The Big Breach - Index of

The Big Breach; From Top Secret to Maximum SecurityCompliments of http://www.192.comWhile they deliberated, Nixon kept us busy with a shooting competitiondown on the Fort's outdoor range. We were now moderately proficient andcould handle a Browning 9mm safely, which was an improvement on when westarted. Most of the time most of us managed to hit the centre of thefigure 12 (half-size man) target from ten metres on a fast draw withthe Browning, and we were accurate at that range within a fewcentimetres with the Heckler and Koch MP5. Hare ironically reckonedthat he had personally shot more rounds of 9mm during the IONEC thanduring his entire eight-year army career. Our training was a wastefulextravagance, but one that we all enjoyed. Even the mild-mannered andliberal Forton, who initially regarded guns with distaste, nowapproached the lessons with relish. One round of Nixon's competitionwas to knock down empty beer cans against the clock with the Heckler &Koch set on its single-shot setting. Forton won by flicking the submachinegun into automatic mode and spraying the row of cans with afull magazine, grinning wildly like a raver on ecstasy.As the competition progressed, one by one we were called away to seethe DS in main wing. Bart went first - he was awarded a Box 2 and wasposted to counter-proliferation section, a job I was disappointed notto get myself. Castle got a Box 2 and became a junior R officer in theMiddle East controllerate. Markham was posted to a junior P desk in theWest European controllerate with a Box 2. Hare was assigned to a jointsection with MI5 to work against Middle East terrorists, also with aBox 2. Spencer was relieved to get a Box 2 and went to work as atargeting officer in the East European controllerate. Forton was badlycriticised for his performance on Exercise Solo and for annoying theSAS with his Frank Sinatra impression. He was marked down to a Box 3and posted to an R desk in the Africa controllerate, much to hisdisappointment. I was called away from the shooting competition just asForton, chuckling maniacally, was about to demolish an old safe with aRemington Wingmaster repeat-action shotgun, and walked over to see Ballin the west wing.`Congratulations,' Ball announced, shaking my hand. `Your performancethroughout the course was outstanding. You never put a foot wrong andwe feel we had no other alternative but to award you a Box 1 for youroutstanding performance.' Long beamed in the background, as Ballcontinued. `It is a remarkable achievement. We've checked throughpersonnel department records, and nobody has ever before received a Box1 on the IONEC.' Ball handed me my SAF and let me read it for a fewminutes. It was filled with glowing praise, and I felt justifiablyproud. `In view of your grade, we've decided to post you to SOV/OPSdepartment,' Ball announced.`That's a great post,' Long added, `you'll get lots of travel and willget to work on some really interesting operations. H/SOV/OPS asked foryou especially.'MONDAY, 30 MARCH 1992CENTURY HOUSE, LONDON6. TOP SECRETpage- 64 - To purchase the original limited edition hardback version of this bookplease call 08000 192 192 or go to http://www.192.com