"Alright, that was some bullshit." Sledge stood up from behind the crates where he had been hiding, paint splattered all over the right side of his face mask. Valkyrie snickered from across the room as he pulled the mask off. Sledge had been using that spot the last few times him and Valkyrie had dueled and she'd picked up on it. She also had determined the angles she could use to get him, and now he was upset.
"Well, don't use the same spot so many times." She pulled down her mask to reveal the smile that was hidden underneath. Sledge humphed, disappointed that his hiding spot had been used against him. He'd have to find a new one.
Sledge was in America training with Valkyrie, Castle, Thermite, and Blackbeard for an upcoming mission. He'd decided come a bit early and get some training in. His original plan was to stay in America until the other SAS operators arrived, but Six had called him back to England for something; Sledge wasn't sure what that was yet. Him and Valkyrie decided to do one last training together, a one-on-one.
"Don't be so grumpy, mister." Valkyrie playfully punched his arm. He winced slightly, but knew that Valkyrie meant no harm to the wound that was underneath; after all, she didn't know about it. Valkyrie didn't miss the wince, but didn't ask. It wasn't her business, Sledge would reveal that if he wanted to.
"I'm not being grumpy."
"Sure you're not. And think about it"—the two began walking toward the prep room—"if you weren't grumpy about this, you'd be grumpy about Six calling you back." She was right, and Sledge knew it. He liked being with his American friends and, as much as he didn't want to admit it, he had a bit of a crush on Valkyrie. Too bad she was already married. He drooped his head in disappointment. Him and Valkyrie split ways in the prep room, and he wandered over to the locker he liked to keep his stuff in and began to change.
Sledge had grown up in a family where he was forced into several activities he simply didn't want to do. He preferred to keep to himself, but his parents always wanted him to be engaged and active during his high school days. He went on several dates, all of them pre-planned, and hated all of them. He just didn't connect with any of them. Yeah, sex was cool and all, but that meant nothing if there wasn't an connection, which he craved. He'd tried hitting it up with all the female operators in Rainbow, but none of them had that spark he so desperately wanted. He'd come to accept the fact that he simply wouldn't be able to find anyone, at least not while he was under Rainbow direction. As far as he was concerned, he wasn't gay so he hadn't pursued that path either. And besides, he knew of no one else in Rainbow that was gay. But that was always a thought that stuck in the back of his mind, and he couldn't shake it. So he repressed it, just like every other unpleasant memory in his life.
Sledge knew he wouldn't have much time after this, and debated showering. He ultimately decided for a quick one, and washed the sweat that had congealed underneath his armor and helmet. He turned off the water, stepped out onto the cold texture tile, and wandered back to the locker. Sledge toweled off and, after changing into a pair of gray sweatpants and navy blue shirt, retrieved the items from the locker. It wouldn't be longer than a month before he would be back, but he wanted to train wherever he was. After all, an operator can't have too much training.
Sledge toted his belongings back to the room he'd been staying in and dumped them on the bed before arranging them into their proper spots for travel. The suitcases wouldn't be traveling with him, besides the smaller one with some extra clothing. Instead, base management would be sending them separately. However, despite the difference, Sledge and his belongings would end up at Hereford base on the same day.
Sledge zipped up the last suitcase and rolled all four of them out into the hallway, closing the door behind him. He'd be back. As he rolled down the hallway, Thermite peeked his head out from his room to wave Sledge goodbye. He all knew Sledge would be back soon enough. Sledge had a sense of humor, and a quick one. The sarcasm that came out of his mouth was devastating sometimes. But he'd equal that sarcasm out with a hilarious joke that left all the nearby operators laughing. Sledge was a fun guy to be around and he cared about everyone. Somehow, he'd take your life trauma and get you to laugh about it. Yet, every time Sledge had to leave the presence of those he was around, the mood was always somber, even though everyone knew they'd see him sometime soon. Sledge hated it too because he didn't have anything funny to say about this trip. He despised it, but kept his mouth shut anyway.
He dropped off the three bigger suitcases in the travel room, a small room where the operators simply would stow any baggage they were bringing along. As long as the luggage was marked with the operator's name, management would make sure it got to its destination. Sledge closed the door, and sighed, then moved to the outbound room. It was another small room, simply designed for operators wait in before their travels. Rainbow took very good care of their operators. Sledge glanced at his watch before deciding he had time to hit the cafeteria before he needed to report back to the outbound room. Sledge wandered a little ways before coming to the cafeteria. No one was in there besides the kitchen staff, and he wandered up to the counter before asking for some chicken alfredo. Sledge loved chicken alfredo and the kitchen staff knew it. They always had some waiting for him when he was on base. The man simply nodded and disappeared for a few seconds before returning with a warm plate of chicken alfredo. Sledge thanked the man, and walked over to a table to eat. He already missed the Austin base. He'd be back soon enough. He sighed again and began to eat.