Jungle Heat

Chapter - 2 The Mission

Chris was already briefing the team when Tam walked in, his heavy web gear slung over one shoulder, swinging with each step. His rifle hung loosely in his left hand.

He scanned the room, checking every detail—gear, boots, clothing—ensuring there were no tells to expose them. His gaze briefly flickered to Ella, standing in her stiff new webbing. When their eyes locked, heat surged up her neck, flushing her cheeks with remnants of unspent anger. Tam, catching the fire in her gaze, looked away.

He nodded at Chris. "Plans have changed. We're going in at 1500 today. No rebel movement has been spotted in our area for the past week, but we know how they operate when the weather grounds air support. So, we go in with our eyes wide open. Chris has command."

He paused, letting his words sink in. "Get something to eat now. Weapons check after. Check your ammo. Gunners, ensure you've got a spare barrel. Bend the pins on your grenades. Fill your canteens and double-check the leads on your claymores. You know what to do. And remember—no soap, no deodorant."

As the team moved to follow his orders, Tam turned to Ella. "Ella, come with me, please."

She stepped forward, standing where he indicated, lips pressed together, waiting for the apology she knew wouldn't come. He didn't meet her gaze or acknowledge the tension between them. Instead, his hands moved methodically over her webbing.

He muttered, "You don't need that... dump this...," as he adjusted her gear with ease. A quick tug here, a strap tightened there. His fingers worked quickly, taping buckles with green electrical tape and tying knots at the ends of loose straps. Ella watched closely, catching the blue glint in his eyes and his clinical sharp focus.

"Jump up and down for me, Ella, please."

She complied, feeling every shift of her gear. He didn't look at her, just fixed what rattled, taping down anything loose.

His gaze flicked to her camera. "Put that down your shirt. You don't take pictures unless I say."

Finally, he stepped back, his voice steady but serious. "If we get separated, don't panic. Find somewhere to hide, use your radio, and sit tight. We'll come for you."

Finally, his gaze met hers, flat and unreadable. "You know how to use that radio?"

Ella's lips tightened, her response sharper than usual. "Yes. Chris showed me last night."

"Do you understand how line-of-sight works? This is UHF only. It's good for about 1 km. Get somewhere high if you need to reach me. You know how to swap the batteries?"

"Yes, I do," she replied, but the heaviness in her chest persisted. Nothing in his tone or eyes reassured her.

"Good." His voice was distant, as if running through a checklist. "Stay with me. Keep your eyes and ears open. Move when I move. If I tell you to do something, do it quickly. No arguing this time, please. Got that, Ella?"

"I'm not stupid, Tam."

"If you were smart, you wouldn't be doing this," he replied, his tone flat. The words landed heavier than she expected, void of any care or hesitation. It was a harsh truth that left her feeling smaller.

This was who Tam was: detached and precise. Ella swallowed hard, knowing nothing would change.

"We need to cover all that nice, shiny skin you're showing," Tam said. "Ella, roll those sleeves down and keep them down."

She complied, the sting of his indifference settling deeper with each command. He tossed her a pair of fingerless gloves. "These are the smallest we could find. Put them on."