Gods of War (Sentenced to War Book 9) by J.N. Chaney & Jonathan P. Brazee

Author:J.N. Chaney & Jonathan P. Brazee [Chaney, J.N.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Variant Publications
Published: 2022-06-25T16:00:00+00:00

16

Rev was still steaming when he entered the tunnels. Concerned about a possible Naxli reaction, they’d quickly left the area with both elements of the patrol taking different and indirect routes back. Rev grabbed Tsao and told her to escort the MDS master sergeant, and he went with Irya and the assault element.

Punch pointed out that their mission was still the master sergeant. Rev pointed out that since he was close to zeroing the Mad Dog, him staying as far away from the man as possible was the best way to accomplish that mission.

Irya was still somewhat confused as to what just happened, and Rev gave her a few terse replies before Punch reminded him that he wasn’t angry at her. Rev took a few deep breaths, then gave her a quick debrief as they headed back.

The mission—their mission, not necessarily the master sergeant’s—was a success, but a painful one. While no one in the assault element was hurt, the base of fire had lost six fighters with three more wounded. One of the wounded might not make it, and Rev made a mental note to bring Gintly along on any future such mission.

The assault element—which was carrying two of the wounded—beat the support element back to the tunnel complex. Rev told Rojas to rejoin the platoon, then went to track down the lieutenant, who he found in the CP. He pulled him aside and briefed him on what had happened.

Kjell listened silently, and Rev could see he was getting stressed. When Rev was through, the lieutenant told him to go back to the wide spot in one of the tunnels where the platoon staged their gear and grab some sleep.

Second Squad was in their sleep cycle, and Rev sat down on an empty ammo crate and stewed. Punch offered a joke, but Rev turned him down cold. His battle buddy must have sensed that Rev wasn’t in a talking mood, so he remained quiet.

Finally, one of the local fighters came through the tunnel and said that he was wanted in the CP.

Here it comes.

Only the under-major, the master sergeant, and the lieutenant stopped him before he reached the CP and pulled him into a small storage area.

Right. Don’t want to show a bad front in front of the Dalit.

“OK, Master Sergeant. With the Gunnery Sergeant here to hear what you have to say, tell me again what happened. Not the movement to contact. Just at the objective.”

Olyn gave Rev a stone-faced stare, then in a calm voice, went over the events during the fight. He didn’t embellish anything, and he didn’t use subjective terms. Rev had to give him that. But he was damning, nonetheless.

When he was finished, the under-major turned to Rev. “Is what Master Sergeant Olyn said correct?”

“Yes . . . sir.”

“Did you understand what your orders were?”

“Yes, sir.”

“And to be clear, you knew that you were not to become engaged with the skeletals unless the master sergeant was in imminent danger?”

“Yes, sir.”

Rev gave the lieutenant a quick, sidelong glance.

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