Random Radio Transmissions

Posted on Tue Nov 11th, 2025 @ 5:13pm by Brigadier Paul Felton

957 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Safe Harbour
Location: Guildhall, York, North Yorkshire, UK
Timeline: 01/ 12 / 2012 1600 hours (Sunday, December 1st at 4pm)

Brigadier Paul Felton was restless as he stepped out of the back door to the York Mansion House, the two armed soldiers of his close protection detail in tow, and crossed the causeway to the Guildhall where the Brigade Operations Centre was located. The sentry outside the Guildhall doors snapped to attention and rendered a crisp hand salute which the Brigadier returned with the same precision. Paul paused at the entrance and spoke to the sentry. "How are you doing this afternoon Private Mitchell?"

The sentry dropped his salute. "I am well sir. Perhaps a bit chilly. It’s been a tad windy today. Snow storms predicted for tonight." The sentry opened the door for the Brigadier and his security escort.

Paul gestured at the thermos bottle. "Drink some hot coffee then. It will help keep you warm." He stepped inside and looked around.

The duty officer spotted the Brigadier and called out attention. Paul gestured for the soldiers to remain seated. "As you were." He stepped over to the the duty officer. "Status report Leftenant Smythe."

Lieutenant Smythe relaxed slightly after the Brigadier gave the as you were command. He picked up the clipboard from his desk and began briefing the Brigadier. "Vehicles have all been prepared for winter storage, two soldiers are currently at the York Hospital being treated for minor injuries after slipping on ice at the motor stable. No changes in unit readiness since the morning staff call briefing this morning."

Paul nodded with a sigh. Nothing really required his personal attention, therefore nothing that he could try and fixate his current state of restlessness. He was about to turn back when he noticed a few soldiers starting to gather at the communications station in the far corner of the hall. "What's going on over there Leftenant?"

Lieutenant Smythe glanced to what had caught the Brigadier's attention and shrugged. "Oh that's is nothing of any tactical significance. A few months ago we started picking up shortwave radio transmissions between two women. One somewhere on the coast and another in France we believe along the Seine River. The lads gather and often speculate on if the two ladies will discuss recipes, boys, weather or just mundane events that have occurred in their lives during the last week. I could put a stop to it if you wish."

Paul was about to have Lieutenant Smythe actually do exactly that, but realized that the current situation was indeed one of boredom for the most part. The undead tended to stay in a static state during the winter months. "No. Let the lads have their distraction provided it isn't long. Have the signal lads record the transmission and have a copy sent to my office tomorrow."

Lieutenant Smythe nodded. "I will see to it personally sir."

Paul sighed as he looked around the Operations Centre. He glanced at the duty officer. "Leftenant, out of curiosity. Are there recordings of earlier conversations between the English and French girl?"

Lieutenant Smythe nodded as he produced a key to the wall locker near the communications setup. "Of course sir. We record every signal intercept per your orders. Though to the best of my knowledge there's never been anything significant from a military perspective. It's just two women discussing life in their respective communities."

Truth be told, Paul had fallen into the same boring routine as his soldiers. Daily Meetings with subordinates in the mornings and afternoon with the civilian Privy Council. He was becoming quite jaded. Unlike his men and younger officers, he couldn't just take a trip to the Rambles for a pint in the pub or seek company in one of the brothels. "Send me copies of all the transmission intercepts from June of this year until now. Maybe another set of ears might discover something useful the lads in signal intelligence might have missed."

The duty officer nodded before glancing at the wall locker filled with copies of all the radio intercept and gesturing at the lads at the communications station. "I could get you a copy of the first radio transmission if you're curious sir. Would you like me to?"

Paul was about to say no, since copies of everything would be brought to the staff meeting in the morning. Something made him pause. "Actually...yes Leftenant. It will give me something new to listen to. Wagner becomes tedious listening to every night."

The duty officer was gone just a minute before returning with a cassette tape and tape recorder to listen with. He handed the items over before calling the operations centre to attention once more as the Brigadier departed.

Paul returned to his suite in the Lord Mayor's House. He set the recorder on his desk, popped in the tape and pressed play as he took a seat and poured himself a brandy. He listened to the French girl speak, asking if anyone could hear her transmission. He took a sip and heard a familiar voice. "Lola... I am in the UK. I did not think I would get any signals from France."

Paul swallowed hard and then coughed hard. He stared at the tape recorder and listened for several minutes until the recording was done. He then listened to the recording two more times. He picked up the field phone on his desk and spun the ringer that would connect to the Mansion switch board. "I want the Brigade Deputy Commander, Chief of Staff, Operations Officer and Intelligence Officer in my office in 20 minutes. Also have the Commander of the 204th Signal Company here as well." He placed the handle back in its cradle. "I'm going to find you Lola, I'm going to find you and bring you home safely. No matter what."

 

RSS Feed

Comments (1)