Coccus by David Wostenholme

Author:David Wostenholme [Wostenholme, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: N07
Publisher: David Wostenholme
Published: 2021-05-27T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 22

Mossfield

At the end of the meeting the King Committee unanimously decided that there should be a further investigation into the situation in the Persian Gulf. Field Marshal Tudor took on the responsibility and agreed that information would be made available at the next Committee meeting in a months time.

After they had walked from the room Tudor said for Winter to join him in his office. Once inside he closed the door and gestured towards the seat in front of his desk. Winter sat, adjusted the crease in his trousers and lit a Senior Service. Tudor used a pen knife to clean his pipe bowl and then refilled it with Virginia Navy cut. Striking a match he played the flame across the tobacco and studied Winter. Dropping the spent match in a brass ashtray he sat back.

“Convincing stuff, eh?”

“Yes, Sir,” said Winter “I have served with Drury Blakeney previously and he is always very thorough”

“Yes, yes, I had the same experience,” said Tudor, he tamped the pipe bowl with his thumb “and Templeton also speaks very highly of him”

Winter took off his monocle, studied it for a second and then replaced it “So, Sir,” he said “by all accounts we need to take control of the oil supply”

“Inescapable conclusion, eh?”

“It would appear to be a strategic necessity, Sir,” said Winter “particularly now that we have secured a northern supply” He brushed some ash from his knee “I am also inclined to agree with Drury Blakeney concerning the Middle East”

“You mean the Persian Gulf?”

“Indeed, Sir”

“Yes,” said Tudor “and from what he was saying it looks to be ideal for our purposes” Gripping the pipe stem between his teeth he counted on his fingers “Geologically proven large areas of oil bearing strata, easily accessible, good quality crude and ideally placed for ourselves, the Royal Navy and the RAF” Lowering his hand he took his pipe and waved the stem towards Winter “And lets not forget that we can fill tankers and sell the stuff to whatever jonnies we like, eh?”

“I agree, Sir,” said Winter, he leaned forward for emphasis “and controlling the oil will allow us to ensure regional stability and provide us access throughout Asia and Africa”

They both sat silently for a moment considering.

“And once the Gulf is sorted,” said Tudor “the East African fields will follow and Latin America at a later date”

“That, to my mind, is the logic of it, Sir”

Tudor paused for a moment before he spoke “So, Winter, what do you know of the intelligence and security situation in the Persian Gulf region?”

“Very little at the moment, Sir,” said Winter “although as I understand it we have Political Officers in place, and similar to India we advise the local leaders and assist militarily as the situation requires”

“Very well,” said Tudor “my orders are that you shall investigate and report back concerning the present situation in the region” He drew on his pipe for a few seconds “You are to also find out what people we have on

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