| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Explorer |
Posted - June 11 2006 : 08:48:45 AM
"Thunderbolt Over Burma"
By Explorer
{This story contains violence (military combat), sex, and possible profanity, and is rated MATURE. Before reading it, be sure that you are of legal age (usually 18) to read Adult content material where you reside. If your parents might object, ask before reading this. Characters and situations are fictitious, or are used fictitiously, and no resemblance to any person other than historical figures is intended. Certain historical figures are used in a fictitious context. Some places are also used fictitiously. "Blackpool" was real, commanded with distinction in the face of great odds by Brevet Brig. John Masters, DSO.}
Certain characters are from the television show, "Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Lost World", and others are their adult children. I do not own rights to this show, and the mating of these characters was not portrayed on that show. Arthur and Caroline Challenger are my own creations. Lord and Lady Roxton and George and Finn Challenger are from the show, although neither couple was married when that show ended.
This story is dedicated to Dr. Mathilde Egyed, who enjoyed it, and who made an accompanying video.
September, 1944, Over Burma
Tom Howard looked across the hundred feet of sky separating him from his wingman, and saw Frank Stevens look back. Stevens shrugged: he had had no sight of the enemy, either. Yet, they must be close...
Fifteen minutes before, the two P-47D Thunderbolts had been patrolling 190 miles NE of their base in eastern India, mainly getting in hours to draw their flight pay for the month. The Japs hadn't sent many planes their way for awhile, and those that had come had been engaged by RAF Spitfire MK VIII's before they were in range of the U.S. Army Air Corps base from which Howard and Stevens flew. The only action that Howard had seen since arriving two months before had been escorting B-25 Mitchell medium bombers to their ground targets and home on a few occasions. There had been no aerial opposition, the enemy not being as strong a presence as they had in previous days. At one time, they had menaced India, and Allied forces had been lucky to retreat with no more losses than the terrible ones that they had suffered when the Japs came into Burma after the fall of Singapore. Now, the momentum was swinging the other way, and the chance for an air kill was fairly rare.
Howard had transferred to Burma after almost four years of fighting Germans, first as an American volunteer in the RAF, then transferring to the USAAF after America entered the war and got fighter units to Britain in 1942. He had had to bail out after his P-47, the earlier version called a razorback, had taken heavy hits from the cannon on an FW-190 that was attacking a formation of B-17's over Alsace, en route home after bombing a ball-bearing factory in Germany. Howard had been assisted by French underground agents, and been recovered by a Lysander one dark night, after fighting for three weeks as a guerilla with the French.
On returning to Britain, he had been reminded that he could no longer fly over France, lest he be shot down and be forced to reveal his French connections to the Nazis. The D-Day invasion had been over a month away, and no one much below Eisenhower's staff had realized how close it was. Howard had been offered an instructor's job in the States, or taking this assignment to Burma. Wanting to see more action and possibly ring up additional kills before the war was over, he had chosen to see scenic Burma. Promoted to Major, he was now the executive officer of a fighter wing operating a mix of Thunderbolts and Mustangs. Eventually, there would be all Mustangs, but the newer planes were in short supply, with most still being designated for service in Europe or to escort B-29's over the Japanese home islands, where their great range was much appreciated.
Howard had taken off that morning in his usual mount, a P-47D with the new "bubble" canopy inspired by the one on the British Hawker Tempest, and now being fitted also to recent P-51 Mustangs. It gave a terrific view compared to the older "razorback" P-47, but lowering the fuselage to fit the big, clear canopy had created a degree of turbulence that came into play as speed dropped for landing and on takeoff. One had to pay more attention at these times, lest the plane yaw abruptly, but he was used to it, and loved the better view in the improved cockpit. His plane bore the painted-on name of Texas Ranger, beside the replica of a badge of that famous law enforcement outfit. His wingman was from New England, and had designated his own fighter as Yankee Clipper, with a painting of a tall tea ship on the cowling. Both planes were basically the natural silver without camoflage paint, save that they had a broad strip of olive drab in front of the canopy, to prevent reflections off of the bright aluminum. The ends of the cowls were painted yellow, as were the tips of the black propellers.
They had been cruising at 18,000 feet, looking for targets of opportunity, when the radio had crackled with an order to go to Channel Two and speak to the controller from RAF Station Rammalabad, codenamed Ancestor after Air Commodore Charles Redgrave had been notified last month that his daughter had turned him into a grandfather. Redgrave, senior RAF officer in the area, hadn't been content to hand out cigars and buy a round of drinks in the officers' club, so they had a new codename to remember...
Howard had switched frequencies and hailed the controller: "Hello, Ancestor, this is Ranger One. You rang for us?"
"Hallo, Ranger One, this is Ancestor. Yes, indeed, we have some trade for you about 40 miles to your SE port, a formation of bogies that we think are enemy. Radar paints some 25 aircraft, and they aren't ours or yours. We have directed a returning flight of Beaufighters and their Spitfire escort to close with them, but our chaps are getting low on fuel and ammunition; they have already hit their target and are returning to base. I'm sure they'd fancy some help if you'd like to lend a hand." He gave coordinates.
"Ranger One acknowledging. Turning toward target. Thanks for the work, Ancestor. Things were pretty boring up here until now."
"Ranger One, roger, and good hunting. I say, you lot do know what Beaufighters and Spits look like, don't you? Can't have you popping off at our lads..."
"Roger, Ancestor; I used to fly Spits. I'm one of The Few," Howard assured the controller, and signalled across to Stevens to follow him as he turned sharply to port (left) and followed the directions given.
Now, the two big American fighters held 300 miles per hour, scanning the sky, glad they were above the clouds, stalking their prey. Stevens, who had exceptional eyesight, even for a pilot, spotted the quarry first. "Ranger One, I see bogies at ten o'clock, angels 15, moving toward Blackpool." Blackpool was a British base and the Jap bombers were probably after it, or the supply base on the river below Blackpool.
"Roger, Ranger Two, I see them. Let's head that way." Howard turned the stick, and the flight of two moved toward probable action.
Howard was first to discern the outlines of the Betty bombers and the accompanying fighters. One plane shifted slightly, and he could make out the Rising Sun emblem on its starboard wing.
"Tallyho, Ranger Flight," he called. "Ancestor, where are your aircraft? We have confirmed bandits in sight, 20- plus. Bettys with a mix of Oscar and Tony escorts." He gave his position.
"Ranger One, Ancestor. We anticipate our elements arriving in one to two minutes. Will you wait, or attack now? Those people are getting awfully close to the supply depot for Blackpool..."
"Roger, Ancestor. We'll attack now. We'll make a firing pass on the bombers and get out for a second run, hopefully without getting hit. Tell your men to hurry. We're good pilots, but the odds are pretty high here."
Ancestor signalled accord, and Howard spoke to his wingman.
"Frank, lets swing in fast as Hell and see if we can drop a bomber each before they catch on that we're here. If the fighters try to corner us, dive hard and disengage and meet me at angels 18 about a mile to their rear. Drop your auxilliary fuel tanks now. Got all that?"
Stevens replied that he had. Then, "Lay on MacDuff, and damned be him who first cries, 'hold, enough'!"
Howard, who had also read Shakespeare and whose favorite play was either, "MacBeth" or, "Julius Caesar" (he could never decide) laughed and said, "Roger, attacking now. Give 'em Hell, Frank."
He reached for the throttle, and the powerful Pratt & Whitney 2800 radial engine roared as he increased power and began a shallow dive into the formation of enemy aircraft. He flicked off the safety to the guns and blessed the punch the eight .50 caliber Brownings gave. He silently prayed, "Lo, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of Death, Thou art with me. Lord of Hosts, Lord of Battles, grant me thy grace, that I may triumph over these odds and do thy will unto these heathen foe." The irony that the enemy probably didn't consider themselves heathen, by their standards, didn't cross his mind. The things that they had done at Pearl Harbor, at the Rape of Nanking, on the trail of tears after the fall of Bataan and Singapore, left him in no doubt that the men he was about to kill were heathen, by his standards. He pushed the stick forward, diving fast now, hoping to get in a few bursts from his guns before the agile Jap fighters reacted. |
| 20 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Explorer |
Posted - November 04 2006 : 7:34:16 PM
EPILOGUE:
Autumn, 1946: Central Texas, the Howard ranch...
The dinosaur lay on its left side, they knew now, having excavated much of the upper portion of what had turned out to be a Gorgosaurus, a huge tyrannosaur. Nearby, workers were busy excavating the remains of a Trachodon, a Cretaceous era duckbilled dinosaur. Most were volunteers, with a few scientists from the Dallas Museum of Natural History.
Tom and Caroline Howard stood together, his arm around her shoulder, and she leaned into him, reaching quickly to smack his cheek with her lips.
"We have that duckbill almost done," Tom reflected happily. That Gorgosaur is deeper and the encrustment is harder. He may take us another year to finsh digging out, but it's fun. Want to grab lunch from the truck and go have a picnic?"
His wife nodded enthusiastically, and they excused themselves from the others and went to a secluded spot on a shaded hillside, for the September sun was still warm, and the leaves had yet to fall from the trees. Many were tropical -looking mesquite, anyway.
The land was beautiful, but had its dangers. Yesterday, Tom had drawn his Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum from its handcrafted Myres holster and blasted a Western Diamondback rattlesnake that had encroached too closely on their group. Watching for snakes had become second nature for Caroline, who had often been in similar circumstances in her travels. It just added a bit of spice for her, and she regarded venomous serpents as an ingredient of a life that was worth living. This land was fertile and beautiful, but was not unforgiving to the careless. She preferred that to a boring, sheltered existence.
Caroline unpacked the basket as Tom laid out a heavy red and white-checkered cloth on grass free of ants, another hazard of this place.
She extracted cheese, chicken and ham sandwiches, pickles, and a bottle of Chablis, the last ordered through a specialty merchant, for Texas in that day was yet to become a wine drinking state of any consequence.
Tom opened the wine with the corkscrew on his folding German hunting knife, which offered that vital instrument, along with spear and saw blades. He had also made a point of buying a couple of Swiss Army knives when in Europe just after the war, having seen the one so treasured by his mother-in-law, who had used it on that remote Plateau where she had met the Baron. Hers had red plastic handle scales and some tools not on the knives that he had found. Finn had been somewhat evasive about just where she had gotten the knife, telling him that she wanted to wait awhile before discussimg certain things about her early life with him. He had told her that he presumed that she had originated in Heaven, returning there to obtain her daughter. That would explain their looks and charm. Finn had blushed and smiled with great radiance, as had Caroline, who punched Tom lightly with her elbow, teasing him that her mother was, after all, a married woman, but to feel free to flirt all he wanted with the daughter. "I already do that," he protested, and both women had laughingly assured him that they had noticed. Still, he wondered about her. Being Brazilian (although genetically Anglo) wasn't what she was hiding. The world knew that: the love story of Baron and Baroness Challenger was legend. Someday, with her growing trust, his mother-in-law might reveal herself more fully. He had an idea that what she would say would prove very interesting.
"Penny for your thoughts? " offered Caroline, as he studied the beautiful grain of the stag antler handle scales of his knife before returning it to its pouch on his belt.
He told her, and she squeezed his hand. "Mum will tell you in time, I think, and even I don't know all that brought her and father together. They've promised to tell Arthur and me one day, and I'll make sure that you're included. I think they'd like that; they've grown very fond of you. I'm sure that the story will be remarkable, but Mum and Father are remarkable people. Now: chicken or ham?" And she passed him a glass of the chilled wine as she gestured to the sandwiches.
An hour later, they lay near a small stream, watching a turtle swim in the clear water. Fish darted back and forth, visible over the limestone bed. The breeze was cool and the shade pleasant. Tom played with her ear and ran his fingertips around her right nipple, the sensation just strong enough to be felt easily through her shirt and lace bra. Caroline took his hand and moved it the way that she wanted it to wander, then opened her shirt and inserted his fingers. That was indeed better, and his magic manipulations soon had her gasping and arching her back as she reached for his lips with hers. She snuggled closer and enjoyed the gentle carresses, her leg draped over his, her boots off, her toes tracing a path down his leg. Life was good.
They discussed the impending visit of her brother and his wife, the lovely Dutch girl who enchanted everyone who met her. It would be their second visit to Texas, and Tom looked forward to taking Arthur hunting, for both quail and deer would be in season by the time the Challengers arrived. Caroline and Astrid had planned a shopping trip to Austin, something that the distaff side of the family naturally regarded as essential. And Tom wanted to show the visitors the state capitol, the mightiest of their nation. Afterward, they would journey to Houston (more shopping) and to the nearby battlefield of San Jacinto, where the Texans had defeated a Mexican dictator to create their Republic that had eventually become this state. Britain, Tom had pointed out, was not the only land rich in its heritage.
"Want to watch stars tonight? See how many constellations we can find?", Tom asked. "None will be as bright or as lovely as those in your eyes, but I do enjoy looking at the sky."
Caroline snickered and told him that he didn't have to keep flattering her. She held up her left hand, the appropriate finger of which sported the magnificent ring provided by the Maharajah of Rammalapur. "I'm your wife, Tom. I'm what one of your pals called a 'sure thing'. If you want my jeans off, just say so, and crook your finger. I'm always putty in your skilled hands, anyway. But it is rather nice to hear all that blarney. Maybe you shouldn't stop using those lines, after all. It is wonderful to feel appreciated. But, yes, I would love to watch stars on the patio tonight. That's so soothing, so restful, yet an adventure of sorts. I used to do it as a child, and had half forgotten how wonderful it can be, especially with the right companion. That's you, buster: the right companion." She kissed him.
He held her face, hearing the breeze waft the branches of the tree, the croak of a frog in a pool just downstream, the drone of some insect, the trill of a mockingbird in the next tree. He looked deeply into her eyes. "Baby, I don't just say that stuff to get your pants off, although I know it probably helps. But I say it because it's true. I do see stars in those eyes, and when your heart beats under my hand, and you lie there looking like the inspiration for the finest sculptor in the world wanting to create the image of the most desirable woman of all time, I just want to tell you how magnificent you really are, how much you mean to me. I'm a published author now, and a pretty good wordsmith, but I feel wholly inadequate to express what you mean to me, how you fill my soul and my heart and my life. I see now why your father used to insist that the Sun rose on your mother. He must have felt the same way, and felt the same inadequacy in telling her what she meant to him. Still does, I imagine. You can almost see the energy flow between those two, even at his age, which I hope to achieve. Caroline, thank you for marrying me. All those 'lines' and flattery are flirting, sure, but I mean it, too. You have made my life Heaven on Earth, and I want you to know that I never take you for granted. I'm going to make you one of those pedestals like your Dad made for Finn. And I'll probably find some reason to set you on it, at least weekly. Probably not daily. I don't want you to get TOO accustomed to it. But you deserve to be up there on a pedestal a lot, and I want you to know it. I love you, Caroline Howard. Don't you ever forget that, for even a moment."
She had listened to this with amusement, then emotion overcame her, and she hugged him, trying to press herself into him, to become one with this man she adored. She mumbled how she never did forget his love, and then, words left her, and she could only sob with joy into his shoulder, repeating his name.
Finally, they parted slightly and lay kissing, embracing, staring into each others' eyes. The content of their gaze passed language, communicating itself on a more primal level, as each rejoiced in the arms and in the love of the other.
A car raced up the hillside, and a palentologist leaped out and sprinted up the slope, brandishing a dinosaur tooth that proved the cause of death of the Trachodon was predator attack by a Tyrannosaurus. "I found it," he yelled.
"So have I, brother, and I'm never going to let it go," murmured Tom. His wife laughed, told him that he was, "impossible" and kissed him so thoroughly that the scientist stopped short of them, stared for a moment, and withdrew. There are some things that not even a live T-rex could take people's minds off, let alone a fossil tooth.
The stars that night were superb.
The End
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
| Explorer |
Posted - November 04 2006 : 09:20:29 AM
Three weeks later, Tom and Arthur, their brides, and the Challengers and the Roxtons stood in a room at Buckingham Palace, talking quietly with the families of others who had been summoned here this day to receive the high honors of the Sovereign.
Tom wore the Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross, his Air Medals, and the British Distinguished Service Order, making him the most decorated hero in the room. Few men in history, if any, had achieved that combination of awards, and he was sought out and conversed with by many of those present, including two holders of the Victoria Cross, not counting Lord Roxton, whom he of course already knew.
He wore his best dress uniform, and had made a point of buying a correct sword, the Model of 1902 For All Officers, made by Wilkinson's, who made many foreign swords as well as the official British patterns. Caroline was resplendent in a charcoal dress that came just below the knee, and her coat was dark brown wool, with mink collar, for it was January still, and the weather was frigid.
Arthur also wore his newest uniform, and his shoes and sword belt gleamed with polish. The golden hilt of his sword, capped with a pommel shaped like an eagle's head, set him off well. His height, tall for a pilot, made him look all the more distinguished, and Astrid thought that he was wise to wear his mustache, which made most people take him more seriously than they might, given his youth. He was very young to be a Group Captain, and now...a knight! She wore a dark rose dress, and camel coat with golden mink trim, and could hardly believe her good fortune. From being a refugee from the Japanese so short a time ago and a working nurse, she was now the daughter-in-law of Baron Challenger and she reveled in standing near him and the Baroness, whom she had found to be a fine mother-in-law with a keen sense of humor. Finn had made her welcome in the family, perhaps remembering her own youth, when she, too, had been a refugee from troubled times, and so grateful to have become the companion of one of history's most talented scientists.
Finn smiled now, and reached for Astrid's hand, squeezing it reassuringly. She told the young Dutch girl that she looked splendid, and how proud she was of her son's wife. Astrid smiled back, feeling a sense of belonging that almost overwhelmed her. She looked at Arthur and nearly cried with joy as he playfully tugged at her hair and grinned.
Caroline Howard noted this interplay and looked to see if her husband was taking it in. He was, and leaned over and kissed her cheek, pulling her to his side.
Lord and Lady Roxton saw, and looked at one another and nodded. They had talked about the new couples and decided that all would be well, and that the spouses had chosen one another wisely. Lady Roxton had told her husband, though, that Caroline had confided in her "Aunt" Marguerite that perhaps she, Caroline, had the ultimate marriage, rather than her mother. She was joking, but Marguerite had pretended to bear a burden, having yet another Challenger woman tell her that her union was more perfect than her own, by inference. John Roxton, thinking the whole thing rather silly, had replied that perhaps their union wasn't perfect, but that they were perfect for one another. This answer had pleased Marguerite, who had told him how sweet that was, and then kissed him. Roxton thought that was the best possible outcome, and smiled smugly now as he recalled that exchange of a week ago.
Finally, an equerry entered and ushered everyone into a well appointed room, with a throne at one end. When all were seated, protocols being followed to ensure that those most senior were suitably honored, Arthur and three other men were left seated in red plush and gilt chairs,in a special section ahead of the others.
Soon, the hushed tones of, "Pomp and Circumstance" were heard from a band down the hall, then, the notes of, "God Save the King", and George VI, King of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Emperor of India, Defender of the Faith, etc. walked in, attended by his equerries and six Yeomen of the Guard. With them were bearers of the Sword of State and other official regalia and the awards to be presented.
Tom was a bit overwhelmed by all the ceremony, and watched raptly as the King was seated on the throne and an aide read the names and achievements of those being honored that day. Then, he called out the name of a general who had distinguished himself in North Africa and Italy, and that worthy came forward, knelt and heard His Majesty pronounce him a knight.
Arthur was next, and Tom noted that the King didn't use the large Sword of State in dubbing him, but a Royal Navy sword, that being the uniform in which the Sovereign was dressed for the occasion, with an ermine-collared purple robe over the uniform.
He listened for the magic words, "Rise, Sir Arthur", and felt as if he was watching a movie or was somehow involved in a fairy tale as he saw his friend and brother-in-law receive the King's blessing and warm handshake. This monarch was dearly beloved by his people, and had shown much courage in keeping the Royal Family in London during the war, despite the danger. He had visited areas bombed and talked with the common people. He and Queen Elizabeth were much admired.
Next came two men who had been chosen to receive the Victoria Cross, the highest award for military gallantry that their nation could bestow. One had been a captain in an armored unit in France, and Tom had read in the news about his daring deeds. He limped and used a cane, for he had yet to recover from wounds received during the action in which he had so distinguished himself that he had been singled out for this exceptional honor. The other was a Ghurka first lieutenant (Subadar) who had attacked a German pillbox in Italy, although seriously wounded. Using a revolver and his big khukri knife, he had killed 11 men and occupied the pillbox, turning its machinegun on the enemy, stopping the advance of a company-size force about to overrun his decimated platoon. He was on crutches, but presented a proud image of a fighting man. He had the admmiration of everyone in the room.
The awards given, His Majesty asked that the honorees join him briefly on a wide balcony, where he would wave to the crowd, and all would then view a parade in a courtyard below.
Tom and Caroline and the guests heard the roar of acclaim as the King appeared and waved to his subjects, and envied Arthur the vantage of standing next to the ruler as he surveyed the masses. That must be a heady experience!
In the courtyard, bands played, and the Household Cavalry trotted past, the silver helmets of the Life Guards and the Blues, their drawn swords and gleaming breastplates making an example of pageantry that Tom would never forget. Then came the Grenadier Guards, in their famous slow march that looked so dignified and stately. It being winter, they wore long grey coats over the red tunics, but the bearskin shakos lent the occasion the atmosphere it demanded, and the sight was wonderful to behold.
Finally, the Royal party withdrew into the palace and the King made a brief address, congratulating those whom he had presented with such distinctive honors, and apologizing for having to leave for other duties.
As he left the hall, someone began singing, and the whole room joined in:
"God Save our gracious King,
Long live our noble King,
Send him victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign o'er us,
God Save the King.
The party gradually broke up, some lingering to talk with others, and Baron Challenger being greeted by several prominent officials among the scientific and political dignitaries present. Tom noted that they showed deference to Finn, also, she obviously being a great favorite among them. The Baroness took this well, and thoroughly charmed the men while avoiding alienating their ladies. She even autographed a few books brought in by their owners, who might otherwise never meet the author.
In time, the Challenger party managed to leave, returning to La Content in limosines from the estate. Tom joined them, having taken leave for the occasion. His boss had granted this readily, saying, "I may be dumb sometimes, Howard, but I am not dumb enough to tell a man who has been invited by King George that he can't attend a Royal function. Just try to smuggle me a drink and a piece of cake." He had actually been enthused about Tom attending the event, representing the United States.
That night, Tom and Caroline lay in bed in a guest room at her parents' home, and talked about the day and about their marriage to date. Tom joked that the whole day had been surreal to an American, and called Caroline his fairy tale princess. She blushed and smiled and said to keep that up and she would grant him a magic wish. He told her what he wished for, and she knelt in front of him, cheeks rosy as she administered what he had requested. She had overcome her initial embarrassment at this act for the most part, and she knew, from overhearing her mother and Aunt Marguerite talk, that Finn had been known to do this to the Baron often from their early days. She joked that George would never leave her because he'd never find another girl who could do that for him so well. If that was true, Tom Howard was in for a long marriage, Caroline decided, for she was determined to give her own man every bit as effective a job of it as her mother ever could. Caroline had even begun to revel in the pleasure that she gave Tom this way, and although she still flushed pink when she knelt and took him in her mouth, she felt a sense of pride and feminine fulfillment at his reaction. She felt naughty, but delighted at the power she derived from this act that seemed to mean so much to men. They were really fairly simple creatures, she knew. Keep them happy, unnagged, and well fed, and with luck, they would make their women equally content. Caroline felt very content in her relationship with Tom, and couldn't wait to see his home in Texas and to meet his family.
Before long, he lifted her and they rolled in ecstasy for an hour, panting when passion had drained them. He told her that she was his portable planatarium, and she asked why.
"Because I see a whole galaxy of stars in your eyes in this dark room, Baby," he teased.
She kissed him and they embraced again, talking softly, and Caroline thought of how her mother had spoken so fondly of lying in her husband's arms, speaking like this of anything and everything, and how much that had always meant to her. "Marry a man whom you enjoy talking to, Caroline," Finn had admonished her several times over the years, and Caroline knew that she had taken her mother's advice well.
The secret to wedded bliss, then, seemed to be a combination of celestial sex, intimate, lively conversation, keeping stars in her eyes when she looked at Tom, and probably, going fishing with him. I think I can handle that, she thought amd laughed. In fact, I can't wait to stand on a streamside with him and cast flies to trout or whatever fish they have in America. But I think I've already reeled in the biggest catch of my life, and he's a "keeper"! She nuzzled his ear, and swung a leg across him, snuggling against him.
She told him of her parents' onetime mock squabble over which of them the sun rose and set on, and said that this might be a problem for them, too, for she knew that it rose and set on Tom.
"No problem, Honey, " he answered. "In our marriage, I'll be the Sun and you be the Moon. Neither is complete without the other, like you and me. Now that I've got you, I wonder how I ever managed without you. Together, we're going to conquer the world, or that part of it that we'd want." Then, he held her and in time, they slept.
As she drifted off to sleep, Caroline thought back over the months since she had left to sell her mother's books in India. That seemed forever ago, and now she would live a whole new life. At least, I chose the right man to live it with, she reflected. I think this life is going to be very, very good.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
| Explorer |
Posted - November 03 2006 : 01:47:41 AM
The honeymoons were abbreviated due to war needs, and the couples planned to take more leisurely ones after peace had come, if the men survived. And it looked as if they might be able to remain in desk jobs for the most part, although this rankled, given their martial spirits.
Arthur and Astrid went to Scotland, to an inn that Arthur knew that was located strategically to let them tour much of the historical areas.
Tom and Caroline chose a hotel in London for their first night together, then went to a hotel in Surrey, hoping to avoid some of the worst winter weather in years. They warned Arthur and Astrid, but the other couple were firm about the Scottish journey, and Tom soon relented, not wishing to alienate his brother-in-law.
A car from the Challenger estate dropped them in London, and the concierge at the famous establishment greeted them effusively, for they had been in the news, and were recognized. The manager personally saw them to their suite, and ensured that they had a bottle of good champagne and any other creature comforts that his celebrated house could provide.
Left alone finally, Tom and his bride unpacked only as much as they might need during their stay, as they wanted to keep most of their things ready to grab and run if German bombs or rockets started a fire or caused the building to fall. The odds of a direct hit on this hotel were slim, but Tom was a survivor, and Caroline readily saw his case, having been in perilous situations before in wild countries.
He took the bottle from its iced bucket, pouring them each a glass, and they revelled at the taste of it, the tiny bubbles lending an effervescence to their companionship. They began to recover from the stress of the wedding, the snowy ride in from Kent, and of meeting the distinguished guests. Tom took off his sword, tie and shirt.
They sat on the bed, touching, talking quietly as it fully dawned on them that they were now man and wife.
She was shy initially, but his skilled probing of her lips with his own, and his wonderful hands sliding over her face, neck, back and hips aroused her passion, and he soon had her dress off. He told her to stand in front of him and remove the petticoats and the rest of anything that hindered his view. He untied his shoes and set them under a bedside chair and leaned back to watch her disrobe.
Caroline blushed scarlet. "And who do you think I am, Col. Howard," she demanded. "A striptease artiste from some club that you and your mates frequent?"
"No, baby, you have more class than those girls do, and I plan to be your only customer. I just want to see your beauty revealed to me, area by lovely area. You can do this, Caroline. You look even better than those strippers do, and you're a princess compared to them. Have confidence, Honey. I may applaud what I see, but I won't embarrass you or criticize your technique. I just want to watch as you show yourself to me completely, for the first time."
She complied, hamming it up a bit as she got into the act, humming a risque song that she knew THOSE sort of girls danced to, and Tom's face broke out into a grin so wide that she was inspired and gave it her all. She knew that he was appreciating not only the view but her sense of humor and parody, and that seemed to make this performance a lark, rather than something sordid. Another deep sip of the champagne helped matters along, too. She recalled something that she had once heard Lord Roxton say, about champagne making girls want to dance and drop their pants. Apparently, he had known what he was talking about, for she realized a growing desire to relax and let nature take its course as she revealed herself. I'm not really going to drop my "pants", though, she resolved. I'm going to make Tom take them off me. For some reason, I've dreamed of that, wondered just how he will do it...
But when she had divested herself of her petticoats and stood in a bustier, she couldn't manipulate the multiple hooks, and he had to unfasten her, pulling her down onto his lap, and kissing her ears and neck as he flipped the hooks loose.
Ohmigosh, thought Caroline. I was joking when I told Sienna about how the Yanks handle tough engineering jobs. This man DOES know his way around getting a girl naked! Then, the bustier was off, and he tossed it aside, drawing his fingers across her nipples, first on one side, then the other. She jumped as the effect hit her, and she recalled the sensations that he had unleashed when caressing her breasts in India, behind that Jeep in the jungle and in the Garden of Desire in the palace. What he had had limited access to then, though, was his to have and to hold fully tonight, and he took total advantage of it.
Caroline moaned and ran her fingers through his hair, feeling him unsnap her garter belt (suspender belt in her language). He undid each strap's clasp, easing the stockings off, careful of them, for good hose were rationed, and not easily replaceable in the wartime economy. Then, he slipped the garter belt free of her panties, and threw it on the chair.
Tom stood, walked over to the chair, and draped her stockings over it, then took off his trousers and folded them on the seat. He turned to face Caroline, and she gasped slightly as she saw the size of the erection within his shorts. Can THAT actually fit insde me, she wondered, for she was nearly a virgin, despite having done much else in foreplay with other admirers. Her only prior lover was the young officer who had been so dear to her, killed in Tunisia. Caroline had admitted this to Tom before she had accepted his proposal, knowing that honesty would be the best policy with this man. He had shrugged it off, something that many others would not have done, given the moral temper of the times. Perhaps he knew that the war had loosened the degree of maidenly virtue that many girls would have maintained in peace. Or, maybe he just wanted her and knew that a former affair shouldn't prevent this twosome from becoming a couple. Besides, she was quite sure that HE had had previous lovers, and she didn't even want to know how many. Of course, for a man, it was different...however unfair that was.
She lay now on the bed, dressed only in lacy white knickers, moving to his touch as he lay beside her, reaching for her trigger points, toying with her, moving her hand away from the lamp switch when she tried to hide in darkness.
"No, Caroline, " he murmured into her ear. "I want to see you. So lovely, so fine, so classic a beauty. Oh, Baby, you are what all women wish they could be, what men dream of, if they have taste and discernment. I want to look. "
And he stood, taking in the length of her body, having her place her hands behind her head, despite her protest, that he might see her from the top of her head to her toes. Tom sighed appreciatively.
Then he had her cross her ankles, and lifted her feet, reaching for the waistband of her knickers. He had her stripped before she had completely reacted to what he was doing, and now he pried her arms off her breasts as she sought to cover them.
"You don't ever have to hide anything that beautiful, Caroline," he told her. "I want to see it all, to marvel at your lovliness. You are so hot, Honey, I can't take my eyes off of you. Oh, more champagne? I forgot that bottle, and we have the glasses right there on the nightstand."
She smothered a giggle. Dom Perignon, at a time like this, when she was trembling for his continued touch? "Lets save it for later," she suggested. "We'll be more relaxed then, and I don't want to interrupt your present train of thought." She realized how that sounded, and she did giggle. Maybe I HAVE had enough "bubbly" for awhile, she mused, but I don't have to worry about the effect making me drop my pants, thank you very much, for I know precisely how my husband chose to get them off of me. He certainly didn't waste any time doing it, either!
Tom took her to him, plying her with his hands and lips until she felt that she would explode before she registered that he was tossing his shorts onto the chair and she saw what they had hidden. Caroline took in her breath audibly, and Tom grinned, a leer of masculine pride. He moved her hand to his erection, and she took it and stroked it, admiring it as he cautioned her to be careful lest she achieve something with her hand that she might prefer to accomplish with another portion of her anatomy.
She lay open, feeling him at the entrance to her body, then she took the head of his member and eased it into her nether lips, gasping as he entered. He was careful not to tax her, moving in slowly as she expanded to receive him, touching and whispering endearments as she responded to his body and his words. She found both very appealing and gasped with passion as they began moving in unison.
Later, she would remember the lust that they had shared, recalling each delicious motion as they moved together. He had driven her to the brink of explosion three times before she finally orgasmed, her legs wrapped around his waist, holding on as if for life itself! Later, he had made her kneel, head low, as she had fantasized in her room weeks before, and taken her from behind, after the manner of such couplings on the walls of ancient Indian temples and in Roman frescoes. She had sneaked looks at her parents' copies of the Hindu and Sanskrit erotic books, and now, she led Tom into some of the positions she had seen, telling him how she knew of these matters, lest he wonder where she had gained the knowledge.
After, spent, he had held her and told her how wonderful she had been, and how much he had enjoyed her willingness to try that which she had seen in those volumes and on those walls. She sighed inwardly in relief, for she had been afraid that he might think her a whore to even know of such, although she knew that Sienna and a few of her other friends had seen similar things and discussed them with her, girlish laughter and speculation rampant as they wondered whether they would themselves do these things with a man. Well, she had, and there was more to come when they again coupled, for years to come. Good luck in doing as well, Sienna, she thought. I suspect that I have been very lucky in choosing a fellow with an open mind in this, and we will probably find ourselves much less bored in marriage than most.
Tom kissed her, mumbling how much he loved her. She finally managed to turn off the lamp, and pulled the covers over them. He held her and they slept. She ran her hand along his body, toying with his manhood, excited at what they had done, and wondering whether they would do this again before they rose in the morning. I hope so, she decided. My heart is strong; I can do that. She snickered as she stretched, totally at peace with herself and the world.
Then, she heard the rumble of a V-1 passing overhead and the sound of an air raid siren in the distance. She stiffened, but Tom woke, pulled her into his arms and told her to sleep. "I'll protect you, Sweetheart," he assured her. "I take very good care of all my treasures."
She whimpered slightly, then got control of herself and smiled. "Am I one of your treasures, then, Fast Worker?"
"Baby, you are the ultimate female treasure of all time. I'm just the man lucky enough to have you as his own. I'm going to take even better care of you than I will of that rifle that the Maharajah gave me. And, yes, from me, that is a major compliment! Now, get some sleep. I plan to wear you out in the morning before we get up. You'll NEED breakfast after I'm done exploiting your amazing body!" He chuckled, and she smiled, happy now, and hoping that Hitler and Tojo would soon surrender and let the rest of the world get on with their lives and with their young marriages. If we get along in other ways as well as we do in bed, I really think that Mum may be wrong, and it may be my marriage that's the ultimate one instead of hers. Either way, it's nice to know that the ultimate marriage is a thing that one or another of the Challenger women have. It's good to have that in the family. She stretched again, snuggled next to Tom, and slept.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Posted - October 21 2006 : 9:05:37 PM
The vicar stood at the front of the village church, secretly thrilled to be performing one of the most socially important weddings of the year. He adjusted the seam of his cassock, and turned to talk with parishoners who spoke with him as they filed into the cathedral. Many were lords, ladies, even an earl, for this region of Kent was the home of many of Britain's most desirable families.
Now, a member of the congregation asked why there were soldiers in red caps and white pistol belts sudenly in the parking lot. The vicar shrugged off the question, saying that the grooms were officers, and that the Military Police were doubtless there to watch the cars of the wealthy guests. Now, though, he was mystified by two men in dark suits who came to him and whispered things that caused the minister's eyebrows to shoot toward the vaulted roof of the church. Such things did not often happen in rural parishes, and this came as a surprise. He listened carefully to their instructions, answered a few questions, and waited to see what would come to pass.
The guests had nearly all been seated, when the door was held open for a couple that he recognized as the Prime Minister and Mrs. Churchill to enter, Mr. Churchill holding his famed bowler hat in hand. They stood just inside, obviously waiting for someone, then stepped forward and greeted...Her Royal Highness the Princess Elizabeth, the heiress to the Throne! Clementine Churchill and other ladies nearby curtsied, and the gentlemen bowed, awestruck at the presence of the Sovereign's daughter in this chapel! Princess Elizabeth spoke softly, with little affectation, then led the way down to the reserved seating that had been set aside for the Royal party. The princess was escorted by a young naval officer, and had with her three ladies- in -waiting, her personal detective, and a secretary, as well as the Prime Minister's party.
People on all sides stared, whispered, and drank in the sight.
Now, the time for gawking passed, the minister rose to speak. He addressed the assembly, commenting only briefly on the honor the presence of Her Royal Highness and the Prime Minister brought to the ceremony, then began a brief summary of the events to unfold, about the double wedding of Baron and Baroness Challenger's two children and a note of how much the presence of the Challenger family in his pews had meant to the church over the years.
Then, the grooms came forth, were welcomed, and their best men stood by them.
The rest was fairly routine, although very impressive, given the identities of the participants and the elegance of the gowns and the floral arrangements.
Tom Howard and Arthur Challenger got through it well, and then the audience sighed and gasped as the orchestra played the wedding march and the brides came down the aisle. Baron Challenger escorted his daughter, and a nobleman of the parish, Sir Garrick Malory, escorted Astrid van Rijn, whose last name was about to change.
The rest of the ordeal, as Tom thought of it, went well, and he and his friend and battle companion got through the responses to the vicar's, "And do you, Thomas Alan, and you, Arthur John George, take these women, Caroline Elizabeth Marguerite and Astrid Birgit, to be your lawfully wedded wives, to have and to hold, to cherish and to honor, and to cleave unto them only, throughout sickness and in health, throughout your natural lives?"
They did, the best men produced the rings, and the grooms dutifully slipped them onto the brides' fingers. The vicar droned on for a bit, the usual things that reverends say in the Protestant church on such occasions.
The time came to kiss the brides, and Tom looked into Caroline's eyes, and saw stars there. He felt ten feet tall, and knew a thrill beyond that of aerial combat or of seeing an immense buck on the opening day of deer season. And he felt an immense peace within his soul. This woman is the one for me, he realized, more fully than ever before. He lifted her veil, and smiled into her eyes before he tenderly kissed her lips. The audience sensed the deep devotion and tenderness and there was an audible sigh and whispers.
Beside them, Arthur and Astrid kissed, and she reached out and hugged her new husband. The realization that he was now married struck Arthur and he trembled within. Gad, dead so young, he muttered mentally. But then, he looked at Astrid, and thought, well, I died game, and look at what I got! If I had to marry, I chose well. He winked mischievously as he leaned to kiss her. She, startled, grinned back and enthusiastically received his lips, perhaps a little more vigorously than the vicar had been accustomed to seeing, for he looked mildly disapproving, had anyone bothered to notice his expression.
The wedding concluded, the brides and grooms left the church, walking beneath an arch of blades as officers at the entrance drew swords and raised them for the couple to pass beneath.
At the reception, they cut the cake. Lord Roxton smiled as he cleaned off the swords and returned them to their owners, the couples offering bites of the cakes to their new spouses.
Cameras flashed, and the couples posed for both private and press photographers, for not only was the wedding an event of marque, the grooms were highly decorated officers, one due shortly for knighthood. Tom was mildly surprised to see US newsmen, but recalled that as a Medal of Honor winner, he was news. The ceremony was international news also because the Challenger family was well known for George's inventions and for Finn's books. And the doings of billionaires and their offspring tended to attract notice...
The Princess Elizabeth and the Prime Minister and Mrs. Churchill shook hands, received fawning and adoration from the guests, and then announced that official duties called them elsewhere. But they first personally greeted the married couples and the Challenger family. Tom was very impressed to shake Her Royal Highness's hand and that of Winston Churchill, and a little awed that this wedding had attracted such distinguished guests. One of the Princess's ladies-in-waiting turned out to be a childhood friend of Caroline and Arthur and Tom was again struck by the prominence of the family into which he had just married. Oh, well, he reasoned, if you're going to do something, you may as well do it on a grand scale.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Posted - October 16 2006 : 3:33:10 PM
Caroline and her mother were putting the finishing touches on her gown and makeup when Astrid and her maid of honor, a girl from a neighboring home, came in. This maiden, Sienna Hampton-Reeves, had gotten to be good friends with the Dutch lass, and Sienna had made Astrid promise to toss her the bouquet after the wedding. "I could use some of that luck in snaring a man for myself," she observed. "I think I'm fairly decent looking and bright enough and I know how to make a man happy, but they'll all off having their war, and the pickings here are slim. Maybe if I catch that bouquet and go into London with it..."
Caroline and Finn snorted and told her that with her looks, about which she had been modest, she would have her pick of men, bouquet or no bouquet.
The women looked one another over and Sienna produced a bucket with a bottle of chilled champagne in it and had a maid bring in some crystal flutes.
"Just one glass each, ladies, " cautioned Finn. "I have an idea that we'll have our sobriety tested quite enough at the reception here after the ceremony. I don't want to embarrass my husband by having to lean on him to stay upright at our childrens' wedding."
They giggled, and passed around their glasses, with Sienna making the rounds with the bottle.
"That gown looks lovely, Caroline," razzed Sienna. "But it has rather a lot of hooks. Are you sure that Tom will be able to figure out how to get it off of you?"
"Never you fear," Caroline shot back. "You know how innovative and technically skilled the Yanks are. Anyway, if Tom has any trouble, I'll help him. Oh, what that man does to me...Uh, sorry, Mum. I guess that wasn't awfully ladylike of me." She blushed, taking a sip of champagne to hide her embarrassment. The ladies tittered, and Finn shook her head, smiling. She remembered her own wedding, which was different in a sense, for she and her groom had already lived together for several years in a wilderness, and knew each other so intimately on all levels that they sometimes seemed to communicate by telepathy. But she had been nervous, all the more so because of the news stories about her having "lived in sin" and produced a child by her lover before they had even known that his prior wife was dead. Those memories still wounded her, for her love was no less pure or intense than that of a virgin, and was a lot more informed.
Astrid asked about this now, hesitantly, wondering if Finn had had bride's nerves on her wedding night. Finn saw that all were listening carefully, so she told the truth, saying that she had indeed been shy, because the ceremony was imposing, even if she had given her heart and her body to George Challenger long before she was allowed to be his legal wife. "I'm the only bride I've known who had to arrange for a babysitter before her wedding," she admitted, "for we had had Arthur on that Plateau. But everyone close to us was so kind, and George himself made sure that I knew that he treasured me more than ever, and that helped so much. Your father is a wonderful man, Darling, not just a genius in the lab. He also knows how to make a woman feel really valued. When I met him, I was pretty torn up inside and had some bad dreams from the life I'd lived before I was rescued by him. He's made me so glad to know him and to just be alive, being who I became, that I want to dance whenever I think about him. I hope that Tom will have that effect on you."
Caroline nodded soberly. "He already does, Mum. When he looks at me, I feel like I was being lifted onto that pedestal thing that Daddy made for you. Look, Astrid doesn't know how hard it was to overcome public opinion and get Daddy's barony. Will you tell her? I love that story." And she looked pleadingly at Finn, who agreed to tell the tale.
The ladies gathered around, and Finn narrated how some moralists had railed against the idea of a barony when it had been proposed. For a time, it looked as if the offer would be withdrawn, and there had been some ugly letters to editors and a few malicious headlines, for the Challengers were notorious as well as famous. In the end, Winston Churchill, then out of office but a confidant of King Edward VIII and a friend of the Challengers and the Roxtons, who had supported him politically, had gone to the King. He had reminded His Majesty of the malice that some bore him for his love of the American divorcee, Wallis Simpson, and the King, his sympathy aroused, had made it clear that there would be no further speculation. He had created the first Baron Challenger within the week. Fortunately, when Edward had abdicated to marry the woman whom he loved, no resentment of the Challengers seemed to have carried over in the Royal Family when George VI had unexpectedly ascended the throne as his elder brother stepped down to become the Duke of Windsor.
"That is an astonishing and impressive story, Baroness," spoke Sienna. "I was very young then, but I recall hearing my parents talk about it. You and the Baron were somewhat notorious, true, but you were also widely admired, and many loved the two of you for your adventures, which your books and films made so real for us. And your union, if unorthodox, was so romantic! Much like that of Sir Samuel and Lady Baker! My mother adored you, and still does. But you must know that. She'd never have let Caroline and me become best friends if she hadn't respected you."
They heard the butler clear his throat from the bottom of the stairs beyond the room. "Ahem. Baroness, the car is ready."
"Right, ladies, " said Finn. "Lose the glasses and cork that bottle. We're off to get my children married. And, Sienna, thank you for saying that. Your mother is one of my dearest friends, but it is good to know what you said." She brushed a tear from her eye and looked for her gloves and coat. Mother of the bride AND the groom, that's me, she thought.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Posted - October 16 2006 : 1:42:43 PM
Finally, the day came. Wedding! Tom was attended by a friend from the embassy, acting as his best man. Tom joked that he needed a "best man", for his nerves were such that he certainly wasn't at his best. The best man, who was an OSS agent named John Bowen, posing as a cultural attache, laughed and told him that most grooms probably felt that way. "I certainly did when I married three years ago," he confessed.
They got him ready, in "pink and greens" dress uniform, with his Sam Browne belt. He had never bought a U.S. sword, and wore his RAF sword, purchased when he had flown for Britain before American entry into the war. It was made by Wilkinson Sword, the best purveyor of such things, and was a prized possession. He had made Roxton, who was Arthur Challenger's best man, promise to have a cloth and water handy, followed with an oily cloth to wipe down the blade after he had cut the cake. Arthur thought that this was "a capital idea" and told Roxton to be prepared to clean off two swords. The Victoria Cross winner and multimillionaire lord had agreed, amused, yet impressed that these men loved and cared for their equipment.
Tom had shined his boots and belt to a gleam, polishing his brass insignia, too. He was, of course, expected to wear his decorations, and he was proud when he looked in the mirror to see the Medal of Honor on its starred blue ribbon, and the Distinguished Service Cross, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and his other American awards on one side of his breast and the white cross of the Distinguished Service Order of Great Britain on the other. The eagle on his cap shone, and he touched the silver pilot's wings on his coat with affection. "Here I go again," he mused, "Off into the wild blue yonder, but this time, the quarry is different. I hope that girl loves me as much as she seems to. I certainly feel incomplete without her, and that's a first for me. I guess that's love, not infatuation, but I'm pretty infatuated with her, too. I just hope that feeling lasts a lifetime."
Arthur came into the room they were using in the Challenger manor, and checked him out.
"You look presentable, Old Chap. You've even shaved. Caroline said to be sure that you had; she doesn't want to be kissed at the altar by some man whose beard scratches her." He chuckled, aware that Tom was invariably well turned out.
"Arthur," he replied, "the altar isn't where your sister needs to be be careful of my beard. That's more likely to be a factor tomorrow morning when I wake her and see whether she wants to enjoy wild passion before breakfast."
Arthur cleared his throat and looked uncomfortable. "Hmpf. Fair enough," he allowed. "Perhaps I shouldn't have raised that particular issue. I know the girl is besotted with you. Aunt Marguerite told me so. See here, Howard, I expect you to look after Caroline well. She and I razz one another rather a lot, but that woman is my sister, and I love her dearly. Do well by her, will you?" And he seemed sincerely concerned.
Tom reached out and touched Arthur on the shoulder and said that he would indeed look after Caroline, and that she meant the world to him. Roxton had come in and said now that he felt that he knew Tom well enough to know that Caroline was getting a man worthy of her, and that Arthur could trust Tom as he could few others.
"Hey, Arthur," jibed Tom, "I even look after you when enemy fighters try to clobber you, and your sister is a lot better looking than you are. Don't worry: I care very deeply for her. She's in good hands, or will be, as soon as that preacher or priest or whatever you call them officially announces that she's mine."
Arthur thought briefly, then nodded, and extended his right hand, which Tom shook. Both men smiled, satisfied that they understood the love that each had for the same woman, and that she was indeed going to be in good hands. "The sun rises and sets on Caroline," Tom declared.
"Ah, now that's not quite so," chuckled Roxton. "Her parents have preempted that honor. " And he told, with amusement, the tale of how the elder Challengers had had a running joke between them on that remote Plateau where they had met. George had told Finn that she was of "celestial importance", for the sun rose and set on her. She, in turn, had insisted that he had it backwards, and the sun's movements and radiance revolved around him. "It was very touching, " Roxton laughed, "but the rest of us were relieved when the two of them finally decided that the sun shone on them as a couple, and that each of them activated its rays or whatever happens when the Sun rises and sets on someone. Arthur, have you heard that story before?"
The men made small talk for awhile, and the OSS man produced a bottle of excellent cognac and some snifter glasses. "You grooms feel like some liquid courage?", he teased, and all four men took a snifter and raised their glasses in a toast. "To marriage. I hope." offered Arthur, and they drank.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Posted - October 13 2006 : 6:59:19 PM
On Jan. 12, the Challengers and the Roxtons drove into London to attend the ceremony when Eisenhower presented the Distinguished Service Cross to Tom Howard. The reception room at the embassy was full of dignitaries, and the media were excited to have the story of an American hero who had now received both of the top honors that his nation could present for gallantry in battle.
After the ceremony, in which he had also presented several other medals to recepients, Eisenhower came over and met the Challenger clan. He already knew Arthur, of course, and wanted to make the acquaintaince of the family, aware that this would ease his constant burden of getting along with the British, some of whom resented the numbers of Americans whose help they had needed to suppress Hitler. The complaints of the ordinary man, that the Yanks were overpaid, oversexed, and "over here" were less a problem for him than the egos of the leaders with whom he had to interact, while keeping things on track to win the war. Montgomery wasn't the only prickly general with whom Ike had to contend, and it said much for the future President that he coped as well as he did. Being photographed with the famous Challenger family and Lord and Lady Roxton made him seem more acceptable to the British public and his military peers, and they were witty, charming people. The Barclays had also been invited to the ceremony, the parents, at least, and the general promised Astrid and Caroline that he would do all in his considerable power to see that their present wedding plans weren't disrupted. He thanked Lord Barclay for his efforts to raise funds for the war, and for his work with the rationing board, and excused himself. "I hate to run," he explained, "but the war won't wait."
The Barclays hosted the entourage in their home, where they had access to some things that it wouldn't do to be seen consuming in public, in times when rationing made life hard for most civilians.
Finn and Marguerite had contributed preserves and honey from their estates, and Tom was glad to get the honey, that being a culinary weakness of his. He managed to spirit Caroline away after lunch and they enjoyed an hour alone until the visitors had to return to their homes. Caroline had made him wear the Medal of Honor during dinner and she touched it and the DSC gently as they parted. "I'm not as impressed with our DSO, " she announced, "Even my brother has one of those!" But Arthur took it well, just threatening to pull her hair if she didn't show more respect for the high award. And then, they were gone, travelling in two Rolls-Royces and the family chauffeur taking Arthur to his quarters in the Barclays' Bentley.
Lady Barclay came to stand beside Tom as he watched the Challengers leave, and asked gently, "You love Caroline so very much, don't you, Tom? It shows, you know. Well, soon, she will be yours for all time, and I wish you two the best of everything. Charles and I are honored to have had you share our home, but I know that no home can compare to the one that you will make with that young lady." She was right of course, and Tom felt empty as he watched Caroline drive off.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Posted - October 13 2006 : 6:21:43 PM
The German offensive was gradually reversed and Tom and Arthur were able to find time to have dinner one night at La Content, where their women were ecstatic about seeing them. Astrid had been staying with her future in-laws, at Baroness Challenger's invitation, and she and Caroline were getting well acquainted. She especially loved riding with the other ladies, and was charmed, if somewhat overwhelmed, as she learned what it would mean to become a Challenger bride.
The Baron was friendlier to Tom, having come to terms with Caroline's longing for the American. He loved his daughter, and had grudgingly conceded that Finn was right in pointing out that Caroline would move away whoever she married, and that she would still visit several times a year, about all that might be expected, unless she married someone local. And the only young man she had really liked in the area had died in the battle for North Africa...
The family sat with drinks after dinner, warmed with companionship, good food and the fireplace. They decided on Jan. 18 as the wedding date, and exchanged presents that they had been unable to give at Christmas, as the grooms -to- be were unable to get away from London then.
Caroline eventually excused herself, saying that she wanted to show Tom the library. That wasn't all that she showed him, and the couple were soon breathless.
"Baby, I've missed you so much that they'd have to create a new word to tell how much. Nothing in the thesaurus will do my emotions justice. I checked, I swear I did. Caroline, I was scared to death of committment, but with you, I feel like we were meant to be, and just waiting all our lives for one another until we met." Tom held her close, and she ground her pelvis into his, kissing him like there was no tomorow. For them, with the war on, she knew that there might not be! She had been proud of him and Arthur and their flight over Belgium, but was glad that she hadn't known until they were back that it had happened.
Now, they sat in one anothers' arms, talking softly until Finn knocked tactfully on the door before pushing it open to inquire whether they had found any good books. It was obvious from her grin that she hadn't really thought they were doing much reading. Tom decided then and there that he liked his future mother-in-law much more than he had expected to.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Posted - October 13 2006 : 5:59:52 PM
On reaching London, both officers reported to the Supreme Commander's headquarters and were passed into his situation room, where both Ike and Tedder were conferring with Gen. Omar Bradley and Gen. Sir Harold Alexander. Eisenhower accepted the film, and thanked the pilots.
"I understand that you fellows managed to get into a dogfight in spite of my admonitions," Ike observed. "But you got back, and that's what counts. Congratulations on your new scores. How many does this make for each of you?"
"Sir," said Howard, "I believe that the Group Captain has 26 kills now. I got lucky during that session with the Japanese in which I won the Medal of Honor, and today's was my 28th. Arthur?"
"Yes, 26. But the war isn't over yet. Maybe I'll catch up. I think I have a better chance of seeing more combat than you have, chum."
"Well, look after yourselves. I'll try to arrange for you two to have some time off for the weddings as soon as possible. Check with your fiancees and let me know when you need it. That was some good work you did in getting these photos. Now, we have to finish up here, if you'll excuse us. Return to your normal duties for now." And Eisenhower took the film to the technician who would run it in the darkened briefing room after the pilots had gone.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Posted - October 12 2006 : 01:37:35 AM
The fighters swirled and roared about the sky, each pilot trying his best to avoid being killed while slaying the enemy. Tom found a Focke-Wulf hot on his tail, and half rolled into the tightest turn that the Mustang could manage, pressure snatching at his wings. The German spun out while trying to follow,, and Tom recovered to turn the tables, getting on the FW-190's tail and firing two short bursts to bring his guns on target. Then, when he saw the tracers smacking into the foe, he held the trigger down for a three second burst, the .50 caliber bullets thundering into the fuselage and right wing root of his target until it burst into flames and spun out of control, the pilot probably dead, the plane rotating downward in a spiral, trailing smoke down the sky as it became a fiery funeral pyre for the dead pilot.
Howard heard bullets pinging into his own left wing, and turned hard to port, the Staffelkapitan flashing past. He tried to outclimb the American, to make an Immelmann loop and regain the advantage. But he was too late, Arthur Challenger having closed the distance within firing range. The Group Captain pressed his trigger briefly, and the FW-190 shuddered briefly, the canopy flying off. The pilot rolled over, dropping free of the cockpit, and Arthur forced himself to hold his fire as the man escaped.
The lone remaining German pilot turned and ran for the Fatherland as fast as his engine would rev. He had just seen three of his fellows shot down within two minutes,and he had no desire to join them. The horror stories that he had heard of the nimble Mustang and its skilled pilots were true, and he wished desperately to avoid these two veterans who worked so well in tandem.
Howard saw the parachute open below and ran down alongside, staying far enough out so as not to collapse the canopy from his prop wash or the disturbance of his passage. He waggled his wings, shocking the German, who had been afraid that he would be shot up, swinging beneath his 'chute. Now, he grinned reluctantly and saluted the American as Howard turned off and climbed.
"Bloody showman. We should have shot that sod," grumbled Challenger. "He'll likely get into another plane and kill one of our mates tomorrow."
"Yes, but what a tale to tell our wives and the little nippers when they arrive: the day that Daddy didn't blow someone away and instead acted chivarously."
"What little nippers?," demanded Challenger. "What have you been doing with my sister, Thomas, my lad?" But Tom heard his chuckle before Arthur released the microphone switch.
The Mustangs pulled up alongside one another and turned again for England. They saw no more aircraft on the way home save for a half- crippled Mosquito that had smoke trailing from the starboard engine. They fell in with it, accompanying it home, the pilot and his assistant waving their thanks for the armed escort.
Back on base, the film off to the lab, they apologized to the ferry pilots as all looked over the holes in their planes. Challenger and Howard narrated their escapades, each witnessing the other's kills.
The ground crews said that they could patch up the planes and the U.S. pilots said that their own men would finish the work more professionally.
The film was processed as they had a drink at the club after changing out of their flying clothes, and they were off to London in a staff car, to deliver the pictures to Eisenhower. Theirs had been a stimulating adventure!
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Posted - October 10 2006 : 8:41:26 PM
They were over the Channel now, and made a few manuevers to be sure sure how the planes handled. Tom liked the way the Mustang turned almost as well as a Spitfire, but rolled and dived even better. His previous reservations about the guns jamming on the earlier models had been rectified on the P-51D, and it had six guns to the P-51B's four. The bubble canopy gave a wide, clear view, and the response when he tried the stick was quick and eager. This lighter plane would officially go 437 miles per hour to the Thunderbolt's 425, which wouldn't hurt. That, and the manueverability helped to compensate for the less rugged construction, and the Mustang was still a tough aircraft.
He and Challenger turned their eyes toward the coast as they approached Europe. Now, they could go well inland before German fire was a factor. Scant months before, just passing over the coast would have netted volumes of flak, the shells reaching up to destroy them, if possible.
Now, the Ardennes were ahead, and the cold snow and the trees hid friend and foe alike. Tom was glad that he wasn't an infantryman freezing on the ground below.
They decided that they were in the right area, found some landmarks, and Tom stayed high to offer cover as his friend went into a dive and rolled on his left side to activate his camera.
The run completed, Arthur rolled upright, and they went to the next objective. Again, they made the pass sucessfully, but on the third run, they saw German tanks below, and machinegun bullets rattled along his fuselage and flashed trails of tracers past his cockpit. He made his run and climbed, tracer tracking him as the Mustang rose in maximum climb.
Other runs produced waves from British or American troops, and Arthur rocked his wings in return.
Finally, Arthur activated his radio. "Recon Green Leader to Recon Green One. I have the snapshots, Tom. Lets head for home and see if that lot have got any tea hot for us."
"Recon Green One. Suits, pal. Come on up and lets' do it."
As Arthur climbed, Tom swiveled his head, ever alert for enemy aircraft. So far, the only planes they had seen were ranks of RAF Typhoons waiting for a call from ground troops to attack German armor or roadblocks. A few Spitfires and Mustangs had swept by in the distance, and once they had swung wide of a box of B-26's en route to ruin a railway marshalling yard.
Now, Tom saw a line of specks coming up rapidly behind them, a finger-four formation that was clearly single-engine fighters. Something about the way they flew made Tom uneasy, and he watched them carefully, beginning to climb in case he needed altitude. He called out to Arthur, warning him of suspicious aircraft.
Arthur had a better view from below and caught the silhouttes as the planes came out of a cloud. He started and grabbed his microphone.
"Recon Green One!", he shouted, "Drop your auxilliary tanks and prepare to attack. Bandits! Those are FW-190's!"
The Luftwaffe Schwarm leader had identified the Mustang in front of him, but not seen Arthur slicing up from below. He turned his nose toward Tom, cooly preparing to attack. Oberleutnant Hans Richter was a veteran of two years of aerial combat, and a highly skilled fighter pilot. Due to recent losses, he was now Staffelkapitan of his squadron, and was flying today with another very experienced man and two new pilots who hoped to learn enough from their peers to stay alive until the war ended.
Tom dropped his spare fuel tanks and rolled over and roared back into the teeth of his attackers. This startled them, and the four broke, scattering, one diving toward Arthur, who promptly lined him up in the gunsight and gave him a two-second squirt from his .50 caliber guns.The radial-engined Focke-Wulf flew right into a hail of lead, his engine bursting into flame as the canopy shattered and the pilot rocked spastically as the big bullets hammered into his head and chest. Arthur saw the other man's canopy burst, and swerved right, pulling his Mustang up tightly into a climb to help Tom as the dead German's plane flashed by 30 feet below him.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Posted - October 10 2006 : 7:08:01 PM
Challenger had left his flight gear in India, save for his revolver and boots, so he had to be outfitted before the mission. Tom signed out a car and driver and they went out to the base and got Arthur equipped. Then they drove to the officers' club for dinner and arranged temporary quarters, with a message to be wakened in ample time for their departure. They brandished a letter from the Supreme Commander and his Deputy, which opened all doors with alacrity, and were shown to the flight line to inspect the Mustangs as they arrived from wherever they had been requisitioned. The ferry pilots were cheerful men who shared some, "And, there I was..." tales with the others as the ground crews refueled the planes and checked the guns and the cameras. Both men had flown over the front the day before, and said that flak was intermittant, and enemy fighters were few. Sporadic small arms fire was a real danger at low altitude, though.
"I don't think we're gonna have many new aces in this war, y'all," drawled a pilot from Georgia. "I got 15 kills, myself, but don't know that I'll get many more, and these boys just arrivin'...they're gonna be lucky to shoot down any. The Luftwaffe just isn't sending up many planes against us except when we escort the bombers. And, that's a mixed blessing. You really gotta watch it, or some damned flak burst they aimed at a B-17 can blow your own butt to hell and beyond! I'd sure rather be flying fighters than be stuck in one of those B-17's or B-24's, with enemy planes and all that ack-ack comin' right at you. And those bombers have to hold tight formation, too, in their "boxes". It makes them vulnerable to flak, but they can interconnect their gunners' fields of fire, and rake the Luftwaffe fighters something awful. I'd hate to be one of those Kraut pilots attacking a bomber formation. But they shoot down a lot of our planes. Say, Colonel, aren't you that guy who won the Medal of Honor in Burma? I saw that in, "Stars and Stripes" and it was on the radio. Might I have your autograph, Sir, if that's an okay thing to ask?"
Howard took out his pen and a notebook and obliged both men and signed a few other autographs for their commander and a few of their friends. He felt foolish and like a Hollywood star. But it gave him the idea to catch Doolittle in a good mood and ask for HIS autograph. With luck, the general wouldn't think him too shallow, and would understand that he was a historical figure, and grant the autograph. Tom wanted to show that to his family someday.
After the mechanics and armorers announced that the planes were fit, the pilots trooped off to get some sleep. Tom had gotten his gear at the Barclays' earlier, telling the family that he wouldn't be home for a day or two. So, that was taken of.
By six AM, they had eaten at the officers' mess and been driven out to their planes. They settled on a code word for their unit, Recon Green Flight. As senior officer, Challenger was Recon Green Leader.
Now, the ground crewmen pulled out the wheel chocks, and the men pressed their starters. The Rolls-Royce Merlin engines groaned, caught, and the four-bladed propellers began to turn. Exhaust fumes coughed out the pipes, and the Merlins' pitch rose to a roar. They slid the bubble canopies shut and radioed the tower for takeoff clearance, arranging their parachute-fitted bodies in the seats, buckling in, and and getting the oxygen masks ready.
Clearance came, and the two P-51D's rolled forward and accelerated in tandem down the wide runway. The tail wheels lifted, then the main wheels, and they retracted their landing gear. They circled the field, took compass bearings for their target area, and were off, climbing to 16,000 feet.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Posted - October 09 2006 : 2:56:38 PM
A staff car took them directly to headquarters, and the duo were shown to a room where they were startled to find both Gen. Eisenhower and his deputy commander, Air Chief Marshal Tedder, awaiting them. Other officers hastily cleared the room, and Tedder shut the door. Eisenhower shook their hands and waved them to chairs at a table laden with maps and intelligence reports.
"Gentlemen, " the Supreme Allied Commander began, "you know the general situation in the Ardennes and the surrounding area. We all do; much of it is even in the newspapers and on the radio. But we need some detailed aerial reconnaisance by pilots we personally know and trust, and we want one British pilot and one American. Politics! Gen. Patton and Gen. Montgomery are at it again, and I assume that you gentlemen know of their ...personal differences...that have at times impeded our ability to cooperate to the fullest extent."
"Gen. Montgomery has questioned the accuracy of some American aerial photos and some dispatches from the front. So, what we want you men to do is to get aboard some fighters equipped with cameras and retake some photos, getting the latest situation on film. See this area?" And he pointed with his stick to an area on the map showing the northern edge of the Ardennes Forest.
"Now, I know that you have been ordered to avoid combat flying, Howard, but I am temporarily rescinding that order. I know you personally, and you have my full confidence. You're one of the few officers who'll give me straight answers, even when it's likely to upset me. You've been unusually thorough in your work before briefings, and you understand what I need to know. The Air Chief Marshal here assures me that you, Group Captain, are as accomplished a fighter pilot as the RAF can offer. Can you fly a Mustang?"
"Yes, Sir, I've a few hours in Mustangs, although many more in Spits," answered Arthur. "I feel confident in the Mustang, though, and it has much longer range. I see why you'd prefer that aspect for the mission that I think you're describing. Lt. Col. Howard also is adept in Mustangs, although he has more time in the Thunderbolt." He looked at his friend and future relative, and Tom Howard nodded.
"Give us a couple of P-51D's, or Mustang IV's if you want us in RAF planes, and we'll get your photos, Sir. I suggest that one of us take the pictures while the other watches his tail. But the camera plane needs its guns loaded, too. That won't interfere with the mission; the camera ports are back behind the cockpit."
"Very well, gentlemen," Eisenhower said. "This is what we specifically want you two to do." And he laid out his plans, Tedder interjecting a couple of times to clarify something or to point out added needs.
"You men take off tomorrow morning from RAF Biggin Hill. We'll have the Mustangs waiting for you. Wear your own flight gear. If you need anything, tell me now, and we'll get it, highest priority. I want you back as soon as you can reasonably make it. Just get everything we need to see on film. Oh: Howard, Gen. Doolittle asked me to remind you that this is a photo mission, and that you are not to chase any Luftwaffe planes that you may see, and not to strafe any juicy targets like trains. He seems to think that a pilot of your personality might be tempted to get sidetracked. Those trains usually have flak cars on them, and we don't need you getting a plane full of German lead. I gather that the Group Captain also has a tendency to look for trouble. Mr. Challenger?"
"I understand, Sir," said Arthur. "I daresay that Gen. Doolittle knows us rather too well. The general is somewhat of a like mind. He's read our thoughts, and we haven't had a crack at Jerry for some time. But we'll be good lads and not shoot anyone we don't have to."
Eisenhower smiled. " I see your decorations, Challenger, and I know your reputation. I respect your martial ardor, but this is a time to get in and get out without getting any more involved than you have to. I realize, too, that you gentlemen are engaged and that your double wedding has had to be set aside for the moment. Do a good job on this, and I'll see if the Air Chief Marshal and I can spare you for awhile while you get hitched. Don't get killed doing this, by the way. I don't want your fiancees blaming me for it." He smiled. "Now, Howard, there is one other thing. It took a while, but the tale of your exploits this Spring, when you were shot down over France and fought for three weeks until you got back to Britain has reached my ears. I've seen the request that you be awarded a suitable medal. I'm signing off on it, ordering that you receive the Distinguished Service Cross. You are one of the very few men in the history of the U. S. Army to receive both the Medal of Honor and the decoration ranking just beneath it, but I cannot justify not giving you the DSC. That was an impressive achievement. I want to pin the DSC on you before your wedding, so don't get shot down. You've done enough gallant things in this war. Am I understood?"
Tedder interrupted to tell the pilots to skip the afternoon briefing, so that they wouldn't be privy to the latest news at headquarters, on the off chance that either was captured.
"That's it, then, gentlemen. Be at Biggin Hill before dawn, and take off as soon as the light is good enough." Eisenhower rose, shook the future in-laws' hands and showed them to the door.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Posted - October 09 2006 : 2:07:44 PM
The wedding was set for Dec. 19, that being a date when the local church would be available, and the majority of the invited guests were free to attend. The couples also wanted to wed before Christmas, so as to spend their first holiday together.
All went well until just before dawn on the morning of Dec. 16, when Hitler began Operation Wacht am Rhein, the mad German chancellor's last desperate offensive, intended to split the American and British lines in the Ardennes Forest, and capture the vital road junction at St. Vith, then seize the port of Antwerp, effectively trapping hundreds of thousands of Allied troops and denying them resupply from the sea. In this Belgian battle, the largest ever fought by the U.S. Army, Hitler hoped to so disable the Allied effort in Belgium and along the relatively short European front that his foes would be forced to negotiate an end to the war.
To this purpose, he assembled the Fifth Panzer Army, the Sixth SS Panzer Army (incorporating the celebrated 1st SS Panzer Division, the Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler, and the 12th SS Panzer Division, the Hitler Jugend) and the Seventh Army in the south. The Fifth Army hit the American lines hard, striking soldiers who were half expecting that the war would end by Christmas. No one in the West thought that Germany had enough men or supplies left to conduct a major offensive, and the weather was awful. Yet, the tanks and their supporting infantry came, smashing into the U.S lines and targeting the vital town of St. Vith.
The Allies reeled in shock, and the Belgian town of Bastogne, defended by the lightly equipped 101st Airborne Division, the famed Screaming Eagles, was surrounded and beseiged. Near panic ensued as teams of English-speaking Germans led by the notorious and brilliant SS commander Otto Skorzeny, infiltrated enemy lines in Allied uniforms and caused confusion and destruction. Skorzeny would soon be labled the most dangerous man in Europe. He and his paratroopers were already reknowned for rescuing the Italian dictator Mussolini, and now, he was a major thorn in the torn Allied front.
All staff officers were recalled to duty and the situation was so obviously desperate that the Howard-Challenger-van Rijn weddings had to be indefinitely postponed.
Tom was kept busy in both the Embassy and at Supreme Allied Headquarters, but Arthur was now also attached to headquarters, pending his postponed knighthood ceremony. He and Tom often managed to lunch together, getting to know one another better. Acquaintance developed respect and a genuine liking, as the two discovered mutual interests and retold their aerial exploits and other adventures over the years.
The dreadful weather was hampering Allied efforts by grounding their immense air power, and the Germans took full advantage of this. Gen. Patton was rumored to have ordered his chief chaplain to pray for clear weather. The colorful, profane general's reputation was such that most who heard the story at headquarters believed it.
Word came that the Germans had sent emissaries under a flag of truce to demand Brig. Gen. Anthony McAuliffe's surrender in battered Bastogne. The Reich's finest were initially baffled by his terse response, the immortal, "Nuts!", but his answer inspired cheers among Allied troops and became one of his nation's best known wartime quotations. The 101st held, earning a new battle streamer to their flags and enhancing their already formidable reputation as one of the foremost airborne forces in history.
Finally, the morning of Dec. 23 came, and Eisenhower was advised by his chief meterologist that the weather should be clear enough for air operations. Units deprived of air support now got it, and fighters and bombers swarmed over the front, Thunderbolts and Typhoons especially tackling the prickly job of close-in strafing and bombing, sometimes right on the edges of their own troops' front lines. B-26's sought out and destroyed German formations and supply centers, and the tide began to turn in the Allies' favor.
Just after one in the afternoon of Dec. 28, Tom Howard returned from lunch in London to find his sergeant waiting eagerly to tell him that he had had a 'phone call from Eisenhower's aide, and was to return the call immediately. He did, and the aide asked if he knew where his future brother-in-law was. "Yes, " he answered."He's right here. The Group Captain and I have just had lunch, and are about to look at some maps before the boss gets here for a briefing. Why?"
"Well, Colonel, you and the Group Captain need to get over here right away. Ike wants to see you fellows 'toute suite' and the tooter the sweeter. Savvy?"
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Posted - October 08 2006 : 5:23:11 PM
The following day was the American Thanksgiving, and the cook had tried to put together a suitable meal, based on instructions from Caroline, who had pumped Tom and other American friends for details well ahead of the date. The Challengers recalled that their friend Ned Malone had made much of this November day when they'd lived on the Plateau so long ago, and Finn and her best friend Veronica had even begun planting sweet potatoes in their garden for him.
Caroline and her mother had made the rounds of their friends and found one who raised turkeys, and had bought two for the foreign feast. Green beans had been less of a challenge, and they even served iced tea, something that the Baron and Arthur looked at with suspicion. There were also suitable wines, for the Challengers kept a good cellar, having stocked it before the war. Given the circumstances, no German wine was offered, but those who wanted white got a fine Burgundy, Le Montrachet. The red was Chateau Beycheville, from St. Julien in the Medoc, that center of the finest Bordeaux wines. And, they had pumpkin pie, actually the fifth try by the cook before she got it "right" and made the official Thanksgiving pies.
Tom was delighted, and said so. The Challengers all beamed with pleasure, and Astrid asked to be told the story of the first Thanksgiving. When Tom had told it, she asked, "So, these settlers were still actually English at the time?"
"Ha!", exclaimed George Challenger. "Astrid, my girl, we shall make an Englishwoman of you yet. I see that my son has chosen his bride well!"
"Have some more pie, Genius, and quit trying to make Tom feel self-concious about being from another country," admonished Finn. But it was true that Astrid had mentioned that she would take British citizenship on marriage to Arthur, not knowing if any of her own family would survive the war, or if they were even then alive. And she had no close kin still in Holland. Arthur's would be her only family, and Tom's heart went out to the pleasant blonde woman. He was very glad that she had found Arthur, who was her prince in the fairy tale sense as well as in real life.
After dinner, Finn and her children showed Tom and Astrid around the estate while George wrote a letter to an official at the Ministry of Defence about what they needed to do to develop the atomic bomb before the Americans or the Germans did. The visitors liked the grounds, and Astrid fell in love with a horse in the stables. She and Arthur rode as Finn, Caroline, and Tom shot pheasants for dinner. He found his future mother-in-law delightful and full of wry humor, although she probed him skillfully about his nature and feelings for her daughter, too. Caroline was almost beside herself when Finn finally announced that she felt that Caroline was making a wise choice and welcomed Tom to the family. Frankly, Tom was impressed, too, for he found Finn Challenger to be a wonderful, if slightly daunting, personality. He knew that her opinion would weigh heavily in gaining the Baron's acceptance of him. The three walked back to the house laughing, talking, planning the wedding, at ease with one another and with the marriage. This place is beginning to feel almost like home, thought Tom, and he got Finn to take him into the den again after the guns were cleaned, and had her tell the story of how she or her husband or children had collected each animal there. Caroline loved this, often holding both his hand and her mother's, and showing great pride in a very large leopard that she had herself shot, at 15.
Tom had to return to London the next day, and left La Content with regret. Little did he know that his wedding would be postponed by what lurked in Hitler's plans.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Posted - October 07 2006 : 3:30:59 PM
All sat stunned for a moment, save for Arthur and his fiancee, who looked rather smug, she also looking at Arthur admiringly.
Then, oral bedlam came as everyone tried to question Arthur at once. When he had achieved silence, he told the story of how he had enlisted the aid of several native rulers, including the Maharajah of Rammalapur, in quashing anti-British activity among Indian independence agitators until the war ended. It had helped that he brought in some Burmese who had suffered under the Japanese occupation, to tell what atrocities thay had endured and witnessed. All sat silent and grim-faced as he detailed some of what those people had related, until Roxton suggested that there might be better subjects for the dinner table.
"Darling, how clever of you to think of that!", exclaimed Finn to her son. "However did the idea occur to you? It must have made some things clear to those nasty agitators!"
"Well, Mum, I have a genius for a father. Why shouldn't some of that rub off on me?, " Arthur responded. "And my mother is probably a genius, too, even if it hasn't been officially acknowledged. You're certainly jolly clever, for a woman, at any rate." He grinned, knowing that every woman at the table, including Astrid, would bridle at that chauvinist thought.
"Christmas is coming," reminded Marguerite Roxton tartly. "If you want any presents from the distaff gentry present, you might want to concede that we ladies aren't totally mentally inept."
"It's all right, Arthur," said Finn, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "I'm your mother. I have to give you something under the tree. And Caroline better had, or I'll have a word with her AND with your godmother. My presumed brilliance is probably due to my having been taken in by your father and taught to read, among other things. Right, George?", she asked her spouse.
"Ahem," stammered the Baron. "Well, I think most here know full well that your mother survived on her own in a very hostile environment for 22 years before I was able to get my hands on her and civilize her, for the most part. She must have some considerable gray matter in that lovely head, or she wouldn't have learned from me so rapidly. Mind you, she was a diamond in the rough; I did need to polish her to bring out the full radiance of her capabilities. But you see how smoothly she just deflected your jibe by setting me up to defend her, so that she wouldn't have to? That implies definite mental activity, of a sort with which which the female species is well endowed. Yes, Arthur, my boy, I'd say that your mother is quite clever, by any standard. She did have the brains to marry me, after all, when she might so easily have caught some other man who would probably not tresure her half so highly. Indeed, I cannot conceive of another man who would feel so blessed to have her at his side." Challenger looked pleased with himself, having managed to tease his wife while also complimenting her.
"By your side, yes, but also sitting on your lap, George", retorted Marguerite. "There was a time when I thought that girl had mistaken you for a chair."
"Ah, perhaps it is time for dessert," suggested Roxton, eager to defuse matters before they got too far out of hand, especially with Astrid present. And he knew that Arthur and Caroline, although aware that their parents had been much taken with one another, would be embarrassed to hear their affection joked about, especially with the Dutch girl and Tom Howard not knowing the family yet. Roxton suspected that his wife had had a bit too much wine, loosening her often sardonic tongue more than usual. What was one thing among the Roxtons and the Challengers alone and what it was tonight, with George and Finn's children and guests present, was another.
Dessert summoned, Roxton asked Astrid about her family.
"Father was a coffee exporter," she explained, "and a magistrate when the regular judge was away. When the Japs came, my family were herded into concentration camps, with most other Dutch. I was away at sea with friends when they came and we were fortunate enough to be picked up by a Royal Navy destroyer en route to Calcutta. From there, I made my way with other nurses to help the wounded in India, eventually arriving at Rammalapur, where I met Arthur at a dance at his officers' mess. I'm sure that I don't know why they call their club a 'mess'. It seemed quite neat and clean to me," She looked at Arthur to be sure that she had gotten the pun right in English.
Chuckles from around the table told her that she had.
And so, the evening passed from dessert to brandy or port for the men as the ladies went into the drawing room to discuss things among themselves in that way best known to the fairer sex.
When it was time to retire, Caroline and Tom lingered in the den, taking advantage of her parents and the Roxtons talking to Arthur and Astrid in another room.
"Did your mom really sit on your dad's lap a lot, or was Marguerite just trying to tease them when she said that? Did you ever see your mom do that? Could you show me how they did it? We have a chair right here..." He grinned as she blushed.
She led him to a chair out of sight from the doorway, sat him down and showed him just how interesting it might be for a man to have a woman who loved him on his lap. From just sitting affectionately with her arm draped around his neck, then his waist, she raised her skirt and swiveled around to face him, straddling him, and grinding herself on his lap while kissing him intimately. Tom toyed with a strap on her garter belt, which he knew she'd call a "suspender belt", and ran his hand down her stockinged leg. She took in her breath sharply, then groaned softly into his ear as he lifted her skirt and began tracing his fingertips across her knickered bottom. He saw in a mirror that her panties and garter belt were black, the dress being a dark enough green and just thick enough to keep the underwear from showing through.
He nuzzled her neck and played with her hair, easing her body back enough to reach her breasts, which he tugged at lightly through the fabric of her gown. She wore no brassiere. Caroline made a throaty sound, and planted her lips on his again, writhing on his lap with the reckless abandon that he had roused in her loins.
"Oh, baby, I want you so bad that I'm about to go crazy, " Tom admitted, as he nibbled at her ear. "Don't tell me that this is what Marguerite saw your parents doing?"
She gasped, fumbled for words, and giggled. "No, Silly, Mum usually just perched on Father like I showed you before I started making a hussy of myself. But I've seen them do this a few times, too, when they thought that no one, least of all their children, could see. Father seemed to like it. Do you like it, Tom?" And she moved lasciviously, mischievously, against him.
"No, Honey, I love it!" Tom pulled her to him, and they continued to arouse one another until Arthur and Astrid walked suddenly into the den. Arthur cleared his throat, while Astrid stood, her hand to her mouth, until she began laughing.
Arthur picked up a chair and carried it over to the future Howards, who had sprung apart and stood on hearing the other couple arrive. He set it down meaningfully near the first chair, and said, "Astrid, have you got a tissue with which my lusty sister can wipe that lipstick off Tom's face before she walks to the mirror and tidies up before Mum and Father finish seeing the Roxtons off and walk in here? I think they'd better be in separate chairs while we sit on the couch talking to them when my parents arrive."
And so it was that the Baron and Baroness never knew what their daughter and her American fiance had been up to moments before they came in to say good night.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Posted - October 03 2006 : 04:02:06 AM
"Arthur?!", Finn demanded. "What the devil are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be in India? Come see who's here; it's Tom Howard, your future brother-in-law! Oh, baby, why and how are you here! Who is the young lady? Just look, Johnny, It's Arthur!" And she took her hand from her pocket and ran to her son, almost tripping on the rough ground in her high heels.
Howard was struck dumb and exchanged a look with Roxton that said, be wary. But Roxton was also impresssed and strode over and took Arthur Challenger by the hand, pumping it in joy at seeing his godson.
Howard walked carefully over until he could see that the voice was just as it seemed, Arthur's. "Astrid?" he asked, "Is that you? What's going on?"
"Yes, Tom it is being I. Or, maybe me. My English still isn't too perfect. But how wonderful to see you! Do you live here now?" She stepped over and hugged him briefly. "How are you, Tiger Slayer!? Where have you got Caroline?"
Finn led the way to the door, the snow blowing harder now, and a chill wind trying to penetrate their clothes and freeze the marrow in their bones. Arthur was in winter RAF uniform, his ears exposed under his cap, and he shivered. Astrid van Rijn had come prepared, wearing a fur cap that hid her blonde tresses and protected her ears. Howard wondered where she had gotten it, and if she had even been in Europe before. Perhaps she had been born in the Dutch East Indies, and lived in tropical climates all of her life. He asked.
"Ja, I was born on Java, but I have been twice to The Netherlands, the last time when I was 16. It is very cold there, like here. I rememberd, and bought the hat in Harrod's this morning. My God, this wind! It is an unholy thing! Perhaps it is in league with the Germans?" But she was laughing as she squeezed his hand. "Oh, Tom, it is so good to see you! I can't wait to greet Caroline! She has not grown tired of you?" And she laughed again.
Finn was asking questions with the rapid fire chatter of a Vickers gun with a full belt of ammunition, and Tom realized that he could keep his mouth shut, and Arthur would answer his mother, and eveyone would hear everything they needed to learn.
They trooped in the door, the butler looking astonished. "Mr. Arthur! My word, Sir! We had no idea that you were coming. Baroness, shall I have Maria set two more places at the table?"
The newcomers hadn't eaten, and eagerly followed Finn into the dining room, she calling out to the rest of the family who were there. As one might suppose, there was a tearful- but -joyful reunion. Caroline ran shrieking into her brother's arms, and Challenger took him by the hand and hugged him as soon as Caroline made room. "My boy! My word! What on Earth?"
As soon as the tumult died and Maria had gone for added plates and silverware, Challenger looked curiously at the blonde woman beside his son. By this time, Astrid and Caroline were hugging and talking a blue streak.
Arthur called for order. "Father, Mother, may I present Astrid van Rijn, my fiancee? We got into London late last night, and tried to call before we drove out here this evening, but one of those Jerry rockets blew up a telephone exchange, and we could't get through. Sorry to startle everyone, but I wanted to show Astrid the land before we came up to the house. Glad you're eating; we're famished."
The baron looked at his son with mixed emotions. He was glad to see him, but what was this fiancee business? Were both his children to marry on short notice? And this girl and her name seemed Dutch! Another foreigner?! He took his seat with strong misgiving.
"So, how are you here, Darling?," asked Finn. "Have you wiped out all of the Imperial Japanese Air Force, and taken time off for Christmas?" She teased, but Howard noted the expression of concern in her eyes.
"I'm on leave," Arthur explained, stroking his mustache. "We have come home to get married, and Pest, I wonder if you and Tom will consider a double wedding. Astrid thinks that would be romantic. I suppose that Tom and I can give one another the moral support to get through the ceremony. Weddings aren't the same for men, you know. They're rather unnerving for the male psyche, and I shall probably get cake all over my sword blade, and have the dickens of a time cleaning it off."
"Well, " quipped Lady Roxton, "just don't lick the blade clean in church. That's so crass, and the vicar might be shocked. We certainly can't have a picture of you doing that on the front page of the 'Times'."
Arthur joined the others in chuckling at Marguerite's barb, then announced, "By the way, there is one other reason why I needed to come home. It seems that the King has been convinced that I have done an extraordinary job of commanding Ancestor base and dealing with the native rulers, and saving India from being ravaged by that horde of Jap aircraft that Tom helped me to flummox. I am to be knighted next month, at Buckingham Palace. How is that for a Christmas gift from the Sovereign?"
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Posted - October 01 2006 : 10:44:19 PM
Tom had guessed correctly about the carrots, which pleased him, for he was rather proud of his olfactory skills. He had, as a boy, pretended to be Tarzan or a cave man and not only tried to smell better than most modern people did; he had even picked up objects in his toes, as Tarzan might do, having been raised by apes.
Besides the carrots, Brussels sprouts, and potatoes and beef, there were two brace of pheasants that had fallen to the Baroness's shotgun. Tom saw that the Baron chose fowl, and wondered if the elderly man could still chew red meat well.
Lady Roxton also opted for pheasant, as did Caroline. Hoping that it didn't make him seem a pig, Tom decided to have some of both meats, but Caroline anticipated him, suggesting just that. Gad, he thought, does she know me that well already?
Dinner went well, the wine being Chateau Margaux, which Finn explained was a particular favorite of Lady Roxton. "Thankfully, we laid down some cases of it before the war," she explained, and all agreed that it was a splendid compliment to the game and beef. A bottle of Chateau Latour was also uncorked, that being a favorite of Roxton and the Baron.
The mood was congenial, with Tom feeling better accepted as they told more about themselves, and he coaxed the Challengers and the Roxtons to narrate their travels. Some of their tales were better than most fiction, and he was pleased to have met them.
As Roxton poured himself and Tom a second glass of the Latour, the butler came in and said to the Baron, "Sir, Findley telephoned from his home down the road that two intruders have entered the grounds and were seen walking around in the woods behind this house, looking at it. Shall I call out some of the other staff and demand to know their business? He said that one may be a woman, but couldn't be certain."
The Challengers looked at one another, and the Baroness turned to Roxton. "Johnny, lets' step into the gun room and I'll lend you a Colt and we'll handle this ourselves. Colonel, are you armed? Will you join us?"
Tom slipped a hand under his uniform jacket and produced his Beretta. " I attend some staff meetings between Gen. Eisenhower and his deputy supreme Allied commander in Europe, Air Chief Marshal Tedder. I know too much classified information to be walking around unarmed. But are these people really likely to be German spies? You have a lot of very valuable things here. Have you ever had a problem with burglars?"
"Once, " she said. "We caught two a year ago and they're in gaol. But we are somewhat exposed out here, and so many people know how much wealth is in this home that I am concerned. I don't fancy that these visitors, at this hour, simply ran out of petrol on the highway."
She led the way into the den, passing Roxton a Colt .45 automatic and a spare loaded magazine from the gun cabinet. She took out a Smith & Wesson .38 that looked like the one that Caroline had shot the king cobra with, handling it competently, loading it with precision and familarity. Challenger protested that he should confront the strangers, but Finn said, "Please humor me, Genius, and stay with Caroline. She needs you to protect her. "
"Now see here," demanded Lady Roxton. "Who's going to protect me?"
"Marguerite, stow it," retorted Finn. "It's more likely that someone will need to be protected from YOU! Look, do you have a gun on you?"
Marguerite reached into her purse and produced a small automatic. "I do have this Mauser .32 that for some reason I seem to have forgotten to put on my gun license. If I have to leave it somewhere, it can't be traced to me."
"Well, you and Caroline protect each other and Maria. Jerome, you have your Webley?"
The butler nodded, and Caroline walked in with her own .38. "I looked out a second story window, and saw them. They're back by the tool shed, watching the house. Daddy, lets' stay in here and Jerome can go to the back door and watch Mum and the men to see that all's well."
This was agreed on, Roxton also looking out front to see that no one was there. Then, they donned their coats and went forth to challenge the intruders. No guns showed, but all three had their hands on them in the overcoat pockets. Roxton and Tom also had flashlights, for dusk had come, and it was difficult to see into the shadows.
They walked some hundred yards to the tool shed, saw footprints in the snow, but no one was there. They followed the tracks, saying nothing, each ready to draw their weapons and take cover in the woods if a shot rang out.
After a few moments, Finn held up a hand, and they paused to listen. Sure enough, the breeze carried the sound of approaching feet in the crusted snow.
"Hallo, there!" called Finn. "Who's there? You're on my land!" She tightened her grasp on the Smith & Wesson in her pocket and glanced at Roxton to signal him to shine his light at the approaching couple. They could see now that one person was in fact a woman, or certainly walked like one, and she shrank back toward the man as they heard Finn's demand.
"Well, it's my land, too, or will be one day!" came the fellow's response. "Don't shoot, Mum; we're friendlies!"
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Posted - October 01 2006 : 4:15:55 PM
"Ah," said Challenger. "Now, that is an item which my wife and I and some quite distinguished scientific peers of mine have examined in great detail. We have never been able to determine how it has internal prisms. Even modern technology cannot do that in a mass of pure quartz crystal, and this item probably dates back to the Toltec, perhaps further. We discovered it in a very remote part of Brazil, and much of what we did on the expedition involving it has never been told. I will say that the rumors that you may have seen in the press about our finding a substantial treasure there are true, but I will not elaborate on that until we have become better acquainted, as we do not discuss that much outside of the family. I hope that you will understand, at least when we know one another well enough for you to hear that tale."
"Brazil?" asked Tom. "Baroness, weren't you born there? Is the language in which you and Caroline speak to Maria Portugeuse?"
"Very perceptive of you," admitted Finn. "Yes, I'm originally Brazilian. Genetically, I'm an Anglo, but not all Brazilians are of Latin or Indian descent. In fact, some of your Southern people settled in Brazil after your Civil War, and remain a distinct community. But my father was a mining engineer from America who married my mother, who was born on a plateau where we lived then. There was a ...war...and I was orphaned at an early age. I'd rather not discuss my life until I met George and he took me in and let me love him and become his woman. Perhaps another time, when we are well acquainted, I will talk of my early life, but it is painful, and this is a happy occasion. In any event, I took British citizenship when I married. Maria was hired on a visit to Brazil just before the war, and she has been an excellent maid. She does have considerable English, but I suppose that we are in the habit of conversing as we did when she spoke only her- and my- native tongue."
She turned his attention to a mounted bongo, a prized African antelope, successfully hunted by only a few sportspersons outside of its home range. At this point, the butler entered and announced that dinner was ready to serve.
"Oh, good," said Marguerite Roxton. "I was beginning to feel the effects of this sherry on an empty stomach. Why, if I wasn't careful, Roxton might ease me off into a dark room and do goodness-knows-what with me."
"Well, if I had, it would at least have ensured that you'd work up an appetite by the time we ate," rejoined her husband.
The Challengers looked at one another and rolled their eyes, smiling at the Roxtons' antics. Howard decided that the couples were very close, and that that each seemed to be accepting him as a future family member. But as funny as he found Lady Roxton to be, he was glad that dinner was at hand.
Caroline took him by the arm and they went off to the dining room, following the aroma of roast beef and what Tom thought smelled like carrots.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Posted - October 01 2006 : 3:36:14 PM
In time, Finn asked if Howard would like to see the gun and trophy room, He was eager, having wondered how to introduce the topic.
Finn unlocked the gun cabinet, set between two huge elephant tusks mounted in golden rings, and showed him the Mannlicher-Schoenauer carbine with which she had shot so many animals and a few people. She explained that a good markswoman could kill far larger animals with it than the chamois or deer it had been intended for. Roxton noted that he had once seen her knock a headhunter out of a tree at a distance of over 300 yards with this little rifle.
"Actually, " interjected Lady Roxton, " I saw that, and in my opinion, it wasn't an inch over 299 yards. But you know how a pretty woman affects male judgement, and you were quite the looker then, Finn. You've held up very well, and I must say, you do justice to that gown. Who made it?"
The ladies discussed fashion for a bit as Roxton and Challenger showed the rest of the guns and took Howard on a tour of the mounted animals. Finn saw where they were, and pointed out that her daughter had loved to roll on a black bear rug, and had been very fond of a leopard in full mount. "Remember, Caroline? You were so afraid of it at first, it looks so lifelike, but you overcame that, and used to hug it by the neck."
"Yes, Mum, well, now I have Tom to hug by the neck!" And she set her drink on a table and demonstrated how this was done, to Tom's embarrassment and delight.
"See, John," razzed Lady Roxton. "It's just as I said: these two are besotted with one another." She was grinning like a Cheshire cat as she spoke, though, and all knew that she was teasing.
Tom decided that this would be a good time to deflect the conversation before his future in-laws asked just how "besotted" they were and how far the romance had progressed. He motioned toward a human skull made of crystal, kept in a strong wooden display case, waist high, with thick glass panels permitting viewing the skull.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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