The Battered Devil Dog

A/N: This is my first attempt in writing fanfiction. Since English is not my native language, I really appreciate if you can give review related to grammar, etc. Thank you.

This story is inspired by "The Devil Dog in Baggy Pants" by buffyaddict13 in AO3. I want to put the link to the story, anyone can help?

Chapter 1

Ray Person is not happy. They finally entering Baghdad, but he can't convince himself that they liberated Iraq or just make the country more fucked up. Too much civilian has been killed by constantly-changing ROE, stupid command by equally stupid C.O (a.k.a Encino Man and/or Captain America) and trigger-happy marines (Ray hates those Delta Company reservists). He still cannot sing his favorite country music within Brad's hearing range. And since Ray is Brad's RTO, he always in Brad's hearing range. It sucks.

Speaking of Brad the Iceman, he is trying to be hero again by defusing unexploding artillery shell in the middle of a courtyard. Poke is not happy with this. But one frosty command from the celebrated Iceman makes him fetch the detonation kit.

"Brad, do you think this is a good idea? And as far as I know, you don't like kids. So why do you care for kids playing in this garden anyway. You're the Iceman. Iceman doesn't have a heart." Ray said while he's watching Brad examining the shell.

Brad's not responding. So, ever compliant to the procedure of their friendship, Ray keep talking "You remember those old movies where they like hit the bomb once like before it's gonna to go off...". At that time, Poke arrives with the det-kit and gives it to Brad.

Ray continues "...and the main guy has like to cut either the red wire or the black wire and he's sweating his balls off? And it's getting really intense. This is kinda like that. Who thought we'd be doing this shit..."

Brad sighs and muttered his famous line "Shut up, Ray."

Minutes later, they hide behind some wall. Brad looks at his watch and said "It's time, gents.". They duck down and put their fingers in their ears. Then…BOOM…the shell detonated. Dirts and rocks everywhere. With his head still down, Ray starts to stand up to walk to the Humvee when suddenly a heavy rock falls right into his neck that not covered by his Kevlar helmet. Last thing he heard was Brad's voice, shouting something.

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Ray feels the wind and he feels like he's hanging. When he opens his eyes, he sees the vast meadow that filled with paratroopers. Wait….in a meadow? Paratroopers? He checks his surroundings. He is hanging in an old-fashioned jumping harness, stuck in one of the tree that surrounding the meadow. He's only hanging a few meters above the ground. He also wears a green uniform. This is an army uniform, he thinks. He muttered "What the fu-?"

His word was cut when someone with the same uniform and harness yelled at him from below the tree. The man wears white band with large Red Cross in it. " You okay there, Person? I saw harsh wind blow your 'shute to the trees and saw you stuck and go limp. You passed out? You feelin' dizzy or sumtin'?"

Ray's confused face must be answers all this dark-haired man question. So he continues yelling "Stay still. I'll climb up there. Don't move. You might be broke sumtin'"

At that time, two man come to Ray's direction. The man with black hair and squared jaw yelled to Ray "Jesus, Person. You have the most rotten luck. Of all Easy, you're the only one that got blown and stuck in the tree.". Another man, shorter and with mischievous eyes, yelled "Be careful cut him down, Doc. Perco and I need our partner in crime."

The man called Doc only nods and starts to cut the rope of Ray's parachute. Doc than said to the other guys, "Guarnere, Luz, prepare to catch him. Be careful, Person looks disoriented. He might have a concussion or broken bones." The shorter man that revealed to be named Luz piped "He always looked like that, Doc."

Ray stay still and silent, which in normal situation is a miracle. Brad will be proud. But this situation is not making any sense. Where is he? What is Easy? Ray is sure he heard about it somewhere. Why these men know Ray, calling him by his last name? Where is Brad? Walt? Reporter? Ray even wants to see Trombley, The Psycho kid.

10 minutes and a lot of muttered curses later from the Doc, Luz & Guarnere, Ray finally lay down on the ground. Doc checks on a nasty bruise in Ray's forehead and big lump on the top of his head, asking a question or two to Ray. He concludes that Ray might have a minor concussion. At that time, several men had surrounded him. One tall man with red hair crouched down and talk to Ray. He had a Lieutenant insignia. When he talk, he talk with a fatherly voice "You'll be fine, Person. The ambulance already here to take you to the base." Ray only nods slightly. And as if Ray's luck cannot be more rotten, he hears a crack above him, and seconds later a heavy branch decided to break and falls right into his head. The last thing in his mind before passed out again, is that he wishes this double smack on his head doesn't lower his magnificent IQ.

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Glossary:

ROE (The Rules of Engagement): the all important, ever-changing and always ambiguous rules governing when a Marine may fire his weapon.

Delta Company: a company of reservist Recon Marines expected to be attached to First Recon Battalion. Delta will prove to be a bunch of under-trained, overzealous, poorly equipped cops-on-leave and office guys who know nothing about war.

R.T.O. (Radio Transceiver Operator): radioman, the most important guy on the team and usually the calmest and smartest next to the team leader.