Chapter 23
SABBY
"A nd so, I was thinking if you'd let me, I could do something similar for the rest of the battalion?
" Sabby said as she stood in Lieutenant Colonel Remsburg's office, feeling slightly uncomfortable in 'regular' clothes.
Not that the colonel hadn't seen Sabby in her preferred outfits; the man had come by the bowling alley from time to time for events or just to engage in social activities with other officers.
He'd seen her in her rock clothes, her goth clothes, and her goth-rock-pixie clothes.
But Sabby could dress normally, in black slacks and light blue blouse that made her look like a normal young woman, at least until one got a look at her hair.
But he'd allowed her to book this appointment with him on Major Kirk's recommendation and had listened politely to her ideas, even humming positively when he first saw the proposed logo.
The office had that distinct military feel—sparse, practical, with a hint of pine-scented cleaner. The leather of the visitor chair squeaked slightly as she shifted her weight, her hands still tingling with nervous energy as she presented her work.
"It's striking, very striking." Remsburg looked over the logo she'd put together for Cranked Company again. "What about Alpha and Bravo companies?"
"I don't have anything yet sir, but here's what I thought of.
" Sabby looked at her notes, feeling the weight of the moment.
This wasn't just about logos—it was about making her mark, proving herself in this world that meant so much to Logan and Jess.
"It'd be too easy to go with a superhero theme for the Alpha Avengers, but I think they'd like something more. .. original."
"I agree," Remsburg said. "Years ago, when I was a company commander, I was in charge of Alpha actually.
Someone did an unofficial Captain America logo for us, and while I never approved it, it got out.
My god we got razzed about that damn thing when we went on missions.
Trying to explain to higher headquarters that yes, we were a serious unit with that Captain America logo floating around?
I was a strike down even before I walked in the door. "
"I gotcha, sir," Sabby said, noticing how the sunlight from the window caught the dust particles in the air.
"So what I'd say is, what if we go with sort of a military-ish John Wick like figure?
You know, an ass-kicking machine, but they're still a soldier.
If we wanted to give them some unique features we could maybe robotize them a little, have them looking like a Terminator or something.
For Alpha, I envision something that captures their precision and efficiency.
There's something powerful about the idea of an unstoppable soldier—not just a fighter, but someone with purpose, with mission. "
Sabby's voice took on a touch more passion as she described the feeling she wanted to convey. "I want people to look at it and feel that blend of respect and 'don't mess with us' energy."
Remsburg nodded, a hint of appreciation in his eyes. "I could see it. I'd need to talk with Captain Simon, but it fits. Alpha's always had a culture that's sort of robotic, coldblooded. What about Bravo?"
"I had to really quiz my sister on this," Sabby said, "because they almost strike me like the cast of Animal House. In a totally military professional ass-kicking way."
Remsburg laughed, the sound warming the sterile office. "No offense taken, and Major Hulse would love being compared to the Delta House. Did you know he's related to one of the actors from that movie? A distant cousin or something."
"I didn't, but the logo would have to walk a fine line between a group that used to be called 'The Battling Bastards' and military protocol," Sabby said.
"Officially I know they're known as The Brave she was no teenage witch. But ever since kicking her out of the house, her mother insisted on it. "It's been too long."
For reasons, Mom. Like you calling me Sabrina, Sabby thought, her heart beating faster with the familiar sense of being diminished. But she was in too good of a mood to just hang up on her mother, despite the still raw feelings. So she moved on. "So how have you been doing?"
"Things are normal around Dr. Edwards's office."
Her Mom waived her hand airily in way of explanation.
She was the office manager for an ophthalmologist, and Sabby knew that her mother thought that she was the only reason the walls were still standing.
If it wasn't for Victoria Adams, the lights would be off, the walls would fall down, dogs and cats, living together. .. mass hysteria.
At least in her mother's mind. Dr. Edwards had a different opinion of course, Sabby was sure.
"I see."
"Well, Melanie up and decided to get herself pregnant," her mother continued, "so I'm going to have to find someone to cover her maternity leave. Or I'll have to cover the gap myself."
Oh no. A woman having a baby? The horror!
Sabby bit back the sarcasm, and simply nodded. "I see. I'm sure you can figure it out."
"Of course. I've handled worse," Mom said.
Sabby felt another acidic comment flow through her brain. She always made every little issue at work sound like it was on the level of peace in the Middle East, requiring a miracle to solve.
"So what have you been doing?"
"Well, work is work, but I've got some good progress on the school front," Sabby said. "I had a meeting with Jess's battalion commander on some mascot and logo designs I whipped up for the unit. He was really enthusiastic, and it'll be some big feathers in my professional cap."
"That's good," Mom said, sounding pleased. "And how is Jessica?"
"Jess is kicking ass and taking names as usual," Sabby said. "She's at work still, they're having a goodbye barbecue for one of her soldiers who's getting promoted out of the unit."
"Oh, that's nice," Mom said.
Sabby could hear the disinterest in her voice. For Victoria Adams, the only thing that really mattered to her was if her daughters were working, but more importantly something else.
"And how's your social life?"
Yup. Her mother was a firm believer that a woman's highest goal in life was to get married, followed by kids.