Having established the headquarters, Victor shifted his attention to the formation of his team. The designated Commander of Vanguardia was Marcus Harrington, a seasoned Royal Navy officer with an affable charisma that endeared him to others. He would continue to lead, but with a reduced crew of fifteen ratings. While he would have full knowledge of all SHADO missions, he would not participate in them. In the chain of command, Victor held the leadership role, but in the event of any danger to the ship, Marcus would take over.
Security on the ship would be supervised by two sections of Royal Marines, totalling sixteen men. In the face of unforeseen challenges, Victor maintained full confidence in his agents and the contingent of Marines, acknowledging their capability to handle any situation that might arise.
Drawing on his experience as an Intelligence Officer, Victor understood the paramount importance of gathering comprehensive information before embarking upon any mission. His expertise lay in coordinating deployments of well-informed troops for battle, although, the introduction of time travel brought forth a myriad of new challenges. Now, his agents had to possess in-depth knowledge of the particular era they were traversing, coupled with the need to assimilate with their surroundings. This compelled him to enlist the expertise of a historian and formulate a strategy to outfit his agents with appropriate attire.
In a bold manoeuvre, he masterminded the unauthorised procurement of garments and costumes spanning over a millennium from the BBC. This calculated action allowed him to circumvent undue scrutiny and the potential suspicions that official requests for such artifacts might arouse. The operation, led by his agent Cole Mercer, was a success, leaving Victor wishing he could witness the BBC workers’ reactions the following morning when they stumbled upon the disappearance of their entire costume department.
Victor’s selected historian happened to be none other than his former university colleague and the Professor of History at Oxford, Henry Beaumont. Entrusted with examining the stolen clothing articles from the BBC, he confirmed that their authenticity – with a few alterations – could stand the test of time. His responsibilities extended to ensuring that every agent was suitably attired and briefed before embarking on any journey into the past.
Initially, Victor had doubts about recruiting Henry, acknowledging the possible complications of involving a friend. But Henry wasn’t just anyone – he was someone Victor trusted. He possessed the academic qualifications essential for the role, coupled with an infectious zest for life and a charming manner that made him an invaluable addition to Victor’s team. Moreover, being of a similar age, Henry was someone Victor could personally confide in.
Victor’s concern was Henry’s health and whether he could endure the demands of time travel. Although he wasn’t intended to be a field agent due to a lack of specialised training, Victor saw a potential role for him as an assistant. This would involve serving as a lookout or providing support in situations where a cover story required the presence of two people rather than just one. When Henry passed his medical examination with flying colours, it bolstered Victor’s confidence, providing the affirmation Victor needed – Henry was indeed the ideal candidate for the job.
His strategy was to keep a lean, skilled team of agents. While he left room for potential expansion down the line, the team would comprise just four members, himself included. His past experiences with Special Forces had taught him the effectiveness of small, agile teams.
Lyra Thorne stood out as Victor’s primary choice. At thirty-six years of age, she embodied the qualities and poise he deemed essential in an agent. Holding the rank of Captain in the Intelligence Corps, Lyra excelled as an analyst, backed by a wealth of hands-on field expertise.
She combined a striking appearance with unshakeable confidence, enabling her to handle any given task. Her magnetic presence could prove invaluable in specific scenarios, rendering her a versatile asset to the team. Alongside her combat proficiency, Lyra demonstrated fluency in six languages, and her marksmanship skills outclassed even those of top-tier operatives – further proof of her exceptional capabilities.
Victor’s second option was Cole Mercer, a professional soldier who had served in both the Parachute Regiment and the Special Air Service. After his time in the British Army, he ventured into the realm of Private Military Contracting (PMC), applying his expertise across a spectrum of missions, including direct action, hostage rescue, and special reconnaissance. At forty-one years old, he maintained physical prowess akin to that of an Olympic athlete. There was no denying the advantage of having Cole by your side during times of trouble, especially when the situation looked desperate.
Joining the team was Ava Turner, a twenty-eight-year-old current MI5 operative. Ava specialised in domestic counter-intelligence, a vital asset in the pursuit of the group responsible for the potential devastation of the planet. Despite her youth, her skills promised to be invaluable in this mission. At MI5, she had earned the moniker Jack, a tribute to the Jack Russell Terrier known for its tenacity. Once Ava sank her teeth into something, she refused to let go.
In addition to field agents, Victor recognised the importance of having a medical professional and enlisted the services of Lieutenant Colonel William Foster-Blake, a fifty-two-year-old experienced surgeon from the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC). With extensive expertise in battlefield surgery, William would prove invaluable should circumstances take a turn for the worse. He was known simply as ‘Doc.’
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