Only the dead have seen the end of war- Plato
Saturday October 2nd, 1993
Joanie's POV
The Hawk was flying above the cross food center, and hundreds of people crowded around the small building. Pushing, shoving, fighting for the foods that would keep them and they're families alive.
"Here! Technical nine o'clock" Busch hollered, too close to my ear. I ignored it and looked down to see the people pulling the rice bags off the trucks.
And then the gun fire started and I shot forward as men in small jeeps began shooting the starving, slaughtering them.
"Fuck" I cursed to myself as the crowd began to scatter away from the food.
"Oh shit! Do you see that?! Jesus! We've got unarmed civilians getting shot down here at 9 o'clock" Eversmann yelled, alarm in his voice into his head set. He then flashed a look to me.
"We got it Matt...I don't think we can touch this" Durant replied through the head set and I shook my head.
"Command Super six four, we got malicia shooting unarmed civilians down at the food distribution center. Request permission to engage" I could hear Durant over my own head gear.
They then asked if we were taking fire. I let out an agitated breath. I wish, I thought bitterly looking down at the bastards who thought they were all big with they're guns.
"Negative" Durant answered. They then told us we couldn't intervene, and to come back to base. I felt my hands form tight fists around my gun before I put it back down and crossed my legs at the knee, pulling at the roots of my out grown hair, a bad habit of mine. Eversmann looked like he was biting back his words as he looked at the scene below us til it was out of sight.
"Calm down, Matt" I whispered to him, nudging him with my leg before crossing it back over the other. He nodded, and was silent the whole way back to base.
When we got back to base it was about three o'clock. That was still time to train and I ran laps and laps until I felt like I was going to vomit and my hair was stuck to my head with all of the perspiration.
"Joanie! Hold up" I heard a familiar voice behind me and smiled as I saw my two best friends here, Eversmann and Smith running behind me. I laughed out loud for a moment.
"Run faster, boys" I chuckled as I continued my pace, my boots digging into the dirt, making me feel slightly at peace.
"Daddy's looking for you" Jamie Smith teased as he took one of the sides next to me, and Eversmann took the other.
"Fuck you, Jamie" I said to him as I scrunched up my face. My dad was major general Garrison, and nobody let me forget that. Even though I had worked my way through the academy, and had ROTC all through high school, not to mention graduated in the top ten. Nope, I was still Garrison's daughter.
"Ouch, that hurt" Smith said, his hand clenched to his heart in mock pain. I didn't laugh, just glared and picked up the pace.
"Some one's on they're period" He stated to Eversmann who tried to hold in a laugh, but failed miserably and chuckled.
I stopped and turned around.
"You know what?! I am on my period, and were stuck out here in the middle of nowhere, no tampons, no pads! Nothing!" I yelled at them in a faux hormonal voice and Smith's lips curled in disgust and Eversmann looked like he didn't know what to do. I then busted out in laughter and turned and began jogging again.
"That was gross" Smith stated and I didn't have to turn back to see his face to know that he still had that disgusted expression.
"You guy's are too gullible" I stated with a giggle as we turned into where all of the black hawks were parked, they're powerful ingens turned off.
"Smith!" I heard someone yell and we all turned too see Beales and Yurek who were at the basket ball court calling for Jamie
"Wanna come?" He asked as he looked over at the other guys. I met Eversmann's eyes for a moment and then looked back to Jamie.
"I'm good" I replied nonchalantly, feeling the butter fly's in my stomach as I watched Eversmann decline too.
"Your loss. Gotta jet, bye guys" Smith said with a small wave as, he ran over to the court, his arms open cockily. Me and Eversmann ran until we were behind one of the hawks and I looked around to make sure we were out of sight of the people and the camera's.
I pushed Eversmann back, against the giant helicopter and smiled deviously at his surprised look.
"Joanie...We could get caught" He protested as I began placing soft kisses against his pretty lips.
"Shut up, Matt. No one can see" I reassured as I stroked his almost bald head and began scraping my teeth along my jaw, collecting the sweet and salty sweat with my tongue.
"Ugh" he grunted out as I began grinding against him and my hands found they're way down to the impressive bulge at his crotch. I was tugging at it through his clothes which made him yelp slightly and her grabbed my harshly by the back of my thighs and pushed me against the chopper and began nibbling on my neck.
"Mmm...Matt. I want you so bad" I whispered into his ear, knowing how he liked it when I talked dirty too him. He threw his head back for a moment and I took advantage of this and began nipping at the exposed skin of his neck.
"J-Joanie?" He stuttered out, his hands kneading the inside of my thighs.
"Hmm?" I replied, not stopping the attack on his neck.
"Are you really...You know..." He asked, embarrassed. I pulled away and looked at him quizzically.
"Am I really what?" I asked confused.
"You know...On your period" He stated the last part in a whisper and I began laughing so hard I almost fell out of his arms.
"I'm serious" He said his ears bright red which just made me crack up more.
"No. I'm not" I replied as I kissed the corned of his lips and my laughter died down.
"I knew it. You always get more emotional when your on it, your hair get's shinier too" He stated his observations and I just smiled.
"Stalker" I teased him. He dropped me softly too my feet and I looked at him questioning in my eyes.
"Major Garrison was looking for you" He answered and I nodded, kissed his cheek, and ran off. Leaving him there.
"I'm just sayin they've been calling for these dang situations every day this week" I turned the corner to find my father talking to Major Harrell.
I felt like I was intruding on them and I wanted to turn back.
"Garrison" Harrell nodded to me and I just gave him a nod, before he walked out of the door.
"Dad...Major Garrison, you asked for me, sir" I stated, slipping up on calling him dad.
"Yes I did, What happened out there this morning?" My father asked, voice strict and commanding.
"There was open fire on the unarmed civilians, sir" I stated, not looking him in the eye, but keeping my head strait.
He sighed. "Joanie...you cant call about every death you guys see out there" He said, trying to explain. I wanted to yell at him, ask him that what were we here for, if not to help the people.
"Yes, sir" I said, no emotion in my voice. I didn't want to talk to him any more and he knew it.
"That is all, soldier" I nodded and left him there, going to look for Eversmann.
I walked through out the base, looking for Eversmann, I really needed to talk. God, even Smith would do right now. I was just so mad at my dad.
I walked through registry and saw Grimes talking to an attractive guy I had never seen before. Grimes was...cool. And I could really use some joe...
"Grimes" I greeted with a small smile. He looked up, grinned, then went back to his work.
"Hello Joanie..." He said as he looked back down at his work.
"Name?" He asked the man who was looking me up and down curiously.
"Todd" The young man stated.
"Last name" Grimes asked
"Blackburn" Todd answered. Interesting last name I thought to my self.
"So whats it like?" Blackburn asked, his voice excited.
"Whats what like?" Grimes asked annoyed and I almost snorted as I sat lightly on the end of Grimes desk.
"Mogadishu. The fighting?" Blackburn said as though it was just so obvious.
"Serial number?" Grimes ignored the question.
"72162437" Blackburn answered, his voice antsy.
Grimes finished typing up the info and then looked back at the new kid.
"Firstly it's the mog, or simply mog, secondly I wouldn't know about the fighting, so don't ask" Grimes said, boredly.
"Why not?" Black burn asked.
"He said don;t ask" I told the kid, trying to keep my voice stern, but I really wanted to laugh.
"Look kid, you look like you're about twelve, so let me explain something too you- I snorted at the age statement- I have a great and mysterious skill that makes it so I cant go into missions" Grimes told the kid off. I shook my head. Great and Mysterious my ass.
"Typing" Blackburn asked, his voice incredulous.
"Can you type" Grimes bit back.
"No..." Blackburn replied, defeated.
" Grimes...Blackburn" I waved my self off and left the scene, chuckling as I heard the kid say he was here to kick some ass
When I finally found Eversmann he was down at the shooting range, blowing a whistle to signal that training was over.I walked over to him and nodded to him in a professional cold way. We kept our...relationship a secret. It was hard, but necessary.
"Eversmann" I greeted him. He bit back a smile.
"Garrison." He replied, keeping his eyes on the soldiers in the field.
I looked over as Grimes came trotting over, Blackburn in tow.
"Sargent Matt Eversmann and Sargent Joanie Garrison" Grimes called out to Matt as he came over.
Matt looked at Blackburn who instantly introduced himself.
"Private first class Blackburn"
"Yeah?" Eversmann asked with a smile, which brought a grin to my lips as well.
"Reporting for duty" Blackburn said. Wow, he was a cocky one, now wasn't he?
"Not to me your not, your reporting to Lutenet Beals, he should be around here somewhere" Eversmann said, more to Grimes then to Blackburn.
"Can I leave him with you?" Grimes almost plead.
"Yeah, go ahead" I said, with a sigh, then Grimes walked away.
"Got your weapon?" Matt asked Blackburn, who nodded eagerly.
"Yes sir. Want me too shoot? I'm rested" Blackburn sounded like he wanted to so bad and I gave him a small amused glance.
"When you get in?" I questioned, playing with the kid.
"Just now Sargent" He replied, looking thrilled
When all of the training was over I went to my cot and stripped off my dirty sweaty suite and put on some fresh cargo pants and a tight tan tank top. I then began to throw my hair into a small ponytail. It had gotten too long, I thought to my self as i brushed through the dark maroon strands that went down about two inches above my shoulders. When I had first came here, it was barley past my chin. I just tied it up and then went back with the rest of the men. It smelled really, really good in the base and my stomach growled loudly.
"Hungry, Garrison?" I turned to see Hoot and gave him a big smile then a pat on the shoulder.
"It's good to see you, Hoot" I said genuinely. He nodded and grabbed two plates off the table, handing one to me.
"You too, Garrison" He replied as he cut the line. I rolled my eyes and went to the back of the line. I heard Blackburn giving Hoot a hard time but ignored it and just got my food, and then went and sat on my cot, taking a big bite out of the pork.
"Mmmm" I let out out a satisfied moan and shoved a piece of lettuce in my mouth next.
"Very lady like, Garrison" Beals teased and I narrowed my eyes playfully and flashed him the chewed up food in my mouth for a moment.
Laughing filled the air and I watched from a far as Pilla did a impression of Steele. Idiot, I thought to my self as I opened the gatorade bottle that was filled with water, reached into one of my bags and pulled out one of my protein shake mixes poured it into the water, then shook it hard.
"That stuff looks like puke" Smith said cackling as he walked by and I flipped him the bird.
"Haha. Funny" I shot at him, took the cap off and took a long swig. It didn't taste bad, it would have tasted better with milk, but still, the vanilla flavor tasted good to me.
"Why do you gotta drink those all the time again?" Kurth asked. Kurth was a slightly large black man who I'd known for a while now.
"Ehh... I don't wanna fall over one day. Metabolism's too fast" I replied as I took another chug of the shake like liquid.
"Listen to this! If one skinny kills another skinny his clan owes the dead guy's clan 'hundred camels" Beals announced, pointing to the article he was reading. I shrugged and picked up my guitar, my baby, and began to play a random soft tune.
"Must be alot'a fucking camel debt" Kowalswki said with a whistle. "Is that really true Lieutenant?" He then asked.
"Ask Sargent Eversmann, he likes the skinny's" Beals said, nodding over to Matt.
"Sargent Eversmann, you really like the skinnys?" Kowalswki asked shock and disgust written all over his face.
"It's not that I like 'em or I don't like 'em...I respect them" Eversmann explained him self. He didn't have too, I thought to my self as I pulled out my note book full of lyrics and poems, and began to write, not really listening to the conversation any more and occasionally taking sips of the protein shake.
I felt some one snatch the book out of my hands and I was about to yell, but I recognized that it was Eversmann and closed my mouth.
His eyes scanned down the page and when he was done he looked shocked. Was it that bad?
"Did you write those?" He asked, his voice tight.
"No. I was just sitting her writing with invisible ink a second ago" I replied sharply sarcastic.
"Play it for me?" He requested and I immeaditly snatched back the note book.
"No" I said.
"Please Joanie, that was really amazing" He said softly.
"Yeah, Joanie. Play for us" Beals practically yelled, drawing all attention to us. My fingers fisted and I wanted to punch him.
"You gonna sing for us Garrison?" Hoot asked slyly.
"No. I'm not. I cant sing" I lied.
"Liar. Come on Joanie...please" A man named Schmid begged. He was a doc, a damned good one at that.
"Fine, Fine!" I growled as I picked up my guitar ad shoved past Eversmann who just smiled and I punched Beals in his abdomen, knocking the breath out of him.
I sat down on the love seat and crossed my legs tightly, nervousness running through me.
"Come on, Joanie!" That was Smith and I let out a shaky laugh and began to strum the acoustic guitar.
"Uhh...This song is called A rush of blood to the head..."
He said I'm going to buy this place and burn it down
I'm going to put it six feet underground
He said I'm going to buy this place and watch it fall
Stand here beside me baby in the crumbling walls
Oh I'm going to buy this place and start a fire
Stand here until I fill all your heart's desires
Because I'm going to buy this place and see it burn
Do back the things it did to you in return
Ah, ah, ah
He said Oh I'm going to buy a gun and start a war
If you can tell me something worth fighting for
Oh and I'm going to buy this place, that's what I said
Blame it upon a rush of blood to the head to the head
(And) honey
All the movements you're starting to make
See me crumble and fall on my face
And I know the mistakes that I made
See it all disappear without a trace
And they call as they beckon you on
They said start as you mean to go on
Start as you mean to go on
He said I'm going to buy this place and see it go
Stand here beside my baby watch the orange glow
Some'll laugh and some just sit and cry
But you just sit down there and you wonder why
So I'm going to buy a gun and start a war
If you can tell me something worth fighting for
And I'm going to buy this place, that's what I said
Blame it upon a rush of blood to the head
And honey
All the movements you're starting to make
See me crumble and fall on my face
And I know the mistakes that I made
See it all disappear without a trace
And they call as they beckon you on
They said start as you mean to go on
As you mean to go on, as you mean to go on
So meet me by the bridge, meet me by the lane
When am I going to see that pretty face again
Meet me on the road, meet me where I said
Blame it all upon
A rush of blood to the head
When I finished the song, I opened my eyes and heard clapping and saw people looking at me in awe.
"You wrote that?" Blackburn asked, non believing as he clapped softly.
"Yeah..." I replied, I knew my face was tinted crimson and I picked my instrument and took it back to the cot and put it down.
"That song..." Matt said as he came and sat next to me. I looked behind me.
"What about it?" I asked, trying to make my voice cool and collected. He didn't need to know his opinion meant the world to me, nope. That's wasn't something that was beneficial to him.
"What's it about?" He asked, as he lay back and put his hands behind his head and his long legs still dangling off the side of hit cot.
"I...I really dont know. It was just what I was feeling at the moment" I explained to him.
"Wow...Can I read more?" He begged and I denied him.
"Come on, Joanie. Please?" He broke out the puppy dog eyes and I caved.
"Okay..." I tossed him the journal
First chapter is done! Woot, Woot! I think the next chapter is gonna be in Eversmann's POV. The song in this is credited to Coldplay!