Chapter 1: Introduction
“Enter” The command resonated through the stark room, echoing off the bare walls. Liz, standing at the door, ducked her head slightly, fingers twitching at the brim of her patrol cap. She stepped inside, the door clicking softly shut behind her. The room was spartan, a table and two chairs the only furnishings. A single window offered a glimpse of the military base’s bustling courtyard, the hum of activity a stark contrast to the quiet within.
Sergeant Martinez, impeccably dressed in her combat fatigues, sat at the table. Her eyes, sharp and piercing, met Liz’s as she approached.
Liz felt a familiar jolt of anxiety, quickly smothered by the steely resolve she’d honed over years of being a soldier . She came to a halt in front of the table, her boots sounding a dull thud against the concrete floor.
Martinez nodded, a slight curl to her lips. “At ease, Liz.”
Liz relaxed her stance, shoulders squaring naturally under the loose OD green coat-like uniform. “You wanted to see me, Sergeant?”
Martinez leaned back in her chair, her gaze sweeping over Liz from head to toe. “Yes, I did.”
Liz waited, her fingers itching at the strap of her LC-2 Y harness.
Martinez’s eyes lingered on her, making her feel as though she was being sized up, not just as a soldier, but as a person. She shifted slightly, the weight of her M14 battle rifle reassuring against her back.
Martinez finally broke the silence, her tone casual yet probing as she stood up from her desk and made her way towards Liz
. “You’ve been in combat for a while now, Liz. How are you finding it?”
Liz shrugged, her long black hair swaying slightly beneath her patrol cap. “It’s tough, ma'am.”
Martinez nodded, circling Liz as if inspecting a piece of equipment. “Good. That’s what we expect in war.” She paused, " But aside from the usual, I've noticed that your files state that your partner is not one from amongst our ranks, but rather from the regular infantry. Is that correct?" Liz felt a blush creeping up her cheeks, despite her best efforts to remain neutral . "Yes, ma'am," she confirmed, her voice steady.
Martinez stopped circling and faced her directly, planting her hands on her hips. "And why is that, Liz? You know we encourage SOG members to pair up for missions. It's strategic, effective."
Liz looked down, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her coat. "I... I haven't found someone I'm compatible with, ma'am," she admitted softly.
Martinez's eyes narrowed, her expression inscrutable. "Then why is he so special ?"
Liz looked up, meeting Martinez's gaze. There was a pause, a tense silence that seemed to stretch on forever. "He's... different, ma'am," Liz said finally. "He understands me. He covers my back, and I cover his."
Martinez's expression softened slightly. She knew that bond, the one that went beyond training and protocol. "Different how?"
Liz hesitated, searching for the right words. "He's patient. He doesn't mind my... quirks. And he's honest. Brutally so, sometimes."
Martinez chuckled, a low, throaty sound.