Read Online Lieutenant (The United Federation Marine Corps Book 3) by Jonathan P. Brazee - Free Book Online

asked.  “What unit are you in?”
    “That’s the thing.  Right now, I’m tentatively assigned to Kilo, 3/6.  That is if the Second Platoon commander accepts me as his platoon sergeant.”
    It took a moment for that to register. 
    “You mean me?” Ryck asked. 
    “That’s right, sir, you.”
    Sir?  Joshua’s calling me sir now? Ryck wondered.
    “Uh, I mean, how did this happen?  It can’t be a coincidence,” Ryck said.
    “No, no coincidence.  I really did get orders to Second Mar Div, which wasn’t surprising given that the Corps is bringing the division back to T/O.  But I banked a lot of favors with that task force, so when I found out I was coming here, I sort of called in some of those favors and got assigned to Kilo, and then to Second Platoon.  If you’ll have me, I mean,” Joshua said, his voice flat, but with a hint of uncertainty to it.
    Ryck looked at his friend, his brother-in-law for a moment before asking, “Why do you want to serve with me?” he asked.
    Joshua shrugged before saying, “Shit seems to follow you.  If I want to see some fighting, being with you seems like the best course of action.  I talked to Hannah today before coming over to report in, and she told me I need to watch out for you, too.”
    Ryck stared at Joshua.  He didn’t think he could do it.  Ryck was a lieutenant and Joshua a staff sergeant, but they were friends, they were family.  How would that affect their working relationship?  This just wasn’t going to work.
    “Joshua, do you think this is a good idea?  I mean, we go way back together.  How are you going to feel when I have to give you an order?  How am I going to feel?  I think I can swing you another platoon sergeant billet with Fifth Marines, and no one will wonder why you changed units.  Don’t you think that’d be better?” Ryck asked him.
    Joshua’s eyes clouded as he stood up and assumed the position of attention, eyes focused straight ahead and over Ryck.
    “If the lieutenant doesn’t believe I can do the job, he just has to say so.  He doesn’t have to do me any favors with other units.  I will go where the Marine Corps tells me to go.”
    “That’s not what I meant, Joshua, and you know it.  It’s just, well, don’t you think it would be weird?” Ryck asked as he stood up.
    “A Marine can either perform his mission or not.  Nothing weird about it, sir.  I know I don’t have combat experience, and I know your platoon has to get trained up.  So if you need a combat vet to assist you, if you believe I cannot do the job, then I request permission to be dismissed, sir,” Joshua said, voice steady.
    Ryck stood there, looking at Joshua, who refused to meet Ryck’s eyes.  He knew Joshua was a capable Marine, combat or not.  Just to be one of the few DI’s on the recruit training task force was proof enough of that.  Ryck also knew that Joshua’s lack of combat experience gnawed at him.  Joshua needed to prove himself in combat.  If Ryck refused him, that would only verify the inadequacy that Joshua unfairly placed on himself.  As a friend, as a brother, Ryck didn’t want to do that.
    This is really a bad idea , he thought.  I need to say no.
    Instead, he said, “Well, who am I to question orders?  We’ve got a junk-on-the-bunk in four hours, but the supply chief won’t release the Class B gear.  I trust that you can take care of that?”
    Joshua finally looked down and caught Ryck’s eyes.
    “You mean, I’m in?” he asked, relief evident in his voice.
    “You’ve got it, staff sergeant.  And times a-wasting.  I need you down at the supply shed now.  There’s a young sergeant, Sergeant Timothy, there who’s going to be very happy to see you.”
    “Aye-aye, sir!” Joshua shouted as he started to turn to leave the office.
    “Joshua,” Ryck said, stopping his new platoon sergeant in his tracks.
    Ryck held out his hand, which Joshua took.
    “Welcome aboard, devil dog.  It’s good to have you