Chapter 4
the platoon
As the ship pulled into the San Diego bay, Yukon could only note that this ship yard was the busiest ship yard he had ever seen, Ships were everywhere loaded with men, guns and supplies.
when his ship finally reached shore he was led to a dog yard, a fence with five dog houses that had been built to provide a place out of the rain.
When he walked into the dog yard the first thing that greeted him was an military like voice that made Yukon freeze in his tracks..."What's you're name private?"
At first Yukon's mind drew a blank then he looked at the officer from which he had heard the voice, it was an Australian Shepherd with a black back, white neck and stomach with tan patches around his shoulders and hips, he had green eyes that looked like he was a military dog and he was roughly a couple inches taller then Yukon.
So before Yukon could answer the first time the Aussie asked again in a more demanding tone of voice..."did you hear me? I said what is your name private!" Yukon Without hesitation answered
"Yukon sir"
The Aussie stared at Yukon with a blank face then finally spoke again
"Alright but from now on your name is private Yukon is that understood?"
" yes sir"
"Good, my name is lieutenant winters and that is how you will address me is that understood, town boy?"
"Yes sir lieutenant"
"okay we won't start actual training today but we will tomorrow, so be ready"
"yes sir"
"Now, you're the first one to arrive today so I'll tell you what's going on, you've been put into a platoon which is part of the first Marine division, of five scout dogs, so that's you, me, and three more are on their way, our job is to 'scout' the area for any of the enemy that was left behind and point them out so our boys aren't ambushed, is that clear?"
"Yes sir lieutenant"
"Okay there's five dog houses over there, one of them is mine so go pick yours out of the four." The Aussie said pointing to the direction of the dog houses Yukon looked and trotted to the dog houses but before he went he asked the Aussie a question
" lieutenant winters, where you born an Aussie or an American?"
Lieutenant winters glared at Yukon with the green eyes then answered
"I Bleed RED,WHITE, and BLUE but just so you know I'm an American."
With that Yukon trotted off to pick his dog house.
When Yukon got back to lieutenant winters, winters was giving another dog the same 'greeting' except this dog was an all yellow Labrador the same height as Yukon with brown eyes and he had a confused look on his face then lieutenant winters spoke
"Did you understand me? Farm boy"
The lab answered
"I don't know...I think so"
" so what's your name? Private"
"Happy"
The Aussie stared at the yellow lab
"I said, What's you're name private, not your mood"
"Happy sir" the lab responded
Now lieutenant winters was about to lose his cool with the yellow lab
" I'm going to ask you only one more time, What...is...
Your...name...private" the lab answered again
"I've already told you sir my name is Happy"
The Aussie looked at Happy with a glare that could've boiled cold water, then shook his head and turned to the next dog that lumbered through the gate, he was a German Shepherd a bit taller than Yukon with a tan stomach and neck, Black tail and back, with hazel eyes. Lieutenant winters went through the same questions then he asked him his name...
"What's your name private?"
"Travis sir" Travis said with a slight Texan accent
"Well Travis I have one question...where you German born or American?" All eyes were on the German Shepherd and without even thinking replied
"American sir."
Lieutenant winters studied the German Shepherd with careful eyes and finally spoke...
"Ok I believe you...for now"
As soon as winters was done interrogating Travis, the fifth and final dog of the platoon walked through the gate, he was a Dalmatian with black ears, black spots mixed with his white fur, he had blue eyes and was slightly shorter than Yukon. The lieutenant asked him the questions then finally asked him his name...
"What's your name private?"
"John...John from da Bronx" the Dalmatian said with a heavy Yankee accent
"Okay 'John from the Bronx' you're the last one so your dog house is already chosen for you, we start scout training tomorrow so get used to your 'buddies' today so we're not doing that tomorrow...is that understood?"
"Yeah i's hears youse" he said with that Yankee accent, but the Aussie wasn't about to take 'yeah' for an answer...
"When spoken to by an officer you repliy with a Yes Sir, is that understood private?" The lieutenant said almost yelling, but John seemed unphased then answered...
"Yeah sir"
The lieutenant let out a heavy sigh and ordered the platoon to line up and gave them instructions...
"Alright boys, you were brought here to become scouts and that's exactly what my job is as platoon leader, is to get you ready for those desolate, bloody, islands. Your only hope of making it back home is to obey my every order, this is the difference between life and death. The last thing I'm going to tell you is you're not a Marine yet, you've got to earn that status, it takes pride, it takes heart, it takes a willingness to work hard and last it takes character to become a Marine. Platoon dismissed for today." With that the lieutenant headed for his dog house leaving the rest of the platoon to get 'aquatinted' Yukon was the first to ask...
"Well Happy, Where are you from?"
The lab with a smile began to tell his tale
"Okay, I'm from a farm in Kansas, I was helping dad with farm work when I got drafted."
"Okay, how about you John?" Yukon asked
"I'm from da Bronx in New York City, it's a big place, bigger than dis town." John replied with that heavy Yankee accent, then they all looked at the German Shepard...
"Well Travis, Where are you from?" Yukon asked
"I'm from a ranch on the West Texas panhandle, doubt any of Y'all have ever heard of it." The platoon then looked at Yukon...
"Where are you from?" Happy asked
"Nome Alaska" Yukon said now thinking about home
"Wow, that's way up there" Happy replied
"Yes, it's way up there" Yukon restated
While Happy was conversing with Yukon, Travis and John began arguing as only Texans and New Yorkers do...
"I can't believe I got stuck in the same platoon as a stinkin Yankee"
"Hey watch it cowdog, I'm known for being a fighter"
"A Yankee with short dog syndrome could it get any worse"
As Yukon was watching he thought to himself
"This is going to be a long 6 weeks"
And trotted off to his dog house.
So what do y'all think? I'll add more back story to the characters as the story goes on
