WAIT OUT part 14

Jock Steen lay on his bunk bed, exhausted from another eighteen hour duty in the cold of the OP’s (Observation Posts) around New Lodge. Keeping his eyes open and his wits sharpened was hard, but the conversation between his ‘mates’ was important. He listened intently as Corporal Davis told them about the formation of the special operations unit.
“ Who told ya aboot that then.” Steen sat up as the news sank in.
Corporal Davis slid his webbing to the ground, his heavy magazines landing with a loud clang, which disturbed another sleeping soldier. His pinched face was pale, his eyes bulging from lack of sleep. “ The RCT driver told me.” He continued. “He took J.C. for a high powered meeting to HQ last week. Apparently, everybody who is somebody over here was there.”
“ The CO (Commanding Officer) went oot? I didna’ know, no one mentioned that to me.” Jock realised he’d missed the opportunity he’d been waiting for. The killing of Lieutenant Colonel Jeremy C Reilly would have been a major triumph.
“ No reason why you should know, it was strictly a need to know basis, even the escort and driver didn’t know until fifteen minutes before they went out.” The conversation ended, Davis threw himself on the bed and was asleep within seconds.
Steen made his way to the telephone kiosk outside the ops’ room. A row of soldiers waited patiently to phone home. Steen joined the que, the damp, cold, grey air engulfed him. next to the OP’s room, the CO’s office light burned brightly, JC’s head was in a perfect position for a sniper’s ‘head shot’. Jock noted the movement as the CO held his Court, several of the Regiment’s high ranking officers responded to the unheard words with the nod of a head and the scribble of pen. Steen’s mind raced as he fantasised about the death of so many of his officers and the acclaim he would have from his mentor and his PIRA handlers. His desire to kill was becoming overwhelming, time after time he would plan the death of a colleague, or innocent Protestant he saw in the course of his duties.
O’Brien was aware of Steen’s frustrations, they were evident as Jock told him about the latest deployment of troops in the New Lodge area, and the formation of the specialist under cover operation.
“We need to know more about that organisation Jock.” O’Brien’s voice showed his excitement. “This is exactly why your role is so important to us. I know you want to be at the forefront of the fight, but believe me, you are more use to us where you are.”
“ A dunna want te be ‘ere, sucking up to these fuckin’ bullshit bastards all around me.” His outburst in front of so many of his colleagues, threatened to blow his cover.
O’Brien had sensed for some time that Steen was loosing it. “You’ve got just three weeks to do before your tour ends.” He reminded Steen. “Don’t jeopardise our operation now.”
“I hear what yer sayin.” Steen’s voice calmed a little.
“How will they recruit into this new unit?”
“A dunna know, but a would think through the SAS.”
“What are your chances of getting into the SAS?”
“A’ve no idea.” Jock was aware that he’d been on the phone for some time, he sensed the line of soldiers behind him were becoming agitated as they waited for him to finish his. “I’ll apply as soon as possible.”
“Let me know the outcome as soon as you can, will you do that?” O’Brien asked.
Steen was about to answer as a voice from the que shouted to him. “For fuck’s sake Jock, come on, everyone agreed, no more than four minutes.”
Steen turned around, his eyes widened as he singled out the soldier from B Company. “Will ya keep ya fucking gob shut, I’ll tak’ as long I want.” his voice bounced off the buildings, a murmur of disapproval met him as he turned back to his call. Once again the soldier’s voice rang out “Come fucking on Jock.”
Without another word Steen let the telephone go, and ran at the soldier, with fists and boots flying, he pounded the unsuspecting Fusilier, who fell to the ground, injured and bleeding. Before the rest of the que could intervene, Steen sank the heel of his boot deep into the side of the man’s face, a sickening crack ended the attack. Steen showed no remorse as he went back to the telephone. The continuous tone signalled that O’Brien had hung up. With one snatch, Steen ripped the mouth piece from the kiosk.
“Now fuckin’ use it.” He said as he threw it to the ground.
Back in his room, his mates could see he had ‘one of his moods’ on him and said nothing for fear, of his now notorious, temper. Before he could get to his bed two of the Regiment’s police arrived, arrested him and escorted him to the OC’s office.
“I’m placing you under open arrest, Fusilier Steen, for the unprovoked assault on a fellow soldier.” The OC’s words seemed to have no effect. “You could make a dammed good soldier Steen, but there’s a part of you that cannot be trusted.” The officer could see that his words were unheeded, “Take him away.”
Moments later Steen lay on his bed, under ‘open arrest’ he would be paraded before the CO the next day for his punishment. Sleep took over, his conscience clear, he fell into deep slumber.
The CO had been well briefed about the rising concerns of Fusilier Steen’s colleagues and Officer’s, those concerns were reflected in the CO’s summing up.
Steen, flanked by two Regimental Police, stood to attention in front of the CO’s desk, his belt and berry removed and carried by the Regimental Sergeant Major.
“I’ve heard the events surrounding last night’s assault and can say that I am appalled by your actions. I’ve listened to the comments about you, from your superiors, and share the concerns they have about you. By all accounts, you are a thoroughly nasty piece of work. You will have to change your ways if you intend to continue with your military service!” The CO stopped suddenly and shuffled a pile of papers. “Now,” he continued, “do you accept my punishment, or do you wish to be tried by Courts Martial.”
Steen answered without hesitation. “ I accept your punishment Sir.”
“OK, then I sentence you to thirty days imprisonment. You, will be flown from here today, taken back to Catterick, where you will carry out your sentence in the Garrison’s prison. Do you understand?”
“Yes Sir.”
“Take him away RSM.”
…