26 Intermission: Valkyrie

April 1999

Outskirts of Cambridge

Hamilton estate

The Hamilton family is one of the oldest families in England. Besides having an extensive military history, the Hamilton family is one of the largest horse breeders in Europe, owning "Hamilton Horses".

The family makes sure that ever generation continues both traditions. One child is focused towards the economic branch while the other goes towards the military.

Tradition was that the man becomes the soldier. However, that was about to change.

The eldest child of the Hamilton family, Reginald Hamilton, age 19, was not interested in the military and was aiming to become the next head of "Hamilton Horses". His sister, Victoria,age 15, on the other hand, was the opposite.

Despite knowing the family tradition, she kept getting more and more interested in the army. Wanting to join, she kept focusing towards that goal.

Victoria was running towards his father's study. She entered the room:"Father! Father look!" She gives him a brochure.

Father:"What is this?"

Victoria:"While I was at school, my friend Johnathan gave it to me. It's a list of all the different army branches and what they offer. Based on my performance at school, I could become an officer and a field medic."

Father:"We discussed this Victoria, you won't be joining the army."

Victoria:"Why not? I want to! Is it tradition, or the fact you think I won't pass cause I'm a girl!"

Father:"Watch your manners! As the head of the family, I forbid you to speak of this again!"

Victoria:"But Reginald doesn't want to do it! He's already made up his mind that he wants to own the company! And Thomas is too sweet and carrying for it."

Father:"He'll learn."

Victoria:"But-"

Father:"Enough! Go to your room!"

Victoria stomps and leaves his study. On the way she bumps into her brother, Reginald:"Sorry."

She storms off. Reginald walks into the study:"I'm assuming you were talking about her joining the army?"

Father:"It's all she ever talks about."

Reginald:"So just let her join already."

Father:"It isn't that simple Reginald. I can't just-"

His wife, Elizabeth, walks in:"And why not?"

Reginald turned:"Mother?"

Elizabeth:"For god's sake George, it won't be the first time something like this happened."

Reginald:"What?"

Elizabeth:"Oh so he hasn't told you. His cousins used to dress up like men and join the army just to spite their parents."

George:"That's different. The war is over and we need to think about the future."

Elizabeth:"Then think of this as a new step. You're not bound by your father anymore. Let her fulfil the dream you had."

Reginald:"Father? What is mother talking about?"

George sighs and takes off his glasses:"When I was a boy, I often played with toy soldiers. I used to carve little miniatures and make armies. I still have them." He pulls out a small wooden figure. "But, I was forced to run the company, by my father. My older brother, Oliver, on the other hand, was able to enlist in the army. I think he's a brigadier now. I'm unsure."

Reginald:"So... will you let Victoria join then?"

George pondered. This was against tradition. But right now, his daughter's happiness was more important than any old piece of paper. He looks at his wife:"You're right. She's more important. Thank you Elizabeth."

Elizabeth smiles:"Hm. Well I know you didn't choose me for my cooking."

George smiles and rushes to Victoria's room. When he enters he finds her sitting at her desk drawing something.

He sits on her bed:"Hey Victoria. Sit here for a moment."

She gets up and sits next to him, but keeps looking straight and not in the eyes.

George:"Listen. I can't send you to the army right now."

Victoria:...

George:"So... in two years time, when you turn 17, I will give my consent and enlist you into the Royal Military Academy of Sandhurst."

Victoria looks at him with her eyes widened and mouth opened.

George:"Now I have to warn you, your uncle went there and he-"

Victoria hugs him and cries tears of joy:"Thank you father! Thank you so much."

He hugs her back.

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(Two years later)

April 2002

Sandhurst, UK

Victoria steps out of the car that brought her to Sandhurst.

Victoria:"Thank you Nigel."

Nigel:"Of course. Good luck my lady."

Nigel leaves and Victoria steps inside. She looks around until a voice calls her over:"Hey, there's my niece!"

She turns around and sees a familiar face.

Victoria bursts from happiness:"Uncle Oliver!" She hugs him tightly and he hugs her back.

Victoria:"What are you doing here? I thought you were in London."

Oliver:"Didn't you hear? I got a job as a secretary here in Sandhurst."

Victoria:"Really? That's great."

Oliver:"Yes. George told me he gave you his consent so you could join. Gotta say this is quite unusual. There's only a few who are this willing to join this early."

Victoria:"Well I'm eager to get started."

Oliver:"Alright. I'll show you to your class. We just got about 25 new recruits. You'll fit right in."

Oliver takes Victoria to a class room. It's field with students about 20 years old.

Oliver:"Listen up! This is Victoria Hamilton. She'll be joining you."

One ginger yelled:"Hamilton?! Hey horse girl! Just remember that a cavalry isn't a thing anymore!"

A lot of them laughed. Victoria lowered her head a bit. But then a blond guy spoke up in a Scottish accent:"Could ya be any more of a prick!?" He turned towards Victoria,"There's a seat here if you want."

Victoria:"Thank you." She sits next to him.

He introduced himself:"Pleasure to meet you. Name's Alexander Anderson."

Victoria:"I'm Victoria Hamilton."

Alexander:"Don't mind that ginger fuck. If he troubles ya let me know."

Victoria smiled:"Thanks."

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(44 weeks later)

May 2002

Sandhurst, UK

It was graduation day. Victoria passed with flying colours and so did her friend Alexander.

One thing was sad though. Due to Alexander's exceptional performance, he was offered to undergo SAS training, while Victoria couldn't cause she wasn't 18. This saddened her.

But, it was going to change. Her uncle brought her to his car and they drove of to a far away location.

Once there, they entered a warehouse. Inside were 16 young men and 3 young women. One of the men was Alexander.

Victoria gasped:"Alexander?"

Alexander:"Victoria? What are you doing here?"

Victoria:"Well my uncle-"

Suddenly a loud voice boomed:"ATTENTION!"

His voice shook everyone. They did that just, stood in a formation.

Voice:"Hm. Guess you're the ones Hamilton talking about."

Everyone looks at Victoria. She panics:"I-I-I didn't say anything."

Voice:"Not you. You're uncle. I'm in charge of turning you info real soldiers."

Alexander:"And who exactly are you?"

Out of the shadow, a large man with a beard and a cigar stepped out. He looked at everyone with a terrifying and menacing face.

Victoria:"Y-You're... *gulp* Captain Thomas Pierce."

Pierce:"Huh. At least someone's got a brain in their bucket. Yes! My name is Captain Thomas Pierce! And for the next 6 months I will be your instructor! You will do what I tell you, when I tell you and how I tell you to do it! Am I clear?!"

Everyone:"Sir yes sir!"

Pierce:"Alright then. Let's begin."

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(Two months later)

July 2002

SAS training consists of three phases spread out over a six month period: Endurance; Jungle training; Escape & Evasion & Tactical Questioning (TQ). Each step is more difficult than the last.

The 20 members have passed the endurance phase, but the jungle is giving them a hard time.

Some were starting to feel like quitting. One of these was John.

John:"Oh God. I can't keep going. I'm done." He sits down.

Alexander:"C'mon, don't sit down! We need to keep going."

Tracy:"Just shut up! This is way too exhausting, let's just cut our losses."

Then a voice yelled out:"No!" It was Victoria. She was walking past them, covered in sweat and breathing heavily."We can't stop! Not now! This is what we signed up for! We knew it was gonna get rough! We all knew the risks! But I'll be damned if I don't see this till the end! If you won't do it for yourself then do it for your country! Do it for your loved ones who are waiting at home for you to return with the great news! You signed up to become soldiers! So get up!"

Her words pierced their heart. Her words weren't anymore special, just plain truth. Nothing they didn't know already. But it was her that made them special. Her words lifted them up, made their bodies light as a feather. They stood up with a determined look and looked at Victoria, as if waiting for orders.

Victoria smiled:"Now, march!"

They kept going forward and never stopped. They were determined to finish this. They don't know why. Her words were like magic.

Far away, Pierce is watching them through his binoculars. He makes a proud smile:"Not bad little girl."

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(Four moths later)

November 2002

It was done. The recruits finished their training. What was most surprising, is that all 20 of them passed. Pierce was the most surprised and impressed of them all.

The 20 former recruits, now real SAS operatives, stood firmly and proudly. Pierce stood in front of them:"These words came out of my mouth only one time. And that time is now... impressive. You have exceeded my expectations. Not gonna lie, I thought at least half of you were gonna quit half way through. But you all kept going forward. Congratulations."

They smiled proudly. It was over. They passed.

Pierce:"However. There is one person in particular who's responsibility for this. Victoria Hamilton. Step forward."

Victoria took one step forward. Pierce came up two feet in front of her. She kept looking straight.

Pierce:"You impressed me most of all. You've shown great skill in every aspect of the program much like everyone, but that's not what impressed me. It's the fact you managed to make this lot keep going with your words alone. For this... I am giving you the title of lieutenant and promoting to commanding officers of Spearhead."

Victoria looks up at him:"Spearhead, sir?"

Pierce:"Yes. This... is Spearhead. Your platoon. You will be in charge."

Victoria:"S-Sir I-"

Pierce:"Don't say anything. These are Brigadier Oliver Hamilton's orders. He told me that if I find you worthy, I will sign your promotion papers. I already did so." He steps back:"Listen up! Your callsign is Spearhead! You will be one of UK's most elite troops! You better not fail me! Am I clear?!"

Everyone:"Sir yes sir!"

Their voice boomed over the building. Like I mighty roar, it blew away everything around it and showed off their power.

Victoria spoke up:"Sir! Permission to speak freely."

Pierce:"Granted."

Victoria:"Sir. Thank you."

Pierce:"Don't thank me, thank yourself. It wasn't me that brought you here, nor was it your uncle and father. It was you and you alone. Your strength and will over came anything. And you don't need to be great full to anyone for that."

Victoria smiled and nodded.

Pierce:"Good. Now lead on."

She took two more steps forward and turned to her platoon:"Spearhead platoon! Face left!" They turned left. "Forward march!" They marched outside. Their footsteps in sync, like a machine.

Pierce stood where he was:"God speed Victoria."

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(Present day)

15th of June, 2011

Palawan, Philippines

Kill team Nemesis was in a truck heading towards a Chinese/Japanese base. She was reading "The art of war".

Yuri was sitting next to her. She looked over to him:"Hey Yuri. Have you ever read this?"

Yuri:"Yes. Twice."

Victoria:"Cool. What's your favourite line?"

Yuri:"All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when we are able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must appear inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near."

Victoria:"That's nice. I like this one 'Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt'."

Yuri:..."I like that one as well."

Victoria smiled.

Driver:"Alright almost there!"

Victoria closes her book.

End of Intermission

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