Best of Both Worlds is currently revising. Old chapters were deleted so that the plot won't be confusing. Copyright of Jobinxzkie12 in AO3 and Shadow012 in fanfiction. No part of this story may be reproduced, stored, copied or/and transmitted in any form or by any means without prior permission of the author.
Thank you!
A/N: Hello to my lovely readers! Best of Both Worlds will be changed and I'm trying my best to edit the chapters quickly as possible. The new plot will have a little difference so please, please, please… Bear with me. Eep!
I decided to delete the old chapters so that it won't be confusing, hehe.
BOBW will be edited and it will be better… I hope. I'll try my very best to finish this story this year! Thank you so much! And loveyalots!
"Why will you kick someone away, if that person wants to care for you and stay?"
The room has been so dark and cold for so long–for so long he has been so alone.
Watching the blank ceiling atop leads to pointless and hopeless thoughts inside his head; and he do know–like every other night– he will have again his nightmares.
Simon Riley has been sick of everything.
Sick of these nights.
Sick of living.
Sick of life.
Sick of waiting.
He has been waiting for a remedy to calm his demos controlling him or maybe waiting perhaps for someone to mend.
But until now, he was waiting for nothing–emptiness devours him.
Such a pathetic cliché he has been thinking all about.
He shook his head and stands up to get his sleeping pills hidden carefully inside his drawers. The pills were not recommended now for him because he's been drinking those–until he's over than over dose. But still he found a way to get those pills in hand.
Simon popped two pills from the bottle and drank it, hoping that his nightmares will go away
–still hoping until now.
He went back to his bed and closed his eyes shut, grimacing at the terror of his past memories.
In his deep sleep, he saw again his demons haunting him and breaking him. But despite of his nightmares, a light speckled him a hope; an angel made a way for him to leave his cage.
Finally for a long time, he was free from his chains that shackled him. He saw a hand reaching for him earnestly–yearning to hold him close.
He saw a tender and loving face, drawing him closer for refuge from his nightmares and demons after him. When he was about to walk close near the other man, everything faded away into a blurry vision.
And Simon discovered he was on his bed in the middle of the night, realizing that was his first dream.
...
It was 6 o'clock in the morning.
The mess hall was in dead silence. Only muffled breathes and the clock ticking on the wall were heard. Most of the men find it uncomfortable staying in an empty and deserted room.
A room that was just still. There were times it should be like this way - just still yet mesmerizing to hear. A mess hall in silence was rare for some, because soldiers need to wake up earlier than 0600 for reveilles and PTs.
But today, the TF141 were enjoying their one day off-duty. The superiors will be glad to have their off-duty too, but, they have still important businesses to do. Captain John Mactavish, which was known by the nickname Soap and his lieutenant Simon 'Ghost' Riley – the two main superiors in TF141 – were the only ones who were wide awake.
The other lazy lads were still laying their asses on their beds, taking their time sleeping for their so called 'holiday'.
Soldiers have their morning routine everyday, which was kind of tedious for most. Soap has his newspaper in hand - who busied himself reading the important news headlines – while Ghost was drinking his hot, black and bitter coffee – one won't be really delighted of the flavour.
Ghost was too impossible sometimes. A superior who made himself an asshole in everyone he knew — pushing everyone out; isolating himself from others; being blunt and rude even to his superior and keeps himself always hidden. Not that he cares about someone. Or even fancied anyone.
For he cared nothing.
Not even his life.
Since his childhood, he was tortured by his heartless father in every ways - his father brought back dangerous animals and even forced him to kiss a snake; he was also threaten to kill him by his father; and made him laugh at the death of a prostitute and many others.
His mother didn't care about it neither his younger brother. He knew nothing about family, because his family made his life hell from the very start. Despite of all the traumatic and terrible events in early years of his life, those made him stronger and braver—
—yet broken.
His traumatic childhood was only the beginning of his suffering. When he grew up, his first job was an apprentice butcher at a grocery. After the September 11 attacks occurred, he joined the military. Simon have his natural skills owned, making him an expert soldier and the reason why he was got into S.A.S. He lives happily being a soldier regardless of the life taking missions. His career made him feel free from all the pain he went through when he was just a boy.
But, his family will be his family. Yes, he hates them. But they were his family. Nothing will change the reality. A thought occurred to him that he will go back to his home for one last time.
However it was a bad idea.
His family became complex puzzle pieces – scattered and dispersed. His mother was constantly getting cheated on and his younger brother – Tommy – was addicted to drugs. His father was nowhere to be seen. Simon decided not to go back to his home and family. He went back to the military and chose to be happy—
—but happiness is just something that won't last long. Happiness is just something you cannot hold on.
His happiness is just something that made everything wrong.
For happiness is in the heart of someone who is contented within self.
But that someone will never walk in his life, just as he expected.
There was a terrible mission when his commanding officer betrayed his team on the Day of the Dead. The three of them were captured, tortured and brought them into a brainwashing facility. There, everything went downhill.
He went berserk and mad about everything. Tortured until he was already between life and death. Pushed into his limits and even pushed further on. He didn't know what to do and he can't even think properly. All he wanted was to go back home.
But then he realized there was no home.
Simon was in his great pain which made him this way. He was absolutely broken.
After days of torment, he was buried alive and left by his captors. He used this opportunity to escape this nightmare he was getting into and got back home. And it's not even home.
He spent months trying to recover from all the terrifying incidents and those carved nightmares inside his head. He was critical at that point. Because of his temper-management issues, he wasn't accepted back in military. That made him disappointed.
The military was his life. In military, he was taught how to help brothers-in-arm and how to survive to the fullest. There in the military, he learned how to fight not for himself, but for others. He learned how to be unselfish.
So now, he was taught to be heartless but at the same time, selfless.
Selfless for others,
From his monsters,
Lurking inside him,
Getting away from the rim,
Controlling it,
Hiding it,
Getting away from it,
But it was just useless like shit.
His nightmares were made even worse, when Kevin Sparks – his former colleague – and Marcus Washington killed his entire family. With no hesitation, he killed both of the murderers. Once, his demons were caged just for a while, but now, they were set free.
Not by him, but by his nightmares that were killing him everyday and every night. After that, he gets intelligence in hand and killed Roba in just instant. He was controlled by his devils all this time; his heart was in pieces of broken shards, his thoughts were cracked, his morals now lacked, but still maintained his life intact.
And until now, he thought about that,
How he survived life full of mishaps,
Well, that was how he called torture.
Because he didn't still find a cure.
A cure for a broken heart.
That made the life apart.
Only one person can restart
One's life and the broken heart.
Happiness.
Is something
and everything.
But to him it's nothing.
Because he chose to be alone, than to be happy– for nothing.
Simon was now changed his name to Ghost. No one ever knew his real name, where he came from and what his story behind his mask is. For no one dared to care and ask. Except for his Captain, of course. All this time, he didn't know what to do and what's his point in living.
If there'll be a reason to live, it will be living for others need and killing people. Ironic right? He lives for his country and his men, and he live to kill men he didn't knew. Because of this, he is being in control of his hidden demons everytime.
He survives it by taking pills each day to stop his nightmares and calm his temper. And until now, he insists to his doctor to take pills from now on just to control his being. He never cares that taking pills too much is really dangerous for a human's health.
Not that he's a human. He didn't have a heart for others after all. And neither no one cares about him. Why should anyone care about him?
He murdered thousands of innocent and dirty people who mess him up.
Stop thinking about the past now Simon! Bloody stop…
He didn't even protect his own family–the family which made the present him.
Stop!
He always went blacked out in anger towards others–causing harm.
Just stop…
And his every loved one was always killed.
Please.
Either by someone or… him.
Fucking stop it!
"Ghost? Everything alright?" his Captain snapped him back in reality. John Mactavish has been the one who's being his mentor all the time–guiding him to the correct path, being there when everything was messed up and teaching him how to control his demons, somehow.
He glanced at his Captain's worried look, for he didn't notice that he was breathing heavy and gripping hard on his cup of coffee. "Y-yes. I'm just thinking something." he stuttered in words to escape his fleeting insanity.
His Captain grunted and simply smiled, "I hope that something won't cause you any trouble." he stated for he knew Ghost all too well.
"Trouble?" that word made Ghost's blood boil a bit. Yes, trouble was a word that really defines him, but sometimes it makes him feel a hitch and a problem in his world. "Am I the only one who caused trouble?" he asked Soap one more time, looking at him straight into the latter's eye.
His Captain plainly glanced at him and back on his newspaper. "No one knows." he uttered.
Ghost snorted in reply.
A thousand of troubles I caused
Now everything was very lost.
I'm the one who deserves the blame.
For I'm the one who was forlornly insane.
"I hope you'll treat the recruit nicely." his Captain smirk, in a mocked way which made his lieutenant irritate. Dumbass.
"Oh, I'll be nice of course." Ghost retorted.
No one knew that today was also a recruitment day, except the two superiors. They were notified the day before that there'll be a new recruit to be dropped in their regiment. The Task Force 141 only entertains skilled and talented soldiers who were picked by high ranking officers in their bases.
The new recruits need to first pass different hardships in their training and be qualified in the eyes of his/her superiors.
"So, what's his name?" Ghost asked him as he sips his hot coffee.
"Gary Sanderson, he'll be here soon."
"A Veteran?"
"Recruit. He was a newly graduate from the boot camp training and he was the only one picked by one of the Majors to be signed up here."
"A recruit, eh? So you're saying he's younger than all of the men?"
"Think so."
"What's his nickname then?" Of course. Hell everybody here have stupid nicknames in different reasons.
"Don't know." his Captain just shrugged.
"What? He doesn't have a nickname yet? That's unfair for us, Soap."
"Let's just observe him and judge by his actions. By that, we can make a nickname for him."
"Fine."
Their small conversation was cut off when some few guys were entering the mess hall to eat their own breakfasts. They were still sleepy, haggard with their messy bed hairs standing up on their heads. Some of them didn't even wipe a drool that was dripping on his mouth.
Ghost looks at them, observing one by one. He knew everyone of course; their stories, weakness, strength and their goals in life. At least they have goals in life to complete, while he was just waiting for his death.
Not long after, the mess hall was full of chattering, noises and there were some deep and sleepy yawns; it wasn't quite rare in the mess hall. Ghost hates it. He never liked a place full of noise and nonsense chats because it always makes him irritate.
He wants a place that's serene and quiet, where he can relax and calm everything down. All of the boys were nattering except Ghost and Soap; well they were superiors after all. And superiors need to hold their guards up.
But Soap wasn't the type of superior who always hold their guards up, not letting down. He can turn his Captain mode-ON if he needed to, but he can turn into his friendly and talkative side. Soap is a person, a brother to trust and most likely a father towards the other soldiers.
He's there to solve problems, give some brotherly advices, but sometimes he'll just respond with a cocky reply. Even Ghost was under his wings, there to hear out from his lieutenant.
On the other hand, Ghost never talks to anyone if wasn't all about job. Rarely does he give cocky remarks only in missions. Only in missions. He wears his mask like 24/7 and doesn't take it off. Others rumoured that the man never even take a bath in his life.
He always shoos everyone away by being blunt and really callous in any ways. Sometimes he gave difficult punishments to someone until he was satisfied in the task and when he's not, he will even double the difficulty and time. He will be that person who never cares, they say.
But actually, he cares.
He cares for their safety
By shooing everyone away
Which made him hurt greatly
For no one even cared to stay.
Ghost trained himself not to fall for someone if he wants that person to live long. Why?
Everyone he loved.
Everyone he cared.
Will depart and go.
Because of his ego.
Violent and depraved.
He was not saved.
He was trapped for a long time
Yearning to be free from cage
But there are no little signs
Flipping for another page…
Finding out that was still another blank.
Empty
Unfilled
Pointless
Useless
Just like him.
He didn't notice his Captain who was looking at him intently. Ghost again grips his empty cup and stares at the blank white table. Blank. Still another blank page of the story of his life. For once, he was back again inside his empty and dark world.
A world that doesn't exist even a tiny spark of light. A world where raging waves fiercely crash on each other tides, loud thunderstorms and violent rainfall flooded in his mind, and a world that was gloomy and dark with no sunshine. Though no one sees it, they can feel it though they resist it.
After some time observing the other man's acts, Soap rolled his newspaper in his hand and walks away without any word he left. The latter knows Ghost and his being, so better give him space than fussing around.
For Ghost, he followed his gaze to his Captain as he disappears and stares back on his empty cup. He only knew Soap have responsibilities to be finished and thick paper works to be done too, or he can be outside waiting for the recruit to come.
The reason he didn't knew that Soap knows what he needs for now
But the reason that Soap didn't knew what the true need of Ghost—
A need of someone who can make him happy.
As always, Ghost was left there alone without someone to talk to. There was nothing left much to do, so there were questions were popped inside his head; and it was about the FNG. He was thinking about the new guy and what's his nationality is? Will he be British like him or Scottish like his Captain? He can be American like the others here that's quite cheeky but at the same time, friendly.
There's a possibility that the FNG can be in the other nationality that wasn't even existed here yet. For the TF141 was an international squad with best soldiers signed up here worldwide.
Well, it can be. But does the FNG play nice or rude towards others like him? What if he will not respect the superiors? Cause troubles and mess things up? Will he be some spy from Russia or just a typical kind of guy? What does the new guy looks like and his attitudes?
Wait. Why was he this worried? He is just a new guy signing up here and that's not a big deal. Why does he care? Why should he care? He is just the Fucking New Guy. Nothing else. Besides, he was a superior – lieutenant–and he can and will be the boss of him if that guy is still breathing and warm. This was just the first time that Ghost felt a little bit anxious about a new guy coming to their base, better he should shrug it off.
The noise inside the mess hall got louder which made Ghost got more annoyed. So he got the empty cup and crushed it in his hands and heads to the nearest trash can.
Empty years
Countless fears
Unsaid tears
His life's unclear
And he left their main base for his early training; doing again his same morning routine.
...
A cool gentle breeze of wind sweeps the meadows; the weather was perfect for the most—blue clear sky and puffy clouds like pillows he sees and sun rays that were partially covered by the canopy of trees – illuminating the tender face of a young man who was smiling in nothingness; just smiling on the blankness of life.
A smile that beams to nobody, but it gives someone some warm little feeling like happy. A young man around the age of early 20s was simply happy on the blankness of his life. Despite its blank, it was still a beautiful empty for him–an empty space that he can fill with happiness.
Gary Sanderson is his name – a tall young man with curly blonde hair and white fair skin but his body structure wasn't that big (he's still a lil' buff of course) stands there outside the base. Glancing around, he figured out that he was there alone with no one waiting for him.
Why will he expect such a thing like that? Maybe he was just expecting too much. He was not a VIP person going to sign up in a regiment so why expect? So he entered the gate casually because there were no any guards in sight. That's… odd.
Bases have on-duty guard everytime to protect their base from any foreign matter. And why did this base doesn't seem to care if there'll be anyone entering here just like him? They have CCTV camera feeds of course, but it was just odd that the TF141 base don't have guards.
Maybe they trusted their security enough that they don't need any of those, right? 'Coz this is the Task Force 141—they were the most advanced regiment worldwide.
And that's why he was smiling.
He smiles with that thought and the fact that everything wasn't a dream. It was reality.
Now, Gary was roaming and looking around, clueless where he'll go for he was searching for any superior to apply him here or anybody. But of course, the base was deserted. He was just too early and excited to be here for the first time in his life.
For all his life, he never travelled anywhere. So, he was really eager and thrilled to be here in United Kingdom and going to live here if he's not going to die. Life as a soldier is like a crazy ride – holding between death and life.
He was still smiling and daydreaming about how his life will be free.
Free from cage
Enclosed away
Now a new page
To start he says
Still smiling and looking around, a shot rang in his ears and that caused him to jump. He was still rookie here even though he was a soldier and he is really naïve and others may say – he's innocent. In short, he's such an innocent (cutie) soldier.
With his curiosity, Gary tracks those shots echoing around the base. He was a little nervous about that, but, why would he? Gary, calm yourself down! O-or else, others might bully you or something like that.
After a while searching around the wide base, he found a tall guy with his larger body structure that him (but hot) who was covered up with a grey jacket and a black mask, or something? He doesn't know. But he saw the stranger outside practicing alone.
Gary bits his lip because he was not really good in making friends and he's an awkward person. Will he say something like 'hi'? 'What's up'? But the guy was kind of intimidating, better he'll wait after the other man finish his practice.
The young man just sat at the wooden low bench nearby and observed the larger frame shooting the targets expertly without wasting his bullets. The masked guy was pretty good though–he shoots fast but never wastes any bullets at all.
Maybe he's a veteran or one of the superiors after all. Because superiors for him –they were the improved soldiers by their long experiences in their lives. The real question is, why was that guy wearing a black mask?
As he shifted a little to his right, he discovered that it was not any ordinary mask at all. For it was a skull printed balaclava mask with crimson shades reflecting the rays of the sun – which covers everything of his face. Why would he wear those?
H-hey! You don't have any business with that Gary!
He slapped himself mentally and went back in watching the other man. But why would the latter wear that mask? Do the TF141 members have their own cool styles to identify each one of them? Maybe he will have too. Like, he will have a cape like a superhero or he can have cooler mask than that guy.
Funny as it seems, Gary just let the stranger finish firing.
A gentle cold breeze swept again, making him a little bit cold and stiff. He needs something that can make him warm to thaw his iced heart, yes, he was searching it. He was searching and finding his happiness that he longed for, from his little up to this old. But what he didn't know what destiny thinks, for they are fatefully links. A person, named Ghost, who was searching for happiness too. They both wished for contentment but they never knew. That happiness sometimes is blind, like love sometimes won't find. But now dark and light meets–and collides.
He was amazed and in awe as he watched how the masked stranger skilfully shot the targets, knocking it down one by one.
He was amazed and astonished about how the skull guy skilfully shot the targets and knocking it down one by one. The man shoots fast with every bull's eye aimed on the targets. What if he'll ask the skulled guy to teach him how to do it in an expert way? That skulled guy was creepy though, but, it's not that hard to try to ask? Right?
Some few shots that were released and then he was done in one round. The skulled guy got another magazine and reloads the M-9 and that was the time Gary stood up and walked towards Ghost who was going to aim the gun towards the targets. Gary was about to say 'hi' when Ghost aimed the gun towards Gary instead quickly.
"Who the fuck are you?!" Ghost furiously asked him, gripping his M-9 towards Gary–who was shocked and dazed for the gun was aiming at him.
The younger man held his arms up tremblingly and stuttered "H-hey, Wait..." he didn't finish his sentence when– in the blink of an eye– he was forcefully kicked down and pinned to the ground. His face was slammed on the dirt, causing him to wince in pain.
"Who are you!? And what are you bloody doing here?!" Ghost once again shouted at him.
In his situation, he can't talk because the dirt blocked his mouth to speak, with a pain on his chest and on his face; it just makes it worse to say a word. Well, the boots of Ghost squishing him makes him more like a bug squishing to his death.
"Grrrrr...Nnnddrrsnnnn..." he literally can't breathe.
"What?!"
"Grrrrryyyyy... Nnnnnndddrrrsnnnnn!"
This time he turned his head forcefully to catch air and coughed when the dust came into his lungs.
"Bloody who are you?!"
"Gary Sanderson! Would you mind to let me go?"
Ghost took time at thinking. Oh... It was the F.N.G.
As what Gary demanded, Ghost let go in pinning him on the ground. The younger stood up and saw him in full of dirt and dust. He was wearing a white v-necked t-shirt so that he will have a good impression among others, but now, it was covered with brown stain and dirt. He was so disappointed and upset but he was still keeping his calm.
"Shit. Look what you've done..." he mumbled and slightly glared at the man who kicked him for no reason.
"Well, I thought you're an enemy that walked inside the base." Ghost replied and settled the M-9 back to its place.
"You thought that I'm one of the Russians who are lurking here. That's just stupid." Gary answered back sharply as he brushes off some dirt and dust on his t-shirt, hoping it will be erased.
That's true though. Ghost gave some few glances to the other man's appearance and his exterior form. He saw Gary's full crystal-sapphire eyes like jewelleries which were glowing and flattering to stare at, shiny golden blonde hair that's quite curly on the edges, refined and prominent nose, fair white and smooth skin with some brown freckles in his rosy cheeks and other areas on his body.
Gary's looks aren't one of the Russians surely. And he can say he's really cute too. Ghost was really guilty by now, but it doesn't even show. He's superior by the way, so, no worries.
"You can change your clothes if you want. Captain is waiting for you in the office." Ghost told him and walked away, not too long, he disappeared.
"Hey, wait!" but it was too late. Ghost was far away from him by now. He was really fast in walking though.
But, he didn't even apologize from he did to Gary. The latter was left there alone, clueless where the office could be in one of these big buildings. Gary sighed and changed his dirty clothes and got a new one from his backpack. Now, his t-shirt was colour was black, so that if anyone will kick him again, the dirt won't be really notice.
Anyways, he counts all of the buildings and the total was 10. Not adding the other small buildings and wide garages with humvees inside it. He picks the building in front of him and heads to that one. He hopes for some guys that will give correct directions. While he was walking, he thinks what could be that skulled guy name could be. As he went inside the building, gladly, Gary wasn't treated as an enemy.
Some of them were surprised to see a new guy here, and most of the others, greeted and welcomed him there warmly. Everyone seems happy and glad to see him here, but, not everyone. Who could that skulled guy be? And what were his issues? As he walks through one of the large main hallways inside the building, he saw a tall guy who was reading a newspaper.
"Uhmm... Excuse me, sir. Where… is the captain's office?" Gary asked the tall with a strong built structure and mohawked stranger. He's taller than him.
"Eh? Why?" and again, with those stupid answers, questions I mean.
"W-well…"
"Hey kid, you're searching for the Captain? He's standing right in front of you."
Surprised, the stranger turns out to be the Captain in the regiment, and that left Gary nervous of a sudden. Well, the skulled guy said that the Captain's waiting for him. Will he introduce himself first, or, will the Captain will tour him around the base or sign him up here.
"Are you Gary Sanderson?" Soap asked him with his arched brow.
"Uhh… Y-yes… Sir…" Gary replied with a stuttered voice.
"Since you're here, let's go to my office and fill up your registration form." Soap answered and walks away, leaving Gary to follow his Captain.
He was grateful that he saw his Captain along the hallway without any harm he received; not like the way he was treated here for the first time. While they're walking, Gary quietly studies his Captain–he was taller than him and his structure is really buff with his blue eyes. It seems that he's a badass alright, he thought.
They arrived outside the office after a while because the base was so huge and wide. He peeped in front to see what his Captain doing. The door had a metal sign above, saying 'Captain's Office'. Cool, he said to himself. Gary observed that the office was fully locked and secured from electronic eavesdropping–there were CCTVs positioned around, an alarm above the door and a caution to warn anyone who tries to come inside to fuck off.
"Fancy, right?" his Captain asked with a proud tone.
"Yeah."
"Here's even fancier."
His Captain point out his index finger and placed on finger print scanner–which can only identify big-time superiors–and got his I.D. and slid it in beside the scanner. The door beeped in a notification and it was unlocked to welcome his Captain again.
Gary stepped inside with a curiosity, looking around like an inquisitive cat in a foreign place. He was welcomed by a cool temperature and a sweet air freshener hovering around. The office of his Captain was more like an urban style.
Gazing around he saw a black desk with piles of paper that were neatly stacked above. There was a digital clock beside, a calendar on the wall and some figurines that gives some titivate on the table.
He looked on his left side and saw displayed handguns; one of them is m1911 pistol. The pistol is shinier than the others guns. He guessed that his Captain cleaned it all the time in his life.
Gary stood in the middle of the room, looking around and familiarizing every detail. The wall and ceiling was painted in white, the floorings were made of wooden mahogany and raven colours for the table and some cabinets.
His Captain gestured him to sit down on the comfortable leather black chair, gosh it's really comfortable and soft. Looking at the figurines, he sees there were wood-carved pistols, some bullets standing and wait…. is that a cat? He smiles and shook his head. There were picture frames too and a little brown notebook settled on the right side of the table.
He looks carefully at the pictures in the picture frame, but only recognized the face of his Captain and his buddies with their smiling faces. And its side, he saw his Captain and a man, both of them were smiling like there was no war after all.
"So, where are you from lad?" his Captain asked as he handed five papers that needs to be filled up.
"America."
"Well, I suppose you're a kid. Younger than most of us, eh?"
"Um, I think so."
"Let me see your requirements and other papers of yours."
"What do you mean, sir?"
"Your birth certificates, medical clearances, and many more. I need to examine those before signing you up here."
"Oh, yes sir." then he handed his files to his Captain.
Few minutes passed and he was done filling up. He thanked his new Captain and headed to the exit door. He was going to twist the knob when his Captain stopped him.
"Hey, not so fast kid."
Did he do something wrong, doesn't he? He turns around as he nervously looks on his Captain who seriously reads his military files and records.
"W-what is it s-sir?" he asked nervously, afraid that he might not be qualified after assessing his files.
"I didn't give you directions yet. I don't want to end you searching your arse out." Soap snickered and gave him directions.
"Thank… you sir."
"Yeah ,yeah. Don't cause some trouble around these bloody yanks." Soap added and turned to get another group of paperwork to be stacked.
"Sure thing… sir" he answered shyly and left the office.
As he was walking, he looked around and smiled that the base was pretty clean and tidy. There were some labels and directions that were posted on walls. As he turns right going to his room, the hallway got smaller than before. After a while of walking, he arrived on his room which was opened with a labelled paper that was posted on the front of the door. The paper was written "Gary".
Gary peeked inside to see if there's someone inside, but the room's empty. He went inside and examines the entire room. There was his bed on the right side from where he was standing. The room was painted in light beige; the ceiling and walls.
The tiles were big squares and white. The big window was a sliding glass pane with black curtains that were tied up. His bed was small that fits for one person only and at least, the mattress isn't thin and the pillow was big and fluffy.
He saw the other bed that was obviously taken by someone who he didn't know. He asked himself that who could his roommate will be? Everybody here have roommates like dorms in collages right? Anyways, he needs to dump his heavy bag and take a rest. Or maybe get some breakfast? It was 7:48 am in the morning or he can say, 0748.
So, he stood up after he settled his bag on his bed and heads to the mess hall. When he opened the two glass doors, he saw that there were some few noisy guys and, wait; was that the guy who kicked his ass? His balaclava was tucked up and revealed his lips and nose. Probably he was eating something. Something like shit.
Gary got some coffee with lots of sugar and cream in it, accompanied by one loaf of bread. He sat at the empty corner of the table. He doesn't even know all the guys here. Well, hell he doesn't care about it anyways. Despite of that, he feels the same way when you were just new to school back then.
While he was drinking his sweet and creamy coffee, some men he doesn't know sat with him on his table which made him a little bit queasy.
"Hey, so what's your name blonde?" one of the guys asked him.
"Gary Sanderson." he replied fast.
"Nickname's Meat, this is Royce, and Toad and the other one, is Ozone" the stranger ̶̶ who calls himself Meat ̶ introduced the others by pointing the lads one by one by his own nickname.
At first, Gary was surprised in hearing those nicknames but later, he snickers. With their stupid nicknames, it was hard not to laugh in front of them. He asked himself that why was it they have this stupid nicknames? Meat? Ozone? You mean the ozone layer? And Meat like steak or what? He just placed a palm in his face so that it won't be obvious.
But it was clearly obvious that he was snickering.
"Why are you laughing? About our nicknames, eh?" Ozone asked Gary who was laughing his ass out.
"Hahah… Uhh… N-no… It's just… N-nothing… Nothing at all." he lied of course but still he continues to giggle quietly.
"Whatever Gary… F.N.G. You'll have a stupid nickname, soon." Meat replied.
"Yeah, yeah… Like what? Steak? Fish? Or what about grilled meat? I think this is the most stupidest nickname I ever heard in my life. " and after that, he continues chuckling.
"Yes you will have those nicknames you mentioned. And would you stop laughing?"
"Okay… Okay…" After a while of being an idiot, he calmed down.
"Hey, where do you get your nicknames? I'm just curious." he asked.
"Different reasons."
"Ok… Anyways, I'm just curious. Who's that guy over there?" Gary pointed out to Ghost who was drinking his coffee.
"Oh that? He's our lieutenant" Ozone hinted.
"Well, he's our superior. Strict superior. He'll punish you if he wants to and will give you dozens of orders without any mercy showed in him." Royce added.
"Yeah. And whenever he'll start commanding to you, you won't end in doing those orders if he's satisfied. He's really heartless, so I advice you not to get near him." Meat paused. "And you know what? He's really different from all of the soldiers here in base because he's really mysterious, quiet, unsociable and a bad-ass like our Captain. And Ghost is the only one who wears that mask like 24/7 and it is just a miracle if he's taking a bath regularly. You know rumours here say that when he-"
"What is it Meat?" it was Ghost. He was behind Meat all the time and they didn't see him coming there.
"Uhh… nothing, gonna go…B-bye… See ya Gary!" they bolted away from the mess hall after that, leaving Roach with Ghost looking at him.
A/N: So that's it! That's the edited chapter one. I'm going to edit the old chapters before posting new chapters. It'll take some time but I think it's worth it.
Leave kudos/reviews if you enjoyed those cliches! Thanks!