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Description
   - When you have a reputation as a proficient combat team, as soon as something goes wrong you get pounded, I expected an absolute lashing from Pyro but it was quite the opposite. We secured the site and got Sheng back to Command, he would be alright three bullets got lodged in spare clips on his chest and only one found its way through, right into the collarbone. We had switched to frangibles or 'cookies' as we call them. They are designed to disintegrate to minimise penetration.

   Nether-the-less one of my squad just shot one of our own, this was unacceptable in my eyes. But apparently Pryo felt differently he just gave me a pat on the shoulder and sent me up here to see Colonel Avery... Perhaps this was worse. Colonel Avery was one of the highest ranking Australian officers still deployed, perhaps I was getting demoted -

   A young private stepped out stood tall at attention "Good evening, Sergeant Ashford" Marcus stood up.

   "At ease private"

   "Colonel Avery will see you now sir"

   "Thank you private" Marcus moved to go in and the private saluted. Marcus, hiding his impatience saluted back "Carry on" he said before entering the Colonels makeshift office which was formerly a principal's office to a rundown Iraq school.

   Marcus enters the office and stands at attention. Colonel Avery was standing behind his desk, "At Ease Sergeant" Avery said before Marcus could introduce and salute, Marcus knew a salute was not warranted indoors unless you were introducing yourself to a senior officer, which Avery had already eased.

   "You requested to see me Sir"

   "Yes Sergeant, please sit down" Avery offered as he sat behind the desk, Marcus took the first available seat in front of the desk.

   "I heard you had a bit of trouble out there today" Avery commented which led Marcus to believe this was not going to be a kind meeting.

   "Yes sir, unfortunately we did" Marcus answered trying not to show his disappointment in himself, he needed to remain confident, officers like that in a soldier.

   "What happened" Colonel Avery asked.

   "Well Sir. My newest squad member breached a target early and became disorientated from a breach grenade, at the same time I had three members breach the back entrance. They were attacked by a guard dog and one of my men disabled the animal as the third opened the door to the main room. Private Skull still disorientated from the flash and gun fire let off a short burst. Private Sheng took a frangible round to the shoulder" Marcus finished confidently, even though the tension now was building as Avery remained quiet for several more seconds.

   "It's disappointing for something like this to happen on our last mission, if Private Sheng was killed we would be facing an unfavourable uproar back home"

   "Permission to speak freely sir" Marcus added with a slight frown.

   "Go on"

   "Sir if there was such a high risk in this mission why were we given clear rules of engagement and specifically told to switch to frangibles. It is hard enough to keep morale up when we keep getting tasked with failure driven missions, but then add matters worse by restricting our men's effectiveness in battle in high risk environments. I'm sorry sir I feel our battalion is underutilised and over manipulated" Marcus was well surprised by himself, he guessed he was going to be demoted but this might have been going too far, at least he got his say in before they went home. All to do now was wait for the backlash.

   Avery sat silently he tilted his head to one side and opened up the desk drawer, he withdrew two whiskey glasses and placed them on the table then reached into the drawer again and pulled out a long bottle with Hennessey written across it, he unscrewed the lid and started to pour.

   "Hennessey Private Reserve" Colonel Avery broke Marcus' stunned silence "Back home this stuff will set you back around two hundred and fifty dollars, here, on one of our 'manipulated' missions we found ten cases, seems some Iraqi militants have a taste for alcohol... and a fine one at that" The colonel slid a glass over to Marcus and raised his. Marcus picked up the glass and reciprocated the toast.

   "To the end of Australia's involvement in Iraq"

   "I'll drink to that" Marcus was growing more concerned, not only had he blatantly addressed a senior office but now they were both drinking on duty. If a more senior officer had entered it would be instant court-martial.

   "Ashford I have heard nothing but good words about you ever since you took control of Bravo team, your combat ethic and sharp skills at the tip of the spear have kept 6th Battalion out of a lot of trouble. Today's incident aside there seems to be only one other dint on your record, but I don't need to remind you about that" Marcus visibly tightened at the memory.

   "Now I know you have been taking night classes for your degree with officer services, and with you exemplarily service record and tactical awareness skills. I have decided to there is no point wasting your potential, in two months after we get home I have decided and already cleared your promotion to Lieutenant, now we need you in 6th Battalion so you will be acting second in command under Lieutenant Owens until his transfer is completed" Shock would be an understatement, Marcus couldn't help to feel excited though, he even let off a smile and stood as the Colonel did then shook his hand.

   "Thank you Sir, this is great news" Marcus said then wondered about something else Avery mentioned "Sir, where is Lieutenant Owens transferring too?" Marcus asked.

   "Oh ahh, he was accepted over at second commando regiment" Avery said with a smile, Marcus almost dropped, Pyro hated the 2nd, well that was what he had always told Marcus "Now I'd hate to run on such a great occasion, but I have a meeting Lieutenant General Meres via sat com" Avery patted a stone faced Marcus on the back as he left the room. Marcus controlled the fury he was feeling deep inside. He breathed deeply for several seconds then threw the whiskey glass across the room smashing it against a half empty book case.

Description
   - When you have a reputation as a proficient combat team, as soon as something goes wrong you get pounded, I expected an absolute lashing from Pyro but it was quite the opposite. We secured the site and got Sheng back to Command, he would be alright three bullets got lodged in spare clips on his chest and only one found its way through, right into the collarbone. We had switched to frangibles or 'cookies' as we call them. They are designed to disintegrate to minimise penetration.

   Nether-the-less one of my squad just shot one of our own, this was unacceptable in my eyes. But apparently Pryo felt differently he just gave me a pat on the shoulder and sent me up here to see Colonel Avery... Perhaps this was worse. Colonel Avery was one of the highest ranking Australian officers still deployed, perhaps I was getting demoted -

   A young private stepped out stood tall at attention "Good evening, Sergeant Ashford" Marcus stood up.

   "At ease private"

   "Colonel Avery will see you now sir"

   "Thank you private" Marcus moved to go in and the private saluted. Marcus, hiding his impatience saluted back "Carry on" he said before entering the Colonels makeshift office which was formerly a principal's office to a rundown Iraq school.

   Marcus enters the office and stands at attention. Colonel Avery was standing behind his desk, "At Ease Sergeant" Avery said before Marcus could introduce and salute, Marcus knew a salute was not warranted indoors unless you were introducing yourself to a senior officer, which Avery had already eased.

   "You requested to see me Sir"

   "Yes Sergeant, please sit down" Avery offered as he sat behind the desk, Marcus took the first available seat in front of the desk.

   "I heard you had a bit of trouble out there today" Avery commented which led Marcus to believe this was not going to be a kind meeting.

   "Yes sir, unfortunately we did" Marcus answered trying not to show his disappointment in himself, he needed to remain confident, officers like that in a soldier.

   "What happened" Colonel Avery asked.

   "Well Sir. My newest squad member breached a target early and became disorientated from a breach grenade, at the same time I had three members breach the back entrance. They were attacked by a guard dog and one of my men disabled the animal as the third opened the door to the main room. Private Skull still disorientated from the flash and gun fire let off a short burst. Private Sheng took a frangible round to the shoulder" Marcus finished confidently, even though the tension now was building as Avery remained quiet for several more seconds.

   "It's disappointing for something like this to happen on our last mission, if Private Sheng was killed we would be facing an unfavourable uproar back home"

   "Permission to speak freely sir" Marcus added with a slight frown.

   "Go on"

   "Sir if there was such a high risk in this mission why were we given clear rules of engagement and specifically told to switch to frangibles. It is hard enough to keep morale up when we keep getting tasked with failure driven missions, but then add matters worse by restricting our men's effectiveness in battle in high risk environments. I'm sorry sir I feel our battalion is underutilised and over manipulated" Marcus was well surprised by himself, he guessed he was going to be demoted but this might have been going too far, at least he got his say in before they went home. All to do now was wait for the backlash.

   Avery sat silently he tilted his head to one side and opened up the desk drawer, he withdrew two whiskey glasses and placed them on the table then reached into the drawer again and pulled out a long bottle with Hennessey written across it, he unscrewed the lid and started to pour.

   "Hennessey Private Reserve" Colonel Avery broke Marcus' stunned silence "Back home this stuff will set you back around two hundred and fifty dollars, here, on one of our 'manipulated' missions we found ten cases, seems some Iraqi militants have a taste for alcohol... and a fine one at that" The colonel slid a glass over to Marcus and raised his. Marcus picked up the glass and reciprocated the toast.

   "To the end of Australia's involvement in Iraq"

   "I'll drink to that" Marcus was growing more concerned, not only had he blatantly addressed a senior office but now they were both drinking on duty. If a more senior officer had entered it would be instant court-martial.

   "Ashford I have heard nothing but good words about you ever since you took control of Bravo team, your combat ethic and sharp skills at the tip of the spear have kept 6th Battalion out of a lot of trouble. Today's incident aside there seems to be only one other dint on your record, but I don't need to remind you about that" Marcus visibly tightened at the memory.

   "Now I know you have been taking night classes for your degree with officer services, and with you exemplarily service record and tactical awareness skills. I have decided to there is no point wasting your potential, in two months after we get home I have decided and already cleared your promotion to Lieutenant, now we need you in 6th Battalion so you will be acting second in command under Lieutenant Owens until his transfer is completed" Shock would be an understatement, Marcus couldn't help to feel excited though, he even let off a smile and stood as the Colonel did then shook his hand.

   "Thank you Sir, this is great news" Marcus said then wondered about something else Avery mentioned "Sir, where is Lieutenant Owens transferring too?" Marcus asked.

   "Oh ahh, he was accepted over at second commando regiment" Avery said with a smile, Marcus almost dropped, Pyro hated the 2nd, well that was what he had always told Marcus "Now I'd hate to run on such a great occasion, but I have a meeting Lieutenant General Meres via sat com" Avery patted a stone faced Marcus on the back as he left the room. Marcus controlled the fury he was feeling deep inside. He breathed deeply for several seconds then threw the whiskey glass across the room smashing it against a half empty book case.