I n f i n i t u m

Chapter Nineteen

"Well done everyone," Staff Sergeant Beckett praised, "consider this mission a success."

Jacob and I heaved up a large box of MRE's into the trunk. He stepped back once it was in place and dusted off his uniform with a heavy sigh, "You think we'll get promoted with this week's load?"

I shrugged. The only way a Marine could get promoted to a higher rank is if they displayed outstanding characteristic during missions, so I doubted this would suffice. Everyone in my squad was an E-1. E-4's through E-9's were allowed to be out past curfew, along with other privileges that were restricted for the majority of the population back at the base.

Molly walked up with the other woman in our group, "Maybe this'll earn me some brownie points with the recruiters for the Special Ops. It's so hard to get their attention. I'd kill for a spot!"

Samantha, the woman beside her, nudged her friend, "Girl, if you do get in, don't forget about me. Introduce me to some hotties!"

Jacob and I gave an eye roll while the two ladies clapped hands. The only reason Molly even considered joining the Special Ops was because of the 'eye-candy' in that regiment. I couldn't exactly blame her, but I wondered why anyone would risk their life just for a chance to get closer to some dude. 

"Alright," Staff Sergeant Beckett approached, "let's head out while the sun's still up."

My humvee took up the rear portion of the convoy as we drove back into the dirt street. Idle talk filled the silence, to which I didn't join, but listened as I stared out the window at the barren desert. Just as I was about to fall asleep, the sound of something popping echoed, and the humvee lurched forward before coming to an abrupt stop. Everyone looked around in confusion for a good few minutes, trying to figure out what had happened. Staff Sergeant Beckett exited the vehicle after a short relay to us.

"I think we popped a tire," Jacob mumbled from beside me.

"What if it's the engine?" Samantha asked.

"Whatever it is, let's hope it can be fixed quickly," I said, "The sun's starting to set."

Another few minutes passed before Staff Sergeant Beckett finally climbed in. The crest-fallen look on his face told us everything we needed to know.

"Better get comfortable, cause we ain't leaving for a good while."

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.

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It's been two hours now since the humvee broke down and we were a day away from the base. The leading humvee stayed with us and instead relayed our situation to Aegis. Our ride's two side tires were completely flat and we only had one spare in the back, so we were pretty much stranded out in the open until backup would arrive.

Our convoy passed the time by camping outside while Samantha, Jacob, and a few guys from the other humvee squeezed in to play cards. After staring out the window at the dark desert beyond for what seemed like eternity, I joined in on the fifth game.

"Uno!" Jacob exclaimed.

Everyone slumped down in defeat. We'd been playing for nearly an hour.

"I don't like this game anymore," Samantha grumbled, "I'll be back, need to pee."

The door slammed shut and I faintly heard her receding footsteps outside. I furrowed my brows, just now realizing that the voices outside had suddenly ceased.

"Hey," Jacob noticed that my attention was elsewhere, "What—"

A shrill scream interrupted him mid-sentence and we all jumped up in surprise, flailing around for our weapons. I grabbed my rifle and was the first one out, eyes sweeping my surroundings and searching wildly for the source of the scream.