Hello reader
Here's the second chapter of my story, but really, it feels like the first. The story is going to move in Tarkov soon, believe me. Anyways, enjoy the chapter
After a week, full of tears and promises to return safe and sound, Judy stood here, in the middle of nowhere, with people who soon will become here squadmates.
«So, babes and sucklings, you all came here expecting easy money» said the elk, instructor and future pain in the ass of every inhabitant of the boot camp, looking with a large grin at a certain bunny. «At this job you're not the one who will strike fear, you are the one who will fight for their lives. And here you will know how to do it perfectly. You will fight so hard, that anybody would think twice, before even looking your way. God damn, I'm sure that after this place you will survive even a Nuclear Winter. But if someone questions our methods and doubts in their effectiveness…» he said, pointing with his hands at the entrance gates: «Exit is right over there».
Silence was the answer.
«Awesome. So, anyway, my name is Darrell, and…»
It was the start of two months of her tactical, physical and mental training. And, unexpectedly, the beginning of new friendship. Was this change in her personality, or just people were kinder in the northern states, anyway, everybody accepted her, and nobody ever questioned her suitability. But now, she didn't suspect anything and was prepared for the worst.
After the formation and short excursion on the base, everybody was dismissed to explore the CHUville-small city made of containers, their future place of living. While Judy was searching for her own CHU, she came across a tall grey wolf who just leaved his own «den» to stretch.
«Hey, I saw you at the gates, you're the one of a recruits, huh?» he exclaimed not hiding astonishment in his voice». I didn't expect that they would really hire a bunny.»
Judy flinched of words were said and dropped her ears, expecting that she will endure speciesm again, but was really surprised when her new neighbor closed his mouth and corrected himself, ashamed.
«Sorry, this one was really offensive, wasn't it? I'm not speciest, I'm just… curious, why a bunny rather than other species would do such kind of job…Anyway, forget it please, the name's James Wolford, and you..?» He said, politely stretching his paw.
The bunny answered him with firmly (In her opinion) grip. «Judith. Judith Hopps». They smiled kindly at each other, and after a few seconds of awkward silence, finally broke the pawshake.
«Soooo, as I see you just found your own cabin. Get yourself comfortable, and in half an hour I can introduce you to our band, How does it sound for you?»
«Perfect, actually… aaaaand, may I go? This bag really will end me soon», she whined, demonstratively sagging under her backpack as if she was carrying a log. This conservation really made her uncomfortable, mostly because of its suddenness and unpredictability. She really was shocked that someone finally looked at her like at equal, and apologized for something that everyone before didn't even considered insulting.
After the fast examination of her hut and understanding that this was just comfortable enough only to sleep, recruit changed clothes for training one and jumped outside landing right in front of her new friend.
They walked for about 3 minutes, but in this «city» with absolutely identical «streets» and «buildings» it felt like an eternity. Finally, the wolf started: «As I've already said, my name is James, but everybody calls me by the last name. I'm here already for a year, probably, but half a year ago my squad was dissolved, and since then we are waiting for a «reinforcement».» He laughed softly. «I can already imagine the look of their faces when they see you… Here they are by the way». The wolf pointed at the tent, which, as Judy will find out soon is their canteen, where sat a well-built tiger with dark black stripes and pale white and orange fur, tall white wolf and much bigger, but not less whiter, Polar bear.
«Hey, guys, look who we got there». Everybody were chatting at one second, and at the other second, looked at their old friend and his companion in amazement. «That's our new recruit, Judy. And I'd like to introduce you to the «Eagle» squad.» said Wolford, looking down at his neighbor. «The wolf here's Sam Grizzoli, Eagle 2-4,our…»
«Wait, wait, wait», they exclaimed in unison. «She's a bunny, and she's…she?! I've never seen a woman at this place…»
«Fang, stop being rude to our rookie! Excuse my friends here, they can be really dumb-headed sometimes…»
«Relax, guys», finally said Judy, making everybody shut. «I've heard a lot more during my life, so a few exclaims don't even matter. And don't even try to be a gentlemammal, you've sounded exactly the same as your friends here», she ended, making grey wolf to step back
«I don't know what you're talking about. Nah. No idea. You have no proofs»
«I didn't expect that they would really hire a bunny», said the proof. A small, carrot-looking pen proof. And then repeated.
Wolford slowly turned himself into a wolf-shaped tomato.
«She got you good, my guy», someone said before everybody roared with laughter. Even Judy.
It was the first time in the past month when she finally let herself relax a bit. The Police Academy, Her father's disease-everything tried to destroy her both physically and emotionally. She was like on autopilot: Without wishes, without motivation, just lifeless program ordering to keep moving on. Everything she achieved was once again crushed down and thrown out, because of a stupid accident, and she had no other way but to close in her mind, doing what she was forced to do. And for the first time in her life she really was on the verge of desperation. But once again, the life, as if teasing, gave her hope, and things started to get better.
Judy was snapped out of her thoughts by a snap in front of her face. «Hey, Earth to the Long-eared PMC. Are you with us? »
«Oh, yeah, sorry…»
«Never mind. So, let us introduce ourselves», Said the White-wolf. «As has been said earlier, I'm Sam Grizzoli, former Police officer and SWAT member along with a Wolford here. We serve here like…year probably, I don't remember exactly… Anyway, great to see you in our ranks»
Then the tiger's turn has come as he stood. «Will Fangmayer. Former Navy Seal with 3 year experience. Welcome to our Squad».
«Ron Anderson. Was a sapper at first, bet then swapped the profession to a combat medic.4 years in army,2 at Police. I bet we all can teach you something, huh? What about you?»
Judy visibly tensed up, but soon reminded herself that she has no choice. «Only passed through a 2 months of Police Academy, but at the top of the class…I've dreamed about being cop, so I spent a great amount of time at the shooting range and studying the tactics, so, I think, everything I lack is experience.»
She expected to see a haughty looks, but everyone just kindly smiled at her, not even thinking about it.
«You know, we can see your skills on practice this noon», said Wolford, patting her on the shoulder «Sooo, do you have anything in mind about what are we gonna do until 6PM?»