Ice and Peace by Clare Dargin Read Free Book Online Page A

It threatened to ruin their clear day. No matter because the worse the storm, the better the training would be.
    As her team continued their maneuvers on the dry plain in front of her, she watched them fumble through their newly learned skills. Today’s lesson was safety during an engagement. For the purposes of the exercise, she’d chosen Petty Officer Nico Jesswan to be the leader. He was smart, capable, and had the potential to handle the job. The only problem was, he was not where he was supposed to be. Therefore, neither was the rest of the team. She shook her head in disgust.
    “Nico, get your ass up there,” she mumbled, lowering her binocs.
    She knew from personal experience this maneuver called a Ready Team Fire Assist, or RFTA, was a lifesaver. And now it was their turn to learn it, too.
    Better they learn it here than out there .
    Crouching down on the raised platform inside the viewing room, she picked up her com. It was time for them to wise up.
    “Lawn Mower, this is the Homeowner, over,” she called to the sniper and spotter who took on the role as the hostiles for the day.
    They were the base’s top sniper and spotter trainers. It was their job to keep the team’s head down, starting now.
    “Lawn Mower,” the sniper’s voice responded in a gravelly tone.
    Caitlin paused and licked her lips. “Cut the grass. I repeat, cut the grass.”
    “That’s an affirm.”
    She folded her arms and hardened her expression. She did not want the assistant to see her remorse, but this was the only way to train them to keep their heads and asses down. Looking through her binocs once again, she studied the six men and women as they peeked over the low brown terrain. With no cover to speak of, and with the mountains at their twelve o’clock, they were sitting ducks.
    “Turn up the mikes,” she said to her assistant trainer.
    “What the hell was that?” she heard Sykes yell as plasma bolts flew passed where they lay pressed against the earth.
    The feelings of helplessness and fear they were experiencing was nothing compared to what would happen in the field.
    “All right, that’s enough,” she said softly into the com. “Let ’em up.”
    As abruptly as it began, the firing stopped. Still stunned, they lay in the dirt.
    “Turn on their mikes,” she said to the chief.
    It came to life with a burst of static, jarring their attention.
    “Get up. Get off the ground. It’s over.” She paused. “And so are you.”
     
    ***
     
    Safely in port, Keegan could finally rest. The metal cot creaked underneath him. He stared up at the ceiling, wanting to sleep but unable to. The responsibilities of the day continued to plague him. He folded his arms and looked at his room. The quarters were cramped and lacked a full bath. He should move but hadn’t had the time to do it. If Caitlin were here, she’d have taken over the responsibility of making a home for both of them. His heart ached for her. But then again, Command wasn’t big on husbands and wives working together. In fact, it was forbidden.
    Closing his eyes, Keegan allowed his thoughts to linger on his wife. He missed her intoxicating scent, soft skin, sweet kisses, laughter—even the way they constantly argued over her work. What he would do just to hold her at this moment. A tiny smile crawled across his lips as he recalled a short nightie she had picked up at a small boutique in D.C. Though she was unsure of the fit, he assured her it was perfect. The smooth silk against her soft, warm skin sent chills up his spine. It wasn’t on long before it ended in a crumpled heap on the floor. He wondered if his last goodbye had been sufficient for her. It hadn’t been for him. Without her, his existence lay in question, as did everything he’d gotten himself into.
    A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts.
    COs never sleep. They only rest their eyes .
    “Yes?” he answered, wanting whoever it was to go away.
    There was an officer on watch to take care of