Free Indomitable by W. C. Bauers Page B

time he was spending hand-holding green-as-get-you-killed privates. “I shouldn’t have to teach them the basics, sir,” the noncom had said. “By the time they get to me they should have the fundamentals habitually beat into their hides. And, they should know to keep their fingers off the trigger until they are ready to fire.”
    After a long moment, the colonel grudgingly nodded his head. “Lieutenant, what would you like me to do about it?”
    â€œCould you buy me another week of training, sir? Even two, before we ship out. Victor Company needs more range time, and I’m afraid I need more than a few standard days. If we deploy now, we risk compromising the battalion and the mission.”
    â€œIn a perfect ’verse how many weeks would you like?”
    â€œSix weeks, sir, but I can do it for you in four,” Promise said.
    Halvorsen snorted. “And we leave in less than two. Lieutenant, you’re asking me to delay our deployment by at least two weeks. Sheol is mission-critical. The brass won’t sign off on this. And we’re not just talking about delaying Victor Company but the entire battalion, and BATRON-Six too. That’s six battlecrusiers plus screen elements. What’s my excuse to Commodore Rebondir for delaying her departure?”
    Promise faltered. “Sir—I, I really didn’t think…”
    â€œNo, you didn’t think, did you … and you should have. I’m not blind or unsympathetic to your concerns. However, you’re going to have to live with them and shore up your company’s weaknesses. That’s what company commanders do. Understood?”
    Well, P, you tried. “Yes, sir. I understand … and I will. You can count on me, sir.”
    â€œI’ll comm you by twelve hundred hours tomorrow with new orders. I need to call in a favor, probably more like three.” Halvorsen didn’t sound at all happy about that, and Promise realized she was going to owe the colonel a massive favor. She decided then and there to pay it back if she was ever in a position to. “Under the circumstances, and given your unit’s current situation … and the fact that you’ve just reconstituted after substantial losses, I think the extra time is warranted. Kearsarge ’s captain owes me a favor. I’m sure Captain Shen can find a reason to keep the yard dogs crawling over her hull for a bit longer, for at least a few days more. Maybe longer. Captains tend to get a wide berth in dock, and a lot of deference. And rightly so. Somehow, I’ll buy you your extra drill time, Lieutenant. You deliver me a company of riflemen.”
    â€œAye, aye, sir.”
    â€œIn the meantime, I have an idea.” Halvorsen stood and nodded toward the exit. “Lights. I need to hit the head before the rest of my company commanders arrive. Walk with me.”
    The holotank died as the overhead lights kicked in, bathing the stadium in near-blinding light. Promise stood and nearly jumped out of her skin. She’d forgotten her mother was still there. Sandra had said little after Promise and the colonel had gotten into it, which wasn’t like her. Sandra looked up at Promise from her seat and winked before she faded out. Promise said a quick thank you, Momma and fell in beside Halvorsen, walking back up the steps and toward the holotank’s exit.
    â€œSometimes you need to light a fire underneath a unit to get it to pull together.” The door opened and Halvorsen paused just inside the exit. “I’m sending you to the Island.”
    â€œSir? With all due respect that’s not exactly what I had in mind.” That’s a no-win situation. I need to teach my Marines to win before they lose. “We’re not ready, sir.”
    â€œI know,” Halvorsen said. “Better to fail in training than on the battlefield. Defeat has a clarifying effect on a unit’s state of