Page 5 of Love and Loyalty
Drew's eyes bulged. She was confused and lost for words.
“These training sessions are meant to equip them for the tasks ahead, not turn them into sluggards. I expect better from you next time.”
Turning to the rest of the soldiers, she barked, “You're all dismissed.”
“Yes, ma'am,” they chorused as Lieutenant Colonel Oakley walked away, leaving no room for Drew to utter a word or explain herself.
Drew watched as Lieutenant Colonel Oakley paced aggressively away from her.
Drew hated being so worked up. Her passion and years of experience and dedication to work have always enhanced her confidence in her job. She was a good major, and her training routines were never boring.
The officers usually started with stretches, push-ups, and light cardio before getting to the real deal. Lieutenant Colonel Oakley must have known that and decided to spite her regardless after the defibrillator saga, but Drew quickly dismissed those thoughts. Isabel couldn’t be that petty.
“Unbelievable!” She punched the air in frustration.
She couldn't believe the lieutenant colonel had outright challenged her in front of her subordinates. “She had better be good at her job.”
From the moment Drew had arrived at the FOB Eagle, she had stayed grounded, doing her work diligently, researching unnecessarily, and even helping out in other fields. There had been no slugging, no complaints, and no mischief—up until now.
Drew admired Isabel’s passion, resilience, and dedication to work. It was something she knew they both shared.
Just as she resigned to the fate of the incident, an officer came with an urgent summons from the lieutenant colonel.
The moment Drew stepped into Isabel’s office, she also saw Lieutenant Colonel Patel and Sergeant Lewis. She felt the situation was grave, but which situation wasn’t grave in their line of work?
Lieutenant Colonel Oakley spoke first. “We had an emergency call. Our intel is anonymous but reliable. The point is we're going in for an extraction. Gather the team for a situation report right away.”
“Yes, ma’am!” Drew saluted and activated the alarm.
A few minutes later, the soldiers gathered in their uniforms and stood with rapt attention in front of Lieutenant Colonel Oakley.
“We have an emergency. In a village not too far from here, humanitarian workers and villagers have been held down by insurgents.”
She paused to scan the grim faces of the men and women.
“The plan is simple: We move in and out undetected. I want the medical team to be on standby to treat and rescue people who are ready to leave. Am I clear?”
“Yes, ma'am.”
Drew was switched on to the task ahead of her, but also entranced by the woman in front of her and her sharp brown eyes.
“Major Mitchell, I trust you to use the best pilots we have. Mitchell, you will fly with me. The rest of you, load as many supplies as you can into the planes. We're leaving at 1100h.” She checked her wristwatch.
“You're all dismissed. Let's get to work!”
Drew organised her pilots and aircraft for an imminent departure. She was in the cockpit ready. Her radio crackled. Lieutenant Colonel Oakley, “Let's move this thing,” she commanded.
Drew had been waiting for this moment. She loved flying, and it was her favorite part of every mission. One of her favorite lines was, “When you're on air, you're always there.”
But this mission was a very dangerous one, and she needed to be extremely careful to not sabotage her team.
Drew easily took the control panel and their take off and flight was smooth.
She was a little pensive as they approached the village. It seemed calm and quiet from afar; no one would think anything was amiss. Everyone's eyes were down, studying the terrace carefully.
The village appeared as a cluster of tiny roofs, a mosaic of golden-brown earth blending seamlessly into the surrounding landscape.
Meandering roads, like tiny ribbons, weaved through the village, lined with tiny trees and bushes. As they drew closer, one could see the boxes taking the form of an actual house.