Hi guys! So I thought of this whilst watching Special Forces: Ultimate Hell Week and I decided that a military environment would be a good way for character development and showing personalities, and bringing out the best (or worst) of characters. So I decided to write this. I hope you like it! (Note: Herondale - Jace, Lightwood - Alec/Izzy, Bane - Magnus, Blackthorn - Mark, Carstairs - Emma, Morgernstern - Clary) Please review if you like it!
To my great sadness I am not our favourite eternally wonderful writing genius Cassie Clare.
The searing heat broke through Sergeant Jace Herondale's daze; vague pain swam in and out of his conscious recognition in gradually slowing waves. He opened his eyes as the memories came back to him.
Soldier Lightwood yelled for the unit to dive for cover just as the explosion rocked the ground. Sargent Herondale was knocked over, but tried to get back up to survey his team; the primal selfless instinct of military leadership kicking in. "Down, Sergeant, down," Lightwood hissed, covering Herondale's body with his own. "You're my senior; you have the information. And that means you're valuable. That I should be ready to sacrifice myself for your safety and for the sake of the mission." He informed Jace. Jace shook his head. "I'm your Sergeant. You are my responsibility," he replied. "And tha-"
He was cut off by the sound of another, much closer, explosion. "Damnit! That was a decoy! Soldier, I don't care about me. I order you to move!" Sergeant Herondale shouted, pushing Lightwood off of him.
"THAT IS AN ORDER! SOLDIERS, GET OUT OF HERE SAFELY, JUST DON'T COMPRISE THE UNIT!" He bellowed at Morgernstern, Lightwood, Bane and Carstairs, watching them run and then -
The world exploded and all went black.
He groaned. God, why had he led the team into that city? They needed to help the people, but it was clearly a trap. The power of hindsight. You can't afford the need for hindsight! He reminded himself. What happened to Blackthorn? He got taken by the terrorists, and killed, and it was your fault! You failed!
Shuddering at the memories, Jace pulled himself up and surveyed the makeshift camp around him. He lay on a rough canvas cover, surrounded by a tent and with Lightwood keeping watch outside. Getting up - he felt woozy, but they didn't have time for any more setbacks - he approached the soldier. He was close to Alexander on a personal level as well as professional, and felt they could talk.
"Sargent? How are you?" Lightwood turned and fixed Jace with those blue eyes of his. "I might have resented it at the time, but you saved our lives, and almost at the expense of yours," he said quietly. "Thank you."
Jace sat down next to him. "That's my job," was all he said. Then added:
"What did the operation team say?"
Lightwood informed him: "Minor setback. Morgernstern took a look at you; no serious wounds. Just some scrapes, bruises and the like. We're all clear to continue once we've rested. Can't disclose locations of course, but this is a sort of safe house area. I had to radio. It was the only communication, and the team was unconscious. No one's injured," he added hastily, seeing Herondale's alarm. "Yesterday was just an overload."
"Yesterday?" Jace asked, suprised. "I've only been out a night?"
He took a closer look at their surroundings. It was early morning, and the others were just starting to stir. Lightwood nodded. "Yes, Sargent. Correct." He smiled, then stood. "We should get going for the next stage of the mission. We have a lot of work to do re-evaluating their defences and locations."