Ever since our recce party landed back from Moscow, it had been all singing and dancing. I’d put in a positive report, saying that everybody in Moscow was on net, and that, although conditions in the camp at Balashika were primitive, we’d been given a really good hand by the Russians and by the Embassy. Since then we’d faxed across the names and details of the team, for driving licences and other documentation. We’d also lined up a load of extra stores, and everything seemed to be under control. Thanks to Whinger, Rick’s reputation as an instant Russian legover specialist had gone all round the team: he’d had a lot of stick, but he’d taken it well.

Now what?

When I saw the line-up in the wing, I knew for certain that it was something heavy. The Regiment was represented not only by the CO and the ops officer, but also by the Director – a brigadier – who must have made a special trip down from London, leaving at dawn. From the Firm came Edgar, but with him was an older and evidently senior man who was introduced as Mr Laidlaw.

The CO – a small, spare man with a bony face and receding hair – spoke first, and I could tell from the pitch of his voice that he was tensed up. Normally he talked at a deliberate pace, but now he had gone up a gear.

He began with the usual spiel about the secrecy of our operation. ‘Until now, as you know, it’s been classified Top Secret,’ he said. ‘That classification was imposed primarily for the safety of the team going into Russia. I need hardly remind you, it’s essential that Mafia elements don’t get wind of your presence.’

He paused and looked down at his notes. Then he said, ‘The name of the operation has been changed. It is now Operation Nimrod. Further, it has become a black operation. I don’t need to tell you what that means, but I will. It means that absolutely no further mention of it is to be made to anyone except members of the team. The reason will become obvious in a moment. Is that clearly understood?’

We were sitting facing the brass on two rows of chairs, three and five. When I glanced round, I saw everyone nod quickly. The CO’s tension had communicated itself to the team.

‘Right, then.’ The CO cleared his throat. ‘Another element has been added to the operation. The training of Tiger Force will go down as planned, but as from today that will serve as cover for a new main task. The first priority of Operation Nimrod is now to plant two compact nuclear devices in strategic positions, where they can be detonated by satellite signal if or when such action is deemed necessary.’