Infinity Squad Read Online Free PDF Page A

back some skulls!"
    I snapped to attention. "Yes sir!"
    "And promote a new second in command before you leave. I believe Lieutenant Mohammed and Lieutenant Butcher are your most senior."
    Oakley paused and looked at me, and it took me a second to realize what the idiot was asking of me.
    "You want me to choose right now? In front of the entire squad?"
    "The table of command must be set before your squad takes the field, in case you fall."
    I looked at Zazlu and Ann-Marie, who were both looking back at me with sympathy.
    I leaned forward. "Sir," I hissed. "This isn't done! Not in public-"
    "Snap decisions are the bread and butter of higher command, Lieutenant! If you are not ready to make them, perhaps another squad's Lieutenant would be willing to take over here-"
    Ann-Marie stepped forward out of line. "Sir, I remove myself from consideration for this post, sir! I do not feel I have yet earned the respect to be this squad's XO, sir!"
    Oakley smiled. "Well, there you go. I wish my first command decision had been that easy. You and Lieutenant Mohammed find a way to bring me back some skulls- and leave within the hour! That is an order."
    He turned on his heel and started marching towards the door, stopping in front of Lesko. He reached behind the Russian to pull the badly hidden flask from where Lesko had stuck it in his waistband.
    "And don't think you can pull anything on me, soldier! I could smell your guilt from across the room! Contraband leads to contradicting orders, and I won't tolerate it on my base! Write yourself up for three days of restricted meals!"
    He stormed out of the room, the BlackShirts yelling for ATTEN-SHUN and doing their stupid double boot stomp before we were left in peace again. With too many things to do. But first things first, I went up to Ann-Marie.
    "Thanks Butcher. You shouldn't have had to do that."
    "No sir, YOU shouldn't have been put in that position in front of everyone. General's an idiot."
    "Even so, thanks. And don't worry, you'll get your turn. You deserve it as much as Zaz."
    Zazlu joined our private talk. "Hey, it's no picnic for me, either! Now it's MY job to look for holes in this crazy idiot's plans!"
    "Thanks Zaz. Nice to know what your friends think of you," I sighed, then looked around. Everyone was looking back at me- waiting for orders. Yeah, that's how it was going to be from now on. I remembered what the janitor had said back in OCS about 'a commanding presence', so I started pointing each time I said a name.
    "Alright- Zaz, take Lesko back to his squad and find out what really happened on that patrol. Lesko, you'd tell us if any of your guys were stretching the facts a little, right?"
    The Russian nodded. "Their pride may be damaged, since your Lieutenant lasted longer in battle than they. But yes, I will tell you if they are holding anything back. Even if you cost me three days of bread and water!"
    "Don't worry. Zaz has stuff that will make your water taste like wine, right, Zaz?"
    "Roger."
    "Good." I pointed at Ann-Marie. "Butcher, take Grimstone to get two heavies. Loaded for bear."
    She frowned. "Grimstone? Are you expecting a lot of computer hacking on this kill-and-destroy mission?"
    "We're not going after the swarm. That's suicide. We're taking a short squad to retrieve the First Lieu's body. Outfit Grimstone's heavy to be able to diagnose a broken buffering band in the field. Outfit yours to kill anything that moves. Steve-"
    The medic stood up. "Yo, sir."
    "Get everyone I named as sober as you can. Stimulants, but not too much. I'll be back in ten minutes and we're rolling out."
    "Wait," Zazlu said. "Where are you going, sir?" The title stuck a little in his mouth but I didn't have time to notice.
    "To get some intelligence on the area."
    "Want me to come with you?" Ann-Marie asked.
    "No- not this time. Suit up with Grimstone and I'll be back."
    I caught Zazlu and Ann-Marie giving each other looks as I left, but this was the kind of intelligence only I could get.