Free Rolling Thunder (2007) by Jack - Seals 04 Terral Page B

reassembled.
    The uniforms of the crews were also washed and pressed, and now all stood at parade rest in front of their EE-3s waiting to be inspected. Warrant Officer Shafaqat Hashiri, the company sergeant major, stood to the front. When he saw Captain Sikes step from his Quonset hut, the warrant officer snapped-to, made an about-turn, and called the company to attention. Boot heels clicked together and hands slapped the sides of trousers as the men assumed the proper parade-ground position. Hashiri made another about-turn. When Sikes marched up to him, he saluted sharply. The company is ready for inspection, sir! he barked in English.
    Carry on, Mr. Hashiri, Sikes said.
    Once more, the warrant officer about-turned, then ordered the men to parade rest. Then he and Sikes marched down to the far right of the platoons. The commander of the armored car in that position called his men to attention. Sikes checked the crew's appearance, then made a walk around the vehicle, carefully noting the condition of the steel exterior. He wasn't so concerned about dust since the wind kicked it up constantly, but he wanted to make sure there was no rust. The nearby salt marshes made erosion a constant threat to vehicles, weapons, and equipment.
    When he finished with the first vehicle, he marched over to the second. That commander called his men to attention while the first put his crew at parade rest.
    Very precise. Very military. Very much bashing on the square, as the Brits say.
    WHEN Arsalaan Sikes, nee Archibald Sikes, arrived at Chehaar Garrison, he was put into an intense training program. It was at this time he learned that al-Zaim was actually Brigadier Shahruz Khohollah of the Iranian Army.
    After only a few days of the military instruction, it became apparent to Khohollah that this newly converted English Muslim not only knew more than the Iranian cadre, but was better schooled than they in military science. He was promoted to sergeant and turned loose on the mujahideen. Within a couple of weeks, the mob of Arab farm and city boys was disciplined, drilled, and sharp. Brigadier Khohollah was pleased to report to his superiors that the group would be ready for combat two months ahead of schedule.
    Sikes's old pal Khalil Farouk, who had enticed him to desert from the British Army, had come along from Saudi Arabia with his protege. Farouk was not in the military branch of the Jihad Abadi; he was a political officer who conducted propaganda and religious classes to inspire the new soldiers to want to fight for the cause. He emphasized they could serve Islam best by becoming skilled, disciplined soldiers. Allah had blessed the Jihad Abadi, and wanted a logical, pragmatic fighting force able to carry on a prolonged, effective struggle until the final day of holy victory.
    Sikes and Farouk roomed together in one end of a hut, and spent most evenings in talk. Sikes sorely missed his British ale and stout, but enjoyed sipping thick, black khawe coffee from tiny cups. That, and smoking an argili water pipe during long quiet hours, brought him new comforts and relaxation. Farouk wanted to use those quiet times to impart further encouragement to his English friend, and he decided to tell him about the Arab Legion. Sikes listened with rapt attention as the Arab's narrative enthralled him, feeding his imagination with new fantasies of glory.
    The Arab Legion was a large unit of Arab soldiers commanded by British officers. The Legion was first formed in October 1920 by Captain Frederick Peake in Transjordan from the local gendarmerie. At first, they were undisciplined and uncaring after many months without pay. Most did not bother to wear their uniforms. But Peake went to work, shaped them up, and got the right administrative and supply wheels turning to raise morale. When they were ready for active duty, he dubbed this newly reactivated unit the Arab Legion.
    Peake was later joined by another Brit ranker, Major John Glubb. This latter officer was