by Bradley,CD
“God Damn!” Sergeant Colin yelled.
“Don’t fucking stop in the kill zone. Back the fuck up. Go. Go. Go” The captain yelled and started trying to reach the other vehicle on the radio.
“3 o’clock, 3 o’clock we got fire coming from the top of that building.” Stark reported… “Take that fucker out Miller. Get us the fuck out of here Blake.”
Sergeant Ivan Blake wrestled the rig into reverse and began speeding backwards to give what was left of the vehicles in front of them a path out of the kill zone. Miller swung around and opened all hell on the building top that the fire was coming from. Boom, boom, boom, boom. The big gun shook the Humvee at 1300 rounds per minute.
“I don’t see shit! Get those Rounds ready!” Miller yelled and fired into the direction of the buildings. “I’m out of ammo! I need ammo! Hand me another box!” Miller yelled down as he ran out of ammo and bullets hailed into his ballistic shield. Colin readied the box and handed it up to miller. Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom. The .50 cal. riddled the landscape.
“Incoming! We got rounds coming down.” Miller yelled down as RPGs landed to their left. He swung the gun around and returned fire. Boom, boom, boom “Ahhhhhhh FUCK! I’m hit! Fuck that shit burns! Mother fucker!” Miller fell down into the Humvee. “Fucking assholes man they fucking shot me!”
Colin and the captain began to access Miller. Stark climbed up and took his position on the big gun. Boom, boom, boom, boom.
“Ah dude that shit burns man.” Miller was yelling from below him. Stark continued fire in the direction of the Taliban forces.
“It’s just shrapnel.” Colin yelled. “You’re ok. You’ve got some fucking shrapnel in your neck but you are ok.”
Stark reached down and grabbed another box of ammo and had it loaded and was firing away in no time. He identified the source of the oncoming fire and unloaded all hell in their direction. Boom, boom, boom. Boom, boom. Smoke and fire as well as a cease fire from the other direction let Stark know he tore that shit up. “Fuckers in the dust sir.”
Amazingly out of the smoke and rubble in front of them both vehicles emerged. Comanche 2 looked like shit but it was moving and that’s what mattered. They blared toward the convoy as fast as Comanche 2 could go.
“Comanche X-ray… Comanche 92 Do you copy?” The captain blared over the radio. “Comanche 1 , Comanche 2 this is Comanche 3 do you copy.” After a few moments of static, a message finally came across in broken fragments.
“Comanche 3…. This is……Comanche 2, we are ok over. Let’s get the fuck on with this.” The captain continued to translate orders to the rest of the group. They Altered path and continued with the mission at hand. “Two clicks Comanche. We are almost there. We need to detour for a MedEvac.” They proceeded to the rendezvous with the MedEvac bird. Miller and an injured man from Comanche 2 were taken by the PJs back for eval and treatment.
“They broke my damn watch!” Miller suddenly yelled. He was leaking like a colander of old tomatoes but he was pissed about that damn watch.
“See now that’s why you need a fine piece of machinery like this.” Colin held up the cheapest fucking Casio known to man. “This bitch has been blowed up six times. Still fucking ticking.”
“Damn sir, that whips the shit out of that fucking bunny.” Miller responded
“Damn right it does. Now enjoy your ice cream Miller.” Colin chided as they carried him on the stretcher to the bird. “You did good today. Now fucking live ok.”
Miller squeezed his hand and then flipped him off smiling as they loaded him inside the bird.
“Back to work Hallmark.” Stark yelled at Sergeant Colin from the big gun where he was still ready and keeping watch over his crew.
“Fuck you!” Colin yelled back and climbed in the Humvee. “Let’s get this done.”
Despite all that had happened, they still had a job to do. Road side bombs, ambushes and IEDs were a routine part of any given day over here. The mission continued to the last man standing. Spin the revolver and pass it to the right. He managed to live another day.
***
Back at the COP Stark took out his cell and read the message from Kira again. He had typed her a hundred messages but deleted them all before sending. He was dying to talk to her. If he could just explain. He knew he could make her understand. But what could he really say? Even as a Captain he would be with a team. He would still be special operations. Clearly Kira had no fucking intentions of living that life. Damn It! He threw the phone sending it sailing past Sergeant Colin’s head and into the wall of the CHU (Containerized Housing Unit).
“What the hell man? You trying to kill me?” Sergeant Colin dogged the phone. He was sitting on his cot cleaning his 9 mil service weapon.
“Kira’s done. She’s out.” Stark’s words were quiet and cold. He had been in and out of this barren fucking wasteland more than 15 times in the last decade. It was the life he knew. The team was everything until she came along. Fuck. How could one girl, this girl, change his whole fucking world? Paige had said she would be a distraction. Where the hell was Paige anyway? He had tried to reach her several times and nothing. Stark liked being in control of the situation. Dealing with these women from halfway around the world made him feel powerless and fucking frustrated.
“Time to add the bitch to the wall of shame.” Colin joked and grabbed a big black sharpie that hung by a weathered string to the edge of the CHU. The Wall of Shame. Fragments of lost hope, cheating bitches. Every piece of Dear John bullshit or cheating fucking cunt’s name went on the Whoreible wall of shame. Every unit has one though it’s more used in basic than at this level. “Ha you haven’t had one of these since Simone. Now that’s a fine piece of gold digging ass!”
“Don’t.” Stark said quietly. “I don’t want her up there.”
“Why the hell not?” Colin paused, sharpie outstretched.
“She’s not like them.” Stark’s voice maintained the quiet steel he carried into battle.
“The hell she’s not! You put in to change your whole damn career for that bitch and she is willing to walk away after one missed dinner. Fuck that bitch! She’s probably already...” before he could get the words out Stark stood and crossed the room in one quick stride and grabbed the sharpie.
“Shut the Fuck Up.” Stark growled and ripped the sharpie off the post and sent it flying in the direction of his phone and stormed out of the barrack. Out in the night air he looked up into the desert sky. “Fuck…. Kira.” He sighed. A million stars lit up the darkness. The desert breeze blew sand and dust. The sounds of generators humming and voices in the distance were the constant background on base at night. The scent of Diesel fuel and remnants of dinner from the DFAC (chow hall) still hung in the air. He would never be able to hate her. She still meant too much to him to let them plaster her up there with every regular fucking bitch. It may be best to just let her go. At least away from him she would be safe from the danger of losing her career. The stars shined like her eyes the last time he saw her. Stark reached into his chest pocket and felt the small box he kept on him at all times. It was the dream he would hold on to. The life that may never be. Hell it was a life he never even wanted till he met her. Now he could think of nothing else. He remembered holding Kira, looking up at the Colorado Stars. He could still feel the warmth of her little body wrapped up in the firelight in Aspen. “I can’t let you go.”
Chapter 5
Kira hustled nervously to her meeting with the CO. She barely slept at all. Waking to every sound real and imagined. Kira was thankful that Paige had insisted on sleeping on her couch. But every time Paige moved or snored Kira jumped and woke up. No matter what Paige might say, she did snore. If that wasn’t bad enough the nightmares were back. Thrashing sweating in panic until she could fight her way back to reality. There was something different about them now though. Now instead of just being a victim, Kira fought back. At 0430 she had woken up nearly choking the life out of her pillow. After catching her breath, her eyes adju
sted to the darkness. She had seen her tags on the dresser reflecting in the moon light. The apartment was silent except for Paige’s snoring. Kira slipped out of bed and picked them up. The cool night air surrounded her. Kira quietly slipped Starks tag off the chain and placed it in her small jewelry box. It was time to let go. She hadn’t heard one word from Stark since the day he left her sitting at the Garden of the Gods. Not even a single text. She knew that some of his missions were classified but thought that at least eventually he would text something.
She was thankful for having had the extra time to get in a run this morning. The stress relief and endorphins of a good distance run had always helped clear her mind and soul. Now she was ready to face whatever may happen at this meeting. Kira reached the office and took the steps two at a time. She paused when she got to the front doors. This was the place she first met Owen Stark. Vividly she remembered him bursting through the door knocking her down the steps. The look in his magnificent eyes when she first saw his face was her undoing. Good or bad she decided she didn’t regret the last year. Stark had made her feel things she didn’t know were even possible. The touch of his hand, his commanding presence, the gentle and perfect execution of…
Kira was jolted from her daydream as she approached the office and saw Holt sitting on one of the folding chairs in the hallway. She stopped in her tracks. “What are you doing here?” How did he even know I would be here?
“I have orders. Mandatory meeting at 0700.” His voice was flat. Deep lines were creased in his forehead. His eyes were a little dark as if he hadn’t slept much either. “What are you doing here?” He countered. Though his face looked stern he still seemed like a perfect cadet school graduate. His very short blond hair was perfectly parted on the right as usual. Bright blue eyes looked up at her searching for answers.
“I have orders too. Report here at 0700.” Kira looked at the frosted glass on the closed door. She reached up to make sure her hair was tightly secured in the bun. She had debated cutting it after receiving a reprimand for wearing a ponytail on duty but decided to stick to the authorized bun for now. Slowly but surely she was becoming accustomed to life as a soldier. Kira realized that despite all her struggles, she was beginning to like it. No matter what happened in this meeting, Kira prayed that she would get to stay in the army. She was ready to accept whatever punishment or dressing-down she received. She knew she deserved it, but hoped for a second chance.
“You’re early.” Holt opened his mouth to say more but a female officer appeared in the doorway. Holt and Kira stood.
“Captain Liam Holt. Major Baker will see you now.” She motioned for him to follow her and they disappeared behind the frosted glass. The sound of the door closing echoed down the long empty hall. Kira sat back in her seat and stared at the linoleum. She wondered why Holt was here. Was he in trouble too? Was he here to testify about her behavior? She flashed back to college. Having to testify against her attacker. Him being a well-known legacy student from a wealthy alumni family, and her poor white trash from the coal fields. She knew that’s how they saw her. The humiliation of being made to seem the like she was at fault, still haunted her. She sat up squarely in her chair. She could take more than anyone could dish out. Kira vowed not to speak of what happened in her apartment again. Not even to Paige. She was not going to be made to feel like a victim or a crazy person ever again.
The door opened and hollow version of Holt emerged. He squared himself and walked straight down the hall never looking her direction. He didn’t even slow as he passed. She watched him until he turned the corner, dumbfounded, then turned her attention the waiting officer. Kira stood immediately at attention.
“Captain Kira Riley.” The stern woman said abruptly. “Major Baker will see you now. Follow me.” She turned without waiting for Kira to respond. Kira followed her through the office door, past the outer office and into the private office of Major Paul Baker. Kira stood very still at attention waiting to be acknowledge and dismissed to sit. The beige wall behind the major was bare except for carefully placed frames containing streamers of service, army creed, and branch coat of arms. Between them stood a large solid wood desk containing a computer and few mementos. Kira could see the major was all business. He was sitting reviewing a file, probably hers, and took his time before acknowledging her presence. At once he stood and Kira saluted.
“At ease Captain Riley. You may be seated.” The major returned to his chair and continued to look through the file for a moment, then stopped and looked directly in her eyes. “Captain Riley. Do you know why you are here today?” His voice boomed in the small room.
Where to begin? Fraternization, sex clubs, DUI? Before she could answer he continued, “In the last two months you have been caught drinking while driving and you have been brought into the hospital after missing post with a concussion from an injury sustained while intoxicated. Do you have a problem with alcohol Captain?” His harsh voice growled with disapproval. Thick hands with stubby fingers riffled through the papers.
“No. I uh. I mean No Sir. I do not have a problem with alcohol.” Kira stammered and struggled to gain her composure.
“Do you not think a DUI and missing post are problems? I would say you have a very big problem with alcohol.” He snapped
‘What I meant to say sir is that I am not addicted to alcohol. I have made some serious mistakes in the…” Before Kira could finish the Major interrupted.
“You bet your ass you made some mistakes. Do you think this is summer camp Captain? A little playground for sorority girls. You’re just going to come in here and fuck around while your loans are paid back? Well I have news for you little girl. You belong to the army now. Do you think your father would be proud of this behavior?” His last statement made Kira’s heart stop. Eyes wide she fought back tears.
“That’s right Captain. I knew your father. You are better than this. You owe it to him and his legacy to get your head out of your ass and start doing your damnedest to try to be half the soldier he was. You do not deserve another chance. Do you hear me?” He stopped and furrowed his large eyebrows staring directly into her. Kira was afraid to breathe. She sat motionless for what seemed like an eternity waiting for him to speak. “But I’m going to give you one… for James. Hear me loud and clear. You are on probation. No drinking or anything else. You will report to duty early every day. You will do extra duty in the ER on the weekends until your deployment.”
Kira was so relieved to hear she was not being dishonorably discharged she almost missed the word deployment. “Yes Sir. Thank you sir. I want to be a soldier my father would be proud of.” Kira blurted out, hoping it was an ok time to speak. She pinched her lips together to keep from saying anymore. The major stood and Kira followed suit.
“I believe you captain. Now prove me right. You will be deploying attached to an army unit going to Peru. Here are your orders. You will have two weeks to prepare. Do not get into any trouble during this time.” He handed her an envelope containing her orders. “You are dismissed captain. Report to your clinic for duty.”
***
As she hustled back across base Kira wondered what they would be doing in Peru. She had assumed when he said deployment that it would be Afghanistan. That’s where everyone went these days. She felt renewed purpose. Kira was not going to waste this second chance. Two weeks to prepare. She didn’t own much and didn’t have any pets or kids to square away so she didn’t have much in the way of personal business to prepare. She did need to talk to Paige though. Kira looked at her extra duty schedule which was conveniently waiting for her when she arrived. ER every evening after clinic and weekends until she deployed. Between patients Kira tried to text Paige. Nothing. Kira brushed it off as Paige being busy or forgetting her phone. After clinic Kira text her again on the way to the ER. Still nothing. Shit where is she? Six grueling hours in the ER later and Kira sat outside the hospital waiting for the bus. Still no word from Paige. Kira was starting to worry. She didn’t know Zoe’s numbe
r or the number to the Apex Club. Suddenly she remembered the matchbook. She didn’t know how it had gotten there. Holt wasn’t talking to her. She saw him in the trauma side of the ER. Looks like he was pulling extra duty as well. She had tried to approach him to ask how things went but he passed right by as if she wasn’t there. She didn’t have time to worry about him now. The bus ride seemed to take forever but the idea of running through the city at night by herself was more than she was ready to tackle. She raced from her bus stop up to her apartment making sure the door was locked and quickly locking it behind her. Kira rushed to her room, picked up the book and dialed the number. Nothing. It was simply a very business sounding voicemail. Kira left a message for Paige to call her. She tried calling Paige’s cell again. The ringtone of Paige’s phone coming from her living room about made her jump out of her skin. Kira ran back in to find it laying on the floor in front of the couch. She picked it up and saw hours of missed messages. Kira’s heart was racing now. What if something terrible had happened to Paige? What if whoever hurt her came back and Paige was here? Kira felt sick. Numb fingers scrolled through Paige’s contacts and found Zoe. She dialed but got only voice mail. Damn! She left a message and started to put the phone away when Paige got a text that made Kira freeze. It was Stark.
I need to talk to you. CALL ME.
One line. Not even meant for her, but it made her knees weak. She reminded herself he hadn’t called or messaged her. He was trying to reach Paige. She held the phone staring at it wanting to write back. But what would she say? If he had wanted to talk to her he would have called or text or something. Kira shut the phone off. She had to stay focused. She needed to make sure Paige was ok. Get her phone back to her and then distance herself from everything and everyone related to Stark. Kira knew that if Paige was at home or Stark’s he would have been able to reach her there. That just left The Apex Club. Kira still wondered why the match book was on her dresser. She wondered if it was left there for her to find.
