At 0900 the Hercules C-130 plane touched down at the main NATO base, just 90km away from Al-Asad. The patrol got off the plane and went straight into another warehouse, where they got out sleeping bags and prepared bedspaces. In the meantime Buckle went to speak to the MI6 Intelligence Officer who would be their rendezvous.
"Hey, Sharp," Malcolm leaned in to Sharp as they were preparing bedspaces, "I don't like this. Destroy a convoy of Frogs? Clear out dangerous safehouses? Fight through an entire city? Mate, why did you pick me? Why not Gaz? I could have got his gig? Cushy job in Europe…"
"Stewart, I picked you because you're the best shot in the Regiment," Sharp said, putting a hand on his shoulder, "as much as I like Gaz, I'd rather have you in a firefight."
"Aye, well, let's get this over with."
They returned to their business just as Buckle returned, along with Thomas Perry, who had changed into desert DPM fatigues. Buckle looked as if e was trying not to laugh – Perry was the only person wearing DPM, the rest were wearing MultiCam, not that this bothered Perry.
"Morning chaps!" He shouted, causing several of the soldiers to wince – a five hour flight into a totally different timezone had disoriented some of them and they weren't as eager as Perry was.
"In eighteen hours time you will be leaving for the first safehouse. There have not been any movements seen coming out of the house for several days so we assume that the place has been abandoned. Nevertheless, you will still break in and send us any good stuff. Good luck to you – I'll be buying you the first round when you're back in Blighty!"
With that he nodded at the lieutenant and left. Buckle looked at Sharp and shrugged. Sharp shook his head.
"Bloody spook," he muttered, "he has no idea what we're going to face."
"None of us do," Malcolm said, "now shut up, I want my beauty sleep."
"You think eighteen hours will be enough?"
"Fuck you, man."
Sorry for the short length - I am now at College and so have to compete with studying as well as typing - I still have enough stuff ready for the next couple of weeks but it may slow down after that! I'm also looking at doing a story based on Fallout: New Vegas. Let me know if you would be interested in reading that!