Ash is reprimanded, first by Francis for a newspaper story about the section that the 2IC believes injures the dignity of the service, then by Luckhurst for his reckless behaviour when defuzing a low-priority bomb. Ash becomes acquainted with new officer Ken Machin, who is assigned to his tutelage and billeted with him. Ash and Machin find they are to be sent on a hastily developed new disposal course.
