Chapter 6 – A Trooper in Sabre Squadron A

After months of grueling training and testing, Harry had finally completed the SAS selection process. He was no longer the young recruit who had joined the army years ago. Now, Harry was part of the British military elite, ready to take on the most challenging and dangerous missions in the world. But despite all his experience and impressive military record, when he joined the SAS, one reality set in: he would have to leave behind his rank of Corporal.

In the Special Air Service, traditional army ranks did not mean much. The SAS valued competence over titles. All non-officers, regardless of their rank before joining, lost their ranks upon being assigned to the SAS. Thus, Harry Potter, who had achieved the rank of Corporal due to his exceptional performance, would now be demoted to the rank of Trooper, the equivalent of a private within the ranks of the SAS.

He knew it was a standard procedure for any non-commissioned officer. The SAS operated very differently from other units in the army, and here, Harry was just one of the best-trained men in Britain. This didn't bother him. In fact, he saw it as a new beginning, a chance to prove himself again, this time, as part of a special operations unit.

Harry was assigned to Sabre A Squadron, one of the most respected and experienced units within the SAS. It was a small, highly trained group of operators with extensive experience in high-risk missions. They were the front line of Britain's most critical and secret operations, specialising in war zone combat, hostage rescues and counter-terrorist strikes.

On his first day as a Trooper, Harry was introduced to his new team. He had known some of the men during training, but now they were his brothers in arms, with whom he would share the most challenging missions of his life. The hierarchy was less rigid within the SAS, but respect was earned, not given. Each member of the squad knew that they would have to trust the others with their lives, and that kind of trust did not come immediately.

The squad leader, a highly experienced officer named Captain Stevens, watched him with calculating eyes as Harry first entered the briefing room. Stevens had heard of Harry. He knew he came from an interesting background and had excelled in training, but that meant little on the battlefield. Stevens needed to see what Harry was truly capable of in real-world situations.

"Potter, it doesn't matter who you were before you came here," Stevens said, his voice firm. "Here, you are a Trooper. Your performance in the field will determine how you are viewed by this team. If you prove yourself worthy, you will be treated as an equal. But that won't be easy. Are you ready for that?"

Harry nodded firmly, looking the Captain in the eye. "Yes, sir. I am here to prove myself."

The other operators watched in silence. Harry knew that each of them had their own judgment to make. He would need to prove, in action, that he deserved to be among them.

Harry's first test came sooner than he imagined. The squad was mobilized for a covert operation in the Middle East, where they would have to infiltrate a city dominated by a terrorist group. The mission involved gathering intelligence, rescuing hostages, and possibly eliminating high-value targets. It was a high-risk operation, and any mistake could cost lives.

As they prepared for the mission on the plane, Harry mentally reviewed all the tactics and strategies he had learned. The silence between the operators was palpable. They trusted each other, but they knew that at any moment, something could go wrong. Harry, despite being the youngest of the group, felt prepared. He had trained for this. And more than anything, he was determined to prove his worth.

When they reached the ground, Harry immediately sprang into action. The team moved through the dark, narrow streets of the city, avoiding enemy patrols and setting up strategic observation posts. Harry was assigned to gather information on enemy movements and locate the building where the hostages were being held. His military intelligence expertise shone through here. He quickly identified movement patterns and located the target.

"Target identified. Hostages confirmed in the main building. We have approximately fifteen enemy in the vicinity," Harry reported over the radio, his voice steady and controlled.

Captain Stevens and the rest of the team moved with precision, relying on the information Harry provided. They managed to breach the building efficiently and free the hostages without alarming the terrorists. It was only during the retreat that things became tense. The group was spotted, and gunfire began to ring out.

Harry and the other operators quickly took up defensive positions, returning fire as the hostages were evacuated.

During the fight, Harry demonstrated his skill in CQB (Close Quarters Combat), eliminating targets with precision while covering the hostages' retreat. He moved with agility, exchanging fire and coordinating his actions with the other operators. His movements were quick, calculated, and he remained calm, even under intense fire.

At the end of the operation, when everyone was safe, Captain Stevens approached Harry, a slight smile on his face, a rare sight.

"Good work, Trooper Potter. It seems you have more than just theory in your head. Welcome to Sabre A."

Stevens' words were an acknowledgment that Harry valued. He had earned the respect of his teammates. He was no longer a rookie recruit. Now he was an SAS operator, and his skills, combined with his determination, had placed him among the best.

Over the next few months, Harry continued to excel in Sabre A Squadron's missions. He further specialized in intelligence and interrogation, as well as honing his skills in hand-to-hand combat and CQB. The time he spent with his team helped him gain more confidence and cemented his position as an essential member of the squad.

Harry Potter had left the wizarding world behind, but in the SAS, he had found a new purpose—a place where his courage, intelligence, and fighting ability were valued more than ever. He knew he was at the beginning of a new journey, one that would take him on even more challenges and dangers. And as always, he was ready for anything.