Moon Dust | Generation Kill

Chapter 16: The Good and the Bad

Coming over the crest of a nearby sandhill, Katie basked in the rays of the morning sun—the heat bearable that early in the day and the wind gentle enough to provide a light breeze without blowing sand into everyone's corneas. 

Having gotten a few hours of sleep, Katie had decided to start her day by taking Whiskey for a short walk around the area that she had already cleared for explosives. She knew that there was another long day of driving ahead so she wanted to make sure that Whiskey was given some time to walk around a bit before he was smushed between her legs for hours on end.

As she got closer to the middle of camp, where the men were bustling about, trying to make last-minute repairs to their humvees, Katie listened to the various conversations around her and smirked. Sometimes, the things the men said were just downright unusual and entertaining.

"Shaw!" Brad called to Katie as she approached the humvee. "Have you eaten? Have you hydrated?"

Katie was blindsided by the sudden interest in her well-being. "No, Mom, I haven't yet," she responded as she opened the back door and let Whiskey jump into the backseat. "I just got here. Give me a second, will you?"

"We have a long day ahead of us."

"I'm aware," Katie assured him as she grabbed for a ration and a bottle of water out of her bag. "Look, I'm eating and drinking. You can cool your jets now." 

"Good."

As Ray reached for a pair of bolt cutters so he could make some sort of adjustment to the vehicle, Griego marched over, his expression not indicative if his visit was for a good reason or a bad one. "Outstanding job yesterday, gentlemen ... and lady." he made sure to include Katie in his statement.

Unwrapping her ration and taking a bite of whatever the hell was in the wrapper, Katie waved the technicality off. "I'm okay with being included in 'gentlemen'."

Griego nodded. "Can I help you with something, Gunny?" Brad stepped forward.

"Sergeant, yesterday we had a trial by fire." Griego rested his hand on the hood of the humvee. "I want you to know, Brad, that I'm here for you and your men. Are there any combat stress reactions anyone needs to talk about? Remember, I'm the certified combat stress instructor."

Before Brad could respond, Walt groaned out of frustration. "Fuck, fuck!" He pulled the lever on the turret over and over again. "It did it again."

"No, we're good, Gunny," Brad answered. "But we would be a lot better if you were getting us the gun lube and batteries we need. That might do it for my combat stress."

"Yeah, mine too," Katie pitched in, her mouth full of food. "Also, how's that order of dog food coming? I told you I'd be needing more soon." Shaking his head, Griego walked off without another word. Once he was out of earshot, Katie chuckled. "I've got so much combat stress it's coming out of my ass."

"That's a pretty picture." Ray's voice was mumbled as his head was shoved under the vehicle.

"Like you wouldn't pay a pretty penny to see my ass." Katie handed him her bottle of water so he could take a sip. 

Ignoring the comments, Brad climbed up onto the top of the humvee with Walt in order to get a better look at the main gun. "That's where it's hanging up," Walt explained and pointed out the problem to Brad. "I get off maybe ten rounds before it jams."

"This shit is totally ineffective in these conditions. We need LSA." Brad huffed before turning his attention to Nate, who was just walking up. "Lieutenant. Sir, the main weapon on your point vehicle is unreliable. Given the prevailing climatic conditions, using this lubricant is like trying to buttfuck a virgin underaged phutak whore with chalk when KY is clearly called for, sir."