Moon Dust | Generation Kill

Chapter 6: "Quote Me"

With the sounds of explosions going off one after another somewhere in the distance like a damn firework show, Katie crossed one leg over the other and peered down at Whiskey, who was lying beside her contently. 

"Air and Arty are now hitting Safwan Hill. There are two Iraqi divisions on the other side of the breach. From the sound of it, they are not having a good day," Godfather announced to the small gathering of higher-ranking officers and team leaders. "We are going to demonstrate to the Iraqis that we have not come to harm innocent people or threaten their way of life. But if you bump into an Iraqi who wants to fight, you will fucking kick his ass. Battle streamers for this battalion are gonna be earned on your shoulders, on your shoulders. Now, gentlemen, all mustaches grown for the divisional contest are all to be shaved by the time we reach the Euphrates. This Battalion will maintain a grooming standard. That's all, gentlemen."

Standing up and relishing in the feeling of the blood rushing back to her foot that had fallen asleep, Katie whistled for Whiskey to follow. On command, like he had been taught, the German Shepherd rose to his feet and trotted alongside his handler, his ears perked and waiting for any further orders. 

"We're getting ready to invade a country and this is what our leader offers us. Mustaches." Brad huffed as he walked in between Lieutenant Fick and Katie. 

Nate sighed, letting most of the comment run off of him like water off of a duck's back. "I trust you, Brad, to keep your personal feelings to yourself."

Before Brad could say anything in response, Captain Schwetje waved the group over and pointed to his humvee. "Check it out. I taped my windows so I can turn my laptop on without the enemy seeing the light. Cool, huh?"

Katie, Brad, and Nate all shared a look that said 'I see many problems with that idea but I'm not going to say anything because this man is my Captain.' Giving a friendly nod and a forced smile, Katie was the only one to respond. "That is cool. Good thinking, Captain." 

Schwetje smirked to himself before turning back toward his vehicle. Just then, Gunnery Sergeant Ray 'Casey Kasem" Griego popped out of nowhere with a camera in his hands that he had pointed at the three. "How do you feel on the edge of this historical invasion?"

Brad, like always, was unimpressed. "Find those batteries yet for my night vision gear, Gunny?"

Lowering the camera with a defeated look on his face, Griego huffed. "That was a goddamn sucker punch. Supply situation isn't on any of us."

"With all due respect, Gunny, last I checked, your billet was ops chief in charge of procuring supplies necessary for combat readiness," Brad retorted, making Katie glad it was finally someone else besides her on the other end of his constant demands for a change. 

"Yeah, and I inherited that mess from some POG who fucked it all up before I even got near it," Griego defended himself.

Rolling his eyes, Brad simply side-stepped Griego and continued on his way, Katie and Whiskey following behind. Katie had something she needed to ask Brad, but with the mood he seemed to be in currently, she wasn't exactly sure if it was the right time or not.

"You get word on the escort?" Captain McGraw ran over, his question directed to anyone within hearing range. "Are we getting tanks or cobras?"

"Captain?" Nate turned to Schwetje, who was retaping some of the spots on his windows. "What's up with the escort?"

"We got word a couple of hours ago. We're not getting escort tanks or cobras going over the border," Schwetje answered.

Nate looked perplexed and frankly, a little annoyed. "Any reason you waited till now to tell me about this?"