Dimensional Travels: Chapter 130: Ring of the World

Chapter 130: Ring of the World

Eric stood against the wall as he looked at Mia’s sleeping figure.

"Every ti I do this, it gets harder." He whispered, kissing the top of her head.

His phone vibrated. "Ti to go." He murmured as he took one last look at Mia.

Mia stirred. The sheets rustled as she turned over, feeling for Eric. She realized he wasn’t there and sat up slowly.

"It’s ti, isn’t it?"

"Yes."

She sighed, staring up at him. "I hate always having to be the one left at ho. Be careful out there."

He leaned in, kissing her on the lips.

"One day, neither of us will leave the house. We can sit back and watch Liara grow up. And I can keep a shotgun close in case any boys fall for those green eyes of hers."

Mia shook her head, a smile tugging on the corner of her lips.

"You’re lucky I love you."

After hugging her tightly, he stroked her hair. "I tell myself that every day." He said while chuckling.

"When I co back, I’ll finally build that bookshelf we bought at the furniture store."

She laughed, wiping a tear from her face. "You’d better. You’ve been saying that for months. This ti, I will hold you to it."

Eric nodded, and Jessica knocked on the door. "Dad? It’s ti."

"Co in. Mia is awake."

The door opened quietly, and Jessica rushed to hug Mia. She held Mia with all her strength, tears falling freely. "I love you, Mom. I’ll change all Liara’s diapers for a week when I get back."

Mia laughed, stroking the teenager’s hair. "You won’t have to do that, sweetie. Just co back in one piece. It’s like your Dad always says: don’t try to be a hero. Rely on your friends and the other soldiers."

Jessica put her head on Mia’s shoulder. "I’ll be careful, Mom. I promise. I won’t do anything reckless like before."

Mia smiled, stroking the girl’s head. "Good. I’ll ask Liam if you keep your word."

The teenager groaned. "Mom! Dad is bad enough! Not you too!"

Eric laughed with Mia and pulled them into a hug.

Mia kissed Jessica’s head. "I love you, kiddo."

Jessica separated from Mia. "I love you too, Mom."

Eric took Jessica’s hand. "Let’s go say goodbye to Liara."

The two walked into Liara’s room. Eric walked over to the crib. "When I get back, I’m taking you into town. Be good for your mother." He said quietly.

Jessica tried to hold back her tears. "We haven’t had much ti together, but when I get back, I am taking you everywhere with ." She whispered.

Eric hugged Jessica as they looked at the baby. "She’s going to grow up to be strong like you, Jess. She’ll need you there, so keep your promise to Mia."

Jessica nodded. "I will."

Eric then checked his phone with a sigh.

"Let’s go."

A line of tanks, Bradleys, and up-armored Humvees were parked outside of Hood Hill. Soldiers stood outside their vehicles. TCs reported their fuel levels to Justin as he walked the line. He checked his notes. "All present except for Master Sergeant and Jessica."

Erica walked up. "Justin, we have a problem with Team Echo."

He groaned. "What is it now?"

She sighed. "When they were lining up, a Humvee crashed into the Bradley in front of it."

Justin rubbed his face in his hands. "You have got to be shitting . Did they have a ground guide?"

Erica didn’t answer.

He sighed, walking down to Echo with her.

"Are you fucking shitting !" He heard a voice yelling. "We are supposed to move out in an hour, and you idiots are over here playing bumper cars in the dark! Where was the ground guide!"

Justin walked up. "Alright! Enough. First Sergeant, stand aside. How bad is the damage?"

Eric heard the commotion as he and Jessica were walking up. He turned to her. "Go join Felicity in the rear. I have a ss to clean up."

Jessica hugged him. "Okay."

After parting with Jessica, he walked over to the scene. "What’s going on here?" He growled, looking at the four specialists and their team leader. Justin stood off to the side, his eyes narrowed in annoyance.

"So soldiers from Team Echo were staging their vehicles without a ground guide."

Eric narrowed his eyes at the parties involved.

"When we get back, you four will do redial training on proper ground guidance."

He turned to the Staff Sergeant.

"Staff Sergeant Tio, since you are in charge of Team Echo, you will be in charge of administering the redial training. You will report when and if they pass. I will then administer my own test. If they fail, you will be relieved of your duties. Am I clear?"

All parties involved nodded.

"Good. You have one hour to replace this vehicle on the line. Take the damaged vehicles back to the rear and replace them with vehicles from 4-1’s reserve line."

"Roger."

Eric then turned to Justin. "Have the leaders of each team et

at the command vehicle in ten minutes. I will talk to them before we move out."

Justin left to complete his task, and Eric t Michael at the command vehicle. "Where were you in that fiasco?" Eric said as he pulled out his pack of cigarettes.

Michael handed him a lighter. "I wanted to see how the kid handled a situation like that. He did pretty well, all things considered. He got fuel counts without being told to do so."

Eric nodded. "Not bad. He definitely has potential."

Michael shook his head. "Yeah, but I hope I retire before he becos the officer version of you."

"Fuck you."

Michael smirked. "Does Mia know you’re smoking again?"

Eric clenched his jaw. "Asshole."

"I know."

Justin walked up with the leaders of each team. Eric put his cigarette out, and Michael stood up straight.

"We move out in two hours. We have to push the movent ti back by one additional hour while Echo replaces their vehicles. Before then, conduct PCCs and PCIs: Pre-Combat checks and inspections. Ensure that all assigned equipnt is in working condition. We will not lose soldiers because their night vision goggles don’t work, or the infrared sensors on a Bradley are not fully mission capable."

The leaders left to follow Eric’s orders, and Justin walked up. He set his gear in the backseat of the command vehicle, and Eric turned to him. "Bring

your weapon, nods, and vest."

Justin did as he was directed, dropping his vest before handing Eric his weapon.

Eric inspected Justin’s gear and nodded. "Not bad for an LT. Now, put on your vest."

Michael narrowed his eyes at Eric’s "LT" line and shook his head. "Quit mothering the kid, Eric."

Eric shook his head. "Do you rember when I had to show you how to fix your plates? Even though you’re thirty?"

Michael sighed. "Touche."

Two hours later, engines roared in idle. Soldiers donned their gear and stood in formation in front of Eric. He crossed his arms and gestured for them to co to him. "Gather around."

The soldiers gathered in a circular formation around him, and he stood in the middle with Michael. "Check it out, carelessness will not be tolerated. For most of you, this is your first ti going on an offensive. Trust in your training and rely on your fundantals. This is not the sa thing as holding a hill or sitting in foxholes. Communication is key. If sothing is wrong, you speak up imdiately. We are only as strong as our weakest link, so don’t be weak. We can all co ho if you rely on the n and won you see around you. Now, get in your vehicles."

Eric got in the driver’s seat of his vehicle. Erica and Justin got into the backseat, while Michael sat in the passenger seat. Michael grabbed the radio as they began to move out. "Alpha, this is command. Radio check."

"Command, this is Alpha. Loud and clear." Ca the response.

He repeated the process for all the teams in the convoy before putting the radio back. "Comms are good."

Eric nodded as they got onto the highway. "Thanks."

Michael smirked. "I can’t leave you to do everything now, can I?"

Eric sighed. "Remind

again why I chose you to be my OIC?"

"Because of my good looks?"

Erica leaned in, whispering in Justin’s ear: "They’re acting like a married couple."

Justin did his best not to laugh.

A few hours later, Justin leaned forward. "Master Sergeant, I have a question."

Eric sighed, but looked over his shoulder at Justin. "What’s up, bud?

"Why were you so hard on Staff Sergeant Tio?"

Michael looked at Eric, smirking.

Eric glared at the Captain before returning his focus to the road. "I’ll give you one guess. Try to figure it out yourself first."

Justin leaned back in his seat. He watched the scenery fly by before leaning forward again. "Is that why you talked about complacency?"

Eric nodded. "Exactly. In garrison, an accident is a summarized Article 15. In the field, it could be counseling and redial training, but out here? That sa complacency leads to twenty-one gun salutes."