Z-Minus (Book 4) Read Online Free PDF Page B

problem. He’d found through hard experience that often the midst of a crisis offered the best chance for opportunity. Some of the greatest wartime successes had developed from moments that appeared, on the face of it, to be out and out losers. It forced you to think creatively, to think outside the box. So long as he could outwit his opponent there was no need for concern. A mistake was sometimes an avenue the enemy had dismissed and hadn’t prepared for.
    He was third-generation Special Forces. He had grown up listening to the stories of his father and grandfather going on adventures all over the world. He hadn’t seen them often, but they’d made an impression. From a young age all he ever wanted to do was follow in their footsteps. Now, he might lose that part of himself, the part he was most comfortable with. What would he be without the Special Forces?
    The word ‘tenacious’ had been written on his school report cards more often than any other, even when it was meant as an insult. He wasn’t the smartest student or even the strongest, but where everyone else eventually gave up, he stuck it out, no matter what. He couldn’t bring himself to fail.
    The only way to fail is to give up, his father had told him. But remember you don’t always have to succeed.
    Where was the road to military success with having a baby? As hard as he tried, he couldn’t find one.
    There was a knock on the door. It creaked open and a familiar face poked inside. The face smiled, and then grinned.
    “Jacob,” Mark said. “I wondered when you were going to show your ugly mug.”
    “Hey up, Skipper,” Jacob said. “No sign of apeman John, yet? That’s good news.”
    They hugged, a manly gesture followed by a hearty slap on the back.
    “Can you believe they called us back already?” Jacob said.
    “A few free hours,” Mark said. “About the best we can hope for these days.”
    “Do you know what it’s all in aid of?” Jacob said.
    Mark shook his head.
    “I’m in the dark too on this one,” he said. “Must be pretty urgent if they felt the need to call us now, so soon after we left on leave.”
    “How’s Tabby?” Jacob said.
    “She’s fine,” Mark said. “She asked how the baby soldier was.”
    “Good as roses,” Jacob said.
    “How’s your mom?” Mark said.
    “She’s fine,” Jacob said. “She wore her favorite cardigan to see me.”
    “That’s cute,” Mark said.
    “Ain’t it though?” Jacob said.
    Jacob had a slight frown that told Mark that wasn’t the whole story, but he didn’t pry.
    A thud on the door from a meaty fist. The door opened again, this time admitting John’s large face. His beard was scraggly and long, unkempt from when they’d last seen one another just a few hours earlier.
    “Evening all,” John said.
    “John,” Jacob said. “Long time no see.”
    “I can barely remember the last time all of us were together in one place,” John said.
    “I believe that, grandfather,” Jacob said with a grin.
    “Hey!” Mark said, waving a finger at Jacob. “Respect your elders.”
    John glared at Mark.
    “Thanks for that,” he said. “Always good to know you’ve got the support of your comrades.”
    “You don’t need comrade support,” Jacob said. “You need surgical support.”
    John glared at him, nostrils flared. Their eyes met. Jacob was blasé. They turned to look at the bunk beside the door – opposite Mark’s. John and Jacob dived for it.
    “Get out of it, you gobshite,” John said.
    “I’m the baby of the team,” Jacob said.
    “So you get the cot,” John said. “We elderly need to be close to the restroom facilities.”
    “I always get the cot!” Jacob said.
    “All right, don’t cry,” John said. “Shall I call the nurse?”
    “Wasn’t your mom a nurse?” Jacob said.
    “That’s below the belt,” John said.
    “That’s what I’m hoping,” Jacob said.
    “You dirty sod,” John said.
    Whatever troubles they might have outside, they were brothers