Curious and straight-backed, the army recruits filed into the hall, taking up the seats on the right-hand side of the auditorium.
When George marched through the door, Aubrey nearly fell off his seat. Special Services! he thought. They must be Special Services recruits!
It was only with a huge effort that he prevented himself from leaping to his feet and hallooing to his friend, but something told him that this may be frowned upon, bad for discipline or somesuch. Instead, he contented himself with trying to catch George’s eye – a futile effort, given that George was chatting with a tall blonde girl in the seat next to him.
Aubrey was working through the implications of the appearance of Special Services recruits when something else happened and he did, indeed, fall off his seat.
Amid laughing and good-natured chaffing from those around – and some bored shouting from the nearest sergeant – Aubrey picked himself up and regained his seat, marvelling at how total surprise could make one temporarily boneless, unable to undertake such a simple action as sitting.
He hardly heard the chaffing and the shouting, for he was in a world where his focus had narrowed so all he could see, all he knew, was that toward the end of the file of newcomers was Caroline Hepworth.
Caroline! Suddenly, everything changed. Of course, he would have to explain why he hadn’t informed her of their enlisting, but she was here! He would be abject, he would be apologetic and, in the end, he would try to make her laugh.
It was like one of those moments when clouds open and beams of light emerge, crepuscular rays, bright and glorious and changing the entire landscape. Aubrey was allowed this chance to make good.
He could reactivate his mission.
Caroline had been in much the same position as he had been, on irregular detachment, except she was with the Special Services under Commander Tallis. Since the two divisions were now part of the Security Intelligence Directorate, that would explain the khaki-clad newcomers. Magic Department operatives and Special Services operatives officially working together. This was just the sort of thing his father had been planning when he reorganised the security services.
Aubrey crossed his arms on his chest with satisfaction at his own surmising. He was bursting with eagerness. He wanted to get to Caroline and George. He wanted to explain and catch up and share and simply be with them. He craned his neck and he thought he spied her, sitting near the front of the hall, oblivious to his presence.
Almost bouncing on his seat, he realised he’d have to wait. Commander Tallis entered after the last of his people. Aubrey was pleased to see that the stocky man was still glowering and fuming, for it meant all was right with the world. The head of the Special Services went through life as if everything was conspiring to irritate him. If nothing was going right, he scowled. If everything was going right, he smouldered. If some things were going right and others were a complete cock-up, he raged in a state of furious contentment.
Despite this, Tallis was a dedicated and fierce leader. His Special Services operatives were mostly drawn from the regular forces and provided vital, non-magical agents whose bravery and adaptability was renowned.
George and Caroline. Aubrey couldn’t help grinning, but when he realised he was drumming his feet on the floor like an excited child, he managed to rein in his pleasure before someone noticed and the shouting started again.
Craddock and Tallis stood together at the front of the hall while everyone settled. Tall and lean versus short and solid. Detached versus fuming. Thoughtful versus abrupt. Opposites in many ways, apart from their dedication to protecting Albion.
Aubrey was interested to see who would speak first, and was amused to see that their longstanding rivalry was expressing itself in painful politeness. Craddock motioned Tallis to the lectern, only to have the Special Services chief decline with a gesture and insist that Craddock begin. With a raised hand, Craddock signed that he was happy to have Tallis speak first, especially since he was the host of this gathering in the Magic Department headquarters. Tallis worked his jaw at this, and stepped forward.
The low buzz of curiosity cut off as if guillotined. Tallis glared for a moment, then began. ‘We are at war,’ he said. A little unnecessarily, Aubrey thought, but Tallis was rather blunter than the circuitous Craddock. ‘While you’ve been training, Holmland has been moving, pressing into the Goltans and massing for a push into Gallia. Its ally, the Central European Empire, has been driving toward opening a front with Muscovia. Bombs have fallen on Albion. People have died.’
If Tallis had been trying to crush any high spirits, Aubrey decided, he was doing a good job.
Tallis continued once the shocked murmur had subsided. ‘The Security Intelligence Directorate has the crucial role of protecting the realm through gathering information about the enemy and preventing the enemy doing the same with us.’ He put his hands behind his back and bounced a little on his toes. Aubrey wondered if he’d ever been a training instructor, of the shouting kind or otherwise. ‘Our methods are different from those of the army and the navy. Our role is unconventional, flexible, responsive. To that end, some of you here today are to continue with specialised training, some will be allocated to field teams supporting the regular military, while others will be formed into elite three-person units. Each of these units will have a high degree of autonomy.’ His grin was not pleasant. ‘This is because you will be operating in areas where access to higher echelons may not be possible.’
A low buzz, which Commander Tallis allowed to go on for a moment, then he continued. ‘These detachments will be a blend of operatives from the Special Services and the Magic Department.’ He paused. ‘The Magic Department and the Special Services. Commander Craddock?’
Craddock stepped up to the lectern with a list. ‘These people will remain behind. The others will go with their section commander for other assignments.’
Special units, Aubrey thought and he rubbed his hands together. This is what Craddock mentioned. He saw Caroline, George and he united again, sent on important tasks together, making the most of their talents. Working behind enemy lines, living off their own wits and own resources, thrown together against all odds, sharing the risks, daring danger and everything it had to throw at them.
All in the service of the country, of course.
Aubrey nodded when his name was read out, and smiled when Caroline and George’s were as well. Content, he crossed his arms on his chest and wondered if they were now sitting up, surprised, looking for him.
Woodberry’s name wasn’t read out, Aubrey noted, and he left with the others whose names hadn’t been called, looking somewhat disconsolate. Craddock glanced at Tallis, then went on. ‘Orange slips for special unit detachment are now being distributed.’ Aubrey saw some of the section commanders working through the rows, pieces of paper in hand. ‘You will meet the rest of your unit in the rooms noted, where you will receive briefing on your first assignments.’
Craddock became grave. ‘Though it may be difficult for you to see, each mission of each unit is important. You may be puzzled, even bewildered, by some tasks allocated to you, but I must emphasise that the country is relying on you. If you fulfil your mission, you will be contributing to the defence of Albion. Commander Tallis?’
Tallis squared himself. ‘I endorse Commander Craddock’s remarks. Go with all speed, and with all safety. And come back alive.’