A New World Begins

Contingency planning

Travis, Shane and Will, all of whom had Modern Languages as their final lesson on a Monday afternoon, arrived back at the dorm just a couple of minutes after four. Noisily. Noah, who had opted for Art instead of a language, had beaten them back by several minutes and could hear them chatting animatedly all the way down the corridor from the moment they had opened the fire door leading from the stairwell. The talk was clearly still of Shane’s trip to Europe for the New Year, much as it had been since he’d returned to college late on Sunday afternoon.

Noah smiled and waited for them all to pour into the dorm, then spoke quietly.

“Travis, Nat has left you some instructions on your desk. You’re to follow them while Shane and I go and get us some drinks and cookies. We’re not going to tea today. Tell me what you want brought back from the ante-room. Shane, you’re to come with me.”

Travis tossed his books on his bed and then turned to face Noah. “Who made you King, Noah?” he smiled.

“Nat did.”

“Oh, that’s okay then. Best keep your coat and boots on, Shane, and go with Noah while I read the instructions.”

* * *

Shane kept up with Noah as he strode purposefully through the snow towards the ante-room. Noah was about the only freshman who hadn’t collared him that day and demanded to know all about his trip to Europe. It wasn’t that Shane had been to Europe that was the key point, most of the other cadets had been to Europe at some time previously, nor was it specifically that he’d been to England for the New Year. Most of the cadets had been on holidays that previously Shane could only have dreamed about. International travel was just routine for them. No, the key point was that word had got out that Shane had been to the Tower of London. By special invitation. Direct from the Queen of England, some said. Others, when Shane had corrected them, told them that the invitation had been organised by Boots – “You remember, the English cadet who was with us last semester” - smiled knowingly and added extra comments.

“Yes, we always guessed there was something special about him.”

“We could tell he wasn’t just a Royal Marine Cadet like he claimed.”

“Probably some kind of shady royal bastard. A secret earl or something.”

“We know you can’t tell us the truth, Shane. Sworn to secrecy.”

“That’s why you were shown the Execution Dock. To remind you to keep quiet.”

At the ante-room Noah handed over the chit from Nathan to one of the handful of staff preparing for the evening meal and the more imminent arrival of the students for their more usual four-thirty tea. As the young lady disappeared to find a flask for their coffee, Noah and Shane busied themselves selecting cookies and filling a large paper bag with them. A few minutes later she re-appeared and, as well as a large flask of coffee, handed them a second bag. “It’s just a few Danish pastries, but don’t let everyone know.”

Shane took the bag. “Thank you,” he said, with a smile that could probably have melted the snow outside.

As they trudged back through the snow, which had started falling again, Shane asked Noah, “Did Nat say anything about why we are having our tea in the dorm and not in the ante-room? It looks like it’s tea as normal for everyone else in the ante-room.”

“Yes, Shane.”

“What did he say, Noah?”  Yes, that was the better question. What Shane really needed to know was what Nat had said, not if he had said anything. Anyone else would have just regarded the first question as the opening required to begin the conversation and pass on the information. Not Noah. If no-one asked him about something he wouldn’t feel inclined to tell them. And if they did ask a question, he’d answer exactly the question he’d been asked.

“He said that we were to get coffee and cookies, and Will and Travis were to set up the screen and connection ready to chat with Craig.”

“Why are we chatting with Craig instead of going to the ante-room?”

“Because if we leave it until later, Craig will already have gone to bed.”

“No, I meant what are we going to be chatting about.”

“That’s not what you asked, Shane.”

Shane decided to leave it at that. They were almost back at the dorm and so he’d find out in due course. And, just sometimes, he felt that Noah might actually be enjoying answering exactly what he’d been asked even if he knew it wasn’t what the questioner really wanted to know.

They arrived back at the entrance to the accommodation block at the same time as Nat appeared coming along the path from the main admin block and so all entered together, stamping the snow from their boots on the large rubber mats just inside the reception area before climbing the stairs together.  

At the dorm they found Travis and Will had already connected up a laptop to the screen and had a call to Craig waiting on standby: all that was required was for the button to be pressed. They’d also had the time to change out of working uniform and into smart casuals.

“Okay, guys, grab a drink then settle round the desk,” said Nat as Noah and Shane put the flask of coffee on the admin desk and began to get some coffee cups from the cupboard alongside it, along with some small plates. Travis’s eyes widened as he saw that not only had they brought back cookies but also some pastries as well.

“They never give me extra pastries if I get sent on a cookie run,” said Travis.

Nat smiled. “That’s why I send Noah or Shane. And no, Travis, don’t grab the big raisin and cinnamon pastry, that one has my name on it.”

Shane looked up and held his plate out to Travis. “There were two cinnamon and raisin ones, you can have mine. I like the apple ones too, I’ll have one of those instead.”

Nat waited for Shane and Travis to swap plates then called them all to order. “We’re doing things a little differently tonight. I’m going to give you the Weekly Orders now instead of after tea, partly because they were published early and Jackson has already started cascading them down. It’s because of the weather. Then we’re going to call Craig instead of going over to the ante-room for tea. Noah and I chatted with him yesterday afternoon just before the rest of you all returned from your Christmas Holiday and we have some ideas to put to you, don’t we Noah?”

Noah nodded.

“Right, to begin, you’ll have noticed a few changes here in the dorm first of all. I’ve moved over into what was Kyle’s corner now he’s ascended to Heaven, so that leaves my old space free. We’ll keep things that way for now, but later this semester if you want to re-arrange the room to give everyone a bit more space it’s something we can consider. Okay?”

“Okay, Nat.”

“Next, welcome back everybody! Hopefully you all had a great Christmas – we’ve certainly all heard that Shane did! That said, the holiday is over now and so it’s time to get your heads down, work hard and make this next semester a great success too. You did really well last semester and Kyle was very proud of the way you all gelled together and have set up a real team spirit. Now I’m in charge I intend to build on that. We already know we’re the best freshman squad, but we still need to convince the others.”

Nat looked around for agreement and after seeing the nod of heads he was searching for, picked up the Weekly Orders sheet. He quickly read through the Commandant’s routine orders and notices, then skipped quickly through Captain Davis’s orders. As it was the start of the semester they comprised just the usual lists of duties and a brief look ahead to the key happenings in the coming semester.

“Now, the more observant of you might have noticed that it’s started snowing, and that it’s forecast that the snow could be quite heavy. That’s going to affect a few things around college,” said Nat. “Firstly, Captain Davis has issued a reminder that you’re to walk around campus as normal, not slide and turn the paths into ice for everyone to slip on. Got that, Travis? Left your skis in Aspen?”

“Got that,” chuckled Travis.

Secondly, Captain Davis has a note for all the freshmen. Congratulates you all on a successful first semester and welcomes you back to the college and the New Year as fully integrated students.” Nat paused and then smirked. “That’s code for ‘You’ve all been here a full semester now and should know all the rules, so no more excuses for failing to salute officer cadets, being late for meetings and so on. There’s no more slack to be cut for you.’ Got that?”

“Got that, Nat.”

“That probably also means no more carrying chocolate bars around in case you feel hungry, Shane.”

Nat allowed them all to laugh for a few moments then continued. “The important extra news in Orders is that, in light of the current and forecast weather, the Commandant has decided to activate the ‘Winter Preparedness Plan.’ At the moment it’s only at Stage 1, which is where the staff check that all the previous contingency planning is still relevant and update it where it might be required. The main effect that we’ll see at this stage is on Wednesday where, obviously, some of the outdoor sports events will be curtailed. Where possible, the affected teams will continue with indoor practice – so that probably applies to your lacrosse, Noah and Will, and to your baseball, Shane. You can check out any arrangements on the team noticeboards over in the sports hall. Naturally, if you can’t practice indoors, you’re all welcome to come and try a sensible sport like water polo and swimming instead.”

“I’m not bloody shaving my legs,” said Travis in a perfect imitation of Craig’s accent, causing everyone to collapse laughing, including Nat.

“Okay, settle down,” said Nat after he had regained composure. “The offer’s there if you want it. The alternative might be playing chess in the library. Now, as well as sport being affected on Wednesday, it’s unlikely that the minibuses will be doing the usual shuttle run into town in the evening if the road conditions are poor. If things don’t get any worse than today, one or two buses might be laid on but places on those will be at a premium so don’t go expecting that two of you from this dorm will get a pass out as usual. Obviously, if things get worse, nobody will be leaving campus, perhaps for quite some time.” The guys exchanged glances and murmured but knew that it was sensible. Part of the trip into town was along winding roads and through the forests, all relatively minor roads that the snowploughs wouldn’t be giving priority to.  

“If the weather gets worse, the Commandant will move the college to Stage 2. Quite a few things happen there. It’s likely that many of the supporting staff that don’t live on site – for example most of the cooks and dining room staff – will struggle to get to college so we’ll have reduced service at mealtimes. Probably just one selection at mealtimes rather than a choice, and ‘volunteers’ will be required to help prepare food and wash up afterwards. The ground staff will be affected too, and those that can get in will be looking for ‘volunteers’ too to help shift snow from the roofs, keep the paths clear, even do a few extra checks on the heating systems and pipe runs overnight if it gets really cold to make sure nothing freezes up.”

Nat paused and then smirked. “Now, with all the need for ‘volunteers’, it might be worth reflecting carefully on what Captain Davis said about all freshmen now being fully integrated members of the college. Don’t give anyone an excuse to put you on ‘extra duties’ unless you particularly want to learn how to scrub a pan or shovel rock salt. Believe me, every Corporal will be looking to present the Commandant with a quota of ‘volunteers’. It’s common sense really: the more volunteers they provide the better it makes them look and, of course, the less likely they are to have to shovel snow themselves.”

“What happens if this really does turn into a ‘Lakes Dump’,” asked Will. “I was looking at the radar images on the weather channel and downloaded some from NASA too, it looks like we might get nearly a week of real heavy snow.”

“That’s when we go to Stage Three. It’s all planned for. It’s assumed the college will be cut off, but that’s not a huge problem. Most of the teaching staff live on site so lessons will continue more or less as normal. We’re self sufficient for power if necessary - part of Stage 1 will be testing that the big back-up generator over by the sports complex is in running order in case it’s needed - the snow might bring some power lines down - and we have plenty of oil in stock for the boilers so we won’t freeze. The kitchen stocks are high too, so food won’t be a problem. It might not be the usual quality and range perhaps, but we’ll still get all our meals. Actually, I’m thinking of volunteering all of you for cooking duties, I hear that Travis and Noah did wonders with just a small fire of twigs and a few scraps on your Thanksgiving expedition to the hills…”

Travis, Will, Noah and Shane all exchanged glances. Nat was just joking, wasn’t he? Cooking a few hash browns and sausages for four was one thing, but meals for over four hundred people, three times a day, well that was quite different.

Nat continued. “Of course, as well as cooks, we’ll also need a squad to keep a large patch on the far car park totally clear of snow, day and night, along with the path to it. Perhaps the worst thing that could happen here at college is a medical emergency and so, if ambulances can’t get through, we’ll be reliant on a helicopter for a medevac. It’s extremely unlikely to happen, but we have to be prepared and so it’s in the plan. I might volunteer you for that instead…”

 Nat let the thought sink in before moving on.

“Stage 3 though does have other implications. We’ll be okay here at the college, but part of the plan is that we are on standby to help out in the local community if needed. It’s good for the college’s image, and it’s a good thing to do anyway if things turn bad. Volunteer groups will be despatched to help clear snow from around local senior citizens’ homes, run errands to the shops for them, even provide hot food if their local power lines are down.”

“Er, how does that work, if we’re all snowed in here, Nat? If the minibuses can’t get through, we can’t get into town to help out,” asked Shane.

“One of two ways, Shane. Much depends on the forecast and how things turn out. Firstly, if it’s just the usual heavy winter snows and we get cut off for a day or two, we’ll look after ourselves first.  Then, when a snowplough gets out to us and opens the road, we’ll set up a minibus shuttle into town and go and help out there as planned. Most of the old folk will be okay for the first few days, it’s when it drags on for a week or more that the help will come in really useful and they’ll appreciate help with re-stocking food, clearing paths, getting to pharmacies and stuff like that.”

Travis nodded. “Yes, that makes sense. Most will cope for a day or two, but then they’ll need help.”

“The second case is if the bad weather is really bad, and looks like it might be prolonged. The State Governor will probably activate the National Guard to help out and, as Deputy Governor, my dad will be heading up those efforts. There’s a contingency plan to base a platoon of guardsmen here at the school for duties here in Allegheny County. They’ll be quartered in the sports pavilion and carry out relief operations in this county and down to the northern edge of Pittsburgh. They’ll be bringing big trucks in with them, equipped with snow ploughs. They’ll clear a route out from here to the local communities and then cadets will follow on and give whatever assistance we can. If it gets to be that bad, then lessons will be suspended and everybody, even staff, will be called upon to help out. Four hundred of us can make a real difference.”

“We’ll be a force multiplier,” said Noah.

Shane, Travis and Will all turned and looked at him. “A what?”

“Noah’s correct,” said Nat, “We talked about it yesterday, just in case it happens.”

“Nat has our own contingency plan, don’t you, Nat?”

Nat nodded. “Thanks Noah. Yes, I have a plan for our squad. I was talking to Craig on Saturday and he mentioned something he’s done about winter survival skills training. I thought it might be interesting for us to do in military skills on Saturday morning next weekend when everyone is still on the basic stuff. It’s not actually on the freshman MilSkills syllabus but it seems fun and we’re far enough ahead on the syllabus that we could afford the time to try it.”

“The plan has changed now though, hasn’t it, Nat?” said Noah.  

“Yes, now the snow has started and your outdoor sports are likely to be cancelled on Wednesday afternoon, we could bring it forward. Craig says he can give us some tips tonight on how to build a survival snow hole and then on Wednesday afternoon we’ll go and practice building one out in the woods. If we do it well, Captain Davis has agreed to us becoming part of the plan he’s helping the Commandant with.”

The guys all looked at one another, realising that Nat was definitely ahead of the curve. He’d probably given Jackson another good idea that he could present as his own, but which would look good on Nat, and subsequently them, too.

“Obviously, the Commandant and staff are checking over the Winter Preparedness Plan and ensuring that the college will carry on as close to normal. That’s the main priority, followed by some preparations just in case we do have to go to Stage 2 or even Stage 3. That’s where the Officer Cadets come in. Under Jackson’s lead, they have been formed into small teams and tasked with making some Stage 3 plans, stuff like drawing up lists of where the senior citizens’ homes are, routes from those to the pharmacies and doctors, estimating how many cadets will be required to clear each hundred yards of road and all that sort of stuff. It’s the sort of stuff that will come in useful if they join the military in any case even if they don’t get to use it here. The weather may not be bad enough to even get us to Stage 2, let alone Stage 3.”

“Contingency planning is always useful,” said Noah.

“Now,” said Nat, “I know you are all really keen to help scrub pans, peel potatoes and even stay up all night keeping a clear area on the car park, but I have another task I’ve volunteered you for instead. Of course, you don’t have to volunteer for it, you can all choose to be kitchen slaves if you prefer…”

“Go on, we’re listening,” said Travis cautiously.

“It probably won’t happen, but if we do need to go to Stage 3, Jackson is going to be in the thick of it, passing on the Commandant’s instructions, making sure he knows where everybody is and what they are doing, checking everyone is safe too, we don’t want anybody becoming a casualty, helping co-ordinate with the National Guard and making sure they have all they need and lots of stuff like that. Even simple stuff. The National Guard will probably be from out of town and won’t even know this area well.”

“We’re going to be Jackson’s Reconnaissance, Liaison and Special Response Squad,” said Noah.

“It sounds complicated but it’s simple,” said Nat. “We’re going to be Jackson’s eyes, ears and mouth. The good thing is, between us, we’ve already got most of the skills needed for it. You remember Sergeant Anders, who came out and gave us some lessons on fieldcraft and driving the HUMVEE?”

“Yes, that was great,” said Will.

“Well, dad’s arranging for him to come here as liaison to work with the Commandant just in case the National Guard need to be deployed. He’s bringing two Guardsmen with him to set up a control office in the sports pavilion and also to help get it ready to accommodate more Guardsmen if they get deployed. If, and it’s still only a remote possibility, we do go to Stage 3, the concept is that we’ll be assigned to Sergeant Anders as his link between the Guardsmen out on the ground, the control office, and Jackson. It’ll mean we could be sent out in the Humvee to help guide the big trucks, carry messages if the cell phone masts or landlines go down, go and do scouting duties if reports come in saying people need help and the Guards need to be redeployed to them.”

“Wow, that’s way better than peeling potatoes,” said Shane.

“Definitely,” agreed Will, “And I can do comms duty if they give us some radios to put in the Humvee.”

“Didn’t you and Noah learn helicopter marshal drills too, Will, when you went on your visit to the artillery school at Kingston Armory?” said Travis.

“Don’t get carried away, guys,” said Nathan. “It might not happen. We could wake up tomorrow and find all the snow has melted in an overnight heatwave…”

“Not according to these forecasts,” said Will, flicking at the screen of his phone.

“Will, put that down and pay attention.”

“Sorry, Sergeant.”

Nat smiled inwardly. Jackson’s veiled warning had clearly been well noted.

“Now, part of the deal with Jackson is that we have to show him we can be an asset and not a liability. If he’s going to put us forward to work with the National Guard we have to convince him we won’t let the college down. He also has to be sure we can cope before he lets us go out as a small team, the last thing he needs is having to get the Commandant to stop another task to send a truck of Guardsmen out to rescue us if we get lost or stuck in a snow drift. So, on Wednesday, we need to show we can build a survival snowhole and be self-sufficient if necessary. We’ll also get some more driving training from Sergeant Anders. I’m the only one who will be permitted to drive the Humvee outside college grounds, and that’s only if a Guardsman can’t be spared, but it’ll be useful for you all to get a refresher and some training to drive in snow. Just in case.”

“Nat,” said Noah, looking at his watch, “It’s time to call Boots.”

“Okay, Will, fire up the connection. And guys, keep this quiet. The other squads don’t need to know anything about this.”