Cold War - 02 by Nathan Archer

Author:Nathan Archer [Archer, Nathan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2011-01-03T00:00:00+00:00

Schaefer stared at him for a second longer, then said, "You know, I've always heard that it's up to the officers to set the tone for the whole unit.

Maybe that's why your men are all assholes."

It was Lynch's turn to stare angrily, fighting to keep control of his temper. Finally he wheeled away and shouted, "Lassen! The general wants this man briefed; brief him, already!"

"This way, sir," Lassen said quietly, pointing at a side table that held a variety of equipment cases.

Schaefer ambled over and watched as Lassen opened case after case and lifted out various items.

"Type 19D Ranger-wear snowsuit," Lassen said, holding up a shiny light-brown jumpsuit. "Thin and practical, with none of the standard bulk to inhibit movement. Tested to fifty below zero."

Schaefer crossed his arms over his chest.

"The suit is warmed by high-pressure, thermally charged fluid pumped through the fabric by an electrical unit worn on the belt," Lassen explained.

"Cute," Schaefer said. "Does it come with matching pumps and a purse? And if it's meant for the snow, why the hell isn't it white?"

Lassen ignored the questions and set the bodysuit aside. He picked up an automatic rifle.

"M-16S modified ice-killer," he said. "Nice piece of work-you won't find one of these at your local sell 'n' shoot! The barrel and firing mechanism have been crafted out of special alloy steel, perfect for cold-weather firing-again, down to fifty below. It's a ..."

He stopped in midsentence; he'd lost his audience. Schaefer had turned away.

"Hey!" Lassen called. "Where the hell do you think you're going?"

"Toys `R' Us," Schaefer answered. "They have a better selection of toys."

He turned at the doorway.

"Listen, I don't blame you, Lassen," Schaefer said, "but you've been brainwashed by this high-tech crap. You and the others think this stuff makes you superior to those things, ready to handle anything they throw at you.

You're wrong; you don't know them, don't know what they're like. You've heard the stories, but deep down you don't believe them, you still think you're the toughest thing going, with your American know-how and guts and your fancy equipment." He shook his head.

"That's not how it is," he said. "When it comes right down to it, it's going to be you against walking, death just you. And when it gets to that point, all the fancy knickknacks in the world won't mean shit, and how tough you think you are won't matter. What matters is whether you're ready to do anything to take 'em down. I killed one of them once, Lassen, and you know how I did it?"

Lassen shook his head.

"With a big pointed stick," Schaefer told him. "I had guns and lots of other toys, and so did it, but it was a wooden stake through its heart that punched out its lights once and for all." He waved an arm at all the cases.

"This crap won't matter. You'll see. It'll probably just make you overconfident and get you all killed."

"No, I ..." Lassen began.

Schaefer didn't stay to hear what the soldier

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