Skulduggery

Yes this unit does really exist though the truth (Or otherwise)of this story I'll leave you to judge. I've said too much already.

"We only walk in peace and freedom because rough men are willing to do dark deeds on our behalf" Anon

Jack Ellis was a member of 14th Detachment of the Military Intelligence Corps. They earned the nickname ‘The Green Slime’ because of the awful colour of their headgear. ‘The Slime’ works closely with the SAS planning and co-ordinating strikes against terrorist groups. If asked about their function they’d smile and say ‘Oh the usual spook stuff: thuggery, buggery and general skulduggery. But behind the joke lay deadly purpose as many a terrorist found to his cost.

It was 1972 and Londonderry was ablaze with riots, shootings and bombings when Jack was briefed on a highly dangerous mission.

‘As you know’ said t major Thom known as The Boss ‘there are people in the province who are, for all practical purposes, above the law. They’re protected by a wall of silence which makes it impossible to gain a conviction.’ He spread a folder on the table and selected a photograph. ‘This is Declan O’ Moriarty AKA Deadly Declan.’

Jack looked at the photo surprised at how young the man appeared ‘is this the guy whose devices have killed three bomb disposal experts boss?'

‘It is’ said Thom ‘He lives in Eire until he’s required then he’s brought in, does his job, and is spirited away again. Sometimes it’s for a booby trapped lorry bomb; sometimes it’s to kill one of our experts.'

‘So how do we take him out?’ Jack asked his professional interest aroused.

‘We've had a stroke of luck there’ Thom smiled ‘Declan has been screwing some high commander’s wife’ Thom explained ‘now he's been called in to set a trap for our experts and, thanks to Declan’s dick, we know where and when.’ He eyed Jack speculatively ‘how do you fancy taking him out?’

Jack paused considering: This could be a clever trap; he’d be working alone if he were captured he’d be tortured and killed. Bollocks, it was worth the risk. ‘How boss?’ he asked.

The briefing was brief.

Jack was in the shop three hours before the bomber was due. He found the alcove behind the counter as described. There was no room to sit so he stood watching through a crack in the curtain listening intently. At three a.m. a van arrived. Three men unloaded fertilizer sacks which they carried into the shop. The van drove away and Declan set to work. The other man drew a pistol and stood watching the street. Neither spoke.

He aimed carefully holding his breath before putting a bullet into the back of the bodyguard‘s neck dropping him instantly. Declan heard the plop of the silencer and whirled reaching desperately for his weapon. Jack gave him an icy smile before shooting him through the throat. Body shots would have been easier but even after a major explosion with the head and limbs blown off it the torso stayed more or less intact. Bullet holes would be hard to explain at an inquest. This way the bomber had simply made his last mistake. No propaganda bullshit. No heroes.

Examining the device Jack found two trembler switches, a pressure plate and a mercury tilt switch, several detonators and a timer. This was not just a bomb this was a lethal booby trap. Jack set the timer at three minutes and left by the back door. Hurrying away Jack saw a car pull up outside the shop just as the bomb blew.

Three miles from the scene the half expected ambush cars arrived. One raced in front cutting him off, the other rammed his rear. Jack rolled out of the vehicle into the road as two men emerged from the front car. He shot the man pointing the sub machine gun first then his companion. Two shots two kills.

He dived away as bullets raked the road where he’d been. A man from the rear car with an Armalite was adjusting his aim Jack shot him and traversed his weapon. The fourth gunman panicked firing his pistol wildly. Jack put a bullet through his heart.

After collecting the mens’ weapons Jack jumped in his car. Distant sirens sounded. It was time to go.

After his debrief Jack was asked ‘anything else?’

‘Yes, that commander informant, I want him next.’