Target: London 2012

Ian stood among the Secret Service for the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics guarding the Royal Family and other VIPs. After years of preparation and training the best athletes in the world had come to compete in the magnificent new stadium built in the East End of London. The ceremony reflected the vibrant multicultural city signalling the nation’s rise from recession stronger, more united and ready to tackle anything like the mythical golden Phoenix rising from the fire. This was to be something to tell one’s grandchildren watched by millions around the world. It was for unexpected reasons. The renewed East End sparkled in the sunshine as most of the nation stopped work to watch on television a dream come true. The air was full of the noises of people excitedly talking as they waited and the words of commentators broadcasting the ceremony to viewers in thirty languages to over a hundred countries. Inside the stadium every seat was filled waiting for the Olympic torch to arrive in an arena partly filled with athletes from around the world proudly holding up high their national flags blowing gently in the breeze forming a cascade of colour. At last an athlete entered the stadium holding the torch up high to hand it over to a famous British Olympian who ran the last hundred yards to light the traditional Olympic Flame that would burn until the games were over. As he did so the flame slowly rose up into the sky to announce to the world the start of the games followed in seconds by a spectacular firework and light show about modern Britain. For a few seconds everyone was captivated by the magical display set against the warm cloudless evening sky. It was perfect, absolutely a dream come true. The world had come to the East End to celebrate international friendship through sports where the finest athletes pitted themselves against each other and the record book.

Then everything changed as explosions, bangs and flashes intermingled with screams of terror turned the dream into a nightmare. In seconds parts of the stadium were blown up sending deadly showers of splintered glass and metal fragments rapidly through the air to impale people where they sat while others were blown to pieces. The first thing Ian knew about the attack was the noise of the explosions and as he turned to see what was happening a slither of metal entered his left arm throwing him on to the ground while others went over his head. Though in pain he got up and tied a handkerchief on his arm to stop the bleeding before helping those around him. As he stood up people rushed past miraculously with only minor cuts and bruises leaving behind a scene of carnage where the dead lay next to those so badly injured they could not move. Before he could help anyone he felt the heat as a tremendous fire storm enveloped the site when the fuel from broken pipes ignited to form gigantic flames blown by the wind to consume everything in its path. Ian just managed to dive behind a low wall as the fire ball passed over before starting to help the hundreds of injured people who had escaped fires. Nearby a fleet of ambulances and fire engines racing to the scene came under fire from snipers and suicide bombers even as people ran past with their hair and clothes on fire hoping to find safety. So instead of helping the injured Ian Shaw and his colleagues had to locate and shoot all the snipers before helplessly watching the new Great Fire of London race through buildings destroying everything and everyone it is path. It was the biggest terrorist success in history watched by billions around the world. Ian was now surrounded by the terrible smell of burned flesh and the unbearable heat from the raging fires knowing after all their efforts they had failed to stop the terrorists. Now there was so much to do, so many to help, and always the danger of more bombs exploding. Luckily as things looked impossible a fleet of helicopters landed troops and medics to help as on the ground firemen from all over the city slowly brought the fire under control assisted by the fact that the fuel from the stadium ran out or was isolated.

Ian woke up in bed confused and shaking with sweat running down his body. Was the dream because of what he overheard or a warning of what was to come? If true it would destroy Britain as she slowly recovered from a recession caused by greed and corruption. For the majority of the people already angry at trying to live on a pittance while the fat cats took million pound pensions and large bonuses it would be the straw that broke the camel’s back. It was like pre-Revolution France when the disgustingly rich and arrogant lived like monarchs while the poor majority grovelled in the mire. He wondered if anyone ever learned from history!

The nation to cut government expenditure in the 1980’s reduced immigration controls so people smuggling became much more profitable than selling drugs. Among a million illegal immigrants there were economic spies from China, Russia and America, drug suppliers from South America and Asia, and activists of all political and religious persuasions from Arabia, Pakistan, Indonesia, USA and even Britain. It was a time of turmoil when the rich flew in their private jets ignorant of the powder keg below they had ignited by their arrogance and greed. The ordinary man in the street was angry at working long hours on low wages while their bosses reaped huge profits often from bankrupt companies arguing they were worth it and it was what market forces demanded. With increased vigilance and hard work the Secret Service uncovered terrorist plots kept secret from the public to come under attack from Civil Rights lawyers who lined their pockets defending terrorists from deportation while ignoring the plight of genuine asylum seekers. Freedom of speech and so-called Human Rights became so distorted it allowed the ruthless to flourish. Ian felt it was like fighting a duel with one hand tied behind the back against a ruthless invisible enemy. Even so the Secret Service checked on anything that could endanger the games without upsetting the public or deterring tourists knowing that all major events such as the Olympics are targets for terrorists like happened at Munich 1972 and Atlanta 1996. We all try to forget them preferring to remember the beautiful things like the firework display and the illuminated Bird’s Nest stadium at Beijing 2008 or the superb achievements of the athletes. By 2009 the British government was aware the London 2012 Olympic Games would attract criminals and terrorists from all around the world who would merge into the crowds of genuine tourists. What would you do if you uncovered a terrorist plot to destroy the London Olympics? Well Ian Shaw reported what he heard under the name of Jack White to keep his identity secret. Like all visitors to the British Embassy in Riyadh he waited patiently on an uncomfortable plastic chair in an annex for over an hour before the British Consul deigned to see him.