Chapter 15

Two weeks after Sharp met his new teammates, they were called back to base at around ten at night. They set up in one of the conference rooms and watched on screen as another team began their assault on a compound in Central America. They were asked to give assessments and provide options if needed.

The tension in the room was thick as they watched the guys breach a door. The enemy fired on them, and Sharp worried one of the guys had been hit. Thoughts of his team being ambushed came back, and he had to fight to keep his head from fuzzing out. Maybe he needed more counseling, or something stronger than counseling. He wasn't ready to stop being a SEAL, but he had to get his head on straight so he could stay in the game.

As the operation played out, he realized that none of the SEALs had been shot. They worked their way through the compound, overcoming the enemy to find the man they were tasked with rescuing. Now, all they had to do was get out and not die.

The escape path was tricky, and Sharp's team provided an alternative exit path based on the terrain. He liked how Jay and Apple weren't afraid to voice their suggestions. Griz came up with the best path that the other team eventually ended up taking.

Sharp felt like he could trust these guys. They were quick thinkers and good men. Losing his previous team had been tough. Getting past the trauma would take time, but he could eventually do it. Honestly, if they were pulled into action, he wasn't sure he was ready. They needed more time together, or at least he did.

Close to five in the morning, they were done. Everyone was exhausted. He heard someone behind him, and he turned to find Griz about to open his locker.

"Hey, how are you doing?" Sharp asked.

"Exhausted. I'm glad we get the morning off."

"Yeah. I need a few more hours sleep."

"Same. I can't wait for it to be us out there."

Sharp nodded, knowing he wasn't ready for that. Putting himself in danger in Russia hadn't bothered him. Putting these guys in a dangerous situation made him hesitant.

"I'll see you later," Griz waved as he walked out.

Sharp said goodbye and headed back to his apartment, glad that their first test as a team had gone well. None of the guys had flinched or bagged the assignment. Everyone played their role, putting forth the best suggestions based on the information available. He liked how they worked. It wasn't his old team, but he was getting closer to the men. He just hoped they grew even closer. They would need a strong connection before they headed out on a real mission.