Fireteam Delta, J. Halpin [online e book reading .txt] 📗

we put it to a vote?” Nowak prompted.

“No,” Summers replied immediately. “I’m not going to be the reason any of you stay behind.”

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In the end, the decision was still unanimous. Between death, or captivity, at least the latter had some sliver of hope. And while Summers was a danger, it wasn’t likely the army didn’t have some sample of the hamr sitting around. At least this way, they knew what was in store for them. They could prepare, and plan for it, together.

By that morning, the colonel made the announcement.

They were going home.

Chapter 43: Those We Left Behind

The base was buzzing with activity by that evening, everyone trying to prepare for what lay ahead.

Summers watched a pair of soldiers in a medical tent, one with what remained of his legs wrapped up to the knee. The other looked to be missing an eye. Even so, they seemed happy, excited even that they might finally see home again.

As they spoke, Summers realized something. He didn’t share that feeling. Despite knowing he was making the right choice—if not for himself, then for the others.

Not that it mattered. He’d already made up his mind.

“You coming, or what?” Nowak’s question stirred Summers from his thoughts.

“Yeah.”

Summers sat up, ignoring the pain. He still had a job to finish.

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The colonel stood in a large tent at the center of the base, an odd expression in her eyes as she stared down at the small pile of dog tags on her desk. Most were of the 63rd; some, their own people.

The mementos had been one of the few things that survived their fight at the bunker, and were all that remained of those who had been lost in this world.

Knowing that the one responsible was just a few hundred feet away was another feeling altogether.

The colonel cleared her throat.

“Thank you. I’ll make sure these get to the right people. Hopefully, once we’re on the other side, we’ll see to a proper ceremony.”

“Do we have an ETA on that, ma’am?” Nowak asked.

“Soon,” she answered. “You made the right choice. I’ll do everything in my power to ensure you’re comfortable while we work things through. You have my word on that.”

Her eyes lingered on the helmet a moment longer, before a loud rumble caught their attention.

The group turned to find the wide doors of a bunker opening. Summers could see several carts laden with what were almost certainly missiles inside.

“Insurance,” the colonel explained. “We want to keep the sergeant honest here, and that Anchor’s all the bastard cares about.”

Summers paused, thinking over his next words. It was something he had been mulling over for a while. Seeing the colonel’s “insurance” only hardened that resolve.

“Ma’am, I had a . . . suggestion for this deal of yours.”

“I understood you were on board with my decision.”

“I am. But I think I’ve proven I can counter his, uh . . . unique methods?”

The colonel glanced him over before speaking again.

“Say what you’re going to say, Corporal.”

“I think I can stop the sergeant if he tries anything. I’ve seen him deflect gunfire and . . . I think it would be smart to have a backup plan short of your missile solution. With respect, ma’am.”

The colonel put a hand to her chin, thinking.

“I’m not opposed to the idea, but you’re aware of the risk?”

Summers gave a tired smile.

“Ma’am, if our only other option is to blow this place to hell, I think I might actually be safer like this.”

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“Any particular reason you wanted to get into more shit, or you just feel like pushing your luck?” Nowak double-checked the rifle at his side.

“Oh, I’m almost sure this is going to go to hell, and I’d rather get ahead of it while we have the chance.”

“You had one foot in the grave earlier, man.”

“I can handle it. Trust me on this, Sarge. Guy tries anything, I’m pretty sure I can give him a concussion just by yanking his brain around.”

Two soldiers led them to the bunker that Summers had seen when they first arrived. Inside, a long ramp led the group deep underground.

As they walked, they were pointedly ignoring the large missile being wheeled along beside them. The soldiers had assured them it wasn’t armed. That didn’t do much to soothe their nerves.

“So, we just leaving everything behind?” Cortez felt at her mostly empty pack. “Feels like a waste.”

“Everything we move just gives that asshole more time to try something,” Nowak answered. “And not like we’re short on bullets on Earth. Or food—or missiles, for that matter.”

“Well, definitely not missiles,” Cortez agreed.

Nowak looked back to the group.

“If anyone else is having second thoughts, now’s the time . . .”

None of them said a word.

Summers caught sight of Pat staring at the missile. He and the others were all looking more than a little shell-shocked after yesterday’s revelation.

“Pat, you doing okay?”

Pat turned to Summers, seemingly surprised at the attention.

“No, my friend, I’m not. I don’t know what I should do.” He hesitated. “You’ve shown me things I would have seldom imagined. And I’m thankful.”

“Look, I’ve told you before, you don’t owe me anything. If—”

“We follow you because we want to,” Pat interrupted. “I’m not a fool, Commander. I would not pledge my life to an idiot.”

Summers considered that. Compared to the others, Pat was the only one with solid ties in this world. Even Synel had spent most of her life on the road.

“Look, man, I don’t know what to tell you,” Summers admitted. “All I know is that if we stay here, we’re not going to be able to accomplish much.”

Pat looked back at Summers.

“I trust you.”

“So do we,” Bard added,