Camp Bastion
Even by Afghan standards, it is a blisteringly hot day as the platoon marches towards their temporary quarters in Camp Bastion. Corporal Kinders brings 2 Section to a halt in a perfect line-up as Captain Dawes commands the platoon. "Platoon, Platoon atten-tion!". Major Beck welcomes the platoon, telling them that they will spend a few days of assimilation at camp before being deployed on a mission and instructing them to listen to their Captain, follow her instructions to the letter and apply themselves well.
As the platoon disperse to settle into their quarters, Major Beck speaks to Molly. "At ease, Dawes. It is good to have you back Molly. You've arrived on a killer hot day".
She smiles at the man who has mentored and supported her in recent years, as they have both risen through the ranks. "It is good to be back sir, although I always forget it's like walkin' through bleedin' treacle in Afghan!".
He laughs, he is always impressed how brilliantly she balances being one of the most outstanding and courageous soldiers he has ever met with being so funny and still so young. If he's totally honest with himself, he is slightly envious of the respect she commands from her platoon and the extremely high regard in which she is held by her superiors. "Now Dawes, have you had a chance to speak with your new medic yet?".
She instinctively wants to roll her eyes, but opts instead for a more neutral and slightly ambiguous response, "We had a few words at Brize, but I'll be keepin' a close eye on Private James over the next few days".
Major Beck, knowing Molly very well raises his eyebrows at her answer. "Well, not that this will influence you at all but you should know that his uncle is a Brigadier."
Fuck, fuckity, fuck, thinks Molly recalling how she offered to lob Private James out of the plane a few hours ago.
Beck continues, "Not that Brigadier James has used his influence at all where Private James is concerned. I gather he wasn't best pleased to have his nephew enter the Army as a Private. Apparently, James was a bit wild in his younger days".
Molly absorbs this further information, which also answers one of her earlier questions.
-OG-
Dorm tent
2 Section are mucking about and settling into their quarters. Charles looks around and takes in the group. They all seem to know each other really well and the jokes are bouncing off each other with ease. So far, they've been kind-of ignoring him, not maliciously but more like they don't quite know what to say to him. Without warning, the Mancunian they call Fingers cuts straight to it, and shouts out "So medic, what's your story then? How come a posh twat like you is roughing it with the likes of us?"
Charles is just delivering his response, "Charles James, pleased to meet you. I'm not that posh, but I did once beat Prince Harry in an arm-wrestle. Anyway, looks like us stags need to stick together" when Captain Dawes enters and everyone in the room goes instantly quiet and stands to attention at the end of their beds. Fuck, fuckity, fuck, did he really just say that out loud. He thought he was being funny, but she is going to think he has a problem working for a female CO.
"I'll be leadin' a PT session at 05:30. Make sure you hydrate tonight and first thing in the mornin'. Any of you 'elmets not on top form and givin' me one hundred percent will get my new regulation combat boot six lace holes up yer arses."
Charles breathes a slight sigh of relief, thinking maybe she didn't hear his earlier comment.
"Oh and Private James, please make sure you remove that silver spoon from yer arse tonight. I don't want you doin' yourself an injury before we get started".
She turns and leaves the tent and the lads descend into helpless laughter. Fingers yells out "Proper rinsed by the Boss there James".
-OG-
Later on, Charles is in the mess tent chatting with Smurf, a cocky Welsh lad, and Brains, a quieter Liverpudlian. They're getting on well until Charles asks "So, what's it like having a Doris for a Captain?".
Smurf's body stiffens and he stands up and snarls "She's a better person than you'll ever be" and storms off.
Charles is slightly unnerved by this reaction and looks questioningly at Brains who explains. "Smurf has a twin brother, who was seriously injured on Herrick 15. Dawes was his Captain too and saved his life. Smurf won't hear a bad word about her".
Charles' runs his hands through the back of his hair, tugging at his short curls, something he unwittingly does when he's nervous. "Shit and I just called her a Doris".
Brains continues "Smurf's brother Geraint got shot in the leg on patrol and was bleeding out. Captain Dawes crawled two hundred metres on her belly to get to him, plugged the wound with her fist and risked being shot by a sniper when she was winched up to the chopper. He'd have died without her actions."
-OG-