A/N - Hello, dear readers. So no doubt you've seen the 'Ch. 1' beside the title. First time I've done that since my return. The idea behind this is that I wanted to write a long story that's going to weave its way into... well, to be honest, I'm not entirely sure yet. Part of me wanted to write some sort of erotic thriller based on a little reality with a whole lot of fantasy otherwise. The other part just had an idea and I was wondering where I could take it. At the time of uploading this first chapter, I have around nine chapters written, all needing a little editing, with plenty more chapters planned. I just need to write them.
Done some research into being a Marine (UK version) but I've explained that process in later chapters all about that.
At the time of writing, the first nine chapters will all be in the same category, though I have ideas for chapters after that to touch on other subjects (probably 'Erotic Couplings' and 'Mature') though the idea is for this to primarily focus on the current category.
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I'm sure you've watched movies and television or read books about the world of espionage. Shit like James Bond, Jason Bourne and Ethan Hunt spring to mind immediately. Then you might watch other media about the other world, of secret organisations and spies walking among us, and the fact you would never know. No doubt most people think one of two ways. It's either all bullshit, or it's got to be based on at least an element of fact. Those who believe the latter are one hundred percent categorically correct. There is such a large unseen world, it would blow your mind.
But that's getting well ahead of myself. There is a story as to how I got there and why.
My father was born in Great Britain, up in the north near a large city called Manchester. The family had a long and proud tradition of serving in the British Armed Forces. I've traced our ancestry over the years, and found family members fought as far back as in the Napoleonic Wars, including alongside Wellington at Waterloo, then in the Crimean War, a distant relative part of the slaughter of the infamous Charge of the Light Brigade. Half a dozen served in the trenches of the Great War, involved in battles such as the Somme, Passchendaele, and Ypres. Three family members are listed on the Menin Gate. World War Two, family members fought from North Africa to the storming of the beaches on D-Day and all the way into Nazi Germany. After that, less action was seen. None were sent to Korea or Northern Ireland, most ending up serving in Germany during the Cold War. Less chance of being shot, more chance of being blown up in a nuclear holocaust. Thankfully, it never happened.
My father never did end up serving, though, one of very few males not to pull on the uniform of the armed services, even as a reservist. He fully intended to join up once he'd finished school and travelled the world a bit, on his own coin first. But it was during his time in Australia that he met my mother. From what they told me, it was love at first sight, and seeing the benefits of living in a warm, dry climate, away from the dreary, rain-soaked world of northern England, it was next to no surprise that he chose to remain with my mother. It was a whirlwind romance, the pair marrying within six months of meeting, and my older sister was born six months after that, christened Amy. I was born two years after her, christened Nathan, though everyone calls me Nate, which I do prefer, and my little sister two years after me, christened Katherine, Katie for short.
My father, Keith Smith, had technical training and worked as an electrician, providing his wife and children with a comfortable life. My mother, Susan, was a primary school teacher, looking after a bunch of screaming five-year-olds while also raising her own at the same time. My father was a hard man at times, but life in Australia certainly helped mellow him out, smooth off the rough edges, as did my mother. I learned what happened in some households around Australia during the time, what wives and children had to endure from some husbands and fathers. My father might have been a hard man, but he had a good heart. Loved his wife, doted on his kids. But he ensured we were well-mannered and behaved.
I also inherited good genes, as I was naturally athletic, taking part in sports from a young age, and I did well at school. I wasn't a master of any subject, more a jack of all trades, always managing a B grade at least, though certain subjects that interested me, I did get A grades for. But I much preferred being outdoors than stuck in a classroom, and my weekends and evenings were full of activities. If not sport, I was scouting. I eventually joined the Australian Army Cadets at 12 years old, the minimum age I could. But my father knew what I really wanted to do. Having a British father meant I was a dual-national, having ensured all his children had both an Australian and British passport. And I knew from a young age that I wanted to follow in the family footsteps and join the armed forces. But not for the country where I was born. My grandfather had been a Royal Marine, his father before him. I traced back five generations of marines. My father had intended to follow him, but life got in the way. Thankfully, I learned that Commonwealth citizens are allowed to serve in the British Armed Forces, but I'd just serve as a British citizen to avoid any problems.
When I was 16, I sat down with my parents and explained my idea. I would finish schooling in Australia to obtain my Higher School Certificate, then I would work for six months to one year to earn a little cash, while spending time in the gym getting as fit as I could, before I would fly to the United Kingdom and apply to join the British Armed Forces. Even at 16, my father could hear and see the determination that it was what I wanted to do with my life, and thankfully, he supported me. Mum was upset as she knew the British Army saw far more action than the Australian, but she also understood why I wanted, even needed to do it. We'd been to the UK three times by that time, and I'd loved the place. Sure, it rained half the time, but get outside the cities and it was breath-takingly beautiful at times.
My sisters quickly learned I intended to eventually leave and I was left surprised that they both burst into tears on me. My relationship with Katie, who was 14 by that stage, was cordial at best. We just moved in different circles, and I was usually so busy otherwise, our paths just never really crossed except at mealtimes. As for Amy, 18 and looking at university in the future, she seemed even more upset, knocking on my door that same night and just hugging me.
By 16, I was already approaching six foot. The women of the household barely hit five-six, Amy was five-four, so I loomed over her. Both my sisters had strawberry blonde hair, though Amy had green eyes, Katie had blue. Different to me with my dirty blonde hair and blue eyes. Despite our cordial relationship, Katie was no doubt a cutie and would grow up to be a real heartbreaker. Amy was already a beautiful young woman. She might have been my sister but I checked her out more than once.
"Amy, why on earth are you so upset?" I had to ask.
"You're my little brother, and you're talking about going halfway around the world to join the army..."
"Royal Marines..."
"Yeah, them! And..." She looked up, her emerald greens gazing into mine. "I know I'm not the only one who wants you to go. Katie is devastated."
"She is?"
"You're her big brother. You're my little brother. I've watched you grow into a fine young man, you've always been her guide and protector. You just don't think about it much when dealing with people who bother her. Hell, I remember you taking on bigger kids if I was ever left upset by someone."
"I have to do it, Amy, but I also want to do it. I'm not just doing it for myself."
"Doing it for Dad?"
"I know it's the only pang of regret he's ever felt about staying here, that he didn't carry on the tradition. So I'll do it for him, but I also want to do it. Plus, it's the mid 90s. Cold War is over. Who are we going to fight nowadays? Russia? They're a basket case. China? Hardly. Iran? They couldn't even beat Iraq. Desert Storm was over in the blink of an eye, and they folded like a blanket. Even Northern Ireland seems to be on its way to being resolved. I'm not saying it'll be fine, but I'm going to be joining one of the most elite fighting forces on Earth."
"Just... come home safely."
"I can't promise but you know I'll do the best I can, Amy." I gave her a squeeze. "Nice to know my big sister cares."
"She bloody well loves you, you big dolt!" she exclaimed, clapping the back of my head.
I went to find Katie in her room. When she looked at me, her cheeks stained wet from tears, I almost blurted out I'd stay. We hugged for the first time in what felt like a couple of years as she cried. It was nice to know she cared so much. "My friends will be very upset," she whispered, sniffing away as she wiped her cheeks.
"Why?"
She scoffed. "Your head must be in the clouds. How do you not see that most of them have the hots for you?"
