Free Divided We Fall by W.J. Lundy Page B

exhaled loudly, then turned back to the window and peeked out.
“It’s a solid plan, we need to break out of this void and get ourselves
surrounded by friendlies. The COP is liable to cut this area off and clear it
later by sector. Depending on how may infected got in, we could be cut off for
days in here.”
    Shane opened a
dresser drawer and removed a tactical vest with loaded magazine pouches
positioned across the front and sides. He undid the Velcro and slid the vest
over his head.
     “I see you’re
adjusting to civilian life,” Sean said, looking at the overloaded gear.
    Shane shrugged as
he pulled two frag grenades from a sock drawer and added them to his kit.
“Better safe than sorry, right? Chief, I’m ready to go when you are; I’ll carry
Ella.”
    Chief looked at him,
frowning. “Nahh, I don’t think so. You’re looking pretty busted up.”
    “Now wait a min—”
Shane began to protest before suddenly being interrupted by Chelsea.
    “It’s okay, I’ve
got her. If I get tired, I’ll switch off. Can we please just get the hell out
of here?” Chelsea said.
     
    Sean crossed the
room and stopped near Joey, who still had his eye to the window. “How’s it
looking?” he asked.
    “All clear, but the
smoke is getting heavy; if we’re going to move, we should make it quick,” Joey
said.

 
    Chapter
12
     
     
     
    “A hundred and
twenty-six! What did you do, bring the entire city? You know I can’t allow them
all into the mountain,” General Reynolds said, his voice sounding tiny over
the phone.
    Cloud sat at the
front of the aircraft, looking back into the fuselage. The aircraft was filled
with families and soldiers. Scared and weary, faces covered with filth and
dust. Mothers holding children—most likely their first time ever on a
flight—while Afghan men sat in groups, looking at Cloud suspiciously. He
couldn’t blame them; even the US soldiers in their party had their reasons not
to trust him. Coming out of nowhere to retrieve them after going months with no
contact, he would have no excuse if they questioned him on it.
    The line cracked
and buzzed in his ear, ending his trance. “Sir, I didn’t have many options; the
men on the ground refused to leave the civilians behind.”
    “Well, you
should have left them.”
    “Sir?”
    “It’s not worth
arguing about. We no longer need them; find a remote spot. I need you to drop
them and R.T.B.”
    Cloud’s jaw
clenched and his brow tightened in disbelief. “But, sir… what about the mission…
the exchange?”
    “Colonel,
there’s been a breakthrough with Aziz. We’ve already made other arrangements. The
exchange is no longer necessary; now un-ass that excess cargo and return to
base.”
    “But, sir, I have
them all on board now… women and children… our soldiers; I can deliver them,”
Cloud said.
    “Colonel, you
have your orders; clean up your mess and return to base. I will have a new
flight plan sent to the cockpit; we are showing an open airfield on your
current route. If the soldiers want to stay on board, that is approved. If not,
land and leave them with the rest. I’ll brief you on the changes when you get
back.”
    Cloud grew
agitated, his blood beginning to boil; why travel all this way, give hope to,
and now abandon these people? The general had lost his humanity; after this,
there would be no bargaining to recover his family. All the months of Cloud’s
frustration were coming to the top, blurring his judgment; he was tired and
ready to quit. He had done everything he was asked to, but he could not do
this. “You just expect me to leave them? Sir, how am I—?”
    His voice crackling
in the headset, the general shouted, “I don’t care what you have to do.
Dammit, James, I’m trying to make this an easy decision for you. If you can’t
handle it, put me through to the recovery team leader and I’ll have him open
the ramp and run them out!”
    Cloud reached up
and disconnected the call. The airman moved across