Chapter 8

8

ROS

E ven Ros hadn't been prepared for the call that came through. A routine patrol helicopter was shot down in hostile territory, and the soldiers aboard were taken hostage. No one had predicted that the insurgents would become so bold so quickly.

They were becoming much more of an issue than Ros and her officers had ever expected.

"This is my call, Colonel. They are my soldiers. I didn't have the foresight to protect them, so I'm damn well going to protect them now."

"General, we need you to liaise from base."

"I give the orders, Hale. I'm going with them."

"But what if something happens while you're gone? What if something happens to you?"

"You managed admirably before I arrived here, Colonel. I'm sure you'll do so again." With that, the matter was closed and Ros strode out of the briefing room.

The news that the general was accompanying the rescue mission in person had rippled through the base like an explosion. In most, it spiked amusement or awe; in Scarlett, it only produced panic. The responsibility of ensuring the equipment was prepared and ready only weighed more heavily on her. If something went wrong, not only would the mission go south, but Ros might also never come back to her.

Scarlett moved with purpose, her mind a whirlwind of calculations and checks. The noise around her—the clang of metal, hum of machinery, murmur of urgent voices—faded into the background as she focused on the task at hand. Each wire she soldered, each system she tested was a step closer to getting those soldiers home. The pressure was immense, but Scarlett thrived on it. She had to.

"Check that power relay again," Scarlett ordered, her voice sharp and clear above the din. One of her junior engineers nodded, moving quickly to comply. They couldn't afford any mistakes. If anything failed in the field, it wouldn't just be a setback; it could mean the difference between life and death.

The minutes ticked by with agonizing speed. Scarlett wiped the sweat from her brow with the back of her hand, ignoring the dull ache in her muscles from hours of continuous work. There was no time to rest, no time to think about anything other than the mission. But even as she pushed herself to the limit, the weight of the rumors lingered at the back of her mind. She had noticed the way people looked at her lately—the quiet conversations that would halt the moment she entered a room, the sidelong glances. She didn't need to ask what they were about.

But Scarlett shoved those thoughts aside, focusing on the immediate task. She couldn't afford distractions, not now. Ros was out there leading the rescue operation, and the last thing Scarlett wanted was for her to have any doubts about the equipment they were sending with the team. Their relationship might be on shaky ground, but Scarlett's commitment to her work—and to Ros—was unshakable.

"Scarlett," one of her engineers called out, bringing her back to the moment, "the diagnostics are all clear. We're ready."

Scarlett took a final look over the equipment. Everything was set. "Good. Let's get this to the team. They're counting on us."

Mind set on the mission ahead of her, Ros climbed into the helicopter that would be taking her rescue platoon just outside the insurgents' territory. With one chopper shot down, they couldn't risk getting any closer.

The soldiers with her sat in an uncomfortable silence. They obviously didn't know how they were supposed to act in her company. Ros would bet that their senior officers had drilled into their heads that they were to act like consummate soldiers, at least during the ride there.

"Relax, soldiers. I'm not here to inspect you, am I? I'm here to do my job, same as you. To bring these soldiers home."

Not one of them eased, and Ros rolled her eyes, turning back to watching the view from the open side of the craft. It had been so long since she'd felt wind on her face like this. God, she missed it.

The helicopter's rotors whipped the air into a frenzy as it descended, the dull roar growing louder until it dominated the senses. Ice, snow, and dirt swirled in the darkness, obscuring the figures huddled within the aircraft, their faces grim and focused. Ros sat at the front, and her eyes narrowed as she peered into the night. Every muscle in her body was tense, coiled tight like a spring ready to snap. The mission was clear, but the risks loomed large in her mind.

The moment the doors opened, she was on her feet, her rifle held close to her chest as she stepped out into the night. The cool air hit her face, sharp and biting, but she barely noticed. Her senses were on high alert, scanning the perimeter for any sign of the enemy. The insurgent encampment lay ahead, a collection of hastily constructed shelters and makeshift barriers shrouded in the darkness. The only light came from flickering campfires casting long, distorted shadows that danced across the ground. Ros gestured to her team, signaling for them to spread out and move forward. They moved like shadows, silent and swift, their training kicking in as they advanced toward the encampment.

Ros's heart pounded, each beat echoing in her ears as they closed the distance. The sound of her own breathing filled her head, steady but heavy with the weight of what was to come. The lives of her captured soldiers were at stake, and failure wasn't an option. She couldn't afford to think about anything else—not Scarlett, not the rumors, not the consequences of this mission. All that mattered was getting those soldiers out alive.

They reached the outer edge of the encampment and took cover behind a line of rocks. Ros knelt down, scanning the area with her night-vision goggles. She could see the enemy sentries, their figures outlined in green as they patrolled the perimeter. Ros raised her hand, signaling for the team to hold. They needed to take out the sentries quietly or the entire camp would be on them in seconds.

One of her men, Sergeant Daniels, moved into position, his silenced rifle at the ready. Ros watched as he took aim, her breath catching in her throat as he squeezed the trigger.

The sentry dropped without a sound, crumpling to the ground. One down.

Ros gave the signal to move forward. The team advanced, taking out the remaining sentries with surgical precision. The camp was eerily quiet, the insurgents oblivious to the danger creeping ever closer. Ros could feel the tension in the air, thick and suffocating, as they reached the first of the shelters. The captured soldiers were somewhere inside, but so were the insurgents. They couldn't afford to make a mistake.

The silence shattered.

A burst of gunfire erupted from the darkness, the sharp crack of bullets cutting through the night. The insurgents had spotted them.

"Take cover!" Ros yelled, diving behind a cluster of rocks as bullets whizzed past her head.

Her heart pounded as adrenaline surged through her veins. This was supposed to be a stealth operation, but now they were in the thick of it, surrounded and under fire.

Ros peeked out from behind the rocks, quickly assessing the situation. The insurgents were scattered around the encampment, using the terrain to their advantage. They had the high ground, and they weren't about to let Ros and her team reach the hostages without a fight.

"Return fire!" Ros ordered, her voice cutting through the chaos.

Her team sprang into action, their rifles spitting fire as they engaged the enemy. The night lit up with muzzle flashes, and the sounds of battle filled the air.

Ros knew they didn't have much time. The longer they were pinned down, the more likely the insurgents' reinforcements would arrive. They had to get to the hostages, and they had to do it now. She grabbed her radio, barking out orders to her team.

"We're moving in! Daniels, cover the left flank! Cruz, take the right! Everyone else, follow me!"

With a burst of energy, Ros pushed forward, weaving through the hail of bullets as she made her way toward the shelter where the hostages were being held. Her team followed closely, laying down suppressing fire as they advanced. The insurgents were relentless, but so were they. Ros could feel the heat of the battle, the weight of the mission bearing down on her. There was no room for error.

As they reached the shelter, Ros kicked down the door, leading the charge inside. The room was dimly lit and filled with the stench of sweat and fear. The captured soldiers were there, bound and gagged, their eyes wide with terror. But before Ros could move to free them, more insurgents stormed in with their weapons raised. The room exploded into chaos. Ros fired her rifle, taking down the nearest insurgent as her team engaged the others. The sound of gunfire was deafening, and the air was thick with smoke and adrenaline. Ros moved with precision, her training guiding her every step. She fought her way to the hostages, her mind focused on one goal: getting them out alive.

"Untie them!" Ros shouted, her voice hoarse from the strain. Her team rushed to cut the soldiers' bonds, pulling them to their feet.

The gunfire outside was intensifying as the insurgents closed in. They were running out of time.

"Let's move!" Ros ordered, grabbing one of the soldiers and hauling him toward the door.

The ground was a blur of movement and sound as they emerged from the shelter, bullets ripping through the air around them. The insurgents were everywhere, firing from every direction. Ros's heart raced, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps as she fired back, each shot precise and controlled.

They had to make it. They had no other option.

The helicopter was in sight, its rotors spinning furiously as the pilot prepared for takeoff. Ros could see the base of it, the open door like a beacon in the dark.

"Go! Go! Go!" she yelled, pushing the soldiers ahead of her.

Her team formed a protective barrier while they fired at the insurgents as they ran for the helicopter.

They reached the helicopter just as a new wave of gunfire erupted from the tree line. Ros spun around, her rifle booming as she took out the nearest insurgent. She could feel the sting of a bullet grazing her arm, but she ignored the pain, her focus entirely on getting her team aboard.

"Everyone in!" she shouted, shoving the last of the rescued soldiers into the helicopter.

She turned to provide cover for her team, her eyes darting around for any sign of movement. The insurgents were closing in, their shouts growing louder as they realized their target was slipping away.

Sergeant Daniels was hit as he climbed aboard, a bullet tearing through his leg. Ros was at his side in an instant, hauling him into the helicopter with a strength she didn't know she had. She shoved him inside, slamming the door shut as the helicopter lifted in the air.

The enemy fire continued to pepper the helicopter as it ascended, but they were too late. The helicopter rose into the sky, leaving the insurgents behind, their angry shouts fading into the distance.

Ros leaned back against the cold metal wall, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath. They had done it. The soldiers were safe. The mission was a success.

It had been so long since Ros had been out in the field. She'd missed this rush of adrenaline, the feeling that she was undefeatable and unkillable, after facing such tough odds and still coming out victorious. She may not be as young as she once was, but she was still a damn good soldier.

After the chopper landed on the helipad, Ross jumped from the helicopter, the blades still whirring overhead, and her knees protested the impact. She immediately scanned her surroundings, seeking out Scarlett's beautiful reddish brown hair.

Instead, Colonel Hale's stern figure loomed in the doorway. Ros headed over to him to give him a debrief of the mission.

"Colonel, everything ran smoothly while I was gone, I assume?"

"Yes, General, all quiet. I wonder if I might have a word? Something of a concerning nature has come to my attention."

"Of course, Colonel. Let me change, and I'll meet you in my office in, say, fifteen minutes. Don't wait on ceremony outside. Make yourself comfortable."

"Yes, ma'am."

Ros nodded and headed toward her quarters. The adrenaline was beginning to wear off, and she was in desperate need of a shower to remove the sweat and grime and wake her up.

Feeling refreshed, Ros smoothed her hands down her jacket, ready to face the colonel.

Opening her office door, Ros entered to find Hale sitting on a stiff wooden chair, his back as rigid as the seat's. He looked mightily uncomfortable.

"Relax, Colonel. Whatever it is will be fine, I'm sure."

"Well, I'm not so sure about that, ma'am."

"Go on then, spit it out. Best to get it out there rather than have you sitting there stiff as a board."

She waved him to continue as she poured herself a drink, she'd earned it today. The amber liquid trickled into the glass, filling the silence as the Colonel found his words.

"Very well. Certain rumors have been making their way around the base. Rumors about you, General."

Shit

Ros's heart sank. She'd known it was only a matter of time before the wrong person found out. She'd always known they'd never get away with sneaking around like teenagers.

Hale continued, "And I don't mean to accuse you, General. But, well, there's no smoke without fire. And I've been keeping an eye on the pair of you since I heard the rumors. I didn't want to believe it, didn't think it could be true. The looks between the both of you, though. You are my superior, General, but Bennett is my soldier and it's my duty to protect her."

"Protect her from me?"

"Uh, no, no, that's not what I meant," he stammered, the color draining from his face as he realized the implications of his accusation.

"At ease, Colonel. My apologies, I shouldn't have said that. It's a tricky position you're in. I am, as you say, your superior, after all."

"I could take it over your head."

"You could," Ros agreed. "Will you though? Will you destroy the careers of both me and Captain Bennett, just because of who we are attracted to?"

"It's not that, ma'am. I couldn't care less about you both being women. I'd be doing the same if you were a man. But, as you know yourself, General, there are rules."

"There are indeed, Colonel. I'll deal with this. There'll be no need to go over any heads. Consider the matter closed."

A relieved sigh escaped him. "Thank you, ma'am."

"One more thing, Hale."

"Yes, General?"

"I'll thank you for quashing those rumors. Make something up, anything. Bennett's career shouldn't be destroyed over a mistake I made."

"I'll see to it, General."

The door clicked softly behind him, and Ros's head fell into her hands. How was she going to deal with this? She couldn't trust herself; she'd broken rule after rule, promise after promise. She'd have to make sure they didn't backslide again. Having another general on base should help to keep her on the straight and narrow. The insurgents being as dangerous as they'd recently proven themselves would be enough of an excuse. She'd call in General Talbot in the morning.

First, there was a much harder conversation she needed to have.

After sending a runner to find Scarlett, Ros remained frozen at her desk, her hands wringing with anxiety. The glass beside her had been emptied, refilled, and emptied again. The courage that had flowed through her earlier that day had fled, leaving behind a husk that had no spine for the internal battle ahead of her.

Ros had tried to plan her words carefully. What would she even say to Scarlett? Each time she began, the words left her.

An abrupt knock at the door startled her. Scarlett let herself in with a gentle, tired smile. Her hair was still damp, leaving wet patches on her shoulders.

God, this was going to be impossible.

"Hey. Why didn't you just text me?" Scarlett asked, confusion showing on her face.

"We need to talk."

"Well, that doesn't sound good." She sat across the desk from her..

"Scarlett, I—" How could she even begin to say what she needed to? What she dreaded to?

"What's wrong?" Scarlett reached over to take Ros's hand in hers, hurt rippling across her face as Ros pulled her hand away, fiddling with her cuffs instead.

"We can't. I can't." God, why couldn't she get the words out? "It's out, Scarlett. Everyone knows. Or at least suspects. We need to stop."

"Is this about the rumors again? Ros, we talked about that. We can't let gossip get between us. It'll blow over. We just need to lie low until it does."

"It's not going to fade, Scarlett. It's obvious to anyone who just looks at us that there's something going on. I can't do that to you. Your career is only just taking off, and I can't jeopardize that."

"I'm willing to risk it. I'd risk anything for you, Ros."

"And that's the other thing," Ros said, cutting her off. "I can't risk you. I can't seem to do my job with you around. I'm putting everyone at risk because I can't think straight. Every time you're in danger, you fill my head. I can't let anything happen to you."

"We can work it out. We'll find a way."

"No, Scarlett. This needs to end. I'm not putting lives at risk for a fling. Or your career, or mine for that matter. I've worked my whole life for this, I'm not going to let it be taken from me."

"A fling. Is that all this is to you?"

"That's not what I?—"

"No, I get it. You've already decided that's it. I get no say in the matter. That's just typical."

"It's for the best, Scarlett."

"I can't believe you."

"It was never going to work, all this sneaking around. The base has eyes and ears everywhere. Trust me, the last thing you want is to get court-martialed. They probably wouldn't do anything to me; it's a bad look for everyone for a general to go out in disgrace. But you? Being a rising star won't protect you if this gets reported."

"Trust you, huh?" Scarlett huffed drily.

Ros looked up at Scarlett, really looked for the first time. Her hazel eyes were filled with tears threatening to fall any second, but behind the tears was fury, rage, betrayal. It almost broke Ros to see it. To see what she had done to her. She had to remain firm, though. Her duty, her honor demanded it. This was the right thing to do.

"Scarlett—"

Scarlett shot up from her seat, storming over to the door.

"Maybe your reputation was right after all, General. You have no heart."

Retribution arrived swiftly. The soldiers rescued from the encampment had barely been let out of med bay when the first explosion thundered through the base. The ground shook and groaned from the impact.

Alarms blared and red lights flashed on the walls as service personnel scrambled for gear and orders. The insurgents positioning themselves nearby had been cause for concern, but no one, not even Ros, had thought they could possibly be so brazen as to launch a direct attack on Fort Independence.

Usually, such an attack would have been an immediate death wish, but the base was so unprepared that they were left scrambling.

Ros felt not only her heart breaking in her chest, but her base crumbling around her.

Would there be any way through this? Would they even survive this?

She took a deep breath and prepared herself.

She was General Ros Bloody Carson. She had this.