Once upon a time Katanya had traded smoking for gum chewing. Gum was easier to keep on hand, especially during missions. Owen had his green apple Jolly Ranchers, and she had her assortment of chewing gum in fruit flavors. Her habit was not a wonky sort of good luck charm as it was a way for her to calm her nerves and keep her focus during long assignments. They way she chewed, snapped, and popped gum made it seem like her entire life was a long assignment.
The gum wasn’t helping today. Katanya pushed herself away from the side of her Tahoe that she had been leaning against and spit the flavorless mound onto the ground. Kicking dirt over it with the toe of her boot before rounding to the other side of the vehicle. Wrenching open the passenger door, she knocked around in the glove box until she found what she was looking for. A weathered black paper box about the size of her hand. Shaking it close to her ear revealed there was still a few more of the bad habits inside. Pulling one out she placed it between her lips and lit it with a lighter she kept on her person for kicks.
Inhaling the stale smoke only made her feel better out of habit. It tasted terrible and her nerves were still on the fritz. Settling into the passenger seat she leaned her head back and closed her eyes. Hands continued to make a steady rhythm to her mouth for more drags of the cig. It was dark and silent at the rendezvous point where she was waiting for the Lieutenant General. Her only source of light was the yellow wash from the overhead light. The spot was a few miles away from the actual destination, and a few more from any town or city.
Katanya considered the pasts events that had put her in this position. A bombing mission six years ago. Owen had placed the explosives that would destroy an international embassy in Russia and lead to a grueling back and forth conflict between the two superpowers. She had argued with him; begged him not to do it. She had the liberty of doing so when no one was watching her, but he hadn't listened.
Katanya had personally tugged at the strings that led to the mission going awry at the end. Just as she had in the past, but just like all those other failed attempts, Owen had refused to die. Instead, he'd ended up with the injuries that had ruined him for combat. His non-combat status had not taken his head off the FIS shit list. He'd been promoted, word got around that he was being considered for Commander General. This was her last chance. Her mission was definitively laid out before her and this time, it was Hart’s life or hers.
Still, a feeling of remorse nagged at her. Plagued with the thought of killing a man that had become her friend. Betraying the trust that not only he but the CAF had put into her. With a growl of frustration she tossed the spent butt to the ground and angrily lit another. Katanya didn't know when she had become this soft person. This woman full of doubts and the fear of regret. The hand not busy with the cigarette, unconsciously reached for the side arm strapped to her hip; a gift. One that she had received from Owen one holiday season that seemed a lifetime ago now.
Katanya could hear the beginnings of an SUV approaching, tearing up dirt and gravel in its wake. She glanced in the side mirror and could see the faint bounce of headlights in the distance. It was almost time. She inhaled deep on the cigarette.
The gum wasn’t helping today. Katanya pushed herself away from the side of her Tahoe that she had been leaning against and spit the flavorless mound onto the ground. Kicking dirt over it with the toe of her boot before rounding to the other side of the vehicle. Wrenching open the passenger door, she knocked around in the glove box until she found what she was looking for. A weathered black paper box about the size of her hand. Shaking it close to her ear revealed there was still a few more of the bad habits inside. Pulling one out she placed it between her lips and lit it with a lighter she kept on her person for kicks.
Inhaling the stale smoke only made her feel better out of habit. It tasted terrible and her nerves were still on the fritz. Settling into the passenger seat she leaned her head back and closed her eyes. Hands continued to make a steady rhythm to her mouth for more drags of the cig. It was dark and silent at the rendezvous point where she was waiting for the Lieutenant General. Her only source of light was the yellow wash from the overhead light. The spot was a few miles away from the actual destination, and a few more from any town or city.
Katanya considered the pasts events that had put her in this position. A bombing mission six years ago. Owen had placed the explosives that would destroy an international embassy in Russia and lead to a grueling back and forth conflict between the two superpowers. She had argued with him; begged him not to do it. She had the liberty of doing so when no one was watching her, but he hadn't listened.
Katanya had personally tugged at the strings that led to the mission going awry at the end. Just as she had in the past, but just like all those other failed attempts, Owen had refused to die. Instead, he'd ended up with the injuries that had ruined him for combat. His non-combat status had not taken his head off the FIS shit list. He'd been promoted, word got around that he was being considered for Commander General. This was her last chance. Her mission was definitively laid out before her and this time, it was Hart’s life or hers.
Still, a feeling of remorse nagged at her. Plagued with the thought of killing a man that had become her friend. Betraying the trust that not only he but the CAF had put into her. With a growl of frustration she tossed the spent butt to the ground and angrily lit another. Katanya didn't know when she had become this soft person. This woman full of doubts and the fear of regret. The hand not busy with the cigarette, unconsciously reached for the side arm strapped to her hip; a gift. One that she had received from Owen one holiday season that seemed a lifetime ago now.
Katanya could hear the beginnings of an SUV approaching, tearing up dirt and gravel in its wake. She glanced in the side mirror and could see the faint bounce of headlights in the distance. It was almost time. She inhaled deep on the cigarette.
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Miscalculations [Closed] - by megs - 09-12-2016, 04:26 PM
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RE: Miscalculations [Closed] - by saronym - 10-27-2016, 11:00 AM
RE: Miscalculations [Closed] - by megs - 10-27-2016, 12:12 PM
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RE: Miscalculations [Closed] - by megs - 10-29-2016, 10:50 AM
RE: Miscalculations [Closed] - by saronym - 10-29-2016, 03:35 PM
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RE: Miscalculations [Closed] - by megs - 11-17-2016, 11:48 AM
RE: Miscalculations [Closed] - by saronym - 11-18-2016, 02:26 PM
RE: Miscalculations [Closed] - by megs - 11-18-2016, 03:03 PM
RE: Miscalculations [Closed] - by saronym - 11-19-2016, 12:47 PM
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