Untouchable (25 page)
Authors: Chris Ryan
Tags: #Juvenile Fiction, #Action & Adventure, #General, #Juvenile Nonfiction, #Social Issues, #Drugs; Alcohol; Substance Abuse
Keep in touch:
Before any members of Alpha Force go into the field they arrange a time to call the others. A mission isn’t just two people working on their own in the enemy territory – it’s also the people back at base, who are making plans, deciding whether to send extra personnel and so on. If they don’t call in when they’re expected, the others at base know that something has gone wrong. So it’s vital never to miss a situation report or ‘sitrep’, or the others might decide to send a rescue party.
Before any members of Alpha Force go into the field they arrange a time to call the others. A mission isn’t just two people working on their own in the enemy territory – it’s also the people back at base, who are making plans, deciding whether to send extra personnel and so on. If they don’t call in when they’re expected, the others at base know that something has gone wrong. So it’s vital never to miss a situation report or ‘sitrep’, or the others might decide to send a rescue party.
Another reason the sitrep is essential is because the Alpha Force members back at base might have received new intelligence about the target. If they called the others the moment they received it, it might endanger them or blow the mission, so they wait until they know they can talk safely.
In the SAS we’d give a minimum of two sitreps every day to command control or base. Alpha Force, being a small squad, might not have a command control – all their members might be on active duty at one time. For instance, when Hex and Amber are in Glaickvullin Lodge and Alex, Paulo and Li are in the potholes, both groups are gathering and exchanging information and have to discuss their plans. In such a situation, they will agree beforehand to give a sitrep more frequently – say every couple of hours. Once they’ve agreed how frequently they will make sitreps, they will stick to it.
Sitreps aren’t just for situations where you expect to encounter danger. Alex would never set out on one of his solo camping trips in Northumberland without letting someone know where he was going, and when he’d next be in touch. When Paulo goes for a ride on his parents’ ranch, he leaves a message saying where he’s gone and how long he expects to be. If you’re going somewhere alone, such as camping, you should do the same.
Use passwords:
If Alpha Force have to rendezvous with someone who they haven’t met before, they have to make sure they can identify them positively. If they don’t, they might draw an innocent bystander into their mission by mistake, or they might even be duped into taking an enemy agent into their confidence. They will take a physical description of the agent they’re meeting, but they won’t rely on that alone because it’s not that easy to recognize someone just from a description like ‘dark hair, medium build and glasses’. They will use a password.
If Alpha Force have to rendezvous with someone who they haven’t met before, they have to make sure they can identify them positively. If they don’t, they might draw an innocent bystander into their mission by mistake, or they might even be duped into taking an enemy agent into their confidence. They will take a physical description of the agent they’re meeting, but they won’t rely on that alone because it’s not that easy to recognize someone just from a description like ‘dark hair, medium build and glasses’. They will use a password.
A password has to be more than just one word, because that’s too conspicuous. For instance, if your password was ‘elephant’, you might walk up to several people with dark hair, medium build and glasses and see if they said ‘elephant’ to you, but most of them will be ordinary members of the public and you might get some very odd looks! Also, if enemy agents were watching they would soon spot what you were up to. Instead, Alpha Force prearrange to have a short conversation with the person they are meeting. For instance, when they spot someone with dark hair, medium build and glasses, they will ask them, ‘Has a man with a black dog walked past?’ An innocent stranger – or an enemy agent – might say no – or yes if it was in a common dog-walking spot. But the real agent will have agreed to say something more distinctive, such as ‘No, it was a Dalmatian.’ It’s very unlikely that anyone would give such a complicated answer by chance.
Keep your cover:
If Alpha Force have to create fake identities, they practise using them before they go into the field. If Amber has to go undercover as, say, Roz, she practises introducing herself as Roz. As she’s using a different name from usual, it would be very easy to look embarrassed or hesitate, which an enemy might spot. Amber would also have to get used to listening out for people trying to attract her attention by calling ‘Roz’ – it looks very odd if you don’t respond when someone calls your name! It works the other way too – if she wasn’t prepared, someone could easily blow her cover by shouting ‘Hi, Amber!’
If Alpha Force have to create fake identities, they practise using them before they go into the field. If Amber has to go undercover as, say, Roz, she practises introducing herself as Roz. As she’s using a different name from usual, it would be very easy to look embarrassed or hesitate, which an enemy might spot. Amber would also have to get used to listening out for people trying to attract her attention by calling ‘Roz’ – it looks very odd if you don’t respond when someone calls your name! It works the other way too – if she wasn’t prepared, someone could easily blow her cover by shouting ‘Hi, Amber!’
A fake identity is more than just a name. Amber also has to work out what town Roz comes from, what school she went to. These are the kinds of question strangers might ask casually – or enemies might ask if they wanted to check you out. Amber has to pick a home town for Roz – and be able to answer questions about it. An enemy might, for instance, ask her if the store at the crossroads still sells marzipan doughnuts. It might be a trick question because there may be no shop there at all; it may be a school!
Another thing Alpha Force bear in mind when constructing a fake identity is what their own appearance and accents say about them. Hex has a London accent and it might be hard to believe he came from Scotland – or the USA!
Get information:
If Alpha Force are infiltrating an enemy area, they will get as much information about it as they can. Hex spends a lot of time collecting information from his sources on the Internet. If possible they will also talk to people who have been into the area, and look at satellite pictures. There’s no substitute for intelligence.
If Alpha Force are infiltrating an enemy area, they will get as much information about it as they can. Hex spends a lot of time collecting information from his sources on the Internet. If possible they will also talk to people who have been into the area, and look at satellite pictures. There’s no substitute for intelligence.
Rehearse:
In the caves, Alex, Paulo and Li make a diagram while they are working out their plan to smoke out the gamekeepers. That cave was quite a simple site, with few entrances and exits, but many targets will not be so straightforward. If they were infiltrating an enemy camp, there might be many possible angles of approach, dead spots, places to hide, routes in and routes out. The diagram makes sure everyone has the same mental picture of how they will get in, where they are going and so on. Another vital point is that when they’ve finished with the diagram and are about to move on, they are careful to destroy it. They never know who might stumble on it.
In the caves, Alex, Paulo and Li make a diagram while they are working out their plan to smoke out the gamekeepers. That cave was quite a simple site, with few entrances and exits, but many targets will not be so straightforward. If they were infiltrating an enemy camp, there might be many possible angles of approach, dead spots, places to hide, routes in and routes out. The diagram makes sure everyone has the same mental picture of how they will get in, where they are going and so on. Another vital point is that when they’ve finished with the diagram and are about to move on, they are careful to destroy it. They never know who might stumble on it.
Alpha Force also spend time practising the final phase of the smoke-out operation so that they can execute it swiftly and efficiently. In the SAS, if we had time, we would try to find a similar camp to the one we were infiltrating and rehearse for real. We’d practise absolutely everything – not just getting in and out, but our order of approach, laying-up points (LUPs), where to dump equipment, who would cut the fence. An operation must be slick to keep the element of surprise – you don’t want to waste precious seconds trying to remember who’s got the wire cutters and getting them out from the bottom of their bergen!
If Alpha Force have to use unfamiliar equipment, they rehearse with that too. They might have just thirty seconds to set up a camera, make sure it’s working and well concealed. It’s hopeless if they start fumbling, drop it, can’t find the on button.
Alpha Force have often had to change their clothes in enemy territory to blend in – and even this takes practice. Try it yourself – get a mate to time you while you put on a disguise (make sure they don’t peek!). Can you get all the buttons done up, everything the right way round and look neat and shipshape in 60 seconds? To make it even more challenging, try the same thing in a darkened cupboard!
Assess risk:
Although Alpha Force frequently end up in danger, they always plan not to! Before they go into an enemy area they make sure their plan allows them to stay hidden and get out safely. They never just take this for granted – if they don’t have a proper entry and escape, they don’t go in. Otherwise, if they are captured, not only might they be hurt or interrogated, they might endanger an entire mission – which could be of national importance.
Although Alpha Force frequently end up in danger, they always plan not to! Before they go into an enemy area they make sure their plan allows them to stay hidden and get out safely. They never just take this for granted – if they don’t have a proper entry and escape, they don’t go in. Otherwise, if they are captured, not only might they be hurt or interrogated, they might endanger an entire mission – which could be of national importance.
Man down!:
If someone does get injured, the operation’s over. The number one priority is to get them out and to help. Once the injured person is in a safe place, though, it might be possible to go back in with a change of personnel. For instance, if Paulo sprained his ankle and had to be extricated, he might be taken out to where Li was guarding the spare kit at an LUP, then Li could go in in his place while he guards the bergens. This also means that whoever’s left on back-up duty has to be prepared for a more active role at a moment’s notice – it would be no good if Li was having a snooze or was engrossed in a book when the others needed reinforcements.
If someone does get injured, the operation’s over. The number one priority is to get them out and to help. Once the injured person is in a safe place, though, it might be possible to go back in with a change of personnel. For instance, if Paulo sprained his ankle and had to be extricated, he might be taken out to where Li was guarding the spare kit at an LUP, then Li could go in in his place while he guards the bergens. This also means that whoever’s left on back-up duty has to be prepared for a more active role at a moment’s notice – it would be no good if Li was having a snooze or was engrossed in a book when the others needed reinforcements.
Never underestimate the enemy:
No matter how simple a task may be, Alpha Force assume the enemy will be as tough, alert and well trained as they are. They are never slipshod about planning and preparation. And they stay in training, practising their skills so they don’t get rusty. Many times their lives have depended on how fast they can run or how strong they are – so all of them put in regular hours in the gym and many miles running, cycling and swimming. They never know when they might need it.
No matter how simple a task may be, Alpha Force assume the enemy will be as tough, alert and well trained as they are. They are never slipshod about planning and preparation. And they stay in training, practising their skills so they don’t get rusty. Many times their lives have depended on how fast they can run or how strong they are – so all of them put in regular hours in the gym and many miles running, cycling and swimming. They never know when they might need it.
BE SAFE!
Random House Children’s Books and Chris Ryan would like to make it clear that this advice is given for use in a serious situation only, where your life could be at risk. We cannot accept any liability for inappropriate usage in normal conditions.
Have you read all the Alpha Force books?
Here’s a chance to test your survival skills with the ALPHA FORCE QUIZ!
1. What should you do if someone gets a snakebite?
a) Keep the victim calm, suck out the venom and try to get medical help quickly
b) Keep the victim calm, cut out the venom and try to get medical help quickly
c) Keep the victim calm, wash out the venom and try to get medical help quickly
2. Which African animal kills more humans than any other?
a) Hippopotamus
b) Crocodile
c) Lion
3. What are the common symptoms of shock?
a) Hot, clammy skin, and a slow pulse and lack of movement
b) Cold, sweaty skin, a feeble but rapid pulse and shakiness
c) The victim won’t show any noticeable signs
4. What chemical creates an antiseptic when added to water?
(Hint: Alex carries it in his survival kit in
Desert Pursuit
)
a) Potassium permanganate
b) Sodium Chloride
c) Sulphur
5. Roughly how long can you survive without water?
a) One day
b) Three days
c) Five days
6. How long can the average human survive without food?
a) One week
b) Two weeks
c) Three weeks
7. If you sprain an ankle but have to keep moving, you should
a) Keep your boot on
b) Take your boot off and strap up the ankle
c) Take your boot off and leave the ankle unsupported
8. What’s the internationally recognised format to use with any signal when you need help?
a) Repeat any signal three times
b) Repeat any signal four times
c) Repeat any signal five times
9. If you’re stuck without supplies, what is the best thing for washing out wounds?
a) Saliva
b) Urine
c) Tears
10. What are the symptoms of salt deprivation?
a) Sweating and feeling nauseous
b) Feeling dizzy and tired
c) All of the above
11. What should you
not
do if a leech attaches itself to your skin?
a) Use heat to try and make it drop off
b) Pull it off
c) Use petrol or alcohol to try and make it drop off
12. What should you do if you find yourself confronting a big cat?
a) Run
b) Shout and wave your arms
c) Curl up into a ball
13. What’s the best thing to store your survival kit in?
a) A plastic bag
b) A waterproof box or tin
c) A cloth bag
14. Which of these should you never drink?
a) Sea water
b) Freshwater that hasn’t been boiled or sterilized
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