Camp X
Ontario, Canada
Lieutenant Garrison reported to the commander's office as requested. He knocked on the door, but didn't salute as he entered. Not only were he and Lt. Brooker the same rank, but military flourishes were strongly discouraged at the joint SOE/OSS training facility. A salute at the wrong time could be fatal when they were behind enemy lines. Garrison had found it surprisingly easy to adapt to the change.
Brooker had two folders on the desk in front of him. One was Garrison's military file, the other had the red top-secret stripe on it. An assignment at last?
Brooker opened the top file. "We've been reviewing your record. You must know that you've received top marks and top ratings all around. We've thought of keeping you on an instructor."
Garrison spoke up. "Frankly, I'd rather see some action again."
"Hmm," the British officer puffed on his pipe. "Somehow, I thought you'd say that. Your psych tests show strong drive as well as leadership skills. Backed up by your service record, of course."
Garrison nodded, but said nothing.
"Your initiative and adaptive ratings are also top-drawer."
Garrison waited. He could taste it was coming.
Brooker closed the file and puffed again on his pipe. "We're also thinking of a special team for you. An experimental team, in fact." He paused and leaned back in his chair. It wasn't like him, this beating around the bush.
"Intelligence has been reviewing some programs proposed by President Roosevelt's advisors. One of them would offer amnesty to convicts willing to serve in the armed forces. OSS would like to take that one step further, and set up an operative team of convicts with needed special skills. We can only teach so much at this facility, and they think these, uh, fellows would start out a step ahead in knowing how to operate, uh, covertly."
Garrison kept his face as blank as the Brit's. He could tell they both thought it was a hare-brained scheme.
"Have these convicts already been selected?"
"No, no, they simply suggest a skill set that would be useful. Safecracking, burglary, confidence schemes and so forth. Selection would be up to the unit CO…. You, in fact, should you be interested to volunteer."
"Of course, I'm happy to volunteer, sir." Garrison managed to keep the irony out of his reply.
"Delighted, of course," replied Brooker. In a more businesslike manner, he opened the red-lined folder and pulled out a paper. "Please sign and date here, for your high-security clearance."
These Brits were always prepared.
GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
Garrison closed the file and rubbed his forehead. Aside from the crazy basic premise, OSS had outlined a decent plan. The team would be mission-oriented, with only minimal intelligence-gathering. After accelerated special training at an un-named base in England, they would be dropped behind the lines in short missions to steal enemy documents, destroy target facilities, and generally create mayhem for Axis operations.
They had even paved the way with two prison wardens, both progressive enough to consider rehabilitation and education for their charges. Sing-Sing and Leavenworth, no less, high-security prisons. Garrison considered what he would find there.
The plan was 'experimental', in that only one single mission was promised. He was instructed to offer his recruits only that one task, and to promise only a consideration of parole on completion. If his evaluation of the unit was positive, full amnesty would be a consideration if they continued to operate successfully for the duration of hostilities.
Garrison re-read that statement carefully. HQ was expecting more of a return on their initial investment. A career-maker, or a career-breaker, he mused.
He picked up the phone and waited for the operator.