Redemption - Leon Uris [167]
“Congratulations…Brigadier…well, have to get used to saying, General Brodhead.”
“Has a rather nice sound,” Brodhead agreed. “My first task is to put together a cadre of two hundred officers from a pool of a thousand men. I got first crack and I think I’ve got the best unassigned officers in the entire army. We shall be on the way to Egypt shortly and hopefully we’ll arrive before the advance contingent of Aussies.”
Major General Brodhead sat and weighed his coming words with all the added responsibility of the new rank. “While we admire and honor the fighting skills of our colonials, it has been the unwritten law that the top commanders and key staff officers remain British.”
“One can certainly understand the need for London to control the war,” Chris said.
“Yes, down to the battalion level, whenever possible. I think that one of the reasons I was selected was that I was a light colonel and commanded a battalion of Aussies during the nasty business with the Boers. Now I see the New Zealand chaps as Englishmen, once removed. The Aussies, however, are wild colonial boys, their ranks filled with Irish of the wrong persuasion, and they behave as one might expect from the great-grandchildren of a penal colony. But properly disciplined and trained, they are bully in combat, smashing fighters.”
“So, I take it we are to establish just who is running the show at once.”
“Yes, and we don’t have enough time to train them properly. We’re going to have to push them right up to the edge and then over it. Now, Chris, comes the interesting part of our little discussion.”
“I thought it was pretty damned interesting up till now, General.”
“I have a particular mission for you that I feel is absolutely essential to the success of the coming campaign. I can’t give you the details now, but I’ve been cleared to unseal your orders aboard ship, en route to Egypt.
“When I say that win or lose depends on what you make of your assignment, I mean it,” Brodhead continued. “I can also assure you you will absolutely hate the command and probably loathe me.”
Chris knew he had been boxed in. Father, General, urgency and importance—and really no way out. “Well, sir,” Chris said with a sort of smile, “seems like you and I are destined to be stuck with one another. I’m at your service.”
Brodhead unleashed a half-wicked smile, opened his drawer, and tossed a pair of crown insignia on the desk.
“I wore these when I was a major. They’re yours now.”
Chris took the crowns with some ambivalence. What a show at his tender age. On the other hand, the General must have something really nasty up his sleeve.
“This is war, Chris. Do this job for me, without question, and I’ll do everything in my power to skip you right over light colonel to full colonel. That could mean commanding your own regiment and, if the war goes on a year or two, a full brigade.”
Heady stuff!
“Is Jeremy on the list?” Chris asked.
“Yes, he’s been doing a fair job of late. I’m promoting him to lieutenant, but for reasons we both know, he’s your responsibility, and if he fucks up, I’ll not spare him. Lord Roger knows that as well.”
“Actually, he’s eased up on his drinking a bit. Maybe Egypt will do him some good.”
When Major Hubble was dismissed, the General heaved a great sigh of relief. He knew, in his guts, that Chris Hubble could do the job. It was key stuff.
“What till the poor chap finds out what I have in mind for him,” he mumbled under his breath.
“Your son Christopher is on the secure line, m’lady,” Lawrence, her secretary, said.
“Hello,