Fall of the Cities

The world is falling apart. Terrorists spark a worldwide oil and gas crisis while imports grind to a halt. Europe and Britain are erupting into chaos as food runs out and desperate people take matters into their own hands. As the government begins to seal off rioting parts of the city, corporal Harry Miller takes an offered discharge to get his sister and her kids to safety. But he’s not fast enough. Trapped in the city with a rag-tag collection of ordinary citizens, Harry struggles to create a small pocket of stability.

As Harry and the other residents of Orchard Close struggle to survive, a new crop of problems presents itself. Unstable electricity damages equipment, days are spent scavenging for ammo, weapons, food, glass bottles, and of all things, yarn. Elsewhere, gangs carve out their territory throughout the city. Residents pay for protection through coupons, bartering, or worse. Citizens fleeing the city gangs, violence, and lack of food flock to Orchard Close, but how many can they take in?

Three years and hundreds of bullets later, Orchard Close is holding together. The cabal dreams up more ways to get their latest group of requirements: gardeners and women of loose morals. Food production is a major concern for the marts and for the enclaves. Caddi pushes Harold with his new games, taunting, testing and trying to figure out what makes him tick - so he can exploit it.

Despite the global genocide and destruction, the Cabal are still trying to salvage their master plan for mankind. In the UK, that involves wiping out the last of the population trapped in the cities, those who don't fit into the new future. Inside the ruined cities, both peaceful and gang-dominated enclaves are beginning to realize time is running out. For some cities, it is already too late, but even a few dedicated survivors can be a serious setback for the Cabal. Elsewhere, the more violent use the reprieve to grow stronger.

As Caddi's killers rampage through Orchard Close, the usual defenders are helpless, but unlikely heroes make their own stand. As dawn shows the extent of the death and destruction, Harold reaches out to the Barbies. A huge bribe buys medicine and treatment at Beth's, but that won't save those too badly hurt to move. The pyres hold a third of Orchard Close's residents. Many are badly injured, and the General is still out there. Despite the damage, refugees still arrive, some of them providing a ray of hope.