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

at humor fell flat. Mark was numb.
    “You need to learn to smile,” Major Edwards said. “Death is a part of life. It’s hardest for those of us left behind, but your friend lived a good life. It was short, but he achieved a lot. More than most people do during a long life.”
    “Think I’d prefer to do nothing and live a longer life,” Mark grumbled.
    “Would you?” Major Edwards said. It was an open challenge. “Sometimes we tell ourselves that, but I’m not sure we would.”
    “Depends if you’ve got something to live for, I suppose,” Mark said.
    “You have something to live for,” Major Edwards said. “You have your country. Your honor. Your duty.”
    The major sighed. He stood up and took off his beret.
    The major had dual personalities, like a superhero. That was probably why Mark idolized him as a kid. When the major took his beret off, the stresses and strains of command were lifted from his shoulders. He became Clark Kent, and kept his superhero alter ego for the battlefield. He allowed himself to feel the equally difficult, but rewarding, emotions associated with fatherhood. He stood behind Mark and placed a thick hand on his shoulder.
    “You have me,” Major Edwards said. “Roach couldn’t deal with all the death he’d faced over the years.”
    “Don’t we all struggle?” Mark said.
    “We do what we do for our loved ones,” Major Edwards said. “Roach had no one to fight for, save you and your team.”
    “That’s fine for the cameras,” Mark said. “But we also do what we do for a paycheck. There’s little separating us from mercenaries save a long term contract.”
    “You don’t believe that,” Major Edwards said. “If you did, you wouldn’t still be here. The key is knowing you have something to live for, to die for, before it all comes to an end.”
    “You believe that?” Mark said.
    “I do,” Major Edwards said. “I have you, your mother, when she was alive. You have Tabitha. Play your cards right, and you’ll have a family with her and you’ll understand what I’m telling you.”
    I already do , Mark thought. And it doesn’t make things easier, only harder.
    “She isn't going to wait forever,” Mark said.
    “Your mother was the same,” Major Edwards said. “She waited for me. There’s no reason to think Tabitha won’t wait for you.”
    “Tell me why I’m making her wait this time,” Mark said. “A super-important mission with the fate of the rest of world on its shoulders?”
    Major Edwards smiled. He put his beret back on and assumed his responsibilities.
    “Something along those lines,” he said.
    Mark’s eyebrows drew into a frown.

13:26pm
     
    Mark and his team occupied a fraction of the seating capacity in the briefing room. The isolation told them a lot about the kind of mission they were about to undertake.
    “We’re a little light on the ground, aren’t we?” Jacob said. “Where are the others?”
    “It’s just us,” Mark said.
    “Beautiful,” Jacob said, letting out a puff of air.
    Major Edwards entered the room from the back. He pressed a switch and the flaps fluttered down over the glass walls. The projector flicked on and beamed the first slide:
    CONFIDENTIAL. TOP SECRET.
    “No doubt you’re all wondering what you’re doing here,” Major Edwards said, taking to the stage. “Especially after such a short period of leave.”
    “Damn right there,” John said.
    Major Edwards didn’t chastise him. The small team of four made the meeting more personal, and informality was acceptable.
    “You’re here because you’re the most qualified individuals for this training exercise,” Major Edwards said.
    Training exercise. Just what they needed.
    “I thought we were done with training?” Jacob said.
    “You are,” Major Edwards said. “But this will not be like any other training you’ve had before.”
    That had their attention.
    “As part of Group Three, responsible for operations with AFRICOM, and deployed in the