Luke is given a chance to train under Col. Beverly Shannon, Jessie's step mom. But Darla has some plans of her own... what are they and what is she planning to do with Luke? Here's the next chapter so enjoy!
Also to note, the caps indicate how soldiers and personnel would speak.
The next morning
Luke was woken up to the same trumpet sound that Jessie blew on him and his siblings. But in this case it was Col. Shannon who did it.
"Rise and shine new recruit Luke Ross!"
"Luke Ross, awake and alert, ma'am!"
"Good Mr. Ross, that's a good start. Well I prepared you a good uniform you can wear as you begin your military training."
"Col. Shannon, I will do my best to become worthy of your step daughter's heart, ma'am!"
"I know Luke, but get to the field Mr. Ross. Time is ticking, so get changed and I'll meet you there at 0730 hours."
"What?"
"It means be there by 7:30 am. Now go, go, time is ticking!"
"MA'AM YES MA'AM!"
Luke then ran to the bathroom to take a bath and put on the uniform, and then he head on to the field where the other soldiers were waiting for the training.
As he got there, Luke then saluted Col. Shannon and she salutes him back.
"OK YOU NEW RECRUITS, THIS HERE'S YOUR NEW TEAM MATE, MR. LUCAS ROSS. HE WILL BE JOINING YOU TO ALSO GET TRAINED TO BE THE BEST MEN IN THE WHOLE ARMY. AT THIS POINT YOU MUST RESPECT THIS YOUNG MAN AS HE IS JUST 12. I BROUGHT HIM UNDER MY WING SO HE CAN BE LIKE THE MAN I MARRIED RECENTLY. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?"
They all said, "MA'AM YES MA'AM!"
"LUCAS,"
"MY NAME IS LUKE ROSS, MA'AM!"
"Ok then I'll just call you Luke. OK LUKE, YOU ARE HERE TODAY SO YOU CAN BECOME WORTHY OF MY HUSBAND'S BLESSING. DO YOU SWEAR ON THE UNITED STATES ARMY THAT YOU WILL BE OBEDIENT TO MY ORDERS AND BE DETERMINED TO COMPLETE THE TASK AT HAND?"
"I SWEAR ON THE UNITED STATES ARMY THAT I WILL BE OBEDIENT TO YOUR ORDERS AND BE DETERMINED TO COMPLETE THE TASK AT HAND MA'AM!"
"Ok then, LUKE ROSS, YOUR TRAINING BEGINS HERE. NOW GO AND GIVE ME 8!"
"MA'AM WHAT, MA'AM?"
"It means give me 7 pushups going from 1 to 7 and backward."
"MA'AM YES MA'AM!"
And Luke did that, and he succeeded.
"GOOD START PRIVATE ROSS! NOW, GO WITH THE OTHER RECUIRTS AND START DOING PUSH UPS WITH THEM!"
"MA'AM, I'LL TRY MY BEST MA'AM!"
And Luke did so but what he didn't know was first, Darla is spying on him, and second, he didn't know it will take a long time to complete it, as he ended up flat on his face before it was even done.
"THAT'S ENOUGH FOR TODAY. Luke, did you just ended up flat on the ground before it's over?"
"I LOST COUNT AND DIDN'T MAKE IT, MA'AM!"
"Oh well. Next up you'll be going on some additional exercises. NOW GET MOVING PRIVATE ROSS! GO GO GO!"
"MA'AM YES MA'AM!"
As Luke went to the next exercise, Darla in turn said to herself, "Wonder what is Luke doing with my mom? Why is he training with her? No worries, I'll find something that will send him humiliated that in turn Jessie gets humiliated by him!"
For the entirety of the day, Luke ended up in obstacle courses, had to learn to build a rifle, and even practice shooting, but before he was able to get it all right, he ended up failing at first but got it right in the end even if he sucked at doing this as he never did these before. Not even his PE skills do much help there.
After all of these, Col. Shannon said, "Ok Luke I think that's enough for now. You're dismissed for the day."
"As in I'm done for today?"
"Yes Luke, but first, I would like to say today didn't go well but at least it's a good start. Well I'll see you in the morning Luke, you're dismissed from today's duty."
"Yes ma'am." He saluted her and they both parted ways.
But Luke wasn't even planning to go home yet- he snuck out on the B.A.T. and drove off outside the base and decided to stop by a hill with 1 tree in the middle of it.
As he got off and he looked on the evening scenery, he sighed because he was still trying to figure out if he'll make it or not. All he ever wanted was be worthy for her and her dad. But he can't give up now, as he still thinking of a way to do his best.
And then he heard a voice.
"So you're here to be alone too?"
"Jessie? What are you doing here?"
"I just need some alone time. I didn't know you'll be here too, using that B.A.T."
"Well it's more of needing a mind break."
"Thinking of something?"
"Yeah, on how to be a better me."
"Speaking of such I heard you're training under my step mom. Why did you decided to get in there?"
Luke thought: If I let Jessie know the truth about why I'm under Col. Shannon's tutelage, the changes will even go as low as big as "never in a million years!" I have to think of an escape word or something!
"Um I just felt like it."
"Is it?
"Yeah, but I just want to be a better person that's all."
"Luke, you already are a better person. But I'm proud of you for taking this opportunity to be a part of the military even though you're just starting."
"Thanks Jessie. I appreciate it."
"I got to go now."
Jessie then decided to leave on a different B.A.T. vehicle and he said, "I didn't know you have a B.A.T. vehicle!"
"Well I just borrowed it. I'll see you back at the base."
As she left, Luke sighed of relief that Jessie have no idea that he was doing it for her father's approval. He then also heads back for the base and gets to sleep.
But he has no idea that Darla is plotting for his failure, and his siblings don't know what's going on with him. All Ravi, Zuri and Emma can do is just look around his progress.
The next day, Luke got up early not because of Col. Shannon but to try to be better than the others. What he didn't know was Darla also followed him but in a sneaky way.
Luke may have gotten a weak head start but he's going to even prove himself further than what they expect. But what really is Darla up to? Find out next chapter, and leave comments!
