Deliverance by AJ Adams

Author:AJ Adams [Adams, AJ]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2015-07-17T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirty Three: Mac

I ran into Prince Tahar accidentally on purpose as he made his way home from the little camp mosque after evening prayers.

“Colonel MacKenzie!” He looked over his shoulder and dropped his voice. “I hear the most awful complaints!”

“Yes, we’re off to an excellent start.”

I grinned at him as if we were sharing a secret. To make it doubly clear I was up to something and that I thought he was in with me, I winked at him.

The prince stared at me. “An excellent start? Five in hospital?”

“They’re not like us.” I slapped him on the back, as one special forces man to another. “They couldn’t even keep up with Pepper. Not to worry though, I’ll have the sergeant major beast them for five days, and by that time we can figure out who stays and who goes.”

Prince Tahar looked thoughtful, no doubt considering the political implications and opportunities. “You’d send them back?”

“We can, or we can have two streams where the best are given the training we need for officers, and a second stream for support work.”

I saw Tahar smile. Whenever you stratify a group, you get a power division. Tahar was an ace at politics, and he was seeing marvellous scope for his best game.

“Frankly, I think that’s your territory,” I continued to egg him on. “There are bound to be some borderline cases, and as these are the sons of powerful families, you may want to give some the option of trying for the big time.” I gave him my best smile. “I’m not political, so I’d rely on you for that.”

The prince was thinking it over, grinning as all the implications and opportunities for power burst in on him. “They are all sons of our best families,” he said slowly. “His Highness’ regular military go through selection and training with the Algerian army for two years before taking on duties at court, but these men are to complete basic training here before taking up special positions - a few in our own administration, but most will likely be placed in neighbouring countries.”

In other words, once they’d hardened up and learned to shoot, they’d either be fast tracked at Farouk’s court, or they’d be off to join terror cells somewhere. “So they’re chosen for their political connections.”

“Yes, but as you point out, there are some who may not be suitable for the senior positions we envisioned.”

Tahar was looking absolutely delighted, no doubt planning on getting some lovely bribes from those who feared being sidelined and on settling some personal scores by blocking others.

“My cousin is complaining about the course, the accommodation and questioning my organisation,” he mused. “Perhaps he would be better off in a support position.”

So Tahar had fallen out with Arif. That was great news.

“I’m always confused about relationships,” I said humbly. “Is he your direct cousin or a more distant connection?”

“His father is my uncle,” Tahar explained. “His mother was His Highness’ maid. She was married off to my uncle as a reward for her special services to the royal family.

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