I love you, I won't kill you

Chapter 309 I Need You

Six months later, Amanda can finally feel extremely proud and confident about the "butter stick" (the second lieutenant's rank mark) on her shoulder.Now she is not only an excellent Marine Corps officer, but also an excellent Marine Corps member.

As an officer, she has learned how to accept and execute a military operation order.When she decomposes this command into a series of more specific and detailed sub-commands, she will communicate to her subordinates in the simplest and most direct way.

As a Marine, she also learned how to be a squad leader, fire team leader, machine gunner, rifleman, sniper or mortar bomber.The purpose of training her in this way is to let her clearly understand the tasks, potentials and difficulties of each role in the company.

After completing the entire course, the end is a 9-day combat exercise, so she must formulate a detailed combat plan and command plan, organize an infantry platoon or infantry company composed of trainees to march, and finally launch an attack and effectively defend .

Now, when someone asked her what position she held in the Marine Corps, she would be very sure to name the infantry company, the law enforcement team, the signal company, any position in the combat intelligence branch.She has graduated with honors from all foundation schools because of the specialist subjects involved in these positions.

However, all the achievements that can make her a member of the ground force cannot stop the charm of the "Gold Wing" flight badge.In the end, she will still be back in the cockpit of the gunship from 6 months ago.

On July 7th, at 4:12 pm, after the "Independence Day" celebration was held at Quantico Base, Amanda also ushered in the first real military action order in her life.

Order her to take a transport plane to Camp Pendleton, San Diego in two hours.There she will fly to Spandahlem Air Force Base, where the U.S. military is stationed in Germany, with two infantry company Marines on rotation to Iraq.

At 13:10, 1 hour and 20 minutes before departure, Megan and Amanda sat in the Subway restaurant near the base airport.Megan looked at the second lieutenant officer opposite, "Please, don't there be sandwiches for sale in Fallujah?"

Amanda glanced at her, then continued to munch on the "Italian Classic" sandwich in her hand, "No, it's not Fallujah, it's Assad Airport."

Megan curled her lips and took a sip of iced coffee, "Hmm, where did the higher-ups send you?"

"Of course. The 3th Marine Aviation Group under the 39rd Aviation Wing, the 267th Light Attack Helicopter Squadron."

"Whoa, that's a real helicopter squadron on the front lines."

"It's funny that a major medic in the Marine Corps would envy a second lieutenant pilot who went to the front line to fight."

Megan put down the cup in his hand, "Really? Thank you. Unfortunately, I have to stay in this base forever."

"Well, you can also choose not to be in this base." Amanda didn't even raise her head when she spoke, and continued to chew the Genoa-style salami and pepperoni slices in the sandwich, talking to herself, " Mmm, I love the taste of this pepperoni."

"What do you mean?" Megan asked curiously.

"What? Oh, uh, I was just talking." Amanda finished the sandwich and picked up the glass of juice on the side to drink.

"Tell me, what exactly do you want to say?" Megan asked.

"Well, this is your privacy, I can't just impose my personal opinion on it."

While the two were talking, a fierce, desert camouflage, four-door soft-top hatchback "Hummer" multi-purpose military vehicle suddenly stopped at the entrance of the restaurant with dust.

A female marine wearing an octagonal patrol cap, digital desert camouflage uniform, and Belleville 550ST marine combat boots emerged from the left cab. She closed the car door and stepped into the restaurant.

When the female marine entered the restaurant, she neither ordered at the counter nor sat down in an empty space.Instead, he went straight to Amanda's dining table.

"Second Lieutenant Amanda McLaren!" The female marine called Amanda's name as she walked.

"It's me! You..." Amanda looked very surprised when she saw the face of the female marine.

Immediately afterwards, without saying a word, the female marine suddenly swung her right fist and hit Amanda in the face.When the opponent was mentally prepared, it was hard to say that her punch could hit the target.

Amanda ducked her head to the left, and quickly called the other person's name, "Elena, what are you trying to do?"

Megan stared at Elena's face and shouted, "Attention, Corporal Elena Huffman!"

"I'm sorry, Major, I have something to say to Second Lieutenant McLaren." Elena stood at attention and said, looking ahead.

"You can hit anyone if you have something to say? Don't forget, this is Quantico. Corporal, you are a marine!" Megan stood up and said to Elena with a serious expression.

"Megan...uh, major, let's sit down and talk." Amanda said softly, because at this time, she had already observed someone in the restaurant watching them.

"Corporal, sit down." Megan gave Elena an order.

"Yes, sir." Elena stared at Amanda intently, and sat beside Megan.

The tense atmosphere froze in the air, Amanda smiled and said, "Elena, what would you like to drink?"

Elena took off her patrol cap and put it on the dining table, revealing her ball bun hidden behind her head.Said to Megan, "Major, you are the highest officer here, can I ask you a personal question?"

"Speak, Corporal."

"If you have no objection, I would like to have this conversation in my private capacity."

"Uh, no problem, Corporal."

Elena looked at Amanda again, "Do you know where I'm from?"

"Uh, Camp Lejeune? Last time you told me you stayed there all the time."

"Correct. Then you know why I came to Quantico?"

Her words aroused Megan's curiosity, "Uh, Corporal, Elena. I think, I need to avoid this conversation."

Elena glanced at her, "Megan, I believe in you."

Amanda could tell from the look in her eyes what she was trying to say.Shaking his head, looking at his watch, "Okay, tell me."

"I know, you are leaving the United States today."

"That's right, Elena. Uh, did you really come here from Camp Lejeune?"

"Yes. You know, how hard it is to take time off work? You know, I drove more than five hours to get here today?"

Megan sighed softly and looked at the two of them, "Amanda, you don't have much time. Whatever you want to say, just say it." After finishing speaking, she got up and left the table.

Amanda looked out the window, then at Elena, "Are you blaming me, without notifying you?"

Elena was silent for a few seconds and said, "Yes. You know, what did you do in Iraq?"

"I know. My attack helicopter squadron is part of the Marine Expeditionary Unit and works with other fixed-wing and rotary-wing squadrons to provide effective and necessary support to ground forces."

"I don't want to hear that. What I want to hear is, are you really not worried that your helicopter will be shot down?"

"Worried? Elena, we are all marines. From the moment we entered the marines, you and I knew what kind of fate we would face in the future."

Elena couldn't refute Amanda's words, she just said, "But why are you sent overseas instead of some other pilot?"

Amanda smiled softly, "Hmm, what the Marine Corps needs is a good pilot, don't I?"

"Okay, I agree with what you said. It's just..."

"Elena, it's 40 minutes before boarding time, I should go."

When she left her seat with her bags, Elena also stood up, "Okay, I'll take you to the airport. Remember, I will never hold your suicide note for you. I need you back!"

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