Confirmed Kill Read online

  “Well, we’re still alive, the mission’s a success, and we saved some civilians including a little girl. I say we call it even.”

  “You don’t really believe that.”

  “No. But Robash is healthy again and we’ll have things back to as normal as they ever get next time. Meanwhile, he might sort this out. You and I know what we did.”

  “Right.” Wade sounded more than a bit disgruntled. Kyle knew it wasn’t the Arcom that bothered him. It was the Bronze Star for Wiesinger.

  “Hey, buddy,” Kyle said, standing and coming to attention, facing Wade. Wade stood and faced him, looking curious.

  “You’re the finest spotter and shooter I could ever be teamed with. Wiesinger may not say it, but I will. You rock.” And he raised his hand in salute.

  Wade snapped to attention that would credit him on parade and popped his own arm up. “Means more from you than any medal he can ever award, buddy. Thanks.” The look in his eyes was probably a match for Kyle’s own.

  They both dropped back to attention, then relaxed again. It was a close moment, but also an embarrassing one, with the circumstances behind it.

  “Screw it. Let’s get my girlfriend and go watch civilian chicks dance without any fear of being blown up.” He indicated the door.

  “Sounds good. You’re buying,” Wade agreed, cheerful again.

  “How come I always wind up buying?”

  “If you don’t know . . .”

  It turned to friendly shoves as they headed out the door.

  AUTHOR’S NOTE

  Indonesia is a fascinating nation, and I hope I’ve presented it well. It has a chaotic past and its own current problems, but has some of the friendliest people and most beautiful scenery on Earths It’s always hard to be critical of places one isn’t familiar with, and my Indonesian friends deserve thanks for helping me build this story with some liberties on the political situation for sake of entertainment value. There have to be bad guys and there have to be heroes, but in the real world, things are not so black and white.