We continue running and together pass around a plan until we finally decide on a course of action just as the pelicans fly over the tops of the trees above us, creating such a noise its hard to hear one another but the plan is understood quickly and without much words needing to be spoken thankfully.

We stop a quarter of the way into our run then begin stripping the bags down to the essentials so they will be lighter for the run back.

"He never said we couldn't." Hess argues when Mary complains about being in trouble for leaving things behind.

I just chuckle and hold my hand up. "I'll say it was my idea if there is any trouble." I wiggle my hand abit then continue hurriedly helping with the packs.

Its barely five minutes before we have them stripped down and are on the move at a run to makeup the ground lost.

We use the compass I brought coupled with the map Cortez had hidden away in her bra to navigate the not so trail as we make out way back to the base.

We avoid obvious areas that would be perfect for traps, ambushes or other areas that would be great for trouble, instead using the areas that give us the advantage or even a slight over anything that may be thrown at us.

We are at about the halfway mark in our run when we come across a unmarked clearing, one of six discrepancies on the map - I suspect its deliberate but there's no time for worrying or suspecting tampering when Austin runs right past myself and Cortez not paying any attention and nearly runs right out into the field but Micheal jumps over me and as Cortez drops the map and yanks Austin off his feet back into the deep cover with the rest of us while Micheal slaps his hand right over Austin's mouth just as hes about to let out a yelp.

Thankfully its so well done not a sound is made other then the rustle of Austin being taken down.

I look at Morgana and Mike then give a nod, the three of us stripping our packs off then slip off into the trees silently in opposite directions.

The three of us are usually the scouts and I'm just damn lucky - an example is the time I walked into, through and out of a mine field without knowing it until someone yelled at me for it.

I'm just hoping this isn't a mine field as I slither along the ground around the ovular shaped clearing.

I usually have good radar for trouble and have in the past managed to steer us away from this but this time it is sudden as I come upto a red berry bush, its the kind that at first glance looks much like a huckleberry bush but the berry's are more like a peach colored grape. I feel a slight tremor in the moss I've just put my right hand on which causes me to freeze and my heart to pound loudly.

I wait then swallow the lump in my throat as I realize I was right - Mendez did send his team and I've just crawled right under one who just dropped from the tree to my 5 o'clock! "Oh fuck me...! Why and how the hell do I get myself into these messes! FUCK! THINK WOMAN! THINK!" I curse in my head as I carefully scan around myself like I'm totally oblivious to the person trying to sneak up behind me.

I only use my eyes for the first 10 seconds then I use my head to carefully and cautiously scan about myself before relaxing and slithering closer to the thick bush, secreting one of the home made smoke bombs from my sleeve - now suddenly thankful Sammy brought alot of them secretly without our CO knowing.

I rise up onto my knees like I'm going to peak around the bush cautiously, making sure the posture doesn't look like one that's too easy to spring away or that I'm planning to. "Alright.. Lets see how fast you really are." I think and stop dead when I feel the movement through my hands in the bush.

"Sometimes... I wonder how lucky I really am to wander into stuff like this..." I gulp realizing I've been surrounded by about three others and there's a count of roughly five in the trees ahead and one to my left closer to the clearing edge.

"Aw hell... Fuck this!" I think and smash the smoke bomb on a small rock below me, instantly filling a 5 foot radius with thick white smoke before I take off like a cut cat for the clearing, feeling something comb through my hair as I take off.

But I hardly pause to consider it, instead running as fast as I can for the clearing.

I jump up into the last tree as I reach the edge of the clearing and just narrowly avoid the person getting a hold of my ankle as I dive out into the clearing, taking in a deep breath as I keep running through the long grass.

"I HATE BEING RIGHT SOMETIMES!" I cry the alarm, noting the others break from cover and take off along the path they decided as our exit, using our improvised smoke bombs before a grenade sails out into the field.

My guess is its from the 'enemy', I barely take the time to make sure what it is before I hit the ground, diving under a log covering my ears then waiting for the thump of its detonation.

I wait but there's a thump alright, it hits me hard in the chest, coupled with a loud bang it leaves my ears ringing and my body slightly stunned, but I quickly break cover in alarm when I realize it was no paint grenade but a flash bang.

The team used it to disorient to make breaking their own cover easier.

So that means I'd be in hot water sitting under a log verses running for the cover of the trees.

I head right for the trees where I see a struggle, bushes swaying violently coupled with a balled fist flying this way, a foot the other.

"O'donnel.. Damn that guy is wild in a scrap.." I think to myself as I head right for him right after I hear his tell-tale owl hoot of trouble.

I leap the dead log ahead of myself and sail into the air, taking the pose of a pouncing cougar as I clear the log.

But its my mistake, I come up only to find I've lept right into trouble - I'm about to land right into the waiting arms of one of Mendez's trainees who was obviously watching and waiting.

I curl up into a ball then roll myself over so I have my feet positioned when I land - but its more like I hit them smack dab in the middle of the chest, knocking them off their feet and we both hit the ground hard.

I land on top of them, the two of us somewhat stunned as I half lay on them for a moment or two before realizing alarmed I could be caught and I hop right off and jump out of arm's length, eyeing them suspiciously.

I look around carefully, being sure I keep at least one eye on the other soldier as they get up obviously abit sore.

"Rose..." I hear the voice of O'Donnel croak just off abit in the bushes but my training warns me against rushing off into a possible trap so I stay put, tensing cautiously as my opponent - a young man about 16 with short brown hair and deep green eyes, watches me very carefully as I check the area carefully.

Two more flash bang's detonate in the trees to the 4 and 2 o'clock from where I'm in the Mexican standoff with the soldier.

I begin to feel my mind blur as I stop thinking and begin going more on my instincts rather then the training.

Just as I'm about to move in closer I stop and close my eyes, relaxing somewhat.

"I have to think I can't let myself go off instinct alone, that wont win this... Training and thinking outside the box will..." I exhale slowly, listening to my opponent move in closer quietly and three others about 15 yards out try and sneak in closer to us.

I open my eyes and take off right when I hear a muffled sound of someone struggling, I stay low and silent as I run through the forested area towards the sound.

I use the forest and terrain to my advantage to lose my opponent and keep the three others off my tail while moving through quickly.

It helps put some distance between us before I reach the small clearing and spot the top of O'donnel's head.

I jump into a tree cautiously then make my way around, checking the area very carefully before I drop down into the grass quietly.

I eye the area, giving him a cursory look over for traps then sneak over to him, noting the tape being used as a gag and the rope for binders on his arms.

I quickly secret my knife from under my pantleg then begin to cut the tightly bound ropes off his arms very carefully.

He struggles trying to get my attention as I focus on cutting the rope and not him, finally I get frustrated when he struggles too much, possibly making too much noise which would alert his captors to my presence so I reach over to remove the gag.

I plan to rip it off quickly to make my point but just as I'm about to get hold of the tape a hand grabs ahold of my wrist tightly, pulling me up out of my crouched position and into a headlock.

"Damnit! I shoulda paid more attention!" I curse myself as I struggle and fight them, being sure to be as difficult as possible for them to hold.

I just hope as I fight them that with my struggling they don't notice I dropped my knife and O'donnel is using it to quickly cut his bindings.

I hiss, wriggle, claw their face and arms and put up one hell of a fight to get free and provide enough of a distraction so O'donnel can cut himself free.

I can't help but admit the person is doing a very good job of keeping a hold on me despite my fight to get free of them.

Then they surprise me even more by locking their forearm under my chin then tightens their grip, cutting off my air.

I begin to see spots just as I hear O'donnel's voice growl at them warningly.

"Let her go now soldier." he orders dead serious holding my knife at the ready.

"I'd have to second that." I hear the smooth voice of Cortez agree from just behind the young man's shoulder.

I feel them tense and eye the situation carefully, myself expecting a good fight but I am further surprised when I find myself coughing and gasping for air - face down in the grass suddenly.

"Fuck man... Another reason I should be more careful.." I think as O'donnel helps me to my feet carefully, obviously watching the man suspiciously.

But he tenses "Cortez!" he crys surprised just as the sound of a log breaking echos through the area around us, followed by a hard thump on the ground coupled with a sore groan.

I turn just in time to see Cortez carelessly toss a broken log aside and look at me like 'what?' simply and I sigh shaking my head.

I walk over and kneel down by the soldier and begin checking them over carefully.

"We don't have time! Rose we have to go now!" Cortez insists as I check the young man's head.

"Then you shouldn't have hit them with that so damn hard. Now go ahead, regroup with the others and I will follow." I order hoarsely as I begin to tend their head.

Cortez snorts disapprovingly taking a step forward but O'donnel stops her, secreting her med-kit away and tossing it into the grass by my legs.

"You've got 2 minutes. If your late - I wont stop the others from coming next time." O'donnel scolds then turns Cortez around and jogs off.

I quickly tend their scratches and the location where Cortez struck them before using a shrill whistle to call in their team mates.

I leave the med-kit beside them with a couple asprin on top and my jacket for a pillow before taking off into the trees as a good lope.

I dash through the trees in the same direction Cortez lead O'donnel in until I find the group.

I pickup my packs and re-strap them on before gently bumping Cortez.

"Hey where's my kit..?" she asks suspiciously and I smile abit "I left it with the guy you clubbed. By the way - next time, don't be so mean with the lumber. You coulda hurt someone yanno." I pat her shoulder and smile abit jovially.

"You mean...?! I shoulda grabbed a bigger stick..." she grumbles and I laugh as Harris calls the group together then we all begin the jog again after a quick pack and people check, making sure everyone's accounted for.

The run continues on with little chatting and more determination from my team-mates, a thing that makes me smile pleasantly.

There is even a more playful aura in the air as we run along the trails doing our level best to makeup for the lost time.

Its hard, gruelling and promises alot of pain as we push ourselves to makeup the time and possible distance lost until we've made it three quarters of the way back do we drop to a quick walk.

It is a kind of break as we pass around a couple canteens of water and some food amongst ourselves.

Some of our team begin to whine and complain but are quickly silenced by those around them for a short time until Harris pipes up, panting hard.

"If we have the energy to bitch and complain we have enough energy for another mile!" he quotes our CO too perfectly.

I suck back a mouthful of the water from a canteen, smiling abit before passing it along along with my smile, knowing someone in our ragtag group's not gonna let that go without saying something about it jovially. James takes a small bit of a granola bar before passing it along to another team mate.

"I think we're working too hard..." he sighs then pops the bit of bar into his mouth and chews thoughtfully, afew of us looking at him puzzled.

"Howso?" Micheal asks confused, then I begin snickering finally cluing in to James's point.

"Well... When you start sounding like your boss or an officer. Its time to go on vacation." he explains, getting it all out with a straight face as he chews on another piece of granola.

Well that cuts it and almost everyone cracks up into laughter, the rest of us snickering. Once the laughter eventually subsides we stow the canteens and food then begin running again.

I keep my eye on some of those I noticed struggling and the time, being sure to watch both very carefully and give the odd bit of encouragement to those who're having a harder time.

We will be cutting it damn close for the hour and a half mark but its just barely doable if we keep this pace or find the energy to quicken our pace.

I don't say anything to the others right away as we continue on, since its not a real concern and I don't want to get their hopes up right now.

But for the last minute then it would be a better tool to bring out to spur everyone forward.

I do cast a worried glance to James and the other team leaders as we continue along. They nod understandingly, griming up and doing what they can to keep everyone going at this pace and even spur for abit more.

"Its gonna be close?" O'donnel questions, slipping in beside me as I pant abit hard and nod.

"Too close..." I muse as we crest the trees and get out into the open, seeing the base's walls and the gate in the distance.

Someone darts past us and ahead of the group as some of the group begin to groan. "Come on guys! We're gonna make the hour and a half mark! LETS BEAT IT!" Austin manages to cry out as he pants hard like a black dog on a hot summers day, running out ahead of us.

I look at the others and cry out a 'OORAH!" before we too drop into a full sprint behind him.

The rest of our group eventually drops into the run as well and all of us run full sprint the last mile to the gates.

Together our group crosses the gate lines and drop into formation, saluting our waiting CO who is standing beside the passenger's seat of a warthog patiently.

All of us drop into formation together, panting hard but none waver or break formation - we have won a victory today, maby not beaten the mark for the weekend off but certainly have won as a whole team of brothers and sisters.

Our CO looks us over silently before speaking - calling out each of our names.

Each one of our team replies with a curt 'Present.' until the last name is called.

"Well done. Now, drop your packs there and report to the infirmary for physicals. Dismissed!" He barks the order sternly motioning to our TI's waiting by a truck. Everyone follows the usual and disperses, dropping their packs by the TI's who snap the odd remark to either hurry up or other demeaning yapping.

But I stand fast and instead step forward with a curt salute "Sir!" I address him smoothly.

My actions reward me with a raised eyebrow from him before he becomes serious once more.

"At ease Corporal West. Now what is it?" he demands though its quite obvious he and the others know my question – my team mates expectantly awaiting the favourable answer.

"Sir, What was our time?" I inquire almost overcome by curiosity though I do my best to hide it and keep a level head as I watch for any indications from him.

Though a curt look from him is enough to drop me back into place and I stiffen back up. "That subject will be discussed tomorrow in class during the overview of today's performances." he speaks with such a pointed nature its like I've been jabbed with a sharp stick, but I stand fast without a twitch or slight movement.

My team mates however do not have the restrictions I do and many shuffle off disheartened we have lost but I stiffen more and serious up, knowing I'll have to do my best to bring their spirits up.

"Is that all Corporal?" he questions as I shift slightly but stand proper.

"Yes Sir." I respond promptly just as the pain of my injuries from the fight hit me, causing me to flinch.

"Very well. Dismissed. And be sure to have the doctor look at your injuries." He eyes me for a moment as I snap to and salute doing my level best to not cringe or show the pain of the movement as I hold it until its returned then turns and jogs off to my waiting cohorts and drop the packs onto the waiting truck smoothly ignoring the TI's halfhearted insults and doing my best to not come back with my own.