Cast of Characters
Hidden Citizens
Hidden Citizens
A spinoff from the Chasing Shadows Series sees Hamilton embark on his most dangerous mission yet. The future of Scotland hangs in the balance
Matthew Beckett MP
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
With four centuries of mutual history to unravel, and after three Prime Ministers have fallen on their swords since the last general election, it is left to Matthew Beckett, an army veteran, political novice, and controversial figure to negotiate the terms of Scottish severance from the Union, renew public trust in politics and stave off his Party's electoral oblivion.
Sophie Allingham
Baroness Glencairn of Dumfries
A political heavyweight in the House of Lords, the Baroness is a very senior official in the UK Civil Service. Serving both as Principal Private Secretary to the Prime Minister and Downing Street Chief of Staff, she is personally and politically very close to Beckett, and wields considerable power and influence in the corridors of Whitehall.
Fiona Macgregor MSP
First Minister of Scotland
Following her successful campaign in the Second Referendum for Scottish Independence, Macgregor now finds herself at loggerheads with the UK Prime Minister over the terms of the formal severance agreement. While the political stalemate continues, external forces manoeuvre into position to take advantage of the situation in a way no one could have foreseen.
Mikhail Fedorov
President of the Russian Federation
A Red Army veteran and former Spetsnaz officer, now elevated to the highest political office in the land, Federov wants to reassert Russian influence on the world stage and sees a newly independent Scotland as a staging post to ensure his country is finally taken seriously.
Secondary Characters: Hidden Citizens
Kirsty Wilkinson
Downing Street Secretary
If starting a new, high profile job wasn't daunting enough, Kirsty's new boss isn't just a decorated, but troubled army veteran, he also happens to be the newest Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Being on call for him 24hours a day will present significant challenges, especially when the country is plunged into an unexpected crisis.
Rittm. Hjalmprimul Olsen
FSK Jegertroppen
As commander of Norway's all-female special forces cadre, Olsen's unit has something to prove. So, when the call goes out to prevent a hostile takeover of Sovereign territory, her well-trained commandos embark on their first major operation.
Mai. Andrei Balabalov
279th OKIAP
Commander of the most illustrious shipborne fighter regiment in the Russian Navy, Balabalov is tasked with putting on an air display par excellence in the skies over Edinburgh to celebrate the first anniversary of the declaration of Scottish Independence. A last minute change of plan however, sees the veteran pilot taking on a new mission.
Strsh-1 Darya Yusupova
Intelligence Directorate,
Main Staff of the Russian Navy
Secretary to Contre-Admiral Egerova in the Russian Admiralty, Darya is given the unusual assignment of infiltrating the Russian Consulate in Edinburgh to feedback information on immigration figures and visa permits. What Darya discovers begins to set alarm bells ringing back home.
Samantha Maynard MP
Leader of the House of Commons
After withdrawing her own nomination for leadership, Maynard retains the Great Office of State as Lord President of the Privy Council. A staunch advocate of Conservative ideals, the question over her loyalty to the new Prime Minister still remains unanswered.
Lord Carmichael PC
First Secretary of State
After an earlier stint as Prime Minister and being subsequently elevated to the House of Lords, Carmichael lobbied hard for Beckett's appointment as the new Leader of the Conservative Party. His unexpected return to the Cabinet as the most senior Secretary of State raises questions as to who really holds the power in Downing Street.
Gulmira Nurgalieva
President of Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan's very first female President comes under intense scrutiny as she finds her country under attack. With limited resources to fend off significant aggression, she must choose whether to stand and fight at great cost to her people or capitulate to the demands of the invaders.
Pl. Anatoly Denisov
80th Tank Regiment
Commander of Russia's elite 80th Tank Regiment, Denisov's orders take him to the border of Kazakhstan for a long winter of training exercises and manoeuvres. Being so close to the border however, the Colonel is under no illusions as to where their ultimate destination might be.
Carter Boseman
President of the United States
Boseman's time in the White House has been steady, if a little lifeless and with only two years left to run on his final term, he hopes to be able to see out his time with minimal disruption. World events may dictate otherwise however, and rekindled threats may just provide the catalyst he needs to bow out with renewed respect and credibility.
Sir Clive West MP
Secretary of State for Defence
Previous government cutbacks have left gaping holes in Defence budgets amidst an increasingly unstable world. Retained in office by the new Prime Minister, this experienced administrator and former Army officer needs to find ways of securing the defence of the realm long into the future, despite further crippling cost pressures.
Adm. Sir Anthony Belford KCB ADC
Chief of the Defence Staff
As the professional head of the British Armed Forces, Sir Anthony faces an almost insurmountable task when the sovereignty of UK territory is directly and unexpectedly threatened. Effecting a robust defence with the prospect of retaliatory nuclear war brimming near the surface complicates matters even further.
Josiah Khumalo MP
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs
Born in the final years of the British Colony of Southern Rhodesia, Khumalo is well-versed with the murky intrigues of international politics. As Britain's newly appointed Foreign Secretary, his remit includes oversight of the Secret Intelligence Service as well as promoting British interest abroad.
Douglas 'Dougie' Dalgleish MSP
Deputy First Minister
As Macgregor's right hand man, it is the responsibility of Dalgleish to realise the ambitious timetable of formal separation from the United Kingdom. However, as the date of the final act of severance nears, Dalgleish begins to doubt whether the newly declared Republic will be able to stand on its own two feet after all.
Gl. Yuri Drugov
Commander Western
Expeditionary Force
Drugov has a fearsome reputation for his extensive use of artillery in subduing civilian populations. Given the absolute command of Russia's latest offensive, it will be his duty to ensure that all the military objectives are achieved. Nevertheless, with the element of surprise on his side and negligible defences, this could be his easiest campaign yet.
Gen. Sir Steven Maxwell
Chief of the General Staff
The British Army has begun to address some serious shortcoming in its operational readiness and capabilities since Sir Steven took over leadership. Nevertheless, since the latest round of consolidations and reorganisation took place, questions over the ability of the service to perform effectively and with flexibility still remain.
Dame Parvati Rajagopal MP
Secretary of State for the
Home Department
Dame Parvati has served as the Home Secretary before and already garnered a no nonsense reputation. Under the premiership of the Beckett ministry, she can continue to reform the police service to better protect the people of Britain, and drive down crime across the board.