

"hen (erek' goaded beyond all bearing' had ought hi& in the rubble outside school'

punching hi& repeatedly in the ace until he burst into tears. Since then' 9ob had

restrained his persecution to a e" snide re&arks.

#osser'% (erek said "ith his usual degree o aection.

#4uck"it'% 9ob grunted' his heavy bro"s knotting "ith ury. #he teachers have it in

or you' / reckon. And / don%t bla&e the&' you little t"at. 5unking o school' talking

in class. ot the "ay a good boy behaves.%

9ob "as not a good boy' either.

#3hen / leave school' /%ll co&e back and sort the& all out'% (erek said.

#8ou and "hose &ilitia)% 9ob said.

#Stop chattering!% the teacher urged. #o"' that%s enough about the inal e-a&s. ;pen

your te-tbooks at page EI and read the second paragraph.%

$ater' in the playground' (erek and his riends sat on the steps' ignoring everyone

around the&.

#So "hat "e going to do no" that "e%ve got "eapons)% ric asked' ater co&plaining

about (erek getting hi& in trouble "ith his parents.

#/ / had &y "ay'% (erek said gru&pily' #/%d slit the throats o every last teacher in this place. 5ut &aybe that "ouldn%t go do"n too "ell "ith the &edia.%

#/ don%t think "e should have to do "hat the &edia says'% ric said sulkily.

#3e "on%t get any support other"ise'% ddy snapped. #(idn%t you listen to anything

+ick said)%

#8es / did'% ric snapped. #And at least / didn%t "et &ysel!% ddy lunged or ric' but

(erek grabbed hi& by the ringe and yanked hi& back. #Co&e on then' co&e on

then!% ric "hined.

#Stop that' the pair o you'% /ggy barked.

#8eah'% (erek said. #3e%ve gotta sho" a united ront i "e%re gonna get any"here.%

he t"o youths subsided' &uttering. #o"' "hat%s everyone doing tonight)%

#Sa&e as usual' / e-pect'% /ggy said. #Arseing about until "e have to go to bed.%#3rong'% (erek said. #3e%re gonna have a practice.%



#3hat' tonight)% ric said.

#8eah' tonight!% (erek said. #onight and every night until "e get it right' until "e%re

good enough to go against the Autocratic rotskyites' or "hatever they%re called.

3e%ll never get any"here i "e don%t practice.%

#ot every night'% /ggy said. #5e reasonable' (erek. /t%ll get boring i "e practice

every night.%#(o you "anna get to the top or not)% (erek said. #(o you "ant to overthro" the

govern&ent or don%t you)%

#3hat%s all this about overthro"ing the govern&ent' ladies)%

hey turned to see 9ob and a couple o his cronies approaching. e sco"led' pointed

at so&ething on (erek%s chest.

#3hat%s that)% he grunted. (erek looked do"n auto&atically and as he did so' 9ob

brought his hand up' "hacking (erek%s nose.

#;"!% (erek co&plained. /t hurt like hell. #"at! 3hat did you do that or)%

#Gotta keep in practice i "e%re gonna overthro" the govern&ent'% 9ob said. #8our

rele-es aren%t good enough or a rebel.%

#ust uck o' 9ob'% /ggy said dangerously.#5ut / "anna kno" "hat ga&e you ladies are playing'% 9ob said. #3anna be rebels' do

"e) 8ou%d be better o 6oining the loyalists. 8ou%re about as tough as a bunch o

shopkeepers!%

#4uck o' uckace'% (erek snarled.

9ob shook his head. #/ reckon you should all accept &e as your leader'% he said. #/%ll

soon have you ladies licked into shape.%

#8ou%re not 6oining our &ilitia'% (erek said veno&ously. #/t%s only or people "ith

brains.%

#3hat%s ric doing in it' then)% 9ob asked. ric sco"led and &uttered to hi&sel. 9ob

shook his head regretully. #So you reuse &y e-pert guidance) hen /%ll 6ust have to

start &y o"n &ilitia "ith these lads.% e slapped his t"o cronies% backs and they

grinned stupidly. #And "oe betide any bunch o ho&os like you "ho try to take over

our ho&e tur.%

#Constituency'% (erek corrected. #/t%s called a constituency. And you don%t have one.%

#3e "ill'% 9ob grunted. #3e "ill. And "e%ll be "aiting.% 3ith that' he and his t"o

co&rades lu&bered o.

#"at'% (erek said. #e%ll do it as "ell' 6ust to piss us o.%

ric looked "orried. #/ don%t like the idea o getting in a ight "ith the&'% he said.

#hey%re bigger than us.%

#(on%t be a "anker'% (erek said' rounding on hi& angrily. #3e%ll be able to take hi&

on and anyone else' loyalists included * "hen "e%ve had enough training. Got that)9ob the Hnob%s nothing co&pared "ith the loyalists * i "e let hi& inti&idate us' "e

don%t stand a hope.% he others looked do"n at the ground in silence. #So' it%s agreed)%

(erek asked. #raining' tonight' "ith the "eapons +ick sold us. 9ight)%

#9ight'% they said unenthusiastically.

Ater school' (erek "ent ho&e. As ever' his &other "as slu&ped in ront o the telly.

(erek surveyed her ro& the door or a "hile, then took in the roo& itsel' grubby and

cluttered as it "as.

#3hat do you "ant)% she said ater a "hile' "ithout looking up ro& the crackling old

t"entieth*century sitco& she "as "atching. #/ got a call ro& the school this &orning.

hey said they didn%t have a se"age leak and that you "ere playing truant ater all.

3hat do you have to say or yoursel' eh) 8ou "ouldn%t be playing truant i yourather "as still here' "ould you) h) Ans"er &e' (erek!%



3ordlessly' he turned and "ent to get his tea.

he "hole house "as so s&all and &ean' so ilthy' so gri&. e had never really seen

it beore, not the "ay he did 6ust then. he paint peeled on the "alls' the air "as rank

"ith the s&ell o burnt toast and badly cooked ood. e stared out o the kitchen

"indo" as his tea "as cooking' out at the narro"' enclosed rectangle o concrete that

"as his backyard. e had to get out! e stared up at the cra&ped grey sky.Ater inishing his tea' he hurried upstairs to his roo&.

;pening the cupboard door' he scrabbled through the layers o battered books and

co&ics and broken toys to reveal a cloth*"rapped ob6ect. his he lited out "ith

reverence' laying it on the bed. e &ade to un"rap it and then dre" his hands back'

resisting te&ptation.

e lung open a dra"er and took out his ca&o gear' changing into it hurriedly'

linging his school clothes do"n on the cluttered loor.

(ressed again' he returned to the cloth*"rapped ob6ect. e stared at it in silence and

then reached or"ard' his hands u&bling' clu&sy "ith e-cite&ent. urriedly'

eagerly' he stripped a"ay the "rapping' baring the naked blade beneath. e seied the

large co&bat knie by its hilt and held it up to let its polished blade lash in the lightro& the streetla&p outside.

e slipped it into an old sheath and careully placed it in the inside pocket o his

6acket. e turned and clattered <uickly out o the roo&.

#Going out)%

is &other%s voice arrested hi& as he headed or the ront door. e turned to see her

in the ront roo&' looking up ro& =he Classic Adverts Sho"> to stare in his

direction. #Going to play "ar "ith your little riends)% she asked sarcastically. #Aren%t

you a little old or dressing up) Anyone seeing you like that "ould think you "as a

soldier! / don%t understand ashion these days. 3hen / "as a kid' "e dyed our hair or

got piercings. 3e rebelled! 3e didn%t play soldiers.%

She see&ed deter&ined to pick a ight' but (erek "as "illing to give her "hat she

"anted.

#8ou rebelled against nothing!% he countered savagely. #/%ve heard all about the old

capitalist youth cults in istory * nothing but a "ay or at cats to e-ploit kids "ith

&ore &oney than sense. 8ou "ere orce*ed a ake 9evolution' led by pseudo*rebels

"ho ate live ani&als like circus reaks' "ore ace*paint like clo"ns' dyed their hair

green * nothing but bread and circuses to keep the proles in their place' &arketed as a

9evolution! 5ut that "as the last thing it "as! +y generation' "e%re true rebels' rebels

"ith a cause! he only thing / can thank you or' &u&' is that / "as born "hen all that

"as over.%

e turned and sta&ped out.

#ere co&es the con<uering hero!% /ggy said "ith a laugh as (erek strode over the

rubble to"ards the&. ric' ddy and /ggy a"aited hi& in their usual place' in their

usual clothes' though /ggy had &ade &ore eort than usual' even polishing his boots.

#Attention!% (erek barked and they or&ed a ragged line. #3ell' co&rades'% he said.

#(o you have your "eapons)%

4ro& beneath their &otley o cast*o para&ilitary gear and co&bat 6ackets' the

youths produced a "icked assort&ent o knives and chains.

#8es' captain'% they chorused. (erek bea&ed at their auto&atic recognition o his

status.

#hen let%s get training!% he cried.he irst training session "as a disaster.



A <uarter o an hour in' ric tripped on a shaky piece o concrete "hile evading

ddy%s attack and accidentally head*butted a pile o rubble. Spouting blood' he &ade

such a uss that (erek ended up calling an a&bulance or hi&. At the hospital' the

doctors gave hi& our stitches and kept hi& in overnight.

ric%s parents turned up hal"ay through and stood glaring at (erek as i it "as all his

ault. /n the end' the three o the& abandoned their riend and <uit the hospital or the"aste*ground.

#/ kne" it "ould turn out a bad &istake' including hi&'% ddy said' shaking his head.

#seless turd.%

#/ you%d been ighting &ore sensibly:% (erek barked. #hese "eapons are

dangerous. Pull your blo"s until you%re ighting the ene&y.%

+orosely' he slouched do"n on the ground' his back to a heap o rubble. /ggy and

ddy 6oined hi&.

(erek stared disconsolately at his boots' no" scued and dirty. #/%d been "aiting or

this or "eeks'% he raged. #ven beore / suggested it to you lot' /%d had it in &ind. /

"as "aiting or the &o&ent "hen "e irst got the ull kit on and ought * even 6ust as

practice. /%d drea&ed about it' not really taken it seriously' but: And no" thatuck"it%s spoiled it.%

#3e could kick hi& out'% /ggy suggested.

(erek shrugged. #3ho could "e get to replace hi&)% he asked. #9ob the Hnob) 3e

need at least our people to take on the Autarkic rotskyites * they &ay have &ore

&en than that. Any"ay' "ho "ould 6oin us beore "e%ve &ade a na&e or ourselves)%

#;nly the big parties get on telly'% ddy ob6ected.

#8eah' but all the ones "ho "ant a na&e or the&selves &ake sure the papers hear

about the&'% (erek said. #8ou should read &ore sa&idat. hey do articles on rebel

actions in the ree &edia as "ell' so&eti&es. hat%s ho" actions &ake a na&e or

the&selves.%

#And local papers so&eti&es cover the& as "ell'% /ggy said.

(erek spat. #$ocal papers are ull o reactionary shite "ritten or shopkeepers and old

people "ho "ant everything to go back the "ay it "as but can%t accept that the only

"ay to do it is to overthro" the govern&ent! 5ut you%re right' even they%ll do articles

on local actions and even i they%re "ritten to please paranoid pensioners' young

people still read the& and ignore the bollocks.%

Silence greeted (erek%s inor&ed opinion.

#;kay' okay'% /ggy said eventually. #3e%ve &et "ith a setback. 5ut it%s never gonna be

easy. 3e have to accept it. 3e%ve gotta keep on ighting' right)%

#8eah'% (erek said. #3e%ll keep on ighting.% 5ut there "as no lie in his voice. 9eality

al"ays ailed to live up to his drea&s./ggy continued. #So "e accept deeat here and carry on. ric "on%t be in hospital

long. hen "e get into training, &aybe see i "e can ind a "eapons instructor.%

#+ick &ight kno" so&eone'% ddy suggested brightly.

#+ick &ight even do it'% /ggy said. #3e%ll have to ask hi&. 3e get the training "e

need * then "e go out and ight.%

#5ut / "anna ight no"'% (erek said sulkily. /t "as only ive &onths until the e-a&s

and ater that they "ere e-pected to ind the&selves 6obs, that or go back into the

si-th or&. othing "ould induce (erek to spend any longer in school. 5ut i he let

no" he%d 6ust end up signing on. #/ "anna be in po"er'% he said. #/ "anna be $eader.%

/ggy shook his head "earily. #5e realistic' (erek'% he said. #3e%re gonna get no"here

i "e don%t get all the training "e need. / don%t "anna be a "age slave like &y brothers' but that &ight be the only option.%



(erek said nothing. e 6ust stared at his boots.

#(o you "anna be a politician or not)% /ggy said' abruptly angry. #8ou%ll never be

anything i you%re not "illing to ace acts.%

(erek got up abruptly and "alked a"ay.

/ggy looked at ddy and spat in disgust. #3hat)% ddy said' sounding al&ost like

ric.#/%ll see you in the &orning'% /ggy said. e "alked o in a dierent direction.

nperturbed' ddy unsheathed his knie and caressed it lovingly.

e sniggered in the darkness.

(erek looked at ric as they entered the gri&y cellar. e had co&e out o hospital

that &orning and no" they "ere ready to get back into ull training. (erek had

reached an arrange&ent "ith +ick that said the e-*rebel "ould train the youths' or a

s&all ee' in the soundprooed cellar beneath the shop. ere +ick kept so&ething o

an ar&oury' alongside a shooting range and a s&all gy& "here they could "ork out

and practice and i&prove their ighting skills.

#3e%ll be practising every night'% he told the others.#3e%ve got the e-a&s co&ing up soon!% ric co&plained.

#3ell'% (erek said. #/ you%d rather be a bureaucrat than a rebel' co&rade:%

#/t is a bit &uch to e-pect'% /ggy said ro& the corner.

5etrayed' (erek glared at hi&. #3e "anna succeed' don%t "e)% he asked "ildly'

al&ost desperately. #3e%ve gotta train every night!%

ust then' +ick ca&e clattering do"n the cellar steps' inishing o a sand"ich.

#very night)% he barked. #ot here' you%re not!%

#5ut you said:% (erek started.

#/%ll train you'% the ar&s*dealer said' #but /%ve got better things to do "ith &y ti&e.

+ondays and 3ednesdays' take it or leave it.%

#3hat about the "eekend)% /ggy asked.

#4uck that!% +ick said. #/%& do"n the pub.%

(erek shook his head. his guy "as a loser' a ailure' a sell*out. 5ut they needed hi&.

#3hat about in the day)% he said.

+ick looked thoughtul. #;kay'% he said inally. #Saturday dayti&e. And that%s inal.

ake it or leave it.%

As "inter slo"ly turned to spring' +ick sho"ed the& everything they needed to

kno" about hand*to*hand ighting' knie ighting and the correct use o lails' clubs'

baseball bats' tire*irons and si&ilar ad*hoc "eapons. ;nce a "eek' at the end o the

Saturday session' he "ould allo" the& to try so&e o his handguns out on his

soundprooed shooting range. /n the &eanti&e' (erek bought hi&sel an air*pistoland so&eti&es the youths "ould practice "ith it "hen they "ere not training.

(erek really thre" hi&sel into the practice sessions and soon it beca&e the centre o

his lie. e "ould &ope around &orosely on the days "hen they didn%t train'

occasionally pretending to revise "hen he "as at ho&e' to keep his &u& <uiet' but he

paid little attention in class and spent his ti&e in a oul &ood "ith everyone. e 6ust

"anted every &inute o the day to pass until +onday or 3ednesday night and

Saturday day' "hen he and the others "ould s"eat blood * so&eti&es literally *

struggling to &aster the techni<ues +ick taught the&.

he dealer%s attitude to the& "as a&biguous. So&eti&es he see&ed ond o the&'

treating the& like avourite sons * ohn told (erek he "as a divorcee and had been

barred ro& seeing his kids. 5ut other ti&es he "ould shout at the&' scorn the&'criticise the& or the s&allest &istakes' until (erek "anted to kill hi& there and then.



And so&eti&es he "ould &utter that it "as all a lie and that they%d never get

any"here.

(erek put this do"n to lingering regrets about having sold out and 6oined the

passively rotting &asses. 3henever +ick got in one o these &oods' (erek closed his

ears and pro&ised hi&sel that he "ould die beore he ever beca&e a slave o the

syste&.5ut inally' only a &onth beore the e-a&s that "ould other"ise deter&ine the course

o their lives' +ick "as satisied.

#8ou%re co&ing on'% he said out o the blue' one night ater a particularly arduous

session. #8ou%re not the snivelling snot*nosed brats you "ere "hen you irst ca&e to

&e.%

(erek glanced round at his co&panions. hey had certainly changed' he could see

that. 8es' ric still "hined at the irst opportunity, ddy still sniggered even "hen

there "as nothing to laugh at and /ggy gave the i&pression that he "ould give it all up

i he could ind an easier "ay o 6oining the idle rich. 5ut they held the&selves "ith

&ore conidence and "alked "ith a s"agger that no longer looked assu&ed. ven

ric could look hi& in the eye "ithout linching.#5ut you%ve still a lot to learn'% +ick added' crushing (erek%s illusions. #8ou &ay

kno" everything /%ve got to teach you' but that can only go so ar. ;ne thing%s

&issing. 8ou need real e-perience.%

(erek%s spirits rose again. (id he &ean:)

#/ think it%s about ti&e you challenged the Autarkic rotskyites'% +ick added.

#9adical!% ddy said. #3e gonna kill people)%

#8ou%re gonna ight'% +ick corrected hi&. #And you%re gonna "in. / killing is

necessary' do it. 5ut kill the& like soldiers' not psychos. / you give anyone the

i&pression that you en6oy killing% * ddy started guiltily * #then you%ll get no"here.

3ho "ould "ant to ollo" a psycho) 3ho "ould "ant a psycho in po"er)%

#3hat about the guy in the P4P)% (erek asked. he ;pposition "as back on the

streets again' ater the /nner Party bust its "ay out o gaol. #he one "ho shot t"o

guards in the legs and then stood over the& shooting bits o as they tried to cra"l

a"ay!%

ddy sniggered. +ick glared at the&. #/ you paid &ore attention to the papers' you%d

kno" that Captain Steele had hi& shot the ne-t &orning'% he said. #he P4P can take

it' any"ay. hey%ve still got &assive support ro& the people and no*one likes the

govern&ent any"ay, not even old people' since they announced plans to increase

ta-es to und the ne" detention centres. hey kno" they%re on the run and the P4P are

the strongest candidates or success. 5ut you can%t take that kind o thing yet' not until

you%ve got the kind o ollo"ing the P4P have. ven then' it could be enough totopple you.% e gave ddy a slitted look. #So &ake sure that ilthy little bastard

controls hi&sel.%

ddy "as picking his nose. e "hipped his hand a"ay and looked guilty.

#5ut you reckon "e%re ready to ight)% (erek asked. +ick "alked slo"ly up to hi&'

staring hi& in the eye.

#8ou are ready to ight!% he barked. #9epeat ater &e * all o you! =/ a& ready to

ight>!%

#/ a& ready to ight'% they intoned dutiully.

e rounded on the& all. #=/ a& ready to ight!>% he barked.

#/ a& ready to ight!% they shouted back.

#/ can%t hear you!%#/ a& ready to ight!%



#3hat did you say' you bunch o pooters)%

#/ A+ 9A(8 ; 4/G!%

#8ou couldn%t ight your o"n grand&others!%

#/ A+ 9A(8 ; 4/G! / A+ 9A(8 ; 4/G! / A+ 9A(8 ; 4/G!%

they chanted.

#hen prove it!% +ick yelled. hey ell silent.#Prove it'% he said. #Go do"n to the old &otor"ay' "here the Autarkic rotskyites

have their s<uat and give the& your challenge. hey%re bound to accept it * they have

to' or they%ll lose all credibility. o one ollo"s a co"ard, no one "ants a co"ard in

po"er. hey%ll arrange all the rest' "hen and "here to &eet. hen all you have to do

is go there and ight * and "in!%

% SAT$RDAY NI!HT"S ALRI!HT

#;i!% (erek shouted. #Autarkic rotskyites! /s anyone there)%he ruined house stood isolated in a stretch o rubble bet"een the to"er blocks at the

edge o ;utlet ?illage and a rubble*stre"n street that led to a closed*o &otor"ay

bridge. he &otor"ay beneath "as silent.

A ace appeared at a do"nstairs "indo"' a "o&an%s. #3hat do you kids "ant)% she

said. here "as so&ething vaguely a&iliar about her. She "as certainly striking *

attractive but cold' her tough*looking ace ra&ed by short auburn hair and a beret.

#3ell)% she asked again. #3hat is it)%

#3e:% (erek%s voice cracked. e cleared his throat. #3e ca&e to challenge the

Autarkic rotskyites. Are you the&)%

She surveyed the& scornully. #3e are'% she said' her voice &uch steadier than his.

#3e accept your challenge' i you%re serious. 5ut our reputations "on%t gro" &uchro& taking on a bunch o kids.%

#4uck you!% ddy screeched. #3e%ll kill the lot o you!%

A spike*haired &an appeared beside the "o&an. #8eah! 8ou 6ust "ait!% he cro"ed.

#3e%ll thrash the lot o you. his Saturday night. Alright)%

#4ine!% (erek said. #5ring your riends! 3e%ll be glad to let the& see you beaten.

3here)%

#Hno" the old recreation ground behind the gas "orks) 3e al"ays ight our

challengers on the ootball pitch there'% the "o&an said. She indicated the gas to"ers

that loo&ed broad and s<uat above the houses to the south. #5ut be "arned. 3e%re

popular in the constituency. 3e%ve got support.%

+ore aces had appeared at the e&pty "indo"s. (erek counted at least our &ore

Autarkic rotskyites. e glanced at his co&panions. he &ilitia outnu&bered the&.

5ut they had to do it no".

#/t%s a deal!% he said. #3e%ll &eet you there' Saturday' eight o%clock. Get ready to ace

deeat!%

e turned and "alked conte&ptuously a"ay' ollo"ed by the others. ric ran to catch

hi& up as they reached the irst block o lats.

#(erek' /%& not a co"ard'% he said an-iously' #but there are &ore o the& than us.%

(erek looked hi& bleakly in the eyes. #$iberty or death' co&rade'% he said. #/ "e

"in' "e get our chance at po"er. / "e lose * "e die.%



5ut ric%s "ords "ere still at the back o his &ind the ne-t evening as he &ade his

"ay to the ield behind the gas "orks.

As he turned the corner' the ield opened out beore hi&, &uddy and dark'

overshado"ed by the gas to"ers beyond' lanked by the backs o houses on either

side. "o sets o ootball posts loo&ed "hitely in the darkness. /ggy' ddy and ric

"ere standing beside one o the posts, they had all headed there separately' ater tea. Ae" other people "ere hanging around the edge o the ield. As he passed the&' (erek

recognised a e" ro& political rallies he had attended. he ight had attracted an

audience and i their hostile stares "ere anything to go by they "ere supporters o the

Autarkic rotskyites and not o (erek%s &ilitia. (erek sa" no sign o the Autarkic

rotskyites.

#Captain!% ddy said' as (erek "alked up to"ards the&. /ggy nodded <uickly to hi&

and played nervously "ith the hilt o his knie. ric sat beside hi&' his ace rigid'

s"inging a chain round and round' apparently una"are o it.

#3hat%s up "ith hi&)% (erek asked' his voice cracking as he spoke. Suddenly' it bore

in upon hi& that he "as shaking uncontrollably.

#/ don%t kno"'% ddy said in a high*pitched voice. #Cu "e%re gonna do or thesecunts' right) 9ight) 9ight' Captain)%

#8eah' ddy'% (erek said. e had been do"n the takea"ay or his tea and he%d had a

air bit to eat' but no" he "as regretting it. /t "as threatening to co&e back up.

#/ reckon "e%re gonna beat the shit out o the&' though'% ddy hurried on. #Cu the

a&ount o training "e%ve been doing' "e could take on the loyalists no"' the ucking

loyalists' right) 9ight' Captain) 3e could seie the ucking govern&ent no"' cu:

;h shit.%

(erek turned' noticing so&ething else in the youth%s voice. e sa" the Autarkic

rotskyites advancing across the ield ro& the ar side. Seven: eight: nine. ine)

hey "ere ucking outnu&bered! hey couldn%t possibly &ake any head"ay against

nine.

+ore people "ere driting up to 6oin the spectators. So&eone had an oilcan braier

going and it thre" lickering shado"s across the &uddy grass.

#(erek:% /ggy &oaned suddenly. #(erek' / don%t "anna do this.%

#/ "an% &ah &u&'% ric said thickly' his ace "hite.

#Shut up'% (erek barked and his anger gave hi& strength. #3e%ll "in' "e%ll ucking

nail the bastards * co&e on' co&rades!%

/ggy thre" up.

#Stop that' /ggy!% (erek ordered and to do hi& credit' /ggy did his best. #8ou%re

useless to us like this.%

he Autarkic rotskyites ca&e to a halt in the &iddle o the ield' to the cheers o the"atching cro"d. hey "ere "ell ar&ed' "ith knives' chains' clubs and tire*irons.

heir captain stepped or"ard. #Are you lot ready)% she asked scornully. er voice

betrayed no sign o ear.

(erek realised that everyone "as looking at the&. e shuled or"ard' eeling

horribly e-posed. e &u&bled so&ething incoherent.

#3hat "as that)% the "o&an called back.

#/ said =3ait a &inute>!% (erek ba"led. hen he added' at a &ore reasonable volu&e,

#3e%ll be ready in a &inute.% here "ere a e" &utters ro& the cro"d.

(erek crouched do"n "ith the others. /ggy had stopped retching' but his ace "as as

"hite as a sheet and slick "ith s"eat. ddy looked as i he "as about to shit hi&sel.

ric &uttered inaudibly to hi&sel.



#(erek' "e don%t even have a na&e'% /ggy said suddenly' as i this "as "orse than the

act that they "ere bound to get cut to pieces. #3e don%t have any policies, "e%ve got

no e-perience' nothing. 3e don%t stand a chance:%

#Shut up!% (erek barked iercely. #And you%ll call &e Captain.%

/ggy looked startled' but rapped out7 #8es' Captain'% auto&atically.

(erek surveyed the&' looking each in the eye and then turned to look dra&aticallyto"ards the Autarkic rotskyites' like he re&e&bered a character doing in ?ive la

9evolution!

#here are nine o the&' our o us'% he said. #Poor odds' but "e%ve had enough

practice' like +ick says. 3e%ve gotta &ake the best o it. veryone' tackle a pair o

the& and don%t you dare pull any blo"s. /ggy' take the ones on the let' ric' go or

the t"o on the ar let, ddy' you%re a &ad bastard, you 6oin &e attacking the centre.

3e 6ust run in there and "e kill. 9ight)%

Ater a second' /ggy nodded his head. ddy copied hi&. ric looked up glassily and

orced a nod.

#hen get up and ollo" &e!% (erek barked.

e led the& at a <uick &arch to"ards the Autarkic rotskyites' "ho "ere idgeting'as i bored. heir leader looked up' hearing the noise o the youths% boots as they

splashed across the &uddy ield.

#3e%re ready'% (erek said and he lung hi&sel at her.

She "as a tricky opponent. As ric' /ggy and ddy ca&e in on either side' (erek and

the "o&an circled' lashing out at each other "ith their knives "henever the chance

presented itsel. very no" and then' another Autarkic rotskyite "ould break o

ro& the rest o the &elee in an atte&pt to take (erek o his guard' but either ddy

tackled the&' or else the "o&an "arned the& o hersel.

ddy got the irst kill in the irst e" seconds. e practically hacked one o the rebels

to pieces, ater that' the Autarkic rotskyites "ere <uick to avoid hi&. ;ne o the&

ran round and round the &elee "ith a &ad*eyed ddy on his tail' until the booing o

the cro"d caused hi& to turn and stand his ground. e &et a <uick but bloody death.

ddy grinned like a &aniac and searched the ield or resh prey.

ric "as ighting*&ad as "ell' although to less eect. 3hirling his chain dangerously'

he kept his attackers at bay' but ailed to seriously "ound or incapacitate any o the&.

hat side o the ight "as &onotonous and the cro"d shouted obscenities' urging

the& on to greater eorts.

/ggy ought desperately. ;ne o his attackers had opened up a nasty gash in his chest

early on in the ight and it "ept blood. 5ut he elled one o the& "ith a lucky' al&ost

accidental blo" and ound hi&sel alone on the edge' duelling "ith a single Autarkic

rotskyite. As they ought' he elt hi&sel gro"ing in conidence.Actually killing so&eone "as an incredible e-perience. e "as no sniggering psycho'

not like ddy' but the adrenalin high that had turned his sto&ach earlier let hi&

eeling like a god. e began to e&ploy all the cro"d*pleasing tricks +ick had taught

the& and soon they "ere roaring along "ith hi&. /t "as al&ost en6oyable' e-cept that

his legs elt like 6elly "henever he caught sight o the "atching' aceless cro"d.

(erek and the "o&an "ere locked together in a deadly e&brace no"' she straining at

his knie hand' he at hers. hey slipped and staggered drunkenly round the pitch'

bodies touching' glaring into each other%s eyes "hile around the&' people died. (erek

had not a clue as to "hich side "as "inning' though he had seen ddy take out at

least t"o o the Autarkic rotskyites. 5ut he didn%t care, he "as totally absorbed in

the struggle.#/ could get to like this'% he &ur&ured' his ace close to the "o&an%s.



#his is the closest you%ll ever get to &e' you brat'% she spat back' struggling to ree

her knie hand. e yanked her ar& back. She retaliated "ith a knee to the groin. e

tried to butt her in the ace. She spat at hi&. e stepped on her right oot and tried to

topple her. She righted hersel easily. e let go o her knie hand.

er eyes lashed triu&phantly and' still grasping hi& by his "rist' she raised her knie

to bury it deep in his breast. @uick as lightning' he seied her other ar&' t"isted in hergrasp and sent her lying onto the &uddy grass.

e "as about to ollo" her and inish her o' "hen the cro"d roared "ith delight. e

stu&bled and gaped stupidly at the scene surrounding hi&.

/ggy "as staring at hi&' a bloody knie dangling ro& his ingers. ric and ddy

stood over three living Autarkic rotskyites "ho s<uatted on the ground "ith their

hands on their heads. 4ive bodies "ere stre"n &otionless across the pitch.

(erek rubbed his hand across his aching eyes. 4ro& the ground nearby' the "o&an

"as "atching hi&. hen she rose. (erek started back"ards' but then halted "hen she

knelt beore hi& and bo"ed her head. (erek "ondered "hich one o the rotskyites

"as ohn%s brother.

#8ou%ve "on'% she said in the silence that ollo"ed. #3ill you accept us as yourco&rades)%

(erek looked around' indecisive. /ggy caught his eye and nodded vigorously. (erek

looked back do"n. e reached out a riendly hand and helped the "o&an to her eet.

#8eah'% he said. #8eah' okay.% he cro"d e-ploded "ith cheering.

hey ended up in the e" 9ose do"n on City $ink"ay. Stella * or&er captain o the

Autarkic rotskyites * suggested the venue' a popular pub or rising actions that had

been patronised by the Popular 4reedo& Party in their early days. he cro"d' the

Autarkic rotskyites and the our youths "ent there in a hae o celebration out o all

proportion to the rather short battle. o one see&ed to care about the Autarkic

rotskyites "ho had died, everyone "as too caught up in the e-cite&ent. he corpses

"ould be tidied up by the "ild dogs that roa&ed the "aste*grounds' or &aybe even by

the council.

he cro"d carried (erek and the others shoulder high do"n City $ink"ay' chanting

seditious songs. "o loyalist APCs passed and the cro"d all paused to hurl abuse. 5ut

the loyalists "ere "ise enough to leave the& in peace. hey reached the e" 9ose

and piled into the bar.

veryone see&ed to "ant to buy the youths drinks. hey sat do"n at a table near the

&iddle o the bar "ith drink ater drink in ront o the& and people cro"ding round

or a chance to speak "ith the&. heir erst"hile oes took advantage o the 6ubilation

and either dro"ned their sorro"s or celebrated their sudden luck' "hile stuing their

aces "ith as &uch ood as the landlord could provide./ggy drank hi&sel into a stupor in one corner ater one o the Autarkic rotskyites

bound his "ound' "hile ric' ddy and (erek discovered the delights o the opposite

se-.

#5ut "hat%s your &ilitia called)% one girl (erek asked * $aura or +aureen or

so&ething' she had draped hersel round hi& in a possessive &anner at the irst

available opportunity. (erek had no proble& "ith that, she "as a stunner' a sli& girl

"ith bobbed black hair and an elin ace * even i she had so ar sho"n little sign o

political a"areness.

(erek%s &ind "ent blank. #r' hang on'% he slurred' pushing her o. e "ent to ind

Stella.

She "as at the bar talking to 9enJ' the spike*haired &an * "ho had turned out to beher brother.



#/s it alright i "e keep your na&e)% he asked. Stella looked at hi& <uiically.

#; course'% she said in surprise. #8ou%re captain no".%

(erek goggled at her. e "anted to say so&ething' but could not ind the "ords. /n

the end' he 6ust said #9adical!% and rushed back to the table.

hey let the pub in a drunken hae ater closing ti&e. (erek%s &e&ories o

staggering back up City $ink"ay' ar& in ar& "ith the lovely $aura or +aureen' "ere patchy the ne-t &orning' "hen he a"oke in an una&iliar bed. Apart ro& hi&' it "as

e&pty' but the space beside hi& "as "ar&.

As or "hat had happened "hen they retired to her lat in 9etail Park' a bus 6ourney

a"ay ro& ;utlet ?illage' he "as dis&ayed to discover that he re&e&bered nothing.

As he lay there' she ca&e into the bedroo& "earing her dressing go"n' bearing a

couple o &ugs o tea. (erek looked at her "arily' studying her pi-yish eatures as she

looked "ar&ly do"n at hi&. e &oved to sit up. /t "as a &istake.

#rrrgh:% he said and clapped a hand over his &outh.

#;h' but don%t you "ant your cuppa)% she said as he led past her in search o the

bathroo&. er only ans"er "as the hollo" sla& o the door ollo"ed by a prolonged

retching sound.4inally' the toilet lushed and he staggered into her ront roo&' "hite*aced' to see her

sitting curled up in an ar&chair' still sipping at her tea. (erek slu&ped do"n on the

soa. is o"n &ug "as on the coee table beore hi&. e picked it up and sipped the

luke"ar& drink gingerly' &ore to "ash the taste o bile ro& his &outh than anything

else.

#8ou look a bit rough'% she re&arked brightly. e looked up at her' his eyes red and

"atery. #/ "ould have thought the great Captain Apocalypse "ould have been able to

handle his drinks'% she added teasingly. #8ou certainly kne" ho" to handle &e last

night.%

#3ha...)% (erek asked "eakly. is head "as throbbing.

#Captain Apocalypse'% said the girl: $aura) +aureen) #hat%s "hat you said last

night. 3hen you gave your speech.%

#Speech)% (erek &u&bled. #Captain Apocalypse)% e paused' ro"ning. #(id /: did

/: go to bed "ith you)%

She pursed her lips and shot hi& a look. #3ell' / certainly don%t kno" "ho else it

"as'% she said. #Captain Apocalypse' ne" leader o the Autarkic rotskyite &ilitia'

co&e ro& out o no"here "ith the intention o seiing co&plete control o the

country by Christ&as.%

(erek ro"ned at her. #;h' er' &y riends call &e (erek'% he &u&bled. 3hat had

possessed hi&) e had heard about the dangers o the de&on drink' but: Captain

Apocalypse) Sounded like so&e kind o anarchist superhero: old on! #3hat didyou say)% he asked. #5y Christ&as)% /t "as +ay.

he girl nodded. #veryone cheered you on'% she said. #/ "as really proud to be "ith

such a hero.%

#r' look' $aura'% (erek started.

#+aureen'% she corrected hi&' her &anner a little chilly.

#(id / say $aura)% (erek asked. #+aureen' o course. $ook' / don%t re&e&ber &uch

about last night.% is gae lickered up and do"n. e had the distinct i&pression she

"as not "earing &uch underneath that dressing go"n. #r' you said "e' er' "e slept

together)% hat &ust &ean he "asn%t a virgin any&ore' &ustn%t it) #Can "e' er' can

"e:% he &u&bled and trailed o in e&barrass&ent.



She rolled her eyes. #;h' you%re such an ani&al'% she told hi&' rising and taking his

hand. She led hi& to the bedroo&. #5ut "e%ll have to be <uick'% she added. #/t%s hal

one no" and the &eeting%s scheduled or I.00.%

#+eeting)% (erek &u&bled.

She looked "ickedly over her shoulder' as she loosened her belt. #$ater'% she said' as

she slipped her dressing go"n do"n her naked back. #$ater.%(erek%s eyes "ere bulging as the robe hit the loor "ith a sot thud. She hadn%t been

"earing anything underneath.

is hangover had gone by the ti&e o the &eeting and a healthy lush replaced his

or&er pallor. /n act' he "as practically glo"ing. +aureen had sho"n hi& &ore than

he could ever have drea&ed o and he had not "anted to stop' but she re&inded hi&

he had obligations no" * to the &ilitia and to his constituents. She had practically

kicked hi& out o bed.

/t turned out that he had arranged a &eeting o all &ilitia &e&bers at the s<uat by the

old &otor"ay. +aureen said they "ere going to discuss political strategy * she had a

rather deeper understanding o political aairs than he had thought. 5ut politics "asthe last thing on his &ind as he hurried do"n the dingy streets o 9etail Park.

#i' Captain!% said so&eone he didn%t recognise at a street corner.

#ey' Captain Apocalypse!% so&eone else shouted' as he passed 9etail Park train

station and "ent over the bridge.

#Captain Apocalypse)% said the loyalist patrollers' consulting a shea o docu&ents as

they passed in an ar&oured car.

e ignored the& all and hurried on to the bus stop. Captain Apocalypse! hat "as the

irst thing he "as going to sort out' the &o&ent he got to the &eeting. e couldn%t go

around "ith a na&e like that! 3hat "ould his &other think)

he bus dropped hi& o 6ust do"n the street and he reached the rubble soon

ater"ards and picked his "ay across to"ards the s<uat. A pack o &angy dogs began

to ollo" hi&. 4or a e" seconds' he "as e-pecting the& to yelp =Captain

Apocalypse>' but it "as not long beore they encountered another pack and a ight

broke out.

"o Autarkic rotskyites "ere "aiting at the door. hey leapt to attention and gave

hi& the ist*to*heart salute.

#Captain!% one o the& said. #3e%ve been e-pecting you. his "ay' sir.%

3ell' at least they "eren%t using that ridiculous na&e. e ollo"ed the& into the

house.

4or the &ost part' the roo "as open to the dis&al sky and the loor lay stre"n "ith

rubble. /t looked deserted and (erek could see no sign o inhabitants. hen the rebelsled hi& do"n the cellar steps.

#Captain!% the asse&bled Autarkic rotskyites chorused' as (erek paused at the oot

o the steps' peering al&ost nervously into the candlelit darkness. e &ade out a

nu&ber o igures "ithin, /ggy' ddy' ric * "ith his ar& round so&e girl (erek

ailed to recognise * Stella and 9enJ. A couple o others "ho he didn%t kno" "ere

stood in the shado"s at the back.

#3ho%re they)% he asked' indicating the&. Stella glanced at the&.

#Coupla lads "ho "anna 6oin'% she said. #Co&e on in' Captain. ake a seat.%

$ooking suspiciously at the couple he didn%t recognise' (erek sat do"n on the only

ar&chair in the cellar.

#Are they any good)% he asked.



#3e have yet to see i they%re up to our standards'% Stella said. #5ut "e%ll kno" or

sure ater the ne-t battle.%

(erek%s legs "ent "obbly and he "as glad he "as sitting do"n. e could not <uite

ace that idea right no". e decided to change the sub6ect.

#9ight' / called you all here to discuss our political strategy' did /)%

#8es' Captain'% Stella said respectully. She produced a &ap o Central City and thesurrounding to"ns.

#5ut beore that'% (erek said' #there%s a e" things / "ant cleared up. ;ne, "ho%s that

bi&bo "ith you' ric)%

ric looked surprised' as did the bi&bo in <uestion' a plu&p' plain girl "ith curly

black hair. hey "hispered together. ric looked back.

#his is $aura' (e* Captain. (on%t you re&e&ber her)%

(erek grunted. #Course / re&e&ber her'% he said. #/ 6ust "anted to &ake sure you did'

ater the a&ount you drank last night.% he Autarkic rotskyites laughed. #ust stop

ondling her so &uch. /t &akes &e nauseous.% he rebels stopped laughing. ric and

$aura dre" apart' although (erek noticed that their knees "ere touching. e

dis&issed the &atter. #Secondly' don%t anyone call &e =Captain Apocalypse'> right)%he said' glo"ering round at the& all.

Stella ans"ered <uickly. #; course not' Captain'% she said. #o one "ould be so

a&iliar. 3e kno" ull "ell that it%s either =Captain> or =Sir.>

(erek regarded her suspiciously. 3as this sarcas&) hey didn%t see& to have got the

point * but at least they "ouldn%t be calling hi& by that stupid ucking na&e.

#;kay then'% he said inally. #Strategy. he &ap' Stella.%

#8es' Captain'% she said' s&oothing it out. (erek cast an eye over it' s<uinting in the

gloo&.

#ere%s ;utlet ?illage'% Stella said helpully' pointing at the northern edge o the &ap'

#and here%s 9etail Park' ostensibly held by the +ilitant Paciists. 3e tangled "ith

the& t"o "eeks ago. A couple o the& have irear&s' though' so "e took a e"

losses.%

(erek nodded. #his is ;utlet ?illage' right)% he asked. Stella nodded. e stabbed the

&ap "ith his inger. #And here%s Central City. And this is Govern&ent @.%

hey all e-changed glances. #8ou set your sights high' Captain'% 9enJ said. is voice

"as hoarse' per&anently so' (erek had discovered. #3e%re i&pressed by this plan to

seie po"er by the end o the year' but &aybe you could e-plain it in &ore detail.%

#8eah'% ric said. #3e didn%t kno" you had a plan like that.% e looked to ddy and

/ggy or conir&ation. hey nodded. So did $aura. (erek sco"led at her and she

dropped her gae.

#here%s a lot you don%t kno"'% he said i&pressively. e turned back to 9enJ. #o"about e-plaining your o"n plans)% 9enJ and Stella e-changed glances. Stella

coughed.

#3e didn%t have too &any long*ter& ideas'% she ad&itted. #;h' "e did have to begin

"ith' yeah. 5ut "ho doesn%t) Ater a e" years' "e "ere 6ust ighting to stay alive' to

keep ;utlet ?illage. Ater every victory it "as a ree party do"n the e" 9ose * the

landlord supports all victorious &ilitias as a &atter o policy * or at the Grapes o

3rath' "hich is &uch the sa&e.% She looked indierent. #4ood is short' i you%ve got

no &oney.%

(erek ro"ned' not really listening. #8ou &entioned a &ilitia in 9etail Park:%

#he +ilitant Paciists'% 9enJ said in a voice that dripped "ith veno&.

#8eah. 8ou said they have irear&s. 3hy don%t you have any)%



Stella%s ace ell. #3e don%t have the &oney'% she said. #3e%ve had to live on "hat "e

could scavenge' or get ro& loyal supporters. ;r even our parents.%

(erek ro"ned. his all see&ed a lot harder than successul parties &ade out in

intervie"s.

#3hat about: getting a 6ob)% he suggested.

/t pained hi& to &ention the idea, "ork to hi& "as the "ay the syste& ground the people do"n until they no longer "anted anything other than to pay the bills and ta-es

and blot their &inds out "ith drink every night. 5ut it "as the best "ay he could think

o to get the cash they needed or decent "eapons.

Stella looked "retched. #3e couldn%t'% she said. #$ook' Captain' / kno" "e%re not a

top outit' not like so&e o the &ilitias out there' but "e%re keen:%

#/ don%t "anna hear any e-cuses'% (erek said ruthlessly. #3hy can%t you get 6obs)%

#All the e&ployers "ant reerences'% 9enJ grated. #3e tried to sign on' but "e%d been

out o the syste& too long. hey "anted to kno" "hat "e%d been doing since "e let

school. 3e couldn%t give the& any ade<uate replies' so "e couldn%t even go on the

dole.%

(erek cursed. #(on%t these bourgeois idiots realise ho" i&portant "e are)% he saidrhetorically. #3e%re the hope o the uture' the guiding light that "ill one day lead the

people out o this darkness.% e had read enough sa&idat or "ords like these to trip

o his tongue "ith ease. #/t%s in their interest to support us!%

#hey%ll only invest &oney in you i you%ve got a big reputation'% 9enJ said. #And i

your policies are popular. $ike the Popular 4reedo& Party. 5ut even they only got into

opposition ater a long hard slog.%

(erek nodded and rubbed his chin thoughtully. his "as getting co&plicated. e

looked round the cellar.

#asn%t anyone got any ideas)% he asked' &aking it sound &ore a reproo than a plea.

/ggy shited on his sandbag. #r' (erek * Captain' / &ean * /' er' did have an idea.%

#3ell)% (erek said. #;ut "ith it!%

#r' "ell' "e%re still at school'% he said' "ith a glance at Stella and 9enJ. #5ut "e%ll be

leaving ater the e-a&s. &ployers are bound to give us 6obs then' i "e%ve got decent

results. hey "on%t kno" "e%re rebs.%

(erek ro"ned. 5eco&e a "age slave) 3ork or so&e reactionary shopkeeper or

actory o"ner) e didn%t like the sound o it one bit. 5ut: i it "as a choice bet"een

that and never getting to the top:

#-actly!% he said abruptly. #/ can see "ho%s got the &ost intelligence here. +e' /ggy'

ric and ddy "ill "ork' "e%ll buy the ar&s "e%ll need to take on the tougher rebel

&ilitias and actions * and then the loyalists.

#;nce "e%ve got that ar' "e%ll be able to seek support ro& the capitalists. And then * po"er!%

is voice rang through the cellar. he sound o it i&pressed hi& al&ost as &uch as it

did the others' "ho "ere electriied by his opti&is&.

#$iberty!% ddy shrieked e-citedly and 9enJ took up the cry' ollo"ed by Stella' /ggy'

ric and the rest.

#$iberty! $/598! $/598!!!%

#?ive la 9evolution'% (erek said and he allo"ed hi&sel a s&all' s&ug s&ile.

/t elt strange going into school the ne-t day. (erek "alked in through the gates and

passed the s<uabbling' boastul knots o boys' eeling out o place and ininitely

superior to these children. e had "on a ight and slept "ith a girl. e had seiedcontrol o a rebel &ilitia. e had triu&phed.



e had 6ust turned si-teen.

Seeing ric' ddy and /ggy talking near the ront steps' (erek <uickened his pace.

A hand landed on his shoulder and so&eone spun hi& round. e etched up ace*to*

ace "ith 9ob the Hnob.

#3hat are you doing "alking in here like that)% 9ob grunted.

(erek craned his neck slo"ly to glare at 9ob%s hand' "hich lay on his shoulder like ali&p s<uid. 9ob re&oved it "ith a hasty' al&ost involuntary t"itch and he stared at

(erek.

#$ike "hat)% (erek asked "ith icy cal&.

#$*like: like you o"ned the place'% 9ob sta&&ered. (erek had not seen hi& so

inti&idated since their ight' the other year. e cleared his throat. #$ike you o"ned

the place! $et &e tell you' you little t"at * you don%t'% he added &enacingly. #/ do.%

(erek hit hi& in the solar ple-us. 9ob olded up silently' crashing to the ground "ith

a dull thud.

he playground "ent silent. 9ob%s t"o cronies' "ho had been standing behind hi&'

dropped their 6a"s.

9ob "heeed and started to get to his eet. (erek kicked hi& in the belly and heslu&ped to the ground again.

he "hole playground roared to lie as boys ca&e running to circle the e&battled pair'

eager or the sight o blood. (erek surveyed the cro"d' children all' their eyes bright

"ith e-cite&ent. e sa" /ggy%s ace through the throng and ric looking al&ost

araid. Surely ric "as &an enough to "atch a "ell*deserved beating "ithout

linching)

e reached out and helped 9ob to his eet. 9ob stood beore hi&' his eyes lickering

to right and let.

#/ think that%s enough' don%t you)% +r. argreaves and another teacher "ere pushing

their "ay through the cro"d.

#/ kno" you t"o lads have a bit o a eud going bet"een you'% argreaves "as saying

in a reasonable tone o voice' #but you%d better break it up no". 8ou%re going to the

head&aster' is that understood)%

(erek eyed hi& scornully. hen he turned and knocked 9ob to the loor "ith a s"it

let hook.

#ey!% argreaves barked' lunging or"ard. #hat%s enough! (erek Clyde' /%&

asha&ed o you!% e grabbed (erek by the ar& and hustled hi& out o the cro"d. he

other teacher heaved 9ob to his eet and dragged the daed boy ater the&.

#3here are you taking &e' argreaves)% (erek asked' as they entered the school. #o

the head&aster) (oesn%t scare &e.%

#/%ll believe that "hen you co&e back out'% argreaves said' banging on the door tothe head&aster%s oice.

#Co&e.% he head&aster%s voice ca&e ro& "ithin.

argreaves opened the door. As he did so' the second teacher appeared in the corridor'

carrying 9ob.

#/ think this boy needs &edical attention'% said the teacher doubtully. e "as young

and keen looking' but at the &o&ent he see&ed ready to burst into tears.

#9ing or an a&bulance then!% argreaves said. Angrily' he shoved (erek into the

oice.

he head&aster "as a bulky &an "ith a silver*streaked goatee. As they entered' he

looked ro& argreaves to (erek and back and raised an eyebro". e "as not kno"n

to "aste "ords.



#his boy here' (erek Clyde' has 6ust beaten up one o his class&ates'% reported

argreaves gri&ly. #(id <uite a good 6ob o it' in act.% e e-plained the situation.

he head&aster eyed (erek lugubriously and then regarded argreaves.

#Go and see "hat a hash young 4ielding%s &aking'% he said. #+ake sure the poor boy

actually gets to hospital.% argreaves glanced briely at (erek and then hurried out.

(erek stood beore the head&aster%s desk. he head&aster stood up and "alkedround the oice' looking cursorily do"n at hi&. e sat back do"n and lipped open a

laptop co&puter. is hands lickered across the keyboard. #So. 8ou and 9obert' your

class&ate' had so&e kind o &isunderstanding.%

#$ooks like it'% (erek said laconically.

he head&aster leaned or"ard. #/ really don%t kno" "hat to do "ith your

generation:% he began.

#+aybe you%re in the "rong 6ob'% (erek suggested helpully.

#(on%t be insolent!% the head&aster shouted. (erek linched' briely and then lushed

red "ith anger.

#; course' / realise that it isn%t entirely your o"n ault'% the head&aster continued.

#8ou live in a culture that idolises violence' depicting it constantly on the televisionand alluding to it throughout the &edia. 8ou%ve doubtless got so&e oolish drea&s

about entering politics "hen you%re older...% (erek laughed out loud at that. #5e <uiet'

boy!% the head&aster thundered. #his is a serious &atter! / don%t kno" "hat /%&

going to tell the parents o that poor boy * or your o"n' or that &atter.% e shook his

head. #/ should e-clude you or this' really / should.% (erek regarded hi& insolently.

-clude hi&) othing "ould suit hi& &ore! #5ut "ith the e-a&s co&ing up'% the

head&aster added' #/ think /%ll give you one last chance.%

(erek olded his ar&s. 3as he supposed to be grateul) #Another one)% he said laily.

e had got one last chance ater playing truant in 4ebruary. #/t%s al"ays =one last

chance.> o "onder no one respects the syste&.%

#his is your last chance to &ake so&ething o your lie'% the head&aster barked.

#8our reports tell &e you%re an intelligent boy' despite this tragic ascination "ith

rebellion and political e-tre&is&. / you behave yoursel and pass the co&ing e-a&s'

you could be o to university in t"o years' "ith a long and successul lie stretching

out beore you. (on%t &ake &y 6ob see& a "aste o ti&e! (on%t thro" it all a"ay

beore you%ve even &ade a start in lie!%

(erek stared up at hi& silently. +aybe the head&aster "as right, he needed to "ork

hard no" so he could get a 6ob to provide &oney or the cause. 5ut he "asn%t going to

ad&it that no". #ave you inished)% he asked. #/%ll be going' then.%

(erek "alked out' leaving the head&aster shaking his head despondently. e lipped

open his laptop again and' "ith an air o resignation' stabbed a button.he screen "ent dead.

#(idn%t the head&aster send you ho&e)% argreaves asked as (erek stepped through

the classroo& door. he boys looked up at hi& "ith so&ething like a"e.

#e "anted to give &e yet another inal chance'% (erek said' slouching do"n in his

chair. e "aved a hand. #8ou can get on "ith the lesson no".%

argreaves looked startled and then stern. (erek returned both e-pressions "ith e<ual

indierence. argreaves ro"ned and then continued the lesson in e-asperation.

#3hat did you do to 9ob)% asked ddy e-citedly as they hurried out o the classroo&

hal an hour later. #3hat did you do' Captain)%

(erek halted. #(on%t call &e that here'% he snapped.

#Sorry' Cap * (erek'% ddy said. hen he added, #8ou t"atted hi& pretty good' huh)%#8ou did better than you did the other night'% ric re&arked blandly.



(erek glared at hi& as they "ent out into the playground. #3hat "as that)% he said.

#3hat are you talking about)%

is three riends grinned s&ugly. #8ou got no kills at all'% /ggy said "ith a superior

e-pression that (erek "anted to latten. #ven ric crea&ed so&eone. 8ou "ere 6ust

tripping the light andango "ith Stella.%

(erek punched hi& in the sto&ach. Shocked' /ggy doubled up' gasping. (erekstepped back and looked dangerously at the three o the&.

#hat%s <uite enough insubordination' co&rades'% he ordered. #8ou call &e (erek

"hen "e%re at school' but you%ll sho" due respect.%

#Shit' (erek!% ric said. #/ggy "as only 6oking! /t doesn%t &atter ho" &any people

you killed.%

(erek glo"ered at hi&. o be honest' he had not given it &uch thought' but it "as

true * he had not killed anyone. +ick had said that killing "as uni&portant, that

they%d get a better press i they didn%t see& to en6oy it: 5ut (erek realised that he

needed his co&rades% respect &ore than he needed the ree &edia' at this precise

&o&ent.

#Hilling isn%t the issue'% he stated authoritatively. #Hilling is the best "ay o "inning' but "hat i "e had killed all the Autarkic rotskyites) 3here "ould "e be then)%

he three o the& looked sha&eaced at that' even /ggy' "ho had straightened up and

"as trying to look insouciant.

#Suppose you%re right'% ric said.

#;h and by the "ay * no resting on your laurels'% (erek added. #3e%re going do"n the

s<uat tonight to train. /%ve 6ust decided. / /ggy can%t block a blo" like that' then "e

need &ore training.%

#5ut / "as going to take $aura out to the pictures'% ric said. #/ pro&ised her a

ro&antic night out.%

#3hat' are you &arried to her)% (erek said. e tapped the lad%s scra"ny chest.

#8ou%re do"n the s<uat training. Got that)%

#3ell: "ell' can / bring her along)% ric asked eebly.

#3hatever you "ant'% (erek said. #As long as you keep in condition.%

hat evening' (erek%s &other thre" hi& out o the house.

e had got ho&e at about one in the &orning the previous night' and he had been o

to school beore his &other stirred hersel. 4or so&e reason' she chose that evening to

act as i she cared "hat he did "hen he "as not at ho&e. 5itter "ords ensued and

(erek soon ound hi&sel out on the pave&ent * "ithout his "eapons and still in his

school unior&.

#Shit!% he said savagely. 3hat "as he going to do) e couldn%t turn up at the practicesession like this * he needed to increase his co&rades% respect' not lose it entirely. 4or

that reason' he couldn%t go do"n to /ggy%s or so&eone%s and ask the& to lend hi& the

right gear. 5esides * he glanced at his "atch * they%d probably be on their "ay do"n

by the ti&e he got there. is sto&ach ru&bled' as i to re&ind hi& o &ore pressing

concerns.

e decided to go to the takea"ay and then get the bus do"n to 9etail Park and

+aureen%s lat. +aybe she could help. his night o all nights! he raged to hi&sel as

he hurried do"n the street.

e bought a portion o chips at the takea"ay and ate the& as he "aited or the bus to

9etail Park.

As he got o the bus near the ring road' he passed a group o youths "earing para&ilitary gear. one o the& gave hi& a second glance. At least no one "as



shouting #Captain Apocalypse%. 5ut it brought ho&e to hi& ho" hollo" his victory

&ust have been' i they ailed to recognise hi& as anything other than the invincible

rebel leader.

e "andered on his "ay' "ondering briely i the youths had been the +ilitant

Paciists. e had seen no guns on the&' but that &eant nothing. /t "as un"ise to "ear

"eapons, no rebel "ould launt irear&s openly unless they "anted a ight "ith theloyalists. he govern&ent troops &ight turn a blind eye to a e" knives or clubs * i

they "ere not being directly threatened' there "as no point in getting brutal and the

&edia "ould only use it against the&.

As he passed &ore people hurrying along the pave&ent' (erek realised ho"

vulnerable his school unior& &ade hi& eel. e "ished +aureen didn%t live in

hostile territory.

he block o lats "as to the let o the ring road. (erek let the pave&ent and

gingerly picked his "ay across an e-panse o dead grass and burnt*out vehicles and

entered the ground loor.

ot "asting his ti&e seeing i the lit "as "orking' he hurried up the dark' narro"'

concrete steps. hey re&inded hi& o his e" visits to /ggy%s place. e reached+aureen%s lat and paused to rap on the door.

Ater a e" seconds she ans"ered' opening the door to a crack. #3hat do you "ant)%

she asked suspiciously' looking at hi& "ithout recognition.

#/t%s &e' (erek'% he said' hurt. She looked closely and then opened the door "ide.

#/ didn%t kno" you in those clothes'% she said' laughing. #/s this so&e ne" rebel

ashion)% She led hi& into the ront roo&.

#?ery unny'% (erek snapped' dis&ayed by the sudden disappearance o his credibility.

#+y &u&%s thro"n &e out and / couldn%t get &y stu. ave you got anything you

could lend &e)%

She looked <uiically at hi&. #ea)% she oered. e shook his head i&patiently and

she "ent on. #(on%t you think you%d look a little silly in a skirt)%

#Stop laughing at &e'% (erek said. ven in his o"n ears' he sounded &ore like a

"hining brat rather than a victorious rebel leader. #(on%t you have any para&ilitary

gear)%

She gave hi& a &ocking s&ile. #/ / kne" you%d be "anting to try on &y clothes' /

"ouldn%t have invited you back here the other night.%

#Stop 6oking! ave you got any para&ilitary gear)% (erek barked.

#8ou%ve got no sense o hu&our.% +aureen lounced. #8es' / do have so&e

para&ilitary gear. 3hen / "as younger' / "anted to be a reb' not 6ust sleep "ith the&

o a Saturday night. 5eore / ended up "orking "ith the local loyalist council. ;h'

don%t "orry * it%s 6ust a civil service 6ob'% she added' "hen a look o suspicion crossed(erek%s ace. #o political allegiance. 8ou can trust &e.% She regarded hi& doubtully.

#/ thought you "ere t"enty at least'% she added' sounding disappointed. She let the

roo&.

(erek sat do"n in an ar&chair' trying to "ork this out. /t "as good that he looked

older "hen he "ore para&ilitary gear. Stella and 9enJ had seen that they "ere kids'

but perhaps they didn%t realise that they "ere still at school:

5ut he didn%t like the "ay +aureen "as acting. And "hat "as this about her "orking

or the loyalists) She said =no political allegiance>' but ho" could he kno" she "asn%t

in league "ith the&)

She reappeared "ith a 6acket and pants. #/ brought this as "ell'% she said' producing a

co&bat knie. #/ never used it' but /%ve kept it in good condition.%(erek snatched the para&ilitary gear and hurriedly put it on over his school clothes.



#A bit coy' aren%t "e)% +aureen said "ith a laugh. #/t%s not as i it%s anything / haven%t

seen beore. Co&e on' you could at least take your blaer o.%

(erek sighed. She "as getting as bad as his &other. e took his blaer o and slipped

on the 6acket.

#/%ll collect it later' okay)% he said and opened the door. ;n the threshold' he paused'

looking back. +aureen "as "atching hi&' her ar&s olded.#r' thanks'% he said and hurried o.

#Captain!% Stella greeted hi& at the door to the s<uat. #3e "ere "orried about you.

he rest got here an hour ago.%

#/ can look ater &ysel'% (erek said brus<uely. #3here are "e practising)%

#(o"n in the cellar' as usual'% Stella said. #3e%ve got the generator running

especially.%

As she led hi& do"n the steps' she e-plained that one o the ounder &e&bers o the

Autarkic rotskyites Ba talented electrician' dead &onths ago' had set up a generator

in the backyard. /t tended to get dangerous i let on or &ore than a e" hours' but the

Autarkic rotskyites used it to light the cellar or practice sessions or to po"er the ?.#Captain!% /ggy greeted (erek' as he entered the cellar. A single light bulb illu&inated

the rebels as they practiced their ighting skills, they halted as they sa" hi& enter. e

noticed $aura sitting in one corner "ith a bored e-pression on her ace.

e regarded the& or a &o&ent and then nodded. #Carry on.% hey obeyed hastily.

(erek turned to Stella' "ho s&iled shyly at hi&.

#/ "as "ondering i you "anted to get to grips "ith &e' Captain'% she &ur&ured.

#;kay'% (erek said gruly. As they began to spar' he "ondered i she "ould be

any"here near as enthusiastic i she realised he "as 6ust si-teen.

Ater the gruelling training session' the Autarkic rotskyites had another discussion.

his ti&e the sub6ect "as their policies.

#3ell'% 9enJ said hoarsely' looking round the roo&' candle*lit no" to conserve po"er'

#"hen "e started out' "e decided to go or so&ething dierent. 3e didn%t "anna be

6ust like all the big parties' talking liberty all the ti&e but never saying anything really

radical. 3e didn%t "anna be so populist. So &e and Stella ca&e up "ith the idea o

global proletarian revolution' ollo"ed by re*organisation o the "orld into se&i*

autono&ous econo&ic ones.%

(erek shook his head i&patiently. #ot diicult to see "hy you never got &uch o a

ollo"ing.%

5oth 9enJ and Stella bridled at this. #3e have so&e supporters'% Stella argued. #3e%re

not the P4P' but "e get people co&ing to "atch our ights.%

#$osers' all o the&'% (erek said. #3e%re heading or the big ti&e' not hanging roundthe provinces * right) 3e%re gonna be in govern&ent!%

9enJ said, #/%d be happy 6ust being declared a threat to national security.% his "as

ho" the overdogs al"ays described anyone slated to beco&e the opposition party.

So&e rebels sa" it as the ulti&ate accolade. (erek disagreed.

#3hat%s the good o that)% he said. #8ou never get a chance to change anything' do

you) Populis& is a &ust or any party "ho "ants to seie po"er * other"ise' "hat

"ill you be) A pressure group' nothing &ore.% e glanced round the cellar at the gri&

aces surrounding hi&. #3e%ve gotta update our policies.%

#3hat about the na&e)% Stella ob6ected. #/ "e change our policies' "on%t "e have to

change our na&e)%



(erek shook his head. #Plenty o parties in the old days had na&es that "ere "ildly at

odds "ith their policies, the Ger&an 3orkers Party' the ational (e&ocrats' e"

$abour: 3hat%s the na&e &ean' any"ay) 3hat%s autarky)%

#An autarky is an autono&ous collective' a co&&unity that is econo&ically

independent'% 9enJ said. #An Autarkic rotskyite is so&eone "ho believes in the

principles or practice o Autarkic rotskyis& * global revolution leading toecono&ically independent co&&unities.%

(erek laughed. #4ringe politics' 9enJ'% he said scornully. #o one%s gonna go or that

third position shit.%

#So do "e change the na&e)% Stella asked again. #People kno" us under this na&e.%

(erek "as thoughtul. #8ou%re right'% he said. #o one "ill kno" us under another

na&e and it%ll take too long or us to build up "hat reputation "e already have. 3e

need to keep that reputation, so' "e need to keep the na&e. o one kno"s "hat it

&eans' any"ay' and it sounds i&pressive. 5ut "e%ve gotta orget about all this global

revolution bollocks.% e scratched his chin. #3e &ight bear it in &ind "hen "e get in

oice. 5ut it "on%t "in us support.%

#he +ilitant Paciist &ilitia count on it as their central policy'% ob6ected 9enJ.#he +ilitant Paciist &ilitia is a "aste o space'% (erek said and received a ragged

cheer ro& the others. #3e don%t "anna act like that bunch o "ankers.%

9enJ looked resentul. #So "ho do "e "anna act like)% he asked.

(erek shrugged. #he Popular 4reedo& Party is doing pretty "ell or itsel:%

#he Popular 4reedo& Party!% 9enJ said. #hat bunch o ascists! ave you been to

their rallies) ave you seen their unior&s) +ilitarist uck"its! / "ouldn%t trust the&

in oice' "hatever they say about liberty.%

(erek sighed. e had &et this kind o unreasoning 6ealousy beore, any party "ho

&ade a success o the&selves "ere scorned or the pettiest o reasons. As or anyone

"ho actually got into po"er * "ell' they didn%t stand a chance.

#he Popular 4reedo& Party is successul'% he said ir&ly. #And that%s "hat counts' i

you "anna have any eect on the running o the country. 5esides' /%& the Captain. /

&ake the decisions. /%ll have the &aniesto re"ritten by the end o the &onth.%

#3hy the end o the &onth)% /ggy asked.

#5ecause that%s "hen "e%re gonna have our ne-t victory'% (erek said. #3e%re gonna

go do"n to 9etail Park and "hen "e get there' "e%re gonna put the +ilitant Paciist

&ilitia out o our &isery!%

& SCHOOL"S O$T

(erek stared at the e-a& paper' his &ind else"here. Absently' he toyed "ith a biro.

e sighed and looked round at the e-a&ination hall.

A sea o desks stretched out around hi&' studious backs crouching over the& into

apparent ininity. he "indo"s "ere open and outside the sun shone &erry and bright'

as i to taunt the s"eating students "ithin. (erek took a s<uint at the clock on the ar

"all. 1070K. e glanced at the paper.

-a&ination begins7 10700.

-a&ination ends7 127I0.



e sighed again' loud enough to earn a stern look ro& a teacher at the ront. (erek

sco"led back in silence.

e glanced out o the "indo". his ti&e o the year' the sickly stench o the s"eets

actory "as rancid in the hot still air. he dark' gloo&y "inter "hen he had irst

or&ed his o"n &ilitia see&ed a thousand years ago.

e lipped open the e-a& paper and scanned the <uestions. /t "as Citienship. +ickhad said that Citienship "as propaganda intended to keep the people in their place.

(erek hadn%t doubted hi&' but glancing through the <uestions conir&ed his

suspicions co&pletely.

1 “Democracy is the worst form of government except all those

other forms that have been tried from time to time.” What is incorrect about this

statement?

2 ompare and contrast the current system with capitalist

elective dictatorship and feudal monarchy. !ull mar"s will be given for a well#

rounded denunciation of pseudo#populist politics.

$ “%niversal suffrage is the counter#revolution.” Discuss.& 'n what ways did the global conflicts of the twentieth century

sound the death "nell for elective dictatorship?

(erek snorted conte&ptuously' earning another glare ro& one o the teachers. e

ignored her and returned his attention to the paper. his "asn%t education, it "as

indoctrination * brain"ashing * propaganda! e licked through the rest o the e-a&'

shaking his head. o" could anyone be so stupid as not to see the truth) o" could

anyone "ant anything other than to see this corrupt syste& overthro"n)

is &ilitia had not &ade &uch progress during the last &onth. (erek tried to &ove in

"ith +aureen but she had thro"n hi& out' &uttering so&ething about Social Services

so he had gone back to his &other. She%d had the school on the phone "hen he got

back' ranting about his appalling attitude and ho" his "ork had gone ro& bad to

"orse.

She accepted hi& back into the house on the strict assurance he "ould spend every

night revising and not go out #playing "ar "ith the other kids%. She understood

nothing! So' there he "as' captain o the rebel orces' grounded by his &u&. e%d had

no chance to co&&unicate "ith his &ilitia e-cept during school*ti&e. 5ut he had to

ollo" the rules because there "as no"here else to go * e-cept the s<uat. /ggy had

suggested that as an option, he said he "as thinking o leaving ho&e and 6oining

Stella and the others' at least until his dad "ent o again. 5ut although (erek "as

sorely te&pted by the idea' he "anted so&e chance o getting a 6ob ater he letschool. ot because he "anted to be a do"n*trodden "age slave' o course' it "ould

be solely to provide unds or the &ilitia. e kne" that he "ould have no hope o

e&ploy&ent i he had no i-ed abode.

e sighed again' picked an e-ceptionally ob6ectionable <uestion and started to scra"l

a e" o his o"n heartelt opinions.

(erek &anaged to use iteen sheets B"riting on both sides o the paper and caused

the invigilators &uch irritation "ith constant de&ands or &ore. 5ut "hen he put his

pen do"n as the bell rang' he elt his chances o passing the e-a& "ere lo". e had

"ritten everything he could think o that "as contrary to the govern&ent%s policies'

la&basting and satirising everything ro& the current syste& as a political theory to

the "art under the $eader%s nose.



e had <uoted' in &e&ory' ro& his o"n re"rite o the Autarkic rotskyite

+aniesto' using its &any clauses at every point to challenge the s&ug sel*assurance

o the e-a&. e had issued de&ands or an i&&ediate return to de&ocracy' 6obs or

all and an end to voluntary service, and or the reigning govern&ent to be strung up

ro& la&p*posts or buried up to their necks belo" the high "ater line. ;nly once

beore had he "ritten in this vein' other than in the +aniesto * and that in an essayargreaves had returned "ith the single "ord #;bscurantist% scra"led at the botto&.

#(id you do "ell' d%you reckon' eh' (erek' eh)% ddy said as they cro"ded out o the

e-a&ination hall.

(erek s&iled. #/ did "ell'% he said <uietly. #/ "on%t be getting a good grade' but / did

"ell.%

hey hurried do"n the steps outside. #ey' boys'% ddy said e-citedly. #8ou kno"

so&ething)%

#8eah. hat "as our last e-a&!% /ggy said.

#8eah!% ric said. #o" "e can look or"ard to getting 6obs!%

#5ollocks!% (erek said. #o" "e can look or"ard to deeating the loyalists and

taking over the govern&ent.%#/%ll get there beore you'% 9ob the Hnob grunted' hurrying past "ith his t"o cronies.

#4uck you!% (erek shouted as the three lads disappeared out through the gates. #8ou

"ouldn%t last t"o seconds in a real street*ight!%

#(erek'% ric said <uietly' as they crossed the yard. #$ook' /%ve got so&ething to tell

you.%

#3hat)% (erek asked. hey passed through the gates' laughing "ith relie. /ggy

"hipped o his school tie and started trying to snap it in hal. ot to be outdone'

ddy copied hi& and then tied his round one o the ence*posts.

ric looked at his eet and shuled. #+e and $aura' "e%ve been talking'% he said in a

&utter. #And look' "e think "e%re in' er' in love. 3e "anna get &arried and settle

do"n.%

o (erek%s surprise' he elt a lu&p in his throat. #Ah' co&e on' co&rade'% he said

eebly.

#o' it%s true'% ric said. #/%& going to co&e back in the si-th or& and then go to

university and then /%& going to get a good 6ob to support her. / really don%t kno" i /

can stay on in the &ilitia:%

#8ou%re going into the si-th or&)% (erek asked loudly.

#o you%re not!% ddy 6eered. #Cu you%re not gonna pass any e-a&s.%

(erek nodded at that' relieved. he idea o ric leaving the group upset hi& or so&e

reason. A"k"ardly' he said7 #/gnore ddy.% ric sco"led. #$ook' there%s no reason to

leave the &ilitia until you get the results' is there) 3e%re gonna be ighting the+ilitant Paciists to&orro" night' aren%t "e)% Stella had &ade the arrange&ents "hile

(erek "as grounded.

earing this' /ggy "ent "hite. #o&orro" night)% he said thickly. e thre" up over

ddy%s shoes.

(erek shook his head testily. #8ou%d better not be like this beore the ight' /ggy &y

lad'% he said "arningly.

/ggy "as too busy to reply.

o&orro" night ound the& in the back o 9enJ%s beat*up old transit van' pulling o

the link"ay and driving through the streets o 9etail Park' their bodies "eighed do"n

"ith concealed "eapons' their brains on ire and their nerves <uelled by the



a&pheta&ines Stella had prescribed. heir destination lay at the back o so&e houses

near the &iddle o to"n' "here the +ilitant Paciist &ilitia had agreed to &eet the&.

#5ut don%t the +ilitant Paciists have guns)% ric "as asking. o (erek%s irritation' he

had insisted on bringing $aura along to "atch his daring herois&. hey had been

having a lover%s ti along the "ay.

#3hy bring that up no")% (erek asked angrily. #8ou kne" perectly "ell they hadguns last &onth and / didn%t hear any ob6ections then.%

ric glanced at his girlriend. #$aura re&inded &e'% he &u&bled.

(erek turned to glare at $aura. She tried to return the look' but glanced a"ay

nervously at ric.

hat girl "as a bad inluence on ric' (erek decided as 9enJ drove on through the

backstreets. All this talk about ric getting into the si-th or& and going to university

"as rubbish. (erek had &ore chance o passing. 5ut he didn%t "ant to be a slave to

the syste&' he "anted to seie po"er and change the "orld. e ad&itted to hi&sel

that it "as a dangerous course to take and he could even appreciate "hy $aura &ight

"ant to try and dissuade ric. 5ut ric had no chance o getting any"here in lie i he

let the &ilitia.#Still' it see&s a bit stupid'% /ggy said. 9enJ turned a corner and drove do"n another

street that led the& bet"een blocks o tene&ent lats. #/ they%ve got guns' "e%re

hardly gonna have a chance.% is ace "as pale in the gloo& in the back o the van.

#3ho dares "ins'% (erek said gleeully. Pre*battle nerves aected hi& no less than

/ggy' but the a&pheta&ines had given hi& a &ighty adrenalin surge that let hi&

eeling like nothing could touch hi&. #5esides'% he added' "hen he sa" /ggy%s pale

e-pression' #"e%re not entirely lacking strength.%

#3e don%t have any guns'% ddy said &ournully.

#3e &ight do by the end o the ight' co&rade'% 9enJ said. hey pulled up at the end

o a street and he and (erek shared an enig&atic s&ile.

#his "ay'% said the Captain as they piled out o the back o the van. hey turned a

corner and headed do"n an alley"ay.

/t "idened out to reveal a lat open area o concrete' lit by t"o guttering oilcan

braiers. Garage doors lined the edges o the area. o one side stood an old bus' its

"indo"s broken or boarded up' its paint"ork peeling. ;n either side stood groups o

people' "ho &uttered a&ong the&selves as the Autarkic rotskyites &arched in.

#Shit' is that the&)% ric asked. he cro"d "as about thirty strong. (erek glanced at

9enJ.

#/s that the&)%

9enJ shook his head. #hey%ll &ost likely be in the bus'% he said. #hat%s "here they

live. i&e to issue the challenge' Captain.%(erek nodded and stepped or"ard. #Co&e out' you co"ards!% he yelled. #Co&e out

and ight' or surrender and accept &e as your captain! 3e are the Autarkic rotskyites

and "e challenge you!%

he bus*doors slid open and ive youths tu&bled out. hey raced across the concrete

to ace the Autarkic rotskyites' co&ing to a halt in perect order. ;ne o the& took a

pace or"ard.

$ike his ello"s' he "as dressed in a kind o guerrilla unior& o black baggy clothes'

topped by a beret. 5andoliers hung over both his shoulders' although he didn%t see&

to be carrying any irear&s. (erek <uickly scanned the others.

#3e accept your challenge'% the +ilitant Paciist leader said loudly. #Are you ready to

ight)% (erek sought out the t"o &en' standing on either "ing cradling "hat looked



like sub&achine guns. e shot a signiicant glance at Stella and 9enJ' "ho nodded.

hey had evidently already seen the&.

#3ell)% asked the captain o the &ilitia. #9eady to ight) ;r "ill you be accepting &e

as captain)%

#9eady to ight!% barked (erek i&&ediately. is opposite nu&ber shouted7

#4ire!%Stella and 9enJ both "hipped out large 5lack 3ido" catapults and loosed their heavy

shot at the t"o gun&en. o child%s toys' these catapults propelled heavy lead balls

"ith enough orce to ell the t"o gun&en in a split second.

As they "ent do"n' one o the& tightened his inger on the trigger and the garages

briely resounded "ith the deaening chatter o &achine gun ire. /t halted abruptly as

the corpse%s inger slid o.

he +ilitant Paciist captain halted as "ell' his ace a study in dis&ay. #5ack' back'

back!% he yelled' as his &en surged or"ard to tangle "ith the onco&ing Autarkic

rotskyites.

As the +ilitant Paciists turned to retreat' (erek led his &en in a charge. e grappled

"ith one o the leeing ene&y, a large pi&ply lad aged about eighteen.#4ight' co"ard!% (erek yelled. he conused rebels "ere at a total disadvantage. he

Autarkic rotskyites s&ashed into their right "ing and sent the& scattering. ddy

knied one o the& i&&ediately and then turned to ind &ore.

(erek ducked as the eighteen*year old ca&e at hi&' "hirling his bike*chain, the air

above his head hissed "ith its passing. (erek straightened up and leapt or"ard as the

youth brought the chain back or a second try.

e evaded the lailing attack and got in close' "ounding the youth in the shoulder.

he youth dropped his "eapon and the chain slithered across the concrete.

#Surrender!% the +ilitant Paciist captain shouted. he battle staggered to an abrupt

close' as one by one' the +ilitant Paciists raised their ar&s.

he +ilitant Paciist captain turned to (erek. #8ou%ve beaten us'% he said hu&bly' to

the 6eers o the cro"d' "ho had obviously been e-pecting &ore. #3ill you accept us

as your co&rades)%

(erek strolled up to hi& coolly. e reached do"n and "rested the gun ro& the grasp

o a dead gun&an' glancing cursorily at it.

#Good tactics "ith these things'% he said. #5ut you ca&e to depend on the& too &uch.%

he captain nodded eagerly at (erek%s "ords. #8ou "ere too good or us' sir'% he said.

#5ut "e%ll 6oin you' "e%ll support you' "e%ll accept your policies!% e bent do"n on

one knee beore (erek and urged his co&rades to copy hi&. (erek vie"ed the&

arrogantly.

#(o you pledge your allegiance to the policies o the Autarkic rotskyite &ilitia)% heasked. #/n ull vie" o your supporters)%

he cro"d ru&bled. he captain looked &eekly at the ground. #3e are your

co&rades' i you%ll accept us'% he said <uietly.

#3elco&e to the Autarkic rotskyite action'% (erek said. #8ou are no" 5rigade 2 o

the Autarkic rotskyites. 8ou "ill take 9enJ as your brigade leader' subordinate to &e

and ight or us "henever "e co&&and it.%

he e-*captain stepped or"ard. #3e accept hi&'% he said and he clasped 9enJ%s ar&

and then raised it' turning to the others.

#;ur leader!% he cried and the &en cheered. hen he took (erek%s ar& and raised that.

#;ur captain!% he shouted and the &en cheered again' echoed by the cro"d.

hey ended up in the e" 9ose again' acing &ore drinks than they kne" "hat to do"ith. 5ut since the &ilitia had doubled its &e&bership' (erek avoided getting <uite



as drunk as he had done last ti&e. 5esides' he "anted to keep a clear head, this ti&e

he "as going to give a speech based on the Autarkic rotskyite +aniesto.

#ello' stranger'% ca&e a voice in his ear as he discussed uture strategy "ith Stella.

e glanced up and s&iled to see +aureen.

#+aureen!% he said' &oving up to &ake a space or her. #/ thought you &ight end up

do"n here.%#/ sa" the ight'% she said. #/ tried to get to you ater you%d "on' but there "as too

&uch o a cro"d. ey' you%re doing pretty good or a schoolie!% She laughed. #8our

little &ilitia is "ell on its "ay to beco&ing a rebel action no"!%

#ot at school any&ore'% (erek said boastully. #(o you "anna drink' by the "ay)% he

added generously' indicating the overlo"ing table. #ake "hatever catches your

ancy.%

#/ al"ays do'% +aureen said "ith a s&all s&ile.

(erek "aved his hand at the drinks. #;n the house'% he said. #;r on so&eone'

any"ay.%

+aureen took the nearest glass. She s&iled at hi& again. #Anyone "ould think you

"ere trying to get &e drunk'% she said "ith a "icked sparkle in her eye.#3ho' &e)% (erek said innocently. #/%d never do a thing like that!%

She slipped her ar& round hi& and snuggled up close. #8ou "ouldn%t need to'% she

"hispered in his ear. (erek kissed her.

he pub cro"d broke out into raucous cheering' although there "ere rosty looks ro&

so&e o the girls. (erek ound hi&sel blushing and grinning at the sa&e ti&e.

+aureen glanced around at the cro"ded bar. #his place is a bit ull' isn%t it)% she

&ur&ured. #3hy don%t "e go back to &y place)%

(erek elt te&pted' but he had his gro"ing action to consider. #/ can%t leave &y

co&rades'% he said a"k"ardly. #5ut /%d like that. +aybe later.%

+aureen shook her head. #5ring the& along'% she said. #/t%s been a "hile since &y lat

last sa" a party.%

#(erek!% so&eone called ro& behind the&. (erek turned to see +ick and ohn

pushing their "ay through the cro"ded bar.

#8ou%re Captain Apocalypse)% asked +ick. #/ heard the Autarkic rotskyites had got

the&selves a ne" leader' but &an oh &an * and you took on the +ilitant Paciists)%

e looked a little shity. #3hat about guns' though) Can / help you there)%

(erek had cringed in"ardly at =Captain Apocalypse>' but the rest "as no &ore than

he "ould e-pect.

#he +ilitant Paciists no longer e-ist as a rebel &ilitia'% he said grandly. #hey are

no" no &ore than a brigade o the Autarkic rotskyite 4action. As or irear&s' "e

have so&e already.% e didn%t "ant to let on that they only had t"o bet"een iteenighters. 5ut they couldn%t aord to buy guns ro& +ick yet.

he a"k"ard &o&ent "as saved by an abrupt cry or a #Speech! Speech!% ro& the

cro"d. hey "anted (erek to give the& a pep talk. hat suited hi& ine.

#Gotta do &y duty'% he said to +aureen' +ick and ohn. e cli&bed up onto an e&pty

bit o the table and the bar "ent silent.

e looked out across the sea o e-pectant aces. So&eho" this didn%t see& so easy

sober' but the a&pheta&ines "ere still doing their "ork. e "as silent or a "hile and

the cro"d stared up at hi&.

hen he spoke. #4irst' / "ould like to "elco&e the ne"co&ers to our action'% he said

"ith a nod to"ards the e-*+ilitant Paciists. #opeully' under our guidance' they "ill

realise their ne" ai&s' "hich are identical to those o the Autarkic rotskyite 4actionas a "hole.%



/n"ardly he thanked argreaves or the elocution lessons he had orced the& through

in the third year. #3e have "on a victory!% he added' looking round at his audience.

#5ut "e have not yet "on the inal victory * "e have not "on liberty. Still the syste&

clings on, still the corrupt govern&ent holds unrighteous s"ay over the people. 5ut /

issue a "arning no"' to the overdogs and to the loyalist &ilitias that support the&. 3e

are co&ing. he Autarkic rotskyite da"n is i&&inent. ;ne day' our nu&bers "illgro" so great' our support "ill gro" so strong' that "e "ill overthro" the syste&

"ith ease. 5ecause right is on our side. 3e ight or de&ocracy' e<uality * and

liberty!%

#$/5*9*8! $/5*9*8!% the cro"d chanted. (erek inclined his head in

ackno"ledge&ent o their ervour and then called or silence.

#5ut the road to reedo& is long and "inding'% he said' liting that straight out o the

+aniesto. #+y struggle is your struggle * and everyone%s struggle! he struggle or

liberty' the struggle to "rest reedo& ro& the tyrant%s grasp. o: to:% Suddenly he

elt hi&sel drying up. e looked round "ildly' catching sight o /ggy%s ace belo"

and he hurried on.

#o ight or "hat is right'% he said, #to ight or reedo& * and liberty!%As the cro"d chanted their libertarian &antra' he gave the& a <uick bo" and then

leapt do"n.

#hat%s all / have to say'% he shouted in reply to their <uestions. #;ne day' / tell you'

"e shall arise. 5ut or the &o&ent' "e &ust struggle.% e "ent to sit do"n' eeling

lushed and sel*conscious. e had been atrocious! 5ut +aureen hugged hi&.

#ot bad'% +ick said and (erek looked at hi&' startled. #8ou cocked it up in the

&iddle and the ending "as a bit la&e' but:%

#3hat about the party)% +aureen broke in.

#3hat' the Autarkic rotskyites)% (erek asked blankly' sipping his pint. #3e%re no

&ore than a action' yet...%

#o' the party back at &y place'% she said i&patiently. #veryone%s invited * everyone

"ho can it in the lat' any"ay. $et%s 6ust get out o this pub.%

he Autarkic rotskyites and a nu&ber o their supporters "ove their "ay back to

+aureen%s lat in 9etail Park' pausing at an o*license along the "ay. Soon the party

"as in ull s"ing.

#he drink%s running lo"'% /ggy re&arked a couple o hours later' standing in the ront

roo& "ith +aureen' (erek' $aura and ric. A e" o their supporters and so&e o the

or&er +ilitant Paciists "ere also in the roo&.

#/s it)% +aureen said. #(erek' be an angel and go into the kitchen. 8ou%ll ind so&e

&ore drinks in the ridge.%

(erek nodded and headed or the kitchen.he hall "as cro"ded "ith the overlo" ro& the ront roo&. +ost o the e-*+ilitant

Paciists "ere out here' talking loudly and boastully to so&e girls ro& the pub.

(erek bu&ped into one he re&e&bered vaguely ro& beore' a short but bu-o& girl

"hose sly e-pression &ade (erek%s &outh "ater.

#8ou look lost'% she said. (erek shrugged.

#/%& looking or the kitchen'% he said. #/%ve been here beore' but:%

#/%ll sho" you'% she said. #/%& $i. /%& a riend o +aureen%s. ey' are you seeing her

or "hat)%

(erek shook his head. #/ dunno'% he said. #/ suppose so.%

#8eah)% $i asked' her eyes "idening a little. #/ don%t kno" "hat you see in her.

So&eone like you could have any girl he "anted.%



(erek shited unco&ortably as she slipped an ar& round his "aist. #$et%s orget the

kitchen'% she "hispered in his ear. #And ind the bedroo&.% 5eore (erek could

ans"er' her lips "ere over his and her hands "ere u&bling at his body. e

considered resisting' but so&e o his ne" &en "ere nearby and he "as not sure they%d

respect hi& or it.

e slipped his hand under her skirt' inding the "aistband o her knickers. She dre" back laughing.

#aughty!% she ad&onished hi&. #Co&e on' let%s ind the bedroo&.%

#/ kno" "here that is'% (erek said hoarsely' thro"ing the door open.

#o' not that "ay! /t hurts!% a voice cried ro& "ithin. (erek paused in the door"ay'

catching a brie gli&pse o ddy in the bed "ith at least three girls.

#Shut up' bitch'% ddy said savagely to the girl struggling beneath hi&. e looked up

in surprise. #ey' Captain!% he said. #(o you "ant one)% e indicated his co&panions.

(erek sla&&ed the door. #So&e"here else'% he said.

#he bathroo&)% the girl suggested' a little desperate. 5ut as they approached' the

noises ro& "ithin "arned the& o. 5esides' the door "as locked. #here%s only the

kitchen let'% said $i "ith a cracked laugh.#hat%s "here / "as supposed to be going'% (erek said. #Co&e on.%

hey didn%t turn the light on' but sank slo"ly onto the cold' tiled loor' tugging

hurriedly at each other%s clothes. Soon the kitchen "as silent e-cept or $i%s little

&oans.

$ying back later' (erek said guiltily7 #/ "as &eant to be getting &ore beer!%

$i snuggled up to hi&. #8ou "ere &eant to be seeing +aureen'% she "hispered.

(erek shook his head and pushed her a"ay. #/ can%t do this again'% he said. e padded

over to"ards the ridge.

he kitchen door s"ung open at that &o&ent and so&eone licked the light on. (erek

"hipped round' his hands covering his groin' to see Stella ra&ed in the door. She

looked a little taken aback and glanced ro& hi& to $i' "ho "as scrabbling to cover

hersel' her ace red.

#;h * sorry!% Stella said brightly. She cast an appreciative glance at (erek%s body.

#+aureen sent &e to get &ore drinks. She said you%d gone' Captain' but you &ust

have been delayed: / see you "ere'% she added dryly.

#$ook' Stella'% (erek said a"k"ardly. #(on%t tell +aureen about this.%

#o' Captain'% she said obediently. (erek s&iled' pleased.

e turned and thre" open the ridge door and lited out a couple o our*packs' a

bottle o "hisky and so&e vodka.

#ake these'% he said. #ell +aureen / got: talking to so&eone.% e grabbed his

clothes and started putting the& on as Stella hurried o "ith the drinks.$i looked laily at (erek. #;h' /%ve &ade a bit o a &ess o things' haven%t /)% she

asked slyly.

#8ou keep your &outh shut'% (erek ordered' pulling on his 6acket. #8ou * you%re

nothing. 5ut /%& captain o the Autarkic rotskyite 4action.% e let the kitchen.

he &o&ent he entered the cro"ded ront roo&' he stopped dead. /n the ar corner' he

could see +aureen laughing and talking "ith /ggy' her eyes bright. 5eside the&' ric

and $aura "ere kissing. As (erek "atched' +aureen placed her hand on /ggy%s ar&

and began to ondle it.

#5astard!% (erek yelled. People%s heads turned as he ca&e careering through the

cro"d' ists lailing. e grabbed /ggy by the throat and lung hi& across the soa. e

raised a ist.



ric%s hand closed round his "rist. is grip "as iron*hard. (erek turned on hi&. #Get

o!% he yelled' spraying the youth "ith spittle.

#3hat%s up)% ric said. #3hat are you doing)%

#8eah!% /ggy said indignantly' struggling up ro& the soa. #3hat%s got into you'

(erek) Stop being such a "anker!%

#8ou "ere ater &y girl!% (erek shouted. #/ sa" you! (on%t deny it!%+aureen stepped or"ard. #(erek' "hat are you talking about)% she asked'

be"ildered. #8ou%re &aking a ool o yoursel in ront o your o"n action.%

(erek looked about' seeing the "atching aces o the cro"d around the&. e got up'

sha&eaced and dusted do"n his clothes.

#Are you saying there%s nothing bet"een you)% he asked doubtully. #5ut / sa" you

touch hi&!%

+aureen laughed. #/s that "hat this is about)% she asked. #e "as telling &e about the

training you%ve been doing and ho" his &uscles have gro"n.%

(erek looked at the loor. #;h shit'% he said in a s&all voice. #$ook' /ggy:%

#4orget it' Captain'% /ggy said &agnani&ously' &anaging to &ake (erek eel even

"orse. #/ should have been better prepared' right) 3e%ll have to have a good sparso&eti&e' right)%

#9ight'% (erek said. e sat do"n on the soa' eeling lo".

he party "ent rapidly do"nhill. he guests began to leave' in dribs and drabs to

begin "ith' but soon a &ass e-odus e&ptied the lat. $i ended up going o "ith

ddy' (erek noticed. o" did he get so &any girls) /t "as not as i he "as attractive'

or anything.

#3ell' / hope you%re satisied'% +aureen said' as she bent do"n to pick up so&e e&pty

bottles. #(o you nor&ally have this eect on parties)%

#/ don%t kno" "hat got into &e'% (erek said. #/ "asn%t even that drunk. +aybe it "as

the speed "e took beore the ight.%

#ever &ind'% +aureen said gri&ly' turning round. #8ou &ade a ool o yoursel' but

at least you conir&ed one thing or &e.%

#3hat%s that)% (erek asked.

#hat you "ant &e'% she said si&ply. She shrugged and suddenly looked vulnerable. #/

couldn%t "ork you out until you did that.%

(erek gaped. #/:) +e)% he said' less than coherently. #/ didn%t kno" i you "anted

&e! / thought you didn%t like &e because / "as too young.%

+aureen dre" hi& close. #Age doesn%t &atter. 8ou%re gonna &ake it to the top one

day!% er eyes "ere bright as she looked searchingly into his eyes. his "as the irst

ti&e he had seen her sho"ing her eelings in any real "ay * i that "as the case. She

didn%t <uite convince hi&. #8ou%ve got deter&ination: and strength and direction:%She added' trailing o. She bit her lip. #;h' 6ust co&e to bed "ith &e'% she urged.

(erek ollo"ed her into the bedroo&' grinning. e "as beginning to like being

captain o the Autarkic rotskyite 4action.

' WHEN WILL I BE FAMO$S(

#/%& sorry'% he sighed regretully' hal an hour later.

+aureen sighed in reply and sank back on the bed. #/t%s alright'% she &ur&ured' ater a

e" seconds had passed.



#/t%s never happened beore'% (erek said hastily. #/ don%t kno"' / &ust be tired or

so&ething.%

#/ kno" it%s never happened beore' idiot'% +aureen said. #8ou "ere a virgin "hen /

irst slept "ith you.%

#/ "as not:%

#(on%t lie'% she said pleasantly. #8ou "eren%t even sure "here to stick it' virgin*boy.he only "o&an you%ve slept "ith is &e. /sn%t it)%

(erek gulped. #hat%s' ah' that%s right'% he said hoarsely.

hey "ere silent or a "hile.

#8ou%re not &aking a good sho" o being captain o the Autarkic rotskyite 4action

tonight' are you)% +aureen said ater a "hile. #8ou%re supposed to keep your troops

loyal and your supporters happy' Captain Apocalypse.%

#(on%t call &e that!% (erek said.

+aureen rolled over to ace hi&. #hat%s "ho you are to these people'% she insisted

angrily. #8ou can%t be poor little (erek to your supporters' you%re a politician no".

8ou%ve gotta play by the rules. Accept your responsibilities.%

(erek sighed in a put*upon "ay. #All / "ant is to be in the govern&ent'% he said petulantly. #All / "ant is to give this country a chance o liberty.%

#hen you%re going to have to &ake a better eort than you have done'% +aureen said.

#/%ve taken over ;utlet ?illage and 9etail Park!% he said indignantly. #8ou%re &y

constituent' technically.%

#And "hat does that &ean)% +aureen asked. #othing, until you%re ready to take on

the loyalists. 3hich you%re not.%

#3e%ve got t"o guns'% (erek said. #hat%s a start.%

#And do you even kno" "hat kind o guns they are)% +aureen asked.

(erek "as indierent. #Sub&achine guns' aren%t they) 5it s&all or &y liking' but:%

#Sub&achine guns'% +aureen said heavily. #(on%t you even kno" "hat kind they

are)%

#r&' no'% (erek said. #/ didn%t really look that close.%

#/ did'% +aureen said. #/n the pub' "hen ddy "as sho"ing the& o. hey%re both

/ngra&s. +odel 10' K&& calibre' "eighing I.LM kg including a I2 round &againe.

$ength 2MK &&' or ELN && "ith stock e-tended' eective range L0 &etres' rate o

ire 10K0 rounds per &inute' &ule velocity IMM &etres per second. seul in

skir&ishes and si&ilar sticky situations' not &uch good in a ull*scale battle.%

(erek looked at her' startled. #3hat)% e gulped. #o" do you kno" all that)%

#5ecause'% she said sniily' #unlike +r. Captain Apocalypse o the Autarkic rotskyite

4action' / kno" &y stu. /t%s about ti&e you learnt a bit &ore about the realities o

politics' (erek.%e &ade a ace. #All that shit)% he said. #5oring!% e%d thought she kne" nothing

about politics.

#5oring but necessary'% said +aureen. #/ that isn%t any cop% * she s<ueeed bet"een

his legs * #you can at least learn ho" to use a gun properly.%

#;kay' okay'% (erek gasped' disengaging her hand.

#And get &oney' so you can pay or a&&unition and &ore "eapons'% +aureen added.

#Alright!% (erek snapped. #/ "as gonna get a 6ob any"ay.%

#8ou%ll never do anything "ithout so&eone to push you'% said +aureen

pessi&istically.

(erek "as about to point out that he had got this ar "ithout anyone pushing hi&' but

decided against it. e needed so&e sleep.e turned his back on her and laid his head on the lu&py pillo".



#3hen are you going to get a 6ob' then)% said his &other' as he "alked in about eleven

o%clock the ne-t &orning.

#(on%t you "anna kno" "here /%ve been)% (erek said sullenly. e had got little sleep.

is &other looked up ro& the television. #/ don%t care'% she said cal&ly. She picked

up the local paper ro& the table beside her and lung it at hi&. #4ind a 6ob and get outo &y house'% she told hi& and turned back to the ?.

4ro"ning' (erek slu&ped do"n on the soa and noisily opened the paper' the ;utlet

?illage and 9etail Park Gaette. 3o&en! he said silently to hi&sel. hey "ere all

conspiring to &ake hi& slave or so&e bourgeois capitalist pig*dog lackey o the

corrupt syste&! he only reason he "anted a 6ob "as or the &oney.

#3A(7 Heen' enthusiastic school*leavers "ith a lair or &athe&atics and a

heartelt interest in conte&porary &arketing techni<ues:% one advert read.

#Heen)% he said to hi&sel. #4uck that!%

#: &ust be able to "ork on o"n initiative: &ust de&onstrate an understanding o

and passion or the opti&isation and develop&ent o reuse collection

&ethodologies:#... 5right' gited young people "anted to "ork a &ere si-ty*eight hour "eek in our

ne"ly*opened actory:%

#4or uck%s sake!% (erek raged in"ardly. #As i it isn%t enough that they%ve "orn &e

do"n to the point "here /%ll co&pro&ise &y principles enough to "ork or the

bastards! Heen! Pah! 8ou need to be bright and gited to be a slave)%

e riled angrily through the paper' pausing at page t"o.

#SA+ ;4 SA?AG GAG*3A94A9 / 9A/$ PA9H% the headline blared.

(erek read on. #$ast night' urther ighting broke out bet"een t"o rival gangs o

cri&inals...% e broke o in disgust. $ocal papers al"ays called up*and*co&ing

politicians cri&inals! So&eti&es it see&ed al&ost as i they "ere deliberately trying

to piss hi& o. he ? and national ne"spapers and the ree &edia in general

recognised political &ilitias and actions or "hat they "ere * "hen they%d got a na&e

or the&selves' at least. 5ut the local papers 6ust called the& cri&inals * or insurgents'

i they "ere big enough to challenge the established govern&ent. (erek read on.

#$oyalist sources inor& us that the so*called +ilitant Paciist &ilitia' "hose petty

s<uabbles have interrupted the nights o &any local residents' have been deeated by a

rival organisation calling the&selves the Anarchic hatcherite 4ront' led by an

individual "ho &as<uerades under the alias o =Captain Apocalypse.> o" both

;utlet ?illage and 9etail Park can count the&selves constituents o this shado"y'

violent' underground igure:%

#eh*hey!% (erek "hooped out loud. is &other looked up and sco"led at hi&.#4ound a 6ob yet)% she said. (erek shook his head gleeully. 3ho needed a 6ob "hen

they had &edia attention) /t "as only the ;utlet ?illage and 9etail Park Gaette and

they%d got the na&e o his action "rong' but: #/ you can%t ind anything in there'%

his &other added' #you%d better start signing on. At least you%ll be bringing &oney

into the house. / don%t "ant you end up in the voluntary sector:%

o one see&ed "illing to e&ploy a school*leaver beore the e-a& results "ere out.

Since this "as not until the end o August' t"o &onths o su&&er un and nocturnal

&ayhe& a"aited (erek and his riends.

/t "as an easy lie' those t"o endless &onths. /n later years (erek looked back on

the& ondly as the only ti&e in his lie he "as able to lounge around "ith nothing todo "ithout eeling hopeless and "orthless. is &other grudgingly allo"ed hi& to stay



at ho&e until the results "ere out' on the strict assurance that he "ould &ove out the

&o&ent he got a 6ob. /n the &eanti&e' there "as nothing or any o the& to do e-cept

roa& the streets looking inti&idating' trying and ailing &iserably to chat up girls

their o"n age * e-cept ddy' o course' "ho "ent through the opposite se- like

ar&our*piercing rounds through Hevlar. So&eti&es they "ould even hang around on

street corners.5ut &ost days (erek and the others ended up at the s<uat' practising "ith the rest o

the Autarkic rotskyites. So&eti&es they%d 6ust drink beer and enviously "atch the

daily progress o the Popular 4reedo& Party on the crackly old television.

At night things "ere dierent' though. hroughout the su&&er' (erek%s underground

e&pire e-panded steadily to include +ultiple- and $iberty Park, the latter despite an

initial setback "hen they suered deeat at the hands o the reigning action' the

Populist (e&ocrats' "ho held $iberty Park as only one o their constituencies.

Stella argued against the idea ro& the outset and had said that it "as oolish trying to

take on the Populist (e&ocrats. hey "ere nothing co&pared "ith the Popular

4reedo& Party' "ho had recently seied a nu&ber o key positions around Central

City and every other day "ere e&broiled in street*ights "ith the loyalists. 5ut thePopulist (e&ocrats "ere &uch stronger than the Autarkic rotskyites and controlled

ive constituencies. Still' they had e" irear&s at the &o&ent and on the Autarkic

rotskyites% second atte&pt' the surviving Populist (e&ocrats surrendered ater t"o

&inutes.

egotiations ensued and the Populist (e&ocrats agreed uneasily to cede $iberty Park

to the Autarkic rotskyites' "hile retaining the rest o their constituencies. So&e o

this' in a diluted' biased or&' got into the local papers and the sa&idat &entioned it

in &ore detail. +edia recognition! /t "as a beginning.

5ut all good things co&e to an end. ;ne su&&er &orning in late August' /ggy turned

up on the doorstep to re&ind (erek that today "as the day "hen the e-a& results

"ere &ade public.

#/ "as thinking &aybe "e could grab ddy and ric and head do"n to school'% he

suggested. #Get the results and tell the teachers to go uck the&selves.%

#9adical!% (erek said. e tu&bled out o the ront door ater hi&. ver since the irst

year he had nurtured a burgeoning desire to tell the head&aster e-actly "hat he

thought about hi& and his shitty school. e had been intending to do so on the last

day' but he had orgotten about it in his e-cite&ent to get out.

#Co&e on then!% he told /ggy and they s"aggered o do"n the street.

#ey! 3hat are you' politicians)% sneered one o the boys kicking a can around the

gutter at the botto& o the street. #9eb! 9eb! $iberty!% the others taunted.

#8eah' "e%re rebels!% /ggy said deiantly. #3e%re gonna overthro" the uckinggovern&ent.%

#4uck o'% (erek said. hese "ere the cunts that "ould gro" up to beco&e "age

slave lackeys o the syste&' until they inally evolved into brain*dead pensioners "ho

"rote letters to the local paper ranting about ho" all &ilitants should be rounded up

and put in prison ca&ps.

#3ho d%you think you are' Captain Steele)% one o the kids asked.

#his is Captain Apocalypse'% said /ggy grandly and he strode o. /gnoring the

sniggers ro& the children' (erek hurried ater /ggy.

#(on%t call &e that'% he said.

#$ighten up' (erek'% /ggy said. hey had dropped &uch o the or&ality they%d

adopted in the early &onths o the action' e-cept in battle or training. #3e%re notighting no". o need or discipline.%



#5ut / hate that na&e'% (erek co&plained.

/ggy shrugged. #hat%s "hat you%re called no"'% he said. #Accept it.%

hey turned the corner into ddy%s road and "ere heading or his house "hen they

spotted ric heading do"n ro& the other end o the street.

#ey' co&rades!% he called' running up to the&. #;h and er' Captain!% e sketched a

salute.#$ighten up' ric'% (erek said. #3e%re o duty.%

#oday%s the day "e get our results'% ric bubbled. #Are you going to school) / a&. /

"ant to kno" i /%& going to get into the si-th or&.%

#/%& only going so / can sho" the ull e-tent o &y appreciation'% /ggy said. e had

that &anic glea& in his eye' (erek noticed' that &eant trouble bre"ing. Grinning to

hi&sel' "ondering "hat /ggy had planned' he banged on ddy%s ront door.

ddy appeared a couple o &inutes later "earing nothing but a pair o 6eans. is ace

"as creased' his hair a"ry and his eyes gu&&y. /n his hand' he had a ha&burger.

#ey' co&rades!% he said "ildly.

A girl "andered out o the kitchen "earing nothing e-cept one o ddy%s shirts.

#8ou up' then' ddy)% she asked. #/%ll go and check up on $i.%#So your &u& and dad are out' then)% asked /ggy "ryly.

#+y granny%s in hospital "ith cancer'% ddy cackled. #hey reckon she%s gonna die!

So they%ve gone to stay "ith &y auntie "ho lives near the big hoie in the eights

and they let &e to look ater the house.%

#o" do you &anage it)% ric asked' as another girl ca&e do"nstairs. (erek glanced

at her and then looked again. /t "as $i. e averted his eyes.

#3ell' to start "ith'% ddy said in a superior tone' #/ don%t get stuck "ith 6ust one girl.

(o /)% e grabbed $i and pinched her botto&. She slapped hi& playully and he

groped her in return.

#3e could al"ays co&e back later' i you%re busy'% (erek said &enacingly. e didn%t

like seeing a girl he%d been "ith being &anhandled like that.

#Go on' piss o'% ddy told $i. She gave hi& a look' but lounced obediently o

do"n the hall.

#8ou don%t have any respect!% ric said angrily.

#8ou don%t have any un'% ddy countered' looking s&ug.

#3e%re going to school'% (erek said' "ho thought the conversation had gone on long

enough. /t "as only encouraging ddy and that "as the last thing the ucker needed.

#3e%re gonna get our results'% he added. e grinned evilly. #And sho" our

appreciation.%

#8eah)% ddy said' sniggering. #/%& 6ust in the &ood to leave a long bro"n stea&ing

appreciation on argreaves% desk.%#hat%s the spirit'% /ggy said. #8ou 6ust leave these poor disabled girls to their o"n

devices and co&e "ith us.%

ddy grabbed a 6acket and pulled on so&e boots and ollo"ed the& out. #3hat d%ya

&ean' disabled)% he asked abruptly.

#hese blind girls you keep taking advantage o'% /ggy said.

#4uck o!% ddy chortled' slinging hi& a punch. /ggy blocked it and thre" one in

return.

Sparring happily' the youths headed o to"ards school.

As they reached the gates they halted' hearing a series o e-plosions ro& the

direction o the city. hey stared in that direction.

#;utskirts o Central City' / reckon'% (erek said kno"ledgeably. #Sounds like a bigscale battle.%



#3hy doesn%t anything ever happen round here)% ric said.

#3e happen round here'% /ggy said. ric sco"led.

#8eah' but no big ights break out here'% ddy said. #All the good ones are in Central

City and round there. hey%re not interested in the provinces.%

he ru&ble o battle ceased and the youths stood there in silence.

#Co&e on' then'% (erek said. hey entered the school.he entrance hall "as al&ost deserted' apart ro& a e" teachers and a couple o boys

"ho "ere at a desk in the &iddle <uietly receiving their sealed results ro& the

head&aster. hese t"o hurried past the our rebels' eagerly ripping open their

envelopes and reading the results printed inside.

#9adical! /%ve passed the& all'% one "as heard to say. #/%& going to 6oin the si-th

or&.% $ooked the type' (erek thought' s"otty geek. e sa" ric staring ater hi&

enviously.

hey strode over to the desk. #and the& over' then'% (erek barked. he head&aster

looked up and stroked his goatee.

#;h' it%s you' is it)% he said scathingly. #8ou%ll have to be &ore polite than that in the

real "orld' boy. (erek Clyde' or& EC:% e hunted round the table and then handed(erek an envelope.

#And &e'% /ggy said "ith a &enacing grin.

#/gnatius igginson: 8es' here "e are. And d"ard 5lack.% e handed the& the

envelopes.

#3hat about &e)% ric co&plained.

#a ha!% (erek said' ignoring hi&. #$ook at this!% e lourished the piece o paper.

#Straight As in everything'% he tru&peted. /t "as true. ven in Citienship' "here he

had done nothing but take the piss.

#5ut "hat about &e)% ric griled.

#+y apologies'% the head&aster said. #e" govern&ent regulations. (ue to the

current paper shortage' "e%re can%t "aste paper on pupils "ho ail all their e-a&s.%

#3hat)% /ggy said' sla&&ing his ist do"n on the desk. #4uck the govern&ent!%

#/ didn%t ail all o the&!% ric cried desperately.

(erek glared threateningly do"n at the head&aster. #8ou%ve upset &y co&rade'% he

said slo"ly. #o one does that and gets a"ay "ith it.%

#5oys' boys!% the head&aster began.

#/ spit on your govern&ent regulations'% (erek said. e held up his certiicate and tore

it into pieces in the head&aster%s ace.

#8ou stupid boy:% the head&aster started. ddy tried to grab hi& by the throat.

#Are you calling &y captain stupid)% he sniggered dangerously. #8ou%ll regret that'

too!%#5oys!% cried one o the teachers, (erek sa" that it "as argreaves. #5oys' that%s

enough!%

#4uck you!% (erek said. #4uck you' uck the lot o you!% e kicked over the table'

sending the head&aster tu&bling back"ards. #3e%ve no respect or your authority'

lackeys o tyrants!%

#8ou%re talking like rebels'% said the head&aster "eakly ro& the loor.

#3e are rebels!% ric declared shrilly. #And "e%re going to overthro" the corrupt

syste& you represent!%

#Call the loyalist patrol!% argreaves cried in dis&ay. #Call the troops no"!%

#o'% the head&aster gasped' picking hi&sel up. #ot at &y school!% e looked

signiicantly at argreaves. #/ these boys "ill go <uietly' "e don%t "ant any trouble.%



(erek looked at his riends. one o the& "ere ar&ed. hey could not deal "ith

loyalists right no". e nodded slo"ly.

#;kay' / think "e%ve &ade our political state&ent'% he said. #Co&e on' co&rades.%

hey headed or the door.

#/%ll send you another copy o your results'% the head&aster called. #(on%t thro" your

lie a"ay' boy!%#4uck you'% (erek said.

/ggy stopped briely and bared his pi&ply botto& at the shocked*looking teachers.

hen they "alked out' laughing.

#he laptop' argreaves'% the head&aster snapped' his co&posure back in place the

&o&ent the youths let the building. argreaves picked up the co&puter ro& "here

it had allen and handed it over.

#Good peror&ance' head&aster'% he said unctuously.

#hanks' argreaves'% the head&aster said' his ingers lickering over the keyboard.

he screen sprang into lie' "ith the "ord =ngaged> in the centre. e "as ringing

the nu&ber o the local loyalist outpost. As he "as "aiting' he added' #Pity about that

(erek boy. e%s got a good brain. A lie in politics is not "hat he deserves.%argreaves nodded silently. he =ngaged> icon blinked out and a young' shity*

aced &an in loyalist unior& appeared.

#ead&aster)% he said. #ave you had any trouble "ith the kids)%

#Ah' Captain Savage'% said the head&aster. #/ re&e&ber the day you got your results.

8ou "ere so&ething o a brat back then.%

#/s this a social call)% snapped the captain. #/%ve got "ork to do. o ti&e or

nostalgia.%

#/%ll be brie then' Captain'% said the head&aster. #3e%ve got our &ilitants leaving the

school no". 8ou%ll put the& under surveillance)% Savage nodded cursorily. #Sha&e'

really'% added the head&aster. #Pro&ising lads' so&e o the&. ot it or a lie o

politics. 8ou &ight sy&pathise "ith the& i:%

$ooking irritated' Savage leaned or"ard' and the screen "inked out.

#9ude young &an'% argreaves re&arked' rubbing his long nose. he head&aster

shook his head.

#hese loyalists'% he said dryly. #Anyone "ould think they run the country!%

argreaves laughed.

#ey' "e uckin% sho"ed the&' eh) h)% /ggy said' capering along the kerb. e "as

on an adrenalin high' &ore than he had been ater any o their street ights. So "ere

they all, they%d all bade are"ell to the shackles o their childhood' but /ggy "as

sho"ing his "ilder side again. #3e uckin% sho"ed the&!% he laughed again.#8ou certainly sho"ed the& so&ething'% (erek said.

#a ha! 4uck the syste&!% shouted /ggy' ai&ing a kick at an inoensive litter bin. /t

"ent over' spilling its contents in the gutter.

#8eah!% ric said shrilly' suddenly urious. #4uck the&!% e started booting the litter

bin do"n the pave&ent.

#+ad bugger!% ddy said in so&ething close to ad&iration and ran to tackle hi&.

#3ait a &inute' "ait!% (erek said. e grabbed /ggy%s ar& and /ggy glared at hi&.

#4uck o' Captain'% he said.

#8ou uck o'% (erek said. #$ook' co&rades. his isn%t right. 3e can%t be seen

co&&itting "anton acts o aggression. 4ine' uck the syste& * but in a positive "ay' a

progressive "ay' a "ay that "ill lead us to liberty!%



#4uck o!% ric countered hi& angrily. #hey "on%t let &e 6oin the si-th or&! 3hat

are &y parents going to say)%

#So "hat "ill you achieve by kicking a litter bin around)% (erek said. #4ine' you hate

the overdogs' you hate the syste&! 5ut "hy not use that hate to bring it do"n) / "e

s&ash up useul things like litter bins' "e%re no better than the govern&ent "ho

"ouldn%t even print your results because o so&e paper shortage that "as probablythe result o their o"n inco&petence.%

#8ou read too &uch sa&idat'% ric said. #3e%ll never get into po"er.%

#8es "e "ill'% (erek said' #or "e%ll die trying. 3hat else can "e do) 3hat kind o a

lie do you have ahead o you no" you%ve ailed your e-a&s) Politics is the only "ay

"e%ll ever have o doing anything about it.%

A distant roar o gunire echoed ro& the direction o central City' ollo"ed by the

cru&p o e-plosions. +ore gunire ensued. /t sho"ed no signs o stopping.

#3ho d%you reckon it is)% /ggy asked.

#Popular 4reedo& Party' / think'% (erek said' staring longingly to"ards the din.

#(oing "hat "e should be doing.%

hey stood in silence. #3hy don%t "e go do"n the s<uat)% ddy suggested. #Stellacould get the generator going and "e could "atch telly. his is bound to be broadcast.

/t sounds like the P4P are inally getting do"n to business.%

#8eah!% /ggy said. #/%& in the &ood to see so&e &ass destruction!%

#So a& /!% ric shrilled. #$et%s go!%

(erek shrugged and they headed o. 5read and circuses' that "as all it "as. e

"ould rather be out there hi&sel' ighting the loyalists * not "atching it on ?.

Chattering' the youths hurried do"n the road. As they rounded the corner' an

un&arked black van drove slo"ly ater the&.

hey "ere under surveillance.

Stella got the generator "orking and the Autarkic rotskyites all cro"ded do"n to the

cellar to "atch the ? 6udder and spark into lie. hey turned to Channel Oero' the

&ost politically a"are station.

#..."itnessing scenes o &ass destruction here in Central City'% a reporter "as

chattering do"n a &ike. 5ehind her' the street "as choked "ith clouds o s&oke. An

ar&oured car reversed straight past' its top ablae' pursued by a s<uadron o P4P

para&ilitaries.

#here%s not &uch to see do"n here on the ground'% she added. he speakers roared

and the screen itsel lashed as a nearby e-plosion ble" the reporter o her eet. She

picked hersel up again. #5ut /%ve 6ust seen ive rebel para&ilitaries destroy a

govern&ent ar&oured personnel carrier'% she gasped' brushing a e" rogue locks ohair a"ay ro& her la"less ace.

#3hy don%t they sho" us the ight)% /ggy shouted. #3hy do they only sho" that

bi&bo)%

#/ think she%s ucking it'% ddy said.

he ca&era "obbled round to the let to sho" the entire ar&oured car blaing a"ay

as ive rebel para&ilitaries danced around it. ;ne o the& sprinted up to the ca&era'

giving it the ?ictory #?% sign and shouting &aniacally7

#?ive la 9evolution! ?ive la 9evolution! $iberty!%

5ut then another ar&oured car rolled out ro& the banks o s&oke. /t opened ire on

the rebels "ho ell like skittles and then turned to"ards the ca&era.

he screen "ent blank.



#Ah' "e see& to have lost contact "ith our reporter in Central City'% the announcer

said "orriedly. #5ut soon "e "ill be connecting you "ith our airborne division.

+ean"hile' here is so&e &usic.% rad &etal blared noisily ro& the speakers and

Stella leaned or"ard to turn it do"n.

#/t looks like things are pretty serious out there'% she re&arked.

#8ou don%t reckon the P4P are gonna get into po"er' do you)% asked 9enJ' concerned.#3hat "ould "e do then)% ric asked. e looked to (erek or ans"ers. Clearly' "hat

his captain had said beore had &ade an i&pression.

(erek "as silent.

#/ don%t kno"'% he ad&itted eventually. #/ they do hal the things they clai& they%ll

do' "e "ouldn%t have any reason to ight the&. And e" people are likely to support

us against the& i they do:% /t "as a disturbing thought.

#Ah' they never "ill'% /ggy said cynically. #hey never do!%

#5ut they say they%ll give us the vote'% ric said. #And' and provide 6obs or all.%

#And "here "ould that leave you' co&rade)% (erek asked. #8our results "ill still

destine you or the voluntary sector.% ric looked at the loor.

#3e don%t kno" i the P4P "ill &ake it:% Stella "as saying' "hen the screen lashedup "ith an aerial vie" o $iberty S<uare' Central City. 9anks o ar&oured cars "ere

advancing on each other' one side in the "hite livery o the loyalists and the other in

the red o the rebels.

#@uick' turn it up!% 9enJ said.

#: aerial vie" o the battle. o the top o the screen are the rebels and advancing on

the& "e see the govern&ent troops' "ho set out only &inutes ago ro& the &ain

loyalist outpost near $iberty S<uare' as they s"eep up Govern&ent $ink"ay in their

po&p and glory' deter&ined to crush all dissent beneath their iron heels'% one voice

"as saying. #3ith &e' / have senior civil servant Sir o& arris' an e-pert on

political conlict. Sir o&' "hat "ould you say "as the current state o play)%

A plu&&y voice said7 #3ell' +ica' as you can see' the t"o divisions are advancing on

each other in plain vie"' so neither side is &aking &uch use o cover' or indeed

tactics. hey are at an e<ual disadvantage and it is diicult to say "ho "ill "in'

although the govern&ent troops are ru&oured to be de&oralised by recent ne"s

concerning the latest scandal to "rack the current govern&ent, the one about the

(eputy +inister or ousing' the call girl and the lu-ury lat in Central City:%

#5ut "ho%s your &oney on' Sir o&)% asked the intervie"er 6ovially.

#As a servant o the state / a& not allo"ed to avour one party or another'% he said' but

a note o hu&our crept into his voice, #5ut as a betting &an' &y &oney%s on the

rebels. ; the record' o course.%

#/%& sure all those &illions o vie"ers "ill understand'% the intervie"er said' #and / believe that add 5ook&akers have Captain Steele%s party at ten to one against: 5ut

"ait' "hat%s this) / can%t believe it! /n one volley' the loyalists have destroyed or

disabled the entire ront rank o advancing heroes!%

#3e sa" that "hile you "ere yakking' you slag'% /ggy said angrily. he s&oking

re&ains o iteen to t"enty rebel APCs stood across the plaa' blocking the "ay or

the ar&oured cars behind the&.

#/ have a eeling that the govern&ent "ill "in the day'% Sir o& &ur&ured.

#(on%t say that' Sir o&'% said the intervie"er in histrionic tones. #(on%t tell us that

the cause o liberty is dead!%

5ut the rebel ar&oured cars had already begun to retreat. $oyalist para&ilitaries "ere

rushing or"ard to shit the destroyed vehicles and open a path or their ar&ouredcolu&n.



#4ucking co"ards!% /ggy shouted.

#Get in there and kill the&!% ddy bello"ed. e shook his head critically. #/ could

have ought that better &ysel!%

he rebels "ere in ull retreat no"' but a gro"ing nu&ber o loyalist ar&oured cars

"ere pursuing the&' iring as they ca&e. A e" &ore P4P vehicles "ent up. he

helicopter containing the ca&era cre" began to ollo" and their shado" raced acrossthe rootops as they headed to"ards City $ink"ay' "here the P4P "ere strea&ing

a"ay "ith the govern&ent troops in ull pursuit.

#3ell' that looks like the end o the ga&e or our gallant rebels'% said the intervie"er

chattily. #And no" /%ll return you to Geri arvey in the studio:%

Stella leaned or"ard and licked the ? o.

#3e "on%t learn any &ore ro& that tart'% she said. #Any"ay' the generator "ill blo"

i "e leave it running too long. /%ll go and turn it o.%

(erek nodded as she got up and let the cellar. he &edia never sho"ed the ull story

* only the dra&atic highlights. / only he could have been there in the battle! e

"ould have used better tactics. Captain Steele "as proving hi&sel useless in the open

ield. / only they could have been there!/ only the Autarkic rotskyites could a&ass the nu&bers * and the strength * to take

on the govern&ent.

) WELCOME TO THE *$N!LE

he shop "as <uiet this early in the &orning' but (erek had been standing behind the

counter long enough or his legs to be aching. e leant against it and stared at the

clock again.

$iberty' he thought dully.e%d got the 6ob at the electrics outlet easily' "ith his <ualiications. (espite the paper

shortage' the school had sent hi& a ne" printout o his results a "eek ater he tore up

the irst set * and he "as actually grateul or this' since he didn%t think he "ould have

got the 6ob other"ise.

3as he reduced to this) 4eeling grateul or having the naest 6ob ever) e kne" that

a lot o people actively "anted 6obs, ti&id types' people "ho &ight "atch the ne"s

and "ish they "ere rebel politicians' but "ho lacked the strength o character to

pursue a political career' "ho "orked because it "as an easier lie. (erek couldn%t

understand that vie".

he pay "as &eagre' the "ork "as &ind*nu&bing * &ost o the ti&e he 6ust stood

around doing nothing! A &ore eective or& o keeping potential subversives o the

streets he couldn%t i&agine * no' an even better one &ight be to keep people actually

"orking, really "orking' not 6ust standing around.

/ggy had got the 6ob in the plastics actory that his uncle had pro&ised hi&. hey kept

hi& busy there' "orking on so&e hideous &achine &orning*noon*till*night until he

"as so "eary that he hardly had the energy to train at the "eekend. ddy had got a

shop 6ob like (erek' e-cept that he had so&eho" &anaged to ind "ork in a lingerie

outlet. o" anyone "as stupid enough to let a sicko like hi& loose in a place like that

"as beyond (erek%s co&prehension. 5ut ddy see&ed to be happy in his "ork.

ric' o course' "as une&ployed. $aura "as not pleased by this and neither "ere his

parents' "ho kept threatening to sling hi& out i he didn%t beco&e a "age slave * inact' it "ouldn%t be long beore the authorities sentenced hi& to si- &onths or &ore in



the voluntary sector, no pay' no rights' nothing e-cept ood and a roo over his head

provided by his e&ployer. e%d even have to report to the local loyalist outpost every

&orning to convince the& he hadn%t done a runner.

hey had a voluntary servant in the outlet' a taciturn &an na&ed +ulligan' "ho +r.

Shankly * the proprietor * bullied incessantly. 5ut he "as lucky to be a "age slave in a

relatively pleasant environ&ent. he chances "ere' ric "ould end up looking aterstray pets.

#Stand up straight!%

(erek 6erked upright and glanced to"ards the steps to the lat. +r. Shankly "as

standing at the botto&' glo"ering at hi&' gripping the lapels o his bro"n shop*coat

like a barrister.

#(on%t slouch' lad'% he barked' striding or"ard. is ace "as red "ith anger. #/ don%t

"ant any o &y loyal custo&ers seeing you slouching around like an out*o*"ork

hoodlu&. Gives the shop a bad na&e!%

#3hat custo&ers)% (erek &u&bled. #/%ve been here a "eek and only served eight or

nine people.%

#(on%t be insolent'% +r. Shankly said. #So you "ant to do so&ething' do you) Good.+ulligan is going to be bringing in so&e supplies at eleven and you can help hi&

unload the van' i you%re so keen.%

#ot in &y 6ob description'% (erek said.

#3hat%s that) Speak up! ob description) 8ou 6ust do as you%re told and be grateul

you%ve got a paying 6ob' or it%ll be the voluntary sector or you' &y ine lad.%

hat shut (erek up. 3ork "as bad enough' but at least he "as getting paid.

Stella had "orked out that bet"een hi&' ddy and /ggy * assu&ing prices on the

black &arket re&ained at a level * they "ould be able to a&ass the&selves a decent

ar&oury "ithin si- &onths. 5ut that ailed to take into account the need or the& all

to &ove out ro& their parents and get rented acco&&odation so&e"here. Stella had

suggested the s<uat' but (erek didn%t like the thought o turning up or a "ork ater a

night in that &usty hole.

he bell 6angled and a custo&er ca&e bu&bling in. (erek "aited patiently as the

&iddle*aged &an "andered ai&lessly up and do"n. e "ondered as ever ho" anyone

ound ti&e to co&e to the outlet. hey "ere only open during oice hours. 3hat did

all the custo&ers do)

As soon as the &an ca&e close to the counter' (erek bea&ed and said7 #Can / help

you)% in an over*cheery tone o voice.

he &an looked startled. #r' er' no'% he &u&bled. #ust' er' 6ust bro"sing.%

#;h'% (erek said. Cunt! he screa&ed "ithin the private silence o his o"n &ind. e

"atched the &an "andering ro& rack to rack. e despised the ones "ho ca&e in and&ooched around and got hi& thinking he "as actually going to do so&ething and

then:

#Stop staring at hi&'% +r. Shankly said.

9ebuked' (erek sighed and looked at the loor. e had not realised +r. Shankly "as

still there, he%d assu&ed his boss had gone o to count his &oney or so&ething.

(erek shited ro& oot to oot.

#(o you have any plastic cable clips)% the custo&er said suddenly.

#o' sir' but "e do have so&e &etal buckle clips'% (erek said helpully' indicating a

bo- on a shel nearby.

he &an looked conte&plative and sucked at his &oustache. #o' / deinitely "ant

plastic'% he said. #(on%t trust &etal.%#hey do the 6ob'% (erek said i&patiently.



#oo e-pensive' any"ay'% the custo&er snapped back.

#; course they are' sir'% +r. Shankly ooed or"ard. #4orgive the lad. e%s ne" and

he%s only 6ust learning the ropes% * (erek u&ed beside hi& * #As he says' "e don%t

have plastic B/ think they%re so &uch better &ysel' sir' but "e%re e-pecting a

delivery at eleven' so i you%d like to pop back in then "e%ll have the& ready or

you:%#o' not good enough'% said the custo&er. #/%ll take &y custo& else"here.% e

departed huily.

+r. Shankly turned on (erek. #See "hat you%ve done)% he said' his ace red. #8ou and

your idiot kno"*it*all tricks' resh out o school "ith enough <ualiications to stay on

and &ake so&ething o your lie. /%ve seen you around' / have, you and the rest o

your "ould*be rebel riends and let &e tell you' /%ll have none o your little "ays in

&y shop. / could easily send you back to the 6ob centre and then "ho%d take you on)

/t%d be voluntary service or you beore you could say ack 9obinson. 8ou%ve got

your oot in the door here' don%t go 6eopardising your chances.%

(erek sighed. /t "as so unair. #/ tried to help hi&'% he said.

#ried to help hi&)% +r. Shankly barked. #hese bloody terrorist outits say thatthey%re trying to help' but all they do is &ake a nuisance o the&selves and disrupt the

lives o honest shopkeepers. $ook at that Populist 4reedo& bunch our &onths back!

(idn%t get the& ar' did it)%

#hey%re still around'% (erek said levelly. #hey suered a big deeat the other &onth.

5ut they%re still big enough to &ake a co&eback.% e "as not sure ho" the

conversation had &oved onto politics' but at least it "as a sub6ect he could discuss

"ith authority.

#So they can disrupt honest "orking*&en like &e)% +r. Shankly said in outrage.

#3e%ll hear less o that 5olshevik talk in &y shop' lad.%

e headed into a backroo&. (erek raised t"o ingers at his retreating back, not in

celebration o victory' either. 5olshevik! e "asn%t a 5olshevik' he "as an Autarkic

rotskyite! /gnorant bastard. #onest "orking*&an%) S&all*ti&e reactionary capitalist

oppressor "as &ore like it.

+uttering to hi&sel' (erek kicked his heels and "aited or +ulligan.

elping the voluntary servant unload the supplies proved to be the &ost ulilling part

o the day and by the ti&e it "as E700' (erek "as "eary' ootsore ro& standing

around and eager to go so&e"here &ore interesting.

e got the bus ho&e in his custo&ary e-hausted dae' sitting near the ront "hen

once he "ould have lolled at the back' preerably on the top deck or &a-i&u& eect.

he bus dropped hi& o at the end o his road and he "alked ho&e in the cold

ove&ber drile.e al&ost &anaged to avoid his &other' hurrying past the ront roo& to the kitchen'

"oling do"n so&e ood and heading or the door. 5ut she had seen hi& and she

called to hi& as he passed. Soon the old argu&ent "as raging aresh. /n the end' he

6ust said7

#/%ll &ove out "hen /%& earning a "age' &u&. ill then' you%ll 6ust have to put up

"ith &e.%

She "as still shouting "hen he sla&&ed the door behind hi& and headed up the road.

3hy did she al"ays co&plain about hi& living there) /t "as not as i she sa" &uch

o hi&. She used that as an argu&ent against hi& "hen she couldn%t ind anything

better to shout about.

As he &ade his "ay through the streets to"ards the s<uat' he ailed to notice a blackvan trailing hi&' t"o hundred yards up the road.



#(rink this' Captain'% Stella said as he entered the cellar. She oered hi& a bottle o

beer. #8ou look like you could do "ith one.%

he rest o the action &e&bers "ere already there and the ? "as "orking' sho"ing

the end credits o 9evolution! (erek slu&ped do"n' knocked back the beer and

"atched the ne"s.

othing &uch o interest' e-cept that the P4P had regained so&e ground in CentralCity. 5ut out here in the provinces it see&ed irrelevant. e turned to the others.

#/%& starting to consider living here'% he said. #/%ve been looking into getting a lat' but

+aureen says "e%ll never be able to &ove out "hile "e%re earning "hat "e are.%

ric looked up at that. e had $aura hanging on his ar& as usual. #/%& thinking about

&oving in here too'% he said gloo&ily. #/%& having no luck getting a 6ob.%

#And you don%t "ant to beco&e a voluntary servant'% $aura re&inded hi& <uietly. e

looked at her "ith troubled eyes.

#o' / don%t. 5ut / "ant a place or: us.%

#aven%t you got a lat)% (erek asked. $aura looked startled. #8eah' you'% (erek

added rudely. he girl shook her head.

#$aura lives "ith her parents in 9etail Park'% ric said. #/ "anted to give herso&e"here good to live.%

(erek nodded. #he only "ay / can see it is i "e asse&ble the "hole action'

including the ones out in the eights and the rest and go up against the Populist

(e&ocrats again. / hear they%ve got the&selves so&ething o an arsenal no" * ru&our

says so&e capitalist &ust be supporting the&' so&eone "ho preers their ascist

policies to those o the P4P. he &ore o the& "e kill or sub6ugate' the &ore guns

"e%ll have.%

#5ut then "e%ll have &ore people and not enough guns to go round'% Stella pointed

out "ith her usual practicality.

#And / don%t like the idea o going up against the Populist (e&ocrats too oten'% /ggy

said.

(erek pursed his lips. #3ell' think about it'% he said. e got to his eet. #/ can%t stay

long. / said /%d take +aureen out or a &eal. Can%t aord it really' but she says she

&ight be able to help us get "eapons cheap' so it &ight be "orth it in the long run.%

e headed or the steps.

#So "hat%s the big deal' then)% (erek asked' leaning across the candle*lit table.

+aureen sighed and glanced around the restaurant. /t "as <uiet' "ith only a e" other

couples like the&selves scattered about the roo&.

#/ thought this "as going to be a ro&antic night out'% she co&plained. #ot &ore talk

about politics.%(erek sco"led and then decided to change tactics. e put his hand over hers. e "as

about to say so&ething suitably ro&antic to &ake up or his blunder "hen the "aiter

appeared "ith their order.

hey began eating in a co&panionable silence. (erek "as the irst to break it. #/t%s

6ust that last night you said so&ething about getting the action so&e "eapons'% he

said.

+aureen thre" do"n her knie and ork and glared at hi&. #3hat)% he said' hurt by

her e-pression.

(erek hated restaurants. e had only started going to the& or +aureen%s sake. e

never kne" "hich knie to use and al"ays elt unco&ortable "earing civvies.

5esides' it cost too &uch.



#/ thought this "ould 6ust be about us'% +aureen said' her voice lo". #ot about the

bloody action.%

#5ut / thought you liked &e being in politics'% (erek said' hurt again. She looked at

hi& or a &o&ent "ith those soulul eyes.

#/ do' (erek'% she said delicately. #5ut so&eti&es a girl likes to talk about: other

things.%#$ike "hat)% he asked blankly.

#/ said' didn%t /)% she said. #s.%

#3hat about =us>)% he said. +ay as "ell play along "ith her' he told hi&sel. Give her

"hat she "anted and then get "hat he "anted in return.

#;h' you "ouldn%t understand'% she said angrily.

hey ate on in silence.

#/' er' / like your dress'% (erek said ater a "hile. +aureen looked up.

#(on%t try to latter &e'% she said' but he could see she "as secretly pleased.

#/t really goes "ith your eyes'% he added. #(id / ever tell you that you "ere beautiul)%

She laughed' startled and looked do"n at her &eal. hen she glanced back up at hi&'

her e-pression &ysterious.#/%&: /%& not really. A& /)% she said in a lo" voice. hey "ere silent or a &o&ent.

#So' about these "eapons:% (erek said' considering her &olliied.

She ro"ned and took an angry orkul o lasagne. #8ou%ve got a one*track &ind'

(erek'% she co&plained. #rouble is' it%s never on the right track or &e.%

#ust tell &e about the& and /%ll stop asking'% (erek said. e thought that sounded

like a reasonable ulti&atu&. e hated it "hen +aureen started acting like a character

ro& one o those boring old soap operas his &u& "atched' but he had to grin and

bear it. #hen "e can talk about "hatever it is you "anna talk about'% he added

generously.

#/ can%t talk about it here'% she said' glancing at the other diners. #/t%ll have to "ait.%

(erek sighed "ith disappoint&ent.

he night "ent &ore s&oothly ater that' as (erek re&e&bered the right things to say

and the right cutlery to use. +aureen "as a perectly intelligent "o&an "ho took a

keen interest in politics and all the &ore i&portant things o lie' despite her 6ob "ith

9etail Park council. 5ut every no" and then' she e-pected hi& to treat her as i she

"as nothing &ore than a brainless bi&bo. e only "ent along "ith it because he elt

that he had to keep her happy. ;ther"ise she "ould not give hi& her advice' "hich he

ound invaluable.

$ater' they "ere lying together in bed' lushed and content. /n the dark' she began to

talk.

#(o you kno" anything about ho" the loyalist &ilitias are set up)% she asked.#/ kno" they start out as rebels. hey%re the big rebel actions "ho help a govern&ent

into po"er and ight or the& as long as the people support the party.%

#hey%re ar better organised than your action'% +aureen said. #hey have entire

buildings ull o civil servants "ho ensure that their control o the constituency runs

s&oothly.%

#hat%s "hat you do' isn%t it)% (erek asked.

e had been <uite shocked "hen she told hi& that she "orked or the loyalists and

despite everything she had said about it being =only a civil service 6ob>' the

suspicions had lingered and his eelings to"ards her had cooled. 5ut "hen she

sho"ed no sign o turning the& in to the authorities' he concluded that she did indeed

treat her 6ob as a 6ob and nothing &ore. /t provided enough &oney or her to live in aairly decent lat and to have un "ith rebel politicians at the "eekend' "hich "as



&ore than could be said or (erek%s o"n career. 5ut she "as a prisoner o it * that "as

"hy she "as no longer a rebel' ater all.

e realised he had not been listening to her.

#...consign&ent o guns no one see&s to kno" "hat to do "ith' so they%re being

destroyed.%

#3hat)% (erek asked' startled. er reerence to guns &ade hi& listen up.#/ kno"'% she said. #ypical o this govern&ent. hey &ake a &istake and rather than

ad&it it or do so&ething constructive about it' they 6ust s"eep it under the carpet'

costing the ta-*payer &illions.%

#o" tragic'% (erek said. #5ut "here are these guns gonna be destroyed)%

#/ told you. A =top secret location in 9etail Park>' as the report said. he urnaces on

$ink"ay orth.%

#3hen)%

She turned to"ards hi& angrily.

#8ou haven%t been listening' have you) / risk &y 6ob to get you this inor&ation and

you don%t even listen.%

#/ "as listening'% he lied. #/ 6ust "anna go over the acts again.%#his Saturday night' at N71E' the lorry "ill arrive at the urnace. hen the guns "ill

be shipped out in crates and taken to the urnace to be destroyed. 8ou%ll have about

ive &inutes in "hich you can seie the&.%

(erek "as "orried. #5ut that "ould be stealing'% he &ur&ured. #/ the &edia heard

about this:%

She sighed. #So you &ake sure no*one recognises you'% she said si&ply. #(o / have to

"ork everything out or you)%

(erek elt bashul and reached out in the dark to stroke her thigh tenderly.

#+aureen' you%re a treasure'% he said sincerely. #/ can%t tell you ho" grateul / a&.%

#o'% she "hispered' as her hands slipped do"n his sto&ach to"ards his groin. #5ut

you could at least have the decency to sho" &e.%

e gasped "ith pleasure and she dre" hi& close.

#3ell' / don%t like the sound o it'% ric said' in the cellar the ne-t night. #/ think

+aureen hasn%t thought it out.%

#8eah'% ddy said. #9e&e&ber ho" antsy +ick got "hen / robbed that outlet) /t

"on%t look good.%

(erek shook his head dis&issively. #/ no one links the thet to us and the &edia never

learn about it' "e can get a"ay scot*ree.% he others looked doubtul. #Co&e on'

co&rades! o" are "e gonna get in po"er "ithout cutting a e" corners) / said "e%d

be the govern&ent by the end o the year. /t%s ove&ber no" and the currentgovern&ent have been there or t"elve &onths. he P4P are going no"here. / "e

seie this chance' "e could be in a position to take Govern&ent 5uildings by ne-t

spring.%

#So not by Christ&as' then)% /ggy said sarcastically.

(erek "as oended. #3e%ve &et "ith a e" setbacks'% he ad&itted. #5ut that%s no

reason to give up. 3e%re gonna get to the top' co&rades * "e have to!%

#e%s right'% ric said. #3e%re going no"here other"ise.%

ddy spread his hands placatingly. #/%& "illing to do it'% he said. #5ut don%t bla&e &e

i "e lose support over it.%

Ater that' the others began to co&e round to the idea. #So it%s i-ed' right)% (erek

said inally. #his Saturday' okay)%he action &e&bers nodded unenthusiastically.



#3e%ll do it'% /ggy said.

#/%& still not sure about this'% ric said as they crouched do"n behind a set o giant

bins' at the edge o the yard by the urnace entrance. $ike the others' he "ore an

anony&ous black balaclava and black atigues. #Surely they%ve got guns)%

#o" d%you "ork that out)% (erek asked curiously.#hey%ve got a "hole supply o the&!% ddy said. #And "e%ve only got t"o!%

(erek patted the stock o his /ngra&. #he dierence is' ours are loaded.%

#8ou &ean "e "on%t be getting any a&&o out o this 6aunt)% Stella said.

#hey%re only destroying a consign&ent o guns'% (erek said. #5ut "e%ll be able to

aord a&&o' even ro& +ick' ater a e" &: * @uiet!%

he sound o an approaching lorry ca&e ro& beyond the ence and they ducked their

heads back. Ater a &o&ent' (erek peered cautiously round the side o his bin.

he gates "ere open and the lorry "as driving slo"ly through the&. A couple o &en

appeared ro& the entrance to the urnace buildings. he lorry driver parked his

vehicle in ront o the& and then 6u&ped do"n' ollo"ed by t"o other &en. (erek%s

heart sank. e had &is6udged things. All three &en "ere loyalists and all three "erear&ed.

#his is a lo"*key operation'% the leader o the loyalists "as heard to say to the

urnace "orkers. #3e don%t "ant to attract any attention. So get those crates out o the

back o the truck and chuck the& in the urnace' at the double.% he &en &oved to

obey.

(erek rolled back to the others. #$oyalists!% he said. e had been e-pecting voluntary

"orkers.

#Ar&ed)% asked ddy' cradling his gun.

#; course!% (erek said. #$isten. ere%s the plan. 3e shoot do"n at least t"o ro&

cover. hen concentrate our ire on the survivor:%

#3hat%s that)% a voice rapped ro& the yard. #3hitlock' iggins * check out those

bins.%

#o"!% (erek said. e rolled out ro& behind the bin' opening ire at the advancing

couple o loyalists as he did so.

ddy thrust his barrel through a gap bet"een t"o bins and ired a burst. he t"o

rebels scythed the yard "ith gunire' cutting do"n the advancing loyalists beore they

had loosed o &ore than a couple o shots.

he urnace "orkers dropped the crate o guns they "ere carrying and hit the deck.

he loyalist captain opened ire on the bins then leapt behind the lorry "hen the t"o

rebels ired back. A big &istake.

(erek sa" ddy train his gun on the lorry.#;!% he yelled' but the hysterical chatter o &achine gun ire dro"ned out his "ords.

A split second later' an i&&ense ireball ripped out across the yard as the petrol tank

o the lorry e-ploded' briely illu&inating the surrounding darkness "ith a light as

bright as day. he scorching shock "ave shattered all the "indo"s in the nearby

buildings and sent the heavy bins lying' knocking the rebels to the ground.

Covering his head ro& the rain o &etal rag&ents "ith a hastily seied bin*lid'

(erek peered out to see the lorry blaing iercely. nsurprisingly' (erek sa" no sign

o the loyalist captain.

5lack*aced' ddy staggered to his eet. (erek rounded on hi& i&&ediately. #8ou

idiot!% he shouted. #o" all those guns have gone up! hey%ll be useless no". And

&ore loyalists are bound to co&e running.%



#/%& sorry' Captain'% ddy said &iserably' as the others got to their eet and stared

accusingly at hi&. #/ didn%t think.%

#8ou &ad bastard!% /ggy said in a hostile voice and the others &uttered.

#o ti&e or recri&inations'% (erek said abruptly. e s"ung round at a noise ro& the

yard. he t"o urnace "orkers had staggered to their eet.

#(on%t shoot!% one cried. (erek noticed that he had a voluntary servant%s barcodetattoo on his orehead. #(o you "ant these) ake the&!%

e "as indicating the crate they%d been carrying "hen the lorry "ent up. (erek strode

or"ard.

#;pen it!% he said. A distant siren split the night air. #Shit'% he said savagely. #ust * get

out!% he barked at the urnace "orkers. #ddy' /ggy * get this.%

he t"o Autarkic rotskyites rushed or"ard to seie the heavy crate.

#o" "hat)% /ggy asked.

#o") Get &oving!% (erek said.

he rebels didn%t stop running until they "ere streets a"ay. (erek led the& as ast as

they could go "ith t"o o the& "eighed do"n by the crate. /n the distance' the

shouting o loyalist patrollers "as audible as they descended upon the urnace buildings.

#(o you think they%ll trace us)% Stella gasped' "hen (erek called a halt.

e shook his head. #3e got a"ay beore they got there'% he said. #hey "on%t kno"

"here "e "ent and those t"o &en kno" nothing.% e turned to ddy and /ggy. #$et

&e and Stella take the crate no"'% he said. #8ou &ust be knackered.%

#8es' Captain'% /ggy said grateully and ddy nodded silently.

#o" let%s get &oving!% (erek ba"led. hey headed o into the &ae o back streets'

at the double.

Preoccupied "ith their light' they ailed to notice the black van as it rounded a nearby

corner and began to trail the&.

+ WHEN THE !OIN! !ETS TO$!H

5eore hal an hour "as out' they "ere back in the s<uat. hey clattered do"n the

steps into the dark shelter o the cellar to be greeted by 9enJ and the others "ho had

not 6oined the &ission. ;nly once they had all sat do"n and caught their breath did

(erek really elt sae.

#+ission acco&plished)% asked 9enJ doubtully' eyeing the single crate.

#5y the skin o our teeth'% /ggy said.

#3ith no help ro& ddy'% ric said bitterly. ddy%s head drooped.

#o &atter'% (erek said. #5ut / suggest he uses his brain ne-t ti&e.% e seied a

6e&&y and levered open the crate. (erek heard a &ur&ur ro& the others as he lited

the lid to reveal about t"enty eckler Hoch GN assault riles.

#here%s enough here or the "hole action'% ddy breathed. e looked nervously

round at the others. #3e didn%t need any &ore than this' did "e)%

(erek lited one o the riles out and held it in his hands' gaing at it lovingly'

"atching "ith ascination as the candlelight played upon its blue*grey &etal surace.

e shook his head.

#3ith "eapons like these'% he said' #"e could orce the Populist (e&ocrats to accept

our policies in no ti&e. 3e could even take on the loyalists:%#3e need a&&o' though'% /ggy said. #3hat kind o a&&o do they take)%



(erek "ished he had paid &ore attention to +aureen. #/%ll ind out'% he pro&ised.

#3e%ll get these s&uggled out to our other brigades. 9enJ' Stella' /%ll leave it to you to

organise that.% he t"o siblings had responsibility or 9etail Park' the eights and the

rest o the Autarkic rotskyite strongholds. #And "e%re gonna need a air bit o

practice.% Abruptly' he levelled the rile at ddy. S<uinting do"n the barrel' he added7

#5ut "hen "e%re ready' heaven help anyone "ho gets in our "ay:%

5ut by the ti&e the entire action had been trained to an ade<uate standard and had

a&assed a decent arsenal' Christ&as "as long gone and they "ere into the e" 8ear.

(erek "as practically seventeen beore the action sa" any &ore action.

hose &onths sa" &ore changes and they "ere hard on the young politicians. ric

led ho&e in 4ebruary' leaving no or"arding address' t"o days beore he "as

scheduled to receive the indelible tattoos that "ould &ark hi& a voluntary servant

orever * even i he could ind paid e&ploy&ent in the uture. e took up residence in

the s<uat and it "as not long beore $aura 6oined hi&.

ddy lost his 6ob or reasons he reused to discuss' involving a changing roo& and the

"ie o a senior civil servant' but he had &anaged to save enough &oney beorehandto buy a e" crates o a&&o ro& +ick. e ended up in the s<uat "ith the others

during that icy "inter.

/ggy and (erek &anaged to retain their 6obs' =like hungover &en keeping do"n their

breakast'> as /ggy so elo<uently put it. 5ut eventually both elected to 6oin the others

in the s<uat.

hose &onths hardened the action. heir &utual suering brought the& closer'

"elding the& together into a tightly knit band o dedicated revolutionaries. ach

"eekend they "ould practice ighting techni<ues' using up valuable a&&unition to

enhance their techni<ue, &ost nights in the "eek' though' they "ere too "eary to

practice and used to huddle round a braier' drinking vile hooch 9enJ had concocted

ro& ruit 6uice and &ar&ite' until they ell asleep.

(erek spent &uch o that "inter in a black gloo&. o action "ould ight beore

spring' e-cept the Popular 4reedo& Party and they "ere out o their league * too busy

ighting the loyalists' besides. e elt rustrated "ith his lie, it see&ed to be stuck

ast in rigid i&&obility and he "as going no"here. he 6ob "as &onotonous and +r.

Shankly bullied hi& incessantly' sneering at his politics' criticising his dress sense and

see&ingly doing everything he could to &ake his e&ployee%s lie a &isery. (erek

gre" short*te&pered and taciturn' harshly driving the others on to practice "henever

he "as not in one o his black &oods.

;ne night they huddled into a political rally held by the Popular 4reedo& Party'

"here Captain Steele announced to the cro"d that they had al&ost gained control oCentral City and that soon the land "ould be theirs. hat "inter the party "as touring

the provinces again' dru&&ing up support ro& the disaected people o society%s

&argins. 3hen Captain Steele asked or ne" &e&bers at the end o the rally' Stella

suggested the Autarkic rotskyites pledge allegiance' but (erek had obstinately

reused to consider the idea.

#3hat "ould "e be under the&)% he spat' in the cellar ater"ards. e looked round at

the action' "ho had gathered ro& the surrounding constituencies to discuss the

P4P%s announce&ents.

#3e%d be part o a successul party'% /ggy said <uietly.

#3e%d be nothing!% (erek said. #o &ore than cannon odder' pa"ns they could

sacriice in their struggle to seie control. ven i they did take Govern&ent5uildings' "e "ould beco&e no &ore than a local loyalist &ilitia.



#3hat "ould that &ean' e-cept routine police "ork and local govern&ent' "hile the

/nner Party scre"ed and s"illed and snorted and s&oked the&selves stupid on

everything po"er could buy) / "ant &ore or &y action. very one o you in this

roo& could be part o &y cabinet' i "e took over.%

#3hat about $aura)% ric asked. e "as sitting in the corner "ith his ar& around her.

(erek glanced over.#4action &e&bers only'% he said unpleasantly.

e had never liked the eect $aura had on ric * the lad "as enough o an idiot

"ithout her encouraging hi& to think he could get a decent 6ob and settle do"n. 5ut

since leaving ho&e he see&ed to have beco&e entirely dependent on her.

#Captain'% ric said slo"ly. #3hat: "hat i she 6oined the action)%

(erek olded his ar&s and looked i&patient. #3hat "ill she contribute) /%ve had

enough o this' ric. She%s your girlriend' that%s all. (o / let +aureen run &y lie)%

e had only seen her a e" ti&es during the last couple o &onths' on a couple o

occasions "hen he had begged his "ay into the "ar&th o her bed. hey "ere going

through a rough patch. #(oes ddy let "o&en tell hi& "hat to do)% he added. #(oes

/ggy)% o be air' /ggy see&ed to have no interest in girls' but (erek "anted to sho"ric that there "ere other "ays to carry on. #Any"ay' can she use a gun)%

he couple e-changed glances. ric nodded. #Captain:% he said slo"ly. #She can use

a gun. /%ve been teaching her.% he "ords ca&e out in a rush. #She%s pretty good' /

reckon. / reckon she%s good enough to 6oin us. / reckon:%

#o" have you been training her)% (erek asked angrily. e noticed the "atching

cro"d. #4orget it. /%ll talk to you later.%

e continued to harangue the action. ventually it "as decided that they "ould resist

all re<uests or support ro& the Popular 4reedo& Party' on the grounds that this

"ould gain the& nothing in the long ter&. he voting "as al&ost unani&ous.

he &eeting broke up. he action &e&bers ro& other constituencies heaved on their

heavy coats and set out into the cold night. he rest cracked open a e" bottles o beer

and settled do"n to another night round the braier.

3hile this "as going on' (erek took ric o into a corner. #ell &e about ho" you%ve

been training $aura'% he instructed.

#/%ve been lending her &y gun'% ric said. #And so&e o &y training a&&o ration as

"ell. 3e%ve been practising on the "aste ground:%

#8ou%ve been "asting a&&o on her)%

ric cringed. #She%s a good shot' Captain. She%s as good as the rest o us.%

(erek scratched his chin. he &ore the &errier' o course. o reason to assu&e she

"ould be useless. e licked a glance at her' sitting <uietly in the corner. e could not

put his inger on "hat it "as that &ade hi& so uneasy about her. /t "as not se-is& *(erek had no such pre6udices. Stella "as a decent shot and it had turned out that

+aureen kne" &ore about politics than the rest o the& put together. e sighed

"earily.

#?ery "ell'% he said dis&ally. #;ur irst ight o the year "ill be ne-t &onth. he

Populist (e&ocrats "anna get their cla"s on $iberty Park again' so they%ve issued us

a challenge. 5ring her along and "e%ll see.%

ric%s ace lit up. e thanked (erek prousely and rushed over to $aura to tell her.

hey ought the irst ight o the year one cold evening in +arch. Stea& drited ro&

the Autarkic rotskyites% &ouths "henever they spoke' during the approach on the

ruinous street in $iberty Park "here they had agreed to &eet the Populist (e&ocrats.



#o your positions'% (erek barked' cli&bing out o the back o 9enJ%s transit van. e

had &obilised the entire action' ro& all the constituencies they held and told the& to

&eet here' on this side road o City $ink"ay. ;ne o the groups "as the $iberty Park

brigade' "ho had or&erly been &e&bers o the Populist (e&ocrats.

#3hich direction "ill they co&e ro&)% (erek asked their leader' a rangy &an in his

early t"enties' called (ave.#hey%ll co&e ro& do"n there'% (ave said' pointing at the ar end o the street.

#hat%s i they%re co&ing straight ro& their central constituency.%

(erek idly "atched ric helping $aura load her gun. She "ould not be on the ront

line in this battle' he had decided, she &ight be a good shot' but anyone "ithout battle

e-perience "as a liability.

#veryone in cover'% (erek ordered. #-cept ddy' /ggy' ric and Stella. Heep your

guns trained on the end o the street.%

#Can%t $aura co&e "ith us)% ric asked. (erek turned to hi&.

#3e%ll be on the ront line'% he said' tapping ric%s Hevlar 6acket. All the &ain action

&e&bers "ore Hevlar ar&our no" and they "ere slo"ly beginning to get the rest

kitted out. #he Populist (e&ocrats are better ar&ed than they used to be. (o you"ant her shot do"n in her irst ight)%

ric conceded to this. n"illingly the t"o lovers parted' $aura 6oining the action

&e&bers "ho "ere seeking cover behind "alls and corners. (erek surprised hi&sel

by thinking o +aureen. She "ould not be here, e" people turned up to see gun*

battles' they "ere too dangerous. 5ut (erek noticed a nu&ber o supporters crouching

by a ruined "all at the end o the street.

As he helped (erek set up the traditional oilcan braiers' /ggy said7 #o" do you

kno" "e can trust the&)%

#3ho)% (erek asked.

#(ave and his lot'% /ggy said. #hey used to be in the Populist (e&ocrats.%

(erek glanced at hi&. #Si&ple. / they betray us' "ho "ould be prepared to take the&

on) he Populist (e&ocrats "ouldn%t' not i they have any sense. And no one else

"ill trust the&.%

#5ut haven%t they betrayed their o"n action by 6oining us)% /ggy asked.

(erek shook his head. e lit the irst braier. #hey%ve accepted allegiance to the

action "ho took their constituency. Part o the ter&s and conditions "e &ade "ith

the Populist (e&ocrats as a "hole. /t%s a dierent &atter.%

/ggy shook his head. hey set the second braier do"n ten eet across ro& the irst.

#/ hate this syste&'% he said. #/t &akes no sense. / can never get the hang o it. And it

&akes people act like ani&als' al"ays struggling or po"er or grovelling to anyone

tougher than the&. /t%s 6ust dog eat dog.%#hat%s the syste&'% (erek said' igniting the second braier. #;nly the strong' only

those =&ost itted to rule>' get to the top. (idn%t you ever listen in Citienship)%

/ggy scratched his nose. #/t al"ays &ade &ore sense at school'% he ad&itted. #5ut this

* it%s sick!%

#So)% (erek said. #/t%s not so dierent ro& other kinds o politics. 5ut "e%re ighting

against the syste&. / "e get into po"er' "e%ll put an end to all this.%

/ggy looked troubled and "as about to reply "hen so&eone shouted ro& do"n the

street.

#Captain Apocalypse! Prepare to accept the superiority o the Populist (e&ocratic

4action!%

he Populist (e&ocrats' nu&bering about t"enty' stood at the end o the street' theirclose*shaven heads glinting dully in the sodiu& yello" o the street la&ps. his



action ollo"ed the deeply unashionable doctrines o t"entieth*century national

socialis&. /t "as surprising ho" &uch support they had gained' even i the ru&ours

about capitalist sponsors "ere untrue. Perhaps their ollo"ers "ere &ore "illing to

put their trust in a action "ho never even clai&ed it "ould liberate the&. hey had a

lot o support in the provinces.

Co&bat boots crunched on tar&ac as the Populist (e&ocrats &arched to"ards theAutarkic rotskyites' carrying an assort&ent o &achine guns' assault riles and other

pro6ectile "eapons. 9eaching a halt about thirty eet a"ay' they glared at the ive

Autarkic rotskyites.

heir leader' kno"n as Captain 3ole' lu&bered or"ard. is hair "as close*cropped'

his brutal ace "as 6o"led' his piggy eyes sho"ed no intelligence.

#3e outnu&ber you'% he said. #8ou%re ucking outnu&bered: three to one. Accept

&e as your captain and give &e your constituency. o"' Captain Apocalypse.%

(erek shook his head e&phatically. #8ou%ll have to ight us'% he said. #Are you ready

to do that)%

#8eah'% Captain 3ole said arrogantly. e turned to his &en. #;i' you "orthless sacks

o shit! 4i:%#4ire!% (erek yelled' beore Captain 3ole could inish. /&&ediately' the concealed

troops opened ire on the Populist (e&ocrats' ollo"ed by (erek%s o"n contingent.

al the Populist (e&ocrats ell in the irst burst. he survivors ired back and the

ive Autarkic rotskyites ducked or cover' iring as they "ent.

3ole levelled a pistol at (erek' "ho dodged round it and ca&e in lo" "ith a bayonet

he had recently bought ro& +ick and ohn. hat "as the beginning o the hand*to*

hand co&bat. he Autarkic rotskyites rushed into the street ro& either side and the

Populist (e&ocrats stood ir& to deend the&selves ro& the onslaught.

(erek opened up a deep gouge across 3ole%s chest. he Populist (e&ocrat dropped

his gun and ca&e at (erek "ith a pair o knuckle*dusters. (erek dodged again and

then sank his steel into the Populist (e&ocrat%s leg. Groaning' Captain 3ole s"ung a

punch at (erek%s sto&ach.

3inded' the Autarkic rotskyite staggered back and doubled over' "heeing.

+anully' he orced hi&sel back up to see 3ole had slu&ped to the ground'

clutching in agony at his "ounded thigh.

(erek seied the chance to scan the surrounding battle. As he "atched' he sa" /ggy

cut do"n one o the ene&y' a &anic glea& in his eyes. ric and $aura "ere back to

back' ighting o the Populist (e&ocrats. $aura "as sobbing and her eyes "ere shut

as she lashed out "ith a co&bat knie' but even as he "atched' (erek sa" her ell one

o her attackers.

he ighting bet"een the e-*Populist (e&ocrats and their erst"hile co&rades "assavage. 5lood lo"ed in the gutter and t"isted bodies littered the street. (erek "as

dis&ayed to see that his losses "ere beginning to even out "ith the other action.

e stepped or"ard' seied the "eakened captain o the Populist (e&ocrats and

heaved hi& to his eet. 3ole struggled' but stopped "hen (erek orced hi& to vie"

the surrounding struggle.

#ell your co&rades to sub&it'% (erek ordered. #;r they%ll all die.%

3ole shook his head deiantly. #o surrender. (eath or glory.% e sounded al&ost

delirious.

(erek shook hi& savagely. An Autarkic rotskyite collapsed to the tar&ac nearby'

blood seeping across the road surace.

#/t%s a bloodbath!% (erek said. #ither accept &e as captain or see all your co&radesdie!%



#(eath or glory'% 3ole said.

#ever &ind the rhetoric' dickhead'% snarled (erek. e noticed the audience at the

end o the street had crept closer during the hand*to*hand phase o the co&bat. e

peered at the&' catching sight o a ca&era&an. is heart thudded "ith e-cite&ent.

his "as it! hey "ere close to the pulse no". hey "ere receiving &edia attention!

Perhaps it "as directed at the Populist (e&ocrats' but it settled one thing. heAutarkic rotskyites had to "in!

e raised his voice. #Accept &e as captain'% he shouted. #Pledge allegiance to &e and

there "ill be no &ore bloodshed!%

he re&aining Populist (e&ocratic 4action &e&bers * si- in total' our o the&

severely "ounded * paused at these "ords.

#o surrender!% shouted Captain 3ole. #4ight till the last &an!%

;ne o the Populist (e&ocrats raised his hands. ;ne by one' the others copied his

e-a&ple until only their captain re&ained deiant.

he ca&era cre" "as &oving in closer' no" that the danger see&ed past. Captain

3ole turned to"ards the&. (erek noticed an incongruous igure a&ongst the scruy

reporters' a tall' thin &an "earing a suit and a bo"ler hat' looking or all the "orldlike a city gent. /t see&ed that 3ole%s "ords "ere ai&ed at this &an.

#/ have been betrayed'% he said loudly. #hese co"ards have betrayed &e. 5ut / "ill

not go do"n "ithout a ight.%

;ne o his or&er action &e&bers stepped or"ard. #Give it up' &an'% he pleaded.

#4or your o"n sake. hese Autarkic rotskyites are our superiors. 8ou al"ays said "e

should respect the strong and sub&it to those &ost itted to rule.%

3ole looked at the ground and said angrily7 #o surrender!%

A shapely blonde reporter stepped or"ard.

#his is clearly a pivotal &o&ent or the Populist (e&ocratic 4action' "hose progress

the +odern Politics sho" has been ollo"ing or so&e &onths'% she told the ca&era.

hat e-plained it' thought (erek. +odern Politics "as a late*night sho" that covered

the deeds o the &ore reactionary underground actions. She approached 3ole. #/t

see&s that your glory is at an end' captain'% she said. #(o you still cling to the hope

that your retro*ascist ideals have any place in conte&porary politics)%

#o surrender'% said 3ole' glaring around at the unsy&pathetic aces surrounding

hi&. #o surrender!% e looked to the city gent "ith appeal in his eyes. #Can%t you

help &e)% he said.

he &an shook his head and stepped back into the shado"s. 5etrayed' 3ole li&ped

a"ay through the cro"d' "hich parted on either side o hi&' as i he "as a leper.

Slo"ly' he hobbled do"n the road. he ca&era&an ollo"ed his progress' as he

slipped and slithered a"ay and then turned back to the &ain scene o the dra&a.he Populist (e&ocrat "ho had spoken thre" do"n his gun at (erek%s eet and knelt

do"n. is co&panions copied hi&.

#3ill you accept us and our constituencies as your o"n)% the or&er Populist

(e&ocrat asked.

#(o you pledge allegiance to the policies o the Autarkic rotskyite 4action)% (erek

rattled o the "ords al&ost by rote' nervously a"are that the ca&era cre" "ere

ollo"ing their every &ove. (erek elt as sel*conscious as he had done beore his

irst ight. 5ack then the audience had been iteen or t"enty people. o") 3ell'

+odern Politics "asn%t 9evolution!' but people "atched it.

he or&er Populist (e&ocrat nodded. #3e are your co&rades' i you%ll accept us.%



#/ accept you'% (erek conir&ed. #8ou are Autarkic rotskyites no" and "e take as

our o"n your constituencies o unction "o' orthern Corridor' City $i&its and

/nner Oone.%

he reporter stepped or"ard' the ca&era ollo"ing her. #8ou have seied control o

ive constituencies in the provinces' captain'% she said. #o" do you eel)%

#4ucking e-cellent'% (erek said.#Cut!% screa&ed the director. e ran or"ard angrily. #3e%ll have to take that again'

idiot'% he said. #Ans"er the <uestion' but "ash your ilthy &outh out irst'

understand)%

(erek sco"led. #8ou ucking dickhead:% he began.

/ggy grabbed his ar&. #(erek!% he said. #his is the &edia! 3e need their support.%

(erek &uttered to hi&sel. e turned to the director. #Alright' take it ro& the top'

then.%

he ca&eras rolled' the intervie"er approached a second ti&e and the intervie"

continued.

(erek spent the ne-t day in a blissul hae. All that &arred it "as the need to go to bed early' since he had to go do"n to the shop the ne-t &orning. he action

"andered around ;utlet ?illage and every"here they "ent they "ere recognised by

people "ho had been "atching +odern Politics' or "ho had heard the ne"s ro&

other people. hey even bu&ped into their old teacher +r. argreaves' "ho had the

good grace to congratulate the&' but "arned the& against allo"ing success to go to

their heads. hey 6ust laughed at hi&.

hat night' (erek slept "ith Stella or the irst ti&e.

5ut co&e +onday &orning it "as back to the shop again. (erek "alked to the bus

stop' thinking deep thoughts about a&e and ortune. hey "ere inally on the right

tracks. hey had recognition. o" all they needed "as sponsorship and a e" rallies

to dru& up support and they%d be in po"er! (einitely by ne-t Christ&as' he told

hi&sel.

e stopped at a corner shop to buy so&ething to drink. he radio "as on and as he

handed the &oney over' the &artial &usic it "as playing ca&e to an end and a

breathless announcer said7

#And no" the &o&ent you%ve all been "aiting or * the ne" $eader%s address to the

nation.%

#3hat)% (erek said' dropping his drink. he shopkeeper looked at hi&' startled.

#3eren%t you "atching ? last night)% he asked.

#3hat)% (erek said' as the voice o Captain Steele crackled ro& the speaker. #o' our

? "asn%t "orking.%he shopkeeper shook his head.

#...pro&ise liberty or all our citiens'% Steele "as declai&ing. #Gone are the chains o

thraldo& "ith "hich the or&er govern&ent ettered you:%

#he Popular 4reedo& Party seied control o Govern&ent 5uildings late last night'%

said the shopkeeper. #/ thought you kids "ere supposed to ollo" politics these days.%

(erek stared at the radio in horriied silence' as Steele pro&ised liberty' e<uality and

reedo& or all' a golden uture in "hich even ive year olds "ould have the vote'

there "ould be 6obs or all and no one "ould be orced to suer and struggle and shed

blood in the vain hope o changing the syste&.

/n a e" seconds' (erek%s entire "orld had 6ust collapsed.



REBEL WITHO$T A CL$E

#3ell' young &an'% said +r. Shankly accusingly as (erek entered the outlet. #/ hope

you%re satisied no")%

Silently' (erek took his shop*coat do"n ro& a peg on the "all and put it on. ;nlythen did he reply.

#Sorry' +r. Shankly)% he said dully.

#/ hope you are sorry'% said the proprietor. #8ou certainly "ill be. 8ou supported this

ne" govern&ent' didn%t you)%

#As a &atter o act:%

#(on%t deny it'% said +r. Shankly' sco"ling. #8ou%re a rebel supporter' / kno" it! 3ell'

/ hope you%re "ith "hat%s going to happen no" this populist party has got into po"er.%

(erek "as about to ask hi& "hat he "as getting at "hen a custo&er entered. e and

his boss stood in silence as the &an collected his purchases and paid or the& at the

counter.

;nce the custo&er had let' (erek asked his <uestion.#+aybe the &an hi&sel can tell you'% +r. Shankly said' as +ulligan entered the ront

o the shop.

#ello' sir' young (erek'% said +ulligan' cheerily' a bea&ing s&ile on his honest'

si&ple eatures. (erek "as so taken aback that he did not even return the greeting. e

had hardly heard a grunt out o the voluntary servant during all the &onths he had

been a "age slave.

#3hat are you so happy about' then)% +r. Shankly barked. #ell our young rebel

riend.%

+ulligan grinned si&ply at (erek. #8ou supported the&)% he asked. #Good on you'

young (erek.%

#8ou &ean the P4P)% (erek asked abruptly. #o. o' / didn%t. 3hy' "hat have theydone to &ake you so happy)%

#hey%re reeing the voluntary servants!% said +ulligan. #So no" / can look or "ork

else"here * and get paid or it' as "ell.%

(erek gaped. #4reeing the voluntary servants)% he asked. /ronically' this ca&e as

another blo". he ne" overdogs "ere going to do so&ething truly "orth"hile! 5ut

"ho "ould support the 9evolution no") / the P4P practiced "hat they preached'

"hat need "ould there be or a &ilitant opposition)

#And they intend to give everyone the vote'% said +r. Shankly' disapprovingly. #4or

years the Shopkeepers% Syndicate has ca&paigned or the right to de&ocratically elect

govern&ents and "e%ve had strong support ro& the other syndicates. 5ut "e%ve

al"ays been opposed to that ridiculous notion o votes or all. /t "as that kind o

populis& that brought this country to its knees and led to the &ess "e%ve been in or

the last thirty years!%

#hey%re bringing back de&ocracy)% (erek%s drea&s o political po"er "ere rapidly

ading. e elt hollo". 3hat "as he going to do no") o" could he go on) here

"as nothing let to live or!

#(e&ocracy)% spat +r. Shankly conte&ptuously. #+ob rule is &ore like it. 3hat this

country needs is govern&ent by responsible citiens "ho kno" "hat%s right and

proper and don%t allo" idiots into po"er. 3e%ve seen enough ools at the top... 3here

do you think you%re going' +ulligan)% he barked abruptly.



+ulligan had reached the door "hile they "ere arguing. At the crack o +r. Shankly%s

voice' he cringed like a dog. #5ut sir'% he said ab6ectly. #/%& ree. / can co&e and go:

as / please.%

#ot yet' you can%t'% +r. Shankly said "ith bitter satisaction. #he la"s haven%t been

passed yet. All "e have so ar are the pro&ises o a ne" party. And the past has sho"n

us ho" hollo" such pro&ises can be.%(erek looked up. ope lared briely in his gloo&y &ind. /t "as true! 4or&er

govern&ents had also pro&ised "idespread reor& on co&ing to po"er and the

reality had al"ays been radically dierent. 3as there any reason to believe that the

Popular 4reedo& Party "ould not ollo" the sa&e do"n"ard spiral into tyranny and

eventual do"nall)

e looked at +ulligan' "hose ace "as pale "ith disappoint&ent. (erek could see no

hope there. he &an had slaved so long or his e&ployer that it took little &ore than a

raised voice to crush his hopes. (erek elt the gli&&erings o guilt. /t "as selish o

hi& to hope that Steele%s govern&ent "ould be no better than the rest. heir policies

"ere good and they deserved a chance to put the& into practice.

5ut "here "ould the Autarkic rotskyites it into this glorious uture)#Get back to your duties'% +r. Shankly said in a <uiet voice. +ournully' +ulligan

crept a"ay. +r. Shankly turned to (erek.

#And "hat is your opinion on this' eh)% he asked. #/ suppose it see&s to you that evil

has been van<uished and "e can all live happily ever ater' eh)% e stepped closer.

#$et &e tell you a e" acts' &y lad. he end o voluntary service "ill &ean t"o

things. ;ne, &ore "ork or you and / can%t aord to e&ploy you' so you%ll still be a

voluntary "orker.

#And beore you start thinking about inding a 6ob' the second thing is that the 6ob

&arket "ill be looded "ith people like +ulligan' not too bright but eager to please

and ready to "ork or any &oney. So there "on%t be enough 6obs to go round and the

ones going "ill be at lo"er "ages. he "hole point behind establishing the voluntary

sector "as in order to alleviate &ass une&ploy&ent! /%& doing you a avour' &y lad'

keeping you on.%

(erek shrugged. #(oesn%t bother &e' +r. Shankly'% he said. #+ore "ork "ill 6ust

&ean less standing round doing nothing.%

+r. Shankly stared at hi&. Ater a "hile' he said7 #3ell' /%& glad you like the sound

o it' &y lad. / suppose you see this as one o the &any beneits o the brave ne"

"orld the govern&ent pro&ises us. 5ut 6ust you "ait. hey "on%t be there or long i

they carry on like this. /t "as support ro& people like &e that got the& "here they

are today' inancial support ro& honest "orking*&en' not lay "ork*shy "ould*be

rebels like you. And i they don%t ko"*to" to our "ishes' they%ll soon be out on theirear. nderstood) So stop s&irking.%

(erek "iped the s&ile o his ace' but he "as still grinning inside. ; course! he

thought. he capitalists! e hadn%t thought o the&.

he Autarkic rotskyites held an e&ergency &eeting that night' to discuss their uture

and ind so&e 6ustiication or their continued e-istence. he entire action cro"ded

into the cellar to hear "hat (erek and the others had to say.

#3e don%t kno" the P4P "ill do "hat they pro&ise'% (erek "as shouting heatedly' a

<uarter o an hour into the &eeting. So&eone ro& 9etail Park had said they had only

t"o options' either to seek &e&bership o the Popular 4reedo& Party and beco&e

loyalists' or else disband entirely. he &otion "as gaining ar too &uch support or

(erek%s liking. #Give the& a &onth or t"o' co&rades'% he added' al&ost pleading.#Give %e& enough rope.%



#3hat i they do all they%re pro&ising)% so&eone else asked. #3hat "ill "e be then)

3e%ll have no support ro& the people and none at all ro& the bourgeoisie. 3e%ll be

hunted do"n like dogs.%

#ot necessarily' co&rade'% (erek said conidently. #he govern&ent has to please

everyone i they "anna stay in oice. hey%ve gotta please the people' or they%ll lose

support. hey%ve also gotta please the ree &edia' or the papers "ill start calling oranother revolution. And they%ve gotta keep the bourgeoisie happy' or so&eone "ill

inance another party to oust the&. hey can%t keep all three balls in the air at the

sa&e ti&e. Sooner or later they%ll drop one. And that%s "here "e co&e in.%

#ave you listened to the radio)% so&eone asked. #3atched ?) ;r heard "hat

they%re saying in the pubs) he people and the &edia support the& to the hilt. So do a

lot o the capitalists /%ve spoken to.%

#hey don%t all support the overdogs'% (erek said. #he capitalists don%t like this idea

o ending voluntary service. /&agine the i&plications' co&rade! hey have a

"orkorce they don%t need to pay * so it%s all the &ore &oney or the&' the grasping

bastards. / voluntary service co&es to an end' every actory o"ner "ill have to start

paying their entire "orkorce' every shopkeeper "ill be constantly out o pocket. 3ecan use that to get ourselves into po"er.%

#5ut "on%t that &ean being at the &ercy o the bourgeoisie)% so&eone else ob6ected.

#8eah'% said another Autarkic rotskyite. #/ don%t like the sound o that.%

#Sooner or later "e%ll have to use the syste&'% (erek said. #as it never occurred to

you ho" else "ill "e be able to aord enough a&&o to take on the loyalists) he

P4P had corporate backing beore they seied po"er' co&rades' and so did every

govern&ent beore the&. Any"ay' "e "on%t need to do "hat they tell us once "e%re

the govern&ent * once "e%re securely in oice' "e can s&ash their po"er and &ake it

i&possible or the& to inluence anyone.%

#So "hy doesn%t the govern&ent do that)% asked an Autarkic rotskyite.

#hey &ight do' or all "e kno"'% /ggy said. #hen "hat' Captain)%

#3here "ould "e be in this brave ne" "orld' co&rades)% (erek asked. #here "ould

be no place or rebels. he best "e could hope or "ould be to beco&e a

de&ocratically elected opposition.%

4or so&e reason' they got the idea that (erek "as advocating such a &ove. #8ou can

orget that'% so&eone said and although (erek had been opposed to the notion' this

see&ed to turn the cro"d against hi&.

#3e don%t "ant that'% said a brutal*looking &an ro& one o the old Populist

(e&ocrat constituencies. #3e "ant po"er. All or nothing. ake it or leave it. And /%&

gonna leave it.%

e &arched up the steps. his "as taken as the signal or a &ass e-odus as otheraction &e&bers turned their backs on their captain and "alked out.

#o' "ait!% (erek cried' running desperately ater the&. #/ "asn%t saying that! 3e%ll

get po"er' believe &e. 5ut "e%ll have to ight or it:% 5ut they had already gone.

(erek turned slo"ly' an-iously' to see "ho had re&ained "ith hi& in the cellar. Stella

"as still there' her eyes sot as she looked at hi&. And 9enJ "as "ith her. here "as

/ggy * and ddy. And ric. And $aura. A e" others' &ainly people "ho had 6oined in

the early days. 5ut at least seventy*ive percent o the action &e&bers had "alked

out. (erek stared dis&ally at the loor.

Stella ca&e over and touched hi& on the shoulders. #Co&e on' love' sit do"n'% she

&ur&ured' leading hi& to the chair. #3e still believe in you.%

A lu&p clogged (erek%s throat. 5lindly' he allo"ed hi&sel to be led.



/t "as a bad year or the Autarkic rotskyites.

very day' (erek heard the Steele regi&e pro&ise changes &ore radical than anything

Autarkic rotskyis& could ever pro&ise and day by day the people and the ree &edia

that "as their &outhpiece' gre" to avour the policies o the reigning govern&ent.

ven the capitalists began to ind so&e o the ne" policies &ore to their liking. (erek

ound +r. Shankly%s burgeoning support or the Steele govern&ent &oreob6ectionable than his previous sneers.

raining took up so&e o their ti&e' but e" o the& had &uch enthusias& or it'

even (erek. heir uture see&ed bleak and utile. All they had to cling to "as the

hope that the govern&ent "ould be unable to put their populist policies into eect.

#he previous govern&ent had good policies to begin "ith'% Stella said one evening.

#3e can%t be sure that Steele "on%t turn tyrant like all the rest.%

At "ork' (erek had to listen to both +r. Shankly and +ulligan singing the praises o

Steele and his revolutionary govern&ent. 3hen he pointed out that none o the

pro&ised polices had yet been put into practice' but +r. Shankly laughed at his

naivety.

#/t takes ti&e' lad'% he told the de&oralised rebel. #8ou can%t 6ust "alt intoGovern&ent @ and set to rights all the abuses o the last thirty years in a couple o

"eeks. A lot o "ork needs to be done irst.%

+onth ater &onth' (erek "as orced to listen to the sa&e old story. e "as conident

that Steele%s populis& concealed a cynical e-ploitation o the syste&' but his clai&s

increasingly rang hollo". he ollo"ing &onths "ere placid and peaceul, apart ro&

the bloodshed that acco&panied the deposed govern&ent%s atte&pted co&eback and

the public e-ecution o pro&inent coup leaders. ven the rebel groups "ent

underground or disbanded and stopped publishing sa&idat. he &edia reported no

&ore nocturnal battles in the back streets o Central City. All "as tran<uil.

;ne night they "ere round at +aureen%s lat' drinking cheap cider disconsolately as

they did &ost nights. +onths earlier' (erek%s brie ling "ith Stella had reached an

a&icable end and +aureen accepted hi& back into her lie. She proved a great help in

those dark &onths in act' encouraging (erek to keep practising and practising in

hope o another chance at the big ti&e. She re&inded hi& again and again o the

previous govern&ent and the peaceul autu&n that had preceded the scandals o the

"inter' "hen the ree &edia had began baying or their overthro" and the P4P

appeared ro& out o no"here' happy to oblige.

#o"%s the training going' then)% she asked' as the &ilitia lounged around her roo&.

(erek "as non*co&&ittal. #;kay' / suppose'% he said. #5ut "hat%s the point) o one

"ill support us against Steele%s govern&ent. here aren%t even any other actions to

ight. he loyalists have supre&e po"er over Central City.%+aureen s&iled &ysteriously. #/ think you%ll be seeing &ore action co&e the spring'%

she said. /t "as "inter again' al"ays a bad ti&e. (erek kept thinking about the act

that he "as al&ost eighteen and he had got no"here. e &ight as "ell have never

bothered his head "ith revolutionary politics.

5ut +aureen%s encourage&ent &ight see the& through.

#3hat do you &ean)% asked /ggy suspiciously' eyeing (erek%s girlriend.

#;h' 6ust that /%ve heard other people saying "hat you%re saying'% +aureen said. #hat

Steele is all pro&ises and no action. hat he%s been in po"er over a year and nothing%s

changed.% She s&iled <uietly. #here are still rebel actions out there. 5ut everything

has changed in the 9evolution. 8ou%ll have to kno" "here to look beore you can

ight your "ay back to the top.%



(erek "as gloo&y. #ven then' the overdogs "ill have to lose a lot o popularity

beore our street ights are at all signiicant'% he said. #5ut ho" are "e gonna ind out

"here these rebels hang out i everything%s changed) (o you kno" ho" "e can

contact the&) 3e can%t challenge the bastards i "e can%t ind the&.%

She shook her head. #Can%t you think o anyone "ho keeps their ears to the ground)

;r the underground' you &ight say. (on%t e-pect &e to help you out all the ti&e.%(erek ro"ned. #/ don%t kno"'% he said. #he 9evolution%s dead' any"ay.%

#3hat about +ick)% ric asked.

hey all looked at hi&. #hat%s not a bad point'% /ggy said. #+aybe ric%s not as thick

as "e%ve al"ays reckoned. as anyone seen +ick since the P4P got into po"er)%

ric bea&ed at the co&pli&ent' until $aura poked hi& sharply in the ribs.

#;"!% he said and looked sha&eaced. #Actually $aura suggested it to &e'% he

&u&bled.

#3ell' "ell' "ell'% +ick said cheerily' as (erek and the others entered the lat a e"

days later. #/ it isn%t Captain Apocalypse! / thought you lot &ust have disbanded' or

6oined the loyalists. 8ou see&ed to have sunk "ithout trace. 3ell' "hat can / do oryou' ladies and gentle&en)%

(erek looked around the lat. #8ou%re still catering to the 9evolution)% he asked in a

lo"' cautious voice.

+ick shrugged. #/%& catering to anyone "ho%ll pay &e. 3hat are you ater)%

#/nor&ation'% (erek said. #/ntelligence. 3ho' "hat' "here' "hen' "hy and ho".%

#/ don%t ollo" you' co&rade'% +ick said' puled.

Stella broke in. #3e%ve lost touch "ith the 9evolution'% she e-plained. #3e "ere

thinking you &ight kno" "hat%s going on these days.%

+ick "ent <uiet. e looked an-ious. #his is a genuine en<uiry' isn%t it)% he asked.

#/t%s 6ust that / had a loyalist patrol in here the other "eek asking e-actly the sa&e

<uestion.%

#3e%re not loyalists' +ick'% /ggy said coldly.

#o' no' o course you%re not'% +ick said' looking e&barrassed. #o' it%s 6ust "ith you

having dropped out o sight: 3ell' /%ll trust you.% e scratched his head. #4ro& "hat

/%ve gathered' the Populist (e&ocrats are on the rise again. hey%ve taken advantage

o the current situation to take over a "hole s"athe o constituencies that no one else

laid clai& to. hey have a ne" leader' Captain $a"less' they call hi&. /%ve seen hi&

in here a couple o ti&es * big bugger about your age' (erek.% e shrugged. #here%s a

e" other actions going' the 9ando& /deological 4ront control a e" places in the

southern provinces' the (e&ocratic Socialists hold 9etail Park:%

#hat%s ours!% (erek said.+ick shrugged. #4ight the& or it'% he suggested. #hat%s the only "ay you%ll get it

back. Challenge the&.%

(erek pursed his lips. #/ think "e "ill'% he said.

Spring ca&e and "ith it the irst' long*anticipated scandal o the Steele regi&e. he

deence &inister "as ound in a co&pro&ising position "ith a ho&e*&ade gallo"s'

an orange seg&ent and t"o separate ite&s o e&ale hosiery. he ree &edia had a

ield day, (erek received the ne"s "ith si&ilar enthusias&. Steele%s party "as

beginning to lose so&ething o its initial popularity.

(erek ailed to see "hat relevance the deence &inister%s se-ual recreations had to his

"ork' but the opinions o the &edia and &any o the people they represented "ererather less liberal.



#3hat this country needs is a decent govern&ent'% said +r. Shankly the &orning ater

the scandal broke. 4or once' he represented the general &ood o the people.

5ut soon ater' the Autarkic rotskyites received their irst challenge. he (e&ocratic

Socialist &ilitia told the& to hand over control o ;utlet ?illage' or else stand and

ight or it.

#3ho do you think you are)% (erek shouted' glaring at the eight igures in the streetoutside the s<uat. #3e are the Autarkic rotskyites. 3e o"n hal the provinces.%

#ot any longer' Captain Apocalypse'% said their leader. #8ou don%t even control 9etail

Park any&ore * "e do. o"' either accept &e as your captain or suer the

conse<uences.%

(erek olded his ar&s. #3e%ll &eet you Saturday night' on the playing ields at the

back o the gas"orks'% he said conidently. #hanks' by the "ay'% he added.

he (e&ocratic Socialists "ere turning to leave as he said this. hey looked puled.

#3hat do you &ean)% asked their captain.

#4or giving us back 9etail Park'% (erek said blandly. #hat%s the only possible

outco&e o the ight. ?ery generous o you.%

#3e%ll see!% the captain vo"ed. #3e%ll see. 3e have irear&s' do you understand)%#So do "e' co&rade'% (erek said. #So do "e.%

hat Saturday' the Autarkic rotskyites headed through the back streets to"ards the

recreation ground' ready to do battle. (erek led the&. 3ith hi& "as /ggy' ddy' ric'

$aura' Stella' 9enJ and t"o others' +ark and /an' "ho had stuck "ith the Autarkic

rotskyites through thick and thin' ever since they 6oined the &ilitia on the night the

Autarkic rotskyites took +ultiple-.

he Autarkic rotskyites reached the ield as the sun "as giving up the ghost in the

east. As the shado"s lengthened to engul the ield' they asse&bled in the gloo& o

the gas to"ers' a"aiting the appearance o the (e&ocratic Socialists. (erek caught

hi&sel thinking nostalgically o his irst ight. $ie had been so &uch si&pler back

then.

All o the& bore S+Gs or assault riles and "ore an assort&ent o knives and

handguns over lak 6ackets and Hevlar. All had heavy a&&o belts hanging ro& their

"aists and shoulders.

All "ere ready or battle.

#3e%ll latten the bastards'% /ggy said conidently. e had long ago beco&e

accusto&ed to pre*battle nerves and his co&ple-ion "as no paler than usual.

#;kay' co&rades'% (erek said as a line o igures s"a& up out o the shado"s on the

ar side o the playing ields. #(on%t let conte&pt get the better o you * don%t give the

bastards any advantage. ust shoot the& do"n.%

hey began to advance.#Aren%t "e really e-posed' like this' captain)% asked $aura "orriedly. #Shouldn%t "e

ind cover)%

(erek re&e&bered that she had only been in one proper ight previously and that over

a year ago * &ost o it spent co"ering in cover. evertheless' she had not been the

liability he had e-pected. 3ould she ail the& no")

#/n case you hadn%t noticed'% (erek said "ith a nod to"ards the side o the ield "here

a large group o youths had gathered' #"e have an audience. /%ve been spreading the

"ord a&ong the locals. 3e need people to see that "e%re as good as "e al"ays "ere.

3e have to ight and to ight "ith style.%

hey paused near the &iddle o the &uddy ield. he (e&ocratic Socialists halted

t"enty eet a"ay.#Are you ready to ight)% (erek asked.



#4ire!% shouted the captain o the (e&ocratic Socialists' "ithout bothering to reply.

Gunire blaed ro& the &ilitia. hree Autarkic rotskyites ell in the irst volley. ;ne

"as ddy.

#4ire!% (erek screa&ed. e took one horriied look at ddy and began blasting do"n

his oes. he others ired back in a ragged ashion. Another Autarkic rotskyite ell. /t

"as $aura.ric thre" do"n his eckler Hoch and ran to her' cradling her in his ar&s. ears

strea&ed do"n his cheeks.

#5ack to your positions!% (erek yelled. e elt a heavy thu&p to his leg and glanced

do"n. o his shocked horror' he sa" that a stray bullet had torn a"ay part o his

unprotected cal. /t "as not the irst "ound he had received in battle and he "as sure

he "ould be able to live "ith it. 5ut it thre" hi& o balance' <uite literally. e

staggered round in an erratic circle.

#9un!% ric shouted' heaving $aura to her eet. $aura stu&bled a"ay' "ith ric

holding her up' her ace a &ask o blood.

At his "ords' /ggy turned and led. Stella tried to grab hi&' but couldn%t keep up. She

ran ater hi&' shouting.he iring ceased. (erek staggered round to ace the (e&ocratic Socialists. hree o

his o"n co&rades lay dead or "ounded' including ddy' "hose un&oving body lay

cru&pled nearby. he rest o his &ilitia had led the ield. he (e&ocratic Socialist

leader stepped or"ard' grinning s&ugly. 3ith agony in his eyes' (erek looked

to"ards the "atching ;utlet ?illagers.

#$ooks like you%re ucked'% the (e&ocratic Socialist leader shouted. #(o you accept

&e as captain)%

(erek opened ire. he captain' his ace a &ask o a&ae&ent' staggered under the

hail o bullets and collapsed to the &uddy grass. 5eore the others had ti&e to react'

(erek "as running.

he (e&ocratic Socialists loosed o a e" "ild shots' but they &issed his rapidly

speeding or&. e vanished ro& the ield.

5e"ildered' they gathered around the broken corpse o their captain.

1- STAYIN! ALI.E

9unning ootsteps echoed ro& the concrete "alls on either side o the street. /ggy

looked up and Stella turned as (erek ca&e li&ping round the corner. A bloody rag

"as tied round his leg' but he still &anaged to advance at a air rate.

e stopped' seeing all our o the ugitives in the street. /ggy sat on the kerb'

sha&eaced. Stella stood over hi&' angry. $aura leant against ric' "ho "as looking

guiltily in (erek%s direction.

#4uck"it!% (erek spat veno&ously at /ggy' "ho eyed hi& "ithout speaking. #o"

"e%ve lost ;utlet ?illage! o" "e have nothing!%

#/ kno"' / kno"'% /ggy said. #/... / panicked. /... don%t kno" "hat got into &e.%

#/ do'% (erek said <uietly. e "alked over to ric and $aura.

#e did it!% he said viciously. e seied ric by the throat. ric s<ua"ked "ith

surprise and let go o $aura' "ho toppled to the ground.

(erek shook hi& and then sla&&ed hi& against the "all' knocking the breath out o

hi&.



#3hat the uck did you think you "ere doing) Ans"er &e! 3hat did you think you

"ere doing) ddy%s dead because o you! And 9enJ!%

#/... /' /...% he stuttered. $aura struggled to her eet.

#(on%t touch hi&!% she &u&bled' clutching at her side.

(erek let go o hi& and turned &enacingly to"ards the girl' "ho "as gushing "ith

blood even as she conronted hi&. Suddenly' she collapsed in the gutter.#So&eone call an a&bulance! She needs to go to hospital'% ric said "ildly.

(erek shook his head. #3e can%t take her to hospital. he loyalists "ould be bound to

start asking <uestions.% e pulled out his knie and lung it at ric' "ho caught it

auto&atically. #4inish it'% he co&&anded.

ric looked in be"ilder&ent at the knie in his hand.

#3hat...)% he asked in "onder and dread. #4ight you)%

#o!% (erek said. e grabbed $aura%s li&p igure and lung it at ric. #8ou%ve got a

choice'% he added harshly. #ither you%re in' or you%re out. ither you%re a &ilitia

&e&ber' or you%re out on the street. And don%t orget * they still have voluntary

service.%

#/%& in! /%& in!% ric said' desperately' conused. #(erek' "hat%re you talking about)3hy have you given &e the knie) ; course /%& in * /%ll do anything to stay!%

#4ine'% (erek said bleakly. #She%s not gonna survive tonight. Put her out o our

&isery.%

$aura%s ace "ent "hite. She looked at ric. e looked slo"ly ro& the knie to her

ace.

#ric' don%t do this'% she said <uietly. She tre&bled. e see&ed indecisive. 3as he

even considering the idea) #(on%t do this! ake &e to hospital! (on%t be stupid' ric.%

#/%& not stupid. /%& not stupid!% e raised the knie.

$aura%s screa& rang out through the street' then cut o abruptly. ric yanked the

"eapon out o her heart and it clattered into the gutter.

/ggy and Stella stared at (erek' their eyes "ide.

ddy%s death in battle had done little or &orale and the circu&stances surrounding

their sha&eul light did little to i&prove the situation. 5ut they "ere not deeated, the

situation bet"een the& and the (e&ocratic Socialists stood as a stale&ate. either

side could clai& an all*out victory since neither side had surrendered to the other. he

Autarkic rotskyites still technically held ;utlet ?illage.

o Stella%s relie' "hen they returned to the deserted recreation ground' they

discovered that 9enJ had not been killed and his "ounds "ere not unduly severe,

ddy ho"ever' "as stone cold dead. he rebels let his corpse on his parents% doorstep

and led into the night. (erek did not sleep at all that night.A e" "eeks% recuperation and 9enJ "as on the road to recovery' eager to help his

&ilitia revive its or&er actional status.

#3e can%t allo" ourselves to sink any urther'% he told the& one night' his voice still

"eak ro& illness. #3e have to ight!%

#8ou%re right'% ric said gri&ly. e had changed drastically since taking his terrible

choice. (erek had never seen hi& s&ile and he seldo& spoke' e-cept to de&and

i&&ediate action.

#?ery "ell'% (erek said. #8ou%re right' o course. 3e%ll have to do so&ething pretty

big' though' to regain our previous reputation.%

#/ "as do"n at +ick%s lat this aternoon'% /ggy said. #e says that since the

govern&ent backed do"n on e&ancipation o voluntary servants' a lot o ne" rebel



&ilitias have sprung up. +ost o the& are kids straight out o school' "ith no training

and precious e" serious "eapons.%

#3e could easily take advantage o the situation'% Stella said. #he Autarkic rotskyite

na&e "ill never be ree o the taint o co"ardice' but i "e seie Central City that

"on%t &atter. 3hat &atters &ost is &oney. 3e need the capitalists.%

#+ick says there%s only one party "ho co&e close to ;pposition status and are likelyto attract corporate backing'% /ggy said. #And that%s our old riends the Populist

(e&ocrats. 4ro& "hat +ick%s been saying' they should be ready to attack the

loyalists by ne-t year.%

#ot i "e latten the& irst'% (erek said darkly. e sat in thought or a "hile. #9ight'%

he said' breaking the respectul silence that had allen' #here%s the plan. 3e take 9etail

Park back ro& the (e&ocratic Socialists, &ake so&e "ay to regaining action status.

hen "e challenge all these ra" ne" &ilitias and actions. hey &ay "ell give "ay to

us and accept us as their superiors' or &aybe "e "ill need to deeat the& irst. 5ut

they%ll be a pushover. / "e unleash an all*out attack on the&' / reckon "e%ll be ready

to take on the Populist (e&ocrats by the end o the su&&er.%

he others looked at hi&. hey didn%t see& to share his conidence.

/t "as a "ar& evening in une "hen the Autarkic rotskyites entered 9etail Park' to

ace the (e&ocratic Socialists again. he ight had been arranged to take place in a

backstreet near the edge o the residential area.

A cro"d had gathered so&e "ay o "hen the Autarkic rotskyites turned the corner

and conronted the (e&ocratic Socialists do"n the length o the street. hey ru&bled

in a hostile &anner "hen the disgraced Autarkic rotskyite &ilitia halted.

he ne" captain o the (e&ocratic Socialists stepped or"ard. #8ou%re brave' /%ll give

you that'% he said loudly and the &ob laughed uproariously. #Co&ing back to us ater

the sho" you &ade o yourselves the other &onth:%

#Shut up and ight!% (erek yelled' opening ire.

he Autarkic rotskyites cut do"n three o the (e&ocratic Socialists in the irst

volley. he survivors rolled into the cover o "arehouse entrances and lo" "alls and

returned ire. he Autarkic rotskyites copied the&' "hile the cro"d o onlookers

scattered and retreated to a sae distance.

(erek blaed a"ay at the "arehouse door that concealed the (e&ocratic Socialist

captain. he captain dodged out o it and rolled across the street' iring as he did so.

/ggy leapt out ro& a burnt*out car and e&ptied a clip into the &oving target. 5lood

spattered across the tar&ac as the corpse rolled into the "all and ca&e to a dead stop.

#Anyone else)% shouted (erek into the silence that ell ater /ggy ceased ire. #3e can

keep this up indeinitely.%Ater a pause' (erek heard a clatter o "eapons being dropped. "o (e&ocratic

Socialists ca&e out o cover "ith their hands held high. A third crept out to 6oin the&

ro& urther up. hey knelt in the &iddle o the road.

#3here%s the rest)% (erek asked suspiciously.

#3e%re all that%s let'% ad&itted one o the (e&ocratic Socialists.

(erek stepped out and ollo"ed by his ello" &ilitia &e&bers' he advanced on the

kneeling &en.

#(o you accept &e as Captain)% he asked.

#8es'% they chorused.

#(o you pledge your allegiance to the policies o the Autarkic rotskyite &ilitia)%

#8es' Captain!%he &ob' as ickle as ever' cheered the victors.



Ater that easy con<uest' their or&er sha&e "as seldo& &entioned. heir na&e

appeared re<uently in the sa&idat and occasionally in the ree &edia' as they slo"ly

began to reclai& their or&er constituencies. So&e o the &ilitias holding the&

sho"ed ight' "hile others si&ply accepted &e&bership o the action "ithout

argu&ent. 4e" "ere at all "ell ar&ed' but the Autarkic rotskyites still had a sieable

arsenal let over ro& their earlier days o success.Soon they had regained control over their or&er constituencies o unction hree and

$iberty Park. 5ut the Populist (e&ocrats "ere rapidly taking over the conurbation

around the& and another action had appeared to loo& large, the 9ando& /deological

4ront' "ho ca&e ro& the ar side o Central City. #A action to "atch'% said ?ive $a

9evolution%s revie" page.

#3e%ve regained our previous strength'% (erek said near the end o the su&&er. #5ut

only because o the current state o politics. And "e%re not the only action to have

taken advantage o the situation. he rebels o the provinces are rapidly consolidating

into three large parties * the Populist (e&ocrats' the 9ando& /deological 4ront and

our o"n Autarkic rotskyites.%

#he govern&ent is going ro& bad to "orse' though'% /ggy co&&ented. /n the pastthree &onths the cabinet had been rocked by our separate scandals' t"o about se-'

one about &oney and one that co&bined both.

(erek "as "ry. #hat%s not such a good thing'% he said cautiously. #8es' the

govern&ent is losing support' especially since Steele started &aking biarre

state&ents about a conspiracy to oust hi&:%

#othing biarre about it'% /ggy said recklessly. #/t%s us!%

#/ it%s anyone' it%s the Populist (e&ocrats'% (erek corrected. #hey%re poised to

beco&e the ne" opposition party and only the 9ando& /deological 4ront has enough

support to stand against the&.% e looked around the cellar' "hich "as packed "ith

resh recruits' all listening intently to the discussion. 5ut ro& "hat he had heard' the

Populist (e&ocrats "ere holding large*scale political rallies. nder the enig&atic

Captain $a"less' their support "as ever*increasing.

#3e need to get an edge on our co&petitors'% he stated. #/t%s the only "ay "e can

reach a position "here "e can seie po"er and give the people "hat they really "ant *

$iberty!%

#$iberty!% shouted so&e o the younger &e&bers. (erek grinned at their youthul

enthusias&. e paced back and orth.

#3e &ust strike a blo" against the reactionary parties "ho stand bet"een us and

govern&ent'% he boo&ed' getting into the s"ing o things. /t had taken hi& a "hile to

return to the "ay o the de&agogue' but no" he "as perecting his rebel*rousing

rhetoric. #3e &ust deeat the&' or else they "ill seie control the&selves. And /hardly need re&ind &y co&rades that the policies o the Populist (e&ocrats and the

9ando& /deological 4ront are so anti*libertarian that they "ould bring a blush to the

cheeks o itler or +ussolini. o" they have achieved the po"er they currently hold

is an abiding &ystery * only brutality and unco&pro&ising savagery can e-plain it.

5ut these are not the parties "e "ant in po"er. he P4P have gro"n corrupt since

entering govern&ent' although their policies "ere not unlike our o"n. 5ut should the

Populist (e&ocrats take oice' all hell "ill be loosed.

#he cause o liberty is a noble one. All / can pro&ise you' co&rades' is blood' tears'

toil and s"eat' but re&e&ber' our goal is liberty!%

#$iberty!% the cro"d shouted. #$iberty!%

(erek basked in their applause. 3ith support like this' they could never ail.Could they)



aking on &a6or rebel parties involved nothing that (erek and his riends had seen

"hile sculing "ith ringe &ilitias and actions ro& the provinces. hese people

possessed so&e serious hard"are and only the vie"ers o big pri&e*ti&e progra&&es

like 9evolution! "ere likely to "itness the &assive street ights that raged "hen titans

such as the P4P' the Populist (e&ocrats or the 9ando& /deological 4ront' &et in openco&bat.

he street ights "ere &uch less or&alised and lacked the courtesy o their provincial

e<uivalents. 3hen (erek led the s"elling ranks o the Autarkic rotskyite Party into

the 9ando& /deological 4ront stronghold o +unicipal 5uildings' they &et no parley'

no preli&inaries' nothing but an hour*long street ight that ended "hen loyalist

&ilitias appeared to settle the issue.

(erek "as leading a charge to"ards the buildings "here a brigade o 9ando&

/deologists had taken cover' "hen eight loyalist ar&oured cars s"erved round the ar

corner. 3ithout "aiting or a reply' these ne"co&ers opened ire.

#Get the bastards!% ric screa&ed' blaing a"ay at the onco&ing APCs.

#(on%t be an idiot!% (erek yelled. #3e &ust all back and regroup! 3e can%t deal "ithloyalists yet.% he other t"o brigades o the Party "ere else"here in the &ae o

streets. (erek barked a string o orders into his radio. All Party oicials no" carried

these into battle' since their nu&bers and those o their opponents "ere so great that

there "as no other ade<uate &eans o co&&unication. #Co&e on' co&rades'% (erek

said "hen he inished giving his orders.

e led the& at a run through the streets' a"ay ro& the ar&oured cars and out into a

pedestrianised shopping area "here 5rigade 2 "as still locked in a lie*or*death

struggle "ith the 9ando& /deological 4ront. 5odies littered the lagstones and one o

the outlets "as on ire. hat "as not good.

#3hy are "e retreating)% Stella asked' appearing ro& the &elee as they advanced.

She had control o the brigade.

#he loyalists are co&ing!% barked (erek.

;n the ar side o the street' the 9ando& /deological 4ront still kept up a steady ire.

A il& cre" "ere covering the incident ro& a sae distance.

#5ut "e can%t be seen running ro& these reactionaries!% Stella ob6ected' as the irst o

the APCs trundled round the corner. #here%s a reporter here ro& 9evolution!

covering the ight!%

#3e%re not leeing the 9ando& /deological 4ront'% (erek said. #3e%re leeing the

loyalists. o" order your co&rades to retreat' or uck%s sake! +ove it!%

he t"o brigades regrouped ater Stella%s &en "ithdre" ro& the ight. As they

crossed the &ain s<uare at a run' (erek looked back to see the 9ando& /deological4ront attacking the loyalist ar&oured cars.

A ca&era&an and a scantily clad reporter appeared out o the red*lit darkness.

#Captain!% the reporter said breathlessly. #+ay / ask you a e" <uestions)%

(erek regarded the ca&era doubtully. #8ou%ll have to keep up'% he said shortly' still

6ogging.

#3hy are your co&rades running ro& the street ight)% asked the reporter' sprinting

alongside.

(erek kne" they "ouldn%t bother intervie"ing hi& unless they thought he had so&e

kind o signiicance' so he chose his ans"er "ith the care o a born politician.

#actical "ithdra"al'% he "hooped hoarsely. #he 9ando& /deological 4ront &ay be

oolhardy enough to take on reshly*trained' "ell*ar&ed loyalists' but the Autarkicrotskyites "ould not atte&pt anything so rash. 3e kno" our current li&itations.



3hen the ti&e co&es or us to take on the loyalists' "e "ill. ntil then' "e do not

intend to risk utter deeat.%

#So you are in act being rather conservative or radicals)% the reporter challenged

hi&.

(erek halted and turned to ace the ca&era. #here is nothing conservative in the

Autarkic rotskyite +aniesto. 3e "ill lead the people o this country to liberty * trueliberty and not the sha& "e have seen under the Steele regi&e. And unlike the

9ando& /deological 4ront' or or that &atter the Populist (e&ocrats' "e are ruled by

our heads and not our hearts. 3e pro&ise a ne"' rational &ethod o govern&ent or

the country:%

#hank you' the vie"ers don%t "ant to kno" your policies'% the reporter broke in. #3e

"ant to kno" your eelings about the struggle "e%ve 6ust "itnessed.%

#o co&&ent'% (erek said gri&ly. #/%ve said all / have to say.%

#5ut captain:% the reporter called desperately' as (erek turned and headed ater his

retreating co&rades.

She turned to the ca&era.#3ell' that see&s to be all that the captain o the up*and*co&ing Autarkic rotskyite

Party has to say to us right no". +ean"hile' the 9ando& /deological 4ront see&s to

have sustained signiicant losses in their struggle against the loyalists:%

he picture changed to sho" loyalist ar&oured cars driving arrogantly across the

s<uare' shooting do"n any 9ando& /deologists "ho "ere still on their eet and

leeing. he reporter continued.

#And it see&s that nothing "ill stop the loyalists% ruthless &ission to crush all political

dissent. hey see& to be: "hat%s this) hey%re advancing on &y il& cre". o *

"e%re the &edia. 8ou can%t:.%

he picture changed again to sho" the 9evolution! studio. Geri arvey' "earing a

black leather catsuit' stared gri&ly at the audience.

#3e recovered the il& at da"n' once the running street ight bet"een govern&ent

troops and the 9ando& /deological 4ront ended in "holesale deeat or the rebels.

heir captain%s poor handling o the situation "as later described by Captain

Apocalypse o the Autarkic rotskyite Party as =inept> and during our intervie" "ith

hi& at a secret location in the provinces' the young &an e-pressed concern that the

loyalists had gunned do"n our entire il& cre". =3hen "ill this tyranny end)> he

asked.

#+ean"hile' in Govern&ent @ today' +r. Steele &et derisive laughter "hen he

inor&ed his govern&ent that the conspirators "ho he clai&s have been

under&ining:%#(id you say that)% asked /ggy as the presenter &oved onto other ne"s.

(erek looked up ro& the screen. #3hat)% he asked. #o! 3ell' &aybe so&ething like

it. 3ell' / "as a bit startled.% e glanced around the =secret location in the provinces>

* their s<uat. #/ &ean' they don%t nor&ally attack the &edia' do they)%

Stella shrugged. #hey see& to have 6ust gone &ad o a sudden. Steele keeps ranting

on about so&e conspiracy' his troops start gunning do"n il& cre"s: 5ut at least

"e%re starting to get the recognition "e deserve.%

(erek heard a banging ro& the ront door upstairs. hey all started. hey did not get

&any visitors. he hairs rose on the back o (erek%s neck.

#3ho: "ho can that be)% Stella asked in a "hisper.

#+aybe it%s the loyalists'% /ggy said' voicing everyone%s ears. #+aybe so&eone in ?Centre gave a"ay our position!%



he banging ca&e again. he Party &e&bers e-changed glances.

#Go and see "ho it is' so&eone'% Stella said nervously.

#/ "ill'% 9enJ said heavily. e hurried up the cellar steps. veryone else e-changed

glances.

A e" &inutes later he "as back' "ith an incongruous igure behind hi&. /t "as a

&iddle*aged &an dressed in a neat dark suit' "ith a laptop co&puter in one hand'doing a bo"ler hat to reveal steel grey hair as he ca&e do"n the steps. he i&age o

a city gent or bureaucrat.

e approached (erek i&&ediately' see&ing to recognise hi& and thrust his hand out.

#Good evening'% he said in even' &easure tones' sho"ing no reaction "hen (erek

stared "arily at the outstretched hand and &ade no &ove to shake it. #+y na&e is

S&ithers. / represent a group o business&en "ho eel grave an-iety regarding the

current state o politics.

#Sources "ithin the &edia inor& us that you are an organisation "ith si&ilar

concerns and the "here"ithal to eect a s"it transerral o po"er. 3e have studied

your policies and dee& the& to be in line "ith our o"n "ay o thinking.% e looked

around the drab cellar at the lean' hungry' desperate igures and the rebels looked backat hi& silently. #3e have an oer to &ake'% he declared. #3e "ill provide you "ith the

inancial backing you re<uire' on the sole condition that you direct all your e-isting

energies solely to"ards the speedy re&oval o the Steele regi&e.%

#8ou: you "anna back us)% (erek asked' as i in a drea&.

#Precisely'% the &an said. #3e intend to provide everything you re<uire to beco&e the

ne-t party to take control o the govern&ent.%

11 IF THE KIDS $NITED

he bell on the shop door rang as (erek entered. +r. Shankly stood at the counter. As

(erek ca&e into the shop' the proprietor looked up e-pectantly' as i he had a

custo&er. 3hen he sa" "ho it "as' (erek%s boss dropped his ingratiating s&ile.

#3here%ve you been)% he asked uriously. e looked at the clock. #/t%s al&ost ten! Get

out o those ridiculous ar&y clothes and put your shop*coat on.%

(erek "alked to"ards the counter slo"ly' &enacingly. hen he sla&&ed his hands

do"n on it and looked +r. Shankly in the eye.

#/%ve co&e to tell you /%& leaving'% he said in a lo" voice.

#$eaving)% said +r. Shankly. #8ou can%t leave. / haven%t given you per&ission! 3hy

are you leaving)%

#/%ve ound better e&ploy&ent'% (erek said enig&atically.

#4ound e&ploy&ent)% +r. Shankly stuttered. #(on%t think you%ll be getting a

reerence ro& &e!%

#/ don%t need one'% (erek said s&ugly. #+y ne" e&ployers * &y inancial backers' in

act * are paying &e because they%re i&pressed by &y skills. / don%t need anything

ro& you.%

#5ut you can%t leave!% +r. Shankly spluttered. #3ho%ll do your "ork) / need you here

today.%

#(o it yoursel'% (erek said indierently. #;r else get +ulligan to do it.%

#e can%t do it'% +r. Shankly said. #e%s not trained in custo&er relations. e%s an

idiot! 8ou can%t 6ust "alk out on &e like this.% (erek gave hi& a long hard stare.



#Please' lad'% the shopkeeper added. #/%ll: /%ll give you a pay rise! o"' / can%t say

airer than that' can /)%

(erek shook his head. e "as en6oying this scene. #/%ve said no and / &ean it.%

#/%& begging you!% +r. Shankly said. #/ can%t &anage "ithout you. $ook' boy' /%ve

got a a&ily. / need you! / need you on this counter' no".%

Pity "elled up in (erek%s heart' but he <uashed it. 3hat had +r. Shankly ever doneor hi&' e-cept cheat hi&' use hi& * and do all he could to crush his sel*estee&)

#here are people "aiting or &e outside'% he said. #/ can%t stand around here talking

to you. 8ou%ll have to ind so&eone else to e-ploit. Get &ore slave labour ro& the

6ob centre. 5ut be "arned. /t "on%t be long beore there%s another govern&ent in

po"er. And "e "ill put an end to the voluntary sector.%

;utside' he headed or the un&arked "hite van parked a e" yards do"n the link"ay.

/ggy lung open the back door and helped (erek cli&b in.

S&ithers sat in the ront passenger seat. e turned round to look at (erek as the rebel

settled do"n in the back "ith his ello" Party &e&bers.

#So you%re a ree &an no"' Captain)% he said "ith a s&ile.

#8eah'% (erek said. #o"' "here are "e going)% he driver had started the van up andthey "ere no" heading along the link"ay to"ards Central City. #Are "e going to the

sa&e place you said you "ere taking our co&rades)%

#o'% said S&ithers. hat &orning' his people had sent lorries to all the Autarkic

rotskyite brigades in the provinces' to transport the& to an unrevealed location in

Central City ro& "hich they "ould prepare or the co&ing struggle. 9enJ had gone

"ith the& to oversee the process.

#Are you still "orried about this being a trap)% S&ithers added. (erek shook his head.

e had indeed been suspicious about the "hole idea last night' but he had relented

"ith so&e be"ilder&ent "hen the &an handed over a signed che<ue or t"o &illion

pounds as an initial contribution to Party unds.

#5ut "here are "e going)% asked /ggy. #$ast night you said you%d be taking us to a

secret location. 8ou "ouldn%t tell us "here because you "ere "orried about bugs * but

no one%s listening no"' are they)%

S&ithers had told the& that the people he represented "anted to inance a party "ho

could replace the current govern&ent. either the Populist (e&ocrats nor the

9ando& /deological 4ront had the policies the country needed. S&ithers% clients had

been "atching the Autarkic rotskyites or so&e ti&e no" and concluded that they

"ere the only po"erul rebels "ho "ere capable o introducing progressive politics.

his "as their big break' but they "ould need &ore support and better unding beore

they could take on the overdogs.

#?ery "ell'% S&ithers said. hey "ere leaving ;utlet ?illage by 4reeport $ink"ay.#3e are taking you to 4reeport' on the edge o Central City' "here the business

consortiu& / represent "ish to discuss ter&s.%

#4reeport)% Stella asked. #5ut that%s orbidden! nless you%re a capitalist.%

S&ithers s&iled roguishly. #his is all a little illegal'% he &ur&ured. #5ut / thought

you "ere rebels.%

al an hour later they "ere in Central City' approaching the checkpoint at the edge o

4reeport. S&ithers had insisted the rebels lie on the loor o the van' covering

the&selves "ith sacks.

#hey%ll let &e in because / have the correct pass'% he said. hey drove up the

concrete road through the rubble. /t led to the t"enty*oot high barbed "ire ences

that surrounded the orbidden docks. $oo&ing over the barbed "ire ence' ra&ed



bet"een t"o guard to"ers' (erek could see "arehouses and ad&inistrative buildings.

As they approached' he caught a gli&pse o a huge container ship.

#@uickly!% S&ithers urged the un"illing rebels. #hey &ight check the back!%

he rebels dived under the sacks. #/ can%t believe "e%re going into 4reeport'% /ggy

said' his voice &uled. #+y dad so&eti&es used to talk about it "hen he "as really

drunk. Said it "as the only place in this country "here people "ere truly ree:%#@uiet!% S&ithers said ro& the ront. hey buried the&selves under the sacks.

he van ca&e to a halt. (erek heard the driver "ind do"n his "indo". eavy

ootsteps crunched on the concrete outside.

#Got your passes)% said a hoarse voice.

#8es' yes'% S&ithers said. #ere they are.%

(erek heard a long pause. hen another voice said7

#3hat%s in the van)%

S&ithers &uttered so&ething. (erek%s heart sank. 5eneath his cool' unlappable' city

gent e-terior' the &an &ust be terriied.

#3hat%s that' co&rade)% the irst guard barked. #Got so&ething to hide)%

#ust a e" sacks'% said a voice (erek had not heard beore' presu&ably the taciturndriver.

#Sacks)% said the guard. #/ don%t think / believe you. $et%s take a look' shall "e)%

S"eat broke out across (erek%s body and he began to tre&ble uncontrollably. e

heard booted eet crunch round to the back o the van.

#;pen this!% a guard shouted. he driver "as to be heard unlocking the door. e

betrayed no signs o nervousness. 3as he a traitor) (erek heard the van doors creak

open and then a long silence.

3hat "as happening) here "as no "ay the guard could ail to investigate the pile o

sacks. (erek lay still' his ace buried in the &etal loor o the van. Please don%t let

the& ind us' he prayed' to a god he didn%t believe in. Please! Should they leap out

and attack the guards)

Ater "hat see&ed like orever' the guard barked7

#8ou%re right. Sacks. 3hat%s in the&)%

#4ood and drink'% said the driver blandly. #4or so&e riends o ours up at +erchants

ouse. A party.%

#A party)% the guard barked. #(oesn%t surprise &e. hat%s all you ever do in 4reeport'

ro& "hat /%ve heard. (ecadent' &oney*grubbing capitalist bastards. /%ve hal a &ind

to vet this ood or subversive tendencies. All right' then.% he doors sla&&ed shut.

#;pen the gate!%

A couple o seconds later' the engine started up again. he van began to &ove.

he rebels appeared ro& the sacks a &inute or t"o later' "hen S&ithers called the&.hey scra&bled up to the ront o the van' behind the driver and passenger seats' and

stared out o the "indo"s.

hey "ere approaching a tall building at the end o the &ain street. =+erchants

ouse> "as e&blaoned across the ront. he driver pulled up outside.

#8ou can get out no"'% said S&ithers' s"inging open the passenger door and cli&bing

do"n.

he rebels opened the back door and piled out into the bright sun o 4reeport. hey

gaed around the& in "onder. So clean' so bright' so colourul!

#4ollo" &e'% S&ithers instructed the&. e had replaced his bo"ler hat and "as

clutching his laptop under one ar&. e looked ar less incongruous than he had

beore. o" the rebels rese&bled crude barbarians be"ildered by civilisation.



e led the& up the "ide steps and into the airy lobby o the building. Approaching a

girl at the reception desk' he said7

#Group or the Syndicate o ;verseas +erchants.% he girl glanced at the&' her cool

gae s"eeping over their scruy para&ilitary gear.

#+r. S&ithers)% she asked. #8ou can go up right a"ay. 9eport to +r. Gray in his

boardroo&.%S&ithers turned to the rebels. #3ould you &ind 6ust "aiting here)% e indicated the

"aiting area beore the receptionist%s desk. #/ shan%t be a &o&ent.%

S&ithers entered a lit. As he did so' the Autarkic rotskyites sat do"n uneasily. hey

huddled together in silence' eeling diident in the &idst o the i&pressively

appointed roo&.

;ccasionally people "ould appear' crossing the lobby discussing business. 5ut unlike

the bourgeoisie o Central City' these "ere not shabby' do"n*at*heel shopkeepers and

actory o"ners, they "ere "ell*dressed' "ell*heeled &en and "o&en "ho "alked

"ith conident strides.

(erek elt inti&idated by his surroundings and this angered hi&. e s"aggered over

to the receptionist.#3hat%s S&ithers up to)% he said. he girl returned his gae cal&ly.

#+r. S&ithers is talking to the &en "ho "ill be providing your inancial backing' +r.

Clyde'% she said.

(erek sco"led. o" did she kno" his na&e * his real na&e' at that) 3as she in

league "ith the loyalists) ad she &ade a deal "ith the&) e "as about to de&and

an e-planation "hen a buer sounded on the desk and a voice crackled ro& an

interco&.

#Send up the Autarkic rotskyites' please' &&a.%

he receptionist rose. #3ould you ollo" &e' please'% she said and sashayed to"ards

the lit. hey cro"ded in and the receptionist pressed a button. he lit started

&oving. (erek &oved closer to the girl.

#So' "hat are you doing tonight)% he asked heavily. She looked hi& up and do"n.

#othing "ith you'% she said cheekily. (erek "as taken aback. e "as accusto&ed to

girls alling at his eet. he only "o&an he had &et "ho really kept her cool in his

presence "as +aureen.

#Put her do"n'% Stella said resentully. #She doesn%t "ant you pa"ing at her.%

he doors s"ished open and the receptionist led the& into a "ell*lit atriu&. A second

receptionist sat at the desk in the centre.

#ello' &&a'% she greeted the irst girl. #/s this the&)%

#hat%s right' Hate'% said &&a. #/%ll leave the& in your capable hands.% She

disappeared back into the lit.#3elco&e to +erchants% ouse'% said the ne" receptionist. #hese are the <uarters

used by the Syndicate o ;verseas +erchants' "ho have decided to avour your

cause. / you "ould ollo" &e)%

She led the& over to a door &arked =5oardroo&> and pressed a buer.

#+r. Gray)% she called. #/t%s the Autarkic rotskyite Party.%

An interco& crackled. #Send the& in.% he door unlocked auto&atically. (erek glared

suspiciously at this gadgetry. e did not approve o it.

he door opened out into a plush' "ell*appointed boardroo&' tasteully decorated

"ith e-pensive ob6ets d%art. A large' po"erul &an "ith a thick black beard sat at the

ar end o the board table. (erek sa" other suited igures on either side o hi&.

S&ithers stood in the gap beore the ring o tables.



#Co&e here' Captain'% said the bearded &an. #And bring your ollo"ers. 8ou are

"elco&e. / a& +r. Gray' head o the ;verseas +erchants Syndicate.%

ervously' the rebels approached' looked around the& "ith "ide eyes. (erek dre" a

breath.

#8ou "anna back us'% he said.

#hat%s correct'% Gray said. #3e%ve heard a great deal about you ro& the &edia and itsee&s that o all &a6or &ilitant parties' yours is the &ost suitable to replace the Steele

regi&e. ; course' "e%ll be &aking a e" changes here and there. ven no"'

else"here' your ollo"ers are being kitted out "ith a ne" unior&.%

A &an appeared ro& an alcove and silently handed the rebels a set o clothes each7

trenchcoats' berets' co&bat pants and shirts. (erek accepted his doubtully.

#And "e%ll be providing you "ith the &eans to gain superior ar&s and ar&our'% Gray

added. e clicked a re&ote control and the blueprint o an ar&oured car rolled do"n

ro& the ceiling.

#he 5oard have also decided that you re<uire a change o na&e' "hich "ill

acco&pany your reshly "ritten &ission state&ent. rotskyis& is not a "inner. ;ur

tea& o &arketing analysts suggest the alternative na&e =Anti*otalitarian Party>:%#3hat)% (erek bello"ed uriously. is angry voice echoed round and round the

boardroo&. he 5oard stared at hi& silently' as i at so&e ne" kind o insect. (erek

lushed' but continued. #3e%re not changing our na&e'% he said deiantly. #All this% *

he shook the ne" unior& * #all this "e%ll accept. 5ut people kno" us under our

current na&e! 3e%re not changing it. o one "ill recognise us.%

#he Captain has a point'% said another board &e&ber. #+r. Gray' you "ill recall that /

"as opposed to the idea ro& the onset:%

#he argu&ents o the +arketing (ivision:% Gray began.

#Perhaps' gentle&en'% S&ithers broke in' #"e can discuss this at a later date. / think it

is &ore signiicant that "e sho" our &ilitant riends the previe" o tonight%s

9evolution! progra&&e' to be screened at E700.%

Gray looked at hi& briely. #Good thinking' S&ithers'% he barked. #5ring in the

&onitor.%

"o unior&ed technicians "heeled a large ? in ro& an ad6acent roo& and set it up

in a position "here it "as visible to everyone.

#hat%s unny'% /ggy said.

(erek looked at hi&. #3hat is)% he &ur&ured.

#/ thought 9evolution! "as a live sho".% /ggy looked perple-ed. 5ut beore (erek

could reply' Gray raised a re&ote control and licked on the television.

he progra&&e%s distinctive &artial signature tune boo&ed out' ollo"ing the usual

scenes ro& revolutionary history and the 9evolution! logo. he title se<uence endedand the ca&era panned do"n through the cheering studio audience to close in on Geri

arvey standing at the edge o the bars that surrounded it' "earing black P?C

hotpants and a ski&py halter top.

#/ only ddy "as "ith us no":% /ggy said.

#Greetings' co&rades' and "elco&e to another edition o 9evolution!% she said. #And

later tonight "e "ill be speaking "ith those rising stars o the 9evolution' the

Autarkic rotskyites' "ho ca&e ro& out o no"here to deeat the 9ando&

/deological 4ront. heir leader' Captain Apocalypse "ill be giving us the lo"*do"n

on recent politics:%

#3hat)% (erek said nervously.

#: and later "e%ll be sho"ing recorded ootage o their recent street ight against both reactionary rebels and the hated loyalists. 5ut irst: /%& getting a &essage in



&y pick*up:% She "as pressing a hand to her ear. #8es' / think: 5ad ne"s'

co&rades' ? Centre is under attack! 3e pass you on to our reporter at the gates.%

he picture changed to sho" the outside o ? Centre' "here another presenter stood

beore the ca&era. 5ehind her' three APCs "ere advancing on the building.

#3ell' /%& here outside ? Centre and / can see the rebel ar&oured cars advancing on

the building'% she reported' glancing over her shoulder. #So&eone%s called the loyalist patrol' / believe' but as ever they%re taking their o"n s"eet ti&e. o": "hat%s this)

A colu&n o para&ilitaries is advancing past the ar&oured cars. hey%re telling us to

turn o the ca&era: 3ould you like to say a e" "ords into this &icrophone' sir)%

he &an at the head o the colu&n that had 6ust &arched up turned to the screen. he

balaclava he "ore gave hi& a savage' subhu&an look.

#Get out o our "ay' "o&an!% he snarled. #3e * the Populist (e&ocratic 4ront * are

taking over ? Centre!%

#Could you tell &e "hat you intend to achieve by this)% the presenter asked. he rebel

ignored her and shouted so&ething at his co&rades. "o o the& advanced on the

ca&era' heting tire*irons. he presenter looked apprehensively at the&. #3ell' / think

that%s all / have to report at the &o&ent:% she got out beore the Populist (e&ocratsell on her. hey s"ung their tire*irons brutally and she disappeared ro& vie". hen

the ca&era "ent crashing to the ground and a scene o &arching eet entering the

building "as <uickly replaced by static.

he screen ca&e to lie again to sho" Geri arvey "orriedly cupping her hand over

her ear. She looked up and said s&oothly7

#3ell' "e see& to have lost contact there and it appears that the rebels are seiing the

building. 3ill the loyalist patrol reach us in ti&e) /t see&s unlikely. 3hat "e really

need is help ro& a party "e can trust and believe in.% She posed dra&atically against

the bars o the cage. #elp us' Captain Apocalypse'% she cried. #8ou%re our only hope.%

A distant crash echoed ro& behind the ca&era. /t panned round to sho" the Populist

(e&ocrats goose*stepping into the studio. As they entered' their leader began to shout

inaudibly at the audience' "hose &e&bers crouched do"n on the ground "ith their

hands over their heads. A boo&*&ike dipped briely into vie" and the &an%s voice

ca&e through loud and clear.

#: "or&s' tre&ble beore &e! / a& Captain $a"less' your evolutionary superior!%

3ith his unior&ed thugs at his back' the rebel captain &arched do"n the steps to the

studio loor. he ca&era ollo"ed his advance.

e reached the cage and lung the door open. hen he leapt inside and seied Geri

arvey. She struggled in his ar&s' but he ignored her and turned to"ards the ca&era.

#/%ve been "anting to get &y hands on you or a long ti&e'% he grunted.

e stroked her hair "ith the &ule o his $uger and then stared directly into theca&era. #Captain Apocalypse * "e kno" you%re "atching. Co&e and ight us' or "e

"ill e-ecute everyone in this building. 5eginning "ith Geri arvey!%

he announcer stared into the ca&era' her eyes "ide "ith right. She &outhed a

plea:

Gray pressed a button and the video paused. e turned to ace the Autarkic

rotskyites.

#hat "as recorded earlier on'% he said. #/t "ill be broadcast at ive o%clock. 5ut the

progra&&e is not yet inished. o" "ill it end) ;nly you can decide' Captain

Apocalypse.%

(erek looked at the others. #Are you taking the piss)% he said. #3hat is this) Politics)

;r a ? sho")%



#/t%s ho" your potential supporters "ill see you'% Gray said. #(o you "ant the& to see

you as so&eone "ho "on%t lit a inger to save innocent hostages ro& a right "ing

death*s<uad)%

#3ell' no: but:% (erek spluttered.

#hen here%s the plan'% Gray ploughed on regardless. #8ou give the order to your

co&rades to descend on ? Centre and accept Captain $a"less%s challenge. Go therealso * "e "ill provide you "ith the transport * and kill the captain' on*screen. hen

your "ay "ill be clear to beco&e the ;pposition' "ith &assive support ro& the

people. hey "ill lock to 6oin you! 8ou "on%t even need to trail around the provinces

begging or ollo"ers:%

#So&ething tells &e /%& being &anipulated'% (erek said dangerously.

#4ar ro& it.% Gray laughed. #3e have' o course' pulled a e" strings to bring you this

opportunity knocking. 5ut it "ill boost you straight into ;pposition status' ro&

"hich you can &ove to overthro" the corrupt govern&ent.%

#Co&e on' (erek'% /ggy said i&patiently. #/ kno" it all looks a bit dodgy' but it%s

bound to "ork. Geri arvey and those hostages are crying out to be rescued by us!%

(erek shook his head in "onder. #ave you been taken in by all this)% e turned backto the 5oard. #Alright' "e%ll do it'% he said heavily. #5ut don%t you dare do anything

like it again. / /%& gonna seie po"er' it "ill be by ollo"ing &y plan' not yours.

Clear)%

Ater a e" seconds' Gray said #3e%ll see.%

12 MOB R$LES

A <uarter o an hour later they "ere speeding through the streets o Central City in an

ar&oured car.S&ithers% driver "as at the "heel. is abilities "ere not restricted to un&arked "hite

vans' it see&ed. he Autarkic rotskyites bunched together in the back' glancing

dubiously at the gun controls and other &ore &ysterious accessories. he hatch "as

open above the&' but the air still hung "ith the stink o petrol.

#o" ar have "e co&e)% /ggy shouted over the roar o the engine.

(erek heaved hi&sel up through the hatch. he "ind "hipped around hi&' al&ost

plucking a"ay his beret. e looked around briely. hen he cla&bered back do"n.

#3e%re in the backstreets o Central City' to the north o 4reeport $ink"ay'% he

reported to his ello" rebels. #o sign o any loyalists. / reckon "e%ve got about ive

&inutes beore "e reach ? Centre.%

#Are "e going to do "hat the capitalists tell us)% ric said. hese days he said little'

but "henever he spoke he "as angry.

(erek nodded. #/ suppose so'% he shouted back. #;ur co&rades have already been

brieed' it see&s, there%s no point conusing the& "ith alternative orders. 5esides' as

it happens' / can%t think o a better plan.%

#/ thought the capitalists "ould 6ust give us unding' not try and run the 9evolution'%

Stella said angrily. #hey%ve put us on the spot "ith this one' haven%t they) 9escuing

Geri arvey! /t%s like so&ething ro& the Saturday Aternoon Serial!% She "as not

ond o +s. arvey.

#/t%ll raise our proile' Stella'% (erek shouted in reply. #/&agine the support "e%ll "in.%

#3hen "e get into po"er'% /ggy shouted' #"e%ll have to do so&ething about this kindo thing. / don%t think the &edia should be ree to bring do"n govern&ents like this.%



#8ou%re talking like the Populist (e&ocrats'% (erek said scathingly. #4reedo& o

speech is one o the e" liberties "e have let. 5esides' the ree &edia "on%t try and

topple us i "e ulil our pro&ised policies * unlike the P4P.%

hey halted in the street outside ? Centre. he s&oking shells o three loyalist

ar&oured cars stood in the &iddle o the street' surrounded by Autarkic rotskyite

para&ilitaries. hey all "ore the ne" unior&' including shoulder lashes thatco&bined a superi&posed A and "ithin a circle radiating eight arro"s. 9enJ stood

at their head. hey cheered as (erek popped his head out o the turret o the ar&oured

car.

#Greetings' co&rades'% he called do"n to the&. #/ see you have already struck a blo"

against our hated oes. o" "e &ust take ? Centre by stor& and release the

hostages.%

he /nner Party 6oined their ground troops and aced the building' "hich stood silent

and apparently e&pty.

#Captain $a"less!% (erek yelled. #Co&e out and ight us!%

A "indo" in the top storey "as lung open and a voice shouted do"n7 #Co&e in and

get us!%(erek levelled his AH*LD at the "indo" and opened ire' but the rebel dodged back

inside. (erek cursed and turned to the others.

#Stor& the building!% he said. e led the& at a run up the light o steps.

A roar o gunire &et the& the &o&ent they burst into ? Centre%s ront lobby. /t

ca&e raking out ro& behind the cover provided by a reception desk' a light o steps

and the pillars that lined the large roo&. hree o the Autarkic rotskyites ell

i&&ediately' "hile the rest scra&bled or cover.

(erek and /ggy rolled behind a pillar and lay there gasping. (erek peeked round the

side, he "as re"arded by a spray o bullets. e pulled back and grinned at /ggy.

#(on%t kno" "hat you%ve got to be so happy about'% /ggy grunted. is heavy ace "as

pale. #All this ar&our didn%t save those three.% e indicated the three rebels "ho had

allen to the Populist (e&ocrats% guns.

#his situation%s absurd.% (erek laughed. #3e%re revolutionaries' not knights in Hevlar

ar&our.% e rolled out' blaed a"ay at the ene&y and then rolled back into cover.

#/t%ll look good to the people'% /ggy said. e leapt out and added his o"n input to the

ierce gun battle and scra&bled back into cover.

#/t%s ucking nuts.% (erek laughed. #/t%s unreal. /t%s a ucking telly progra&&e!%

e blaed a"ay at the ene&y' shooting the reception desk to pieces. is o"n ire and

the guns o the Party cut do"n the &en behind it.

e leapt back into cover as &ore Populist (e&ocrats opened ire ro& the stairs.

#Co&e on' /ggy'% he gasped. #Can%t you see the unny side o it)%#8ou%d better not be laughing "hen "e get to the studio'% /ggy said gri&ly. #hat

"on%t look good.% 5ut he s&irked and struck a Che Guevara pose. #Still' this is

ucking stupid. specially the clothes.%

e blaed a"ay at the oe.

Soon it beca&e apparent that the Populist (e&ocrats "ere alling back' up the steps

and deeper into the building. Ater a &inute or t"o' all ene&y ire ceased. hey had

retreated upstairs.

(erek stepped out ro& behind his pillar' posing dra&atically in his beret and

trenchcoat. e raised a hand.

#Advance!% he called.

he Autarkic rotskyites rose <uickly ro& their cover. hey &arched across thelobby and up the steps. 9eaching the irst loor' they ducked into the corridor beside



the staircase' "here the &ain group o Populist (e&ocrats appeared to have retreated.

A resh hail o bullets &et the& and the Autarkic rotskyites ducked into the cover o

the oices that lined the passage. hey returned ire.

he advance o the Autarkic rotskyites continued slo"ly but ine-orably as the

Populist (e&ocrats retreated deeper and deeper into the building' pausing every no"

and then to pick o so&e o their attackers. 5ut they "ere losing &ore than they "erekilling. 4inally' they retreated inside a studio on the ourth loor. he Autarkic

rotskyites advanced cautiously ater the&.

(erek' /ggy and Stella stood outside the studio doors' surrounded on all sides by their

ollo"ers. A light "as on over the door.

#o" &any have "e lost)% (erek asked' concerned that they &ight not have enough

to ace the ene&y.

#A air e"'% Stella reported. #5ut the ene&y have lost &ore. 3e%re not beaten yet'

Captain.%

#o'% (erek said. #5ut they are. Co&e on' co&rades!% e lung open the doors and

they charged into the studio.

4il&ing "as going on "ithin' but the centre o attention "as a large cage "here thecaptain o the Populist (e&ocrats stood beore the ca&era "ith his gun to the head o

a scantily*clad blonde. he Populist (e&ocrat lag * a Southern cross e&blaoned

"ith a black s"astika * hung ro& the cage. Ca&era&en "ere il&ing the scene' "hile

Populist (e&ocrat para&ilitaries &enaced the& "ith sub&achine guns. (erek

realised "ith an oddly surreal eeling that he "as looking at the 9evolution! studio.

/t see&ed dierent so&eho" in reality' s&aller and &eaner and less i&pressive. 3hen

he "as younger he had antasised so &any ti&es about appearing in this place. 5ut

no" it see&ed to be no &ore than an unnecessary stu&bling*block on the road to

po"er.

As the studio doors crashed open' Captain $a"less looked up.

#Captain Apocalypse! At last!% he bello"ed dra&atically' beore turning to his &en.

#Hill the&!%

he Populist (e&ocrats opened ire. he Autarkic rotskyites ired back instantly and

the struggle broke out aresh.

(ucking and "eaving' doing his best to ignore the gun battle raging around hi&'

(erek ran to"ards the cage. Captain $a"less sa" hi& co&ing. e thre" Geri arvey

roughly to the loor and produced a long' "icked bayonet.

#3e%ll ight like &en' Captain Apocalypse!% he grunted as (erek ca&e out into the

studio lights. $a"less halted in his tracks as (erek ran up the steps that led to the cage

door.

#3ell' "ell' "ell'% he laughed as (erek dre" his co&bat knie and entered the cage.#3hat a surprise! 4uck"it!%

e tore a"ay the balaclava and (erek gasped involuntarily' recognising the Populist

(e&ocrat captain. /t "as 9ob the Hnob.

#/ told you /%d be "aiting or you'% 9ob grunted.

#osser'% (erek said. #/t doesn%t &atter "ho you are * you%re still gonna die.%

Geri arvey had been "atching the conrontation ro& the loor "here $a"less * 9ob

* had lung her. She turned to"ards the ca&era.

#/t see&s "e are "itnessing a clash bet"een old ene&ies'% (erek heard her begin' an

instant beore he struck.

9ob tried to parry' but (erek evaded this and sliced hi& across the chest. Gritting his

teeth' 9ob stabbed do"n at (erek' but his blade glanced o (erek%s Hevlar*reinorced co&bat shirt. (erek grabbed the lad%s knie*"rist and thrust savagely at



9ob%s ribs. he Populist (e&ocrat captain had no ar&our to co&pare "ith (erek%s'

but his hand lashed do"n "ith al&ost preternatural speed and caught (erek%s "rist.

he deaening noise o the gunight slo"ly died a"ay as the t"o leaders stood locked

together' straining or supre&acy in a battle o strength' brutal and pri&al. (erek

beca&e painully a"are o t"o things7 that the eyes o all "ere upon hi&, and that

9ob "as still &uch bigger and stronger than hi&. / it "as to be a test o physicalstrength rather than intelligence and cunning' (erek "as doo&ed.

Gri&ly' rustrated at his "eakness' (erek struggled against his stronger oe.

9ob "as as strong as ever. Still as strong and still as stupid. (erek broke the stale&ate

by giving "ay abruptly. he Populist (e&ocrat stu&bled or"ard "ith an undigniied

s<ua"k o surprise and (erek tore his knie hand ree.

9ob%s ace ell as he staggered past his old ene&y. ?ainly' he tried to turn' to regain

balance' but all he succeeded in doing "as to t"ist round or a e" seconds'

presenting (erek "ith the inviting target o his broad chest.

(erek plunged his knie into 9ob%s heart.

he studio see&ed to reverberate as 9ob%s corpse ell "ith a heavy crash to the loor

o the cage. Silence ell as the echoes died a"ay. /t "as broken by the a&iliar clattero alling "eapons as the Populist (e&ocrats thre" do"n their ar&s and raised their

hands in token o surrender. ;ne &an stepped up into the cage to kneel beore (erek%s

eet.

#8ou have con<uered'% he proclai&ed loudly. #3e accept you as our captain.%

(erek looked proudly do"n at the deeated &an. #(o you pledge your allegiance to

the policies o the Autarkic rotskyite Party' in ull vie" o your o"n co&rades' the

studio audience and everyone at ho&e)%

he &an inclined his head. #3e do'% he ru&bled.

#hen / "elco&e you all as &e&bers o the Autarkic rotskyite Party'% (erek said'

raising his voice to take in all o the or&er Populist (e&ocrats. #And / co&&and you

to ree all hostages you have taken.%

Geri arvey stepped or"ard "ith her &icrophone. As the studio audience began to

rise ro& "here they had lain under the guns o the Populist (e&ocrats' she asked7

#o" that your status as ;pposition $eader goes unchallenged' Captain' "hat%s your

ne-t &ove)%

/nsolently' (erek looked her up and do"n. e had never really liked her as a

presenter and he liked her no &ore in the un*airbrushed lesh. 3hy should he tell her

his secret plans) ven i he did have a clue as to "hat he intended to do ne-t.

#o co&&ent'% he said' alling back on the politician%s old stal"art.

#So you have nothing to tell us)% Geri asked. #(o you not trust the integrity o the ree

&edia)%#o" do "e kno" you%re not trying to &ake us betray ourselves to the overdogs)%

(erek asked' annoyed by her persistence. #Ater all' you did support their rise to

po"er. o" you%re supporting us. 3hy should "e trust turncoats)%

Geri s&iled as i at a child and (erek%s hackles rose. #he &edia can%t be partisan in

politics'% she e-plained. #3e support "hoever the people "e represent support.%

#he people you represent)% (erek said suspiciously. #3ho are they)%

#he People' o course'% Geri said. #5ut / "as asking the <uestions:%

#3hy' "hat is this' an interrogation)% (erek blaed. e "as vaguely a"are that he

"asn%t &aking too good a sho" o hi&sel and on national ? at that. 5ut he orged

on regardless. #8ou al"ays support rebels' but you never support any one party unless

they%re the ;pposition * "hile parties "ho have ar better policies than populists likethe P4P have to struggle on "ithout any encourage&ent.%



Geri laughed nervously and glanced to"ards her producer. She cleared her throat and

looked or the autocue. #3e are the &outhpiece o the People. 3e provide support or

"ho&soever the People avour'% she said. #ust as the civil service support the parties

the people put in po"er * the govern&ent.%

#5ut you support anyone' "hatever their policies!% (erek said angrily. #And they%re all

po"er*hungry akes! 3hy don%t you:%e broke o in disgust as Geri put a hand to her ear' ignoring hi&. #3ell'% she said

"ith a s&ile' ater a couple o seconds. #Perhaps you%d like to discuss the ailings o

the syste& "ith the people "ho are really in the kno". /t see&s that even no" the

loyalists are entering the building.% She turned to the ca&era. #And no" "e go to

Sa&antha 9odrigue' currently present outside ? Centre.%

#Cut!% cried the producer. #Go to Sa&antha.%

A hubbub o chatter illed the studio as the il&ing ended. /gnoring it' (erek turned to

his troops.

#At the&' co&rades!% he said. Stella stepped or"ard.

#3e%re battle*"eary and &any o us are "ounded'% she reported bitterly. he sound o

running eet in the distance "as gro"ing louder. #3e can%t ight the&.%(erek eyed her uncertainly. e "as about to reply "hen the producer shouted

so&ething to the ca&era&en. he studio doors crashed open and hordes o loyalists

looded in.

e s"ung round on Geri arvey' "ho "as talking to the ca&era. e grabbed her and

spun her round to ace hi&. #/s there any "ay out o this place)% he said desperately'

as the loyalist captain began shouting or their i&&ediate surrender. e shook her.

er sot' perect lesh "as pliant in his hands.

#hrough the door over there'% she said. #/t leads to &y dressing roo&' but do"n the

corridor there%s a ire escape. Good luck!%

he loyalists opened ire. he rebels shot back in a disorganised rabble. As his tired

&en began to all to the loyalists' (erek shouted7 #his "ay!%

3ithout urther ado' they began the retreat.

he Autarkic rotskyites burst through the door into a narro" corridor beyond. At one

end o it stood a ire door' at the other a door "ith =Geri arvey> "ritten on it in gilt

letters.

#hank the ree &edia!% (erek said and he led the& to"ards the ire escape at a run.

e kicked open the door. 4ire alar&s pealed out as the rebels hurried out and began to

clatter do"n the &etal steps. 4ro& up here they could see the "hole o Central City.

#3here are "e going)% Stella shouted above the noise o the kla-ons. She "as at

(erek%s elbo".

#/ don%t kno"'% (erek ad&itted.hey "ere al&ost at the botto& o the steps by no"' "ith a strea& o Autarkic

rotskyites clattering do"n behind the&. 4ive loyalists burst out ro& the ire e-it.

hey started iring.

#/ "e can lose these'% a &an nearby said' #do "e go back to the base)%

#3hat base)% (erek said. he rebels anned out across the yard' turning to rake the

loyalists above "ith gunire.

#3here the capitalists led us this &orning'% said the Autarkic rotskyite.

e grunted as a bullet took hi& bet"een the shoulders and he ell dead. (erek "hirled

round in search o 9enJ.

#9enJ!% he shouted' catching sight o hi& running near Stella. #$ead us to the ne"

base!%



5ullets "hiing around the&' the rebels thundered out o the yard into a suburban

street. "o APCs "ere trundling rapidly to"ards the&.

#his "ay!% 9enJ said' running to"ards an alley. ;ne o the APCs opened ire and he

ell in the &iddle o the road.

A ragged volley ro& the others and the APC "ent up in la&e' "hile its ello" "ent

crashing into the nearby brick "all. Stella ran or"ard to her brother' "ho "asstruggling "eakly to his eet. e tapped his Hevlar ar&our.

#his stu "orks'% he "heeed.

5ut &ore loyalists "ere still pouring out o ? Centre. #$ead us to the base!% (erek

co&&anded.

heir escape route led the& do"n a t"isting' "inding &ae o backstreets' he&&ed

in by terraces ro& "hose "indo"s "atchul aces ollo"ed their progress. Soon their

&urderous pursuers "ere lost behind the&. hey reached the gates to a silent' hal*

derelict actory.

#/n here'% gasped 9enJ.

5eyond the actory gates' the place lay deserted. he doors to the &ain building lay

open.he Autarkic rotskyites hurried the& inside and one closed the doors behind the&.

(erek looked around the vast hall beyond' ull o ranks o silently rusting &achinery *

and no" "ith his para&ilitaries.

hey "ere sae. 5ut or ho" long)

he ne-t &orning' the /nner Party &et in "hat had once been the senior &anager%s

oice. (erek lounged on a s"ivel chair' rereshed ater a night o drea&less sleep'

eet up on the desk' cradling his AH*LD. /ggy' ric' Stella and a recovered 9enJ sat

around the other side o the desk.

#See&s Gray has provided us "ith enough ood to keep us going or a "eek'% Stella

"as reporting. She had 6ust co&e ro& the storeroo&s in the base&ent. #And there are

enough unior&s and "eapons or all the e-*Populist (e&ocrats. e &ay be a ilthy

capitalist' Captain' but Gray has provided us "ith everything "e need to progress

ro& being a street*gang to an undeniable threat to national security.%

(erek nodded slo"ly. #is businesses &ust have been hit hard by the current

govern&ent'% he said cynically. e spat in the general direction o the "aste paper

basket. #/ don%t like having to rely on corporate backing. o" could he have got so

rich "ithout e-ploiting the people)%

#o" "ill "e liberate the people "ithout his &oney)% /ggy countered. #/ you don%t

like it you should have stayed in ;utlet ?illage. 5ut you "anted to get in po"er' you

said. 8ou didn%t "ant us 6ust to be a pressure group' you said.%#4uck o' /ggy'% (erek said idly' irritated by the "ay /ggy see&ed to bla&e

everything on hi&. #3e%re gonna do it' okay) /t%s 6ust that / have a e" reservations.%

#5ut "hat are "e going to do ne-t)% Stella asked practically. #he &en "ant so&e

action.%

#/ reckon "e attack the loyalists'% ric said harshly.

#+ake a sho" o strength)% (erek asked. #Good thinking' ric. 3here%s the nearest

loyalist outpost) 3e%ll seie that.%

he nearest base "as only a e" streets a"ay. Poor unsuspecting bastards' (erek

thought' as he gave orders or a large contingent o Autarkic rotskyites to sally orth

and seie it.

#/%ll lead the attack &ysel'% he declared as the rebel para&ilitaries asse&bled in theactory yard. #3e%ll &arch through the backstreets and take it in a pincer &anoeuvre.%



A rebel ran or"ard to s"ing open the heavy iron gates. he Autarkic rotskyites iled

out into the silent backstreets.

/nitially' everything "ent to plan. he "eed*gro"n streets "ere deserted and the

dilapidated actories and "arehouses on either side stood in silence. 5ut they &et their

irst check "hen they reached the link"ay running bet"een their part o the

constituency and the centre' "here the loyalist outpost stood.he &ain body o &en "aited round the corner "hile (erek sent a e" scouts ahead

to check out the link"ay. he scouts hurried back to report.

#All clear'% one said conidently.

#Advance'% (erek ordered. #At the double!%

he rebels reached the deserted link"ay. he sun "as cli&bing in the sky as they

began to cross the concrete road. /t "as about ten o%clock' a ti&e "hen all good

people "ere at "ork and e" deliveries "ere being &ade.

he rebels "ere hal"ay across the link"ay "hen an engine roared into lie in a

backstreet not ar a"ay. (erek ollo"ed the sound.

Abruptly' an ar&oured car turned the corner' t"enty yards up the link"ay. 3ithout

pausing to negotiate' it opened ire on the para&ilitaries.#ake cover!% shouted (erek over the roar o gunire. #And retaliate! 4ire at "ill!%

he rebels scattered' leaving ive corpses lying un&oving in the &iddle o the

link"ay. So&e o the Autarkic rotskyites ran back the "ay they had co&e' others *

(erek at their head * dashed into the street on the ar side.

hey halted in the cover o a high "all. #Shit'% /ggy said. #3e%ve been split up.%

#Get iring!% (erek ordered' ignoring hi&. he rebels headed back to the intersection'

opening ire on the advancing ar&oured car. ;n the ar side o the link"ay' the other

rebels copied the&.

A siren began to "ail ro& the loyalist vehicle.

#4uck!% (erek cursed' panicking. #e%ll bring do"n all the patrols or &iles around!%

o sooner had (erek spoken than another ar&oured car ru&bled into the link"ay

thirty yards a"ay.

#$oyalists to the let o us' loyalists to the right'% /ggy said gri&ly. he ne"co&er

opened up on the rebels across the link"ay.

(erek cursed again. e should have given &ore precise orders! o" their strength

"as halved. / only the irst ar&oured car had appeared a &inute earlier or a &inute

later:

#3ho%s over there)% he said to hi&sel' peering across the battle*torn link"ay. e

"hipped out his radio. #/s Stella "ith the&)% e licked on the radio and called her up.

#8es' Captain)% her voice crackled back. #3e%re under heavy attack here. Another

ar&oured car has appeared ro& behind us. 3e%re surrounded.% #$isten' Stella'% (erek said urgently. #/t%s i&perative that "e seie the loyalist

outpost! / "e can &anage that' there%s a high chance the rest o the loyalists "ill

surrender. Heep the& o you i you can * radio back to base or reinorce&ents. +y

&en are going on.%

#(on%t desert us!% Stella s<ua"ked. #3e%re trapped here!%

#ust keep the& busy'% (erek shouted' hating hi&sel or being "illing to &ake this

sacriice. #3e%ll co&e back or you 6ust as soon as "e%ve seied their base. ;ut.%

(erek looked at /ggy and then the others' a bad taste in his &outh. ric "as not "ith

the&' but 9enJ stood close by.

#Stella%s gonna distract the&'% he said gri&ly. #+ean"hile "e%re gonna &ake or the

loyalist outpost. / "e can take that over' "e%ll have good grounds or de&andingtheir i&&ediate surrender.%



#8es' Captain'% they chorused obediently. e led the& do"n the street at a run.

he loyalist outpost lay at the edge o the co&&ercial sector' a large red brick

building that dated ro& the turn o the previous century. he aded "ords =Police

Station> "ere still visible above the &ain doors' but the P4P lag luttered ro& the

lagpole in the neat little garden in ront.

4ive ar&oured cars stood idle in the car park to the right o the building. he rebelsadvanced conidently. An abrupt' unheralded burst o iring ro& the building

shattered the &orning peace.

#ake cover!% (erek ordered' ducking do"n behind the lo" "all that surrounded the

base. is &en rushed to 6oin hi&' e-cept or t"o "ho ell as the loyalists sprayed the

street "ith lead.

(erek peered over the "all and ducked back hastily as a sniper%s bullet s&ashed into

the bricks beside hi&.

#$ooks like they%ve got about our gun&en' t"o to either side o the door'% he said to

his co&rades. #he patrols &ust have reported back to base and these "ere lying in

"ait or us.%

he rebel orces divided into t"o' one to concentrate their ire on the let "ing o the building' the other on the right.

#4ire!% (erek said' ro& a centre*let position. he rebels rose up ro& behind the "all

and opened ire.

$oyalist gun&en shot back and t"o &ore rebels ell' one dead' one unlikely to see the

evening. 5ut as (erek%s &en raked the building "ith heavy ire' shattering "indo"s

and peppering the brick "ith lead' the loyalist ire gre" "eaker and &ore and &ore

erratic.

Soon there "as only one source o gunire' ro& a "indo" on the e-tre&e right. hey

concentrated their ire on the right "ing.

Ater a e" seconds' the loyalist ire halted abruptly.

#Cease ire!% ordered (erek. #And get do"n!%

;bediently' the rebels leapt back into the cover o the lo" "all. Silence ell once

&ore.

(erek gave /ggy a <uestioning e-pression. /ggy shrugged. #Sounds like "e%ve settled

the&.%

(erek nodded. Slo"ly' he got to his eet and aced the building.

A cold s"eat broke out on his bro"' but (erek heard no gunire. he "indo"s and the

blue la&p over the doors "ere shattered and the brick"ork "as heavily pock&arked.

#/ there%s anyone alive in there' surrender'% he called. #3e%ve got the entire building

surrounded.%

Silence. (erek glanced do"n at his &en. #Advance' co&rades'% he said and led the&<uickly up the little lagstone path to the ront doors.

he rosted glass in the doors had so&eho" survived the assault and (erek could

&ake out nothing o the inside. e booted the doors open. 5eyond the& "as a s&all

hall' "ith a staircase leading to the irst loor. An arch"ay on the let led into a

"aiting roo&. "o doors on the right presu&ably led to oices or storeroo&s. All

"as silent.

#Co&e on' co&rades'% (erek said. hey hurried into the hall. #So&eone lo"er the P4P

lag and replace it "ith this'% he said' handing 9enJ a bundled*up lag. Gray had

provided the thing. (erek had given it the once over beore they set out, like the ne"

shoulder lashes it consisted o the superi&posed A and in a circle radiating eight

arro"s' "ith the letters AP e&blaoned across. So&e graphics designer had had aield day.



9enJ slipped back out. (erek led the rebels into the "aiting roo&. 5roken glass ro&

the shattered "indo"s crunched beneath their booted eet.

;ne o the doors on the ar side o the hall s"ung open "ith a loud hollo" boo& and

gunire blaed out. At the sa&e ti&e' a loyalist leapt up ro& behind the old sergeant%s

desk and opened ire.

1 STREET FI!HTIN! MAN

(erek lung hi&sel to the glass*stre"n loor. As the strea& o bullets hu&&ed

through the air like urious bees' he rolled in ront o the reception desk.

he other rebels "ere still caught bet"een t"o possible deaths. So&e turned to"ards

the loyalists co&ing ro& the hall, others vainly sought cover ro& the &an behind

the desk. Still &ore ell in the roar o gunire' scrabbling at their bullet*shattered lesh

in unthinking' &echanical pain.

(erek leapt up "ith his AH*LD and ble" the &an%s head a"ay. 5lood and brainsspattered the "all.

#Co&e on' co&rades!% he yelled. e vaulted the desk and booted open the door

beyond. is &en hurried ater hi& gladly' so&e turning to ire at the loyalists in the

hall.

(erek sprang into the roo& beyond. hree loyalists "ere in the &iddle o "hat

appeared to be an operations roo&, t"o o the& turned <uickly as (erek entered and

he shot the& do"n. he third &an' "ho "ore captain%s unior&' raised his hands.

he surviving Autarkic rotskyites cro"ded into the roo& behind (erek as gunire

"hined and "histled ro& the hall. he last one sla&&ed the door behind hi&.

he loyalist captain nodded to (erek. #Surrender' co&rade'% he suggested

nonchalantly. #8ou%re trapped.%(erek ignored hi&. e hunted round the roo& or another e-it. is eyes seied on a

s&all door do"n the "all ro& the one they%d entered through.

he glass in the &ain door shattered as the gunire ro& the hall burst out again.

hrough the broken "indo"' (erek caught a brie gli&pse o loyalists s"ar&ing into

the reception area. is &en levelled their ar&s and returned ire.

#his "ay!% (erek said' leading so&e &en to"ards the s&all door. /t banged opened

as they approached and ive &ore loyalists ca&e pouring through.

#Surrender!% said the loyalist captain ro& behind (erek. e turned to see the &an

covering the& "ith a rile' see&ingly produced ro& no"here. #(rop your "eapons'%

he added.

(erek sighed. /t had been a good ight "hile it lasted. e dropped his AH*LD and then

nodded to his co&rades to do the sa&e.

e raised his hands.

he captain approached. e "as a shity*aced &an "ith angry eyes. #(o you accept

&e as captain)% he asked. #(o you pledge your allegiance to the policies o the

Popular 4reedo& Party)%

$iberty or death' (erek thought bleakly. 3hich "as this) o have got so ar only to

end up beco&ing a loyalist. e stared silently at the loor.

#Ans"er!% the captain barked.

he rattle o gunire broke the silence. /t ca&e ro& the reception area and "as

ollo"ed instantly by a series o gargling screa&s. he loyalists at the door spunround and opened ire at unseen opponents' but ater a e" short bursts (erek sa"



the& raising their hands and iling "eapon*less into the operations roo&. 4a&iliar

igures herded the&. 3ith gri& pleasure' (erek recognised 9enJ.

#9enJ!% he called. #/ "as beginning to give up on you * And Stella!%

Stella grinned at hi& as her troops s"ar&ed into the roo&. #8ou can%t give &e the slip

that easily' Captain'% she said cheerully. #3e ought our "ay out o that a&bush and

ca&e ater you. / &et &y brother in the street outside and "e heard the gunire ro&inside. Got yoursel in a right old &ess' hadn%t you)%

#Good "ork' Stella'% (erek said approvingly and she glo"ed. e turned to the loyalist

captain' "hose ar&s "ere raised once &ore.

#(o you accept &e as captain)% he asked. #(o you pledge your allegiance to the

policies o the Autarkic rotskyite Party)%

#$ooks like it'% said the captain laconically. #Autarkic rotskyite Party' is it) / sa" you

on 9evolution! last night.%

(erek nodded. #3ho are you)% he asked.

#he na&e%s Captain Savage'% he said. #/ used to co&&and ;utlet ?illage under the

previous regi&e. hen / 6oined the P4P to see a bit o action and ended up in

co&&and o this urban constituency. A step up ro& the provinces.%#8ou beca&e a loyalist again)% (erek asked.

Savage nodded laily. #And Central City "as al&ost as dull as ;utlet ?illage. Still'

no" things are looking up' Captain.%

#8ou &ust kno" this area "ell'% (erek said' raising his voice over the hubbub as the

Autarkic rotskyites beca&e ac<uainted "ith their ne" co&rades. #8ou could help us

plan our ne-t &ove.% Savage led (erek over to the &ain "all*&ap. #3hat are the key

tactical positions in this area)% (erek asked. Savage regarded the &ap or a "hile.

#3e%re here'% he said' indicating an area about three or our &iles "est o Govern&ent

5uildings. #3e%re not that ar ro& Steele hi&sel. 5ut i you 6ust "ent straight in and

tried to seie Govern&ent @' all the loyalists ro& the surrounding constituencies

"ould co&e do"n on you and you%d be deeated. he P4P suered a &a6or deeat

like that' though / "arned Steele beore that attack, told hi& it "as suicide. he

loyalists are better trained and better supplied' no &atter ho" "ell*unded your party

&ight be.%

#5ut "hat do you suggest)% (erek asked. #3ith your superior e-perience'% he added.

Savage laughed arrogantly. #ead south'% he said. #South o the river.%

#South)% (erek asked. #here%s no"here o tactical value south o the river. othing

o any value' ro& "hat /%ve heard.%

Savage laughed. #/t doesn%t look &uch' /%ll grant you * "orse than ;utlet ?illage and

"e all kno" that%s a du&p. 5ut there%s one i&portant secret hidden so&e"here south

o the bridges.%#3hat%s that' then)% (erek snapped' a little put out by the &an%s abrupt &anner.

Savage paused dra&atically. #he govern&ent arsenal'% he said.

(erek raised an eyebro". his sounded interesting Q i a little too convenient. o" ar

could they trust this serial turncoat)

#he P4P put all their eggs in one basket'% Savage e-plained. #hey think that as long

as they keep the basket hidden' they%ll be sae. his is true. 5ut / kno" "here the

basket is. ake their arsenal and you%ll cut o their lie*blood. hey can only ight so

long i they don%t get any supplies.%

#3hat%s &ore' "e%ll have an e-tensive supply o "eapons and a&&o'% (erek said

thoughtully. #/ the loyalists are anything to go by' it should keep us going

indeinitely. hanks' co&rade. 8ou%ve been a great help to the 9evolution.%



#aturally'% Savage said "ith a sneer. #/ "as a rebel "hen you "ere still in nappies. /

kno" ar &ore than you do * /%ve been around.% e looked (erek up and do"n. #So'

ater you%ve got control o their arsenal * "hat ne-t)%

(erek "as uncertain. +uch as he dislike Savage%s &anner' the e-*loyalist had a point.

#Strike at Govern&ent 5uildings)% he suggested.

#o!% Savage snorted. #8ou%ve got no control any"here else south o the river. All theloyalists "ill co&e do"n on you like a ton o bricks unless you get the& on your side

irst. And that%ll happen "ith or "ithout resh supplies. ;nce you%ve got all that done

then you can go or the big one.%

#5ut "hat about the other loyalists)% (erek asked. #3on%t they:)%

#o!% Savage said again. #8ou &ake a sho" o strength' secure your route' circle

round the city centre and then * 3ha&! Seie po"er. he rest o the loyalists "ill

accept you. ;r not'% he added. #here%ll al"ays be rebels in the provinces. 5ut i you

secure a decent po"er base in Central City' that "on%t &atter too &uch. 9ebellion is

inevitable' any"ay.%

#ot unless "e renege on our political pro&ises'% (erek said ir&ly. +aybe Savage

didn%t kno" so &uch about politics ater all. #3e "on%t turn corrupt at the irst "hio po"er. 3e%ll give the people liberty. hen no one "ill need to rebel!%

#(on%t count on it'% Savage said gri&ly.

(erek soon discovered that tactical inor&ation and intelligence "ere not the only

beneits o taking absolute control o the constituency surrounding ? Centre. he

Party%s ranks had al&ost doubled and the ne"co&ers brought "ith the& not only an

i&pressive array o "eapons and a&&o' but also a s&all leet o ar&oured cars. /t

see&ed that the people o the area' like &ost people "ho lived in Central City' "ere

accusto&ed to radical shits on the po"er structure and &ost "ere "ise enough to

keep to their ho&es. As yet' (erek understood that there had been no reaction ro&

the govern&ent "hatsoever.

hat evening' hoping to get a better idea o the current political situation and gauge

"hat i&pact their con<uest had &ade on the national consciousness' the /nner Party

gathered around a ? in the oice in the actory. Political al*our "as playing on

Channel Oero.

#And this aternoon' the $eader o the govern&ent &ade another appeal or cal& ater

the ne"s broke that the Autarkic rotskyite Party had seied control o a constituency

on the edge o Central City'% the presenter inor&ed the&' lounging back on her seat

and crossing her long' shapely legs. #3ith us in the studio tonight' "e have senior

civil servant Sir Archibald Atkinson. Sir Archibald'% she said' leaning or"ard and

placing her "ell*&anicured hand on the knee o a soberly dressed' red*aced &an

sitting across ro& her' #3hat "ould you say is your opinion on the current politicalcli&ate)%

Sir Archibald loosened his tie and gave the young "o&an a so&e"hat <ueasy s&ile.

#3ell' er' +elanie'% he said hoarsely' #as you kno"' / a& held by &y colleagues to be

one o the ore&ost e-perts on popular andRor &edia dissent:%

#/ kno"'% the presenter gushed' #and / ind that so attractive in a &an.%

#@uite'% said Sir Archibald in a strangled s<ueak. #/%ve advised &ore young

govern&ents than / could enu&erate on ho" to deal "ith such a situation. his

aternoon &y advice to the $eader "as to give the public a e" concessions. hey%ve

sho"n clear disapproval about Steele%s stalling over such burning issues as 6obs or

all' the end o voluntary service and the return to' er' to de&ocracy:%

#And "hat "as +r. Steele%s reply)% asked the presenter' leaning closer.



#3ell' er' +elanie' as you &ay have heard' the $eader o the govern&ent is not' er'

not a "ell &an'% Sir Archibald said unco&ortably. #is replies could only be

described as incoherent and irrational. 5et"een you and &e' &y dear' /%& not sure

he%s still the &an or the 6ob.%

5ea&ing' the presenter turned to ace the ca&era. #o' indeed'% she said brightly.

#ere "e have so&e ootage ro& "ithin Govern&ent @ sho"ing the $eader in ulllo":%

he picture cut to sho" the inside o the &ain govern&ent cha&ber' the nerve centre

o Govern&ent @. Steele had the loor' ro& "hich he "as haranguing his

ollo"ers. he ca&era closed up on his &oustachioed ace.

#...are ada&ant to destroy everything "e%ve ever "orked or!% Steele "as ranting. #3e

took control in the na&e o liberty. o" can "e bring liberty "hen "e%re aced "ith

ar&ed dissent)%

#3e "ouldn%t bother i you%d only put your &oney "here your &outh is'% /ggy

&uttered.

he $eader%s ace "as pasty and slick "ith s"eat. is eyes "ere red*ri&&ed. #he

only solution or the proble&s that ace us is to strike back!% he declared. #(estroythe&' crush the&, put an end to all plotting!%

he scene cut to the studio again. #3ell'% said the presenter brightly. #Perhaps "e%ll all

be better o "ith the Autarkic rotskyites.%

(erek and his ello" rebels cheered ironically.

;nce he had the govern&ent arsenal under his control and reinorced by the e-*

loyalists' (erek elt conident enough to begin holding rallies in order to dru& up

urther support.

(ay by day over the ollo"ing "eek' entire actions o rebels and or&er loyalists

ro& nu&erous to"ns and cities turned up at (erek%s ne" base' oering their

constituencies in return or &e&bership o the Autarkic rotskyite Party. ;ver the

ollo"ing "eeks (erek assu&ed control o &uch o Central City south o the river'

"hile regular reports ro& Stella revealed that the story "as &uch the sa&e to the

north. Attacks by the re&aining supporters o the govern&ent "ere sporadic and

ineectual.

#3hen do "e &ake our &ove)% /ggy asked one night' in the &ain oice o their

co&&and centre in a constituency due south across the river ro& Govern&ent

5uildings. A single naked bulb hung ro& the ceiling. #$ast "eek' you said today...%

#3ait till /%ve "atched this'% (erek said absently' gaing at the lickering screen o the

television in the corner. he ne"s "as 6ust starting.

#/n Govern&ent @ today' the $eader once &ore denounced the conspiracy to

re&ove hi& ro& oice'% the presenter "as saying. #he $eader alleged that the;pposition "ere no &ore than stooges in so&e unthinkably vast conspiracy intended

to stunt popular reedo& in this country, urther&ore clai&ing that the recent series o

scandals involving pro&inent cabinet &inisters' "hich has pro&pted &any or&er

loyalists to thro" in their lot "ith the opposition party' is no &ore than a bogus set o

tru&ped*up clai&s invented by a seditious &edia.

#Popular unrest is gro"ing in the capital as Captain Apocalypse o the Autarkic

rotskyite Party continues to attract support. he tide o opinion is very &uch against

the ruling party.%

#3e &ust not let ourselves be s"ayed by the ene&ies o de&ocracy'% said Steele' as

the picture on the screen changed to sho" ootage o the $eader in Govern&ent @

that aternoon. #hese Autarkic rotskyites are only the tip o the iceberg o unrest7 avast conspiracy designed to destroy popular reedo&!% Steele%s &oustachioed ace "as



pasty and behind his dark glasses' he glared suspiciously around hi& as he spoke. is

party ru&bled unenthusiastically as he &ade his "ild clai&s. #(o not' / beg you'

per&it these insurgents to destroy the only hope our country possesses!%

#+ean"hile' in other ne"s today:% the presenter continued brightly.

(erek leaned or"ard and s"itched the television o. e glanced up at /ggy and

grinned.#o&orro" the "orld' co&rade'% he pro&ised. #$iberty!%

#$iberty!% /ggy said "ith a raised ist.

e-t &orning' at 0N00 hours' "ith the lights o da"n streaking the eastern sky' the

revolution began. South o the river' a large contingent o rebel ar&oured cars

ru&bled through the early &orning streets' reaching $ink"ay orth at appro-i&ately

0N1E and heading to"ards $iberty 5ridge. (erek and /ggy "ere in the irst car.

At the sa&e ti&e' (erek kne"' another division o ar&oured cars "as setting out ro&

the actory in the north o Central City. Stella' 9enJ and ric led this "ing o the

attack. (irectly bet"een the t"o thrusts lay the city centre and Govern&ent 5uildings.

5y 0NL0 hours' Stella%s contingent had reached the point "here 4reeport $ink"aycrossed City $ink"ay. ere they &et their irst check.

"o colu&ns o loyalist ar&oured cars appeared, one ro& the east' one ro& the

south. 3ithout "arning' they opened ire on the rebels. 5attle broke out i&&ediately.

(erek listened in concern to their reports over the radio. e and /ggy e-changed

"orried glances. So ar' they had &et no opposition' but "ithout Stella%s lanking

&anoeuvre' their chances o success "ould be greatly li&ited.

hey reached $iberty 5ridge a couple o &inutes later to ind the&selves aced by a

large roadblock. 5ehind it' a orce o loyalists "as a"aiting the&.

(erek sent or"ard three ar&oured cars to clear the area. he irst t"o hit concealed

land&ines as they reached the edge o the bridge and they "ent up like 9o&an

candles. he third skidded out o control' sent o t"o &ore land&ines' but careered

on"ards' blaing iercely' to crash straight through the roadblock and detonate a third

o the "ay across the bridge.

At this' the loyalists "ho had survived the conlagration turned and led across the

bridge to"ard the north end.

(erek cursed violently. #Get that &ineield cleared'% he ordered. #3e &ust cross the

bridge beore the &ain ar&oured car base is &ustered.%

he loyalists% chie APC base "as on the other side o $iberty S<uare' across the

bridge. Should this be &obilised beore the rebels crossed the river' the ight "ould be

long and hard and their chances o reaching Govern&ent $ink"ay "ould be poor.

4ar across the city' Stella%s orce had broken through the protective cordonsurrounding the city centre' but no" their depleted orces "ere leeing the loyalists

do"n Co&&ercial $ink"ay into the city centre. o" they "ere going in the direction

they "anted' but Stella could not rid hersel o the eeling that they "ere heading into

a trap.

She considered abandoning the ar&oured cars and continuing on oot through the

pedestrianised streets o the shopping district. he loyalist ar&oured cars "ould not

ollo" the& there: 5ut "ho kne" "hat &ight be "aiting or the&)

he rebel ar&oured cars roared on"ards' into the city centre.

(erek%s &en had the &ineield cleared ater a e" nerve*"racking &inutes. Ater

seeing a set o land&ines on a shel in the arsenal' (erek had been inspired to bring a

couple o &ine detectors ro& the arsenal. o &ore than a precautionary &easure' buthe elt glad o it as he "atched ro& his turret.



#All clear' captain'% one o the &en called.

(erek surveyed the deserted bridge ahead. (espite the delay' there had been no

urther sign o the loyalists.

#;n"ards' co&rades!% he cried. #;n"ards to $iberty S<uare! ;n"ards to liberty!%

he ar&oured cars roared into lie. A &inute later they "ere s"eeping across $iberty

5ridge.Stella%s ar&oured car s"erved round a corner and 9enJ' "ho "as driving' sla&&ed

on the brakes. Stella%s head collided "ith the bulkhead at high speed.

#;"!% she co&plained' glaring at her brother. ric heaved hi&sel past her and

shouted at 9enJ.

#3hy have "e stopped)%

#Get back on the guns' ric!% 9enJ bello"ed.

;utside' the other rebel ar&oured cars "ere skidding to a halt. #he loyalists have

cordoned o the link"ay ahead!% 9enJ added.

Stella shot up the turret' poking her head outside like a 6ack*in*a*bo-. $oyalist APCs

packed the link"ay ahead. he rebel APCs had halted behind her o"n vehicle' but

behind the& and gaining on the& "ith every second ca&e their original pursuers.She leapt back inside. ric "as at the guns. e looked up. #(o "e shoot the bastards)%

he asked harshly.

Stella shook her head. #3e%re ucked i "e stay here'% she yelled. She grabbed the

radio*&ike. #his is Stella' / repeat' this is Stella'% she called. #5ail out and head or

the pedestrianised streets. hey can%t ollo" us there' co&rades' unless they%re on oot

as "ell. And then they%ll be no better o than us. ;ut.%

9enJ looked up. #3e%re abandoning our vehicles)% he asked.

#(o as / say!% she snapped' seiing her i and scra&bling back up the turret.

ric and 9enJ e-changed "orried glances and then grabbed their o"n "eapons and

cli&bed ater her.

(erek%s division s"ept across $iberty 5ridge unchallenged and drove slo"ly do"n

the "ide' deserted street to"ards $iberty S<uare. he city centre "as silent.

(erek peered cautiously out o the turret as they proceeded do"n the street. A staccato

rattle o heavy gun ire ca&e ro& the ar side o Central City' briely re&inding hi&

o the day he got his e-a& results * so long ago no". /t &ust be Stella or her loyalist

ene&ies' he realised' returning to the present "ith a thu&p.

he loyalists &ust have evacuated the area around $iberty S<uare as soon as they

realised the revolution had begun. /&posing classical buildings passed slo"ly on

either side o the deserted street as they advanced. e checked his "atch. K702. Still

pretty early.

#3hat%s happening)% /ggy%s voice ro& belo" broke the &orning still. #3here are theloyalists)%

(erek ducked back inside. #hey see& to have pulled back'% he said. e seied the

radio.

#Advance to Govern&ent $ink"ay!% he ordered. #$iberty!%

Stella led her co&rades at a run through the "ide pedestrianised streets o the city

centre so&e"here to the north"est o (erek%s contingent. 4e" shoppers or "orkers

"ere around and those they%d encountered had led at the sight o the&.

She sa" an alley to her right. #(o"n here!% she said and they ducked do"n out o

sight.

ust as the last e" rebels "ere sprinting round the corner' loyalists appeared urther

up the street' opening ire i&&ediately. "o rebels ell. he rest vanished up the alleyat high speed.



APCs "ere blaing iercely' seven loyalist vehicles had gone up. he rebels% &ain

proble& "as that they "ere surrounded.

#4ire at the co&&and vehicles'% (erek ordered over the radio.

he rebels concentrated their ire on the loyalist vehicles leading the assault. hey hit

one' but that see&ed to "orry their opponents and the loyalists began to concentrate

their ire on (erek%s o"n ar&oured car.e "ent lying as the vehicle rocked unsteadily under the heavy barrage o ire. /ggy

hit the deck beside hi&. he gunire increased and the ar&oured car began to 6udder

as i it "as about to e-plode. he noise "as like a physical orce.

#Shit!% /ggy shouted over the hysterical chatter o gunire. #3e%re ucked' (erek'

ucked! his is the end!%

is last "ords rang hollo" in a sudden silence. (erek "iped the cold s"eat ro& his

ace. #Are you so sure)% he asked "ith a nervous gri&ace. e listened.

#3hat%s happened)% /ggy "hispered. Silence. hey both leapt or the turret. (erek

beat /ggy to it. e shouldered open the hatch and peered cautiously out.

he loyalist ar&oured cars stood silent as rebels s"ar&ed over the&' kicking open

hatches and training their guns on the cre"s "ithin. he loyalists &ust have been sointent on inishing o (erek%s vehicle that they had ailed to notice the others

creeping up on the&. 5ut "ho "as it) 3as that Stella) 5ut "here "ere her vehicles)

(erek%s heart leapt as he "atched her heave hersel on top o one o the surviving

co&&and cars and then ai& her i do"n the hatch, a true daughter o the

9evolution' her trenchcoat lapping in the breee behind her.

A &an in the unior& o a loyalist captain cla&bered resignedly out o the ar&oured

car. e e-changed a e" "ords "ith Stella and then turned in (erek%s direction and

knelt do"n on the top o his ar&oured car.

#/ pledge &y allegiance to the policies o the Autarkic rotskyite Party'% he yelled' his

voice shrill and his body s&all beneath the brooding buildings o $iberty S<uare.

#/ accept you'% (erek said. #o"' on"ards' co&rades! ;n"ards to liberty!%

he co&bined orces o the Autarkic rotskyite Party s"ept do"n Govern&ent

$ink"ay in triu&ph. +ore classical buildings glo"ered do"n at the& in anti<uated

anger.

(erek sat atop his vehicle' Stella beside hi&. #his is it!% she "as crying' hugging hi&

close. #3e%re in control o the country!%

#ot yet "e%re not'% (erek said gri&ly. #3e still have to get the govern&ent out o

their @.% As he spoke' Govern&ent $ink"ay opened out and the Gothic &a6esty o

Govern&ent @ loo&ed on their let' yello" as an old bone long leached o lie.

5eyond it stretched the river' spanned by Govern&ent 5ridge.

5eneath the a&ous to"er kno"n even beore revolutionary ti&es as 5ig 5en' theAutarkic rotskyites ca&e to a halt. (erek gaed up at the ancient buildings in a"e

and "onder.

hough poorly &aintained like the rest o Central City' they' &ore than the rest o

Govern&ent 5uildings' spoke o a once po"erul' prosperous nation brought to its

knees by internal dissension, a country once dedicated to reedo& no" sculing in

the rubble and the dirt or naked po"er.

5ut that "as at an end. o" the Autarkic rotskyites "ere seconds a"ay ro&

supre&acy * and liberty.

he &ain doors opened slo"ly. A igure appeared' his hands held high. 5ehind hi&

"alked t"o &ore politicians' covering hi& "ith Sten guns. he irst &an "as

instantly recognisable by his dark glasses and beret as the $eader.(erek "ent to &eet hi&.



#raitors every"here'% Steele spat' his e-pression bitter.

(erek shook his head sadly. #/ sa" you in your early days'% he said. #5ack then you

spoke o nothing but reedo&. o" all you see& to think o is treachery' conspiracy'

betrayal. 3here did you go "rong)%

Steele%s lip curled. #8ou couldn%t understand. 8ou probably "ouldn%t even listen'% he

said. #+y o"n party has betrayed &e. /t%s or the best' they say. / should get so&erest' they say. /%& no longer it to rule.%

e looked savagely around hi& and then i-ed (erek "ith a deeated glare. #8ou

"ant po"er)% he asked. #ake it! ake it' co&rade. And / hope it chokes you.%

e turned on his heel. ;ne o the rebels &ade to seie hi&' but (erek shook his head.

hey could shoot hi&' no"' or as a public e-ecution. 5ut "hat "ould be achieved by

that) 5etter let the poor dupe go <uietly. 3hat could he do) e "as a broken &an.

Steele "alked a"ay into the cro"d o rebels' a re&ote igure' soon to vanish into the

shado"s. (erek "atched in silence.

1% DOMINION

he $eader rose ro& the bench. e glared around the cha&ber at the arguing

politicians.

#Alright' alright!% he bello"ed through the hubbub. he captains looked up angrily.

#$et%s take a vote on it! 3e are a de&ocracy no"' ater all' co&rades.% e lounged

back in his seat' "ith a eeling o a 6ob "ell done.

he representative or $iberty Park rose to his eet. #/ have to disagree "ith you there'

$eader'% he said. #3e are not yet a de&ocracy * ar ro& it. And "hat "e are debating

here is the e-tent to "hich "e intend to beco&e one.%

(erek sighed. #3e pro&ised the people that "e "ould restore de&ocracy'% he saidir&ly. #And "e "ill honour our pro&ises. 3e "ill give the& liberty.%

#5ut "hat i they use that liberty to re&ove us)% another politician argued' rising

angrily. #4e" o our policies are popular "ith the capitalists * and they can still have a

hold over the people.%

#3hich is another &atter "e &ust address'% said a politician ro& urther do"n the

cha&ber. #/ propose "e nationalise all industries i&&ediately and provide 6obs or

all.%

#hat%s not an undertaking that can be instantly realised'% another politician argued.

#3e &ust irst negotiate "ith the (epart&ent o /ndustry to ascertain the easibility o

such a &ove...%

As the argu&ent raged on' (erek sank back do"n on the bench. Stella and /ggy

s&iled rueully at hi&.

/t "as no &ore than a "eek since his troops had seied control o the city Bo the

country! so it "as unrealistic to e-pect i&&ediate change. 5ut they had been

debating the sa&e e" issues since parlia&ent reopened * and still they had decided

nothing.

e rose to his eet again and appealed to the Speaker o the ouse' "ho called or

silence. he argu&ents trailed a"ay and the politicians turned grudgingly to "atch

their $eader.

e glared around. #his party ca&e to po"er "ith the ull backing o the people'% he

said loudly. #3e gained popular support * not to &ention inancial backing * on thestrength o our policies. he irst and ore&ost o those policies "as a return to a



de&ocratic or& o govern&ent. 3e "ill honour that policy. And "e "ill do so

i&&ediately. / "ant to hear no &ore argu&ents.%

#3ith respect' $eader'% said the representative or the eights' #your o"n autocratic

&anner directly contradicts the notion o de&ocracy. / propose :%

#/ propose that "e vote on the &atter'% (erek interrupted loudly. e s&iled coldly at

the politician. #/sn%t that "hat you "ere about to say' co&rade)% he added &enacingly.#3e "ill not sub&it to your bully*boy tactics'% said the politician uriously.

#3on%t "e)% (erek said laily. #+aybe "e should vote on that' too.% e shook his

head and gaed round the cha&ber.

e hardly even kne" hal the people in here * &ost "ere loyalists "ho had 6oined his

cause during the last days o the revolution, the rats "ho had inevitably led the

sinking ship "hen it "as clear that Steele%s party "as doo&ed. o" could he be sure

he could trust the&)

#o &ore argu&ents'% he said ir&ly. #3e%ll vote on the issue. he &otion is7 should

"e or should "e not call a general election' e-tending the vote to all people over the

age o eighteen)% e laughed in"ardly at this7 he had been younger than that "hen he

began his long struggle, he "asn%t &uch older no"' either. 5ut he had realised there"as no hope o convincing people to e-tend the vote belo" that age, apparently'

young people "ere irresponsible and easily inluenced. #All those in avour)% here

"as a sho" o hands. (erek nodded to Stella to count the&. 3hen she "as inished'

he asked7 #All those against)%

he &otion scraped in as avourable' but (erek noticed &uch discontent a&ong the

politicians. Captain Savage' again representative or ;utlet ?illage' voiced his

opinion.

#3e &ust decide on a better &ethod o voting in uture'% he declared' glancing shitily

about hi&. #/ propose that "e include a series o saeguards to ensure that no one is

unairly inluenced by their ello"s. /n pre*revolutionary ti&es' parlia&entary voting

"as &uch &ore co&ple- and not unnecessarily so. his isn%t so&e rebel &ilitia in the

provinces' $eader' this is central govern&ent.%

A ru&ble o agree&ent ca&e ro& the others. (erek olded his ar&s. #Possibly'% he

said. #5ut no" it is a de&ocracy' so any urther issues "ill be decided by the People'

or by their de&ocratically elected representatives. Gone are the days o the previous

syste&' co&rades! 9e6oice! o" "e are ree! o" "e have liberty!%

is rhetoric ailed to i&press the&.

#3e &ust decide the precise para&eters o this =liberty> you propose' $eader'% argued

the representative or +ultiple-. #/t "on%t do to:%

#8es' co&rade'% (erek interrupted. #; course' "e &ust. 5ut only as a de&ocratically

elected govern&ent. / declare this parlia&ent closed until urther notice.%Gru&bling discontentedly' the politicians began to ile out. A s&all group gathered

around (erek' &ade up o /ggy B(eputy $eader' ric Bo&e Secretary' Stella

BCabinet Secretary and 9enJ BChancellor o the -che<uer.

#4ucking hell!% /ggy said' as the last politician let the cha&ber. #o" &uch arguing

does it take to get anything done around here)%

#o "onder the previous govern&ent never did anything'% Stella said. #/ this is

de&ocracy' give &e a gun!%

#(angerous "ords' co&rade'% (erek said' &ock*reprovingly. #/ get "here you%re

co&ing ro&. 5ut "hen "e call this general election' things "ill change.%

#3ill it be or the better)% ric said.

(erek looked at hi& sharply. #3e pro&ised the people'% he said. #3e%re not gonna break our pro&ises. / "e do' "e%ll be out on our arses * possibly shot. / "e can 6ust



steer this country back to true de&ocracy' no one "ill need to rebel. 5ut i "e don%t

do that and do it i&&ediately' there%ll 6ust be another revolution and the "hole bastard

syste& "ill ru&ble ever on"ards' crushing all resistance in its path:% e broke o'

noticing the glaed e-pressions on his riend%s aces. #Sorry'% he said. #/ ind &ysel

talking rhetoric &ore and &ore these days.%

#alking so&ething'% Stella &uttered.#$et%s have a drink'% /ggy suggested.

(erek nodded. #;kay'% he said. #$ast one back to the Palace is a capitalist lap*dog!%

A e" &inutes later they "ere s"aggering into "hat in the days beore the revolution

had been the 9oyal Palace. o" it "as the $eader o the govern&ent%s residence' a

ar &ore itting abode than draughty old u&ber en.

#Send or S&ithers'% (erek told one o the loyalists at the gate. #3e%ll be "anting to

discuss the i&&inent de&ocratisation o the nation' co&rade!%

S&ithers had turned out to be so&ething airly high*ranking in so&e civil service

depart&ent or other. (erek had &ade hi& chie negotiator bet"een the govern&ent

and the civil service. he &an see&ed trust"orthy and besides' they already kne"

hi&. So&eti&e soon' they "ould be &eeting the Per&anent nder Secretary o theCivil Service in person' but (erek had been putting o "hat he assu&ed "ould be a

dull encounter.

Propping his booted eet up on the table in the large dining cha&ber' (erek gaed

round at his co&rades.

#Get us a bottle o so&ething ro& the cellar'% he told a unior&ed lunky "ho

appeared silently ro& a side door. #/ don%t "anna have to ace the civil service

"ithout so&ething to keep &y eyes open.%

#Certainly' sir'% said the lunkey "ith studied obse<uiousness. e vanished ro& the

roo&.

he cabinet &inisters lounged back on their plush chairs and rela-ed. /ggy stretched.

#4uck!% he said contentedly' looking round the roo&. #ust look at this place. his

roo&%s bigger than the lat / gre" up in.%

(erek ollo"ed his gae. #8eah'% he said. #A sha&e not everyone can live like this.

/ndicative o the in6ustices o the syste&' co&rades.%

he others &uttered unenthusiastic agree&ent' looking a"k"ardly at the loor. /ggy

glanced at the& in e&barrass&ent and then turned to (erek.

#ever &ind the rhetoric' (erek'% he said. #3e%re in! 3e%ve got "hat "e "anted. As

long as "e can stay in po"er' no proble&. 5eats "orking or a living. o &ore being

"age slaves, as &uch &oney and po"er and lu-ury as "e can eat. / think you%ve

orgotten the "hole point o beco&ing a politician' (erek.% e gave a crooked laugh.

#3e don%t "anna run the country * "e 6ust don%t "ant the country to run us!%(erek opened his &outh to argue then paused. /ggy "as right' o course. All that

politics shit had been no &ore than a &eans to an end. $ike so &any politicians beore

hi&' he had allen into the trap o believing his o"n propaganda. e gave the opulent

roo& another look. e "ould never be poor again * as long as he played his cards

right.

he Palace servant returned "ith an e-tensive selection o "ine bottles. (erek vie"ed

the dusty relics uncertainly. A thought struck hi&. #Go and get +aureen'% he told the

lunkey. is girlriend had &oved into the Palace not long ater they seied po"er'

though she insisted on sticking "ith her old 6ob. She "ould be upstairs no". e had

orgotten about her. #She%ll love this'% he told the others' as the lunkey let. e

indicated the vintage "ines. #She kno"s all about this shit.%



e seied a bottle o so&ething old' red and probably 4rench' knocked the top o it

on the edge o the table and took a s"ig. #elp yourselves'% he invited the others. e

raised the broken bottle. #his is liberty!%

3hen +aureen ca&e do"n' the Party "ere guling a"ay' knocking back e-pensive

alcohol as i it "as Coca*Cola. She stood in the rococo door"ay "ith her hands on her

hips.(erek looked up. #+aureen!% he said happily. #Grab a bottle and slug it back!%

She stalked or"ard and snatched the bottle (erek "as about to broach.

#his is A&ontillado!% she e-clai&ed. #8ou%re going to s&ash this open and drink it

all) 8ou philistines!%

(erek peered glassily at her. #;h' "hat are you "hinging about no"' "o&an)% he

de&anded.

Stella sco"led. #Get pissed like the rest o us.%

+aureen looked at her "atch. #/t%s not even lunchti&e yet'% she "ailed. #And look at

yourselves! 3hat "ould the people think o a govern&ent like this)%

#5ollocks to the people'% (erek gro"led.

#9ight on!% /ggy inter6ected.#/ reckon it%s ti&e or 8ear Oero'% (erek added unsteadily. #4uck the people!%

#/ agree'% 9enJ said' unipping his trousers and stepping out o the&. #$et%s uck

the&.% e "andered to"ards the door' tripped over a priceless $ouis @uine

occasional table and passed out.

+aureen looked at the& all' tight*lipped. #/%ll be upstairs' then'% she told (erek.

#3hen you%re sober.%

#4uck o'% (erek gro"led.

She stalked back out. (erek stu&bled over to Stella and grabbed at her. hey

collapsed to the loor' tearing at each other%s clothes.

#/ think +aureen%s right'% ric said darkly. #8ou%re all behaving like savages.%

#$ighten up' ric'% /ggy said "ooily. #(rink so&e &ore o this% * he broke o and

t"isted round to peer at the bottle * #sherry'% he inished.

he lunkey scuttled back into the roo&. #+r. S&ithers ro& the o&e ;ice'% he

announced.

/ggy looked guiltily round the roo&. #;h'% he said latly. #r' sho" hi& in.% e kicked

at (erek and Stella. #Get up'% he said. #And get dressed. And so&eone do so&ething

about 9enJ.%

3hen S&ithers entered the roo&' (erek "as pulling his 6acket on and Stella "as

ad6usting her hair. /ggy leant against a po*aced ric. e grinned his "elco&e.

A snore ca&e ro& under the table. /ggy kicked 9enJ%s slu&bering or&7 #Shut up!%

S&ithers regarded the& "ryly. #/ see the 9ight onourable ladies and gentle&en arerela-ing'% he &ur&ured. #vidently' the &essage "as inaccurate. /%ll return presently.%

#r' no'% (erek said' scra&bling to his eet. #o' stay here. Sit do"n. $isten.%

;bediently' S&ithers did all three' placing his laptop on the table in ront o hi&.

#?ery "ell'% he said s&oothly. #o" &ay / help you' $eader)%

(erek ro"ned and scratched his head. #8ou couldn%t pass &e that bottle' could you)%

he asked.

#he A&ontillado)% asked S&ithers. #Certainly.%

(erek bashed the neck o and took a s"ig. #;h yeah'% he said. #(e&ocracy. $iberty'

e<uality' raternity.%

#Sorority'% Stella slurred.

#hat too' co&rade'% (erek said.



S&ithers looked ro& one to the other' ro"ning elegantly. #/%& araid / don%t ollo"

you' $eader' Cabinet Secretary.%

(erek sighed i&patiently. #3e "ant de&ocracy'% he said. #he people "ant

de&ocracy. And all that bollocks. $ook' here%s the Autarkic rotskyite +aniesto.%

/dly' he lung the civil servant a shea o paper. #Put that into eect.%

S&ithers ski&&ed through the &aniesto. e looked up.#Global proletarian revolution)% he asked disapprovingly. #9eally' $eader!% e read

on. #(ivide the country into autono&ous econo&ic states) And "hat e-actly "ill that

achieve)%

#Autarky'% (erek said. #3e "ant to reduce the country to a state o se&i*autono&ous

collectivis& as a preli&inary to a global autarkic revolution. hat%s "hy "e%re called

the Autarkic rotskyite Party. 9ight)%

S&ithers licked distasteully through the rest o the &aniesto. #nd voluntary

service: Provide 6obs or all: Give the vote to all citiens over eighteen: 5reak

the po"er o the syndicates:!% e looked up again. #(ear' dear' $eader. All this is

going to take ti&e. And have you considered the possible eects)%

(erek banged the table. #hese are the policies that got us into po"er'% he said. #hisis "hat the people "ant' uck"it.%

S&ithers tutted. #(o you realise "hat "ill happen i you call a general election)% he

asked. #8ou%ll need an opposition party to begin "ith.%

#4uck that'% (erek said angrily. #3e "on%t have any opposition because the people

"on%t oppose us.%

#/ "e are to &ake a return to t"o*party or &ulti*party politics'% S&ithers e-plained'

#there "ill need to be a party in po"er and at least one party in opposition. ;ther"ise'

the people "ill have no alternative but to vote or you. And that "ould be oligarchy'

not de&ocracy * so&ething the people "ill not stand or. either "ill the bourgeoisie,

not unless they or& the oligarchy the&selves.%

#;h.% (erek ro"ned. #/ hadn%t really thought about this.%

#So you see' $eader'% S&ithers e-plained' #although "e can set up the &achinery o

de&ocratic govern&ent' it is not an instantaneous process. /t "ill take ti&e.%

#o" long)% (erek asked.

#A air e" years' to put everything into eect. 9o&e "asn%t built in a day. 5ut i the

civil service receive better unding and greater po"ers o sel*deter&ination' "e &ay

be able to asse&ble so&e kind o token de&ocratic presence beore the year is out. All

this has to be planned thoroughly' o course:%

#Plan it'% (erek snapped. #Go a"ay and plan it. And don%t co&e back until you have

done.%

#here are one or t"o other &atters / "ished to discuss "ith you'% S&ithers added.#8our state visits to the provinces. And o course' your visit to the Central (irectorate

in 3esse-.%

#3hat)% (erek de&anded. #4uck that! 8ou go and do "hat "e told you to do and

don%t bother us!%

#?ery "ell'% said S&ithers. #/t is' / have to say' a sha&e that your ter& in oice "ill be

so short * your policies are truly: uni<ue.% e gathered his possession and turned to

leave.

#3ait!% (erek said. #3hat did you say)%

#/ "as &erely e-pressing &y sorro" at the inevitably brie tenure o your ter& in

oice'% the civil servant said.

(erek ro"ned. #Are you threatening &e)% he asked incredulously.



#o' no' $eader'% S&ithers said. #ot at all. /t%s inevitable' ho"ever' that i the

govern&ent is seen to be ailing in their role as servants o the people' discontent "ill

begin. As revolutionaries yourselves' you should appreciate ull "ell the e-tent to

"hich the people are "illing to e-press their dis&ay.% e paused delicately. #he

Popular 4reedo& Party "as singularly lain ulilling its duties in this direction.%

(erek cursed i&potently. #8ou &ean "e%ve got no alternative)% he asked.S&ithers shrugged. #he people have the po"er'% he said. #hat is unda&ental to the

syste&. Surely you appreciate this)%

(erek sco"led. #So "e have to do "hat you say)% he asked. #o un' no po"er'

nothing * or else the people "ill rise)%

he civil servant sighed. #ot "hat / say'% he protested. #/%& &erely e-plaining the

situation. 8ou have gained the po"er re<uired to ulil the "ishes o the people.

#5ut as or =no un>' / assure you that the civil service appreciate ho" the stresses o a

political career re<uire re<uent recreation and entertain&ent'% he "ent on. #his is

"hy "e have taken the liberty to organise a s&all gathering "here "e "ill introduce

you to the top civil servants "ho "ill be putting your policies into eect. /n a:

congenial at&osphere. Scheduled or seven o%clock.% e took his hat and his laptopand "inked at the&. #ntil tonight' then' gentle&en * and lady. Au revoir.%

e let.

#Cunt'% /ggy grunted.

hey began to sober up. 9enJ cra"led out ro& under the table and "ent to e&pty his

belly in the toilet.

(erek sighed discontentedly. #3hat no")% he asked. #See&s "e%ve got nothing to do

until tonight.%

#/ reckon "e go out'% /ggy suggested. #Go or a spin.%

#4or a drive)% (erek asked. #3hat in)%

/ggy shrugged. #hey%ve got cars in the garage' haven%t they)% he said. #8ou kno"' or

state occasions. 3e could nick one o the&.%

#3hy should "e have to steal it)% ric asked. #3e o"n it' don%t "e)%

/ggy looked sulky. #+ore un i "e nick it'% he &uttered.

#8eah' let%s do it'% (erek said. #/ "ouldn%t &ind a <uick spin around Central City.%

hey grabbed 9enJ' "ho "as pale*aced and glassy*eyed' and "ent clattering o into

the bo"els o the Palace' accosting passing servants and de&anding to kno" the

"hereabouts o the garage. ;ne oot servant oered to notiy their driver.

#4uck that'% /ggy said. hey headed do"n the passage. #/%& gonna drive!% e "as in

one o his "ild &oods' (erek noticed.

#o. /%& driving'% Stella said ir&ly.

#/%& $eader'% (erek said. #/ &ake the decisions round here.%#So "ho%s going to drive)% Stella asked' "ith so&ething o a sneer. #$eader)%

#/ a&'% (erek said "ith the arrogance o an e&peror.

hey s"ept into the large garage "here a s&all leet o 9olls 9oyce Silver Ghosts sat

in a line. hey sa" various other cars parked else"here in the vast' echoing roo&' but

it "as the 9olls that really seied their attention.

#4ucking hell!% /ggy said' stroking the panelling lovingly.

#;h' don%t s"ear in &y presence' you grubby little &an'% (erek said in an aected

voice. #And git your s"eaty hands or &y 9oller.% e leapt into the ront seat and

hunted round or the ignition key.

#8ou%ll be "anting &e to drive' then' sir'% said a unior&ed &an "ho had appeared

silently ro& the shado"s. e tipped his peaked cap respectully at the ive politicians.



#ust gi&&e the ucking keys'% (erek de&anded' glaring at hi&. e hated servants'

civil or other"ise. hey &ade hi& nervous.

#?ery good' sir'% said the driver' in a tone that suggested <uite the opposite. e handed

over the keys as the other Autarkic rotskyites scra&bled into the car.

#(o you really kno" ho" to drive)% Stella asked' as (erek scrabbled round the

dashboard or so&e"here the keys "ould it. #o' not there * there'% she saidi&patiently' grabbing the keys and sticking the& in the ignition. She turned the& and

the engine ru&bled.

#Get o' "o&an'% (erek snapped' slapping her hand a"ay. e seied the steering

"heel and ra&&ed his oot do"n. he car lurched' but didn%t &ove.

Stella sighed. #+ove over. /%ll drive.%

#o!% (erek said angrily. #/ can do it.% e ollo"ed her directions and suddenly they

"ere roaring across the garage.

#ead or the doors' (erek!% /ggy shouted. #ot the "all!%

#Steer! Steer!% Stella shouted. #Change gear!%

(erek desperately spun the "heel. e "as beginning to "ish he had never considered

the idea' but there "as no "ay he could stop no". e drove ull speed at the garagedoors.

#+aybe i so&eone opens the& irst'% /ggy shouted helpully. (erek screeched to a

halt about a yard ro& the doors. e got out.

#;i! 4uck"it!% he shouted.

he driver appeared ro& his little cubby*hole. #Are you addressing &e' sir)% he asked

coldly.

#4ucking "ell open these doors!% (erek yelled. #(on%t "alk a"ay ro& &e!% he added'

as the driver ducked back into his oice. #/%ll have you sacked or this' you cunt! 8ou

ucking:%

#(erek!% Stella said loudly. #$ook!%

(erek turned to see the doors opening silently o their o"n accord.

#9e&ote controlled'% ric said.

(erek elt oolish. o cover his e&barrass&ent' he leapt back in and drove the& out

through the slo"ly opening doors.

al an hour later they "ere out o Central City roaring do"n a link"ay' s"erving

every no" and then' to avoid cars and slo"*&oving APCs. At one point a group o

loyalists * Autarkic rotskyites' o course * pulled the& over. 5ut on seeing the

$eader%s angry ace' Bnot to &ention the (eputy $eader%s bare buttocks' they "aved

the drunken politicians on.

(erek "hooped "ith delight. e could not re&e&ber having had so &uch un since

he "as a school*kid.#+ind that ar&oured car' (erek'% Stella said in terror' as he drove at high speed do"n

the "rong side o the link"ay.

#3hat ar&oured car)% (erek asked' turning to look at her. #Give us a kiss.%

he ar&oured car "as still lu&bering to"ards the&. he car co&&ander appeared

ro& the hatch and shouted unintelligibly at the&.

#Go round it!% Stella shrieked.

#Give &e a kiss and / "ill!% (erek roared' as the car screeched on"ards to certain

doo&.

er ace "hite' Stella leaned over and gave hi& a peck on the cheek.

#A proper kiss'% (erek shouted' ra&&ing do"n the accelerator.



e leaned across and then realised "ith a cry ho" close they "ere' thre" hi&sel

back and s"ung the "heel. hey screeched round the APC' leaving its occupants

staring ater the& in shock.

#Shit' that "as close'% (erek said' s"eating. #/ think /%ll pull in.%

hey dre" o the link"ay and parked in a side street. /ggy looked around. #ey' /

kno" this place'% he said. #3e%re near "here ddy used to live. dge o ;utlet?illage.%

#8eah!% Stella said. #/ lived 6ust do"n that road. 3onder i &y parents are still there.%

o&esickness s"ept over (erek in a &audlin instant. e had not seen his dear old

&u& in the last three years' or so&ething. /t suddenly occurred to hi& that he &issed

her and her poky old house.

#/%& gonna take you to &eet &y &u&'% he declared unsteadily. e started the car up

and screeched o do"n the street.

#;oh' does that &ean it%s serious bet"een us)% Stella asked &ockingly. She caressed

his leg. #3hat about +aureen)%

#She can go uck hersel'% (erek said savagely. #So can you'% he added.

hey pulled up outside (erek%s old house a e" &inutes later. (erek s"itched o theengine and gaed around.

#/t%s all the sa&e'% he said <uietly. #-cept u&ber 22 have repainted the door. About

ti&e too * though / don%t kno" "here they got the &oney ro&.%

#Are you going to sit here gossiping' or go and see your &u&)% ric said darkly.

Stung' (erek opened the car door.

A curtain t"itched in a house across the street.

(erek crossed the pave&ent "ith a heavy heart. $ast ti&e he had been here' he had

had a blaing ro" and stor&ed out. ot or the irst ti&e' but it had certainly been the

last.

e reached or the key round his neck and then stopped hi&sel. is &u& had taken

it o hi&' saying she didn%t "ant hi& breaking in to raid the ridge. e reached out a

tentative hand and then steeled hi&sel and rapped on the door.

othing happened. e "aited a couple o seconds and then turned back to the car. he

others "ere "atching hi&.

#+ust be out'% he said helplessly. #(o"n the co&&unity centre' &aybe.%

#ry again'% /ggy said.

(erek "as about to knock "hen the hall light looded on and he caught sight o a

igure &oving up to"ards the door. he door s"ung open.

#3hat d%you think you%re doing' &aking an old "o&an get up and ans"er the door)%

his &u& gru&bled. hen she halted' looking at hi& <uiically. #;h' it%s you. /

suppose you%d better co&e in.%(erek stepped over the threshold. is &other glared at hi& suddenly. #Aren%t you

going to bring your ine ne" riends in)% she snapped. #Asha&ed o your old &other'

are you)%

#/t%s only /ggy and ric and a couple o others'% (erek said. She eyed the&.

#8ou%ve got better dress sense these days'% she said loudly' giving /ggy%s e-pensive

Saville 9o" suit the once*over. #So have you' (erek. All these suits and ties. 3hat are

you doing "ith yoursel) ave you 6oined the civil service' like your teachers al"ays

said you should) Co&e in' i you%re co&ing. And bring your ancy ne" riends.% She

see&ed to have already orgotten "ho they "ere.

(erek beckoned to the others and they got out o the car. ogether' they ollo"ed his

&other into the &usty "ar&th o the house.



#So "hat are you doing "ith yoursel)% (erek%s &u& asked' ater she had &ade the&

cups o tea' gru&bling all along. She "as really pulling out all the stops' by her usual

standards. #ave you put any &oney in that pensions und yet)%

#+u&' /%& $eader o the govern&ent!% (erek said i&patiently.

She eyed hi& again. #/ &ight have kno"n you%d co&e to a bad end'% she said "ith

gri& satisaction. #/&agine "hat your ather "ould think' his son gro"n up to be a politician. 3asting his lie.%

#3hat)% (erek asked' outraged. #o one could hope or a greater achieve&ent!%

#3hat do you kno" about real lie)% his &other asked. #/ you think politics &eans

anything these days' you ought to "atch the other channels.%

(erek looked round at his co&rades in e&barrass&ent. hey "ere sitting on the soa

in terriied' hal*drunken silence.

#o' &u&' you%ve got it all "rong'% he said loudly and patronisingly. #Any"ay' /

don%t "atch ? &uch these days. /%& ar too busy getting on "ith &y lie.%

#/ you%re too busy to en6oy yoursel' you%re in the "rong 6ob'% she said airily. #3hen

did you last do anything or the sake o un) All your lie it%s been &e' &e' &e' &ust

get to the top' &ust be better than anyone else. 3hy can%t you 6ust rela- and en6oyyoursel)%

#/ can!% (erek ob6ected' "ounded. #/%& having un no". o" /%& in po"er.%

#Politics isn%t all about being rich and a&ous'% she said. #here%s hard "ork as "ell.%

(erek looked round incredulously at his silent riends. #+u&' "hat do you kno"

about politics)% he de&anded. #/%& at the height o &y political career. 8ou * you%ve

had nothing to do "ith politics since they irst restricted the vote.%

#/%& older than you are' son'% his &other gro"led. #/ re&e&ber "hen you "ere in

nappies' so 6ust you re&e&ber that' $eader.%

#;h' or uck%s sake:% (erek &uttered.

#/ "on%t have any o that language in &y house'% she "arned. #/ you%re going to take

that tone' you can leave.%

#4ine!% (erek said suddenly. #/ don%t need you any"ay. / ca&e do"n here out o the

kindness o &y heart:%

#a!%

#...but / can see /%& not "anted'% he raged. #3ell' /%& going.% e got up. #Co&e on'%

he said to his riends. #3e%re going.%

e sta&ped out. /ggy hurried ater hi&' ollo"ed by 9enJ and ric. Stella inished

her tea and put it do"n careully on the table. She s&iled at (erek%s &other.

#hanks or the tea!% she said brightly. #Goodbye' +rs. Clyde.%

#3hat a "ell*behaved girl'% (erek%s &u& said approvingly' as Stella closed the ront

door <uietly behind her.

1& COMFORTABLY N$MB

he car roared do"n the link"ay. (erek%s ace "as like thunder. obody appreciated

hi&, nobody understood "hat he "as doing or the country.

#(on%t you think you%d better slo" do"n)% Stella said' ater they narro"ly avoided

colliding "ith a truck.

#4uck o'% (erek said and he sla&&ed his oot do"n on the accelerator.

Stella gripped the sides o her seat. #/ thought your &u& "as very nice'% she said' overthe roar o the engine.



#(id you'% (erek said sulkily.

#/t "as lovely o her to &ake tea or everyone'% Stella added.

#Shut up'% (erek &uttered.

Stella thre" hi& a look and then turned round and started talking to the others.

hey screeched to a stop outside the Palace. $eaving the 9olls at an angle' the ive

politicians strode arrogantly up the steps. +aureen &et the& in the entrance hall.#n6oying yourselves)% she asked. #3here have you been)%

#;ut'% (erek said shortly.

#3ell' it%s ti&e everyone got ready or the ball tonight'% +aureen said. #Sir d&und

/ronside is holding it at his house in +ayair. / "ant you all to "ear your best.%

#3ho are you to "ant that)% asked /ggy truculently.

+aureen shrugged. #S&ithers told &e /%d been appointed as your i&age consultant'%

she said. #/%ve let &y old 6ob. / thought it "as (erek%s idea.%

veryone looked at the $eader.

#othing to do "ith &e!% he said.

3ith poor grace' the politicians prepared or the ball. nco&ortable in evening suits

and ball*go"ns' they congregated in a dra"ing roo& early that evening.#/ hope they serve ood at this place'% /ggy gru&bled. e took a s"ig ro& a beer

bottle he "as holding' accidentally spilling so&e do"n his starched "hite shirt.

Stella idgeted "ith her ball*go"n. #his "ould be useless in a ight.%

S&ithers and +aureen entered the roo&' both superbly decked out or the occasion.

#;h' splendid' splendid'% said S&ithers. e turned to +aureen. #8ou%ve done a

splendid 6ob' splendid'% he told her.

#;i!% (erek barked. #Cunt!%

#:i only you could concentrate a little &ore on elocution'% the civil servant

continued in an aside. e turned to (erek. #Are you addressing &e' $eader)%

#8eah!% (erek said. #3ho said +aureen "as gonna be our i&age consultant)%

#3ell' / took the' ah' the =liberty> &ysel'% S&ithers said "ith a t"inkle. #8ou%d

appointed no one yourselves' so /:%

#3e don%t "ant one'% (erek said. #(on%t orget' /%& $eader. / &ake the ucking

decisions.%

#?ery "ell'% S&ithers said. e indicated his briecase. #/n that case' / have a group o

detailed reports here concerning the instigation o the seven de&ocratisation sub*

co&&ittees and the &inutes o the irst &eeting o the Autarkic ?iability -ecutive. /

you "ish to read through the& and help us decide the burning issues o inner city

indoctrination' the co&&unity patrol reinstallation progra& and:%

#Shut up'% (erek said "earily. #ake us to the ucking ball.%

he driver took the& this ti&e. S&ithers spoke sternly about their little 6aunt thataternoon and insisted they &ake use o their chaueur in uture. A e" &inutes% drive

took the& to Sir d&und%s' "here they "ere sho"n into the &ain roo& by a servant

even &ore elaborately dressed than the Palace lunkies.

#he $eader o the govern&ent and &e&bers o his Cabinet'% the servant announced

to the asse&bled cro"d.

A tall' "hite*haired old &an ca&e or"ard and shook hands "ith (erek, laughed

tolerantly "hen /ggy "hipped his hand back and thu&bed his nose, stooped to kiss

Stella%s hand "ith a &ur&ur o #nchantJ'% so she lushed bright red, politely ignored

ric%s inscrutable thousand*yard stare.

#3elco&e to &y little soirJe'% he said "ar&ly. #/ a& Sir d&und /ronside and this% *

he indicated a "o&an "ho rese&bled nothing so &uch as +arie Antoinette * #is &y"ie' nid. 8ou &ay have encountered so&e o &y guests already * +r. S&ithers' o



course' and +aureen' "ho / understand is currently "orking as your i&age consultant

Q a ulilling occupation' /%& certain. ere is +r. Anthony +asso"' +r. /van

Ashcrot' Sir Archibald Atkinson' Sir o& arris' Sir 5ertra& 4elchington*

4ra&pton:%

he na&es o the senior civil servants and advisers "ent in one lobe o (erek%s brain

and out the other. A couple he had &et previously' 6ust ater seiing po"er * even then'he had had trouble re&e&bering their na&es. 5ut their aces "ere a dierent &atter.

(erek had never seen such a bunch o inbred' chinless' drooling retards in all his lie,

not even at ;utlet ?illage Secondary School.

#And /%d like you all to give a big round o applause to our youngest $eader yet *

Captain Apocalypse'% /ronside inished' turning to the other bureaucrats.

#r' 6ust call &e (erek'% he &u&bled as they clapped "ith apparent enthusias&.

e looked at the& again as they s"ar&ed round the&' drooling latteries and

blandish&ents' toadying and pandering to the& like the courtiers o so&e pre*

revolutionary &onarch. hey see&ed al&ost like &e&bers o so&e alien race.

/t turned (erek%s sto&ach as they spouted their nauseating drivel' pro&ising to assist

hi& in "hatever "ay they could. e nodded brus<uely in reply' tried to orestall the&then decided that his inal solution "ould be to start drinking heavily.

#/%ll drink to that'% /ggy said' "hen (erek voiced the &otion. hey both seied glasses

o "ine ro& a passing servant%s tray and do"ned the& in one.

#And another'% (erek slurred "ooily.

e sa" S&ithers approaching through the cro"d' a tight*lipped s&ile on his ace.

#+ay / speak to you' $eader)% he asked discreetly. e had been "atching the& ro&

the sidelines since the bureaucrats began to s"ar&.

(erek and /ggy e-changed slightly unsteady' nervous glances. #3hat have "e done

no")% (erek &oaned.

S&ithers s&iled. #othing at all' $eader'% he said. #/t%s 6ust / think it%s about ti&e /

introduced you to so&eone. A good riend or the over"orked. +uch better co&pany

than these ladies.% e nodded at their glasses.

#3hat ladies)% (erek asked uncertainly.

#3ho)% asked /ggy. #3here) aven%t "e been introduced to everyone already)%

#So&e call hi& Charlie'% said S&ithers. #And he%ll be in the bathroo& in ive

&inutes.%

e slipped a"ay.

#/n the bathroo&)% /ggy said incredulously.

#/ reckon this S&ithers is a bit dodgy'% (erek &uttered. #8ou kno":% e &inced a

little. #A shirt*liter'% he added. #hat%s "hat &y &u& al"ays called the&.%

#8ou &ean a ho&ose-ual)% asked /ggy stily.#;oh!% (erek said. #;oo! 3e are posh' /ggy. A =ho&ose-ual>! ;ooh!%

/ggy ignored hi&. #So are "e gonna &eet co&rade Charlie or not)% he asked.

(erek shrugged. e glanced over at Stella and the others' "ho "ere being sub6ected

to nid /ronside%s t"ittering.

#+ay as "ell see "hat he "ants'% he said. #/t &ight even be so&ething i&portant.%

#/ sincerely doubt that'% /ggy said.

hey headed upstairs' avoiding various people "ho "anted to talk at the& on a

plethora o &ind*nu&bing sub6ects. he bathroo& "as at the end o a passage that led

o the landing.

(erek knocked on the door. #S&ithers)% he said cautiously.

Ater a second' the door clicked open and S&ithers appeared. #;h' co&e in' co&e in'%he said cal&ly. #/t%s all ready.



#So&e people call this the ast and dirty "ay to heaven'% the civil servant added. e

s&iled disar&ingly' indicating the t"o piles o "hite po"der on the &irror beside

hi&. #ave you ever taken cocaine beore)%

#3e: used to do speed a air bit'% (erek said cautiously. /t "as not every day that a

senior civil servant oered hi& Class A drugs.

#4or the ights'% /ggy e-plained. #/ "as a sack o shit in battle' unless /%d had a bit ospeed.%

S&ithers s&iled. #his is to speed as speed is to coee'% he said.

#/%ll try anything once'% (erek &ur&ured. e took a rolled up iver ro& S&ithers' put

it to his nose and snorted the coke. #Aahhhh: ah'% he &uttered' as it rushed up his

nasal passages.

#3hat%s it like)% asked /ggy' pushing or"ard.

#(on%t kno"'% (erek said nasally. #/t hasn%t hit yet. /t ucking stings' though.% e

handed /ggy the ive pound note.

/ggy shrugged' took the iver and inished o the coke.

Ater that' the party "ent "ith so&ething o a s"ing. (erek de&anded that Stella and

the others take so&e cocaine and soon the "hole cabinet "as up to the eyeballs in it.hat "as the signal or a "eek o debauchery' in celebration o their co&ing to po"er,

spent in the restaurants' night*clubs' casinos and theatres across Central City. ric

reused to 6oin the&' but or seven days and nights (erek and the others "ere rarely in

a nor&al state o &ind' spending public &oney "ith a "ill' drinking' snorting'

ga&bling and "horing' caring little about the ree &edia "ho ollo"ed the&

throughout the "eek.

he co&edo"n that +onday "as terrible and none o the& elt like going any"here.

So&eti&e in the aternoon' S&ithers roused the& ro& their beds o &isery. e

inor&ed the& that they "ere due to begin a tour o the provinces' taking in a visit to

the Central (irectorate in 3esse-.

(erek looked "orriedly at his co&panions. #/ don%t think / can ace going into the

country'% he said. #ot this &orning. ;h no. ot today' thank you.%

S&ithers s&iled. #/%ve got all you need to keep you all in the right ra&e o &ind'

$eader' &inisters'% he ooed. #Co&e outside "ith &e.%

A e" &inutes later' a stretch li&o turned a corner and pulled up beside the&. An

i&&aculately unior&ed chaueur stepped out and helped the& into the back.

S&ithers sat do"n on a seat acing back"ards and regarded the politicians as they sat

unco&ortably on the lu-urious plush seats. e chuckled.

#A little ostentatious' but politicians should al"ays tour in style.%

#4uck that'% (erek "hined. #/%& sick o this. (on%t you have any coke)%

#Ah'% said S&ithers. e unpacked his briecase and produced ive sugar cubes.#So&ething dierent or the co&ing e-perience.% e handed the& the sugar.

(erek looked suspiciously at the git. #3hat%s this)% he asked.

#/t%s laced "ith lysergic acid diethyla&ide'% said S&ithers. #at it. n6oy.%

he li&o got &oving &o&ents later. Soon they "ere in a part o Central City (erek

didn%t recognise' passing through a checkpoint "here guards in unior&s he ailed to

recognise checked S&ithers% pass. he backs o houses "ere visible up above' on

either side. e realised they "ere travelling do"n the old &otor"ay that passed ;utlet

?illage. o one "ent by &otor"ay these days, the $ink"ays had superseded the&

beore the revolution. (erek couldn%t see "hy they didn%t go by $ink"ay.

al an hour later' the botto& ell out o his soul.

he car had been speeding do"n the e&pty &otor"ay and grassy slopes on either sidehad blocked their vie" o the "orld outside. 5ut the buildings above "ere long gone



and it see&ed that they had let the urban areas behind. (erek elt a pang at this. e

had lived in the conurbation all his lie and no" una&iliar territory "as opening up

beore hi&. he countryside. e had heard such dark ru&ours. Country*olk "ere not

nor&al. And no" he "as heading or 3esse- itsel... oly shit!

hey drove out o the cutting and into a "ide e-panse o e&pty grassland. he sky

tottered diyingly above the&. eat' enced*o ields stretched to"ards the horion.A large' threatening orest loo&ed in the east.

/t "as that instant "hen the $S( hit the&.

/t had been iltering through their bodies or the last hour' creeping up as a hae at the

edges o vision * but no" it struck' seiing their &inds and "renching the& into

another reality.

(erek pointed out o the "indo"' stuttered so&ething incoherent yet proound and

ell giggling against the seat. Around hi&' the others broke into hysterical laughter.

Co"s lo"ed contentedly in the ields. ;ccasionally' ar&ers a&bled past' driving o-*

carts do"n dirt tracks. hree young children "aved at the li&o as it roared past. hey

had halted or a "hile in a lay*by "hile S&ithers talked to the driver "hen /ggy cried

out.#Shit!% e sounded panicked.

#3hat)% (erek sniggered. e "as staring in "onder out o the "indo"' at the sheer

i&&ensity o the sky and the tininess o the picture postcard landscape surrounding

the&. (erek turned a"ay ro& the "indo". #3hat)%

/ggy "as staring i-edly at the pattern o the seat in ront o hi&. (erek ollo"ed his

gae.

#Shit!% he yelled. #/t%s &oving!%

/ggy turned his drug*renied gae on (erek. #8ou sa" it too)% he asked earully. #/

thought it "as the drugs.%

#/ think it is the drugs'% Stella &uttered. #5ut / can see it too.%

he door opened and S&ithers cli&bed in.

#/%ve been talking to the driver'% he announced. #3e should be arriving in 3inchester

or three o%clock.%

(erek grabbed hi&. #/s that seat &oving)% he de&anded "ildly. S&ithers stepped

back and gently re&oved the $eader%s hands ro& his suit.

#o' $eader'% he said soothingly. #ust rela- and en6oy it. An $S( trip is an

indescribable' incredible but relatively brie e-perience. 8ou%re at your peak no"'

$eader' but you%ll be co&ing do"n soon.%

(erek stared i-edly at S&ithers' not listening to his "ords' "atching in ascination as

the &an%s &outh &oved back and orth like the 6a"s o a &achine. he &an "as a

&onster' a aceless robot' a sinister &achine "anting nothing &ore than to eat the&all up.

#Get out o here!% he ho"led. #Get out!%

#?ery "ell'% said the aceless bureaucrat soothingly. e lited his hat in a hand that

leetingly rese&bled the tip o a tentacle and "ent to 6oin the driver.

#(id you see that)% (erek raved' turning to the others as the car started up again. #he

&an 6ust turned into a &onster!%

#/t%s 6ust the acid'% Stella slurred. #$ike he said' en6oy it.% er eyes darted nervously

let and she stared in horror at the "all.

#Should the sky really be that colour)% ric &u&bled' his voice boo&ing uncannily in

(erek%s skull.

#/sn%t anyone listening)% (erek cried. #S&others turned into a &unster! And did youhear "hat he "as saying) /%& at &y peak' he said * /%ll soon be co&ing do"n.%



#Sounds like a threat to &e'% said /ggy' giggling like a &aniac. #(on%t trust the

bastards.%

#ave you noticed'% ric said' abruptly' #the "ay they treat us)%

#$ike school kids'% Stella said' giving the "all a inal sco"l and turning back to her

co&rades.

#hat%s right!% (erek said' his &ind illed by a "ar&' glo"ing sense o clarity. #otthat &any teachers "ould eed us Class A narcotics. argreaves' &aybe. 5ut no one

else.%

#hey treat us like irresponsible brats'% 9enJ said ro& the corner' "here he had been

crouching in silence. e giggled a little' but he see&ed to be co&ing do"n. ric%s

"ords had put a da&per on the entire e-perience.

#ave you ever really thought about: lie and shit)% ric said. #Politics' i you like.%

e gaed "ildly round at the& and shook his head. #/t%s like one big trap you can%t

escape ro&. ust a big &achine and "e%re cogs "hirring round and round "ithout

any idea "hy. 3e%re the ne" govern&ent and look at us! ;ur o"n civil service treats

us like children.% e looked suspiciously around. #/ don%t trust the&'% he added.

he others stared at hi& in a kind o "onder' a kind o horror.5y the ti&e they reached the sleepy 3esse- to"n o 3inchester' they "ere beyond

the &anic stage o the trip. As the li&o pulled up' they sat silently' gaing "ith "ide

eyes at the glo" o earth' trees and sky.

he door opened and S&ithers entered.

#Co&e along'% he said. #he Per&anent nder Secretary "anted to see you the

&o&ent you get here.%

Silently' the politicians rose. (erek looked suspiciously at S&ithers. e see&ed

nor&al' but: o" that the eect o the acid "as lessening' he ound it less easy to

believe the bland bureaucrat "as really a aceless &onster.

#3here are "e going)% he asked' as they stepped out into the incredibly bright

sunlight.

#o the Central (irectorate'% S&ithers said' #underneath the to"n. he Per&anent

nder Secretary "ill ans"er all your <uestions' /%& sure. Co&e along.%

he cobbled streets o 3inchester "ere clean and bright. A e" shoppers "ere around

* dressed in old*ashioned clothes' long dresses and bonnets or the "o&en' so&bre

6ackets' tall hats and tre"s or the &en. ;ccasionally' a horse and cart "ould pass. 5ut

other"ise' the place "as sleepy and <uiet. (erek stared at the buildings and the

people' trying to "ork out "hat "as "rong.

here "ere no ruins' he realised. hat "as it. very"here you "ent in the Central

City and its surrounding conurbation you encountered derelict buildings' but out here

in the country' there "ere none. And the people%s e-pressions "ere as strange as theirarchaic clothes. o one had the haunted' hunted look everyone had back in Central

City. hey see&ed strangely content and at peace.

he acid had given (erek%s vision a strange clarity. e elt &entally and physically

cleansed' and unusually at ease "ith hi&sel. As he scanned the aced o the passers*

by' he "ondered i perhaps they%d had so&ething o the sa&e e-perience. ;r had they

never needed it) A thought struck hi&.

#3hy doesn%t anyone recognise us)% he asked S&ithers. e had beco&e accusto&ed

to yelling cro"ds. #3e%re the govern&ent!%

S&ithers s&iled and tipped his hat at a passing couple.

#People don%t pay &uch attention to politics out in the country. hat%s "hy the civil

service has its head<uarters out here. 3e%re less likely to be inluenced by the politicso the big cities. 3e 6ust do our 6ob or the party in po"er.%



5y no"' he "as leading the& up a side street to"ards a discreetly situated oice

building.

#8ou%ll be introduced to the&' o course'% he added. #5ut don%t e-pect country olk to

be anything &ore than polite. Politics is an urban issue.%

e opened the door and led the& into a reception area. he receptionist' "ho "ore

rather &ore &odern*looking clothes' looked up ro& her desk.#Good aternoon' +r. S&ithers'% she said politely.

#Good aternoon' une'% said S&ithers. #Say hello to the ne" govern&ent.%

#Good aternoon' $eader' &inisters'% said une. #o see the Per&anent nder

Secretary' +r. S&ithers)%

#hat%s right' une'% said S&ithers placidly.

#Go right through'% said une.

S&ithers led the& to a lit and pressed a button. he doors said shut and i&&ediately

they plunged into the depths o the earth.

(erek%s ears popped three ti&es beore the lit ca&e to a halt. e had a eeling that

&eant they had gone very deep indeed. e elt oppressed by the sense that &iles o

solid rock surrounded hi& on all sides. 3hen the doors opened to reveal a brightly*litcorridor' he elt intensely glad.

#o" ar do"n are "e)% he asked' as they ollo"ed S&ithers do"n the passage.

#/ don%t really kno"'% said S&ithers. #al a &ile' &aybe) his "ay.%

e led the& through a door and they stepped out onto a podiu& bathed in "hite light.

S"eeping up above the& in a great crescent "ere tier ater tier o seats. he light o

the podiu& &ade the& shado"y and indistinct' but (erek' blinking in the light'

&anaged to &ake out so&e kind o audience' serried ranks o di& aces disappearing

into the darkness.

S&ithers stepped or"ard and spoke into a &icrophone. #ere they are' sir'% he said

respectully. #he ne" govern&ent.% e stepped back and turned to (erek.

#Speak to your people' $eader'% he &ur&ured. S"allo"ing nervously' (erek stepped

or"ard.

#Good aternoon'% he said. is &ind "as blank. 3hat did they "ant hi& to say) e

began "ith the irst thing that ca&e into his &ind.

#As your colleague so rightly puts it' "e are the ne" govern&ent * the Autarkic

rotskyite Party. nlike our predecessors' our policies are genuine' our ai&s sound.

3e are not si&ply dra"n by the lures o po"er and privilege...% * ho" he could clai&

this "hile his body "as a"ash "ith acid' he "ould never kno"' but... * #;ur ai&s are

also si&ple * to ulil the "ishes o the public and to return this country to a state o

true de&ocracy.%

A "hite spotlight lashed up on an an-ious*aced' care"orn &an sitting directly acrossro& (erek. #/ a& the Per&anent nder Secretary'% he introduced hi&sel. #+ay / ask

a <uestion)%

#; course'% (erek said generously. #5ut "here%s the Per&anent Secretary)%

#/%& araid he%s unavailable'% said the nder Secretary. (erek elt put out that the head

o the civil service could not break his schedule even to speak "ith the $eader.

#Autarkic rotskyis& is' / believe' based upon the concept o global autono&ous

collectivis&'% the nder Secretary said kno"ledgeably. #3here does this enter into

your populist policies)%

(erek blinked. #;ur &ain policies are to bring back de&ocracy and 6obs or all'% he

said. #5ut "e also intend to introduce autarky.%

#ave you considered "hether the people "ant such a &ove)% the nder Secretaryin<uired.



(erek sco"led. #/ don%t e-pect insolence ro& &y sta!% he said. #3e are the

govern&ent, you are &erely bureaucrats. /%d like you to re&e&ber that.%

#8ou "ant de&ocracy' do you not)% asked another bureaucrat ro& the right. #he

people should decide issues such as this... autarkis&.%

#And so they shall'% (erek said. #;nce you have organised the co&ing general

election! Co&rades' / "ant no e-cuses. / you do not hurry up and establish theoundations o the ne" de&ocracy very <uickly' /%ll ire the lot o you and replace you

"ith people / can trust. /s that understood)%

#Perectly'% said the Per&anent nder Secretary. #5ut "hile "e are continuing the

de&ocratisation process' it "ould be a &ost politic &ove on your part to tour the

country and sho" yoursel to the people you "ish to unite. /t is i&perative' i "e are

to attain genuinely de&ocratic status' that the people as a "hole de&onstrate their

support or you.%

#?ery "ell'% (erek said. #;rganise the tour' then.%

#3e already have'% said the nder Secretary <uietly. #S&ithers "ill return you to your

car and you can continue.% e eyed the $eader. #8ou &ay go'% he added.

he lights over the audience licked out' leaving the Party bathed in a single spotlight.hen even this "ent out.

Conused' (erek and his co&panions groped their "ay back into the corridor.

S&ithers "as instantly all apologies.

#/%& sorry about the nder Secretary%s attitude'% he ooed. #e has beco&e proud and

vain over the years o dealing "ith ephe&eral' ever*changing govern&ents.%

#/t%s about ucking ti&e he realised that "e%re here to stay'% (erek said angrily. #/ /

hear another sneer ro& hi& he%s out on the streets "ith no ucking civil service

pension.%

S&ithers laughed. #?ery droll'% he said. #; course' you realise that to do so "ould be

a cri&inal act)%

#3hat)% (erek snapped. #/%& serious here! 3e need a "ell*disciplined civil service

"ho%ll do "hat "e de&and!%

S&ithers shook his head. #According to the 4ourth Civil Service and Govern&ent

(epart&ents Act' subsection Bb paragraph Biv' no civil servant can be &ade

redundant "ithout the agree&ent o the redundancy co&&ittee. Any atte&pt to strip a

civil service &e&ber o their occupation constitutes a threat to the integrity o the

state and "ill be dealt "ith accordingly.%

(erek ro"ned. #5ut /%& $eader'% he co&plained. #(on%t / have any "ay to keep these

people in line)%

Slo"ly' thoughtully' S&ithers shook his head. #he la" "as passed "ith &any

&isgivings' but it "as a reaction to the unsettled nature o the ti&es. 3hengovern&ent ater govern&ent had risen and allen' it beca&e necessary to increase the

po"ers o the civil service to &aintain any control over the state.%

#hat la" needs to go'% /ggy said darkly.

#8eah'% Stella agreed. #3e%re not gonna be ucked about by uck"its in suits.%

S&ithers s&iled sadly again. #Another clause o the sa&e act declared that any &oves

to"ards the repealing o this legislature re<uired rigorous e-a&ination by a panel o

e-perts beore it could be passed...%

#$et &e guess'% (erek interrupted gri&ly. #he panel o e-perts "ould be &e&bers o

the civil service)%

S&ithers nodded. #4ro& the legislative directorate.%

he Party glanced at each other. /t "as let to /ggy to voice "hat "as on everyone%s&ind.



#he syste&%s ucked'% he said. #/%ve al"ays said so.%

#3hy can%t "e 6ust break the la")% ric asked savagely.

S&ithers looked shocked. #here "ould be a public outcry!% he said. #And don%t orget

* until the de&ocratisation process is co&plete' any such behaviour is bound to result

in popular unrest. 8our govern&ent &ight all as a result.%

(erek hu&phed. Caught bet"een the people and the hidebound civil service' hethought gri&ly. #So "hat you%re saying is' "e%ve gotta trust these slippery uck"its to

carry out our policies and other"ise do everything they say)%

S&ithers gave hi& a gentle s&ile. #8ou%re beginning to get the grasp o it'% he said

encouragingly. #o" co&e "ith &e. 8our tour o the country begins to&orro". Co&e

along.% e strode a"ay do"n the corridor. he Party e-changed glances again.

#Co&e along!% S&ithers called ro& the lit entrance. #8ou don%t "ant to be late!%

1' #OWERSLA.E

#;rder! ;rder! ;rder!%

he Speaker o the ouse shouted do"n the ba"ling politicians. e turned to (erek'

"ho glared at hi& uriously. #/ had only 6ust returned ro& &y tour o the provinces'%

he said loudly' #"hen you had &e hustled in here. 3hat is going on)%

he /nner Party%s tour had lasted the best part o a &onth * a &onth o e-cess' drink*

uelled and violent' sharply illu&ined by drug abuse. (erek had spoken to his nation'

discovering strong popular support in the provinces ro& people increasingly

&arginalised by previous govern&ents. Although people "ere openly cynical' (erek

had persuaded &any that his policies "ere genuine and all that kept the& ro& being

realised "as ti&e.

e had told no one about the sinister strength o the civil service. he ti&e or that"as yet to co&e.

Captain Savage rose ro& his bench. As the hubbub o his ello" politicians died

do"n' he looked angrily around hi&. #$eader'% he said in a hostile voice' #"hile you

have been concerning yoursel "ith a e" insigniicant provincials' you have

evidently allen out o touch "ith the i&portant realities o Central City.%

(erek snorted. Ater his 6ourney around the country' this see&ed like so &uch

provincialis&. #/t%s you "ho%s out o touch' Captain'% (erek said. #ave you ever been

t"enty &iles outside Central City) o" can any govern&ent rule this country i all

their attention centres on the capital) +ore should be done or the provinces.%

#3ho are you to decide that)% asked Savage scornully. #8ou haven%t even put into

practice the policies you pro&ised us! he policies that secured you in po"er! he

policies the people ought or! o "onder they%re rising once &ore.%

(erek%s gasped. #3hat...)% his last blo" ca&e ro& a "holly une-pected angle. e

elt betrayed. #3hat are you talking about) he people supported &e! 3hy are they

turning against &e no") 3hat has been happening)%

#A "eek ater your departure'% Savage said gri&ly' #the &edia ran an intervie" "ith

an anony&ous &e&ber o the Palace sta. e spoke o "ild scenes o drunkenness

and debauchery' ast cars' loose "o&en and drug abuse * the kind o decadence and

corruption that led us to despise the Popular 4reedo& Party! (eny these allegations i

you "ill * but i&&ediately ater"ards "e heard reports o nocturnal disturbances in

the provinces' during your tour. he &edia has strongly criticised our ailure to



introduce de&ocracy and last night' an ar&ed band o &ilitants &ade a rontal assault

on ;utlet ?illage loyalist outpost!%

is gae s"ept the angry aces o his ello"s. #/ "as not there at the ti&e'% he

continued. #+y deputy led the counterattack and the &ilitants "ere beaten o. 5ut

none o this "ould have happened i it had not been or your inco&petence' $eader!%

/ggy &uttered angrily. (erek elt the blood drain ro& his ace. #8ou accuse &e oinco&petence' Captain Savage)% he asked <uietly.

#8es!% the captain said. #8ou have ailed to put your policies into eect.%

#8ou idiots!% (erek bello"ed. #Can%t you see) /t takes ti&e! 3e have the "hole o the

&achinery o bureaucracy to dis&antle. (o any o you have the slightest idea ho"

diicult it is to &ake the civil service do anything "ithout the& debating the issue

through co&&ittee ater co&&ittee)%

#3hy not si&ply tell the& to put it into eect)% Savage de&anded' his ace

incredulous. is supporters laughed.

#Silence!% (erek yelled. #one o you understands anything. / have told the& "hat "e

"ant done. 5ut they insist that correct procedures &ust be ollo"ed.%

#hro" the& out'% so&eone shouted. #Shoot the bastards'% cried a hard*liner. #Sackthe& and get so&e decent ones in!%

(erek shook his head. #(on%t you think /%ve considered it) 3e%re dealing "ith la"

here' la"s that "ere agreed upon by previous govern&ents.%

#9epeal the&'% Savage said' in an unusually reasonable tone o voice.

#hat "ould take even longer'% (erek said. #/ "e go "ith the& on this' "e &ay

achieve "hat "e "ant in ti&e. Assu&ing no &ilitant group deposes us'% he added

viciously.

#3e can%t allo" ourselves to be dictated to by a bunch o bureaucrats'% Savage barked.

#he people "on%t stand or that. Strong leadership is "hat "e need' $eader. Are you

so "eak you can%t even conte&plate the obvious other option)%

#3hich is)% (erek asked "earily.

Savage spread his hands. #5reaking the la"' o course'% he said and the captains

around hi& ru&bled their agree&ent. #ot so long ago' "e "ere rebels. hen "e

"ouldn%t have thought t"ice. hreaten the bureaucrats "ith i&&ediate e-ecution i

they reuse to obey. ;ther"ise' this govern&ent "ill ail beore it%s had a chance to

achieve anything...%

#/ "e break the la" no"' "e certainly "ill be deposed'% (erek said in a tired voice.

#ave you learnt nothing) he people "on%t stand or it' you said beore. / "e orce

or coerce the civil service to put our policies into i&&ediate eect' the &edia "ill

instantly accuse us o recklessness' inco&petence and dictatorialis&.%

#hey needn%t kno"'% Savage said.#hey "ill ind out'% (erek said e&phatically. #And i "e don%t tell the& in advance

"e%ll be accused o instigating a cover*up. +ore and &ore &ilitant parties "ill rise up

against us' until one successully overthro"s us and the "hole process takes another

turn. hat%s the syste& * revolution "ithout progress' constant shits o po"er but

never any coherent e-ercise o it. All "e can do is...%

he doors burst open and a loyalist &arched in. (erek halted' eyeing the &an. #he

&ilitants have seied ;utlet ?illage loyalist outpost'% the loyalist said e-citedly.

#hey%re calling or the i&&ediate surrender o the govern&ent. 3hat should "e do'

$eader)%

#Seied ;utlet ?illage)% (erek asked. #Seied the loyalist outpost)% hat "asn%t ho"

they%d done it in his day. o party "ould be rash enough to &ake such a &ove"ithout strong popular support ro& the people' the &edia and the bourgeoisie. e



couldn%t believe any &ilitants had achieved that yet. nless things "ere &oving aster

than he had anticipated.

#3hat should he do)% Savage hectored. #+ake a decision' $eader!%

(erek stood silent or a second. #?ery "ell. Send in the troops. Hill all &ilitants "ho

resist. his rebellion &ust be crushed. he Autarkic rotskyite Party "ill not be

deposed!%is "ords rang through the cha&ber. he politicians looked up in surprise and he

realised ho" he &ust sound * like a dictator' not a cha&pion o de&ocracy at all. e

had crossed the line.

he loyalist saluted and &arched out. (erek surveyed the shocked govern&ent.

#9ebellion &ust be suppressed!% he said. #o" can "e put our plans into process' i

"e%re attacked like this)% o one ans"ered hi&. e looked around. #o"' i that%s all'

&y cabinet and / "ish to retire. 3e%ve had a tiring &onth.%

e turned' nodded to /ggy' ric' Stella and 9enJ and led the& out.

(erek strode up to the 9olls. e thre" open the door and dragged the driver out.

#/%ll drive'% he said gri&ly' as the driver got up and dusted hi&sel do"n. #5y the "ay

* you%re ired.%Stella looked shocked. #3hy are you doing that)% she de&anded.

(erek ai&ed a kick at the driver. #Go on!% he said. #Get out!% he &an scra&bled

a"ay. (erek turned to his cabinet &inisters. #here%s been a leak'% he said darkly.

#A leak)% asked /ggy. #8ou &ean "hat the &edia "ere talking about)%

#8es'% (erek said angrily. #hey%ve been stirring up sedition. So&eone in the Palace

told the&.%

#5ut you don%t kno" it "as the driver'% Stella said' conused.

#/ don%t'% (erek ad&itted. #5ut /%& not stopping "ith hi&.% e leapt into the car. #Get

in'% he ordered and they hurriedly co&plied. #3e%re going to the Palace. 3e%re gonna

sack every bastard in there.% e sla&&ed his oot do"n on the accelerator and they

screeched a"ay.

hey pulled up outside the Palace and piled out. (erek led the& up the steps at a run.

e thrust the doors open.

#8ou%re all ired!% he said as they &arched in. he e&pty hall echoed back his "ords.

#3here are they)% he asked o the air.

+aureen appeared in a door"ay. She looked startled. #3hat are you talking about)%

she said.

#he servants!% (erek bello"ed. #hey%re all ired!%

#he civil servants)% she asked. #5ut you can%t do that...%

#ot the civil servants'% (erek snapped' #though i / had &y "ay' they%d go ne-t. /

&ean the Palace servants. Get rid o the&. 3e don%t need the& and "e don%t "antthe&.%

S&ithers appeared ro& the sa&e door"ay. #his "on%t look good'% he "arned (erek.

#8ou%re supposed to be ending voluntary service' re&e&ber) Creating 6obs or all *

not sacking your o"n e&ployees.%

#(on%t <uote &e &y o"n ucking policies!% (erek said. e "as gro"ing increasingly

tired o the drug*pushing bureaucrat. #So&e ucker%s blabbed to the &edia about our

=recreational pursuits.> nless they%re "illing to co&e or"ard' everyone%s sacked.%

+aureen and S&ithers e-changed "ary glances. hen +aureen gave (erek a look.

#(oes that &ean... us too)% she said in a husky "hisper.

#; course not' you dat tart'% (erek said. #he servants! Sack the&! Sack the& no"!%

#5ut "ho "ill do the "ork)% asked +aureen.



#3e%re <uite capable o looking ater ourselves'% said Stella spiritedly. he t"o

"o&en e-changed veno&ous glances.

#5esides'% /ggy said' adding his support' #"e are the govern&ent.% e glared at

S&ithers. #8ou%ve gotta at least pretend that &eans "e have so&e kind o po"er.%

S&ithers looked lustered. #; course you have po"er'% he said. #3ithin reason.% e

dre" hi&sel up. #/%ll have the servants% dis&issal or&s ready or to&orro"&orning.%

#Good'% (erek said curtly. #5ut beore you sack the&' get the bastards to bring us up

so&ething decent to drink.%

hat evening' in one o the stateroo&s' they huddled round a ? set' trying to gauge

the &ood o the people. he lights "ere lo"' the ire lickered in the ireplace and as

they passed round bottle ater bottle' (erek ound hi&sel irresistibly re&inded o

their cosy old s<uat in ;utlet ?illage.

5ut +aureen "as "ith hi& no". She had seldo& visited the s<uat back in the old

days, she had al"ays co&plained about the da&p. hey lounged together on a

priceless anti<ue chaise longue. he others spra"led on other chairs' or laed on the

loor "ith the blue light o the cathode ray playing unhealthily on their aces. hey"ere "atching a special eature length edition o 9evolution!

+aureen%s head "as pillo"ed on (erek%s chest and she held her ar&s round his neck.

very no" and then' she "ould lean up or hi& to kiss her. She "as really starting to

piss hi& o' in act' but he said nothing. e had said enough that aternoon.

#/ don%t like 9evolution! these days'% /ggy &uttered' as the co&&ercial break began.

#(id you hear "hat they said)% ric de&anded. #5astards! hey "ere saying "e "ere

inco&petent' corrupt' only in it or the &oney!% e shook his head painully. #hey

don%t have the aintest idea "hat "e%ve sacriiced to get here. one o the& even

kno"s "ho ddy "as. ;r $aura.% e had been drinking heavily and had reached the

&audlin stage. (erek interrupted hi& beore he took it any urther.

#/t%s as i "e%re no better than any other govern&ent'% he e-clai&ed. #hey supported

us on the road to po"er because o our policies! o" "e%re in po"er' they see& to

"ant us straight out again. 3e haven%t a chance to put our policies into practice.%

#hey don%t appreciate that it takes ti&e'% +aureen &ur&ured soothingly. he

co&&ercial break ended. A brie blast o revolutionary &usic s"elled to a cli&a- and

then they "ere back in the studio.

er boso& heaving "ith passion' Geri arvey pouted up at the ca&era.

#e"s 6ust co&e in conir&s ru&ours that the hated oppressors o the people have

despatched their loyalist death*s<uads to crush the revolution in its very inancy'% she

inor&ed vie"ers. #Ater an angry speech in Govern&ent @ this aternoon' the

$eader ordered an i&&ediate assault on ;utlet ?illage' "here the Anti*otalitarianParty has successully seied control o the loyalist head<uarters....%

he picture cut to a scene o ;utlet ?illage loyalist @' il&ed ro& a nearby rootop.

Poorly ar&oured &ilitants "ere ighting o an attack ro& loyalist security orces

"earing the insignia o the Autarkic rotskyite Party. he &ilitants "ere ar&ed

chiely "ith crude hand*to*hand "eapons' e" possessing irear&s. 5ut nonetheless

they "ere putting up a decent ight.

#o" long "ill it be beore the hated govern&ent learns that ho"ever &any ti&es it

&ay tra&ple us beneath its iron heel' "e the people "ill never be deeated)% Geri

arvey asked in voiceover' as "ave ater "ave o loyalists battered against the "alls

o the loyalist @. Gunire rattled through the night' sporadic and staccato. 4inally'

silence reigned. A e" seconds later' a black lag "ith no insignia shot do"n thelagpole' to be replaced by the sy&bol o the Autarkic rotskyite Party.



he ca&era lingered on the lag as it luttered arrogantly above the corpse*littered

pave&ent. he &usic built up in al&ost unbearable intensity.

hey cut to the studio.

Geri arvey held the bars o her cage and gaed i&ploringly up at the ca&era' tears

glistening prettily in her eyes. #/ you%re "atching' $eader'% she said in a voice husky

"ith e&otion' #do so&ething or &e * or all o us. Stop this senseless slaughter oinnocent civilians. nd the tyranny o the syste&. 9eturn us to our de&ocratic golden

age!% he audience erupted "ith "ell*choreographed spontaneous applause.

#3hat the uck do you think /%& trying to do' you stupid "ench!% (erek raged.

+aureen hugged hi& soothingly.

he ca&era panned back to sho" the soa' "here an elderly &an in a suit "as sitting.

e looked lustered as Geri arvey placed her pert botto& on the cushion beside hi&

and dre" her legs up under her "ith eline grace.

She turned to the ca&era. #/%& honoured to "elco&e to the studio the a&ous political

analyst and deputy head o the o&e ;ice' Sir Arthur (alry&ple. Sir Arthur' you%ve

seen this shocking attack on innocent protestors. (o you think this gives us any

insight into the overdogs% state o &ind)%(alry&ple coughed nervously. #3ell' +s arvey...%

#;h' call &e Geri'% the intervie"er gushed. She gave a lirt o her head and glanced

to"ards the autocue. #/%& a great an o your "ork. =$iberty should be the pri&e

ob6ective o any party seeking po"er'> you said' didn%t you) So proound!%

(alry&ple "as struck speechless. 4or a second he shited unco&ortably. #Ah' yes'

the ah' the ah' the ah' the ah the ah govern&ent * "ell' ah'% * he shot her an unsteady

look and giggled * #Geri' / think it%s "rong to suggest the govern&ent is entirely

responsible or the situation...%

#8eah!% /ggy shouted. #/t%s the ucking bureaucracy!%

#ot the govern&ent as a "hole'% (alry&ple added. #+any politicians are genuinely

interested in the plight o the people...%

#oo right'% (erek co&&ented.

#/n act' only a s&all &inority is responsible or the scenes o violence "e have

"itnessed' yes' "itnessed'% (alry&ple added' #the politicians "ho set out to seie

po"er solely or their o"n' ah' personal aggrandise&ent' "hose debauched behaviour

has been reported by Palace sources...%

(erek%s hackles began to rise.

#8es'% (alry&ple continued. #/%& araid' &y dear' that it is the $eader o the

govern&ent and his closest conidantes' cronies rather' at "ho& "e &ust point the

inger...%

#3hat)% (erek yelled. e lung +aureen o and ran at the screen.#...disgraceul displays "e%ve all heard about'% Geri arvey "as saying as (erek lited

up the ? and lung it at the "indo". er voice trailed o into the night as the ?

disappeared in a glittering spray o shattered glass. he plug leapt out o the "all and

the voice "as cut o. A loud crunch echoed up ro& the courtyard belo" and then a

dull bang.

(erek looked sheepishly at the others and s"ayed. #4ucking cunt'% he slurred.

#And 6ust "hat are "e going to "atch no")% asked +aureen "aspishly' picking

hersel o the loor.

he others e-changed glances. #3e could hit the bright' bright lights o Central City'%

/ggy suggested laily. #Get rat*arsed and lose shitloads o public &oney in so&e

casino so&e"here.%



#4uck that'% (erek said. #/ don%t "ant to see any o &y citiens tonight' co&rade. /%ll

only end up t"atting the&.% e raised his bottle. #3hy don%t "e 6ust get slaughtered in

here)%

veryone cheered' e-cept +aureen. So&e ti&e later' as the estivities "ere 6ust

beginning to hot up' she rose <uietly and let the& to it.

ric "atched her departure' his eyes narro"ing "ith suspicion. e-t &orning' (erek a"oke ace do"n in a pool o cold vo&it.

e rolled over' retching in disgust' "iping the cla&&y gunk o his ace. he roo&

around hi& "as silent' save or the snores o his co&rades. +aureen "as gone. So

"as ric.

(erek shook his head "ooily' staring out o the s&ashed "indo". e had di&

recollections o the ? pitching out o the "indo"' but they ailed to e-plain the

broken paintings hanging drunkenly ro& the "alls' or the hal*burnt portrait o

Charles / and enrietta +aria sticking out o the cold hearth. or did he re&e&ber

"ho had slashed the covers o all the chaise longues and chairs in the roo&. +ust

have been one hell o a party' (erek thought rueully.

he door s"ung open' the noise slicing deep into (erek%s skull. e grabbed his headand turned painully to see +aureen standing in the door"ay' looking bright and

resh.

#/ see you%re up'% she said shortly.

(erek looked her up and do"n. #3hy the uck don%t you have a hangover)% he asked

&uily.

#5ecause / didn%t drink too &uch'% she said tartly. She olded her ar&s and surveyed

the scene o destruction. #here%s a reporter do"nstairs' "ith a il& cre"'% she added.

#9ight'% (erek said. e nodded tentatively. hen he ro"ned. #3hat did you say)%

#A reporter'% +aureen said. #She "ants to intervie" you at three o%clock.%

(erek looked at his "atch. 27ED.

#3ell she can uck o then'% he said. #/%& in no it state. 4or anything.%

+aureen sighed. #/ can see that'% she said. #/ told the& you "ere indisposed. 5ut they

insist on talking to you.% She regarded hi& doubtully. #Probably a good idea'% she

"ent on. #Public opinion is against you. / you can convince the& that you%re not a

po"er*&ad drunkard "ith no intention o reor&ing the syste&' you &ay re&ain

$eader or a e" &ore &onths at least.%

(erek groaned. e "as in no &ood to be talking about politics. #ell the& /%ll co&e

do"n to ? Centre "hen /%& ready'% he said. #ust &ake the& go a"ay!%

A e" strong black coees returned (erek to the land o the living. e let his

co&rades slu&bering and set out or +edia ?illage t"o hours later' in a sta car

escorted by a cavalcade o loyalist APCs. +aureen oered to drive' but (erek curtlyreused the oer and drove o "ith his escort' leaving her on the Palace steps "ith a

"orried e-pression.

hey pulled up outside ? Centre and (erek &arched in' leaving his loyalists to "ait.

e noticed absently that the battle*scars had been repaired since his last visit. A group

o people in the oyer looked up.

#he $eader'% so&eone &uttered. #3hat%s he doing here)%

#;n his o"n' as "ell.%

(erek s"allo"ed' realising the e-tent o his all in the opinion polls. #/%& being

intervie"ed'% he said. #3here should / go)%

#(o you really "ant us to tell you that)% so&eone asked. So&eone else told hi& to

shut up and oered to escort (erek up to the studio.A &o&ent later' he "as s"eating beneath the ca&eras.



#And irst on tonight%s sho"'% the intervie"er announced' #"e have' representing the

latest in a long line o govern&ents dedicated to grinding the aces o the poor and

telling the& that they like it' the leader o the Autarkic rotskyite Party:!%

#And still you clai& that your policies are genuine)% she "as saying a <uarter o an

hour later' her tone openly hostile.(erek shited unco&ortably in the lo" plush chair. #/%ve already stated &y case'% he

said. #he Autarkic rotskyite Party seied po"er to bring liberty to the people...%

#5ut you%ve done nothing to...%

#$et &e ans"er the <uestion! he Party seied po"er in order to ree the people. hat

"as * and still is * our &ain policy and our chie priority. 5ut there is a vast &achinery

o bureaucracy that &ust be dis&antled beore "e can achieve this...%

#And "hat about 6obs or all' $eader)% the intervie"er broke in. #8ou%ve not lited a

inger to deal "ith that burning issue. 4ro& "hat "e%ve heard' you%ve 6ust been

parading around the provinces * "hile here in Central City the people are still

suering ro& the e-cesses o the syste&.%

#$ike de&ocracy' 6obs or all is not an issue "e can ind a solution to overnight'%(erek said s&oothly' un"illing to ad&it that he%d co&pletely orgotten about it.

#So&e o &y keenest people are "orking on e-actly that issue. As ar as your

allegations that / "as =parading around the provinces> are concerned' let &e re&ind

you that there is &ore to lie than Central City. he provinces have proble&s that

re<uire our attention...%

#3hen you%re tired o Central City' you%re tired o lie'% the intervie"er said. #o one

cares about the other cities' none o your supporters' any"ay. /t%s the& "ho you

should be considering irst.%

#/%ve said all / have to say'% (erek said inally. #/ you have no &ore to ask &e' /%ll

take &y leave. / have a country to run.%

he intervie"er turned to the ca&era. #hat "as the $eader o the govern&ent'

e-plaining his ailure to reintroduce de&ocracy and his decision to ruthlessly suppress

popular protests. /%ve been Geri arvey. Good night.%

#And... Cut!% so&eone called ro& the studio loor.

(erek &opped his glistening bro". #/%& glad it%s all over'% he said hoarsely.

Geri arvey looked at hi&. #/ hope you are' $eader'% she &ur&ured. #/ hope you are.%

1) SCANDAL

(erek &arched do"n the steps' his &en getting into step behind hi&' and got into his

car. As he screeched o' his APC escort lu&bered ater hi&. e "as sick to the back

teeth "ith po"er.

All he had ever "anted in lie "as to avoid ending up being a "age slave like all the

adults he had kno"n as a kid. Getting a 6ob had never been an option' so he had

ought hard to reach this position, he had seied the po"er that "as his by right' only

to ind hi&sel constantly troubled by backbiting' co&plaints' criticis&' carping'

cynicis&' rebellion... e "as sick o it!

4ollo"ed by the APCs' he parked his car outside and hurried up the steps. e needed

a drink. o' not a drink. So&ething &ore po"erul than that.



he &o&ent he entered the palace' he kne" that so&ething "as "rong. A oreboding

silence that see&ed to carry resonances o shock and horror hung over the entrance

hall.

/ggy appeared at the top o the stairs and halted abruptly. is ace "as "hite' his hair

plastered to his head "ith s"eat. #/ heard the cars'% he said. #(erek' 6ust... 8ou%ve gotta

listen.%#3hat are you talking about)% (erek de&anded' starting up the steps. /ggy ran do"n

to &eet hi& hal"ay.

#/ don%t kno" "hat%s got into ric. / don%t kno" "hy he did it' he 6ust turned up ater

you%d gone... e "as &ad * no' "ait!%

5rushing a"ay /ggy%s incoherent e-planations' (erek hurried upstairs. is heart "as

pounding' but he didn%t kno" "hy.

#3hat%s going on and "here is he)% (erek bello"ed over his shoulder. #3hat%s ric

done)%

#e%s locked hi&sel in a roo& "ith +aureen'% /ggy gulped. #e...%

#3hat)% (erek roared. #3hat%s he think he%s doing)%

Stella and 9enJ ca&e haring round the corner. hey skidded to a halt at the sight o(erek. #/... think he%s killed her'% blurted 9enJ.

(erek "ent cold. e stared at 9enJ' speechless.

#3hat... "hy) 3here is he)% he &anaged at last. he s"eat "as cold on his te&ples. /t

"as like the "orst o night&ares' the kind you can%t "ake ro&.

#his "ay'% Stella said gri&ly. She led the& do"n the landing to a locked bedroo&

door. (erek banged on it.

#3hat are you doing in there)% he shouted. #3hat have you done)%

A "hi&per ca&e ro& "ithin. /t sounded like ric%s voice' but &ade little sense.

(erek reached do"n and produced his boot*knie.

#o!% Stella shouted' as (erek shoulder*barged the door.

/t burst open on his second atte&pt and (erek stu&bled into the roo& beyond. e

halted' taking in the scene at a glance.

+aureen%s huddled body lay spra"led across the bed. ric crouched in the corner'

head in hands.

orror*struck' then insanely urious' (erek glared at ric. Slo"ly' ric raised his ace.

#his is because o $aura' isn%t it)% (erek said.

#o' Captain'% ric blubbed. #3hen you &ade &e kill her' / "anted to kill you' but

then / sa" "hy you &ade &e do it. /t%s a lonely thing' to be liberator o the people. o

senti&ent &ust get in our "ay. 3e%re above all &oral scruples' "hat &atters is the

9evolution! Anyone * or anything * that tries to stop us &ust be destroyed!%

5lind "ith unreasoning ury' dea to ric%s "ords' (erek attacked.ric put up no ight' he 6ust curled up and died.

(erek "iped his blade on the carpet' staring do"n at the t"o un&oving bodies'

eeling nothing. /t "as odd that although ric "as soaked in blood' +aureen "as as

i&&aculate as she%d ever been in lie' despite the gash that had opened her ribcage.

3hat had he done no") Surely he should eel so&ething) e looked up to see the

other three standing silent in the door"ay.

#e killed &y "o&an'% (erek said' by "ay o e-planation' then added7 #3hy)%

/ggy dre" his hand across his eyes. #/ don%t kno"'% he said "earily. #e "as out "hen

/ got up. (idn%t you see hi&) (idn%t he say anything)%

#e%d already gone "hen / "oke up'% (erek said.

#e ca&e back not long ater you had gone'% Stella said. #e "as shouting so&ethingabout the syste&. e said +aureen "as one o the&.%



#Sounds like he%s got so&e dodgy acid'% 9enJ said. #/t can send you like that

so&eti&es.%

#e orced +aureen in here at knie*point'% /ggy said. #$ocked her in here "ith hi&.

e "as shouting <uestions at her' &ad <uestions. She "asn%t ans"ering.%

#3hat <uestions)% (erek asked.

/ggy ro"ned. #=3ho is the Per&anent Secretary)>' that "as one'% he said. #r' andthen he said =3hy are you keeping us slaves to the syste&)> hen &ore stu about a

plot' a conspiracy.%

he sound o ootsteps ca&e ro& outside the roo&. S&ithers appeared in the

door"ay' lanked by t"o anony&ous &en in suits. he civil servant "as sco"ling.

#3hat%s going on here)% he shouted. #3hat have you kids been up to)% e stopped

dead "hen he sa" the bed. is eyes lickered ro& +aureen%s un&oving or& to

(erek and the knie in his hand. hen he sa" ric%s corpse.

#3hy did you attack her)% one o the other suits asked. S&ithers raised a hand and

then cocked an eyebro" at (erek.

#/ killed ric. e%d killed +aureen.% e dropped the knie. #his is it' isn%t it)% he said

al&ost happily. #3e can%t stay in po"er ater this. 3e%re out' aren%t "e) he People"on%t stand or this.%

#he People)% S&ithers said dis&issively. #o' you%re not out yet. ot necessarily.

3hat did the o&e Secretary say)%

#3hat do you &ean' not necessarily)% (erek barked. #/%ve killed one o &y &inisters.

3e can%t survive this scandal.%

#he public "ill kno" nothing'% said one o the suits. #he Party &ust re&ain in

po"er.%

#3e%ve got no one to replace you "ith at the &o&ent'% added the other. #his couldn%t

have co&e at a &ore inconvenient ti&e.%

#3e%ll re&ove the bodies'% said S&ithers conidently. #/ can rely on &y o"n silence

and that o these t"o &en.%

#And "e can rely on yours' too' can%t "e, $eader' &inisters)% said the irst suit. he

politicians e-changed glances. hen they nodded.

Al&ost as i he "as un"illing to trust a politician%s "ord' or the ne-t e" "eeks

S&ithers did his best to keep (erek and the others occupied' and a"ay ro& the

public. he drink lo"ed thick and ast' the coke and the acid and the &escaline "as

constantly at hand. he Autarkic rotskyites spent those "eeks * (erek never kne"

ho" long it "as * in a drug*uelled hae. hey lolled around the untended palace'

"hich "as rapidly beco&ing a "orse slu& than their old s<uat, not that they cared.

ach day (erek "ould a"aken eeling terrible and plunge back into the insanity. / he

could sleep at all' each night he "ould surace in night&arish drea&s "here theydanced as puppets at the behest o aceless &asters beore being thro"n to the

"atching &ob.

;ne evening' during an unusually lucid &o&ent' (erek and /ggy got talking. #3hat

are "e doing' (erek)% asked /ggy gloo&ily. #3hat are "e doing "ith our lives)%

(erek shrugged. e had seen /ggy%s &oods beore. he acid and &escaline see&ed to

sharpen the&' but seldo& &ade the& any less black.

#4uck kno"s'% he said' taking a hit ro& the bong. e passed the pipe over to /ggy'

"ho shook his head irritably.

#nough o this'% he said. #So&eone%s ucking us around. 3hy did "e do all this)

3hy' (erek)%

#All "hat)% (erek asked' looking blearily around the trashed ban<ueting hall. e hadthe strangest eeling that he had been sucked into so&eone else%s nervous breakdo"n



* but "hose) #All this)% he added' indicating the roo&. #hat "as 9enJ' co&rade. e

lipped out the other day. So&e bad &ushroo&s. e s&ashed everything.%

#ot that'% /ggy said irritably. #3hy did "e beco&e rebels) 3here%s it ever got us'

any"ay)%

(erek scratched his head. #3ell' you didn%t "anna beco&e a "age slave like your

dad' did you) one o us did. And here "e are * the idle rich. So "e have to &ake theodd decision every no" and then' but...%

#5ut "e%re ucking po"erless!% /ggy e-ploded. #3e ought our "ay to the top' "e told

our supporters "e%d ree the& * "hat have "e done) 3e%re not even ree ourselves.%

#3e%re the govern&ent' /ggy'% (erek reasoned. #; course "e%re ree! 3e%ve got

responsibilities' "e%re not ree ro& the&' but...%

#o' (erek'% /ggy said orceully. #;pen your eyes. 3e%re po"erless. 3e%re

scapegoats' that%s all politicians are, scapegoats or the &ob. Anyone in po"er is 6ust a

igurehead or the people to direct their hate against' "hile all the real decisions are

&ade else"here. 3e%re the pricks they%re given to kick against.% (erek stirred

unco&ortably at this' but said nothing. #And "here does rebellion get you' any"ay)

3here%s it got us and "e got to the top) 3e%re slaves.#3e%re not in control o this country.%

(erek laughed coldly. #/%& the $eader o the ucking govern&ent' /ggy'% he said.

#$ook' your head%s all &ushed. / told you not to take that last tab. 8ou%re not seeing

clearly.%

#/ a&' (erek'% /ggy said seriously. #4or the irst ti&e' /%& seeing everything clearly.

So&e bugger%s cleansed &y doors o uckin% perception' co&rade. And / kno" no".

3e%re not in po"er * look at &e' or uck%s sake! / can%t even control &y o"n bladder'

never &ind the ucking state! 3e%re not in po"er. So "ho is)%

#8ou tell &e' /ggy'% (erek said i&patiently. e had seen these paranoid trips beore.

So&e drugs did that to you' sooner or later. And /ggy had illed his body "ith all

kinds o shit.

/ggy shook his head. #/ don%t kno"'% he said. #5ut /%& gonna ind out' you believe &e.

ric "as on to so&ething' you kno".%

#(on%t talk to &e about hi&'% (erek said auto&atically. e had nu&bed his eelings

long enough or the guilt and anger to be nothing &ore than a nagging <ueasiness in

the pit o his sto&ach. 5ut he still didn%t "ant to think about it.

#ric "as right!% /ggy insisted. #e kne" so&ething "as going on' so&ething sinister.

4orces are at "ork in the "orld and even "e are nothing co&pared "ith the&.%

(erek shook his head in disgust. #5ollocks' /ggy. 3e seied po"er over this ucking

country. o ucker can touch us.%

#3rong' co&rade'% said /ggy. #ust look at us! S&ithers has us sedated. one o our policies are being put into eect... /t%s the ucking civil service' / kno" it is! hey%re

at the back o everything' co&rade! /t%s the&!%

#8eah' yeah' they began the 4rench 9evolution' shot Hennedy' aked the &oon

landings and broke Auntie Agatha%s Coronation Street &ug'% (erek said. #ust cal&

do"n' co&rade. S&oke so&e "eed. 9ela-. /t%s the coke' it%s getting to you. (on%t

&ess "ith sot drinks' co&rade' they%re bad stu. S&oke!%

e oered /ggy the pipe again. /ggy bashed it a"ay and leapt to his eet. #/ you%re

not gonna do anything about it' / a&!% he said "ildly. #/%& going do"n to 3esse-! /%&

gonna ind out "ho the Per&anent Secretary is. And "hen / do' /%& gonna get so&e

ans"ers. 3e%re the ucking govern&ent! hey can%t do this to us.%

e turned and lurched ro& the roo&.



(erek "atched hi& go. e had a eeling he ought to care' but so&eho" he 6ust could

not su&&on up the energy.

Stella "andered in' "earing nothing but her dressing go"n and a conused look on

her ace. She looked oddly like a geriatric patient. #So&eone "as shouting'% she

&u&bled <uerulously.

(erek thought long and hard. ust as Stella "as about to "ander a"ay' he spoke.#/ggy'% he said #Gone paranoid. 3andered o' ranting about bureaucrats.%

Stella slu&ped do"n by (erek and leant her head against his chest. #;h'% she said

"earily. She stank o s"eat. #8ou should have stopped hi&. e &ight hurt hi&sel.%

#e%ll be alright'% (erek said dully. She snuggled up against hi& and he put an ar&

around her.

hey lay there like the babes in the "ood' surrounded by shattered urniture and

broken ob6ets d%art. Silence hung heavy over the vast palace. (erek "ondered "hat

"as happening in the city beyond. 3ere the &ilitants stirring again) 3ould the

loyalists be able to hold the& back until the de&ocratisation process "as co&plete) /

so then the rest o their policies could be put into eect. o one "ould ever need rise

against the govern&ent. A ne" age o de&ocracy and reedo& "ould a"ait the&.$ulled by his drea&s o liberty' (erek began to snore.

e a"oke "ith a start to ind so&eone shaking his shoulder.

#3assat) Gerroyacunt'% he &u&bled.

;pening his eyes' he sa" 9enJ staring do"n at hi&. #3hat is it' 9enJ)% he de&anded

crossly. #Shit / eel terrible. / need a drink.%

#4orget that'% 9enJ said' turning to shake so&e lie into his snoring sister. #his is

&ore i&portant'% he added' as she stirred. #/ggy' co&rades!%

#3hat about hi&)% (erek asked' rising. Stella got up on unsteady legs beside hi&.

#3hat%s the &ad bastard done no")%

#Co&e "ith &e'% 9enJ ordered. e led the t"o ro& the roo& at a run.

S&ithers "as "aiting or the& in a dra"ing roo& in another part o the palace. #8ou

ound the&' then'% he said coolly to 9enJ.

#3hat is this)% (erek gru&bled. #ave you inished the de&ocratisation process)%

#o'% S&ithers began.

#3ell go a"ay and inish it' then'% (erek snapped. #And don%t let &e catch you

"aking &e up until you have done!%

#5e <uiet' $eader'% S&ithers said. #his is i&portant. 9ead it.% e lung (erek a piece

o paper. #/t%s a letter o resignation ro& /gnatius igginson' (eputy $eader'%

S&ithers e-plained as (erek tore it open.

#8ou &ean /ggy)% (erek asked. #5ut "hy) 3here is he) $et &e talk to hi&. 3hy%s he

resigned)%S&ithers produced a copy o he Central City i&es ro& under his ar& and handed

it to (erek' "ho unolded it. is eyes ell on the lurid headline7

9ASP;9 +//S9

/ SA+8

9*/*A*5(

95;8 S*9;+P

;9AG

-clusive photos on Page hree

it blared.



he Central City i&es says,

=(isgusting! his pooter &ust go!>

he Central City i&es * the paper that speaks its &ind.

(erek turned to page three. e stared in be"ilder&ent at the graphic photographs o

/ggy in bed in various positions "ith t"o young boys. e dropped the paper and

looked up in horror.

#/ggy)% he said. #/ggy%s not... not... /s he)%

Stella looked at hi& in surprise. #/ thought you%d have kno"n' i anyone did'% she

said. (erek stared at her.

#3hat%s that supposed to...)%

#he &inister "as photographed in a Central City &assage parlour' "ith t"o

unregistered 6uvenile solicitors'% said S&ithers relentlessly. #So&e &uckraking

reporter gone undercover * under the sheets' you &ight say. hat%s "hy the &inister is

oering his resignation. So your govern&ent is spared the sha&e. e%s gone intohiding no". e asked &e to tell you that he doesn%t "ant you to contact hi&.%

(erek looked at hi& doubtully. #5ut "hat "as he doing in Central City)% he asked.

#he last ti&e / sa" hi&' he said he "as going do"n to 3...%

(erek halted abruptly' as /ggy%s last "ords ca&e back to hi&. e looked at S&ithers

again.

he bureaucrat returned his gae coolly. #And you%re e-pected in Govern&ent @ in

6ust under ive &inutes'% he added.

1+ CHILDREN OF THE RE.OL$TION

he cha&ber "as in uproar.

#Silence!% the Speaker shouted. #Silence! $et us hear "hat the $eader has to say.%

ired and dispirited' (erek shuled to his eet.

#+y transport &inister%s private lie "as his o"n aair. Although he "as a close

personal riend' until this... scandal' / had no idea o his se-ual inclinations. Although

/ personally believe the& to be irrelevant to his position' he has tendered his

resignation unpro&pted. is successor "ill be chosen presently.%

Savage rose to his eet. #8ou say his inclinations are irrelevant) (o you think that the

people%s opinion is "orth nothing) his is a scandal! o one "ants a corrupt

govern&ent.%

(erek stared "earily at the &an. #/gnatius igginson%s 6ob and his private lie "ere

unconnected'% he said. #is se-uality is irrelevant.%

Savage began to attack this standpoint' but (erek paid hi& no attention. /t "as all

&eaningless' he realised. is govern&ent "as po"erless, it had no chance o putting

its policies into eect. /nsurrection stirred in the provinces, he "as losing his riends

one by one' the &edia "ere against hi&' the people "ere against hi&7 no" his o"n

party see&ed to be against hi&' too. e "as on his o"n no"' apart ro& Stella and

9enJ.

#3hat do you have to say in ans"er' $eader)% the Speaker boo&ed. (erek 6erked back

to the situation in hand.#3hat)% he asked' realising that he had hardly listened to a "ord Savage had said.



he Speaker stared at hi&. #ave you been drinking' $eader)% he asked.

(erek put a hand to his orehead. #A little... a little headache'% he said. #/%& sorry'

"hat "as it again)%

#/ said'% Savage said angrily' #that the only "ay "e "ill regain the Peoples% trust "ill

be through igginson%s public e-ecution.%

(erek stared at hi&. ad he heard that correctly) #-ecution)% he asked' be"ildered.#3hy) e%s resigned' hasn%t he) e doesn%t even "ant to see &e. e%s trying to &ake

up or his blunder by distancing hi&sel ro& &e... ro& the govern&ent. here is

absolutely no reason "hy he should be e-ecuted' publicly or other"ise!%

Savage shook his head. #Popular opinion is against you'% he said. #As a &atter o

act...%

A loyalist entered and passed a note up to the Speaker' "ho glanced through it'

looking perturbed. hen he rose and called or silence.

#/ have bad ne"s'% he said loudly. #he Anti*otalitarianRPopulist (e&ocrat Alliance

has attacked a loyalist patrol near the city centre. ;nly one ar&oured car escaped'

seven are dead' &ore seriously "ounded.

#he attackers are reported to have been shouting =o&ose-uals' out' out' out!>%(erek groaned. hat "as all they needed. 3hy "ere the people so opposed to gay

politicians) 3hat possible bearing did it have on their political peror&ance)

3as /ggy gay' any"ay) e had never sho"n any interest in girls' true * not like ddy'

any"ay. 5ut he had never see&ed particularly interested in seat all. /t all see&ed

highly suspicious. /ggy had been on his "ay to 3esse-. o" had he "ound up in

Central City)

#3ell' $eader)% Savage said. #o" do you see the e-tent o popular disapproval)

Seven &en dead because o your riend%s vice and perversion. he &edia are already

out or your blood since the o&e Secretary disappeared so strangely. 3hen "ill he

return ro& his long holiday) 3ill he...%

#3ait a &inute!% (erek said suddenly. #Are you saying that the Anti*otalitarians

successully deeated ully ar&ed' highly trained loyalist security orces) 3hat "ere

the &ilitants ar&ed "ith)%

he Speaker glanced at the note.

#=he attackers "ere heavily ar&ed and "ore up*to*date lak 6ackets and body

ar&our. he leader...>#

#he ucking bastards!% (erek said suddenly.

#9eally' $eader'% S&ithers said disapprovingly' indicating the gleeul headline o the

vening Gaette. #8ou kno" ho" the &edia react "hen politicians use strong

language.%#4uck o!% (erek said. #/ don%t need you snooping around' you slippery cunt!%

S&ithers looked pained. #/ think that%s <uite enough o that' $eader'% he said.

#4uck uck uck uck uck uck uck bastard bastard bastard bastard bastard bastard

bastard bastard!% (erek said veno&ously' involuntarily spraying the civil servant "ith

spittle.

#Gro" up' $eader'% S&ithers snapped.

#hey%re only "ords'% (erek said. #8ou gro" up! /n act' uck o you boring t"at and

don%t co&e back until you%ve got so&ething "orth"hile to tell &e.%

e seied hi&' spun hi& round and kicked his arse so hard the bureaucrat al&ost

staggered into the door"ay.

S&ithers turned round slo"ly. #8ou%ll suer or that'% he said <uietly.



#;h "ill /)% (erek said. #;h' but ho" could you' a si&ple civil servant' &ake &e'

$eader o the govern&ent' suer) Anyone "ould think that your position holds &ore

po"er than &ine.% S&ithers put his hand to his &outh. #(id you think / hadn%t

realised)% (erek asked. #ot as i it%s obvious' is it) o" * get out and go and tell

your Per&anent Secretary to get on "ith his ucking conspiracy beore so&ething

actually happens.%e raised a ist. S&ithers linched back and then lung open the door and led.

Stella and 9enJ "ere "atching (erek. #;h' very "ell done'% Stella said ironically. #A

ine e-a&ple o sensitive e&ployee relations.%

#he &an%s a riggin% spy!% (erek raved. #e%s part o the ucking conspiracy!%

Stella and 9enJ e-changed glances. #8ou%d better lay o the drugs' (erek'% Stella

&ur&ured.

#8ou sound like Steele did beore "e overthre" hi&'% 9enJ added. #;kay' the

&ilitants are ater you and the &edia keep slating you. 5ut there aren%t enough

&ilitants to threaten us yet. All "e have to do is put our policies into eect. And "e

need the civil service or that. (on%t alienate the&.%

#Are you blind or stupid)% (erek shouted. #hey%re never gonna do it. hey%re toohooked on their o"n po"er to give it up like that.%

#Po"er)% Stella asked' incredulously. #hey%re bureaucrats. hey don%t have any

po"er unless "e legiti&ise it.%

#ave you orgotten 3inchester)% (erek asked. #3hat S&ithers said) he only people

"ho can deter&ine "ho is and "ho isn%t in the civil service are the civil servants

the&selves. here%s no "ay "e can &ake the& do "hat "e "ant. 3e have no po"er

over the&. / they don%t "anna de&ocratise the country' "e can%t &ake the&.%

#5ut "e can%t do it on our o"n'% 9enJ said.

Stella broke in. #/ the people realised this...! 3e should tell the&!%

(erek shook his head briely. #/t "on%t "ork'% he said. #he &edia "ill 6ust &ake us

look like "e%re cracking up and then there%ll be &ore support or the &ilitants.

9e&e&ber' Steele kept talking about so&e kind o grand conspiracy) 3e all laughed

at hi& then' but...%

#And instead o listening to hi&' "e 6ust seied the chance to overthro" hi&...% 9enJ

said slo"ly.

#hose Anti*otalitarians "ere reported having guns and ar&our'% Stella said. #(o you

think that &eans...%

#hey%ve got corporate backing' obviously'% (erek said' i&patient. #he bourgeoisie

reckon "e%re as bad as all the other govern&ents * the people and the &edia &ust

agree. 3e%ve gotta prove it to the& that "e%re genuine.%

#5ut "e can%t do that "ithout doing "hat "e pro&ised "e "ould'% 9enJ said hoarsely.#And the civil service "on%t co*operate.%

#3hat "e need is proo'% (erek said. #vidence o "hat they%re really up to. And

there%s only one place "e can get that * 3inchester.%

#5ut that%s in the countryside'% Stella ob6ected.

#So)% (erek challenged her.

#3ell' "e can%t go out there'% she said patiently. #3e%re not allo"ed.%

#3e%re the govern&ent!% 9enJ said. #3e should be able to decide!%

#3e%re nothing'% (erek said. #Accept that. 3e%re 6ust puppets' the playthings o the

bureaucracy. And "e%ll stay that "ay until "e can produce evidence o the civil

service%s corruption. 3e%ll only ind that in 3esse-.%

#3e can%t get there "ithout a pass'% Stella said. #here are guards on the &otor"ay.%



(erek thre" up his hands. #3e used to be rebels' didn%t "e) $a"s didn%t stop us

then.%

#hey did "hen breaking the& "ould lose us &edia support'% 9enJ said. #And i "e

go around breaking la"s no"' "e%ll be deposed in days.%

#hey%re closing in on us already'% (erek said gri&ly. #hey%ll depose us any day no"'

unless "e can sho" the& "hat%s really going on. nless "e get to 3esse-' "e%ll besae no"here.%

An ar&ed &an leapt in through the "indo".

he three politicians "hirled round' scrabbling instinctively or "eapons they%d not

"orn since they seied po"er. hey stopped dead.

Shouts and "histles drited in ro& outside.

#hey%re ater &e!% /ggy said desperately. e slotted another clip onto his $uger.

#/ggy!% (erek said. #S&ithers said that you "ere staying a"ay ro& us.%

/ggy s"ung round and ired a couple o shots into the courtyard belo". A ragged

volley spattered bullets around the "indo" ra&e. A "indo" on the loor above

shattered. /ggy grinned at the others.

#5et you "ish that "as true no"' don%t you)% he asked. #urry' co&rades. his "ay.%e led the& ro& the roo& at a run.

#5ut "hat%s happening)% Stella asked' as they clattered do"n a s&all light o steps

reserved or the servants. #3hat are you doing)%

#scaping'% /ggy said shortly.

hey ollo"ed hi& out into a passage"ay' "here he halted. 4ro& the direction o the

&ain entrance' they heard the rapid crunch o booted eet.

#5ack this "ay'% /ggy said. #he loyalists have entered the palace.% hey hurried do"n

another light o poorly*lit steps.

#(id you get to 3esse-)% (erek asked.

#o'% /ggy grunted. #hey caught &e trying to get do"n onto the &otor"ay.%

#ry the cellars!% barked a distant voice. /t sounded like Captain Savage. #e can%t

have gone ar. And ind the $eader. hey &ust be kept apart.%

#oo late'% /ggy said triu&phantly. e glanced at the others. #/ had a cray idea about

"alking do"n the &otor"ay'% he "ent on. #/ "asn%t thinking too clearly. / 6ust "anted

to get to 3inchester and ind out "hat "as really going on. Any"ay' the

para&ilitaries ound &e. hey <uestioned &e and then handed &e over to the security

service.%

#he "ho)% (erek asked. e had never heard o any security service and he "as

supposed to be $eader o the govern&ent.

#he police "ing o the civil service'% /ggy said. #hey asked &e a "hole lot &ore

<uestions. Got a e" ans"ers as "ell' /%& araid. hat "as "hy they s&eared &e...ere "e are!%

Pushing open a door' he led the& into a s&all' drab oice. A "indo" in the ar "all

overlooked the interior o the garage. (erek realised they "ere in the driver%s cubby*

hole.

#3hat are "e gonna do)% he asked.

/ggy glanced at hi&. #here%s one other "ay out' but 4reeport leads out o the

country.%

#Sounds a good place to go'% Stella said. #o" that "e%ve got our o"n &en hunting us

do"n.%

#hey%re not our &en any &ore'% /ggy said. #3hether they realise it or not' they%re at

the beck and call o the aceless bureaucrats "ho really rule this country.%



#/ "e%re gonna prove that'% (erek said' #"e%ll need real evidence' or no one "ill

believe us. 5ut "hat%s the other route)%

#he old &otor"ay'% said /ggy' #he route / tried on oot. / "e can get past the

checkpoint' "e should be able to ollo" it outside.%

#=Should)>% Stella said.

/ggy shrugged. #;kay' /%& only guessing. (oes anyone have a better idea) 3e%vegotta crush the po"er o the bureaucrats. / "e can get real evidence' "e%ll be able to

take it to the &edia and the bourgeoisie. hey%ll be 6ust as outraged as us. ;nly that

"ay can "e escape going do"n the sa&e route as all the other parties.%

A thunder o ootsteps echoed ro& the light o steps behind the&. (erek panicked.

#9un!% he shouted.

#his "ay!% /ggy said. e lung open the door into the garage.

heir ootsteps crunched rapidly on the concrete loor as /ggy led the& to a

li&ousine.

#veryone get in here and lie on the loor'% he ordered. #hey kno" they can%t trust

&e' but i they%ve no reason to suspect you' it%ll be to our advantage'%

hey piled into the car and lay on the loor as /ggy had directed.So&eone shouted a challenge ro& the oice. (erek heard /ggy curse and loose o a

couple o shots. his "as ollo"ed by the sound o para&ilitaries scra&bling into

cover.

/ggy leapt into the driving seat and turned the ignition. A burst o gunire lit up the

garage as the engine roared into lie and a strea& o bullets spattered o the plate

glass "indo"s. /ggy put his oot do"n.

#+ysel' /%d have opened that door'% (erek said conversationally' as he lited his head

up slightly.

#(o"n!% /ggy said' as he s&ashed through the garage doors. 5eore (erek could

ob6ect' increased &o&entu& lung hi& to the loor.

4ro& this vie"point' he could see nothing apart ro& the spinning sky and the palace

roo. Gunire rattled out ro& ahead o the car. A loyalist contingent &ust have been

"aiting outside the garage. /ggy ra&&ed his oot do"n and they accelerated.

(erek heard a rapid series o heavy thu&ps ro& the bonnet and he caught a gli&pse

o a loyalist lying through the air.

hen they "ere back on the streets again.

/t "as so&e ti&e later. he car "as slo"ing do"n.

#3e see& to have lost the&'% /ggy said. #8ou%re probably sae to get up no".%

Co&plaining' they did as he said. (erek slipped or"ard to sit in the passenger%s seat.

e looked around to see that they "ere driving slo"ly through the backstreets.

#o" ar to the old &otor"ay)% he asked.#/t starts at the edge o Central City'% /ggy said. #3e%re heading in roughly the right

direction no".%

(erek nodded. #3e%ve been co&pletely ooled' haven%t "e)% he said bitterly. #3e

thought "e had got ourselves into po"er' but "e "ere prisoners all along. / had never

even realised.... 3hy)%

#3e "ere conditioned to it ro& birth'% Stella said ro& the backseat. #he &edia' the

teachers' the capitalists, they all egged us on to hate the countryside even &ore than

"e hated the govern&ent. And "e never stopped to consider the act that "e "eren%t

allo"ed to leave.%

#his "hole revolution has been nothing but a trap'% 9enJ said. #3e%ve been

po"erless scapegoats all along.%hey drove on in silence.



Getting onto the old &otor"ay "as not diicult' although the surace o the approach

road' "hich they accessed ro& a deserted area o Central City' "as stre"n "ith

rubble. /t had been a long ti&e since it "as last used and they "ere orced to drive

slo"ly.

(o"n on the e&pty &otor"ay the story "as &uch the sa&e. 4e" vehicles ca&e do"n

here, it "as orbidden "ithout a "arrant. 5ut nonetheless' "hen /ggy reached thecheckpoint at the edge o Central City' they ound it guarded.

e slo"ed do"n as they passed under the bridge. Guard to"ers' bristling "ith

auto&ated "eapons nests' lanked the checkpoint. As the vehicle approached' t"o

loyalist guards appeared ro& their booth.

#8our papers' co&rade'% the irst guard said' as they dre" up in ront o the crash

barriers.

#(on%t be stupid!% (erek said. #/%& the $eader! / co&e and go as / please.%

#/%& sorry' co&rade'% the guard said' #but /%& under orders to check anyone going this

"ay or their authorisation. +ay / see your authorisation papers' please)%

#$et &e through' or /%ll have you ired'% (erek said threateningly.

A phone rang in the booth. #Get that!% the irst guard snapped. he second guardsaluted and &arched over.

#Surely you have so&e kind o authorisation'% the irst guard reasoned' as his co&rade

ans"ered the phone. #/ can%t &ake any e-ceptions...%

#A li&ousine)% the second guard said suddenly. #5ut it%s here. he $eader...% e broke

o and listened. #?ery "ell'% he said. e turned to his co&rade. (erek%s heart sank.

#Hill the&'% the guard ordered.

A shot rang out deaeningly' ollo"ed by another. he t"o guards clattered to the

tar&ac' a hole in the skull apiece.

/ggy lo"ered his $uger.

#(rive!% (erek ordered. /ggy put his oot do"n.

he &o&ent the car s&ashed through the crash barriers' the t"o to"ers 6erked into

auto&ated lie and raked the road ahead "ith gunire. 5ullets spanged o the car%s

ar&our plating. /ggy "ound up his "indo" desperately and accelerated.

(erek heard a sudden bang ro& beneath the&. he car lurched to the let and skidded

out o control do"n the &otor"ay. he chatter o gunire died a"ay as they spun into

the grassy bank and ca&e to a dead halt.

(erek kicked open his door and glanced out. #Shit'% he said. #hey%ve taken out both

tyres on this side.%

#Can%t "e change the&)% Stella asked.

#;nly i this car%s got t"o spare tyres'% /ggy said. #3ould you believe it) Ar&our

plated this that and the other and the tyres go like that.% e 6u&ped out and "ent tothro" open the boot. e returned a e" seconds later' shaking his head. #;nly the

one'% he reported dis&ally.

#o" ar is it to 3inchester)% (erek asked.

#+iles upon &iles'% said /ggy as they got out. #5ut "e%ve got no choice e-cept to

"alk.%

e turned to look over his shoulder and (erek ollo"ed his gae. he drab skyline o

Central City rose behind the&' ra&ed by the sloping grass banks o the &otor"ay. /n

the air above' a s<uadron o helicopters "as rising' like a cloud o gnats.

#Co&e on' co&rades'% /ggy said gri&ly. #/t%s a long "ay to 3inchester.%



1 ALL THE ACES

5y the ti&e the helicopters reached the&' (erek and his riends had scra&bled up the

&otor"ay e&bank&ent and they "ere picking their "ay through the scrubland and

birch"ood that carpeted the overgro"n ruins and brick rubble that s"ept to"ards thetree*lined skyline. 3hen the helicopters bued over the horion' /ggy led the& at a

run into a ruin. /t looked like it had once been a public building o so&e kind.

Although the roo had caved in under the creeping vegetation' the re&aining "alls

provided suicient cover or the& to hide ro& the hovering choppers.

#3hat a& / doing here)% (erek said' as he crouched beside the others. #/%& $eader o

the govern&ent! 3hat a& / doing on the run ro& &y o"n &en)%

/ggy "as i&patient. #hey%re not your o"n &en'% he said roughly. #/ told you.% e

stuck his head round the decaying brick "all. he sound o the helicopters "as al&ost

deaening.

#Can you see "hat they%re doing)% Stella asked.

#hey%re scanning the area around the car' / think'% he said. #"o choppers landed. /suppose they &ust have investigated it. 5ut they don%t see& to be ollo"ing us up

here...%

he roar o rotor blades increased abruptly and then began to ade a"ay into the

distance. /ggy looked again.

#hey%ve gone'% he reported.

#;dd'% 9enJ said' puled. #All they had to do "as search the area.%

#;ur tracks up the bank couldn%t have been hard to ollo"'% Stella &ur&ured.

/ggy looked pensive. #hey "anted &e dead...% he said slo"ly. #;ut o the "ay. hey

"ere shooting at &e! hey kne" / kne" "hat "as going on and that /%d tell you. 3hy

the sudden change o heart)%

(erek looked around i&patiently as they sat in brooding silence.#(oes it &atter)% he said ater a "hile. #4or "hatever reason' they%ve stopped

ollo"ing us. o" "e%ve got a chance to reach 3inchester and ind so&e "ay to

prove to the &edia "hat%s really going on. Co&e on' co&rades.%

#Go cautiously'% /ggy said' as they scra&bled back out o the ruin. #3e kno" nothing

about the countryside. /t could be dangerous.%

hey &ade their "ay across the overgro"n rubble' orcing a path bet"een stunted

trees.

#+y &u& "ent on about the countryside "hen / "as young'% (erek said

conversationally' as they approached the orest "all. #She said it "as a sha&e no one

"ent out there any&ore' because it "as a great place. She used to love going out into

the country or picnics.%

Stella "as "alking alongside hi&. #3hy "ere "e orbidden to leave the conurbation)%

she asked. #hat%s so&ething else /%ve accepted all &y lie. 5ut no" /%& beginning to

<uestion everything.%

#;h' that%s easy to ans"er'% /ggy said. #ot everyone lives in the cities' re&e&ber)

he bureaucrats and their a&ilies live out in the country. / reckon they "anna keep us

penned up in the cities so that "e don%t kno" "hat%s going on.%

#So it%s not that this place is dangerous)% (erek asked nervously. hey "ere under the

trees by no" and the dark avenues unnerved hi&.

#/ shouldn%t think so:% said /ggy. 5ut he produced his $uger all the sa&e.

he orest "as endless. 5y the ti&e darkness ell they "ere ootsore and "eary andsoaked to the bone ro& re<uent sho"ers o rain. hough &assive' the trees provided



little shelter and the ruins "ere ar behind. he &oss*gro"n orest loor hid little that

could cover the&.

#3e%d better stop beore it gets any darker'% Stella said. hey "ere blundering on

through the greying &urk. #/ don%t suppose anyone thought to bring any ood) ;r

even a "ay to light a ire)%

(erek slu&ped do"n ne-t to a tree' too tired to care about the &ud that s<uelched beneath hi&. /ggy hunkered do"n uneasily beside hi&.

#3e "ere in a bit o a hurry to get a"ay'% 9enJ said' slo"ly lo"ering hi&sel to the

ground' a look o distaste on his ace. Stella s<uatted beside hi&. She "as tired and

had been getting increasingly argu&entative.

#8ou%re all useless!% she co&plained. #(oesn%t anyone even kno" "here "e are)%

(erek gaed at the endless pri&eval orest as darkness s"ept through the trunks to

envelop the&. ever beore had he seen a night so black' never had he seen darkness

"ithout the orange hae o street la&ps to &ake the night lonelier. City nights "ere

sinister and rightening' pro"led by robbers and rapists' but the night o 3esse- "as

like a vast old ani&al' dark and ancient and savagely ignorant o all the la"s o

society.Anything could be out there.

#+y &u& never &entioned anything like this'% he &ur&ured. #She said so&ething

about the 4orest o Arden' but that "asn%t &uch o a real orest' she said. +ore like

"oods here and there.% is co&rade%s aces "ere nothing &ore than terriied "hite

blurs in the darkness around hi&. #othing like this'% he added.

#hey%ve let the trees gro" since then'% /ggy said.

#She al"ays said that it "as such a pity the countryside "as constantly being spoilt by

+an'% (erek added. #/n the olden days it "as all orest' she said.% e gaed around at

the brooding darkness. #/ don%t kno" "hy she thought that "as a good thing...%

hey lay beneath the ancient trees' cold and "et and shivering' struggling to sleep.

5ut the noises o the orest "ere such that even "ith a roaring ire and ull bellies they

"ould have had diiculties sleeping. 3henever (erek%s head nodded' a strange sound

"ould 6erk hi& back into "akeulness, a ho"l' or a honk' or a grunting that "ould

"at through the pitch black and set his heart beating like a dru&.

;nce' a high*pitched screa& split the night. /t sounded like a "o&an being &urdered.

5ut surely there "as no one out in the orest e-cept the&...

#3ake up!%

(erek%s eyes blinked open to &eet the high sun slanting its bea&s through the lea

canopy. e looked to see his co&rades crouching beside hi&. /ggy "as clutching his

$uger. e looked do"n at (erek.#/ said "ake up'% he said. #And keep <uiet. $isten!%

(erek listened. A crashing and an occasional s<uealing' honking sound "as audible.

e roe in terror.

#3h* "hat is it)% he gulped.

/ggy shook his head and sco"led.

#o" should / kno")% he asked i&patiently. #8ou%re the nature e-pert. 8ou tell us.%

Another sound rang through the orest, the pounding o hooves in the distance and the

deep*throated baying o hounds. ;ccasionally' hu&an voices rose above the noise. /t

"as co&ing closer.

he bushes ahead burst open and a huge black ani&al pounded out. At the sight o the

our politicians' it s<uealed aggressively. (erek stared in open*&outhed a&ae&ent.



/t rese&bled a pig' but it "as ar larger and coarse' grey and black ur covered it. /ts

eyes blaed "ith ury as it regarded the&, its tusks dripped "ith spittle.

hen it turned and blundered across the clearing.

/ggy%s ace "as "hite. is hand clasped the butt o his $uger as i it "ere a lieline.

e s"allo"ed audibly.

#Shit'% he said. #3hat "as that thing)%hey turned to look at (erek. #(on%t look at &e'% he said' regretting his ne"

reputation. #/t looked like a big pig. 8ou kno"' like "hat bacon co&es ro&.%

he pounding o hooves "as close no".

#Get back into the undergro"th'% Stella said. #ere co&es so&ething else.%

#Several so&ethings' by the sound o it'% her brother said.

hey took to the bushes' ro& "hich position they "atched as ive or si- &en on

horseback rode past "ith a pack o hounds at their heels. he hunters passed "ithout

giving any sign o noticing the&. ;nce they "ere past' (erek led the others out o

hiding.

#3ho "ere they)% Stella asked. #(id you see the "ay they "ere dressed) All... old*

ashioned.%#veryone in 3inchester "as dressed like that'% 9enJ re&arked. #;r even stranger.%

#3e should have stopped the&'% /ggy said rueully. #Asked directions.%

(erek shook his head vehe&ently. #o "e shouldn%t have!% he said. #hese people are

connected "ith the bureaucracy' /%& sure. hey &ay even be senior civil servants

the&selves. ;ne o the& &ight have even been the Per&anent Secretary.%

#/ doubt it'% /ggy said. #/ e-pect the Per&anent Secretary is in 3inchester. 3e "anna

go there. 3e "on%t get there unless "e kno" the "ay!%

(erek shrugged. #8ou%re right' / suppose'% he ad&itted. #5ut it%s too late no". 3e

should keep an eye out or &ore people. 5ut don%t do anything that "ill alert the

po"ers that be. / they ind out that "e%re in here' they%ll be hunting us' not "ild

pigs.%

#/t%s ti&e "e started &oving'% Stella said. #5y the "ay' one thing "e need &ore than a

sense o direction is ood' (erek.%

#/ hadn%t orgotten'% he assured her. hey headed a"ay through the trees.

So&e"here around &idday' they began ollo"ing a tur track through the tangled

trees. he orest rose on either side' but beneath their eet stretched an area o tur and

&oss about iteen eet "ide. Closer inspection had revealed it to be an overgro"n

road.

Ater a "hile' it led the& out onto a &uddy cart*track that &eandered through the

orest beore the trees opened out at the head o a valley. /t "as a patch"ork o s&all

ields "here co"s lo"ed and cropped the grass contentedly. At the botto& o the dale'on either side o a little brook' "as a s&all huddle o thatch*rooed cottages. A steeple

rose above the little village. 5eyond the houses "ere &ore ields. he orest "all rose

dra&atically about a <uarter o a &ile a"ay.

he politicians halted at the edge o the ields and "arily surveyed the sleeping

village. A sign by the roadside identiied the place as =den ?ale.>

#3here is everyone)% (erek asked. #/t looks like the "hole place is deserted.%

/ggy held up a hand or silence. #$isten'% he said.

A distant' tuneless drone drited over the ields ro& the direction o the steeple.

#/t%s Sunday'% Stella said suddenly. #hey &ust all be in church.%

#3eird...% 9enJ said. #/t%s like "e%ve stepped through a ti&e*"arp.%

#Co&e on' co&rades'% (erek said decisively. #3hile they%re all busy' "e%re gonnaind a couple o things. ;ne' "e%re gonna ind a &ap that can tell us "here "e are in



relation to 3inchester, and t"o' "e%re gonna look or so&e &eans o transport to get

us there. 4ollo" &e.%

hey halted in the &iddle o the cobbled street. Surrounding the& "as a series o neat

little cottages "ith thatched roos and "ell*tended gardens. he street opened out into

a village s<uare.

A little shop stood on one corner' "ith a neatly stencilled =Closed> sign tucked in one"indo". ;n the other side o the s<uare "as a s&all pub called =he Green +an.> A

red phone bo- stood on the pave&ent beside a little garage. ;n the ar side o the

s<uare' a liche*gate led into the churchyard.

#/%ll check the shop'% (erek said. #Stella' co&e "ith &e. /ggy' 9enJ' check out that

garage. $ook or a car or so&ething.% At least these people had a garage' i a very

anti<uated one. hat &eant they &ust have cars. /n 3inchester' the people had only

had carts.

he shop door splintered open "ith one sla& o (erek%s shoulder. e entered'

ollo"ed by Stella.

he shop "as dusty and old*ashioned. ins and 6ars lined the "alls and (erek

hurriedly illed a bag "ith the&. Stella approached the counter.#(erek'% she said sotly. #/s this "hat "e "ant)%

(erek turned. She had ound a &ap stand and "as holding up a road &ap entitled

= S; AS7 SS' +/(($S A( 3SS.>

#hat looks like it...% (erek began. e broke o as the roar o an engine broke the still

o the village s<uare. Cursing' he rushed outside.

A vintage car stood outside the garage, all lanterns and leather and "ood' al&ost a

carriage. /ggy sat in the driving seat' "hile 9enJ "as bending over the engine. 5oth

see&ed taken aback by the noise. /ggy looked up guiltily as (erek and Stella ca&e

running over to"ards the&. e s"itched o the engine.

#3e "ere 6ust testing it'% he stuttered. #/ didn%t kno" it "ould &ake that &uch noise.%

#(id anyone hear us)% asked 9enJ.

#$ook!% shouted Stella' pointing. hey turned to"ards the church.

Pouring out o it "as a cro"d o villagers in their Sunday best "ith the parson at their

head' their aces red and angry. (erek roe "ith ear. e had heard stories about

village &obs.

/ggy pulled out his $uger and ired above the people%s heads. hey halted and lung

the&selves to the ground or sought cover behind to&bs and gravestones.

#Call the police!% the parson yelled.

/ggy lung open the car doors. #Get in' <uick!% he told the&. he others leapt in. /ggy

loored the accelerator. A e" seconds later' they "ere speeding out o the hostile

village.(erek craned his head round to gae at the rapidly receding cottages. e &opped his

bro".

#hey don%t see& to be ollo"ing'% he said "ith relie. #Shit! hat "as close!%

#5e &ore careul ne-t ti&e'% Stella said "ith the anger o the araid. #one o us "ants

to end up being eaten.%

hey halted at a crossroads in the orest. (erek unolded the &ap they had stolen and

laid it out over the bonnet.

#3here are "e' "here are "e)% he said' staring in conusion at the &ap.

#3ell' look or the village'% Stella said i&patiently.

ventually' they ound den ?ale on the &ap, a s&all village in the &iddle o the

4orest o Arden' on the outskirts o 3esse-' ity &iles or so north east o 3inchester.



3ith a great deal o bickering' they puled out the best route and returned to the car.

/ggy turned let at the crossroads and they drove on into the "ild "ood.

(uring their long 6ourney to"ards the edge o the 4orest o Arden' (erek sa" e"

people. 5ut t"ice he gli&psed large ani&als "atching the& ro& the trees. 3hen they

parked or the night his unco&ortable sleep "as interrupted by the ho"ling o

"olves.5ut ater they put the sinister "oodlands behind the&' they ound the&selves on a

"ell*&aintained tar&ac road that led across the do"ns o 3esse-. 4re<uent road signs

conir&ed that they "ere ollo"ing the route they had agreed upon.

hey crested a rise and sa" the spires o 3inchester in the dip beneath. (usk "as

alling.

#o" "hat)% /ggy asked. #(o "e sneak in under the cover o darkness' or do "e "ait

until &orning)%

(erek stroked his chin thoughtully. #here%s no "ay "e%ll get into the Central

(irectorate "ithout so&e sneaking around'% he ad&itted. #And the <uicker "e get in

and get "hat "e "ant and get the uck out' the better. / reckon "e go no". Agreed'

co&rades)%#Agreed'% they said.

3ithin a <uarter o an hour' (erek and his co&rades "ere creeping through the streets

o 3inchester. Soon they reached the vicinity o the anony&ous little oice that

concealed the entrance to civil service central head<uarters. Ater a e" &inutes

"atching ro& a nearby arch"ay' (erek sa" the secretary let the building' locking

the door behind her. hen she "alked a"ay <uickly do"n the street.

(erek and the others e-changed glances. #So "e break into the oice'% (erek said.

#asy enough so ar. 3hat then)%

#3e cross that bridge "hen "e co&e to it'% suggested Stella.

Gaining entrance to the locked oice "as al&ost suspiciously easy7 one s"it tap on a

pane o glass and it shattered' giving (erek enough roo& to slip his gloved hand in

and turn the door knob. here "as no alar& and no one in the area ca&e running at

the delicate sound o s&ashing glass.

he door s"ung open and they iled hurriedly into the darkened roo&.

Ater so&e stu&bling around in darkness' they ound the lit door. (erek hit the

button and the doors hissed open. he light spilled out"ards.

#;h' that%s very poor'% /ggy said critically. #Surely they could have introduced so&e

kinda security &easures)%

#3hat are you co&plaining about' co&rade)% 9enJ said. #Get in there and get

&oving.%

hey entered the lit. (erek hit a control and soon they "ere plu&&eting into thedepths o the earth.

he doors hissed open and they peered out cautiously into the corridor beyond.

#3here no")% Stella asked' in a loud "hisper.

(erek looked at her in surprise. #/ don%t kno" any &ore than you do'% he said. #$et%s

6ust get out and about.%

hey ollo"ed the passage past the entrance to the lecture hall. Ater a e" &inutes' it

branched out into a s&all hall. So&e signs "ere painted on one "all' "ith arro"s that

pointed to"ards the various corridors.

3/CS9 / T

$C9 A9 TU +;/;9 C;9;$ 9;;+



U P9+A SC9A98%

V P9+A (9 SC9A98

U CA W$?$ 5 P9S;$ ;$8X

U ;/$S

U $/PA(

SC9/8 C9A$ TU (;9+/;9/S W$?$ A P9S;$ ;$8X

An e&pty reception desk stood in one corner. he lights behind it "ere lo". (erek

stared at the notices.

#Per&anent Secretary'% he &ur&ured.

/ggy "as looking around. #/ think they &ust go to bed early in this place' or

so&ething'% he said. #here%s no ucker about.%

#/t%s eerie'% Stella said. ardly had the "ords let her &outh beore (erek heard the

crunch o 6ackboots ro& the "ay they had co&e.

#5ehind us)% (erek "hispered. #Guards)%

#Security Central!% Stella said' indicating the sign. #3e &ust have passed the& by.%#@uick' hide'% /ggy urged. hey crouched behind the reception desk as the ootsteps

ca&e closer. /ggy produced his $uger.

(erek touched his ar&. #ot unless you have to!% he &outhed. #/t%ll bring the& all

do"n on us.%

he &arching ootsteps halted in the roo&' "orryingly close. 4or a e" seconds' the

our politicians heard nothing.

hen a voice said7

#8ou%re i&agining things' corporal. here%s no one here.%

#8ou &ust be right' sarge'% said another voice. #/ could have s"orn / heard so&ething.

Still' even i so&eone has iniltrated the base' "e%re okay. So long as...%

#So long as they don%t enter the Per&anent Secretary%s roo&' yes'% said the sergeant.

#5ut you%re still i&agining things. Co&e on' back to Central.%

he patrol &arched o into the distance. (erek and /ggy e-changed glances. /ggy

shook his head. e looked uneasy.

#Co&e on' co&rade'% (erek said. #/t%s obvious. 3hatever "e%re looking or &ust be in

the Per&anent Secretary%s roo&. 3hat%s the &atter)%

Stella leaned or"ard. #/t%s too obvious' (erek'% she &ur&ured. #oo easy.%

#5ollocks'% (erek retorted. #Co&e on' co&rades!%

#;kay'% /ggy said un"illingly. hey rose.

#his "ay to the Per&anent Secretary'% (erek said e-citedly. e glanced at the others.

#3hat are you "aiting or' co&rades)%nenthusiastically' they ollo"ed hi& do"n the passage. (erek halted at a door.

#$ook!% he said. #he Per&anent Secretary.%

#3e didn%t co&e or the guided tour!% /ggy still had his $uger at the ready. e "as

darting paranoid glances up and do"n the passage"ay.

#/ggy' "hat is it)% (erek began.

#3e%re here'% /ggy said. #his is "here you "anted to go' isn%t it)% e indicated the

door.

#8es' but /ggy...%

/ggy ignored hi&. e lung open the door and leapt through' training his $uger on

so&ething in the roo& beyond.



(erek piled in ater hi&' to ind the politician ai&ing his gun at a vast bank o

&onitor screens. he roo& "as deserted. /ggy lo"ered his $uger and looked

sheepishly at his co&rades as they iled into the roo&.

#Sorry'% he said. #/ "as certain this "as so&e kind o trap.%

#3hat)% (erek said. e spun round and surveyed the roo&. #A trap) 3here)%

#4orget it'% /ggy said. #So&ething about the "ay those guards "ere talking. / "asconvinced that this "as a trap.%

(erek "as urious. #And you "ere leading us straight into it)%

#/ thought it "ould be the best "ay to deal "ith the situation'% /ggy said. #rip the trap

and then "e &ight ind out "hat the uck is really going on here.%

#3e &ight do that yet'% Stella said enig&atically. She turned a"ay ro& the screens

and looked at the&. #ave you looked at these &onitors)%

(erek glanced at the&. he screens rose in rank upon rank to"ards the ceiling.

5eneath the&' an instru&ent bank ran the length o the roo&' itsel covered "ith

co&puter screens. 5ut the &ain &onitors sho"ed scene ater scene o urban streets

and buildings.

(erek tried to identiy the&.#$ook!% 9enJ shouted. #/sn%t that ;utlet ?illage) hose shops 6ust o City $ink"ay!%

#8eah, and here%s the Palace'% Stella said ro& so&e "ay do"n.

#/ re&e&ber that place ro& "hen "e toured the country'% /ggy said' pointing at

another screen.

#very city in the country'% (erek said. #very"here in every city.%

#And do"n here are scenes o the countryside'% /ggy said' "ho "as &oving do"n the

long hall. #he ucking countryside. hey even &onitor the countryside.%

(erek "as investigating the instru&ent banks. #ere%s so&ething that says =Select

4iles>'% he said. #And under it there%s a long list o na&es. #=Populist (e&ocratic

4ront>' =Popular 4reedo& Party>' =9adical Conservative Party.>.. ey! =Autarkic

rotskyite Party>!%

#;pen the ile'% /ggy said urgently. #3e%ve gotta kno" ho" &uch they%ve &onitored

us.%

(erek puled over the co&plicated &achine. e pressed a button.

A large screen in the dead centre o the &onitor bank' hitherto blank' lashed into lie.

/t sho"ed the outside o ;utlet ?illage secondary school. 4our boys "ere sculing

and s"aggering do"n the street. 3ith a nostalgic chill' (erek recognied the&7 /ggy'

ric' ddy Q and hi&sel.

(erek pressed the ast or"ard button. he video played on' cutting ro& scene to

scene, not everything they did' but enough to give an i&pression o their rise to

po"er, their early street ighting years' the drudgery o their struggles ater thePopular 4reedo& Party had seied control o the country, their rene"ed vigour ater

receiving support ro& the &edia and the bourgeoisie7 the revolution and their ter& in

oice.

#hey%ve been &onitoring every ucking thing "e did since "e let school'% /ggy

"hispered.

#$ook!% 9enJ said hoarsely. #hat%s us escaping Central City! hey... hey even kne"

"here "e "ere "hen "ere in the orest...% Scene ater scene ollo"ed' o their light

through the orest and the events that ensued.

#hey kne" about al&ost everything "e ever did'% Stella breathed. ;n the screen' they

"ere breaking in to the oice in 3inchester. #hey kne"...% Abruptly' the il& ended.

(erek heard a noise ro& behind the&.he our politicians turned as one. he door s"ung open.



he Per&anent nder Secretary stood in the door"ay' lanked by t"o black*clad

guards bearing is. (erek glanced at /ggy' but his gun see&ed to have vanished.

#$eader'% said the Per&anent nder Secretary gravely. #he Per&anent Secretary "as

deeply regretul that / "as unable to &eet you on your previous visit' but as you &ay

appreciate' there "ere strong reasons or his inability to 6oin us.% e bo"ed. #his' in

eect' is the Per&anent Secretary'% he added' indicating the roo& in general.hey stared at it in be"ilder&ent. #8ou tricked us into co&ing here'% (erek accused

hi&. #3hy)%

#onsense!% said the Per&anent nder Secretary "ith a laugh. #8ou ca&e o your o"n

accord. Surely everything you%ve ever done in your lie has been an e-pression o

your o"n ree "ill. /sn%t that right' Captain Apocalypse' the &ighty rebel leader)%

#8ou kne" about everything the Party ever did!% Stella said. #8ou &anipulated us all

along.%

he Per&anent nder Secretary gave a s&ug little shrug. #Surely not' surely not'% he

&ur&ured. #Perhaps "e can clai& the credit or encouraging the situations in "hich

you ound yourselves...%

#5ut "hy)% (erek de&anded. #3e "ent through all that% * he "aved his hand at thescreen' "hich had re&ained blank since their entrance into the oices above * #and in

the end' you "ere running the sho" along. 3e%ve been puppets. All the ti&e "e

thought "e "ere rebelling' "e "ere the dupes o this co&puter syste&. his:

syste&...%

he Per&anent nder Secretary clapped his hands. #/ hadn%t realised that you%d

grasped the situation so perectly'% he said. #/t "as inevitable that even politicians

"ould realise the truth in the end. 5ut don%t get the idea that there%s anything you can

do no" that you kno"...%

#/ this gets out into the press...% Stella said uriously' taking a step or"ard.

At that' the Per&anent nder Secretary laughed until the tears ran do"n his ace. #he

press)% he roared. #+ada&' the syste& has total control o the &edia.% e t"inkled.

#o"' let us cease this charade. $et &e tell you "hat you are going to do ne-t. 8ou

"ill return to Central City' "here even no" the Anti*otalitarianRPopulist (e&ocrat

BARP( Alliance is planning its inal strike' "hich "ill occur in three days ti&e. 8ou

"ill allo" the& to replace you...%

#Allo" the& to replace us)% (erek blaed. #$et &e tell you so&ething' Per&anent

nder Secretary. 8ou%re not all*po"erul! / you allo" us to return to Central City' "e

"ill ight until the last &an until this so*called rebellion is crushed and then "e "ill

e-pose you and your &achinations...%

#8oung &an'% said the Per&anent nder Secretary sternly' #you "ill do as you are

told. 8ou have t"o choices. ither all ro& po"er "ith good grace and retire * to 6ointhe bourgeoisie or beco&e "age slaves' as your consciences direct * or die' under the

onslaught o the ARP( Alliance. here * see) hat%s your ree "ill, choose! ither do

as "e say' or suer the conse<uences!%

(erek glared at the Per&anent nder Secretary.

e sa" a sudden lash o &ove&ent ro& beside hi& and /ggy lung hi&sel to the

loor' pulling out his $uger and iring as he did so. he Per&anent nder Secretary

staggered back as the nearest guard ell "ith one shot to the chest. he surviving

guard ired point blank at /ggy' "ho shot hi& in return. he body hit the loor "ith a

clatter. is i clattered beside hi&.

(erek seied the "eapon and trained it on the Per&anent nder Secretary. Stella

grabbed the other i.#/ggy' are you okay)% she snapped.



#+y oot'% /ggy &oaned. #he silly bugger shot &e in the oot. /%ll... /%ll be alright.%

is ace "as "hite. 9enJ helped hi& stand up.

Hla-ons "ere "ailing. he corridors outside echoed "ith the noise o booted eet. he

Per&anent nder Secretary aced his captors cal&ly.

#hey "ill kill you'% he re&arked.

#ot i "e take you hostage'% (erek snarled. #8ou%re their leader' right)%he Per&anent nder Secretary shook his head. #A &ere unctionary...%

(erek grinned like a "ol. #(on%t give &e that! 8ou%re co&ing "ith us. ake us

so&e"here "here "e can escape ro& this * or die! 4ree "ill' right)%

e seied the Per&anent nder Secretary' 6a&&ed the gun barrel in his ribs and

orced hi& out into the corridor. he others ollo"ed "ith their guns at the ready.

As they burst out into the corridor' a s<uadron o black*clad guards ran round the

corner. At the sight o the politicians' the guards raised their is to ire. hen their

leader shouted7

#3ait! hey%ve got the Per&anent nder Secretary!%

#3ell spotted!% (erek said. #o" go back round that corner and don%t co&e ater us

unless you "ant this ucker dead!%#(o as he says'% the Per&anent nder Secretary told the& urgently.

n"illingly' the guards obeyed. (erek sco"led at the Per&anent nder Secretary.

#Get us out o here!%

#/%ll take you to the helipad'% the Per&anent nder Secretary suggested.

#8ou do that'% (erek said.

hey hurried through the eatureless corridors. 4ro& the distance' the shouted

co&&ands o the guards suggested that they had thought t"ice about risking their

leader%s lie. very no" and then' Stella or /ggy ired a short burst do"n the corridor

as the sound o pursuit gre" closer.

#+aybe you are as "orthless as you &ake out'% (erek grunted to his prisoner.

hey s"ung round a corner and approached a rung ladder leading to a hatch in the

ceiling &arked =elipad.>

#8ou can%t beat the syste&' $eader'% the Per&anent nder Secretary re&arked cal&ly.

#ven i you shoot &e' it "ill change nothing. he syste& "ill re&ain.%

#Get up that ladder' uckace'% (erek ordered gri&ly.

#(erek' the guards are &assing'% Stella called ro& the intersection. She ired o

another burst around the corner and then turned and ran to"ards the&. #hey don%t

see& too bothered about us holding this ucker hostage'% she added' panting.

#p the ladder!% (erek ordered.

he hatch opened out in the &iddle o a large e-panse o electrically illu&inated

tar&ac' surrounded by high' sloping tur banks. /n the &iddle "ere our helicopters.#Get that helicopter going'% /ggy said. Stella and 9enJ sprinted over to the closest

aircrat and leapt in. /ggy re&ained standing unsteadily beside (erek and their

hostage.

#3hat%s on your &ind' /ggy)% (erek asked. is co&rade had that look on his ace that

pro&ised trouble.

/ggy ignored (erek and turned to the Per&anent nder Secretary. #;n your knees.%

3ith a glance at (erek' the Per&anent nder Secretary co&plied.

#o" open your &outh'% /ggy added. As the Per&anent nder Secretary did so' /ggy

said to (erek' "ithout looking at hi&' #Get to the helicopter' Captain. his &an needs

to go. 5ut don%t endanger yoursel. 8ou%ve gotta get back ho&e and tell the people

"hat%s really going on.%



e thrust the barrel o his gun into the Per&anent nder Secretary%s &outh. /n the

distance' the helicopter rotors began to &ove.

#Go' (erek!% /ggy shouted angrily. #he guards "ill be up here soon. /t doesn%t &atter

i they get &e' 6ust as long as / inish o this bastard. o" go!%

Ater another second o hesitation' (erek turned and ran or the %copter.

#Get in!% shouted Stella ro& the cockpit. #3hat%s /ggy doing)%he %copter "as close to take o. A shot rang out' ollo"ed closely by another. (erek

glanced over his shoulder.

e roe' hal in and hal out o the &achine' seeing a guard' standing beside the open

hatch' lo"ering his rile. /ggy lay spra"led across the tar&ac' blood spreading rapidly

around his allen body. 5eside hi& lay his $uger. he Per&anent nder Secretary lay

&otionless nearby' &ost o his head blo"n a"ay.

#/ggy!% (erek shouted. e 6u&ped o the slo"ly rising %copter.

#o!% Stella screa&ed urgently' but the helicopter "as liting rapidly no".

2- I WILL S$R.I.E

(erek sprinted across the "ind*torn helipad' iring as he ran. ;ne shot elled the

guard. he Per&anent nder Secretary still lay un&oving. (erek thre" hi&sel do"n

beside /ggy%s allen or&.

#/ggy' co&rade!% he sobbed. #3hat have the bastards done)%

e shook the body' but /ggy%s dead eyes stared glassily up at the arching night sky

above' "here even no" the %copter "as turning as i to &ake a descent.

Guards ca&e surging out o the hatch. Gunire cracked out ro& the hovering

helicopter. he guards raised their is and opened ire. (erek seied the chance to

sprint or the tur bank.e scra&bled up it as bullets "hined through the night air behind hi&. 9eaching the

top' he halted' gli&psing the dark land stretching out beyond. e turned to go back

then stopped dead.

nder the "ithering ire o the guards' 9enJ had begun to ascend' heading rapidly

up"ards beyond the range o the gun&en. /n the instant that the helicopter gre" level

"ith the top o the rise' (erek caught a brie gli&pse o Stella staring desperately out

o the cockpit. e gave her the ist*to*heart rebel salute. She sa" hi& and or a second

it looked as i she "as about to return it' beore the helicopter lited even higher'

higher and higher' until it "as nothing &ore than a dark speck against the stars.

(erek slu&ped back on the tur and "atched the helicopter ascend.

he vicious chatter o auto&atic "eapons dragged hi& back do"n to earth. 4rustrated

in their atte&pts to shoot do"n the helicopter' the Per&anent nder Secretary%s

guards had turned their guns on hi&. 5ullets buried the&selves in the tur around hi&.

(erek rolled across the lip o the grassy bo"l. 3ith no real idea o "hat he "as doing

or "here he "as going' he blundered do"n the opposite slope and crashed into the

overgro"n darkness beyond.

e had been running or so&e ti&e beore the helicopters began to circle the skies

above hi&. As he splashed across a shallo" drainage ditch and began to scra&ble up

to"ards the ploughed ield beyond' a shiting lattice "ork o search*bea&s criss*

crossed the darkness and the thudding roar o rotor blades gre" louder and louder.

(erek lung hi&sel to the ground and lay as still as possible' in a cold s"eat. 5ut assoon as the searchlights had &oved on' he got up and ran.



;ccasionally' he heard shouted orders ro& the darkness on either side. 4lashes o

lights gave a"ay the position o ground troops. (erek toyed "ith the idea o opening

ire on the&. 5ut the need to escape "as his &ost overriding urge.

e "as sobbing or breath as he plunged through the hedge and tu&bled into a hollo"

lane. urning right' he ran up it' glad o a respite ro& broken ground. 5ut he kne" he

could not re&ain on the lane or long.he helicopters bued through the night sky' slicing up the blackness "ith their

searchlights.

9ounding a corner' (erek skidded to a halt' seeing a s&all cottage at the end o the

lane. Shouts broke out ro& the ield nearby. e "as trapped.

e ran or"ard and banged desperately on the door. Ater a "hile it opened and a tall

igure appeared' leaning on a stick.

#3hat%s going on out there)% /t "as an old "o&an%s voice' i&perious but rightened.

#/ can%t sleep "ith all that racket. Are you the police)%

#hey%re ater &e'% (erek gasped desperately. #Please' you%ve gotta help!%

he tall old "o&an looked do"n the lane. (erek regretted his "ords. e "ished he

could have snatched the& back the &o&ent they let his &outh. e kne" she "asgoing to betray hi&.

#Please!% he repeated hopelessly.

#?ery "ell'% she said' to his ininite surprise. #Co&e in' young &an.%

She hid hi& in the cellar.

he &o&ent the trapdoor closed above his head' cutting out the light' he sank into an

e-hausted doe.

A distant sla& "oke hi&. $istening earully' he heard a tra&p o boots. 5ut they

"ere &oving a"ay ro& the house.

he place "as silent or so&e ti&e. hen (erek heard a grinding and ru&bling noise

ro& above.

he hatch opened and the old "o&an held her hand to"ards hi&. She helped hi& out.

(erek sa" a chest 6ust beside the trapdoor and realised she &ust have used it to hide

his reuge. he old "o&an ollo"ed his gae. er ace "as "rinkled like an apple

long past its sell*by date.

#/t ooled the&'% she said' "ith a girlish giggle. $i&ping' she led hi& to sit by the ire.

#hey let ater only a couple o &inutes.%

#8ou helped &e'% (erek said' in "onder. #8ou risked your o"n lie.%

#8ou "ould preer it i /%d risked yours)% the old "o&an in<uired' looking

un"inkingly at hi&. #(on%t &ention it' young &an. / haven%t elt so good since / "as

a girl! 8ou kno"' / "as <uite a radical "hen / "as young. he Great Anarch' the papers called &e.% er ace crinkled "ith a s&ile. #5ut you can call &e Ada.%

(erek gaped at her. #8ou "ere a rebel)% he asked. #So a& /! / 6oined the 9evolution

and overthre" the govern&ent 5ut no" it all see&s pointless.%

he old "o&an nodded sy&pathetically. #hat%s ho" it "as or &e thirty years ago'%

she said. #5ut it see&ed so i&portant the govern&ent should go. hey "ere corrupt

and oppressive : ot to &ention lay. hey "anted to auto&ate everything' digitise

everything. At last' they entrusted all the day*to*day running o the country * control

o the civil service' local govern&ent' education and the &edia * to a vast artiicial

intelligence syste&' an un"ieldy' un&anageable ultra*bureaucracy' stiling everyday

lie.%

#he syste&)% (erek said.



he old "o&an nodded. #/t "as then that those e" o us "ho had an inkling o "hat

"as going on rose up against the govern&ent. 3e seied po"er only to discover the

truth about the syste&' ho" it "as no longer under anyone%s control and yet it "as

controlling everyone. ;ne o &y &en began reprogra&&ing the &edia central

co&puter to incite revolution against the syste&. 5ut &ost o us "ere caught and

killed and the progra& "as let only hal*inished. / "as the only one to escape as the&edia*incited revolution began' but / "as crippled in an e-plosion.% She indicated her

la&e leg. #/ so&eho" reached this abandoned cottage and &oved in' lying lo" until

the hunt died do"n. o one e-pected &e to be so close to the Central (irectorate.

iding in plain sight' / suppose. hat "as thirty years ago' though / still bear the

scars.%

#hen it "as because o you'% (erek &ur&ured. #/t "as your revolution that inspired

&e and all the other rebels. And all the ti&e "e%ve been battering ourselves against a

&indless &achine "ithout any hope o progress.%

he old "o&an "as stung by (erek%s "ords. #3e gave you the chance to gain

reedo&'% she said. #(on%t tell &e you haven%t e-perienced reedo&)%

#3e have so&e reedo&'% he said. #5ut so&e reedo& is never <uite enough' is it)%he old "o&an s&iled at hi&. #hat%s the sa&e "herever you go'% she said. #8ou%ll

realise that "hen you reach &y age.%

(erek rose. #hanks or your hospitality'% he said. #8ou%ve risked your o"n reedo&

or &e. 5ut / have to be getting back to Central City. his only strengthens &y resolve

to ree &y co&rades ro& oppression.%

he old "o&an looked up at hi&. #Stay the night'% she urged. #/%ve got a spare roo&.

hey%ll still be searching outside.%

/t "ould be a long 6ourney' (erek ad&itted to hi&sel. A e" hours sleep could only

be beneicial.

#;kay'% he said.

$ying in the hard' lu&py bed in the old "o&an%s spare roo&' (erek drited o to

sleep. is drea&s "ere itul' but slo"ly a conused 6u&ble o i&ages and

i&pressions resolved the&selves into a sensation o dro"ning in a dark' solid' leshy

sea.

Panicking' he ought "ildly against the struggling things that lopped and s<uir&ed

around hi& and above and beneath hi&. e "ould have to ight his "ay to the surace

or dro"n.

ands and eet tore at hi& or thrust hi& do"n into the choking' s"eaty depths. e

orced his "ay through savagely struggling or&s' hitting and kicking "ildly at the&

as they in turn pushed hi& back do"n into the darkness. he urther do"n he "ent'

the less the surrounding or&s struggled, in places the or&s "ere cold and un&oving.he higher he heaved hi&sel' the &ore resistance he &et.

5ut he orced his "ay through the s"eating' struggling bodies and his head broke the

surace o a seething sea o lesh. 4or a e" seconds' he paused' chilled by the hideous

sight that surrounded hi&.

e had e&erged hal "ay up a &ountain o lesh so vast that it disappeared into

darkness ar belo". he slopes "rithed as i alive, "hich they "ere. he entire

&ountain "as co&posed o struggling naked hu&an igures.

he people around hi& tried to tug hi& back do"n. 4rightened' he kicked and

punched and elbo"ed his "ay out' out onto the heaving surace o the leshy

&ountain. /gnoring the hands that clutched at hi& and the eyes that glared in "rath'

he looked up.



he heaving slopes o lesh s"ept a"ay' on"ards and up"ards' "hile all around hi&'

the undulating bodies struggled endlessly up"ards. e ollo"ed the& "ith his eye' up

and up' up and up...

4ar' ar above' in the di& distance' the &ountain o lesh rose to a peak' a pinnacle

"here only the strongest' &ost ruthless and &ost savage could survive. very single

struggling body "as &aking its slo" and utile cli&b to"ards that peak.(erek took a breath.

ands rose on all sides' seiing at hi&' tugging at hi& and rending his skin' desperate

to drag hi& do"n, desperate to rise above hi&. All around hi& it "as the sa&e, it "as

the desperate' savage grasp o the strugglers beneath that urged the cli&bers above to

struggle to"ards the peak.

4ighting aside the grasping hands' (erek began to ascent the shuddering slopes o

lesh.

e paused only once in that hideous ascent, only "hen he had risen above the "ider

slopes and had the peak alone to cli&b. Al"ays the bodies beneath ought to drag hi&

do"n and seie his place, still he had to crush the& beneath his heel or let hi&sel be

dragged back into the stinking' crushing' claustrophobic depths.he higher he ascended' the greater the struggle gre".

5ut he had to catch his breath, his lungs "ere bursting. 4or a second' he looked back

do"n the undulating slopes as they s"ept a"ay into the cloaking blackness. 5eneath

hi& and belo" hi&' people ought tooth and nail or nothing &ore than a breathing

space' or a chance to escape the pressure o those above. 5ut those above "ere

ighting the sa&e struggle. he only "ay to escape see&ed to be to rise above the&

all. And even (erek had yet to achieve this.

he hands belo" hi& gre" rantic in their atte&pts to pull hi& do"n. Gri&ly' he

began the inal ascent' sta&ping do"n the strugglers "ho tried to take his place as he

cli&bed.

o one "ould drag hi& do"n in this desperate battle or survival.

(erek%s body "as drenched "ith s"eat and his eyes "ere glaring &adly by the ti&e

he reached the slopes beneath the peak. Al&ost una"are o his o"n actions' he

tra&pled on all "ho tried to seie hi&. o longer did he hesitate to destroy the&. o

longer did he see the& as people' only obstacles.

e heaved hi&sel up the inal s"ar&ing slope. Screa&s and bitter cries o ury ca&e

ro& his co&petitors' but he tore the& all aside' tra&pled the& do"n "ithout a

thought or anything e-cept his urgent need to reach the top. here at least he "ould

be able to rest, once he "as above everyone else.

4inally' he broke ree. e scra&bled desperately over the struggling bodies that

or&ed the peak. and ater hand rose to pull hi& back' but he ought the& o.alting' he gaed back do"n the slopes o the heaving &ountain and shuddered in

horror.

5elo" hi&' the entire hu&an race lay like a gargantuan anthill' heaving "ith hatred

and a&bition and greed and ear. 5eneath the seething surace' the lesh "as still and

cold, a &ountain o corpses' crushed underneath their descendants "ho ought to

escape the desperate hands that threatened to drag the& back into the heaving &ass *

do"n into the stinking darkness "here the struggles gre" less and less and ended in

death.

he stench o hu&an s"eat "as like a physical thing.

(erek looked up.

is eyes "idened as he gli&psed so&ething beyond the &indless ani&al struggling othe hu&an race...



5ut in that instant' hands rose ro& the bodies beneath and he elt hi&sel dragged

s"itly back...

5ack into the boiling dead &a" o the &ountain o lesh...

21 SOMETHIN! IN THE WAY

#he &ilitants are al&ost at the gates' $eader'% Captain Savage reported. #hey%re

ighting our troops in $iberty S<uare. 3hat no")%

Stella "iped her bro". er brother gave her a sy&pathetic look. ;ther"ise' the

cha&ber "as illed "ith accusing aces. he govern&ent see&ed to e-pect her to

solve all their proble&s.

he ARP( Alliance ra&paged unabated through Central City' ruthlessly crushing all

resistance. $oyalist &ilitias deserted hourly. he sporadic chatter o gunire ro&

beyond the "alls "as a constant re&inder o the ongoing rebellion. he inal battle

"as at hand. 3here "as (erek)#Concentrate all our re&aining orces on deeating the &ilitants'% she said tiredly.

#4ight to the last soldier. he cause o Autarkic rotskyis& &ust not be rustrated.%

er "ords rang hollo" in her ears. So&eho"' (erek%s rhetoric had al"ays carried so

&uch &ore conviction.

hree days had passed since she and her brother lo"n ro& the Central (irectorate'

abandoning (erek to an uncertain ate. 3as he still alive' even) ach night she had

"aited' as the &ilitant orces &assed in the city' hoping that (erek "ould return. 5ut

there had been no sign.

She had tried to tell the govern&ent the truth as she understood it' but no one "ould

listen to her. Savage had de&anded that she stand do"n, her ravings &ade it clear to

hi& that she "as unit or oice. hat had discouraged her ro& telling the& anythingother than "hat they kne" and understood already, that the &ilitants "ere &assing

and they &ust be crushed.

A e" hard*line backbenchers had echoed Savage%s opposition "ith &ore vehe&ence.

She had been orced to have the& shot. er &ind veered a"ay ro& the bloodshed

that had acco&panied her assu&ption o Party leadership.

he doors burst open and the politicians looked up. A&ae&ent rippled through the

Autarkic rotskyites. Stella%s spirits rose to cray heights.

#$eader!% Savage said in surprise. #3e%d heard that you had stood do"n.%

he or&er $eader stood silent in the door"ay.

(erek surveyed the govern&ent cha&ber as Stella stared at hi& in horror. is hair

"as &atted and his suit hung ro& his body in rags.

#/%ve been busy... else"here'% he said slo"ly. #/ returned to ind Central City in

tur&oil. 3hy%ve you allo"ed the &ilitants to gain so &uch ground)%

#/t began soon ater you: disappeared'% Savage said as (erek slo"ly paced do"n the

&iddle o the cha&ber. #3e thought you%d deserted us until the or&er Cabinet

Secretary and the Chancellor appeared. 5ut atte&pts to paciy the &ilitants have been

clu&sy and ineicient. ;ur ne" $eader see&s to have put &ore thought into keeping

the Party in line than to dealing "ith the real threat.%

#/s this true)% (erek asked Stella. heir eyes &et across the cha&ber.

(erek "ished he had &et Stella under dierent circu&stances. he last e" years had

been so hectic that he hardly kne" her as anything e-cept a ello" rebel. A chill oloneliness shivered through hi&.



Stella looked asha&ed. #/ had to deal "ith backbencher dissent'% she said. #3e need

unity at a ti&e like this. 3e need...%

#3ait!% Savage said' raising a hand or silence. he &uttering politicians <uietened.

;utside the cha&ber' all "as <uiet. Central City "as silent.

(erek looked to"ards the doors. #/s the "ar over)% he asked. #as the rebellion

ceased) Guards! Go and check!%he t"o loyalists at the doors struck ists to hearts in salute and &arched ro& the

roo&.

(erek surveyed the Party. #o" it see&s that the rebellion is crushed'% he said' #it

"ould be an opportune &o&ent to report to you &y indings.%

e stared around at the silent' e-pectant aces. Savage "as looking angry. (erek had

no idea ho" he "as going to tell the& the terrible truth. e had gone over the acts in

his &ind throughout his struggle back to Central City, "hen he "as lying or hours in

ditches "hile patrols searched the area' or "hen he "as staggering do"n the

&otor"ay in ear or his lie as he returned by the saest route he kne". 5ut no" that

he stood beore the Party' the "ords reused to leave his lips.

#3e%ve been lied to'% he blurted out inally. #;ur "hole lives have been a lie. 3e haveacco&plished nothing. /t%s o no signiicance "hether "e "in or lose' "hether "e%re

rebels or loyalists' rulers or ruled * the syste& "ill al"ays "in. 3e can%t control it' "e

can%t escape it, "e are its slaves...%

Savage "as shocked. #3e don%t "ant to hear deeatis& ro& you' o all people. ntil

the guards return "e don%t kno" "hat%s going on out there in Central City. 8our

"ords are bad or &orale.%

#/t doesn%t &atter i "e "in or lose'% (erek said. #3e...%

he doors burst open and the t"o guards rushed in. he politicians turned to the&.

#9eport!% Savage de&anded.

#;ur orces have been... deeated'% one guard said latly.

#+ass surrender'% the other added. #veryone%s deserted us. he &ilitants are

advancing up Govern&ent $ink"ay as "e speak.%

(erek sat do"n and put his head in his hands. e &ight have kno"n. Ater all' this

"as e-actly ho" he had seied control. 5ack then he had thought that po"er "as

"ithin his grasp.

#3e%ve been deeated'% Savage said. #3hat do you have to say to that) 5ecause you

dragged your heels "hen "e tried to put our policies into practice' the Autarkic

rotskyite cause has been deeated.%

(erek raised his head. e did not bother arguing. #$et &e speak "ith the&'% he said

&ournully. #/ have a &essage or you all, loyalists and rebels' let and right * unite

and ight the po"ers that be!% e halted. #Put that gun a"ay' co&rade.%Savage "as covering hi& "ith a &achine pistol. #3e%ve heard <uite enough rhetoric'%

he said. #Get on your eet!%

#his is &utiny'% (erek said.

#3rong'% Savage said. #his is rebellion.% 3earily' (erek rose. Savage &otioned to

hi& "ith his gun. #;ut!% he said. #8ou can speak "ith the&. 8ou can oer your

resignation ro& oice * stay there!%

e s"ung round to cover Stella and 9enJ. #8ou can go' too'% he barked. #/ don%t trust

you any &ore than / trust this traitor to the 9evolution!%

(erek laughed suddenly. #3ho "rites your dialogue)% he taunted. #8ou don%t

convince &e' co&rade.%

#;ut!% Savage said. #(rop your "eapons!% he added' addressing Stella and 9enJ. At anod ro& (erek' they obeyed.



#/sn%t anyone gonna help us)% Stella appealed to the nearby politicians. #Co&rades)%

he politicians returned her look "ith hostile aces' but said nothing. #hey "ant

nothing to do "ith traitors to the cause o liberty'% Savage said. #/t%s due to you that "e

have been deeated. o" get outside and ace the ne" govern&ent!%

he doors opened again and a il& cre" entered' ollo"ed by a reporter. (erek

recognised her as Geri arvey. he ca&era&an trained his ca&era on the scene.#Get out o here!% (erek shouted. #(o you hear &e) /%& the $eader. (o as / say!%

#8ou%re no longer $eader'% Geri arvey said. #he ARP( Alliance no" holds all

Central City.%

#/s that so)% (erek asked. #And "hich party "ill succeed) ;r "ill there be t"o

govern&ents)%

#hey%re united in the cause o liberty'% Geri arvey said. #hey%re not corrupt tyrants

* they%re "illing to &ake sacriices.%

(erek laughed bitterly. #/ respect the& * no' really / do. hey%ve 6oined orces against

"hat they "rongly assu&ed to be the co&&on oe...%

#3rongly)% Geri arvey asked. #8ou%re a tyrant! 8our govern&ent is corrupt. 8ou

pro&ised the people liberty and yet they%re still slaves.%(erek "as about to reply' "hen Savage stepped or"ard. #$isten to nothing he says'%

he urged. #e%s corrupt' not his govern&ent. his is the &an "ho killed his o"n

co&rade' the o&e Secretary!%

#/s this true)% Geri arvey asked. (erek tried to speak' but his co&posure "as

shattered.

#See the guilt in his eyes!% Savage roared. e turned on (erek. #Go out there and give

your po"er to the people!%

(erek re&e&bered ho" Steele had reacted "hen the Autarkic rotskyites conronted

hi&. #hey can take it'% he said' #or all that it%s "orth. 5ut listen to &e' irst! his is

all a sha&! 8ou%ll never ree the people like this! 3e%re all slaves to the syste&...%

#nough o that'% Savage said' lo"ering his gun. #Go no"! 3e%ll hear no &ore o your

lies. (on%t orce us to e-ecute you.%

(erek shook his head desperately. e turned to ace the ca&era. #ust listen to &e!%

Stella touched hi& on the ar&. #Co&e on' (erek'% she &ur&ured. #/t isn%t "orth it.

hey%ll ind out the truth in the end. 5ut this "ill only get you shot.%

(erek stared at her' long and hard. e had to tell the people! hey had to kno" the

truth' or the syste& "ould crush the& all. 5ut convincing the& see&ed i&possible.

o" could they ace deeat like this) e had dedicated years o his lie to reeing the

country ro& tyranny' only to ind hi&sel deposed as a tyrant by a regi&e that he

kne" "ould turn tyrant in ti&e the&selves. Could he ever believe in anything' no"

that his drea&s lay in pieces at his eet)#Co&e on' co&rade'% 9enJ added.

(erek "as bitter. #So this is it' then'% he said. #Ater all that eort' all those street

ights' that never*ending struggle to reach the top * this)%

9enJ spat. #So&eti&e you have to kno" "hen you%re beat'% he said darkly. #here

co&es a ti&e "hen you 6ust can%t rebel any&ore. he syste& is a lot bigger and a lot

stronger than you. 8ou can ight' but in the end...%

#$ie goes on'% Stella said. #/%& going to the 3aterloo Sunset ater"ards. Co&ing)%

#/ you%re paying'% 9enJ said. e put a brotherly ar& around her shoulders.

Stella reached out and patted (erek%s cheek. e pushed her a"ay and snatched the

gun ro& the hands o Captain Savage' "ho stepped back in terror.

(erek stood staring at the gun in his hand' solitary in the cro"ded cha&ber. A solutione-isted' he told hi&sel. $ie "as a constant struggle against insur&ountable odds,



death could hardly be "orse. e could charge outside, go do"n in a blae o glory.

hey "anted hi& gone. (id he "ant to carry on ater this deeat)

5ut or the lie o hi&' he couldn%t bring hi&sel to do it. hough he cursed hi&sel

or a co"ard and a ool' too * a glutton or punish&ent "ho did not kno" "hen he

"as beaten * in the end' he could not do it. o" could he ever rebel against the syste&

"hen all the syste& ever told hi& to do "as to rebel)(erek handed the gun back to Savage, laughed bitterly at the ca&era as he savoured

the s"eet taste o ailure. An incredible eeling o liberation illed hi&' a sense o

release ro& unbearable responsibility.

e stepped through the &ain doors' hands raised' ollo"ed by Stella and 9enJ. /t "as

about ti&e he got a proper 6ob. +aybe he could 6oin the civil service. / his conscience

pained hi& at all' he could al"ays kid hi&sel that he "as changing the syste& ro&

the inside.

e glanced at his surviving co&rades.

#+ine%s a pint'% he said.

ABO$T THE A$THOR

Gavin Chappell "as born in northern ngland and lives near $iverpool. Ater

studying nglish at the niversity o 3ales' he has since "orked variously as a

business analyst and a college lecturer. e is the author o nu&erous short stories'

articles' poe&s and several books.

street fighting years

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