Hidden Citizens
The ballots are in. Scotland is free, but can it survive the next twelve months?
O Flower of Scotland
When will we see,
Your likes again?
That fought and died for
Your wee bit Hill and Glen, and stood against him
Proud Edward’s Army
And sent him homeward
Tae think again.
Fiona Macgregor has succeeded where her predecessor failed. With a narrow majority voting 'Yes' to Scottish Independence, the First Minister now has the challenging task of unravelling four hundred years of entwined legislation. Nevertheless, with Westminster in turmoil following the resignation of yet another Prime Minister, this is Scotland's moment in history.
Never before has a backbench Member of Parliament been elected to serve as First Lord of the Treasury, let alone one who has barely any Parliamentary experience. However, given the resignation of the Prime Minister following the result of Scotland's second Independence Referendum, Matthew Beckett finds himself uncontested as new leader of his Party and at the helm of government. Barely 18months after winning his local by-election, his greatest challenge lies just ahead.
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In the middle of renovating a ruined croft for him and Natalia on the wild Wester Ross coast, Gregor Hamilton is hoping for a quieter life. Yet, as the first anniversary of Scottish Independence approaches, Hamilton finds himself dragged back into the intrigues of covert intelligence work. Only this time the stakes have never been higher.
​
Hidden Citizens follows the twists and turns of an independent Scotland trying to make its way on the international stage. Little did anyone realise the true costs involved.
Hidden Citizens
But we can still rise now
And be the nation again, that stood against him...
​
"No aircraft have been detected in the air or leaving bases within the last hour. Thick cloud over much of the country will provide cover for HALO insertion. Ground troops are about to commence curfew patrols as usual. Nothing out of the ordinary. Rain has abated and most areas are experiencing a mild frost. Naval vessels have remained stationary for several days now. It’s an ideal situation, sir."
"I want to get this right." The Prime Minister said earnestly. "If this goes wrong, I could end up triggering World War 3."
He picked up the telephone receiver and pressed the button to connect through to Kirsty but stood there with it by his side momentarily. Then he took a deep breath and raised it to his ear.
“Is everything okay, sir?” came Kirsty’s melodious voice. A tinge of concern in his secretary’s tone after he had failed to reply to her first words when the line connected through. Just the sound of her voice seemed to galvanise his thoughts in his own mind.
"Kirsty, do you think I could trouble you to connect me to the palace, please?"
"No trouble, sir." She said with what sounded like a smile over the phone. "One moment." There was a pause as she made the connection.
"The Court of St James." Came the voice of the King’s principal private secretary. He had been expecting a call and made sure he was present personally to receive it. Subconsciously, he looked at the face of the clock opposite. If the caller was who he was anticipating, it was a fine run thing.
"Good evening, sir. I have the Prime Minister for you."
"Very good." There was a pause as the call was connected. "Prime Minister." He listened attentively. "Very good, sir. I shall inform His Majesty directly."
"Russian consulate." he said with a frown. "Wantin' tae congratulate us on our victory."
"Get 'em tae send some vodka over." she laughed.
"'And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth.'" He murmured, almost breaking out into some Old Slavonic incantation.
The sight of two Su-27 fighters appearing in the sky from the northeast was an unwelcome development.
