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

evaporated and the
look of calm fury now shrouded the young officer’s face. By the
look on his face, the shitbird Gunny was finally getting the point
that he’d messed with the wrong guy. He could either back down or
push forward. Cal hoped he’d pick the first option.
     
    GUNNY : Now
look here, Lieutenant (he pronounced Lieutenant as someone would
pronounce Asshole )
I don’t appreciate…
     
    ANDY : Get
on your feet Marine! You stand at attention when you talk to me,
Gunnery Sergeant (he intoned Gunnery Sergeant just as the Gunny had
pronounced Lieutenant).
     
    It therefore came as a
complete surprise to Cal (and apparently to the Gunny as well) when
the Gunny jumped out of his seat and popped to attention. Holy shit! What was going
on?
     
    ANDY : Now
as I see it, you have two choices, Gunnery Sergeant. Number One,
you log me as reporting in at 23:55. Number Two, you get the
Battalion XO on the phone right now and he can resolve the issue.
What’s it gonna be, Gunnery Sergeant?
     
    GUNNY : I’m
just trying to do things by the book, but I think we can trust your
word that you reported in at that time.
     
    ANDY :
Sir.
     
    GUNNY :
Excuse me?
     
    ANDY : I
said you call me Sir. I’m only asking for the same respect you so
kindly asked of me.
     
    GUNNY : Yes,
Sir.
     
    ANDY :
Alright, let’s get this done so Cpl. Stokes can get some rack
time.
     
    He’d said this last thing just as the Gunny
was bending over to start his entry in the duty logbook. As he did,
Lt. Andrews caught Cal’s eye and gave him a quick wink and a
mischievous half smile. It was the same smile he’d see years later
on the side of some God-forsaken mountain in Afghanistan as he and
Lt. Andrews were getting ready to rush an enemy position by
themselves.
    It was that first meeting and the look in
that young officer’s eyes that made Cpl. Stokes think he never
wanted to get on the officer’s bad side.
    + + +
    The bedside phone rang again a couple
minutes later.
     
    CAL :
Stokes.
     
    BRIAN : Cal,
I’ve got Capt. Andrews on the phone again.
     
    CAL : Put
him through.
     
    ANDY : You
there Stokes?
     
    CAL : Yes,
sir.
     
    ANDY : I got
some info on your corpsman.
     
    CAL : What’d
you find?
     
    ANDY : Says
here that he served with 1/2 during the initial invasion of Iraq.
He got to be part of that big mess in An’Nasiriyah. Hold on a
minute.
     
    Cal heard mouse clicks as Capt. Andrews
found what he was looking for.
     
    ANDY : Well,
well. Looks like you’ve got yourself a brother there,
Marine.
     
    CAL : What
do you mean?
     
    ANDY : This
record says that Hospital Corpsman First Class Brian Ramirez is a
multiple award winner. Won a Bronze Star in Iraq then a Silver Star
in Afghanistan. Hmmm…The first was for dragging some of his Marines
out of a burning AAV. Says he got some pretty bad burns himself.
The Silver Star citation says that this kid not only saved ten of
his Marines’ lives, but that he also took up a couple M-16’s and
killed a few bad guys.
     
    CAL : No
shit?
     
    ANDY : No
shit.
     
    CAL : Well,
at least I know now.
     
    ANDY : Need
anything else?
     
    CAL : Unless
you can get me out of here, I’m good.
     
    ANDY : Wish
I could, buddy. I’ll be in touch.
     
    The line went dead. Cal
replaced the receiver and laid back in his bed. So Brian was a
warrior. Interesting .
    + + +
    A few minutes later Doc Ramirez came in to
check on Cal.
     
    BRIAN : What
do you want for dinner tonight?
     
    CAL : You
didn’t tell me about your Bronze and Silver Stars.
     
    BRIAN : You
didn’t tell me about your Navy Cross.
     
    CAL : Fair
enough. I’d give that thing back just to have my guys alive right
now.
     
    BRIAN : Me
too. Now, what do you want for dinner? Chicken or mystery
meat?
     
    CAL (with a
snort): I’ll take the chicken.
     
    As Brian nodded and left the room Cal
thought about the quick conversation. It was rare to find a medal
recipient who bragged about their award. Most just wanted to be
left alone. He’d seen