Back on the Line
As the patrol troopers left, our group from Forlorn Hope said goodbye, and they were especially mournful to us in the leave group. I gave the little Alisa a goodbye, and she gave me her address and unit. At least I got a nice new pen pal out of the experience.
The remainder of us were still awaiting that shipment, and hoping it took the rest of our enlistments. Sure enough, it was dusk, and about three hours after the patrols left when we saw the train coming in from the north. Three brahmin, escorted by five or six guys passed by the merchants going towards New Vegas. The outpost was closing up for the evening, and the train arrived just in time to show who it was. The Gun Runners unloaded six long crates, each one with five shotguns crammed inside, and multiple ammo boxes full of shells. The lockdown was over, and now there were no more excuses for not returning, except one: It was too dark out. The sergeant and us troopers staged the gear, and were told that we'd stay the night at 188 and head straight back in the morning.
Despite my desperate prayers to the god of the religion I ironically joined, morning came. You the reader may be wondering why the leave group didn't just resume our leave after the lockdown. The leave papers we all carried specifically said the date we had to check back in with a heading "NO EXCEPTIONS". That morning was that date.
Still under orders from the supply sergeant, we loaded up the shotguns, ammo, and other camp essentials on the already burdened brahmin, and began heading south before the sun was even up. More walking, more hating the world, and more internal dread. Hours passed, we went east, through the trails and narrow canyons, and arrived back at the same near dead camp. The only difference being more shell holes closer to the trailhead, more injured troops in medical, and instead of glares at the returning leave troopers, there was laughter.
"That's what you get for being randomly selected for seven days of joy and rest!" is what the mocking troopers might as well have said.
The supply sergeant and his guys were spared the mocking, and us leave troopers reported back in with our prospective commands. I gave Sergeant Holms the pistol I had to get him, told him how much it cost out of my pocket, and he actually reimbursed me. I handed over the orders from that leave officer, and asked if I'd get to resume the leave next month due to the unforeseen events.
No
I was back, joining in my company's section of their week off the line, and back with a plate of chow and my buddies. After the short period of mockery, my pals in brown really did feel for me and the other leave troops. Though I was deprived of the lights and comforts of that city, I was surrounded by pals who really did care, even if they were a little hard at first.
*Short chapter today. I've been taking Saturday's off with this story, and always take a break Sunday, so more to come on Monday!*