"Military operational tactics (Snake model)
Infantry:
Snake smells them, leaves area.
Airborne:
Lands on and kills the snake.
Armour:
Runs over snake, laughs, and looks for more snakes.
Air Force:
Has GPS coordinates to snake. Can't find snake. Returns to base for refuel, crew rest and manicure.
US Ranger:
Plays with snake, then eats it.
Field Artillery:
Kills snake with massive Time On Target barrage with three Forward Artillery Brigades in support. Kills several hundred civilians as unavoidable collateral damage. Mission is
considered a success and all participants (i.e., cooks, mechanics and clerks) are awarded Medals.
Special Forces:
Makes contact with snake, ignores all Ministry of Defence directives and Theatre Commander Rules of Engagement by building rapport with snake and winning its heart and mind. Trains it to kill other snakes. Files enormous travel settlement upon return.
US Navy SEAL:
Expends all ammunition and calls for naval gunfire support in failed attempt to kill snake. Snake bites SEAL and retreats to safety. Hollywood makes fantasy film in which SEALS
kill fanatical extremist snakes.
Navy:
Fires off 50 cruise missiles from various types of ships, kills snake and makes presentation to MOD Appropriations Committee on how Naval forcesare the most cost-effective means of anti-snake Force projection.
Marine:
Kills snake by accident while looking for souvenirs. Local civilians demand removal of all military forces from Area of Operations.
Marine Recon:
Follows snake, gets lost." – Military Humour
Chapter 46 – Cocked, Locked and Ready to Rock Sir!
The Forest of Dean, site of the time portal
At 0200 hours Zulu time only a few hours after a high powered meeting with the Prime Minister, the Home Secretary, the Police Commissioner and heads of the Armed Forces, Commander Strickland, senior officers from SAS in Credenhill and General Sheldon watched with more than a little trepidation as a small group of dark armed figures slipped silently through the shimmering rift between two distinct timelines without hesitation.
Not one of the men halted in front of it and looked questioningly at the array of brass ranged around, muffled to the eyeballs in parkas and heavy coats. Such was their professionalism that they went into the unknown and possible death with as little care as they would display going to Tesco's supermarket with their wives for the week's shopping.
Only one dark-clad man paused, the second to last man to go through before the troop commander. Sheldon shook his head and chuckled softly as Rob Norman shoved his spectacles back up his nose and poked his finger out experimentally through the shimmering field, much as the young archaeologist from Stargate the movie had done through the Stargate.
The same look of awe and fascination crossed his features as had crossed Dr Jackson's face. He was going as official scientific observer. His remit was to observe and record, but not get involved in any fire fights. The SAS troopers and their commander were not happy he was there because it meant babysitting him, but the powers that be had ruled that some official scientific record of the mission must be kept. Norman was the obvious choice. Besides which he had volunteered and practically pleaded on his hands and knees for the 'privilege'. The fact that he was a Tolkien geek and had painstakingly taught himself Sindarin and Quenya since he had read Lord of the Rings when he was fourteen clinched it. The soldiers needed someone who could speak the lingo reasonably well or at least make themselves understood should the need arise.
Sheldon's grey eyebrows beetled closer together and the troop commander hastily shoved Norman through the rift. Before he stepped through himself, he turned and saluted, then he too disappeared and all was silent in the forest clearing. The various people arraigned around the area looked at each other and then shivered, and it was not entirely due to the cold early morning air.
The freezing air puffed softly out of the General's Aide de Camp's lips and evaporated in wisps. "Do you wish to say anything further Sir?" He asked anxiously. He wasn't feeling too keen on waiting around. There was something about this place that totally creeped him out. He didn't envy the soldiers who had just gone through the portal and was baffled at the young scientist's muted excitement.
Sheldon's lips pursed together and he stared back at the shimmering area which was now once again swarming with military and government scientists all intent on their computers and myriad screens. He felt helpless. Put a gun in his hand and men to command and he knew where he was. This standing and waiting thing that he had to do since becoming a General frustrated the hell out of him.
"What more is there to say?" He said with a note of sadness in his voice. "I may have just sent a further six men to their deaths, but what else can I do? Something tells me that the only hope for Major Matthews and his little group is in me sending them. This business of those creatures and that dark thing trying to kidnap Mrs Davies and her children has unnerved me to say the least. They came through with such ease of passage." He said the last almost to himself and then shook his head again.
One of the senior officer representatives from Credenhill, the home of the SAS gripped him by the shoulder. "It's the only way James; they have strict orders to avoid trouble and the indigenous population. They are only there to track Chief Knowles who will hopefully be with Matthews and the others."
"I have faith in them and their ability to follow orders Richard. They are British Army soldiers after all. I expect nothing less than their best." Sheldon replied dourly. "It's the unknown quantities there that bother me and…" He glanced back at the portal which twinkled mockingly at him and jerked a thumb towards it. "…and that thing's stability. If it changes at all then I have lost a total of eleven people in a time that they have no knowledge of."
The other officer smiled sympathetically. "I do understand General. I take it you are accepting our hospitality in the Mess tonight?"
"Yes indeed." The General remembered his PR and managed a smile, but he failed to see how the other officer could even begin to understand the enormity of what had just happened. It was pointless saying anything further, since the man patently did not understand at all. "My Aide de Camp and myself have rooms there. Aldershot is a bit of a long haul to go tonight. Credenhill was much closer."
Richard laughed. "Excellent. Then have your driver follow mine. I have it on good authority that there will be hot tea and coffee and a good breakfast. If there are any developments you will be the first to hear."
Sheldon nodded bleakly and then looked around for his Aide de Camp who materialized by his side by magic.
"Car's this way sir." He said.
As the car drove away down the bumpy forest road Sheldon looked back and kept looking until the locked down site was just a mild glow through the trees.
A few more yards and then it was gone, masked by the trees and bushes of the Forest of Dean.
ooOoo
Oiolosse, in the Halls of the Elder King, Aman
In Oiolosse, Lord Manwe Sulimo and all of the Valar except for Namo who had yet to arrive sat silently and watched as one by one, the soldiers passed through into Middle Earth. A vision being permitted them by the works of Eru Iluvator. A worried crease sat between Manwe's blue eyes. Varda gently placed her hand over his but he managed only a bleak smile at her, a smile that strangely enough mirrored General Sheldon's. They shared exactly the same misgivings about the whole thing.
"Should we…" Orome started uncomfortably, then his voice trailed away. He wasn't entirely sure what they should do or say even. This had all gone far too far. The other Valar also shifted in their chairs equally uncomfortably.
The tall Maia who was standing in for Eonwe as Herald while he was in Arda as Captain of the Host stood aside respectfully as the huge richly carved wooden doors to Halls of the Valar swung open silently. All eyes turned to the serene form of Namo, Lord of Mandos as he gracefully strode into the halls followed by an equally calm Chief Knowles.
The Chief grinned unashamedly at Vaire and Varda as he passed them. They, in turn, inclined their heads and smiled back at him.
Namo stopped in front of Manwe's chair and bowed his head slightly to the Elder King. "My apologies for my tardiness my Lord." He said quietly. "May I also present Chief Knowles, the mortal whose fea I have had in my keeping for a while?"
Manwe stepped down from his dais and held his hand out to the bemused Chief. "Chief Knowles please be welcome. I must apologise for not meeting you sooner than this, but I seldom leave my halls."
The Chief smiled, clasped the Elder King's hand and shook it enthusiastically, totally taking Manwe by surprise. "No problem Lord Manwe, Lord Namo here already explained that to me. Very pleased to meet you I'm sure."
The Elder King sat back in his chair and gestured for Chief to sit on the small marble seat that the Maia brought for him. Namo took his seat with the rest of the Valar.
"I know that you have seen much of what has occurred during your stay in the Halls of Waiting through the auspices of our fellow Vala Namo, but obviously this new situation is a little alarming for us. The people from your time have sent more of your soldiers through the open portal. We are…I am…a little perturbed as to what this will mean and how it will affect Arda and the current difficulties there."
Knowles nodded somberly. Namo had shown him the UAV and then troops coming through. He could see why the decision had been made, but he could also see that this amount of modern expertise and weaponry may have an ill effect on the current war being waged on Morgoth.
He heaved a sigh. "I understand your misgivings. All I can tell you is that this decision wouldn't have been made lightly and it would have been made at the highest level. I think it's been triggered by Detective Chief Inspector Davies being kidnapped by that Sourplum guy…"
"Sauron." Irmo, Varda and Vaire corrected in chorus, and then blushed while the rest of the Valar laughed softly.
The Chief grinned. "Just checking." He said cheekily. "Anyway, I think that if he hadn't brought Davies through, they would have just left well alone and hoped for the best. Now you have what I believe are Special Forces troops through into your time. They are not just any soldiers. They are highly trained specialists and deadly in combat."
Manwe raised an eyebrow at his wife and then at Vaire.
"All right, all right." Varda said crossly. "That was our fault really. We simply didn't realise that Sauron was powerful enough to detect the work of a Valar. We meant no harm. We just wanted Eonwe's wife and child to be safe."
It was Chief's eyebrows turn to lift. "Wife now is it?" He quipped. "That Herald chappie moves pretty quickly doesn't he? Doesn't let the grass grow under his feet once he gets the bit between his teeth."
More light laughter ripped around the room and the Maia standing in for Eonwe had a grin from ear to ear on his face.
"His fea is joined with that of the mortal woman Kim. She carries his child. They therefore belong together as man and wife." Manwe chided gently, but with a huge smile. "That is all that is required among our kind. We do not have formal marriage or binding ceremonies among the Ainur, although they do among the Eldar of course. I understand that among modern mortals something even much more binding is necessary."
"I mean no offence my Lord." Chief offered sheepishly. "You just took me by surprise by calling Kim his wife."
Manwe shook his head. "It matters not and no offence was taken. Varda and Vaire merely tried to secure their safety. I just wish that we had all been consulted in the matter. That will not happen again will it?" He cast a stern look at the two Valier, who both coloured and nodded their assent. "You must stay a while and take refreshment Chief. Tell us about these 'Special Forces' soldiers because we have no knowledge of them and we need that to make a decision as to whether we interfere officially."
The Chief was perplexed. "I thought I had to go back because of the UAV and all. I have this thing called a computer chip…"
Manwe interrupted him with a smile before he rambled further. "We are aware of this and we wish to know about this 'chip' also. There is time before you need to enter your body again. Time moves at a different rate here in Aman." He nodded at the Maia who brought a small table over to the Chief's seat, set it with food and drink and then went back to his position behind Manwe's chair.
The Chief shrugged and settled back. "You're the boss. What do you want to know?"
ooOoo
Kim stepped through the tent flap and smiled back tremulously at Maedhros who stepped in just behind her. He gave her a reassuring smile and she turned to face the two splendid figures in shining mail armour, one with a helm and the other without, standing behind a large table which was set with food.
Her eyes alighted on the roasted meat and the platter of fruit. Her stomach grumbled loudly.
The man wearing the helm reached up and lifted it from his head. "Hungry Sergeant Freeman?" There was laughter in his voice and if the truth were known, joy that he was seeing her again.
She looked up at him and started in astonishment. "Gary?"
The person who was currently holding the position of Captain of the Host of the Valar chuckled. "That would be 'sir' to you Sergeant." He said mildly and the huge man with him laughed and stepped forward. He bowed to the startled Kim.
"I am Tulkas Astalde, Miss Freeman. Welcome to the camp of Eonwe." He said smiling amiably. "And you obviously know this reprobate don't you?" He gestured to Gary.
Kim was speechless and could only nod stupidly. She allowed Tulkas to lift her hand and kiss the back with very old world courtesy. Alun Davies stood near the back of the tent and watched with narrowed eyes. He recognised Gary of course, but he wasn't entirely sure why he was masquerading as a Maia, let alone as the Captain of the Host of the Valar. Yet he could clearly see definite and distinct changes in the young officer. His hair was longer but he was also broader around the shoulder and, even though it was an impossibility, he was also much taller. And he glowed.
Maedhros looked from one to the other. All of them were speaking English and the few words and phrases he had picked up were not sufficient for him to translate adequately. Something was strangely amiss though, that much he could tell. He turned to Gary and bowed gracefully with his right hand on his heart. "Suilad, Hir nin…" He began
Gary nodded at Maedhros and smiled. "Suilad Lord Maedhros. Your report can wait, although I am sure it will make an interesting hearing. Perhaps you and you brother would join Lord Tulkas, Lady Kim, Mr Davies and myself for dinner a little later? You can give me your report then."
Maedhros was taken aback. He had never been invited to dinner in Eonwe's tent before. That was usually restricted to senior commanders and the other Maiar. He flushed. "Of course, we would be honoured. However I must see to my people and ensure they are settled first."
"Of course." Gary nodded graciously. "We will see you later then, I will send a messenger to your camp area to fetch you….oh…and Maedhros…"
Maedhros had already bowed and turned to leave but he stopped and turned as Gary spoke his name.
"I would be very grateful if you would bring the two young Peredhel, Elros and Elrond with you. I would very much like to make their acquaintance." Gary finished. There was a distinct twinkle in his eye.
It was on the tip of Maedhros' tongue to refuse. After all, had he not held out against Gil-galad meeting or taking the boys? However the Maia Eonwe was decidedly not Ereinion Gil-galad. He was a member of the lower order of Ainur, a powerful Maia and the commander of a powerful army and in direct contact with those higher beings who had sent him. Even though Maedhros had the same contempt for the Valar as his father had, they were still the direct representatives of Eru and it was not wise to gainsay them, not with an army of thousands from the West on his doorstep.
He swallowed back his ire and the desire to say no and nodded mutely. "As you command my Lord." He said stiffly.
Gary stepped towards him and laid a gentle hand on his arm. "Not a command Lord Maedhros." He said softly. "A request only. You may refuse if you wish."
Maedhros stared at the Maia and there was more than a hint of suspicion in his eyes, however to refuse after being asked so politely would have been churlish, so he merely nodded, swung on his heel and left the tent without so much as a 'by your leave' to anyone.
Tulkas laughed softly and shook his head at the Feanorian's veiled and stiff-necked insolence. "Ah, Eru save us from the blind pride of the young."
He took Kim by her shoulders and led her to one of the chairs. He settled her and then raised an eyebrow at Alun and Gary. "I think perhaps it is time for us all to have a little talk, don't you?"
Alun Davies came forward. "I was thinking pretty much the same thing." He said dryly. He held his hand out to Gary and nodded politely to Tulkas who smiled at him. "Major Matthews I presume?"
Gary laughed and shook hands with him. "Indeed it is Inspector Davies. I would love to say I am happy to see you and don't get me wrong, I am happy, but I'm also a little concerned that you're here."
"Ah well, thereby hangs a tale. I have a few concerns of my own to discuss with you." Davies replied laconically.
"I'm sure you do." Gary sat down and gestured for Alun to sit also.
Tulkas took a chair beside Kim who was silent through the whole interchange between Gary and Maedhros and Gary and Alun; she was staring at Gary as if she had never seen him before. There were two high spots of colour on her cheeks and a gleam in her eye. He sighed to himself.
That look he recognised. He was possibly in big trouble.
ooOoo
Zulu time – Is the military and aviation term for Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), -- which is a high-precision atomic time standard. UTC replaced Greenwich Mean Time on 1 January, 1972 as the basis for the main reference time scale or civil time in various regions around the world.