Page 17 of Duty and Desire
She moved slowly to the window, pushing the curtain aside to watch the first light of dawn creeping across the base. The horizon was tinged with pink and gold, the promise of a new day.But all Ros could think about was Scarlett—how she had felt in her arms, the way she had looked at her with such intensity, such raw emotion. It had been years since Ros had let anyone in like that, years since she had allowed herself to be vulnerable, and now that she had, she wasn’t sure what to do next.
The base was a buzzing hive of activity as the details of the counterinsurgency operation were laid out. General Carson stood at the front of the operations room, pointing at a digital map displayed on the wall. The town was spattered with red dots, marking where intelligence had identified potential insurgent locations. The mission was clear: remove the insurgents’ influence on the townsfolk, disrupt their activities, and prevent any attempts of sabotage.
Scarlett was seated toward the back, her eyes firmly fixed on the map. The water supply and power grid were crucial targets; if the insurgents gained control over them or caused any damage, the consequences could be severe. The last thing they wanted was for the insurgents to gain control over the town’s infrastructure. If that happened, the insurgents could ransom them back in return for civilians joining their force. The base couldn’t risk the insurgents’ numbers growing so drastically, even if they were inflated by unwilling hostages. She had her platoons of engineers and soldiers at the ready, just waiting on the order to ship out.
Ros, too, felt the weight of her decisions. She could feel Scarlett’s presence in the room like a magnet, tugging incessantly at her thoughts. Her focus flickered, and her heart drummed in her chest each time she found herself glancing in the captain’s direction. Each time their eyes met, a jolt ofelectricity surged between them. It was becoming more of a strain to shove down those feelings that had been simmering within her since their last encounter.
Ros cleared her throat and continued, “Captain Bennett, your role is crucial. You’re to secure the main water treatment plant and the electrical substation. If the insurgents manage to sabotage either, it’ll cripple the town’s infrastructure and make it impossible for us to maintain a stable presence. Make sure nothing happens to those facilities.”
Scarlett nodded, her expression serious. “Understood, General. We’ll hold the line.”
Ros quickly moved on to the next part of the briefing, trying to steady her voice to keep it from betraying the turmoil within her. She knew that every soldier in that room depended on her calm, strategic mind. But her thoughts were fragmented, split between the mission and the growing, unbearable pull toward Scarlett.
Scarlett crouched low behind a crumbling stone wall, her heart thudding against her ribs. The town spread out before her in a chaotic maze of narrow alleyways, snow-covered buildings, and broken windows. Somewhere in the distance, she could hear the faint cries of children mixed with the urgent shouts of soldiers moving into position. The air was thick with tension, frost swirling around her boots as she glanced over her shoulder at her team.
Her fingers tightened around the radio clipped to her vest. “All units, maintain your positions. Keep an eye on the northern approach; it’s where they’re most exposed. Watch for any sudden movement,” she ordered, her voice steady despite thechaos unfolding around her. Her eyes scanned the rooftops, the darkened windows, any place where insurgents might be hiding.
The water treatment plant loomed nearby, its massive tanks glinting under the pale sun. She knew how vital it was to keep this facility intact. Without it, the entire town would be at the mercy of the insurgents, and any chance of winning over the locals would be lost. Scarlett wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead and glanced toward the plant’s entrance where two of her engineers were busy fortifying the gate.
Just then, a loud crack split the air—a gunshot. Her breath caught in her throat, and she ducked instinctively, her eyes snapping toward the direction of the sound. Down the street, a figure darted between two buildings, carrying a rifle. A civilian or an insurgent? She couldn’t tell, but she had to assume the worst.
“Contact! East side, moving toward the high street!” Scarlett barked into her radio, motioning for her team to take cover. “Keep your eyes open. No one shoots unless we’re certain of the target.”
She felt a pang of anxiety twist in her gut. The insurgents had been trying to blend in with the locals, making it nearly impossible to distinguish between a potential threat and someone just trying to survive. Her eyes flickered to the water plant again. She had to make sure it stayed secure.
“Stephens, Jackson, cover the entrance. Don’t let anyone through!” she called to two soldiers positioned by the gates. The two men nodded and raised their weapons, eyes scanning the street.
Scarlett moved quickly along the wall, heading for higher ground. She needed a better view of the eastern approach, a chance to spot any potential threats before they got too close. Her heart pounded in her ears, her boots crunching on the ice asshe climbed a set of stairs up to a balcony overlooking the main road.
From this vantage point, she could see more clearly that a small group of insurgents was moving through the narrow alleyways, weaving between parked cars and overflowing trash cans. Her breath hitched. They were heading straight for the substation.
She pressed her radio. “General Carson, we’ve got insurgents moving toward the substation. Five, maybe six men. I’m repositioning my team to intercept.”
Ros's voice came through, sharp and immediate. “Negative, Captain Bennett. Reinforcements are on their way. Hold your position. Don’t engage directly.”
Scarlett gritted her teeth. She could hear the urgency in Ros's voice, the edge of concern. But she could see the insurgents closing in, moving with clear intent. They wouldn’t wait for reinforcements.
“I understand, General, but if they reach the substation, we’ll lose control of the entire grid,” Scarlett argued, her hand tightening around her rifle. “We need to move now.”
She could hear the shouts and see the glint of metal as the insurgents rounded the corner.
“We’re going in,” she muttered, gesturing for her team to follow.
She took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her rifle against her shoulder, the familiar comfort of the grip in her hand. She moved quickly, signaling her team to advance. They darted from cover to cover, pushing through the alleyways, their footsteps muffled against the dirt and debris. Her heart raced and adrenaline coursed through her veins as she approached the substation. The insurgents were closer now, their figures clearer. She could see their rifles and ski masks covering their faces. She raised her weapon.
“On my mark,” she whispered, her team fanning out beside her.
The insurgents were seconds away from the substation. She couldn’t afford to wait any longer.
“Now!” Scarlett shouted.
Her team opened fire, short, controlled bursts that echoed through the narrow streets. The insurgents scrambled for cover, some ducking behind market stalls, others diving into doorways. Scarlett kept moving, her focus razor-sharp, her every move calculated. She was in the zone, and nothing else mattered but the mission. The gunfire intensified, bullets whizzing past her head, striking the walls around her. Her team was holding their ground, covering the approaches, but the insurgents were relentless. Scarlett caught a glimpse of one, closer now, trying to flank them.
She pivoted and fired a shot; the insurgent crumpled to the ground.
Her breath was ragged, her muscles taut. She glanced toward the substation and relief washed over her as she saw her team still holding the entrance. “Keep them back! Don’t let them get any closer!” Another insurgent darted out from behind cover, spraying bullets toward them. Scarlett dropped to a knee, took aim, and fired, her shot finding its mark. The insurgent fell, and the street was suddenly quieter, the immediate threat neutralized. Scarlett exhaled a shaky breath, her eyes scanning the surroundings for any more signs of movement. Her heart was still pounding, the rush of adrenaline leaving her hands trembling slightly. She pressed her radio again.
“General, we’ve secured the substation,” she reported, a mixture of relief and exhaustion in her voice.