Page 23 of Metal & Mud

Logan gave him the thirty second version, and at the end Carter whistled. "Fuck, bro. Seriously?"

"Yeah. I wasn't trying to make shit difficult for Adams, you know."

"I know, and she knows too," Carter said. "But you might be hurting her career too. You get Article 15'd, that's going to reflect on everyone in your chain of command. That's the sort of shit that keeps a Sergeant from becoming a Staff Sergeant."

Logan groaned, his stomach twisting tighter. The last thing he wanted was to damage Adams' career. "I didn't think of that."

"Parker's a good platoon leader, and he'll work his angle," Carter assured him. "He doesn't want that heat either. The man's got a reputation to uphold. Just keep tight, keep your mouth shut other than within the platoon. You don't even say shit around the barracks unless you're talking with me and the rest of the team. Especially Crews."

"Crews?" Logan asked, surprised. "Why?"

"There's a reason he's not in the fire teams," Carter said. "Fun guy to hang out with, but his mouth flaps in both directions. It's why he works directly for Top. Top doesn't put up with his bullshit."

Logan nodded in understanding, he knew the type. "Thanks."

"Not a thing," Carter assured him with a warm grin. "You'll get through this."

"Yeah... yeah," Logan said, grateful for the support. "Really, Carter. Thanks."

"No problem. Now, can your violent ass find a tire pressure gauge for me?" he said, kicking the right front tire. "We gotta check this thing's PSI."

* * *

12

SABBY

"Hey Sabby."

Sabby looked up from her drawing tablet to see Brian Manheim walk into the alley. She was by herself again, which wasn't unusual for a Tuesday.

What was unusual was that it was just before three thirty, and Brian was in his uniform. Usually he'd come in around six, having changed into civilian clothes, ready to relax and maybe have a beer.

Not today. Today he looked every inch the platoon sergeant he was, and he walked with a heavier stride than normal. Sitting down at the counter, she brought him a Mr. Pibb automatically, even though she was wondering what brought him in.

"Hey Brian. Uhm, is everything okay? You look like someone smacked your dog or something."

"Yeah, for me it's okay. But maybe not for you... or for Jess."

"What?" Sabby asked, surprised. "How?"

"She didn't say anything to you yesterday?" Brian asked, and Sabby shook her head. He sighed. "That's so like her. Look, something went down at the alley on Saturday night."

"You mean with Logan Goodman?" Sabby asked, her heart skipping a beat. "Jess asked about him on Sunday. I didn't know he was one of her soldiers."

"He is... and there's a National Guard lieutenant looking for a guy who punched him out in the parking lot," Brian said. "Goodman."

Sabby's heart clenched in her chest. She didn't know about that, even though she should have guessed after the fight. "So what's going on?"

"Right now, it's very informal," Brian said. "Which is hopefully how it'll stay. It's being handled outside my lane however."

"Why?" Sabby asked, clutching the edge of the counter. "Could Logan get in trouble?"

"The charge could be pretty rough," Brian admitted. "I've heard there were some mitigating circumstances, but still, Goodman supposedly struck an officer. National Guard or not, circumstances or not, that's a serious charge."

"How serious?"

"Reduction in rank, time in the stockade... possible bad conduct discharge if it goes before a JAG judge," Brian said. "Nobody wants that. It'd depend on a lot of stuff."

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