Page 2 of Defending What is Mine

“I’ve had a platoon out for the last three days and I expected them back this morning. I need to get in contact with my team leaders to inform them of the situation.” Haskell was right. Wherever they are, they’re better off staying there.

“Yes, sir. Lt. Liddell’s team…is that one of yours?”

I nod.

“Actually sir, we received a report from him an hour ago. His team was on the move and expected to arrive”—she grimaces—“any time now.”

“Damnit.” I run a hand over my mouth, wishing for better news as sweat begins to bead at my temples. “Alright, if you hear anything else, please, I need to know right away.”

“Of course,” she replies, as she leans forward to answer a phone that hasn’t stopped ringing since I’ve been here.

My adrenaline surges as I shift my attention back to the monitors. Rather than focusing on rebel positions, or the weather system just to the west, the only thing I see is the mountain range at the edge of the valley. Which, unfortunately, takes me to Sam. I can see every detail of her face. Hear the sweet lilt of sass in her voice…

This is not the time to let myself get distracted.

Get it together, Wilde.

I’m stuck in the middle of a shitstorm, staring at screens streaming nothing but bad news and still my mind is on her.

Lives are depending on you. Get. It. Together.

We’re supposed to video chat tonight. Looks I’m going to break our date—again. She’ll worry when I pull a no show and the realization adds another pound of stress to an already tense situation.

Lock it up, Captain. Sam has no business here. Your team is counting on you.

I refocus my attention on the matter at hand as Lt. Colonel Haskell comes my way, his shoulders square, his face grim.

“Yes, sir?”

“Just got word.” Haskell looks at his feet. “Air support will be delayed because of that weather system.” He nods at the monitors along the wall. “Medevac choppers are standing by, but if that system gets much closer, we’ll be on our own. At least for a while. I know you’ve got people in the field. If you can reach them, let them know to hunker down.”

“Thank you, sir,” I reply while cursing inwardly.

From bad, to worse, to…

A deafening sound sets off a ringing in my ears. Another explosion. Closer this time, and with enough impact to knock equipment off desks, transforming the mood in the room from tense professionalism to near panic.

This time, I curse outwardly before reminding myself my soldiers are well trained. They know the score…and like the Colonel said, the farther they are from here, the better.

The thing that really has me worried is that, for the first time in my career, I’m concerned what it would mean to the people I care about if I don’t make it home. Not a healthy thing for a soldier to dwell on, generally speaking. But—and maybe this makes me a terrible person—before Sam and her daughter Vanessa factored into the equation, I just accepted it as the risk you take when signing up.

Now, I’ve got this tiny little question growing in the back of my mind, asking if this could still be my life’s calling if things with Sam continue. Could I truly kiss my wife goodbye, knowing I won’t see her again for six months to a year? Could I really set that part of myself aside to focus on the job? I used to think yes, no question. Now? I just don’t know.

There’s a change in the gunfire. Something doesn’t seem right. The rat-a-tat-tat stopped a minute ago, and I haven’t heard any since…

Oh shit.

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