Chapter 7 - You Walked Us Into It
The platoon retreated from the saddle in controlled groups.
Miller directed them along Sarah’s marked route while she called changes from above. The western force fired sporadically, confirming her prediction: it existed only to keep the soldiers facing the wrong direction.
Silas tried to regain command.
“Return to the approved line.”
Miller turned on him.
“The approved line is under enemy fire.”
“I gave you an order.”
“You gave us a false route.”
“You’re relieved, Sergeant.”
Miller stepped closer.
“No, sir. You walked us into it.”
The soldiers heard him.
So did Sarah through the radio.
Silas looked around for immediate obedience and found none.
The platoon had not mutinied.
They had simply stopped trusting a man who treated evidence as disloyalty.
Miller keyed the radio.
“Jensen, we’re clear of the saddle. Can you identify a recovery route to your position?”
Sarah checked the southern edge of her notebook.
A narrow goat trail crossed beneath her ledge and connected to a protected basin. She had marked it after seeing fresh hoof prints during the ascent.
“Move south around the black wall. There’s a shelf below me.”
“How narrow?”
“Very.”
“Of course.”
Silas reached for Miller’s radio.
Miller moved it away.
“Captain, step back.”
“You’re choosing an injured corporal over your commanding officer.”
Miller looked toward Sarah’s cliff.
“I’m choosing the person whose information kept us alive.”
May you like
Silas’s face tightened.
For the first time, rank no longer gave him control of the answer.
