Page 2 of Love and Loyalty
Lieutenant Lewis shot the major a warning glance. " Lieutenant Colonel Oakley, please, let's step outside for a moment, ma’am."
As they exited the medical quarters, Isabel's expression remained stern. "Doctor, I need to know what happened to that defibrillator. We can't afford to have it missing."
Lieutenant Lewis nodded, his expression apologetic. "I understand, ma’am. I'll investigate and get back to you ASAP."
Isabel nodded, her eyes still flashing with annoyance at the major's inappropriate joke. "See that you do, doctor. This is no laughing matter."
As she emerged into the bright sunlight, she was surprised to see that the major had followed her with a smug grin spreading across her face. She had dressed now and her rank was very obvious.
"Hey, Lieutenant Colonel, don't worry about the defib." Her voice dripped with nonchalance. "It's not like it's a crucial piece of equipment or anything."
Isabel's eyes flashed with anger, her temper igniting like a spark to gasoline. "Excuse me, Major?" she said, her voice low and even but laced with venom.
Major Mitchell shrugged. "I mean, come on, we’re not going to be dealing with any serious medical emergencies out there. It's just a precaution."
Isabel's anger boiled over. "You think you can dismiss the importance of a defibrillator? I’m a trauma surgeon. I will make the decisions on what medical equipment is necessary.”
The surrounding soldiers stopped what they were doing, their eyes fixed on the scene unfolding before them. Isabel's face was red with rage, and her fists were clenched at her sides.
"Do you have any idea what could happen if we don't have that defib? Do you have any idea how many lives could be lost because of your negligence?"
Major Mitchell took a step back, her grin faltering, but Isabel wasn't finished.
"I don't think you do, Major. I think you're just a reckless, arrogant..." She caught herself, her training and discipline kicking in. She took a deep breath, her voice dropping to a growl. "Wewillfind that defib, Major Mitchell. And wewillhave it ready for this mission. Do I make myself clear?"
The major nodded as her green eyes sparkled. She swiveled on her heel and started walking away, but she stopped and turned to face Isabel. “Absolutely, Lieutenant Colonel. I like your fierce commitment.”
Major Mitchell looked Izzy up and down appraisingly like she might want to devour her.
And then she turned and walked out, leaving a stunned silence in her wake.
Isabel stood tall, her eyes scanning the horizon as she led her medical team out of the special operations unit's base. The desert sun beat down on them, casting a golden glow over the vast expanse of sand and rock.
It was the third day, and their mission was to investigate a recent attack carried out just a few miles from their base where a group of soldiers had been ambushed, leaving several critically injured.
As they navigated the treacherous terrain in their armored vehicle, Isabel's mind raced with worst-case scenarios. She had been posted to this unit only a few days ago, but she had alreadyearned a reputation for her exceptional leadership skills and unwavering dedication to her team.
The medical team—consisting of Lieutenant Lewis, a soft-spoken yet highly skilled doctor and Sergeant Thompson, a gruff but lovable medic—worked in tandem with Lieutenant Colonel Oakley, their movements fluid and practiced.
Upon arriving at the scene, Isabel's team sprang into action, their training kicking in as they assessed the situation. The air was thick with the acrid smell of smoke and sweat, and the ground was littered with the remnants of the ambush: shattered glass, twisted metal, and the eerie silence of a battlefield.
Isabel's eyes locked onto a figure lying motionless on the ground: a young soldier, his face deathly pale, his chest rising and falling with shallow breaths. She rushed to his side, her heart racing with a mix of adrenaline and concern.
"Lieutenant Lewis, we need to stabilize him now!" she barked, her voice rising above the din of the scene.
With precision and speed, the medical team worked to save the soldier's life, their hands moving in tandem as they administered treatment. Isabel watched, her eyes never leaving the soldier's face.
As they finally stabilized the soldier and prepared to transport him back to the base, Isabel's gaze swept the area, her mind still reeling from the attack. She knew that this was only the beginning, that their mission was far from over.
As they left the scene of the attack, a sudden, heart-stopping explosion rocked the air from the right hand side of the vehicle. Flames licked at the windows and doors of their armored vehicle. Their shouts of surprise and alarm filled the air as they scrambled to escape the vehicle.
This was not what she had been expecting when they set out that morning. But then that was what their training was about. Always expect the unexpected.
Isabel's instincts kicked in, her training taking over as she swiftly assessed the situation. "Get out now!" She grabbed the wounded soldier, pulling him to safety.
They stumbled back from the vehicle- the opposite side to where the explosion had been, coughing and covering their faces from the acrid smoke and heat. The vehicle, their only means of transportation, was now a blazing wreck, flames engulfing it with terrifying speed.
Stranded and surrounded by the hostile terrain and the remnants of the ambush, Isabel's mind raced. They had to act fast and find shelter and safety before another attack came. She scanned the horizon for any sign of rescue or refuge.