Read Online A Shepherd's Calling (What Comes After Book 2) by Peter Carrier - Free Book Online
Authors: Peter Carrier
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had just caught their respective breath when Dettweiler and the rest of their companions, who comprised Blue team, could be heard circling around from the far side of the large stone.
“ Nice of you to join us, Dett,” the Major greeted the Staff Sergeant, calling down from the top of the large rock.
Dettweiler smiled, recovering his own wind as he replied. “Apologies for the hold-up, sir. Had to take the long way.” He took a breath and gestured to the dark skinned Corporal beside him. “Looks like Preston was on the money with that proximity theory. Had a hell of a time losing the ghouls once we'd popped the canisters.”
The Major looked at Preston. “Is that so?”
The Corporal nodded. “Yes, sir. Made sure enough of them saw us at the outset, before we started running. Stink bombs went off and it was all we could to stay ahead of 'em.” He huffed before continuing. “After that, we just made sure they didn't lose sight of us for more than a few seconds at a time. 'Till we got to the clearing. Then we broke off and took a roundabout way back here.”
Vargas was pleased. “Nice work, Preston.”
“ Thank you, sir.”
Dettweiler seemed to have regulated his breathing. “Things went much smoother this time, Major. At least we learned from the other attempts. Better late than never, right?”
The officer acknowledged this statement with a grunt while scanning the trees for signs of activity. On the outskirts of Portsmouth, we were too far from the school. We simply outran the group at the cell tower too quickly. There's risk in everything, so I shouldn't expect this to be any different. It means we'll have to be very selective about where we choose to do this, and to whom.
Breaking from his thoughts, Vargas spoke to both teams. “The transmitter is broadcasting, so we should be able to check the live feed when we get back to the vehicles. That would be just before noon, if we start now.”
With that, the Major dropped from his perch atop the boulder. “We still think he'll be headed to the fire station near South Sanford?” The officer directed this query at his second in command.
Dettweiler nodded. He indicated that Preston should take point, while Davis and Eby would bring up the rear. That left Nadeau and Doughty on their flanks. The marines had begun to move even as they fell into the formation. After the military men had traveled for a few minutes, the large Staff Sergeant spoke in his soft, deep voice.
“ It's highly probable he's encountered the woman who left the survivor community outside Sanford. Even if they're not traveling together, they most likely crossed paths. Given what we know about him, odds are she would have offered that location as a safe place to stay. His trajectory had him headed in that direction, so it's a pretty safe bet.” He paused to step over a tangle of roots.
“ Highly probable?” “Most likely?” “Odds are?” Vargas arched an eyebrow at his second in command. “Couple that uncertain language with your tardiness just now and the fact that it took someone to actually shake you awake this morning, and it all adds up to no good. Can only mean one thing.” The Major shook his head.
Dettweiler blinked, his face a blanket of neutrality for the reproach he no doubt thought was coming. “What's that, sir?”
“ Someone's gunning for brass on his collar. Keep it up and you just might get it, Dett.” The officer grinned.
“ Are you threatening to promote me, Major?” The Sergeant asked.
Vargas ducked under a low-hanging branch. “I'm saying there are consequences for every action.”
Dett kept his tone level, but faked a brief shudder by shaking his shoulders. He could not keep the smile out of his voice when he said, “God forbid, sir.”
The two marines walked in silence for a bit before resuming their conversation. When they did, it was the Major who spoke. “I agree with your assessment. The odds of us catching him at random in the field are
“ Nice of you to join us, Dett,” the Major greeted the Staff Sergeant, calling down from the top of the large rock.
Dettweiler smiled, recovering his own wind as he replied. “Apologies for the hold-up, sir. Had to take the long way.” He took a breath and gestured to the dark skinned Corporal beside him. “Looks like Preston was on the money with that proximity theory. Had a hell of a time losing the ghouls once we'd popped the canisters.”
The Major looked at Preston. “Is that so?”
The Corporal nodded. “Yes, sir. Made sure enough of them saw us at the outset, before we started running. Stink bombs went off and it was all we could to stay ahead of 'em.” He huffed before continuing. “After that, we just made sure they didn't lose sight of us for more than a few seconds at a time. 'Till we got to the clearing. Then we broke off and took a roundabout way back here.”
Vargas was pleased. “Nice work, Preston.”
“ Thank you, sir.”
Dettweiler seemed to have regulated his breathing. “Things went much smoother this time, Major. At least we learned from the other attempts. Better late than never, right?”
The officer acknowledged this statement with a grunt while scanning the trees for signs of activity. On the outskirts of Portsmouth, we were too far from the school. We simply outran the group at the cell tower too quickly. There's risk in everything, so I shouldn't expect this to be any different. It means we'll have to be very selective about where we choose to do this, and to whom.
Breaking from his thoughts, Vargas spoke to both teams. “The transmitter is broadcasting, so we should be able to check the live feed when we get back to the vehicles. That would be just before noon, if we start now.”
With that, the Major dropped from his perch atop the boulder. “We still think he'll be headed to the fire station near South Sanford?” The officer directed this query at his second in command.
Dettweiler nodded. He indicated that Preston should take point, while Davis and Eby would bring up the rear. That left Nadeau and Doughty on their flanks. The marines had begun to move even as they fell into the formation. After the military men had traveled for a few minutes, the large Staff Sergeant spoke in his soft, deep voice.
“ It's highly probable he's encountered the woman who left the survivor community outside Sanford. Even if they're not traveling together, they most likely crossed paths. Given what we know about him, odds are she would have offered that location as a safe place to stay. His trajectory had him headed in that direction, so it's a pretty safe bet.” He paused to step over a tangle of roots.
“ Highly probable?” “Most likely?” “Odds are?” Vargas arched an eyebrow at his second in command. “Couple that uncertain language with your tardiness just now and the fact that it took someone to actually shake you awake this morning, and it all adds up to no good. Can only mean one thing.” The Major shook his head.
Dettweiler blinked, his face a blanket of neutrality for the reproach he no doubt thought was coming. “What's that, sir?”
“ Someone's gunning for brass on his collar. Keep it up and you just might get it, Dett.” The officer grinned.
“ Are you threatening to promote me, Major?” The Sergeant asked.
Vargas ducked under a low-hanging branch. “I'm saying there are consequences for every action.”
Dett kept his tone level, but faked a brief shudder by shaking his shoulders. He could not keep the smile out of his voice when he said, “God forbid, sir.”
The two marines walked in silence for a bit before resuming their conversation. When they did, it was the Major who spoke. “I agree with your assessment. The odds of us catching him at random in the field are
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