moment of silence while Carrington allowed that information to sink in.
‘The government has made it quite clear that, while it supports the notion of regime change in Syria, it is pursuing a non-interventionist policy. After Iraq and Afghanistan, there just isn’t the stomach for it. However, if one of these two factions is to come to power in Syria, we want to make sure it’s Asu’s side of the family, not Sorgen’s. There was a time when we’d have been happy to put a Regiment unit on the ground in order to coordinate a training package for the rebels. Having assured the international community that we are taking a non-combative role in Syria, you can see, I’m sure, how it would be diplomatically awkward for us to do so now.’
Danny thought back to Libya. His paymasters hadn’t been so squeamish about ‘non-combative’ roles out there. He put that thought from his mind. He’d long since stopped trying to work out the politics. He was there to do a job of work, not to think about the consequences.
‘Nevertheless,’ Carrington said, ‘we’re keen to extend the hand of friendship to Asu. You’re all aware of International Solutions Ltd?’
Damn right they were all aware of it. International Solutions were private military contractors. They had half the Regiment on their books – guys who’d got sick of risking their necks for Queen and Country and wanted to exercise their skills for a proper paycheck. There wasn’t a hot spot in the world without someone spying a chance to make some money, and that meant private close-protection work was easy to come by. International Solutions supplied the muscle for a good proportion of those kinds of jobs. Word on the streets of Hereford was that they did a whole lot more besides. Stick a few private military contractors in a war zone and you’ve got yourself a fighting force that isn’t bound by the Geneva Convention. Amazing how many problems disappear when you throw away the rules of engagement.
‘International Solutions successfully tendered for a government contract – strictly on the QT, you understand – to deploy a small team of private military contractors to help train Asu’s men. A hand of friendship from the British government, but at one step removed – if anybody follows the money trail, they will be under the impression that Asu himself is employing the PMCs. There are, however, certain elements among the upper echelons of government who are nervous about using the private sector in this way.’ He gave another of his meaningless smiles. ‘Which is where Hugo comes in. He comes to us fresh from a stint in Saudi Arabia. One of our more distinguished Arabists. He’s to make contact with our contractors and ensure that they’re doing the job we’re paying them for. Unofficially, of course. However, we also have a second, perhaps more important, mission for Hugo.’ Carrington turned to the younger man. ‘Perhaps you’d care to explain, Hugo.’
Buckingham looked a little surprised at being put on the spot. Danny watched his cheeks flush as he tried – and failed – to master it. Buckingham stood up, combed the fingers of his right hand through his abundant hair and cleared his throat – to little effect, as his voice was still somewhat croaky when he spoke. ‘I had the good fortune to attend the Sorbonne as a student and—’
‘The sore what?’ Spud interrupted.
An embarrassed pause. ‘It’s a French university. In Paris,’ Buckingham said. ‘I studied Arabic and Political Theory there. So did Sorgen, Asu’s brother. We became friends. I think I can persuade him to build bridges with his brother.’
‘What, just like that?’ Greg sounded deeply sceptical.
‘We are approaching the festival of Eid al-Fitr,’ Buckingham said, as if that explained everything. He was met by a line of blank faces that clearly told him that it didn’t. ‘It’s a very important Muslim holiday. It marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of
‘The government has made it quite clear that, while it supports the notion of regime change in Syria, it is pursuing a non-interventionist policy. After Iraq and Afghanistan, there just isn’t the stomach for it. However, if one of these two factions is to come to power in Syria, we want to make sure it’s Asu’s side of the family, not Sorgen’s. There was a time when we’d have been happy to put a Regiment unit on the ground in order to coordinate a training package for the rebels. Having assured the international community that we are taking a non-combative role in Syria, you can see, I’m sure, how it would be diplomatically awkward for us to do so now.’
Danny thought back to Libya. His paymasters hadn’t been so squeamish about ‘non-combative’ roles out there. He put that thought from his mind. He’d long since stopped trying to work out the politics. He was there to do a job of work, not to think about the consequences.
‘Nevertheless,’ Carrington said, ‘we’re keen to extend the hand of friendship to Asu. You’re all aware of International Solutions Ltd?’
Damn right they were all aware of it. International Solutions were private military contractors. They had half the Regiment on their books – guys who’d got sick of risking their necks for Queen and Country and wanted to exercise their skills for a proper paycheck. There wasn’t a hot spot in the world without someone spying a chance to make some money, and that meant private close-protection work was easy to come by. International Solutions supplied the muscle for a good proportion of those kinds of jobs. Word on the streets of Hereford was that they did a whole lot more besides. Stick a few private military contractors in a war zone and you’ve got yourself a fighting force that isn’t bound by the Geneva Convention. Amazing how many problems disappear when you throw away the rules of engagement.
‘International Solutions successfully tendered for a government contract – strictly on the QT, you understand – to deploy a small team of private military contractors to help train Asu’s men. A hand of friendship from the British government, but at one step removed – if anybody follows the money trail, they will be under the impression that Asu himself is employing the PMCs. There are, however, certain elements among the upper echelons of government who are nervous about using the private sector in this way.’ He gave another of his meaningless smiles. ‘Which is where Hugo comes in. He comes to us fresh from a stint in Saudi Arabia. One of our more distinguished Arabists. He’s to make contact with our contractors and ensure that they’re doing the job we’re paying them for. Unofficially, of course. However, we also have a second, perhaps more important, mission for Hugo.’ Carrington turned to the younger man. ‘Perhaps you’d care to explain, Hugo.’
Buckingham looked a little surprised at being put on the spot. Danny watched his cheeks flush as he tried – and failed – to master it. Buckingham stood up, combed the fingers of his right hand through his abundant hair and cleared his throat – to little effect, as his voice was still somewhat croaky when he spoke. ‘I had the good fortune to attend the Sorbonne as a student and—’
‘The sore what?’ Spud interrupted.
An embarrassed pause. ‘It’s a French university. In Paris,’ Buckingham said. ‘I studied Arabic and Political Theory there. So did Sorgen, Asu’s brother. We became friends. I think I can persuade him to build bridges with his brother.’
‘What, just like that?’ Greg sounded deeply sceptical.
‘We are approaching the festival of Eid al-Fitr,’ Buckingham said, as if that explained everything. He was met by a line of blank faces that clearly told him that it didn’t. ‘It’s a very important Muslim holiday. It marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of
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