Chapter 1

It had been a hard decision, leaving her 'family', going back to civilisation, but the last few years had taken their toll. She was more than ready for a civilian life style.

"Ghostwalker, state your position" a disconnected voice came over her radio.

"According to my calculations? Somewhere hot, dark and damp…thinking it is Hell Boss…" she sighed back.

"…you getting bored soldier?" the humour in her superior's voice was hard to miss.

"Bored Sir? Of Hell Sir? Never Sir…what makes you think that?" It wasn't professional, she knew it wasn't professional, but after 4 years of working together her team were as far removed from professional as you could get.

"Don't know Ghostwalker, but how about you take another look around and see if you can get a better reading of your position."

She glanced around, not moving from her seated position "Sir?"

"Yes Ghostwalker?"

"I've figured out where I am Sir"

Chuckling the disembodied voice sounded like static "and where is that soldier"

"A hop, skip and a jump from suicide point Sir."

"Good to know, when you get there, let me know what the fall is like hey?"

"Will do Sir, if you want to join me Sir, I'm sending my co-ordinates now…" sighing she straightened her back, stretched out her arms and settled in for what looked to be another sleepless night watching the target's house.

She smiled at the memory; trying to keep only the good ones took effort…a lot of effort, but it was worth it. They had gone through so much together, forgetting everything would have been impossible.

Looking around at the eager faces milling nearby, she hated to admit it, but, perhaps, she didn't go as civilian as she could have. Taking in her surroundings, analysing the faces that would eventually become known to her she grinned. She was finally following in her father's footsteps, if he had still been alive; she knew he would have been there with her today, complete with a look of pride that would probably have stayed there for a good few days.

"Really kid? You're joining the Army? Why? Why not follow me? What's wrong with what I do?" She had put off this conversation for that exact reason. He was so proud of his profession, honoured that he could protect and serve for his country and his countrymen.

"Nothing Dad, I'm proud of what you do, it's just…it's not the best fit for me right now. I need to do my own thing"

"And your own thing is going and getting blown up in a war that we shouldn't be in?" her Dad's voice broke. "I don't mean that kid…you know I don't mean that. It's just a shock is all. You finish college, you get great grades and you choose to throw it all away and for what…fighting a never ending war?"

She grabbed his hands and held them to her face. "I'm doing what I feel is right Dad, the very thing you taught me to do. I'm fighting for my country." Taking a deep breath she took in his slightly messy flat, the coffee stains on the table, the discarded newspapers filled with one story or another about Afghanistan. "It's not the way you wanted me to go, I know that, but it is the way I need to go. I need to do this Dad and I need your blessing to do it."

She watched his eyes searching her face, looking for any signs of doubt or worry. She knew he wouldn't find it but still, she found herself holding her breath.

"Okay, okay kid. If this is what you want. If this is what you really want, you have my blessing. Damn it but you have my blessing." Kissing her on the cheek he sighed. "I am going to worry about you every damn day until you come home though kid, you've gotta know that!"

Smiling up at him she nods. "Yep, I do. As I will be worrying about you back home, it's only fair!"

Laughing she let him pull her in for a hug.

At that memory she felt her eyes begin to glisten. Taking a shaky breath she reviewed her new life. At least for the next 6 months she would have a steady routine, the same bed, the same people. She had dealt with a life time's worth of pain, agony and violence that, at the tender age of 24 years and 6 months, a comfortable bed and a decent meal would be luxuries to her.

Resettling her backpack on her shoulders, she took a deep breath and headed for sign in.

Without looking up, a grey haired uniform wearing a name tag of 'Holder' acknowledged her presence with a curt "Name?"

"It's Holder…it says so, right on your nametag Sir" she grinned at the uniform as she heard a chuckle behind her.

The grey head looked up. She could see the tiredness around his eyes, the monotony of the day creasing his forehead. "Funny. You are a funny person." Motioning behind her, he continued "You are also standing in a queue holding up other people trying to sign in. So how about we drop the humour and just state your name."

Blushing from the uniform's put down, she mumbled.

"I'm sorry…I cannot hear you over your embarrassment…again?"

"Andrea McNally Sir…though people call me Andy".