Combat Alley (2007) Read Online Free
Author: Jack - Seals 06 Terral
pigsty compared to this place.
Sidiqui went to the front of the room and stood by the combo DVD and tape player. I welcome you to the training facilities of our army's champion polo team. We are most pleased to be able to help you prepare yourselves for your upcoming mission.
Excuse me, sir, Monty Sturgis said, raising his hand. Are we gonna be riding polo ponies in the field?
Oh, heavens, no! Sidiqui exclaimed with a laugh. We have other horses here at Sharif Garrison. There is a ceremonial cavalry troop stationed here that goes about the country giving riding demonstrations in the old traditions. They have an excellent stable of trained military mounts from which you will draw your animals.
Chad Murchison had a question. Sir, I have ridden a great deal at several local stables back home and am familiar with show horses and polo ponies. What I would like to learn is the criteria for a cavalry mount. What does one look for in these famous and traditional warhorses?
That is an excellent question, the Pakistani officer replied. And after I have explained it to you, you will appreciate more the horses you will take on your mission. He paused for a moment of thought, then said, A cavalry horse must be sound and gentle under the saddle. He must possess a prompt action at the walk, trot, and gallop. And, of course, be free of vicious habits.
Tex Benson, who had done less-than-genteel horseback riding during his Texas youth, was also curious. What are them calvary horse supposed to look like?
In the Pakistani Army we prefer geldings from fifteen to sixteen hands high, Sidiqui explained. They should not weigh less than nine hundred and fifty pounds or more than fifteen hundred. An age between four and eight years old is also preferable. As far as appearance goes, he should have a broad forehead with large eyes, shoulders sloping well back, a full, broad chest with forelegs straight and standing well under. He paused, then asked, Do you require more information?
Benson shook his head. No, thanks, I was just looking for a casual description.
What's a 'hand' when you talk about how high they gotta be? Gutsy Olson asked.
A hand is four inches, Sidiqui replied. And the measurement is from the withers to the ground.
Brannigan now spoke up. You'll have to excuse us, Lieutenant. Most of us are in complete ignorance about horses. What are the 'withers'?
Oh, pardon me, please, the Pakistani said. The withers of a horse is where the back meets the neck. Thus, the average horse for military service would be five feet high from that point down to the ground. He looked around. If there are no more questions, we shall turn to the DVD player. You will see an introduction and description of the things you will learn during your training here. After this, we will have another question-and-answer period, then go to lunch. When you have eaten, you will be taken to the riding hall where you will be introduced to the horse that will be yours during your operation.
.
LOGOVISHCHYEH, TAJIKISTAN
LUKA Yarkov and his gang of ex-military prisoners called their small village in the Kangal Mountains Logovishchyeh, which is Russian for lair. Logovishchyeh seemed a good name for the community since the men living there considered themselves beasts of prey. Their membership in that particular group was made known by the tattoos of a snarling wolf's head on their right deltoid muscles. It was during the dark days of their incarceration when the images were crudely imbedded under the skin by thousands of pinpricks from sewing needles after being drawn on with India ink. A couple of excellent artists among the gang did the illustrations, while the subject's buddies helped with the painful process of puncturing it into the skin. Any prisoner not a member of the gang that was discovered with the image engraved in his epidermis paid with his life for the affront. The corpse, with the tattoos sliced off and shoved into the victim's rectum, would be found in
Sidiqui went to the front of the room and stood by the combo DVD and tape player. I welcome you to the training facilities of our army's champion polo team. We are most pleased to be able to help you prepare yourselves for your upcoming mission.
Excuse me, sir, Monty Sturgis said, raising his hand. Are we gonna be riding polo ponies in the field?
Oh, heavens, no! Sidiqui exclaimed with a laugh. We have other horses here at Sharif Garrison. There is a ceremonial cavalry troop stationed here that goes about the country giving riding demonstrations in the old traditions. They have an excellent stable of trained military mounts from which you will draw your animals.
Chad Murchison had a question. Sir, I have ridden a great deal at several local stables back home and am familiar with show horses and polo ponies. What I would like to learn is the criteria for a cavalry mount. What does one look for in these famous and traditional warhorses?
That is an excellent question, the Pakistani officer replied. And after I have explained it to you, you will appreciate more the horses you will take on your mission. He paused for a moment of thought, then said, A cavalry horse must be sound and gentle under the saddle. He must possess a prompt action at the walk, trot, and gallop. And, of course, be free of vicious habits.
Tex Benson, who had done less-than-genteel horseback riding during his Texas youth, was also curious. What are them calvary horse supposed to look like?
In the Pakistani Army we prefer geldings from fifteen to sixteen hands high, Sidiqui explained. They should not weigh less than nine hundred and fifty pounds or more than fifteen hundred. An age between four and eight years old is also preferable. As far as appearance goes, he should have a broad forehead with large eyes, shoulders sloping well back, a full, broad chest with forelegs straight and standing well under. He paused, then asked, Do you require more information?
Benson shook his head. No, thanks, I was just looking for a casual description.
What's a 'hand' when you talk about how high they gotta be? Gutsy Olson asked.
A hand is four inches, Sidiqui replied. And the measurement is from the withers to the ground.
Brannigan now spoke up. You'll have to excuse us, Lieutenant. Most of us are in complete ignorance about horses. What are the 'withers'?
Oh, pardon me, please, the Pakistani said. The withers of a horse is where the back meets the neck. Thus, the average horse for military service would be five feet high from that point down to the ground. He looked around. If there are no more questions, we shall turn to the DVD player. You will see an introduction and description of the things you will learn during your training here. After this, we will have another question-and-answer period, then go to lunch. When you have eaten, you will be taken to the riding hall where you will be introduced to the horse that will be yours during your operation.
.
LOGOVISHCHYEH, TAJIKISTAN
LUKA Yarkov and his gang of ex-military prisoners called their small village in the Kangal Mountains Logovishchyeh, which is Russian for lair. Logovishchyeh seemed a good name for the community since the men living there considered themselves beasts of prey. Their membership in that particular group was made known by the tattoos of a snarling wolf's head on their right deltoid muscles. It was during the dark days of their incarceration when the images were crudely imbedded under the skin by thousands of pinpricks from sewing needles after being drawn on with India ink. A couple of excellent artists among the gang did the illustrations, while the subject's buddies helped with the painful process of puncturing it into the skin. Any prisoner not a member of the gang that was discovered with the image engraved in his epidermis paid with his life for the affront. The corpse, with the tattoos sliced off and shoved into the victim's rectum, would be found in
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