by K. H. Graham
“Yeah, you’re right there. I hope they do. This is some scary shit we’re about to get into, buddy.”
“I know, but we’ll have each other’s backs. I’m gone. See you in fifteen.”
Herb hung up, turned off the television, and switched off the lights on his way out. He arrived at the armory thirteen minutes later.
Randy was right about Sergeant Shannon. Herb saw that he was pissed off and ready to berate the late arrivals. “I’m surprised at you, Bennett. You’re a Corporal, not some jug headed Private. You are supposed to set an example for the lower ranks. You know damned well that rank comes with responsibility and a higher standard of expectations.”
“I’m sorry, Sergeant. I was gathering intelligence about what is happening in the city,” Herb tried to explain.
“You mean you’ve been watching the news?”
“Yes. Did you see what happened to the Special Forces guys?” Herb asked.
Sergeant Shannon glanced around to see if anyone else was standing close enough to overhear them. He nodded his head and said, “I saw it, and it’s a damned shame. I knew a couple of those men.” He looked around again before adding, “Let’s keep quiet about that unless some of the others bring it up. I don’t want our unit going into this with an unreasonable amount of fear.”
“After what I’ve been seeing on the news this afternoon, I’d say a good dose of fear might be the best thing for the guys, Sergeant. It will make them more cautious.”
“It’s most likely going to come up anyway,” Shannon said with a shrug. “You can’t keep guys from talking about shit like this.” He paused for a moment, and then said, “Get the unit together and see that they are issued their weapons. Make damned certain no one chambers a round, but I want them to draw their magazines from the armorer and load them. We’ll be assigning armed guards tonight.”
“You’ve got it, Sergeant,” Herb replied.
“This shit is about to get real for us, Corporal. Make sure the men understand the need to properly inspect their weapons and gear, because their lives may depend upon them functioning properly in the very near future.”
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