Operation Norway

- 23 -

Hynd and Wiggins attempted to execute the move the same way they’d done before — crouching in a wrestler’s stance and rolling quickly forward. But McCallum was wise to it this time and was quick enough to move aside, leaving Hynd out of reach with his syringe. Wiggins managed to stab the troll, not in the groin this time but directly into the weeping hole in its belly. He had taken his chance deliberately and carefully but it had cost him dearly — he wasn’t able to roll away in time.

McCallum’s huge splayed foot came down on Wiggins’ chest and stopped, pinning the corporal to the ground. Banks knew it would only take the slightest effort by the troll to cave in sternum and ribs and reduce Wiggins’ innards to a bloody pulp.

The syringe, plunger pushed all the way in, still hung from the hole in the beast’s belly.

Stall. Play for time. The sedative will take hold soon.

The only hope he had was that there were enough drugs now coursing through the troll’s system to bring it down — or at least calm it enough to be persuaded.

“Private McCallum, stand down,” Banks shouted, putting the parade ground into it. “That’s a soldier you’ve got there and he’s one of our own. I will have no fighting in my squad.”

The other troll had stopped coming out of the wall — its head and shoulders had emerged but they were now, slowly, being drawn back onto the stone. McCallum, still with his foot on Wiggins’ chest, had fallen quiet and still. He touched the syringe at his belly and when he whimpered, he sounded more like a man than ever. Banks lowered his rifle to the ground — the light shone directly on Wiggins’ pale, wide-eyed face.

“Hang in there, lad,” Banks said softly to the corporal. “We’ll get you out of this.”

Hynd had pushed himself upright and stood at Banks’ back, with Davies and Olsen behind him.

“Follow my lead, Sarge,” Banks whispered. “Nice and easy now.”

He took a step towards McCallum. The head came up, staring straight at Banks from under heavy brows. The shadows there were too deep to see the eyes themselves, to see whether they were losing focus, going cloudy and drugged. All Banks had to go on were cues from the troll’s movements — and for now at least, it was still very much awake.

Wiggins let out a grunt of pain as McCallum shifted his weight.

“Stand down, Private,” Banks said. “That’s an order. Don’t make me have to tell you twice.”

McCallum whimpered, looked at Banks, then down at Wiggins, but showed no sign of obeying the command. Once again, it motioned with its hand at the walls. Banks was unsure of the meaning — was he asking for clemency for them all, or was he asking to join them in the stone, to go to sleep?

“Not going to happen, lad,” Banks said. “I gave you an order. It would be best for you to obey it.”

Banks was watching the troll closely and now he saw it, the first hint that the drugs might be working as McCallum’s huge chin dropped to his chest and jerked back up again.

“Last chance, Private McCallum. Stand down or I’ll have you up on a charge.”

But instead of compliance, Banks got another shout of rage in reply. The walls shivered and great cracks appeared in the stone. The trolls were waking again.

In one swift movement, Banks drew his service pistol, stepped inside an arm that was already swinging in his direction, and put three shots into McCallum’s left eye.

The troll swayed, left then right, lifted the pressure on Wiggins’ chest enough for the corporal to roll away, then it collapsed like a falling tree, with a crash that shook the whole chamber, laying the body out flat, face down on the floor of the cave.

The walls settled, the last echo of the pistol shots faded and the only sound was Wiggins, fumbling hastily to light a cigarette.

“Fuck me, Cap,” he said once his smoke was lit. “Cutting it a bit fine there, weren’t you?”

Banks wasn’t listening. He looked down at the prone figure.

“I’m sorry, lad,” he said.

“No worries, Cap,” Wiggins replied.

“I wasn’t talking to you, Wiggo,” Banks replied, retrieved his rifle, and went outside in search of clearer air.