Free SEAL of Approval by Jack Silkstone

was OK, wasn’t it?”
    Dumbstruck, she nodded. “Are all SEALs so thoughtful?”
    He grinned. “No ma’am, we just like to be prepared. Time spent on recon is seldom wasted.”
    “Well, I think it is exceptionally sweet.”
    Their gazes met and held as Mike moved closer and placed a hand on the side of her hip.
    She closed her eyes in anticipation.
    With an excited bark, Axe nudged them both with a wet nose.
    Mike let his hand drop. “I think he can smell the chicken.”
    She managed a weak smile. “We can’t have him going hungry.”
     
    ***
     
    Mike sat in the web seats of a C-130 transport and adjusted his parachute leg straps. It was Monday morning and the squad was conducting free-fall insertion training. Decked out in camouflage uniforms they wore bulky parachutes, heavy packs and their weapons were strapped to the sides of their bodies.
    The roar of the aircraft’s engines almost drowned out Rick’s voice. “ How was the weekend, brother?”
    Mike shot him thumbs-up. “Good, real good.”
    “Did you bang the vet?”
    “Rick, she saved the life of a team-mate. Show a bit of respect.” He returned his attention to checking his equipment.
    “You totally did, didn’t you?”
    “Rick, have you ever heard the expression ‘a gentleman never tells’?”
    “Bro, you’re a SEAL. So that’s clearly not you. Cough up the details. Was she a rocket?”
    Mike shook his head. “You’re a child, Rick. Ali’s more of a woman than you could comprehend.”
    “He’s got a point there,” added Ernie from where he was conducting his own checks. “You’ve got simpler tastes, Rick.”
    “Whatever, we all know Mike’s hitting it.”
    “How about you clowns keep your minds on the job,” bellowed TJ from where he stood next to the controls for the aircraft’s ramp. He lifted two gloved fingers. “Two minutes out.”
    “You totally had a dirty weekend with her, didn’t you?” Rick continued.
    Mike fastened his oxygen mask and pulled his goggles over his eyes. The others did the same and they joined TJ at the ramp.
    “Stand by,” he transmitted over their internal frequency. “Oxygen on.”
    They turned their tanks on. A moment later, the ramp lowered with a whine. Icy cold air ripped into the cargo hold.
    “Thirty seconds,” said TJ.
    “I bet Mike didn’t last that long,” transmitted Rick.
    “Pie hole, Rick.” TJ held up his hand.
    They readied themselves. “Go, go, go!”
    Mike leapt off the ramp into the thin air, alongside the Chief. Rick and Ernie were close behind.
    As they tracked across the clear sky Mike stabilized himself. At close to thirty thousand feet, San Diego bay was a sparkling jewel. The bright, blue water stood out against the golden beaches and slate-grey cityscape.
    “Hey, Mike,” Rick transmitted.
    He turned his head and was faced with the sight of Ernie in an all-fours position with Rick behind him, one hand behind his head and the other on Ernie’s hip.
    “Is this how you did it, bud? Doggy style with the vet.”
    Mike couldn’t believe what he was seeing as the two veteran SEALs pretended to fornicate while free-falling at an altitude close to twenty-thousand feet.
    “Seriously, show a bit of respect guys.”
    “What the hell are you clowns doing?” transmitted TJ. “Tighten up the formation.”
    Mike shook his head as the pair abandoned their pantomime and joined him and TJ in a diamond shape.
    “Mike,” transmitted TJ.
    “Yeah?”
    “Things getting serious with this girl?”
    He didn’t respond as they plummeted through the atmosphere at 120 miles per hour.
    “You know what’s got to happen if it is, brother. Approaching two thousand.”
    Mike checked his altimeter. As the needle hit two thousand feet he pulled his chute. The canopy expanded overhead, the harness wrenching at his shoulders. Then, as he leveled out, he checked that the rest of the squad was safely under silk.
    “OK, form up on me,” ordered TJ.
    He steered his chute in behind the