Chapter 19
LOGAN
"H ave a seat, Goodman," Major Kirk said after returning Logan's salute.
The weight of his entire company chain of command pressed down on him as he slid into the chair. From Sergeant Adams directly to his right, all the way up to Major Kirk at the head of the table, Logan knew this much brass in one room couldn't mean anything good.
"So Goodman," Lieutenant Parker began, his voice sharp as he glanced at the paper before him, "we're here to see how you're settling in. As you're finding out, Charlie Company isn't your average unit."
"I definitely get that, sir," Logan said, eager to show his confidence despite the knot in his stomach. "I've learned more in six weeks than my entire time in basic."
Parker raised an eyebrow. "Your range scores look solid with the M4, but your M14 qualification barely made the cut. What happened?"
Logan shifted in his seat. "I need more practice with the longer ranges, sir. I know the theory, but putting it into practice at eight hundred meters is different."
"You agree, Sergeant Adams?" First Sergeant Austin asked, turning toward the small but fierce NCO at Logan's side.
"He'll get it, Top," Adams replied, a hint of steel in her voice. "Nichols and I already have a plan to whip him into shape. Goodman's not afraid of extra trigger time, are you?"
"No, Sergeant," Logan responded firmly, feeling the challenge in her words.
Major Kirk nodded. "Good. We do quite a few missions in terrain where precision is everything. Lives depend on it." He gestured to Parker. "Continue, Lieutenant."
"Your file is clean, Goodman. Barracks inspection, standard PT." Parker's eyes lit up slightly. "And that ambush response a few weeks back—impressive work."
"The team did the shooting, sir," Logan said, trying to downplay it. "I just remembered a few things at the right time."
"Don't be too humble, Goodman," Parker said. "You can take some credit on that one. Sergeant Nichols, anything to add?"
"Nope, Hollywood's good in my eyes," Nichols replied.
Adams cleared her throat. "With respect, sir, Goodman hasn't met my standard yet.
" She sat straighter. "His scores are adequate, but not exceptional.
You need to push harder on the deadlift, and your sprint-drag-carry time needs work.
When you're dragging my ass out of the fire, I want to be moving faster than molasses. "
Major Kirk glanced at the report. "Ninety-five average, Goodman? That's not bad."
"Not good enough, sir," Adams cut in.
"Your standard, Sergeant Adams?" Top asked wryly, and there were a few chuckles around the room. "Max out everything?"
"Look," Adams said, folding her arms, "if my five-foot-nothing ass can pull those numbers while dealing with monthly cycles, so can everyone else who doesn't bleed regularly. But," she added, softening slightly, "it's only been six weeks."
"Agreed, six weeks is a bit quick to expect perfection," Lieutenant Parker said. He studied Logan's face. "Goodman, do you feel Sergeant Adams is expecting too much from you?"
Logan met Adams' eyes for a fraction of a second before answering. There was something there, not just the challenge of a leader, but something more personal.
"No, sir," Logan replied firmly. "Sergeant Adams has been an excellent leader. And if she's tough, she's tough on everyone in the team. Nobody more than herself."
"You know, Goodman, keep talking like that and I might recommend you for Officer Candidate School," Major Kirk said with a smile.
First Sergeant Austin groaned. "You know I don't like to waste fine enlisted men, sir."
"Someone has already asked, First Sergeant," Logan said. "But I'm happy being an enlisted man. Good life... could use a bigger paycheck though."
The room filled with laughter, and Logan relaxed slightly. Another OCS joke. He was starting to hate that question. But then again, maybe being an officer would get him closer to Sabby... No. Stick to the plan.
"Alright, Goodman, you're officially on your own now," Major Kirk said, a glint in his eye.
"Expect to be putting that training to use soon.
Listen to your NCOs—they know their stuff.
Anyone else want to add something?" Seeing nobody speak up, he nodded.
"Dismissed. Top, let's grab lunch. We need to discuss next month's training schedule. "
As they filed out of the company offices, Logan caught up to Sergeant Adams. "Hey, Sarge? Can I ask you something?"
Adams, who was chatting with Sergeant Nichols, looked over. "Me or Sergeant Nichols, Hollywood?"
"You, Sergeant Adams," Logan said, rubbing at his neck. "Privately?"
Nichols and Adams exchanged a glance, and Sergeant Nichols shrugged. "I need to check on Jake and his fire team anyway. And make sure your psychos aren't burning down the barracks. Don't take too long to get back though."
"This'll be short, Nate," Adams assured him. She pointed toward a picnic table beside the company offices and headed that way.
"Bet I can guess what you're going to ask about," she said as they sat down.
"You know me pretty well at this point," Logan admitted. "Come on, Sarge. I'm busting my ass as hard as you've asked for, and I'm getting better. But you sounded like you weren't happy with my performance in there."
Adams sighed, and pointed across the table. "Have a seat, Logan. And take off the hat."
Logan did, and Adams took off her own hat.
"What's up, Sarge?" When she didn't answer, he queried, "Or am I talking to Sarge here?"
"Logan, you have to have a guess as to the position I'm in," Adams said.
"Look, everyone in the chain of command knows you're dating my sister.
Sergeant Manheim told me he suspected after he heard the story from Sabby.
I didn't say anything then because I didn't know how you two were going to go.
But when Sabby confirmed it, and I could see that this was going to be something more than a one night stand between you two, I went straight to Sergeant Lincoln and the El Tee.
They checked the regs, and the word came back.
There's nothing in them that says you can't date Sabby. "
"I sense a but coming."
Adams hummed. "But it is something that has a magnifying glass over my job as your fire team leader.
We're walking a tightrope on fraternization, and in most units they'd have separated us already.
This unit's a little different. But Logan, I cannot show you any favoritism.
So I'm tougher on you than anyone else."
"Good, I want you to be tougher on me," Logan said.
Adams gave him a surprised look.
"What? Sarge, I respect the hell out of you.
And you've already taught me a lot. Besides, if I fuck around and slack off, they might take that as me fucking up.
Then I'd get transferred off the fire team, and maybe even out of the company.
Fuck that, I'd prefer to stay with the team if possible.
If that means you've got to be tough on me, then bring it on. "
"No complaining to Sabby?" Adams asked. "She's already said she hates not being able to bring you home."
"No complaining to Sabby," Logan assured her. "By the way, you scared the shit out of me that first night. You two have a deep devious streak to yourselves, you know."
"It's an Adams thing," she said, and Logan grinned. "I know Sabby's shown you some of her deviousness. Maybe even told you a little bit about the why."
"She's told me about what she got up to.
But not the specifics on the why. I just gather that you two are an island unto yourselves.
Okay, I'm cool with that. But when the time's right, maybe you can tell me your story," Logan offered.
"I mean, if Sabby and I ever get that far, and therefore you and I get that far.
But in the meantime, be as tough as you can.
The tougher you are, the better I'm going to be. That's a good thing for two reasons."
"And what are those?" Adams asked.
Logan smirked.
"One, when you get promoted to Staff Sergeant, I'm going to be ready for Sergeant or Corporal myself," Logan said. "I wasn't totally joking, I would love to have a fucking pay raise."
Adams laughed. "Not that big of a pay raise, but I feel you. And the other reason you want me to be hard on your ass?"
"Because Major Kirk's right. I know sooner rather than later, I'm going to be tossed into the shit.
Now, my odds of coming out are good, because our fireteam is good.
But the better I am, the better a chance we've got of both of us coming back to Sabby without a scratch on us.
That's sort of important to her... and to me. "
Adams looked like she was about to get emotional for a moment, and cleared her throat before putting her hat on.
"Good. Then one more thing... totally not duty related."
"Shoot, Sarge."
Adams stood up, and smoothed her uniform top down.
"You seem to make my sister happy. Good.
I know you two are... having fun together.
Fine. I'm not her mommy. Not even her muscle mommy, and yes I know you've heard the joke.
But if you hurt Sabby... Logan, I swear to god above, fuck the regs, fuck the stripes.
I will be coming for you, and there will be trouble. "
Logan stood up, and offered Adams a hand. "I hurt Sabby, Jessica, and I promise you'll get first crack at fucking me up over it."
Adams thought about it for a moment, and shook his hand. "Then let's get back to work. And that better be the last time I hear my name out of your mouth until you pin on your next promotion."
Logan grinned, nodding. "Deal."
* * *