In Every Clime and Place by Patrick LeClerc

Author:Patrick LeClerc [LeClerc, Patrick]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Action Thriller, Science Fiction, Action Adventure, Military, Marines in Space, War, Thriller
ISBN: 9781909256323
Publisher: Firedance Books
Published: 2014-06-08T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

9 DEC 2075

USS TRIPOLI

“So, what’s this all about,” Sabatini asked as we made our way to the chow hall for the post-op.

“After a deployment, the officers and NCOs have a meeting and discuss it,” I replied. “That way we can all get an idea of what went right, what went wrong and how to train for next time. We go over who should be written up for awards or reassigned, that kind of stuff.”

“But I wasn’t a team leader this time out.”

“You are now. This’ll be a good time to get used to the process.”

Lt Mitchell was already at the chow hall when we arrived. He looked a little pale and his arm was bandaged and supported by a sling, but he was not going to let a mere wound make him miss a debriefing.

“Morning, sir,” we said in unison as we entered.

“Morning Corporal Collins, Corporal Sabatini,” he replied. “Congratulations, Sabatini.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“You earned it. Thank me by doing a good job.”

Typical Lt Mitchell response. I wondered if his mom watched too many old John Wayne movies when she was pregnant.

“How’s the arm, sir?” I asked.

“A damn nuisance.” His expression was one of annoyance rather than suffering. He shrugged self-consciously. “Stupid mistake. I broke cover too soon.”

“Any word on the rest of the wounded?”

“Rodriguez will be fine in a few days. The round just plowed a groove in the meat of his arm. Williams is going to need muscle tissue implanted into his thigh. At least the bone didn’t get hit. Sergeant McCray’s in rough shape. The round shattered his shoulderblade. Blew out a chunk of his lung, shredded the muscle around the shoulder and played hell with the nerves. The docs don’t have any idea how much function he may lose.”

“Shit. He’s a good sergeant.” I didn’t like the idea of Sgt McCray being shifted to a desk job. That would be like taking a Rottweiler off guard duty and making him an old lady’s lapdog. He might wind up retired with disability pay, but that only goes so far. That’s a rotten end for a good Marine.

“I’ll do everything I can to keep him in the platoon,” said the lieutenant, apparently reading my thoughts.

Soon the rest of the platoon’s leaders filed in. They all had a handshake for Sabatini. Any uneasiness she may have felt at a new situation was softened by the camaraderie of the unit. Rank was seldom mentioned at these meetings, and every Marine present was expected to state opinions honestly. If you were here, you were at least a fire team leader, with the lives of three Marines depending on your skills and training. As we had so recently seen, lieutenants and sergeants get shot. A corporal could wind up leading the platoon. It had happened before. If you wanted to lead Marines in battle, you had to have the courage to speak your mind.

We reviewed the footage from the rifle cameras. Everything went smoothly, with little to criticize until we reached the point where our squad entered the cargo bay.

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