The Dutch used it at Colditz, too.

And a mention of The Great Organizer!

While prior to this, any mention of The Great Organiser and Third of His Name as being related would have seemed odd, after 'meeting' Third of His Name it seems perfectly reasonable... and Third of His Name has very accurately pegged his cousin as having a penchant for revenge, particularly against those deemed socially above his station, which we have seen in action. We also see that the urge to 'educate' those around them is something that both seem to enjoy, particularly if listeners are willing to show respect regardless of rank.

We begin to see why the Marshall had such a level of respect for Third of His Name and the Elfhame Rangers, regardless of their reputation.

Well, thank goodness Roland didn't eat the vegetable pie. That [skal] must produce enough methane to power a small city for a week!

The screens, Nurse! The screens!

Heh, Private Brooks reminds me of a mate of mine. When sober his pool and snooker games are average at best... when he has a half dozen under his belt, he is hard to beat... with a dozen downed he can wipe the floor with most competition. Bit of a mad and lucky bugger... he'd probably blend in well with the Elfhame Rangers.

This inebriated skill definitely does not carry over to his driving... after the first half dozen one of us will take his keys and make sure he gets a ride back to his place.

There was, I recall, an episode of "WKRP in Cincinnati," where Johnny Fever, one of the disc jockeys, had to host a public service announcement regarding the perils of drinking and driving. The chap giving the demonstration wanted to prove how reflexes slowed under the influence.

The PSA went awry when Johnny's reactions got faster and faster...

That would end up a little embarrassing, eh?

In real life a while ago we had an interesting situation in our legal system where 'experts' and a lawyer for a woman charged with diving under the influence of ice successfully argued that driving while high on ice was not grounds for a charge of dangerous driving. The woman was found not guilty of dangerous driving because the Judge acquitted her after 'expert' evidence. "Professor Jason White, from the University of South Australia, told the court that taking ice could make people aggressive and agitated but could also reduce fatigue and increase mental and physical performance."

Seems sensible in a rather warped way, yes? But then again, possibly not... she was charged after she ran a red light and badly injured a young boy who was crossing at the lights. The schoolboy suffered multiple injuries including a fractured skull and a punctured lung. She had hit the boy as she drove around another car that had stopped at the lights while her three young children were passengers with her, but the Judge said there was "...no evidence in the driving leading up to the collision of any overtly poor driving, veering across the road, high speed or otherwise.".. yup, claiming a light was green, contrary to witnesses, and aggressively driving around a car that has stopped at the supposedly green light and running down a pedestrian, is seemingly not evidence of dangerous driving according to a judge and an 'expert'. According to them she is actually a less fatigued and more alert driver and therefore not dangerous.

Apparently the Judge is also confused that the public does not agree with either him or these 'experts' about this case and has requested that the police investigate threatening letters sent to him after the ruling... several of which have wished that one of his family members suffers the same fate so he can understand reality. The University of South Australia also states that its faculty member has no case to answer for and that it will be taking no action to review his position despite the fact that part of his department's funding is from a state fund for road safety development.

Yes, real life can at times be stranger than fiction.

I should note that "Private Brooks" is an allusion to the late Foster Brooks, a comedian noted for his drunk act. He was a staple of American television in the 1970s, when I was growing up.

And so far the future Marshal has been making a good impression on his squaddies and somewhat less so on his fellow officers... but since the officers seem to be a rather poor lot of specimens while the squaddies actually know their jobs, this seems to be a good thing.

I am wondering how long it'll take him to learn Elfhamian - he can understand what WWIII says pretty well, but has more trouble tracking the more accented bucks.

And 3rd platoon seems to have taken a shine to him. Whether this is because they're grateful for the breakfast-with-beer and opportunity to requisition things, or appreciate that he hasn't yet complained about them speaking Elfhamian, or even that he's willing to see to his own kit instead of demanding a batman... well, probably all of the above. WWIII knows who he is, and the fact he hasn't bragged about it at all... something to keep in reserve when he needs a favor, methinks.

Heh. And did I call it with Sergei, or just give you the idea? Though if he is an Elf, it would definitely explain a few things about him... including why he was so philosophical about a few years of detention.

More accurately, you called it, since it had been suggested by others. You still get credit.

Wacky army hijinx!

Hooray!

Very pleasant and engaging reading.

OMG

I busted a gut laughing when Sergei's name popped up, that's simply the best thing. I knew there was something uncanny about him. XD

It's interesting to see the Marshall as a "fish out of water" in this tale. Well, he evidently learned quite well.

Heh, Private Brooks is a monster shot!