The Conscripts: Fight or Die (Blood War Book 3) by Rod Carstens

time.”
    Fenes could almost feel the stares of the other two drill instructors.
    “In the midst of battle you must remain the eye of the hurricane. All those around you may be just reacting, not stopping to think. You must be the calm one, even if your instincts are to do the same as the others. Remain calm and think. Making a decision is always better than not making a decision.
    “Every day is a training day. You will fight the way you train. If you train sloppy you will die. Train like you fight. Tolerate no slacking off in training.
    “Platoon mates are going to be wounded and some will die. Understand that. Be prepared for it. Carry on no matter what. Complete the mission. If you do not, then those who died will have died in vain.
    “If a senior NCO or officer has a wound badge, watch what they are doing. They are probably making the best decisions.
    “Remember being a leader is not just giving orders. If there is a line for something good, then get in the back and make sure your troops get some before you do. If there is a line for something bad get in the front of it, show your platoon how it is done. Your troops will notice and it will say more than any long-winded speech about leadership. Keep the platoon together and make sure they are ready for combat.”
    At that point Ura did something Dieter could not have imagined a few months ago. He stood and extended his hand. Dieter took his hand and shook it. Mati and Chucha did the same. Each said, “Good luck, Legionnaire.”
    Dieter and the other two about-faced and left the room.

Sol System
    Earth
    City State of New York
    Kat straddled Dasan’s hips, her large, perfect breasts swaying as she rode him. Dasan reached up and clutched her breasts as they climaxed together. With a small growl of pleasure, Kat collapsed onto Dasan’s chest. He put his arms around her and they lay there saying nothing. They were in Kat’s bedroom, the curtains turned clear so they could see the sea of lights beyond. Sunlight was just beginning to glow below the horizon. Dasan had spent every night with Kat since they met. When his leave was over, he had continued to spend the nights with her and commuted to the base.
    “Mmmm,” Kat said, stroking Dasan’s chest. “How long before you have to go?”
    “Not long. I have an early meeting today,”
    Kat sat up and looked down at him, her face serious. “Last night you were talking in your sleep. Something about ‘They’re coming on the right.’ You were tossing and turning. Then you said, ‘No, not Padma.’ What was that all about?”
    Dasan rolled off the bed and went to the window.
    “I’m sorry, babe. I guess I was dreaming about Rift again.”
    Kat came up to him and put her arms around him from behind. “Who was Padma?”
    “She was a medic in my unit. The best there was. She was killed by a wounded hybrid. He blew himself and her up in front of us. That’s why we don’t take prisoners. It happened a number of times. But Padma was the best and one of the first. She was just blown into.…” Dasan stopped, unable to describe what explosives did to a medic with her helmet hinged back.
    Kat turned him around and stared up at him. “I can’t begin to understand what you’ve been through, but know this. I’m here for you. Know that. Last night when you were dreaming, I took you in my arms and it seemed to help. If I can do nothing else, I’ll be here for you.”
    Dasan stared at her for a long moment.
    “Kat, Rift won’t go away, nor 703. What I’ve seen and what I will see will always be with me. There will be more battles, more memories. They will just keep piling up on one another. It won’t get better. You have to understand that.”
    “Then why do that to yourself? You’ve done so much already. You could step back and not go into combat anymore. You’re a general now.”
    Dasan’s face hardened. “No, never. I will not quit until I’ve killed every fucking one of them. I’ve seen what they’ve