RAW Deception (Round 2 in the RAW Instinct Series)

PART TWO: Chapter 11

Listen to the music: David Bowie - Heroes.

Gregory marched into General Miyani's office, saluted and stood to attention. His heart, anxious for what was about to happen, thumped in his chest so hard he thought he might faint.

"At ease, Colonel," Miyani said, staring at him with intense brown eyes.

Gregory moved his feet apart and placed his hands behind his back.

"Have you enjoyed your leave so far?"

"Yes. Thank you, General."

"I'm not going to offer an apology for breaking your leave. What I have to say is urgent and it needs saying to your face. I'm sure you'll understand when I have explained."

Gregory felt sweaty under his armpits.

"You seem pensive, Colonel," Miyani said, gesturing for him to take a seat.

Gregory sat down in the plush, high-backed, ornate chair opposite the general. "I'm fine, General."

Miyani collected some papers into his hands and handed them to the Colonel. "I think it's best if you read this for yourself. It explains it so much better than I could. Read it."

"Now?"

"Right away."

"Am I in some sort of trouble sir, because if I am..."

"There's no trouble, officer. Just read the damned thing."

"Yes, Sir."

Gregory unfolded the page.

"By its Resolution 2154 (2014), adopted on 8 May 2014, the Security Council of the United Nations, has noted:

'With deep appreciation how Lieutenant Colonel Gregory Basye Sander of the SAAF(South African Air Force) and of South Africa, and in the face of extreme danger, saved an entire contingent of United Nations soldiers, and in so doing, saved hundreds more Congolese civilians outside the city of Kivu in the democratic Republic of the Congo, by deterring rebel forces, using only the flares from a single Oryx helicopter.

Resulting from Colonel Sander's unselfish and co-operative initiative with great risk to his own, as well as the lives of his crew, the Security Council has nominated Lieutenant Colonel Gregory Basye Sander as a candidate for The Captain Mbaye Diagne Medal for Exceptional Courage.

The outer limits to which Colonel Sander stretched his bravery were motivated by a determination to protect and save innocent human lives while upholding the principles and values of the United Nations.

The benchmark for recommending a candidate for the award of the Medal is the standard set by the late Captain Mbaye Diagne. Those eligible for the Medal are military, police and civilian United Nations personnel and associated personnel who demonstrate such courage, while fulfilling the mandate of their missions or their functions, in the service of humanity and the United Nations.

Recommendation for the Medal is based on documented evidence, such as witness statements, official records, photographs or other relevant documentation, which shall be transmitted along with the nomination.

If nominated as the sole recipient of the medal, it will be presented by the Secretary-General, during a formal ceremony to which all Member States of the United Nations shall be invited.

Signatories

I agree with the recommendation to award the Captain Mbaye Diagne Medal for Exceptional Courage to Lieutenant Colonel Gregory Basye Sander: