Tony Blair felt a gentle shake on his shoulder, and knew even in his subconscious it meant one of two things. Cherie was getting him up for breakfast, or somewhere, something bad had happened. Unfortunately it was the latter.

"Tony," It was Andrew Turnbull, the Cabinet Secretary. He had a sense of urgency in his voice but whispered nonetheless so as not to wake Cherie. "Tony wake up, we have a situation."

"Andy ?" Tony said surprised, sitting up and rubbing his eyes "What's happened ?"

"Major civil unrest in Cambridge, its pretty bad from what i've been told. Ill get you in the Cabinet Room in five minutes with everyone else." and with that he left the room. Tony got up and dressed in less than two minutes.

"What are we looking at Andy ?" a very tired Tony said as he strolled into the Cabinet Room pulling on his suit jacket as the other bleary eyed and grouchy ministers took their seats.

"We're not sure yet. What we do know is that rioting broke out around Cambridge University at about eight o'clock last night, and has since spread into other parts of the city. Police are struggling to cope, as are the hospitals. There have been casualties but its proving difficult to verify the numbers." The Cabinet Secretary said. "Whatever this is, its not good. Not good at all."

"What kicked it off ?" Blair asked, rubbing his eyes.

"Again, we just don't know. As far as anybody can tell there doesn't seen to even be a reason. Just random acts of violence." Andy replied sipping at his coffee.

"People don't just start rioting, there has to be a reason, they must have demands or something surely to Christ ?" Tony said in bewilderment.

"It could be drugs." The Home Secretary, David Blunket piped up "Speculation, obviously, but i cant think of any other reason. I've been in contact with the Chief Constable in Cambridge. They're spread pretty thin. They've had to start using tear gas, but its having absolutely no effect on the rioters which again makes me think it may be a new drug."

"What are they doing to get the situation under control ?" Tony asked as a clerk quickly strolled into the room with a piece of paper and a cup of tea. The paper read :

URGENT

CONFIDENTIAL

CIVIL UNREST CONTINUES TO ESCALATE IN CAMBRIDGE. AMBULANCE SERVICE REPORTING 63 BODIES RECOVERED, MANY MORE LYING IN THE STREET UNABLE TO BE RETRIEVED. SEVERAL POLICE OFFICERS AND PARAMEDICS HAVE JOINED THE RIOTERS AND ARE RIOTING ALONGSIDE THEM. VERY DISTURBING SITUATION, NOT SURE WHAT IS GOING ON.

SUMMARY : SITUATION IS ESCALATING AND ASSISTANCE REQUIRED

CAMBRIDGESHIRE CONSTABULARY

"According to this report here, police and paramedics are joining in with the riots. What the hell is going on up there ?" Tony said staring in disbelief at the report. "Something isn't right here."

"It fits in with that the Chief Constable told me before you arrived. Several officers had switched sides. Very disturbing if this is accurate though it could be some idiots dressed up as police trying to cause trouble. And to answer your other question, Prime Minister, the police have withdrawn from the worst affected area's and are cordoning them off and establishing a perimeter. People are being evacuated from their homes in the area's considered most at risk. All off duty officers and special constables have been ordered to report to work immediately to alleviate the manpower shortage, but i don't think it will help much. Officers from Bedfordshire Constabulary are on standby to lend a hand." the Home Secretary said "The situation is still confused at the moment, but we should have a clearer picture in the morning. Hopefully we can get..." He was cut off as the Health Secretary's phone rang. The phone call lasted only a couple of minutes and in those minutes the Secretary's face turned white and he looked genuinely frightened.

When the phone call was over, he looked around the table and finally managed to speak, the shock clearly evident in his voice. "That was the Chief Medical Officer, they've run tests on the rioters held at Addenbrooks Hospital. We...we have a very serious problem."