Read Online Theogony 1: Janissaries by Chris Kennedy - Free Book Online
Authors: Chris Kennedy
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things.”
“Why does a forward air controller need demolitions training?”
inquired Calvin.
“If you need room for an airfield,” replied Night, “he can
make it for you by clearing out anything in the way. The man talking to him is
from India and is from their COBRA group, the Commando Battalion for Resolute
Action, or something like that. That group is a paramilitary unit of their
police force that exists to track down and eliminate communist rebels. They are
extremely well trained and equipped, including using the Carl Gustav weapon
that our Rangers use as their Ranger Anti-tank Weapon System.” He held up the
manual he had been reading.
“The final two members of the platoon are from our other
NATO allies,” he added. “The one on the left is from Germany’s Paratrooper
Battalion 263, which is their most decorated special operations unit. They have
been used as intervention forces all over the globe. The man talking to him in
the emerald green beret is from the Italian combat diver force. Like most of
the folks that are SCUBA qualified, they will be in Master Chief’s space force
and will be primarily responsible for operations in space or under water.”
“What about you?” Calvin asked his XO. “How did you get
here?”
“I’ve been in Delta a long time,” Night replied with a
far-off look in his eyes, “and I think that I’ve pretty much seen and done just
about everything that can be done in the service of our country. I’m here to
make sure that we come home with everyone that we can.”
“Me, too,” Calvin agreed. Looking out again, he saw that
Master Chief O’Leary was getting the platoon formed up. “Let’s go meet the
troops.” The two men walked down the stairs to the hangar floor, where Master Chief
called the platoon to attention and saluted.
The two officers marched up to the platoon’s senior enlisted
man, with the XO to the left of Calvin and a pace behind. Stopping in front of
Master Chief, Calvin and Night both saluted. “Sir, the platoon is formed and
ready for your inspection,” Master Chief O’Leary announced. He did a
double-take on seeing Calvin’s collar insignia. “Congratulations on O-4,” he
added. “When’s the operation?”
Calvin had been promoted to lieutenant commander while he
had been on the east coast the week before. He was close to being due for
promotion, anyway, and the decision had been made to advance him early, both in
recognition for his service during the war and to help give him the additional
authority required to command the two organizations. Master Chief was also
aware of the running joke among junior naval aviators that a lobotomy was
required upon pinning on the golden oak leaves of a lieutenant commander. After
being promoted to lieutenant commander, most officers went from being sane,
well-adjusted junior officers to being ‘hinges,’ where their heads could only
go up and down in agreement, as if on a hinge, any time a higher-ranked officer
told them to do something...regardless of how idiotic the tasking might be.
Ryan was generally not a fan of anyone that held the rank of
lieutenant commander or higher. He didn’t know if that would be the case with
Calvin, who had always been a pretty rational officer, but you never knew what officers
would be like once they pinned on O-4.
Calvin smiled at Ryan, “Thanks,” he said. “Post,” he
ordered, dropping his salute. Ryan dropped his salute, too and went to stand
behind the platoon.
“At ease!” Calvin commanded the platoon, who relaxed from
their positions of attention. “It’s good to see everyone made it here today, as
I know quite a few of you had to come a long way on short notice.” He paused,
taking in the entire platoon. “By a show of hands, how many of you think that
you are here today because the United States is standing up a new special forces
center of excellence?” About half of the Rangers raised their hands, along with
all of the newcomers, except
“Why does a forward air controller need demolitions training?”
inquired Calvin.
“If you need room for an airfield,” replied Night, “he can
make it for you by clearing out anything in the way. The man talking to him is
from India and is from their COBRA group, the Commando Battalion for Resolute
Action, or something like that. That group is a paramilitary unit of their
police force that exists to track down and eliminate communist rebels. They are
extremely well trained and equipped, including using the Carl Gustav weapon
that our Rangers use as their Ranger Anti-tank Weapon System.” He held up the
manual he had been reading.
“The final two members of the platoon are from our other
NATO allies,” he added. “The one on the left is from Germany’s Paratrooper
Battalion 263, which is their most decorated special operations unit. They have
been used as intervention forces all over the globe. The man talking to him in
the emerald green beret is from the Italian combat diver force. Like most of
the folks that are SCUBA qualified, they will be in Master Chief’s space force
and will be primarily responsible for operations in space or under water.”
“What about you?” Calvin asked his XO. “How did you get
here?”
“I’ve been in Delta a long time,” Night replied with a
far-off look in his eyes, “and I think that I’ve pretty much seen and done just
about everything that can be done in the service of our country. I’m here to
make sure that we come home with everyone that we can.”
“Me, too,” Calvin agreed. Looking out again, he saw that
Master Chief O’Leary was getting the platoon formed up. “Let’s go meet the
troops.” The two men walked down the stairs to the hangar floor, where Master Chief
called the platoon to attention and saluted.
The two officers marched up to the platoon’s senior enlisted
man, with the XO to the left of Calvin and a pace behind. Stopping in front of
Master Chief, Calvin and Night both saluted. “Sir, the platoon is formed and
ready for your inspection,” Master Chief O’Leary announced. He did a
double-take on seeing Calvin’s collar insignia. “Congratulations on O-4,” he
added. “When’s the operation?”
Calvin had been promoted to lieutenant commander while he
had been on the east coast the week before. He was close to being due for
promotion, anyway, and the decision had been made to advance him early, both in
recognition for his service during the war and to help give him the additional
authority required to command the two organizations. Master Chief was also
aware of the running joke among junior naval aviators that a lobotomy was
required upon pinning on the golden oak leaves of a lieutenant commander. After
being promoted to lieutenant commander, most officers went from being sane,
well-adjusted junior officers to being ‘hinges,’ where their heads could only
go up and down in agreement, as if on a hinge, any time a higher-ranked officer
told them to do something...regardless of how idiotic the tasking might be.
Ryan was generally not a fan of anyone that held the rank of
lieutenant commander or higher. He didn’t know if that would be the case with
Calvin, who had always been a pretty rational officer, but you never knew what officers
would be like once they pinned on O-4.
Calvin smiled at Ryan, “Thanks,” he said. “Post,” he
ordered, dropping his salute. Ryan dropped his salute, too and went to stand
behind the platoon.
“At ease!” Calvin commanded the platoon, who relaxed from
their positions of attention. “It’s good to see everyone made it here today, as
I know quite a few of you had to come a long way on short notice.” He paused,
taking in the entire platoon. “By a show of hands, how many of you think that
you are here today because the United States is standing up a new special forces
center of excellence?” About half of the Rangers raised their hands, along with
all of the newcomers, except
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