Deployed (2012) by Odom Mel

Author:Odom, Mel [Odom, Mel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Military/Fiction
Published: 2012-09-30T23:00:00+00:00

Towers took his helmet off as he entered the small restaurant. The place was a small affair in the corner of a warehouse, what would be a mom-and-pop business back home. The resulting space seated maybe forty people.

Burning frankincense thickened the air. The décor was a loose collection of photographs that spanned dozens of years. In several of them, the harbor area looked industrious and relaxed, but that time was long past, as marked by the faded condition of the photographs and the cars and trucks visible in the images. Other photographs were of American soldiers seated at the small tables and mugging for the camera. The eatery wanted to establish a connection with the American soldiers; that was evident. But Bekah knew it was because American soldiers tended to have more money than other servicemen.

“I know,” Towers said. “You didn’t expect there to be a restaurant anywhere near the city, what with all the food shortages, but people gotta work and people gotta eat. You’ll find little out-of-the-way places around the harbor area, but always under the loose protection of the military. The military pulls out, these places close up shop and disappear.”

“Food is tight in this city.” Bekah took her helmet off as well. “Where do they get the supplies?”

“From the ships passing in and out of the port. They make deals with captains and ships’ crews. You find markets everywhere like this. People want things, a way is made to provide them. Basic economics.” Towers looked around the room, and his hand didn’t stray far from the sidearm at his hip. “I been in a lot of places. Always try to find someplace where I can clear my head, away from the rest of the team.”

Bekah understood that. Sergeants got squeezed between enlisted and officers.

“Keep in mind, just because I bring you here today don’t mean this place is safe.” Towers looked at her.

“I get that.”

“Bad people gotta eat too, and you’re a woman. You walking around in that uniform, no hijab, and carrying that rifle—that marks you as a target in the eyes of some men.”

“I know.” Part of the briefing had included warnings about the strict Muslim code and the resistance to women military personnel. But the Marine Corps believed in its female Marines and knew they made a difference with the local women. “Not much different than it was in Afghanistan.”

“There’s a difference. In Afghanistan, you generally knew who was trying to kill you.” Towers guided her to a small table near a wall. “Here, the scorecard seems to change every day. Make no mistake: we’ve got a dirty job to do. I’ll go get us something to eat.”

Gunney Towers went to the counter and placed their order, not bothering to ask Bekah what she wanted. She assumed that was because the menu was limited, or because Towers had learned what was more palatable to American taste buds.

Bekah sat in the uneven chair, placed her helmet on the table, and kept her rifle close to hand.

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