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Jeffries and Cassidy stepped out of the tent at 1600 and had a look around. The soldiers had been busy. The new tent was up for the new recruits to use, the agar inside was emitting some nice heat. Tarps and camo nets were up protecting the camp.
She checked the mortar calculations and found them accurate. A walk down through the rocks to where the formation created a natural trench was next providing a clear view of the enemy's territory. It would provide good protection from any attack and they had a good visual of any activity on the plains and forest in front of them.
She shivered though as the wind swept through the trench and she scowled up at the darkening sky.
"Have we got any tarps or camo nets left?" she asked no one in particular and she turned to a few who were looking a bit dumbfounded. "Well go find out. I want some barriers up around here to protect the trench if possible. Use whatever you can find, I also want the connecting path covered, if I can see the field walking down they can probably see us"
"Yes ma'am" the soldiers hurried off to do their tasks while she turned to look out over the woods in the distance.
"I have this funny feeling in my gut Cassidy" she sighed "I got it just before your pal Lake copped an arrow in the leg"
"Then I trust your gut Chief" he stated "I suggest we all hit the sack early tonight, one to keep warm and 2 cause we may be up early."
"Good idea, keep an eye on the soldiers, make sure they have finished their tasks on time and get to bed early. I'm going to camp out in the communications tent tonight. Come get me if someone so much as sneezes"
"Yes Chief" Cassidy nodded and hurried away.
Olivia sighed as Alex led Elliot and Casey out, turning to the report that was in her lap. It at least was a bit of good news, along with the report that Sgt Reilly was awake. She would have to visit him when she was up and about. For all intents and purposes he deserved a medal. She would have to look into it.
Casey had also delivered the news that a nasty storm was brewing, their first for the season. The temperature was due to drop tonight, with high winds and driving rain. She sighed and rubbed her aching temples. Casey had assured that all soldiers had suitable tenting, agars to warm them, bedding and extra uniforms. Olivia instructed that they get on the radio first thing in the morning to make sure they were warm and dry enough.
Casey had continuously made notes as Olivia told Elliot he may be in charge but she wanted to know every major decision he made. This was his time to shine to see if she could delegate in the future.
Alex walked back into the lounge and sat down beside her, leaning into her and offering silent comfort. Pulled from her thoughts Olivia raised her arm, curling it around her wife's shoulders and letting Alex cuddle further into her.
"You're worried about your troops" Alex guessed
"Yes" Olivia sighed and putting the report aside, trusting Elliot and Casey had informed her of everything, turned her body towards Alex and let her other arm encircle her. "I feel bad that we are in this nice climate controlled apartment and they are out there in the wet and freezing cold"
"Liv, they knew all this when they signed up, they did all the training. Besides that we have provided them with extreme weather tents, bedding, heaters and extra clothes. We have done all we can"
"I know that but I still feel guilty" Olivia smiled ruefully and Alex gave her a gentle squeeze
"That's what makes you a great General" Alex assured and Olivia again wondered what she had done to deserve this wonderful woman. She would forever be grateful to the hunch that sent her to the library on the first day.
"You're amazing" Olivia pressed a kiss to her wife's brow "I will never know what I did to deserve you. I thought my life was perfect only a month ago, now I am not sure how I'd manage without you around. You light up my life Lex"
"Ditto" Alex chuckled "I never imagined a month ago that I would be married to General Benson. The best I hoped for was for you to be sympathetic to our plight, give father some health care and an assurance you would stop Velez"
"No complaints or regrets then?" Olivia asked and Alex could tell by the tension in Olivia's body that her answer was important.
"No, never" Alex pulled away gently and stood, offering a hand "How about I take you back to bed and show you"
"No need to ask twice sweetheart" Olivia tried to stand quickly without any help but her weakened body had her collapsing back amongst the cushions. Alex sighed.
"Not quite like that my love. How about we leave that for when you are feeling better and I won't worry I'll give you a setback" she offered her hand again which her wife took without complaint as she was helped to her feet.
"I hate this, it's supposed to be just flu. I've never felt so sick and weak in my life" Olivia growled as they made their way out of the lounge, turning off lights as they went.
"Well I have heard when people who aren't usually sick get something like this it knocks them around ten times worse than someone who gets it regularly" Alex shrugged "Could be all talk"
"Must be just a violent strand" Olivia muttered as she let go of Alex and grabbed the ensuite door frame. "Give me a few OK"
"Not a problem, I'll get your evening medication" Alex smiled, knowing Olivia absolutely refused help in the bathroom, some things were just too private, even for a wife.
Hurrying off she returned to the kitchen, carefully making sure she had all the medication before obtaining a glass of water and returning to the bedroom just as the bathroom door opened.
She put the medication aside then hurried to Olivia and helped her back to bed, tucking her in safely before she utilised the bathroom. Within a few short minutes she was cuddled up to her wife again. She was about to initiate the kiss she was expecting when Olivia cracked her jaw on a yawn and cuddled in closer. Smiling indulgently Alex turned into her wife so that Olivia's shoulder was pillowing her head with her right arm and leg thrown across her lover.
Olivia gave her a gentle squeeze as she drifted towards sleep. Alex lay listening to the quiet breaths become longer and deeper, felt the body beneath hers start to relax before tilting her head up to press a gentle kiss to an angled jaw.
"I love you" she whispered before tucking her head back onto Olivia's shoulder
Olivia, half asleep, smiled when she heard the confession and opened her mouth to reply. A gentle snore was issued instead.
Jeffries was startled awake by someone shaking her shoulder and on instinct reached for her M-4.
"Easy Chief, just me" Cassidy told her and she relaxed slightly as she looked around the tent and frowned when she realised it was still dark. By the whistling of the wind and pounding rain she knew it was rough outside. "Sorry to wake you but we have a situation"
"What time is it?" she asked as she threw aside her sleeping bag and scrambled to her feet.
"0400 Chief" he informed and she groaned, still 3 hours to sunup, what was going on? She looked at Cassidy questioningly and he hurriedly supplied "There is a large group of people massing in the field about a kilometre away. It appears most are armed with swords at least" he stated and Jeffries swore as she headed over to the table where their maps were spread out.
"What do we have trained on that field?" she asked
"Two Mortars and a sub" Cassidy supplied "Radio monitoring has provided us with details there are several more groups forming, surrounding our territory. Lt General Stabler is to be informed soon but at the moment we are to hold unless fired upon"
"Good idea" Jeffries nodded "Why not the General?" she frowned.
"Apparently General Benson has been laid flat with the flu and is on several days rest, Doc Warners orders"
"We should all be so lucky" Jeffries mumbled before turning back to the map "We are pretty secure here and until I am attacked or know clearly what is going on we do nothing. You need to wake day shift, start getting them ready and situated down in the trench. Make sure they eat some rations first"
"Yes Chief"
"When I get back we are going to go take a look at the situation ourselves" she told him and he blinked confused
"Back Chief?'
"Nature calls at inappropriate times Cassidy" she chuckled at his blush as she turned to retrieve her jacket and rain slicker, shrugging into both before grabbing up her helmet and M-4. They stepped out of the tent at the same time and Jeffries caught her breath. Jesus it was freezing.
"Sucks the breath right out of you" Cassidy grinned, his heated breath creating white puffs in the frigid morning air before she waved him away and hurried to her business. She was honestly pleased that the small path to the outhouse had been covered in branches providing some protection by a thoughtful person. The guard at the end of the path nodded, acknowledging her presence. He was standing under a small cover consisting of a torn tarp, sticks, leaves and a few rocks anchoring it down. It was keeping him 95% dry. Things people do to stay warm and dry. He looked about nervously and she smiled.
"Been busy Private. Nice shelter"
"It does its job Chief" he offered shyly as she opened the door and stepped inside, nose wrinkling. She needed to discipline someone and get the thing emptied.
Not long after she met Cassidy back at the entrance to the path leading down to the trench. He reported that day shift were up and about and getting ready for a long day. Walking down to the trench together she was happy to note the path was dry and relatively warm. Once at the trench she realised why. Some industrious person had piled some rocks high to provide a wind break. They had also utilised tarps in a small section, pinned by rocks and sand bags and covered by branches to camouflage and prevent it from flapping. It forced you to walk hunched over but it was keeping you dry and warm.
All the soldiers were huddled in this area, using gaps in the boulders to train their weapons out into the night. Night vision binoculars were keeping an eye on the alleged enemy. The Mortars were currently being protected from the worst of the storm by sand bags which a Corporal stated could be removed easily when ready to fire.
"What is going on Sgt?" she asked the man with the binoculars and he pulled back from his position and offered up the equipment.
"They seem to be setting up camp I think Chief. Looks like they are settling in for a bit."
Jeffries took the night vision goggles and moved forward into the gap to take a look. At that distance all night vision allowed her to see was a mass of at least 200 people and they appeared to be erecting several structures.
"It's hard to tell" she sighed "But they wouldn't be massing if they planned to sign the treaty. I will come back at first light for a better look unless something happens. Do not fire unless fired upon first. If the situation changes I'll be in the communications tent monitoring the radio" she told her troops and quickly turned and walked back towards the path.
Elliot grumbled as he almost fell out of bed. Whoever was knocking on his door better have a good bloody excuse. He assured Kathy it was all fine and to go back to sleep, they'd need all hands on deck to keep communications organised if they went to war. Kathy grumbled and rolled back over while Elliot found his robe and headed out to see who was knocking at 0400 in the morning.
Upon opening his door he saw a Major there and they quickly exchange salutes before Elliot ushered him in and to the lounge. Sitting down he asked
"What's happening?"
"Sir there are several armies forming around our and Jorje's territories. They all appear to be 200 plus strong. So far they seem to be setting up camp, it's still early but we aren't expecting any treaties to be signed"
Great, just great. Elliot sighed. Why didn't this happen while Olivia was healthy?
"Do we know what weapons they have?"
"We can only safely say swords sir, night vision at that distance isn't showing much else that isn't metal or body heat" the major appeared nervous and Elliot sent him a reassuring smile.
"Ok, so we wait until sun up to get a better idea of what they are doing" he nodded "For now we wait for the deadline or for them to attack first."
"Yes sir. Shall I inform General Benson?"
"No" Elliot shook his head "I will later. She needs rest. Come report to me if anything changes. I will join you for a briefing in the Conference room at 0700. Please advise Lt Novak and Lt Southerlyn to join us. I'll advise my wife"
"Yes sir" the Major hastily stood, Elliot also standing and ushering him out before returning to the bedroom to gently wake his wife.
"What is it?" Kathy groaned as he switched on a light and started preparing his daily uniform.
"You need to get the kids to your mothers by 0630. We have a meeting in the conference room at 0700. With Olivia and Alex out I need all Commanding Officers on deck" he informed her and looking at the clock Kathy groaned and reached over to set the alarm for an hour's time.
"I'll be there. What's going on Elliot?" she asked
"Looks like we are going to war" he replied sadly, deflated and suddenly Kathy was wide awake, all thoughts of more sleep forgotten as she too hurried out of bed. They would all need a hearty breakfast to get them through the day. She would organise the kids early and get them to her parents before scooting past one of the Mess halls to make sure they had food and coffee supplied regularly all day.
