Date: Sun, 29 May 2016 18:32:46 +0300
From: Cooper Max <lmd4208@gmail.com>
Subject: The Military Network Part 9 (Military)

	I can be reached at lmd4208@gmail.com and respond to all emails
both positive and negative.

			The Military Network Part 9

	The diner exploded in unbridled chaos. FBI agent Mark Shultz and
Colonel Jason Fenzel had been drinking coffee and eating their sticky buns
casually, happy to be catching up after a few days of no communication when
suddenly two men burst into the diner screaming.

	The men screamed at the patrons to get onto the ground, to keep
quiet. FBI agent Mark Shultz shot Colonel Fenzel a knowing look; a
reassuring look that said `be quiet and follow my lead.' Jason's heart beat
increased as he realized Mark definitely had his side arm with him; the man
was an FBI agent for God's sake and rarely went any where without it. Jason
wondered what Mark was going to do. Mark signaled for Jason to follow him
to the diner floor. Slowly, the two men descended as the robbers continued
to scream and run around waving their weapons.

	The diner filled with a cacophony of noise as plates smashed,
children cried and people yelled out with fear and shock. The diner staff
was visibly shaken and looked unsure of whether to hit the ground or stay
put. As if reading their minds, the gunmen focused their attention on the
staff forcing most to the ground but grabbing one elderly woman and pushing
her towards the register.

	Mark mouthed to Jason to stay down and stay still. Jason had been
in scarier spots than this in Afghanistan and Iraq. Jason had narrowly
escaped a few ambushes and more than his fair share of mortar fire.

	`If I die in this diner at the hands of some petty thugs with
everything I've already survived, I'm going to be pissed!' Jason thought to
himself.

	Measuredly, Mark's hand crept towards his waist; his side arm
invisible from view beneath his dark black, well tailored suit. Jason held
his breath; he knew Mark was an exceptionally capable FBI agent but that
didn't mean an errant bullet couldn't make its way into Mark especially
against two erratic thugs.

	The men's behavior became more frenzied as they man handled the
elderly diner waitress. The old lady handled the screaming and rough
handling well; not a tear shed. She looked unshaken; iron clad. Jason
couldn't believe her demeanor. He'd seen much younger, stronger and
better-trained men in combat react worse.

	The old lady was having difficulty with the register or at least
seemed to be. Given her expression, Jason wondered whether she was
deliberately stalling. Was there a panic button? Had someone already
signaled the police?

	Jason thought sardonically that it didn't matter if the police
knew; there was an FBI agent already inside the diner, armed and ready to
act. Mark's hand was inching closer to his side arm.

	Suddenly, the elderly dinner patient swung her elbow back straight
into the armed assailant behind her. The man, momentarily stunned and
thrown off balance, stumbled a few steps backwards. Jason caught movement
out of the corner of his eye as an elderly man stood and took aim with what
looked like a revolver. The diner erupted in gun fire as the man let off
two shots.

	The struck assailant regained his composure and threw the elderly
women violently to the ground as he took aim at the elderly man. The
elderly man ducked behind a table after flipping it to provide protection
for himself as the two robbers opened fire on him.

	Mark had his own weapon in his hands. The two assailants were
distracted as they exchanged fire with the surprisingly resilient elderly
man behind the table. Diner patrons screamed as bullets shattered
glass. Mark looked back at Jason signaling he was about to join the fray
but as Mark was looking at Jason, Jason's facial expression changed
dramatically. Alarmed, Mark called out to him, "Jason! Jason! What's
wrong?"

	Jason tried to respond but words wouldn't form in his mouth. Pain
pulsated through his body after a fiery sensation had ripped through him.
Jason struggled to call out to Mark but Mark's eyes flashed to the pool of
blood forming around Jason's body. He didn't need the answer from Jason; he
could see for himself. Mark crawled to him and started patting his body for
the entrance wound. Within minutes, Mark had located the entrance wound in
Jason's leg. Quickly, without thinking, Mark's muscle memory took over. He
undid his belt and rapped it two inches about the wound and pulled
tight. The bleeding started to slow. Jason's own training kicked in as,
woozily, he applied pressured to his wound.

	"I'm good here man. This is the best we can do for now. Get in the
mix and end this before someone else gets hurt." Jason called out over the
gunfire. The elderly man was giving these robbers hell.

	Mark grabbed his weapon, waited for a lull in the firing, and
sprung up partially concealed behind a counter. The robbers had all their
focus on the elderly man in the other corner and didn't see Mark level his
weapon at them. Four well-placed shots had the men on the ground, screaming
in agony at their wounds.

	Mark called out, "Someone call 911, we have multiple injuries. Let
me make sure these guys are down for the count. No one move!"

	Mark turned to the elderly man in the corner who had hesitantly
raised his head from behind his cover.

	"Good work, Sir! Cover my 6?" He asked emphatically.

	The man responded, "I got your back. Get in there and finish them!"

	Mark smiled at the man's enthusiasm. If this man wasn't a war vet
or a retired police officer, Mark would be shocked. He looked forward to
hearing the man's story after this was all sorted.

	Methodically, weapon raised and ready, Mark approached the
counter. The two men had dropped behind it after he shot them. They could
have their weapons in their hands ready to fire. Mark grabbed a plate off
of the nearest table as he got within 5 feet. He tossed it over the
counter.

	Silence.

	If the men were ready to fire, they would have unloaded on the
plate as it crashed over the counter. Hesitantly, Mark peered over the
counter, barely exposing his head. The two men lay writhing on the
ground. Blood was smeared all across the tiled diner floor. Decisively,
Mark jumped over the counter to seize the weapons at the men's sides before
either decided to get brave again.

	Sirens pierced the eerie silence that had encompassed the
diner. The patrons began to stir nervously. Mark called out, "everyone
clear out of this diner. If you're hurt see me here so I can get you
medical help."  Mark finished by asking the elderly man to scan the diner
to see if anyone else was wounded.

	Mark hurried back to Jason. He was pale and sweaty. Jason gave him
a weak smile and grimaced as pain shot through him.

	The elderly man limped over to the two of them and stated, "No
other injuries. Thank God. Could have been so much worse."

	"Sir, you're a hero! You did remarkably well for someone of your
age." Mark practically yelled out.

	"Hey, I'm no old geezer if that's what you're implying. I learned
how to shoot in the war and never forgot. I've carried my revolver with me
every day since I got back onto American soil all those years ago; knew
it'd come in handy especially with the way this country is heading." The
man said in an ornery tone.

	"All the same, thank you sir. You'll have to give a statement to
the police." Mark stated.

	"No. Thank you. You're the one that took them out and good thing
too. I was running out of bullets!" The man wheezed as he slumped into a
chair, tiredly.

	Mark smiled and Jason laughed through his pain. "Well, it's my job
so don't thank me too much." Mark stated as he flashed his FBI badge.

	"Well in that case, what the hell took you so long?" The man stated
crankily.

	The police swept into the diner, guns raised.

	"We''ll get you to the hospital, Jason. Hang in there."


						----------

	Major Matt Condley smiled across the table at Sergeant First Class
Nathan Atkinson.


	"And? What was the verdict?" Nate asking imploringly.

	"Partial custody! I'll get to see my kids regularly! Her motion for
full custody was denied!" Matt screamed happily.

	"That's fantastic! I'm so happy for you, Matt!" Nate replied.

	Matt went on to explain how his ex-wife had tried to have him
declared unfit to be a father. How she dragged his name completely through
the mud during the custody hearing and told the court every sordid detail
she knew. She wanted to take the boys across the country and start over.

	"Wow that woman has a lot of hate for you, doesn't she?" Nate asked
sarcastically.

	"Enough to power the earth." Matt replied.


	Matt laughed harder and felt lighter than he had in months. He
looked across the table at Nate drinking in how handsome he was. Despite
his own loss, Nate had regrouped and was looking better than ever. Matt and
Nate had been spending most of their time together now that Nate was living
in the same area. The two had really leaned on each other for
support. Nothing sexual had happened between the two of them since the last
get together of the network.

	Matt didn't want to impose or pressure Nate even though it'd be
quite a few months since Nate's wife had passed away. Nate didn't want to
push Mark with how stressed he was leading up to the trial. Somehow, sex
just didn't come up when they were together.

	"So, personal question for you. Have you considered starting to
date again?" Mark asked Nate hesitantly.

	"Yeah, I've thought about it. I don't know if it's the right time
for me. I have a lot to figure out." Nate responded.

	"How about you? Your divorce is finalized.  You're a free man,"
Nate questioned.

	"I'm ready. I'm ready to find the right person for me." Matt said
confidently.

	"Guy or girl?" Nate asked teasingly.

	"I think my days of dating women are behind me." Matt stated
smiling widely.

	"What about you? Are you going to chase the ladies again?" Matt
questioned.

	"No. Those days are done for me too. No woman will ever be able to
replace my wife. Besides, if I were being honest, it wouldn't be fair to
date another woman. I'll never find a lady as understanding of my desires
for men as my wife was." Nate replied.

	The two men sat smiling across the table at each other.

	"Hmmm. We're both single guys now and looking to date another
guy. Who would have guessed?" Matt blurted, laughing nervously.

	"Yeah, weird how life pans out." Nate said as he slid his hand
across the table and gripped Matt's hand.


			  --- To be Continued ---