RED HAZE: A Werewolf Story for the 21st Century by Ian Redman

excited and pleased. Claire seemed happier, they had met a very pleasant, fellow passenger and the paddle steamer looked wonderful. This should be a grand tour, he thought.
    “Ohhh, I must admit, I’m getting rather excited now.” Claire put her arm through her husband’s, as John pulled out a wad of Euros, ready to pay. “John, let’s treat Gerhard to this trip, please…”
    The young German looked surprised.
    “Yes, why not. This is on us Gerhard,” John explained, happily.
    “Oh please…I cannot…”
    “No, we absolutely insist,” Claire was adamant, “provided you tell us both about Berlin.” Her smile was bright, warm and affectionate. How could Gerhard refuse?
    “Thank you,” the German tourist replied, “thank you very much.”
     
    Chocolate Cake! Ash Piper smiled, savouring every mouthful, the break and the refreshments giving him time to relax, and think.
    The C130 flight from Saudi had been pleasant, the crew, friendly, the same for the car journey to SHAPE Headquarters. Piper had guessed the two men who had met him off the flight were most probably from the Belgian ESI Civilian Special Forces group. Piper had a great deal of respect for the ESI, just as they had for the SAS. He had also noticed the tell tale bulges under his chauffeur’s jackets. They had both been armed. 
    And now here he was, sat in an office in Casteau, near Mons in Belgium, belonging to NATO’s Military High Command. The Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, or SHAPE as it is more commonly known. The Headquarters for NATO’s European military operations.
    Bringing his thoughts steadfastly back to why he had been brought to SHAPE, Piper suddenly noticed the door swing open. It was Colonel Mann.
    “Right Ash, follow me please.”
    Moving quickly, Piper arose from his chair. Walking hurriedly out of the office, the two men moved to an elevator at the end of a long corridor. As two steel doors slowly slid open, they stepped in. The doors closed, Colonel Mann then reaching down to a small button on his right side. He pressed it. With a jolt the elevator moved as just for a second, a slight sense of dizziness overcame Piper. He had expected to climb upwards, but exactly the opposite happened. They were descending!
    Several seconds later the compact steel cubicle came to an abrupt halt, the doors opened and the view that met Trooper Ash Piper of the Special Air Service, took his breath away. There in front of him, in an expansive room filled with an array of large overhead screens, were a number of men and women dressed in dark blue uniforms, several being sat at computer terminals monitoring what seemed to be satellite transmissions. In a mild state of disbelief Piper turned to the Colonel, his mouth open as if to speak…but he couldn’t. 
    A proud smile sat on Colonel Mann’s face. “Welcome Ash,” he said, “welcome to CEATA. The Central European Anti Terrorism Agency.”
     
    The cold breeze had increased on the deck of the ‘De Neederland’ and Claire was worried she might catch a chill. Standing at the front of the beautiful, crisp white-coloured paddle steamer, she tugged at her husband’s sleeve. “John, once the boat departs it might get a little cold standing here.”
    “Oh love, you’re a born worrier.” Smiling, Claire’s husband raised his camera and snapped a photograph of the harbour skyline. “This is wonderful,” he said ecstatically. “Don’t worry love, if it gets cold we can always go inside.” Turning around, John saw the pleasant young man from Berlin, Gerhard, standing quite close to them. He was looking at his watch.
    “Gerhard,” it was Claire’s voice, “please tell us about Berlin. It must be a lovely city to live in, with so much wonderful history.”
    “Ah yes,” Gerhard replied, “I have lived in Berlin all my life.” Again, the German tourist looked at his watch, his eyes narrowing as he cast his gaze across to the jetty.
    “We would love to go to Berlin one day,