Chapter 27: Recon and Discovery, Part 1

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Before joining her team, Helena took her scapular medal and held it in her hands. She knelt briefly and prayed: "Lord, guide me and protect me as I serve today. Bless my teammates and keep them safe. Amen." Upon standing she kissed her scapular medal and whispered, “Use me.” Than she put it back on; she felt a tingle as the cool medal touched the warm skin of her chest. She was ready for the long day ahead.

Sister Helena paused, running her fingers through her blonde hair before twisting it into a secure bun. She remembered vividly the last time she lost her veil while sprinting through the corridors of Zulu Station alongside Will. Her lips pressed together in silent reflection. God would not mind her decision—it was not the veil that defined her Carmelite devotion but her vows to live out the Carmelite way and wear the Brown Scapular as a testament to belonging to Christ.

Once breakfast wrapped up, Colonel Larkin stood and addressed the group. "Slight change of plans, folks. We'll finish clearing the monastery and head out to explore the cave afterward. We'll set up camp once we return from recon. We may not have time for a proper lunch, so pack enough protein bars and trail snacks to hold you over. If we’re lucky, we'll play some poker tonight."

Heads nodded in acknowledgment, and the team dispersed to gear up and check their weapons.

Noticing her subdued demeanor, Colonel Larkin leaned closer. "Is something wrong?" Helena hesitated before replying softly, "Just a nightmare."

"Ah! Nightmares… they have a way of haunting us, don't they?" Larkin's tone was understanding, tinged with warmth. "I have them all the time. Usually, it's me single-handedly fighting hordes of Jaffa or Wraith—or even both. But you know, they have a strange way of sharpening my focus, reminding me why I joined the SGC. If you ever want to talk about it, I'm here."

Her gaze softened as she met his steady eyes, though a tinge of anxiety filled her body. "I will. Thank you, Colonel."

The morning continued with lighthearted chatter. The team discussed the recent summer Olympics, their enthusiasm sparking lively exchanges. Helena tried to engage, though her cloistered life left her grasping for relatable anecdotes. Still, the effort was met with kindness from her teammates.