TAPS COBB LOOKED down at the body of the man he had killed. It was partially frozen and nearly buried in snow, but it was there. Dried blood clung to the surrounding snow, giving the immediate area a reddish-brown coloring akin to fresh rust. Taps felt a little sick at the sight but fought off the feeling as he Mad ordered Gil and another squad mate, Lyle, to dig the man out.
"Any sign of his rifle?" Mad asked Taps.
"No, sir," he replied.
"Damn. We could've used it."
Taps fell silent and looked at Mad out of the corner of his eye. Her strawberry blond hair was tied up in a ponytail and she wore a stern look that looked out of place on her young face. As much as Taps didn't want to admit it, he loved her.
From the first time he had seen Mad, he had wanted nothing more than to be with
