Chapter 13 The Mission

In this chapter John finally returns to Sandhurst, and receives his orders to head to South Africa along with a little surprise. We briefly meet some of the men he's been training with and his relationship to them is fleshed out a bit. I'm afraid he and Robert's reunion will be taking place in the next chapter. Sorry about that, but this chapter was long enough as is. Can't thank you enough for the reviews. They really serve as inspiration to keep on telling John's pre-Downton story.

Also, I must apologize for the misspelling of the word Sergeant in previous chapters. I hadn't been paying attention to the autocorrect feature on MSW and just caught the error midway through this chapter.

Per the usual disclaimer…

John made his way through the front sentry post at Sandhurst and headed directly to the Administration office. In light of the past week's events, he needed to update his next-of-kin notifications and also to be sure to readjust the distribution of his pay equally between his mother and Vera.

Burial funds were to go to his mother as he doubted Vera gave a toss where or if he was buried should he die in combat. However, he did make sure to keep his newly estranged wife as the sole recipient of any other funds due her as his widow. John inwardly smirked at the realization that she quite possibly would appreciate him more in death than she ever did while he was alive, based on the money she would receive as the widow Bates.

Signing the last of the forms, he was just making his way to the exit, when a clerk called out his name from behind the counter.

"Excuse me, Sergeant Bates is it?"

Bates turned and nodded.

"I was ordered to give you this letter upon your return to base." He handed the envelope over to John and then went back to his filing.

Sergeant Bates looked at the outside of the envelope staring at the handwriting on it. He thought it looked vaguely familiar but he was loath to venture a guess as to who sent it, the memory of the last time he tried to identify someone's handwriting still fresh in his mind.

He stepped outside of the building and stood on the parade grounds, squinting as the sun's rays caused a glare off the paper. John opened the envelope curious as to who it was that needed to get in touch with him as soon as he had reported in at the base.

"Master Sergeant John Bates. This letter shall serve as an official notification to you that effective 2 February, 1902, Lieutenant Colonel Robert Crawley will be in charge of your special mission unit. The Lt. Col. will be working behind secured lines at Army Headquarters in the Transvaal and will be tasked with logistics and strategy for your team's intrusion behind enemy lines. He has requested that you be designated as squad leader for the mission and you are herewith appointed as such.

We have designated 25 February as the schemes launch date upon South African soil. You and your squad should plan to meet at Southampton Pier on 4 February at 0600 Hours where you will board the Dunottar Castle with your ultimate destination Cape Town, South Africa.

Final orders will be given to you upon your arrival at the Cape."

Bates felt a shiver run down his spine as he processed the letter's contents. It was finally going to happen. He would be shipping out in a couple of days and headed on a mission that, if all went as planned, would bring this blasted war to a victorious end for Britain.

John noticed a separate handwritten note inside the envelope. He couldn't help but smile as he realized it was from the Lieutenant Colonel.

"Sergeant Bates, as you recall I was less than pleased when you told me several months ago that you had volunteered for this dangerous mission. I finally concluded that "If the batman will not come to the Lieutenant Colonel, then the Lt. Col must go to the batman." Not that fighting side by side with you again was the only reason for my volunteering for the post, though it did weigh heavily in my decision; I am very keen indeed to end this war and get back to my wife and daughters. I daresay you feel the same regarding your Vera.

I look forward to being reunited with the finest batman, or rather I should say now soldier, I've ever fought alongside. Together let's win this bloody war and return victorious to Mother England and our families.

Come see me when you have arrived and we'll discuss some strategies I've been working on. I value your input and expertise. Lt. Col Robert Crawley."

John folded the handwritten note and placed it back in the envelope. He then placed the letter inside his valise and headed off to his assigned barrack. Lord Grantham could wait until John had a chance to get his bunk in order and belongings in place. He also needed to change out of his civilian clothing and back into uniform.

Thirty minutes later Bates gave in to his stomach's growling and headed over to the enlisted men's mess hall. He could have gone to the Non-Com's dining room for his meals, but he was hoping he might run into some of his fellow volunteers, none of whom were allowed in the NCO club.

His wish was granted when he spied Jamie Smythe and Mick Doogan eating at the end of one of the long dining tables.

"Sergeant Bates, over here," called out Smythe. "Good to see you. We was wondering if me and Doogan here were the only ones to survive the leave."

"No one has seen Culver then, I take it?" queried John

"No, he's a regular invisible man that Simon is. He's probably lying in his cot or at the library reading up more about the Boers. The man is a feckin'walking encyclopedia. Makes my head hurt just talking to him sometimes. You know what I mean, Sergeant? "

John laughed at Smythe's complaint. Personally, he rather liked chatting with Simon Culver on a variety of subjects. But, he could understand how both Smythe and Doogan might feel the Private a bit pedantic at times.

"Well, speak of the devil," Doogan spotted Simon enter the mess hall first.

"Oi! Simon, mate…Come join us and the Sergeant. We was worrying after you. Thought you might have got yourself locked up inside the library again."

Simon gave the group a tight smile and wandered over to their end of the table, tray in hand.

"Sergeant Bates…gentlemen... Looks like the gang's all hear." Culver said.

"Shall we break out then in a chorus of Auld Lang Syne, Simon?" chided John.

"Ah, I see that the leave did nothing to dull that rapier like wit of yours Sergeant."

John smiled, "Indeed it has not Culver. Nor did it lessen this ache in my belly. Now, I'm starving and I'm going to get in that lunch queue before it gets any longer. I'll be back shortly. I've some interesting news to share with you men."

As soon as Bates was outside of earshot, Doogan beckoned the remaining men into a conspiratory huddle, and whispered.

"What do you think, mates? The Sergeant looks pretty calm and well put….considering."

"Considering what?" Smythe took the bait.

"Don't you read the papers man! Considering his father was murdered 4 days ago!"

"What? That's total rubbish Doogan. Why would you make such stuff up?" huffed Smythe,

"Because it's true," Culver muttered softly. "I saw it in the papers also. Though, I think the more brotherly thing to do at this point would be to not mention it, unless the Sergeant brings it up." He glared over at Doogan.

As soon as he saw that look Mick dropped his head downward and when he picked it back up a sheepish look appeared on his face. "You're right, Simon. Let's not mention it again unless the Sergeant brings it up."

Culver nodded his head in agreement, but he knew that John would not be mentioning his father's demise to them ever. Simon had gotten to know John Bates quite well as they trained for their mission and was very much aware that within the Sergeant lay a quite complex individual, who hid much more than he revealed to most people, even those who he considered to be his "friends".

Simon admired the man to no end, especially when John revealed where he was brought up and the kind of childhood that he'd endured. It came up during a neutral conversation about what qualities a good soldier must have. The question of courage was being discussed and John just matter-of-factly commented that sometimes it was more courageous to walk away than to stand and fight. He gave the example of himself choosing to walk away from his family, especially his mother, his Da and his friends into a world where he had no guarantee of acceptance or success. It would have been far easier to have stayed in familiar Whitechapel and battled with his father, living a simple life at home… Going to the pub every day after work…smoking… finding him a wife. Sgt. Bates knew those streets well and he would've survived, perhaps even thrived within them had he chosen to stay.

Culver's thoughts were interrupted as John took a seat on the bench next to him, his tray over loaded with doubles of everything there was offered in the lunch queue

"Skipped breakfast did ya, Sarge?" queried Doogan eyeing the massive amount of food on John's tray.

"Not at all, Mick. I'm just filling my reserves up for when the time comes for me to order you to get your scrawny arse out of that hole you've dug yourself into during a battle…You know, just in case I have to toss you out of it."

Simon and Jamie both chuckled at the dig thrown Doogan's way. Mick however, was not as amused, taking umbrage at the implication that he would be hiding on any battlefield.

Bates noticed the man's discomfort and set to put things right immediately with his comrade. "You know I was just joking with you Doogan, right?" John saw the tension ease off Mick's shoulders as he grinned back at him.

"No problem, Sarge. I knew you were just pulling me leg."

John knew everyone was on edge. The others did not know of the plans that had been put in play. Not knowing added to everyone's anxiety, and he was thankful that he'd be able to relieve some of that tension with what he had to share with them.

"Right then, men." John cleared his throat and continued to speak. "When I checked in this morning, I was handed our orders. We're leaving in two days for Cape Town. Lieutenant Colonel Robert Crawley shall be our commanding officer operating behind the lines and I will be in charge of heading up the mission at the front. High command's goal is for us to have boots to the ground behind enemy lines on February 25th"

"If we're leaving on the 4th then when will we get to the Cape? Where do we leave from?" Smythe asked the question on everyone's lips.

"We'll be leaving from Southampton Yards boarding the Dunottar Castle at 0600 hours." John replied.

"I've heard of that ship. She's a speedy one I've been told." Smythe continued his questioning. "So when do you think we'll arrive?"

Before John could venture a guess, Simon entered into the conversation. "Sometime around the 21st I'd imagine. I read that she recently broke the international record for speed, making it to Cape Town from Southampton in 17 days" Culver looked down at the table before looking up at Bates. "I hope you'll pardon my interruption, Sarge?"

"No…it's fine Culver. I'd have been offering just an estimate on my part. I will always take hearing the accurate truth over a wild guess. The 21st it is then. "

"But that will only give us 3 days to prepare before we're behind the lines?" Jamie was becoming a regular chatterbox, John mused.

"We will have the Lt. Col. In charge sailing along with us on the Dunottar. I'm sure he'll have it well planned out for us by the time we reach South Africa." It suddenly came to John's mind that he was supposed to meet with the Lt. Col this afternoon. He made a mental note to go see him directly after lunch.

"Lt. Col Crawley? Never heard anything about him… probably some snooty Sandhurst grad with nothing to recommend him but a noble bloodline, lots of book learning and not a lick of common sense" proffered Doogan.

Now it was Bates turn to bristle as he slammed his fork down onto the table, making the men all jump in place.

"I'll have you know that the Lt. Col is a seasoned veteran of these wars. I had the honor of serving as his batman during my first tour to South Africa. A braver, finer officer and gentleman I've yet to see in this army and I'm personally relieved and happy to know that he will be our strategist and link between high command and we on the frontlines." Bates glared at the men daring one of them to speak another questionable word about Robert."

"Aye, Sergeant, easy there. I apologize for saying out loud my concerns about an officer I've yet to meet. But if you say he's one of the good ones, deserving of his commission and our respect, then I look forward to working with him also." Doogan noticed with relief John's countenance soften at his words. He'd no desire to come up against Sgt. Bates in a fight.

"Right then." John stood up grabbing his near empty tray. "I actually have a meeting to go to with Lt. Col Crawley. I'll share with you what I can after our conversation takes place." He dropped his tray off in the wash bucket and headed back to the Administration building. He had a vague notion of where Robert's room was, but wanted to confirm its location before heading off to the meeting.