"Samuelson get your ass in gear and run." Sergeant Major Lewallen one of the marine instructors at the academy yelled at me as I ran with my fire team entering the obstacle course. I was running and reached the front with the most athletic cadet in out company cadet Brieukreitz. For now he was attached to our fire team for when we had to split down into our smallest groups called a fire team. We reached the vaults as the first obstacle of the course. I extend my hands ready to grab the pole. My hands grab the wooden pole and and lift my body over for the vault. My legs swing to the left and my body follows as it clears the pole and I land on the ground my combat boots hitting the dirt and a small dust cloud surrounds them as I run over to the next one about a yard away. I grab it again and swing to the right this time and alternate back and forth hopping through the rest. I reach the last one and swing to the right one last time. But a splinter of wood lodges into my hand and I gasp in surprise and pain.
"Son of a bitch." I mutter under my breath and pull the three inch splinter out of my hand and blood starts to slowly leak out of my hand. I wait for Eversoul and Tremblay the other two members of my fire team to finish the obstacle. They finally vaulted over the last one and we ran to the cargo net for our next obstacle heading into the woods. We followed the slippery wet trail to the next obstacle.
As it was called the cargo net all it was a big cargo net that went about 10ft talk then slanted downwards that was hardest part because if you went down the wrong you could get all wrapped up and stuck in it. I was already halfway up when Eversoul jumped up and was climbing after me. I lifted a leg over the wooden board that held the net up and crab walked the way down the net only at the bottom getting stuck minorly in the net. I saw Tremblay was the last one over but he got stuck in the net around halfway coming down his leg up near the top and his body down the slant nearly upside down. He pulled his leg and it came free and he came rolling down and finished I helped him up grabbing his hand and yanking him up and ran to the next obstacle the other two in front of us.
It was called the pigsty. We hand to army crawl underneath barbed wire and roll over and into then out of two ditches and then finally exit the barbed wire with live rounds being fired above by M249 Squad Automatic Weapons or SAWs for short and pig guts and intestines hanging and stuck to the barbed wire. I made sure that Tremblay went before me and I was the last one under. Immediately the rounds were being fired and five feet in the pig guts began. I crawled for my life getting my whole uniform muddy and my face as well. I rolled into the first ditch and my foot kicked a piece of entrails. It fell into my face and when I rolled it stuck to my face and was squished when I landed at the bottom my face was face down into the guts and mud. I immediately clawed it off and then the smell made my breakfast come back up. It went down my chin and into the ditch and luckily not over my uniform. I got back up and kept crawling trough and tossing the rest up again at the second ditch. I finally cleared the wire and stood up as we were allowed a minute to res
I bent over and my tongue was immediately out my mouth panting. The rest were grabbing there canteens from there belts and drinking water/pouring it over there face to clean themselves off. I grabbed mine unclipping it and unscrewing the top. I took a small chug then poured nearly half of it over my face cleaning it off wiping the blood and mud off it. I screwed the top and put it back. I looked around knowing the minute was about to be up and my feeling was correct when sergeant major showed up.
"Tea times over ladies let's get moving you've got more coming." Lewallen yelled at us running across the course. I kicked it back in gear and ran across my favorite course the infiltration. We hand to grab our gear board a chopper and infiltrate a building. I reached the tables and started putting the Kevlar vest on. After that I took my cover off and folded it placing it in my left cargo pocket and put my helmet on. I then slid my combat vest over making sure it was loaded with my magazines and equipment. I then grabbed my SCAR and slapped a fresh magazine into it and racked the charging handle back clicking a round into place.
"Let's move." I yelled into the magazine and boarded the little bird helo. I sat on the left side seat as my feet resting on the skids. Eversoul sat next to me his M4 laying across his lap. He was our grenadier so he had a M203 grenade launcher attached to his rifle. He looked at me and I gave him a thumb up. The helo lifted off signaling the other two were boarded and ready.
"Equipment check." I yelled through the comms as I saw the approaching buildings become bigger.
"Tremblay good to go."
"Eversoul locked and loaded."
"Brieukreitz let's get some."
I chuckled as they signed off there open special way. "Tremblay grab the bag as soon as the bird gets in a hovering pattern above the roof I want us off in less then 10 seconds." I then switched to the pilots comm.
"Pilot hover for 10 seconds off the roof then take off." The bird approached the roof then hovered about three feet off the deck. I jumped and landed in a crouch and brought my rifle up examining the perimeter Eversoul landed next to me and looked to his right and I heard two more thumps then the helo taking off. I backed up to talk with the squad.
"Tremblay set up the ropes in case we get cut off by our main exit or were overwhelmed this is our fall back point. Brieukreitz I want you on over watch with your M14 you see any contacts or snipers take them out. Eversoul get your 870 out and ready to breach."
Everybody was already taking up positions and moving. I moved with Eversoul to the door that would lead downstairs to the top floor which was the 4th story. I knelt down at the side of the door and three minutes later Tremblay came by hefting his own M249.
"Eversoul breach." I barked at him as I gripped my rifle tighter. He pulled his 870 shotgun from his back holster and put the muzzle against the lock and door handle.
"Breaching in three, two ,one breaching." He said and pulled the trigger blowing the deadbolt off then pumped another shell into the chamber and blew the handle off. He put his shotgun back in the holster and then brought his rifle up. I pulled the door open and saw the lights were out. I gripped my react torch grip and my touch turned on the flashlight on the side of the barrel.
I slowly crept down the stairs as it was deathly quiet except the sounds of our boots softly hitting the metal gearing making up the stairs. I reached the last step and sharply turned to the left to see nobody in sight. I continued on the way seeing the door in front of me that would spill us into the building. I saw the light shine on the door handle brighter with each step I took that brought us closer to it. Then I saw the handle turn to the right slowly as someone was about to enter the hallway we were in and catch us.
"Shit things are about to get hot, time to go loud." Tremblay whispered with a hint of glee in his voice. I just watched the door and aimed through my holographic sight. The door opened and a man turned around closing it behind him and kit a cigarette on a smoke break. He then turned and spotted us and dropped the cigarette from his lips. He tugged at his P90 the sling stuck to his vest. I put my finger on the trigger and fired. The there round burst had caught him straight in the chest. The rounds were replaced with paintballs shaped like the actual bullet and put into the shell. It was non lethal but still bringing the love aspect of combat. I knelt and waited several minutes listening to see if we were on to. Nothing came so I slowly continued.
I reached the body and saw a maintenance closet to his left. He was acting dead so he couldn't move or anything. We dragged his body into the closet and confiscated his radio to listen in on radio chatter. I tossed it to Tremblay.
"You hear anything keep me updated and let me know immediately." He just nodded his head keeping his eyes locked on the door. I got up and opened it slowly having Eversoul check the hallway.
"Clear." He whispered as he started to walk through the doorway. I followed behind them providing rear guard and closing the door. We checked each room slowly and each one was empty. I saw the conference room where our High Value Target was. I saw the double doors and pressed my ear to it. I heard several voices inside and several guns clicking of safety. How did they know we were here other then the gun shots. I looked up and across the hallway to see a camera staring right at us.
"Crap they know were here. Get ready for a turkey shoot." I mutter more to myself then them. But I raise my boot and kick the door in and open fire as it's burst open. I immediately hit two of them as they return fire at me. I ducked behind the door and heard the constant hammering of Tremblay and his light machine gun. Then I see him flinch and duck behind the door. There's a bright pink mark on his arm.
"Eversoul patch him up I'll keep you covered." I yelled at him over the gunfire
I then fired another clip at the enemy hiding in the conference room . Judging by the return fire I knew there were about five total left. I backed away and charged into the room. It felt like slow motion to me as I jumped and started to slide across the slick and smooth wooden table. But I fired and hit each enemy in a row then ran out of ammo as I aimed at the last guy. I hit the floor hard and he charged at me.
I saw him charge at me and picked me up throwing me against the wall and kneeing me in the stomach. I groan and double over in pain as he throws me on the floor. Eversoul and Tremblay were pinned down or else they would have helped me. I got up shakily and swung but it was to sloppy and he caught my arm and twisted it slamming my wrist into the table then my head. I hit the ground again and saw him pull his sidearm, his attention momentarily distracted. I saw my chance and swung my legs knocking him off his feet and onto his back. He was stunned momentarily but knew that would not last so I jumped on top and swung twice hitting him in his jaw. The man easily had a good 50 pounds on me and a foot. He grabbed my arm and head butted me. I flung backward landing on my own back. He stood up over me and was fiddling with his holster. I reached into my own and like a wild western outlaw I pulled my 1911 out of my holster and shot from the hip. The round hit him right in the chest. I smiled and saw him fall to his knees then collapsed. I got up and felt my nose and lip bleeding I just wiped it off and heard silence. Tremblay and Eversoul joined me.
"All contacts eliminated and area is quiet." Eversoul reported to me. I nodded my head and walked to the hallway out of the room incase of snipers. Then my comms squawked to life.
"Helljumper actual this is Helljumper overwatch here, do you copy sir?"
"I read Helljumper overwatch, what's your situation over?" I asked a little pissed, my adrenaline still spiking through my body from the engagement.
"Several snipers taken out but our main exit is now cut off. Two enemy transports have pulled up and spilled out about a dozen each of troops." He reported to me as I ran to a window to see two military M35 troop transport trucks parked at the front doors while troops burst into the building.
"Roger we are pulling out and we'll be at the exfil point in 60 seconds get the ropes ready out." I nodded my head and we ran through the building back to the roof. I burst through the door and Brieukreitz was at the ropes, hooking himself up. Two instructors were there as a safety precaution. I made sure Eversoul and Tremblay were hooked up first then I hooked up myself. I leaned myself over the edge. We were rappelling off the building. I was over the edge and parallel to the ground. I took three steps off the edge and then took a giant bound extending my arm out to let the rope slide through my hand. It took 5 bounds and I finally was at the bottom at unhooking myself.
"To all fire teams this is command and control. New rendezvous point had been set repeat new rendezvous has been set at the town square. Form up and wait for the exfil."
Once I heard that rules had changed, I grimaced at it because it was just another snag for this already dicey mission.
"This is Helljumper actual to all fire teams, when arriving at the square I want a aid station set up, company hq and a perimeter being set up. I want control of the builings on the south and north sides so we can watch the two roads." When I was done barking orders into the radio I heard a chorus of Yes Sir and then some having gunfire."
Everyone else was down and I strapped watching the perimeter.
"You heard Command we've got new orders let's move it ladies." I barked and they smiled as we started to exit out of the alleyway. The only problem was the alley led to the front, right next to the trucks. I put my back to the wall and crept along it and peeked around the corner. I saw one of the soldiers hop out of the drivers side and take a smoke break lighting a cigar. I lean my head back and prime a smoke grenade. I chuck it into the middle of the road and watch a thick amount of black smoke emerge from it. I count to three and then start running as the smoke covered the street and the enemy began to open fire hoping they would hit one of us. I reach the next wall across the street and take a knee aiming through the holographic sight and flipped the magnifier sight behind it so it would increase sight of them making it look like they were closer. They didn't see me or the others when they stacked up behind me so I slowly backed away from the corner as the enemy troops began to advance on the smoke.
We ran down several alleyways and then ended up being dumped to the back of a two story building. I saw a fire escape and signaled for Eversoul and Tremblay to take it and secure the top floor. Brieukreitz and I would clear the bottom. I then slowly reached the wooden back door and took a step back. I then raised my foot and Spartan kicked the door in and immediately rounded behind the door waiting for incoming fire. None came and we burst inside sweeping and checking corners. Nobody was inside and it was clear. Two seconds later Eversoul comes down and verified that the building was clear. I looked out the window and saw we had taken a building on the north side. I then looked closer and saw another unit out there and it looked like they were taking cover.
"This is Helljumper actual who's out in the plaza by the east side next to the fountain?" I asked through the comms and had us set up ready to cover them. One if them turned there head probably trying to spot us and our position."
"This is Juggernaut team sir. Were under fire by a machine gun team in the diner. We can't move and Flott is down." Once I heard that I figured either she had been hit in the helmet or chest by a round."
"Copy all Juggernaut you've got thirty seconds to get ready. We're in a 2 story building to your rear facing the north. There's a building next to us you'll occupy it and set up a triage center. To receive any wounded we have."
"Roger sir we will get it done." Then radio clicked dead and I heard her all the way from here yelling at her troops to get ready to move. I made sure everyone had the building with the machine gun crew in there sights.
"Open fire and give them hell." I ordered and opened fire, firing short controlled bursts at the building. Henderson's teams started to move while one of them carried Smith fireman style and they reached the building. I ducked under the window as I felt rounds start coming my way and hit the wall opposite of me inside. I crawled away and outside entering the building next to me.
As soon as I entered I was met with three rifles pointing in my direction. They lowered them identifying me as a friendly and Henderson, Juggernauts team leader walked towards me and took off her helmet real fast and scratched her scalp before putting it back on.
"You see any other teams when making your way here?"
"Yeah a couple of others but I don't think well be seeing any of them any time soon. They were pinned down to bad and if we had helped them we would have been to." I nod my head understandingly trying to understand our position.
I then grabbed my radio and opened the channel that led to all fire teams.
"Ok I want all teams to start forming up in there squads and I want the squads for forming platoons. First platoon you'll take the north east corner buildings and watch that road nothing enters unless there friendlies if there not shoot them and leave them bleeding in the streets. Second platoon hold the north west corner of that road. Third you'll hold the south east and fourth you will hold the south west. We will hold this plaza until read arrived ladies and gentlemen. Were almost out of here, evac will be here in one hour. Either your here or else you will be walking home."
I signed off and turned around to feel something hard and heavy hit me in the leg. I fell into my side and raised my rifle shooting the assailant in the chest since face shots were illegal so pretty much were head shots. I crawled and closed the door then got up and leaned against the wall. Henderson came running over with a medkit and put a bandage around my leg mimicking I was shot. So now I had to limp but I could just act like a tough S.O.B and power through the "pain."
I walked over to the building that was on the left of main buildings where my team was holding up. I saw four shadows coming down a alleyway and I ducked behind a trash can raising my rifle and put the optics right in the center of the exit.
"Delta?" I yelled asking for the right counter response. Still seeing then comings closer I put my finger on the trigger and clicked the firing mode to full automatic.
"Screaming eagles." I hear the response and lowered my rifle releasing the breath I had been holding. I see four marine digitals come into view and then another squad came into view with a German shepherd the dog handler squad. I raise my hand and they come running over a couple stay behind to guard the opening. And among them I saw my second in command the company's X.O Darian Farmer.
"Both of you are part of first platoon. So occupy that building to the left and lay down covering fire. Were guarding the northwest exit right now. Farmer get your radioman and go into the center that's where our command post is being set up. I want you making contact and getting our troops here. We need everyone here to get out of here."
He nodded his head and grabbed the radioman heading inside. I saw the two guarding the alleyway still as one knelt behind a dumpster and the other behind a giant electrical transformer. I nodded my head telling them to keep it up. I got up and walked back into the CP to see a map laid out across a table and farmer getting hard at work on the radio. I walked across the room and went up stairs where my team was and the other two teams occupied first floor. With everyone here and in the left building first squad had finally been formed. But this was going to be a long and slow painful process. Leaning my head against the wall I watched out a window to see it was quiet and gunfire was being exchanged. Then several marine digitals uniforms appeared and headed in different directions.
I smiled to myself as I saw them walk into buildings and hiding in them. I couldn't ask for a better company than what I had right now. If I had to ask them to march to hell and back with me I knew they would without hesitation and I was absolutely honored to be there commanding officer. Soon enough all teams reported in and the squads and then platoons were formed. Only 5 casualties were confirmed and 10 wounded. Just knowing that warned my heart with very low wounded and killed per say. Now all we had to do was wait for our exfil.
It was mostly quiet for the hour with just minor attacks usually involving a pickup truck and troops in the back firing wildly. But we just opened up and pushed them back as fast as they came. And finally when the hour was up I heard the steady thump thump of helicopter blades. And then my radio came to life.
"Helljumper actual this is Valhalla 2-1 do you copy over?" I heard the familiar voice of a cadet from another company.
"I read you Valhalla loud and clear what do you got for me?" I asked her as a small smile broke across my face.
"I've got 4 chinooks with your companies name on it. Were your ride out of here so let's hustle it up gentlemen meters running and were coming in fast to land in that courtyard "With those words I saw the first chinook descend and land lowering it's ramp.
"Copy that Valhalla we won't keep you waiting." I signed off then switched channels to talk to the company. "Let's go people our rides here and I don't know about y'all but I don't feel like walking back to camp." I chuckled to myself and got up walking downstairs to see my squad now all joined together by the door. I walked on by and walked to the nearest chinook where first platoon was getting into and strapped in. I made sure everyone else got on first and I was the last one to board. I walked down the aisle and made sure that everyone was on board and I got a count off.
"Valhalla this is Helljhumper were all accounted for back here let's go home."
"I hear you sir taking off and heading home now." She replied and the helo slowly started to lift off the ground and then fly back to the academy. I breathed out a sigh of relief. Final combat exercise was over midterms was over and a week of leave was in the future. I slowly walked over and sat down at the last seat and looked out the widow to see the academy slowly begin to appear.
Welcome to Fort Wentworth military academy. Where you are trained to become the best and brightest for the next generation of the military and more specifically the army and Marine Corps. There are four companies and roughly 120 cadets per company give or take. Each company is learning for a different objective. Each barracks had the main building where all the cadets slept and on either side of it is a garage for the personal vehicles and the companies vehicles to be worked on and kept in working order. Then at the entrance was a symbol to signify that was the company's barracks.
Delta company, my company is the combat arms company. For cadets trying to train for combat engineers, infantry, special forces, dog handlers those jobs and others that fall into that setting. Out symbol on our barracks were two rifles crossing over each other making a X over a shield
Charlie company is the Military police company and the only job is military police. It trains them because incase they wash out or can't join the military they can fall back to become a sheriff or police officer. There symbol was a pair of handcuffs wrapped over a police baton.
Hotel company is the mechanic and transportation company. They study and learn how to repair the humvees, deuce and a halves, fuelers the light armored and essential vehicle. And for the transportation portion there the ones that drive the companies to where they need to go when it requires the whole 120 cadet unit. There symbol was a pair of crescent wrenches over a tire.
Then finally was Whiskey company. Whiskey company was he armor, aviation, and artillery company. The armor got to learn how to drive, operate, and repair he heavier equipment like Abrams tanks, Bradley Infantry fighting vehicle, and Stryker Armored Personnel Carriers along with its variants. The aviation learned the same except on helicopters like the Blackhawks, chinooks, apaches, and super cobras. They were suppose to be getting a beta phase of V-22s to see if it was worth them learning how to operate them. And finally the artillery learned just that how to use, aim, and deliver fire. There symbol was a pair of tanks with a helo flying over it.
The academy had been my home since I was 12 years old and my father was getting deployed and couldn't raise me. My mom had passed away in car crash by a drunk driver, and my older brother and sister were both off at basic training and later be deployed to the opposite side of the planet. A month ago it had been my birthday and my father came by and visited me bring me a gigantic ass present.
Flashback
He bought me a Ford Raptor and modified it majorly. He gave me the best tires in case I had to go four wheeling off the road and into the woods and sticks. He put a front bumper and winch on the front with a light bar to increase my vision at night. Then on top of the cabin was a another set of lights. He put armored fenders around the wheels, and fixed the suspension. Then the hood was replaced with a heat extracting one so it would remain cool and wouldn't give off it's position through a thermal optic. Then he had the whole thing up armored and the windows tinted, and bullet proof. Then some minor modifications like air intake, compressed air, and navigation. Then the best part was the truck bed.
He installed a tool storage two drawers system in the bed. And along the front of it where it met the cabin was a diamond plated took box that went as deep as the truck bed. He opened the drawer system first and my grin was priceless he said. He had this thing armed to the teeth as much as it was defensively. In the first drawer was a Mossberg 590 combat shotgun and next to it laid a M14 DMR. In the other drawer was a integrally suppressed MP5 and a Honey Badger, along with a five seven and sig sauer 226 pistols. Along with a bunch of ammo cans and other pieces of equipment like magazines, optics, attachments, a pair of rangefinder binoculars. And in the diamond plates toolbox was .308 lapua firing sniper rifle the SRS.
He saw my smile and told me it was just incase anything every happened with the way things were getting. This was not suppose to be used unless in a life of death need to get the hell out of dodge situation. He started to get teary eyed and reached into his shoulder holster and pulled out his 1911.
It was a pearl handled grip with a nickle/ silver metal plating on the rest of it. It had 75th ranger regiment on one side of the slide and on the other Captain Brett Samuelson. He gave it to me as a heirloom to remember him by and left me staring at it. I haven't talked to him since. And I carry that sidearm with me 24/7 never letting it leave my side.
I walked over to the passengers side door and opened it reaching into the glove compartment. Inside were the keys and a plain white envelope. I put the keys in my pocket and opened the envelope slowly leaning against the side of the truck. Reaching inside of it I felt a bundle of paper and pulled it out. It was a giant rolled up bundle of 100 dollar bills held together by a rubber band. With a little piece of paper that said " Happy Birthday."
End flashback
I snapped out if it with Farmer shaking my shoulder slightly and kept trying to talk into my ear. The next time I heard him completely.
"Sir were five minutes till reaching the landing zone." I nodded my head and heard my radio crackle to life and then a different voice sound off. It was deep and had a growl to it like a sleeping dog or bear.
"Captain Samuelson this is General Switzer come in over." General Switzer was the commander of the academy and just recently retired from Marine corps as the commander of the 2nd marine division.
"I read you general this is Samuelson over." I replied quickly and admittedly a little nervously.
"Captain when you land you and your company are to report to the parade grounds."
"Aye sir understood, when we hit the deck we will report to the parade grounds over." And the comm clicked dead just as fast as he had clicked on. I shook my head not understanding why we had to report to the parade grounds, as far as I was concerned we didn't have any promotions or awards scheduled that was tommrow. But orders were orders and I was a soldier so I followed them to the letter.
"Pilot divert your course to the parade grounds drop us off there." He nodded his head and got into the radio informing the other choppers and slightly shifted course to reach the grounds. I then got on the companies channel and opened it up for everyone to hear.
"Listen up delta. The general wants us on the parade grounds for a surprise assembly. So when these birds touch down I want platoons already formed up and squared away by the time I step off my own personal bird." I clicked it off and saw the parade grounds come into view. The chinook started it's descent and in no time I felt the bird jump a little as the wheels touched the ground. The ramp lowered and cadets were already standing up and starting to pour out of it.
I stood up and walked over to the pilots cabin and was met with a familiar smile as she took off her flight helmet.
"Thanks for ride warrant officer. Sure as hell beat walking home." I grinned at her as she tuned to face me.
"No problem sir just another day at the academy sir." She joked and gave me a smile as her dazzling emerald green eyes stared back at me. I blushed a little and read her name tape.
"Everdeen, thank you for the ride everdeen I'll see you around sometime." I smiled and walked off the chopper slinging my rifle across my shoulder as he barrel pointed upwards and the stock down. I saw all the platoons formed up and standing crisply at attention. I let a small grin escape my lips as I walked to the front of the formation where my X.O first lieutenant Farmer, and my company first sergeant Brieukreitz standing at the front. I stopped in front of them and turned in the same direction snapping to attention just in time as I saw the Generals personal humvee begun to approach.
It was a small three vehicle convoy as the first and last vehicle was a MP humvee and armed with a 50 caliber heavy machine gun. They drove in front of the formation and had the generals stop directly in front of me. The door opened and out stepped the academy's cadet battalion commander Major Ramos, the battalions sergeant major Hull, and Charlie companies commanding officer Smith. Then out stepped the general himself. His uniform crisp and almost looked like it was brand new as his boots were clean and brushed. I snapped to attention and snapped a crisp salute to the general since he was the highest ranking officer present in that group. He eyeballed me and I swear I saw him smile just a little before returning the salute and walked towards me. I dropped the salute and he stopped about a yard in front of me.
"At ease Delta company you've earned it." His voice boomed over the parade grounds and my left foot moved about shoulders width apart from my right still keeping the 45 degree angle and my hands went to the small of my back then dropped to my lower waist as they connected together. "How's everyone doing after that final exercise?" He asked looking over us almost as if he was eyeballing each cadet individually.
"Good sir." I heard them shout back in one voice. I couldn't help but smirk as I knew this was the best company in the whole damn academy.
"Well you should be, you just broke the record for the combat exercise of the least amount of casualties and dead. And also with the quickest time." He said this with a smile and looked at me directly into the eyes.
"Your captain here is a exemplary commander and leader haven't seen anybody like him for 10 years. Now a change of pace." He said this and turned his head to signal Ramos to come closer as he held something in each of his hands.
"Samuelson a word please." I snapped back to attention and walked over to him saluting again.
"Cadet Captain Samuelson reporting as ordered sir." I states and felt my nerves increasing with the butterflies in my stomach.
"At ease son walk with me." I dropped my salute as I walked with him across to the woods away from everyone else. "Son two of your platoon leaders are graduating this weekend and going to Naval Academy. Now I need you to make a quick on the spot decision on who the two cadets are going to replace them."
As soon as he said those words I was already processing who I should put in there position and get the promotion to 2nd lieutenant. Several possible candidates passed through my mind but two stood out and I kept going back to there names.
Kaylee Parker a 14 year old gun and explosive extraordinaire. She was a mysterious girl. But I also knew she had about a dozen or so guns hidden in her room but didn't say anything. That was her thing to keep her calm and interested I was not going to take it away from her. She was quiet but ordered people around when she needed to and had no problem putting a boot in there ass she also along with Alyssa owned a classic 1967 Chevy impala that had a secret gun compartment in the trunk along with there most personal and private possessions.
Alyssa Carter, a 15 year old that preferred hand to hand combat then a firefight. Also could kick someone ass and not take there shit. She was extremely gifted and flipped me over more then once just for sneaking up on her and scaring her. She was very picky with her friends and made sure they weren't the preppy bitchy kind and knew she could trust them. Probably why they were two of my four best friends here.
I made my choice and looked at the general. "Sir cadets Carter and Parker are my best choices to fill those shoes. They've got the experience and they've got the skill to step up." He looked me up and down studying me.
"Those would be my two choices as well. I do my homework as well Samuelson to see if your thinking straight or playing favoritism. Now let's head back and announce two new butter bars for this company." I nodded my head and began to walk with him then snapped my head up to talk to him.
"Sir if it would be alright I would like to do the announcement and hand them their ranks. It's kinda personal since they're really close to me and they have worked really hard and earned this."
"Ok go right ahead just ask Major Ramos for the ranks." He replied simply and continued looking forward stopping once we returned. I took my position again and did an about face facing the company.
"Cadets Carter and Parker front and center." I barked out and looked at third and fourth platoon to see two figures emerge and start to make their way towards me. I smile seeing Parker's non regulated M90 Carinco smg slung across her back next to her M16A4 assault rifle. Carter even though hating guns still kept her M16A4 in great shape as well. They stopped in front of me and saluted reporting in.
They looked at me with puzzled looks in there eyes as curiosity was coming over them. I smiled and just gave them a wink to confuse them even more. Parker gave me the 'I'm going to kill you if you don't get on with it.' Look which made me smirk even more.
"Ladies and gentlemen later this weekend we will be losing two cadets to the naval academy as they continue there career into going to the military or more specifically the navy for them. But unfortunately they are two of our own platoon commanders." I turned to walk over to Ramos and saw a it dawn on Carter and she started to smile a little but caught my eye and went back to the blank stare.
He stood in front of Ramos as he handed him the second lieutenant ranks for each of the girls and clapped him on the shoulder.I grabbed the ranks and turned around back to the two awaiting female cadets. Walking up to them I grinned even more as I gripped the ranks tightly so they couldn't see them.
"Sergeants Parker and Carter I hereby strip you of your ranks and promote to the officer rank of 2nd lieutenant and with said rank are hereby appointed as 3rd and 4th platoons commander congratulations." And with that I reached forward and ripped off there Velcro sergeant ranks and then pressed the butter bar ranks as they were called because the long bar was bronze and looked like a stick of butter. "Let's give these ladies a round of applause." I yelled and took a step back slapping my hands together applauding and grinning like mad.
The company behind them immediately started grinning with a few whistles and whoops thrown into the mix. After a couple of minutes it finally died down and the two stopped blushing. I snapped to attention and saluted as they returned it and then were dismissed. I turned back around to look at the general.
"Will that be all sir?" I asked wanting to go to the barracks to clean up and wipe off all the blood and dirt off of me and hopefully smell better to.
"That will be all Captain dismiss your troops and return to your barracks. Chow for your company will be 2200 and it's 2000 right now so you have two hours." He then turned and walked off with the three cadets he had arrived with. The son had set and it was getting darker to where the street light surrounding the place turned on.
"Company dismissed chow is at 2200 you have two hours to change and and do whatever. Uniform will be civvies since we are now officially on leave." When I had finished the platoon leaders relayed the orders and everyone fell out. But several people came up to me including a very pissed off cadet Henderson. She came up to me and shoved me roughly and I stumbled back a bit guess she took on leave seriously even though we were still in uniform.
"What the hell Watson?!" She asked me practically yelling and causing a few heads to turn. Darian and Dalton came by me and stood behind me.
"What do you mean Karleigh?" I ask her and her name feels alien since I'm use to calling her by her last name.
"You pick Carter over me I'm a better cadet then she is by a mile." She yelled and Carter and Parker began walking over. I shook my head at them telling them not to come over. "What did you not pick me because were exes is that it?" She asked me accusingly tell you the truth I forgot we had dated
"No it's not because of that Carter's proven herself and hasn't been a stuck up bitch acting like she knows it all and showing off because she's a platoon sergeant. She never begged or kissed ass to become a squad leader. And when she was one she led without a word of ungreatfullness."
Karleigh looked at me as her eyes nearly filled with the fire of anger. She came up to me and socked me right across the jaw and I went flying back a couple of feet. I landed on my back and luckily I still had my helmet on or else it would have hurt like a bitch. She came up and grabbed me by my collar and yanked me off the ground.
"Now your going to tell that bitch Carter that she's been relieved or else I will make your life a living hell." I saw Carter pop up behind her and I couldn't help but smirk.
"You can tell her yourself." And like that was a cue Carter kicked her legs out from under her and caught me before I fell."Thanks for the catch Carter." I said great fully and saw karleigh get back up. Carter did to because she went up and kicked her in the stomach and bent down to grab her by her collar and straight up punches her twice more and then got up leaving her laying on the ground and helped me up.
"I didn't see anything as far as I know she fell." I joked with her and got up brushing the dust off my already dirty uniform and wiped some blood from my lip. "Come on let's go and change for chow." I mutter and walk off my mood changing just like that. I don't know why but me and her could joke around just like that then something would click in my head and I just got that feeling like I was annoying her or something.
I reached the the barracks and trudged upstairs to the male section and walked to my quarters. It as bigger then everyone else since it was the commanders room. There were three beds so i put Dalton and Darian in there with me. Best to have my command staff and my other two best friends with me. I stopped in front of my room and looked at the name plates
Company commander
Watson Samuelson
Executive officer
Darian Farner
Company First Sergeanr
Dalton Brieukreitz
Just reading all those names and positions brought a smile across my face. I had been in all of those positions while making my way up the chain of command. I opened my door slowly and walked in closing it behind me. I looked around every time I walked into my room it felt like it was my first day of the academy and I was in awe. I walked over to my desk and opened my laptop to turn it on pressing the power button. The while it was powering on I walked over to my locker and opened it. It had the two main compartments for clothing but also a drawer that came straight out to hold my rifle. I unlocked it and pulled it out so I could put my SCAR in it. My camp issued 1911 was already in its slot because I always had my fathers. I then slid the smaller drawer beside it out and took off my combat vest and put it in place I took off my combat blouse and grabbed a hanger to hang it up. I took off the thigh holster and held into it as I closed the locked and put the holster onto my desk. I also took off my shoulder holster and replaced the five seven in it with the 1911 and took the five seven into the thigh holster. I walked back over and sat down seeing the computer was booted up. I typed my password in
CountryMustBeCountryWide
It granted me access and first thing I did was click onto my music folder and hit shuffle then play. The first song that states to play was Dirt Road Diary by: Luke Bryan. I grinned like a idiot and started to sing along.
Me and daddy'd ride around all day shooting doves off a line in a Chevrolet.
Old lab would jump out the back and fetch them up.
We'd drive for miles and miles and never once hit blacktop or change the dial.
One little country station was all there was.
Checking gates, fixing fence rows – that's how my story goes.
If you want to know the real me, just turn the page in my dirt road diary.
It's right there for you to see, every kiss, every beer, every cotton field memory.
Tan legs and some Dixie Land delight, ridin' round, windows down on a summer night.
I was there, and that was me. It's right here in my dirt road diary.
I remember when I turned sixteen I got a license and some gasoline.
Ain't a curve or a straight away we didn't fly down.
If wasn't the boys it was me and her by fire in a field or down on the river.
Every inch of that county was sacred ground.
I wish I knew where that old truck was.
If it could talk it could tell on us.
If you want to know the real me, just turn the page in my dirt road diary.
It's right there for you to see, every kiss, every beer, every cotton field memory.
Tan legs and some Dixie Land delight, ridin' round, windows down on a summer night.
I was there, and that was me. It's right here in my dirt road diary.
It ain't a book underneath my bed;
Just a dusty memory lane burned in my head.
Tan legs and some Dixie Land delight, ridin' round, windows down feeling right
I was there, that was me. It's right here in my dirt road diary.
Just ride around my little town and you'll see how I wrote my dirt road diary.
I smiled and when the song ended I walked over to my bed and ducked to my hands and knees and started to feel for something underneath my bed. I felt the strap and slid it to me. It was a guitar case and i sat on my bed. I slowly unzipped it and saw the six string. It had been George Straights and tossed it out in the crowd. Later that night I got him to sign it when I went back stage.
I pulled it out of its case and sat it on my lap and slowly began to play it and strum a couple of chords getting ready. Then I started to play a song that I hadn't in a long time because it reminded me of my father. In the case was a envelope that had my fathers name on it and it sum things up it told me he had passed away overseas. I remember every word of the letter having read it time and time again. I shook my head and finished the song putting it back in its case and slid it back under my bed. Getting up I walked over to my dresser and looked around for my clothes. I saw it and grabbed it all walking to the bathroom for a much needed shower.
I opened the door and closed it then walked over to the counter and laid my clothes on it. I put my black combat boots on the floor with a pair of thick wool socks since winter was coming and it was getting colder by the second here in Boston. I then laid my black tactical pants on the counter with my thigh holster on top. Next was a black halo t-shirt that had the UNSC symbol on it which was a eagle holding the earth. On top of that was a black leather jacket that had a hood on it, then I put my black fingerless go army gloves and shoulder on top of both of those. The last pieces weren't necessarily required but I had a pair of aviator sunglasses and my patrol cap next to them.
I walked over to the shower and turned the hot water on as hot as it could get not bothering with the cold water to cool it down. Sometimes it made me feel alive instead of the numb and empty feeling that filled me up. It filled me up cause I didn't have a normal family my brother never liked having another kid to share a dad with he didn't mind our sister it was always me. He would wake me up and beat the living crap out of me so I got use to it barely feeling pain anymore and started to ignore him completely. My sister did have a problem with me she was always there to help me and always celebrated my birthday when everyone always forgot. She was just gone a lot with school and when I turned 12 she turned 18 and enlisted in the marine corps, she wrote me letters but it just didn't feel the same. I had friends and this was like a secondary family it just didn't always keep me happy and feeling like I belonged here.
After stripping out of my uniform and sending it down the laundry chute I forgot to grab a pair of boxers so I wrapped a towel around my waist and walked back into the room and grabbed a pair of COD zombie boxers. Hey don't judge I'm a nerd at heart sometimes. I walked back into the restroom and tossed the towel on the counter and stepped in letting the hot shower assault me and turn my skin a bright pink. The water felt good after today and it's long strenuous physical activity today. I grabbed the bar soap and scrubbed my face especially after the pigsty incident. Putting it down and grabbed the shampoo put a small glop of gel onto my hand and put the bottle down. I viciously scrubbed my hair making sure I got every nook and cranny of dirt out of my hair. After awhile I just leaned my head letting the water rinse my hair and the dirt washed out with it. I just leaned a arm on the wall as my mind wandered off thinking about several things before I snapped out of it and turned the water off. Carefully stepping out of the shower I reached the counter and wiped the mist off of her mirror to see my reflection. Then opening the mirror I grabbed the razor and shaving cream and gave my face a shave making it nice and smooth.
I got dressed in the outfit I had laid out and secured my holsters making sure nobody could see the shoulder one when my jacket was zipped up. Then I slipped my leg through the thigh holster and made sure that it was snug in place and not fall down my leg when I moved. Satisfied it was secure properly I tucked my glasses into my shirt and grabbed my hat not putting it on yet. I walk out and am embraced with country music again. I sit at my desk and open my pictures to look through them seeing the only five pictures of my family I had. I check my watch and saw it was 20:45. Gave me about a hour left.
So I decided to go through my email and found one from General Switzer.
Attention all cadets.
During the cycle of chow all cadets weaponry will be exchanged. The military has brought in new weaponry for us to use as there guinea pigs so to speak. All officers will keep there sidearms and SCAR as per protocol though. The following weapons are being replaced
M9 Beretta-Glock 22
Shotguns will remain
M4A1s and M16A4s-Remington R5
M14 DMR-G28 DMR
M40 sniper rifle-Savage DCS
That will be all cadets. Semper Fidelis
I read the email then looked it over again. Why were we testing theses new weapons. Why not give them to the eggheads at R&D. But they look like good weapons from the statistics so far and some field testing showed exemplary results. I was about to open a file when I heard a knock on the door.
"Enter." I called out as the door began to open. And in walked Carter and Parker in there own civilian clothing. They each changed into something else entirely. They were the badass sassy twins as they grew the nickname when they weren't on duty or in uniform.
"Hey Watson." Alyssa called out giving me a short wave. I smile and my heart started to flutter. 'Damnit' knock it off I thought to my heart. Nothing's going on but yet she had a affect on me. I just shook my head slightly and fast then looked back up at them.
"Hey Alyssa, Kaylee y'all ready for a two week leave?" I asked and saw Kaylee's Carinco tucked in behind her jacket. She could conceal it from anyone usually. But I had a eye for that sort of thing so I usually did it myself with concealing weapons.
"Hell yeah just two whole weeks of being able to visit the range, blow stuff up, or build some more weapons." Kaylee exclaimed a kind of sparkle in her eye lit up as I knew that was her passion like I had a little.
"Yeah same here just I'll be sparring and teaching these freshmen actually how to fight." Alyssa grinned and I felt bad for those guys cause probably several would be going to the aid station with bloody noses and busted ribs.
"Just don't hurt them to bad Alyssa last thing we need is to be losing the whole camp with you beating them up. Took me two weeks when me as you last trained." I countered back and she have me that innocent 'it was a accident look.' Which just made me crack up even more. I got up and grabbed my socks and boots putting them on and saw it was half an hour before chow.
"Want to go wait at the chow hall so were already there?" I asked walking to the door. They just followed so I took it as a yes and headed downstairs and walking to the chow hall putting on the hat. Darian and dalton caught up already having changed so it was the five of us and entered the chow hall sitting down at a table. Alyssa and Kaylee sat on each side of me while Dalton and Darian sat across from us.
"Ok guys hope your ready for the new weaponry they sound and look good." I tried to make conversation but was just so dang tired I started to lean on Alyssa's shoulder and then shot back up shaking my head.
All of a sudden the bell rang and it was time for chow. I got up and walked into the line and got some chicken tenders, a burger, and mozzarella sticks. Grabbed a bottle of Pepsi and then sat back down scarfing down the food hungry and wanting to go to sleep. I finished it before everyone else sat down and got up putting my tray away. I walked out the door and saw them give me a troubled look before I walked outside. I managed to somehow drag myself into my room and dropped on the bed immediately passing out and falling into a deep sleep.
Thank you for reading this first fan fiction of mine. Please Please leave reviews and give me opinion so far thank you.