Page 34 of Ground Zero

Ground Zero

June 5, 2010

4 am

Crockett

Nina's voicecomes over the Manpack radio.

"One. Check-in."

I smile. That's her way of saying, "Good morning, Love."

"One here." That's my way of answering, "ditto."

"Status update?"

"Alive and well."

She laughs. "Roger that."

Mike keys his comm. "Two here. Alive and well, if you give a shit."

She laughs, "Of course, you are. A motherfucker like you just won't die. And, of course, I do. Just not in the same way."

He laughs. "Copy that."

I reply. "Two and I are onsite enjoying a nice sugar rush compliments of Do Donuts."

She laughs. "I take it all is quiet on the Alabama home front?"

"Affirmative. No activity."

"Thermal says they are inside, so sit tight."

"Roger wilco. We are hunkered down."

"Commando out." She says, and I crack up laughing.

Mike rolls his eyes. "I swear, I don't know which is worse. Watching the two of you pine for each other for years, or having to listen to the two of you tease each other incognito."

I laugh, "Well, I sure as hell know which one was worse!"

He chuckles. "Seriously, brother. I'm happy for you two. We all are. You two were made for each other."

I grin. "The fit is pretty special."

He rolls his eyes again.

Brody keys his comm. "So … I know I'm six and not in the loop on the team dynamics, but did she just say, 'commando' as in … you know, commando?"

Justin keys ups, "That's what I heard. I think the new additions need to be brought up to speed."

Mike chuckles and moves his hand to key his comm again, but Jack beats him to it. "They're fucking."

I roll my eyes, and Mike dies laughing.

Jocko keys up, "Are there any donuts left?"

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