Whitehall in London has many anonymous buildings that are the face of Government. In one such building, and in a large well appointed Committee Room, a group of about 20 senior naval and army officers were seated, drinking coffee and talking quietly before the meeting started formally. None were in uniform but they all knew each other. The amount of gold braid they wore on formal occasions would have stretched round the large oak table several times had they been in uniform.

Eventually a man who seemed to be in his fifties from his greying temples called the meeting to order. He had a military bearing as they all did and a strong voice that demanded the attention of everyone present.

At this point the staff who had been serving coffee and biscuits to the representatives there pushed the trolleys out of the room, and a switch was pressed to put current through a Faraday Cage to isolate them from electronic surveillance.

There were four women there. One was clearly a secretary whose job was to provide a record of the meeting. She was already seated and had a variety of papers easily to hand. Hers was the seat to the left of the chairman’s seat. His was slightly more ornate than the others, but all were covered by green leather.

The other women were scattered through the room. Everyone seemed to know their place in the pecking order round the table and without further ado they sat almost as one, after the Chairman was seated.

Each person had an agenda in front of them. It was short. It said Joint Chiefs of Staff at the top, and had one item only.

Clearly this was a meeting of the highest ranking officers of the British Army, Airforce and Navy together with a small team of senior officers who were supporting each them in the meeting.

“We are here to discuss the situation where women have been eligible to serve in elite forces for many years, but whilst hundreds have applied, only one has completed even the initial selection procedure for the Special Services that include the Royal Marines, the Special Boat Service (SBS) and the Special Air Service (SAS).

“Women regularly serve in the Special Reconnaissance Regiment (SRR) and Special Forces Support Group (SFSG) as we know, but even with initiatives intended to prepare women for the rigorous selection procedure, there are no women serving in these elite units, and until now it has either been a matter of reducing the entry standard for women, or compromising our goal to make the special forces more representative of Society as a whole.”

“We are all aware that there are covert operations where the planning has had to be abandoned because they needed at least some female operatives.”

“At this point I would like to introduce Surgeon Lieutenant-Commander Sarah Smith. She is both a serving officer and a geneticist.”

“Commander Smith. Please introduce your paper.”

“Thank you Sir.”

Commander Smith approached the dais somewhat nervously. Her hair was tightly drawn back into a rather severe bun and she wore no makeup. Her business suit in plain blue with its knee length skirt did little to hide her military bearing. Her white blouse was almost masculine in its design, and the shoes that clicked on the floor were a simple court shoe in a matching blue. She wore a gold Albert pocket watch chain that may have been Victorian.

She had the hand controller of a computer projector in one hand and a laser pointer in the other.

When she was standing just to the left of a screen that covered the far wall for the room, she pressed a button and the screen burst into life showing an unfamiliar military crest and the words ‘Special Elite’.

“This is a working title for a new part of the Elite units that the General has already alluded to. This unit will be both part of each of the five, but also separate from it. The nature of the deployment of the personnel to this unit will be both permanent and Top Secret.”

Commander Smith took a sip of water before continuing.

“You all know that there has been a concerted effort to include women in the Elite Forces and that this has been a failure. It has been impossible for women to compete on the same terms as their male counterparts and entirely reasonably, the Elite Forces expect a woman to be judged by the same criteria as her male counterparts.”

“There have been some developments that mean that we have an opportunity to have women in the Elite units, and also to have them pass the same entry requirements as their male counterparts. I shall only skim through the procedure involved, but am happy to elaborate on procedures during any questions you choose to ask at the end of my presentation.”

“The scheme depends upon using people who have already passed the selection procedure for the SAS, SBS or The Royal Marines. It has recently been found possible to assess men for the potential to function effectively as women. In this situation, serving personnel in any of the three Regiments mentioned would receive medical and psychological training together with hormonal treatments and behavioural modifications so that at the end of a year or so they would be able to serve effectively on the battlefield as well as the bedroom.”

“Let me say, that after these procedures, none of you would be able to tell that the personnel had ever been a man. They would be effective in covert work or in a military position in the diplomatic service.”

“Before you start think that this is impossible, let me show you some images of a young serviceman who volunteered for the trial program. He wanted to be transgendered so badly, but parental pressure and a desire to conform meant that he joined up as a Private in REME. When his feminine mannerisms were observed he was offered the chance to join the program. The programme costs about £1 million per serviceman at present, but will reduce as numbers increase. You will see various images as he is transformed and then a short video where he/she was interviewed by one of the psychologists who are part of the team.”

“Service files have been examined with Top Secret clearance for all three front line elite regiments and every aspect of the bone structure outwards have been measured. Just seven candidates have emerged who could become members of the Special Elite if they agree. The personnel files of MI5 and MI6 have also been examined. There are a further two who could be fast tracked through the selection procedure, but agree with the criteria in every other respect.”

“This committee is asked to confirm that these nine men, be ordered to attend a selection board and to have a week’s orientation under a high level of security to explain what would be expected of them. There is one Marine Lieutenant and the remainder are a variety of other ranks.”

“If a sufficient number accept, then the Special Elite will be created under the day-to-day command of 42 Commando, but orders to be deployed will be issued by a senior Staff Officer. At the moment that is Brigadier Graham Shaw-Smith. The orders to attend the orientation will be drawn up by him.”

“If you agree, then vacant accommodation will be allocated at Bickleigh Barracks near Plymouth, Devon for the year that the project is destined to last in its initial phase. It will take about three months for the facilities to be made suitable for the task and then the seven candidates will be given orders to attend the week long orientation. The two MI5/6 candidates have been ordered to attend the Marine selection process and they will have three months of intensive physical training before being subjected to the Marine selection tests.”

“Have you any questions?”

“Yes.”

“Please go ahead. I have some limitations on what I can say, even to this group, but I will answer any questions as fully as I can.”

“How far will this feminisation go? I understand that they will be able to enjoy an intimate relationship with a man, but can they become pregnant and will they menstruate?”

“Once we get into the programme there are several levels of feminisation. In the most complete form of the process, the candidates can become mothers, but that obviously goes beyond what they can be ordered to do.”

“What is the smallest number of candidates that you will be willing to work with?”

“It is envisaged, that this Special Elite will never have more than a pair or possibly four working together at any time, and that is our minimum even though we hope that they will become models for future groups.”

“What were your criteria for selection?”

“Candidates had to be between 5’10” and 6’1” and had to have a physique that would lend itself to female contouring. Facially they needed to make an attractive woman and their hair would be of the right quality to take a feminine style. Their speaking voice needed to be in the higher range of men’s voices. After that it was necessary for none of them to be married or have close family. They would be reorientated to their new way of life permanently and relatives asking awkward questions when they seemed to disappear would have been problematic.”

“How will they keep fit during all these manipulations of their bodies?”

‘This is why they will be attached to 42 Commando. As far as possible they will work with 42 Commando until the changes in their bodies are very obvious.”

“Can we know who these candidates are?”

“Regrettably no. They would need to give informed consent to that, and as they don’t know anything yet, that is impossible.”

The General chairing the meeting intervened.

“If there are no further questions, then we need to agree this allocation. The decision is to allocate £M10 to the Special Elite. Are we agreed?”

“No one has demurred, so the project will proceed, but I for one, am not entirely happy with the name.”

“Sir, may I suggest that for the time being they are called A Special Elite, rather than The Special Elite. If the project is completed then you might like to reinstate 48 Commando. As a battalion it had an illustrious history for a short time during the Second World War and it would give the group a sense of identity.”

“Yes, I like that, but I also agree that a Special Elite is appropriate for the time being.”

————————————————————————————————————————

Two months later two corporals were called to their Regimental Office.

After saluting their C/O, they were given the order to stand at ease. Neither had spoken to their Commander one-to-one in all the time they had been in the Royal Marines. He had been a distant figure on the parade ground when they had seen him at all.

“Corporals. I have orders here for each of you. I must say that it is very unusual for enlisted men to be given secret orders issued by a Brigadier. In fact I think it is unique in my experience. The sealed orders have to be opened when no-one else is present except each other. My orders are to provide travel documents to travel to Bickleigh Barracks and you will be given a week’s orientation for a special project. If your appointment is confirmed, then you will remain attached to 42 Commando for a year and I understand that we may not see you again.”

Both men stepped forward to receive the packet with the sealed orders and Top Secret printed across the Manilla envelope.

“I have an empty office down the corridor. You may use that to open your orders. Please be very careful with them after you have read them. There is a cross band shredder in there. If possible, I suggest you use it to shred the orders.

Both men thanked their Colonel, saluted, wheeled about and marched out.

The door to the empty office was open. They slid the slider on the door from ‘Vacant to Engaged’ the locked the door from the inside.

The orders were simple.

“You are ordered to attend Bickleigh Barracks at 14:00 on 14th April. You should attend in uniform at the Main Gate. Please destroy these orders after reading. The orientation you will receive relates a new unit that is being envisaged. Everything relating to that unit will be explained during the week. You should bring personal items and two changes of clothes. If the orientation is successful you will not be returning to your current postings. If your new posting is not adopted, you will be returning to your current posting in a week’s time.”

Both men knew each other slightly, and sat in the office and discussed the orders in quiet voices. They were none the wiser after their discussion and decided to shred the orders and the envelope as suggested.

The clerk gave them a further envelope each which contained their permission to leave the base on the following Thursday and a voucher for bus travel to the train station. The envelope also contained one-way train warrants to travel to Plymouth and a voucher to cover the night’s accommodation at a hotel in London.

All that remained was to pack their belongings and the few items of a personal nature each possessed and to carry on for two days as if nothing had happened.

Thursday morning dawned with an early breakfast. The two men said their last goodbyes for the next week, and gave their permission slip to the guard who directed them to a waiting white bus. The driver accepted their voucher and they were soon delivered to the station. The train had a restaurant car on board and they booked for lunch for when they were about half way through the journey.

The night in London was uneventful and after another early start they arrived at Plymouth station at 1pm. The typical white military bus was parked on the forecourt. They were the last to arrive. They counted nine personnel on board. One Royal Marine lieutenant and eight enlisted men.

The journey was short and the bus passed through the main gate and into the main complex without a problem. In a few minutes they were delivered to an accommodation block and all were guided into an entry lobby where a Surgeon Lieutenant Commander was obviously waiting for them.

“Please follow me.” She said with a pleasant manner. “Leave your luggage here. It will be delivered to your accommodation during this initial meeting, and the meal that will follow it.”

They were guided to a lecture theatre and coffee and tea facilities were on hand and the toilets were pointed out followed by the usual evacuation procedure if the alarm rang.

“Please sit where the papers have been placed. I am Surgeon Lieutenant Commander Sarah Smith. I am responsible for this orientation and will be responsible for your year’s training for those of you who are accepted here.”

“For this week you will retain your current uniforms but will have an arm band identifying you to others working on this base. You will not be familiar with the badge on the armband. If you accept this placement you will become founder members of the refashioned 48 Commando Unit. The last time anyone had that designation was in 1946. That was an illustrious unit during the Second World War but only existed for two years and you will be following a fine tradition of our fighting forces.”

Sarah Smith had no assistants with her, but handed out the elastic arm bands herself.

Two men eased into the room and took places in front of Sarah.

“Please meet HEO Giles Hatter and SEO Fred Parker. They have recently qualified on the Marine Selection Course after three months training. They are currently staff at Military Intelligence, which is why their ranks are Civil Service ones. HEO Hatter has a rank equivalent to a sergeant in the marines and SEO Parker would be a Second Lieutenant, but those equivalents are really of theoretical importance as you will all be subject to the same training and selection regime here.”

The rest of the group introduced each other and in only a short while they were quiet again.

“I am sure there are questions you want answering. Like ‘Why the Secrecy?” “Why not ask for volunteers?” “Why bring people from other units to reform a long disbanded Commando Unit?”

“Yes, all of those and more, was the response from the group.”

“Well first things first.”

“The Royal Marines have long felt that there was a gap in their ranks that current staffing could not fill. This group may be the first tranche that may eventually make a unit some 200 strong with support staff, but perhaps only 50, or even only 30, personnel able to be deployed. You are the front runners that may form a force versed in clandestine operational skills.”

“Secondly. The gaps is in the provision of Royal Marine personnel. It needs a highly specific set of criteria of personnel who are between 5’10” and 6’1” and are of quite slight build. You can see that you all conform to those criteria. They must also have completed the Marines selection process and be serving in the Special Forces or one of the specialist units like the SSR or SFSG.”

“Thirdly, they must have no strong ties outside the Forces. Being married or having elderly parents is an absolute exclusion.”

“If you accept the posting here after it is offered, you will be re-enlisted for a minimum of five years more service. The training takes a year and each of you will cost the British Tax Payer about one million pounds. The skill set you will have in a year will make each of you truly exceptional and a very valuable resource in the fight against the bad guys.”

There is a fourth reason. Perhaps the strongest one of all, but that will have to remain unexplained until tomorrow.

“Tomorrow you will all be asked to re-sign the Official Secrets Act. I know that you have all signed it already, but this version of the Act has much higher penalties if any part of the work of this unit is revealed. Basically, you will be imprisoned for the rest of your lives in solitary confinement without a fixed sentence or any chance of parole. Not a pleasant prospect I am sure you will agree.”

“Your kit will identify you as 48 Commando, but the Unit will not be gazetted until it is formally created at the end of your year’s training.

“From here you will be taken to a quartermaster’s stores where you will be issued with equipment for a run with 45Kg packs. You will also be issued with a bale of the specialist clothing you will need for this week. You will also need specialist clothing for much of the year, but more of that later.”

“ You will be expected to carry a pack for long distances in the Field and we intend to start as we go on. Please do not be surprised that one item of clothing looks like a sports bra. This has a small pocket in the front and when you come down for the run, a device will be inserted to check your heart rate and blood pressure as well as other factors. Wearing this is obligatory. When you have been issued with your clothes you will be guided to your rooms in the two floors above here and will be expected to be ready in front of this building at 16:00. Two instructors will guide you round the course and will assess you from the first step you take. I will be joining you on the run.”

“Please follow the sergeant who has been waiting outside to the quartermaster’s store. Dismiss.”

The six mile run with a 45Kg pack would have been a challenge for many men, but all the candidates were used to such activities, and they returned ready for a shower, but not significantly tired. The measuring devices were withdrawn from the pockets in the stretchy garment and were hurried away to have the data extracted.

At 18:30 they were called to the Mess hall for dinner. All had returned to their uniforms for the meal, but wore the 48 Commando arm bands with some sense of achievement.

The meal was over. The bar was open and all the candidates settled down for a quick drink before accepting that tomorrow was another day of assessment and headed for bed.

An alarm woke all the candidates at 07:30 and breakfast was at 08:15. They were back in their seats by 09:15 as Sarah Smith arrived promptly with a folder of forms for each candidate to sign.

By 09:30 the signing was completed and Sarah introduced the team of Psychologists and Medical Officers who would be supervising the programme. Somewhat to the surprise of the candidates, all the supervising Officers and civilians were women.

The surprise was heightened when they were introduced to a hair stylist, a clothes stylist, a cosmetics expert and a dancing coach.

After the introductions were complete, Sarah got to her feet.

“Please remember that we are now in a state of the highest security.”

“One of the obvious questions that you wanted to ask is why this unit has been created, and now you are asking why the support team includes a very unfamiliar skill set.”

“The background to the creation of this unit is instructive. It has been felt for some years that the elite teams of male Special Forces needed a female input, but there needed to be no compromise on the very rigorous selection procedure for the arms of the Special Forces. The selection procedure was made available to women some years ago and many have applied. Only one has completed the first stage and none have gone on to complete the entire selection process.”

“This has caused considerable thought to Whitehall, because the Country needs a team of women ready to be sent on deployment at a moment’s notice. This problem is exercising the military of a number of friendly Powers and no doubt, a number of unfriendly ones as well.”

“If you accept this placement you will be the most expensive personnel that anyone has ever trained. The gap in the provision of Special Forces is of small teams of women who are effective spies, saboteurs, and assassins. They will be beautiful. They will be comfortable in a bikini, a ball dress, or in military uniforms. They must also be able to kill in many ways and will be adept with many weapons including explosives. They will be comfortable in the sea, and coming down on a parachute. They must be able to seduce and subvert men to reveal secrets in the bedroom, and to kill them when necessary, oh and they must be fluent in at least three languages.”

“I wonder if some of you are beginning to understand the reasons you are here? All of you have now passed the final stages of the Royal Marines selection process and have a high level of fitness. You all speak at least three languages and conform to a body style. We have examined the files of every person who is currently in any of the Special Services and Military Intelligence, and we believe that each of you has had some positive feelings about becoming a woman.”

“A hand went up somewhat diffidently from one of the recruits.”

Sarah nodded to accept the question.

“How is it that nine men could be transformed into women who would look good in a bikini, and be able to seduce a senior officer into giving away military secrets?”

“Fair question. It has only been very recently that a combination of drugs, some surgery, intense light treatment and a lot of re-education has made this possible. It is not intended that we produce women who will have a monthly cycle and be able to become mothers, but it would only be a small step further and might be available on request.”

“Please tell me if I have made a mistake in this. If we sign on the dotted line we will become female marines in an all female 48 Commando.”

“Yes, that is correct. 48 Commando will never be big, but will eventually be commanded by a female Lieutenant Colonel. We expect that it will never have more than 50 frontline personnel, but as the first tranche of recruits you will have an excellent chance of having good career prospects here.”

“At the moment you will keep your current ranks. Your rank slide will show that plus 48 RM, but there will be a range of promotions as training progresses. It is anticipated that the lowest rank of personnel on active service will be sergeant.”

For the next hour each of you will have an extended interview with a medically qualified psychologist. This will not be recorded or assessed. It is your opportunity to resolve questions and doubts you may have. You will not be criticised for expressing some of your most intimate thoughts. We want you to be content with whatever decision you decide to make. This is a large decision for anyone. The job will have its own satisfactions, but all of you will be expected to end one or more people’s lives at some point for the benefit of our nation. I know you accepted this when you joined up, but there will be probably be no officer ordering you to fire the gun, use a dagger or add poison to a drink after a bout of lovemaking.”

“Once you have signed, please return here. After signing you will have your identity protected. Your name badges will show names of gemstones and the surname Smith. We have thought of Amber, Beryl, Coral, Diamond, Emerald, Ivory, Jet, Jade, Opal, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Topaz and Garnet but there are lots of others. Please think of a name that suits the personality of the women you hope to become and badges will be ready after lunch.”

“If you decide that this placement is not for you, then we wish you well and you will be given travel documents to return to your previous placements. Your record will have nothing added to it for your brief time here.”

Sergeant Adam Cooper knocked on the door indicated to him. When he had been admitted he was encouraged to sit on one side of the desk. A pretty Surgeon-Lieutenant whose name badge said she was called Alison Moore was on the other side.

“You have heard Sarah’s explanation as to why you have been ordered here. I am sure it came as a bit of a shock, but most of the candidates seemed to understand why they had been chosen even if they didn’t want the change to apply to them. What about you Adam?”

“You don’t mind if I call you Adam, I hope.”

“I don’t mind at all. I am used to being called just Sergeant Cooper, so Adam is a nice change.”

“I was shocked at the final revelation, but had already read about the previous attempts to train women Special Forces, and the fact that they couldn’t get through the same selection as men. I wondered if it was something to do with that. I also remembered that I had advocated the training of women in the Special Forces, and perhaps someone overheard and reported that I would have a favourable view on some sort of admission route for women.”

“How do you feel about it applying to you?”

“I view it with a bit of anxiety but it is quite exciting as a prospect. I am very uncertain about seduction and flattery, but I think one thing the military teaches you is to be adaptable. If you are dressed as a beautiful woman, then you will behave like one if your training has made you confident in the role. I am less happy about the use of poison. It seems somehow underhand to kill someone that way. I accept that it is part of the military way of life to shoot at the enemy and them try to shoot back, whether that is with a pistol or a large bomb, but creeping up on a victim or getting them vulnerable and then using a rapier blade or garrotte on them seems somehow inhumane.”

“I am glad you are thinking about such things. You must realise that you will be much weaker than any people you are asked to kill, and that beautiful women dressed in very little, cannot carry a grenade or pistol hidden under clothing. You will need to use the means that your new gender allows and you must leave what amounts to gentlemanly conduct behind.”

“Yes I suppose so, but I am sure the training will give so many ways of completing a task that any reservations I might have will be forgotten.”

“What about the changes in your body and attitude to relationships with men?”

“I have never had a strong desire to have sex as a man. I am no virgin, but can take it or leave it. I don’t have any wish to have sex as a women either, but the hormones may change that. I think I will need a lot of training to replace years of male learning to make me a girl. All the mannerisms and sub-conscious hints women use will have to be absorbed.”

“All those things will be taught. We have been planning the training for several months already and we think that you all will pass unnoticed at a dance or at a beach party within about three or four months of signing on the dotted line.”

“I have had little chance to really think this through, but my inclination would be to become a woman in every sense. A woman who can have unprotected sex without any consequences would be easily spotted and from my point of view, it makes her less desirable.”

“I think you are right. It is that perception of vulnerability and the concept that this woman could be the mother of your child that makes every woman attractive to men.”

“Shall I record that on your file?”

“Yes, I think so. The more I think about it, the more it seems appropriate to this very unusual situation. I accept the fact that the Special Services need Commandos who are women, and if this is the only way it is going to happen, then so be it. I was expecting to spend the whole of my working life as a Commando, but this is just a different sort of Commando.”

“Have you thought of a new name that goes with Smith. This will all change later on graduation.”

“I have never heard of anyone called Amethyst and I think it goes well with Smith, so Amethyst Smith will do me fine for the time being at least. That is unless someone else has chosen it?”

“No, no one has yet. I am allocating Amethyst to you now. Done.”

“Are there any more questions, Amethyst?”

“Do you enjoy being a woman in the armed forces?”

“Yes, on the whole I do. As a psychologist with a medical degree I have many interesting people to meet, and I am paid well.”

“… Perhaps the question I should have asked is. Do you enjoy being a woman? or would you have preferred to be a man?”

“It is an interesting question that has never really occurred to me. I enjoy being a woman, and being a man has never really occurred to me. I think you will adapt to being a woman very well. You don’t have a high testosterone level, you are physically strong and intelligent. You have good language skills and learn easily. You have made sergeant in two years. That needs determination and serious study. Of all the candidates here, I think you will become one of the most effective agents in a deployment. I would be surprised if you did not receive officer training after your transition.”

“Thank you. That appraisal is very reassuring. I shall look forward to my first evening dress … in purple of course, to go with my name.”

“The two women laughed. I hope all the candidates are as easy to get on with as you are and will adjust as easily as you appear to be doing.”

“You have six documents to sign. I suggest that you read them all, but in case you are impatient, they give us permission to access and change your birth records, you are agreeing to surgery and hormonal treatments and deep light treatment. It confirms that you are now Sergeant Amethyst Smith of the 48 Commando of the Royal Marines, currently attached to 42 Commando.”

“After the three months here you will be attached to the SAS for three months and then to the SBS for the same. By that time you will need to develop the particular skills needed to be effective as a woman on deployment. That will take place during the final three months of the course.”

Amethyst did read the documents very carefully and signed each one both as Adam Cooper and as Amethyst Smith.

“Sergeant Smith, you are now dismissed. Lunch will be at 13:00 hours then you will be given the first of many treatments. This will make you fairly uncomfortable and you will be advised to rest for the rest of the day. Tomorrow you will be introduced to the team from 42 Commando where you will serve for much of the time for the next three months, but you will not be deployed with them if that happens.”

Amethyst Smith waited in the lounge area. All the remaining doors to the interview rooms were still closed, but gradually they opened.

The next arrival was the one officer in the group. He looked thoughtful and didn’t immediately respond to Amethyst’s cheery enquiry.

“What do I call you now, Sir? I am Sergeant Amethyst Smith.”

Lieutenant Davis looked up and smiled. “

For the moment you call me Sir. I will tell you when to start calling me M’am.”

“… but what have you chosen as a first name?”

“From now on I am Coral Smith.”

“I like that, it suits you.”

“Thankyou, I think?” was the rather cryptic reply.

“Are you the officer in command of our little band?”

“No, not yet, maybe not ever. It seems that they have not decided on a structure yet. Sarah is our officer for the moment and I am not part of the chain of command. I am told that much of the next three months we will all be suffering from the various treatments and it would be very difficult to exercise supervision of the others when one is not on top form oneself.”

“That makes sense.”

“Are you starting the treatment this afternoon, like me?”

“Yes, apparently the there are three treatment rooms so only three people can be treated at once.”

Another door opened and one of the Marines emerged. His tear stained face said much about his stooped form.

Coral and Amethyst leapt up and supported the man to a seat.

“What happened in there, Coral asked.”

“I was completely open. I told them about being gay. I though it would help. I told them how I had struggled to get through the selection procedure and basic training, and very kindly, they have said that I will not cope with the transition or the training in multiple disciplines. I am being sent back to my old Regiment with a letter of thanks.”

A woman sergeant came out of a side room and guided the soldier away very kindly. It was the last time he was seen.

“Another marine emerged. His demeanour was very different. His round cheery face was beaming. They have showed me a picture of how I will look after my transition. I will be beautiful. I have never been regarded as handsome, let alone beautiful.”

“What is you new chosen name?”

“Garnet”

“That is a good choice for you. It matches your hair colour.”

Garnet Smith ran fingers through the short hair that most of the candidates supported.

“Yes I suppose it does. I have been told that my first ballgown should be emerald green to match my eyes, and to match my chest size I should expect a 36C or D” bust!”

“No one has ever commented on my eye colour before, except my mother!”

“Are you the third one of us to be treated this afternoon?”

“Yes I have been told to expect that. I have been told not to eat too much at lunch today.”

Sapphire and Ruby Smith emerged almost at the same time. Both had a number of years service and were corporals. They were specialists in their current jobs. Sapphire was a linguist who had fluent Arabic and Farsi, as well as Turkish. He was thoughtful but quite enthusiastic about what was going to happen, Ruby, on the other hand, seemed sad.

“I accepted this placement with enthusiasm, but I have a girlfriend in Scotland. We have been talking about getting engaged. I have been told that to proceed with my realignment I have to part company with her. I know, in my heart of hearts that this is the right thing for me to do, but I hate having to break it to someone that I love, so that my job can come first. I don’t know how to do it. I have signed the papers and will be given the first treatment this evening.”

Coral did a very unexpected thing for a male officer. He put his arm round Ruby’s shoulder and gave him a hug.

“I hope you don’t mind. I thought you needed a hug. It is the sort of thing that I have seen female officers do to distressed personnel.”

“Thankyou, … err.”

“Coral Smith is my name now … and you are?”

“I am Ruby Smith.”

“There is no doubt what colour evening dress you will choose.”

Ruby cheered up.

“I was shown a picture of me in a strapless cerise dress with a boned corset. I looked amazing.”

“We will find a way to help you separate from your girlfriend without hurting her too much. It is what girls do for each other.”

“Are we really going to be girls?”

“I don’t think there is much doubt about that. The journey may be a bit rough, but the end is in sight. We will be the most expensive and the most highly qualified Special Service personnel ever produced to serve under the Crown. We will be qualified on land, air and sea.”

Sapphire Smith looked on. He seemed to approve of the hug Coral had given Ruby.

“How about you … Sapphire is it?”
“Yes, Sapphire Smith for the time being. I am concerned because all my languages are from the Middle East and travelling as a woman there is more difficult. I don’t know how I will function as a woman there.”

“I am sure that the ‘powers that be’ will have thought of that. I think the important thing is for you be strong for the transition process and see what happens when you are fully trained.”

“Yes, that was my thought. I shall just immerse myself in this year and see what happens afterwards.”

“I am sure that is the best way of looking at it.”

Surgeon Lieutenant-Commander Smith emerged from an office looking slightly concerned.

Coral looked up. “Can we be of help, M’am? You look concerned.”

“Maybe. I know you are entering the medical phase of your transition today, but I have been informed that there is a passing out parade at CTCRM, Lympstone (Royal Marines Commando Training Centre), and four of them have been posted here. I have only brief details of them, but all seem eminently qualified. They will not have any idea of what 48 Commando is, but will know that it doesn’t have a formal existence as yet.”

“I need some people who are currently men to meet them so we can introduce the concept of 48 Commando to them gradually.”

Amethyst and Garnet looked across at each other and nodded.

“I think we can help with that M’am.”

“Thank you, both of you. Your name badges will be ready by then. The bus will pick you up at 13.00 hours tomorrow, and the train is due at 13.45 hours. I will have a list of their documents to check them off and please bring them back here. You will still be quite sore after your treatment this afternoon, but you should be able to sit on a bus without too much discomfort.”

“I am sure we can manage that”, Amethyst replied really not knowing how sore they would be.

“Please say as little as possible to them. It is one thing for serving personnel who can be returned to duty elsewhere. It is a very different thing where men who have been through a most arduous selection process and in their first set of orders they find that they are going to be altered in almost every way imaginable.”

“The point is made, M’am. They will be as ignorant of 48 Commando when they walk through the front door, as they are currently.”

“Thank you, Sarah said as she went back into her office.

At this point two more trainees emerged from their interviews.

Both looked thoughtful, but brightened up when they saw the small group sitting there.

“So who are you both now, Amethyst asked.”

“Beryl Smith” and “Amber Smith” came the replies.

“I am sorry, we don’t know your new names.”

“Sapphire, would you mind popping down to the office and seeing if they have some adhesive labels we can use until our badges are ready?” Amethyst asked.

Shortly afterwards each trainee was labelled with their new name on a white sticky label.

The last two trainees to emerge were the two MI5/6 operatives. HEO Hatter had been issued with a marine uniform, worn without any identification marks. It looked previously used, but would do until his new shape meant that he needed a new one. He wore the 48 Commando arm band like everyone else. His white label said Jade Smith. His fellow operative, SEO Fred Parker, was similarly dressed and his badge said Opal Smith.

“We are getting four more recruits tomorrow. Amethyst and Garnet are fetching them from the station.”

“That would make us thirteen in all. Is that a viable number?” Opal asked.

“I think it must be. That is two officers and eleven enlisted men, or is that women!”

“I think the intention is to have no more than thirty staff available for active service, but there will be more support staff of course.”

“I wonder when they will appoint our Colonel?”

“I don’t know”, Opal said “but I had the impression at my selection that they were looking for an officer who was born as a woman for that post.”

“That makes sense, but wouldn’t even a small unit like this have a 2i/c, maybe a Major, as well, who would not be deployed?”

“The officers would be responsible for us as well as the support staff. The total would be probably about 100.”

“Some of these will be men.”

“I think most of them will be men. The support staff will come from all branches of the service. You don’t need to transform a quartermaster or motor mechanic for them to do their jobs.”

The group fell into silence for a few minutes until lunch was delivered. Coral, Amethyst and Garnet were careful about how much they ate after being warned, but the other four enjoyed the meal, before being introduced to a squad of 42 Commando who were to share their training in marine interventions.

Coral, Amethyst and Garnet were ushered to the medical wing and were given a mild sedative. A general anaesthetic would follow. They were given surgical gowns and their old uniforms were removed. That evening they really didn’t remember what had happened. They had been subjected to very strong blue light, for what seemed to be hours but was actually twelve minutes. Various small hormonal implants were inserted under the skin of their abdomens and several hormonal creams were rubbed into all the areas of skin that were available. One particular implant was placed below each nipple. It would give each of them a feminine figure.

Female nurses were to hand when the anaesthetic antidote had been administered, and the three were helped to sit up, given a drink and helped to dress. Being very fit and only having small incisions that had been glued rather than stitched, they were able to walk rather unsteadily out of the surgical suite in new uniforms that looked a lot like their old ones.

By the following lunch time all the candidates had been through the procedure and the six that had been operated on the day before were feeling much like their old selves apart from some minor soreness that responded to ‘over the counter’ pain relief.

Coral and Amethyst caught the bus at the main gate and met four rather callow young men straight out of their selection. Their green berets looked brand spanking new. They were rather uncertain about their posting to a non-existent 48 Commando, but on seeing the arm bands of Coral and Amethyst they seemed to relax. They were clearly in the right place.

The name tags only showed Smith A and Smith C, so there were no awkward questions about their names, and as new recruits, they did not talk to an officer and a sergeant without being spoken to first.

The journey was short one, and the four were ushered into the entry lobby where Sarah was waiting.

“Coral and Amethyst, please stay for the presentation.”

The four candidates were asked to sit and Coral and Amethyst sat behind and handed out the paperwork including the enhanced Official Secrets forms.

Sarah went through the presentation and there was an audible gasp when the expectation of becoming female was revealed.

Since the candidates had no existing placements, any refusal to serve in the 48 Commando, would need them to be reallocated elsewhere. Any chance of promotion to Sergeant within a year would be dashed if posted elsewhere.

Coral and Amethyst were able to offer some support about the treatment they had received so far. They were sure that their future was secure in 48 Commando, and that further promotion prospects were good.

The group was allowed to mix with the rest of 48 Commando during dinner then they had their hour in confidence with a team psychologist.

Although there was clearly some reluctance, their lack of family ties, and every chance of camaraderie in what seemed like a young family of the new 48 Commando swung the decision in favour of joining. By lunch time the following day the four were Turquoise Smith, Ivory Smith, Pearl Smith and Peridot Smith with name badges to match.

The four new entrants were allowed the afternoon off to recover, and Coral was closeted with Sarah going over the skill set of the completed group. The others rejoined their 42 Commando colleagues.

“The team is now thirteen. Does that worry you?”

“No, not really, but some Commandos are ready to blame chance or bad luck, if thing do not go well with anything. I think it would be better if the teams were equal”

“What are you judging to be a team?”

“From what we have been told, a team would normally be either two or four women, not more, so we are looking at either three or four teams.”

“One question that I have wondered about is how good the transitions will be. We have all got roughly the same shape and level of fitness, but might the transition go better for some of us than others?”

“Are you thinking that some of the marines may end up as beautiful, and less so for others?”

Yes, that is what I was thinking. The role for this Commando unit is going to be very dependent on physical appearance. Has anyone thought what would happen to a marine who ended up as unattractive?”

“Yes, that has been considered, and yes, you are right that physical beauty is going to be one of the most important weapons you all will have. The woman in question would be given a posting in the support team that will be brought together from the rest of the service. The support team will consist of both men and women of course.”

“If we assume that there are going to be three teams initially. Each will need an experienced officer or senior NCO commanding them. What do we do about Opal and Jade, who have the status, but not the experience of command?”

“These operational matters are currently with the the Brigadier, but I am not releasing classified information when I say that I will be withdrawing from this unit at the end of the year. I may be reappointed to assist with the transfer of further cohorts of candidates, but I will lose contact with all of you. 48 Commando will be commanded by a Lieutenant-Colonel who will be a woman who will have transferred from some other part of the military. There are not many women to choose from so it may mean a promotion from Commander or Lieutenant-Commander. There is one promising candidate in the Fleet Air Arm, but the search is on for others.”

“There will also be a Major as second-in-command. At the moment there are no women candidates, so it may need to be a sympathetic man. There are a couple in the SFSG who have appropriate qualifications without the language skills. One is a Para, and the other is a pilot. One of them could be offered the chance to transition for the posting to be permanent. As a man they would only be able to do the job temporarily until a suitable woman was found.”

“You will stay as a lieutenant for now, but you are in line for promotion to Captain at the end of the year. Opal has no leadership experience as yet, but could retain her Second Lieutenant rank if all works well. Amethyst is in line for a WO2 promotion and either Ruby, Jade or Sapphire will make sergeant this year. After the passing out parade, all the marines will get a promotion to acting sergeant as soon as they are operational, but that will be a pay grade rather than a leadership role.”

“Thankyou for explaining all that. When will the Commanding Officer and her second be appointed?”

“The Commander of 42 Commando has made it clear that he doesn’t want any direct command over 48 Commando, and I have no experience of command, so it will be sooner than later, but even so, it may be next year before it happens.”

“What I want you to do is to go through the skill set of all the team and create a skill matrix. There is room for one more candidate if there is anything obvious that we don’t know about. The service records will be available to you, but we have few details of what Opal and Jade were doing. Their work comes under the Top Secret heading, but they may be able to tell you something in general about their past that doesn’t breach secrecy.”

“Perhaps the obvious omission is a specialist armourer. The other three Marine commands have REME armourers who are highly skilled and have earned the green berets as well. I wonder if the armourer embedded in 42 Commando has any experience with covert weapons suitable for women?”

“I think I can help. We have been offered the services of the armourer service here, and Sapphire has done a short course, but not the eight months REME training we would need.”

“The contact here is a Colour Sergeant Louis Grant. Shall I ask him here and ask him to sign the full Official Secrets documents before discussing it. I would like you to be present.”

“I shall be happy to help in any way I can. I am sure that as a doctor you have had small arms training for self defence but little else.”

Later that day, Colour Sergeant Grant presented himself to the front door and was ushered into Sarah’s office.

The Colour Sergeant was clearly perplexed by being faced by a Doctor and a Lieutenant.

“Colour Sergeant Grant. We have been offered your services as an armourer by your Commanding Officer.”

“I will help in any way I can. The NCO replied.”

“Firstly I must ask you to sign the enhanced version of the Official Secrets Act. 48 Commando does not exist officially and must remain highly secret for the time being.”

After the Sergeant had signed, he was asked to sit, and Sarah gave a brief version of the reason for 48 Commando’s existence, and what was expected of them in the future.

He raised his eyebrows on several occasions.

“So let me see if I have got this right. 48 Commando will be a team who were once men and now will all be women to all intents and purposes. They will be adept in seduction and assassination, and data gathering. They will have training as part of the SAS, SBS and Royal Marines. That is a mind-blowing set of ideas.”

“What do you want from me?”

“We want to know what weapons the teams should use. What can be hidden in an evening dress, or will be light enough for women’s bodies to use, considering that these Marines will have the physiques of slight men.”

“The Colour Sergeant was silent for a minute. Please let me think for a minute.”

“Please take your time, Sergeant. I suggest we have coffee while you have a think.”

After they had returned to their seats, Sergeant Grant started to speak, hesitant at first, but with more assurance as he continued.

“I have no doubt that you need a specialist to provide suitable arms and explosives for this group. I asked for the coffee break because I have a solution. You have explained about the criteria needed to be part of 48 Commando. Apart from fluency in a third language, I fulfil all the criteria except that I am two years older than your normal transfer age.”

“You understand the consequences of accepting a transfer to 48 Commando? You are coming to the end of your fifteen years in the service. If you sign here it will be for another five years minimum.”

“Yes, I would be number fourteen of the women in 48 Commando.”

“Does that concern you?”

“No, I find the whole concept of equipping this new group very exciting, particularly with the advent of 3D printing of weapons. I would be working on my own, instead of in a quite large team. The change of gender, has its own attractions.”

Sarah continued “I must say that this suggestion makes a lot of sense. I must put in an official request to your Commanding Officer to see if he will sanction the transfer and to our Brigadier, but I am sure I can answer for Coral to say that we would welcome you. If you wish to apply for the transfer independently then that would probably add to the status of my request as a merely a psychologist/geneticist. The Brigadier could send the transfer by his order, but I am sure that it would be better done consensually. If you ever need a third language, then an intensive course can be provided.”

“Please do some research in the next few days. I would not expect your transfer in under three weeks. I would appreciate some advice in the meantime.”

“I shall get back to you within the week, M’am.”

“Thank-you Colour Sergeant. We will look forward to working with you.”

Colour Sergeant Grant shook hands with Sarah and Coral, rather than saluting, before leaving.

“Well that is an unexpected turn of events. The search was limited to serving personnel with three fluent languages, but Colour Sergeant Grant’s other qualifications far outweigh his lack of a third language.”

“Did you notice his eyes? They were bright blue, not the usual washed out variety, but brightly coloured.”

“ I didn’t, but did you notice his hands. He does a job with a lot of bits of metal and his nails and hands were immaculately manicured. I think there is more to our Colour Sergeant than meets the eye, if you will accept the pun.”

“I think I can cope with a pun or two.”

Colour Sergeant Grant’s commanding officer asked him to report just three days later.

“Stand at ease, Sergeant.”

“I have had a request … well it is said as a request, but is actually an order to transfer you to 48 Commando. I note that it is also your wish as you have applied for the transfer as well.”

“When I was asked to make space available for a small special task force of marines here, I thought it would only be a minor irritant. Now the 48 Commando is poaching my staff. Can you tell me what is happening over there?”

“Regrettably, Sir, I cannot. I have been required to sign the enhanced Official Secrets Act. I couldn’t tell you what I know if you were the Commander-in-Chief. If it is any consolation to you, the process of general staffing the 48th is finished for the present, although I understand that a Lieutenant Colonel or Commander, and also a Major will be appointed soon to head up 48 Commando. A search is already on for the right people I believe.”

“Very well. I shall issue the order immediately. I shall inform your Warrant Officer of your move.”

The following day Colour Sergeant Grant had a new shoulder sleeve saying 48 Commando RM, and a name badge saying Malachite Smith, or just Smith M.

He was called to the Medical suite that day and was welcomed into 48 Commando that evening. He had a devious mind that was already full of ideas as to where to hide a very lethal waterproof weapon in a bikini or what could be hidden in the heel of a stiletto shoe that could cause mayhem in an enemy camp. He imagined that each woman would wear a dress ring with her chosen stone. Just a twist of the band, and a flick of a decorous finger nail, and a 3mm needle coated in nerve toxin could be plunged into a lover’s back just at the moment he was most distracted.

Six months later the 48 Commando had been through Royal Marine enhanced training, and SBS training. They were about to start their rotation with the SAS and it was felt that the changes in their bodies had gone far enough to start wearing the ‘correct’ uniforms, so the male uniforms were discarded as was the pretence of being men. Lieutenant Commander Lauren Brooke had been appointed as Commanding Officer, alongside Major Tim Locke as her 2 i/c.

The fourth quarter of the year was taken up with feminine pursuits. Hair and skin care, cosmetics for every occasion. Hair stylists got to work with the hair that was now long and luxuriant, stylists chose garments for every occasion and introduced the women to the huge range of intimate garments as well as outer wear. Dancing instructors taught them until they could dance the full range of contemporary and ballroom dances and, of course, they were taught the art of seduction and silent killing.

Just a year after the 48th was re-created a parade was taking shape on the parade ground of 42 Commando. A newly created, Major-General Sir Graham Shaw-Smith was driven up in a Staff Car as the fourteen women and their senior officers came to the ‘Present Arms’ in complete unison. Their skirts were exactly the same length and their white Marine helmets shone in the Spring sunshine. Their jackets were very obviously meant for a woman’s shape. Their L85A3 assault rifles were held with pride. Lauren gave the order to ‘stand at ease’ and her command complied instantaneously. Major Tina Locke looked a little uneasy in her dress uniform, but performed her duties with efficiency.

The Royal Marines Band had been drafted in for this unique event, and the Commanders of all the other Commando Companies were in attendance.

A new colour had been created for the occasion, and 48 Commando had chosen lime green as their colour to distinguish them from the other Commando companies.

The General confirmed that the colour had been touched by the King and as such established the sacred link between the Royal Marines and the Sovereign.

In the absence of parents and other relatives, a select group of 42 Commando staff had been allowed to attend, together with some 30 support staff.

The general spoke for only five minutes and his speech applauded the creation of 48 Commando and the unique role they would play. He didn’t elaborate on that role.

Sarah Smith had been allowed to attend after being redeployed. She waved when the Company raised their white helmets in salute.

All the original personnel had decided to keep the surname Smith as Sarah had intended. They had new beginnings, as well as new names. Inevitably they became known as ‘The Smiths.’

The recreation of the 48 Commando, Royal Marines was gazetteered and they now existed formally. The Press showed a transitory interest in the Group, but the public interest is a fickle thing and their interest soon moved on.

The deployments soon started, and teams of two or four could be found in various parts of the World either flattering upset dignitaries when their feathers had been ruffled, or looking after Britain’s interests in bed or out, but causing mayhem when the occasion demanded it. Despots and Narcissists with a taste in young women were found having died of heart attacks in their sleep. Their countries mourned, but young women everywhere rejoiced silently.

Malachite Smith managed to conceal a garrotte in the neck of a ball dress, a rapier in a ‘bone’ in a corset on one side, and six darts containing nerve poison down the other side. They were propelled from a pea shooter hidden in the back of the corset and three vials of nerve poison were hidden in the wearer’s bra. A .22 pistol made of hardened plastic in a 3D printer was folded up and looked like a cosmetics kit. The lipstick it contained had a homing beacon built into the base. It could be held in a small clutch bag and held just six rounds in a magazine. It was lethal at up to 10m if you knew where to aim. A small zip bag contained four tampons, but two were filled with plastic explosive and detonators were built into the strap of the clutch bag.

The whole of 48 Commando were beautiful, with stunning figures. They could run laden with a pack, could fly a helicopter or a land anywhere from a folding canoe, or inflatable. They could descend by parachute and then swim to shore over a mile away.

The number of Smiths on regular deployment swelled to 30, as anticipated. Two did not return from missions in the first years, and were remembered by their sisters. The dismembered body of Citrine Smith was returned and received military honours at her funeral. Her Military Cross was awarded posthumously, and lay on her coffin. There were no relatives to receive it and it was the first award held in a small museum. The remains of the Spinel Smith were never returned and it was not known how she died, but her sacrifice was acknowledged by her comrades. Several women returned from missions beaten and bruised by violent lovers, but they had the consolation of knowing that those abusers would abuse no more.

(Author’s note. Writing a fantasy account of a military group with an illustrious, even glorious history, is always a risk. There are still people alive who had relatives who fought in the original 48 Commando and to those, I hope, I have not caused offence. There is perceived to be great honour in serving one’s country in any military group, and the Royal Marines must be amongst those with the greatest respect for the traditions and the service they have performed in their nation’s history. Again, if a reader finds this story offensive, then I offer my apologies, but the days of a war being honourable are no more, however regrettable that may be. This fictional account of 48 Commando is an example of the clandestine war of subterfuge, assassination and seduction whether that war is declared or not. It is the war of the drones that can chase down a single soldier remorselessly from many miles away before killing them. The controller then goes back their cooling coffee. If there is honour in modern warfare then it is difficult to find.)

(Post scriptum - Hours after posting this story I had notification that 48 Commando is being reformed again in real life. The reasons give in the newsflash are remarkably similar to the storyline I chose to write about, so it is not my intention to alter the number of the Unit to something that is less meaningful. Just note that the new real 48 Commando, is very different from the one in this story, and any similarity, however remote is entirely co-incidental.)