Corps Justice Boxed Set: Books 1-3: Back to War, Council of Patriots, Prime Asset Read Online Free Page A

he’d like to mess with the guy for having a stupid
first name.
    At five minutes before midnight 2ndLt
Andrews walked into the duty shack with his orders ready. He looked
squared away and fairly at ease. Most new Marines he’d seen
checking in to their first unit tended to be more than a little
nervous. This young officer didn’t seem to have that problem.
     
    ANDY :
Checkin’ in Corporal.
     
    CAL : Roger
that, sir. If I can just get your orders. I’ve gotta go get the
duty officer to get you logged in.
     
    ANDY : No
problem.
     
    Cpl. Stokes got up and walked smartly into
the next room that was used for the duty officer and his clerks as
a sleeping area.
     
    CAL : Hey,
Gunny. That last Lieutenant just walked in.
     
    The Gunny opened his eyes with what looked
like a mixture of disdain and excitement. Yep, he was gonna give
the new guy some kinda shit.
    He waited as the Gunny took his time putting
his utility blouse back on and donning his web belt with pistol.
Cpl. Stokes was surprised the guy could even fit into any issued
gear. The Gunny must’ve been well over his allowed weight
limit.
    Finally ready, Cal followed the Gunny back
into the duty shack. Not two steps through the door the Gunny
started.
     
    GUNNY : You
Lieutenant Andrews?
     
    ANDY :
That’s me, Gunny. Just checkin’ in.
     
    GUNNY : I’d
appreciate it if you called me “Gunnery Sergeant”, Sir.
    That was one of the Gunny’s favorite lines.
Get the young officers off-balance from the get-go.
     
    ANDY :
Sorry, Gunnery Sergeant. Didn’t mean any disrespect.
    Lt. Andrews responded without the obligatory
flush of embarrassment. Cal couldn’t yet put his finger on it, but
he didn’t think this baby-faced butter bar was even close to being
a candyass.
     
    GUNNY : Says
here you were supposed to report in by 2359, Lieutenant. It’s now
0002.
     
    ANDY (nodding towards Cal): As I’m sure Cpl. Stokes will tell you,
I stepped in and reported at 2355.
     
    GUNNY (smirking): Well, sir, that’s not really my concern. The point
is when I put you in the logbook, you’ll be reporting in late.
Helluva way to start your tour with this fine battalion.
     
    Just then Cal caught the look of cold anger
flash across the eyes of the young officer. Then just like that, it
was gone. Oh shit. This guy was no candyass.
    From the look on the Gunny’s face, it was
obvious he’d missed the warning sign. Cal decided to step in.
     
    CAL : Hey,
Gunny, the Lieutenant’s right. He checked in right at 2355. I wrote
it right here in my own log.
    GUNNY : You
shut your mouth, Corporal. Looks like you’ll have to come back
tomorrow morning to meet with the Battalion XO, sir. He likes to
come in Saturday morning and check-in with the OOD to see who
fucked up the night before.
     
    Surprisingly Lt. Andrews still stood in
front of the duty desk with a look of complete calm.
     
    ANDY (conversationally): Ok, Gunnery Sergeant. Why don’t you just
pick up that phone and call the XO right now. If I’m gonna get my
ass chewed I’d rather not wait until tomorrow.
     
    Visibly confused, the Gunny paused to think
about that most unexpected request. Calling the Executive Officer
would put HIS ass in a crack and he was all about keeping his ass
out of cracks no matter who he had to blame to take the fall for
him.
     
    GUNNY (soothingly condescending): Well, Lieutenant, I don’t think
it’s appropriate to call the XO at this hour. Why don’t you just
come back in the morning and I’m sure everything will be
fine.
     
    ANDY : I
think I’ll take my chances, Gunnery Sergeant. Why don’t you give me
his number and I’ll call him right now on my handy-dandy cell
phone.
     
    GUNNY : Now,
Sir, that’s really not how things are done around here.
     
    ANDY (suddenly loud): Well then how are they done around here,
GUNNERY SERGEANT? It’s obvious you get your rocks off shitting on
us new guys. Get the damn XO on the phone and we’ll get this done.
Now.
     
    The placid demeanor had