Page 23 of Silent Dust
“Once we land on the carrier, we’ll regroup and get everyone fed and watered,” Warden spoke up.
“I hope they have ice cream on that boat,” Moose chimed in, a hopeful gleam in his eye. “I mean, after everything we’ve been through, we deserve a treat!”
One of the pilots laughed through the headset, “You better not let Captain Harrison hear you call his ship a boat!”
Everyone chuckled, and Moose blushed in response.
“Only if you promise not to spill it all over the place like last time,” Nova teased, a smirk playing on her lips.
“Hey, that was one time!” Moose protested, feigning indignation. “Besides, I thought we were going for a ‘tactical ice cream operation.’”
Bear smiled, grateful for Dog’s expertise. “Thanks, man. You’re our proper medical team; no one else is allowed to take care of boo-boos around here!”
With the banter lightening the mood, the helicopter continued its flight toward the carrier waiting for them in the Persian Gulf. The sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the landscape. Even though they destroyed the warehouse, a sense of frustration gnawed at Bear; Al-Harb had gotten away. This mission wasn’t over.
Bear looked around the helo, gauging everyone’s expressions. “When we land, I want everyone to take an hour to clean up, hydrate, eat, and get checked at medical if needed. Then we regroup and debrief. Link, get with the ship’s command and set up the conference room with a link back to Michaels and probably Admiral Grayson?”
The atmosphere shifted slightly as everyone nodded, the weight of the mission settling back in.
As the helicopter touched down on the carrier, the deafening roar of the blades gradually softened, giving way to the steady hum and clatter of the ship’s activity. Bear moved to unbuckle his seatbelt, but fatigue weighed heavily on him. The adrenaline that had fueled him was finally ebbing, and the pain from his gunshot wounds settled in like a dull, persistent ache. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to steady his trembling limbs as hegathered his gear, every move a reminder of how exhausted and hurting he truly was.
Havoc was already helping Cobra down. She winced but managed a grateful smile as she swung her leg over the edge. “Thanks, Havoc. I owe you one,” she said, her voice stronger than it had been in the helicopter.
“No worries,” he replied, giving her a reassuring nod before turning to join the others.
Link was right beside Samir, guiding him gently as the boy stepped off the chopper. Bear could see the fear in Samir’s eyes, the confusion from the chaos still fresh in his mind. “Hey, buddy,” Link said, his voice warm and comforting. “You’re safe now. You’re with us. Let’s get something to eat, alright?”
Samir nodded, but Bear could tell he was still processing everything. “I with you?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
“Of course,” Link replied firmly. “Samir will stay with me, everyone. We’ve got each other’s backs,” he announced, his affection for the boy evident.
As the team dispersed to take care of food and cleaning up, Bear watched them, grateful for the team he had built. Conversations buzzed around him, laughter mixed with the sounds of boots on metal as everyone moved about the carrier.
Bear took a moment to pull Warden aside, wanting to ensure everything was in order. “Hey,” he said, lowering his voice slightly. “I’m going to find a quiet place to call home and get in touch with Commander Michaels. Keep an eye on Moose and Havoc and make sure they behave; those two are like two bulls in a china shop.”
Warden nodded, a serious look crossing his face. “You got it, Bear. I’ll make sure everyone’s accounted for. Just let me know if you need anything. I really hope you get good news about Flora.”
“Thanks, man,” Bear replied, appreciating his reliability. “I’ll check in with you in a bit. Let’s regroup in the conference room in an hour.”
“Sounds good. Just don’t take too long,” Warden said with a smirk. “You know how they get crazy after a while.”
Bear chuckled, the tension easing slightly. “I’ll be quick. I promise. But make sure the conference room has snacks and coffee; I have a feeling the debrief will turn into a planning session as well.”
11 - CHARLOTTE
Charlotte glanced in the mirror,smoothing down her hair and adjusting the collar of her blazer. Almost time to head to the hospital. This visit had become routine—yet each time, she reminded herself to appear concerned, to play the part perfectly. It wasn’t enough to be capable; she had to be seen as invested, compassionate. The slightest falter, any hint of indifference, and whispers would start. She couldn’t afford that. Not now.
A fleeting shadow crossed her mind; a question she quickly silenced. Was all this worth it? The lies? The constant pretending? The weight of keeping so many secrets? She blinked and shoved the doubt deep down. There was no room for hesitation. Not if she wanted to seize command of everything she had sacrificed and endured, to take control of her relentless pursuit of greatness, the tangled web of deception, and her fierce destiny, and finally step out from the shadows.
.Yet, the mere thought of Flora tightened her jaw. Flora—the forensic pathologist reveling in her success, blind to how precarious her position really was. Charlotte’s bitterness flared anew. She was stronger—more driven, more disciplined, destined for greater things. Still, in the quiet moments alone, acold ache gnawed at her: What if all her sacrifices were in vain? What if the world never saw her as clearly as she saw herself?
She shook it away. No time for weakness. Not now.
As she neared Flora’s door, a shadow inside caught her eye. Someone sat with Flora. Charlotte pressed her ear lightly against the door, catching the tremble in Flora’s voice as she spilled details of the mugging and threats. Careless. Desperate. Every word threatening the fragile plan Charlotte had worked so long to build.
Frustration tightened her chest. If Flora kept talking, everything could unravel. And where was Wally? He had nearly finished what he started during the attack but had faltered. Again.
Wally, the nervous supply clerk, infatuated with Bear. The same Bear whose hand had briefly brushed his own in the supply room months ago. Charlotte had learned more about Wally than most suspected. It wasn’t a mere crush. No, it was something deeper, almost desperate. In a rare moment of vulnerability, he’d confessed the secret pictures he’d taken of Bear on base—hidden snapshots on his phone he stared at alone at night, weaving silent fantasies of a life just beyond reach. That longing made him brittle, tattered at the edges—perfect leverage for Charlotte.
