The Good Soldier - A Leadership Challenge
Lieutenant Kate Kershaw had made mistakes in her Army career. She sometimes told herself that the fact that she could recognize them as such, was evidence that she had at least some of the attributes required of an officer in the modern British Army.
As she made her way across the camp, walking towards a modern grey building, she realised she was heading back to the scene of one of her more severe errors in judgement.
The building housed the small group of guards that provided security to the inner camp. They were like most other people on camp, confined to an existence within the perimeter, and had been here longer than Kershaw herself. And, up until relatively recently, had a degree of freedom, and a certain amount of power.
She groaned inwardly, as she entered and recognized the face behind the counter.
"Good evening, ma'am," he said, mock sincerely, "and what can I do for you."
As she watched his leer, she felt a shudder of revulsion. "I've come for Corporal Jones's kit," she said, simply.
"Yes, ma'am," he said, with a sneer. "You're obviously on a vital mission, I'll get right to it."
She heard a door open and another of the Guard Force entered. She cursed inwardly, knowing that Leo would be even more of an asshole with an audience.
The Guard Force were not soldiers. At least, not anymore. She suspected most were ex-military; perhaps, even a few former officers. She knew they hadn't been special forces no matter what they hinted at—there was no way anyone with any-sort-of-real military qualifications, would find themselves in this setting while doing such a routinely shit job.
"Well, get a fucking move on then!" she said, her anger rising.
Leo put a mocked pained act on. "Oh no, ma'am, it hurts when you talk like that," he sneered again. "You didn't use mean words like that, when I had my cock in your arse."
A few weeks ago, Kate might have gotten upset and run out of the building, but a lot had happened, and while she still regretted what she'd done, or rather what she had drunkenly acquiesced to do; at this moment in time, she had a task to perform, no matter how menial.
Leo turned to the other guard. "You didn't have her arse, did you, Kev!" he smirked at her.
Kate turned to the other guard, and without thinking, said, "I don't remember you being there."
An angry look came across his face. "I dumped a load down your throat; do you remember that?"
Kate didn't flinch. She rather shrugged, "Nope." She turned back to Leo, and asked, "Do you remember what happened after the Brigadier found out that you and your mates took turns on me?"
She turned back to Kev, "The Brigadier mightn't even know that you fucked me, as well," she smiled, "assuming that you did actually manage to fuck me; I still can't place you. Do you want me to let him know?"
Kev advanced on her. "How about I have a go in your arse now," he said, menacingly.
Kate felt a feeling bubble up inside her. She didn't back down. She looked at her watch. "Lay a hand on me, then you may as well go the whole way, and make it worth it your while," she smiled, "because afterwards, the Brigadier will carry out his threat from last time."
She saw a flash of anger appear on Leo's face. Kev seemed to become suddenly uncomfortable.
"Because while he thinks I'm a stupid slut and a disgrace to my uniform, his opinion of you," she looked at Leo, "and your colleagues is even lower."
Still looking at Kev, she said, "I think I do remember you now. Were you the guy who couldn't get hard enough to fuck me, and kept trying to get me to put his limp cock in my mouth?"
Kev said nothing; he just looked at her dumbly.
She stepped back and threw up her arms. "So, what's it to be, gentlemen? Are you going to bend me over and fuck me like the useless slut I am; all the while knowing that you'll probably end up disappearing into a furnace afterward? Or, are you going to give me what I am fucking asking for?"
"Fucking whore," Kev said, turning and walking out.
Leo just looked at her his fists clenched. "You'll get yours one of these days, you fucking slut!"
"Yes. Yes, I'm sure I will, but it won't be from you." She smiled. "You had your chance."
Leo turned and walked to the back of the store, saying nothing.
Kate reflected on the incident in the guard room which had caused so much trouble, when she first arrived on camp. She had made the mistake of hanging around there because they had a degree of freedom that she was denied, as well as access to the alcohol, that she also lacked. She wasn't a complete idiot—even at the time, she knew that their friendliness was mostly in the hope that one or more of them could get into her knickers.
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