Page 3 of Love and Loyalty

"Lieutenant Lewis, assess our situation," she barked, her voice firm and commanding. "Sergeant Thompson, check for injuries. We need to move now!"

As they quickly assessed their situation, Isabel knew they had to keep moving. They were sitting ducks, exposed and vulnerable in the open desert. She spotted a cluster of rocks in the distance far away from where she could see the enemy.

"Let's move!" She led her team toward the rocks, their only refuge in the vast, hostile expanse.

As Isabel and her team fled toward the rocks, there was an eerie silence. Suddenly, the air was split by the thunderous roar of a military aircraft, its arrival as unexpected as it was welcome.

The team turned, shielding their eyes from the sun, as a sleek fighter jet screamed across the sky, its cannons blazing. The terrorists, caught off guard, were quickly decimated, their positions targeted with precision.

Isabel's instincts flared, her anger and frustration boiling over. She had been forced to flee, to abandon her vehicle and her mission. But now, with the arrival of air support, the tables had turned.

"Take cover!" she yelled as the aircraft made another pass, its guns tearing into the enemy’s positions.

But she didn't take cover. Instead, she stood tall, her eyes blazing with fierce determination. She turned to her team, her voice ringing out across the desert.

"We're not running anymore. We're taking back control. Let's move!"

With a ferocious cry, Isabel led the charge, her team following close behind. They sprinted toward the enemy’s positions, their weapons at the ready. The aircraft continued to provide cover, its guns laying down a withering field of fire.

As they closed in, Isabel could see the terrorists faltering, their lines breaking. She raised her weapon, her sight fixed on the enemy.

"It's time to finish this," she growled, her finger squeezing the trigger.

With a battle cry, Isabel led the charge, her team following close behind. They swept across the desert terrain, their weapons blazing as they targeted the enemy combatants. The aircraft continued to provide cover, its guns laying down a withering field of fire that pinned down the enemy.

As they fought, exhilaration washed over her. She was in her element, leading her team into battle and taking control of the situation. She darted between rocks, her weapon firing in short, precise bursts.

The enemy soldiers were quickly overwhelmed, their positions breached, their fighters either killed or captured. Isabel stood tall, her chest heaving with exertion as she surveyed the aftermath of the battle.

She was a doctor first- this wasn’t her usual role, although obviously she was trained for it, but in the absence of anyone better placed, she had taken it on and she smiled to herself. She had suceeded.

"Secure the area!"

Her team complied, and as they rounded up the surviving terrorists, Isabel's thoughts turned to the mission. They had been ambushed and their vehicle was destroyed, but they had fought back and taken control. She felt a sense of pride and satisfaction knowing that her team had performed flawlessly under pressure.

But as she looked around at the carnage, she knew that this was far from over. There would be more battles to fight and more missions to complete, and she was ready.

"Let's get the wounded evacuated. We've got a job to finish."

With that, Isabel led her team to the plane to go back to the base ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

As the plane touched down, Isabel's heart swelled with gratitude. They had made it out alive, thanks to the timely intervention of the aircraft. But as the door to the cockpit opened and a figure emerged, her emotions took a drastic turn.

Major Drew Mitchell, the same officer she had lashed out at just hours before, stood before her, a look of concern etched on her face. Isabel felt a wave of shame wash over her, her cheeks burning with embarrassment.

"Major...I..."

Major Mitchell's expression softened, her eyes crinkling at the corners. " Lieutenant Colonel Oakley, I'm just glad I was in the area. We got the distress call and, well, you know the rest."

Isabel nodded, still trying to process her emotions. She had been so quick to judge the major, to assume the worst. And now, here she was, the one who had saved her and her team and there was kindness in her eyes.

"I...I don't know what to say, Major," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Major Mitchell smiled, her eyes glinting with amusement. "No need to say anything, Lieutenant Colonel. Just glad we're allsafe. Although," she added, her voice teasing, "I think we need to work on your communication skills. Lashing out at me like that? Not exactly the best way to get what you want."

Her hungry gaze looked at Izzy once again.

And then just like before, she walked away.