Czech Mate
CO: Fer
|- M: Housemaster
The flight out was scenic, although in the darkness of the military cockpit I couldn't see my in-flight meal very well and ended up spilling white wine all over my trousers. This would have been embarrassing, but thankfully everyone was distracted by the flight hostess shouting at Tigershark, who had locked himself in the loo to have a cigarette.
At the RV point we had a wonderful view over the little valley between us and the complex of oil installations where the target was located. With Alpha FTL mort and others, I tracked UAZs and EI frollicking on the roads. Oh, it was such a gay scene of rural contentment. Naturally, my first inclination was to take everyone for a refreshing walk in this most lovely countryside, and so comrade mort set off at the head of our small column, bound for a delightful little hamlet in the valley below.
The houses were all built in the charming local style, with walled gardens and a dark-biege finish that is simply beautiful at dusk. As we passed amongst them we were shielded from the gaze of nearby EI and a passing UAZ, which was merciful considering that - with my still wine-soaked trousers - I was in no state to entertain polite company. In fact, so desperate was I to avoid such an eventuality that as we crossed a road I ordered everyone to fall into a ditch and then ascend the slope by means of crawling up a handy gulley. At the summit we were all perfectly covered in dust and grime from head to toe, and it was clear that we should have to change our outfits
completely if we had any intention of engaging the locals in polite conversation.
Thus resigned, I had the men crawl upon their bellies until at last we had penetrated the walls of a nearby compound. Until this point we had successfully evaded contact with the locals, but soon realised that in order to reach the target - in the next compound - we should most likely have to make ourselves known. I was descending into quite a funk when - flash! - I spied a handy gantry that rose from our present position and extended the full distance to where our target was reportedly ensconced. What joy! Why, in the confined cage of the gantry my men would surely be safe from harm, and it should deliver them right into the midst of the enemy, whereupon we should do him some gentle mischief and then withdraw for tea.
Alas, as I commanded my men to prepare for this lofty advance, we were contacted by some locals in the most rude fashion. Gunfire was exchanged and though most of my men were able to reach the gantry, Tigershark and Housemaster were left behind to conclude (in the most forceful manner possible) our discucssions with the interlopers. I bade these two farewell and mounted the gantry myself.
Double alas! For the enemy fixed upon us in the gantry, and thereafter we survived only a short time. Our walk in the countryside was ruined, and I expired.
