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The Invercharing Community
Rory stood at the gate. He’d hastily put on his SAPI vest and held his HK light machine gun in front of him. Behind him stood his crew. George had mobilised the other Militia who were placing themselves strategically around the compound and at certain shielded points outside it.
It could only be the Government coming with such heavily armoured vehicles. There were men with private armies, but none so well equipped around here, and none with tanks. And if it was the Government, and they discovered the existence of The Time Machine, it would be the last the Invercharing Community ever saw of it.
“George!” He called over the one man he could trust with this issue.
“Aye.” George held a submachine gun.
“I need you to round up the Chief Council and my family and order them to no’ say a word about The Time Machine, on pain of death if you have to!” he whispered hoarsely into George’s ear.
George blinked. “Aye. Okay, Rory. Consider it done.” He disappeared into the main building.
Rory hated taking a good soldier from the front but, as the Time Machine was secret knowledge, he could only use a man privy to it to do the job. He hated giving George, his senior, an order.
Rory and the Militia stared at their valley and the empty road in front of them. The quiet high mountains were sentinels beside them. A damp sweat built up on Rory’s forehead as his heart gradually increased its rate.
He was being stupid.
The dogs tied at the gate stood with ears pricked, then started to bark their early warning, and a cry from the tower beside the gate chased away any feelings of stupidity.
“There’s five armoured vehicles and a tank, Mr Campbell,” the watchman on the tower shouted down to him.
Rory gripped his HK as his chest thudded. His faithful crew surrounded him—armed and ready.
“Nobody fires anything without my signal. Got it?” He yelled so all could hear and waited until all had answered.
Rory faced the vehicles approaching along the rough road toward the Community Compound. The Saltire fluttered from each one.
Rory tightened his jaw and his grip on his machine gun.
Stay calm, Rory. Determine their intent before you aim at anything. Your people are watching for your cue.
He let out a breath. The vehicles slowed and made their way to the gate; the heavy machine gun on the back of the jeep was unmanned. The tank stayed back.
The door of the lead vehicle opened, and Rory stood taller as a woman emerged. A man’s voice from inside the vehicle spoke loudly to her, the words a mumble to Rory’s ears.
She turned back in and said clearly, “I’ll explain.”
The door closed, and a tall, slim woman dressed in trousers with honey-blonde hair pulled back tight, approached the gate. She was unarmed. As she got closer, her features became clearer—deep-blue eyes and a fair complexion. Rory’s heart seemed to skip a beat.
She walked to the gate and stopped.
“Hello. My name is Siobhan Kensington-Wallace and we are from the Scottish Government. We need your assistance.” She smiled.
Rory remained silent, battling with his breathing, and trying to settle it and his pulse at the same time.
The woman was beautiful, spoke with a very well-educated English accent with just a hint of Scots, and, he guessed, she was in her forties.
Och, no. It could nae be.
But it was.
“Hello,” he said, trying to sound steady. “I’m Ruairidh Campbell. Second-in-command of the Invercharing Community’s Militia.” He’d said his name the Gaelic way. “What can I do for you?”
Rory wanted to say, do you remember me? But it would involve explaining The Time Machine and revealing its existence to the government. That wasn’t going to happen.
Not by him.
“May we come inside? Siobhan asked. “We have a mutual problem, I think.”
Rory nodded, and his feet began to move again. He signalled to the men at the gate to open it. So, the Government was here to help, not attack. Well, they’ll help, if they must, but he would make sure it was on the Community’s terms.
When the gate opened, he stepped through to her.
Up close she was even more beautiful—if that was at all possible.
“You must promise me you won’t use those weapons on us.” He looked at her face.
Aye, sapphire-blue eyes.
“And you, Mr Campbell, must promise the same.” The gruff order came from the man who now exited the vehicle. “Call your men off.” He wore army camouflage and looked military. He strode toward Rory with brown eyes that bored into his. Hate lived behind them. The centre of Rory’s chest constricted. His arms tensed.
“We’ll not use ours if you do the same.” Rory clenched his jaw, his cheek muscles tightened.
So, he had promised. This man had better do the same and keep his word.
Siobhan turned to the military man.
“Mr Campbell has kindly obliged. Now return the gesture, Antony,” she ordered the man.
Antony gestured, and the Government soldiers visibly relaxed. Especially the soldier who had made his way to the back of the jeep housing the heavy machine gun.
The military man’s glare remained on Rory.
Siobhan’s eyes flicked to him. “Introduce yourself, Antony.”
“I am Major Antony McLellan of the Scottish Defence Force.” McLellan gave a slight nod.
“Rory Campbell.” Rory was curt, but he was beginning to not like this man already. “What do you want?”
“May we come inside and talk?” Siobhan picked up the conversation. “We both have a problem. Well, Scotland has a problem and we need your—”
“A faulty nuclear warhead on a North Korean sub leaking radiation into Loch Ewe.” Rory enjoyed the shocked look on Major McLellan’s face and the expression of admiration on Siobhan’s.
“Well, then.” Siobhan glanced at McLellan. “Let’s pool our knowledge and resources and see how we can fix this.” She smiled at Rory.
He stood aside and indicated they were to enter the compound through the small side gate.
“What about our equipment?” McLellan demanded.
Rory glared briefly at him, then shouted to the guard. “Open up, please.”
The guards drew aside the two large wrought-iron gates, and the vehicles drove in, the doors of the heavily armoured vehicles opened, and Government men and women piled out.
“Where shall we set up our equipment?” McLellan stared at Rory. “Do you have electricity? Our computers need power.”
Siobhan turned to McLellan, a duffle bag in her hand. “The windmills aren’t for decoration, Antony.”
Rory looked closer at Siobhan. She had well and truly grown. She was smug and bossy and a wee bit arrogant.
What happened to the sweet wee lass?
“We’ll make space to set you up in the main hall.” Rory turned and bumped into Murray.
“Did you say computers?” Murray brushed past him and went to the men unloading equipment from the vehicles.
Murray watched as they brought box after box out of the vehicles, then trailed behind the men carrying them into the hall.
Rory followed into the hall, which they were making into a control centre. The men dragged tables and chairs, positioning them as they wished. Murray’s mouth gaped as they brought out laptops and opened them. Rory’s mouth curved; his brother was now in his element.
“It’s done. They’ve all promised,” George whispered into Rory’s ear from behind him. Rory gave an imperceptible nod, avoiding attracting their guests’ attention.
One of the Government’s technicians beckoned Murray. He was a young man with black hair, brown eyes, and medium-brown skin. He showed Murray the computer and began explaining things to him, often with a surprised expression as Murray rapidly understood and revealed his own knowledge. Maybe it would make up for Murray having to leave the university behind.
Rory sensed someone beside him once more.
“Mr Campbell. We are ready to meet with your leaders and discuss our plan of action.” Siobhan stood beside him, hands on hips, her manner authoritative; she was used to giving orders.
“Verra well, I will summon the Chief Council.” He strode away, uncomfortable at being bossed around.
At the door to the main hall, Rory spoke to Xian. “Please get all the members of the Chief Council to come. Miss hyphen-hyphen wants to speak to them.” He flicked his chin in Siobhan’s direction.
The corner of Xian’s mouth tweaked, he raised an eyebrow, and left without a word.
Rory turned back to survey the proceedings.
Within ten minutes Angela entered the main hall, which was now full of Government personnel in military uniform. Technicians sat at tables with computers set up. Others had opened metal trunks and pulled out paperwork. On a larger table, a technical assistant opened an Ordnance Survey map and placed a silver compass on it.
Angela would be happy to see the Government; anything to do with bureaucracy and politics got her going. She was the youngest member of the Community’s Chief Council and she revelled in it. She’d been ambitious from the outset. Rory knew he would have to keep an eye on her.
Angela’s gaze ran over the Government personnel and every piece of equipment they’d brought. The rest of the Chief Council entered the makeshift control centre and introduced themselves to Major McLellan and Siobhan. Angela’s hand shook McLellan’s for a prolonged period; she gazed at him until she blinked and let go.
Take it easy, sister. No need to look so eager.
“Would you all like to come around this table where we have spread out the map?” Siobhan asked the members of the Chief Council.
They obediently arranged themselves around the table. Rory stood at the end of the oblong table and looked across at Siobhan and McLellan. McLellan shuffled next to George and darted glances at the members of the Chief Council who stood near him. He bristled when Mr Farquhar accidentally brushed his shoulder as he moved to take a place next to George.
Siobhan looked around, ensuring they had everyone’s attention, and flicked a glance Rory’s way.
“Thank you for your welcome. I know we can work together on this. It’s of vital importance to the safety of Scotland.” She swallowed. “We are well aware you know this part of our country better than any of us, and we would like some of your people to accompany us as we journey north to deal with this nuclear threat.”
Siobhan paused and scanned the group, she seemed to gauge people’s reactions. She then opened her mouth to speak but McLellan interrupted her.
“How do you know it’s a leaking nuclear warhead?” McLellan directed his question and his stare to Rory.
“Yes, I was getting to that question.” Siobhan looked daggers at McLellan.
“We’ve been there.” Rory pressed his lips around a smirk that threatened at the corners of his mouth.
Every one of the Government personnel looked at him.
“What do you think we do? We don’t sit in our underground bunkers keeping ourselves safe while the world goes to hell around us.” Rory couldn’t keep the edge off his voice. “We know what’s going on and we do something about it, even with our limited resources.” After watching years of the Government’s inaction, even wondering if the Government was a myth, he now found it hard to quell the feelings of betrayal. He took a breath.
Count to ten, Rory. Don’t let your red-haired temper show.
An uncomfortable silence descended around the table. Someone coughed.
“Well, we are here now, and we will help.” Siobhan sent a placating look in Rory’s direction. “We have the resources, we need your knowledge of the Highlands and, now it seems, your intimate knowledge of this submarine and its warheads.”
“How do you know about it?” McLellan’s question was almost accusing.
Siobhan glared at McLellan and then looked at Rory again.
“You’ve not been in it, have you? Not unprotected?” Genuine concern tinged her voice.
“We may be isolated Highlanders, but we aren’t ignorant. No, we haven’t been in it without Personal Protective Equipment. We’ve been near and assessed it.” Rory concentrated hard on sounding amicable and informed, not the angry he wanted to yell at them.
“May I ask you, Mr Campbell, how did you hear about it and what makes you sure it’s a non-nuclear submarine.” Siobhan’s deep-blue eyes fixed on his.
“A mariner at Loch Ewe alerted us to its presence, and he says the sub’s not nuclear powered.”
“A mariner?” McLellan’s question barely hid his derision.
“A fisherman.”
“What!”
“He knows his stuff. I trust him.” Rory spoke through gritted teeth and mentally recommenced his count to ten.
“We’re very willing to help you.” George entered the conversation.
Rory relaxed his clenched jaw. “Aye. What were your plans?” Rory directed his question at Siobhan, determined to ignore any noises coming from McLellan.
“We are going there to assess and—” McLellan had opened his mouth again.
“How?” Rory ignored his previous determination to ignore McLellan. His gaze remained on Siobhan, who didn’t get a chance to answer his question.
“We’ll drive our vehicles and equipment to Loch Ewe accompanied by yourselves,” McLellan answered.
He was as stupid as he looked.
Rory’s laugh was soft at first. He shook his head. George pressed his lips together in an attempt to suppress a grin, and Rory’s crew standing behind him shuffled their feet and stifled laughs.
“You’ll not go in your vehicles unless you want to be attacked.” Rory tilted his head.
Siobhan’s eyes flicked to McLellan and back to Rory. “What do you suggest, Mr Campbell?”
“I ken they’re armoured vehicles, but truly, it’s no’ a good idea announcing your presence to the world. Everybody’s going tae want to find oot what’s going on, the Government bein’ rare and all. They’ll no’ make any difference when it comes to determined bandits. Also, forty years of weather and nae road maintenance doesn’t make for a smooth ride. How much petrol do you actually have? It’s a wonder ye have nae had trouble getting here.”
Siobhan looked at the map on the table and McLellan’s feet shifted as he stood next to her.
Rory’s eyebrows lifted.
“People did notice us, but we avoided any confrontation.” Siobhan raised her head once more.
“People haven’t followed you here, have they?” Angela’s officious tones rang across the table.
Good question, sister. Never thought of the fact they may endanger us, did they?
“We have outrun any pursuers,” McLellan spoke again.
“You had pursuers?” Rory straightened and crooked a finger at one of the Militia who immediately stepped toward him.
“We outran them, Mr Campbell.” Siobhan sounded defensive.
“Aye well, we’ll see about that.” Rory gave the Militia member orders to send out scouts to their perimeters to check. The man left without a word. “We need to do this together, but you will do it on our terms. You’re in our world now.” Rory stood taller and took in a calming breath. “You will load the essential gear you require on our horses and determine who is vital personnel. We will all ride together to Loch Ewe and sort this. Minimal numbers on your part. Useful numbers on ours. You’ll need our protection. Forget about your vehicles, they won’t make it the way we need to go.”
Rory glanced in McLellan’s direction. McLellan had opened his mouth but shut it again.
“Decide what you’re taking,” Rory said. “It’s too late to set out now. We leave at first light tomorrow.”
“Very well then, Mr Campbell.” Siobhan said as she placed a firm, restraining hand on McLellan’s arm.
***
THE COOKS BROUGHT IN an evening meal of lamb stew and vegetables, which those in the meeting hall ate while standing due to the tables being covered in computers and maps. Rory took a mouthful of the stew, enjoying the tender lamb. They wouldn’t eat this well while on this mission.
He sensed someone beside him. A hand tapped his right shoulder as he turned to find Angus’ green eyes peering into his.
“I think the Community needs to send a scientific representative and I’m volunteering.” Angus bit his lip and a slight crease ran vertically between his black eyebrows.
Rory spooned another mouthful of the lamb stew and looked at Angus. It was probably a good idea. And it would be an excuse to deny Murray the privilege. He picked meat from in between his teeth with his tongue and slowly nodded.
“Granted.”
“Thanks.” Angus’ eyebrows shot up as a smile emerged.
“But I have some reading for you. A how-to-drive-a-sub manual.”
“Certainly. Where is it? I’ll start now.”
“Did I hear right? Angus is going? What about me?” Murray was directly behind Angus.
“They will nae be taking the computers, so they’ll be here. You don’t want to miss the computers, do you?” Rory asked.
“They’ll be taking one,” Angus said. “They need one to set the timer on the nuke.”
“You’re stayin’ here.” Rory bored his eyes into Murray’s. “And give Angus the wee book you made, aye?”
“Okay.” Murray stepped over to the nearest computer and started conversing with the man sitting there.
“Where are the important people sleeping tonight?” Kendra spoke into Rory’s left ear.
He took another mouthful of stew, chewed and swallowed, determined to finish his meal. He hadn’t thought about accommodations.
“I guess Her Royal Highness and Major Importance can sleep in the spare rooms in my place. I’ll need to—”
“Make the beds. Done.” Kendra’s left cheek dimpled.
How does she do it?
“So, who of us is going?” She pursed her lips and tilted her head.
He knew that look.
“I don’t want anybody who has someone to—”
“I’m going, Rory Campbell. Christine is okay with it. She knows you need me.” Her voice was low and her words steady. There’d be no dissuading her.
Rory shook his head in resignation and spooned in another mouthful.
“So, George, Xian, me, Brendan?”
Rory swallowed his mouthful. “Not George. He’ll stay here in case of trouble. The Tzar and Tzarina may have brought the revolution to our gates. Have we heard from the scouts yet?”
Kendra’s cheek dimpled once more.
“What?”
Kendra leaned in close “I saw the way you looked at her,” she whispered. “Can’t hide it from me.”
“Who?” He blinked. “No.” He shook his head.
Kendra’s dimpled smile accompanied a slight nod.
“You can show them to the rooms when you are ready.” Rory put the final spoonful of stew in his mouth, finishing the conversation.
