Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2016 16:54:51 +0000 From: honey_im_back@hushmail.com Subject: Dirk parts 5 to 7 Dirk 5, 6 and 7, the rest of the story! This is the story of a number of relationships. The main one is between a 20 year old man, and a 12 year old boy. There are also other relationships mentioned, Man/Girl, Boy/Girl(incestuous) and Girl/Girl. Some of the events took place, many didn't but it is not intended to be anything other than Fiction. References to people with specific positions in Society are ALL fiction. I do know that someone will pick up on a couple of 'Historical errors' these were intentional, to help throw the scent off anyone who might otherwise be implicated in some sort of wrong doing! There is not hot and steamy sex on every page, because life, or at least MY life was not like that! You will note that every encounter between Adults and Children in this story is initiated by the younger person, and only continues as long as the younger person is happy and safe (except maybe where the younger person is being tickled in fun!) The adult characters all believe in stopping the libido of their young friends before things get out of hand. As I said, this is FICTION, that means it is not true, do not copy any of the actions in this story. Abuse of kids is pretty much the world over illegal, what constitutes abuse does vary from land to land. You know what the law is where you are, adhere to it or face the consequences! If it is illegal to be reading this type of story where you are, either because of general law, or because of your age, WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU STILL HERE FOR? Nifty is a free to use service, but someone has to pay! Please consider making a donation by going to http://donate.nifty.org/donate.html, to help keep this service out there! The story takes place in Germany and rather than putting all conversations in German, as they were spoken I have simply written it all in English, except where the German is important to the story, in which case I have added a translation afterwards. Dirk 5 By Peter Pumpkin Eater From part 4 When we returned to the room Justin was showing Lothar how to play chess on a pocket chess set. "Come on Son, duty calls!" his father said kindly, ruffling the boys hair. "Perhaps you could leave the chess set here, then Lothar can practice so you can play when you visit!" The smile on Justin's face could have lit up the night sky. He hugged Lothar, stroked the hair of Jurgen who was asleep, shook hands with Angelika and hugged me, adding a slightly sloppy kiss to my cheek. "see you soon big brother!" he said. His parents laughed and his mother said, "just as long as your new brother does not start calling me Mummy!" I climbed back into my bed as they left, and was asleep before the door had properly closed! Part 5 The next couple of days were a slight blur, people visiting, check ups and so on. Lothar and I played quite a bit of Chess, and Jurgen made steady progress. Angelika and Lothar could have been discharged sooner but the doctors decided it was better all round to keep them all together. On the Thursday there was a little excitement when a man in a doctors gown walked in and started to take pictures, especially of Lothar in his hospital gown, sprawled over my bed, playing chess. I launched the wooden travel chess set at his face, causing him to drop his camera, as I leapt from the bed and pinned him down with my plaster cast. Angelika pressed the alarm button and a nurse came in. I was struggling to keep the photographer on the floor but managed to get out "Call the Police!" Security were in the room in seconds, the Police only moments behind. They had just been interviewing a drunk driver, so they were in top form! "He was taking indecent photographs of Lothar, lying on the bed playing Chess!" I accused. Lothar was very upset that someone would take pictures of his bare bum. The officers asked what he was doing, and he tried to claim press privilege. They seized his camera and searched him. It turned out he had taken the doctors jacket from the staff canteen, and he was arrested for theft, trespass and making indecent images of a child! The police took statements, and a senior officer came down to apologise to me for not ensuring that security was up to scratch! I asked if they would follow up on the charges against the reporter and he assured me that they would. I called the Finkemeirs and told them what had happened. At first they did not see the problem, but I pointed out that although Lothar had no problems with his body, it might have been unpleasant for images of his rear end to be in the National Dirt Press. I also called the Embassy to speak to Justin, since I had smashed his Chess set. Initially I got a most unhelpful woman on the phone who refused to connect me, then I remembered a letter I had received from the press Secretary there, and I asked for him, both by name, and extension number. "How did you get that extension number?" she barked, "It's a non listed number!" "I spoke to the press Secretary the day that the Ambassador came, with his wife and son, to present me with my QGM. Now are you going to connect me to Justin or not?" As a Communications technician I am able to tell if someone is listening in to a call that they connect, so when the Ambassadors wife answered the phone I said, "Hello MUMMY, may I speak to Justin please?" She burst out laughing and I added, "the woman who connected this call needs to learn how to speak to callers properly, and to learn not to eaves drop on private calls!" There was a click as the operator disconnected herself from the call. "I'm sorry Peter, I'll get security to listen to that entire call, and take appropriate action! Now what can I do for you?" "The chess set, was it special to Justin?" I asked. "Yes it was, Bromley his favourite security detail gave it to him the day he was removed from the detail, why?" I explained what I had done, and why, saying I would try and get it repaired. "Peter, perfect timing, if you talk to Justin, tell him what happened, and keep him talking. When you hear 2 clicks on the line tell Justin to turn round, the block your ears. Bromley has just arrived and I was about to tell Justy." "I'll do that, but I'm going to try and get it repaired." "OK here is Justin now" she told me. "Justy, a friend for you", she said. "Hello?" the boy asked, a little confused. "Justin, my little bro, how are you?" "Peter? Mum called you? Wow!" he shot off in quick succession. "No brother mine, I called YOU! I needed to hear your voice, and to tell you how sorry I am!" "Sorry?Why? What do you have to be sorry about?" "The Chess set, the one that Bromley gave you..." I started. "You know Bromley? How do you know Bromley?" he asked still talking at double speed. "I know OF Bromley, and I know how special he is to you!" I told him, "Well a photographer came into our hospital room today, he was disguised as a doctor and started taking pictures, including Lothar lying on my bed, in his gown, with that cute little butt of his in the air! The only thing I had to hand was the chess set, because we were playing. So I threw it at him, making him drop his camera, and it broke, but not before it made a nice mess of his face!" "You broke his camera?" he asked. "No, well yes but more importantly I broke the chess set, I am so very sorry!" just then I heard the line clicking, the signal to tell him to turn around. "So please could you ask him to tell me where he got it from, so I can replace it?" Justin started to sob gently, "Peter I can't ask him, I loved him so, but he was sent away because the school said it was wrong for a man and a boy to love, even though at least 3 of the teachers Dawkesy, Jonsey and Spencer, at the school do stuff with boys, whether they like it or not! Of course they won't do it with me because I have security, and Dad is a top diplomat." "Justin, you CAN tell him, just turn round and give him the phone, once you're done with the hello's and the kisses!" There was a moments silence as that sunk in. "Peter that's a cruel trick, I never thought you would hurt me like that!" he snarled and I could sense him slamming the phone down. There was a young mans' voice in the background, "Justy Babe, don't hang up, I need to thank Peter for arranging for me to be back on your detail!" At least that's what Denis, Denis Bromley, told me he said afterwards on the phone, most of what he said was drowned out by a loud high pitched scream; "Dennnnnnnnnnnnnny, you came back!" I could hear a grunt as the boy launched himself into the arms of his bodyguard/lover, and the phone clattered to the floor. then I heard :"Oh FUCK! What did I just say to Peter? Is he still on the line? PETER, PETER!" he shouted as he scrabbled for the now broken phone! I heard his mother call Justin, Peter is still on this phone, if he still wants to talk to you after that?" "Mummy!" I pleaded, "I tricked him, he thought I had lied, it was not HIS fault! Don't make him feel guilty, please?" "Sgt Carling QGM, do NOT call me Mummy again, she chuckled. "Sorry Mum!" I joked and she roared with laughter, others in the room joining in because it was so infectious. "OK Peter, your little brother wants to say sorry to you!" she said handing over to Justin. "Peter?" I could hear the sadness in his voice, the depth of the apology. "JUSTIN, my lil bro, DON'T say sorry, it was a mean trick surprising you like that, even if the surprise was worth it in the end! I am glad that my chat with your dad led to his calling Denis back to your detail." The boy was sobbing uncontrollably now and I heard the older voice of the bodyguard; "Peter? Sgt Carling? Cpl Denis Bromley here, I just wanted to thank you for putting in the good word for me!" "Denis, it's Peter, forget the military mumbo jumbo, and Justin put in the good word, I just passed it on to his dad. BUT.... if you ever hurt my little brother I will search to the ends of the earth to find you. He loves you, and needs your love. Check with his parents for the revised Rules of Engagement. They know about you, as they know about me, and they want what is best for Justin!" Dennis was fighting back tears now. "I can't wait to meet you Peter, you must be one hell of a guy!" "Looking forward to it pal!" I said, "Now can I speak to the Ambassador, or Mummy?" "The Ambassador is in a meeting right now, but who is 'Mummy'?" Justins' mum roared with laughter at that as she took the phone, "Peter, what can I do for you?" "Would the rest of this call have been recorded?" I asked. "Yes all calls are recorded and then deleted if there is no need to keep them. Why?" "Justin named 3 teachers who abuse kids in their care, I think he said Dawkes, Jones and Spencer. You or your husband might want to follow that up, without involving Justin?" "Of course I will. Oh and the security check for the farm has been done, the only thing that they wanted was to have a small detachment of uniforms camp out in the woods on the farm, as back up, in case something turns nasty!" "That's great, the farmer and his wife have shifted beds into the music room for Justin and Denis, I assume it's OK for them to share?" "Try stopping them!" she laughed. "I'm hoping that we can go home today, once the Police have taken statements, and then Justin can come whenever he wants!" "I have the number for the farm, I'll call you tonight after 6pm. Oh and have you a pen handy?" "Yes?" I answered. She gave me a couple of direct line numbers for herself and her husband and after saying goodbye to Justin and Denis I closed the call. Lunch followed and then there was a knock at the door. I hoped it was the doctor with our discharge papers, it was not. A plain clothes police officer came in and asked me to come out to the hall with him. "The pictures on that mans' camera were most interesting! He showed me a number of prints which had been blurred out at strategic points, images of children in other parts of the hospital, every one of the images could be seen as pornographic, pictures of kids in the shower and on the toilet as well as the ones from our room, showing Lothar clearly lying legs apart on the bed with his genitals visible as he played chess with me. The last image showed me touching Lothar's back as I reached for the chess set to throw it. "That one we are going to loose, so his defence can't claim that YOU were touching the boy inappropriately, thus justifying the pictures of you. he already had some notes and a headline for the paper; 'Hero Soldier rescues kids to abuse them'! All of his notes are going to dissappear too, I am so very sorry that this happened, especially in the light of what you did for these kids!" "Thanks, just a heads up, though I'm sure you'll hear it through official channels, the son of the British Ambassador will be coming to the farm where I am staying with his own security detail for a short holiday. I suspect that they want no overt fuss, but I just wanted to let you know!" "Thanks we were told that a diplomat was coming to the area for a break, they didn't say who, or where, but we will be in constant communication with the security detail for the entire visit!" Just then I noticed Adolf and Heidi coming along the hallway and introduced them to the detective. He ran through what had happened and what was going to happen, assuring them that the kids would not need to testify, and their names would not be made public. The doctor came and discharged us all, and outside we found a number of taxis waiting for us, to drive us, free of charge, 'home'. When we got to the farm I was surprised to find a detachment of Royal Engineers working on the farm workers cottage. I recognised the Officer in Charge and asked what was going on. "Your Colonel called in some favours, though after we heard the story we said we would do it anyway, and we are updating the sanitation in the house, and adding an extra bedroom, so the kids don't have to share! We've also laid a road into the woods over there, and run water and drainage from there back to here! The SAS won't know what has hit them when they find running water, showers and toilets there tomorrow when the move in!" he joked. "Wow thanks Sir!" I said to him. "It's good to be able to do something constructive outside camp for once he said, "Oh can you convince the farmer that these" he said pointing to 3 cases of assorted spirits with NAAFI tags on them, "These are for him! I gather that no one smokes on the farm, but they are Germans, they must drink!" Just then Lena came out of the house banging a saucepan "Essen!" she shouted. The soldiers put down their tools and formed a queue, while Lena, Anka and Dirk dished up a Hungarian Goulash with Potato dumplings. I joined the queue, as the last man, borrowing a mess time from one of the others. Dirk did not look at me; "Vood joo liek some stew Mr?" he asked in passable, though heavily accented English. "Oh Yar Bitter" I replied in my worst soldier German. He looked up, dropped the serving spoon and leapt onto the table. "Peeeeeeeeter you are home!" he cried, tears streaming down his face as he hugged me so tight that I lost my balance. It was only the quick thinking of one of the engineers who dropped his food and caught me that stopped us crashing to the floor, and possibly doing more damage to my already plastered leg! I performed a very inelegant twirl with Dirk holding tight onto my neck as Anka also rushed to hug me. The soldiers, to a man, all applauded, and one grabbed my kit, that I had left outside and asked where to put it. Without thinking Dirk led him, and me, to his room. The soldier looked a bit confused seeing that I was going to sleep in the boys room, but Lena was quicker off the mark; "I hope it is alright Peter, we thought that Dirks bed is better for your bad leg, Anka's bed would be too narrow with that huge thing in the way!" I blushed, thinking of another huge thing in the bed, but thanked her, then explained to the confused soldier that the bed in here was better for as long as my cast was in the way! Dirk even caught on and told me he was swapping with Anka until my foot was better. Crisis averted! I went into the kitchen and Lena dished up a huge portion of Goulash, making me sit and tell her all about the hospital, as well as the business about the photographer. 2 of the soldiers were washing pans and mess tins in the huge kitchen sink, one, who seemed to speak quite reasonable German commented on how lucky I was, living with such nice people. Angelika replied, "No, we are so lucky that Peter was here, if he had not helped the fire brigade that day, last week, we would have all 3 died in the fire!" "That was you?" the 2 soldiers asked together. "We saw it on the news, and the Padre said prayers for you all on Sunday. My wife is German, from Celle, her parents keep sheep on the heath there. When you are up to it please come to visit us, my wife would love to meet you. When we go out in the town Germans come up and ask if we know you, because they want to thank you!" My blushes would have been enough to light the night sky, but I thanked them for the invitation. Anka, who had listened to the conversation said, "Mama, could we invite the soldiers to the Harvest Home party this year?" The German speaking lad perked his ears up at this. "Anka, what a great idea" Lena said. "Please could we stop making a fuss of me though?" I begged, "I've had my 5 minutes on TV, now I want to get on with my life!" A chorus of "No Chance!" came from all the German speakers there. There was a knock at the door and Lena called, in English "Come" The Pastor, Thomas Jacobs, walked in; "Hello everyone!" he greeted, nodding at the soldiers and Germans alike. "Herr Pastor!" the German speaking soldier greeted, offering his hand, "A pleasure to meet you!" he continued in perfect German. "The pleasure is all mine" came the reply in English. Lena poured a coffee for the Pastor, and asked if he had eaten yet; "No, but if I am not hungry when I get home I'll be going to my own marriage guidance sessions!" he laughed. "We tend to eat in the evening as we are both out and about all day!" "Peter, I was wondering if you could ask if anyone from the church on camp would like to join us in 3 weeks for the Harvest Festival service? I used to know the Padre but he has moved and the new one never made contact." "Sir, we have yet another new Padre" Mike the German speaking soldier said, "He even does some of the service in German, for the wives and children who speak it!" "Maybe Mike is a better one to pass the message on the Thomas?" I ventured, "I'll only be in camp for a few moments on Friday afternoon, to check my mail and so on!" "That sounds like a plan then!" the Pastor said, "and how are you feeling now? Sore?" "Yes Sir" I replied, but I'll be there on Sunday, I just need to be early to get up the stairs to the balcony!" "Would it be all right for my wife and I to come to your church on Sunday Herr Pastor?" Mike asked. "Of course!" came the reply, "the more the merrier!" A further knock at the door heralded another visitor; it was opened to a very young looking Captain in the SAS. He looked a little shocked at the number of people, British and German around."Ik sooker der Herr des Houses" he said in broken German "Herr Fink" he added referring to his notes. "Herr Finke (pronounced with a short er sound on the end) will be back soon, but if you need directions, any of the RE guys can help you." I told him in English. He looked at me for a moment, then recognition swept in, "You're the Corporal who saved those German kids from the fire?" "Yes Sir!" I said, "though I'm a Sergeant now!" "Well done, a bloody brave thing to do, we need more with your guts in The Unit!" "Thanks but no thanks, I'm happy playing with my soldering iron, and just the occasional range day! I couldn't do your job, well except the current detail. I could protect people I care about, just not strangers!" "The kids you rescued were strangers to you weren't they?" he almost taunted, "Yes and no, they are cousins to my girlfriend and her brother, so I had to help. It's one thing going into a blazing building, but stopping a bullet for the Ambassador his , well, maybe for Justin, but not for total strangers.!" "You sound a lot like one of my guys, Denis Bromley, he was all, shy, the best man we ever trained. No good for Black Ops, but first class on a protection detail!" "Denis is coming down with Justin!" I told him. "They took him back?" the Captain asked surprised, "I told the Ambassador that Justin needed him, they had the perfect relationship!" "Well until it got out, but I am so glad he is back with the boy, they were made for each other!" "Mike, could you please get someone to show these guys, who aren't here, to where they won't be for the next few days?" I said with a grin. "Sure Sarge!"Mike laughed, leading the SAS officer out. The English speaking Germans all looked puzzled. "They are the body guards for Justin, the son of the Ambassador, who is coming to stay for a day or two, I explained. "They are special forces, a Sonder Einheit, and they are never where you expect them!" Those that understood my explanation laughed, but Dirk was still unclear. "I'll explain later kiddo!" I promised. After the kitchen was cleared up I went out to the barn with Dirk, to move the brake pedal on my bike so I could still use it with my plaster cast. One of the RE guys looked in to see what we were doing and in no time welded an extension to the brakes, so I could operate them with the walking plaster cast, and with typical military thoroughness he called the officer over to check the welds. The officer, fascinated by the idea of my riding the bike like that also checked the other controls and finally made a removable extension to the rear foot rests, so I could also ride pillion with Anka. We got the bikes ready and with Stephan went into the woods to find the SAS troop. "Halt!" an almost invisible soldier challenged. We stopped and I identified myself and the sentry called the young officer over. He took one look at my temporary rig on the bike and said; "The more I see of you, the more I think you should join The Unit!" "Thanks Sir, but it really holds no interest for me!" I told him. "This is Stephan, Herr Finke the owner of the land here" I said in introduction, "and this beautiful young lady is my fiancée, Anka, this scamp is her brother Dirk!" I said hugging my two loves to me. "You two remind me of Dennis and Justin, " he smiled pointing to Dirk and myself. Seeing the look on my face he added, "Don't panic, I believe in live and let live. If ever a case for freedom of choice was sought, YOU would be my first example, even if society, and Queens Regs, see it differently!" "Is everything suited to your mission?" I asked, pointing to the newly constructed toilet and shower block. "Well this was not on the plans they gave us at the briefing, but it won't be a problem!" he said. "It's not meant to be a problem, it is for your comfort and convenience. The woods are part of the fresh water catchment for the farm, so the RE guys built this to give you guys some home comforts, and to keep the ground water clean!" I explained. "Oh, usually we don't like to use the facilities on site, that way we can't be blamed for damages!" he told me. "If Herr Finke is sure, then it would be good not to have to carry our water from the farm, and to be able to shit, shower and shave in relative comfort!" "It was built with you in mind!" I told him," plus, when you guys are not on stag feel free to use the lake for swimming, we'll all be skinny dipping when ever we can! Well all but me, with this damned plaster cast! I hope your guys are not too prudish, the Germans here all bathe nude, kids and adults alike!" There were some sheepish grins among the listening soldiers. Just then one of the men spoke to the officer; "Excuse me, the fucking VRC 353 is playing up again, I can't get anything on it at all!" "Damn we'll have to put a call in for some tech back up!" the officer cursed, "I don't want us deaf and blind when the principle arrives tomorrow." "Sir I am a Comms Tech, Clansman is my bread and butter!" I said, "perhaps I could have a look?" "Sorry Sergeant, we have some special toys attached that are not for your eyes!" the officer said. I looked across at the Germans and said, "This is work guys, I'll be back up at the farm shortly!" Dirk looked a little disappointed but they turned their bikes around and went back to the farm. "Sir I was in the Comms dev team that trialled the entire clansman range,including the BRUIN interface, and the DMU and Surf gear are my bread and butter!" The radio operator looked amazed that I knew what they were using and nodded to the officer. "OK, lets see what you can do here, " he told me. I went through the routine checks and the operator told me "I've done all of that!" "I would hope that you have, but the only way I can find a fault is to eliminate all other possibilities. Please power up the RG47!" We went through the checks and it all checked out OK, it just refused to transmit or receive. "You have checked the external antenna connections?" I asked. "Well not since I set it up" he admitted. "Jesus, bloody amateurs!" I teased, with a grin, "let's get the mast down and re-check. If you have made a mistake with the connections we may have blown the DMU box. It does not like being powered up without a suitable load!" On lowering the antenna mast it was clear that the TX and RX leads had been switched. "Damn, one of the recommendations was to have foolproof connectors, so this can't happen. This must be a pre issue rig?" "We got them a while back, before they were sent out to mainstream units" he admitted. "Easy mistake, and a potential serious problem. Colour coding won't help, in the dark, so I would say the best bet would be to switch out the cables and the connecting box. I can get spares from camp, it'd take no more than 30minutes to swap out, if the Captain agrees?" I said. "Damned right I agree!" he said, "you say this is a known problem?" "Well it was on the initial trials,but we solved it by making the connections non interchangeable." I explained. "I'll ask the farmer if we can use his phone, and maybe even run an extension down to here for emergencies. That way, if there is a problem at the lake any time, after you guys are long gone, help can be phoned for without the long run up to the farm!" I rode back to the farm and the sigs guy and the officer followed on foot. I placed a call to the Officers Mess in camp and asked to speak to the TOT, the officer in charge of technical work for the signals. "Sorry to bother you Sir!" I said, "Sgt Carling here, we have an urgent technical problem with a VRC353. I can't say more over the phone, this is an insecure civilian line Sir!" "Where are you?" he asked. "5 minutes out, we'll be at the mess shortly Sir!" "No, come straight to the Workshops, I get the FoS there too." We loaded the offending gear, including the cables, into a couple of Bergen rucksacks and I got the officer and bleep sorted with helmets, and we all set off, on my bike, Stephan's and Anka's. The gate sentry must have wondered what the fuck was going on as I arrived with my plaster cast sticking out, followed by 2 SAS men, armed and riding a BFG and a German Civilian motorbike! I realized that I had not picked up my ID card, but the SAS officer simply pulled his card, and a note of authority out and we were soon parking up at the Signals Workshops. I quickly explained the problem to the TOT and the FoS who pulled brand new spares from the stores, as well as setting up the damaged, and wrongly connected bits up for immediate repair. The TOT took some notes and drafted a message to his counterpart in the SAS unit to get the systems updated,to save anyone else the problems. "Is there anything else I can do for you gentlemen?" the TOT asked. "No Sir, I think that's covered it, I have to say, without Sgt Carling here, we would have been blind for 2 or 3 days before someone could have sorted us out!" "Always glad to help!" I modestly said, "but there is one thing, could they sign out a spare Landrover, or even a Bombardier (Army motorcycle) so that they can get here in the event of any further trouble, without needing to take the FFR out of its current site?" "We'll have a spare vehicle when the principle arrives, but it would be good to keep our options open, we don't usually have any contact with local units in the field, so it has never been an issue!" "How about we bring over a Landy in the morning?" the FoS offered, "we can come in 2, and only take one back. That way we can double check everything else is OK, and bring back your spare set once it is repaired!" "May I have your office number sir?" I asked the TOT, "then if there are any more problems I can call you before you come over. Oh and can we have say 500 meters of 6 core, underground phone line, and a German system compatible phone?" "Here" the FoS said reaching into the store and handing me what I asked for, "I won't ask what it is for,and I guess we won't see it back?" "An Anglo German relations project, you could call it!" I grinned. As we left the building it has started to rain,and I was worried about the plaster cast. We grabbed a couple of black bin bags and duct taped them onto my leg, to keep things dry, and set off back to the farm. As we parked up the Engineers were about to leave for the day, the SAS officer thanked them for all that they had done. One of the engineers said "I can fix you up with something better than bin bags tomorrow, let me measure the leg!" I sat on the bike as the Engineer measured my plaster cast, explaining that he had an old divers dry suit that he would cut to make a waterproof cover to keep the plaster clean and dry. "Oh that way I could still go in the lake with the kids when we swim!" I enthused. "Oh if you want to swim I'll add a weight pocket, so it does not float and spoil your balance in the water! How deep is the lake anyway?" "I'm not sure,but I can ask!" I told him as the SAS guys made their way down to their post to fix the radio. Stephan had heard the bikes return and he came out with Dirk champing at the bit to see me again. "Stephan, how deep is the lake?" I asked. "I'm not too sure," he replied, "but at least 3 meters at the deepest I think!, Why?" I turned to the Engineer and repeated the answer, and the question too; "I was wondering if we could come and dive in there sometimes,it is always good to train in 'new' waters now and then, and if the kids want to we can let them try diving too!" I passed this on to Stephan, who instantly agreed, and Dirk was very excited at the prospect of trying out diving. Part 6 After supper I elected to retire early, I was worn out, and looking forward to sharing my bed with Dirk once more. Dirk and I showered, me holding my leg outside the shower curtain, while wearing the latest fashion accessory, a black bin bag! Dirk made up for my disability by washing me most thoroughly, and then tried to dry me off. That was where we ran into difficulties, and I ended up stuck between the wash basin and the shower tray, on the floor,unable to move. In the end Dirk went to ask his mother for help, and she returned with Anka and one of the SAS men who had come to make a phone call as they could not raise their base on the radio, despite it working 100% at our end. Between them they got me to my feet, and dried off, the soldier then carried me, naked except for my plaster cast, to Dirks bed, where he 'tucked me in' and even, jokingly, gave me a good night kiss! Dirks protests were misunderstood; Dirk was upset that another guy had kissed HIS best friend, the soldier thought that Dirk wanted a kiss too, so he got one full on the lips as well! Once Dirk saw the joke we laughed and said our good nights, Lena placing the jar of hand cream on my night stand, in easy reach! Dirk was all for getting his rocks off quickly, but I made him work for it, and wait until he could no longer hold it in. His orgasm, and ejaculation would have put most porn stars to shame, the moans and crys' earning us a knock on the door from Anka, who complained that she was unable to sleep with the mating rituals going on in our room! I jokingly said "well you could come in and help, Dirk needs to get me off now!" The door opened as I was still licking Dirks cum from his chest. "Eeww, I'm not sure I wanted to see that!" she said. "Doesn't it taste bad?" I shook my head and turned to her, some of her brothers cum still on my tongue. I pulled her close and kissed her. "Was that so gross?" I asked. "mmm, does it always taste that sweet?" she ventured. "Well as a guy gets older it changes, but I have only once tried cum that I needed to spit out, that was an old man who made me do stuff when I was younger than Dirk. He got found out and ended up taking his life in prison as he could not stand the treatment he was getting!" Dirk put a little hand cream onto my pulsing rod and started slowly, taking great pleasure in showing his sister that he knew how to do it right. Anka knelt over my thighs and was growing visibly excited. She soon started to masturbate herself but I cautioned her not to touch herself once I had cum, as there might be a very very faint chance of her impregnating herself. Dirk was in total control and edged me more times than I care to remember, explaining to Anka that it was part of the fun,not to cum too soon. I almost exploded as Anka reached a shuddering orgasm, and I felt her juices flowing out onto my thighs. She reached for a towel but I stopped her, pulling her hand to my mouth. I had never tasted a girl before, and though it is not something I would seek out to do again, it was not as bad as I expected, and I licked her hands clean, scraping more of her juices onto my hand from my legs and sucking them. Anka lifted her had, hesitantly, to her mouth and tasted, and continued to slurp, and even Dirk tried some. "Fair's fair" he said as he tried his sisters love juices, "Hmm not as nice as Peters, but still an interesting taste!" As he worked on my pulsing dick Anka asked if there was anything she could do to help. I was about to answer when Dirk said; "you can pinch his tities and gently squeeze his balls, he likes both. Soon she was pinching one nipple, biting the other and tugging hard down on my scrotum. Despite Dirk stopping to try and edge me for longer still I exploded this time. I hit my forehead, my face, neck and chest, as well as some random shots onto both Dirk and Anka. I licked what I could from my face, while the two kids cleaned me up, sharing my juices with each other and me, before we all 3 fell asleep tied up in a huge knot! Anka had not closed her bedroom door, or ours when she came in and we were awoken at 5.30 by Stephan saying; "God I wish I had a camera, that image would be enough to blackmail you all when you have kids of your own!" he roared with laughter. Lena stumbled across the hall to see what the joke was, and stood there, also naked shaking with laughter. "That will haunt me for the rest of my days!" she said, trying to pull a sheet over us. Anka blushed deeply, "Sorry Mum, Dad, I got carried away!" "Well I hope you learnt something?" her father joked. "Yes!"we all 3 answered, "To close the doors when I'm having fun!" Anka said. "That against these two I don't stand a chance!" I laughed. "Girls taste almost as good as boys!" Dirk admitted. Lena and Stephan covered their ears and called, as they headed for their room and the bathroom, "Too much information Dirk, too much information!" The 3 of us got ourselves sorted out and as soon as the bathroom was free we all 3 went to go there. "Oh come on then" Anka said, "after last night we can use the bathroom together!" So we did, doing morning rituals, cleaning teeth and showering together, the two of them helping me keep my cast dry as they washed me,and more. "Oh Lord!" I exclaimed, "I have created monsters!" "Not CREATED" Anka said as she watched Dirk perform oral sex on me, "Just awoken us to new possibilities!" I took Dirk in hand and Anka bent over and took me in her hot mouth,leaving herself open to Dirk's exploring hands. Our combined, almost simultaneous, orgasms were loud, and Lena knocked on the door; "Come on you two, Anka needs the bathroom too!" Anka panted, "not 2, but 3, and I don't need it any more!" Breakfast started off a little sombre and it became clear that Lena was having second thoughts. "I am sorry if we overstepped the mark Lena" I told her, "it all just happened." "I'm going to take Anka to the Doctors today, to ask for the pill, I trust you all, but accidents DO happen and I am not ready to become a Grandma yet!" "Peter did point out the risks of unintentional impregnation, and we were careful,but the pill will make it safer. I am not ready to have full on sex with anyone, but I have to say the fun we had last night was informative! I learnt more in one night than in 3 terms of sex Ed at school!" "Come on, 10 minutes with the 'rucksack bull" is more educational than all that crap they teach us at school!" Dirk added. "'Rucksack Bull'?" I questioned, "That's a new one on me!" "It is what we call the vet who artificially inseminates our cows, we don't keep a bull, just use the sperm from the best breeding bulls in the county!" Lena explained. Stephan walked into the kitchen, grabbing a cup of coffee, and moaned;"that rain will stop the harvest and the straw collection for at least 2 days before it's dry enough to work again. Oh and one of the engineers is outside asking for you Peter" I asked to be excused from the table and took my coffee out to the yard,where the fine drizzle was soaking everything. The diver came across tome with a dry suit leg, with a good boot sole on the foot and a neck seal glued, or as I found out later, welded, to the top end. He had me sit on a bench and helped me into the rubber boot, the neck seal was enough to make it 100% watertight. He had 2 more of these, one of which had several pockets attached to it to allow weights to be added, to balance out the buoyancy of the air filled boot, to make swimming safe. "Hey man, what do I owe you for this?" I asked, "Nothing, getting us permission to use the lake is more than payment for these, plus I am making notes as to how this works, and I'm thinking of making these to sell to hospitals, you are my prototype testing dummy!" "Well surely anyone could slip one on to test it?" I asked. "Yes, but the plaster cast adds weight and abrasion factors, so I can really see if it will work! I'd like to take some pictures of it in action, so I can see where potential problems might arise!" "In the showers, if this morning is anything to go by!" Stephan chipped in, making me blush again. The soldier looked at me sideways and shook his head. One of the SAS guys walked up to the farm and whistled; "Wow a new fashion? Boxer shorts and an elephant condom?" I joined in the laughter, even if it was at my expense. "Comms OK now?" I asked. "Yes Capt. Monroe asked me to tell you that the principle has left his home and expects to be here in about 3 1/2 hours!" "Thanks man! Go on into the farm, there is coffee enough there, grab a cup before you go back!" He hesitated so I led him, and the diver to the kitchen where Lena made quick work of feeding them both scrambled eggs and coffee. The eggs being from a neighbours free range farm were far better than anything any of us was used to. "If you want some eggs for the rest of the men, let me know, Greta charges DM 2. for a tray of 30! Oh and if you want any fresh bread the bakers van comes 3 days a week at about 10 am" The soldiers thanked Lena and returned to their respective duties. "Justin will be here in about 3 hours" I told everyone. Dirk looked a little upset. I pulled him to me and told him that Dennis was Justin's boyfriend, as well as his bodyguard, and Dirk had nothing to fear from Justin, as far as I was concerned. He seemed a little happier at this, and agreed to be nice to the visitors. I went and pulled on my overalls, a boot and one of my new leg protectors, so I could see what was going on in the milking stall. Stephan had almost finished but I was in time to watch him hook up the last cow, and see how the device sucked the milk out, not unlike squeezing it out by hand. "Don't ever get the idea that one of these would make a good hands free sex machine, I know of 2 farmers who landed in hospital that way, one lost the top 3 centimetres of his penis!" "I had wondered, thanks for the warning!"I told him. As we were alone I asked;"Are you sure it is OK my playing together with the kids like that? I would never start anything with either of them, in fact I spend half my time trying to slow them down!" "Peter,I have never told anyone this, I had two Uncles, on neighbouring farms. One was married with 3 kids, the other single. The married one caught me rubbing myself behind the barn one day, he spent the best part of 2 years forcing me to do things with him, including doing things with animals in front of him. I even thought of killing myself. My single Uncle caught him doing stuff to me, he heard me screaming and came to investigate. He beat his brother senseless and then told my Grandfather. Grandfather gave him the choice, leave, right away, or face the law. He called my Grandfather's bluff, and was sentenced to 10 years hard labour, he died in less than a year. meanwhile my other Uncle discovered that his brother had created a need in me, and he saw to it that I was able to quench my thirst and become normal again. If my children need to be with you, I endorse it fully, as long as it is my children making the decisions. If you hurt them, or force them to do anything against their wills I will feed you to the pigs. I'll show you how pigs get in a feeding frenzy with a rabbit, just so you know!" "Stephan, if you told me to stop today I would, it would hurt me,and Anka and especially Dirk, but I would do it. I don't seek out kids, I just seem to attract them to me!" "That my friend" he said wrapping his huge arm around my shoulder, "Is because kids see a safe person in you. You proved your true mettle last week, and there is no denying it, you are special!" The tears started to roll down my cheeks,and I sobbed like a kid as he held me tight. Dirk came looking for me and saw me crying. "Peter, what is the matter? What have you done dad? I'll hate you if you have hurt Peter!" "Hush little one" I said hugging him to me, "I was having some bad memories, that's all." "Well don't, I hate it when you are upset, or hurt!" Just then a cow in the next stall started to make pained noises and we all went in to see. She was starting to calf and Dirk was sent for hot water, and to tell his mum to call the vet. The vet arrived and still no progress, time marched on and we heard a car pull upon the yard. Dirk went out to see, calling me to come. Justin and Dennis had arrived, along with a driver and several bags of clothes. As I could not change so quickly Dirk showed them to their room, and then took Dennis down to the SAS detachment while Justin changed into brand new work clothes and boots, and joined us in the cow shed. by now the cow was becoming quite distressed and the vet was talking of either culling the calf and cutting it in half to get it out, or killing the cow, and saving the calf. Since Ultra sound was not commonly used in veterinary practice on farms back then, there was no way of knowing the gender of the calf, a girl would be an asset, a boy would, unless it was very special, be raised until it was old enough to slaughter for the freezer! It was decided to kill the calf and saw it in half to get it out, and the vet and Stephan went to get things ready for this. I went to the cow and spoke softly to her. "Come on Girl, I know it's hard but you need to birth this calf on your own, they will kill it otherwise!" The cow snorted and turned her head to me as if to say, "not on my watch buster" She made a super human, or is that a super bovine, effort and the birth sack with the front legs came out. I pulled a pair of plastic full arm gloves from the box that the vet had left there and pushed my arm into the cow, I had had no training but it seemed the right thing to do. The calves head was twisted and jamming against the cows pelvis. I managed to twist the head round and talking all the time to the cow got the head through. I heard Dirk behind me, but I was too busy helping the cow do her stuff. The calf got stuck again and in my attempts to get it free I almost fell. Then I turned my head to see the whole family, plus Justin and Dennis watching in amazement. I had both arms inside the cow trying to move the back legs into a position to come out and the vet gloved up and helped me. We got the calf 3/4 of the way out and he said, "I think it may be just too big, I have NEVER seen such a big calf!" He got some ropes that he was preparing and tied them round the back legs of the calf, we divided up into 2 teams and when the cow pushed we pulled. I had my arms inside, trying to ease the legs past the pelvic bone . She was becoming increasingly distressed and even I began to think that it would be better to end it for one of the other. Just then, with a mammoth effort, and a strong kick from the calf, which almost crushed my arms, the calf came loose and we just managed to stop it from crashing into the back wall. "It's a boy!" I shouted, while hugging the mother and telling her how good she was, "look at the size of him!" Dirk looked a little sad. "We'll feed him up and then he'll be slaughtered, we never keep bulls." "Not this one son, a bull this size has to have at least the chance to become a breeding bull!" "What are you going to call him then?" I asked. "We don't name our cattle " Anka told me, "they just get numbers!" "Again, that's not quite true" Stephan told her, "breeding bulls always get a name. Peter, you made this happen, you name him!" I looked at them, "I have no idea what to call a bull!" I said. Justin looked at me and said, "St Florian is the patron Saint of Firefighters, Peter helped the bull be born, and saved his life in a way, how about Florian Peter?" So it was, Florian Peter was helped to his feet, standing 20 cm taller than the 4 month old calf in the next stall. he had problems reaching his mothers udder, but the vet and Stephan showed me how to help him. After his first drink of his mothers milk we rubbed him down with straw, and cleaned the stall, and ourselves up. by coffee time Florian Peter, or just Peter for short, was standing. He was not happy about letting anyone but me into his space and he, and his mother knew when I was around. Neighbours heard of the miracle birth and came to see, and to praise my 'skills' at birthing him. The vet told all comers that he had never seen anything like it, he had fully given up hope of getting mother and calf both alive, and was ready to sacrifice the calf. The phone rang, it was the Ambassador and his wife, checking up on Justin. When he explained what had happened, and Dennis had backed him up, they were pacified about his not calling. His parting comment was, "I want to be a farmer too, this is too cool!" Dennis admitted that his parents were farmers in Herefordshire, and he had been at the birth of many calves, though he too had never seen one so huge. "Peter, if you tire of being a firefighter and rescuing kids, your calling might just be in farming,or veterinary medicine," a comment backed up whole heartedly by the vet! That evening neighbours came to celebrate the wonder calf,and I was plied with appel korn and beer. I remember nothing of going to bed, but found myself at 4am hugging the toilet bowl, while Anka and Dirk were constantly washing my head and chest with cooling water. Lena came tome at about 5.30 with a glass of warm (fresh from the cow) milk, with a raw egg and a shot of Jaegermeister, a medicinal liquor. She made me chug it down,and after an initial rebellion which I managed to keep down I soon felt better. By 6am I was eating breakfast and feeling as if nothing had happened. I was tasked with feeding the cows, and calves in the calfing pen and soon got the hang of it. Peter was feeding from his mother now, though it was an effort for him to bend that low to find her udder. A couple of the older calves were to be weaned off the udder and onto bucket feeding, which was fun! You fill a bucket with fresh milk, from the mother, and then dip your hand in. Then you get the calf to suck on a milky finger, and pull the finger into the bucket. After a few tries the calves get the idea and drinks from the bucket, allowing mother to return to her job of providing milk for the dairy! The corn was still too wet to harvest, after the rain, so we had not a lot to do, but I was surprised to hear an Landrover pulling into the yard. I went out, having finished my chores to find the Colonel and Lt Markham looking over the work that the Engineers had done. I snapped to attention and greeted them; "Morning Sir, Ma'am!" I said. "Peter, stop that bull, you're not in the Army now!" the Colonel joked. "I heard on the grape vine that you have shown yet another new talent?" he asked. "Well Sir, " I started. "Peter, my name is Robert, OK?" "Yes Sir, er Robert!" Lt Markham laughed, "And I'm Katie" she said offering her hand in the German fashion. "Don't let his 'fiancée' or his little boyfriend catch you getting too familiar with him, they're very jealous!" Robert said, using his hands to make speech marks round the word fiancée! "Now I understand we have some squatters in the woods, and a VIP in the house?" he asked. "Well the squatters keep them selves to themselves, but I can take you down there if you like?" "Thank you, I'd appreciate that, and the VIP? It's the Ambassadors son I take it?" "Yes" I laughed, "but he won't be up for a while, unless he is throwing up! There was a party to celebrate the birth of Florian Peter, and after checking with his parents we let him drink his fill. Appel Korn and beer. He'll be teetotal for the next few years I suspect!" At that Justin walked out of the Diele, in just a very tight pair of bright green briefs. "Who is going to be teetotal? From what I heard of you calling for helicopters through the porcelain telephone I'm surprised that you are alive, let alone up and working! Oh Colonel Makepiece, and Lt er Markham?" he read from her name tag. he introduced himself to them and they offered their first names. He came close tome and sniffed, "Peter, you stink!" he told me and then hugged me tight and kissed my cheek, "But I still love you! need a hand in the showers?" he asked grinning. "I could see world war 3 starting if Dirk caught us, or Anka for that matter!" I kidded him. "I assumed that Anka was just a cover story?" he asked, a little confused. "I guess she was in the beginning, but we have clicked, and we're a 3 some. Fancy a swim a bit later? We can't do anything in the fields until it dries out again, so it's all recreation today!" "Oh they have a pool?" he asked excited. "Not exactly, there is a lake down there, near the SAS detachment, but be warned, most people skinny dip, adults included!" "lets GO then" he said, making as to pull down his briefs. "I have a couple of chores left to do, and I was going to take the Colonel to see the SAS guys." "Oh wait for me I'll get some shorts on and come with you!" "If you are leaving the house... " I started, "I know I have to take lover boy with me!" he taunted. He ran back into the house calling "Cpl Bromley, get your lazy perverted ass up, or I'll send Lt Markham in after you, She'll sort you out!" An obviously worse for the wear Bromley shouted back, "Bugger off you little monster, why are you not hung over? You had more than me!" Justin replied with an evil laugh before doing something to wake the heavy headed bodyguard, it sounded as if he had thrown a glass of water in his face! Justin came running out to use me as cover followed by a naked, hard and dripping wet Dennis Bromley. He turned tail and ran back in shouting his apologies to the female officer! "Justin, that was not fair, if I had been someone else I might have wanted to take action about that little incident!" "Oh no chance Katie, he's mine, and trust me his 'incident' as you put it is not THAT little!" "Justin" I said, turning to him and holding his chin in my hand, "You have only just got Dennis back, while no one here on the farm is bothered by your high jinks,and indeed most of us understand, Dennis could end up in jail for letting you come outside without him, let alone what could happen if the wrong people knew about your relationship! You two are special, have lots of fun, but remember that not only would Dennis's life be destroyed, you and your parents could end up in a lot of hot water too!" "I'm sorry Peter, you're right." he said, almost in tears. "It's not me you need to apologise to, it's Lt Markham and Dennis, in the first instance." I scolded, knowing that I could not stay mad at him for very long. "I really am so very sorry Ma'am, please don't report Dennis, it's just we have so rarely the chance to be ourselves, I got carried away! Please excuse me I need to speak to Aunty Lena and Uncle Stephan, and then Dennis. I'm just a stupid kid sometimes!" She grabbed his arm, "Justin, with your dads job you so rarely get the chance to BE a kid. What Peter said was true, but you need fear nothing from me, or Colonel Makepiece," she told him, looking to the CO for his agreement, he nodded," be a kid, and enjoy your time here, just remember that sometimes we have to rein ourselves in a bit, to avoid hurting others!" "Yes Ma'am" he said giving her a cheeky salute, "I won't let it happen again!" with that he dashed off to apologise to everyone else he might have offended, a regular little ball of energy! "He's going to wear me out before then end of the week!" I sighed. "Tell me Peter, were you serious about all the adults skinny dipping here?" "That's what I was told, and I have no reason to doubt it, why?" "I might just sneak off in my free time for a swim!" she whispered conspiratorially. "Just be advised that the Royal Engineers are planning on using the lake for some dive training, it might not be good form to skinny dip in front of them? Oh and the SAS outpost looks right out over the lake too!" "Ah, thanks for the warning, I'll bear that in mind!" With that a dressed and quieter Justin came out with Dennis in tow, the latter slurping coffee and chewing toast while he pulled a light jacket over his shoulder holster to hide the 9mm he was wearing. "I am very sorry Ma'am for that inexcusable display earlier!" "Dennis, it is Dennis isn't it? That little shit did it on purpose and you were doing your job following him even if you were packing the wrong weapons for the job!" she laughed, and Dennis blushed bright red. "OK folks the people who are not here, are not here just down this track!" I joked. When we reached the barbed wire that they had pulled across the track we were challenged by a young lad who I had not seen before. "Fuck off Tony, it's me!" Justin said. "Justin, what did we just talk about, people doing their jobs?" Tony laughed, "If he spoke 'normally' to me I would assume that there was an emergency, and would most likely arrest you all and sound the alarm! Oh hi Dennis, you look rough, did the little shit drink you under the table again?" "Oi, there's a lady present!" Justin reprimanded as The two officers joined us. The soldier snapped to attention and saluted, asking for ID.I drew mine out as did the 2 officers and the guard spoke into his radio. The young captain came out, slightly bleary eyed, offering the Colonel a salute. "Sorry if I have disturbed your sleep time Captain, I just wanted to make sure that you have everything you need,and that you know to let Peter know if you need anything, he's on sick leave, but he can get hold of me quickly if I am needed!" "Thank you Sir, the Sergeant has already been most helpful, sorting out our radios, and getting the use of a spare vehicle for us, should we need to fetch anything!" Col Makepiece turned to me,an eyebrow raised, "You remember the problems we had initially with the TX and RX cables to the antenna array getting mixed up and blowing the DMU? these guys still had a Mk1 with the old connectors, meaning it was very easy to hook them up wrongly. I got the TOT and the FoS to help me swap and repair their kit.!" "I had forgotten that as well as being a linguist, firefighter, lifesaver, hero and bovine midwife, you are also one of my top technicians!" The SAS officer looked a little puzzled, "I get the rest, but Bovine Midwife? What's that all about?" Justin went into graphic detail explaining how I had shoved both arms to the shoulder into a cow to save the Bull calf, who was then named after the patron Saint of Firefighters, and me. "I suggested the name Florian Peter, since that bullock owes it's life to Peters compassion!" "Sir, please can you have me transferred to latrine details for the rest of the year? I can't take this hero worship much longer!" The 3 officers burst out laughing and Justin hugged me tight. "No chance, hero, I'll have my dad transfer you to the embassy as permanent technician, fire officer and Bovine Midwife! The is so much 'Bovine Excrement' flying around the embassy that I'm sure there must be a breeding program there too!" I grabbed Justin around the neck and gave him a Noogie,and a sloppy kiss on his back where his shirt rode up above his shorts. "Security detail, I'm being attacked, HELP!" he wailed. "Gladly!" Dennis said and blew raspberries on his bare midriff, collapsing with laughter. "Well I guess I need to get back to sanity," the Colonel said, "will you be in tomorrow afternoon, or is it too much with your leg?" "I'll be there Sir!" I said, "I need to keep my motorbike well used, or it will seize up!" "This I have to see!" he said, walking back up to the farm with the young lieutenant. Justin and Dennis set off back up the track and I turned to the Captain; "Is it going to be a problem for you guys if there are kids and adults skinny dipping in there today?" I asked pointing at the lake. "No problem to us!" he assured me, "some of my off duty guys might just join you, if that's OK?" "As long as they are OK with the kids sexuality, my Dirk and Anka are much like Justin, if you get the drift?" "No worries there, we all know Justin all too well, he's tried it on with most of us at one time, or another, at least until Dennis arrived on the scene! Oh by the way, might I get a photo of you with your medals? My Da was in The Unit and was invalided out, he has a passion for medals, and when I called him yesterday he said he had never seen a QGM" "If he is 'Family' it'd be an honour. Anyone who has served is, in my books, 'Family!" "Thanks Peter, my name is Paul by the way!" We shook hands and I limped off back up the path. Stephan had just got back from checking a field, the next to be harvested "plan on a full day tomorrow, we'll be able to get at least 2 more fields in, though the straw will need longer to dry." It was decided to have a late lunch, once all the chores were done, and then go down to the lake at about 4pm. I decided to go and book in, and check my mail between eating and swimming. Lunch was a light hearted affair, though Justin was much quieter than earlier, and he and Dirk decided to settle down to a game of chess, while Dennis and Anka also set up a game. Back in those happy days there were no X Boxes or Play Stations and we had to make our own entertainment. Most of it was outdoors but, quiet games of Chess, Draughts (chequers) or even Monopoly were the norm. Music too was popular, and despite the growth of the music cassette many people still made their own music! I decided to wear an older pair of jeans which Lena had split the leg on, and added button straps to keep it closed, along with a T shirt. I did not realise at the time that the T shirt might cause offence, it being a Warhol type print of Che Guevara. I rode into camp and the gate guard checked my ID. He told me that there was a message for me at the Guard Room, so I parked up and went in to see what it was. The Guard Commander, an evil shit who, after 20 years of service felt that he should have made it past Corporal, took offence at my T shirt, and ordered me to take it off. "OK Buddy I'll swap it when I get to my room, but just to let you know, you can't actually tell me to do that, I was promoted last week, I'm now a Sergeant!" I told him in a friendly and calm manner. "Not on your fucking ID you are not, as far as I can see you are a Corporal, and with my position as Guard Commander I outrank you, now get that communist crap off, NOW!" he shouted. The way we were standing I could see out of the Guard room, he could not, and I noticed Katie, in civilian clothes, coming to book out. "If you took the trouble to read regimental orders, as is your job" I grated, getting more than a little pissed," you would have seen both my promotion and the gazetteering of my award for the QGM!" "Yeah RIGHT!" he sneered, "why would a fucking technician get a medal? You manage to solder 2 wires together with out setting fire to the workshops?" "Actually Corporal, he saved 3 kids lives in a fire, risking his life and breaking his ankle in the process. And YES he is a Sergeant, so I suggest you watch your mouth and if you feel he is dressed inappropriately inform the Orderly Officer!" Lt Markham told him. "What the fuck is it to do with you?" he barked, not recognising the officer as she was out of uniform. "Why the fuck they even let WRAC in the army I will never know!" he added, assuming that she was some lowly secretary or stores girl. Even as he was saying this one of the guard dialled the RSM's number and quietly explained the problem. Moments later there was a thudding as the RSM and the Colonel ran up to the guard house. The guard who had made the call quickly explained the problem, pulling no punches as to attitude or language, and making it clear that HE knew who Lt Markham was. I was feeling a little unsteady on my feet as the stress of the verbal fight hit me, and the RSM barked; "You, get the Sgt a chair, can't you see he is injured?" I had a chair pushed behind me, and I sat, thanking the lad who had helped; "Thanks buddy, standing too long makes me a bit wobbly!" "No worries, I just wanted to call for help before things got too far out of hand!" he smiled. "heard about the fire business, you should have got a bloody VC for what you did!" The Colonel turned to the Guard Commander, who by now realised he had dropped a big one; "Right YOU, best dress uniform in 10, march yourself down to my Office and wait to be called in. You will be charged with anything and everything I can find after I have spoken to all concerned! GO!" "Yes Sir!" the corporal said saluting and leaving the building. The RSM looked out of the door and screamed "DOUBLE you stupid shit, DOUBLE! Lef Ra, Lef Ra, Lef ra Leffft!" "OK which of you guys would like to escort your EX guard commander in for his hearing?" The entire guard room, including a prisoner who was mopping the floor stood to attention and raised a hand! "Sorry Parker, not you!" he told the prisoner, "OK you two get changed and be outside the Colonels office to march him in! I will not have my personal representatives here at the guard room questioning the validity of regimental orders, and as for insulting any female soldier, especially an officer, that is the last straw!" The Colonel turned to me; "Peter, would you mind appearing as a witness? What exactly started this all off?" "No problem Sir, though I won't be able to change into uniform that quickly Sir! And it started because the Gate Sentry told me that there was a message for me. When I asked about it the Guard Commander took offence at my T shirt Sir!" The RSM turned me a little and had me raise my hands to expose the T shirt. "Well Sir!" he said to the Colonel, "I see it as good that the Sgt is displaying the enemy for all to recognise!" Lt Markham opened the summer jacket that she was wearing to show a similar print of Lenin! "Know your enemy RSM, know the enemy!" We all laughed at that and the entire guard relaxed. The 2ic Guard was told to take over the Guard commander duties, and he signed in as temporary guard Commander. "No,not temporary, you are now my Guard Commander, well let's make it from tomorrow!" the RSM added. "I'll get orders edited for today to include your promotion, so send someone to the tailors to get a second chevron added to your uniforms!" "Thank you Sir!" the newly baked Corporal gasped. "Oh Sgt Carling, as you are on Sick leave you don't need to change, I'm happy to hear your statement in civis!" The Colonel told me. "We'll have to get you moved to the Sgts Mess sometime, but your SSM is happy to leave you where you are, until you are fit enough to move it all." "That message Sgt, your parents rang from the UK, asking for new contact details, you might want to call them back sometime today!" one of the Guard told me. As we were talking the prisoner came forward and handed the Officers, RSM, new Guard commander and myself mugs of tea. "Thanks Parker," the Colonel said, "How many days do you have left?" "3 Sir!, and with HIM out of the picture they will be a lot less unpleasant too!SIR!" came the reply. "RSM, you know the rules better than I do, is it in my power to reduce a sentence for good behaviour?" "Of course Sir! Though only if there has been no added charges since sentence!" "Corporal?" the CO turned to the new Guard Commander. "Well Sir, he was given added duties twice because he failed to shine the Guard Commanders boots to HIS required standard!" "WHAAT?" the RSM shouted, "I allow prisoners to do the Guards boots to keep them occupied in their 'down time' but I expect it to be a 'business' arrangement. he should be getting ciggies or chocolate or such like for doing that!" "So abuse of his position as Guard Commander can be added to his charges?" the Colonel asked. "I think so Sir. I'll check before he is marched in!" "OK Parker, change into your best uniform, and 2 of you march him down, bring his cap and belt with you, and an extra RP armband!" "Yes SIR!" The prisoner scurried away to change as2 more of the Guard went to prepare themselves. "Parker!" the RSM called, and a half dressed Parker dashed back to the main office. "Can we trust you to march down the RHQ without an escort?" "Of course Sir!" "Don't disappoint me lad, I want you to get a fair hearing, and to escort any new prisoners as your first duty on the Guard Rota!" "You've got it SIR!" he replied and went to salute, before realizing that he was still a prisoner, and had no head gear on. "Now move, and when you are ready march down in Quick Time, I think you've done enough Double Time for a while!" "Come on Sgt Carling, lets get you down to RHQ, and sort out this little mess!" The RSM and Lt Markham lifted me to my feet and helped me down to the offices where a very pale Corporal was waiting, seated outside the colonels office! The RSM growled; "Were you told to make yourself comfortable?" causing heads to turn from the other admin desks in the main office. "Stand UP, look at you, you're a bloody disgrace!" the RSM added. Just then the 2 RP Guards rushed in. "make yourselves comfortable lads, there is one more case to hear before this one! NOT YOU, YOU can stand to attention, and give your belt and cap to the guard!" The soon to be ex Corporal was shaking, realizing that he had screwed up big time. I was asked into the office and told to sit. Lt Markham, though off duty also joined us. "Oh Katie, please could you rustle up some coffee for us, yourself included?" The Colonel said, taking great pleasure in demonstrating to the assembled company that I was privileged. "Great work you did for those SAS guys Peter, the TOT and FoS mentioned it in their weeklies. Plus that young Captain told me that if you wanted to apply for 'The Unit' he would support your application, so would I, but sadly, as I would hate to loose you from my regiment!" "Thank you Sir!" I said blushing. "RSM, please remove your cap!" the colonel said, "OK Peter, we are all on a break, I told you before, it is Robert!" "Thanks Robert, I prefer to stick to protocol until I am told otherwise!" The RSM stretched out his hand, "Peter, I'm Vince!" "You know my name too Peter" Katie told me as she reached out to shake the RSM's hand too, "Nice to meet you Vince I'm Katie!" "Thank you Ma'am, er Katie!" he stammered. "I'm not on first names with many officers, like Peter it's not easy to switch!" "You're excused this time Vince!" She told him, "So why don't the other officers socialise with you then Vince?" The RSM was, for the first time in my experience, stuck for words. the Colonel answered for him; "Some of them are so stuck up, so far up their own asses that they don't remember what good manners are! It's called an Officer and a Gentleman for a reason. You lead and command respect, but you also need compassion. if you can't be friends with the single most important member of the Regiment, then maybe you don't belong!" he added. The adjutant knocked and poked his head round the door. Seeing us all with coffee and no hats on he removed his and entered. "There is an unescorted prisoner waiting to see you Robert!" he announced, "Hi Vince, Katie, oh and you must be the famous Sgt Carling?" he greeted. "Peter, Graham, Graham, Peter," Robert introduced. "Nice to finally meet you Peter, we have had more than a dozen requests from local schools and youth groups for you to address them, would you be interested?" "Sure Sir, er Graham, why not? The sooner I can let the celebrity stuff wear out the sooner I can become just ME again!" "Peter, that is going to take a while, enjoy it while it lasts, you'll make a lot of important contacts from this, I hear even the Ambassador has taken an interest?" "Yes, Oh Shit!" I exclaimed realising the time, "pardon me! I'm meant to be at the swimming hole with Justin and the kids at 4!" "You'll make it in plenty of time!" I was assured by Katie, "mind if I join you?" "I already told you that you are welcome any time, just remember the SAS can see the lake, so maybe you will want to wear a costume?" "What and be the only one dressed? When in Rome, and all that!" she laughed. "OK lets get this all sorted. Peter, stay sitting there while I deal with Parker, no need for you to stomp around too!" Katie stayed next to me too, and I glanced out of the door. the looks on the faces of the 2 guard escorts and the, soon to be, ex Guard Commander, were priceless! Usually when a prisoner is marched in for a hearing he is marched in at double time, an orderly run, lifting his thighs parallel to the ground, a strenuous and difficult task. The RSM told the escorts to form up behind Parker and marched them all in at a regular 'Quick March' "Signalman Parker, I'll make this brief, Since you have been given extra and unlawful punishments while in custody at the Regimental guard room I hereby squash your previous conviction for drunken behaviour. You will receive full back pay for the time served, and your record will be amended to show that you were not charged or convicted! Do you accept the decision of this hearing?" The Colonel said. "Sir! yes SIR!" the amazed soldier replied, hardly believing his luck. "Now you are improperly dressed," the RSM added, "put on your cap and belt, and also the RP armband, I am seconding you to the Guard, to replace another man who is leaving today!" "Guard About turn, quick march!" The RSM and the 3 guards marched out and halted in the corridor. "Parker, Jones, form up next to the next prisoner!" "Prisoner and escort double march right wheel, Lef ra, lef ra, lef ra, HALT!" "Corporal Rose, you are charged that on this day you did use insulting and defamatory language to a female officer, further you failed to read regimental Orders, or failed to act on them and overstepped you duties by giving someone senior to yourself, Sgt Carling and unlawful order. Lastly you abused your position as Guard commander and forced prisoners to carry out unlawful punishments, in that you made them prepare your uniform! Are you willing to accept my judgement, or do you elect to go for Courts Martial?" Rose gulped as the seriousness of the charges sank in. "Court martial Sir!" he said, to the utter amazement of all present. "I will recess for 5 minutes to allow you to take advice as to the wisdom of that decision. A court Martial will take at least 6 weeks to arrange, during which time you will be detained in the Guard Room here!" The RSM turned the prisoner and escort and marched them out. "Peter, er Sgt Carling, please would you act as prisoners friend, and advise him that the MINIMUM punishment for any one of the charges would work out to 3 months in Colchester Military prison, a place he might not want to go, as an ex Guard Commander!" "Yes Sir!" I said, and the RSM helped me up from my chair. I went out to the now sobbing Rose and told him to sit for a moment. Katie handed me a box of tissues and got one of the girls in the office to fetch a glass of water. The WRAC handed me the water but I told her, "No I think that is for him, his world just crashed around him! But I could use one too, the Lt makes a strong coffee!" She handed the disgraced Cpl the water and brought me one too. "Listen buddy, it is your right to demand court Martial, but you would be held here for at least 6 weeks,while it convenes. Then they would sentence you, if found guilty on even just one of the charges, to a minimum of 3 months hard time in Colly! It might take a further 3 weeks to arrange transport home. That would add up to more than 9 weeks here, as well as the Colchester time. They would eat you alive as an ex RP too! if you accept the Colonels punishment then I'll put in a good word for you, as your 'Soldiers Friend' and I would expect, along with you getting busted back to Signalman, you might only get a couple of weeks. No one is going to 'take it out' on you, not even Parker here, "I turned to the newly re instated soldier, and newest member of the RP Guard, who nodded in agreement, "take it like a man, and get on with your life!" His sobbing which had almost died down returned with a vengeance as he held on tight to my sleeve "Fuck Sarge, what did I do to deserve your help?" "You just realized that not all the world is out to get you! Come on man up and lets get this over with, I've got a date with my fiancée, skinny dipping in a lake!" Rose helped me to my feet and I knocked on the office door. "Come!" I walked in as smartly as I could with my leg in plaster; "Sir as Soldiers Friend to the accused I would like to ask that he be given the chance to change his decision. Further I would ask that any charges relating to his conduct towards me be dropped, he has been under a lot of stress, and I feel he might just need some help!" "Noted Sgt! RSM march the prisoner, without escort, back in please!" "Yes SIR!" he replied, turning to Rose, "Prisoner, Attention! Right turn quick march right wheel, Halt!" he barked out in quick succession. "Rose your soldiers Friend has told me that you wish to change your decision about Court Martial?" "Yes SIR! I wish to accept your judgement and punishment!" "Very well Sgt Carling has also asked that the charges relating to your treatment of him today be dropped. I will do this on condition that after your sentence you attend counselling at the BMH in Rinteln. Do you agree to this?" "Sir! Yes Sir!" he answered, with a little hope in his voice. "In the matter of the insults towards a female officer, Lt Markham has pointed out that as you had no way of knowing who she was, and she didn't introduce herself, so I will reduce that to insulting behaviour towards a female soldier. The charges of abuse of power and improper punishments stand!" "I find you Guilty on all counts, and will offer you the chance to speak in a moment. It is usual to offer someone in your position the chance to serve your sentence at a different local guardroom, but there is no one with a vacancy who could take you for at least 4 weeks! Do you accept my sentence?" "Sir yes Sir!" he replied again. "Very well, you are reduced to the rank of Signalman, with effect from now, and you are to serve 14 days detention in the Guardroom You will be fined a further 28 days pay, to be deducted over the next 3 months. As I said, you could ask for the sentence to be served elsewhere, but you would be free before you could be transferred! Consider yourself VERY lucky that all of the injured parties have spoken up on your behalf, the sentence would have been at the very least double that, had they not spoken for you!" "About turn, quick march! escort remove the prisoners badges of rank and march him to the Guard room to serve sentence The details are to be posted on Orders tomorrow! Whilst I understand there may be some anger, I will NOT tolerate anyone settling scores, you can do that in your own time after he is released!" I heard as Parker marched the prisoner and escort off, at a quick, not double time,and I smiled to hear that he was going to be fair! Robert reached into a drawer and retrieved a bottle of 12 year old malt Whiskey and several glasses. The RSM removed his hat as did the Adjutant. I went to close the door but the Colonel told me to leave it open, "No secrets here in my office Peter" he told me. I accepted one glass and joined his first toast; "Gentlemen, and Madam, The Queen!" Glasses were drained and he spoke a further toast. "New Friends!" he said raising his glass towards me. I respectfully declined a third glass,with the excuse that I was on pain meds, and needed to drive. Katie asked if I had a spare helmet, but I had to say no, so the RSM called the QM and signed one out; "I have to see Peter on the bike, and Katie on the back! If you need a lift back I'll tell the duty driver to listen out for a call from you. Oh and Peter, can you tell the SAS guys that I have put a radio in the Guard room on their frequency, in case of emergency's. I know how independent that they like to be, but back up is never wrong! Should I ask someone to bring your bike down, so you don't need to walk up?" "Thanks Vince, Signalman Walchessi was in the White Helmets, so I guess he can ride! But please warn him about the changes to the foot brake, he night not find it easy to use!" I had another glass of water and excused myself as I heard my bike being ridden slowly to the Office block. Walchessi was finding the footbrake a problem, but managed to stop without wrecking it. Katie dashed up to the QM and picked up the helmet and soon we were ready to go. It seemed the entire staff of RHQ came out to watch us go, one guy even produced a camera and took some pictures! Back up at the Guard Room I stopped to book out, and the entire guard snapped to attention as Katie also walked in. The new Guard Commander told us that Rose wanted to speak to us both. "Ma'am, Sgt Carling, thank you both for the things you did for me, to be honest I didn't deserve your help. It's not an excuse but I realise now I have been acting like a jerk since I got back from NI last year. I lost 2 close friends while I was there!" I reached for the phone and asked the Commander to dial the RSM for me. "Sir, Sgt Carling here!" I spoke. "Not crashed it already have you? " he joked. "No Sir, I was just booking out when I discovered that Rose started to act up on his return from NI. He lost some close friends on that tour. I was thinking this new condition they call PTSD?" "Sounds like it, I'll have the medics check him over tomorrow. Thanks for the heads up! If he is diagnosed then we may need to quash his sentence and his demotion." "Thanks Sir, I hoped you might see it that way too!" Once we had booked out the guys in the Guard room led us out of the side door and we got back on the bike. As we turned out of the small car park onto the road to the gate I heard "Guard of Honour SHUN! Present Arms!" 6 Guards, came to attention and presented arms as we drove out, Katie returned the salute with a respectful wave! "Well that was nice" she called above the noise of the bike, holding on to my waist. "When we get there please could you hold on to the bike, those kids get so jealous!" "Sure" she shouted back, "no worries!" Back at the farm everyone was waiting for us and Dirk and Justin ran across as I parked up. I took my helmet off and kissed Dirk on the forehead. Katie also removed her helmet and gave both Dirk and Justin a peck; "How are my two favourite boys today?" she asked, "behaving I hope?" "Yes Katie, thanks, are you going to swim with us?" Dirk responded. "I'll ask your parents, but I'd like to, if I may?" She smiled at him. "Nude?" asked Justin. "Yes Justin, if everyone else is then I'll strip off too!" "Wow Anka will be happy!" Dirk blurted out. "So are you two" she countered, pointing at the obvious tents in both boys shorts! "God you are both soooo cute when you blush!" She added, and turning to me "looks like it is infectious?" "What?" I asked innocently. "The tent and the cute blushes!" she teased. We went in and gathered towels and a pick-nick before making our way, walking and with motorbikes, down to the lake. Once we got there Dirk and Anka took the lead, stripping and running into the lake. the rest of us stripped and though Dennis was a little shy he was soon sporting some pretty impressive wood. Justin was prancing around, showing off and waving his rock hard cocklet towards the SAS post in the woods. I called to Dennis, and he came over to me; "Maybe one of us should stay on the shore,near your weapon?" I asked. "Sure and my radio is here too, I'll relieve you soon, and help you into the swim boot!" Dirk ran out to me, begging me to join them in the water. "Come on, you have the waterproof boot, why won't you come in?" he whined. "Dirk, either Dennis or I has to wait out of the water, in case there is a problem. If one of you gets into problems I need to call for help and then pull you out. Dennis is going to relieve me soon, then I can go in. Sit with me for a bit and lets talk?" My boy snuggled up to me and pushed himself into my chest. Within seconds he was breathing gently, sleeping naked in my arms. Just then something caught my eye, a flash of reflected light, a slight movement in the bushes away on the other side of the lake. Without disturbing my sleeping boy I reached slowly for the radio and loosened the pistol in its holster. Leaving the microphone in my hand, not bringing it to my face I keyed the send switch twice. I heard a sound from the earpiece, and managed to locate it. Pretending to scratch my ear I inserted the earpiece. "Hello zero this is Tango one, contact over!" "Zero roger. Over" "Tango 1, I see movement and reflective flashes in the trees at my one o'clock. Just to the left of the large Oak with the dead top. Over" "Zero, Roger Tango 1, we have visual too. ensure that your principles remain in exact current location. Are you able to join them?Over" "Tango 1, negative I am not prepared for that. My principle is with me, should I send him into the water to the others? Over?" "Zero, Sunray here, do you have Tango ones side arm?Over" "Tango 1 roger Over." "Zero, call out to Tango 1 major and inform him Charlie has gone for a walk!Over" "Tango 1 Roger, wait out!" "Dennis, Charlie has gone for a walk, just stay in the water a bit!" "Sure mate, let me know if you want to come in!" I tapped my earpiece twice and Dennis gave me the thumbs up. Then he called the others together, gesturing as if he was explaining a new game for them to play. I could tell he was briefing the kids, and telling Katie exactly what to do. I heard on my headset "Hello 2 Alpha Delta, this is Zero, fetch Sunray, this is noduf, noduf! Over" "2 Alpha Delta, roger, wait out!" Radio messages continued to pass to and fro as the people in the water moved, as if in a game, towards some reeds and a large fallen tree on our side of the lake. Scanning the trees constantly I stiffened, someone was pointing a metal tube out of the undergrowth, I could see light reflecting from it. I was about to call it in and my radio crackled; "Hello Tango 1, this is zero, I have visual, try and take cover. OUT" With that I heard the crack of a high powered rifle! Dirk part 7 I threw myself over Dirk, scanning the trees across the lake for signs of the intruder, but could see nothing. the radio crackled, "Hello Tango1 this is Zero, are you guys all OK?" I put my fingers to my lips and whistled to Dennis, he replied with a thumbs up, and the divers OK sign of the forefinger and thumb in a 0 and the rest of the fingers raised. "Tango 1, all OK here! Over" by then the 9mm pistol was cradled in my hand and I was waiting for a reason to use it. I had wondered if the shot had not come from the SAS, but it seemed not, just then a second shot sounded, and a spurt of sand was kicked up less than a meter from me. Pushing Dirk down into the sand I knelt and took aim with the pistol. I knew it was a difficult shot, but hoped to at least scare the attacker enough to stop him shooting at me, or put his aim off. I saw a bush move and recognised the barrel of a rifle being aimed at me. I double tapped with the 9mm and was rewarded with a scream, followed by a mouthful of foul language, with a very strong Irish accent. The shooter rose clearly to his knee and re aimed at me, I rolled to one side, shouting to everyone to stay down when the boom of a huge calibre weapon sounded behind me. An SAS sniper finished the job off that I had started, taking the attackers head clean off! I pulled Dirk to me and half dragged half carried him down to the others sheltering behind a tree at the waters edge. I was shaking like a leaf, but had to keep it together for the kids. Dennis took the 9mm from me and said, "FUCK Man, that was over 140 yards with a 9mm, into trees, almost blind WHAT A SHOT!" I became aware of SAS men moving down to us and forming a protective screen around us, as others rounded the lake and checked out the attacker. I heard the radio of one of the guards as someone said, "there were 2 of them the 9mm took one out, and the 50 cal did for the other. We need cas-evac for the injured one. They had a lot of intel here." Captain Monroe came across to me, "Sgt Carling, you just took out an Irish terrorist,hitting him twice, with 2 shots, from 140 yards, shooting into a well concealed hide. He was preparing an RPG. The other one had a modified AK47 and luckily he was unable to get it to fire auto, or there could have been more damage on our side!" There was a commotion up the field and I recognized Stephan and Lena trying to get past an SAS guard. "Sir, let them through, that's the parents of 2 of the kids here!" The Captain spoke into his radio and the frantic parents were allowed to rush down to us at the lake. Still shaking I gathered towels and brought them down to my friends in the lake. "Is it safe for us to move back to the farmhouse?" I asked. "We'll escort you all, let everyone get some clothes on,and lets go and face the barrage of questions that is about to hit us. Dennis I have radioed for a chopper to take you and Justin back to Bonn!" Justin looked at the Captain as if he were mad; "You can fuck right off, I'm not leaving my friends now, they deserve more than that. It's my fault that we were attacked, or at least I was the target, but I will NOT run out at the first sign of trouble!" "It's not my choice Justin, there are rules I have to follow." he said. and Justin grabbed his clothes and set off running. Dennis, wearing just boxers, grabbed his side arm, and a spare clip and set off after the frightened boy. I gathered the others around me "Come on, let's go back up, as soon as the soldiers have made sure that there is no one else around!" We were escorted up towards the farm as sirens heralded the arrival of both Police and ambulance. The wounded terrorist was searched and, under guard, was treated by the medics. Two helicopters screamed in from the direction of Camp and took station above the farm as the SAS men did a room by room search of the farmhouse, and checked the vehicles outside for any unwanted modifications. The house was declared safe, and Lena put the kettle on. Dennis brought a frightened, tearful Justin in,and I hugged him to me. "Come on, call your dad!" I said dialling the number I had been given by Justins' ' Mum. An Aide answered and told me that the Ambassador was in a meeting. "Listen there was just a terrorist attack on the farm where Justin is staying, we were shot at, I took out one attacker and the SAS took the other. Justin is in bits, NOW GET HIS DAD ON THE FUCKING PHONE!" "Capt Monroe?" The Ambassador asked. "No Sir it's Peter Carling, everyone is OK, but Capt Monroe has told Justin he has to fly home, he's not happy! Anyway here's Justin" As I said it I heard an explosion through the phone. "Justin is to stay there, we are under attack here too!" the Ambassador told me as the call was cut! Justin was reaching for the phone, but I hung it up. "Justin, Dennis, there is a problem in Bonn, Justin is to stay here for now." Dennis radioed Capt Monroe and asked him to join us in the house. As soon as the SAS officer came in I told him of my conversation with the Embassy, and also told him what I had heard in the background, and the Ambassadors parting comments. "OK then we need to secure the area, can you ask if I may use the phone? I need to call in re reinforcements." I checked with Lena and she said of course he could make as many calls as he needed. The next 45 minutes were a blur, the German Police wanted to interview us, me especially about the shooting, but Capt Monroe told them that they would have to wait. Shortly afterwards a Chinook landed on the meadow next to the farm and a platoon of red berets formed up around the building Having got over the initial shock the kids were all getting excited about the turn of events. I spoke to Capt Monroe and then asked Stephan and Lena if they would prefer for us to move into Camp, as the protection detail was about to get a whole lot larger. "Out of the question, you all stay here where we know what is going on." was his reply. "If we allow terrorists to push us around, and change even one thing then they have won!" A Major from the parachute regiment burst in the door, pistol draw and started barking orders. "Right all civilians, except the Principle out of here NOW!" "And who the FUCK are you?" I asked. "These people live here and have offered shelter to the young man you so coldly refer to as 'the principle'!" "I am Major Barnes, and I am taking charge here! And who the hell are YOU?" Before I could answer, Capt Monroe withdrew a set of orders from his pocket; "Major I am in charge of this security detail, and while I appreciate your prompt arrival, I will not tolerate any interference. These people, German civilians and Forces personnel have just survived a terrorist attack..." "We don't know yet if it was a terrorist cell!" the Major interrupted, "and I outrank you. Now get these civilians and kids out of here!" he said moving to push Justin to one side. Dennis and Capt Monroe reacted fast, but Justin was faster, he allowed the Majors push to give him momentum and then threw him as if he were a bag of rubbish onto the floor, causing the unsecured pistol to discharge. Justin was again faster than his protectors as he disarmed the Major, and field stripped his weapon, while the two security personnel ended up kneeling in the Majors face, both with side arms shoved almost up his nose! The door burst open and an SAS trooper and a parachutist rushed in. "Tommy," the Captain said to the trooper "take this officer into custody, he attacked the principle and then negligently discharged his unsecured side arm, endangering the lives of the principle and everyone else here!" The grin on the face of the Para spoke volumes, he was in no way saddened to see the blustering Major taken down a peg or two! Turning to the Para, the SAS officer asked;"Who is your 2IC?" "That would be Lt Walker, shall I get him sir?" "Please, and tell him Captain Monroe, SAS, commanding officer here, needs a sit-rep asap! The civilians, and other military personnel in this room are the combined Principle, and are to be treated with respect!" "Right away Sir!" he said saluting as he rushed out of the door. "Peter, please can you call your CO? I want that prat placed under close arrest, IN A CELL, with 2 armed guards on him day and night. Until I am told otherwise I view him as a threat." turning to Justin "Well done Justy, though it might have been better to leave him to us, as he was carrying an open weapon!" Justin was still a little pale and shaking, "I didn't think he could be so bloody stupid as to walk into here with a loaded weapon in his hand!" "Lesson Justin, always, ALWAYS, assume that every weapon you see is loaded, and that every armed person is a hostile, unless you KNOW it is one of us!" Dennis said hugging the now crying boy to himself. As I was being connected to the Colonels office the whistle on the kettle went off, making everyone jump, then laugh! Lena set too making Tea and Coffee, while Katie and Anka helped. Dirk and Justin set the table and Dennis sliced bread. "Sir?" I asked into the phone, "We have had some problems here, none of us is hurt, though I shot one attacker and the Unit took out the other, but one of the back up forces made a bit of a mess of things. Capt Monroe has arrested a Major from the Parachute regiment who verbally attacked us,and then laid hands on Justin. Then Justin defended himself and floored the Major, who allowed his unsecured weapon to discharge in a negligent manner. Capt Monroe has asked that the Major be placed in a cell, with 2 armed guards watching him!" "I'll bring 3 land rovers and a squad of armed men over to transport him, is he handcuffed?" "Yes Sir, with those new plastic cuffs" "Good, please let the perimeter guard know that I'll be there shortly!" "Will do Sir!" "Can we do anything else?" The Colonel asked. "I'll check with the OIC but I thought, a comcen here, with a Radio shot to another comcen in camp would provide secure comms, to avoid using insecure German telephone lines!" Captain Monroe was listening in and gave me a thumbs up, so I continued; "The OIC here says that would be useful Sir!" "OK, what do you propose?" "How about Comcen Echo here in the woods, for camouflage, and Foxtrot down at RHQ, to hook into the secure lines down there? We could place a Radio Relay unit on a small knoll in the woods, that has Line of Sight to the camp, Best place there for the relay there might be up by the boiler house, it is the highest point! I f you wanted belt and braces then a second shot from here to Herford would offer back up! Also if someone could clear part of the sports field it would give a secure and safe spot for the helicopters, away from here, they are already drawing a lot of attention. " Again Capt Monroe indicated his agreement, so I closed the call, and gratefully took a cup of coffee. I felt the room start to spin, and just made it to a chair. I thought it was shock but I heard a gasp as Lena noticed blood seeping from my rubber protection boot. Capt Monroe raised my leg and pulling a knife cut the converted dive suit leg off me. With the tightness of the waterproof seal released, so was the tourniquet effect, blood started to pump from the wound in my calf. The plaster cast was soaked in blood and, so I have since been told there were several cups full of blood in the rubber boot. I can only assume that the tourniquet effect from the rubber boot, and the fact that the plaster cast held my leg tightly together that was the reason for my not noticing where the first shot had landed. I was quickly placed on a stretcher and driven across to the helicopter in the field. Though I have no recollection of it Dirk insisted on coming with me, and though several people said no Justin used his influence, and his bloody mindedness, to get them to allow the boy to come with me. The Chinook was in the air in seconds and, according to Dirk we flew almost at ground level all the way to Herford, about 10 miles away, as they were the nearest hospital with the skills to work on that type of bullet wound, and the space for a Chinook to land! I was taken from the helicopter by 4 soldiers, and escorted by four more carrying full weapons. Dirk was treated as if he were as important as Justin, which Lord knows he was to me, and we were rushed to the emergency room. Tommy, one of the SAS detail, was in charge and he insisted on being with me, or in sight of me at all times, he also insisted that Dirk be at his side too. The wound was straight through, the bullet, an AK47 7.62 round, was lodged in my plaster cast. I don't remember much about the first 12 hours in the hospital, the guard was constantly at my side, even the police who came to see me were searched and made to leave their weapons outside. I remember waking thinking, I must have dreamt going home as I was here in hospital again, with Lothar in my bed with me, no hang on, that's not Lothar, that's my Dirk.. The Colonel and Lt Markham came to visit me, and I was once more in the "hero" limelight. I was not allowed to give a statement to the Police, until an SAS intelligence officer debriefed me, but even then I insisted that Dirk remain with me. Lena and Stephan came to see us, and brought fresh clothes for Dirk, not that he wore much most of the time. The hospital staff were fantastic, treating us all like gods, and making sure that Dirk had everything he needed. I found out later that the Ambassador had paid for me to go private again, but after 5 days I was all too happy to be released. I got back to the farm, to a huge reception, and hugs from Justin, Anka, Lena and Stephan, as well as man hugs from most of the SAS guys. I had taken one for the team, I was as good as a member now, especially as I had carried on and taken out one of the gunmen AFTER I had been hit. There was even tighter security later that day as Justins' ' parents were escorted down to see him. They insisted on making a huge fuss of me, since I had, unbidden, risked my life for their son. I made it clear that, just as with the fire, I was only doing what I had been trained to do, and what any person in my situation would do! The bullet, although it had not damaged any bones had done some major muscle damage, leaving my Army career in question. Dirk was worn out, despite having slept in my bed at the hospital, and his sister was glad to see us home safe and sound. The day of the attack was still a little hazy to me, and I had not heard anything about the problems at the Embassy, so I had some catching up to do. Sadly, by the evening it was time for Justin and his parents to return to Bonn, though we all promised to stay in touch. Little did I know that I would be seeing them soon on official business. The Harvest on the farm was complete, much earlier than usual due to the help from off duty soldiers, all keen to lend a hand, one way or another, to say thanks for the hospitality shown by Lena and Stephan. The SAS detachment were stood down, but stayed to help clear up, and of course to be around for the 'Harvest Home' party that Lena was planning. Although able to walk some, I was not much use getting ready for the party, though I did end up peeling about a ton of spuds for the potato salad. Lena's recipe is pretty unique; boiled sliced potatoes, hard boiled eggs, pickled gherkins, diced salami sausage and lots of mayonnaise. All home grown/ home made, except the eggs, which came from the neighbours farm. I also cut several kilos of tomatoes and onions, for a tomato and onion salad. The brewery delivered several kegs of Barre Bräu along with soft drinks and various types of Korn and Schnapps. Unbeknownst to me the regiment had been invited, and had decided to march there from camp, with the band, less one piper! A couple of the guys from camp had conspired to get my Highland dress and my pipes delivered to the farm, so I could join them making some of the music. Stephan built me what I can only describe as a two seater throne on wheels, meaning that Dirk and I (or Anka and I) could sit and grill Bratwurst and other meats, but also be pushed to the table to eat, and to the band to play! Before the contingent from camp arrived the Posaunen Chor turned up and started to play to entertain the every growing crowds. I was relieved of cooking duties and pushed over to join the Chor, which was back to full strength, but still wanted me to play the descants. In a break in the music I heard the clear drum beat and steady footfall of a large marching body. Dirk pushed me into the house and presented me with my kilt, saying it was far more practical for me than the cut off jeans I was wearing, so I changed for him, wearing sport shorts underneath, as I knew that there would be plenty of attempts to get a peak at my undergarments, or lack of them! He thought I did not notice as he placed my Bagpipe case under the seat of my throne, but I told him, if I was to play them I would need to prepare them. "That has already been taken care of!" he told me, as the deception started to unfold! By the time I was outside again we could clearly hear the band, pipes and all, bringing a large body of men, and women, up the lane. I looked around at all my friends, so happy to have met them all, Dirks family, Wilhelm and family,including his son, on leave from the German Army, where he was doing National Service, Adolf, Heidi and of course the 3 kids, all of whom were looking much better, though Jurgen still had a couple of light bandages on his head and arms. Then there were the SAS guys, hang on, where WERE the SAS guys? There were still half a dozen Para's there, a couple of Signals guys providing power and external lighting. Damn, had the SAS gone without a goodbye?That upset me a little. No time for that, the Band were marching up the drive and Dirk handed me my pipes, along with the music for the march. I quickly found the place and joined in, as Dirk assured me the band had asked me to do. then behind the band I saw the SAS detachment marching in a strange formation. I looked again and stopped playing, in the centre was Justin, with Sgt, yes SGT Dennis Bromley in uniform too! As the parade, more than 50men and women from the regiment, came to a halt the SAS detachment turned and marched clear of the parade, bringing Justin over to where I was sitting. Justin, Dirk Dennis and I all hugged and I'll be the first to admit, a few tears fell too. Dennis explained that they had flown down and could only stop a couple of hours, but Justin had a message for me; "Peter, my Mum and Dad asked me to invite you, Dirk, Anka and Lena and Stephan too, if they can get away, to join us for the Christmas break at our Ski lodge in Füssen, Bavaria. We will arrange for you to be picked up here and flown down to Munich, and then driven to the lodge!" "Wow that is so kind of you, please thank your parents, and tell them that,once I have talked it through with everyone here, and applied for leave, I'll let them know!" By the Col Makepiece had joined us; "Well Peter, leave is no problem, you should be back on light, if not full duties by then, but either way you can have the time, I'm sure the Ambassador would have my balls if I said no anyway!" The troops were mingling and food was being served. I noticed that several cooks from camp had gone over to the grill and had pretty much taken charge. Dirk dashed off and brought me a beer and 2 bottles of Appel korn; "This one is for you, so you don't get sick with all your medication!" he told me, giving me the bottle which contained just apple juice. I noticed the Band and the Posaunen Chor setting up together and soon we were entertained by them together, playing mainly German Folk music, with some jazz and even a couple of modern pieces by Abba. As the broke into Fernando, both Dirk and Justin broke into song, their voices complementing each other as they gave their all. the crowd quietened and the bandmaster had the band play softer. the acoustics in the quadrangle of the farmyard were almost perfect, and the boys were easy to hear! One of the soldiers spoke to Col Makepiece and was soon driving away in a Landrover, returning soon after with a portable sound system. this was set up next to the band, and 2 mikes were connected. the bandmaster and Hans Blobaum quickly confirmed with the 2 boys as to which songs they knew, making sure they found some which both the bands could play. Soon we had the boys giving a concert of popular songs, bringing a tear to the eyes of many of the listeners, they were fantastic! Anka joined them and they did a couple of German Folk Classics together. When the audience eventually allowed them to take a break Justin came and asked if I knew the Skye Boat Song on the Pipes. "Of course I do, as do all of the band!"I told him. He grabbed Dirk and Anka and they went into the house. I could just hear the piano in the music room, Justins' ' bedroom during his stay here, playing said song and it became clear that he was teaching them the words. A short while later they came back out and Justin asked the bandmaster to join in after the first verse. Justy then came to me and helped me to my feet, turning the throne for me to lean on next to the sound system, in case I could not stand for the whole song. He asked me to play the song and I started. the sound of a solo piper is one that stands the hairs on the back of my neck, and most other peoples too. I played one chorus of the song and then Justin started to sing. I had to fight back tears as I heard his sweet voice filling the courtyard. As the chorus began, so Dirk and Anka joined in, and at the second verse the band joined us softly, allowing the kids to have full control. By the end of the song I had to sit, and I noticed that the catering department had all but run out of serviettes. the applause was deafening, and I got to hug the 3 most important kids in my world, as they basked in the adulation! Not to be outdone Lothar and Angelika also joined us and the 5 kids then sang Abba honey honey, 'A Capella', and all looking at me for the whole song! I was very embarrassed, but thrilled too. The kids then took a break and the bands shared the entertainment. Total strangers were coming up and talking to me, as if I had known them all my life. By about 9pm I was worn out and I asked to be excused. Dirk asked me to wait a moment and the bandmaster came over; "Peter could you please play the trumpet for us with Last Post and the evening hymn? We are going to pack up and leave the music to the record player." I agreed and unpacked my German 'C' trumpet. The Pastor came to the front, and was told to use the microphone as he thanked everyone for coming, saying that the 'official' part would end with a prayer and the evening hymn from the band, after which the party would continue, but allowing the bands to join in too! Through his speech and the blessing I had been studying the music, transposing for the C trumpet. As he finished one of the spotlights was turned to the side, revealing 2 hastily erected flagpoles with a German and a British flag. As the band broke into Abide with me, the evening hymn I got ready for the bugle solo and as I started the flags were slowly lowered in unison, the Union Flag, by Wilhelms' son, on leave from the Bundeswehr, and the German one by the youngest soldier in the British contingent, a lad who had only just arrived the day before from the UK, and had not yet reached his 18th birthday! That combination of tunes has always jerked on my tear-ducts and by the end I was crying shamelessly, remembering the events of the last few weeks. I said my farewells to as many as I could as I made my way into the house, exhausted, mentally and physically. I went to our room,stripped and fell into bed, asleep before Dirk even managed to cover me up! Justin and Dennis came into the room about 10pm and woke me to say goodbye, and to remind me to ask about the skiing holiday. Our parting was sad, but the promise of staying in touch renewed. Dirk must have come to bed sometime after that, but I don't remember, though I did wake in the morning with Dirk, Anka, Lothar and Angelika all wrapped around me! The SAS detachment left early the next morning, after some heartfelt goodbyes, and further hints that I should apply to join them, I was already certain that even if it was something I wanted, I was never going to pass a fitness test, indeed I was beginning to think I may not be able to remain in the Army at all! The next few weeks were taken up with Doctors visits, assessments and various prodding and poking. I was on long term sick leave and, though I could have got a warrant to travel home, I could not face leaving my new German family! October arrived and I was doing better, though still on sick leave, marching was going to be a serious problem for me and I started to use a stick, as my leg had caused me to fall several times. I kept quiet about my upcoming birthday, on the 14th, to be honest the prospect of loosing my job as a soldier weighed heavily on me. I had started to become moody and now that I was pretty much off my medication I started to drink way too much. The morning of my birthday arrived and I dragged myself out of bed when the phone in the kitchen rang. No one seemed to be around, so in the end I answered it. It was my mum, wishing me a happy birthday, which was nice. She asked if I had received my card, but I told her that I had not checked my mail for ages, hardly ever even bothering to go into camp! Mum said I ought to go and check for it, so I said I would as soon as I was dressed. I hung up the call and Stephan walked in,"Who was that?" he asked. "Just my mum, she hadn't heard from me and wanted me to check my mail, so I'm going to go as soon as I have showered." "Oh the hot water heater is not working, maybe you can shower later?" he asked. I decided to shower in camp and went to my pick up to drive there. I started the engine, but at that moment Wilhelm drove onto the yard and blocked me in. I was a little pissed off at that but got out forcing myself to be polite. As soon as I got out my parents jumped from his car! "Surprise! Happy Birthday" everyone called. I was so far into my depression that I really had to make an effort to look happy to see them, and I had to work on being nice to everyone for the rest of the day, and for my party. Luckily my parents were only staying the one night as they were on their way to Switzerland for a late holiday. My drinking and my moods got steadily worse, I was shouting at Dirk and started to sleep on the floor instead of in his bed. I was becoming a real jerk! Eventually I decided that I should move back into barracks as I was scared that I was a danger to Dirk when I was drunk. Dirk cried and I tried to explain, but to no avail I was in a fucking bad place. I turned up at the Military hospital, drunk and abusive, and narrowly missed getting arrested, luckily the doctor I was seeing recognised the symptoms. On return to barracks from that fiasco I was called to the CO's office. I didn't bother to go! The next thing I knew the RSM and the CO quite literally kicked my door open, Vince, the RSM dragged me from my bunk and into his land rover, and he and the Colonel took me for a ride. First we went to the Finkemeirs farm, which had now been rebuilt after the fire, and was once more a home. Adolf and Heidi looked so sad to see me in that state, Jurgen told me to fuck off, Angelika would not speak to me and Lothar burst into tears at the sight of me. "These people were your friends, you almost gave your life for them, those kids respected and loved you! Look at yourself! You're becoming a worthless shit. You don't attend appointments, you are constantly drunk, you STINK!And to think I called you a hero! I called you a friend! " The RSM ranted, he was as angry as I have ever seen him, and it scared me a little. "These kids, and your Dirk and Anka loved you, and you do this to them! I was prepared to see past the criminal behaviour, sleeping with a boy, because you two were made for each other, and now you have hurt that kid, he may need psychiatric help because of you! What the fuck are you going to do about it?" he screamed at me. I was bawling my eyes out by then," I know that I hurt Dirk, but I had thought that breaking with him was safer than being around him when I was like this!" I managed to get out. "I didn't want any of this, not the medals, the pain, the nightmares. When I'm drunk at least I don't dream about killing that terrorist, or worse him killing one of the kids. If that bullet in my fucking leg had been a bit more to one side, it would have severed a main artery and I would have been done! There I've said it, I wish I was fucking dead!" Colonel Makepiece pulled me to himself, I think he was saying "There there, we'll fix it all". I managed to stutter out an apology to Adolf and family before I collapsed. I awoke to find myself in a secure ward in the military hospital. I felt awful. Sitting by my bedside was Colonel Makepiece he had been there for 3 whole days! "Welcome back Peter. You have been diagnosed with PTSD, you're in the best place. If they ask you about your time on the farm you have to decide whether to tell the full truth, or to stick to the Anka is your fiancée story. Either way I will do my best to help you. The doctors had already decided that with your leg injury you are unfit to continue in the Army, but we will look after you until you are ready to leave, and we will make sure that you have the help that you need. Any training you need for a civilian job, we will arrange it. Now you need to get better, there are 2 sweet kids on a farm near here who want to see their old friend Peter back, and Justin can't believe that this has happened. That terrorist didn't kill you, it wasn't your time. The good Lord wants you to do something, and it starts here, and the next step is to be well enough to go to Bavaria with Anka and Dirk, and teach them to ski with Justin and Dennis. Oh and before you ask, I checked the records, you worked as an indoor ski instructor while you were in trade training so you can teach them without problems!" "Thanks Sir!" I croaked, "I'll try not to let you down!" "You'd better believe it son, you gave so much for others, now it's time to get some back for yourself. I intend to come and visit next week, if they'll let me, I want to see a different man in this bed, no, I want to see a different man up and about!" I won't bore you with the weeks in hospital, for me the highlights were when the colonel brought Anka and Dirk to see me, we cried a lot, but I managed to convince them that I was going to get better for them. One morning, after about 6 weeks, my progress was making leaps and bounds, I was getting up to go and play chess with another soldier also with PTSD when the senior surgeon came into my room. As I was a psychiatric patient I was not used to seeing surgeons. "Sgt Carling," he started, "We have a VIP visiting today and he is keen to see what we are doing for PTSD patients. I would like him to meet you, do you think you are up to it?" "If my shrink says it's OK then why not sir?" He smiled, "at least you have some of your cheeky humour back, all we need now is to get that confidence back too. You're going to do fine you know, and even when you leave the Army we'll still be here for you, here or in the UK. PTSD is only now becoming recognised for what it is, and we owe it to you guys to make good what we fucked up!" I was amazed to hear a senior doctor talk like that,but I guess somewhere deep down they are human too!I was told to dress in my number 2 dress uniform, and relax until the VIP arrived. Outside, just out of my view, I heard a helicopter land, and I guessed right that the VIP was here. An orderly knocked on my door, "They are on their way up, you don't need to stand when they enter if you find it a problem, just relax and try and talk normally to them!" he coached. Then I heard the footsteps, voices, WAIT, I KNOW THAT ANGELS VOICE! There was a knock, and I was on my feet, "Come in!" I called and YES FUCKIN Y E SSSS! Justin walked, no he bounced in, his mum and dad and a uniformed lackey walked in. Justin took a flying leap into my arms and pushed me into the chair, smothering me with kisses! "Erhm" the aide coughed, "I see why you didn't want the press photographer in with us first Sir!" "Good God NO, Peter has a thing about photographers in hospitals, last time he smashed a chessboard over the head of one,and the size of THAT chessboard" pointing to a table with inlaid chess squares, "He'd kill someone!" the Ambassador laughed. Justin made himself comfortable in my lap as the ambassador shook my hand. "Peter, so good to see you on the mend, damned shame that business has cost you your army career, but we're going to see how we can help you get sorted!" "It's good to see you Sir!, Mummy!" I joked. Justins' ' mum bent over and kissed my cheek; "No SON it's good to see YOU" she emphasized. The aide looked a little confused "Don't worry it's a family joke!" "Peter, I know how you feel about being called a 'hero' and all the fuss about medals and so on, but you have been put forward for a George Medal, STOP!" he commanded as I opened my mouth to protest, "This will be a huge help to you for any job you apply for, being invalided out is seen by many as a bad thing, being invalided out because of something important enough to get you a George Medal makes you a far more employable person. I am not going to 'order' you to accept, usually you wouldn't get a choice, but we know you and we would like to think that you will be able to accept it as some help for your resettlement." "I don't know what to say Sir! I'm sorting my head out, I just don't want this to put me in the limelight again, and cause me to have another breakdown!" "I've spoken to your doctors, and the world experts on PTSD, they say that it would be good for you to accept that good can come of what happened. By the way, did you hear that the guy that you shot rolled over and sold out his entire cell, we managed to thwart 5 planned attacks, one of which was to be on the School in Rhinedahlen. Once again your actions, unhappy though they made you, saved hundreds of childrens lives. If the SAS team had shot him they would have killed him, that's what they are trained for, his cell would have not been cracked and they would have killed loads of kids at the school! I won't use the H word,I know you still hate it, but you are a lifesaver!" I shrugged, "I guess so Sir!" Justin kicked me, "No dimwit, you don't guess so, you KNOW it. You love kids, kids love you, if you were able to find out that something you failed to do cost the lives of hundreds of kids, some of whom are friends of mine, kids from embassy staff, fuck even Major Wilkins daughter goes there! How would it be if we were here telling you that sadly the same terrorists that attacked us blew up a school and killed all those kids? Julie Wilkins? Do you have a photo of her Major?" he asked the confused Aide. "Sure, this is her with her class on a school trip!" he said passing the photo to Justin. "Look Peter, that's Julie, Evie, she's Mary, her dad died in Ireland, her mum is a cypher op at the embassy. Then all these cute boys, LOOK at them. it's safe to say that you saved their lives, saved any survivors from the hell you are going through!" I was bawling my eyes out by now and the doctors came to ask my visitors to leave. "No Doc I needed to hear this, I needed to know that the shit I went through was not for nothing. Doc I need to go home and see my boy again!" "Boy? I never realised that you had family, " he started. "No Doc, he means the boy who loves him more than anything in the world, the boy who he pushed away because he thought his drinking would harm him. He needs his Dirk, and his Anka!" Justin said, outing me fully to the Doctor "How old is this Dirk?" the worried doctor asked. "Doc he's the boy that my CO brought in to see me a couple of weeks ago, with my fiancée. That kid worships the ground I tread, and I was so afraid I would harm him, that's why I got so bad!" The doctor accepted my explanation and as Justin tried to apologise I hugged him to me and whispered "shh, no more words!" "Doc, can I be out of here in time for Christmas? I have an important date, and some very special friends want me to go skiing with them!" "I am not sure about the skiing, your leg is still very weak! As far as 'out of here' goes, I was expecting you to leave with your visitors today, if you feel ready?" I'm not sure who whooped louder, Justin or me! Justy pulled my bag out of the wardrobe and stuffed my few clothes into my bag. "I just need to sort out the paperwork, and your medication, and you can go! The Ambassador is dining in the officers mess, we can let you know when he is ready to go!" "I'm dinning with my guest!" Justin told the doctor! "Mum and Dad can do the official shit, I've a lot of catching up to do!" "Doctor, I would feel happier if my party could all dine together, it's not every day I get to entertain the recipient of the George Medal!" the Ambassador said,knowing full well that his request would never be denied! "I only have this or my grotty civvies Sir!" I said trying to get out of eating in the Officers Mess. "Well swimming nude didn't go too well on the farm, so I guess it's dirty jeans and a T shirt, or Number 2 dress!" The Ambassador said, "just a shame that you don't have your medals with you! That would raise some eyebrows!" "What medals are they anyway, I don't recognise the ribbon" the Aide asked. "Peter was awarded the QMG as well as a fire brigade medal and a gallantry medal from North Rhine Westphalia!"Justin boasted. "He saved 3 kids lives THAT day, and nearly got himself killed in a fire, then at the lake he shot a terrorist and saved not only all of us, but as we said your daughters school too, after taking a shot in the leg himself!" Being with Justin was infectious, and I smiled more that lunch time than in the preceding months! Lunch was an interesting affair, a couple of the officers were not happy at a Sergeant being invited to eat in their mess, but there was not a lot that they could do about it. Confusion was complete when, in response to a joke at my expense from Justins' ' Mum I replied, calling her Mummy! Lunch over, we made our way back to the ward, and while the Ambassador and his wife went on to see more of the work being done there I sat and played chess with Justy, until my paperwork and medications were ready. We were collected from my room and the doctor and some of the staff came to wish me well, and to assure me that if I needed them I could phone for help any time. We went down to the Helipad where a Sea-King was waiting to take us who knows where! We lifted off, and Justin chattered nineteen to the dozen, I was introduced to the security detail, all of whom knew of me and seemed to have the greatest respect for me. "What about Dennis?" I asked. "He's on his annual leave, daddy gave him a choice, either 3 weeks in a park lodge we own in Yellowstone in the USA, or he was sacked from the detail! I phone him every night, and we send each other pictures over the MuFax system!" "Wow you have MuFax?" I asked "It's only just come off trials!" "Yes it's new to us, but we can send pictures and so on, I was able to send him a birthday card last week!" "Hmm" I thought out loud. "Do the embassy employ a technician for the comms equipment?" "Yes we do, our current one is due to retire next year, is it something that would interest you?" the Ambassador asked with a grin. "Well sir, if it wasn't for Dirk and Anka I'd say yes!" "So what if the job covered not only the embassy, but also the consulates, and you were able to live at the farm still? The current guy lives near the Hanover Consulate and gets to fly if he is needed elsewhere!" "Where do I sign?" I asked laughing. "See I TOLD you he would take it if you offered!" Justin grinned. "Why do I get the feeling I have just been set up, or is that Justined?" The passengers who had headsets on all laughed; "That's Justin for you, he runs the shop!" The Aide told me. "Anyone fancy a coffee break?" the pilot asked. "Sure, can you find us somewhere, preferably with some nice cream cakes?" Mummy asked. I looked out of the window, for the first time in that flight, and instantly recognised the farm as we set down in the same field as the Chinook had used on the day of the attack. Tears started rolling again as I realised just how much trouble these people had gone to for me. Looking out I saw a familiar figure in uniform holding a squirming Dirk back,until it was safe to get closer. The door was opened and everyone held back as Dirk flew in and hugged me so tight. "Never ever ever go away like that again!" he ordered, kissing me all over. "Come on, Mum and Dad are waiting!" We got out and I lifted Dirk on one side, and Justin on the other and we all made our way to the farm. As we walked into the Diele there was one hell of a commotion from one of the stalls on the other side to the milking stalls. Dirk opened the feeding door and there was the most magnificent young bull I had ever seen! "Florian Peter!" I shouted, "did you miss me?" I reached over to tickle his ear as a voice said "Careful sir, that one is frisky, he wont let just anyone touch him!" Peter rubbed his snot covered nose all over my dress uniform sleeve as I tickled his ear. Dirk scoffed; "Hermann, this is Peter, the firefighting, kids saving, sharpshooting bovine midwife who brought Florian Peter into this world, he is the one person who is safest with him!" I turned to the newcomer, stretching out my hand; "Pleased to meet you Hermann, I'm Peter!" The lad blanched a little; "You're real? I always thought that they were pulling my leg about you! Did you really do all that stuff?" he asked. "If Dirk says so then it must be true!" I joked. "Oh and this is the British Ambassador and his wife, his Aide and their pilot. These guys are the security detail, don't piss them off they are packing!" I joked and they all lifted their jackets to show the side arms, "And this is Justin, who actually runs the British Embassy in Bonn! This gentleman is Colonel Makepiece, the boss of the camp down the road, oh and this little shit is Dirk, but I guess you know him?" I added earning a none too gentle punch in the arm! "So that noise was a chopper?" Hermann asked. "Yep, guilty as charged,I hope I didn't frighten the animals?" the pilot asked. "Ha" I scoffed, "if they can put up with Dirks singing at the Harvest Home, they won't mind a Sea King!" I added ducking from Dirks attack and running for the kitchen door! Lena and Stephan hugged me tears in their eyes. "Stephan, Lena, Dirk Anka! Before anything else is said I want to apologise for my inexcusable behaviour before. How you can even allow me back in your house after what I said and did is beyond me! I am truly truly sorry!" "Peter, you were ill, we could all see that, what you went through was more than any man should have to endure in a lifetime, and it was all in a month or so! Your bed is made up, in the usual room, and the Colonel had your things brought back here." "You want me to stay here? I don't deserve it!" "No you bloody don't!" the Colonel said, IN GERMAN! " but your friends here deserve a chance to help you for a change!" "Sir!" I exclaimed "you spoke German! And bloody good German too!" "I had some very good teachers!" he said hugging Dirk and Anka to his side. "I thought since you'll be starting at the embassy as soon as your signed off as fit for discharge, and Katie has left the Army to be with the girl she loves" Anka's smile did not go un-noticed "I thought it about time I got to grips with the language of the land I want to retire to! Talking of Katie, where is she?" "She lost the toss up to feed the pigs today!" Anka grinned, coming across and hugging me, "You're not mad that I dumped you for a girl? I know we were engaged, but you never set a date, and always seemed more interested in my little brother!" I pulled her to me in a passionate kiss; "Anka, I am so pleased for you, Katie is such a nice girl, and I think it was love at first sight!" "It was you great Lummock!" Katie said, hugging me with her pig sty clothes. "Ah the sweet scent of home!" I said wrinkling up my nose! "Oh sorry I missed out the introductions!" I said. "No worries I can do it" the Ambassador said and he did. Hermann told everyone about the guns the security detail were carrying, and they all laughed. Stephan explained that Hermann was 17 and was serving an apprenticeship in farming. Because he had no family he was living there, in the music room. Coffee went well and all too soon the visitors had to go back to the Helicopter and fly home. Not before Stephan had agreed to Dirk, Anka and Katie joining us in Bavaria for Christmas! That night Dirk and I made up for the missing nights,and the bad times we had had, and in the morning I was shattered. Dirk made me get up though, he wanted me to take him to school, which I did. The next few weeks were a mad frenzy of training courses, Doctors appointments, daily phone calls to Justin, who was going to school in Germany now, as his father had all but closed the boarding school down that he used to attend, after the revelations about the abuse going on there. I had to go to England for a 9 day course to maintain the specialist equipments at the embassy that I was not familiar with, and I also spent several days shadowing the outgoing technician. I also used some of my re settlement credits to finish my private pilots licence, which I had started long before I ever met Dirk, and my injuries compensation to buy a 6 seater plane, which I kept at a small airfield about 10 miles from the farm. A week before we were due to fly down to Munich, to be taken on to the Alpine Hut for our Christmas holiday I received a summons to the Embassy, with instructions to bring my best uniform. I rang Justin and he confirmed my fears, I was to receive the George Medal, I almost chickened out,but Dirk, Anka, Katie and the rest of the family wanted to come too,and offered moral support. We flew down, a new experience for the adults, and I landed at Koln Bonn airfield. I was directed to a private hangar area, where a British Military Aircraft with a red tail and wings was parked. RAF ground crew, looking after the Andover of the Queen's flight, took charge of my Beechcraft Bonanza and promised that it would be fuelled and ready to go on my return. An official car was waiting to take us to the Embassy. Once there I was greeted by a very restrained Justin, he had been warned not to act up in the presence of Royalty! I don't remember much of the presentation, the Prince was really kind and knew a lot about me, we spoke for several minutes. I was glad that there was no press there, though the official photographer took some pictures of me, getting the medal, and afterwards with my German Family. The sniper from the SAS also received a medal, but for obvious reasons he was not photographed. At a small reception afterwards I met Major Monroe, and a couple of the other guys, who agreed that it was tough that I was being invalided out,but were pleased that I would still be around! All too soon t was time to go home, I knew that I would have to rush as the small airfield where I keep my plane does not allow night landings. We set off in convoy with HRH and drove straight to the airport. The Prince told them to allow me to fly out first, as after his plane there would be a 30 minute delay before I would be allowed to take off. He admired my little plane and said he'd love to get a chance to fly it, as he was fascinated by the V tail assembly! I went through pre-flight checks and was soon lifting off, heading home. I just made it back as the control tower was about to close for the night, 5 minutes later and I would have faced a 30 mile detour, and a hefty bill for an unexpected landing at a commercial airport! Whilst in Bonn I had asked about hiring Ski equipment but was told that I would need to take everything as ski hire was not that easy to arrange. We all went to Hanover and bought the necessary gear, though Katie had a lot already. I had boots, as my size is hard to find,but decided, as there were boots there that fitted me, to get a new pair, my old ones were quite battered from use on the artificial slope in Catterick where I used to teach. I had a laugh kitting out Dirk, even going to the extreme of getting him a jock strap and cup, since I had once suffered an excruciating injury when I skied into a tree, almost giving myself a sex change! As it turned out it was a good idea, the ski lift we were using most of the time was pretty crude, and the bar could re arrange the family jewels quite abruptly at times! The day before we were due to fly down there was a snow storm forecast and I almost decided to go by train, but in the morning the snow had cleared and the weather was perfect. We set off before 8.30, just at first light, as soon as the control tower opened, and made good time down to Munich I had booked a 2 week hangar space and my baby was soon in a nice warm, dry hangar. A pair of Range Rovers, with CD plates was waiting for us and we were soon on our way up the mountain, for Anka and Dirk this was all new as we wove our way ever upwards towards the private Ski Lodge. On arrival Justin was in pieces, Dennis had broken his leg the day before, leaving Justin without his lover and favourite body-warmer, er bodyguard! Dennis returned with a monster of a plaster cast,but Justin found that there was not enough room in the bed for the 2 of them. Dirk offered to let Justin share with us, and grudgingly I agreed, not afraid of missing sex with Dirk, I could use the rest, especially if I was on the slopes all day, I was worried the two of them might gang up on me and finish me off. As it turned out I was right, the only thing that would calm them down was to threaten to put one into Ankas' bed, and the other into Katies'! They never realised that Anka and Katie would be sharing too, since there were 2 beds in that room, and after Dirk commented that one of the beds looked unused they started to make sure both beds were messed up each morning! One LOW point was when the British Consul in Munich came with his family, he was an arrogant shit, and his kids were so far up their own asses that both my boys would have nothing to do with them! Despite living in Germany all their lives the kids would not speak one word of German, using the "shout louder and the bloody foreigners will eventually understand" principle. The fact that I was a soon to be comms tech for the embassy and consulates made me simply hired help, and when I told them NOT to go down the black run, as it was signed as closed, they told me to get back to my soldering iron! I was fuming but Justins' ' bodyguard simply radioed in what had transpired. The Consul blamed ME for allowing them to go down the run,when he found out that the Mountain Rescue had had to collect them from half way down! The second body guard had been trying out a new portable video camera and caught the entire thing on film. The Consul was not interested, still blaming me, but the Ambassador watched it and asked the jerk to take his kids home,as they were endangering the rest of the group! They stormed off and Dirk, Justin, Anka, Katie and the 2 security all did simultaneous fist pumps shouting "YES!" "The only trouble is I will have to work with that idiot once I start!" I moaned. "I think not, I'm having him replaced, he will be promoted to a post in London where he can't do anyone any harm! He'll feel important, until he realises that he's in a pointless dead-end!The only contact you will have with him will be when you turn up with some security to take control of all his cypher equipment, and God help him if anything is not 100%!" "Enough work stuff, we are here to relax!" and relax we did. Christmas Eve we went to the local (catholic) church for the midnight service. The Priest was very welcoming, but apologised that 3 of the choir and the organist had been struck down with throat infections and the singing would not be to the usual standard. As I had taken my trumpet with me, to play some carols on Christmas Day I asked the 3 Angels if they would sing in the Church. They agreed and I put it to the priest, as long as the carols were known to us all, and he could offer some sheet music, we would help him out. Anka also offered to play the organ as she was reasonably competent. The priest asked us into the vestry where he introduced us to the Choirmaster, who asked Anka to play the piano in there, and the boys to sing a couple of verses. I joined Anka with my trumpet and when we had finished there was a total silence in the Vestry. "Can you possibly come to the 2 services tomorrow too?" was all the Choirmaster said. Before we went in we were all fitted up with the vestments and trappings of the Catholic Church, luckily the organist was a similar build to me, so I too was able to hide my otherwise garish clothes. It was agreed that the first carol, Stille Nacht would be started with just Justin and I, Justin singing in English, and a quiet descant on the trumpet. It went down a storm! As we finished the English first verse Anka started the organ and everyone sang from the beginning in German. (Sorry even as I remember this my eyes are filling up, it was such a moving moment!) The service went fantastically and we were mobbed at the end, firstly from the rest of the choir, and then outside from the entire congregation, who all waited for us to come out. The Choirmaster asked if he could impose on us. They always went, Christmas morning to sing carols at 6am outside and then in the 2 wards of the cottage hospital, we of course said yes! I asked if there was any chance of borrowing a tenor horn for Anka, so I was not alone with the trumpet. the choirmaster, also the local school music teacher, thought it a great idea, and managed to rustle up 3 brass players from the school band, who also joined us. I took the Choir Hymn book back with me and transposed the 6 Carols that we were going to sing and play, to make sure that everyone could play them, as the music was written for Piano or organ, and the brass instruments were, for the most part, B flat instruments. I got to bed at 4 am, Dirk and Justin were fast asleep but it was clear to me, and to my nose, that they had had some fun before the dropped off. I was glad that they were getting on so well! I don't recall much about the carols, or the subsequent church service, but I do know we were appreciated. When we got back to the lodge the fire was roaring and the tree a sight to behold. It was then that I realised that I had forgotten to buy any presents. Donald, Justins' ' father, he was insistent that we drop the formalities on holiday, told me not to worry, it was all taken care of! After breakfast we all gathered around the tree, sang a carol or two and then the presents were distributed. The look on my face must have been priceless when presents from me appeared amongst those being handed out. I looked across at Katie and she winked and mouthed to me; 'I knew you were too busy and would forget' I was given a beautiful silver chain, with the AK47 bullet from my plaster cast on it, the second slug, recovered from the sand was prepared the same way for Dirk! Eventually Katie admitted that Capt Monroe (now Major Monroe) had arranged for the 2 chains for us, as a mark of respect for my cool head that day! The Christmas break was fantastic, there was some sex, but to be honest it was the company that mattered. The local Alpine Corps detachment of the Bundeswehr challenged our security detachment to a ski and shoot contest, which they were so confident that they would win, of course they had not realised that the security detail, all crack SAS soldiers, did this sort of thing every year in Norway. We, well the SAS, thrashed them! but it was all taken in good spirit. The rest of us were invited to the ranges to compare British and German weapons. Even the kids were allowed to fire 9mm pistols and sub machine guns, after suitable range safety training. The Germans were impressed at the language abilities of all of the party, I didn't have the heart to point out that Dirk and Anka were in fact German! New Year was almost better than Christmas, Germans celebrate new Year much the same as Americans would July 4th. There were some stunning firework displays, and quite a bit of alcohol was consumed. I abstained as I needed to fly back 2 days later, but all the same a great time was had by all! On the final evening I was sitting quietly beside the fire when "Mummy" sat beside me and offered me a penny for my thoughts. "I can hardly believe that so much has happened in the last 6 months. I'm not a paedophile, I never went looking for the love of Dirk, or Justin for that matter! I'm just afraid I'll awake and find it was all just a dream!" I told her, the waterworks starting in my eyes again. She hugged me to herself and told me; " Peter, you are most definitely NOT what the press refer to as a paedophile, your love is shared by the boys, and indeed by many of the adults around you. My husband and I would never have allowed you near our son, nor would we have encouraged you or put you forward for any of the recognition had we not seen just how good a person you are. Even when you had your breakdown you acted in a way you thought best for the children around you. You wanted to move away, to make sure that you could not harm Dirk. I had a long talk with him about that, and he understood, even if he was hurting. The only mistake you made was to not ask for help. There may well be dark days ahead of you, but now you know where to ask for help I hope that you can cope a little better!" Saying this she pulled me into her tight embrace and let me cry my pain out. She must have tucked me in on the sofa as I awoke in the small hours as one of the security detail stubbed a toe while checking out the room on his patrol! I rose and crept into my, our, bed and snuggled up to Dirk, sleeping the best I had done for ages. The journey home was a subdued affair and we made good time, landing on my home field mid afternoon. We drove back to the farm, where Lena and Stephan had held Christmas back until we got home. Under the tree were various packages for us all, and we went through the whole presents thing again. I had bought Dirk a new crash helmet before we left for the ski trip, and this was wrapped under the tree for him, his old one was getting too small. Stephan had, at my request, traded in the 50cc Montessa for a nearly new 125cc Bultaco. this was hidden in the garage. As most of the presents were handed out, a small packet was produced and given to Dirk. It was the keys to the 125. He was told to wait for a moment as the last packet, of a very similar size, was handed to me. Inside was a door key. "Peter, while you will always be welcome to carry on sleeping in Dirks room, we felt it better if you had a place of your own. Dirk may move in with you, if you both want that, but we wanted you to have the cottage! That way, when you are working, if you get called out in the middle of the night, you won't disturb anyone else!" Dirk and I went for a ride, and parked our bikes in the entrance hall of the cottage, the whole place was beautifully furnished in antique wood, fitting for the age of the building. We shared our first night in 'our new home', the first of many. I'd like to tell you that we all lived happily ever after, but it's not that sort of a fairy tale. Dirk grew into a strong and exceedingly handsome man, falling eventually for a girl at the Agricultural College where he was studying advanced animal husbandry. We never stopped loving one an other, just our love changed. Sara,his new girlfriend became a regular visitor and eventually I decided that it was time for me to move closer to the Embassy, to leave space for Dirk to flourish in his new relationship. Dirk let slip to Sara one night that our relationship had been more than just mutual love and respect, she told him that she had worked it out already. The years progressed and Dirk asked me to be his best man, and then Godfather to his son, Peter Florian. Sara asked me what I would do, if Peter Florian asked me to become his lover, his mentor. I pointed out that with more than 30 years between us I would be almost too old to oblige if he asked. She insisted, she needed an answer. I told her that, IF Peter wanted to find out about 'Greek Love', and the time was right I would, after suitable discussion with them, try to help the boy in any way I could. She cried and hugged me tight; "That was the answer I hoped for. What you did for OUR Dirk was so special, I would hope that Peter could find the same love and nurturing that his father did! As it turned out Peter never did ask me, though we all still swam in the lake, naked of course! I met a wonderful German girl, who stole my heart, and I went and asked Dirk if he was OK with me getting married to her! I remember Sara taking me out for a walk as Dirk gave Anna, my fiancée, a long lecture about how HE would make sure she regretted the day she was born, if she ever hurt me! She understood, I had already told her this entire story, in fact she is the one who prompted me to write it! Justin joined the Army, and took up Biathlon as a sport. He too found a girl to marry and I was roped in, both as Best man, and Godfather, when the time came. Oh Justins' ' son, Dennis, DID turn to me for guidance, he was as insatiable as his father in certain ways. Dennis has just this week asked me to join him at his wedding in Brighton. He is marrying Richard, an artist, on the Nudist Beach in Brighton, I'm not sure if my 60 year old body is going to be something anyone will want to see there, but I wont be the oldest there, Justin will be surprising his son by bringing Granddad back form his retirement in New Zeeland, sadly 'Mummy' succumbed to Cancer before she got to see her grandson, but I'm sure she is going to be up there laughing at Donalds' and my discomfort at attending a gay Nude wedding! Where the fuck am I meant to pin my rose to, without a suit jacket? I hope you have enjoyed reading this, as much as I enjoyed living and writing it. I would love to hear from you, and to read your comments, good and bad. Sadly my wife passed away before she could read the final chapter, but I know she approved of what she did read, despite her shock at some of the revelations.