SOAP 5

Salima checked the MQ report, he'd shared with the same person throughout. Shows loyalty, but then an officer and his radioman would have a close relationship of trust. Then Salima burst out laughing, blindingly simple, 3 Kabul CO either won't or doesn't put him up for OC exam; Salima has no authority to order it. But his partner Sonali is taking the WO course. When she graduates, she'll end up in HQ and of course bring him.
Once he's here, sky's the limit. Now maybe Intel would be a good starting place. And those silly Brits only had him a Sgt; well ever since they've lost that Empire their head have been up their behinds.

Salima's plan was destined to come to naught. After three lessons, Sonali realized her heart wasn't in it, switched to English teacher course. Now the education officer on Kerguelen had no idea of Salima's underlying plan; had simply been instructed to never force an issue, people perform best if it's their choice of course.
So when Sonali came to the education officer, the latter was ultra-helpful and in no time, Sonali was re-enrolled.
Not surprisingly, this was romantic, Charlie tutoring her. For him, a chance to repay her tutoring in Pashtu.

In due course, Salima checked on Sonali's progress. After a couple minutes of thought she shrugged. Well the Col is useful where he is or in HQ, no big deal. Then Salima laughed, where had she learned that? None other than the Col. He had that ability to improv, to shoot from the hip, no matter how something turned out, he could roll with it and turn it to advantage. Life is more fun, adventure, less stress if you approach it that way.
Now let's go kick the Command Council in the pants.

Malali was astounded, whistled softly. Authorization to increase contingent size from 100 to 150; herself promoted to Acting Commander. Equipment budget, whoa, where on earth did all that money come from?
Malali chuckled, well just because Salima shot me, doesn't mean she hates me. Charlie had said two bottles of brandy that day.
She showed the letter to Sonali and Charlie, "I'm declaring a victory bash in the mess. Coffee and pastry for the quiet-marrieds, S&M night for the crazies."
The celebration would of course be a Wednesday evening.

Wednesday's mail brought the usual fruitless nonsense:
- revised travel rates, as if we ever use those;
- exhortation to increased recycling, as if we have facilities;
-memo from the Ethnic Committee on ways and means to be more sensitive to cultural minorities; as if we have time to read 568 pages;
-new regs for parking motorscooters in HQ;
-menu for the officer-sgt mess for the next month;
-new security procedures for the HQ perimeter fence.
Malali tore open the envelope arriving from the C-in-C. Two things:
-memo Charlie would be interim successor to cover any illness or absence of her;
-memo requesting her to pin the enclosed award on him during the next public meeting of 3 Kabul.
Whoa, Order of Merit, highest you can get. The citation was short, "In a situation originally involving risk to his own life, WO Charlie Thompson rallied unit resistance in 3 Kabul. They then went on to deliver the biggest achievement the organization has seen in years." It was signed by Salima herself. Well, Malali thought, it's true, he did it, not me.

Malali caught up to him at teabreak. First, showed him the letter naming him interim successor. "Going on leave in a bit, glad the unit will be in good hands."
He blushed, "I'll try, do my best."
Solemnly Malali showed the other memo and the decoration. He raised an eyebrow, "didn't she overstate a bit?"
"Not on your life, she's tough as nails on awards, never gives em out til you've earned it twice over." Malali wiped a tear, "last time this happened, I was pinning the Iron Cross on you in Yugoslavia. Conspicuous gallantry averting considerable loss of life."
Charlie wiped a tear.
"So what'll you say in your acceptance speech?"
"Not a lot, just how important love and comradership really are."

People sensed something huge coming, instant hush as Malali rose. She called him forward, read the citation, pinned the award, "now y'all know how stingy Salima is, never get it till you've earned it twice over."
Charlie looked like he was on the edge of tears, "I've been decorated five times by the British Army: 3 in Ulster and 2 in Yugoslavia. But this, well, it's special. Been in elite units, First Para and Special Air Service. I'm happy to say comradeship here is on a par with that. Very important, your comrades, do your best for them. Found something else here, something I've never had before, love. Now if you don't have it, by all means look for it. If you do, hang onto it, always do your best for your partner."
Wiping his eyes, he walked over to Sonali, hugged and kissed her. Loud applause.

Later Malali, Sonali and Charlie were sitting together. Waheeda came up, "you ah told him of the ritual Malali?"
Malali colored, "sor-ry, been too busy, just came in the mail today."
Wicked grin, Waheeda proceeded, "there's a tradition, in the whole organization, not just 3 Kabul. Win an award, that night in the mess, you paddle all comers. Dozen strokes to anyone who wants. Then you ah rub lotion on the behind."
He blushed beet red, but recovered quickly, "but surely that violates the proprieties? I mean, if a man does it?"
Waheeda grinned, "well that it does. So we have to slightly modify the rules. All partakers must keep panty on. We will set up a screen, behind which your lovely wife can do the lotioning."
Sonali hugged him, playfully bit his ear. A mil himself he understood the importance of unit bonding rituals.
Grin, "bring it on, whenever you're ready."
Waheeda laughed, "I go first, I want em very heavy, hard as you can swing."
There was a practical reason Waheeda went first, coach him on proper finger placement, arm motion and the like.
The entire unit chose to participate. This was no ordinary S&M night; special; first award ever to a member of 3 Kabul; first ever to a man; first ever to a foreigner. In fact, in 30 years of hsitory, only eight Orders of Merit had been handed out.
People would ask for very light, light, medium, heavy or very heavy and of course Waheeda was keeping him on track, him lacking any experience.
Anyone asking for very light, it was purely symbolic, showing unit pride, the paddle barely touched her. Lotsa couples went hand-in-hand; showing the world two things, love and unit pride.
There would be a real S&M party later for the crazies, Sonali and Charlie wouldn't stay.
After, he finished, Waheeda hugged him, "here's hoping you didn't have spanking plans."
He gave a loud mock groan, "sor-ry honey, my arm is broken."
Sonali winked at Waheeda, said to him, "don't be a wimp, use your left hand."

They wandered home hand-in-hand. As they snuggled, Sonali said, "you've arrived now. You saw that air of comradeship, this place rocks." Pause "you realize what this means also, no problem with Salima if you ever do go to HQ."
He kissed her, "fate may eventually take me there, but prefer here for now."

In fact, the party was still ongoing when people showed for breakfast. It continued behind the screen, so as not to offend the diners.
Charlie chuckled, "they'll be so tired, they'll sleep well."
Laugh, "you really are such an innocent little boy. Take away the parachute or helicopter or SA80 or APC and there's lots you don't know bout life."
"Such as?"
"They're on their way to the mother of all orgies."
"You're joking?"
"No. So let's go picnic get away from the noise."
"I'd like that," he smiled.