D + 32:07:11 (Sergeant Flippy Mission Clock) / En route to TIGER TRIANGLE BASE;
- Operation: LONG DEGREE

It was strange. It seemed strange.

Deemed strange.

In the vicinity of the strange.

Yet, 'strange' did not qualify to be a suitable word in Flippy's situation. He still had that sinking feeling in his mind. It lingered about, being the reason as to why he felt insecure in trepidation. His stony cold hands trembled uncontrollably. The sergeant that was sharpening his combat knife previously, was shuddering with uncertainty. Cold beads of sweat began to trickle down the soldier's forehead. A lump managed to form in his parched dry throat. The calm demeanor he had always practiced didn't seem to help him now. This wasn't the first mission in infiltrating a foe's territory; in fact, it was his sixth.

Supposedly he was becoming accustomed to the routine of snapping an enemy's neck and stabbing him in the chest. It wasn't that easy on the first try, but it was good enough to keep one's mouth shut as his life drains out painfully. Flippy dressed up in the TIGER ARMY's disgusting blue in hopes of deceiving the enemy, especially the leader. Much to his expectations, those blind idiots weren't able to distinguish between a friend and a disguised foe. He sometimes wished that his enemies would be a little more clever than snobbish and arrogant. Cherry colored flowers would soon bloom, and those damn souls would be crushed along with their cages of defiled flesh. Yet, he was surprised when he found out that both sides were in a tie.

To be frank, Flippy preferred killing his enemies in his favorite green army wear. He felt cleaner having a crimson liquid dirtying the thick jade cloth.

However, he felt the opposite now. The sixth mission had already brought him to a new door. A door that led to fear and paranoia. It almost felt as though he knew something would go wrong. Not, wrong, but horribly wrong. Despite everything being in tip-top shape, he secretly felt a tragedy striking before the curtains would fall.

Before his comrades would fall.

"Flippy?"

Upon hearing that familiar voice, Flippy snapped to attention. His eyes darted around, and the man realized that he was sitting in a truck. The vehicle bumped on the uneven jungle road, causing Flippy to jump out of his skin for a split second. The stealth marine eyed the sergeant carefully and smiled in concern, "You looked like you saw a ghost or something. Ya alright?"

Flippy turned his his head to face the assassin, his unsure smile still quivering as he nodded. Sneaky raised an eyebrow and lowered it in worry, as though not convinced by his comrade's response. Flippy swallowed and nodded again, harder, "It's just the cold air around here... I guess. It makes me feel queasy. But I'm alright, thanks," He waved a hand in emphasis, not wanting to start an interrogation. Sneaky shrugged and took another puff of smoke from his tobacco. Flippy was sure to avert his eyes; he wasn't much of a fan of smoke. The Asian-like assassin stretched out with a yawn, ruffling his messy hair with a sweaty hand. His head-piece prevented his hair from flying all over the place.

It was impolite, but this was the Army. Everything was supposed to be impolite.

"Don't worry, signore.The General's plan will surely bring those kitty tigers the medicine they deserve," Flippy felt a pat on his shoulder, and he turned to face the oddly short heavy weapons officer.

He grinned nervously at Mouse Ka-Boom, who preferred to be addressed as Mouse. He was a short man, but with the manliest face out of everyone in the truck. He had a thick Italian accent, and his purple eyes twinkled at the sight of food, even at the bright red color of an apple. Even though he was known by his height, he wasn't intimidated by Sneaky who was freakishly tall. In fact, Mouse himself was intimidating. His pyromania and strength to carry a huge heavy pack on his back made him one of the many famous icons among the 3rd Battalion.

"I assure you, Flippy, that out victory shall be celebrated!" Mouse said out loudly, not minding the sudden squeak in his voice. The other soldiers didn't mind as well; they only grinned at each other in agreement. Flippy, knowing that Mouse would always be the one who would comfort him, tried to brighten up, "With the best pepperoni pizza?"

"Bene! With pizza it is! My treat!" Mouse smiled widely, rubbing his hands together with finality. Sneaky licked his lips at the thought of Mouse's famous Italian-homemade pepperoni pizza. It was the best, if not, the best pizza in the whole wide world. Everyone was eager to complete the mission.

Well, at least this mission wasn't going to be so bad. His comrades were all so confident and successful in their kills. Their skills couldn't be outmatched. However, he wasn't sure if they were really going to win the war. The war that raged on for years, affecting almost every single person on Earth... Flippy sighed and slumped back in his seat. He readied his rifle and kept his knife in his pocket. In order to make fruits, you have to make flowers bloom. "Save me some mozzarella when we get home," He nudged Mouse in the shoulder, finally finding a new source of confidence. Flippy was finally free of his stress.

Mouse grinned at the sergeant. "If you promise to buy some Tiger meat from the maladetto inferno!"

"I'll try to keep that promise."


The rumble of the engines and snores of soldiers were the only thing Flippy had heard. He didn't notice himself leaning towards the peaceful Mouse in slumber. When he did, the sergeant jolted away from the small man, bumping against Sneaky in the process. However, the assassin only yawned without covering his mouth, going back to sleep in his seat.

It was only a matter of time before he heard a loud bang.

It pierced through the air, like a bullet, shaking the sergeant from his sleep. Another gunshot came by and a tire was wasted. Flippy shot his head up, grabbing his hat from the blood tray. The other soldiers who were perpetually disturbed from their nap tried to regain their consciousness by holding on to their seats. Flippy felt the truck vibrate and jerk violently. He could hear the driver yelling, "We've been detected!

"EVERYONE, MOVE OUT! Go, go, GO!" Flippy hurriedly took his backpack and sprang out from the vehicle, followed by the other passengers. Sneaky was the first; he ran towards a cluster of trees and brandished out his large knife. He cut down the branches and shouted, "Come, follow me! Quick!"

When the soldiers had escaped into the forest, Flippy gasped, "What the hell was that, Sneaky?"

"I think they found us. Those bastards just keep coming! Corporal Haven should have kept watch at his camp. We'll have to split up and meet at rendezvous point at Haven's camp," Sneaky suggested, slicing at the trees randomly in order to make a clear path. The driver, Major Riley, turned around and looked at the soldiers, "Sneaky, Mouse, Flippy, you're with me."

"Sir!" Flippy said, straightening up as he watched his superior group the remaining marines into fours. Mouse shivered, "Sir, I think we should move now. I don't like being stuck in this rut."

Major Riley snarled at the short man, "And I don't either. So get moving! On your feet!"

The four men sprinted on the mud, swiping away branches with their knives. Flippy wasn't able to dodge the large incoming branches but he was still able to move on. He looked behind to see the assigned foursomes departing into different directions of the jungle.

He thought that he would be seeing them soon, but they never came back.

Nobody came back.