Assorted Nuggets

By Jon Swift

From hostile forests to an asylum; puzzling conkers to mysterious keys, this collection has something for everyone. With short stories featuring The Devil, Russians at war, Matthew Moore, and strange, colourless towns, the Middle East and Hyde Park as locations, Assorted Nuggets is an exciting variety of bite-size tales that you won't want to miss.

Assorted Nuggets features 'Could Be Luck', 'The Good Soldier' and 'The Shroud of Darkness', which show MI6 agent Matthew Moore in action. Also included are 'Even a Rose Has Thorns' which is about siblings coping with their father's sudden death, 'Give the Devil His Due' where a young man is sent to Hell and a story about young men in an asylum called 'Broken'. Some will make you cry, some will make you laugh, but you will enjoy each of these nuggets.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jon Swift
• Release date: Sep 8, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311311764

Jon Swift

Born in Liverpool in 1985, Jon has been writing since the age of 17 and not wanted to do anything else since. He attended Childwall Comprehensive School and Liverpool Hope University, earning what he would find out to be a completely irrelevent education. He works a dead end job to pay the bills. Hopefully only until he can pay said bills with his writing skills. He does not own a fridge. When he isn't writing, Jon plays video games, reads, watches movies and tv shows. Sometimes, he can even be found playing soccer, but you must look carefully. Jon is allergic to turnips and stupidity.He aims to break through the glass ceiling of publication and be on a first name basis with Mark Coker.

Book preview

Assorted Nuggets

A Collection of Short Stories

By Jon Swift

Copyright Jon Swift 2014

Smashwords Edition

License Notes

Thank you for downloading this ebook. Feel free to share it with anyone and everyone, but only for non-commercial purposes and providing it stays in its original form. If you enjoy this book, please return to your favourite ebook retailer to discover other works by this author. Thank you for your support.

Table of Contents

The Good Soldier

Even a Rose Has Thorns

The Birth

Stone

Could Be Luck

The Wise Vladimir

Arisen In the Fall

Give the Devil His Due

My Little Brown Friend

The Shroud of Darkness

What Happened to Dominic Preview

About the Author

Connect with Jon Swift

The Good Soldier

‘Relax will you, for fuck’s sake,’ Matthew Moore told Colonel Adjid, as they sat across from each other in his penthouse apartment overlooking a pleasant suburb baked in bright sunlight.

‘I can’t,’ he said, wiping sweat from his brow. ‘What if someone sees through me?’

‘They won’t. Just be yourself. No one is dying. Its just intelligence gathering. Nothing but walking in so we can listen and find out what they’re planning.’

‘I’m just so sweaty.’

‘You came to me with this,’ Moore said, pointing an authoritative finger at Adjid’s balding head. ‘It’s bigger than you. If innocent lives are at stake, then we need to verify it so we can do something, understand?’ The Colonel nodded anxiously.

‘It’s just… if they find out… my family.’

‘The only way they find out is if you tell them.’ Adjid scratched his beard and wiped his forehead again. ‘You’re doing the right thing here Colonel,’ Moore told him, his tone easier. ‘A good soldier doesn’t just to fight enemies; he protects the people he represents.’

‘I know,’ he said nodding, his face becoming determined. ‘But who do you represent in this?’

‘I fight for whoever needs me,’ he said sternly.

‘But you are a killer, yes? An assassin?’

‘Yeah, but I kill in the knowledge that what I’ve done prevents further death.’ Adjid looked over Moore. He was short, in a t-shirt and cargo shorts, sunglasses pushed up on to the top of his head, hair was wet and back into a ponytail. The Brit didn’t look like much, but the Colonel knew looks could be deceiving. ‘People should be free to do what the fuck they want without worrying about someone marching on them from over the horizon.’

‘Liberty,’ Adjid scoffed. ‘It is an American concept.’

‘It is, but I don’t try to provide it because they say so,’ Moore snapped. ‘I’ve held them to account for it at times. No one gets out of jail free, you get me?’ Adjid nodded, alarmed by Moore’s sudden change. ‘Good. Hold your tongue next time you want to say something stupid.’

‘I apologize,’ the Colonel said. ‘I did not think it would take it so personally.’ Moore’s demeanour changed again and he leaned back in the armchair.

‘So in meetings, do you sit or stand?’

‘Sit.’

‘Slouch or lean forward?’

‘I rest my arms on the table.’

‘Take notes?’

‘Sometimes. If they’re relevant or there are a lot of names to remember.’

‘You sound like a proper little swot,’ Moore sniggered. ‘And that’s good. With things like this, it’s all about the details and getting them right. There’s being yourself and portraying yourself.’ Adjid looked confused. ‘A colleague of mine had an asset similar to you who chewed gum all of the time, so the colleague made sure he had some and sent him on his way, but he paid no attention to the details. Essentially, it gave him away.’

‘How?’

‘The asset was so nervous, he tried too hard to be himself arousing suspicion. He also chewed harder and louder. It was noticed and eventually they saw the gum, which was a British brand, put two and two together and cut his head off.’

‘Good to know,’ Adjid muttered.

‘We heard it all from the bug and learned from it. You don’t have to do anything but go to a meeting, which you’ve done hundred of times before. You go, do your normal thing and leave. We’ll get what we need and you’ll never see me again. It’s simple, easy. No one is telepathic. You won’t have to lie. There’ll be nothing to give you away. The device is in your medals, so there’ll be no suspicion. You’ll walk through the detector, it will go off like always, they’ll pat you down, go over you with the wand and send you on your way. They’ll scan the room to make sure there are no bugs or outgoing communications, which isn’t a problem, why?’

‘Because it won’t activate until the General speaks.’

‘Good. Just making sure you’re paying attention. But it’s easy, isn’t it?’

‘Simple yes, but not easy.’

‘Ok easy for me,’ Moore said, with a reassuring smile. ‘You’re going to be a hero, Colonel Adjid.’

‘What happens after?’

‘We’ll interfere directly or bring in the military depending on how much time we have.’

‘But not today?’ Moore laughed.

‘Do you see an SAS team or Commando unit? It’s just me and I’m too smart to go in there alone when you’re there.’

‘I’m pleased to hear it.’

‘It’s important that we see this through and walking in with two pistols and no Kevlar won’t get it done.’

‘Agreed,’ Adjid said. He seemed to relax more, pouring himself a coffee from the pot on the table. ‘Why do you do this?’

‘It’s the right thing to do.’

‘No, I mean all of it. Why do you do what you do?’

‘We don’t have the time for that conversation Colonel,’ Moore said. ‘If we cross paths again, I’ll tell you over a beer or two, but you need to get that meeting now.’ Adjid downed the rest of his coffee, adjusted his uniform in the mirror, picked up his briefcase and left.

It was a horribly dry outside, as though moisture had never existed. A breath felt like sand in the throat. Adjid got into the back seat of the waiting Mercedes, relieved by its air-conditioned interior.

‘Are we on time?’ he asked the driver in his native tongue.

‘As always, sir.’ The Colonel smiled and leaned back, cueing the driver to take him away it to the constantly heavy traffic. Everyone had somewhere to be. There were cab drivers and foreign diplomats all caught in the furore.

‘Nothing to read today sir?’ the driver asked.

‘No,’ Adjid said, cursing himself for the lack of attention to detail. He always had a file, report or newspaper to read on his way to headquarters. ‘Nothing has been committed to paper for this.’

‘Top secret?’

‘Very super top secret stuff,’ he said with a laugh. They weaved on in silence, eventually climbing on to the semi-clear expressway. The Colonel watched the traffic over his shoulder.

‘Are we being followed sir?’

‘Have you noticed one?’ The driver shook his head. ‘Good. Doesn’t hurt to be too careful, does it?’ Adjid was pleased. He had been looking for signs of Moore and was glad to see he was as good as his word.

‘Not at all, sir. Will you be in the bunker today?’ The Colonel grunted.

‘I hate it down there. Its all secrets and politics in a coal oven. The General must enjoy sharing body odour while he discusses plans.’

‘I’m glad I don’t have to go down there.’

‘Stay a driver if you can,’ Adjid told him. ‘There is no glory in warfare; only debts and regret.’

They pulled into the courtyard of Army HQ, showed their credentials and parked. After checking his driver had money to get himself breakfast, Colonel Adjid went inside and through the first checkpoint. He was greeted amiably while being stringently searched by man and machine. He worried a little when they started pointing at the x-rays of his briefcase. Had Moore snuck something into it?

‘Forget your pen today?’ they asked. Adjid smiled to conceal his relief and pulled it from his pocket. It was taken from him, dismantled, reassembled and returned before he was moved along. The halls of the building were quieter than ever. It was as if he had come in on a holiday weekend.. He made his way to the rear of the building, where his ID was checked before he took the long descent via stairs into the stifling bunker. Below ground was the second checkpoint. Adjid knew he would be looked at more closely here. He was marched through the metal detector in an unpleasant manner. These guards eyed everyone but the General with suspicion. They discussed a cavity search, but decided against it and sent him on his way with little regard for his rank. Heading into the meeting room, Adjid found he was one of the first to arrive. He sat at the table, took out his notepad and waited, making small talk with the other officers. The General came in next. It was like a solid shot to the stomach. Adjid felt ill but could do nothing but sweat. If he spoke…

‘Morning men,’ he boomed in greeting. That was it. The device was active. Adjid stood and saluted the General for the last time. He always came in last, after the scan. Always! Why today? What made it worse was that Moore wouldn’t get his proof and the people that were to be victimized to make way for factories wouldn’t be helped. Adjid wouldn’t even be a martyr. He would die and fail. It was a horrid thought. His whole legacy would be that of a traitor and no one would ever know why. His wife and children would be imprisoned not knowing the truth. He would have to get his cause on the record and hope it wouldn’t be censored to at least try to let people know that he attempted to do the right thing.

‘Morning General,’ he stammered. It was treated with disdain. He sat down and tried to look unwell, but up to persisting with the meeting. The General paid him no more attention and went to his seat at the head of the table. Word must have spread quickly because the rest soon flooded in, not wanting to keep the General waiting. The guards closed the door behind them and started sweeping the room, muttering amongst themselves with concern as they neared Adjid. He toyed with killing the General with his bare hands, but he could never succeed before being shot. The scanner came closer, beeping louder. Should he dump the medals? Pointless. They would be found and linked to him. They were going over the man next to him. Think! There must be something. Blank. It cam over his chest and blared wildly. There were gasps of shock. Adjid rose to his feet.

‘A good soldier doesn’t just fight his enemies,’ he said proudly, defiantly as they plucked the medals from his chest and stripped them apart. ‘He protects the people he represents.’

‘Did your American handler tell you that?’ the General spat.

‘He did,’ Adjid replied. ‘Right after I told him that you planned to slaughter thousands of your own people for profit.’

‘I’m not American though.’ They all turned to the doorway. Matthew Moore stood nonchalantly as though invited, same outfit as earlier only now he wore a Kevlar vest and a holster for two Sauers under his armpits. He was flanked by two of the General’s personal guard. Tension spewed into the room like thick smoke. ‘Keep your weapons holstered,’ he told the men standing over Adjid. His men repeated the order in the native language while staring down the barrels of their AK-47s. ‘I’m here to resolve this peacefully.’ With that translated, everyone eased. Moore’s hands snapped to his weapons and pulled them from their holsters. With no hesitation, he gunned down the officers seated at either side of the table one by one with single shots to the forehead. The General was last. He got one through the heart. The guards were untouched and confused. Adjid was too terrified to move.

‘Come on Colonel,’ Moore said. ‘I know I didn’t shoot you.’

‘I wish you had,’ he gasped, but his senses suddenly came to him. ‘You lied,’ he snarled.

‘I know,’ Moore shrugged. ‘I did have Kevlar. My bad.’

‘You said you wouldn’t come in, that it wouldn’t be today while I was here.’

‘I said I wouldn’t come in alone.’ Adjid realized he had been played and used as a distraction. Moore had reassured him because it was what he needed. He was just relieved that he had survived.

‘How did you flip them?’

‘Their families live on the land he wanted. It wasn’t hard.’

‘I don’t like this,’ Adjid admitted.

‘Want me to complete the clean sweep?’ Moore asked, aiming. Adjid shook his head. ‘Explain what we’ve done and why,’ he said, lowering the weapon. Adjid explained quickly and the two loyal guards renounced their allegiances before Moore dismissed them.

‘You’re the commanding officer now, Colonel.’

‘How do I explain this? There’ll be questions.’

‘Tell the truth.’ From the small of his back, Moore pulled out a file and threw it to Adjid. ‘This was your plan, your action with these brave men to snuff out corruption.’

‘This is all lies,’ Adjid said, leafing through the document.

‘Not the important bit.’ Adjid said nothing. It was pointless. ‘Tell the politicians the truth and give them that. They’ll be satisfied and promote you, then you’ll run the council and we can stop all the bullshit, ok? Think you can handle that?’

‘Yes.’

‘Say it.’

‘I can handle it, but I’m not happy about being put in this position.’

‘I’m confident you can sort things out here. It’s not an accident that you’re here. When you came to me, I saw a compassionate man who knows warfare but doesn’t court it. You’ll protect your people and stop your army fighting for useless