Well this is it. The return of Robert. Also, a bit more information about "The Mission" Bates has volunteered for in South Africa. And you'll also learn about the other three men that will be joining John in the Transvaal.
Hate to beg…but not too proud to do it. If you have anything to say about the fic so far please, please, please send me a pm or review it. Any comments are very appreciated and helps to let me know if I'm heading in the right direction with this story. Thanks.
John stood in front of Robert's door. Having just knocked, he was waiting for the Lt. Col's voice to command "Enter." He felt a little awkward, aware that his heart was beating a bit faster than normal. He thought it odd he should have this kind of physical reaction in anticipation of meeting up again with his former commanding officer. But upon quick reconsideration, he knew why he was having such an emotional response.
John and Robert had managed to cross over that invisible line between master and servant, and John was truly dumbfounded at how easily they had achieved a connection that bordered on a close friendship. It really was uncommon for such a comingling of classes to occur on the outside, let alone within the strict guidelines prescribed between officers and enlisted men. Friendships such as theirs were certainly discouraged, if not internally forbidden within Her Majesty's service.
The young sergeant was surprised when the then Lieutenant Crawley asked him to be his batman. He'd been unaware that Lt. Crawley had had his eye on him for quite some time. And Robert was delighted that Bates did not disappoint in the manner he carried himself and performed his duties.
While Robert was a few years older than Bates, the sergeant had felt like the older brother when their friendship started. John reasoned that it had to do with the life experiences each man had encountered growing up.
John had to fight for everything he ever received in life. It ran in obvious contradiction to the soft life that Robert had been the recipient of by birth. Bates knew that Robert admired the way he'd managed to pull himself up out of the cesspool that was Whitechapel and turn out so well despite his upbringing. He'd observed Bates' impressive work ethic, dedication to duty and strength of character. Those were all traits that Robert Crawley wished to possess also. Though he would be loath to admit it, John Bates was his role model. Something that had been sadly lacking in Robert's life outside of the military.
Robert was born into nobility. He was Lord Grantham in his civilian life, the sheltered and overly pampered son of the late Earl of Grantham. His mama, the Countess Violet Crawley continued to dote on Robert well beyond his childhood and worked hard to instill and develop a sense of entitlement in her son. Robert was by nature a shy lad and so his mother found it easy to dominate his life and steer him in the direction she saw appropriate for his station in life.
Robert's father, David Crawley had little time for his heir, as business investments and the running of Downton Abbey took up most of his time. His interest in his son peaked only when Robert reached the proper age to consider marriage, and with it the necessity that he choose a suitable spouse, which to the Earl meant a woman who would bring a considerable monetary fortune with her.
While he did attend Cambridge, Robert's admittance there had more to do with the legacy of having his father attend there before him coupled with a generous donation the Earl had bestowed upon the school, dependent, of course, upon his son's admission into the institution.
Robert was aware of the strings that were pulled in order to get into Cambridge and to his credit worked steadfastly to maintain his grades and not suffer the indignity of being released from the school due to lack of academic achievement. While not at the top of his class, Robert did place in the respectable middle and brought honor and a bit of a shock to his family as a result of his successful acquisition of a degree in Philosophy. Not the most useful of degrees when it came to developing a career, but then again Robert didn't really have to worry about finding a career. He was the Viscount Crawley and would one day inherit the title of Earl.
Upon completing school the young Viscount Crawley was tasked with making that suitable marriage. That after all was what he was bred for. The Abbey was in desperate straits monetarily, and its salvation was dependent upon Robert finding a well moneyed wife.
He'd met her at a dinner party the following spring and while it wasn't love at first sight, it only took a few months for Robert to propose to the American heiress, Cora Levinson of the Newport Levinsons . She accepted despite not being totally in love with Robert, but he was decent looking and more importantly for Cora, it served as a way to get away from her overbearing mother, Martha. She felt badly about abandoning her younger brother Harold, but life with their mother had become intolerable, bordering on matricidal and besides being a Viscountess had a certain ring to it.
Fortunately for both parties, Robert and Cora eventually did fall in love with each other after marrying and the product of that love resulted in three beautiful and charming daughters, who were the apples of their father's eyes.
Robert often waxed poetic over his three daughters and Bates sometimes envied him his fatherhood. Thought not quite ready to have had kids when he and Vera were first married and "in love", it was something he'd hoped to achieve once the war was over. But that now wasn't even a possibility making Robert's situation even more enviable to John.
"Come in." John's memories of Robert's disclosures about his past dropped from the young Sergeant's thoughts upon hearing the Lt. Col's voice.
John entered Robert's room and snapped to attention. "Sergeant Bates reporting as ordered, sir." John fought to dissuade a smile from entering his visage. It was damned good to see Robert again. He noted that Lord Grantham was unable to mask his happiness at seeing his former batman. A grin lit up Robert's face as he returned John's salute and bid him to sit down.
"Sergeant Bates, you are looking quite hale and hardy. The food and hard training schedule must agree with you. I daresay you've bulked up a bit since I last saw you in South Africa."
John noted the ease with which Robert spoke to him and again felt that bit of awkwardness. How was he supposed to address the Earl, as a superior officer or a friend? Based on his surroundings and the uniform he was wearing, Bates opted for the stricter military decorum when addressing Robert.
"I've put on a stone or two sir. Yes, our training schedule here certainly accounts for any physical changes you noticed in my appearance. I daresay I've never felt more fit."
Robert chuckled and came out from behind his desk. "Yes, and I daresay I've put on more than just a couple of stone since we were at the front. Unfortunately, mine appears to reside mostly about my middle, which partially explains why I'm so keen to get going on this mission".
"I've been sitting around twiddling my thumbs behind a desk these past five months. This opportunity to work with you again on this latest military scheme has invigorated me. It will be good to be up there at the front. Feel the blood course through my veins. Fighting alongside you as we bring this stupid war to an end."
John was confused upon hearing Robert's words. "I beg your pardon sir, but the notice I received from HQ indicated that you would be behind the lines, working on strategy and I would be your contact at the front. There was no mention of you being behind enemy lines with the squad."
"Yes, yes, I know all about the orders… technicalities… just mere technicalities. Once we're in South Africa it won't be hard to convince the high command that you need an extra body to successfully complete the mission…You'll back me up on this, right Sergeant?"
John squirmed in his seat. He could see the eagerness in Robert's eye, an almost plea in his voice. But he was also mindful of the fact that Robert had a family back home, and Bates hated to admit it, but before this mission was over more of the volunteers will have died versus the ones who would return. And even of those survivors, many would be wounded and/or crippled.
It was not the best place for a family man to be. However, despite his reservations, John nodded agreement to Robert's request for his support. He was confident that he'd be able to talk the Lt. Col Crawley out of such folly once they were in South Africa.
With John's acknowledgement of support, Robert relaxed even more and beckoned John over to a large table in the center of his room. It was covered with maps and various documents that Bates was sure pertained to their mission.
"You've been a very busy man here, Sir. I hope somewhere in this mass of maps and paperwork you've a fool proof prescription for success on our mission?"
"Not quite there yet, Bates…but I'm close to it. I can feel it. Come over here on my side of the table and I'll show you what I mean."
John joined Robert and gazed at the maps first. He recognized the Free Orange State and noticed a large red X on the westernmost border.
"I take it that's where we'll be inserted?" John pointed at the marked portion of the map.
"That's correct Bates. We have received excellent intelligence regarding the area. Our spies are in place there now. They have been planting the seeds that will hopefully result in the destruction of this cell of commandos. If our scheme can take down this group, then we'll continue to use this method to cause unrest and eventual defeat of all the militias in the area. Rather than attacking from the outside, as you know, you will be tasked to cause foment from within and when they are busy fighting amongst themselves, that's when our side will attack. "
"Sir, you know that these militias and commando units are composed of farmers, usually a few families bound together to create a unit. The men are farmers but dead eyed sharpshooters due to the dependence of their families for meat to provide sustenance in addition to the produce grown on their farms."
"I do indeed Sergeant."
"Then how are we to infiltrate these familial groups?"
"We've already started to create a backstory for you and your comrades. Our spies have mentioned seeing a group of four commandos, seemingly unattached to any established militia roaming the countryside. They've been touting your group's skill and marksmanship and how valuable your addition to the family would be. Especially in lieu of the rumors spreading that the British Army is about to mount a major offensive. The more guns and bodies each militia can garner, the better their chances to hold off the enemy."
"Do we have any information specific to the militia we've been tasked to infiltrate?" John queried.
"Yes, it's a relatively large grouping for a guerilla unit. But they are fiercely united in their hatred of what Britain represents to them and are surprisingly mobile for such a large group."
Robert continued. "The family name is Veldhuis and the commando in charge is named Josef. He's married to Trina and has one daughter, Marta. Usually such units are composed primarily of men with the women and children left behind on the farms. However, in cases like Veldhuis' where his farm was destroyed and fields salted, he had no option but to have his family join the militia also. It was either take them with him or chance having them interred in concentration camps built primarily to use the families as bait to draw the men to surrender. So far that scheme isn't working too well, and there is a great deal of negative press regarding the practice. The war is becoming more and more unpopular here at home. It needs to end sooner rather than later. That's why your mission is so important."
"Your group will meet up with them on the 22nd and offer your services as commandos to the extended family. After your introduction the next 48 hours will be crucial; because they will of course be slightly skeptical of your offer and want to be sure you are who you say you are."
"Indeed, Sir. And how are we going to be prepared to satisfy their scrutiny?" John questioned further.
"We've got over two weeks to drill your stories into your heads. Coupled with the excellent combat and language training and lessons in Boer history and customs, you should be able to pass any test they might throw your way."
"Yours will be the first unit to be put in place. The other units will follow at one week intervals until we have all 12 of you men embedded. There is a slight change in structure that affects you directly, Sgt. Bates. Instead of you being the squad leader for all three units, we've concluded that it be best if each unit has an appointed leader, less chance of error or discovery that way. Better to have you as self-contained units rather than having you be the man in charge of everyone behind the lines.
John tried to hide his disappointment. He'd been looking forward to heading up the entire operation behind enemy lines, but he figured that the High Command knew what they were doing and had come to the change after careful consideration.
Robert saw the sign of disappointment flash across Bates face and understood immediately why his sergeant was reacting in such a way.
"Buck up there, Sergeant. There will be many more opportunities to head up missions before this war is over. Success in this plan coupled with a decided dearth of experienced officers will certainly lead to more chances to head future campaigns. I know you want to earn a battlefield commission. And you will Bates, of that I'm sure. If what I witnessed on the frontline when we fought together previously is any indication, you're skill and prowess as a soldier will be rewarded."
Bates nodded and accepted the Lt. Col's accolades graciously. "Thank you, sir. I can only hope to be worthy of your faith in me."
"Will that be all, sir? Is it acceptable for me to share the information you just gave me with the men in my unit?" Bates was eager to return to his men with an outline of how things would proceed.
"Yes, that will be all Sergeant."
John saluted and turned towards the door and was about to exit when Robert called him back.
"Um… I'm sorry… one more thing Bates. It was brought to my attention that you and your men have shown some degree of laxity when it comes behavior as soldiers in Her Majesty's Army."
"Excuse me sir? Impropriety amongst my men? I'm not sure I understand…"
"Ah, well, yes…it was brought up to me, just before you arrived here at my office. Apparently you were seen entering the enlisted men's mess and were engaged in some fairly animated conversation with the men in your unit. You know, you are a non-commissioned officer in this army, and as such you should not be seen fraternizing with your men. You are a sergeant, they are not officers. I understand there must be a strong bond amongst you men, what with all you have endured to become the top unit in this squad, but nevertheless, there are certain rules that have been developed, rules that help to maintain efficiency as well as discipline. You need to adjust your interaction with the men accordingly. It's for your and your men's benefit that I mention it. You may very well be required to make some brutal decisions out in the field. Impartiality is your greatest friend when making those decisions. They must be made with your head and not your heart. That's all I have to say on the matter, Sergeant. Please adjust your behavior to meet Army standards."
John felt his face redden as he listened to Robert's admonishment. "I will, Sir. And thank you sir for the advisement."
Once outside, John huffed out loud. He felt it was a bit like the pot calling the kettle black. Certainly he and the Lt. Col had a friendship that would be frowned upon by the Army. And it absolutely had not affected their ability to fight side by side on the field of battle.
For now, John resolved to keep Robert's warning close, but as far as adjusting his interaction with his men, Sgt. Bates could not disagree more strongly. They would just need to be a bit covert in their interactions moving forward.