Quantum Mirror Series 7

Quantum Mirror Series

Quantum Mirror Series 7

The memorial service for Lance Corporal Jefferson was brief. His coffin was draped with the American flag and sent back through the gate on a flatbed probe vehicle. Ford more than anyone else was eager for it to end. He watched the flag slowly disappear into the gate, and waited for the service to end so he could feel like a failure alone.

The West facing wall on the East temple complex had been re-faced by placing a plaque bearing Jefferson's name on it. It was a memorial wall now. Ford tried not to look at it. He knew there were going to be more names on the wall. He knew, and he wouldn't want to look at those either.

Nine days passed as SG 10 waited for their next mission. MALPs came and went with nothing worth exploring. Colt and Natock became restless, and Ford didn't blame them. Ten stayed busy buy exercising and running live fire drills in a distant ruined city set aside for training.

It wasn't long before General Willis ordered Ford to choose a replacement for Jefferson. Ford looked over forty three personnel files but found replacing the first man he'd ever lost difficult. He wouldn't be able to put it off any longer, though, two hours after the ceremony Ford was called into Willis's office.

"Sergeant," Willis acknowledged Ford as he walked into the general's office nine days later. Another Marine stood at attention when Ford came in. "This is Lance Corporal Washington. He's been assigned to your team."

Ford scowled at the young African American Marine, but said nothing. Ford made no attempts to fill the open spot on his squad. It was too soon, but he wouldn't argue with the general. Ford acknowledged the order. "Sir."

Ford signaled Washington out into the hall. He slowly turned to follow his new squad member.

"I understand the difficulty of this Sergeant, but I need your team at full capacity," Willis said.

"Sir," Ford acknowledged, and left the room.

Ford led Ten, with its new addition, across the gate plaza over to one of the square open air temples for their daily team workout. It was little more than a roof sitting on columns which made it perfect for an off world gymnasium. They walked up the steps into the temple, and Colt stopped.

He was looking across the gym at the squat rack where he saw her. Lieutenant Charlie Miller, the only female SEAL on active duty, and the most muscular woman on the Alpha Base. The rest of Ten turned to see what Colt was looking at. They all stopped and starred at how much weight she was lifting.

"I think she can out squat me," Colt said.

"I think she can out squat all of us," Ford said.

"Is that normal for a Tau'ri woman?" Natock asked.

"Not even a little," Ward said.

"Go talk to her. We could all use a laugh right now," Madison said, as he shoved Colt forward.

Colt stopped and glared at Madison. They all waved him on as Natock and Washington simply watched with bemused interest. Finally, Colt walked across the busy open air gym to where Charlie was squatting. He crept up behind her, and began talking to her when she racked the bar.

"Yeah, so, Hi. I'm Colt. I was just, kind of curious if you'd maybe, like to uh, go out on like a date or something," Colt stuttered out. The rest of Ten stood twenty feet behind him laughing. She turned around and looked at Colt. She took the ear-buds out of her ears. Colt could hear metal music playing quietly.

"Did you say something?" She asked.

"Yeah, uh, I was wondering if...you were using that plate," Colt said as he dropped down and picked up a five pound plate.