This my first attempt at writing... well anything! Be gentle dear reader XD. Reviews are welcome!
Bioware owns everything but Cady!
Spc. Cady Whitman sighed as she tried yet again to get her running shoes to fit in her rucksack. 'Granted,' she thought to herself, it was entirely likely she would have no opportunity to wear said shoes where she was going but they were on the packing list.' She picked up the bag and set it down hard trying to settle everything and squeeze a little more space out of it. There was no hope for it. She was going have to leave the romance novels. Growling to herself she upended the entire thing and began to repack.
"You know Hun, that is the third time you have had to repack." This came from her best friend, Terry who sat on Cady's twin sized bunk. She had flown down from Ohio to see Cady off on her first deployment. "I can always send some things to you through the mail you know…"
"Yah, I know. It's just going to be a long flight. I wanted to make sure I had enough to keep my mind occupied is all."
Terry laughs. "Why you would join the Army, knowing you have to fly sometime is beyond me."
Cady had been deathly afraid of heights ever since her fathers death. He had worked for a construction company for 15 years. One day while working on a new high-rise in Cincinnati he had slipped, his safety line failed and he fell eight stories to his death. She used to wake screaming after having dreams about falling.
"It'll be okay. I'll just try to sleep most of the way. I still have my carryon at any rate. I should be able to get a book or two in that."
Fastening up the bag Cady dropped down to sit beside Terry. Terry had been the one constant in her life since her fathers death just 6 years ago. She had had nowhere to go being the child of single parent with no grandparents alive and an absentee mother. The state had moved Cady into foster care and Terry had live next-door to her new foster parents who didn't particularly care for the kids they took in but had looked forward to the monthly checks from state.
"Just make sure you write or call as soon as you can. I'll worry till you do."
"I will." Cady promised, sighing as she stood to start in on her carryon. Glancing up she noted that it was 2:50 accorting to her clock mounted on the wall.
"Wow, girly! You better get moving or you are going to miss your flight back home."
Terry jumps up. "Shit! Your right!" Stepping close for a quick hug Terry squeezed tight. "I wish I could stay longer. See you off right, but school start in two days and mom is having fits that I came as it is."
Cady gave a guilty grimance."She never forgave me for the carpet, did she?"
"We had no way of knowing that glass baking dish would explode like that!" Terry was laughing now.
"Yah, who knew that setting is on the window sill in winter would do that anyway? And carpeted kitchens?" Chuckling, She walked Terry to the door. "I still feel a little sad about the wasted brownie though."
After one last hug Cady watch her friend make her way down the stairs to her rental car.
)O(
Sleep didn't come easy for Caddy that night. Tossing and turning she eventually gave up and heated some coco in the tiny microwave, curling up with her latest paranormal romance. The creamy drink was good and the book was steamy but she still couldn't stop thinking about the impending flight.
Morning found Caddy with bags under her brown eyes but packed and ready for formation. She slong her rucksack up on her back and dragged along her back pack that would serve as a carry on. Caddy was first to the company lot were everyone was to meet for formation and roll call before loading up on the busses that would carry them all off to Hunter Army Air Field.
Cady laied down her bags and sits down to lean against the heavy rucksack. Out of the predawn morning walked Smith, the company man whore. 'God, I love him' she thought. He was one of Cady's dearest friends, he brought laughter and smiles everywhere he went.
"Hey sweetness."
"Smith." grinning Cady says by way of greeting.
"How's Intels' finest rack sitting today?" Smith leered down at Cady.
"The girls are fine, but, no. You still can't feel."
"So mean!"
Pvt. Smith lays his bags down following suit and sits near Cady to wait for the rest of the company.
"We are headed off to war. Not knowing if we will see our home land again and still you deny our love!"
Caddy burst out laughing.
"You nervous?"
Caddy sighed at this. "I'm that easy to see though?" Smith noded. "And here I thought I was faking it so well."
"Don't worry Cads." He raps one arm around her and give a little squeeze. "I'll sit beside you the whole way and tell you dirty jokes. The flight will be over before you know it."
By this point the others have arrived and everyone fell in for roll call then load up on the waiting busses.
)O(
"Breathe Caddy. Just breathe." Caddy had been repeating this for over half an hour when the turbulence had started. By this point she's white knuckled from clutching Smiths hand and even he looked pale and drawn.
A loud pop and heavy shuddering signals the failing of one of the engines. The plane rolls to one side. Cady can hear a woman towards the back of the plane let out a scream. Air mask spring down from the ceiling. The captain is trying to make another announcement but by this point to many people are crying out in prayer or terror for him to be heard.
"Oh please…
Not like this. If your up there. Anyone, please! Not like this!"
)O(