With many thanks to Chris for letting me borrow Major Eugene Brent. When I read a piece she wrote I knew he belonged here. Thanks Chris
Let's Be Honest
Chapter 1
"Hey, How'd it go?" Major Eugene Brent pushed himself off the wall where he had been leaning and fell into step beside his friend.
"Mission accomplished." It was a flat statement of fact, no pride in their success.
"And?"
"Later." The two men continued in silence until they were in the jeep heading for the local pub.
With a pointed look at his companion, Eugene said, "Looks like you survived."
Craig knew what he was being ask, he just didn't know how to answer so he kept it short. "Yeah."
"And the others? Come on, Michael, don't make me drag it out of you." Eugene was the only one who that other than his Great Aunt Nell who's husband he was named after.
"Lost one."
"Lost, as in ….?"
"Dead."
"Enemy fire I hope?"
"That's what I was told."
"But you're not sure?"
Garrison shook his head slightly. "It could have been."
"But you have your doubts. Who?"
"Wheeler," he said with a sigh. "Chief said he was out of position."
Brent thought about it for a moment. He could see his friend was troubled. "They keeping you together?"
"Yeah, for now."
"You don't sound thrilled."
Craig took a deep breath and blew it out loudly. "I believe in this, it can work. The men know their stuff, their good at it. It just …."
"What? Lack of discipline, motivation?"
A sharp humourless laugh was the response. "Add in a lack of trust, cohesion …"
Brent laughed a real laugh and was joined by his friend. With the gloom broken, the two military men climbed out of the jeep and headed into the Pub.
Craig was glad his friend was there. They were similar in temperament and knew each other well enough that they didn't have to hide their thoughts or feelings. This meeting had helped both, Craig to voice his worry about the manner of the teams first fatality and Eugene to see that his friend was OK. They both knew the first mission with a new team was always risky.
As well as this meeting had gone, and as much as they wanted to stay in touch, the war sent them in different directions for a time. Their next meeting was even harder on the new team leader.