A/N- I'm so sorry it took me awhile to post this chapter. Updates will be more regular again now that life has settled back into a routine :D
Thanks, as always to my lovely beta elodealeaf. And thank you so much to everyone who reads my story and especially to those of you who drop a comment to me.
Chapter Twenty-nine
Once dawn came, I went outside of Regina's tent and watched the sun rise. The storm clouds had blown over, leaving a clear blue sky overhead. Early morning maintenance crews began the task of checking the roads and trails, scooping shovelfuls of gravel in the potholes and double checking that the sandbags were still secure. I checked my watch for the hundredth time as I watched them and waited for 0700 to come around.
Since our trip to the combat outposts had been postponed for forty-eight hours, we were still in our Camp Azor schedule and routine. Last night, as I stood guard, I came up with a rough draft for activities over the next two days. My team had been working hard since we arrived in the Frey, so I decided a day off was in order. Once our 1000 meeting with Lieutenant Mulan was finished, I planned to take over the guard duty until 1800 hours. That would allow my team to take most of the day for themselves. Staff Sergeant Nolan arrived at 0700 to take over the guard post. I filled him in on the plan and went to get a couple hours of much needed shut-eye. As I walked towards my barracks, my radio crackled. "Master Sergeant Emma Swan report to HQ." I recognized Lieutenant Mulan's voice.
"On my way." I radioed back as I turned around and headed to the building.
"Hey." I peered into her office.
She stood and came around to the front of her desk. "Please, come in and close the door behind you."
I did as she said. "I thought we had a ten o'clock meeting?"
"It's been cancelled." She gestured for me to sit. "The forty-eight hour delay has been shortened. General Marco has ordered you to leave at 1200 today."
I wanted to protest, but an order's an order, especially when it comes from a General. "Yes, Ma'am. Can I ask why the change though?"
She nodded sharply. "It will be considerably safer for Ms. Mills if she is under the radar for a few days. This is the quickest way to make that happen."
Oh. "My team will be ready."
"One more thing: Corporal Ruby Hood and Lieutenant Belle French will be accompanying you on this trip. The General decided that since you are doing a tour of three Outposts, it made sense to send along representatives from Health Services and the Culinary Division to check in on their respective divisions at each Outpost."
"I can understand sending an officer, but why Corporal Hood?"
"She volunteered and Captain Lucas approved it." She handed me their travel orders. "You will take a different vehicle that will accommodate the seven of you. Although Lieutenant Belle outranks you, this is still your operation. She's just along for the ride as far as P&E is concerned."
"Yes, Ma'am." I took the set of keys she offered me.
"Then you're dismissed. I'll meet you at 1200 at the Carpool." She stood and lead me to the door. "Get some sleep if you can Master Sergeant, it's going to be a busy trip."
I checked my watch as I left the building. 0730. I clicked on my radio and called out to my team. "Company D, 23rd Battalion of the 12th Brigade report in."
Immediately all three members of my team responded.
"We have new orders for departure. We're a go for 1200 today."
"Copy that." Three voices chimed in.
"I'll come break the news to Ms. Mills." I really didn't want to, but I figured it would be best coming from me.
"The general did what?!" Regina shouted at me when I informed her of the base commander's order. "He can't force us to go."
"Please, understand that unlike you, I'm obligated to follow orders." I sat down at her desk and watched her pace the floor of her barracks.
"This is unbelievable. I'm not even employed there anymore." She muttered.
I watched her until I got dizzy. "Regina, please sit down, or at least stop pacing." I rubbed my forehead.
She glared at me, but finally sat on the side of her bed. When I met her eyes, her expression softened. I smiled tiredly at her, grateful that she had settled down. "I don't know all the details," I told her honestly, "but according to Lieutenant Mulan, they are sending us out, in part, to help keep you safe."
"That's rich." She added sarcastically. "Sending us out into the battleground for my safety."
"Well, that's the army for you."
"So, this is happening then?" She sighed.
"Yeah, we leave at 1200 hours. Noon."
"Okay, but I'm not doing this for the company; I'm doing it for the soldiers at the outposts."
"Works for me." I said quickly before I yawned. "I have to get some sleep before we go." I stood and rubbed my eyes.
"I need to repack." Regina waved towards her empty duffle bag. "Why don't you just sleep here and keep me company?"
"I wouldn't be very good company if I'm sleeping." I pointed out.
She shrugged. "But I'd feel better if you were with me."
I looked at her bed, remembering how much nicer it was than my bunk. It only took a second to make up my mind. "Hang on." I walked out and talked to Nolan.
"Hey, I have the guard. Come relieve me at 1115 so I can shower before we go.
The Staff Sergeant raised an eyebrow, but didn't comment. "Yes Ma'am. You have the guard."
I went back inside and locked the door. "There, that's settled. You sure you don't mind?" I asked.
"Not at all. Sleep well, Emma." She graced me with a soft smile.
She didn't have to tell me twice. I slid my boots off and lined them up next to her bunk before I crawled on top of the bed. "Good night." I laid on my side, watching her repack. My eyelids grew heavy and I felt myself fall into a pleasant slumber.
When Regina woke me up at 1110, I was covered with a blanket. "Hey." I smiled sleepily at her.
"Hey yourself. I figured you wanted to be awake before Staff Sergeant Nolan arrived."
I swung my body up and stood on the floor. "Yeah, thanks." I slipped my boots on and ran my fingers through my hair. "I'll see you in half an hour." I added before I went outside. I wasn't there more than two minutes before Nolan showed up to relieve me of the guard duty.
Freshly showered and ready to go, I met the team and Lieutenant Mulan at the Humzee at 1200. We stood outside the vehicle chatting with Ruby and Belle when the sound of Taps began playing. Immediately all the soldiers in sight snapped to attention. Regina was just a second behind us as she, too, stood stock still next to Sergeant Blanchard.
No words were needed when eleven flag-draped caskets were carried from the rear of the admin building and loaded into three Army trucks. Each casket was carried by six soldiers in full dress uniform, complete with white gloves and shined black patent leather shoes. It was the only time soldiers in the Frey were allowed in full dress uniforms. We continued to stand at attention until the trucks engines roared to life and drove out the gates towards the airport. I felt my throat constrict as memories of my last tour flooded my mind. Last time five of those coffins belonged to my teammates, this time it was somebody else who would bear the burden of losing their comrades.
Once Lieutenant Mulan broke from Attention, we followed suit. "Let's get going." I ordered and the seven of us loaded up into the new, bigger Humzee. As before, Graham sat in the driver's seat, Blanchard sat shotgun and Nolan situated himself in the turret. I hopped in and buckled myself into my seat in the second row, noting that Regina had done the same. Behind us, on the small, third-row bench seat, Lieutenant French and Corporal Hood sat close together.
I tapped the top of the driver's seat. "Let's roll." I said and Sergeant Graham put the Humzee in gear. We pulled through the gates of Camp Azor and out onto the road heading north. The hum of the engine, combined with the rhythm of the road soon put me to sleep. When I awoke, I checked the GPS and saw we only had one hour until we reached Outpost Kelling.
"I must have slept well." I smiled at Regina.
"Yes, you needed it." She smiled back and my heart fluttered.
I looked outside, noticing the fields and orchards in the valley. "Let's stop at the next village." I wanted to get a feel for the region near the outpost and sometimes the locals had a better sense of what was really happen in the area then the army. Fifteen minutes later we saw a small town on the horizon; ten minutes later we were there. I wish Rum was with us. I envied his grasp of languages; a skill that was most useful when we tried to talk to the locals. My team's rudimentary grasp of basic phrases would have to suffice if we wanted to find out anything worthwhile. Not surprisingly, as soon as we stopped the Humzee, we were swarmed by children seeking candy. That actually was a very good sign that the area was peaceful and firmly in the Republic's domain.
I handed Regina a bag of small chocolate bars. "Give each kid one or two." My team opened the door and Blanchard loudly said "Zalu longei mardu." All of the kids took a step back to let us out of the vehicle. Once we were out, however, they giggled and surrounded us.
I grinned at their expectant faces as I handed each of them two small candy bars. I looked through the vehicle window at Regina. She had a look of sheer terror on her face as the children pressed in. Holding the bag high above her head, she had her back pressed firmly against the Humzee door. Blanchard noticed her predicament and yelled "Kwal Narr!" Be nice! Immediately the kids settled down and stepped back from Regina. Blanchard carefully reached over and took the bag from her hands before opening it and passing the candy bars out to the remaining children.
I wanted to rush over and help, but it wasn't necessary and it would have drawn unneeded attention to Regina. Instead I focused on looking around the town square. I couldn't help but compare the layout of the village to the layout of the mock battle town at Camp Azor. The similarities were striking from the open air markets, to the architecture of the buildings, and for a moment I instinctively searched for snipers in the rooftops. There were none, of course; as I said this town was clearly under full protection of the Republic.
"Hey, you okay?" I asked Regina as my team walked into the market. Fresh squash, pumpkins and gourds filled the hand woven baskets that lined the tables. Other baskets were full of apples from the nearby orchards, which Regina made a beeline for.
"I had no idea children could be so intimidating." She replied flatly as she studied the apples.
"They pretty much expect that we come bearing goodies. It's been that way since the war started."
"They could eat these apples, what need do they have of candy?" She pointed out, which caused me to laugh, which, in turn made her glare at me. "Something funny, Miss Swan?"
"Seriously, Regina?" I snickered again. "What kid would want an apple over chocolate?"
"I did." She picked out six fruit and put them in front of the merchant.
"Of course you did." I muttered.
"And I imagine you had a bounty of candy and cookies growing up?" She mocked.
"I was lucky to get two meals a day, let alone goodies." I snipped at her and walked away. She should have known better, I'd told her a lot about my childhood.
"Emma," she followed me into the street. "I'm sorry, that was insensitive of me."
"It's fine, let it go." My anger was getting the best of me and I just wanted to get away. "Hey Nolan." I called to the staff sergeant. He looked at me and I put up an open hand. "Five minutes and we roll." The blonde man nodded at me and passed the word to Blanchard and Graham.
I found Corporal Hood as she was picking out a large variety of squash. "I'm hoping to give it to the cooks at the different Outposts. It's always in my best interest to make friends with the person who makes my food." She explained as she paid the woman behind the table.
"Let Lieutenant French know we are leaving in five." I told her as I bought two dozen apples and some dried cinnamon sticks. I figured the cooks at Outposts Carile and Isler probably didn't have as much access to fresh produce as Outpost Kelling, and I wanted to be on the cooks' good list, too. We loaded up in the Humzee, all the produce sitting between me and Ms. Mills, forming a short wall. I tapped the driver seat and we headed north to Kelling.
Kelling was probably the most permanent of all the Combat Outposts in the Frey. It was well established with wooden-framed canvas barracks, similar to the ones at Camp Azor. Instead of the two thousand soldiers at Azor, however, the Outpost had just over one hundred soldiers. About ten of them were permanently assigned to Kelling for a three year deployment. The rest came for a year with their company or platoon. Those soldiers would work to protect the outpost and the region around it.
We pulled up to the main gate and showed our papers to the guard on duty. She radioed someone and then nodded and raised the gate, waving us inside. We followed the signs and pulled in front of the small HQ building. We entered and were greeted by the outpost commander Captain Xavier and his assistant, Lieutenant Mendell. "We expected you to arrive this morning," the captain stated when I reported for duty. He looked at my group and cocked his head. "I also only expected five soldiers."
"We were delayed at Azor." I handed him my team's paperwork. "Lieutenant French is here from Health Services to meet with your medical staff. Corporal Hood is from the Culinary Division. She will spend time with your mess staff." He signed it and handed it back to me. I folded them and tucked them neatly in my small leather portfolio case. I checked my watch. 1733.
"The crate of armor was dropped off this afternoon. You can set up your operation in the other room of this building. I'll leave the rest of the details to Lieutenant Mendell." He stated before he walked back into his office and shut his door.
The Lieutenant quickly gave us the rest of the information we needed. "Females will bunk in barrack three, men in barrack six. Ms. Mills, we have a separate barrack for you."
"Thank you." She gave him one of her fake smiles.
He handed her a list with the names of all of the soldiers currently attached to the outpost. "The troops work in two day shifts; you can catch group one today before they go out in the morning, and group two tomorrow when then return from their rotation. The handful of us who are permanently on base are available between 0800 to 2000 hours."
"You aren't assisting me?" She said in surprise as Lieutenant Mendell turned away.
"No Ma'am, that's not in my job description." He scoffed.
I reached out and touched her shoulder. "It's okay, the team will assist you."
She looked at me with warm brown eyes. "Thank you, that means a lot."
"Ms. Mills," The lieutenant interrupted, "I do, however, need a timeline from you."
"Okay." She absently replied as she perused the list. "I'll get set up and be ready for group one by 1900 hours."
"I'll let their CO's know." He made a note.
"Shall we?" I nodded to my team and we left the building. We drove to barrack three, where Blanchard, Hood, French and I unloaded our gear and went inside to claim our bunks.
"Well, this is cozy." Blanchard stated as we entered the tent with four bunks and one table. Two of the bunks were on each side of the tent; I tossed my duffel bag on the nearest one and Blanchard neatly placed hers on the bunk next to mine. Ruby and Belle settled onto the other two.
As soon as I picked out my bunk, I left the barrack and found Regina right outside. "Okay, let's take a look at your barrack." I smiled and we walked to her tent next door. As usual, I went in first and inspected the layout. Satisfied that the tent was secure I told her to come in. Her barrack was smaller than ours, set up to house two soldiers.
"Aren't you bunking with me? She asked as she set her duffel bag on one of the bunks.
"I'll be with you twenty-four/seven."
"Then why is your gear in the other tent?"
I stumbled for a good answer. "Propriety dictates that I house with other soldiers. But when you sleep, I'll be in here sleeping, too."
"Very well," she acquiesced as she unpacked her toiletries and set them on the table. "I'm ready to get to work whenever you are."
My team worked most of the evening, unpacking and sorting the MCV gear into different stacks based on size. As the soldiers trickled through and exchanged their old gear for new, it was my job to accept the armor they were turning in, and log it into the computer. Nolan and Graham packed up the old armor, while Blanchard helped Regina distribute the new armor. It was a fairly efficient system and once we hit our stride we were like a well-oiled machine. I have to admit I kinda liked helping Regina out; it was different than my usual work as a soldier, but I still was serving my country and helping my fellow comrades stay safe.
I had fallen asleep easily that night. Being Regina's constant companion and guard had its perks. For one, it meant that she was sleeping nearby; which was completely selfish on my part, that I enjoyed having her so near. As I was falling asleep I heard Nolan and Graham change guard shifts outside. We were as safe as one could be in a warzone.
But, I must have been really tired or stressed because the dreams started again, as realistic and detailed as ever. But this time, as I inched towards the dead driver, the pain in my leg threatening my consciousness, I heard a new voice. "Emma, move over." I stopped my forward motion and scooted my hips, then my shoulders sideways in the dirt. Then I was pinned, but I didn't feel trapped and the dream faded away into blissful, warm darkness. I suppose I shouldn't have been so surprised the next morning to find that I wasn't alone in my bunk. As I woke up, I felt the soft, steady breathing behind me. Then I realized that my bare feet were intertwined with someone else's. Regina. A small smile came unbidden to my lips.
I lied there, enjoying the feeling of a warm body pressed against my backside. Her tanned arm was loosely wrapped around my stomach, her breath tickled the hairs on my neck. I debated rolling over, but I didn't want to wake her up and I really didn't want her to leave my side. I must have drifted back asleep because I woke back up alone in bed. I rolled over, missing the warmth of Regina's body. She was sitting at the small table, sipping coffee and writing in a notebook.
I cleared my throat. "Good morning."
"Good morning." She toasted me with her paper coffee cup. "Sergeant Blanchard was kind enough to get us some coffee and bagels this morning."
Ohhhh, coffee. My brain registered the smell of the bitter drink. I sat up and stretched, feeling my muscles loosen. Ambling over to the table, I sat across from the civilian and sipped my black coffee.
"What's on the agenda today?" I picked out a bagel and inspected it. It was cold, but at least it had been toasted. I spread the plastic container of cream cheese on one half as I listened to the plan.
"According to the schedule Lieutenant Mendell gave me, group two should be arriving back at the outpost at 1000 hours. They will give their report to group one, who then departs at 1100. We can start processing Group Two beginning at 1400 hours. Hopefully we can have everything wrapped up by suppertime."
I chewed a chunk of bagel and swallowed it before I responded. "Lieutenant Mulan said that the crate of old armor will be shipped back to Azor within the next couple of days. The general has agreed to hold all three crates there until we arrive back and can inspect them."
A look of pure relief flitted across Regina's face. "Excellent. I really need to be able to find any PPI armor and document it."
"Well, we didn't see any yesterday, maybe today we'll get lucky." I offered.
"Maybe." She shrugged noncommittally.
I took the guard that morning so that the rest of my team could get take much needed break. As Regina and I walked back from lunch, and uneventful fare of tomato soup, nasty old celery sticks with peanut butter, and grilled "mystery meat" sandwiches, we ran into Ruby near the backdoor of the kitchen. "Hey, I didn't think you smoked." I scolded her.
She just shrugged and took another drag. "I don't." She winked at me before blowing two smoke rings in our direction. Snubbing the small butt out on a metal drum, she sauntering over to us with a toothy grin. "I haven't smoked a cigarette since I've been in the Frey. The cooks were teasing me about not being a real soldier, so I bummed a cig from one of them and showed them I knew a thing or two about smoking. It shut them up." She laughed before her eyes went wide. "Oh shit!" She pulled a pack of gum out from her pockets and stuck a stick in her mouth, chewing frantically. "Hey, Lieutenant," she greeted Belle.
"What stinks?" Belle's nose crinkled.
"Oh." Ruby casually waved towards the kitchen door. "Some of the guys were just taking a smoke break."
"Ah." Belle replied. I could tell she wasn't totally convinced, but she smiled anyways. "I'm done for the rest of the day, unless there are any casualties coming in." We all walked away from the kitchen and sat down on a remote picnic table. Belle looked at me. "This place is more like a band-aid station then a medical unit. They airlift anything remotely serious down to Azor."
I wasn't surprised. "Probably just over a two hour trip by chopper."
"True, but the doctor here is more interested in research than in helping live soldiers. He belongs in a laboratory, not a war zone." She sighed.
"What about his nurse?"
"She's rather...severe." She shook her head. "Never even smiled or offered to help me. I think they make quite a pair. No wonder the soldiers don't use the facility. The patient logs are empty except for a fractured ankle from a rugby game last month. I looked over the logs of the medics from the different companies that are stationed here; they provide all of the medical services even when they are in the outpost. I know they're well trained, but some of this stuff is out of their scope of practice. The soldiers refuse to see Doctor Victor, even if it's something that should be seen by a physician." She shook her head again.
There really wasn't much any of us could say; medical stuff was the lieutenant's field, not ours. "Well, I guess your report back to the Chief Medical Officer at Azor will be interesting."
"Absolutely. Hopefully the other two outposts will be better staffed." She turned her focus on Ruby. "How was your day, Corporal?"
I zoned out as Ruby went into detail about the ins and outs of culinary services. I glanced over at Regina, who was sitting with her eyes closed, basking in the sun. Her black hair shimmered in the light, adding a softness to her demeanor. I blushed and looked away when I realized that Ruby had caught me staring.
She nudged Belle. "Why don't you and I go for a walk, you can tell me more about your day."
Belle smiled and nodded. "If you two will excuse us, we're gonna, um...go for a walk." I grinned as they stood up; Regina never opened her eyes, she just waved them off.
Once they walked away, she, still relaxing in the warmth of the sun, asked softly. "Are they dating?"
I debated before telling her. "Yeah."
"They're cute together."
"Yeah, they are." I smiled.
That afternoon was similar to the day before. We managed to process all of group two's soldiers, as well as all of the outpost staff, by dinnertime. After supper, we packed all the old gear up into a large wooden crate and screwed it up tight for the helicopter to airlift it.
We finished up and went our separate ways. I knew that Nolan had the guard tonight while I was sleeping, so I doubled checked that he would be at his post at 2200 hours so Regina and I could both get a good night's sleep. Because Nolan would be awake all night, he would sleep on the trip to the next outpost and I would take his spot in the turret.
"Want to take a shower?" I asked Regina when we got back to her quarters.
"Together?" She teased, laughing when I sputtered.
"Yes. I mean no. I mean yes, at the same time, but in different stalls."
"I knew what you meant, Emma."
"Well, I just needed to make sure, considering the shower house will be full of women."
"I bet Belle and Ruby will share a stall."
"I bet they don't. Out here in the Frey, fraternization is really cracked down on. But if we're gonna go, we have to do it soon. The showers are open to the women from 2000 to 2100 hours only."
As I predicted, the shower house was full. The five of us from my group, plus another dozen or so female soldiers who were assigned to Kelling, managed to shower in the one hour time slot allotted to us. Fortunately it wasn't a group shower situation, like I've had at other outposts; I don't know that I could have handled a wet and naked Regina, regardless of the situation.
I had just settled into my bunk to sleep when I felt a weight on the bottom of my bunk. I opened my eyes to see Regina looking at me with her smoldering brown eyes. "Hey," I smiled at her.
"I was thinking," she looked around the tent. "that maybe, I could help stop the nightmares before they start." She ran a smooth fan pattern in my top blanket with her hand.
"Well, what do you propose?" I didn't want to make any assumptions.
"Since last night you calmed down when I...you know...joined you in your bunk. Maybe it would keep the nightmares at bay if I stayed with you all night." She shrugged, continuing to make patterns in my blanket.
I don't know if it was the chill in the air or the desire to stave off the dreams but I scooted over in my bunk and made room for her to join me. We laid there, side by side in the small berth. I finally rolled towards her and hesitantly stretched my arm over her torso. She rolled over and snuggled her backside closer to me. I tightened my grip, and she gave a long, soft sigh. God, I could get used to this. I thought as I felt my body relax and sleep claim me.
