The Third World War: A Terrifying Novel of Global Conflict

71

'We stay with them, Charles,' said Stuart Nolan. 'Every inch. Shoulder to shoulder. No surrender. Put it out now.'

Through the window, the Downing Street garden looked idyllic, daffodils shining in clear sunlight. Nolan stood by the French windows, his hand running back and forth down the cold glass.

There were 350 dead in London and Birmingham. Variola major had been detected in both cities. The pattern had been exactly the same as in Times Square — the aerosol dispersal of the virus first, followed by the suicide bomb. The detonations had been at the optimum time, just before dawn, in dry cold conditions, so that the virus could survive for several hours before latching on to a victim.

'Are you sure?' asked Colchester, handing Nolan a Cold War document file. Nolan opened it where he was standing. For the past hour, Colchester had been feeding him with documents analysing nuclear conflict. He quickly read this one.

'A nuclear attack would mean the loss of nearly one-third of the population,' said the report. 'Blast and heat would be the dominant hazard, accounting for more than 9 million fatal casualties, against fewer than 3 million from radiation. Four million of the 16 million casualties would be caused by a single bomb on London. The standard of living of the reduced population, although substantially lower than at present, would still be well above that of the greater part of the world. The country would be left with sufficient resources for a slow recovery.'

'They write as if it's something they can plan for,' said Nolan.

'In those days they did,' agreed Colchester. 'The key was how to prepare to strike first and not get found out.' He picked up another file to give to Nolan, but the Prime Minister shook his head. 'I've seen enough,' he said, closing the file in his hand and tossing it on to a coffee table. 'Thank God, it's Jim West's call,' said Nolan.

Britain had a harsher view than America, and it was this conversation that Nolan needed to have with West before he addressed Parliament.

'He's through,' said Colchester, switching the line through to Nolan's telephone.

'Whatever you want us to do, we will do, Jim,' said Nolan. 'I am placing our forces, conventional and nuclear, under your command.'

'Caro—' Nolan heard West say. 'Right. I'm going down there… George Washington… I don't give a damn… Sorry, Stuart. Oakland's been hit. Of course, you know. I heard that, and thank you. Chris Pierce knows — hold a moment, Stuart — Tom, yes… Thank God for that — Stuart, sorry, no Chuck's called in. He lives in Oakland. Runs a transport company there. But he's fine. Damn nuclear attack and all I think about is my son. Now, give me your advice.'

West spoke fast and staccato. Nolan needed to break through and get his attention, just for five seconds. He needed to state Britain's view, however unpalatable it might be, and he didn't bother with niceties. 'We must destroy China's nuclear capability,' he said. 'If it helps, we'll fire first. China has gone the same way as North Korea and Pakistan. Except it's more lethal.'

'Memed's in China,' said West.

'Exactly. The Cold War rule was that the first to strike would be the winner. They now know our missile defence is fallible. Strike China now and stop Russia in its tracks.'

'Have you talked to Kozlov?'

'No. Have you?'

'We can't get hold of him.'

'Biological weapons were specifically designed to destroy what radiation and the nuclear explosion does not. That is why they are being used now,' said Nolan. 'Whatever moves you make towards peace now, there will be another trigger, another disaster, which they will try to blame on rogue elements, but will in fact be being carried out on the instructions of the centre. It's war, Jim, but we can win. We can pull through.'