TOMB HUNTER

The Adventures of Larra Court

Episode 9

Larra’s Transylvanian Adventure

Chapter 2 Boot Camp

The training actually took three weeks. With the British army fully committed to defeating the Italians in North Africa there was little equipment to spare and Taggart was afforded an extra week to torture his latest recruits.

Torture was actually not quite the right word. Taggart intended the training to be as brutal and tough as he could make it, however, he had not expected the incredible physical condition of the two women he had at his mercy. As he stood with his hands on his hips at the end of the obstacle course he frowned as the two women strode toward him. “That was entertaining, Colonel,” Melissa grinned. “Would you like us to do it again?”

Taggart glowered. Neither of the two women was even breathing hard. “No that’s fine. We’ll try the parachute training next.”

The parachute training was no better. It did not appear that either woman was afraid of heights and they mastered the drops from the practice tower without difficulty.

“That will do, Miss Court,” Taggart said. For a woman who had never used a parachute before, Larra Court seemed to have a natural physical ability. “You too, Miss Gallant. You could both do with a bit more training, but I think you may survive your first real jump. Too bad it will be over Romania. You won’t get a second chance.”

“Thank you, Colonel,” Melissa replied. “I needed a good cheering up.”

Both women grinned. Taggart frowned. “I don’t believe I said anything funny. You will accompany me to the firing range. Sadly there is no time to teach you to shoot straight, but I can at least show you how to hold a firearm.”

“Do you have any objection if I bring my own pistol, Colonel?” Larra asked. “I will find it easier to hit the target if I use a gun with which I am familiar.”

Taggart raised his eyebrows. “You own a pistol?”

“I believe that is what I said, Colonel.”

Taggart ground his teeth. He was more than fed up with the insubordination of these two haughty women. If they had not been civilians he would have thrown both of them in the brig. “Get your damned toy pistol,” Taggart replied. “We’ll see what you can do with it.”

Taggart watched in stunned amazement as the Canadian girl put her last shot into the head of the target. “I suspect that if he was real,” Melissa said, “he’d be a mighty dead German. “Waste of lead though. I hit him the first time.”

Taggart shook his head. The older woman had already emptied her Browning .45 into her target, placing each bullet squarely in the heart of the imaginary enemy. “Ah, yes,” he stammered. “I think you pass. You do realize that your pistols are not regulation.”

“I do a lot of things that are not regulation, Colonel,” Larra replied. “Now is there anything else you want us to do?”

Taggart cleared his throat. “Yes,” he growled. I think it is time you learned some self-defence techniques. I only regret that I don’t have time to make you fully competent in hand-to-hand-combat.”

“Yes,” Larra said slowly, “I suppose that is a shame, however, we’ll just have muddle through as best we can.”

Taggart did not reply. This time Miss Court’s would get her come-uppance. He was going to enjoy seeing that shapely backside slammed into the practice mat. He would make sure she wasn’t hurt too badly, just enough to make her sore for a week but still able to go on the mission. He was going to show her what military training was all about. “Come with me,” he said. “There is someone I want you to meet.”

“Captain Jones of the Royal Marines, may I present Miss Court and Miss Gallant. I would like you to give them an exhibition of your skills.”

The two women nodded pleasantly to the captain. He was dressed in fatigues and was supervising several young men as they practiced a variety of martial techniques. Well over six feet tall, and sporting a fierce handlebar mustache, Captain Jones was no one the average person would want to meet in a dark trench. He gave Taggart a puzzled look. Facing him were two of the most beautiful women he had ever seen and Taggart had just given him the code word to give them a good beating. “Are you certain, Sir?” he asked.

“Quite certain captain,” Taggart answered. Nonchalantly he took out his pipe and lit it. “These women are going into a very dangerous situation and need to be taught a few things before they go. You have just two weeks to get them in shape.”

Jones nodded. Turning to Miss Court he motioned with his hand toward the ring. “I am afraid, Miss Court that the techniques I am going to show you are rather brutal. I hope you understand that I am only following basic military procedure.”

“If by that you mean that I might be injured don’t worry,” Larra replied. “My companion and I are quite willing to deal with anything you might throw at us.”

Jones looked at Taggart as if seeking help. All he got was a sly smile from his superior officer. He shrugged his shoulders. “This way if you please, Miss,” he said moving toward the ring.

Larra slipped through the ropes, Jones following. “I shall try not to hurt you,” Jones spoke quietly, obviously intending that Taggart should not hear.

“I thank you for that, Captain,” Larra replied. “And I’ll try not to hurt you.”

Jones’ face took on a puzzled expression. Thirty seconds later he was sitting on his backside with an even more bewildered look on his face. Larra looked innocently down at him. “Shall we have another go, Captain?”

Jones slowly got to his feet. “How did you do that?” he asked.

“I’ll gladly show you, Captain,” Larra replied, “provided Colonel Taggart has no other tortures designed for me.”

Taggart turned bright red, grinding his teeth so hard that he bit off the end of his pipe. He’d be damned glad to see the back of these two women. Not only had they gone through his rushed boot camp much faster than he had anticipated, but they had made him look like a fool. “Your training is finished,” he said. “Do as you wish.”

Two days later Larra and Melissa, dressed from head to foot in combat gear, looked out over the darkness of Transylvania.

“Damn it’s cold,” Melissa commented, her breath crystallizing in the frigid air.

“Don’t worry,” Larra said reassuringly, “I’m sure it’s much warmer on the ground.”

“Thanks for that cheery bit of information,” Melissa returned. Flying low, the stripped down aircraft like all military vehicles, was unheated, the comfort of its occupants being secondary to its utilitarian features. Nevertheless, she was not looking forward jumping from the aircraft in the deep of the night.

“It’s time, lydies,” came the Cockney drawl from the paratrooper who had been assigned to look after them.

“Here,” Melissa said, handing her copy of Bram Stoker’s Dracula to the airman. “Keep it for me until I get back. It was just getting interesting.”

“Righto, Miss,” the airman replied, taking the book from her and then moving to check the jump lines.

Both women checked their equipment. There was quite a bit of it, including a complete set of civilian clothing that they hoped would enable them to move among the population without drawing too much attention.

Taking a deep breath Melissa readied herself and turned her head to look at Larra. Her friend and mentor smiled and gave her the thumbs up. “It’s going to be fine, Mel. After all, we’re only jumping out of an airplane in the middle of winter over enemy occupied territory. What could possibly go wrong?” As she finished the question Larra turned and leaped out into the darkness.

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