Hi! welcome to the sequel to "Who Dares Wins"
Hope you like it and I welcome your feedback.
Thank you to everyone who has followed
along with my Elvis and Georgie series x
Covert Action
0530
The candidates were scattered about in the stark classroom. Clustered conversations were abuzz with equal measures of anticipation and trepidation.
"Attention!"
The lot in attendance became still as stone as Captain Nigel Aimes, Captain Elvis Harte, Sargent Toni Blythe and Sargent Clive Donner entered the room. A particular candidate present was stood rigid at attention but his eyes vigilantly tracked the entrants and he swallowed with deliberation. This would be harder than he thought. It would most likely be impossible and he felt unceremoniously scared shitless. Aimes got down to task straight away. "Relax." He said stoically as the four officers fell in side by side at the front of the room. They were dressed in camouflage kit and their emotions were unreadable. They appeared every inch the cold, deadly trained combatant the UK possessed. The young soldier who earned a seat in this room fought to control his anxiety and was determined to present himself as worthy to achieve his goal. He stared at the floor to gain composure, then he focused his gaze on the one man who encouraged his very presence into this room. Not because Captain Harte ever told him that he thought he could do it, but because he never told him he could not. There would be no mercy, no easy breaks and no favors. It will be harder than the soldier could possibly dream and when he falls down completely exhausted, thinking it could not possibly get any worse, the Directing Staff will tell him, "it has not even started yet!"
Fingers fancied being here. He had talked about it on so many occasions, the actual amount of times were irrelevant at this point. He made it to the level of candidacy and he was meeting the Directing Staff right now. Captain Harte evoked a chilled and uncompromising exterior. Fingers knew him though. He knew how this commander operated. He had the honor to serve with him in battle, albeit in a supporting role. Harte did not take no for an answer and his sense of duty was incredible. Fingers would only face him if he was fortunate enough to make it to continuation training. Cpt. Aimes methodically outlined their anticipated misery. He was in charge of the Endurance Phase. This Selection group numbered one hundred soldiers. It was only day one. No telling how many would report on day ten. Fingers eyed Sgt. Blythe. Fuck sake, he celebrated in a pub alongside her a few months back along with 2 Section and Special Forces. She was petite but known to land a man twice her size on his arse. Could he survive that embarrassment? Sgt. Donner would monitor them in the field during their marches. He looked like a physical brick wall, he was huge. No way would he take pity on a bloke carrying 25 kg over the Beacons. He swallowed hard. Fingers could feel eyes planted on him. He ventured to look up and sure enough, Cpt. Harte was staring at him. "Get ya shit together!" was echoing in his mind. Fingers broke the eye contact and stared straight ahead. You would have had to know Elvis Harte extremely well to discern the subtle creases at the corners of each eye, indicating he was pleased to see this young soldier in attendance. Otherwise, his visage was a mask of military discipline.
Xxx
0630
Elvis walked down the hall carrying a briefcase in one hand and his travel mug in the other. His strides were long and determined. He quickly climbed the staircase, his heavy boots clamoring with each step as he made his way towards his office on the first floor. The morning sun had just peaked over the horizon, and as he opened the door he was greeted with bright light and fading pastels promising another day. He squinted briefly against the glare and dropped his case onto the desk top. He walked to the window, took a generous sip from his mug and exhaled deeply. He and Georgie were back to work full stop. Their lovely holiday was over and Selection was underway. As he was just about to take another sip, a knock sounded at the door as Sgt. Roberts entered.
"Boss. A dispatch arrived for you from Major Guthrie."
Elvis turned slowly and placed his mug on the desk as he reached for the sealed envelope. He looked at Roberts as his fingers made contact with the paper. "Thank you." Elvis said. Roberts nodded and withdrew closing the door behind him. The connecting click echoed in the austerely furnished office. Elvis stared at the delivery in his hand. His brow furrowed. "Now what the fuck was this?"
Xxx
Georgie was happy to be back in Hereford and working with Tad Peters once again. He was one of the funniest blokes they had the pleasure to know and she certainly enjoyed the tales Peters spun, especially when they featured her husband. The reaction from Elvis as he heard the stories played out never ceased to amuse her.
"So, yer Christmas was fine then?" Peters said while inputting new candidate information into the computer data base.
"Indeed. Yeah!" Georgie said with a bright smile. "And you?"
"Ah, twas a delight to be sure. Me and the Mrs. enjoyin the kiddies. We 'ave a new grandchild don't ya know!"
"Well done you!"
Peters bellowed a hearty laugh at her.
"I meant….Oh you know what I meant!"
"Ha…ha.. me son's lad. Handsome little one he is."
"Must favor your wife's side." Georgie said laughing.
Peters stopped cold and gave Georgie an exaggerated eyeful. She looked at him and thought, "Oh shit…." But he soon burst out laughing .
"I knew I liked ya from day one!"
They both laughed while shaking their heads. Georgie finished arranging the protocol folders in alphabetical order for the new candidates and wondered how Elvis' day was going.