“Aye, aye, sir,” Hamilton said. “We’ve got the working parties ready to start loading.”
“Not sure what we’re waiting for, then,” Steve said. “Time’s a-wastin’.”
“I’m aware this is completely inappropriate,” Faith said, hugging Staff Sergeant Januscheitis. “And I really don’t give a shit.”
Faith had taken time she really shouldn’t to track Janu down to where he was getting his gear secured in his quarters.
“Good to see you, too, ma’am,” Janu said, hugging her back.
“You know, before this last float, losing you was ‘well, that’s how it goes,’” Faith said, releasing him. “Now, I’m fully prepared to bitch, whine, moan and complain until I get you back. You have no clue. All Marine Staff NCOs turn out to not be the same.”
“Issues, ma’am?” Januscheitis asked.
“Nothing that I’m prepared to discuss officially, Staff Sergeant,” Faith said. “But, yes, issues. Serious issues. Now I really need to go. I’m sure there’s something I’m supposed to sign for.”
“So do I, ma’am,” Januscheitis said. “I need to oversee loading the Seahawk. And Captain Wilkes is flying aboard with the Super Stallion and I’ll need to be there to ensure it’s secured properly.”
“We’ll have time to talk on the float,” Faith said. “But for now, mission face.”
“That is sort of…” Sophia said as the Seahawk was slung aboard from a barge. “It’s sort of odd watching a helicopter get loaded. Flown on, I can see…”
“Yeah, well, this ain’t getting signed by itself, Sophia,” Olga said, holding out the clipboard.
“Work, work, work,” Sophia said, looking at the form. “Wait a second. Why am I signing for a helicopter?”
“You’re the officer of the deck,” Olga said, shrugging. “I’m sure as hell not signing for it.”
“Is it complete?” Sophia asked. “I mean, are all the parts installed?”
“I don’t know!” Olga said. “How the hell would I know? It has to be signed for, though.”
“Looks like I’m just signing for the airframe,” Sophia said dubiously. “And that looks like it’s all there… Hey! Staff Sergeant Januscheitis!”
“Yes, ma’am!” Januscheitis shouted.
“When you sign for a helicopter, are you signing for all the parts or what?”
“Just the airframe, ma’am,” Januscheitis replied. “And it’s got all its parts. It just hasn’t been fully certified, yet.”
“I’m going to regret this,” Sophia said, signing the form. “I know I’m going to regret this. Ah, well, they can take it out of my pay…”
“I don’t sign for ammo until the Navy turns it over to us,” Faith said, holding her hands up. “And that’s on a mission by mission basis. Take it to my sister,” she said, pointing.
“You do sign for weapons,” Walker said, handing her a clipboard. “Spare M4s, two-forties and parts for same. Now you understand why I’m sitting out being an officer at the moment.”
“Work, work, work,” Faiths said, scribbling her name for what seemed the thousandth time.
“You’re supposed to count those, Lieutenant,” Walker said.
“Sir, aware that you are an actual ‘sir,’” Faith said, “and I really should take your advice: One, we’re in a hurry. Two, you’re the one handing it to me. Three, they’d have to actually pay me to take it out of my pay.”
“You have a point, Lieutenant,” Walker said, grinning.
“Mr. Walker,” a seaman said, holding out a clipboard. “Additional medical supplies.”
“Hah!” Faith said. “Your avoidance of responsibility will not avail you now, Flame of Udun!”
“If I didn’t have a perfectly suitable handle, I’d take Balrog,” Walker said, looking at the sheet. “Where are these supposed medical supplies, seaman? Because I am going to count them…”
“How does zero three hundred sound, sir?” Hamilton radioed as the Grace Tan was pulled away from the fueling dock by two harbor tugs.
“It sounds like Captain Wilkes is taking off,” Steve replied. “Any additional questions?”
“No, sir,” Hamilton said. “Although, I’m going to have everyone go back over the inventory of what was just loaded. I’d like you to keep the Pit Stop available to chase us down in case we missed anything critical.”
“Will do,” Steve said. “FYI, some fellow named Councilor Van Der Beek has been screaming at everyone who will listen. Something about you shanghaiing his Marines. I have no clue what he’s talking about. And apparently you negotiated an oil for food program?”
“Sor…, si…,” Hamilton said. “Skgritch! Sgrrrr! You’re break…up… S’…gain…?”
“Have fun in the North Atlantic, Colonel,” Steve said. “I’ll take care of it. Come to think of it, sounds like international relations. I’ll get him in touch with the Hole…”
“Whew,” Hamilton said, wiping his brow theatrically. “Missed a bullet, there.”
“They’ll figure it out,” Captain Victor Gilbert said. The captain of the Grace Tan was watching the tugs balefully. “At least we left them the Alan Garcia.”
“Honestly, the Shivak and the Garcia were what we should have taken to the islands,” Hamilton said. “Not that I haven’t enjoyed your company. Question: have you coordinated with anyone on landing the Stallion?”
“You’re assuming I’ve never worked with a helo before, Colonel,” Gilbert said. “We had to get some new radios installed. I’ll talk to the pilot when he’s in the air.”
“Got some Marine on the air frequency wants to talk to you, Captain,” Kolb said.
“Speaking of which…”
“Yeah. I know to come into the wind. And I’m not going to be going fast ’cause ‘into the wind’ is pointed at the shoals. In fact, I ain’t gonna be moving at all if I can help it. Roger?”
“Roger,” Captain Milo Wilkes said, banking the Super Stallion around to line up with the M/V Grace Tan. “Honestly, just hold it there. The winds are light. I can put it on the pad where you are.”
“Going aback. How’s that? Wind and tide are drifting us a bit.”
“Good,” Wilkes said, lowering. “I’ve got this…”
He followed Staff Sergeant Januscheitis’s hand and arm signals and put the bird down on the platform. He stayed light for a bit, then slowly let off on the collective to test the platform.
“Marine Six has landed at zero three twenty-two hours,” Wilkes radioed, going through shut-down procedures.
“Yeah. We noticed. As soon are your jarheads have it tied down to my satisfaction, we are out of here. Might be a bit since I ain’t easily satisfied.”
“Nice working with a professional,” Wilkes muttered, starting his post-flight checklist. “I can tell this is going to be a great float…”
“You have got to be kidding me…” Faith said.
The swells off Kings Bay, Georgia weren’t bad but there were swells. So the fast-rope hanging from a crane was swaying back and forth. And it was just in reach. She was going to have to step all the way to the edge of the catwalk around the bridge, from which a section of railing had been cut away, and grab it. As it was swaying. And the boat was rocking.