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Chubby picked a leather satchel up off the floor and started ru was farBobbie had to say
“If this were so that those Marines were tasked to deliver or protect, they wouldn’t have co it rather than abandon their mission That’s ould have done”
“Thank you,” Thorsson said
“I ht to the lastYou think the UN Marines would do less?”
“Thank you, Sergeant,” Thorsson said again, louder “I tend to agree, but we have to explore all possibilities Your co for A small plastic box of mints He took one out, then held the box out to Redhead to take one The sickly sweet smell of spearmint filled the air Around a eant I think we can proceed here without taking up more of your time”
Bobbie stood up, snapped another salute at Thorsson, and left the roorinding her teeth
Civvies didn’t get it No one did
When Captain Martens ca the gun housing on her coun from its mount and placed it on the floor next to the two dozen other parts she’d already stripped off Next to the with the various rods and brushes she’d use to clean the parts
Martens waited until she had the gun on the cleaning mat, then sat down on the floor next to her She attached a wire brush to the end of one of the cleaning rods, dipped it in the cleaner, and began running the brush through the gun, one barrel at a time Martens watched
After a few minutes, she replaced the brush with a s cleanser out of the barrels Then a fresh cloth soaked in gun lubricant to oil theears that co mechanism and ammo feed system, Martens finally spoke
“You know,” he said, “Thorsson is naval intelligence right fro, top of his class at the acade at fleet coence wonk The last tio He’s never led a fire team Or served in a co down her lubricant then standing up to put the gun back together, “is a fascinating story I really appreciate you sharing it”
“So,” Martens continued, nota beat “How fked up do you have to be before Thorsson starts asking me if maybe you aren’t a little shell-shocked?”
Bobbie dropped the wrench she was holding, but caught it with her other hand before it could hit the deck
“Is this an official visit? Because if not, you can f—”
“Me now? I’m not a wonk,” Martens said “I’m a marine Ten years as an enlisted y and theology”
The end of Bobbie’s nose itched, and she scratched it without thinking The sudden sun oil let her know that she’d just rubbed lubricant all over her face Martens glanced at it but didn’t stop talking She tried to drown hiether as noisily as possible