Red Hawk Rising

necessary. Our job is to prevent that happening. We will split up into three teams and four-hour shifts at the hospital. The teams will do duty, then stand-by and then rest. We are being called to do this because we are trained and we are already here. MI5 will most likely send some people up apart from Wing Commander Hamilton, but for the time being we assume that we are it. We’ll draw straws later for the first shifts. Brad, you and the sergeants will each head a team. I’ll join one but will be free to change according to dictates at the time. Taffy, you will be in the stand-by team and today you and one other will drive up to RAF Kinloss to get additional supplies and re-fuel the truck. The additional supplies will include additional side-arms and ammunition. Hopefully, we won’t need to use them. Authorisation will have been sent to Kinloss so report to the station adjutant when you arrive. In each team will be a person who has an approved licence to drive the truck. Okay, I’m going over to the lodge to see Mr Morrison before that group departs this afternoon. Carry on.” Brad then worked out the teams, keeping them to the pairs that they were already in as far as possible.

“Andy, you pair with me and Stan, you pair with Sergeant Murphy. The rest of you stay the same. The duty team will be dropped off at Aviemore when Taffy goes to Kinloss. Any questions?” There was a shake of the heads and all went about their additional chores.

Forty minutes later, Crombie arrived back in the camp. In his absence, the stand-by team had prepared a list of supplies to be requisitioned for five days. “Oh Brad, come and discuss the requisition with me,” called out Crombie. A yell of acknowledgement was returned. He then called for the duty team, which was Sergeant Murphy and his team, and briefed them. “When you get to the hospital, go to reception and say who you are and that you are to report to the policeman on duty. Apparently, this has already been arranged by MI5 with the Chief Constable. Thirty minutes later saw the three-tonner pulling out with the duty team on board. It took with it one of the hand-held radios and Sergeant Murphy had one of the side-arms in case it was needed. The stand-by team had the responsibility of manning the base radio at all times. After dropping the duty team off at the hospital, the truck headed off to RAF Kinloss.

At 14:00 hours, the Mancunian Mountaineering Club pulled out in a coach to head back to Manchester. An hour later a black Rover 6 pulled into the base camp and Wing Commander Hamilton got out and went to the main tent. He introduced himself to Flying Officer Crombie and the two of them had a private conversation. “I was flown into RAF Kinloss this morning and they choppered me down to Aviemore where I went into the hospital to see Major Garasov and the other two injured men. Garasov’s dislocated shoulder has been fixed but he has some internal injuries. The doctor feels that he shouldn’t be moved for the next few days. I discussed his situation vis-à-vis Moscow and gave him some proof and asked him what he would like to do. Garasov said that he wanted to have time to think about it and he wants to stay at the hospital until the doctor says he can be moved. He also asked about Dr Janet Maclaren, his lady friend from the university. I told him she will be protected as from today. It seems that their romance could be getting serious, which raises some issues. I noticed that the duty policeman at the hospital seems to have company,” Hamilton finished.

“Yes, we received orders this morning and have split up into three teams to do four-hour shifts. Each team is led by a SNCO who is armed and the team is in radio contact with this base camp at all times,” Crombie replied. “They will radio in every hour at pre-agreed times,” he went on.

Hamilton nodded his agreement. He continued, “The hospital has kindly agreed to put me up in the staff quarters so that I am on hand. So you can contact me at the hospital. I’ll be having my meals there until we get a clearer picture of what is happening. I expect the Russians to arrive and make an official request to move Major Garasov which will be denied on medical grounds and the patient’s wishes. We will then have to be prepared to take protective action. I have two colleagues on their way here to give support.”

“Thank you, sir,” replied Crombie. “I’ll call in on you when I’m on duty at the hospital.” They shook hands, both walked outside and Hamilton got into his car and drove back towards Aviemore. Crombie stood for a moment and then slowly walked towards the lake in deep thought.

The rest of the day and the night passed without incident. The shifts had changed over and everything operated smoothly. At 11:00 hours the next day, two representatives from the Russian Embassy arrived at Aviemore Hospital and requested to see Major Garasov, at the same time showing their credentials. The receptionist asked them to be seated while she checked with the doctor. The doctor came out to see them and explained that the major was currently receiving treatment and asked if they would they come back in about two hours’ time. One of the men stiffened but the other bowed courteously and said that they would return in two hours. Sitting in reception, reading a magazine, was Sergeant Murphy, arm in a sling as though he was waiting to be seen by medical staff. After the Russians left, he pulled the hand-held radio from his pocket and radioed base with the news. Sitting in