Firestorm - 30. FS Chapter 30

“I hope you don’t mind, but they arrived yesterday, so I invited them to attend, as they need to speak to you once this ceremony has concluded” Lt Colonel Harding said to me quietly. I had no idea why I was being asked to speak to the Brigadier, until I saw the badge on his arm, the badge of Special Operations Command, and I realised that this was the same Brigadier that I spoke to last week, during the intrusion at Bindoon.

The ceremony went smoothly, and Angela looked stunning in her dress, as the chaplain pronounced us Wife and Husband, knowing that it was Angela who had proposed to me, and I smiled broadly, as I kissed my wife for the first time and everyone cheered and applauded. This is when the Brigadier stepped forward, to make an unexpected announcement.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, I am sorry to intrude on this special event, but I have limited time available to me before I fly back to Sydney, my name is Brigadier Murdoch from Special Operations Command in Sydney” the Brigadier began, as I held tight to my wife’s hand, unsure what was about to happen.

“Unfortunately, you are not in uniform, but considering the circumstances, that is allowed, Staff Sergeant Benning, front and centre” the Brigadier ordered, and I looked at Lt Colonel Harding for a moment, before facing forward again, before releasing my hold on Angela and snapping to attention, before I marched over to where the Brigadier stood. “Staff Sergeant Benning, I was planning to give you a promotion to Warrant Officer, but I have been informed your CO, that you have refused a previous promotion.

So, in replacement for the promotion, I am awarding you the highest bravery award, the Cross of Valour, for acts of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme peril. Along with that I am awarding you the Conspicuous Service Cross, for outstanding devotion to duty and outstanding achievement in the application of exceptional skills, judgement and dedication in a non-war-like situation. Congratulations” the Brigadier said as he handed me two cases, that had the awards in them, and I shook his hand and saluted, as everyone else applauded.

Once the Brigadier and his aide had left, we all headed to the yacht club to enjoy lunch, with our family and colleagues. Tom was fascinated by the awards that I had received, and kept on asking me to have a look at them every twenty minutes or so, while we ate lunch. As we neared the end of lunch, Lt Colonel Harding stood up to make a speech. “To the Bride and Groom, I wish you all the very best for the future, and as a gift from the Army, I wish to present to you this” the CO said as he handed over a large yellow envelope, which had Special Operations Command stamped on it.

“(Former) Staff Sergeant Mitchell Benning, you have been promoted to Warrant Officer, and are hereby ordered to prepare for travel to your new posting – as part of an Officer Exchange Programme. Your family will be permitted to travel with you for this two-year term exchange. Your posting is to the British Infantry Training Centre at Catterick, North Yorkshire, UK, were you will be a firearms instructor. Information on where to go, your transport to get there and accommodation details of the private house rental at nearby village of Scotton are enclosed. Good Luck, signed Brigadier Murdoch”.

“Bloody hell” I exclaimed after reading the letter a second time, before handing it to Angela for her to read, and I saw wide grins on the faces of the CO and WO Owens, who obviously were aware of the orders. “Bloody hell” Angela said, echoing my comment. “Mum? Dad? What is it?” Tom asked us, and it took me a moment to realised that Tom had called me dad, which made me smile. “Tom, I have been transferred to an overseas exchange posting, to England, and you and your mum are coming with me” I announced, “Wow, awesome” Tom replied.