Wizards’ World War (S.2) Dispatch 8: Defense of the Realm

Tweet of the Day: Expats in China: Second Chances

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Seasons 1– Dispatch 1 (s.2) – Dispatch 7 – Dispatch 9

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BBC News Crew, Aboard HMS Ocean, 27 k.m. East of Holyhead Island, 4 March, 09:15 hrs GMT

The camera showed men and women working on various helicopters. The anchorman steadied himself in the face of the wind gusts that swept through the ships upper deck.

“This is Mark Blake coming to you live from the deck of HMS Ocean,” he said into the microphone as clearly as he could. His voice competed with the wind and the whine of turbine engines. “The Admiralty has declared the Irish Sea ‘sanitized’ after one of Royal Navy’s submarines claimed to have destroyed ‘The Beast’. Preparations are underway for the Royal Marines 3 Commando to join the fighting in Wales.”

The image split in half showing the news reader in London side by side Blake. Underneath both of them the ticker read: EXPLOSION AT LINDSEY OIL REFINERY KILLINGHOLME.

“Mark, is an sea borne invasion of Wales imminent?” asked the newsreader.

Ticker: MOD AND #10 REJECT CRITICISM FROM LABOUR GREENS ABOUT MILITARY OPERATIONS IN WALES. GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAYS THAT THE TIME FOR NEGATIONS IS OVER AND THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL USE ALL NECESSARY ASSETS TO BRING CONFLICT TO SWIFT END.

“It appears so. Now that ‘England’s Little Ice Age’ as many are dubbing, it is over, the MoD is moving all available assets within striking distance of Wales,” said Blake. “However, the Admiralty is not discussing any of the details of present or future operations.”

Ticker: LATEST ARTICLE IN THE GUARDIAN COUNTERS ACCUSATIONS BY EDL OF MASSIVE DEPORTATIONS/EXPULSIONS OF BRITISH CITIZENS FROM WALES. SPOKESMAN FOR THE PRINCIPALITY CLAIMS THAT A POLICY OF PROTECTING MINORITIES IS IN FULL EFFECT.

“So what can you tell us about the current readiness state of the Marines?” asked the newsreader.

TICKER: AFTER RECORD SNOWFALL THROUGH DEC-JAN-FEB MASSIVE FLOODING THROUGHOUT THE NORTH.

“They are ready to join the fray although there is some hesitation among the rank and file about fighting a war on the home front. Some of the Marines have told us in private that they hope this can be resolved quickly and with minimum of losses, both military and civilian,” said Blake. “Furthermore–”

The camera panned away from Blake’s face and to a nearby ship. The warship’s forward deck was awash with thick plumes of white smoke, with loud whoosh every time it fired a missile. A series of explosions marched toward the ship, then a shadow crossed above news crew.

“Look out!” shouted Blake outside of the frame. The camera rolled on deck. The wreckage of an Apache attack helicopter flew above their heads followed by an unearthly shriek. The camera tumbled over the edge of the deck. The image spun wildly until it hit the water’s surface. As it sunk, a pale hand floated past before the image cut out.

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BBC NEWS Desk, Broadcasting House, Corner of Langham and Portland Place, Central London, 4 March, 09:21 hrs GMT

Harold Godfrey turned to camera 4.His face remained impassive as he read from the teleprompter.

“We lost the feed from Mark Blake aboard the HMS Ocean but are working hard to reestablish it. Now we go to Camila Williams  in Lincolnshire, outside RAF Coningsby,” said the newsreader. The image split once again. “Camila, what can you tell us about the activity there?”

The camera microphone caught the distant roar of jet engines. Specks ascended into the carpet of low lying grey clouds.

“Activity in and around the base has been hectic. We watched dozens of aircraft, mainly Eurofighter Typhoons take off with heavy load of bombs,” answered Williams.

TICKER: ARMY COMMANDERS SECURED NEWPORT CASTLE AFTER HEAVY OVERNIGHT FIGHTING. ESTIMATED ENEMY DEAD OVER ONE HUNDRED. BRITISH ARMY CASUALTIES 13 DEAD 35 WOUNDED. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO CASNEWYDD CITY CENTRE.

“Were fighters from Coningsby involved in last night fighting in Newport?” asked the newsreader.

“Hard to say. So far the RAF or the MoD have refused to comment on ongoing operations. But considering the reports coming from Wales,” the image of the newsreader switched to a an overview of a city. In the middle distance large explosions rocked the city center, “It appears to be the case. Sources tells us that the Army called in the RAF fighter bombers after their tanks failed to penetrate the  walls of the castle. Somehow the Welsh rebels have rebuilt the ancient fortifications and made them resistant to anything but the heaviest bombardment.”

A series of whistles were heard over heard followed by explosions within the air base perimeter. Williams pointed at something in the sky. Dark figures descended upon Coningsby. Long streams of flame raked the airfield followed by the pop pop of automatic fire. Screeching filling the air.  Williams and her cameraman hit the ground as a gigantic creature with large leathery wings flew inches above their heads.

“Camila, can you hear me?” asked the newsreader.

TICKER:EXPLOSIONS REPORTED IN SEVERAL ARMY BASES IN NORTHERN IRELAND. RAF BASES IN ENGLAND UNDER ATTACK BY UNKNOWN ASSAILANTS. MORE EXPLOSIONS IN REFINERIES ACROSS ENGLAND.

“Yes, we can hear you. It appears that the base is under attack by rockets and something else. As ludicrous as it will sound there is only one word to describe the attackers…dragons!”

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