Take A Chance
Author; Nightstar Fury
Rated; M for Mature
Pairing; TallonXHector(ToothlessXHiccup)
Disclaimer; I do not own any of the HTTYD movies, or Dreamworks Dragons television series. I also don't own any of the songs I use. Everything belongs to it's original creator and artist! Enjoy the story! :)
37; Temporary Assignment
Nine long months had passed making it to the total time in Iraq as a full year. They were back to June-well, end of since that's when they left originally, on June 30th 2018 and here they were in the year 2019 and still in Iraq and no word on the their tour ending or when they'd receive any leave time. In truth, the war had gotten so bad that no one could really leave because they couldn't risk anyone. Attacks were on the rise but a lot of them honestly didn't seem to mind it: Hector didn't care about going back to Berk, he was over Astrid but he liked being away from the place that he was treated so horribly in for so many years before joining the military. Tallon too didn't care about going back since his father was in prison and mother didn't care-the only people he missed were Tori and Jade but he kept in contact with them over Skype the best he could. Thaxter wasn't all to upset about not getting leave yet and neither were the Grimborn brothers. Evan missed Mia and Aiden but thanks to Hector giving Mia his desktop computer webcam-the two could keep in contact a lot and Evan was getting to see Aiden grow up to a better degree than before so things were good for Evan too.
In the last nine months since the day Hector said he was over it, a lot of people had been lost. Three units were killed in an ambush, another group of ten were injured and it was all spread out over the time frame. Some of the people who were killed in action were members of Hector's platoon-about ten of them were gone now so his once original platoon of forty eight including himself was now thirty eight and four of them were injured and out of commission for the next month or so total number for Dragon platoon still able to fight was thirty-four. Others in Nightwave were missing people due to death or injury too-the platoon was suffering without new recruits to replace those who had been killed in action. Bludvist had said he was working on it but that was a month ago and still so far nothing to show for it which irritated Hector-not having the soldiers they needed was making missions harder to complete and that much more dangerous too. Nightwave had one hundred and forty-four soldiers when it came to Iraq, but now there was only about 101 left alive but thirteen or so were injured and couldn't take part in missions for a while so that left eighty-eight able to still fight, guard, and do missions.
What made things harder in all this were some of the people who died-their battle buddies no longer had a buddy. Granted that technically speaking, the battle buddy thing was really only for Reception Week, Basic Training, Advanced Individual Training, and drill weekends, it was still hard to be without their buddy when drill would come again for after the tour ended. Of course their battle buddies were also close friends. Like how Tallon and Hector were. Nightwave Company was below the normal number for soldiers that actually make up a company. Hector barely called home anymore-he was just too busy with everything going in involving his platoon. He worried about the company too but that was Alex's responsibility-Hector commanded the Dragon platoon himself so having it be fourteen people short right now caused him concern. At the beginning of August, he would gain back four people-those were the ones who were out wounded right now. But he was still down ten people who had died in combat, and he had people who were buddyless and suffering slight depression too. He was only twenty years old and stressing out big time on everything.
They were all in the barracks now, it was 6am-staying pretty quiet among them because Alex said he'd have news for them about what was going to happen as far as replacing the soldiers who were KIA over the nine months but so far-there was no word on that. Three girls and seven men were lost and it was not an easy time to recover from either-all people he cared about, had trained with since Basic and now new people coming in who didn't know how his group worked? It irritated him-but what could he do. They couldn't be down ten people either. "Haddock," came Alex's voice as Hector looked over and saw he had entered the barrack so Hector got off his bed and offered a salute to him while standing before the man.
"Yes sir," Hector replied.
"I got good and bad news for you," Alex began as Hector was already afraid to hear this. "The good news is that Bludvist found soldiers to replace the ones that Nightwave as a whole has lost. Bad news falls under a few different things: one, they aren't trained in BCT or AIT yet. Two, you're going back with Inferno to train them in BCT and AIT. And three, you're all coming back to Iraq when they graduate AIT. So you're getting three months out of Iraq to act as their Drill Sergeant, but then you are all coming back because the tour isn't over," Hector's eyes widened.
"Wait, hold on a sec. You're telling me that Inferno unit is leaving Iraq for three months to train the recruits who are coming in to replace the people Nightwave has lost-then we're all coming back to continue the tour?" Hector asked to confirm.
"That's correct, Captain Haddock. It was the only thing we could do. You know how it works in the Berk division-we don't take soldiers from other islands, everything works on a rotation. Nightwave has lost forty-three people-so Berk Recruitment office recruited just that. You'll be training forty-three people for the nine weeks of Basic and then another four for Advanced. You'll get about a day to get ready then you all ship back here to continue to tour-still no word on how long it will go for. Those are the orders, Hector. I'm sorry I can't do more," Alex said calmly.
"Dragon platoon can't be down six more people, Major Holgerson," Hector argued.
"I know. That's why Bludvist is going to make a new schedule so that way others from Nightwave join it to do guards and missions. It's all we can do for the next three months, Haddock. Start getting ready, you leave in an hour and will be going right to Fort Striker airstrip. The recruits are there waiting-they've been informed their drill sergeant will be arriving in about ten hours. You should land there around 2030 hours on Berk time zone-enough time to debrief them on the situation and then start BCT the next morning with them. Because of the time constraints, there will be no family day or graduation after BCT ends, you move right into AIT and then they will graduate both at the end of fourteen weeks. Orders clear, Captain?" Alex asked.
"Crystal, Major. We'll be ready in an hour," Hector told him with a nod and salute. Alex saluted back as he turned and left the barrack. "You heard him boys, lets get ready." Tallon, Evan, Thaxter, Ryan, and Viktor nodded understanding as they grabbed their backpacks to get what they'd need for the next three months. Mainly clothes, electronics, and of course their guns. The hour ticked away as they were taken by jeep to the airfield then boarded it and they were gone. It wasn't a big plane-smaller and could fly longer distances, it would only need to stop and refuel once in Germany but it would be a long layover given it took four hours and thirty minutes to go from Iraq to Germany, then from Germany to Berk was three hours and forty minutes. Add time zones in and what not and it would get them to Fort Striker for 8:30pm on Berk time. Here came a long day followed by a very long fourteen weeks that Hector prayed to any God listening he had a group of soldiers who wouldn't give him any trouble.
(Berk; 8:40pm)
Slight delay got them their ten minutes off schedule as the plane landed at Fort Striker and they got off slowly and tiredly-all of them just wanted to get some sleep but of course Hector had to talk to the new recruits first, he couldn't believe he was a drill sergeant for the next fourteen weeks to these civilians that he had to turn into soldiers who would be ready to take on Iraq directly afterwards. "Captain Haddock! Welcome back to Fort Striker, Bludvist said you'd be coming." greeted the SMA, Jay Wood.
"And here I am, where's the recruits?" Hector asked.
"Small group-forty-three total. Some have battle buddies, some don't due to the unevenness of them. Barracks A, B, C, and D being used. There's room in A for you and your guys or you're welcome to stay in the DS quarters," Jay informed.
"We'll just take the barrack, sir. Thank you," Hector nodded as Jay smiled and walked off. Hector adjusted his bag on his shoulder and yawned while he and his five guys made their way to the barracks, "Let's get this shit over with," he sighed reaching it as he dropped his bag by his feet. "RECRUITS, fall in!" he commanded loudly. It took almost ten minutes for them to form outside in a very sloppy group too at that. Hector fought the urge to facepalm as he stayed in position. "Well this is something we'll be working on," he mumbled then shook his head, they could focus on that tomorrow. "Welcome to Fort Striker Military Base. Your home for the next fourteen weeks for Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training. My name is Hector Haddock and I will be your Drill Sergeant for your time here and for ten of you, I will be your commanding officer when you leave here,"
"Hector?!" a few people said in shock. Hector's eyes glanced over to see who had talked and by the Gods he already hated this assignment. Standing three rows back was Skylar, Drew, Jessie, Trent, and even Darius.
"What the hell are you five doing here?" Hector asked firmly.
"We told you when your first tour ended that some of us were thinking about joining," Trent shrugged a bit.
"I knew you and Drew were but the rest of you too?" Hector asked curiously arching a brow.
"I broke up with Astrid," Jessie said quietly as Hector's eyes softened a bit, "I was okay with things for a while but then it really started to bug me when all that came out a year ago. I was a mess but I wanted to do something more than sit around my house and get supported by my parents so...here I am,"
"What's your excuse?" Hector glanced to his brother now.
"Dad kind of turned into a jerk after you left last year. Mom and him are always fighting, Heather moved out with Carmen three months ago. I got sick of it so I left, thought this might be a better place for me," Darius admitted.
"And although I'm afraid to know this answer, why are you here, Skylar?" Hector asked looking to his cousin.
"The others were leaving and I was bored," Skylar shrugged. This time Hector did facepalm in frustration-really Odin? Why!?
"That has got to be by far the stupidest excuse to join the military I have ever heard. Regardless, you're here now and under my command. You give me shit and I'm gonna give it right back ten fold, we clear on that?" Hector asked.
"Yes sir!" the group of them replied.
"Good. I'm to assume none of you know what's going to be happening for you in the next fourteen weeks, right?" Hector inquired, they shook their heads. "You'll be undergoing Basic Combat Training for nine weeks starting tomorrow morning at 0500 hours. Following those nine weeks you'll be jumping directly into Advanced Individual Training for another four weeks. You will graduate as privates unless anyone manages to make it to a higher rank than that, it's not impossible. I was promoted to Corporal the day I graduated Basic, then to Staff Sergeant after Advanced graduation. Now-all of you are part of the 82nd Nightwave Company-10th Berk Infantry Division. I already have your stationing orders for after graduation because you'll all be coming with me and my unit to Iraq,"
There were a few gasps heard now, "Why...do we have to go right there?" asked one of the females standing in the front row.
"Because Nightwave has lost forty-three members in the last nine months and you are coming in to replace them. I was sent here from Iraq with my unit to handle your training-then we all go back there in three months. Those are the orders-if you're here then you signed up for medical, or infantryman when you joined and got sworn in at MEPS. I know it's late and a lot of you are tired from your week at Reception Battalion-I know we're exhausted, we just spent roughly eight hours on a plane. We left Iraq at 7am this morning, so I'll make this easy. You will address me as Drill Sergeant for the next fourteen weeks. Not sir, not Captain, not Drill Sergeant Haddock, or even Captain Haddock. Just Drill Sergeant, that's all you need to know for tonight. There will be a 5am wake up call for when we start Physical Training. This is push ups, sit ups, and running before breakfast. I'll give you the remainder of that schedule tomorrow morning. For now you are dismissed back to your barracks. Get some sleep-you're gonna need it boys and girls," Hector informed.
"Yes, Drill Sergeant!" the group replied to him.
"Yes, Hector!" that was Skylar's voice and Hector glared, he moved right beside him and grabbed his wrist-whipped him to being slammed into the metal barrack closest to them while Hector kept his hands behind his back.
"Boy, this ain't no game. You joined the military and it's my job to make you a soldier and you're gonna have a really bad time if you don't start taking this seriously. If you don't and you won't be graduating Basic-you'll get discharged immediately or when we go to Iraq, you'll just get killed for fucking around. Now I was clear when I said what to address me is. Like it or not, I'm your commanding officer and you will respect me or I will make your life a living hell for the next fourteen weeks. Is that in any way, shape, or form unclear, Jorgenson?" Hector said firmly.
"Cl-clear, Drill Ser...geant!" Skylar whimpered almost. Hector released him and stepped back.
"Good. I'm glad we understand one another. Get to your barrack," Hector ordered firmly. Skylar nodded slowly while panting a bit to catch his breath and moving with the others towards barrack A. Tallon patted his shoulder now and handed him his bag.
"Nice work, Hector-think you showed him a thing or two," Tallon smiled.
"Well he better not forget it-I cannot believe they are all here...Oh my head hurts, I need sleep..." Hector sighed as he closed his eyes and moved to barrack A and his unit followed him slowly but then he stopped, "By the way recruits! Lights out is at 9:30pm. All the lights are on a timer to go off at 9:30pm-won't come back on til 5:00am, unless I override it. I'll be in barrack A if anyone needs anything. Rest up!" then he entered the barrack with his friends as they all quickly claimed their bunks and got ready for bed by getting off their ACU's, laying their guns with the safety on against the closets, unpacking their things into the closets, making their beds and getting set in their sweat pants and laying in bed shirtless since it was hot out with it being almost July.
"So...Drill Sergeant? Which ten of us are you going to continue to command in Iraq?" Trent asked at random.
"Haven't decided yet. Depends who can handle their training and who I deem fit to be in my platoon-we run a lot of missions and know how to work together. Those out of this group who will fit that styling will be joining it, others will be spread out to other places in Nightwave," Hector replied while laying on his bunk quietly. "Which of you in here have battle buddies already?"
"Most of us. Jessie and I are battle buddies, Skylar and Trent are too." Drew told him.
"I don't have one, neither does Jayson or Cameron." Darius sighed.
"Don't worry about it-for the time being you can join up with Jessie and Drew, work as a team. Cameron with Skylar and Trent. Jayson can link up with another team, sorry. Don't know all your names in here, I get a list tomorrow. When we get to Iraq-you'll likely be paired and be buddies with someone who lost there buddy in action," Hector informed.
"How hard is Basic and AIT?" Trent asked.
"It's not hard as long as you do as you're told and follow instructions. Everything in the military is confidence, teamwork, and following orders. If you can do that-you will pass," Tallon answered now.
"Do Mom and Dad know you joined, Darius?" Hector asked now.
"They do, weren't happy about it either," Darius sighed.
"And you wonder why I didn't tell anyone when I did it. I knew they wouldn't approve of my choice so I just did it," Hector shrugged now.
"Should have done that and only told Heather," Darius mumbled now. Hector checked his watch now, it was 9:20pm.
"Alright-ten minutes to lights out so get changed, use the bathroom, and lay down for the night." Hector informed now as he closed his eyes.
"Yes, Drill Sergeant." the boys in the room replied as they began to get ready for bed. Hector had a massive headache and desperately needed sleep after the long flight and now finding out he was drill sergeant to his cousin, brother, and three friends. Well, two. Hector didn't know where he stood with Jessie but maybe now that he wasn't with Astrid anymore, he might be less of an asshole. Hector kind of felt for the guy-Jessie left Astrid because it didn't feel right anymore knowing she would of slept with Hector if it weren't for Tallon arriving that night. That bothered Jessie to know and now the guy could see why Hector told him to get out if he didn't want to be in a situation where he knew he could be hurt at anytime. Looks like Jessie took the advice and left her-then joined the military to do something useful with his life. Drew and Trent admitted when Hector's first tour was over that they had an interest in the military. But Skylar's reason was the most irritating to hear. He only joined because the other guys were? Hector was surprised to find out that Skylar scored high enough to make infantryman on the ASVAB.
Regardless-these forty-three people were returning with him and Inferno to Iraq in three months. What joy. Hector hadn't said anything yet but he already knew five of the people who were staying in Dragon platoon because he didn't trust anyone to be able to handle Skylar, Darius, Drew, Trent, and Jessie except himself. In order to fix his team again, he needed three girls and two more boys-he would make his choice on them by the time AIT was over and they had to return to Iraq. For now, all he wanted to do was sleep before Basic started tomorrow at 5am-he really needed it and all he prayed for was that it would just go smoothly with no problems and he wouldn't have to scream at anyone like Svendson had done with them but only if they messed up. Hector really missed Sean-it hurt him when he died while Hector and the rest of Nightwave was leave. Sure enough as soon as 9:30pm hit-the lights went off as people began to mumble about it being bullshit that they had a time limit with the lights. "Bitch and gripe all you want but you'll be thankful for the amount of sleep you get going to bed this early," Hector stated.
"And you're really gonna miss it when we get to Iraq and have to stay up for hours on end guarding or missions," Thaxter chucked out.
"Alright, don't scare 'em guys. See you all at 0500 hours. Sleep well," Hector stated as he closed his eyes and not even twenty minutes later he was out-he was tired and he knew that. Long flight, longer night knowing who he'd be training and he was glad to just be able to close his eyes and sleep finally. Three months were gonna go right by-he hoped. This was just a temporary assignment after all.