This is an alternative story where Patricia's son is saved by the team but at a price. No shipping and Amir is already with the team. I don't own any character of The Brave, I just loved the show.
"Okay listen up everyone," Dalton called out as he entered their quarters. "We've been asked to work with a ground troop assigned to help rebuild a school house in Helmand."
"What? No offense Top, but that sounds a little out of our wheel house." McG replied. "I mean what's so special about this school."
"It's not the school necessarily that we'd be keeping an eye on." He answered. "The ground troop we'll be working with has only been in Afghanistan a little over six months yet in limited action and I mean what should've been routine patrols, they have had eight causalities." The information earning a low whistle from Preach. "Yeah, higher ups are starting to suspect the Lt is a little too ready for a fight, but they can't prove anything. He's a legacy and is all too quick to remind the men under him who his father is."
"And who would that be?" Amir questioned.
"Brigadier General Samuel Marshall, Mr. Vietnam himself." Dalton stated.
"I still don't see where we come in," Jaz interjected. "I mean what are we supposed to do babysit until the school is complete; why us?"
"Our involvement was voluntary, but I agreed because the request came from someone close to us." At this remark all eyes focused on him and he had his team's full attention as he continued. "You see, a member of this ground troop is Corporal Dillion Campbell." The name spoken bringing immediate recognition.
"So, what's the plan and when do we leave." McG inquired.
"We leave first thing tomorrow morning and will be traveling with the troop. We won't be staying until completion just a week to see how this Lt interacts with the locals. Something he's doing must be sparking hostility when he goes out on these patrols. We've all seen that while there's tension for the most part in areas where we already have presence, attacks are rare." Their captain finished.
"Do you really think he'll act the same with us around?" Jaz asked.
"You know the old saying can't teach an old dog new tricks," Preach interjected, earning a roll of the eyes and a chuckle from the group. Quoting sayings was his trademark and it never seized to amaze the others how many he knew and how he managed to fit them seamlessly into conversations. "I'm assuming the Deputy Director thinks at some point the men might feel comfortable enough around us to talk."
"Exactly," Dalton nodded. "Dillion mentioned his concerns to the Deputy Director, but concerns are nothing more than unsubstantiated accusations and with no one backing him up, he'd be asking for trouble if he came forth." He knew his team understood the dynamics Corporal Campbell faced and he was glad that the mere mention of their Deputy Director was enough to gain their support.
The following morning after a brief introduction to the large unit by Lieutenant William Marshall, Top and his team made their way to the second chopper waiting to take them to the drop point. Without a clearing large enough to land in the village, the chopper would be landing approximately three miles away and the two teams would walk the remaining distance. In theory this should be an easy assignment, but something didn't feel right, and Dalton couldn't help but be on high alert. He knew just by watching Preach the older man felt it too.
From appearance alone, one could easily see Lieutenant Marshall did not lack confidence which for a commanding officer wasn't a bad thing, but confidence mixed with arrogance could be deadly and maybe that's what had Dalton on edge. From the moment the LT addressed his team it was clear he thought rank automatically demanded respect commenting on the lack of a salute by his men. It wasn't until Dalton explained that out in the field officers aren't saluted so as not to give the enemy an easy target did the officer relaxed. It was also obvious his ability to lead was based on intimidation as he left no room for his men to provide input or ask questions often deeming those courageous enough to seek clarification incompetent. It was a briefing Dalton had difficulty biting his tongue often having to remind himself the purpose of their escort.
"Penny for your thoughts?" the familiar voice next to him offered. Smiling he looked to his right-hand man and best friend Esekiel "Preach" Carter.
"Not worth that much I promise," he joked before his tone turned serious. "I have a bad feeling…I don't know why but I can't shake it."
"I feel it too," Preach remarked. "And that briefing this morning by the LT didn't do anything to quash it. Something tells me he likes to provoke and isolated away from help and immediate evac isn't a good place to be with someone like that."
"No, it isn't," Top replied. "I've got to keep him safe, it would destroy her if something happened to him." The captain stated thinking of the blonde soldier he had yet to meet but only observed earlier that morning. One look at him and it was easy to see the resemblance to his mother. Deputy Director Patricia Campbell was a force to be reckoned with. Dalton knew his team had been specifically put together to work with her. Commanding Officers of other units had made it clear to him they had refused to take orders from a woman and due to their tenure had been afforded a pass. For him, gender wasn't an issue. All he cared about was intelligence and respect, together they could figure the rest out. Patricia had been intelligent alright, her ability to think logically, tactically and formulate plans on the fly comforted Dalton and his team. They knew whatever crisis they faced she would already be thinking of a solution and they didn't have to worry about her freezing up. Three years they had worked together and for all intent purposes she was a part of their team.
"You know he'll have more assignments after this right, we can't be his escort for all of his missions."
"I know but we're here now and I can do my best in the moment." He answered with a sigh.
"Just remember you're not alone, she means something to us too." Preach assured with a slap on the shoulder before he moved back to join the others as Amir and Jaz took turns ribbing McG. Dalton smiled at his team, yup, somehow in this mayhem they had become family and he would do anything for family, that included Patricia.