The Ice Box

Posted on Tue Aug 10th, 2021 @ 9:54pm by Master Sergeant Oliver 'Shep' Shepherd
Edited on on Wed Aug 11th, 2021 @ 2:03pm

Mission: Jumping Right In
Location: Arrival at McMurdo
593 words - 1.2 OF Standard Post Measure

"It's gonna be freezin." Shep said to person sitting next to him.

All they did was look at him with a blank stare.

"Just saying. Freeze ya bollocks off..." Shep said with a 'don't care if you want to know this or not' look and a shrug of his shoulders. "Brass could have moved it to the Bahamas. I hear they have nice beaches down there, beer on tap, little sun. Instead we get permanent ice cube with bad weather..." he trailed off as a memory began to rise to the forefront of his mind.

Oliver sat at a bar, one of the many he frequented but this one more common than his random visits. His wife and he had separated. This was the fourth time now. He'd been retired from service for a few years now, little bit of freelance work and such.

"Mick, gimme another beer will ya?" he said tilting the bottle towards him.

Mick could be heard to be laughing slightly as went to the cooler and brought a bottle over. "Gonna drink me dry Shep."

"Ah I keep you in business mate. Your high clientele in here is all because of me." he grinned.

"It's 10am and you're the only one here." Mick stated deadpan.

"Exactly." Shep said with a suck of the bottle before tilting it and winking. "Beautiful clientele."

It was then the doors of the bar opened and a Colonel of the US Air Force walked in. There was a swagger to him, a confidence that came with experience and age. He came up and sat next to Oliver.

"Seats taken pal." Shep said watching the TV.

"You are the only one here." The man stated.

"Nah, all my mates are just hiding. Saw your shiny eagle and ducked for cover. Sensible buggers." he said sucking air through his teeth.

The Colonel sighed and just sat down next to him anyway. "I'd heard you were a smart ass." he said placing a manila folder down on the bar.

"Oh I'm as smart as they come Boss. That's why I'm drinkin at 1000 hours on a Tuesday morning."

"In this file I have information pertaining to a opportunity for yourself to take part in a special operation within a secret facility that at this time I cannot disclose. This has been approved by the UEO and US Government." Colonel Everett said as the flash of his name badge shone in the cheap bar lighting.

Oliver nodded as he took another swig of beer. "That's ridiculous! You see that tackle?! Nothing in that at all! Bloody woman rolling around there!" he yelled and gestured at the television.

"Sergeant Shepherd! Did you hear me?!" Everett asked in a slightly louder more pissed off tone.

"Yeah, Colonel. I heard ya. I'm retired you know? Long time now, ask your buddies." he asked.

"Doesn't matter, read the file and get yourself out there." Everett said with hint of disdain. "If it were up to me I'd leave your here to soak."

"Well thank your frilly knickers its not then eh? When does the plane leave?"

"End of the week. Any questions?"

"What do I pack? Blokes gotta know how to dress in these mystery assignments..." he said sarcastically.

"Thermals." he said with a wry smile before standing up.

The memory faded...

The plane had landed.

Shep looked out the window at the snowstorm that was quietly raging on. He sighed and picked up his bag. "Well, ain't going to be short a cube for a drink here." he said to himself.